CM announces one time scholarship to 20 topper students of Bal Ashrams

CM announces one time scholarship to 20 topper students of Bal Ashrams

                     Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA---        The state government would provide one time scholarship of Rs. 10,000 each to ten boys and ten girls living in Bal Ashrams topping in joint merit list of the Bal Ashrams/Bal Grih of the state, from 8th to 12th standard annual examinations under the Mukhya Mantri Bal Uddhar Yojana.

            Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur disclosed this while presiding over the state level closing ceremony of sports and cultural meet for children living in orphanage of the state organised by the Directorate of Women and Child Development department here at Balika Ashram, Tutikandi, today. 

            Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government would provide all possible help to ensure that the students of the Ashrams get better education and they become able to earn their proper livelihood. 

            He said that need of the hour was to bring out the best from within such children by providing them facility of good teachers and also giving exposure visits in different parts of the country so that they could themselves see and feel the distinct culture and customs of India. He said that he recently visited this Ashram on Diwali and was impressed by the talent of the students.

            Jai Ram Thakur said that the there were 48 registered Ashrams in the state out of while eleven were being run by the state government. The government was ensuring that best facilities were made available to the children living in these Ashrams. He said that the state government was providing social security pension of Rs. 1300 per month to the old person aged above 70 years without any income limit. 

            He announced that all the 1500 students would be provided warm jackets by 15th of December this year.

            The Chief Minister distributed prizes to the children who excelled in various sports and cultural events. 

            Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said on the occasion that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was poised to make Himachal Pradesh a model state of the country in matter of development. He said the very first decision that the state government took after assuming the reins was to lower the age limit from 80 years to 70 years to get old age pension without any income limit.

            He thanked the Chief Minister for starting HTRC taxi service from  Ridka  village, near this Ashram to the CTO, Shimla.

            Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal presented vote of thanks. 

            Director, Women and Child Development Rajesh Sharma said that the three-day sports and cultural meet ensured that the students get an opportunity to exhibit their talent. He said that over 425 students participated in this event. He said that over 150 students of the Ashrams were today giving their services at various capacities in different departments of the state.

            A clourful cultural programme sas presented by the children of the Ashram on the occasion. 

            General Secretary, State Child Welfare Council Payal Vaidya, Vice Chairperson, Saksham Gudiya Board Rupa Sharma, Mayor Kusum Sadrate, Deputy Mayor Rakesh Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary Nisha Singh, Deputy Commissioner Amit Kashyap were also present on the occasion amongst others.