The Amanora Mall in Pune recently saw over 100 students from more than 40 countries gathered to celebrate the spirit of ‘Unity in Diversity’. Spreading the vivacious vibe, the youngsters danced, sang, played and indulged in exciting activities. It was the first meet of FISA (Federation of International Students Association) Pune Chapter.
However it was not just about fun. There was a lot of hard work too. “The sacrifices we made as a team to put together this event is what inspired us,” said Spin, the young president of FISA, Pune. Hailing from South Africa, Spin is pursuing BSc with Zoology from Modern College, Pune.
FISA provides stage for young and enthusiastic students from across the globe studying in different Pune colleges. It is not just a platform for recreational activities but for the students to come together and discuss the global issues that are affecting their wellbeing. They can look forward to a live engagement with peers from different countries.
“FISA was initiated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in 1996 in Chennai. Since then, the association has grown and spread to other cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai, making it a united and independent body for all international students. FISA is led by international students for the overall wellbeing for international students,” says Spin.
The first FISA meet of Pune chapter had students from African and Middle Eastern countries as well as China, India, Thailand and Sri Lanka. They showcased their talents, displayed various cultural specialities of their countries and interacted with each other. Celebrating the spirit of ‘Unity in Diversity and that of our similarities’ is the motive behind this event. “We are always saying that we need to show unity in diversity and it is a notion which can be explained by ‘United we stand, divided we fall’, but do we ever sit and think about how similar we are as people? FISA Pune believes in the celebration of our similarities. We need to have a platform whereby we learn about how similar we are. Such platforms aid in the discussion of global issues that affect us all,” Spin said.
The recent meet was just a beginning and there’s a lot coming up. FISA Pune has six different divisions which are going to initiate different programmes ranging from sports, culture, academics, leadership, and so on. The plan of action for the coming year is all set.
“Such programmes build the character of the youth, directly or indirectly. The growth we gain as people can be measured in the long term. The understanding of globalisation, the importance of patriotism, and mostly the need for humanity— FISA Pune aims to holistically develop young people in every programme done,” the young president adds.
FISA Pune believes in the concept of ‘charity begins at home’. Therefore, the team remains the first sponsor of every programme. Their future sponsors range from academic institutions, hospitals, corporate companies to malls.
The response of the participants was interactive. They seemed curious to know about the next events and were excited to be the part of FISA,Pune. Which according to Spin is a big plus for them.
We all welcome this new association for international students and we will stand for it to be more popular in Pune. This association should really take care of students’ problems in Pune. I was there for the launch event of FISA at Amanora mall. I like the way FISA is working and I support them to continue.”
— Tondji Frantz Cameroon, student, Aptech Computer Education, Pune and a participant
FISA is hard work, a lot of sacrifice, and honestly it requires passion and dedication to be a member of FISA but it is so worth it when you grow as a leader and when you assist young people. Planning for these programmes was a whole lot of fun and also hard work. I learnt how to manage, coordinate, be a team player and also motivate people to work. I experienced an international family within FISA and it’s so addictive. Our team bond is solid. We are so lucky to have talented, smart, and hard-working people who are so loyal to the vision behind FISA.
— Ngassa Menwako Lionnel Yvan, BCA student, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapith and Treasurer, FISA, Pune
