Union minister of state for human resource development Upendra Kushwaha last Friday urged youths to follow the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and come forward in nation-building.
He was speaking at a daylong youth festival organised by Patna University and the National Service Scheme to mark Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary.
The event was held at Wheeler Senate Hall. Present at the function were Patna University vice-chancellor Y.C. Simhadri and pro-vice-chancellor Ranjeet Kumar Verma among others.
Students of Patna University were felicitated as well. Patna Law College student Gautam Katyayan was felicitated with the Yuva Ratna 2015 and Soma Kumari from Magadh Mahila College was named the best volunteer.
Be aware
Patna Women's College National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers organised a seminar on HIV/AIDS with Bihar State AIDS Control Society at the institution on Friday. The programme aimed to spread awareness on the causes and ways to prevent AIDS.
Ameeta Jaiswal, the NSS programme officer, said: "Many people are still ignorant about HIV and AIDS. The awareness programme attempted to spread knowledge on the disease and emphasise the society's role in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS. Group discussions and community-level training can be conducted for this."
Another NSS programme officer, Pushpa Sinha, urged the students to spread accurate information on HIV/AIDS among their neighbours and family members.
Close to 50 students attended the awareness programme and principal Marie Jessie encouraged them to take part in such awareness campaigns regularly.
Literary time
Hindi author Khagendra Thakur spoke on the importance of literature in society at a seminar organised at AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies last week.
At the event on Friday, February 6, Thakur said: "Society and literature are complementary to each other and one cannot imagine one without the other. Poetry, literary pieces and creative writing reflect society, emotions and human expressions. Literature of any age cannot escape the influence of the social scene. It is made out of the lore of life. The result of literature in modern society is that there are many pieces that provide an essential and practical perspective of life."
Hearing Thakur talk were the institution director D.M. Diwakar, faculty members and students.
Athletic girls
Magadh Mahila College girls were at their athletic best for the annual sports between January 31 and February 9. The students tried their luck in long jump, 100m, 200m and 800m races and other events.
Another attraction was the march past the students conducted to the sound of drumbeats. Poonam Singh, the president of the Magadh Mahila College's athletics society, said: "Our students bring us laurels in national-level competitions. I hope they do well in international programmes too."
Child rights
St Xavier's College of Education held a human rights workshop for its BEd and MEd students on February 7.
Daisy Narayan, the president of the State Child Rights Board, Bihar, addressed the gathering. She said: "Every child has the right to life, good health, sanitation and education. Every child has a right to free and compulsory education till the age of 14. They have the right to be protected and it's the duty of every adult to take care of a child with love."
Vinay Kanth, a member of People's Union for Civil Liberties, was among the speakers and he stressed on the importance of universal education.
"When we talk of universal education, it means education for all. We know our constitutional rights but if we don't use them, it makes no sense. Education is every child's right and if we deprive them of this, it is injustice," he stressed.
Joyful parting
Last weekend was the time to bid old friends goodbye and welcome new pals.
Bachelor of mass communication (BMC) students of Patna College organised a joint freshers' and farewell party on Friday. The new students were greeted with open arms while those on their way out were bid farewell with a heavy heart and best wishes for the future.
The guests, errr students, of honour walked down a ramp and showed off their talents. Bhanu Pratap and Dolly Mishra walked away from the ramp as Mr and Miss Fresher. Gaurav Ranjan and Mahi Gupta - from the outgoing batch - were named Mr and Miss BMC.
Patna College principal N.K. Choudhary said: "It was a good mix of two emotions - the joy of welcoming new faces and the sorrow of losing the old ones. But we have the satisfaction to know they would now start a new chapter of their life."
Girls of Arvind Mahila College bid their seniors goodbye the next day.
From a fusion of retro and western dance to a solo classical and skit - all kinds of acts were planned for Saturday. A ramp walk contest was also organised to pick Miss Beauty Queen, Beautiful Smile, Attitude among others. At the end, the outgoing batch members were gifted mementoes to remember their days at the institution.
Principal P.K. Verma congratulated the winners and gave them tips on their new journey ahead. "From here, a new phase of your life will begin. No matter where you go and whatever you do, always remember not to be dismayed whichever way the tide may flow," said Verma.
The students did their bit by expressing their gratitude for their mentors.
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