Sri Vijaya Puram | October 22, 2026
The Andaman & Nicobar Chapter of Chhatra Sansad, an initiative of the Zero Hour Foundation, has been formally announced, with a newly appointed team aiming to empower island youth through leadership development, skill-building programmes and exposure to national-level institutions.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at Hotel Amyra, Dollygunj, where the team outlined the organisation’s vision, objectives and proposed initiatives.
Mandeep Singh Grewal has been appointed Chapter Chairperson, while Akshay Wadhwa will serve as Deputy Chapter Chairperson. T. Harish Kumar has been appointed Secretary General, R. Karthik Sakthi as Joint Secretary, and Aliya Majeed as Treasurer. Akshat Wadhwa and Uma Mahesh have been appointed State Executive Members.
During the press conference, the team explained that Chhatra Sansad aims to provide young people with a platform to express their ideas, develop leadership skills, understand governance and participate in nation-building. The chapter also intends to promote youth participation, constructive dialogue, civic awareness and engagement with institutions and opportunities beyond the islands.
Speaking on the occasion, Chapter Chairperson Mandeep Singh Grewal said the team would work towards upskilling young people and providing them with the exposure and opportunities needed to realise their potential.
He emphasised that geographical distance should not limit the aspirations of young people from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The chapter plans to facilitate educational visits to important national institutions, including the Parliament of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
Other proposed initiatives will focus on leadership development, financial literacy, communication, governance and professional growth. The programmes are expected to be implemented in phases to broaden the perspectives of island youth and connect them with national-level platforms.
The newly appointed team expressed gratitude to Adv. Kunal Sharma, Founder President and National President of Chhatra Sansad, for his message and support for the formation of the island chapter.
In his message, Sharma said, “India’s young people must have opportunities to lead, wherever they live. Through our Andaman & Nicobar chapter, we want to connect the aspirations of the Islands with national platforms and nurture young leaders who understand their communities and contribute meaningfully to the country.”
The team also thanked Mr. Aditya Vegda, National Vice President of Chhatra Sansad, for his encouragement and guidance. Highlighting the organisation’s vision, Vegda said, “Our vision is to create opportunities in both directions—taking young people from the Islands to important institutions across India and bringing national leaders here to engage with them. Alongside that exposure, we want community service to remain central, so that leadership begins with understanding and serving people.”
The Andaman & Nicobar Chapter aims to bridge the gap between the talent and aspirations of island youth and the opportunities available across the country. Through educational exposure, skill-building programmes, leadership initiatives and community-oriented activities, it seeks to encourage young people to become informed, capable and socially responsible citizens.
The newly appointed team said it would work collectively to build a platform where young voices are encouraged, ideas are nurtured and opportunities are created for the next generation of leaders from the islands. Its guiding vision is to ensure that geographical distance does not become a barrier to opportunity, leadership or the aspirations of young people in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
