SHIMLA/ MANDI: APART from announcing new UGC Pay scales for University and College teachers, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday launched the free laptops scheme to about 20,000 meritorious students of the state under Srinivasa Ramanujan Student Digital Scheme from Paddal Ground in Mandi.
“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”, he said.
As many as 2900 meritorious students of Mandi district were distributed laptops on the occasion.
Addressing the teachers, students, parents and others during the launch, Chief Minister said an educated citizenry is a 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 even surpassed Kerala in several parameters in the field of education, which was an honour for all of us, he added.
Thakur said that the State Government is 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. This has ensured women empowerment, he added.
Chief Minister said 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.
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. This University would start functioning with full strength at the earl
Addressing grievance of the agitating university and college teachers, Chief Minister declared that University and college teachers would be provided UGC scales soon, but he did not give the time frame.
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 about 16 per cent of total State Budget has been allocated for education sector during the current year's budget. Union Government has brought in the National Education Policy-2020 to make education more career-oriented, he added.
He said that over 10,000 posts of teachers have been filled in the State during the last about four and a half years.
Principal Secretary, Education Maneesh Garg welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion while Director Higher Education Dr. Amarjeet Kumar Sharma presented vote of thanks.
