Youth Festival preparation on war footing

Mangalore, December 14: Preparations are on full swing for the '17th National Youth Festival-2012' scheduled from January 12 to 16 in the city.

An online registration control room has been set up to facilitate registration for delegates who intend to participate in the fest. Deputy Commissioner N S Channappa Gowda inaugurated the online control room that can be accesses on www.nyf2012.in . A help-desk to give information on online registration too has been activated and can be reached on 0824-6555001/03/06 from 10 am to 7 pm.

The festival will serve as a platform for around 6,000 participants from 28 states, seven Union territories and five Saarc nations to exhibit their talent.

According to Mr Channappa Gowda 18 competitions will be held at Koragappa Kalyana Mantapa, Gokarnanatheshwara Kalyana Mantapa, Devadiga Bhavan, Dr TMA Pai Convention Centre, SDM Law College and Scouts and Guides Bhavan in the city. Seven non-competition events will be held at Sangha Niketan, Kadri Park, Karavali Utsav grounds, Nehru Maidan, Panambur Beach and Loyola Hall, he said, adding that star night programmes will be organized as part of the fest at Mangala Stadium from January 13 to 15.

Pratibha Patil is expected to inaugurate the fest on January 12.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 10 crore, while the Centre has released Rs 2 crore for the festival. Elaborate arrangements will be made for accommodating the participants at various lodges, guest houses and college hostels.

Arrangements for food will be made at Dr TMA Pai Convention Centre.

Arrangements will also be made to attract the participants and guests towards historic places of worship, tourism spots and beaches in the region.

A special kambala will be organized at Pilikula, beach volleyball and special boat race for fishermen will be held at Panambur. Visitors can also enjoy the holiday in house boats (on Nethravathi river) that will be brought from Kerala, according to District-in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar.