University celebrates 56th Foundation Day with simplicity
Rural Development Minister inaugurates five research centers
Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
Himachal Pradesh Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh has said that youth decide the future of any nation, and educated youth ensure that the country has a bright future. He said that Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar had said that "education is the weapon that will take you to where you want to go." He was speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion of the 56th Foundation Day of Himachal Pradesh University here today.
On the occasion of Foundation Day, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in his message said that the university will achieve new heights in educational development under the able leadership of the present Vice Chancellor Professor Mahavir Singh.
Anirudh Singh said that under the able leadership of CM Sukhu, the Himachal Government is making committed efforts to ensure the overall development of children by considering it as its duty. By giving the best opportunities of education to the children, we are laying a strong foundation for the all-round development of our state and building a strong Nation.
The Panchayati Raj Minister said that the aim of the government is that education should be such where children adopt a disciplined lifestyle with a sense of moral values, and excel in all abilities from scientific approach to experimental practices. Your dedication towards education and knowledge, your positive energy, confidence and dreams with the efforts of the state government will make Himachal a developed and prosperous state. Himachal has made a budgetary provision of more than Rs 9,282 crore in the field of education in the current financial year. The government has sent students and teachers on educational tours abroad to understand and learn advanced methods at the International level.
The Rural Development Minister said that in the academic session 2024-25, 334 teachers and 50 students were sent to Finland. Apart from this, 310 students and 32 teachers were sent to Kerala under the “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” program. The government has provided smart class facilities to 850 primary, high, higher secondary, government colleges and Sanskrit colleges. Under the Smart College Scheme launched by the Himachal Government, facilities like sports, cultural activities, buildings, libraries, digitization, research centers, planetariums and guidance will be provided in educational institutions.
He said that optical classes are being conducted in various schools and colleges. Infrastructure is being established for PBS efficiency. Educational institutions are being equipped with digital equipment like interactive panels, VC cameras, broadband devices, uni microphones and online/offline NC systems. At present, basic facilities like smart desks, virtual classrooms, audio-visual teaching aids, learning software, libraries, buildings and playgrounds are being provided to overcome the lack of appropriate resources in educational institutions.
The Minister said that the government is making special efforts to ensure that no interested student is deprived of higher education. Dr. Y.S. Parmar Education Loan Scheme has been started, under which eligible interested students pursuing professional and vocational courses are being provided loans up to Rs 20 lakh at an interest rate of just 1% for studies in the country and abroad. He said that libraries and reading rooms are being set up at the Panchayat level for the convenience of students. In the first phase, 493 libraries have been constructed, in which other facilities including libraries are being provided.
Shri Anirudh Singh said that efforts are also being made to link education with employment and self-employment. Students are being trained under the electrician trade. Modern courses like data analysis, machine learning, Internet of Things, drone training etc. are being introduced in technical education institutes. We have made it clear by intervening in the middle of the academic session that the evaluation of the academic staff will be done only at the end of the session.
He said that the government has started the “Mukhyamantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana”, which aims to help widows, poor women, disabled parents in providing education and upbringing to their children. Under this scheme, eligible children are being given assistance of Rs 1,000 per month to meet the needs related to education, nutrition and upbringing till the age of 18 years. Apart from this, financial assistance is also being given for the fees and hostel expenses of undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses under the scheme.