Ranchi, Nov. 26: It was a day of excitement and anticipation for students at Ranchi University. For, they were warming up for the ensuing Inter-University Youth Festival, eager to prove their mettle in the fest.

At the science block of the Ranchi Women’s College, a trial round for the ensuing Inter-University Youth Festival was held today.

Here, students from 18 colleges affiliated to Ranchi University flocked to participate in the preliminary rounds.

Shipra Bhattacharjee of Ranchi Women’s College, who was the coordinator for the trial round, said: “Today’s round is a preliminary round open to the teams from all the colleges under RU. There are two categories of events such as academic and non-academic.”

“The first category consists of event such as debate, declamation, quiz and recitation while the second includes folk dance, rangoli, painting and music competition.”

Based on their performances today, three teams for each event would be selected. These selected teams would represent the university at the festival, said Bhattacharjee.

As many as 60 colleges from across eastern India are expected to participate in the five-day Inter-University Youth Festival in the capital starting on December 2.

About 800 contestants are expected to participate in it. Chief minister Shibu Soren will be the chief guest on the occasion while deputy chief minister Stephen Marandi will be the guest of honour.

Among the colleges which participated in today’s trial round were J.N College , Dhurwa; Mahila College, Chaibasa; SSJSN College, Garwah; Jamshedpur Cooperative College and Graduate School College for Women; Jamshedpur, Behraghora College, Nirmala College, Ranchi, LBSN College, Ghatshila College, Ghatshila, Jamshedpur Women’s College and BS College, Lohardaga.

The participants displayed their artistic, theatrical, creative and oratorical skills while specialists from various fields were busy judging their calibre. The jury was an assortment of retired university teachers, artists and painters from the state.

“Winning a commendation at the university-level is a matter of honour. If we win a position, it will definitely add to our profile,” said Seema Tigga of Jamshedpur Women’s College, who had come to participate in the debate competition.

An amount of Rs 9 lakh has been sanctioned by the Association of India Universities. The festival is being organised under the aegis of the Association of India Universities.