Little did I know that what started off as a Model UN would one day reach 220 cities and 35 countries and catapult into a public affairs platform that is a Movement to Unite Nations. With annual I.I.M.U.N. conferences in over 108+ cities and 22+ countries, the credit for whatever little we have achieved goes to the 26,000+ students who have altruistically worked and the 7,000+ students who currently volunteer with the organisation - making I.I.M.U.N. - the world’s largest youth-run non-profit organisation. Through thirty-week I.I.M.U.N. Clubs being established in schools, literature festivals, leadership tours, offline and online series, social impact projects on a gargantuan scale, and more so with doing annual 3-day events across the globe, I.I.M.U.N. has in its own way become the catalyst for spreading awareness on a host of issues that are central to building conscientious global citizens spreading Indian thought. Take, for example, Model United Nations, an elitist anglicized concept restricted to only 19 schools.
It has spread to over 1,00,000+ schools across the country, all wearing Indian clothes, simulating Indian committees and debating constructs through purva-paksha without even knowing that they are doing the same! The best part about being youth-run and having only those below 22 years of age is that the team’s naivety allows us to remain pure in purpose and maintain an ubiquitously low profile. What, however, I am most proud about is the numerous elected members of government, authors, lawyers and civil servants that the organisation has managed to produce from the ranks of those who once worked and participated at I.I.M.U.N.
In a world with increasing fissiparous tendencies, the effectiveness of global institutions such as the United Nations is fast diminishing, and a new geo-political order is on the rise. For far too long, have nations, for their own self-interest, strong-armed others. I believe that in a world where some nations are proud of being superpowers, India possesses the knowledge to being the friend and guide to unite the world. Working with the youth remains my biggest source of inspiration, and in them, I see our best hope. For the 14th year and beyond, my vision is certain- one day, with your blessings and support- we will truly create a network of ‘Indian thought’ leaders across the world that will truly unite the world!
