To reach out to NRI youth in UK, Capt launches programme
Thursday, 14/09/2017
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LONDON: Seeking to remove wrong perceptions about Punjab in the Punjabi diaspora, chief minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday launched a programme to link the young generation with their roots in the state.
A budgetary provision had been made for the programme Connect With Your Roots: Your Real Punjabi Virsa, and the state is ready to receive the first batch of diaspora youngsters from Britain later this year.
“We have been through difficult times as a state, no doubt about that I want the youngsters to interact with people and find out the ground reality. Many don’t know the real siuation”, Amarinder said at India House here.
The programme will later be rolled out for the Punjabi diaspora in Canada, US, Germany, Italy and other countries. Batches of 15 will be welcomed every two months.
The visitors will be taken to religious places as well as various places of interest, including Jallianwala Bagh and the Wagah border. There will be no effort to chaperone them, the visitors will be free to go anywhere and meet anyone in the state.
“Generations have grown up outside hearing about Punjab from parents and through television, but have never been there to see things for themselves. I want them to come and interact, I will personally welcome them”, the CM said.
