Mysuru:  The four-day State-level Youth Festival organised jointly by University of Mysore, National Service Scheme (NSS) and Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports got off to a colourful start at NSS Bhavan in Saraswathipuram here yesterday.

About 300 students from 18 Universities in the State are participating in the event which features seminars, lectures, interactions and cultural events.

Inaugurating the festival, retired Principal of St. Philomena’s College Prof. M. Krishnegowda observed that most of the speeches by people in power have become stereotyped lacking substance. He regretted that people resort to offensive language to pass remarks instead of going in for constructive criticism. He took a strong objection to uncivilised verbal fights.

Continuing, Prof. Krishnegowda hailed NSS as a good scheme for students to imbibe discipline and interpersonal relationship. He opined  the present education system has low moral content.

Referring to the examination pattern,  he wished that an examination should provide ample opportunity for a student to express what he or she knows instead of forcing a student to answer a fixed set of questions.

State NSS Officer Dr. Gananathashetty Ekkar and MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha were the chief guests.

Mysuru University In-charge Vice-Chancellor Prof. C. Basavaraju presided. Varsity NSS Co-ordinator Dr.B. Chandrashekar and others were present.