Duke of Edinburgh visits Mumbai, Delhi to celebrate India-UK ties
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Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh with CP Radhakrishnan
London: Britain's Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, has embarked on a three-day visit to India, focusing on strengthening the shared ties between India and the UK while promoting youth development through the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Buckingham Palace announced the visit in an official statement.
Prince Edward, the youngest brother of King Charles III, will travel to Mumbai and Delhi from February 2 to February 4. His visit will highlight the impact of the International Award for Young People (IAYP), the Indian counterpart of the global initiative founded in 1956 by his late father, Prince Philip. The IAYP is a non-formal education and learning framework aimed at helping young individuals discover their purpose, passion, and place in the world.
“His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh is visiting India to celebrate the shared ties between the UK and India and champion young people and the benefits of non-formal education,” Buckingham Palace stated.
Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie.
During his visit, Prince Edward will engage with young participants of the award, meet Indian education and business leaders, and interact with philanthropists. He will also attend events showcasing UK-India collaborations in sports and the arts, emphasizing their role in supporting youth potential.
This visit marks the first official UK royal visit to India since King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, traveled to the country in November 2019.
Since its launch in India in 1962, the IAYP has supported over 150,000 students across 325 schools and educational institutions. Recognized as the world’s leading youth achievement award, it integrates practical experiences and life skills to nurture globally committed citizens.
Describing the program, an IAYP statement highlighted, “It is the finest Experiential Learning Programme in the world of education today, enabling young people to find their passion, purpose, and place in the world.”
The IAYP operates as a non-governmental organization (NGO) and is a full member of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Association. The program is delivered in India through Youth Engaging in Society (‘YES’) Centres and Open Award Centres (OAC), primarily comprising schools and educational institutions. These centres function under an agreement to implement the award, fostering holistic youth development across India.
With PTI inputs