The Hindu : New Delhi News : Gruelling sessions ahead

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Gruelling sessions ahead

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, AUG. 24. Leaders may be born, but in Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls they are clearly made. From practising that right stance to getting the pause right in their speeches, its time for some gruelling training for those looking to lead the University's student population.

And as all major players kicked off their campaign on Tuesday, it was not just the weather that played tricks but also confidence level and oratory skills.

But as the Beatles would have sung, "A little help from my friends'' is what all candidates use during their every day tests with the student community on the campus.

If Monday night was all about learning the "official'' lines to be used in the days to come, Tuesday was more or less the first brush with public speaking for many.

"Not everyone is a good orator and we do obviously tell them what to say in different situations. There are colleges that have a rather difficult crowd and it is important to ensure that the candidates are accompanied by the right people to tackle such expected trouble,'' revealed a senior member of the National Students' Union of India.

With the busy campaigning schedule giving candidates very little time to practise their lines for their short stop-overs, it is usually during lunch and other breaks that a lot of work is done.

From learning poetry to ensuring that the candidates raise issues concerning the target audience, a dedicated team is usually in place to look after the needs and works of a candidate, with most work from the right dress to look being decided during the campaign.

"The first day is a little difficult, but once they know what to expect, most candidates find it easy to sail through. Those who have fought the elections before are obviously a little more comfortable, but having a experienced person on the panel helps the others too,'' said a Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) member.

With the fight having just begun, the coming weeks will show who eventually managed to emerge as a better student of politics.

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