More than just book smart...
Versatile performers
Students of engineering and management colleges recently battled it out to bag the title of ‘India’s Most Talented and Versatile Youngster’ at the ‘Maruti Suzuki Colours of Youth’ contest.
The Bangalore leg of the national level competition saw a huge turn out. With nearly 85 students with various talents taking part in the event, the judges had their work cut out for them on the first day itself.
The judges — Subir Malik, a musician from the band Parikrama and former Miss World Diana Hayden — were delighted with the kind of talent the City has. “I remember when I was a struggler, we rarely had opportunities to showcase our talent. Today’s youngsters are lucky with the kind of support they get from family and friends. It’s far easier to get out there and do what you really love,” said Diana.
The competition was held over two days and the second day had the eight shortlisted participants taking centre stage at Indian Institute of Management – Bangalore. Each participant had come prepared with either a music or dance recital and also had to do well in a general awareness quiz to be the overall winner. Shashank Srivasatava, Chief General Manager (Marketing) of Maruti Suzuki, said, “Through this competition, we want to provide a platform for students to showcase their performance skills and academic talent.”
The eight students, who made it to the finals, were from Christ University, International Institute of Business Studies, ICFAI Business School, Manipal Institute of Management, Alliance Business School and Bangalore Institute of Management Studies. Though the students were from different colleges, the bond they shared was evident as they loudly cheered for each other despite being competitors.
The highlight of the day was a dance performance by twins Adhvithi and Ashvithi Shetty from Manipal Institute of Management.
Though they went on to secure the fourth place in the competition, they were happy. Sreeju Premarajan from ICFAI Business School stood first and Danny Mathew from Christ University Institute of Management came second.
Another Christite, Fathima Raj, took the third place.
Held over three months, this competition is being held across ten cities and at all the leading business schools in India. Once these preliminary rounds are over in all the cities, there will be four zonal rounds, followed by the grand finale in New Delhi.
