Initiative aims to help young overseas Indians learn Punjabi and strengthen their cultural roots
Patiala: Punjabi University in Patiala is set to introduce an online Punjabi language course for children of the Indian diaspora living in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world, in a move aimed at promoting the language and preserving cultural heritage among younger generations abroad.
The announcement was made by Vice-Chancellor Dr Jagdeep Singh during a ceremony held to honour US-based attorney Jaspreet Singh, an alumnus of the university, for his continued association with and contribution to the institution.
According to the university, the online programme will go beyond language instruction by introducing participants to Punjab’s rich cultural traditions, folklore and heritage. The initiative is intended to help children of overseas Indian families develop a stronger connection with their linguistic and cultural identity despite growing up outside India.
University officials believe the digital format will make the course accessible to families across different time zones and countries, enabling wider participation from members of the global Punjabi community. The programme is expected to support parents who wish to pass on the Punjabi language and cultural values to the next generation.
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Punjabi University, established in 1962 with the objective of promoting Punjabi language, literature and culture, has played a key role in linguistic research and higher education in the state
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The proposed online course reflects the institution’s broader efforts to expand its global academic outreach and engage with the Indian diaspora through technology-enabled learning
The university is expected to announce further details, including course structure, enrolment process and commencement dates, in the coming weeks. Once launched, the programme is likely to benefit thousands of children of Indian-origin families seeking structured learning in Punjabi while remaining connected to their ancestral heritage.
