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Best and Worst of 2016: Pop Culture Highlights

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2016 highlights

HOLLYWOOD

  • Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Just when we thought no more of the Harry Potter, we were blessed with the movie version of this book by JK Rowling which takes us back into the wizarding world that we all loved. Not only did the movie do well but Newt Scamander instantly became everyone’s favourite. Definitely one of the good things about 2016.
  • Brangelina: Causing a lot many hearts to break than it initially intended to, this was definitely the split of the year. Twelve years of love had made them ‘goals’ for believers of true love in the popular culture, but alas. Guess 2016 was a curse for them.
  • Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar: This one literally broke the internet! A moment that made history and memes hand in hand, Leo’s big Oscar win for The Revenant has made it to the list of the best things of 2016.

 

CELEB DEATHS

  • Prince: we were unfortunate enough to lose this talented star in 2016. Prince was definitely the ‘King’ of his flamboyant hybrid of rock, pop and funk music and his sudden death at the age of 57 was one of the bitter news of 2016 for all his fans.
  • David Bowie: He is called a “consummate music chameleon” by The Rolling Stone for his immense contribution to the world of art rock. His death in 2016 came as a shock to his fans because few knew that the 69-year-old artist was battling cancer.
  • Muhammad Ali: The biggest sports star of the 70s and ‘the Greatest’ Muhammad Ali too passed away in the year 2016. He was 74 years old when he died.
  • Alan Rickman: Known for his acting skills on screen and in theatre, beloved ‘Harry Potter’ star was among the saddest celeb deaths of 2016. He was 69 years at the time when he lost his life battling cancer.
  • George Michael: The ‘pop superstar’ known for hits like ‘careless whisper’ and the winner two Grammy awards ended his 30-year long career on 25th December at the age of 53. He came out as gay in 1998 and was an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS fundraiser.
  • Carrie Fisher: Famous for role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies, was also a writer, producer and humorist. She died at the age of 60 on December 27th in Los Angeles.

 

MUSIC

  • Drake and Rihanna: The on and off fling of Drake and Rihanna continued straight into 2016, but what made it a special year for them was his emotional speech about her at this year’s VMAs (besides the amazing music).
  • Beyonce’s Lemonade: Queen Bey is back and with what! Her album after three years has managed to bag nine Grammy nominations and of course, all of our hearts. This album is critically acclaimed to be ‘the Best Album of the Year’.
  • Justin Bieber’s Grammy Nomination: Not only did Justin secure his first ever Grammy in the 2016 Grammys, but he also got four nominations for the 2017 one! Here’s wishing him good luck.

 

TV SHOWS AND BOOKS

  • Jon Snow: Game of Thrones fans along with the rest of the world know about this particular incident in the most popular TV series out there. Almost everybody thinks this one comes under the “good things about 2016” list.
  • Stranger Things: Netflix’s original series Stranger Things has created a storm with its unique storyline and terrific sense of mystery. A show that combines humour and horror, some have even called it the ‘best TV show’ of 2016.
  • Glimore Girls revival: Early 2000’s comedy-drama TV series is revived back on Netflix, making it one of the best things of 2016. Fans believe that it is a great way to get the original ending right!
  • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: JK Rowling’s new play about the life after the Harry Potter series was left off made every Potterhead in the world happy about this year. However, not everyone agrees it was a good thing – some say the book was a disappointment.

 

       MISCELLANEOUS

  • Mannequin Challenge: The challenge that went viral over the internet! Many celebrities including Hillary Clinton and Adele filmed the challenge with the song “Black Beatles” in the background.
  • Harambe’s death: The unfortunate death of a gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden gave birth to a lot of memes and jokes that ran viral over the Internet for months after.
  • Pokemon Go: This one was the app that took over the summer of 2016, bringing back the sweet nostalgia of a 90s’ kid who watched the popular TV series, Pokemon. However its hype died only after a few weeks.

 

  BOLLYWOOD

  • Saif and Kareena’s baby: The couples’ newborn created a buzz with the name he was given – Taimur. People started questioning the name since it is also the name of an Asian conqueror.
  • Fawad Khan: Hearts were broken and movies were (almost) banned when the attacks on Uri caused nationwide hate for Pakistanis – not just terrorists but also artists.
  • Sanjay Dutt: Known in popular circles as ‘Baba’, Dutt was released after 23 years following his conviction by a Special court for involvement in the Mumbai blasts.

Tell us in the comments below what do you think were the best and worst moments of 2016!

Anagha Rakta

[email protected]

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Life at Delhi University

Pros that are actually Cons of College

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You think that college life has a few pros after all? Think again! The hectic life of a college student is actually all cons if you look closely. Here are some of the “pros” that are actually cons in pleasant disguise (try to find a healthy balance between the two to smooth out the contradictions!) –

 

Pro: You can do whatever you want! Gone are the days when asking for your parents’ permission was necessary to even step out of the house at 2 in the afternoon and here are the days of stepping into the house at 2 in the night. College doesn’t require you to come to class everyday and it lets you explore more than just monotonous classes and heavy books.

Con of the Pro: Getting to completely make your own decisions might sound like a blessing when you’re heading out to party and choosing Blueberry Cheesecake at Majnu ka Tila over your classes. However, you might feel the heat when internals are right around the corner and you don’t know a thing for that test on Monday! You can always get the five marks for attendance, but that is not always an option when you’ve done too much of exploring and too little of classes.

Pro: You can wear whatever you want! No more of the same outfit everyday and the strict rules regarding the ties and the socks of your boring uniform. Plus avoiding stains on that white shirt seemed impossible! Now you can go to college wearing anything from your comfy hoodie to your favourite ripped jeans and tell the world that you’re more than just the white shirt of your former uniforms.

Con of the Pro: Deciding what to wear every single working day of the week will excite you for the maybe the first six months of college. As the working days keep increasing and your excitement in fashion keeps decreasing, you will see yourself going to college in a pair of three-day old pajamas and chappals and wishing to get back the uniform. To top that off, now you have to save all your best clothes from the inevitable stains.

 

Pro: You eat out – a lot. Ordering food was only a one-time thing when mommy dearest was there to serve her best home cooked meals to you on a silver platter (sometimes, literally). But now pizzas, biryani and momos are your staples and you couldn’t be happier. Who needs mom’s boring and healthy food when you have McDonald’s on speed dial?

 

Con of the Pro: Eating a burger a day can make your best shape go away. After a designated number of cheesy, deep-fried things that cost you a lot of your pocket money, you’ll realise how much you miss the simple dal-chawal of home. Not only is the junk food causing harm to your body and to your wallet, it also makes you extremely homesick.

 

Pro: College will give you many opportunities. From societies to internships to seminars to talks – college will always have something or the other to offer to help you grow. Finally, life will seem more than just scoring sky high scores.

Con of the Pro: Amongst all the adventures of college life, you’ll have almost zero sleep. Did you think you could get the best of both worlds and also get sleep? Three hours of sleep will be more than enough when you’d be juggling between the ten things that your college has to offer. And don’t forget, that you have to also socialize in that time!

In the constant battle between students and college, don’t let college win. Try to end your three years with experiences, memories, and of course, a degree.

 

Anagha Rakta

[email protected]

 

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Arts & Culture

The Glorious 100 Years of Ramjas College

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A glimpse is obviously not enough to gorge on the rich history of the college, but Ramjas College’s Grand Centennial Celebration is right around the corner as they complete a hundred years in 2017 and we decided to take a look at the past.

Located in the heart of North Campus, surrounded by an air of political sway and a hundred years’ worth of dignified history as its foundation, stands Ramjas College – known for a lot more than just its education. With the college completing a century with abundant achievements and alumni in its list, let’s look at what makes Ramjas College exceptional:

1. The college was founded by Rai Kedarnath, a philanthropist, who created the college for the lower middle class students who couldn’t afford the education in other colleges. Admission of students was solely on the basis of merit and no student was discriminated or denied admission on the basis of caste. All you needed to be at Ramjas was a will to study.
At first, the college was run by the Ramjas Foundation, that was meant for schools and educational institutions, but later, it got affiliated to the University of Delhi . Ramjas College is one of first three colleges that were established in Delhi University.

2. Ramjas was the first college to run their classes in shifts. This started due to Partition and the morning classes were affiliated by the University of Delhi and the evening classes were affiliated by the University of Lahore. The college provided accommodation for many refugees from Pakistan, however students were having troubles in commuting to the college. So, Rai Kedarnath went to ask for donations from people in places like Chandani Chowk and made sure that every student had one bicycle for commuting.

3. The provision of bicycles led to the start of another trend. In order to earn money, students from Ramjas delivered door-to-door newspaper service on the cycles. This was the first time that something like this happened in Delhi.

4. The students of the college were actively involved the freedom movement and a group of students were arrested for their involvement in the struggle. A plaque with their names inscribed on it has been put up near the college auditorium gate in memory of the brave students. Two students, Ram Bihari Mathur and Saxena, were sentenced to life imprisonment and shipped off to Andaman.

5. Ramjas College’s involvement with the freedom struggle is extremely memorable. Chandra Shekhar Azad hid in the hostel of the college, pretending to be a Sikh student from Pakistan, when he was evading the British Government.

6. Ramjas College location was shifted from the Anant Parbat location in 1950, when the previous building was ceded to the Allied Forces of the World War II. The first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, inaugurated the college’s new location.

7. This is the only college in Delhi to have Dr. BR Ambedkar as the Chairman of the Governing Body of Ramjas College. After the death of Rai Kedarnath, the father of our constitution took over and honoured the college.

Ramjas not only has a rich past, but a very exciting present. With alumni including film-maker Prakash Jha, actor Manoj Bajpai and singer-musician Papon, the college is a place for budding artists, politicians and activists.

A huge congratulations to the college for its glorious 100 Years!

Anagha Rakta
[email protected]

Image Credits: educrib.com

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Exams

The Five Kinds of People You Should Avoid During Exams – For the Better!

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Here’s a list of five kinds of people that you should get rid of (effective immediately) and not feel guilty about doing so!

Exam time is a difficult time in any student’s life. The thick books and never ending notes are a problem but adding to the stress are some people who not only ruin your mood but also your motivation to study. It is always a good option to avoid such people and be positive, fresh and stress-free (or at least, try to be). Here is a list of five people that you need to say goodbye to for the exam season –

  • The prying pal: This ‘friend’ doesn’t miss a single opportunity to ask you, “Kitna syllabus ho gya?” and forces you to reconsider your life decisions. It is extremely stressful to answer a question that you yourself are not ready to face. Instead of having to tell this prying friend that you’re still on Chapter 2 and receive the “OMG, what?!” reaction of horror (or worse lying that you’re done with your course), it is better to avoid him/her for a while. Besides, you don’t want them to ask you additional questions like, “Did you do that very difficult topic from that very difficult chapter of all our books?” – No, you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.

 

  • The party animal: We all have that friend who is super chilled out and loves partying – even during exams. Unlike you, he/she can’t wait for semester exams to end and this friend probably doesn’t understand when you say you can’t party because you’re studying, almost forcing you to give into temptations. While you’re trying to make up for the sins you committed throughout the semester, he/she is planning a mid-exam party. And although, it would be extremely fun to hang out with this party animal after the exams, it better to bid goodbye to him/her while you try to end the semester with a little grace.

 

  • The twice-a-year friend: There is this one friend who becomes your friend only two times in a year – during the semester exams. Before and after exams, you have absolutely no idea where this person is and this person is not your friend but a chaser after your notes. Even if your kind heart wants to help this lost, never-around-for-classes face, you shouldn’t give your helpful tutoring and study tips to someone who’s going to forget to say hello after exams end.

 

  • The control freak: If you don’t have this friend, then you’re certainly the control freak yourself. The one who panics a lot and consequently, makes everybody around him/her panic as well. This friend constantly reminds you of how vast the syllabus is, how tough the chapters are and how worried he/she is. Remember, worrying is contagious and it is a wise decision to avoid the stress source for a while.

 

  • The liar: Spot this person by listening to what they have to say. For example, if your friend says, “I’m going to fail!” or “I haven’t studied anything, yaar!” there is a very good chance that they will definitely be scoring better than you. My response to these kinds of people is usually an eye roll and a sarcastic, “Sure.” Ditch this friend during exam season for your own good.

 

Not an easy job, but a necessary one – avoid these people for a calmer state of mind while studying for the semester exams. Best of luck!

 

Feature Image Credits: hindustantimes.com

Anagha Rakta
[email protected]

 

 

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Uncategorized

7 snacks you can munch on while studying!

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Students often have tendencies to either eat too much or too little during exams – with no good done. So, it  is important to know what kind of food  keeps the body energised and the mind focused,  and also helps you go through those long study sessions!

It is very important to eat right and study right. A student can’t – and shouldn’t – survive just on coffee and potato chips. And that’s why we have a couple of snacks (with a healthier alternative for each) which you can try, to keep your stomachs full and your minds focused when studying for semester exams!

  • Chocolate: In any of its luscious forms (Nutella, nutrition bars, ice cream), chocolate is not only delicious but also helps you stay awake! So for those long hours of studying, try munching on chocolate to help you make study sessions a little more bearable.
    Choose dark chocolate for a healthier alternative.

 

  • Peanut butter and banana: Make a couple of peanut butter and sliced banana sandwiches and cut them into bite sized pieces to store up for later. Easy to make, this snack will give you loads of protein and provide you with the energy required to study through the day.
    Replace the bread with whole wheat or multigrain bread for a healthier alternative.

 

  • Yogurt and fruits: Mix a bowl of yogurt with one tablespoon of sugar and small cubes of any seasonal fruit (strawberries, grapes, etc) for a tasty, refreshing and protein-rich snack for those long hours at the study table.
    Switch sugar with honey for a healthier alternative.

 

  • Popcorn: Easiest snack to make – throw a pack of popcorn in the microwave and voila! Not only is popcorn easy to make, but also provides fibres and antioxidants. Just make sure not to get those buttery hands on your notes.
    Make homemade popcorn by replacing butter with olive oil and salt for a healthier alternative.

 

  • Baked Nachos: Throw in a bag of tortilla chips, diced tomatoes, diced onions, some sprigs of coriander and squeeze half a lemon and mix it all together in a bowl. Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese on top and microwave till melted – and there you have it! Crunchy goodness that’ll get you energized and also put you in a good mood to tackle those books.
    Choose sour cream instead of melted cheese for a healthier alternative.

 

  • Fruits and Nuts: Best way to get energy for those long study sessions is by all-natural ingredients such as fruits and nuts. Combine a sliced apple, nuts of your choice (walnuts, almonds, even pistachios), a tablespoon of honey and a pinch of cinnamon and have a spoonful of this concoction every 30 minutes for a tasty booster!

 

  • Milkshake: Having a sip or so of a fruit milkshake through your all-nighter not only keeps you awake and energised but also keeps your stomach full (but not too full) and makes you less restless. A banana, strawberry or apple milkshake will keep your energy boosted.
    Mix less milk and more fruit in your milkshake for a healthier alternative.Happy studying and all the best for the exams!

 

Anagha Rakta
[email protected]

 

Image Credits: learningscientists.org

 

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DUB Speak

Five reasons why the Day After Diwali will make you want to cry

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The bright lights, scrumptious food and the beautiful decorations, all come crumbling down as soon as we wake up the next day after Diwali and have the very common ‘festive hangover’. Read our list of reasons why the next day after Diwali won’t be even as good as a bad day.

Diwali makes all of us happy – for some it is about the food, for some about the yearly house cleaning and for some, it is about the off day. But what happens the day AFTER Diwali? The rangolis are wiped out, the lights are brought down, the diyas are cleaned – and the existential dread sets in.

Here are five reasons why you won’t enjoy the day right after Diwali:

  • The pollution

The smoke filled air and the residual bits and pieces of all the zillion types of patakas are all that one can see the morning after Diwali. Not to mention the noises of the 8-year-olds bursting the leftover crackers in the middle of the day.

  • End of festive season

With an end to Diwali, comes the end to a vibrant and festive month of October. End of the festive season also means the end of the good food, family gatherings and off days. A lot of things will turn dull as soon as Diwali gets over and the decorations come down – from your clothes to your everyday food to your weekend plans.

  • End of semester

Where did the semester go really? After Diwali, the sad realization will dawn upon us that the semester is almost over and we will find ourselves making promises to ourselves to not lose track of time in the next semester. This shall also be the right time to start freaking out about attendance (and exams)!

  • Dread of exams

End of semester equals exams. And exams equal stress. And stress equals existential crisis. The day after Diwali, along with dullness, brings the dread of semester exams. Maybe now is the right time to buy those books and run after the class topper for notes!

  • The potbelly

One can’t expect to still be in shape the day after Diwali. After all, the gulab jamus, rasgullas, malpuas, etc have to go somewhere right? And all the amazing food you consumed during the festivities will be clearly visible through your tight shirt for the next week.

Honestly, I can’t think of any pro of the day after Diwali other than the leftover mithai in the fridge, but even that would give you a couple of more days with that potbelly! Then again, we have almost two months to get our festive spirits back up for Christmas.

Anagha Rakta
[email protected]

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DUB Speak

5 Best Poetry Slam Performances on YouTube

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The modern spoken word in the form of poetry slam is fresh and beautiful and hence, we compiled a list of the best performances of the verse on YouTube.

Of all the beautiful things in life, poetry seems to bring people closer together than anything else on the list. The way words turn and twist under a spell of emotions; just reading a piece is pure intoxication! But more beautiful than the written word is the spoken one and this is where slam poetry comes to our rescue. Poetry since its birth has always been written to be performed but somewhere down the line, we forgot the magic of a poetry performance. Thanks to the new trend, performing is back in the form of slam poetry and we couldn’t be happier!

We bring you a list of five top poetry slam performance that will definitely feed your literary side, even if you thought you didn’t have one.

  • “When Love Arrives” – Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye

Their beautiful soft voices, their chemistry and coordination and their power to remind us of love – these are the reasons why this performance is exceptional. Warning: you might cry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdJ6aUB2K4g

 

  • “OCD” – Neil Hilborn

This beautiful poem about love, loss and psychological disorders is a must watch because of Hilborn’s magical performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnKZ4pdSU-s

 

  • “Black College” – Denver Team

A moving performance about racial discrimination by two poets who want to be treated simply as humans and not as “blacks”.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcfigY6ZWL4

 

  • “Fantastic Breasts and Where to Find Them” – Brenna Twohy

This one is all about being in favour of our favourite thing – erotic Harry Potter fanfiction – and against our least favourite thing – the objectification of women in porn. Also, ten points to the poet for that amazing title.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXey2_i7GOA

 

  • “To the Boys Who May One Day Date My Daughter” – Jesse Parent

This poem brilliantly explains a father’s protective feelings towards his daughter in the most hilarious way!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcIwZ1Dth0c

Check out these pieces and dwell in the realm of the modern spoken word.

Anagha Rakta
[email protected]

Image Source: YouTube

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Top Picks

5 restaurants to go to when you miss ‘ghar ka khaana’

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Feeling nostalgic because you are not home this festive season? Fret not; we bring you a few restaurants that are almost as good – if not better – than ‘ghar ka khaana’!

Diwali is around the corner, and a lot of us cannot go back to our homes because of internals, less number of holidays and exam blues. While Delhites and fellow students are excited about spending the festive season with their parents and scrumptious food, we bring you a list of restaurants you can go to if you miss that home-made cooking.

For the Bengali Connoisseurs
For the Bong Connection!

  • City of Joy (for Bengali food)

This restaurant not just captures the nostalgia for Calcutta with its black and white posters and rustic ambience, but also creates food that will remind you of home. It will do so because City of Joy gets their spices and fish from Bengal itself! Try their Chicken Rezala and Diamond Fish Fry.

Location: Aravali Shopping Complex, Alaknanda

Cost for two: Rs 800

Find the place on zomato: https://www.zomato.com/ncr/city-of-joy-alaknanda-new-delhi

Ethnic herbs and spices to tingle your taste buds!
Ethnic herbs and spices to tingle your taste buds!

  • Bamboo Shoot (for Assamese, Naga and Manipuri food)

As soon as you enter this place, the smell of spices and bamboo shoots will engulf you along with some decent music and traditional Naga furnishings. Once you taste their food, you’ll want to come here every day to send away your nostalgic blues. Try any of their three thalis and Soibum Eronba (Bamboo Shoot special).

Location: Gupta Colony, Lajpat Nagar

Cost for two: Rs 500

Find the place on zomato: https://www.zomato.com/ncr/bamboo-shoot-kitchen-lajpat-nagar-4-new-delhi

From the land of Wazwan and rich flavours.
Mild in taste, rich in flavour. Kashmiri delights.

  • Khyen Chyen (for Kashmiri food)

Located at a food court, this place won’t give you the feel of being in Kashmir, but the exquisite food probably will. Their food is organised into portions like ‘only me’, ‘hungry’ and ‘very hungry’ which makes it comfortable. Try their Tabakh Maaz, Zafraan Qawah and Ale-i Yakhni.

Location: Second Floor, Select City Walk, Saket

Cost for two: Rs 800
Find the place on zomato: https://www.zomato.com/ncr/khyen-chyen-saket-new-delhi

Some of the world's most delicious foods...Kerela.
Some of the world’s most delicious foods…Kerela.

  • Kerela Food Channel (for Kerela food)

The simplicity of South Indian people reflects in the decor (or no decor) of this restaurant. With only a single page menu, a few tables, no air conditioning, huge portions and quick service, this place is minimalistic and comfortable. Try their curries and off-menu Buff Fry.

Location: DDA Flats, Ground Floor, Kalkaji

Cost for two: Rs 300

Find the place on zomato: https://www.zomato.com/ncr/kerala-food-channel-kalkaji-new-delhi/maps

For the wonderful flavours of Bihari cuisine.
For the wonderful flavours of Bihari cuisine.

  • Potbelly Rooftop Cafe

A quaint little place nestling in South Delhi, that is not easy to find but wonderful to be at. The furnishings are colourful and homey with terracotta pots and glass lanterns to set the mood and the food is gorgeous. Try their Golmirch Chicken, Dehati Fish and Chips and Keema Aloo Chop.

Location: 116 C, Fourth Floor, Shahpur Jat

Cost for two: Rs 800

Find the place on zomato: https://www.zomato.com/ncr/the-potbelly-rooftop-cafe-shahpur-jat-new-delhi

 

What are you waiting for? Run to these places if you can’t run home!

 

Anagha Rakta

[email protected]

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