Jorhat (Assam), 19 July (HS): Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, will host the North East National Service Scheme (NSS) Festival 2026 from July 23 to 27 in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of NSS, Guwahati, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

More than 300 NSS volunteers and Programme Officers from universities, colleges and higher secondary institutions across all eight North Eastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura—will participate in the five-day event.

The festival, themed Agriculture for Viksit Bharat, aims to promote youth leadership, national integration, sustainable agriculture and community service. The programme will feature cultural performances, folk dances, music, literary competitions, debates, quizzes, youth conventions, exhibitions and interactive sessions highlighting the region's rich cultural heritage.

Participants will also attend sessions on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, rural development, entrepreneurship, digital empowerment, health awareness and volunteerism, while exchanging ideas and best practices in community service.

Organisers said the festival reflects AAU's commitment to youth empowerment by integrating agricultural education with social responsibility. They added that the event will strengthen inter-state collaboration and reaffirm the NSS motto, Not Me But You, while encouraging young volunteers to contribute towards building an inclusive, resilient and self-reliant India.---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash