LUCKNOW, Feb. 26 -- Amity University's Lucknow campus on Tuesday kicked off its annual festival, Amiphoria-2026, drawing participation from more than 7,000 students. The three-day event, themed "Explore, Experience, Enjoy," is being positioned as a hands-on learning laboratory where students independently manage and execute more than 70 events. Students opened the festival with a large-scale cultural procession, conceptualising and presenting tableaux depicting the heritage of various Indian states. Different departments coordinated logistics, choreography, costume design and stage management, transforming the inauguration into a live demonstration of teamwork and organisational skills. Prof (Dr) Anil Vashisht, pro vice-chancellor, inaugurated the festival and said such platforms strengthen leadership, decision-making and collaborative abilities among students. He emphasised that universities must move beyond classroom teaching to prepare students for real-world challenges. Dr Rajeev Varma, dean students' welfare, added that students must take ownership of planning and execution, which enhances their managerial competence and confidence. A cultural competition celebrating India's diversity drew attention. The Amity Institute of Behavioral and Allied Sciences (AIBAS) secured first place for presenting Maharashtra's traditions, while Amity Law School clinched second position for its Uttar Pradesh showcase. Judges evaluated performances on authenticity, coordination and creative interpretation. Adding to the excitement, organisers announced the titles of Mr and Miss Amity. Rajveer Singh from Amity Business School was declared Mr Amity, while Atrika Tiwari from Amity Law School was crowned Miss Amity, drawing loud cheers from the audience. The festival also featured a nostalgic Bollywood-themed tribute to veteran actors Dharmendra and Asrani, blending entertainment with artistic expression. A musical performance by Apurva Chauhan further energised the gathering. Organisers said flagship competitions such as Amity Idol Season 7, Technosapien 2026, Rangmanch 3.0 and Kala Sangam aim to identify talent across performing arts, technology, debating and entrepreneurship. By placing students at the forefront of planning and execution, Amiphoria-2026 has evolved beyond a cultural fest into a structured exercise in experiential learning, leadership development and cultural unity, reinforcing the university's focus on holistic education....