Mumbai :- A group of 45 youths from the State of Punjab visiting Maharashtra as part of ‘Yuva Sangam’ initiative started by the Prime Minister interacted with Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais at Raj Bhavan Mumbai on Tue (9 May).
Welcoming the students to Maharashtra, Governor Bais said Maharashtra and Punjab have shared a long tradition of spiritual and cultural exchanges and close cooperation during the nation’s freedom movement. 
He said even though the two States are separated geographically by a distance of more than 1500 kms, Maharashtra and Punjab are sister States.
The Governor said Sant Namdev travelled to Punjab from Maharashtra while the 10th Guru of Sikhism Guru Gobind Singh spent some years of his life in Maharashtra’s Nanded.
The Governor said Maharashtra and Punjab have given the nation great warriors and revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Rajguru. He said a large number of youths from Maharashtra and Punjab serve the nation by joining the armed forces. The Governor called upon the youths from Punjab to acquire modern education and skills, stay away from addictions and serve the nation through their chosen fields.
The Governor asked the youths to visit the country and appreciate the diversity of cuisine, language and culture of the various States.
The youths visiting Maharashtra told the Governor about their experiences and how they liked the cuisine and culture of the State.
The visit of the youths from Punjab to Maharashtra is being coordinated by IIT Bombay. The exposure tour is aimed at providing the youths an immersive, multidimensional experience in the areas of Tourism, Tradition, Development, Technology and People to People contact.
Chairman of All India Council of Technical Education Prof. T G Sitharam, Director of IIT Bombay Subhasis Choudhury, ‘Yuva Sangam’ coordinator Prof Manjesh Hanaval, Prof Surendra Naik, IIT Registrar Ganesh Bhorkade, Faculty Members of NIT Jalandhar and the youths were present.
Thirty five youths from Maharashtra and 10 from Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman-Diu are also travelling to NIT Jalandhar as part of the Yuva Sangam Programme launched by the Prime Minister. The programme envisages participation of 1000 youngsters from 23 States and Union Territories of India.
