Sri Vijaya Puram | January 09, 2026
As many as 45 youth delegates, along with team officials from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, have been selected to participate in the National Youth Festival: Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue – 2026 (NYF-VBYLD), a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at empowering young leaders to contribute actively to nation-building.
The programme, envisioned under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, provides a national platform for youth to showcase their talent, ideas and commitment towards the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 through culture, innovation, leadership and social responsibility.
Out of the total delegation, 11 youths have been selected under the Young Leaders’ Dialogue track, while three youths have been chosen under the Hack for Social Cause track. These participants have been deputed by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
Under the Cultural Track, the Islands’ delegation reflects a rich diversity of artistic expression, with 13 participants in Folk Song, 13 in Folk Dance, two in Painting, and one each in Poetry Writing and Declamation Contest. The cultural participants have been selected and facilitated by MY Bharat, highlighting the creative strength and cultural heritage of the Islands.
The selected delegation is proceeding to New Delhi to take part in the four-day National Level Programme scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam from January 9 to 12, 2026. The event will bring together youth from across the country, promoting cultural exchange, leadership development, innovation and dialogue on key social issues.
Prior to their departure, a flag-off ceremony was held at Netaji Stadium, where the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, as chief guest, interacted with the youth delegates. He encouraged them to uphold values of discipline, unity, cultural pride and national responsibility, while underscoring the role of youth as future leaders in achieving national development goals.
Mr. Prakash Adhikari, Adhyaksh, Zila Parishad, South Andaman, also addressed the gathering and emphasised the importance of capacity building, skill development and leadership qualities in nurturing a confident and socially responsible young generation.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Biswanath Sen, Assistant Director, Sports & Youth Affairs, and Mr. Sukhranjan Biswas, Joint Director, MY Bharat, Sri Vijaya Puram, who reaffirmed institutional support for youth empowerment initiatives in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
