Modi is Prez, Shimla is nat'l capital: Class X students' answers leave Sukhu upset

Indian Express

19-06-2025

During a surprised visit to Government Senior Secondary School at Baga Sarahan in Kullu district on Wednesday, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was taken aback when Class X students failed to give correct answers to his two questions — who is the President of India, and which city is the national capital?
To his surprise, one student said Narendra Modi is the President of India, and another said 'Shimla is the capital of India.
However, the correct answers came from two students of Class IV, giving a sigh of relief to the CM and others, including Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh and Kullu MLA Sundar Singh Thakur.
The visibly upset chief minister pulled up the principal of the senior secondary school for the dismal response from Class X students and told him to focus on the general knowledge of the students instead of merely teaching them textbooks. Sukhu, however, appreciated the primary classes' teachers, whose students answered the questions correctly.
According to information, Sukhu made a surprise visit to the school on his way back to Shimla after concluding a two-day visit to Baga Sarahan, where he inaugurated several developmental projects and released Rs 1,500 instalments for women under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna (IGPBSSNY).
When Sukhu reached the school morning prayer meeting was in progress.
A senior officer accompanying the CM said, 'His visit was unexpected. He didn't tell anyone about this. The idea to visit the school came to his mind at the last moment. It appears he wanted to check the standard of education quality among the students. He was upset when students of Class X failed to answer two simple questions, which Class IV students correctly answered.'
When contacted, Director of Elementary Education, Himachal Pradesh, Ashish Kohli said, 'It is a matter of concern if students of Class X failed to answer the simplest questions and students of primary classes answered them. I will look into this matter. As the CM has issued instructions to focus on the general knowledge of the students, the instructions will be strictly followed.'
Later, interacting with the teachers, Sukhu emphasised providing practical knowledge to the students, apart from the routine curriculum, and imparting competitive general knowledge as well.
Sukhu also interacted with the students and encouraged them to set clear targets and work hard with dedication to achieve their dreams. He advised the students to adopt noble values and ideals in their lives. He said the old school building from Pre-Nursery to Class VIII must be replaced with a modern school building.
Earlier, the CM met residents at Public Works Department Rest House in Baga Sarahan and listened to their grievances. He also gave necessary directions to the officers concerned for the redressal of the same.