Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 25
A good number of youth from Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya including Nagaland joined the seven day long state level National Integration Camp (NIC), which got underway here at the Indira Gandhi Stadium under the aegis of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Nagaland.
The weeklong camp will touch on various topics like, self harmony for a better society, peace and development, protection of environment, global warming, India’s cultural unity, common heritage and Indian freedom movement etc. Cultural exchange, visit to historical places, quiz competition, trekking to Kisama, Shurho Mountain, sports will also mark the camp.
Declaring the weeklong camp open, Visakhonü Hibo, principal Japfü Christian College, Kigwema opined that the NICs can be a source for building mutual understanding and respect for each other. “Young people all over the world have the same pulse, the same heart-beat, the same longings, the same potentialities and the same aspirations but inspirations and opportunities are different,” she said adding that such gave a false idea of a sense of superiority and inferiority which leads to the development of so many ‘isms. She, however, maintained that events such as NICs can help dispel those unwanted negative feelings and perceptions that create negative impacts amongst us. “Unfortunately; communication gaps, misunderstandings, suspicions and hatred arises because of non-proximity and lack of love and concern for each other,” Hibo said. However; she said “when we come together as one, we consciously and unconsciously contribute to nation building positively.
Many ‘isms come attached with the fear of being assimilated or dominated by a greater force, she said adding this fear increased when there is no mutual knowledge or understanding of all the parties concerned. But if all human beings can be given the chance to co-exist peacefully with each other, there will be no room left for fear. She was also hopeful that the NICS will cater to great need for unity and understanding, “acting as the catalysts to bind us together as one great family, the family of humanity.” She also advocated that feelings of superiority and inferiority should be curbed permanently, and the seed of brotherhood must be urgently sown with love that is embedded with implicit trust by all concerned. “The seed of brotherhood, I believe, can be most effectively sown by the youth because the power of youth is unsurpassable,” she said and challenged the participants to tap the great potential of youth power so that peace and understanding prevails in every nook and corner of the country. “May the seed that you sow bear much fruit and may peace, love and unity be ours today, tomorrow and for ever more,” Hibo added.
K.I. Singh, zonal director NYKS Nagaland said the basic aims of NICs is to create nationwide opportunity to the rural youth for their best possible participation in the national integration activities. “As per the tradition of our programmes, this participation of youth will be of a totally inclusive nature of our society that would include all castes, creeds, linguistic and regional groups, and varied social and ethnic groups following a diverse spread of customs and traditions,” Singh said. He also added that it attempt will be on inculcation of secular and scientific values amongst the youth and promote Sadbhavna and peace in the country.
Informing that the Ministry of youth affairs and sports has sanctioned 228 NICs to as many Nehru Yuva Kendras in the current year, the Zonal Director expects that these camps shall provide a platform where youth share about the threats posed to the nation by divisive forces and workout the strategies for combating them. Beside, they also discuss about the youth problems and other developmental challenges.
It also expected that after attending the camp, the youth shall be a good understanding and perspective of unity, harmony and national integration. “They shall understand that national unity and integrity is imperative for strengthening the roots of democracy and development. In turn, they resolve to put all efforts to promote sadbhavna, peace and brotherhood and subsequently come together for strengthening democracy and development of the nation,” Singh added.
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by John Makhabo while vote of thanks was proposed by Peleneizo Chadi. The camp will go on till September 30.
Objective of National Integration Camps
• To create quality opportunity for young participants from different parts of the country to live, interact and learn together in an environment of mutual love and respect and also to understand and appreciate people living in different parts of the country
• To facilitate the participants to learn about the issue of national integration and communal harmony
• To facilitate the youth to know about the age-old common history and heritage which have been instrumental for strengthening our secular and democratic fiber
• To facilitate the youth to identify the threats and challenges posed by divisive force in the country and to develop a strategy to combat it
• To create an opportunity for the youth to participate and see various traditional folk and traditional cultural performance
• To educate the youth about the core developmental issues like education, health and environment
• To facilitate the youth to understand the developmental scenario and challenges, and also to motivate them for contributing towards national development
• To make them understand about their role as responsible citizens
• To inspire them to offer their services to the nation during national emergencies such as communal riots, terrorist attacks and disasters.
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