RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh School Education Department Dr Premsai Singh Tekam on Saturday said Youth Festival is the platform to showcase their talents. He was inaugurating the three-day State level Youth Festival at Science College ground in capital city, Raipur. It will conclude on January 30. He said the youth are getting a better platform to express their talents. It will also provide an opportunity to know and understand the rich cultural, folk sports, traditions of the state, an official communication said. State government to encourage youth had organised various events to bring out the hidden talents. Events create an atmosphere of social harmony. Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club has been formed to develop leadership potential among youth. Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Umesh Patel said that a total of 38 different disciplines are being organized in the Chhattisgarh Youth Festival. There are 24 cultural disciplines, 6 sports disciplines and 7 other disciplines. Apart from it, Chhattisgarh Lok Sahitya Sammelan, for literature creation in dialects like Chhattisgarhi, Halbi, Gondi, Kudukh, and Sargujiha. It is a confluence of diverse culture and traditions, he added. The inaugural day began with cultural festivity as teams gave performance of traditional folk dance mainly Panthi and Danda dance (Durg division), Kaksar (Bastar division), Raut Nacha and Danda dance (Bilaspur division), Karma and Sarhul (Surguja division), Karma and Panthi dance (Raipur division). The winners will be selected in team and individual performance and cash prizes will be given.