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Dyal Singh College

Dyal Singh College witnesses a workshop aiming at active learning in classrooms

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Dr. Vishal  Gupta, Associate Professor in the Department of Management, University of Mississippi, USA was invited to speak at Dyal Singh College (Morning) on 19th May 2016 by Dr. Rupa Basu from Kamala Nehru College. Named “eCognitio: An Innovative E-learning Workshop Promoting Student Participation and Collaborative Learning,” this initiative has been taken up as a pilot study under a Delhi University Innovation Project.

Over the years, with the advent and growing popularity of internet and social media sites like Facebook and YouTube, the job of the faculty has become even more challenging as students can seem disconnected from the classroom experience. Bearing this in mind in his presentation, Dr. Gupta drew attention to several factors that often contribute to ineffective teaching and how the use of e-learning and collaborative learning tools can be used to make the learning process more engaging for students. 

Followed by Dr. Gupta’s informative session, the second session was presented by Dr. Anita Goel and Dr. P.V.Arya from Dyal Singh College’s the Computer Science and Zoology Department respectively. They spoke of Open Education Resources and MOOCs and how the use of videos and animation can assist in the teaching-learning process.

Though primarily meant for Delhi University professors, apart from an enthusiastic participation by professors from numerous colleges, the workshop saw participation by professors from Meerut as well as Hapur. Dr. I.S Bakshi, Principal, Dyal Singh College, also reiterated the need for change in the methods of teaching in order to meet the expectations of the present generation of tech-savvy students who have a number of distractions that students did not face a decade back. “Student engagement with their learning experience is the key to academic success,” said Dr. Bakshi. 

With inputs from Dr. Rupa Basu, Kamala Nehru College. 

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The Auburn Umbrella

Wooplr presents 4 stylish DU Farewell looks this year

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e past few weeks saw a whirlwind of fashionable attires due to the farewell season which immersed all the DU colleges in it. The farewell tradition in Delhi University colleges is mostly girls wearing saris, guys wearing suits apart from the black graduation garb which is the true spirit of the farewell. Wooplr brings you 4 most stylish looks from this farewell season!

1. Miranda House

Ayotakshee Roy, Miranda House
Ayotakshee Roy, Miranda House

The graduation night at Miranda House is quite simply, the best. Hundreds of girls from the graduating batch make up the night with their eye catching sarees. Ayotakshee Roy, a student of Economics at Miranda House chose to wear a yellow-orange saree inspired by the sunset!

[quote]Given a choice, my preference always lies with darker shades. But for Graduation Dinner, my mum made me try something I personally wouldn’t even have touched at the shop since it’s just so bright. After scanning a number of shops in South Ex and Lajpat Nagar, we finalized on this yellow ombre saree matched with a thread-work blouse from a boutique in Sarojini Nagar. Yellow just isn’t my colour, but then there’s something so calming about sunsets.

– Ayotakshee Roy

[/quote]

 

2. SGTB Khalsa College

 

 

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Dosvidaniya 2016, the farewell event of Department of Commerce, SGTB Khalsa College

Dosvidaniya 2016, the farewell event of Department of Commerce saw a lot of bold fashion choices. Shubham Aggarwal chose to go bold and original with his blue coloured suit.

[quote]Guys hardly have any choice of outfit when it comes to suits. What’s special in a black suit and tie anymore? I decided to go a different way for my farewell. – Shubham Aggarwal

[/quote]

 

3. College of Vocational Studies

Sudisha, from English Hons. at College of Vocational Studies chose not to follow the trend of wearing sarees at the college farewells. Her decision of wearing a plain black kurta with golden earrings, bangles and golden heels got her a Miss Farewell title!

[quote]I wanted to stand out. Everyone normally wears a saree, but it wasn’t mandatory as the theme was ethnic. Besides, black is my favourite colour and it goes so well with golden accesories – Sudisha [/quote]

 

4. Jesus and Mary College

 

Vani Vivek, Jesus and Mary College
Vani Vivek, Jesus and Mary College

Vani Vivek, a Commerce student from Jesus and Mary College had never worn a saree before, so she went to her mother for help. Turns out that she wore her mother’s saree instead of buying a new one.

[quote]I hadn’t worn a saree before so I heavily relied on my mother’s experience with sarees, and actually ended up wearing one of hers rather than buying a new one. It’s a chiffon leheriya that she picked up from Jaipur, I liked it for its light, breezy feel and the fresh colour. I didn’t want to wear an itchy or a heavy blouse so I went the handloom route with a yellow cotton ikkat one. I really enjoyed wearing the two patterns together! – Vani Vivek[/quote]

Think you can add to this list? Download the Wooplr app and reveal some of your campus style secrets! ASAP!

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Bazinga

Bazinga: DU to conduct semester exams in sets to reduce cheating chances

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With the ‘Pariksha Das Committee for Excellence in Examinations Conduct’ submitting its final report to the University of Delhi yesterday, it is almost final that the Delhi University semester exams question papers will now be held in the sets of three.
Much like the conduct of class XIIth exams, the examinee sitting in front and back and on left and right of you would be solving a different question paper than yours.
Not only this, but the University is also planning to increase the number of invigilators per exam room to 3, and install multiple cameras to capture each and every move of the students. Learning its lessons from last semester exam’s cheating cases, mobile phones won’t be allowed in the exam room. Thus, in the course of exam duration, the students won’t be allowed to answer any phone calls or even the nature’s call for that matter.
“This is unfair on DU’s part, such notifications should be released in the beginning of semester so that we can accordingly prepare ourselves. I had all my cheat codes set, seems it’ll be hard to use them and pass this time”, said Mayoos Meena, a second year DU student.
While some students were disappointed with the sudden move, other were seen happy. “This guy behind me knew nothing and irritated me to show my balance sheet and cash flows all the time. I’m glad the exam will be in sets now”, said Champa Padhaiwala, a final year B.Com Honors student and the South Campus topper for consecutive 2 years.
DU is all set to make the recommendations of the committee into a binding ordinance effective from semester exams of May 2016.
We wish good luck to all the examinees!

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DUB News

Ramjas alumnus becomes the youngest Indian to feature at Cannes

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As admissions session draws close and students ready their certificates, letters and documents related to their achievements in ECA to try their luck for getting into the colleges which they couldn’t due to their cut offs, we present a story of a student who was in the same shoes at one time.

Years before, Varun Chopra was also one of them who got into Ramjas College through ECA. He is currently pursuing his masters in Film and Television at the School of Film and Television, Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. He is the youngest Indian whose film was screened at the highly popular and prestigious Cannes International Film Festival. He talks about his experience of theatre in Delhi University and his film “God on a Leash” which is woven around the story of being held on a leash to the hands of faith, heritage and poverty that explores the concept of humanism and divinity.

Q. You were a student of Mathematics at Ramjas. When did you decide for going for a masters in Films?

I was studying Mathematics (Hons.) at Ramjas College. I got my admission by the ECA quota in theatre which was a great ordeal in itself. Consequently, theatre turned into an indomitable element of my college life. Being in Shunya, one of the premier theatre societies of the University was the most fruitful experience in itself. There was a massive spirit of creativity and collaboration, it just propels one forward in terms of innovation and exposure. It was here that I directed my first play Saints and Sinners and later got involved with some exceptionally talented people who refused to sit idle. Most of us are now theatre artists and filmmakers trying to make our way up.

Q. You have been a student of DU and an active member the Delhi Theatre circuit. What is the scene of film making in DU?


As I mentioned before, the theatre scene in DU is blooming. It is very demanding but the kind of creative satiation people achieve here is unparalleled. Filmmaking however is still practiced in closed quarters and I fail to understand why DU still does not have a filmmaking course. It shows that the University has lost touch with the demands of the youth today. Students are trying to get out and organize festivals for films there, but they remain amateur since one does not have the apparatus to create something which is at par with what the 18-21 year olds in universities outside India do.

Q. What can DU do to promote these fields within its campus??

DU can organize more and more festivals which would push the status quo of the University. You should not have to spend a fortune to learn something. Get your college to get a course. Even if it is a workshop as a starter, the initiative must start.


Q. Do you think the young film makers in India have any good platform? What advice would you like to give to the Aspiring film makers of India.

The fact that we have one of the biggest film industries in the world and only a handful of institutes for film making is appalling. Those that exist aren’t even comparable to the universities abroad. What you end up doing is going to Mumbai and leading the quintessential “struggler” life, at least that is my understanding of it. All in all, one must be forced to do that. It is obvious that we are going tangential to the needs.
There is some brilliant talent but a dearth of opportunities too.
I don’t think I am qualified enough to give anyone advice, but to a hopeful person who is reading this and thinking if they stand any chance. I would like to say take the leap of faith, you’ll be surprised to see how many people would support you. If you want to be a painter, just paint. Likewise, if you want to be a filmmaker, make films.

Q. How do you feel to be the youngest Indian in Cannes International Film Festival? What would you like to say about your film which got screened at Cannes?

I am very fortunate to be able to experience Cannes at a young age. It is more of an opportunity to engage with interesting people than anything. The film is special as it took me back to the University. Parts of the film were shot in North Campus itself. With all honesty, I feel a sense of gratitude towards Shunya and the people I met there. I would want to give a big shout out to the folks there today, they are churning out some amazing stuff every year.

Through this documentary, I was able to unravel the intricacies of this culture. We followed a Madari, who sat with his macaques and their offspring near a Hanuman temple at North Campus. It seemed the baby’s future in chains was indomitable, much like the off springs of the ancestral impressionists’ community. It created a cruel euphemism about our ignorance, the way we choose to live our lives, follow our traditions and practice our faith. The film is a window to a highly embellished niche world with a contrastingly unembellished human experience.

Here is the link of the film: https://m.facebook.com/godonaleash/

Interviewed by Srivedant Kar for DU Beat

[email protected]

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Sex Amma

Sex Amma: Farewell and the curse of virginity

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Sex Amma

Dear Amma, I’m about to graduate, and I’m worried that even after three years of college I’m still a virgin. I attended the Virgin Tree Pooja three years in a row, went to parties to talk to girls, practically did everything to change this but nothing has ever helped. I am now worried if I’ll ever break this “curse” of virginity that has been set upon me. Please tell me what do?

Aiyyo, my dear idli, looks like you have been following the wrong ways of procuring a partner for a while now. It seems like you’re suffering from a curse that my macchis call ‘desperation.’ Amma has seen many men fall prey to this curse, and is glad that you have to ask for advice. This curse affects many men’s perception of females, but don’t worry as Amma has the solution to this.

The solution to your problem is simple, but it will be tough on your part to implement the same. Your curse makes you not want to explore anything beyond having sex with a girl. You must know that Amma loves her macchis because they are gentle, affectionate people who need to be cared for and loved deeply. If you fail to do that, and will only concentrate on having sex, no macchi will ever want to be with you.

Try to approach women with a certain level of respect. Remember that your curry is tastiest only when you invest time in cooking it patiently with the right kind of spices. Go beyond the idea of just having sex and following irrational ideas like attending the Virgin Tree Pooja. Instead, try to find the right girl for you who shares similar interests and can understand you. Amma assures that by following this advice, you’ll find a dosa to go along with your taste in no time.

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DUB Speak

DU’s deafening silence over JNU and Hyderabad University

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Over the past few months, the country has seen a dramatic change in the student politics environment. Jawahar Lal Nehru University chalked out the condition of a religious and national mind while the injustice faced by Rohit Vemula at the University of Hyderabad ushered a new wave of student movements. While issues and ideas at both the places should have been dealt at the level of debate, the government decided to use their power in a ruthless manner.

However, another thread that binds both the universities together is Delhi University’s surreal silence. One would expect from one of the largest universities in the country, often looked upon for its high standards and prestige, to come out in support and to protect the vulnerable. Delhi University did none of that.

A huge issue erupted at the centre of which was the idea of nationalism. While people across the country discussed the issue strenuously, DU kept silent, almost to the point of ignorance. It was an indifference which was disturbing as it questioned the nature of education and the kind of critical thinking it should have fostered. A large number of institutions came out in support of JNU across the globe. DU decided to take none of the sides and instead turned a blind eye. While it would still have been agreeable to have a difference of opinion, the disappointment was an absence of it. It is true that students from DU did participate in the protests organised by various student groups, the University as such did not use its voice collectively to join the debate.

It is important to reiterate here that while a lot of universities signed petitions in favour of JNU, DU neither supported nor condemned it. In fact, very few discussions were formally conducted which also owed a lot to a fear that had been generated following the JNU row. Students were scared to organise any kind of events or discussions, especially those on the side of a new kind of understanding of nationalism which was being discouraged brutally by the state. Is this the kind of environment we should be nurturing at a central university? One would have overlooked this silence only if it wasn’t too evident. But in the huge, loud and fierce atmosphere of struggle carried out by students of HCU, AMU, TISS and others against all odds, it was a great disappointment to see DU quiet.

After the release of almost all students and teachers involved and an apparent settling down of issues, it is pertinent to ask some questions. How much of space are we left with for dissent? Is the fight that the students put ahead going to protect the spirit of debate and discussion? Or has the state artfully done what it has to by creating a fear psychosis in which one would question the culture of questioning the dominant in the first place? We as students of Delhi University, who have witnessed the sheer amount of indifference and ignorance that fellow students have shown, need to ask ourselves if there is something wrong with the education we are getting or have we already given up in this struggle of fighting for a freedom to speak and to ask questions.

Tooba Towfiq
[email protected]
Kartikeya Bhatotia
[email protected]
Image credits: youthkiawaaz.com
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Campus Central

NSIT organises literary and debate festival Colloquium'16

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Wolf of Dalal Street was a test to the participants, of the wit, marketing expertise as well as tackling socio-economic issues. The Delhi Poetry Slam was also organised wherein slam poets namely Akhil Saxena, Rei Bantawa, ARN, Neeti Prakash and Deveena Verma spoke about socials issues concerning the LGBT community and Section 377.

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The second day of colloquium commenced with the opening ceremony while the NSITMUN saw huge participation from participants from all over the Delhi MUN circuit. The following committees were part of the two day conference: General Assembly, Historic Security Council, C34 Special Committee on Peacekeeping operations and UN Review Meeting on Sanctions. IP (International Press) was eventful with guest of honour and judge Mr. Ashish Shukla.

IPC (Indian Parliamentary Colloquium) included committees like All India Political Parties Meet, National Security Council and Special Historic Committee. It was followed by a panel discussion on “Expense of free expression” with Mr. Anuj Gosalia and Ms. Suchismita Chattopadhyay as panelists.

The interactive session with Ms. Shilpa Gupta, author of Ananya – A bittersweet journey was also organised, with a variety of questions put forward by the audience.

The MUN and IPC conferences ended on the third day with the closing ceremony being held in the main auditorium. The chairs and vice chairs were present and the participants were rewarded with trophies and certificates.

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DUB Speak

Have DU college fests lost their essence because of star-nights?

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The fest season of Delhi University swings by every year like clockwork, starting in the end of January and lasting till early April. Colleges host several competitions, headed by their respective cultural societies. Another feature we’ve recently come to heavily associate with fests of DU colleges are star-nights and star-appearances. Colleges have increasingly been getting top actors, singers and DJs to perform at their college fests and have been rewarded with increased footfall and many hassles to go along with it.
It’s not hard to realise that cultural fests are lately being reduced to just the star/performer nights taking centre-stage. Where the focus should actually be on promoting cultural activities, the students are being sold the commoditisation of their fests in a glittery, star-studded package that they won’t hesitate in accepting. Since the entire fest revolves around the stars, schedules often go in for a toss and events are disrupted and delayed to accommodate celebrity visits, to the obvious chagrin of the participants. It’s getting increasingly common to find no events scheduled for the entire day save for a few informal events and a big star-night at the end of it. The security hassles that accompany inviting a big star are another inconvenience in themselves.
While it’s definitely worthwhile to consider that star-nights allow students to witness celebrities and performers they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise, it must also be recognised that the appearances are getting repetitive, with the Badlapur cast having visited numerous colleges in the span of two months during the last fest season and Mohit Chauhan, who performed in SRCC last month having performed in several colleges already. It’s an exercise of picking from the same overused pool of performers that is mostly static save for one or two new additions every year. It is also disturbing how colleges participate in the consumerist tactics used by celebrities who visit colleges solely to promote their films.
Performers’ nights in themselves aren’t a bad idea. We need to move on from them being a platform for already established performers who don’t need it in the first place. Performers’ nights can instead act as a stage for new and upcoming artists to perform, who will neither charge money enough to empty the union’s coffers nor have as many logistical nightmares associated with them. They will, infact, be more appreciative of the platform. The audience will also take back a broader knowledge of the indie-music scene and not just the din of the usual Bollywood tracks.
While definitely an unpopular opinion, it’s important to consider what we’re giving up when we reduce cultural fests to just status-symbol clashes over stars and not a place for culture and new talent to flourish.

Image Credits: Chirag Sharma for DU Beat

Akshara Srivastava
[email protected]
Shubham Kaushik
[email protected]

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Campus Central

DU commemorates the martyrdom of Shaheed Bhagat Singh

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“Exemplary are the lives of those who espouse the cause of our motherland and through their sacrifices, inspire generations for selfless and dedicated service to the nation,” said the Press Release by Delhi University on Martyrs Day celebrated on 23rd March. The University marked this day by opening doors to a room in the Viceregal Lodge, where Bhagat Singh was imprisoned for a day before he was hanged along with Sukhdev and Rajguru. The room was furnished by a cot and a picture of the revolutionary and contained works on Bhagat Singh and even handwritten letters by the fighter. The University invited hundred students from different schools for a guided tour of the room which has been kept locked since it was handed over to the University in 1933 and now houses the Vice Chancellor’s office.   Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Tyagi said that the resource centre aims at making everyone learn from the lives of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his fellow freedom fighters. He mentioned that the centre will be open to college students, research scholars and even school children who wish to learn from the works of the martyr and other scholarly works on him. It won’t, however be opened to the public. The University plans on turning it into a museum later on and make the resource available to students on certain selected days in a week. The Vice Chancellor, an alumnus of Jawahar Lal Nehru University when asked to draw comparisons between Kanhaiya Kumar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh said that anyone who fights for a just cause is inspired by the martyr. Bhagat Singh along with others revolutionaries threw bombs in the parliament to ‘make the deaf hear’ to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai and JP Saunders. He became a symbol of standing up to the wrongdoings of the English government.   Feature Image credit: thehindu.com Akshara Srivastava [email protected]  ]]>

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DU Annual Fest Season

Confluence’16, Hans Raj College ends with Honey Singh and Indian Ocean

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Day 3 of Confluence’16 was a rich synergy of various cultural events. It constituted various events along with those by HT City Youth Nexus and a North Eastern Festival by NE cell of Hans Raj College.
The day started with a western group dance competition organised by Oorja, The Western Group Dance society of Hansraj college. Fifteen teams participated in the competition which was judged by Tanya Suri,a professional jazz dancer, Anmol Jamwal and Mohit Raj Thapa. After an entertaining session of exhilarating performances, Misba The Western Dance society of Sri Guru Gobind College of Commerce won the first place in the competition. Tanz, Miranda House stood second.

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Misba from Shri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce won the western dance competition while Tanz from Miranda House emerged as runner ups | Image by Vegh Daswani for DU Beat

A street play competition was also organised by HT City Youth Nexus. It was judged by Ajit Kumar and Ankita Chauhan. Navrang The Hindi Dramatic Society of Institute of Home Economics who won the competition had performed ‘Na Idhar Ka Na Udhar ka’ a play based on the problems of middle class. Ijaad from PGDAV evening performed ‘ Panch sitambar’ and were declared the runners up.
This was followed by a North East Festival organised by the North East Cell of Hans Raj College. The event show cased the culture of not only the North Eastern states of India but included Ladakh and Tibet. Students performed Bihu, Manipuri dance and various group songs such as those by the students from Tibet. A fashion walk was also conducted as a part of the NE festival.
Immediately after the NE fest, fans started pouring in huge numbers for a guest appearance of Honey Singh for the promotions of his upcoming movie, Zorawar which is due to release on 6th May. The humongous crowd went hullabaloo when the singer sung some of his famous songs. Though the crowd created trouble, Hansraj Student’s Union managed the situation well.


Indian ocean, as a part of Coke Studio also performed at Confluence’16 in association with HT Youth Nexus.
They closed the three day eventful festivity with some soulful music. The Students Union of Hansraj College was thanked and praised by the team of HT City Youth Nexus and Indian Ocean.

Rahul Ram plays with his band Indian Ocean to close Confluence'16
Rahul Ram plays with his band Indian Ocean to close Confluence’16 | Image by Prateek Singh for DU Beat

Tooba Towfiq

Srivedant Kar

Arindam Goswami

Images by Jasmine Chahal, Vegh Daswani, Prateek Singh and Paurush Bhardwaj for DU Beat

 

Feature image by Paurush Bharadwaj

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