Why you should participate in Forums and Associations?

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi

Ask anybody - why don’t you participate in the meetings of the social organisation? They come out with 1001 reasons why they are not participating in the social gatherings. It is an universal truth-few people participate in such activities, so it is not new to the Bishnupriya Manipuri community. At the outset, I bite the bullet of their ignorance - what they are missing from the perspective of their development. They are missing the opportunity that other people will happily pay for it. Anyway, going straight to the topic - what an individual could gain while participating in such activities.

I would say I had the same belief couple of years back till I passed out from the Gauhati University. I was in those group who brusque aside any sort of attachment with social, cultural or political organizations or forums. The turning point came, though to my credit in my whole school life, I had only two certificates - one certifying that I have passed class 10 and another that I have successfully cleared class 12, when in the middle of the tenure in the university I filled in the Press Trust of India (PTI) Recruitment Form for the post of Sub-editor/ Reporter, jobs that I could try it for.

While filling in the Form, which was lengthy and self-explanatory, I come to know the importance that goes alongside with your education qualifications, ones understanding of the socio-politico-cultural values. It banged my mind - if for an entry label job, PTI is taking into consideration candidature's association with Society/ Associations. Definitely, there is something in the connection of the two different things - education qualifications and ones association. Though I was oblivious at that time, I religiously started taking part in these activities which have had no relation to my job prospects. I organized Saraswati Puja in our campus at Guwahati, Assam, and got first-hand experience organizing such activities.

Learning Curve:

• Once becoming the part of the group, one comes to know how a group consisting of different types of people reacts to a particular situation. You understand the group dynamics.
• You develop a polished behaviour.
• You understand the pull and push that goes in life.
• You don't lose control with pity remarks.
• You network with people who are from different spheres of profession, thus helping you in understanding a field that you are not familiar with.
• You develop contacts that may help you in your personal and professional life. If you under estimate this. Wait till you grow up.
• Beside this, you can show your participation in such association in your CV. A smart employer knows the importance of this.
• If you happen to get a post, you can add in your visiting card, or in your CV that such-and-such organisation has bestowed upon me this post, and hence responsibility. Tell the people you are responsible to the task assigned to you. You are representing something that is NOT wrong, so there is nothing to hide it.

Hence, if the Bishnupriya Manipuri community gives you a post, plus with a responsibility, respect it. It is an honour, you are the official representative of the whole big community.

In a nutshell, do associate - if you feel there is nothing to gain, you must know you will not be loosing anything.