August 30, 2012

While my friends were making plans to see Salman Khan’s latest blockbuster, I was all set with my coffee mug to step into Chetan Bhagat’s world. “What Young India Wants”, Bhagat’s first non-fiction novel, caught my attention every time I passed the Vishvidyalaya metro station book shop. The catchy title and the flashy cover suggested that the book was sure to unlock the secrets of our hopes, desires, dreams and ambitions. So I bought it and promptly sat down to read it.

It started with his life journey, detailing his experiences as an engineer and an investment banker. It was all quite boring as I was already well aware of his achievements he keeps boasting about. He then talks about society at large. He also talks about the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the German bakery blast, the Airline crisis, various scams like CWG, 2G, IPL, terrorism and other national issues. He tries to give solutions. Some are sensible while others are best read and forgotten. He says things like “Our laws need to be amended for corporate disasters” and that “politician-industrialist socialising should not be encouraged”. He is right, of course, but the how is conveniently missing. We all know that these problems exist and Chetan makes next to no effort to challenge or enhance existing social consensus.

I continued reading it in the hope, that he will give a solution to the problems but none came. The writer expresses his views about today’s youth, their outlook, aspirations and their needs. He is of the opinion that the youth dream only about a good job and a good partner. “Spark” is quite a motivational chapter. He lays emphasis on the importance of English language (though his own English shows little signs of improving). Most of the book consisted of extracts from newspapers.

Though the back cover of the book made a lot of promises about answering questions, the book itself failed to live up to my expectations. However the book can be appreciated for it’s optimism and positivity.

Sakshi Gupta
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It has been known since decades that St. Stephen’s College is a very unique college in campus, and that it follows its own rules and has always remained very set in its ideas. There is no denying the fact that it is one of the most sought after college in Delhi University, but it is also true that it has the image of being quite fixed in its ideologies.

This comes very evidently to us today after Unmukt Chand captain of India’s under 19 side, who just brought the country great pride by winning the world cup and hitting a 111 runs in the final match was detained by his college for low attendance. A student who should have been given great honour for his remarkable performance in the World Cup was shown a chit of no promotion in college shortly after he returned. Earlier also, Unmukt, a student of BA Programme was barred from taking the second semester exams owing to low attendance.

The entire Indian cricket fraternity is baffled at the state of affairs. MS Dhoni also tweeted “This incident shows the lack of importance and respect given to sports in India”. Unfortunately this incident has taken place besides the fact that Unmkut Chand has been academically inclined throughout the year, he had earlier secured a first division in his exams which is credible for a sportsperson with such hectic schedules. An international player who has dedicatedly played for the country can certainly be excused by the college for low attendance.

However, the Stephen’s principal Valson Thampu on his part said that he had no control over the University rules, and only the administration can make an exception. All are now geared up for the court hearing on 16^th September that will decide our young captain’s fate.

Picture credits: Additi Seth

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