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August 24, 2014

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Seems like the (literal) fever from pouring ice water on your own self is catching up, DU being the newest addition to the list of the drenched that includes several Indian and foreign celebrities! A notification issued by the Registrar instructs colleges to give extra marks and bonus attendance to students who take the famous Ice Bucket Challenge in their colleges or post a video of themselves taking the challenge on Facebook. The hashtags to be used are #DUforALS and #IceBucketChallengeDU.

This is a movement aimed at raising funds for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. Widespread cheer has met the announcement. “There is no AC in my college, so my classmates are very eager to take this up. It’s something! ” said a freshman. Many students who had already taken the challenge are re-sharing their videos with the hashtags assigned by DU.

Cafes and restaurants around colleges are also capitalising on the opportunity by making ice available for sale. “The McDonald’s in front of my college has ‘McIceBucket’ written right below ‘McFloat’ on their menu. Even the nearby KFC is selling a new bucket called the Ice Bucket.

DU Beat asked the Vice-Chancellor of DU about this decision of the University. He explained that students who take the challenge will be awarded 5 marks of internal assessment for each of the subject they’re studying this semester as well as 6 days’ worth of attendance. “DU believes in matching pace with the world,” he said.

Disclaimer: Bazinga is DU Beat’s weekly column of almost believable fake news.

The Grand Slam of the Big Apple is back! The US Open starts on Monday, 25th August in New York. This is the last major of the 2014 season and is played on synthetic grounds. Stars from all around the world have arrived to the Flushing Meadows during this two-week long tournament.

Looking at the men’s roster, it is equally star-studded as before. However, last year’s champion Rafael Nadal has been ruled out of the tournament due to a wrist injury. This might just mean an opportunity for a rising star to bank on this chance. The youngsters, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Grigor Dimitrov and Milos Raonic might put up quite a show at this year’s competition after strong performances from each of them this season. Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray still remain the top guns that exude high chances of featuring in the last two rounds of the tournament. However, Djokovic’s performances have been dropping this year as he went out in the early stages of the Rogers Cup and Western & Southern Cup. Andy Murray too, has been rustic after his surgery. Roger Federer is said to be in top form at the moment however, it might be difficult for him to cope with the high energy action considering his age. Federer was close to winning his record-breaking 18th Slam at the Wimbledon this year but was defeated at the last hurdle by Djokovic.

The woman’s competition can be full of surprises after the last year’s champion and the usually dominant; Serena Williams is showing signs of sluggish form this season. Serena has not even made it to the quarterfinals of any major this year. Ana Ivanovic, who many people forgot after a short spell of good tennis, is showing strong performances again. Maria Sharapova won the French Open this year while Li Na conquered the heat at the Australian Open. Romanian, Simona Halep has been the talk of the season as she was ranked no. 2 in the WTA rankings and is sure to be a big threat. Eugenie Bouchard can also come out on top as the Canadian has entered the semis of every major this season.

The tournament ends on the 8th of September. Ten Sports is the official broadcasting partner of the tournament for the Indian subcontinent.

Image source: patdollard.com

E-rickshaws, initiated by former CM Sheila Dixit around the time of the Commonwealth Games, have been flourishing ever since. Be it Delhi University’s North Campus or outside metro stations all around the city, the e-rickshaw is what stands out amongst the rickshaw lot. E-rickshaws, due to their fixed, convenient cost of rupees 10 per person and by virtue of being faster than their non-electronic counterparts, have been a favored option.

However, with rising prices, the e-rickshaw drivers have been soaring their prices to up to Rs.30 making them unattractive to commuters who would rather take an auto for the same cost. In addition to this is the question of safety in these “eco-friendly” vehicles. Although fit to be included in the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 due to its battery of up to 650 watt, these light weight, open rickshaws are not only excluded from many legal implications but are neglected to the extent that they do not even possess a number plate, neither are they registered.

As a result, it is almost impossible to even register an FIR in case of an accident which seems very likely as the drivers are mostly inexperienced, non-licensed profit-seekers who ferry an overload of people in the vehicle meant for four. Furthermore, they refrain from spending on battery maintenance which makes these rickshaws even more prone to fatal accidents.

Amidst allegations from the Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT) and the NDA government’s effort to keep its promise of legalizing them, e-rickshaws have become subject to a ban and await a final decision from the High Court. In my opinion, this ‘humane’ alternative to manually pulled rickshaws can become the star of ‘extra-mile’ transport if systematically regulated by the government.

Ishani Rajkhowa

[email protected]

Image source: www.thehindu.com

Aries: Your patriotic fervour is at an all time high this week. But please refrain from singing “Sandese Aate Hein” in Suniel Shetty’s voice as the national anthem.

Taurus: I know that you have over-heard the cute doctor mention your “Cologne” but I don’t think she was referring to your “Hugo Boss” and “Chanel” collection. What are your thoughts on Ileostomy, child?

Gemini: There are probably three superheroes crushing on you right now. Yea, really, I kid you not! But unfortunately, they cannot reveal their secret identity so that’s a bummer.

Cancer: This week the moon is perfectly aligned with your constellation stars to form what is known as the justaloadofcrap triangle. This phenomenon occurs only once every thousand years and grants the people born under this star sign – absolutely nothing. Hence the name.

Leo: Good to hear that you have almost completely left eating chocolates except in the evenings when you visit the mall and pass by Dunkin Doughnuts.  Because you know you deserve a little break from the “strict diet” every “now-and-then”.

Virgo: Scratch this area to win a fantastic prize ->#########

Libra: We have received several concerned mails asking if the ‘Humuroscope’ section of the newsletter is “real”. Let me assure you that we hire only the best clairvoyants who could have spend their “future-scrying powers” in ripping off millions out of the stock market instead of working in a non-profit weekly student newsletter.

Scorpio: Be wary of people trying to fool you into elaborate schemes in order to rip you off of your hard earned money. Keep your money safe by transferring it to this address: www.totallylegitwebaddress.com/transferyourmoney/inthisveryrealbankaccount/seriously/trustme

Sagittarius: Get rid of all your loose change before trying to stealthily tip toe around your lady friends. This week is the “Belated raksha bandhaan week”.

Capricorn: You will have a hard time convincing that the smudges on your touch screen is from trying to beat your “Flappy Bird” score and not because you were texting your Ex the entire night.

Aquarius: Feeling nostalgic with a bit of vertigo? That’s the feeling of indigestion.

Pisces: I often run out of jokes by the time I reach you guys. Today is no different.

Are you tired of seeing bricks instead of books in hands of little children? Want to bring a positive change in the society? Or love teaching and managing events? Or just want to have an impressive resume? If answer to any of these questions comes out to be a ‘Yes’ then you must read on! Here’s a list of five top NGOs working for children betterment and education, health, employ-ability of of under privileged children:

1. MAD- Make a Difference.

Make a Difference is an NGO which works towards enabling children living in orphanages and street shelters to explore their potentials and encourages them to do what they are best at. A volunteer at MAD can choose to teach students subjects like Maths and English, think of creative ideas to create awareness  about different careers among students or be part of the event-managing team. MAD has its branches in 23 cities across India and impacts lives of over 5000 children. So, gear up to make a difference!

MAD Red

 

 

2. Swechha: We for change

Swechha is a non-profit organisation which bridges the gap between under privileged children and their  dreams of a better life through its learning program named ‘Pagdandi‘.Started back in 2009,this program focuses on children and adolescents of Jagdamba Camp, a slum based in South Delhi. With the vision of improving their education and employ-ability, a large group of volunteers works passionately under the guidance of experts. The basic aim of this program is to socially empower this group of people by enhancing their abilities and skills.

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Image Credits: www.youthkiawaaz.com

 

3. The YP Foundation

People at YP foundation work to create awareness about human rights among young people. They aim to achieve a world where young people are enabled to influence policies in the areas of gender, sexuality, health, education, the arts & governance. The organisation expects its volunteers to dedicate their time, skill and interest in any branch of their own choice. This feminist youth-led and -run organization which was founded back in 2002 has set up 200 projects of its own. People can also opt to work as an intern at the organisation.

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Image Credits: www.theypfoundation.org

4.Naz Foundation

Started back in 1994,the Naz Foundation mainly focuses on people affected by HIV/AIDS but at the same time also works on projects related to the lives of under privileged children. The foundation looks for volunteers who are willing to participate in children’s lives by teaching short art classes, music classes, or just spending time with the kids. The organisation welcomes passionate people with any amount of potential who can help children to grow in each and every aspect of their lives.

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Image Credits: www.nazindia.wordpress.com

5. Deepalaya

Deepalaya operates several schools which benefits more than 1,00,000 children. Its aim is the all-round development of the children and does not concentrate just on the academic sector. One can join Deepalaya as a volunteer or as an intern. A volunteer can choose to be a part of any field of his/her own choice. One is expected to teach children, bring out their talents and enhance them, assist in campaigning on various issues and do much more. Besides the regular stuff one can also join the technical staff and help with jobs like designing of documents, computer classes. software products, training and process documentation.

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Image Credits: www.deepalaya.org

 

If you want to utilize your time in doing something really productive then joining some NGO is probably the best option for you! Not only does that give you something to write on for your resume, but it also shapes you to be a better human being and gives a sense of satisfaction and happiness that nothing else but helping the needy can provide you with.

 

Shaurya Sahai

[email protected]

Featured Image Credits: www.meraevents.com

When Senior Inspector Shivani Shivaji Roy, Unit Three Crime Branch, walks into the scene, you can pretty much predict that the bad boys are going to have their share of thrashings. Yes, she’s the no-nonsense modern day Durga, who knows how to set all the ”churans”, her interpretation of the”C” word; on track. In the very first scene of Mardaani, you can see her as an epitome of boldness and fearlessness and is a tad straight-forward. Why? Well, just because she can.

She has a twelve year old niece and a husband who apparently is a doctor and runs a clinic in Mumbai. In her quest of fighting against atrocities, she comes across Pyaari, a poor bubbly orphan. Pyaari turns out to be one of the major characters of the movie as all the action and drama follows her abduction by a group of elite and overly-calculative sex traffickers. Trying to fit the puzzles into the bamboozle all by herself, Shivani Roy puts the traffickers on surveillance who return the favour to her. The over-confident boss of traffickers engages in telephonic conversations with her and gets a pen name from her too- “Under 19 team ka 12th man”.

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Rani Mukherjee as Inspector Shivani Shivaji Roy in one of the scenes from the ‘Mardaani’

She manages to track down an auto dealer who has dirtied his hands with the  “Under 19 team” player and interrogates him in the best possible way- feeding him with ‘Jalebies’. Apparently, lots of jalebies and no water is a masterstroke of    interrogation! Meanwhile, her husband is accused of molesting a patient and is  traumatized after his clinic was turned into rubble and his face was turned into  coal.

She then tracks the trafficker down (who actually is called Vakeel, no one knows his real name!), comes to Delhi, uses a couple of Nigerians to reach him and voila!, there he is. It actually doesn’t end there. There’s an insensitive lady, an over-obsessed drug lord and an MLA or MP (how can we keep politics out of this?) to play their parts too. Yes, it gets better with time!

Lots of drama and action later, the actual lord is being slapped and kicked and punched by Shivani first and then all the abducted girls (with Durga music in the background). In a nutshell, the movie has a great theme and typical hindi movie like storyline. It would’ve been great though if there weren’t some slightly unnatural scenes, but hey, this is a bollywood movie we’re talking about! Though kudos to YRF to emphasize on Women Power. In Senior Inspector Shivani’s words, “Sab kucch ho jaane ke baad haath mein candle lena” won’t help…your ‘Mardaani’ will!

Apart from suspense, thrill, action and amazing performance by Rani Mukherjee, the movie has also given out a ‘Mardaani Anthem’ with powerful lyrics that go like – “Jis dunia mein maa-behnein rishte nahi, gaali hai, uss dunia se maryada ke mai rishte saare todungi, jaan ko chahe challi kardo, aan ko na choone dungi” Strongly, recommended to be listened to!

Arushi Pathak

([email protected])

 

 

Rating: 3/5

On 22 August 2014, 42 year old civil rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila was re-arrested on fresh charges of attempt to commit suicide under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.  The charges have been slapped on her by the Manipur state government as she has been on  hunger strike since 2 November 2000 for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from Manipur when Assam Rifles killed 10 people at Malom area in an alleged encounter with insurgents. Ever since, Sharmila has been detained at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences(JNIMS) from which she has been released and re-arrested again and again from time to time under provisions of the Indian Penal Code. Force feeding through nose is what has kept her alive for more than a decade now.

The last time when she was released was on Tuesday when Sharmila’s counsel Khadamani filed a revision petition after which the court agreed that there was no evidence to confirm that Sharmila is indeed trying to commit suicide and that the prosecution has failed to establish Section 309. However, since she refused to take food and water again after her release and even resisted medical check-up despite her deteriorating health, she was taken back forcibly to the hospital on Friday to be nose-fed like earlier.

Irom Sharmila’s family, expressing condemn at her re-arrest after being released by an earlier court, says they will consult their lawyer and plead before the court for her release again. Several civil rights groups and activists have called it “illegal” including Binalakshmi Nepram, the founder of Manipuri Women Gun Survivors Network, who says the former journalist-cum-social worker is only following the Gandhian way of peaceful protest.

 Ishani Rajkhowa
<[email protected]>