------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | New on Goanet's website's A&E section - http://www.goanet.org | | Book in Review: A Kind of Absence - Joao da Veiga Coutinho | | POEM: SUSEGAAD - Cynthia Gomes James | | http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=216 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARENA 2005-06 at Xavier's
ARENA 2005-06, an inter-college competition, was organized on the 9th and 10th of January, 2006, with the theme "What you do is what defines you", by the Department of Commerce, St. Xavier's College, Mapusa. The event, mainly commerce-based, aimed at acquainting students of various colleges with the competitive business world, that awaits them beyond the college doors. On day1, the inaugural was kicked off with a prayer dance by Ms. Vimal Nagvekar to invoke the blessings of the Almighty. In his opening address, the Principal, Prof. Newman Fernandes asserted that participation in such events is necessary to prepare students for stressful real-life situations and to help them adapt to a rapidly changing environment. This is a contribution of the College for the enrichment of the curriculum - he added. The Chief Guest, Mr. K.D. Bhatt, Managing Director of Konika Laboratories, emphasized that India has the potential to become an economic superpower, if only we had more educated manpower and students with a more aggressive business attitude. The first event was a mock CAT exam for the aspiring participants of Tycoon- Numero Uno. This was followed by 'Nouvelle Aventure', where participants had to prepare a project report for a new undertaking. Inspite of the lack of experience of students in this field, most colleges did a commendable job, though they received inputs form the judges. This event was won by Damodar College, Margao. Save Our Souls the second round of Tycoon-Numero Uno, the next event. Each participant was given a controversial personality and had to battle it out with the others to prove their worth. The audience truly had their fill! The final event for the day was 'Coat of Arms', where colleges presented painstakingly made thermocol cut-outs, business cards and letterheads for `Nihal Apparels, an industrial uniform manufacturer. The first place bagged by MES College, Vasco. The battle resumed at the Arena on day2, with the event management competition - 'WIZCRAFT'. Each college had to prepare an advertisement campaign for a company. The judges were hard to please. Nevertheless, all teams put in a lot of efforts and came up with good presentations. In the end, Fr. Agnel College, Pilar, proved too good and they walked away with the first place. ARENA came to a boil with 'Third Degree', the final round of Tycoon-Numero Uno. Participants were grilled to a golden brown by an unforgiving panel of judges. It was truly an audience event with maximum attendance in a jam-packed hall. Ms. Mrunalini Hawaldar of Damodar College, Margao was awarded 'Tycoon-Numero Uno'. At the closing function, the Chief Guest, Mr. B. Ramesh, the Head of Commerce Department at Goa University said the event was organized professionally and thoroughly and it was an opportunity for students to practically experience the real world. Prof. Newman Fernandes based his speech on the theme: what does it profit a person if he has all the bookish knowledge, but cannot speak two words in public? ARENA 2005-06, ended off with the Event Coordinator Mr. Carmelito De Souza proposing the vote of thanks followed by the singing of the College Anthem.