NEW DELHI – Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, recently held a virtual interaction with participants of the Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme.
The session featured 100 students from Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Goa, and Delhi, who shared their experiences from a month-long immersive tour of Northeast India.
Bridging the Cultural Divide
Launched in late 2025, the programme is a flagship initiative aimed at fostering “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” by connecting youth from across India with the “Ashtalakshmi”—the eight states of the Northeast.
Key Student Reflections:
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Cultural Immersion: Students from Goa showcased their emotional connect by performing a song in Assamese, while others noted the region’s unique terrace farming and bamboo architecture.
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Professional Exposure: Participants visited Air Force stations and interacted with Assam Rifles officials, gaining insight into the region’s strategic importance.
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Hospitality & Tourism: Students from Delhi expressed interest in the region’s hospitality management, praising the “warmth and richness” of local traditions.
Minister’s Vision
Minister Scindia encouraged the students to serve as permanent ambassadors for the Northeast in their home states. He emphasized that the Prime Minister’s vision for the programme is to move beyond tourism toward “emotional integration” and shared national responsibility.
Programme Milestone
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Participation: 530 students across 15 batches have completed the programme in the 2025–26 fiscal year.
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Reach: The initiative has covered all 8 North Eastern states, partnering with 11 major universities and institutions.
The interaction concluded with DoNER Secretary Sanjay Jaju commending the partner institutions for making these 14-day immersive visits a cornerstone of national youth engagement.
