Watan Ko Jano: PM Modi Engages with J&K Youth for Cultural Exchange

Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with a group of 250 students from Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi, marking the commencement of the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ Youth Exchange project. The students, currently on a 12-day journey to various destinations including Delhi, Ajmer, and Jaipur, are part of this initiative aimed at fostering cultural exchange and understanding.

The launch of the Watan Ko Jano Programme was officiated by Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, who flagged off the group along with ten coordinators and caretakers. This program, orchestrated by the Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Council in collaboration with the Union Home Ministry, is designed to provide enriching experiences for the participants.

Supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central Government (Kashmir Cell), and the Social Welfare Department of the J&K State Rehabilitation Council, the Watan Ko Jano Programme offers leisure activities to the students, enabling them to explore India’s diverse cultural tapestry. It serves as a platform for young individuals from Jammu and Kashmir, especially those affected by militancy and residing in Department of Social Welfare-run facilities like Parish Homes and Palash, to gain exposure and broaden their horizons.

The primary objective of the Watan Ko Jano Youth Exchange Program is to familiarize the youth from Jammu and Kashmir with the rich social and cultural heritage of India. This initiative holds significance particularly in the context of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, which led to the establishment of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on October 31, 2019. Governed by the Indian Constitution, Jammu and Kashmir now operates under the same rules and regulations as any other part of India.