Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today officially handed over the adoption of ‘Children of the State’ Aryan (a fictitious name) to his adoptive mother at Shishu Grih Tutikandi, Shimla. He congratulated Aryan’s adoptive mother and extended his best wishes for a bright and prosperous future for the child.
On this occasion, Chief Minister made an earnest appeal to the affluent members of society to come forward and adopt children growing up in Shishu Grih and orphanages. He said that the state government was making all possible efforts for welfare of underprivileged sections of society and formulating schemes in this direction. He said that the government was now the ‘mother and father’ to 4,000 helpless children and these children have been officially adopted as ‘Children of the State.’ The government was bearing their education and other expenses of these children and preparing them to deal with future challenges.
The Chief Minister said that the government has launched the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana’ to support the welfare of vulnerable children. Under this scheme 49 Bal-Balika Ashrams were currently being supported across Himachal Pradesh. He said that Himachal Pradesh was the first state in India to enact a law dedicated to the welfare of such children. He also mentioned the establishment of the Sukh-Aashray Kosh which was playing pivotal role in providing essential support for education and future of such children.
He said that the state government has also launched the ‘Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana’ to ensure the overall development and well-being of all the children in the state. This scheme aims to improve the education, health, and nutrition of children aged 0-27 years from families of widows, abandoned, divorced, or disabled parents.
General Secretary Himachal Pradesh Child Welfare Council Mohan Dutt Sharma and District Programme Officer (Shimla) Mamta Paul were present on the occasion.
Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana: A Step Toward the Welfare of Vulnerable Children
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
