New Delhi: The Ministry of Education has announced the commencement of registration for Phase IV of Yuva Sangam, an integral part of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative. The Yuva Sangam program, initiated by the Government of India in 2023, aims to strengthen the people-to-people connect among the youth from different States and Union Territories (UTs) of India. The registration portal for Phase IV was officially launched today and will remain open for interested individuals in the age group of 18-30 years, including students, NSS/NYKS volunteers, employed/self-employed persons, until February 4, 2024.
The concept of fostering a sustained and structured cultural connection between people from diverse regions was first proposed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the Rashtriya Ekta Divas on October 31, 2015, commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative was subsequently launched on October 31, 2016, to advance this idea.
Yuva Sangam, operating under the EBSB framework, aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on experiential learning and providing firsthand knowledge of India’s rich diversity. This cultural exchange program emphasizes celebrating diversity by offering participants an immersive experience of various aspects of life, natural landscapes, developmental milestones, recent achievements, and youth connectivity in the host state.
Twenty-two eminent institutions across India have been identified for Phase IV of Yuva Sangam. Participants from these states/UTs, guided by the nodal Higher Education Institute (HEI) of their respective states/UTs, will visit their paired counterparts for 5-7 days (excluding travel days). The initiative covers five broad areas: Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions), Pragati (Development), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology).
Yuva Sangam, organized by the Government of India, facilitates educational-cum-cultural tours for youth, fostering a deeper understanding of the cultural diversity across states and UTs. The program encompasses multi-dimensional exposure under the mentioned five areas during the tours. The Ministry/Department/agency stakeholders in EBSB include the Ministries of Home Affairs, Culture, Tourism, Youth Affairs & Sports, Information & Broadcasting, Department for Development of North-East Region (DoNER), and Railways.
Previous phases of Yuva Sangam have witnessed significant participation, with registrations surpassing 16,000, 21,000, and 29,000 in the three preceding phases, respectively. The initiative has garnered immense response and engagement, with more than 2,870 youth participating in 69 tours across various phases of Yuva Sangam. The program has instilled a spirit of volunteerism among the youth, with delegates contributing extensively to various nation-building activities and celebrations.