Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 23: The Andaman & Nicobar Chapter of Chhatra Sansad, an initiative of the Zero Hour Foundation, was formally announced at a press conference held at Hotel Amyra, Dollygunj. The newly appointed team outlined the vision, objectives and proposed initiatives of the organisation, with a focus on nurturing young minds, developing future leaders and creating greater opportunities for the youth of the islands.
The newly appointed team comprises:
1. Mandeep Singh Grewal – Chapter Chairperson
2. Akshay Wadhwa – Deputy Chapter Chairperson
3. T. Harish Kumar – Secretary General
4. R. Karthik Sakthi – Joint Secretary
5. Aliya Majeed – Treasurer
6. Akshat Wadhwa – State Executive Member
7. Uma Mahesh – State Executive Member
During the press conference, the team briefed media representatives about the purpose and functioning of Chhatra Sansad and its role in providing young people with a platform to express their ideas, develop leadership skills, understand governance and participate in nation-building. The chapter aims to encourage youth participation, constructive dialogue, civic awareness and meaningful engagement with institutions and opportunities beyond the islands.
Speaking on the occasion, Mandeep Singh Grewal, Chapter Chairperson, assured that the team would work with dedication towards upskilling the youth 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 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), alongside initiatives focused on leadership development, financial literacy, communication, governance and professional growth.
He added that several programmes are being planned and will be implemented in a phased manner to provide island youth with meaningful exposure to mainland India, broaden their perspectives and help them connect with national-level platforms.
National Leadership Extends Its Support
The newly appointed team expressed its sincere gratitude to Adv. Kunal Sharma, Founder President and National President of Chhatra Sansad, for his encouraging message and support for the newly formed chapter.
Sharing his vision, Adv. Kunal Sharma stated, “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 Shri Aditya Vegda, National Vice President of Chhatra Sansad, for his encouragement and guidance. Highlighting the organisation’s vision for youth empowerment, he 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 messages from the national leadership reflect the chapter’s commitment to connecting the aspirations of island youth with national opportunities while ensuring that leadership development remains rooted in community engagement and public service.
A Vision for the Youth of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The Andaman & Nicobar Chapter aims to act as a bridge between the talent and aspirations of the island’s youth and the opportunities available across the country. Through educational exposure, skill-building programmes, leadership initiatives and community-oriented activities, the chapter seeks to empower young people to become informed, capable and socially responsible citizens.
The newly appointed team expressed its commitment to working collectively towards building a platform where young voices are encouraged, ideas are nurtured and opportunities are created for the next generation of island leaders.
The guiding vision of Chhatra Sansad – Andaman & Nicobar Chapter is to ensure that geography never becomes a barrier to opportunity, leadership or the aspirations of the youth.