Ukhrul: For the first time, Pettigrew College in Ukhrul district, Manipur, has hosted the 76th edition of the North East NSS (National Service Scheme) Festival, a mega youth festival from September 24 to 28, 2025 under the theme ‘Integrating Youth for Peace and Sustainability’. This is the first such festival being held in the hill district.
MLA Khashim Vashum graced the five days event in the presence of Naorem Praveen Singh, Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports, Asish Das, deputy commissioner of Ukhrul and D Carthigueane, Regional Director NSS, Guwahati.
The inaugural event also saw an attendance of various dignitaries and officials from the state, including SP Ukhrul Ningsem Vashum, Dr Y Suraj Singh, Director of MOBC, Dr Veto, Director of YAS and Dr Ringkahao Horam, Principal, Pettigrew College.
Dressed in their colourful traditional attires, around 200 NSS volunteers from Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, including three contingent of NSS team from Manipur participated in the five days programme held at Pettigrew College, about 8 km from Ukhrul town.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Khashim Vashum urged the NSS Volunteers participating in the youth festival to play a role by spreading the message of love and oneness by celebrating the vibrant diverse culture of the North East people in order to bring peace and normalcy in Manipur.
“There is no better opportunity and platform to advocate for and celebrate unity in diversity,” said MLA Vashum while urging the participants to experience the joy and true meaning of service to others.
MLA Vashum also said that as we live in this changing world, we must adapt to move forward with dignity and pride. The National Service Scheme (NSS) helps young people serve their communities through volunteer work.
He also implored the young students to work hard and excel high as they are the future leaders and the backbone of our nation.
To make a difference, we must lead by example. We should be role models in our communities, inspiring others to follow our path. By serving others, we can create positive change,” he added.
Meanwhile, D Carthigueane, Regional Director NSS, Guwahati, expressed on the main objective of organising NSS youth festival across North East state is to experience the vibrancy of our diverse cultures further to interact one another, understand and integrate and develop.
K Sanaton Sharma, Programme Co-ordinator of Manipur, further expressed the reasons of choosing Ukhrul district to host North East NSS festival is to showcased the natural beauty of the land.
“Ukhrul is a home of fame Shirui Lily and state bird Nongin (Mrs Hume Pheasant),” he said.
According to M Kaphungsing, one of the organisers, the five-day long festival will featured a series of activities, including local sightseeing at the famous Shirui peak, Phangrei and Mova cave, talk session on entrepreneurship and environment with special focus on flora and fauna of the north east region, including Ukhrul.
“The participants will also carry out a cleanliness drive at Ukhrul town as part of the festival. Moreover, we will be conducting literary and cultural competitions,” said Kaphungsing.
The celebration was mesmerized with myriad showcasing of Assam traditional sahitya dance , Bakarumba dance by Dibrugarh university, Manipuri dance and team from Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland displayed folk dance.
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