I JUST SMIRKED WITHIN

I JUST SMIRKED WITHIN

The journey of the year 2009 started with a low. I had faced a defeat in something that I had whole-heartedly craved for; AIESEC President Elections. It wasn’t a good feeling to leave AIESEC as it had been everything to me in 2008. I started getting more and more involved elsewhere, especially in YUVA; which opportunely gave a fresh denotation to the year 2009..

The big episodes of the year 2009 made me give the best rating to the year; when added with other smaller events which also silently made me smirk within. A hearty thanks to all the individuals associated with these episodes of my life and making the year so special for me. Some personal bits and pieces, some relationships and some failures taught me some of the best lessons of life. In the special year, my birthday also happened to be the most special one for me. I also initiated my blog in the same year which has constantly provided me with a special way of expressing myself. As I like to term 2009 as the best year of my life till now; I have tried to suffice this statement by citing the following major events of 2009.

JOYFEST gave me a whole new prospect. Coordinating with 35 colleges across Gujarat made it a challenging task. The triumph was distinguished when the top 3 colleges nationally happened to be from Gujarat and it was declared the best region nationally, with me as the best regional coordinator. This was the first major event where I established myself nationally. But more importantly, the event saw an unprecedented enthusiasm amongst all the college students, for social issues. In Gujarat, the event impacted around 1500 underprivileged kids collecting a fund of lakhs of Rupees for their upliftment. At the end of it all, I just smirked within when I had for all intents and purposes, set a yardstick for myself. I could see myself setting new yardsticks every other time.

JOYFEST in LDCE made me brave. If you’re able to successfully organize a major event in LDCE, it is something that you should be proud about. Coordination with the eerie college faculties, money-eaters, college muggers, youth politicians, etc. aint a piece of cake. Turning the tables, the historical event with a social intent was held in the college for the first time; impacting around a hundred kids; collecting a fund of around 90,000 INR and most importantly, winning the best JOYFEST event award nationally. At the end of it all, I just smirked within when I had for all intents and purposes, glorified the name of the college nationally; and delivered what I always wanted to achieve in my college life.

YUVA UNSTOPPABLE stimulated the leader within me. Different positions like Project Leader, Pass It On head, College Team Head, PR Head, Core Team member, Conference Manager, etc. gave me an overall perspective of a leadership position. More importantly, I got addicted to Visamo Kids and Sparsh. I just smirked within when I had for all intents and purposes, penned down an article on leadership. I just smirk within every time I happen to be in Visamo or Sparsh.

SMOKE NEVER DIES showcased the lighter side of me. Acting in a short film was always going to be tough for a newbie like me; and so I admit that more than acting, execution and script made it special. It has to be termed special after having won the best short film awards at MSU & IIT-Roorkee. A few of my friends actually left (or atleast tried leaving) smoking and some of them became more aggressive smoke-haters. Lots of wishes and appreciations were received after the Ahmedabad Mirror article. I just smirked within when I had for all intents and purposes, endeavored a completely new genre and succeeded too. Yes, I am always up for anything new and challenging.

COLLEGE UNSTOPPABLE (CU) shall provide me with a constant JOYFEST feel, a platform to achieve all that I’ve planned. JOYFEST had sown the seeds of CU, which got ripened into a nascent fruit-bearing plant; sharing the fruits in 4 cities as of now with plans to be converted into a full-size tree very soon. I just smirked within when I had for all intents and purposes, founded the idea of CU. In the near future, post my engineering degree, I could see myself pursuing with what I love to do.

THE LOKSABHA ELECTIONS changed my whole perspective towards politics, public system and governance. During the few panel discussions that I was a part of, inadvertently I got so much politically aligned that from my talks, some of my friends confided that the day was not far when I shall be entering this game. I just smirked within when I had for all intents and purposes, demystified this future game to myself. I could see myself ten years down the line.

“When you have your long term goal engraved in your heart and mind, your short term activities shall be planned in a way that leads you to the ultimate vision.” – Hardeep Pathak

I JUST SMIRK WITHIN AS I RECALL THE YEAR 2009…