By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 11 Oct: The Cultural and Events Committee of Uttaranchal University organised the annual ‘Rising Star’ competition, an event designed to celebrate and showcase student talents, here, today. This year’s theme embodied the essence of Rise and Shine, as students participated in singing, dancing, and modeling competitions.
Present were Anuradha Joshi, Vice-Chairperson, Sushila Devi Centre for Professional Studies and Research, Ankita Joshi, Vice-President, Prof (Dr) Dharam Buddhi, Vice-Chancellor, Prof (Dr) Rajesh Bahuguna, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr Abhishek Joshi, Director- SA & IT Services, and Prof (Dr) Shravan Kumar, Dean Student Welfare.
The event opened with a warm welcome from Krishna Gupta, UCEC’s General Secretary, followed by a concept note from Dr Reeta Rautela, UCEC’s chairperson. Both speakers emphasised the event’s cultural significance and the competitive spirit it aimed to foster among students.
The Singing Competition, themed Folk Echoes, celebrated the diversity of traditional folk music. Participants delivered solo folk performances, judged by Manish Ghalwan and Jonathan Sahu, both professional singers and musicians. The judging focused on authenticity, vocal technique, and cultural significance.
The Dancing Competition, themed Unbreakable Spirit, saw students’ express resilience and determination through powerful solo performances. The judging panel included Artistic Director and Founder of KalaYuj India, Ashish Negi. He was accompanied by Kartikey Barthwal, Radhika Kumar, and Harshhricha Joshi, all professional dancers who evaluated participants based on choreography, expression, and stage presence.
The Fashion Show, themed Global Cultural Ethnicity, featured pairs of students modeling outfits that blended global traditions with modern flair. Judged by Kavya Sati, Miss Uttarakhand 2024 Runner-Up, and Niharika Singh, Miss Spectacular Teen India 2023, the show celebrated cultural diversity and creativity.
In the grand finale, Prof (Dr) Dharam Buddhi commended the students for their performances, stating, “This competition not only brings out the best in our students but also celebrates the unity in diversity that makes our university truly unique.” Dr Rajesh Bahuguna emphasised the need for co-curricular activities in the process of the overall development of students.
After the final performances, the winners were announced by Dean of Student Welfare, Prof (Dr) Shravan Kumar. Shubhangi captivated the judges in the Singing Competition with an outstanding folk rendition. Kritika was crowned UU Rising Dancing Star for an awe-inspiring performance embodying the Unbreakable Spirit. The Modeling Competition saw Glamorous Diva: Ngazola and Charismatic Divo: Ayush impressed with the stunning portrayal of Global Cultural Ethnicity. Finally, the coveted titles of Mr Fresher and Ms Fresher were awarded to Ayush and Kritika, respectively, for their exceptional performances throughout the event.
