• 76th Republic Day of India
Brought by geography, culture, and history, Nepal and India share another profound connection: a youthful population. With a median age of around 28 in India, and 25 in Nepal, both nations are uniquely positioned to harness the potential of their youth to drive innovation, economic growth, and regional collaboration. Several existing initiatives already provide a strong foundation for fostering this partnership, but strengthening these programmes could unlock even greater possibilities for mutual progress.
One such programme is the India-Nepal Youth Exchange Programme (YEP), which promotes cultural understanding and people-to-people connections between young leaders of the two nations. While this initiative has facilitated dialogue, its scope could include skill-sharing workshops, joint community projects, and mentorship programmes in entrepreneurship and climate action. For instance, including sessions on sustainable development or startup incubation could enhance the participants' skills and create a network of changemakers committed to solving regional challenges.
Selected National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets participate in YEP, which facilitates country-to-country exchanges among cadets from NCC and equivalent government youth organisations of friendly countries. This programme allows cadets to engage in various activities hosted by the partner country, fostering increased awareness and appreciation of each other's socio-economic and cultural realities.
The Gandhi-Nepal Youth Awards, which recognise outstanding Nepali students and professionals excelling in India, exemplify how bilateral relationships can be celebrated and strengthened. Building on this platform, these awards could be extended to include categories like innovation, social impact, and cultural contributions, encouraging young people to excel in diverse fields while deepening ties between the two nations. Pairing award recipients with mentors or funding opportunities could further amplify
their impact.
Similarly, the SAARC Youth Charter, which provides a regional framework for youth collaboration, could be reinvigorated with India and Nepal taking the lead. The charter could be transformed into an action-oriented platform by focussing on regional issues like climate change, migration, and education. Joint youth-led initiatives under this banner could focus on projects such as reforestation in the Himalayas or developing educational technology tailored to underserved communities, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and achievement.
In education, existing scholarship programmes for Nepali students in India have already created a robust academic bridge between the two nations. Thousands of Nepali students benefit annually from opportunities at Indian universities, but these programmes could be further enhanced. For example, expanding scholarships to include technical and vocational training in sectors like renewable energy, IT, and tourism would align with the economic priorities of both nations. Joint degree programmes or research collaborations between universities in India and Nepal could also foster innovation in addressing regional challenges.
The entrepreneurial ecosystems in both countries offer another avenue for collaboration. India's Startup India initiative, known for nurturing young entrepreneurs, could inspire a cross-border framework to connect startup hubs in Nepal with resources, mentorship, and funding from India. Such collaborations could focus on areas like agritech, clean energy, and digital health - sectors critical to the shared future of both nations. A joint Innovation Fund could provide seed funding to cross-border startups, encouraging young entrepreneurs to work on solutions that benefit both societies.
Sports and culture, too, offer opportunities for deepening youth collaboration. The success of Indian sports leagues like the IPL and ISL could inspire Nepal to build similar platforms, with India providing training and infrastructural support. Joint sports academies could also nurture talent, particularly in areas where both nations excel, such as cricket, football, and mountaineering.
On the cultural front, initiatives like cross-border film festivals, collaborative music projects, and art residencies could create new avenues for young artists to showcase their work while fostering mutual appreciation and understanding.
Scholarships play a crucial role in enhancing youth collaboration and educational exchange between India and Nepal, rooted in a long-standing partnership. The Indian government offers around 1,500 scholarships annually to Nepali nationals, benefiting over 27,000 students since 2006. These schemes cover a wide range of educational levels, from Class VI to PhD, and encompass diverse fields such as Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, and the Arts. Key initiatives include the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship Scheme for high school students in Nepal, and the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme for undergraduate courses like MBBS and engineering.
Additionally, prominent ICCR schemes like the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme enable Nepali students to pursue higher education in prestigious Indian universities. This cultural and geographical proximity has made India a second home for many Nepali students, with scholarship programmes serving as a vital medium for fulfilling educational aspirations and fostering a network of young leaders equipped to address regional challenges.
