Doonites Dance to Priyanka Meher’s Tunes as Uttarakhand Rajya Yuva Mahotsav concludes
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 14 Nov: The Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), participated as the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of the Uttarakhand State-level Youth Festival 2024-25, held on Thursday at Parade Ground. During the event, the Governor inspected various stalls based on sports equipment and honored the winners of different competitions held during the youth festival, appreciating their talent.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor stated, “The energy and enthusiasm of the youth is our greatest strength. With the capabilities and passion of our youth, we can elevate Uttarakhand to new heights of development. The state government has provided such platforms to nurture the talent of our youth, which will undoubtedly contribute to their growth.”
He further added, “This festival has beautifully blended our traditions with modernity.” The Governor particularly appreciated the inclusion of traditional games like Murga Jhapat and Pithoo, calling it a commendable effort to revive these dying games. He expressed hope that this initiative would help the youth of Uttarakhand bring glory to the state in national and international sporting arenas.
As part of the preparations for the 38th National Games, a Sports Expo was also organized during the festival, where athletes from various sports hostels and colleges participated. Experts provided guidance on various aspects of sports to the athletes. The Governor expressed confidence that the athletes from Uttarakhand would excel in the National Games and bring recognition to the state.
The Governor urged the youth to stay away from substance abuse and drugs, encouraging them to dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams.
Addressing the gathering Principal Secretary (Sports) Amit Sinha said, “This five-day Mahotsav spotlighted Uttarakhand’s finest craftsmanship and culinary traditions. Nearly 200 stalls exhibited a diverse range of local handicrafts, textiles, and millet-based products, created by startups, youth groups, and self-help groups, reflecting the region’s traditional artistry”.
The concluding evening reached a high note with a captivating performance by renowned Uttarakhandi singer Priyanka Meher, whose soulful voice and rhythmic tracks had the audience on their feet. She delighted the crowd with her hits like ‘Bedu Pako’ and ‘Chaita Ki Chaitwali’, both cherished folk songs that celebrate the culture and beauty of Uttarakhand. Doonites joined in, dancing and singing along, creating a lively and memorable finale.
Earlier in the day, the festival offered intellectual engagement with a session titled ‘Digital Arrest: Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Privacy’. Led by Amit Dubey, a leading author and cyber expert, the session delved into the impact of digital surveillance and data privacy on young individuals. Dubey discussed critical aspects of digital responsibility, offering insights on how young people can protect their online identities and navigate privacy concerns in the age of constant connectivity. The interactive session saw eager participation from youth and professionals, with many raising relevant questions about safe digital practices.
To celebrate Children’s Day, a range of vibrant shows captivated the young attendees, ensuring a day filled with entertainment and joy. Among the many attractions, a Pro Panja League competition witnessed impressive displays of strength, with enthusiastic participation from youth and adults. A horse-riding show also captivated the audience, adding a touch of adventure to the day’s line-up. The results of various competitions held during the Mahotsav, recognizing outstanding talents were announced amidst cheers and applause.
In the Classical Singing competition, Pratibha from Haridwar stood first, Sumit from Dehradun stood second while Nisha from Pithoragarh stood third. Similarly in the Classical Dance competition, Nishita from Dehradun stood first, Priyal from Dehradun stood second, and Udisha from Udham Singh Nagar stood third. In the Classical Instruments Playing competition, Abhishek from Pithoragarh stood first, Aman from Dehradun stood second, and Gitakshi from Champawat stood third.
Also present at the event were Director of Sports Prashant Arya; Department of Youth Welfare & PRD; Additional Director RC Dimri; Joint Director Ajay Aggarwal; Deputy Directors Shakti Singh and SK Jairaj; Finance Controller Bhaskaranand Pandey; and Assistant Directors Neeraj Gupta and Deepti Joshi, alongside Rajesh Mamgain, Principal of Sports College.
