National Institute of Fashion Technology Gandhinagar hosted its convocation for the Class of 2023 on 27^th Oct 2023. The academic procession was led by Shri Rohit Kansal, Director General NIFT and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood, Campus Director NIFT and Prof. Dr. Sudha Dhingra, Dean (Academics), NIFT.  The convocation commenced with the Lighting of the lamp, “Sarva Dharma Prarthana” & and “Saraswati Vandana”. Director, NIFT Gandhinagar Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood delivered the welcome address and presented the Academic Report.

Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood mentioned in his academic report that the Class of 2023 includes 184 undergraduate students and 82 postgraduate students who have completed their academic journey and are prepared to take on industry challenges while contributing to its growth.

Director NIFT Gandhinagar, Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood, stated that Concurrent with its academic pursuits, Campus has initiated a range of activities, and some of the noteworthy endeavours and accomplishments of NIFT Gandhinagar Campus are:

1. NIFT Gandhinagar Campus was honoured with the "Education Leadership Award" for the year 2023 by ET Ascent
2. The campus entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India to foster academic collaboration and joint research endeavours, opening up new possibilities for both institutions.
3. The campus has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA) to collaborate in academic and research areas.
4. As a part of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,' National Handloom Day was celebrated on 5 August, 2022. The event included an exhibition "Shilp Jivika," which emphasised on livelihoods through art and craft, paying tribute to India's rich legacy of craftsmanship.
5. NIFT Gandhinagar hosted 2^nd NIFT International Conference in 2023 under the theme "India@100: Building 'Atmanirbhar' Bharat from Farm to Fashion to Future." The conference took place on 23rd and 24^th February 2023, with the presence of Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, DoPT, Government of India, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
6. To connect with a broader audience and establish a tangible presence of NIFT Gandhinagar Campus within its vicinity, the campus has organised over 14 outreach initiatives. These programs include training module on e-Commerce for Craftsmen, Training of Trainers for leather artisans, Design sensitisation programs, Craft awareness workshops, one-day seminars, and more.
7. NIFT Gandhinagar Campus celebrated 38th Foundation Day of NIFT on 20 January, 2023. As a part of the celebration, a special event titled "NIFT: Then & Now" was organized. The event was witnessed by distinguished dignitaries, including former Executive Director of NIFT, former Director Generals of NIFT.
8. The campus hosted "Aheli Khadi," a design collection show showcasing collection of Khadi along with an exhibition of home fashion items made from Khadi. The event was organized by the Centre of Excellence in Khadi (CoEK), with NIFT Gandhinagar as the host campus on 22 September, 2022 and was witnessed by the Hon Chairman KVIC.
1. The campus also organized another Design Collection show focussed on promoting Khadi  "Dharohar," which took place on 30 March, 2023, at the Sabarmati Riverfront Ahmedabad. This event was conducted in collaboration with KVIC and was focused on “Paanch Pran” initiative of Hon’ble Prime Minister and his call to promote “Khadi as Fashion” for all sections of society. 

Thereafter, the Convocation Pledge was administered to the Graduates by the Dean (Academics), NIFT Dr. Vandana Narang.

Shri Rohit Kansal, Director General NIFT and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Chief Guest of the event, addressed the class of 2023.

Transitioning from one protected environment to a new one is a significant moment in one's life. This new world is cruel and complicated and not always clear. The institution has prepared for this competition and unfairness by honing technical and soft skills, preparing students for the challenges of the new world.

This is an inflexion point for all students, as they leave behind a piece of themselves that will encourage them to return and relive the memories of their time at the institution.

He emphasised that NIFT students have the power and potential to be the best in various aspects of life. As Indian citizens, they are ambassadors of India wherever they go, representing not just themselves but also their institutions, families, and country.

John F. Kennedy's famous line, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," is also echoed. He encourages people to think about what they can give back to society, family, and country. This can include respecting parents, being fair to co-workers, being empathetic towards those less privileged, being kind to the environment, following constitutional duties, developing a rational temper, having pride in the 5000-year-old civilization and other.

He also mentioned the initiatives of Hon’ble PM like Atma Nirbharta, Amrit Kaal, making India a developed economy by the time it completes 100 years. These are just a few examples of the many things that can be done together. However, he also stressed that along with the government we all will do it. We can take small steps and the aggregate of these small steps will result in an excellent, glorious India.

He acknowledged that the world is imperfect, with no perfect boss, workplace, relationship, or ecosystem. However, nature provides a system for living with imperfections and developing a perfect life.

The degree and award distribution ceremony started in the presence of the dignitaries.  In total 266 students from the streams of Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, Textile Design, Accessory Design, Fashion Management and Fashion Technology and Master of Design graduated. Total 184 students were conferred with their Bachelor's Degrees and 82 students received their Masters Degrees. The department-wise details of the class of 2023 are as follows:

Department	No. of students
Bachelors Programmes
Accessory Design	37
Fashion Communication	40
Fashion Design	37
Textile Design	38
Fashion Technology(Bachelors)	32
Masters Programmes
Fashion Management	36
Fashion Technology (Masters)	13
Master of Design	33
Total	266

The convocation was followed by Khadi Mahotsav" to commemorate the 154th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who proposed Khadi – handspun, handwoven cotton cloth as a powerful tool for India's economic and political freedom.

The exhibition was inaugurated by the Shri Rohit Kansal, Director General NIFT and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, in the presence of Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood, Campus Director NIFT and Prof. Dr. Sudha Dhingra, Dean (Academics) renowned person like Mr. Unmesh Dixit, Executive Director, Ahmedabad Management Association, Shri Lalit Narayan Singh Sandhu, an IAS officer & MD of GSHSD, Shri Lalitkumar Fatechand Shah, Expert Member (Marketing) at the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and others.

• खादी रचना रजत-मणि - Charcoal Painting Exhibition”: 30 charcoal paintings created by the students of NIFT Gandhinagar depicting “Life of Mahatma Gandhi” and Khadi process.  Details of paintings are enclosed herewith.

 

• Farming of Cotton: Where plants are grown and cotton balls are collected and developed into sliver for yarn preparation: as first degree of Meditation; Detachment or अलगाव अथवा वैराग्य
• Spinning of yarn: Sliver are spun into various counts and kinds of threads which requires highest level of concentration: as second degree of meditation; Concentration or एकाग्र
• Weaving: the stage where yarns become fabric, the joy of creating something, becoming one: as third degree of meditation; passing of Joy or आनंद
• Final products (garments/ home furnishing etc): Various kinds of material stitched together to form one complete dress or ensemble as final degree of meditation; equanimity or समभाव

This convocation and Khadi Mahotsav exhibition represents a landmark anniversary for NIFT Gandhinagar and Khadi Mahotsav, which pays respect to the lasting heritage of Mahatma Gandhi and his vision of Khadi as a symbol of India's battle for freedom.

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