One of my favourite books that he wrote was The Girl With the Blue Umbrella. The story begins in the hills of Garhwal, lying in the Himalayas, where a girl called Binya goes searching for her family’s cows. There, she meets an English lady who wants her leopard claw pendant. Binya is unwilling as the pendant was given by her father, who recently passed away. She then finally trades the pendant for a bright blue silk umbrella. Belonging to a small village, the umbrella soon becomes famous and envied by many. Soon, the shopkeeper of the village’s shop starts to envy the umbrella, and he sends one of his staff to go and steal the umbrella. The employee steals it and tries to run, but Binya’s brother, Bijju, catches the thief. 

The story soon becomes known around the village, so no one starts to visit the shop. Soon, Binya feels sorry for the shopkeeper and thinks that she started to value the umbrella over people, so she gives the umbrella to the shopkeeper as a gift. The shopkeeper becomes very fond of Binya and gives her a locket of a bear’s claw (which is supposed to be very lucky) as a gift in return. Their relationship eventually becomes stronger, and both of them become best of friends. 

This is a great book, and I would recommend everyone to read it regardless of your age. I hope you enjoy reading this book.

As a first-time delegate in the MUN, I had a wonderful experience. From eating with my friends to watching other delegates gamble all their tokens away, it was an amazing lesson that taught me that MUNs weren’t just “nerdy” and highly intellectual events; they were also a time to make new friends from other schools and, more importantly, have fun. Now, as I reflect on my 2 days, I realize that I have learned 2 main things.

Firstly, collaboration is key. From forming blocs to writing resolutions, everything required collaboration. Without collaborating, our resolutions would have been broken up and jumbled. Being an active listener is important as well; to make people hear and respect your points, you will have to do so as well.

Secondly, have fun! MUN is often thought of as a serious and nerdy event, but I discovered that it’s equally about enjoyment and engagement. From trolling our chairs to gambling, all of it gave us a sense of happiness. So remember to chill out and have fun in your next MUN; it’s not always about the awards but more about the fun and joyful moments you create.

In conclusion, ISLMUN taught me the importance of collaboration and enjoying the experience. Beyond awards and speeches, I will always cherish and remember the friendships and fun moments I’ve had.