Vallabh Government College Mandi Concludes Annual Athletics Meet with Enthusiastic Celebrations at Paddal ground Mandi.
Shimla:
The much-awaited annual Athletics Meet at Vallabh Government College Mandi concluded today with a grand closing ceremony attended by students, faculty, and distinguished guests at Paddal ground in Mandi district. Professor Padam Singh Guleria, former Principal of Maharaja Lakshman Sen College, graced the event as the Chief Guest, emphasizing the importance of sports in fostering physical, mental, and social development.
In his address, Professor Guleria highlighted the pivotal role of sports in strengthening individual health and building a sense of community. “Sports contribute to the overall development of an individual. Health is the greatest wealth, and it is important to stay fit and active,” he said, urging the athletes to continue striving for excellence both in and out of the sporting arena.
Major Man Singh Jamwal (Retd.), former Principal of Vallabh Government College, Mandi, was also present as a distinguished guest. Professor Surina Sharma, the current Principal of the college, honored both the Chief Guest and Major Jamwal with mementos for their contributions to education and sports.
In her speech, Professor Sharma commended the Athletics Meet for providing students with a platform to showcase their talents, fostering a spirit of unity and pride within the college community. Dr. Sanjay Thakur, President of the Athletics Meet, presented a comprehensive report on the two-day event.
The ceremony included the distribution of awards to outstanding athletes. Dr. Sunil Sen, Head of the Department of Physical Education, announced the names of top performers in various events, including the 200-meter, 400-meter, 800-meter, shot put, javelin throw, and long jump. The winners were honored with medals presented by the Chief Guest, distinguished guests, and senior professors.
Notable performances included Prerna’s victory in the women’s 200-meter race, Kanika Thakur’s triumph in the 400-meter race, and Shashi Thakur’s win in the men’s 1500-meter race. Sakshi dominated in both the discus and shot put competitions, while Upendra Kumar excelled in the men’s long jump and high jump events.
A special segment of the event included the college staff category races, with Aditi Sharma, Assistant Professor in Journalism and Mass Communication, taking first place in both the 100-meter race and the musical chair competition.
The event also featured a lively tug-of-war competition, where the academic staff defeated the non-academic staff, but the students emerged victorious in the final tug-of-war challenge, defeating the college staff 2-1.
In a display of discipline and coordination, the NCC Air Wing and Army Wing contingents performed a stunning march-past under the command of Flying Officer Dr. Chaman. The cadets, led by Warrant Officer Ankush Sharma and Senior Under Officer Bharat Bhushan, captivated the audience with their precision and teamwork.
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic handover of the Athletics Meet flag from the Chief Guest to the Principal of the college, marking the end of another successful event. The awards presentation was followed by the closing remarks of the Principal, thanking all participants, staff, and students for their contributions to the success of the meet.
The closing ceremony was attended by a host of senior faculty members, students, and guests, including Professor Ram Singh Atal, Dr. Monica Panchani, Dr. Sunil Sen, and several others who helped organize the event.
Flying Officer Dr. Chaman, the Media Coordinator, expressed his gratitude to all those involved in making the Athletics Meet a memorable success.
