The Oasis English Press sat down with Navneet Singh, the Oasis Coordinator of The Eastern Outlook (TEO), to learn more about the club’s plans for the fest.
Navneet described the club as an interest-based club for people who enjoyed anime, manga, and Korean or Japanese dramas.
Navneet shared that their Oasis lineup this year mixed new additions with returning favourites. He elaborated that the newcomers were a karaoke stall alongside an anime series screening — allowing the audience to binge a full show in one sitting. The old crowd pullers, he noted, included a movie screening on Day One, an anime quiz, a game room, and a manga and poster stall that would stay open throughout the fest.
Navneet remarked that the club was thoroughly buzzed about Squid Games, a replica of the original series with a twist of its own. He added that it would be held on Day Three, just before the concert, with multiple rounds, some inspired by the show and others designed by the club. He stated that participants could register beforehand or on the spot, and the club hoped to offer a cash prize. Navneet explained that these events blended the club’s own interests with what worked at the fest, as would be reflected in their stall decorations and the choice of movie screening.
Regarding the preparations, Navneet said that the process had started in October and had so far been mostly paperwork. He noted that there had been a couple of setbacks, including delayed budget approvals, late scheduling of the Event Planning Meetings, and a disagreement over the club’s past inventory. He mentioned that the club had begun work on the quiz and the Squid Game rounds only in the week of the interview.
Regarding working with the Students’ Union, Navneet said that there had been some disagreements, but no one was at fault as everyone was operating within their own limits. Even so, he felt that an earlier, more settled budget and schedule would have made things easier.
Speaking about his experience as the Coordinator so far, Navneet shared that this year had not been very demanding apart from the forms. He reminisced about his first year in the club, when members spent hours in their seniors’ rooms making anime quiz questions, followed by treats, and hoped that the juniors would take back similar memories from this year. When asked what he would change in hindsight, he joked that he would perhaps not have pitched the events that were rejected.
On a closing note, Navneet urged students to step out of their rooms and explore the many events running at the fest. With so many events lined up, he encouraged them to use their free time to try something new. ‘If you don’t find it fun, then just leave,’ he said, adding that there was no harm in trying. He noted that the club’s events were built around having fun and that Oasis was not only about the Prof Shows but also about enjoying club events.