Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has sought the Central government of India’s support to launch a 'Connect with Your Roots' (CYR) programme for young boys and girls of Punjabi origin settled abroad. The chief minister discussed the proposed programme with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting yesterday.
“The programme would provide an opportunity to the youngsters settled in different parts of the world to visit the places from where their families hailed, or where their grandparents were born, or where they themselves spent their early years,” said Amarinder.
The proposed scheme could be open to young boys and girls in the 16-22 age group, he suggested, adding that the programme would provide these youngsters a platform to go back to their roots and connect with the same.
It would also enable them to learn about their family background, and the culture to which they belong, and also to build an emotional bonding with the country of their roots, he said, adding that there was a lot of curiosity among Indian-origin youngsters settled in other countries to know about their ancestral home.
The Punjab government has already launched a `Friends of Punjab' scheme for NRIs of Punjabi origin to participate in the development and growth of the state. The new programme will enhance NRI engagement of youths, who can be a vital engine in the state's programme, said the chief minister.