I was part of it, THE VOLUNTEERS TEAM.
Kaun Bataya?
It all started with me receiving a message in the official WhatsApp group of the Himachal Pradesh State Chess Association that people with age between 18 to 30 with fluency in English will be called for an interview after filling a google forum. You will get to communicate with players which spectators might not get a chance to. You will have to work more than 8 to 10 hours a day. You will be given some stiped and a certificate.
Abba Nahi Maanege?
Chachu called me.... pkka pdhai disturb nahi hogi na (sure your studies won't suffer?)
I replied, "I don't care. ab rated tournaments honge Himachal mei" (IDC, now rated tournaments will be organized in Himachal)
"Chal krke aa phhir. Par papa se baat kr lena. papa gussa na kre." (Do it, but first, talk to your father.)
"LOL!!!!"
Some Random Day at my home in Himachal
Sitting next to papa in his room. As usual, papa is playing chess with some random guy on his iPad.
i blased the bomb "Acha maine volunteering ke liye apply kiya hai. Chess Olympiad ki." (I have applied for volunteering in the chess olympiad.)
"Kahan Jaara?" (where you going?) papa asked
"Mahabalipuram"
"Jaa phhir" (go then)
"btw Nc3 is checkmate."
"tu btaya na kr jb online khelta hu." (don't tell me when I am playing online)
Main Roz Dhoodh Chadhaunga, Bas tum interview nikal do Nag Devta
Some Random Day in Chennai around 9 AM. I am sleeping.
Phone Rang and I picked up
"Yaar Odd hours main call mat kiya kro" (don't call me in odd hours.) I shouted
"Hey Shivansh, This is Prateek Mohan I am Head of the Volunteering Team of Chess Olympiad and You have an interview @ 3 PM. So, are you available?" guy on the other side of the phone
"For chess always"
"Then I have sent you a mail. fill there you are available for interview"
It's 3 PM and I am ready in a formal shirt and shorts.
I am pissed. Joined Zoom. It shows 371B-Vikas Dhiman as my name. and this cute guy asked me.
"Hi am Prateek Mohan, btw what's your name?"
"Shivansh, my chachu had an arbiter exam. That's why it shows this name," I replied
"Alright, you are just Shivansh?"
"yes"
"Why is it so, I took an interview of someone that guy was also mononymous?"
"My father hates caste-based discrimination. BTW I learned a new word today."
"BTW, I somewhere saw you are general category."
"Most discrimination is done by general only."
"Okay, Let's move on why do you want to be a volunteer?"
"I want AICF to give a chance to host one national tournament in Himachal. I want to learn from the olympiad."
"I didn't get it? What and How will you learn?"
"Simple, this is an international level event I can learn how the backend works."
"Gotcha, Why do you want Himachal to host nationals?"
"I have seen many nationals like National U-16 Girls. Vizag was the host. and around 92 players from Andhra Pradesh played in this tournament. I want the same for Himachal."
"What's the befit of that?"
"In Himachal, it is a dream for many players to get a FIDE rating."
"I don't think there is a chess culture in Himachal"
"It is building. We have 102 active registered players in District Kangra itself."
"Quantity over Quality."
"Daily we organize a tournament for players around 7 PM and players play, then analyze their games without using any engine."
"Great. Do you have any coaching Experience?"
"Can't say coaching but I help some players analyze their games in state and nationals"
"This is the only reason?"
"I want to meet Adhiban Basikaran?"
"Why Adhiban?"
"Our game is highly aggressive and I analyze his games a hell lot. I have learned from his games. also, we can lose from a beginner and can beat the world champion."
Prateek Laughed
"Tell me five players who are coming to the olympiad and you will meet?"
"Adhiban is coming that is enough for me"
"still tell some more"
"Vidit"
"He is not playing but IM Sagar Shah"
"Smart Answer"
"Seriously I want to meet him and want to show him my certificate that I got in Asian Ameatures I got a chance to represent my country. I have learned from him."
"Tell me more names?"
"IM Amruta Mokal"
"Don't play smart games with me?"
"I haven't checked the list of foreign players but yes, Pragg is coming, Vaishali, Harikrishna."
"Alright, Do you have any arbitrating experience?"
"unofficially, I was the arbiter in State Under 19. This year"
"Unofficially?"
"I am not a titled arbiter, neither done any course. but I was helping the association as we don't have many arbiters."
"Got it."
"Do you have any organizing experience?"
"I have organized Bachon ke Khansama- Fundraising Poetry Show for malnourished children, Bazm-e-Nau Bahar & to be very honest I am not able to recall."
"You are a comedian."
"Yes"
"Do a set?"
"I am in the Quality Assurance team of AARUUSH and I don't think this is a good place to do my set."
"Just do it. I don't care."
"I did that UP joke."
"Are you nervous?"
"No!" (that was a lie)
"You do dark comedy."
"Yes, but you can't say this is dark, this is sort of racist."
"Yes, it is. You call yourself a racist."
"I have a friend from UP and she has told me multiple times about sexual harassment in her region."
"So, you want to change the society."
"Of course not, I am the one who is taking out a joke from a problem women face and making people laugh, which is relatable to most women only. because of these jokes, 70% of my audience is female only."
"That's Great. You are pursuing your Master so there is a rule of 75% attendance so, you sure it won't be a problem for you"
"Attendance is never a problem for chess"
"Okay, so the interview is over. Do you want me to ask something about the volunteer program?"
"No, I have read everything. Should I leave?"
"Yeah. You can"
"Thank You So Much"
left the meeting
I shouted "FUCKKKKKKK! did I say SHOULD I leave? Why was I nervous in the interview? Gaya BC haath se"
Three Weeks Later
I received a mail I have been selected for this. I am happy and gave everyone a party.
Stay Tuned I will post the second part soon. Until then I am shivansh signing off.
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