RONO HILLS, Jan 12: The 156th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated as National Youth Day (NYD) throughout the state on Saturday.
The Arunachal Pradesh State Aids Control Society (APSACS) in collaboration with the NSS cell of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) conducted an AIDS awareness programme at the university.
During the programme, APSACS deputy director (IEC), Tashor Pali, emphasized on actively involving youths in creating awareness on HIV.
“People know about HIV awareness but they don’t practice,” Pali said.
He highlighted the significance of the red ribbon, which is a symbol of voluntarily joining hands against the incurable disease, and spoke on the modes of HIV transmission and the importance of getting tested to detect the disease at an early stage to save lives.
“According to the current day status, Manipur has the highest number of HIV positive cases in the country. In Arunachal Pradesh there are more than 354 people registered all over the state, with Papum Pare leading with 206, followed by Lohit district with 47, and Pasighat with 26 infected persons,” Pali informed.
NYKS district youth coordinator Banjied Warjri urged the NSS volunteers and other youths to be “selfless towards the society,” while RGU Assistant Registrar Gomar Basar spoke on the role of the NSS volunteers in building a positive society.
The day was also celebrated by the students and faculty members of the VKV in Lower Dibang Valley HQ Roing.
The LIC’s Doom Dooma (Assam) branch distributed ‘student of the year’ awards to the rank holders of the VKV, Intaya Public School, Divine Word School and the Bolung GHSS, and felicitated the principals of the four schools and Lower Dibang Valley SP Sanjay Kumar to mark the occasion.
The LIC’s Jorhat Division Manager Dwipen Goswami dwelt on the contributions of Swami Vivekananda to the world. He assured to assist the VKV here with regard to infrastructure development to the tune of Rs 70 lakhs under the LIC’s ‘golden jubilee fund’, and advised other schools also to approach the LIC for help.
DSP Opir Paron also spoke.
A district level traditional dance competition was organized by the Roing branch of the Vivekananda Kendra Arunjyoti at the same venue. The Dambuk women group won the first prize and Roing circle bagged the second prize.
At the VKV in PTC, Banderdewa, DGP SBK Singh advised the students to imbibe the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, “which will help eradicate the evils which plague the society.”
Vivekananda Kendra Arunachal Pradesh pranth pramukh Pai Dawe Saga and VKV Principal P Rajan also spoke.
At the Vivek Vihar VKV here, Pakke-Kessang SP Jimmy Chiram advised the students to acquire life skills and become responsible members of the society.
At the Koloriang VKV, Kurung Kumey DC Santosh Kumar Rai described Swami Vivekananda as a “pillar of inspiration” and “an icon for entire youths and in particular the students.”
He motivated the students to imbibe the feeling of love, peace and brotherhood, and advised them to spread Swami Vivekananda’s message among the people “for the progress and prosperity of the society and the nation as a whole.”
