Amidst various ups and downs, 2016 was another year of significant happenings in Delhi University. Let us take a chronological glance at the events that shaped the year for all.
January
Ram Janmabhoomi Seminar
The much talked about Ram Janmabhoomi Seminar which was kicked off by Subramanian Swamy in the arts faculty of Delhi University led to heavy opposition and protests by parties like NSUI and AISA, who opposed the seminar as an attempt by NDA govt. to saffronize the campus.
Ramjas College starts yearlong centennial celebrations
Ramjas College which completes 100 years this year, kicked off its yearlong centennial celebrations with Tonga Rides and the releasing of balloons in the air.
February
St. Stephens College gets a new principal
Prof. John Varghese joined as the new principal of St. Stephens College after the end of the controversial term of Valson Thampu.
March
DU gets a new Vice-Chancellor
After a month of his appointment and bureaucratic hassles, Prof. Yogesh K. Tyagi joined as the new Vice Chancellor of Delhi University.
April
Priyadarshini Chatterjee wins Femina Miss India 2016
Priyadarshini Chatterjee, a student of Sociology at Hindu College won the Femina Miss. India 2016. The beauty pageant veteran had won the Femina Miss. Delhi too, which gave her an entry to Miss. India.
Bhaskar Sen wins Karate US Open World Championship
Bhaskar Sen, a student from Sri Venkateswara College won the Karate US Open World Championship. Having won many more championships earlier, this one was just adding another feather to his hat.
May
Hindu College cancels girls’ hostel admission
After heavy protest and strikes by students and teachers of the college and later by DUSU led to the intervention of Delhi Commission of Women (DSW) in the issue of exorbitant fees of Hindu College girls’ hostel, the college cancelled the girls’ hostel admissions for this year.
Tina Dabi tops the UPSC Civil Service Exams
Tina Dabi, an alumnus of Lady Shri Ram College topped the much sought after UPSC civil services exam. She cleared the exam in her very first attempt.
June
Delhi University admissions goes entirely online
In a first attempt, admissions of Delhi University was made entirely online. But the glitches in the online mode like the web server crashing on the first day of admissions made the process draw some criticism.
July
DUTA protest delays results of students
Teachers of Delhi University protested against an UGC notification that increased the working hours of teachers and this led to Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) boycotting the admission and evaluation process of University. Only after the notification was withdrawn, teachers joined the evaluation process.
August
DUSU Elections goes paperless
Worried over excess paper wastage, National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered Delhi University to conduct paperless elections this year. Although the authorities tried their level best by damaging hoardings and tearing posters of candidates, many candidates were still seen wasting paper.
Ceiling collapses in Daulat Ram College
Owing to its sad history of maintenance, a ceiling collapsed in Daulat Ram College injuring a couple of students and blew up the lid of pathetic condition of infrastructure in the University.
October
Law faculty students go on hunger strike
The students of law faculty went on a hunger strike demanding supplementary exams and rechecking of their papers. The strike also found the dean of the faculty going on a parallel hunger strike. The strike was called off after discussions and assurance of the Vice Chancellor.
AISA’s meeting disrupted by ABVP
AISA’s seminar on ‘Idea of University’ was disrupted by ABVP members who latter even roughed up several members of AISA including its president. Both sides got into a scuffle, after which the event was cancelled. The surprising fact was, all of this happened even after heavy police presence.
November
DU holds its 93rd annual convocation
Delhi University held its 93rd annual convocation in the University Stadium, which awarded PhDs and gold medals to successful passing out students.
Prof. Nandini Sundar arrested
Prof. Nandini Sundar, a sociologist from Dept. of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics who authored the popular book “The Burning Forest- India’s war in Bastar” was arrested by the Chattisgarh police. The arrest which drew lot of criticisms from academic circles was dropped after the high court pulled up the police for its malicious attempt to frame the teacher.
December
President visits St. Stephens College
Shri Pranab Mukherjee-Hon. President of India visited St. Stephens College on account of its founder’s day.
There are some happenings that drew everyone’s attention across the year.
Pinjra Tod Movement
The Pinjra Tod Movement which began as a facebook page turned into a great call for revolution within academic institutions to relook on its hostel policies which cage students with curfew times. The movement not just grew largely in Delhi University but also spread to other parts of the country.
Amidst all these happenings that marked our calendars of 2016, we grew a year older. We at DU Beat kept you updated with happenings around the campus in 2016 and promise to do better this year. With hopes of good days ahead and cash filled ATMs, we wish you a happy new year ahead.
Srivedant Kar
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