Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched laptop distribution program to provide free laptops to about 20,000 meritorious students of the State under Srinivasa Ramanujan Student Digital Scheme in an impressive function held at Paddal Ground at Mandi today.
An amount of Rs. 83 crore has been spent on this. All the Ministers attended the event in their respective districts and distributed laptops to the meritorious students on the
occasion.
While addressing the teachers, students, parents and other dignitaries on the occasion, the Chief Minister congratulated the meritorious students for getting laptops on the occasion.
He said that an educated citizenry was the biggest asset for any democratic society and students are known for their readiness to fight for all right causes since their thoughts are pure and honest.
He said that this feat of the students would motivate the other students to excel in academics and win a laptop next time. He said that Himachal Pradesh has made unprecedented progress in the field of education.
He said that Himachal Pradesh has even surpassed Kerala in several parameters in the field of education, which was an honour for all of us.Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was giving topmost priority to provide quality education to the students, with special focus on education of girl students.
He said that in earlier days people took girl education casually, but now the times have changed and girls were excelling more than the boys in studies. He said that this has ensured women empowerment.
The Chief Minister said that the students were the future of the Nation and thus it was vital to focus on their education. He said that the laptops provided by the State Government to the students would go a long way in assisting the students in their studies.
He said that the corona pandemic has delayed the distribution of these laptops, but now the State Government has provided these laptops to the students. He said change in technology has brought a sea change in the education system as well.
Thus, modern equipment like laptops, computers, mobile etc. have become necessary tools for studies, he added.The Chief Minister said that the State Government has opened a new State University in Mandi to facilitate the students of nearby districts to get higher education nearer to their homes.
He said that this University would start functioning with full strength at the earliest. He said that the University and college teachers would be provided UGC scales soon.Jai Ram Thakur also interacted with the meritorious students of different districts.
All the students thanked the Chief Minister for providing them laptops as it would help them in their studies. He advised the students to work hard as there was no shortcut to success. He also wished the students success in their lives.
The Chief Minister also released a Booklet brought out by the Directorate of Education on the occasion. He also released Signature song of ‘Aazadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The song has been composed and sung by Dr. Gopal Krishan, Prof. Surender Sharma, Dr. Satish Thakur, Dr. Lal Chand and Dr. Hem Raj.
A documentary ‘Shiksha Ke Naye Aayam’ highlighting the achievements and milestones the State has achieved in the field of education was also screened on the occasion.Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur said that the education sector in the State has witnessed unprecedented development under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said that about 16 per cent to the total State Budget has been allocated for the education sector during the current year's budget.
He said that the Union Government has brought in the National Education Policy-2020 to make education more career-oriented. He said that the State Government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has started several scholarship schemes for meritorious students.
He said that even during the corona pandemic, the State Government has ensured that the studies of the students do not get affected and started ‘Har Ghar Pathshala’ for online classes for the students.
He said that over 10,000 posts of teachers have been filled in the State during the last about four and a half years. He said that it was after a gap of about 50 years that another State University was established in Mandi and credit of this goes to the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
As many as 2900 meritorious students of Mandi district were distributed laptops on the occasion.Principal Secretary, Education Maneesh Garg welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion.Director Higher Education Dr. Amarjeet Kumar Sharma presented vote of thanks.
MP and State BJP President Suresh Kashyap, MLAs Vinod Kumar, Rakesh Jamwal, Inder Singh Gandhi and Prakash Rana, Chairman Milkfed Nihal Chand Sharma, General Secretary Child Welfare Council Payal Vaidya, Mayor Municipal Corporation Mandi Rupali Jaswal, Vice Chancellor Sardar Patel University Mandi Dr. D.D. Sharma, former MLAs D.D. Thakur and Kanhiya Lal, Deputy Commissioner Mandi Arindam Chaudhary, SP Shalini Agnihotri were present on the occasion among others.