Govt to launch schemes for children: CM

Andhra Pradesh government would soon introduce schemes, aimed at uplift and development of children, which include extending financial assistance for educating girls from poor families, chief minister Y S Rajsekhara Reddy said here today.

He was addressing a function to mark the 115th birth anniversary of the country's first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, celebrated as Children's Day.

Reddy said that the government would also provide facilities to encourage education among children from backward classes. Hundreds of school children attended the function.

Cultural programmes were also held on the occasion.

Governor Sushilkumar Shinde also hosted children in a separate function at Raj Bhavan and distributed sweets.

Earlier, Reddy, his cabinet colleagues and APCC president K Keshav Rao garlanded the statue of Nehru.

On the occasion, BPO firm Apex Covantage organised a Children's Day walkathon 'Mile for a Smile' for the benefit of Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism (ASHA).