GANGTOK: The 8th North East Youth Festival 2025 commenced yesterday at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, with Governor Om Prakash Mathur serving as the chief guest and Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa as the guest of honour. This year’s festival is themed “Empowered Youth, Empowered Region – My Bharat, Viksit Bharat,” featuring the Red Panda, the state animal, as its mascot.
During his inaugural address, Governor Mathur stressed the need for unity in diverse cultures, citing the festival as a platform to honor the vibrant youth of the North East. He urged participants to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the festival for fruitful interactions and collaborations. The Governor recognized the role of Sikkim and North East youth in education, sports, and entrepreneurship, and asserted their crucial role in determining India's future.
Sports & Youth Affairs Secretary Yangchen Doma Tamang greeted visitors, highlighting the festival's emphasis on the distinctive cultural identity of the North East. The festival, which will be held until March 20, will have various activities, including solo guitar concerts, folk dances, one-act plays, quizzes, and martial arts performances, to make the region a self-sustaining and harmonious one.
Madhavi Mohan, Deputy Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, spoke about the festival's significance in showcasing the region's talent and culture. The event, organized by the State Sports and Youth Affairs Department in collaboration with various national bodies, is expected to attract over 1,500 youth participants from across the North East.
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