Darjeeling, Aug. 21: College-goers from across the hills and the plains will converge on this town on August 31 for three days of fun mixed with serious business.The first-ever inter-college youth festival in Darjeeling, Confluence 2007, is expected to draw around 4,000 students from 12 colleges. “The overwhelming response from the students has forced us to change our venue from Captiol Hall to a larger auditorium at Gymkhana Club,” said Rajeev Thatal of Threshold Entertainments, which is organising the event.
The fest will have a plethora of events ranging from extempore speech, or JAM (Just a Minute), to dance competitions like Shakalaka, along with various awareness programmes. “In the past, we have seen that student steer clear of awareness campaigns and workshops on social issues. So we decided to marry fun with serious business by inviting resource persons from various fields to the meet to talk about their work. We have also tied up with representatives of the hospitality industry and IT and tourism sectors so that students can learn about job opportunities from them,” added Samir Sharma, another organiser. While members of Shankar Foundation, the only association of HIV positive persons in Darjeeling, will conduct sessions on the deadly disease, Kripa Foundation, one of the oldest rehabilitation centres here, will organise discussions on substance abuse. Fun and creativity remains the motto though. Lots of prizes will be up for grabs, including Confluence King and Queen (best-looking boy and girl), Confluence Idol (best singer in Eastern solo) and Rockomaniacs (best band in Western music).
Some of the innovative events lined up this year include a photo and art exhibition and a poster competition on social issues. “We are also holding a competition called One Shot where students can submit a mobile video shoot on the theme of love and hate,” Thatal added. Fifth Dimension, a popular rock band from Calcutta, promises to pump up the volume at the fest, along with a local group, Reincarnation. “In fact, the event will mark the revival of Reincarnation, which has not performed in the past couple of years,” said Sharma.
The fest will have a plethora of events ranging from extempore speech, or JAM (Just a Minute), to dance competitions like Shakalaka, along with various awareness programmes. “In the past, we have seen that student steer clear of awareness campaigns and workshops on social issues. So we decided to marry fun with serious business by inviting resource persons from various fields to the meet to talk about their work. We have also tied up with representatives of the hospitality industry and IT and tourism sectors so that students can learn about job opportunities from them,” added Samir Sharma, another organiser. While members of Shankar Foundation, the only association of HIV positive persons in Darjeeling, will conduct sessions on the deadly disease, Kripa Foundation, one of the oldest rehabilitation centres here, will organise discussions on substance abuse. Fun and creativity remains the motto though. Lots of prizes will be up for grabs, including Confluence King and Queen (best-looking boy and girl), Confluence Idol (best singer in Eastern solo) and Rockomaniacs (best band in Western music).
Some of the innovative events lined up this year include a photo and art exhibition and a poster competition on social issues. “We are also holding a competition called One Shot where students can submit a mobile video shoot on the theme of love and hate,” Thatal added. Fifth Dimension, a popular rock band from Calcutta, promises to pump up the volume at the fest, along with a local group, Reincarnation. “In fact, the event will mark the revival of Reincarnation, which has not performed in the past couple of years,” said Sharma.
