Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today celebrated his birthday amidst the enthused school students and the workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) at various functions organized in Gidderabaha and his native village Badal. Early in the morning, the Chief Minister, who turned 87 this year, was felicitated by the party workers at his ancestral home in Badal village. The party workers led by Akali leader and Chairman PUNCOFED Mr. Kulwinder Singh Bhai Ka Kera, Chairman Mr. Tejinder Singh Middukhera, Chairman Block Samiti Mr. Gurbakshish Singh Middukhera greeted the Chief Minister on his birthday and prayed to the Almighty for his long and healthy life so that he could serve the people of the state zealously besides ensuring overall development and prosperity in the state.
Badal also cut cake brought by the workers to mark the occasion. Likewise, at Gidderbaha, the Chief Minister celebrated his birthday at the residence of Akali leaders Mr. Gogi Jain and Mr. Vijay Jain. In the presence of Chairman of Planning Committee Sri Muktsar Sahib Mr. Hardeep Singh Dimpi Dhillon, the Chief Minister also cut the cake on the occasion. Later in the day, the Chief Minister celebrated his birthday amongst the students of Malwa Schol, Gidderbaha. Mr. Badal who was in the school to preside over its foundation day was accorded a warm welcome by the school management, which had also organized a special program to celebrate his birthday. On the occasion the Chief Minister exhorted the students to work hard to achieve success in life.
The Chief Minister said that Education was the foundation of the socio-economic progress and it was the sole key through which the students from rural areas could compete with their peers across the globe. He said that realizing well that education was the basic need for the overall development of the society the state government has made stupendous efforts for revamping the education system in the state. Mr. Badal said that during its tenure the SAD-BJP government had opened nine new universities and 17 degree colleges adding that it was the result of the persistent efforts of the state government that Punjab, which once ranked 14th in Education, was today leading the country in this field.
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that in order to encourage the meritorious but poor students towards education, the state government has opened six Special schools where student scoring 80% or more marks from government schools were being imparted free education. He said that special focus has been given to upgrade education in Malwa region of the state by opening Central University in Bathinda adding he said that now the state government has decided to open a Technical university at Bathinda for imparting technical education to youth of this region.Striking an emotional chord with the students, the Chief Minister recalled the dedication and hard work done by her wife late Mrs. Surinder Kaur Badal in setting up of this school, for imparting quality education to students of far flung areas.
In the afternoon, the Chief Minister celebrated his birthday with the students during the inauguration of National School games at Mata Jaswant Kaur Memorial School in Badal village. On the occasion the Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema and the management of the school extended warm wishes to the Chief Minister on his birthday. During the function, Mr. Badal also cut his birthday cake, which was distributed amongst the students.Later a delegation of Akali leaders from Gurdaspur led by former Chairman Improvement Trust Mr. Arvinder Verma and President of Arya Samaj Mr. Devinder Nanda also met the Chief Minister at his village and greeted him on his birthday. They also presented a birthday cake to Mr. Badal, which was cut by the Chief Minister.