MUWCI TIMES
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MUWCI TIMES N•1
words Maria Victoria Moreno Christoph Trost Kevin Holicka Rounak Maiti Thembi Molefi Jeppe Ugelvig Momin Javed pictures Karanjit Singh Oskar Ávila Åkerberg editing and publishing Jeppe Ugelvig
EDITOR’S NOTE It is funny how fast time goes by. I remember leaving MUWCI at the end of May, all mixed-up with emotions of sadness, melancholia, relief and excitement. A year had gone by, fast most people would say, and three months of (almost) pure liberty was ahead of us. For some that meant travelling through India, for others a well-needed break to catch up with friends, family and, not to forget, sleep. Three months sounds like a long time, but it went by extremely fast. Before I knew it I found myself in a plane crossing half of the globe again. And although MUWCI was greener and with fewer second-(now third)years, everyone got into the same old rhythm again after a few hours, this time, maybe a bit more conscious of what this place means to us. A new academic year also means a new batch; over the weekend new faces slowly appeared on the pathways and rooms of MUWCI. I am sure all second-years can recall all the awkward talks, the feeling of being lost, but also the fascination and excitement of trying something completely knew. I would like to give all first-years the warmest welcome on the behalf of MUWCI Times. As a new year starts in MUWCI, so does MUWCI Times; starting off from a relatively clean slate your one and only newspaper is going through some radical changes. A team of passionate and skillful writers, photographers and other creative people are ready to serve you fun, varied and interesting journalistic material for the next 10 months. I am also happy to inform you that MUWCI Times will be available in all Wada common rooms as well as in the AQ – in color! In this first edition we present you a holistic introduction to the life we live and what goes on around us; read for example Maria Victoria’s interpretation of the IB Student, Thembi’s guide to our own “metropolis” Pune or Christoph and Kevin’s creative introduction to new faculty, accompanied by the beautiful pictures of Karanjit Singh. Enjoy!
-Jeppe
THE IB LEARNER PROFILE
MARIA VICTORIA DESCRIBES THE ”IDEAL” MUWCI STUDENT By Maria Victoria Since for the next two years you will be working to obtain your IB diploma, and some of us will be presenting our IB exams this year, MUWCI times has decided to remind the community about the expectations set upon an IB student. As we know, the aim of all IB programs is to develop internationally-minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. IB learners strive to be: Inquirers They develop their natural curiosity, which covers many areas of interest such as science, politics, economics and human conduct, emphasizing in the many varieties of on and off campus interpersonal relationships and behaviors. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning using social networks or more commonly Wada to Wada or AQ common room exchange of data. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Knowledgeable They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. They incorporate these concepts in their daily life such as in the construction of profound courtyard comparisons of female anatomy with mathematical functions, human relationships with intermolecular bonding or JK Rowling’s teen magicians with personal life philosophies. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Open – minded They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking a communal environment trough methods of emotional contribution demonstrated by the sharing of objects such as coffee mugs, t-shirts and toothbrushes that if the interpersonal bonds allow it, may not require permission from the other party. Communicators They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. As in the process of decision-making using communication techniques that reach physical signals such as vigorous hand shaking during college meetings to express agreement or sometimes politically correct (or no so correct) eye contact to disagree in certain points of debate. Cultural influence is evidenced by the use of diplomatic international terminology such as theek hai, yeah-yeahs or vale in everyday conversations. Risk – Takers They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought such as moving half way around the world, starting IAs 24 hours before the deadline or eating Maggies from unknown sources in common rooms. They have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies such as planning celebrations of various themes and for various reasons including birthdays or half birthdays complemented with undergarment traditions.
Welcome to MUWCI.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FIRST YEAR GIRLS? by Rounak Maiti
The recent influx of hordes of female students on campus has led to much discussion amongst the second year students.
Abhijit Singh, 17, Chandigarh/Singapore: “80 new, young, naive girls. Yeyyyyeahhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Mati Jhurry, 18, Mauritius: “Give them 2 months, and they’ll all look ugly.”
William Picard, 17, France/Scotland/Madagascar/USA and Conner Roberts, 17, USA: “Hypothetically speaking, if all of them become friends, their menstrual cycles will synchronize, and for one week every month, every guy on campus is pretty much screwed.”
ur story starts in a black and white photograph: Simple, gray walls. There is nothing special about it, just something gloomy. Yet the image is so striking that you’ll notice a girl sitting crossed leg against an empty factory. Imagine yourself being an old wise tree watching her. She closes her eyes, it hurts like chewing a glass. The city of lights just becomes a distant memory to her, but that’s where she discovered her way of life: her language. It is pointless to move on now, but a new passion is born leaving the girl abandoning the place that has shaped her. It is the time of uncertainity when the world needs to change. Suddenly a figure gives her a company. He is Un Revolucionario. Remember, we are just an old wise tree observing as long as time would allow us. As the wind tears up the leaves, he embraces her a new view that will change her life forever. It is more than becoming mature or doing your own laundry for the very first time. They decide to set up a bubble arond themselves. It serves as a refuge against the cruelty of the outside world. But we tend to forget the reality, losing contact to the ground. Where losers are winners: a dictator climbs up. Suddenly there is no sanctuary anymore. Just an utter isolation and distance. The dictator invades their minds. It keeps them away from the actual threat: themselves. Their last resort is words. They burn like wild fires in the valley in a dry summer. These words rattle against the invincible force that infiltrates the order. The order needs to be guarded. Heroes always come at the end of the day, but there’s only one hero whose duty is not being acknowledged: a teacher. By Christoph and Kevin
♦ When you mix three different colours and shake them heavily one can only guess what the new mixture consists of. We have interviewed three new faculty members and put it together in an imaginative story. Thanks to our three interviewees:
Alix (24), French, Self Taught During High school she was known as an “over-achiever”. She left her home city Victoria (Canada) for Paris as an Au-Pair. She came back and went to University, developed her passion for language and opened her “horizon enormously”. She also met Oscar there, “Changed my life completely”. If she would have gotten accepted for UWC: ”Oh Shit!” (in a positive way) Douglas (33), English A2, History Born and raised in conservative Tennessee. Has experienced the “real world”: Got some jobs in restaurants, did a lot for his family. After he went to University in Oregon and studied philosophy there, he has been to Nepal and Cameroon travelling and working. His first contact with UWC was through Armand Hammer UWC. He enjoys big cultural contrasts as a great challenge: “UWC India and Swaziland would be suitable for me”. What kind of cocktails he likes: “Whiskey and beer” - plain, tough and even a bit traditional. Ainhoa (26), Spanish Comes from non-academical family in Zaragoza, Spain. Went to Pearson College, graduated there in 2003. She studied Spanish Literature at Salamanca University. In Spain she is known for her commitment for the National Committee. Her first impression of India: “Car drivers, they're crazy, shit, I'm gonna die!”. Which animal she would like to be on campus: A frog.
PUNE GUIDE: THE DO’S AND DON’TS By Thembi Do’s Get ripped off by a rickshaw driver (it’s a tradition). Buy a pair of Osho Slippers also known as Chatai Chappals, just for the hell of it. Visit the Bund Gardens, it’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of MUWCI. Also visit the many historical Wadas in Central Pune to see what a real Wada looks like. Buy vegetables and fruits at the stunning Mahatma Phule Mandai (Market) a grand traditional market. Comes alive at 5 a.m daily. If into music, buy your instruments at H.V Mehendale a 128 year old shop stocked with all sorts of stuff to “play” with. Want a real monument, experiment Shaniwarwada. It’s Pune’s most famous and perhaps most exquisite, take a look for yourself. Step in poop, either human, dog or a mixture of both, you just have to do it, Try to hop into a moving bus filled with
Don’ts at least 100 people, make sure you actually get in though. Try to speak Hindi to the drivers, they get annoyed and rip you off some more. Get into the Osho Resort, unless you’re into “physical” interaction. Swim in the dam running through the gardens, just don’t do it. Compare our Wadas to their Wadas ours don’t even come close. Buy food from Dorabjees. 1) it’s overpriced, and 2) the whole campus would eat it all within the next 24 hours. Come back to campus with your new instrument and start making noise for the rest of us (Please). Gawk at the many statues located all along MG Road. You’ll see them every single time you go to Pune. Step into a temple with shoes on, it’s major disrespect. Try to hop into a moving train at one of Pune’s railway stations simply because you could end up dead.
MUWCI: NOW AND THEN A PHOTOSERIES BY KARANJIT AND OSCAR
J
A FOOTBALL FROM KASHMIR By Momin Javed It was summer, a fairly warm Monday
‘Burn Hall School’ building, a school
could also be said. Wearing my black
building which had been gutted down to
tie and white shirt, I ran past an almost
ashes
fortified building which read “RADIO
Kashmir, a school building, some of
KASHMIR - SRINAGAR” in bold white
whose classrooms had been converted
letters. I was running because my
into an Indian military camp and a
school’s clock had always been a bit
school building which had suffered a
ahead than mine, which was one of the
bomb explosion less than a year ago. As
reasons why I usually ended up arriving
my teacher affirmed the request to enter
late, the other obvious reason being
the class, I stepped inside. Quickly, she
that I hated waking up early. It made a
stood up and wrote ’26 June, 2006’ on
sharp crisp sound as I stepped on the
the top left corner of the blackboard,
golden Chinar leaves fallen on the
which apart from reminding us about
pavement and the Indian paramilitary
the date also secretly meant “The day’s
camp towards my right was all covered
class work shall now begin.” My friend,
by them. Entangled with the barbed
Shadab was extraordinarily excited since
wires, stuck between the hanging wine
morning. “You know, I have got a
bottles and clustered inside the watch
surprise! Today’s lunch break will be
towers, these leaves made it all look
fun”, he said as we eagerly waited for
blazing. Across the camp’s high fence,
the lunch break to begin. Soon the bell
I saw a Kalashnikov pointing right at
proclaiming the beginning of the much
my face, as if staring at me since ages.
awaited lunch break rang, and we all
For me, mornings started in the same
rushed outside to see Shadab’s secret
manner, I witnessed the same view
unfold.
during
the
violent
years
of
outside my school every day.
Shadab, unlike me, was a boy of many
“Ma’am, may I come in?”, I asked,
sports, and his favourite among them
standing at the door with my school bag
was football. But the school authorities
on. My classroom – ‘Standard 7th,
didn’t issue us a football during lunch
Section A’ was on the second floor of the
break, their reason for the denial being
that the break was meant for lunch and
school ended and we wouldn’t argue
not football. Frustrated due to this
much about the ball with our seniors
denial, he decided to rescue his fellow
too because we were just in grade 7th.
football
lovers
forced
Thus, with a sad face, we went back to
misery.
So
resources
class and the class work resumed.
available, he had made a football sized
Later, in the evening, someone pointed
object, round enough to be kicked, by
out towards the window of our class
crushing layers of old newspaper one
and
over the other and then finally covering
deployment on the road outside our
the whole round ball of crushed paper
school. On an average day, there would
with a tape, so that it could bear our
be a substantial amount of military
kicks. As he walked out of the class,
deployment on the road for the security
proudly holding this new invention in
of the cricket stadium right across the
his hand, we all went along and
road. The cricket stadium was highly
assembled in the basketball court for
secured not because the stadium had
the game to begin. Yes, we played
once
football on the basketball court. It
meant for playing cricket but because
wasn’t that there was no other space to
the stadium now functioned as an
play, in fact there was plenty, but this
Indian military camp. But that day the
was just our way of playing, the ‘cool’
deployment was huge, almost thrice
way.
the usual number. Military vehicles
As the game progressed, this new
suddenly blocked the two ends of the
invention caught the eye of our seniors,
road and armed personnel could be
an invention they wanted to play with
seen running from one end to the
too. So, when the lunch break was
other. From what we could see from
about to end, one of them came to us
our class window, we could make out
to practice a few shoots with this
that something was seriously wrong.
football. But the final shoot he made
Almost a year ago, there was a huge
was so long that the ball landed
IED
outside the school fence, lost, because
stadium/paramilitary
the school guard won’t allow us to step
which all the window panes of our
outside
school
school building were made to dust, the
hours to get the ball back. So, it would
ceiling fans and lighting were put to
lie outside our school campus till the
ground and our school’s rectangular
the
out using
campus
of the
this
during
we
noticed
been
an
explosion
a
huge
international
outside
the
camp
military
venue
cricket due
to
iron gate was made into a sphere.
was
Memories of that day were refreshed in
polythene bag and found a football.
our minds due to the scenes outside
Traffic on the route was later resumed.
and the situation grew tenser. As the
Last year, a car bomb blast in the
school got over, we quickly left for
same area killed three troopers and
home, wandering what had happened.
injured several others.
The next day, Shadab was even more
Shadab was excited because his simple
excited than he was the previous day.
homemade
In his hand, was the day’s newspaper,
unintentionally made it to the front
the front page of which read :
page of a leading english daily.
Srinagar, June 26: Panic gripped high
That day I understood that, since that
security
an
football was made by Kashmiri hands,
unclaimed article in a polythene bag
it was actually treated like a Kashmiri
was found near the boundary wall of a
football. It was looked upon with the
school,
Sher-e-
same suspicion as a common Kashmiri
Kashmir cricket stadium. Traffic on this
is looked upon, a suspicion of being
important route was suspended and all
harmful, a suspicion of trying to create
vehicles parked in the area taken to
trouble, a suspicion of trying to destroy
safer places. A large number of security
one’s own land, a suspicion which I
and police personnel cordoned off the
absolutely fail to understand.
entire area and school management
Momin Javed
Sonawar
just
area
opposite
when
the
summoned
who
paper
opened
football
the
had
was directed to keep the students inside. Later a bomb disposal squad
(12-08-11)
* The news article mentioned in the story was published in ‘Greater Kashmir’ on 27 June, 2006 http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2006/Jun/27/football-bomb-causes-panic-18.asp