YuvaSangam Phase 2: Student Team of Varied Higher Education Institutions from Port Blair leaves for NIT Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

24 April 2023: A delegation of 45 students from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology(DBRAIT), ANIIMS, ANCOL, JNRM, TGCE and other prominent HEIs Port Blair have left for NIT Jamshedpur as a part of the second phase of the government’s ambitious cultural and educational endeavour the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat YuvaSangam’ programme. DBRAIT A&N Islands is the nodal institute for this trip. The delegate members will stay in Jharkhand from 24th April to 1st May, 2023 to understand the culture and traditions of the region. The students began their journey after being flagged off by ShriYashChaudhary, Secretary Higher Education at the Island Tourism Festival Ground. The event was attended by senior officials of A&N Administration and heads of other higher education institutions. 

The student delegates are from several higher education institutions and some of them are visiting mainland India for the first time. Incidentally, this is the first team embark for this event after being paired with Jharkhand under the second phase of YuvaSangam. 

Through this visit, the emphasis will be on increasing the exchange of rich cultural and traditional and exchange of ideas between the two states. Further promotion of tourism, tradition, progress, technology and mutual contact are also part of the agenda. The students will be meeting the Minister of State and will interact with MSMEs, Start-up Entrepreneurs, Artists, Singers, Sports Persons, Musicians, SHGs, etc. 

They will also visit prominent industrial bodies like Tata Motors, Cummins India in Jamshedpur and the itinerary also includes a trip to Jaduguda, PurbiSinghbhoom, Chandil dam, participation in a plantation drive, tourist places, villages and also interact with the locals besides participating in the Buddy program. They will also visit local markets for shopping and the trip will conclude with a valedictory function at NIIT Jamshedpur campus. 

Speaking at the ‘Flag Off Ceremony’s, the parents of the students present for the flag off ceremony expressed that “This is a great national integration initiative for uniting India. Under this second phase, students will get an immersive experience in the life, culture, food, heritage and values of Jharkhand and its ancient history. We are hopeful that this trip also opens the doors to some ideation, brainstorming and catalyses these youngsters into making some path breaking choices for their future careers, as they interact with change makers from the diverse strata of Jharkhand. I also think that this trip will give them a first-hand insight into a different culture, skill them into dealing with different types of people, understanding them and developing more respect for India’s diversity.” 

Dr Manu Vashishtha Nodal officer from Andaman said, “11 students are travelling out of Andaman for the very first time in their lives and 11 students will also be travelling in Indian Railways for the very first time. Two youngsters are travelling from Ranchi to Ranchi. Actually, Ranchi is an area in Andaman named ‘Ranchi Basti’ where a lot of people originally from Jharkhand are settled. The bonding between the States and UTs of this great nation are deeper and Stronger than we know.” A brainchild of Ministry of Education, YuvaSangam’ Youth Exchange program under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat aims to strengthen people-to-people connections, especially between youth of different states and introduce to them the culture and values of India. The idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was conceptualized and structured by the Hon’ble Prime Minster Sh. NarendraModiJi to create a cultural connect between the various states of India. 

It also aims to expose youth who embody not just immense talent, global knowledge, spirit of creativity and innovation but also revisit cultural values that reflect the country’s humane philosophy. 

This initiative has been launched after the stupendous success of the first phase of YuvaSangam which was launched this February concluded on a successful note recently witnessing an overwhelming participation of approximately 1200 youngsters visiting 22 Indian states. This was facilitated via 29 special tours where the mainstay was an exposure to the rich culture, heritage and diversity of the North-Eastern region during February-March 2023. 

A team of 45 students from Jharkhand is expected to visit A&N Islands in May 2023 under the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat YuvaSangam.’