Hastantaran 2025: Jashn-e-Sitara celebrates a milestone year

SPJIMR hosted Hastantaran 2025 under the theme Jashn-e-Sitara on Sunday, celebrating a significant milestone for its Abhyudaya mentoring programme. The event symbolised a moment of transition, as Sitaras bid farewell to their current mentors and welcomed new ones who will guide them through the upcoming year. The day brought together performances, reflections, and interactions that captured the connections formed through this unique educational partnership.

Abhyudaya crosses 1,000 dreams

This year, Abhyudaya achieved a remarkable milestone, having nurtured 1,016 Sitaras since its inception in 2008, supported by 4,046 mentors over the years. The programme’s transformative impact on students from municipal schools of Mumbai’s K-West ward (Andheri West) was clearly visible—three current Sitaras are now employed at SPJIMR, and two senior alumni returned for the celebration.

Arati Nagaraj, Director, Abhyudaya, opened the event with an inspiring thought: “Sapne toh sabke hote hain, bas mauka milna chahiye (Everyone has dreams; they just need an opportunity).” She reflected on the life-changing journeys each Sitara embarks upon and celebrated the enduring mentor-mentee bond at the heart of Abhyudaya.

A celebration in three acts

The celebration began with a symbolic tree plantation ceremony that underscored growth and renewal, followed by vibrant performances in three slots:

The audience was treated to an array of performances—from classical dance by Sitaras to spirited western and Bollywood dance by PGDM year 1 participants to mentor-mentee dance acts where ‘Bhaiyas’ and ‘Didis’ danced alongside their Sitaras. The energy continued with singing performances by PGDM Year 1 participants accompanied by guitar and drums.

Voices of inspiration

A panel discussion between Sitaras and PGDM year 2 students gave voice to the programme’s influence on the local student community. When asked to describe Abhyudaya in a word, responses like “support” and “opportunity” resonated with the audience.

When Sitara Bushra said, “If we are Sitara, then Abhyudaya is the sky,” the moment stood out as her words captured the essence of limitless possibility and drew a heartfelt response from everyone present. Other Sitaras, including Priyanshi and Vishal, from Hindi-medium backgrounds, broke through language barriers and expressed their gratitude in English—a testament to the encouragement and belief instilled by their mentors.

Honouring partnerships

The event was graced by Dean Varun Nagaraj and Chief Guest Dr. Aruna Pandya, ex-Principal of the Secondary Section at Shree Ram Welfare Society’s High School, whose institution has been associated with Abhyudaya since 2012. Dr. Pandya, who was felicitated alongside her students, described the programme beautifully, “Abhyudaya, for Sitaras, is like dipak banke sabko roshni do (Be a lamp and give light to all).”

Hastantaran: Passing the torch

The ceremony concluded with the formal handover—Hastantaran—as PGDM year 1 participants were assigned as new mentors to the Sitaras, ensuring continuity in the mentorship programme. It was a poignant moment that combined the joy of new beginnings with the bittersweet farewell to departing mentors, all united by the shared mission of continuing the mentoring of the next generation of Sitaras.

Hastantaran marks the official beginning of SPJIMR’s mentoring journey each year, pairing first-year PGDM participants with Abhyudaya Sitaras—bright students from Mumbai’s underprivileged communities, selected through academic merit and aptitude tests.

The name Abhyudaya means ‘growing together’, reflecting SPJIMR’s belief that leadership is strengthened by empathy, responsibility, and service to society. The programme stands as a powerful example of how academic excellence can be paired with a deep commitment to societal impact.