The 38th AIU Inter-University North East Zone Youth Festival, “Tarang Utsav,” officially began at ICFAI University on January 27 at Agartala, Tripura, and will continue till January 31.
The event, held in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), has attracted over 800 students from 22 universities across the North East region, showcasing a vibrant display of cultural talent.
The opening ceremony commenced with a Managers’ Meet followed by a cultural procession, flagged off by Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports, Social Welfare, and Social Education, Government of Tripura Tinku Roy.
The procession, a highlight of the morning, featured a stunning display of the diversity and talent of North East India’s youth. Addressing the gathering, ICFAI University Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Biplab Halder, expressed gratitude to the AIU for choosing the university to host the prestigious event. He welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of such platforms in nurturing the talents of youth.
As the Chief Guest, Minister Tinku Roy praised the participants, encouraging them to contribute towards India’s vision of becoming a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047. He highlighted the efforts of the Prime Minister in implementing schemes aimed at empowering youth to lead the nation’s growth. Roy also celebrated the remarkable achievements of North East youth in cultural and sports fields.
The formal inauguration ceremony in the afternoon was graced by a distinguished lineup of guests, including Governor of Tripura, Nallu Indrasena Reddy, who presided as Chief Guest. Additional Secretary of AIU Mamta R. Agarwal, was the Special Guest, while other notable dignitaries included Technical Observer-AIU Dr. Deepak Mishra, and Dr. Bala Lakhendra, Observer-AIU.
Governor Reddy lauded ICFAI University for hosting the event, emphasizing the importance of fostering youth participation and promoting the diverse cultural heritage of the region. He urged the youth to work diligently over the next 25 years to help realize India’s aspirations for 2047.
Dr. Deepak Mishra, Technical Observer from AIU, congratulated ICFAI University for facilitating record-breaking participation in the festival. Dr. Bala Lakhendra echoed these sentiments, stating that the youth of North East India possess the creativity and skills necessary to help realize the vision of a prosperous nation.
In her speech, Mamta Rani Agarwal, Additional Secretary of AIU, explained the significance of India’s diversity, describing ‘Bharat’ as the combination of thought, rhythm, and melody — the essence of the country’s varied cultures.
The festival features a range of 28 events, including music, dance, drama, theatre, fine arts, and literary competitions, all aimed at fostering unity and showcasing the creativity of North East India’s youth.
The inaugural program concluded with a vote of thanks from Registrar of ICFAI University Dr. A. Ranganath, who expressed his gratitude to all involved in making the event a success.