The two day mega Punjab State Youth Festival 2020 organized by Department of Youth Affairs, Government of Punjab kicked off today at the campus of Chandigarh University Gharuan. More than 19,000 students from different parts of Punjab registered on first day to participate in more than 32 categories of events which included literary, folk dance, western dance, theatre, fine arts. Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs NRI Affairs, Government of Punjab presided over the inauguration ceremony as Chief Guest while Charanjit Singh Channi Minister of Technical Educational & industrial Training, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot is a Minister of Forests, Social Welfare in Government of Punjab were the guest of honor. Other dignitaries who were present on the occasion included Hussan Lal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs, Sanjay Popali Special Secretary cum Director, Department of Youth Affairs, Chancellor Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu and Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, President, CGC. The two day State Level Youth Festival is being hosted by Department of Youth Services, Government of Punjab with theme Naari Da Sanman (Educating Youth to Respect Women) - Nashiya da Tyaag (Give-up Drugs) – Aao Sirjiye Nawa Punjab (Let’s participate in building New Punjab).30 renowned and eminent personalities from the field of Punjabi film Industry, Music Industry, Entrepreneurship, Sports were honored with “Punjab Youth Icon Awards-2020”. Those who were honored included Gurpreet Ghuggi Punjabi film actor, Satinder Sartaj Sufi singer, Satinder Satti Anchor & Singer, Roshan Prince Singer & actor, Sunil Grover Bollywood Actor, Harshdeep kaur Bollywood Playback Singer, Mandy Takhar Punjabi actress, Sargun Mehta, Punjabi Actress, Karaj Gill Producer, Karamjit Anmol Actor & Singer, Varun Sharma Bollywood Actor, Nimrat khaira Singer & Actress, Suvreen Chawla, Actress, Bunty Bains musical artist, Kulwinder Billa Singer, Satvinder Kohli- Director & Entrepreneur, Kartar Cheema Actor, Shipra Goyal Singer, Jordan Sandhu, Singer, Sardar Ali, Musical Artist, Neha Malik Actress, Preet Kamal, Actress, Maninder Bhuttar, Singer Actor & Writer, Akanksha Puri Model, Sonia Mann, Actress, Sehar Musical Artist, Karan Galhotra, Actor, Shera Bodybuilder & Wrestler, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Indian Cricket Player Preeti Sapru, Vetran Actress.
In addition Punjab Youth Achiever Awards 2020 were also conferred to 14 eminent youth personalities who have not only made a mark in their respective field but also have made Punjab proud at National & International level. Punjab Youth Achievers Award 2020 were given to the personalities who have excelled in the field of Sports, Science & Technology, Civil & Administrative Services, Defense Services, Entrepreneurship, Cinema & Music, Culture & Literature and brought laurels for the Punjabi community and who have become role model for the next generation.More than hundred innovative projects were exhibited, and fifty startup ideas were displayed in the Punjab innovation and start up expo 2020 on the first day of the Punjab state youth festival at the campus of Chandigarh university Gharuan. The projects which were displayed marked innovative ideas in the field of science and technology, agricultural sciences, medicine, health care, aerospace, internet of things data analytics, mobile applications and others.Project “machine learning framework for cervical cancer” made by Chandigarh university student Harshdeep of computer science engineering branch was the attraction of the innovation expo. Yet another project “eye control virtual keyboard for disabled” developed by third year computer science engineering student Karan and Shantaman showcased the futuristic technology. In the startup category, jai Chachra, a student of computer science engineering (cloud computing) has projected a idea of app based booking of electric cycle “Just Charge” which was appreciated by the judges. In addition Defense Exhibition, Punjabi Virasat Exhibition, Career Summit were also organized as a part of Punjab State Youth Festival. Plenary sessions were organized by the experts from Industry, Civil Services, Defense Services, Representatives of Foreign Embassies and delegates from International Universities who will guide them with the career path to be successful in the respective domains.