Latest
DU Beat – Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper
Archive

April 11, 2017

Browsing
Events

Gender Equality Mela 2017 at Miranda House

By

Gender Equality Mela is one of the key annual events conducted by the Women’s Development Cell of Miranda House. It is a celebration of the will to survive and thrive. It is a part of the efforts at generating discussions and creating a space for saying what is often left unsaid and for including those who are often left behind in the ideas and plans of ‘development’. The Gender Equality Mela is a part of MH-WDC’s campaign with One Billion Rising (OBR).

This year’s Gender Equality Mela was based on celebrating feminist conversations towards equality, the central theme being ‘Gender and Work’. There was also the celebration of MH-WDC’s Coffee Table Book, ‘Azaad Labon ki Guftagu’ which strives to provide with snapshots of MH-WDC’s journey and their tireless efforts at ‘engaging with wanting to create a more equal and free world, a world where gender equality becomes a live reality for us’, as the book reads.

The 3-day event played host to numerous speakers and panelists like Suneeta Dhar (feminist activist, Jagori), Bulbal Das (legal feminist activist, All India Women’s Conference), Jyotsna Chatterjee and Padmini (Joint Women’s Programme). These speakers emphasised on the introduction to the history of the feminist movement. The topic of manual scavenging was taken up by Bezwada Wilson (National Convener of Safai Karamchari Andolan) and Bhasha Singh. The session on Child Rights and Child Sexual Abuse was taken up by Vaishnava (Bud Foundation), Veronica Xavier (Child Rights and You) and Natuve (dramatics society of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College). The round table discussion on Students in Politics consisted of speakers from Pinjra Tod and Ramjas students. An ‘unconference’ was also organised which placed emphasis on feminism through art, language and music.

On Day 2, the session on Gender and Intersectionality was taken up by Dr. Chandra Sagar and Kusum Ji (All India Network of Sex Workers) and Renuka Bhagat. The session on Trans Community and Work was taken up by Rudrani Chettri. A session on Women and Work through development framework was also conducted by Neetha N. (National Labour Institute). The interactive session on ‘Queering Workplaces’ along with Lafz 2.0, the open mic featured speakers from Nazariya and Delhi Queer Pride. Day 2 also showcased nukkad natak performances by children from SMS (Srijanatmak Manushi Sanstha), LSR dramatics society and Anukriti, the Hindi dramatics society of Miranda House.

On Day 3, the first session on Taking Feminist Conversation Forward was hosted by celebrated author and feminist Kamla Bhasin, wherein she presented her letter to patriarchy. The second session on Women and Media was conducted by Rakhee Bakshi (Women’s Feature Service), Shrey Ila Anasuya (Feminist and Freelance Journalist), Radha Rani (BBC) and Deepajana Pal (fiction writer). The session on Gender and Masculinity was taken up by Pavel (Breakthrough India), Ahmad Farz (CHSJ, Centre for Health and Social Justice) and Apurv Jain (worker on issues of gender and sexuality). The 3-day mela ended with a screening of the movie Hidden Figures.

 

Image Credits: Miranda House Women’s Development Cell

Joyee Bhattacharya

([email protected])

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Delhi University’s Central Placement Cell to organise an internship fair for DU students

By

If you are one of the DU students who often plan to go back to home because there is nothing to do during summers, then you might change your plans after reading this news.

Delhi University’s Central Placement Cell (CPC) is organizing an internship fair for students of Delhi University on 18th and 19th April, 2017. The fair which is being organised for the first time in the university will be open to all the students who are enrolled in any regular program of the university. Students of all the colleges of the university and even  masters’ students of the university are eligible for participation.  The fair will take place in the Conference Centre of the university which is located opposite to department of botany in the north campus area.

The participation in the fair would be entirely free of cost for both students and companies and would also include a free capacity enhancement session for the students by experts. “We want the students to engage to get practical work exposure during this summer. This will help them in future” says Aishwariya Jha, who is one of the student coordinators for the fair.

The students need to register for the fair through the cpc website. Moreover the option of ‘on the spot’ registrations are also available. “We advice students to register online to avoid the rush” says Aishwariya.

Students of all courses and years are eligible for internship. All they would require is to bring their resume (6 numbers) in order to participate in the fair. They can learn about how to create a perfect resume here.

Students who wish to take part can also register for the internship fair here. 

Companies who wish to be a part of the fair can mail their details to [email protected] .

 

So it’s time to reconsider your summer plans because a lot of great internships are waiting for you. Do tag your friends who ever shared their worries of searching for a summer internship with you.

 

 

Srivedant Kar

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Cultural Festivals

Vivre of Hindu College Conducts Snap, the Annual Photography Festival

By

Vivre – The Film and Photography Society of Hindu College was formed with the aim of bringing together students who share a love for photography and an eye for filmmaking. Every year Vivre organises SNAP –  The annual Photography festival which is the biggest in DU with participation from various universities. Snap, now in its 7th edition, organises events such as workshops, talks, discussions and an exhibition is set up showcasing our best work along with the winning entries. This year Snap featured Asutosh Kashyap along with the members of People’s Instagram page India in Black! Snap was a 2 day event this year.

 

Day 1

The audience was mesmerised by the talks of Mr. Dinesh Khanna and Mr. Gulzar Sethi. It was not an ordinary interaction session, it was a session which enlightened our paths as young photographers. Gulzar Sethi’s team also accompanied him to Hindu College, and personally guided our society members. It was a cherishable experience for all of us. After the talk, BRC took the eminent photographers on a ride full of creativity and imagination. On that day BRC was capturing the essence of SNAP, and inside of it was a magical world of photograph entries from across the country. Mr. Dinesh Khanna judged the entries on the theme ‘colour’ and shared some dazzling techniques on how to play with given camera tools. Mr. Gulzar Sethi judged the competition themed ‘manipulation’. Later, both of them shared their views on the photographs shot by our society members and taught a better way of looking at the world from behind the lens. We wrapped up the day by capturing our blissful moments with Mr. Dinesh and Mr. Gulzar Sethi.

 

Day 2

At 6:00 am it started. Yes. With sleepy eyes, in nightwear and camera in hands, our society members along with the members of India In Black, were ready to capture one of the most captivating sights in Delhi – Chandni Chowk. It was a memorable experience for all of us. And back at Hindu College, at 10 am, BRC was casted upon, with the society members’ photographs. At 1:00 pm, the photography treasure hunt started and one could easily find people running from one side of the college to another. And then the highlight of the second day was the Boomerang competition, themed on the famous melody of Shape of You by Ed Sheeran. Contestants were given 20 minutes to make a Boomerang and we received amazing entries, some dedicated to social causes like body shaming.

We wrapped up the last day of SNAP with hopes of making the next edition more exciting and entertaining to the young hotographers.

 

Watch the incredible work of the society in this hyperlapse video here.

Image Credits: Kanishk Nanda for DU Beat

Srishti Sinha for DU Beat

Keep Reading
By
Cultural Festivals

MLNCE’s Arthashastra Organises Annual Economics Fest

By
Arthashastra, the economics society of Motilal Nehru College (Evening), organised its annual economics fest on 7th of April. This one-day entravagaza saw various colleges competing  in events such as Niti Aayog extempore, Chanakya business solution, stock guru and tycoon the youth entrepreneurs.
Different colleges participated with great zeal and enthusiasm. The department congratulated the students for their contribution in making the festival a success. The festival saw footfall of about 500 people, making it a huge success.
“Tycoon”- Be the Job Creator, was a unique platform that provided an opportunity of accelerating the development of a budding start-up idea and kick-starting itself as an accomplished venture, if you believe your ideas have the ability to make a dent in the universe.
“Chanakya Business Solution” was an event based on solving the real world business problems by obtaining extensive in-depth analysis of persons, groups and phenomenon and add strength to what is already known through previous research.
“Niti Aayog” was an extempore which called out to all those who feel that they have it in them to think on their feet, maintain their temperament in the heat of the moment and effectively articulate their points.
“Stock Guru”, the Wolf of MLNCE Street, was a roller-coaster ride of derivatives and stock-valuations where participants were judged on their in-depth understanding of the dynamics of this tremendously volatile market-place.
The event wrapped up with a vote of thanks.

Content by Arthashastra
Image Credits: Arthashastra
Keep Reading
By
DUB News

Delhi University Photocopy Case: A Victory for Equitable Education

By

In 2012, international publishers from the Oxford and Cambridge University presses sought to clamp a case of copyright infringement on the Rameshwari Photocopy shop and University of Delhi under the Indian Copyright Act 1957. The case was actively defended by the University and pursued by the international publishers. On the 9th of March, 2017, three of the publishers withdrew their lawsuit thus marking a win for the University. Our correspondent reiterates why this win is important.

Background

In 2012, a consortium of international publishing giants sought to restrain the Rameshwari Photocopy Service from supplying photocopied material to students on the grounds that the photocopy shop was violating the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, by selling copyrighted excerpts from their books. In response to this, students and teachers rallied against the suit and challenged it on the grounds that exceptions within the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 have provisions that allow the copying of chapters within books for the purpose of education.

The case was expected to be a long legal battle but the withdrawal brought an end to the five-year-old tussle.

 

Why this win matters

Delhi University students have to cite multiple books in the course of their study, which makes it only reasonable for them to get the relevant portions photocopied from the related books. If one goes on to buy every referred book in the University syllabus, the cost of books itself will run in thousands of rupees. Now if we start exercising an uncompromising copyright law that restricts photocopy, then higher education in India will become almost unaffordable and will gravely hurt those who come from economically deprived backgrounds.

The publishers also oppose photocopying on the grounds that it reduces their market. But since the original books are exorbitantly priced, their market is actually the institutional buyer instead of a normal student. Besides, providing portions of course material available to students favours the publishers as it allows for wider distribution of the latter’s content and in many cases prompts students to actually buy the book.

The move to withdraw the lawsuit is appreciable on the part of the publishing houses. In wake of this positive development one can hope that the coming years will see a more progressive partnership between publishers and students, as well as academics as a whole, that will lead to newer and equitable models of production and content distribution.

 

Image Credits: Mint

Niharika Dabral

[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By