Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi played Santa Claus for his native village Mahkaar in Gaya district by laying foundation stones of 21 development schemes worth Rs 5,532 crore.
He also inaugurated two projects worth Rs 120 crore on the occasion.
“Mahkaar has got an identity now. Several development schemes have been launched and inaugurated here. We will build a 30-bed community health centre here so that people from neighbouring areas could come here for treatment. A special police station is also being constructed here,” Manjhi said while laying down the foundation stones.
The development schemes launched today include a residential school for children belonging to Scheduled Castes having a capacity of 560 students, an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at which 160 youths will be trained in 12 trades, canal irrigation system, electricity sub-station, a bridge over Falgu river, health centres and roads.
“The ITI will help provide employment to youths of the area. Those gone astray due to Naxalism will also be able to return to mainstream after getting trained at it,” Manjhi added.
Manjhi also asked the people not to become afraid due to problems and difficult circumstances as “gold glitters only after getting heated in fire”. He asked them not to harbour animosity towards anybody and protect the girl child. He also distributed cheques worth Rs 1.1 crore to 125 self help groups affiliated to Jeevika project.
The Chief Minister also exhorted people to support him and make him strong. “In return I will work for you and strengthen you,” he added.
Manjhi reminisced about his relation with his village and said those who are migrating to cities by getting influenced from the modernity and glitter are not doing a good thing.
“A time will come when the people of cities will come to stay in villages to escape from pollution, population increase and falling water table. I ask everybody to protect environment and culture and not to forget their villages,” Manjhi added.
