Owing to its rich culture and history, it is very essential that no citizen of India has a feeling of 'stranger in a strange land' when they visit any state or UT across India. Therefore, establishing cultural and traditional exchanges between India's citizens is crucial for overall bonding and nation-building.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme, administered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, was introduced to promote the same. 

Continue reading this article to know what this Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme is.

The Prime Minister of India implemented Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme in October 2015. This scheme was brought into action to enhance the bonding and understanding between the UTs and states. 

All UTs and states are a part of this scheme. Under this scheme, a pairing of UTs or states at a national level will take place, which will be effective for a year or till further pairing. However, pairings at the district level will not depend on the pairings at the state level.

Through the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme of 2015, the residents will experience the diversity of different UTs and states. This will be possible owing to the exchange of tourism, culture, language, trade, education, etc.

The primary objectives of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat yojana are to Celebrate, Promote, Showcase, Establish and Create unity in diversification in the various UTs and states of India.

• Celebrate unity in the diversity of India and strengthen and maintain the existing traditional bonds between the country’s citizens.
• Promote the idea of national unification by establishing long-term engagements between the states.
• Showcase India's rich and traditional heritage so that citizens can appreciate and understand the same. This will further foster a sense of a common identity within the citizens of India.
• Establishing long-term engagements between states and union territories.
• Creating an environment where the citizens can learn about the experiences and practices of different UTs and states.

There are several activities under this scheme. Some of these activities include –

• Programs of cultural exchange between partnering UTs and states.
• Translation of a minimum of five Award-Winning Poetry and Books, folk songs of one state to the language of the partnering state.
• Exchange of poets and writers.
• Organizing culinary festivals to understand the food diversity of various UTs and states.
• Organizing educational tours for university and school students.
• Promoting homestays for visitors.
• Promoting Rajya Darshan for the tourists.
• Organize Familiarization Tours for Tour Operators of a state.
• Exposing students of one state to songs, alphabets, proverbs and hundred sentences in the language of the partnering state.
• Organizing essay writing competitions among the students in the partner state’s language.
• Organizing dramas of the partner state in the schools, colleges and universities.
• Showcasing traditional attires of the partner state.
• Promoting exposure and learning of traditional sports of partner states.
• Organizing various film festivals in partnering states with subtitles.

The benefits of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme are –

• Imbibes a feeling of brotherhood among the citizens of different UTs and states and helps to celebrate India as one nation.
• Makes people gain knowledge on modern India.
• Helps to impress people about the diversity of tradition and culture of different states.
• Eases the ‘stranger in a strange land’ feeling among individuals residing in different states, cultures and traditions across the country.
• Promotes a sense of responsibility and ownership for India as a whole.
• Helps to celebrate the unity in diversity of the country.
• Promotes establishment of mutual bonding among citizens of partner UTs and states.

The programs and activities under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme will help develop a sense of bonding and togetherness among people living in different UTs and states.