Paragana '08 - The Story Behind the Scenes

Well, it all began on the day when we became the council. The day when our destinies were charted. When we were handed over the mantle of organizing the most coveted of the B School fests - Paragana '08.

From the time we embarked on this journey we were advised to put it through, in a 5 star. Something we always had in mind when we were the juniors even last year. To make it grand, to have speakers of a cadre which would bring students in on their own. No force to be put up. It was all supposed to be immaculate, properly planned and professionally managed. A show put up so as to shame even the best event management groups. None of us though at that time could predict how it would actually be. What all we would face and the repercussions that would follow.

The last few days though make it seem like "Alls well, that ends well". Undoubtedly the show put up on the 15th and the events that followed it up seemed like a dream come true. Today I can proudly say that we were trained. Trained by our seniors, trained by our work, our abilities, our experience, our surroundings. Support was something that was never less from the day we embarked on this journey. From the management - aka - Dean, to the juniors, there was nothing more expected apart except for the senior batch being sad.

Day -2

The tension creeps in, are the things sorted?? NO is the answer. We rush to Hyatt for a negotiation on the liquor to the equipment and the costing and the numbers are finally into place. All the various logistical requirements are clarified. We learn what we get and what we dont. At the same time, the printing expenses keep piling and there is suddenly a need for extra T Shirts. A heavy price we paid for ordering less in the first place when the designs were done long. But cant blame, the finances wouldnt have supported at all. It was really very sad when the banners were not to be ready before friday night. The council is a war room, phones ringing, people shouting and jumping on the top of each other and around the countless chairs and bags around. The participants are to come in tomorrow and we need a decent reliable place for them. The boys are as usual sorted by Jani, but when it comes to the heavenly pain - S.M. the hostel is always full and not for guests. Other options are explored and confirmed. The events team though is a little lax in giving the final numbers, has done a wonderful job in placement and selection of events. Huge response from all across the country is to see some 52 teams coming on campus, the maximum ever heard of. The scene for liquor might just get sorted when there is another problem of sending across the proper bytes on TV, Radio and through the news print. The speakers have not yet confirmed their travel iteniary nor have a few slots of speakers been still filled. The musical night is finally , "finally confirmed" and thankfully no hit at the pocket here. Tension is palpable as we have the seniors meeting. People are not registering, what if there is no one in the hall that day?? What if the halls are empty and instead of the expected 700 only 300 turn up? What if .... and so it goes. Decisions are taken as, how to tackle the issue and how to address the growing concern of the attendance. Finally it is upon the HODs and the pleas that we can make to student community movers. The juniors are told to clear up the mess and get ready for the kill the next day. Decorations are decided and lighting is to be put up.

Day -1
There is a tinge of panic, people are rushing to meet the timelines, we hear that the dockets wouldnt be ready till 4am and they would have to be made thereafter. The photo copy material is yet to be given, rather finallised and its only after really restrained shouting that its ready and goes in for the copy making. When he realises he is short of paper. Again, there is a need for pads and pens for the next day and he blasts us off for coming at this short notice. But thankfully there is sir to the rescue and he helps the maximum he can with all our requirements for the next two days. Something that we would need. From decoration material to chart material all is brought and stored. The dockets are to be made at night and the renowned assembly line concept to be practically employed. The admin staff has never been so nice and so helpful, but today they accept everything we tell them. All our requirements are fullfilled and met with. From LCD projectors to screens, from cars to buses to bouquets, we are helped through the way. The walkies are also finally done. Then there is the final meeting of who is to do what and how. The final call is given to all volunteers and the numbers counted and fixed. It is now decided as to who would be in charge in the morning and would bring what all from campus. The food is served and once all are well fed, work begins again. Its already past 10pm and there is no hint of any loss of energy. The team is ready to begin the packing of dockets sans the dockets which are to come in the morning.
Its 11pm and we get the idea that the residences booked are unsafe. We take the remaining to safer grounds and make plans for the next day. An alarming fact of the absence of registration sheets is brought to fore and tackled by calling up responsible chaps and making them convey the names and the numbers. By 1am the lists are still being compiled. The docket material is ready to be put inside the dockets when they arrive.
2 am and most of the juniors are forced to go home and get some sleep to be ready for the next day. There is still no way a truck to carry the 12ft X18ft banner can be found. As we go get some refreshments for the remaining team, there is another couplet which goes in search of a truck. Finally the sound system is also being put in place at Hyatt and so also is the banner being finally taken care of as it is 3am. There are 10 of the team going to be awake and on duty for more than 24 hours now. Its certain that there is no respite to anyone. No one would be spared and work once taken would have to be completed before anyone can even think of the sack. Lists and coupons are finally printed as we push off to get the dockets at 4am. A little morning snack does us good as we return with some snacks for the chaps in the college and have some people woken up for docket filling. The team now gets to work in the quad and is ready with all 800 files by the time the first of the cars come in. The car is loaded and pushed off. Its already 6.30am. The second car is taken and the chaps are asked to push off and reach Hyatt by 8am. The cars also are then by 8am and well... hello.............

Its D Day ...
For many like us, there was no night and hence no difference between day and night. The final backdrop in Hyatt was also put up no earlier than 6.30am thus giving those people, only enough time so as to rush home get ready and report to duty. Things worked with and without precision. The students were coming in and reporting. The materials sans one thing was brought in. The numerous rounds that the qualis did was really helpful as it helped in getting all the stuff across and also the volunteers could do proper checks.

With only 400 odd people having come by 9.30am, the 3rd partition was done and the dignitaries kept occupied by our beloved dean and the pro VC. As the programme began, there came in an entire batch of over 100 students who unfortunately were taken to the wrong hotel. It was sad, that they came late as they were to miss the session. The session got delayed, delaying and shortening the tea break. The students were now happy to hear our speakers and the major tension of lunch time management was put in place. There was a quick meeting of all the volunteers and new directives were given so as to prevent any further mis-management. The lunch time saw loads of people trying to leave and having to be stopped. The logistics team was wonderful as it stopped and prevented a large escapade. The sessions were split and the tea break also saw a lot of squandering of the people wanting to take photographs etc etc. Finally when they were all in for the final panel discussion and when the valedictory guest had arrived, it was all so nice. The valedictory started just as the panel discussion ended and that was nearly the end of a long and tiring journey for all of us.

The end saw a sweet photo session and a meeting with 'Team Paragana'.The invitation to the corporate dinner was conveyed to the team and there was a lot of fun in the air. The morning had also seen the hostel placement dealt with and hence, now there was no tension. The liquor and hotel still created issues, but DP had her charm working and the corporate dinner was on.

For all there, including the beloved sandy, it was just wonderful. It was just the feeling of release. The feeling that now we have done what we were to do. Though the end was no where near, it still seemed like an end of a major event. A major relief. Usually relief material is supplied to floodhit areas. Why then relief here..?? This saw a different kind of flooding and well, the night was undoubtedly a memorable one. The morning next was really very very late and it didnt matter much for, the team here was different from the team there.

Lastly, it was a memorable experience and amongst the best times that I have ever had after any event organised till date.

Love u Team Paragana...