LEH: Reaffirming the commitment to the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Wednesday flagged off a batch of 30 students from Lok Niwas, Leh, for the Rashtriya Ekatmata Yatra 2026 – Student Experience in Regional Understanding (SERU) tour.
The 13-day initiative is organised by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in collaboration with Vidyarthi Sewa Trust. The group comprises 11 girls and 19 boys from Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, affiliated with the University of Ladakh, and the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies.
During the tour, the students will visit Gurugram, Chandigarh, Manali and Jammu as part of a structured exposure programme aimed at fostering national integration and regional understanding. The itinerary includes visits to premier institutions and landmark sites such as the Maruti Suzuki India Limited plant in Gurugram and Rashtrapati Bhavan, among others.
A distinctive feature of the programme is the students’ stay with host families in different regions, enabling them to experience local culture, traditions and lifestyles firsthand, thereby deepening their appreciation of India’s diversity.
Addressing the students, Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta underscored the importance of such exposure tours in strengthening national integration and mutual understanding among youth. He described the SERU initiative as a meaningful step towards realising the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat by creating platforms for dialogue, cultural exchange and experiential learning.
Highlighting previous tours from Ladakh to Delhi as notable examples, he said SERU promotes awareness and appreciation of specific regional cultures. Through cultural exchanges, visits to historical sites and interactions with local communities, participants gain first-hand insight into the country’s diverse traditions and ways of life, he noted, adding that such initiatives foster lifelong friendships and deeper emotional bonds among citizens from different regions.
The Lieutenant Governor further stated that the primary objective of the programme is to provide Ladakh’s youth an opportunity to understand India’s diverse cultural, geographical and administrative landscape. The tour familiarises students with governance systems, higher educational institutions, industrial establishments and the historical backdrop of various states, thereby broadening their academic and professional horizons.
“It is not merely an educational tour but a powerful medium for fostering collaboration, dialogue and national unity. When young people from different regions engage with one another and exchange experiences, it strengthens harmony and mutual cooperation,” he said.
Commending ABVP and Vidyarthi Sewa Trust for their sustained efforts, the Lieutenant Governor appreciated their role in enabling Ladakh’s youth to connect with the nation’s cultural heritage, democratic values and governance framework. He encouraged the students to act as ambassadors of Ladakh, uphold its rich traditions and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
The organisers informed that the tour is designed to broaden students’ perspectives, promote cultural understanding and national unity, and inspire them in their future academic and career pursuits.
The Lieutenant Governor extended his best wishes to all participating students for a safe, successful and enriching journey, reiterating the Administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and nation-building initiatives in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
