Under the new scheme ‘Medha Protshan Yojna’, the state government has announced to provide Rs One lakh each to 500 meritorious students of Himachal to prepare for various competitive exams like Indian Administrative Services, Himachal Administrative Services, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Joint Entrance Examination.

This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur here on Wednesday, while presiding over the felicitation function of the dignitaries who have studied from the schools of the state and were now holding high positions in the corporate world under the ‘Akhand Shiksha Jyoti-Mere School Se Nikle Moti’ programme organised by the State Higher Education Department.

The old students who have passed out from the schools of the state and now holding top positions in various establishments in the corporate world would act as role models, motivators and guide for the students to enable them to excel in their lives.

“Today there was craze among the parents to admit their children in private schools. Hence, in order to motivate the parents to admit their children in Government schools, the state government has decided to start primary classes in 3391 Government schools in first phase,” he added.

He said that the state government soon after assuming the reins of the state started several schemes for every section of the society.

Akhand Shiksha Jyoti-Mere School Nikle Moti was one such scheme aimed at honouring the old students of the government schools of the state and associate themselves with their alma mater, he added.

The Chief Minister said that this initiative of the state government would not only help in tackling decreasing enrolment in government schools, but would also inspire students studying in government schools to work hard.

Thakur said that the entrepreneurs would also provide information and support to the youth regarding meaningful job opportunities in corporate world and in career profiling of these youth through Centre of Excellence-cum-Incubation Centres established in ten selected colleges of the State to tackle problem of growing unemployment in the state.

They would also act as friends of the college students and guide and help in mentoring them for job in today’s dynamic job markets, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the government schools have contributed immensely towards development of the state and society by producing bright students who have created a special place for themselves in different fields.

The Chief Minister honoured twelve senior executives of corporate world and former students of schools of the State on the occasion and thanked them for contributing their bit for the youth.