Kapurthala (Gurpreet Singh): Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said his government is transforming Punjab’s education system and creating employment opportunities to empower youth to stand on their own feet, asserting that the goal is to turn job seekers into job providers. During the 14th convocation of I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University (IKGPTU) in Kapurthala, he said the government had provided 70,000 government jobs on merit while transforming government schools, adding that neglect of education and employment by previous governments had pushed young people to seek opportunities abroad.
The Chief Minister pointed out four years of sustained efforts had taken Punjab to the number one position in education and urged the youth to make education and sports the foundation of the state’s bright future. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also hit out at the BJP, asking it to stop the flow of drugs from Gujarat instead of defaming Punjab.
Sharing a few snippets from the occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, I had the privilege of distributing degrees to students at the 14th Convocation of I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala. A degree is not just a piece of paper; it is a certificate that brings young people closer to turning their dreams into reality. Our goal is to make Punjab’s youth not job seekers, but job providers. Education and sports are the keys to Punjab’s bright future. Heartiest congratulations to all the graduating students. Wishing them a bright and successful future ahead. Inquilab Zindabad.”
Addressing the convocation ceremony, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those attempting to malign Punjab over the drug menace must first answer for their own failures in tackling the problem. I challenge the BJP-led Union Government to explain how drug supplies continued through ports in Gujarat and other parts of the country despite the BJP being in power at both the Centre and in Gujarat. Punjab will not allow anyone to tarnish its image through selective criticism and political propaganda while ignoring the larger national dimensions of the drug trade. Those who have failed to effectively tackle the problem in their own states must explain their record before pointing fingers at Punjab.”
Congratulating the graduating students, the Chief Minister called upon them to use their knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial spirit to build a Rangla Punjab. He described the convocation as a significant occasion in their lives, emphasising that a degree was much more than a piece of paper. He said it represented an opportunity to realise their dreams, fulfil their ambitions and contribute meaningfully to society.
Quoting former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the Chief Minister encouraged the graduates to dream big and work relentlessly to turn their aspirations into reality. Referring to the immortal lines of legendary Punjabi poet Avtar Pash, he urged the students never to surrender their dreams in the face of adversity. “Student life prepares young people for the realities of the world, where success requires determination, discipline, innovation and the courage to think differently. Your knowledge and expertise must not remain confined to personal advancement. Use them for the welfare of society and the progress of Punjab,” he said.
He said previous governments had failed to create adequate opportunities for the youth, compelling many young people to look abroad for a better future. The present state government, he added, was working to ensure that Punjab’s young people could pursue their ambitions and build successful careers within the state.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government had undertaken a comprehensive transformation of the education system, with renewed emphasis on quality, accessibility, modern infrastructure and practical skills. He said greater coordination had been established among the three wings of education under a single minister to ensure focused implementation of reforms. “Government schools are being equipped with furniture, smart classrooms and modern science laboratories, while innovative courses are preparing students for emerging technologies and new-age careers. Our objective is to ensure that children from ordinary families receive the same quality of education and opportunities as students from privileged backgrounds,” he said.
He said teachers had been sent to Singapore and Finland to learn advanced teaching methodologies and bring international best practices into Punjab’s classrooms. “The government is also making learning more engaging, interactive and relevant to contemporary requirements, with Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies opening new avenues for students,” he added.
The Chief Minister said these reforms were intended to equip young people with the knowledge, confidence and practical capabilities needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
Highlighting the state’s progress in education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab had risen from the 27th position before 2022 to the top rank, as per NITI Aayog. He attributed the achievement to sustained efforts to improve school infrastructure, strengthen teaching standards and expand access to quality education across economic backgrounds.
He said the government was determined to ensure that financial circumstances did not prevent talented students from achieving their potential. “Education is the foundation of an equitable and prosperous society. Our government is committed to ensuring that every child receives quality education and that opportunities are not restricted to those who can afford expensive institutions. We want to empower young people with modern skills, technical knowledge and an entrepreneurial mindset so that they become job creators rather than job seekers,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the success of 882 students from ordinary families in the NEET examination demonstrated that talent was not the monopoly of the privileged and that students could excel when provided with the right opportunities and support.
He also emphasised that the state government had ensured that Scheduled Caste scholarship payments were not delayed even for a single semester during its tenure, enabling students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to continue their higher education without unnecessary financial uncertainty. “Talent exists in every section of society. What young people need is a fair opportunity, quality education and the right support. Our government is working to ensure that financial constraints do not become a barrier to education and that deserving students can fulfil their ambitions,” he added.
The Chief Minister further said the Punjab Government had provided 70,685 government jobs purely on merit, without cash, recommendations or favouritism. “Transparent recruitment has restored the confidence of young people and demonstrated that government employment can be secured through hard work and ability rather than influence. Our priority is to create an environment in which every deserving young person gets a fair opportunity to succeed,” he said.
He called upon the graduates to take advantage of opportunities emerging in technology, innovation, industry and entrepreneurship while contributing to Punjab’s economic growth.
Motivating the graduating students to remain active, purposeful and committed to their goals, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated the government’s responsibility was to create opportunities and provide the necessary support, while young people had to use those opportunities to achieve greater heights. “The government is like an airport runway that provides an aircraft with the platform to take off. We can create opportunities and provide support, but it is up to the youth to use those opportunities to reach greater heights. Punjab’s young people possess immense talent, and our priority is to create an environment where their potential can be fully realised within the state,” affirmed the Chief Minister.
He urged the graduates to remain connected to their roots, uphold the values of Punjab and become sources of inspiration for others. He called upon them to use their knowledge, experience and expertise to support those who lacked access to opportunities.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab’s future rested on an educated, skilled, confident and socially responsible younger generation, adding that the state government was committed to ensuring quality education for every child and fair opportunities for every deserving young person.
On the occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann felicitated six prominent Indian hockey players for their outstanding contribution to Indian hockey and for bringing laurels to the country. The players were Indian men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh, Jugraj Singh and Sukhjeet Singh.
Congratulating the players, the Chief Minister said their achievements reflected the values of dedication, discipline, perseverance and teamwork. He said Punjab had a proud sporting legacy, with its sons and daughters continuing to represent India with distinction on the international stage. “The achievements of our hockey players are a source of immense pride for Punjab and the entire country. Their dedication and hard work demonstrate what can be achieved through discipline, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” he said.
He also highlighted Punjab’s preparations to host the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, describing it as an important opportunity to showcase the state’s sporting culture, hospitality and organisational capabilities on an international platform.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains congratulated the graduating students and extended his best wishes for their future.
Vice Chancellor Dr Arvind Kumar Bansal and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
