The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh Tourism and the Varanasi District Administration, has launched the ‘Meri Kashi Ambassador Programme’ with the first ‘Meri Kashi Creators Pathshala’ held at the Commissioner’s office auditorium in Varanasi. The initiative aims to transform local youth and influencers into storytellers and ambassadors of Kashi by equipping them with professional storytelling and digital content creation skills.
Around 275 local influencers and youth participated in the Meri Kashi Creators Workshop, where they were introduced to 170 cultural and historical stories of Kashi and Sarnath. Expert trainers provided comprehensive sessions on storytelling techniques such as personalising narratives, using unique facts, emotional graphing, and creating audience engagement. YouTube representatives further trained participants on content creation, reels, monetisation, and strategies to increase reach through social media platforms.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, officials emphasized that locals should become the true ambassadors of their heritage city. Divisional Commissioner S. Rajalingam announced that a ‘Meri Kashi’ course module will soon be launched, enabling youth to create and upload reels with the hashtag #merikashi. The best content creators will be conferred the title of ‘Meri Kashi Ambassador’, featured on Kashi’s official tourism website, and supported on national and international platforms.
District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar underlined the programme’s importance, noting that certified ambassadors could also become official tourist guides, opening up livelihood opportunities alongside their studies or work. The initiative not only promotes Kashi’s cultural richness but also encourages youth to leverage digital media for global storytelling.
The workshop, attended by District Panchayat President Poonam Maurya, MLC Dharmendra Singh, and other dignitaries, concluded with the creation of a dedicated WhatsApp group to connect all participants with senior officials for ongoing mentorship. With the Meri Kashi Ambassador Programme, Varanasi is set to showcase its spiritual and cultural legacy through the voices of its own people, reaching both domestic and international audiences.
