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Vineeta Rana

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Last week, Taylor Swift won a civil case against ex-DJ David Mueller who sexually assaulted her in 2013. Here’s why the incident matters.

 

As a woman, I live in fear of sexual assault on a daily basis – when I’m walking home after dark, when I’m alone in a cab in broad daylight, when I’m going on a first date with a man. Even with my handy pepper spray and a blunt knife in my bag, I never truly feel safe. I fear being groped, molested, and raped more than being robbed, kidnapped, and sometimes even murdered. But most importantly, I fear the aftermath of my assault. I am afraid that no one will believe my testimony or take me seriously again. I am afraid that people will look down on me for an incident that is not my fault and somehow try to make me feel like it is. It is for all these reasons that I am ecstatic about Taylor Swift’s win against her sexual assault perpetrator.

In a world where celebrities and their lives are often paraded as the epitome of perfection, it is difficult to comprehend such imperfect confrontations. When Mueller, who was invited to meet Swift before a concert in 2013, grabbed the pop icon’s behind under her skirt, Swift did not go public with the accusation. She did what most women do, and kept the episode under wraps. When her security personnell approached Mueller only to be faced with him refuting the claims, Swift reported the incident and provided photographic evidence to Mueller’s place of employment, the radio station KYGO. KYGO fired the DJ two days later. Post being fired, Mueller struggled to find work anywhere to the extent that he filed a defamation case against Swift in 2015. He sued her for $3 million in damages and still denied the fact that he had assaulted her. This is when the lawsuit became public. Swift countersued for a symbolic sum of $1 and last week won the case after it went to trial.

The photograph which was shown as evidence by Swift's attorney during the trial in court
The photograph which was shown as evidence by Swift’s attorney during the trial in court

Taylor Swift has an unfortunate and undeserved reputation of being a “slut” and being “silent”. Because of the public nature of her romantic relationships and the fact that her music draws from personal experiences with love and boys, people believe they have the right to label her in certain derogatory ways. Even more infuriatingly, society believes that once a woman is labelled a “slut”, she is no longer entitled to bodily autonomy. This is then coupled with accusations of Swift being a “silent” spectator who does not participate in women’s marches or rant on Twitter (despite episodes like donating a hefty sum to Kesha to assist her with legal expenses in her fight against sexual assault). Both of these labels are used as excuses to somehow make her testimony less credible and worthy.

The problem is that Swift isn’t the only one. Women are constantly scrutinised for everything they do. After the verdict was declared, Swift admitted, “I acknowledge the privilege that I benefit from in life, in society and in my ability to shoulder the enormous cost of defending myself in a trial like this.” She took on the case to prove to young women that it is possible to hold their perpetrators accountable, stating, “My hope is to help those whose voices should be heard.”

In light of the outcome of the trial, I, amongst many other women, am not only relieved but also empowered. This is what a public sexual assault case can do. This is why Taylor Swift’s win matters.

 

Image Credits: TMZ

Vineeta Rana
[email protected]

The beginning of the year brings with it countless pieces of advice for the first-year students. From where to eat and shop to how to ace society auditions, there’s no dearth of literature to help guide the fucchas through this tumultuous time. What inevitably ends up happening during this time is that the second- and third-year students lack any sort of guidance as they attempt to navigate the remainder of their college lives. So here we are, doing our bit to ensure the seniors aren’t left out.

Let’s start with the second-years. With barely anything to lose, this batch is the most relaxed of all DU students. Having gone through society auditions and having dealt with the hectic trauma of internals and attendance woes, second year students are inherently wiser and calmer. While it sounds great at first, this laid back attitude can often get the better of them. Case in point: yours truly. My second year, especially the fourth semester, was a whirlwind of non-academic activities. Attending debsoc sessions and covering fests for DU Beat provided me with legitimate reasons (read: excuses) to skip class on an almost daily basis. With deep regret, I confess that if I could go back and do it all over, I’d prioritise my lectures over my cosy bed and a boring fest. So there you have it – don’t relax too much, or you’ll come to regret it.

For the third-years, as much as it pains me to say this – think about your future. You don’t want to end up in a pile of tears when the fifth semester ends, when all your friends have already applied to foreign universities and you still aren’t sure about what you want to pursue further. The task is daunting but necessary – take out some time, maybe an hour each day, to do substantial research for your future plans. If you want to continue your education, look at all possible options – foreign universities, Indian universities, DU. Find out whether the admissions are entrance-based or merit-based. For foreign universities, it’s essential to have a variety of documents which you’ll need to have ready well in advance. If, on the other hand, you want to work straight out of college, keep an eye out for job opportunities. Try to intern as much as you can. Be proactive and work quickly to avoid those pangs of guilt when you later realise that you could have accomplished so much more had you just started earlier. And, of course, give it your all when it comes to DU – actually study for your internals, go to all those crowded star nights, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

So the next time you feel smothered by freshers-related content, refer to this for an insight of what to do and not to do as a senior!

 

Feature Image Credits: Equinox 

Vineeta Rana
[email protected]

 

Students aspiring for the B. Com (Programme) course in the University of Delhi recently endured a massive shock when they were told that Shaheed Bhagat Singh Evening College (SBSEC) had mistakenly declared its cut-off for the general category as 80%. Students rushed to colleges this morning to cancel their admission and gain entry into SBSEC. However, around 10:00 am, the college revealed that there was an error and that the cut-off was actually 90%.

In response to the chaos, parents and students staged protests outside the college, demanding that the candidates be allowed to get admission in the course. Consequently, the police was called to control the masses.

Upon speaking to DU Beat, Dr. P.K. Khurana, the college’s Principal, stated that students are anyway advised to go to the college personally to see if they meet all the criteria before withdrawing their admission from other colleges. He also defended his stance by saying that “corrective action” had already been taken in the morning and that the admission procedure in evening colleges does not start before 4:00 pm, meaning that students should have checked the revised cut-off in the morning before rushing to college.

The college announced in the evening that it would not be taking any more candidates into the course and that students should retain their seats in the colleges in which they were previously enrolled. The admission of these candidates has therefore not been cancelled.

 

Feature Image Credits: Shaheed Bhagat Singh College

Vineeta Rana
[email protected]

My First Day at Your-Space – A Testimonial by Priyanka B.

I arrived from Guwahati early morning by train to Delhi. Excited about college and my course at LSR, but nervous about staying away from home. All throughout the train journey I kept thinking about the beginning of a new life in a new city away from my gang of friends, how we were all moving to different cities/colleges. Staring out of the train window I could see school days and my city lanes flash by at speed. I remained strong and started to think about the all the new people I would meet. I was looking forward to forging new friendships.

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Arriving at the station, the hustle and bustle of the city, the speed at which it moved, all was so new. As thrilling as it was, I was getting closer to my new home – “Your-Space”, my hostel that my parents happily chose for me. And I learnt why so, very soon. Similar to the feeling of when one is on their way down from the top of a ferris wheel.

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Finally, I reached my destination, arrived at Your-Space at Kailash Colony – a beautiful red building with massive gates.  There were such pretty decals of images and quotations on the building walls. It look so funky and cool with a young vibe. I was already feeling giddy on the inside about my new home. I was escorted inside by the security guard and introduced to the warden who is on site 24 hours. Received such a warm welcome from Poonam Ma’am and the Your-Space operations team.

I was taken to the office where I submitted by form alongside all the required documentation that I had already completed. I was so happy when they gave me some Your-Space goodies too.

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Poonam Ma’am took me to my room and helped me unpack. She told me about the other students on my floor and who was from my college and who all were pursuing the same course. I was going to meet students from LSR and it gave me such comfort to know that that we could go to college together everyday. I would make friends in the same course and we could share notes and study together in the dedicated study area provided on site.

I met my roommate, Akriti, and she made me feel at home instantly. We decided how we will share the room, who takes which cupboard and shelf. She is so chirpy, outgoing, and friendly. I was really at ease. She gave me a tour of the entire building and told me about all the local attractions. Akriti showed me the laundry pick-up and drop-off area, which I can even schedule from my phone anytime. I can give up to 10 items of clothing per week and they get washed, ironed, and delivered. WOW! There is housekeeping so my room, attached balcony, walk-in closet, and en-suite bathroom are always going to be spanking clean.

I spent around two hours setting my room and closet and putting away my woolens in the under-bed storage. I was so happy to find that I have a pull-out caster built in to my bed. I placed all my heels and shoes here.

Then I headed down to the lounge in the building to meet make new friends. I was excited yet a little nervous. The lounge – OMG – blew me away. Such vibrant colours, with cool furniture and prints on the wall, big screen TV, movie area, vending machined for coffee and soup, a pantry, a gym attached. It felt like a swanky cool arcade. I grabbed a cup of coffee, plunked myself down on the sofa and met the other girls. What fun it was just talking about how nervous we all were before getting here. And now?? We were already getting to bond well. We were served hot snacks. The aloobondas with chutney was so delicious that we gobbled them up immediately.

We decided to venture out and check out the local market – GK M Block, N block, or Kailash Colony market. We all agreed to head to The Big Chill Cafe since the Your-Space management recommended it. Being Your-Space students we get discounts at a host of places at all the neighbouring markets, from restaurants to spas. Big Chill was YUMMM – chocolate super fudge ice cream shake and the blueberry cheesecake.

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By the time we decided to leave, it started to rain but we ran back since our building is just 200 meters from Big Chill. It brought back memories of childhood when we would jump in puddles and dance in the rain. I felt good, I felt happy, I felt I was among good friends.

After drying up and taking a nap, I went to my friend’s room and we ventured down for dinner. I am in love with this place; the food is so yummy. We had rajma raseela, zeera aloo, raita, salad, rice, and roti – home food goal (tick).

After dinner, we all hung out at the lounge and just gossiped. We stayed up chatting till late so started to feel a little hungry. Since every floor at this place has a separate private kitchen for the residents of that floor, equipped with a fridge, microwave, induction place, and cooking ware, we decided to toss up a midnight snack. Akriti cooked us all Maggi and we thoroughly enjoyed our little pyjama party. What a day, such a warm fuzzy feeling. I felt at home! This is my space! Thank you, team Your-Space.

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For those of you who are still looking for a place, do check out www.your-space.in. I am sure you will also fall in love with the place. See you here soon!

After the release of the first two cut-off lists, the University of Delhi has begun its third round of admissions, with the consolidated cut-offs of all the colleges to be posted on the university website tonight. Amidst rumours that the third list will see significantly lower cut-offs, students have high hopes for gaining admission into the varsity.

You can access the compiled third cut-off list for admissions here.

Currently, several colleges have already released their cut-offs, which can be accessed by clicking on the relevant Institute:

This report will be updated live as more colleges release their cut-off lists. Keep an eye out on the DU Beat Facebook page for more admissions-related news!

 

Feature Image Credits: University of Delhi

Vineeta Rana
[email protected]

The University Grants Commission (UGC), a statutory body that provides recognition and funds to several institutes of higher education across India, including the University of Delhi, has recently issued a statement asking varsities to install sanitary napkin incinerators in all women’s hostels. The move aims to benefit both the environment and women’s hygiene.

A communication by the UGC stated, “In an effort to promote proper disposal of menstrual waste and promote the Swachh Bharat Mission, it is imperative that we take the initiative to promote menstrual sanitation and proper disposal of menstrual waste by creating awareness, encouraging every woman to use eco-friendly incinerators and promoting research for biodegradable alternatives.” The communication also added, “You are requested to consider the installation of these machines within the premises of women’s hostels.”

According to the UGC, the estimated cost of the equipment is INR 49,646, an amount that can be “directly booked under the solid waste management component of the Swachh Bharat Mission”. The statutory body also elaborated that HLL Lifecare Limited, which is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Health, has recently introduced vending machines and incinerators for sanitary napkins.

Proper disposal of menstrual waste is crucial for feminine hygiene as well as for the environment. Sanitary napkins are the go-to product for the majority of Indian women. The material that they are made of is non-biodegradable. This means that the disposal of pads in household trash leads to landfills overflowing with menstrual waste. Burning them is not a solution as it leads to the release of toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Additionally, sanitary napkins that are disposed incorrectly often end up blocking drainage systems. There is also the high risk of disease and unhygienic conditions near areas where menstrual waste is concentrated. Menstrual blood in open air attracts all sorts of bacteria to grow in it and affect the hygiene of the surroundings.

Incinerators are the best way to dispose of sanitary napkins. They provide a long-lasting and eco-friendly solution by restricting the amount of smoke produced in the incineration to the small machine. The communication by the UGC is, therefore, a welcome step in making sure women’s accommodation caters to their specific needs and provides proper hygiene along with fulfilling environmental responsibilities.

 

Feature Image Credits: India Education Review

 

Vineeta Rana
[email protected]

On 28 June 1969, LGBTQ people in New York initiated the violent Stonewall Riots to protest against the discrimination they faced as a community. They are often identified as the turning point in LGBTQ history as they led to the start of the gay liberation movement. A year later, on its anniversary, gay pride marches – the first of their kind – took place in four cities across the United States. Eventually, the movement grew and countries all around the world began to organise pride marches towards the end of June to commemorate the riots. Consequently, June came to be known as Pride month, with everyone wanting in on the action.

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Credits: Passport Magazine

On 24 June 2016, the area around Stonewall Inn was declared a U.S. national monument, the first to have queer significance. In June of this year, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the first LGBT Memorial in the U.S. This memorial will be placed in New York’s Hudson River Park and will be designed by Anthony Goicolea, a Brooklyn-based artist. The Governor established the LGBT Memorial Commission last year after the Orlando Pulse shooting which targeted 49 LGBTQ people.

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Credits: Huffington Post

This is only one example of the way June is celebrated across the globe. Millions of people marched in support of LGBT rights and also held ‘resist’ marches in light of Trump’s actions. There is wide disparity in the actions of leaders around the world – two years ago, Barack Obama took a historic step to legalise same-sex marriage throughout the United States, while the current administration strives to undo all that progress and even refuses to acknowledge Pride month. Today itself, German legislators legalised same-sex marriage, while east European governments threaten their openly gay citizens. Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage earlier this year, while Indian political leaders continue to promote archaic ideologies on the matter of equality.

Nevertheless, there is plenty of reason to rejoice. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marched as an ally, the Greek Finance Minister showed his support at the parade in Athens, and Tel Aviv Pride was the biggest event of its kind in West Asia. Over three million people showed up in Sao Paulo, unafraid to be flamboyant and vibrant. People in Serbia and Ukraine marched despite protests and fears of retaliation. Landmarks around the world, such as the Empire State Building in New York, the Madrid City Hall, and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi lit up in rainbow colours to support the cause.

Credits: iTravelTelAviv
Credits: iTravelTelAviv

We may be subject to discrimination all around the year, but this June has certainly been a celebratory month. Happy Pride!

 

Feature Image Credits: BuzzFeed LGBT

Vineeta Rana
[email protected]

The University of Delhi has released the list of students who have been selected under various extracurricular activities. The lists of students shortlisted for the final rounds are available on the University of Delhi website.

Some ECA categories are yet to announce the results. Meanwhile, candidates applying under the ECA quota for the following categories can check their status on the online portal:

  • Animation
  • Creative writing (English and Hindi)
  • Debate (English and Hindi)
  • Divinity music
  • Film making
  • Indian instrumental
  • Indian vocal
  • Photography
  • Sketching and painting
  • Sculpture
  • Quiz
  • Western instrumental
  • Western vocal

There is also a set of guidelines that has been released which the selected candidates for debate must refer to. It outlines regulations such as the amount of preparation time allowed and the types of certificates considered valid.

The results for dance, theatre, NCC, and NSS will be announced soon.

While a schedule of the dates and locations for the final round has already been uploaded, the specific time slots for the students will be released tomorrow. All the details for ECA quota candidates can be found here.

DU Beat wishes you all the best as you prepare for the finals!

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Vineeta Rana
[email protected]

On 26 June 1997, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was first published. Twenty years later, we celebrate two decades of the joy that the Harry Potter franchise has given to millions of people around the world. I will not talk about the plot of the franchise. Nor will I talk about how the books are superior to the movies (which they totally are, by the way). Instead, I’ll write about how Harry Potter was – and always will be – my most profound teacher and, in a way, my best friend.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone starts off with “The Boy Who Lived”, the first chapter of the fantasy series. From here, JK Rowling takes us on an adventure with Harry, one of the most relatable characters of our generation. Sure, not all of us live in constant fear of an evil wizard who’s out to kill us. But we do face many of the same troubles and tribulations that Harry does over the years – the emotionally taxing ones like being lonely at school and facing situations you aren’t ready for, as well as the mundane ones of too much homework and exam stress (the few times when Harry actually gives his exams). At some point, we’ve all identified with Ron’s feelings of inadequacy and envy. We’ve encountered racism and casteism and empathised with the Muggle-borns of the wizarding world, and we’ve seen that even Hogwarts isn’t immune to the plague of rote memorisation.
It’s no wonder, then, that I’ve learnt how to navigate life through the Harry Potter series. Hermione Granger was my first role model when I started reading the books at age 7. She followed rules and prioritised knowledge above all else, but she also taught me to value “friendship and bravery” over merely “books and cleverness”. For the first few years, Rowling taught me through direct dialogue, often that of Albus Dumbledore – how it does not do to dwell on dreams, how our choices reflect our true selves much more than our abilities, and to ask for help when needed (I’m still struggling with the last one, but I’m indebted to Rowling nonetheless). As I grew older, I started looking up to Minerva McGonagall for her no-nonsense attitude and affinity for fairness. The lessons I learnt now were more through my inferences from the literature and my own judgment of characters. Sometimes, these were even contradictory to what the plot implied. The most apparent example is that I concluded that Severus Snape’s love for Lily Potter could not excuse his abuse of children (and I will fight anyone who claims otherwise). Perhaps the biggest lesson we’ve all learnt, though, is that no matter who you are, there’s always a place where you belong.
In addition to the countless pieces of advice Harry Potter has offered me, it has also been a source of comfort and friendship. It’s my go-to feel-good series and I’ve ran to it umpteen times when I’m feeling low. I cannot speak for older people, but I know for a fact that our generation has been through it all with the golden trio. We grew up together and stuck with them through thick and thin. We experienced butterflies in our stomachs in Goblet of Fire when romance first became a part of the books, and suffered through whole pages of Harry shouting in Order of the Phoenix. We even made peace with the fact that the movies completely ignored the existence of Peeves. And for this Hufflepuff-worthy loyalty, we were rewarded with a fandom that keeps on giving – a textbook initially written for Comic Relief that was itself turned into a movie series, an online wizarding world where we can get our own wand and brew Polyjuice Potion, even a glimpse into the future where Harry and Draco’s sons are best friends.
Twenty years later, the fantasy world continues to heal people of all ages around the world. And six years after the release of the last Harry Potter movie, Rowling has stayed true to her word – whether we come back by page or by screen, Hogwarts has always been there to welcome us home.
Here’s wishing you a happy 20th anniversary of the Chosen One. To conclude, I’d like to say a few words, and here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

 

Feature Image credits: The Independent

Vineeta Rana

[email protected]

After having delayed the start of the admissions process for postgraduate candidates more than twice, the University of Delhi is finally ready to open its registration for the same. The University offers a whopping number of 72 courses at the postgraduate level, the details of which can be found at the online portal. All candidates wishing to apply for a Masters, M.Phil, or Ph.D. degree must first register at http://admission.du.ac.in/pg2017.

Unlike the undergraduate admissions portal, the postgraduate one requires all candidates to fill out separate forms for each course they apply to, thereby also paying multiple fees for multiple courses. However, the same login details will be used for all the registration forms. Candidates applying under the SC, ST, and PwD categories must pay a non-refundable fee of INR 250 for each course, while students under all other categories are required to pay INR 500.

Apart from faculties offering interdisciplinary and professional courses, all departments have two modes of admission – merit and entrance. Students from the University of Delhi who have performed well at the undergraduate level will take up 50% of the seats. This mode of direct admission is not available to students of other universities. The other 50% of seats will be filled through entrance tests and interviews or group discussions.

The entrance exams will take place in six cities across the nation – Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Varanasi. The applicant must choose one of these on the registration form, after which no changes will be made. The admit card will be made available on the online portal itself.

The reservation of seats is as per the national policy for SCs, STs, and non creamy layer OBCs. There is a reservation of 5% each for students belonging to the PwD, CW, sports, and foreign national categories.

Candidates applying to the Non-Collegiate Women’s Educational Board (NCWEB) or the School of Open Learning (SOL) can opt for the same through the common registration portal. However, the remaining procedure will be carried out by the NCWEB and SOL. Candidates applying under the sports quota must appear in the entrance test for the relevant department.

Students wishing to apply for hostel accommodation should check the individual guidelines for each residence.

 

Here is a run-down of the postgraduate admissions procedure:

  1. Register on the PG admission portal and update personal details.
  2. If applying under the merit category, your application will only be considered if your qualifying examination results are uploaded on the portal.If applying under the entrance category, your application will be considered even if your qualifying examination results are still awaited.
  1. The departments will declare the First Admission List, for both the merit and entrance categories, on 16 July. The allotment of seats is based on the rank of the applicant and the availability of seats in the department. The name in the admission list alone does not guarantee a seat. The admission shall be considered complete only when all the documents have been verified and the fee has been paid.
  2. Once you are selected, download the Admission Form and take a printout of the same. It will have the name of the Reporting Centre and the Place of Admission on it.
  3. If you are present at the Reporting Centre on the allotted day with your Admission Form and your original documents, including your qualifying examination marksheet, your Admission Form will be marked as Verified. You shall then proceed to the Place of Admission (the college/department/faculty) and submit your original documents. The Place of Admission will then mark your application Approved on the online portal. Finally, you are required to make the fee payment online within the prescribed time limit.If you are present at the Reporting Centre on the allotted day with your Admission Form and your original documents, but without your qualifying examination marksheet, your Admission Form will be marked as Reported. You shall then proceed to the Place of Admission (the college/department/faculty) and submit your original documents. The Place of Admission will then mark your application Reported on the online portal. You will be allowed to submit your remaining documents within 20 days from the announcement of the Admission List. Once you do so and your online application status is changed to Approved, you must pay the fee within the prescribed time limit to gain admission.If you do not report at the prescribed time to the Reporting Centre, you will not be considered in the subsequent lists for admission regardless of whether you meet all other eligibility criteria.
  1. The documents will remain with the Place of Admission throughout the admissions process. They will be returned if you wish to withdraw or cancel your admission, or appear for counselling at another institute. If you have been given the 20-day window to submit your remaining documents and fail to do so, your other documents will be returned to you.
  2. If candidates score the same marks in the entrance exam, those with the higher qualifying examination marks will be allotted the seat first.

 

Here is a list of all the important dates to keep in mind in the upcoming weeks:

  • June 12 – Online registration starts
  • June 22 – Online registration ends
  • July 1-6 – Entrance examinations conducted
  • July 7-12 – Results announced, grievances handled
  • July 12-14 – Group discussions and interviews held, if any
  • July 16 – First admission list released
  • By July 18 – Deposit online fee
  • July 20 – Classes commence

 

Follow DU Beat on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up with all the latest admissions news!

 

Feature Image Credits: Saumya Kalia for DU Beat

Vineeta Rana
[email protected]