Featured Pafians 1.4

'LUMUN IX' one of the most talked about event of 2012. Taking place at the LUMS Campus Lahore, the event proved to be a hub for many talented students from all over Pakistan. One of these many talented enthusiasts were Mister Khushhal Nadir Hadi, Mister Moaaz Sidat and Mister Usman Baig, representing NEPAL at their respective committees.

Khushhal Nadir and Moaaz Sidat, our very own Public Speaking Society Heads, battled their way through the ups and downs at LUMUN IX as double delegates at DISEC. Yes, even the mention of this committee gives you never-ending goosebumps. And, guess what? They won 'Best Delegate' awards at DISEC LUMUN IX.

Usman Baig, the AS student who has not only proven himself capable at various other events but also made his dream of winning at LUMUN IX become true. This fellow won an Honourable Mention at WHO LUMUN IX. Yes, heard about the committee that had a crisis related to genetic mutation? It was WHO folks, and Usman Baig was there!

Congratulations! You guys are the pioneers for bringing home LUMUN IX awards. Keep making PAF Chapter A levels proud :)

Here's their side of the story; the journey of Khushhal, Moaaz and Usman at LUMUN IX.

Interviewee: Moaaz Sidat

Interviewer: Maheen Farooqui

Moaaz Sidat :D

1. Let’s start from the train ride where the journey started. What will remain as the most unforgettable ‘train journey memory’?
Undoubtedly the 2-on-2 Parliamentary debates that took place against 2 members of the Szabist team behind closed doors; due to the amount of crude humour involved in the debate ;)

2. There’s this popular quote ' Lahore, Lahore hai'. What do you have to say about the city?
Karachi, Karachi hai. No place like home. ^_^

3. LUMS-a place many students all over the country aspire to go to. Tell us about it.
After 5 days of running around LUMS, I will surely recommend LUMS to all those wanting to pursue higher studies in Pakistan.

4. LUMUN IX! How did it feel to be a part of the toughest and most prestigious MUN in Pakistan?
It was something I was anticipating for quite some time. Taking into consideration the involvement of various factors, it was indeed the toughest I’ve ever been to. The overall experience was exhilarating!

5. How would you best describe your nervousness at LUMUN IX?
There was only one point at which I was extremely nervous, and that was right before the award ceremony.

6. Describe DISEC at LUMUN IX in three words.
Challenging. Intimidating. Frustrating.

7. Best delegate at LUMUN is a dream for even the most adept of MUN-ers, how did you feel the moment it was announced that the coveted award was yours?
It was one of the few occasions at which I’ve lost control of my emotions. :)

8. Last but not least, your secret to success?
When I take up a task, I work with utmost dedication, put in all my efforts and leave the results to the Almighty with the belief that whatever He does is for the best.

9. Oh and this one is for all the food lovers reading your interview. What was the best food you had during your stay at Lahore?
LUMS kay Khokay ka Zinger! ^_^

10. This is an open question. You may skip this one or you may write an answer regarding absolutely anything that you want to. (Related to your LUMUN IX journey, of course)
Nothing’s better than a double delegate experience with Khushhal Nadir Hadi as your ‘partner in crime’.
I would like to thank each and every member (some, a bit more than others xP ) of the 21-member (Ms.Bushra included ^_^), along with all well-wishers from PAF Chapter (especially Ms. Shireen and Ms. Naureen) for their continuous and undying support. Thank you all. 

Interviewee: Khushhal Nadir Hadi

Interviewer: Minahil Malik

Khushhal Nadir Hadi at PAFMUN 2012 :D

1.     Let’s start from the train ride where the journey started. What will remain as the most unforgettable ‘train journey memory’?

Well, unfortunately, I could not be with the team when they left for Lahore, since I’d already left a few days before to ‘explore’ Lahore with my family. Nevertheless, the ride back home was THE BEST experience I’ve ever had. I will not forget the debates we had in our compartments, but the real thriller was probably staying up till 5 am and applying mascara and lip-gloss on our team members. Hats off to Usman Baig there; we managed to cover his entire face with ‘graffiti’ and were on our way down to his arms before he stirred! And of course, singing like crazy when the clock struck 12, just because it was 2013!! =D

2.     There’s this popular quote ' Lahore, Lahore hai'. What do you have to say about the city?

The city? Not so much, other than the amazing FOG. One was invisible in plain sight (Yeah, I had trouble figuring that out before I came to Lahore too). And the people; I love the Lahawri accent!

One thing good about Lahore in general was probably it’s greenery; it IS green and nice. Lahore waaqi me Lahore hi hai!

3.     LUMS-a place many students all over the country aspire to go to. Tell us about it.

LUMS is simply amazing! If it offered any courses in MBBS, I would NOT hesitate to go there! The amazing layout, the litter-free lawns, the picturesque window seats (very romantic too, but that’s another story ;) ), the creepers on the walls and having Dr. Pervez Hoodhboy dine with you in the PDC building; simply sensational! Oh, and don’t forget to try out the zinger burger at the ‘khoka’!

4.      LUMUN IX! How did it feel to be a part of the toughest and most prestigious MUN in Pakistan?

Honestly speaking, LUMUN might be slightly over-rated. The circuit we have here in Karachi with respect to MUNs, where your committee directors constantly keep cross-questioning you, ensures that delegates are well-researched and raises the level of debate here. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising to see a fair bit of awards go to the Karachi delegates. But there’s no doubt about the fact that LUMUN has been the running in Pakistan since many years, with TEN committee sessions, and with delegates from all over Pakistan, it was an intense and fascinating experience nonetheless.

5.     How would you best describe your nervousness at LUMUN IX? 

After so many MUNs, as weird as it may sound (and I am NOT making this up), I no longer feel nervous when the actual debate begins in an MUN. what was different at LUMUN was the fact that it was my first MUN as an outstation delegate; the real challenge therefore was waking up in that freezing weather, donning formal garb and making sure I had that much-needed cup of coffee before I rushed to the committee room with Moaaz, my co-delegate/brother/partner (yes, theres a lot in there *wink wink*). So I spent more time worrying about how to wake up and what to wear, rather than about what I would actually debate about in the committee session.

6.     Describe DISEC at LUMUN IX in three words.

Intense. Fun. And Perverted (And I’m sure that’s how our PAF Chapter LUMUN Team will ACTUALLY remember it as being)

7.     Best delegate in LUMUN is a dream for even the most adept of MUN-ers, how did you feel the moment it was announced that the coveted award was yours?

Relieved? Surprised? Ecstatic? I don’t really know how I felt. It was pretty… confusing. My friends say that I went red in the face and had eyes the size of golf balls, if that helps, but personally I think I was probably teetering between relief and extreme happiness, with an element of surprise thrown in.

8.     Last but not least, your secret to success?

Pre-preparedness. That was the KEY to winning this award. The amount of time both Moaaz and I put into our Research Reviews, and then sitting together working on our research before actually going to Lahore was what completely soothed our nerves before we actually started with our committee sessions. Also, never shying away from chances to speak up and utilizing those chances effectively along with a superb informal lobbying strategy helped us a lot too.

9.     Oh and this one is for all the food lovers reading your interview. What was the best food you had during your stay at Lahore?

Well. If you’re talking about LUMS, the Pizza and zinger at the ‘khoka’ are probably the best you can have cheap. The food we had at the Shahi Qilla food street was amazing too, where the palak paneer was so tantalizingly DELICIOUS, it literally melted in our mouths!

10.  This is an open question. You may skip this one or you may write an answer regarding absolutely anything that you want to. (Related to your LUMUN IX journey, of course)

A lot happened over the course of our trip. If I started narrating all of it, you would all express varying reactions ranging from disgust and shock to envy and maniacal laughter. So with regards to what exactly ‘happened’ in Lahore over the course of our trip, I can only reply with what the City School PAF Chapter LUMUN IX Team agreed on unanimously: “What happens in Lahore stays in Lahore.” Cheers! ;)

Interviewee: Usman Baig

Interviewer: Lubaina Ehsan

Usman Baig :D

1. Let’s start from the train ride where the journey started. What will remain as the most unforgettable ‘train journey memory’?
The train journey was spectacular. It was an absolutely adverse experience then what I initially expected. The way everyone enjoyed every moment of it partying, talking to each other and what not; was amazing. The most unforgettable train journey memory will be the one when we sang silly songs on New Year’s Eve while we were on the train and said ‘Happy New Year’ to each and every one in the train compartment.  

2. There’s this popular quote ' Lahore, Lahore hai'. What do you have to say about the city?
It is a beautiful city, I must say. The weather, the atmosphere, the historic architecture, the heritage sites were truly eye-catching and mesmerizing. The people were humble and welcoming, but then again, without being biased, nothing beats Karachi.

3. LUMS-a place many students all over the country aspire to go to. Tell us about it.
LUMS is a world in itself. When you are in LUMS, you don’t wish to go anywhere else. There is each and every facility provided to you over there, from hi-tech labs to top notch classes and splendid cafeterias, it comprises of everything you aspire to become an independent and complete individual. It is made on a wide area base, with outstanding grounds, comfortable hostels and astounding atmosphere, which comprises of its greenery and environment. And of course, security is an aspect whose credibility must not even be questioned. All in all, it is an amazing place to be at.

4. LUMUN IX! How did it feel to be a part of the toughest and most prestigious MUN in Pakistan?
 Honestly, it was like a dream come true. A dream which every debater, specifically every MUN-er dreams of. I never expected myself to be a part of the LUMUN team from my school, because of the fact that LUMUN is nothing but amazing and the participants over there are also none but the best.

5. How would you best describe your nervousness at LUMUN IX?
 Have you ever noticed dinosaurs jumping in your stomach instead of butterflies? That’s how nervous I was. Well, putting jokes aside, I was nervous yet confident at the same time, trusting in my abilities and all the training which was given to me by my seniors. It doesn’t get any better than LUMUN, and it’s just the confidence which you need to overcome your nervousness and fear and that’s exactly what I did which ultimately gave a positive result. 

6. Describe WHO at LUMUN IX in three words.
 Enthralling, Educating, Fair.

7. Winning an award at LUMUN is a dream for even the most adept of MUN-ers, how did you feel the moment it was announced that the coveted award was yours?
 It felt like the floor started shaking and my hands automatically went up in the air with me jumping off the seat and shouting “Yes, I did it. Thank you God.”
 It was a feeling which words can’t describe and I can’t thank God enough for considering me legible enough for that noble award and paying me for my hard work. It was an incredible moment indeed.

8. Last but not least, your secret to success?
 The secret to success is actually not a secret; rather it’s an open recipe which people mostly fail to realize and copy. The only thing I did was work hard, and I worked and researched until I reached the point where I was able to convince myself upon the fact that yes, now I am absolutely ready.
There are no shortcuts to success. I did what I had to, worked day and night, kept my research as my basic priority, enjoyed the debating and took all of it as a healthy contest rather than a game of life and death, and I think that’s what made me meet my destination.

9. Oh and this one is for all the food lovers reading your interview. What was the best food you had during your stay at Lahore?
 Oh well, I always knew this was coming. Every food which I had throughout my trip was amazing, because as they say, everything seems delicious when you’re hungry, and that was mostly the case with us when we had spent the whole day debating and socializing. But yes, the food which we had on our last night of Lahore at the Food Street (most of the food over there) was quite scrumptious and delicious. 

And here's the Student Blog, signing out :)

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