St+Art India recently splashed a truckload of colour onto Delhi’s pollution-ridden surface. Their project, ‘Work in Progress,’ took art to a place where you would least expect to see it-a container depot in Tughlakabad. The picture could be straight out of a New York City dream-paintings on massive containers stacked one above another, as a landfill, trucks and other grimy containers look on from the backdrop at the Inland Container Depot. It could almost be an oasis in the vast desert of industrial Delhi.
The containers form a makeshift gallery of sorts, with 25 artists from Mexico, India, France, Spain, Italy and others coming together in order to bring art to Delhi’s public spaces. ‘Mirage,’ by Spanish artist Borondo, is a painting of a royal palace on a stack of containers. The work reflects the illusion that is involved in the lives of the workers at the container depot, who handle valuable goods every day, but have no access to use these goods themselves. On the other hand, Daku’s ‘Breathe’ is almost a dare to the viewer to breathe, for it is painted with a black ink made of particles that cause air pollution. ‘Matruka’ by Harshvardhan Kadam is a representation of the power of female divinity. Anpu Varkey’s ‘Fruits of Childhood’ takes you back to your own intimate memories of childhood within a public space. The show ended last week and now, the conatiners, in all their painted glory, will be back on the road, transporting goods.
The work covers a broad range of themes that evoke mixed feelings and reactions in a public space, which, to a large extent, is what ‘art’ should embody. Bringing art out of plush galleries and putting it out on the streets, in the most unconventional spaces, ensures that it is made accessible to all sections of the population. Afterall, art should not be the monopoly of the affluent. At a time when our rights to freedom of speech and expression are questioned, art as a powerful medium of expression in public spaces comes as a refreshing breather. Art reflects the time and circumstances we live it and it can be a potent tool to make a change or get a point across, particularly when introduced in places that are open and easily accessible to a wide range of people.
St+Art Delhi’s street art project at Lodhi Colony, which is rapidly becoming India’s first ever ‘art district,’ is also a sight for sore eyes. World renowned street and graffiti artists including Gaia, Shilo Shiv Suleman and Senkoe have worked their magic on the walls of the district, each telling a marvellous story.
The Corporate Relations & Placements team at FMS suggests certain pointers to placement cells at undergrad colleges:
Leveraging Alumni Base
All the colleges in Delhi University have a very strong alumni base. FMS, with its 61 year old history, has 200+ CXOs in the industry. By having an active Alumni Relations Society, we are able to help the alumni continue to connect with their alma mater, and they in turn, end up hiring from the vast talent pool of the college.
Multiple Touch Points with Companies
Rather than just having companies over for recruitment activities, we involve them more by having Guest Lectures by Senior Professionals, and Workshops and Competitions for the students. This helps the students to get more acquainted with the company, and the company is also able to gauge the talent pool in multiple ways, before making a decision to come down for placements.
Focused Placement Preparation
We have a world class faculty that makes sure that they cover all aspects of academics leading to Placements. Apart from this, we have content societies for every domain (Marketing, Finance, HR, etc.) which are completely student run. Their purpose is two-fold; they act both as an interest group and a preparation medium, focused mostly on essential knowledge for placements. This helps in reinforcing the students’ concepts and hence maximizes the number that a company hires from our campus.
Inputs from the Media Relations Cell and Corporate Relations & Placements, FMS.
Abhinaya Harigovind
[email protected]]]>
The first of its kind Academic Conclave was held from 11th to 13th February at St.Stephen’s College, with the aim of blurring the boundaries between the disciplines that we study and encourage an amalgamation of different ideas and perspectives that cut across disciplines. In its first edition, the Conclave sought to encompass three broad themes: Science and Society, What Makes a Good Society, and Arts, Culture and Society. The three-day academic extravaganza saw distinguished personalities from the fields of History, Economics, Mathematics, Law, Philosophy and the Natural Sciences, conducting public lectures, workshops and interactive sessions.
Professor Irfan Habib, eminent Marxist historian on ancient and medieval India, and Padma Bhushan awardee, addressed the Conclave as the plenary speaker on the day of its commencement. Professor Habib’s talk on ‘The National Movement and its Legacy,’ set out the criticism of the National Movement at its very outset, by scholars like Perry Anderson and other subaltern, new left and far right scholars. Professor Habib proceeded to point out how these criticisms do not pay heed to the contribution of those like Keshav Chandra Sen, Ram Mohan Roy and Justice Ranade, without whose fight against caste and oppression of women, India could not have emerged as a nation. At the end, he quipped, “After 1947, ever coward can be a patriot.”
The first day also saw workshops on critical writing and ghazal writing being held, along with panel discussions on ‘Goddesses and Devotees,’ ‘Caste in Higher Education’ and ‘Economics and Climate Change.’
The plenary speaker for the second day of the conclave was Professor Satyajit Mayor, scientist and Director of NCBS, whose session was about ‘The shifting geography and language of biosciences: an Indian cell biologist’s perspective.’ His insights into the world of biological science and its recent shift to an interdisciplinary nature, examined questions in the field of research that are closer home to India.
A session was also held by historian and author, Professor Rudrangshu Mukherjee, who spoke on ‘The Revolt of 1857: Problems of Aims and Leadership.’ He sought to understand the similarity in the actions of the sepoys across the cantonments of Delhi, Meerut and others, simultaneously addressing the fears in the minds of sepoys and the general public. “British rule had removed a way of life that was familiar. The people lost a world that they knew to be theirs and this drove them to the indiscriminate bloodshed of 1857, in the forlorn hope of reviving those days” said the professor, adding that we must remember this trail of blood when we appropriate the revolt to our national heritage.
Discussions on ‘Atheistic Traditions in India’ by Dr. Alex Watson, ‘Death penalty and Extraordinary Laws,’ a discussion on Snowden’s revelations and their impact on individual privacy, along with workshops on dramaturgy and critical reading were held. A three-day DNA extraction workshop and Robotics Workshop were also held.
The third day of the conclave held for us Anjolie Ela Menon, besides discussions on supermassive black holes and inclusive growth.
Professor John Varghese, currently the Head of Department, Media and Communication, at the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, was appointed as the 13th Principal of St. Stephen’s College on Wednesday. The current Principal, Revd. Dr. Valson Thampu, who has held the office since 2007, retires on February 29.
The decision to appoint Professor Varghese as the Principal was taken by the Supreme Council of the college, along with Revd. Thampu himself. He was chosen from among three candidates who applied for the position. On February 10, Revd. Thampu announced on his Facebook page that, “The candidates eligible for the post were interviewed in detail today and the selection of Prof. Varghese was unanimous. Professor Varghese is an outstanding academic, experienced administrator and visionary leader.” He was formerly a faculty member at the Department of English in St.Stephen’s College. Revd. Thampu also wished Prof. Varghese “all blessings and good wishes in assuming this significant and challenging responsibility.” According to a Times of India news report, Prof. Varghese is an alumnus of Loyola College, Chennai. The same news report also mentions that the eligibility criteria and academic qualifications that a prospective Principal must meet at Stephen’s are rigorous.
Professor Varghese was introduced at the morning assembly held for first year students on February 11. “It will be interesting to see how much of the current system in college will be retained and continued,” said a first year student. On his Facebook page, Revd. Thampu has referred to his retirement as a festival that he looks forward to as a new beginning.
The 11th St. Stephen’s College Rohan Kanhai Datta and Sunil Chandra Open Sport Climbing Competition concluded with a resounding success on 7th February. The eleventh edition of this national level annual three-day competition was hosted by the Hiking Club, St. Stephen’s College, which is one of the oldest hiking clubs in India, second only to the The Himalayan Club of Bombay. The competition was held at the Easwaran Bharatan Memorial Climbing Wall, installed in 2004, within the college premises.
Photograph Credits: Abhijeet Morey
The event saw the participation of over 90 climbers, both amateurs as well as professionals, competing in speed and lead climbing events, with separate categories for men and women, as well as an under-16 competing category. Participants arrived from Pune, IIT Kanpur, Jamshedpur and Amritsar, along with climbers associated with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and the J & K Mountaineering Foundation. “The level of climbing at this year’s edition was top notch. National champions Ajij Shaikh and Abhishek Mehta showcased their skills. We had a participant from Chile as well, this year,”says Paritosh Gupta, Vice President, Hiking Club. Several students from the Hiking Club also participated wholeheartedly.
Shivpreet Pannu from Punjab topped the tables for the women’s lead and speed climbing categories, while Ajij Shaikh walked away with the medal for the open lead climbing event for men and Abhishek Mehta won the Sunil Chandra medal for the men’s open speed climbing event.
Winners of the women’s category. Photograph Credits: Abhijeet Morey
The vicinity of the climbing wall throbbed with energy for the duration of the competition as thumping music and enthusiastic cheers from onlookers forbade the climbers from tiring out or giving up. The routes were carefully set prior to the commencement of the different competing categories, with ropes, harnesses and carabiners being arranged for by the organisers.The event saw feisty ten-year olds scrambling up the 11m high wall with ease, in the under-16 category. The awe-inspiring agility and levels of fitness that the sport involves leaves the lay onlooker impressed and motivated to try the wall.
The 11th St. Stephen’s College Rohan Kanhai Datta and Sunil Chandra Open Sport Climbing Competition concluded with a resounding success on 7th February. The eleventh edition of this national level annual three-day competition was hosted by the Hiking Club, St. Stephen’s College, which is one of the oldest hiking clubs in India, second only to the The Himalayan Club of Bombay. The competition was held at the Easwaran Bharatan Memorial Climbing Wall, installed in 2004, within the college premises.
The event saw the participation of over 90 climbers, both amateurs as well as professionals, competing in speed and lead climbing events, with separate categories for men and women, as well as an under-16 competing category. Participants arrived from Pune, IIT Kanpur, Jamshedpur and Amritsar, along with climbers associated with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and the J & K Mountaineering Foundation. “The level of climbing at this year’s edition was top notch. National champions Ajij Shaikh and Abhishek Mehta showcased their skills. We had a participant from Chile as well, this year,”says Paritosh Gupta, Vice President, Hiking Club. Several students from the Hiking Club also participated wholeheartedly.
Shivpreet Pannu from Punjab topped the tables for the women’s lead and speed climbing categories, while Ajij Shaikh walked away with the medal for the open lead climbing event for men and Abhishek Mehta won the Sunil Chandra medal for the men’s open speed climbing event.
[caption id="attachment_39000" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Winners of the women’s category. Photograph Credits: Abhijeet Morey[/caption]
The vicinity of the climbing wall throbbed with energy for the duration of the competition as thumping music and enthusiastic cheers from onlookers forbade the climbers from tiring out or giving up. The routes were carefully set prior to the commencement of the different competing categories, with ropes, harnesses and carabiners being arranged for by the organisers.The event saw feisty ten-year olds scrambling up the 11m high wall with ease, in the under-16 category. The awe-inspiring agility and levels of fitness that the sport involves leaves the lay onlooker impressed and motivated to try the wall.
A plastic disc sails through the air and an agile player deftly plucks it out of the air in one fell swoop, to fling it halfway across the field again. The sport that revolves around these ‘flying discs’ is currently the fastest growing sport in the world. To learn about this non-contact sport that is taking Delhi University by storm, DU Beat catches up with a few students of St.Stephen’s College who have constituted ‘Hawabaaz’, an Ultimate Frisbee team.
Dias Mario Antony, a MA student of History and captain of Hawabaaz, is quick to tell us that the sport, though popularly known as ‘Frisbee,’ is officially named ‘Ultimate,’ while ‘Frisbee’ is the name of the flying disc manufactured by the Wham-O toy company. Having watched previous batches of St. Stephens’ College, a group of students came together, resulting in a cohesive team-Hawabaaz that conducts intensive team practices every morning, along with their coach, Suhani Bedi, who plays for the Indian National Ultimate Frisbee team. Hawabaaz has played at tournaments such as the one held by the Ashoka University, with individual players participating at the Hat Tournament 2015, Delhi.
On the skill sets that the sport helps them to pick up, the team stresses upon stamina, endurance and agility. Each member contributes a different skill, forming an efficient team. “At least three female members are required to be a part of every team and there is no discrimination,” says Maria Benny, a second year student. A concept known as the ‘spirit of the game’ ensures that Ultimate is the only sport that is not supervised by a referee. This demands that conflicts are resolved immediately and peacefully on the field, requiring patience on the part of the players. Abi Thampi, a third year student, emphasizes on the stamina that the sport has helped him build. The team concurs- one does not require a certain level of fitness to begin playing the game.
Hawabaaz is hoping to get more students from Delhi University involved in this game that means the world to them.
Those in power and those fighting for it have made headlines this year, some for very controversial reasons. With the whole world eagerly anticipating the American Presidential election in 2016, it has been an eventful year for the electorate that’s watching the potential candidates. The elections that have taken place in 2015, both in India as well as abroad, will have long lasting impacts on politics in the years to come.
International Politics
US Presidential Election candidates
As the world watches with bated breath, the potential party candidates for American President have been battling it out, trying to swing public support in their favour. Business tycoon and probable Republican party candidate, Donald Trump, leads with the highest support base, according to public opinion polls. His support base has risen from 27 percent of the Republican voters in October, to a whopping 41 percent in December. In the wake of shootings at San Bernadino in December, Trump courted controversy when he proposed a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States till better security measures are implemented. This suggestion only served to enhance his growing support-Republican voters were seen to be in favour of his idea, though it garnered flak from all quarters globally. A petition on the British Government’s website, seeking to ban Trump from the UK, has gathered over 500,000 signatures.
Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders | Source: theodysseyonline.com
Meanwhile, former Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders, and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton are vying for the Democratic party nomination. According to polls, Sanders lags Clinton by close to 25 points. Bernie Sanders and Trump have been on a collision course over their disparate views on economic policies, and other issues of national and international issues, with Sanders holding a more liberal, progressive viewpoint.
UK General Election, May 7
For the first time since 1992, a Conservative Party majority government, with a working majority of 12, was elected in 2015, with David Cameron securing a second term as Prime Minister. The Labour party with Ed Miliband at the helm came a close second in terms of votes. The Liberal Democrats, who had governed in coalition with the Conservatives since 2010, suffered their worst defeat since the 1970 elections.
David Cameron | Source : www.telegraph.co.uk
Referendum in Greece, July 5
The European Commission, International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank jointly proposed certain bailout conditions on Greece, according to which, certain fiscal reforms would have to be implemented by the debt-ridden country, in consultation with the IMF, EC and ECB. A referendum, the first since 1974, was held to decide if these conditions were to be accepted. The public (over 61 percent) voted a clear no.
Myanmar elections, November 8
The National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, secured an absolute majority in the national parliament. The 2015 general elections were the first openly contested elections since 1990. The Union Solidarity and Development Party which has a strong military backing, with Thein Stein as President, had been ruling since 2010. The NLD’s victory marked a complete overthrow of the vestiges of the military rule that Myanmar had previously experienced till 2010.
Suu Kyi | Source: www.storypick.com
Though the NLD won the elections, its leader, Suu Kyi is barred from holding the position of President according to the constitution since both her children are British citizens. The President will be chosen indirectly by the NLD dominated Legislature by March 2016.
National Politics
Delhi Assembly Elections, February 7
The underdog, the Aam Aadmi Party, made history when it secured an absolute majority, winning 67 out of 70 seats, trumping the political heavyweights-the Congress and BJP. Arvind Kejriwal assumed office for the second time as Delhi’s CM, having resigned after 49 days in office in 2014, due to issues over the Jan Lokpal Bill. Kejriwal is currently engaged in a spat with the BJP over allegations that Arun Jaitley was involved in certain irregularities, during his term as DDCA chief.
Arvind Kejriwal | Source: www.zeenews.india.com
Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections, October 12-November 5
The Bihar elections were a face off between the ‘Mahagatabandhan’ (an alliance between the JDU, led by Nitish Kumar in Bihar, and RJD, led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, supported by the Indian National Congress) and the BJP led NDA. The RJD won the highest number of seats (80) with the JDU coming a close second with 71. Nitish Kumar secured his third term as CM with the 2015 elections. The elections were a landslide victory for the alliance, as it trumped the NDA and BJP’s victory in the 2014 general elections, indicating that public opinion might have swung against Modi.
Nitish Kumar | Source: www.indianexpress.com
Narendra Modi’s foreign visits
During his tenure in office, PM Narendra Modi has made several international trips and met with leaders of various countries, in the interest of foreign policy and bilateral relations. Modi’s visit to the UAE in August was the first by an Indian PM in 34 years. He also became the first Indian PM to visit Mongolia in May. During his international visits, Modi sought the support of the leaders of several countries for India’s permanent membership in the UNSC.
Modi with Nawaz Sharif | Source: www.bbc.com
On December 25, Modi made a sudden, impromptu visit to Lahore and met his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif. His ‘surprise,’ unannounced visit was seen globally as a sign of good will and improving relations between the two nations which have historically been at loggerheads.
From that blue/black/white/gold dress that might have broken marriages and families over its ambiguous colour, to a certain Saint born to the West and his wife, 2015 has left us ROFLing, face palming and appreciating. In this new series at DU Beat, we bring to you the best and worst of news from the Entertainment world, both from Bollywood and abroad.
1. Music
We grooved into 2015 with the Uptown Funk earworm and we’re leaving the year behind wondering why our hotline isn’t blinging anymore. Mid year, Charlie Puth left us teary eyed with See You Again, as Ellie Goulding crooned Love Me Like You Do.
Zayn Malik broke a number of hearts when he quit One Direction earlier this year. Rumours of the boy band breaking up have led to a second round of heartbreaks.
Zayn Malik left the boyband One Direction | Source: people.com
Sales of Adele‘s third album, 25, soared through the roof, breaking several records, having sold more copies within the first week than any other album. Hello monopolised the position at the top of the charts for four weeks.
Adele in ‘Hello’ music video | Image source: slate.com
Well, we’ll soon be saying hello from the other side as, Justin Bieber‘s new album, Purpose, has turned most people into ‘beliebers.’ Deftones frontman, Chino Moreno, coined the term when he admitted to being a fan of the singer. With 17 of the album’s tracks making it to Billboard’s Hot 100 List in a week, Bieber has broken a 51 year record of 14 tracks previously held by The Beatles.
You used to call me on my cellphone, late night when you need my love. It’s all right if you are still trying to imitate those moves and failing miserably. No one can do it like Drake can. Except Obama, maybe. The YouTube Channel Barack’s Dubs has been leaving the world in splits with their parody videos of POTUS singing Hotline Bling and matching Drake’s moves.
Image source: mercurynewsdaily.com
2. Movies
Most people spent the year waiting for the force to awaken. And when it did, Star Wars: The Force Awakens broke several box office records. The advanced tickets to the highly anticipated return to that galaxy far far away crossed $6.5 million. The movie is expected to break every box office record as ticket sales may cross the billion mark.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Image Source: theforceawakensblog.com
While Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes the cake for 2015, The Peanuts Movie, The Martian, Jurassic World and Furious 7 demand honourable mentions.
Indian cinema grew up a little with Angry Indian Goddesses and the furore it created. Similarly, Margarita With a Straw generated all the right kind of buzz. Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo became the highest grossing Bollywood movies for the year, with Baahubali and Dilwale crossing the 100 crore mark as well.
Kalki Koechlin in ‘Margarita With a Straw’ | Source: miaminewtimes.com
This year, India also saw its first Broadway-style Disney musical, Beauty and the Beast, being staged.
3. Television
At the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards this year, two records were broken: the first by Game of Thrones which won a whopping 12 awards: the most ever won by a single show in a year. The second record was set by Viola Davis of How to Get Away with Murder fame, who became the first black woman to win an Emmy Award for best leading actress. Don Draper will be missed as Mad Men came to a close this year with Season 7.
Viola Davis became the first black woman to win an Emmy Award in a leading actress category | Source: wordpress.com
The year ends with a bang, but not so much for poor Steve Harvey. The American TV host and comedian has been the butt of jokes and memes on the internet ever since he announced the wrong winner at the Miss.Universe pageant, creating quite some embarrassment for all concerned. What’s more the internet had him wishing us a Happy Easter instead of a Merry Christmas on the 25th!
The year gone by gave both national and international sports enough reasons to be proud, with multitudinous achievements by different players, sportspersons and teams in terms of victories and breaking records. On the other hand, it also had its share of controversies, confusions and unwanted decisions.
In this new series at DU Beat, we bring to you the best and worst of sports arena which has been abuzz with activity all through 2015. There have been several interesting developments with long-lasting impacts, on the home turf as well as abroad.
Smashing victories
Those who made it big this year must most certainly be celebrated.
a. March 29: At the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Australia defeats New Zealand to emerge as champions for the fifth time.
b. April: Kiran Gandhi completes the 26.2 mile London marathon without a tampon to raise awareness for women who do not have access to basic sanitation.
c. May 2: The’Battle for Greatness’ between Floyd Mayweather, Jr and Manny Pacquiao, touted as being the fight of the century in the professional boxing circuit, sees Mayweather defeating Pacquiao to take the title of WBO Welterweight Champion; a title that he was later stripped of, for not complying with the regulations of the World Boxing Organisation. The fight raked in the moolah for associated broadcasters due to record-breaking viewership.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao| Source: www.gq-magazine.co.uk
Australia wins the ICC Cricket World Cup, 2015 | Source: www.cricket.com.au
d. July 6: USA defeat Japan to clinch the FIFA Women’s World Cup title, for the third time.
e. September: At the US Open, Sania Mirza and Switzerland’s Martina Hingis win the women’s doubles crown and their second successive grand slam title, making Sania Mirza the first Indian woman to win a doubles grand slam. Leander Paes and Martina Hingis went on to win the mixed doubles trophy.
f. October 25: Lewis Hamilton wins his second consecutive Formula 1 World Champion title, with his victory at the US Grand Prix, where he defeated fellow Mercedes racer, Nico Rosberg and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.
g. November 29: Andy Murray defeats Belgium’s David Goffin and brought the Davis Cup home to Britain for the first time in 79 years.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates his US Grand Prix win | Source: http://www.mercedesamgf1.com
Andy Murray at the Davis Cup | Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Big year for women in sports
a. Serena Williams was named Sports Illustrated’s ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ after having won 53 out of 56 matches in 2015. She is the first individual woman to win the award since 1983. Further, she won four grand slams in a row to call the feat a ‘Serena Slam.’
b. Ronda Rousey turned attention to women fighters in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Inspite of her loss to Holly Holm (November 15, 2015), which dispossessed Rousey of her three-year Women’s Bantamweight Championship, the fight brought profits in for the UFC, having sold the most tickets ever.
Serena Williams on the cover of Sports Illustrated | Source: www.time.com
Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm at the UFC | Source: www.rollingstone.com
Those you will not see on the field in 2016
a. November 30: Kobe Bryant announces his retirement from the LA Lakers, ending a career that spanned 20 years. He claimed that the ongoing season would be his last, after receiving flak for poor performance owing to numerous injuries.
b. December 17: Chelsea FC sacks manager Jose Mourinho after to the club’s poor performance in the English Premier League.
Jose Mourinho | Source: www.theguardian.com
c. December 23: Swedish Robin Soderling, who was the first to defeat Rafael Nadal at a French Open (2009), announces his retirement from professional tennis due to glandular fever.
Allegations of Corruption on FIFA
a. December 21: The FIFA ethics committee bans former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, and UEFA President, Michel Platini, from football for eight years when evidence brought to light Blatter’s payment of 2 million Swiss francs to Platini. FIFA’s credibility has been shaken by the allegations of corruption that it has faced earlier this year.
Blatter and Platini | Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Russia Banned for Doping Offences
a. November: The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed the alleged state sponsored use of performance enhancing drugs by Russian athletes. WADA has accused the Russian government of covering up evidence of drug use by its athletes. WADA has suggested banning Russian track and field athletes from competition, including the 2016 Olympics at Rio. Russia thus became the first country to ever be banned for doping offences.
The Corporate Relations & Placements team at FMS suggests certain pointers to placement cells at undergrad colleges:
