SHILLONG: From a journey back to ones’ roots to tips on effective communication skills, self defence and acting, the Youth Fest organized by the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan at the State Central Library premises on Friday had it all and more.
Organised with an aim to provide a unique platform to students to explore their interests in a creative fashion, the event roped in resource persons from various fields to aid the youngsters in an innovative manner.
Bringing together schools from East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi, the programme sought to inspire the secondary students to delve into areas they might not otherwise venture into, in a relaxed and interactive manner.
Around 400 students along with staff from various schools participated in the event.
The theme for the festival was “Back to Our Roots”, and a workshop led by NEHU professor Desmond Kharmawphlang took the students on a journey of rediscovering the heritage of Meghalaya and of other cultures in the region and abroad.
This session was followed by a light-hearted workshop led by Avenues MD, Mark Stone Laitflang, who instructed the students on simple ways to be more effective in communication in an interactive and fun-based manner.
From making a good first impression to positive body language and five simple pronunciations that are key to speaking English better, the workshop covered it all.
It was followed by five other workshops on acting, self defence, creative writing, debating skills and arts and crafts.
The workshop on acting was led by star of ‘Ri: Homeland of Uncertainty’, Merlvin Mukhim while medal-winning karateka Linza Syiem taught self defence to girls. Avenues’ Ramola Laitphlang conducted the workshop on creative writing while Priyanku Sarmah took the students through debating skills.
The workshop on arts and crafts was conducted by artist and educator Careen Langstieh.
Her session involved the students in giving the finishing touches to a unique art installation in the Library premises. The art embodied the importance of knowing one’s roots. The installation was an artistic representation of the more famous wonders of Meghalaya – the living root bridge and the Sacred Groves- and the students took to it enthusiastically, placing saplings to represent the grove and used indigenous cloth as part of the bridge’s form. They did this all while wearing the knup – the traditional rain shield. This ambitious artwork also included elements of sound-that of a river and sounds from the forest-and it is sure to catch the eye of the visitors to the Library.
Earlier, speaking at the inauguration of the Fest was chief guest SDB, Father Celia along with Education Department Secretary, FR Kharkongor and Director of School Education and Literacy Ambrose Ch Marak.
Father Celia, who heads the Don Bosco Youth Centre, explained that there is a middle road that all should take.
“Some people take life too seriously, while others take it a bit too easy. The real path is in the middle, depicted by this programme today,” he said.
He also urged the youths not to fear moments of failure. “Don’t be afraid of failure… The aim is to succeed in life. We are eagles who are meant to fly,” he said.
Marak was surprisingly candid in his speech when he said that, sometimes, education departments in the country are “offices of noise” where there is a lot of talk but not enough action. He added that the education department requires endurance, patience and consistency as it works towards successful human resource development.