Shivraj Singh Chouhan turns nostalgic on visiting his school

As part of the "Kahani Utsav" programme, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited his school to narrate a story.

Bhopal, Nov 30: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan turned nostalgic on visiting his school here to narrate a story as part of the state government's "Kahani Utsav" programme.

Chouhan visited Government Middle School no.1 at Shivaji Nagar yesterday as part of the programme, an official from the Public Relations Department today said. The Chief Minister studied in the school from 1969 onward from standard VI to VIII.

He not only narrated the story about Mahabharat's archer Arjun, but also refreshed his memories of schooldays. Chouhan told children about an archery test of Kauravas and Pandavas taken by Guru Dronacharya and how Arjun focused straight on the eye of the bird.

"Kahani Utsav" is being organised with an objective to develop reading habits among the children.

Chouhan explained to the children through the story that focus on the target is a must for success. They can achieve success in their lives by focusing on their studies. He also narrated another story about the childhood days of Mahatma Gandhi in which he was told to copy his co-students answer by the teacher as he was not familiar with the answer, and how Gandhiji replied to the teacher that he will write whatever he knows but will not copy.

Recalling his schooldays, the Chief Minister said he used to walk to school from Ravishankar Nagar and made a mention of his teachers "Kashyap Sir and Shailbala Madam". Chouhan also recalled that he used to play football here and that the teachings of this school and blessings of the teachers made him a good person.

He shared with children that he always used to achieve distinction in his class. After clearing class VIII, he went to Government Model School T T Nagar for further studies and was sent to jail during the Emergency for opposing it.

Chouhan informed that after spending nine-and-half months in jail, he took the class XI examination in March 1977 and cleared it with first division. Later after graduation, he did M A in Philosophy and passed with first division, the Chief Minister told children among whom he is popular as "Mama".

On the demand of the students, he announced that they would be taken to Mandavgarh during the December vacation. He also announced that the existing school building will be repaired and a new one will be constructed. The sports ground too will be developed and facilities for playing cricket, hockey and badminton will be provided, the official added.

PTI