Tripura, 05 Jan 2026: January 12 marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, observed across the country as National Youth Day. As part of the celebrations, the National Youth Festival will be held from January 9 to 12 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. A total of 62 students from Tripura will represent the state at the national-level programme.
The students were selected through the State-Level Youth Festival and will participate in various events and activities during the National Youth Festival. Ahead of their departure, a farewell felicitation programme was organised on Monday at Ujjayanta Palace by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, Director of the department L. Darlong, Secretary Pradeep Kumar Chakraborty and other senior officials were present at the programme.
Addressing the students, Minister Tinku Roy highlighted the significance of the “Young Leaders’ Dialogue”, stating that over the past two years the nature of the National Youth Festival has evolved. He said that youth are now defined from the age of 15, reflecting the vision of building a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, when India completes 100 years of independence.
The Minister recalled that for the first time, the Prime Minister spent an entire day engaging directly with young participants, seeking their ideas and suggestions for shaping the future of the nation. He emphasised that the leadership of a developed India in 2047 will rest with today’s youth, not with the current generation of leaders.
Tinku Roy also spoke about visible developmental changes across the country and Tripura, citing improved infrastructure and reduced travel time as examples of a transforming India. He urged the students to work with sincerity, commitment and a sense of responsibility, stressing that real change can only be achieved through actions driven by the heart, not merely by formal participation.
Referring to social issues such as drug abuse and environmental protection, the Minister called upon the youth to take personal pledges and lead by example. He underlined that meaningful change begins with individual responsibility and collective resolve.
The 62 students will leave for New Delhi to take part in the National Youth Festival, where they will engage in discussions, cultural activities and leadership dialogues aimed at shaping the vision of a developed India.
