Right platform: Students of a fashion technology institute showcasing the new collection at a show organised by Checkerboard in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. more-in Brimming with enthusiasm, an artiste swayed to the lively tune of ‘vachinde mella mellaga vachinde cream biscuit yesinde’ from the movie Fidaa. After a while, an entrepreneur shared how his concept of sharing a meal is gaining ground. It was followed by song presentations, skits, and a string of events. About 400 artistes, entrepreneurs and aspirants from over a dozen institutions and organisations from Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Chennai and Hyderabad met at VUDA Children’s Arena to showcase their entrepreneurial and artistic skills in different spheres within their allotted time slot, each lasting less than seven minutes. Providing the much-needed networking space for the participants, Checkerboard, a Hyderabad-based startup, organised the event for the first time in Visakhapatnam. “The idea is to bring talented people together, offer them a stage to exhibit their expertise and help connect with one another directly as we believe in the minimal use of social media networking,” said Veera Sai Raja, a mechanical engineering graduate who conceptualised Checkerboard. New collection After exhibiting a new collection of clothes along with a team of budding designers, G. Simrin, a diploma student of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, said that the arena gave her a chance to collaborate with like-minded people. For Ch. Vivek, who is a part of the Animal Rescuers Vizag, the ground offered an opportunity to educate others on how the rescuers come forward to attend on injured animals and bring them back to normalcy. “Our team includes veterinary doctors and a group of individuals from various fields,” he said. Sharing his views, magician Srikar, who performed tricks on the stage, said that the event helped increase his clientele. According to the Checkerboard team, six events are lined up every year that would focus on connecting the talented across cities and nations as well.

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