Though the enthusiasm of the participants was palpable, the turnout was meagre in comparison to the university's student and staff strength. The total number of participants was around 3,000. The showing was especially dismal in view of the fact that the rally was supposed to promote unity among the various faculties.

All the participants were dressed traditionally, including the residents of the various MSU hostels. While the hostelites and the foreign students took part in the rally under common banners, it was the floats of the various faculties that were the cynosure of all eyes. Each of them had a message portrayed artistically and tastefully.

The Faculty of Fine Arts' float was perhaps the most eye-catching of the lot, displaying a dragon to project the need to protect the environment. The Faculty of Performing Arts came a close second, with students playing the tabla and the sitar throughout the rally to highlight the need for appreciation of Indian music.

The Faculty of Education and Psychology focused on various aspects of education, while the Hansa Mehta Library -- which is all set to launch the Information Library Network -- depicted how computerisation could promote efficiency. The Experimental School and Chetan Balwadi floats also portrayed various activities undertaken in the two institutions.

The students of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication made their point about India's ``slow, yet steady progress into the 21st century'' by mounting a video camera atop a bullock cart.

The Faculty of Management Studies used computers and other sophisticated office equipment to portray the need for efficient management.

Former members of the university wing of the National Cadet Corps -- some of whom have already joined the defence forces -- were there in full regalia.``The purpose of the rally was to make the people aware the university was engaged in a lot of activities'', said Vice-Chancellor Padma Ramachandran, who walked all the way with the rally. ``It aimed to bring everyone together on a common platform.''

This was just the beginning of the golden jubilee celebrations and the university would host such events at frequent intervals through the year, she added.