Rono Hills, Nov 14: The 14-day Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme, organised by the North Eastern Council (NEC) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), GOI, concluded today at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) here.
The flagship initiative aims to strengthen national integration by fostering cultural understanding, mutual respect, and emotional unity between the North Eastern Region (NER) and the rest of India.
Hosted by RGU from November 1–14, the first edition of the programme brought together youth delegates from Goa and Uttarakhand for an immersive blend of academic learning, cultural exchange, and field exposure.
The programme opened with orientation sessions, followed by nine days of academic lectures delivered by distinguished scholars, experts, and policymakers. The sessions covered diverse themes relating to the eight Ashtalakshmi states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura—including their geography, biodiversity, ethnic diversity, governance, culture, tourism, sustainable development, and environmental challenges.
Alongside academics, participants engaged in sports, yoga, recreational activities, and cultural performances showcasing traditions of both the host and visiting states. A major highlight was the extensive field exposure arranged for the delegates. They interacted with the Registrar of the Gauhati High Court (Itanagar Bench), Innovators at the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation Park, and folk artists at the Department of Art and Culture.
Delegates also met the Arunachal Governor and the Speaker, gaining valuable insights into leadership and governance.
Experiential learning visits included the ecological landscapes of Ziro, rural immersion programmes, tea cultivation units, Ita Fort, and the Gompa in Itanagar—providing a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural, historical, and environmental heritage.
During a virtual interaction with the delegates, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia encouraged the youth to become ambassadors of Arunachal Pradesh and uphold the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, inspiring them to contribute to nation-building for a Viksit Bharat 2047.
The valedictory programme held on Thursday featured distinguished dignitaries, university administrators, faculty members, and resource persons.
RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof SK Nayak highlighted the importance of embracing cultural diversity and urged delegates to document their experiences for future academic enrichment.
Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Vishakha Yadav inspired the participants with insights from her administrative service in Arunachal Pradesh, encouraging them to explore civil services as a meaningful career.
Dr NT Riram, Registrar, and Bamin Tarang, Director (HRD&E), NEC Shillong, emphasised leadership, cultural respect, and national unity as the core values of the programme.
A vibrant cultural segment showcased dance performances by delegates from Goa and Uttarakhand based on Arunachali songs, while RGU students presented items inspired by Goan and Uttarakhandi traditions—symbolising a harmonious cultural blend.
During the event, academic awards were presented to the top performers. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Gomar Basar, Deputy Registrar, who acknowledged the contributions of dignitaries, participants, and organisers for making the programme a grand success.