Youth exchange programme |13 January 2024

Seychelles’ youth delegation bound for India

A group of 10 young Seychellois, aged between 18 and 22 years, will depart Seychelles next Monday, January 15, bound for India for the National Cadet Corps (NCC) youth exchange programme, coinciding with India’s Republic Day celebrations.

This is the third consecutive time Seychelles’ youth takes part in the exchange programme run by NCC, which is the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces initiative.

During their stay, participants will visit places of cultural importance like the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra, Qutub Minar in New Delhi and several other historical sites in Delhi and Jaipur. They will also meet Indian dignitaries namely the Indian Prime Minister and Defence Minister.

They will also take part in the Prime Minister’s Rally during the Republic Day Parade along with Indian cadets and other foreign participants from over 20 countries.

In addition to the ten youths and two supervisors, this time around the NCC has also invited the chief executive of the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), Albert Duncan, and the director for Empowerment and Youth Wellbeing, Freddy Mederic, who will be travelling to India from January 23 to 29, to join in the celebrations.

In a sending off ceremony held yesterday afternoon at the headquarters of the Indian High Commission, Maison Esplanade, a member of the youth delegation received their airline tickets, from the Indian High Commissioner, Kartik Pande, as well as backpacks and jackets from Mr Duncan.

Mr Pande shared that while in Delhi, they will interact with other youth delegations from 25 countries. The Seychellois youth will have the opportunity to share Seychelles’ history, life and culture while learning from other delegates.

Mr Pande said yesterday’s gathering was also taking place on a special day in India’s history as they celebrate the birth anniversary of one of the most influential philosophers and social reformers in his contemporary India, Swami Vivekananda, whom he described as “a great man and a great believer in the power of youth”.

He added the youth exchange programme was one of the best bilateral programmes because it is youth-centric. Furthermore, India and Seychelles have always had a warm and cordial relationship and recalled a visit to India by the Seychelles’ Foreign and Tourism Minister, Sylvestre Radegonde in November 2023, where a bilateral memorandum of understanding on Youth and Sports was signed.

For his part, CEO Duncan said, “This cultural exchange visit is more than just a trip; it is a bridge between nations, a gateway to mutual understanding and respect,” where every culture adds unique threads of knowledge, perspective, and wisdom.

He noted the opportunity to learn from another culture is a privilege that broadens the horizons, deepens understanding and enriches the global perspective.

Mr Duncan added that the youths’ journey does not end upon their return on January 29; it is just the beginning. “You are the carriers of new knowledge, experiences, and insights. Share these with your community.”

The event was capped off by a cultural performance and a vote of thanks from Joshua Freminot, a member of the youth delegation.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the sending off ceremony.

Sunny Esparon

Photos by Joena Meme