First North East Youth Festival begins at Kohima

New Delhi, October 8, 2009:
Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio declared the first North East Youth Festival open in a glittering ceremony held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium at Kohima today. Thundering applause from thousands of audience, firing of the traditional gun, colorful balloons flying high in the cloudy sky, smiling of the early morning sun in between, traditional music all added a festive look to the stadium.

About 1300 youth from all over the country including all the north eastern states are participating in the 3 day North East Youth Festival being organized jointly by the Department of Youth Affairs, Government of India and the Nagaland Government. Majority of the participants are active volunteers of the NYKS and NSS, two field organizations of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

In his inaugural speech, the CM of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio remarked that success at the regional or national level is no longer excellence. He called upon the youth from all over the country to strive to be the best globally, to reach out for international recognition to bring laurels to our people and glory to the country.

Youth and Creativity is the theme selected aptly for the first ever North East youth festival being organized in Kohima. Rio mentioned that the theme is most appropriate for the present time and age as in the past 2 years, the entire world has undergone a time of crisis and economic melt-down.

“The global recession has put forward several questions, many of which are yet to find complete answer. But, there is one definite answer that is bound to be accepted in every walk of life and that is creativity. Companies, governments, entrepreneurs etc. are all looking for creativity and this new creativity will have to emerge from the imagination and the courage of the youth,” he said.
He urged upon the youth to follow the time honoured mantra of 3Ds i.e., Dedication, Discipline and Determination for success.

B M Lanong, Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, also addressed the youth and wished the very best.

The inauguration of the festival was followed by cultural performances which included traditional Nagas indigenous sports viz, Naga wrestling, taekwondo displayed by students and other tribal dances. The three-day festival will witness a number of competitive events like rock band contest, one act play, folk dance, folk music classical dance competitions etc. for which elaborate arrangements have been made. Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangatan has also set up an exhibition displaying various arts and crafts from various parts of the country in the Yuva Kriti. A Convention has also been organized for the NSS students and eminent personalities will address and share their experiences with the students.

The closing ceremony to be held on October 10, will be graced by Ms. Agatha Sangma, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development.

Source: Press release from Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.