State-wide Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav is a tremendous success

Gandhinagar, Jun 18 (UNI) As many as 5,68,318 children were enrolled in standard one as part of a three-day state-wide enrolment drive ''Kanya Kelavani Mahotsava'', organised by the state government from June 15.

Official sources said the drive under the leadership of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and direct supervision of Education Minister Anandiben Patel with the active participation of other ministers, MPs, MLAs and senior government officials met with tremendous success.

A total of 5,68,318 children consisting of 2,70,821 girls and 2,97,497 boys were enrolled in standard one, while 4,03,566 children in the age group of three-five years were enrolled in ICDS-Anganwadis comprising 1,93,705 girls and 2,09,861 boys.

The success magnitude of the programme is reflected by the fact that during the three days of the festival, donations in cash and kind worth Rs 5,13,12,695 were received by schools across the state from donors.

The celebrations of Kanya Kelavani Mahotsava led by all the cabinet ministers, MPs, MLAs, chief secretary and senior officers from IAS, IPA, IFS and Secretariat cadres and Education Department are being organised across the state with special focus on villages with low female literacy.

As per the strategy adopted, every minister, MP, MLA and officer is to visit at least five such villages every day, requiring rigorous efforts to improve the female literacy by making efforts for 100 per cent enrolment of girls along with boys.

The enrolment drive was celebrated with festive spirit and amidst joyous atmosphere in every village and town. A tilak was applied on the foreheads of the newly enrolled children, who were also offered sweets and confectionery. The efforts were made to make them feel that a school is a place for fun and enjoyment.

Donors presented the newly enrolled children with school bags, slates, pens, pencils, textbooks, notebooks, uniforms etc. A total of 21,173 Vidhyalaxmi Bonds were given to newly enrolled girls.

A large number of people participated in the cultural programmes organised in all schools across the state. The boys and girls who stood first in their classes were felicitated and presented with the books.

UNI