Gaudimonium

5, 6, 7 AUGUST gaudimōnium AN 2022 INTERNATIONAL THE GAUDIUM SCHOOL MUN | 5TH - 7TH AUGUST 2022 PRESS TEAM PUBLICATION Defending the devil M. R. Vishwavasu Aprameya reporting from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) elucidates on why silencing the Russian perspective from the discourses surrounding the conflict in Ukraine robs the important lessons that could prevent similar future conflicts from the Big Tech giants and financial service providers such as Google, Meta, Paypal, and Visa - the digital Scarlet Letter for anyone daring to express any sentiment sympathetic to Russia in regards to the Ukrianian conflict encompasses a large range of socio-digital ostracisms you would likely find similarities to in dystopian fiction. Why, in a modern and liberal democratic world, would anyone be persecuted socially for harbouring an opinion deemed heterodox: that is a question whose answer would be too complex and elaborate to provide. What will be provided in this editorial however, are the reasons why the unthinking attitude of the masses towards the presentation or advocacy of the Russian perspective causes way more harm than good in the battle of ideas to the side defending Ukraine’s If one wishes to bear the digital equivalent of the actions in the conflict. Scarlet Letter in the modern day and age, top at We have only just started learning about the true the list of things one should be doing is nature of atrocities committed in Ukraine by the presenting or advocating the Russian perspective Ukrainian forces. The delay in the reception of on the conflict in Ukraine. From the regular this information and the relatively low coverage cancellation purges by the blue-tick-bearing of the same in the mainstream news cycles is Twitterati to outright banning and censorship attributed to the widespread rejection of any PAGE 1

5, 6, 7 AUGUST gaudimōnium AN 2022 INTERNATIONAL PRESS TEAM PUBLICATION THE GAUDIUM SCHOOL MUN | 5TH - 7TH AUGUST 2022 opinion or coverage tending towards favoring the Censorship is the tumor that cripples Russian government. democracies and leads them on the path to This blind rejection of any fact based on which turning into autocracies which fuel the side it favors robs the world of the right it has to nightmare-inducing dystopian fiction and spine- know the truth. chilling biographies. It is quite obvious but will need to be reiterated: The current censorship regime in place today, any and all censorship is a violation of the mainly in the West, is painting the picture of an freedom of speech of individuals. The very evil autocrat in the form of Putin going on a mad essence of free speech is the backbone of all rampage fuelled by his insanity. This caricature- liberal democracies - nay, it is the backbone of like presentation of reality is what stuns the each and every democracy. growth of human civilization. Inconsolable Anguish “Bhopal Gas Tragedy, never may this happen again…”, Venya reporting from WHO captures the drastic Bhopal Gas disaster in the form of a saudade memory. A memory illustrated by a 67-year-old woman something and I did not bother to get up. Almost 20 minutes later, I heard my kids coughing and who lost her most important people recalls what crying immensely. I woke up in an instant. I lifted them and tried to know what was wrong with happened during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. She them, but I could not figure it out… The burning smell had increased by then, and my whole body was a worker in the factory and was residing was aching. I went to my husband to wake him up and see what was wrong; instead, I got the shock nearby… of my life. He wasn’t moving. I tried waking him “ Bhopal… Gas… Tragedy??? (Takes a deep breath up many times with water, but he still did not get and closes her eyes). How can I ever forget that up. Then I realized that he was not breathing! I started crying. I was so shocked that I began day? Regardless of how many times I ever try… I consoling myself that this could not be true. I cannot forget it. That night was the worst night of again went to my kids. One was a two-year-old, and the other a seven-month-old. My younger my life. I lost everyone I had loved. My family, one also was not moving. I started panicking. I took my 2-year-old as he was crying and went friends and my house too. I am very unlucky to be out. I started hearing cries and screams from everywhere. alive till now, for I cannot live with those I took my child to the hospital. It was 6 AM by then. I saw many of my friends crying as their memories… loved ones lay aside them-still. My son’s That night… I think it was around 3 AM. My breathing had become slow, and I rushed to admit throat started burning, and my nostrils were him. We did not even have proper health care facilities back then. By 9 AM, many cremations flaring. I thought it was a mild infection or were going on. I saw many I knew getting either buried or burned. I was devastated, but I still had one hope, my son. About 10 minutes later, the doctor told me she was sorry. I could not PAGE 2

5, 6, 7 AUGUST gaudimōnium AN 2022 INTERNATIONAL PRESS TEAM PUBLICATION THE GAUDIUM SCHOOL MUN | 5TH - 7TH AUGUST 2022 understand it. What did she mean? I rushed in to Why-Why was I the victim of all of this? I could see my son. I went near him, started stroking him never get the answers to the questions I asked and called out his name. He did not respond. I god, but I still could not pull myself together. thought he was asleep to realize he was in eternal Somehow everything happened later on. It is sleep. I could not control myself. I questioned hazy… and I slowly learnt to live with it., but I god. What had I done to receive his punishment? still hope that someday I will get my answers… Vigilance? The world begs to differ Siddharth Pashikanti reporter of World Health Organization (WHO) analyses the data collected as an opinion poll Question: Did the World Health Organisation take enough measures to restrict the outbreak of Covid? Analysis and Conclusion: As it is clearly evident, most of the committee, fifty-one percent to be exact thinks that the Organisation did clearly or efficiently act upon the Covid-19 outbreak. It is also important to note that most of the countries that have voted for ‘No’ are countries that have been the worse affected countries with some of the countries losing millions of lives as a whole. There is also a very huge number of countries that voted for ‘Yes’ and as predicted, a majority of the voters were from countries that were not exactly affected by the Covid-19 Outbreak. The data given shows that WHO or at least the majority of delegates of the respective countries have not exactly aligned with the idea of WHO being vigilant about the restrictions of Covid-19. NUCLEAR SUFFERING Reporter Sukruti Koppala from the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) writes a short story about the impact of a nuclear weapon on an ordinary man. Blinding, searing pain. That was all he felt for a across with a staggering impact. He heard while. He felt his skin pulsate and burn, and his screaming and crying in the distance and forced body aches from the remnants of the explosion. himself to rise to his feet, almost passing out from The sensation of his flesh being seared made him the pain radiating through his face and arm. He scream until his voice turned raw and his knees strolled to take in the situation—people who were bled against the debris; one arm used to support pierced through with stray pieces of debris. himself, the other twisted at a horrific angle. He Mothers were crying over their children, cradled wondered what the hell this was, why he was in a fetal position, with only their scarred, being subjected to this agony. One moment he bloodied feet visible to him. Scarred faces was sitting in a café; the other, he was being flung appeared in front of him, some already dead. PAGE 3

5, 6, 7 AUGUST gaudimōnium AN 2022 INTERNATIONAL PRESS TEAM PUBLICATION THE GAUDIUM SCHOOL MUN | 5TH - 7TH AUGUST 2022 Some screamed with pain as their skin slowly unfold in front of him. ‘What have we done,’ he peeled away from their face. The land he thought despaired. ‘What have we done to have this of as his home was reduced to rubble. Tears rose destruction forced upon us?’ He felt a sense of to his eyes at the raw horror in front of his eyes. grief so intense it almost brought him to his His mouth was dry, his eyes were burning, and knees again. He felt his pain and the pain of the the smell of smoke, blood, and ash was so strong others, innocent, unassuming citizens who were he could hardly stand it. It was sweltering, yet he forced to deal with a situation that had horrors had never felt more cold watching the situation beyond their comprehension. The Claims and The Intent M. R. Vishwavasu Aprameya reporting from the United Nations Security Council expatiates on the Council’s discussion on the allegations of genocide foisted on Russia. A heated discussion ensued on the second day of government is directing and inciting the public to the meeting of the Security Council. The support the genocidal actions of the Russian discussion centered around the question of armed forces. This is a unique claim that has not whether Russia’s actions in Ukraine amount to been advanced thus far in the international fora. genocide. The delegate of Mexico added to the argument The Delegate of the United States started the advanced by the United States by claiming that discussion off with a detailed argument stating the Russian media, directed by the Russian how the targeting of Ukrainian civilians, government, is directing and inciting the public deliberate attack on civilian infrastructure, and to support the genocidal actions of the Russian blocking of access to humanitarian aid all armed forces. This is a unique claim that has not implicate Russia as attempting to commit been advanced thus far in the international fora. genocide against the Ukrainian people. However, The Indian delegate countered these arguments the delegate failed to address the critical by claiming that these actions by both the forces elements of the legal understanding of genocide engaging in conflict can utmost be classified as such as the requirement of special intent - dolus violations of international humanitarian law and specialis. international human rights norms, but claiming The delegate of Mexico added to the argument that Russia or Ukraine is committing genocide is advanced by the United States by claiming that a stretch too far. the Russian media, directed by the Russian Finally, one of the most controversial arguments was made by the Delegate of the Russian Federation who claimed that it was the Ukrainian forces that were committing genocide. She went on to claim that the very reason they had to conduct a special military operation in Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics was the attempt by Ukrainian forces to commit genocide against the peoples of those nations. All this is despite the fact that the International Court of Justice ruled decisively against the advancement of such claims in the Genocide Convention interpretation case of Ukraine versus Russia. PAGE 4

5, 6, 7 AUGUST gaudimōnium AN 2022 INTERNATIONAL PRESS TEAM PUBLICATION THE GAUDIUM SCHOOL MUN | 5TH - 7TH AUGUST 2022 I wonder why M. R. Vishwavasu Aprameya reporting from the United Nations Security Council, writes an evocative piece on the futility of war I wonder why we need to fight Kill every brother that we sight Is it for our motherland’s pride? Or is it to display our nation’s might? Can the wailing orphan not be heard? Can we not fight instead with our words? Why do we need to hate to beget love And fight to find peace - this is not absurd, how? Innocents’ blood is shed For the glory of those that are long dead If we can do one thing the posterity ahead It is the eschewing the path of violence and slaughter onto which we were led India and Libya Take Center Stage while Russia is Stuck in Delusion Siddharth Pashikanti, a reporter for World Health Organization (WHO) writes an account of the happenings of the committee on day two There seems to be a rivalry brewing between the two countries. One of them focuses on the India and Libya as both the countries seem to be betterment of global health, and the other focuses trying to bring countries to support their version on a more diplomatic and democratic of the agenda. While the Delegate of India seems representation to pass motions. to be crystal clear of their expectations by putting During the tug of war between India and Libya, themself at the center stage. Libya on the other the country of Russia has said some rather hand demands equal representation for every conflicting and not certainly diplomatic country. It has been made clear that Libya is statements. Russia has made the statement that trying to create a bloc whereas India is just they take full responsibility for the invasion of assembling a team to propose a Draft Resolution. Ukraine by Russia. This brings a new perspective While it is clear that two completely different on the issue. The question that was being Draft Resolutions can be expected from each of answered by the delegate of Russia is to state a few man-made and natural disasters that have happened in the last few years. As a retort to the same, the Russian Federation has accepted the full blame for the invasion taking place. Will this statement cause Russia to be ousted from the WHO committee? More importantly, does the state of Russia have plans to compensate for the amount of damage done to the country of Ukraine? Ukraine on the other hand is stuck in a tug of war between the countries of Libya and India. Although Ukraine has not been vocal about its PAGE 5

5, 6, 7 AUGUST gaudimōnium AN 2022 INTERNATIONAL PRESS TEAM PUBLICATION THE GAUDIUM SCHOOL MUN | 5TH - 7TH AUGUST 2022 stance on this topic it is clearly evident that the questions that have to be answered and answers country of Ukraine is rather neutral. that are waiting to be questioned. As day three is mere hours away, there are A PEEK IN THE MIND Vanisha Singh a reporter from The United Nations Security Council interviews the Delegate of Canada. International Press (IP): How do u think Canada is the country almost started World War III by a affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict? full-scale invasion of the country of Ukraine by saying that it was for 'de-Nazification' and for the Delegate of Canada: Canada is mainly affected by protection of its citizens. the sanctions placed on Russia. The impact on Canada's GDP will be mitigated. And there is a IP: In what ways would you say that you could be rapid increase in prices of oil, metals, and of assistance in this conflict? agricultural products which will affect the consumers. Canada: Canada has been there for Ukraine since the start of this conflict by providing various IP: Earlier today, an opinion poll was conducted humanitarian aid, military aid, and even questioning Russia's place in the committee. providing shelter to the refugees of this conflict. What is your opinion on this? Canada has also imposed new programs to help the refugees reach Canada safely and fast. Canada: Since the Russian Federation, being one of the Veto power countries, has violated various IP: If you were in Russia's place would you not humanitarian laws and also Article 6 of the UN have done the same seeing as the security of your charter, the delegate of Canada believes that it is people is at stake? considered to remove the Russian Federation from the UN. Canada: Canada would have first talked out or tried to make a peace deal with Ukraine, as we IP: Russia had earlier said that they were have seen that the Russians are still affected by threatened by Ukraine and invaded it in order to the war too not only the Ukrainians, so the protect their people. Isn't Russia being mindful Canadian government would make sure that no and protective of its people? harm has been brought to the people of the country as collateral damage and would have Canada: If Russia was actually worried about its tried to negotiate before \"invading\" the country people, it should have put up negotiations and and start a war that affects the entire global diplomatically resolved this issue, but instead the economy. PAGE 6

5, 6, 7 AUGUST gaudimōnium AN 2022 INTERNATIONAL THE GAUDIUM SCHOOL MUN | 5TH - 7TH AUGUST 2022 PRESS TEAM PUBLICATION Is gender equality truly equal? Samiyah Maqsood, reporting from the United Nations Human Rights Council Committee (UNHRC), discusses that a significant focus is on women's rights when talking about human rights. Human rights, despite its description, tend to male victims tend to be ignored and even fixate on women's rights instead of considering ridiculed because the idea of being sexually all genders, which is hypocritical by nature. Why assaulted is a \"female\" thing. Don't believe me? claim to care about all genders when the Even the definition of \"rape\" given by the Office minority's issues are simply being brushed aside of National Statistics (and the executive office of under misogynistic assumptions and the UK Statistics Authority, which reports stereotypes? While activists and representatives directly to the UK Parliament) \"Rape is the worldwide work toward demolishing the sexist penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth by a stereotypes about women, stereotypes about men penis without consent.\" Not only does this persist, nourishing themselves with internalized exclude female sexual predators, but it also misogyny and psychologically inhumane generalizes that all predators are men. This is not requirements. only hypocritical but a concerning stereotype as Are we not leaving someone out? Well, the people well, as many see women as unassertive and who don't label themselves, people who are non- nonviolent when, in reality, they make up 25% of binary, and the transgender people are also child sexual offenders while men make up only humans, but most of the time do not even receive 16%! Female sexual offenders are among the most fundamental human rights. It may be shocking to radically underrepresented sexual offenders, as some who have not come to terms with their are male victims of sexual assault. Around 43% of existence, but regardless of personal opinion, male victims have been assaulted by strangers, they do come under the category of gender 47% have faced mental issues from those assaults, equality but rarely get any benefits out of it and 12% have even contemplated suicide. And unless they are a woman. this is all in one country: the United Kingdom. Now you might ask, what proof do you have? Just think about how worse it could be in other Aren't you making claims based on opinions, not countries. Though the numbers can barely facts? This disregard for minor genders exists compete with the percentage of women almost anywhere. Let's take today's formal assaulted, they exist and are given no regard session regarding gender equality as an example. most of the time. Throughout the debate, most delegates focused This is the same for LGBTQ+ victims. In Belgium, on women's issues. Despite it being regarding 79% experienced sexual violence, and 42% human rights, most of the discussion surrounded experienced hands-on sexual violence, of which women's rights, disregarding, demeaning, and 24% were (attempted) rapes. Does this come demoralizing other genders, defeating the under \"human\" rights or gender \"equality\"? I'll let fundamental objective of gender equality. you ponder for the answer. A claim based on observation isn't good enough? Tough crowd. Let us take a more serious topic as an example: Sexual Assault—a sickening act where a person is violated sexually, either by force or under the influence. Unfortunately, the majority of the victims of sexual assault and rape tend to be women globally and are mainly focused on when it comes to gender equality due to its gruesome nature. However, in many cases, PAGE 7

5, 6, 7 AUGUST gaudimōnium AN 2022 INTERNATIONAL THE GAUDIUM SCHOOL MUN | 5TH - 7TH AUGUST 2022 PRESS TEAM PUBLICATION Acknowledgements REPORTERS PHOTOJOURNALISTS Siddharth Pashikant Tarita Kakkera Malligari Venya Reddy Sathwik Devavarapu Rohan Uppalapati Harshit Kodoli Samiyah Maqsood Kolanu Hasini Reddy Sukriti Koppala Ananya Depa Vanisha Singh Anusha Panguluri M R Vishwavasu Aprameya HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL PRESS Anurag Dwibhashyam EDITOR IN CHIEF Sai Preethi Polu DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Mani Polepalli PAGE 8