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Colloquium, the fest of NSIT, Dwarka saw on its third day not many spectators, but interesting competitions such as these: Crack the Case was a case-study based competition. First case was uploaded online and out of the thirty entries, ten were selected for the final round. For the final round, ‘The Galilean Canvas’ was given a fictitious case of marketing Galileo’s telescope. The teams were given two hours of prep time during which they had to come up with a high potential but simplistic design and construction. They were to use PPT, bearing in mind the pros and cons and cost effectiveness of the whole process. The winners were:

  1. SSCBS (Rs. 10000)
  2. Delhi School of Economics (Rs. 4000)
The judges were Shruti Jain and Vrinda Aggarwal (both LSR pass-outs), Ministry of Finance. Newshour Debate had a GD as a preliminary round with the topic, Slow and Steady Wins the Race. It was judged by Kunal Singh, an NSIT alumnus. The final round was a Panel Discussion and the topic was, whether Sanjay Dutt’s mercy plea be accepted. The four participants were given the roles of Justice Markandey Katju, Rajkumar Hirani, Subramaniam Swamy and Salman Khusrshid. It was won by:
  1. Anirudh Mittal, SSCBS (Rs.1000)
  2. Anupama Sabu, Gargi College (Rs. 500)
Judgment Day was the last event of the day and was a very interesting one. In the first round, the contestants were given characters such as Mussolini, Hitler, and Mary Antoinette etc. and were briefed about them. The participants were given 3 minutes of preparation time, after which they had to convince the audience as to why shouldn’t they be doomed and sent to hell. Five people went to the second round, which was much better and entertaining because the characters were taken from fiction, like Dolores Umbridge, Bellatrix and Sauron etc. This was also judged by Kunal Singh. The winners were: 1. Anugrah Gopinath (Rs. 1000) 2. Dhruv Sisodia, NSIT (Rs. 500)]]>

University of Delhi has planned on merging three courses, BFIA (Bachelor of Finance and Investment Analysis), BBE (Bachelor of Business Economics) and BBS (Bachelor of Business Studies), amidst much protest from the students of the three courses. The plan is to create a course that can be pursued as a four-year undergraduate degree.

Incidentally, the four-year undergraduate plan is already protested against by students and teachers alike. The three courses might collectively be called Bachelor of Business and Management. Total intake of the three courses is 891 divided as: BBE (554), BBS (274) and BFIA (62), and the number of seats will remain the same.

Cause of the merger, as the University has stated, is that all three courses have similar curriculum. However, the only similarity is the entrance test that is common for the courses. Also, 10 to 11 papers are unique to the courses. BFIA is a financial course, BBE is an economics-based course and BBS is a management-based one. New selection process is not likely to have GD/PIs. Foreign universities only have a roster for the current courses being offered, that is, BFIA, BBE and BBS.

Devika Chaddha, a student of SSCBS, pursuing BBS, feels that the current students of these three courses would face an “identity crisis” during placements, as the validity of the courses would be questioned. Students don’t mind a new, generalised course to be introduced, but not at the cost of BFIA, BBE and BBS. Some students don’t mind the increment of the duration by one year, as it will reduce the pressure to an extent. Instead of the merger, students are asking for enrichment of the courses by introducing new papers to the courses.

The students of these individual courses are provided with an edge over others because there is specialization at the undergraduate level, which lands them jobs, right after their graduation. A protest was held by students on Sunday, 24th March, 2013 at the Central Park to show their displeasure towards the decision.

No final decision has been taken yet, but is likely to be taken as soon as the admission process begins in the first week of April.

 

Shreya Mudgil
[email protected]

Day Two of NSIT Debating Festival, Colloquium 2013, was a silent affair if one goes by the façade of the building, yet the appearance was clearly deceptive because behind those walls lay the ground reality. The day witnessed the simultaneous conduction of NSIT MUN’13 and for the first time at the collegiate level, Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Before the start of the sessions, students, attired in formals, were engaged in animated political conversations and last minute doubt clarifications in a smart move to get to know one another. JPC session commenced with a formal welcome to Smt. Sharada Subramaniam, Join Secretary, Rajya Sabha, who presided over the session, following which Ms. Subramaniam introduced JPC to the apprentice leaders. The first agenda on the floor was “Direct Cash Transfer Scheme.” On the agenda, the Executives gave their opening statements that triggered a streak of questions by the members of the legislatures. The deliberations went ceremonially, though now and then, impeded by the temporary break of decorum that could be safely blamed on the intensity of right and not-so-right arguments pouring in from all directions. NSIT MUN Conference comprised of four committees and the agendas ranged from the outstanding dispute between Israel and Palestine to rebuttal of facebook’s niceties. The participants, new to Model United Nations forum, were well guided under the aegis of the executive board. Numerous constructive measures to the problems were proposed, many arguments were refuted, and many statements were followed by banging of hands on tables as appreciation for points well made. By and large, the Secretariat was not wrong when he said that The MUN is going to be “Something they’ll surely remember…” Picture Credits: www.facebook.com Shreya Bhardwaj [email protected]]]>

GOLDEN KEY INTERNATIONAL HONOUR SOCIETY (popularly known as Golden Key) is an organisation that blends academics, leadership and community service in such a way that one feels an overall personality development while being a part of Golden Key. This organisation currently works at 11 colleges of Delhi University and the drive to include more is in progress.

Golden Key established its University of Delhi Chapter in the year 2011 and continues to grow. This chapter is run and governed by students under the watchful eye of the Golden Key Asia Pacific Office. It runs various events pertaining to professional development, community service, and academics. The events are open to all and not just the Golden Key members.

Golden key organised various events in the past year, such as “Resume Writing Workshop” which was held at Lady Shri Ram College for Women. This was followed by a panel discussion which took place at Indraprastha College for Women. Golden Key also held its New Member Reception on 12th January 2013 whereby the top 15% students from all departments of the member colleges were awarded with their merit certificates.

The ongoing University of Delhi chapter has already witnessed two workshops on “Resume Writing and Enhancement of Interview Skills”. These workshops were conducted by Dr. Abhiram Prabhu, University Relations Officer, Golden Key, India and Mr. Prikshit Dhanda, Co- Founder and CEO of Making India Employable. We are further planning to have a film screening on gender issues, followed by a talk on the same by Ms. Kamla Bhasin in the month of April. Apart from this, Golden key associates itself with a famous NGO- Amar Jyoti Trust.

MAKING INDIA EMPLOYABLE (MIE) are the official partners of Golden Key and in association with MIE, Golden Key plans to organise a quiz competition in the month of August open to all the colleges of NCR, with huge prizes.

For more information visit:

http://www.goldenkey.org/

With the final exams still at bay, the plans for this Holi must be materializing with intensity, excepting the days of mid-semester exams. Also, let it be known that our hearts go out to all those people who have their mid-semester exams a day or two after the festival. Nevertheless, taking a leap off the crooked road, this Holi’s plans can be summed up in two words: colours and fun – a combination that never gets old.

If we look back at all the Holis we have celebrated, there is always an incident that makes us regret our actions. Something as simple as not being able to visit a friend becomes a low point. We cannot make it perfect, but there is always room for improvement, to place in the “near-perfect” slot. It is possible that some of our friends are major introverts who perceive the festival as a punishment, and would rather read a book than participate in the Holi madness. This Holi let us try to step into their “boring” shoes and spare them with just a hug.

Once that is settled, another thing that can be looked after is the fact that we lose track of the line between the “good” conduct and the “bad” conduct. It is quite understandable, with all that adrenaline, it becomes really difficult to contain one self and we end up giving someone a black eye with a well aimed water balloon. The solution to this is quite simple; all we have to do is read between the lines and maybe let the other person approach us first.

Having taken care of the issues concerning our near and dear ones, we could try stepping out of our comfort zones and making someone’s day. Smear a pinch of colour on a beggar boy’s cheeks, give him some sweet (the likes of which you have already savoured in the early morning) and just wait for the smile to spread across his face. Too poetic? You have to see it, to believe it. The local stray dog could be fed, too. As the latest trend would suggest, you could photograph yourself feeding a Gujiya to the dog and post it on your facebook wall. Since the virtue of self-gratification is what motivates us, let us just say, selfishly, that this Holi is about receiving the priceless happiness of everyone around us. Make this Holi count.

Picture Credits: aryaniwashotels.wordpress.com

Shreya Bhardwaj

[email protected]

Dear Talent Hunt Shows,

This is to bring into focus your spectacular folly of investing millions of Rupees in search of talent in a country like India, where every nook and cranny has many pseudo-Mick Jaggers and Michael Jacksons. Holi, the festival of tubs filled with colours, hair with oil and stomachs with sumptuous delicacies, is the time when such creatures, or as some like to say dancers, step out of their hibernation shells. To find talented people, all you need to do is walk into any random alley on “Holi” Day. People can be found literally dancing their clothes away under the influence of, for the lack of a more sophisticated synonym, Bhaang.

Here is an assortment of peculiar dance forms that one is most likely to behold this Holi:

  • Kite-Flying Dance: On Holi, specimens generally found in blue, green, pink or red colour derive some sort of sadistic pleasure in miming the action of flying a kite, knees bent and teeth bared nastily. No matter why, no matter when, and no matter what the song is, the Kite-Flying dance form fits perfectly.
  • Snake-Dance: “If Holi comes, can Snake-dance be far behind?” never quoted P.B Shelley. Only people with a bold demeanour can perform this dance, or by all those who have bid farewell to their sensibilities. Maybe even those suffering from megalomania can join in, and that is almost everyone during Holi. It requires crawling, flexibility and a lot of space. Our streets have all of this to offer.
  • Traditional-Dance: While the above mentioned dance forms are the “maverick versions”, there are also conventional yet spiced up forms of shaking a leg. For example, fancy doing Dandiya or Bhangra to the beat of “Do me a favour….let’s play Holi….”
  • Bollywood-Dance: Now, this one comes naturally to the movie buffs. No sooner does the DJ play a bollywood song than the steps do a somersault and a back flip. The next thing we know-everyone is doing or trying to do the original step of the song.
  • Gangnam Style: This Holi will be different, all hail Psy! While the Holi celebrations shall begin normally, it is bound to turn uncivilized and super weird because of that “one” friend who just wouldn’t be able to keep his horse-riding prowess to himself/herself. In the end, it will all be the Gangnam Style epidemic.
  • Harlem Shake: This is the latest of all dance forms. Truth to be told, Harlem Shake is the cousin of the Indian Wasp Dance. Both are closely related to a severe level of Parkinson’s disease, characterized by uncontrollable shaking of arms and legs. However, is there a better way to burn off all those extra calories you gained by gorging on those fat Gujiyas?

This Holi, Choose a Step. Get Dancing!

Shreya Bhardwaj
[email protected]

Anukriti – The Hindi Dramatics Society of Miranda House, organised their Annual Theatre Fest – Rangotsav on the 19th and 20th of March. A joint collaboration with the National School of Drama, this two-day fest was a great success. Day – 1 involved the staging of Anukriti’s annual full length production, a tradition since 1957.  The play was called ‘Seedhiyaan’, which was directed by Shri Ramji Bali, an alumnus of the National School of Drama. It was performed twice in one-day and saw an attendance of over 500 people with members of other DU dramatics societies in attendance. Set in the Mughal Era, the play was a successful satire on the existing norms of society, then and now. Day – 2 saw the staging of the play, ‘Tamasha na Hua’. Written and directed by Bhanu Bharti, an eminent Indian theatre director and playwright, the play was enjoyed by all. There were other notable personalities present, like Vishva Mohan (Secretary, Delhi Government, Department of Arts and Language), Harisuman Bisht (Secretary, Hindi Academy), Daya Prakash Sinha (Playwright, ‘Seedhiyan’),and  Akshat Verma (Scriptwriter, Delhi Belly). A result of the hard work and dedication of the Anukritians, the fest was spectacular and one which definitely satiated everyone’s hunger for thespian pursuits! Akriti Gupta [email protected]]]>

An adaption of the reality show “The Apprentice”, D’apprentice National is a 3-day Pan India business event that was organized recently by Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, in association with the Dean of student’s welfare, for undergraduate students. It aimed at pitting the crème de la crème of the country against each other in a highly competitive and realistic business environment.

The finale of the highly innovative event was held on 19th and was based on the concept of “Disneyfication”. The main idea behind it was infusing a place with a particular idea, hybrid consumption, and merchandising, In other words, selling a variety of goods under the same theme and concept. The aim was to provide a platform for experience based learning in a highly competitive business environment facilitated by challenging tasks that tested entrepreneurial, organizational, and general management skills.

8 teams, named after Mafia clans, had set up their own stalls under their chosen theme and actually sold their products to customers in real time. The aim was to take the competition to the real market so it was organised at Vishwavidyala metro station. The event started around 2 pm, which was the peak time for commuters to pass by, thus a great opportunity to attract consumers. Students could be seen trying to bargain and sell their products.

This task offered the students an insight into the competitive business world and the teams were evaluated on their marketing as well as their total profits. Team Tattaglia Family emerged as the winners of the event and won Rs. 48 grand along with internships. Nikhil Singh was the strongest person of the event- the Godfather, and he won a cash prize of Rs. 5000, along with a voucher worth Rs. 6000 and an internship.

The event was a huge success and a excellent learning experience.

Picture Credits: www.du.ac.in

Surbhi Grover

[email protected]

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Project Akshar, an initiative by Enactus S.S.C.B.S., was started in the year 2011 with an aim to provide employment opportunities to those in need, help the environment and provide affordable education to the under privileged. It envisions creating extremely affordable, environment –friendly notebooks, by recycling and reusing paper that is discarded as waste by corporate houses, RWA’s and other organisations to create spiral bound eco-friendly notebooks which are produced by a group of:

  • hearing impaired individuals
  • victims of drug abuse,trafficking and abandonment

All sale proceeds from these notebooks go entirely to them.

For every 3 notebooks sold,1 notebook is sent to a child in need.

To commemorate 2 years of Project Akshar’s completion, ENACTUS S.S.C.B.S. is organizing ‘Akshar Day’ on 24th March, 2013 by organizing paper collection drives throughout Delhi and NCR, reaching out to thousands of people in the National Capital Region and collecting a momentous amount of paper.

Enactus is an international not-for-profit organisation that works with business leaders and university students across the globe to develop outreach projects that improve the quality of life of people in need.

At Enactus Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (S.S.C.B.S.) (University of Delhi)we have been engaged in using business models to empower those in need, since our inception in January 2009.

 

Applications are open for students from all colleges to volunteer and participate in these collection drives.

Come, be a part of this celebration!

For any information, please contact: 

 

Sakshi Gupta
Vice President,Partnerships
Enactus SSCBS
+91-9999603193 


Krishni Miglani

Associate,Partnerships
Enactus SSCBS
+91-8826403870

To apply for the same visit the following link : bit.ly/aksharvolunteer
Hurry application deadline closes soon.