Stella Maris College Model united Nations 2010. A few months ago the very idea seemed ambitious. Little did I know that come August 18th, I'd be one of the 170 wishing the SMCMUN would go on forever.
I'm really late in writing what I consider a humble tribute to what SMC has taught me and given me. Divyam and Dhiya, damn them, have already beaten me to penning their wonderfully honest thoughts onto a blog. I love them of course, just wish I had written it before them. Redundant as it may sound, SMCMUN has been the single most redefining moment in the two and a half years I've spent in Stella. Right from drafting the proposal, coordinating the event itself, sponsors hunt, searching for suitable accommodation facilities, writing study guides, giving out country allotments and finally meeting some awesome people, the MUN has been a whirlwind experience and something I'm sure I'll cherish forever. I've been to other MUNs before, but SMCMUN is much closer to the heart as it was organised and carried out by an amazing team of 70 odd people all from SMC.
It is during these times that the strength of friendships shared is tested. Sorely. I'm not going to feign that everything was rosy and happy during the 6 months of preparation. So many little quarrels, squabbles and miscommunication later, we still managed to present an event as a team and more importantly as a college. At no point of time did the emotions play a role in defining how the event will turn out. And the success will go to them all. Specifically as Divyam and Dhiya (Sigh) pointed out, Poorvaja, Shreya, Shuba, Dhivya, Sanya, Teena, Nicy and the SMC Union.
But, to me, the entire crew of SMCMUN, namely those brilliant, hardworking, earnest and enthusiastic 100 odd people who gave it their all to make this event what it was, take the credit. My best friends, who listened to me whine about the work, stood by me throughout the whole time, put up with me when I didn't have time to even acknowledge their presence, I love you guys!
Here's a special mention to Deep who flew in from Montreal: You are crazy, annoying, narcissistic, amusing, brilliant and a truly wonderful chair. I can't imagine a better start to being on the executive board! I miss you annoying me. We shall Skype soon! :D
To the rest of the amazing boys from VIT: You have made SMCMUN what it is. Gufran, Divyam, Karan, Adi, Dev, Tito, Ramit and all the others who came from VIT, thank you guys. Without you and your constant support the event wouldn't have been half as fun :)
To the delegates, from the entire SMCMUN: We love you. Without you the event wouldn't have taken place and since this is starting to sound like Dhiya's Vote of thanks, I shall stop.
The lesson learnt and the times spent making the event happen have been a life changing moment for many and I'll never get another opportunity to being with people like you all again. I'm eternally grateful that I chose Stella now. SMCMUN 2011, I'm sure is going to be bigger and better!
To quote my annoying friend :Peace!
Loads of love,
Rasikha
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Because they remain ignorant..
Everyone's talking about environment and its implications and effects. Has anyone stopped to consider those who may be ignorant or indifferent to the so called implications? Sure, if their house was to get burnt down by the UV rays, maybe then they'd show some concern, otherwise....
It's not always that the best meant notions work. Almost always they fall on deaf ears. How do we get people to notice and take a step towards eradicating this indifference to the degradation around us? See, when people write things and publish numerous articles on oft repeated issues it doesn't make the matter better dealt with. You need to do something about it. Practically, manually, physically...
We need to communicate with the people who matter. The ones who might make a change. Or who might help make a change. We need to talk to those whose voices are the least heard, whose pleas are often dismissed, whose condition worsens as the environment degrades and they stare on blankly, not knowing the harm that is heading their way. We need to open up our minds and see what's right in front of us.
The poor are always left to fend for themselves. With due respect to the Indian government, which has strived long and hard over the last 5 decades trying to come up with better solutions for this situation, the efforts aren't reaping the required rewards are they? How do R.K Pachauri and his panel expect the poor and the mostly uneducated citizens of this sub continent to understand the first words about 'environment', leave alone 'global warming' and 'green house effect'?
The situation at hand can grow way out of proportion, and in a way it already has. Indian economy is slowly shifting towards Capitalism. There can be arguments over that, but that's not the issue at hand now is it? The after effects are being borne only by the downtrodden-not the air conditioned corporates or the well settled middle class. The surge of the industries, the zealous competition between the corporates, the polluted rivers and the eroded soil stand proof to the increased environmental degradation by the upper and the middle class and NOT the poor. Life has a twisted sense of humour, i'd like to think, because the polluters remain safe and happy, while the victims, well...
We can see that the poor have no idea of what is going on around them. Those that do know, have only a vague picture. Try explaining to the village artisans that the government has increased the tax rate on environmentally unsafe goods. They are going to give you blank stares. So what is to be done? Talking seems pointless, as efforts before have proved fruitless. Is the Indian structure to be blamed then? Is the diversity in fact proving to be a hindrance? Are the poor to be blamed for not grasping the finer nuances of the existing situation?
Their ignorance, whether intentional or not has led to lower standards of achievement of the environmental standards of safety. Because, according to the London conference and the Kyoto protocol, India hasn't satisfied the required reduction levels. This can be done only when the country as a WHOLE is aware of the environment restrictions. Ignorance and indifference have played truant then??
Policies and Treaties can only be of some help. Reality prevails in the end. Education, and by that, not school or college level, but the impartation of knowledge about the environment and its implications to the poor has to be provided. Schemes and allowances are being made for the same. But is there a show of interest amongst the people? Those who need to be educated aren't interested. Lack of interest will only lead to a half baked job. What is to be done then?
If the matter is left as it is, then the only answer India can have is to not sign any other treaty in the near future. Withdrawals from treaties will speak poor on the country's performance. Let's face it, India's track record has been wrecked over the last year, the Commonwealth games being, well, better left unsaid...
India needs to open her eyes. The facts of reality are always unfavourable to the country. Nevertheless, the area that needs focussing on has been stated clearly. Environmental policies, taxes, schemes, treaties, etc etc etc...will have no effect on them, because they still remain ignorant...
It's not always that the best meant notions work. Almost always they fall on deaf ears. How do we get people to notice and take a step towards eradicating this indifference to the degradation around us? See, when people write things and publish numerous articles on oft repeated issues it doesn't make the matter better dealt with. You need to do something about it. Practically, manually, physically...
We need to communicate with the people who matter. The ones who might make a change. Or who might help make a change. We need to talk to those whose voices are the least heard, whose pleas are often dismissed, whose condition worsens as the environment degrades and they stare on blankly, not knowing the harm that is heading their way. We need to open up our minds and see what's right in front of us.
The poor are always left to fend for themselves. With due respect to the Indian government, which has strived long and hard over the last 5 decades trying to come up with better solutions for this situation, the efforts aren't reaping the required rewards are they? How do R.K Pachauri and his panel expect the poor and the mostly uneducated citizens of this sub continent to understand the first words about 'environment', leave alone 'global warming' and 'green house effect'?
The situation at hand can grow way out of proportion, and in a way it already has. Indian economy is slowly shifting towards Capitalism. There can be arguments over that, but that's not the issue at hand now is it? The after effects are being borne only by the downtrodden-not the air conditioned corporates or the well settled middle class. The surge of the industries, the zealous competition between the corporates, the polluted rivers and the eroded soil stand proof to the increased environmental degradation by the upper and the middle class and NOT the poor. Life has a twisted sense of humour, i'd like to think, because the polluters remain safe and happy, while the victims, well...
We can see that the poor have no idea of what is going on around them. Those that do know, have only a vague picture. Try explaining to the village artisans that the government has increased the tax rate on environmentally unsafe goods. They are going to give you blank stares. So what is to be done? Talking seems pointless, as efforts before have proved fruitless. Is the Indian structure to be blamed then? Is the diversity in fact proving to be a hindrance? Are the poor to be blamed for not grasping the finer nuances of the existing situation?
Their ignorance, whether intentional or not has led to lower standards of achievement of the environmental standards of safety. Because, according to the London conference and the Kyoto protocol, India hasn't satisfied the required reduction levels. This can be done only when the country as a WHOLE is aware of the environment restrictions. Ignorance and indifference have played truant then??
Policies and Treaties can only be of some help. Reality prevails in the end. Education, and by that, not school or college level, but the impartation of knowledge about the environment and its implications to the poor has to be provided. Schemes and allowances are being made for the same. But is there a show of interest amongst the people? Those who need to be educated aren't interested. Lack of interest will only lead to a half baked job. What is to be done then?
If the matter is left as it is, then the only answer India can have is to not sign any other treaty in the near future. Withdrawals from treaties will speak poor on the country's performance. Let's face it, India's track record has been wrecked over the last year, the Commonwealth games being, well, better left unsaid...
India needs to open her eyes. The facts of reality are always unfavourable to the country. Nevertheless, the area that needs focussing on has been stated clearly. Environmental policies, taxes, schemes, treaties, etc etc etc...will have no effect on them, because they still remain ignorant...
Monday, February 15, 2010
As the days and nights fade away, i still remember..
lines that have left me mesmerized by the simplicity of the writing; speechless by the meaning conveyed. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as i did listening to them...
"At this moment there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world.
Some are running scared
Some are coming home
Some tell lies to make it through the day
Others are just now facing the truth
Some are evil men, at war with good
And some are good, struggling with evil
Six billion people in the world
Six billion souls
And sometimes...
All you see is one."
"You know who you are, most people don't - that's why they lie. They are afraid people might find out who they are before they figure it out themselves"
"Forgiveness is never easy, bitterness is easy, hatred is easy, but forgiveness that’s a tough one. Sometimes people say things they don’t mean, or do things they can’t take back; sometimes we do things we can’t take back, so we fear ourselves and start the pain. We’ll all figure something. I was afraid I was dying, but in the face of great despair I had an epiphany. What I’ve done is who I am, but what I’ve done is not who I’ll be. It took me to realize what I’ve done is not who I can be, unburden yourself from the mistakes of your past, and when you do, your heart goes stronger. I should know mine was supposed to go out a long time ago. Doesn’t mean what you’ve done is forgotten, what you’ve done is out there and what you’ve done remembers"
"And Hansel said to Gretal: Let us drop these bread crumbs, so that together we find our way home, because losing our way would be the most cruel of things."
"Our biggest regrets are not for the things we did, but for the things we didn't do, things we didn't say, that could have saved someone we care about."
"The only thing wrong with faith, love and hope is not having them."
- Mark Schwann.
"At this moment there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world.
Some are running scared
Some are coming home
Some tell lies to make it through the day
Others are just now facing the truth
Some are evil men, at war with good
And some are good, struggling with evil
Six billion people in the world
Six billion souls
And sometimes...
All you see is one."
"You know who you are, most people don't - that's why they lie. They are afraid people might find out who they are before they figure it out themselves"
"Forgiveness is never easy, bitterness is easy, hatred is easy, but forgiveness that’s a tough one. Sometimes people say things they don’t mean, or do things they can’t take back; sometimes we do things we can’t take back, so we fear ourselves and start the pain. We’ll all figure something. I was afraid I was dying, but in the face of great despair I had an epiphany. What I’ve done is who I am, but what I’ve done is not who I’ll be. It took me to realize what I’ve done is not who I can be, unburden yourself from the mistakes of your past, and when you do, your heart goes stronger. I should know mine was supposed to go out a long time ago. Doesn’t mean what you’ve done is forgotten, what you’ve done is out there and what you’ve done remembers"
"And Hansel said to Gretal: Let us drop these bread crumbs, so that together we find our way home, because losing our way would be the most cruel of things."
"Our biggest regrets are not for the things we did, but for the things we didn't do, things we didn't say, that could have saved someone we care about."
"The only thing wrong with faith, love and hope is not having them."
- Mark Schwann.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A writer's way..
It started late one afternoon. It was initially just a numbness, later in the evening it had approached the stages of paralysis and it still persisted. His fingers wouldn't move, his wrists wouldn't co-operate. The drops fell steadily onto the paper, drip....drip....drip... Still, nothing. His hands lay where they were initially. At the top hand left corner. It was confirmed. He had the writer's block!
Thoughts clashed and words scrambled to make a coherent phrase. Still, nothing. Blankness. White, clear paper stared at him. His fingers slowly traced the outlines of the paper. Rip...rip..rip.. The paper was thrown along with the many others already lying in the waste paper basket at the edge of the table.
He should have seen this coming. Every time he sat down with that fountain pen of his, his waste paper basket started filling up. It's like the basket cried out for some waste paper. Really. What was with him and his almost obsessive need to get the exact words for a particular sentence?! Why couldn't he be satisfied with 'almost perfect'?
The publishing house was pushing him to finish the book soon. His books had already garnered enough popularity, that anything below normal standards would be taken off the racks so fast that you might think you were 'seeing' things. But his hand wouldn't MOVE. Try as he might, a clear picture wouldn't emerge. He couldn't visualise anything. He couldn't picture a gun fight like his previous novel, a car chase like his short story, a murder suspect caught in the trap like his T.V series or even a fairy tale ending like his children's books.
He definitely had the block. It was ironic really. The times when he didn't have to write, he came up with the best stories. But now, when all depended on this book, he had NOTHING. Not even a decent foreword. He hoped it wouldn't last. It had been several weeks and yet, he was left with only two words- 'The End'
.......
Thoughts clashed and words scrambled to make a coherent phrase. Still, nothing. Blankness. White, clear paper stared at him. His fingers slowly traced the outlines of the paper. Rip...rip..rip.. The paper was thrown along with the many others already lying in the waste paper basket at the edge of the table.
He should have seen this coming. Every time he sat down with that fountain pen of his, his waste paper basket started filling up. It's like the basket cried out for some waste paper. Really. What was with him and his almost obsessive need to get the exact words for a particular sentence?! Why couldn't he be satisfied with 'almost perfect'?
The publishing house was pushing him to finish the book soon. His books had already garnered enough popularity, that anything below normal standards would be taken off the racks so fast that you might think you were 'seeing' things. But his hand wouldn't MOVE. Try as he might, a clear picture wouldn't emerge. He couldn't visualise anything. He couldn't picture a gun fight like his previous novel, a car chase like his short story, a murder suspect caught in the trap like his T.V series or even a fairy tale ending like his children's books.
He definitely had the block. It was ironic really. The times when he didn't have to write, he came up with the best stories. But now, when all depended on this book, he had NOTHING. Not even a decent foreword. He hoped it wouldn't last. It had been several weeks and yet, he was left with only two words- 'The End'
.......
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