The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education is facilitating the Yuva Sangam Phase VI initiative under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, which aims to promote cultural exchange, experiential learning, and national integration among youth from diverse regions of India. A delegation from Andhra Pradesh, led by the Indian Institute of Technology, Tirupati, was hosted by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune for a five-day programme from June 5-9, 2026.
The delegation called on Governor of Maharashtra Jishnu Dev Varma at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai on June 8, 2026, where he shared insights on leadership, nation-building, and national integration, with discussions focusing on understanding India's diverse cultural landscape and providing governance insights.
On June 5, 2026, the delegation explored Maharashtra's cultural, spiritual, and rural landscape through themes of Paryatan (Tourism), Pragati (Development), and Paraspar Sampark (People-to-People Connect). They visited the historic Khandoba Mandir at Jejuri and Adachiwadi, an Adarsh Gaon (Model Village), where they interacted with the Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat members, and villagers to learn about grassroot governance, rural development initiatives, and community participation.
On June 6, 2026, activities centered on Paryavaran (Environment) and Parampara (Traditions), including a Bio-diversity Walk and Tree Plantation Drive at IISER Pune campus, followed by visits to Shaniwar Wada and a Heritage Walk through Pune city's historic precincts. The delegates attended a language session by Prof. Sonal Kulkarni Joshi of Deccan College on Maharashtra's linguistic heritage and had interactions with State Minister of Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Dada Patil and State Minister of Urban Development Madhuri Tai Misal, who shared perspectives on urban development and encouraged cultural appreciation. The program concluded with a traditional Maharashtrian dinner and valedictory session on June 9, 2026.