Posted On:
30 OCT 2026 7:51PM by PIB Delhi
A total of 6,688 youth participated in 46 editions of ‘Viksit Bharat Yuva Samvad: Know Your Vote’ organised across 21 States and Union Territories today by Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), under the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The nationwide campaign, being conducted from 26 October to 5 November 2026, aims to reach 500 universities, colleges and institutions across the country.
The initiative seeks to promote electoral awareness among young people, particularly first-time voters, and encourage their informed participation in the democratic process. It aims to familiarise them with voting rights, electoral procedures and civic responsibilities, while providing a platform to interact with elected representatives, Youth Icons and other distinguished personalities on democratic participation and their role in nation-building.
The programmes conducted today covered a wide geographical spread, extending from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh in the north to Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim in the North-East, and reaching States across eastern, central, western and southern India, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. As of 30.10.2026, a total of 96 Yuva Samvads have been conducted across 27 States and Union Territories, engaging 18,475 youth and 97 Youth Icons.
In Punjab, Yuva Samvads across Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur and Moga today featured interactions with Youth Icons Master Saiyam Mazumder, International Rugby Player Ms. Amandeep Kaur, Shri Divjot Singh and Shri Shashikesh Kumar. The discussions highlighted informed democratic participation, responsible citizenship and the role of youth in strengthening democratic institutions.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Yuva Samvads in Doda and Poonch featured interactive discussions on electoral awareness, civic responsibility and youth participation in governance. Lacrosse athlete Ms. Abhilove Kour interacted with students in Poonch, while participants in Doda actively raised questions and shared their perspectives on the importance of first-time voters and responsible citizenship.
In Madhya Pradesh, programmes in Chhatarpur and Gwalior featured interactions with elected representatives on youth leadership and the vision of Viksit Bharat. Gwalior also witnessed a presentation by Youth Icon Shri Vikram Baghel, inspiring sports stories and the Loktantrik Shapath. In Khandwa (East Nimar), young participants actively engaged with elected representatives during the interaction.
In Champa, Chhattisgarh, Member of Parliament from Janjgir-Champa Smt Kamlesh Jangde interacted with young participants and encouraged their involvement in democratic processes and nation-building. The programme also featured a yoga and meditation session under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, focusing on stress management, mental well-being and healthy lifestyles.
Yuva Samvaads in other States also featured activities promoting civic awareness, youth participation and nation-building. In Chamoli, Uttarakhand, 200 youth participated in a Youth Dialogue Programme in Gopeshwar. In Vaishali, Bihar, participants took the Loktantrik Shapath, reaffirming their commitment to responsible citizenship. In Rajasthan, programmes in Bundi and Dausa focused on voter awareness and promoting a drug-free lifestyle, with a street play on the importance of voting organised in Dausa. In Uttar Pradesh, Lakhimpur Kheri hosted a Nasha Mukt awareness session and a lecture on Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD), while activities in Shrawasti included youth mobilisation for a drug-free India and a Neighbourhood Youth Parliament.
In Madurai, Tamil Nadu, the Yuva Samvad featured a Parliament-style discussion on the Women’s Reservation Bill, providing young participants an opportunity to deliberate on women's representation and inclusive governance.
With 96 programmes conducted across 27 States and Union Territories so far, the campaign continues to engage young people through discussions, interactions with public representatives and Youth Icons, and activities promoting democratic awareness, responsible citizenship and youth leadership.
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Gaurav Saini