VIT’s Riviera 2019 begins in style with a marathon\, concerts

Tamil Nad

VIT’s Riviera 2019 begins in style with a marathon, concerts

VELLORE ,TAMIL NADU:14/02/2019:Local train pro show performed at VIT in connection with RIVIERA 2019 in Vellore on Thursday 14,february 2019. photo: C. Venkatachalapathy/ TheHindu

VELLORE ,TAMIL NADU:14/02/2019:Local train pro show performed at VIT in connection with RIVIERA 2019 in Vellore on Thursday 14,february 2019. photo: C. Venkatachalapathy/ TheHindu   | Photo Credit: C_Venkatachalapathy

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Over 38,000 students from 700 universities in 25 countries are participating; Murali Vijay steals the show at the inaugural event

A marathon and a perfect dose of dance and songs marked the inauguration of the 19th edition of Riviera 2019 — the annual international cultural and sports carnival of Vellore Institute of Technology — on Thursday.

About 38,000 students from 700 universities and colleges from 25 countries in Asia, Africa and Europe are participating in the fest, which goes on till February 17. In all, 129 events would be conducted during the four-day carnival.

The fest kicked off with a 9.9-km marathon which saw the participation of over 4,000 students. It was flagged off by Sekar Viswanathan, VIT vice-president.

Fairytale success

In the women’s category, M. Vinitha of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Sports Club, Manapparai, won the first prize and S. Poongodi from SRM Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, bagged the second prize. In the men’s category, Amanul Abudu and Mikiyas of Ethiopia won the first and second prizes respectively while Simon of Kenya won the third prize.

Meanwhile, the person who grabbed the attention of everyone was Tamizharasi, a Class V student of Ebenezer School, Katpadi, who won the third prize in the women’s marathon category. “My father Rajini is an autorickshaw driver. He trained me,” she said beaming with a smile after she received the prize from cricketer Murali Vijay.

Amidst cheers by students, Murali Vijay inaugurated the event. He encouraged the students to make it an interactive session and answered their questions. “Being fit mentally, physically and emotionally is a way of life. This is not confined to sports only. It could be in any department you choose,” he said and added that only with unity can one ascend in life.

Song and dance

The first day witnessed an event called Sangamam, organised by the Tamil Club for the first time. It is a two-day festival filled with dance, songs and guess-the-movie competition.

Thousands of students from different colleges took part in the event.

Actor Parvathi Nair was the chief guest for the event.

Later in the evening, thousands of students were treated to music by singer Sonu Nigam and a band named Local Train.

Sandya Penta Reddy, executive director; and Anand A. Samuel, Vice-Chancellor; S. Narayanan, Pro Vice-Chancellor; Amit Mahindrakar, Director, Students Welfare; and S. Sasikumar, Riviera Convenor; were present at the inaugural event.

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