Punjab Newsline | Dhuri
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has said that quality education can bring a major transformation in the lives of children from economically weaker families. He stated that 882 students from Punjab government schools cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) this year, compared with just 80 in 2021. The Chief Minister described the achievement as evidence of improvements in government school education and the growing success of students.
Mann flagged off a grand procession organised in connection with Maharishi Bhagwan Valmiki Ji’s Prakash Parv from Gandhi Basti in Dhuri. On the occasion, he recalled the teachings of Maharishi Valmiki and reiterated his government’s commitment to building a society based on equality, justice, humanity and communal harmony.
The Chief Minister said the Ramayana, written by Maharishi Bhagwan Valmiki Ji, conveys timeless messages of truth, morality and the victory of good over evil. He said Punjab was a sacred land associated with the Sikh Gurus, saints, sages and spiritual figures, where the traditions of mutual respect and brotherhood had always remained strong. According to him, there was no place for hatred in Punjab, and people must preserve unity and communal harmony.
Emphasising the importance of education, Mann said millions of students appear for challenging examinations such as NEET every year. Against this backdrop, the success of 882 students from Punjab government schools was a significant achievement. He noted that many of these students belonged to families of street vendors, small shopkeepers and other hardworking people. Their success, he said, demonstrated that children from economically weaker backgrounds could achieve ambitious goals when given the right opportunities.
The Chief Minister said financial assistance and welfare schemes alone were not enough to eliminate poverty. Quality education enables children to become doctors, officers and professionals, helping them improve their families’ financial conditions and secure a better future for generations to come.
He said the government was committed to strengthening the public education system and ensuring equal opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. No child, he added, should be deprived of education because of financial hardship.
Mann extended greetings to the people on Maharishi Bhagwan Valmiki Ji’s Prakash Parv and urged them to follow his teachings in their daily lives. He said building a society founded on equality, compassion, justice and respect for every individual would be the true tribute to Maharishi Valmiki’s ideals.
