Inter-varsity youth fest off to colourful start at PAU
Punjab State Inter-Varsity Youth Festival got off to a colourful start at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here on Friday.
The four-day youth festival is being organised by the Directorate of Students’ Welfare, PAU, in association with the Directorate of Youth Services, Punjab. About 2,000 students from several universities of the state are participating in the fest.
Students impressed everyone with their bhangra performance. They took part in various competitions such as tokri making, pakhi making, guddian patole making, chikku making, piddi making, phulkari making and paranda making. They mesmerised the audience with soulful rendition of shabad gayan, gazal, folk song and group song.
A dance performance by Jasnoor, a PAU student, on Punjabi songs marked the inauguration of the fest.
Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Minister for Tourism and Culture Affairs, Industries and Commerce, Rural Development and Panchayats, Investment Promotion, Hospitality and Labour, Punjab, was the chief guest on the occasion.
Inaugurating the fest, the Culture Affairs Minister urged youths to preserve the magnificent glory of Punjabi virsa (inherited traditions and culture) and virasat (legacy). The Minister advised them to be selective and choosy while making new friends as one dirty fish spoils the whole pond.
Talking about the state government’s priority of bolstering Punjab’s culture and tourism, Sond lauded the PAU for its contribution and unwavering dedication to the uplift of agriculture and rural community.
Dr Nirmal Jaura, Director Students’ Welfare, PAU, welcomed the dignitaries and students. Senior PAU officials honoured the Culture Affairs Minister. Swaranjit Savi, chairman of the Punjab Arts Council, was also felicitated on the occasion.
