Tribal Youth Exchange programme begins at GITAM university

The 17th Tribal Youth Exchange Programme, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, was inaugurated at GITAM Deemed to be University here on Wednesday.

Tribal youth from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha are participating in the week-long programme, which aims to expose them to technological and industrial developments, while providing an opportunity to experience India’s diverse cultural heritage.

It also includes visits to industries and historical places, along with interactive sessions aimed at broadening the participants’ perspectives, skills, and national outlook.

Inaugurating the programme, My Bharat (formerly Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan ) director (for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) Ansuman Prasad Das said tribal youth were emerging as powerful catalysts for socio-economic transformation by effectively leveraging education, entrepreneurship, and digital skills, while preserving their rich cultural heritage.

He observed that the role of tribal youth was gradually shifting from being passive beneficiaries of welfare schemes to active agents of change and inclusive nation-building.

Mr. Das explained that the Tribal Youth Exchange Programme primarily focuses on empowering youth from tribal communities residing in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

Emphasising social equity, he urged eligible members of tribal communities to gain awareness and effectively utilise the opportunities provided under the constitutional reservation system to ensure broader outreach and equitable distribution of benefits.

He added that by acquiring modern skills while respecting and integrating traditional knowledge, tribal youth can bridge development gaps, create sustainable livelihoods, and drive holistic progress within their communities.

My Bharat Visakhapatnam deputy director G. Maheswara Rao, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Commandant Suraj Prakash Joshi, HPCL Skill Development Centre General Manager P. Vijayakumar, Consumer Court judge Rehamunnisa Begam, among others, participated.