Dimapur, Oct 15 (EMN): National youth exchange programme with Meghalaya and Nagaland youth was held from October 9 to 13 at SIRD, Kohima. The Meghalaya team comprising of 33 youth interacted with NYK youth club members and volunteers. Both the states youth showcased their respective rich cultural heritage during the programme.
Secretary of youth resource and sports, Amenla S Longchari, who inaugurated the national youth exchange programme, encouraged the young people to have enthusiasm and eagerness to learn each other’s cultures and understand for a better and peaceful co-existence. She encouraged the young minds to be an agent of change as they have great role to play in the process of nation building.
Jackie Ruivah, State director NYKS, welcomed the visitors and exhorted with the features and uniqueness of the youth exchange programme between the youth of Nagaland and Meghalaya that will bridge for a better communication and understanding between the two.
During the programme, youth from both the states presented folk songs and folk dances. The team leader of the Meghalaya also apprised the audience on the purpose and objective of their state government’s initiation of the national youth festival.
The vote of thanks was pronounced by John Makhabo, DYC, while the programme was moderated by Rhasalü Krome, NYV, Kohima.
The Meghalaya team was led by Babira G Momim, senior coach, department of sports and youth affairs, Government of Meghalaya. They were given a day learning exposure at Bambusa (Bamboo Resort) and Stone Park at North-East Zone Cultural Centre. The team visited those two places with the objective to understand the rich traditional of the tribals and cultural activities of the different races in India.
During the programme, participants were taken to green village Khonoma to give them firsthand knowledge on the Naga livings styles in villages. They witnessed the scenic beautiful of the village, church, weapons used by the villagers during World War II, and various forts. They were also taken to museum, war cemetery, Kisama- Naga Heritage, Jüpfü Christian College, Kigwema, and organised cultural exchange programme with the youth of Jakhama village.
In the closing function, Velü-o Shijo, additional director, SIRD, encouraged the youth to carry forward the rich cultural heritage of both states as Northeast has very rich cultures and traditions. Stating that understanding each other’s culture would broaden knowledge and bring closeness, he said we can live in unity without learning to appreciate each other cultures
