Gaya: Several students participated in an open interaction with district magistrate Shashank Shubhankar on issues related to education and skill development, technology and innovation, employment and entrepreneurship, civic amenities and improving communication between administration and the citizens.The discussion was held during the third session of the Gaya district administration’s ‘Coffee with DM’ programme on Wednesday, where students pitched their ideas.Mahi Kumari, who completed Class XII in commerce from PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 in Gaya by securing 99.8% to emerge among national toppers, suggested regular road maintenance, timely pothole repairs, better parking facilities and an effective public grievance mechanism to address encroachment, traffic congestion, road maintenance and sanitation issues in Gaya. She also stressed the need for regular interaction between citizens and the administration and awareness campaigns on central and state startup schemes.Aditi Kumari, a seventh-semester BA LLB (Hons) student at Central University of South Bihar, suggested stricter regulation of temporary tents and public events during festivals to prevent traffic congestion. She also called for effective measures against noise pollution and forced collection of donations during public events.Abhishek Kumar, pursuing BCA from IGNOU, suggested to develop a dedicated digital platform for pilgrims visiting Gaya during the Pitripaksh Mela. The proposed platform could provide information on hotels and dharamshalas, local transport, temples, crowd conditions, emergency services and other essential facilities at a single location.Rajveer Kumar, a resident of Manpur and a third-semester student of BA in geography at Gaya College, suggested the use of AI-enabled cameras and smart screens to improve traffic management in the city. He also stressed the need to increase public awareness about traffic rules.Shubhankar appreciated the students’ ideas and urged other young people in the district to join the initiative and share their expectations and suggestions with the administration.
