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Kritika Narula

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IMG_9223-min This was followed by the second slot for the day, whereby more speakers threw light on the theme. Professor Rakesh Chandra, Lucknow University, Dr. Geeta Ramana, University of Mumbai and Dr. V. Sujata Raju from Daulat Ram College, were the eminent speakers who drew curtains on the day. The second day for the conference had rather lively sessions with contemporary topics related to the broader theme of consciousness. With themes like “Consciousness: Cognitive Possibilities” and “Deep Ecology and Consciousness” The speakers included Bonsai Practitioner Ms. Aradhna Malik , Ecological Scientist Seema Parihar  and Dr. Alok Bajpai, IIT Kanpur’s psychiatrist, among others including Dr. Harshbala Sharma from IPCW. The session was concluded with the Principal’s paper on consciousness in the present day context. All Image credits: Mr Guneet Singh, Faculty, IPCW Kritika Narula [email protected] With Inputs from Alisha Peesha]]>

Department of Philosophy, Indraprastha College for Women organised a National Seminar on the theme of Consciousness. Sponsored by UGC, the conference that spanned two days, saw intellectually stimulating discussions and speaker sessions. The Principal, Dr. Babli Moitra Saraf gave the opening remarks, lauding the initiative of bringing dialogue and discussion in the discipline of Philosophy.

The first day began with an address from the Keynote Speaker Professor S.R. Bhatt, Director, Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR). ICPR is a Council set up by the Government of India for encouraging research and documentation, among other initiatives related to Philosophy. The first set of speakers brought their researches on ‘Self and Consciousness’. The focus of the discussion was mainly on how consciousness is discussed in the Indian and Western context by Advaita Vedanta philosophy and by philosophers like Descartes.

Professor Jatashankar Tripathi, University of Allahabad chaired the session, the panel for which was adorned by Professor Roma Chakraborty, University of Calcutta, Ms. Madhushree Chatterjee, Bidhan Chnadra College, Calcutta University and Ms. Narayani Tignath, a student of Indraprastha College.

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This was followed by the second slot for the day, whereby more speakers threw light on the theme. Professor Rakesh Chandra, Lucknow University, Dr. Geeta Ramana, University of Mumbai and Dr. V. Sujata Raju from Daulat Ram College, were the eminent speakers who drew curtains on the day.

The second day for the conference had rather lively sessions with contemporary topics related to the broader theme of consciousness. With themes like “Consciousness: Cognitive Possibilities” and “Deep Ecology and Consciousness”
The speakers included Bonsai Practitioner Ms. Aradhna Malik , Ecological Scientist Seema Parihar  and Dr. Alok Bajpai, IIT Kanpur’s psychiatrist, among others including Dr. Harshbala Sharma from IPCW. The session was concluded with the Principal’s paper on consciousness in the present day context.

All Image credits: Mr Guneet Singh, Faculty, IPCW

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

With Inputs from Alisha Peesha

The ecology club, Indraprastha College for Women organised its annual fest, Prakriti Bazaar 2016, on 12th February, 2016. As an effort to steer the youth to think about environmental conservation, it brought together a wide variety of eco-friendly product. Along with the colossal variety of handicrafts, accessories, stationery, among other things, the Mela also boasted of scrumptious food stalls. Added to the whole theme was live music and a pottery workshop.

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More than 20 stall were put up, and NGOs like WWF, Muskaan, Beejom, Sarthak Prayas among others. Apart from that various craftsmen displayed their cultural products.  Tribes India sold a wide variety and sizes of bags, while craftpersons from Kolkata and Rajasthan sold accessories  and dupatta in tie and dye respectively, thereby bringing their culture to the fore.

The college has compost pit as an ongoing effort to contribute to waste management, and representatives from Aaram Compost were also present.

 

 

Among the food stalls, the one selling Litti Chokha stood apart. Other unconventional stalls included Handmade soaps and Bath gels by Krafty Organix and Kites by Umar Daraz Kite Maker. The diaries being sold at the stall by Action for Ability Development and Inclusion (AADI) were a major attraction.

Students from Enactus, Sri Venkateswara College, and Enactus, Delhi College of Arts and Commerce had also put up stalls. True to its spirit of environmental protection, even the decorations used are recycled waste paper, posters, pamphlets etc. The fest fascinated both the college students, staff and outsiders alike.

 

Kritika Narula

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Image credits: Kritika Narula

Indraprastha College for Women hosted in its first ever edition of Troika, a three-day festivity. It brought a mélange of events, from Panel Discussion to Kavi Sammelan to Stand-up Comedy and Battle of Bands during a period of three days from 28th January to 30th January. Troika has been introduced this year with the echo “Teen din teen rang, Kavi vicharo Aur gayak ke sang.”

Radhika Dua, the college treasurer explains how Troika is a precursor to the annual fest Shruti, “Troika’16 is first of its kind inter-college festival of Indraprastha College. As its name puts forward, it’s a three day event organised by the Students’ union to encourage fellow students to exhibit their talent and gain some food for thought. Additionally, Troika is also an opportunity to foster relations between students of different colleges and interests. The idea behind the event was devoted to creating a platform for students to enjoy, experience and explore. Troika is just a trailer for our annual fest Shruti.
The festivities were ushered in with a riveting and engaging panel discussion on the topic, “Impact of Dating Applications on Youth”. Attended by a packed audience in the college auditorium, the Panel discussion was moderated by Suanshu Khurana, Music Correspondent/Critic, Indian Express.
The other panelists included Shalini Evelyn Shah, Head of English Editorial, Ratna Sagar, Manish Malik, Director, Manifest Training Solution and Aakanksha Maheshwari Sewani, Head of Knowledge Management, Microsoft, who is also an alumna from the same college.

Photo by Shivani Malik
Photo by Shivani Malik

The panel discussion brought many facets and quirks of modern-day dating. While some remarks made the audience double up with laughter, some serious questions were raised. Followed by a Q&A session, the discussion was engaging with the right amount of scandalous remarks and controversial comments to make the audience fire up questions like bullets.

Wannabe Anonymous after their performance, Photo by Shivani Malik
Wannabe Anonymous after their performance, Photo by Shivani Malik
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Wannabe Anonymous

The first day ended with a stand-up comedy act by Wannabe Anonymous, a first of its kind Stand-Up Comedy community started in Delhi by Siddharth Singh and Prakhar Maheshwari. They made all the right jokes, from  mocking the burning topic of modern dating to cracking meticulous jokes about the idiosyncracies of the college.
The Second day’s highlight was Kavi Sammelan, which saw participation from colleges like Hansraj, Hindu, Kirorimal, CIC, SOL, among others.

 

Photo by Shivani Malik
Photo by Shivani Malik
Photo by Shivani Malik
Photo by Shivani Malik

The first prize was bagged by Manju for her poem Mazdoor, while the second prize went to Nidhi Kumar Jha from Kirori Mal College. The judges for the event were Dr. Sanjay Seth and Mr. Pranjal Dhar.
Troika culminated in Battle of the Bands on the third and the last day of the round of festivities. The last day saw performances by Slaves of Rock, The Hindu College Collective, Alanwesha, Ricochet, Hightime, Zhankaar, Chapstick and Rubberband and Playtime. Playtime from Hansraj College bagged the first position, while Hightime from Kirorimal College came second.

Sanchita Makkar, the President of the Students’ Union, says it has been a successful endeavour, “We wanted to increase number of events and level of participation in our college. These three events  in troika were a mix of experience,enjoyment and learning. We wanted to give a different experience to students of all colleges.”

All Image credits: Shivani Malik

Kritika Narula
[email protected]

 

Well, The Readers of the Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald is precisely the kind of book described above. An ode to books and readers, the book plays its part well. Broken wheel is a strange town, granted, and Sara has set new definitions of friendship with her pen pal. Beautiful gestures come together with Sara opening a bookstore in the memory of her friend. It is surreal, almost otherworldly as the plot reeks of raw innocence. The story progresses in the most charming way, and is indeed commendable for a debut. Although I could’ve read through it again and again, at times, the prose was verbose enough for me to flip through or skim through pages. Nevertheless, the book rekindles the magic that bookstores hold, and one cannot help but wonder if we can ever go back to the times of paperbacks and hardcovers, before e-readers took over. The entire plot has a sense of old-world charm to it with its roots in the bond between pen pals. But then again, I wouldn’t mind that, if the story is about reading and books. Every reader, whether casual or ardent, should read it at least once. Image Credits: www.amazon.com Kritika Narula [email protected]]]>

Every student who is applying for studies abroad knows about IELTS and TOEFL. For those who don’t, here is a quick introduction: International English Language Test System commonly called IELTS and the Test of English as a Foreign Language, TOEFL are the two tests one sits for before applying to a foreign university. The scores one receives from the tests are also a criterion for admissions to courses and award of scholarships.

Consisting of four parts that test your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills, these tests are intended to quantify one’s hold on the language, since it shall be the primary medium of communication when studying abroad.

Ideally, preparation for these tests should start at least a few months before the date of the examination. But often, in the midst of collecting certificates, letters of recommendation, filling application forms, etching that perfect Statement of Purpose, one often forgets the monumental role that these test scores play. Thus, one is headed to prepare for these tests usually in a matter of three weeks and that could be really difficult. What everyone advises is to study hard for it as soon as you book one. Well, we all know how well that gets executed.

So here are some quick tips for you to prepare for IELTS/TOEFL without solely studying from practice papers, although their significance is irrefutable too.

1. Read non-fiction

The passages in the reading part of the tests are usually non-fiction with a lot of facts and the like, so inculcating a habit of reading the non-fiction articles in newspapers could reap you benefits.

2. Watch TED Talks

Do what you do right now, switch on the WiFi and start playing videos. The only difference is in the videos you play. The listening modules in the tests are narrated by people with different accents, so this is just as helpful as the next option we’re recommending.

3. Listen to Audio Books

This is a great way to use your commuting time, to rest your eyes and yet be able to read. Put your earphones on and do something productive.

4. Use cue-cards/flashcards

Make some cards with words on them, and carry them around. Reading some words again and again will fix them in your memory. This is the foolproof method of acquiring a rich vocabulary.

5. Form an opinion about everything

This is much more fun than it sounds. Be aware about what’s happening around you and form an opinion about it. This helps to straighten out your thoughts and de-clutter your mind.

6. Back to the basics

In the speaking test, fluency is rewarded more than an embellished vocabulary. So while you can use gigantic words, make sure you hold them in the right place, with the right pace.

7. Word Power made easy

Norman Lewis has brought this book to solve all problems. If you’re genuinely interested in learning about this language, this is what you should read and devour.

8. Watch Movies

If watching TED talks is difficult at first, start with watching movies with the subtitles off.

9. Write like a columnist

Try to pen down your thoughts every day. And when you set out to write something, write as if it is going to be read by a million people. That will make you aware of what you write. If you enjoy this, you may consider starting a blog.

Featured Image Credits: grockit.com

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

This time arrives every year, when all book lovers excitedly queue outside the gates of Pragati Maidan, waiting to treat their eyes and minds to an abundance of books and all things literary.

As is evident, we are talking about Book Fair (one that happens in the month of September is Delhi Book Fair and the one in January-February is the New Delhi World Book Fair), but why restrict it to the hardcore readers? While there’s no gainsaying the fact that the halls are a haven for readers, the fair also holds  the promise of making the non-readers fall in love with reading.
And as a student, we need to absolutely pay a visit to the fair at least once. Once is enough to make you return every time.
Here’s why:

1. Wide variety

The book fair houses a multitude of books, from novels to educational books, to comics. You name it and the fair has it. As college students, it is necessary for us to read more than just course books, and reference books for preparation of entrance examinations.

2. Cheap Bargains

Last time I visited the fair, I managed to lay hands on books for as cheap as ?20. It just takes some sorting and searching, and you can save a lot of money, and still get to own a decent collection of novels and non-fiction books.  And since college students are always broke, this seems a good way to save up.

3. Book launches and author meetups

The book fairs have, from the past few years been a hub for author meet-ups, book signings, panel discussions and book launches. This makes them the intellectual arena for literary exchanges and fangirling.

4. Stationery fair

The book fair is almost always accompanied by a stationery fair. Who can appreciate stationery as much as students do? Beautiful diaries, pens, folders, notebooks, among other things, all under one giant roof.
Featured Image credits: Newberry.org
Kritika Narula

Dear fellow final year student,

What are you feeling right now? What thoughts cloud the otherwise agile mind of yours?
Let me guess. You’re either waiting for the results of an entrance test you took last month or are preparing for one that’s scheduled later next month.
Some have bagged a placement already and some are contemplating a change in stream. Commerce students might be deciding to take up a career in painting. Literature students might be preparing for a job in marketing. Entrepreneurial ventures await yet others. Some are going through the laborious process of applying abroad for further studies. (My heartiest wishes to you, the entire process leaves you weary)

Irrespective of where we are headed, one fact binds us all: we are just trying to gather enough courage to get through these trying times, strewn with choices and decisions and their repercussions. Overthinking has become the order of the day, and there is no respite from the incessant nagging doubts about the future. Where would we be 6 months from now. Would we be just as confused a year down the line? We don’t want to hear a yes to that because well, we would not want to live through it again. But let’s not let the thought of having to live through it again prevent us from living through it the first time.

We are doing everything we can to land up in a good place- whether it is an institute of higher education, workplace or professional studies.

But let us not forget- this also marks the beginning of the last semester of undergrad college. Let us promise ourselves to make every moment count. Let us make a bucket list. Explore the city, go on an outstation trip. But most of all, let’s be spontaneous. Let us not be intimidated by the possibilities and uncertainties.

We all realise by now that we have made some great friends, and after 6 months, no one knows where we’ll end up, whether or not we’d meet again, so cherish this, for this is the time of our lives.

Lets make the most of the last days of undergrad studies?

Wishing the best for all of us,

Your batch-mate.

Featured Image credits: geeksoy.com

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

So many of us take up a virtual internship for some reason. Maybe you have entrance exams, or you are occupied with some other work or obligation. And more often than not, the internship job description entails work in the social media department. We’d love to believe that social media is the future, and with the jobs in social media becoming serious every passing day, it is only obvious that many of us are considering a career in this field.

Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of a social media internship.

Pros:

  1. Quantifiable performance enables you to learn faster while working. We can always assess performances through metrics and analytics such as reach, views, likes, retweets, favourite etc. It becomes easier to learn on your own when you have insight into what works and what doesn’t
  2. You become a pro at knee-jerk reactions. The business environment is more dynamic than ever. Same goes for social media. And a social media internship prepares you well to jump at every opportunity, what with unleashing hashtags when you see something trending on Twitter.
  3. Data analysis becomes a constant job. And sans the agonizing theory of statistics, you get to learn the real world application of mean, mode, median. In an attempt to constantly gauge what works and what doesn’t, you understand the tricks of data analysis faster than any textbook can ever teach you.
  4. You get to be the cool one- from creating memes, trolling the celebrity you dislike, or even the healthy banter that companies nowadays engage in- you get to bring the cool quotient into the otherwise dull and drab corporate affairs.

Cons

  1. No kidding here, but the “glued-to-devices-24*7” isn’t really glamorous. It is all back aches and tired eyes at the end of the day, and you may as well just crash into your bed, with a feeling of hopelessness at yet another unproductive day, when you cannot see the results.
  2. You need to be personally invested and detached simultaneously. Haters gonna hate, and social media makes it so easy for them to lash out on you, whether as a brand or as a person.
  3. The constant urge to stay updated leads to Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), and life becomes monotonous with scheduling and keeping a tab on insights. Consider this: – Tweeting from the wrong account is a legitimate fear, and one typo can be the end of it all.
  4. You are painfully aware that social media is a superficial platform and can never really be fully representative of the real world.

 

Weigh the pros and cons for yourself, and decide if you’re up for a social media adventure!

 

Featured Image Graphic by Kritika Narula

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

With finals over and Christmas-sy vibes all around, everyone deserves to sit down with a cuppa and read a good book as you sip through the warmth of the coffee, whether you’re a reader or not.

1. A Christmas Carol

This is the classic everyone should read on/before Christmas. Cruel miser Ebeneezer Scrooge is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, and in the process he learns eternal lessons of charity, kindness, and goodwill.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Disclaimer: the book cover will tell you it is meant for kids aged 4-8 years. Don’t be deceived.

The Grinch hates Christmas and abhors the idea of festivities, so in his makeshift Santa get-up, he slithers down chimneys with empty bags and stealing the Whos’ presents, their food, even the logs from their humble Who-fires. Trust Dr Seuss for the perfect Christmas tale. The crux of the entire story? Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.

3. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Holiday traditions have been marred with mayhem and madness of shopping lists, wishing people, the hassle of decorating a tree. This is a hilarious take on the contemporary meaning of Christmas.

4. The Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg

This childhood tale has been eternalised by an animated movie. A boy boards a mysterious train called the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When he arrives there, Santa offers him any gift he desires. The boy modestly asks for one bell from the reindeer’s harness. It turns out to be a very special gift, for only believers in Santa can hear it ring. All those festive vibes surround you!

5. Little Women

Based in the 19th Century war period, this is the most heartwarming story of a family of four sisters. It definitely is in this list because of the opening line, “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.” Read this one if you’re up for a tear-inducing tale.

6. What my True love gave me: 12 Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins

This is the best collection of short stories ever. Contributing authors include the likes of Rainbow Rowell, Stepahnie Perkins, Jenny Han, David Leviathan, among others. Suffice it to say these tales will evoke varied emotions.

7. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

You’ve probably read this story about a woman who wished to gift her husband a Christmas present but has nothing other than her long hair to sell. This classic piece tells the story of a young couple and the sacrifices each must make to buy the other a gift. It’s the thought that counts, truly.

8. Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

This is the documentation of Tolkien’s tradition of writing letters to his children.  One cannot help but admire how authentic and inventive this book is, with even references to the Second World War.

9. The last of the Spirits by Chris Priestley

A retelling of “A Christmas Carol”, this is a fantasy fiction. Wouldn’t you like a little change from the ghosts of Christmas Present, past and future?

 

All Image credits: goodreads.com

Featured Image Credits: wpclipart.com

Kritika Narula

[email protected]