St Bedes College Shimla in 1911

Rare Picture of St Bedes College Simla (Shimla) taken in 1911. 

-->

Heritage festival organised in St. Bede’s College

A heritage festival, Sanskriti, was organised by the Heritage Club of St. Bede’s College in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
Competitions like recitation of self-composed poems, declamation, quiz, essay writing, slogan writing, collage making, rangoli, on the spot painting and folk dances were organised. Raja Bhasin, co-ordinator of INTACH, Shimla chapter, was the chief guest.

Six Government colleges to start functioning from 10th June

The six new government degree colleges announced by the State Government will start functioning from 10th June, 2015. These colleges include government colleges Lanj, Takipur and Dadasiba in Kangra district, government college, Panarsa in district Mandi, Government college Barotiwala in district Solan and government college Bharali (Anjbhoj) in district Sirmaur.

A Spokesman of State Government said here today the desirous students of the concerned areas could apply for admissions under various courses being offered by these colleges from 10th June, 2015 onwards.

CM presides over installation ceremony of St. Bedes College

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh said that State Government was according top priority to the education sector and every effort was being made to provide state of the art education facilities to the youth of the state nearer to their homes. The policy of the State was to promote education, health and social welfare and give an opportunity to all to march ahead.

Chief Minister was presiding over the Installation (Oath) Ceremony of the students who were elected as office bearers in a simple yet an impressive oath taking ceremony at Saint Bedes College here today.

The Chief Minister said that he felt elated to be with on the occasion wherein the newly elected representatives had taken oath in most peaceful and dignified manner.

He said that the students should give their hundred percent in every field as they were the future of the country and with sincerity, dedication and devotion they will take India to new heights.

“This college has rich legacy and history and is proud to be an alma-mater of many girl students who are shining in almost every sphere of life and are working on key positions in the state and country as well”, said the Chief Minister, and hoped that this premier Institution would become a ‘beacon light’ in the field of education.

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that in this tenure, 14 new degree Colleges had been opened in the remotest areas of the State with a purpose to reach the students of those backward areas who can’t come to the towns and cities. “Such a move of the Government has yielded best results and today number of girl students was more in such colleges”, he said adding that we sincerely want that Girl students get quality higher education near to their homes. A sum of Rs. 5 crore each, have also been sanctioned for building works of these colleges.

The State Government was also providing Net-Books to 7500 meritorious students of class 10th and 12th in this financial year under Rajiv Gandhi Digital Yojna.

He said that equal emphasis was being laid at school level Education and Government had upgraded and opened about 650 schools in the State.

The Chief Minister said that he was glad to know that the elections  were held in a democratic manner in this college.  “I hope that the office bearers, during their tenure will work in a befitting manner in the interest of the Students and will maintain the harmony”, he added.

Speaking on Rashtriya Ucchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), he said that we had introduced RUSA in the State and this type of system, by and large in the country was prevalent in all educational institutions. RUSA was being opposed by few but  he personally  feel the hard working students were not finding it difficult path. The system was also being opposed by few teachers which was not in the interest of the students. “One has to study under RUSA as a wider choice of subjects is available” he said.

“I hope that the college management will continue with its missionary zeal of turning the young minds into productive and responsible citizens of the state and country”, he said.

He congratulated the college management and students on the occasion for Installation Ceremony and wished the students a prosperous and bright future.

The Chief Minister also released a book titled ‘Challenges of Globalisation’ edited by Dr. Anupama Tandon, Associate professor and head of the department of Economics.

Earlier, the Admiral of the college Ms Ashwarya Parmar led the office bearers into the auditorium  with the college flag held high along-with as many as 90 other office bearers, including the captains and vice captains. They all were administered oath of the office by the principal of the college. The Chief Minister honoured the Admiral of the College, the Captain, and the Vice captain with ‘Sash’ around their shoulder.

Earlier, Sister Beena John, principal, welcomed the Chief Minister and other distinguished guests on the occasion and briefed about the activities of the college. She also thanked the Chief Minister for providing 95% grant-in-aid to the college. The principal also handed over a token of appreciation to the Chief Minister on the occasion.

Dr. Geetanjali Mahendra proposed Vote of thanks.

A colourful and dazzling cultural programme was also presented on the occasion.

Manager, Sister Alma, Bursar, Sister Maririta, were present on the occasion amongst the parents and other faculty members including the staff and the students.

Chief Minister inaugurates Arts Block of Rajiv Gandhi Degree College

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh today inaugurated Arts Block of Rajiv Gandhi Degree College Chaura Maidan constructed at a cost of Rs. 3 crore, the new Science Lab Block and Examination Hall of Government Senior Secondary School, Phagli constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.36 crore and new Science Lab Block of GSSS Lalpani constructed at a cost of Rs. 95.5 lakh in Shimla. 

Speaking during a function at Rajiv Gandhi Degree College Chaura Maidan, the Chief Minister said education was one of the top priority sectors of the government. He said that semester system had been introduced in the Colleges of the State from this academic year which aimed at bringing qualitative improvement in higher education. 

Chief Minister said that the Rastriya Uchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) was being initiated in a phased manner by changing to semester system and Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in first year of under graduate courses. The enrolment had gone up to 73.738 this year which was 68,248 during last year. He said that semester system had also been introduced in most of the colleges with a view to manage the studies in a better way. He called upon the students to devote their maximum time towards their studies. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that apart from studies, students should imbibe good values of discipline and equality. He said that preamble of Indian Constitution should be displayed not only in office of the Principals but also in every class room of the colleges so that students could know about the very essence of Indian Constitution. He said that students who got opportunity for higher education were fortunate enough and they should make maximum use of it as many students could not pursue higher education due to various reasons. 

Chief Minister said that students should refrain from politics and devote themselves towards studies as politics was not their main avocation adding that their goal should be to secure future. He said that Government had opened colleges in remote and far-flung areas to provide facility of higher education to the students living in villages. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that Government Degree College Sanjauli in Shimla was made College of Excellence during his previous tenure. He stressed the need to open one college of excellence in each district to facilitate the meritorious students. He said that more colleges and schools would be opened as per requirement as government was committed to provide quality education to all nearer to their home.

Earlier, speaking at GSSS Lalpani, Chief Minister said that this school was the oldest Government School of Shimla town, which had produced many talents. The foundation stone of Art Block of this school was laid by him in 2007 and the renovation & restoration of old building was also done. He said that this school would be made a Modal School and the playground would be extended and a multipurpose hall would also be constructed beneath it. He said that a hostel would be constructed for the Scheduled Caste and Tribes students of the school. He also announced Rs. 20,000 for the culture programme presented on the occasion. 

Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed block of Science Lab and Examination Hall of GSSS Phagli. On the occasion, he said that State had made rapid progress in education and the State literacy rate had gone up to 83.78 per cent as per 2011 census. He said that Commerce Classes would be started from next academic year in this school. He also directed the Public Works Department to cover the school boundary with barbed wire. 

He announced Rs. 20,000 to the school students for presenting the colourful culture programme on the occasion.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Education), Shri Neeraj Bharti said that State had excelled in education and government was striving to improve the infrastructural facilities in educational institutions. He said that Science, Mathematics and Vocational subjects were being started in the schools and colleges. 

Deputy Mayor Shri Tikender Panwar, former Deputy Mayor & Member Executive Council HP University Shri Harish Janartha, Director Higher Education Shri Dinkar Burathoki, Vice-Chairman APMC Shimla & Kinnaur Shri Mahender Stan, Advisor Marketing Board Shri Ajay Shyam, Deputy Commissioner Shri Dinesh Malhotra, SP Shri Abhishek Dular, Chief Engineer PWD Shri D.K. Gupta, Principal Rajiv Gandhi Degree College Dr. Uma Randev, Principal GSSS Lalpani Shri Sanjay Mehta, Principal GSSS Phagli Dr. Veena Sharma, senior officers and prominent persons were present on the occasion.

Chief Minister announces Colleges for Diggal and Dharampur

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh has announced to open Government Degree Colleges at Diggal in Solan district. He said that the work on new block of Arki hospital would also be started soon. He was addressing a public meeting at Arki on the occasion of inauguration of two day long ‘Sayar Utsav’. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that with the opening of college at Diggal the students of the area would be able to get their higher studies near their homes. He also announced to provide Rs. five crore for construction of building of Dharampur Government College. He said that previous BJP Government announced various colleges without making any budgetary provisions and creation of proper infrastructure for sake of political benefit. Dharampur College in Solan district was one of them which was started in the office of Block Primary Education Officer. The State Government would construct new college building besides creating educational infrastructure in this college. 

He visited the FRU Civil Hospital Arki. He said that a new hospital block having capacity of 50 beds would be constructed adjacent to the present hospital thereby increasing the bed capacity to 75. He directed to revise the estimate and start the construction work. 

He said that education and health were the top priorities of the State Government and paucity of funds would not come in the way of these vital sectors. Similarly, construction of roads was another priority of the Government as roads were the life line for the development of the State. 

Chief Minister said that strong winds had caused heavy losses to the maize crops on Sunday night in the State. He directed the revenue authorities to make assessment of the losses so that affected farmers could be compensated suitably. He said that Himachal Pradesh suffered excessive damages during this monsoon season and State Government had maintained the roads, power supply water supply from its own resources to bring back normalcy. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh urged the people to come forward in providing land voluntarily for the construction of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna as lot of roads projects were pending due to non availability of land. This would go a long way in development and would also increase their land values. 

He gave a clarion call to the educated youth of the State to make maximum benefits of Skill Development Allowance Scheme of the Government. He said that Government had changed the age limit and educational eligibility criteria with a view to bring more and more youth under its ambit. He said that youth should enhance their skills so that they could adopt self employment avenues instead of running after white collar jobs. 

Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh had made tremendous progress in every field of developmental sphere for which credit goes Congress Governments who ruled the State for maximum times. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh greeted the people on ‘Sayar Utsav’ and wished them prosperity. He said that these fairs were the integral part of our culture and we should strive for preserving our rich traditions and culture. 

Chief Minister also laid foundation stones of ITI, Arki to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 8.63 crore and Ayurvedic Dispensary to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 20 lakh. He also inaugurated the Examination Hall of GSSS, Arki constructed at a cost of Rs. 95 lakh. 

He also released the souvenir brought out on the occasion of ‘Sayar Utsav’. He also announced Rs. 50,000 to students of various schools of the area who performed cultural programmes on the occasion. He announced Rs. 10,000 to Shri Birbal Sharma, the folk Singer from Chopal area.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said on the occasion that social welfare was being given added priority by the Government. The social security pension had been enhanced from Rs. 450 to Rs. 500 and pensioners aged above 80 years were getting Rs. 1000 per month. He said that Rs. 1375 crore were being spent on social welfare activities which was 34 percent of the total plan. He urged the Chief Minister to convert Arki Hospital into 100 bedded hospital. 

Vice Chairman, State Small Saving Advisory Board Shri Prakash Karad thanked the Chief Minister for announcing College at Diggal. 

Local MLA Shri Govind Ram, District Solan Congress Committee President Shri Rahul Thakur, Block Congress Committee, Arki President Shri Sanjay Awasthi also spoke on the occasion. 

Nagar Panchayat President and Chairperson, Mela Committee Smt. Seema Sharma welcomed the Chief Minister while Shri Satish Kashyap, Member, RTA, Solan proposed vote of thanks. 

Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Shri Hardeep Singh Bawa, President Marketing Committee, Solan Shri Ramesh Thakur, Director, BoD, HPTDC Shri Surender Sethi, Member, PCC, Shri Ramesh Chauhan, General Secretary, District Congress Committee, Shri Pratap Thakur, General Secretary, H.P. Mahila Congress, Smt. Janeb Chandel, Deputy Commissioner Shri Madan Chauhan, S.P. Shri Ramesh Chhajta and other prominent persons were present on the occasion among others. 

RUSA will improve education standard: Chief Minister

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh said that semester system being introduced in the Colleges of Himachal Pradesh under Rashtriya Uchtar Shiksha Abhiyan(RUSA) aims at improving education standards. He said that semester system keeps students busy and update with the studies which is being followed the best colleges and universities throughout the world. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh while presiding over State level “Samman Samaroh” of National Students Union of India (NSUI) at H.P. University, Shimla here today said that State Congress led Governments in the State had always accorded top priority to the education. 

SFI sweeps campus, NSUI takes districts

The Students Federation of India (SFI), the left-wing student body, swept all posts at the Himachal Pradesh University campus while the National Students Union of India (NSUI), an affiliate of the ruling Congress, improved its tally in the nearly 70 colleges in the districts in the Students Central Association (SCA) elections that were held on Saturday. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the BJP's student wing, retained its stranglehold in Hamirpur and Mandi districts. While the NSUI bagged 205 seats, the ABVP secured 163 while the SFI won in 20 seats.

Tough measures to stop ragging in Shimla

Ahead of new academic session in Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla authorities have geared up to stop incidents of ragging. For the first time it has been decided to install CCTV cameras at all the vulnerable places including the IGMC campus and the hostels for surveillance of ragging activities.

Last date of admission today

Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has extended the last date for admission in all the undergraduate courses in government and private colleges to July 31. This was disclosed here today by HPU Registrar Prof Mohan Jharta.

He said the date had been extended as some students hailing from the tribal district of Kinnaur could not seek admission due to the natural calamity. He said the last date had been extended so that interested students could seek admission in colleges where seats are vacant.

Classes resume at Sanjauli college

The situation was relatively calm on Saturday at Government College Sanjauli, where nearly 25 students owing allegiance to Student Federation of India (SFI) and National Student Union of India (NSUI) got injured on Friday when quick reaction team of police had resorted to lathicharge to disperse students who were agitating against suspension of classes. 

Supporters of SFI and NSUI had protested the move of lathicharge by police on Friday and had staged massive protests at DC office and secretariat besides blocking road in Sanjauli. Whereas on Saturday, SFI held statewide protests against police action. SFI state president Kapil Bhardwaj said, "The outfit held protests on Saturday across all colleges except for Sanjauli college in Shimla and in different districts in almost all government colleges including those in Mandi, Kangra, Sirmaur and Solan. The protests were held in respective colleges to condemn the unprovoked police action on SFI activists which caused major injuries to around 10 of the protesters, including girls. Three SFI committee members were arrested on basis of false claims."

"Our major demand is that at least students should be allowed to put up outfit banners, posters and badges on the campus". Meanwhile head of Sanjauli College J S Negi said, "Classes have resumed from Saturday and the situation is under control. Security has been increased on the campus and quick reaction teams are carrying out surveillance."

RKMV College Tu Aaye Ban Thaniyo - Sunil Sharma Himachali Naati