In a state long battling the scourge of drugs, a powerful new front is emerging — not from police stations or policy chambers, but from classrooms and exam halls. With medals in their hands and dreams in their eyes, Punjabs brightest students are being enlisted as role models to lead a revolution of hope, resilience, and purpose.   Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann felicitated the students who topped the Class X and XII Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Examinations in a heartfelt and inspiring ceremony held at his official residence in Chandigarh on Sunday. He announced that these academic achievers will now serve as the face of the governments campaign against drug addiction.   You are not just toppers in marksheets — you are leaders of a new Punjab, Mann told the students, his voice carrying a mix of pride and urgency. We want you to inspire your peers, to be the face of a movement that tells every young person: there is more to life than addiction — there is brilliance, potential, and pride.   Chief Minister revealed that the campaign, part of the Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh (War Against Drugs), will now harness the credibility and influence of meritorious students, sportspersons, and other achievers to steer Punjabs youth away from the menace of drugs. The toppers will become our ambassadors — living examples of what determination and discipline can achieve, he said. Young athletes, particularly hockey players and students excelling in both sports and academics, will also be roped in to strengthen the message.   The announcement comes on the heels of a stellar performance by Punjabs government schools in the recent board exams, a milestone Mann described as a result of the states ongoing education revolution. The pass percentage for Class X reached an impressive 95.60 percent, while Class XII saw a success rate of 91 percent — with girls outperforming boys in the top ranks. What made these results even more significant was the dominance of students from rural and underprivileged backgrounds. Over 1,000 secondary schools recorded a 100 percent pass rate — an unprecedented feat.   We are creating a Rangla Punjab, and this generation will lead us there, Mann said, beaming with pride. He pointed out that even in Amritsar and other small towns, students from humble villages had beaten all odds to emerge as toppers. The real India lives in our villages, and so does its future, he added.   The Chief Minister didnt shy away from drawing comparisons either. Taking a dig at neighbouring Haryana, Mann cited reports of 18 schools there recording a zero pass percentage, in contrast to Punjabs high-achieving schools. Thank God, Punjab hasnt seen such a collapse, he said, using it as an example of how governance focused on education reform can yield dramatic outcomes.   The Chief Minister, addressing those who may not have scored as expected, offered a reassurance: Even a stopped clock shows the correct time twice a day. So dont let one result define your worth. Life has many more chances to offer.   Career Guidance Programs In Schools To ensure students make informed choices about their future, Mann also announced the states push for career guidance programs in schools. Earlier, students were often misled by poor advice. Now, the government will ensure every child knows the many doors that education can open, he said.   Mann also urged students to stay grounded. No matter how high you rise, never forget your roots, he said, citing how Punjabis have left their mark across the globe — from engineering jets at Boeing to leading tech giants like Flipkart, Ola, and Mastercard. You carry the legacy of this land. Respect your teachers, your parents, and those who helped you reach here.   While hailing Punjabs students as the new face of the state, Mann did not lose sight of the challenge still looming large — the drug crisis. Once again blaming past governments for allowing the problem to spiral out of control, he reiterated his commitment to eradicating the drug menace. This war cannot be won by enforcement alone. We need soldiers of a different kind — students with books in hand, not syringes, he said.  

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