Whether it’s getting a box of paints for PnP, or a transistor for Epsilon, Logistics is the team behind it all. They carry the enormous burden of having to stick to budgets as well as catering to each of the 44 categories’ needs. Without Logistics, this year’s fest would still be a plan on a sheet of paper.
MTTN had the opportunity to interview the Category Head, Ujjwal Maheshwari along with Coordinators Nawaid Mallick, Aakash Kashyap and Ankit.
MTTN: Everyone seems to have a fair idea about Logistics, but what exactly is it that you specifically do?
Most people think we’re just in charge of getting pens and papers, but it’s so much more than that. We’re the most heavily relied on category of Tech Tatva because without the raw materials, there would be no fest to host. We speak to vendors and suppliers and try getting cheap goods whilst not compromising on the quality. Whatever you see around, Logistics has had some role to play in it.
MTTN: Since you have such a major task to carry out, how many people do you have working in this particular category?
We have four core committee members that include one cat head and three coordinators. Apart from that, we have 11 organisers. I guess we’re one of the very few categories that don’t have any volunteers whatsoever.
MTTN: Do you work alongside other categories such as finance in order to efficiently carry out your tasks?
It might seem as though we’d be heavily involved with finance, it’s not the case. Usually all our work is mainly with the Treasurer and is coordinated through the Student Council. However, this isn’t to say that our work is mutually exclusive from that of finance. We do get in touch with them every now and then, but the reliance is not major.
MTTN: If a category requires something from Logistics, what procedure would they have to follow?
The category heads are asked to submit a list of things that they need for the event to us well in advance. We then compile the lists from all the categories and decide the feasibility of most of the items. What usually happens is that some categories ask for really expensive equipment which isn’t that easy to procure locally. In that case, we try to find an alternative or sometimes (depending on the necessity) order it online and get it shipped. Otherwise, we just find local vendors and distributors and get what’s needed and hand it over.
MTTN: Do you give each category a budget? How do you decide the budget for each category?
No, we don’t give the categories a particular budget. The budget is kept within us, but if it happens to exceed the limit (which is almost always the case), we try our best to cut down costs.
MTTN: For how long have you been working on Logistics for? Have you faced any problems?
Well, we’ve been working on this for around two months and if you ask us about the problems we’ve faced, we would send you a signed copy of our book (chuckles). Since there’s money that’s directly being involved in this, there’s a lot of pressure from the college’s side to stick to the budget. But at the same time, some categories have such specific requirements, it’s impossible to cater to their needs. So it often feels like there’s absolutely no winning whatsoever. But then, if you maintain good relations with people, and especially the Student Council, it all turns out to be pretty great.
MTTN: What do you think about this year’s Tech Tatva? How would you improve it?
This year’s Tech Tatva saw a lot of participation in the workshops but somehow the turnout for the actual events was pretty low, surprisingly. It feels as though no one’s too enthusiastic about it. But then again, there are always a few people who are extremely excited, and that’s a great sight to see.
(Ujjwal) In terms of what can be changed, I think the theme would be it. Although wonderful in concept, I don’t see much of the theme ‘Realising Fiction’ being incorporated into the events. So yeah, that’s the one thing I’d change.
MTTN: If you had to give a few tips to next year’s logistics team, what would it be?
Gear up. And pull your socks up.
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Nethraa Kannan, for MTTN.
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