*PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN EXTENDS WARMEST GREETINGS ON TEACHERS' DAY TO ALL TEACHERS ACROSS THE NATION*

Chandigarh, 5 September, 2026:The Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan, today extended his heartiest congratulations to teachers across the country on the auspicious occasion of Teachers' Day (Shiksha Diwas).

In his message, Speaker Sandhwan emphasized that teachers illuminate the path of knowledge for students, transforming them into responsible and outstanding citizens of society. "Education holds immense significance in our lives, and a teacher plays a profoundly creative role in shaping a student's future," he said. "Just as we can never repay the debt we owe to our parents, we can never truly repay the debt of gratitude we owe to our teachers. A teacher guides us to great heights, shows us the path to success, and derives the greatest joy from seeing their students prosper."

On this special occasion, the Speaker also paid rich tributes to the former President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, commemorating his monumental contributions to the nation's education system.

Sardar Sandhwan extended special congratulations to the teachers who were honored with state and national awards today for their exemplary service. Highlighting the Punjab Government's commitment to transforming public education, he noted that special international exposure visits have been organized for educators. These foreign tours enable teachers to study advanced global education systems firsthand and implement those best practices in Punjab's schools.

Reiterating the state's vision, the Speaker asserted that every single child deserves access to high-quality education to ensure they grow into capable and ethical citizens who will drive the nation forward.

====================================

*PROUD MOMENT FOR PUNJAB: FOUR AFPI CADETS COMMISSIONED AS LIEUTENANTS IN INDIAN ARMY*

*•Two Lady Cadets from Mai Bhago AFPI Commissioned into Aviation & Ordnance Corps; Two MRSAFPI Lads Join Artillery & JAG*

*• Aman Arora Congratulates New Lieutenants; Reiterates Mann Govt's Commitment to Support Youth Aiming for Armed Forces*

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 5:In a landmark moment for Punjab’s military legacy, four cadets—two lady cadets from the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls and two from the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI)—were commissioned as Lieutenants in the Indian Army on Saturday.

The commissioning took place at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai during a spectacular passing out parade reviewed by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM & VSM.

Lady Cadet Deepnoor has been commissioned into the elite Army Aviation Corps, while Lady Cadet Diksha Dhiman joins the Army Ordnance Corps. Deepnoor is the daughter of S. Sukhbir Singh, Professor at Sardar Beant Singh State University, Gurdaspur and Smt. Ramanpreet Kaur, a Government School Teacher. Diksha is the daughter of Sh. Pawan Kumar, a businessman from Pathankot and Smt. Indu.

The MRSAFPI duo also made the state proud with Cadet Ishpreet Singh Dhillon, son of late Dr. Paramjit Singh Dhillon and Smt. Santosh Kaur, joining the Regiment of Artillery, and Lieutenant Arsh Singh, son of Maj Gen P.S. Sandhu (Retd), carrying forward his family’s legacy as a second-generation officer into the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch.

Congratulating the newly commissioned officers, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora said, "These young officers will inspire thousands of youth across Punjab to serve the nation. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's leadership, the state government is fully committed to handholding and supporting every youth aspiring to join the Armed Forces as a commissioned officer."

Expressing delight over the achievement, Maj Gen Jasbir Singh Sandhu, AVSM (Retd), Director, Mai Bhago AFPI, said, "This milestone will further energise our mission at Mai Bhago AFPI to prepare more daughters of Punjab for commissioning as officers in the Armed Forces." He extended warm wishes to the newly commissioned officers.

Maj Gen Ajay H. Chauhan, VSM (Retd), Director, MRSAFPI, exhorted the new officers to uphold the nation's ideals and make their alma mater proud. He added that 15 more cadets of MRSAFPI have cleared SSB and are awaiting joining letters for the December 2026 course.

===========================================

Forest Workers Have Prominent Place in State Government's Welfare Agenda: Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak

Assures no worker will be ousted; Says State Government has regularized 1,458 forest workers

Chandigarh, September 5:Reiterating the firm resolve of the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to pursue policies aimed at the welfare of every section of the society, the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak today said that the forest workers occupy a prominent place in the scheme of things of the State Government.

In a meeting today with the Democratic Janglat Mulazim Union, Punjab the Minister gave a patient hearing to all the demands of the Union and take up the just ones at the higher level.

With regard to the demand for inclusion of the works undertaken by the Field Workers in the High Risk category, Mr. Kataruchak said that he would take up the same at the appropriate higher level in the Government.

The Minister during the meeting assured that no worker would be ousted from the job as the State Government is fully committed to ensure job security to the workers. Also, no continuing work would be given on contract.

The Punjab Government has Regularized 1,458 Workers in Forest Department which includes 516 this year and 942 the previous year, said Mr. Kataruchak adding that over 70000 jobs have been provided by the State Government so far with each one on merit basis which speaks volumes about the pro employee attitude of the State Government.

Among others present on the occasion included the PCCF (HoFF) Dharminder Sharma, APCCF (Admn.) Pratima Srivastava and APCCF (PUNCAMPA) Charchill Kumar.

==========================================

*‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ 4.0 Begins*

*‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ Begins From Bathinda & Will Conclude In Patiala On November 29: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*10 Lakh Players Aged 14 To 70 Will Showcase Their Talent, Three Generations Will Participate Together: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*This Mega Sporting Event Will Feature 39 Sports Along With 4 Para-Sports: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*For First Time, Tennis Ball Cricket Included As Exhibition Sport For Boys & Girls: CM vhagwant Singh Mann*

*Commonwealth-2026 Silver Medallists Harjinder Kaur & Lovepreet Singh Honoured With ₹50 Lakh Each: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Govt To Distribute ₹12.50 Crore In Prize Money, Veterans To Receive Cash Prizes For The First Time: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Gold Medal Winners To Get ₹10,000, Silver Medal Winners ₹7,000 And Bronze Medal Winners ₹5,000: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Punjab Players Will Win More Than 10 Medals For India At The 2036 Olympics: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Necessary Infrastructure & Support Systems Created To Nurture Rural Sporting Talent: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Players Will Get All Facilities At The Excellent Sports Grounds Being Built In 3,100 Villages: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Our ₹1,791 Crore Sports Budget Is More Than What Akali-BJP And Congress Govts Spent In 10 Years: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*CM Bhagwant Mann Inaugurates 4th Season Of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026’ In Bathinda*

BATHINDA; 5th September 2026:Punjab’s flagship sporting initiative, ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026’, began from Bathinda on Saturday, with CM Bhagwant Singh Mann setting an ambitious vision of taking Punjab’s sporting talent to the global stage. The fourth season will bring nearly 10 lakh players aged 14 to over 70 years into 39 sporting disciplines, including four para-sports, while connecting generations and nurturing talent from villages and cities across the state. The event will conclude in Patiala on November 29, with ₹12.50 crore in prize money for winners, including cash awards for veteran players for the first time.

On the occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also honoured Commonwealth Games-2026 silver medallists Harjinder Kaur and Lovepreet Singh with ₹50 lakh each, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to building a strong sporting ecosystem and providing Punjab’s youth with opportunities to excel.

The fourth season of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026’ began with great fervour and enthusiasm at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, Bathinda, celebrating Punjab’s rich sporting and cultural spirit. The opening ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances, including Bhangra and Giddha, showcasing the state’s rich heritage and its deep-rooted connection with sports. Legendary Punjabi artist Gurdas Maan, and Kulwinder Billa also performed at the ceremony, adding to the grandeur and festive atmosphere of the mega sporting event.

The celebrations were further marked by a symbolic moment as CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and legendary Gurdas Maan jointly released colourful balloons into the sky, formally commemorating the beginning of the fourth season. The ceremony brought together Punjab’s sporting passion, cultural heritage and youthful energy in a vibrant celebration.

Sharing a few snippets from this event, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Today, the fourth season of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026’ was grandly inaugurated at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Bathinda. This year, the target is to bring around 10 lakh players onto the playing fields across 39 sports. Prize money of ₹12.50 crore has been earmarked for the winners, and for the first time, veteran players will also receive cash prizes. From the same platform today, Commonwealth Games-2026 medal winners Harjinder Kaur and Lovepreet Singh were honoured with prize money of ₹50 lakh each. Our campaign to steer Punjab’s youth away from drugs and towards sports, and to make the state number one in sports once again, continues unabated. Inquilab Zindabad.”

Announcing the Games open at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “We are known for our valour, enterprise and sporting spirit, due to which we have always excelled in every field. These Games aim at channelising this spirit and providing our youth with a platform to excel in sports.”

The Chief Minister said the fourth season of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ commenced from Bathinda today, while the Games Torch, which embarked on its journey from Sangrur on August 12, also reached Bathinda. “This year, the target is to involve around 10 lakh players across the state, thereby channelising the unbounded energy of the youth towards sports and other positive pursuits. Players from nine age groups, ranging from 14 years to above 70 years, will participate in the Games,” he added.

He said a total of 39 sports disciplines will be held this year, along with four para-sports, including athletics, powerlifting, badminton and wheelchair basketball. “For the first time, tennis-ball cricket for boys and girls has also been included as a demonstration sport. The Chief Minister said the Games will conclude in Patiala on November 29,” stated the Chief Minister.

“Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan is the best platform for identifying, nurturing and polishing hidden sporting talent from every corner of Punjab’s villages and cities,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, adding that the state government is committed to preparing children for competitions at national and international levels.

The Chief Minister said a special feature of these Games is that they bring together different generations. He said that in previous editions, three generations of the same family, including a grandfather, his son and grandson, had participated together. “In the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, sports are our strongest and most effective weapon,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ has now become a mass movement aimed at making the youth healthy, disciplined, confident and strong. “The sole aim of this endeavour is to connect the youth of Punjab with sports and make Punjab a frontrunner in games,” he said, adding that his government is leaving no stone unturned to promote sports and ensure that the youth benefit from these opportunities.

The Chief Minister announced that a total prize money of ₹12.50 crore will be distributed among the winning athletes. For the first time, veteran athletes will also be felicitated with cash prizes. “State-level gold medal winners will receive ₹10,000, silver medal winners ₹7,000 and bronze medal winners ₹5,000. Medal-winning athletes up to 40 years of age will also receive grading certificates, enabling them to avail the benefits of the sports quota in government jobs,” he added.

Highlighting the success of the previous editions, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out ₹25.51 crore in prize money had been distributed during the first three seasons. In Season I, held in 2022, around 3.50 lakh players participated, 9,688 players won medals and ₹6.88 crore was distributed as prize money. In Season II in 2023, around four lakh players participated, 12,500 players won medals and ₹8.87 crore was distributed.

He said Season III, held in 2024, saw around 4.35 lakh players participate, with 14,500 players winning medals and ₹9.76 crore being distributed as prize money. However, the Games could not be organised in 2025 due to floods. “This year, Punjab is once again witnessing these Games in an even bigger way,” he said.

Listing the achievements of the Sports Department, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the history of Punjab, a budget of ₹1,744 crore has been earmarked exclusively for sports.” He said that since 2022, prize money amounting to ₹135 crore had been distributed among 40,415 athletes.

The Chief Minister stated, “Under the New Sports Policy, financial assistance is also being provided to athletes for preparation for major competitions. ₹15 lakh is being provided for Olympic preparation and ₹8 lakh for preparation for the Asian and Commonwealth Games. So far, ₹15 crore has been distributed to athletes for training and preparation.”

The Chief Minister said that earlier, 20 athletes from Punjab who participated in the Paris Olympics were awarded ₹9.80 crore in prize money. “Each of the eight Punjabi players in the Indian hockey team that won the bronze medal was awarded ₹1 crore, while 11 athletes who brought laurels to Punjab at the national and international level were appointed as PCS/DSP officers,” he added.

He said Punjab athletes won 20 medals at the Asian Games-2023 and ₹30 crore in prize money was distributed among 33 medal-winning athletes. “Likewise, 85 athletes were honoured with the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, while two national-level medal-winning athletes were appointed as coaches and 42 as junior coaches,” he added.

On sports infrastructure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said 3,148 ‘Pendu Khed Maidan’ (rural sports grounds) are being developed across the state, of which 750 have already been inaugurated. “6,000 gyms are being established, with 500 already dedicated to the people in the first phase. ₹12.50 crore had been transferred directly into the bank accounts of 9,501 athletes for purchasing sports equipment,” he added.

“Punjab has made an unparalleled contribution to Indian sports over the last several decades, both at the national and international levels,” affirmed CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

He pointed out that Indian hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh, Indian men’s cricket team captain Shubman Gill, Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Indian basketball team captain Palpreet Singh Brar are all from Punjab. “Eight players from Punjab, including the captain, are part of the Indian team for the Hockey World Cup, while 27 Punjabi athletes participated in the Asian Games-2026,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that for the first time since Independence, Punjab will host the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, with matches scheduled to be held in Jalandhar and Mohali during October-November. “The people of Punjab will get the opportunity to watch their hockey stars play on their home soil,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the sporting potential of Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In the next 10 years, at the 2036 Olympics, Punjab’s players will win more than 10 medals for India.” The Chief Minister said his government is creating the necessary infrastructure and support systems to nurture sporting talent at the grassroots level and provide players with better opportunities to excel.

Making a fervent appeal to parents across Punjab, the Chief Minister urged them to encourage their children to take up sports. “It is not necessary for every child to win a medal, but sports will certainly provide children with fitness, discipline, self-confidence, team spirit and the courage to move forward in life,” he said.

Earlier, ace players Gurpreet Singh (Athletics), Rupinder Pal Singh (Hockey), Lovepreet Singh (Weightlifting), Harjinder Kaur (Weightlifting), Avtar Singh (Judo), Simranjeet Singh (Hockey), Avneet Kaur (Shooting) and Gurjant Singh (Hockey) participated in the Torch ceremony. World Championship medal winner Parneet Kaur (Archery) administered the oath to the players, while Asian Games medal winner Charanjeet Singh led the flag march.

Cabinet Ministers Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Hardeep Singh Mundian, Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

----------