Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Jayant Singh Rathore. I’ve been a Students’ Union Volunteer for two years. I was also the joint coordinator of Hindi Press Club during this year’s APOGEE. I am the ASUS campus ambassador for BITS Pilani.
Q: What motivates you to contest for this post?
When I joined this campus, I had a certain vision which I wanted to implement. During my second semester, I realized that there is scope for improvement in the Students’ Union. That was the main reason for joining the SU. While in SR, it came to my notice that certain things could not be implemented without power or authority. This was the main driving factor behind me contesting for the elections.
Q: How did you go about building your camp?
This journey started from my 1-2, when had a team of around seven to eight people. We brainstormed every day about the problems that we could solve for the betterment of the students. The strength of my camp increased as other people were also interested in joining it as they had ideas in mind which could be implemented for the betterment of GBM.
Q: What, in your opinion, is the role of the SU?
The Students’ Union is liable to cater to the needs of each and every student. The major role of the SU is to handle two big fests – Oasis and APOGEE. Apart from these fests, the Students’ Union comes into the picture in solving the problems of the students.
Q: How would you rate this year’s SU in having done its job?
According to me, the Students’ Union has become a fest centric body rather than a student centric body, because both the fests are pretty heavy and the elected representatives are more involved in these fests. I want the Students’ Union to maintain a balance between students and the fest because they are elected for the purpose of working for the students. Although fests are a big part of it, my vision is to focus equally on the GBM.
Q: What do you think of the relations between the SU and the institute?
Currently, they have a pretty good relation. Although, they do have clashes on many points. But, it’s about the idea and the way you pitch it to the institute.
Q: What should one seek from an ideal Gen Sec?
A Gen Sec should be approachable by the GBM. After a candidate is elected, the student who has a problem, is not very open to the candidate thus elected as they are cut off from the majority of the GBM. I want more transparency in the SU. Each and every student who faces a problem can and should reach the SU, and if the student has a solution, they can work together to implement it.
Q: What do you think of the even semester elections? How has it affected your manifesto and campaigning strategies?
The elections have shifted by about three months. The summer break was primarily used to prepare the manifesto but now that time has been cut short. But, it’s good, because when the elections are conducted in odd semesters, the new batch of juniors only have a period of twenty days to judge a candidate.
Q: Do you believe other forms of campaigning – online, rallies, posters, sloganeering etc. should be allowed?
No, I don’t think so.
Q: What do you think of the lack of competition and how confident of winning are you?
I am pretty confident because I have worked for the SU for two years. It’s not about the competition. I am working tirelessly for the campaign as well as my manifesto. I think all the candidates, unopposed or not, have the responsibility of meeting each and every voter and describing his/her manifesto.
Q: Any message for BITSians?
As the elections are being conducted in even semester, they have a better chance to judge the candidates based on their manifesto and the work that they have done in the past. 8th April is the voting day, and every vote counts. Do come to vote.