Team Gujarat in Schools to score 100% enrollment in primary schools
Shri Narendra Modi speaking earlier today on the commencement of Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Nidhi 2012 through video conference.
Dear Friends,Many people have often asked me, “the Government has so many programmes but which one of them is your favourite?” While I consider each and every government programme a golden opportunity to serve the 6 crore people of Gujarat, I must admit that the Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Abhiyan hold a very special place in my heart. More memorable than the day I got the opportunity to serve the people of Gujarat as their Chief Minister are those days when I have the good fortune of taking a little toddler to school! It is a matter of immense joy to see these tiny toddlers, who are the future of our nation take their first little steps to school.
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The Shala Praveshotsav is aimed at ensuring a hundred percent enrollment in primary schools, the Kanya Kelavani Abhiyan spells out our determination to give an impetus to educating the girl child. Be it the classroom or the sports field, it is extremely delightful to see girl students emerging on top!
In the month of June every year, when we heave a sigh of relief from the scorching summer heat, the entire ‘Team Gujarat’ right from myself, my Ministerial colleagues, senior bureaucrats to other officials go out and request parents to send their little children to school. Today, we commence the 3-day campaign in the villages while it will be held in the urban areas towards the end of the month.
Earlier, I often noticed that few people would remember their very first day at school and nor would anything special happen on that day. Now, I am glad that as these children go to school on their first day, not only their parents but also the entire state of Gujarat will watch them make their first strides. When a little child is taken to school by an IPS officer in uniform or by a Minister of the state, can you imagine the image it will leave in his or her mind? Rest assured, this will be a day that no child will forget during his entire life!
This year’s campaign will cover as many as 34,000 government primary schools. For the first time, the Government will add interest on Rs.1, 000 bond distributed to girl students on admission to Standard-1 which on maturity after passing Standard-7 becomes Rs.2,000. In addition 48,000 bicycles will be given and toys will be distributed to Anganwadi children. Almost 10,595 new classrooms will be dedicated while ground-breaking ceremonies will be performed for 26,000 structures.
These initiatives are a part of our larger mission of enhancing our Human Resource Development potential and for that we must start from the basic levels and this is where primary education assumes paramount importance.
I urge you to extend your support to our initiatives so that no child is left behind from this golden opportunity that will open several avenues in the years to come.
Yours,
Narendra Modi
Auctioning the gifts received for the noble cause of educating the girls child.
