Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh hosted its “Eighth Annual Convocation” on July 13, 2019 and emphasized on using ceremonial robes made from handloom fabric inculcating patriotic fervor in the graduates, faculty and staff. We were successfully able to set a dress code that resonates our ethos. All the dignitaries and members of academic procession, faculty and staff in the category of men were asked to wear White colour Kurta Pajama with a Khadi Jacket of any dark solid color, and females were asked to choose between, White Salwar Kameez and Saree for the sacred occasion.

The graduation hall was all decked up keeping in mind the culture, legacy and heritage of Himachal Pradesh thus binding the attendees to customs, practices, values, beliefs to the nation’s identity. The hall was adorned with Shawls from Himachal teaching students to exhibit warmth in every situation, respecting other people and being principled, responsible and honest in the future endeavors.

The area was accessorized with beautiful flowers in Himachali Baskets illuminating the fragrance of loyalty and love and above those flowers were the caterpillars growing into butterflies depicting a life of Chitkarians who are now graduating into beautiful beings. The idea behind the set up was to define our evolutionary identity; to help everyone understand our ancestral values and thus giving us the meaning of life. It was to help students understand the uniqueness; let alone celebrate the indigenous culture of the state.

The young graduates were given Himachali Caps and they donned them taking pride as they are the custodians of a very rich tradition of antiquity with modernization. They are the ones on whom we lay the burden to build the new India – An Innovative India of 21st Century.

The sounds of pipes and rolling of drums, a symbol of commencement of procession followed by National Anthem marked the opening of coveted occasion.

Keeping in mind the Indian traditions, the ceremony began with a salutation to Goddess Saraswati the Mother of learning who represents not merely a man of realization in Samadhi; but a guru who plays his knowledge upon the heart strings of his disciples. We prostrate to the lamp whose light is knowledge principle that removes darkness of ignorance and by which all can be achieved in life.

The hall was filled up with thunderous applauds as the students marched across the stage to receive their degrees in swadeshi attires marking the culmination of years of hard work, determination and discipline of students and faculty.
6 renowned industrialists, eminent scholars spoke to the young graduates guiding them at a crucial moment when students are shedding the comfortable cloak of academic monastery and stepping out, armed with knowledge and insight, into the glaring heat and light of the real economy. Besides bestowing upon the graduates their profoundly inspiring words of wisdom, they envisaged on knowing one’s roots, sticking to the rich culture and heritage of India and serving the nation to the best of their abilities.

The ecstatic graduates celebrated their achievements, marked historic firsts and reflected on their time at Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh.