If you walked onto the Shoolini campus this past week, you couldn’t have missed the energy. For three days (March 14–16), the university hosted a large cultural fest. From the soulful compositions of three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej and the homecoming of Indian Idol fame Ankush Bhardwaj, to the Harmony of Pines (the Himachal Police Orchestra), the lineup brought the campus together.
The journey began at Yuvraj Singh Stadium, where the music club Raag Rang set the tone with a lively opening performance. Students from across the world followed, presenting their cultures in traditional attire and turning the stadium into a global showcase. The Yogananda School of Spirituality and Happiness then presented a synchronised yoga display with flag formations, closing the opening segment on a strong note.
The excitement peaked when Ankush Bhardwaj took the stage. A native of Kotgarh in Himachal Pradesh, he gained nationwide recognition as the first runner-up of Indian Idol. Known for his range across pop, Bollywood, and semi-classical music, he delivered a performance that held the audience through every song.
An EDM session by DJ Carnivore followed, keeping the momentum going late into the evening. The spotlight then shifted to the final round of Mr and Ms Moksh, where students presented a fashion show before the winners were announced. Rahul and Alopa were crowned Mr and Ms Moksh 2026, respectively, while Prince and Vanya were named Mr and Ms Personality, respectively.
Adhikala added a competitive edge, with students from universities including Chandigarh University, Chitkara, CGC Mohali, Bahra University, Graphic Era, Rayat Bahra, and Degree College taking part in dance, music, and other events.
The spotlight then turned to the ‘Woman of Substance’ awards, dedicated to Shoolini alumna Vandana Sharma and also known as the Vandana Sharma Memorial Awards. Asst Prof Shard introduced the awards, recalling her as a woman who faced life’s challenges with courage while raising two children. He said that while she is no longer here, her story continues to stay with the Shoolini community.
As in previous years, the contest was open to all women on campus. B Tech Biotechnology student Reet Sahani won in the student category for her journey of overcoming personal challenges, while Shanaya from the Faculty of Law was the runner-up. In the faculty category, Asst Prof Monika Prakash from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences was declared the winner, and Associate Professor Nitika Thakur from the School of Biotechnology was the runner-up. Pro Chancellor Vishal Anand, President Marketing and Innovation Ashish Khosla, Trustee and Director Nishtha Shukla Anand and Chief Learning Officer Dr Ashoo Khosla presented the awards.
A standout moment was the Shoolini Katha Club’s fashion show, where students walked the ramp with confidence, presenting designs that blended style with a strong personal expression.
The grand finale featured a performance by three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej, the only Indian to have won the Grammy Award thrice. He captivated the audience with a mix of patriotic themes and classical Sufi renditions like ‘Sakal Ban’ and ‘Chaap Tilak’, along with his Grammy-winning compositions. Ricky Kej and his team gave Shoolini a spectacular evening that will be remembered for years to come.
Students and faculty turned out in large numbers, adding to the atmosphere. The event was also attended by members of the Shoolini University leadership, including Founder-Chancellor Prof PK Khosla; Founder, President and Trustee, FLSBM, Saroj Khosla; Vice Chancellor Atul Khosla; and Trustee and Vice President Avnee Khosla.
Director Sustainability and Community Projects, Poonam Nanda, appreciated the collective effort behind the festival’s success. “Moksh 2026 has been a celebration of teamwork, creativity, and spirit. I thank the students, faculty, organisers, and partners who worked to make this event a success. The energy we saw over these days reflects the strength of our community,” she said.
Brinda Bhaskar & Yashwanth
Catch the Full Highlights: Read the Spring Fest and Flower Fest stories here