Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today reiterated his firm commitment to showcase the prestigious Sri Dasmesh Academy as one of the leading educational institutions in the country besides developing it as an institute of national repute to enable the students of the academy to seek training for permanent commission into the armed forces through the National Defence Academy on the pattern of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) at Mohali.Presiding over the 32nd annual sports meet here at Sri Dasmesh Academy, the Chief Minister said that his dream project of AFPI has proved to be a grand success as several students after having got trained there, have been successfully commissioned into armed forces and thus he was now seriously contemplating to develop Sri Dasmesh Academy on AFPI pattern, as it had already a well-knit infrastructure for proper training of aspirants for joining NDA as their career. Mr. Badal pointed out that this move was all the more important especially in the wake of current scenario of declining trend of recruitment of the officers in armed forces from Punjab, which was once the highest in the country and now it was the high time to reverse this trend so that our bright youngsters could opt armed forces as their profession thereby keeping the glorious traditions of valour and joining armed forces alive.
The Chief Minister said that in the last three years since 2011 a fresh lease of life was injected into the academy by making provision for every kind of help from the resources of Punjab government to improve the infrastructure and educational standards. Apart from the requisite financial assistance, the expertise and services of several retired defence officers were envisaged to put the academy on the strong footing which had lost its sheen due to blatant neglect of the previous Congress government, Mr. Badal added. On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced to construct an auditorium besides strengthening the existing sports infrastructure in the academy and gave away prizes to the winners. In his welcome address, the Director Sri Dasmesh Academy Major General JS Ghumman,VSM (Retd) said that the Academy which was a brain child of Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, was now again on the path of progress and successfully imparting training to the students hailing from Punjab especially from rural areas to join Defence Forces as Officers. The Academy had initiated a NDA Training Wing for imparting training to qualify the written test as well as interview being conducted by the UPSC from the next academic session in which 35 students would be admitted in first session to whom free boarding & lodging would be provided. He also mentioned that a language lab would be set shortly in the academy had planned to improve the communication skills, for which best faculty would be soon hired.Earlier, the Principal of the academy Col. Amarjit Singh (Retd.) read out the annual report of the academy highlighting the significant achievements in the field of sports, academics and extra-curricular activities.
Later talking to the media persons, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab government would soon place an additional grant of Rs.5 crore at the disposal of every assembly constituency to ensure overall development works and welfare schemes for its people on the priority. Replying to a query about the availability of funds, Mr. Badal said that the state government had already worked out modalities in this regard. On the issue of organizing a rally at Moga on December 21 to be presided over by the Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP prime ministerial candidate Mr. Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said that it would be a joint rally to be organized by SAD-BJP. He said that it would be a mega show and all the arrangements and logistics were being worked out by the senior leadership of both the parties.
Showering heaps of praise on the noted ace cricketer and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Mr. Badal said that he was a heart throb of millions of cricket lovers across the world and without mincing any words he said that there was hardly any leader who has got love and affection of such enormity from his admirers and well wishers from the country.Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Rural Development & Panchayat Minister Mr. SS Rakhra, MLA Ropar Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Member SGPC Mr. Amarjit Singh Chawla besides the parents of the students also attended the function.