Shimla: With a vision to ensure holistic development of the children residing in Child Care Institutions, the State Government has organized a special educational and exposure programme titled “Children of the State Tour” for them. The tour was flagged-off today by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, reflecting the State Government’s commitment towards nurturing and empowering vulnerable children.
Interacting warmly with the children, the Chief Minister encouraged them to make earn experiences this unique journey. He urged them to explore, learn and enjoy the exposure, stating that the tour would provide valuable opportunities to gain knowledge, understand diverse cultures and develop a broader perspective of the country. A total of 52 children from various Child Care Institutions (CCIs) across the State are participating in the tour, which will continue till 15th January 2026. During this period, the children will visit several major cities and important historical, cultural and educational places across the country.
The Chief Minister said that under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana, the State Government was committed not only to providing care and protection to these children, but also to creating opportunities that help them build a secure and dignified future. The objective of the tour is to acquaint the children with national integration, India’s rich cultural heritage, modern infrastructure and exposure visits to leading educational institutions, thereby ensuring their overall development. As per the itinerary, the children will travel to Chandigarh, Delhi, Agra and Goa, and return to Shimla using various modes of transport including Volvo buses, air and rail travel, as well as hop-on hop-off tourist buses.
The children will be taken to prominent landmarks in Delhi as the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Raj Ghat, Shakti Sthal, Veer Bhoomi, Humayun’s Tomb, the National Zoological Park, National Science Museum, North Block, South Block, Indian Council of World Affairs, Triveni Kala Sangam and the National Museum of Natural History. In Agra, they will visit the iconic Taj Mahal.
During the Goa leg of the tour, the children will visit famous beaches, churches and temples, enjoy a pleasure cruise and also be taken to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services to enhance their scientific and environmental awareness. The Chief Minister highlighted that such educational and exposure tours play a crucial role in building self-confidence, curiosity, national awareness and social consciousness among children. He directed the concerned officers to ensure that there is no lapse in the safety, comfort and well-being of the children throughout the tour.
After assuming office, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the Balika Ashram at Tutikandi in Shimla and pledged to take complete responsibility for the care and welfare of destitute children, women and senior citizens in the State. Himachal Pradesh became the first State in the country to enact a dedicated law for these vulnerable sections. Since 28 February 2023, under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana, around 4,000 orphaned children have been adopted as “Children of the State.” These children are being provided comprehensive support including education, healthcare, housing, pocket money, career counseling, national and international exposure visits, along with a provision of Rs 2 lakh to support them in starting their own ventures.
