As global as it can get
International Habba
International Habba, an annual cultural extravaganza exclusively meant for foreign students in the City, was organised by the Acharya Institutes recently.
The event had many expat students enthusiastically showcasing the cultural heritage of their respective nations.
The Nagaratnamma Stadium at Acharya Campus at Soladevanahalli was bustling with foreign students who were eager to represent their nations and have a glimpse of different cultures.
Most students, especially those from the Middle East, Bhutan, Nepal and Africa had come dressed in their traditional attire. And a few of them even carried their national flags to cheer for their fellow nationals.
The event took off with a rock show in which the students of Acharya, CMR, Sambhram and Garden City College took part. After this, a glittering awards ceremony was held to honour the expatriate students who won prizes in the various sports events conducted at the fest.
The cultural events commenced with a traditional dance by a group of beautifully dressed Bhutanese girls. A team of boys from Iraq wearing traditional Arabian dress, an ankle-length, loose-fitting garment and checked square scarf on their head, presented their folk dance which narrated a story of great warriors.
A faculty fashion show by the Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies was one of the most entertaining events of the evening. The faculty members including the principal of AIGS showcased Western summer clothes.
They sported tattoos, chains and shorts. Students cheered out loud when their favourite teachers walked the ramp and also appreciated their fashion sense. To add to the glamour quotient of the evening, actress Ragini Dwivedi made a brief appearance and danced to some of her hit songs with ‘Stripy’, the mascot of Acharya Habba.
“It is a special day for all of us. We may come from different countries but feel very united on this day. Though Acharya Institutes arrange International Habba, every foreign student in the City treats it as his or her own festival.
It provides an excellent platform for us to interact with people of different origins and appreciate all cultures,” feels Sanuththara, a psychology student from Sri Lanka, who took an active part in the festival and was one of the anchors for the day.
The audience also enjoyed many other colourful events including group dances by the Tanzanian, Sri Lankan, Mauritius and Nepali students; an attractive laser show and fashion shows by students as well as faculty members during the event.
