The North East Youth Festival 2026 concluded in Chümoukedima, celebrating cultural unity and youth talent.
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DIMAPUR — The North East Youth Festival 2026 concluded in Chümoukedima on Saturday, marking the end of a six-day event.
During the 9th edition of the festival, in the One-Act Play category, Arunachal Pradesh secured the first position, followed by Manipur in second place and Mizoram in third, while Tripura and Nagaland received consolation prizes.
In the Declamation category, Bullo Konyak of Arunachal Pradesh won first prize, Hrishita Purakayastha of Tripura secured second, and Thomas Lalruatkima of Mizoram placed third. Consolation prizes went to Bhumika Chettri of Sikkim and Raj Delusoru of Arunachal Pradesh.
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Manipur emerged as the winner in Folk Song, with Nagaland and Tripura securing second and third positions, respectively, while Mizoram and Sikkim received consolation prizes.
In Folk Dance, Manipur again secured first place, followed by Mizoram and Sikkim in second and third positions, while Nagaland and Meghalaya received consolation prizes.
In the Yuva Kriti category, Atsani secured first place, followed by Zaben Murry in second, while Khasula, Wekhrou, and Wetson shared the third position.
In the Food Festival category, Neli Kayina secured first place, Sungjemmeinla second, and Vikili H Sumi third.
In Instrumental Guitar, Meghalaya secured the top position, followed by Arunachal Pradesh in second and Mizoram in third, while Manipur and Sikkim received consolation prizes.
In the Rock Band Contest, Nagaland emerged as the winner, followed by Mizoram and Sikkim in second and third positions, respectively, while Meghalaya and Tripura received consolation prizes.
Speaking on the occasion as the special guest, Minister of Higher Education and Tourism Temjen Imna Along lauded the performances, cultural displays, and martial arts showcased at the 9th edition of the festival. He described it as a remarkable celebration of youth talent and unity among the eight Northeastern states in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
He appreciated the concept of "Ashtalakshmi", stating that while its meaning was not fully understood earlier, it is now clear that India’s progress is incomplete without the active participation and development of the Northeast. He stressed the importance of inclusive policies that reach even the most remote villages and communities across the region.
Along also acknowledged the efforts of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, and the Government of India for strengthening infrastructure and creating opportunities for the youth. He expressed gratitude to the state for hosting the festival and bringing together young people from across the region.
Delivering a brief report of the festival, Kethosituo Sekhose, Director of Youth Resources and Sports, stated that the event provided a platform for participants to showcase their talents through competitions such as folk song, folk dance, instrumental guitar, rock band contest, declamation, and one-act play, highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The event also featured non-competitive activities, including martial arts demonstrations by the Pencak Silat Association of Nagaland, cultural showcases by various state teams, and exposure visits to Pulie Badze and the Commonwealth War Graves Memorial.
He noted that participants were taken on guided sightseeing tours across Dimapur and Chümoukedima to promote cultural exchange. The festival saw participation from NSS and MY Bharat volunteers, with over 200 NSS volunteers attending seminars on youth leadership, Viksit Bharat, and Ashtalakshmi.
MY Bharat volunteers also organised Yuva Kriti and food festival stalls, many of which ran out of food due to high demand. Sekhose added that the festival successfully reflected the creativity, leadership, and cultural pride of the youth.
Sandeep Singh, representative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, expressed satisfaction over the festival. He described it as a truly special experience where participants celebrated diverse cultures through dance, music, and food while building meaningful connections.
He said the true achievement of the festival lies not in trophies but in the friendships formed, adding that participants arrived as representatives of their states but leave as ambassadors of a united India.
Singh urged the youth to carry forward the spirit, energy, and sense of purpose from the festival in their communities, contributing towards a stronger and more united nation.
