Samagam 2023: Aurora

On December 18, 19, and 20, Loreto College, Kolkata presented Samagam 2023, a festival immersed in the captivating theme of Aurora. Drawing inspiration from the natural phenomenon where vibrant hues dance across the sky, the fest promised a dynamic and vibrant experience, mirroring the diverse skills and talents that were on display over three days.

The grand opening ceremony commenced with the symbolic lighting of the lamp, a tradition marking auspicious beginnings. Sr. Sabrina Edwards IBVM, Province Leader, Loreto SA, graced the occasion with her encouraging presence. Ms. Anashua Majumdar, a distinguished alumna of Loreto College and a seasoned actor with a rich background in theatre, television, and film, was the Chief Guest of Samagam 2023. As the light flickered, the spirit of Aurora was summoned, guiding all present through an unforgettable journey of creativity, camaraderie, and collective inspiration.

Samagam witnessed enthusiastic participation from an array of teams representing prestigious institutions such as St. Xavier’s College (Kolkata), The Heritage College, J. D. Birla Institute, Sister Nivedita University, Ramakrishna Mission Residential College (Narendrapur), Lady Brabourne College, Scottish Church College, Shri Shikshayatan College, Bethune College, Gokhale Memorial Girls’ College, Jadavpur University, and Presidency University. A plethora of engaging events awaited these participants at Samagam 2023.

The fest began with the annual “Damayanti Shield Debate” organised by the Debating Society of Loreto College. The event featured spirited discussions over the motion that until the privileged youth in India implement methods to address fiscal inequity, hunger will continue to plague the nation. The Literary Society presented the prestigious “Amal Ghatak Memorial Quiz” that tested students’ literary prowess. These events were accompanied by elocution and creative writing competitions in English, Hindi, and Bengali. The AICUF Society also hosted “Faith Quest,” a Bible Quiz Competition.

The ICT Society orchestrated events such as “Pixel Perfect” and “Tech Coaction,” emphasising the significance of technology in modern times. The Cine Society brought creativity to the forefront with “Mimicry Masquerade,” where students dressed as iconic movie characters and showcased their acting abilities. The Dramatics Society staged “Mime Master,” a guessing game that had participants acting out the names of movies, songs, and books. The Art and Craft Society organised “Single Hue Stories,” where participants were tasked with re-imagining a classic movie as a novel and designing a suitable book cover.

The History Society contributed to the intellectual spectrum with “Century Reflections” and “Whispers of the Past,” which focused on videography and blog writing. “Meraki,” a Library Society event, had participants creatively altering the narratives of existing stories based on prompts given on the spot. The Leadership Training Service hosted “Tale Trek,” another unique storytelling event that highlighted the participants’ narrative skills. The Psychology Society introduced the “Sell Well” event, challenging teams to pitch mental wellness entrepreneurial ideas to judges.

Cultural enthusiasts found their haven in events such as “Darbar,” “Sur and Tarang,” and “Hip-Hop Hustle” organised by the Spicmacay Society, Eastern Cultural Society, and Western Cultural Society respectively. As participants showcased their talents in singing, dancing, and music, the college hall resonated with student excitement and fervour. The Games Society brought a competitive spirit with Badminton and Table Tennis events, drawing cheers from friends supporting their college teams.

Amidst the jubilant atmosphere of celebration, issues of social importance were not forgotten. The NSS Society hosted “Socioscope,” a documentary-making event that allowed participants to capture real-world problems in video format and offer meaningful solutions. Likewise, “Nukkad Natak” by the Political Science Society presented a series of thought-provoking street plays that demonstrated the youth’s awareness of burning social issues. The Media Society’s “Press Quest” put students’ journalistic abilities to the test, while the W.E. Nature Society provided a platform for students to draw attention to environmental problems through artwork and photography. The Social Service Society engaged participants in an interactive “Treasure Hunt,” testing their knowledge of the local surroundings.

The college corridors and lawn turned into bustling hubs of activity as students navigated their way to various venues for participation or explored the variety of stalls set up around the premises. The colourful Aurora-themed decorations designed by the Art and Craft Society that adorned the college campus contributed to the atmosphere of festive mirth. Dipali Banka of Shri Shikshayatan College commended the efforts of the Art and Craft Society for the decoration. “It was AMAZING!”, she said.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, the spirit of Aurora guided students on a journey of camaraderie, fostering a sense of community cutting across institutional boundaries. As Rimil Patra of Loreto College observed, “Samagam 2023 was extraordinarily beautiful and elegant. The theme “Aurora” was reflected not only in the events conducted but also in the environment of the college.” According to Sampoorna Sen, a final-year student of Loreto College, “This Samagam gifted me with a new life experience and a new outlook towards team spirit and friendship.”

Loreto College was also delighted to host Mr. Shayne Hyrapiet as the Guest Performer in the final segment of Samagam 2023. His energetic voice and captivating performance had students grooving to popular tracks, providing a fitting climax to the festivities.

After three days of closely contested events, Loreto College emerged as the winner of Samagam 2023. Following college tradition, the coveted Samagam Shield was handed over to Shri Shikshayatan College, who secured the first runners-up position with their impressive performance across event categories. Gokhale Memorial Girls’ College was adjudged Best College on account of their lively participation. The students of guest colleges also appreciated the fest quite generously. “Samagam 2023 was a balance of competition and fun. Competing against the best students from the top institutions of the city is an achievement in itself!”, said Abhishek Choubey of St. Xavier’s College. Prateeti Ghosh of Gokhale Memorial Girls’ College was impressed with the overall organisation of the fest and found the volunteers and hosts approachable and welcoming.

As the curtains closed on Samagam 2023 – Aurora, heartfelt gratitude was extended to all who had contributed to the resounding success of the festival. Sincere appreciation was offered to the generous sponsors, including Global Reach, SBI, T.I.M.E., SwitchOn Foundation, Samaritan, Karishmaz, Wow! Momo, Pizza Hut, Crumbs and Flakes, and Coca-Cola, whose unwavering support played a pivotal role in bringing the creative vision of Samagam to fruition. Special thanks were given to the Title Sponsor, Dr. Prasanta Banerji Homoeopathic Research Clinic, for their significant contribution that became the wind beneath the wings of Samagam 2023. The fest left behind memories that will continue to sparkle in the hearts of all who shared in its magic.