One day, I distinctly remember, I was enjoying an afternoon nap after spending a long hard day listening to lectures of teachers talking of something I never understood, I received a phone call from a friend who asked me
âHey, would you like to be a Press member?â
Not yet fully conscious, I didnât really understand what he meant by this. Opening my ears and my brains I asked âPardon please???â
He asked me to come up to the college cafĂŠ in ten minutes. With a grin on my face, I got up, washed my face and went to the cafĂŠ where I met the collegeâs finest literary writers and was then enrolled as a World Press correspondent for JUITâs, as well as my, first Model United Nations.
Next morning, as I attended the sessions I had nothing much to do, but listen and understand what was happening in the room, which depicted what actually was happening in the world outside.   Â
Reading the newspapers every morning , I used to criticize the politicians for their politics that was being played all over the world, but sitting inside that room, seeing the delegates of different countries, defending their country and their policies, I could not really differentiate the clean from the dirty.
As the session proceeded, I noted that the delegates who were present in the house could be divided into three categories. First were the existing ones, who actively participated in the session who actively kept the house in motion. Second were the nonexistent ones, who though present in the house, but were still no better than an audience. And the third ones, the most interesting ones, the nonexistent existent delegates, who sporadically kept coming up with questions and suggestions of no use, I guess to tell the world that we are also present in the house.
Well, I saw one more type of delegates in the house, who representing one of the biggest nations of the world were interested in using their âVetoâ power in the general assembly, but unfortunately were never given a chance by the charter of the United Nations.
But the excitement and the heat were yet to build up as the emergency knocked in, where instant decision making was required. Even a minute mistake on the part of the delegates could cost them humiliation in the house. The next one hour saw the drastic changes in the acts and speeches of the delegates, who were consistently striving to survive the emergency without being involved in any controversy. At times allies acted as foes but none took the formerâs place.
Well, after long and multiple caucuses, the two day event ended with a resolution putting smiles on everyoneâs face. Nobody was representing any country any more but himself, yet the world press was still the world press as the final newsletter of the âMis(UN)derstoodâ was yet to arrive.
The next Model United Nations that took place in JUIT again proved to be another breakthrough for me as my seniors had decided to no longer keep me as a correspondent, but make me the Editor of Politics section for the newsletter âThe Verdictâ. My work increased. It was more than just reporting the dayâs event, but to co ordinate with other correspondents regarding their articles and make sure that the press was able to furnish the delegates with the most unbiased, unsparing and blunt yet exciting tabloid, on schedule. Â
As the previous one, this MUN also witnessed politics, lobbying, allegations, consensus, but with added excitement and newer faces showing their mettle to each and everyone in the house.
As the sessions proceeded, I remembered a famous quote by Psalm,
"His speech was softer than butter,
Yet war was in his heart;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords."
None wanted to squabble, yet there was a war outside, everyone sought a share, but none was set to carve.
Coming back to my desk after the session, as I picked up my pen, I was wondering what should be written, should I write about what was discussed in the house, about land, power and resources, or should I write about what should have been discussed in the house, the common man who isnât allowed to follow his will, who pays for these learned men to at least think for his betterment and allow him to lead a normal life he deserves.
Well, the sun rose and the air were again filled with simple words, spoken by the most powerful people, significant enough to lead the world in or out of a predicament.
And along with them were we, the mute spectators for the changers of the world who speak through words written on paper, bringing to all, the insight of all the deeds, showing them what should and what actually is happening, and warning the delegates to beware⌠beware of us, we are watching!!!!    Â
