Imphal, December 15 2010: The 15th State Level Youth Festival organized by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, government of Manipur began today at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

The festival will continue for five days.

In a speech, chief guest, MLA M Prithivira said that the youth of the state have inborn qualities in them.

Because of this Manipur today gets international recognition in the field of sports and arts & culture.

He exhorted to the people of the state to strive for more successes in other fields.

He mentioned that there are many youths in the country in their 30s who are still dependent on their parents for their livelihood.

People in Manipur have a habit of maligning developmental works.

People should shun such negative acts.

In such a scenario, Manipur could have witnessed development in the past 10 years.

Prithiviraj said, the youth should take up responsibilities and act sincerely to bring development in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor, N Joykumar of Manipur University said that India is a country constituted with people of different communities, caste, language and religions.

To create a peaceful and developed country, integration among the different peoples is very much necessary.

This is why many leaders of the country are taking the issue of national integration seriously.

Sports and Arts and Culture play a major role in national integration.

That is why cultural exchange programmes have become an important highlight of every youth festival and other occasions.

One of the major drawbacks that hinder the movement in bringing about national integration is the infusion of communalism among the people of different communities, race, language and religion.

Youths from different parts of the state, both from the hills and the valley are participating in the five day youth festival.

Director, Youth Affairs and Sports, Bobby Waikhom presided over the inaugural function today.

Comment