Youth receive message of ‘dharma and karma' at inter-state youth exchange programme in Kurukshetra

Time of India

3 days ago

Kurukshetra: Haryana sports minister Gaurav Gautam inaugurated the Inter-State Youth Exchange Programme 2025 at Kurukshetra University (KU), emphasising the spiritual and cultural significance of Kurukshetra.
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Over 600 youth delegates from 24 states gathered here for this cultural convergence, which will continue until July 25. The event is being organised under the initiative of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat with the theme 'Unity in Diversity, Cultural Exchange and Youth Dialogue'.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, minister Gautam said, "The youth of India will receive inspiration for righteous living and dedicated action from this sacred land, where Lord Krishna delivered the timeless message of the Gita.
The relevance of that message is undiminished even today. It will guide our youth to play a pivotal role in transforming India into a developed nation by 2047."
Organised by the department of youth empowerment & entrepreneurship and the department of skill development & industrial training, Haryana, the programme began with the ceremonial lamp lighting by dignitaries including principal secretary Rajeev Ranjan, director Captain Manoj, CM's advisor J S Nain, KU vice-chancellor Prof Somnath Sachdeva, and BJP leaders Tejendra Singh Goldy and Rahul Rana.
On the opening day, the cultural carnival parade was a major highlight as participants adorned traditional attire representing their states, creating a colourful spectacle. The youth panchayat stall also drew considerable attention during the exhibition, which featured contributions from KU, ITIs, and other state departments.
Minister Gautam extended greetings on the occasion of Maha Shivratri and the youth festival, stating that such platforms empower young minds with exposure to diverse languages, traditions, and cultures.
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"Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, India's youth are leading the country toward self-reliance, innovation, and global leadership," he said.
Highlighting the impact of schemes like Startup India and the Mudra Yojana, Gautam said thousands of youth are becoming self-sufficient. "Haryana is leading in the sports sector, and our athletes are poised to bring glory to India on international platforms," he added.
Principal secretary Rajeev Ranjan welcomed participants, noting that the event offered a rare opportunity for cultural exchange and mutual understanding. "Youth from across India are here as cultural ambassadors of their states and will carry the legacy of Kurukshetra back with them," he remarked.
Director Captain Manoj shared that during the event, participants will also visit Kurukshetra's spiritual and tourist landmarks.
The opening ceremony concluded with cultural performances by students of Chaudhary Devi Lal University and Geeta Kanya School, who presented Haryanvi folk dance and a Saraswati Vandana.
The event also witnessed the presence of Kurukshetra DC Neha Singh, SP Nitish Aggarwal, KU registrar Virender Pal, additional director Rajkumar, principal Jagmohan, and other dignitaries. All guests were honoured with mementoes in recognition of their contributions.