SRINAGAR: Indira Gandhi National Open University is celebrating “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)” under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav which is an initiative taken by Govt. of India, commencing from 12th March Regional Centre 2021, by Prime Minister of India to start a 75 week countdown to our 75th Anniversary of Independence Day of Nation which will conclude on 15th August 2022.
The Prime Minister of India announced “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)” on the occasion of the 140th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The mission Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is to celebrate the Unity in diversity of our nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our country, to promote the spirit of National Integration through a deep and structured engagement between all Indian State and Union Territories through a yearlong planned engagement between states. The objectives of the programme is to celebrate the idea of India as a Nation wherein different cultural units across varied geographies coalesce and interact with each other, this glorious manifestation of diverse cultural activities unified the national Identity of diverse states and Union territories in the form of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)”.
Regional Centre Madurai organized the event jointly with Regional Centre Srinagar, Regional Centre Chennai & Regional Centre Jammu on 13.03.2022 through virtual mode. The presidential address was delivered by Sr. Regional Director, Madurai Dr. M. Shanmugam, the function of the programme was started with IGNOU Kulgeet i.e the People’s University followed by a welcome address by Asstt. Regional Director, REGIONAL CENTRE Madurai Dr. G. Anbalagan, inaugural address by Prof. Jitendra Srivastav, Nodal Officer EBSB, IGNOU, special address by Dr. K. PanneerSelvam Sr. RD, Regional Centre Chennai, felicitation address by Dr. Vikram Singh, RD Jammu and overview about the programme was presented by Dr. Kamlesh Meena, Regional Director, Srinagar.
IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar has participated in the event in presence of Regional Director, Dr. Kamlesh Meena. The four participants who have represented the culture, tradition, tourism, festivity and norms of Kashmir valley by enlightened the features of kashmiriyat in the celebrations of kashmiri traditional food Wazwan, use of kangri and Pheran with view of traditional, rituals of Kashmir valley. The participants have differently presented the all norms and customs of Kashmir valley. One of the presenters, Rahila Rashid, pursuing MPS from Regional Centre Srinagar has depicted the history of kashmiri culture through her deliberation via virtual mode. The second presenter Dr. Mehar has presented the kashmiri food and kashmiri tradition especially the use of kangri, shup and crewel craft. Third presenter Furhan Ahmad presented kashmiri culture through power point presentation with composition of cultural features of Kashmir valley.
The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, aims to actively enhance interaction between people of diverse cultures living in different States and UTs in India, with the objective of promoting greater mutual understanding amongst them. It was launched as an initiative to boost the cultural connection between the states and union territories of the country. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar Dr. Kamlesh Meena extended gratitude to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Nageshwar Rao Sir, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Srikant Mohapatra & Director, RSD Dr. U.C. Pandey organized such an outstanding programme based on cultural, traditional, customs and linguistic connectivity of diversifying states and Union Territories with nations under the title of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) under the initiative of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Regional Director, REGIONAL CENTRE Srinagar expressed heartily thanks to Sr. Regional Director, Regional Centre Madurai Dr. M. Shanmugam, Nodal officer of the programme Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, Director International Division Prof Jitendra Kumar Srivastava, RD Chennai Dr. K. Pannerselvan RD Jammu Dr. Vikram Singh and all academics of respective Regional Centres and IGNOU participants/learners. Dr. Kamlesh Meena said, that this programme was participated by 120 participants from both the states Tamil Nadu & Jammu & Kashmir, Prof. Jitendre Kumar Srivastava, Director Internal Division & Nodal Officer EBSB, IGNOU virtually connected from IGNOU Hqrs New Delhi. The purpose of the programme was specially meant to unite the Indian states and Union Territories from Kashmir to Kanyakumari by sharing cultural, traditional, customs, rituals, linguistic views and tourist destinations through this event. This is the real spirit of National Integration through a deep and structured engagement between all states and Union Territories to showcase the rich heritage and culture, customs & traditions of either states for enabling people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of common identity (INDIA).

Press Trust of India