Paperman Media (Rourkela)- Following the successful completion of the six-day exposure visit of student delegates from Gujarat to Odisha under Yuva Sangam Phase VI, the National Institute of Technology Rourkela flagged off a delegation of 41 students from Odisha for their reciprocal exposure visit to Gujarat under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
The flag-off ceremony was conducted in the presence of Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela, and Shri Sarada Prasad Nayak, Hon’ble MLA, Rourkela, who extended their best wishes to the delegates embarking on the educational and cultural exchange journey. The Gujarat delegation, which had completed its six-day immersive visit across Odisha, also departed along with the Odisha team.
Addressing the students, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao said, “Today, the students of Odisha will represent our state in Gujarat and carry with them the rich heritage, traditions and values of Odisha. Making most of this golden opportunity, you must return with knowledge, experiences and friendships that will enrich your lives and contribute to nation-building. This journey presents an opportunity to learn new experiences, understand diverse cultures, and forge meaningful connections across regions. Among more than 2,500 applicants, only 41 students have been selected from different districts of Odisha, making this a proud achievement and a significant responsibility.”
Interacting with the visiting Gujarat delegates, Shri Sarada Prasad Nayak shared the history of Rourkela and highlighted how the city was planned and developed as one of India’s prominent industrial townships. Addressing the Odisha students travelling to Gujarat, he encouraged them to engage deeply with the people and culture of the host state.
He said, “Learn new things, meet new people, and understand different ways of life. Observe society closely and dream of a future where you can contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation and its people. Humanity remains the greatest value that connects us all.”
The ceremony was also attended by Prof. Rohan Dhiman (Registrar NIT Rourkela) who bid farewell to the Gujarat delegates and shared travel guidance with the Odisha participants. Motivating the students, he remarked, “You are ambassadors of Odisha. Conduct yourselves with dignity, responsibility and respect, and represent the spirit and culture of our state wherever you go.”
NIT Rourkela has been designated as the nodal institution from Odisha for Yuva Sangam Phase VI, while Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) serves as the nodal institution from Gujarat. The programme at NIT Rourkela is being coordinated under the guidance of Prof. Winny Routray, Nodal Officer, Yuva Sangam Odisha.
The Odisha delegation is being accompanied by faculty coordinators Prof. Deepanjan Saha, Prof. Mohd Khalid Gul, Prof. Rashmi Achla Minz, Mr. C Alagesan (Sports Officer), and Ms. Archana Gupta, Public Relations Officer at NIT Rourkela.
During their visit to Gujarat from May 30 to June 8, 2026, the delegates will explore various educational, cultural, historical and developmental landmarks across the state. The itinerary includes visits to the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad), Adalaj Stepwell, Sabarmati Ashram, Amul Dairy, Indira Bridge, and several other important locations. The delegation will also travel to Gandhinagar (capital city of Gujarat), where they are scheduled to interact with Shri Acharya Devvrat, Hon’ble Governor of Gujarat.
The visit aims to provide participants with first-hand exposure to Gujarat’s culture, traditions, development initiatives, governance models, innovation ecosystem and local way of life. Through interactions with institutions, communities and local stakeholders, students will gain deeper insights into the diversity and unity that define India.
Yuva Sangam, a flagship youth exchange programme under the Ministry of Education’s Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, promotes experimental learning and national integration by enabling young people to experience the cultural, social, technological and developmental landscape of different states and Union Territories across the country.
This exchange is being coordinated by the National Institute of Technology Rourkela for Odisha in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad for Gujarat under the Ministry of Education’s Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme.
