At present, India has the largest youth population in the World. According to United Nation Population Fund (UNPF) projections, India will continue to have one of the youngest populations in the world till 2030. India is experiencing a demographic window of opportunity, a “youth bulge” that will last till 2025. Every third person in an Indian city is in the age group of 21-30. Time has arrived, the young population is to be inspired, motivated and empowered to break age-old stereotypes, myths, outdated customs and conventions. Now time is to initiate the youth to steer the nation into the era of awareness, equality, spirit of tolerance, modern entrepreneurship, collective policymaking, connected societies, ethical politics and honest ways of living. National policy missions such as ‘Skill India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Make in India’& 'Swach Bharat' need to be adopted and implemented by the youth, particularly students, to participate in National Development and empowerment.

Berhampur University has always stood the test of time while contributing to the field of academics, research, collaborations, patents, co-curricular activities and sports. The Faculty members of the university have always channelized the energies of the young students into creative activities and engaged them in the noble cause of fighting against poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, corruption, intolerance and fundamentalism. All hopes are pinned on the university to build a congenial, peaceful and pollution free environment for the promotion of art, culture and aesthetics. Youth Festivals, Youth Leadership Camps, Workshops and Seminars organized by various departments of the University play a significant role in engaging the students of the University and its affiliated colleges in creative, artistic and cultural activities. While participating in Zonal, Inter-zonal and National Youth Festivals, students get an opportunity to show their talent and interact with their counterparts in other states, thus promoting the spirit of peace, tolerance, national integration, communal harmony and humanism. I congratulate all stakeholders of the University for working as a guide, guardian and mentor of the student community of this university to inspire, motivate and empower them to shape a niche for themselves and play a constructive role in national development. I wish each individual entity of the university to act as the cultural embassy /ambassador of the University. I hope this Information and Rules Booklet will be helpful for different participating Universities and affiliated colleges of the East Zone. I extend my good wishes for the success of all programs and projects of the festival “UMANG-2024” aimed at promoting cultural ethos, value based living, social engineering to make students the smart citizens of a smart India.

Warm regards,

Prof. Geetanjali Dash

Vice-Chancellor