Merit and Hard Work Are the Identity of New Haryana; No Talented Student Will Be Held Back by Lack of Resources: CM Nayab Singh Saini

CM says youth have the biggest role in building a Viksit Bharat; transparency in education, modern technology and equal opportunities are the government's top priorities

Chandigarh, August 5 - Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the State Government is committed to ensuring that no talented student in Haryana is deprived of opportunities due to a lack of resources. He said that providing equal opportunities in education, ensuring transparency and recognising merit are among the government's highest priorities. Today, every young person in Haryana can confidently say that success depends on hard work rather than unfair practices of "kharchi-parchi". Respect for talent and transparency has become the identity of the new Haryana.

The Chief Minister was addressing the Utkrisht Shiksha Puraskar-2026 ceremony organised in Ambala on Wednesday. He honoured more than 250 students from over 70 schools who excelled in Class 10, Class 12 and various competitive examinations. Congratulating the students along with their parents and teachers, he said that the honour is not only a recognition of the students' achievements but also a tribute to the sacrifices of parents and the dedication of teachers.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the bright eyes of the students reflected the promising future of Viksit Bharat-Viksit Haryana. He said that among them he could see future scientists, doctors, engineers, teachers, administrators and even national leaders. He added that the recognition they received today was the result of their hard work and would inspire them to achieve even greater heights in life.

The Chief Minister appreciated the Pooja Foundation for consistently recognising talented students. He said that bringing together more than 250 meritorious students from over 70 schools of Ambala district on one platform is a commendable initiative that strengthens the culture of valuing hard work in society. Honouring talent, he said, is true nation-building and such efforts instil confidence among students.

Addressing the students, the Chief Minister said that while good marks are important, the biggest examination in life still lies ahead. Marks create opportunities, but character builds identity. Degrees may help secure employment, but values earn respect. He urged the youth to always remain connected with their parents, teachers, motherland and cultural values.

He further said that the youth will play the most significant role in realising Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi's vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. A developed India will not be built solely through government schemes, but through the dreams of students, the research of young minds, the hard work of athletes and the character of responsible citizens.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the government has made the recruitment system completely transparent. Earlier, young people feared that nepotism and recommendations would outweigh their hard work. However, the present government has adopted a clear policy that everyone will get equal opportunities and selections will be made solely on the basis of merit. This has also strengthened the self-respect of youth belonging to poor and ordinary families.

He said that the government has launched the Mission Buniyaad and Super-100 programmes for underprivileged students studying in government schools. Students selected under these programmes have secured admission to prestigious institutions such as IITs, IIMs, NITs and leading medical colleges. He further said that Sanskriti Model Schools and PM SHRI Schools have also been established in Haryana to improve the quality of education.

The Chief Minister described Haryana's medal-winning performance at the Commonwealth Games as the outcome of the state's progressive sports policy. He said that opposition leaders who question the present government's sports policy had only a two-line policy during their tenure: "Win a medal, get a job." Today, however, the entire state knows that the present government is providing every possible facility to athletes, enabling them to deliver outstanding performances.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that two different ideologies are competing in the country today. One is the ideology of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, which is focused on taking the nation forward and making India number one. The other is the ideology of the Congress, which ruled the country for more than 55 years and remained focused only on the welfare of one family. He said that during the Congress regime, former Prime Minister Sh. Rajiv Gandhi discussed the issue of paper leaks in Parliament but did not have the courage to enact a law against it. In contrast, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi not only introduced a stringent law against paper leaks but also ensured its implementation.

Former Haryana Minister Sh. Aseem Goel, BJP leader Smt. Banto Kataria, Ambala Mayor Smt. Akshita Saini, Pooja Foundation founder Sh. Vinod Kumar, District President Mandeep Rana, Haryana Shiksha Sansthan President Sh. Suresh Chandra, Sanjay Sharma, Jagmohan, besides a large number of students, teachers, parents and other distinguished citizens, were present on the occasion.