NEW DELHI: Mahindra University hosted the latest editions of its annual sports and techno-cultural festivals — Airo and Aether 2026 — bringing together students from more than 50 universities and colleges across India in a week-long celebration of athletic excellence, creativity and leadership. The large-scale, student-led events highlighted the university’s focus on holistic education by blending competitive sport, cultural expression and real-world organisational experience on a single platform.

Airo 2026 turned the campus into a vibrant sporting arena with over 20 disciplines including kho-kho, powerlifting, swimming, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, throwball, yoga, pool and snooker. Students from leading institutions such as BITS Pilani, IIT Madras, IIT Hyderabad, Woxsen University, NALSAR University of Law, Anurag University, Symbiosis International University and O.P. Jindal Global University competed in high-intensity tournaments that tested endurance, teamwork and strategy.

Vice Chancellor Dr. Yajulu Medury said the festivals reflect the institution’s ethos of combining academic rigour with creativity, leadership and social responsibility, as students conceptualise and manage large-scale events, gaining hands-on experience in decision-making, collaboration and event execution.

Running alongside the sporting action, Aether 2026 emerged as a vibrant cultural hub with literary events, debates, quizzes, film showcases, gaming and adventure activities. Participants from Osmania University, Loyola Academy, NIFT Hyderabad, BITS Goa and Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology took part in competitions such as Frame Film Festival finals, Battle of Bands, Battle of Beats, stand-up comedy, comic skits, graffiti labs and treasure hunts. Interactive themes like “Once Upon a Time” and “Smash the Stigma” encouraged dialogue and artistic engagement.

The twin festivals once again positioned Mahindra University as a major national student engagement hub, fostering talent, collaboration and leadership beyond the classroom.