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KMC’s ‘Room for doubt’ judged best play at Rajpal’14

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The Shakespeare Society of St Stephen’s College organised Inter-College Rajpal’14, the One Act play Competition on 24th-25th January, 2014. A total of 11 colleges performed and the plays piled up to be 12 in number (11 competitive plays and 1 non-competitive play from St. Stephen’s College). The competition dawned on Friday, 24th January with the performers of Miranda House, Sri Ram College of Commerce, Gargi College, Hindu College, Kirori Mal College, Jesus and Mary College and St. Stephen’s College. Rest of the colleges including Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Hindu College, Ramjas College, Sri Venkateswara College, and St. Stephen’s College staged their performance on 25th January. All teams were given an average time of one hour for their plays. The plays were expected to be mainly in English, but could be bilingual.

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Bhamini Lakshminarayan, the Convenor of Direction said “Colleges of North Campus are very active in the field of dramatics, so we provide all the students with a platform to compete with no specific theme for the competition”.

The Players from Kirori Mal College with their play ‘Room for Doubt’ bagged the first position, directed by Anuj Chopra and Upasya Goswami. ‘Speed Dating for Amateurs’ (Masque, Hindu College) and ‘Black Comedy’ (The Dramatics Society, Sri Ram College of Commerce) were the 1st and 2nd runner-ups respectively.

The winning play focused around a sexual harassment case and targeted on the mindsets of the university people- how they get caught up in the existing social norms. “This experience was extremely nice and illuminating at St. Stephen’s. We got to learn a lot from the competitors and we could give our best because of the supportive audience that we got from all over the university” said Anuj Chopra, the Co-director of ‘Room for Doubt’.

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St. Stephen's

Stephen’s National Science Fest begins with circuits and black holes

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The National Science Fest at St. Stephen’s College began with the ‘Inaugural Ceremony’ at 2 pm on 24th January. Principal Rev. Dr. Valson Thampu inaugurated the event with a motivational speech encouraging the young science students to strive for the best, followed by a screening of National Science Fest 2014 official video.

Dr. Patrick Dasgupta, presently a professor at Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, in a NSF Talk, spoke about the fundamentals of black holes, be it Schwarzschild radius or Hawking Radiation. Known for his work in the field of gravitational waves, quasars and cosmology he went on to present the ‘Information Loss Paradox’ associated with black holes. The talk was followed with a question-answer session where the members of the audience, varying from undergraduate students to research scholars, interacted with Dr. Dasgupta. After Dr. Dasgupta’s talk, the triathlon of events began at various venues of the college with the Paper Presentation event in Room A, Debugging Electronicz event at the New Physics Lecture Theatre (NPLT) and a talk on “The Fascinating World of Chemistry” by Dr. Subho Mozumdar, a faculty member of the Department of Chemistry at University of Delhi.

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‘Debugging Electronicz’ was based on the idea of testing the participants’ interest and expertise in electronics, and their capability in debugging flawed electronic circuits. It led to an intense final between the two best teams on an actual large circuit, basically a convoluted Adder circuit, where the finalists had to find out the flaws inherent in the realized circuit. Finally, in an all-Stephanian final, Ankit Dhanuka and Motaram clinched the first position, while Abel and Ojasvi received the second prize.

Along the main corridor, in Room A, the paper presentation competition took off with 15 student entries from all over the country belonging to various courses of study. Sahil Mathur, student of Information Technology & Mathematics at the Cluster Innovation Centre (CIC) earned the top spot for his paper on “Developing Genetic Algorithm inspired intelligent routing protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks”. The second prize was shared by Raktim Sen and Manasij Pal Chowdhury of Stephen’s and an individual entry by Deepto Mozumdar.

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Spo(r)tlight

Akshay Chhibber Memorial Soccer Tournament starts, Stephen’s beats Hindu in inaugural match

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The first major DU football tournament of 2014 started on 23rd January, the inaugural day of the 7th Akshay Chhibber Memorial Soccer Tournament. St. Stephen’s witnessed a thrilling start to the competition as the hosts defeated their long term rivals Hindu by 1-0. The second match of the day also encountered another similar 1-0 defeat with Sri Venkateswara College managing to scrape a win against the boys from Zakir Hussain.

Preceding kick-off, the chief guest for the event, Revd. Dr. Valson Thampu (Principal, St. Stephen’s College), spoke a few words on upholding the spirit of the game and gave his best wishes to the teams participating.

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The inaugural match, St. Stephen’s v/s Hindu has always traditionally been a match of some importance. Supporters from both colleges seemed to be present in plenty, with the energy and the passionate chanting of the fans adding an extra flavour to the game. The only goal of the match, a stunning half-volley from about 25 yards out was scored within the first ten minutes of play by Piyush Khattar. The match also saw a Stephen’s goal disallowed as the assistant referee raised the flag for a foul on the Hindu goalkeeper. Apart from this, another controversial point in the match was a penalty appeal from the Hindu players which was also not given. However, despite what the score line may suggest, Stephen’s were clearly dominant, keeping possession for long spells with a natural rhythmic fluency in their style of passing. The Hindu team, despite having a sturdy defence overall, did not seem to be comfortable with the ball in the opposition half, giving away the ball rather cheaply at times.

This match was followed by another intense battle, with the clear favourites of the tournament, Sri Venkateswara College taking on Zakir Hussain. A fine display of attack and counter attack, Sri Venkateswara finally managed to scrape out a 1-0 victory after a fiercely competitive performance put in from both the sides. The goal finally came from a penalty in the second half with Sachin Kohli calmly converting from the spot to give his team a lead. Despite all the chances created by both sides, the football in the attacking-third of the park was not as impressive as the play in midfield and defence, with both attackers missing clear cut goal-scoring chances. On the whole, an entertaining for the neutrals.

With recognizable football teams such as SRCC, Kirori Mal, Ramjas and Hansraj still raring to go, this tournament only promises to get more competitive and exciting as eliminations start to kick in. A prelude to the Inter-College tournament, the Akshay Chhibber Memorial Soccer Tournament gives us a glimpse of what Delhi University football teams have to offer. Whether it is seen as a wakeup call by some teams, or an opportunity to make a statement by others, what is clear is the fact that the battle for DU footballing hegemony seems to be already up and running!

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St. Stephen's

St. Stephen’s College to hold National Science Fest

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The National Science Fest will be organised by St. Stephen’s College on 24th, 25th and 26th January 2014. The event is being headed by the Students’ Union Society of the college, in collaboration with the Computer Science Society, Chemistry Society, Electronics Society, Photography Society, Environment Society, Debating Society and Quiz Club. The fest aims at offering a mix of competitive and academic activities. These range from a paper presentation to a treasure hunt.

Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar, Senior Secretary for NSF, says, “This year we present yet another edition of the Stephanian scientific extravaganza with many more electrifying events and a lot more enthusiasm to make this event memorable.”

First day brings an interdisciplinary triathlon of events with Debugging Electronicz, Paper Presentations and a Science Quiz. This trail of events continues to the second day with CYSAE (Competition for Young Scientists and Enthusiasts) and the Scientifik Exhibition.

Amal Jahan, General Secretary says, “We are expecting an overwhelming response given the trend that has been set for the past few years. Enormous energy and effort has been invested in planning NSF’14 to make it an interesting and exciting affair.”

The fest promises to pose ultimate challenges for the electronics enthusiasts with events like, “Debugging Electronicz” followed by the NSF talks where revered veterans like Dr. Prasanta Panigrahi and Dr. Patrick Dasgupta will talk about interesting topics such as Black Hole evaporation and Quantum Dots. The new twist to this year’s NSF is for the explorers with a scientific bent of mind with events like the Treasure Hunt.

For those consummate in rhetoric, Day 3 schedules the NSF Debate, with the motion “Whether parents should be allowed to choose the genetic composition of their kids!”

NSF ’14 is expected to conclude with the ‘Scientifik Exhibition’ wherein participants will be presenting posters and models on the topic “Innovative Practices for Conservation of Natural Resources”, which will be judged for the top spot by Dr. Kinkini Dasgupta, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

List of Events:

Day 1: 24th January, 2014

  •  Opening Ceremony
  • NSF Talks
  1. “Black hole evaporation and information loss problem” by Dr. Patrick Dasgupta
  2. “The Fascinating World of Chemistry” by Dr. Subho Mozumdar
  • NSF Science Quiz
  • Debugging Electronicz
  • Paper Presentation

Day 2: 25th January, 2014

  • CYSAE (Competition for Young Scientists and Enthusiasts)
  • Scientifik Exhibition
  • NSF Talks
  1. “Small Waves are Making Big Waves: Wavelets in Action” by Dr. Prasanta Panigrahi
  2. “From Quantum Mechanics to Quantum Dots” by Dr. Sameer Sapra
  • Absurd Theory
  • Kapture Photography and Digital Imaging Event

Day 3: 26th January, 2014

  • NSF Debate
  • Treasure Hunt

For more information, you can visit www.nsf2014.wordpress.com or write to [email protected]

Note: DU Beat is the official media partner for NSF 2014.

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St. Stephen's

NLU Delhi bags the winning title at St. Stephen’s MukMem 66

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The Mukarji Memorial attracts people from all corners and the 66th edition had not only the finest domestic talent but also three international teams. Trinity College Dublin, Lahore School of Economics and University College Lahore added immensely to the quality of debate at MukMem. A total of 48 teams participated in the four day event held between 10th – 13th January, 2014. It ended with the final between NLU Delhi and Trinity College Dublin.

Despite the fact that MukMem has been around for 66 years, the organisers have never been afraid to experiment with the format of the tournament. This time the core decided to implement the APDA format that they tested out at MukMem ProAm. Also to ensure a level playing field the tournament was closed this year. They further put a restriction in terms of a three-time participation limit for speakers at MukMem.

The adjudication core comprised of Akshay Ragupathy, Aditya Sarin, Dhruva Desai and Badrinarayan Seetharaman. The deputy CAs for the tournament was the Stephen’s team that the debating circuit has become used to seeing- Jagat Sohail, Soutik Banerjee and Apoorv Avram.

The final was a closely contested duel between NLU Delhi and Trinity College Dublin on the motion “The house will criminalize failure to provide reasonable assistance to individuals in distress situations.” The team of Ambar Bhushan and Rahul Seth from NLU Delhi emerged as victors on a 6-1 split in the finals. The best adjudicator for the tournament was Parnil Urdhwareshe.

After the conclusion of the debate, Soutik Banerjee, the Director of MukMem 66 had the following to say:

Mukmem 66 was a dream project, and to see it materialise gave me a sense of unparalleled joy. Mukmem 66 not only gifted a new format to the Indian debating circuit, it also brought together young minds from across the country as well as from Pakistan and Ireland. In the end, it really does not matter who wins the trophy because Mukmem 66 was all about winning hearts. But take nothing away from the debating. It was intense, stimulating, provocative and decisive. MukMem 66 was the best start one could make to 2014, and if the morning shows the day then we are in for a fantastic year.

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St. Stephen's

Committee constituted against DUTA President

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A three member committee has been set up by the St. Stephen’s College governing body against Delhi University Teacher’s Association (DUTA) President and the college’s senior Mathematics teacher Nandita Narain for the alleged comments she made against college Principal Valson Thampu.

The committee is headed by ex-Lokayukta of Delhi, justice Manmohan Sarin, Delhi Univeristy Proctor Satwanti Kapoor and Sudhir Joseph. It has been set up to investigate into Nandita Narain’s questionable remarks against the college’s principal.

In the past few days, DUTA had been protesting against issues of sexual harrasment in the college and thats when this matter came into limelight. According to some college resources, during the course of the protest, Narain made some defamatory comments against the principal.

When we contacted Ms. Narain, she categorically denied the allegations. She also said, that a few months back, a magazine interviewed her, but the issue was not very well-written and was misleading and that must have been the cue that irked St. Stephen’s auhorities. She even asked the magazine to issue an apology which they duly did in their next issue.

The committee has been given a two month deadline to report its findings in front of the governing body. Valson Thampu remained unavailable for comment.

Image Credit: Abhinav Arora for DU Beat

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Seats in St. Stephen’s Residence reduced

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Getting admission in Delhi University is but half a battle won. The subsequent problem looming large is that of lodging. That there is shortage of hostel seats and that the prices of Paying Guest accommodations and private hostels can burn a huge hole in one’s pocket is hardly a hidden fact. In fact, lodging seems to be a perpetual crisis for outstation students especially if one has not been lucky enough to get that precious hostel seat.

In such dire circumstances when the colleges should be accommodating as many students as possible in their hostels, St. Stephen’s College seems to be doing the exact opposite. The college has apparently allocated single rooms to students of second and third years, rooms which are actually supposed to accommodate two students. While the college had this policy for third year students, this year it has also been extended to second years. Quite paradoxically, this has led to a further decrease in the number of students who can avail the residential facilities on the college campus.

We, at DU Beat, spoke to a number of students from the college but apparently none of them consented to be quoted. On the condition of anonymity, a student said, “Living in the Residence is so convenient as opposed to putting up privately in areas around North Campus. My parents can’t afford to shell out too much money and therefore, I am living in a really bad place as I have no alternative. The college has given single rooms to second years also which goes against the demands of the day where the prime focus should be building the additional infrastructure and exploiting the full potential of the existing one.”

Another student on the same condition said, “The hostel issue is the need of the hour in Delhi University. We students are suffering a lot because of this. And then something like this comes up where instead of increasing the number of seats in the Residence, you are actually reducing them. Moreover, with the introduction of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme, there will be more number of students after three years, and then the condition will be extremely chaotic.”

Vatsal Verma
[email protected]

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Campus Central

Interview with DU Rhodes Scholar, Jalnidh Kaur

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Jalnidh Kaur from St. Stephen’s College recently received the Rhodes scholarship, one of the most prestigious international graduate scholarships in the world. The recipient not only gets to study any subject of her choice at the University of Oxford on full scholarship, but is also paid a stipend to cover living expenses. Exclusive rights are also given for entry into the Rhodes Mansion in the University Campus.

Q) Hi Jalnidh, you recently received the Rhodes scholarship. I’m sure that must be really exciting! Tell us more about what motivated you to apply?

I heard about the Rhodes scholarship when I was in Class 7 or 8. I knew about Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Sagarika Ghosh being Rhodes scholars – but it was only in my second year that I heard about the Rhodes scholarship from my seniors. When I researched, I realised that the deadline for the applications was 31st July, and I quickly applied! I realise what a prestige it is to be admitted to this programme. I know that I cannot afford an education abroad myself – and this is such a good opportunity!

Q) What was the procedure? How did you prepare for it?

I realised that I had to apply online and the deadline was on the 31st of July. I had to send in my resume and a detailed essay about my goals, interests, and activities. There was a preliminary interview. It was very technical – based on the discipline (economics) that I am studying. A panel of economists conducted the interview – it included the ISI game theorist Arunav Sen.

Q) How was the interview? Who was it conducted by?

The final interview was a general one. Only 18-20 people made it until there. It was held in Bombay. The panel comprised of 13 or 14 past Rhodes scholars. They just wanted to see whether a candidate possessed the three necessities of Rhodes’ will: academic excellence, performance in sports and community action.

Q) How much importance is given to academic achievements in the application?

The preliminary interview was based on our academic quotient. A group of economists interviewed us. If you had to get through that round, you had to be excited about your discipline.

Q) What all extra-curricular activities were you a part of?

When I was in 12th grade, I used to live in Ludhiana, and I saw the children of construction workers and marginal workers out on the roads. I got them all into a classroom and just taught them the English alphabet. After about one month, they were very excited about going to school, so I got them enrolled in a public school. When I came to Delhi, I started a learning centre for street children called Eclair in Roop Nagar. I also took part in various Business Plan competitions- along with two of my classmates. I initiated a B-Plan called ‘EurekaWow’, which helped spread better learning about topics in Economics. I used to debate as well.

Q) What do you think gave you an edge over the other contestants?

Quite honestly, I thought the rest of the candidates were over-qualified as compared to me. I was the youngest of the lot. My peers belonged to IITs, IIMs or were pursuing PhDs. I think it was my enthusiasm that got me through. I was so excited about my discipline, because I love Economics. I was also very honest. During my preliminary interview, if they asked me a question and I did not know the answer, I told them so; I never pretended to be someone who I am not. I think that was very important.

Q) Now that you have this brilliant opportunity, how do you plan ahead? Which courses are you planning to study?

I plan to do an M. Phil in Economics. I have heard that it is quite a technical course. My professor has told me that I would have to work very hard to be at par with the rest of my classmates. Most people who have gone to Oxford have gotten into policymaking, which seems like an attractive field. If I get an appropriate job in this field, I would be very keen to take it up, but my first preference would be to do a D. Phil after my M. Phil.

 

Adita Bhatia
[email protected]

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St. Stephen’s Girl Kidnapped, Boyfriend Arrested for Hatching the Plan

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In what comes across as a rather deplorable episode, a third-year student of Mathematics Honors from St. Stephen’s college was allegedly abducted on August 15 by her 24-year-old boyfriend who held her in custody at a hotel in Paharganj area of Central Delhi before police extricated her the following day.

Apparently, the accused, identified as Abhishek Deep, a journalism graduate from IP University, had called the girl to the Shastri Nagar Metro station, subsequent to which he took her to Hotel Ashoka in Paharganj. There he had already reserved two rooms, one of which was in the name of the victim. After forcefully locking her in one of the rooms, he made a call from her mobile to her father and demanded ransom of Rs. 1.5 crore.

However, his plans met with a disaster when the girl’s father, who is a consultant at an iron ore firm in Bangalore, informed the police and after registering a case, a rigorous interrogation kick started. It was actually through phone surveillance that the location of the number was unearthed following which the victim was rescued. At the same time, the police also collared Abhishek and arrested him on the grounds of kidnapping a girl.

During the aftermath interrogations, it was garnered that the accused, a native of Chattisgarh, was in desperate need of money and hence concocted this entire conspiracy. In fact, he was unemployed but had a longing to lead a prolific lifestyle and had earlier taken a handsome amount of money from his previous girlfriend as well. The two met at a fest in January this year and were in association since then.

Reportedly, the girl in question did a year of her graduation in United States before migrating to India three years back. She was now putting up in a flat in Kingsway camp near North Campus. According to some of her acquaintances who refused to be quoted or named, she didn’t share an emotional bond with her parents and their relationship was more or less confined to matters related to finances. She had also flunked in her second year exams, the result of which came on the day of this incident. She has now gone back to Bangalore and is perhaps planning to shift to United Stated again.

 

Vatsal Verma
[email protected]

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