Bhubaneswar: A group of 47 students from 32 districts of Odisha, who are on a visit to Himachal Pradesh under the Youth Exchange Programme, met Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla on Monday.
The students, aged between 18 and 30 years, are pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate and other courses in Odisha. Their visit to Himachal Pradesh began on October 3 and will continue until October 8.
Welcoming the students, Sukhu enquired about their experiences during the visit and said the people of Himachal Pradesh are peace-loving and deeply rooted in the state’s rich ‘Dev Sanskriti’.
He encouraged the students to work hard with dedication and sincerity to achieve their goals.
The students honoured the Chief Minister by presenting him with a traditional ‘Sambalpuri Uttariya’ and a Dhokra art painting, showcasing Odisha’s cultural and handicraft heritage.
Sukhu expressed his gratitude to the students and appreciated the traditional gifts presented by them.
During their stay in Himachal Pradesh, the students visited NIT Hamirpur and Shimla and are scheduled to visit other prominent destinations, including IIT Mandi, the Atal Tunnel and the Jwalamukhi Temple.
The Youth Exchange Programme aims to familiarise students with the culture and history of Himachal Pradesh and its development journey. It also provides an opportunity for interaction and cultural exchange among youth from different states, with the aim of strengthening national unity and integration.
In a social media post on X, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister extended his best wishes to the students and hoped that their visit would remain a cherished memory.
As part of the programme, around 50 students from Himachal Pradesh will visit Odisha from October 12 to 19.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil and Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan were also present on the occasion.
