SRINAGAR: In a prelude to the restructured National Youth Festival 2024 and preparations being made by the Youth Services and Sports (YSS) Department thereof, Secretary YSS, Sarmad Hafeez, chaired a meeting of senior officers here today.
The secretary had a detailed discussion on various activities to be undertaken with regard to the forthcoming mega event.
Highlighting the essence of the National Youth Festival as an important platform for showcasing the talent of youth, the Secretary said that the extravaganza is being organised with many new additions this time and hoped that the J&K Youth would get ample opportunities to take part in the National Level event. Various components of the Festival included sporting events, cultural activities, debates, showcasing of handicrafts, cuisine, etc.
Sarmad Hafeez mentioned that J&K along with 6 other States/UTs have been allotted the theme “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” and enjoined upon the officers to ensure that the rich culture, cuisines and crafts of the UT are properly showcased through the festival.
Secretary hoped that the Festival would provide ample opportunities for our youth to display their unique talent, exchange ideas and engage in various cultural, social and sports activities on a bigger platform. Yuva Kriti being an important component of the restructured National Youth Festival shall be providing a rare opportunity to the young participants to understand and appreciate the handicrafts, textiles and Agri products of different parts of the UT, he asserted. “We should explore some out-of-the-box ideas to contribute and make our UT stand out among other States/UTs in this annual event,” he added.
While issuing directions to the officers of the Youth Services and Sports Department, Sarmad Hafeez said that all the preparations pertaining to the participation of J&K youth should be made well in time and participation of a maximum number of boys and girls in the event should be encouraged.
The secretary also directed the subordinate officers to explore all the possibilities of bringing maximum benefits to the youth through the ‘Yuva Portal’ launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, GOI.
Sarmad Hafeez highlighted the need for capacity building of stakeholders for creating know-how regarding the portal which would prove very helpful in making this platform a one-stop portal for youth-related services and issues.
The meeting was told that the Nation Wide Fit India Swachata Freedom Run shall start on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti and the Department of Youth Services & Sports should ensure that Walkathons, Runs and Historical Walks are organised for the youth in all the 20 districts of the UT.
The meeting was attended by the Director, Youth Services and Sports Department, Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries and Joint Directors of the Department.
