The registration portal for Phase IV of Yuva Sangam, under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB), was launched today by the Ministry of Education. Yuva Sangam is an initiative by the Government of India to strengthen people-to-people connect between youth belonging to different States/UTs of India. Interested youth 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 to participate in the forthcoming Phase of this unique initiative which was launched in 2023. Registrations will be accepted till 04th February 2024.

Detailed information is available at: https://ebsb.aicte-india.org/

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 take this idea forward, EBSB was launched on 31st October 2016.

Yuva Sangam, launched under EBSB, 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 cultural exchange with the celebration of diversity at its core wherein participants gain an immersive experience of diverse facets of life, natural landforms, development landmarks, recent achievements, and youth connect in the host state. Twenty-two eminent institutions across India have been identified for Phase IV of Yuva Sangam during which participants from these states/ UTs, led by the nodal HEI of the state/UT, respectively, will be visiting its paired state/ UTs.

Yuva Sangam is a Government of India initiative that focuses on organizing educational-cum-cultural tours for the youth, including on-campus and off-campus students, from one state/UT to another. During the tours, multi-dimensional exposure under five broad areas which are Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions), Pragati (Development), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology) is provided to visiting delegation. Youth across various states/UTs will visit their paired counterpart for 5-7 days (excluding travel days) during which they will get an immersive experience of various facets of the state and the opportunity to interact and deeply engage with the local youth.

The participating Ministry/Department/agency of EBSB, which exemplifies the ‘Whole of Government’ approach, includes M/o Home Affairs, Culture, Tourism, Youth Affairs & Sports, Information & Broadcasting, Department for Development of North-East Region (DoNER), and Railways. Each participating stakeholder has distinct roles and responsibilities for implementing the programme.  The selection of delegates and end-to-end execution of the Yuva Sangam tours is done by nodal Higher Education Institutes (HEIs); which drive the initiative.

The previous phases of Yuva Sangam have witnessed strong participation with registrations touching 16767, 21380, and 29151 in the three phases respectively. Yuva Sangam has been organized collaboratively on the model of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) and has garnered immense response and participation from all corners of India. More than 2870 youth across India have participated in 69 tours in various phases of Yuva Sangam. It has infused the spirit of volunteerism in the youth of the nation with Yuva Sangam delegates contributing extensively in the NEP Celebrations and Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam held in Delhi in July 2023, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign and various other nation building activities.

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SS/AK