Himachal CM Launches ‘Mere Shahar Ke 100 Ratna’ to Provide Free Coaching for 6,800 Students

CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Launches ‘Mere Shahar Ke 100 Ratna’ Programme to Provide Free Coaching to 6,800 Students in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, March 1:
In a significant move to support the education of talented students across Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the ‘Mere Shahar Ke 100 Ratna’ programme on Saturday. This ambitious initiative is designed to offer free coaching for various competitive examinations to 6,800 meritorious students from different parts of the state. The programme aims to create equal opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds by providing them with high-quality coaching and resources to excel in their academic pursuits.

The ‘Mere Shahar Ke 100 Ratna’ programme will be implemented in collaboration with CRACK Academy, which will provide free coaching to 100 top students from each Assembly constituency in the state. In total, 68 constituencies will benefit from this initiative, ensuring that every region gets its fair share of support. The state government has allocated an estimated budget of ₹34 crore for the successful execution of this programme, highlighting its commitment to promoting education and empowering the youth of Himachal Pradesh.

Fair Selection Process for Deserving Students
To maintain transparency and fairness, the selection of students for this programme will be based on a series of tests conducted at schools and colleges within each constituency. Students from Class VI and above will be eligible to participate in these tests. The top 100 performers from each constituency will receive free coaching, while the next 200 students will be granted a 75% fee concession. Furthermore, the subsequent 500 students will be eligible for a 50% concession on coaching fees. This tiered concession model aims to extend the benefits of this programme to a broader section of students, enabling even those from economically weaker backgrounds to access quality coaching.

CRACK Academy has assured that it will provide comprehensive support and guidance to the selected students until they achieve their academic and career goals. The Academy will prepare the test papers, while the Education Department will be responsible for overseeing the smooth conduct of the examinations. This collaborative approach is expected to ensure the effective implementation of the programme, maximizing its reach and impact.

Awareness Campaign to Maximize Reach
To ensure that students and parents across Himachal Pradesh are well-informed about the ‘Mere Shahar Ke 100 Ratna’ programme, the Chief Minister also launched a mega awareness campaign. The campaign aims to spread information about the eligibility criteria, selection process, and benefits of the programme, encouraging more students to participate. Through this initiative, the state government hopes to identify and nurture young talent from even the most remote areas of the state.

The programme was initially piloted in the Jawalamukhi Assembly constituency of Kangra district, where students from 50 schools participated. As of now, 220 students selected from this constituency are receiving merit-based coaching under the scheme. The success of the pilot phase has encouraged the state government to expand the programme to all 68 constituencies, ensuring that its benefits reach students in every corner of Himachal Pradesh.

Employment Opportunities and Infrastructure Development
In addition to supporting students, the ‘Mere Shahar Ke 100 Ratna’ programme is expected to create significant employment opportunities in the state. CRACK Academy has announced plans to establish over 90 coaching centers across Himachal Pradesh, which will directly employ around 5,000 people. Moreover, the establishment of these centers is likely to generate additional indirect employment, contributing to the state’s economy.

Recognizing the need to enhance learning infrastructure, CRACK Academy has also committed to investing ₹1.5 crore for the renovation and maintenance of the library at the Ridge in Shimla. The Chief Minister directed the Academy to preserve the historical and heritage value of the library building while equipping it with modern technology and resources. This development is expected to benefit not only the students participating in the programme but also the general public who use the library facilities.

The launch event witnessed the presence of several key dignitaries, including Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Secretary of Education Rakesh Kanwar, Director of Higher Education Amarjeet Sharma, and Director of Elementary Education Ashish Kohli. Their participation underscored the state government’s unified commitment to advancing education and skill development in Himachal Pradesh.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in his address, emphasized that the ‘Mere Shahar Ke 100 Ratna’ programme would not only uplift talented students but also play a crucial role in addressing unemployment in the state. By investing in education and skill development, the state government aims to create a well-educated workforce capable of contributing to various sectors. He reiterated the government’s resolve to continue supporting such initiatives in the future to build a prosperous and educated Himachal Pradesh.

The launch of the ‘Mere Shahar Ke 100 Ratna’ programme marks a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to enhance educational opportunities for its youth. By providing free and subsidized coaching to thousands of students, the initiative aims to bridge the educational gap between different socio-economic groups and empower young minds to achieve their full potential.

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