Greater Noida, Oct 22 (INB) More than 8,000 youths from across Uttar Pradesh participated in the ‘Sanatani Shankhnaad 2026’ youth festival organised by the state’s Information Department at Sharda University here, officials said.
Cultural heritage, religious traditions and the role of young people in nation-building featured prominently at the event, held on Wednesday. The festival, themed ‘Diverse India: Connecting with the Cultural Roots of Uttar Pradesh’, aimed to connect the younger generation with India’s cultural heritage and encourage their participation in its preservation, according to the organisers.
The event featured discussions on the philosophical and scientific aspects of Sanatan traditions, religious freedom under the Indian Constitution, spiritual knowledge and the role of youth in nation-building.
Prominent speakers, including Balakanand Giri Maharaj, Supreme Court advocate Vishnu Jain, Sadhvi Dr Shivani Bharati and Kajal Hindustani, interacted with participants and shared their views on cultural identity, Sanatan traditions and developments in Uttar Pradesh’s cultural tourism and heritage conservation since 2017. The cultural programme featured folk dances, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, devotional music, theatrical performances and a special dance presentation dedicated to Goddess Durga. A musical and visual presentation on cultural changes in Uttar Pradesh under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also drew applause, the organisers said.
The festival concluded with a musical evening featuring the Kesavam band, combining contemporary music with devotional performances.
