Dandiya Night at Vadgaon Campus, Sinhgad Institutes – Lessons in Organizing

The most awaited event - Dandiya Night at Vadgaon Campus of Sinhgad Institutes has arrived and I was blessed to participate. Believe me, it is a blessing to be at Vadgaon Campus to celebrate Dandiya with thousands of students – some say there were twenty thousand or even more. Being a Management student at Sinhgad Institute of Management (SIOM) I was already trained to take home learnings.?I was amazed at the sheer organizing and management of the event. Kudos to the Management Committee!

The few key points in organizing an event of such magnitude would necessitate decisions on Venue, Invitations and Announcements, Decorations, and other arrangements at the venue like refreshments, water, parking facilities, etc. ?– imagine a crowd of twenty thousand. At Sinhgad Institutes there is no chaos, everything is well organized, and nothing is left to chance! Everything is thought out and organized with committees for every critical function.

As for the Venue, nothing is better in the whole city than our Vadgaon ground, with enough room to accommodate thirty thousand and more.

Then there is security, helpline numbers in case of any untoward emergency, and so on. Thanks to Sinhgad, one doesn’t have to worry about medical emergencies – we have one of the finest and biggest hospitals in the region, the famous Smt. Kashibai Navale General Hospital in addition to medical facilities on the campus itself. So, no worries! ?

Management of the event also requires funds, marketing, promotions, discipline management, music, DJ, Dandiya sticks if required, and so on. The students came in their multi-colored clothes with their own Dandiya sticks. Funds are a non-issue when it comes to Sinhgad Institutes – the Management needs a good plan and it gets approved – the most student-centric management anyone can think of in any educational institute. We are truly blessed to be here. Dr. Daniel Penkar Sir and our Professors take such wonderful care of all of us that we need not worry at all. We can and we did enjoy the Dandiya night freely. Thank you, Dr. Penkar Sir, and all of you our dear Professors.

While organizing such an event, even planning the time of the event is very important. It was scheduled from 6 PM to 10 PM, giving ample time for the students to come, collect together in their own groups and be ready to dance away once the Puja is over and formalities are done with. And the closing time of 10 PM is decided keeping in mind the safe and timely return of the students to get back to their respective homes without causing worries to their parents.

Pune witnessed heavy showers in the evenings all the previous days. The weather was a major concern. I am sure Dr. Penkar Sir had a word with the weather Gods!!! ?I need to know how he managed it – it was an amazingly pleasant and wonderful evening.?

The DJ started rolling and so did the crowd. I have never witnessed such a huge crowd of colorful Dandiya dancers swaying beautifully to the wonderful Dandiya tunes with their Dandiya sticks clanging in melodious harmony with the music. It was wonderful to experience the perfect blend of music, dance, and devotion mixed with enthusiasm and joy. A dandiya night with fun and learning to be remembered forever!