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Radhika Boruah

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Spardhaa: Sports fest of Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women

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Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women, University of Delhi – organized its second Sports Fest “SPARDHAA” on 18th-19th January 2018 on the college campus. Spardhaa – which signifies healthy competition, served as a significant platform for the participants to exhibit their sports talent, leadership and comradery. The Chief Guest for the Opening Ceremony was Shri Ram Niwas Goel, Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly and the function was also graced by Shri Manoj Kumar, Member Legislative Assembly, NCT of Delhi. The guest of Honor was Mrs Santosh Yadav, Padma Shree Awardee and the first woman in the world to scale Mount Everest twice within a gap of less than a year. The festival started with a March-past of fourteen Departmental Teams and two teams of Students Council and Sports Council respectively. The Department of Physics bagged the first Position in March-past for their well-coordinated and energetic presentation.

In the Intercollege category, there were nine events including Aerobics, Rhythmic Yoga, Yoga, Volleyball, Kho-Kho, Table Tennis, Badminton, and Tug of War. Chess and Carom were specially kept for Para- athlete category to encourage equal opportunity. A vibrant participation by around 800 athletes from 43 colleges/Institutions of University of Delhi and NCR was witnessed in “SPARDHAA” to make it a grand success. Though these events were primarily for girls but Badminton, Tug of war, and Table Tennis were open for boys also.

The Sports Fest was yet another platform to display women power. It also catered to community sports activities for the non-sports students and staff of the college in order to promote fitness, wellness, and a sense of socialization. The community sports activities included 50 M Race, 200 M Race, Discuss Throw, Shot Put, Long Jump, 4×100 M Relay Race, and Three Legged Race and some fun-based activities for staff. The community sports activities proved to be very popular among the in-house students/staff and showcased their sports potential.

Spardhaa received overwhelming support from our sponsors, Chief among them being the ONGC Ltd. and the Delhi State Aids Control Society, Govt of Delhi. Other sponsors like vki fotographie, Sega Shoes, Parle Agro, and Delhi Sports also chipped in and contributed to its success. Our media partners like Samachar Nirdesh, DU Express, DU Vibes, DU Beat, DU Khabar etc. covered the events and helped us in reaching out to all our stake holders.

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DUB Speak

My Experience of Tutoring Young Students

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After school, university is the place where you learn to be independent and responsible. Many of us took the decision to stay away from home and begin our academic careers at a far-off place. At every step of this journey, there will be loads of opportunities and experiences of both good and bad forms, and it would be up to you how you determine to manage them.

There are many ways for parents to manage the issue of pocket money, but first, you will need a good idea of what it costs to be a teenage student. The contemporary family is described increasingly in ‘democratic’ terms of individuals’ ‘rights’, ‘choices’, and ‘discussion’ where parent-child relationships are being renegotiated – especially those involving teenagers. At an age when it is important for students to learn the significance of saving money, parents with their perpetual hesitance don’t make their kids value hard-earned money. In the Indian scenario, parents do not feel the necessity for their kids to earn their own money even in the late teenage years. It must not only be left to the impoverished and hard-hit students’ to have a part-time job in the student years, but it should be a step for self-dependence from an early age.

After I shifted to Delhi, a senior of mine informed me about home tutoring young students of the locality. When she was in college, she used to tutor kids of fifth to eighth class. I would definitely credit her for inculcating the seeds of self-dependence in me. I started home tutoring young students via an agency that worked towards connecting students who are searching for tutors and people who are willing to tutor. It might not always be financial issues that instigate the realms of part-time jobs, but they can also be a source of independence and responsible behaviour. From my very first class till date, I have had innumerable experiences, both good and bad. I realised the value of small things in life that didn’t make sense to me earlier. When I stepped into the shoes of a teacher, I realised how important it is to have a curious student who wants to know more about the subject. I learned the basic conducts that a teacher expects from a student: attention and respect. I was ecstatic when I heard my first student call me “ma’am”, and glad to know that I became her favourite teacher. “Knowledge is a treasure, practice is the key to it” – I believe in this, and in “Expanding the bounties of knowledge.” I learned that teachers too have a lot to learn from their students, and maintaining a healthy relationship is a key aspect of education. Besides, in our student life, if we are practicing what we had learned in our yesteryears, it would prove to be very encouraging for our future competitive exams.

I would suggest you to open your door to endless possibilities of self-dependence, second to which the storehouse of experiences is that prepare you for adulthood.

 

Feature Image Credits: My Cute Graphics

Radhika Boruah

[email protected]

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Biblio

Book Review: I am Divine, So are You

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Many would argue that our gender-equality oriented culture is prominently an on-going matter. It is very off-setting for the youth who openly recognise themselves as LGBTQ, and difficult for the people of the past generations to accept this culture on micro and macro levels. Sexual morality has varied greatly over time and between cultures. A society’s sexual norms and standards of sexual conduct can be linked to religious beliefs, or social and environmental conditions, or all of these. In his book, Devdutt Pattanaik, along with editor Jerry Johnsons and others have introduced the animating principles of the major karmic faiths (based on the beliefs of rebirth) related to sexuality. The karmic faiths Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Hinduism share many common roots. The holy scriptures of these religions contain stories, ideas, and narratives of different sexual orientations and gender identities. Sexual orientation and gender identity are two different concepts, as are sex and gender. On one hand, it is biological and on the other it is societal. Sexual orientation is the romantic indulgence towards other people and can range from heterosexuality to homosexuality etc. Gender identity is one’s sense of self as a woman, man, or transgender, and may be different from one’s biological sex. Through the introduction of the modern doctrine of secularism and keeping away organised faith from politics, economics, and identity, there have been escalating instances of societal problems like queer-phobia, which is the explicit and implicit hostility towards LGBTQ people. Hinduism reveals a greater comfort with transgender stories, like describing Lord Vishnu turning into a beautiful damsel Mohini, and Lord Shiva becoming a half- woman. Over time, the traditions and beliefs of the people changed and things turned hostile for the queer. Their exclusion and isolation- socially, economically, and politically- became the new tradition dear to different communities, religions, or nations. However, the overarching and fundamental wisdom common to these faiths make ample room to accommodate the queer with innovative ideas. These karmic faiths describe that our body, our personality, and our sexuality are outcomes of the karmic burden and they are therefore natural. While the third gender is acknowledged in India, homosexual unions are criminalised. This can be traced back to the conservative Christian and Islamic frameworks where there are notes of homoerotic love, like that between David and Jonathan, and it was described as “unnatural sex”. As you read through the book you will realise that the fundamental principle of equality is not a feature of karmic faiths, rather there is a celebration of diversity. They articulate the strains of beliefs that affirm the dignity of queer expressions and encourage a sense of identity that is authentic and liberated from social and illusionary constructions.   Feature Image Credits: Radhika Boruah for DU Beat Radhika Boruah [email protected]]]>

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Fashion

Fashion Musts and Blasts of the Past

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We probably have to thank good ruling ladies for the return of the elegant fashions, be it Adele with her cat eyeliner, false eyelashes, and beehive, or Lana Del Ray with her flower crowns, elegant gowns, and glamorous bouffant do.

There are trends in the fashion world we are glad to see make a resurgence, and there are times when we get an unexpected blast from the past we never asked for. Fashion is an undeniable roller-coaster of weird, wonderful, and innovative styles, both for better and for worse. Auburn brings you lists of evergreen fashions, sexier comebacks of past trends, and trends that better not make any riposte.

Preen Evergreen:

  1. Glitzy Sequins- Be it Michael Cinco sequined gowns or not, glitter and glamour in sequins are never out of fashion in any decade.
  2. Gingham- It is one of those cute, geometrical designs (the other being polka and florals) that will forever be associated with an airy and light-hearted look, and won’t be out of our wardrobes.
  3. Denim- Comfortable and trendy, east or west, denim is the best.
  4. Camouflage- A must in every closet, the military green, animal print and its camouflage design may not seem like a “hot” trend but it endures.
  5. The Casual Plaid Shirt- It is one of those trends that are timeless. The type of fabric used to make the plaid shirts vary from season to season, nevertheless giving the same elegance.

Blend that Trend:

  1. Chokers- Almost every tinsel town actress has been seen sporting this goth accessory. The Zeenat Aman inspired look from the 90s has made a stylish comeback being a well-nigh complement of everyday outfits for all the girls.
  2. Off-shoulder and Crop Tops- These tops and dresses have become quite the thing of late. And why not, they add just a dash of sexy without revealing too much!
  3. High-waisted Pants- It’s no secret that these pants keep making a comeback on the catwalk. They are flattering for the lower body, making one look taller and leaner.
  4. Overalls- Comeback of overalls means just that with the right combination, they could be your hottest look now.
  5. Round Glares- John Lennon brought these glasses into fashion in the 70s and 80s, however of late people have been carrying the look with panache. Hopefully, they are back for good.

Fashion Blunder:

  1. Crocs- It’s got a bad enough reputation to have ranked a spot on Time’s “50 Worst Inventions”.
  2. Super Low-Rise Jeans: Coming up next is yet another bastardized branch of an otherwise perfectly fine piece of clothing – the extra low-rise jeans that look so uncouth.
  3. Bedazzled Denim: It’s hard to look bad in denim until you go around looking like you are simply donning rhinestones. It’s probably best to stay away from these bling-dipped jeans.
  4. Half-and-Half T-shirts- The concept is pretty simple: cut two tees in half and stitch one side of each together but, RIP pour one out. This one went to the great hype graveyard in the sky and let’s hope nobody brings it back.
  5. Sweater vests- First, vests are just impractical to begin with but the sweater vest was a whole new level of blunder. They can usually be found on a ridiculously oversized shirt from the 90s and better stay there to never come back.

 

Feature Image Credits: Nuffnang Malaysia

Radhika Boruah

[email protected]

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Fashion

Denim to Fur: Jackets for Him and Her

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With the onset of fall, chilly air streams curl down our sleeves. Who doesn’t love winters? With exams on the front, we decide to hibernate: sleep endlessly under those warmest blankets, the decor of the room setting the right mood. Amidst this, the plan is to create new style statements that combat the cold whilst making us a fashion icon.

Auburn brings you a couture to explore your type of warmer: furry coats, denim jackets, or the exclusive leather ones.

For him:

1. On days when the wind is fierce, a longer coat can really be your best friend. Trench Coats cover down to the knees when buttoned.

2. A scarf is not enough to keep the neck warm, and Turtlenecks are an awesome first line of defense against those frigid winds.

3. Half-Cardigans keep you safe from the winters and also give loud signals of being a stud!

4. Hooded Jackets serve the purpose when it comes to comfort and warmth. They look fluffy and give the perfect winter look.

5. Denim Jackets have been an all all-time favourite. These might not be very chill-safe yet they are your perfect pals when it comes to fashion sense.

6. Bikes, Boots, Babes and Leather Jackets! Every guy must own one of these, it is undoubtedly a safe option!

For her:

1. Quilted Jackets with hoodies are the best for the warmth; they help us keep safe from the freezing cold while maintaining a fashion sense.

2. Initially Blazers were typically worn as officewear, but now they are in fashion as informal wear. Perfect for an interview or your office wear, you can team them up with trousers. You can even wear a casual look by picking up a cotton or linen blazer and a pair of denims.

3. This year was full of prints! Printed Jackets add the right amount of poise in the usual boring winter wear. You can find them in animal prints, 3D prints or blossoming florals.

4. Trenchcoats are a great buzz. Wear them over a sweater or a dress and look dazzling. They are a great pal in the snow and unlike woollen coats they are light weight and waterproof.

5. This season is all about the Faux-Fur Coat. Turn up the texture and team up with dark colours and high collars for some gothic romance.

6. If you want an adventurous or bold look then Biker Jacket is something girl must have. It’s a sort of short coat with hip length. Its made of leather generally and coloured in black, but if you want you can go for other colours too. Biker jacket with a pair of blue jeans gives you a smart and fashionable look.

 

Feature Image Credits: Uniqlo

Radhika Boruah
[email protected]

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Fandom

Mingling with the Modern Family

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Episodes end with a simulacrum of a group hug, an acknowledgment that even though they don’t always get along, this ‘modern’ family loves one another. Running on ABC since 2009, this prime-sitcom has not failed to entertain the audience with crisp, farcical, and kind values of the Modern Family. The fun family mockumentary is about the family of Pritchetts and Dunphys. It takes an honest and often hilarious look at the composition and complexity of modern family life of America. The series is presented in mockumentary style, with the fictional characters frequently talking directly into the camera. In the spotlight is Jay Pritchett’s family wherein he is the patriarch of the Pritchett family. He is the father of Claire, Mitchell, and Joe, and is married to a much younger Columbian, Gloria, and is stepfather to Manny. Additionally, he is also a veteran of the Vietnam War and former owner of Pritchett’s Closets & Blinds. Feisty and confident, Gloria thinks Jay is her match, which makes her attracted to him. Jay continually struggles to cope with Gloria’s insistence to preserve their Colombian traditions so they tend to compromise with the rest of the family. Claire is Jay and his former wife, DeDe’s eldest daughter. Claire gets her competitiveness and tough attitude from her father encouraging her into sports and becoming daddy’s girl. She is married to Phil Dunphy and mother of Haley, Alex, and Luke. Though antagonised, Phil always tries really hard to gain approval from Jay. Jay’s son Mitchell is gay and got married to his long-term partner Cameron Tucker and adopted a Vietnamese baby girl, Lily. Life, it seems, is neither tidy, politically correct, or in any way predictable. For these three families, it turns out, are not three but one big, blended family, with Jay, the patriarch and Claire & Mitchell his grown kids. Yet, it’s just such surprises that make things so interesting in this window into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted embrace of the modern family. As the show started, Phil and Claire, two parents, who wanted to have that open, healthy, honest relationship with their three kids. It’s not always easy, especially with their teenage daughter who was growing up a little fast, a too-smart-for-her-own-good middle daughter and a rambunctious son. Phil wants to be the “cool dad”, while Claire is always trying her best to run a tight ship, determined not to let her kids have the rebellious childhood she had. Gloria is that constantly supportive mother to Manny, who is a hopeless romantic – preferring art and praising poetry. Having Joe at a later age, both Jay and Gloria have a hard time in his upbringing. Both Mitchell and Cameron are constantly working on their parenting skills as their daughter Lily is growing up. From the very first episode titled “Pilot” to the 200th episode last month, along with the kids of this family, the entire sitcom has grown a lot- an extra dose of laughter, affection in a family, and so much more. With such heterogeneity within a family: inter-cultural and homosexual marriages, different preferences of each and every member; be it books for Alex, poetry for Manny or fashion for Haley – a family as the Pritchetts and Dunphys are so accommodating and respectful towards each other. This is what is Modern ‘Family’.   Feature Image Credits: Spoiler TV Radhika Boruah [email protected]]]>

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Fashion

Auburn Umbrella: From Boots to Totes

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Summer ended sometime back, and with the coming in of fall and eventually winter, the boot season comes along. With the crispier air outside, boots are the saviour. Also important are the totes you should consider having this winter. Auburn brings to you a guide to the perfect boots and totes, highlighting some wondrous looks.

Boots in the Box:

  1. Ankle Boots:

An essential type, because they work with everything- from skinny jeans to skirts and chic minidresses. You can create both casual and formal looks with these boots.

 

  1. Moto Boots:

For days when you don’t want to wear flats, get yourself these edgy, biker-inspired boots. It can help balance out a more buttoned-up look and coordinates nicely with skinnies too.

 

  1. Over-the-knee Boots:

They might not be the easiest to wear, but they are indeed worth the struggle, for the look is killer. Shorts, mini-skirts, or dresses look grand with these boots.

 

  1. Stilettos:

Get a pair for the dressier occasions- parties of every kind. Team these up with shimmery sleek bodycon dresses, one-coloured minis.  Heels make any outfit feel fancy!

 

  1. Chelsea Boots:

These never go out of fashion. An easy classic with a little rock-n-roll can create fantastic looks with straight-fit jeans, skinnies, skirt, and dresses, with a cardigan on top.

Tribal-art inspired boots and bag.
Tribal-art inspired boots and bag.

 

Tote Trouble:

  1. The Leather Satchel:

This is the essential workhorse handbag: It can hold almost anything. A neutral colour like black or leather brown adds a classy air to the look. Choose the correct size, and there you are!

 

  1. Chic Tote

An important part of the look, and hence if you are all dressed up do not carry a tote- carry a little clutch or a side-bag. From a rock-n-roll studded hobo to a sporty messenger to a sleek white patent clutch- every style is so chic.

 

  1. Iconic Handbag

Nothing heavily luxurious, but these can stand alone- perpetually making a statement and outlasting any trend. Get one, showstopper!

 

  1. Colour Play

It is not bad to give in to the joys of colours- they can uplift your mood. Match it to your clothes, or try it on the opposite spectrum of colours to create a contrast.

 

  1. Casual Carry

It allows to show-off personal style. You can work on your effortless 9 to 5 look with a casual tote/handbag.

 

 

Feature Image Credits: NAWO

 

Radhika Boruah

[email protected]

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QWERTY

Apps to Edit Pictures on Your Phone

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Editing pictures doesn’t have to be a hassle if you have some of these handy apps on your phone for quick, easy, and quality touch-up.

As a millennial who’s always on the run, carrying a laptop or sitting in front of a computer to edit pictures isn’t always feasible. Edit those snaps on the go with these four mobile phone apps, without compromising quality!

1) Lightroom CC
Image Credits: Myiconfinder

Available on iOs and Android for free.
A product of Adobe PhotoShop, Lightroom CC is great for capturing and editing high quality images. It comes with professional capture and lets you click on the DNG raw format for more control. The app edits picture in non-destructive mode which makes it convenient to revert to the original image. Lightroom CC also comes with the premium feature of storage with its Adobe Creative Cloud which lets you store upto 1TB of data.

2) PhotoShop Express
Image Credits: Google Play

Available on iOs and Android for free.
Another Adobe product, PhotoShop Express (PS Express) is a useful app for beginners and comes with a user friendly interface that is flexible and easy to control. It has over 60 professional looks and advanced corrections to make those pictures look flawless. PS Express also lets you import and edit pictures in the raw format and comes with the premium feature of the Adobe Creative Cloud of storage.

3) Lens Distortions
Image Credits: Lens Distortions

Available on iOs for free.
This is a quick and easy-to-use app for editing to achieve that perfect Instagram feed. It lets you add that dramatic effect to plain photographs with an array of filters and effects that have an original touch. Lens Distortions is a great app for photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists.

4) SnapSeed
Image Credits: 9to5Google

Available on iOs and Android for free.
A product of Google, SnapSeed is a complete and professional photo editing app that is easy to use. It comes with tools that help the user take fine and precise control over editing. SnapSeed also lets you open and tweak raw DNG files, save non-destructively, and export as JPG files.

 

 Feature Image Credits: In Love With Android

Anagha Rakta
[email protected]

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The Auburn Umbrella

Steal the Gaze with a Perfect Pair of Jeans

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A pair of denim jeans has the potential to make or break a look. Hence, it is important to pick a right fit and style for yourself. We can always rely on a pair of jeans to save us from any wardrobe disaster. Today, the market is full of different denim styles. So, to enhance your shopping experience, Auburn Umbrella brings you a guide to buying the perfect pair of jeans befitting your body type.

1. Form-fitted Jeans
Also known as skinny jeans, this kind fits and extenuates your curves from every slant and angle. They are most suitable for petite or hour-glass bodied women with slim legs.

2. Cropped Skinny Jeans
They are much similar to the form-fitting pairs, except these come in ankle-length. Some have, adding to the aesthetics and the latest trend, a fold near the ankles.

3. Bootcut Jeans
New bootcut or the bell-bottoms are fancier and a lot more loved than the earlier retro trends. Bootcut design gives great fit till the knees, and then the fabric subtly opens after the calf muscles which gives you the perfect flare above your shins. Though bootcut suits all body types, but it looks the best on curvy bodies.

4. Boyfriend Jeans
People started calling these boyfriend jeans because they look like they were borrowed from boyfriends. These are tight near the waist and the hip area, and then broaden a little bit as they move down. This style ideally looks good if you are curvy or have a pear-shaped body. Avoid if you are petite.

5. Straight-fit Jeans
Straight-legged jeans are the perfect answer to the dilemma of skinny vs boyfriend jeans. They make your legs look longer than they are and suit all body types.

6. High-waisted and Low-waisted Jeans
In the recent times, high-waisted jeans have become very popular both within the street style as well as in high fashion. If you’re petite and curvy, then this style will make you look taller while enhancing your curves. Low-waisted jeans were in fashion for a long time in the past decade. This pair looks good on skinny girls.

7. Mom Denims Jeans
This style is basically a refined version of boyfriend jeans. They are high waisted and the cut makes the buttocks appear disproportionately longer, larger, and flatter than they otherwise might be. It readily suits all body types.

8. Distressed Jeans
Ripped jeans, not of the DIY variety, will almost always look awkward if you’re too short or too tall for the regular styles. For instance, if you’re on the shorter side, a cool rip in the knee might hit you somewhere on your calf should. While if you’re too tall, then a knee rip might end up on your thigh. This uber cool variety needs careful measurements to give the desired look.

 

 

Feature Image Credits: I Draw Fashion

Radhika Boruah
[email protected]

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Uncategorized

Qui-Vive: Students’ Discounts Around You

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Being a student has its perks – be it in tourists’ places or on various airlines. So, get acquainted with a few privileges you can acquire being a student and make the most out of the opportunities.

With proper documentation, you can indeed enjoy the perquisites of being a student irrespective of whether you are in the first year of middle school or the final year of college. Take it easy on your little pockets and explore the places that can help you cut costs as students.

1. Discount Cards!

The University of Delhi has schemes under which you can get discount cards to help you save 20% to 50% on your expenditure. With an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), you can avail of great discounts all across the world on airfares, hotels, restaurants, magazines, cafes, multiplexes and game ranges. The Paisa Card, Taf Bazaar Card and Desconto are some cards you can apply for- to avail discounts at various eateries, bookstores, apparel stores, gyms and beauty parlours in Delhi NCR.

2. Apple Back-to-School Products

If you love Apple products, under their Back to College offer, you can get student discounts on the MacBook, iMac, iPads and even iPhones ranging between a minimum of Rs3,000 to Rs12,000.

3.  Fly With Discounts

There are students discount schemes in IndiGo Airlines and Air Asia and 50% discount schemes at both JetKonnect and Air India. Under this offer, your check-in baggage limit is increased by around 20 to 25kgs usually. The offer is only valid on economy seats. If you are studying abroad, Thomas Cook offers all US-bound flight base fares from Rs21,500, UK, and Europe from Rs9,800 and Canada from Rs23,000. Air India and other airlines like British Airlines offer free baggage allowance to students.

4. Gym Memberships

Gold’s Gym outlets across the country have a 50% off for all students. O2 gym offers an additional 5% off. Most gyms run student offers throughout the year in and around campus in DU.

5. Bus And Train Passes

Being a student has its benefits while travelling in the city as well.  In Delhi, you can get concession on a bus pass if you are a student but the Metro is yet to offer any kind of discounts. Indian Railways provide students’ concession in train tickets.

6. Courier services

You can use courier services from DHL and FedEx to send your admission applications for a flat rate of Rs890 and Rs990, respectively. To avail of this offer, you only need to carry a photocopy of your current college ID or any photo ID and address proof to verify your age. This has been specially designed for international university aspirants.

7. All Touristy

Heritage sites in most of the states have student tourist discounts. Also, special tour packages are available for college-going students at pocket-friendly prices.

 

Feature Image Credits: Yupcard

Radhika Boruah

[email protected]

 

 

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