February 7, 2017

Economics, while all-pervasive and key to the functioning of all realms of society, is also often blamed to be dry and inaccessible for the general population who aren’t well-versed with the jargon that comes with the discipline. Prof. Ashok Sanjay Guha‘s latest release, Economics Without Tears: a New Approach to an Old Discipline, is an attempt to change that perception. Through his book, Prof. Guha, who is recognised as one of the most impressive contemporary Indian economists, attempts to not only introduce economic theory to students and the general reader, but to also show that economics can simultaneously be a learning experience and huge entertainment. The book has been received with much adulation by the who’s who of the world of economics, including Jagdish Bhagwati, Professor of Economics, Law and International Affairs at Columbia University, and Pranab Bardhan, Professor at the Department of Economics at University of California, Berkeley.

The book is set to be launched by Prof. Yogesh Kumar Tyagi, the Vice – Chancellor of the University of Delhi, in the presence of the author, on February 13, 2017, in an event that is being organised by the Department of Economics of Miranda House, in collaboration with Penguin Random House, India. The launch will be followed by an interactive session with Professor Guha and Dr. Parikshit Ghosh, who is an Associate Professor with the Delhi School of Economics.

The event is open for all students and teachers of and beyond the University of Delhi.

Date: February 13, 2017

Venue: Seminar Hall, Miranda House

Timings: 10:30 a.m.

(Students must carry their ID cards for entry)

With inputs from the Department of Economics, Miranda House

Shubham Kaushik

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Descendants of the Sun: Love in the time of war and mission!

By Nidhi Panchal February 7, 2017

South Korea’s most successful T.V. Show, Descendants of the Sun will soon air on Indian Television. The hauntingly beautiful and tragic love story of Caption Yoo Si-Jin and Doctor Kang Mo-Yeon has won numerous hearts across the world in 2016. Get ready to be swept over by the Hallyu-wave (Korean-wave) as Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo brings to us the wartime love story fraught with heartbreaks and romance!

Descendants of the Sun, South Korea’s most successful Television Drama which is also allegedly being dubbed as Asia Best show of 2016 is soon going to air on Indian Television. The demographic of Indian Television scene has seen rapid change over the past few years. In the recent years the viewership of American and British shows has not only increased in India but, the Asian and European Cinema is also gaining audiences. The recent success of Pakistani and Turkish T.V. Shows is a textbook example of how cinema, especially T.V. shows can transcend boundaries.

Descendants of the Sun, starring South Korea’s famous actors, Song Joong Ki as the very dashing, charming and heartbreakingly cute Army Caption Yoo Sin-Jin and Song Hye-Kyo as talented, stubborn yet beautiful surgeon Kang Mo-Yeon brings to us a tale of love and heartbreak in the times of war. This show has everything from drama, action, and thrill to heartbreaks and romance which will surely sweep you off your feet! Even though the show is a romance drama one can clearly see the underlying patriotism of the characters towards their nation.

Spoiler Alert!

Love and Mission!

Captain Yoo Si Jin – “Doctors don’t have boyfriends because they’re too busy.”
Doctor Kang Mo Yeon – “Soldiers don’t have girlfriends because it’s too hard (too much work).”

Caption Yoo Si-Jin and Doctor Kang Mo Yeon’s love story will definitely make you cry and laugh like never before. Caption Yoo Si-Jin is a part of secret UN-peacekeeping team and Kang Mo-Yeon is a famous doctor. The never ending cycle of guy leaving the girl for mission takes a toll on their relationship. But, fate has other plans for them. Kang Mo volunteers as a surgeon for a medical relief project in the area where Yoo Si Jin is posted. The story moves forward and their love is threatened by natural disasters, war, car-wrecks, gunfights and Ebolo like virus outbreaks.

Patriotism

Don’t be fooled by the Caption Yoo’s flower boy face and chocolate abs because the show has some serious fight scenes from knife fights, fist fights to gunfights! Caption Yoo believes he fights “for the peace & freedom for the land” he lives in and “protecting beauties, elders, and children” is his ultimate rule. The narrative is fraught with commando fights, North Korean spies, CIA-backed military coups and jaw-dropping action sequences where Song Joong Ki fights gangsters, mafia and natural disasters.

Second leads, bromance and OST!

Apart from the leads, the seconds leads Dae Young and Myung Joo’s consistent palpable chemistry and unwavering love for each other defying army hierarchy will surely tug your heartstrings. Also, K-Pop listeners will recognise Shinee’s (K-Pop boy group) leader Onew giving a stoic performance as a doctor.

The show’s OSTs are beautiful, especially Chen (from EXO) and Punch’s “Everytime” is a song which make you fall in love. The breathtakingly beautiful locations and top notch cinematography will keep you glued to screen. The humour, bromance and extremely cheesy lines will make smile throughout the 16 episode. People will die, get kidnapped, shot and tragedies will occur but, amidst all chaos and war the beacon of love will shine the brightest.

Catch Descendants of the Sun on Zee Zindagi at 8-9 PM, Monday-Saturday from 8^th February, 2017 in India.

Image Credits: http://www.koreandrama.today/

Nidhi Panchal

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The Realism of Escapism

By DU Beat February 7, 2017

To escape is to create a safe haven for the perturbed minds and souls yearning for a different reality, but when do we need to snap back to the truth from our imagination?

Shirley Jackson in her book said, “No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality.” Through Alice we were taught that “Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.” These words of wisdom resonate far and wide; for, the realms of truth can be bitter and harsh, and it is a coping mechanism of the mind to resort to ideas which provide the cushion of comfort. To be able to pursue the pleasures of distraction and engage in the happiness of fanaticism is what an escapist seeks, and to evade from the emotional turmoil of our hearts is what an escapist needs.

The aesthetically pleasing movies, the heart-engrossing books, and the time-warp periods of daydreaming are the portals to a different you, and that’s endearing. The vexations and sometimes overwhelming aspects of life are minimised through this, giving you the freshness and strength to get back at the troubles with a recharged dose. However, the excess of anything is deemed to be perverse, and so goes for the issues of the mind. The theories of Economics oddly fit the gaps of this puzzle; for like the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility states, the more we invest ourselves into the realm of escapism, the more its value and advantages disappear into delusion. Think of escapism like chilli flakes or oregano on your pizza. You can sprinkle it on the top to savour and relish the taste, but too much of it will ruin the whole thing.

The indulgence in a different space, in enjoyment or indifference, can be instrumental only to a certain degree. Resorting to a hobby can transport you into a dimension of relaxation and give you the time you need to cope with the uninvited eventfulness. But the other times, the human mind fails to distinguish between escapism and avoidance, and everything is then ignored in the name of ‘distraction.’ It can hinder parts of your life in ways incomprehensible. So often do the bifurcations of right and wrong fade away into shades of grey, and in a similar fashion does the minute line between these two entities becomes consciously irrelevant.

Stop. Ask yourselves: How to wake up from that dream we would like to live every day? Transcend the ideas of fun from the confines of our mind to the stretches of real life experiences. There’s so much to do, so much to explore. Moments are limited, cherished, and yearned for; and to live in the moment is one of the greatest joys of life. With the fact that one wishes to ‘escape’ work, love, or life in general, it becomes monumental to ask yourself why. Why the need to hide away from the perturbing parts of life? The ‘whys’ and ‘whats’ need to be answered before its late, for the defence mechanism we so conveniently employ can only shield us from the monochromes of life for so long. Maybe, what’s harsh and bitter doesn’t need to be stressful and disconcerting; they are just renditions of unhappiness which your escape mode constructs. The mind is fascination and beautiful, but the vastness and depth of your untampered vision are what makes all the difference.

In the words of Haruki Murakami, “Closing your eyes isn’t going to change anything. Nothing’s going to disappear just because you can’t see what’s going on. In fact, things will even be worse the next time you open your eyes. That’s the kind of world we live in. Keep your eyes wide open. Only a coward closes his eyes. Closing your eyes and plugging up your ears won’t make time stand still.”

Image Credits: Fine Art America

Saumya Kalia

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