LUDHIANA: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed confidence that with the recent initiatives of both Punjab governments’ to enhance trade, commerce and industrial cooperation, the border state was all set to enter into new era of overall development and prosperity.
Interacting with media persons after presiding over 64th All India Sikh Educational Conference organized here by Chief Khalsa Dewan, the Deputy Chief Minister described his recent Pakistan visit as historic as it has set the agenda for future trading between South Asian Countries that has the potential to take Indo-Pak trade volume to manifold.
He said that our immediate neighbor country has also realized the fact that the only 'mantra' to grow was to make collective efforts with India to re-write the business priorities according to the changing scenario.
He said that the seriousness of the issue could be gauzed from the fact that both Punjabs’ have immediately decided to constitute a Joint Business Committee as well as to explore the possibility of developing Joint Industrial Zone to complement each other with its advantages and expertise.
Lashing at Punjab Congress leaders for doing petty politics on such important by bilateral issue, the Deputy Chief Minister advised them to not to confine themselves with few news items rather they should pressurize Congress led UPA government in centre to expedite the issue of granting full port status to Wagah and opening up of three more land routes namely Hussaniwala, Fazilka and Khemkaran to facilitate smooth trading between the neighboring states.
Earlier speaking at the concluding ceremony of 64th All India Sikh Educational Conference, Badal underlined the need for quality education as with mushrooming of various educational institutes it becomes very difficult to maintain the high standards of education. He said that now in the era of competitiveness, it becomes imperative to ensure quality education and it was only possible through sufficient investment in education sector.
He informed that the Punjab Government has decided to set up five edu-cities namely Mullanpur, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar & Bathinda to attract world class educational institution to set up their campuses so that our youth can get quality education its self in Punjab. He said that talks with world renowned education institutions were already going for this ambitious project.
He said that our government has set up prestigious educational institutes like Indian school of Business (ISB), Hyderabad's second campus in Mohali and classes had already been started. Similarly, Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) has already been set up at Ropar, Punjab Sports School and Ghuda (Bathinda) besides number of degree colleges in educationally backward area.
The Deputy Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Chief Khalsa Dewan for imparting quality education and successfully running number of educational institutes.
Earlier Charanjit Singh Chadha , President, Chief Khalsa Dewan welcomed the Deputy Chief Minister. On this occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister honored fifteen eminent personalities for their significant role in promotion of education.
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Sharanjit Singh Dhillon PWD Minister Punjab, Mahesinder Singh Grewal Advisor to Chief Minister, Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria Mayor, Tarlochan Singh former MP, BS Dhillon Vice Chancellor PAU and Hira Singh Gabbria former cabinet Minister also spoke on the occasion.
