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In conversation with the newly elected Students’ Union President of Jesus and Mary College

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Asha Elizabeth is a third year B.Com. Honours student in Jesus and Mary College. An eminent part of the Commerce Core team and NCC of the college, she is currently getting trained in athletics at JLN stadium.

 Q. Congratulations, Asha! How does it feel, and did you use any strategies to win the elections?

 Thank you, this feeling cannot be expressed in words. I want to thank god for his abundant blessings. The only strategy I used was to reach out to the students and make them aware of my views and agendas for the upcoming year. I did offline and online campaigning, talked to the students individually and collectively and ensured that my posters covered the entire campus.

Q. What is your immediate plan of action as the President of the Union?

My immediate plan is to take steps to ensure cleanliness around the campus and to form an effective and efficient student council. My main aim is to organise workshops for all the courses so that they can get practical knowledge related to their field of study. I also plan to introduce self-defence training in the college.

Q. What do you think, lacks the most in Delhi University colleges? How do you plan to overcome it in your college?

I feel that most colleges lack adequate healthcare facilities. To overcome that, I would want sufficient medical care to be provided in JMC. I have also observed that there is more bookish knowledge than practical knowledge in the education system. I want to organise educational trips and workshops to overcome that.

Q. What is the biggest challenge that you see coming your way this year?

 The biggest challenge I see ahead of me is balancing both, the demands of students and those of the college administration. I wasn’t to be able to fulfill everyone’s expectations, but that can be difficult if they clash.

Q. What advice would you like to give to the students, aspiring to hold such leadership positions in future?

I would like to tell them that leadership qualities are not hereditary but they have to be developed and used in the right way. Be confident, be enthusiastic and find happiness in whatever you do. Make sure your actions inspire others.

 

Interviewed by Lovleen Kaur

[email protected]

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Jesus and Mary College

5 best known alumni of Jesus and Mary College

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Jesus and Mary College is known for its exceptional academics and extra-curricular activities, this women only college is the alma mater of several powerful personalities. Some of them are:

Priyanka Gandhi

Page 4 Alumni JMC Priyanka Gandhi

Daughter of former Prime Minister, late Rajiv Gandhi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka is a well known face in the field of politics. She pursued her graduation in Psychology from Jesus and Mary College. In the general elections of 2004, she became the campaign manager of Sonia Gandhi. Known for her quiet organizational and level headed skills, she has managed to prove herself by getting Congress seats in the Amethi Rae Bareilly region during 2007 assembly elections. She is still remembered by senior teachers in the college as having a security team following her everywhere, that she managed to slip past a few times!

Neha Dhupia

Page 4 Alumni JMC Neha Dhupia

Neha Dhupia is a renowned model and Bollywood actress. A History graduate from Jesus and Mary College, she started her career as a TV actress. In 2002, she was crowned Miss India. Subsequently, she participated in the Miss Universe 2002 pageant in Puerto Rico where she made it to the top 10. She has played major roles in movies like Singh Is Kinng (2008) and Dasvidaniya (2008).

Ambika Anand

Page 4 Alumni JMC Ambika Anand

Ambika Anand is an Indian TV anchor and the Editor in Chief, Fashion at NDTV Good Times, the lifestyle channel of NDTV. She currently hosts Get the Look, Band Baajaa Bride Season 4 and has previously anchored shows like The Big Fat Indian Wedding, I’m Too Sexy For My Shoes etc. She was awarded the Cosmopolitan India Fun Fearless Female TV Personality title in 2011. She was also on the list of HT City Delhi’s Most Stylish 2013.

Sushmita Mukherjee

229657-mukherjee

Sushmita Mukherjee is a senior Bollywood and television actress. She is known for her work in Bollywood movies like Dostana (2008), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006) and King Uncle (1993), etc. Born in Kolkata, She was famous for portraying the role of ‘Kitty’ the half wit assistant of Karam Chand.

Hasleen Kaur

Yaariyan Actress Hasleen Kaur Miss India 2011 HD Wallpaper

Hasleen Kaur is an Indian Model. She was crowned Miss India Earth and eventually participated in the Miss Earth pageant in 2011. She appeared in several advertisements before making her Bollywood debut in the 2014 movie Karle Pyar Karle. After graduating in English from Jesus and Mary College, she went to Indian Institute of Mass Communication to pursue Advertisement and PR. She also worked as an Elite Model and appeared in Elite Fashion Calendar in 2011.

 

Lovleen Kaur

[email protected]

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Indraprastha College for Women

In conversation with Sanchita Makkar, President, Students’ Union of IP College for Women

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Q. Congratulations on being elected the President of the Students’ Union! What piqued your interest in student politics?

When I was pursuing my primary education, I used to admire my seniors who worked for school events. Everything about it mesmerized me and the whole structure of managing work inspired me to take responsibilities. I am inspired by Gandhi ji’s words, “Be the change you want to see.” These words have motivated me to get up and take charge. After my school when I joined college my interest was multiplied when I saw immense opportunities here. So yes, the wings of power and roots of responsibility inspired me and increased my interest.

How does it feel to become the President of the college?

It’s a proud moment for me. In my first year this was an impossible thought for me but having really acquired this position, the whole scenario has changed and the extent to which I have become a confident person is colossal. But rank does not only confer privilege or give power, it also imposes great responsibility. So right now I have mixed feelings of happiness and responsibility.

What is the first thing you’ll be working on as the President of the Students’ Union?

There are lots of things which I want to work on. But for now I have thought of working on two main aspects. First, making cultural events more innovative and participative for all the students and secondly, making various processes and procedures smooth.

Being a president is a hard task- how do you plan on balancing your presidential responsibilities and academics?

Maintaining a balance is really important and difficult at the same time. But a leader has to do it and also knows how to do it. I will not plan long time tables and schedules but always try to give equal time to everything.  Not just to academics and extracurriculars,  I will try and do my best in all aspects of life. As they say, “Life will always get busy, make time to do the things you love.”

What do you think makes a Union successful, how do you plan to achieve it?

According to me, team-work makes a Union a hit or a flop. When a number of minds work together, they create an innovative success formula. I will motivate my team and will try to show them direction and a way in which their capabilities and talents can be utilized. I expect three things from my team, participation, team-work and enthusiasm to work for the betterment of the college.

 

Kritika Narula

[email protected]

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DUB Speak

A Liberal Society is a Myth

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We’re living in an era of bans and conservative policing. One’s diet, behaviour, dressing style, sexuality- nothing is exempted from the moral ‘sanskaari’ school of thought.

Institutions especially, are keen on propagating ‘cultural’ values among students. Here are some of the most ridiculous rules in colleges and universities around India, which make one wonder if a liberal society is a myth:

Surajmal
1. “Chappals ruining the reputation of our Institution”
Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology, IP University thinks that tight clothes, slippers and nylon chappals are ruining their repute as an institution of learning. The ban has been enforced on both,the students and the faculty, alike.

AMU- firstpost.in
2. “Can’t let girls enter the library, they’ll attract more boys.”
Turning down the demand of female students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for access to the Maulana Azad Library, Vice-Chancellor Lt. Gen Zameer Uddin Shah has said there would be “four times more boys” in the library if girls were allowed in. What’s worse? The principal of Women’s College, AMU agrees with Mr. Shah saying a discipline issue might crop up due to presence of girls.

Xaviers
3. “No shorts for women due to security concerns.”
Women students of St. Xavier’s College will not be allowed to wear shorts at their popular annual fest-Malhar, this year. This has come from the college’s recently appointed principal, Agnelo Menezes, who cited security concerns.

Ambedkar
4. “Criticizing the PM? You’re now banned, thanks.”
Ambedkar Periyar student circle of IIT Madras was banned by the HRD Ministry because apparently, they were spreading “hatred” against the Prime Minister. Merely criticizing the government and current policies was touted as hatred and defamation.

5. “This is a sanskaari bus hence, no boy and girl should sit together.”
Gitamm University, Hyderabad has set its transport rules straight. No boy and girl should sit together in the bus; and we thought that Universities are supposed to be free from the unnecessary narrow minded guidelines society throws upon us.

Well, if all this is imposed on the youth of this “developing” country, I wonder how progressed we will be in the coming 69 years!

KartikeyaBhatotia
[email protected]

Image credits:
St.Xavier’s College – http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/St-Xaviers-bans-shorts-for-women-students-at-Malhar/articleshow/48497472.cms

Gitam University: http://i.imgur.com/57UnpZh.jpg

Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology: http://i.imgur.com/g174CUy.jpg

Aligarh Muslim University: http://s4.firstpost.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/aligarh-IBN.jpg

Ambedkar Periyar: https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/scrollstorage/1433154953-1013_11329763-1481704325454092-6240574753414877770-n.jpg

Featured image: Google Images

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The Auburn Umbrella

Ask Auburn: Dressing with a tummy to conceal

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Dear Auburn,
I am a second year student studying in DU. Over the course of the year, I have put on a lot of weight on my waist. I am thin all over, but I have a bulging belly. My friends have started noticing the pot belly and making fun of it. How should I dress to conceal the issue?
-Novice Fatty

 

Dear Fatty,
Firstly, don’t sound so desolate. Your problem is not impossible to solve. There are two ways of addressing your issue: a) The short-term solution and b) The long term solution.

Fashion can help you in the short run. Wear loose kurtas, palazzo pants and maxi dresses. At the same time, avoid tank tops, high-waisted jeans and crop tops. If you’re very conscious about the bulge, then try a tummy tucker as well. The key is to take away attention from your waist, not bring attention to it. So you must also steer clear from dresses that bunch up at your waist. They’ll only make you look heavier.

ask auburn (1)
Image Source: alooper.com

Exercise and nutrition are the only things that can permanently solve your problem. If you’re thin all over and your midriff is the only issue, then clearly, you’re not eating right.  Combining good eating habits with regular exercise will help you shape up for sure!

Don’t lose hope. Camouflage your problem with fashion and at the same time, embrace a healthy lifestyle. You’ll be good to go, ‘lil munchkin!

xoxo
Auburn

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DUB News

On- campus placements begin in Delhi University

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With the commencement of the new session, the final year conundrums are already catching pace for many students with early placement sessions in various Delhi University colleges.

While the first surge of placements has mostly been for Commerce students, other DU courses await to see which companies will come on campus this year. Colleges like Jesus and Mary College, Kirori Mal College, Hans Raj College and Indraprastha College for Women have already started playing hosts to recruiting companies.

Deloitte recently offered an average package of 4 lakhs to 26 B. Com. (Honours) final year students in the Auditing Department at Jesus and Mary College. In Kirori Mal College, a few students have been placed for a package close to 3.2 lakhs as Audit Associates with Global Talent Hub.

As Ernst and Young, Deloitte, McKinsey and Keppler have been organizing continuous Soft Skills Workshops in almost all DU colleges, Teach for India has also started holding orientations for its 2 year Fellowship in various colleges.

While IP College awaits placements by Ernst and Young for its students, Hans Raj College will soon host Bain and Company bringing an offer of 10 lakhs and Deloitte bringing an offer of 4.5 lakhs.

The early start of the placement season is keeping college Placement Cells on their toes. As the start of the session has begun with grand openings, one can only hope for better offers in the future.

Featured Image Credits: tkmce.ac.in

Ayesha Sareen

[email protected]

 

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DUB News

SFI conducts referendum on CBCS, more than 90% vote ‘No’

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The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), CPI (M)’s student wing, conducted a referendum last week on the widely debated Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) which was implemented at the undergraduate level  this year by the Delhi University. The referendum was conducted through polling stations at 12 major colleges of the varsity. These included Kirori Mal College, Hindu College, Shri Ram College of Commerce, SGTB Khalsa College, Miranda House, Laxmi Bai College, Satyawati College, Satyawati College (Evening), Zakir Hussain College, Zakir Hussain College (Evening), Motilal Nehru College, Ram Lal Anand College, Aryabhatta College, Dyal Singh College, Dyal Singh College (Evening), Aurobindo College and Aurobindo College (Evening).

The students voted in considerable numbers at all the centres leaving the final vote count at 12,769. Out of the number of votes casted, 11,734 voted against the system by selecting the ‘No’ option on the ballot papers while 1,016 voted for it. 19 votes were deemed invalid. The counting was done on Wednesday evening outside the Arts Faculty by a three member teacher panel. 91.89% of the votes were against the system.

SFI, which claims to be constantly battling for a fair higher education system in the country, faced resistance from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in various colleges as the former was eventually garnering a lot of support during the lead up to the referendum. The Federation now plans to do a nationwide referendum on the nature of higher education in the country and accordingly report the results to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Image credits: SFI

Sidharth Yadav

[email protected]

 

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DUB News

Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences protests for a union

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Like a last scintillation emerging from the massive political blackout surrounding the students of Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, the 12th August strike was yet another ‘student-demonstration’ striving for constitution of a  Students’ Union. The protest by 500 students was unruffled, until lathi charge dispersed them. The principal lodged an FIR with respect to vandalism which the students purported false as they were 20 meters away from the college gate. The protestors counterclaimed that they had already taken permission from the DCP to protest for their rights as long as it was a ‘peaceful demonstration’ and they had no idea what made their confidence ebb that they arrested their leader.

Notwithstanding the unanimous filing of memorandum and college ID cards of 300 students, for this proposal to be passed, the principal indignantly declared that all the ‘co-conspirators’ will be awarded a zero in their internal assessments for degrading the esteem values of a science college in pursuit of political activism and furthermore precluded them from college placements as well.

“Two years ago, a referendum was demanded for establishment of a representative body of students but the authorities tackled it deftly by imposing a 75% criteria (which originally had been 67%) and subsequently intimidated the Food Technology department from casting their votes,” said a student. The administration had approved the union in the following year but on being questioned, the principal raised his hand as if to swat the conversation away.

“We tried seeking help from ABVP, NSUI and CYSS but they all seem engaged in pre-election campaigning and had no time for an issue so trivial. We will fight for our right to form the union which shall be accountable to the common mass and give all the students the right to choose their leader, unlike faculty nominations,” said Ashu Bidhuri, leader of the Students’ Reform Group. In spite of objection from students, the college authorities decided to hold a Students’ Advisory Meeting to discuss the dispute further.

 

Featured Image Credits: Ravi Pratap Dubey

Tamanna Goel

[email protected]

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DUB Speak

Reasons why you don’t need an internship this Summer

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Having completed an entire month in office, if I were given a choice again, chances are I might never choose to do an internship at all. In hindsight, whilst doing an internship is sometimes enriching and enlightening, not doing an internship also has its merits. Yes, internships are a part of your college experience, but not doing one doesn’t mean you haven’t lived your college life well. Yes, doing an internship is a good way of having a productive summer, but not having one is not the end of the world. So, here we are bursting the bubble, and breaking the myths.

 

  1. Internships are overhyped

     

    Contrary to popular belief, not getting an internship is NOT the end of your career. If you haven’t applied for an internship at some big ass corporate house, you will not end up living in your parent’s house forever. There are a bunch of other ways to kickstart your career. I am, in no manner implying that internships are completely futile. But they are not the only avenue for you to build your resumes or pick up skills and learnings. Don’t just do what everyone else is doing. If you utilise your summer well, you can work on defining your personal brand effectively too!

     

  2. Internships won’t solve the perpetual existential crisis

     

    There are other, far simpler ways to discover your potential and work on your skills. You could translate a new interest into a hobby, or take up some projects to hone your existing skills. You can enrol in an online course, or take up some research work based on your educational background.So stop panicking, or wallowing in jealousy. Just breathe.

     

  3. Internships might be a costly affair

    Keeping aside the fact that most of the internships available are unpaid, most paid internships too are a farce and often a trap. In case of unpaid internships, you need to finance your commute, eating expenses, inter alia. In case of paid internships, while the stipend will only barely cover your travel and lunch expenses, it might not necessarily bring life back to your wallet. And then there are internships for which students have to pay to intern with a company. Now that is another issue altogether.Hence, it becomes extremely difficult for an outstation student, particularly, to do an internship. If however, you do decide to take one up, be mindful of the return on your investment.

     

  4. It gets tiring

     

    With 12 hour days everyday, I am not just I’ll-take-a-nap-and-be-okay-in-the-morning tired, I am more like I-need-to-sleep-for-an-entire-month tired. How I wish to sneak away each weekend to recharge my batteries. Overtime, what I have realised is that I would have liked travelling uninterrupted for an entire month more than spending most of my days in office. Taking care of those pangs of wanderlust is a whole lot easier during the break than during college days. Plus, when you travel you’ll always have a cooler story to tell later on!

     

College offers an interesting proposition of permutations and combinations of fun and learning, and sometimes you really ought to choose well. My internship has taught me a lot of things, of which the most important lesson is: If I hadn’t taken this internship; I would have been just fine.

 

Image Credits: giphy.com

Surbhi Arora

[email protected]

 

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