Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 236/15

NORTH EAST NSS FESTIVAL 2015 AT BARIDUA 9TH MILE RI BHOI DISTRICT

Shillong April 29,2015: The 5 days Festival of the 2nd North East National Service Scheme 2015 of the state of Meghalaya and 10th in Northeast was held on the 28th at the University of Science & Technology, Baridua, 9th Mile, Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya. The Festival under the theme “ bonding beyond borders” was sponsored and organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India in collaboration with Directorate of Higher and Technical Education (National Service Scheme Cell) and was inaugurated by Shri Dr D.D Lapang, Chief Adviser to the government of Meghalaya in the presence of Mr Dilip Saikia, Vice Chairman NYKS Guwahati as the guest of honour, Shri Dr P.G Rao, Vice Chancellor USTM, Shri C.C M Mihsil, IAS, Secretary Education, government of Meghalaya, Shri Sunil Basumatary, Youth officer NE,NSS unit Guwahati, Mr M. Hoque, Chancellor USTM, Mr C.P Gotmare, IAS, Director of Higher & Technical Education Meghalaya, Dr H. Iangrai, SLO (NSS) Government of Meghalaya and other dignitaries.

The inaugural ceremony was preceded by a colorful cultural procession of the three hundred participants from all eight North Eastern states including Sikkim.

Serve with the best to others and the best will come back to you” said Dr Lapang while delivering a speech as the chief guest to students from various states of Northeast on this occasion of NSS Festival. He lauded and appreciated the ministry of sport and youth affairs for their efforts in organizing the festival which is imparting, motivating and developing the youth personality through voluntary community services. He assured that NSS has done commendable services towards humanity to strengthen and support the poor and marginalized section of the people. Dr Lapang also said that students are dreamers of a brighter future in which he termed students as gems of the society as their active involvement augers well for self development and societal upliftment. He called upon students to think high and be dreamer with vision, mission and determination for a better tomorrow and meanwhile urged them to inculcate three important principles of presentability , dependability and humility in their day today life, which will hold them in good stead for the bright future of tomorrow. He also inspired them not to be daunted by the positive obstacles that they may face along their way but instead to always endeavour to be the best that they can be and also to inculcate in themselves the spirit of hardwork, positive attitude and open mindedness for their prosperity future.

Dr Lapang lastly, do hoped that this kind of festival will bring together all the youth of northeast region to know each other better, showcase their talents and creative skills of students and also to work together for upliftment of the region.

The inaugural function includes with the release of the souvenir of North East NSS Festival and felicitate the Indira Gandhi Award to eight awardees including one programme officer and seven volunteers.