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Ctrl.Shift.Esc: Escape gaming spreading its wings in Delhi

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Delhi’s leisure menu is just beginning to expand and the newest entrant vows to bring the Sherlock Holmes out of you while breaking the monotony of bowling and pool.

Ctrl.Shift.Esc is an escape-gaming center in Hauz Khas Village, right opposite Kolkatta Rolls and amidst some of Delhi’s best cafés and the famed lake. For the uninitiated, escape gaming involves multiple participants being locked in a room (or rooms) and their quest for escaping the same in limited time.

The game: ‘The Safehouse’

game

The Safehouse is CSE’s debut game. It can be played by a recommended 2-6 people, but CSE has accommodated larger groups. While we obviously cannot spoil the game for you, we can declare that the experience will drop your jaw every time you figure something out while unraveling the mystery. It’s a story of doors, locks, hidden keys, picture-puzzles and some clever use of electronic gadgets as well. There are also a few distractions in the game you better watch out for. Despite feeling that there was more room for the spook factor, I enjoyed discovering the intelligently placed clues. The participants are given a walkie-talkie for communication with the gamemaster and can ask for 3 hints during the game.

Cost

 Image credit: Bharat Mohindru

At Rs.600 per person, Ctrl.Shift.Esc is certainly costlier than a regular game of bowling or billiards in the city but considering each game at CSE will only be a one-time affair (since the game remains unchanged), it won’t be wise to overlook it for long. Frequent discounts are announced on their Facebook page.

The venture is fronted by Sanwari Gupta, an NYU alumnus. She informed us of the possibility of tie-ups with lounges like Hauz Khas Social for all-inclusive packages as well as about the ongoing work on their second game.

Verdict

If you happen to plan a hangout with a long-lost friend or decide to take a break from life, you should consider spending 60 minutes at Ctrl.Shift.Esc. It is also recommended for corporate circles who would appreciate enhancing the rapport shared between teammates through a rather fun activity.

More information: www.ctrlshiftesc.in/]]>

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Top Picks

5 ways to beat procrastination before exams

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The procrastination sword hangs above every head before exams and ends up murdering the marks. No matter how smart a person is, the pleasure of everything else but studies lures one into temporary gratification of wants rather than going for something long-lasting and bigger. Here are 5 ways you can achieve something bigger by stopping procrastination before exams:

1. Make small sacrifices to reach Everest

“That movie is unbelievable, let’s watch”, “Kal se padhenge, today is the last day” and “Naa I’ll study late night”: the satanic verses I utter to everyone including my dog. We all know the world runs on sacrifices of small pleasures to reach the bigger ones. The movie is not going to lose its suspense and romance. No one is going to whisper Homeland spoilers to you while you study. I know it is clichéd, but you must do away with these small pleasures to do well in your exams. You know it better, the amazement you get after scoring well is much better than Sergeant Brody walking scot-free.

2. Remind yourself the importance of one semester

Well, it’s not board exams and you need to score well no matter what in every semester. There are no second chances (there are and you know it’s rather painful).

3. Remember! It’s your own battle, not anyone else’s

Compete against your own self and measure your performance based on what you were yesterday. Your personal achievements and failures are personal and not public. Stop comparing with others, compare with your own self.

4. Focus on quality than on quantity

You know quality ultimately suffers when you try covering up everything in the end. “Bro, I completed everything in two days.” Well this guy ends in disdain on the result day.

5. Less now or more later?

Plan up things and take less stress now or jump into the bed, cry, listen to Lana Del Rey, argue with mom for a month after the exam results. Choice is yours.

Featured image credit: www.upstartsuccess.com

Sidharth Yadav
[email protected]

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Top Picks

The best and worst scenarios of studying for exams in the hostel

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The semester exams are here and while some are moving forward with their 2nd revision, some of us are still fretting and getting each and every reading Xeroxed! For outstation students, who choose to stay back during the prep leave, this time is especially hard and gloomy.
There’s a whole lot of difference between studying in a hostel and at home. Check out why!

Food
Because life starts and ends with it. While at home ‘ ghar ka khana ‘ and junk is at your disposal at all times , not so much in a hostel. And what do you do when you can’t even identify the food they’ve made? Sulk or just make maggi , because having maggi for breakfast just wasn’t enough for you.

Different studying patterns
So you’re one of the early risers whereas your roommate’s light is switched on the whole night because she’s one of those owls who prefer to burn the midnight oil. A few days like these and you know how to pack yourself neatly inside your comforter with bare minimum air supply for the entire night. Your good dreams comprise of your bed sitting on top of a cloud, surrounded by nothing but silence and no roommates and no lamps. This is pure bliss, and now, it’s morning!

Chores
You can dirty as many clothes as you like and sometimes just give them away for washing even if you’ve worn them just that one time at home. But you’ll think plenty of times before putting that t-shirt you’ve been wearing since 2 days in the laundry basket, because you know you’ll be the one washing it 5 days later when you have no clothes left to wear. Not even the shabby, old t-shirt thrown away at the back of your cupboard!

Now, for the silver lining. Oh yes there is!

Delhi winters and North Campus
Just when you can’t take it anymore, step out, go for that long walk around the campus (especially the Hindu- Stephen’s road as it’s not that crowded). There’s something about the cold winter air which gives you just the right amount of happiness and energy to deal with exam stress. Take a detour and have a cup of steaming hot chai from one of the street tea-vendors, mostly seen in Kamla Nagar.

Random dinners
Impulsive dinner plans are the best, aren’t they? Because your mom isn’t that cool to let you go out for dinner with your friends when exams are on your head. But you are your own boss here, so go ahead and order up! (But make sure you come back before 8pm, because, well, you do have an in-time here.)

Room-mates
No matter how annoyed you get by them, you know you love the sadistic pleasure you get , when you see her or his face buried in that book! Seeing this just makes it a tad bit easier for you to go back your own.

(Image source: www.doitandhow.com)

Mehr Gill
[email protected]

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DU Dhaba

Food Review: Natural Ice Cream, GK-2

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For all those of us who had had a taste of this wonderfully whipped ice cream in cities like Mumbai and Bangalore, it was a delightful surprise. And for those uninitiated, all one needs to do is visit it on a regular evening to gauge the popularity of Natural Ice Cream.

Location and Ambience

The famous chain recently made its entry into Delhi with its first outlet in Kohinoor Mall in Greater Kailash-II. Natural Ice Cream, which was established in Mumbai in 1984, currently has its parlours in 36 cities, mostly in the Western and Southern parts of the country. Like any other ice-cream parlour, it is a little place with a couple of bar stools but one can sit outside in the food court seating area. What better joy than to sit in the biting cold digging into some scrumptious ice-cream!

The multitude of flavours!

Natural is known for using real fruits and other ingredients like cocoa and milk and no preservatives. Designed to suit the Indian palate, the parlour offers fresh ice-creams in regular flavours like mango and strawberry to the more earthy flavours like fig, jamun, jackfruit and even chikoo. It’s quite the case of your fruit orchard turning into a nice-cream parlour!

While the charm of Natural lies in its real fruit flavours, the ardent chocolate fans should also give it a try for the authentic choco-chip cup. Another interesting flavour is the malai ice-cream which has a taste quite distinct from that of malai kulfi but a rich and creamy texture nonetheless.
At the top of our recommended flavours would be the pineapple-papaya ice cream which is the perfect combination in spite of sounding like a very healthy salad. The custard-apple ice-cream is also worth a mention, as is the muskmelon flavour.

Easy on the pocket

While Natural is not your neighbourhood Mother Dairy outlet, it is quite affordable going by ice-cream parlour standards. With one scoop at Rs.55 (add 10 for a cone), it is definitely worth the lovely, if not rare, flavours. Being a reputed and professional ice-cream chain, hygiene is also not a worry.

Final verdict

Natural Ice Cream is perhaps India’s best answer to international brands like Baskin Robins and Gelato Roma with better prices and more palatable flavours.

Featured image credit: https://www.zomato.com/users/tanya-s-499546

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Campus Central

Project on ‘women empowerment’ by Enactus LSR gets recognition by Government of India

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Enactus, Lady Shri Ram College for Women displayed the products of their “Project Yuvaakti” at Dilli Haat’s Vatsalya Mela from 12th-19th November 2014. In accordance with the success of past projects, the team LSR was granted a pro-bono stall under the name “Women of India” on recommendation by Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Indian Union Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development.

The Central Ministry of Women and Child Welfare Department, Government of India recommended the project for participation.

This project by Enactus, LSR created opportunity for underprivileged women of the society by employing them to stitch Phulkari Patiala Salwars. In the past, these women have also been tied up with boutiques all over the country to help them get regular orders.

Phulkari Patiala Salwars on display at Enactus LSR stall
Phulkari Patiala Salwars on display at Enactus LSR stall

Jahnavi Taneja, President of Enactus, Lady Sri Ram College of Women says, “These women who earlier used to stitch clothes for themselves, now stitch it for the outside world. We have not only trained them with the art of stitching but also provided them a national platform to showcase their latent talents and face the outside world as leading women entrepreneurs. They are now regular income earners and need not be completely dependent on their male counterparts.”

Maneka Gandhi also visited the stall on November 14 and appreciated the effort of Enactus Team. Aashima Arora, who welcomed Maneka Gandhi at the stall said, “She not only liked the salwars and their bright colors but also acknowledged our efforts with her words. Her support motivated the team to take the project to a next level and seek maximum audience for the well-acclaimed project. Ms. Gandhi also suggested us better ways to present our products to the buyers.” Suchi Soin, Manager, Enactus India (Northern Region) also joined the LSR girls at the stall.

In addition to phulkaari patiala salwars, the stall also displayed handicraft products made by weavers of Varanasi under the new project which the team will kick start in the near future, in association with the Government of India and its development projects.

Enactus LSR, by adopting this project aims to link the artisans directly to the consumers through effective marketing and ensure that the craftsmen get a fair price for their products by eliminating intermediaries. It also aims to facilitate innovation in this field and preserve the art of this area by empowering the artisans, socially and economically. The team aims to train women in weaving and market their products and have collaborated with a local NGO called Human Welfare Association to conduct this activity.

Neha Dewan, another team member said, “The initiative at Delhi Haat has witnessed an overwhelming response and it was great to see how the buyers still value handicrafts despite the advent of machinery and technology.” The team managed to earn a substantial amount of revenue during eight days at Dilli Haat.

Images by Aashima Arora for Enactus LSR

Iresh Gupta
[email protected]

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Campus Central

Project on 'women empowerment' by Enactus LSR gets recognition by Government of India

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Enactus, Lady Shri Ram College for Women displayed the products of their “Project Yuvaakti” at Dilli Haat’s Vatsalya Mela from 12th-19th November 2014. In accordance with the success of past projects, the team LSR was granted a pro-bono stall under the name “Women of India” on recommendation by Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Indian Union Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development.

The Central Ministry of Women and Child Welfare Department, Government of India recommended the project for participation.

This project by Enactus, LSR created opportunity for underprivileged women of the society by employing them to stitch Phulkari Patiala Salwars. In the past, these women have also been tied up with boutiques all over the country to help them get regular orders.

[caption id="attachment_27659" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Phulkari Patiala Salwars on display at Enactus LSR stall Phulkari Patiala Salwars on display at Enactus LSR stall[/caption]

Jahnavi Taneja, President of Enactus, Lady Sri Ram College of Women says, “These women who earlier used to stitch clothes for themselves, now stitch it for the outside world. We have not only trained them with the art of stitching but also provided them a national platform to showcase their latent talents and face the outside world as leading women entrepreneurs. They are now regular income earners and need not be completely dependent on their male counterparts.”

Maneka Gandhi also visited the stall on November 14 and appreciated the effort of Enactus Team. Aashima Arora, who welcomed Maneka Gandhi at the stall said, “She not only liked the salwars and their bright colors but also acknowledged our efforts with her words. Her support motivated the team to take the project to a next level and seek maximum audience for the well-acclaimed project. Ms. Gandhi also suggested us better ways to present our products to the buyers.” Suchi Soin, Manager, Enactus India (Northern Region) also joined the LSR girls at the stall.

In addition to phulkaari patiala salwars, the stall also displayed handicraft products made by weavers of Varanasi under the new project which the team will kick start in the near future, in association with the Government of India and its development projects.

[gallery ids="27660,27662,27661"]

Enactus LSR, by adopting this project aims to link the artisans directly to the consumers through effective marketing and ensure that the craftsmen get a fair price for their products by eliminating intermediaries. It also aims to facilitate innovation in this field and preserve the art of this area by empowering the artisans, socially and economically. The team aims to train women in weaving and market their products and have collaborated with a local NGO called Human Welfare Association to conduct this activity.

Neha Dewan, another team member said, “The initiative at Delhi Haat has witnessed an overwhelming response and it was great to see how the buyers still value handicrafts despite the advent of machinery and technology.” The team managed to earn a substantial amount of revenue during eight days at Dilli Haat.

Images by Aashima Arora for Enactus LSR

Iresh Gupta [email protected]

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Word On The Street

If It Fits Your Macros: A flexible diet approach for exams

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Exams are around the corner and we’re all old enough to have experienced one of the most annoying impacts of the season: weight gain. They give nightmares to fitness enthusiasts who are religiously connected to their strenuous exercise and diet schedules. But this need not happen anymore, as fitness science has come with a sure shot solution to curb this problem.

WHAT IS IIFYM?

If It Fits Your Macros or IIFYM is an alternate and flexible dieting approach which goes by the thumb rule that one can eat whatever one likes and still remain in his/her desired body composition. This is possible only when one knows his/her caloric requirements to maintain current weight are and must simply track the calories consumed and not exceeding them whatsoever. That may sound strange but what it means is that you don’t have to eat the so called ‘healthy foods’ all the time to reach your goals. Especially during the exam season, many people who have fitness goals get frustrated because of constantly eating foods that they don’t generally eat.

Before going ahead with this approach, one must figure out the personal calories required by the individual for maintaining current weight (which is no more than a number game!). The calculation is simpler than you think. Just hit Google and type maintenance calorie calculator, give in some measurements and you are ready to go. To track your calories you must know what foods you eat and how much calories they contain. You can download the ‘myfitnesspal’ or ‘Food Secret’ app on your smart phone (which contains a huge database of all foods that exist and provide accurate calorific measurements and other nutritional information too). Similarly, all packed foods come along with a ‘nutrition information’ box at the back, where you get all the information regarding the product you consume. So it is little hard work to get started. But everything has a price! And in this case, it is clearly not monetary or much.

This approach revolves around the concept that as long as you fill your calories (the benchmark for losing or gaining weight and muscle) and macro nutrient split for the day you’ll be fine in terms of the body composition, with whatever foods you like. For example, if with chicken breast and broccoli of 1000 calories you get 50gm of protein, 10gm of fat and 52 gm of carbohydrates and you get the same calories and macro nutrient split from a pepperoni pizza (i.e- 1000 calories 50gm protein 10gm fat 52gm carbohydrates) or your favorite festive season dish for that matter, you can eat the pizza instead of the boring broccoli and chicken breast and it won’t make any difference in terms of your body composition, i.e. you will still progress steady to your goals. This should not be confused with cheat meals as cheat meals are meals which stray away from your diet schedules and they have their cons but IIFYM is an approach which is more sensible and helps you enjoy foods you like while still sticking you to your diet schedule. Interesting, isn’t it?

But, this doesn’t mean that you can eat whatever you like whenever you want and in any quantity you like. It is all about moderation. This approach is not designed to help you cheat, but to help you stick to your diet without much frustration coming your way. Like mentioned earlier, moderation is the key and also keeping in mind the micro-nutrient intake (vitamins, minerals, iron etc) one must keep their base steady towards healthy nutritious foods (for general health and well being) as that is another important aspect of fitness. Also, not to forget that there will still be people who will be exceptions and might not find this working for them and so they might have to go the hard way and stick to conventional healthy foods to achieve their goals.

Featured image credit: www.yomuscle.com

Amitoj Singh
[email protected]

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DUB Speak

Beyond The cliché: History Honours

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There is nothing more stereotyped in DU circles than the erstwhile History student. From tweed jackets and kurta-jhola to Old Monk, we have seen it all. The popular perception in India is that a major in History, only leads to a life in JNU or the Civil Services. Historians are not said to be ill-equipped (both mentally and academically) to deal with a fast-paced, math oriented corporate career. Here is a list of career options that go beyond the cliché.

Journalism

A major in history gives you two important skills that are invaluable for a career in Journalism, the ability to write well and a socio-cultural understanding of a region. If you like travelling and living on the go, then a career in journalism is for you.

Politics

What better than a person with a stereotyped degree, to change the stereotypes about a profession. Policies never develop in isolation, a major in history will help you understand the cultural differences in areas and help in a broad, yet precise understanding of India. If you like interacting with people, then this is for you.

Historical Consultant

Imagine if in Troy they had Chinese roofs over their homes, it wouldn’t look very realistic. People who make good movies, normally get their facts right. To do so they need people with an intimate knowledge of that period and the actions of people therein. If you have an interest in historical fiction and like recreating the past, here is your calling.

Lawyer

If you have the ability to think things out through logic, then a career in law is an option you can try out. A major in history gives you the ability to sift through a lot of random data to find out what is important, an important skill in law. You also have the ability to make boring things sound interesting.

Corporate Sector

If you like Mathematics, then there are a variety of jobs that are available to you in the corporate sector like data analyst, back-end consultant etc. A lot of companies are okay with hiring history graduates as they look for logic, lateral thinking and the ability to do mental math. Also, there are a variety of jobs in the non-technical field like administration and HR.

Ashish Mathew
[email protected]

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Campus Central

Projects by Enactus Miranda House reach ‘India International Trade Fair’

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Enactus Miranda House displayed the products of their ‘Project Tarang’ and ‘Project Zaffran’ on 17th and 18th of November, 2014 at the India International Trade Fair, the largest trade fair of the Indian subcontinent.

At Pragati Maidan, the members of the Enactus, Miranda House team exhibited handmade bags and mobile covers produced by the ladies of Health and Care and the masalas produced by the women from Johripur. The stall was set up at Saras Fair which is organized by the Ministry of Rural Development for promoting small scale industries.

Enactus, Miranda House aims at the upliftment and self-dependence of women in every facet of life, be it economic or social. It is currently running two projects: Tarang and Zaffran. Under Project Tarang, the team has enabled a group of women to attain financial and social empowerment by engaging their sewing and stitching skills to make bags, mobile phone covers. Project Zaffran, on the other hand works with a group of women in Johripur who produce handmade and unadulterated spices.

Products under 'Project Zaffran at India International Trade Fair
Products under ‘Project Zaffran at India International Trade Fair

The visitors at the fair showed immense interest in the products exhibited by the Miranda House Team. A number of products were sold at the fair and garnered appreciation.  The innovative packaging of the spices impressed buyers the most. The idea of a small group of college students helping the economically and socially backward women in becoming self sustainable caught the attention of many.

The team’s effort managed to inspire a few others to play their part in the society’s upliftment by creating awareness. “Displaying our products at such a platform gave our initiative an exposure to a wider scale. We have reached out to a great deal of people and put forth our vision. And the response that we got from people inspired us greatly and has motivated us to work even harder.” says Gauri Pandey, Project Head, Tarang.

Shaily Jha
[email protected]

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Campus Central

Projects by Enactus Miranda House reach 'India International Trade Fair'

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Enactus Miranda House displayed the products of their ‘Project Tarang’ and ‘Project Zaffran’ on 17th and 18th of November, 2014 at the India International Trade Fair, the largest trade fair of the Indian subcontinent.

At Pragati Maidan, the members of the Enactus, Miranda House team exhibited handmade bags and mobile covers produced by the ladies of Health and Care and the masalas produced by the women from Johripur. The stall was set up at Saras Fair which is organized by the Ministry of Rural Development for promoting small scale industries.

Enactus, Miranda House aims at the upliftment and self-dependence of women in every facet of life, be it economic or social. It is currently running two projects: Tarang and Zaffran. Under Project Tarang, the team has enabled a group of women to attain financial and social empowerment by engaging their sewing and stitching skills to make bags, mobile phone covers. Project Zaffran, on the other hand works with a group of women in Johripur who produce handmade and unadulterated spices.

[caption id="attachment_27623" align="aligncenter" width="960"]Products under 'Project Zaffran at India International Trade Fair Products under ‘Project Zaffran at India International Trade Fair[/caption]

The visitors at the fair showed immense interest in the products exhibited by the Miranda House Team. A number of products were sold at the fair and garnered appreciation.  The innovative packaging of the spices impressed buyers the most. The idea of a small group of college students helping the economically and socially backward women in becoming self sustainable caught the attention of many.

The team’s effort managed to inspire a few others to play their part in the society’s upliftment by creating awareness. “Displaying our products at such a platform gave our initiative an exposure to a wider scale. We have reached out to a great deal of people and put forth our vision. And the response that we got from people inspired us greatly and has motivated us to work even harder.” says Gauri Pandey, Project Head, Tarang.

Shaily Jha [email protected]

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