CURTAIN RAISER PRESS CONFERENCE –
on 2nd Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad
(Indian Student Parliament)
at CONSTITUTION CLUB, NEW DELHI

MAEER’S MIT School of Government, Pune in association with Union Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Govt. of India; Ministry of Higher & Technical Education and Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Govt. of Maharashtra organized a CURTAIN RAISER PRESS CONFERENCE on 2nd Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad (Indian Student Parliament)
~A first of its kind initiative for channelizing the energies of the youth towards strengthening the democratic fabric of our nation~

New Delhi, 24th December, 2011: MAEER’s MIT School of Government, Pune organized the curtain raiser press conference about 2nd Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad (Indian Student Parliament) which is to be hosted in January, 2012 at MIT Campus Pune in association with Union Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Govt. of India; Ministry of Higher & Technical Education and Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Maharashtra.

The press conference was addressed by Shri Ajay Maken - Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports; Shri. Vijay Nambiar - Chef de Cabinet (Chief of Staff) under UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Dr. Shyama Chona – Honorary Advisor, Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan awarded by President; Shri Rahul V. Karad – Founder & Convener, Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ajay Maken, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports said, “ I take this opportunity to convey my deep appreciation to the dedication And team effort with which you organized the First Student Parliament. One of the main objectives of my Ministry is to develop the spirit of voluntarism and quality of good citizenship in the youth of the country. I am sure this Student Parliament will certainly go a long way in achieving this common vision and purpose which we share.”

Talking about the initiative, Shri. Rahul V. Karad, Founder & Convenor, Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad said “MIT-SOG was visualized to groom future leaders of the nation from across various regions of India. The Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad is a non-profit & non-political platform created in this direction to sensitize today’s youth towards nation building. I am confident that there will be overwhelming response towards the up-coming event in realizing our mission of creating a vibrant and dynamic young brigade of student leaders which will go a long way in deepening and strengthening democracy in India and across the world.

MR KAPIL DEV, RENOWNED CRICKETER & SPORTS PERSON VISITS MIT SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT, PUNE TO GIVE A CLARION CALL TO YOUTH
TO EMPOWER DEMOCRACY
November 30, 2011 at 2.30pm

On Nov30, 2011 Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad organized an event “The clarion call for Empowering Democracy through youth”. It was an appeal to all youngsters in India to assure their wholehearted participation and contribution on issues of national concern to strengthen our democracy and participate actively in politics & government. The following personalities graced the occasion - Chief Guest, Shri. Kapil Dev – Former Captain, Indian Cricket Team, Indian Cricketer of the Century. Other dignitaries present on the dais were - Prof. Dr. Vishwanath. D. Karad, Founder President, of MAEER’s MIT group of Institutions, Prof. Rahul. V. Karad, Chief Initiator and Dean, MIT School of Government, Prof. Mangesh Karad, Executive Director, MIT group of Institutions, Dr. L.K. Kshirsagar, Principal, MIT Pune, Shri Sanjay Upadhye, Director, WPC and Prof. (Gp Capt) Apte Director, MIT School of Government & Shri Kapil Malhotra – Managing Director, Total Solutions Incorporated.

Mr Kapil Dev with his usual humility initiated speech by pleading his lack of scholarly credentials. He expressed his excitement & enthusiasm while addressing the youngsters on issues concerning perseverance, motivation and attainment of goals through fair means and sincerity. He exhorted the students to have a focus in life and aspire to becoming something. He urged the youth to not forget the support given by their families after they attain their respective goals.

Mr Kapil Dev emphasized that he believed in his dreams to play cricket and followed his heart and one day was able to fulfill it, thus leading to India winning its first world cup in 1983. Calling upon the youth to be sincere and passionate about achieving their goals Mr Kapil Dev strongly advocated to nurture strong passion, which would keep pushing one forward and you will conquer everything that comes in your way from achieving it.

Mr Kapil Dev responded to various queries on issue concerning conferment of the Bharat Ratna to Sachin Tendulkar, to the predominance of Cricket over other sports, the enforcement directorate’s allegations against BCCI over misappropriation of funds during the IPL-2 matches in South Africa.
The event ended with the playing of the national anthem.

SHRI JYOTIRADITYA SCINDIA LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE PORTAL OF 2ND INDIAN STUDENT PARLIAMENT

The interactive portal of 2nd Indian Student Parliament www.indianstudetnparliament.com was launched at the auspicious hands of Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri. Jyotiraditya Scindia on 25th November 2011. The 2nd Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad is being organized at MAEER’s MIT Campus from 10-12 January 2012.

The portal launching program was conducted in Sant Dyaneswara Hall. It was attended by students, staff and media fraternity. Smt. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, the joint Managing director of Kinetic Engineering Ltd was the guest of honor on this occasion. Prof. Dr. Vishwanath .D. Karad, Prof. Rahul. V. Karad, Dr. L. K. Kshirsagar and Prof. (Gp Capt) Apte were also present on this occasion.

Prof. Rahul. V. Karad, Initiator & Convenor, Bharatiya Chatra Sansad (BCS) gave the welcome address and informed the audience about the vision and mission of the BCS. On this occasion a brief film, depicting the historic moments of 1st BCS was also screened.

Unveiling of the brochure of the 2nd Bharatiya Chatra Sansad and launching of the interactive portal was done at the hands of Honorable Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia.

In his message to students Jyotiraditya Scindia gave an insight about the India democracy and its functioning. He said that Indian democracy has always seen the positive trends wherein youth have been instrumental.  It is not only in India but around the world; youth has been at the centre of a great political or social change. There is a need to rethink about the word ‘politics’. Instead of ‘politics’ we should use the term ‘public service’. It gives us the purpose and wider scope of function. There is lot of negativity about the ‘politics’ and ‘political system’. But I feel instead of criticizing it from distance we should become the part of it as Gandhiji said, ‘Let’s be the change’.  The progress, development and order and discipline can’t be brought unless each of us is a stakeholder in it. Today’s youth is well aware of the issues surrounding him and is ready to take action. In this vast country of one hundred and twenty crores, lies the potential of the development and progress.
Every one is a part of the system which calls for the responsibility of each one. In this process of change woman a special role to play. Their contribution in the change is immense but it has not been acknowledged. Therefore there is need that woman’s due position be recognized.

 Speaking on this occasion the Guest of honor Smt Sulajja Firodia-Motwani complimented Shri Rahul Karad, Chief Initiator of the MIT School of Government for successfully organizing the hosting the 1st Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad in Januaary 2011.

While talking about the role and relevance of the youth in nation building Smt Firodia-Motwani expressed her satisfaction for being part of the 2nd Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad. She emphasized that such events are the need of the hour wherein the MIT School of Government successfully created a platform for youth and judiciously tapped their enthusiasm and skills, which was eventually reflected in form of thousands of  students having turned up for attending the 1st Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad with utmost sincerity.

In this context she also suggested that such movements must also make inroads into the rural hinterland of the country while gradually moving from one city to another within Maharashtra and eventually in different parts of the country.

While taking note of the rising aspirations among the youth to see rise of India as a superpower, she cautioned that development should be all encompassing and called for pursuing Public-Private partnership more vigorously. Such developments should translate into creation of Ideal cities across the country which should cater to the basic necessities of the common masses.

The Honorable Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Smt Sulajja Firodia-Motwani interacted with the students and answered their questions.  Prof Grp Capt Apte, proposed the vote of thanks. The program concluded with the National Anthem.

LEADERSHIP LECTURE SERIES – MPG07

The US Ambassador to India Mr. A. Peter Burleigh visited the MIT School of Government on Wednesday, September 28, 2011. He was accompanied by Mr Peter Haas, the US Consul General, Mumbai. They were received by Prof. Vishwanath D. Karad, Founder Executive President, MAEER’s MIT and World Peace Centre, Prof. Mangesh Karad, Executive Director, MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions and Prof. Rahul V. Karad, Initiator and Dean, MIT School of Government at the Saint Dnyaneshwara Hall, MAEER’s MIT,  Pune.

In his welcome address Prof. Rahul V. Karad, recollected his own experiences and challenges in establishing the School of Government. He stressed on the need of having institutions for imparting formal training to aspiring political leaders in the process of governance and to understand the significance formal institutions of democracy.

Prof. Vishwanath D. Karad invoked the ethos of India’s ancient civilization in nurturing a peaceful world order and attributed the advent of India as a major IT power, to a strong sense of discipline and character among the Indians. Expressing his disapproval of the wanton and savage acts of terror around the globe, including the events of 9/11, Prof Vishwanath D. Karad called for a communion of science and spirituality for envisaging a harmonious world order. Prof Vishwanath D. Karad called for greater collaboration between US and India to address the common challenges.

Delivering the keynote address on “The U.S. perspective on India’s role in regional and global affairs” the US Ambassador to India, Mr. A. Peter Burleigh acknowledged the rise of India as a major power in South Asia region. He emphasized that the United States was committed for a greater role of India in the present world order, which was endorsed by the visit of the US Secretary of State Ms Hillary Clinton on, July 20, 2011.

Ambassador Burleigh emphasized that India has impeccable credentials in the comity of nations. Its contribution in maintaining a peaceful order is vindicated by its role as a major contributor to the UN peace keeping operations since 1961. He also applauded the role of India’s first women continent under commander Seema Dhundia, deployed in Liberia since 2007, as part of the UN peace keeping forces.

Recognizing the growing menace of piracy in international waters, the Ambassador Burleigh stressed on the evolving challenges to international maritime security. While conceding on the overlapping security interests of the US and India to ensure free flow of goods, he recalled the larger role played by India in partnership with the US, in safeguarding the seas from the Strait of Malacca to the Strait of Hormuz, in order to ensure free passage of vessels.

Speaking on the US presence in Afghanistan the Ambassador Burleigh was candid that the US doesn’t visualize a permanent military presence in the Af-Pak region, and that the US forces would remain till the remnants of the Al-Qaeda are dismantled. While referring to the significance of India in maintaining stability in the South Asian region the US ambassador applauded its role in dealing with internal insurgencies and separatist movements in parts of the Northeast, through the democratic process, which subsequently led to the integration of the separatists into the national mainstream.

While conceding the level of anguish and frustration towards terrorism and terror acts within India and the challenges involved in engaging with Pakistan, Ambassador Burleigh talked about the necessity on having a stable and democratic Pakistan in the region and the need to eliminate safe havens of terror in the South Asian region. Terming the presence of havens as a collective threat to the sovereignty of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Burleigh stated that US, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan were victims of common threats emanating from terror outfits in the region.

Welcoming the rise of India as a major power in the South Asian region, Ambassador Burleigh endorsed regional partnership for enhancing global security.  He also highlighted the growing engagement of India in the present world order, wherein the US is visualizing a greater role for India, outside the subcontinent. The latest being the trilateral deep security engagement involving US-Japan-India.  Hence he reiterated that India must be prepared for bigger role which would require India to expand its traditional sphere of interest from South Asia to neighbouring regions like Southeast Asia.

Ambassador Burleigh responded to some of the queries raised by the students at the MIT School of Government. On the query about India’s contribution in the global economic order, he stated that while India was a major economic power, its economy is local in manifestation as a result of which it was less affected by the global slowdown. He cited the Indian economic reforms which led to a sustained average annual growth rate of 8.5%. .  In this context he stressed on the greater role of India as part of G-24, to check the decline. This was also evident in the arrival of Indian corporate houses in the west and the United States, which also bolsters the significance of its economic diplomacy.

Responding to the query on increasing assertiveness of China, Ambassador Burleigh, called for greater engagement of India with Japan, South Korea and Thailand. Recognizing the territorial disputes of China with its neighbours in South China Sea region, the ambassador asked the audience to take note of Indian interest in exploration of natural resources in that region.

On the concerns about Pakistan’s ISI links with terror outfits Ambassador Burleigh called for elimination of terror outfits and prosecution of the terrorists in accordance to the law.

At the end of interactive session, Prof Shrikant Paranjpe, Academic Advisor, MIT School of Government proposed a vote of thanks to the dignitaries.

The interactive session ended with the playing of the national anthem of both the countries – the United States of America and India.