By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 25: Curtain came down on the five-day North East NSS Festival 2026, themed ‘Empowered Youth for Viksit Bharat’, at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) on Saturday.
The event brought together NSS volunteers and programme officers from across the region for activities focused on leadership, community service and cultural exchange.
The festival opened with a cultural procession and a ceremonial flag-off by USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque, former Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna and Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner Zikrul Hasan Fahad.
Technical sessions addressed civic responsibility, national integration and digital awareness.
Resource persons, including Ashish (IPS), Gameliel LC Mylliem (MCS) and Dr. Vanessa Kharmawphlang, led discussions on the role of youth in a progressive society.
A major component of the five-day festival was the village outreach programme at Jorbil in Ri-Bhoi district.
Volunteers engaged with the local community through Swachh Bharat cleanliness drives, social issue surveys, and awareness competitions, reflecting the NSS motto, ‘Not Me, But You’.
As part of the festival, participants also paid a visit to the Umiam Lake for shramdaan activities, focusing on plastic waste management and environmental protection.
The festival ended with cultural competitions in folk song and dance, aimed at fostering unity among the participating states.
