42 students from Nagaland left for Raipur, Chhattisgarh on Monday for a week-long Cultural Exchange Programme as part of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Yuva Sangam Phase-II. The students along with four faculty members from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Nagaland will be exploring the cultural heritage of Raipur and participate in various cultural, technical and entertainment events during their stay from 15th to 19th June, the Ministry of Education, Government of India informed.

A Flag-off program was held at NIT Nagaland, Chümoukedima. Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Former Director and Deputy Legal Advisor, Department of Atomic Energy Mumbai, Dr Ranjit Prasad Acharya emphasized that societal development will be impossible without the involvement of the youth who makes up 55 percent of our population. In this regard, he called on the students, as representatives of Nagaland, to showcase the good habits, principals and ethics of the Nagas to the people of Chhattisgarh. He also advised the students to exchange views and ideas with the people and modulate them into our society for development.

Addressing the program as Guest of Honour, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematic, NIT Silchar, Dr Kedar Nath Das said, Yuva Sangam is a very good initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which aimed to bring the youth of Northeast India at par with the youths in the other parts of India through cultural exchange programs under the aegis of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. He stressed on the students to incorporate the TTDPT motto into their visit, which stands for Tourism, Tradition, Development, People-to-People contact and Technology.

Stating that this is a great opportunity to introduce Northeast India to the rest of the country, Professor Das urged the students to get maximum benefits from this exposure trip in learning the cultures of other parts of India, as well as inculcate them with our unique culture.

Speaking at the programme, Director of NIT Nagaland, Dr. S Venugopal said, people of our country are culturally united, but it is only exhibited differently. Stating that without the participation of our girls and women in every field, we cannot progress and develop in our country, Professor Venugopal expressed happiness over the large turnout of girl students in the exchange programme.

He urged the students to take this opportunity to revitalize their culture and also propagate the good and positive cultures of others for the welfare and development of our society.

Earlier, welcoming the guests and students, Nodal officer for Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Nagaland state and Associated Dean of Student Affairs, NIT Nagaland, Dr Rosang Pongen said the main objective of the programme is to showcase the good side of Nagaland, and called on the students to exhibit positive ethics and habits as Ambassadors of the state.

The ministry also informed that while the students and faculty will return to Nagaland on 20th June, 42 students along with four faculty members from Chhattisgarh will arrive in Nagaland on 15th June. The students will be on a week-long stay to experience and explore the culture and traditions of Nagaland, which will be hosted by NIT Nagaland.

The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam is being initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

Yuva Sangam is an initiative launched by the Indian Government on 6th February, 2023 to promote the cultural and communion of the Northeast Region with the rest of the country. It is a multi-dimensional discloser tour of the Northeastern States through sightseeing, cultural exchange and interactions.

The host Higher Educational Institutions will exchange their students to accomplish the aim of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. This time Nagaland has been paired with Chhattisgarh, where the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur will be the host Higher Educational Institution.