Manipur: National Integration Camp gets underway in Ukhrul

Ukhrul: As many as 250 young minds from across the country flew down to Manipur’s picturesque hill district, Ukhrul, on Monday and attended the National Integration Camp (NIC) being held at Pettigrew College in the district headquarters from November 10 to 14 this year.

Organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra Ukhrul (NYKU) under the Union ministry of youth affairs and sports, the five-day event will highlight various activities, including cultural exchange, yoga, ‘Know India’ quiz contests, cleanliness drives, classes on different songs and languages and exploring the beauty of the host district, Ukhrul, among others.

Like the rest of the young participants who had come for the camp with a purpose to rejuvenate a sense of oneness, Ashutosh Malviya from Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal opined that attending such a camp will help him in incorporating the diverse culture of the country.

“We are here for national integration and fill the gap between the Northeast region and the rest of the country. India is one and we are here to give the message of oneness. Though we are diverse in culture and practices, we are the symbol of peace and unity,” said Malviya.

The main objective of the event, as told by the organisers, is to convey a message of unity, peace and spreading of love and brotherhood in the minds of fellow youngsters and be the warriors of positive change in society.

Speaking at the inaugural event as the chief guest, member of the Ukhrul Autonomous District Council, Wezope Lohe, stated that people from the Northeast region are often mistaken by by fellow citizens from mainland India.

Having this kind of a camp will enhance the knowledge of the people, especially the youth, about the nation’s diverse culture, traditions and races and to know each other’s problems and responsibility, Lohe added.

Supplementing to the concept of diversity, Ukhrul DC Joseph Pauline Kamson said: “If only one language is spoken, there will be monotony. Because of the coming together of diverse culture, there is vibrancy and variety. And India is a vibrant nation because of the large presence of youth force in the country.”

Altogether, representatives from 12 states from across the country, including Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are part of the ongoing camp.