The 16th State conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) will begin in Thrissur on Wednesday (August 19. This will be the first time Thrissur hosts the organisation’s State conference.
More than 620 delegates, including more than 500 representatives from the 14 districts of the State and 20 fraternal delegates, including those from Lakshadweep, will attend the four-day conference, which concludes on August 22.
The conference will open with a spectacular convergence of torch and flag processions on August 19. The flag march, which began at Koothuparamba, the flagstaff march from the Haq Muhammed–Mithlaj memorial in Thiruvananthapuram and the torchlight procession from the K.U. Biju martyr memorial will reach the Shakthan Stand area at 5 p.m.
Adding to the pageantry, 25 subsidiary torch processions, each originating from DYFI martyr memorials across the district, will be led into the city by athletes.
The processions will converge on the Martyrs’ Nagar before moving to the Corporation Ground in front of the Indoor Stadium. CPI(M) Thrissur district secretary K.V. Abdul Khader will hoist the conference flag there.
The delegates’ conference will be inaugurated at 10 a.m. on August 20 at the Regional Theatre by actor and activist Prakash Raj. The four-day deliberations will focus on the organisation’s activities and contemporary issues confronting young people.
DYFI all-India secretary Himaghna Raj Bhattacharya, president A.A. Rahim, treasurer Sajeev Kumar, central secretariat member Jaick C. Thomas and leaders from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka will participate.
A special gathering of families of martyrs will be held at 5 p.m. on August 21. CPI(M) leader M.V. Govindan will inaugurate the event, with poet Murukan Kattakada as the chief guest. A musical programme will follow.
The conference will culminate in a massive public meeting at the Nethaji Ground on August 22, which former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate. Students’ Federation of India all-India joint secretary Aishe Ghosh will also address the gathering.
Ahead of the public meeting, a colourful march by delegates and the Youth Brigade will begin from Vidyarthi Corner and proceed to the Nethaji Ground. Organisers expect around 50,000 people to attend the public meeting.
The grand finale will also feature a musical performance by artistes from the Guruvayur Music Academy.
Published - August 18, 2026 07:16 pm IST