Aizawl, Aug 6: Sports & Youth Services Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar on Wednesday inaugurated the North East National Service Scheme (NSS) Festival 2025 at the Art & Culture Auditorium, Berawtlang.
The festival is jointly organized by the State NSS Cell under the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Mizoram, and the Regional Directorate of NSS under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, in his inaugural address, expressed his appreciation that the NE NSS Festival 2025 is being held in Mizoram. He emphasized that NSS plays an important role in educating youth about civic responsibilities and fostering community awareness. He also acknowledged the commendable contributions of NSS volunteers in Mizoram, especially during the COVID pandemic, as well as in plantation and cleanliness drives.
The Minister encouraged the participation of NSS volunteers from different Northeastern states to learn from each other about their cultures, customs, and the history, geography, and politics that shape their societies. He stated that by embarking on the NSS journey, they are responding to the nation’s call, and thanked them for doing their part in creating a better society.
D. Carthigueane, Regional Director, NSS (NER), Guwahati, gave an overview of the festival and emphasized that NSS is one of the largest student movements. There are currently around 40 lakh volunteers, which may soon increase to 65 lakh. He noted that the Northeast is the only region that hosts a dedicated NSS Festival, and encouraged all participants to take this event as an opportunity for learning.
N.C. Deori, Youth Officer, NSS (NER), Guwahati, in his short speech, said it was encouraging that the NE NSS Festival, which began in 2014, continues to be celebrated. He highlighted the importance of this initiative in alignment with the national goal of making India a Developed Country by 2047 under the ‘Viksit Bharat’ campaign.
Dr. Lalrinmawia, State NSS Officer, State NSS Cell, Mizoram, shared the achievements and objectives of NSS in the state. The first NSS unit in Mizoram was established at Pachhunga University College in 1972. Currently, there are NSS units in 103 educational institutions, and the State NSS Cell was formed in 1988.
According to the report from Dr. Lalrinmawia, NSS is one of the top contributors in voluntary blood donation among NGOs in Mizoram. In 2024–2025, 82 blood donation camps were conducted, with around 6,000 units of blood donated. NSS volunteers have also been actively involved in tree plantation drives, clean-up activities, and awareness campaigns. Each year, about 60 community assets such as waiting sheds, public benches, and public toilet urinals are created. Mizoram’s State NSS Cell is the only one in the Northeast that publishes its Annual Report yearly.
The inaugural programme of the North East NSS Festival 2025 was chaired by Prof. Benjamin L. Saitluanga, Programme Coordinator, NSS Cell, Mizoram University, who also gave the welcome address. Dr. Zothanpuia, Programme Officer, Pachhunga University College, closed the function with a vote of thanks.
The North East NSS Festival is scheduled to be held over five days, from 5th to 9th August 2025. Around 250 NSS volunteers and Programme Officers from different northeastern states — Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, and Meghalaya — are participating in this residential programme. However, delegates from Arunachal Pradesh could not attend.
The main aim of the event is to foster interaction and intercultural learning among the youth of the Northeast, inform them about the purpose and vision of NSS, and equip them with skills that could enhance their personality and leadership qualities.
The following sessions and programmes will be conducted during the event:
• Ice Breaking Session: Lalrinsangi Nghinglova, Associate Professor, Govt. Zirtiri Residential Science College, Aizawl
• Motivational Speech Programme: Grace Lalrinpari Hauzel, Youth Representative of India, Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025
• Motivational Speech Programme: Rex Zarzoliana Vanchhawng, MPS, Superintendent of Police, Aizawl
• My Bharat Portal: D. Carthigueane, Regional Director, NSS (NER), Guwahati
• Basic Concept and Design of NSS: N.C. Deori, Youth Officer, NSS (NER), Guwahati
• Motivational Speech Programme: Remlalliana Hnamte, MCS, PS to Minister of State, Aizawl
• Environmental Education: Ashis Kumar Roy, National Awardee, West Bengal
• Voluntary Blood Donation: F. Lalmuanpuii, Assistant Director, Mizoram State AIDS Control Society, Aizawl
• Entrepreneurship: Rinzuala, CEO, Mizoram Startup Mission (MSUM)
In addition, the event will include cultural programmes, a walkathon (as part of the Fit India Movement), social work, and an excursion to Reiek Tlang.
The closing ceremony of the Festival will be held on 9th August 2025 (Saturday).
