My experiences at the 3rd National Abilympics

Posting in here after a long time. In this post, I would like to share my experiences at the 3rd National Abilympics 2010 organised by National abilympics Association of India and Samanvay Parivar Trust, Jabalpur. This time, the event was organized at Jabalpur City, Madhya Pradesh, and this was the first time this event was organized out of the nCT of Delhi. I did not participate in the Regionals, and so had to qualify a skill test for participating in this event. So, after clearing the skill test conducted by Amar Jyoti, I got to participate here. I left Delhi on the 20th and reached Jabalpur on the 21st morning. Soon, we were welcomed by the organizers and the officials, and were shown our lodgings. The 21st passed off quite uneventfully. Certain formalities were completed such as registration, distribution of kits etc. I made friends with other contestants. My mom also went out for shopping, while I practiced for the next day, which was the contest day. Fortunately, I had been sharing the room with a Computer teacher, and her guidance and last minute tips proved to be highly benefitial for me.

Let’s jump onto 22nd: I was somewhat tensed, as I, a young fellow of 16 years, was to compete with contestants who aged between 16 and 35, majority of them being older than me. Yet, I kept cool and was optimistic. After a prayer and the breakfast, we stepped into the labs for the competition to commence. I had been competing in English Word Processing event which requires you to type a text of about 5-6 pages, and then applying formatting and using advance word processing skills. The competition started at 9:30. Thanks to my typing speed, I could complete the entire typing of the task assignment within 55 Mins. The judges were supposedly somewhat impressed by my performance. Yet, I had apprehensions about the formatting part. This was because the screen reading software that I use to work on the computer does not support some formatting features and it is not possible to set the exact alignment of graphical objects etc. Adding to this was the fact that I was the only visually challenged contestant. Yet, I thought, “Something that has to happen will happen.” I used all the formatting features that I knew, and applied the various skills that I knew of. After a lot of toil and hard work, the competition ended at 12:30. I came out of the premises a little earlier than the allotted time. Soon after, the opening ceremony began and several dignitaries graced the occasion. It was a colourful cultural show put up by the students of Jabalpur. Soon after, the lunch began, and then there was nothing to do. So, my mom and my aunt accompanying me decided to go to the market (well, they’re very fond of shopping!), and we left for the local markets. By the time I returned, I was so tired that I decided to refresh myself by an icecream. Now, consider this situation: I’m holding an icecream and at the same time, the announcement: “results of English Word Processing are out. Contestants are requested to look them up on the notice board at the registration counter.” Extremely nervous and terrified, I approached the registration counter. I had lost all hopes for the 1st position, as by then, I’d learnt of the fact that the `Gold Medalist` of the last Nationals was also competing again. Nervous me moves towards the notice board. My mom looks up the result from the 2nd position, my name not being there. Depressed and dejected, we moved back. Then soon, my mom decided to look up the board to find the 1st position: and it was…….Kartik Sawhney. I jumped with joy. The feeling at that point is inexpressible. Congratulatory comments followed, and I was actually proud of my achievement. This followed the Award Distribution Ceremony. At the same time, I resolved to work even harder and promised myself getting a `Gold Medal` for my country in the internationals as well. Oh well before that, let me tell you, I’ve been now selected to represent India at the International Abilympics at Seoul, South Korea next year.

23rd October: Morning was quite uneventful, chatting to a few people and taking rest. Then was a wonderful visit to the eminent Beda Ghat of Jabalpur. The enthralling view of the high-speed waves of Narmada river were spellbounding and caught the attention of one and all. then staged was a beautiful cultural show, wherein incidently I too decided to put up a song, which was (as a matter of fact) praised and liked by all. The program was actually one of the best things for me, apart from the result (well, of course!)

24th October: Today was when I was to depart. In the morning after some events, the closing ceremony materialized which was again graced by several dignitaries. And with that, the grand-scale organization of the 3rd National Abilympics 2010 Jabalpur concluded. And thanks due to the organizing committee and the executive team in Delhi and Jabalpur who worked tirelessly to make this a success!

And now, I’m occupied preparing for the DAVMUN 2010 on the 13th, 14th and 15th November in the SC, representing USA. This is my 1st MUN, so definitely very nervous! Well, for now, keeping my fingers crossed.