Brainstorming centres to be set up in Mohali, Amritsar: CM Bhagwant Mann

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed an event to celebrate International Women’s Day at Khalsa College of Education for Women, Amritsar. During the event, he said Amritsar and Mohali will emerge as hubs of innovation in entrepreneurship under the efforts to boost the startup ecosystem in these two cities.

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Mann engaged in an interaction with students. Replying to a question by a student on what the state government was doing for job creation in terms of AI and technology-driven sectors, he said, “We will set up brainstorming centres just like the concept of Makerspace in Germany, where we will have innovation spaces. We will also provide innovation, training and experimentation workshops for students, industry stakeholders and creatives. These centres will come up in Amritsar and Mohali.”

Talking about Pahal, a pilot project that engages rural women in Sangrur to stitch uniforms for government schools, Mann said the project will now be expanded across several districts. “We will provide sewing machines to panchayats and offer women the chance to earn by stitching uniforms. We will soon launch the first batch of uniforms stitched by rural women for Punjab Police. We will gradually engage them in manufacturing of organic soaps, mustard oil and eatables. Pahal Marts are also being held, where women sell products made by them.”

He said his goal was that no women in Punjab should sit idle. “China has offered women the opportunity to earn by making products for the local, small scale market, thereby tapping their talent and creative resource while giving a chance for financial independence. I want that every woman in every village of Punjab should earn Rs 2,000-2,500 a day while sitting at home,” said Mann.

Mann also launched the clean air monitoring centre at the college. The centre was established through a partnership between KCW and Asar Social Impact Advisors Private Limited, an environmental advocacy organisation.