NIFT Gandhinagar organized the Orientation Programme 2024 for the incoming batch of 2024 from July 31 to August 2, 2024. This three-day event aimed to introduce new students to the vibrant campus life and academic excellence at NIFT Gandhinagar.

The event was inaugurated by Smt. Mona Khandhar, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Panchayat, Rural Housing & Rural Development Department, and Science and Technology Department, Government of Gujarat; Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood, Director of NIFT Gandhinagar; and Professor Ashoke Chatterjee, Former Director of the National Institute of Design.

The ceremony also featured guest speakers Ms. Jinal Shah, Senior Nutritionist with tem Rujuta Diwekar and noted TedX Speaker, along with Ms. Amee and Mr. Bharat Vyas, renowned ornithologists.

Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood welcomed the freshers, emphasizing the numerous opportunities available to students post-graduation. He discussed various fields, such as AI, software development, and UI/UX design, and linked sustainability to ancient civilization practices. Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood also highlighted career prospects in sustainability, luxury goods, and digital fashion, noting the significant growth in India’s wedding industry, which, with a market size of Rs 10 lakh crores and 1 crore marriages annually, offers new avenues for fashion designers beyond traditional roles. He encouraged students to maintain consistency, avoid procrastination, and embrace good habits, quoting Swami Vivekananda’s famous words: "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached" to underline the importance of continuous practice and dedication.

Smt. Mona Khandhar, IAS, a distinguished civil servant with over 25 years of experience, warmly welcomed the new students, highlighting Gujarat’s deep-rooted fashion culture and rich craft traditions. She noted Gujarat as a land of innovation driven by hard work and creativity, with Surat and Rajkot serving as hubs for jewelry design and offering substantial opportunities for innovation. Smt. Khandhar emphasized that fashion professionals enjoy more job security compared to those in fields like AI and other technologies. She shared insights from her frequent visits to NIFT and experiences from the Prime Minister’s mission and the G20 showcases in Gujarat, suggesting that the concepts developed for these fashion showcases be incorporated into the coursework to highlight unique designs.

Shri Ashoke Chatterjee, former Director of NID, provided a detailed discussion on the history and evolution of design education in India. He traced the origins of design education back to the pre-independence era when traditional crafts were predominant, and formal institutions were scarce. Post-independence, the establishment of design institutions like the National Institute of Design (NID) aimed to integrate traditional crafts with modern design principles. He addressed the challenges faced in developing curricula that balanced traditional methods with contemporary practices.

Jinal Shah, Senior Nutritionist with Rujuta Diwekar and a TedX Speaker, talked about the importance of a holistic approach to well-being, encompassing physical health, mental wellness, and proper nutrition. She stressed the benefits of a balanced diet, including fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients, and cautioned against extreme diets and fads. Shah highlighted the role of regular physical activity in maintaining overall health and the connection between diet and mental well-being. She also addressed "Social Media Dysmorphia," a condition where individuals develop a distorted self-image due to excessive social media exposure, often comparing themselves to digitally altered images. Shah shared practical tips for developing sustainable food habits, such as meal planning, staying hydrated, and avoiding processed foods high in sugars and unhealthy fats. Her talk concluded with the message that true health involves feeling good inside and out through consistent, mindful practices.

In the second half of the session, various presentations were conducted, covering Campus Academic Activities, the Campus Management System, the Craft Cluster Initiative, Resource Centre, and Anti-Ragging, along with presentations by Regional Industry Coordination.

This event marked the beginning of an exciting journey at NIFT Gandhinagar, equipping new students with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in their academic and creative pursuits.

AP/GP/JD

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