Last One Standing – What Happened to Student Accountability? : MoL Speeches (2nd and 3rd years)

Sricity: At Krea, the outcome of the Ministry of Learning elections for the coming term seems to be largely determined. With no competition standing against them, Dhruv and Achinthya will walk into their roles as MOLs, unchallenged and unopposed.

This election, or rather, this confirmation, brings forward the only question that truly matters: Have we, as students, become too comfortable with letting a few carry the weight of many? Have we lost our sense of accountability, our drive to push for change?

Dhruv – Running Once More with Experience on His Side

Dhruv (SIASUG22-26), a seasoned veteran of student governance. Running for the third time, he leans into his experience, listing past accomplishments: the Major Minor Mela, DAN Tutoring, the FAQ document. Leher asked Dhruv “After three years, what do you think was your biggest failure as MOL? And more importantly, what do you think you learned from that which will be different next year?” To which he says:

“Okay, I don't think we failed very much during that time. We accomplished quite a lot during that time. A few things that I would like to work on currently we are facing a little bit of a trouble with students signing up for DAN sessions and the TA-ship program are interacting with each other and use that is that to come up with a better version of the program so that there's no inefficiencies and there's no wastage of resources.” followed by a round of applause echoing throughout Seminar Hall 2.

Given that Dhruv has been a proud representative of the office for the past two years, your guess is as good as mine, the class of 2022-26 have put the faith in him to represent them for all their academic pursuits for the past two years and it is safe to assume, that the coming term won’t be any different.

Year after year, student elections highlight the same issue—a lack of engagement. While leadership positions carry influence, few are willing to take on the responsibility. The question is no longer about who is running, but about why so many others are not.

Achinthya - The New Face

Achinthya (SIASUG23-27) steps into this role with fresh energy. Her manifesto addressed key student concerns: ERP glitches, internship opportunities, and the contentious 6:30 PM class slot. She promised accountability, better communication, and stronger collaboration with the CSO to combat understaffing and expand tutoring programs. Her proposals were practical, relevant, and well-structured, offering solutions to issues that students have long struggled with. When asked about the removal of the 6:30 PM slot, a move that sounds beneficial but comes with logistical hurdles, she proposed, “The ideal solution would be to remove the slot or reduce classes that are in that slot.”

She also offered a practical alternative, stating, “If the academic aspect doesn't work out, I am also open to giving this to the MOCC… in terms of arranging for the means for students to have dinner, because [that] is very important.”

Achinthya’s approach is practical and flexible, she’s willing to work within the system rather than push against it outright. Policies at Krea often seem to take months of negotiation with the faculty and administration. Even though Achinthya’s manifesto lays out clear goals, can she see them through in a single term? Or will these ideas get buried in bureaucracy, ending up as well-intentioned but unfulfilled promises?

And yet, despite these doubts, can we really criticize her for trying? Achinthya is one of the only students who had the courage to step forward. Her campaign, her speech, and her vision all signal a willingness to lead. That alone makes her worthy of our attention.

Regardless, only time will tell how far she’s willing to go to navigate the administrative and operational challenges that will come her way once she officially takes on the role of MOL.

The Problem

This year has seen an unprecedented number of candidates for other ministries, yet the Ministry of Learning, a role that requires immense effort, negotiation, and long hours of unseen labor, has the least competition. 

For a student body that is so politically charged, when it comes to taking action, we fall silent. If we, as a university, truly want to grow, we must engage in meaningful change. We just cannot afford to be passive spectators. 

Krea prides itself on being a space for critical thinking, debate, and intellectual engagement. But those principles mean nothing if they are not followed by action. If we do not push ourselves now, if we do not demand more, how then will we ever create the future we so passionately speak about?

Yet, perhaps there is a silver lining. In Dhruv, we have someone experienced, someone who has carried the weight of student governance before. With Achinthya in the running for MOL this year, we may have found someone ready to bring new perspectives to the table. Maybe this balance will prove beneficial, where experience meets innovation. 

Perhaps, for once, Dhruv has found someone who can carry this legacy forward, ensuring that the work he has done does not just fade away but grows into something greater. But that depends on us, too. Leadership is not just about those who step forward. It is about those who stand with them, challenge them, and push them to be better. We must demand better to be better.  

(Written by Bidisha Dam)