SEIL@60, Mission Sahasi and ‘Screen Time to Activity Time’

Campaigns Presented

Student Representation in Senate, Hostel Expansion and

AI-Driven Academic Infrastructure Among Key Recommendations for Punjab

University

Lucknow, 24 June (HS): A delegation of the Akhil Bharatiya

Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), led by National President Prof. Raghuraj Kishore

Tiwari and National General Secretary Dr. Virendra Singh Solanki, paid a

courtesy visit to the Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan. This was the

first formal interaction between an ABVP delegation and the Vice President

after he assumed office. The delegation extended its congratulations and best

wishes on his new responsibility. During the meeting, detailed and constructive

discussions were held on the role of youth in nation-building, contemporary

issues related to higher education, and various initiatives and campaigns being

undertaken by ABVP across the country.

The delegation elaborated on ABVP’s organizational

expansion, its movements for student welfare, and the constructive

participation of students in various spheres of national life. The Vice

President was informed that ABVP’s flagship programme, Students’ Experience in

Interstate Living (SEIL), is completing 60 years of service. Over the past six

decades, the programme has played a significant role in strengthening emotional

integration, cultural dialogue, and national harmony among students from

different regions of India, particularly between the North-East and the rest of

the country.

The delegation also highlighted the growing challenge of

digital dependency among youth and shared details of ABVP’s “Screen Time to

Activity Time” campaign. The initiative seeks to encourage students to move

beyond excessive screen usage and actively engage in sports, physical

activities, social responsibility, and other constructive pursuits. Information

regarding several upcoming national campaigns and programmes was also shared.

The delegation outlined nationwide initiatives centered on the 350th Martyrdom

Anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the 650th Birth Anniversary of Sant

Ravidas Ji, and the extraordinary contribution of Veerangana Rani Abbakka.

Additionally, ABVP’s flagship women’s safety and empowerment initiative,

Mission Sahasi, was discussed, with the delegation noting that more than one

million female students have already received self-defence training under the

programme. Plans to relaunch the next phase of Mission Sahasi on a nationwide

scale were also shared.

As a major point of discussion, several important issues

related to Punjab University were placed before the Vice President. The

delegation emphasized the need to ensure representation for elected student

representatives in the University Senate, expansion of hostel infrastructure in

proportion to the growing student population, and regular and time-bound

appointments to vacant faculty positions. The need for establishing a

state-of-the-art centre dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging

technologies was also highlighted. Furthermore, the delegation advocated for

the establishment of Yoga and Mindfulness Centres, along with a Student Welfare

and Mental Health Support Centre staffed by permanent counsellors, to promote

holistic student development and strengthen mental well-being on campus.

ABVP National General Secretary Dr. Virendra Singh Solanki

said,The meeting with the Hon’ble Vice President was highly meaningful

and inspiring. We had extensive discussions on ABVP’s diverse organizational

initiatives, the completion of 60 years of SEIL, the ‘Screen Time to Activity

Time’ campaign, Mission Sahasi, and several issues related to the holistic

development of students and their positive role in national life. Important

concerns related to Punjab University were also raised prominently. These

included student representation in the University Senate, expansion of hostel

facilities, regular appointments to vacant teaching positions, establishment of

a centre for Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, and the need

for Yoga and Mindfulness Centres to support students’ mental health. ABVP

firmly believes that higher educational institutions must ensure a quality

academic environment, adequate student facilities, and a participatory and

transparent administrative framework. We are confident that this constructive

dialogue with the Vice President will provide renewed momentum to student

welfare, youth empowerment, national rejuvenation, and the resolution of

important issues concerning Punjab University.

The delegation also included ABVP National Joint Organising

Secretary S. Balakrishna, National Secretaries Kshama Sharma, Payal Kinake, Aditya

Takiyar, former Delhi University Students’ Union Secretary Mitravrinda Karnwal

and Punjab University Students’ Union President Gauravveer Sohal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi