SVKM’s NMIMS Navi Mumbai successfully hosted Utsang, a day-long multicultural festival aimed at fostering inclusion, emotional wellbeing, and cross-cultural understanding among students from diverse regional backgrounds. Designed as a “home away from home,” the event addressed cultural isolation and homesickness by creating a shared space for celebration, dialogue, and community building.
A Platform for Cultural Expression and Connection
The seven-hour festival brought together students from across regions of India, showcasing the country’s cultural richness through traditional performances, storytelling through art, and interactive engagements. Students proudly represented their heritage through music, dance, and visual expression, encouraging peer-to-peer learning and appreciation of diverse traditions.
Integrating Culture with Cognitive Engagement
Beyond performances, Utsang featured thoughtfully designed cognitive-reflex and visual recall activities. These interactive sessions helped students explore impulse control, decision-making, selective attention, and working memory within culturally contextualised settings. The approach blended psychology with culture, making learning engaging and experiential.
Impact on Students: Skills, Confidence and Wellbeing
Utsang created a strong sense of belonging, particularly for students experiencing homesickness, by validating cultural identities and languages. Participants developed cultural competence, empathy, and interpersonal skills—capabilities critical for global and multicultural professional environments. Student organisers from the Student Council and PR Committee gained hands-on leadership and event management experience, while performers built confidence through public creative expression. Overall, the event contributed positively to mental wellbeing by reducing isolation and strengthening peer connections.
Strengthening Institutional Values and Collaboration
The festival reinforced NMIMS Navi Mumbai’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Collaboration between the Student Council and PR Committee highlighted effective cross-functional teamwork, setting a model for future student-led initiatives. The event also enhanced the institute’s inclusive campus image.
Sustainable and Responsible Event Design
Utsang was organised with sustainability in mind. A single-venue format minimised resource use, no temporary wall art was created in line with campus policies, and reusable materials were used for activities—ensuring minimal waste generation while maintaining high engagement.
Building Long-Term Social and Academic Value
By addressing emotional and cultural adjustment, Utsang indirectly supported students’ academic focus and performance. The event contributed to cultural preservation, encouraged social cohesion, and created a psychologically safe environment where students felt seen, valued, and empowered.
Looking Ahead
Building on the success of Utsang, future editions aim to expand engagement through regional food experiences, storytelling circles, language workshops, and broader participation across NMIMS schools. These enhancements will further strengthen the festival’s role as a catalyst for inclusive campus culture and student wellbeing.
