Spotlight Red: A Night of Mesmerizing Melodies at Vijaybhoomi University 

Elizabeth John, BPA (Mus), Contemporary Performance

The Festivals 2024 Edition of Spotlight, titled Spotlight Red, lit up the stage at Vijaybhoomi University with extraordinary performances by the immensely talented students of the True School of Music. 

After the success of Spotlight last term, it was decided to host it every term, following a theme representing the four colours of the Vijaybhoomi University logo, Red this term. 

The evening was opened by Anshika Mathur’s captivating rendition of Amit Trivedi’s Savaar Loon, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. It was followed by an adrenaline-filled guitar-solo cover by Rohan Mani of Dream Theater’s Lost Not Forgotten. Bandesh Rally brought an innovative twist with his drum performance on a Thumri. Then came Harsh Mishra, alongside his band Enigma, delighting the crowd with a cover of Australia Street by Sticky Fingers. Spotlight Red concluded with a soulful and emotional rendition of Yebba’s Paranoia Purple by Kiara Fernandes.

The event was led and mentored by Prof. Abhi Acharya and Prof. Caterina Chierico, who guided the students throughout and brought their expertise and energy to the forefront of the evening.

The audience included a distinguished lineup of guests, with the True School of Music Dean, Vinay Prabhakar, alongside special guests Craig Golding and Bhupinder Chaggar from Leeds Conservatoire, UK. Both expressed their admiration for the event and offered valuable feedback to the performers. The performers were supported by fellow students at Vijaybhoomi University as well as their parents who joined the showcase online. 

KalaCreaty: A Celebration of Creativity, Culture, and Camaraderie 

Bhargavaram Krishnapur, BTech Computer Science and Engineering 

A celebration of creativity by the student community of Vijaybhoomi University, KalaCreaty is a festival brimming with cultural fervor and promises to be an eye-catching event spread over three vibrant days. It involves an array of activities that encourage participants to embark on artistic exploration, intellectual endeavors, and leisure-filled excitement.

The excitement kicked off with a thrilling Speed Run at the MP Lap, followed by a calming Art and Craft session at the Amphitheatre. Poetry performances in the evening and a Fashion Show beautifully showcased the diverse creative expressions of the university.

Treasure Hunt transformed the campus into an adventurous zone, fostering camaraderie among participants. The Spell Bee and the Schemes of Photography highlighted the students' linguistic and visual creativity. Musical talents took center stage with captivating Solo Music performances and a high-energy Battle of the Bands.

The final day started with a gigantic Human Ludo, sparking joy and nostalgia among participants. Mad Ads brought humor and imagination to life, while Solo Dance and Group Dance performances filled the Amphitheatre with energy and rhythm.

KalaCreaty reflects the university's commitment to holistic development by offering students a platform to showcase their talents, connect with peers, and create unforgettable memories amidst a vibrant celebration!

Kanyathon Won the Prestigious Engagement and Impact Award by SPJIMR  

Kanyathon, an initiative dedicated to empowering women and supporting girl child education, has been honored with the Engagement and Impact Award at the Social Impact Awards (SIA) and Faculty Excellence Award hosted by SPJIMR (SP Jain Institute of Management & Research), Mumbai. The award, presented by the DoCC department (Development of Corporate Citizenship) during the prestigious SIA and PRME Chapter India event, recognizes initiatives that demonstrate outstanding social impact and engagement. An international jury evaluated various entries and ranked Kanyathon as the top initiative for its exceptional social impact and engagement. 

The award ceremony, held on December 5, 2024, at SPJIMR (SP Jain Institute of Management & Research), Mumbai, featured a keynote address by Mr. Bezwada Wilson, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and founder of the Safai Karmachari Andolan. 

The recognition by SPJIMR highlights Kanyathon’s commitment to fostering social change and empowering women through education and skill development. This milestone motivates the Kanyathon team to continue their mission of making a meaningful difference in the lives of young girls and women across the country.

How would you describe the role of SQL in today’s data-driven world?

SQL is indispensable in managing and analyzing large datasets. It enables businesses to make data-driven decisions efficiently and powers everything from small-scale applications to enterprise-level systems.   

What are some common misconceptions about SQL among students or professionals?   

Many believe SQL is outdated or limited, but it’s still the cornerstone of data management. Even with NoSQL databases, SQL remains critical in hybrid environments and data integration tasks.   

Can you explain how SQL complements technologies like AI and Machine Learning?

SQL plays a key role in preparing and cleaning data for AI models. Its ability to handle structured data efficiently makes it easier to extract meaningful insights and feed them into machine learning workflows.    

What are the emerging trends in database technology that students should be aware of?

Cloud-native databases, NoSQL systems for unstructured data, and the growing use of SQL with big data frameworks like Spark and Hadoop are reshaping the field.   

How can knowledge of SQL help students pursue careers in AI, data science, or software development? 

SQL is fundamental for data preparation, storage, and querying. Its widespread use in analytics, software development, and AI ensures that it’s a must-have skill in these fields.      

How does understanding relational databases benefit students? 

Relational databases teach the importance of structure and data relationships. This knowledge is essential for building efficient systems and understanding how data drives decision-making.   

Can you share examples of industries where SQL plays a critical role? 

SQL is vital in finance, healthcare, retail, and e-commerce. It’s used for tasks like transaction management, customer data analysis, and inventory tracking across these industries. 

Transitioning from writing to directing wasn’t without its challenges. After a modest start, Meghna faced criticism but persisted with determination. Her turning point came with critically acclaimed films like Talvar and Raazi, which showcased her mastery in blending compelling narratives with deep emotional resonance. Meghna’s distinctive style, focusing on sensitive yet powerful stories, has made her a prominent voice in Indian cinema. 

Today, Meghna’s work stands as a testament to her ability to break boundaries and redefine success on her terms. Her journey inspires those who dream of switching paths and thriving against the odds. 

"Don’t let your fears become boundaries. Growth lies in embracing the unknown." – Meghna Gulzar 

CBSE AI courses witness surge in student enrolment

Times Of India, 9th December, 2024

Approximately 7,90,999 students from 4,538 schools have enrofor Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses at the secondary level (Classes XI and XII combined), 50,343 students from 944 schools have opted for AI.

Empowering deprived communities with education key to inclusive growth

Hans India, 8th December, 2024

A huge gap between students’ enrollment in senior secondary schools and higher education institutions (HEIs) exposes serious chinks in our socio-economic policies and political discourse.