Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
The State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has extended a healing touch to orphan children by ensuring their admission in reputed educational institutions of Himachal Pradesh. Many of these children, who lost their parents at an early age and could never dream of quality education, are now being provided opportunities to pursue their studies in prestigious schools.
A government Spokesperson stated that the State Government is also facilitating the admission of orphan children into reputed schools across the State. Owing to the Chief Minister’s intervention and personal supervision, four children are currently studying at Pinegrove Public School, Solan, three at Tara Hall, Shimla, and eight at Dayanand Public School, Shimla. This initiative aims to ensure that orphan children have equal opportunities to compete with their peers and do not feel left behind. The Government is also in discussions with other leading schools to secure more admissions, thereby unlocking better educational prospects for the children of the State.
The spokesperson added that financial assistance is also being extended to such children for pursuing higher studies and job-oriented courses, enabling them to become self-reliant.
The ‘Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashrya Yojana’, a visionary initiative of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has been launched with the objective of providing comprehensive support to orphan children– from education to self-sufficiency. After assuming office, the present Government adopted all orphaned children of Himachal Pradesh as the ‘Children of the State’, ensuring their care, protection, and education up to the age of 27 years.
Under this scheme, one seat per course has been reserved for orphan children in all government, government-aided, and private technical education institutions including ITIs, polytechnics, engineering, and pharmacy colleges. This will help them access professional training alongside other students.
In addition, the State Government has been conducting exposure visits for these children to various historic places and towns across the country. All expenses, including air travel and accommodation in 3-star hotels, are borne by the Government.
The spokesperson emphasized that upliftment of the underprivileged is a top priority of the present Government. Himachal Pradesh has become the first State in the country to enact a law specifically for the welfare of orphan children, ensuring their right to dignified living, care, and education