Building Unity in Diversity: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s Address to SEIL Participants

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today engaged with youth from North-Eastern states visiting Jammu under the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) Students’ Experience in Inter-State Living (SEIL) initiative, at the Convention Centre.

In his address, the Lieutenant Governor encouraged the youth to unite in efforts to build a strong and developed India. “I urge our youth to focus on the needs and aspirations of vulnerable sections of society, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development and progress,” he emphasized.

The Lieutenant Governor commended the ABVP for its initiative aimed at fostering national unity and offering youth the opportunity to experience the diversity of India. He remarked, “As the world’s largest student organization, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has consistently worked towards strengthening the spirit of unity and brotherhood, bridging geographical distances, and connecting youth with the cultural roots of India.”

Launched in 1965, the SEIL programme has fostered emotional connections between the youth of India’s North-Eastern states and the rest of the country. With its motto “One Nation – One People – One Culture,” SEIL plays a vital role in advancing the vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,” encouraging youth to embrace and experience Unity in Diversity.

A key feature of the SEIL programme is that students stay with local families, who treat them not as guests but as family members. This arrangement allows the students to immerse themselves in the local culture, while also providing host families an opportunity to experience the rich cultural diversity of India.

“The essence of unity amidst diversity lies in our emotional bonds, and I trust the students have felt this during their stay in Jammu. I hope the values of unity learned here will continue to guide them throughout their lives,” the Lieutenant Governor stated.

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the progress made by the North-Eastern states under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paying tribute to prominent personalities from the region who contributed to nation-building.

He urged people to visit the North-East in large numbers, to appreciate its natural beauty and warm hospitality, and encouraged the visiting youth to become ambassadors of the newly developed Jammu and Kashmir.

During the event, students from the North-Eastern states shared their experiences with the SEIL programme. The host families who welcomed the students were also recognized and felicitated by the Lieutenant Governor.

This year, the SEIL initiative saw 30 students from Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim visiting Jammu. During their stay, they had the opportunity to live as family members of local households, engage in interactive sessions, participate in cultural programs, and undertake educational visits to explore the region’s rich heritage and traditions.

The event was attended by Sh. Yudhvir Sethi and Dr. Narinder Singh Raina, Members of the Legislative Assembly; Dr. Nagesh Thakur, Special Invitee & Member, National Executive Council, ABVP; Dr. Ajay Sharma, President, ABVP J&K; Sh. Sanak Shrivats, Secretary, ABVP J&K, along with other ABVP members and a large gathering of youth.