Rohtak (Haryana): With nearly 1,000 participants from 63 universities across India participating, the 25th All India Inter-University National Youth Festival began on a colourful note at the Maharishi Dayanand University (MDU) campus here on Tuesday.

The National Youth Jamboree is also being organised as part of the youth festival here.

Inaugurating the youth festival, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda described it as the 'Mahakumbh' of youth festivities.

Hooda said: "Such youth festivals, particularly of national level, hold immense significance for both the organisers and participants. These provide an opportunity to the youth to compete and exhibit their skills. They also enable them to understand the cultural diversity of the country."

Participants from various universities presented dances and other events at the inaugural ceremony. They will be competing in various events over the next one week.

The festival has been organised by the MDU in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities and the union ministry of youth affairs and sports. IANS