Port Blair, Jan. 16: A 48 member Youth Contingent from A&N Islands headed by Dr. U.N. Choudhary, Asst. Director (Sports & Youth Affairs) has been deputed by the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, A&N Administration in association with Dte. Of Art & Culture and NYK, Port Blair to take part in the XVII National Youth Festival held at Mangalore, Karnataka from 12th Jan’ to 16th Jan’ 2012. The participants from the islands took part in various competitive and non-competitive events organized during the festival. The programme presented by the participants included a drama and folk dances based on the Historical & Cultural Significance of the Islands which was appreciated by one and all and also covered widely by the media in Karnataka. The five days festival also included beach festival, food festival and adventure festival.

The whole idea behind the National Youth Festival, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, GOI every year commencing from Jan’ 12, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda is to propagate the concept of National Integration, Spirit of Communal Harmony, Brotherhood, courage and adventure amongst the youth by exhibiting their cultural ability in a common platform.