AGRIUNIFEST - 2001

Third All India Inter-state Agricultural University Youth Festival - 2001: Report of Events

The third All India Inter-state Agricultural University Youth Festival (AGRIUNIFEST - 2001) was held at the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) Thrissur during Jan. 21- 25, 2002. The festival was sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. An organising Committee, eighteen sub-committees and a 'Jury of Appeal' were constituted for the smooth conduct of the AGRIUNIFEST as per the handbook for Inter-state Agricultural University Youth Festival, stipulated by the ICAR. The first circular for participation in AGRIUNIFEST - 2001 was communicated (by e-mail, internet, fax and post) to all the 35 State Agricultural Universities, Deemed Universities and Central Agricultural University of the country well ahead of time. Seventeen Universities confirmed their participation and finally 12 have taken part in the five day festival.
The KAU instituted a rolling trophy for the best team in national integration procession, and trophies for the first runner up team and for the best logo.

The festival started with the colourful National Integration procession at 4.00 pm on January 21 from Mannuthy campus which was flagged off by Prof. K.V.Peter, Vice Chancellor, KAU. Twelve participating Universities took part in the procession which was a memorable show. The procession reached the Central Auditorium by 6.00 pm. The members representing Universities were dressed in colourful traditional attires, bringing out the rich and varied cultural heritage of our country. The procession was accompanied by I(k) R&V Sqn. NCC horse riders. Members of organizing committee along with Prof. K.V. Peter, Vice-chancellor led the procession from the front. Behind the ornamentally decorated "Muthukudas", a troupe performed "Panchavadyam", a traditional Kerala percussion symphony. The cultural contingent from PDKVP, Akola led the University Teams. It was a grand sight to watch the teams marching through the NH-47 entertaining the bystanders dancing to the tune of traditional music and chanting verses in praise of the Lords.

Shri. V.V.Raghavan, M.P. inaugurated the festival at 6.00 pm. on January 21. Shri. P.P.George, M.L.A.presided over the function. The Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Organising Committee welcomed the gathering. The Director of Students' Welfare and Organising Secretary proposed the vote of thanks. The inaugural session ended with a cultural feast especially that of traditional Kerala art forms.

The event-wise competitions were started from 9 am on 22 January, 2002. The competitions were held at the KAU Central Auditorium, Botany Lab of the College of Horticulture, open air stage adjacent to the Central Auditorium and in the auditorium of the College of Co-operation, Banking & Management . The Team Managers meeting held on January 21 finalised the schedule for the conduct of the events. The judges for the events were arranged by the Committee for Judges in consultation with Kerala Sahithya Academy, Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy, School of Drama and Fine Arts College, Thrissur.

The valedictory function was held in the KAU Central Auditorium at 3.00 pm on January 25. Shri. Christi Fernandez, Chairman, Coir Board and Shri. Jerry Ameldev, the gifted Music Director were the Guests of Honour for the function. The prizes were given away by Shri. Jerry Ameldev and Dr. Koshala, Former Vice Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh, Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya. The rolling trophy for the best team in National Integration Procession was won by the Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat and the Rolling Trophy for the best disciplined team was won by the Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar. Sri. P.S. Sali., Teaching Assistant of the College of Co-operation, Banking & Management won the prize for the best logo for designing 'Sambu' the elephant in its pomp and pageantry to depict the festivals in Kerala. The prize for the first runner up was secured by the Assam Agricultual University, Jorhat with 63 points. The overall championship was bagged by the Kerala Agricultural University scoring 66 points. The festival curtains came down with the cultural programmes staged by all the participating teams bringing unity in diversity and with expectation to meet again at the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, for the fourth festival.

Top