Asian Games medallists, young academic achievers and digital creators were honoured at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi on 10 October as Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asked young people to take a more active role in community work. The MY Bharat Youth Convention was held at Swatantrata Bhavan, according to the ministry's official account released on Saturday evening.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organised the gathering through Mera Yuva Bharat, known as MY Bharat. Uttar Pradesh Youth Welfare and Sports Minister Girish Chandra Yadav and Union Youth Affairs Secretary Sunil Paliwal attended. Cricketer Dhruv Jurel and Hanuman Ansh director Vishal Chaturvedi also interacted with participants.
Mandaviya linked the gathering to the government's Viksit Bharat 2047 programme. He said young people should participate in shaping the country's future and contribute to the communities around them. He told the gathering: “Viksit Bharat must be shaped by the youth, for the youth and through the youth.” The minister argued that sustained local efforts can matter even when they start on a small scale.
Sporting and academic achievers recognised
The athletes felicitated at the convention included Rohit Yadav, Prachi Choudhary, Parul Choudhary, Jay Kumar and Raj Kumar Pal. The ministry described them as Asian Games medallists. Their recognition formed part of a programme that brought sporting achievement into the same room as academic success and creative work.
Jurel spoke with participants about his experience in cricket. According to the official account, his interaction focused on commitment, discipline and perseverance in sport. His participation gave the convention a direct sporting connection alongside the felicitation of athletes who had represented India at the Asian Games.
The programme also recognised students who had cleared the Joint Entrance Examination and gained admission to IIT (BHU). By bringing academic and sporting achievers together, the organisers sought to encourage peer learning and draw more young people into community initiatives, according to the official account.
The creators honoured included Prajwal Prajapati, Abhishek Chaurasiya, Amit Kumar Gautam, Harsh Gupta, Shivam Pandey, Suryanshu Shukla, Saurabh Chandra, Bhim Yadav, Shivaditya, Dishu Khanna and Aditya Maurya. The ministry linked their recognition to creative expression and youth engagement. Mandaviya urged young people with a digital audience to use that influence responsibly and support constructive social activity.
Music and performances accompanied the interactions. Chaturvedi discussed creative expression and cultural storytelling, while Sadhu Tiwari, associated with Hanuman Ansh, performed. MY Bharat volunteers presented folk music, a street play and folk dance, according to the ministry.
Community work beyond the convention
Mandaviya also referred to the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign. He asked young people to spread awareness about substance abuse and involve their communities in prevention. He described substance abuse as a threat to young people's potential and family well-being, and called for awareness work and positive choices. This was an appeal for participation in an existing campaign.
For readers interested in the wider programme, the official MY Bharat information page describes a platform run by the Department of Youth Affairs. Launched on 31 October 2023, it connects young people with volunteering, practical learning, mentoring and leadership opportunities. These are ongoing services rather than facilities newly opened at Saturday's convention.
The portal's public guidance tells users to register with an email address or phone number, complete the required details and look for events by location. Its main page addresses young citizens aged 15 to 29. A reader should check the conditions of the specific opportunity they choose rather than assume every listing has identical eligibility.
For students looking at other developments on the campus, Dalimss News has separately reported on BHU's current Ph.D. admission calendar and IIT (BHU)'s highway-research partnership.
The platform also offers a free CV builder and ways to record participation through digital badges and certificates, according to its programme information. These facilities can help a volunteer keep a record of practical experience. Availability and conditions still depend on the individual activity rather than attendance at the BHU convention.
