C. Harshavardhan Shines as CUH's Print Student of the Year 2025

The Offset Printers' Association (OPA) proudly celebrated the 3rd edition of the annual B.R. Chowdhri Print Competition on November 11, 2025, honouring the legacy of a pioneering figure in Indian printing education while spotlighting emerging talent from the Central University of Haryana (CUH), Mahendragarh. In a fiercely competitive showcase of innovation and expertise, C. Harshavardhan emerged as the unanimous winner, earning the prestigious title of 'CUH Print Student of the Year' along with the B.R. Chowdhri Memorial Gold Medal and a cash prize of INR 25,000 from the NIPA Educational Trust.

This esteemed event, exclusively for CUH students specializing in Printing & Packaging, pays heartfelt tribute to the late Shri B.R. Chowdhri (1938–2024), a visionary post-press teacher at the Northern Regional Institute of Printing Technology (NRIPT), Prayagraj, and a transformative leader whose guidance shaped generations in the printing industry. Born in Bhiran village, Bhiwani (Haryana), to Shri Ram Chander—an esteemed Army officer and World War II veteran who served in the 1947 Kashmir Operations, 1962 Sino-Indian War, and 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak Wars—Chowdhri Ji inherited a profound sense of discipline, integrity, and service. Beginning his career as a post-press educator at NRIPT, he later served as Press Manager at Haryana Agricultural University, influencing countless students while holding key roles as Deputy Estate Officer, Director of Student Welfare, and Security and Transport Officer until his retirement in 2000. Far beyond technology, Chowdhri Ji was a mentor who infused the printing world with passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Under the vigilant supervision of a distinguished five-member jury—comprising Ashwani Gupta, Dr. Sanjay Mahajan, Dr. Bijender Kaushik, Sonam Verma, and Tinku Sharma—the competition unfolded through rigorous stages designed to test intellect, creativity, and resilience. It kicked off with a multiple-choice question (MCQ) preliminary round, from which five exceptional finalists advanced: Deepanshu Sharma, C. Harshavardhan, Jaiprakash, Tarun Balwan, and Uttkarsh Dubey. In the final oral round, each delivered a compelling five-to-seven-minute impromptu speech on one of five topics assigned on the spot by the judges, drawn from a curated list of 50 shared in advance. The event brimmed with intense deliberations and standout performances, underscoring the jury's emphasis on pushing boundaries in print and packaging technology.

"At the heart of this competition lies a profound lesson: failure is not defeat, but an invitation to rise stronger," Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra, echoing Chowdhri Ji's ethos. He said, OPA, dedicated to promoting printing education and talent recognition, extends membership to printing and packaging companies across India while advocating for global innovation and excellence. "Students are encouraged to embrace challenges with courage, for every setback contains the seeds of future success. The path to excellence is earned through relentless effort and determination—qualities that defined Shri B.R. Chowdhri and now inspire our young leaders."

The finale was graced by Prof. (Dr.) Tankeshwar Kumar, Vice Chancellor of CUH, who served as Chief Guest and shared inspiring remarks on the vital role of such initiatives in bridging academia and industry. "Events like this empower the next generation to innovate fearlessly, turning challenges into stepping stones for success," said Prof. Kumar. Certificates of participation were awarded to all entrants, with special recognition for the top five MCQ performers.

Harshavardhan's victory not only celebrates individual brilliance but also perpetuates Chowdhri's vision of fostering excellence, innovation, and dedication among future printing professionals. Launched in 2023 by OPA—a pillar of the Indian printing industry since its founding in 1988—this competition has already unearthed remarkable talent. Past winners include Uttkarsh Dubey (2023) and Shivam Saini (2024), whose achievements reflect the dedication shaping tomorrow's industry leaders.