Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 17: The University of Jammu today flagged off a team of students selected to participate in the prestigious Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme, a national initiative of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and North Eastern Council (NEC), Government of India.
The programme is being organised under the broader vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat to promote cultural understanding, national integration and youth-to-youth engagement across regions.
A contingent of 21 students drawn from various departments of the University, accompanied by team in-charges Dr Daud Iqbal Baba, Director, DSPE, and Richa Mandla, will attend the youth exchange programme at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Nagaland, from December 16 to December 29, 2025.
The flag-off ceremony was led by Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Prof J P Singh Joorel, Dean Academic Affairs; Dr Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, University of Jammu; and Prof Prakash Chand Antahal, Dean Students Welfare, Prof Monika Chadha, Chairperson Campus Cultural Committee, Prof Sarika Manhas, Co-Chairperson Campus Cultural Committee along with other members of the Department of Students Welfare.
While interacting with the students, the dignitaries encouraged them to act as cultural ambassadors of Jammu and Kashmir and to make the most of this opportunity for learning, exchange and national bonding.
The Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme 2025 aims to bring together nearly 1,280 students from different parts of the country to the eight North Eastern states in phased batches. Beginning from November 2025, the programme focuses on immersive cultural experiences, interaction with local communities and educational institutions, and a deeper understanding of the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of the North East.
Through this exchange, the participating students from the University of Jammu will gain firsthand exposure to the rich traditions, languages and way of life of Nagaland, while also sharing the cultural heritage, art forms and lived experiences of Jammu and Kashmir with students of NIT Nagaland.
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