International Youth Day’s ‘Safe Space for Youth’ observed in Ukhrul

[caption id="attachment_201157" align="aligncenter" width="565"] A young woman getting her face painted at Ukhrul in Manipur on Tuesday.[/caption] Dimapur, Aug. 14 (EMN): The International Youth Day, which is observed on Aug. 12 worldwide, was observed in Ukhrul on Aug. 13. It was the first of its kind to be observed in Ukhrul. Most of the event’s activities were conducted in Ukhrul town hall. The event’s organisers informed that youths dressed in traditional attires and costumes took part in observing the day, which was held with the theme ‘safe spaces for youth.’ “The youths need a space where they can come together and participate in decision-making processes and freely express themselves,” said a representative of the ihao, Ukhrul. The objective of the event was for the youths to have a platform to come together and engage in creative activities related to their diverse interests, it was informed. Some of the activities were a display of football skills; and street dance perfromance. There were also performances by local artists and a parade, which commenced from the Mission ground at Alungtang, before culminating at the town hall. The parading youths shouted slogans for change along with banners that expressed messages of concern about ‘the system’ failing the youths, or that youths being in need of role models ‘not critics, and so on. The event was informed to be a collective effort of the URA Trust and Indo Global social service Society (IGSSS). The organisers and representatives of ihao have expressed gratitude to Alfred Arthur, representative of 44-Ukhrul assembly constituency for attending the occasion and joining the youths by strumming a cover of ‘Dead flowers,” originally sung by The Rolling Stones. Speaking briefly at the event, Arthur encouraged the youths to strive together for progress. Declaring that the future was in the hands of the youths, he encouraged them to “strive together in progress.” International Youth Day was designated by the United Nations in 1999 as a means of opportunity for the government and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide.