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Delhi School of Journalism: A Shattered Dream?

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While the future of Delhi School of Journalism hangs in uncertainty, the administration asks students to “have faith.” With #FraudDSJ trending on Twitter and other social media platforms, DU Beat presents a situation explainer.

“I want the Delhi School of Journalism (DSJ) to become an even better centre than the famous Columbia School of Journalism,” said Prof. Yogesh Tyagi, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Delhi, during the orientation programme of Delhi School of Journalism last year. Fast forward one year and it seems that the VC’s dream project has turned into a nightmare. Expensive Course, Infrastructure Woes The students of DSJ have shown displeasure over lack of facilities. The new entrants pursuing one of the varsity’s most expensive courses have continuously complained about poor infrastructure.
One of the core issues raised by the students is the lack of a library facility. Instead, they have a “reading room” which has the capacity to accomodate only ten students to sit and read at a time. Students have proposed that since there is no proper library in the campus of DSJ, they should be given access to the Central Library, but to no avail.
Another issue raised is regarding the sports facilities, citing that they are not allowed to use the sports ground despite the campus being in the University Stadium Complex. With a high annual fee of 70,000 INR, this self financing journalism course is without a media lab. DSJ Needs Fresh Air, Literally.

DSJ is housed in the University Stadium Complex which is centrally air-conditioned. However, the air conditioning system has failed miserably. As a remedy, the administration installed pedestal fans which have been ineffective. There is no ventilation and the fans create a lot of noise which further prevents the possibility of any constructive academic discourse. On 30th July 2018, the students staged a sit-in protest to demand “fast-track action” by the varsity. “The air-conditioning system stopped working 20 days ago. The engineering department of the University repaired it, but it stopped working again. We are doing our best. Please have faith,” Dr. M.M. Yogi said, while looking visibly tired. The classes for the third-semester students were subsequently suspended from 31st July to 5th August owing to the ovenlike the condition of classes.
Rohit Shukla, a student of DSJ, expressed his displeasure by stating, “DSJ is just like an election manifesto of any political party which looks and sounds extremely great from outside but it just remains only on paper.” It’s a ‘subject’ Matter DSJ follows the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) which means that apart from the compulsory core courses, students have the freedom to choose their elective course from a pool of options. However, students were denied options in choosing General Electives in the first and second semester. They were forced to study other subjects without explanation or justification. The students believe that this may be due to an acute shortage of funds or space to conduct classes at the same time. The same happened with Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) and the language course they are supposed to study according to CBCS.
A few students were forced to take Hindi as AECC despite lacking the basic knowledge of the language. The programme offers four options for both foreign and regional languages. Some students have resented the denial of Urdu as a regional language. A student informed DU Beat that despite appealing to the management for the
inclusion of Urdu, the officials rebuked by saying, “If we offer Urdu, then all the Muslims will top.” However, Dr. M.M. Yogi, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Delhi School of Journalism, said, “Urdu was offered last year but there were not enough students who volunteered to take up Urdu as their regional language. At least a group of 20 students is required to introduce a language in the course.”
Of Promises, Accountability, and ‘Faith’ Delhi School of Journalism organised its orientation programme for the upcoming batch of students on 2nd August 2018. The students of the first year protested near the venue. They submitted a list of demands stating the problems mentioned above, some of which needed immediate attention. The students also demanded the budget for the current annual year and the previous year be made public. Prof. J.P. Dubey, the honourary Director of DSJ, assured the students that these demands will be taken care of, but refused to answer by when. DU Beat spoke to Dr. M.M. Yogi after the protest on 2nd August 2018. She informed that efforts are being made to fulfill the demands of the students since the demands are genuine and not wrong. Adding to that, she said that the administration cannot provide a target date since most things depend on bureaucratic measures that await the approval of higher authorities. On questioning the “leaked budget details” of the year 2018-19, the management informed that the unspent balance of 2017-18 which estimates to INR 46 lakh will be used in setting up the digital media lab and for purchasing the softwares required for the course.

“The bills about the purchases have been made and sent,” she added. She also asserted that there will be enough space to accommodate both the first year and second year students when the college resumes on 6th August 2018. Since the third semester has subjects like design and layout, the students wanted to know whether they will be re-issued laptops. Dr. Yogi informed DU Beat that the students may avail the laptops again after the fee payment of the third semester. She also assured that the students will not suffer any academic loss and every measure will be initiated to establish the best academic facilities.
However, against the backdrop of unfulfilled expectations and invisible progress, OSD’s reassuring words, which are supported by decades of experience, sound unconvincing. As just a year old organisation, DSJ has garnered much bad press. At the risk of portraying an overly optimistic perspective, what needs to be noticed is, from amongst the chaos here is an emerging student democracy at play. One hundred and twenty students are challenging the administration headon and the faculty, in the face of acute allegations, is accepting this rebellion with respect. If nothing, then at least this vibrancy should be accepted and appreciated.

The Current Situation

The situation at DSJ has worsened as students demand basic amenities. From yesterday evening, students have continuously been protesting in the campus premises. Earlier this evening, protesting students had been locked inside the campus. Students have alleged being mishandled by the college guards.
Police officials have attempted to stop students from recording videos at the protest. As of now, 8 students have been suspended until further notice.

Anoushka Sharma

[email protected]

(With inputs fron Maknoon Wani)

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DUB News

DU to Introduce Course on Entrepreneurship Next Year

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The University of Delhi is planning to start a new course on entrepreneurship from the next academic session i.e. 2018-19. The course will be a three-year degree program and will be called BBA Entrepreneurship.

The standing committee on academic matters met on Monday, 20th August 2018 and welcomed the proposal to introduce a course on Entrepreneurship. The course is yet to be approved by the academic council. It will be established under the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and Humanities.

For admission into the course, there will be a three-stage procedure. The first round will be a national level entrance test, followed by a group discussion round as the second stage, while the last stage will include personal interviews. The entrance test will be designed to check the logical and quantitative reasoning of the students. During the course of study, the students will be expected to complete two internships and submit a dissertation by the end of the third year. The course will follow the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and a total of 158 credits will be awarded to students completing the course.

DU Beat contacted Ms. Poonam Verma, Principal of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (SSCBS) who made this proposal. She remarked, “The course will start from next year. The academic council and executive council of the University will pass the proposal in  reasonable time so that the admission process can get started for the next academic session. Once we get the approval, we are going to get started with it.” She informed that the course will be first of its kind in the University. Ms. Verma also spoke about the two most sought-after courses in University of Delhi- Bachelors of Management Studies (BMS) and Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial and Investment Analysis (BBA-FIA)which are available in her college. The course, BBA Entrepreneurship, will start from her college if approved. She hopes that other DU colleges also welcome the course so that maximum students get the benefit. Ms. Verma also mentioned the incubation centre in SSCBS,  which could provide a progressive and comprehensive platform to the budding entrepreneurs.

The course aligns with the Delhi government and Central government’s initiative for skill development and entrepreneurship at academic and undergraduate levels. Currently, very few universities in India offer BBA Entrepreneurship and most of them are private institutions.

 

(With Inputs from TOI)

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Anoushka Sharma
[email protected]

 

 

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News

A Tussle between the ABVP and NSUI over the Installation of Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines

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A senior leader of the ABVP and DUSU Secretary Mahamedhaa Nagar accuses DUSU Vice-President and member of the NSUI Kunal Sehrawat of stealing credit in what appears to be a tussle over the installation of sanitary napkin vending machines in DU colleges.

In a recent move by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and National Student’s Union of India(NSUI)-led Delhi University Student’s Union (DUSU), 56 colleges of the University of Delhi (DU) have received sanitary napkin vending machines. Each of these machines can store up to 25 napkins and can be accessed by the students.

The journey of installing these machines in all of these colleges began on the 22nd of January 2018 when Mahamedhaa Nagar, Secretary of DUSU, had organised a women’s marathon in association with the Sky Touch Foundation. The aim of the marathon was to question the tax imposed on sanitary napkins and the stigma surrounding menstruation. The marathon was flagged off by Akshay Kumar who was invited as the Chief Guest of the event. He was there to promote his movie ‘PadMan’ which spoke on the same issue. On the same day, Mahamedhaa had made the announcement of setting up sanitary napkin vending machines in all colleges affiliated to DU. Akshay Kumar and the two ABVP members occupying the DUSU had also launched 10 sanitary napkin vending machines on the same day.

Mahamedhaa wrote a letter to the Vice Chancellor of DU on the 15th of January 2018 regarding her announcement. He had welcomed the move and had also circulated the letter to all DU college Principals to take necessary steps.

Mahameda Nagar's Letter

Image Credits: Mahamedhaa Nagar, Secretary of DUSU

But, in a recent letter signed by the Assistant Registrar of DU, DUSU’s Vice President Kunal Sehrawat has also been given permission to set up sanitary napkin vending machines in the premises of WUS Health Centre and the Utility Centre, both of which are situated in the North Campus of DU.

Kunal's Letter

Image Credits: Kunal Sehrawat, Vice President of DUSU

In a conversation with DU Beat, Sehrawat said, “As per the research and data procured, we have found that 60% of the total students across DU are females. Also, 15 colleges are solely for girls. In addition to that, we also have females including teachers and administration staff. Our main aim of launching and installing sanitary napkin vending machines are affordability, to eradicate social taboo associated with it, easy accessibility and spreading awareness among the youth.”

To resolve this confusion, DU Beat contacted Mahamedhaa Nagar. She informed the DU Beat correspondent that she had written a letter to the VC for the installation of the machines in DU colleges in January. The VC had replied back in March by welcoming the initiative. However, by then, she had already contacted the Principals of various DU colleges and installed the sanitary napkin vending machines in 20 to 25 colleges. Nagar also informed that they have offered a year’s free maintenance of the machines installed in the DU colleges. She mentioned, “Before starting the process of installation, I did a small survey. I approached the Principals of different colleges and asked what features they are looking for in a sanitary napkin vending machine. I found, for instance, that Hindu College already had a vending machine, but the problem was the quality of sanitary napkins the machine provided.” She had also sent out a proposal to the Ministry of Women and Child Development to help her with the setting up of machines. The CSR Research Foundation had helped Mahamedhaa in getting the sponsors for the sanitary napkin vending machines. By now she has installed such machines in 56 colleges and 8 schools.

When Kunal Sehrawat was asked to comment on the same, he said, “Who gets the credit really doesn’t matter to me. All that matters is that some work should happen for a noble cause. The students and the society should benefit from the same.”

 

Feature Image Credits: The Hindustan Times

Anoushka Sharma

[email protected]

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Help God’s Own Land – Kerala

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In the worst flood of the century for Kerala, it has become difficult to keep track of reliable sources to provide practical support to our people. Read below to find a list of methods and organisations to support the cause and sufferers of Kerala.

Since the past two and a half months, Kerala has been in a state of despair. The monsoon season took a disastrous toll this year into what has now been termed the ‘worst flood of the century’. The Chief Minister (CM) of the state announced on Friday evening that the lives of 324 people had been claimed, over three lakhs had been displaced into relief camps, and the affected individuals were over two crores.

As a university with the student population hailing from diverse backgrounds and states, the University of Delhi (DU) has the responsibility to participate in helping the victims and the sufferers in every way practically possible. Apart from offering moral and emotional support to all our friends from Kerala, it is integral to contribute to the rescue/relief mission through donations.

Here are some authentic organisations which are accepting donations, and providing methods to serve the cause:

  • Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund

Pinarayi Vijayan said, “At this point of time, nothing can help as much as money.” In lieu of this, the CMDRF serves as the most authentic, secure and trustworthy way to donate money. The account details are as follows:

Account number: 67319948232
Bank: State Bank of India
Branch: City branch, Thiruvananthapuram
IFS Code: SBIN0070028
PAN: AAAGD0584M
Account-holder Name: CMDRF

Either go to the website- http://www.donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in, and fill the Online Donation Form by logging in, to be redirected to a payment gateway, or use any online portal to directly send the money to the aforementioned account.

The donor may use a Demand Draft, or cheques and address those to the Principal Secretary (Finance Treasure) and send to the following address:

Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund,

Secretariat,

Thiruvananthapuram – 695001

  • NGO Goonj

Goonj is an NGO located in various parts of the country, including Delhi-NCR. Along with money, the sufferers in Kerala are in dire need of numerous items. The NGO has a website- https://www.goonj.org/dropping-centres/ which has a list of all the places in Delhi where collections are being conducted.

The items required by the individuals trapped in the floods are bed sheets, blankets, undergarments, rice, dals, Dettol, torches, sanitary napkins, biscuits, tinned foods, candles, sleeping mats, sugar, and turmeric powder.

  • Kerala Rescue

This is an initiative undertaken as collaboration between the Government of Kerala, Kerala State IT Mission and IEEE Kerala Section, and it provides multiple ways to help the cause in Kerala. From monetary donations to volunteering services, you can provide your support in every possible way. For the stranded individuals’ families, there is an option to access the helplines and relief camps.

Here is the link to the website: https://www.keralarescue.in/

  • Paytm

The most accessible alternative for all students, Paytm has dedicated an option on its home-page which allows users to donate for Kerala floods. It is a safe option which only requires you to enter your details, log-onto the app, and makes the transaction as conveniently as possible.

Your BHIM UPI details are also of use for the same, and you receive a receipt in the mail which assures that your donation has been successfully accepted.

  • Amazon India

This is perhaps the most practical measure in terms of non-monetary donations to the state. The popular e-commerce giant has partnered with three NGOs, namely- Habitat for Humanity, World Vision India, and Goonj. On the website/app, there is a page dedicated to the donations for the affected in Kerala where each NGO has a wish-list of products, ranked in order of priority. As mentioned in the list above, the items vary according to the pressing need of the area in which the NGO is prominently delivering.

On the addition of the products to the cart in the usual way, select the gift registry address of the NGO (mentioned there) in the address portal, and then Amazon will deliver to the said address from where the NGOs will be responsible for getting those to the flood victims.

  • Uday Foundation

Uday Foundation, located in New Delhi, has a page dedicated to the Kerala Flood Relief Mission on its official website- http://www.udayfoundationindia.org/kerala-flood-relief-3/ and there is a provision to make donations of money and other items as well.

In order to make online donations to the victims through the foundation, use the following details:

Bank name: HDFC Bank

Branch: Adchini, New Delhi 110017

Account name: UDAY FOUNDATION FOR CDRBG TRUST

Type: Savings

Account number: 03361450000251

IFS Code: HDFC0004397

The cheques and demand drafts are to be made in the favour of “UDAY FOUNDATION FOR CDRBG TRUST”, and the same must be sent to the following address:

Uday Foundation,

13A/1, Adhchini,

Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi 110017

The same page also mentions the items that are needed by the victims, and also gives details of where to send the items (the head office is the usual address). The live social media updates by the foundation make it easy to keep track of the happenings in Kerala, and also provide the donor with a sense of belief that the donations have been delivered to the right place.

  •  Person Finder

In partnership with the government, Google has launched the following website: https://www.google.org/personfinder/2018-kerala-flooding to locate those who need rescue. According to multiple sources, every family in Kerala has at least one missing member, and it is significant to extend help by filling the form for those who can’t do it themselves right now. The network connectivity in the state, as expected, has deteriorated to an inaccessible condition. It is important for all of us to be vigilant about our peers or acquaintances that have families stranded in the state.

  • Kerala House

Kerala House is the official state mission on behalf of the Government of Kerala, located in New Delhi. As a highly reliable organisation, the place will be airlifting goods and necessities to be provided to the victims of the flood. The items must be delivered to the following address:

Kerala House, No. 3 Jantar Mantar Road,

Janpath, Connaught PlaceDelhi- 110001

The place is open for seven hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will be airlifting goods on multiple dates. Make sure to deliver your items at the soonest possible time, so that help can be extended earlier.

  • Flood- Kerala Emergency Numbers (App)

In a flurry of social media messages and pictures, it becomes difficult to keep track of authentic helpline numbers. This app on the Google Play store provides a list of such numbers that can be contacted by the victims and the ones searching for missing people in Kerala. By downloading the app through the given link- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.braveheartcreations.floodhelpinenumbers, one can keep others informed about the right numbers and people to contact.

It is important to note that the innumerable calls being made to helplines at the moment makes the numbers a tad unavailable to reach, but there are a number of options available as of now. Keep trying to contact the numbers mentioned in the app, and help is going to find the sufferers hopefully in time.

  • DONATE Kerala

In order to collect relief materials to support the needy in Kodagu, Aranmula, Pandalam and Pathanamthitta, Aranmula (districts in Kerala), Prateek Debnath and Sreelakshmi Menon have initiated a drive. The collection points are situated in Dwarka Mor and Connaught Place, from where the essential items will be flown to the affected population through Indigo Airlines.

The items will be transported from New Delhi by Friday, 24th August 2018.

One may directly drop the packed items at the given locations, or may coordinate with the following representatives:

Prateek Debnath: +918700377767

Anindita Debnath: +919560499602

Apart from these initiatives, there are many Malayalee groups in the various college of DU, which are providing comfort and practical support to the families of the victims in Kerala. Hindu College, Daulat Ram College, Jesus and Mary College, St. Stephen’s College, Miranda House, and Lady Shri Ram College have been organising informal collection and donation drives with affiliation to the Malayalee committees and the Student Unions of the respective institutes.

One member of the Malayalee community at Lady Shri Ram College, Athira Raj, voiced her advice to the ones willing to help- “Although rescue teams have saved lakhs of people, there are still lakhs who are stranded. Some, about whom people don’t even know. They try to call for help through Facebook posts. So people should keep an eye out for them.”

There is a strong wave of support for God’s Own Land right now in the institutes of Delhi, and it is our prerogative as human beings to participate in it for our people, who have given us countless memories through their culture, aesthetic atmosphere, warm locals, and home-like vacations.

If you have any further information on authentic sources of help, contact the undersigned or team DU Beat with the details. Our home is breaking, and we must stand united to keep it alive.

Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Anushree Joshi
[email protected]

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Campus Central

Kalki Visits St. Stephen’s, Talks About Her Upcoming Podcast with BBC

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Actor and writer Kalki Koechlin visited the St. Stephen’s College on the 14th of August 2018 to talk about her new BBC World Service podcast, ‘Kalki Presents: My Indian Life’.

The podcast, released on 4th of August, is a series of real-life experiences that talks ‘about being young and Indian in the 21st century’. “It is about great, compelling, fascinating stories from all around India,” said the film and theatre artist, who is also known for actively speaking about social issues.

After a small welcome, the Margarita, with a Straw star and her fellow panellists, Geeta Pandey, Mallika Taneja, Eshan Hilal, and Aditya N. had an interactive session with the audience in the college hall. Some students had an on-stage belly dancing session with Eshan, who has been featured in the first episode of the podcast, ‘Dancing To His Own Beat’, a story about a Delhi-based professional belly dancer from an orthodox Muslim family. The best belly dancer won a solo photograph with Kalki.

Aditya performed a song for the crowd. “I found myself in the St. Stephen’s College stage after almost 16 years,” said theatre artist Mallika, an alumna of Kirori Mal College, who appears in the second podcast which is about a woman using her naked body to convey a powerful message. The event went on till 4:30 p.m.

Kalki gave autographs and also allowed clicked selfies with fans. “The program was supposed to start at 3 p.m. but she (Kalki) reached here at 2:30 p.m. and I think that’s super nice of her as an artist. She’s a beautiful person with a pyramid of kindness and professionalism in her,” says Aashiya, a student of St. Stephen’s College who attended the event. BBC informs that there would be ten episodes in the podcast and that it would be made available on as many platforms as possible.

Feature Image Credits: Geeta Pandey

 

Ananya Acharya
[email protected]
(Inputs from Aashiya, St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi)

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DUB Speak

Why I Am a Hindu: Decoding and Rediscovering the World’s Oldest Religion

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Delving into Why I Am a Hindu by Shashi Tharoor and realising the truth about one of the oldest religion in this world and what it has become now has been nothing less than a tryst between our past and present.

I was a part of the Delhi University Theatre Circuit (DUTC) and anyone even briefly acquainted with DUTC knows very well that DUTC is crazy about Hinduism and Hindutva Politics. Ever since the game-changing play – Welcome to the Machine by Ankur, the theatre society of S.G.T.B Khalsa College came in 2014, the Delhi University campus saw conversations about saffronisation being loudly irked in public domain. And so I decided to read more about Hinduism and Hindutva. After a whole lot of research and reading several books, I stumbled upon Why I Am a Hindu by Shashi Tharoor.

Tharoor creates a mind-changing and super-impactful literary masterpiece that not only glorifies Hinduism in its pure form but also raises several questions regarding its current state in the mind of the readers. I, as a literature student, fell in love with the way the book is structured. I actually went over the index multiple times. Section one of the book makes the reader take a walk through parts of several religious books like Vedas, Upnishadas, Mahabharata, etc. It carefully explains truths, myths, rituals, and espoused in the dense religious texts. The second section deals with political Hinduism and sensational topics of Hindutva and cow politics. And then there’s section three, that asserts the hard-hitting truth and the alterations which we need in the current times.

Tharoor also focuses on several aspects to ponder about like Orientalism, Intellectual colonialism, retaining the pluralistic nature of Hinduism, and so on. Each of these aspects can be further elaborated in separate articles.  In times of constant turmoil of religion and politics, arming oneself with knowledge is one of the most impactful ways to contribute to the struggle of orthodoxy and fanaticism.

Feature Image Credit: Manorama Online

Palak Aggarwal

 [email protected]

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DUB Speak

Struggles of Every Outstation Student in Delhi University

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Studying at Delhi University is a dream for every Indian student.

Students from all parts of the country come together to spend some of the best years of their lives together, meet new people, and gain new-fangled experiences. While stepping out of the protected environment of your house brings a large number of perks, it brings with itself a plethora of problems too. Here are a few issues that every outstation student can relate to:
Home sickness

Nobody is the tough guy they imagined themselves to be. Yes, it is emotionally frustrating and sad to be away from home. This feeling escalates especially when you are sick and have no one to look after you. You may get an excellent friend circle to have all the fun with, but you wouldn’t be a part of the Sunday family dinners or your dog’s birthday celebration. Being away from family will always create a void that can’t be filled by anyone else.
The Real Homesickness: Awful food

The homesickness gets real when you eat your hostel/flat/PG food. No matter how fancy or exorbitantly priced your accommodation is, the milk will always going to be diluted and you will always breathe a sigh of sadness after looking at your dinner sabzi. This crisis may cause you to put your cooking and culinary skills to test. Time and again, you would come with ideas of opening a start-up to relieve your fellow comrades of this suffering.
Above all, you realise how good a cook your mom is.
Being perpetually broke

The cash always seems enough in the beginning of the month but you can never figure out where it all went in between. You realise what a brat you are, when after fulfilling the cost of your monthly basic necessities, you barely make both ends meet. Now your favourite biscuit packet which you wolfed down ungratefully at home is actually a fetched luxury! Nevertheless, this perpetual state of being broke will end up improving your bargaining skills. Being away from home, you learn the value of each hard-earned penny.
Sharing accommodations

Once upon a time, we all thought sharing rooms with our friends would be so cool. But, we never thought how overwhelming it could be. All the fights regarding splitting bills, AC temperatures, maintaining silence and sharing washrooms can get to you pretty quick, especially if you don’t have patience. Words like privacy and personal space seize to exist and all you crave for is a moment all by yourself in your room.
Trying to fit in

Every new small town student trying to adjust in the big metropolitan city knows how hostile Delhi can be sometimes. The commotion of vehicles, congested roads, travel time, and pollution levels are much worse in comparison to home. There is a constant fear of mispronouncing words, thanks to the accent your local language gave you, and not being aptly dressed according to the fashionable Delhiites. While this complex does surface time and again, you gradually realise your peers are more accepting and open than you thought them to be, and so is the cosmopolitan city of Delhi which will become your second home in no time.

Feature Image Credits: Rishabh Gogoi for DU Beat.
Bhavika Behal
[email protected]

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Uncategorized

The ‘S’ and ‘N’ Words in a Student’s Dictionary

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From struggling for the country’s freedom to being free in a democracy, the ideology of nationalism and movements may have changed since 1947, but the quest for justice remains alive. Read on to find out how a student’s approach towards the terms  ‘sedition’ (S), ‘nationalism’ (N) and ‘struggle’ (S) change the course of how a nation grows.

 

In Bangladesh, the government had fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse around 20 protesters who had gathered to agitate against the deaths of two students, reportedly killed by a speeding bus on 29th July. Allegedly, the social media outreach by the masses there, voicing their concerns against the actions, has been strategically curbed.

This comes as a stark reminder of 2016, when students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were abused, threatened with death and rape, were thrown into jail without charges and without concrete evidence. What came to be popularly known as the JNU Sedition Row reflects a prominent question- “Is dissent the first step towards anti-nationalism?” “The universities encourage ideas of liberalism and provide a platform for engagement. If a thinking individual cannot think out loud, question, or criticise the establishment, then the idea of a university is of no use,” says Akanksha Rao, a student at Jesus and Mary College. But we have been fed the textbook-sentiment of patriotism for so long that it seems nearly blasphemous to ask the ‘what, why and how’ of patriotism.

While patriotism simply implies devotion towards and vigorous support for one’s country, nationalism is defined as the ‘identification with one’s own nation, and the support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations’. However today, the lines between patriotism and nationalism have become extremely blurry.

As a 20-year-old student, Vishal Ranka disagrees with the approach of sedition in the present-day and stated “It’s a blatant slap to my Freedom of Speech. If one doesn’t question, how far can my pride go?”

Sedition laws were first imposed upon the Indians by the British to curb any dissent against authority or power. Regrettably, what constitutes as sedition today lies in a comparative on how tolerant the state is.

Niharika Dabral, a student at the University of Delhi (DU), put her ideology of what doesn’t constitute nationalism in an article, writing, “The notion that there can be only one concept of what constitutes a nation, and that every other view is anti-national, is intellectually void at best and authoritarian at worst.”

With constant discourse in society, the phrase ‘anti-national’ has become frivolous to the extent of forming a binary between blind nationalism and sedition. These restrictions, stemming from stringent emotions in society, impact the students the most, as their primary interaction with liberalism isn’t liberal in itself.

There may be a thousand perspectives on nationalism today, but informed student movements today fight against those rationales which demand one to put a litmus paper to the tongue, scream “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, and the minute the paper turns saffron, pat oneself on the back, and get labelled a ‘patriot’.

Feature Image Credits: Eyes on Europe

Feature Image Caption:  Nationalism is defined as the ‘identification with one’s own nation, and the support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations’.

Anushree Joshi

[email protected]

Muskan Sethi

[email protected]

 

 

 

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Arts & Culture

10 Best Chai Places for Students

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Craving for a warm cuppa to add a perfect note to the day? Here are the best places to visit and fulfil your ‘chai ki iccha!’

Be it the sultry heat of summer or the teeth-clattering chills of the winters, tea is something which the Indian heart never stops craving. And why should it? There is nothing wrong with indulging in a good cuppa, it relaxes you and is a great way to take a break. Here is a list of some of the best chai places.

1. The Mad Teapot, Shahpur Jat
If you’re in the mood of some exquisite and relaxing vibes, The Mad Teapot is the go-to place. Situated in the posh markets of Shahpur Jat, the place welcomes you with the wafts of warm brews and the aromas of tea. One can select from a long array of teas. From sticking to your usual Earl Grey, or trying something exotic like berry blush tea, this place is a haven for all the tea lovers out there.

2. Too Mikki Tapas, Chanakyapuri
This place is a favourite for both college lovers and people who love open ambiences. Situated in Chanakyapuri, right next to Taj CCD, Tapas is a good mix of desi vibes and western influenced food. Definitely try the masala chai from Tapas. It has herbal blends and marigold teas, so if you are big on experimenting and trying out new things, the menu has an attractive tea option. One of the bigger attractions is the stray cat, which you’ll always find lurking around the place. It is sweet and friendly, just like the staff!

3. Chaayos
Spread over the entire capital, Chaayos is a popular attraction for experiencing authentic blends. Their Kulhad chai is a must if you are going there. It is a good place to indulge in and fill yourself up with the chai and samosa varieties. It goes easy on the pocket and is a perfect place to hang out for quick meetings.

4. Chai Bubble, Greater Kailash 2
If you’re in the mood for some bubble tea, this is the perfect place for you. With an elongated menu filled with lots of exotic blends, one of the main attractions is the bubble tea. Their sides along with the tea are also amazing, ranging from the desi treats like samosa and pakoras, to wraps and burgers, and tea-cakes. The bubble tea has different variants and they are just a match made in heaven!

5. The Tea Place by Manjushree, Saket
If you’re into high-tea then this place is perfect. From its serene ambience to well-organised seating, it is completely devoted to giving the best tea experience. It is one of the few outlets where the company uses its own homegrown tea which is catered and skillfully served with the most delectable treats.

6. Mister Chai, Shangri-La’s –Eros Hotel
With its eye-pleasing and grand ambience, this place has the best of the east and the west. From savoury sides like bikinis (Spanish finger sandwiches) to desi drinks like cutting chai and masala chai, to exotic and sophisticated blends of different variants, this place is royalty. Definitely go here to engross in the best tea experience!

7. The Tea Room From Blossom Kocchar, Hauz Khas Village
Situated in the beautiful area of Hauz Khas, it swims amidst the many boutiques and hip places of the city. The ambience is so home-like, it makes you feel at home, sipping tea and peering through the glass panes. It has the first-date vibes attached to it, so one can always consider this as a good option, else it is always a good place to get work done. Good vibes only!

8. Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge, Connaught Place
It is a good place to catch up with your friends and delve into the finest tea treats. If you are a khakhra lover, this place will definitely amuse you as you gulp it down with some cardamom and masala tea. With many other outlets in the SDA market and Pitampura, it is a sure shot hit among the crowds. It is a tea lover’s paradise.

9. 11 Chaa Street, Indirapuram
With its chic and classy ambience paired with a unique sense of cosiness, it is the perfect place to sip your cuppa and enjoy their amazing collection of books. The menu is flexible with a long array of honey-based teas that are soothing in every sense possible. The pricing is ideal and is the main attraction for college students.

10. The Tea Lounge, Chanakyapuri
If you’re into robust and royal decors, this place is the ideal match for you. With its stunning interiors and exquisite pastry section, it is situated in the heart of a city and one of the most critically acclaimed hotel chain, Taj. The sides are delectable and a perfect complement to the wide array of teas. Definitely, head for the macaroons and you’ll be left speechless. It’s a great way to interact with friends meeting after a long time and a good way to enjoy the serenity in full nawabi andaaz. 

Let your taste buds dance in the exuberance of tea!

Feature Image Credits: NYC Cooking
Avnika Chhikara
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DUB Speak

The Role of Delhi University in the Indian Freedom Struggle

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From sheltering Chandra Shekhar Azad to jumping over the walls of confined campuses for leading a protest, DU students have a story of their own to tell about their contribution to the Indian freedom struggle.

The University of Delhi (DU), established in 1922, was supposed to be the centre of educational and cultural control for the Britishers. The University received funds amounting to INR 1 lakh per year. Since the British had the monetary power over the DU colleges, they threatened to withhold government grants and forced the college principals to take strict action against any politically active student and staff. In fact, in September 1942, the government cancelled the wheat permits of hostels of three colleges of Delhi University – Indraprastha College, Hindu College, and Shri Ram College of Commerce. Although the British didn’t give any reason for this action, it was seen as an act of vengeance against the colleges for participating in the freedom struggle.

Despite that, DU contributed actively in the form of cadre and infrastructure in the Indian freedom struggle. During the Civil Disobedience Movement, they put up the national flag on the flagstaff in campuses. Even the college buildings served as hiding places for revolutionaries and hosted crucial conferences.
Vice Chancellor’s office The building which now houses the Vice Chancellor’s office was earlier called the Viceregal Lodge. It served as the residence for five Viceroys and hosted several crucial conferences. Bhagat Singh was confined here and his trials were held in this very building too. It is also said that the Gandhi-Irwin pact came into existence in this Lodge.
Ramjas College This beautiful campus was surrendered during World War II for the use of Allied forces. Around the same time, India was taking the opportunity to revolt against the Great Britain, which had weakened due to the war. A group of Ramjas students was arrested and jailed for its involvement in the freedom struggle. Their names have been inscribed on a plaque, near the college auditorium.
The hostel students also sheltered Chandra Shekhar Azad, while he was evading the British government. They kept him in hiding, and for months disguised him as a Sikh student from Pakistan.
St. Stephen’s College Several significant leaders including Lala Hardayal, the first revolutionary, and Sir Chhotu Ram, the leader of Unionist Party of Punjab, were from the St. Stephen’s College.
Students and staff of this college protested in several ways, for example, C. B. Young, an English professor wrote a column condemning the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. In 1946, Sameeruddin Khan, a Stephanian, disrupted the morning assembly and with 50 to 100 boys, they boycotted classes, organised a protest march, and pulled down the Union Jack from the flagstaff. Charles Freer Andrews, an English teacher in the college, was close friends with Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore and even went to South Africa in 1914 to persuade Gandhi to come to India and lead the freedom movement.

Hindu College This college was the centre for political debate and action particularly during the Quit India Movement. Several students and teachers of the college went to prison following the movement.
Since Hindu College had a Students’ Parliament back then, it became an easier platform for many national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, and Subhash Chandra Bose to motivate and guide the youth of the nation.
Indraprastha College for Women Writing about the bravery of students of Indraprastha College for Women (also known as IP College), Dr. Aparna Basu, a professor of history at DU and author of the book University of Delhi (1922-1997), writes, “During the Quit India Movement on 10th August 1942, a vociferous gathering of Hindu College students and ladies from Indraprastha College collected outside Stephens’ and urged Stephanians to join them in a procession to support the Congress leaders who had been jailed the previous day. The crowd marched down Alipur Road, passing enroute IP College, whose authorities had shut the gates to prevent the girls from joining in. They resourcefully jumped down the walls assisted by willing Stephanian hands and the procession continued down Chandini Chowk, shouting slogans.”

Dr. Meena Bhargava and Dr. Kalyani Dutta, in their book, Women, Education, and Politics: The Women’s Movement and Delhi’s Indraprastha College, mention that the students of IP College also started a charkha association in college against the principal’s order.
Zakir Husain Delhi College Situated in central Delhi, the 326-yearold Zakir Husain Delhi College predates Delhi University by over 200 years. At the time when the British would demean our literary heritage by saying, “A single shelf of a good European library was worth the whole native literature of India and Arabia,” this college established international standards of education in the medium of Hindustani or Urdu. Its old walls have braved the Revolt of 1857. During the partition of India, the college was set on fire by the mobs but somehow the staff members managed to protect the library.
The Foundations of Delhi University Delhi University was established 96 years ago with only two faculties. Since then it has flourished to be one of India’s largest universities with 90 colleges, 87 departments, and more than a dozen centres. But what was the beginning of this enormous educational institution and what is its inspiration?
The University of Delhi came in existence in 1922 and saw the affiliation of St. Stephen’s College, Ramjas College, and Hindu College, which was closely followed by Zakir Husain Delhi College and Indraprastha College for Women. The importance of instituting DU came to the British as an exercise to mitigate the attempts by nationalists to set up their own institutions. A bill to reorganise Indian universities was passed and came into effect on 1st May 1922. We celebrate this date as the Foundation Day.
Mr. Hari Singh Gour, a distinguished jurist and social reformer, served as the University’s first Vice-Chancellor and pioneers like Mr. Daulat Singh Kothari and Mr. Panchanan Maheshwari were part of the faculty. With its motto, ‘Nishtha Dhriti Satyam’ (Dedication, Steadfastness, and Truth), the University has time and again shown its contribution and commitment to nation building. DU has produced an illustrious array of alumni across the fields who went on to become presidents, scientists, and artists.
Be it the Indian independence movement or the democratic struggles of the present times, Delhi University has been on the forefront of all important events. The University that once operated out of Ritz Cinema, Kashmiri Gate, has today expanded its web in all directions of the National Capital Region.

On a lonely day if you press your ear against the college walls, you will hear the whispers of those who came before us. They will tell you their stories of struggle against the British. It will speak of the foundation that has been made and its legacy which is in the making.

 

Feature Image Credits: Delhi University

Khyati Sanger

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Niharika Dabral

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