Punjab Chief Minister Parksh Singh Badal today called upon the intellectuals, writers and experts of other fields working in all the universities of the state to come forward and play a proactive role in ensuring the all round development of the state. Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the fifth Sarb Bharti Punjabi Conference dedicated to the Golden Jubilee Year of the Punjabi University here today, the Chief Minister impressed upon that as the development of Punjabi language, literature and culture was directly related to the fate of the Punjab so if the state would progress it would directly effect all of them . He appealed the Teachers and experts imparting education in the Universities to come out of these institutions and make stupendous efforts for giving new direction and education to the students at village level. Badal said that there was no dearth of capability and skill in the rural areas but the need of the hour was to show them the right path.
Pointing out the challenges being faced by the state in economic, social and educational fields, the Chief Minister said that every person who was concerned about the state must make the people aware about the injustice being meted out to the state. He lamented that though Punjabis played a pivotal role in the attaining and preserving the independence of the country besides providing food security to nation, but the Union government was not helping the state despite of the fact that Punjab has exploited all its natural resources for the cause of the nation. . Badal reiterated that until the states are not given financial and administrative autonomy by implementing the true Federal structure in the country, the states would continue to be beggars before the Union government. The Chief Minister further said that quality education was the key element for ensuring the all round development of the state due to which their government has been laying thrust on providing quality education to the students of Punjab. He said that during their last tenure they had opened seven New Universities along with 17 new colleges. Badal further said that as a result of these concerted efforts made by the state government Punjab which earlier ranked 14th in the field of education, now ranks third in the country.The Chief Minister said that in order to attain top position in the field of education across the country the state government has formulated a plan to start an education movement in the state. He said that as a part of it directions have been issued to all the Ministers of the state to spent at least 50% of their discretionary funds for Educational purposes. Likewise, Badal said that the Panchayati Raj Institutions have also been directed to spend the larger part of their funds for the development of educational institutions. He also said that directions have also been issued to the Education department to submit report regarding the need of basic necessities like infra structure and staff, so that the Education system could be over hauled.Highlighting the importance of cultural and historical heritage in personality development, the Chief Minister said that the state government would be soon constructing a state of art of memorial depicting the role played by Punjabis in country’s freedom struggle near Kartarpur in Jalandhar. He said that their government was fully aware of need of such historical memorials due to which they have erected Virasat-E-Khalsa at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Chhota Ghallughara Shaheedi Memorial at Kahnuwan, Memorial of Wadda Ghallughara at Kup Rahiran and Fateh Burj at Chhapar Chiri to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of the legendry Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Lauding the role played by Punjabi University in development and promotion of Punjabi language, literature and culture the Chief Minister said that with the starting of the Sarb Bharti Punjabi Conferences the Punjabis residing in various states across the country have come closer by sharing the same platform. He also appreciated the tradition of University to honor the eminent Punjabis from various fields. Later on talking to the media, the Chief Minister said that the state government was making serious efforts for restoring the quota of Punjabi students in admissions, which has been cancelled by the Thapar University. Listing out the priorities of the state government Badal said that apart from making Punjab number one in the filed of education and health, their government would control all sort of pollution in the coming two years and would make all the rivers of the state pollution free. The Chief Minister also honored various personalities who had played a significant role in the fields of Language, literature and culture. Badal also inaugurated the newly constructed Golden Jubilee complex in the University.Earlier welcoming the Delegates and other dignitaries in the conference the Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Dr. Jaspal Singh said that the University was committed for promoting Punjabi language, literature and culture across the globe. In his address the former Chairman of National Minority Commission Tarlochan Singh demanded that a special board should be set up for the welfare of Punjabis in the other states of the country. During his address the Editor of Punjabi Tribune Varinder Walia laid focus on the richness of Punjabi language. Likewise in his address Dr. Jodh Singh the coordinator of conference listed the aim of organizing the All India Punjabi Conference. In this conference delegates from the states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and others took part. On the occasion a documentary prepared by the University was also screened. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Surjeet Singh Rakhra (both Cabinet Ministers) and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Gurkirat Kirpal Singh