March 3, 2017

Foods You Just Can’t Have Before Your Final Exams

By Redspoon March 3, 2017

This post originally appeared in Redspoon. For more tips and tricks on the food, visit them at Redspoon.in

It’s that time of the year again. The only thing between you and happy holidays is a traumatic week of final exams. While there are some foods that will definitely cheer you up and keep your energy levels high during this stressful duration, there are others you should definitely avoid, no matter how much you crave for them, especially before your exams. Here are the top food items you just can’t have before final exams.

Cookies, cakes, and muffins

Cookies, cakes, muffins and pastries contain white flour, which is not digested easily and takes a lot of body energy. So avoid draining useful energy that might help you think more during the exam duration.

Chocolates and candies

They may appear as a stress buster, but chocolates and candies are high in refined sugars, which can lead to excessive carbohydrate level in the body. So you can end up jittery and distracted during exams, and may even suffer a crash. Better keep the craving aside for a while.

Carbohydrates

Carbs, if eaten alone and in large quantities, will make you feel more dizzy than alert. This is something you definitely don’t want during an exam.

Soda

Soda consumption before the exam can not only lead to a sugar crash, but you can also end up dehydrating the whole body. It’s better to keep it for the after-exam party.

Cherry Juice

Cherry juice is rich in melatonin, which regulates your sleep cycle. So if you plan to stay awake for a late night study, do not have this in the evening as you might speed up a sleep-inducing process.

Alcohol

This one is definitely a no-brainer. At best, alcohol might cause a headache and nausea. At worst, you might actually throw up on your precious answer sheet. Imagine that, if you like.

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Around the Campus

The Strike to Justice: Ola, Uber begin to Normalise Services in NCR

By DU Beat March 3, 2017

There are various ways to reach our destination: personal vehicles, metros, autos, rickshaws, and cabs. While those who don’t prefer to use metro as a medium of commute, often resort to cabs sourced by Ola and Uber, amongst other taxi-providing companies. Naturally, people reliant on these cabs would be presented with a predicament when the drivers of these organisation go on a strike to fight for their rights and perks. The question that needs to be asked relate to the when, the why, the where, and the how.

The strike began in the second week of February, with the drivers congregating at Jantar Mantar for a hunger strike to demand a feasible solution from the app-based cab aggregators and the government. Their primary grouse is with the reduced wages they receive as opposed to the money they previously earned. The strike aims to demand more money out of the fares, eliminate the Rs.500 clause for cancelling rides, accident insurance, relaxation in working hours, reduction in the per kilometre rate (Rs. 6) to the community. There had also been reports of minor violence being used by protestors against drivers who did not join the strike, by throwing eggs on cars and abruptly stopping them, actions which have been condemned by the unions. The scarce cabs found on the streets were coupled with high fares, thus further discouraging the populace to opt for booking. On February 13^th, the Delhi High Court issued an order prohibiting goons against violence and vandalism.

Over a period of eighteen days, in between which the companies announced the return of services in full strength, the strike originally called by four unions, now seems to be fizzling out as only one unions continues to protest. The loss in steam can be attributed to the lack of reaction and compliance by the companies, and the realities of survival have forced a major chunk of workers to abandon the strike and resume operation. The stalemate which presented itself highlighted the overworked and underpaid sufferings of the drivers, but led only to a marginal victory. The companies have apparently agreed to two conditions, owing to the importance of driver, that the Rs. 500 penalty would not be imposed and the per kilometre fare would increase, so as to ensure increased wages to the drivers. The drivers have been given a written commitment which authenticates their demands. While the demands relating to incentives did not positively materialise, the agitation and protests did lead to relief, regardless of its degree. As the strike is on the verge of culmination, the companies should strengthen the services offered to the drivers so as to ensure that similar protests are not reiterated.

Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Saumya Kalia

[email protected]

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Arts & Culture

Logan: The Saving Grace of X-Men Universe?

By DU Beat March 3, 2017

They say third time’s a charm, and a charm wrapped up in Western ways and the brilliance of the titular character. After mapping a journey of ten movies and receiving abundant criticism and some appreciation, the X-Men film series presents the third and final Wolverine-centric movie with a rich script, emotional reservoir, and marks the departure of two actors pivotal to the X-Men universe.

Before we delve into the reviews received by the movie, here is a synopsis of what is waiting for us:

In the near future, a weary Logan (Hugh Jackman) cares for an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) at a remote outpost on the Mexican border. His plan to hide from the outside world gets upended when he meets a young mutant (Dafne Keen) who is very much like him. Logan must now protect the girl and battle the dark forces that want to capture her.

Expand your minds and fancy a superhero movie, any movie. Your mind shall retort with a grand production of a superhero saving the city, the country, or the world after a good thirty-minutes VFX edited fight between the hero and an antagonist who is touted to be an indestructible mastermind in those two hours some minute-movie. No, Logan is far from it, as one can anticipate from the trailers. In a dusty world or desert landscapes and mutant extinction, it’s 2029, and we see glimpses of Logan more than his heroic counterpart. An image of pain, mortality, and struggle weaves before our eyes with the trailer, and forms the foundation of appreciation. The trailers also present a young girl of mystery, who shall join path with the superhero and form the crux of the story.

As the early reviews are pouring on the last movie of the Wolverine franchise, the film is touted to be the best Wolverine and maybe, the best X-Men saga with a 9.5 IMDb and 95% Rotten Tomatoes rating, while the previous movies in the franchise failed to cross the 7/10 mark and were the recipient of brute criticism. The evaluations seek to extol the movie for its scruffy Western land setting, the reality of emotions, and discovery of Logan’s personal journey as these aspects solidify the cinematic experience. Complementing the logistics are the dual elements of an endearing script and Hugh Jackman’s performance of a role which brought him into the mainstream limelight. Almost a decade after the events of X-Men: Apocalypse, the movie successfully falls in line with the events of the past, but its beating heart lies in its emotions and personal relationships.

Adding the emotional tinge in this tale is the anticipated departure of Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) and Patrick Stewart (Professor X) from the X-Men Universe. To successfully deliver a long-spanning franchise and to conclude the journey with a story which is resonating with hearts speaks volumes of the brilliance of the two actors. The movie has been confirmed to conform within the timeline and storyline of the Universe, and shall grace the screens near you on March 3^rd, 2017.

Image Credits: The Independent

Saumya Kalia

[email protected]

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