The end of Navaratri in Mumbai, marks the beginning of one of India’s largest chemical-technology festival, Vortex – The ChemFest 2013 at the Institute of Chemical Technology (Formerly UDCT), Matunga, Mumbai. Sited in the heart of Mumbai, ICT is a green haven in a bustling suburb that boasts alumni such as Padma Bushan and Vibushan winner MM Sharma, founder of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories KA Reddy, the former Head of India’s CSIR RA Mashelkar, amongst many other luminaries including Reliance chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani. 
Vortex – The Chemfest 2013 commences on October 17 and concludes on October 21 with a closing ceremony which will be graced by the presence of MM Sharma himself.

This year the three premier technical festivals of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), namely Exergy, YICC (Young Innovators’ choice Competition) and YRC (Young Researchers’ Conference) have been synergistically blended into Vortex: The ChemFest 2013. The theme for maiden edition of Vortex is “CARBON- as we ‘C’ life” which promulgates the concept of universality.  Going along the theme of ‘Carbon’, ICT’s Vortex supports the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity.

Vortex comprises various genres of events including:

1) Prodigy series – Made for hard core chemical engineers and technologists and includes events such as Cerebrum, Chemwars, Connexio, Jr IDP, Manifesto, Papyrus and Re-calibrate.
2) General events -To tickle every one’s scientific curiosity, events such as Ad-mad, CSI, Entrepreneurs blue print, Management Maestro, Model United Nations, The Amazing Race, The Phineas & Ferb’s Backyard and The Opening Bell would be organized.
3) Pharma series – For all the pharma enthusiasts, events such as Apotheke, Immunisia, Pharma cartel, and Quantity sufficient would be organized.
4) The most coveted event Industry Defined problems (IDP).

Each event is expected to be an opportunity for learning and sharing knowledge with competitions, seminars, lecture series and other impressive special events. With total prize money exceeding 8 lac, ICT’s Vortex is re-inventing the idea behind university technical festivals.