Uttar Pradesh’s higher education sector is stepping up to power Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Zero Poverty Abhiyan, marking a new chapter in state-led poverty eradication efforts. The campaign, which promises to lift every poor family out of destitution, will now benefit from the extensive networks and expertise of colleges and universities statewide.
Kicking off with a high-profile meeting at the state secretariat, officials outlined how academic bodies will spearhead data collection, awareness drives, and rehabilitation programs. Each university has been assigned specific targets, focusing on metrics like income levels, employment status, and access to basic amenities. This grassroots approach is expected to cover millions of households in the coming months.
‘Yuva Shakti (youth power) combined with Gyan Shakti (knowledge power) will defeat Garibi (poverty),’ declared CM Yogi, emphasizing the role of students in this transformative drive. Incentives for participating institutions include funding for research projects on socio-economic development, potentially attracting national attention.
The initiative builds on previous successes like the PM Awas Yojana and Ujjwala scheme, but innovates by embedding universities as nodal agencies. In pilot phases, institutions like Banaras Hindu University have already linked over 5,000 families to government schemes, demonstrating the model’s efficacy.
While challenges like logistical hurdles and data accuracy persist, the government’s commitment is evident through dedicated portals and monitoring dashboards. This collaboration not only accelerates poverty alleviation but also positions UP’s youth as change-makers, promising long-term societal benefits.