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1) Tell us more about your role & responsibilities at your college.
I am the President of Chanakya, the Intellectual Society. It comprises of Qaafiya (Poetry and Creative Writing), Grey Matter (Debating), Buzzer (Quizzing) and Spectrum (Anchoring). As the President, I am responsible for ensuring that the respective coordinators of the sub-societies carry out their duties well while also assisting them in their duties. I act as a mentor to my juniors and help them hone their skills while also going to competitions and representing our college. In addition to that, I am also responsible for organising society events, like the intra-college Freshers' Fest Exploranza and the competitions at our college's annual fest.
2) What's it like to juggle between a leadership role and normal college life.
It is a tough position to be wedged into, to be honest. I see some of my classmates coming into college, attending lectures, taking down notes, hanging around and leaving . Sometimes,, I envy them. Then again, I cannot ignore the satisfaction and pride it gives me to be at the helm of a society that's given me most of my friendships and given me this safe space where I can be myself and grow. Attendance gets troublesome sometimes but I scrape through and even though all of my teachers would prefer that I attend classes, they're extremely proud and supportive of whatever I've achieved in the extracurricular arena.
3) Do you enjoy the kind of influence you hold at such a young age.
I absolutely, most definitely do! It's not because I like being a leader and it massages my ego (at least, not just because of that) but because I like being able to manage an organisation and help young kids out. Wherever and whoever I am right now, I am because of my seniors and their guidance, and to be able to do the same for my juniors warms my heart. Moreover, being consulted for things such as organisation of fests or being asked by the departments of colleges to occasionally help with conducting debating and poetry tournaments is amazing.
4) Do you have a message for parents to allow their kids to do things besides academics.
My parents were sceptical about it initially as well. What changed their minds was seeing how happy it made me and the great friends I met through it. Moreover, parents have to realise that as their kids move out into the world for further education and professional purposes, it is not just their marks that will be taken into consideration but also their overall profile and having some accolades on their resume can do wonders (as I hope they'll do for me). In addition to that, children can grow and enhance their inter personal skills through non-academic activities, and that is really important for them to be able to do something in the future.
5) What did you do in your current role that makes you feel really proud of yourself.
My society's kids have been going and winning a lot of prestigious competitions, at venues like IIT-Delhi, AIIMS and IIT-Roorkee. To see teachers and the heads of other societies say things like, "Chanakya's on fire!" or, "Your kids are doing absolutely great, Anubhav!" makes all the struggle we all put into it worth it. In my third year, and as President, my main priority is ensuring that our future remains secure and bright, and seeing my juniors, or my kids, as I like to call them, succeed the way they have been is amazing.
6) What's your message to encourage students to do internships and attend conferences.
If college life were just about going to college and attending classes, no filmmaker would make movies on college life! This part of one's life is all about learning and growing and doing as much as one wants, outside of one's academic ideas and goals. Internships help any student get a great idea of what lies ahead and what it is like to be able to work in a professional environment. Furthermore, they provide you with great mentors, if one finds the right company (something easier said than done).
I attended a conference conducted by the English department, Eclectica, and volunteered for it. It was one of the best events I've had the pleasure of attending. The papers presented , the conversations I observed and took part in opened a whole new side of the world to me and spurred me on to read more and do more beyond my course. For any student reading this, go and attend conferences with your friends, and see how wide and beautiful the world is and can be.
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