IIM Lucknow is back with the latest edition of Manfest-Varchasva, it’s annual Business, Cultural and Sports festival, scheduled to be held between 17
th-19
th November, this year. Over the past 30 years, the fest has successfully worked towards providing its participants and guests with an experience like no other, filled with enticing, exciting and enriching events. This year, it’s getting bigger and better, with a plethora of events, competitions and speakers spread across the domains of marketing, finance, strategy, dance, theatre, fashion, literary and much more.
This edition of Manfest-Varchasva celebrates the spirit of bringing order and structure to a world plunged in chaos. War-torn nations, economic meltdowns, terrorist attacks, refugee crisis, crimes have become unflinchingly common in our days. Amidst all this cacophony, we tend to lose our way in the never-ending maze of challenges, Nevertheless, the possibility imbibed within chaos is insurmountable, for it holds all the pieces that we need, strewn together, yet, in a random fashion and the world belongs to them who dare to bring order to chaos.
The management events at Manfest-Varchasva has always been successful in bringing together the brightest minds in the country from premier b-schools across India like IIMs A, B, C, I, K, MDI, XLRI, FMS, etc. In the past, Manfest-Varchasva has earned the repute of hosting events with the highest number of PPOs ever at a business school fest. This edition too, provides the participants with some of the toughest problems from our ever-changing business world, in association with industry leaders like Google, Kotak, CIBIL, EY, Azure Power, ITC, Mondelez and many more. With total prizes, worth INR 4 lakhs and 9 PPIs, the stakes are high this season. In accordance with this years’ theme, the fest has joined hands with UP Tourism to float a case study on organizing Kumbh Mela, a celebration considered to be the biggest display of faith and sees over 100 million people visiting the holy city of Allahabad over a period of 56 days.
The Leadership Express Series is a quintessential part of Manfest-Varchasva. Aside from the ICONS Series, this year will also see a Social Conclave and a Business Leader Conclave. With an array of stellar speakers, ranging from industry stalwarts to social activists, these conclaves along with the Young Leader’s Program, provide a platform for the future leaders to interact and learn from those who have driven the wheel of change in their own way. The illustrious Piyush Mishra, one whose multi-faceted career needs no introduction, Devendra Fadnavis, the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Avinash Iragavarapu, the political strategist who was instrumental in deciding the fate of a superpower will all be a part of the coveted ICONS series. Other speakers of high repute who will grace the event include Kalki Subramaniam, the transgender rights activist; Anshu Gupta, founder of Goonj; Ruchira Gupta, founder of Apne Aap; Ankur Warikoo, CEO of Nearbuy; Mr. Firdose Vandrevala, the former Executive Vice Chairman of Essar Steel India, Mr Tushar Pradhan, CIO-HSBC Asset Management, Shantanu Gupta, Author and Political Analyst and Partho Bhowmick, Founder of Blind With Camera. Leadership express has also joined hands with some of the industry leader firms to bring to its participants a range of workshops. Some of the highlights in this category include the EY workshop on case solving techniques, Google workshop on modern marketing strategies and the socio-political simulation by I CAN.
Manfest-Varchasva has the prerogative of being one of the most competitive cultural events in the country, providing a stage for the participants from across the nations to showcase their talents and entice the audience. With electrifying dance performances, soulful music events, brain racking quizzes, glamorous fashion shows, and expressive thespian competitions the portfolio of cultural events is a treat to witness. Adding to the mix, the widely-acclaimed Hip Hop International will be conducting a 2-day Salsa workshop on campus during the festival. To further the excitement Hip Hop international will also be organizing the regional audition for Indian Hip Hop Dance Championship 2018, Season 7 via the dance events.
Pro-nites being the most attractive part of any fest, IIM Lucknow has always been known for hosting artists of great fame and defining acts. While last year saw artists like KK, Ash King and the EDM DJ duo of Tomorrowland fame set the stage on fire, this year the night will go on forever, resonating with the beats of the drums in the deep. With an electrifying line-up of pro-nite performances and exhilarating After Night events like Horror Night and Poker Night, the party never ends this season.
As a part of the CSR event, Manfest-Varchasva is all set to launch the 9
th edition of Lucknow City Run in collaboration with 1090, women’s helpline. In the modern times when women’s safety is a rising concern, it is essential to educate and spread awareness on how important it is for the daughters of this nation to feel safe and enlightened about their rights. The run will be flagged off by faith runner Samir Singh, the ultra-marathon runner who rose to fame by covering 10,000 km in 100 days. His courage and determination is something everyone can take inspiration from. Halla Bol, the street play competition is another CSR imitative by the fest, wherein the participants perform nukkad natak across villages to educate the common masses on some of the pressing issues of our nation.
The Manfest-Varchasva sports cup will see the grounds of IIM Lucknow turn into a battlefield where 1200 students from 25 different colleges combat against each other across 14 different sports to be the ultimate champion. The participants will prove their mettle in a wide range of indoor and outdoor games which includes cricket, football, volleyball, throw-ball, chess, carrom, basketball, badminton, tennis, squash, table tennis, snooker, futsal, frisbee and many more. Insomnia, the LAN gaming competition is a feast for gaming enthusiasts with non-stop online gaming. This competition is going to be one of its kind with institutes fighting it out to uphold their institute’s pride and to take home the crown of glory.
As the campus and the city get ready to host this extravaganza, we cordially invite you all to be a part of Manfest-Varchasva this season and take home an experience of a lifetime.