Junagadh

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today launched the 13th statewide Shala Praveshotsav for rural areas with a view to ensuring cent percent enrolment of students from Arnej, a remote village in the Somnath-Gir district.

She also dedicated on the occasion the newly constructed girls’ school, costing Rs.70-lakh, and the Kasturba Gandhi Kanya Shala, costing Rs.1-crore, to the village.

On the first day, 86 boys and girls were enrolled in the village school from standard 1 to 9, while 60 other tiny tots were admitted in the anganwadi. She presented educational kits to the children. A large number of villagers, including the parents were present on the occasion to encourage the children.

Addressing the villagers on the occasion, she said the state government has taken up the task of educating children, their free health checkup, and medical checkup of mothers also.

Mrs. Patel said it is now for the teachers and society to teach sincerity and righteousness to the children from formative years. They should try to help children develop their latent talents in poetry, drawing and performing arts. She said that education helps children become confident youth to be away from social evils and corruption.

She said that she would carry forward Shala Praveshotsav and Beti Bachao campaigns started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the then Chief Minister of Gujarat 13 years ago. She expressed her firm resolve to eradicate illiteracy from the state.

She presented Rs.10,000 cheque to each member of the winning Kodinar volleyball team, and also the meritorious students.

Parliamentary Secretary Jethabhai Solanki welcomed the villagers. DDO Ashok Kalariya proposed a vote of thanks.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Gir-Somnath District Panchayat President Haribhai Solanki, Rajya Sabha Member Chunibhai Gohil, District Panchayat in-charge Chairman Sursisinh Mori, Education Committee Chairman Ranjanben Jadav, Sarpanch Rekhaben Padhiar, District Collector Ajay Kumar, DSP Ashok Muniya and others.

The Chief Minister will spend the second day of the Shala Praveshotav for rural areas at the Kherpada village in Sagbara taluka and at Vaviyala village in Garudeshwar taluka, at the other end of the state in the remote tribal district of Narmada on Friday, June 12, 2015.

– Information