Bhubaneswar/Sambalpur: IIM Sambalpur hosted the Kerala delegates comprising 50 students under the Yuva Sangam Phase-III, an initiative under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Programme by the Ministry of Education (MoE), government of India. As part of the itinerary, the delegation will be in the state till December 2 visiting Bhubaneswar and the neighbouring districts.
Similarly, a delegation of 50 students from Odisha will be visiting Kerala in December. Welcoming the guests, IIM Sambalpur Director Mahadeo Jaiswal said, “Kerala shares remarkable similarities with Odisha in terms of natural beauty and culture. Both the states boast rich mineral resources and a vibrant arts scene, blending tradition with innovation.
At IIM Sambalpur, we prioritize innovation, integrity, and inclusiveness in our educational approach, recognizing the strength lies in our nation’s diversity.” Chief guest MLA Nauri Nayak highlighted the Yuva Sangam initiative’s core objectives and said, “Yuva Sangam aims to fortify connections among youth from diverse states and facilitate cultural exchange. It encourages young individuals to prioritize creating job opportunities, extending beyond personal benefits to contribute to the nation’s overall socio-economic development.” The guest of honour, renowned Sambalpuri poet Padma Shri Haldhar Nag, inspired the Kerala delegation with his poetry. The purpose of the Yuva Sangam initiative is to strengthen the connection between people especially the youth from north-eastern India and other states by conducting exposure tours for youth, mainly students studying in higher educational institutions and other young individuals, both on and off campus.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP