Sweekaram Launched to Upgrade Welfare Hostels in Guntur District
Launching the initiative, the collector said Sweekaram has been conceived to ensure that every welfare hostel contributes to the holistic progress of a student, ensuring his / her mental, physical and academic development.
Vijayawada: Guntur collector A. Thameem Ansariya on Tuesday launched “Sweekaram,”, a comprehensive programme for upgrading basic amenities available at SC, ST, BC and minority welfare hostels, besides Gurukul institutions across the district.
Launching the initiative, the collector said Sweekaram has been conceived to ensure that every welfare hostel contributes to the holistic progress of a student, ensuring his / her mental, physical and academic development.
She said earlier, “Mana Badi – Mana Badhyatha” programme had strengthened school infrastructure. Sweekaram will similarly transform the residential educational institutions.
Ansariya underlined that the programme is modelled after P4 (Public-Private-People Partnership. Funding will come from philanthropists, non-governmental organisations, charitable institutions, corporate companies and banks. These institutions have been requested to extend support for renovating and modernising the welfare hostels.
The collector maintained that the primary objective is to significantly improve living conditions, safety standards and overall well-being of hostel students. As part of it, dormitories, kitchens, dining halls, toilets, bathrooms, study rooms, and common areas will be upgraded. Civil and electrical works, such as strengthening buildings, repairing roofs, flooring, plumbing, electrical systems, ventilation, and sanitation facilities will be undertaken to ensure a clean, safe and student-friendly environment.
Ansariya said by modernising residential facilities and improving basic infrastructure, Sweekaram programme seeks to provide students with a comfortable and secure atmosphere that promotes dignity and comprehensive welfare. She expressed confidence that better living conditions will enable students to focus on their studies, excel academically and achieve all-round personal development.
Speaking at a meeting organised on the occasion, District Social Welfare officer U. Chennaiah informed that there are 31 hostels under the Social Welfare department in the district, 18 of which are functioning in their own buildings, 26 hostels of the BC Welfare department, including six within their own premises, and four hostels within the ambit of the Tribal Welfare department, three with their own buildings.
Chennaiah said estimates are being prepared to provide essential amenities in all these hostels, so that their development under P4 can commence.
