UKHRUL, October 7: The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) organised the two-day Tapestry 2026 on October 7–8 at UBC Jubilee Hall, Ukhrul, under the theme “Celebrating Young Minds, Talent and Culture,” providing a platform for students to showcase their talents, creativity and intellectual abilities through various competitions and cultural activities.
Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, Uppuluri Chaitanya, IAS, attended as the chief guest and inaugurated the programme. The event witnessed the participation of students from various schools, with around 800 students present.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner encouraged students to make the most of the opportunities provided by organisations such as TKS and the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL). Reflecting on his own educational journey, he said he had not been fortunate enough to receive similar opportunities during his student days, recalling that he came from a place where education was primarily viewed as a career path.
He appreciated the initiatives taken by student organisations to organise competitions, emphasising that such events were not merely about winning awards but about discovering and developing individual talents, building confidence and learning from mistakes.
Quoting former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he reminded students to “always be a student at heart,” stressing the importance of lifelong learning and sharing knowledge with others. He said education should extend beyond academic achievement and that extracurricular activities play a significant role in the overall development of students.
Recalling his interaction with students the previous day, the Deputy Commissioner said the experience made him nostalgic, as he could relate to their experiences from his own school days, when he often sat on the back bench and learned through his mistakes. He encouraged students not to be discouraged by failures but to learn from them and use those experiences to improve themselves.
He further urged students to view Tapestry 2026 as a valuable opportunity that could become a memorable experience in their lives, helping them develop confidence, prepare for future careers and inspire others. He also encouraged other organisations to organise similar competitions to provide more platforms for young people in Ukhrul to demonstrate their abilities.
Highlighting the importance of extracurricular activities in Manipur, he said students had access to various opportunities beyond academics and encouraged them to participate actively. He assured that the district administration would make every possible effort to support quality education, create better opportunities and provide an enabling environment for students to develop their careers.
In his keynote address, TKS president Ramreichan Keishing said Tapestry was an initiative to bring young people together, encourage the exchange of ideas and broaden their understanding of education. He stressed that education should not be confined to classrooms but should encourage students to explore, question and think critically.
He said the true purpose of education was not merely to achieve ranks or positions but to develop responsible human beings capable of making informed decisions and contributing meaningfully to society. Describing students as the future of the community, he said the future depended significantly on the values, knowledge and responsibilities nurtured among young people today.
The TKS president also cautioned students against blindly believing everything they encountered on the internet and social media, urging them to distinguish between truth and falsehood through critical thinking. He described mobile phones as tools that should be used to educate oneself rather than sources of confusion.
He further stated that Tapestry was not simply a competition but a platform to prepare students to face the wider world. Encouraging them to overcome shyness and participate confidently, he reminded students of the importance of preserving their cultural identity.
“Your culture is your identity,” he said, urging the younger generation to embrace and preserve their traditions. He concluded by reminding students that their ultimate responsibility was to serve their community.
The two-day event featured various competitions designed to nurture students’ talents and abilities, including public debate, public speaking and spelling bee, among other activities.
A notable feature of the programme was the showcase of the Indigenous Peoples’ Food System of the Tangkhul Nagas, highlighting the community’s traditional food practices and cultural heritage. The initiative added a cultural dimension to the event, encouraging students to appreciate and preserve their indigenous knowledge and traditions.
Through Tapestry 2026, TKS seeks to encourage young minds to learn beyond the classroom, develop their talents, embrace their cultural identity and prepare themselves to become responsible members of society.
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