Pics by: Harshini Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Jul 22: India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) Udupi chapter was inaugurated on Friday July 22 at St Mary’s English Medium School Kannarpady Udupi. Ambassador Pankaj Saran, erstwhile joint secretary to the prime minister’s office and head of Indian Missions in Washington DC and Moscow and also the erstwhile deputy national security advisor inaugurated the new Udupi chapter along with other dignitaries.
Speaking on the accession addressing the students he said “Enjoy every single minute of your life, it's not going to come back. Let your mind be free. Let your imagination free and also discover yourself. There’s nothing wrong with failing. Each individual has his own strength and weakness. Your bailiff in yourselves is your strength. This is the age you should let yourself go. In my early years I never thought I would be a diplomat. You are in the centre stage of global issues. India is going to play a dominant role in global terms. Whatever you do in India will matter to the world. Future belongs to India. Technology is changing our life everyday. You are children of the technological era. We all belong to Mother India. A war being fought a thousand miles away in Ukraine has its impact on petrol prices of Udupi” he said.
Life is full of opportunities and choices. You have limitless choices. Believe in yourself, do not get put down by failures. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. Color of the skin doesn’t matter, the way the human brain works is the same all over the world” he added.
Prashanth Nagpal of IIMUN shared his experience working with IIMUN and how the movement became a life changing opportunity to him. He said “ I was a very shy guy in my class. But one day I got an opportunity to participate in the Model United Nations. It was an elite concept at that time. I was really excited. I was told to represent Mozambik In the general assembly. On the day of the conference I went to the classroom to witness about 300 people there. I walked out straight because of shyness. When I was called up to speak for 90 seconds I didn’t have courage to speak. But my Chairpersons motivated me and asked me to speak on any of my favorite subjects. This gave me confidence and I spoke on cricket without any hesitation for more than 90 seconds. IIMUN gives you this opportunity to shine” he said.
Fr Charles Menezes, correspondent addressing the gathering said “At the juncture of selfish wars we need to find a thread of survival. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of IIMUN in their efforts to unite nations. It is a global village. Uniting nations Is a laborious task. It will add spice to our life and add various challenges. We deal with it. Differences of opinion lead us to opposite directions but it will also help us to understand common concerns and if not will lead us to diversions and spoil the efforts of unity. It is our effort which brings us together” he said.
Fr. Johnson Sequiera, principal St Mary’s English medium School Rita Quadrous, vice principal staff and students were present on the occasion.
Sanya Agarwal proposed the vote of thanks. Ashank Kotian and Beula Marsha compered the program.