Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Advancing the Prime Minister’s Vision of ‘Ashtalakshmi’ and National Integration
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Virtually Interacts with 12th Batch of Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme
Youth Engagement to Strengthen National Integration and Cultural Confluence
Posted On:
25 FEB 2026 7:41PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, on Wednesday, virtually interacted with the 12th batch of students participating in the Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme, being held at Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Padesh, from 18th February to 3rd March, 2026.
The session was attended by the Secretary, MDoNER, Joint Secretary, MDoNER, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and the North Eastern Council (NEC).
The Ashtalakshmi Darshan is a flagship Youth Exchange Programme organized and funded by MDoNER to deepen national integration and strengthen bonds among young people from diverse regions of the country. Designed as a 14-day immersive experience, the programme includes academic sessions, heritage visits, cultural exchanges, and community interactions.
The initiative envisages the participation of 1,280 students in 32 batches from 28 States and Union Territories, providing them exposure to all eight Northeastern states. The programme ensures equal participation of boys and girls, reflecting the Government’s commitment to inclusivity and youth empowerment. The 12th batch comprises 20 students each from Jharkhand and Puducherry. So far, 471 students from different states have participated so far.
Addressing the participating students, Shri Scindia emphasised that the programme embodies the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat by creating a meaningful confluence of ideas, cultures, and aspirations between the Northeast and the rest of India.
Describing the eight Northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim — as the “Ashtalakshmi,” he encouraged students to expand their understanding of the region’s languages, traditions, and developmental potential.
“You are part of weaving this fabric of confluence,” the Minister said, noting that such exchanges foster unity in diversity and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Shri Scindia observed that the students were midway through their immersive journey and had also participated in Statehood Day celebrations, visited Ita Fort and Ganga Lake, and interacted at Raj Bhavan. He highlighted that such exposure provides first-hand insights into governance structures, constitutional institutions, and the rich cultural tribal heritage of Arunachal Pradesh.
Speaking about tourism in Northeast India, the Minister underscored its immense potential for economic growth and employment generation, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, which he described as possessing vast and untapped tourism prospects.
During the interaction, students also shared their learnings and impressions.
Malay Shrivastava, a third-year B.Tech student from Jharkhand, described the programme as a wonderful opportunity and appreciated Arunachal Pradesh’s environmental consciousness and strong community culture.
Shradhanjali Mohapatra from Pondicherry University highlighted the sense of peace in the region and the valuable opportunity to engage closely with local communities, while Anima Kumari from Jharkhand spoke about the strong scope for cultural integration through the exchange programme and expressed her desire to revisit Arunachal Pradesh with her family. Mumtazan Thahmeena from Puducherry shared her admiration for the breathtaking sunrise views from the “land of the rising sun,” and Ruchika Kumari appreciated the lush greenery and discipline observed among the people of the state.
In his concluding remarks, Shri Scindia praised the students’ enthusiasm and urged them to share their experiences widely with family and friends, particularly about the people, traditions, and natural beauty of the Northeastern region.
He reiterated that the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi through the Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme is to enable students to experience the authentic culture, people, and traditions of Northeast India and return as ambassadors of unity and integration.
The Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme stands as a testament to the Government’s commitment to cultural integration, youth engagement, and national unity, reflecting the shared vision of a co-prosperous and inclusive Viksit Bharat 2047.
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PS
(Release ID: 2232823)
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