Kumar Bahukhandi
Colours of creativity and social awareness mark the opening of JAZZ 2026 at Pragati College. Principal Dr Soumya Nayyar, Administrator Jyoti Thakur and faculty members encourage students participating in the Rangoli competition. The photo collage captures students at work alongside their colourful creations depicting India’s cultural heritage, environmental conservation, women’s safety, voter awareness and the importance of education. Photo: channel24india.com via Pragati College
Principal Dr Soumya Nayyar and Administrator Jyoti Thakur Encourage Students as Rangoli Designs Highlight Women’s Safety, Environmental Protection, Voting Rights and Digital Life
Key Highlights
- JAZZ 2026 begins on October 8 with a colourful inter-class Rangoli competition at Pragati College, Raipur.
- Students combine traditional artistic expression with messages on social responsibility and contemporary challenges.
- Principal Dr Soumya Nayyar and Administrator Jyoti Thakur attend the programme and encourage participants.
- Faculty coordinators and supporting staff oversee the opening event.
Rangoli Becomes a Canvas for Social Messages
Raipur : Art became a powerful medium of expression at Pragati College, Raipur, on Thursday, October 8, 2026 as students inaugurated JAZZ 2026 with an inter-class Rangoli competition that brought together traditional culture, artistic imagination and contemporary social concerns.
The college hall came alive with colourful designs as participants used powdered colours, flower petals and decorative materials to present ideas extending far beyond conventional Rangoli patterns.
From the elegance of traditional folk art to the urgency of women’s safety, environmental conservation and responsible mobile phone usage, the students demonstrated how creativity can communicate messages that words alone may sometimes fail to convey.
Principal Dr Soumya Nayyar and College Administrator Jyoti Thakur attended the programme, observed the students’ artistic presentations and encouraged them to participate enthusiastically in extracurricular activities.
Their interaction with participants reflected the college’s emphasis on providing opportunities for creative expression alongside academic learning.
Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Concerns Share the Spotlight
Several Rangoli designs drew inspiration from India’s cultural traditions, depicting folk dancers, floral decorations and artistic representations of heritage.
Others addressed serious social concerns, including domestic violence, abuse and the need to protect women’s dignity and safety.
Environmental themes also attracted attention, with students illustrating the importance of protecting nature, conserving water and maintaining ecological balance.
Voter awareness emerged as another significant subject, with artistic compositions encouraging democratic participation and responsible citizenship.
One particularly relevant theme examined the growing influence of mobile phones and social media on everyday life, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between digital engagement and personal responsibilities.
The range of subjects demonstrated the students’ ability to interpret social issues through visual storytelling while preserving the traditional character of Rangoli.
JAZZ 2026 Offers Opportunities Beyond Academics
The opening competition marked the beginning of a series of inter-class activities under JAZZ 2026, providing students with opportunities to demonstrate their talents in cultural, literary and creative fields.
The forthcoming events include poster painting, debate, extempore speaking, recipe preparation, festival decoration, Mehndi, modelling, best out of waste, music, dance, drama and fancy dress competitions.
Participants have been divided into four groups according to their academic semesters and courses, enabling undergraduate, postgraduate and B.Ed. students to take part in the celebrations.
The Rangoli competition was judged by Fine Arts Teacher Umesh Chopkar, who assessed the students’ artistic presentations.
Faculty Coordination Supports the Opening Event
The programme was organised with the active involvement of faculty coordinators and supporting staff.
Dr Amit Singh Thakur, Head of the Department of Commerce and Management, and Manu Rawani, Head of the Department of Science, supervised the programme, while Assistant Professors Dr Manpreet Kaur Gurdutta, Bhagyashree Behera, Bulbul Rastogi, Upasana Srivastava and Onkar Kaur Bhamra played an important role in organising and coordinating the competition, with support from staff member Chhavi Kumar.
The opening event illustrated how student participation, faculty involvement and institutional encouragement can work together to create meaningful learning experiences outside the classroom.
As JAZZ 2026 progresses, the celebrations are expected to provide further opportunities for students to demonstrate their abilities, develop confidence and strengthen their connection with cultural and social values.
