Chief Secretary, UT Chandigarh Interacts with Participants of 17th Tribal Youth Exchange Programme
The Voice of Chandigarh
An interactive session between officials of the Chandigarh Administration and participants of the 17th Tribal Youth Exchange Programme was held at the U.T. Guest House, Sector 6, Chandigarh. The session was chaired by H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS, Chief Secretary, Chandigarh, who hosted the visiting youth from Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh for a high tea and open dialogue.
During the interaction, the Chief Secretary and senior officers of the Administration responded to questions raised by the tribal students and guided them on various aspects of personal growth and career opportunities. The discussions covered a range of topics including education, pollution control, fitness, and civil services preparation strategies.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Diprava Lakra, IAS, Secretary Finance; Prerna Puri, IAS, Secretary Education; Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh; Swapnil M. Naik, IAS, Secretary Hospitality; Abhijit Vijay Chaudhari, IAS, Secretary Vigilance; and Pardeep Kumar, IAS, Secretary Agriculture; and Hari Kallikkat, IAS, Secretary, I.T.
Responding to questions from participants, Chief Secretary, H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS, shared personal insights from his experiences across various regions of India, describing the unique beauty of places like Jammu & Kashmir and Chandigarh. He emphasized that every goal begins with a positive mindset and shared his approach to maintaining fitness through consistency and the “21-day rule.” Encouraging the youth to stay motivated and disciplined, he advised them to cultivate curiosity, perseverance, and purpose in all pursuits.
Other officers also shared valuable perspectives during the session. Diprava Lakra, IAS, advised the students to remain focused on their studies while staying aware of their surroundings and sensitive towards environmental issues. Pardeep Kumar, IAS, highlighted Chandigarh’s sustainability initiatives such as electric buses and green infrastructure, stressing the importance of public participation in environmental conservation. Prerna Puri, IAS, underlined that while Chandigarh offers excellent educational opportunities, determination and self-discipline remain the true keys to success. Hari Kallikkat, IAS, urged the youth to adopt a progressive mindset, use the internet effectively for learning, and focus on clear communication in both Hindi and English for greater global engagement.
As part of the day’s activities, around 200 tribal youth also visited Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, and Bird Park, where they experienced the city’s culture, natural beauty, and environmental initiatives.
The event concluded with expressions of gratitude from the participants, who appreciated the Administration’s efforts for organizing such an inspiring and enriching interaction that provided valuable guidance for their future aspirations.
Also present on the occasion were Sorabh Kumar Arora, PCS, Director Sports; Rajiv Tewari, Director Public Relations; Vinay Kapoor, District Youth Officer, MY Bharat, Chandigarh; and other officials of the Chandigarh Administration.
