Shillong, Jan 12: The National Youth Day was celebrated in Shillong on Tuesday at Ramakrishna Mission. The celebration was confined to a day-long celebration due to pandemic restrictions.
The function was held at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre, in the same Hall where the great Swami delivered his last public lecture in two phases.
Justice H S Thangkhiew who was present for the first session as Chief guest echoed the message of Swami Vivekananda towards nation-building and called the youth to live for others as envisioned by the Swami. He also said that with those positive thoughts they can work towards nation-building.
The audience of the morning session were the students of Computer Training who had enrolled for various computer courses in the institute.
The entrance of the hall was bejewelled by a beautiful Art exhibition by The RITI Academy of Arts. The Founder of the academy Raphael Warjri as the guest of honour of the occasion spoke about the first public appearance of Swamiji in Chicago and last public appearance of him in this city.
Vivekananda Award of Excellence was conferred to Sheikh Muzibor for his relentless services towards the purpose of the institute.
A L Hek, Minister of Art and Culture, Govt. of Meghalaya, while addressing the meeting as the chief guest of the second session reminded everyone that Swami Vivekanada’s Birthday is being celebrated as National youth day since 1985. He also urged upon all to mould their lives with high ideals and decide who and what would ‘rule or ruin’ their lives.
Prof B K Dutta, NEC member, in his address as a guest of honour called Swamiji as both a national and an international figure. He lauded Ramakrishna mission for its services during the pandemic and wished that could be done on a large scale.
Earlier in his welcome address, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong, Swami Hitakamanandaji Maharaj asked the youth to protect the nation from various forces and that is only possible with the ideals of Swami Vivekananda.
The audience for the second session were the parents of the prize winners of 46th cultural competition held during the month of July last year. The competitions were held online for this time where 1500 candidates registered of whom 875 participated. 117 prizes were given out to the winners under various categories of Recitation, Debate, Quiz, Elocution and Essay. Their Performance par excellence of selected prize winners was showcased.
The sessions were integrated with some wonderful cultural performances displaying the varied cultural diaspora of North East India. The audience enjoyed the rhythm of Duitara, Flute and traditional drum through Khasi patriotic song, Khasi Dance and Bharatanatyam recital. But the performance by the students of Ramakrishna Mission School, Shella with pure traditional fervour attracted the attention of all that echoed the words of Swami Vivekananda, the youth icon of India through their songs.
A blood donation camp was also organised by Ramakrishna Mission in collaboration with NEIGRIHMS hospital on Saturday in which 40 donors approached and 28 donated blood including 6 female donors.
A cultural group of Laban offered floral tribute at a plaque present of the land where Swami Vivekananda stayed for a fortnight during his visit to Shillong.
