BATALA, Nov 12: Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Thursday expressed concern over the law and order situation in the state, observing that the frequent incidents reported from different parts of Punjab indicate that the situation cannot be considered satisfactory.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Sat Paul Mittal National Awards 2026 ceremony organised by the Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust, Kataria said maintaining peace and security was a collective responsibility requiring coordinated efforts from all stakeholders.
Referring to recurring incidents across the state, the Governor said the situation remained a challenge for everyone and stressed the need to work together to address the problems.
He said efforts were being made to understand the challenges and identify ways to overcome them.
Opposition parties have repeatedly criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led government over what they describe as a deterioration in Punjab’s law and order situation.
Addressing the growing problem of drug abuse, Kataria called for united efforts to eliminate the menace and rehabilitate those affected by addiction.
He emphasised that young people who had fallen into substance abuse should not be abandoned but instead supported through collective efforts to help them return to a healthy and productive life.
The Governor was speaking at an event where four individuals and institutions were recognised for their exceptional contributions to society. The awards carried a cumulative cash prize of Rs 20 lakh across the platinum and gold categories, along with citations.
Highlighting the importance of education in nation-building, Kataria said providing young people with opportunities to pursue their ambitions was essential for creating a stronger and more inclusive society.
He encouraged scholarship recipients to set ambitious goals, remain committed to their aspirations and use their achievements to support others.
“The awardees we honour today embody the true spirit of service, demonstrating that nation-building is a shared responsibility. Education, too, is fundamental to building a stronger nation, empowering young people to realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
The Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust has continued its educational support initiatives through scholarships for students belonging to different socio-economic backgrounds. Since its establishment, the Trust has awarded more than 31,000 scholarships worth over Rs 19 crore since 1991, with girls accounting for 65 per cent of the beneficiaries.
For the current year, the organisation plans to provide scholarships worth approximately Rs 6 crore to 2,400 students.
The Trust has also expanded its educational assistance through the Satya Scholarship Programme, introduced in 2025. The merit-cum-means initiative provides complete coverage of annual course fees for deserving students.
Trust president Rakesh Bharti Mittal said the real progress of a nation should be assessed not merely through economic growth but also through its ability to create opportunities and improve the lives of people across different sections of society.
He said this principle had remained central to the organisation’s work and its commitment to social welfare.
Among the award recipients, Shalini Khanna, director of the NAB India Centre for Blind Women and Disability Studies, received the Sat Paul Mittal National Award 2026 in the Platinum Individual Category.
She was recognised for her work in empowering visually impaired and disabled women and children through rehabilitation, skill development, livelihood opportunities and sustained support.
The Gold Individual Category award went to Nitesh Kumar Jangir, co-founder of Coeo Labs and InnAccel. He was honoured for developing affordable medical technologies addressing critical healthcare requirements, particularly in neonatal, maternal and intensive-care services.
In the institutional category, the Platinum Award was presented to the Foundation to Educate Girls Globally for its initiatives aimed at bringing out-of-school girls back into classrooms and improving educational opportunities in underserved communities.
The Gold Institutional Award was conferred upon Sankara Eye Foundation, India, for its contribution towards expanding access to quality eye-care services among disadvantaged sections of society.
Established in 1983 by late Sat Paul Mittal, the Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust organises the annual awards to recognise individuals and institutions whose work has made a meaningful difference to humanity. The Trust invites nominations from across various fields to acknowledge outstanding contributions to social development and public welfare.