Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 24 : Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Wednesday hailed the Shala Praveshotsav initiative at 'Shala Praveshotsav 2026' programme at PM Thaltej Anupam Primary School in Thaltej, saying that it provides equal opportunities to underprivileged children and children freed from begging, adding that it will prove instrumental in bringing positive social change.
The Nagar Prathmik Shikshan Samiti organised the event in the presence of Sanghavi. On this occasion, a special enrolment drive was conducted to bring children freed from begging, children studying in Signal Schools, and newly admitted students into the mainstream of education, according to the release from the Gujarat Chief Minister's office.
Under this initiative, a total of 303 children were enrolled in school, including 20 children freed from begging, 233 children from Signal Schools, and 50 newly admitted students.

On this occasion, Sanghavi stated that this effort to provide the right to education and equal opportunities to underprivileged children and children freed from begging would prove instrumental in bringing positive social change. He informed that since 2022, a total of 276 children have been rescued from begging and connected with education through 'Signal Schools' and other government schools.

He highlighted that action was taken against interstate rackets involved in bringing children from other states for begging, resulting in the rescue of 33 children who were subsequently reunited with their families. He appealed to teachers to provide these children with the same affection, guidance, and values as they would offer their own children. He also urged citizens present at the event to maintain cleanliness, follow traffic rules, and prioritise road safety, the press release said.
On this occasion, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani stated that significant success has been achieved in integrating underprivileged children into the mainstream of education through the joint efforts of the police, the Municipal Corporation, and the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. He added that education will play a vital role in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.

During the programme, police officers who demonstrated outstanding performance in anti-begging initiatives and the Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) were honoured by Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi.