Principal Correspondent
Kohima, October 28
The 15th State Level Youth Festival organized by Department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) was held today at Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima with youths from every district taking part in different competitions.
Opening the one-day festival this morning, Director YRS, Kelei Zeliang said that Youth Festival is one the most important programme of the department and even the Central government encourages the state not only to hold it at state level but also to reach out at the district and block level.
He said that such festival is being held annually with the main objective to strengthen the national integration and not merely to hold competition among the youths.
The expectation through the youth festival is to bring together the youths under one platform and to strengthen the state first, which will ultimately build the integration of the country.
“Integration will bring about peace, which will lead to development and progress of the state and country in general,” he said, adding that such objective is always constructive for nation building.
He also encouraged the participants from 11 districts to expose their tradition and culture with each other.
Lamenting that Nagaland has not been able to hold district and block level youth festivals, while also never hosted the National Youth Festival held in January every year, due to fund constrain, Kelei however expressed the hope that under the able leadership of Parliamentary Secretary for YRS Khriehu Liezietsu, the state will to do so in the near future.
PIO YRS, K. Libemo Jami chaired the inaugural programme, which commenced with invocation prayer by Superintendent YRS Avonuo. Special number was presented by Neimenuo.
Joint Director YRS Neilalhoulie was the guest of honour in the evening valedictory function and gave away the prizes to the winners. Assistant Director YRS Neisheto Awomi was the chairman while Assistant Director YRS Kivigho Rotoka tendered the vote of thanks.
Meanwhile, the results of various competitions held during the day are as follows:
FOLK DANCE:
1st – Wokha district, 2nd – Mon district and 3rd – Peren district
FOLK SONG:
1st – Mon district, 2nd – Longlng district and 3rd – Dimapur district
ELOCUTION:
1st – Kohima district, 2nd – Mon district and 3rd – Wokha district
GUITAR RECITAL:
1st – Dimapur district, 2nd – Kohima district and 3rd – Peren district.
