Latest
DU Beat – Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper
Author

DU Beat

Browsing
News

Teachers’ bodies announce candidates for upcoming DUTA elections

By

Elections for the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) are scheduled to be held on August 31, 2017. The elections would be held for the post of the President and 15 members of the executive committee for 2017-2019, a report in Hindustan Times indicates.

Three different teachers’ bodies have already fielded their candidates for the post of President, who have to file their nominations on 22nd and 23rd of August. The Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF), which is a left-affiliated body, has announced Professor Rajib Ray as its candidate. Professor Ray is an associate professor of the Philosophy Department at Kirorimal College, North Campus. The University Teachers’ Forum (UTF)’s fielded candidate is Dr. Surender Singh Rana, a professor of Political Science at Shivaji College. The BJP-affiliated National Democratic Teachers’ Front (NDTF) has announced Professor VS Negi of Shaheed Bhagat Singh (Evening) College as its presidential candidate. Professor Negi was the runner up last year, when, according to a previous report in DU Beat, his final tally was 2164.

The past 2 elections for the post of president were won by Ms. Nandita Narain, Associate professor of mathematics at St. Stephen’s college. Professor Narain is affiliated to the DTF.

 

Feature Image Credits: CNS Kashmir

Shireen Manocha

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

DU Student allegedly beaten up in a case of Road Rage

By

Another case of road rage has rocked the University campus. According to a Times of India report, a Delhi University student was roughed up by two men, when he complained to them about their wrongly parked vehicle. The incident unfolded near Bungalow road on 21st July when the victim was heading back to his hostel with a friend. He was on a scooter when he saw a car parked in the middle of the road with the owner standing on the other side. The victim, who is a resident of Jubilee Hall, walked upto the car owner and asked him to move his car in order to clear the traffic which was built up due to the wrongly parked vehicle. This allegedly enraged the accused who then trashed the victim in front of several people who remained mute spectators to the event.

The victim even accused the persons of trying to run him over twice. The victim was also threatened by the accused not to register a complaint regarding the incident. In a copy of the FIR, which is available with this newspaper the accused was reported threatening the victims with words like  “tera university mein rehna mushkil kardenge, hum chandrawal ke gaali no.7 ke rehne waale hein”  and “beta agar police ke pass gaya toh  tu mara jayega”. The accused fled from the spot as people started building up around.

The victim was taken to Bara Hindu Rao hospital from where a PCR call was made and his family members were informed. The police officials informed that a case has been registered and teams were formed to identify the accused. The accused duo have been arrested, while one of them is a DU student the other one works in a private firm. Speaking to DU beat on condition of anonymity a senior police official informed that the investigation in on and further information would be revealed after investigation is over.

Image Credits: www.dnaindia.com

 

Sandeep Samal

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
News

DU Students to get driving licenses from their own colleges soon

By

According to a report in the Times of India, Delhi Government has proposed to authorise college principals and university registrars to issue the training licenses, so that students above 18 years of age can obtain them from their colleges directly. An online eligibility test would be administered by the colleges, wherein the students would have to score 6 and above out of 10. The project is proposed to begin with the Polytechnic colleges which would be then followed by seven colleges of the University which are under the Delhi Government.

Students at large seem to be happy with the proposal. Deepangna Singhi, a student of Miranda House said, “The process to issue a license is somewhat daunting and it would be highly convenient if we get them through our colleges. The voter ID drive through colleges have turned out to be a success, so why not the license as well.” Another student, Vaibhav Gupta from Aryabhatta College says, “It’s a very good step as it will reduce the burden on the license issuing authority and make it easier for students as they will not have to red tape to get a license.”

However, teachers seem to be divided on this issue. While some teachers are supportive of the move others believe that educational institutes must not be burdened further. Dr Bijayalaxmi Nanda, a faculty member from Miranda House says, “I think university authorities are already burdened with work. The issuing of driving licenses should be through appropriate bodies which have been dealing with it.” She said that rather than adding the burden to academic bodies, the government should work to improve transparency and efficiency of the existing institutions.

 

A majority of the applications for a learner’s driving license constitutes of students. While the proposal in under review, how are colleges going to handle an additional task of dolling out licenses with the existing problems of non-availability of infrastructure and expertise is a major question.

Image Credits: itzeazy.in

 

Shireen Manocha

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Arts & Culture

Movie Review: Lipstick Under my Burkha

By

Directed By: Alankrita Shrivastava

Cast: Ratna Patak Shah, Konkona Sensharma,  Aahana Kumra, Plabita Borthakur

After a long battle for the release of this ‘lady-oriented’ film as proclaimed by our beloved Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), Lipstick under My Burkha released on Friday with an ‘A’ certificate, a few bleeps here, and a few cuts there.

But right off the bat, I will say that the battle and the wait, both, were worth it. Set in Bhopal, it chronicles 4 middle class women who all have different wants – the want to start a business, to work outside of home, to sing and emulate the clothing styles of her American pop idols, to attend swimming classes, and so on. Then there are the reasons why the movie was termed “women’s fantasy above life”, as in the things that cannot be realistically achieved – the desire for sexual and other kinds of freedoms and liberties of their own bodies and minds. This may come in the form of wearing jeans, reading erotic novels, or going to a party and smoking and drinking; which were not only shown to be the ways to freedom, but personal choices that the individuals made.

The larger and previously untouched point in the realm of Hindi movies is made here; that women also have desires (even sexual (!)) and that in our society, which is only inclusive but not limited to, a ‘certain community’, these desires are brutally supressed, mocked, or not even acknowledged. Each woman’s story is unique but the common thread exists in the form of real life societal blockages that stop them from achieving any fantasy they dare to dream about.

This was a movie that did not force women to start a revolution and overthrow the patriarchy. Instead, it left an ambiguous ending. Nothing in the ‘audio pornography’ or the scenes is something that most adults with internet connections have not seen or heard. Then what was the controversy for? I believe the answer lies in what one of the characters asks in the film, ‘Hamari azaadi se aap itna darte kyu hain?’ (Why are you terrified of our freedom?). I guess that’s also why some men in the movie hall laughed at the dramatic, definitely not comedic, scenes and made innuendos loudly – fear is often repressed with laughter and the female perspective being shown on the screen had to be repressed, made powerless with louder laughs to underscore its importance. This experience itself was a good case for why such films need to be made.

The portrayal of the everyday lives of these women shifted with ease from poignant scenes that are accompanied with tears and frustrations at denial of freedoms; to comic scenes and those of enjoyment, with a lovely background score and songs that adds a nice touch to these moments.  Konkona Sensharma and Ratna Pathak Shah sink completely into their characters, expectedly, and newcomers Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthakur match them with their acting prowess. The women shine bright with their complex characters that battle inner turmoil and the fight against the reality of their situations. Revealing greater details about the plot will result in spoilers that will dim the experience of watching the film first hand, which I believe should be done as soon as you can. Do it purely for the song Le Li Jaan, which basically serves as the spirit of the movie with its peppy music and the following sombre lyrics, ‘Le li Le li jaan jaan jaan jaan, bina pooche haye haye’ (‘they took our lives without asking us).

 

Feature Image Credits: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rishika Singh

[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By
Events

Come volunteer and be the reason behind a child’s smile for a day!

By
Stories are powerful, they bring communities together, encourage communication and help us in expressing ourselves. Youth For Seva (YFS) announces “Story-fied: Come, be a storyteller!”, a unique campaign to engage volunteers to narrate a story based on the theme of ‘Resilience’ to under-privileged children with an aim to motivate and inspire them and also help them inculcate values.
img-20170706-wa0000
Remember the heroes of your story that motivated you to become the person you are right now in your life? YFS is giving you a chance to be that hero for a child and inspire a child through a story. Through these stories you can also become the reason behind their smiles for a day. This will help many children to take part in listening activities and this will help them in boosting their concentration power and confidence. Every story has its own magic, which will help to light the lamps of many up coming champions.
Being the youth, we have the power to change the world and make a difference.
COME VOLUNTEER WITH US, COME, BE A STORYTELLER!
The ‘Come, be a story-teller initiative’ is open for people from across India. Please register here: https://goo.gl/swXcaL
We will map you to a school and send you a book, as well as list of activities you can choose from, for the post-reading session. It is as simple as that and the more, the merrier! Come, be one among the 10,000 story-tellers India is going to see over the July 21-23 weekend.
For any queries drop us a mail at [email protected]
Keep Reading
By
Uncategorized

DUSU ‘authorises’ private PG in North Campus, University Officials cry foul

By

In a bizarre and never before witnessed move, the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) has issued a letter which reads: “DUSU hereby authorises Nanu Girls PG to promote their respective PG accommodation within the north campus. They are allowed to distribute pamphlets.” Furthermore, its letterhead bears the logo of the University of Delhi (DU). Meanwhile, Priyanka Chhawri, the office-bearer who issued the letter on behalf of DUSU, defended her stance as a well-intended measure to reach out to outstation students. However, the move seems not to have gone down too well with the University officials.

“No one can do such a thing. How can a university recommend a private accommodation? We will look into the matter,” commented a senior official in the proctor’s office, as reported by The Indian Express. The officials seem to have been unaware of the decision. Meanwhile, Chhawri is adamant in denying the allegations that her personal “stakes” are involved in any way, seeing as the letter promotes Nanu PG specifically. “If other PGs approach me, I will look into it,” she says. She maintains that this is her way of “helping” the hapless parents and students sending her repeated queries, asking her for details regarding “good” and “affordable” paying guest accommodations in the vicinity of north campus.  Meanwhile, other DUSU office bearers have denied having any knowledge of the same.

With the admission process already delayed and a row being created over the availability of seats in some colleges, this fiasco comes across as yet another obstruction in the way of the not-so-smooth sailing admission season. For many of the unsure, unfamiliar outstation students, life in DU is still an uncharted territory. It is a race to the finish line involving both parents and students, which does not end merely at getting admission into a college. With few hostel seats available, feasible accommodation remains a major source of worry and hassle for many. In these times, a callous move coming especially from a body of responsibility such as DUSU, comprising of representatives elected by and for the students, reflects poorly on the student organisation’s management of the admission season. If anything, it seems to add to the chaos and has the potential to leave the university officials red-faced.

UPDATE

Delhi University Student Union(DUSU) has come out with an official statement saying that the Union is against the system of private accommodation in the University. It further stated that DUSU is committed to fighting for an increase of University Hostels seats and aims to provide University accommodation to as many students as possible.

Copy of the permission of the letter
Copy of the permission of the letter

With inputs from The Indian Express.

 

 

Feature Image Credits: Srivedant Kar for DU Beat

 

Deepannita Misra

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Uncategorized

Greater Ambitions Need a Greater Start – Hello Meal

By

Hello Meal is an initiative taken by a few students of the University Of Delhi to provide a wide variety of foods. In a short span of time, they are now on a platform everyone wishes to be at. All their actions and activities have been conducted considering the needs and demands of the people. Hello Meal is a perfect way to have mouth-watering food at your doorstep, as it is highly convenient for students as well as for the local crowd in every manner. Not only are the prices reasonable, but the quantity is remarkable as well. They specialise mainly in North Indian, Chinese, and Continental cuisines, and are extremely popular for their biryanis and paranthas. Additionally, their Economical Meal Menu is exceptional.

Due to some shifting issues, they had briefly paused operating. However, there is no need to stress, as Hello Meal will be back again on Thursday, 25 May 2017 with the same energy and delicious food along with a satisfactory delivery at your door. They also offer the option of pre-booking a meal from the midnight of the 24 May.

Positioned in Vijay Nagar, Hello Meal offers home delivery from 11am to midnight. They are available on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and offer toll-free telephone assistance at 1800-200-5565. For a better experience, download the Hello Meal app available on Play Store. They can also be found on Zomato.

In a world where everyone is making money out of students, they are the ultimate saviours.

 

Feature Image Credits: Hello Meal
Content by Hello Meal

Keep Reading
By
Uncategorized

Study Abroad with Study Overseas Global

By

In this world of cut-throat competition, getting a job today mandatorily requires one to have an edge over others, and most times, basic theory-based education, as is the usual norm in our Indian system, doesn’t suffice. To study abroad is to bridge that loophole. So what can we expect when we think of studying overseas? Not only the best academic facilities, but also all-round personality development of the individual. There the course structure is much more research-based which helps provide a different perspective and involves in-depth analysis and understanding of the course one wishes to pursue, which helps students better in the long run. The syllabus structure is flexible, allowing students to opt for various combinations of subjects, for example mathematics and music.

Most of the teaching in universities abroad follows the principle of application of knowledge. Practical and not just theoretical aspects of courses are explored, and implementation of the same is sought from the students. Degrees from some of the best foreign universities are looked at with great respect not only in that particular country, but also back here in India, opening up job opportunities in countries like the UK, Ireland, and Australia, as well as in India. Any kind of international exposure also helps broaden the mind and widen the vision in general. Moreover, going to study in another country helps give a different kind of exposure, as also independence and self-dependency in various facets of life. Apart from this, one can always find opportunities to work while studying abroad. Plus exploring these countries always comes with this package, and isn’t that something we all want to do?

Studying overseas not just brings to you the best in class educational facilities but is also an amazing opportunity to explore the world. In this age of globalisation almost every country offers different opportunities and prospects in the field of education. For students interested in studying abroad and looking for counselling, “Study Overseas Global” will lend you a helping hand in choosing the best university.

Study Overseas Global brings to you the multi-country “Education Fair 2017” on 20th May 2017.

The visiting universities are:

The University of Sydney

University of Westminster

Manchester Metropolitan University

University of Hertfordshire

University of Leeds

University of Central Lancashire

University of Strathclyde

James Cook University Singapore

ONCAMPUS USA

So, hurry and register yourself to get guidance from experts in the field. Don’t miss this chance to shape your career, follow the link to register yourself on our website and on Eventbrite.

Venue: Lutyens Lounge
Eros Hotel, Nehru Place
New Delhi

Date: 20 May 2017

Timing: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

 

Feature Image Credits: APSense

Keep Reading
By
News

Websites of Indian educational institutions hacked by Pakistani group

By

The official websites of over 10 Educational Institutions were hacked by a group of Pro-Pakistan hackers on Tuesday, who claim to have done no harm to the data stored. As per The Hindu, one of them was also quoted, “Just here to deliver my message to Indians.”

Websites of educational institutions including University of Delhi, University of Kerala, IIT-Delhi and Aligarh Muslim University were hacked, wherein the group barred public access to them by putting up a page displaying pro- Pakistan slogans. The page also displayed videos showing alleged brutality of Indian soldiers towards Kashmiri residents.

The group, claiming to be the ‘PHC Pakistani 133t w4s h3r3’, says that the move was in response to Code-Man’s hack of railways.gov.pk and in solidarity with innocent Kashmiri people being killed by Indian Army.

The time being around the admission season in various institutions, these websites draw significant attraction from aspirants, parents alike which might be one of the reasons why the hackers chose to deface the websites. Meanwhile, the unrest in Kashmir has taken new turn with students joining the stone pelting groups in school uniforms.

Later reports from the Registrar of University of Delhi, Tarun Das, claim that the access to the website been initially barred from outside.However, responding to the urgency of the admission process of the University, that entirely takes place online, problems were detected and successfully rectified.The Director of University of Kerala’s Computer Centre made similar claims, saying that the website had not been affected by the hackers.

 

Priyal Mahtta

[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By
News

DU to invite applicants for vacant teaching positions

By

With officials asking colleges to issue advertisements in order to invite applicants, the University of Delhi (DU) is soon going to begin the process of filling up its vacant teaching posts. On 5th April, 2017, a letter has been issued to the colleges to begin the application process by 19th April. A link has also been sent to a website for generating a centralised application form. Since the procedure has been shifted online, no offline forms from the applicants will be accepted.

“This time, the form is so designed that a candidate needs to only change the college name and apply to all colleges where his/her subjects are taught. Earlier, the API score of a particular candidate used to differ from college to college, creating a huge amount of grievances and complaints. Now a candidate has to fill the same form and it will automatically calculate the API score of candidates,” DeveshSinha, the Dean of the colleges, told Indian Express.

Furthermore, the University has also asked the 28 colleges which do not have a Principal to advertise for the position. DU has a total of 4,000 vacant posts for teachers, which shall be allotted to ad-hoc teachers, each appointed for a period of four months at a time. The governing bodies of the colleges will be sending the details of their vacant positions and reservation rosters, and following their approval, take appropriate steps to screen applications and fix interviews. A few colleges have already begun the application process.

With inputs from the Indian Express
Deepannita Misra
[email protected]
Image credits:sarkarijobnews.com

Keep Reading
By