THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the 'Chief Minister's Student Talent Award' of Rs 1 lakh each on Wednesday to 1,000 talented students from economically weaker families who have studied in various universities in the state during the 2020-21 academic year, Minister Dr R Bindu said. The ceremony will be held at 6 pm at the Senate Hall in the University of Kerala campus.

This award is an important step towards achieving quality in the field of higher education. Minister R Bindu will preside over the function. Minister KN Balagopal will deliver the keynote address. VK Prashanth MLA, Mayor Arya Rajendran and Kerala University Vice Chancellor Dr VP Mahadevan Pillai will be present.

The 'Chief Minister's Student Talent Award' will be a milestone in the social justice interventions in the history of higher education in Kerala. One thousand students with an annual family income of less than two and a half lakh rupees will be selected and presented with one lakh rupees and a certificate. The award is given to those who have graduated with the highest marks in various subjects in each university. The minister said this is the first such scheme in the country.