Letters From Cornell University - 3
- Part 3 -
- The Global Leadership Forum at Washington D.C. 19th - 23rd October, 2008 -

By Rajkumari Sunita Devi *

The second day was as exciting with the day beginning by an overview from Ms. Anne Shimko, Deputy Director, Humphrey Fellowship Program Division, IIE. Just after the gathering on the Potomac Ballroom (that's where most of the event happened), we were divided into groups according to the area of where we belong on the globe and was made to bring some solution on the Copenhagen Consensus Challenges.

I could hear Ed on the microphone, "So Ladies and Gentlemen, you have $50 billion to decide what would be your first priority………." "What, $50 billion? This couldn't be happening" for a momentary madness, I was in second heaven.

My mind was running wild, "What would I do with all these money? First, plant all the tree in Manipur, then clean up the lakes...." , it was just too much. Then reality hit me after hearing Ed speaking it is just an exercise and he didn't have even $5 more to give us. It was an exercise of what we should do, if we were leaders of our own countries,, but boy oh boy, did we work hard?

Our group felicitator was a lady from Jamaica, (no doubt she is a Humphrey Fellow), how she analyzed our distribution of the virtual $50 billion, how good she was in pin pointing of how and where each dollar should go and why, (great ,my Friend , hope to meet you again after the Humphrey program). We worked, as if Ed was waiting with the billions, for our decision ready to fly to Copenhagen.

With Ed Roslof, Director, Humphrey Fellowship. Photo: Petch Manopawitr

Just after the discussion and a good fat lunch, we were wake up by the melodious voice of Shanta Nagendram. She talked about what skills, perspectives, and knowledge we will need to become an effective global leader in the 21st century.

She was a former Humphrey Fellow and watching her talk make us feel so proud of one being a Humphrey fellow, thinking we might one day become like her. Every one of us in the room was mesmerized by the way she talked, the clippings she showed and most of all how she put in little anecdotes which was very simple but carried so many messages, which one needed to become a good leader.

As usual my mind lost track, and I thought about kidnapping her to Manipur and make her talk to our leader, to see if she could succeed in changing them. Well, reality hits again, it's a big deal, not to happen in a day, but ages and century to bring change and maybe, I can just go one step so that another can follow and realize that it's not that hard if we really try.

The night that followed was a dream. The accolade of winning the fellowship was that night, the "Reception in the Benjamin Franklin Room", the 'Room' where the President of the United States have been there, where president from many other countries of the world have been there... What a night it was.

Adrenalin was running high for everybody. The transformation was just astounding, like a caterpillar shed its cocoon and out comes the butterflies.

'A night to remember' Rajkumari Sunita at the Benjamin Franklin Ballroom. Photo: Petch Manopawitr

Each of the Humphrey fellows who were just person, were immediately transform into countries. Then, we didn't use names, it was by countries how we call each other. It was 'awesome'. Every one of us look simply beautiful.

It really was a proud moment to represent our own countries, to stretch our hands for friendship with this great country for peace, and within ourselves. (I don't think if the Humphrey fellows become leader of our own country someday, that there will be any war). It was only love, respect and mutual understanding we felt in that moment.

I was nonetheless proud to represent my place 'Manipur' and to show the rest of the world how diverse India is. The joy in our Indian advisor to see me in my traditional dress was just heartwarming. I was a bit apprehensive about what he might feel, since the rest of the world knows that 'saree' is our national dress.

But for one thing I was sure, was the fact that "Manipur" did it again. I can proudly say that the compliment I receive about my attire was amazing. Manipur is known for its rich culture, dress, traditional dance and cuisines, and it was proved again that night.

At the Balcony of Benjamin Franklin Ballroom with Capitol Hill behind. Photo: Petch Manopawitr

to be continued....



Read more on Sunita here.

• Catchments characterization of Loktak Lake
• Living with Rock 'n' Roll and my hus-band

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* Rajkumari Sunita Devi (Junior Scientist at Manipur Remote Sensing and Application Centre) is a regular contributor to e-pao.net. She is the recipient of Hubert Humphrey Fellow, 2008-08 at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. She was conferred the "Map Asia Award 2007" at Kuala Lampur. Read more on her here and here. This article was webcasted on December 09, 2008.

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