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Arushi Pathak

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According to the recent college guidelines imposed on the students by Dr. Ashok Sehgal, the new officiating principal, Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) no longer conciliates the title of the ‘most-happening college’ in Delhi University and has distinctly pledged the future of approx. 40 unregistered societies. A compendium of rules issued by the Principal has inflicted various obstacles for students in the field of organizing cultural festivals.

For instance, cultural activities like Rain Dance Fresher’s and Prom Nights will be discontinued from this year. “Rain Dance leads to wastage of resources, unnecessary litigations and damage of college property, so it is in our best interest to avoid this particular event”, said a staff member.This year the authorities will keep a close check that no star performer or artist can be paid more than Rs. 10 Lakhs during Crossroads, the annual fest, unlike last year where Atif Aslam was paid Rs 40 Lakhs for a mere 20 minutes performance.

Unregistered societies on the other hand cannot organize their individual fests except a few academic and co-curricular activities. Events like SRCC Youth Conference which were usually held during this time of the month will now have to wait for the elections to end, i.e. 11th September. There’s a stringent necessity now for all registered societies (including The Students’ Union) to take prior consent from the Principal himself (along with the estimated budget) regarding any event or activity they want to organize.

Furthermore, they are neither allowed to post any notice or poster in the name of the college without a careful scrutiny by the teacher concerned, nor obtain money from the students in any form (including tickets and passes which were their major source of funds). It is also mandatory to deploy lady police to ensure safety and security of all the female students during the fests considering various past cases of eve teasing or molestation during the annual fest.

However, the most severe imposition according to the students who are ardently absorbed in the pre-elections campaigning is that no post in the Union shall be awarded to the students with attendance less than 75% and academic arrears.

Tamanna Goel

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NDTV in collaboration with Philips organised a conclave on Indoor Air Pollution in Taj Hotel Chankyapuri on 24th August. The conclave was flagged of by the first host Vikram Chandra who discussed some rudimentary problems related to air pollution and was then joined by Prashant Javedkar, the Minister of state for Environment in an online session where Mr. Javedkar was very welcoming to the suggestions of the audience and said the ministry is very concerned about the environment and has already taken measures to reduce indoor air pollution, especially in the rural areas.

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He also pointed out that still a large proportion of families in villages use wood and chullas for cooking which produces a lot of smoke and to counter this he shed light on the schemes the government has introduced such as the LPG cylinder scheme and the Solar power usage in households. Lastly he welcomed all the suggestions and assured the audience that the government will take every step to control air pollution.

After the session with Mr. Javedker, Vikram then called on stage the first panel of the day. Six in number, these panellists comprised of Partho Das from Clean Asia, Mr Kunikesh a MP from Odisha and the Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan among others. Before starting of the discussion few statistics were revealed to the audience, from a random sample taken of the cities in India, Agra came out to be the most polluted city, followed by Delhi and Chennai.

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Further it was illuminated that the pollutant particles have now become as small as 2.5 pm. The panel then had a discussion on the various diseases these particles cause which include blood inflammation, Heart diseases, chronic Lung diseases and cancer. Another study revealed that the indoor pm count was 400 particles per million, whereas the count on a busy traffic signal was 168 particles per million. This shocking study then became the base for the all following discussions. The panel then discussed the ground level solutions that each household could adopt for reducing these levels considerably: Better ventilation in houses, indoor plants and open windows.

A message was then played, Robert Swan an international figure in the field addressed the problem of pollution in India by linking it to the usage of kerosene and petrol in the country, and he encouraged the nation to shift to solar power from thermal power resources.

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Following this NDTV then connected the audience and panel to Kennedy Space centre, NASA in USA. In this session the importance of purifying air and water was highlighted using special plants and high value crops.

After a short break, a second panel was convened with the host Ravish Kumar from NDTV. This panel again consisted of well known and qualified panellists including Kunal Kohli the famous Bollywood director, Jayati Singh, and Barun Aggarwal among others. The discussion now revolved around bio mass burning and importance of public transport. A new study revealed, the schools where more parents use their private vehicles to pick and drop their kids have higher pollution levels. Indoor smoking and pets can also affect the pollution level significantly.

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Towards the end, the panelists and Mr Kumar came to a conclusion that the problem of Air Pollution is multi-dimensional and not just a political or a household agenda. All sectors need to come together and tackle the problem to ensure the safety of our children and future generation. The conclave was then brought to a close by pledging a cracker free Diwali this year.

 

Image Credits: Uzma Rehman for DU Beat

The very first glimpse of the place offers an offbeat ambience with sheer innovation on the walls. You’re sure to notice the “Akhri Baar Kab Dekha” tagline under the WhatsApp icon, or “Petrol ki Asli Keemat” under Hill Climb Racing or “Zindagi Milegi Fir Dobara” under the Candy Crush Saga icon.

The café goes easy on the pocket (though a little scratchy when it comes to ordering exotic shakes or sandwiches). The vibrant vegetarian menu includes attractive wraps and sizzlers that won’t pass without catching your attention. While the Shanghai Chicken Firewood Pizza surpassed all levels of expectations, the Vegetarian Haystack Nachos definitely have some scope for improvement. Probably one of the richest shakes on the menu was the ‘All Time Real Chocolate Bar Shake’ which was certainly worth the long name, though the Cookie and Cream Milkshake was better.

The Firewood pizzas were prepared on a live wood fuelled stove, enhancing the taste with the smoky flavour. One of the chef’s specials was the Chicken Kanti Firewood Pizza, a dexterous amalgamation of yellow and green bell peppers with chunks of chicken festooned on the thin crust.

The café also has its own bakery where they prepare mouth-watering delights such as Mud Cake Slice and Oreo Cheesecake. The Café also plans to open its doors for gigs and photography walls for amateurs to display their art. A Karaoke Night on Tuesdays is also being planned. Along with the Italian and North Indian menu, the café is also expanding to Chinese.

While the food can see some improvement, dining at Café Why Not is a wholesome experience with the free Wifi and single pizza slice offerings!

Image credits: Aarushi Dhingra for DU Beat

Arushi Pathak [email protected]

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What might not seem very impressive and little generic at first, will definitely surprise you once your table starts piling up with mouth-watering delights. Situated right in the heart of Satya Niketan, 2 Bandits certainly lives up to the standards set by the cafés and food joints around.

The ambience is fairly suitable for any meal of the day, the interiors of the place being carefully defined. Along with offering some exceptional specials, it is also a paradise for all hookah-lovers. Double-Apple, Mint, Orange, you name it, they have it! The food menu was very comprehensive, having  indigenous Vada- Paavs and Bruschettas in the list. It also managed to have a vibrant non-vegetarian food list which certainly tasted as exotic as it sounded.

The Chicken Steak Sizzler was one of the most served and enjoyed dishes the place had to offer. The mashed filling between chicken breast was exceptionally different from the regular chicken sizzlers our taste-buds are used to. Potato wedges with the chicken proved to be a splendid side dish. A must-try for vegetarians is The Arabian Night-Veg which is a divine vegetarian paneer wrap served with Garlic Mayo. Veg and Chicken Panini were also favourites.

The café also has a very attractive shakes and mocktail menu. The Lamberjack, a chocolate brownie tasted as fancy as it sounds, served in chemistry lab beakers. The mild taste of Apple with a tinge of Mint and Lemon enabled the Apple Soaked Mojito to make a place in the special recommendations. The evergreen iced tea served in an unconventional funnel-shaped flask tasted as good as it should have.

With all the unusual appetizers the place has to offer, it also carries the basic pasta, burger and pizza menu beginning from as low as 95 rupees. One of the highlights of the café was the tree trunk standing right at the entrance with paper leaves hanging from it boughs, carrying hundreds of memories and messages. With its overall charisma and ambience (not to forget, the affordability for the young crowd out there), this place is certainly worth a visit.

Rating: 4.3/5

Image Credits: 2 Bandits Facebook Page

Arushi Pathak
[email protected]

 

 

Attempting to increase the number of girl students in various courses, certain Delhi University colleges have prescribed guidelines for relaxation of cut offs for girl candidates. Many colleges offer ‘Girls Quota’ or concession in cut off for girl candidates in order to ensure equal number of admissions of female students, along with promoting education of girls and providing them equal opportunities for their all round development.

The colleges that are offering cut off concessions to girl candidates in the academic year 2015-16 are-

Name of College Course Concession
ARSD College All courses 3%
Aryabhatta College (Formely RLA (E)) All courses 2%
Bhim Rao Ambedkar College All courses 2%
Deen Dayal UpadhayayaCollege All courses 3%
Dyal Singh College All courses 3%
Dyal Singh College(E) All courses 3%
KeshavMahavidyalaya 1. Electronics 2%
2. Physical Science (ComputerScience) 1%
 Motilal Nehru College 1. B.A (Prog) 3%
2. English 2%
3. Hindi 3%
4. History 3%
5. Political Science 3%
6. Sanskrit 3%
7. B.Com 2%
8. B.Com (H) 2%
9. Mathematics 3%
10. Applied Physical Sc. (ComputerSc.) 3%
Motilal Nehru College(E) All courses 3%
PGDAV College All courses 1%
PGDAV College (E) All Courses 2%
Ramjas College 1. Hindi 3%
2. Sanskrit 3%
3. Political Science 3%
 Rajdhani College 1. Economics 1%
2. Hindi 3%
3. History 2%
4. Political Science 2%
5. Sanskrit 3%
6. B.Com (H) 2%
7. Electronics 3%
8. Mathematics 2%
9. Physics 3%
10. Physical Science (Chemistry) 2%
11. Physical Science (ComputerScience) 2%
12. Physical Science (Electronics) 2%
 Ram Lal Anand College 1. History 2. Political Science 3. Hindi  2%
4. Geology 5. Computer Science 2%
6. B.Com(Prog) 7. B.Com (H)
8. B.A (Prog)
 2%
Shivaji College All courses 3%
Shyam Lal College (E) All courses 3%
Shaheed Bhagat Singh (E) All Courses 3%
Satyawati College All Courses 3%
Satyawati College (E) All Courses 3%
Swami Shraddhanand 1. B.Com (Prog) 2. B.Com (H) 3%
ZakirHusain Delhi College (E) All Courses 3%

 

Arushi Pathak
[email protected]

Come May and one can see around is the extravagant anticipation regarding the year’s board results. Every year, the fate of thousands of students is sealed in envelopes stamped upon by vintage authorities who seldom realise the worth of the work they’re doing.

And while the kids develop anxiety disorders hoping to be able to ‘make the cut’, we tend to see reassurances from all around that board exam results are not the end of the world after all. When comedian and celebrity, Vir Das broke the internet with his marksheet; the youth seemed to be infused with an unusual gusto to break away the status quo. However, the question, and a very important one in the Indian society, still stands staring at us- Are Board Exam results really NOT the end of the world?

The answer, sadly, is a big fat no. Because let’s face it, when the nosey aunt shows pity when you just scored a 90% while some Sharma ji’s son managed to score a 98% all you want to do is to get away from the situation as soon as you can. Let’s take a simple example. An author at the age of 17 would not be able to pursue English Honours course in DU’s premier colleges simply because she failed to score a 99% in her board exams; which is the metric for her intelligence and brilliance, isn’t it? Because being an author at such a young age means nothing but messing up that Physics numerical and losing out on a few marks keeps her from attending the best college in the country.

And with this big question follows another big one- Is it fair? And that’s a question all of us know the answer to. Certainly, students who aren’t able to score exceptionally alien 100% scores also make it big in life. But at this point in this developing country, we cannot turn a blind eye to this mismatch. As an observer, one can see aspirants crying when they score a 98.25% because Stephen’s has set its cut off at 98.5%.

With 28 boards running in India, there is no common metric that can keep all students at par. While someone with “mah lyf, mah rulezz” captions is able to score a 95 in English, the other one with “full fathom five thy father lies” cannot climb beyond an 85. So even though the Indian education system runs away from practical knowledge, the system of theoretical knowledge is full of loopholes which indeed make the board result a life changing event for all students.

When we realise the problem of increase in student suicides across the country, why is it so difficult to think of a solution that brings all of us out of this 100% cut-off mesh? Are the students who are not 95% scorers any less deserving than the ones who are? Why are marks solely our judgement metric for a student’s intelligence? Most importantly, why is the flowchart shaped like: Less than 95% is equal to losing out on the country’s best education facilities?

So no matter how much Vir Das or Amitabh Bachchan or Arvind Kejriwal harp about board exam results not being the end of the world, the hard reality is that the status quo points out very different facts which in fact prove the very opposite. And while we’ve all faced it in our lives at some point or the other, there isn’t much that has changed in the Indian Education System in the past three decades.

Acche din might help. We’ll know soon!

Image Credits- mentalhealthy.co.uk

Arushi Pathak
[email protected]

When I was born, my father told my mother that I’m a ‘different’ kid. And as luck would say it, he prophesied true. Science agrees that a child’s first words are generally ‘ma’ or addresses to their mother in whatever little syllables they can push out of that puny mouth. Different me, I chose to say ‘papa’ before any other word.

Over the years, as I grew, he was always there. Always attending my school functions, important parent teacher meets; dropping me to my music lessons at times. Seeing him return from the day’s work used to become the attraction of the day. My brother and I used to race our little feet to the door when we saw him parking the car in our garage. Hurriedly telling him all we did in the day, we almost got into an argument as to who gets to tell him more stories. And almost always, my brother used to get the edge simply because he was younger.

My father has always been fond of tea I make. While it was something which eventually got a little tiresome for me and I tried to get away from doing it in my mid teens; it’s now, when I’m away from home and don’t get to see him every day that I miss mixing that two and a half tea-spoon tea and one tea-spoon sugar in the pot of boiling water. And while he watched me grow, he somehow managed to remain the same. Young at heart and fearless. The subconscious confidence of having him stand like an unshakable pillar behind me kept me striding forward while keeping all unnecessary elements (yes, I’m talking about stalkers) pretty much away.

It’s funny to observe how the role of fathers has changed over the last three-four decades. Fathers today are much more than patriarchy-lover, stern faced men who simply said ‘jaa Simran jaa, jeele apni zindagi’ towards the end and get to play the bigger person. Fathers today choose to keep an equation their kids, and specially their daughters can look up to. So while my father and I share funny and  philosophical messages on WhatsApp with equal enthusiasm, we also know that at the end of the day he’s the guardian always keeping an eye on everything that’s happening around me; even if he is a hundred kilometres away.

He’s not just a father, he’s a go-to person, a mentor, a guide, the one who helps me out with my debates, the one who’s the first reader of everything I may write, the one whom I run to when my mother doesn’t listen to me, the one whom I ask for that three thousand rupee dress, the one who melts the moment I shed a tear (a weapon every daughter across the globe knows how to use), the one who’s protected me always, the one who’s the strongest and the one who’s a figure of perfection in my eyes.

And while I’ll definitely get that three thousand bucks worth of dress, he’ll leave behind much more- tonnes of wisdom and all of his soul when he finally leaves.

To all the fathers across the globe, and daughters who cherish this bond they share.

We love you, Papa! Happy Fathers’ Day.

 

Image credits: www.wilstar.com

 

Arushi Pathak

[email protected]

Now that the Board exams are done, have you already started day-dreaming about your dream college in India’s top university? At the same time, are you apprehensive about moving to a new city altogether? Here’s a little something for all would-be outstation students wishing to be a part of the University of Delhi in the upcoming academic year- a survival recipe exclusively for outstation students, by an outstation student.

 (Author’s note: ‘survival’ is just used for a dramatic effect; you’ll sail through college here!)

All about Delhi

First things first- Delhi is NOT the rape capital of India. It’s as safe and as unsafe as any other city in the country. There are people on the road that will help you; there are shopkeepers and auto-waalas who won’t rob you of your money, so clear your head of all these clichés about Delhi.

 The plus points? Easy access to all landmarks across the vast city via the city’s lifeline- the Delhi Metro. Delhi-ites swear by the efficiency of Delhi’s metro system. Other than this, exceptional food joints with as much variety as you wish to have on your plate along with being a shopper’s paradise, an art-lover’s heaven and an observer’s utopia., just when you start thinking you’ve got to know it all, the city throws something majestic at you to ponder upon!

Essentials for an outstation kid

Find good accommodation

Finding good accommodation is one of the most essential aspects you need to focus on once you get into the college of your choice. Many colleges across DU don’t have adequate hostel seats and hence alternative accommodations such as flats and PG (Paying Guest) accommodations are popular. Confused about what to choose? Here’s something to make your life a little easier-

Hostel– While many colleges have inadequate hostel seats, it’s still considered the first choice for most outstation students. The safety of the accommodation and lesser rent in comparison to flats and PGs are the main benefits hostels have to offer.

With this, hostels do come with certain guidelines and regulations to comply with. These maybe in the form of curfew deadlines and leave regulations. Food is also an issue in certain cases since all of us spoiled, in-love-with-home-made-food kids might find it a little difficult to adjust to the hostel mess’ food. It is a myth though that hostels are all about regulations. The mid-night parties, studying and staying together, sharing food (the list goes on till where your wishes can take you) will bring you a lifetime of friendships and irreplaceable memories.

PG Accommodation– One of the fastest growing businesses in Delhi (it’s not IT!) is of the Paying Guest Accommodations. You will have hundreds of PGs to choose from as per your own preferences. PGs in Delhi come with both rigid and flexible curfew deadlines. The food issue one might face in hostels is a rarity in cases of PGs given that you have the option of demanding the food of your own choice.

However, higher rent, difficulty in adjustment with fellow PG-mates (yes, that’s a term!), curfew deadline issues and safety concerns at times are a few negatives tagging along.

Flats –  As rosy as the thought of owning your own flat may sound, it’s a mammoth task. Unless you’re willing to bargain with the subzi-waalas and relying on the wishes of a maid to turn up and get you some food, flats is not a good idea.

But, you surely cannot ignore the benefits of having a house party or calling your friends over whenever you wish to. Your parents will certainly have a lesser control over your activities since there’s no deadline issue and they’re often cheaper than PG accommodations.

The only advice is to think thoroughly before choosing your accommodation and consider all pros, cons and worst case scenarios for all options. Ultimately, your comfort (and survival!) overrules all other factors.

Wish you could be home…

Homesickness is something every outstation kid feels at some point of time. We understand how close you are to home but always think of the time you were earnestly waiting to get out of your home and explore. Well, the independence a new city gives you is your perfect chance to live your dreams. While doing all your work yourself might seem to be a burden initially, it’ll eventually become something you’ll be thankful for and proud of.

There are ways to get over the feeling of homesickness, of course! Take an early morning walk, go on a shopping spree, explore historical places in and around the city with your new found friends- the more you try to get your mind off the thought of home, the more at-home you’ll feel!

Adjustment issues often crop up when you come across unfamiliar people. The key is to see this unfamiliarity as a part and parcel of growing up and becoming your own person. It’s also important to understand that every kid in your hostel/PG is in the same boat as you are, and is facing similar issues.

The best part about Delhi is the fact that you will never run out of ‘things to do’. With its historical and cultural importance, the city in itself has a lot to offer. You might feel a little lost initially but embrace the change with open arms. Within no time, you’d be a part of this cross-cultural hub making a mark of your own. (Too much philosophy? Well, you’re getting the first hand experience of an outstation kid!)

Feature Image Credits: thedisneyden.com

Arushi Pathak
[email protected]

Civil services, unanimously considered to be the most prestigious services in the country since the times of British imperialism, is the singular job attracting millions of Indian youth to participate in the administration of the country. Over the course of time, the government of India has set up a strict merit based recruitment process to churn out the most dynamic and intelligent youth for about 1000 vacancies with number of applicants over 10 lakhs.

The Union Public Service Commission every year conducts the exam for recruitment to different services like Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS), Indian Revenue Services (IRS) etc. The recruitment process is a three stage elimination procedure starting with a Preliminary Exam in August with Mains in December followed by the final interview. Like the extensive examination process, the preparation for civil services is like climbing the Everest since UPSC tests the candidates on myriad subjects from economy to polity, science and technology to geography etc.

Opposed to the general myth propagated by many that cracking this exam relies on rote learning of about 100 books, newspapers, etc., in the present scenario it has become the most challenging exam in the world requiring analytical test of everyday events and objects around you on a day to day basis. Not only learning, but the ability to logically decipher the understanding of current events, history, scientific and geographical facts is necessary to get into civil services today.

It needs utmost patience and determination on the part of the candidates to devote at least 6-8 hours daily to the preparation that should ideally start during the final year of graduation or just after graduation. While most candidates are confused in the initial stages about the preparation regarding coaching classes, which books to refer, how to make notes, what to skip and what to read etc. with the plethora of options floating in the market, it’s better to take advice from the right person to save you from further roadblocks. This saves you from unnecessary wastage of time and money and helps in further preparation which is an uphill task.

Like the preparation stage, the time needed to clear the exam takes about a year which once you succeed through places you with the Union Public Service Commission for your training. While most of the countrymen aspire for this service to gain a better position in career, social prestige, etc, there is a real scope of contributing to the process of nation’s development and societal growth through this service. Today our country is plagued by many lacunas which can be eradicated with the selfless service of able and honest officers who are both meritorious and talented to deal with the current problems of the country.

“The journey towards civil services is an immensely enriching experience. At each step, we need to prove that we genuinely deserve what we aspire. The heartfelt conviction, the undying passion, the much needed consistency and the incessant desire to learn is all it takes to reach the acme.”, says Ayushi Dube, a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University aspiring for civil services.

For a young graduate, aiming for civil services needs enthusiasm to learn, patience, maturity to let go of failures and the nationalistic fervour to contribute to the country. There are many hindrances that one may face in their UPSC journey but the right strategy, the right time management and the right path always guides you towards the goal which is a dream of many but achieved by a few passionate young fellows every year.

 

Image Credits: helpgov.wordpress.com

 

Arushi Srivastava

[email protected]

 

Delhi University continued its attempts to answer queries and clear doubts of DU aspirants today during its 5th Open Day. Hundreds of aspirants have been flocking to Conference Centre, North Campus each day to resolve their queries and to get to know the intricacies of the admission procedure in the coming month.

The session was moderated by Mr.Gurpreet Tuteja, Deputy Dean of Admissions, University of Delhi. The admission committee projected a comprehensive presentation focusing on myriad queries and information that is of utmost prominence and importance. Beginning with a brief introduction about the University and affiliated colleges, the presentation further covered details about the admission procedure and reservation policies.

As applications begin tomorrow, special emphasis was given on reminding students the important dates. Online registration for Common Admission Forms begin on 28th May, 2015. Offline registration shall begin from 5th June, 2015. The cost of the forms is Rs. 100 for General and OBC Categories and Rs. 50 for SC/ST/PwD Categories. The last day for registration, both online and offline is 15th June, 2015.

Offline forms will be available on the following centers:
1. ARSD College
2. Gargi College
3. PGDAV College
4. Dyal Singh College
5. S.G.T.B Khalsa College*
6. Rajdhani College
7. Shyam Lal College
8. Maharaja Agrasen College

*Added to the list later by DU in place of SGGS College of Commerce.

The first cut off shall be released on 25th June, 2015. A period of three days would be given before the release of subsequent cut offs. “It is not mandatory for candidates to submit the offline forms to the same center they took them from. They can be deposited to any of the centers,” Mr. Tuteja announced.

With this, details regarding Sports Quota reforms as per university guidelines were discussed. The introduction of B.A. (Hons.) Multimedia and Mass Communication in Indraprastha College for Women was also announced which will also have a system of entrance examinations. More details of the BMMMC entrances are expected on Thursday.

The presentation ended with an interactive question-answer session – aspirants directly spoke to University officials.

“The session was very helpful. All our doubts were more or less cleared. Though we expect the University to be more active in online declarations which will avoid our need to attend such Open days.”, said Shubham, a B.Com aspirant from Gurgaon.

The session saw substantial turnout and was well-managed overall. The aspirants were seen satisfied post discussion with most of their queries being solved. Open Day sessions shall continue till the end of this week.