Grand Finale of Three-Day Inter-College Youth Festival at Kotshera College
Kotshera College Secures First Position in Elocution and Collage Making, Third in Debate; HPU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mahavir Singh Says, “Kotshera is Like My Second Home”
Shimla, September 2026: The three-day Inter-College Youth Festival (Group-I Creativity) of Himachal Pradesh University, hosted by Rajiv Gandhi Government College, Kotshera, Chaura Maidan, Shimla, concluded in a grand manner on Friday with colourful cultural performances and an impressive prize distribution ceremony. Held from September 16 to 18, the festival brought together nearly 600 students from around 60 colleges across Himachal Pradesh, who participated in 11 different creative and literary competitions and showcased their talent, creativity and expressive abilities.
The closing ceremony was graced by Himachal Pradesh University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mahavir Singh as the Chief Guest. Additional Advocate General Mohinder Jereck, former Principal of Government College Kumarsain Dr. Naresh Verma, retired Professor of Physics Dr. Brijesh Chauhan, Dean Students’ Welfare (DSW) of Kotshera College Dr. Rajesh Chauhan, teaching and non-teaching staff of the college, and PTA members Champa, Urmila Tomar, Anju Tomar and Manisha Kumari, among other dignitaries, were also present on the occasion.
Principal of the college, Dr. Gopal Chauhan, accorded a warm welcome to the Chief Guest and all distinguished guests. He expressed gratitude to the PTA as well as the teaching and non-teaching staff for their dedicated efforts in making the Youth Festival a historic and grand success. He said that the learning and experience gained by students through their participation in the festival was far more important than merely winning a competition.
Dr. Chauhan also appreciated the dedicated contribution of NCC, NSS, Rovers and Rangers and other student volunteers who worked tirelessly, day and night, for the successful conduct of the event. He thanked the team in-charges from various participating colleges for their cooperation and support. He also expressed gratitude to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, Indian Bank MBD Group and Minchy's Juice Company for extending their support towards the event.
“I Am a Researcher Before Being a Vice-Chancellor”: Prof. Mahavir Singh
In his inspiring address, Chief Guest and HPU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mahavir Singh said, “I am a researcher before being a Vice-Chancellor.” Sharing experiences from his life and academic career with the students, he said that the failures he encountered during his 33-year research career had been an important part of his journey towards success. He urged students not to consider failure or defeat as something that should stop them, but rather as an important stage in the process of learning, improving and moving forward. He emphasised that struggle is life.
Referring to his close and cordial relationship with Principal Dr. Gopal Chauhan, the Vice-Chancellor said emotionally, “Gopal Ji lives in my heart.” Speaking about his association with Kotshera College, he said, “Kotshera College is like my second home, where I feel an extraordinary positive energy as soon as I arrive.”
Prof. Mahavir Singh encouraged the younger generation to work hard and stressed that students should not focus merely on competing with one another, but should also learn to work together. He said that coordination and collaboration among different disciplines can open new avenues for research and development. He referred to his interdisciplinary work involving Physics along with areas such as health, law, social sciences and communication. He also shared details of his research work related to Shimla’s water management system.
The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted the importance of inner strength and informed the gathering that five research centres have already been established at the university, while approval for the sixth research centre has also been received.
Students Showcase Talent in 11 Competitions
Festival Organising Secretary Dr. Rajeev Sharma said that nearly 600 students from around 60 colleges across the state participated in 11 different creative and literary competitions during the three-day Youth Festival. The participating students displayed remarkable talent, creativity and confidence across various disciplines.
In the final round of the Quiz Competition, five teams participated. Hitesh Kumar, Rohit Thakur and Rahul Deval of Government College Chamba secured the first position, while Sunil Kumar, Zayar Hussain and Payal of PG Centre Shimla secured the second position. Isha Thakur, Naitik Sharma and Kartik of Government College Shahpur secured the third position.
In the Elocution Competition, Mishal of Kotshera College secured the first position, bringing laurels to the institution. Anmol Sharma of Government College Una secured the second position, while Nitika of SV Government College Ghumarwin secured the third position.
In English Extempore, Nidhi of Government Degree College Nohraadhar secured the first position, followed by Srijan Sharma of St. Bede’s College in second place and Suryansh Pundir of Jawaharlal Nehru Government Fine Arts College, Shimla, in third place.
In the Debate Competition, Nitin and Anchal of Raja Virbhadra Singh Government College Seema Rohru secured the first position. Ajay and Anshika Thakur of Government College Solan secured the second position. Umesh Kumar and Mukesh Kumar of Kotshera College, along with Anaita Sharma and Vrinda of GC Dharamshala, secured the third position.
In the Debate competition, Swapnil Suryan and Abhishek of PG Centre Shimla secured the first position, while Arkita and Arpita of GDC Nagrota Bagwan, Kangra, secured the second position.
In On-the-Spot Painting, Vineet Kashyap of Government College Solan secured the first position, Hans Joshi of Jawaharlal Nehru Government Fine Arts College, Shimla, secured the second position, and Ketan Kumar of PG Centre Shimla secured the third position.
In Clay Modelling, Promila Devi of PG Centre Shimla secured the first position, Preet of Government Girls College secured the second position, and Akshit Kumar of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Degree College Sunni secured the third position.
Kotshera College achieved another major success in Collage Making, with Tanuj securing the first position. Gautam of GC Dharamshala secured the second position, while Ashish Kumar of PG Centre Shimla secured the third position.
In Poster Making, Harsh Kumar of Government College Solan secured the first position, Monika of GC Rampur Bushahr secured the second position, and Muskan of Government Girls College secured the third position.
In Rangoli, Khushnuma Malik of PG Centre Shimla secured the first position, Raghav Nahar of Jawaharlal Nehru Government Fine Arts College, Shimla, secured the second position, while Riya of Government Girls College secured the third position.
In Cartooning, Vishal of NSCBM College Hamirpur secured the first position, Akhil of Jawaharlal Nehru Government Fine Arts College, Shimla, secured the second position, and Swati of Government Girls College secured the third position.
Kotshera College Celebrates Strong Performance
Kotshera College emerged as one of the notable performers of the Youth Festival, securing the first position in Elocution and Collage Making and the third position in Debate. The achievements generated considerable enthusiasm on the college campus, with students, teachers and parents congratulating the successful participants for their impressive performance at the state-level event.
The three-day festival provided students with an important platform not only to compete but also to interact with students from different colleges, exchange ideas and gain valuable experience in creative and literary activities. The event also highlighted the importance of confidence, teamwork, creativity and healthy interaction among young people.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Chief Guest Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mahavir Singh and other dignitaries presented trophies and certificates of merit to the winners of various competitions. The three-day Inter-College Youth Festival concluded on a vibrant note with colourful cultural performances, bringing together students, teachers and guests in an atmosphere of celebration and enthusiasm.