Sri Vijaya Puram, July 30: A three-day programme blending spirituality, cultural expression and youth engagement concluded in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with students from multiple colleges participating in discussions and competitions centred on the legacy of Somnath. The event sought to encourage cultural awareness and highlight the continuing relevance of India’s spiritual heritage among young people.
Organised by the Department of Art & Culture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the Somnath Samvaad formed part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv 2026 and was held from July 27 to 29. The programme featured a combination of spiritual discourse and inter-collegiate competitions that drew participation from students across the Union Territory.
A key session of the event was delivered by Swami Shuddhananda of the Chinmaya Mission, who addressed college students on the significance of the Somnath Jyotirling. During the discourse, he connected India’s ancient spiritual traditions with the values of contemporary community service and described the Somnath Jyotirling as a symbol of resilience and spiritual continuity that continues to inspire generations.
Addressing the gathering, Priyanka Kumari, Director (Art & Culture), said the Somnath Jyotirling represents more than a historic monument, describing it as a continuing symbol of resilience and spiritual strength that inspires people across the world. Earlier, the gathering was welcomed by the Assistant Director (Art & Culture).
The programme also featured inter-collegiate competitions under five categories, all based on the central theme of “Somnath.” Students from various colleges across the islands participated in painting, elocution, rangoli, traditional song or bhajan, and traditional dance competitions.
In the Painting Competition, Suvam Halder of JNRM secured first place, followed by Tanisha Mistry of DIET in second place and S. Jeevetha of ANCOL in third. In the Elocution Competition, Santoshi Kumari of TGCE won first prize, while R. Rajashri of JNRM and Anisha Begum of TGCE secured the second and third positions respectively.
The Rangoli Competition was won by TGCE, with DBRAIT finishing second and ANCOL third. In the Traditional Song/Bhajan Competition, TGCE again claimed first place, followed by ANCOL and DIET. The Traditional Dance Competition concluded the event, with JNRM securing first position, TGCE second and DBRAIT third.
The three-day programme concluded with organisers stating that the combination of spiritual discourse, cultural activities and student participation reaffirmed the continuing relevance of Somnath as a symbol of resilience and cultural heritage while encouraging greater engagement among young people.
