UDAAN 2026 – 22nd Interact District Conference Celebrates Youth Leadership and Excellence.

UDAAN 2026 – 22nd Interact District Conference Celebrates Youth Leadership and Excellence

Mumbai, October 9, 2026: UDAAN – the 22nd Interact District Conference, a flagship initiative of the Rotary Club of Mumbai Juhu (RCMJ), was held on Friday, October 9, at Deenanath Mangeshkar Auditorium, Vile Parle East. The conference brought together approximately 500 Interactors, 50 Rotaractors and 40 Rotarians for a vibrant celebration of youth leadership, creativity, talent and service.

This year’s conference was organised under the leadership of RCMJ President Mukul Jain and Youth Director and UDAAN Convener Shubhra Mazumdar, with the enthusiastic support of 17 co-host Rotary clubs, comprising 10 Platinum and 7 Gold co-host clubs.

The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Guests of Honour, Captain Amandeep Kapur and eminent educationist Dr Priya Rajwade. Interactor Gaurangi Sharma of the Interact Club of JBCN Oshiwara, a trained Kathak exponent, invoked blessings through a graceful classical dance performance.

The morning featured inspiring speaker sessions that encouraged young participants to dream boldly, develop resilience and pursue excellence. Captain Amandeep Kapur captivated the audience with his address, earning a spontaneous standing ovation from the Interactors. Rtn. Nilesh Samant of the Rotary Club of Bombay West motivated the students with valuable life lessons drawn from the journey of cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.

The conference also highlighted the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, with competitions aimed at raising awareness about substance abuse and promoting a healthy, addiction-free lifestyle. The initiative culminated in a pledge by participants to remain free from addiction, followed by an award ceremony recognising contributors to the campaign.

A major highlight was the UDAAN – Flight of Excellence Awards, which celebrated outstanding Interactors across the categories of Creative Excellence, Social Impact and Sports. The awards recognised young achievers based on their nominations and profiles. Geeta Chouhan, Captain of the Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team, inspired the audience with her remarkable journey, reinforcing the values of perseverance, courage and determination.

The UDAAN 2026 Regal Year Competitions provided a platform for young minds to showcase their creativity, communication skills and commitment to social change. Presentations highlighted impactful Interact Club projects, while the art competition attracted nearly 200 entries, evaluated by eminent artists. Live competitions featuring powerful pantomimes on social causes and high-energy folk dances added excitement and colour to the proceedings.

The prize distribution ceremony celebrated the talent, dedication and achievements of the participating students, bringing the event to an energetic close.

Over its 22-year journey, UDAAN has continued to provide a platform for young people to discover their potential, express their ideas and embrace leadership through service. UDAAN 2026 reaffirmed this commitment, making the conference a memorable celebration of youthful aspiration, creativity and excellence.