Kolhan University will host its annual youth festival between January 20 and 22, the dates coinciding with BA and MA second semester exams.

Exams apart, the university has notified that forms for first semester exams must be filled up from January 20 onwards, which will again affect student participation in the fest.

The varsity’s fest will be held at the Mahila College in Chaibasa. The theme this year is Anugoonj (vibration) referring to the youth as the power of nation.

Students from 35 constituent and affiliated colleges across East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan will take part in over 25 events under five categories — music, dance, literature, theatre and fine arts. Elocution in Hindi and English will also be held.

A principal who did not want to be named said that the notification of the youth festival was made on January 11, leaving hardly any time for students to prepare their cultural shows, plays, dance and musical performances.

“Ideally, students need a month to prepare, hone their performances and choose the best performers from their respective colleges to represent at the university level. Here, there’s no time for anything. Plus a big chunk of students will be busy answering exams or filling out forms. I don’t understand why these dates were fixed for a students’ fest at a time students are so busy,” the principal, whose college is affiliated to the varsity, said.

Asked, university spokesperson and proctor A.K. Jha said that the university conducts many exams and it was difficult to please all.

“Kolhan University conducts 96 examinations in a year. So it is practically difficult to find time in the calendar year without some exam or the other. Also, we did not get any objection from any college on the dates of the fest. If he had, we would have thought about it,” said Jha.