A delegation of 45 students from various higher education institutions of West Bengal such as NIT Durgapur, Kandi Raj College, Engineering Institute for Junior Executive etc. left for Puducherry on May 16 as part of the second phase of the government’s ambitious cultural and educational endeavour “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam” programme.
While the nodal institute of West Bengal is NIT Durgapur, the nodal institute of Puducherry is NIT Puducherry. The delegation was flagged off at a special ceremony at NIT Durgapur and will reach Puducherry on May 19. Their trip will conclude on May 24. They are also accompanied by four faculty members.
The students will reach Puducherry on May 19
During the flag-off ceremony held at the premises of NIT Durgapur, the director of the institute, Indrajit Basak, said, “This is a great initiative by the government for building national integration and opening the minds of students to India’s diversity and potential. I am certain that this exposure will have a lasting and positive impact on them as they learn about varied cultures and develop respect for India’s diversity and unity”.
Their itinerary includes a visit to the sunrise at Tharangambadi Ozone Beach, Karaikal tour and shopping, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Poompuhar beach, Chidambaram Natarajar temple, Arvind Ashram, Governor Palace, cultural visit to Auroville, Nagore and Vellankanni. They will also visit the Great Living Chola temples, Kumbakonam, Darasuram and Thanjavur.
A brainchild of the Ministry of Education, the “Yuva Sangam” youth exchange programme under “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” aims to strengthen people-to-people connections, especially between the youth of different states and introduce to them the culture and values of India. The idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was conceptualised and structured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create a cultural connection between the various states of India.
It also aims to expose the youth who embody not just immense talent, global knowledge, and the spirit of creativity and innovation but also revisit cultural values that reflect the country’s humane philosophy. This initiative was launched in February this year, and the first phase of Yuva Sangam had an overwhelming participation of 1,200 youngsters, with the first batch visiting northeast India.