August 26, 2009

A creative writing workshop was recently held at the Oxford book store, Statesman House on August 18^th for students and teachers of Delhi University. The workshop called” Secrets of Good Writing’ was conducted by celebrated author Jaishree Mishra and witnessed enthusiastic participation from both North and South Campus colleges. Author of four books, including the best seller Ancient Promises, Mishra also spoke about her latest novel, ‘Secret and Lies”. Attended by the chief editor of Harper Collins India, the workshop primarily focused on the nuances of story writing, but questions pertaining to the field of publishing were also entertained.

Mishra spoke extensively about various writing techniques, genres of creative writing, and how to reach out to the intended audience . She also discussed at length the problems of this profession, right from tackling writer’ block to the difficulty in getting published. Calling resilience a virtue in the writing profession, she advised that prospective writers should consider getting day jobs to keep themselves afloat, since it’s largely impossible to live on an author’s income alone. This, she said would also serve in accumulating a range of interesting experiences, a prerequisite to any writer’s resume. Useful insights about the tone of narration, voice, characterization detailing and plot structure were also given.

Reviews

Book review: Window Seat

Author : Janhavi Archarekar Publishers: Harper Collins, India Cost: Rs . 250 A crucible of thirty short stories, Janhavi Archerkar’s debut book Window Seat provides one an interesting contemplation of life in aamchi Mumbai. This relatively recent Harper Collins publication has been appreciation from critics and readers alike “Providing rush hour stories of the city” Window Seat attempts to portray the captured reality of the bustling city of dreams. Acharekar’s stories invest in the daily life and experiences of ordinary people. While a few stories may come across as overtly simplistic and slightly abrupt the incredibly flesh and blood characters and pithy diction make it an enjoyable read. The variety of narrative voices employed in telling the equally versatile anecdotes creative a colourful mosaic of Indian life . Great attention is paid to detail, which rather than making her stories boringly verbose provide an authentic and often hilarious note to them. Divided in two parts, Mumbai Montage and Mumbai Medley, her stories range from the introspective, poignant to the breezy. A harassed school teacher, a child of the twilight zone, cyberspace courtships, the bride with the distended nose, the weary jostled train commuters all manage to weave their way in her narration. Traversing the ground between fantasy and reality ,Window Seat, is an amalgam of imagined reality and lived experiences. Though she successfully captures the pneuma of Mumbai , her tales have an element of universality; some or the other sentiment that any reader who has lived in an Indian metro can relate to. A must read for those who appreciate short stories. For those who are not big fans of this form of writing, Acharekar’s novel could be a good start. Crisp but engagingly so The Window Seat should by no means be dismissed as “literature in a hurry”. Personal favourites: China, Freedom at Midnight, Miss! , Nose Job [email protected]]]>

DUB Speak

WOTS: Tandoori nights……and days!

momos

What: QDs…love @first bite!

Where: Momo Street, Kamla Nagar, Delhi 11007

There are many things about college life that one would like to reminisce in his or her ripe old age, and probably one of those precious things that will definitely come to mind would be tandoori momos.

Located bang in the centre of Momo Street, Kamla Nagar, QDs has the warmth of a café, juxtaposed with the uber chic crowd that defines this place. With a relaxed ambience, it sets the tone for a good, well deserved luncheon. QDs is different from the other eateries lining this street; wall paper depicting fine food, popular cult musicians, and eclectic quotes, it makes for an interesting cultural point, in the true University sense. Its small, but we don’t mind.

More importantly, the food. It is delightful, to say the least. The crux of their menu though are the the very famous tandoori momos. Tandoori, as we all know is anything cooked in a tandoor, which gives it the very characteristic and intrinsic flavor. These are the usual momos cooked in a tandoor just before serving. And the result, ah, we like it! There is just something special which the tandoor does to these simple steamed dumplings, and coupled with garlic sauce, they soon fall into that category of irresistible treats. And now, try saying no to that! Impossible isn’t it?

For Rs 60 a plate for the veg tandoori momos, it’s a winner.”Veg” tandoori momos, yeah. This is perhaps every wannabe-carnivore-but-not-quite there personality’s delight. And of course, the chicken momos for a mere 10 extra rupees a plate is a sure fire success too.QDs serves both Chinese and Indian cuisines, but we recommend the former over the latter. And tandoori momos, more than anything else! This is the one and only place where you get them, and infact it seems QDs came up with this unique gastronomic invention following north campus’s infatuation with momos. Only this time it ain’t infatuation anymore, its love at first bite, literally!

Your Beat

IN FOCUS : STREET PLAY SOCIETY

street

Huge crowds. Incessant singing and slogan raising. Raised voices. Loud invitiations to draw in the audience. A rampant air of festivity.

If you’re in DU and you notice an event with the above characteristics, then make sure you stick around. For what you’ll eventually witness will be a fine piece of street theatre performed by enthusiasts and concluded with a message meant to mobilize the youth.

Street theatre in DU is usually performed by the Hindi Dramatic Societies. However there are also a few groups which function as separate societies dedicated solely to this form of theatre.

Street theatre is largely devoted to addressing social and political concerns. Society today is witnessing widespread internal and external crises. From terrorism to communal riots to a wholesome political paralysis, the country is plagued with numerous evils. Hence it’s commendable that students of the university take it upon themselves to spread necessary awareness through a medium which shall reach the largest audience.

The street play societies also have the most amount of fun, aays Samriddhi Kukreja, Vice president of Kahkasha, JMC, “We have these sessions where we aim at making the voice of each member reach its highest frequency. So the whole group repeats “anna” and each time the frequency increases. Also, we want each of us to be comfortable with words that would otherwise make jaws drop. For instance, we have sessions where each member is expected to say “condom” really loudly. So these are some the fun things we do.” Various events last year saw the JMC girls perform on the much controversial theme of “homosexuality” and receive significant appreciation.

Besides JMC, Venky has Anubhuti which has been in existence since the last eight years and has immense popularity to its credit. St. Stephens has Shakesabha, Miranda’s Anukriti is popular for its signature human pyramid and Khalsa’s Ankur have been extremely instrumental in raising awareness.

The most reputed of all is Verve, The Street Play Society of the College of Business Studies. Last year their Annual Theatre Festival, Manthan, got a lot of colleges together to perform street plays in government schools and public places.

The street play culture ensures that even while you’re having fun, you’re getting across important messages to the society. Surely it’s a combination well worth exploring!

Sex Amma

By Sex Amma August 26, 2009

Is it advisable to have sex during periods? Will I get pregnant?

Sex during periods? Rama, rama! But it is so icky, no? And it’s only a few days in a month that you have to restrain those raging hormones of those yours… I remember I had to wait for weeks to unite with my beloved Unnikrishnan in the paddy fields, away from Appa’s prying eyes. Sigh. Those were the days… well, coming back to your question, I personally don’t advocate sex during periods, but to each his (or her) own. As for the second part of your query, there is no time of the month when you are completely free of a pregnancy risk, but it is true indeed that during your periods the risk is comparatively low. You should still use protection in any case. Better safe than pregnant, I always say!

Does masturbation cause erectile dysfunction? I think it’s becoming a habit with me. How do I get out of it?

So many queries about masturbation! I wonder when you young ones get time for your academics! Ah well, just me and my old thinking I suppose. Hmm. Masturbation is actually quite a healthy practice with absolutely no side effects. A little birdie even tells me that sperm is actually good for your skin! Birds and their twitterings aside, masturbation is definitely not the root cause of erectile dysfunction or any other sexual impairments. As to your worries that it’s becoming a habit, the only way to get out of it is to stop doing it. There is no rehab and all that, lovelies! You’ve just got to stop doing it!

Top 5 things that can kill you other than swine flu

By DU Beat August 26, 2009

A tour of DU’s toilets (with special mention to Venky for their untiring efforts at maintaining such high standards of filth)
Prolonged exposure to Kangana Ranaut’s English/ Himesh Reshamiya’s songs
RGV flicks (Agyaat, we hear, is particularly lethal)
The Sad Jokes Corner (if it doesn’t kill you, it’ll at least induce suicidal tendencies)
Mentos and Coke, if chain mails are to be believed

The Politician in Us

By Devika Dutt August 26, 2009

Politics and politicians- we all love to hate them. Be it at the national level or the Delhi University Students’ Union or our respective college student unions- we love to heap scorn on the nature of politics and raise our noses in disdain. The politicians don’t care about us, they are all just driven by their own personal agenda and just further them under the garb of doing acts for public welfare, we say. And an obvious consequence of this derision is considering our selves above this very popularly considered immoral, ignoble and unscrupulous activity. However, it is extremely hypocritical of us as we politicize almost every aspect of our own lives.

Basically the popular perception of a politician is a person who influences group opinion in his or her favor, irrespective of whether it will be beneficial for the group as a whole. Now, don’t we all do that? Except for the few people who are the epitomes of selflessness or are exceptionally blunt, we all engage in the very act that we all deride. Of course it is at a personal level. Various examples can be given on this count. Like scheduling a mass bunk on a day you really can’t come to college. Now why should everyone else not come if one person cannot? Why should everybody else suffer the missed attendances and the unfinished syllabus? But many a time we try really hard for this to happen. Of course to do this, you wouldn’t go about telling your classmates not to come because you have to get your hair dyed. You would go about lying, trying to give them to reason to not come when there really isn’t a reason. It would involve cooking up a story, which could be anything from a terrorist threat to calling an innocuous sneeze a definite symptom of impending death, depending upon the gullibility of your classmates, of course. Now, isn’t this wrong, immoral and unscrupulous in the very way politicians are infamous of being?

Another thing politicians are notorious for is doing whatever is possible and being in the good books of the people who can pull a few strings here and there, or somebody who could help you out. Well don’t we like to appease the people in the administrative offices of our colleges? Don’t we try very hard not to miff the person who makes really good notes? Don’t we all suck up to our teachers because they control our internals’ marks? Of course we will be bitching about them behind their backs, but as long as the sugary sweet façade is in place, the show goes on.

So, on the whole, we shouldn’t really just blame our politicians for being politicians. We all have a Machiavelli in us too and I think that’s what spices up our otherwise mundane routine. Acknowledge that politician in you and keep up the politics!

7 Myths about Swine Flu Busted!

Swine Flu coverage is everywhere-on radio, television and newspapers. However a lot of misinformation seems to be doing the rounds and this is causing unnecessary panic. Here are some facts about swine flu which will definitely provide some relief to you and your family:-

Myth 1: Eating pork can be dangerous

There is absolutely no truth in this. When you eat pork, make sure it is well cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills off most of the bacteria, including the virus responsible for swine flu.

Myth 2: Flu is fatal

Though the flu is contagious, it is not deadly. A doctor clarifies, “A lot of people are prone to the flu, but you will ultimately survive it. The victims would be the people who have low immunity”

Myth 3: Mexican food can cause swine flu

Not at all, say the experts. Swine flu is definitely not caused by food supply, be it Indian or Mexican food.

Myth 4: Face mask is a sure -shot way of protecting oneself from swine flu

The answer could be a yes and a no at the same time. Although, one can use a face mask to protect oneself, it does not give guaranteed protection.

Myth 5: Flu is dangerous just for the elderly

This is one of the biggest myths. Anyone is susceptible, be it the elderly people or the younger generation, including children. Though there has been no evidence to prove that children are the most affected, but going by past instances there might be a possibility of young children being more vulnerable to swine flu.

Myth 6: The seasonal flu vaccine prevents swine flu

The vaccine for seasonal flu does not protect one against swine flu. Medical experts are working on developing a vaccine for swine flu, but that would take a couple of months.

Myth 7: The swine flu outbreak is worse than the SARS pandemic of 2000-03.

This is absolutely false. The SARS pandemic saw about 774 deaths which is much more than the people who have been affected by H1N1.

Braving Delhi Roads

Till recently I was a vociferous defender of Delhi traffic citing the example of its Bombay counter part in its exoneration. However, truth be told, I am now of the opinion that the Delhi transport system is slowly creeping in the same direction. Commuting in the capital is now no mean task. If you have even stepped out of your house in the past week I’m sure you would join in my griping.

The recently elected government seems to have its hopes pinned on the delayed but now approaching monsoons. So greatly were they preoccupied in anticipating the showers that preparing for them infrastructure wise seems to have escaped their attention. Steering a vehicle these days requires the skill of a well practiced pirate and possibly the virtues of his chosen means of transport as drainage hardly seems to be on the priority list of infrastructural changes to be implemented in the city as we ‘gear up for the common wealth games’.

Those who had to take their automobile for a swim last Friday evening can certainly vouch for that. Poor drainage and potholes are just a few problems from a long list of obstacles that the Delhi driver has to cross to reach from destination x to destination y.

Window rolling, angry gesturing and honking seem to have become tricks of the trade. The patience of a monk or a particularly rancid tongue, or possibly both, are prerequisites if one decides to venture on Delhi roads. Unfortunately a few lessons in the well-practiced art of honking can prove invaluable these days. These range from the short “ get a move on it “ hoot to the prolonged blare that threatens to pierce your eardrum if you don’t. Delhi drivers with their often defunct direction sense seem to be hell bent on discovering new routes as asking directions seems to be sheer blasphemy. For the more humble ones, who have mortified their pride and actually asked, enthusiastic direction givers have refused to step down from such a rare challenge, and given directions, never mind , the fact that their navigation compass is probably as bad as your or perhaps even worse.

Public transport may seem an alternate solution for many. Undoubtedly the metro is a boon but apart from the little pang of fear that users have to quell after the recent mishaps, its limited access to only certain parts of the city does not provide a satisfactory answer to the problem. Autos, rickshaws and buses then come to the rescue but that hardly seems to alleviate the grievances as they too run on the same roads as personal automobiles. Watching the animated reactions and mounting frustrations of those who have decide d to brave Delhi traffic single handedly however does provide ample entertainment specially if you can sit back in your seat, plug in your earphone and be oblivious to the cacophony of horns around you. If, you haven’t had the rare fortune of securing a seat and are having to fret out that tedious jam , sandwiched between other commuters, well what can we say perhaps misery does love company!

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Rural fellowship ruling the roost

With the whole campus shifting its focus to the global scenario: international internships, foreign exchange programmes, internships with MNCs et al doing the rounds, a rural fellowship programme is quick to turn a few heads and raise a curious eye.

Poultry and pastures are perhaps the first thing that would come to ones mind when asked to define the term ‘rural’. However,a rural fellowship and the projects associated with it venture much deeper. Rural fellowships give you a chance to explore as well as study rural India in actuality. Also, the fellows are given an opportunity to work on the various issues directly concerning the particular region assigned to them. These projects generally address a range of issues from microfinance, education, health and sanitation to child labour and agriculture .

What makes this programme so unique from is that one gets a first hand experience: instead of working on the issue from the comfort of your air conditioned room like any other ordinary work, you will the get the opportunity to reside with your host NGO in the village itself and work and live with the people, like the people, and study the problems of rural economy upfront.

iVolunteer India, in partnership with Sir Ratan Tata’s Trust, selects up to 20 students every year to go for a youth fellowship programme for six weeks to villages across the country. The primary aim of all the fellows is to help make a difference in rural India by virtue of their talent and education. As part of this year’s recently held fellowship programme, students from all over the varsity including colleges like Kirori mal college, Sri Venkateswara College St. Stephens. ,worked on a variety of projects such as child rights in Dehradun ,microfinance and livelihood, Shubhangi Shukla from Miranda House is still helping to promote art as a subject in the region of Kumaon where they children have never seen a set of crayons in their life. States Udisha Saklani, a second year student of St. Stephens who worked in on a water and sanitation project in Uttarakhand, “This exposure should be mandatory for every student, as it helps you both on a personal and professional level and sensitizes you towards bigger, more real issues that apparently sixty percent of our economy suffers from. This fellowship helped me become aware of the same.” Deepti Khera, a mass communication student from Mumbai worked in the village of Kolwan, Pune with autistic and schizophrenic people. “It was a life changing experience. I initially felt odd living with the special friends 24/7. I was also hit by an autistic person. But I realized how much more sensitive these special people are than us. “, she says. The fellowship also further inspired her to get into rural reporting. Also, her experience helped her gain admission in one of the top five mass communication institutes of India. Thus, one cannot deny that a rural fellowship does wonders for your CV., especially if seeking a scholarship in universities abroad.

For those dynamic ones ready to sample India for what it really is, rural fellowships are an excellent avenue providing a zing to your resume and an opportunity to do something meaningful with your time.