Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 8: The National Youth Festival: Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue – 2026 (NYF-VBYLD) is a flagship youth initiative of the Government of India, envisioned to empower young leaders to actively contribute to nation-building through culture, innovation, leadership, and social responsibility. Implemented under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, the programme provides a national platform for youth to express their talent, ideas, and commitment towards the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
As part of the National Level Programme, a total of 45 youth delegates and team official have been selected from across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Of these, 11 youths selected under Young Leaders Dialogue Track, 03 youths selected under the “Hack for Social Cause” track have been selected and deputed by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
Under the Cultural Track, the delegation represents diverse artistic disciplines, including 13 participants in Folk Song, 13 in Folk Dance, 02 in Painting, 01 in Poetry Writing, and 01 in the Declamation Contest, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and creative strength of the Islands have been selected and facilitated by MY Bharat.
The selected delegation is proceeding to New Delhi to participate in the four-day ‘National Level Programme’, scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from 9th to 12th January, 2026. The event will bring together youth participants from across the country, fostering cultural exchange, leadership development, innovation, and meaningful dialogue on social causes.
A Flag-off Ceremony was held at Netaji Stadium, wherein the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray as chief guest interacted with the selected youth delegates and encouraged them to uphold the values of discipline, unity, cultural pride, and national responsibility, highlighting the role of youth as future leaders aligned with national development goals.
On the occasion, Shri Prakash Adhikari, Adhyaksh, Zila Parishad, South Andaman, also addressed the youth, emphasizing the importance of capacity building, skill development, and leadership qualities in shaping a confident and socially responsible young generation.
The event was further graced by the presence of Shri Biswanath Sen, Assistant Director, Sports & Youth Affairs, and Shri Sukhranjan Biswas, Joint Director, MY Bharat, Sri Vijaya Puram, who reaffirmed institutional support for youth empowerment in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.