CHANDIGARH: The University Institute of Applied Management Sciences (UIAMS), Panjab University, today hosted its vibrant Cultural cum Fresher’s Function – Mehfil-e-Agaaz at the Law Auditorium. This colourful event marked a warm welcome to the new batch of students and showcased the rich cultural diversity and talents of the UIAMS student community.
The event commenced with a warm Welcome Address by Prof. Anupreet Kaur Mavi, setting an enthusiastic tone for the day. The Chief Guest, Sh. Sanjay Tandon, an eminent Indian politician, businessman, and social worker, addressed the audience with a powerful and engaging speech.
Sh. Sanjay Tandon motivated students through a series of short anecdotes that delivered strong messages on focus, resilience, and ethical decision-making. His charismatic personality deeply resonated with the students, leaving a lasting impression. One of the highlights of his speech was a compelling story about a young boy and girl meeting on a train. When the girl tried to falsely implicate the boy to extort money, his quick thinking led him to pretend to be deaf and dumb. He cleverly asked the girl to write her demands, which later helped him prove the truth. The story underlined the importance of presence of mind and proper documentation — a valuable lesson for all.
The event was further graced by esteemed Guests of Honour, each of whom addressed the students with words of wisdom and encouragement: Prof. Rajat Sandhir, a renowned neuroscientist and Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, emphasised the importance of mental health and brain wellness among students. He encouraged them to balance academic life with emotional well-being and stay curious in their learning journeys.
Dr. Parveen Goyal, Program Coordinator of the NSS at Panjab University, spoke about the spirit of social responsibility. He encouraged students to actively participate in NSS and community service, saying, “Contributing to society shapes not only communities but also the character of future leaders.” He elaborated that the motto of India's National Service Scheme (NSS) is "Not Me But You". This motto emphasises selfless service, placing the welfare of the community before one's own.
Prof. Suresh K. Chadha, Former Chairman of UBS and Director of the Central Placement Cell, Panjab University, congratulated the students and faculty on organising a vibrant event. He highlighted the importance of skills and entrepreneurship in today's dynamic job market, stating, “Management education must go beyond books — it must prepare students for real-world challenges through exposure, innovation, and skill development.”
The cultural festivities included a variety of captivating performances: Haryanvi Dance, Punjabi Dance, Singing Performances, Bollywood Dance Acts and Ramp Walk. A special highlight of this year’s function was the enthusiastic participation of international students, which added a unique global flavour to the celebrations.
Ruth Gibson Gama, an international student from Malawi, Africa, gave a standout performance — dancing confidently in a traditional suit to vibrant African music. Her graceful and high-spirited act received enthusiastic applause and represented the growing cultural inclusivity at UIAMS.
As part of the Ramp Walk, several titles were awarded to recognize student charisma, confidence, and personality to following students Mr. Fresher: Waris Bhateja, Ms. Fresher: Shrutika Samyal, Mr. Personality: Sarvesh Kumar, Ms. Personality: Loveleen Chauhan, Mr. Handsome: Archit Sharma and Ms. Beautiful: Kashish Thakur
These awards added glamour, pride, and excitement to the event, celebrating the individuality and spark of the new batch.
The function stood as a celebration of youthful energy, cultural pride, and academic inspiration — bringing together students, faculty, and dignitaries in a shared spirit of learning and festivity.
The function concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Dr. Amandeep Singh Marwaha, Training and Placement Officer (TPO), UIAMS, who expressed his gratitude to the guests, faculty, performers, organizing team, and the student body for making Mehfil-e-Agaaz a grand success. He emphasised the importance of such events in building camaraderie, confidence, and a sense of belonging among students. The seamless execution of the program was ensured by Dr. Amandheer Kapoor, the Event Coordinator, whose efforts were widely appreciated.