Building MUNDRA: Revolutionizing MUN Delegate Management with Tech
Discover how MUNDRA simplifies MUN delegate management with a FastAPI-powered backend.
November 21, 2024 • 4 min read
When it comes to managing Model United Nations (MUN) events, the challenges are endless—keeping track of hundreds of delegates, streamlining communication, and planning large-scale events with precision. As the Joint General Secretary - Tech of the MUN Society MPSTME, I decided to tackle these challenges head-on.
That’s how MUNDRA – the MUNSoc Delegate Resource Application – was born. Named after the bustling Mundra Port in Gujarat, this backend application is designed to be the central hub for all delegate-related activities. More than just a database, MUNDRA is a scalable, secure, and modular solution that will power everything from our apps to email workflows and websites.
For developers and enthusiasts, MUNDRA's API is fully documented and accessible here, showcasing its well-structured design and functionality.
The Idea Behind MUNDRA
MUNs are as much about organization as they are about debate. Without a centralized system to manage delegate data, events can quickly devolve into chaos. MUNDRA was built to simplify this process by:
- Centralizing all delegate and event data into a single database.
- Automating repetitive tasks like account management and email verification.
- Supporting scalable growth for larger MUN events in the future.
- Offering seamless integration with websites, apps, and other tools.
As someone who loves creating meaningful tech solutions, this wasn’t just another project for me. It was about building a product that could evolve with our society’s needs.
Diving Into the Tech
MUNDRA is built on FastAPI, a modern Python framework known for its speed and simplicity. Here’s what makes MUNDRA stand out:
Key Features
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Comprehensive User Management
- Delegate accounts with creation, deletion, and updates.
- Email verification ensures only genuine users have access.
- Hassle-free password recovery and change workflows.
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Centralized Database
A unified storage system for delegate and event data, enabling easy retrieval and scalability for future growth. -
Built-In Security
- Passwords are hashed using modern cryptographic standards.
- JWT-based authentication ensures secure access.
- Additional measures like rate limiting protect against abuse.
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Integration Ready
MUNDRA is designed to plug into various tools—our app, event websites, and even automated email scripts.
Why FastAPI?
Choosing the right framework was critical to the success of MUNDRA. FastAPI emerged as the clear winner for its modern features:
- Performance: It’s built for high-speed asynchronous processing.
- Ease of Use: Automatic API documentation and intuitive type hints made development quick and error-free.
- Scalability: FastAPI handles high-concurrency environments effortlessly.
You can explore the live API documentation here, powered by FastAPI's built-in OpenAPI support.
Building MUNDRA: Challenges and Lessons Learned
No journey is without its hurdles. Building MUNDRA taught me some valuable lessons:
Challenge: Scalability
MUN events grow larger every year. To ensure MUNDRA could keep up, I carefully designed the database schema and optimized API endpoints for handling large datasets.
Challenge: Security
Account workflows like password recovery are potential attack vectors. I implemented secure password hashing, email token validation, and rate limiting to safeguard user data.
Challenge: Modularity
MUNDRA had to be versatile enough to power apps, websites, and email scripts. I focused on designing clean, self-contained APIs that would work seamlessly across different front-end systems.
The Impact of MUNDRA
The first version of MUNDRA, v1.0.0, is already proving to be a game-changer for our society. With centralized data and automated workflows, we’ve saved countless hours of manual effort.
This backend isn’t just a tool; it’s a foundation for future innovation. Whether it’s real-time delegate tracking, analytics dashboards, or AI-driven insights, MUNDRA is built to evolve.
Beyond Code: What MUNDRA Means to Me
This project represents more than technical growth—it’s a testament to my ability to take an idea from concept to execution. As the Joint General Secretary - Tech, I didn’t just build a backend; I created a scalable product tailored to real-world needs.
MUNDRA reflects my passion for leveraging technology to solve problems at scale, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
What’s Next?
MUNDRA is just getting started. Here’s a glimpse into the roadmap:
- Real-Time Communication Tools: Instant updates for delegates.
- Analytics Dashboards: Insights into delegate participation and event performance.
- AI-Powered Tools: Recommendations for committee assignments and event planning.
Explore MUNDRA
Interested in the technical details or want to contribute?
- Check out the source code on GitHub.
- View the live API documentation at mundra.nnisarg.in/redoc.
Let’s build the future of MUN management together.