A few of us were trying to decide which Fletcher event was our favorite – tough choice given that the four culture nights (Africana, Asia, Fiesta Latina and Mediterranean Nights), Faculty Waits on You Dinner (and Charity Auction), Fletcher Follies, The Clambake, The Blakely BBQs, and the Diplomats’ Ball are always hits, with all having amazing attendance, regardless of the proximity of exams or inclemency of the New England weather.

The cultural nights are dazzling affairs, with fantastic outfits, specialist cuisines and spectacular dances in addition to various other events. They are also very “fletcheresque” as many of the participants in the events do not even belong to the region that is represented. Deciding on one of these events is an impossible task as some cultural nights, obviously, appeal more to different people than others.

The Faculty Waits on You Dinner is also great fun as we have the faculty and staff at our beck and call. The Charity Auction immediately thereafter, (after we have been plied with wine, which are mostly free bottles which are given to us by our “waiters”) is usually a blast. Vivek and I auctioned off a hybrid Luck- Lanka (Lucknow + Sri Lanka) dinner for six for $210! We also got lucky winning an all-expense paid fishing trip from Fletcher alum and fisherman par excellence Jeremy Harrington (MALD 05). This year the bidding process was somewhat less risqué – in 2005 we had one bid for $250 to have one of the auctioned men take of his shirt!!! I guess it ought to be mentioned that the proceeds from these events go to various charities.

The clambake and the BBQs are fun-filled events, with plenty of food and drinks. The former is open to alumni, friends and family and is just before graduation. Kind of hard to misbehave though! The BBQs are less formal and is great fun – and generally held in the Blakely courtyard. The glamorous Diplomats’ Ball is generally considered the send-off for the 2nd years. Fletcher students seldom look more beautiful! There are criticisms that it is but a glorified prom – but hey you get to bring out the tux and dance the night away – so who cares?

We agreed after much deliberation, however, that the event that is most loved, fun and memorable is the Fletcher Follies. This determination was without taking into account the fact that it is a hilarious and long standing tradition, and that it is costless! I am consistently amazed at the comic ability of my classmates and this year was no exception. Jason Taylor MALD ‘07) in his “Awkward White Guy” skit had me in stitches and the Curtis & Curtis production was excellent as ever. The Fletcher Nudes and the traditional look-alikes were hits as always. Vivek has been so thrilled about being compared to Abhishek Bachchan, a Bollywood star, that he has been fluttering his eyelashes and striking poses ever since. The crowning event though belonged to Todd Wassel and Joshua Newton. I doubt whether it could ever be surpassed. They performed the Backstreet Boys rendition much like the Asian clip that did the rounds on the Internet. Instead of a third friend working studiously in the backgroun, they had various shots with members of the faculty and staff in the background performing their routine tasks! If that wasn’t enough they had Dean Bosworth and Dean Sheehan lip-synching to the song as the second segment dressed in red jumpsuits!! The contrast can never be adequately described in words. Yeah, the Follies is the best of them all.

No Comments »

Yesterday I experienced my first Boston Marathon. Let me just say, I was impressed! Sheesh. Those folks know how to run. And fast. Professor Henrikson and his wife were kind enough to invite Fletcher students over for a lunch at their home in Wellesley which was right on the marathon course. We had a great time cheering friends on and watching our fellow students run. Shout outs are in order for the following people (And please note, I’m sure I’m missing a ton of Fletcherites who did run. My apologies!): Katie Ward-Waller (MALD 07), Jason Taylor (MALD 07), Emily Levasseur (MALD 07), Adam Schoene (MALD 07) and Todd Walters (MALD 07).

We’re also experiencing some of our own marthon days here at Fletcher now that we only have a week and a half left of classes. Where did the time go? I definitely have not started writing any of my final papers yet and I gotta admit I’m getting a bit stressed out about it. Fortunately, I know I’m in good company and I’m sure my fellow classmates and I will be spending some long days in the library as we struggle to finish final papers and exams taunted by the beautiful New England spring weather that lies outside.

No Comments »

Ah…the social life of a Fletcher student. It is a dynamic phenomenon. Often talked about, sometimes hotly debated, sometimes inert and immobile, and occasionally robust and active. Well, perhaps more than occasionally. Since one of the purposes of this blog is to give prospective students a chance to learn a little more about the life of a “typical” (who gave me that title? And what did I do to deserve it?) Fletcher student, I though that I would shed some light on the social scene at this insitution of fine academic tradition.

1) THE HOUSE PARTY. There are a number of “Fletcher” houses that are located close to campus. Some of them have colors (Yellow, Green, Pink, Brown), some of them have media affiliation (North Street Press Office), and some of them have street/decade loyalties (Electic Ave.) Many of these houses have been in the Fletcher family for years, and get passed down from second-years to rising first-years. They are the most frequent form of social interaction – of the partying kind.

Typically the house party involves your usual spread of drinks, snack food, and music. Occasionally, if we are lucky, our very own DJ Cliff will exercise his masterful mixing talents for us. Certain parties have emphasis on dancing, and other parties appreciate the more relaxed atmosphere of sitting and chatting. Either way, these parties have a good turnout of Fletcher students, and sometimes the occasional significant other, friend, or relative will show up. The presence of undergraduates is, however, highly discouraged. The length of a Fletcher House Party is approximately 11pm-4am. But don’t worry, one tends to build up the partying stamina as the year goes on.

2) THE BOSTON BAR SCENE: If it is a Fletcher outing, the social community usually gets an email that there is a movement afoot to take up partying activities at a particular bar in Boston. There are the “usual spots” that can be visited nearby, in Davis/Porter/Harvard Squares, as well as the more adventurous and longer journeys into…(hold your breath)…the CITY OF BOSTON. City of Boston (COB) excursions tend to be more expensive (cover charges and cab rides) but also allow the Fletcher community to see what goes on in the “real world” where “real people” go to have a drink. These gatherings involve less Fletcher students, as to be expected, and the group tends to fraction apart as each smaller social grouping finds their niche on the dance floor.

Again, there is a wide variety of bars and clubs in the trio of Davis/Porter/Harvard, as well as in C.O.B. Everything from the wild and crazy dance clubs to the smooth jazz lounges to the local dive bars and everything in between and outside. There are clubs known for their Latin population, their South Asian population, their Boston Irish population, their Boston SUPER Irish population, and other regions of the world that I have sadly yet to explore.

3) FLETCHER-ORGANIZED SPORTING EVENTS: Lots of work to organize, but lots of fun to attend. This year, our very own Joshua Newton assumed the task of arranging several of the outdoor and sporting events that the Fletcher Community enjoyed together. There was camping in Vermont, skiing in…New Hampshire, a Red Sox game, a Bruins game, a Celtics game, and other active events. It is always a pleasure to participate in these little slices of Americana with the international students, as well as the US students who have enjoyed many of these things all over the country. It takes massive coordination, so accolades to Josh are certainly in order.

4) SPONTANEOUS (or less organized) EVENTS: These range from dance parties in the graduate dormitory on campus, snowball fights, cricket games, soccer matches, BBQs, group dinners, movies, and group studying (just had to throw that last one in there)

Any way you slice it, the Fletcher social scene has something for everyone. Whether you are a party-all-night or a stay-at-home type, you will be sure to find something that appeals to your social sensibilities at this fine institution. (But remember to study)

No Comments »

I was not entirely surprised, upon arrival at Fletcher, to learn that Sri Lanka was as well known for its Tamil Tigers as for its fine tea! I was always amused that the Sri Lankan national flag carries a lion with a sword and that the flag of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, (LTTE) has a tiger with guns. For a country equated to paradise, how much more violent symbolism is required? What was even more amusing is the fact that we have no indigenous lions or tigers!! Such a background surely merits an informed discussion.

In a school where there are only two Sri Lankans, I had been a trifle discomfited about embarking on organizing a symposium on the ethnic conflict at home, though one of the most virulent in the world. Plans had been on the cards for some months, when chance conversations with an alumni and a friend at home put me in touch with the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US, Mr. Goonetilleke and a Member of Parliament from the Tamil National Alliance in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ponnambalam. After struggling with funds, dates and times (not to mention the ignominy faced by one of the participants in encountering overzealous and under-informed immigration officials) we finally managed to arrange it for Thursday, April 6th at 3.00 p.m. – not the best time but the best that we could do given that both participants were extremely busy. I was pleasantly surprised by the support extended by the student organizations and other institutions both in and outside Fletcher. Despite the inconvenient timing we had an awesome turn out, with the last head count going above 100. The event titled “Negotiating with Armed Groups – Sri Lanka and Beyond” turned out pretty well, with both Sri Lankan participants not holding back punches and yet being civil about it. Of course having Professor Babbit on the panel and Prof. Najam as the moderator helped de-personalize the issue and draw larger inferences. For more information check out the Tufts Daily coverage of the event http://www.tuftsdaily.com/media/storage/paper856/news/2006/04/07/News/Fletcher.Hosts.Sri.Lankan.Dignitaries-1801124.shtml?norewrite200604111047&sourcedomain=www.tuftsdaily.com

The feel good period of course was short lived, for now that it is over, I guess I have no further excuses to procrastinate. Back to work.

No Comments »

Finally, after several weeks of planning, discussion and postponing, we held the panel on “Muslim Life in Today’s World” here at Fletcher. Six Muslim students from Fletcher, both women and men, representing different regions of the world, came together and shared little slices of their life with the Fletcher Community. The regions represented were: Nigeria, Mali, Iraq, America, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The topics addressed ranged from the status of Muslim women in politics, to the role of Shari’a Law, to inheritance rights, democracy and Islam, the role of the Imam in Muslim Communities, the head covering, madrassas and educational systems, jihad, and much more. The six panelists first spoke on a topic of their choosing, and then engaged in a question and answer session with the audience members.

In an email that I composed to the Fletcher Community immediately after the event, I indicated my heartfelt gratitude and thanks that the evening had proceeded so smoothly, and that the topic of personal faith had finally been broached on the Fletcher campus. It is often quite difficult to integrate one’s own faith into this type of learning environment, since most of us are trained in fields that endorse the seperation of faith and policy. It is a sensitive topic, to be sure, and it was handled with grace and elegance during the evening. This was also due, in no small measure, to the mediating power of Professor Eileen Babbitt of the Fletcher School. She worked with all the participants and audience members to create a comfortable and safe space for sharing and dialogue. She certainly went the extra mile to ensure that the evening proceeded without incident, including meeting with the planners at the last minute during a momentarily tense situation. She reaffirmed my faith in the Fletcher faculty, and is a true embodiment of the ideal professor/practioner.

After the panel, many students expressed their appreciation that we were able to tackle such a sensitive topic. In addition, many panelists suggested that we continue with these types of faith-based dialogues, since we can all benefit from learning more about each other’s religions. Many Fletcherites hail from regions where they have little to no contact with other religions, and it would be tremendously beneficial to have wide exposure to the various religious faiths. Whether this is best done by having a series of panels on different religions or one large panel that incorporates all religions remains to be seen. But I, for one, am glad that we have at least opened that door.

No Comments »

Or do we have amazingly smart students at this school? This first struck me during Professor Aucoin’s Transitional Justice class last night where we had group presentations on Afghanistan, Bosnia and Sudan. Every group did Power Point presentations, but they weren’t the kind where you have all the information you want to talk about on the slides…the kind that I detest! Rather, all the groups had smartly done slides that skillfully utilized pictures as well as bullet points of the info they wanted to discuss. Really well done and I learned a great deal from all the groups. My partner Brian Neff (MALD 07) and I are presenting next Wednesday on the Iraqi Special Tribunal…keep your fingers crossed that our presentation will be just as amazing. (Brian, I’m counting on you!)

As soon as class ended, I attended the student-run panel: Muslim Life in Today’s World. This was a big undertaking organized by a great group of students, including our very own super star blogger, Sandhya Gupta (MALD 07). The panelists included: Abdul Akande (Nigeria), Khadija Amjad (Pakistan), Ashirul Amin (Bangladesh), Zeba Khan (U.S.), Abeer Mohammed(Iraq) and Mema Beye (Mali), with Professor Babbitt as moderator. Each of them answered questions with skill, aplomb and the right amount of humor regarding what it means to be a Muslim today in their countries of origin and living here in the U.S. The discussion spanned issues such as resolving the the sometimes seeming contradictions between being a woman and a Muslim, as well as phrases such as “Islamic terrorism” that have become commonplace since 9/11. Plus, it was awesome to see Professor Babbitt in her role as moderator. Now I see how effectively she can implement different methods of conflict resolution between groups like Israelis and Palestinians or Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs.

But it was really cool to think that these are my classmates–the future leaders of the world (think “Preparing Leaders with a Global Perspective”) and that I get to hang out with them everyday.

No Comments »

No, not at Fletcher. I just got a call from Best Buy, where my iPod is being serviced. It’s been there for almost 3 months, and has come back to me now 3 times with the exact same problem that I sent it out with. Now, I will give them cudos for their 4-year replacement contract, as it has saved me, but what it means is that it needs to be sent in for servicing 4 times before replacement. Well, IDIOTS down there just serviced it for the fourth time, which SHOULD mean I have a new iPod in my hand. Well, they apparently didn’t bother TURNING IT ON to find that the same skull and bones symbol (*note: exageration*) is flashing at me. I swear, even I could do better than whatever they’re doing. I can at least turn the damn thing on!

Ok, now I’m over that. It snowed today, what the heck? We had a whole week of 60+ degree weather and then it snows?

Whatever. There was a great luncheon talk today on the role of Navy in future security. I really enjoyed it, and I got a nice lox sandwich which was quite fulfilling. Although I wish it were more, because I’m a bit hungry right now.

Two more hours and I can scoot home….

No Comments »

No Comments »

No Comments »

Fletcher is a stressed out place these days. Ginn library is a veritable nerdfest. I was so scared I ran to the other library. Finals, presentations, job searches are looming Banquo like over despairing second year Fletchies.

We’ve all found our own little ways to escape work. Fletcher all-star Nirmalaguhan Wigneswaran (MALD ’06) decided to dismember his knee in a particularly vengeful tennis doubles grudge match. He looks particularly pathetic trying to sprint up Mount Packard. But he does pop a fancy robot with his crutches. Busy organising a Sri Lanka conference, he has resorted to creating mischief on the social listserv.
Farheen (MALD ’06) has started running off to New York with alarming regularity. She claims it’s a kathak performance, but I met her Guruji, who told me “Bengali girls, don’t trust them baba.” I kid you not.
Becky Gardner (MALD 06), Fletcher diva has found a secret place to study, and gleefully tells us she’ll never tell (in Brittany Murphy intonation). It breaks our hearts to tell her that we all know. Abigail Parish (MALD 06) is being anti-social, and occasionally throws fire-torches at juggling novices.

Marta Mclellan (MALD ’06), tenth-dan black black belt is often seen with choco-cat (look, she said its choco-cat, and she’s a black belt).
Incidentally, she spent her spring break along with a group of Fletcher students working with a volunteer association helping clean up hurricane ravaged New Orleans. I encourage you to visit the following web-link. Just one of those things that make you realise what a great place youre in. Naturally, by being here, through a process known as ‘Flosmosis’, their responsible nature, substance, and goodness rubs off on you.

http://fletcher.tufts.edu/news/2006/03/neworleans.shtml (There are hyperlinks to a photo gallery and the Boston Globe story as well here).

Spring is really here. The days are beautiful. I mean drop-dead stunning, va-va voom gorgeous. But I love my thesis, and I am a responsible graduate student. I study. Okay, regrettably, I haven taken far too many power naps at Tisch and Ginn, and occasionally have pins and needles. When I try and get up, I do my Gollum-Quasimodo walk and frighten people. (I do like to blame the pins and needles, and theres no need to be nasty)

When I’m not studying, I do see interesting sights every day. I saw this today. Shoes hung on wires. Quite a few up on Curtis St. I tell you, I love this place.

No Comments »