Pepsi-Verve ’99: The spirit catches ’em all

PUNE, Jan 24: The serene and sprawling campus of the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), where engineeers-in-the-making have gener...

PUNE, Jan 24: The serene and sprawling campus of the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), where engineeers-in-the-making have generally no respite from studies, was transformed into a colourful and vivacious playfield, where a kaleidoscope of talent was on display.

The occasion was the prestigious Pepsi-Verve ’99 which kicked off to a flying start on Sunday morning, with participants of 144 colleges conglomerating here.

It all starts with the traditional lamp. And Pepsi-Verve ’99 adhered to the tradition. With MIT director Vishwanath Karad doing the honours, Pepsi-Verve ’99 – the three-day affair of fun, excitement and competition began on an enthusiastic note.

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The energy and fervour of the students was palpable in the morning air at the campus. Despite the early hour (collegians will vote 8 am on a Sunday to be definitely early), the students had ensured their presence in hordes. Walking around the campus before the formal inauguration, one could bump into small groups, doing a quick rehearsal of their choreographed numbers, or brushing up their GK and vocabulary. Last minute dashes of greasepaint (some unique design to distinguish their college folks) and the youngsters dissipated to the different locales to cheer their team-mates.

The enthusiasm of the participants found an equal match amongst the organisers – the young crew of the Express Youth Forum – who were there even earlier to ensure that things got off to a smooth start. The registrations for the events of the day began as per schedule. And the entries flowed in quick and many.

In contrast to the flurry of colour, the easy pace and the high-pitched excitement around the campus, the inauguration ceremony was a short and formal affair. To welcome the chief guest were the two presidents of the EYF – Vishal Sharma and Anand Kumbhojkar – along with chairman and branch manager of The Indian Express Rajesh Rane and other office bearers.

Welcoming all visitors to MIT, Karad commended the inter-collegiate festival as one that promoted talent and culture amongst the youngsters. Urging the participating colleges and audience to maintain dignity, decorum and decency of the festival, he formally declared Pepsi-Verve ’99 open. These few minutes of formality over, it was back to sheer enjoyment, as the spirit of the college extavaganza took over. Clouds of dust, shouts of cheer, college mottos… the youngsters were at their effervescent best and it was a time of fun-filled chaos. But nobody complained. That the Pune youngsters are no dull Jacks’ was evident in the number of participatory teams for practically every event. Whether, it was VerveDict’ which was a magazine-making contest, whether it was debating, dancing, miming, clay-modelling, mad-ads or street plays, they were all there, well-prepared. Each one endeavouring to outsmart the other in the spirit of one-upmanship, but one that harmoniously blended with comradeship.

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Along with the participants, the college campus was choked to capacity with youngsters who had come to cheer their college mates. This mega event that has won the hearts of the youngsters is being covered by ICC4u, the local television channel, and will have a half-hour telecast every evening at 8.30 p.m. So, if you were not at Pepsi-Verve ’99, fret not, you can catch all the masala on the tube.

And next year, the Verve promises to attain a national flavour with colleges outside the Maharashtra state, scheduled to be invited.