Ferozepur, November 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday said the Punjab Government was working to transform young people from job seekers into job creators by prioritising education, technical learning, skill development and sports. Addressing the maiden convocation ceremony of Shaheed Bhagat Singh University, he said 26% of the state budget had been allocated to education and government schools had undergone a transformation in the past four years.
The ceremony was attended by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. Congratulating the graduating students, Mann urged them to remain connected with their roots, contribute to society and make their parents and teachers proud. He described the convocation as a milestone marking the culmination of their hard work and dedication.
The Chief Minister said Shaheed Bhagat Singh University, established in 2021 across 98 acres, had more than 2,600 students, with its enrolment expected to double by next year. He said strengthening higher education infrastructure in border areas remained a priority, adding that the university had emerged as an important centre of learning for young people in the region.
Mann said the government’s objective was to equip students with knowledge and skills that would help them create employment opportunities for themselves and others. He expressed confidence that graduates would establish businesses, generate jobs and contribute to the development of schools, colleges and villages. He also noted that the institution had produced IAS and IPS officers and accomplished individuals in other fields.
Highlighting improvements in government school education, Mann said 882 students from Punjab government schools had qualified NEET in the recently announced results, compared with 80 in 2021. He described the increase as evidence of improved educational standards and said many successful students came from economically modest families.
He said the government had allocated 26% of its budget to education and Rs 1,794 crore to sports. Referring to the Asian Hockey Championship, he said Punjab had hosted an international sporting event in the state for the first time and that efforts were continuing to strengthen sporting infrastructure and opportunities for young talent.
Urging students not to restrict their ambitions to conventional careers such as medicine and engineering, Mann said Punjab needed professionals, entrepreneurs, sportspersons and people from diverse fields. He also asked parents to recognise their children’s individual abilities and support their aspirations.
The Chief Minister cited Harmanpreet Singh, Shubman Gill, Harmanpreet Kaur and Palpreet Singh Brar as examples of Punjabis bringing recognition to the country through hockey, cricket and basketball. He said Punjab’s sportspersons continued to make significant contributions to Indian teams.
Mann encouraged graduates to prepare for competitive examinations, including the UPSC, and aspire to join the civil services. He also said the government would organise recruitment awareness and preparation camps for young people aspiring to join the armed forces.
Referring to his interaction with the Chief of Army Staff and Western Command leadership, Mann said he had assured them that the Punjab Government would organise such camps to encourage more Punjabi youth to join the armed forces, including the Sikh Regiment.
He urged graduates to remember the sacrifices of their parents and teachers, remain humble and contribute to Punjab’s progress. He also assured them that he would remain available whenever they needed support and wished them success in their future endeavours.
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