Aug 31: Some victories are measured in trophies. Others are remembered for everything it took to reach them.

For the Cultural Committee of H.R. College, Malhar’26 was both.

After months of preparation, rehearsals, long days and an unwavering belief in one another, the H.R. College contingent emerged as the Overall 1st Podium winners at Malhar’26, the annual cultural festival of St. Xavier’s College. The journey began with the elimination rounds on 13th August, followed by the finals on 14th and 15th August, culminating in a victory that will remain etched in the memories of everyone who was a part of it.

The contingent’s triumph extended far beyond the overall title. H.R. College also secured the Departmental Trophies for Performing Arts, Fine Arts and Public Relations, while emerging victorious in the PR events Malhar On Wheels and Yard Sale.

Across the three days, students represented the college across a diverse range of events, bringing home multiple podium finishes. From the powerful performances of Novacore and Ghost Beat to the theatrical brilliance of Malhar: Multiverse of Madness, The Great Indian Nukkad and Nyay Ya Nautaki, the contingent made its presence felt across the festival. Victories in Fine Arts through No Caption Needed and Out of Tools, along with Jam-Packed in Literary Arts, further strengthened the college’s exceptional run. The contingent also secured second podium finishes in Sound of Silence, The Final Frame and Nachde Ne Saare.

Behind every podium finish was a story of preparation and persistence. What the audience witnessed over those three days was the culmination of months of effort, with every participant, department and committee member contributing to a larger shared goal. The constant presence, encouragement and guidance of the past core members also became an invaluable source of strength throughout the preparations.

The victory at Malhar’26 was, ultimately, a collective one. It belonged to every student who stepped onto the stage, every team that worked behind the scenes, and every individual who continued to believe in the contingent through the demanding journey that led to those final moments.

Dr. Pooja Ramchandani said

“As H.R. College stood on the Overall 1st Podium, it was more than the culmination of a competition. It was the celebration of a contingent that had worked, created, struggled and grown together, and, in doing so, created a moment of pride that the college will carry with it for years to come.”