FEROZEPUR-Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday said that his government is transforming Punjab’s youth from job seekers into job creators by placing education, technical learning, skill development and sports at the centre of its development agenda. Addressing the maiden convocation ceremony of Shaheed Bhagat Singh University, he said that with 26% of the state budget allocated to education, government schools transformed in just four years and border areas emerging as centres of higher learning, Punjab was opening new avenues for its youth to excel. He asserted that young people must look beyond conventional careers, become entrepreneurs, professionals and sportspersons, while the government would also organise recruitment preparation camps for those aspiring to join the armed forces.
Addressing the convocation ceremony in the presence of Governor Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann congratulated the graduating students and called upon them to remain connected with their roots while contributing to society. Congratulating the graduates, he said, “The convocation is a momentous occasion marking the culmination of their hard work and dedication.” He exhorted them to remain humble, contribute meaningfully to society and make their parents and teachers proud.
The Chief Minister said that Shaheed Bhagat Singh University, established in 2021 over 98 acres, currently had more than 2, 600 students, with its enrolment expected to double by next year. “Strengthening educational infrastructure in border areas has remained a priority of our government, which has taken several steps to ensure that young people in these regions receive access to quality higher education.”
He pointed out, “Earlier, students in border areas had limited access to institutions of higher learning. Today, Shaheed Bhagat Singh University has emerged as a major beacon of education for the youth of this border belt. Education, technical learning and skill development are essential for empowering our young generation, and this university is playing an important role in that direction.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride that the university is preparing students not merely to seek employment but also to become job creators. He expressed confidence that its graduates would establish businesses, generate employment opportunities and contribute to the development of schools, colleges and villages. “It is heartening to see that this institution has produced IAS and IPS officers as well as accomplished individuals in several other fields. Our objective must be to equip young people with knowledge and skills that enable them to create opportunities for themselves and others, ” he said.
Highlighting the remarkable transformation in government school education, the Chief Minister said that 882 students from Punjab Government schools had qualified NEET in the recently announced results, compared to only 80 in 2021. “This is an almost eleven-fold increase in just four years and reflects the tremendous improvement in the quality of education in our government schools. What makes this achievement even more special is that many successful students come from economically modest families, including those of rickshaw pullers, small shopkeepers and vegetable vendors. These children are now clearing some of the country’s most prestigious examinations through their hard work and determination, ” he said.
The Chief Minister said that his government is according the highest priority to education and has allocated 26% of its budget to the sector. He also highlighted the allocation of ₹1, 794 crore for sports, describing it as an unprecedented commitment towards strengthening sporting infrastructure and expanding opportunities for young people.
Referring to the recently organised Asian Hockey Championship, the Chief Minister said that Punjab had hosted an international sporting event in the state for the first time in its history. He said that the government was continuously creating opportunities for sporting talent and making every possible effort to strengthen the state’s sporting ecosystem.
He affirmed, “Success is not restricted to becoming a doctor or an engineer. Sports and several other fields offer tremendous opportunities. Our young people must explore their interests and recognise that there are many avenues through which they can excel and serve society.”
Urging parents to support their children’s aspirations, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every child possessed different strengths and talents and must be allowed to pursue their dreams. “Parents must let their children fly and give wings to their dreams. Society needs professionals from different fields, and every child has the potential to achieve something meaningful. An aircraft can only move forward with assistance until it reaches the runway, but once it takes off, its destination depends on the strength of its engine. Similarly, our children need the support of parents, teachers and mentors to take off, after which their own determination and capabilities will determine how high they soar, ” he said.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Punjabis would continue to excel wherever they went and carve a distinct identity through their talent, hard work and dedication. Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to Indian sports, he said that the state’s sportspersons are not merely participating in national and international competitions but were also leading the country across disciplines.
Referring to Harmanpreet Singh, Shubman Gill, Harmanpreet Kaur and Palpreet Singh Brar, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that they have brought immense pride to the country by leading Indian teams in hockey, cricket and basketball. He also highlighted Punjab’s significant representation in the Indian hockey team, saying that the state’s sporting talent continued to bring laurels to the nation.
Calling upon graduates to remain grounded, the Chief Minister said that they must never forget their parents and teachers, who had made immense sacrifices and played a decisive role in shaping their lives. “No individual can ever become greater than their teacher. Teachers are like gardeners who nurture plants with care and dedication. Their greatest happiness comes when their students succeed and achieve great heights. Similarly, parents make countless sacrifices to secure a bright future for their children. Always remember their contribution and remain grateful to them, ” he said.
He said that the real journey of the graduates began after completing their education, when they would face professional responsibilities, interviews and new challenges. He encouraged them to prepare for prestigious competitive examinations, particularly the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), and aspire to become IAS and IPS officers to serve the nation.
Referring to the opportunities available in the armed forces, the Chief Minister said that young people from Punjab’s border areas had a strong inclination towards joining the National Defence Academy and other defence institutions.
He said that during his interaction with the Chief of Army Staff and the leadership of Western Command, he had assured them that the Punjab Government would organise recruitment awareness and preparation camps to encourage more Punjabi youth to join the armed forces, including the Sikh Regiment.
The Chief Minister called upon the graduating students to remain connected with their roots and contribute to Punjab’s progress instead of looking only towards opportunities abroad. “Punjab is the blessed land of Gurus and saints, and its people have always made immense contributions to the nation. I am confident that our educated youth will serve society, contribute to the development of their homeland and bring glory to Punjab wherever they go, ” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the graduating students that he would always remain available whenever they needed his support and wished them success in their future endeavours.