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Bazinga: DU Beat Awarded DU Chakra by University of Delhi for Contribution to Student Journalism

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On 31 January 2018, DU Beat organised Mushaira 2018 in collaboration with Hindu College. A literature and journalism fest, Mushaira also commemorated the benefaction of DU Beat as India’s largest student-run newspaper. The ceremony took place under the dignified presence of the esteemed administration of the University of Delhi.

Journalism requires the highest code of ethical conduct with integrity being its cornerstone. Student journalism, though sometimes considered irrelevant, is a creative pursuit of young minds who want to indulge into their campus surroundings and explore the innovative contours of their mind and their pens. Students, by traversing through layouts, stories, coverage, and graphics, learn to appreciate the spirit of integrity which is concomitant with journalism. With the DU School of Journalism being inaugurated this year, the University of Delhi has decided to shoulder efforts of student media outlets and presented its first-ever DU Chakra. The award was given to DU Beat on its completion of 10 years on 31 January at Mushaira.

DU Beat started as an experiment in 2007 with only a few print copies distributed at Lady Shri Ram College for Women and St. Stephen’s College. It achieved full shape in 2008, undergoing several shifts in form and display, be it through print or web. The team eventually came to consist of the University’s best talent as correspondents, graphic designers, photographers, and videographers, aided with a full functioning team of human resources and marketing from the various colleges of the varsity. The independent student newspaper went through its own trials and tribulations, striving to bring out the real and core issues of the campus and serve as the youth’s mouthpiece. Vineeta Rana, editor of DU Beat, thanked all the previous teams of the organisation for carrying on this 10-year journey. She also acknowledged this year’s team for bringing their creative energies together consistently throughout the year. Srivedant Kar, associate editor of DU Beat, extended gratitude to the administration of Delhi University for recognising DU Beat’s efforts as an authentic campus media outlet. Anagha Rakta, Head of Web at DU Beat, was almost in tears on stage while being handed the DU Chakra.

In his keynote address at Mushaira, Dr. Shashi Tharoor exalted the DU Beat team’s efforts and wished for another splendid 10 years of DU Beat at the University of Delhi. The entire team felt deeply moved, revered, and honoured with his praise and asked for his blessings to continue excelling in journalism.

With DU Beat completing a decade of youth representation, all members associated with it, both current and former, expressed their deepest gratitude to the platform and to the student population for building a space within the University to enact change.

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!

 

Image Credits: DU Beat

Oorja Tapan
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Bazinga: Virgin Tree of Hindu College to be Cut Down

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Worshipping the Virgin Tree at Hindu College has been a ritual for a long time now. However, this quirky tradition is scorned by the conservatives.

The Virgin Tree is the oldest member of Hindu College and has witnessed the Valentine’s Day celebrations, Puja of Damdami Mata, and the water-filled condoms hung from its branches. From Deepika Padukone to Disha Patani, famous Bollywood actresses have been treated as the Damdami Mata to be worshipped. The University of Delhi, apart from the excellence in academic performances, is also famous for the liberal multitude. This fun, amusing, and somewhat problematic tradition is also a way to spread awareness about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and the use of protection while sexual intercourse.

In the time of toning down of sex education and condom advertisement bans, keeping up with this fascinating culture of Hindu College seems difficult. Bajrang Dal has been in the headlines since a long time for chasing away couples who were seen in public. This time, they have targeted the practices of adorning the Virgin Tree of Hindu College and the Damdami Mata Puja.

Bajrang Dal has been planning to uproot the Virgin Tree, bringing an end to the “obscene” culture of the westernised populace. They intend to inculcate “Indian morales” in the students and prohibit the celebrations of Valentine’s Day altogether. According to the sources, they went to an extent to discuss this matter with the Vice Chancellor of DU, Yogesh K. Tyagi, and the Principal of Hindu College, Dr. Anju Srivastava. On the issue, a professor of Hindu College quoted, “Our students have enjoyed this liberty of campaigning and spreading awareness on AIDS. This has been a mirthful tradition with a purpose that must not be ended.”

When asked about this interference to a member of Bajrang Dal, he said, “We must not forget our values. What must be restricted to the bedroom, should never come about in the public, and that too among students. Studying in DU is prestigious, but students must never forget their role and indulge in such detestable practices.”

“The Students’ Union got involved much later in the issue,” said a student. Bajrang Dal members tried working with the “elders” first, and then include the students. The decision to fell the Virgin Tree is halfway taken. The final call is yet to be taken by the students. It is also feared that the felling of the tree will lead to protests and create chaos, hence the conclusion hasn’t been made yet. So, this year may be the last of the captivating practice in DU.

*Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is a humorous, light-hearted column that should only be appreciated and not accepted.

 

Feature Image Credits: Stories Feed
Radhika Boruah
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Bazinga: Delhi University to Clear All Back Papers of Students

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As a part of University of Delhi’s Republic Day gift, the backlogs of all students from their previous university examination will be removed, with effect from the November-December 2017 semester exam results.

In an attempt to pacify the increasingly growing crowd of students failing, the Executive Council of Delhi University came up with the idea of clearing the pending backlogs of students from the immediately preceding semester. Following this declaration on Monday, some students were seen rejoicing the decision, while others were visibly distressed about the unprecedented spike in marks and subsequent competition this decision would bring.

However, after probing into the matter, DU Beat found that this decision is not devoid of conditions. A student can only clear his/her backlogs provided the attendance in that particular subject in the last semester exceeds 85%. The rationale employed behind this is to credit the daily commitment of the few students who are willing to work, and despite of their hard work are unable to perform well in the university examinations. The backlog would be cleared and the student would be given a 4 grade point for that subject, that is, the minimum passing marks. This move has received flak from the student community and teachers alike, and has necessitated an urgent inquiry by the Human Resources ministry into the underlying facets of the Delhi University examinations.

Radhika Boruah, a student majoring in Economics at Daulat Ram College has objected to this resolution. She has asserted that this step disregards a bright student’s efforts and places them in the same category as those who are less deserving. On the other hand, Niharika Dabral, a student at Cluster Innovation Center (CIC) has contended that this opportunity is available to those who genuinely put efforts into studying and still are not able to score as much, or fail because of unforeseen circumstances.

Since this rebound is available only to a selected few, it is bound to create hullabaloo in the University campus. North Campus was seen brimming with protests demanding a roll back of this sudden “gift”. Many student political outfits have lead protests and have roped in teachers’ associations as well. Delhi University Teaching Staff (DUTS) has lent its support for these protest marches and have written to the Executive Council to demand an urgent probe into the matter. Desh Singh, a member of DUTS has also sent a written appeal to the concerned government officials. He has stated that this is a mala fide attempt by the DU officials to appease to the student masses and not aimed at their actual benefit. DU Beat tried reaching out to these officials to no avail. Considering the current heated atmosphere, there is high likelihood that the government will force DU to roll back this decision, or clarify the contents of this “gift” on an urgent basis.

*Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is a humorous, light hearted column that should only be appreciated and not accepted.

 

Feature Image Credits: PinArt

Vijeata Balani

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Delhi University Results Postponed by at least a Month

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The announcement of delayed results has indefinitely spread waves of shock among students across the university. DU Beat has reached out to DU officials to confirm the veracity of all claims.

In a startling revelation, the officials of University of Delhi (DU) have confirmed that results for the semester-end examinations conducted over the months of November-December 2017 will be postponed by at least a month, thereby delaying the process indefinitely. It has been classified as a means of retaliation against Delhi Government’s inordinate delay in the release of funds to pay salaries to DU’s teaching staff. Last month, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association President and Secretary had written to Manish Sisodia, the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi to appeal to release funds for the 28 DU colleges that are either partially or fully funded by it. This contentious issue stems from the delay by DU in the formation of a governing body for these 28 colleges.

The Dean of University Examinations confirmed the news, as released by sources. In a press statement released by him, he explained the gravitas of the situation and contended that the issue has extended for far too long to be controlled by them anymore. Teachers have unanimously decided to not check any university papers unless they receive an official update by the Delhi Government regarding the release of funds. Rashmi Gurzhou, a teacher at one of DU’s colleges, said “Our positions have been undermined and our personal lives are jeopardised due to the lack of salaries to cover daily expenses”. Despite their seemingly obvious disconnect with the formation of a Governing Body, most teachers have to bear the brunt of the University’s nonchalant behavior.

However, political pundits have accused the university officials of concealing the actual, inconspicuous reasons behind this delay by putting DUTA’s strike into the limelight, and henceforth not taking any action to curb it. One popular theory is that teachers are thoroughly disappointed with the quality of answer scripts. A few teachers, who had begun with the process of correction before DUTA called for a strike to protest, were apparently shocked by the level of degradation of answer quality even among those students who hail from reputable colleges. As an instinctive response, they disbanded from the process and shrunk from this responsibility, letting go of the opportunity to earn a few extra bucks. Some conspiracy theorists have gone a step further to theoritise the possibility of a fire in the vicinity of checking hall, which burnt the answer scripts.
Niharika Dabral, a student at DU was ecstatic when this news was announced, and said, “I’m a hundred percent sure that the DU authorities are trying to cover a goof-up. Either way, I’m happy.” Many others, unfortunately, do not share the same perspective. After writing several times to the VC’s office, a few student groups are preparing to approach the Delhi High Court now.

**Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is a humorous, light hearted column that should only be appreciated and not accepted.

 

Feature Image Credits: EduPristine

Vijeata Balani
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Bazinga: DU Instructs Students to Don White on Anti-Black Money Day

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India’s economic sphere was at the epicenter of administrative functions and the ripples of reaction which went through the Indian populace on November 8th, 2016. The honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in an unanticipated move, declared the scrapping off of INR 500 and INR 1,000 currency notes from circulation. The leader heralded this decision to be a hail mary cure for black money while introducing the new INR 500 and INR 2,000 denomination notes. This landmark decision has been engraved in the history of India as the celebration of the Anti-Black Money Day.

Ahead of the first-anniversary celebration and the subsequent notation, the University of Delhi has decided to acknowledge the economic revolution by pitching in the celebrations. In a press conference held on 3rd November, the Vice Chancellor announced that all students will be required to wear only white clothes on the Anti-Black Money Day, that is 8th November. He went on to cite the reason for this sartorial decision. “As our country gears up to celebrate honourable PM’s milestone decision, DU encourages its students to show reverence and appreciation for his efforts and the consequent positive changes it has led to. As a show of solidarity and unification, all students are requested to wear clothes in white colour on a momentous day.”

While DU’s association with this noble endeavour is laudable, the reaction from the student community has again been tepid and enthused in varying proportions. Vineeta Rana, a third-year student at Daulat Ram College, remarks on this forced decision, “Demonetisation as an economic process has invited mixed reactions and its success still remains questionable. To celebrate a decision which has harmed people in equal numbers, by making it mandatory to wear a certain colour on 8th November is nothing short of autocracy. By joining the white-wagon, our voices will be forced to join the clamour of unfair politics.” However, Kartik Kher from College of Vocational Studies believes that this step will link education with politics. He says, “The idea of standing by our country and appreciating the positive changes is extremely necessary for progress. DU’s decision to be a part of the celebrations is beyond clothes and colour, it’s symbolic of how education will continue to be affected by the nature of socio-political climate in the country. We, as dutiful citizens and students, ought to respect the same.”

Demonetisation was set out to be a scheme aimed at uprooting the clutches of corruption and black money. One year since its implementation, the challenges and milestones still remain to be tackled with and achieved.

Feature Image Credits: Scroll.in

Saumya Kalia
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DU VC passes order for student parties to distribute educational freebies

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Following a historical decision, you can now expect student political parties to hand out pens and notebooks for your vote.

 

In a latest press conference, the University of Delhi’s Vice Chancellor has sent out an order to political parties which states that they can distribute freebies legally, however, only one day preceding the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections. This decision comes right before the polls that are set to be conducted on 12th September this year. When the VC, Satish Saraf, was approached to reason this historical decision, he said, “The DUSU elections happen in an arbitrary manner as no political party follows the Lyngdoh Committee’s guidelines anyway. Through this reform, we plan to introduce transparency in the system.” This report, however, is incomplete without the numerous terms and conditions it clearly states; which need to be followed as protocol to distribute freebies legally. A few of these conditions are:

 

  1. Political parties can only distribute freebies on only one day, that day being at least one week prior to elections.
  2. Political parties can distribute only education related freebies like pens, registers, books and other similar items that add to the welfare of students.
  3. If the political party is found  distributing alcohol or weed, its candidate would be prosecuted and disqualified to contest the elections with immediate effect.
  4. No printed posters can be put up. This is in accordance with orders given by the National Green Tribunal(NGT) to encourage a poster-less and digital campaign.
  5. A maximum cap of 5000 INR would be set so that parties with lesser funds have no complaints.
  6. To help students make an informed decision, all those parties that partake inthe distribution of freebies are expected to arrange for seminars and workshops, wherein they explain in detail the functioning of DUSU and delineate the actions they will take to achieve all points in their manifestos.

 

Two schools of thoughts have emerged from this landmark decision- one which strongly opposes this decision, and one which stands in staunch support for it.

A second year student of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College under condition of anonymity, said, “I think the DU VC has gone berserk. His decision places small, genuine parties to a major disadvantage and ensures that parties with large funding get abundant visibility.”

However, not everybody harbours the same viewpoint. Avni Bansal, President of Sangharsh Yuva Parishad is of the view that this decision will transform elections for the better. In conversation with DU Beat, she said,  “Everybody knows that use of muscle power cannot be removed from elections. But, this can definitely be put to good use for the welfare of students. Students belonging to lower economic backgrounds can benefit immensely from this opportunity”

 

While we already have protests from opposition parties against this decision, the executive council has been tabled to discuss reforms in DUSU budget as well. Whether the decision will face a roll back or actual implementation, only time will tell.

Feature Image Credits: Cloudapp

Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is a humorous, light hearted column that should only be appreciated and not accepted.

Vijeata Balani

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Bazinga- DU to give out reserved category seats through management quota

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By the next academic year, aspirants may get admission in Delhi University even if they score a 60%. Here’s how.

 

Starting next academic year, the University of Delhi is all set to introduce management quota in lieu of conducting special admissions drive for seats left vacant under the reserved category. This change comes as a much needed respite for both students and officials involved in the admissions procedure. A special admissions officer under the condition of anonymity, said, “The admissions committee believes that the recently concluded special admissions drive for reserved category students was a futile effort. It’s better to give out seats than leave them unoccupied.”

 

This move also comes as a blessing in disguise for the 28 DU colleges whose funding was recently discontinued by the Delhi Government. Adding to the widely discussed issue, the Executive Council announced that the University is slowly inching towards self-financing. The council has not yet resolved to remove the clause of funding by University Grants Commission (UGC) from the Delhi University Act, but has amended existing ordinances in favour of management seats.

 

With the introduction of management quota, funding for DU colleges will no longer remain an issue. According to research analysts, the cost of a single seat at a prestigious college’s coveted course can cost around 10 lakhs, or even more, depending on the demand. The academic council has not fixed any criteria for application, and hence it will entirely be on the basis of money and not merit. Over 5000 seats go empty every year after the 6th and 7th lists, and if you do simple math, the money received from this would be immense.

 

Unfortunately, a full-fledged quota with a fixed percentage like those observed in private colleges will not be implemented any soon. Only the sparse vacant seats that had originally been allotted to reserved category candidates will be given out. This is because introduction of seats given out under the discretion of the management implies privatisation, which would ‘tarnish’ Delhi University’s image as a premier institution for higher studies. Moreover, such a move would invite legal trouble for the university.

 

While most DU aspirants are welcoming the decision, the existing students are full of apprehensions. Most 2nd and 3rd year students are under the impression that implementation of a management quota would also result in greater autonomy for colleges, which may lead to a subsequent fee hike across all courses. One of the 3rd year students said, “I wish to see a revamped version of the shabby infrastructure of my college. I really hope the rumours about higher fees are false, though. ”

 

The solution posed to fill vacant reserved seats is definitely interesting, but chances are that it would lead to extreme complications. An incline towards a self-financing model means lack of transparency and a slow, consequent privatisation of the institution. The legacy of Delhi University as a premier government funded body might die soon, if the matter goes out of hand. We can, nevertheless, expect better infrastructure and facilities, and fewer pamphlets of touts claiming to give aspirants a seat in the course and college of their choice.

 

Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times

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Bazinga- Patanjali College to be started under DU this year, admissions begin in August

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Having launched a range of herbal and organic products like Patanjali shampoo, conditioner, face wash, oil and even noodles, the list of Baba Ramdev’s products under Patanjali Ayurved is longer than Shankar Mahadevan’s song, Breathless. Therefore, with his never-ending determination to promote traditional remedies and culturally rooted practices, his new mission now is to provide remedy for the dysfunctional and diluting education system of the country by opening a college under the University of Delhi. Already being touted as an innovative venture, the college will be called YUVA, short for Yoga and Ayurveda Academy and will be located near the newly built DDUC campus area in Dwarka.

 

From B.A with Yoga Science, B.Sc in Yoga to PG Diploma in Yoga, M.A in Sanskrit Literature, Tourism Management and more, the college promises a variety of off-beat courses for students to enrol in. Speaking to us on a condition of anonymity, an administrative staff member of the soon to be established college said, “Guru ji has started a great social change and bringing that change from Haridwar’s holy city to a metropolitan like Delhi was necessary seeing the social fabric of India diluting day by day. We are going to revolutionise the sphere of education with this college. Here traditions, culture and the ‘Bhartiya sanskriti’ will not only be preserved but also practiced.”

 

Since sanskriti must begin at home, in order to engage in the ’swadeshikaran’ of the youth’s ‘pehnawa’ boys will have to drape saffron robes while girls will adorn salwar-kameez as uniform., our sources tell us. The canteen will be ‘shuddh shakahari’ and insiders tell us that instead of having a college fest like other DU colleges, YUVA will have an annual ‘Yoga Shivir’ . To compensate for the star night, the yoga exponent’s ardent fan Shilpa Shetty Kundra will grace the stage, showcasing yoga asanas for her fans.

 

At this crucial hour, when many colleges are wanting to gain autonomy from DU, with this, we sincerely hope that by providing a remedy for anything and everything, Baba doesn’t end up getting a taste of his own medicine.

 

Image credits: Youth Ki Awaaz

 

**Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is a humorous, light hearted column that should only be appreciated and not accepted.

 

Riya Chhibber

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University of Delhi to Reward Colleges with Top Fests

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Bazinga

The University of Delhi recently announced that colleges with the best fests his season will receive grants in the form of financial aid and higher NAAC rankings.

 

 

On 20 February 2017, the University Grants Commission (UGC) revealed that DU colleges must put in their best this spring as the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) will now also rank the annual fests of each college. This notice comes in light of University authorities realising that immense effort, both by students and teachers, goes into making the fests grand and entertaining for the student community.

The motivation behind rewarding colleges with the most successful fests is to promote the culture of commitment and hard work amongst students. An official of the UGC, Mr Sankalp Bharti, stated, “The students do excellent work around the year, but they are at their best during the fest season. We want to reward this behaviour. DU fests are just like DU academics – both require months of preparation.” While most students probably disagree with this comparison, it’s no secret that the students’ unions of colleges spend weeks in stress, ensuring the highest level of entertainment possible.

The UGC stated that it will give financial grants to colleges that have the best fests so as to provide the colleges and students with the incentives to conduct similarly successful fests in the future. DU is popular for its fest culture and draws huge traction as a result of star-studded evenings and celebrity performances. To maintain this reputation, the UGC has also added the likelihood of an increased NAAC rating for the colleges that come out on top this fest season. The college authorities often care more about external official rankings such as those of NAAC as opposed to providing the students with a memorable fest. For this reason, the UGC has decided to use NAAC as an incentive for better fests.

According to the notice, fests will be rated across a number of criteria. These include the audience turnout, the number of sponsored stalls, the total amount of cash prizes for all winners of the fest, and the amount paid to the star performers. A holistic analysis of all these parameters will then reveal which colleges qualify to receive their reward. While the details are yet to be finalised, there are already rumours that out of the top three colleges which will receive financial grants, the institution on top will receive an automatic A in the NAAC rankings. With regard to the fests that have already taken place this year, such as Tarang, Reverie, and Montage, the UGC officials reassured that they will take into consideration that these colleges were unaware of the new rule. Mr Sankalp Bharti stated that these fests will not suffer unfairly, and that they will be judged according to more relaxed criteria.

Let’s see whether the new move by the University will increase fest standards. Good luck to the upcoming fests!

 

 

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

 

 

Image Credits: DU Beat

 

 

Vineeta Rana

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Bazinga: Delhi University to Celebrate Valentine’s Day This Year

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In a shock to the moral policing groups who often spread hooliganism in the name of protecting the culture and religion of the country, the University of Delhi has decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day in North Campus this year. Surprisingly, the various departments of the University were accommodative of the planning for the celebration. “It is a day for young people, we don’t have any business in there”, said one Professor, who was a member of the committee which gave the final go-ahead for the event.

The celebrations which will be held at the Vice Chancellor lawns, a popular hangout spot for young couples will include heart-shaped balloons and rose petal showers in half hour intervals from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Since the event is not related to any academic work, the officials in the finance department are working on how to arrange funds for the event. “We have approached a couple of companies. They have been positive”, said one official on conditions of anonymity. Another official said that “Archies has even agreed to sponsor the entire event so it won’t be a problem.”

As an elaborate plan to celebrate this occasion, the University has planned to ask its constituent colleges to celebrate the occasion in their respective campuses. A notification will be issued to them asking them to mark a tree in their campus and hold functions around it, like the popular ‘V Tree Puja’ held in Hindu College. “We are ready to help in every way possible if DU wants to spread this culture to other colleges” said one of the members of the Hindu hostel team which plans on celebrating ‘V Tree Puja’ this year too.

“The main motive of the event is to waive the rumors that saffronization has spread in our academic spaces” said another faculty member who was a member of a Left party during his student days. Throwing a barb on the ruling party, he said that “universities were progressive and free spaces, and they shall remain so irrespective of the party in power.”

However, the event has not gone down well with the National Saffron Vidyarthi Association, which represents the right-wing government in university politics. “We will organise a day-long protest to oppose such spread of western ideas which harm our national culture”, said a member of the association.

 

(Disclaimer: Bazinga is a column of believably fake news that you should enjoy, strictly not to be believed!)

Image Credits: DU Beat

 

Srivedant Kar

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