Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme
Why in news?
12th edition (Feb 2026) of Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme inaugurated at Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, with participation from students across India.
About
The Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), supported by the North Eastern Council (NEC). It is designed to strengthen national integration by giving young people from across India first-hand exposure to the rich cultural, social, and developmental landscape of the North Eastern Region (NER).
Key Highlights
- Objective:
To provide structured 14-day exposure to students (aged 15–29) from 28 non-NER States/UTs, enabling them to experience the culture, geography, and development journey of the eight North Eastern states (often referred to as Ashtalakshmi).
- Scale:
Involves 1,280 students in 40 batches, each batch comprising participants from different states, ensuring diversity and cross-cultural dialogue.
- Activities:
- Cultural immersion (folk traditions, festivals, cuisine).
- Academic collaboration through lectures and seminars.
- Visits to institutions, heritage sites, and developmental projects.
- Interactive sessions with local youth to foster mutual understanding.
- Vision Alignment:
The programme is part of the “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” initiative, emphasizing unity in diversity and youth-to-youth connect.
Importance of the programme
- This programme bridges the gap between the North Eastern states and the rest of India, countering geographical isolation and limited connectivity.
- It helps youth appreciate the region’s diversity, strengthens national integration, and builds empathy and collaboration across communities.
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