Sunday, Jul 21, 2024 00:15 [IST]
Last Update: Saturday, Jul 20, 2024 18:37 [IST]
GANGTOK, (IPR): The five-day North East National
Service Scheme (NSS) Festival 2024 concluded in Gangtok on Friday with a
closing ceremony at Manan Kendra.
The closing
ceremony was attended by deputy mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia, Sports &
Youth Affairs secretary Yogeeta Rai, Sikkim Olympic Association president Kuber
Bhandari, Sports & Youth Affairs additional director R.B. Bishwakarma,
joint director Jigmee Y. Lepcha, deputy director-cum-State nodal officer (NSS)
Laleeta Chettri, Dronacharya Awardee Sandhya Gurung, bodybuilder Sanjay
Budhathoki, Skillfinity founder Anjan Chowdhary and officials from various
departments.
The
festival showcased the rich cultural heritage of the North East through dance
performances representing the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya,
Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.
In
her address, the deputy mayor emphasized the festival's goal of fostering unity
among youth and sowing the seeds of positive societal change. She expressed
hope that the NSS would continue to lead by example, driving progress and a
brighter future.
Laleeta
Chettri provided a summary of the festival’s events over the past four days.
Sanjay
Budhathoki, in his message to the youth, encouraged early involvement in sports
for both physical and mental health.
The
festival concluded with an awards ceremony honouring the winners of the
cultural competitions. Assam emerged as the overall champions, followed by
Sikkim in second place and Arunachal Pradesh in third. Additionally, Arunachal
Pradesh was awarded the best contingency award.
