Chaibasa, Jharkhand – Chaibasa Engineering College, launched the sixth edition of its annual cultural festival, ‘Zephyr 2K26,’ with a grand inauguration ceremony this week. The three-day main event, scheduled for May 22, 23 and 24, 2026, carries ‘Women Empowerment’ as its defining theme – a bold statement from one of the region’s prominent technical institutions.
The inauguration, held eight days ahead of the main festival, formally set in motion a series of pre-final competitions and cultural events that will run through the lead-up to the grand finale.
Guests of Honour
Seema Aind, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Jhinkpani, graced the occasion as the chief guest. She was joined by Rajeeb Ranjan Mishra, Officer-in-Charge of Jhinkpani Police Station and Dr. Jaganath Hembrom, Medical Officer-in-Charge (MOIC) of Jhinkpani, as distinguished guests.
‘Theme Will Reflect in Every Segment,’ Says Principal
Welcoming the guests, the Principal (In-Charge) of Chaibasa Engineering College underlined the institution’s commitment to the women empowerment theme, noting that it would be visible across every segment of the festival. He pointed out that the lineup of performing artists this year features more women than men, the organising faculty committee is led by a woman faculty member – Prof. Epil Jerai – and the chief guest herself is a woman officer serving in public administration.
“This is not just a theme on paper. From our stage performers to our committee leadership to the guest we have chosen to honour – everything reflects how committed we are to championing women empowerment,” he remarked.
‘Your Mother Is the Greatest Role Model’ – BDO Seema Aind
Addressing the students, chief guest Seema Aind encouraged them to actively participate in social support initiatives run by the block and district administration to create a stronger impact at the grassroots level. She made a special appeal to young women, urging them to step forward in large numbers, asserting that active participation is the surest path to empowerment.
In what became the most memorable moment of the ceremony, Aind offered a deeply personal perspective on role models. “You don’t need to look far for inspiration. Look at your own mother – she is the finest example of women empowerment,” she said, drawing an emotional response from the audience.
Cultural Performances Mark the Opening
Students set the tone for the festival with a vibrant array of cultural performances, including songs, dance routines and a powerful street play (nukkad natak), all of which resonated with the overarching theme of the fest. The performances were met with enthusiastic applause from students, faculty, and guests alike.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the event convenor, Prof. Saunak Bhattacharya, who expressed gratitude to all the guests, faculty members, and students for making the inauguration a success.
About Zephyr 2K26
Chaibasa Engineering College – established by the Government of Jharkhand and operated by Techno India Group under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model – has been hosting Zephyr as its flagship cultural event for six years. The festival has grown into one of the most anticipated student-driven events in the West Singhbhum region, with its previous edition attracting over 700 participants, 750+ footfalls, and more than 15 sponsors. This year’s edition promises over 30 events, star performances, and a renewed focus on social impact through community-oriented initiatives.
The main event on May 22–24, 2026 is expected to draw significant participation from colleges across Jharkhand.