Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday called for further strengthening of his government’s innovative ‘Connect with Your Roots’ (CYR) Programme, urging a visiting delegation of Punjabi youth settled in UK to act as cultural ambassadors to complement and create awareness about the state’s growth story.

He was interacting with the delegation of 17 youth, on a 10-day visit to different parts of the state, over tea at his official residence here.

"As you all have witnessed Punjab's phenomenal growth first hand, I urge you to spread this positive message and dispel any false notions about the state’s law and order situation back in UK,” the Chief Minister exhorted the youth.

Expressing concern over the misconceptions being created by some vested interests about Punjab, Capt Amarinder said their visit had equipped the youth to judge for themselves the difference between the perception being built by some vested interests settled abroad and the actual situation on the ground in the state, which was a symbol of prosperity and peace.

Seeking free and frank inputs from the youth, the Chief Minister asked them to give their first hand assessment about Punjab. Majority of the youth told the Chief Minister that before their visit to the state they were under the impression that there was a problem of law and order but they had now realised that there was absolutely no such thing as people were living in perfect harmony and in a peaceful environment.

They also expressed their gratitude towards the Chief Minister and lauded the Tourism Department for arranging their visit to religious places, especially the Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar.

The programme was launched by the Chief Minister from London (UK) in September, 2017 to provide a platform to Indian youth settled abroad to connect with their roots by visiting the birth place or the native village of their ancestors in Punjab.

The first batch of youngsters had toured Punjab for ten days in August last year.

Others who were present at the interaction included former Union Minister of External Affairs Natwar Singh, Secretary NRI Affairs Rahul Bhandari, ADGP Intelligence Varinder Kumar, and Programme Coordinator UK Varinder Singh Khaira.