At SAC, the Oasis English Press (OEP) could hear clattering keyboards, clicking mouses, and a team hard at work. Overseeing every member’s work, calm and collected amid the cacophony of SAC, was Madhav Gupta—StuCCAn of the Department of Publications and Correspondence (PCr).
In charge of bringing in participation, the department gathers competitors for kernel events conducted by Ragamalika, the Department of Theater, and the Dance Club. They are also responsible for reprography and on-spot registrations. Additionally, the PCr design team is responsible for batch snaps, posters, souvenirs, access passes, and e-brochures.
With a fair few responsibilities on their shoulders, the department began preparations as early as August with an update of the participants’ database. The three-year hiatus posed a hurdle considering most colleges had a completely new batch. Hence, new contacts were built via phone calls and a work trip to Delhi. This marked a big step as the department managed to get colleges on board whom they had not contacted earlier. These persistent efforts have gathered large contingents from Delhi University; Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology; and St. Xavier’s College, Jaipur. ‘Visiting campuses and making phone calls is the best way to get colleges on board. Thus, there is a phone in the department’s logo!’ said Madhav.
BOSM and Oasis being only a month apart posed a challenge. Oasis is also held around the same time as the Common Admission Test (CAT) and final exams of a number of institutes. This resulted in some colleges pulling out of the event. However, the team strives to meet the participation numbers pitched to StuCCA.
PCr suggested some changes to the rule book and event structure of ‘Metamorphosis’—a filmmaking event—which, as a result, attracted exponentially greater participation than the last edition of Oasis. New negotiation strategies and caps on requisition forms have ensured the efficient use of resources and finances for reprography.
On being asked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his work, he replied ‘Covid has affected the word-of-mouth publicity a bit because seniors tell juniors about the grandeur of Oasis. COVID broke this chain, so I expect that till the next Oasis, everything will be working smoothly again.’
Crediting his juniors, Madhav said that he appreciated them pushing through and completing the tough task of convincing other colleges to participate without even having seen the fest for themselves. Talking about the future editions of Oasis, he hoped to make the event more accessible to outstation participants, and eventually have participation from all over the country.