Hoshiarpur (Daljit Ajnoha):- The four-day Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival, organised at Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur, under Hoshiarpur Zone-5 of Panjab University, Chandigarh, concluded today on a memorable note. Students from 30 affiliated colleges participated in various creative, artistic and heritage-related activities. On the final day of the youth festival, students enthusiastically participated in performances of Giddha, Bhangra, folk music, Kavishri, Kali, Vaar and other traditional art forms. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, who attended the occasion as the Chief Guest, distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions and congratulated the organisers on the successful conduct of the festival.
**Presence of Dignitaries**
On this occasion, Sikh Educational Council President Sant Sadhu Singh Kaharupur, Manager Inderjit Singh Bharta, Secretary Prof. Apinder Singh Mahilpuri, Treasurer Virinder Sharma, Gurdial Singh Kaharupur and other council members, Principal Dr. Parvinder Singh, along with prominent personalities from the fields of education, religion and social service in the region, were present. A large gathering of spectators turned up to witness the folk dance performances of Giddha and Bhangra.
**Competition Results**
In the folk dance Giddha competition, Khalsa College, Mahilpur, secured first place, Khalsa College, Garhshankar, stood second, while Government College, Hoshiarpur, and SPN College, Mukerian, jointly secured third place. In folk dance Bhangra, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur, secured first place, Government College, Hoshiarpur, stood second, and SPN College, Mukerian, secured third place.
**Overall Trophy**
Based on the cumulative achievements and points earned over the four days of the youth festival, Government College, Hoshiarpur, secured the highest score and won the Overall Trophy. Dashmesh Girls College, Chak Alla Baksh, Mukerian, secured second place, while the host institution, Khalsa College, Mahilpur, finished third.
**Organisers Express Gratitude**
On the occasion, Principal Dr. Parvinder Singh specially thanked the Department of Youth Welfare, Panjab University, and the college management committee for the successful organisation of the festival. He congratulated the winning teams and invited them to participate enthusiastically in the Inter-Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival scheduled to be held at the same college from November 10 to 13. Contingent in-charges from various colleges and distinguished personalities who have earned recognition in different fields were also specially honoured.
During the youth festival, the book exhibition-cum-sale organised by Jasvir Begampuri and Sukhwinder Singh witnessed enthusiastic purchases by literature lovers. The traditional food stalls serving authentic local delicacies also continued to attract considerable interest from visitors. Dr. Vikrant Rana, Organising Secretary of the youth festival, thanked the teaching and non-teaching staff for their contribution to its successful conduct.
Among those present on the occasion were Senate Member Dr. Jagtar Singh, Principal Savita Gupta, Principal Amandeep Kaur, Arvinder Singh Haveli, Advocate Charanjit Singh Channi, OSD, Principal Rajwinder Kaur, Gurwinder Kandoal, Sukhdev Nadala and several other distinguished personalities. The stage was conducted by Dr. J. B. Sekhon, Dr. Dev Kumar, Dr. Deepak and Dr. Balbir Kaur.
