PU Youth & Heritage festival(Zone B) starts at DSCW: Over 250 Students from 9 women colleges show their talent on Day 1

Chandigarh, October 3, 2018: The Panjab University Youth and Heritage Festival, Zone-B, started on a grand note at Dev Samaj College for Women(DSCW), Sector-45/B, here. The four-day event, to be held till October 6th, 2018, was inaugurated today by Prof. Raj Kumar, the Vice Chancellor of Panjab University. The festival is for women colleges of Chandigarh & the region. The inaugural ceremony began with the lighting of the auspicious lamp by the Vice-Chancellor along-with Shriman Nirmal Singh Ji Dhillon, Chairman, Dev Samaj, Dr Agnese Dhillon, Secretary, Dev Samaj & Principal, Dev Samaj College of Education, Sec 36, Dr Nirmal Jaura, Director, Youth Welfare, PU and Dr Jaspal Kaur, Principal, Dev Samaj College for Women.

This was followed by a sonorous rendition of the bhajan “Bhala Chahna Manush Matra ka” and the Panjab Univerity Anthem. Keeping with the theme of the festival, “Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawano Ka”, Lt. Gen Harinder Singh and Brigadier Sukhdeep Singh Bhatia were felicitated on the occasion.

Principal, Dr. Jaspal Kaur, welcomed the Chief Guest other dignitaries, and wished all the very best to the participating teams. The Vice Chancellor released the souvenir to commemorate the occasion. Prof. Raj Kumar, saluted the armed forces for their services to the nation, and expressed his happiness to see the event of such status being held to contribute to the holistic development of the students. He also applauded the contribution of teachers in creating a thought process in the society, and the role of educational institutions in fostering the idea of ‘nation’ and in nurturing values.

On Day 1 of the fest, the colourfully decorated campus resonated with the soulful renditions in the Shabad / Bhajan, Classical Music, Gazal/Geet, Group singing & Folk Song competitions. Dr. Saubhagya Vardhan, Director, North Zone Cultural Centre, was the Chief Guest at the second session of the day. Sh. Bikram Singh Rana, State Liasion Officer, NSS, UT, Chandigarh and Madam Astinder Kaur, National Award winner for best teacher from the President of India, were the guests of honour.

The day witnessed a magnificent display of artistic talent of the participants in on the spot painting, collage making, rangoli, photography, clay modelling, cartooning, still life, poster making and installation competitions. 264 Girls from as many as 9 colleges of the region took part in the competitions - the women colleges which are participating are the host college - Dev Samaj College for Women, Sec 45, Chandigarh, Post Graduate College for Women Sector- 42, Chandigarh, Post Graduate College for Girls Sector- 11, Chandigarh, Government Home Science College, Sector- 10, Chandigarh, Shri Guru Gobind Singh College for Women ,Sector- 26, Chandigarh, MCM DAV College for women Sector- 36, Chandigarh. Not just Chandigarh, three colleges from Ludhiana too are part of the festival . These are - Mai Bhago College for Women, Ramgarh, Ludhiana,National College for Women, Machiwara, Ludhiana, Gur Gobind Singh Khalsa College for Women Jhar Sahib, Ludhiana.

It was not just show of artistic talent on Day 1. Students' brain power was also put to test in a Heritage Quiz competition.

The four-day festival shall have a plethora of cultural and heritage items. Day 2 holds in store competitions spread over segments like Instrumental music, literary events, heritage art & craft and creative writing. Four venues have been created in the premises of Dev Samaj College for Women, Sec 45, for smooth conduct of the competitive events.