Gangtok: The vibrant hues of cultural diversity painted Paljor Stadium in Gangtok as the 8th North East Youth Festival 2025 commenced on March 17th. Over 1,500 young participants, representing the eight northeastern states, converged to partake in the four-day extravaganza, inaugurated by Sikkim’s Governor Om Prakash Mathur.
A spectacle of regional unity unfolded during the inaugural ceremony, with a cultural parade showcasing contingents from each northeastern state, alongside representatives from the National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS).
Sikkim, playing host for the second time, set the stage for a platform of engagement, competition, and artistic exchange, all under the guiding theme “Empowered Youth, Empowered Region – My Bharat, Viksit Bharat.”
In his address, Governor Mathur underscored the festival’s pivotal role in nurturing unity and empowering youth to drive national progress, drawing inspiration from northeastern sporting icons like Bhaichung Bhutia and Mary Kom, and urging the youth to actively contribute to India’s future. He also highlighted the central government’s development initiatives for the region, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a self-reliant North East within the framework of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Yangchen D. Tamang, Secretary of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, marked the event as a “historic moment,” coinciding with Sikkim’s golden jubilee of statehood, and emphasized the festival’s significance in shaping young minds towards self-reliance and national advancement.
The inaugural ceremony resonated with the rhythmic beats and vibrant movements of traditional dance performances from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, showcasing the region’s rich cultural tapestry. Jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Government of Sikkim’s Sports and Youth Affairs Department, the festival will continue with competitions, workshops, and interactive sessions over the ensuing three days.
The event’s grandeur was further amplified by the presence of dignitaries including Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Mingma N. Sherpa, Minister Arun K. Upreti, MLAs Tenzing N. Lamtha and Delay N. Barfungpa, Deputy Mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia, and officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The festival is poised to strengthen regional cooperation and provide a launching pad for emerging young talents on a national scale.
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