As I walked along the side of the ground on that hot, sunny morning, my eyes wandering over the groups of students in impeccable uniforms, sashes, banners, and flags, I paused for a moment and took it all in. Five houses all aiming for the glorious feeling of hoisting the Ranabhoomi trophy. The march past was certainly a sight to behold—a man leading the procession on a white steed, followed by the National Cadet Corps (NCC), students part of the National Service Scheme (NSS), and finally, the five houses—Aryans, Mughals, Rajputs, Spartans, and Vikings. Despite the sweltering heat, they held their heads up high, backs straight, and moved with harmony. Cheers echoed through the air as the Spartans bagged first place, awarding them the coveted 25-point lead, which, in my opinion, handed them the Ranabhoomi champions title on a golden platter.
With the powerful bang that was the March Past, Ranabhoomi kicked off a day filled with sportsmanship and long-lasting memories. The scoreboard was up, and the air brimmed with excitement. Athletes were all around, prepping for their upcoming races. Not being interested in anything related to sports is one of my weaknesses, I’ll admit, but I’ll say this—I have no regrets about attending. On approaching Ms. Harsha A, Assistant Professor from the ECE department, for an interview, she was more than delighted to express her views on Ranabhoomi. “It’s nice to see how team spirit is in the air. Ranabhoomi is a nice break from the usual classes for both students and faculty alike,” she laughed. “The positive energy and the friendships that form during events like Ranabhoomi are crucial for students to remember fondly when they think of college.”
It would be an injustice to not describe the magnificence that was the 100m Men’s race. It felt like something straight out of a movie—the crowd pressed in on the sides of the track, the boys lined up side by side, stretching and calming their nerves. The whistle went off, and they shot off to the finish line. In a matter of seconds, Akul Prasanth shot ahead with the swiftness of an arrow and won without breaking a sweat, leaving the crowd wondering if he was even human. He was truly a sight to behold.
Despite doing absolutely nothing except walking around in the sun interviewing people, my exhaustion and thirst for water had no end. Athletes fell to the ground immediately after their respective races, raising the concerns of the audience and the faculty alike. Refreshment stalls with lemonade and fruits were set up, and it was safe to say they were in high demand. Athletes walked around sporting white dust on their mouths, a last-ditch attempt to regain their energy from whatever bit of glucose was available to them.
The Student Council, at the heart of the fest’s seamless execution, shared insights into the groundwork involved—from setting up the ground to obtaining permits for new events, which included a captivating dance performance by Pravaaha, RSET’s dance club.
The incredible performance of the high jump champions, Alna Jaison from the Mughals and Sidharth Somanathan from the Spartans was one of the many highlights of the day. Speaking with the winning athletes, they disclosed how their team’s strategic emphasis on track and field competitions was essential to their victory. Athlete Pranathi’s incredible double gold in track events proved to be a testament to the results of hours of intense training and dedication.
Excitement peaked as the Spartans, the victorious team, took center stage during the closing ceremony. Mija Mathew, their captain, was ecstatic and expressed her appreciation and gratitude for her squad. According to Mathew, the Spartans’ journey was far from done, with their sights now fixed on the coveted Bharatham Cup.
As the fest drew to a close, what remained was a tapestry of memories woven with sweat, determination, and sheer passion. This sports fest was more than just an event; it was a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the boundless potential of young athletes.
