The North East NSS Festival 2025 this month brought together youth from all eight northeastern states for a vibrant display of volunteerism, cultural exchange, and healthy competition. Spread across multiple venues and states—including Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim—the festival served as a platform to showcase the spirit of the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the unity of the region.
The festival was inaugurated in Mizoram, with over 250 NSS volunteers from across the Northeast attending the opening ceremony at the Art & Culture Auditorium, Berawtlang. Dignitaries highlighted the importance of community service and youth involvement in nation-building. The Mizoram event set the tone for the celebrations, blending formal addresses with traditional performances.
In Tripura, the 7th Northeast NSS Festival was inaugurated by the Chief Minister at Agartala. The event emphasized inclusivity, youth leadership, and a roadmap toward Viksit Bharat 2047. Contingents from Nagaland and other states joined in, marking the beginning of their competitive and cultural journey.
Each northeastern state sent vibrant contingents of volunteers. Nagaland, with a 34-member team, took part in competitions ranging from quizzes to sit-and-draw contests, securing positions in several categories. The contingents brought not just participation but also pride for their states, underlining the diversity and camaraderie that the festival promotes.
The grand finale unfolded in Gangtok, Sikkim, where the festival concluded after five days of activities at Manan Kendra. The closing ceremony was attended by officials including Ms. Yangchen D Tamang (Secretary, Department of Sports & Youth Affairs). A minute of silence was observed in memory of the late singer Zubeen Garg, whose passing cast a moment of reflection during the celebrations.
Organized by the Sikkim State NSS Cell with support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, the North East NSS Festival 2025 was more than just a youth gathering. It reaffirmed the NSS motto, “Not Me, But You,” and showcased the potential of young volunteers to drive both social change and cultural harmony. As noted in the closing ceremony, this year’s festival is not an end but a milestone in the ongoing journey of service and solidarity among the Northeast’s youth.
The awards ceremony highlighted the competitive spirit:
- Cultural Exchange Competition: Arunachal Pradesh (1st), Mizoram (2nd), Assam (3rd)
- Quiz Competition: Manipur (1st), Nagaland (2nd), Mizoram (3rd)
- Best Contingent: Team Tripura
- Flora & Fauna PowerPoint Contest: Sikkim (1st), Mizoram (2nd), Manipur (3rd)
Medhavi Skills University (MSU), Sikkim, student Prenisha Thakuri won 1st place in the Presentation Competition. Her talk on “Culture, Diversity, and Demography of the State” drew applause for its clarity and depth, showcasing how the festival encourages both academic and creative excellence.
The festival wasn’t just about contests. Volunteers participated in fitness and wellness sessions, including yoga, Zumba, and self-defense training. An excursion to Tsomgo Lake gave participants a chance to connect with Sikkim’s natural beauty while cultural exchanges saw states performing each other’s dance traditions—a symbolic reminder of shared heritage and unity.
