NIT Andhra Pradesh celebrates PETRICHOR 2021 Students Festival virtually for the First Time this Year

Hyderabad: National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh, an ‘Institute of National Importance,’ celebrated its First-year students festival (Freshers), PETRICHOR 2021, completely in a virtual mode this year for the first time in the Institute’s history.

The Students gave a range of performances, from dancing, and singing to playing musical instruments from their house terraces and halls and recorded it for this festival.

The festival, which featured 11 online events, was also open to the public for viewing, free of cost. The event was streamed live on ‘Graphic Café’ YouTube Channel with more than three thousand people viewing it. It was organized by the 2019-23 students batch.

This two-week event was intended to enable students to display their talents and included events such as an online Photography contest called ‘The Shot,’ meme-making event and an online treasure hunt called ‘The Lost Trail’ besides an online singing contest known as ‘Beyond the Voice.’

PETRICHOR is the annual week students’ festival of NIT Andhra Pradesh which is conducted for first year engineering students. It was held between 12th and 27th May 2021. The objective is to provide a refreshing environment to students amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlighting the unique aspects of this festival going online this year, Prof. C.S.P. Rao, Director, NIT Andhra Pradesh, said, “The Key Reason for the Institute in organizing this Online Event is to bring some cheer and joy to the students, who have now been enduring the impact of COVID-19 for nearly a year. This pandemic has kept them from celebrating the usual rites of passage such as college festivals, competitions and spending time with friends.”

Further, Dr. Veeresh Kumar, Associate Dean (Student Affairs), NIT Andhra Pradesh, added, “PETRICHOR 2021 has also provided students an opportunity to showcase their talents through a host of events, from singing to photographe and even meme-making contests. We hope this event brought a lot of cheer to our students and their parents as well.”

PETRICHOR 2021 featured various competitions including Polychrome, Monogram, Scribble hive and ‘Re n act.’ Students participated enthusiastically in large numbers. A dancing event called ‘Rhythm riders’ was also held as part of the festival.

Ms. Srija Kancharla VR, Second Year, Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE), NIT Andhra Pradesh, and Mr. Neeraj Adnak, Second year, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Andhra Pradesh, organized the festival while Ms. Bhavitha Kovvuri, Second Year, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) Mr. G Bhava Charan and Ms. Sanjana Kushwaha, Second Year Students, Department of ECE, anchored the events.

Going online for the first time, the student-managed fest provided a unique experience to all its participants. There were five dance performances and an equal number of singing performances along with a skit and instrument play and an ‘Mr./Miss fresher’s’ Award Ceremony.

Prof. C.S.P Rao, Director, NIT Andhra Pradesh, Dr. P Dinesh Reddy, Registrar, NIT Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Veeresh Kumar, Associate Dean (Students Affairs), (Student Affairs), NIT Andhra Pradesh, witnessed the online event along with other professors, students and staff.