CPSSMUN

The Model United Nations club (MUN) models the actual United Nations by having members attend several conferences where they debate and finalize resolutions on fictional and non-fictional issues. On October 21, 2023, the NPSSMUN team attended CPSSMUN alongside 240 other delegates from across the region.

The day started with a keynote talk from Dhillon Mendes. He began by outlining the significance of change. He described how doing new things, such as speaking about environmental issues and picking up trash daily, had a greater influence on the public than he had initially thought.

As Dhillon Mendes’s speech ended nerves skyrocketed, for it was time to open debate! Everyone was split into their assigned committees that consist of different characters and storylines, such as Bhau Bhali: Dawn of Destruction, Suits: Power, Loyalty and Legal Brilliance, Divergent, UNCTAD, Anti-Cyber Warfare Committee, and ADHOC.

Three of our delegates attended the Bhau Bhali committee. The committee was based on the Bollywood movie Bhau Bhali. The proud kingdom that once consisted of unmatched love, wealth, beauty, and knowledge was now being consumed by darkness. Queens, princesses, princes, and villagers were in danger, and delegates had to find a way to restore peace once again! “Bahbuli was an amazing committee; we had so much fun with everything from the mock trial for Bahbubali himself, to a dance-off to see who would be crowned king, to a marriage between brothers!” commented Shaurya Kehra, who adopted the role of Bahubali in the debate. Unfortunately, by the committee’s end, he had been killed and replaced by his son for the throne.

Meliya, one of the secretaries-general of NPSSMUN, was one of our delegates who was in the Suits committee. You heard correctly—Suits. This committee is based on the hit Netflix series! In the debate, she portrayed Harvey Specter. The committee brought to life the competitive atmosphere of Pearson Hardman. Delegates were pushed into legal battles, strategic chess matches, and ethical dilemmas, giving them the real experience of being a lawyer at work.

One of our delegates also attended the money heist debate. Delegates of the Money Heist Committee were required to pull the biggest heist of the century without getting caught by the “blue patrol side”. A delegate representing Cesa Gandia, Jasleen Kalkat, added, “The committee was easy to follow, especially as a first-timer. The committee had a lot of surprises, such as singing songs, and weddings. In general, there was a lot of space to be creative.”

Divergent was another eventful committee. Delegates, depending on their faction, were required to decide if Divergents should be let back into Chicago while trying to maintain the already diminishing resources. It was madness! There was mind control, accusations of abuse or inequality, love, destruction, backstabbing, and the fact that the world could be a simulation. Of course, the committee ended with all delegates being turned into brainless servants to work under the “people beyond the wall.”

Attending the Anti-Cyber Warfare Committee was another amazing experience for our delegation. The committee was a mix of a general assembly and a crisis committee. Delegates were tasked with discussing and solving how the advancement of technology is leading to a lack of privacy and security for many. Serious, right? Well, according to Pal Patel, other than deaths and a few weddings, there was a major fashion show. Debate and fashion? Honestly, count me in!

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development was the only general assembly at CPSSMUN. General assemblies are slow-paced committees that primarily focus on real-world issues. Delegates were required to engage in debate regarding the complexity of economics, ethics, and politics. Simran Saini, a delegate who represented Germany, said that during the unmoderated caucus, two groups had gotten into a heated battle regarding which currency to use internationally for gasoline going forward, to the point where the dias had to step in. I didn’t know people were this passionate about gasoline!

Lastly, we have the ADHOC committee. Most of our delegates attended ADHOC, the most challenging committee in Model UN. In ADHOC, delegates are not told their committees or characters until the day of the committee. The ADHOC was revealed to be a Harry Potter committee! Eargan, our secretary-general who played James Potter, stated, “The committee went fantastic, and it was super entertaining, from multiple mock trials and accusations, to a game of Quidditch. ADHOC at CPSSMUN extended beyond the lines of a typical committee and challenged our Hogwarts knowledge.” Yes, they were able to participate in Quidditch. Prakash, a delegate who played Rita Skeeter, mentioned that he had the opportunity to ride a broom.

Seven of our delegation students received awards. Best delegate went to Shaurya Khera, with honourable mentions for Prakash Kumar and Pal Patel, We had two Outstanding Delegates in Ajaypartrap Toor and Earagan Nimalan. An award for Best Position Paper went to Maurya Patel and there was a Verbal Commendation awarded to Yaathu Pirabal. Finally, with the motion to end the debate, CPSSMUN came to an end! Next stop is BCSSMUN.