If the girls of Kasturba Gandhi schools in Bokaro district seem happier than usual, it's because they have just got free school uniforms and will soon get to take home solar-powered LED lamps.

Around 2,561 girls of all Kasturba Gandhi schools across eight blocks - Chas, Bermo, Nawadih, Jaridih, Chandanakyari, Gomia, Chandrapura and Kasmar - are now coming to class with new uniforms. Students of Classes VI, VII and VIII are wearing maroon skirts and cream shirts while the senior girls (Class XI and above) are pairing maroon salwars with cream kameezes and maroon dupattas.

School authorities said the Kasturba Gandhi students, hailing from poor families, used to be shabbily dressed. Hence, the government decided to introduce uniforms, spending more than Rs 30 lakh for the purpose.

District superintendent of education Veena Kumari said, "Uniforms for all students of Kasturba Gandhi schools were introduced in January. Each school will ensure that students wear them regularly."

Students seem to be equally serious about wearing them. Piya Kumari, a Class VIII student of Kasturba Gandhi school in Chas, said: "I just love my uniform and always keep it clean."

There is more.

Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) has asked district education officer Mahip Singh for a list of students of Class IX and above studying in Kasturba schools so it can gift them solar-powered LED lamps.

The state government has approved the plan, considering most girls stay in homes where even a bulb is a luxury.