The fifteenth NSS North East Festival and the third in a row to be organized by Arunachal Pradesh got underway here on Tuesday at Don Bosco College with about 300 participants from the eight north eastern states including Uttar Pradesh.
The productive engagement of youths is a pressing concern not just for families but also the administration. While many are shaped and poised to enter into bright careers there are many more who stray away under the influence of undesirable elements. This need has led to the conception of many youth centric organizations which aim at instilling nationalism and makes community service its focal point as an effective way of ensuring youths develop personalities and a conscience by ‘actions’ towards society.
The National Service Scheme (NSS) is an Indian government-sponsored public service program conducted by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. Popularly known as NSS, the scheme was launched in Gandhiji's Centenary year, 1969. Aimed at developing student's personality through community service, NSS is a voluntary association of young people in Colleges, Universities and at +2 level working for a campus-community linkage. Arunachal also has many NSS units which are actively involved in programmes having an impact on society. Social services, blood donation etc by the NSS volunteers shows the important role it plays in shaping up responsible citizens.
Similarly, youth festivals aim to propagate the concept of national integration, spirit of communal harmony, brotherhood, courage and adventure amongst the youth by exhibiting their cultural prowess in a common platform.. Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of youth icon Swami Vivekananda, the National Youth Festival began in 1995 as a major activity under the programme of National Integration Camp (NIC). In collaboration with one of the States and institutions like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and the National Service Scheme (NSS), the Government of India conducts this programme every year. Further, States are also encouraged to hold state level, district level and block level youth festivals in the same format.
Youth festivals focus on cultural aspects and a number of other programmes covering a wide variety of activities, which not only reflect the spirit of friendship but also peace and development. Besides they provide a nation-wide exposure to the youth for the expression and fulfilment of their talents and aspirations. Self expression is oxygen particularly for the youth and such festivals are ideal ground where they can connect with the rest of their tribe and eventually find themselves.