Jyotsna Chahal, Nahan, Himachal Pradesh:Nihao…That was the most memorable day of my life when I got a telephone call from ministry saying I have been nominated for the inclusion in the Indian Youth Delegation to China. I got the opportunity to be the member of 100- youth delegation to visit China. The moment was memorable because it was my first ever trip to abroad. I reached Delhi on 3rd May 2007. Then the orientation programme started at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi and to my surprise every delegate was the best from his/her field……so much diversity….some academicians….sports persons…people from dance and folk….media persons….. people from fashion world….social workers….young entrepreneurs….it was actually a true example of.….unity in diversity. Two days at Vigyan Bhawan were very informative as I got to know about Chinese culture, history and lifestyle and most importantly some Chinese phrases which proved very helpful during the visit in China and believe me it was so much thrill to learn a foreign language and that too Chinese in one day.
Formally our journey started on 7th June, 2007 early in the morning to the capital of China, Beijing. At first we have visited technological and Economic Zone of China and I was thrawled by seeing their rapid and continuous economic growth. During the visit, I got the opportunity of attending formal banquet with the secretary of the secretariat, but because it was my first formal banquet so I enjoyed and learned as well. I also got the opportunity to visit and be a core group member at The Great Hall of People. (Chinese parliament) It was such a great experience as all 15 core group members shared their work experiences with the president. Another breathtaking experience was to visit The Great Wall of China. I always thought of whether I would be able to ever visit any one out of seven wonders. But then it was just a dream come true when I went to visit Great Wall of China.
During the visit, we have not visited the rural areas of china although I visited the most modern village of world, named huaxi. It is developed as modern village with 1 to 10 million per capita income of each household living in this village and owns a villa to live. I must congratulate China government to have a village like Huaxi on which I think every Chinese would be proud. Not only Chinese but every person who has visited the place.
Last but not the least, I would like to thank the officers e.g. Mr. S.K.Arora, (Secretary-MoYAS) Mrs. Aditi Mehta, (Joint Secretary- Panchayati Raj) Mr. S.K.Ratho, (Director, MoYAS) Mr. Yogender Chaudhry, (Executive Director-NYKS) Mr. Mukul Chatterji, (Director-MoYAS) without them this trip would not be as successful as it was. I would like to give my special thanks to our minister sir, Mr. M.S.Aiyar, who has assured the participation of each member of delegation by giving opportunity to be in the Core Group and gave us the opportunity to share our experiences on our work and sharing our vision on youth development with Chinese youth. For me, a girl from middle class family, it was really an experience which cannot be put into words.