Imphal: On December 20, the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Manipur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ program. This agreement, effective immediately and valid for three years with the possibility of a three-year extension by mutual consent, includes various activities such as cultural exchange programs.
During the signing ceremony in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, Manipur’s Commissioner for Art and Culture, M. Joy Singh, emphasized the importance of the state’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing performances like Thougal Jagoi and Thang Ta. The event was organized by Uttar Pradesh’s Department of Tourism and Culture and attended by State Culture and Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, along with other officials, including Uttar Pradesh’s Higher Education Minister, Yogendra Upadhyay.
The ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ initiative aims to foster interaction and understanding among people from different states and Union Territories through a pairing system. The program promotes sustained cultural connections in areas such as language, traditions, music, tourism, cuisine, sports, and the sharing of best practices. Officials noted that the spirit of mutual understanding, rooted in a shared history, contributes to a unique unity in diversity, essential for nation-building. In today’s world, where technology has made communication easier, establishing cultural exchanges is seen as vital for enhancing human connections and fostering a collective national identity.