S Keoshu Yimkhiung and others with some of the participants of the State Level Youth Festival 2024 in Kohima on September 26. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 26
A two-day long State Level Youth Festival 2024 got underway here today at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima under the aegis of Youth Resources & Sports department, Nagaland in collaboration with Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA).
During two day-long event, the participants from across 16 districts of Nagaland will compete in folk song, folk dance, declamation, science mela, painting etc.
Addressing the inaugural function, Nagaland Youth Resources & Sports Advisor, S Keoshu Yimkhiung said, “This festival is not just a celebration; it is a powerful testament to the vibrancy, potential, and resilience of our youth.”
He said that the gathering of the youth through this Festival marks the convergence of creativity, energy, and the indomitable spirit of young people from across the state. “This festival resonates deeply with our shared vision of empowering the next generation, fostering unity, and building a community that is not only aware of its rich cultural heritage but also prepared to face the challenges of the future,” Keoshu said.
This festival is more than just a platform for showcasing talent, he said adding “It is a melting pot of ideas, where young minds come together to share their dreams, learn from each other, and contribute to the larger goal of building a stronger, more resilient community.”
“The diverse activities lined up for this festival-from sports to cultural performances, from workshops to discussions-reflect the dynamic spirit of our youth, Keoshu said adding that “each event is an opportunity to learn, grow, and push the boundaries of what we can achieve together.”
The State Level Youth Festival is a festival of hope, resilience, and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead, he said and challenged the youth to carry forward the lessons, friendships, and memories “we create here and continue to work towards a future where our youth are not only empowered but are also leaders.”
YRS & NSDMA collaborate towards integrating disaster preparedness
The Advisor described the collaboration between the YRS department and NSDMA as a significant step towards integrating disaster preparedness into the fabric of youth development.
“In a world increasingly affected by climate change and natural disasters, it is crucial that our youth are equipped not only with skills in sports and the arts but also with the knowledge and resilience to respond to crises,” he said.
This partnership symbolizes a holistic approach to youth empowerment, where physical, mental, and civic preparedness are given equal importance, Keoshu said.
Keren Rose, Assistant Manager (Media & Public Relations), NSDMA Home department said “When we talk about disaster risk reduction, we cannot do away with the role of the youth.”
She said that young people represent more than half the world’s population, adding that children and youth under age 30 stand to benefit the most from reducing the risk and impact of disasters.
She said that the NSDMSA focussed on the young people “as we believe the youth are the future of our state.”
The youth population has vital role to engage in not just disasters relief and responses but also in risk reduction, preparing for disaster and much more, Rose said.
The NSDMA conducts training programme called Community First Responder where it train youth in first aid and search & rescue, she said adding that it also focus a lot on awareness programme for students in educational institutions “as we believe in building a culture of safety.”
“The NSDMA will be launching Disaster Management Clubs in schools very soon, which we believe will empower students to learn about disaster risk reduction and also engage and contribute in creating a safer Nagaland,” she said.
The NSDMA will also be observing the World Disaster Risk Reduction Day next month.
Extending best wishes to the YRS department on behalf of Commissioner & Secretary NSDMA, Rose said “We hope to partner again in other avenues to raise awareness on disaster risk reduction.”
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Anthony Ngullie, secretary to the Government of Nagaland, department of Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland.
The programme was chaired by Kethosituo Sekhose, director Youth Resources & Sports.
The closing ceremony will take place at RCEMPA, Jotsoma on September 27 at 4:00 PM.
