By Sanaa Gaikwad and Ankita Gadre for BIS Mumbai

Colosseum 2026, organised at the Don Bosco Institute of Technology, Kurla, unfolded as a well-curated two-day festival that combined entrepreneurial dialogue, technical exploration, alumni engagement, and cultural celebration. The event began with an inaugural session at 9:30 a.m., featuring opening remarks by Saad Kazi and Verushka Fernandez, followed by the National Anthem and welcome acknowledgements. Setting a focused and purposeful tone, the ceremony seamlessly introduced the day’s EC Talks and activities. 

Don Bosco Institute of Technology conducted the Pre-Colosseum Workshop Series from March 5-7, 2026, a comprehensive preparatory initiative preceding the flagship technical festival, Colosseum 2026. Distinguished industry professionals and academic experts facilitated sessions spanning aerodynamics, mobile development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, energy auditing, and financial mathematics. Participants engaged in hands-on activities including wind tunnel testing, application development, and Capture The Flag challenges. Aligned with the festival theme 'ETERNA', the series exemplified DBIT's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary learning and cultivating industry-ready engineers equipped to drive technological innovation and sustainable progress.

The first EC Talk featured entrepreneur and author Shantanu Naidu, who spoke on “Six Lessons Before You Start Up.” Drawing from personal experiences, he emphasised intuition, empathy in entrepreneurship, and learning through “side quests.” His insights on persistence, self-awareness, and adapting to challenges resonated strongly with students. The second EC Talk brought alumnus Dhaval Thakur (Batch of 2022) into conversation with student moderators, where he shared his transition from engineering to acting. His honest reflections on risk, failure, and gradual growth offered reassurance to students exploring unconventional career paths.

On March 24, the Auto Expo segment added a dynamic technical dimension. Featuring a range of 71 superbikes & 8 supercars, including a BMW 5 Series 530d M Sport, Ducati motorcycles, and a BMW 3 Series 330i Sport, the event drew significant enthusiasm. Wheelie demonstrations and a drifting showcase stood out, concluding with a bikers’ rally that highlighted both technical skill and automotive passion.

The second day of EC Talks included sessions by defence professionals Lieutenant Commander Bijay Nair and Wing Commander Nimish Jain. Their accounts of military training, service during the Kargil conflict, and post-service transitions offered powerful lessons in resilience, discipline, and adaptability. This was followed by entrepreneur Shaurya Gaikwad, who spoke about innovation in education and his initiative “Leap.” His journey from early coding experiences to building educational solutions underscored the importance of identifying real-world problems and persisting through rejection.

Balancing the technical and intellectual intensity, a stand-up comedy performance by Pranav Sharma provided a lively interlude, engaging the audience with relatable humour. The formal closing ceremony recognised the efforts of student councils, clubs, and competition winners, concluding with a vote of thanks.

The festival ended with “Colonite”, featuring DJ Blurface, which brought the campus together in a celebratory atmosphere. Overall, Colosseum 2026 successfully integrated knowledge-sharing, practical exposure, and cultural engagement, reflecting a holistic approach to student development.