Harvard Ho!

- A Priceless Journey

They came. They saw. They conquered. And theyre at it again. Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology or NSIT, one of Indias finest technical institutions and the only engineering college under the DU purview is once again sending a group of proud, talented and thrilled young debaters to the prestigious Harvard National Model United Nations this year. This is the third year in a row that NSIT is sending an entire delegation of budding diplomats to this esteemed platform of world debating. Model United Nations or MUNs are a simulation of the actual working of the United Nations Organization- students get together in the form of various committees such as the General Assembly or the Economic and Social Council, represent a particular member nation of the UN, and work towards finding diplomatic solutions to some of the critical issues that the world faces today. After solidifying their place in the MUNing sphere, whether it be by hosting the widely acclaimed and hugely successful first edition of their very own MUN last year or by taking Indian MUNing to new heights by performing spectacularly at

a platform as prestigious as Harvard- the techies from NSIT have truly done it all. The previous two delegations impressed immeasurably: NSIT was accorded the status of being among the top 20 teams visiting Harvard for the 2011 version of their mammoth event. Stellar performances in the past with students getting recognized for clarity of thought, knowledge of the diplomatic craft and solid preparation have laid the foundation for this team turning from then being Indias only representatives at that platform to now being underdogs no morethey dont just want to go- they want to win. HNMUN is the zenith of competition in this particular form of debating. The opportunity is priceless. The fact that we have a group of people who have been active debaters throughout school as well as college, and having the invaluable guidance from seniors whove already been there gives us great confidence for the event, says Daksh Sharma, a first- year B.E. student who has been chosen to be part of the delegation. The experience that the previous delegation amassed is being put to definitive, ambitious use: preparations are on at a feverish pace, may it be intensive training sessions, team simulations of how the actual conference will be or the collective hours upon hours of research being carried out, the NSITians are leaving no stones unturned. The students will be representing Afghanistan at the forum, something that they believe will be of great advantage. Its a nation that has great relevance with respect to a vast range of social issues, whether economic or even military, implying that the delegation will be under great scrutiny throughout the event. This gives us an added advantage as far as the competitive aspect of things is concerned, says Shifali Gupta, a fourth-year B.E. student and head delegate for this year. With an already established MUNing culture in DU which is clearly growing by leaps and bounds, great things are expected from this group of young enthusiasts from NSIT. The experience of two years, the effort of countless hours, the pride of competing at the highest platform- one can almost hear the resounding clarion call-Harvard Ho!

SHIFALI GUPTA, 4th Year NSIT HEAD DELEGATE, NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Bonjour! My name is Shifali Gupta and I'm the Head Delegate for this promising young team that is off to Harvard in February! I'm currently in my final year at NSIT (The tech institute of the oh-soamazing Delhi University) with a particular bend towards everything extracurricular. A true Delhi-ite, I love just about everything from winters to good food. Besides college work and projects, I am found either at an environmental NGO, volunteering and researching or a dance studio, training in ballet and contemporary. Previously, I have had an experience of being a premier company member and instructor with a leading Dance company and institute in Delhi. At the same time, my passion for debating and discussing world issues, whether political, humanitarian or economical, has had me participating in debates and MUNs since my school-days. I am extremely excited for the forthcoming conference for a lot of reasons! Not only do we have a strong, motivated team, we have the experience and expertise of seniors and faculty advisors who know what it takes to win at an international platform like HNMUN. Having been part of the very first delegation from my college in 2011 that also got a mention in the top 20 teams, I am fully acquainted with the responsibility that comes with being the Head Delegate and I am looking forward to doing my bit in leading this exceptional delegation representing Afghanistan to greater heights! Also looking forward to meeting people from all over the world, that's me saying Au Revoir for now! See you at Harvard National Model United Nations'13!

MEGHNA DAS, 3rd year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hello, Fellow People! I am Meghna Das, a member of the 16-member delegation which is off to the Harvard National MUN in 2013. Currently in my 3rd year of engineering at NSIT, University of Delhi, I have no regrets in being a part of this delegation in my most busy college year, because certainly no other team of people could have been better than this one! Being a curious person, I love to explore and pick up every kind of hobby/subject I find interesting. Having said that, its understandable that I always wanted an extremely abstract combination of subjects in high school Electronics, Economics, Psychology, Public Affairs, Sociology, and Music but, well, never had the option. For now, my engineering takes care of the electronics part, and to quench my thirst for the rest, I work with NGOs and organizations like the UNDP, which cover Economics and Sociology; I interact with LOADS of human beings to cover the Psychology and Public Affairs aspect of it :P, AND Finally, I coordinate my colleges music society and SING to keep alive my love for music! Being an Army officers kid, the travelling, the shifting of schools and the continuous change of social-circles has not been very comfortable. However, it has helped me become an adaptable and an approachable person, or what one may call a peoples person. Cant wait to reach Boston, cant wait to be a part of an awesome debate and REALLY cant wait to meet new and awesome (hopefully!) people!

RAGHAV SOOD, 2nd Year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hi! I am Raghav Sood, a second year senior at NSIT, Delhi University. Hailing from Shimla my family moved to Delhi when I was just two. I did my schooling from Delhi Public School Vasant Kunj , before deciding to pursue Bachelors in Technology from NSIT. My field of study is information technology. I am heavily involved in extracurricular activities at NSIT. In addition to model United Nations, I am also a founder and administrator of the toastmasters Club in my college. I have also been a member of the dramsoc and performed in colleges across the country. Additionally I teach Life skills to children in an orphanage near Qutab Minar and I Play the Guitar. In my view, what makes Harvard National Model United Nations such an incredible experience is the opportunity for you to engage in intellectual debate, enrich your knowledge of matters of international importance and engage with fellow students from all over the world. Its an opportunity of a lifetime to Visit the States with some of my best friends from college. I am really looking forward to going there this February.

VIVEK KUMAR, 2nd year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hello!! My name is Vivek and I am an undergraduate student at Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, New Delhi, pursuing a Bachelors in Instrumentation and Control Engineering. I was born in Nainital but moved to Dehradun for my secondary schooling from St.Joseph's Academy. Apart from academics, I have actively participated in extra-curricular events- majorly sports and debating. I love playing and watching soccer, and am big fan of Manchester United Football Club. I was introduced to the concepts of MUNs in 2011,when I moved to Delhi for college. I have enjoyed and learnt a lot from my MUN experiences till date, and I am always up for debating and learning whenever an opportunity calls. I am really looking forward to HNMUN, one of the best MUNs in the world, hosted in Boston in the month of February. Undoubtedly it would be an amazing experience and I hope to win laurels for my college and nation at this international platform.

SALONI KAPOOR, 2nd year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION TO HNMUN13 Hello people!! My name is Saloni Kapoor and Im presently in my second year of Computer Engineering at NSIT, University of Delhi. And Im one of the super sixteen delegates who have been chosen to represent Afghanistan at the Harvard Model United Nations to be held in February 2013. Being an extremely loquacious and exuberant person I am somebody who absolutely pleasures meeting new people. Ive been a part of my school cabinet and that has helped me tremendously when it comes to working in a team. I have also been a member of AIESEC-the largest global youth run organization. I am immensely passionate about dancing and Im definitely not the stereotypical engineer one would usually picture. I strongly believe HNMUN is the perfect opportunity for me to portray an inkling of my personality, to indulge in formal debate and address issues sensitive to the entire humanity. I am ecstatic and I truly believe that our delegation will be the best delegation at Harvard... And restating the obvious, I am extremely thrilled and looking forward to February.

DEEPIKA KHARBANDA, 2nd Year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hello! My name is Deepika Kharbanda and Im extremely excited to be a part of the Harvard National Model United Nations 2013 NSIT delegation. I am currently in my second year at Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Delhi University pursuing a bachelors degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering. Besides public speaking, I sing for the music society of my college. I have worked for two NGOs that help women and children in need. Also, I love to play and follow lawn tennis. HNMUN is the perfect platform for debating on and discussing global issues. Im enthusiastic about joining this forum, which will give me a plank to air my views and exchange thoughts with people from all over the world on burning issues that affect mankind. I can barely wait for February 2013!

KARAN CHOWDHARY, 1st year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hi. Im Karan and Im a freshman at Netaji Subhas institute of Technology, pursuing a Bachelors degree in Electronics & Communication. Born and raised in Delhi, Ive grown up in an environment that has been the center of great hustle-and-bustle and as a result, Im a pretty lively & excitable person. Besides engineering school, I dedicate a rather lot of my time to public speaking, which is a major extracurricular passion of mine, as well as a generous mix of writing, graphic design and, well, dogs! I was introduced to MUNs back in 2009, and developed an immediate affinity for them. I find the platform extremely engaging appealing as I feel it serves to give the youth of our generation a wonderful insight into the various headaches global leaders grapple with on a weekly basis, teaching one a number of valuable lessons, and sensitizing them, thus helping create a more aware, responsible class of citizens. When not MUNing, Im usually writing for football blogs and busying myself with creative design assignments. Having spent the entirety of my life in New Delhi, I view HNMUN as a massive & novel opportunity a chance to explore a unique part of the world, broaden my horizons as a student, and global citizen; undertake a potentially once-in-a-lifetime journey with some of the best delegates my college has to offer, but most importantly, discuss and deliberate upon some pivotal international matters with some of the most intellectually endowed minds this amazing platform brings together.

PRANAV MOHINDROO, 1st year, NSIT NSITS DELEGATION TO HNMUN13 I am Pranav Mohindroo, a rising first year student at NSIT, Delhi University pursuing a degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering. Although I had no prior MUN experience in high school but I have been passionately dedicating most of my time in college to hone my MUN skills. In addition to model united nations, I have always been involved in extracurricular activities. Throughout my school life, I have been actively involved in dramatics, debating and also writing for my yearly school magazine. Apart from that, I am a district tennis champion and my other hobbies include photography, watching old English classics and I absolutely love cooking Italian cuisine. I am ineffably excited to attend the Harvard National Model United Nations. I feel that this is going to be an incredible opportunity to step into the shoes of UN ambassadors as well as an opportunity to interact with fellow delegates who come from all over the world bringing a wealth of different perspectives to the conference. Moreover, visiting US with college friends is going to be an experience of a lifetime and I am eagerly waiting to go there with my delegation and live it up to the most.

TUSHAR BHASIN, 1st Year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION TO HNMUN13 I am Tushar Bhasin, a freshman at Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Delhi University pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. I was born and brought up in Delhi and did my schooling from Delhi Public School, R.K.Puram. Apart from academics, I have always been actively involved in extracurricular activities. In addition to debating and public speaking in general, theatre is another outlet of my creativity. The sheer thrill of performing in front of a live audience is unmatched for me. I love visiting new places, trying out new cuisines and meeting new people. In addition I enjoy reading books, playing/watching lawn tennis and cricket. I feel HNMUN will be an amazing opportunity for engaging in intellectual debate on issues of global importance with people from over forty countries. I look forward to interacting with students from around the globe and getting a glimpse of their culture. Engaging in diplomacy with fellow delegates and coming up with solutions of issues facing the global community is sure to be an enriching experience. This is surely a once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope to make the best use of it. Cant really wait for February!

SHASHWAT, 1st year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 My name is Shashwat and I am a freshman at Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, pursuing a Bachelors in Instrumentation and Control Engineering. Apart from academics, Ive been an avid participant in innumerable cocurricular activities- Ive acted in plays at the international level, have played tennis on the AITA circuit, and of course, been an active debater for as long as I can remember. And oh, did I mention that my aim in life is to be a writer, and that spending all day (and night) writing is, perhaps all I do? That seems to be a decent brief- Im a poetry writing, food loving, sometimes crazy, sometimes philosophical and almost always very sardonic fellow who also happens to love discussing the grave issues that we as the people in an evershrinking world face. The reason I was interested, then impassioned and am now, excited out of my poor wits about HNMUN is that this would be an opportunity like no other: serious, dedicated debate regarding relevant international issues by day and making friends with intelligent, like-minded people from all over the world at night! Having already mentioned how I am a writer, it would come as no surprise that what I also anticipate with much anxiousness is the experience of visiting a place so far removed from where I have grown up- visiting the unknown in such a manner would be amazing. I really look forward to actually reaching Boston after the endless hours of grueling and yet fun preparation, super-extended lunch breaks and much anxious anticipation!

AAYUSHYA AGGARWAL, 1st Year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Namaste! This brief description will give you a rough idea about who i am, as a person and as a delegate. My name is Aayushya and I am a freshman at NSIT, Delhi University. Whilst pursuing a Bachelors in computer engineering, I have been actively involved in many cocurricular activities. From football to music to debating, I have tried my hand at everything since coming to college. Surprisingly for me I have found my niche in debating. I thoroughly enjoy deliberating and discussing world issues, especially those pertaining to the life of the common man. Being helped by my seniors and batch-mates alike to cultivate this interest, it is amazing how my life has become streamlined in this direction (not that I mind!!). At school level I was more interested in sports and music, having participated in many competitions. However college has added this new dimension to my life, providing me with the right opportunity to bring out this dormant interest of mine. Never shy of hard work, I believe that HNMUN provides me with an apt platform to show that the right mixture of effort and confidence can provide you with success even on an international level. I look at it as an opportunity to meet new people and interact with them whilst simultaneously developing my soft-skills. Going to the States with a group of intelligent, hardworking people who also happen to be my friends is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I intend to put this opportunity to proper use and make sure that HNMUN is a memorable experience for me and for the entire delegation.

TANAY MAHINDRU, 1st year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hello there. My name is Tanay Mahindru and Im one of our delegations ten first year delegates being sent to Harvard National Model United Nations this year. Though I am currently a student of the Electronics and Communications branch in NSIT, I think its safe to say that studying electronics is not my primary interest. I love playing and following a number of sports, my favourite being golf or soccer. I also play the guitar and love reading books. I believe that HNMUN will give us all an amazing opportunity to meet people from some of the best institutions all over the world. The fact that these people will be studying very different types of courses will give us some amazing exposure as well. Spending four days trying to solve the worlds problems with these students is sure to be an enriching experience. Getting to spend a time in the United States with our friends, believe it or not, is just an added bonus. Id be lying if I said Ive been for plenty of MUNs and debates before, something I attribute to the fact that I spent the last five years of my schooling in the city(?) of Visakhapatnam where extracurricular activities in school can be rather . . . lacking. That being said, I love this new form of formal debate and hope to do well in the upcoming HNMUN. Wish me luck!

MAHESH RAM, 1st year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hey! I am Mahesh Ram, a fresher at Netaji Subhas Institute of TechnologyDelhi University, pursuing a bachelors in Electronics and communication engineering. I was born in Chennai, but my parents thought it would be really cool if they migrated to Delhi when I was barely a month old, so I was brought up in Delhi. I did my Schooling at Delhi Public School, Dwarka. Apart from academics, I was actively involved in various extracurricular activities in high school which included pretty much everything except debating. Debating and MUNing is a new found passion which I discovered after I came to college. And especially MUNs, I simply loved the entire concept of a MUN. The idea of intellectual minds representing a particular country and debating over various issues appealed to me. When I am not MUNing (or researching for it), I spend my time playing guitar or reading good books. I feel that HNMUN would be a mind-blowing experience. Meeting people from top notch institutes all over the world, discussing various socio-political agendas with them would be a completely different and breathtaking experience. Also, socializing with them and getting to know their culture is something I would be interested in. Plus, going to the US with a team of talented people, who also happen to be my friends (and having my fair share of fun with them), is awesome. I am really looking forward to HNMUN and I hope to win accolades for my team and make India proud at such a huge international event.

DAKSH SHARMA, 1st year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hi there! I am Daksh Sharma, a first year student pursuing Bachelor of Engineering at Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (Only technical college under Delhi University). Well, apart from academics (at which I suck), I have participated in a myriad of co-curricular activities throughout school. I am a sports freak and have represented my school (Delhi Public School, Dwarka) in Lawn Tennis. I follow the English Premier League actively and support Chelsea FC from the bottom of my heart. I have very actively been involved in the Tech Symposium circuit of Delhi and won laurels for my school in various Crosswords and Quizzes. And well, do I need to mention that I love indulging in intellectual debates and discussions? This is what makes me so excited about HNMUN. It will be a really enriching experience to interact with people from over 40 nations, studying at the best Universities of the world. It provides me with an opportunity to meet and exchange cultures with them, learn new things from them and obviously make friends among them! Needless to say, going to the US with college friends will be amazing fun and I cant wait to go there. Why isnt February here already?

AWADHI SAXENA, 1st year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hi there fellas! *trumpet call* Im Awadhi Saxena, a 1st year student pursuing my Bachelors Degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from Netaji Subhas Institute Of Technology, Delhi University. Being a Naval Officers kid, Ive moved all over India and have changed countless schools. And while this wasnt always easy, believe me, its one helluva personality building experience. I owe the person I am today to my naval grooming. All throughout school Ive been involved in a plethora of literary activities and debates; dabbling time and again in fields such as drama and dance. Bright, happy-go-lucky and vivacious, Im often described as a crazy bundle of nuclear energy. Needless to say, Im always running around with some or the other wacky idea that has taken root in the deep recesses of my brain. My never-ending zest for life always leaves me craving for more be it badminton, photography, philosophy... the list can go on! Being a voracious reader, I also indulge in writing bits of abstract poetry and debating comes to me as second nature. Like everyone else in my ah-mazing team, Im insanely excited for HNMUN 13. Just thinking about debating on burning world issues, on such a prestigious platform, leaves me breathless with anticipation and lets be honest, nervous as hell! And travelling to a fabulous new place and meeting people from all over the globe is just the icing on this delicious cake... The roller-coaster ride, my friends, has begun!

ABHIERAJA SHAHI, 1st year, NSIT NSITs DELEGATION to HNMUN13 Hello! I am Abhieraja, a fresher at Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, New Delhi, pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. I describe myself best as amicable, ambitious, and principled, yet sometimes impetuous and carefree. Besides academics, I am deeply involved in music which happens to be my passion. I am always on the look-out for learning experiences and found HNMUN to be an opportunity like none other. Eagerly looking forward to having an interactive session with all delegates at HNMUN 13 hoping that it will prove to be both a learning experience and a memory to cherish.