DW BUREAU / Chandigarh With the distribution of 44,015 smart phones marking the culmination of the first phase of the 'Punjab Smart Connect Scheme', Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday fulfilled his Government's promise to give 1,74,015 smart phones to all class 12 students of the state's Government Schools by the end of the year. At a virtual event to mark the occasion, Captain Amarinder Singh said that this unique initiative of the State Government would be instrumental in facilitating seamless e-learning in government schools, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic. He pointed out that 1,30,000 smart phones had been given earlier to students of class 12. The Chief Minister also promised to give 1428 smart phones soon to Class XII students who had taken admission after the announcement of the scheme, thus taking the total number to 1,75,443 (88059 boys and 87284 girls) of 1946 Senior Secondary Schools, at a cost of Rs 87.84 crore. The event witnessed simultaneous distribution of phones at 1101 schools today by various Ministers, MLAs and other dignitaries across the state. Describing the year 2020 as an unprecedented and difficult year for humanity, the Chief Minister said that he was sure Punjab and Punjabis would triumph. He exhorted teachers and students to work hard with utmost dedication to ensure the best results in the Board exams in the country. Extending his heartiest greetings to all citizens, especially the students, on New Year's eve, the Chief Minister expressed delight at being able to fulfill his promise to equip all Class 12 students with smartphones by the end of the year. He reiterated his government's firm commitment to provide the best infrastructure in schools to enable students to compete with their peers in private and convent schools. (editor@dailyworld.in)