Una, May 15- Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana of Himachal Pradesh Government is opening a new path of education for the children of economically weaker families. This scheme has come as a ray of hope for those children who were deprived of education due to family or social circumstances. This scheme is a result of the sensitive leadership style and public welfare approach of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and is an important initiative towards social justice and access to education in the state.
This scheme is especially for those children whose mothers are widowed, divorced, abandoned, destitute or whose parents are suffering from more than 70 percent disability. Its objective is to provide financial support to these children and connect them with the mainstream of education.

These are the features of the scheme-
Under the scheme, assistance is being provided to eligible children up to the age of 18 years at the rate of Rs 1000 per month, so that their primary education, health and nutrition related needs can be met. At the same time, under the assistance in higher education, for students aged 18 to 27 years pursuing degree, diploma or professional courses in government institutions, assistance of Rs 3,000 per month is provided for PG accommodation in case free education and hostel facilities are not available under this scheme. To avail the scheme, the annual income of the family should be less than Rs 1 lakh and the beneficiary should be a permanent resident of Himachal Pradesh.

Assistance of Rs 65 lakh to 1106 students in Una district-
District Program Officer (ICDS) Narendra Kumar says that under this scheme in Una district, assistance amount of Rs 65.09 lakh has been distributed to 1106 eligible students so far. In various development blocks of the district, 228 children in Amb, 154 in Dhundla, 320 in Una, 179 in Gagret and 225 in Haroli have been covered under the scheme.
Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal says that in line with the vision of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, this scheme is being implemented effectively at the ground level in Una district and it has been ensured that its benefits reach the needy families.

Beneficiary families expressed gratitude, said…Thank you Chief Minister-
The positive impact of this scheme is clearly visible from the words of the beneficiaries. Pooja Puri of Ward No. 6 of Una, whose husband has passed away, says that it had become almost impossible for her to bear the expenses of the education of two daughters. But getting assistance of Rs 12,000 in 6 months under this scheme has provided a great support. Now the daughters are able to go to school without any worries. I am very grateful to the Chief Minister.
Similarly, many women including Renu Devi of Una and Saroj Bala of Kotla Kalan have thanked Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, calling the scheme a lifesaver.
Tanmay, a resident of Ward 6, Una, says that after his father's death, the entire burden of three siblings fell on his mother's shoulders. There was pressure on him to quit studies after class 10 and start working somewhere, but this scheme came as a boon for him. Now he has taken admission in class 11 and is busy realizing his dream of studying. He never gets tired of expressing his gratitude to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu for this.
Certainly, Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana is not only giving financial help but also instilling the confidence to realize the dreams of a better future.