Mangalore: Ahead of the formal inauguration of the five day inaugurated the much awaited seventeenth National Youth Festival; a colourful procession was taken out from Nehru Maidan to Mangala Stadium at 3 pm.

The procession comprised of the participants thereby giving it truly “diversified” character of various states displaying the talent and cultural programmes activities of their state according to the theme of “Celebrating Diversity in Unity”.

Around 68 team participated in the grand procession including Chande from Moodbidri, Band set team from Satya Sai Seva School, Alike, Tri Colour Flag by Students of Alvas and Swami Vivekananda Institution, Police Band Set from Karnataka Police, DK, NCC team from Alvas,

Band Set teams from the students of St Gerosa School, Sacred Hearts School, St Mary’s, St Agnes, Ramakrishna College and Lady Hill High School from Mangalore were seen in different uniforms.

The other cultural participating teams were Koraga Dance from Kinnigoli, Yakshagana Thenkuthittu and Badagathittu team from Karkala, Veerabhadra Kunitha from Tumkur, Aati Kalanja from Durga Team Keyyur, Kamsale from Mysore, Gombe Balaga from Belthangady, Womens Dollu Kunitha, Pooja Kunitha, Kerala Chande, Kangeelu Kunitha, Goravara Kunitha, Thaleemu, Tiger Dance, Thase, Veeragase, Shardhula, Jaggalike Mela, Maragalu Kunitha, Duff, Puravanthike and colourful umbrella lead the grand procession.