Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, August 15, 2024
Punjab School Education, Higher Education and Language, Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister Harjot Singh Bains hoisted the National flag at Shaheed Major (Shaurya Chakra) Harminder Pal Singh Government College on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day.
On this occasion, the Cabinet Minister recalled the contribution made by the great freedom fighters and said that we are enjoying the comforts of freedom today due to the sacrifices made by various Martyrs included Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru and Sukhdev, Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra, Shaheed Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Diwan Singh Kalepani and others.
He added that it is matter of immense pride that Punjabis have made remarkable and significant contribution in the Independence Movement.
Mr. Harjot Singh Bains further said that our government is firmly resolute to realise the dreams of great martyrs. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Maan himself expressed this commitment by administering oath of Office at Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh’s native village Khatkar Kalan.
He said that our government has started to display portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dr. B R Ambedkar ji in the government offices to commemorate the contribution of the freedom fighters.
The Cabinet Minister said that after successfully naming Mohali International Airport after Shaheed S. Bhagat Singh, now the Punjab government is going to install the statue of Shaheed-e-Azam at the Airport.
Apart from this, the Chief Minister has also vociferously raised the demand before the Union Government to confer the highest civilian award ‘Bharat Ratna’ to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh and Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha.
Mr. Harjot Bains said that our government is committed for the well being of soldiers, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen. The government has increased the ex-gratia grant from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore for the families of martyrs of Armed Forces. He informed that our government has also included Agniveers under this financial assistance scheme.
The Cabinet Minister further added that more than 44,000 government jobs have been accorded by the state government during its tenure to fulfill the promise of providing employment to the youth.
He asserted that this practice will continue as the trend of migration reversed with the efforts of the state government. Harjot Bains said that decision have already been made to recruit 1800 constables and 300 sub-inspectors every year to strengthen the police force.
The Cabinet Minister informed that the Employment Generation Department conducted 4208 placement camps in the state during last 28 months, in which more than 2.38 Lakh candidates were provided placement opportunities in private sector.
Speaking about the efforts being made to revive the sports culture, the Education Minister said that the Punjab government is also committed to promote sports activities to excel the field with grit and glory. He said that National and international level players are being rewarded with government jobs and prizes.
He said that posts of PCS and PPS have been given to 11 renowned players as well as 24164 players were distributed cash prize of Rs 75 crore in last two years. He said that the Punjabi players of the Indian hockey team who won bronze medal in the Olympic Games, will be given Rs. 1 crore each as announced by Chief Minister.
He said that it is matter of pride that 10 players including captain Harmanpreet Singh are part of the Indian hockey squad. He added that the government has given Rs 15 lakhs and Rs. 8 lakhs per player for the preparation of Olympic Games and Asian Games respectively.
The Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab government has brought revolutionary changes in the health sector, under which 842 Aam Aadmi clinics have been dedicated to the people, fulfilling the promise of providing better health facilities to citizens.
About 80 types of medicines and 38 lab test services are being provided free of cost in these clinics. About 1.70 crore people have taken treatment facility in these clinics so far.
Apart from this, the state government has recently dedicated 58 new hi-tech ambulances purchased at a cost of Rs. 14 crore for providing quality health facilities to the people, after which the number of total hi-tech ambulances has risen to 325 in the state.
A time limit of 15 minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in rural areas has been fixed for these ambulances to reach patients and real-time tracking of ambulances is being ensured.
Talking about the field of education, the Education Minister said that for the bright future of Punjab, we have the firm resolution to provide international level education to our children. Under this, the government has started 118 schools of eminence in the state.
Training has been imparted to 200 Principals from two reputed educational training institutes of Singapore and 100 head teachers from IIMs Ahmedabad for comprehensive reforms in education and further imparting education with international standards.
Apart from this, students were sent to Sriharikota on the occasion of the launch of Chandrayaan for practical experience in space science.
The Minister further said that the government has decided to open free coaching centres for the preparation of civil services exams and other competitive exams. School of Eminence is being started with the purpose of providing stress free education to the students.
Transportation facility for students has been started in 137 government schools. Every government school is equipped with Wi-Fi facilities and fencing walls have been completed in 8044 schools.
Three thousand new classrooms have been constructed in government schools.
Chowkidars have been appointed in those senior secondary schools who have the capacity of more than 500 students as well as and Safai Sewaks in government schools with a capacity of more than 100 students. Campus managers in government senior secondary schools have also been deputed to take care of daily chores of the schools.
On this occasion, while paying tribute to the great martyrs, he reiterated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is transforming Punjab into Prosperous and Progressive state working on the theme of ‘Rangala Punjab and remarkable efforts are being made in this direction.
Earlier, the Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains also inspected the parade in which three male and female contingents of the Punjab Police and NCC cadets from colleges/schools participated. Deputy Commissioner Mrs Aashika Jain, SSP Deepak Pareek and Parade Commander DSP Jitinder Chauhan were also accompanying him during the inspection.
The splendid march past containing police contingents and NCC cadets exhibited their excel towards this historic day during rain. Motor Cycle Rider Amaninder Singh also showed his gravity defying stunts during the event.
Tableaus of Forest, Health, CM Window/Sarkar Tuhade Dwar, Agriculture, Police and Milkfed were also added another feather in their cap with magnificent showcase of government welfare schemes and programs.
In patriotic cultural performance, Government Girls School Sohana, APJ School Mundi Kharar, Gem Public School Mohali, National Public School Kurali, Learning Path School Mohali, Government School Kumbra, Guru Gobind Singh Vidya Mandir School Ratwara Sahib and Saint Soldier School from Mohali presented a cultural events with patriotic fervour. Diwyang Children of Government Primary School 3B1 valiantly performed the National Anthem in sign language, which proved the perfect show stopper.
On this occasion, those who excelled in the field of education, sports and others were especially awarded with certificates.
Surjit Kaur, wife of late freedom fighter Natha Singh, who was present on the stage during the event, was specially greeted by the Education Minister, while freedom fighters Swaran Singh and Gurdeep Singh of Jhajjon were felicitated by the district administration by visiting their homes in view of their age.
Mrs Rupinder Pal, wife of Martyr Major Harminder Pal Singh (Shourya Chakra) and son Lt. Navteshwar Singh, Manjit Kaur, mother of Martyr Colonel Manpreet Singh Bharonjian of Operation Rakshak, Jaswinder Kaur, wife of Martyr Naik Dharam Singh of Operation Pawan, Balwant Kaur, wife of Shaheed Hauldar Kehar Singh Indo-Pak War 1971 and Mohinder Kaur, wife of Shaheed Sepoy Amar Singh of Indo-China War were specially honored on this occasion.
On this occasion, Minister Harjot Singh Bains distributed sewing machines to 11 women on behalf of the District Red Cross Society. He also felicitated the specially abled students with 40 ‘Battery Operated’ E-Bike-cum-Wheel Chairs provided by HDFC.
MLA Mohali Kulwant Singh, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Chairman Dr. Sunny Singh Ahluwalia, Vice Chairman Mr. Subhash, Punjab Youth Development Board Chairman Parminder Singh Goldy, District Planning Committee Chairperson Prabhjot Kaur, IG Babul Akal Meena, ADC Viraj S. Tidke and Sonam Chaudhary, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Navjot Kaur, SDM Deepankar Garg, College Principal Gurinderjit Kaur and other officials and dignitaries were also present.
At the end of the event, the Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, his wife Dr. Jyoti Yadav and Mother Balwinder Kaur were also felicitated by the district administration.
