I AS AN INDIAN DELEGATE

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2015

 12-17 APRIL 2015 SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

Today wars, drugs, conflicts, partition takes front page space in newspaper and prime times on television. So today we need efforts to accelerate a closer people to people contact in the realm of socio -cultural community pillar in particular, youth to youth interaction through knowledge exchange of culture, customs and traditions as well as to strengthen friendship, solidarity and co-operation among youth from different countries, because youth can brings the change.

Kingdom of Cambodia took the initiative to organized International Youth Cultural Festival (IYCF) 2015 at Siem Reap to provide a stage for youth to display their amazing cultural resources and co-cooperatively showcase performance, which reflects the unity among nations, altogether under the theme “Unity and Solidarity: Strength in Cultural Diversity”.

It was great opportunity for me to be a part of 12 member delegation of India selected by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India under the leadership of Mr. Gaurav Aggarwal. We were informed to gather at Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) Delhi on 8^th April 2015 for briefings about IYCF event and visa processes.

On 12^th April we reached Cambodian city Siem Reap and the members of IYCF welcomed us in an enthusiastic way. In Orientation evening, Mr. Hun Mani, Chairman of IYCF officially welcomed the 144 delegates from 16 countries and speaks about objectives of festival. Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen and his wife Mrs. Bun Rany inaugurated the cultural exhibition in which individual country showcased their wide range of culture in their allotted stalls. Interactive session was also taken over to develop good communication among youth of different countries. Community village tour helps us to know about the rituals, life and culture of host country. The main attraction of tour was 500 years old and largest religious monument of the world Angkor Vat Temple which was constructed by King Suryavarman II and it took approx 37 years to complete it. On 16^th April Angkor Sakranti (Cambodian New year celebration) stage was look like Mini world because on that day grand dance event was organized in which individual countries present their folk dances in their cultural dresses.

Welcome dinner in traditional dress, exchange of gifts, group Photos of 144 delegates together on every occasion and many more moments lefts the love, peace and unity mark on youth’s mind. I think the main purpose of the event to building community spirit for youth from 16 countries in order to accept cultural differences and diversity and for youth to understand their identity as well as other nation’s identity in their international community as to avoid discrimination.

On 17^th April, the memorable tour came to an end with beautiful memories, nice friends, great experience and a message of unity, solidarity and peace to spread it into rest of the world.