Manipal: “Remain relevant to succeed as we are living in a world that is reinventing itself every day,” was the advice Anand Rao, General Manager- Learning Services, ITC Hotels, ITC Ltd had for the graduating students of Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration at the institution’s 30th Annual Day celebrations at Fortune Valley View on Friday. Dr Ramdas M. Pai, Chancellor of the Manipal University, Manipal University’s first lady Vasanthi Pai cut a beautifully decorated cake at the start of a wonderful evening.

The ITC GM told the students to understand future trends as consumer behavior had changed. “We are living in a world that is reinventing itself every day. He gave the example of how Airbnb is grabbing the industry space today. Even CEO’s prefer to go to Airbnb for a fraction of the cost of a luxury hotels. And India is at the core of this transformation”.

Anand Rao while complimenting the students and staff of WGSHA and Manipal University advised the students to get into the real world. He said, “People of our generation will be exiting soon and you will be inheriting the space we leave. The hospitality world is radically waiting for the disruptive changes taking place both in India. There is a lot happening out there. The industry itself is undergoing rapid and dynamic change. I would like WGSHA and the students of WGSHA to really keep pace with what is happening out there”.

Prof. Parvadhavardhini welcomed the gathering and presented the annual report for the year in which she listed the college’s achievements; awards and prizes won by students in sports and cultural competitions, extra-curricular activities and competitions, guests visits, conferences and workshops organized by the college, faculty publications etc.

The important award winners of the evening were ITC Best all round graduating student Kunal Bapna, ITC Second Best Graduating student Rashmita Mohile, which were part of the ITC merit-cum-means scholarships from ITC Ltd.; Chef Vikas Khanna Rolling Trophy won by Nandeetha of BA (Culinary Arts); Best Graduating student of MSc Hospitality and Tourism Management – D’souza Riston Richard Stella.

Other notable awards of the evening included the Mrs G. Sathyavathi award for the university topper in B.A. (Culinary Arts) won by Priyanjana Pyne; Ricky Victor D’Souza Memorial Award won by Rashmita Mohile and the Good teacher award went to Manoj Belwal.

At the annual day every year, an alumnus is honoured with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. And the 2016 award went to Ajay Nambiar, Chief Service Officer, Emaar MGF. He was the student of the first course of the College. In his acceptance speech, he recalled fond memories of his college days and appreciated the tremendous growth and development in WGSHA and Manipal University as a whole.

In the cultural show, the students and staff of the college presented a journey through the states of India depicting the festivals of the regions in Bollywood style. This was a tribute to WGSHA’s Alumnus, celebrity chef Vikas Khanna’s book ‘Utsav’, a culinary epic of Indian festivals.