Minister Sudhanshu Das opens Unakoti Youth Festival, Calls to Nurture Youth Potential
A district-level youth festival and science fair began on Monday at Unakoti Kalakshetra in Kailashahar under the Unakoti district of Tripura. Organized by the Youth Welfare and Sports Department, the event was officially inaugurated by state Fisheries Minister Sudhanshu Das.
In attendance were Amalendu Das, Chairman of the Unakoti Zila Parishad, well-known social worker Siddharth Datta, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pradeep Sarkar, and other notable guests.
The youth festival features five competitive events, including folk dance, recitation, and speech, alongside other activities. Due to recent flooding in the state, the decision was made to forego block and panchayat-level competitions, opting instead for a district-level festival directly.
In his opening remarks, the Minister emphasized the role of youth as the future of society, stressing the importance of the festival in nurturing local talent and fostering growth among young people.
"This festival is a unique opportunity to support the youth of our district and help develop their potential in the arts, music, dance, and drama," he said.
Das also urged that the festival be conducted smoothly, free from controversy, and extended his best wishes to all participants.
He then shifted focus to a concerning social issue, noting that young girls, aged 15 to 17, are sometimes entering relationships with older men. These situations often lead to elopements, creating distress for families who may end up reporting the girls as missing. When police investigations reveal romantic involvement, families sometimes accuse the young men of kidnapping, triggering legal actions that place significant pressure on all involved.
"Because of strict legal standards, the police are often under pressure to arrest the young men within a week, or officers may face suspension," Das explained.
He added that while these cases are often complex, they can result in jail time and even lengthy sentences for the young men involved.
Das urged young women to consider the legal and social implications carefully, suggesting they wait until they are of age if they intend to marry without family consent.
"No one talks openly about these issues, but someone has to take a stand," he said.
Following his speech, the minister honored distinguished state playwright Rabindra Bhattacharya with a shawl and toured various science stalls at the event.
The Minister also made a surprise visit to the Deputy Director’s office of the Animal Husbandry Development Department in Kailashahar. Expressing satisfaction with recent improvements, he noted that an earlier inspection had revealed inventory issues, leading to the dismissal of certain staff.
This time, however, he praised the department for its well-stocked medicines and improved cleanliness.
Accompanied by Siddharth Datta, he conveyed appreciation for the department's dedication to improvement.
(Tripura, Northeast)
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