Volume 2

The Cursor
Volume II
Page 02
Page 06
Page 10
Page 11
- Thapar MUN Intra FAQ’s
- How 2020 Agricultural Reforms
are a watershed moment for India
- Trending on the Internet
- Testimonials
Date of Issue:
03 / 10 / 2020

THAPAR MUN INTRA 2020
FAQ’s:
Q1. What is Thapar MUN Intra ?
A1. Thapar MUN Intra is a platform for all students of TIET from any year to participate in a 2
day long conference of debating where skills of diplomacy, critical thinking, public speaking and
researching are shown and improved.
Q2. Who can apply for Thapar MUN Intra 2020? Can students from Derabassi campus apply as
well?
A2. Every student who is a part of Thapar Institute can apply for Thapar MUN Intra 2020. This
includes students from every year and both campuses. Therefore, yes, students from Derabassi
campus are encouraged to join the conference as well.
Q3. How will Thapar MUN Intra 2020 take place during this pandemic?
A3. Usually, the conference is organized at TIET Patiala campus in person, and is a 2 day long
conference. But due to the current extraordinary circumstances, the conference, this year, will take
place in online mode.
Q4. When will Thapar MUN Intra 2020 be held?
A4. Thapar MUN Intra will be held on 31st October - 1st November, 2020.
Q5. Where can I register for this conference?
A5. The delegate applications are out now and can be found below. Keep in mind, the allotments
will happen on a first come first serve basis, so it is advised that students should fill the form
immediately.
Delegate Applications:
https://bit.ly/ThaparIntraMUN2020
2

Q6. What are the committees and agendas for Thapar MUN Intra 2020?
A6. The following committees will be simulated in Thapar MUN Intra 2020:-
• United Nations General Assembly- DISEC: Prevention of armed conflicts with special
emphasis on illegal trade tracks and use of arms through governmental channels or private
military contractors.
• United Nations Human Rights Council: Suggesting measures to counter toxic narratives
against refugees and migrants with special emphasis on South East Asia.
• All India Political Parties Meet: Reviewing and analysing the economic policies of the NDA
government with special emphasis on the current economic situation.
• UNSC-Counter Terrorism Committee: Discussing parameters of pre-emptive self defence as
a counter-terrorism strategy.
• Committee X (Continuous Crisis Committee): Classified.
Q7. What is Committee X?
A7. Committee X is a continuous crisis committee where almost nothing is known about the
committee prior to the conference. The agenda is released just a few days before the conference.
Continuous updates are given within the committee about the situation in hand. Participants are
expected to come with arguments and plans of action on the spot. The committee provides an
opportunity for enhancement of critical thinking skills to the delegates thereby intensifying their
decision making ability.
Q8. I am participating in a MUN for the first time. How do I proceed with it?
A8. All the first timers are highly encouraged to participate in Thapar MUN Intra 2020 to get the
experience of a lifetime. Any doubts regarding the form can be asked from the Delegate Affairs
team whose contact information has been mentioned in the form itself. Once you have registered
for the conference, Thapar MUN Society will host workshops for you where you will get familiar
with the procedures of a MUN, the workings of every committee, the research procedure and all
your doubts will be taken up individually to give you the best experience at the conference.
Q9. If I do not want to take part in the debate, can I still be a part of Thapar MUN
Intra 2020?
A9. Yes, for students who want to get the experience of a MUN without
indulging in debate, Thapar MUN Society simulates the International
Press (IP) for them. In the IP, one can be a reporter or caricaturist
during the conference and covers the committees taking place.
International Press Applications:
https://bit.ly/ThaparIntraMUN2020IP
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SAMVAAD
Currently, Dr. Akhilesh Suman hosts a daily
show - ‘Indian Standard Time’ on Rajya Sabha
TV where he converses with Global thinkers.
His main areas of work include analysing and
reporting on foreign affairs and political issues.
Besides, he is one of the founding members of
Rajya Sabha TV and has worked there for the past
10 years. He has actively covered and reported the
general elections and state legislative elections in
India for about 20 years.
“Once while going through a Maoist dominated
area, we lost our way. It was midnight and my
cameraman was scared of being abducted by the
Naxalites. I said, don’t worry, if Maoists arrive
we will interview them. Because that’s what we
journalists do.” - Dr. Akhilesh Suman
In this era when misleading information is
advancing rapidly across communities and the
world politics and international relations are
dynamically changing, Thapar MUN Society
took steps ahead to help the citizens embody
knowledge regarding the current changing
world and organized a webinar - ‘Samvaad’
that was presided over by Dr Akhilesh Suman,
Editor, Foreign Affairs, Rajya Sabha TV.
Dr. Suman’s address to the audience was
centered around discussing the changing
dynamics of the world with an emphasis on
the realm of international diplomacy and its
impact on India. The session initiated with Dr.
Suman answering all the general interrogations
regarding international relations and
diplomacy. ‘Samvaad’ witnessed
tremendous participation of
more than 300 attendees,
who raised specific
queries during the
session that were
duly resolved
by Dr. Akhilesh
Suman.
The audience got some captivating insights into
the life of a man who went toe-to-toe with the
universal tilt towards the English language and
became the first Hindi journalist to win the
prestigious Chevening Scholarship.
The webinar ‘Samvaad’ ended with Dr. Suman’s
parting words, encouraging the youth to
participate in the development of the nation and
thus contribute towards its upliftment on a global
stage. Dr. Gurvinder Kaur, President, Thapar
MUN Society extended profound indebtedness
and gratitude to Dr. Suman for his presence and
imparting the audience with his invigorating
words.
4

SOCIETY FAIR
Thapar MUN society, with the sole motive of
introducing the culture of MUNs, has always
shown a keen participation in the annual society
fair, aimed at enlightening newcomers in our
college to the various societies present in TIET.
This year’s Society Fair, organized by FROSH as a
part of its events for freshers, witnessed an active
participation of Thapar MUN Society. Given
the circumstances of COVID-19, the fair was
conducted in a virtual mode at Zoom platform.
Each society/club/chapter had its individual
zoom session link and the first-year students
were provided with these links and could join the
session of societies as per their convenience.
Thapar MUN Society followed a similar
approach and the Secretariat interacted with
the first-year students. Various members of the
Secretariat introduced the society, it’s vision
and the flagship events that we have been
organizing for the past 10 years. Beginning
with a prefatory video, students were welcomed
with warm greetings followed by an engrossing
presentation which not only explained the
capabilities and functionality of our
society but also provided the new
students with a perspective
on the development
of expertise in
public speaking,
enhancement of
interactive skills,
etc.
The concept of MUN was briefed to students
that involved making them acquainted to various
United Nations bodies that work towards the
welfare and peace of citizens of its member
nations. Queries related to simulation of these
bodies were also entertained.
Thapar MUN Society also took this extraordinary
moment to proudly announce Thapar MUN Intra
2020 conference that will be held on 31st October
- 1st November, 2020. The Secretariat members
delivered an introduction of all the 5 committees
that will be simulated at Thapar MUN Intra 2020.
The Secretariat also proudly released the Delegate
Application forms.
The society fair proved to be one of the most
important events in the light of interaction with
the first year students and served the purpose of
making them acquainted with various societies
and their events. Thapar MUN Society provided a
rudimentary exposure to the freshers and ensured
that they acquire the fundamental guidance
imperative for debate, deliberation, and beyond.
5

How 2020 Agricultural reforms are a
watershed moment for India
- Srajan Dixit
As Winston Churchill said:- “Never let a good
crisis go to waste”. On June 5, the Modi-led
government had notified three ordinances as
a response to the Covid-19 crisis. These were:-
an amendment to Essential Commodities Act,
1955; Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection)
Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services
Ordinance, 2020 and Farmers’ Produce Trade
and Commerce(Promotion and Facilitation)
Ordinance, 2020. Later in September, the
Parliament passed the three ordinances.
The farmer has been the busiest business entity
of this country. In 1991, the industries gained
independence from the License-Quota Raj.
However, the poor Indian farmer is yet to be
emancipated. The farmers have been a victim
of India’s political system, which has left them
out from the waves of reforms. There is a vested
interest among the politicians, bureaucrats and
traders to keep the broken system intact.
The ECA dates back to the period when the
GoI made rules regarding production and
distribution of Agro-commodities under the
Defence of India Act, 1939 during World
War II. However, after independence, these
provisions were included in the Essential
Commodities Act,1955. But the law was so
Draconian that two constitutional amendments
had to be passed. Parliament took the power to
regulate essential commodities by inserting a
new entry in the Concurrent List (Entry 33, List
III, Schedule VII).
The government has regularly misused the
ECA to regulate prices and stock of agricultural
commodities. This led to a Raid Raj where
traders with slightly higher stock were raided and
arrested. ECA is further responsible for creating
uncertainty in the markets. From 2014-19, export
rules for onion and rice were changed 17 and 14
times, respectively. In June 2014, the West Bengal
government instructed traders to sell potatoes at
below-market prices using the law.
The amendment reduces the power of the state
and central government to regulate stock limits
and price limits etc. on a commodity and also
limits the commodities where such limits could
be enforced. These limits can only be enforced in
case of an emergency, war, famine, etc. The second
is that the state can impose the regulations based
on price rise at a certain rate. This amendment
aims to prevent unpredictability and interference
in the market, along with providing relief to
traders from stock limits.
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and
Commerce(Promotion and Facilitation) Act,2020
ended the monopsony of the Agricultural
Produce Market Committee(APMC) over the
farmers. This has empowered the farmers to sell
their produce outside his districts’ APMC. They
can now eye markets of adjoining states and
districts. This allows the farmer to grow as an
entrepreneur.
6

consumers or companies only through a licenced
trader. This law has bypassed this middleman.
From now on, any farmer can enter into a contract
with a person or company to sell his produce. The
ordinance states that APMC market laws will only
apply in the physical space of the market. The
transactions made outside the physical markets
aren’t subjected to taxes associated with APMC.
These APMCs are responsible for the enslavement
of the poor farmers of India, who are at the mercy
of the cartel of Mandi and Licensed Buyers. This
law prohibits a farmer from selling his produce to
the next APMC in the neighbouring district, even
if it is nearer. APMCs put pre-Zollverein German
confederation trade to shame. The farmer couldn’t
even choose his buyer or customer. The farmer
can’t even sell his produce to the next district, let
alone another state or a company. Some states
allow farmers to sell to licenced buyers without
bringing the produce to the APMC market. This
resulted in traders forming cartels in these APMC
markets and offering low prices to farmers.
The difference between the price that farmers
get for their produce and what consumers pay
is called the farm-to-fork mark-up. As per a
Times of India report, this may be as high as 65
percent for India, compared to 10 percent for
Nordic countries and 25 percent for Indonesia.
This law removes the lack of competition in
the trader market. It doesn’t end the APMCs
altogether, but they have to compete with
other buyers to provide better prices. This
also restores the MSP’s original purpose of
setting a minimum price in the market with
others requiring to compete for higher prices.
It empowers the farmer to negotiate prices and
sell his produce in a market as per his wishes.
The Farmers (Empowerment and
Protection) Agreement on Price
Assurance and Farm Services
Act,2020 provides a
framework for
contract farming.
Farmers earlier
could only sell
their produce to
This law allows the farmer to make deals with
processors or restaurants to supply a certain
quantity or quality of produce for a specific time.
This allows the farmer to secure a customer
before harvesting his produce, unlike the earlier
cases where the farmer didn’t have any assurance
of a buyer.
The amendment in ECA will give relief to large
organizations, which will do more contract
farming without worrying about the stock limits.
This would cause a growth of silos which will
give him a greater time to sell his produce. It will
also allow small traders to expand their business.
These reforms are important to create a national
market for agricultural commodities.
However, our politicians only wake up when a
big crisis is at the doorstep. In the 1990s, it was
humiliating to see our gold being airlifted to
the Swiss banks so that India could avert a loan
default. This resulted in the liberalization of our
economy. Today we are reaping the benefits of
those reforms.
The unlucky farmer was still the vassal of the old
regime. The government brought these reforms
as a part of the steps to tackle the COVID-crisis.
There’s a long way to go to improve the lives of
farmers. These reforms are a big step towards that
goal.
7

Medicine: Pros and Cons
- Ridhi Saini
“Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability.”-William Osler
With a population of 7.8 billion, N number of health complications and diseases are reported to the
hospital all over the world. Take an example of the ongoing situation. Who knew we would have to
deal with a tiny but severely dangerous virus?
According to the internet, a human body is host to 100 trillion microbes, both good and bad. Our
immune system decides whether it can fight the bad microbes that our body is vulnerable to. With
the rise in diseases and other health issues, the best miracle in the medical field were medicines.
Medicines were invented 60,000 years ago, and ever since they’ve helped our kind to survive and stay
fit.
There are many medicinal plants in nature with excellent health benefits. Man-made drugs have also
proven to be absolutely healing. All the medicinal plants and drugs have different effects on different
populations. This is the main reason behind providing patients with medicine which is prescribed by
the doctors. The patients are also told the exact quantities those medicines should be taken in. The
specification of quantity is very important and a patient must follow it for its own benefit.
For many years, certain drugs and medicinal plants have been exploited by us for the wrong reasons,
especially by the youth. The intake of drugs and weed has been alarming throughout the world.
They are taken in dangerous amounts which can lead to death.
Drugs are mainly consumed by people out of curiosity, to fit in society, to relax and escape reality,
and sometimes due to peer pressure. If one does not control their drug consumption, it can turn into
an addiction. Drug addiction has dangerous side effects on health, both mentally and physically.
One can lose their patience and consciousness if they consume it on a regular basis.
Strict measures are taken by the government but drug addiction still continues to be an issue
in every country. Many peddlers and people belonging to the addicted pollution are sent to
rehabilitation centers where they get proper treatment to overcome their addiction.
Awareness of drug abuse should be spread among the youth from school years
for them to know the aftermath of prolonged or excessive use. The more
aware they are, the more they can help in stopping this crime. They
should know that there is more to youth than drug abuse.
Our health and future is in our hands, and we must strive
to make the best of them.
8

A Game in times of a Pandemic
- Muskaan Walia & Tanishka Garg
The world watched the return of Andy Murray with
anticipation but was left disappointed with his secondround
defeat to the Canadian rising star Felix Auger
Aliassime. With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both
opting out of the tournament and Murray out of the
way, the roads were clear for Novak Djokovic to claim
the final prize. Even so, the fourth round exit of the
Serb left the whole world gasping. After dropping
serve to trail 5-6 in the first set against Pablo Carreno
Busta, Djokovic hit a ball that unintentionally struck
a lineswoman in the throat which led to him being
defaulted from the tournament.
As the Coronavirus held the world in its clutches,
its grip on the Sports fraternity was rather tight. All
the tournaments be it regional or international were
getting cancelled at the drop of a hat. The tennis
championships were no different. The French Open
was delayed to Mid-September and the entire clay and
grass court seasons were wiped out. The Wimbledon
Championships scheduled for June 29- July 12 was
cancelled for the first time since World War ll.
However, as the mammoth cloud of the COVID
terror started to drift from the state of New York,
the United State Tennis Association (USTA) went
ahead with its original schedule for the US Open
2020.
Due to concerns of public safety, it was decided that
the event would take place without spectators for
the first time in the tournament’s history, and the
first time in all the Grand Slam tournaments’ 143
year history. All the players entering the United
States didn’t need to get quarantined but had to
get tested for the virus before leaving and had to
continue being tested throughout the tournament.
As the tournament began, the 6-month deficit of
professional tennis was evident in the initial
round but the players soon found their
rhythms again. Sumit Nagal became the
first Indian in 7 years to enter the
second round of the Grand
Slam singles event. Nagal
fought through to
the very end, but
a volley that sailed
long-handed, gave
Thiem the victory.
With the Big 4 all out of contention, the world of
Tennis was finally ready for a new champion and
it found one in Dominic Thiem after he defeated
Alexander Zverev in a nail-biting five-setter. Thiem
became the first player born in the 90s to win a Grand
Slam. In a sport that has been dominated by the Big
4 over the past decade and a half, the Austrian’s feat
takes on even greater weight.
In the Ladies Singles event, the crowd favourite
Serena Willams lost to Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals.
However, Naomi Osaka upset the former world
number 1 to win a third Grand Slam title in 3 sets where
the 2 produced a dazzling display of shot-making.
Osaka’s victory this time was very well received from
the spectators, in stark comparison from the one in
2018 against Serena Williams. Despite the drama, the
event was quite a success. The COVID protocols did
create barriers for the spectators but the level of tennis
was spectacular. And with the French Open already
underway, tennis is finally back from the dark!
9

Trending on the Internet
- Aditya Gupta & Parth Gilotra
10

TESTIMONIALS
“MUNs helped me to overcome Stage
Fright...”
Since the day I joined University, I have aimed to
make the best of the opportunities that come my
way. As a first-timer to MUN in my freshman year,
my effort helped me overcome my stage fright.
Enthusiastic participation helped me inculcate
diplomacy in my professional interactions and
catered to the overall soft skill development. The
comradery that we enjoyed in the Thapar MUN
Secretariat has provided us with the memories to
be cherished in the future! From protest Slogans
in meetings to the After-movie at the closing
ceremony, have helped me witness this endeavor
at its best.
Abhishek Duggal
Interned at Hevo data
Incoming FTE at Deloitte
Batch of 2021
“MUNs helped me for the interviews...”
MUNs prepare you subconsciously for any
interview scenario that you may face in your life.
It upgrades your skills of thought, analysis and
implementation in varied situations. MUNs are
a great way to understand how research, analysis
and lobbying help generate a collective thought
process. These are the things that GDs always
look for.Thapar MUN Society takes it a step
further, it’s not just MUNs here, it’s also the people
that force you to source, think and understand
information better each day. It teaches you how
to act in a more inclusive and wholesome way.
The best part is you’ll never know you are
learning while creating memories of
a lifetime organizing the best
MUNs in the region!
Jaskirat Singh Lamba
Incoming Analyst,
Goldman Sachs
Batch of 2021.
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“MUNs made me a better version of
myself...”
The time that I spent while being in Secretariat
has left a great impact on me. It not only
forms a major chunk of all my happiest college
memories but also made me a better person for
tomorrow. Along with the fun, it has been a great
learning experience as well as it made me more
punctual, boosted my confidence and taught
me the value of diligence. Working in a team of
peers or working with the juniors although a bit
challenging initially has helped me greatly to not
only become a better team player but also a better
leader. Thapar MUN experience didn’t though
directly helped me in the job preparation but the
attitude that I developed in the past two years
mainly under being a member of Secretariat
proved to be of great use in every interview. Now
that if you ask me what was the best thing in
this whole experience my answer would be the
helpful seniors, great friends and lovely juniors.
Utkarsh Kalia
Incoming SDE,
Amadeus Labs
Batch of 2021.
“MUNs prepare you mentally for time
ahead...”
Model UNs, contrary to popular opinion are
more than mere competitions to make quick
cash and short-lived fame on campus. The values
attainable from the platform itself have farreaching
consequences, the three pillars mainly
being Research, Debate, and Diplomacy. People
have multiple approaches to an MUN, banking on
one or more of these pillars to present themselves
to a committee of individuals often equivalent
to a well-mannered dog fight. These skills help
not only steer the debate in a favorable direction
but your career trajectory as well. The added
privilege of being a member of the secretariat is
the camaraderie, friendships, and memories you
develop on the way to organizing quality events for
your college peers, along with gaining the ability
to handle immense pressure as an organizer and
a well-informed delegate when it comes D-Day.
This is what Thapar Model UN Society instills
into its members at its core; and how it mentally
prepares, at the same time as giving you the time
of your life.
Pratyaksh Verma
Incoming Analytics Associate
ZS Associates
Batch of 2021
12

Contact Us:
Yash Tyagi: 6283029150
Yugum Chaudhary: 9818097670
munsociety@thapar.edu
@thaparmunsociety
@thaparmunsociety
@thapar-mun-society
@thaparMUN
https://thaparmunsociety.in/
Compiled By:
Nirmiti Mittal, Rhea Gadoo,
Simran Kaur, Muskaan Garg &
Suvrat Arora
Designed By:
Muskaan Walia