Then SAE came along.  Society of Automotive Engineers.  It’s an internationally recognized organization, most famous for its automotive events conducted for students across the world.  SAE Supra, SAE Baja were essentially the two events that my department in college was crazy about.  Supra being the event that required students to make formula one type cars, with rules, of course, and Baja being an event that required students to make an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle).  Being a huge fan of Formula One and Scuderia Ferrari and Vettel and the likes, the first thing I did was become a part of my college’s Supra team, Hawkz Racing.  To this day, I do not understand, or even despise to a point, the inappropriate replacement of the ‘s’ with a ‘z’, but as it would turn out, I really did grow into the name.  With good support from the college, a very helpful faculty advisor, an amazing design engineer, an involved captain, an exemplary technical team, tremendous management personnel and a beautiful family of 28, we managed to finally make a car.  Correction, a magnificent beast (You’ll agree I’m not exaggerating when you see the pictures).  Being the sick, lazy kid that I was, my contribution to the team wasn’t noteworthy at all, but I did my part, when I could.  Sometimes, I cried to myself, looking at the kind of effort my friends were putting in towards achieving targets, efforts I wish I could have put in. Anyway, bottom-line, despite the numerous disadvantages and setbacks that we were put through, we pushed hard, gave into our passion for cars and presented to the world, a true beauty.  Quintessence, we called it.  But we were in for another surprise.  The event which usually takes place in Chennai was now, in all its resplendence, to happen in Buddh International circuit, Noida Gr., UP.  Imagine it, a collegiate event, Supra, in an international circuit.  And by god, was it splendid!

I mean, if visiting the Buddh International circuit wasn’t awe-inspiring enough, we were to actually participate in Supra, as one among 170 other teams, all vying for top spots.  Sure, we didn’t win many awards, but getting to be there after making a car of our own, the entire experience was the unrealistically real prize.  The mechanical engineers of Hawkz Racing had the time of their lives through the duration of the event.  Victories, losses, surprises, disappointments and the lot, but the one thing that really elates us is the fact that each of us found 27 brothers in each other, waiting to do anything towards achieving the dream that was Hawkz Racing ’16.  “You don’t have to be part of a team making something, but please come see me for at least ten minutes each day.  Because you’re all family” was what the most essential cog in the team said.  And brother, you have my word.  Happen it shall.

Putting health and family below in the pecking order, making the car and the event our top priorities, we sure did leave a mark on the hundreds of teams, judges and people that were present at the event.  We didn’t receive accolades, but we signed off from Supra 2k16 and Buddh with pride, overwhelmed with the recognition and respect that Hawkz Racing gained.  To be ranked 39^th among 172 others is a great achievement for a team that in all its glory is in fact, a bunch of engineering aspirants who prior to this had no idea how to function as a team, let alone work together to make a car.  It’s a learning curve.  Now you know us, next year you’ll celebrate us.  And this, my people, is how I gradually grew to love the inappropriate ‘z’ in our name.  I also learned one very important life lesson.  When everything seems bleak and out of order, don’t hesitate to look behind you and appreciate the people that have your back.  It’s essential to always keep your head up in times of peril, but never forget to look back and cherish the people who are with you in it, experiencing the same thing that you are.  I still don’t know if I’m technical enough, but I sure know how to make a car and take it to the grandest of stages, and not fail.

The post How we built a car for Supra 2k16 appeared first on OutFocus.

The festive mood had begun a week before, with various pre-registration desks being organized. Announcement of online events such as Online quiz from the Quizzing Society “FACTION”, Digital Divide , a digital art event from Kalakirti, the art and design club of Shiv Nadar University, and ‘Tempus  Fugit’ , an online Creative Writing Event conducted by Words.Ink (Literary Society of SNU) and sponsored by OutFocus added more flavor to the mood. Labyrinth, the flagship event of SNU’s Civil society gave free passes for their events if the participants were able to solve the mazes!

The first event for Day 1 of Breeze 2k15 saw some melodious singing with Armonia, the musical solo singing event organized by Snuphoria (SNU Music Society). Participants from Lady Shri Ram College, Symbiosis Law School, Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University and other prestigious colleges competed against each other for the big ‘prize’. Prof. Sunanda Sukumar, judged the Western Vocals and Mr. Nishant Mishra judged the Indian Vocals.

Labyrinth , The Maze Game, made participants running madly through a 16*16 maze to complete two simple tasks. The Obstacle Course event made participants do silly jobs (such as using Water Guns to defeat the opponents) and cross obstacles. Baloon minefield had baloons to be burst using Bums. The Adventure Club organized Paint Ball where participants were divided into two groups and defeat the opposite team using paint guns.

The Dramatics Society of SNU, Imprints organized Dialoguebaazi, which surely managed to tickle everybody’s funny bone. Scenes from movies like Devdas, Dabangg, Yeh Jawani Hain Diwani were played and the contestants came up with very humorous alternative situations to these classic Bollywood scenes. The event was judged by Mr.Nishant Mishra and Dr.Mohammad Kamil and the winners were Lalit Tiwari, Shivani Chauhan, Anirudha Roy and Ananjay Chagti.

Time Mime, that fascinated audience with the subtle charm that is depicted by silent movies, by
organizing a mime competition.

Kalakriti, organized ‘Filmistaan’ where students were asked to convert an old movie poster into a futuristic one or convert a futuristic movie poster into a vintage one. Judged by Dr. Ananya Dasgupta and Dr. Arpan Deb, Priyadarshini and Ankitha emerged as Winners.

The War of Words, the Asian Parliamentary Debate kicked off in full force with teams strategically
putting their points forward and getting ahead.

MUN2050, a futuristic Model United Nation had participants representing various countries and discussing on one common agenda : to provide realistic solutions to avoid fictional World War III.

Sands of Time by Robotics Society of SNU, crosschecked the team’s ideas on feasibility, creativity and sustainability.

A simpler version of poker and based on Application of Game Theory, Casino Royale by SNU Economics club had participants making quick decisions to get their trophies. Assemble it made the mechanical engineers develop a dismantled part in best possible way.

Both Wire-o-logy and Analog Maker squeezed the brains of contestants to complete the circuit in the former and solving problems using simulations in the latter.

The opening ceremony was graced by Dr.Rajiv Swarup, the founding President of SNU, Dr. Amit Ray, Dean of SNU and Dr. Ram Sharma, Assistant Dean of SNU. The festival started as the light lanterns filled the sky providing an beautiful atmosphere.

Breeze 2k15’s Dandiya Night was quite a spectacle with students in colorful ethnic wear, twirling to the tunes of melodious folk songs. Fully-lit academic blocks added to the charm of an early winter evening. The lights made the surroundings look much more festive and it was surely an unforgettable experience for all.

The day was concluded by Astitva, a live concert that was performed with such zeal and passion that it left the audience enthralled in their soulful and quirky music covers.

Aagaz, the flagship event of Imprints, saw many colleges competing each other with powerful sensitive social street plays. Time Wreck saw contestants showing off their skills based on characters given on the spot. While Labyrinth entered it’s second day, Time Quest, a treasure hunt event organized by Words.Ink made the teams searching for clues spread across the University.]

Time Wrappers by Inferno , SNU’s Dancing Society made group dance hit into hip hops, pop and other genres. Retro quiz made contestants scratch their mind as it had topics from 80s and 90s. From the various coups to CERN, MJ to Monica Lewinsky, AIDS to assassinations, Retro Quiz took the not only just the Contestants but also the audiences to 80s.

Consisting of various rounds, This ain’t Hunger Games had fun filled moments with Paper Dance, Know your friend quiz and Ad Making.

For Gamers, Breeze 2K15 provided a complete package. FIFA, DOTA, CounterStrike and COD got the nerve of Gamers, making them anxious throughout. Rubik’s Cube event had contestants mind twisted to solve a complex cube within minutes. Minute to Win it had several rounds, all to be won within a Minute!

For Tech geeks, a full day Hackathon was organized where they can shine and show off your programming and Development skills to provide an innovative Idea using Modern technologies competing each other in several phases.

Cantilivo made contestants construct an L shaped structure that could sustain maximum weight using Match sticks, glue and threads. The Design SmackDown  made aspiring mechanical designers to show off their unique skills by making mechanical components. Being a fast paced and adrenaline rush infusing game, in Stock Market event by SNU Economics society, players experienced the real market simulation without investing a penny and still emerging as winners to become Wolves of Wall Street.

With Classic Jazz music filling the air, Retro Ball Night had couples beautifully dance adding elegance to the night. This was followed by Star Night, where Neha Kakkar gave an entertaining performance with her singing and dance moves.

Centered around semi-professional musicians, Acoustyx made a clear fusion between Indian and Western Music. The event had brilliant performances of fusion with varying degree of Improvisation.

Quantum Revolution by Physics society had a real-life simulation of the Solvay conference of 1927 on “Electrons and Photons” that happened in Brussels, Belgium. Students took the characters of 29 distinguished scientists, half of whom had won/would go on to receive the Nobel prize, were invited to discuss the newly formulated Quantum theory and to pitch it against the classical theory.

Participants experienced international trade through a scenario­ environment consisting of multiple trading sessions, thanks to This is Trading event.

Hogathon, the flagship event of Sigree (SNU’s culinary society) had participants stuffing burgers and pizzas in their mouth to be the Survival of the fastest and fullest !

Fashion Fiesta boasted excellent stylish outfits. With Models walking down the ramp and getting applauded for their creative sense. For the first time ever, the winners were decided using an online app “Rabbler” where audiences cast their votes.

X-Factor quiz by FACTION was another fusion, this time with Cartoons ,comics and with a pinch of Anime. CE quiz by ORIONS had surprising rules each round making it hard for the contestants to solve non technical questions.

Singularity by Inferno saw participants struggling to fit into moves of varying tempo and mixed genres. Crescendo – SNUPhoria’s flagship event saw 4 bands clashing against each other in the final round with Cosmic Truth emerging as the Winner.

Several Colleges participated in various sports events such as Football, BasketBall, VolleyBall, Table Tennis, Badminton, Tennis and Chess.

Breeze 2K15 ended with Deejay Ricky’s awesome DJ night where several famous songs from various languages were mixed adding more to the Party Feel.

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Full disclosure: OutFocus has sponsored the online creative writing event “Tempus Fugit” conducted by Words.Ink of SNU for Breeze 2015. This does not in any way influence the article.

Written by S G A Thomas with input from:

Campus Reporters:  Nayanika Srilakshmi Kandula, Somya Arora

Picture Credits: Visually SNU

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Shiv Nadar University was founded in 2011 and is situated in Greater Noida, U.P

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The post SPOTLIGHT: Events – Breeze 2K15 – Shiv Nadar University appeared first on OutFocus.