IMPHAL, November 18: Unlike in the past years, several colleges from the hills are taking part in the 25th Manipur University Inter-college Youth Festival, 2011.
Previously, very few colleges from the hills took part in the youth festival. Altogether 24 colleges of the state including Tamenglong College, Churachandpur College and United College, Chandel are taking part in the festival.
The inaugural function of the three-day festival was held today at the Centenary Hall of Manipur University, Canchipur with Padmashree Ratan Thiyam, vice-chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi as the chief guest.
Prof HNK Sarma, vice-chancellor of Manipur University and Prof Th Ratankumar, dean of Students’ Welfare, Manipur University were the president and guest of honour respectively.
Addressing the gathering of the inaugural function, Ratan Thiyam stated that the youth festival is a good platform for the exchange of ideas and emotions amongst the youths.
The youths should have discipline and creativity for proper human resource development. One should not forget one’s identity. The youths should be able to preserve and promote the deep-rooted culture of the state, he enjoined.
Prof HNK Sarma stated Manipur University has excelled not only in the field academics but also in art and culture and sports. The university will host All India Inter-university Sports Meet for Taekwondo next year, he announced.
The students will be competing in various cultural, theatrical and literary events during the three-day which will be held till November 20.
Meanwhile, speaking to IFP, Dr K Maremmei from Tamenglong College stated that the college is taking part in the yuth festival for the second time despite of financial constraints.
“The festival will provide a platform for the students of the college to mingle and interact with the students from various parts of the state”.
Dr Maremmai further appealed to the higher education department to sanction adequate funds to colleges for participation in such festivals.
