Punjab Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Rajesh Bagha today informed that for promoting the Scheduled Caste students in their studies, the Punjab government has decided to honour 125 each class tenth and twelfth merit holder students from scheduled caste community with cash prizes. He informed that this decision has been taken by the Punjab government to commemorate the 125th birth year of the architect of the Indian constitution, Dr B R Ambedkar. Mr Bagha stated that this ‘Dr. BR Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme’ for the brilliant students of 10th and 12thclasses of Government Schools would benefit a large number of SC students across the state.Rajesh Bagha said this while addressing the gathering at the 2nd Ludhiana Short Film Meet organized by “OURspaceCINEMA” at Ishmeet Singh Music Institute, here today. Mr Rajesh Bagha was the chief guest on the occasion while Ex MLA Mr Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal was the guest of honour.While addressing the gathering, Mr Bagha said that the Chief Minister Punjab Mr Parkash Singh Badal has approved those 125 toppers each from class 10th and 12th from Government Schools would be awarded with ‘Dr. BR Ambedkar Scholarship’ carrying prize money of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 1.5 lakh respectively from all the districts.
Mr Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal said that the Punjab government has also decided to start a center to prepare students for civil services examination at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, where students belonging to scheduled castes and backward classes would be provided coaching totally free of cost.They also congratulated the organisers of 2nd Ludhiana Short Film Meet, Mr Pardeep Singh, Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill and Mr Balwinder Singh Gill, for coming together and providing a platform to short film makers to showcasing their talent in a professional manner.Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill, Chairman, International Punjabi Virasat Academy, said that all the short films showcased in this two day event have been specially chosen by a jury of experts. He said that all the participants are common people, with only few related to theatre and cultural activities. He said that unlike commercial cinema, the short films are basically eye openers for our society and give hidden social messages. He said that next year, this function would be organized in a grand manner.Pardeep Singh informed that out of more than 50 entries, 15 short films of a range of topics including environment, social evils, crime, and others have been showcased in this two day event that started at the Ishmeet Singh Music Institute yesterday. Today, eminent Punjabi actor and director Mr Harinder Bhullar was also honoured and his short film titled “Joti” on gender equality was also showcased. Punjabi singer Kamaljit Neelon was also honoured on the occasion.Dr Charan Kamal Singh, Director, Ishmeet Singh Music Institute, Ludhiana, thanked all the participants and gathering for making this 2nd Ludhiana Short Film Meet a success.