It is the time when Xavier's college has an amazing cent percent attendance! And unlike the other days of the year when the students prefer staying outside the campus, at this time they are dying to get on to the other side of the gates!

Well, it's Malhar time and the time when you could possibly spot the entire college community of the city (Well I might be speaking in hyperbolas but then I have the journalistic license) in just one single college - St. Xavier's!

While the security department was having a tough time handling the 500-odd junta, the students freaked out with Nafisa Joseph at Adla Badli the fusion event. And while the show had reached the peak, someone in Ninaad, (group singing competition), decided to sing the Malhar raga. Surprisingly the Rain God did shower his blessings! But our teens got the better of him what with their umbrellas, raincoats and all other stuff!

The other guy who was possibly having the time of his life was the sugarcane vendor on the other side of the road. "Arey aisa mela har roj hona chahiye" (you should have these festivals all round the year), he was heard saying. And why not? His business has gone up five times in the past three days!

Coming back to the festival, though there was a lot of excitement in the air, the crowd turnout did not seem to be as impressive as it generally is. "Yes", accepts Nisha, one of the volunteers, "But however, the day is still not over and we are expecting a larger number in the evening. The lectures are over by then and the students wouldn't mind going home a little late", she explains.

The day, being the finals should have a lot in store. The pronites, which have been renamed as P inc. - Performances Incorporated seem to be the most interesting of the events. The interesting part is that the judges Shaan, Devang Patel and drummer Sanjay Maroo, who will be judging the finals of the IPA (Indian Performing Arts) section, are also expected to perform on the same dais! "This is to give the students a chance to share the same limelight as the professionals", opines Charmine Vaz, one of the OC members.

Besides this, the day was dominated by some of the finest performances in Over the (H)edge, the English one act play and some sparkling performances in Baat Sinks in Il, the Hindi elocution competition. The judges seemed impressed by the work and the efforts of the participants. However, there were others who had a different opinion. Commenting on his college's performance, contingent leader Mahesh (name changed) said, "We could have done better, sadly my boys haven't worked and performed up to the mark. But anyway, there is always a next time."

And for all those IITians, who feel left out, there was Quasimodo the logic quiz, which possibly made logic only to the participants and the judges(!) Then there was Gaming Hungama, an event introduced for the first time in the Malhar. Here the computer game bugs flexed their fingers and heads, as they played Need for Speed and Fifa 2000.

From computer bugs to writing bugs the event was The Daily Planet, a newspaper making competition. "The objective of this event is to give you guys a run for your money", says Sachin, a participant jovially.

And while all this was going on, you also had the singers and the musicians at the Antakshari and the Cacophonix, making the audience go "whoa"

And if you are drained out and ravenous after all that shouting and running about, take a break and check out some of those chatpata dishes in the Woods.

And while you enjoy, time we sign off for the day!