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The Rants and Preachiness of a Student Storyteller; Shaurya Thapa’s DU Beat Biopic Pitch; Signing Off Web Editor 2019-2020

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Here are a few words by the Heads at DU Beat, sharing the experiences which built their journey, as they bid adieu to this family. While this journey comes to an end, the memories last forever, Shaurya Thapa, Web Editor 2019-2020, shares his honest words with us.

All right, all right, all right, where do I start? I joined DU Beat aka DUB aka DU ‘Beats’ (as some people call it) in my second year. I was a closeted kid in school, in the sense that I didn’t question or observe many things around me. I didn’t do that cause’ I never cared about what’s happening.

Then, some amount of maturity did come to my head in College. That way, I feel blessed that I got a shot to study in North Campus. I saw a lot of anger, bitterness, communal emptiness. Everyone seemed to have their own issues. I interacted with rebels, closeted rebels, intellectuals, pseudo-intellectuals, artists, academics, Vella observers, potheads, extremists, radicals, feminists, sexists, bigots, pacifists, everyone. And everyone had a different story to tell.

I took a course called B.A. History (Hons) and while I don’t aim to be an IAS officer (like many History students from Hindu College become) or a Historian, I did get inspired by the scribes that I have read about in the history of various empires. I became a storyteller, a communicator of the different tales that the different subjects of the kingdom of North Campus told me.

And that’s what prompted me to join DUB, a place where I got to learn new things. I started questioning the morality behind institutions, protests, people, ideals, and a lot of other concepts.

It has been quite a trip under people like Niharika Dabral (ex-Associate Editor of DU Beat, fun fact-she’s the one who took my interview) and Rishabh Gogoi (ex-Head of Photography) and correspondents like Priyanshu and Faizan.

Now, let’s get to the other side. Throughout my tenure as a Correspondent and the Web Editor, I have also got a mock corporate culture-like session from DUB. I have realised that there are people who can snitch on you, who can betray your trust, be problematic and hypocritical, etc. It’s funny to see some people in the team who post all consciously woke feminist stories on their Instagram, who click photos or write reports on pride parades.

But then at the same time, these very same people might not think twice before using words like a ‘chakka’ as a funny slur, people who might feel that ‘Harassment toh hota rehta hai. Why should we issue a note that Stan Lee was allegedly involved in harassment cases on the day he died? We should respect his legacy’, people who would ‘slut-shame’ fellow people and judge them by their preferences in men, women, or whomsoever involved. Fights, ‘bitch fights’, ‘behind-the-back’ fights, I have observed enough people with their share of this in DU Beat at times.

All I’m saying is that maybe such differences in opinion and problematic behaviour might be common in society. All we can do is maturely handle such matters and try speaking up whenever possible. In some cases, I have been a silent observer and I will have my regrets for those times.

On the positive note, some of the double-faced/problematic people that I faced have actually improved a little over the past few months. And I’m really glad about that. The others who are still ‘dheet’, I just pity those lost souls.

Anyway, enough with the preachiness and the rants, I should now start thinking about my future. Being the Web Editor of India’s largest student newspaper was just a baby step. Now if I graduate (whenever I pass after the global pandemic ends), I might aim to be a bigger storyteller.

Signing Off,

Shaurya Singh Thapa

Web Editor 2019-20

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DUB Speak

On Goodbyes and Lessons Learned: Signing Off, Print Editor 2019-2020

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Here are a few words by the Heads at DU Beat, sharing the experiences which built their journey, as they bid adieu to this family. While this journey comes to an end, the memories last forever. Anushree Joshi, Print Editor 2019-2020, shares her honest words with us. 

In an Instagram live session with singer-songwriter Ali Sethi, renowned lyricist, writer, and stand-up comic Varun Grover said something which I’ve taken the liberty to paraphrase here – we miss places only after we have left them behind. As I sit here today, thinking about saying some profound parting words as the Print Editor, I am unable to feel a kick of overwhelming nostalgia – partly because I’m not a very sentimental person, and partly because I’m eager to see what comes next for me, outside the mind-numbingly time-consuming and not-for-profit shenanigans of DU Beat.

Let’s call a spade a spade because being a part of this team takes a lot of dedication and patience. I remember being in 12th grade, over-dependent and over-enthusiastically invested in every news update or graphic DU Beat put up because they were the most reliable source for all the information that sustains an anxious high-schooler and a Delhi University aspirant. I knew I had to be there, so I applied to DU Beat immediately after applying to DU, and the rest – as the cliché goes – is history. Never in those moments of peak worry about making the cut in their editorial team did I imagine I would be so invested in something that didn’t even pay me back. However, I also didn’t imagine that I would ever be recognised as the ‘Print Editor’ in the halls of my college, and across DU.

In this daunting vast sphere of diversity, DU Beat gave me a lot of nauseous panic-worthy days, but it also provided me with a stable center to come home to. There may be a lot this organisation has to learn in terms of team diversity, intersectionality, and sometimes empathy too – but it gives one some takeaways for the ages too. In working with excellent designers, photographers, correspondents, and resource-persons across the University, I somewhere became a little more capable. From brainstorming memes to microscopically sifting through PDFs for alignment errors, from dancing at fests to negotiating with the most headstrong authorities, from cursing WordPress as a copyeditor to breaking stories at student protests – DU Beat is the hub of lessons I didn’t even know I needed. There have been a lot of sleepless nights and tiring weekends that I lost to DU Beat, but I gained the ineffable pleasure of holding a newspaper, week after week, and knowing that I had been instrumental in creating it from scratch.

If you are reading it as a DU Beat-aspirant or as a current DUBster, I don’t want to paint a rosy lie and say that there is nowhere else you would enhance your skills in writing, editing, reporting, designing, photography, etc. But I can take a gamble and claim that it won’t be an experience as agency-giving as working with a bunch of students who don’t know everything they are doing, but they figure it nonetheless (and how). DU Beat is a memorable place for friendships and relationships for many – I found some great people along the way too, but the most significant difference this organisation made in my life – and can make in yours too – is the power to believe that I can learn and I can create something, for the ages.

 

Signing off,

Anushree Joshi

Print Editor 2019-2020

 

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DUB Speak

With a Heavy Heart: Signing off, Head of Marketing 2019-2020

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On 15th October 2017 I was at a family function when I asked my cousin brother who was the director of DU Beat then that I wanted to join DU Beat. My initial plan was to join DU Beat as a photographer and learn. But my cousin suggested that I should go for marketing. Never thought that that suggestion will change my life forever.

I sent my resume (which was not that great) to my cousin and he then forwarded it to the then marketing head, Saim Akhtar. It took almost two months for me to clear all the rounds due to my laziness. But thanks to the patience of Abhilasha Gandhi (Head of Media operations 2017-18) and Ayushi Singhal (Head of HR 2017-18) I was recruited in DUB on 7th January 2018.

I have been a part of DUB for almost two and a half years. Have worked with three teams and more than 100+ people. My journey in DUB was nothing short of a roller coaster. When I joined the marketing team there were eight members in the team (including me) and I was the youngest amongst all.

The month I joined DUB organised their very own fest called Mushaira. Mushaira was one of the best things that happened to me in DUB. In Mushaira I handled my very own gaming stall which witnessed a footfall of more than 200+ gamers. I met rest of the departments then I bonded with them immediately. That’s the thing about DUB no matter where you are from or what you are studying you’ll fit right in. So did I.

In DUB, I always got a weird stare whenever someone got to know that I was doing Maths honors. But to be honest, I have spent majority of my college time with DUB peeps rather than studying maths. And I have no regret or remorse. I have no idea when DUB became a family from a team.

In October 2018, I went to Goa with the DUB fam for covering Waves, the cultural fest of BITS Goa. No matter wherever I go, Goa will always remain the best trip of my life. I slept for 12-15 hours in five days. From seeing sunset at Baga beach to seeing sunrise at Dona Paula we didn’t realise how that time passed away. I have been to so many places with DUB fam that I never thought I will ever go and hopefully we’ll go and explore more places.

In marketing, it took me six months to get my first deal signed. I was a little demotivated but after signing my first deal I was very happy. I learned everything about marketing from my cousin sister and also my mentor, Kriti Gupta. She scolded whenever I messed up and taught me how to avoid doing the same mistakes in the future. Without her guidance and training I don’t think I would have made a good executive. I closed roughly around 15 deals for the organisation. One thing I learnt in marketing is that patience is the key. It’s like you have to chase a client for weeks and after the completion of the campaign you still have to chase them for weeks to get the payment. This I can say that I definitely became a patient person.

The best thing about my job was that it required less field work as compared to other departments but at the same time this was the worst thing. Reason being you sometimes get bored at home waiting for leads to come and you were hardly coordinating with anyone. Things went like this for almost an year. Our meetings never took place with other departments so hardly anyone knew us. But I went to almost every fest and I met everyone there. I spent more time at fest with DUB team rather than attending classes at college. In a media organization, marketing team is the one which works behind the camera. Hardly anyone knows us but without us, the organisation cannot run. It’s like we are the back bone of the organisation. However, without the hardwork of other departments we won’t be able to sell ad spaces on our platforms.

On 9th April 2019, I was elected as the new marketing head for the tenure 2019-20. This was the first time I was going to lead a time of my own. Under me, I trained three talented executives who have so much potential in them. I tried to help them whenever I can and helped them reach their targets. I never thought that from being a rookie to becoming a head I’ll learn so much. But thanks to DUB, I learned a lot.

I’ll miss a lot of things about DU Beat, like Monday meetings, seeing other departments stress over print cycle, tapri sessions and attending fests. I don’t think I’ll be able to get the same joy that I got from DUB from any other organisation. But as all things comes to an end my journey with DUB also did. I never thought that my tenure will end without a farewell. DUB farewells are the most memorable things. I have given two farewells and this time it was my turn to get a farewell. Because of the pandemic that’s going on my dream of getting a farewell will remain a dream. But it’s okay as at this moment surviving is more important than a farewell.

I hope to stay in touch with all the beautiful souls that I have worked with and probably I’ll crash one or two Monday meetings.

I wish the new heads all the best for their tenure.

Signing off,

Deepesh Varshney 

Head of Marketing, 2019-2020

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With a Heavy Heart: Signing Off, Head of Photography 2019-2020

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Here are a few words by the Heads at DU Beat, sharing the experiences which built their journey, as they bid adieu to this family. While this journey comes to an end, the memories last forever. Vaibhav Tekchandani, Head of Photography, who has been one of the warmest and friendliest faces also helped us reach new heights under his leadership. Read on to see his farewell note for the session 2019-2020. 

My journey at DU Beat began in September 2018, of course, this was after I was rejected by my Head of Photography, Akarsh Mathur, who thought I would not be able to give time to the organisation. I don’t know what happened after that, but it didn’t feel like the end of my journey at DU Beat, so I applied again. After clearing the interview round with a positive result, I was a member of a team that had so much to give to me.

Starting from Village Area, my gaon, that gave me a family, gave me love. In the beginning my concern was that since I joined late, the team might not be as open to a new member since strong bonds and friendships were already formed. However, as and when I joined, the whole team was so welcoming I cannot explain it in words. It was overwhelming.

I am not a guy who attends college, therefore, college life meant nothing to me until my 1st year but then I joined DUB in my 2nd year and that is what made me realise the actual essence of college life. It gave meaning to the whole ‘DU Culture’ that I had not yet experienced. I never really looked forward to Mondays until Monday meetings at 4 pm became a thing (let’s just say I was there at sharp on time to make me look extra responsible).

DU Beat as a whole taught me a great deal, it taught me how to get yourself into the barricades with just your confidence, taught me to work in a dynamic environment and with not just the photographers but all the departments at once. From being a photographer to be an unofficial bouncer, I’ve seen it all and I can’t be happier about the people I have seen it with. To add to it and for a little more effect, let’s just say they’re magic beans to my jack.

The next tenure when I was appointed as the Head of Photography, it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, to lead a complete photography team in such a big media organisation paved a way for one of the best journeys that I’ll cherish forever. I honestly could not have asked for a better team. All I ever hoped was to be as good as my former Head of Photography, Akarsh Mathur, if not more.

I’m super proud of my team and they are a bunch of the most talented people I’ve come across. DU Beat has made me a better photographer, filmmaker, and mentor. It has given me new skills, exposure, friendship, a chance to work with great and humble people and most importantly a part of my life to look back to. DU Beat will always be something close to my heart, something I’ll always treasure!

Signing off,

Vaibhav Tekchandani

Head of Photography 2019-2020

 

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Campus Central

Seniors and Juniors: We are a Family!

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Seniors, Thank you for being a family away from home.

College gives you many experiences: your first crush, boyfriend or girlfriend, multi-tasking, monetary-crises, exposure to the real world and above all, a family of your own. In this family, first-year students generally play the role of lost little kids who need guidance, second-year students are slightly older, wiser selves who fear becoming seniors and the third-year students are truly your guides in the journey. They act like your parents and in this cute little niche, you unravel to become the best version of yourself.

Seniors play a severely essential role in this development; they scold you and care for you simultaneously, to a point where their embraces become your safe space to spiral out of control and stress out, and their hugs of appreciation become the best reward of your hard work. Riddhi, a student of B.A (History) Hons from Gargi College stated that for her, her seniors became her family when she opened up to them. She said, “In the first meeting, they made us talk about ourselves, our views, our families, our lives. Now, it has come to a point where I can share absolutely anything with them, just the way I would do with my family back home.”

One of the essential reasons first-year students thrive for love from their seniors is that most of the leave the comfort of their houses and come to a new place to embark on a new journey. The support of someone older, wiser, and smarter gives them immense confidence to find their footing in a new world. Another reason might be the bond of being in a society and creating new memories with their seniors while working with them throughout the year. “I feel the bond between seniors and juniors is more than just a bond; over the years, it has become a sort of tradition. Our seniors do for us, what their seniors did for them. And we will surely take this legacy forward,” said a student from the Theatre Society of Lady Shri Ram College for Women.

Mahi, a student of Miranda House shared that her seniors have always played the role of her parents whenever she needed them. “There have been so many instances where Saubhagya (her senior) has practically acted like my father. He has scolded me for being reckless on roads and has taken care of me when I was sick. Others too have essentially become my family, with whom I could crib all day about my problems.”

Sarah Jalil, a B.A (English) Hons student from Gargi College added that she doesn’t even like the term ‘junior’ anymore. She said “They are, in fact, my equals. The time I spent with them was truly special. I will cherish it as long as I will live.” Similarly Kinjal Pandey, Editor-in-Chief  2018-19, DU Beat applauded the enthusiasm she has seen and experienced in her juniors from DU Beat and her society. She stated “They had more ideas and enthusiasm. Saying that it’s a generation thing would be very dramatic since we are only a year older but I do see more enthu-cutlets in my juniors.”

Sincere thanks to all the seniors who are graduating this year. May all your dreams come true. In one way or the other you have brought a change in your juniors’ life, be it your daant (scolding) or your pyaar (love) , we will treasure those moments forever and ever.

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Sakshi Arora

[email protected]

 

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DUB Speak

A Heavy Valediction, Signing Off: Anagha Rakta, Head of Web 2017-18

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In September 2016, I was late on the deadline for my application, and I had almost begged the then editor, Shubham Kaushik, to give me an extension (which she very generously did). One and a half eventful years later, things have not changed a lot. My copy editor had to chase me for about a week to get me to write this farewell note (courtesy: my habit of never keeping up with deadlines). But procrastination and my routine of leaving everything for the last minute is not the reason for this delay. The thing is, my time in DU Beat will officially be over after this piece, and I don’t think I will ever be ready to say goodbye (courtesy: my closure issues).

Apart from the family I have found at this place, that I am attached to almost at an unhealthy level, this place has given me a platform to become a better writer and discover my love for social media management. Not just that, I have become a more efficient team member. When I joined the team, I was very apprehensive about collaborating with people or letting others edit my writing – but today, I have learned to trust my team more than I trust myself, and delegate responsibilities and duties with faith. Over the last year, my team became my support and my priority, and somehow being the Head of Web didn’t seem so difficult and stressful with them by my side.

In the last three years of my college life, it was this very place, that the highlight of it all – from attending more meetings than classes, losing sleep over incomplete work, and being occupied with deadlines, DU Beat took up most of my free time and creative energy, and I didn’t mind it one bit. Being a part of this organisation has given me a sense of belongingness, and has made me realise my passions, so I could work harder and harder towards my goals. Today, I can proudly say that DU Beat was the best decision I ever made and I can only hope that my career in the future is as giving as this experience was.

I don’t think I can ever thank this place enough for giving me the kind of opportunities, exposure, experience, knowledge, and skills, but the best thing I’m taking back from it are the amazing people I have had the privilege of working with. DU Beat has some of the most talented and brilliant minds from the University, and they will continue to inspire me long after I have left this place.

Signing Off
Anagha Rakta
Head of Web 2017-18

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An Odyssey of Personal Development And a Sad Goodbye: Hitanksha Jain, Head of Photography 2017-18

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Looking back at my journey, getting a chance to work with India’s largest campus publication was beyond my imagination. I started as an introverted and nervous first year photographer, who was skilled enough to make it to the team, but had very low self confidence to acknowledge the fact that I had a skill a lot of people admired. The people I met here made me realise my potential and also taught me many wonderful things. I knew I could always count on this team to have my back and if I were to mess things up, they would be there to fix it.

DU Beat has reached great heights and I feel grateful to be a part of this journey. My tenure as the Head of Photography was nothing less of a rollercoaster and I would do it all over again if I could. We spent four months organising Mushaira, handling the stalls, and I can proudly exclaim that I would spend another four just to get over the feeling of achieving what we did. Taking photography to another level and introducing videos into the weekly functioning of the team was also something we achieved this year. We have the most talented people in the world working with us. I would urge everyone to come and join the team because the kind of exposure, support, motivation and encouragement we get in this organisation is amazing. In my opinion, everyone should be privy to this life changing experience.

I would like to end this erratic farewell note by mentioning that I am extremely thankful for what I achieved on a personal level as a photographer, and then as the head. I worked with people who made me want to work harder and dream bigger to then strive to achieve those dreams.


Hitanksha Jain
Head of Photography 2017-18

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Bidding Goodbye with a Tinge of Sorrow: Saim Akhtar, Head of Marketing 2017-18

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The fact that journalism has emerged to be one of the most challenging professions of recent times is a well accepted reality these days. Surprisingly though, thanks to the highly efficient team, DU Beat (DUB) emerged triumphant against the face of the anti-liberals as it always valued students’ interests the most, and made it its priority.

Be it dealing with clients for marketing and online publicity, or meetings with international commissions; the remarkable group of Heads and the dedicated team of workers undertook each task responsibly and delivered near perfect results. Brainstorming sessions, building networks for widespread coverage, coupled with hours of interaction with the beautiful souls of DUB has made it extremely difficult for me to part with this family, which has helped me evolve both professionally and socially.

I feel delighted to see the baton of independent student journalism being handed over to the next set of capable young individuals, and wish them luck for their upcoming endeavours.

 

Saim Akhtar

Head of Marketing 2017-18

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