Holidays in schools can be curtailed as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath suggested that schools should remain open during birth anniversaries of great personalities of India so that children could learn about their sacrifices.
The CM’s suggestion came during his address at a function at Ambedkar Mahasabha in lucknow on Friday to mark the 126th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar.
“Educational institutions should not close during birthday anniversary of great personalities. Instead, teachers should educate children about these personalities and their great work done for nation building,” Yogi said.
The CM was however mum on holidays in Government offices. Uttar Pradesh is notorious for having public holidays in Government institutions including schools. Governments offices and educational institutions remain closed for over 100 days. These holidays include 48 gazatted holidays, comprising birth anniversary of 23 great personalities including Guru Govind Singh, Karpoori Thakur, Maharishi Kashyap, Chetti Chand, lord Mahavir, Md Hazrat Ali and Mahatama Gandhi etc.
Government schools remain closed for over 60 days in winter and summer vacations while Government officers get 17 restricted holidays.
Adityanath said: “It is high time that students should know about the great personalities. The Government will bring a new amendment by which schools would not be closed on the birth and death anniversaries of great personalities but their anniversary should be celebrated in schools.”
Yogi said that his Government believed in equality. “Dalit students will get scholarships in higher and technical education. There will not be any disparity in extending scholarships to students. Meritorious students should get exposure as well as those who are deprived of basic necessities of life whould get all these facilities,” he said.
“The Constitution, drafted by Dr Ambedkar, has helped in bringing poor and deprived into the main stream. The country is indebted to Dr Ambedkar for giving voice to all citizens of the country through the Constitution,” the CM said.
In Ambedkar Mahasabha, Yogi garlanded the statue of Dr Ambedkar in the presence of Governor Ram Naik.
Earlier, in the day, the CM launched ‘BHIM’ app to promote digital transaction during a DigiDhan Mela. “This BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) will help in controlling black money. Digital transaction is the best mode to control corruption. If the country wants to progress, economic corruption has to end and the BHIM can play a stellar role in this direction,” he said.
“The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is committed to ending corruption and bringing transparency in its working. A beginning has been made. We have ordered e-tendering in all departments particularly in development authorities,” the Chief Minister said.
Yogi also declared that UP will be ‘Open Defecation Free’ in the next three years.