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17 things to do before 2017

By DU Beat December 9, 2016

It’s done. Another year passed us by. Another semester we very consciously did nothing. But as they say, ‘What’s done is done.’ As we stroll down the last month of the year, it’s the last attempt to make this year somewhat memorable (seriously 2016, you sucked). This December, we present you with 17 things to do before 2017; here’s endeavouring to end this year with a bang!

Have the obligatory post-exam gathering

Say a very happy Goodbye to those photocopies and companions which conveniently grace your bed, for the days of examination suffering are memories of the past. Kick in the New Year festivities with throwing/attending a No-More-Studying party/sleepover, regardless of if you’ve earned it or not!

Revel in the pleasures of Winter

Part of your exam woes revolved around the inability to study in the chilly weather, for the comfort of the blanket and the sweet sleep hovering our eyes made it difficult to finish through the mountain of syllabus. Now, you can leave the guilt behind and cozy up in the blanket with a good book and coffee ALL day long!

Learn something new

While you’re busy relaxing, sleeping, and doing nothing throughout the day, consider occupying an hour or two with a new hobby to indulge your spirits in. It can be anything, from learning how to play a music instrument, baking cakes and muffins to tap dancing, the world is your oyster!

Reach out to that old, childhood friend

It’s safe to assume that throughout the course of our not-so-long life, there will be the existence of a friend who you’re not in touch with anymore, but probably would like to be. Contact him/her, make plans to meet, because it’s now or never!

Spend a day boycotting all sources of technology

It sounds like an impossible task. Tearing up from our phones and laptops for one day might require a significant portion of your will-power, but now’s the time to do it. Set aside these gizmos for a fun day in the sun; go out for a picnic with your friends, or go monument exploring. See the wonders of nature and revel!

Family day!

When was the last time you had a family-exclusive outing or a chance at familial bonding? We’re guessing it’s been long. Amidst the chaos of our lives, the year-end is a wonderful time to relax with the folks. Also, plan to take an elaborate family portrait to grace the wall, it can be a delightful memory!

Make a pre-New Year resolution and complete it

No, this is not a 365 days’ full-on resolution which we expect you to adhere to. Instead, resolve to achieve something before the end of this month/year, and see how far you go. Like Chandler’s resolution of not making fun of anyone for a week or Rachel’s gossiping streak, are you up for it?

Do a Star Wars marathon

Ever since Disney’s announcement of releasing a new Star Wars movie every year for as long as it can, every December is like an early Christmas gift. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story shall be gracing theatres near you on December 16, so preparations are in order. Watch all the seven (it feels weird to not say six!) Star Wars episodes so that the Jedi in you can properly assimilate the wonders of the Star Wars universe. (Start with Episode 4, if you’re new!)

Classic Movies Marathon Day

While you’re immersed with the whole marathon mood, we have some more for you. Revisit the old classics and enjoy the familiarity and awesomeness they have to offer. From Casablanca, Dead Poets Society, Godfather to The Breakfast Club, Roman Holiday and many more, we’re talking about them all!

Write down your predictions for the next year

…you know, just for fun. One thing 2016 has taught us all: anything can happen (no need for hints.) So, capture your imaginations and visualise the many events of the year to come. Think vast, think vivid, and predict!

Do Secret Santa

We know Christmas is not a fully established holiday in our country, like Diwali or Holi. But, we can always borrow the most exciting part of the traditional holiday: Exchanging gifts! Induce more fun by doing Secret Santa, where person A gives something to person B, and person B to C, and so on. Ho-ho to that Christmas spirit!

Shopping for the next semester

We know you don’t want to think about January when the woes of college will once again begin to haunt you, but hey, do the necessary preparations. And by that we mean, go shopping and fill the spaces in your wardrobe!

Watch re-runs of Sherlock

Season 4 is coming, guys. Feel the urgency in these words. Re-acquaint your minds with the adventures of the brilliant detective and his sidekick (we love you Watson!) Because Moriarty is back to ask this question: Miss me?

Go Goa

Because all your previous plans have obviously not worked. This is the perfect time to execute this much-hyped travel plan. Make the obligatory Goa trip happen this December end, because a) you deserve it, and b) Sunburn!

Introspect on the year gone by

This was certainly a very eventful year. Some good, and A LOT of it bad. Need a reminder? Have a look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yv_rl3MYKA

2016 has left the whole world asking it to go away for the next year to come, and while you’re waiting for that to happen, reflect back on the things you learnt this year. (Don’t forget to freak about how time flies!)

Plan a New Year’s eve-eve party

Nobody celebrates December 31st; that’s pretty sad. Here’s an excuse to throw another party: rejoice for it’s New Year’s eve-eve! One more day of welcoming the year to come, sounds fun right?

Whine about going back to college

Between all that happiness, take some time to digest the fact that college re-opens soon. Whine and pout over this for a day or two, and then accept that life’s not fair. Good things can’t last forever, my friend.

Happy New Year!

It might be a tiny bit predictable that on a list talking about 17 things to do before 2017, one of the points is to celebrate New Year. Eat, dance, cry, get high, for the whole ideology of a new year being a new beginning is a consoling excuse for a majority of people, and we’re ready to accept it.

Folks here’s to a lousy Christmas and a crappy New Year!

Saumya Kalia

Top Picks

Mark your calendars for these after exam events in Delhi

By DU Beat December 5, 2016

Have you already begun thinking about your after exam plans while being cooped up inside your room, hoping to catch up all your semester syllabus in one go? These are some after exam events to help you out:

Alto Delhi Comic Con

With guests like Paul Blackthorne, Tom Richmond and Erik Larsen coming to the Delhi Comic Con this year, how can you give it a miss? The meet and greet schedule is yet to be out, so keep an eye on the website.

Date: 9 to 11^th December

Book your tickets here:http://comiccondelhi.com/tickets/

Delhi International Queer Theatre and Film Festival

One of the biggest youth oriented LGBTQ support group in India, the festival aims to connect the LGBT struggle for equal right and to reach out to masses via the omnipotence of Media and Cinema. Apart from movie screening and theatre performances, panel discussions with eminent names from the LGBTQ community also happen.

Date: 10^th and 11^th December

Book your tickets here:https://in.explara.com/e/delhi-international-queer-theatre-film-festival-2016

TEDx Delhi

This TEDx will bring to you brilliant speakers who will cover multiple issues and voice their story for you to be inspired.

Date: 11^th December

Book your tickets here: https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/tedxdelhi/ET00048835

Pet Fed Delhi 2016

With activities like Scavenger Hunt, Fashion Show and an attempt to get into the Guineess World Record, the Ped Fed is a must for your pets and you.

Date: 17^thand 18^th December

Book your tickets here:http://www.petfed.org/

Plays
While not a single event but catch up on your theatre knowledge this December with drama and play performances at the L.G.T Auditorium, Alliance Francaise, Sri Ram Centre amongst others.
Date: 10^th to 25^th December

Book your tickets: https://in.bookmyshow.com/national-capital-region-ncr/plays

Adarsh Yadav

DUB Speak

TAKE NOTE! The importance of note-taking while studying

By DU Beat December 5, 2016

As exams are on, it is tempting to abandon quality studying techniques and resort to merely reading whatever is in the tens of readings or books assigned to us. However, this technique will not get you very far, and instead you must resist taking the easy way out and focus on studying effectively.

The best way to take notes is to be precise. Read the entire paragraph, and then summarise it in a couple sentences or bullet points. Make sure to only write down what is relevant, and what triggers the content for you. Notes should encourage you to remember all the information through key words.

To make note-taking fun, you can try using different coloured pens or highlighters to make your work look pretty (and to feel more productive). In fact, colour-coding is a great strategy for when you have extensive notes and need to quickly access the crucial parts of them. People with photographic memory can benefit greatly from this, as the colourful notes will remain in your mind even during the exam. Post-its and flashcards will soon become your best friends. If you’re a stationery enthusiast, this is your chance to splurge guilt-free on supplies!

Keep in mind that notes do not necessarily have to be handwritten. While there are studies that show that writing by hand helps more in the registering process than typing on a computer, if you feel that you function better on the screen, then go ahead! Do what works for you best, and don’t shy away from using technology to enhance your prep.

There’s no use in making notes if you don’t revise them. Instead of spending all of your prep leave making notes, make sure to set aside around two whole days to go over those notes. It helps you recall the information and to collect your thoughts, which will make you feel infinitely more calm and confident when it comes to the day of the exam.

So, stop laying around in bed all day and mindlessly reading the assigned texts. Get your hands dirty and make notes that will make you feel productive and efficient, and will truly be your saving grace this exam season. Good luck!

Image Caption: Flashcards
Image Credits: Pinterest

Vineeta Rana

Top Picks

Lack of resources? Here are some websites for literature students

By DU Beat November 30, 2016

As exams approach, students are often unable to find the right websites to help them prepare. Do not rely on cheap guides or inadequately explained answers on websites and start scrolling through these sites to get information about not just the author but detailed analysis of the theme, the characters, critical essays to support your analysis and also the text that you may need to read for free.

LitCharts

Brought to you by the makers of Sparknotes, the sites hosts material for a large number of books. It is divided into sections of themes, basic summary, elaborated summary along with character sketch that you all can refer to along with a theme tracking feature, timelines for characters and symbols.

Jstor

Lacking critical material for your answers? Jstor is there to help you out with its digital library that contains books, primary sources along with journals. While subscription is necessary in most cases, it does allow you to add up to 3 books/journals in your shelf if you sign up (which is free).

Project Gutenberg

Founded by Micheal S. Hart, Project Gutenberg is the oldest digital library that holds full texts of public domain books that you can view in different formats. Go here to read any of Behn’s play or Donne’s poetry. It is free and legal.

Infoplease

Often to understand the text and certain cultural bound situations, you need information on the socio political scenario of the era when the author wrote along with aspects of the author’s life as well to learn about the development of the plot. On infoplease, you can find factual information about any author, any play and any century that you wish to know of.

5) Shakespeare.mit.edu

This electronic source brings to you the complete collection of Shakespeare’s play and poetry that can be accessed for free.

YouTube
YouTube since a few years has been emerging as a great source of information for literature students with channels like Crash Course (where John Green teaches you about Romeo and Juliet , Beloved, The Catcher in the Rye etc), Yale Courses (where along with being taught by Yale professors, you also get a glimpse into the classroom if an ivy league university) and Thug Notes (where modern day slangs meet simple summary and analysis of the text).

Adarsh Yadav
[email protected]

DUB Speak

Children of North East

By DU Beat November 19, 2016

Delhi University has students converging from even the most remote pockets of India. Aspirants from each and every corner of the nation create a widespread difference in the national level platform. Students from the eight north eastern states of India also come forth to join DU, one of the premier educational institutions in India. With cultures, traditions and most importantly appearance that varies from the rest of India, there arises unsound conflicts and questions.
While recording a few tales of the stay of the students of N.E. in DU, the best part was to laugh at the ones who told about fellow mates asking them “Why are your eyes so small? Can you see as wide as I can?” A Hindu girl from Assam shared that one of her classmates asked her where is Assam, and when she mentioned it is in the north eastern part of India she was asked why doesn’t she look like the rest of the north eastern people and why is her name ‘a Hindu name’. As a matter of fact, there are many people out there who actually don’t know about what the north eastern states hold. Also, they have a very vague idea of the concept of the Aryan, Dravidian and the Mongolian races that reside here in India and also about the socio-linguistic and religious differences that co-exist in the eight states. On asking two-three people to name the eight states of N.E., they were just able to name Assam, Manipur and only one of them added Nagaland to the list. Clearly, people don’t consider it to be important enough to know the names of the 29 states and the 7 union territories of India. Well, let’s not broaden it to ‘people’, at least students who have made it to DU are expected to know this.

Another issue is the stereotype that all the north eastern students get into DU through reservation, which is halfway the truth but there are students of general category who have made it to DU. Anyway, the system of reservation itself is alienating communities, why blame the people who have been asked to follow the system since history. Evident uncomfortable situation arises because of the already created fragments due to reservation. A student shared that in the crowd of his economics department, he had no other companion from the N.E. and initially he had a hard time adjusting because all his classmates were from North India and mostly from NCR. He portioned out that most of them were unwelcoming to him because he looked different from them. Also, later he found out that because he appeared ‘chinky’, and they thought he entered DU with reservation, so they were not very welcoming to him. Here is to mention, he belongs to Manipur, is a Meitei Hindu who fell under general category. People need to realise that not every ‘small-eyed’ person has a reservation. And not all people from the north east are ‘small-eyed’.

It is also a major headline every once in a while about the sexual assault of girls from N.E. This statement is interesting per se, because it is a heated topic of discussion of a lot of people about dishonouring the women of N.E. due to their clothing (?) Well, I hope people do stop causing delicate discrimination, and be accepting. It is way too offensive to be treated like an outsider in your own country, with powerful negative glances checking you out from top to bottom. People, do learn about your country.

Radhika Boruah
[email protected]

Image source: theindianexpress.com and google.com

DUB Speak

They Are One Among Us: National Policy on Education reaching out to differently-abled children

By DU Beat November 19, 2016

Amidst all the hullabaloo of the new US President Donald Trump and the newly printed Indian currencies, let’s change the theme to reflecting back on the Children’s Day celebration.

Undoubtedly, this world is full of miracles and children are one of them. But to understand that every person is equipped with a different and special quality is a backdrop for many. And also for parents having a child born differently abled is a life-long adjustment. Families must learn to accept and hopefully celebrate children who are not what they originally had in mind. Expectant parents usually dream that their new baby will have some of their features and grow up to share their values and interests. But what happens when the baby is very different from them because of a disability? How do the parents cope with raising this child, develop a bond of love and appreciate the child with his/her own individual characteristics? The answer is simple: to consider them as one of us and attend their special needs normally. Well, symphonies of Beethoven soothe our ears when he himself had hearing impairment as a birth defect. Works of the dyslexic child Albert Einstein rule our textbooks now. Disabled ones are differently abled.

Education for the differently abled children has been a story in highlights for the past decades. India has 20.42 lakh disabledchildren aged between 0 and 6 years. Around 71% of them – 14.52 lakh children – are in rural areas. There are 5.9 lakh disabled children in cities. Of them, 11.04 lakh are male and 9.38 lakh are female children. Among them, 1.49 lakh children have multiple disabilities. A report said that while India has made significant improvement in primary education enrolment, the figures for children with disabilities are staggering. Out of 2.9 million children with disabilities in India, 990,000 children aged 6 to 14 years (34 %) are out of school. The percentages are even higher among children with intellectual disabilities (48%), speech impairments (36%) and multiple disabilities (59%). These numbers portray the ignorance of the fact that disabled children are differently abled, not invalid or non-existent. They do need a label; they just need an individual identity and a secured place out of all dogma and denigration about their abilities. Education becomes a means to break open all the shackles of disabilities.

The government has initiated the National Policy on Education (NPE) – 1986: The NPE brought the fundamental issue of equality centre stage. Section 4.9 of the policy clearly focuses on the needs of the children with disabilities. “The objective should be to integrate the physically and mentally handicapped with the general community as equal partners, to prepare them for normal growth and to enable them to face life with courage and confidence. The following measures will be taken in this regard:

Wherever it is feasible, the education of children with motor handicaps and other mild handicaps will be common with that of others;
Special schools with hostels will be provided, as far as possible at district headquarters, for the severely handicapped children;
Adequate arrangements will be made to give vocational training to the disabled;
Teachers’ training programmes will be reoriented, in particular for teachers of primary classes, to deal with the special difficulties of the handicapped children and
Voluntary effort for the education of the disabled will be encouraged in every possible manner”.

People, no amount of acts are effective unless we do initiate the awareness that differently abled ones are one among us.

By Radhika Boruah

DUB Speak

Political Parties vs. Women : Triple Talaq

By DU Beat November 13, 2016

A large section of Muslim women in India have been demanding an end to instantaneous triple talaq or talaq-e-bidat which they see as misogynist, unfair and un-Islamic. A number of petitions have been filed against triple talaq, the first one amongst them being the plea filed by Sharyara Bano who challenged triple talaq, polygamy and ‘nikah halala’ as being unconstitutional. Recently the Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) also filed a petition against triple talaq, supported by 50,000 signatures of Muslim women and men.

Twenty two countries around the world have already abolished triple talaq. While some have adopted secure family laws, the others do not recognize a divorce pronounced outside a court of law. In South Asia, Muslim majority countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh don’t follow this practice and Muslim minority country Sri Lanka, doesn’t recognize instant divorce according to its Marriage and Divorce (Muslim) act, 1951.
Funny enough with the State Assembly elections coming up, a spotlight has been thrown on triple talaq; with every party wanting to give its stance either to gather Muslim votes or strengthen their Hindu votes by perusing the topic. While BJP is using triple talaq as an example to push forward the Uniform Civil Code, the opposition like Congress, BSP and Trinamol Congress have decided to take a regressive stance by chortling along religious bodies.

Political parties in the mist of elections and voter bank seem to have forgotten about the Muslim women that this law is affecting. BJP and Congress, both taken as the polarising ends have always politicised this issue. The Rajiv Gandhi government passed the Muslim Women Bill to overturn the Supreme Court ruling in the Sharyara Bano case. Now the Bhartiya Janta Party has taken a surprisingly progressive stance on an issue which in the end is plagued by ulterior motives.

Regardless of their stand on the issue, the political parties come across as misogynistic entities standing alongside each other trying to gather votes while the Muslim women are fighting their battles, bravely.

Featured image credits: DNA

Adarsh Yadav

Kirorimal College

KMC bags third highest NAAC score in Delhi University

By DU Beat November 12, 2016

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has awarded the third highest score to Kirori Mal College among multi-disciplinary colleges in Delhi University. The college was awarded a score of 3.54 and was categorized in ‘A+’ category after two rounds of grading. NAAC teams have been visiting colleges across Delhi University to assess and grade them on the basis of parameters like curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, research, learning resources, organisation, and student services. While Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) was ranked 1^st with a score of 3.65, Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) was ranked 2^nd with a score of 3.61.

The changes in the college are being attributed to the new officiating principal, Mr. Dinesh Khattar. In the last one year the college has seen a lot of changes like becoming disabled-free by constructing ramps to make the building accessible, and making the administration student friendly. Speaking to DU Beat, Dr. Dinesh Khattar said “It’s a historic moment for the college as this is the highest grade received by a college belonging to the University of Delhi, offering multidisciplinary courses, especially those belonging to science disciplines. This has been made possible due to the exemplary contribution of teachers, students and the non-teaching colleagues. I specially acknowledge the contribution of our illustrious and hardworking students in this achievement.”

Nikhil Agrawal, a student of the KMC said “The administration has become student- friendly. Our grievances are being heard. We all are happy the way KMC in changing. And I hope KMC will reach greater heights in the coming days.” The college has seen a good teacher and student interaction in recent times. Several Innovation Projects taken up by the teachers and the activities of societies also helped in the bagging the good score.

Feature Image: Aditi Seth

Srivedant Kar

DUB Speak

All that glitters isn’t gold. The strategy of McD’s dirt cheap prices!

By DU Beat November 12, 2016

It’s time we re-evaluate our belief system when it comes to cheap food. For all those who maintain that McDonald’s is their go to place for the much-needed fast food rush, think again.

These innocent seeming golden arches that present the promise of greasy goodness rob you at your most vulnerable self- when you’re hungry. When you firmly believe that you can get a decent burger under Rs 40 and you decide to indulge in fries and a soda is when you know you’ve been played. Have you ever wondered what makes McDonald’s such a profitable organization? It’s obviously not to do with the fact that they serve high quality meat, bread and cheese to the public at affordable prices , but it’s to do with the fact that they make all their money from their very popular side dishes.

The unsuspecting middle class chooses to buy those divine salty cuts of crispy potato that costs them Rs 60 and we’re talking about the smallest size sans the tax! The smallest size of fries alone costs almost 30 rupees more than your average burger and pizza mcpuff. Then comes the icy cold soda that beckons to be glugged to digest that grease – a sensation that comes with a price, burning the pocket priced at Rs 55 a glass.

So , the next time you go to McDonald’s, be more observant and get that economic sense we humans are known for to start working. Most importantly, lay off those fries and get another burger instead!

Anahita Sahu