Patna: The inaugural ceremony of the inter-collegiate sports festival Prakrida 2026 concluded at the Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Patna campus on Friday, marking the beginning of a multi-day sporting event that has attracted participants from several institutions across the country.
The ceremony was attended by Prof. D.K. Mallick, director of BIT Patna, who served as the chief guest. The event was coordinated by Dr. Suresh Yadav, the organising convener of the festival.
The programme began with a ceremonial balloon release, symbolising the spirit of sportsmanship and youth energy that the festival aims to promote. Organisers said the event was designed not only as a platform for sporting competition but also as a medium to highlight social themes.
Addressing the gathering, Mallick said sport plays an important role in shaping character and discipline among young people. He added that initiatives such as Prakrida help create a culture of teamwork and leadership among students.
He also highlighted the themes chosen for this year’s edition of the festival, including women’s empowerment, describing the effort to combine sports with social messaging as a meaningful initiative.
Teams from more than five states and several districts of Bihar are taking part in the event. Students from institutions including IIT Kharagpur, NIT Patna, AIIMS Patna, BIT Deoghar, BIT Sindri, IEM Kolkata, NSIT, LNMI, AN College and PWC are competing in various sporting disciplines.
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The festival features a wide range of competitions such as cricket, football, badminton, chess, lawn tennis, basketball and carrom, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities.
Organisers have also set up a “Fun Zone” on the campus to engage spectators and participants, with recreational activities including pickleball and other informal games.
The participation of women athletes has been a notable highlight of this year’s festival, particularly in team sports such as cricket and football. Organisers said the event aims to encourage greater involvement of women in competitive sports while promoting broader social awareness.
With several matches scheduled over the coming days, Prakrida 2026 is expected to draw large participation from students and sports enthusiasts, reflecting the growing culture of inter-collegiate sports competitions in the region.
