Celebrating diversity in unity
The port city is all set to play host to delegates from across the country and showcase the ethnicity of the country through National Youth Festival, writes Naina J A
The countdown has begun for five-day long grand 17th National Youth Festival in the Port City of Mangalore.
With just five days left for the spectacular event, Mangalore is all set to witness vibrant colours of India with cultural events, folk dances and other colourful events.
The theme of the event for 2012 is ‘Celebrating diversity in unity.’ The last NYF was held at Udaipur in Rajasthan.
The event is jointly organised and coordinated by the Government of India (GoI) and Government of Karnataka (GoK) along with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan (NYKS) and National Service Scheme (NSS).
Mangalore will play host to 5,000 participants from 35 states and Union Territories. Apart from young enthusiasts and government officials, foreign delegates from SAARC and ASEAN countries are also expected to take part, according to the website of the youth festival.
The event, with the theme “Celebrating Diversity In Unity”, would comprise competitive cultural events including folk and classical dances, mono act plays, etc. and numerous non-competitive events.
History of NYF
The National Youth Festival is celebrated on the birthday of Swami Vivekananda on January 12. National Youth Festival is organised every year by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. January 12 in India is celebrated as National Youth Day and the week, commencing from that day, as the National Youth Week.
The National Youth Festival began in 1995 as a major activity under the programme of National Integration Camp (NIC). The festival propagates the concept of national integration, communal harmony, brotherhood, courage and adventure amongst the youth.
Speaking to City Herald, Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda said that the preparations are going on in full swing and all arrangements including accommodation for the guests have already been completed.
More than 1,861 participants have already confirmed their participation online along with 296 officials and 75 invitees.
Accomodation
Accommodation for the participants has been arranged at 14 places in the city. They include: National Institute of Technology – Karnataka (NIT-K), Surathkal; Mangalore University; Sangha Niketan, Managudda; Kudmul Ranga Rao Hostel, PVS Circle; A J Nursing College; Srinivas Engineering College; Jawaharlal Nehru School, Mudipu; Roshni Nilaya, Valencia; St Aloysius PU College; and Morarji Desai Residential School. The rooms have also been booked in major hotels and in Circuit House for the VIPs.
Besides, TMA Pai International Convention Centre, the events would be held at the Town Hall, St. Aloysius College (Loyola Hall), SDM Law College, Devadiga Bhavan, Mannagudda; and Gokarnanatheshwara Hall, Kudroli.
Buses had been arranged for taking participants from their place of stay to TMA Pai International Convention Centre. “Around 100 dedicated private buses would be commuting. The district administration is also planning to provide KSRTC bus passes for the public to take part in the mega event. The decision on the same will be taken within two days.” At the same time, auto drivers association members said that they will not charge extra bugs from the participants.
Though the district administration has decided against announcing holidays for schools and colleges in the district during the youth festival, the educational institutions will be given permission to take children of high schools to the events.
The organisers have planned the inauguration in a unique way with the help of Robo Technology. Accordingly, the portrait of Swami Vivekananda will be unveiled at the inauguration, which would remain on the stage for two minutes before it disappeas.
As the portrait unveils, Kuvempu’s ‘Elu eddelu..’ song will be played in the background. The CD of the song has been brought from Ramakrishna Mutt, Belgaum, said sources.
Meanwhile, the stage for the inauguration would resemble ‘Guthinamane,’ said Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr K N Vijayaprakash and added that efforts would be made to provide the the ethnicity of the country in the procession that would mark the inauguration of the youth festival.
The Mangala Stadium had been given a makeover with the steps being repaired, a refurbished main hall and cladding done at the entry, he said.
Facelift
The roads in PVS Circle, Mangala stadium and the Circuit House leading to Mangala stadium are getting a facelift with fresh paintings of the kerbstones, medians and the zebra crossings. The Hampankatta-Mangala Stadium -stretch, Kankanady-Jyothi Cricle-PVS Junction, the Crcuit House-Lalbagh stretch will be illuminated in addition to all the government buildings and places in and around Mangala Stadium. About 1,200 volunteers will help the participants throughout the festival.
Cleanliness
To maintain cleanliness, special arrangement has been made for fogging. Boards will be displayed to ensure that the areas were free from smoking, consumption of liquor and gutka.
Art camp
As part of youth festival, a youth artists’ camp will be held from January 13 to 15. Artists who are in the age group of 18 to 35 including physically challenged can participate through registration.
Spot painting, clay model, photography comp will be held. Spot painting and clay model will be held at Kadri Park. Acryllic paint and 24X30 size canvas will be provided for the painting. The clay would be provided on the spot. Sand sculpture will be held at Panambur beach. The artists including physically challenged can register their names with the Prasad Art Gallery on or before January 7.
The Facebook page for the festival can be found at (http://www.facebook.com/Nyf2012), on Twitter the handle is NYF2012, and there is a blog (http://www.nyf2012.blogspot.com/).
The mascot
Yakshi is the mascot for the 17th National Youth Festival. The mascot coveys all attributes of NYF—unity, diversity, strength, love, and social nature. The Yakshi is a young welcoming and fun loving elephant with the yakshagana headgear, representing the rich cultural heritage of coastal district.
KSTDC package
A tour package has been arranged for the participants to travel in and around Dakshina Kannada. It includes: Mangalore-Kollur-Udupi-Malpe beach (1 day) from 7.30 am to 7 pm and fair is Rs 400.
nMagalore-Venur-Moodbidri-Kodyadka Annapoorneshwari temple-Karkala (1 day)- 7,.30 am to 5 pm and Rs 400 per person.
nMnagalore-Dharmasthala-Sauthadka-Subrahamnya, 7.30 am to 6.30 pm, Rs 400. nMnagalore city tour, half day from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm, Rs 100 per individual.
nMnagalore city tour , half day from 2 pm to 7 pm, Rs 200.
For details one can contact: 0824-2453826/2453926/ 09845776175/08970650116/09901328675.