Lok Sabha Question No. 3861 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-24
Subject: Implement the Kashmiri Youth Exchange Programme to Jharkhand
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3861

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2025

Implement the Kashmiri Youth Exchange Programme to Jharkhand 3861. Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plans to implement the Kashmiri Youth Exchange Programme to Jharkhand to promote greater cultural integration and understanding among the youth of the region;
- (b) the details of steps being taken by the Government to ensure that the  Kashmiri  youth  participating  in  the  exchange  programme  are provided  with  adequate  educational,  social  and  economic  support during their stay in Jharkhand;
- (c) whether any evaluation or assessment has been conducted on the impact  of  such  a  programme  in  strengthening  the  relationship
- between the youth of Kashmir and Jharkhand; and
- (d) if so, the details of the findings along with the proposed actions for future initiatives?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a)  The  Government  implements  the  Kashmiri  Youth  Exchange Programme to promote greater cultural integration and understanding through Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.  During the  FY  2024-25,  two  Kashmiri  Youth  Exchange  Programme  were organized in the State of Jharkhand (one each in Jamshedpur and Dhanbad).
- (b) Following facilities are provided to the Kashmiri Youth Exchange programme participants during their stay in Jharkhand:

- Boarding & Lodging Facilities are provided at the Venue District.
- Medical Assistance
- Resource Kit/Bag
- Various classroom sessions related to employment and education  opportunities  such  as  Career  Counselling,  Skill development, visit to Educational institutions, industrial visits are organized during the program.
- The  program  provides  exposure  to  Kashmiri  youth  to  the technological and industrial advancement that have taken place in  parts  of  the  country  with  focus  on  various  developmental activities, skill development, educational & employment opportunities available there.

During the Programme in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, the participants visited  NIT  Jamshedpur,  Karim  City  College,  JRD  Tata  Sports Complex, Tata Zoological Park, Russi Mody Center of Excellence, and Jubilee  Park.    Whereas  the  participants  of  Dhanbad,  Jharkhand visited IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Bharat Coking Coal Limited, Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University, Topchanchi Lake and Maithon Dam.

(c) & (d) The feedback of the participants of Kashmiri Youth Exchange Programme  is  taken  after  the  completion  of  each  program.  Such feedback was also taken for the Kashmiri Youth Exchange Programme  held  in  Jharkhand.  The  participants  in  their  feedback form mentioned that the KYEP programme significantly enriched their knowledge about the place visited as well as their culture, economy and  social  structure,  cultural  understanding.  It  gave  them  deeper insight into the local traditions, festivals and art forms of the region. Some participants suggested that Cultural Performance and field visit should be increased. While some were of the opinion that six days were  insufficient  to  fully  immerse  in  the  exchange  experience. Participants expressed a desire for more cultural exchange activities, including traditional dance, music performances, and folk storytelling sessions.

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