NE tribal youth festival begins at Agartala

AGARTALA, February 17: The third Northeast Tribal Youth Festival began here on Friday amid colourful functions to revive the tribals' traditional life and culture in the eight Northeastern States, including Sikkim, reports UNI. Tripura Governor Lt General (retd) KM Seth inaugurated the three-day festival at the Umakanta Academy mini stadium. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Information and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Jitendra Chowdhury and Co-operative Minister Niranjan Debbarma were present at the inaugural function. Sarkar in his address said Northeast was an important part of the country and had abundance of natural and human resources. But as the region remained neglected some youths were disillusioned. Unfortunately, these youths were being exploited by forces inimical to the country, he said, adding that they were creating feelings of distrust and enmity among different communities living in this region. This festival would help these youths to appreciate all these issues and it was certain that they would resolve to frustrate the efforts of extremist forces and strengthen brotherhood, thus building a strong and prosperous Northeast, the Chief Minister stated.