HPNLU Hosts National Youth Festival & Conclave “SWASTHYA MANTHAN 2026”

Shimla, 14 September 2026

Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla successfully hosted “SWASTHYA MANTHAN 2026: A National Youth Festival & Conclave” on 12-13 September 2026. Organised by the Youth Red Cross Society of HPNLU in accordance with the objectives of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), the two-day national event brought together students, healthcare advocates, policymakers and institutional representatives from across the country to deliberate on HIV/AIDS awareness, public health advocacy, stigma reduction and voluntary blood donation. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Shimla Parliamentary Constituency, while the valedictory ceremony was graced by Shri Kavinder Gupta, Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh, who encouraged the youth to play a proactive role in building a healthier and more informed society. The Event was organized under the leadership of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena.

The inaugural ceremony was held on 12 September 2026 and was addressed by Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap, who highlighted the importance of youth participation in public health awareness and social development initiatives. Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena formally inaugurated the conclave and welcomed the delegates.

The first day featured five national-level competitions, namely the Quiz Competition, Oratory/Declamation Competition, Short Film Making Competition, Social Start-Up Pitch Competition and Policy Drafting Competition, centred on themes relating to HIV/AIDS awareness, healthcare accessibility and public health advocacy. The competitions witnessed enthusiastic participation from delegates representing institutions from different parts of the country. The day concluded with a cultural evening showcasing music, dance and cultural performances.

On the second day, participants engaged in two panel discussions titled “Code, Clause and Cure” and “Breaking the Silence,” which explored issues relating to healthcare regulation, technology, data privacy, stigma reduction, youth engagement and access to healthcare information. The sessions featured distinguished experts from the legal, healthcare and academic sectors and generated meaningful discussions on contemporary public health challenges.

The conclave concluded with the valedictory ceremony graced by Hon’ble Governor Shri Kavinder Gupta. Addressing the delegates, he encouraged young people to carry forward the spirit of awareness, compassion, service and leadership reflected throughout the conclave. On the occasion, Asian Law College was awarded the Best Contingent Award for its outstanding performance across the various competitions.

The successful organisation of SWASTHYA MANTHAN 2026 reflects HPNLU’s continued commitment towards promoting public health awareness, youth leadership, social responsibility and informed civic engagement. The event was organized by Dr. Rohit Sharma, Faculty Coordinator, Youth Red Cross, HPNLU, Shimla