Shimla, Oct 19 – Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the Tutikandi Bal Ashram on Sunday to light lamps and celebrate Diwali with the children living there.
The ashram’s kids and staff welcomed the CM with a colourful opening ceremony that included earthen‑lamp lighting and traditional performances.
Sukhu stopped to chat with the children, handed out sweets and small gifts, and wished them a happy Diwali. “The real spirit of Diwali is sharing joy, compassion and togetherness,” he said. “These children are our future, and it’s up to us all to give them love, dignity and chances to succeed.”
The government has already started treating orphaned children as “children of the state.” It pays their education fees and gives each child Rs 4,000 a month for pocket money.
The CM promised new upgrades to the Bal Ashram residential facilities and announced upcoming welfare schemes aimed at orphans and vulnerable kids to support their full development.
He also announced a new sports day that will take place every year on November 14, with the state budget earmarked for it.
Sukhu plans to send Bal Ashram students on educational tours out of the state for broadened learning experiences. He urged the kids to focus on their studies now and later serve the country in many ways, bringing pride to Himachal Pradesh.
Other officials in attendance were Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaundal, Women and Child Welfare Director Pankaj Lalit and Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap.
Source: ianslive
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