3000 students to participate in Rivera Arts and Sports Festival in VIT

The Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is set to host the annual Rivera Arts and Sports Festival from February 20 to 23, with over 45,000 students from 80 universities, including participants from 26 foreign countries, expected to take part. Chancellor K Viswanathan, along with Vice Presidents Shankar Viswanathan and Shekhar Viswanathan, announced the details of the festival in a press briefing.
Now in its 23rd consecutive year, the festival will feature 153 competitions, including marathon running, art contests, drama, quizzes, and music events. Notably, more than 3,000 students are expected to participate in the marathon alone. This year, the event will also include visually challenged students from Vellore and nearby areas, who will compete in music and speech contests. Additionally, students from various states will showcase their cultural heritage through performances and songs.
The festival is largely student-funded, with Rs. 5.50 crores being raised through donations. A total prize pool of Rs. 25 lakhs has been allocated for the winners across different competitions. Organisers noted that participation has been increasing each year, highlighting the growing enthusiasm and artistic talent among students.
Managing Director Sandhya Pendereddy, Associate Vice Chancellor Parthasarthy Mallick, and Coordinator Gokul were also present at the press event. The announcement concluded with the unveiling of the official promotional banner for Riviera 2025.