Khandu Sends Arunachal Students on Somnath Pilgrimage

Itanagar: Chief Minister Pema Khandu flagged off a bus carrying 40 students from the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat in Itanagar on September 25. The group is headed to Somnath, Gujarat, as part of an educational and cultural exchange initiative. Art and Culture Minister Dasanglu Pul and Chief Secretary Manish Gupta attended the event.

The state Department of Art and Culture organized the trip under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Culture. Students from various universities and colleges will explore local heritage and showcase the indigenous traditions of Arunachal Pradesh. They gain exposure through this journey.

Khandu emphasized how the program fits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the nation. He said the project promotes national unity. Khandu told the media, "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" is the goal, aiming to build better cultural understanding among young people across the country.

The journey operates under the broader Somnath Swabhiman Yatra campaign. This movement connects students from different states through visits to Gujarat. Officials expect the trip to deepen knowledge of India's shared heritage while forging stronger ties between Arunachal Pradesh and the rest of the nation.