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Indraprastha College for Women

Cyber Security Workshop at IP College

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As a part of initiative ‘Digital India’ taken by Government Of India, All India Women’s Education Association (AIWEFA) conducted a workshop on ‘Cyber Security’ on 22nd September, 2015. The gathering of 500-strong audience was addressed by Asha Chandra, President of AIWEFA, and Sarla Malviya and Anshumann Shukla from Google.

The workshop commenced with the lighting of the symbolic torch as a symbol of reform and empowerment by the Principal of the college and the dignitaries. The workshop focussed on the empowerment of youth as majority users of the web. The speakers enlightened the audience with facts about cyber crimes and loopholes that are often overlooked.

Anamika Das, Vice-President, Students’ Union explains the need for the workshop, “We take online platforms for granted, not realizing that we’re being watched every moment and that our security is also at stake. Such awareness sessions are the need of the hour.”

The workshop covered the main topics like indiscriminate surfing, email threats, social networks and chat groups, Facebook posts, e-frauds, mobile telephony, online harassment, etc. The speakers apprised the students of the dangers of seemingly innocuous browsing, among other themes. It was followed by an interactive session where students sought answers to a plethora of their queries. The speakers were overwhelmed by the response and outcome of the workshop.

Diksha Puri, the General Secretary of Students’ Union, remarked, “The session was very informative, and considering that the threat is real and so close to us, we need to be really aware of such issues. The best part was when we got to know of the cyber laws, the knowledge of which is a weapon against dangers.”

With Inputs from Khyati Srivastava

Featured Image Credits: Collegedunia.com

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

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Indraprastha College for Women

Cancer Awareness Programme at Indraprastha College for Women

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Kiran Bedi At IPCW

Pink Chain Campaign, an initiative by Punarjeevan,  which includes public demonstration of self-examination techniques, distribution of pamphlets, and speaker sessions to disseminate information about breast cancer, was brought to the precincts of Indraprastha College for Women on 11th September 2015.

Pink Chain Campaign at IPCW
Photo by Kritika Narula

The initiative, supported by National Service Scheme, IPCW and Gandhi Study Circle, IPCW aimed at bringing awareness and initiating a dialogue about breast cancer.

The session began with  short address from the principal, Dr. Babli Moitra Saraf who accorded a warm welcome to the Chief Guest and her fellow panelists.

The Chief Guest for the occasion was Ramon Magsaysay awardee and social activist Dr. Kiran Bedi, who was there for  a brief period. In her address to the audience of 500+ students, she talked about how she emotionally connects to the cause since her own sister had been a victim to the same just a few year back.

Kiran Bedi at IPCW
Photo by Kritika Narula

She emphasized on how important it is to set our priorities right and involve in as many physical activities as possible. “We shouldn’t take our medical check-ups for granted. I suggest you go for regular tests, mammography, and keep health as a priority. At your age, you’ve all sorts of stress- from competitive exams, to academics to applications and the uncertainty of the life ahead, but one must not forget that health is equally important, if not more.”

At the same time, she informed the audience that she has learnt that it can strike anyone, and one should do whatever she can, in her power to prevent it.

Later, she also tweeted about her visit to the college.

 

Dr Abhishek Shankar, the founder and chief coordinator of the Pink Chain Campaign addressed the audience next, apprising the audience of how the campaign has been planned across 33 colleges with over 1000 volunteers.

Dr. Abhishek Shankar, founder of the Pink Chain Campaign
Dr. Abhishek Shankar, founder of the Pink Chain Campaign, Photo by Kritika Narula

Dr. Ravi Mehrotra, Director at the Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology, Noida made an informative presentation about cures, symptoms, prevention of breast cancer.

Dr. Piyush Ranjan from AIIMS Delhi answered questions from the audience. This was followed by a panel discussion, with the above speakers and Dr. Preetha Rajaraman, South Asia program Director for USA Center for Global Health. The panel discussion touched upon multiple issues ranging from prevention of breast cancer, maintenance of a healthy lifestyle to misconceptions about cancer.

Principal Dr. Babli Moitra saraf
Photo by Kritika Narula

The session ended with the distribution of brochures.

Featured Image Credits: Kritika Narula

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

 

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Reviews

Book review: The Shadow of the Dark Soul by Sukhmani Gandhi

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th December 2012. A fatal sexual assault on a woman managed to move people around the world to take action. Horrifying, barbaric and brutal is how we described the incident while also dishing out graphic details of the gory incident in harsh depth. The incident has definitely been one of the most soul-stirring and shocking event of our times. It also managed to bring so many fallacies and flaws of our society to the stage of deliberation and discussion. We cribbed about the inadequacy of timely help and support; there was much hue and cry about the insouciant attitude towards crimes, there were debates about punitive action against the criminals including the juvenile, it mourned the loss of humanity. But most importantly, it agonized over the sorry state of women in the country. Because the victim was an archetype of a modern woman, being career-oriented, independent and fun-loving, the incident resonates with us. At this critical juncture, Sukhmani Gandhi, a student of Lady Shri Ram College, has written a thought-provoking debut novel called The Shadow of the Dark Soul as a tribute to Nirbhaya. The book begins with her take on the incident, and on a plethora of other issues that are related to the incident. The book raises some really important questions: How glorious is a country where women are still something to be protected by men and brothers? What about values in a man? Would a cultured man who has virtues deeply etched in his mind be a party to this charade that our country doles out? How can our politicians and leaders compare the holy union of matrimony to rape? There is a ceaseless torrent of questions which bring the lack of logic in all argument given in public sphere to suppress women. From there, the book follows the story of a journalist whose conscience is targeted, and here she is the symbol of the indifferent populace. The book completes itself by providing a solution: change comes from actions, not just words. Words and ideas can change the world, but not unless these are translated into proactive, fruitful action. The book is a reminder of the fake equality we try to boast of, and the fact that there’s a long way to go still. Kritika Narula  [email protected]]]>

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Indraprastha College for Women

In conversation with Sanchita Makkar, President, Students’ Union of IP College for Women

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Q. Congratulations on being elected the President of the Students’ Union! What piqued your interest in student politics?

When I was pursuing my primary education, I used to admire my seniors who worked for school events. Everything about it mesmerized me and the whole structure of managing work inspired me to take responsibilities. I am inspired by Gandhi ji’s words, “Be the change you want to see.” These words have motivated me to get up and take charge. After my school when I joined college my interest was multiplied when I saw immense opportunities here. So yes, the wings of power and roots of responsibility inspired me and increased my interest.

How does it feel to become the President of the college?

It’s a proud moment for me. In my first year this was an impossible thought for me but having really acquired this position, the whole scenario has changed and the extent to which I have become a confident person is colossal. But rank does not only confer privilege or give power, it also imposes great responsibility. So right now I have mixed feelings of happiness and responsibility.

What is the first thing you’ll be working on as the President of the Students’ Union?

There are lots of things which I want to work on. But for now I have thought of working on two main aspects. First, making cultural events more innovative and participative for all the students and secondly, making various processes and procedures smooth.

Being a president is a hard task- how do you plan on balancing your presidential responsibilities and academics?

Maintaining a balance is really important and difficult at the same time. But a leader has to do it and also knows how to do it. I will not plan long time tables and schedules but always try to give equal time to everything.  Not just to academics and extracurriculars,  I will try and do my best in all aspects of life. As they say, “Life will always get busy, make time to do the things you love.”

What do you think makes a Union successful, how do you plan to achieve it?

According to me, team-work makes a Union a hit or a flop. When a number of minds work together, they create an innovative success formula. I will motivate my team and will try to show them direction and a way in which their capabilities and talents can be utilized. I expect three things from my team, participation, team-work and enthusiasm to work for the betterment of the college.

 

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

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Features

How Becoming I Foundation’s Project Leap is changing lives

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Becoming I Foundation is an internationally recognized youth led organization that mobilizes young people into engaging with community development issues. With volunteers from varied socio-cultural backgrounds and age groups working on projects in the fields of women empowerment, trafficking, primary education, alternate sources of employment, leadership training, life skills development and youth empowerment, the foundation has mobilized over 5000 youth who have enriched the lives of an equal number of young people.

Tanvi Girotra, CEO and Founder started Becoming I in her first year at Hindu College She shares how working with Becoming I is a life-altering experience, “If there is one very crucial thing that the Becoming I experience teaches you, it is this: You are not doing anyone a favour, you are not pitying anyone, this is not charity of any kind, and you are not on a pedestal in any way. They have more to give you than you will ever have to give them. Go in as an Explorer and you’ll come out a transformed, more educated person. Or if you’re lucky enough, you might never come out.“

One such project they have undertaken goes by the name of Project Leap. Project Leap is Becoming I Foundation’s most effectual venture into education and has created powerful interventions in Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad.

Project Leap is a targeted and innovative intervention aimed at providing a wholesome learning and growing environment to children from low-income backgrounds in India.
Volunteers work as educators and render their expertise in the fields of Music/Art/Dance/Theater/Sports. Driven by a commitment towards enabling an all-round development for children from less-privileged backgrounds, the volunteer educators, through a new and innovative curriculum, aim at creating curiosity, sensitivity and an exploration of the self, and to make everyday subjects easy to learn, absorb and assimilate.

1463125_772174469465644_526971370_n (1)

There is no doubt that this has been a hitherto unexplored territory. Teaching performing and creative arts is so empowering, both for the educator and the learner. The overall aim of the project is to drastically bring up admission rates, decrease drop out rates and improve learning outcomes. We foresee every school in India becoming a center for change and community development.

Over the last 6 phases of Project Leap spanning more than 3 years, thousands of young people have excelled as educators and completed their Becoming I journeys.

Recruitments for Project Leap are currently on. If you wish to be an educator of the same, the application forms are available on www.becomingifoundation.org

All Image Credits: Becoming I Foundation

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

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Top Picks

Loved Harry Potter? Read these series next!

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We are a generation that has literally grown up with Harry Potter. We have loved Harry Potter. We have waited for the next book in the series. We have waited for our letter from Hogwarts. We have also silently resented how it ended. But, time flies and the wizard boy recently turned 35. Our master magician J.K. Rowling has also moved on with her rather scandalous novels. That is our cue, we should move on too. And here we present to you a list of series that will endear themselves to you just as much as HP, if not more. Who knows, they might also help you get over the HP hangover!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Safe to say, if you liked the boy who lived, you’ll love the girl on fire. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen is a perfect example of an independent woman. The story is pure fiction though, about the Capitol based in post-apocalyptic North America. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. Throughout the trilogy, you have a love-triangle which may remind you of Hermoine. And, the games are a struggle for survival, very reminiscent of HP.

The Hunger games

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Most of us know the series better from the movies. Keeping in mind that the book is better than the movie, you can read this series of four books. Edward and Bella are the OTP couple we all ship, and a vampire love story is always full of thrills and spells.

twilight

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

TMI is just like HP, a book that you love only in the superlative. The Shadowhunters—touched by angels and charged with protecting innocents—battle demons and other evil in a series of four books. Reminds you of our wizards, does it?

tmi

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

If you loved the fact that HP was a long series, this one is a good option. A series of seven books, it gives you the right dose of fictional concepts and characters. Epic battles are fought, and fantastic creatures are sought. Need we say more?

narnia

Lord of the rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Fantasy, imagination, uncanny creatures and that light smell of classic literature. If this sounds like something you’d savour, grab your copy now.

lotr

Kritika Narula

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Biblio

5 tips to sneak in extra time for reading

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As students aiming to make a mark in the world, we are always trying to read more- Books. Newspapers. Journals. Because, well, “There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.” But we never seem to get enough time for reading. For most of us, there isn’t much incentive to divert our social media time to reading, many others are perennially in the guilt of not being able to read more than what they do now.
Lectures, internships, extra-curricular activities, society work take most of our time. Amidst all this, there is hardly any time left to read. Or so it may seem.

Here are a few ways that’ll help you sneak in extra reading time from the hectic schedule of college life.

1. Use your commute time

Majority of us use the publish transport aka Delhi metro to commute to our colleges, and the commute time is more often than not, at least half an hour. This time can be effectively put to use by reading. All you need to do is carry a book or the days newspapers before you leave from your home. Reading would be far more productive and fruitful than the elusive hunt for a seat in the metro.

2. Try audiobooks

The bad news is that even in metro, reading a book might seem like a struggle at times when you don’t have enough space even to stand on two feet. Good news is that there has been technological progress and guidebooks are your savior. An added advantage is on days when you are too tired to hold a Boolean or flip through the pages. If the book is good, this might make the commute less of an ordeal.

3. Join a reading challenge. Join a Book club

Joining a book club will help you keep a track of your reading progress. The virtual world is yet again at your rescue, what with sites like Goodreads helping you set a challenge for yourself. Decide the number of books you want to read in a year and get going. When it’ll rub in your face how you are ahead of your target or falling behind it, let your guilt do the work.

4. Read before going to bed.

If we ask you about the one thing you do before bedtime, the answer for most would be browsing/chatting/posting through smartphones. Unless you are reading an e-book, we suggest you turn it off at least an hour before sleeping. (We’d prefer a couple of hours, but an hour seems more doable, right?) Now when you realize that you have plenty of time to do something other than burning the battery of your tab/smartphone and strangling your WiFi network, go and grab a book. Reading just before sleeping, is also known to be therapeutic and a good tranquilizer.

5. Carry some reading material everywhere.

Mark these words. Have at least some reading with you at all times. When in college, we don’t realize but we waste a lot of time. These interstices can be filled by reading. In between two lectures, or if a professor dismisses the class early, you can conveniently read snippets from the reading material that you are carrying.

Who said reading can only be done on the bean bag with a cup of coffee? Nothing beats that, but we don’t need no couch when the mystery book keeps us hooked!

Image Credits- goodreader.com

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

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Top Picks

Short-term online courses you should be taking if Public Policy interests you

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Public policy as a field of research, study and analysis is finding takers now more than ever. Public policy is no longer about the government’s actions: it is equally about the reaction to those actions, about journalists evaluating those actions, about the societal consequences of policy decisions. In short, public policy is a multi-dimensional discipline.

  1. Public policy Challenges in the 21st century

This course will help you develop analytical skills to assess policy proposals. Professor Gerry Warburg at the University of Virginia teaches the course, and it encompasses sub-topics like, “The Media and Changing Nature of Politics”, “Healthcare Systems and Insurance Markets” among others. The course discusses the societal and political repercussions of the challenges facing the policymakers. There’s one catch though:  the course has an inclination towards the U.S. economy and society. However, that doesn’t impede one’s learning.

Where to enroll? Coursera

  1. Ethics and Public Policy

Often, public policy requires the redistribution of resources, denial of rights or privileges, or promotion of one group at the expense of another. At such critical decision-making junctures, one cannot compromise ethics. Such situations essentially lead to dilemmas. This course focuses on the ethical aspect of public policy.

Where to enroll?  Saylor.org

  1. Journalism for social change

The course curriculum states that it has been “designed for students who are interested in the intersection of public policy, journalism and social sciences and who are looking to use their expertise and careers to drive positive social change.” The course teaches how journalism can be used as an implement of social change and how one can become an effective change agent. The instructor for the course is Daniel Heimpel, Lecturer U.C. Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.

Where to enroll?  edX.org

  1. Measuring Causal Effects in the Social Sciences

Yet another offering from Coursera, this course provided by the University of Copenhagen is for you if you have some experience with statistics and familiarity with causal inference and social sciences. This course looks at the quantitative aspect of public policy and decisions thereof.

Where to enroll? Coursera

 

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

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Campus Central

Life at Delhi University: Bachelor in Commerce with Honours

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1. Sky-high cut-offs depreciate the value of your marks. Depreciation happens for real. Your score a decent 95% after all the hard-work in your board exams, and end up nowhere near the college of your choice. For a commerce student, admission to a DU college of one’s liking is perhaps harder than a ticket to the moon. Getting into SRCC is the litmus test for the toppers, and with the rocketing cut-offs, not many pass this test. Which means you land up in a college which wasn’t even on your list when you first set your foot in the admissions arena. Not just that, you’ll be reminded of this reality by your relatives and even your professors time and again.

2. B.Com is never enough alone.

Doing B.Com and learning about accounts, marketing, finance, advertising, laws and whatnot doesn’t seem to suffice as a curriculum. There comes a volley of questions, “Beta, CA bhi kar rahe ho?”, “Iske baad CS karoge ya CA?” you’ll be made to feel doing B.Com Honours alone is not enough and that you are wasting time if CA/CS/CWA is not in your things-to-do. And this is not it. If you come across questions that predict your career trajectory, don’t be bogged down by the stereotype. “Beta, B.Com ke baad MBA? Coaching le rahe ho?” No aunty, will you help me crack CAT?

3. You start reading business and commerce newspapers and journals

You either start reading these of your own accord, because frankly, things make less sense in class if you are not aware of the world of commerce, business and economics, or you have been advised to read these by your professors so many times, that you give in to their incessant goads. Whatever be the stimulus, pretty soon you are devouring the pages of Economic Times, or the Business section of magazines, and if you turn out to be a really big business geek, you’ll be found within the pages of a business/commerce journal, reading research papers, and writing your own. This knowledge also comes in handy when you participate in commerce fests: case study competitions, business challenges, business plan competitions, paper presentations… you get the drift.

4. Economics is a clingy sister.

You’re never asked about your next favourite subject after commerce. Reason? It has to be economics. Add them to the list of stereotypes, but this is sadly true. If the curriculum asks you to choose a minor subject, it is a farce because you don’t really have a choice. You’ll end up studying economics. It is that clingy sister who wouldn’t let go of you. Granted, economics as a discipline is the nearest to commerce and the subject matter is related, but lack of choice is just brutal.

5. Commerce students? Ruthless number-crunchers

One, people will think of you as future corporate honchos who pursue profits ruthlessly. Tell them you have a whole paper on Business ethics.  Second, commerce for them is almost synonymous with accounts. So your future should look like a bespectacled geek who is perennially glued to Tally. Only, we commerce students are spoilt for choice; and advertising, marketing, law are far more glamorous professions than they are made out to be. Also, they aren’t just about accounts, as is clear. Third, number-crunching is not the only thing that comes naturally to you. You are a multi-faceted personality and you might be a literature-lover or a music aficionado, or a food connoisseur. With so many diverse papers that this course encompasses, there are endless possibilities for your career trajectory. You get used to these stereotypes, and with your multi-hued personality, you ace it all, with or without a professional course- and end up in a variety of jobs, some of which don’t even have the word “accounts” in their job profile.   With inputs from Iresh Gupta Kritika Narula [email protected]]]>

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Features

Top societies in DU fests season 2015: Abhivyakti of IP College for Street Play

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Every year, societies from colleges across the campus compete neck to neck and put up spectacular performances during the fest season. This year too, saw certain teams shine a little brighter than the rest. We bring you a series with college societies that put their heart and soul into their respective fields and took home the top prizes at various cultural fests.

The best college society in each category was selected by creating a tally of the top 3 positions at competitive events held during various cultural fests of this season. Whenever a society won the first prize they were award 3 points, for the second position they received 2 points and for the third position, 1 point was added to their tally.

For the Street Play category, with 13 points, Abhivyakti from Indraprastha College for Women came out on top. Gargi College’s Kshitij and SGGSCC’s Manchtantra followed next with 10 points each and Shivaji College’s Vayam stood third with 8 points.

The Winning Society at a glance

Abhivyakti, IP College for Women

‘Mannmarziyaan‘, the annual production deals with the issue of how consumerism has turned us into irrational consumers who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. There is a significant pressure to ‘consume’ because we end up feeling that our material possessions are what shape our identity. With the ingenious and elaborate use of symbolism and satire, the play shows how we have started filling up emotional voids with plastic things, and how our craving never seems to end.

Shibika, the General Secretary of the society, says, “Change is the only constant, and our endeavor has always been to keep up with it. We have a legacy which is as eonic and iridescent as the college itself. In our pursuit of novelty and growth, we have come a long way, in honing our skills as active practitioners of Street theatre. Our aim here has always been to nurture liberated young women, who constantly strive to chase their dreams until the very end.”

Performing members: Shibika Suresh,  Dhun Chhokar, Aastha Madaan, Bhavika Arora,Nihareekaa Kaur,Aditi Jain, Asmita Mishra,Ishita Pohoja,Jasmine Bhatia,Lubhavani Rana,Simrat Kaur,Soumya Sharma,Anukriti Batra,Aprajita Chauhan,Chitrangi Agarwal,Gaurika Bhatt,G. Meghna,Kavya Bhola,Rabsimar Kaur,Surbhi Gupta, Shruti Garg, Taniya Banerjee. While the play has been written and directed by the entire team, the musicians include  Shibika Suresh, Lubhavani Rana, Aditi Jain, Ishita Pohoja, Surbhi Gupta and Simrat Kaur.

Winners Tally: Abhivyakti, IP College

13 fests were included in our analysis for this series. Out of these, a competitive street play event was held at 10 fests and Abhivyakti did not compete at its own college’s fest. Here’s the list of winning performances by Abhivyakti:

Ist Position: Confluence 2015 (Hans Raj College), Tarang 2015 (Lady Shri Ram College),), Mecca 2015 (Hindu College)

2nd Position: Nexus (Sri Venkateswara College), Tempest (Miranda College)

(Hover on the icons below to know more about their victories)

In total, the society has won 11 out of 16 competitions that it has participated in. Apart from the list mentioned above, Abhivyakti has won first prize at St Stephen’s, SGND Khalsa, and bagged the second prize at ARSD College, IGTDUW, Shivaji College and PGDAV.

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