By Matters India Reporter

Guwahati, March 8, 2020: The National Youth Exchange fest ended in Guwahati marking International Women’s Day with a colorful ceremony.

The National Service Scheme (NSS) in collaboration with Don Bosco Institute (DBI) Kharguli, Guwahati, jointly organized the March 2-8 Tribal Youth Exchange Program.

Some 500 students from various states and Union Territories participated in the program held at Amphitheatre of Don Bosco Institute. It began with a song “Girl on Fire” by two NSS volunteers of DBI.

The song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys released on November 22, 2012, was dedicated to all women marking the International Women’s Day.

The chief guest of the day was Collector, Guwahati Municipal Corporation Pallavi Kachari.

Kachari, thanked DBI for inviting her and reminded youth, “We must teach our sons to respect girls. Every girl’s [dignity and safety] responsibility is in the hands of the men. Men should also learn how to treat women.”

Other Guests of Honor included Chairperson, Royal Global University, Prof. Alak Buragohain, State Director of NYKS Shri. Angshuman Prasad Das, Director, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Abhijit Sharma, Deputy Director General, NCC Shillong , Brig. R.K. Singh, Executive Director of Don Bosco Institute Dr (Fr) P. D. John, and Regional Director, NSS Guwahati Mr. Dipak Kumar.

Angshuman Prasad Das referred to the crowds as small India sitting. He emphasized, “When you go home tell your friends and extend your knowledge by your service, then your 7-day stay will be a fruitful”. Every corner of India is present here, and I invite all the youth of the country to come to DBI and utilize this institution as I have done with NYKS members. He lastly said not to forget Assam.

Abhijit Sharma, Director Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship who spoke on the occasion thanked DBI and NSS. He told the participants “You are the people who will bring solution to the problem.”

He insisted, “Adapt to Technology to bring solution. Don’t be just consumers of technology.”

Brig. R. K. Singh DDG, NCC Shillong encouraged youth to work together to bring a greater impact. He told the participants, “Be confident in whatever you do, imbibe values and take the responsibility to take this country into a new era. Be part of the solution not part of problem.”

Guest of honour, Prof. Alak Buragohain expressed his happiness at the training imparted saying, ““I am rest assured that with people like you, India will be at the top.”

Ahamed Jimshad, P.O. from Kerala said, “Three letters of NSS brought us to Northeast to see the rich cultures of Northeast. In DBI, we were treated like ‘Chief Guest’ every day. By being in DBI, we felt we were in all the 8 States of Northeast as DBI houses all cultures of Northeast.”

Pusha Saroj, a participant from Delhi said, “I love DBI and the people of Northeast. They are so welcoming, colourful and sociable. I am going to tell every were about the beauty of DBI and Northeast.”

Shreya from UP studying in Benares Hindu University said, “Everything is different in Northeast. But I was able to adjust myself and enjoy the sessions and learn a lot. The entire camp was an eyeopener for me about the rich culture of Northeast.”

Milind Kr Gautam, P.O. from Madhya Pradesh said, “In my thirty years life, I never had such a wonderful experience as I had these days in DBI – a place where all cultures and all religions meet.”

NSS is a voluntary organization dedicated to the growth and development of young people of India, especially the tribal population of India. The NSS motto is ‘NOT ME BUT YOU.”

The event consisted of various sessions, cultural evenings, local sight-seeing, adventure events and a host of activities connected to Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. END