HPY 2021

 

There is an ancient Chinese belief, that “There exists a red thread, that connects all those who are destined to meet. This thread may stretch or tangle, but it never breaks.” I write this article in the midst of what the WHO calls a global pandemic, at a time when leaving one’s house puts you and your family members at risk. When an event like HPY manages to connect over two hundred people in these trying times, in spite of the several hurdles it has had to circumvent, we have to concede that the Chinese were right.

“That One Month”

Or this year, “those ten days”. HPY, simply put, is an experience that teaches you something new every minute, by exposing you to a new set of people, ideas, thought processes, strategies, and perspectives. It has been an important rite of passage for all “bawas and bawis” who have just wrapped up with their tenth standard exams. It connects the youth of this community, creating a bond that often lasts through entire lifetimes.

This year, the brilliant organizing team has gone out of their way to ensure that the children who missed out on this program last year, have also been given the opportunity to cherish this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

What does HPY look like online?

 It’s safe to say, when the late Dr. Mehroo Bengalee envisioned the program, an online version was definitely not part of the plan. However, here we are in 2021, in spite of all the challenges faced, doffing our hat to the very same famed spirit of creativity, go-getter attitude, and out-of-the-box thinking that our ancestors were known for. It took us, as participants, all of the first afternoon to realize how grateful we are to experience the feeling of HPY, albeit online.

Pre- HPY, there is a curiosity among its participants, with respect to what they should expect. But this time, everybody who heard of it, had their eyes peeled. Most thought it was impossible, while others thought it would be a shadow of what it is. Those who have been a part of both, however, have been amazed by how the spirit of this program has lived on. There is still the same sense of competition, same drive, same passion, and the same commitment to the program. There’s a magic that all HPYites feel, and the fact that we can feel it makes it clear that although the event was held virtually, it did not lose the key essentials that make it what it is.

 The Downsides 

The reality is, however, that the virtual platform has its downfalls. Being a 10-day event, it is only a shadow of the real program. In the words of Jeyhaan Carnac, the sports overall, “HPY is more than an event, it is an atmosphere that leaves you with experiences that are hard to forget”. This HPY may leave us with some great memories, but we shall never really experience the atmosphere and energy that is the crux of the event. While we may bond with our group and our organizers, this platform will not give us the opportunity to really connect and build relationships with all two hundred of those participants.

A Much Higher Upside

Every HPYite got the wonderful opportunity to interact and question eminent personalities from our community. We were fortunate to share screen time with many renowned achievers like Mr. Boman Irani, Mr. Sam Balsara, Dr. Porus Turner, and  Mr. Cyrus Broacha. It gave introverted individuals a chance to interact freely. It also extended the reach of the HPY family beyond national borders, with two participants from Moscow joining the program.

 “HPY helped me a lot already, it’s only been a few days and the competitions have helped me become a better competitor. All the competitions, although they are online have been incredibly executed and have been a lot of fun and have the spirit of HPY”, said Rushaad Engineer, sports secretary of the Enactors.

Conclusion

Our organizers have done a spectacular job in recreating this program virtually, and we cannot be grateful enough. We had an absolute blast. Immense planning has gone into each competition. In fact, we have burned the midnight oil on several occasions preparing for competitions that have come in thick and fast. Each day was a new challenge and every participant showed that they were up for it.

~Veenaaz Vaid