To ensure proper representation to weaker sections in the civil services, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday announced to set up a world class Centre for imparting coaching to the aspirants from weaker sections at Bathinda in the name of Dr. BR Ambedkar.
Addressing the gathering during fifth national seminar to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar here, the Chief Minister said that the State Government would bear the entire expenditure of this Centre to be set up in Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University. He envisioned that this Centre would act as a catalyst for ensuring more participation of weaker and underprivileged sections in coveted civil services.
likewise, Badal also announced a scholarship of Rs 5 lakh for every aspirant pursuing his Ph D on life and philosophy of Dr Ambedkar.
Paying rich tributes to Dr. Ambedkar, the Chief Minister described him as a great scholar, jurist, economist, social reformer and a statesman. He said Ambedkar was one of the most towering personalities in the entire world history adding that along with socialist Karl Marx, he was the only person who was well educated and had read all the books in the london library. Badal also said that this great messiah of weaker sections had more than 50,000 books in his personal library.
The Chief Minister said that in line of ideology of Dr. Ambedkar the State Government has set up meritorious schools for imparting quality education to poor but bright students. He said that the state was blessed with students who despite belonging to economically weaker strata of society were excellent in their studies adding that sole aim of opening these schools was to tap their enormous potential to full extent. Badal said that this model of schooling was need of the hour to ensure that students from economically weaker sections were enormously benefitted.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken several initiatives to perpetuate the glorious heritage of the state. He said that memorials to perpetuate the legacy of Bhagwan Valmiki and Guru Ravidass besides War Memorial & Museum at Amritsar and Jang-e-Azaadi memorial at Jalandhar would be dedicated to the people in the coming months. Badal said that the state government was duty-bound to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the state and no stone would be left unturned for his noble cause.
Earlier in her address, Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that Punjab government was following the footsteps of Dr Ambedkar by ensuring quality education to the students of all sections of society. She said that due to the concerted efforts made by the state government Punjab was today leading the country in field of education.
Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Charanjeet Singh Atwal highlighted the importance accorded to education by Dr. Ambedkar and said that the founder of Indian constitution desired quality education for all.
Chairman of Punjab State Schedule Caste Commission Rajesh Bagha lauded the Chief Minister for taking this historic initiative to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar by holding six national seminars across the state. He said that these seminars would act as a catalyst in showcasing the great services rendered by Dr Ambedkar to the nation. Bagha said that these seminars were spreading a new awareness amongst the people especially the youth which was the need of hour.