May 22 : The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar , the nodal institution for Punjab under the Yuva Sangam initiative, today flagged off the Punjab delegation to Bihar as part of Yuva Sangam Phase VI, a flagship programme of the Ministry of Education under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat campaign. The flag-off ceremony, held on the IIT Ropar campus, was marked by enthusiasm and a strong spirit of national unity.
The ceremony was graced by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, Shri Aaditya Dachalwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Rupnagar and Shri Maninder Singh, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, Rupnagar. Their presence underscored the district administration’s wholehearted support for this transformative youth exchange programme. The event was also attended by Dr. Somdev Kar, Associate Professor and Nodal Officer from IIT Ropar for Yuva Sangam along with other members of the institute.
Conceptualized by the Prime Minister of India to strengthen the bonds of unity among the diverse states and Union Territories of the country, Yuva Sangam brings together youth from different regions through immersive five-to-seven-day exposure tours. In Phase VI, Punjab has been paired with Bihar, with IIT Ropar coordinating the programme for Punjab and IIT Patna serving as the host institution. The programme is structured around five thematic pillars, known as the 5 Ps: Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions and Culture), Pragati (Development and Governance), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-People Connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology and Innovation).
During their stay in Bihar, the Punjab delegates will embark on a rich cultural and educational journey. They will visit Patna, the historic state capital, exploring landmarks such as the Golghar granary, the Patna Museum, Buddha Smriti Park, and Kumhrar, the site of the ancient Mauryan capital, Pataliputra. The delegation will then proceed to Nalanda to experience the ruins of one of the world’s oldest international universities, followed by Rajgir, where they will visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Venuvanaram, and the hillside caves where Lord Buddha delivered his sermons. The tour will culminate in Bodh Gaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the delegation will visit the sacred Mahabodhi Temple and the revered Bodhi Tree. The students will also interact with the academic community at IIT Patna, engaging with peers, innovators, and researchers.
Prof. Ahuja said,
“Yuva Sangam is more than an exchange programme. It is a journey of discovery. When young minds from Punjab step into Bihar and experience its living heritage from Pataliputra to Bodh Gaya, they return not just with memories but with a deeper understanding of what it means to be Indian.”
The Punjab delegation comprises students from higher educational institutions, National Service Scheme volunteers, members of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and young professionals between the ages of 18 and 30. IIT Ropar remains committed to fostering people-to-people connect across India and looks forward to welcoming the Bihar delegation to Punjab in the upcoming reciprocal leg of the programme.