Elegante 8.0 : A Spectacle of Culture, Sports, and Unforgettable Memories
Stepping onto the illuminated campus of IIM Bodh Gaya on the morning of January 24, 2025, felt like entering into a new world: one bursting with electrifying energy, vibrant decor, and an air of exhilaration. As an IPM first-year student, this was my first-ever college fest, and I was determined not to miss a moment. As part of the creative team, we were supposed to decide the theme and aesthetics of the event. I painted posters of Bihar’s iconic landmarks such as Vishnupad Temple, Mahabodhi, Rajgir, Durga Puja, and Nalanda, which exploded in colors, sketches, and laughter.
Day 1: January 24 : The Grand Opening & Traditional Day
The festival started with an elegant inauguration ceremony led by our esteemed director, Dr. Vinita S. Sahay. After the classes in the morning, I participated in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where students transformed into foreign delegates, fiercely debating international crises with razor-sharp diplomacy.
The Sports Arena roared to life by hosting basketball, football, cricket, volleyball, badminton, and chess matches with teams from IIM Ranchi, NSIT Patna, IMI Kolkata, and St. Xavier’s Patna battling for glory. The Gaming Arena hosted by the IT Committee was equally electrifying, buzzing with BGMI and FIFA showdowns, where intense rivalries and adrenaline-fueled clashes kept the audience hooked. In the evening, the stage was set, students arrived in elegant traditional attires, and the environment was full of energy. We then experienced the enthralling performances of our talented batchmates and seniors, followed by the display of traditional clothes from each state where Mini India was at play. The first day concluded with musical jamming sessions.
Day 2: January 25: Music, Drama & A Food Paradise
The second day commenced with even more roar, as flagship events of every committee and club erupted across the campus, be it The Quiz Masters, Masq, IRC, IT, or Sports, to name a few. The food stalls were an absolute delight stuffed with aromatic biryani, smoky litti chokha, cheesy pizzas, juicy burgers, chicken rolls, and melt-in-the-mouth brownies.
The Cultural Committee organized a musical evening, starting with Navyata: the fashion show and ramp walk where each college came up with its unique themes, from Relove (Save Earth from fast fashion) to Indian weddings. However, the best part of the show was when our beloved professors walked on the ramp in style, and the audience exploded with unforgettable loud cheers. This was followed by a performance of our band, The Storytellers, setting the tone with soulful music and scintillating songs. The songs unfolded further with the coming of the Azadi Band, blazing through KK’s classics and remixing Bollywood chartbusters, igniting a musical inferno on stage.
Day 3: January 26: Republic Day, EduRun & The Grand Finale
At the dawn of the grand finale, the preparations commenced as soon as the first ray of sun touched IIM Bodh Gaya’s sports field. We gathered for the Republic Day celebrations with the Officers Training Academy (OTA) Gaya, where the tricolor soared high as the national anthem echoed through the campus. EduRun followed immediately, an unbelievably exhilarating 10 km marathon from IIM Bodh Gaya to Maya Sarovar, raising awareness for rural education. Running alongside 700+ participants, I felt a wild, untamed rush of exhaustion and joy, pushing myself beyond limits with friends cheering me on. The final matches of cricket, football, and basketball saw nail-biting finishes with trophies and medals distribution marking the end of sports activities.
As the sun set, the Cultural Committee stole the show with a breathtaking lineup: solo dances, a fiery group performance by DCWN Crew, and melodious solo singing competitions. Then, as the final crescendo, DJ Project91 took over, transforming the night into a pulsating, neon-lit dance carnival. He played across each genre of music, be it the soulful slows to the rapid raps; we had it all. Throughout these three days, I had just lived one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life with my friends and created a memory to cherish for a lifetime.
Author: Parth Sandesh Janavlekar
About the Author: Student of IPM 04
