- Sanyukta Iyer

300 students from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Viman Nagar Campus, Pune came together in their own unique and special way, to make a difference and help out victims that they very well understood could have been them.

Photo shoots: girls adorned themselves in saree, and the ones falling for them dressed in Kurtas and Pyjamas. A colourful day, supported by faculty and staff was pleasant to be a part of. Photographers Aditya Akash, Neha Paranjpe, Yashwata Bhasin; all students of SIMC itself, created a setting with several backdrops and props for photo shoots.

With DSLR cameras and appropriate lights organised for this event itself, enthralled other batch mates to come and get their photographs clicked. Per photograph cost Rs. 10, but students didn’t mind at all as it was a bright and happy day, and the money was being raised for a good cause.

Radhika Didwania, an excited Subject for the day, had the best time of her life getting her first photo shoot done, “It was extremely exciting, and I don’t even mind paying 10 times what I paid for my photographs, because the cause is good and I know there isn’t going to be any thief in the line of exchanging money. And everybody had so much fun. The photographs are so good.”

Akanksha Arya a batch mate adds, “The concept and its execution as planned were marvellous. The photo shoots were indeed commendable.”

The evening event was a melange of recitals. Be it poems, shayaris, essays, songs or other articles recited by the students and staff themselves. Outbursts of feelings were portrayed as the Batches of the year 2011 and 2012 came together to make this fundraiser a success.

Concept and its Execution of the Fund Raising: The idea was initialised by a 2^nd year media student, Reshma, and with the help of the faculty and some fabulous photography lights and equipment this event was a success. Aditya Akash, photographer adds, “several students have already paid and taken their photographs. More students are coming with new ideas of different events to raise funds. This was the best beginning we could expect.” Total money raised within a week was over Rs. 1000 and now students are taking more photographs as this is a combination of productivity merged with significance.”

Shayaris: It is often that that one opportunity brings out a hidden talent in an individual that astonishes and amazes audiences. Manish Singh Baghel, a junior, captivated audiences with his shayaris and ghazals. In a deep voice, his use of language and Urdu vocabulary touched hearts.

Other brilliant recitals for the evening were by Ahad Gaffoor, Vagheesh Bahn and Anurag.

Anthakshari was held in four rounds, each one better than the other, with two unbeatable compeers who kept their audiences entertained. The Anthakshari results were better as the audiences had their fun loving staff members sing their favourites’ confidently.

Candles made peace and prayed as silence found its way on campus. Students let out a silent prayer for the victims of the blasts and their families.

The senior batch of SIMC performed a mind-boggling finale that consisted of pun on and by the back benchers in a class, Haryanvi songs and other fun songs either translated for humour or modified to make the listeners burst at the ribs with laughter.

Indeed! An event to remember!