PATIALA, November 19 — Two hundred and seventy-two students of Government Senior Secondary School, Chalaila, received new jerseys on Tuesday as part of an annual initiative carried out in memory of late Prof. V.C. Verma and late Kaushalya Jethi, the parents of Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Anurag Verma.
The jerseys, sent by Verma to his ancestral village, were distributed by School Principal Karamjit Singh, Village Sarpanch Sukhwinder Singh and School Management Committee Chairman Gurmukh Singh. Verma interacted with students through a video call during the event, asking about their well-being and urging them to pursue education with commitment. He also shared stories from his family’s history to underline the value of learning.
Verma told students his grandfather began as a Patwari before becoming a Kanugo, and ensured all his children were educated. His father, he said, attended the same village school before cycling 16 km daily to Patiala to continue his studies. “He started his career as Head of the Chemistry Department at Government Mahindra College and later became the Principal,” Verma said, noting his father’s role in expanding access to education.
He added that his mother served as an English teacher and later as the District Education Officer for primary education. “Inspired by my parents’ lives, I pursued my education with dedication. Whatever I have achieved is because of the values and teachings I received,” he told the students.
Verma said the progress of his family over three generations — from village Chalaila to senior administrative positions — was possible only because of education. He reminded students to stay rooted in their village no matter how far they rise. “Education is the only tool that can take you to any height of success. Bring pride to your parents, your village and your country,” he said.
The Gram Panchayat thanked Verma for continuing to support local children. Officials noted that the late Prof. V.C. Verma had annually distributed jerseys, notebooks and other educational materials to students of the same school, and his son has maintained the tradition since.
