December 17, 2014

RSS Sets Agenda for Gyanodaya V: Dharohar

By Ayesha Sareen December 17, 2014

Gyanodaya Express-a project initiative of Delhi University Vice Chancellor Mr. Dinesh Singh, is in its fifth year now. With a view to take the university students on an educational journey to Indian states, the trip aims at acquainting them with the diversity of our nation.

This year Gyanodaya is going North-East to the Seven Sisters for ten days w.e.f. December 18 to December 29, 2014. Gyanodaya V has the theme Dharohar: The glory of the North East. The itinerary includes a visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam (Guwahati), Assam (Jorhat), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The journey which will be joined by almost 1,500 students and 150 teachers will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18 December.

Reportedly, a brief has been received by the university from the HRD Ministry and the PM’s Office, stating that this programme is the government’s effort in providing confidence to the North-Easterns that Delhi is still a safe city for them, and that they intend to reduce any biases against North-Easterns living in Delhi. Also, the trip to the North-East comes as a welcoming effort since the PM has been vocalizing about harboring and extracting the talents in the often ignored part of our country.

RSS and the BJP who have been trying to make in-roads in the seven states, have confirmed that RSS has set the agenda for Dharohar, thereby making it possible for the university train to travel the states. The itinerary made after quite some deliberation and meetings between the RSS representatives and university administration will take the students and teachers to temples and Hindu mathas, most of which date back to the periods of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Shiv temple in Tripura and the ashram of Vashisth. The students are being made to understand the rich Hindu history lying unattended in these states.

The trip will require the students to carry woolens, toiletries, cellphone, medicines, ID cards etc. and also specific documents and passport size photographs for state border permissions such as that in Arunachal Pradesh. The sole requirement of the journey is that every college is required to submit two projects based on the journey. The project selection committee has approved 63 projects so far, which have been given a nod by the professors from the departments along with representatives from the right wing organisations and the ministry of culture. Majority of the projects are inclined at tracking down the religious and linguistic roots of the region, while also studying the history, myths and folklore.

Bipin Tiwari, member secretary, Gyanodaya Coordination Committee has said that the university organized a month-long north eastern languages programme for those who will join the trip so that the students can communicate with the locals.

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Campus Central

The Education Tree organises a freeze mob under 'Jo Mera Hai Vo Mera Hai'

By DU Beat December 17, 2014

Nirbhaya Rape Case, shook the entire nation. Protests and criticisms followed and so did promises. Sadly, many more rapes followed too. Today, with the women being unsafe right from a cab to their own houses, their safety continues to be a major concern. The mob was a part of their campaign ‘Jo Mera Hai Vo Mera Hai‘ (My Body My Rights), launched last year. The venue for the same was Jantar Mantar, though the first choice was Connaught place. It however, could not materialize as the authorities found the presence of the participants as a violation of the law. The permission was thus cancelled under the Section 144. The mob, however, was not called off and was moved where it concluded successfully. With posters that carried information about laws and defence techniques, the freeze mob by the youth not only attracted attention but praises of the audience too. The mob is not a first of its kind by The Education tree. So far, they have organised over 1000 freeze mobs at various venues, ranging from schools and colleges to railway stations and malls. The organisation employs mediums like street plays, flash mobs and metro theatre in addition to the freeze mobs, with an aim to bring about small yet meaningful changes in the society. Image credits: The Education Tree]]>

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Top Picks

Five places in Delhi for in dance and music training

By Shaurya Sahai December 17, 2014

If you are you tired of your usual boring routine and want to experience a difference in your life, or you want to enhance your dancing/music skills to extent where you can be called a professional, or may be, you have a wedding function coming up where you’ll be pulled on the stage to dance on or sing a song or two and you’re scared about making a fool of yourself in front of your nudging relatives because they’ll never let the memories of your embarrassing performance fade away, then you must read on! Here is a list of five institutes in the NCR which can help you transform from a beginner to a professional when it comes to dancing or singing.

Delhi Dance Academy (DDA)
DDA aims at teaching its students ‘authentic’ western and modern Indian dances. Besides the regular courses, it also offers crash courses in Kathak and various fitness workouts. The various dance forms taught at the DDA are salsa, jazz, modern-contemporary, Bollywood, belly dancing, hip-hop, zumba, B-boying amongst others. The Academy has a variety of schedules for the regular classes, based on the dance form and level of the course which includes 5 days a week, 3 days a week, twice a week, and Sundays. Private classes and visits to home/office are also provided by the Academy.

School of Symphony
If you wish to enthrall everyone with your music, then the School of Symphony can prove to be a great help for you. This western music school based in New Delhi offers courses for Western Vocal Training, Piano, Keyboard, Acoustic/Electric guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, song writing and specialized courses like Music Production, Sound Recording and Music Therapy. If you apply to this institute, you can also appear for certification exams for Western classical music from Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music, UK and Western Rock Music Certifications from Rock School of Music, UK. The institute also conducts workshops by various artists and concerts to enhance the performing skills of the learners.

National Institute of Kathak Dance
If you are attracted by your country, its culture and its art forms then, the National Institute of Kathak Dance is the place for you. A unit of the Sangeet Natak Academy, the institute is primarily dedicated to Kathak, though it also offers courses in Hindustani classical music (vocal). Various courses offered by the institute for a person older than 17 years are a 3-year Diploma (Hons.) course, a 2-year Post Diploma course and 5-year Diploma courses in Tabla and Pakhawaj playing. The institute has two branches, one each in North Delhi and South Delhi.

Delhi School of Music
The Delhi School of Music is probably one of the best centres for Western classical music in New Delhi. The School provides courses for learning musical instruments like piano, guitar, violin, cello, and flute. It also provides training in singing and dance. The School also functions as a centre for the examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, England, as well as of the Trinity College of Music, London. The institute also provides training in ensemble playing, aural development and music appreciation.

Shiamak Davar’s Institute of Performing Arts
Established by the renowned dancer Shiamak Davar, the institute aims to provide quality dance training and wants to make dance available to all. SHIAMAK dance classes run throughout the year at various locations for learners from ages four to eighty-four providing them with training in various dance styles by Davar’s faculty. Various programs include one year certification program, half yearly program and intensives which are short term programs that give dance enthusiasts an opportunity to learn various dance styles. The classes give them an opportunity to learn dance, express themselves creatively and perform on stage. Classes are available for children (4 to 6 years), juniors (7 to 11 years) and adults (12 years onwards).

So, it’s time for you to explore your hidden talents and let the dancer/singer inside come out and show itself to the entire world. And yes, you don’t need to worry about your nagging relatives anymore!

Image source: www.salsa.ie

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