Patiala News: Punjab Education Minister and Minister for Technical Education & Industrial Training, School Education, Higher Education, Languages and Information & Public Relations S. Harjot Singh Bains hoisted the National Flag at the district-level Republic Day function held at Polo Ground, Patiala, on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day. He inspected the parade and took the salute during the march-past.
Extending greetings to Punjabis and countrymen, the Education Minister recalled the vision of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and paid tributes to the martyrs and armed forces. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is committed to realising the dreams of the great martyrs.
Highlighting achievements, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that Punjab has transformed its education system through an education revolution, making it world-class, while the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has taken the health revolution to new heights. Under the scheme, Punjab has become the first state to provide free treatment up to ₹10 lakh, benefiting 65 lakh families.
He said the government aims to make youth job providers instead of job seekers, adding that Punjab is the first state to introduce entrepreneurship as a main subject in Class XI. He informed that 118 Schools of Eminence are being developed across the state, including 10 in Patiala district. Punjab has also secured the first position in the National Achievement Survey 2024, surpassing Kerala.
To boost employability, ITI seats have been increased to 52,000 and 814 new trades introduced. A budget of ₹245 crore has been allocated under the post-matric scholarship scheme.
S. Harjot Singh Bains also outlined welfare schemes for farmers, traders, investors, NRIs, freedom fighters, ex-servicemen, police personnel and their dependents, sportspersons, senior citizens, widows, underprivileged children and persons with disabilities. He highlighted the functioning of the Road Safety Force, renovation of roads and repair of 40,103 km of rural link roads. He also highlighted the state’s campaign against drug smugglers and gangsters.
On the occasion, freedom fighters, achievers from various fields, parade commanders and students were honoured. The district administration felicitated the Chief Guest with a memento, and all MLAs, including Baltej Pannu, were also honoured. The Education Department’s tableau remained a major attraction, while the Red Cross distributed sewing machines and tricycles to the needy.
The parade, led by DSP Fateh Singh Brar, featured contingents from ITBP, Patiala Police, Home Guards, NCC, Red Cross, Scouts and Guides, Student Police Cadets and IRB Pipe Band. A cultural programme by students added colour to the celebrations.
Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia thanked all dignitaries, officers and employees for the successful conduct of the event.
Prominent among those present were AAP State Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Baltej Pannu, MP Dr. Dharamvir Gandhi, MLAs Ajit Pal Singh Kohli, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Gurlal Singh Ghanaur, Kulwant Singh Bazigar, Sanaur Halka In-charge Ranjodh Singh Hadana, Mayor Kundan Gogia, PRTC Nominee Chairman Harpal Juneja, Chairman Baljinder Singh Dhillon, Deputy Mayor Jagdeep Singh Jagga, District Planning Committee Chairman Tejinder Mehta, Special DGP Dr. Naresh Arora, Divisional Commissioner Vinay Bublani, District & Sessions Judge Avtar Singh, DC Varjeet Walia, SSP Varun Sharma, VCs Dr. Jagdeep Singh and Dr. Rattan Singh, Padma Shri awardees Jagjit Singh Dardi and Pran Sabharwal, MC Commissioner Paramjit 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, besides judicial, civil and police officers, city councillors and a large number of citizens.
