IIT Roorkee Leads Yuva Sangam Phase 5 as the Nodal Office for Uttarakhand under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Initiative

Roorkee, Uttarakhand, October 23, 2024: IIT Roorkee proudly announces its role as the Nodal Office for Uttarakhand in the flagship Yuva Sangam Phase 5 program, under the Government of India’s Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative. The Yuva Sangam program is designed to foster national integration by connecting youth from different states and Union Territories, offering them a chance to engage in cultural, academic, and social exchanges. In Phase 5, the partnership between Uttarakhand and Jharkhand brings together two premier institutions, IIT Roorkee and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, to drive this transformative experience for students.
 
The initiative aims to deepen connections among youth from both regions, fostering a better understanding of diverse traditions, languages, and lifestyles. This pairing offers an exciting platform for students from Uttarakhand to explore Jharkhand's rich tribal heritage, industrial strength, and mining legacy, while students from Jharkhand will have the opportunity to experience Uttarakhand's spiritual significance, scenic beauty, and cultural richness.
 
Founded in 1847, IIT Roorkee is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious engineering institutions. The institute’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and holistic youth development makes it an ideal choice to lead this significant initiative. As the nodal office, IIT Roorkee will coordinate the smooth exchange of students between Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, organizing cultural activities, academic sessions, and community engagements to provide students with an immersive, cross-cultural experience.
 
Yuva Sangam Phase 5 will offer students from both states a wide range of activities including:
•    Visits to historical and cultural heritage sites
•    Cultural and academic workshops
•    Interaction with local communities
•    Explorations of socio-economic development sectors, such as environmental conservation, healthcare, and technological innovation
 
By participating in these exchanges, students will not only deepen their appreciation of India’s cultural diversity but also build personal and academic growth while fostering empathy and social responsibility.
 
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, said, “At IIT Roorkee, we believe that initiatives like Yuva Sangam are key to fostering unity in diversity among the youth of India. By providing students with an immersive experience of different cultures, we are helping to build a stronger, more connected nation. We are honored to lead this phase of the program and look forward to the rich exchanges between Uttarakhand and Jharkhand.”
 
Yuva Sangam goes beyond cultural exchange— it is an opportunity for students to break down regional stereotypes, foster mutual respect, and build a sense of shared identity as citizens of a diverse but united India. The collaboration between IIT Roorkee and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad exemplifies the role of educational institutions in promoting national unity while delivering excellence in education and research.