Hamirpur/New Delhi: The annual function of the educational program 'Ek Se Shrestha', being run by the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in his parliamentary constituency Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, was organized in Hamirpur today. During this, the 500th educational center of Ek Se Shrestha was also inaugurated in the presence of over 20,000 people. On this special occasion, Honorable Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankar ji and State Governor Shri Shivpratap Shukla ji were present as chief guests. Vice President's wife Smt. Sudesh Dhankar also had a dignified presence in this program. Cabinet Minister in Himachal Government Shri Rajesh Dharmani ji, many honorable MLAs and former MLAs and many distinguished public representatives were present in the program.
Honorable Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankar ji started his address by remembering his time as MP with former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal ji in the 1990s. He told that on the request of Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal ji, the first flight to Dharamshala was inaugurated by him. Honorable Vice President said that from that time till today, he has a close relationship with the family of Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal ji, which has been further deepened by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur ji.
Honorable Vice President said that ever since he became the Vice President, not a single session of his Parliament has passed in which he did not meet the students of Himachal and most of the hats in his house are from Himachal only.
Honorable Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar further praised Shri Anurag Singh Thakur and said that Anurag is a Sanskrit word which means love and devotion. It is a matter of joy that in Hamirpur parliamentary constituency, a unique program like Ek Se Shrestha is being run by the local MP Shri Anurag Singh Thakur for the all-round development of the students here. It is a matter of joy for me to inaugurate the 500th center of Ek Se Shrestha. Becoming a Member of Parliament for four consecutive terms and discharging one's responsibilities with devotion is not an easy task. Every work of Shri Anurag Thakur is 24 carat gold for public welfare. That is why I also ask many other members to adopt Anurag Model of Involvement for Development.”
Speaking further, Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “While visiting Hamirpur parliamentary constituency, I came to know that many unique programs of Anurag Thakur are very popular here. Many programs like Sansad Mobile Health Service, Khel Mahakumbh, Hunar Se Shikhar are not only benefiting all sections of the society here but are also being adopted as a model in the entire country.
Honorable Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar further said that the country has progressed a lot in the last decade. "What could not be done in the last three decades was done last September during a special session in the new Parliament House. Giving one-third reservation to women in the Assemblies and Parliament of the entire country is historic. It is the responsibility of every Indian to make India a developed nation by 2047."
Addressing the program, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla said, “Thank you to the respected Vice President Shri Jagdish Dhankar ji for visiting Himachal for the inauguration of the 500th center of the Ek Se Shrestha program. Shri Anurag Singh Thakur ji is not just an MP but also an excellent personality who has worked to decorate and beautify his constituency. This is quite commendable. Earlier, in Una district also, Shri Anurag Thakur had organized a huge eye check-up camp and distributed free spectacles to thousands of people. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi always says that an MP should be known not only as a leader but also for the work of public welfare and service in the area. “Shri Anurag Thakur has followed it brilliantly.”
Shri Anurag Thakur further provided detailed information about today's program 'Ek Se Shrestha' and said, "Our resolve, our efforts - with the motto of education for all, development for all, Ek Se Shrestha program is our one in the overall development of education model. Many times people get shocked after hearing this name that what is this. I would like to tell that shresth is a medium of motivation, it is a feel of transformation and a stage of perfection. With this basic mantra, we provide 360 degree training to the promising ones, to the leaders of the future, to the pioneers of the new India in order to achieve the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The vison of a developed India."
Shri Anurag Thakur said, “Education is the birth right of every child coming from any economic background and to fulfill this right ‘Ek Se Shrestha’ program was launched. It is an initiative to ensure access to quality education and provide holistic development to students which aims to ensure free classes after school hours for the overall development of children, irrespective of any socio-economic background, through teachers from their surrounding area at the Panchayat level. It is inspired by traditional Gurukul education, where a common learning space has been developed for children of different age groups and backgrounds. With the best of the best, the mission is to reach every nook and corner and democratize education!”
Shri Anurag Thakur said, "Today Ek se Shresth centers are being run in 5 districts of Hamirpur parliamentary constituency and are promoting women empowerment. Lunched on 5 October 2021 on the occasion of World Teacher's Day, this program is an attempt to solve the three problems of Himachal Pradesh - employment, immigration and economy through education.
"It is a matter of joy that Ek Se Shrestha, which started from 1 center, now has more than 9000 children in 500 centers. The average number of students in each center is 19 today. Students are learning new things with the changing world. The number of students from Anganwadi to fifth class is 7266, the number of students above fifth class is 1795, the number of girl students is 4341 i.e. 48%, the number of male students is 4720 i.e. 52%. 68.8 percent of the children of this program study in government schools. 95 percent of the total work force in Ek Se Shresth are women, out of which for 60 percent it is their first job.
Shri Anurag Thakur said, "Here, everything from education to children's books, bags etc. is provided with free assistance. Half of the total children i.e. 50 percent are students from SC, ST, OBC, BPL categories, out of which 24 percent are girls.