Andhra University Celebrates 100 Years With Student Festival

Students from across Andhra University and its affiliated colleges filled the Engineering College grounds Monday for the opening of Shatabdi Mahotsav, a three-day cultural festival celebrating the institution's 100th birthday.

Vice-Chancellor G.P. Raja Shekar called the milestone a moment of immense pride for the university. He said the celebrations reflect a renewed commitment to serving society while honoring a century of academic excellence.

The festival brought together students from institutions including Dr. L.B. College, Sankethika, Gayatri Vidya Parishad, and the AU School of International Business. Classical and western dance performances, yoga demonstrations, and folk presentations filled the day's schedule.

Actor Rajeev Kanakala attended as a special guest and shared an emotional connection to the celebration. His father, Devadas Kanakala, studied theatre and fine arts at Andhra University decades ago. "From the moment I arrived, it was difficult to hold back my emotions," he said, describing his participation as a rare honor.

Sanjana, a student at Dr. L.B. College, performed a Kuchipudi fusion dance with her eight teammates after a week of intensive practice. "All nine of us feel fortunate to perform at the centenary celebrations," she said.

Student volunteers Hasini and Navya Sri from the Computer Science and Engineering Department coordinated the event while managing their regular coursework. They described balancing both responsibilities as challenging but fulfilling.

Why This Inspires

This celebration shows how educational institutions can honor their past while energizing their future. The festival created space for students to showcase talents beyond academics, reminding everyone that universities nurture whole people, not just scholars.

Nearly 20 stalls offering food, beverages, books, flowers, and a photo booth added festive energy to campus. The enthusiasm reflected not just pride in reaching 100 years, but excitement for the next century of learning and growth.

A hundred years of education deserves a party worth remembering.