Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in an insightful interaction with a group of 250 students from Jammu and Kashmir in the national capital, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing ‘Watan Ko Jano’ Youth Exchange project. These students are presently on a transformative 12-day excursion, exploring various destinations including Delhi, Ajmer, and Jaipur.
The launch of the Watan Ko Jano Programme was ceremoniously initiated by Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, who proudly flagged off the group along with ten coordinators and caregivers. This project, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Council in collaboration with the Union Home Ministry, aims to foster a deeper connection between the youth of the region and the diverse cultural tapestry of India.
At its core, the Watan Ko Jano Programme is a joint endeavor supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central Government (Kashmir Cell), and the Social Welfare Department of the J&K State Rehabilitation Council. Its overarching objective is to provide participating students with enriching leisure opportunities while simultaneously offering them a firsthand experience of India’s vibrant social and cultural heritage.
With a primary focus on youth from regions affected by militancy, particularly those residing in Department of Social Welfare-run facilities like Parish Homes and Palash, the Watan Ko Jano Youth Exchange Program seeks to broaden their horizons and expand their worldview.
Jammu and Kashmir, shaped by the historic Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, emerged as a Union Territory on October 31, 2019. Bordered by Ladakh to the east and north and Pakistan to the west, this region now operates under the purview of the Indian Constitution, subject to the same laws and regulations governing the rest of the nation.
