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Bazinga: University Directs Colleges to Have Official Field Trips

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It comes as a gift to the students that the University has directed all the affiliated colleges to make proper arrangements for Official Field Trips during the mid-semester break in every session.
The University of Delhi has always been up-to-date with trends set by the private universities. Be it the incorporation of technology, or the introduction of more “vocational” courses, the University has had a knack for them, even if under the influence of private universities.
This time, however, the University has gone a step ahead with modernisation. It has released a notice that has asked the colleges and concerned departments to organise official trips around the mid-semester break. In order to ensure the accessibility of these trips to all the students, the trips shall have financial backing from the University and shall be advanced to the students at fairly lucrative prices. The Ministry of Tourism has agreed to sponsor the finances behind this move.
The decision comes after a petition was submitted by DU Beat and 32 travelling societies of Delhi University colleges, demanding the field trips to

be an official phenomenon on the pan-University level. “We perceived the anguish that the students faced because of the unofficial

field trips. Those who did not go for the trips would go for the classes, thereby, ruining mass bunk for everyone. We then tried to analyse the reasons
behind this. We figured that those who won’t go did so for two reasons. Either they felt the amount being charged was too high, or they were afraid of missing classes. It was then that we decided to put in this petition, making this an official affair. Therefore, no more failed mass bunks, no more hung-over classes, from now on it’s going to be pure fun,” says Sharvi Maheshwari, the Human Resource Department head of DU Beat and the President of DU Travel Rights Foundation, who came up with the idea of filing the petition.
Now, not only have the field trips been legalised, but the University has also been gracious enough to give out a list of “appreciated places for field trip
visits”, which includes places like Goa, Gangtok, Kullu, Manali, Shimla, among many others. According to sources, Kasol shall also be added in the list
soon. This has brought about a wave of happiness amongst the students. They have already partied with the money they had saved for the trip after stumbling upon this news.
Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted.
Feature Image Credits: Wanderway
Aashish Jain
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Bazinga: Tinderr Adds New Feature of ‘Horoscope Matching and Sharing’

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In the modern world that we live in, there’s always an attempt on the part of app developers to introduce unique features to stand out from the crowd of other apps. In that regard, Tinderr came up with a ‘horoscope sharing and matching’ feature, that allows users to share horoscopes over the platform.

Tinderr now allows users to match their horoscopes with the people they are interested in. Interestingly, the chat box opens up only when at least 16 qualities have matched. One of the developers at Tinderr told DU Beat, “It gives us immense pleasure to announce that Tinderr in India shall work simultaneously with horoscopes. This brings an element of cutting edge innovation to matrimony, yet at the same time, simplify it.”
In the new version of the app, the users are supposed to upload their horoscopes rather than their ‘Bio’. The horoscopes can either be uploaded in the form of a pdf file, or the users can upload their details like place of birth and time of birth, and the app shall get their horoscopes prepared. For this process, Tinderr has tied up with more than 10,000 Pandit jis across the nation. As the user swipes right for a person, the app first checks whether the horoscopes are compatible or not. In case of incompatibilities, the algorithm first checks whether there is any ‘upaay’ to the problem, such as marrying a goat, or even a tree for that matter. Once the ‘kundli doshs’ of both the parties are solved, the chat box opens. Changes have also been made in the ‘expressions’ section. The earlier ‘heart and catapult’ setup has been exchanged with an ‘engagement ring and catapult’ setup. An ‘engagement ring’ from both sides shall lead to the ‘totally comfortable’ conversations across a secluded table in a fancy restaurant with two pairs of parents keeping an eye on the ‘couple’. For its Gold users, Tinderr also provides exquisite deals on fancy banquets.
With this added feature, Tinderr aims to revolutionise the matrimonial horizon altogether. The reception of the users is yet to be accounted for, but there is a wave of extended happiness amongst parents of single youth of the marriageable age.
They see it as a blessing as this saves them from the expense of calling up relatives and saying, “Koi Suitable Ladka/ ladki Ho Toh Dhyaan Rakhna Humara.”

Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted.

Feature Image Credits: The Times of India

Aashish Jain
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Bazinga – Seventh Pay Commission Implemented For DU Teachers

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A long drawn struggle culminated with the authorities implementing the seventh pay commission. Vice Chancellor, Rajeev Javedkar announced the 7th pay commission for all teachers of University of Delhi (DU). The commission would provide a 9% increase in the pay of all teachers.

The director of the Remuneration Managerial Board (RMB), in his statement, said that the government had increased their budget since March. If rather than disrupting classes and protesting, had DUTA tabled a proposal for overall development in a peaceful manner, the issue would have been dealt with earlier. The statement did stir some irritation and unrest among certain teachers, however a predominant feeling of happiness that came after a long successful struggle. Professor Zoya Chaudhry, a Political Science teacher from Lady Shri Ram College For Women said, “Despite being nation builders and educators, our salaries don’t even allow us to access basic amenities, a pay hike at this point is just and a necessity.”

While the mood of the teaching faculty was quite jubilant, a wide range of opinion was brought on the platter by the students. While a number of them sympathise with the teachers, their cause, and talked about how the university needs to further better their conditions, a large number of them were on the opposite end of the spectrum. They felt that teachers bunked classes, weren’t serious about coursework or attendances, barely taught them anything and had a casual attitude so they didn’t understand what the pay hike was for. Sukeerat Kaur Channi, a student of Sri Venkateshwara college stated, “I’m a regular college student yet I’m unaware of who my literature teacher is. An increase in their pay might just encourage this callous attitude.” Yet no talk of mobilisation has come up among those who disagree with this move.

A number of college teachers expressed their jubilation by talking about it in lectures, holding seminars explaining their struggle, having discussions and put across their views regarding the whole saga. The success of this protest has, however, become an inspiration for another section of Delhi university employees, which is the workers and peons in various college. Extremely distressed with their low pays and lack of incentives and services for them, looking up to the success of the teachers’ pay raise, a number of unions have initiated talks to mobilise themselves in a similar manner and push forth their cause to better their lifestyle.

Feature Image Credits: The Indian Express

Bhavika Behal
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Bazinga: DU Releases Details for the Student of the Year Competition

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The University of Delhi will be conducting the Student of the Year Competition for the first time this year. DU Beat brings to you all the important details and updates. 

The University of Delhi (DU) released a notification on its website on Monday, 27 August 2018 specifying the details for a Student of the Year Competition to be held in the varsity for the very first time this year. The competition will be open to all 2nd and 3rd year students across colleges in the University. The minimum qualification criteria according to the website, is a minimum GPA of 7.0 and above, and membership to a minimum of two college societies.
Professor Ritween, Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW), at Delhi University would be in-charge of organising the competition. “The University has introduced a competition like this for the first time and we are positive that it will inculcate a spirit of competition among the students,” she said.
A Student of The Year committee will be set up to judge the various rounds that will be conducted from September to November. Sunita McCain, professor of Economics at Hindu College and Dhira Kopfe, professor of Political Science at Hansraj College will be heading the 11 member committee. “We will ensure that the committee stays free of all personal biases and will try to be as transparent as possible,” they remarked.
The applicants will have to go through five rounds and an intense screening process to make it to the big trophy. Along with the trophy, the university has also promised an academic scholarship worth INR 50 thousand for the winner of the competition.

Applicants will be subject to the following rounds:
1. Screening Process The first round of the competition requires the student to fill an online form and attach their C.V., which can be accessed through the DU website and filled by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, 4 September 2018.
2. General Awareness Test The shortlisted candidates will be required to take a test that checks their general knowledge.
3. Talent Show The third round will require the candidate to display any talent.
4. Sports Round The fourth round will involve three activities: cycling, swimming, and running. The candidate has to excel in all three to qualify for the finals.
5. Jury Round The final round will require the candidate to answer a question asked by a seven member jury. The Student of the Year will be decided according to the result of this round.
In the past two days, students across the University have shown extreme excitement towards the announcement. Manya Kakkar, a third year Maths Honour student at Jesus and Mary College said, “I’m really looking forward to the competition. It’s every Bollywood lover’s dream come true!”

Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted.

 

Feature Image Credits: Dharma Productions

Muskan Sethi

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Bazinga: University of Delhi to Introduce a ‘Gender Neutral Hostel’ by the Next Academic Session

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Continuing its efforts to increase transgender awareness, University of Delhi(DU) announced on Monday its plans to introduce a ‘gender neutral hostel’ by the academic session 2018-19.

It was the year 2015 when DU took a much-needed and critically acclaimed step to introduce a ‘third gender’ category. However, as years passed by, not a single student enrolled and attended regular classes under the category. Acknowledging this, the university’s Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor J.P. Khurana announced on Monday its plans to introduce gender a neutral hostel, along with other initiatives to increase transgender visibility.

‘While pondering the idea of a third gender only hostel, we realized the decision will only end up having segregatory implications. We thought if gender neutral hostels were to be introduced instead, binary students would learn to be more accepting of students of the third gender.’ He said.

The announcement has received mixed reactions from students, some claiming it to be a ‘progressive’ and ‘moral’ decision, while others calling it ‘unnecessary’ and ‘disruptive’.  “I acknowledge the need for trans awareness, but I personally cannot defend such a potentially dangerous decision, especially for girls. How would you make sure that no atrocities happen when you put everyone in the same dorm?” Neha, a resident of Ramjas colleges’ girls hostel told DU Beat.  Professor J.P. Khurana acknowledged this issue, stating that if the decision is confirmed, he’d ensure that ‘safety of the residents remains a priority’.

‘We were aware of the criticism we’d receive when coming up with the idea. However, we thought it’d be in the best of students’ interests if they were to be exposed to third gender on a more recurring basis, and a residential program seems to be obviously the superior way of accomplishing it. It should be noted all necessary steps for the students’ safety will be taken if the decision is to be implemented. Safety of the students remains a priority for us.’ he said

Another concern raised by students is that the decision might only end up backfiring for transgender students. Suspecting that keeping them in the same hostel as trans-phobic students may trigger ‘regular abuse’ and ‘unwanted attention’.  The hostel is rumored to have the ability to accommodate about a hundred students. It is also suspected that hostel charges will be much higher than that of other DU colleges’ hostels.

This wouldn’t be the first time the concept of gender neutral hostels is introduced in India. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai announced this April its intentions to introduce sexless hostels by the next academic session. While the idea of gender neutral hostels sounds appealing, the question here remains that will DU be able to flawlessly introduce and implement the concept or will it only end up becoming another nightmare for transgender students?

Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted!

Rishaj

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Bazinga: Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan to Perform at DU’s ‘Official Freshers Party’

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The Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Delhi (DU) has announced an ‘Official Freshers Party’ (OFP) to welcome the freshers who have been admitted to DU in the academic year 2018-19. The freshers has been slated for the 3rd of August 2018, and the Faculty of Arts in North Campus has been finalised as the venue. The VC of the varsity, made this announcement during a press conference held in his office, on Friday.

Details

Answering queries from members of the press, the professor mentioned that Bollywood celebrities who have graduated from the university, including Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Sidharth Malhotra, and Anurag Kashyap, have consented to be part of the celebrations. He also disclosed that a 12-member Planning Committee, consisting of DU’s Professors (4), former students (4) and members of the DU Students’ Union (4), has been given the responsibility of organising the freshers party.

A string of events has been planned for the occasion. The opening ceremony will be held at 10 a.m., in an open auditorium which has a seating capacity of 800 people. The events lined up for the 2nd include competitions such as ‘Treasure Hunt’ and ‘Couple Dance’. The latter will be judged by Director Anurag Kashyap, an alumnus of Hansraj College, along with Mallika Sherawat, an alumna of Miranda House. The line-up for the evening is star-studded. Sources have revealed that Shahrukh Khan will take to the stage at 7 p.m. and will be performing to the tunes of Bollywood hits such as ‘Baazigar’, ‘Chaiiya Chaiiya’, and ‘Chakde! India’. At 8 p.m., Shaheed Bhagat Singh College alumnus Sidharth Malhotra is expected to perform on the 2016 hit ‘Just Nacho’.

Significantly, the entry to the freshers party would be limited and will be based on a system of manual ticket entry, with each ticket costing INR 1000. The freshers party would be able to accommodate only 800 students. The tickets would be sold on first-come, first-serve basis and the window for the same is expected to open on the 28th of July. Further, the dress code for the party has been established as black for boys and blue for girls.

An official circular has been sent to different college administration departments, instructing them to observe a holiday on the designated day. Notably, some colleges, including St. Stephen’s College and Kamla Nehru College, have reverted back to this circular, seeking permission to hold classes for the 2nd and 3rd year students on the same day. DU Beat would be updating further details of the same shortly.

 

Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted!

Feature Image Credits: Warwicks
Vaibhavi Sharma Pathak

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Bazinga: Kirori Mal College Cancels Farewell For its Graduating Batch

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In an unprecedented development, Kirori Mal College (KMC), affiliated to the University or Delhi (DU), has cancelled its farewell for the graduating class of the academic session 2017-18.

DU Beat was informed about this recent development through an official circular from the Chairman of the college, Mr. Srivedant Desai.

In the circular dated 23rd of April 2018, Mr. Desai has noted, “In a show of support for the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) strike against the new UGC guidelines, the Kirori Mal College Teachers’ Association (KMCTA) in collaboration with the college Students’ Union has jointly decided to withhold every form of celebratory activity within the college premises indefinitely. All department and society farewells along with the college farewell for the graduating batch henceforth stands cancelled.”

While the motive of this decision is aimed towards just dispensation, the same has been criticised by various student quarters of the college. Directing strongly-worded criticism again the Students’ Union, President of the Western Dance Society, Karan Pandey, remarked, “We support the teachers in their struggle again the UGC guidelines, the 30-70 percent formula. However, it was wrong of the Union to take such a decision without consulting with us. The democratic character of the Union would be eroded if the students’ representatives continue to take reckless decisions.”

A group of final year students from Botany Honors and History Honors have decided to demonstrate against this decision, by organising an indefinite hunger strike. The group of protesters, consisting of about 130 to 150 students from the two departments, have occupied the area in front of the entry gate. Mallika, a student protester, told DU Beat, “We have spent 3 years of our lives in this campus. Right from when we were freshers, farewell was something that we all looked forward to. An entire montage of conflicting emotions, ranging from nostalgia to happiness to reverie, would be associated with the word “farewell”. But now, there would be nothing to commemorate the three years spent here. Today, we are protesting against the sheer lack of sensitivity displayed towards our emotions by the people in power.”

Adding on to Mallika’s remarks, Nikhil, President of the department of Botany Honors, said, “We will not move an inch from here until the decision is revoked by the KMCTA and the Students’ Union. If they had pledged to serve our interests when they occupied those positions of power, they must stick to their commitment.”

When the correspondent approached the college Principal for his remarks, he refused to comment on the same. When prodded further by the correspondent, he said, “At this point of time, I wouldn’t want to make a statement on this highly sensitive issue. I will surely revert back to you within a day.”

However, no reversion from the Office of the Principal had occurred since.

In a phone call conversation with the correspondent, the President of the college, Sandeep Samal, responded to the criticism by saying, “Look, we understand that this step is a rather controversial one, and no one expects the final year students to suffer. But until and unless we join in the teachers’ struggle and force the Varsity administration to pay heed to their demands, the DUTA struggle will not make much headway. It is only through real sacrifice that we will see real outcomes.”

As the students go their separate ways, some towards the job market and others towards higher studies, is depriving the graduating batch of 2017-18 of one final day as young, carefree students justified? This conflict of interests between a noble cause on one hand, and the students’ interests on the other, is expected to take a heavy toll on the already fragile nexus between the teachers and students of this significantly “political college”.

Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted!

 

Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Vaibhavi Sharma Pathak

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DUSU Announces a Farewell Festival for Graduating Students This April

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In a surprising move, Delhi University Students’ Union 2017-18 has invited the final year students of all DU colleges to be a part of ”Congraduation 2018”, to celebrate the final semester of the seniors of University of Delhi.

University of Delhi (DU) is renowned for its fest season, which is queued with celebrities in various colleges in the months of February and March. With multiple department fests and society fests around the corner, Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) recently announced to celebrate the euphoria of the last leg of the varsity for final year undergraduate students, currently studying in the sixth semester. This farewell fest is going to be one-of-its-kind, as it is separate from the graduation dinners and farewell parties offered by the respective individual colleges of the varsity. Naming this initiative of as ”Congraduation”, DUSU’s step of congratulating all the graduating studentsis being welcomed and applauded by diverse sections of the University.

Professors who have been DU alumni have appreciated DUSU’s idea of hosting a finale fest for the seniors and expressed regret over losing this opportunity during their senior years. Final year students are enthused over this event, and the sophomores and fresher’s are eager on celebrating their very own last year, once the legacy of ”Congraduation” commences.

The DUSU President informed DU Beat that the tentative dates for the same are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd April, 2018. Presently, the union is deliberating on conducting the festival in Arts Faculty of north campus of the university. DUSU has deployed a sponsorship cell to invite as many sponsors for the event as possible. No comments have been made on who will be gracing the ‘Star Night’ on the last day of Congraduation, but rumours of inviting Arijit Singh on star night and DJ Chetas on the DJ night have already sprung up. The final year students are definitely looking forward to this finale hoopla and surely, Congraduation 2018 has added much charm to their last semester.

Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted!

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Oorja Tapan

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Bazinga: DU to Impose a Dress Code, Bans Feminist and Queer Collectives

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The University of Delhi’s (DU) Administration has decided to make some regulations to “improve the condition of women” studying in the University, which will be enforced from 18th March 2018.

In order to retain women’s dignity, DU has imposed a dress code for all female students to “protect them from the male gaze.” Any woman dressed “indecently” will not be allowed to enter the college premises. One of the professors of DU claims that this decision was made only for the benefit of the female students and it must be respected.

A five-page circular has been released on the official DU website that specifies the dress code according to each season. Just a day after the circular was published, residents of the Rajib Gandhi Hostel for Girls burned the circular outside the warden’s office in protest. Similar news from other hostels also emerged.

Furthermore, in order to put the backbreaking efforts of Gender Sensitization Cells (GSCs), the Women’s Development Cells (WDCs), support groups, etc. to rest, DU has ordered a ban on the creation, functioning, and association with the queer and feminist collectives in all the DU colleges. When asked for a reason, one of the members of the administration made a claim that the history of these groups had been scrutinised before coming to the decision. He further added, “The feminist groups have historically shown a pattern of eventually turning into feminazi squads. Therefore, this decision is crucial in order to protect the minds of innocent female students from getting corrupted.” The ban on queer collectives is further defended by him as an adherence to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Section 292-4 of the IPC (obscenity prevention).

Attacking these rules and the sections on the grounds of being “backward and ambiguous”, the WDCs all around the DU colleges have taken to the streets in protest. Though the women’s colleges were seen in the forefront, groups like Pinjre Tod and Nazariye have also joined hands with the WDCs. Meanwhile, GSCs have called for demonstrations to symbolise that women and the queer community are fully capable of making their own decisions and do not need any binding rules in order to decide for them.

In response to these protests that made the daily functioning of the office difficult, the administration has offered to establish a Redressal Committee headed by three men. However, this has not left the students satisfied. During a protest that took place on Monday outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office, Sheena Rawat, President, WDC, Cluster Innovation Centre, told DU Beat, “The fact that the Redressal Committee is proposed to be headed by an all male panel proves that they have not understood our demands.” “The protests won’t stop till these rules are revoked,” another demonstrator asserted.
Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted!

Feature Image Credits: TA Pinto

Khyati Sanger

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BAZINGA: Proctor agrees Demands to Extend Girls’ Hostel Deadline till 12 am

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In an enormous victory for Pinjra Tod and women across the University of Delhi (DU), hostel timings have now been given a significant extension by the Proctor.

Hostel timings in the University of Delhi (DU) were extended till midnight on Friday in order to “reclaim public spaces for women” according to the Proctor, in agreement to the demands of student activism groups like Pinjra Tod amongst others. Divya, a senior Pinjra Tod member spoke of the accomplishment, “This is a landmark move which would remove patriarchal and unconstitutional curfew from all women’s hostels”. The move came after months of lobbying with the administration undertaken by the feminist collective. Regarding the same, the Proctor announced, “We’ve agreed to one of their demands of extending the hostel deadlines till midnight, for a  trial period of 6 months. If all goes well, we’ll bring this into force permanently. ”

However, not all political circles accepted this decision. The Delhi unit of ABVP issued a statement against this “injudicious” statement of the “misguided” Proctor. The State Secretary said, “It is not our culture to allow women to stay out until odd hours of the night. We will not allow this heinous breakdown of our culture.” Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, has gone a step ahead and organised a hunger strike against the Proctor’s decision. The members of the wing have set up a makeshift pavilion in front of the Faculty of Arts, wherein they would hold their strike. On a phone call conversation with the correspondent, Rajat Pandey, Chief of Bajrang Dal said, “This imbecilic move of the Proctor will only lead to reckless behaviour by couples, which might have outcomes as drastic as unwanted pregnancies. Girls from respectable families shouldn’t be allowed to move around at night. We must be cautious of mindlessly imbibing Western culture.” He further asserted, “We won’t stop our hunger strike until this impetuous development is revoked.”

The All Students’ Parents’ Association (ASPA) held a press conference wherein its internal frictions surfaced. Responding to queries from the press, the Secretary said, “The association thinks that it’s a progressive step, and shall strive to ensure that the required safety measures are taken to facilitate the same.” On the other hand, when the President was questioned on the level of comfort that parents feel in respect to this resolution, he said, “To be honest, the comfort level is zero. Parents from all over the country strive to get their girls into the hostel in the hope that they’d be safe. If the administration is insensitive enough to disregard the fears of parents living thousands of miles away, we spit on that administration.”

So far, the consensus on the decision in terms of public reaction is still not out. While some people find the decision revolutionary in terms of putting women and men on equal fronts, while others see it as a deliberate attack on our culture and values.

 

Disclaimer: One of our most beloved features, Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted!

Feature Image Credits: Women’s Web

Vaibhavi Sharma Pathak

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