February 2, 2017

Wise men opine that it is the lessons learnt outside the classroom which stand the test of time and the limitation of a fading memory. Travel is the best teacher and the musafir (traveller), the most fortunate student. With this philosophy in mind, the History Society of Miranda House presents to you its Heritage Walk Society, Musafir.

Started in July 2016, Musafir organises heritage walks that aim to create awareness about the rich history that the city has to offer. Delhi presents a mind-boggling scenery of sorts, the juxtaposition of the old with the new. In the background of modern infrastructure, consisting of high-rises and malls, live the remains and ruins of a glorious shared past, rich in heritage and culture. Through the medium of a heritage walk, Musafir strives to educate those with an active interest in Delhi’s vibrant history.

These walks are conducted by the students of History from Miranda House. Soumya Sahai, Vice President of Musafir , says, “ Each walk is headed by a history student of Miranda House, who is able to provide a lot of historical information in a fun and interesting way. Unlike tour guides, these walk leaders are able to contextualise facts and talk about a wide variety of things, from architecture to the society of the past.”

While initially these walks were held only for Miranda House students and faculty, now these are open to all DU students. Last semester, walks were organised to Lodhi Garden, Qutub Minar, Qudsia Bagh, Jahanpanah-Begumpur, Old Fort and Red Fort. This semester, one walk was held in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park on 15^th January and another is scheduled for 5^th February to Jama Masjid. To participate, check out the poster given below for details.

A chance to explore and discover one’s roots rarely comes along. Do take this opportunity and join ‘Musafir’ as they take you on an enlightening, yet equally delighting journey through Delhi’s deep and insightful past.

Feature Image: Jasmine Chahal for Musafir and DU Beat

Kriti Sharma
[email protected]

Keep Reading

DUB News

KYS approaches DCW over selfies ban notice at Miranda House

By Anagha Rakta February 2, 2017

Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) has approached the Delhi Commission of Women with a memorandum alleging that Miranda House has framed “highly discriminatory and anti-women” rules for the students of SOL.

Earlier in January, an unsigned notice put up at Miranda House made news for apparently “banning” women students of School of Open Learning (SOL) from taking selfies, brushing their hair and modelling, claiming it as wastage of time. Principal of Miranda House, Dr. Pratibha Jolly, later said that the notice was only suggestive in nature.

Recently, the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan, an association of SOL students, has approached authorities on Tuesday, demanding a written apology from the college administration and to stop the discrimination against women students of SOL. The memorandum also demanded that “humiliating treatment against SOL students” should be discontinued and strict action should be taken against staff members if found harassing these students.

An official from the Delhi Commission of Women told The Indian Express, “We have received a representation from students alleging that discriminatory practices being adopted by college and such a misogynistic circular has been issued. We have asked for a point-wise reply from the college on the students’ complaint within seven days.”

Previously, the students of SOL also staged a protest against Miranda House’s college administration for framing “sexist and discriminatory” rules and had submitted a memorandum for the annulment of the notice, effective immediately. While the notice was withdrawn, the college staff resorted to collecting identity cards of the SOL students before every class.

On Friday, pamphlets were being distributed in the Miranda House campus in order to encourage other students to join their movement. The pamphlet stated that “Miranda House exercises an institutional bias” against the students of SOL. It also said that the selfies-ban notice was published only because of the social profile of the women students of SOL, and demanded an end to this discrimination. The KYS also called the notice an act of “moral policing” and termed it as “misogynistic.”

Image credits: Ifsha Zehra, Miranda House

By Anagha Rakta ([email protected])

Keep Reading

Daulat Ram College

Sexual Assault Victim from DRC Resists Pressure to Change Statement in FIR

By DU Beat February 2, 2017

The student who was sexually assaulted by a bank employee in Daulat Ram College was under pressure to change her statement in the FIR.

A first-year student from Daulat Ram College was sexually assaulted by an employee of the Indian Overseas Bank branch on campus on the 18^th of January 2017 while commuting to college. The 52 year old accused, Devinder Kumar, had apparently helped out the victim when she needed funds for her mother’s treatment. He was arrested by the police under Section 354 for molestation, which is a non-bailable offence. The college authorities were informed by fellow students to whom the victim narrated the entire incident. The police investigated the case and the accused confessed to his crime. The victim underwent counselling after the assault while the guilty was held in custody.

During a personal interview with the victim recently, she disclosed that she had been under pressure to change her statement in the FIR against the guilty. Although she has not made any changes to her statement, she revealed that she was repeatedly asked by some officials of the bank, as well as the college faculty, to change her statement to lessen the impact of the issue. The accused is no longer in custody despite having confessed to the crime after having been granted bail by the magistrate. The victim revealed that Kumar managed to get bail within the first week of his arrest due to his contacts in the judiciary. She also revealed that she is only backed by a government prosecutor who, until now, has failed to keep the case going strong for her. The next hearing of the case has been postponed. The victim and her family are very disappointed with the lackadaisical attitude of the judicial system towards the case.

The girl shared her horrific experience and the superficial sympathy she’s being shown by her fellow college mates. She said that she had heard people talking behind her back, claiming that she was at fault because she chose to travel with the accused even after he made her uncomfortable earlier. The victim also girl expressed her anguish while talking of the students’ union of the college. The same students who stood up against the unkempt infrastructure before elections have now chosen to limit this case to a petty issue because of the focus on the upcoming fests in the college. These events have garnered more attention than supporting a victim of sexual assault in their college by an employee of the college. “College and court hearings are a part of my life now but I won’t step back,” she said. She boldly stated that she wants her case to be re-examined so that she can get justice.

Image Credits: nyccriminallawyer.com

By Radhika Boruah ([email protected])

Keep Reading