Mysuru:  The four-day State-level youth Festival, organised by NSS wing of University of Mysore (UoM), in association with the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), concluded last evening at NSS Bhavan in Saraswathipuram here.

Over 200 students from 18 Universities in the State exhibited their cultural talents and literary skills.

Delivering the valedictory address, actor Mandya Ramesh asked the NSS candidates to vote without fail in the Assembly election to strengthen the democratic system. He advised the students not to be lured by easy money offered during election.

He opined that no goal can be achieved without facing hurdles and challenges. He contended that there was a similarity between theatre and agriculture as both need a good start and a patient waiting to reap good returns.

Citing the difference between basic belief and superstition through an incident, Srihari of GSS Foundation said: “A senior citizen used to regularly clean under a peepul tree after which he would light a few incense sticks below the tree. Cleaning was fine and a basic belief as peepul tree replenishes oxygen in the atmosphere. However, lighting the incense sticks would add carbon monoxide to atmosphere and the action can be called a superstition.”

Mangalore University team was adjudged first in the Festival followed by University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkot and Agricultural University, Raichur.

Mysore University NSS Co-ordinator Dr. B. Chandrashekar and others were present.