Shillong, Jan 3: The first Wailadmiki Shylla Youth Festival from January 5 to 23 will focus on empowering the youth of Jowai constituency while spreading a strong anti‑drug and anti‑HIV/AIDS message across the state.
Organized by the National People’s Youth Front (NPYF), the youth wing of National People’s Party (NPP), the festival will showcase a variety of events.
Men’s football will offer a Rs 2 lakh prize for the champions and Rs 1 lakh for the runners‑up, while women’s football carries Rs 50,000 for the winner and Rs 20,000 for the second‑place team.
Other competitions include kite‑flying, marathon, tug‑of‑war, Mr & Miss Jowai Constituency, and dancing and singing contests.
Announcing the festival on Saturday, cabinet minister and Jowai legislator Wailadmiki Shylla said: “The NPYF of Jowai Block and Mukhla Pylun unit, as part of celebrating the youth festival, will organise a marathon on January 5.”
“The marathon will have a first prize of Rs 10,000, second prize Rs 5,000, and third prize Rs 3,000. The oldest and youngest participants will also be felicitated with special prizes,” he said.
The participants have been requested to report at Jrisalein ground at 5:30 am. The route will be from Iawmusiang, Wahgate, Iengkein Myntdu, Riat Turim, Khliehtyrshi and Madan Thad Mukhla.
“The marathon and other events aim to galvanize local youth against substance abuse and HIV/AIDS, reinforcing the festival’s core objective of a healthier, drug‑free community,” he added.
