Xavier University, Bhubaneswar (XUB) kick-started its annual cultural-management fest, Xamboree on September 27, 2019. The day started on a healthy note with a dose of Zumba, organized by HIGH on ZUMBA in association with SportsCom XUB.
The first event was XUB Model United Nations’19, a simulation of proceedings of the United Nations, organized by SpeakUp XUB, which saw several delegates representing various countries on the theme “Effects of Climate Change” for the first council. Mr. Sriyansh Mohanty, Chief of International Press, stated, “Climate change is real. Let’s not fake ourselves.”
Various committees of XUB organized events relevant to future managers; XIMAHR – The HR Association of XAHR, organized Case-in-Point, a national-level HR Case Study Challenge. It aims to provide a problem-solving simulation for budding HR professionals to test their analytical skills. Team Humane_kgpians, Ms. Rajarshi Tribedi, and Mr. Kaustav Sengupta emerged as the winners. ConXerv – Committee for Sustainability organized Business Buzz, an event where participants presented their business plans aiming towards an economical and sustainable future. It consisted of 2 rounds, post which Mr. Yash Chowdhury and Mr. Mohit Agarwal (Team Knights) emerged as winners and Mr. Suryanshu Panda and Ms. Akansha Panda (Team XUB) were the runners up. Ideathon, organized by XCubate, is a B-plan competition. The participants submitted their B-plan before the fest, and the selected participants were further asked to present their idea that would be innovative, and economically viable. Team Ignite emerged as the winner.
Keeping the fitness bug alive, SportsCom XUB organized X-Box Cricket with about 25 teams pitting against each other in a knockout tournament. Mr. Bharat Mathur, a participant stated how the crowd was “crazy excited” about the matches. LitSoc – The Literary Society of XUB organized Origami, where participants took part in a treasure hunt, post which, they were asked to enact a scenario with characters from different fandoms. Aishwarya Mishra and Sahil Sharma (MBA HRM, 1st Year) emerged as the winners.
Urbrainiac, organized by HabituX – The Student Association of XAHS, was a brainstorming event to seek sustainable solutions for the harsh reality that resides in the cities. Mr. Mitra Sathpathy, the co-ordinator of HabituX stated, “The most difficult part was to match up to the hype that Xamboree had created in the previous year”. Team Cosmos won, while Team Titans was the runner up. Skill City, one of the Gaming Committees of XUB, organized an indoor gaming event comprising of 4 teams that were involved in mock stock market trading. International Relations Committee XUB launched X-Safar, an event to make you go around the world! It consisted of 3 rounds, which culminated with the participants solving a murder mystery. The winners were Mr. Aayush Jha, Mr. Siddhart Nath, Mr. Aditya Kumar, and Mr. Ravi Ranjan, from the undergraduate program.
Spicmacay XUB organized a one-of-a-kind event, Yoga Sutra that blends yoga and dance. The judge for the event was Ms. Rupal Shah, (Life Skills Trainer and Corporate Yoga Trainer, Sri Sri School of Yoga, The Art of Living Foundation). Ms. Mouparna Ghosal, who was the winner for the event stated, “Asanas are a source of energy. Whatever tasks you wish to do, they give you motivation and the right mindset”.
Dhwani, the musical extravaganza organized by X-Stage XUB had its preliminary round, which saw participants singing their hearts out. The judge for the event was Ms. Sonam Dash, winner of the Royal Stag “Make it Large” contest.
A handicrafts stall was set up by Social Responsibility Cell of XUB, in association with Anwesha NGO. The profits from the sale will be sent to the NGO for charitable purposes.
The inaugural ceremony of Xamboree began in the presence of Shri Tusharkanti Behera (Hon’ble Minister of State Electronics and Telecommunications, Sports and Youth Services), Dr. Fr. Antony R. Uvari, S.J. (Vice-Chancellor, XUB), Fr. Antony Raj, S.J. (Deputy Registrar, XUB), Prof. Snigdha Pattnaik (Professor, XAHR), and other dignitaries with a tribute to those unsung heroes who contributed in rebuilding Odisha after Fani with their seamless efforts and dedication. Shri Tusharkanti Behera talked about social inclusion, cognitive dissonance, and disruptions. He also praised the initiative to felicitate the unsung heroes. A touching video, made by the students, showed the efforts of 30 NGOs working together to revive Odisha. The dignitaries also symbolically unveiled the Student Wellness Centre.
Battle It Out, a classic dance face-off between participants on the streets of XUB was organized by X-Stage XUB. The event witnessed a huge turnout and prominent among the crowd was 12-year old Mohit Kumar Panigrahi, who prefers to be addressed by his stage name – Emkay. He was quoted as saying, “The event is full of hype. It feels good to meet so many dancers and learn from them.” The participants were adjudged by one of the highest title holders in India, representing India internationally. Mr. Ritwij Hota, a 13 year old apprentice of Android Crew emerged as the winner after a lot of battles.
XStage XUB also organized Sonix, a battle of bands, where teams participate in the form of bands and perform their best piece on stage. The judges for Sonix were the very revered, Dhwani – The Band, who recorded the first ever Hindi Rock Album in Odisha, called “Hum Kahaan”. The winner was Cross Affinity, who had a tough competition from Reciprocal.
The first day of Xamboree concluded with the musical notes of Rituraj Mohanty, winner of India’s Raw Star. He rendered many melodious tunes, including the one that thrust him into limelight – Rangabati. His performance was a tribute to the unsung heroes of Fani.
ABOUT XUB
Xavier University, Bhubaneswar (XUB) was established in accordance with the Xavier University Act, 2013 and was inaugurated on July 07, 2014. XUB is a self-financing institution and is India’s first digital university for imparting professional and technical education. XUB has 13 schools that offer world-class education in different fields. The post-graduation programs are offered by Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB), Xavier School of Human Resource Management (XAHR), erstwhile XIMB-HRM, Xavier School of Rural Management (XSRM), erstwhile XIMB-RM, Xavier School of Commerce (XSC), Xavier School of Sustainability (XSOS), and Xavier School of Human Settlements (XAHS). XUB also offers undergraduate programs under various schools including The Xavier Emlyon Business School, Xavier School of Communications (XCOMM), Xavier School of Economics (XSE), Xavier School of Computer Science and Engineering (XCOMP), Xavier Law School (XLS), Xavier Centre for Humanities and Compassion Studies, and School of Government and Public Affairs (SGPA).