Central University of Punjab successfully executed one week exposure visit of Manipur student delegate to Punjab under Yuva Sangam Programme

Bathinda: The 30-member Yuva Sangam Manipur student contingent, which is on a week-long educational and cultural exposure visit to Punjab (scheduled from March 6–12, 2023), managed by the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB), learned about Punjabi culture during their visit to famous places in Bathinda, Firozpur, Patiala, Chandigarh, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar. The week-long exposure visit to Punjab of the Yuva Sangam Manipur Contingent concludes at the holy city of Amritsar.

Yuva Sangam, an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, is mooted with an aim to strengthen people to people connect and build empathy between the youth of the north-eastern states and the rest of India.

The Manipur delegates arrived in Punjab on 6th March, 2023 (Monday) evening. On reaching the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) campus, the delegates received a warm welcome from Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari. In the first four days of their visit, the Manipur students visited religious and tourist places in Punjab, including Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, the National Martyrs Memorial Hussainiwala; Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala; Rock Garden, Chandigarh; and Virasat-e-Khalsa, Sri Anandpur Sahib. The team got exposed to the culture of Punjab during a special cultural program and Holi celebrations organized by the Central University of Punjab.

On Saturday, the Manipur student delegates paid obeisance at Sri Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and listened to Kirtan. They also paid obeisance at Shri Durgiana Temple. The students took langer together with Punjabi buddies, sitting on the ground irrespective of caste, color and creed. Subsequently, the team visited Jallianwala Bagh and paid tribute to freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle. In the evening, the Manipur students visited the Atari-Wagha Border and attended the retreat ceremony. The ceremony was stupendous and edified the feelings of patriotism and brotherhood.

The Closing Ceremony of the Yuva Sangam Exposure Visit of the Mnaipur contingent to Punjab was held at Amritsar, where Padma Shri Prof. Harmohinder Singh Bedi, Hon’ble Chancellor, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, graced as the Chief Guest and Prof. Vinay Kapoor Mehra, Former Vice-Chancellor, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, graced as the Guest of Honor. The dignitaries interacted with the Manipur youth delegates and gave their blessings to them.

At the outset of the closing ceremony, Prof. Sanjeev Thakur, Nodal Officer, CUPB, informed that the entire tour of these delegates had been planned meticulously to provide them with multi-dimensional exposure to Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions), Pragati (Development), Prodyogik (Technology) and Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect) of Punjab state. During the exposure visit of Manipur to Punjab, the Manipuri youngsters were delighted to enhance their knowledge about the glorious history of Sikh religion, art and the rich culture and heritage of Punjab.

The Chief Guest Prof. H.S. Bedi talked about the role of Amritsar in Sikh history. He mentioned that people in the rest of the country are interested in learning about the culture of Manipur, and every year the National Book Trust sells thousands copies of books related to Manipuri culture in Hindi, Punjabi, and other regional languages. The Yuva Sangam program has contributed in enhancing the understanding of Manipur youngsters in relation to the culture of the state of Punjab. Thus, developed a strong bonding between them.

The Guest of Honour Prof. Vinay Kapoor Mehra stated that the state of Manipur is the best example of women’s empowerment as there is a market named Ima Market at Imphal that is purely managed by females. Even in history, the females in Manipur participated in demonstrations against the British colonial empire with movement named as Nupi Lan. The Yuva Sangam programme will also provide an opportunity for youngsters from Punjab to visit the beautiful state of Manipur and learn about their culture. In this way, the Yuva Sangam program will develop a strong people-to-people connect and help in the creation of a unified India.

On this occasion, the Manipur student delegates thanked the government of India for providing the opportunity to visit the sacred land of 10 Sikh Gurus. They also thanked the Central University of Punjab, the Nodal Institute for Punjab; IRCTC, and other government departments for providing wonderful hospitality during this exposure visit. The CUPB officials see off Manipur delegates at Amritsar Airport on 12th March, 2023 (Sunday) morning, from where they departed back to Manipur with beautiful memories of Punjab visit.