Ananya Muralidhar

This fest generated more participation than ever seen before, drawing over 500 participants, accommodating students and dignitaries from diverse backgrounds, including Padmashri (India’s 4th highest civilian honor) awardee Dr. Sharada Srinivasan to inaugurate the proceedings.

 

Throughout this event, I turned my disadvantages into an advantage.

 

Despite being short-staffed by over 70%. I used the opportunity of having to liaise between fewer members to build a closer bond with my team. I actively involved in each and every function ranging from sponsorship and marketing to design, allowing me to carefully assess the strengths and weaknesses of individual team members, and strategically delegate tasks based on their skill sets.

 

I did not let the stringent budget deter me. In turn I honed my negotiation skills, judiciously allocated funds and crafted compelling sponsorship proposals to ensure top-notch event quality throughout the fest.

 

I worked closely with my vice-chair and relevant faculty members to conceptualize numerous events. These ideas were shared with our team, and after extensive discussions and refinements, they were finalized.

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For each event, we meticulously crafted the syllabus, structured the program, and planned all logistical aspects. This included selecting venues, determining schedules, organizing hospitality, ensuring safety measures, upholding decorum, securing sponsorships, and implementing effective publicity strategies.

 

We also successfully brought in key industry professionals at the forefront of their fields as guest speakers and judges for the various events and hands on workshops.

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Some events necessitated extensive coordination, especially those involving inter-college participation, while others were more straightforward in terms of logistical needs. Each event had its unique set of challenges and opportunities. I ensured that the events were not only educational but also enjoyable, making them fun for the participating students. Events ranged from beginner to advanced, catering to students of any skill level or experience.

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I used my foresight to evaluate the potential risks and devise effective contingency plans to account for unforeseen circumstances. This allowed for the smooth functioning of the fest despite the repeated obstacles.

 

There were moments where I felt I had bit off more than I could chew, but my tenacity helped me achieve targets beyond my expectations. I not only motivated myself but my team as well during times of adversity by setting an example and inspiring them to achieve our collective objective.

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Our endeavors did not go unnoticed. The faculty recognized that these events were pioneering and had never before yielded such fruitful outcomes. I've always been my toughest critic, setting high benchmarks for myself. Surpassing even those during this event solidified my belief in my relentless drive and determination. This unwavering commitment was recognized when I received the Chapter Leadership Award, and further acknowledgment came from the IEEE Bangalore section for the outstanding quality of the fest, especially meaningful given our constraints and tight timelines.