New Delhi: IIT Delhi, one of the nodal HEIs for Yuva Sangam VI, organised the orientation and flag-off ceremony for the Delhi youth delegation embarking on an immersive journey to Chhattisgarh (a paired state) as part of Yuva Sangam Phase VI, an initiative of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.

The programme aims to strengthen people-to-people connections among youth through immersive inter-state exposure tours. As part of Phase VI, youth delegates from Delhi will travel to Chhattisgarh, where IIT Bhilai will host the delegation for around a week. The Yuva Sangam Phase VI is being facilitated by the Office of Academic Outreach & New Initiatives, IIT Delhi.

The ceremony organized on May 23, 2026, was graced by Sh. Govind Jaiswal, IAS, Joint Secretary (TEL & Languages), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, as the chief guest, and representing IIT Delhi was Prof. Arvind K. Nema, Deputy Director (Operations), IIT Delhi. Sh. Surendra T. Naik, Advisor, Ministry of Education, also attended the event. The proceedings were commenced by Prof. Saurabh Tewari from the Department of Design, who served as the faculty in charge for the day.

As a part of this initiative, a cohort of 45 youth delegates, including 24 female and 21 male participants from various districts and institutions across Delhi, have been selected belonging to diverse domains, including the Arts, Science, Engineering, Commerce, National Cadet Corps (NCC), and the National Service Scheme (NSS), who will embark on this educational-cum-cultural tour designed around five thematic pillars: Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions and Culture), Pragati (Development and Governance), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-People Connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology and Innovation).

Addressing the delegation, Sh. Govind Jaiswal, IAS, Joint Secretary (TEL & Languages), Dept. of Higher Education, M/o Education, GoI, inspired the youth, saying, “.....You are the future of the country, and this opportunity is being given to you to experience the cultural diversity of our nation rather than being regionally confined... It is upon you, the youth of our country, on whose shoulders the future of the nation rests to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047......”

The itinerary at IIT Bhilai has been curated to provide the delegates with a holistic view of the state of Chhattisgarh through visits to historically and culturally significant sites, including Bhoramdeo Temple, Rajim, Sirpur, Ranidahara Waterfall, and Saroda Dam.

On the experiential learning front, the delegates will have the opportunity to witness the operations of Bhilai Steel Plant and visit institutions such as the Chhattisgarh Regional Science Centre, Chhattisgarh Tribal Museum, and Purkhouti Muktangan, along with an interaction with the Hon’ble Governor of Chhattisgarh. The educational-cum-cultural tour aims to imbibe in the delegates values for the future, respect for traditions across regions, and strengthen a sense of inclusivity, reflecting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Yuva Sangam is not merely an exposure visit but a commitment to youth-led nation-building. The initiative promotes educational and cultural exchange while instilling values of service, responsibility, mutual respect, and national integration. As an experiential learning platform aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Yuva Sangam enables India’s youth to engage with the country’s diversity and emerge as informed, empathetic, and future-ready citizens.
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