GUSAC (GITAM University Student Activity Center)

A platform for budding talent M Girish Kumar Mechanical H1

Formation: Established only a few months back, GUSAC gained immediate popularity. The founders of GUSAC: the outgoing mechanics batch students literally fought with the management to prove themselves worthy of forming an association. GUSAC wasn't born all of a sudden. It initially started as a small idea, which at the early stages was called Science Club , slowly it gained popularity and suddenly one day, one of the member came up with an idea of competing in the Lunar-bot competition organized by the NASA at their space center, Orlando. This event proved to play a pivotal point in the formation of GUSAC. Founders perspective: When I had a heart-to-heart with the technical head of the Lunar-bot team, the behind the screen truths of the successful NASA venture were revealed, which could literally bring tears to any sensitive person. He says that, hes never been a brilliant student, just an above average student with a thirst for knowledge and an obsession for technology. The spark in him was subdued by numerous hardcore reasonshis intermediate education topping the list. As he says, those two nightmarish years almost flushed out the interest in him and clouded the spark in him. The 12hour schedule and the monotonous study-hours tightened the noose around his neck, giving way to frustration. Even though he somehow managed to pass out his intermediate, the nostalgic thoughts of his past sent a chill down his spine. After his intermediate he joined GITAM University, and the sudden flexibility in the schedule gave him an opportunity to indulge in the so called extracurricular activities, like forming groups, cracking strictly for men & below the belt jokes, going for movies.. Once his group registered themselves for the competition, there was a drastic change in him, he looked like a modern day devdas, with long unkempt hair and beard. He somehow balanced the heavy load of semesters, mids, quizzes and assignments on one side and the competition on the other. When asked about the reason for the entire struggle and staking his academic career, he simply said satisfaction. He also added that he didnt achieve much by participating in the competition, except for a participation certificate, a six-point something CGPA and a few backlogs, but the aura of satisfaction he says, surpassed all other pains in his life. With wet eyes he said today my parents feel proud to see me home, and I feel great about it. GUSAC & GITAMites: GUSAC as the name suggests is a humdrum of activity, where students are able to showcase their talent. It wasnt even a week since the new sessions begun. The monotonous lectures was starting to take a toll on the students concentration capabilities ,when one fine day a girl along with a boy comes o the class interrupting the maths lecture. The lecturer half-heartedly permitted them to make their announcement. The students were more than relieved to hear something other

than a lecture for a change. The girl looked like a miniature princess , as the students say, and when asked about the boy who came along with her..they only said no idea!! Typical male psychology I guess! Students say that, GUSAC initially was more a kind of a break for them, than a platformbut gradually they got carried away by its interactive seminars on burning topics like Robotics, Ethical HackingTheir weekend activities also helped a lot. During the initial phase of the academic session, all the students owing to the strict instructions regarding the dress code were suffering from Acute Formal Dress Deficiency Syndrome (do not Google it!!) And GUSAC gave them liberty to wear teeshirts, jeans...and whatever the tech frenzy youth preferred. As one of the students says, GUSAC hall is a techno hub with an awesome collection of tools and resources thatd last a generation, and also an aura of excitement prevailed in there, which wildly attracted all the students towards it. At first, the dwindling number of female members was of a growing concern among everybody, but now the conditions stabilized and more and more girls are flowing in volunteering as members and also are actively participating in the activities. Motto: Its not what we know; its what we do with what we know This has also been the success mantra of GUSAC. It provides an excellent exposure to the fresh batch of students, making them to face the realities of life in the form of activities held every weekend. The team activities inculcate the qualities of leadership and team-spirit among the participants. Best wishes: Whoever said the taste of success is very addictive was correct. GUSACs so much habituated to success that they are confident enough to organize events and rallies on a national scale. The I Matter March rally being the perfect example, which created quite a sensation in the media and the press. Finally..wishing GUSAC all the best and hoping that GUSAC finds success in every venture they undertake.

Jugal Kishore