Kohima, Oct 8 NNN: The first North East Youth Festival opening ceremony was held at Kohima today at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima with festival competitive events like folk dance, one act play, elocution, classical guitar and rock band contest and others like Yuva Kriti, adventure, food festival, youth artist camp, cultural evening and fashion shows underway.
It may be mentioned that the main objective of the North East Youth Festival are to provide opportunities to the youth of both North East as well as from other parts of the country to participate in different culture, language, life style culinary historical and to share and appreciate each others traditional and cultural heritage about the North East region and its people.
Addressing the gathering at the inaugural function as the chief guest Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio said that youth represent the energy, vibrancy and vision of future generation and the energy, fearlessness and the creativity of the youth, which is the driving force and can change the dynamics in all spheres of human activity. He encouraged the youth and cited to take the example of people from North East in sports like Dr. Talimeren Ao, Kunjarani Devi, Mary Kom, Zoramthanga and Baichung Bhutia, singer and artists like Sourabi, Bhupen Hazarika and Lama Tashi and actor Victor Banerjee, writer Sanjoy Hazarika and politician Agatha Sangma inspite of the North East being the most backward region of the country.
Neiphiu Rio said that the theme of this festival ‘Youth and Creativity’ is the most appropriate for the present time and age.. Stating that in the past year and a half, the entire world has undergone a time of crisis and economic meltdown he said that the destiny of millions of people underwent tremendous changes due to reasons beyond their control, or due to events taking place in other parts of the globe. The global experience on this has put forward several questions where many of which are yet to find concrete answers and added that there is one definite answer and that is creativity. Rio also said that companies, government, entrepreneurs and entertainers are all looking for creativity and this new creativity will have to emerge from the youth. He urged the youth to follow the time-honoured mantra of dedication, discipline and determination in quest for success in life. He hoped that the festival would be celebrated with an atmosphere of unity and friendship and brings glory to the northeastern states and the country as well and wished the festival a grand success.


The Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, B.M. Lanong who was the guest of honour in his speech said that a diverse nation like India, sports is an important aspect that brings us closer and together despite many social problems that confront us.
The Parliamentary Secretary Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland Naiba Konyak while delivering his welcome address called upon the people of the North Eastern States in particular and all around the states of the country as well to maintain peace and harmony and work together for progress and prosperity for a common goal. He further said that the North East Youth Festival is a celebration of our young generation but an opportunity for everyone to showcase their talents, cultures and traditions and also a platform to create awareness and interest about this immensely rich region of the country. He also said that one of the most important factors as people of the region come together in this manner was to establish friendships and understanding despite our diverse culture, to share a common bond of fostering the present generation that longs for harmony and friendship.


He extended his acknowledgement to the government of India particularly the Ministry of Youth Resources & Sports for the Nagaland state to host the festival. He also acknowledged the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio for his vital intervention that the festival could take place earlier than it was expected. Naiba Konyak further wished all the delegates a comfortable stay.