Una, June 15- Haroli Assembly constituency witnessed a historic moment today when the grand launch of Professor Simmi Agnihotri Excellence Award was held to encourage students who excel in the field of education. Under this, the first edition of the Award Ceremony 2025 was organized at Palakwah Auditorium. On this special occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri attended as the chief guest and honored 5 state toppers from Haroli Assembly constituency who were in the top 10 in the merit list in the 10th and 12th Himachal Board examinations, as well as a total of 152 meritorious students who scored more than 90 percent marks in both the examinations by giving them certificates, insignia and cash prizes.
Let us tell you, this award has been started in the memory of late eminent educationist Prof. Simmi Agnihotri, who dedicated most of his life to education and guided thousands of students.
In its first edition, Gagandeep Singh of RVMAPA Pubowal, who secured 98.60 percent marks in the 12th board examination in the academic session 2024-25 and ranked in the top 10 in the state, Navneet Kaur of Sun Rise Public School Saloh, who secured 98.40 percent marks, and Sakshi, a student of RVMAPA Rajputan, a native of Haroli Panjawar, who secured a place in the top 10 by scoring 98 percent marks, were felicitated along with Tina Devi of RVMAPA Pubowal, who secured 8th position in the state merit by securing 98.43 percent marks in the 10th board examination, and SD Public School Palakvah Bhumika Rana, who secured 10th position in the merit by securing 98.14 percent marks, were specially felicitated.

*Students who scored more than 90 percent marks were honored*
Apart from this, all the students of Haroli assembly constituency were honored in this ceremony who have scored more than 90 percent marks in the 10th and 12th class examinations of the academic session 2024-25 of Himachal Pradesh Education Board Dharamshala. Among these, 111 students of class 10th and 41 students of class 12th were awarded.

*Deputy Chief Minister congratulated, said all-round development along with education is the top priority*
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri congratulated the students for their achievements and said that this day is in the name of the children of Haroli, who have made the area proud with hard work, dedication and discipline. He said that clarity of goal, hard work and passion are the real keys to success.
He informed that the "Professor Simmi Agnihotri Foundation" established from the amount received from insurance policies and other sources of Professor Simmi Agnihotri has a fund of five crore rupees, which will be spent for the education, scholarship and career building of the students of Haroli area.

*Haroli shining with the light of education*
The Deputy Chief Minister said that when he took charge as MLA from Haroli, there was not a single college in the area. Today, three degree colleges are being run in Haroli, Beaton and Khadd, 33 government schools in the area, one Kendriya Vidyalaya, Triple IT and Law College and Nursing College in Badhera.
He said that the Sombhadra Rampur Haroli bridge of the region is the longest bridge in the state and has become the identity of the region as an engineering marvel. At the same time, the work of Pandoga-Tyudi bridge being built with about 52 crores is going on fast and it will be completed in record time. Apart from this, the work of Bulk Drug Park worth 2 thousand crores in Haroli has been taken forward in a planned manner. This project will write a new chapter of development in the region. He also mentioned the benefits to farmers from the channelization of Swan river and other development works.

*Professor Simmi's memory became an inspiration*
Addressing the students on behalf of the Foundation, Dr. Aastha Agnihotri said that Professor Simmi Agnihotri's life was a confluence of education, service and struggle. This award ceremony is a small but strong step towards materializing her dreams. She said that this felicitation ceremony will now be organized every year.
She said that Professor Simmi Agnihotri's teaching approach was not limited to marks only, but it had the depth of life values. The Foundation will try to ensure that every student gets social consciousness and human approach along with education.

*DC guided*
In the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal addressed the students and guided them. Along with sharing his life experiences with the children, he gave tips on the approach, strategy and planning of preparation for UPSC. Describing challenges as the real school of life, he taught the children to set goals and work hard.
At the end of the ceremony, Foundation representative Chetan Dutta thanked everyone.

Cultural presentations became the center of attraction*
During the ceremony, students of local schools presented colorful and cultural programs. These presentations entertained the people present.
On this occasion, District Congress President leader Ranjit Rana, Congress leader Ashok Thakur, Satish Bittu, Vinod Kumar Bittu, Pramod Kumar, Panchayat Pradhan Subhadra Chaudhary, Surekha Rana, Una District Youth Congress President Prashant Rai, Haroli Block Youth Congress President Shubham, Superintendent of Police Amit Yadav, SDM Vishal Sharma and many other dignitaries were present.