Governor Nand Kishore Yadav with other officials during State Level Youth Festival 2026 in Kohima on September 29. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 29
The State Level Youth Festival 2026 under the aegis of the Department of Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, took place in the presence of Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav as the special guest at Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima on September 29.
Addressing the festival under the theme “Youth, Skills & a Self- Reliant Nagaland,” Yadav urged upon the youth to develop their talents, acquire new skills and contribute to building a stronger and self-reliant Nagaland.
Stating that this Festival brings together youth from different districts to showcase their abilities, exchange ideas and appreciate one another’s cultures and talents, he encouraged the youth to look beyond the competition and build friendships, learn from one another and carry experiences with them.
“Such interactions strengthen our sense of unity and brotherhood, reminding us that despite our diverse languages, traditions and cultures, we are all part of one Nagaland and one India,” he said.
He said that the youth, who possesses immense talent and potential must be supported by knowledge, practical skills, discipline and continuous learning in a rapidly changing world “A skill acquired today can become a lifelong asset-opening opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and economic independence,” he said.
Yadav also encouraged the young people to explore diverse fields such as digital technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture, tourism, handicrafts, creative industries and other emerging sectors.
“Government employment alone cannot meet the aspirations of every young person. We must therefore be open to different pathways and opportunities. With skill, determination, perseverance and an enterprising spirit, our youth can build independent lives and contribute significantly to a self-reliant Nagaland,” Yadav said.
‘Be active participants in Viksit Bharat vision’
Yadav also urged the youth of Nagaland to be active participants in the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
“Our State has immense strengths-talented young people, rich cultural traditions, natural beauty and strong community bonds, along with opportunities in tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, sports and creative industries,” he said adding that the challenge is to transform these strengths into sustainable opportunities.
Stating that the future of Nagaland depends greatly on young people who are confident, skilled, creative and committed to their communities, he stressed on the need to take a collective responsibility to create opportunities and provide the necessary support.
Touching on the importance of promoting and preserving the rich culture and traditions, Yadav said “Our folk songs, dances and traditional art forms reflect our identity, history and collective heritage.”
The youth have an important role in ensuring that Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage continues to flourish and reaches wider audiences in India and beyond, he added.
Turn potential into ability
Nagaland Youth Resources & Sports Advisor S Keoshu Yimkhiung said that Naga youth are gifted with creativity, courage, energy, and a strong sense of community.
“When we strengthen them with knowledge, practical skills, discipline, and confidence, they can help transform lives and communities across our state,” he said.
He challenged the youth to celebrate their abilities, learn from one another, and come forward with a renewed commitment to serve Nagaland.
“The future of Nagaland will be shaped today by you (Youth), who are prepared, determined, and willing to take responsibility. Let us work towards a state where every young person has the opportunity to learn a skill, pursue a livelihood, and contribute with dignity,” he said.
He wanted to see that the youth festival “inspire us to turn potential into ability, ability into action, and action into progress for Nagaland.”
Young athletes take skills for economic sustenance
Anthony Ngullie, Secretary, Youth Resources & Sports, Government of Nagaland, said that basing on the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the department had undertaken a pilot Project for skill based economic sustenance initiative to equip the young athletes with alternative skills for economic sustenance.
Presently, 80 athletes have been trained in various skills such as crochet, florist, pickle making, baking and mobile repairing.
“This initiative is taken to provide our athletes who after crossing their professional playing years or retire from active sporting activities can fall upon these alternative skills for their economic sustenance in future,” he said.
Governor of Nagaland also inaugurated the stalls set up by those groups of athletes.
In 2025, he said, the National Youth Festival was restructured into the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) to align with the Prime Minister's vision of engaging youth in Viksit Bharat @2047 mission.
Similarly, the Ministry of Youth Affairs encourages all states to hold State-level and district-level youth festivals in the same manner which will culminate at the National Level.
Based on this, the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue-2027 edition will hold various competitions for youths aged 15-29 years across six major tracks and the winners will attend the Grand National event in New Delhi in January 2027, Ngullie said.
The programme was chaired by Kethosituo Sekhose, Director, Youth Resources & Sports while vote of thanks was proposed by Naroenla, Youth Resources & Sports Officer.
