Alma Fiesta'20-The Social Cultural Fest starts off on a grand note

17th Jan, 2020, Bhubaneswar: Like every year, Alma Fiesta, the annual sociocultural fest of IIT Bhubaneswar is back with it 11th edition with its cultural theme “India’s Cultural Melange: A Voyage to India’s Heritage Roots” and social theme “Jal Sanrakshit, Bhavishya Surakshit. Almafiesta 2020 (17th Jan-19th Jan 2020) was inaugurated by Dr. Kshiti Bhusan Das, Pro-Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, National Fellow (ICSSR), and the Chief Guest on the occasion. The event was presided over by Prof. R.V. Raja Kumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. R.V. Raja Kumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar said that “Alma Fiesta is the annual Socio-Cultural fest of IIT Bhubaneswar has become a beacon of culture and it has made a mark unprecedented and unachievable by its contemporaries. It gives me immense pleasure to let you know that IIT Bhubaneswar has made rapid strides in imparting global class education together with innovation and creativity in science, sports, arts and technology. There is a great sense of importance of Indian classical music and dance in today’s times, and I urge each and every student to use the fine arts as a medium to enhance their technical creativity. I welcome everyone out here to the green and serene campus of IIT Bhubaneswar at the foothills of the Barunei which is famous for its inspiring history. I wish the fest a grand success, an immensely fruitful time for all the participants, campusites and congratulate the organizing team of Alma fiesta 2020”.

Dr. Kshiti Bhusan Das, Pro-Vice Chancellor, National Fellow (ICSSR), Chief Guest of the evening appreciated the Director’s words, and reinforced the importance of classical music and dance among the students for enhancing technical creativity. He also expressed happiness at the rapid growth strides by IIT Bhubaneswar and congratulated the Institute and complimented Prof. R.V. Raja Kumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar for putting forward a green, serene and beautiful campus. He also stressed on the importance of having good teachers as role models for the students to take up careers in science, technology and creative arts.

This was followed by a brief overview about the various event and the great cultural extravaganza unfolding during the three day fest by Dr. Rajesh Roshan Dash, Chairman, Alma fiesta and Dr. Manaswini Behera, ViceChairman Alma Fiesta. The inaugural session also involved the children’s fest “Bachpan Ka Rangmanch”. More than 150 orphanage children participated in events ranging from music and dance competition, musical chairs, poster making, dumb charades, book balancing, essay recitals, and many more fun activities organised specially for them with a motto to give them a day of profound happiness. The underprivileged children were also provided with single day meal. This was followed by prize distribution ceremony where in the Chief Guest and Director gave away the prizes in connection with the Children’s fest.

Alma Fiesta, the three day fest includes dance, music, dramatics and fine arts, literary, technical workshops such as Android App development and self-driving cars, Star Nites (DJ Tejas and Akasa Singh - Renowned Bollywod Singer), Cyber Crusades and many more. Also present at the event were Prof. V.R. Pedireddi, Dean Student Affairs, Col (Dr) Subodh Kumar, Registrar, Dr. Sankarsan Mohapatra, President, Student Gymkhana IIT Bhubaneswar. The inaugural ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Chief Coordinator Mr. Deep Pathak.