Mangalore: 17th National Youth Festival off to a Spectacular Start
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
Update: 9.10 pm
Mangalore, Jan 12: Union minister of youth affairs and sports Ajay Maken said that the 17th National Youth Festival hosted by Mangalore was the best ever organised in the country.
Thanking the Karnataka government for hosting the spectacular event, he said that the ceremony had been neatly presented, depicting the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka and of India as well.
"It is a forum to respect other cultures and traditions. Swami Vivekananda was against fanaticism, and had said that it destroys civilization. If fanaticism had not afflicted the country, society would have been far more advanced, he had said. No other nation can boast of being the home for so many religions, cultures and traditions as India," Maken said.
He also informed that the number of youth awards had been increased from 25 to 30.
Concluding his address, he said, "Let this Youth Festival be a death knell for fanaticism."
He also presented 30 National Youth Awards on the occasion.
After the formal inauguration, the cultural programmes began, marked by a splendid display of fireworks and a breathtaking laser show.
Update: 8.44 pm, 8.05 pm
Earlier, Chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda inaugurated the 17th National Youth Festival by lighting the lamp. Portrait of Swami Vivekananda, whose 150th birth anniversary is being marked by the festival, was also unveiled.
In his address, the CM said that this was the first time that the state is hosting the National Youth Festival. "The event has boosted the spirit of youngsters, both boys and girls, and has given them a platform to showcase their talents," he added.
He further said that such a colourful event has never before been organised in Mangalore, and that it portrays the unity in diversity which our country is known for. "This event has evoked a sense of dignity and respect for all individuals," he said.
"By 2020, the state will bring into force a youth polity and also budget especially for the youth. The Karnataka knowledge commission which conducted a survey on youth found that our youth have great respect for their families and society in general," the CM said, adding that the National Youth Festival has succeeded in fostering brotherhood and national integration.
Union corporate affairs minister Dr Veerappa Moily echoed the CM's words and said that the youth festival has indeed demonstrated the theme of 'diversity in unity'. He further said that union minister for sports and youth affairs Ajay Maken had told him that the event hosted by Mangalore was the best Youth Festival ever organised.
He further said that in 20 years the average age of the working class would be 29 years. It was an advantage that the US had earlier, but now it will rest with India. "Youth force can build the nation with peace and non-violence," he said.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade in his address said, "People from across the country are participating in this festival. It is a matter of great pride for us to host the event. India has been developing generation after generation, and each generation has come up with a better alternative than its predecessor in terms of lifestyle and technology."
"The youth must sustain integrity and values of hard work and commitment while leading the country forward," he added.
Update: 7.10 pm
Mangalore, Jan 12: The 17th National Youth Festival, which began with a colourful procession from Nehru Maidan on Thursday January 12, witnessed another beautiful ceremony at Mangala Stadium where the procession had earlier culminated.
Seventeen gunshots were fired into the air to mark the 17th edition of the festival. As many as 5000 balloons were released and para gliders had the spectators in awe.
It was then followed by a parade by every state in alpahbetical order, led by Karnataka state police band. Teams from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Orissa, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal in that order. Karnataka being the host state led the rear end.
It was indeed as if a mini India had been created at Mangala Stadium, and patriotic spirit and feeling of integrity and unity reverberated in the atmosphere.
The stadium was packed to capacity. District incharge minister Palemar, MLA Yogish Bhat, Union Sports and Youth Affairs minister Ajay Maken, corporate affairs minister Dr Veerappa Moily, MP Navin Kateel, mayor Praveen and other dignitaries are present.
Earlier Report
After months of meticulous preparation, the much-awaited 17th National Youth Festival was off to a brilliant start with a procession that began from Nehru Maidan here on Thursday January 12.
The procession started at 3.30 pm and culminated at Mangala Stadium where the formal inauguration will take place in a short while from now.
The procession was flagged off by district incharge minister Krishna J Palemar in the presence of deputy commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda and MLA Yogish Bhat.
The colourful march comprised teams from different districts, depicting the varied cultural and traditional wealth of the land. 'Chende' team from Moodbidri, Koraga troupe, Hulivesha, Keelu Kuduru, Karaga Nritya, Yakshagana, Dollu Kunita, Kerala Chende, Veerabhadra Kunita, Aati Kalanja, Kamsale troupe, Kangilu Kunita, Halatti Kunita, Goravara Kunita, Veeragase and many more made up the grand procession. Altogether, around 50 troupes took part.
Karnataka State Police Band, NCC cadets, NCC navy troupe, bands from various schools and colleges, Bharath Scouts and Guides, Bharath Seva Dal, NSS troupes from Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Puducherry, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Shimla, Madhya Pradesh, Ranchi, Nagaland were also part of the procession.
Participating teams from across the country also marched along.
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