“Northeast doesn’t just need tourists; it needs friends who celebrate its culture”: Scindia
Guwahati: Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, on Tuesday urged the participants of the Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme to become storytellers of their experiences.
“You are the first batch and alumni of the Ashtalakshmi Darshan journey — the torchbearers of Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Carry these friendships forward and be ambassadors of unity,” he said.
The Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to cultural integration, youth engagement, and national unity, reflecting the broader vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047.
Describing the initiative as a bridge of “hearts and minds,” Scindia said the programme embodies the spirit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat by helping young people from across India experience the Northeast’s languages, traditions, and way of life.
The inaugural batch brought together 39 students — 19 from Goa and 20 from Uttarakhand — visiting Arunachal Pradesh, with Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) serving as the host. Senior officials from the Ministry of DoNER and the North Eastern Council (NEC) also attended the virtual session.
Launched by the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and NEC, the programme will see 1,280 students in 40 batches from 28 states and Union Territories visit the eight Northeastern states — collectively known as the Ashtalakshmi — to deepen inter-regional understanding and foster youth-to-youth connections.
“This initiative is not just an exchange — it is a journey of discovery,” Scindia said, noting that equal participation of boys and girls was ensured to reflect the government’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.
Recalling his recent visit to Ziro Valley, Scindia spoke of its tranquil charm, saying it felt like “time slows down just enough for you to listen to the earth.” His reflections struck a chord with students, many of whom shared similar impressions of their travels across the valley and Itanagar.
In an engaging interaction, Scindia conversed with participants about their experiences — from Goa’s Rucha Parab, with whom he briefly switched to Marathi, to Saumya Bisht of Uttarakhand, who promised to return to Arunachal “with both family and friends.”
The Minister urged the participants to become storytellers of their experiences.