Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 22 FEB: The Fifty-Eighth Annual Athletic Meet of the University of Kalyani began on Tuesday, 17 February, with a formal inaugural ceremony on the university campus, drawing participation from 664 students representing forty-one affiliated colleges and various university departments.
The two-day meet features more than thirty track and field events, bringing together students from affiliated colleges as well as departments of the university, including the Department of Physical Education. The annual event continues a long-standing tradition of promoting competitive sports and identifying emerging talent within the university system.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Kallol Pal formally inaugurated the meet by releasing white pigeons and colourful balloons, symbolising peace and aspiration. In his address, he emphasised the importance of maintaining a balance between academics and sports, stating that physical activity plays a crucial role in ensuring both physical health and mental well-being. He encouraged students to actively participate in sports alongside their academic pursuits.
The chief guest, Arjuna Award-winning sportsperson Biswajit Palit, praised the university’s initiative in organising the annual meet and assured support for improving sports standards at the institution. He highlighted the need for sustained encouragement and infrastructure to help young athletes excel at higher levels.
Special guest Deepika Chowdhury, an alumna of the university and an international Kho Kho player who won gold at the Asian Games, also attended the ceremony. Her presence was welcomed as an inspiration for participating students aspiring to represent the state and country.
Tanmay Saha, Secretary of this year’s Athletic Meet, said that the university has been consistently organising the event over the years and that such competitions help in identifying talented athletes. He noted that several students from the university have previously represented the university, the state and the country in various sporting events.
The welcome address was delivered by Professor Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Dean of the Faculty of Science and President of the Athletic Meet. Among others present were Professor Ashimananda Gangopadhyay, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Commerce; Registrar Dr Debangsu Ray; and Professor Sandip Kumar Ghosh, Head of the Department of Physical Education. The inaugural programme was conducted by Dr Debolina Debnath, Head of the Department of Folklore.
Teachers, officials, coaches, trainers, non-teaching staff, researchers and students attended the ceremony in large numbers. The enthusiasm and competitive spirit displayed by participants marked a promising start to this year’s athletic meet.
