14 STUDENTS FROM UK VISIT LUDHIANA UNDER “CONNECT TO YOUR ROOTS” SCHEME

STUDENTS APPRECIATE EFFORTS OF PUNJAB GOVT FOR STARTING THIS SCHEME Ludhiana: A 14-member delegation of youth from United Kingdom (UK) currently on visit to state under state government’s ‘Connect to Your Roots’ (CYR) scheme today lauded Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for initiating this visionary step to connect youngsters settled abroad with motherland of their forefathers. The delegation today visited several places in Ludhiana. Mr SR Kler, Principal Secretary, NRI Affairs, Punjab Government, informed that the delegation members under the CYR scheme today visited Takshila Maha Buddha Vihara in Bhattian village of the district, along with the museum of rural history in Punjab Agricultural University, besides other places. Punjab government’s unique `Connect with your roots’ (CYR) programme launched from London (UK) in September, 2017 where Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had exhorted young boys and girls, especially those who had never visited India, to participate in the two-week programme, in the state. Mr Kler stated that this program provides a platform to youth of Indian origin, who have never visited the country, to go back to their ancestral roots. He informed that the delegation members visited Sri Harimandir Sahib, Virasat-E-Khalsa in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Jang-E-Azadi Memorial in Kartarpur, Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s birth place in Khatkar Kalan, industrial houses in Nawa Shehar and Jalandhar, besides several other places of the state. On this occasion, the office bearers of Takshila Maha Buddha Vihara briefed the delegation about the teachings and life of Mahatma Buddha. While speaking to mediapersons, the delegation members said that their visit was very fruitful as it was acting as a platform for them to further cement their ties with the society, religion and culture of the state. They said that the visit had been highly memorable as apart from visiting the Gurdwaras they have been able to make a direct connect with the land of their forefathers. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mr Varinder Singh Khera, Coordinator (UK), Punjab President Advocate Harbhajan Sampla, besides several others.