Toppers in Class X and Class XII examinations conducted by the state board of Chhattisgarh will be taken on a helicopter ride in Raipur on Saturday for the second year in succession.

According to sources in the Chhattisgarh chief minister’s office (CMO), nearly 86 students, who finished among the top three in matriculation and intermediate examinations conducted by the Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Examinations this year, will be taken on a 15-minute helicopter ride.

The results of the board examinations were announced earlier this year.

“The children will be given this ride in recognition of their year-long efforts and chief minister Bhupesh Baghel will honour them with certificates and cash prizes later in the day at Raipur. The joy ride will take place around 7am while the prize distribution will take place around 11am,” said a senior official at the CMO.

Baghel said that this move was aimed at inspiring students to do better in their board exams. The trips will be sponsored by the state government and will be offered to all district toppers.

The joy ride route of the youngsters, who longed to touch the sky, was opened when Baghel had gone to Raghunath Nagar of the Pratappur Assembly constituency during "Bhent-Mulakat" (meeting the masses) programme last year.

“Smriti, a student of Swami Atmanand School had expressed her desire to the chief minister to ride in a helicopter in response to which Baghel said when she would top the Class XII board examination, she would be able to enjoy a helicopter ride,” said the official.

Baghel had then announced helicopter rides for the students who would make it to the merit list of the Class X and Class XII board examinations.

Last year, 125 students who topped in matriculation and intermediate examinations were taken on helicopter rides.

“The excitement of the children riding a helicopter at that time was remarkable. Last year, Devanand Kumeti, a student from a special backward tribe living in Abujhmad, Narayanpur, enjoyed the ride and said that the deep trees prevent even the sun's rays to reach the place where he resides but it was an amazing experience to watch the trees from such a height,” added the official.