‘Laado’ sets pace for National Youth Fest

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, January 12

The 21st National Youth Festival began at the MDU campus this evening at a grand ceremony featuring diverse cultures and traditions of different states of the country.

A live dance performance on popular ‘Dangal’ number ‘Aisi Dhakad Hai’ and linking it to the festival mascot ‘Laado’ regaled the gathering and set the pace for the five-day event.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the convention of youths from different parts of the country through video-conferencing. Chief Minister Manohar Lal, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel, Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij and veteran BJP leader Anil Jain were present.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was slated to be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, could not make it.

In his message to the youth, the Prime Minister reiterated that his mantra for success focused on three “Cs” —-Collectivity, Connectivity and Creativity. He also advised them to overcome six major shortcomings in life— ignorance about society, insensitivity about society, triviality about society, inability to rise above casteism, disrespect to girls/women and carelessness about environment. The PM exhorted the youth to practise cashless/digital transactions and teach at least 10 persons each about the cashless mode of transanctions.

Paying rich tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, Modi reminded the youth of Swami Vivekanand’s message to rise, remain awake and not to stop until the goal is achieved.

The PM appreciated the partnership between Haryana and Telangana. He congratulated the people of Haryana for improvement in the state’s gender ratio. He also paid rich tributes to Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya whose birth centenary is also being celebrated.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal felicitated several prominent sportspersons for their notable contributions. He compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Swami Vivekananda, pointing out that both shared the name Narendra. Youths from different states marched past the audience in their traditional attires, showcasing the nation’s rich cultural diversity. A colourful cultural programme was also organised on the occasion.