Bhopal: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday urged the students to set clear goals and work with confidence, hard work and perseverance, saying every child has the potential to achieve success if given the right opportunities.
Addressing a felicitation programme for meritorious students in his native town Budhni in Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore district, Chouhan said that children’s achievements were a matter of pride for their families, society and the entire region.
“Our children have immense talent. What they need is the right encouragement and opportunities. With confidence, hard work and continuous effort, every child can achieve their goal,” he added.
On this occasion, Chouhan honoured 30 meritorious students, including Class 10 toppers and Class 12 subject toppers from the Madhya Pradesh Board and CBSE, by presenting them laptops at the programme organised by the Prem-Sundar Foundation.
He said the initiative was aimed not only at recognising students who had excelled in examinations but also at encouraging other children to work harder and perform better.
Chouhan, who is popularly referred to as “Mama” by children in Madhya Pradesh, said that his association with them was based on affection and responsibility.
“I have come here not as a Union Minister but as your Mama. Mama means a mother’s affection, a father’s shoulder and a companion like a friend. I consider efforts to make children’s lives better the fulfilment of my life,” he added.
He urged students who did not receive laptops not to lose confidence, saying there was no shortage of talent among them.
Recalling his own education in government schools and colleges, Chouhan said that he had studied in his village Jait and later in Bhopal and had never allowed circumstances or limited resources to become an obstacle.
He also stressed the importance of preparing students for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics, which he said were rapidly shaping the future.
Chouhan said that efforts were being made to introduce courses in these fields in the region so that students could pursue emerging careers without having to move elsewhere.
He added that a medical college with around 750 beds had been completed in Budhni and a nursing college was also being developed.
Recruitment of faculty and arrangements for necessary equipment were being pursued to make the institution operational soon.
Chouhan also announced plans to introduce career counselling for students after Class 12 and set up a help desk, particularly for girls entering college, to assist them with scholarship applications.
“Set your target, prepare a roadmap to reach it and then work hard and honestly. Success will surely come,” the Union Minister said.
(IANS)
