Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University - Ashwamedh

Ashwamedh

At the behest of His Excellency, the Governor of Maharashtra and the Chancellor of Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Universities in Maharashtra, in the year 1997 the Annual Inter University Tournament called ‘Ashwamedh’ was started to create an atmosphere conducive to sports and to provide the students with an opportunity to display their talent in the field of sports and to move therefrom to participation at the National level. Every year the responsibility of organising ‘Ashwamedh’ is borne by one of the Universities in Maharashtra. The Eleventh Inter-University Tournament ‘Ashwamedh’ was organized by the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University during 27 th November 2007 to 1 December 2007 at Nashik. It is noteworthy that despite the fact that being a distance learning set-up with non-availability of the required infrastructure and qualified staff - the prerequisites of an event of such a magnitude, the University conducted ‘Ashwamedh 2007’ very successfully. In fact, Ashwamedh 2007 has proved to be a paragon for others to emulate. Over 1800 students belonging to 19 Universities in Maharashtra participated in five games viz, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Volley-Ball, Basket Ball and Athletics. ‘Ashwamedh 2007’ was inaugurated at the hands of the Hon’ble Smt. Prathibha Devising Patil, President of India on 27 November 2007. The event was witnessed by the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Minister for Higher and Technical Education and other ministers of Maharashtra. The salient feature of the Inaugural Ceremony was the mega Cultural Programme based on India’s freedom struggle. In this Cultural Programme, 1200 student artists presented the saga of the struggle for freedom under the able stewardship of Shri. Adesh Bandekar, the noted T.V. artist. The programme not only left an indelible impression on the minds of the spectators but also enlightened the generation born in post-independence period about the responsibilities they owe to the nation.

‘Ashwamedh 2007’ ended with a mammoth rally evincing the students’ determination to enlighten people about the dreaded HIV/AIDs. This was followed by the Valedictory Function held on 1 December 2007 wherein the Chief Guest, Dayanand Dongaokar, Secretary General AIU and other dignitaries gave away prizes and trophies to the winning teams and star performers. While the General Championship was awarded to Mumbai University, it is worthwhile to note that Ku. Renuka Davne of this University earned one Gold, one Silver and one Bronze medal while Ku. Savita More and Shri. Prabhakar Sawant, also of this University got themselves listed as gold medal winners.