Chandigarh, February 25, 2025 – Chandigarh University has become the first Indian institution to take a significant step in supporting Indian youth repatriated from the United States. The university’s Chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP, Satnam Singh Sandhu, announced the launch of ‘Udaan’, a rehabilitation program aimed at helping these individuals rebuild their lives. The initiative will provide free counselling, career mapping, higher education opportunities, skill development, and employment assistance to those affected.
To make the process easier, the university has launched a dedicated helpline (+91 98759 70027) and a website (www.cuchd.in/udaan-2025/), allowing repatriated youth to register and seek support. Sandhu emphasized that many of these individuals had left their homes with dreams of a better future but were forced to return due to immigration challenges. Now, they face financial distress and psychological trauma, with their families struggling under the burden of debts taken to fund their journey abroad.
Under the Udaan program, the university will offer professional counselling to help individuals cope with the emotional impact of repatriation. Career mapping assessments will be conducted to understand their aspirations and skill levels, ensuring they receive the necessary guidance to pursue the right opportunities. Those who require further education or reskilling will be given access to free courses at Chandigarh University, with special short-term job-oriented programs designed to enhance employability.
For those looking for jobs, Chandigarh University will work with industries in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh to provide employment opportunities close to their native places. The university will also connect repatriated youth with job openings through Rozgar Melas, ensuring a smoother transition into the workforce.
The initiative extends beyond employment, offering support to those who wish to start their own businesses. Through its Technology Business Incubator (TBI), Chandigarh University will provide entrepreneurial training, equipping individuals with essential skills in business management, marketing strategies, and government subsidies. This training will help young entrepreneurs launch and sustain successful ventures, giving them a fresh start in their home country.
In the first phase, Chandigarh University’s rehabilitation efforts will focus on Punjab, as it accounts for the largest share of returnees. Of the 333 individuals repatriated from the US, 126 are from Punjab, followed by 110 from Haryana and 74 from Gujarat, with the rest from states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh.
Sandhu emphasized that it is society’s collective responsibility to ensure these youth are properly reintegrated. He highlighted the financial hardships and emotional struggles these individuals and their families face and stressed the importance of rehabilitation programs like Udaan to provide them with a chance to rebuild their futures.
