Zonal youth festival begins with bhangra competition at GNDU

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 31

The Zonal Youth Festival of Final Inter-Zonal commenced at Guru Nanak Dev University here today.

Competitions during the festival are being organised simultaneously at different locations — Dasmesh Auditorium, Guru Nanak Bhawan, Sangat Hall, College Bhawan Auditorium, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Bhawan Auditorium and Conference Hall — on the university campus.

Amanjit Singh, founder, Sarbat da Bhala, inaugurated the festival by lighting the lamp. Dr Amandeep Kaur, director, Amandeep Hospital, was the guest of honour. Amandeep Singh Sidhu, founder of Young Bhangra Club, Calgary, was the special guest on the occasion.

Amanjit Singh said they should be proud of the rich cultural heritage and should not forget it. He said these festivals associate the youth with the culture. He added that vulgarity in any form should be avoided so that the true message of Punjabiat should reach the whole world.

Dr Jagjit Kaur, director, Youth Welfare Department, said six zonal festivals had been conducted by the university recently.

The festival started with a bhangra competition. The winners from six zones are participating in 34 items in the youth festival. It will conclude on November 3.

Competitions of group song (Indian), group shabad and bhajan, vaar singing, kavishri, painting, cartooning poster-making, photography, collage and clay-making and others were organised on the first day of the festival.