Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday virtually interacted with the 11th batch of students participating in the Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme at Sikkim University.
The current batch, running from February 9 to 22, 2026, comprises 22 students from Chandigarh and 15 from Tamil Nadu. The interaction was attended by the Secretary and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), the Registrar (I/C) of Sikkim University, and other officials from the North Eastern Council (NEC).
Organised and funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region through the NEC, the Ashtalakshmi Darshan programme aims to deepen national integration and strengthen bonds among youth from different regions of the country. The 14-day immersive programme promotes mutual understanding and a cooperative spirit through academic sessions, heritage visits, cultural exposure and community interactions. It seeks to engage 1,280 students across 32 batches from 28 States and Union Territories in the North Eastern states. So far, 390 students have participated in the first ten batches, while 81 students are currently taking part in the two ongoing batches.
Scindia highlighted the programme’s emphasis on equal participation of boys and girls, underscoring inclusivity and empowerment. He described Ashtalakshmi Darshan as a unique cultural and educational exchange under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, connecting youth from across the country with the eight Northeastern states and enabling them to experience the region’s languages, traditions and way of life while fostering unity in diversity.
The Minister also pointed to the immense tourism potential of Northeast India, particularly Sikkim, noting that the sector could generate widespread opportunities for the region.
During the interaction, the Minister invited students to share their experiences. Keerthana P from Tamil Nadu described the programme as a wonderful opportunity for meaningful real-life learning. Mr. Ansari A, a differently abled student from Tamil Nadu, expressed gratitude to MDoNER for the initiative. Ms. Rajanpreet Kaur from Chandigarh said she felt deeply honoured to be part of the programme and observed that environment and development go hand in hand in Sikkim.
Concluding the interaction, Minister Scindia praised the students’ enthusiasm and encouraged them to share their experiences widely with family and friends, highlighting Sikkim’s people, traditions and natural beauty. He expressed hope that they would return home with lasting memories of the state’s rich culture and heritage, carrying forward the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
The programme reflects the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enable students to experience the authentic culture, people and traditions of Northeast India. It stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to cultural integration, youth engagement and national unity, aligned with the shared goal of a co-prosperous Viksit Bharat 2047.
