This blog is written to show the experience of the Youth festival 2023 of the ongoing year which was held from 2nd to 5th November by the organizing host Sharirik Shikshan Vibhag (The Department of Physical education) of MK Bhavnagar University.
The Youth Festival 2023
The Youth Festival of 2023, named as "Man Bhavan," unfolded as a grand tapestry of cultural celebrations, adorned with a resonating theme — a vibrant ode to નારી શક્તિ (Women Power). In the heart of this spectacular spectacle, the event aimed not only to rejoice in the spirit of womanhood but also to kindle the passions of participating students through a kaleidoscope of captivating competitions.
Notably, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, also recognized as the Women's Reservation Bill, 2023, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on September 19, 2023. Also The Oxford Dictionaries team in India designated 'Nari Shakti' as the Hindi Word of the Year in 2019. This term symbolizes women taking charge of their own destinies, encapsulating the essence of the festival.
The celebration kicked off with the splendid Kalayatra on November 2nd, starting from Samaldas Arts College and ending as J. K. Sarvaiya Group of Colleges. Each college in the parade showcased creativity, presenting themes that highlighted different aspects of women's power in Indian culture. The floats beautifully depicted a mix of traditional and modern elements, covering everything from current events like Chandrayan to important societal stories.
As representatives from the Department of English at MKBU, we brought a meaningful touch to the Kalayatra. Our group showcased a display that highlighted how women are seen in Indian society. We wanted to show the importance of moving forward, questioning old ways of thinking, and imagining a future where men and women are treated equally.
On November 3rd, the inauguration ceremony set the stage for three days of exciting competitions on different platforms —
- Manbhavan Natyam,
- Manbhavan Swaram,
- Manbhavan Nartanam,
- Manbhavan Shabdam and
- Manbhavan Rangam.
As the Volunteer
A new idea in this year's festival was to include volunteers. More than 60 students from different institutes took on the responsibility of helping things run smoothly. Nine students from the Department of English, including me, became volunteers. We were in charge of the Manbhavan Shabdam stage, where three unique literary competitions added an intellectual touch to the celebrations.
The first was the Quiz competition with two parts. First, a qualifying round where teams had to submit a written quiz. The final round took place on November 4th, where the top five teams competed against each other.
The second competition was On-the-Spot Poetry Writing and Recitation. Participants were given five topics and had one hour to write a poem. A session of poetry recitation followed, where judges listened to the created poems. The competition topics included:
ઉમ્મીદ
બાળપણ ખોવાણું
સ્મરણોની કેડીએ
જે કર જુલાવે પારણું
મેરી મિટ્ટી મેરા દેશ
The third competition was an Essay Competition. Participants had one hour to write essays on given topics, including:
India's Space Odyssey
From the Kitchen to Cabinet - Women, Don't Give Up
Are Wars Inevitable?
The Importance of Value-based Education
Plastic Pollution - Problems & Resolution
As volunteers, our role was more than just organizing – it was about ensuring everything ran seamlessly. From handling participant registrations to providing crucial support to judges and competition coordinators, managing the crowd, and creating a friendly atmosphere where competitors, team leaders, and attendees felt comfortable, our responsibilities were quite diverse.
Over the course of two entire days, our dedicated team of nine volunteers put in tireless effort, starting from the early hours of the morning until the tranquil dusk. We worked diligently, overseeing the smooth orchestration of competitions with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring there were no hiccups or logistical issues.
In the midst of our volunteer duties, we were fortunate to immerse ourselves in the festivities as spectators. It was a joy to witness three captivating events – Poetry Recitation, Classical Dance, and Mono Acting competitions. The Mono Acting segment, in particular, was a poignant platform. Participants delved into intense themes like emotions, communal violence, girl child issues, and the harsh reality of rape. Each performance left an indelible mark on the audience, drawing them into the narratives.
Following the exhilarating climax of the Youth Festival, a collective gathering convened for a heartwarming session of thanksgiving where two of us volunteers got to express the gratitude towards the organizing committee and to share the experience as volunteers of this event. This was afterwards a delightful and sumptuous lunch, enjoyed in the esteemed company of the organizing committee from the University. This convivial conclusion provided a fitting denouement to an eventful celebration of youth, culture, and the indomitable spirit of 'Man Bhavan.'
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