Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 17: Thousands of youth across India stand a chance to represent their states/Union Territories by participating in Yuva Sangam, a unique initiative launched by the Ministry of Education under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) programme.This is the 5th phase of Yuva Sangam and online registeraions are open till 21st October, 2024. Interested candidates in the age group of 18-30 years, mainly students, NSS/NYKS volunteers, employed/self-employed persons, etc. may register through the YUVA SANGAM portal before the deadline. Off campus youth, including those enrolled for online courses, in skilling institutions etc are also urged to register.
“It is an exciting opportunity for students and young professionals to learn about the country, its people and even about themselves through this transformative journey of over 5-7 days. Yuva Sangam allows participants to experience the diversity of India first-hand, recognise the cultural-social similarities and challenges, and develop inclusive solutions to address problems or tap opportunities through their professional/academic areas of expertise,” said a senior officer of the Ministry of Education.
The motive is to deepen ties between India’s vast regions through exposure and understanding and this initiative will play a critical role in nation building by nurturing a next generation of citizens who are aware and empathetic.
The idea of a sustained and structured cultural connect between people of different regions was mooted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the Rashtriya Ekta Divas held on 31st October 2015 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. To crystallise this idea, the EBSB programme was launched on 31st October 2016. The origins and evolution of EBSB along with activities, special initiatives and campaigns organised under the programme are available in the e-Book (https://ekbharat.gov.in/JourneySoFarCampaign/index.html)
Through Yuva Sangam tours, participants will deep dive into local heritage, geography, development landmarks and recent achievements of their paired states. Multi-dimensional exposure will be encouraged in five broad areas – the 5 Ps viz; Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions), Pragati (Development), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology).
The initiative aligns with key themes in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by focusing on experiential learning and imbibing knowledge of the rich diversity of India on a first-hand basis. It is an ongoing educational cum cultural exchange with celebration of diversity at its core wherein participants gain an immersive experience of diverse facets of life, natural landforms, development landmarks, engineering and architectural marvels, recent achievements, and the opportunity to interact and deeply engage with the local youth in the host State/UT.
Twenty eminent institutions across India have been identified for Phase V of Yuva Sangam during which participants from these states/ UTs, led by the nodal higher education institute (HEI) of the state/UT, respectively, will be visiting their paired state/ UTs.
The previous phases of Yuva Sangam have witnessed massive enthusiasm with registrations crossing 44,000 in the last Phase. Till date, around 5,000 youth across India have participated in more than 110 tours in various phases of Yuva Sangam (including the pilot phase in 2022). |
