‘Dastak’ youth fest begins with focus on nature, environ | Lucknow News
Lucknow: The 18th edition of the three-day ‘Dastak’ youth festival began with the theme ‘Nature, environment and UP’ at the International Buddhist Research Centre on Tuesday.The festival is being organised with support from the UP tourism department, Yuva club and Ecotourism. Dastak provides a platform for students to showcase their talent. Around 500 students from more than 55 colleges will participate in the festival, while around 150 students participated on the first day. Co-founder and convener of the festival Sangita Jaiswal said, “The theme of the fest will promote ecotourism and cultural heritage of UP, highlighting the role of youth as change makers”.
The venue was decorated with photographs of freedom fighters, poets, writers and philosophers. An exhibition displayed pictures of iconic monuments and sites of UP. Competitions such as mehndi, debate, creative installation, solo singing, bait-baazi, poetry, photography, news-reporting and reel-making were held on the first day. Students were clicking selfies at selfie corners and photo booths.A stall was set up by a student, Zoya Khan, selling crochet flowers, hair clips and wax and gel candles.A participant of solo singing, Surbhi Saini said, “I have been participating in the festival for three years and it gives me a chance to showcase my talent which boosts my confidence”. Mahvash Qureshi, a participant of mehndi competition said, “This festival not only gives a platform but also gives a chance to a student to learn from each other”. The festival will be continued till Feb 12 with an array of competitions and performances.
