PUNE: “The youth today have so many opportunities and platforms to express their talent. However, for success in life, setting a goal is the first step,” asserted actor Reema Lagoo. She was delivering the valedictory address at Bharati Vidyapeeth's fourth Youth Festival on Thursday. The School of Performing Arts won the general championship in the festival.

The actor presented the awards to the winners  at a function held at New Law College Hall. Bharati Vidyapeeth Vice-Chancellor Shivajirao Kadam, poet Aruna Dhere, cultural head of School of Performing Arts Sharangdhar Sathe, Director of Institute of Management and Entrepreneur Development Nitin Nayak and Law College Principal Mukund Sarada were present on the occasion.

“With the increasing opportunities, the competition in every field is increasing too. Hence, there is no substitute to hard work,” said Lagoo. She advised students to be mentally and physically fit to face the obstacles on the way.

In all, 25 performing art forms were presented during various competitions in the festival. Around 750 students from Kolhapur, Karad, Sangli, Pune, Mumbai and Delhi participated in the competition. Winning the first rank at five competitions and second rank in three competitions, School of Performing Arts bagged the general championship.