Kashmiri youth embrace Punjab’s warmth, culture in youth exchange programme

Students, numbering 120, from Kashmir – both girls and boys – have come to Ludhiana under a student exchange program organised by the Nehru Yuva Kendra. This is the first time many of these students are visiting Punjab, and they are amazed by the hospitality they’ve received. Having arrived on February 11, they are set to stay in Ludhiana until February 17.

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During their visit, the students will attend various classes, seminars, and take part in cultural activities. Mohammed Wasim, a student from Anantnag, shared his excitement, saying, “It’s been a wonderful experience. The weather is fantastic, the hospitality is incredible, and the food is excellent. We are truly enjoying our time here in Ludhiana.”

The students are staying at the Kisan Ghar at PAU, where they have been able to appreciate the lush greenery of the agricultural university. They also visited the PAU museum, which left a lasting impression on them.

A surprising participant, Iqra, who is pursuing her graduation, has joined the program with her young baby boy. She explained that her husband, the team leader, made it easy for her to manage the baby, and that the warmth and hospitality of the people in Punjab have made her first visit here extremely comfortable. Iqra reassured the correspondent about the situation in Kashmir, stating, “It’s completely safe. There’s no threat to tourists. People visit Kashmir, feel safe, and are welcomed into Kashmiri homes. You should visit us too; you will experience our hospitality.”

This year marks the 5th Kashmiri Youth Exchange Programme, a collaborative effort between Nehru Yuva Kendra Sanghthan, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Over the course of the program, 1,800 Kashmiri youth, accompanied by 180 team leaders, will visit various cities across the country.

As part of the program, the 120 participants from six districts of the Kashmir Valley are engaging in cultural, historical, and educational exchanges. They will visit sites like the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum, the Jang-e-Azadi memorial, and the Hero Cycles industrial facility. They will also participate in social initiatives like “Swachhta hi Sewa” and “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” while attending awareness sessions on topics such as leadership skills, cybercrime, drug abuse prevention, career counselling, and entrepreneurship.