EMN
Dimapur, March 18
The Spring Festival of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) in Dimapur has started. The event kicked off on Thursday at the NEZCC complex in Dimapur with a number of competitions and play activities ‘dedicated to the young generation.’
The NEZCC is under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India,
“The initial events of this year’s spring festival began with a stimulating extempore speech competition which was followed by painting and choir competition,” the organizers informed in a press release issued to the media on Friday.
In his introductory remarks during the inaugural ceremony, NEZCC’s deputy director D. Vashum exhorted the assembled students that “culture is not only confined to folk songs and dance. Culture reflects every aspect of our life.”
“Students being the leaders of tomorrow, Vashum pointed out that NEZCC was therefore giving great importance to the young generation by way of organizing competitions and other activities,” the press release stated.
The deputy director also impressed upon the students to strive towards becoming cultured personalities and lead the nation.
Altogether, 18 students from 9 schools participated in the extempore competition, while 9 groups participated in the choir competition and 27 students in the painting competition.
Schools participating in the competitions are Rincho Academy; Vision Home higher secondary school, Unity Christian Higher Secondary School, Brothers & Sisters School of Chumukedima, Great Commission higher secondary school, Christina Memorial higher secondary school, Highland Hall School- Naga United, Nagaland Police Centre School-Chumukedima, Livingstone Foundation higher secondary school and the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Prize for the winners of the competitions will be given away on the concluding day of the festival-March 20, the organizers informed.
On March 19, the second day of the festival, school competitions will centre on traditional sports and games including around tug of war, stilt walking, greased bamboo pole climbing and traditional ko-karting.
“One objective of holding such indigenous competition is to inculcate the knowledge and spirit of culture and tradition on young minds,” the organizers stated.
In the evening, Cosmopolitan Night will see ‘presentations’ from the Bengali community, Marwari community, Gorkha community, South Indian community, MalabikaKachari and Sahil Shaikh. This will be followed by special entertainment from renowned comedians Purneken and Chujang.
Aimed at showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage of the region, 400 performers from the north-east states as well as from other regions is part of this year’s three day spring festival, the organizers said.
