Utopia @ SIBM Bangalore
Utopia 2010 was held today at the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Bangalore (SIBM-B) campus today. Students from countries across the world including Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan etc had come to interact with fellow students as well as their Indian counterparts.
The event began with a keynote address by the Chief Guest Mr. Syed Shahid Mahdi, VP ICCR. He stressed on the importance of interaction between people from varying and distinct cultures and backgrounds, and said that India has not only supported different cultures but has also nourished the same. He reiterated that the Symbiosis family also is based on similar values (‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’ – the whole world is one single family).
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Jonathan David Yach, CEO Mantri Mall, talked about Bangalore’s multi-cultural environment, and shared the vast range of fulfilling experiences he has had in the city over the years.
Then, a representative of the Federation of International Student Associations, Bangalore (FISA-B) shared the need of setting up such an organization. She said that over the last decade, there has been a massive increase in the number of foreign nationals entering into Bangalore to study. And this has prompted to the setting up of organizations like ICCR and FISA-B to make it easy for the foreign nationals to adapt to an alien environment.
Also, the Social Responsibility Committee (SRC) of SIBM-B had organized a blood donation camp, where, apart from the Symbiosis students, many foreign nationals also went ahead and donated blood. This was followed by another SRC initiative, wherein saplings were planted in the name of each of the visiting countries by their respective representatives.
Later, a cultural extravaganza was organized for the students, wherein various participants from all the countries showcased their cultures through dances and songs. Students from Afghanistan presented a fashion show, and won the first prize for their efforts.
In the end, the student president of SIBM Bangalore, in his closing address, thanked all the visitors and guests, and promised that the institute will keep coming up with such initiatives, and that Utopia 2011 will be better and even bigger in scale.