St. Francis College for Women hosts Yuvaflare 2026 youth fest
HYDERABAD:St. Francis College for Women organised its annual youth fest, Yuvaflare 2026, on January 10 at its Begumpet campus, bringing together students from colleges across the city for a day-long cultural celebration themed “Express to Escape”.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by film actor Arjun Sarja, actor Aishwarya Arjun, music composer and singer Anup Rubens, and members of the upcoming film Seetha Payanam.
The programme began with the unfurling of the Yuvaflare flag by principal T. Uma Joseph, vice-principal Shirley, deans and event coordinators, followed by the Yuvaflare anthem and a cheerleading performance.
Addressing the gathering, the principal said the fest aimed to encourage cultural expression, teamwork and leadership beyond academics, adding that it provided students a platform to showcase talent and confidence.
Arjun Sarja thanked the college management, staff and students for the welcome and spoke about the effort behind his upcoming film, urging students to watch it. Aishwarya Arjun recalled her college days and spoke about her Telugu debut, describing the film as centred on a woman’s struggles. Anup Rubens performed live, drawing a strong response from students.
The fest was formally declared open by the principal, after which cultural competitions were held, including Sham-e-Sangeet, Talaash, Shark Tank, BizMUN, Detective Showdown and Groove Gala.
A panel discussion on “Breaking Barriers and Stereotypes” featured Archana Suresh, a public policy expert, scientific officer Taru Bhattacharaya, writer-director Triparna Banerjee and Micron India representative Vyshali Sagar. Speakers highlighted the need for greater participation of women in the economy and policy-making.
The Vanaveera film team, including actor Avinash Thiruveedhula and actor-choreographer Aata Sandeep, interacted with students and presented dance performances.
Food stalls and craft displays added to the festive atmosphere. College authorities said over 700 students from 20 colleges in Hyderabad and Secunderabad participated.
The fest concluded with a valedictory ceremony attended by actor Vinay Varma, during which certificates and prizes were distributed to winners and participants.
