Youth Exchange Programme Conducted in Gangtok with Officials

An interactive session with participants of the Border Area Youth Exchange Programme was held at the Conference Hall of the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Gangtok. The session was attended by Shri Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia, ADC Gangtok, and Shri Sandeep Kumar, IAS, Assistant Collector, Gangtok, along with 27 participants from Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) Gangtok, the programme ran from 26th February to 2nd March 2025. The initiative gave youths from non-border districts the chance to visit border areas and learn about life in those regions. Participants visited significant sites like Changu and Baba Mandir, and also toured the 341 Black Cat Division of the Indian Army in Swastik, Gangtok, gaining a firsthand experience of the army’s daily operations.

Shri Sourav Barman, DYO, NYK Gangtok, outlined the goals of the programme, highlighting its focus on fostering inclusiveness and national integration. Participants shared their experiences, praising the good governance, traffic discipline, and cleanliness in Gangtok.

Shri Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia applauded the initiative, expressing hope that such programmes would further promote unity among the youth across India. Shri Sandeep Kumar, IAS, encouraged the participants to continue practicing the positive aspects they observed during their visit, emphasizing the importance of good governance, especially in Sikkim’s challenging terrains.

The session concluded with the distribution of certificates and mementoes to the participants, followed by a group photo. The event successfully demonstrated the power of youth exchanges in promoting patriotism, unity, and mutual understanding.