THE QUEST TIMES | Issue II

THE QUEST TIMES | Issue II

One Planet, The Earth. One Family, Mankind.

By Kartik Maini

Bluebells School International kick-started its inaugural MUN with much gusto, with a
spectacular opening ceremony. Mr. Suhas Borker, a very renowned social activist and
journalist, was the esteemed Chief Guest of the ceremony. The ceremony commenced with
a multimedia presentation showcasing the glorious history of the school and its ideologies,
elucidating on how the school adopts a holistic approach towards its childrens education,
providing rich worldly exposure while keeping the childs feet firmly rooted to the ground.
This was followed by the chief guests address in which he urged the children not to bow to
adversities and to remember that were citizens of our country before anything else, giving
the example of Nelson Mandelas fortitude and patriotism. After the chief guests address,
Tanusha Goswami recited a heartfelt poem on peace, and how its imperative to take steps
towards a better world. The school choir then took the stage, and enthralled all present with
a melodious song. Thereafter, Secretary General Taufique Shoogufan, addressed the
gathering and introduced the committees being simulated, and the respective agendas of
the same. He warmly welcomed everyone to the schools first MUN and declared it open.
With anxious, yet delirious faces, the delegates were escorted to their committees as the
battle of diplomacy began.

THE QUEST TIMES | Issue II

ALL OVER AGAIN

-Pravisha Mittal

I see the hands of the clock moving backward,

I see the cynicism then aroused for power and dominance,
The fretful expressions on the faces of Soviet leaders,
The tumult of ideas,
AN AMIABLE MEETING OF THE POWERFUL.
ALL OVER AGAIN.
The committee began with the discussion on legitimacy of the Quarantine line imposed by the United States of America, which gave rise to
oppositions about the legality of the same.
Discussion of reasons behind the suspension of diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba in 1961, also took place.
To arrive at a public directive, the committee was adjourned.
Considering the fact that the meeting was one of the most powerful military missions of all time, it started on a rather glum note. However the
crisis added to it the much needed spark and spirit of competition, with the first update being:
20 June, 1956:The government of USSR, headed by Premier Nikita Khrushchev stopped helping Chinese Government with its Nuclear
Programme.
1962:Mao Zedong, Head of the Communist Party was responsible for a successful nuclear test in Lop Nur.
th

The representatives ardently deliberated on the crisis at hand raising questions about the prioritization of Chinas Nuclear Missile and Cuban
Missile Crisis.
The IP looks forward to what the second day has in store.

Gallery of Gaffes
Aarohi Narain reports live from the United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime.

As the UNODC opened debate on day 1 of the Quest MUN 13, the committee started off relatively slow, with the EB quibbling amongst itself
because of what seemed like an unclear demarcation of powers, and the delegates still acclimatizing themselves to the double delegation system.
However, the committee soon took flight, with member nations coursing through charters and neglecting to beat around the bush.
While India seemed unperturbed by the inherent urgency and tenaciousness that comes with an agenda pertaining to drugs and crime as reflected
in her elocution-reminiscent (over) rehearsed manner of speaking, other representatives like those of the US, Iran and Italy stepped up to the plate,
marking a departure from the disappointingly beauty pageant-like presentations before it.
The first moderated caucus to be taken up was centered on gender-based violence, proposed by the delegates of Iraq; the IP takes this
opportunity to underline the delightful displays of irony an MUN conference inevitably shows
Motormouth duo, the delegates of the USA, emphasized on the importance of disarmament and demobilization as conditions, which must prevail
before reintegration. Italy further highlighted the need to recognize the disparate levels of access and proliferation of justice in post-conflict areas,
ravaged by aggression. Iran also called for the focus of the agenda to examine all vulnerable groups, as opposed to women-centric discussion.
Meanwhile, Brazil thought the best move to make would be to declare in an international forum the greatness of its own nation. Although the IP is
as big an advocate for self-flattery as anyone, maybe save that for when youre on the Exec, delegate.

THE QUEST TIMES | Issue II

Where Enemies Come Closer

-Meghna Gulati

The brisk walk,

The suave attire,
The clicking of the heels,
And of course, diplomacy out of sight.
A committee like none other, The Bilderberg Conference has its own set of rules. Forgotten are the points, the mandateoverlooked. The steering committee of the conference lightened the mood by sharing a few tips *laughs* with the members of
the present day committee.
The committee begins and the placards shoot up in the air; and one thing stands clear-Corporate Hegemony is no joke, fellows.
As members start taking stands , allegations are thrown mercilessly . Whether its the inspector of IGAS dissatisfied with Mr.
Ambani for not creating wealth for the poor, or Mr. Babacan managing to convince the CEO of Walmart to change their
companys policy and provide employees with health insurance, the committee members surpassed the expectations of the
Press. The committee lacked direction even though a couple of members tried to lead the committee, and the members seemed
content focusing on Labor Laws (for the most part, at least). Where on one hand Mr. Ambani stressed on the necessity of being
frank in the Conference, on the other hand, Mark Parker declared that their company was making products for those with a
body. The Chairman of the Steering Committee put forward his wish of discussing the actual solutions and not just the
problems-, which was met by an overall positive response.
By the end of the long day, the Press found the debate quite subdued, and yet, we were left hungry for more.

The committee of confusion &

chaos
Vijeata and Anusuya reporting live from the General Assembly, which is in a state of
chaos, Continuous delays & lack of research resulting in a very unfruitful debate.
The General Assembly commenced with the delegates being introduced to a goof-up
of two South Africas present in the same committee. With most of the delegates being
first-timers, the Executive Board decided to devote some time to procedural inquiries. The debate proceeded with the establishment of the
General Speakers list. The list included delegates of Tanzania and Congo being the first ones to give their stance for private military companies.
The debate later moved on to the Blackwater case being discussed by Mexico, which said that in the September 16, 2007 case, seventeen
Iraqi citizens were killed, which was opposed by the Delegate of USA pointing out inaccuracies. Sri Lanka too had a similar say regarding the
Blackwater case, when four American private contractors were killed.
After the tea break, the debate continued with the Moderated Caucus. It ended when the Executive Board pointed out to the confused Russian
delegation, whether or not it was a part of the mercenary convention. Post the lunch break, the debate progressed with the Delegate of
Indonesia mentioning the merits of private military contractors, one of those being as few countries dont have enough resources to maintain an
army; those countries provide a cost-effective alternative, which are the private military contractors.
Most of the delegates participated with enthusiasm and zeal that added to the betterment of discussion. It was indeed a delightful experience
for all delegates and members of the Executive Board, as it seemed like they could go on with the discussion all day.
The thwarted International Press wishes the General Assembly luck for Day 2, hoping for a fruitful debate.

THE QUEST TIMES | Issue II

Distress and Deliberations

The United States National Security Council, after discovering pictures of Soviet missile sites in Cuba, convened to deliberate upon the crisis.
The delegates discussed invasions in Cuba and peaceful negotiations at great a stretch. An update to the committee informed the delegates
about successful nuclear tests in China, leading to discussions on China as a prospective ally. Tanya Dutta reports live from USNSC.

The President convened the EXCOMM for the ninth day on 24th October 1962 with eight of his closest advisors. A committee
with no points, no moderated caucuses, no motions, and no resolutions, The day kicked off on an informal note, with the
President of the committee addressing the delegates queries regarding procedural and substantial matters.
Initially, the council witnessed no extraordinary points, with most of the delegates just repeating the same points over and over
again causing the debate to keep revolving in circles. But with the President actively participating in the debate himself, the
debate soon picked up. While the delegates speculated on either invading Cuba, or avoiding all nuclear warfare through political
negotiations, the President voiced concerns about whether or not the naval quarantine placed around Cuba was enough to hold
off the Soviet forces if they were to attack. One of the recurring questions being contemplated the Council was whether to move
into DEFCON 2 or not.
Along the course of the committee, most delegates remained inactive, which comes as a surprise, considering the size of the
committee. Mr. Dean Rusk and General Taylor put forward impressive points contributing to fruitful debate and forming of
solutions.
An update regarding the conduction of Chinese nuclear tests, which turned out to be successful, arrived. The discussions took a
different direction, than the one required much to the dismay of certain delegates. The council pondered over different methods
to exploit the Chinese nuclear arsenal, and whether to make them allies or not.
The International Press with its prerogative right to ridicule and exasperate delegates was left disappointed having witnessed no
major goof ups of any sort.
In conclusion, Day 1 at United States National Security Council yielded great debate and the IP hopes for a productive discussion
on Day 2.

THE QUEST TIMES | Issue II

The Quarantine of Constructive Politics

The United States of America overshadows its two-facedness universally again, demonstrating its wide-span influence as it allegedly places a
Quarantine on the Cuban front. However, facts fail to twist the tale, and even though Admiral Isakov orders all the Russian ships to slow down,
the USA fails, again, to coup its fabricated bureaucracy. Nikita Biswal throws light on the debatable agenda.

Ramification holds the wind tight in the United Nations Security Council, yet, the Ambassadors of various UN member nations fail
to blow with it.
The President of the United Nations Security Council has called upon all governments for an emergency session, taking the
gravity of the crisis at hand, to negate it on all palms.
The conference fits flawlessly into the framework of a real time Security Council, mandating to New Yorks standard time yet
somehow it fails to impress, all credit to its stagnant debate.
What rings the bells, however is the claim of the USSR to invalidate the American Embargo around Cuba and continue the Soviet
flagship once and for all. H.E Nikita Krushchev mentions in her statement to the President of the Security Council, that it is time
to quash the farce notions of the USA, and branches the crisis into a stemming catastrophe.
The USA blatantly peruses this as a precursor of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics cowardice, and the USSR claims to
retaliate in full means if it is required. The previous attacks on the Mongoose and Bay of Pigs are instrumental in debate and
were often referred to. Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Romania warns the council just in time, that this might in fact be the stone
step to a thermo nuclear war, drawing their attention to the present.
The nature of the weapons and their perusal and use are the bellowing nexuses of the crisis. Albeit, no matter how severe the
corollary of the crisis is, blame-games become hard to let go of.
In the given scenario, the press is left thoughtful and considers the hard picture this offers, joining pixel to pixel. The International
Press Corps, stares with anticipation as the Ambassadors let loose of the pressing situation. As I withdraw my pen on
Conference UNSC day one, how this wind of ramifications departs, and whether it does or not, is what harnesses my
conundrum.

THE QUEST TIMES | Issue II

The Quest Gallery

*The Copyright for all the pictures are reserved with the Photographers of The Quest Times.

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THE QUEST TIMES | Issue II

THE QUEST TIMES

International
Press
Delegation

Head of International Press:

o Purvasha Mansharamani
Editors:
o Rukma Singh
o Rhea Guliani
Reporters:
o Nikita Biswal
o Tanya Dutta
o Pravisha Mittal
o Meghna Gulati
o Aarohi Narain
o Anusuya Chakraborty
o Vijeata Balani

Official Advisors

Special Correspondent:
o Kartik Maini
Photographers:
o Arpan Sagar
o Viraaj Sharma,
o Aviral Babber
o Chaitanya Dadhwal
o Vedant Puri
Cartoonist:
o Sejal Sethi
Layout Designer:
o Aman Srivastava