August 18, 2009

Marks for Attendance

By DU Beat August 18, 2009

attendance Against

Einstein while explaining his relativity theory of time gave the example of how one hour with a gorgeous woman seems like a second and a second at a boring conference seems like an hour. Similarly, a fifty minute lecture with a teacher can vary from seeming like two minutes to fifty hours and in the case of the latter, you are sitting in the class wishing desperately to get out but you cannot! Why? Because DU rules say that five per cent of your score is determined by your attendance. This rule compels so many of us to attend boring lectures where we have no interest in the subject or as is more common, where we are blessed with a wonderful teacher who manages to completely kill our interest in the subject. They say that this rule is necessary so that the teacher does not have to face an empty classroom. I find that attitude defeatist. At the age of 18 (when most of us enter college), do they really think that we have the wisdom to choose which MPs will govern us but not have the intelligence to decide which classes we must attend? As it is, we do not have too much choice regarding the subjects we wish to study in the Indian system. At least in college we should be able to assert our choice. The argument about no one attending classes if we do not have marks for it falls on its head when we look at what a truly great teacher can do. At a very famous DU college a professor’s classes are so famous that while he’s teaching even the window sills in the lecture room are filled with kids. People turn up even when they know they will get absolutely no marks for attending, so surely if the teaching standard is great students will turn up. On the other hand, if students attend classes just for the sake of marks but pay no attention in class, does that really help anyone at all? When teachers know that to avoid teaching empty classrooms they’d have to earn it, wouldn’t it raise the level of teaching? Doesn’t this give us an instrument of protest against bad teaching? If the authorities do decide to accord some respect to our ability to make our own choices they’ll realize for a fact that most students are in fact quite keen on actually learning and it will encourage a love for learning.

At the end of the day, keeping aside all debates on the efficiency of exams and the process of checking, aren’t our marks supposed to be a reflection of how deeply we understand the subject? Does attending a few lectures less than the other person really translate into having a deeper understanding? I doubt that. Doling out marks for attendance only limits our choices. And as an Economist has famously said, limiting my choices mostly limits my happiness.

For

Popular culture would have us believe that college life is one joyride with having fun being the only objective of students and studies being some vague entity they are hardly concerned with. Bunking classes in the higher interest of Chilling and contributing to the friendly neighbourhood chaatwala’s revenue is but natural and classrooms are there only to accommodate all the furniture. Most of us would like to believe in this romanticized version of college life and consider the attendance rule a major bubble-burster, but what we seem to be forgetting is that DU is an educational institution with teaching and learning being the primary aim and for this aim to be achieved, a few rules are necessary.

Let’s face it. If it weren’t for the lure of the 5 extra marks reserved for those with an attendance of 85% or more, most of us would definitely not have attended as many classes as we do presently. Though everyone grumbles about this regulation, they fail to realize that it is not a compulsion but an incentive. You have the freedom to bunk as many classes as you want without losing any marks at all. The university doesn’t punish those who fail to turn up for lectures, it only rewards those who do. I just don’t understand why anyone would have a problem with a rule that gives one extra marks merely for sitting around in classrooms.

Though 5 marks don’t seem like much right now, it can actually make a lot of difference in the larger scheme of things. 5 marks can convert a second division into a first, a fail into a pass, a commoner into a topper and so on. In short, five marks can make or break you. Instead of protesting against this ruling, students should be celebrating it and making the most of the opportunity. By imposing this regulation on us, the management is not curbing our rights, but broadening our scope to score marks. The rule, far from being a pain, is actually a blessing in disguise.

Admittedly, sitting under the fan in a classroom doesn’t really test any skill (except, perhaps one’s patience) and therefore deserves no extra marks. But in this way, the regulation is an equalizer. It cuts through all intellectual barriers, for once giving the average student the chance to score just as much the topper with sheer determination and well, endurance.

Summing up, the attendance rule is just a harmless, democratic tool to ensure that classrooms don’t remain empty and makes life a lot easier for the majority of us. It’s time we stopped objecting to every little rule and instead, start figuring out how to make them work us instead.

(This article has been equally contributed by Shraddha and Aina)

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Sex Amma

By Sex Amma August 18, 2009

sex-amma1

Is it okay for a 27-year-old and a 14-year-old to be together?

*jaw drops*. And NO! Aiyo rama rama, STOP THIS RELATIONSHIP. Does the 27year old even remember what it was like when he/she was 14! It’s the second concrete year in your “teenage” life and the mind is still developing. A 14 year old is a child and must be treated like one. Plus this could very well be against the law. Are you listening? It could be a potential crime; statutory rape if you have sex. Forget the legal aspect all together;I don’t even see how it is mutually possible for the two of you to actually be in this relationship. I’m sorry I’m being so blunt but this is the blatant truth. The relationship is nothing but harmful. I have to go meditate now to bring myself back to normality. And you two, whoever you are, stop scandalizing me!

Dear Ma’am

How to talk to a girl for students especially like me who are very low on confidence and what will be the girl’s reaction when i do approach her?

Basically I always think that today I will talk to a girl but my confidence does not build up, I think I do not have the guts to speak to a girl . Please I request you to give me some good suggestions regarding this as soon as possible I NEED IT.

Okay boy! Now even though all senders are kept anonymous, I cant help but mention, rather remind you that you are from SRCC. And ahem, every tom, dick or harry does not get to be a part of the most sought after college in Dehlhi Univerzity. The point here is that this simple fact should work wonders for your confidence. I mean if I were in your college, I would totally flaunt it in even the most random conversation with a boy. But that’s beside the point. What you need to be reminded of is that women are not beasts. They’re delicate harmless gifts of god and are your partners in the chain of being. So talking to them shouldn’t be a big deal at all. And you always have to remember that there are different categories of people around the university and no single category is in minority. In other words, you’ll find your kinds, in college, around college, on the metro station, in kamla nagar or even on the rick. Your kind could very well be one of those hep girls in D School too. Just talk to women (or people in general) and think that you’re no less than them. Force yourself into self-efficacy. Results are guaranteed and provide extraordinary satisfaction. *Wink wink*. Now your next mail should be details of your first date. Good luck boy! * Talking to herself* And what’s that cool sign? *now, getting back to you* Ya, \m/. Amma likes cool!!

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DUB Speak

Word On The Street-On the Go!

By DUBeat August 18, 2009

food

Welcome to the hottest food junction in the heart of the Delhi University-On the Go! It is definitely not your run-of-mill fast food joint; it definitely has a lot more to offer! The ambience is very cosy and youthful at the same time. Bamboo stools, graffiti splattered on the walls and the youthful chatter define this place. The place could have been more spacious considering its fan following, which seems to rise by the day! One would be amazed to know that the prices are very ‘student-friendly’, without comprising on the quality.

The menu is interesting and the names even more…! I Smooshies, bashed up potatoes and bruschettas are some of the names I am sure you have never even heard of, innovative right? Firstly, I suggest you to try the delectable ‘Italian bashed up potatoes’. Potatoes coated with a creamy layer of Italian dressing are sure to tantalize your taste buds. After you have relished the potatoes, you could go for their grilled sandwiches and pastas. Pastas are definitely “value for money” and are an instant hit with the college-goers. The sandwiches, especially the “Mumbai street” and the “Country chicken” ones . The Mumbai street sandwich is a treat for the vegetarians and I could say one of the best veg sandwiches I have ever had till date.

Now, coming to the drinks I would advise you to avoid the “Smooshies”. The name sounds exotic but the taste is very ordinary.The Mint lemonade is worth a try, with the subtle taste taste of ‘pudina ’staying even after you have gulped it down. As far as the desserts are concerned, they are simply heavenly. All in all, a foodies delight!

Rating-3.5/5

BEST THING ABOUT IT-BASHED UP POTATOES AND PASTAS

WORST THING ABOUT IT-SHORTAGE OF SPACE

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Reviews

Reviews: Hot Rats

By DUBeat August 18, 2009

hotrats

For your ears and not your digestive systems

Hot Rats is Frank Zappa’s second solo album post The Mothers and was released in 1969. It consists of six tracks with a collective length of almost an hour and in the Grand Wazoo’s own words, “it is a movie for your ears”. One of the key features of this album is the remarkable editing and post-recording work done by Zappa himself. As for the ominous album cover, it gives the expression, ‘rose-tinted’ a completely new meaning.

Hot Rats is primarily an instrumental album with Willie the Pimp being the only exception; consequently, the album title was taken from this song. The peculiar and raspy vocals seem just right for the bawdy lyrics, which also reflect Zappa’s tendency of writing songs in the first person, placing himself as the eponymous character as always. Technically sound music and at the same time far more vibrant and human than any of its rivals in this department. Another realization that might strike you through the course of the album is that Zappa sure had a knack of picking the right talent as is evident by the more than able and flawless rhythm section. Ian Underwood of course has his virtuosity stamped all over the album with numerous instruments ranging from the flute to the organ, particularly in The Gumbo Variations, which is basically a legendary sixteen minute jam, and in which Underwood manages to hold his own with the saxophone. The way he makes the instrument shriek, bark and bray, is just insane! Regarding Zappa himself, his characteristic complex chronological structures are evident in all the compositions, a clear influence of his penchant for classical music. There are the typical rock n’ roll and blues licks, and then the psychedelic aspects of Zappa’s music. Unlike Floyd, it is a fast-paced brand of psychedelia but not of the dismal variety that is called modern psych or trance. Of course, Zappa’s influences derived from the avant-garde movement find ample space throughout the album, particularly in the form of his eccentric and brilliant guitar solos. The album starts with Peaches en Regalia, which at just about three and a half minutes is one of the shorter songs, and yet it stands out for its complex structure and sheer musical genius. You know you are in for a ride as soon as the drum intro begins.

Son of Mr. Green Genes puts the ripple and flutter effects to excellent use without sounding repetitive. Little Umbrellas, the shortest song of the album has to its credit a simply superb bass line and rhythm, which gradually oscillates between eeriness and cheerfulness. As for the final song, It must be a Camel, Zappa achieves an ineffable effect with the help of somewhat muffled drumbeats and guitar notes. The almost robotic and hypnotic interlude is captivating to say the least. A special mention to the judicious use of violins throughout the album, although the flutes have been woefully underplayed. Oh, and don’t eat the yellow snow!

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Uncategorized

Top 5 Ways to Avoid Swine Flu

By DUBeat August 18, 2009

Bunk College, dull family functions, the birthday parties of people you don’t like etc. If they love you, your parents can’t force you to go to a place where there’s a risk that their delicate darling might contract a deadly disease, can they?
Go to Tibet and join a monastery: you’ll avoid contracting any disease and there’s a chance you might achieve enlightenment – which is a lot more than can be said for the early morning Economic History of India lecture.
Buy a mask – this might make you uncomfortable and hot but you’ll avoid having to spend a week at home with diarrhea and it’ll make it easier for you to rob a bank.
Go to the Bahamas for a holiday. Your dad makes too much money anyway.
Pretend to have swine flu and stay at home – your annoying relatives and neighbours will avoid you. Freely surf the net and watch the kind of depraved videos you normally wouldn’t for fear of your parents sticking their heads into the room.

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News

The Campaigning Season

By DUBeat August 18, 2009

In the first one month whatever impression you can get of your college sticks. Then, the Student Union campaigner promises to provide something even better than what exists. Delhi University has its own enthusiasts of politics. Every August-September the campaigning starts for the posts of the University President, Vice-President, Secretary and Joint-Secretary. Elections are fought at the university and college level.

The first image that is created about these student bodies is through their prepared, powerful speeches which they come and make in the middle of lectures (much to the teacher’s dislike). You’ll see them swearing by the name of Bhagat Singh, promising to bring in well known pop-singers for fests, explaining how they intend to revolutionize the name of your university or spelling out a detailed agenda on the improvement of college infrastructure .

Campaigning is a massive and overwhelming phenomenon. You enter the gate only to be surrounded by slogans of ‘vote for ballot no. 1, 2, 5 etc.’ Flyers and posters crowd the walls and even the very air as party devotees fling leaflets bearing millions of promises over the heads of the thronging students. The doors, walls and blackboards are covered in scribbles and contribute their bit to the campaign, working along with the slogan-beating and posters on the ‘wall of democracy’. Hostellers are compulsorily made to join in the campaigning and voting process. Many friends and relatives also join in to lend their support to the campaigning parties.

Whether a normal student is concerned about the voting process is a valid question. Much to the ire of the party heads the election days are for the most part treated as holidays. Very few people turn up to vote, and of the few that do the majority are still the friends and supporters of the contestants. However a lot of first years tend to turn up out of curiosity. Perhaps a little more effort in interacting and engaging with the students could improve the turnover. In any case the celebration is a grand one, usually involving the playing of a dhol and much dancing.

The student elections are fought keenly and with great enthusiasm. In the past, several of the office bearers of the Delhi University Students Union have gone on to hold public offices in State and Central governments. The elections to DUSU are by direct voting by the students of the University and member colleges. A few contestants are so keen to enter politics in the long-run that they often do a second graduation just to get that break.

This year we hope to see even more work being done by the new Union, a cutback on union brawls and of course even better organization of fests, though last year’s University fest was considered to be pretty near perfect.

In any case all students should make sure to participate in the elections this time around, if only to exercise their right to vote.

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News

Stephen’s Fee Melee

By Devika Dutt August 18, 2009

Disputes abound over proposed Fee Hike

The College Governing Body of St. Stephen’s College ratified the recommendations of the College Finance Committee which suggested a 40%- 57% increase in the fees, with effect from the current academic session, 2009-10. This move by the governing body has met with stiff resistance from several students, who consider the steep hike highly unwarranted.

The students have chosen to make a visible protest against the hike in fees by sporting black arm bands. A Third year student of the college says, “The magnitude of the fee hike is the problem here. A 10-15% increase in the fees would have been reasonable, but a 50% fee hike is outrageous. This may not affect the majority of the students, but we also need to keep in mind the people who will be seriously affected. We have to consider the students who will not be able to pay the raised fees and so we must protest against this unfair step.”

However, some teachers choose to take a different stand on the issue. Mr. Shankaran, a professor in the college says, “Several colleges like Khalsa College and Sri Vivekananda College have external funding from their respective affiliated institutions. However, the church which we are affiliated to, the Church of North India, does not provide us with funds. We are running a huge deficit and the situation is so bad, that we do not have enough funds to maintain day-to-day activities. We need to increase the fee so that the college can run smoothly and the infrastructure of the college can be maintained.”

Several representatives of students have had meetings with the bursar and the principal in order to clarify the reasons behind the fee hike and request them to reduce the amount incremented. The Bursar, Mr. Raghunathan, has therefore circulated a written explanation among the students giving reasons as to why the fee hike is justified.

The circular says that the increase in the fee is required simply because over the years costs have gone up while the fee has remained unchanged. The circular cites the example of the increasing price of books for the library, thus necessitating an increase in the library fee. Costs of scientific equipment too have seen a rise, resulting in a hike in the ‘Science Facility fee’. The ‘Student Aid Fund’ to help needy students has also been augmented while a ‘Development fund’ has been set up to help in the acquisition of more lecture and tutorial rooms and better laboratory facilities. The ‘Residence Fund’ of the college which is used to pay for salaries of the garden staff, security staff and mess staff and which is not covered by the UGC grant is also suffering a deficit which needs to be addressed. Moreover, the college has to pay the arrears of salary according to the VI th Pay Commission’s recommendations.

All this results in the minimum anticipated deficit to be over Rs 45 Lakhs and the situation is only expected to worsen during the course of this academic session. Says the bursar, “If the University undergraduate tuition fee is raised to Rs 100 a month, you can either choose to look upon it as a more reasonable amount than the original laughably small sum of Rs 15 per month, or you can choose to see it as more than a 600% fee hike. So what one needs to think of is the resulting total, rather than the amount by which the fee has been increased.”

Some students agree with the bursar. A Second year student says, “I don’t mind the increase in the fee since DU fees are in any case ridiculously low and moreover most kids are easily capable of paying the new fee, even if it means making a tiny compromise in the shopping department.”

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Uncategorized

International Exchange Programs

By DU Beat August 18, 2009

Delhi University, being one of the premier universities of our country has left no stone unturned to ensure that students get the right kind of exposure to education trends all over the world. Keeping this in mind, it has a number of international exchange Programs with renowned universities from various parts of the globe. It has long been in consortium with several universities through various projects, and provides undergraduate and post graduate students, as well as faculty members with several opportunities for exchange programmes, fellowships and scholarships. The main aim of these programmes is to give the students a chance to learn in a new, more global environment and facilitate inter- cultural interaction and understanding.

For undergraduate courses, the Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Lot 15 for India provides funds to promote student and teaching staff mobility between 12 European universities and 8 Indian universities. It is available to all Delhi University students. Through EMECW15, successful applicants (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and post-doctorate students as well as academic staff) are also awarded a scholarship which covers costs of travel, insurance, possible tuition, living expenses and housing. The coordinating institution for the EMECW15 scheme is the University of Lund (Sweden). The yearly deadline for submission of applications is 15^th February. For more information refer to www.erasmuswindow15.org .

Delhi University has also collaborated with the University of Heidelberg and the University of California and these ties having been strengthened further during the last five years. There is a successful student exchange programme between the University of Delhi and these Universities especially in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Apart from these, many exchange programmes in Delhi University are college specific.

LSR has collaborated with many international universities and at present has exchange programmes going on with Kinnaird College, La Trobe University and Smith College.

Brown College too has collaborated with LSR and St. Stephens, while NUS is in partnership with LSR and Hindu College.

Last year, a team of 12 students and four faculty members from the Hogeschool Utrecht University of Applied sciences visited the University of Delhi for an inter-cultural interaction, the focus being provision of multi-cultural interaction on the academic platform. About 30 students from Miranda and SRCC participated in this programme.

The Centre of International Education at Ramjas College has also been greatly enhancing the prospects of students. At present, they are conducting jointly conducting a programme with Denmark’s International Study Program, Copenhagen. It also has to its credit an exchange program with the Department of Applied Economics, Antwerp, Belgium and Lahore University of Management Sciences.

In addition to this, efforts are on at present to build relationships with institutions in Sweden, New Zealand, Brazil and Chile, and discussions and other preparatory work for the same are in progress.

Information regarding exchange programmes for a specific course, if any, being offered in other colleges can be obtained from the concerned department of that college.

International exchange programmes have helped to establish a more global front and given a more holistic base to the undergraduate studies of Delhi University. However, the absence of a semester system and difference in the marking structure still limits the choice of Delhi University students to programmes in partner universities only, which is sometimes restricted only to specific courses. A student of Miranda House says, “I had been to the US this summer for a short term course. The Universities are keen to introduce more exchange programs but according to them, the technicalities of both the systems hugely differ”. Hopefully the possible introduction of the Semester System next year will improve prospects of collaboration with premier institutes and increase the choices in course and subject.

(This article has been equally contributed by Kritika Kushwaha and Geetika Sachdev)

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Uncategorized

Readers’ Haven

By DUBeat August 18, 2009

I‘ve traveled the world twice over,
Met the famous; saints and sinners,
Poets and artists, kings and queens,
Old stars and hopeful beginners,
I’ve been where no-one’s been before,
Learned secrets from writers and cooks
All with one library ticket
To the wonderful world of books.
~ Anonymous ~

The dream environment of any reader ought to be a library. No matter how many books you buy; the bliss of being surrounded by shelves and shelves of every kind of book imaginable and spending hours browsing through them at leisure is absolutely incomparable. Luckily for these readers then that there happen to be quite a number of well stocked libraries in Delhi which will be a source of joy for every true bookworm.

Among the private libraries, the best is undoubtedly Eloor. Located in South Extension, Part I, it charges 10% of the book price for 14 days and offers a wide range of books.

Probably one of Defence Colony’s best kept secrets is the cozy 3L Library behind Moet’s. The rent for borrowing books starts from Rs. 7 and escalates depending on your choice of book.

In central Delhi, there is the famous British Council Library in Kasturba Gandhi Marg. Apart from a collection of over 25000 books; they house educational videos, home videos, periodicals and newspapers from the UK. Right opposite the BCL is the comparatively less known American Centre Library. The Sahitya Akademi library, in Rabindra Bhavan CP, is one of the largest multi-lingual libraries in India, used by researchers and casual readers alike.

The Delhi Public Library is located in various parts of the city and its various locations can be looked up at its site: www.dpl.gov.in. A relatively new phenomenon is the online library ‘Friends of Books’ (www.friendsofbooks.com)which caters to Delhi and NCR. There couldn’t possibly be a more convenient way to get your hands on books, though the lack of physical evidence does tend to put off readers. After all there is nothing quite like leafing through the yellowing pages of thumbed down hard backs for yourself.

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