NYKS inaugurates state level youth festival

IMPHAL, February 18: The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Imphal Zone inaugurated its State Level Youth Festival at Lamyanba Sanglen, Palace Compound today.

Delivering the keynote address, MC Jackie Ruivah, Zonal Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK), Manipur Zone said the NYKs came to existence in the year 1992 and became an autonomous body in 1997 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Government of India.

In the state there are 3391 youth clubs and Mahila Mandals affiliated to the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), she said.

She continued that the objective of the mission is to encourage the youths to get involved in developing the rural areas to make the nation stronger.

The festival will motivate the youth to develop their skills and provide them with a platform for their career building.

She also continued that the festival will further encourage the communities to love and respect the other communities.

She further expressed that the NYKS is not only involved in such type of festivals but has also helped the nation during the times of communal riots and disasters including natural disasters.

Victor Keishing, Parliamentary Secretary who attended as the chief guest and said that he cherished the moment he had interacted with the participants at the festival the most.

He said the culture of the valley people are more developed when compared to that of the people of the hill areas.

People of the valley have their own scripts while, the hill people have no script, he said.

He continued that in the absence of a script, the people of the hills tell their history through their songs and dances, however the traditions are changing everyday.

L Tilotama, vice-chairperson, Board of Governor, NYKs said the NYKs also work for the downtrodden people of the society and has programmes and schemes meant only for the people living with HIV/AIDS and others.

Meanwhile, the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Imphal Zone made recommendation at the function which includes that the sports program and work camp program need to be revived so that the club members may take part in active sports and construction of durable community assets in the districts; the Skill Upgrading Training Program has been designed for the women members but the SUTP should be given equal opportunities to both male and female beneficiaries; the honorarium of the NYKs should be enhanced from 2500 to 5000.