17-yr-old plans to strengthen Indo-China relations
It was on a vacation to China that Dhruv Khurana, a 17-year-old, realised that people from either side of the country don't know much about each other.
It was on a vacation to China that Dhruv Khurana, a 17-year-old, realised that people from either side of the country don't know much about each other.
"During my trip, I realised how ignorant I was about the people of China. There is a definite need for both countries, who are neighbours and two of the fastest growing economies, to understand each other better. The 1962 War and our shared border has festered mistrust for a long time now," Khurana, a Class 12 student of Shri Ram School, Aravali said.
But it is not just the angst that this teenager has to offer. He also has a plan. "While I was in China, I realised that we could perhaps work towards a platform where youngsters from both countries meet and come up with solutions for shared problems. The Indo-China Model United Conference (ICMUC) is one such platform," Khurana added.
The youngster has, so far, met the Chinese Ambassador to India and got a very favourable response. "I am also in touch with a couple of schools from China. If all goes according to plan, the ICMUC could take off next year when students from China will come to India in July," he said.
But what will the Chinese students do once they are here?
"The ICMUC is based on the Model United Nations format, where one central theme will be decided and students will hold different ministerial
portfolios that affect that issue. We will also have a question-hour where delegates will be able to question each other and gain a better understanding of the topic. We have also made the creation of five-year plans which is an integral part of the ICMUC experience," Khurana informed.