 "The ten-member student delegation witnessing the vibrant Rath Yatra festivities and celebration of Jagannath festival in Bhubaneshwar")
A ten-member student delegation from Montana, led by Jason Smith, Member of the Board of Directors of the Montana World Affairs Council, shared their ‘Incredible India’ experiences during a welcome reception at the State Capitol in Helena.
The delegation’s visit to India, held from 26 June to 9 July 2025, was organised in close partnership between the Consulate General of India in Seattle and the Montana World Affairs Council. The itinerary featured prominent heritage landmarks and cultural experiences including 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.
The programme also included interactions with senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, visits to leading educational institutions such as KIIT/KISS in Odisha and CMS in Lucknow, as well as exchanges with youth counterparts in Lucknow and Bhubaneswar. Students took part in workshops designed to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Indian arts and culture.
Participants for the delegation were chosen through a competitive selection process across school districts in Montana, culminating in the Indian Film Festival at the University of Montana in Missoula earlier this year, held from 2 to 4 March 2025.
Addressing the reception, Governor Greg Gianforte welcomed the initiative of the newly opened Indian Consulate in strengthening people-to-people ties, particularly among the youth of both countries.
Recalling his own visits to India, Jason Smith, the delegation head, remarked: “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. It is really important for our young delegation to spend time with their peers and to learn first-hand that there is more that unites us than makes us different.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDuring the event, the Montana students recounted their experiences before an audience of scholars, media representatives, and industry leaders, underscoring the significance of fostering closer connections between the next generation of leaders from India and the United States.