Union minister for Women and Child Development and Textiles, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani has said that sensitive youth will create New India. She called upon the youth of the country to march ahead on the path of progress holding the hand of those who need help. Addressing the closing ceremony of 24th National Youth Festival 2021 as the Chief Guest here today, Smt. Irani complemented the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for organising very extraordinary and colourful valedictory function. She stated that cultural presentations of various states presented a unified India which exihibits the zeal, capability and extraordinary talent of the youth of the country. The Youth Anthem tied the entire country in one string, she added.
Referring to the largest Vaccination drive which began today in the country, the minister said that India has proved that even during the challenging times, our zeal and ideals will not diminish and our dedication, determination and service to the nation under the leadership of hon’ble Prime Minister will continue to grow further. She informed that COVID frontline warriors will be vaccinated in the first place. Smt Irani also complemented the NYK and NSS volunteers for serving the entire country relentlessly during the difficult period of COVID pandemic by making masks and distributing sanitisers.
She also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Kiren Rijiju for collaborating with the Ministry of Women and Child Development for organising activities under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao yojana of the Government.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju said that by taking inspiration from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,his ministry has given a new colour to the 24th National Youth Festival. Shri Rijiju added that this edition is unique in many ways. The festival has been organised in virtual mode for the first time keeping in view the challenges of covid-19 pandemic but enthusiasm of NYKS & NSS volunteers made this event successful.
Shri Rijiju said that Ministry of Youth Affairs is going to launch a big programme on National Girl Child Day on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao in collaboration with Ministry of Women and Child Development. Shri Rijiju added that we will run this program the whole year. The Department of Sports will take the lead role and it will be supported by NYKS & NSS Volunteers. Along with this, the Ministry will celebrate 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on a large scale.
The National Youth Festival is organized by the Government of India in collaboration with one of the States and institutions like the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and the National Service Scheme (NSS) from 12th to 16th January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda i.e. 12th January.
Twenty-three NYFs have been held so far and currently, 24th NYF is being celebrated. NYF aims to propagate the concept of National Integration, spirit of communal harmony, brotherhood, courage and adventure. ‘YUVAAH – Utsah Naye Bharat Ka” is the theme of this year’s festival.
This Year, the 24th festival is being organized in a manner different than the earlier festivals due to prevailing circumstances. Instead of having only one host state, this year, different States and Union Territories have been simultaneously playing the role of host. 24th NYF is being celebrated in a hybrid mode from 20th December, 2020 in different phases. In the first two phases, the events were organized across the districts and subsequently across the states of the country. The opening ceremony of 3rd and last phase of 24th National Youth Festival and the closing ceremony of 2nd National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) culminated on 12th January, 2021 at Central Hall, Parliament. The ceremony was organized for the first time inside the Central Hall of Parliament to give an understanding of traditions of Indian democracy to the 90 State level winners of NYPF. Youth Anthem and Journey of Youth Festival till date was launched on that occasion.
