*Bhagwant Mann Govt to Introduce ‘Khed Pitara’ in All Govt Primary Schools to Transform Early Education in Punjab; 7.5 Lakh Children to Benefit*

*• Bhagwant Mann Govt Invests ₹9.3 Crore in Long-Term Future of Punjab’s 3–8 Year Old Children*

*• Strategic Investment in Foundational Stage: Bhagwant Mann Govt Reshaping Punjab’s Future Through Early Education*

*• Investing in Children Aged 3 to 8 is Investing in Punjab’s Future for Next 20 Years: Harjot Singh Bains*

CHANDIGARH, February 28:In a transformative step that reflects a bold and forward-looking vision for Punjab’s future, the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is set to introduce ‘Khed Pitara’, a comprehensive play-based learning kit, across Government Primary Schools to ensure joyful and meaningful learning for young students. Far more than a classroom intervention, this initiative represents a long-term investment in Punjab’s human capital. By focusing on children between the ages of 3 and 8, the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government is strengthening the very foundation of learning at a stage that determines future academic success, confidence and cognitive development.

This initiative reflects the Bhagwant Mann Government’s commitment to transforming classrooms in the Foundational Stage from Nursery to Class 2 into engaging, child-centred, play-based learning environments that promote learning through play, exploration and hands-on activities. It is a first-of-its-kind initiative being implemented by the Punjab Government at this scale. All printed materials are being provided in Punjabi to ensure better comprehension and meaningful learning for young children across Punjab.

*What is Khed Pitara?*

Khed Pitara is a comprehensive play-based Learning-Teaching Material kit designed for children aged 3 to 8 years, covering Nursery to Class 2. The kit promotes experiential, activity-based and joyful learning by enabling children to learn through play, exploration and interaction rather than memorisation. By shifting the focus from rote learning to activity-based engagement, the Bhagwant Government is nurturing curiosity, creativity and confidence in young learners from the very beginning of their educational journey, laying a strong foundation that will shape Punjab’s future workforce and leadership.

*How the Initiative Will Help Students*

Through Khed Pitara, classrooms will become more interactive, inclusive and child-friendly by enabling learning through play and exploration. The kit is designed to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, improve language and communication skills, foster creativity and imagination, develop problem-solving abilities, support social and emotional growth and reduce stress and fear associated with early schooling. Instead of passive learning, children will participate in storytelling, games, hands-on activities and collaborative tasks that make learning natural and enjoyable. By investing at this foundational stage, the Bhagwant Mann Government is ensuring that learning gaps are addressed early, reducing long-term disparities and building a confident generation prepared for higher education and emerging opportunities.

*What the Kit Contains*

The kit includes age-appropriate learning materials for early grades such as toys and manipulatives, puzzles and games, story cards and flash cards, posters and activity books, puppets and play materials, along with teacher resource materials. Each component supports key developmental areas including language, numeracy, creativity and social learning, ensuring holistic development of children across Punjab.

*Beneficiaries & Distribution*

The initiative will benefit approximately 7.5 lakh children studying in the Foundational Stage across Punjab. Khed Pitara kits will be distributed to around 12,856 Government Primary Schools across Punjab, ensuring near-universal coverage of early grade classrooms. Teachers handling Foundational Stage classes will also receive structured support through activity-based teaching materials to strengthen classroom implementation. The Bhagwant Mann Government is investing approximately ₹9.3 crore in this initiative. Procurement has been completed in a timely manner, distribution is in the final stage and work orders are being issued for supply to schools. The kits will be distributed to all Government Primary Schools by 1st April.

On this, Punjab’s Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated that the Bhagwant Mann Government believes the real transformation of education begins at the foundational stage. “By investing in children between 3 and 8 years of age, the Bhagwant Mann Government is making a strategic, long-term investment in Punjab’s future. Khed Pitara will ensure that children do not experience schooling as pressure, but as discovery, creativity and confidence-building, and that this initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building strong academic foundations that will yield results for decades to come,” he added.

*Bhagwant Mann Government’s Commitment to Transforming Early Education*

This initiative underscores the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government’s strong commitment to strengthening foundational learning and ensuring every child receives a joyful and engaging start to schooling. By moving classrooms away from rote learning toward playful, activity-based education, the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government is not merely reforming curriculum but reshaping the future of Punjab through sustained, visionary investment in its youngest citizens.

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

*Vigilance Bureau nabs Sub-Inspector red handed accepting bribe of Rs 50000/-*

Chandigarh February 28, 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Sub-Inspector Mewa Singh posted in police station cyber cell, Sangrur, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 50000/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village Kothe Maha Singh Wala district Bathinda.

He said that the a case was registered in police station cyber crime Sangrur against the complainant and his wife wherein the accused Sub-Inspector was the investigating officer. In this regard, complainant alleged that the accused Sub- Inspector demanded bribe money of Rs. 50,000/- to help him to get discharged his wife from this case.

Unwilling to pay any illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau range , Patiala. After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Sub- Inspector Mewa Singh was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 50,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Patiala and further investigation into this case is under progress.

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

*SCIENCE KEY TO NATION'S LEAP: HARJOT BAINS ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO EMBRACE CURIOSITY*

*• Education Minister Inaugurates Science Fest “TATTVA” at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali*

*•Bains Calls for IISER’s Support to Inculcate Scientific Temper Among School Students*

Chandigarh/ SAS Nagar, February 28:Reaffirming Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to fostering innovation, The Education and Information & Public Relations Minister, S. Harjot Singh Bains, today asserted that the trajectory of a developed nation is defined by its scientific discoveries. He called upon the youth to embrace the spirit of inquiry to propel the nation’s growth story onto the global stage.

Inaugurating the annual Science Fest “TATTVA” at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, on the occasion of National Science Day, Minister Bains urged students to view science not merely as a subject, but as the ultimate tool for national resurgence.

“From the invention of the wheel to the advent of Artificial Intelligence, every leap in human progress has been a leap in scientific thought. The progress of our nation is written in the language of science,” said Minister Bains, addressing a gathering of young.

Drawing a direct line from historical breakthroughs to contemporary ambitions, the Education Minister highlighted that India’s advancement in high-speed rail, aerospace, medical sciences, and digital infrastructure is the direct result of scientific temper. He urged students to draw inspiration from the giants of Indian science—Dr. C. V. Raman, whose discovery of the Raman Effect we celebrate today; the Father of Fibre Optics, Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany; nuclear pioneer Dr. Piara Singh Gill; and Nobel laureate Dr. Har Gobind Khorana.

“These visionaries did not just solve problems; they built the foundational pillars of modern India. I urge you to make scientists your icons and books your lifelong companions. The goal is not just to secure admission to prestigious institutions like the IITs, IIMs, or IISER, but to emerge from them as nation-builders,” he added.

The Education Minister Harjot Bains emphasised the critical role of curiosity in driving national development, encouraging students to question the “why” and “how” of everyday phenomena. He expressed pride in the fact that the Punjab Government’s focus on quality infrastructure and competitive coaching is yielding results, with over 300 government school students qualifying JEE Mains this year alone.

In a move to strengthen the science ecosystem, the Education Minister assured IISER Mohali Director Dr. Anil Kumar Tripathi of the Punjab Government’s full cooperation. He expressed a strong desire for a formal collaboration between the state’s school education department and premier research institutes to inculcate scientific temper at the grassroots level.

“Institutions like IISER are the engines of innovation. We want our students to have direct access to these engines—to work in their labs, to learn from their faculty, and to dream of walking their corridors as students one day,” he stated.

During the event, the Minister released the science magazine ‘Meraki’ and unveiled the IISER Mohali alumni website. He later toured the student exhibition, engaging enthusiastically with young innovators and appreciating their scientific models.

Earlier, Dr. Anil Kumar Tripathi welcomed the Education Minister S. Bains and highlighted the significance of National Science Day in commemorating the Nobel-winning discovery of the Raman Effect, which put Indian science on the world map.

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

*Health, Security and Dignity for Senior Citizens — Mann Government’s Three-Pronged Protective Shield: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Over 22,000 Senior Citizens Linked with Government Welfare Schemes; State-Level Health Camps Show Tangible Impact*

*Senior Citizen Action Plan: Beyond Policy, Ground-Level Action Ensures Support for the Elderly*

*From Healthcare to Pension and Legal Awareness — All Facilities Provided Under One Roof*

Chandigarh, February 28:Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is taking continuous, concrete and people-centric steps to ensure the health, security and dignity of senior citizens, treating them as a valuable asset of society. As part of the state-level campaign “Our Seniors, Our Pride”, more than 22,000 senior citizens have been registered through health check-up camps and connected with various government welfare schemes.

Sharing this information, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the Senior Citizen Action Plan, a budget provision of ₹7.86 crore has been made during the financial year 2025–26 to ensure comprehensive care for the elderly, with a special focus on taking healthcare services closer to their doorstep.

She informed that during the health camps, 6,622 senior citizens underwent general health check-ups, 2,544 received orthopedic examinations and eye check-ups were conducted for 4,719 beneficiaries. In addition, 2,267 senior citizens participated in yoga sessions, 1,676 availed homeopathic treatment and 2,054 benefited from Ayurvedic treatment along with assistive devices, significantly strengthening both physical and mental well-being.

The Cabinet Minister further stated that under the ALIMCO scheme, 421 senior citizens were registered, out of which 89 were provided with wheelchairs, spectacles and hearing aids. Besides this, old-age pension forms of 566 senior citizens were prepared and senior citizen cards were issued to 455 beneficiaries.

She added that health camps have been successfully organized in most districts of the state, while camps will soon be conducted in Faridkot and Sangrur. At these camps, senior citizens were sent for further treatment for cataract surgery, provided free assistive devices, pension-related services, senior citizen cards, yoga camps and legal awareness programmes — all under one roof.

Under this initiative, 5,110 senior citizens were also made aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. To promote socially active and dignified ageing, productive and inter-generational activities were organized, in which 459 senior citizens participated in active ageing camps, while 2,192 took part in cultural and inter-generational activities such as Giddha, Bhangra, poetry and theatre. Additionally, 3,005 senior citizens adopted a healthier lifestyle through yoga camps.

The Punjab Government has also launched a dedicated helpline number 14567 for senior citizens. Any elderly person can call this helpline to seek immediate assistance.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that senior citizens are an invaluable treasure of society and caring for them is both a moral and social responsibility of the Mann Government. She appealed to families and social organizations to actively support senior citizens by helping them avail these government welfare facilities.