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Delhi University flags off a 56-member Yuva Sangam delegation to Tamil Nadu, promoting cultural exchange, national integration and understanding among the Indian youth through educational visits.

The University of Delhi flagged off its 56-member Yuva Sangam Phase VII delegation to Tamil Nadu from Gandhi Bhawan on Saturday, under the Government of India’s Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative. The delegation comprises 50 students and six teachers who will visit the Central University of Tamil Nadu for an educational and cultural exchange.

Prof. Rajni Abbi, Director of South Campus, Delhi University, attended the ceremony as chief guest, alongside officials from the Ministry of Education. Those present included Shreyansh Mohan of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Naresh Grover of the All India Council for Technical Education, and Jai Singh of the Ministry of External Affairs. Prof. KP Singh, Director of Gandhi Bhawan and the programme’s nodal officer were also present.

Students chanted slogans celebrating cultural diversity, national unity, and Yuva Sangam. According to the university’s announcement, Registrar Dr. Vikas Gupta remarked, “Youth Sangam will work wonders, it will change India’s scenario,” while Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh said, “Unity in diversity, that is India’s specialty.” Their remarks showed the exchange’s focus on building understanding across regional and linguistic borders.

According to Prof. KP Singh, the programme’s main objective is to promote national unity and cultural understanding . The Joint Director of Gandhi Bhawan, Prof. Hansraj Suman said the journey would help young people appreciate India’s diversity and shared heritage.

Yuva Sangam is a youth exchange programme under the Ministry of Education’s Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative. According to the Ministry, Phase VII involves 20 higher education institutions paired across states and Union Territories. Participants undertake educational and cultural visits to learn about local traditions, educational institutions, governance, innovation, industries, heritage and community life. A PIB press release by the Ministry of Education provides further details about Yuva Sangam Phase VII.

The programme is organised around five thematic pillars [5Ps]– Paryatan (tourism), Parampara (traditions and culture), Pragati (development and governance, Paraspar Sampark (people-to-people connections), and Prodyogiki (technology and innovation). The framework aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 and aims to strengthen emotional bonds and mutual understanding among young citizens.

During their visit, the Delhi University delegation is expected to explore Tamil Nadu’s educational and cultural landscape, including its language, cuisine, historical sites and traditions. By learning from local communities and institutions, participants can compare regional experiences and recognise national ties.

Through shared experiences and interaction, Yuva Sangam seeks to turn “unity in diversity” into a lived experience for young Indians and promote cultural awareness beyond classrooms.

Image Source- University of Delhi

Aarushi Chaubey
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Cultural Appropriation is a topic that gets a lot of people into debates and arguments. However, in this globalized society, it is important to know when cultural ‘exchange’ becomes inappropriate and offensive to minorities.

I first understood the essence of the term ‘cultural appropriation’ when I saw Selena Gomez’s MTV Awards performance of her 2013 hit single, “Come and Get it”. She had worn a flowy red dress and a red Bindi on her forehead. Members of certain Hindu groups argued that the Bindi holds religious significance and is an auspicious symbol, sometimes referred to as the third eye and cannot be thrown around to suit the convenience of white people.

Cultural appropriation refers to the act of taking elements from a culture which doesn’t belong to them; it refers to the act when a culturally dominant group takes elements of a culture which has been systematically oppressed over the years. However, it cannot be mistaken for cultural exchange. There exists a very blurry line between the two. One needs to know when the cultural engagement turns into cultural appropriation and becomes offensive. So, when does this happen?

If the culturally dominant group ‘borrows’ products which have deep symbolic meaning attached to them, and uses them in a way which dishonours and mocks them then that becomes disrespectful and is cultural appropriation. It trivializes the oppression and the violence which the people faced. The trauma resulting from it lasts for generations and using their products as fashion accessories is deeply offensive. One can also observe the difference between the way in which the products of a certain culture are received and how people belonging to them are received by the dominant group. They show love for their culture but are highly intolerant of the people belonging to them. It is a matter of concern as the dominant group is able to make money off of it and reap profits and the original creators of the product never get any sort of credit. Cultural appropriation plays a key role in propagating racist stereotypes of a certain culture and spreads false information about them.

It is important to know how one can appreciate a culture without degrading it. It is necessary to take permission whether a certain product can be taken/ used or not. One can also learn about their histories. One should always consider the context of borrowing before using things from another culture. We need to call out appropriation whenever we see any cruel stereotypes and make others aware of it too. As long as such toxic cultural ‘borrowing’ is kept in check, one can be assured that such cultural ‘borrowing’ never crosses the line and becomes appropriation.

Disha Saxena

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Feature Image credit– Lucy Nicholson for Reuters

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