Badal flags off first-of-its-kind mobile science lab for +2 students

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, AUG 28

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today flagged off the first-of-its-kind mobile laboratory in computers, physics and chemistry in “Rural Punjab" - an initiative of Rayat-Bahra Group aimed at benefiting rural masses and +2 science stream students.

Speaking at the launch ceremony here at Chief Minister’s residence, Mr. Badal said that the bus would take science and information technology to the threshold of rural areas of state. He appreciated the Rayat-Bahra group Chairman Gurvinder Singh Bahra for launching an endeavor that was set to change teaching scenario in Punjab. Mr. Badal thanked the group for giving this valuable mobile bus that will help school students to perform laboratory experiments and educate villagers to send mail on Internet, browse social networking sites and even enable video conference.

The Chief Minister said, “State government would replicate this model to provide mobile bus lab services to the students in the government schools located in remote and difficult areas.” He said that the state government had already embarked upon a massive program of modernization and upgradation facilities in the plus two schools with a thrust to refurbish its science laboratories to equip the students to undertake practical in physics, chemistry and computer efficaciously.

Elaborating on the plan Chairman RBGI said teachers and demonstrators of group would accompany the bus to neighboring villages. The group would work in consultation with village sarpanch, district education officer and school principals that would draw a time table to extend optimum support.

A fleet of ten buses would be inducted to cover schools within radius of 10 kms from four of its campuses namely Mohali, Ropar, Hoshiarpur and Patiala. Each mobile bus has facilities of complete physics, chemistry and computer lab including scanning, printing, photocopying, video conferencing etc.  Every bus costs Rs 25 lakh. Bus has workable area of 30 feet by 8 feet. It is decked with latest equipments having 16 N-Computing nodes, 2 KVA Online UPS, one HP multifunction printer, 1.5 Ton Invertor based AC, genset as well as all equipments of physics and chemistry lab as per + 1 and +2 syllabus. The first bus launch today would cover villages of Sahauran, Sohana, Banur, Daun, Ballomajra, Daun Majra, Khanpur, Jandpur and Ramgarh. 

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also flagged off a dental mobile lab to provide the dental care facilities and bring awareness about dental hygiene to the people especially in the far flung rural areas.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Transport Minister Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Avinash Rai Khanna, Assistant Media Advisor to the Punjab Government Mr. Vineet Joshi, Director Technical Education Mr. B. Purshartha, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Varun Roojam besides Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu and Special Principal Secretaries to the Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.