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Admissions 2015

The skeptical kid’s guide to PG accommodation in Delhi University

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 Starting to live in a new city can be overwhelmingly difficult. On one hand, you are excited because you’ve just got selected to a prestigious university like DU and on the other hand, you have to start living in a new city not knowing where to go or how you will get treated. I know that feeling. Two years ago, even I was a similar person, a chirpy fresher who was too enthusiastic to be broken down by despair or distress. But I made mistakes andpaid the price. Stemming from a pond of hopelessness was tough but it’s not impossible and we all learn with time. Here are some guidelines of Paying Guest accommodation that covers all the things that you should watch out for, be careful towards and should not do at all. These guidelines will come in handy and will prevent you from making mistakes.

Things to keep in mind

1. While searching for a PG

  • It’s better to choose a PG that is in the locality of your college. All colleges under Delhi University have PGs in their locality. This way, you will be able to save on traveling costs.
  • Never rely on ads available online. There are very limited PG ads online and you might fall for a bad one. The pictures are mostly fake and the specifications, false.
  • If you are too bent on trusting an online PG ad, they will always ask for security money. Once you reach the city and do not like the PG, make sure that your money is refunded. The wise option is to agree on a policy beforehand.
  • Always look for a broker in the locality of your college. The brokers are aware of mostly all the PGs and are personally in touch with the landlords.
  • Do not fall for the first PG that you see and check out at least 5-6 before you decide on something.

2. While choosing a PG

  • PGs are supposed to offer you three things- food, a furnished environment and security. Make sure all the three things are available.
  • Most PGs are very unhygienic and 4-5 students are stuffed in one room at exorbitant prices. Try to decide on a PG that is spacious and clean and you get your private space.
  • Make sure that you get a well kempt room with a clean, big cupboard. You should also be provided with a kitchen for personal usage.
  • PGs are supposed to provide food but these days landlords ask you to get a maid of your own and pay for everything. If that’s the case, don’t agree on living.
  • The landlord/landlady is supposed to stay with you and assure complete security. Most PGs have landlords living elsewhere and that does not come in the definition of a PG.

3. After choosing a PG

  • All the PGs and flats are supposed to be registered under the The Rent Control Act that was passed in 1958. If it’s a registered PG, you will get a Rent Agreement that is mandatory. Don’t go for a PG that isn’t registered.
  • Logically, you’re only supposed to pay one month security beforehand and not more than that. Also, always get a receipt. This receipt will help you get the security money back.
  • Make sure that you make a formal agreement on either the adjustment or refunding of the security money.
  • Do not leave without a Rent Agreement and read all the points carefully. Ask for amendments on anything you do not agree with.
  • The broker should not take more than one month’s rent. Never agree on paying more than that and always make attempts to bargain.

Things to watch out for

  • Never give in to the wishes and temperament of the landlord. They always try to bulldoze all the tenants but you should remember that you always have the power in hand.
  • A lot of shopkeepers in the locality have connections with certain landlords and they try to enforce the idea of a specific PG on you. Never try to consult shopkeepers and always approach a broker.
  • Beware of ‘rent mafias’ who take money in advance without providing any sort of receipt and agreement. Again, remember that you have certain rights as a tenant.
  • Always make sure that the landlord isn’t using your room while you’ve gone away for vacations. Keep a track of how you arranged things before leaving and always check whether things are in place or not.
  • Never get too close to the neighbours. Some are good but most are nosy and can end up complaining or casting aspersions on you.

After you’ve started living in a PG, you should also try to befriend shopkeepers of departmental stores, etc. are who extremely goodhearted and may help you in times of need. They also have all the important contacts that come in handy. These are things you should always remember while looking for and finally staying in a PG. Hope it will make things easier. Happy staying!

Image Credits: uinnberlinhostel.com/

SudishaMisra
[email protected]

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Features

WattAVillage – Electrifying villages across India

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There exists a huge count of villages in India which do not have electrification as of yet and life in these areas comes to a half after sunset. While we stamp our feet and start fidgeting when there is an absence of electricity just for a few minutes, there are villages which have never experienced the presence of even an iota of electrified light. WattAVillage, a non-profitable organization works with budding individuals to provide these villages with enough electricity for basic lighting and mobile charging. It helps to replace resources like kerosene, wood and other fossil fuels with electricity in these villages.

The organization was established and began implementing its projects in April 2014. The first projects were carried out in Uttar Pradesh especially in areas around Bahraich and Barreily which have abundant villages around. The volunteers of WattAVillage educated and sensitized the people of these areas about usage of solar panels and how their production and utilization can provide ample amount of electrification to the villages. They believe that India will never be fully developed as long as there are people who go to sleep in complete darkness. Their main motive is to assure that everyone in India receives electricity in their home. Apart from this, they have also carried out projects based on fighting deforestation ‘Planting Trees: A Green Community Project’ and waste management ‘Green Waste Management’.

Presently, they are working to create a virtual network of interested individuals who are ready to contribute in different areas of the organization. Under the guidance of their trustees Ms. Tanya Ahuja and Ms. Beena Ahuja, the management committee, teachers, professionals and retired bureaucrats, they plan on surpassing Phase I and expanding their projects. They are working towards expanding the number of volunteers and moving on to villages situated in other parts of India like Maharashtra, West Bengal and more.

WattAVillage invites all the students who might be willing to work with their organization. Engineering students can volunteer for providing innovative solutions and help in researching on telemetry and solar engineering. Once in a while, they’ll get the opportunity of contributing in village electrification and laying the grid. On the other hand, marketing students can help in providing financially feasible models. They also invite Humanities students for community visits, social media promotion and other related work. Students who wish to improve the living standards of these villages should definitely volunteer for this organization.

You can contact WattAVillage at [email protected] to become a volunteer or contribute ideas.

Image Credits- wattavillage.com

Sudisha Misra
[email protected]  

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Admissions 2015

Essentials for Delhi University Admissions 2015- Things to carry and things to keep in mind

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Dear Fucchas 2015,
Let me first congratulate you for surviving one of the most trying times of your life: ‘The XII Grade Board Examinations’. You made it out alive and you really deserve a pat on your back! After toiling day and night for over a year: running from one tuition centre to the other, compromising on sleep and giving up on so many pleasures of your life, now is your time to let loose and relax. Don’t let anything hold you back; be a hedonist and live life king size. Because once the results are declared, you’ll find yourself in yet another tizzy called ‘The Admission Process’.

Many of you out there are DU hopefuls. I was right where you are a year ago. I felt the same emotions- anxiety, ecstasy and pressure- that are raging through you just as we speak. Add to that list the consternation that has enveloped your life because of all the unsavoury things you’ve heard about the complicated admission process (yes, because no matter how hard they try to simplify the process, it will continue to be a nightmare!).But don’t get intimidated just yet. I’m going to be the kind sophomore and run over a couple of technical details with you. And who knows, maybe with a bit of luck, make this phase of your life a little less terrifying.

Things to keep in mind before you go

1. Check the DU website and college website for updates on requirements and special criteria
2. Ensure that you meet all the specified criteria
3. Keep a map of the campus or college handy so that you don’t waste time in travelling and looking for the college.

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 

1. Class XII and Class X Marksheet: Original+ 12 self-attested photocopies
2. Leaving Certificate: Original+ 12 self-attested photocopies
3. Passing Certificate: Original+ 12 self-attested photocopies
4. Migration Certificate: Original+ 12 self-attested photocopies
5. Birth Certificate: Original+ 12 self-attested photocopies
6. Provisional Certificate: Original+ 12 self-attested photocopies
7. Character Certificate: Original+ 12 self-attested photocopies
8. Students who have not studied Hindi up to class 10 are required to produce their class 8 marksheet as evidence of having/not having studied Hindi up to class 8
9. 12 passport size photographs

Keep enough copies, so you don’t have to scamper around in the heat!

Stationery Items

1. A pencil box with:
a. Black and Blue ball pens
b. Sharpened pencils
c. A sharpener and an eraser
2. Scissors
3. Glue stick
4. Alt pins
5. Stapler (with extra pins)
6. Paper clips

Other essentials

1. Fluids like water, fruit juice or aerated drinks because you’ll need to keep refuelling your system.
2. Something dry (and hassle free) to eat, like glucose biscuits or a fruit, and not sabzi-roti that could spoil.
3. The newspaper which contains the updated cut off lists for various colleges.
4. Your phone (with recharged talk time and net pack) to help you stay updated at all times.

Before I forget, two vital things that you absolutely must have at all times are:

1.An adult
2.Your sense of composure.

Think of the admission procedure as this challenging quest from a video game. Cross the hurdles, keep your calm and progress through levels to finally reach your dream destination.

So my freshers, here’s wishing you all the luck for your results! See you at University!

Yours truly,
Helpful Sophomore

Kriti Sharma
[email protected]

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QWERTY

QWERTY: The Narendra Modi App

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With the amount of travelling that our PM has done in the past year, I am sure that every politically aware and responsible citizen of our nation who voted for him or didn’t, will agree on the fact that one of the most difficult thing to do is to keep themselves updated with the movements of our beloved Namo. There are even memes on the web saying to bring back our PM first rather than the black money he promised to. Seems like the voice of such “responsible Indians” have reached the ears of our PM and to keep everyone in the nation updated with his plans, the PM launched his app on 17th June.

The interface: It has a very decent and elegant interface. If there’s one thing that our PM exudes, it’s confidence. And the app is very coherent with this quality of his. Blue, the colour of harmony and confidence, has been used very tastefully and intelligently by the designers. The app sends out a strong signal to the user that this is going to be the digital legacy of a great and powerful personality.

 

registration screens

After registration, the home page is a News page which features articles telling the latest activities of our PM. It’s a parallax scroll page. Clicking on article takes the user to a new screen which has a sub menu bar under the main menu bar with options ‘web’, ’smart’, ’picture’, ’social’ and ‘video’. Web has the whole article with all the images, quotes and videos. Under smart tab only the textual part of the article is present. Video and Picture tabs contain all the videos and photos related to the article respectively. Under social tab, all the important quotes are shown which can be shared across various social media channels. Users can also change the size of font they want to view the article in and can also add it to read it later section with options in the main menu bar.

 

Screenshot_2015-06-19-13-58-07

 

There’s an option in the top right corner below the menu bar where you can switch viewing articles according to most recent ones or most popular ones. The menu bar is itself very plain with only three icons: an arrow icon with which you can view the articles by either ascending or descending order, a magnifying glass which is a search option and three dots which when touched opens a box with an array of options. The menu box has around 15 options such as news, interact with PM, messages from PM, speeches, governance, my profile etc.

 

Screenshot_2015-06-19-14-07-06

 

Exploring the Menu: The app’s purpose is to connect every other person with a phone to the PM and it is very much conveyed through the options it houses in the menu box. There’s an ‘Interact with PM’ option which opens your inbox with messages from PM. There are ‘write to PM’ and ‘give ideas & suggestions’ tabs alongside the inbox. Among other options there is ‘social buzz’ which opens up the PM’s twitter and Facebook page. ‘Blogs’, ‘Speeches’, ‘Interviews’, ‘Media Coverage’ & ‘Infographics’ are some other options which basically encompass PM’s interaction with Media and the Web. Users can also give their feedback about the app.

The app is built around the idea that every user that registers should not only be able to connect with the PM but can also feel connected to the politics of the nation and be a part of decision making process. So to achieve the latter goal of the app, there’s a ‘To-do Tasks’ options where the user has to view videos or read an e-book or answer a multiple choice question , all related to PM in some or the other way. Points are given on completing every task. The user can view their total points under ‘my profile’ option. Users are awarded with badges as the points increase, signifying that the users are becoming more active and more responsible towards decision making process in this nation, the ultimate goal being to become “true-change maker”. The highest badge present so far in the gallery is of SUPER FAN worth 500 points.

Verdict: A very effective and elegant solution by PM to make every Indian citizen more politically aware and connected with the politics of the nation. Hats-off to the design team of the app.

 

The Good:

1. Simple yet extra ordinary interface.

2. Extremely light app.

3. Serves the purpose it is made for.

4. It has an in-built video player so doesn’t redirects to YouTube or any other video streaming application.

 

The Bad:

1. Doesn’t have an in-built browser so user has to use a third party browser every time they want to see content beyond the app.

2. Uninstalling, reinstalling and registering through same username again and again adds to the total points.

 

Image Credits: www.americanbazaaronline.com

 

Kavach Chandra

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Campus Central

International Yoga Day celebrated at Delhi University's Janki Devi Memorial College

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International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21st, 2015 by Janki Devi Memorial College (JDMC) in their college premises.

Faculty members, students, and the non teaching staff participated in this event with full enthusiasm. The Principal, Dr. Indu Anand was seen praising the students, teachers and also joined them and practiced the yoga asanas.

Yoga Day

Dr. Usha Singh who is a retired faculty member of Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi was also present. She is currently teaching at JDMC as a guest faculty member and is a certified yoga expert from Bihar School of Yoga, Mungar. Mr. S.K. Saggar and Ms. Divya were especially invited for the event who were also the instructors. Mr.Saggar, who is an ex- executive director in Sports Authority of India and PYKKA has been associated with yoga since a long time.

The event was well organized and despite the rain shower the event was conducted smoothly.

Guest post by Zofishan Kokab

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Sounds

10 Contemporary LGBTQ+ Musicians

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With Ireland saying yes to same-sex marriage through popular vote and June being celebrated as Pride month at some places, we bring you a list of the ten most visible contemporary LGBTQ+ musicians:

1. Sam Smith

Sam Smith

Image source: headlineplanet.com

The 22 year old young and polished British singer/songwriter, who burst onto the music scene with collaborations with artists like Naughty Boy (on “La La La”), is comfortable talking about his sexuality (gay) publicly and makes no nuances of the fact that his debut album, the wildly acclaimed “In The Lonely Hour” has songs based on his experiences of unrequited love with a man.

2014 was undoubtedly Sam Smith’s year as his debut album topped charts globally and earned him six Grammy nominations out of which he won four in February 2015.

2. Sia

15th Annual Trevor Project Benefit - Arrivals

Image source: unrealitytv.co.uk

Notoriously shy and startlingly eccentric, Sia has been around the music scene for a long time as a singer and a songwriter but started getting recognition in the past few years with her collaborations with David Guetta on ‘Titanium’ and other musicians. Surprisingly, Sia wasn’t pleased with the success of ‘Titanium’ because she’d taken the decision to retire as a singer and work just as a songwriter. David Guetta had released the song with her demo vocals on it.

Sia claims to have always been open about having dated both boys and girls and puts the recent talk about her sexuality down to the fact that she only became popular recently. She married documentary filmmaker Erik Anders Lang in 2014.

3. Billie Joe Armstrong

Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong

Image source: blog.sgate.com

Fronting Green Day, which is probably one of the most important punk rock band in the history of music, Billie Joe Armstrong is a very influential figure in the industry. Green Day’s songs have always been known for their punk-revivalist tunes and often outspoken, politically charged lyrics (Remember American Idiot?). Other than Green Day and music, Billie Joe is also known as an actor and a songwriter. He identifies as a bisexual. He said in a 1995 interview, “I think I’ve always been bisexual. I mean, it’s something that I’ve always been interested in. I think people are born bisexual, and it’s just that our parents and society kind of veer us off into this feeling of ‘Oh, I can’t.’ They say it’s taboo. It’s ingrained in our heads that it’s bad, when it’s not bad at all. It’s a very beautiful thing.”

He, along with the rest of Green Day were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. Billie Joe has been married to Adrienne Nesser since 1994 after he met her at one of the band’s early performances.

4. Lady Gaga

2010 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards - Arrivals

Image source: fanpop.com

It’s difficult to judge what Lady Gaga is known more for: her pop-with-a-twist music or her outlandishly creative ensembles. Whichever of the two it might be, it’s safe to say that she has been one of the most visible names in pop music in recent years. Lady Gaga identifies as a bisexual and has widely talked about being attracted to both men and women. Brought up in a suppressive catholic environment, she has mentioned going on an experimenting spree with everything about her personality as soon as she felt she was free enough. Interestingly, her popular song ‘Poker Face’ is about her bisexual identity.

5. Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean

Image source: indiecurrent.com

Frank started his career as a ghost-songwriter for other industry bigwigs like John Legend and Justin Bieber. His own singing career took off with a debut mixtape which was received with critical acclaim. His sexuality became a topic of discussion with the release of his debut album “Channel Orange”. Several people noted that a few songs seemed to be inspired by experiences of being in love with the same sex. He answered the growing rumours by coming out publicly through an emotional post on his Tumblr account. He talked about falling in love with a male friend at the age of 19 and the experience being as jarring as it was revelationary. His debut album channelled his emotions as he tried to come to terms with this new found realisation.

Frank Ocean was one of the first major African-American musicians to publicly talk about his sexuality. His new album is due for release later this year.

6. Halsey

Halsey

Image credits: flickr.com

Never one to keep her opinions guarded, Halsey is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, known by her stage name Halsey (which is, interestingly enough, an anagram of her first name) is a biracial and bisexual American musician. The blue-haired songstress is known for her hitting lyrics, soulful music and outspoken views about gender, sexuality and body positivity. Riding high on the success of her EP “Room 93”, Halsey is set to release her much awaited debut album “Ghostlands” in August this year. She recently released a video of a remastered version of her popular song ‘Ghost’, which features her in an intimate relationship with another woman.

Halsey is currently dating Norwegian hip-hop artist Lido.

7. Mika

Mika-

Image source: christerscorner.wordpress.com

Mika’s brand of heady pop hit the music scene in 2007. The Lebanese-British singer’s debut album “Life in Cartoon Motion” won him a Brit, a Grammy and several admirers. His sexuality has always been shrouded in mystery and rumours, with the singer often refusing to label himself. Known for his flamboyant style of clothes and music, Mika said in an interview in 2009, “Call me whatever you want. Call me bisexual, if you need a term for me.” He came out as gay publicly in 2012 during the run-up to his third studio album. According to him, his music helped him find the strength to come to terms with his sexuality beyond the scope of his lyrics. Interestingly, the lyrics on his 2012 record ‘The Origins of Love’ are based on his trysts with men.

Mika’s fourth album, titled “No Placed in Heaven”, released on June 15.

8. Lynn Gunn

Lynn Gunn

Image source: infinitexplorers.com

Leading one of the most promising alternative rock bands of recent years, Lynn Gunnulfsen (shortened to Lynn Gunn) is gaining momentum with excellent reviews on PVRIS’s debut album “White Noise” and her soulful, edgy vocals. Lynn came to terms with her sexuality and was inspired to pursue music when she attended a Paramore concert, led by the effervescent Hayley Williams, in grade 7.

Lynn is currently dating Alexa San Roman of the band “Love, Robot”.

9. Ricky Martin

Telemundo's "La Voz Kids Finale

Image source: huffingtonpost.com

Ricky Martin is often credited for the Latin pop explosion of 1990s with his wildly popular song “Livin’ La Vida Loca”. He’s been in the music scene since the early 90s but became popular after performing the “Cup of Life” at the 41st Grammy Awards show. His sexuality was always a topic of discussion due to his large gay following. Ricky came out out publicly through a post on his official website, stating, “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.”

According to him, it was the birth of his twin sons in 2008 (born by a surrogate mother) that prompted him to acknowledge his sexuality.

10. Tyler Glenn

Tyler Glenn

Image source: usamagazine.com

Frontman of the pop-band Neon Trees, Tyler Glynn knew he was gay since he was about six years old but came out publicly only very recently. Being brought up in the conservative town of Utah and raised in a Mormon household, the flamboyant singer kept his sexuality under the covers till it threatened to choke his spirit. Building the new-wave band up from scratch while struggling with keeping his sexuality closeted took it’s toll on Tyler, who took his experiences and penned songs for the band.

He came out publicly in an interview with ‘Rolling Stone’, narrating his experiences as a young Mormon homosexual who was teased for his now-famous outfits and tried relationships with women while pining after a male friend.

Shubham Kaushik

[email protected]

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Top Picks

Short-term online courses you should be taking if Public Policy interests you

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Public policy as a field of research, study and analysis is finding takers now more than ever. Public policy is no longer about the government’s actions: it is equally about the reaction to those actions, about journalists evaluating those actions, about the societal consequences of policy decisions. In short, public policy is a multi-dimensional discipline.

  1. Public policy Challenges in the 21st century

This course will help you develop analytical skills to assess policy proposals. Professor Gerry Warburg at the University of Virginia teaches the course, and it encompasses sub-topics like, “The Media and Changing Nature of Politics”, “Healthcare Systems and Insurance Markets” among others. The course discusses the societal and political repercussions of the challenges facing the policymakers. There’s one catch though:  the course has an inclination towards the U.S. economy and society. However, that doesn’t impede one’s learning.

Where to enroll? Coursera

  1. Ethics and Public Policy

Often, public policy requires the redistribution of resources, denial of rights or privileges, or promotion of one group at the expense of another. At such critical decision-making junctures, one cannot compromise ethics. Such situations essentially lead to dilemmas. This course focuses on the ethical aspect of public policy.

Where to enroll?  Saylor.org

  1. Journalism for social change

The course curriculum states that it has been “designed for students who are interested in the intersection of public policy, journalism and social sciences and who are looking to use their expertise and careers to drive positive social change.” The course teaches how journalism can be used as an implement of social change and how one can become an effective change agent. The instructor for the course is Daniel Heimpel, Lecturer U.C. Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.

Where to enroll?  edX.org

  1. Measuring Causal Effects in the Social Sciences

Yet another offering from Coursera, this course provided by the University of Copenhagen is for you if you have some experience with statistics and familiarity with causal inference and social sciences. This course looks at the quantitative aspect of public policy and decisions thereof.

Where to enroll? Coursera

 

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

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Admissions 2015

What is Choice Based Credit System and how does it affect the new batch?

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You’ve all heard of it, yet at the same time, none of you fully understand it.

The winds of change strike University of Delhi (DU) again and this time they bring with themselves an old friend of ours from secondary school – the grading system. This, however, isn’t the biggest feature of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), another of the controversial pages turned by University Grants Commission (UGC) in the past few years.

The CBCS, as the UGC explains, is a “cafeteria-approach to education”. This does not make education any more appetising, but it is meant to render a student the freedom to choose what and at what pace they would study. Let’s break it down for you.

What has changed?

1. Contents of courses will now be counted in a new currency called “credits”. A single subject of an Honours course of Commerce or an Art will be equal to 6 credits divided into 5 theory and 1 tutorial/practical credits, while for a Science course the division will be of 4 and 2 respectively. The number of credits scored by a student will ultimately translate to a grade point and a grade letter. Honours courses will be made up of 140 credits whereas programme courses will be made up of 120 credits.

2. The system also divides subjects associated with a course under categories, namely “core courses”, “elective courses” and “ability enhancement courses” (here, courses refer to subjects). The number of each of these kinds of subjects a student must study varies from degree to degree. For B.Com. Honours, a student must study 14 core, 8 elective and 4 ability enhancement courses. A student may study additional subjects of their choice as per availability in their institution.

3. Inter-disciplinarity, first introduced with FYUP in DU, stages a comeback with CBCS. A student of a particular course will also study subjects of another course; the credits will be part of elective subject credits. For example, a B.Com. Honours student may study 4 subjects related to the Economics discipline and 4 of Commerce, thereby fulfilling their quota of 8 elective subjects to be studied.

4. The new system makes the final term dissertation (project work) optional, if allowed by the University. It can be swapped with an elective paper in the last semester. DU is yet to prepare the final draft of curriculum for all courses.

5. CBCS also boasts of mobility across Universities, though the UGC has not set clear guidelines for the same yet. It will enable a student to transfer their earned credits to another University entirely so that they may complete their course there. The next level of migration!

6. The following grades will be allotted for the corresponding grade points.

grades

The implementation of CBCS remains to be seen, but the most crucial determinants of the programme’s success will be stability and clarity. Wishing the new batch luck on those fronts!

Further reading: Teachers refuse to draft CBCS syllabus, lock horns with DU

Ishaan Gambhir
[email protected]

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DUB Speak

Dear Father… with love, your Daughter

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When I was born, my father told my mother that I’m a ‘different’ kid. And as luck would say it, he prophesied true. Science agrees that a child’s first words are generally ‘ma’ or addresses to their mother in whatever little syllables they can push out of that puny mouth. Different me, I chose to say ‘papa’ before any other word.

Over the years, as I grew, he was always there. Always attending my school functions, important parent teacher meets; dropping me to my music lessons at times. Seeing him return from the day’s work used to become the attraction of the day. My brother and I used to race our little feet to the door when we saw him parking the car in our garage. Hurriedly telling him all we did in the day, we almost got into an argument as to who gets to tell him more stories. And almost always, my brother used to get the edge simply because he was younger.

My father has always been fond of tea I make. While it was something which eventually got a little tiresome for me and I tried to get away from doing it in my mid teens; it’s now, when I’m away from home and don’t get to see him every day that I miss mixing that two and a half tea-spoon tea and one tea-spoon sugar in the pot of boiling water. And while he watched me grow, he somehow managed to remain the same. Young at heart and fearless. The subconscious confidence of having him stand like an unshakable pillar behind me kept me striding forward while keeping all unnecessary elements (yes, I’m talking about stalkers) pretty much away.

It’s funny to observe how the role of fathers has changed over the last three-four decades. Fathers today are much more than patriarchy-lover, stern faced men who simply said ‘jaa Simran jaa, jeele apni zindagi’ towards the end and get to play the bigger person. Fathers today choose to keep an equation their kids, and specially their daughters can look up to. So while my father and I share funny and  philosophical messages on WhatsApp with equal enthusiasm, we also know that at the end of the day he’s the guardian always keeping an eye on everything that’s happening around me; even if he is a hundred kilometres away.

He’s not just a father, he’s a go-to person, a mentor, a guide, the one who helps me out with my debates, the one who’s the first reader of everything I may write, the one whom I run to when my mother doesn’t listen to me, the one whom I ask for that three thousand rupee dress, the one who melts the moment I shed a tear (a weapon every daughter across the globe knows how to use), the one who’s protected me always, the one who’s the strongest and the one who’s a figure of perfection in my eyes.

And while I’ll definitely get that three thousand bucks worth of dress, he’ll leave behind much more- tonnes of wisdom and all of his soul when he finally leaves.

To all the fathers across the globe, and daughters who cherish this bond they share.

We love you, Papa! Happy Fathers’ Day.

 

Image credits: www.wilstar.com

 

Arushi Pathak

[email protected]

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