A four-day 20th State Youth Festival, organised by the district administration in association with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, began with a colourful start at the stadium ground here on Wednesday.
Inaugurating the event, Sports and Tribal Welfare Minister Sudam Marndi said that the Government organizes such festivals every year to offer youths an opportunity to build their career and utilize their abilities for the welfare of the State. He also advised the youths not to indulge themselves in crimes and not to use their talents in unsocial activities.
The meeting, presided over by district Collector Rupa Roshan Sahu, was attended by Zilla Parishad President Binodini Samal DRDA Project Director Madhu Sudan Mishra and District Sports Officer Pradepta Mohanty.
As many as 1,109 youths from all the districts in the State have participated in the 18 events during the fest. Competitions on folk song, folk dance, Odishi, one act play, Mridangam, flute, Tabla, harmonium, classical vocal, Hindusthani, Karnatic, etc, will be held. Around 385 officials and volunteers have been engaged to make the festival successful.