Agartala, Sept 24: Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha inaugurated the Northeast NSS Festival 2024 at the Agartala Town Hall today, highlighting the critical role of the National Service Scheme (NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC) in shaping students’ lives with values like social service, patriotism, and unity. The event is being jointly organized by the Tripura State NSS Cell under the Youth Affairs and Sports Department and the Guwahati-based NSS Regional Directorate. The festival will run until September 27.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister stressed that the primary aim of student life should be to become better individuals by strengthening one’s inner potential. He emphasized the youth’s role in building a progressive society, underlining the importance of a positive outlook in achieving this goal. He also highlighted the contributions of NSS volunteers in promoting a drug-free, plastic-free, and pollution-free society.
“About 65% of India’s human resources consist of the youth, making them the driving force of the country,” Dr. Saha said. He noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a developed nation through active participation from the youth. The Prime Minister frequently interacts with students from schools, colleges, and universities on various national issues, reinforcing their role in nation-building.
The Chief Minister also lauded the central government’s initiatives under PM Modi, which have significantly accelerated the economic and infrastructural development of Northeast India. Referring to the region as the “Ashtalakshmi,” he mentioned that the successful implementation of the ‘HIRA’ project has brought about transformative progress in education, healthcare, and connectivity in Tripura and the rest of the Northeast.
“Without peace, no development can occur,” he said, referring to the signing of 12 peace accords across the Northeast, including three in Tripura, aimed at ensuring long-term stability in the region. Events like the NSS Festival, he added, foster brotherhood and strengthen ties between the northeastern states.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy also addressed the event, expressing hope that the rich natural resources of the Northeast will help the region move towards self-reliance in the future. He underscored the importance of youth in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of a prosperous and vibrant India.
Other dignitaries present at the event included Dr. P.K. Chakraborty, Secretary of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department, and Jangzilong, Regional Director of the Guwahati-based NSS Regional Directorate. The event also featured a donation of ₹2,11,887, collected by NSS volunteers, which was handed over to Dr. (Major) Kakali Dhar, Deputy Director of the Sainik Welfare Directorate, by the Chief Minister.
Additionally, awards were presented to the top NSS Program Officers and volunteers for their outstanding performance in the 2023-24 NSS activities. A souvenir was also unveiled during the ceremony.
This Northeast NSS Festival marks an important step in promoting youth engagement and strengthening national integration through collaborative efforts.
