First batch of NRI youths to visit Punjab from Aug 7-16 under govt prog

The first batch of youngsters of Punjab-origin from the UK would visit the state from August 6 to 17 under the Connect with Your Roots (CYR) programme, an official spokesman said today.

CYR was launched by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh from London in September last year.

The spokesman said Singh has directed officials to make the maiden visit under the state government's CYR programme a success.

The first batch of 14 youngsters -- eight boys and six girls -- from the UK, who have never visited the state before, will travel to several places in Punjab between August 7 and August 16, he said, adding that they are age group of 16 to 22 years.

The two-week programme provides a platform to youths of Punjab-origin to reconnect with their roots, the spokesman said here.

The youngsters would be visiting their ancestral places in the districts of Jalandhar, Patiala, Ludhiana, SBS Nagar, Faridkot and Mohali.

They will be meeting members of the families, friends, and relatives of their parents and grandparents, he said.

The spokesman said a highlight of the programme will be the state-level Independence Day celebrations, scheduled to be presided over by the chief minister in Ludhiana