Chandigarh: In a significant milestone for Punjab’s education system, 509 students from government schools have successfully cleared the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test), marking what Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described as a “red letter day” for the state.
Speaking at a felicitation event for the achievers, CM Mann said the state government is pushing “out-of-the-box ideas” to uplift the education sector, which he firmly believes is the most powerful tool to eradicate poverty and societal ills.
“No freebie or concession can eliminate poverty. It’s only through education that we can uplift living standards and break this vicious cycle,” Mann said, according to an official statement.
🔍 Focus on Core Issues
Mann highlighted that education, healthcare, infrastructure, employment, and the fight against drugs remain the core priorities of his administration.
He praised the launch of “Yudh Nashesyan Virudh”, a mass campaign against drugs, and pointed out that drug offenders are being aggressively tracked and arrested.
🛠️ Correcting the Past, Building the Future
Referring to past administrations, Mann remarked:
“We’re working to clear the mess created over 70 years. Many youth became overage for jobs due to negligence. In just three years, we’ve provided 54,000 merit-based jobs.”
He also celebrated a reverse migration trend, with youth returning from abroad to join transparent, merit-based recruitment in state services.
“Earlier, youth were forced to migrate. Now, they’re returning to serve Punjab,” Mann added, citing increased faith in state institutions.
👩🎓 Empowering Women
The Chief Minister emphasized the government’s focus on women empowerment, highlighting that girls are outperforming boys across fields. He proudly shared that:
- Seven women have been appointed as Deputy Commissioners
- Eight women now serve as Senior Superintendents of Police
“This marks a new era of inclusive governance and gender equality in Punjab,” Mann said.