February 25, 2017

The Rise And Rise Of Creative Writing Competitions

By DU Beat February 25, 2017

February is ending and by now, you’ve probably acquired a taste for the fest season already, nevermind the fact whether you are or aren’t a part of any college society. The University of Delhi (DU) is known for its vibrant culture of college fests featuring multiple activities ans star nights, providing a platform to every student to showcase his or her talents. And if you aren’t a trained dancer, musician, or slam poet, fear not. Creative writing is here to the rescue.

Recently, as witnessed in annual fests right from Jesus and Mary College’s (JMC) Montage to Sri Venkateswara College’s (Venky) Nexus, creative writing competitions have gained momentum. They have become exceedingly popular, partly because of the attractive prizes (cash too, if you’re lucky) given as rewards to the winners. Some of these competitions may have a broader theme which one is required to stick to, while others are free flowing. Either way, it’s a challenging proposal — you’ve got to pen down your thoughts exactly within the set time limit.

These events are a great way to bring back the might of the pen to the forefront, not to mention the fact that they help to boost up your organisational skills by twice the current level. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a poet or a master storyteller, these competitions are worth taking a shot at. You don’t need to be an aspiring author. They’re equally helpful for students wishing to get over their fear of public scrutiny. Minus the fear of public speaking involved in recitation or slam events, and without the instant judgement that comes along with it, these pen and paper events can play a crucial role as stepping stones in boosting your overall confidence. Some of the winners from the recent fests even confess to not having had any intentions of winning, in the first place.

As far as trends go, the creative writing competition has caught on like wildfire. It is here to stay and with good reason. It gives each one of us a great outlet for creativity, for penning down thoughts which may otherwise go unwritten in the humdrum curriculum of work and assignments. Plus, it can always be a pleasant surprise to discover that latent ‘creative bone’ in your body. Who knows, you may win at the next event…

Image credits: www.udemy.com

Deepannita Misra

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Uncategorized

Smashing sexism one letter at a time

By Niharika Dabral February 25, 2017

The academic space of university is supposed to be conducive for personal growth and in which a young woman thrives into an independent and confident person, but thanks to the regressive hostel rules and constant moral policing of the authorities; it’s actually a space which reinforces and strengthens patriarchal norms that hinders growth of female students.

Chitra Dabral, Secretary of Phrophecy- fashion society of Lady Irwin College laments, “My society members, who live in hostels, never get to enjoy even a single the star night during the fest session because of the hostel timings. What’s worse is that we often have to cancel our participation, if competitions are scheduled later than 6pm.”

While male hostel residents enjoy late nights and have lax curfews rules (none, in many cases), girls are obliged to return within the walls by as early as 7pm. Such discriminatory regulations are very conveniently justified under the grab of women’s “safety”. What authorities fail to understand is, such rules put women at further risk as they are unable to return to the hostel at night and hence have to look for shelter elsewhere. Besides, if the authorities were so concerned about the “safety” issues then they would have shown the same enthusiasm they display while exercising control, in constituting Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee Cells as per the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court of India.

Voices of resistance against unfair rules are cropping up across campuses. The latest case in example is the permission letter written by two students to the warden of Kaveri Hostel of Ambedkar University, Delhi.

unnamed-1 — *Letter written by two students to the warden of Kaveri Hostel of Ambedkar University, Delhi*

Unlike their male counterparts, girls are asked to give explanations and seek permission to spend a few extra hours out of the hostel. In response to this “permission culture”, the girls wrote an honest letter resonating that they were “stressed and disappointed” with their academic life and hence needed a break. The picture of the letter was shared by Pinjra Tod on their Facebook Page .Talking to DUBeat, on condition of anonymity, one student of Ambedkar University confirmed that the duo was granted permission.

We don’t know if the letter was rebellion of a sort or just an honest request. Though by the looks of it, the latter seems to be the case. As they say, humor is the best way to expose the ridicule.

Feature Image Credits: The Quint

Niharika Dabral

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Arts & Culture

BAFTA 2017 Highlights: A night of endearing extravaganza

By DU Beat February 25, 2017

Continuing the glory and glamorous spectacle of the award season, the British Academy Film Awards were held on February 12th 2017 to honour the brilliant pieces of work portrayed in the last year. With La La Land, Nocturnal Animals, Moonlight, and other movies bagging series of nominations and subsequent awards, the starry night witnessed wins, fun, frolic, and reverence to the brilliant performers. Here’s recounting the night gone by, and reliving the highlights!

Stephen Fry and the Trump gags

Twelve years ago, a golden-voiced actor hosted the British Academy Film Awards for the first time; a practice which would be repeated eleven more times in the succeeding years. Sometimes bordering on the verge of controversy and ruffling feathers here and there, it is difficult to fathom a BAFTA where Stephen Fry doesn’t manage to make headlines. Cut to 2017, when the world is still nursing its wounds from the US Presidential Elections, and the host indirectly mocked the orange elephant in the room, received by bouts of laughter. “Let’s find out who the Russians have decided has won,” yes, let’s do it!

Dev Patel won Best Supporting Actor for Lion and Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for Fences

Rising to fame through his spine-chilling performance in Slumdog Millionaire, Dev Patel was nominated for the prestigious award along with the likes of Hugh Grant for Florence Foster Jenkins and Mahershala Ali for Moonlight. On winning the award, Patel commented, “I would be lying if I say that awards are not amazing. Awards can really change someone’s career. You get recognition.” Zoomed into the limelight because of her performance in How to Get Away with Murder, Viola Davis shot to instant fame and emerged victorious in various award categories, a tradition kept alive in this year’s BAFTA too.

La La Land’s Stream of Success

?After bagging seven Golden Globe Awards, receiving eleven nominations for BAFTA, and maintaining a successful trajectory on the winning streak, La La Land managed to claim the Best Picture award once again in the BAFTAs amongst other honours. The musical which is being collectively appreciated by the world for its direction, screenplay, and acting, continues to sway people off their feet and is anticipated to be a major winner in this Academy Awards.

Tom Holland wins BAFTA Rising Star Award

All set to play the titular character in Spider-man’s reboot with Spider-man: Homecoming, Tom Holland’s notable debut in The Impossible invited praise and appreciation towards the newly inducted movie star. Nominated along with Laia Costa, Lucas Hedges, Ruth Negga, and Anya Taylor-Joy, the actor was also honoured for his work in James Gray’s The Lost City of Z.

Prince William facilitates Mel Brooks with a Fellowship Award

Celebrating his contribution to the world of cinema, Prince William honoured the legendary actor Mel brooks with the Fellowship Award during the BAFTAs. Playing a plethora of roles in the industry as an actor, comedian, composer, filmmaker, and song-writer, Mel Brook’s achievements in the films remain unparalleled. The actor commented, “I am not overwhelmed, but I am definitely whelmed by this singular honour.”

Feature Image Credits: BAFTA

Saumya Kalia

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Biblio

Book Review: “Choices” by Shivshankar Menon

By Srivedant Kar February 25, 2017

Foreign Policy formation of a country which is filled with infinite diversities is not a child’s play. The recent book by Shivshankar Menon, the former National Security Advisor and foreign secretary of India throws light on how complex and difficult it is for diplomats to form foreign policies for countries.

The book which is his personal account as a bureaucrat who had a part in major decisions of foreign policy of our country. Menon throws light on how conflicts and interests are negotiated for greater good and mutual benefits in diplomacy.

In the book he analyses the border peace agreement with China by the Narsimha Rao Government, the civil nuclear deal with United States and the decision of not going on a military offensive on Pakistan after 26/11 attacks by the Manmohan Singh Government. He also writes on how Sri Lanka eliminated LTTE, why India pledges no first use of Nuclear weapons and his final words on how the foreign policy has shaped and its future. The book analyses each of these events in details focusing on the background, history, politics, economical and international scenarios in those points of time.

His accounts show how political leaders at the helm have a great influence in the decision making and how sometimes political parties disregard the long term benefitting foreign policy goals in order to secure their own political interests. His accounts of how using statecraft to counter terrorism by non-state actors is largely a less yielding sword especially when the terrorist are supported by another state, and his detailed narratives into the five most pivotal decisions in the recent history of India is a surely suggested reading for anyone who aspires to take up a career in foreign services in his future.

Amongst many other books like ‘Walking with Lions’, ‘Making of a Diplomat’ which are a must read for aspiring diplomats, this book draws a definite space in their bookshelves.

Srivedant Kar

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