The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, October 17, 2024 (TBB Bureau): The Ministry of Education has launched the fifth phase of Yuva Sangam, an inspiring initiative under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) programme. This unique programme offers youth across India the opportunity to represent their respective states or Union Territories, fostering a deeper understanding of India’s cultural and regional diversity. Interested candidates, aged 18-30, can register online through the YUVA SANGAM portal until October 21, 2024.
Targeting students, National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) volunteers, as well as employed and self-employed youth, the programme is also open to those enrolled in off-campus or online courses, or skilling institutions. By offering a 5-7 day immersive experience, Yuva Sangam provides participants with first-hand exposure to different regions of the country, encouraging them to understand cultural, social, and developmental nuances.
“This is an exciting opportunity for students and young professionals to learn not only about the country but also about themselves through this transformative journey,” said a senior officer of the Ministry of Education. The initiative emphasizes national integration, aiming to build a generation of aware and empathetic citizens who contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
The idea for Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat originated from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for structured cultural exchange during the Rashtriya Ekta Divas in 2015, which commemorated Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. In line with this vision, the EBSB programme was officially launched on October 31, 2016, and continues to promote cross-cultural understanding through sustained exchange between states and UTs. Detailed information on the programme’s evolution can be found in the official e-Book (https://ekbharat.gov.in/JourneySoFarCampaign/index.html).
Through Yuva Sangam tours, participants are encouraged to explore key areas — tourism (Paryatan), traditions (Parampara), development landmarks (Pragati), people-to-people connect (Paraspar Sampark), and technology (Prodyogiki). The focus on experiential learning, central to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, ensures that youth gain a comprehensive and immersive understanding of the paired states’ heritage, geography, and recent achievements.
The fifth phase of Yuva Sangam will see 20 eminent educational institutions across India spearhead the initiative, with participants visiting their paired states or Union Territories. Among the state pairings are Maharashtra and Odisha, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir and Tamil Nadu, among others.
Since its inception, the programme has garnered significant enthusiasm. In the previous phase, registrations exceeded 44,000, with over 5,000 youth participating in 110 tours since the pilot phase in 2022.
By bringing together youth from diverse backgrounds, Yuva Sangam is helping to forge a stronger, more united India. It offers young leaders the chance to not only witness India’s diversity but to also contribute solutions and innovations based on their academic and professional expertise. Interested candidates are urged to register before the deadline and embark on this enriching journey.
For more information and registration, visit the YUVA SANGAM portal at: https://ebsb.aicte-india.org/.
