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January 27, 2015

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Cluster Innovation Centre

DU to teach NDMC & MCD school students as part of Project ‘Mahabhiyaan’

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In the second leg of the gifted education campaign – Project ‘Mahabhiyaan’,  DU has selected 76 students of class 5th to 9th from 90 Municipal Corporation of Delhi and New Delhi Municipal Council maintained schools who are underprivileged but have ‘exceptional’ talent. These students will be mentored and trained by leading mathematicians and scientists at the University of Delhi.

The campaign run by DU’s Cluster Innovation Centre (CIC) started in 2010 in Delhi University and National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore with the aim of providing holistic learning opportunities to ‘gifted yet underprivileged children’. 26 students were trained in the first leg out of which 6 were assigned to individual mentors.

The initiative, which has received funds worth Rs.1.8 crores from the government’s Department of Science and Technology counsels the parents of the selected students and appoints a team of experts to design the modules. The team of experts including faculty and students of MSc. Maths education programme will chalk out modules that will run for six weeks and will include workshops, self-help tasks, counseling sessions etc.

Project ‘Mahabhiyaan’ will be free for students and the module sessions will be held on holidays, in accordance with the NDMC and MCD schools so that they do not hamper with the students’ school studies. Moreover, pick and drop facilities will also be provided for the selected students.

Image credits: www.htcampus.com

 

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Interviews

‘Guaranteed approval for supplementary exams and special chance this semester’: DUSU President, Mohit Nagar

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ABVP recently held a protest in front of the VC’s office for the implementation of special chance, supplementary exam for final year students and AICTE approval for DU’s B.Tech courses. All three were agendas included in the student party’s manifesto while contesting DUSU elections. Now that they have assumed office, DU Beat talks to Mohit Nagar (DUSU President) about their plans for the current semester. The demand for revaluation, also mentioned in the manifesto of current DUSU officeholders, has already been accepted by the University.

Q. The inclusion of the issue of supplementary exams in the protest held on January 21 seems to be an after-effect of the petition filed. Do you agree?

A. We have been working on the matter of supplementary exam ever since we became office bearers. We have resorted to protest now due to lack of response from the University and the urgency of the situation. The timing has only accidentally coincided with that of the petition.

Q. Which are the issues that you can guarantee will be taken care of during the current semester by DUSU?

A. During this particular semester, we can guarantee the achievement of approval for supplementary exams and special chance. Although we are working on other issues as well, these two are the grass root level problems that need to be dealt with immediately. We will expand our plans to more complex issues like hostels and accommodation shortly after these.

Q. One promise that each party makes before DUSU elections year after year but fails to fulfill is that of University special buses. What has been the progress in that area?

A. We are collecting information on the number of ‘U’ Special buses plying as per records and the number actually available on the roads. We plan to assess the requirement of buses as per areas in order to put forward an exact demand in front of the officials.

Q. What about the metro passes ABVP had talked about before the DUSU elections?

A. The issue of concessional pass for students in the Delhi Metro has encountered a roadblock due to certain complications. We will not be able to deliver on it as of now.

Q. A unique point in ABVP’s manifesto was that of a compulsory self defence course in colleges. When can we expect to enjoy the benefit of that?

There are random inspections being conducted in colleges for the safety of girls. We have met our agenda of deploying at least one lady guard at each college’s gate. Furthermore, our investigation has revealed the presence of Women Development Cell (WDC’s) in many colleges although they have been inactive for a long time due to negligence. We have instructed the colleges to make them visible through seminars and workshops. The effect will be seen shortly. We will come to the issue of implementation of the compulsory self-defence course too.

Q. Can you give us a tentative date for any of the other plans?

A. It is currently difficult to give any dates for other plans except the ones mentioned earlier.

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Indraprastha College for Women

Why Gandhi Still Matters: Talk at IP College for Women

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The Gandhi Study Circle, Indraprastha College for Women organised a lecture on “The music of Humanity: Why Gandhi Still Matters” last week. Dilip Simeon, noted historian and author of Revolution Highway was the guest speaker for the same.

The President of the society, Kavyayani Bhatt, says, “The lecture marks the inauguration for the year-long celebration of the centenary year of Gandhi’s return to India, which will encompass a variety of other events like round table conferences, visits etc.”

The college principal, Dr. Babli Moitra Saraf, reminisced the tumultuous times present couple  of decades back and emphasized on how teaching about pain is one of the best things history can teach us.

Prof. Simeon commenced his speech with his concern about the times we live in, an era where people are becoming timid to talk about Gandhi. He also spoke with a pang of anguish about how people, in their expression of thoughts over electronic media or otherwise have grown antagonistic to the idea that is Gandhi. He also implored the audience to see Gandhi as a staunch revolutionary rather than a pacifist, as his clichéd image goes. He also praised Gandhi for his equanimity.

The lecture was followed by a Question and Answer session. He answered the questions with enthusiasm and encouraged the audience to think about Gandhi as a unique personality whose truth was greater than trivial differences, rather than as a face reproduced on currency notes.

Baldeep Grewal, who attended the lecture, had a fulfilling experience, “I’ve heard so much criticism of Gandhi lately, it was really good to hear someone address a different side of the argument.”

 

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

Image credits: Asmita Jagwani, IP College

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Campus Central

JDMC and Venky shine at DDUC's Vande Mataram

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Vande Mataram on its grounds. Though the unexpected rain proved to be a hindrance, the event went on as planned, with the Organising Committee doing its best under the circumstances. The competition started with the Principal, Dr. S.K Garg addressing the participants and the audience, followed by speeches by the chief guests, Dr. Suchitra Gupta (Deputy Dean, Culture and Youth Affairs, Delhi University) and Dr. Kamlini Dutt. After the lighting of the diyas, the stage was set for the performances to begin. The first segment was that of the inter college solo classical dance, which saw a participation of 11 dancers performing styles like Kathak and Bharatnatyam. The event was judged by Dr. Kamlini Dutt, Ms. Harindri Kaur and Dr. Sadhna Mal. Janki Devi Memorial College stood first, followed by Deen Dayal Upadhaya College and Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Science for Women. The winners were awarded cash prizes of Rs. 2000, Rs.1500 and Rs.1000 respectively. The second segment was the Indian classical choir competition, with 6 groups participating. The performances were centred around the theme, “Songs of Hope” and judged by Ms. Manikuntala from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Dr. Vandana Sharma and Ms. Gaganjeet Kaur. Sri Venkateswara College’s choir took the first prize, with Bharati College and Shaheed Rajguru College coming second and third respectively. The winning team was awarded Rs. 4000. The event came to a close with lunch and the prize distribution ceremony. When asked about the event, Kriti Mehta, a Commerce student from DDUC and Chief Coordinator of Vande Mataram said, “This year we added to the competition by introducing food stalls in campus. The event was focused on the classical styles in India whereas last year, we received semi-classical and folk styles as performances too. This year however, everything from the performances to the costumes was strictly classical and it was great to see the participants rising up to the occasion. Had the rain not been a deterrent, the event would’ve been bigger, but I’m very happy with the effort of the organisers and the performers too!” The Organising Committee of Vande Mataram   Image credits: Poornima Puri]]>

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