Shimla

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday flagged off a 10-day educational and recreational exposure tour for 52 orphaned children from Shimla under the state government’s Mukhyamantri Sukh Aashray Yojana.

The children have been given the status of “Children of the State” under the scheme, which provides them comprehensive care and protection. Addressing the event, Sukhu said the New Year had begun with compassionate initiatives, including approval for compassionate appointments to 980 people in the first phase.

He said the state had enacted the country’s first law to ensure full protection and family-like care for orphaned children. “Just as children travel with their parents during winters, the state takes responsibility for these children as a family,” he said.

Under the scheme, the children will travel by air, stay in five-star hotels and visit various parts of the country. Sukhu said similar tours were organised last year as well. He added that deputy commissioners of all districts have been directed to plan such exposure programmes at the district level for other children.

The children, residing in government-run destitute homes and asylums across the state, expressed excitement and gratitude, many describing the journey as their first experience of travelling by train and aeroplane.

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The tour itinerary includes visits to Chandigarh, Delhi, Agra and Goa, and is aimed at providing educational, cultural and recreational exposure as part of the state’s welfare initiative.