Imphal : Under the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam’ programme, which is a Government of India initiative, a group of students from across the districts of Madhya Pradesh led by IIT Indore was received at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport on 28 March by the officials and students of National Institute of Technology Manipur who hosted them.

From then on the students from Madhya Pradesh were overwhelmed by the reception accorded to them by NIT Manipur. Students had five days experience of the culturally rich state of Manipur.

The team of 49 students from Madhya Pradesh reached Imphal in Manipur on Monday to encourage interaction and dialogue between Madhya Pradesh and Manipur. The team comprised 26 boys and 23 girls and 6 officials of IIT Indore. The team will depart from Manipur on April 2 after understanding and exploring the rich culture and traditions of Manipur.

Students from about 25 districts of Madhya Pradesh were part of the team. The emphasis of the visit was on increasing the exchange of rich cultural and traditional and ideas between the two states through their visit. Along with this, emphasis was laid on promotion of tourism, tradition, progress, technology, and mutual contact.

Speaking to the Director of NIT Manipur. Prof. Goutam Sutradhar said that the vision of Prime Minister is being fulfilled by this exercise of inter exchange of students to visit different parts of the country.

Prof Sutradhar echoed that education should not be confined to walls of the institute. He feels that these exposure by students will make them a complete person. 

He explained that students of NIT Manipur who was in a visit to Indore in Madhya Pradesh had also got a good life time exposure.

The visiting team also had a memorable interaction with the Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey in the Raj Bhawan. The Governor is also from Madhya Pradesh and she expressed her happiness to see the students from her home state. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor exhorted the students to make maximum use of the exposure trip taken up under the guidance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She also told the students to share the experiences they have gained to their fellow friends in their respective districts. The students also narrated the experience they have gained so far during this visit and shared the mesmerizing beauty of Loktak Lake and its surroundings. One student recalled the unique tradition of wearing uniform clothes during aarti at the Govindajee temple. 

The Registrar of NIT Manipur Prof. Kh. Tomba Singh, after receiving the contingent expressed happiness that the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam’ is able to connect people from various parts of the country. He also applauded the initiative of the Government of India, which aims to establish an interrelationship between the youth of the North Eastern States and the rest of India.

The event was organized under the ambit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and 11 higher education institutions from the North East and 14 from the rest of the country have been linked for reciprocal visits.

During the 5 day stay, the contingent from Madhya Pradesh visited various historical sites and popular tourist destinations of Manipur such as city view at Chierouching, Commonwealth War Cemetery, Cathedral Church, and Shree Govindajee Temple. They also witnessed a Polo match at Marjing Polo ground and visited Kangla Fort, Shaheed Minar, Manipur State Museum, RKCS Art Gallery, and IMA market.

The students have also been presented with a short background of Manipur state and the potential of tourism in Manipur by a leading industrialist of the state Dr. Th. Dhabali Singh, CMD of BABINA Group of companies. Later on, a mesmerizing cultural show was performed by the students at JN Dance Academy, Imphal which enthralled the visiting students.

Besides, they also interacted with the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur district at Imphal Peace Museum and visited the district’s attractions such as Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Sangai Ethnic Park, and a boat ride to Karang island. During the visit, the Chairman of Loktak Development Authority M. Asnikumar Singh gave company to the visiting students and addressed them.

The students were also given a tour of Manipur State Film Development Society by its Secretary, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum where he gave a historic perspective of the 50 Years plus journey of Manipuri cinema besides showing the archives. The students were spellbound by the film ‘Eikhoigi Yum’ that was screened at MSFDS. Romi Meitei, the director-producer of the film interacted with the students and officials.

The students also visited Unity Park at Khangabok, Khongjom War Memorial, and Kakchin Garden where they interacted with the district MLA, Minister, and local administration to understand grassroots level developmental work. Other places visited were Mutua Bahadur Museum, Andro, Santhei Park, and Manipur Olympian Park.

A traditional Manipuri style lunch was also hosted by the Local MLA of Kakching  M.Rameshwar Singh in his residence. The student visited  the State Assembly Complex. 

On the concluding day, the students visited the NIT Manipur campus, and a cultural programme was presented for the visiting guests. The MP team also performed in the cultural evening.