National Youth Day was celebrated in Shillong at Ramakrishna Mission today.
The function was held at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre in the same hall where Vivekananda delivered his last public lecture.
Justice HS Thangkhiew, who was present for the first session as chief guest, echoed the message of Swami Vivekananda on nation-building and called the youth to live for others as envisioned by the religious leader.
The audience in the morning session was made up of computer training students enrolled at the institute.
The entrance of the hall was bedecked by art from RITI Academy of Arts. The academy’s founder, Raphael Warjri, was the guest of honour.
Meanwhile, the Vivekananda Award of Excellence was conferred to Sheikh Muzibor for his relentless services towards the goals of the institute.
Arts and Culture Minister AL Hek, while addressing the meeting as the chief guest of the second session, reminded everyone that Swami Vivekanada’s birthday has been celebrated as National Youth Day since 1985. He also urged upon all to mould their lives with high ideals and decide who and what would “rule or ruin” their lives.
The audience in the second session were the parents of the prize winners of the 46th cultural competition held in July last year. The competitions were held online for this time because of the Covid-19 pandemic where 1,500 contestants registered. More than 100 prizes were given out to the winners under various categories, such as recitation, debate, quiz, elocution and essay writing.
The sessions were integrated with some wonderful cultural performances displaying the varied cultural diaspora of the North East. The audience enjoyed the rhythm of the duitara, flute and traditional drum through Khasi patriotic songs, Khasi dance and Bharatanatyam recital. But the performance by the students of Ramakrishna Mission School, Shella, with pure traditional fervor, attracted the attention of all through their songs.
A blood donation camp was also organised by Ramakrishna Mission in collaboration with NEIGRIHMS on Saturday.
