Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has urged young people to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals, sharing his personal journey as an example of determination and ambition.
Recalling his early days, Mann said he would often stand outside the Chief Minister’s residence, interacting with security personnel and telling them to keep the house clean as he would one day occupy the post. “Eventually, that dream came true,” he said.
He also spoke about being inspired as a student by a speech of IPS officer M.F. Farooqui, who had shared his journey from riding a bicycle to becoming a senior officer. Mann said the story left a lasting impression on him.
The Chief Minister said he regularly shares such experiences with students of Classes 11 and 12, as well as youth in colleges, universities and ITIs participating in the government’s Business Blaster programme.
Under the initiative, students are provided seed money of ₹2,000 to develop innovative ideas, design products and start their own ventures. Mann said the programme has been running successfully and is encouraging entrepreneurship among youth.
Education Minister Harjot Bains, who was also present, said hundreds of students have developed product models that are now in demand by industries. He added that participants have collectively generated around ₹70 crore through their innovations.
Bains highlighted that students have created prototypes such as drones, anti-drone systems and e-bikes, while a student from Moga developed a stubble management solution. He said the programme is now mandatory for students of Class 11 and above to promote entrepreneurial skills and shift them from job seekers to job creators.
