Bhopal, Apr 8: Excellence Schools is run at every district in Madhya Pradesh by the School Education Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh. For the admission of the academic session 2008-09, the written test would be organised on May 18 and the students would be selected based on merit.

The students could submit their application forms till May 1, 2008. The students, who secured minimum 50 per cent marks in standard VIII and they could apply for the admission in standard IX. Apart from this, the students, who have passed standard VIII in this year, they could also apply for admission and appear in written test.

Reservation would be provided to the schedule caste and schedule tribe and handicapped students. The admission test would be conducted under the supervision of District Collector, District Education Officer/Assistant Commissioner (Tribal Welfare) with coordination by Principals, Secretaries of Excellence Schools.

VUCs distribute micro loans to 444 members

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, Apr 8: Sixteen Village Uplift Committees (VUC) have been constituted in Mohangarh Sankul in Tikamgarh district under DPIP. Thirteen out of these 18 committees have transferred their funds amounting to Rs 18.05 lakh to Apna Kosh account. Ten out of the 18 committees are headed by women belonging to scheduled tribes and six by women belonging to scheduled castes. Every committee has its own office where its meetings are held twice a month.

The meetings discuss earlier decisions, future strategy, micro loan transactions, accounts of the committees' transactions and business matters apart from giving information about directives given by the project.

These committees have so far distributed micro loans worth Rs 4,79,600 to 444 members and have received Rs 11,525 by way of interest. Rs 10 to 20 is deposited per month by every member of the committee. Total savings of these committees are Rs 2,12,145. Four committees have earned profit to the tune of the Rs 6,800 on the sale and purchase of Nibori, Mahua, Kamarkas and Silamili.

Before their inclusion in the project women of the village did not even know the names of national festivals. But now these women celebrate national festivals on August 15 and January 26 with great zeal and enthusiasm by holding cultural programmes. The committees also honour talented students who pass examination with good marks through these functions.

A decision taken by the committee of village Varmadang drew widespread encomiums. Marriage of a girl belonging to Vanshkar Samaj was to be solemnised but no one was willing to extend loan to her. Taking the initiative the Village Uplift Committee gave her Rs 5000 and helped her in solemnizing the marriage. When the committee was told that this act was against the rules, the women members of the Committee replied that they were giving this money from their savings. Now the concerning woman has repaid the loan along with interest.