-He stated that through an education revolution, Punjab has achieved world-class education, and now, with the Chief Minister’s Health Scheme, a health revolution has reached its peak.
-The Education Minister called upon all Punjabis to unite and work together to build a vibrant and colorful Punjab.
-The Punjab Government has taken up the mission to transform the state’s youth from job seekers into job providers
-District-level event held at Polo Ground on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day.
Patiala, January 26
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains unfurled the national tricolor flag at the 77th Republic Day celebrations in Patiala and extended Republic Day greetings to all Punjabis and fellow countrymen. During the district-level event at Polo Ground, the Minister for Technical Education and Industrial Training, School Education, Higher Education and Languages, and Information and Public Relations Departments Bains, urged all Punjabis to join hands and strive together to make Punjab a “Rangla Punjab” (vibrant and colorful Punjab). He inspected the parade and received the salute during the march past.
In his message to the people of Punjab Bains remembered January 26, 1950, when the Constitution came into force, paying tribute to the contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, in establishing the Indian Republic. He also saluted the brave soldiers of the three armed forces and paramilitary forces who safeguard the country’s sovereignty and integrity. Recalling the great martyrs of India and especially Punjab’s heroic sons who made the greatest sacrifices in the freedom struggle, he stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is fulfilling its pledge to build a Punjab that realizes the dreams of these great martyrs.
Education Minister Bains said that the Punjab Government has first brought about an education revolution, elevating the state’s education system to world-class standards, and now the Chief Minister’s Health Scheme has taken the health revolution to new heights. He noted that under the Chief Minister’s Health Scheme, Punjab has become the first state in the country to provide up to ₹10 lakh in free treatment to residents, benefiting 65 lakh families in the state.
Highlighting the achievements of the Punjab Government, Bains said the government is committed to making the youth not job seekers but job creators. He emphasized that education is the top priority of the government, making Punjab the first state to introduce Entrepreneurship as a main subject in Class 11. Additionally, a curriculum has been implemented to keep students away from drugs under the anti-drug campaign.
The Education Minister informed that 118 schools in the state are being upgraded to Schools of Eminence, with 10 such schools already operational in Patiala district alone. Under the Holistic Plan, 8 schools in the district have received ₹62.50 lakh, while Barnala School has been granted ₹82.50 lakh under Schools of Brilliance. Furthermore, 21 Green Schools in Patiala have been honored. He added that the Punjab Government has introduced transportation services for students.
Bains further stated that Punjab surpassed Kerala to secure the first position in the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2024. To make the state’s youth employment-ready, the number of seats in ITIs has been increased to 52,000, and 814 new trades have been started as per industry and market needs. Moreover, the first “Entrepreneur Mindset” course in the country has been introduced in universities, ITIs, and polytechnic colleges. Under the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme, a budget of ₹245 crore has been allocated to give new wings to the dreams of poor students.
The Cabinet Minister also provided detailed information on welfare schemes launched by the Punjab Government for farmers, traders, investors, NRIs, freedom fighters, ex-servicemen and police personnel and their dependents, sportspersons, senior citizens, widows and destitute women, children, and persons with disabilities. He mentioned the renovation of roads, repair of 40,103 km of rural link roads, and the establishment of the Road Safety Force. He added that under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, a special campaign has been launched to eliminate drug smugglers and gangsters from the state, yielding positive results.
The event was attended by Aam Aadmi Party state secretary and chief spokesperson Baltej Pannu, Lok Sabha MP Dr. Dharamvir Gandhi, MLAs Ajit Pal Singh Kohli, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Gurlal Ghanaur, Kulwant Singh Bazigar, Sanaur in-charge Ranjodh Singh Hadana, Mayor Kundan Gogia, nominated PRTC Chairman Harpal Juneja, Chairman Baljinder Singh Dhillon, Deputy Mayor Jagdeep Singh Jagga, District Planning Committee Chairman Tejinder Mehta, PRTC Vice Chairman Balwinder Jhanda, Chairman Megh Chand Shermajra, rural district president Harpal Singh Virk, SC Wing state president Amrik Singh Bangar, Balkar Singh Gajjumajra, Gurvinder Singh, Prince Lamba, Sandeep Bandhu, Gajjan Singh, Simran Grewal, along with a large number of city councilors, AAP office-bearers, and other dignitaries.
Also present were Special DGP Dr. Naresh Arora, Divisional Commissioner Vinay Bublani, District and Sessions Judge Avtar Singh, Deputy Commissioner Varjit Walia, SSP Varun Sharma, Punjabi University Vice Chancellor Dr. Jagdeep Singh, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University VC Dr. Ratan Singh, Padma Shri Jagjit Singh Dardi and Pran Sabharwal, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Parmjit Singh, Joint Commissioner Sonam, ADCs Damanjit Singh Mann, Simarpreet Kaur and Dr. Ismat Vijay Singh, SPs Vaibhav Chaudhary and Palwinder Singh Cheema, RTO Babandeep Singh Walia, Deepjot Kaur, SDM Harjot Kaur Mavi, CMFO Satish Chandra, judicial officers, and civil and police officials.
Under Parade Commander DSP Fateh Singh Brar, 11 contingents including ITBP, Patiala Police, Punjab Home Guards, NCC, Red Cross St. John Ambulance Brigade, Student Police Cadet, Scouts and Guides, and IRB Pipe Band participated in the march past.
