IMPHAL, Dec 20: The Governments of Uttar Pradesh and Manipur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday for the implementation of the “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” initiative. The signing ceremony took place at Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, and was organized by the Department of Tourism & Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The event was attended by Uttar Pradesh’s Minister of Culture & Tourism, Jayveer Singh; Minister of Higher Education, Yogendra Upadhyay; and Principal Secretary (Tourism & Culture), Mikesh Kumar Meshram. Representing the Government of Manipur were M. Joy Singh, IAS, Commissioner (Art & Culture), and G. Dharmadas Sharma, Deputy Director (Programme), Art & Culture, while Uttar Pradesh was represented by Ravindra Kumar, Special Secretary (Culture).
Following the signing of the MoU, M. Joy Singh delivered a speech highlighting the significance of the collaboration. The ceremony also featured cultural performances from Manipur, including the “Thougal Jagoi” and “Thang Ta” traditional art forms.
The MoU, effective from the date of signing, will remain valid for three years and may be extended for an additional three years with mutual written consent from both states. It encompasses various activities, including cultural exchange programs aimed at fostering mutual understanding and promoting cultural ties between the two states.
The initiative aligns with the broader goals of “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” to strengthen the unity and integrity of India through cultural and educational collaborations.
