Telangana students get a taste of Meghalaya through Yuva Sangam

Shillong, June 14: For five days, Meghalaya became a classroom for 46 students from Telangana.

From the misty hills of Shillong to research institutions, cultural landmarks and community interactions, the students explored the state’s heritage, governance systems, educational institutions and tourism potential as part of the sixth phase of the Yuva Sangam programme under the Government of India’s Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative.

Hosted by IIM Shillong in collaboration with NIT Warangal, the programme brought 46 students and five faculty coordinators from Telangana to Meghalaya between June 8 and June 12 with the objective of strengthening national integration through cultural exchange and experiential learning.

The participants were introduced to Meghalaya through the five pillars of Yuva Sangam — tourism, traditions, technology, people-to-people connect and development.

As part of the programme, the delegation visited several key institutions, including the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Eastern Air Command, North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA), Assam Rifles Headquarters, NIT Meghalaya, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), the Sports Authority of India and Lok Bhavan Meghalaya. The visits offered students a closer understanding of science and technology, governance, defence, education and public service in the Northeast.

The tourism component of the programme took the students to some of Meghalaya’s most iconic destinations, including Shillong Peak, Ward’s Lake, Police Bazar, Laitlum Canyons, Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, Mawsmai Caves and Prut Waterfalls, giving them a glimpse of the state’s natural beauty and tourism potential.

Beyond sightseeing, the delegates also experienced Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage through interactions with local communities, cultural performances and visits to institutions such as the Don Bosco Museum. Engagements with community leaders, including the Dorbar Shnong Mawpat, as well as interactions with students and faculty members, helped build meaningful connections between the two states.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri Munish Ningthoujam, Regional Director of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), in the presence of Padma Shri awardee Silbi Passah and Prof. Naliniprava Tripathy, Director (i/c), IIM Shillong.

The concluding ceremony was attended by Meghalaya Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who highlighted the importance of initiatives such as Yuva Sangam in strengthening national unity while celebrating India’s diverse cultural identity.

Students from Telangana said the five-day experience broadened their understanding of the Northeast, offered a fresh perspective on the region and challenged several preconceived notions they had carried before the visit.

Officials associated with the programme said Yuva Sangam has evolved into a unique platform for experiential learning, cultural exchange and youth engagement, helping forge meaningful connections among young people from different parts of the country.

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