Delegate Diary - 59th Annual NASA Convention

The tryst with NASA India was not purely serendipity. Our previous experiences of seniors and ourselves demanded us to watch out for the Jaipur convention, which evoked immense eagerness to participate. When our USEC heralded his arrival from the pre-con, the insanity for the convention began.

Working for the trophies, dividing ourselves into teams, pooling in juniors to help – this is where we got to meet a lot of people who share a passion for what they do. It is what many people dream of doing. Bunking classes, never-ending night stays, and brainstorming ideas raced up. All the squatting on the floor to work on sheets and skipping meals was worth the battle. Sure enough, working is not always 100% fun – there are dull tasks too – and it is stressful, but working for NASA India trophies was equal to a roller coaster of emotions and pride. The nearer the deadline drew, the more hectic it became. But nothing beats the feeling when the work finally comes to life as planned, and when you can share those moments with a team of like-minded people who have been working long hours to make that moment happen.

The last-minute preparations were the most exciting — coupled with the anxiety of getting the flag ready, hiring drums, printing college jackets, packing winter clothes, and running toward the train five minutes before departure. Travel, for us, was all about breaking away from routine and indulging in something that excited the soul. (Honestly, the convention vibes are felt by the soul.) It is therapeutic from the college chaos and an entry into a time where we are just exploring and doing what we love — travel — with our fellow students. Zone 6 was nothing less than a family to bond with. It was about collecting moments and getting closer to people, shaping us into better individuals through experiences we never imagined we’d encounter with NASA India.

To start with, the offbeat biting cold filled our hearts with anticipation for the 59th ANC. Our trip to the Pink City was all about this. From mesmerizing beauty and exotic weather to vibrant culture and warm hospitality from Poornima University — Jaipur had its own charm that stays nostalgic, even if another convention tries to take over these memories.

Sprawling and almost frozen, we gathered all the scrap we could find for a bonfire while our USEC was busy completing registrations. We thought sleeping in tents would be one of the worst decisions a delegate could make, but crawling into the tent with layers of quilts to make ourselves impossibly warm turned out to be one of the best memories.

In a slightly sulking state, we figured out the compact campus and geared up for the pin-ups, which gradually brought us into the much-needed sensation of the convention. The inauguration ceremony was filled with raging sounds and flags waving high, making it clear how successful this convention was going to be.

Workshops didn’t disappoint — they allowed delegates to interact, exchange knowledge, and learn, which was our first expectation from NASA India. Evenings meant rushing to catch cultural events, unplanned meetings in the food court, and conversations over food — which was the heart of interaction. We even envied those who could attend both day and night workshops!

The convention was a perfect mix of energy and chaos. From hunting for staple guns to facing registration hassles and missing documents — nothing was easy, but every hurdle made the experience more memorable. Top-notch speakers and thinkers inspired us, filling the campus with ideas that would stay with us long after.

The last day came too soon. Watching our USECs gear up for the big evening felt surreal — how had the convention ended so fast? The proudest moment was watching our zone’s USECs win trophies, which felt like our own victory. When our USEC received the memento, it felt like it belonged to every single one of us.

We cannot deny that volunteers are the backbone of every convention — they are where everything starts and ends, ensuring everything runs as expected. We, the delegates, showed flexibility, adjusted when things didn’t go as planned, and contributed in every way we could.

Ultimately, we stood out from previous years — stronger, closer, prouder. The hardest moment was removing the wristbands, each one holding millions of memories.

As a delegate, attending a convention always reassures me that I am in the right profession — one that offers new challenges, new insights, new formats for the experienced, and encourages the less experienced. To pass on this knowledge is where the real success of a convention lies. Even after years, NASA conventions remain forward-looking, worthwhile experiences — treasured forever.