Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu attends International Kullu Dussehra festival

Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) [India], October 19 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended the International Kullu Dussehra Festival in Kullu and said that it is the first time that people from different countries have come forward to take part in this cultural programme. He added that the aim is to keep the feeling of brotherhood alive in the state as well as the nation.

"Since our govt has come to power, for the first time, the cultural programme of different nations was performed. This time we invited Ambassadors and in the future, we will make this festival even bigger... This is a tradition where women, youths, and children do Laaldi (folk dance of Kullu). We wish that our state and our nation be prosperous. We aim to keep the feeling of brotherhood alive. The people in Himachal have always been patriotic," said the Chief Minister.
Earlier on Wednesday, Sukhu inaugurated the newly built Block-C building of Rajkiya Kanya Mahavidyalaya (RKMV) in Shimla.
The building was constructed for Rs 9 crore.
According to CMO, CM Sukhu said that the goal of the present state government was not merely to open new schools and colleges but to ensure they were equipped with qualified teachers and all the essential facilities.
Following the inauguration, the Chief Minister presided over the Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony for 2023-24 of the College and honoured the students excelling in various fields. A cultural programme was also presented by the students, for which the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh to the college.
During the event, the Chief Minister made several significant announcements for the college, including the conversion of all classrooms into smart classrooms, the construction of a new hostel with full funding and a provision of Rs 50 lakh for building a digital library and repairing the science block. He said that the state government had contributed Rs 6 crore for the construction of Block-C. He also emphasized the need for reforms in the education sector to improve the quality of education in the state and collective efforts were also required to make it possible.
CM Sukhu expressed concern that Himachal Pradesh ranks 21st in the country in terms of education quality. In response to this, he affirmed that the government would prohibit teacher transfers during the academic session and develop policies to address future challenges.
He said that the government was establishing Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools in a phased manner across all assembly constituencies to enhance the quality of education in rural areas.
CM Sukhu said that the State Government was committed to the welfare and betterment of women in the state and has taken several steps for their empowerment. He said that the government increased the marriageable age for girls from 18 to 21 years and has also amended the 51-year-old Himachal Pradesh Land Holding Ceiling Act, which allows adult daughters to claim a separate 150-bigha unit of ancestral property. He said that the state government has introduced 30 per cent reservation for women in police recruitment. (ANI)