Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sport and Laour & Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya arrived in Nagaland on a two day visit of the state this morning.

Upon his arrival at Dimapur Airport, he was received by Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA & Advisor, Skill Development, Employement &  Excise and Youth Resoruces & Sports.

Dr Mandaviya later proceeded on a chopper to state capital Kohima where he called on Nagaland Governor La Ganesan at the Kohima Raj Bhawan in the afternoon.

Later, addressing officials of the Dept of Labour & Employment and Dept of Youth Resources & Sports at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima, Dr Mandaviya said India has been seeing remarkable transformation in the field of games and sports under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said in contrast to earlier times where governments gave little focus on sports, the current regime is endeavouring to develop games and sports at every level and ensure the benefits reach every citizen of the country.

The Union Minister also cited the examples of the various sports development schemes of the Modi government including the Khelo India Scheme, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), KIRTI Project, FIT India Movement and the National Sports Repository System (NSRS) etc.

Expressing his thankfulness to the government of Nagaland for inviting him to this year's edition of Hornbill Festival, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said the festival is a true depiction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ek Bharat Shresh Bharat.

The programme was also attended by Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland & also Secretary general, Nagaland Olympics Association and S Keoshu Yimkhiung, Advisor, Youth Resources & Sports, Government of Nagaland among others.

After arrival at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Mandaviya also planted saplings along with volunteers of MY Bharat Youth volunteers inside the stadium complex as part of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign.

The visiting Minister will attend the Hornbill Festival and take a tour of important landmarks in Kohima including the Commonwealth War Cemetery tomorrow.

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SKS

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