The Bhawanipur Assembly of Nations 2025

The Bhawanipur Education Society College hosted the 8th edition of one of Eastern India’s leading Model United Nations (MUN) conferences of the BESC Assembly of Nations (AON), from the 24th to 27th April 2025, on its campus grounds. AON 2025 welcomed student participants from across the country for four days of impactful debate, diplomacy, and dialogue. With each delegate equipped with essential materials in eco-friendly jute file cases and fueled by energy drinks and refreshments, the event delivered an immersive experience over four enriching days. The theme, “#ShadesOfStrategy”, urged the youth minds to engage in current affairs, voice their perspectives, and contribute to global peacebuilding through structured deliberations. Many participants coveted the prize pool of BESC AON 2025, which had a total sum of INR 2,45,000/-.

The opening ceremony of BESC AON 2025 took place on April 24, 2025, in Jubilee Hall on the 6th floor. It began with a vibrant Bharatanatyam performance of Ganesh Vandana by the Flames Eastern Collective, creating an exciting atmosphere. All delegates and Executive Board (EB) members were present, eagerly awaiting the event’s start. Prof. Dilip Shah, the Rector and Dean of Student Affairs, gave a brief speech, acknowledging the 8th edition of the conference and thanking everyone for their contributions to its success. His encouraging words motivated students to strive for excellence. Next, Mr. Didier Talpain, the Consul General of France, delivered a special address on global diplomacy and leadership, engaging the audience with stories and humour from his diplomatic experiences and emphasising cultural exchange. An investiture ceremony followed, during which Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi, Mr. Talpain, and Prof. Shah appointed the Officers In Charge (OIC), Under Secretaries General (USG), Chief of Staff, Deputy Secretary General, and Secretary General. The ceremony concluded with Secretary-General Daivam Nishanth thanking attendees and officially declaring BESC AON 2025 open, marking the start of the conference from April 24 to 27. The event wrapped up around 5:00 PM, after which each committee held briefings with their EB members.

The BESC AON 2025 unfolded as a dynamic showcase of intellectual rigour, strategic policymaking, and articulate diplomacy, uniting student delegates across seven meticulously curated committees. The committees had the following proceedings in the conference –

UNGA DISEC: Tackling Missile Proliferation and Illicit Arms Trade

The United Nations General Assembly – Disarmament and International Security Committee (UNGA DISEC) saw heated yet constructive deliberations on two crucial agendas: The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation and Assistance to States for curbing illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons (SALWs). With Satrajit Sahani and Swapneel Thakur co-chairing, and Ayush Majumder as Vice Chairperson; the committee enforced strict attendance rules and maintained a formal General Speaker’s List (GSL) that spanned three days post Day 0. Each country’s delegate laid out national stances and collaborative strategies through 120-second GSL speeches. The broad theme inspired a range of moderated caucuses (mod caucs) on subtopics, including stockpile management, arms tracing protocols, dual-use technology threats, and the role of non-state actors. The winning titles were handed to delegates of these countries –

Honourable Mentions: Pakistan, Tuvalu, China

Special Mentions: Russia, Luxembourg

High Commendation: Belize

Best Delegate: Liechtenstein

UNPBC: Reassessing UN Peacebuilding Frameworks

The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (UNPBC), helmed by Hreed Gupta, Diptesh Banerjee, and Shivam Jaiswal; reflected upon the UN’s peacebuilding efforts globally. With on-the-spot distribution of the Programme of Work, delegates faced a rigorous schedule including a research-driven Q&A session devoid of electronic devices. Closing statements were followed by the compilation of working papers, showcasing strong analytical capabilities. The winning titles were handed to delegates of these countries –

Verbal Mentions: Qatar, China, Komanda

Merits of Diplomacy: Japan, France

Special Mention: USA

Best Delegate (High Commendation): Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

UNCSW: Re-evaluating Gender Equity 30 Years Post-Beijing Declaration

The Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) engaged in critical evaluations of the Beijing+30 framework, focusing on women’s health and leadership. Led by Rupaz Bhadra, Manisha Sengupta, and Kamalika Das; the committee addressed rural and third-world challenges, sparking strong policy-oriented discussions. The winning titles were handed to delegates of these countries –

Honourable Mentions: India, Jordan, Luxembourg, Estonia, Netherlands

Special Mentions: France, Norway, Tunisia, Haiti

Best Delegates: Palestine, Cuba

UNGA ESS: Russia-Ukraine Crisis Under the Spotlight

With Chairperson Arjun Chakraborty and Vice Chairperson Navya Kumar steering the discussions, the Emergency Special Session (ESS) of UNGA dissected the volatile Russia-Ukraine conflict. Delegates debated over NATO alignments, refugee crises, international sanctions, and the legality of Russian annexations. The dialogues offered multiple settlement perspectives in an atmosphere of pressing urgency. The winning titles were handed to delegates of these countries –

Verbal Mentions: Iran, Poland, UK

Honourable Mentions: Syria, Indonesia, Belarus

Special Mentions: Ukraine, China, Russia

Best Delegate: Switzerland

Lok Sabha: Domestic Challenges, Deep-Sea Ambitions

Replicating the Indian parliamentary setup with an impressive degree of realism, the Lok Sabha committee, moderated by Speaker Mr. Shivansh Srivastava, Deputy Speaker Sanyam Jha, and Scribe Chetana Mondal; deliberated on Centre-State dynamics and policy on deep-sea bed mining. The chit-based questioning added a dynamic edge, with delegates responding under strict time limits. Comprehensive policy documents were also submitted. The winning titles were handed to delegates who acted as the following politicians –

Verbal Mentions: M. Karunanidhi, Prof. Sougata Ray, Shri Durai Vaiko

Honourable Mentions: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Dr. Ricky Andrew J Syngkon, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, Mohmad Haneefa

High Commendation: Asaduddin Owaisi

Best Delegate: Umeshbhai Patel

NITI Aayog (Flagship Committee): Greening the Future

This star committee brought India’s top policymakers under one simulated roof, with Sapnil Biswas as Prime Minister and Shounak Banerjee Chowdhury as CEO. Delegates brainstormed on net-zero emissions by 2070 and healthcare in rural India. Speeches, spanning topics from solar energy to EV infrastructure and rural healthcare schemes, reflected a deeply layered approach to policymaking and state-specific planning. The winning titles were handed to delegates who acted as the following leaders-

Verbal Mentions: Revanth Reddy, Amit Shah

Special Mentions: Arjun Munda, Bhagwant Singh Mann

Outstanding Policy Maker: Arvind Virmani

Best Policy Makers: Prof. Ramesh Chand, VK Saraswat

IPC: The Fourth Pillar in Action

Under the direction of Aditya Bhura, Sofia Parveen, and Arindam Roy Chowdhury; the International Press Corps brought sharp journalistic inquiry into play. With committee preferences and ethical sourcing, reporters grilled delegates on committee proceedings and prepared in-depth coverage, evaluated through the lens of editorial accuracy and engagement. The winning titles were handed to individual delegates for Photography and to the media houses that delegates selected for Reporting –

Photography –

Special Mention: Arindam Mukherjee

High Commendations: Promit Sarkar, Kumar Paul

Reporting –

Special Mentions: Sunday Times, The Hindu

High Commendations: Associated Press, Russian News Agency

Best Reporter: CNN News

On April 27th, the final day of AON 2025, delegates gathered in Jubilee Hall after four intense days of discussions in seven committees. To start the evening, stand-up comedian Mr. Vivek Samtani entertained the audience with a performance full of humour. This offered a fun break with jokes about college life and everyday struggles. The audience settled by 5:00 PM, ready for the show. Before Vivek took the stage, host Vikramaditya Antara warmed up the crowd with his comedy. When Vivek Samtani began his act, laughter filled the hall as he wrapped up the event in style. Although the audience was sad to see it end, the evening continued. Mr Samtani was recognised by Dean Prof. Dilip Shah for making AON 2025 memorable.

Then, the Executive Board members honoured winning delegates from each committee. The room buzzed with excitement as everyone awaited the announcements, leading to cheers, and some were already looking forward to next year’s AON. As prizes were given out and the air of excitement settled, the night shifted to a more relaxed atmosphere. The valedictory ceremony featured closing speeches from the Secretary General, the ex-Secretary General, and a few EB members, officially ending AON 2025. The day ended with a Ballroom Night where delegates and volunteers enjoyed themselves, dressed in black and red. Before parting off, everyone filled their hearts and stomachs with a gala dinner buffet, wrapping up another successful AON edition.

With the conclusion of BESC AON 2025, everyone eagerly awaits AON 2026, looking forward to more discussions and connections.

REPORTERS: Samriddha Nandi and Rudrayan Dutta.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Spandan Samanta and Gourav Chowdhury.