Solan: A 44-member delegation from Orissa which included 40 students and four faculty from different higher educational institutions in Orissa undertook a week-long cultural exchange of Himachal Pradesh. The programme aimed to enhance interaction and promote mutual understanding between people of different states. Activities to promote a sustained and structured cultural connect in the areas of language, culture, traditions and music, tourism and cuisine, sports and sharing of best practices, etc., were held under this programme. Earlier, a student delegation from Himachal had also undertaken a similar visit to Orissa.
On the last day of the exposure tour, the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni gave a rousing welcome to the delegation at the campus on Wednesday evening. To apprise the students about the cultural heritage of the state, the university’s student-led ‘Srijan’ arts club presented a cultural programme for the delegation at the Open Air Theatre. The song and dance items depicting the cultural heritage of Himachal were thoroughly enjoyed by the visiting students who in turn also gave a few performances of their own.
Addressing the gathering Vice Chancellor Prof Rajeshwar Singh Chandel thanked the Central University of Himachal Pradesh for allowing the university to host the delegation. He said that the connection between the people from the mountains and the seas will strengthen the bonds for future collaboration between the two states which were rich in tradition and culture. He urged the students in the delegation to share their experiences and create awareness about the cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh in their state.
Prof SP Bansal, Vice Chancellor of Central University of Himachal Pradesh also took part in the programme virtually. He said that the exchange will help to enhance cooperation between different states and enable people to people connect. He said that the programme has given a multi-dimensional exposure under five broad areas – Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions), Pragati (Development) and Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect), Prodyogiki (Technology).
All the statutory officers, faculty from Central University, along with students from UHF attended the programme.