6,688 youth participate in nationwide campaign; discussions focus on voter awareness, democratic participation and responsible citizenship
Srinagar : A total of 6,688 young people participated in 46 editions of ‘Viksit Bharat Yuva Samvad: Know Your Vote’ organised across 21 States and Union Territories on Friday, as part of a nationwide campaign aimed at promoting electoral awareness and encouraging informed participation among young voters.
Organised by Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) under the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the campaign is being conducted from October 26 to November 5, with a target of reaching 500 universities, colleges and educational institutions across the country.
In Jammu and Kashmir, programmes were organised in Doda and Poonch, where young participants engaged in discussions on electoral awareness, civic responsibility and the importance of informed participation in the democratic process.
In Poonch, lacrosse athlete Abhilove Kour interacted with students, encouraging youth engagement in democratic affairs. The programme in Doda also witnessed active participation, with students raising questions and sharing their views on the role of first-time voters and responsible citizenship.
The initiative seeks to familiarise young people, particularly first-time voters, with their electoral rights, voting procedures and civic responsibilities. It also provides a platform for interaction with elected representatives, youth icons and distinguished personalities on democratic participation and nation-building.
According to the Ministry, 96 Yuva Samvads have been conducted across 27 States and Union Territories as of October 30, engaging 18,475 young people and 97 Youth Icons.
The programmes also witnessed participation across several other states, with discussions focusing on youth leadership, democratic institutions, social responsibility and nation-building.
In Punjab, programmes held in Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur and Moga featured interactions with youth icons, including international rugby player Amandeep Kaur.
In Madhya Pradesh, programmes in Chhatarpur, Gwalior and Khandwa brought young participants face-to-face with elected representatives. In Chhattisgarh’s Champa, Member of Parliament Kamlesh Jangde interacted with youth and encouraged their participation in democratic processes.
In Uttarakhand, around 200 young people participated in a youth dialogue programme at Gopeshwar in Chamoli district, while activities in Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh included democratic pledges, voter awareness campaigns, street plays and discussions on responsible citizenship.
In Madurai, Tamil Nadu, participants held a Parliament-style discussion on the Women’s Reservation Bill, providing an opportunity to deliberate on women’s representation and inclusive governance.
The campaign combines interactive discussions, public representative interactions and youth-led activities to strengthen awareness about electoral processes and the role of young citizens in democracy.
The nationwide initiative will continue until November 5, with the objective of expanding youth participation and reaching 500 educational institutions across the country.
