It was a proud moment for host Nirmala College as it went on to become the champion at the Ranchi University (RU) inter-college youth festival 2015, winning 11 out of 25 events and notching a high tally of 128 points.

Runner-up Ranchi College was left far behind with just 64 points, while SS Memorial College and Marwari College, both in Ranchi, finished off third and fourth with 48 and 40 points, respectively, in the three-day fest that began on December 7 and ended on Wednesday.

As many as 464 students from 16 colleges and a post-graduate department participated in events like classical dance, folkribal dance, collage, clay modelling, classical instrumental, light and classical vocal (solo), western vocal (solo), folk orchestra, spot photography, skit, one-act play, mime, mimicry, elocution, debate, quiz, painting, poster making, cartooning and group song (Indian and western).

Nirmala College won in classical dance, folkribal dance, elocution, debate, collage, poster making and clay modelling besides four other events.

Vice chancellor (VC) R.K. Pandey gave away the prizes.

For those who couldn't make it to the top three spots in various categories, he had words of wisdom. Quoting from the likes of Thomas Alva Edison and APJ Abdul Kalam, the VC encouraged them to dream.

"We must dream and try to make them come true. The most certain way to succeed is to try once more," Pandey said.

Organising secretary of the event Rashmimala Sahu said that a 40-member team, comprising the winners of the respective events, would represent the Ranchi University in east-zone inter-university youth festival to be held from January 4-7, 2016, at Tezpur Univeristy in Assam.