Apeejay College of Fine Arts excels at National Youth Festival 2025, wins top honours

The stage was set, the excitement palpable, and the air buzzing with creative energy as students from across India gathered at Amity University, Noida, for the much-anticipated National Youth Festival 2025. Among them stood the talented and determined students of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, ready to leave their mark on the grand event. And they did just that—bringing home laurels and making their institution proud.

Representing Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, the students played a crucial role in securing the First Runners-Up Trophy for the university. The festival, organised under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) from March 3 to March 7, witnessed a spectacular showcase of talent from 2,500 students representing 148 universities across the country.

In an arena where passion met competition, GNDU emerged as a strong contender, securing the Overall First Runners-Up trophy. Their talent shone through as they also bagged First Runners-Up in Fine Arts and Dance, Second Runners-Up in Theatre, and Third Position in Cultural Procession. And at the heart of these victories were the remarkable students of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, whose performances were nothing short of mesmerizing.

Take, for instance, Harsifat, whose soulful voice in the Western Vocal Solo category left the audience spellbound, earning her the First Position. Or Khushi, whose graceful yet powerful Classical Dance performance captivated the judges. Vishal’s brilliant mimicry skills had the audience roaring with laughter, while Vikas Kalotra’s intricate and imaginative Rangoli work won the top spot. The Mime team—Ankush, Sanyam Arora, Harsh, Vishal, Saurav Paul, and Daksh Sharma—delivered a seamless, emotive performance that earned them First Place.

The achievements did not stop there. In Western Group Song, Harsifat Kaur, Jasleen Kaur, Anjali Bhagat, Sukhmani Arora, Anmol Preet, and Ghazal bagged the Second Position, blending harmony and melody to perfection. Sahil’s mastery in Classical Instrumental (Percussion) and Yash’s expertise in Clay Modeling also secured them Second Place. The Folk Dance team—comprising Gargi, Nisha, Lavisha, Vrinda, Palvinder, Himani, Bhoomi, and Diya—added to the tally by earning Third Position with their vibrant and energetic performance.

Dr. Neerja Dhingra, Principal of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, could not contain her pride and appreciation. Expressing her gratitude to Prof. Dr. Karamjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor, GNDU, and Dr. Amandeep Singh, Incharge, Youth Welfare Department, she remarked, “We are immensely proud of our students. Their dedication and perseverance have led to this remarkable achievement. We look forward to seeing them scale even greater heights in the future.”

She also extended special appreciation to the mentors who worked tirelessly behind the scenes—Dr. Arun Mishra, Cultural Coordinator, Dr. Amita Mishra, Youth Welfare Dean, and Dr. Micky Verma—who played an instrumental role in guiding the students toward success.

With yet another spectacular achievement, Apeejay College of Fine Arts continues to set new benchmarks in cultural and artistic excellence. Each accolade adds to its legacy as a nurturing ground for young artists, inspiring them to reach for the stars and shine on national and global platforms. The journey of artistic brilliance continues, promising even greater feats in the years to come.