Itanagar: ‘Northeastern people may be unique in their caste, creed, customs and features from the rest of the country, but they are very much Indian and proud to be one,’ said Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Ninong Ering.
The Union minister made this obseravtion on Wednesday while addressing as the chief guest, at the inaugurating function of the Third North East Youth Festival (NEYF), at Sange Lhaden Sports Association (SLSA) Complex in Arunachal Pradesh with the theme ‘Youth and Unity’, sponsored by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The Union Minister said, ‘Northeasterners are the sentinel of the country, as the eight states of this region are sharing a huge international boundary with China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh and protecting the country from outside nations’.
Urging to those who are discriminate the North easters as outsiders, Ering, appealed to them to not differentiate the people of this part of the country by their features and customs, for they are very much Indian.
Appreciating the organiser State Sports and Youth Affairs department for conducting such type of programme in a grand way, he informed the gathering that the programme supposed to inaugurated by Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Jitendra Singh, but some unavoidable circumstances he could not attend the opening ceremony, therefore, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, who is camping in Delhi requested me to be present the function.
The presence of London Olympic Bronze medalist, M C Mary Com was the main attraction of the programme.
Earlier, Ering handed over a cheque, amounting of Rs 10 lakh to Kom as a token of love from the part of the state government for her remarkable achievement in the Olyimpic.
Speaking on the occasion, secretary, Union ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, Nita Singh lauded all the participating teams for taking part in march-past with their traditional musical instruments and colourful attires.
All the eight north-eastern states were taking part in the programme.
Some of the major events to be organized during the festival are, folk dance, music, one act play, musical guitar, rock band competitions among the participants besides adventure sports like sports climbing and hiking etc.
The cultural extravaganza will also witness artists from diverse fields of music, dance, handloom and handicrafts etc.
Exhibition and food stalls were also erected at the programme venue to showcase their handloom, handicraft and food items by the participants from all over the country. (UNI)