Team News Riveting
Raipur, October 18
In tune with the festive air of October, HNLU is celebrating its annual, cultural, literary and sports fest, COLOSSUS; International Model United Nations and Youth Parliament (IMUNYP) 2024.
The event will continue for three days. The inaugural session, which was held today, was graced by Jai Prakash Nautiyal, Dronacharya Awardee and Chief National Coach, Indian Para Shooting as Guest of Honour and Anuj Sharma, Padma Shri Awardee and Member, Chhattisgarh State Legislative Assembly as Chief Guest.
Diving into the significance of the name COLOSSUS, which represents grandeur and excellence, Prof. (Dr.) V C Vivekanandan, Vice Chancellor, connected this idea to human culture, citing Sir Kenneth Robinson’s theory on the importance of creativity in education and Colossus symbolizes a platform for creative cultural expression. Speaking of competition, he referred to the African Tribal concept of “UBUNTU”, meaning “I am what I am because of who we all are,” reinforcing the value of community and collective growth achieved by festivals like Colossus.
The Guest of Honour, Jai Prakash Nautiyal, emphasized the profound value and respect for the guru (teacher) seen within the HNLU community, reflecting the strong bonds between students and faculty. This sense of reverence and connection to one’s teachers, he noted, forms the foundation of success in life. Drawing from his rich personal experiences, he shared inspiring anecdotes about his journey as a para-shooting coach since 1988, training students who have gone on to achieve remarkable success, including Padma Shri awardees. He ended with a motivating line: “Kheloge toh khiloge” (if you play, you’ll excel), inspiring students to make the most of every opportunity.
Anuj Sharma, the Chief Guest in his speech, celebrated the rich heritage of Chhattisgarh and its deep connection to Indian culture, particularly referencing the legacy of Lord Ram. He spoke warmly of Chhattisgarh’s cultural significance and hospitality, highlighting how it embodies values of community and tradition, which resonate with the spirit of Colossus. With genuine enthusiasm, he expressed his excitement for Colossus, praising the students of HNLU for their awareness of their rights and their ability to harness platforms like MUN for personal and intellectual growth. He encouraged everyone to fully engage with the event, noting that such experiences often lead to unexpected opportunities and personal development.
Highlighting the essentiality of leisure, culture and art in their lives, Dr Vipan Kumar, Registrar in charge extended a heartfelt welcome to 600 participants from fourteen universities and colleges to COLOSSUS-IMUN-YP 2024.
Dr Ankit Singh, Faculty Convener, COLOSSUS-IMUNYP ’24, gave a detailed overview of what this fest represents, highlighting the variety of events that have been curated for this occasion, each designed to challenge and showcase creativity, intellect, and talent.
Summer Veer Shukla, Secretary General of IMUN-YP, briefly introduced the concept of Model United Nations (MUN) and its role as a platform for young leaders to debate global issues, enhance their diplomatic skills, and foster collaboration. He emphasized that IMUN-YP 2024 is an opportunity not just to compete, but to learn and grow through interaction with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Dr Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Dean (UG) and Member, Board of Advisors for Colossus-IMUNYP ’24 proposed the vote of thanks.
