The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and NSS Regional Directorate, Chandigarh, in collaboration with National Service Scheme, Chitkara University, Punjab, organised a National Integration Camp at Chitkara University, Punjab from May 20 to 26.
The camp saw 200 volunteers coming in from 9 different States and Union territories. The camp began by a grand inaugural ceremony which was graced by the benign presence of Prof. Arvind, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, as the Chief Guest and various other dignitaries. Throughout the week, the volunteers were given expert sessions by prominent personalities of their domains. The mornings were given a religious start by peaceful Prabhat Pheris and each evening was made enjoyable by traditional dance performances and cultural heritage display by all states.
The volunteers were also taken for field visits to Pinjore, Chandigarh and the holy city Amritsar, where they witnessed the best of Punjab and Haryana’s heritage places.The week ended on the highest scale when everyone gathered for the valedictory ceremony. The ceremony witnessed the esteemed presence of Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor, Chitkara University, Punjab, and Harinder Kaur, Regional Director, NSS, Chandigarh. The valedictory saw the best of performances from all the states and ended with the felicitation of the dignitaries, volunteers and the Programme officers.
Dr. Madhu Chitkara congratulated the attendees and saluted their spirit of contribution and on the occasion said: “It feels wonderful to see a reflection of Mini India at this camp. Chitkara family is delighted to host you all”.
The ceremony saw happy faces but also sad at the same time, not wanting to go home after becoming a part of this huge family just for a few days! Thus, the camp was able to achieve its truest goal, of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat.’
