Bengaluru: A delegation of young participants from Madhya Pradesh is visiting Karnataka under the seventh phase of Yuva Sangam, a national youth exchange initiative aimed at promoting cultural understanding and strengthening people-to-people connections.
The delegation, with the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Bhopal, as its nodal institute, was flagged off on September 26. The Central University of Karnataka is hosting the group during its visit to the state as part of the Centre’s Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme.
A key highlight of the visit was an interaction with Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on October 1. The meeting provided an opportunity for the delegates to learn about the state’s cultural heritage and discuss the role of young people in fostering national unity and inter-state connections.
As part of their educational and cultural itinerary, the participants visited Bidar Fort and the Indian Institute of Management Bengaluru (IIMB). They also met Padma Shri awardee Rasheed Ahmed Quadri on September 30 to learn about Bidriware, the traditional metal handicraft associated with Bidar, and the importance of preserving indigenous art and knowledge.
The delegation also visited Gurudwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib, where participants were introduced to the site’s spiritual and cultural significance.
Yuva Sangam is organised by the Ministry of Education’s Department of Higher Education under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative. It seeks to provide young people with first-hand exposure to the traditions, educational institutions, innovation ecosystems and developmental initiatives of other states and Union territories.
The programme is structured around five themes: Paryatan (tourism), Parampara (traditions), Pragati (development), Paraspar Sampark (people-to-people connections) and Prodyogiki (technology). Through these experiences, it aims to encourage mutual understanding and appreciation of India’s cultural and regional diversity