Mandya: A grand celebration of youth and culture at Mandya University came to an abrupt halt after heavy rain and gusty winds lashed the region on Wednesday night, forcing the cancellation of the much-anticipated Yuva Sambhrama event on Thursday.
Nava Vasanta 2026 Youth Festival
The Nava Vasanta 2026 youth festival, scheduled for Thursday, generated tremendous excitement, with nearly 20,000 students from around 48 affiliated colleges expected to participate. The event featured a star-studded lineup including rapper Chandan Shetty, dancer Kishan Bilagali, and actress Radhika Narayan, among others.
Storm Damage
However, an intense overnight storm caused widespread damage to the venue. The massive stage and pandal set up on the university grounds were severely affected, with parts of the structure reportedly collapsing under strong winds. The area was also heavily waterlogged, leaving the venue unsafe for the event. Notably, over 4,000 students had already arrived to take part in the celebrations before the cancellation was announced.
Official Events Postponed
The programme was also slated to include the inauguration of the university's newly constructed main entrance and foundation stone-laying ceremonies for several development projects. These official events have now been postponed. Mandya MLA P Ravikumar Ganiga visited the venue on Thursday morning to assess the damage and, following an inspection, announced the cancellation, citing safety concerns and logistical challenges.
University Statement
Vice-chancellor K Shivachittappa told reporters that the decision was taken in the interest of student safety. "Due to unprecedented rain and gusty winds on Wednesday night, the pandal and other arrangements for the grand cultural programme and inauguration were damaged. A new date will be announced at the earliest," he said.
