The Border Area Youth Exchange Programme (BAYEP), organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra in Shillong, commenced on 5th March 2025 at the Youth Hostel, Shillong, and will continue until 9th March 2025. The guest states participating in this programme are Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
The opening day was graced by Shri Thanglemlian, CSS, Financial Advisory, North Eastern Council (Government of India), Shillong, as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by Shri Kamakhya Prasad, MPS, who served as the Guest of Honour, and Shri Bobby Wahlang, who participated as a Special Guest.
In his address, Shri Thanglemlian emphasized the crucial role of youth as a dynamic force for national progress. He highlighted their contribution to peacebuilding, family support, and community development. He further pointed out that youth participation is vital for fostering social cohesion, promoting nationalism, and achieving overall progress. Particularly in Border Areas, where cultural and regional diversity is pronounced, youth engagement plays a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability.
The Border Area Youth Exchange Programme aims to bring youth from border and non-border districts together, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and promoting national integration. It seeks to strengthen unity and mutual understanding, bridging the gap between diverse regions.
Shri Thanglemlian also praised the efforts of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKs) for organizing such programs. He recognized them as valuable opportunities for young people to immerse themselves in and appreciate the cultures of other communities. He encouraged the participants to make the most of the experience, explore themselves, and serve as ambassadors of their own states, promoting understanding and unity across diverse regions.
