Shiv Sena promises free tabs to students in Maharashtra

Freebies to be part of party's E Prabodhan scheme that aims to promote e-learning

The Shiv Sena on Thursday promised free tablet computers, or tabs, to students in rural and urban areas of Maharashtra, if it was voted to power in the October Assembly polls.

The tabs, which will come with solar power chargers, would be given to students of Classes VIII to X under the state syllabus. Course content would be loaded onto the tabs. These announcements were made by the Shiv Sena in its vision document, released on Thursday by party president Uddhav Thackeray. The party’s E-Prabodhan scheme, a part of its vision document, cover the tablet plan.

Marathi- and English-medium students would be covered under the scheme. However, the course material would be designed for Hindi and Urdu.

Launching the E-Prabodhan scheme, Sena president Thackeray told reporters students would be given solar chargers as the power situation in the state was precarious. Students would also get a special kit for e-classes that would have a a pen drive and a television in school. The e-class would cover children unable to pursue education due to poverty.

Thackeray said tabs and computers would reduce the need to carry school bags.

Further, students appearing for the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service exams would be given coaching through video conferencing.

Thackeray had already released the first part of the party's vision document, focusing on upgrade of infrastructure in Mumbai. He had said the party's other projects to push Maharashtra's growth would be announced soon.

Thackeray's move to release E-Prabodhan now is crucial as his estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Raj Thackeray, was expected to release his party's vision document for Maharashtra next week.

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