LUDHIANA:Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs and Defence Shri Jitender Singh announced that Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development to be Established at Chandigarh. Addressing the Inaugural Function of 18th National Youth Festival at the Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana today he said that the National Institute will cater the needs of the Youth of Northern India.
India’s strength lies in its diversity: Shri Manish Tewari
18th National Youth Festival Begins at Ludhiana
Shri Jitender Singh congratulated the organisers of the festival for bringing together youth from across the country. He said, he was impressed by the cultural extravaganza presented by the participants at the inaugural function. The minister said, he was happy that the festival this time was being organised in a state likePunjab which had its own great and glorious culture.
Speaking at the inaugural function as a Guest of Honour Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Shri Manish Tewari said thatIndia’s strength lies in its diversity. He said,Indiawas a confluence of different cultures which had their own colour and all of which together made this country beautiful. Shri Tewari said, the coming together of thousands of youth from across the country will provide them a unique experience of learning about each other’s culture and way of life.
Shri Tewari, who representsLudhianain the Lok Sabha, extended his warm welcome to the youth who have come from across the country representing all the states and union territories. He said, such festivals and programmes bring people together and help in forging greater unity and understanding. He also hoped that the guests from all overIndiawill have the best feel of the hospitality the Punjabis are known for. He said,Ludhianaalso represents the vibrant culture of entrepreneurship. He said, the very place where the festival was being held, thePunjabAgriculturalUniversityhad scripted the Green Revolution that had banished hunger from the country. Shri Tewari also released a Book on Campus to Community on the occasion.
The function was presided over by the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal. The National Youth Festival organized jointly by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India and The Punjab Government. Every year 12th January, the birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekanand is observed as the National Youth Day. Over 5000 Youth from all States and UT are participating in the festival. 32 Youth from different part of the Country were awarded with National Youth Award for the year 2012-13 and 2 voluntary organizations were also honoured.