Ludhiana, 02 August (H.S.): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday inaugurated two new Schools of Eminence at Kidwai Nagar and Miller Ganj in Ludhiana, taking the district’s total number of such schools to 16, the highest in Punjab.The new campuses are equipped with modern classrooms, advanced laboratories, auditoriums and other facilities aimed at providing high-quality education to students from all sections of society.During his visit, the Chief Minister inspected classrooms, science laboratories and other academic facilities. He also interacted with students and teachers and discussed their learning experience. Several students sought his autograph and presented him with handmade portraits.Addressing the gathering, Mann said Ludhiana, after leading Punjab’s industrial growth, was now emerging as a major centre of the state’s education revolution. He said Schools of Eminence were helping reduce the gap between rich and poor by offering facilities comparable to, and in some cases better than, private schools.The Kidwai Nagar School of Eminence has been constructed at a cost of ₹10.62 crore over 8,300 square yards. It has 60 rooms, including 27 classrooms, seven laboratories, a library, the principal’s office, nine washrooms and a 500-seat auditorium.The Miller Ganj campus has been completed at a cost of ₹3.48 crore over 1,800 square yards. It includes 22 rooms, 11 classrooms, seven laboratories, six washrooms, the principal’s office and a lift for studentsMann said the infrastructure of nearly 200 government schools in Ludhiana district had been upgraded. Around three lakh students are studying in government schools across the district, which now has 16 Schools of Eminence, 11 Schools of Brilliance and 35 Schools of Happiness.The Chief Minister said Punjab had risen from 27th position to the top rank in primary and middle-school education. He added that 881 government school students qualified NEET in 2026, compared to 80 in 2021, while more than 125 cleared JEE Main.He said 155 students from Ludhiana qualified JEE and NEET, while 47 cleared the Punjab State Talent Search Examination. Ludhiana students also won 25 medals, including seven gold, at national-level sports events last year. Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and other officials were present.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH