Gangtok, Sept 16: The North East NSS Festival 2025 was inaugurated on Tuesday at Manan Kendra, marking the beginning of a five-day event focused on youth service, life-skills development, and cultural exchange. The festival, organised by the Sikkim State NSS Cell, Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, will run from September 15 to 19, 2025.

Minister for Education, Sports & Youth Affairs and Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Raju Basnet, attended the event as Chief Guest. In his address, he welcomed all participants and highlighted the role of such programmes in promoting friendship and cultural understanding among the North Eastern states. He also emphasised the importance of life-skills training for the youth and officially declared the festival open.

Delivering the welcome address, Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Yangchen D Tamang, expressed pride in hosting the festival and noted that it reflects the ideals of youth, culture, and selfless service, contributing to national efforts to strengthen regional bonds and support the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Regional Director, North East Region, C Carthigain, appreciated the inspiring start to the festival and encouraged participants to engage actively in the sessions to gain experiences that could benefit their communities.

The inaugural programme included a brief presentation on the festival’s objectives by State Nodal Officer NSS Sikkim, Lalita Chettri, followed by interactive sessions covering topics such as My Bharat and Experiential Learning (ELP), NSS fundamentals, Mission LiFE, state-wise presentations on topography, culture, demography, flora and fauna, and life skill components.

Cultural performances by participants from all North Eastern states added vibrancy to the event.

Distinguished attendees included Advisor, Department of Sports & Youth Affairs Bikram Pradhan; Chairman, State Sports Development Board Rinzing Wangyal Chopel Bhutia; Chairman, State Youth Development Board Basant Yonzon; senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, youth officers of NSS, the Vice-Chancellor of SRM University, principals of colleges and schools, and officers of the Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sikkim.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Deputy Director NSS, Pedenla Lachungpa.