MP’s ‘mama’ Shivraj unveils Mama coaching, Mama hospital on b’day

Bhopal: On his 66th birthday, Union agriculture minister and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan — endearingly known as "mama" in the state – unveiled "Brand Mama' on Thursday, "gifting" a slew of goodies to his Lok Sabha constituency Vidisha -- A Mama Coaching Centre and Mama Mobile Hospital among other welfare measures.Chouhan even named his official residence in Bhopal "Mama Ka Ghar" a few years ago.Chouhan is affectionately called "mama", especially by women, across Madhya Pradesh since his days as chief minister starting with the 2006 Ladli Laxmi Yojana. He too liked being called "mama", and during his 17 years as chief minister he introduced himself as "mama" to the masses wherever he went.On his birthday, Chouhan came up with the idea of helping economically backward youth with coaching to crack various exams such as banking, SSC, MPPSC, DRDO and the Forest Service. It was initially launched in Vidisha, Raisen and Bhairunda. With his Mama Mobile Hospital, Chouhan hopes to reach out to masses in remote places and provide them access to quality healthcare.The coaching classes are set to offer guidance from experienced teachers, modern study materials and essential exam information. Beneficiaries for the coaching are to be selected through entrance tests.Chouhan said, "Shaping the future of youth is one of my priorities. Mama Coaching Classes are being launched to provide economically disadvantaged but talented students with the opportunity to better prepare for competitive exams.""With the right guidance and resources, even students from rural and small towns can succeed in major competitive exams. My aim is to ensure that no youth in Vidisha region is deprived of their dreams due to lack of resources," he added.Chouhan also announced the launch of Mama Mobile Hospital to improve healthcare access in rural areas. These mobile medical units were to operate across all eight Assembly segments of the Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency and would travel to villages and remote habitations providing free medical consultation, treatment and diagnostic facilities with the support of qualified doctors. The initiative was to be supported through the MP Local Area Development Fund and public cooperation.Paying tribute to his parents, Chouhan also announced the launch of ‘Prem-Sundar Pratibha Samman' to encourage meritorious students. Under this initiative, students securing outstanding results in Classes 10 and 12 across the eight Assembly segments of the Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency will be felicitated. The toppers will receive cash awards of Rs 51,000, Rs 31,000 and Rs 21,000, while the top three students across the entire constituency will also receive special larger awards.