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Maharaja Agrasen College organized its 2nd National Student Academic Congress on 6th and 7th February, 2014. While the theme of last year’s congress held in March was “Educational Reforms – The Way Forward”, the discussion this time was focussed on “Power of Ethics”.

The two-day conference was inaugurated by Prof. Sudhish Pachauri, Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi in the presence of Dr Sunil Sondhi, Principal, Maharaja Agrasen College who said that such conferences serve as a great opportunity for the students to not just compete with one another but also to increase their knowledge by listening to the views and suggestions of others. Prof. Pachauri in his address spoke at length about the recent reforms at the University of Delhi. He reiterated the need for holistic development of students which skilfully integrates mind, body and heart.

Not just students pursuing graduation and post-graduation, even research scholars and school-going students submitted paper presentations on topics like Life Management & Gita, Morality in Education, Globalization & Relevance of Gandhi, Role of Media in Raising Women-Centric Issues and Impact of Kashmir Conflict on Women and Children. 65 research papers were presented by students from Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Delhi, Mumbai University and Jamia Milia Islamia.

Principals of Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women, Atma Ram Sanatana Dharma College and Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies judged the congress which was spread over 4 sessions. The two- day event came to end with the distribution of certificates to the winners during the Valedictory Session which was chaired by Prof. MM Chaturvedi, Director, Cluster Innovation Centre,University of Delhi.

L’economiste, the annual festival of The Deparment of Economics, Hindu College, kicked off on the 3rd of February with the inauguration by Dr. Praduman Kumar, the Principal of Hindu College.

The first event of L’economiste was the Paper presentation. A team from LSR won the 1st prize, presenting on the topic “M-Paisa”.
The event “The Bluechips – the Stock Challenge” imitated the stock trading of the real world, to reward the best young investors who made maximum profits. After the prelims round of business and finance quiz, 23 teams were shortlisted from about 50 participants. In the next two rounds of stock trading, the participants were given a list of company shares, their prices and relevant news pertaining to company performance. Priyansh Jain and Rahul Mantri of Hansraj College received the 1st prize.

Policy auction, a new of its kind, was a 2 day event. 8 teams were selected from a total of 32 teams from the first round of Eco & Finance Quiz. The second round was Pictionary, whereby the 8 teams were allotted budget according the correct answers given by them. 5 teams went into the finals whereby they were allotted virtual countries. Then they had to analyse a case study, formulate policies and auction them. Rhea and Atul from SRCC bagged the 1st prize.

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Eco-say had 12 participants from the first round (Pictionary round) being selected for the second round, whereby they had to venture far and wide to relate economics to everyday life things and institutions. The last round was a rapid fire quiz with an activity. Akansha of SRCC received the first prize.

The second day of the fest saw the event “Fifa Manager”. The 1st elimination round was a quiz round. 11 teams were selected for the finals. Details of various football players and virtual money were given to the teams. They had to make a team of 6 football players via bidding. Samiul and Shashak of Hindu College bagged the top position.

The star event of L’economiste was the Ranjan Roy Memorial Debate. It was a parliamentary form of debate. Some of the premier debators of the country faced off against each other on a variety of motions. Aashay Sahay and Prasun (both ex-RVCE) defeated Saad Uzzamann and Shobhit Nanda (both ex-Ramjas, now Law Faculty) opposing the motions “This house believes that maximum wage should be imposed”. It was a day-long event on the 4th February.

The events ended with the “Scavenger Hunt” with around 50 teams running helter-skelter to find several objects. The fest formally ended with the guest lecture on “Land Acquisition” by Ms. Manika Bora

Image Credits: Madhurima Kundu

The inauguration for Reverie 2014 began with the Principal of Gargi College Dr. Shashi Tyagi welcoming students and guests alike on their journey from ‘dreams to reality’. She opened the show with the words “The future belongs to those who dream”. Radhika Aggarwal, the Cultural Secretary of the college threw more light on what is to be looked forward to in the coming three days.

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The cultural events for the inauguration began with a Rajasthani touch with a folk song performance ‘Kesari baalam – padharo maaro des’ by the Langa troop. Chari dance which is a Rajasthani welcome dance where women perform with pots on their heads with perfect hand movements was followed by the langa troop performance on the song ‘mor bole re’. The next performance was that of Babai dance which stole the show with a woman balancing seven pots on her head increasing one by one and other stunts including dance on a silver plate, naked swords and broken mirrors while still balancing the pots. Ghoomar dance with women in swirling robes came next followed by the kalbailiya dance which was a medley.

The cultural show came to a conclusion with another Rajasthani folk song by the Langa troop.

Catch live updates from Reverie 2014 here | Visit the Reverie 2014 Facebook Album here

By Isheeta Sharma and Shaily Sharma

Bazinga is DU Beat’s weekly dose of  almost-believable fake news!

DU on recommendation of a special committee, has declared a complete ban on any cultural events, college festivals, department fests, competitions, quizzes and panel discussions being conducted across the colleges of university w.e.f. February 1st. The decision has been taken in wake of college authorities splurging over the unnecessary extravaganza.

“The fests are against the culture of India, where study place is considered to be as auspicious as a temple, No dancing, singing or Red Bull intake is acceptable here.” said Mr. Pee. Kay. Tunn, a committee member. The University has asked all societies to do away with their preparations and end all dialogues with the logistic providers, caterers and expected guest of honours. Also, a standing referendum is expected to be passed from the next academic year, where in all societies shall stand dissolved and 85% attendance would be made compulsory for all students irrespective of backgrounds, gender or the ‘under the table setting’ with professors.

A special penalty is introduced on colleges holding MUNs which to our bad luck, happen in every college at an alarmingly high frequency. The funds that shall be saved by banning fests shall be utilized by the University for the much needed welfare of the FYUP batch kids and and hiking the salaries of honest and hardworking professors. As the winds of change sway, the decision is being protested against by DU students.  The colleges’ union members are in a state of shock, poor souls; college fests were the only things they ever did!

Bazinga is DU Beat’s weekly dose of  almost-believable fake news!

Disclaimer: Bazinga is DU Beat’s weekly column of almost-believable fake news!

After having introduced non core courses such as General Science, Psychology, Philosophy and IMBH, the DU is all set to introduce a new subject called – ‘Soul & Spirituality’ for all students of the various FYUP courses. The step has been taken post numerous discussions among the VC, DU curriculum committee and numerous spiritual preachers of country. The subject will draw its basics from Vedas & Upanishads and shall be both theoretical and practical.

The students shall be tested on performance of Yoga aasans like Kapalbhati and AnulomVilom, recitation of shlokas, mantras and hymns. There would also be internal assessment projects where the students would be required to study religious literature and submit their interpretations. The decision has been taken to reportedly ‘channelize the energy of the growing atheist youth towards GOD and his supremacy’ said Baba Satyanash. The talks are on with numerous other members of ABOI, the Association of Babas of India, to take up jobs as Associate professors at the University and enlighten the students with pristine light of wisdom like other FYUP subjects have been doing.

While Baba Shri Bedagarg has agreed to share his knowledge with students of an esteemed DU college, the search for potential professors is still on in others. Unfortunately, the discipline shall be introduced from academic year 2014-15 and current first year FYUP students shall not get the opportunity to study this revolutionary subject. The students, as always have been, are perplexed and doubtful of their future and University’s further steps. The party karyakartas who’ve been silent for long, have got an issue to be vocal about. Seems like yet again the public buses, seemingly the real cause behind the controversy, and are going to ‘feel the heat.

Disclaimer: Bazinga is DU Beat’s weekly column of almost-believable fake news!

Image courtesy:blogs.uoregon.edu

The 5th Annual Theatre Festival, Concoction 2014 presented by Lakshya, The Theatre Society of Kamala Nehru College is on 27th, 28th and 29th of January. This year, Kamala Nehru College also celebrates its Golden Jubilee Year so the fest promises to present grand shows and exciting prizes.

Jiddu Krishnamurti said, “Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure, it is in decay”. Every conscientious student wishes to break traditions that chain the progress of society. Taking up the theme of Breaking Barriers, Concoction 2014 brings together different sections of society on one platform for exchange of ideas and inspiration. This year the festival goes one step further with Aghaaz, street play event and Archlights, the stage play event. Moreover, Teach for India brings its talented children for a performance and Together for A Cause along with N.A.B does spoken word poetry, all for the enthusiastic college audience.

Concoction 2014 also has exclusive Q&A sessions with the city’s most fearless minds that went against all odds to make what they believe in, a reality. Each of the three days the speakers are from different fields, the first day, they celebrate women empowerment, the second, discuss issues surrounding homosexuality, and the third, extending a friendly hand towards children with special needs. The Delhi Drum Circle will also be making an appearance to add that rhythmic flavour to the festival.

Follow their Facebook page for regular updates: www.facebook.com/Concoction2014

Delhi University has released the examination schedule for semester exams scheduled in May 2014 for second and third year students of most courses. The announcement comes 20 days after the University released the initial date sheet for first year students of the Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP). According to the same, examinations begin on 5th May, 2014. The date sheet also lists Sem-II examinations for students who have previous ERs in the subjects and need to clear the same.

Students can check the date sheet here.

Disclaimer: Bazinga is DU Beat’s weekly column of almost-believable fake news!

Almost a month after the declaration of FYUP results, the University of Delhi has decided to revaluate the FC papers. This decision has come amidst numerous protests against the inflation of scores and the shocking disparity in marks from college to college.

Under the new system, a foundation course is for 75 marks, out of which 55 are marked through projects, presentations, class discussions etc and the remaining 20 are allocated to a centrally prepared exam. This test was also evaluated within each college, making the entire process of assessment of Foundation Courses an internal one. Some students have scored from mid 80s to 90s, a feat which seemed impossible for an average college student till just last year, making it clear that DU was now going the CBSE route and inflating scores. The University also cited the obvious inequality in the marks distribution in different colleges as one of the reasons behind this decision.

It’s not just the students who were appalled by the discrepancies, even teachers are empathizing with their students, “Since history is a theoretical paper, I gave my students a maximum of 45 in their projects and presentations and 15 out of 20 in their exam, I was shocked to see that other colleges had given their students as many as 53 in the internals and a full 20 in the exam!” said a teacher from CVS.

As per the notice issued in this regard, the FC answer sheets will now be rechecked like those of the Discipline Courses to ensure an impartial marking. The new results will be out by the end of the month. The University can be seen buckling under the pressure from DUTA, DUSU, and other organizations protesting against the FYUP and demanding a rollback.

Disclaimer: Bazinga is DU Beat’s weekly column of almost-believable fake news!