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On 18th July, 2017, the coveted publisher Bloomsbury, based in the UK, announced in a business statement that this October will mark the release of two new books about the magical world of Harry Potter to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first book in the series: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The news of the release will make all the Hermione Grangers of the world exceedingly happy as it is said to accompany a Harry Potter exhibition at the British Library in October 2017. The first book is titled “Harry Potter: A History of Magic” which will be a coffee table book, it will feature original drafts by author J. K. Rowling and essays on the various parts of the exhibition by writers Major Tim Peake, Lucy Mangan, Steve Backshall and Anna Pavord. The second book is called “Harry Potter, A Journey Through a History of Magic” which promises to take the reader on a historical journey about the wizarding world and delves into the stories behind spells, magical creatures, wizards and witches. Both books are currently available for pre-order on the British Library Shop.

This is a thrilling new exhibition that will showcase a fascinating display of wizarding books, manuscripts and magical objects, and combine centuries-old British Library treasures with original material from Bloomsbury’s and J.K. Rowling’s own archives. The structure of the exhibition has been inspired by the subjects that the boy who lived and his friends study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, from Potions and Herbology, to Astronomy and Care of Magical Creatures, and will explore the rich magic traditions that they draw on. More details about the same can be found on the British Library Website: https://www.bl.uk/

Whether these new special books will make it to the US is unclear at this point because Harry Potter was published by Scholastic in North America upon its release as Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone. However, digital copies might be published online on the Pottermore websites at the time of the exhibition by Bloomsbury.

Neither book is authored by J.K. Rowling, but for many they’ll be a welcome glimpse deeper into the rich world she created 20 years ago.

 

Feature Image Credits: amazon.co.uk

Bhavya Banerjee

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Students aspiring for the B. Com (Programme) course in the University of Delhi recently endured a massive shock when they were told that Shaheed Bhagat Singh Evening College (SBSEC) had mistakenly declared its cut-off for the general category as 80%. Students rushed to colleges this morning to cancel their admission and gain entry into SBSEC. However, around 10:00 am, the college revealed that there was an error and that the cut-off was actually 90%.

In response to the chaos, parents and students staged protests outside the college, demanding that the candidates be allowed to get admission in the course. Consequently, the police was called to control the masses.

Upon speaking to DU Beat, Dr. P.K. Khurana, the college’s Principal, stated that students are anyway advised to go to the college personally to see if they meet all the criteria before withdrawing their admission from other colleges. He also defended his stance by saying that “corrective action” had already been taken in the morning and that the admission procedure in evening colleges does not start before 4:00 pm, meaning that students should have checked the revised cut-off in the morning before rushing to college.

The college announced in the evening that it would not be taking any more candidates into the course and that students should retain their seats in the colleges in which they were previously enrolled. The admission of these candidates has therefore not been cancelled.

 

Feature Image Credits: Shaheed Bhagat Singh College

Vineeta Rana
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With the University of Delhi (DU) releasing its fifth cut off list on 17th July 2017, most of the colleges have shut down admissions, barring one or two courses. However, there is still a chance for students from the reserved categories to make it to some of the colleges. On the other hand, hope flares up again for the others, as seats are left vacant due to withdrawals at the last moment in certain courses. The verification of documents, for those seeking admission now, is to be done on 18th and 19th July as the new session commences from the 20th. But the race to grab those remaining seats is pacing on full throttle in the final phase of the admission season.

The Hindustan Times reports that 10% of the seats are yet to be filled, with a marginal dip in cut-offs. Even a popular course such Economics (Hons.), which is unavailable in Hans Raj or Indraprastha College for Women (IPCW), is being offered in Lakshmibai College with 3.5% dip in marks. After several withdrawals, seats are also available at Kirori Mal College (KMC) at a cut-off margin of 96.5%. For B.Com (Hons.), after Ramjas and Sri Venkateswara College (SVC) closed admissions, some seats are still up for grabs at popular girls’ colleges such as IPCW, Kamla Nehru College (KNC) and Gargi.

Aside from Commerce, popular courses of the Humanities are also on offer in colleges such as Hans Raj and Kalindi, which are now seeking candidates to fill up the vacant seats in their much sought-after English (Hons.) course. The cut-off for this course has dropped by 3.5% points. A similar drop is noted in the fifth list for History (Hons.) in KNC, where the cut-off has dropped to 4% points. The highest percentage requirement is at Lady Sri Ram (LSR) College though, which still maintains the margin at 96.25%. The admission for B.A. Programme is closed in most of the well-known colleges such as IPCW, Ramjas and Miranda. However, for Chemistry (Hons.), Gargi, Kalindi and Hans Raj still have spots vacant. Admissions for Mathematics (Hons.) have also reopened in KNC, IPCW and Gargi, post withdrawals.

For aspirants coming from reserved category backgrounds, Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) still offers seats in the much coveted Economics (Hons.) course for Scheduled Caste applicants. It asks for a score of 92.5% for SC candidates, and 86% for Persons with Disabilities. A low cut-off between 40-60% has been kept aside for Sanskrit (Hons.) by several colleges, including Mata Sundri which boasts of the lowest at 45%.

Popular colleges in both the North and the South campus have filled up the seats in most of their courses. Yet, with the fifth cut-off list being released, hopes have renewed for students wishing to make it to one of the prestigious colleges of their choice in DU. The admission season, which has not been without its fair share of hurdles and unforeseen circumstances right from day one, is in the final leg of its journey. And as the season ends, a new batch of eagerly freshers awaits the beginning of college life. But before that happens, there are a few seats still up for grabs as not all hope is lost for DU aspirants.

Image credits: DU Beat

 

Deepannita Misra

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A teacher at Delhi University’s prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) was assaulted by a student. The incident occurred on 14th July,  Friday when Pardeep Phogat, a final year student of Global Business Operations (two-year diploma course), slapped and kicked his teacher Ashwani Kumar in the college’s parking lot.

Reason for the row.

The student affirms that he lost his cool because he thought that the professor was trying to fail him deliberately. “Ashwani Sir has had a problem with me since last year when I participated in the college elections. He holds a grudge against me since I’m from Law Faculty and from ABVP. He doesn’t want students to be politically active. He gave me zero in my internals, and also asked all other teachers do the same.” said Phogat. He further added, “My attendance was normal, but he stopped my admit card this year. I was simply speaking to Ashwani Sir on Friday, pleading with him to not ruin my future. But he said ‘I won’t let you pass’. After that, I pushed him, slapped him thrice and kicked him in his abdomen. He left me with no other option.”  These statements are clearly the admission of Pradeep Phogat’s guilt.

Pradip Phogat, the SRCC student who allegedly beat up his own teacher
Pradip Phogat, the SRCC student who allegedly beat up his own teacher

The teachers maintain that the accused had failed in his exams for which he was given zero marks.  According to the college authorities, the student had been prodding the teacher to pass him in the internals. “Last semester, he had failed in all his exams, and this semester he didn’t even sit for the examinations. What can a teacher do? He probably thought he could threaten teachers and have his way, but things don’t work that way. He had earlier also called and threatened Ashwani Kumar on the phone regarding the same,” college Principal R. P. Rustagi Rustogi asserts.

Teachers take action, file FIR.

After the incident, some of the teachers including the college Principal went to the Maurice Nagar police station and submitted a complaint. Subsequently, a FIR was filed under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341(wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal intimidation) on Friday. However, Phagot was released on bail on the same day.

ABVP in damage control mode.

Phogat was the Union Sports Secretary of Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in 2015 and claims to be a member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Though, in wake of the recent incident ABVP has denied any association with him. “The student was never a part of ABVP. He might have worked with DUSU in the past but hasn’t represented ABVP. He is not even a member of the organisation,” says Bharat Khatana, General Secretary, Delhi ABVP. However, old pictures of the accused with ABVP members have surfaced.

ABVP Posters featuring Pradip Phogat
ABVP Posters featuring Pradip Phogat

 Not the first time for ABVP

This is not the first time the ABVP has engaged in a blatant display of muscle power and assaulted professors.  Last year in June, Dr Vineet Mehta, physical education professor of SRCC was thrashed by DUSU president Satender Awana. Following which roughly 70 teachers marched to the Maurice Nagar police station and registered the FIR.

Before that, on 15th December 2016  The Dean of Law Faculty, Professor Ved Kumari gave a statement against ABVP for abusing, threatening and vandalising her office property when she denied admit cards to the students who had failed to meet the attendance criteria.

It’s about time.

When some student (or union representative) assaults professors openly, then not only is it’s too obvious to comment on impunity and entitlement that backs these hooligans, but also raises important questions on law and order situation pertaining in the campus. It’s about time that university administration and police start taking action for the sake of campus community’s safety.

DU Beat hopes that these cases move beyond FIRs and the guilty is dealt with sternly.

 

Feature Image: DU Beat.

Picture Credits- Facebook/ Pradeep Phogat

With inputs from Press Trust of India

 

Niharika Dabral

[email protected]

The University of Delhi grabs eyeballs every year between May to July when its admissions process commences and culminates, and every year along with these takeaways, the flaws in the administration system are brought to the fore. This year’s cycle has been highly prone to technical glitches, chaos over the calculation of marks, and an overall ambivalence over the whole process.

Pulling on this thread, a candidate, Paras Nagpal, aspiring to pursue B.Com (Hons.) from the varsity was a victim of this confusion. An ECA applicant, Paras had applied through the Theatre category for admissions. Having scored a 94.25% in his Class 12th Boards, he had temporarily secured admission in Dyal Singh College, after his name came in the merit list released and he ranked 10th out of a total of 100 candidates.

The ECA procedure started with a faint idea about the process a few days back when Paras registered with individual colleges according to the guidelines. As per a list which was announced by Ramjas College on July 14th, his name was among the two candidates selected for Theatre ECA, and with surmounting joy, he proceeded to cancel his admission at Dyal Singh College to withdraw his documents. However, much to his dismay, he was denied admission by the authorities on the grounds that an updated ECA list had been released at 11:30 pm. The new list had replaced him with an applicant in the Dance category, and his name was nowhere to be seen on the tabular sheet. Distraught, he wrote a letter to the Vice Chancellor and the college’s page to look into the unfairly handled matter.

When speaking to DU Beat, he expressed disdainfully how after checking the list once in the evening, he couldn’t have fathomed that a list released around midnight signed and updated on the website would not include his name. The authorities claimed that there was confusion regarding the best of four calculation of the other candidate whose name made it to the list, and after re-evaluation, she ranked higher. The obvious question that despite four cut-off lists, the fact that the best of four calculations were still erroneously done is deeply problematic. He added that on approaching the authorities with this grave mishandling, they held a meeting for about half hour before intimating that the seats have been fully occupied in the B.Com (Hons.) course.

Paras is a resident of Haryana and like many other outstation candidates flocked to the campus when the official admission cycle commenced. After crossing the hurdles of the online application, two rounds of ECA auditions, and an incessant waiting period, all his hopes were pinned on making it through. Now with two days left for the new academic session to commence, he is left with no colleges in his kitty and wishes that the unjust treatment of his case be looked into sincerely.

When probed, we reached out to the officials at Ramjas College. Repeated calls to the College’s authorities went unanswered.

More than two lakh school graduates every year have a desire suppressed in their hearts. A desire to study at a varsity known for grooming people, for rocketing cut-offs, for rewarding cultural fests, and for three years of an all-encompassing college life. Mismanagement and the chaos blemish the beginning lines of this journey.

 

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

 

Saumya Kalia

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Srivedant Kar

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In another case of carelessness on the part of college administrators, a 17 year old champion cricketer Ajay Guliya was denied admission into the college of his choice due to carelessness of the authorities. Ajay scored 79 out of 100 in the varsity’s sports trials, which was claimed to be the highest for a left arm spinner. However, the student was shocked to know that he was not shortlisted by the top college of his choice, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, in the first merit list which was released by the college on Sunday.

The reason behind his name not being in the merit list, as given by the college authorities stated that his form was misplaced. This new came as a shock to Ajay and his family because hundreds of students compete to get into University of Delhi from across the country and the university admits about 54,000 undergraduates every year. Five percent of all college seats are reserved for students under the sports and extracurricular activities quota. Ajay was confident about his chances as he had displayed his talent as an all rounder cricketer in the Under 19 team at the national level, as well as the Under 14 and Under 16 teams from Delhi state.  He was surprised to know that students who scored lower than him were selected, in place of him. Now Ajay has been asked to wait for the second merit list, even though he has easily made the cut in the first list.

Ajay Guliya was later contacted by Anil Kalkal, the Sports Council Director, assuring him that a seat would be given to him in the second list of SGTB Khalsa College.
An official of the sports admission committee at Khalsa College admitted that the form was misplaced. On conditions on anonymity, he stated that the action was an unintentional mistake and the college has not denied him admission. They have assured him that a seat would be given in the second admission list, but he is adamant to rake the issue. It was further on added that SGTB Khalsa College holds the reputation of sending the maximum number of cricket players on the University level, hence the mistake is unintentional.

Rakesh Guliya, Ajay Guliya’s father believes that this is no way to treat a national level player who is trying to mould his future. He believes that his son’s admission process has been full of hurdles, and now Khalsa College is taking his son’s future for granted.

On Monday, Guliya finally secured admission in Hindu College. However, this incident threw light upon the faulty mechanisms of college administrations. Does this call for more transparency in the field of admissions under the sports and ECA quota?

Feature Image Credits: India Today

Joyee Bhattacharya

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The Swiss master marks a perfect ending to the 2017 Grass court season with a resounding victory over Croatian Marin Cilic in a 101-minute display of his extraordinary class and supreme elegance, in a tournament which shall widely be regarded as the finest of his career.

“He is playing better than ever,” observes Boris Becker in an interview, minutes after the match. There is no talk of vintage Federer this time. No reminiscences of the his ‘strongest in the sport’ forehands, sharp backhands and almost supernatural footwork and agility of the 2005s, no anecdotes of the time when he was at the top of the rankings for a record period of 302 weeks, or when he won at the All England Club consecutively for five year. He wafted across the hallowed Centre Court across the fortnight, almost like poetry swaying from one end to another, like the summer breeze reigning all over the court and hitting the ball to places unprecedented to the opponent with pinpoint precision. This is the rise of an all new Federer, with the same grace and allurement but the best ever techniques, fluidity, temperament, techniques and, above all, the hunger to win.  As the three generation of Federers bore witness to the culmination of one of the finest runs in the tennis history, Roger further consolidated his claim as the greatest sportsman of all time, not only on the lawn tennis court as he became the first person after Bjorn Born to have won the Wimbledon without having dropped a set across the tournament.

The final was just an extension of the flawless game he had played across the tournament. Marin Cilic looked a man with a purpose, but with his game imposingly compromised under the shadow of the talismanic presence on the other side of the court. The long serves and forehands were nowhere to be seen, with just one ace in the entire match. He only succumbed to his foot blister, and metaphorically to the Swiss master’s greatness, as Federer gradually crushed the Croatian under his relentlessness, with commanding backhands, demoralising with his regular detours around the net and breaking Cilic’s serve with an ironical brutality. He hit as many as 23 winners to demolish the Croatian resistance 6-3, 6-1, 6-4. His eyes were always on the trophy, right since his first unseeded opponent and right through Milos Raonic and Tomas Berdych, as he assailed their resistances, Cilic only a continuation of the routine proceedings.

This is no resurrection. This is just development. This is just how the almost superhuman of beings redefine the perceptions of perfection, and the world becomes a bit luckier to bear witness to their miracles. As for now, we can not help but fathom what magic is he going to conjure next. What after his 20th Grand Slam at US Open this year? What after he has played beyond 40?

 

 

Feature Image Credits: Sports Illustrated

 

Nikhil Kumar

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My First Day at Your-Space – A Testimonial by Priyanka B.

I arrived from Guwahati early morning by train to Delhi. Excited about college and my course at LSR, but nervous about staying away from home. All throughout the train journey I kept thinking about the beginning of a new life in a new city away from my gang of friends, how we were all moving to different cities/colleges. Staring out of the train window I could see school days and my city lanes flash by at speed. I remained strong and started to think about the all the new people I would meet. I was looking forward to forging new friendships.

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Arriving at the station, the hustle and bustle of the city, the speed at which it moved, all was so new. As thrilling as it was, I was getting closer to my new home – “Your-Space”, my hostel that my parents happily chose for me. And I learnt why so, very soon. Similar to the feeling of when one is on their way down from the top of a ferris wheel.

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Finally, I reached my destination, arrived at Your-Space at Kailash Colony – a beautiful red building with massive gates.  There were such pretty decals of images and quotations on the building walls. It look so funky and cool with a young vibe. I was already feeling giddy on the inside about my new home. I was escorted inside by the security guard and introduced to the warden who is on site 24 hours. Received such a warm welcome from Poonam Ma’am and the Your-Space operations team.

I was taken to the office where I submitted by form alongside all the required documentation that I had already completed. I was so happy when they gave me some Your-Space goodies too.

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Poonam Ma’am took me to my room and helped me unpack. She told me about the other students on my floor and who was from my college and who all were pursuing the same course. I was going to meet students from LSR and it gave me such comfort to know that that we could go to college together everyday. I would make friends in the same course and we could share notes and study together in the dedicated study area provided on site.

I met my roommate, Akriti, and she made me feel at home instantly. We decided how we will share the room, who takes which cupboard and shelf. She is so chirpy, outgoing, and friendly. I was really at ease. She gave me a tour of the entire building and told me about all the local attractions. Akriti showed me the laundry pick-up and drop-off area, which I can even schedule from my phone anytime. I can give up to 10 items of clothing per week and they get washed, ironed, and delivered. WOW! There is housekeeping so my room, attached balcony, walk-in closet, and en-suite bathroom are always going to be spanking clean.

I spent around two hours setting my room and closet and putting away my woolens in the under-bed storage. I was so happy to find that I have a pull-out caster built in to my bed. I placed all my heels and shoes here.

Then I headed down to the lounge in the building to meet make new friends. I was excited yet a little nervous. The lounge – OMG – blew me away. Such vibrant colours, with cool furniture and prints on the wall, big screen TV, movie area, vending machined for coffee and soup, a pantry, a gym attached. It felt like a swanky cool arcade. I grabbed a cup of coffee, plunked myself down on the sofa and met the other girls. What fun it was just talking about how nervous we all were before getting here. And now?? We were already getting to bond well. We were served hot snacks. The aloobondas with chutney was so delicious that we gobbled them up immediately.

We decided to venture out and check out the local market – GK M Block, N block, or Kailash Colony market. We all agreed to head to The Big Chill Cafe since the Your-Space management recommended it. Being Your-Space students we get discounts at a host of places at all the neighbouring markets, from restaurants to spas. Big Chill was YUMMM – chocolate super fudge ice cream shake and the blueberry cheesecake.

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By the time we decided to leave, it started to rain but we ran back since our building is just 200 meters from Big Chill. It brought back memories of childhood when we would jump in puddles and dance in the rain. I felt good, I felt happy, I felt I was among good friends.

After drying up and taking a nap, I went to my friend’s room and we ventured down for dinner. I am in love with this place; the food is so yummy. We had rajma raseela, zeera aloo, raita, salad, rice, and roti – home food goal (tick).

After dinner, we all hung out at the lounge and just gossiped. We stayed up chatting till late so started to feel a little hungry. Since every floor at this place has a separate private kitchen for the residents of that floor, equipped with a fridge, microwave, induction place, and cooking ware, we decided to toss up a midnight snack. Akriti cooked us all Maggi and we thoroughly enjoyed our little pyjama party. What a day, such a warm fuzzy feeling. I felt at home! This is my space! Thank you, team Your-Space.

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For those of you who are still looking for a place, do check out www.your-space.in. I am sure you will also fall in love with the place. See you here soon!

On July 14, Angellica Aribam, the face of NSUI in North East and the National General Secretary of NSUI and a member of NSUI National Committee, resigned from her post. Hailing from Manipur, Angellica pursued her Law Degree from Law Faculty Delhi University. She joined NSUI way back in 2012 when she was still in her early days of college life. Angellica used the social media platform to announce her resignation wherein she thanked the former National Presidents of NSUI as well as Rahul Gandhi.


Angellica said it has been about five years in the position and she feels that there’s a need to create space for young leaders in the system. After her resignation, another National General Secretary and a member of National Committee, Leni Jadhav resigned.

Resignation row continued till today, July 17 within congress backed NSUI with prominent Face of Youth Congress and NSUI, Hasiba Amin, resigned. Following the footprints of other two National committee Members, Amin went on to Facebook to announce her disassociation from the organisation. On her Facebook post she wrote of her entire journey with NSUI from her start in 2010 to when she went on to contest state president elections on 15th January, 2012. She thanked her entry into the system and her encouragement sources with whose support she went on to become the first woman NSUI state president of Goa and the only minority woman State President in India. She posted of her fond remembrance of the time when the entire Congress family stood by her, without asking any questions, when the opposition tried to defame her with her feature in the Lok sabha Ad campaign. “But like every other stage of life, time comes when you have to move on and let go. It’s that time for me. I have tendered in my resignation about a month ago. I believe it’s time to move on and make space for new energy – with fresh ideas and creativity, to take the organization even higher,” quoted Hasiba.

To all these turmoils, the President of NSUI Fairoz Khan told DU Beat in a statement, “It is a natural process of members joining and leaving, and whatever may come our team has always worked for the betterment of the students and will continue to do so. I did talk with Angellica, Leni and Hasiba and support their decisions to move forth in life, taking to other avenues. Some members are opting for higher studies and some are paving the way for new members. They are thoughtful enough; the new students with potential should have their role in the national service.”

 

Feature Image Credits: DNA India

Radhika Boruah
[email protected]

Jodi Whittaker will now replace Peter Capaldi as the 13th doctor in the Doctor Who series. Speculation regarding the new Doctor being a woman had been going on from around a decade ever since The Doctor’s nemesis “The Master” was recast by Michelle Gomez. And while Whovians across the world celebrated when the news broke, there was a fair amount of outrage and resentment as well. Many regarded this as an encroachment upon the sanctity of what their idea of Dr. Who was. Here is why this is problematic – because unlike Sherlock Holmes or James Bond who are very much human – shape shifting by the time lord is the accepted norm across the storyline. And therefore the Doctor becoming a woman really is neither impractical nor impossible. The outrage around Jodi Whittaker’s announcement is similar to, if not as extreme as, the outrage around the Ghostbusters being remade with an all female cast.

Here is why this outrage, regarding women playing traditionally male characters is problematic – it highlights a deeper problem that runs within the psyche of the viewer. The idea of women playing these action packed shows makes many uncomfortable because many worry that women won’t be able to do justice to their favourite characters.

And this is exactly why making the thirteenth doctor a woman was a brilliant idea – because representation of women in powerful roles is still extremely less. Life imitates art and popular culture affects our opinion to a vast extent,  more than we know. ‘Women in power’ as a concept is still alien to many people and there is no better way to familiarize them with it than by making a character that is as beloved as The Doctor, a woman.

Jodi Whittaker has proved she is an amazing actor worth her salt throughout her career and it is only fair that finally after fifty-three years since the show aired, a woman gets to play the Doctor. The outrage around Whittaker is ridiculous – because if people cannot accept a shape-shifting time lord becoming a woman then we have got a problem that runs deep.

Characters change and develop  across time – Steven Moffat’s Sherlock was floppy haired, younger and emotionally more vulnerable than his predecessors; James Bond in Skyfall chose a Heineken over his “shaken-not-stirred” martini and Spiderman keeps getting younger with every new film. Some of these changes win the hearts of their fans, as was the case with Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock, while others don’t go down so well, as occurred with the whole Bond-sipping-beer controversy. But here is why change is important – because change is the only constant and if shows that are more than half a century old don’t keep up with the times, they would find it hard to stay relevant. These storylines were written decades ago and since then, a lot has changed. The survival of a show depends on how it is able to adapt with the changing times and how it can engage with a newer generation of audience with every passing year. And there is no other way to reflect on what 2017 was all about than to announce that a woman, might I add one as talented and acclaimed as Jodi Whittaker, would be playing the thirteenth time lord.

Whovians rejoice!

 

Image Credits: BuddyTV

 

Kinjal Pandey

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