Visit to "26th National Youth Festival"
At Hubbali, Dharwad, Karnataka
12th - 16th January 2023
NSS unit of Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida organized a visit to “National Youth Festival- Hubbali, Dharwad, Karnataka” from 12th - 16th January, 2023. Two NSS student volunteers Aman Bansal (2nd year, CSE - Roll No. - 16021) and Richa Yadav (2nd year, CSE - Roll No. - 16140) along with NSS Program Officer attended the 5-day “National Youth Festival” organized and sponsored by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt of India, NSS Regional Centre, Karnataka.
The theme for the year was ‘Viksit Yuva Viksit Bharat.’ The festival was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka.
The National Youth festival is organized every year on the occasion of birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand who believed the youth has the ability to change the economy of world. The logo of NYF 2023 is emblematic of the spirit of nationalism, selfless service, unity and cooperation despite the vast diversity of the sub-continent. It represents the Youth of the Nation as fountain head of India’s ascendancy at Global High table as a power to reckon economic, diplomatic and military fronts, and highlights the Nation’s Presidency of G20 as well as UNSC forums.
The festival began with an inaugural function that was attended by more than 30,000 youth from across the country. The Prime Minister of India shared his vision for the future with the young attendees and provided them an opportunity to engage with the country’s leaders and policymakers at ‘Youth Summit’.
The Mascot is energetic image of “Champi Chikka”, which translates to “Young Champion”. It represents the image of a young and modern India championing various global causes such as Climate Change, SDGs and Global Peace. It also showcases India’s youth champions excelling at various sectors such as Start-ups, Sports, Innovation and Education.
26th National Youth Festival was a five day program which starts with Yoga in morning and ends with dinner and concert. There were five main events of the National Youth Festival in which more than 7500 young delegates participated from all over India.
- Yoga
- Learning activities
- Adventure sports
- Youth Summit
- Green Festival
Day 1 – 12th January, 2023
The first day of the event started with yoga and meditation under guidance of yoga instructor. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated National Youth Festival on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. PM Modi ji recommended that the youth should take lessons from Swami Vivekananda to move ahead in life.
Describing the youth of the nation as ‘Yuva Shakti’, he said that Yuva Shakti’s aspirations will decide its destination and its passion will decide India’s path and further he adds that India today is the 5th largest economy and “our goal is to take it into the top 3.” He emphasized that the youngsters of today must have futuristic thoughts and approaches. Many events were held on that day like martial arts, folk dance, and folk songs of each state.
Day 2 – 13th January, 2023
The second day also started with yoga and meditation under the guidance of yoga instructor’s. Next all NSS volunteers gathered at Agriculture University Hall-1 to attend ‘Youth summit’. Youth summit program was organized on the theme ‘Start-up and Digital India’. Guests for the day were Shri Tejaswi Surya (Member of Parliament), Smt. Meeta Rajeevlochan (Secretary, department of Youth Affairs), Dr. Aravind Chinchure (renowned academician and corporate strategist), Mr. Amit Amarnath (Founder of Youth for Parivarthan), Dr. Basavaraj Shreshta (Public Policy and Development professional).
MP Tejaswi Surya told the facts that many countries are facing crises of finance, peace and harmony. He said, today’s youth community should discuss on current events and maintain physical and mental health. He further added students should make continuous efforts to achieve success and strive to make ‘INDIA A WORLD LEADER’.
Day 3 – 14th January, 2023
Following the same schedule of performing Yoga during the morning hours, the third day of the Youth Summit of NYF 2023 was captivating for the youths who had their ears fixed on the words of the experts speaking on technology, innovation and education.
The first session was on “Future of work/Industry innovation,” Mr. Ajay S Kabadi, CEO and founder of Docket Run explained, AI, Drone mapping, reinforcement learning and Google Assistant. In second session, Ankush L Koravi, a young entrepreneur and CEO of Astr Defence Pvt. Ltd. elaborated on how he ventured into manufacturing the country’s first indigenous assault rifles against several odds. In the third session, Dr. Saurabh S Kokatnur, (Assistant Professor in the Dept. of PG Studies in Basic Principles of Ayurveda) addressed the misconceptions of Ayurveda among the youths.
In the afternoon, volunteers and participants from all over the country actively participated in activities like Aqua Sports (at Kelageri Lake), Young Artist Camp and Mountain Biking.
Day 4 – 15th January, 2023
On day 4, morning yoga session was not an ordinary session as not only the participants of NYF and NSS practiced yoga but the whole Karnataka practiced yoga to set up a new mile-stone. The State Youth Service and Sports Department had been working continuously for the past eight months to organize a special performance of Yogasana for Karnataka State to be included in the Guinness Record.
Issues concerning humanity and human of the earth were discussed. In the first session on ‘Climate Change and Disaster Reduction,’ speakers discussed various aspects of environment – sustainability, renewable energy and water conservation. The first speaker Mr. Srinivasa A S, (member of Youth for Parivarthan, an NGO which is striving for sustainable environment), underscored the need for using recyclable products by demonstrating three types of bags made from different materials-plastic, bag made from an old sari and a new bag which contributed to carbon footprint while manufacturing. The second speaker Mr. Bangolae Lakshmikanth Balaji, (Founder and CEO of Renkube, a renewable energy company), expressed concerns about disappearing lakes, change in demography of Antarctica continent and carbon emissions from coal-based plants as well as vehicles.
The theme of the second session was ‘Mental Health’ and speakers discussed various problems and solutions. Dr. Rajani Parthasarathy, (Deputy Director (Mental Health) at the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Psychiatrist), stimulate NSS volunteers to participate in a demonstration on empathy. Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Assistant Professor at NIMHANS and child and adolescent psychiatrist, spoke at length about emotional development, social development and explained how 'body is nature and brain is electricity.’
Ms. Shamitha Shetty (Masters in Clinical Psychology and working with NIMHANS on 'Yuva Spandana project) highlighted the importance of Yoga and Meditation for mental well-being.
Day 5 – 16th January 2023
Last day was valedictory ceremony. All delinquents were present at UAS Auditorium, Dharwad. The Hon’ble Guests for the day were Anurag Singh Thakur (Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs), Pralhad Joshi (Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines of India), Dr. K.C. Narayana Gowda (Minister of Sericulture, Youth empowerment and Sports in Karnataka), Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot (Governor of Karnataka), Shri. Basvaraj S. Bommai (Chief Minister of Karnataka).
Mr. Anurag Thakur gave some valuable and remarkable words to motivate and encourage the youth present there and those who were watching it live. Mr.Anurag Thakur also call for ‘ONE YOUTH ONE VOICE’ to bring all youth to say “BHARAT MATA KI JAI” and “VANDE MATARAM” in a symmetry. He also adds on by saying that “ Bhaagane Vaalon Ko Kuchh Nahin Milata, Ladane Vaalon Ke Kadam Mein Jahaan Gir Jaata Hai. ”
After everyone’s speeches, prizes were given to NSS and community awardee in recognition for their social work. Winners of folk dance and songs were announced – the first position in Folk Dance was grabbed by Punjab and first position in folk song was won by Uttar Pradesh. Governor gave the ending speech for 26th NYF 2023 in UAS auditorium, Dharwad.