DW BUREAU / Patiala

Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, emphasized that education is the most powerful tool to bridge societal divides, including those between rural and urban areas, poverty and wealth, as well as gender and caste. During his visit to his native village, Chalela, Mr. Verma distributed uniforms to students of the local government school in remembrance of his late father, Prof. B.C. Verma. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Navdeep Verma, and their son, Ayaan Verma.

The Chief Secretary also inaugurated a new Commerce stream at the school, providing students with broader academic opportunities. Addressing the students, Mr. Verma shared personal anecdotes about the transformative power of education within his own family.

He encouraged both students and teachers to focus intently on studies, stating that hard work and dedication can propel any student from the village to great heights. "There are no limits to what you can achieve with persistence, and your efforts will surely be rewarded," he said.

Verma also recounted his family's educational journey, noting that his grandfather, a Patwari, advanced to the role of Kanungo. His father, Prof. B.C. Verma, began his education at the village school before continuing his studies in Patiala, eventually becoming a professor of chemistry and later a college principal. His mother, too, pursued education and rose to the position of a school principal.

The Chief Secretary attributed his success to his parents' vision of providing their children with a quality education, which ultimately enabled him to reach the position of Chief Secretary.

Continuing his father's tradition of supporting local students, Mr. Verma distributed uniforms, bags, and books to those in need in honor of Prof. B.C. Verma's first death anniversary.

He praised the school's students for their cultural performances and commended the teachers for their efforts in organizing the event.

Expressing his commitment to the development of Chalela, Mr. Verma instructed the Deputy Commissioner to arrange for the construction of a stadium and library in response to requests from the villagers.

He emphasized that the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is focused on steering the youth away from drugs by promoting sports and education through such facilities.

The Chief Secretary also visited his ancestral home with his family, where he emotionally reminisced and sought blessings from village elders. The villagers, along with the Panchayat, school, and district administration, honored Mr. Verma during his visit.

Key dignitaries present at the event included Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray, SSP Dr. Nanak Singh, SP Sarfaraj Alam, ADC (G) Kanchan, SDM Arvind Kumar, school principal Karamjit Singh, and prominent villagers such as Ram Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Jagmohan Malik, and others. Teachers, students, and members of the local community were also

in attendance.
(editor@dailyworld.in)