Jammu, January 16, 2026-Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, on Thursday flagged off the first group of 120 youth from the Kashmir Division under the Kashmiri Youth Exchange Program “Watan Ko Jaano”, marking the beginning of the 6th edition of the flagship national initiative.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and implemented by Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), Jammu & Kashmir, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the program aims to strengthen national integration and empower the youth of the Kashmir Valley through meaningful exposure to the country’s cultural, industrial, and historical diversity.
Interacting with the participating youth, the Lieutenant Governor extended his best wishes and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity by learning about India’s rich heritage, innovation ecosystem, and social harmony. He expressed confidence that such initiatives would help nurture responsible, confident, and nationally conscious young leaders.
Under the 6th edition of the program, a total of 2,000 participants, including group leaders from across the Kashmir Valley, will travel in different batches to 15 major cities across India. The exchange visits are designed to provide firsthand experience of the nation’s pluralistic culture, development journey, and unity in diversity.
The core objective of the “Watan Ko Jaano” program is to sensitize Kashmiri youth and inspire them to act as ambassadors of peace, harmony, and national unity, fostering stronger emotional and cultural bonds with the rest of the country.
