Pics: Justin D'Silva
Udupi, Mar 6: The 9th edition of "Tarang", a kite festival organized by Volunteer Services Organization (VSO), the social unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, was held on Sunday, March 5 at End Point in Manipal with much joy and enthusiasm.
Dr H S Ballal, pro chancellor of MAHE, inaugurated the event. Speaking on the occasion, he said, "MAHE has been organizing Tarang, a kite festival, since 2012. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to organize this event for the past two years, but it has returned with renewed energy this year. We have had an amazing number of people gather here. This year, we are promoting mental health awareness. You may be physically fit, but if you are not mentally fit, you cannot lead a normal life. MAHE is also running Aasare institution where we try to rehabilitate mentally challenged children. These children with mental illness do not require compassion; they require an opportunity to be like any other person. We provide them an opportunity to be self-sufficient. This will be an annual event."
Dr M D Venkaatesh, vice chancellor of MAHE and chairman of VSO, said, "Tarang is an annual kite flying festival organized by the VSO of MAHE. VSO is the largest student voluntary organization in the country. They do a lot of social work and also learn to volunteer to get involved and find solutions for societal problems. This edition of Tarang is focused on bringing awareness about mental health. I congratulate the Volunteer Service Organization of MAHE for conducting this event."
Thousands of students, faculty of MAHE, children, and the general public participated in the event and enjoyed kite flying.
This year's Tarang is themed at spreading awareness of mental health issues among students and the public. The theme of the event was "Say Bye to Your Blues. Fly Kites of Happy Hues." The secondary aim of the event was to give an opportunity for people of all ages in Manipal/Udupi to fly kites together. Stalls, games, street plays, music, and dance were also organized.
Dr Sharath Rao, pro vice chancellor of Health Sciences, Dr M N Sharma, pro vice chancellor of Strategy and Planning, Dr D C Agarwal, advisor and consultant of MAHE, Dr Geetha Maiyya, director of student affairs, Dr Anil Rana, director of MIT Veena, Shipra and Kusuma Venkatesh, SP Kar, director of PR and Media, and Karnal Prakashcahndra, student ambassadors Pallavi Kamath and Srinidhi R P, were present on the occasion.
Dr Anup Naha, coordinator of VSO, welcomed the gathering.