*Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur Dedicates Rs 9.12 cr worth "Satkaar Ghar" To The Elderly*

*Punjab Government Making Extensive Efforts to Give Dignity and Respect to the Elderly, Dr Baljit Kaur*

*Free Facilities Including Accommodation, Food and Medical Assistance Available for Senior Citizens*

*Newborn Baby Girls Honored at State-Level ‘Dhiyan Di Lohri’ Celebration*

Chandigarh/Mansa, January 10-Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to the welfare of every section of society. The elderly are our treasure. For their care and service, the Punjab Government has constructed a “Satkar Ghar” Senior Citizen Home at a cost of ₹9.12 crore.

The Punjab’s Cabinet Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur said this while inaugurating the government-run “Satkar Ghar” for senior citizens here today.

She said that this “Satkar Ghar,” with a capacity of 72 beds, offers free facilities to the elderly, including day care, meals, medical assistance, a library, yoga room and recreation hall. She further said that the Department of Social Security, Women, and Child Development is launching special programs for senior citizens, while health camps will also be organized in the coming days.

On this occasion, Dr. Baljit Kaur met the senior citizens residing at “Satkar Ghar” and honored them. She also honored 21 newborn baby girls during the state-level “Dhiyan Di Lohri” celebration organized on this occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Budhlada MLA Principal Budh Ram said that the Punjab Government is making tireless efforts for the welfare of all sections of society. Along with the ongoing campaign against drugs, development projects worth crores of rupees are also in progress.

Speaking on the occasion, Mansa MLA Dr. Vijay Singla said that the Punjab Government has made a major initiative to ensure the care and support of needy elderly persons in their old age. He added that while a sewerage project worth over ₹40 crore is underway in Mansa, several road construction works are also in progress and will be completed within next 3–4 months.

Director of the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Mrs. Vimi Bhullar, said that the department is continuously working on various projects for the welfare of senior citizens, women and children.

Deputy Commissioner Madam Navjot Kaur IAS expressed gratitude to Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur and all attendees, assuring that senior citizens will be well cared for in a homelike environment at the facility.

On this occasion, the chief guest Dr. Baljit Kaur distributed wheelchairs and spectacles to persons with disabilities in collaboration with ALIMCO and Neki Foundation. She also honored meritorious girls excelling in education, sports and other fields and distributed pension approval letters to senior citizens. Prior to this, she visited departmental stalls showcasing various schemes and medical camp services. Students from different schools presented cultural performances during the event.

Among those present were Joint Secretary, Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Shri Anand Sagar Sharma, Additional Director Charanjit Singh Mann, SSP Bhagirath Singh Meena, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Anuprita Johal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Akash Bansal, IAS (under training) Gurleen Kaur, SDM Mansa Kala Ram Kansal, SDM Sardulgarh Harjinder Singh Jassal, SDM Budhlada Gagandeep Singh, District Planning Board Chairman Mansa Gurpreet Singh Bhuchar, Budhlada Market Committee Chairman Satish Singla, Bhikhi Market Committee Chairman Varinder Soni, Mansa Municipal Council President Sunil Kumar Neenu, Women’s Wing President Sharanjit Kaur, Zone In-Charge Jaswinder Kaur, Deputy Director Inderpreet Kaur, District Social Security Officer Naveen Garhwal, District Programme Officer Khushveer Kaur and other departmental officials and local residents.

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*PUNJAB TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO PREMIER HUB OF DEFENCE MANUFACTURING: AMAN ARORA*

*• Mann Govt hosts Defence Skills Conclave to align state capabilities with national defence imperatives*

*• Punjab contributes over 12% of the country's soldiers despite having only 2% of the population, says Aman Arora*

*•Bravery must be complemented with cutting-edge skills in modern era’s warfare: Arora*

*• Defence Secretary RK Singh lauds Punjab Govt for hosting Defence Skills Conclave*

*• Punjab Govt inks MoUs with SIDM, NASSCOM, Microsoft, IBM and 1M1B to boost skilling*

Chandigarh, January 10:In a significant move to position Punjab at the forefront of India’s defence manufacturing by align the state capabilities with national defence imperatives, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, on Saturday, organised a high-level Defence Skills Conclave, focused on skill development for Defence, Aerospace & Strategic Sectors. The conclave, presided over by Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora, served as a pivotal platform to architect a robust talent pipeline for the country’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The Conclave convened a distinguished gathering of Defence Secretary (GoI) Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training Ms. Alaknanda Dayal and senior policymakers, industry titans from leading Defence PSUs and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), heads of premier academic institutions, and skilling experts. The aim was to design a cohesive, industry-driven skilling ecosystem that meets the evolving technological demands of modern warfare and aerospace.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Aman Arora highlighted the state's rich legacy in India's defence, citing its contributions from the Mughal era to the present days. He stated that in today’s era of technological warfare, bravery must be complemented with cutting-edge skills. This conclave is CM Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to transform Punjab into a premier hub which not only produce soldiers but also the highly skilled technologists and engineers to make the country ‘Atmanirbhar’ in defence manufacturing.

He also highlighted that the state contributes over 12% of the country's soldiers despite having only 2% of the population, while pointing out that Punjab has a rich legacy in defence and is well-positioned to attract investment in the defence industry, with international airports in Mohali and Amritsar and one of India's largest air force bases in Adampur, besides, conducive and business friendly policies and environment in the state. The government is working closely with industry leaders, educational institutions and stakeholders to identify skill gaps and develop targeted training programs for the defence sector, he added.

Highlighting Punjab's potential to contribute significantly to India's defence skilling efforts, Mr. Aman Arora stated, "In the coming times, if any state can serve the country the most in terms of skilling for defence—digitally, psychologically and emotionally—it is the Punjab.” He stressed the need for collaborative policy-making between industry and Central government to harness this potential and position Punjab as the nation's steadfast shield.

Defence Secretary (GoI) Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh lauded the Punjab Government for hosting the Conclave, calling it a step towards making India a global manufacturing hub. He emphasised creating strong skill eco-system and a diversified industrial base. He said that Punjab has immense potential in defence manufacturing as the state’s has a strong military tradition.

Mr. KAP Sinha and Ms Alaknanda Dayal assured full support from the state government to facilitate the investments in defence manufacturing sector, while underscoring the strategic importance of the defence, aerospace and strategic sectors in ensuring national security and driving economic growth also leading to more employment opportunities for the youth. The CS Mr. Sinha said that the Conclave will foster collaboration to drive innovation and self-reliance in India's defence sector.

Meanwhile, the state government has signed MoUs with premier organisations including the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), NASSCOM, Microsoft, IBM, and 1M1B (1 Million for 1 Billion). These collaborations are designed to enhance the employability and technological adeptness of Punjab’s youth for high-value roles in defence and a