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Right to Play and the Debate Around It

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Sachin Tendulkar in his debut speech at the Rajya Sabha spoke about the importance of Right to Play.

We live in a society today that houses extreme contradictions in its beliefs. Every Sunday we turn on the TV and enjoy a cricket match or a late night football game, but when it comes to allowing our own children to pursue a sport as a career in their lives it is, in most cases, frowned upon. When a child begins his/her schooling s/he is always taught to focus on education and is presented the same slippery slope argument, which is that good grades will lead to success. All other recreational or creative activities are branded to be “extra-curriculars”, implying they aren’t essential to one’s life and development. This approach, however, is absolutely flawed.

Very recently, India’s most loved cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, who is also a nominated member of the Upper House of the Parliament, used his platform to voice concern over the matter of the exclusion of Right to Play in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education bill. In his speech, he laid emphasis on the importance of sports and urged the government to make the adequate amendment to the previously mentioned bill.

According to many psychological studies on child development, Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact with the world around them.

This issue raised by the former batsman is not one to be taken lightly. It is of high relevance in a country like India where more than half of the country’s 1.25 billion population is below the age of 25 and more than two-thirds, below 35. This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also used his platform and called upon children to engage in sports and take up other physical activities while expressing concerns over the rising number cases of obesity or malnutrition among children that are rampantly prevalent in India. Talking about this issue, the iconic athlete also cited many examples of national level players who are struggling to make ends meet while highlighting the importance of providing financial aid, he further added that sports can be considered an essential and mandated part of curriculum and consequently, each life should get the Right to Play at school.

Feature image credits: The Quint

Bhavya Banerjee

[email protected]

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DUB Speak

The Dynamic Nature of Holidays

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As we end this holiday season, our reverence level for holidays reaches its zenith. What is it about these cherished days that we can never seem to let go of them? Exploring the dynamics and understanding the nitty-gritties of this short period, we learn that its significance is ever-changing.

Holidays is that extended period of leisure and recreation where we break apart from the shackles of our monotonous routines, which had been throttling our freedom for a long while.  At different times of the year, holidays hold different significance for different people of myriad age groups. Invariably, irrespective of their background and age group, people wait for holidays with utmost eagerness.

Remember the time when we were tiny tots? Holidays were perceived differently then than we perceive them to be now. During those days, holidays meant an escape from all the horrors of school and a temporary respite from waking up early in the mornings.

For a high school student, holidays were not just about fun, but also about the subtle responsibility of doing holiday homework and studying simultaneously. The holiday season during that time was generally a recreation trip with one’s family. It suffices to say that holidays back then had a completely different essence, with us wishing for holidays to never end.

When we enter college, this scenario revolving around holidays changes in the very least. The need and desire for holidays shoots up skyrocketing, just like it did when we were school students. However, where it changes is that in college, students extensively use holidays for interning and learning new skills. This short break is also used as a means to recuperate from the everyday tiring college schedules. During college, a student spends a major amount time to augment his/her skills and to enrich the CV. Also, a lot of outstation students get a chance to go back to their hometown and get rejuvenated before the subsequent term of college begins. Holidays for them means connecting with family, rekindling the bond with friends, and meeting relatives. It would be an understatement to say that holidays play a highly significant and crucial role in a college student’s life.

As we grow older, this  essence of holidays gets remodelled in accordance with the stage of life we are currently experiencing, as not many holidays are available in the successive stages of life.  Understandably, when we are informed about any kind of a holiday, it becomes a matter of celebration. Some sleep in the entirety of their holidays to compensate for the loss of sleep, while the others make plans to travel.

Although the essence and dynamics of holidays keep changing, the need for holidays is imperative for each and every age group irrespective of one’s background. It’s important to cherish that small break by making up for the lack of sleep while simultaneously extracting the best from it while we can.

Feature Image Credits:

Sandeep Samal

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Reviews

Desperate Housewives: A Review

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What will you get if you combined “Sex and the City” and “Friends” together? Desperate Housewives! It is a sitcom that ran for 8 seasons covering the lives of 4 female friends and their neighbours at Wisteria Lane in a town called Fairview. Mystery sets in when one of the housewives, Mary Alice commits suicide even though she seemed to be happy in her life. She, as the narrator, unfolds the story of what had happened after she had killed herself. Like any other soap opera, it has the usual characteristics of betrayal, dark secrets, revenge, and manipulation, but combined with the intense bond that Bree, Susan, Lynette and Gabrielle share along with the humour that runs along the show, makes it a completely unique show in itself. If you loved friends, you’ll love this show just as much. Bree Larson is the perfect housewife who will keep her home spic and span and take all measures to hide her family’s secrets. She is very religious and old-fashioned and having a gay son definitely brings about a change in her. By the end of season 4, she learns to trust her friends with her secrets. Susan is a dorky and widowed woman who falls in love with a new neighbour Mike Delfino and ends up marrying him. Lynette is a mother of 4 children who has to leave her success in the workplace to gain success as a mother. Gabrielle, on the other hand, is a runway model-turned-housewife after she married a rich man, Carlos Solis. While the directors and producers might not have a direct progressive ideology, it is subtly liberal and that makes it more consumable. More than housewives, these four women take on the roles of detectives, advisors, organisers, and even hold conventional jobs throughout the show. The enforced stereotypes scattered around the show are funny and parodic commentaries on the concept of traditional households. Moreover, it is relatable to the dis-functionality of a regular Indian household. The humour, sarcasm, and relatability of the show make it a gripping and addictive watch.   Feature Image Credits: The Hollywood Report Varoon Tuteja [email protected]]]>

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DUB Speak

About My Abstinence From Social Media

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Recently, I realised that I have become addicted to social media. The signs had been all there. I found myself scrolling through Facebook and Instagram inadvertently most of the time. I could not stop the urge to open my social media accounts every half an hour and check the new updates.

I would like to use the term ‘addiction’ for this urge because that is exactly what this is. We, without even realising, slowly become addicted to the social media. We like to know what is happening in someone else’s life with whom we might have not even exchanged more than few words. Subconsciously we even start comparing our lives with theirs and become disheartened by how different or unadventurous our lives are. This, as I clearly do not need to point out is all but a facade. We realize the truth and from time to time even put a check on ourselves. There is a brief moment of clarity where we decide to abstain from social media. Alas! We “rush to fall into snares of delusion all over again.”

So when I had this brief moment of clarity about a month back, I decided to delete all social media applications from my mobile phone. This time my decision was firm to not revert to old ways. However, I did not delete my accounts. I also had to keep my WhatsApp because well, it is an occupational hazard. Since I could open my accounts only on my laptop, the access to them was restricted due to the inconvenience involved. The first week was hard, I must say. But after the fifteenth day, I realised that I had more time on my hands. I finally took to reading some of the books which I had not been able to time for. Without the distraction of the chaotic world of social media, I also found time to put into words some of the ideas that had been floating around in my head.

Yes, I agree that it is not possible to completely avoid social media. In fact I believe that one shouldn’t so because in a way or so they are essential too. But what I have discerned in some past few weeks is that we allow ourselves to get completely hooked to it. One of the reasons might be that we are seeking too much validation from everyone around us. Perhaps, this best explains our constant need to upload snippets from our lives for everyone to see. Some days back, I read about a study from Microsoft Corporation in a TIME article. It said that since 2000 the average attention span has dropped from 12 seconds to 8 seconds. This essentially means that even a goldfish known for being ill-focussed has a longer attention span at nine seconds. So I hope that if you too are suffering from this addiction, you decide to take a step towards curbing it. I assure you from my experience that life will become more productive and meaningful.

 

Feature Image Credits: Matthew Muccio

Anukriti Mishra
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DUB Speak

Auburn Umbrella – How You Can Take Care of Your Hair This Winter

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Even though you love the way the cold winter winds play with your hair, they can leave your hair dry, rough, and frizzled. Winter winds lack moisture and if your hair is not properly nourished on time, it can lead to permanent damage. Follow these tips to take care of your hair this winter season:

Oiling:

During the winters, your hair requires oiling at least once or twice a week. Without the oil nourishment, your hair can develop dandruff which can even lead to scalp irritation. Massaging with coconut or olive oil works best for all kinds of hair. In case you have developed dandruff, the best way to nourish your scalp is by mixing coconut oil with lemon juice. Apply the mixture from roots to the tips for best results.

Warm Water:

While washing your head, use lukewarm water and not hot water as it strips off the scalp from its natural oils. Hot water dehydrates the hair and scalp severely which leads to frizzy and dull-looking hair.

Conditioning:

During winters, a conditioner after shampooing is a must. Start applying the conditioner from the mid-lengths to the roots, concentrating mostly on the roots as that is generally the most damaged part of a person’s hair. The conditioner locks in the moisture and makes your hair smooth and shiny. A leave-on serum after squeezing the hair carefully with the towel is a must-do, as it prevents the hair from becoming static.

Drying:

Blow-drying your hair during winters can lead to permanent hair damage. To counter this, try air-drying. However, if there is no other way other than using your dryer, dry your hair on a cooler mode. Drying them at the least hot temperature prevents it from becoming frizzy and dull.

Making extra efforts to take care of your hair does not take long and can go a long way in keeping it healthy and shiny.

Feature Image Credits: About Lifez

Prachi Mehra

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Events

New Year Itinerary: What’s Happening Around the Capital at the New Year’s Eve

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Still have no plans for the coming days? Worry not, we have a list for you whether you plan to go stag or make a bash with your friends.

The National Capital has a number of parties and events lined up for you across the upcoming days. We bring to you our top three pick specially curated for you, your friends, or your family.

1. Smaaash New Year Carnival at Gurugram

Located at the DLF Cyber Hub, Cyber City, Smaaash is the perfect destination for Arcade Games, food and Drinks. This is the go-to location if you want to step into the New Year high on action. The event gets rolling at 8 PM on 31st.

2. New Year Bash Party at JLN Stadium

With artists like Sharry Maan, DJ Sonali Katyal, Rapture Dhol Mix Nites, Qisaa The Band and many more lined up, this event at the JLN is the perfect destination if you want to start early, as the gala starts by 6 in the evening on 31st December.

3. New Year Bash at the Lord of the Drinks Meadow

Located at the New Deer Park in Hauz Khas Village, this certainly is the best choice if you are fine with shedding a few extra bucks for the classiest experience. With DJ Sam scheduled to arrive, this would be nothing short of a perfect way to look forward to a perfect New Year.

Go ahead, make your choice and secure your booking at the official website of these venues.

 

Feature Image Credits: AllWording

Nikhil Kumar
[email protected]

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News

New Year’s Drug Supply Crackdown: Narcotics Bureau Arrests Four University Students

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The students were involved in the supply chain of over a kilogram of Charas and LSD blot papers to Jaipur and around NCR.

In a major development before the New Year celebrations, the Delhi Zonal Unit of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested four students from across the top Delhi Colleges on Saturday. Among the arrested were Sam Mallick from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Gaurav Kumar and Tenzin Phunchog from Hindu College of University of Delhi and Anirudh Mathur from Amity University. The arrest was made after the the Narcotics Bureau received information on 28 December about the drug use and peddling around these campuses.

“For the last few months, NCB Delhi Zonal unit had been receiving inputs about drug peddling and intense abuse of drugs around institutional areas like Delhi University, Jawaharlal University and Amity University,” Times of India quoted S K Jha, Deputy Director General, NCB as saying.

Acoording to sources of the department, the authorities were given intelligence reports about a parcel of banned substances dispatched to Jaipur via DTDC, following which they reached the Vijay Nagar DTDC office and confiscated the consignment containing 1.14 kg Charas and 3 strips of LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide). The source was traced and the students were subsequently arrested. However, the major actor behind the drug racket functioning from Himachal Pradesh, Neelchand, is still at large.

The authorities confirmed that the students will be prosecuted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

 

Feature Image Credits: ANI

Nikhil Kumar
[email protected]

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Fashion

College Fashion Blunders

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Being college going students, we are busy with travelling, studying, and hanging out, we often forget to focus on our sense of style and the individuality it generates. While it is totally acceptable in fashion to experiment with new styles and pieces, yet there are certain mistakes that we tend to make when it comes to dressing up for college.

1. Occasion, and season appropriate clothing: It is a boon that Delhi University does not have a dress code but as young men and women, we tend to use that freedom and steer beyond a rational sense of fashion. Wearing mini-skirts and shorts with no thigh high boots in winters is a big no-no. Wearing a denim jacket in summers will make you sweaty and that’ll definitely ruin your look, if not your day.

2. The disease of flip-flops: Oscar Wilde tells us that we can never be overdressed, but underdressing is a calamity. I’d be a millionaire if I had a dollar for every time I see someone wearing flip-flops to class. Moreover, when they pair it with sweatpants, my instant reaction includes an eye-roll and an urge to give them a Miranda Priestley treatment from “The Devil Wears Prada”.

3. The (fake) designer label hoarder: It’s very natural to be attracted to the sense of high fashion that a designer piece brings but not everyone is fortunate enough. Rather than carrying a fake Louis Vuitton birkin that looks cheap, carry an affordable branded purse that looks elegant and matches your style. Or, try to get your hands on designer items during their sale season and then, show it off unapologetically.

4. Lazy cuffing: If your pants are too long and you haven’t had them trimmed or you just like to cuff them for styling reasons, it is important to learn the art of cuffing. Cuffing shirts does not only make them casual enough for college but also save you from the heat in the summer.

5. Inappropriate sizing and proportion: It is obvious one should stick to their size of clothing, but the aesthetic of baggy clothes can be trendy. The general rule around it is to wear something structured and fitting to balance the look. The lengths of your clothes should be fashionable. Pro tip: A fitting t-shirt with chinos along with vans can be your go-to look whenever you’re running late.

6. Bridal make-up look: It is not wrong for girls (and boys) to wear a full face of makeup. Makeup is an art form and improves your aesthetic but it is imperative not to overstep. A BB cream, mascara and lip tint can go a long way for your everyday college makeup.

 

Feature Image Credits: Teen Vogue

Varoon Tuteja
[email protected]

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DUB Speak

To Make or Not to Make Those Mistakes

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There will be times when you will strive for perfection while earning your degree during which you are bound to mess up in some manner or the other. For many students, college is the first time they are responsible for themselves. The road to maturity can be bumpy for some. Okay, most.

Some mishaps can be avoided with a little common sense, but others can only be used as lessons. The growing pains of adulthood are many, but being able to laugh at them in a cap and gown makes them worthwhile.

Here are 10 mistakes that you probably made in the last semester, but need to avoid repeating (because you don’t want to have any “regrets”):

1. It’s perfectly fine if you don’t have the answer to questions like, “So, what’s your plan?” You don’t need to respond to your dad’s friend’s second cousin and talk to him about your internship applications or even your academic Not everyone is cut-out for a definite plan and not everything is meant to be precisely planned. You’re allowed to feel lost. You should always strive to have direction, but you should also accept that not every second of your life will have direction, not every moment has to be about doing something for the future, no matter how pressurised you are.

2. However, point 1 does not give you a free pass to be absolutely “clueless’’. It is important to know the difference between being “clueless about what to do” and “still figuring out how to do.” While the latter can be considered healthy, the former isn’t always too.

3. You can burn out on social engagements. Wanting to spend time with everyone is completely understandable. But you don’t need to worry about the fact that you’re not being a social butterfly anymore (because you’re spending too much time with your old friends). In each semester, you reach a point when you’re concerned you didn’t meet enough people. Let me spare you the whining and complaining: you did meet plenty of people, but only a few could stick around. You don’t have to be everyone’s favourite in college. This semester, spend a little less time trying to be everyone else’s favourite and a little more time trying to be your own. That way, you’d be saving a lot more time.

4. Take care of your health. Nothing sets you back from exams, studying, or meeting last-minute deadlines for assignment submission like a nasty cold. When you think you need to sleep, trust that instinct. For those who have joined hostels, your mom isn’t cooking your meals anymore. And while there’s nothing wrong with partying now that your curfew is a thing of the past, there is something wrong with binge-eating fast food every night. Don’t ignore your health just because you’re finally on your own. 

5. Don’t use Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) as an excuse to not attend classes, or not to complete an assignment on time.Your 19th/20th/21st birthday is not the last birthday you will ever celebrate. It is not your wedding. It’s not the day you land the job you’ve been waiting for. You are going to have another birthday next year. So if your birthday party doesn’t go perfectly, it’s fine. If you don’t get to attend a Game of Thrones themed party in Hauz Khas Village, it’s fine. If you don’t get to attend Sunburn even if Jason Derulo is part of the line-up, you should be fine.  FOMO is real, but not real enough to make you miss that internal or not submit that assignment you’d get 10 marks for.

6. Remember that you’re not in high school anymore and that nobody cares what you were like in high school. It’s okay to take good memories from high school with you to college, but make sure to not get caught up in them. If you stay too attached to your high school experience, you won’t be open to everything that your next semester has to offer (this holds true especially for freshers). Don’t focus on what made you “you” in high school.

7. Don’t think it’s uncool to sit in the first row of class. We can all admit that most of the cool kids certainly did not sit in the front row of class in elementary, middle, or high school unless a seating chart-wielding math teacher forced them to do so. If, in the last semester, you looked at most of those students sitting in those spots on their own accord as teachers’ pets, rethink about it: the less distracted you are, the more you register the first time, the less studying you have to do, and the more time you have for your cool college life.

8. Every semester is different. If you had an 8.4 GPA in your last semester, it would not necessarily stop you from getting a 4.2 in the next one. You would need to up your game and address each new semester with a renewed approach. The rules are different in each semester.

9. Everyone is probably telling you right now that these will be the happiest four years of your life. What they probably aren’t telling you is that these will also be some of the worst years of your life. In college, you will feel on top of the world in one semester and utterly defeated in the next. Just try to remember that you’re not doing anything wrong if you’re having a hard time. And before you jump to any conclusions about how much happier everyone else is and how much more fun they’re having than you, sit down and talk to a friend. You’d be surprised to know how many people feel lost and directionless in at least some point in their college careers.

10. As you begin with another semester, it would be wise to leave you with a quote which stands true whether you’re 14 or 41,”For what it’s worth: it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”- Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 

 

Feature Image Credits: YouthKiAwaaz

Vaibhavi Sharma Pathak

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Reviews

Play Review: Manto Ke Afsaane

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Saadat Hasan Manto’s stories have been adapted on stage for decades now. Every work of the acclaimed writer kindles powerful emotions and emotions reactions. One such attempt was put forth by less than a year old Sukhmanch Theater. Held on 25th December at Lok Kala Manch, the production was named “Manto Ke Afsaane”. Like the name itself suggests, the play comprised of six short stories written by the Manto himself. The stories were carefully picked, where the protagonist was a woman. While the subjugation of women was a common theme across the six stories, communalism, politics, and poverty were also talked about. Changes and variations to suit the contemporary and current scenario were skillfully integrated by Director Shilpi Marwaha. In terms of storytelling, one can argue that masterpieces like “Khol Do” and “Mozail” weren’t played as skillfully as they are originally written. The haunting emotions and nuances of the text didn’t unfold on the stage. But this difference or observation is apparent only to those who have read the stories. To those who didn’t, the acts were engaging enough. There are several moments in the 2-hour long play where an audience would laugh, cry, and feel very uneasy owing to the uncomfortable realties of the society. As a female, I was very uncomforted by the heart-wrenching scenes depicting of sexual violence, but to neutralize this intensity there were several lighthearted moments spread across the play. For me, the best act was “Khudkushi”- a hilarious piece encompassing the thoughts and musings of a young girl’s about eternal love stories. The play involved more than 40 actors and one could tell that almost all of them were amateur (and as we found out later, most of them had started theater just eight months ago). However, despite the occasional fumbling and lack of convincing dialogue delivery, they all manage to pull great performances. Pragya Sharma, who played the role of naïve ten Sarita in “ 1O Rupaye” stood out for her innocent and unpretentious acting skills. The play starts with a scene where all women protagonist is present in the same stage and voices out their opinions which soon dissolve in a tumultuous chaos signaling the muffling of women’s voices. After all the stories are enacted one gets the significance of this first scene because we can identify the characters. Shilpi Marwaha should be applauded for genius orchestration. The stage setting was kept minimal and the lighting was handled well by Ayan Banerjee. The background score consisted of soulful piano versions of Christina Perry songs which didn’t suit the play at all. P.S. – After the end, Shilpi Marwaha addressed the audience and introduced the cast an crew. Shilpi in her delightful and charming style established his direct rapport with the audience. What followed next was a 20-minute long heart-to-heart. The production was great, but I suggest you should watch Sukhmanch Theater for the pleasure of meeting Miss. Marwaha.   Feature Image Credits: Niharika Dabral for DU Beat Niharika Dabral [email protected]]]>

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