New Delhi, August : Young Nepalese musician Saurav Sharma was honoured with the Youth Goodwill Ambassador Honor by Indian Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan at MALHAR 2026, an initiative aimed at connecting young people with Indian classical music.
The event, titled Connecting Youth with the Soul of Classical Music, was organised by AntarHriday Connect Global Foundation under the patronage of its Chief Patron, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and former Foreign Secretary of India.
The recognition was presented as a celebration of India-Nepal cultural ties and the role of young people in strengthening people-to-people relations between the two countries.
Congratulating Sharma at the event, Vice President Radhakrishnan said young people could serve as “bridges of friendship” between India and other countries through music and culture. He also described music as one of India’s major forms of soft power, saying it can transcend language and national borders.
The event also highlighted Sharma’s personal connection with India. Shringla noted that the Nepalese musician is a regular visitor to the Sri Sathya Sai Ashram in Puttaparthi, adding a spiritual dimension to his ties with the country.
MALHAR 2026 brought together young audiences and prominent figures from Indian classical music, including Padma Shri Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar and Kathak exponent Pt. Rajendra Gangani. The programme was held in association with ITC Ltd., ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Bharat Ki Soch and Sawasdee Group.
The organisers said Sharma’s recognition reflected the wider role of youth, music and cultural exchange in strengthening relations between Nepal and India.
The felicitation comes against the backdrop of longstanding people-to-people and cultural ties between the two neighbouring countries, with music and the arts serving as important avenues for cross-border engagement.
