CAS 2017

Hindi is a language that I study on my daily basis but for the first time we celebrated a day for it. Hindi Divas was a fun event as we had to organize the activities which we played on daily basis. Out of three activities, Naomi and I were the head of ‘Arre Bhai Kehna Kya Chahte Ho?’ which had two rounds: First was Dumb Charades (Songs) and second was Taboo (Movies). We conducted the whole game, made rules, and decided the movies and songs. There will be two teams- Grade 11 and grade 12.

My companion and I worked together to decide the rules, movies and songs. We had few meetings with the event coordinators in which we had to show our plan and progression. 

Though sometimes the meeting were boring but I attended most of them, which portrays my dedication towards the activity.

I got frustrated when the seniors claimed that we have given easier movies/songs to the other grade by which they doubted our integrity. However, we informed them that we were honest with them and before the game started we made the team pick their own ‘team letter’. By this, they agreed and in a way I felt confident.

Due to the tight schedule and limited time, we did not justify the game and participants had less chance to play. It felt like when the players were getting the hang of it, the activity got over. Yet, we managed to make it as enjoyable as possible.

It was a challenge for me because I have never conducted any activity where the spotlight is on me. At start I was nervous, however, when I saw the participants who were extremely enthusiastic about the activity, the level of my nervousness reduced. I am that kind of a person who cannot speak in public, yet, it changed me in a way that it made me more confident about myself. The activity was small, but its effect was much big for me.

I wished we could get more time to organize the activity. Even so, I enjoyed a lot as we go an opportunity to organize one sector and also participate in other activities.

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”- Steve Maraboli

Spending that one day with orphans and underprivileged kids was the day well spent. The excitement of meeting them helped me to stay committed and wake-up early morning on a Saturday. We invited the children of Charlie’s Help Age to our school so that we can use our knowledge and facilities for a good cause.

For starters, to know them we had like a quick ice-breaking activity in which we told them about us and asked them about their hobbies, passion and what they wanted to be in the future. My companions, teachers and I worked collaboratively to organize and execute different activities that were planned like card making, dancing, doing Zumba, playing dumb charade, dodge ball and watching movies. I used my creativity to help them by giving new ideas for card making and by teaching the younger ones how to draw. Moreover, I felt that they had so much potential and talent in each sector like visual arts, dancing or singing that they can become a remarkable individual in future if they are given an opportunity to do it.  

One thing about them that touched me was the way they gave respect to what they are fortunate to have. For instance: praying and being thankful of the food they eat. They also taught me that we can be happy by enjoying small moments of our life because in spite of the fact that they were under- privileged they were extremely zealous and enthusiastic to do all the activities.

My main motive was to use that kind of gesture and language that makes them feel they are one of us and not upsetting them by any chance.

Yet, one difficulty that we faced was there were few young children who were not ready to open themselves with us as we were new to them. Though, I tried to blend with them and did some activities personally with them only to make them feel comfortable. At the end they were really close to me and ‘good-byes’ became difficult.

At the end of the day, I felt that I have contributed something to the society, become reason to someone’s smile and used my time fruitfully. I think that we should have spent more days with the kids, so that we can know more about them individually, and share and learn some more life lessons.

Basketball 3/3 tournament was a student-led event. I was a member of Logistics Department and had to handle the MVP (Most valuable Player) tokens and the distribution of them. On the day of the event, I decided to come early in the morning to arrange everything in advance.

I had lot of work before and during the tournament as well. As I was in-charge of MVP tokens, I had to make almost 140 tokens. Designing, cutting and sticking, everything was my responsibility. This task was more time consuming than I thought it would be. However, I got some help from one of the tournament directors which made the task a bit easier to get it completed on time.

As I was working under the heads, I had to collaborate with them as well as with the referees. By this, I learnt how to talk to different people and surprisingly liked to know new referees and participants. My role was to ensure that both the MVP’s tokens are there on each table after every match and I kept a note about which player got MVP in which match. I also had to make sure that all the score sheet reaches to the Front desk/ table. Being a participant in one of the teams as well as being an OC (Organization Committee) Member, accomplishing my task became difficult.

One major problem that I faced was that my match timings were clashing with my work, and because there were four courts to cater to, distribution and recording of score sheets and MVP token became challenging. However, at times I delegated my task to other members.  

In this process, I learnt how to do multi-tasking and develop the skill of time management which will help me to develop as a person. In alI I felt that the tournament was a success and our efforts were worth it. At the end of the day, I was tired yet I enjoyed a lot as it was a new experience for me.