The five-day youth jamboree, back to the capital after six long years, had a stellar start on Wednesday. Poet Sugathakumari inaugurated the Kerala University Youth Festival before a packed audience at Senate Hall here.
Organisers of the Kerala University Youth Festival-2014 say this year’s edition will witness the highest participation both in terms of the number of colleges as well as participating students.
But all eyes will be on the tight competition between Mar Ivanios College and Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology - both vying for the overall championship. Hosts University College, Women’s College and College of Engineering, Trivandrum are also prepared to put up a tough fight.
Though located at Mar Ivanios Vidya Nagar in the city, Mar Ivanios and Mar Baselios have been engaged in a neck-and-neck race in the youth festival in the recent years. But it is the former which has a better track record in the recent years having won the Ambili Aravind Trophy, awarded to the college with the most points on board, for the last eight years running.
“As much as we know, the competition will be tighter than ever, especially with the event being held in the city this time around,” said Nijaz S M, chairman of the Mar Ivanios College Union.
“We have been preparing for the past three months and the participants are confident that we will shine once again,” he added. But the confidence is also soaring at the other camps and it will be the performances on the stage over the next three days that will decide where the glory is headed to.
Meanwhile, with the Youth Festival returning to the state capital after a hiatus of six years, there is palpable excitement in the air. It was in 2008 that the fete was held last in the city. As the cultural extravaganza comes visiting again in 2014, ten venues, including the University College, Kerala University Senate Hall, Women’s College, Fine Arts College and Ayurveda College, may witness packed crowds. Over 4,000 students of colleges affiliated to the university are expected to participate in over 80 events falling under five genres, namely music, dance, theatre, literature and fine arts.
“As the event is organised in the capital, we could ensure greater participation from the colleges here this time,” said Kerala University union general secretary Nitheesh M. “The colleges under the University, its student unions and managements were all proactive and have prepared well over the last few months. So, the competition will be tight,” he added. n See also P3