Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Akash Singh, and my ID number 2016B3A20524P. I am from Bharatpur. I was a member of the SSMS as a Mess Representative for the last two years. I have worked in almost all the subcommittees of the SSMS and was a key member in the vendor changing process. I was also the Project Lead of Disha, an initiative under Nirmaan Organization which aims at counselling underprivileged children in villages near Pilani. Currently, I am serving as the Chief Volunteer of ARCD. I have shown my leadership skills in different fields and I believe that I am ready to take up the mantle of the General Secretary.
What is your motivation for contesting?
I came to the political forefront with a vision. A vision to change BITS, to make it adhere to notions of equality, adequate student representation and excellence. I fought the Presidential elections and couldn’t achieve what I aspired for. It was a difficult time for me after the loss but the desire to do something for BITS and its students was still strong within me. Then the protests happened and countless nights working on proposals and talking to alumni/media houses made me realise that there is still a lot that needs work in our Institute. That is my motivation to contest in these By-Election.
How has your experience been working with the SU and Institute in the past?
I have worked in many committees in the SSMS over the last couple of years and the experience was enlightening. But with regards to the Presidential election loss last semester, I was heartbroken. I was pretty sure that was the end of my political career. It was the fee hike protests that emerged as a turning point for me. That was when I realised what we as BITSians are capable of. Some of my friends inspired me to run for the SU By-Election.
How did you work towards building a camp and formulating a manifesto?
With regards to the camp and manifesto, I had some homework left from the last elections. My camp began with my wing and after explaining my vision, they decided to join me. Since most people believed in my vision, almost all of them joined to support my vision. The manifesto was just the reflection of it.
Is there any aspect of this election that you feel is unique from all the previous elections?
Two things:
• For the first time in the last ten years, we are going to see a by-election for the post of General Secretary.
• I am the first BITSian to contest for both the General Secretary and the Presidential elections.
Why do you think you deserve this post? Is there anything that separates you from the other candidates?
It is up to the people to decide who the better candidate is. I personally feel I am a good mixture of someone with vision and driven by past work experience. I have experience working with the Institute. I have sacrificed much for the Union and I will always be ready to do so.
Do you have a message for the student body?
We can achieve great things as BITSians. Let no one tell you that we are ordinary, for we are not. We are dreamers, thinkers, developers and so much more. Hence our prerogative must be to make BITS great again. That should be the sole motivation with which you should go for the post and work for our alma mater.