SEATTLE– A 10-member student delegation from Montana returned from a two-week cultural exchange in India, sharing glowing impressions of their journey during a special welcome reception hosted by Governor Greg Gianforte at the State Capitol in Helena. The visit, facilitated by the newly established Indian Consulate in Seattle, highlighted the growing importance of people-to-people ties between the United States and India, particularly among young leaders.
At the reception, students described their experiences to an audience that included scholars, media representatives, and business leaders. Their itinerary spanned India’s rich heritage and diverse culture, with stops at the Rath Yatra in Odisha, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the ISKCON Temple in Vrindavan, the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, and Lucknow’s Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza.
Jason Smith, who led the delegation and serves on the Board of Directors of the Montana World Affairs Council, called the trip transformative. “I have always found my time in India to be magical. The people are warm and wonderful — the sights, the sounds are so unique. There’s no place like it on Planet Earth,” he said. “It is really important for our young delegation to spend time with their peers and to learn firsthand that there is more that unites us than makes us different.”
The students were chosen through competitive outreach programs across multiple Montana school districts, culminating in the Indian Film Festival at the University of Montana in Missoula earlier this year.
Their trip also included interactions with senior officials at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, visits to top educational institutions such as KIIT/KISS in Odisha and CMS in Lucknow, and peer exchanges with students in Lucknow and Bhubaneswar. Workshops on Indian arts and culture added further depth to the experience.
The Consulate General of India in Seattle partnered with the Montana World Affairs Council to organize the visit, underscoring the importance of youth-driven cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties. (Source: IANS)
