International Students’ Day celebration

Each year on July 31st, Symbiosis celebrates Dr S.B.Mujumdars birthday and also observes this day as ‘International Students’ Day’. This year the celebration witnessed participation of international students from various colleges in Pune from over 60 countries. The two day event included various activities like NGO visit, tree plantations, blood donation, food festivals and cultural dance programmes organised by Symbiosis Centre for International Education (SCIE).

The students donated more than 300 books, pens, pencils each along with a couple of sports kits to the students at New English School, Sus Gaon. The evening of 30th concluded with the food festival. Students from almost 50 countries like France, Portugal, Kenya, Tanzania amongst many others presented famous delicacies representing their country. Indian students and international students alike had a great time tasting and feasting on various cuisines.

During the international flag hoisting ceremony Dr Mujumdar expressed his gratitude, “I thank all my well-wishers and friends for their blessings. I am glad that on my birthday Symbiosis observes International Students Day. Whole life I have strived to get international as well as Indian students together so that one day they realise the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.”

Dr Mujumdar asked, “If today we believe ‘World is one Family’ and if we are trying to make Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam a reality why can’t we have a national anthem and a flag for our Mother Earth who has brought us together.”

The two day programme concluded with a cultural dance wherein students danced to the beats of kaj ra re,chodh doh anchal etc. Some students adorned themselves in traditional outfits right from the clothes to the jewellery and performed their traditional dance forms whereas others just swayed and had a gala time performing on hit numbers from their country. It was indeed a memorable evening with foot- tapping music as the crowd cheered for all.

The night ended with the prize distribution ceremony-

Winners of Food Festival:

Winner- Yeman

First Runner up- Iran

Second Runner up- Namibia

Consolation Prize- Uzbekistan

Winners of Dance:

Winner- Nepal

First Runner up- Yeman

Second Runner up- Srilanka

Consolation Prize- Nigeria