Kolkata, Oct 12 (INB) A delegation of students and faculty members from Uttarakhand interacted with West Bengal Governor R N Ravi during a visit under the Centre’s Yuva Sangam Phase VII programme, aimed at promoting cultural exchange and national integration among young people, the Ministry of Education said. The interaction took place on October 8 during the Uttarakhand delegation’s visit to West Bengal, which began on October 7. The programme is being implemented by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education as part of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, the ministry said in a statement issued on Sunday. The delegation’s nodal institution is Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, while IIT Kharagpur is hosting the participants in West Bengal and facilitating their exposure to the state’s cultural heritage, educational institutions and traditions. During their interaction with Ravi, the participants discussed learning, cultural exchange and the importance of strengthening connections among young people from different parts of the country, the statement said. As part of their cultural exploration, the delegation visited Prinsep Ghat in Kolkata and the Sundarbans on October 9, gaining an opportunity to experience the region’s historical landmarks, natural surroundings and cultural diversity. Yuva Sangam Phase VII brings together participants from 20 paired states and Union Territories, offering them opportunities to explore different cultural traditions, educational institutions, innovation ecosystems and developmental initiatives. The programme seeks to strengthen people-to-people connections and promote an appreciation of India’s unity in diversity through experiential learning and interaction with local communities, it added. The initiative is part of the broader Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, which aims to foster national integration, mutual understanding and lasting connections among people from different regions of the country.
