Shillong hosts youth exchange programme to foster national integration

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 5, 2025

The Border Area Youth Exchange Programme (BAYEP), organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra in Shillong, began on March 5, 2025, at the Youth Hostel, Shillong, and will continue until March 9, 2025. The guest states for the event are Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, and West Bengal.

The opening day was attended by Thanglemlian, CSS, Financial Advisory, North Eastern Council (Government of India), Shillong, as the chief guest. Kamakhya Prasad, MPS, served as the guest of honour, while Bobby Wahlang participated as a special guest.

In his address, Thanglemlian emphasized the role of youth as a driving force for national progress. He highlighted their contributions to peacebuilding, family support, and community development, stressing that youth participation is crucial for fostering social cohesion, promoting nationalism, and ensuring overall progress. He also noted that in border areas, where cultural and regional diversity is prominent, youth engagement plays a key role in maintaining peace and stability.

The Border Area Youth Exchange Programme aims to bring together youth from border and non-border districts, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and promoting national integration. The initiative seeks to strengthen unity and mutual understanding, bridging gaps between diverse regions.

Thanglemlian also praised the efforts of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) in organizing such programs. He recognized them as valuable opportunities for young people to experience and appreciate different cultures. Encouraging participants to make the most of the experience, he urged them to explore, learn, and serve as ambassadors of their states, promoting understanding and unity across the country.