Bhopal. On the day of Raksha Bandhan, while many brothers were busy having Rakhis tied on their wrists by their sisters, an IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh was getting Rakhis tied by girls who lacked family support to share in the festival’s joy. Anshul Gupta, the Collector of Vidisha—a district neighboring the capital, Bhopal—visited the government ‘Girls’ Observation Home’ and celebrated Raksha Bandhan with the girls residing there. The girls tied Rakhis on Collector Anshul Gupta. The Collector encouraged the girls and assured them of full support towell. progress in life through better education.
On this special festive occasion, the girls presented a beautiful handmade artwork to the Collector, which he greatly appreciated. During the event, Vinita Kansba, the District Programme Officer of the Women and Child Development Department, also tied a *rakhi* on Collector Anshul Gupta.
Collector Anshul Gupta interacted with the girls at the observation home and inquired about their situation, challenges, and needs. He instructed officials to reintegrate these girls into the education system, directing that their studies be completed through bridge courses and open schooling. Additionally, he instructed District Programme Officer Vinita Kansba to arrange short-term computer courses to help the girls learn vocational skills and become self-reliant in the future. Akanksha Maravi, the Superintendent of the observation home, provided details regarding the arrangements made for the girls during the program.
It is worth noting that a children’s ‘Observation Home’ is a secure facility where children under the age of 18, who are in conflict with the law, are temporarily housed pending the completion of legal proceedings. The objective is not to punish the children but to reform them and guide them onto the right path. Anshul Gupta’s background as a former IPS officer also plays a role in this initiative; prior to becoming an IAS officer, he served as an IPS officer in Uttar Pradesh. It is worth noting that Collector Anshul Gupta has consistently taken initiatives to support and empower girls. Driven by this vision, a special campaign named ‘Sashakt Vahini’ is being conducted under his leadership in the Vidisha district. Its objective is to make the district’s girls self-reliant by preparing them for careers in sectors like the police and the army. The Vidisha police control room has now transformed into a learning hub for these girls, offering free coaching for competitive examinations. The girls are directly benefiting from Collector Anshul Gupta’s prior experience as an IPS officer before he became an IAS officer; he possesses a deep understanding of the nuances of police recruitment and the requirements of physical tests.
Consequently, alongside preparation for the written exam, the girls undergo rigorous physical training at the police grounds. To support their fitness during training, they are provided with a nutritious diet daily, including milk, bananas, and sprouted grains. More than 145 girls have participated in the two batches conducted so far under this campaign, significantly strengthening their preparation. Additionally, guidance is provided here for other government job opportunities as well.