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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with children at both Balika and Bal Ashram in Mashobra and Tutikandi in Shimla and extended warm greetings to them on this festive occasion.
He performed Lakshmi Pujan with the girls thereby wishing for the peace and prosperity of the people of the state. Besides, he distributed sweets, fireworks, and other gifts to the children wishing them a bright future. While interacting with the inmates of both the Bal and Balika Ashrams, the Chief Minister said that the government intends to take them for educational and exposure visits to 'Goa' besides other destinations in the near future and will bear all the expenses of their air travel, boarding and lodging in good hotels. The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to the welfare of orphans. "Their education, their bringing and care was the responsibility of the state government and Himachal Pradesh is the first state in the country to have enacted a law to adopt orphans as 'Children of the state", he said, according to a release. The government will provide Rs. 75,000 for coaching expenses to support their education pursuits. CM Sukhu directed the district administration Shimla to establish a digital library at the Balika Ashram in Mashobra. The children presented a vibrant cultural programme. Later, he also visited the Nari Seva Niketan in Mashobra, where he extended Deepawali greeting and distributed gifts to the inmates. Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Director, Women and Child Development Kiran Bhadana, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi and other dignitaries were present on this occasion. (ANI)
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