July 19
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh’s innovative Swad Sangam initiative under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme has earned national recognition, with the Union Ministry of Education featuring the state’s activities on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The month-long Kerala-Himachal Cuisine Exchange programme was organised across 918 government schools in all 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh during June. A total of 18,656 students and 2,464 teachers participated in the initiative, which aimed to promote cultural exchange through traditional cuisines.
As part of the programme, students prepared and explored signature dishes from both states. Himachali delicacies such as Dham, Siddu and Babru were showcased alongside Kerala’s iconic Sadya, Appam and Payasam. Schools also organised food exhibitions, culinary demonstrations, tasting sessions and competitions, enabling students to learn about the traditions, culture and culinary heritage of their paired state.
The initiative forms part of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat campaign, which seeks to strengthen cultural, linguistic, educational and social ties among Indian states and Union Territories. Himachal Pradesh has been paired with Kerala under the programme to encourage deeper cultural understanding among students.
Rajesh Sharma, Director of Samagra Shiksha, described the Ministry’s recognition as a matter of pride for the state. He said such initiatives help students appreciate India’s cultural diversity while fostering national integration, mutual respect and the spirit of unity in diversity. He added that experiential learning through cultural exchange enriches students’ overall educational experience.
Varsha Sood, State Coordinator for Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, said the national appreciation received from the Ministry of Education under the guidance of Director Rajesh Sharma has given Himachal Pradesh’s efforts wider visibility and recognition across the country.
