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The Handmaid’s Tale: A Riveting Dystopia

By DU Beat March 3, 2020

Read the analysis of a powerful dystopian web series, The Handmaid’s Tale, to compare the contemporary authoritarian times with ones highlighted in the web series.

The Handmaid’s Tale is an American dystopian web series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel. It revolves around the theocratic government of Gilead, where women have no purpose other than bearing off-springs, and men are the ones with all the authority.

The makers of the show have released three seasons as of now, and these revolve around the lives of the ruling elite of Gilead. The authoritarian government of Gilead views fertile women as mere natal slaves who are allowed to play limited roles. These women, called the Handmaids, are assigned to the homes of the ruling elite and are subjected to ritualized rape which is called ‘the ceremony.’

The ritual is a monthly practice that continues until the handmaid conceives. After conceiving, the handmaid is treated fairly nicely by everyone to make sure that the handmaid does not escape with the child. If they fail to submit to their masters, handmaids are severely punished. The punishment for reading for women is a chopped-off finger.

The civil war in the United States resulted in the establishment of Gilead. Homosexuals, old, and handicapped women are sent away to work at sites with high nuclear radiations, which slowly kills them. The Marthas are cooks and housekeepers, just with one duty, and that is caring for the homes of the elite. Girls are forced to marry older men at a very young age. There are heavy restrictions on what the people of Gilead can wear.

The plot of the show is extremely compelling, and consists of a cliffhanger at the end of each episode. The protagonist of the show, June Osborn, is captured while trying to escape to Canadaand is assigned to the Waterford family as a handmaid.

The entirety of the show thrives on the emotions of gloominess, suffering, and faint hope. For most offenses, the punishment is death by hanging in public. The government is extreme in every action it takes.

Tejasvi, a student of Lady Shri Ram College says, “The show is so engaging, it almost feels like we are living this reality. The plot is unique and keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire time.”

Feature image credits- Glamour

Suhani Malhotra

NGT Suspends Clearance For Vishwavidyalaya High-Rise

By DU Beat February 29, 2020

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has suspended environmental clearance for the 37-floor high-rise that was to be constructed near the Vishwavidyalaya metro station, claiming that the approval for the building was given “without application of mind” and that the project is “simply not viable”.

The National Green Tribunal suspended the environmental clearance given for the thirty-seven storey high-rise that was to be constructed near the Vishwavidyalaya metro station, claiming that the approval regarding the building was given, “without application of mind”.

The Tribunal noted that the carrying capacity of the university area wasn’t kept in mind and that it cannot sustain such a building. The NGT claimed that the air and noise levels of the area are already over permissible levels and that the location of the building is extremely close to important forest reserves, the Yamuna river, as well as notable educational institutions- the University of Delhi’s North Campus- and hospitals, with a high traffic density and therefore such a project is, “simply not viable”.

The project area which was originally 3.05 hectares of land in Civil Lines was acquired by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation from the Defence Ministry in 2001. The Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station was built on 1 hectare of land, while the rest was sold to Young Builders Ltd.

Various protests by student and environmental organisations and parties were held protesting against the building of the high-rise, owing largely to the environmental and health risks and hazards that it posed. The protests gained a lot of traction and support from students and environmentalists. As a response, the NGT has requested a separate evaluation of the project via a team comprising of those from the Environment Ministry, Central Pollution Control Board, and others, and has sought a report regarding the issue from the same within two months. The developer has been restrained from all further developments and building activity until 9th July 2020.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Shreya Juyal

Hansraj College Hostellers Lock Down Mess

By DU Beat February 29, 2020

In response to deteriorating food quality, residents of the Hansraj College Hostel have boycotted the mess.

On 29th February 2020, the students of Hansraj College residing in the hostel decided to stop the consumption of food made in their mess and proceeded to lock the mess from outside. This action, they said, was taken in response to the poor quality of food they were being served for the past few weeks.

“For the past three weeks, the non-teaching staff (the mess workers) have been on strike. Since then, we haven’t been served food as per the menu. The mess now operates on a self-service basis, and we’re only being served basic food like rice and dal. The food quality is terrible. As a result, it was decided that we won’t have lunch from today, and while lunch was cooked, no one ate it and we went and locked the mess.” said Vinay Pratap Singh, a resident of the hostel and a student of Hansraj College.

The students then had a meeting with the warden where they laid down their demands. “We have multiple demands because there are a lot of problems, but our basic demand right now is a bringing back of normalcy. While we understand that mess workers cannot come back right now, we should at least be hiring new cooks from outside. This is also something that had been promised to us by the warden but hasn’t been done for the past seventeen days. This is a very serious problem because the food not being cooked properly is also negatively affecting people’s health. We won’t be wasting the already cooked food though, we’ve asked the warden to have the food given to needy through the Hansraj National Service Scheme (NSS)”, Vinay added.

The students met with the principal in the evening who tried to reach out to the Workers’ Union, who have declined to come back to work at the moment. What remains to be seen is how the administration responds to the demands and how these protests affect those made by the Staff Union. For the moment, though, the lockdown has been called off.

Image Credits: Hansraj College Website

Khush Vardhan Dembla

Day 2 of Nexus Ends With EDM Night of DJ Lijo George

By DU Beat February 28, 2020

Nexus, the annual cultural fest of Sri Venkateswara College, concluded its second day, which was full of flagship events, with the EDM night of DJ Lijo George, however, the EDM night was cut short due to security reasons.

Mudra: Classical Solo Dance Event
The Indian Classical solo dance event, organised by Nitryangana, the dance society of Sri Venkateswara College, soothed the minds of its spectators with ravishing ethnic performances.

The event filled Nexus, the annual cultural fest of Sri Venkateswara College, with much vigour and enthusiasm with its colourful display.

In the event, Ann Afreen, Janki Devi Memorial College bagged the first position, while Sawmya, Laxmi Bai College bagged the second position.

Kurukshetra: Street Dance Battle

Verve, the western dance society of Sri Venkateswara College, organised Kurukshetra, Street Dance Battle, where street form of hip-hop and freestyle was wildly displayed in its true essence.

Battles were aggressive, highly energetic and full of vigour. The event was conducted in Audi Lobby, and was a definite flagship event of Day 2 of Nexus.

The street dance battle periphery was one of the most crowd attractive ones, with people chanting for their favourite team. Spardha, western dance society of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College won the event.

Goonj: Classical Choir Competition

The second half of the sophomore day of Nexus 2020 resonated with the melodious musings from the seminar room that hosted 12 societies from Delhi at Goonj – The Indian Classical Choir Competition organised by Alaap, The Indian Musical Society of Sri Venkatashwara College. The delightful talent was well praised by the Judge of the event, Ghulam Hasan Khan sahab, who is an eminent classical vocalist and has achieved multiple feats at a very young age, in a stiff affair, Ghulam Sahab adjudged Riyaaz, the music society of Maitreyi College as the winners and Music from Kirori Mal College as the runner-ups of the event.

Corner Taken Quickly: The Sports Quiz

As part of Sri Venkateswara College’s annual cultural fest Nexus, the quizzing society of the college, Conquiztadors organised – “Corner Taken Quickly”, the Sports Quiz, on the 28th of February. The event received a significant turnout from colleges across the city. After two rounds of intense quizzing, written in the first, and oral in the second, Gokul S of the Delhi School of Economics, who dominated the quiz throughout, won by a considerable margin, while the team from IIT Delhi consisting of Partha Dhar and Akshay Gurumoorthy managed to clinch the second position. “The quiz was extremely well researched and a valuable learning experience even for the ones who didn’t win”, opined Satyakam, a member of Conquiztadors.

Battle of Bands

The second day of Nexus featured the most awaited event, Battle of Bands, organised by Crescendo, the Western Music Society of Sri Venkateswara College. The event saw powerful performances from five of the prominent bands in the circuit. The event took place at the main stage, with the same strength and passion as the Yellow Diary and the soon to be DJ Lijo George and witnessed equal enthusiasm from the crowd.
The first prize was bagged by Doob, a band majorly constituted by students of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Commerce and the runners up was Calico Skies, a band majorly constituted by students of College of Vocational Studies

Kavyanjali: Slam Poetry Competition

Among other cut throat cultural society competitions, Petrichor, the Creative Writing and Performance Poetry society of Sri Venkateswara College organised “Kavyanjali”, a bilingual annual slam poetry competition.
The event took place in a classroom, but was fairly beautiful decorated owing to the handmade decorations, fairy lights and the fluorescent lights being turned off.
The event saw many participants speak their heart out, talking about their heartbreak stories, insecurities and the political scenario in India right now.

Saarang: Solo Indian Classical Instrumental Competition

Alongside this, the mini stage featured “Saarang” the Instrumental Solo Indian Classical Competition, organised by Aalap, the Indian Musical Society of Sri Venkateswara College.
The competition saw various participants with their classical Indian Instruments, but some with really out of the box instruments, like an electric guitar.
The competition began in the morning and since it was in the centre of the main building, it created a very soothing vibe for someone who would roam about in the campus.

Dard-E-Quizco: The General Quiz

Conquiztadors organised “Dard-E-Quizco”, the General Quiz. The event, conducted by Akhilesh Budhiraja and Shanya Sinha, received a huge turnout, with many seasoned quizzers and some enthusiastic first-timers. After an intense preliminary round, six teams qualified for the final. In a nail biting finish going down to the last question, the team of Adil Jacob and Rabin Jacob pipped the team of Akshay G and Kunal S to clinch the first prize. “It was a pleasure to be host to such a brilliant group of participants and even more endearing to see the quiz go down to the wire”, said Akhilesh Budhiraja, the quizmaster.

EDM Night: DJ Lijo George
To a hustling day of events, and competitions, the EDM Night with DJ Lijo George made everyone in the vicinity grove to the beats of his Bollywood mashups.

However, the night was cut short due to security reasons. Allegedly, people climbed up the stage and badmouthed the students’ union members. There were also rumours of a women being slapped in the process.

A student of Sri Venkateswara College, in conditions of anonymity, said, “A girl reported to the police that a guy hit her, the guy was drunk and when this girl went to the police, the guy came to trash the union.” Hence, to maintain the safety of students in the fest, the college vicinity was immediately vacated.

Feature Image Credits: Mayank Gulati for DU Beat.

Akshat Arora

Faizan Salik

Araba Kongbam

Chhavi Bahmba

Arts & Culture

Decoding Hickeys and Love Bites

By DU Beat February 28, 2020

Amma, yesterday my boyfriend and I had a cosy time together, all was good, but today when I woke up I saw a big blue coloured bruise on the side of my neck. I don’t know what to do about it. Help me out!

My dearest idli,

Calm down, it is nothing to worry about, you have just got your first love bite! Yes, you read it right. Love bites, commonly know as, hickeys are very common in spicy sexual activities and arise due to the continuous tugging of epidermal skin, lasting more than 20 to 30 seconds, such as from a violent kiss or a bite. These passionate and prolonged manoeuvres appear as something unbearable to the tender and tiny blood vessels present just below our skin, known as capillaries, making them burst and causing the small blueish bruise.

The kind of a reaction one has to them is variable, some vadas and idlis really admire the reddish blue mark and consider it as a symbol of memory, recalling the steamy moments they spent with their partners. However, there are others who owing to the difficulties of hiding it or the uncomfort they feel while or after getting it make them detest love bites, hence the consent of your partner before planting him or her with one is very important. Amma, also in her days of youth often covered her neck with a blue scarf, which she bought specifically for this purpose.

However, it’s not always the sides of the neck which can be chosen, a hickey can be given anywhere on the collar bone, chest or for that matter any part of the skin which has exposed blood capillaries, close to the surface. Coming back to your question, Amma recalls of your vada not informing or asking you about his plan of embedding your neck with a mark, this action makes Amma doubt his crispness. So, make sure you talk about this the next time you meet him. Also, since till now Amma is aware of your innocence sweetness like Rawa Kesari, I feel its important to tell you that the reddish blue spot is not permanent and will vanish max in a week. So, if you have traditional Indian parents or irritating high school friends, rock this week with high necks or scarfs.

With love

From,
Amma

Arts & Culture

Patel Versus Nehru: The Modern Indian Rivalry

By DU Beat February 28, 2020

Winston Churchill once wrote, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” Here’s looking at how history was composed by our leaders at the eve of independence and beginning of self-rule, despite their apparent differences.

It is a well known fact that history was composed and looked after by coterie of the Indian National Congress which came to the fore in the leadership fracas in India before 1947, as a consequent result, Indian history has seldom acknowledged the fact that the country is indebted as much to Sardar Vallabhai Patel for its independence and integration as to leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru. The extraordinary leader also known hasn’t been given proper remembrance despite his great sacrifices for Independence, his contributions to issues like Kashmir and Hyderabad, as well as the bureaucratic system and the efforts made by him in unifying the country.
Patel considered himself a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and conceded to him (even on issues he had a differing view on), while Nehru, who was made the first Prime Minister of the nation, was neither a friend nor an enemy. They both worked together as partners, but also were often at loggerheads on several issues arising from the conflict between Nehru’s principles and Patel’s priorities.
Here is a brief account of their significant collaborations and rivalries wrapped around the modern history of the country;

For Post Of Congress President
Vallabhai Patel was the most favored choice to be sworn in as the President of Congress several times. The majority in Congress looked at him as the most deservingt candidate due to his credentials of being a skillful and hardheaded leader. However, he stepped aside for Nehru upon the request of his Guru, Mahatma Gandhi. “I suggested your name for the crown of thorns (President ship of the Congress). Keep it on, though the head be bruised,” wrote Gandhi Ji to Nehru in a letter dated 15th July 1936.
On Socialism
Nehru was increasingly disposed towards the idea that the developmental model of the nation must be steered by the government. However, Patel was of the opinion that industry must be established in the country before nationalization and also had cited the example of England, where socialism arose considerably on the road to industrialization.
On Hyderabad
A day prior to the entrance of Indian forces into Hyderabad (which was a princely state not part of India at that time) to fight against the Nizam’s
paramilitary force, K.M. Munshi, India’s then Agent General In Hyderabad, had recorded that Nehru “flew into rage and upbraided Sardar for his action and attitude towards Hyderabad.” However, plans didn’t change and the Indian forces rolled into Hyderabad.
On Kashmir Issue
Patel had advised Nehru against taking the Kashmir issue to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and even famously called it the “Insecurity Council”. However, his advice was ignored and this move resulted in the UNSC further complicating the issue by asking for withdrawal of forces and
conduct of plebiscite in the region.

Patel and Nehru’s rivalry and the internal strife between the two strands of the Congress led by them had been finally quelled upon the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi. There were heated arguments between Nehru and Patel and Patel had even written to Gandhi Ji to relieve him of his responsibilities. However, upon Gandhi Ji’s death, Nehru wrote a letter to Patel that now everything had changed and that there was urgent need for them to function closely and co-operatively, which Patel reciprocated. Hence Gandhi, through his death, could reconcile both the leaders of the new and fragile country.

Image Credits: Getty Images

Abhinandan Kaul

Stringent Funds: Delay In Staff Salaries in Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar College

By DU Beat February 26, 2020

Owing to the inadequacy of liquidity of funds from the end of State Government, non payment of salaries in Delhi University (DU) colleges like Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar College arises.

A financial crunch which has resulted in the aftermath of teaching and non teaching staff at Dr.Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, in doing without any salary for the month of January 2020, led to complete disappointment and dismay in its employees.

On 17th February, Ambedkar College Staff Association, passed a resolution in its General Body Meeting (GBM) requesting the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) to address the issue subjected on the lines of staff being non recipient of salaries for the month of January, and construction of an action plan accordingly.

It must be noted that the delay has an added inconvenience for the staff since they have to make investments for tax planning in the same month. Similar accounts of incidents happened earlier in June 2019, when all 12 colleges fully funded from the State were led astray without any salary.

Hinting towards, this event turning into a repetitive pattern, Mr Ravi Shankar Ravi, the President of Ambedkar College Staff Association, told DU Beat, “the administration and the State have their differences on the construction of an intermediary called ‘governing body.’ With respect to this, both the parties are passing the buck thereby leading to a delay in the process of payment.”

A report published by The Economic Times clarified that Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had written a letter on 16th April 2019 to the Secretary, Higher Education stating that no funds should be given to 28 colleges (fully or partially funded by them) till they form their governing bodies.

The President of the staff extended his concerns and further added,”Whatever are the reasons for rife between the administrations, it should not however, lead to employees’ suffering. The Delhi Government, which has been voted back in power for this term yet again, should consider the livelihood of thousands of teaching and non teaching staff and their families who have to face the burden of the impasse between the two parties which further the payment mechanism.”

DR Abha Dev Habib, DUTA member, claimed that all the twelve colleges which are 100% funded by the Delhi Government are facing this situation yet again. Colleges like Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Maharaja Agrasen College, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Keshav Mahavidyalaya and Bhagini Nivedita College are some of the mentioned colleges which come under the spectrum of 100% funding through state and facing similar issues.

Feature Image Credits: Shiksha

Umaima Khanam

The Executive Council Holds Emergency Meeting for DU

By DU Beat February 26, 2020

A meeting of the Executive Council (EC), discussing significant DU centric agendas took place on 26th February, Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in the council room at the Vice Regal Lodge, Delhi University (DU).

Some of the primary agendas that were to be discussed in this emergent meeting include drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DU and Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India regarding the declaration of DU as an institution of Eminence (IoE). Apart from this implementation of the IoE proposed in the previous meeting would also be thought further. The creation of the post of Director General, IoE and consequential amendments to the relevant Statutes and Ordinances is marked as another separate agenda for the meeting.

The Academics for Action and Development (AAD) is in strong disapproval of this meeting to to impose IoE. It claims of this conference as a hastily taken step to get the agenda put forward by the authority rubber stamped. Calling it as another arbitrary action violating the rules and regulations of DU, Richa Raj, Co Press Secretary, AAD, said, “As per the DU statutes, the Registrar is the ex-officio Member-Secretary of EC and authorised to convene the meeting. When there is no Registrar in the university, how can this meeting be convened? The membership of Five statutory university officials and three elected members from the court are also vacant and such a truncated EC can not alter the nature and structure of DU, which IoE intends to do.”

As per AAD the implementation of the new economic policy (NEP) has already begun and the imposition of the IoE is just an attempt for its implementation in a complete and organised manner. The Vice Chancellor (VC) paying no regard to the grievances of teachers in context to the absorption and promotion with counting of ad hoc experience, inspite of their month long struggle is just absorbed in the attempts aiming at privatization of higher education in India.

SBN Tiwary, Co Press Secretary, AAD, informed, “The DU is going to implement the Board of Governors (BOG) ruled autonomous structure within the DU in the name of “Eminence”, where this institute would receive a grant of Rs. 1000 Crore in ten years from the center directly and their matters will never see the critical scrutiny of EC, AC and Finance Committee (FC). It is interesting to note that the IITs under this scheme have received only Rs. 48 Crore in two years out of the sanctioned Rs. 1000 Crores.”

Some of the significant consequences that the implementation of the IoE will include the diversion of attention from the faculty and stake holders of the university, which will cause only a parallel structure to receive the entire limelight and government patronage. AAD predicts that after a few years even the BOG governed parallel structure will be left on it’s own terms of grants and maintenance.

Rajib Ray, President, Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), expressing his views about the same, said, “The DUTA stands categorically opposed to the DU VC’s hasty and authoritarian move to pawn away the University’s future by submitting a proposal for the Institution of Eminence (IoE) status without seeking discussion or prior statutory approval in the Academic Council and Executive Council.” In its official press statement, DUTA mentioned that though the VC called the eminent meeting to seek formal approval for the IoE, he didn’t provide the statutory authorities with the time to make up their minds and debate the implications of the proposal.

The proposal is nothing but a clear cut blueprint for steady commercialisation of the university through an undertaking to start self finance courses and full online degree programs. Rajinder Singh, Secretary, DUTA, further informed of the proposal undertaking to hike students fees and employing 20 percent foreign faculty, on an incentive based differential pay structure. DUTA warns the VC from going ahead with a proposal that alters the character and dilutes the core priorities of Delhi University. Further, the proposal binds DU in an obligation to raise 95 crore rupees towards meeting recurring expenses like salaries and 350 crore rupees towards non-recurring capital expenditure by 2025.

“None of these provisions have been discussed in the Academic or Executive Council. In fact, the proposal attempts to replace these existing statutory bodies by an ‘independent’ Governing Council that has no elected representation of teachers, students or karamcharis. None of the representative bodies of these primary stakeholders have been consulted while drawing up this draconian proposal,” was revealed by Mr. Ray.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Kriti Gupta

[email protected]

Arts & Culture

An Open Letter: Why I Left My Society

By DU Beat February 26, 2020

Societies have been touted as the best way to engage in extra curricular activities while studying in Delhi University (DU). There are times however when they fail to meet the expectations we have and make us ask whether its time to leave.

The first thing that many of us in first year are told after we get into DU is that our lives will revolve around whichever college society/ies that we choose. “ classroom se zyada society mai seekhega tu ( You will learn more in your society than in the classroom.)“ , “tujhe tera crowd society mai milega (You will find like-minded people in your society.)” While these monikers might stand true for the right society for an individual, it is not universally true.

What one should keep first and foremost with all endeavors including societies is the affect that it is has on our mental health. Societies and the extra work load they bring can have a negative impact even if we are surrounded by wonderful people in the society. Paridhi, a first year student from Jesus and Mary College, says “ I was not in a good place mental health wise, and I didn’t think I could commit to the work in a way I would’ve liked to, that resulted in me learning more too. With something like Poetry too, despite the society being full of amazing, empathetic women; it felt like a burden to keep afloat with everything that was going on.”

In the current political scenario, if you are one of those who believe that now is the time to stand up and raise your voice for what India stands for, a college society can be a roadblock in your way and a source of frustration. Lots of societies choose to be ‘apolitical’ o down right apathetic to the situation in the country. With your societies refusing to take stands and/or prioritising practice or work before dissenting, It is a very valid reason to leave your society. Apoliticism, of all things, is ironically one of the things followed in many societies that function around expressing your opinions. All this, amongst major national political crisis.

Another reason one would join a society is for professional growth, and this dilemma between professional growth and fun is the reason why many of us end up in academic societies as well as cultural societies. But managing many societies at a time isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, which at times forces one to leave a society. Theoretically, one should go for professional growth but cultural societies get an upper hand because of the family like feeling that one gets owing to hours and hours of practice, hundreds of cultural fests to compete in and the liberal way in which they function.

But not all societies are a family, a fresher to the society may find it difficult to socialise with their seniors, thus getting the sense of lonesome even after spending most of your day with their society. This feeling of alienation could also be the reason you want to leave your society.

Amidst all these fun and partying that these societies offer, they also come with a pinch of salt in the form of toxicity arising from the “circuits” that each society has in the University. Every weekend there is a new competition, a new tournament, with the same people in the circuit one would see the same people quite often! While many of us would want to be friends with different people within the circuit, there is also this competitiveness owing to everyone’s desire to win the cash prizes that leads to this toxicity. Sadly, this is the ugly truth of societies that make it unbearable for someone who is not much dedicated to the art.

Whatever be your passion, there is a society for that, but at the same time, if you feel like a particular society would not help you to pursue your dreams, it is okay for you to leave it and make a trail of your own, for one can take the road less traveled.

Feature Image Credits: Hitesh Kalra for DU Beat

Akshat Arora

Prabhanu Kumar Das