Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday underscored his government’s commitment to transforming the education sector through innovative approaches, calling education the most powerful tool to eliminate poverty and social ills.

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for students who cleared the NEET exam, Mann hailed the achievement of 509 government school students who qualified for medical college admissions, describing it as a “red-letter day” for Punjab.

The chief minister said the state has witnessed a paradigm shift in education over the past three years, thanks to a series of “revolutionary steps” by his administration. He reiterated that education, healthcare, infrastructure, industry, sports, employment, and the fight against drugs remain top priorities for the government.

“No freebie or concession card can eradicate poverty. Only education can uplift people by improving their standard of living,” he stated.

Mann also highlighted the state’s anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashesyan Virudh (War Against Drugs), noting intensified crackdowns and arrests of offenders. He criticised previous governments for neglecting employment opportunities, leading to overage job aspirants and a brain drain from the state.

However, he claimed the current administration had reversed the trend. “In a good omen for Punjab, reverse migration is taking place. Youth are returning from abroad to take up government jobs due to the transparent recruitment process,” he said, adding that 54,000 youths have secured merit-based government jobs over the last three years.

Mann also applauded the growing participation of women in governance, pointing out the appointment of seven women as deputy commissioners and eight as senior superintendents of police. He said the empowerment of women has led to girls outperforming boys across various fields.

The chief minister concluded by asserting that his government is committed to correcting the course of governance and ensuring that the youth play a central role in Punjab’s socio-economic development.

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