A four-day Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival, featuring creative, artistic and cultural activities, began at Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur. Students from 30 colleges affiliated with Panjab University, Chandigarh, under Hoshiarpur Zone-5, are participating in the event.
 

Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest. The presidium included Sikh Educational Council president Sant Sadhu Singh Kaharpur, manager Inderjit Singh Bharta, general secretary Prof Apinder Singh, treasurer Virinder Sharma and other office-bearers.
 

The festival opened with a Shabad singing performance by students of the college's music department. Principal Dr Parvinder Singh welcomed the guests and students who had arrived from various colleges.
 

Panjab University's Director of Youth Welfare, Dr Sukhjinder Rishi, assured the college management of full support for organising the zonal and inter-zonal youth festivals.
 

Addressing the students, chief guest Jai Krishan Singh Rouri encouraged them to participate enthusiastically in such events. He also announced financial assistance of ₹10 lakh for the college from his discretionary fund.
 

Government College Hoshiarpur tops Shabad singing
 

On the first day of the festival, Government College Hoshiarpur secured first place in the group Shabad singing competition. Khalsa College, Garhdiwala, finished second, while Khalsa College, Garhshankar, secured third position.
 

In the group bhajan competition, Chak Allah Bakhsh College, Mukerian, won first place, followed by Government College, Talwara, in second position and Khalsa College, Mahilpur, in third place.
 

Government College Hoshiarpur also secured the first position in the folk song singing competition, while Khalsa College, Garhshankar, finished second.
 

Awards presented to winners
 

During the second session of the programme, Dr Anup Kumar, president of the DAV College Managing Committee, attended as the chief guest and distributed prizes among the students.
 

Principals, teaching staff and students from various participating colleges were present in large numbers at the event.
 

SEO Title: Khalsa College Mahilpur Hosts Youth and Heritage Festival; Hoshiarpur College Wins Shabad Singing