*Mission Aarambh Connects Over 1.6 Lakh Parents Through Digital Parent Engagement to Strengthen Early Childhood Learning: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*WhatsApp-based home learning empowering families to become active partners in their children's early education*

*Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab leveraging digital innovation to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)*

*Programme spans all 23 districts, connecting 26,209 Anganwadi Workers through weekly activity calendars, daily learning videos and interactive quizzes*

Chandigarh, July 13:Reaffirming the Punjab Government's commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Mission Aarambh is transforming early childhood education by bringing parents and Anganwadi Workers closer through digital platforms.

The Cabinet Minister said that Mission Aarambh, being implemented in partnership with Pratham and Rocket Learning, has reached more than 1.6 lakh parents across Punjab through WhatsApp-based home learning. By providing families with simple, engaging and age-appropriate learning activities, the initiative is enabling parents to actively support their children's learning and overall development from the comfort of their homes.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that the programme has successfully covered all 23 districts of Punjab and connected 26,209 Anganwadi Workers through dedicated WhatsApp groups. Around 70 per cent of the Anganwadi Workers are actively engaged on the platform, while nearly 35 per cent have earned recognition as 'Gold Medal' or 'Superstar Anganwadi Workers' for their outstanding participation and consistent performance.

She further said that parents receive weekly activity calendars, daily learning videos, interactive quizzes and specially curated learning content through WhatsApp, making home-based learning simple, enjoyable and effective. The initiative also equips Anganwadi Workers with digital tools to regularly engage with families and support children's cognitive, language, social and emotional development.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that Mission Aarambh reflects the Mann Government's vision of making parents equal partners in their children's early learning. By combining technology, community participation and the dedication of Anganwadi Workers, the initiative is laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning and holistic development during the most formative years of every child's life.

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*Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana Brings Hope, Dignity and Financial Independence to Women Across Punjab*

*We’ll Finally Buy My Daughter’s College Clothes & Save for Her Books: Soma, Beneficiary*

*For First Time, I Won’t Have to Ask Others for Money to Buy Medicines: Raj, Beneficiary*

*Now I Can Fulfil My Child's Wishes With My Own Money: Gagandeep Kaur, Beneficiary*

CHANDIGARH; 13 July 2026:Mukh Matri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana of the Punjab Government has generated widespread excitement among women across the state. Many have already received the money in their bank accounts, while others are awaiting the transfer.

For thousands of women across Punjab, the first payment is more than a financial transfer. It is an opportunity to fulfil long-postponed wishes, support their children’s education, improve their own health and, for many, experience the dignity of having money deposited directly into their own bank accounts.

Gagandeep Kaur (40), from village Adalatpur, was delighted to receive the payment. “I received ₹3,000 in my account. I haven’t spent it yet because I want to use it only for my son. I will fulfil whatever he wishes for with my own money. When my child is happy, I feel happy too. Every payment I receive will be spent on him,” she said with a smile, adding in Punjabi, “Jo oho manguga, ohi dava doongi” (I will buy him whatever he asks for).

For Soma, a domestic worker from Ichchewala village, the message confirming that ₹4,500 had been deposited into her account brought both relief and excitement. “I am very poor, but this government has done something good by giving women money directly in their bank accounts. It gives us security and self-respect. If cash had been handed over physically, family members could have taken it away. Money in our own account gives us financial security too,” she said.

Battling poor health and low haemoglobin, Soma already knows how she will spend the money. “I’ll buy nutritious food. I want to eat beetroot and nuts because doctors have advised me to improve my haemoglobin. I’ll even buy dragon fruit. I first saw this fruit on an episode of The Kapil Sharma Show. Until then, I thought only rich people ate it. This time, I’ll finally taste it myself,” she laughed.

Her daughter, who has recently passed Class XII and is joining college, has also enrolled under the scheme. “Together we’ll receive Rs 6,000 every quarter. She has been asking for new clothes for college—a dress, a fancy salwar-kameez and sandals. My husband is unemployed, so there is always a shortage of money at our house. I kept postponing it. Now she’ll finally get what she wanted. We’ll also save some money for her books,” Soma said. She has six daughters.

When Soma and her two sisters-in-law, Ritu and Zeena, received SMS alerts on their mobile phones announcing that the money had been credited, the three women broke into an impromptu dance. Living in a joint family, they together received ₹13,500, enough to meet several immediate household needs.

For Renu (53), a homemaker from Sunam, the payment represents independence rather than its monetary value. “We don’t earn on our own. We depend on our husbands or sons even for small household expenses. I have two married daughters. With this money, I want to buy sweets, snacks and fruits and invite both of them home. It will be my treat,” she said.

Savita (47) sees the assistance as an opportunity to build savings. Her husband has been unable to work since suffering a serious heart ailment two years ago. “My daughter is also eligible for the scheme, so together we’ll receive ₹6,000. I plan to deposit ₹1,000 every month in a post office savings scheme, while my daughter can spend her share on small personal needs she usually ignores,” she said.

For Jasbir Kaur, who works as a domestic help in three households in Bathinda, the scheme is closely tied to her daughter’s higher education. “I am entitled to ₹1,500 because I belong to the Scheduled Caste category, but I couldn’t upload my caste certificate while applying because I never got one made. I’ll get one made now and request the government to update my category. Even ₹1,000 a month is significant. My daughter is taking admission to the first year of BA, and I’ll use the money for her admission,” she said.

In Gurdaspur, Raj (55) has already withdrawn part of her payment. “I received ₹3,000 but have withdrawn only ₹1,000 so far. Every rupee will go towards my medicines. I remain unwell and treatment costs a lot. At least now I won’t have to ask others for money to buy medicines,” she said.

She plans to use the remaining amount later for medicines, as she has been suffering from poor health. “My legs hurt badly and I cannot walk properly. Now I will spend this money on medicines and vitamins,” she said.

The scheme fulfils one of the Aam Aadmi Party’s key election promises. During a rally in Moga in November 2021, then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had promised monthly financial assistance for women if the party formed the government in Punjab.

Across villages and cities alike, the conversations around the first payment reveal that while the amount may be modest, its significance extends well beyond the money itself. For some, it means education; for others, better health, savings, family celebrations or simply the satisfaction of spending from an account that bears their own name.

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*From Photographer to Agri-Entrepreneur: Horticulture Department Gives Youth a New Identity Under AIF Scheme on Directions of Minister Mohinder Bhagat*

*Beneficiary from S.A.S. Nagar Earning a Good Income by Producing Premium Quality Flour and Spices, Creating Local Employment*

Chandigarh, July 13:The Punjab Horticulture Department, the nodal agency for implementing the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is playing a vital role in transforming youth into successful entrepreneurs through the government's farmer-friendly policies under the guidance of Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat.

Explaining the scheme, Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said that the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme has proved to be highly beneficial for young entrepreneurs by providing loans at affordable interest rates for establishing modern agriculture-related infrastructure. He said that the scheme is encouraging youth to set up agriculture-based enterprises, creating new employment opportunities while strengthening the rural economy.

Sharing a success story, the Minister said that Mr. Sarabjit Singh of district S.A.S. Nagar availed a loan at an interest rate of just 6 percent under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme, enabling him to establish his enterprise with a minimal financial burden. Today, he is producing high-quality flour and spices, earning a good income while also generating employment opportunities at the local level.

Recalling his journey, Mr. Sarabjit Singh said that he had earlier worked as a photographer, but with the support of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme, he has successfully transformed himself into an agri-entrepreneur. He said the scheme has given a new direction to his life, enabled him to become self-reliant, and inspired him to contribute to the rural economy through value-added agricultural products.

Appealing to the youth of the state, Mr. Mohinder Bhagat urged them to make maximum use of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme, stating that it offers an excellent opportunity to establish agriculture-based enterprises, create employment and further strengthen the state's economy.

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*Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan Condoles Demise Of Shri Nand Kishore Goenka*

Chandigarh 13 July 2026:

The Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan, has expressed deep grief over the sad demise of prominent social activist Shri Nand Kishore Goenka, father of Dr. Subhash Chandra, Chairman of Essel Group.

Speaker Sandhwan described Shri Nand Kishore Goenka as a noble soul dedicated to the service of humanity. He highlighted Shri Goenka's lifelong commitment to social welfare and cow service (Gau Seva).

"Shri Goenka ji was not only a visionary but also a driving force for the upliftment of community and developing Agroha Dham. His passing away leaves a massive void in the socio-cultural landscape," Sandhwan said.

The Speaker extended his heartfelt sympathies to Dr. Subhash Chandra and the bereaved members of the Essel family, pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.

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*Barinder Kumar Goyal on two-day tour of Doaba region to review flood protection works along Rivers*

*Inspects Rs.2.30-crore flood protection project at Banga Bait in SBS Nagar*

*Says, Punjab Govt spend Rs.450 crore to safeguard lives and property of people*

*Completion of this project will protect lives of over 2500 residents alongwith 10k acres of fertile agricultural land - Water Resources Minister*

*Residents thank Punjab Govt for carrying out biggest ever flood protection measures in this area*

*Chandigarh/Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, July 13:*Punjab Water Resources, Mines and Geology and Land & Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Monday commenced a two-day tour of Doaba region as a part of statewide visits to assess the status of ongoing flood protection works being undertaken along rivers and other vulnerable locations.

As part of the tour, the Cabinet Minister accompanied by MLA Balachaur Santosh Kataria, visited village Banga Bait and Khoja Bait along the Sutlej River in Balachaur Sub Division and inspected recently completed flood protection works executed at a cost of Rs.2.30 crore. This project involved the construction of a 910 feet long flood protection revetment and eight studs on the Bandh to prevent riverbank erosion and strengthen the embankment.

Sh. Goyal said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government have spent over Rs. 450 crore on flood protection measures across the state, the highest-ever investment in strengthening river embankments and safeguarding people from flood disasters. The Cabinet Minister further stated that that flood protection works include 101 boulder and hybrid protection works, 17 embankment raising works, 22 embankment strengthening works, 188 drain cleaning works and five flood control gate operation works involving an overall expenditure of around Rs.450 crore.

Lashing out at previous governments for neglecting the critical issue of flood management, which had caused widespread devastation and hardship for years, Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has, for the first time, undertaken flood protection works on such a massive scale across the state. He asserted that the impact of the flood protection infrastructure costing crores of rupees is already visible and will significantly mitigate the impact of floods in vulnerable areas. Reiterating the government's commitment, the Minister said there is no shortage of funds for safeguarding the lives, property and agricultural land of people residing along river banks.

Expressing satisfaction over the quality of this project, the Cabinet Minister said that this project at Banga Bait and Khoja Bait will provide protection to around 2,500 residents and nearly 10,000 acres of fertile agricultural land from floods and river erosion. The Cabinet Minister noted that the work became imperative after previous flook-like situation had caused erosion drastically thereby reducing the distance between the river berm and the embankment, posing a serious threat to adjoining villages. This project will also improve the river carrying capacity and floodwater management.

Reiterating the Punjab Government's commitment to flood preparedness, Sh. Goyal said that a special committee had identified all the vulnerable points along rivers across Punjab based on previous floods, almost all of which have been strengthened on a war footing.

He directed officials to ensure strict monitoring of flood protection works and asserted that there is no shortage of funds for safeguarding lives, property and agricultural land from flood-related disasters.

MLA Balachaur Santosh Kataria, along with local residents, welcomed the Cabinet Minister on his arrival at the river site. She said that the newly completed flood protection works would go a long way in ensuring the safety and security of people during heavy rains and the monsoon season.

Expressing gratitude to the Punjab Government, local villagers remarked that they had never witnessed such extensive and comprehensive flood protection measures in the area before and hoped that these initiatives would provide lasting relief from the recurring threat of floods.

Superintending Engineer Drainage & Mining Amarinder Singh Pandher, Executive Engineer Tushar Goyal, SDO Harkamal Heera were present on the occasion.