The APOGEE English Press spoke to Manas Vudayagiri, the coordinator of the Department of Audi Force (Audi Force), to gain insights regarding their responsibilities during APOGEE ’24. 

Manas began by delineating the primary duties of the department, which include overseeing crowd management during professional shows and facilitating the smooth ingress and egress of attendees by verifying passes and tickets. He added that they also monitor backstage access to ensure adherence to pass levels designated for BITSians and manage seating arrangements during the inauguration ceremony. 

Their pre-festival preparations mainly involve familiarising themselves with the ticketing application and QR code scanning procedures, collaborating with the Department of Visual Media (DVM) for scanning operations, and coordinating security guard requirements with the Student Welfare Division, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and the Associate team. 

Regarding the challenges they face, Manas emphasised the common issue of the delayed start of shows, often due to student impatience. He noted that in the past, it has led to rushed entries and occasional incidents of harm among attendees. Additionally, ensuring only authorised personnel access the backstage area remains a concern for the department.

Manas highlighted the strong camaraderie within Audi Force, and the supportive environment between seniors and juniors, which he believes is evident with their fest meetups and hangouts. He shared that his tenure as coordinator has been smooth, thanks to this bond. In conclusion, Manas expressed his aspiration for the hassle-free execution of all the events this year and hoped for uninterrupted proceedings across all activities.