DW BUREAU / Patiala Punjab Sports, Youth Services and Higher Education Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer inaugurated the state-level inter-varsity youth festival being organised at Punjabi University by the Youth Services Department of the Punjab Government. On this occasion, Meet Hayer said that such youth festivals provide a significant platform to our youth and encourage them to march forward while uplifting their confidence, therefore, Bhagwant Mann led government will conduct such festivals in a better manner every year. After inaugurating the event, which is being conducted in a state university after almost 10 years, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that under the special initiative of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Yuva Award was being revived to encourage the youth in the state, which was discontinued for a long time and under this, two youths from each district of Punjab will be conferred with this award and a cash prize of Rs 50,000 will also be awarded to the youths, who have done commendable work or shown bravery in different fields. To avail this award, the youth must apply online for the award. Citing the examples of the artists like Binu Dhillon, Rana Ranbir and Divya Dutta, along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Meet Hayer said that this youth festival is providing a big platform to our youth, where they can preserve the ancient heritage of weaving croatia, naale, pakkhis, embroidery and making dolls, while connecting with art, culture and their rich heritage. Our youth are also showing their talent by participating in various folk arts activities. While praising the young participants of youth festival, Meet Hayer said that youth festival instills confidence in youngesters, therefore, the one's, who are not participating as yet in any activity, should also plan to participate in upcoming events. He reiterated that people from Punjab are quite hard working. They are not successful in just their own country but in foreign countries as well in all regards and respects while preserving their own culture and rich heritage. While welcoming the guests, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Arvind thanked the Punjab government for organizing this youth fest at Punjabi University and said that his university will fulfill its commitment to promote Punjabi mother tongue and to flourish culture and folk arts. On this occasion MLA Dr. Balbir Singh, Principal Secretary of Youth Welfare Department Raj Kamal Chaudhary and Director Rajesh Dhiman, District Planning Committee Chairman Jassi Sohianwala, Major RPS Malhotra, AAP SC Cell State President Amrik Singh Bangar, Lok Sabha Constituency co-in-charge Priti Malhotra, Mulazam Wing State President Principal JP Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Thind, SDM Dr. Ismat Vijay Singh, Prof. Bhiminder Singh, Dr. Nivedita Singh, Punjabi University Director of Public Relations Daljit Ami, Director of Youth Welfare Department Prof. Gagan Thapa, a large number of students and university teachers from across the state were present. (editor@dailyworld.in)