Sharing, caring and gifting on this Diwali

The festival of lights is all about sharing and caring. Besides the sparkling lights, new clothes, food and fun, it’s that time of the year when everyone expresses their gratitude to their loved ones, while exchanging gifts, sweets and beautiful memories.  

On this auspicious occasion of Diwali, volunteers of NSS (National Service Scheme) Wing of Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar visited Mother Teressa Orphanage and spent time with the children there. In this unique gesture of love and care, NSS volunteers played various games with them, while the children recited poems for which NSS students encouraged them. 

Shining a light of positivity on sharing on the ‘festival of lights’, NSS volunteers further distributed sweets, ration, chocolates, games and stationery items. 

Dr Neerja Dhingra, Principal of ACFA, appreciated the efforts of the NSS students and shared, “I am immensely happy to see our students who are sensitively and diligently performing their responsibilities towards society. Undoubtedly, the future of the country is bright when our youth is responsible enough. Such students also become a source of inspiration for other college students.” 

She also appreciated the  efforts of Dr Simkee Dev, Dean, NSS Wing for guiding these students and encouraging them for such noble actions.

As part of the festivities, the Department of Design, Fine Arts, Applied Arts, Sculpture and Student Welfare Association of ACFA jointly organised a two-day ‘Diwali Fair’. The fair was inaugurated in a grand manner in the presence of Mr Jaspreet Singh, IAS and Jalandhar’s Honorable Deputy Commissioner, who was the Chief Guest. Dr Sucharita Sharma, Pro Vice Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University;  Director, Apeejay Education Society; Senior Education Advisor, Rajeshwari Sangeet Academy Trust was present as a Guest of Honour. 

Dr Dhingra warmly welcomed the honourable guests and said, “Your arrival is not only inspiring for our students, but they will also be encouraged to learn something new from your subtle vision, connoisseur eye, experience and vast knowledge of art.”  

On this occasion, Mr Singh expressed, “I am amazed to see the creativity, artistry and sensitivity of students towards art. I consider myself fortunate to be part of such a programme and would like to be a part of such events again and again.”

In the Diwali fair, designer furniture, home decor products, screen printed dupattas,  handmade jewellery, painted bags, colorful diyas, bookmarks, paintings, portraits, murals, tapestries made by the students became the main attraction for the art lovers. Also, this day was celebrated as ‘Ethnic Day’ by the Student Welfare Association in which many college students came in cultural outfits and added to the atmosphere of the festival.

Expressing her happiness over the immense success of the Diwali Mela, Dr  Neerja said that the students were very excited about the sales of the products which they had been making for the last one month. Moreover, at the Diwali fair, Mrs Seema Anand Chopra of Hindi News Group and Vice President of Indian Society for Authors, a frontline social worker, was also present. She not only asked for information about the products made by students and appreciated their efforts, but also bought things from many stalls and shared with them special tips for entrepreneurship.

Also, Mr.Virendra Sharma, Director of Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Government of India and his Assistant Director Mr. Kundan Lal were present. Expressing happiness over the efforts made by the students, they emphasised that Apeejay students have the potential to become successful business leaders of the future. A rangoli competition was also organised as part of the grand celebration.