“With students who have come from
as many as 57 countries, we are a
mini world today. Those who have
passed out of GCC write back to say they
are found in all parts of the globe
and that they revel in their successful pursuits.”


Dr. Joseph V.G.
Chairman, Garden City Group of Institutions

  
  At GCC, we are guided by a simple philosophy that
informs all our engagements at all times, Emphasis is
on Life. Gardenia Internationale – a flagship event of
the GCC international student community is a much awaited
event. It is a celebration of colours, rhythms, literary and
dance. This year, like the years before, we walked the distance
to venture into new terrains. We presented a host of innovative
and well chalked out events for dreamers, achievers and
winners from across the globe. The day -long event envisaged a
single agenda – to bring together international students in and
around Bengaluru for a time of learning, sharing and
fellowship. Gardenia was not just another event. It was a
festival that showcased the finest of the world’s cultures on a
common platform. It was a kaleidoscope of outstanding artistry
and awesome works delving beyond the realm of academia- a
celebration of the spirit of universal culture. This was an
opportunity for international students from different
educational establishments in the city and beyond to come
together. It was not a competition and everyone was a winner.		  

 

 
 
  A Melting Pot of Cultures
  G ardenia Internationale – Confluence 2009 saw
Garden City College campus come alive with
fun- filled activities and scintillating contests.
The event, a day long literary and cultural fest exclusive for
international students living and studying in colleges in
Bengaluru and beyond, was organized under the aegis of
the international student community of Garden City
College (GCC).
The fest, in its 6th Edition, witnessed mini tussles
between various international students associations and
showcased the best of their talents at a single venue. An
amalgam of music, dance and ethnic fashion shows
transcending every imaginable border-from Asia to Africa,
Middle East to the Far East, and others including the host
country India, was there for all to see.
The Guest list on the occasion included Inspector
General of Police (Railways), Sri KSN Chikkerur, IPS, Mr.
Vasanth, Trustee - Primas International School, Mrs.
Sarala Unnikrishnan, Director, Indian Council for
Cultural Relations, Bangalore (ICCR), Mr. Baker,		 Director, bangalorebuddy.com, Dr. J.W. Lobo, former
Director, ICCR and Dr. Tendo Nsereko, a banker from
Uganda
There were haunting melodies from the island nations
–Sri Lanka and Maldives, the Yemenese dance, and the
gyrating and mesmerizing female artists from the Ivory
Coast who presented the dance styles of the West African
nation. A fascinating feature of the dance programmes
was Mongolian students rocking to the beats of Bollywood
and a medley of non stop dances showcased by the GCC
Roll ‘4’ Soul, the in-house dance academy of the host
college.
Aside, there was fusion ethnic fashion shows
choreographed by Elka Karina M'acasio from
Mozambique, Kenyan students from Mysore University
that juxtaposed with dances and songs from Bhutan,
Uganda, and much more.
The highlight of the events was the journey through
each of the participating country’s customs at the country
stalls aptly named, My Sovereign Territory. The Jury
 
  selected the winners in the Country stalls category as well
as competitive events that included contemporary dance
(solo and group) as well as folk dance contests.
A host of awards awaited the winners at the end of the
event. Student leaders from various countries studying in
the city as well as the best outgoing students from each of
the departments of GCC were also felicitated by Dr.
Joseph. V.G., Chairman, Garden City Group of
Institutions. The finals of both football and basketball also		 took place and Ivory Coast bagged both the honours.
Overall, this was yet another occasion to witness the
myriad facets of arts and expression of varied lifestyles
through the medium of dance and music presented by the
students from as many as 65 countries in our midst.
Surely, it was an event that will remain in the recall of the
participants for a very long, long time.
GCC World News Network