CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people and nurturing leadership, civic responsibility and positive development through the Student Police Cadet (SPC) scheme at a mega youth empowerment event held at Punjab Kala Bhawan here on Wednesday.

Organised by the Punjab Police Community Affairs Division in collaboration with the Hartek Foundation and the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Regional Centre, Chandigarh, the event marked International Youth Day and brought together more than 400 students from the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the Student Police Cadet scheme.

Special DGP, Community Affairs Division, Gurpreet Kaur Deo, attended the programme as Guest of Honour, while two-time Olympian, Commonwealth Games medallist and Arjuna Awardee Anjum Moudgil was the Chief Guest. RGNIYD Director Subrata Hazra and Hartek Foundation CEO Harkirat Kaur were also present.

Addressing the students, Gurpreet Kaur Deo underlined the crucial role of young people in nation-building and reiterated Punjab Police’s commitment to developing responsible and confident citizens through initiatives such as the Student Police Cadet scheme.

She urged the students to pursue their aspirations with discipline, confidence and determination, while contributing actively to social welfare and the country’s growth.

The programme featured a range of creative and socially focused activities. It began with an art competition, followed by a group musical yoga demonstration by Student Police Cadets. Students from the Department of Theatre, Panjab University, also staged an impactful Nukkad Natak highlighting the message of ‘Swachh Bharat’.

The initiative showcased the Punjab Police’s emphasis on engaging with young people beyond traditional policing, while encouraging leadership, creativity, social awareness and community participation.