Right now, the world may be in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some weeks before the global lockdown began, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) had held the first ever AIU International Youth Festival.
The AIU, an organisation that has 803 member universities and 39000 affiliated colleges, has been annually organising Inter-University Youth Festivals ‘UNIFESTS’ since 1985 at zonal and national level, but this was the first time an international festival was held.
The first of its kind event saw the participation of about 600 student delegates representing more than 20 countries and regions including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Indonesia, Israel, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Turkey, UK, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia, Afghanistan.
This contingent performed in a cultural procession of international folk dances, folklore bands, tribal dances, folk singing and instrumental performances.
The festival was held in the spirit of unity and friendship promoted the exchange of global cultures, knowledge and practices. A historical and cultural trip was also arranged for all the delegates during their stay by the Chandigarh university, the host university of the event.
The festival was officially inaugurated in a beautiful opening ceremony in the presence of various dignitaries including Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of AIU, Ambassador H.E Mr Milan Hovorka of the Embassy of Czech Republic to India, Ambassador H.E. Mr Ivan Lancaric of the Embassy of Slovak Republic to India and Dr Baljit Singh Sekhon, Joint Secretary, Youth Affairs & Sports AIU.