Vande Mataram Camp 2026: 150 youths from 6 states unite in Gandhinagar
Synopsis
One hundred and fifty young Indians from six states and a Union Territory have gathered in Gandhinagar for a seven-day Vande Mataram Camp, blending cultural exchange with governance literacy — from district collector interactions to Science City visits. It is a window into how MY Bharat is operationalising the 'Viksit Bharat' vision at the grassroots.
Key Takeaways
150 youths from Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Kerala, Bihar and the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are attending the camp.
The Vande Mataram Camp runs from 22 to 28 October 2026 at the Heartfulness Meditation Centre, Adalaj, Gandhinagar .
Inaugurated by Minister of State Rivaba Jadeja , who led sessions on 'Viksit Bharat', good governance, and the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative.
Participants will meet the district collector and visit the Governor's residence on 24 October for governance exposure.
Educational visits to Science City and Sabarmati are planned to highlight Gujarat's heritage.
Around 150 young participants from six states and one Union Territory have converged at Adalaj, Gandhinagar for a seven-day Vande Mataram Camp focused on national unity, cultural exchange, and awareness of governance and nation-building. The camp, running from 22 to 28 October 2026, is being hosted by MY Bharat, Gandhinagar at the Heartfulness Meditation Centre.
Inauguration and Key Figures
The camp was inaugurated on Thursday, 22 October by Minister of State for Primary, Secondary and Adult Education, Rivaba Jadeja. The opening ceremony featured a collective rendition of 'Vande Mataram' by all participants, followed by a cultural dance performance by delegates from Kerala, underscoring India's regional diversity.
Also present at the inauguration were Gujarat State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Dharmishtha Gajjar, MY Bharat Gujarat director Sachin Sharma, assistant director Shreyansh Singh, and deputy director Pankaj Yadav.
Who Is Participating and Where They Come From
The participating youths represent Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Kerala, and Bihar, as well as the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The programme is designed to foster mutual understanding and a shared sense of national identity across geographically and culturally diverse regions.
What the Camp Covers
Minister Jadeja held an interactive session with participants covering the significance of the national song, the vision of 'Viksit Bharat', good governance principles, national development policies, and the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' tree-planting initiative. She urged the young attendees to become responsible citizens and actively contribute to sustainable national development.
According to the District Youth Officer of MY Bharat, Gandhinagar, the camp aims to nurture informed, capable, and responsible youth through a blend of cultural activities, interactive dialogue, and field visits.
Educational Visits and Upcoming Activities
On 24 October, participants are scheduled to visit the Governor's residence and interact with the district collector to gain firsthand understanding of governance and administrative processes. Educational visits to Science City and the Sabarmati riverfront are also planned to acquaint participants with Gujarat's scientific, educational, and historical heritage.
This comes amid a broader national push to engage young citizens in governance literacy and cultural cohesion, with MY Bharat serving as a key platform under the government's youth outreach framework. The camp concludes on 28 October 2026, with organisers hoping the cross-regional exchange will leave a lasting impression on participants' civic engagement.
Point of View
On its face, a cultural exchange exercise — but it is also a soft-governance initiative, embedding 'Viksit Bharat' messaging and administrative exposure into the youth experience. MY Bharat's use of the Heartfulness Meditation Centre as a venue and the structured interaction with a district collector signal an attempt to fuse civic education with national identity building. Whether such camps translate into durable civic engagement or remain symbolic gestures depends on whether participants receive follow-up opportunities to apply what they learn. The absence of outcomes tracking for previous editions of similar camps is a gap worth noting.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vande Mataram Camp in Gandhinagar?
The Vande Mataram Camp is a seven-day residential youth programme organised by MY Bharat, Gandhinagar at the Heartfulness Meditation Centre in Adalaj. It brings together around 150 young participants from six states and one Union Territory to promote national unity, cultural exchange, and awareness of governance and nation-building, running from 22 to 28 October 2026.
Who inaugurated the Vande Mataram Camp 2026?
The camp was inaugurated on 22 October 2026 by Minister of State for Primary, Secondary and Adult Education, Rivaba Jadeja. She also led an interactive session covering the national song, 'Viksit Bharat', good governance, and the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative.
Which states and UTs are participating in the Gandhinagar youth camp?
Participants have come from Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Kerala, and Bihar, along with the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, totalling around 150 youths.
What activities are planned during the Vande Mataram Camp?
Activities include interactive governance sessions, a visit to the Governor's residence and a meeting with the district collector on 24 October, and educational trips to Science City and the Sabarmati riverfront to explore Gujarat's scientific and historical heritage.
What is MY Bharat and what is its role in this camp?
MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) is a government-backed youth engagement platform that organised the Vande Mataram Camp in Gandhinagar. Its stated goal is to nurture informed, responsible, and capable young citizens through cultural activities, interactive sessions, and field-based learning.
