CHANDIGARH: In a significant move to ignite spirit of patriotism and fuel dreams among the students, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has made a visionary appeal to the Indian Air Force to station five recently retired MiG-21 aircraft at prominent Schools of Eminence (SoE) across the state, inspiring students to soar new heights in life.
In a letter to Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, IAF, the Education Minister S. Bains wrote, “Together, we can create a living tribute to the MiG-21 and ignite the spirit of service and patriotism in our future generations, " while proposing five locations for the display of the retired MiG-21 fighter jets: Ludhiana, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Nangal and Kharar.
He further said that this initiative aims to inspire thousands of state government school students to pursue careers in defence, engineering, aerospace technology and related fields.
Harjot Singh Bains further informed that the Punjab Government plans to collaborate with the IAF for ceremonial deployment events at these schools to fostering a spirit of excellence and dedication in the students. By having these iconic aircraft on campus, the Education Minister expressed hope that it will motivate students daily to strive for greatness with courage and determination.
While saluting to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its glorious service to the nation, S. Harjot Singh Bains extended warm congratulations on the recent ceremonial retirement of the premier MiG-21 aircraft, recognising it as an icon of courage, discipline and dedication in India's defence history. He further said that the MiG-21, which played a crucial role in the Indo-Pak War of 1965, the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and the Kargil War of 1999, will serve as a tangible reminder of its legendary legacy.
The Education Minister assured that the installation and display of these aircraft will be carried out with the utmost respect, under strict adherence to Indian Air Force protocols and traditions.
S. Bains said that this initiative aligns with Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s focus on innovative and transformative education, having previously initiated international training programs for school principals to raise educational standards.