CHENNAI: The Rajasthan Youth Association (RYA) opened a new chapter in the lives of underprivileged college students by distributing books to them at its 48th annual book distribution function at the Kamaraj Memorial Hall, on Sunday.As part of the RYA Book Bank project, managed by the RYA Association Educational Trust, about 2750 students of arts and science and engineering colleges, in and around the city, received the requisite books at the event. These students were shortlisted after they filled in the application forms at the RYA office in Veppery. The forms were also available online. Based on their academic performance, selected students who got their marks certified by their respective college principals received allotment letters. The allotment letters were then used to mark the different sets of books that were distributed in stalls set up in the Memorial Hall.The students paid a caution deposit fee of Rs 500 for engineering textbooks and Rs 300 for arts and science textbooks. On return of the books after completing the semester exams, as per the conditions specified by the book bank, the students will be provided a refund after deduction of Rs 100 from the deposit as processing charge.Most of the students who assembled at the venue to collect the books had learnt about the initiative because of its popularity among the student community.According to M Pavithra, an engineering student of RMK engineering college, Kavaraipattu, who received a medal as a token of appreciation for her consistent academic performance in college, said that she had applied at the RYA Book bank following advice from her seniors.Similarly, Kanimozhi, a first year BCom student of Kanaya Parameshwari Arts and Science College said that she availed of the opportunity when her classmates applied at the RYA, Veppery office.Speaking at the occasion, President of the RYA Book bank, Ritesh Mohta said that their project will soon cover 1 lakh students.Referring to the success of the non-profit initiative, Chairman of the Book bank project, Mahendra Bothra said that the project had covered more than 78000 students of colleges in Chennai and Chengalpattu districts since its institution in 1964. A gamut of courses, including arts and commerce to engineering and medicine have been included in the Book bank project, he added.Guest of Honour, Padmashree Dr Nalli Kuppusamy Chettiar, appreciated the efforts of the RYA in facilitating the education of underprivileged students. He said that the immense contribution of the members of RYA had helped students who can’t afford to buy the books.GR Surana, Chairman of the Surana Group of Companies urged the RYA to make ample use of technology in the form of computerised processing of applications to reach out to the college students. The donors of the RYA book bank were felicitated at the event.Following this, the vote of thanks was proposed by the Secretary, RYA, Mahendra Ranka.
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