Mysore/Mysuru: The District-level Yuvajanotsava (Youth Fest) held at Chamundi Vihar Stadium in city recently received a lukewarm response, with only a limited number of students and youths participating in the annual event.

Organised by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) in collaboration with District Administration, Zilla Panchayat and Nehru Yuva Kendra, the fest aimed to provide a platform for students in various age groups to showcase their talents. However, rural students, who constituted a significant portion of participants in previous years, did not turn up, resulting in a lacklustre atmosphere.

The fest included contests such as story-writing, poster-making, photography, and elocution for students and youths aged 18 to 29 years. On-the-spot registration was available, but rural students were notably absent.

In the cultural segment, student troupes from Maharani’s Women’s Commerce and Management College, Maharani’s Science College for Women, Marimallappa’s College and Maharaja Institute of Technology (Tandavapura) participated in folk dance and singing (Group and Solo).

Noteworthy performances included MIT students presenting ‘Mari Kunita,’ while Maharani’s Women’s Commerce and Management College showcased the Kamsale for the song ‘Madheva.’ Marimallappa’s College students performed dances for the songs ‘CheluvayyaCheluvoTaniTandana…’ and ‘ChellidaruMalligeyaBaanaYeriMele…’ and also presented folk songs dedicated to Mahadeshwara, Siddappaji and the Cauvery river.

During the inauguration, Additional Deputy Commissioner Lokanath emphasised the importance of identifying and encouraging individual talents. He stated that talent is not confined to anyone and urged parents and teachers to nurture talents, emphasising the need for suitable platforms for individuals to exhibit their skills. Bhaskar, Assistant Director, DYES and others were present.