MUN, also known as Model United Nations, is an international conference where students usually from the age group 14 and above play the role of delegates of respective countries and solve real-world issues taking into account the perspective and the foreign policies of the country that they are representing. It usually continues for 3 days and 8 sessions.
I participated in my first MUN on the 19th and 20th of June. It was the CSMUN organized by College Source. It was their first edition and was sponsored by Pioneer, Vedic Maths India, Vivaron, and Sat n Paper. We had 2 days and 4 committee sessions.
Since I was a first timer in this MUN , I required some time to understand the concepts and the research procedure. I was representing the country Austria and was a part of the Committee UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) . Our topic was to discus the ongoing situation between Israel and Palestine. To be honest, this topic is complex as the Israel -Palestine conflict is amongst the world’s most enduring conflict and it has been going on for more than seventy-four years. It becomes more complicated when you have to take sides. Since I was the Delegate of Austria, I had to give the USA bloc more preference , which meant that I was on the supporting side of Israel. After quite a lot of research and thought I decided to maintain a neutral stance as in that way I would have the scope to speak for both sides. As of the country I was representing , in the present it does support Israel as they think that Palestine resorted to violence towards Israel a few months ago. But earlier it always had maintained a neutral stance and had extended their support to both the countries.
Other than the above what I really enjoyed was researching about the topic as it gave me a new perspective of both Israel and Palestine and the other countries who are involved in this conflict. I learned many new things about how the different committees and the respective organs of the United Nations function and their respective powers. In the UN, the security council is the most effective and powerful organ , while the general assembly passes resolutions and does an in-depth discussion about the same. Some of the topics that we did an in-depth discussion in the committee were “ Elimination of the Hamas Militant Group” , “The viability of the Two state solution”, “Legalities in the conflict”, etc. These were really heavy topics and a lot of research were required for it but I really enjoyed doing it. I got to know about things that I had never known and the root causes of the conflict.
This MUN opened me to many new things and helped me to enhance my public speaking skills . It also taught me that it is a very tough role to be a delegate in the General Assembly as a lot of hard work is required to convince the Chair and the other delegates to vote for your motion. But I guess it is a tough job to have people on your side in life also, right ?
I really enjoyed being a part of the First edition of the CSMUN and I thank College Source and the sponsors of the MUN for this wonderful opportunity that I will cherish forever! .
My All-time Favourite Couples of Netflix!
WARNING – SPOILERS AHEAD
Netflix is the most used app in almost all our phones and I don’t blame it . It has got such bittersweet , action , serious, thriller movies that once we start, we all say in our subconscious mind that let’s not stop today. I certainly do have that feeling when I finish all my work and sit down for a Netflix movie! So today I have decided to write about 5 of my favourite couples of Netflix !
So here I go,
- Chuck and Blair – Charles (Chuck) Bass and Blair Waldrof were the main characters of the series Gossip Girl. Chuck and Blair initially were sworn enemies in the first and half of the second season. Despite that they used to make a great team and was always ready to help their friends and when Chuck and Blair were a team there was nothing more powerful than that! Later it is shown that how Blair used to help Chuck during his biggest setbacks one being when his father passed away. I love the fact how they both got emotionally attached with each other and became each other’s support system during difficult times. In their relationship , both of them faced a lot of up’s and downs but what I admired the most was that they never gave up on each other and that’s what kept them going and of course we all know that “ There”s no chapter of Chuck Bass without Blair Waldorf in it “ More than just soulmates , there are so many Chuck and B moments that we all have imprinted in our minds!
- Elle and Noah – Rochelle “ Elle” Evans and Noah Flynn are the main characters of Netflix’s original production “The Kissing Booth” sequel. Now won’t we all agree that they are one of the cutest couple that exists! ? I had watched this movie one year after it’s release and initially I thought that “oh man why is Noah behaving like Elle’s elder brother “ but then I understood that it’s because like Elle he also cared a great deal for her!! I just loved the way how they both behaved with each other ! Noah jealously when other boys asked Elle out and then his warning to them not to go out with her and obviously then Elle’s frustration at Noah. One of my favourite moments was when Elle called Noah and bluntly said that ‘ your days of controlling my life are over “ “ and you do realise that your’e not my dad right” and Noah clamly replied that “ we will see about that “ . Noah and Elle were awesome in this scene I thought. Other than the funny moments I really loved how Elle stood up for Noah to Lee and made him understand the essence of friendship. In the second sequel , Elle and Noah’s long distance relationship handling was more than perfect!! Obiovusly we had to deal with heartbreaks in the second sequel but the ending was worth all the heartbreaks ! Noah and Elle’s most popular boy and quiet girl relationship is loved by all ! If you guys haven’t watched the movie yet I must say WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING !!
- Mike and Eleven – Mike Wheeler and Eleven ( Jane Hopper) are one of the main characters of Netflix’s original series “The Stranger Things”. Obviously I know that you all going to say that they are only 13 years old but does age really matter ? It doesn’t ! Although their relationship is sweet , innocent and good to see. I feel there are certain drawbacks in it. Eleven is not really herself when she’s with Mike. The saddest part of Strangers Things Season 2 was Eleven and Mike’s breakup but it is also good as we will get to see more of who Eleven actually is without Mike. Coming back to the good part is that I really love how Mike cares for Eleven and in Season 1 how he would go to extreme lengths to save her and protect her from fatal scenarios. Initially when Mike’s friends despised her Mike stood up for her and trusted her and this is the kind of protection which was both emotional and literal that Eleven craved when she didn’t know who she was. Had she not experienced Mike’s kindness, Eleven wouldn’t have known what it was like to experience love.
I think Mike and Eleven are one of the most desirable couples of Netflix keeping aside their drawbacks. I guess we will see them evolving more in the next seasons! Till then let’s wait !
- Betty and Jughead- Elizabeth ( Betty) Cooper and Jughead Jones are one of the main characters of CW’S Riverdale which streams in Netflix. This couple has faced many up’s and downs in their relationship since Season 1 but what remained constant was their trust and love for each other. This is one fact that I really about them. One other impressive fact about them is how they both team up with each other to solve murder mysteries which is very unlikely obviously! But their adventures together is what makes us love them! Of course they struggle with their feelings at first but later come out to each other is another part which I admire the most but also along with that we have also faced several heartbreaks when they both break up multiple times during the shows and the saddest when they both part ways in Season 5. In Season 5 lets hope like Archie and Veronica , Bughead also make their way together till the finale cause they are the ENDGAME.
- Hannah and Clay- Last but not the least, coming to my favourite one and that’s Hannah Baker and Clay Jensen from Thirteen Reasons Why. I know people might say that’s so weird as they never made it together but I feel that is not what determines their relationship , it is the longingness , innocence and later the regret and helplessness determines it. The fact that they both deserved better is what makes me love them AND MIND IT in my head they are still together. Other than that the times they both spent together at Crestmont and then walking back from school and also a little time with friends makes their relationship more pleasant to see ! The most heart breaking part was in Season 2 the last episode during Hannah’s funeral when Clay admitted that he actually cared a lot and loved Hannah but he is letting her go, for good. As someone once said “ some love stories are there just for the story” I feel that Clay and Hannah’s was one of them. We enjoyed their moments spent together cause that is all was left behind !
Lockdown 2.0 – WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU SHOULD DO TO KEEP YOURSELF GOING?
Lockdown is back again and we all can agree that we feel the same way we felt back in 2020. The only difference from last year is that we are more careful and prepared this time to face the virus, and also now we have vaccines . The situation is also much worse than it was last year, everywhere we are getting to hear only depressing news and in such a situation it is very normal to feel very down and demotivated. But as we know life doesn’t stop for anyone and up’s and downs are a part of our live but at the end, we must have the courage to pull back ourselves together.
So here are 4 ways I feel you can keep yourself motivated and happy in these difficult times :
- Read Books : As someone once said that “books are our best friends”, this phrase is becoming true day by day. In these days when we want to travel, we don’t have to do anything, we can just open a page of our book and travel the world. Along with killing time and enhancing our vocabulary , reading books give us a peace of mind. Reading books also positively affects our life in many ways , like it strengthens our brains , reduces our stress and it also helps to increase our concentration. I am an avid reader and I at least read two books a week and I urge others to reduce their screen time and read more books !
Pic courtesy : https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/hard-to-read-books-lockdown-anxiety_in_5ed104cfc5b6fe25da3cb7a0
- Spend Time with your family – As we all know from our experience in last year that these lockdown times are the best times to spend quality time with our families. In these times , you get to understand your family better. You should try out different things with your family and those things which might have been impossible to do during normal days like playing board games, watching a movie together or baking a cake! Also catch up with distant family members and close friends .
Europe,2019
- Meditate & Exercise : The most important thing in lockdowns I feel is to make time for yourselves. Meditation helps us to reduce stress and helps to improve our emotional health. Staying mentally and physically healthy is also important during these times, one should maintain a healthy exercise routine and go for half an hour walks or cycling in the garden as spending time with the nature also gives one a peace of mind.
- Maintaining a Healthy Diet : Maintaining a healthy diet is very important as we tend to eat a lot of junk food in these days. Earlier, we used to have a fixed routine for everything including our eating schedules but now I don’t think many people follow that routine and neither the eating schedules. Occasionally, ordering food from outside is okay but doing that everyday leads to health problems and now the situation is so bad that the hospitals also won’t admit anyone without a Covid test. So, to be on the safer side we should always eat healthy. Some of the healthy dishes that one can try out are : Banana Coconut Idli, Roasted makhana with dry fruits, peanut butter sandwich and many more! You can check out more dishes at – https://www.shawacademy.com/blog/easy-healthy-recipes-at-home-during-lockdown/ . Some of the healthy dishes that I made with my family in the lockdown are Mango Kheer , Kashmiri Sooji and along with that I also had fresh fruits!!
How To Make Reels?- The most happening feature of Instagram.
HOW TO MAKE REELS ? : Simple steps to make Instagram reels for beginners
Reels are the newest and the most happening feature of Instagram now days. It is their take on the popular TikTok which was banned in India last year. Reels are basically short multi-clip videos that can be recorded up to 30 seconds with audio, effects and new creative tools.
According to Instagram, “reels in Explore offers anyone the chance to become a creator on Instagram and reach new audiences on a global stage.”
So, lets learn how to make the most happening feature of Instagram. Below are the simple five steps to make reels on Instagram :
- You must download the Instagram app from the App Store or the Play Store. All those who have Instagram in order to use reels you must update your Instagram app to the latest version. Then scroll down 4-5 times in the search section until you see the reels option.
- Then you have to click the Instagram stories camera and select the reels option and then select an audio which can be a popular song or an original audio of another user. You can also use your original audio by simply recording the video. If you are using a song you can also select a specific part of the song to use in the reel.
Note: If you have a public account your audio can be used by other users.
- After selecting the audio, you have to record the reel by pressing the capture button it has to be up to 30 seconds maximum or you can also use any video from your gallery which is 15-30 seconds long. Reels can be recorded in a series of clips one at a time or all at once, or by using video uploads from your gallery. If you are recording you can select Instagram effects for the video like done in stories. You can use GIF’S or stickers or hashtags and text on the reel. Also if you want the text only to appear at the beginning or at the end of the video you have to set the slider so that it only covers the first few seconds of the video or the last few seconds of the videos. After recording the video or adding it, you have to click “preview”.
- After you click preview your whole reel along with the audio will show and you can add a caption, hashtags of your choice and edit the video thumbnail. You can also add a cover of your choice from the camera roll and tag your friends and family.
- The last thing you have to do is select where you want to share the reel. If you have a public account the reel can be shared in a dedicated space in Explore, where it has the chance to be seen and discovered by the wider Instagram community. You can also share your reel with your followers by posting it to your feed where it will appear under the new reels section. When someone views you reels, they can see the song , hashtags and effects you have used in the reel. But if you have private account , reels will only be shared to your feed and your audio will not be shareable with users who don’t follow you.
WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF INDEPENDENCE IN OUR LIVES?
Independence means “ free from any force that was binding upon us”. At least to me it means this. I think independence is one of the most important aspects of our lives. We all must agree that we are all truly blessed that we are a part of an independent country where our opinions matter and our existence hold a value.
It is very important to be independent in today’s world as to be honest everything depends upon our capability these days. Whatever we do on our own there’s a bit of independence attached to it. That’s why after doing things independently we tend to feel a bit proud. For example, when we get a new job or receive our first salary, we feel proud of ourselves. Have we ever sat down and wondered the reason why? It is because we are finally independent. Of course, this is the last realization we all have, or we do not realize at all. But in our subconscious mind we always wonder the reason for us to be so happy? Well, the above is the actual reason. Independence is nothing without being independent.
As I mentioned earlier that we all are very lucky to be born in an independent nation , there are some countries that do not have this privilege. In fact, even we did not have this privilege few years back. I feel this privilege is very important, but we do not value its importance much. Now the reason for us not valuing this opportunity is because we take it for granted and do not understand it’s importance. But I feel that it should not be taken for granted at all. We do not imagine the consequences of being backed by an external power as some of us have never faced it and we do not know the consequences of it. But our previous generations understand it as they can compare the scenario’s now and at their times. Independence and liberty give us so many opportunities that they have not even experienced in their childhood. Our and their childhood is different. When the British used to rule over us there were so many restrictions that people had like they could not go to the schools, restaurants and hotels they wanted to. Without independence, the country is as rigid as a rock.
Thus, we must all thank our stars for being lucky enough to born independent and we must all understand it’s essence and value it’s importance.
Online Writing Competition on the topic :” Imagine the concept of time dissipated. Your favourite feminist icon has to survive in modern age mayhem. Can she get through? Write about her day among the Gen Z”
The world still remembers the valour and fearlessness of Rani Lakshmi Bai, who played a prominent role in the Rebellion of 1857 to defend her kingdom Jhansi which she wanted bequeathed to her son as his hierarchal right and which, the Britishers in guise of doctrine of lapse wanted to usurp.
I imagine this favorite feminist icon of mine in present times as a woman who is stuck in a difficult marriage where she is berated by her in- laws as they refuse to accept the hierarchical rights of her adopted son.
In 1857 when the Doctrine of Lapse was introduced which did not recognize the queen’s adopted son as the rightful heir , her motherly instincts took over and she fought tooth and nail for her son. The same happened in this 21st century too – while adopting a son the queen did not face any resistance as adoption is a common practice nowadays, but indirectly the queen faced resistance from her family as they were not comfortable with an adopted child being their family’s heir. However, the queen decided to stand on her own feet and provide for herself and her son . She was a skilled designer but after marriage she couldn’t work properly due the restrictions imposed on her by her family, but now she had the willingness and the reason to focus on her career. With no one on her side , she set up her interior designing company and soon she had many clients and was capable of handling her and her son’s expenses.
Across generations we thus see the maternal instinct remains the same and so does the societal norms. Time and again mothers have stood up for the right of their children and persevered to give them a better future against all odds.
5 Things that are a must while visiting Italy, Europe!!
Europe is one of the most diverse and magnificent continents in the world. All the countries in Europe are beautiful but so far Italy has been my favorite. There is a lot to see in Italy . I had just been to Italy in the year 2019 and It was one of the best trips so far!
Today, I will tell 5 things that are a must while your visit to ITALY-
- Visit the Vatican City – This is for history lovers; Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. It was founded by Pope Julius II in 1506. It is surrounded by Rome. It has the Vatican Museums house ancient Roman sculptures such as the famed “Laocoön and His Sons” as well as Renaissance frescoes in the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling. It became independent in 1929 . It has the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures and its economy is supported by donations and by the sale of souvenirs. It is a must visit in Rome. The ticket prices vary from 8 to 9 EURO.
- Gelatos and Pizza’s – My favorite part of Italy was its food. I love continental food and the most famous continental food that are there are Pizza’s and Pasta. Italy is famous for its pizza and almost in every restaurant there is a special menu with a variety of pizza’s. Over thee the pizzas are differently made ; the dough is much softer and fresh vegetables are used and are served piping hot. Their price is 8 euros which often goes up depending on the place. However, I would suggest local places more than the restaurants as the taste is much better there and the price is also reasonable.
Italy is also known for it’s luscious gelatos. You find gelatos almost in every corner of the city. They’re served with chocolate sauce , vanilla cream , strawberry and mint toppings, etc. There price vary’ s from 4-5 euros depending upon the size of the ice cream.
- City Centers of each city- City centers of each city are very beautiful. My favorite one till now was that of Milan, it was magnificent. They’re always filled with crowds, different people doing different things. There are people who do different things there mainly to earn some money like street dancing, singing songs, playing the guitar, etc. They do it very well too ! All the city centers are all very photogenic areas , different types of photos can be clicked , beside the churches , among the pigeons , and there are many such spots. However, photos are forbidden to be clicked inside the church , if you do, they will fine you severely and the laws are implemented very strictly there ! It is also a good spot for shopping. All the things that they sell there are local and are of very good quality and the price there is also reasonable. So, be sure to shop from here only!
- Venice – It is a must visit in Italy. According to me it is the most city in Italy. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. It is also known as the “La Dominante”, “La Serenissima”, “Queen of the Adriatic”, “City of Water”, “City of Masks”, “City of Bridges”, “The Floating City”, and “City of Canals”. The main points of interests in Venice are Rialto Bridge , Burano, Doge’s palace , Saint Mark Basilica. It has no roads only canals. It is very amusing to think that people live their everyday lives by the river. In Venice you will find different varieties of food. But the most unique thing in Venice is its ‘lagoon aquaculture’, which provides the city with speciality seafood and you can’t find it anywhere else in Italy. Those who are interested in art , Venice is a must for you then, it contains numerous art galleries and museums where ideas for paintings and drawings can be taken. Venice again is also a very photogenic area with its winding canals, striking architecture, and beautiful bridges , many beautiful pictures can be clicked. Local shopping can be done in Venice, but the rates are high. The things that can be brought are Murano Glass, Venetian Masks, Door Knockers, paper products , etc. Gondola Ride was also one of the most memorable experiences I had in Venice. The gondola gives you a tour of the whole city. It is a must activity in Venice and the prices are set no variation .
- Last but not the least visit Siena – It is a city in central Italy’s Tuscany region and is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings. It has the fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown. I developed a special fondness for this place by seeing their marvellous architecture , brick buildings , and art museums. Other than that, it is famous for its cuisine, medieval cityscape and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year. We went during the summers and that is why we got to see the unique dance with flags that they perform during the summers in the month of July. Siena is not a very common tourist spot, but it is a must visit for art and architecture lovers !
A Short Write up on my favorite Academic Interest !
I always had a fascination for social sciences, especially history. History was my favorite subject since childhood. Studying about old buildings, how they were used in the past, the lives of the royals, queens etc., is very interesting to me. History teaches us how our ancestors lived and many details about their lives. History is a very integral part of lives as it is present in our everyday lives., whatever we do in our lives the next moment it becomes history. Through history we come to know how we are here and how things are related to our lives. For example, could the World War 2 be prevented if the League of Nations did their job effectively. What interests me is that the reasons why the league could not carry out their job effectively, what were the hurdles that they faced. I find History very interesting also because learning about famous and everyday people, events, stories, and the successes and failures of people, nations, civilizations, and organizations can be important and meaningful for our present lives. It provides us with data that was used in the past to regulate the lives of the people and create laws. I find it very delightful to learn about how people and societies behaved in the past.
I love history as everything in our lives has a history, what happens at this moment becomes history the next moment, History gives a perspective to our lives and gives us the reason to look forward to the next day.
The Country India
India is one of the most diverse countries in the world. We are known for our culture , traditions , food and the ethnicity within us. With uttermost pride we tell people that we are Indians and while we tell somewhere in our hearts, we feel a sense of belongingness . Now at that moment none of us really understand the reason for that feeling but later we realise that India is country that has always taught us to be united like brothers and sisters. No matter what hurdle comes we must not look back and fight it as “INDIANS” . That is the reason we have that feeling. It is the teaching of our national leaders, our freedom fighters and our forefathers. They have taught us to be strong yet not assertive. Non-violence and satyagraha were an eminent part of our nationalist movement.
Gandhi ji whose birthday we celebrate every year , had played a major role in for our independence. He had emphasized the most on “ non-violence”. He had taught us never to be violent as situations worsen if we bring in violence. He had stopped a major movement “ The Non-Cooperation Movement” as somewhere there was a scene of violence. This meant that he was extremely honest with his words. He expected us Indians to follow the path of “non-violence” and abide by “ahimsa” .
Over the years I feel that we have let down Gandhi ji badly. My reason for saying this is that , there have been numerous mobbing . kidnapping , communal riots , country wide riots and most importantly violence towards women
In the 21st century , standing in the year 2020 , I feel India always finds a reason for violence. Sadly, most of the things in this country cannot be done by peaceful means , whether it is a meeting in The Rajya Sabha or it’s a disagreement over an issue. Violence must take place. It is sad to see that we have forgotten the teachings of our national leaders and we are leaving no chance to disrespect them.
I am emphasizing now on the most on the violence towards women. It is not an uncommon thing in India. India has become one of the most unsafe country for women.
There are numerous rapes that are being held every day. Not one week goes without a rape in this country. The most sad part of this whole situation is that these rapes are covered and no light is put in these cases. There is a common belief that women will be “ put down in the society “ if the news of the incident is publicized. Due to this societal pressure the victims get traumatized and refrain from saying anything. This is the reason why we are not aware of the numerous number of rapes that take place in our country , especially the ones in the rural areas. I feel that this is a practice that we need to stop. Women must learn how to speak out and give their miseries a voice. If any person is wronged they must have the courage to speak out. This is the learning that we have got from our forefathers. They spoke out when the British wronged our country and due to their efforts we are an independent country.
I have always believed that India has the power to change also and also to bring the change. But it is not going to be possible if we , the citizens of India change ourselves.
LIVE OR JUST EXIST
Live or Exist ? It is a question that we should ask ourselves every day. Post the lock down period our lives have mostly gone back to the same hustle bustle. I feel that in the busy schedule of our lives we forget to live , we only care about fulfilling our basic needs . Most of our days go in sorting things for the future and securing our future, but in this process we forget to live the moment. The ironical part is that the future that we are sorting and when that future becomes the present we are designing for the coming future. We forget that we had missed some of the precious moments of the past in order to this present. This means that we are so busy existing that we forget to live our lives to the fullest. However some people feel that materialistic things like money , fame and status are everything we need to survive and be happy. To a certain point they are something that helps us to survive and makes us feel good about ourselves but they cannot make us happy from the inside. As materialistic things have a limit. We exist for them but not live. A billionaire and a beggar are same in front of a gun waiting to shoot them.
I feel that the pandemic is a very important lesson for all of us. It made us realize the things that actually hold value for example spending time with family or reading a book quietly and enjoying the rains or maybe sitting in the car and suddenly a song plays that reminds us of a forgotten memory. We never get to do these in our everyday lives. These are the moments that we actually lived and could connect to our minds.
A poem that is similar to our everyday lives is the poem “ Dolphins” by Carol Ann Duffy. It talks about the difficult lives led by the dolphins who are captured by men in order to fulfil their parsimonious needs. They live a life where even their movement is controlled by someone else. They are captured in small aquariums where they live a claustrophobic life. The voice of the poem are a few dolphins who are talking about their miserable lives , they tell that they don’t live they just exist for the sake of it and they know that they will meet their end in the claustrophobic place.
On reading this poem I thought our lives are not miserable like the dolphins. We have an option to live but we chose to just exist. Unlike the dolphins who want to live their short life to fullest but are ceased of it. The ironical part is that we are those people who don’t let the gentle creatures live their life and neither do we live our lives to the fullest.
I think its high time that we human beings understand the importance of “live and let live” and it will be better for our world. As among all the creatures in the world we only have the power to bring a change.
