In order to improve national cohesion through youth participation in sports and culture, Assam Rifles and the Northeast Association for Social Welfare Foundation successfully completed Unity Utsav 2.0, a two-phase nationwide effort with the theme “One Nation, One Dream.”
The program gave young people from Northeast India a nationwide stage on which to display their skills and cultural heritage, strengthening their ties to the rest of the nation on a social and emotional level.
Over 1,000 young people from all eight Northeastern states participated in the first edition in 2025, which was supported by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and ended with a large cultural event at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
Phase I (Sports) of Unity Utsav 2.0: From February 9–12, 2026, the sports portion included football, volleyball, badminton, and other competitions that fostered national unity, teamwork, and leadership.
Phase II (Cultural Programme): To celebrate India’s unity in diversity, traditional dances and music from all eight Northeastern states were featured at the Manekshaw Centre’s final cultural event on February 19. Nityanand Rai, the minister of state for home affairs, attended the ceremony and praised Assam Rifles for its ongoing work to empower young people and promote national unity.
The Minister and Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, Director General, Assam Rifles, gave awards to the winning teams.
