Governor flags-in youth team after National Integration Tour across India
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 13 2026: Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, along with the First Lady, today visited the HQ 9 Sector Assam Rifles at New Keithelmanbi Garrison and flagged in a 24-member youth team from diverse communities across the State.

The team, comprising youths from Imphal, Thoubal, and Kangpokpi districts, had just completed a 10-day National Integration Tour under Operation Sadbhavana, flagged off on March 3 by Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh.

The tour showcased India's cultural diversity, heritage, and technological progress under the "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" initiative.

Governor flags-in youth team after National Integration Tour across India

Starting in Kolkata, participants experienced communal harmony during a Ramadan Iftar at Zakaria Street, a ferry ride on the Hooghly River, and visits to Howrah Bridge and Millennium Park.

They then traveled to Thiruvananthapuram, where they called on Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, explored the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Vizhinjam Lighthouse, Kbvalam Beach, Pangode Military Station, and Priyadarshini Planetarium.

The journey continued to Kanyakumari for views of the southernmost tip of mainland India and Vivekananda Rock Memorial, before heading to Mumbai to witness the city's vibrancy via local trains, Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Marine Drive, and Bandra Wotli Sea Link.

It concluded back in Kolkata with an interaction at Command Headquarters, Eastern Command.

Brigadier Pratyush Kumar, DIG, 9 Sector Assam Rifles, welcomed the Governor, with the ceremony attended by senior officials from Assam Rifles (South) and Manipur Police, along with parents and participants.

Addressing the gathering, Ajay Kumar Bhalla highlighted how the tour broadened the youths' perspectives on India's cultural mosaic and intercommunity harmony.

"Such exposure strengthens national unity and inspires you to share these experiences with peers and communities", he said, expressing confidence that the lessons would motivate them to contribute to a developed India by 2047.He commended Assam Rifles for the initiative, emphasized encouraging girl participants as agents of social transformation, and appealed to all to promote unity and harmony across Manipur.

The participants shared their enriching experiences and expressed gratitude to the Assam Rifles.

The Governor also interacted personally with the team.