The five-day North East NSS Youth Festival, 2025 hosted by Union Christian College, Umiam Khwan concluded with celebration, dialogue, and cultural exchange under the theme “One North East, One Spirit.”
The festival, which began on July 8, saw dignitaries such as Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma, F. Rumnong, NSS State Nodal Officer, N.C. Deori, NSS Regional Youth Officer, Dr. R.M. Manih, Principal of Union Christian College and Jonathan Shylla, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi District attended it.
The festival began with cultural performances, highlighting the collective spirit of service and regional pride. It showcased the region’s rich heritage through music and dance, featuring notable performances such as beatboxing by Himraj Borah (Assam), solos and folk dances from Assam and Meghalaya, and a high-energy hip-hop piece from Nagaland.
On the second day, a Yoga session was led by Dr. Sanjeev K. Singh and K. Sharma, introducing volunteers to techniques such as Pranayama, Ashtanga, and Mudras. Two technical sessions followed, offering deep insights into environmental awareness and crime and youth. The evening cultural programme highlighted artistic richness from Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura, Nagaland, and host college UCC.
The festival also covered self-defence training by the KRAV MAGA team, empowering volunteers with real-world defensive skills. A panel discussion on youth unemployment, chaired by Ibankyntiew Mawrie of 4Front Media, brought together experts from various fields. The session drew over 80,000 online views, reflecting its digital impact and relevance to youth.
A trekking activity to UCC peak was also arranged aimed to promote environmental awareness and inter-state bonding, and a sightseeing trip to Laitlum Canyon.
The final day saw a high-energy Zumba session, followed by a technical session emphasizing digital participation through the My Bharat Portal.
The festival served as a platform for knowledge-sharing, cultural expression, physical empowerment, and regional unity, fostering a renewed commitment to community-building and youth engagement.
