College fests are a great way to bring together students from across disciplines, and often different colleges in different cities, build memories and offer them great takeaways. The 29th year of Armed Forces Medical College Pune’s Silhouettes & AIIMBT 2018, which kicks off today, is all set to take students from across the county on an exhilarating journey full of fun, electrifying performances, music, sports, drama, fashion and literary events.
Previously, known as AIIMBT (All India Inter-Medical Basketball Tournament), the four-day festival will continue till Saturday (February 24), has a line-up of events and activities such as Battle of Bands, Panache — the fashion show, AIIMBT (All India Inter-Medical Basketball Tournament), athletics, volley ball, hockey, cricket, badminton, table tennis, night soccer, night volley ball, Dhwani (comprising musical performances), dance, drama, literary event, debating, quiz, chess, fine arts, short filmmaking, photography, gaming and so on spread over a period of four days. This year, stand-up comedian Sorabh Pant will also be performing at the festival.
Lt Col (Dr) Debasis Bandyopadhyay, Department of Anatomy, AFMC Pune, who is the officer-in charge for the festival, says that the highlight is the basketball tournament. “The festival began as AIIMBT about four decades ago which focussed on basketball. However, the aspect of culture, music and literature was added much later and began to be called Silhouettes. Even today, the fest has been categorised into two parts — AIIMBT and the cultural part. That said, Panache — the fashion show — remains one of the most glamorous and loved parts of the event where medical and non-medical students and locals come together to take part,” he says.
At Silhouette every year, men and women compete on the ramp for the coveted Panache title. With participants from across the country, Panache is one of the most awaited and enjoyed events, for both the participants and the audience.
Bandyopadhyay further adds that the Shyam Bhatt Memorial
Quiz is something to watch out for. The Shyam Bhatt Memorial Open Quiz is the flagship event of the Debating and Quizzing Club of AFMC, Pune. “The Shyam Bhatt Memorial Open Quiz is one of India’s oldest open quizzes. Started in 1986, it was originally exclusively for students of AFMC. Later, it became inter collegiate and then it was made open for all,” says Bandyopadhyay.
When asked about the motive behind starting such a festival in the AFMC campus, Bandyopadhyay, who believes that recreation is a great part of learning, says, “Medical Science is a very difficult and time-taking course, and students do need an avenue where they can enjoy and break away from the monotony. Through Silhouettes, students get a chance not only to enjoy but also nurture their talents and hobbies. The festival also gives them the opportunity to enrich themselves through art, debate, drama, music, literature and so on. The interaction with students from other colleges is a great way to exchange ideas and a medium of learning.”
For further details of the fest and know the schedule, visit www.silhouettesafmc.com
