HT Correspondent
KHERONI, Jan 12: National Youth Day-2024 was fervently observed in Karbi Anglong by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Diphu, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. The event, commemorating the 161st Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, took place at Pragati College, Mailoo, West Karbi Anglong, where floral tributes were paid, and lamps were lit in front of Swami Vivekananda’s portrait.
Various speakers shed light on Swami Vivekananda’s contributions to education and social upliftment. Dr Shiv Jee Chauhan, assistant professor in the department of Hindi at Udali College, spoke on Swami Vivekananda’s educational contributions. Chhotelal Chauhan, assistant professor and head of the Hindi department, highlighted the social upliftment efforts of Swami Vivekananda. Jeetendra Harijan, vice principal of Kapili College, delved into the life history of the youth icon.
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Dr Rajesh Kr Chauhan, assistant professor in the department of Hindi at TN College, said that society’s development hinges on education accessible to all sections. The principal of Pragati College, Dharmendra Singh, and other speakers, including Kamal Ch Nath and Kanhaiya Singh, shared insights into the life of the youth icon.
A declamation contest on the theme ‘My Bharat, Viksit Bharat @2047’ witnessed active participation, with more than 50 candidates competing. The winning candidates, Deepa Kumari (1st place), Fulmati Kumari (2nd place), and Nitu Kumari (3rd place), were recognised with certificates and honoured with gamosas.
Our Nagaon correspondent adds: The spirit of National Youth Day was brought to life as Nehru Yuva Kendra, Kamrup, partnered with the NSS unit of B Borooah College for an extensive day of programs at the college auditorium.
The event commenced with a warm welcome by Inkungkuang, regional director of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan. The inaugural session set the tone with the ceremonial lighting of the earthen lamp at Swami Vivekananda’s portrait, paying homage to the revered figure on his 161st birth anniversary. Over 500 participants, including students from various educational institutions, colleges, youth clubs, and NGOs, actively engaged in the celebration.
Queen Oja, MP, Guwahati, graced the occasion as the chief guest, highlighting the power of youth and highlighting various youth-related activities. Gautam Das, assistant commissioner of the State Transport Department, contributed insights on road safety, also sharing messages from the chief minister. The program featured a screening of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech from the national youth festival in Nashik.
In tandem with the celebrations in Nagaon, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and NSS volunteers orchestrated a series of road safety activities across Guwahati. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Chayan Suklabaidya, district youth officer, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Kamrup.
Dignitaries present at the event included Ratna Singh, counselor, Guwahati Municipality Corporation, Satyendra Nath, principal of B Borooah College, Dr Ramen Talukdar, principal of AVM College, and Dr Satyabrata Baruah, NSS programme officer, among others.
Our Bureau adds: Gauhati University marked National Youth Day through a virtual celebration organised by Viksit Bharat@2047 Cell and GU NSS Cell. The event included a declamation contest for NSS volunteers and students from affiliated colleges under Gauhati University, focusing on the theme ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’.
During the celebration, Dr Ranjan Kr Kakati, director of Students Welfare at GU and NSS Programme Coordinator, emphasised the profound significance of National Youth Day. He highlighted its representation of Swami Vivekananda’s vision to empower youth for positive societal transformation.
The declamation contest featured Dr Jintu Gohain, assistant professor at Paschim Guwahati Mahavidyalaya, and Rittik Rupam Sarmah from the Department of Sociology, GU, as jury members. The winners of the contest were announced as follows: Darisha Pathak from Abhayapuri College received the first prize and Liza Barman from Abhayapuri College second and Shruti Agasthi from Biswanath College and Ahana Roy from Handique Girls College received the third prize.
The awardees will be honoured with a trophy, certificate, and a special gift in a ceremonial function at the Gauhati University campus.
Simultaneously, on National Youth Day, the Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam, in collaboration with Consumer Voice, New Delhi, orchestrated a poster competition at Shankardev Vidya Niketan, Narengi. The event aimed to inspire creative expressions under the theme ‘Say No to Tobacco’, encouraging youth to reject tobacco and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Participation exceeded expectations, with hundreds of students from Shankardev Vidya Niketan, Narengi, Guwahati, actively engaging in the competition. Their posters collectively advocated for robust tobacco control laws, emphasising their well-being and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat. Following the prize distribution program, all the posters were sent to the Prime Minister’s office.
Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, secretary of the Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam, stressed their commitment to the well-being of youth, considering strengthening tobacco control laws as an imperative step for a healthier future. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2019 (GYTS 4) highlighted that nearly one-fifth of students aged 13-15 years in India use tobacco products. The adverse effects of tobacco consumption on health, including respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases, pose a significant challenge to the younger generation.
Social worker Subash Deka addressed the program, acknowledging the formidable health challenges faced by the youth due to tobacco consumption. Smoking and chewing tobacco escalate the risk of various health conditions, imposing a substantial burden on the healthcare system.
Sandhya Rani Chamuah, vice principal of Shankardev Vidya Niketan Narengi, Guwahati, highlighted the negative impact of tobacco use on educational attainment and holistic development. The addictive nature of tobacco products can impede academic performance and concentration, diverting financial resources from education and personal development.
