On the grandiose occasion of completing 60 prestigious years, the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, organized as a series of holistic fests, by the Manipal Association of Pharmacy Students, have finally commenced with full fledged force from the 11^th of December, 2023. The 10-day itinerary of events has been given the monicker of the 10 Ten Hug Days as an expression of all the spheres of education embraced, scholarly and co-scholarly. It is a pinnacle display of honed talents and a continuous strive for reaching the very same heights that MCOPS has maintained over the decades. The 10-Hug days kicked off gracefully with an event of words: Qalam, to be followed by a myriad of scintillating performances at Sanskriti and Athlos, a multi- sport event, organized parallelly. The schedule is interspersed with presentation of all tech innovation to the bright eyed at MCOPS Expo; informatory sessions on the Pharmaceutical industries and its aspects around the globe; Conclave, a program to foster innovative and entrepreneurship skills; PharmaQuora, an academic fest of innovative ideas and in-depth research and finally a memorable summit with decorated and illustrious alumni of MCOPS.

Dr H S Ballal, radiologist and the Pro Cchancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education inaugurated the MCOPS DJC Pinnacle Fest and launched the diamond jubilee video on MCOPS. Dr Angel Treasa Alex led the introductions to the ingenious theme of the DJC, followed by Dr Madhavan’s mellifluous notes.

Dr C Mallikarjuna Rao, Principal of MCOPS, shared wistful anecdotes about how engraved Dr Ballal is within the history of the college, his contributions to the sigmoid growth in the levels of education, infrastructure and paid respect to the relentless efforts of Dr Udupa’s administration, which ensured the college’s success in the face of every challenge, from funding to PCI regulations. He went on to elaborate on the schedule of events and appreciated efforts of staff and students who made it possible to put together an event of such a grand scale.

Dr Ballal took to the stage with the very same poise as he was reputed to possess, with words of high praise towards the academic rigor and extensive research that the college has produced over the last 6 decades. The formal event came to a close with an insightful video about student life and the opportunities at the Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

With the inauguration of DJC Pinnacle Fest and MCOPS Expo by Dr H S Ballal, the commencement of Qalam was a success with warm words from Dr Mohammed Zuber, Chief Innovation Officer, MAHE, as he enthused the literary minds of everyone present. Athlos was kick started with a swimming competition; and the curtains to Sanskriti was raised with pearls of wisdom from Dr Ullas Kamath, Head, DBMS, MAHE as the Chief Guest and Dr Sambit Dash, Associate Professor and Secretary, Cultural Coordination Committee, MAHE as the Guest of Honor.