Vice president inaugurates national youth festival at GNDU campus

AMRITSAR: The Vice President of India. M. Hamid Ansari inaugurated the 14th National Youth Festival on Monday at the Guru Nanak Dev University campus.



On this occassion Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. M. S.. Gill,  and several prominent citizens of the Amritsar city were also present.

In his address, Vice President said that the future of the country, its hopes, aspirations and achievements, rests with the youth of the country. India is a nation of young people. Around 70 percent of our population, about 430 million in absolute terms, consists of those who are below the age of 35. It provides an opportunity, it also presents a challenge. This demographic asset has to be harnessed for the good of the nation, he said."We are not alone in quest for youth power.


Our national thinking is on somewhat parallel to the various UN programmes and initiatives for the youth in recent years", Ansari added.

The theme of the 14th Festival is '21st Century belongs to India and her Youth'. Ansari said "We are facing multiple challenges in areas of education, employment, health and gender equality. We are confronting the scourge of terrorism. Each of these affects our development effort and the future of our youth; none can be addressed successfully without the active cooperation of young people." Ansari concluded his address with motto of Swami Vivekanand "Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life. – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. This is the way to success".

It may be mentined here that Chief Minister Punjab Parkash Singh Badal was scheduled to preside over the function and Sports Minister, Punjab Gulzar Singh Ranike was scheduled to be the 'Guests of Honour' in the function but remained absent inspite of their presence in the city.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. M.S. Gill, Union Minister of State of Youth Affairs & Sports  said that  these festivals give an opportunity for the youth to express their creative talent, and at the same time know, share, and experience to live with youths of different parts of the country, North, South, East, West, and from everywhere.

Dr. Gill  said that  Rs 2.5 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of Youth Hostel at Tarn Taran.  This will provide the much needed place for youth, and sports persons in this border area.

During the inaugural function, the young participants from different states & UT's presented Cultural Programme and March Past in their cultural costumes representing the traditional dress of their respective states.  Horse Show, Gatka (Marshal Arts) & Gidda were the other highlights of the ceremony.

About four thousand delegates from all States and UT's are participating in the Youth Festival.Considering the importance of the youth in the nation building, the theme of the festival has been declared as "21st Century belongs to India and her youth". National Youth Festival is organized every year from January 12th to 16th.January 12th being the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is observed as National Youth Day. Punjab is hosting the National Youth Festival first time.

During the five days festival, male and female artists from all states and UT's will give their performances under difference sections of National Youth Festival.About 125 celebrated artists and other renowned personalities from different fields will attend the festival. There will be competitive section, comprises 16 individual items and two groups items.Under the non-competitive section, an attempt has been made to provide an opportunity to all states to present their lesser known forms of folk art, music, dance and culture.  Under this category, each state will present two items.In addition to these, a Young Artists Camp, Yuva Kirti, food festival and Adventure Festival will be organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan. 

 There will be evening cultural programme everyday in the Khalsa College. Which includes performances by famous Indian Ocean Band , Jasbir Jassi, Rock show by Mizoram Group,Tofiq Quaraishi and  mushaira. A lecture series "SUVICHAR" and a National Youth Convention will be organized by the National Service Scheme during the festival. All programmes except inaugural and valedictory will be organized in different colleges of the Amritsar namely Khalsa College, B.B.K. DAV College for women & Govt. College of Women. The festival, will provide ample opportunities to the youth of our country for interaction and exhibiting their cultural prowess. The festival will also provide a nationwide exposure to the youth for the expression and fulfilment of their cultural talents and aspiration.

The valedictory function will be held here on 16th January, 2009 at Guru Nanak Dev University campus.