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Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 27
The United Nations through its member states has the unique distinction of setting the agenda of how the world should address the emerging realities, challenges, issues and deadlocked situations covering virtually all subjects that concern humanity globally. Being such an illustrious and well regarded institution gives them an aspirational value in so far as young adults are concerned. The Model United Nations, as a concept, has grown in stature, participation and content with countries all over the world hosting it every year, choosing their own themes, discussion forums, panels, invitees and cultural agenda. To the credit of the Strawberry Fields High School goes the fact that it has played host to the event four years in a row and rang in the fourth edition today.
With over 400 student delegates from across India, ‘MUN-2017’ was inaugurated by Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki, the Governor of Haryana. Welcomed by the school captain, Avi Giri, he felicitated the Executive Board of the MUN wherein, as per tradition, he handed over gavels to all chairpersons of the United Nations Committees, from the Economic and Social Council, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, NATO, UNHRC and other key wings of the United Nations. In his inaugural address, he expressed immense joy and satisfaction at the level of participation and the discussions that he could envisage unfolding in the days to come, saying, “Our students have shown their proficiency at various international forums. They need more opportunities and exposure, so they can refine their thoughts and opinions. I am extremely happy to see the city of Chandigarh hosting an event of this scale and magnitude.”
Giving a strong Indian touch to the opening day’s celebrations, the evening ended with an enchanting classical Santoor recital by the acclaimed musician, Rahul Sharma. Renowned for his novel compositions using the 100 stringed Santoor, he has made a mark for himself both in the Indian classical and world fusion music scene and collaborated with world renowned artists like Richard Clayderman, Kenny G and Eric Mouquet.
The following three days will see rich discussions and presentations as experts from different fields of life are invited to steer the agenda of the various MUN mock committees, each of which would be covering relevant themes like climate change, governance, social entrepreneurship, livelihood, sustainable development and the need for human values and intellectual honesty.
Atul Khanna, Director, Durga Das Foundation, emphasised, “Inputs given to the students in their impressionable years stay embedded for a lifetime. Our sole purpose is to help expand their horizons of learning and initiate them into discussion forums that challenge the status quo and provoke them to ignite their thought processes, in the ultimate interest of their fellow beings, community and country.”
Present on the occasion were former Army chief General VP Malik, Justice Ashok Bhan, Dr RP Bambah, Brij Khanna and others.
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