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Delhi University witnesses hike in fee structure

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In the past three years Delhi University has undergone such radical changes that now one does not bat an eye when the university announces another one of its “reforms”. The news of the hike in fees of almost all the colleges has remained unmentioned. Where the raise in amount is not much in Colleges like Daulat Ram, Miranda House and Hindu, it’s quite considerable in others like SRCC, St Stephen’s, Kirori Mal, LSR and Ramjas.

Yearly fee structure of Shri Ram College of Commerce is a record breaking Rs. 27,000 for third year students and Rs. 26,600 for students of second year. SRCC has always been one of the top paid colleges owing to its air conditioned class rooms but from the last time’s annual fees of Rs. 20,000, a leap of seven thousand is a bit too much. St Stephen’s College, on the other hand, increased its fee by 5 to 7 percent with the effect that a student of Humanities will now have to pay Rs. 22,435 annually as opposed to Rs. 19,925 last year.

The fee hike in Hansraj College is not so drastic in comparison. “There would be a hike but it won’t be more than 10 percent. The hike would be for all the courses except for the Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech) in Electronics,” Hans Raj College principal K.V. Kavatra was quoted saying. A student of B. Com (Hons.) for instance needs to pay Rs. 10,540 instead of last year’s Rs. 9000.

Miranda House, Hindu College and Lady Irvin College have not hiked their fee at all. Where Miranda House charges around Rs. 8000 annually, Hindu still remains one of the most affordable colleges with a fee structure ranging from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 7000. Sri Venkateswara College in South Campus is comparatively cheaper, when compared to LSR and JMC, and a student of Political Science and B. Com (Hons.) has to pay just Rs. 6505 yearly.  With a fee structure of Rs. 5000, Daulat Ram College is one of the most inexpensive colleges of Delhi University.

Reportedly, the university has nothing to do with the fee structure and the hike. The decision lies entirely with the colleges. Quite naturally, the students of colleges like SRCC are not happy. “We don’t have teacher assigned for some of the very basic subjects! There are ad-hoc teachers but we are not satisfied with any of them and we have to pay extra for that?!” said a second year student.

Image courtesy: www.frontiertreksindia.com

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Small Screen

TV Show Review: Revenge

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“This isn’t a story about forgiveness; this is a story of revenge”

I would say the title of a movie could have aptly been named Revenge, but when a T.V show has a name like that, one wonders how many people the protagonist has, to take out her vengeance! It has to be exhaustive and the series can’t stretch infinitely.

Revenge-1

The story is loosely based on Alexandre Dumas novel The Count of Monte Cristo and revolves around a beguiling young woman Emily Thorne who moves to Hamptons to stay in the much sought after beach house in the neighborhood of the Grayson Global CEO Conrad Grayson and his socialite wife Victoria. But soon we know that the alluring Emily Thorne has a motive entirely different and a past rather dark. She was once known as Amanda Clarke, the daughter of David Clarke who was framed supposedly by the real culprits Graysons for bringing down a commercial airliner by supporting a terrorist organization. The plot thickens when Emily finds out that Graysons were responsible for murdering her father too. So our protagonist and her only accomplice Nolan Ross set out to destroy the lives of everyone even remotely related with her father’s downfall, especially Victoria Grayson, whose treachery had shaken the very roots of her father’s existence.

Revenge-Season-2

For a series like Revenge, the story line can get very predictable and monotonous but the creator Mike Kelley is successful in maintaining the suspense all through. The female protagonist portrays a strong character, one who is devoid of all emotions except hate. She will probably remind you of one of Sidney Sheldon’s creation with both beauty and intelligence as her weapons. The ways she employs in annihilating her victims is ingenious and the best part of all the episodes.

Backing the story line is the exquisite performance of its actors. Emily Van Camp is perfect for the role as she plays the mask of a charming lady with a serpent inside with ease. Victoria is played by Madeleine Stowe who again is flawless and beautiful in delivering her part of a woman who had to fight against her conscience and lose everything she once loved. The character of the unconventionally sexy Nolan Ross who is Emily’s side kick and his friendship and loyalty to Emily is as enticing as his sly and sarcastic dialogues.

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Shri Ram College of Commerce

SRCC welcomes new batch of students

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Shri Ram College of Commerce

Shri Ram College of Commerce welcomed its new batch of students in the orientation ceremony on Tuesday, 23rd of July. Thousands of freshers turned up looking awestruck and jittery. Like every year, the orientation was conducted in the college auditorium which was jam-packed with students, the parents not being allowed to enter the hall.

The programme was short and simple with teachers and principal on the podium introducing students to the college and telling them the do’s and don’ts of college life. “We found their speeches very inspiring and impactful and I can’t wait for the college to begin”, says Samantha, one of the freshers.

A short session was also conducted by the Delhi police about the metro line, making them familiar with it and telling them how they can commute. The students were then taken to their respective classes and given the SRCC handbook after which lunch was served to them and their parents.

“I love the college even more and I feel I belong here already, the sports complex is awesome!” adds an over excited fresher.

(Also see: College orientations in pictures)

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DUB Speak

Money Matters: Budgeting your college expenditure

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For most of us, the first thing which comes to our mind in planning our four year stay in the capital is the budget. Even for those who already reside here, college is a huge turning point. What pesters us are the daily expenses because that is something within our domain. Since our parents are usually unaware of the daily requirements of a college student, we feel responsible for keeping our “pocket money” enough to sustain us and at the same time not act as a burden on our parents. Here is a quick look at how much college life and not education can cost you at Delhi University:

Accommodation
To begin with we must make our peace with the fact that studying out is expensive even if comfort isn’t our first priority. Most of the outstation students prefer privately owned PGs and hostels for that give them more freedom as also comfort. In North Campus, finding a high end PG which provides all the imaginable services is easy if you are ready to shell out 14000 to 20000 monthly. If you want to save up on this front then college hostels and even private PGs are available which will cost you maximum 10000 per month.

Travel and coaching classes
For students, travelling expenses are inevitable. Thanks to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited, you don’t need to spend an unreasonable amount for making a daily trip to your coaching centers or just “hanging out” with friends in cafes or movies, although I can’t promise you how much either movies or cafes or coaching centers might charge you. All you need is a metro card which is much more convenient than buying a token every time you travel, a 10% discount is an added benefit. Bus fares are fair with something between Rs. 5 -15 for Non-AC and Rs. 10-25 for an AC ride. One can also opt for an all route DTC pass that costs Rs. 100 for Non-A/C travel with student concession. For an all route A/C  DTC pass, you might have to shell out Rs. 1000. (Also see: Delhi University Colleges Metro routes)

Talking about coaching classes, some of the “elite” centers do charge exorbitantly but then they are “necessary evil” and you’ll rather want to pay more now than repent later.

Food
Food in either north or south campus is not an issue at all. College takes more than half of your day and naturally you can’t starve in that duration. There are uncountable food joints in and around the college campus which are not only delicious but also cheap. Bhel puri walas and Maggi stalls can be found in abundance, with the college canteen always being an option. If you care more about health then you can rely on fruits and juices as well.

On an average, with everything included you can expect to spend something between Rs. 100- 200 per day. If thinking about these expenses sends a chill down your spine, let me assure you that it’s not as bad as it sounds and you can always cut down on unnecessary expenditure. What you must care about now is enjoying these golden four years even if that means exceeding a little on your budget.

Image credit: freedigitalphotos.net

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Biblio

Book Review: Those Pricey Thakur Girls

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Thosepriceythakurgirls

“Dabbu’s list of reasons for turning down perfectly nice, healthy, decently earning incomepoops under thirty:

(Compiled by Anjini Singh and Eshu Thakur)

  1. He said “intrusting” instead of interesting
  2. He had hairy ears! (like Yoda)
  3. He had uncool bum
  4. He came first in every exam, all his life, from nursery to IIT to IIM!
  5. He wasn’t Dylan Singh Shekhawat.”

Anuja Chauhan is back again with yet another RomCom hit. After patronizing cricket in “The Zoya Factor” and politics in “Battle for Bittora”, the author takes up press in the backdrop pre-liberalization New Delhi back in the ‘80s.

The story revolves around the five beautiful but troublesome daughters of Justice Laxminarayan who lives in the lavish bungalow on the posh Hailey road with his wife and the two unmarried daughters Debjani, our protagonist and Eshwari, the overly popular girl in school while the other three married ones; Anjini, drop dead gorgeous and incurably flirtatious but childless, Binodini who files a case against her own father to get her “rightful hissa” and Chandralekha, the “black sheep” in the family who elopes on the eve of her wedding.

The hero of the novel, Dylan Singh Shekhawat, Debjani’s “honest, brave and kind” Prince charming and highly patriotic journalist who is haunted by the massacre of the Sikhs in east Delhi and undertakes a personal mission to expose the man behind the riots. The plot thickens when in the midst of on and off romance between Dabbu and Dylan, dirty politics takes over fiery Journalism and our hero is framed with bribery and is sent to jail.

Those Pricey Thakur Girls isn’t just a romantic fiction, it takes us to old India, Delhi in particular. The dialect in which the author makes the character speak makes you laugh with “k****a, and M and B and F words and the mantra gleefully recited in unison by all the sisters: “May she die! May she be eaten by worms! May termites gnaw at her anus!”. The book might apparently be called as Pride and Prejudice of India with all the Indian Masalas of Family drama, sibling rivalry, lover’s quarrel and immense humor.

And because Dylan is “tall and sinewy and muscular”, has “lean dimples”, unruly hair and a torso made up of “muscular toffee-brown bits” I am glad a sequel is on its way.

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Admissions 2013

Commerce under FYUP: Course Analysis

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commerce-wp

The University of Delhi has always been innovating and experimenting with the courses it offers. This time, however, the change is even more radical and in spite of millions of speculations, protests and uncertainty the University has carried out its four year undergraduate plan, which on the face of it, seems entirely different from all previous attempts.

Almost all the courses are divided into Discipline course, Foundation course and Integrating Mind, Body and Heart course. B.Com (Hons) likewise has eight semesters altogether with first two years dedicated to Diploma, 3 years offers bachelor degree and fourth year bachelor with honours degree.

Difference in topics
The syllabus includes the commerce component business laws, financial accounting and auditing, business mathematics and statistics, human resource management and financial management in Discipline 1. While new papers like corporate governance and social responsibility, industrial law and foreign exchange management have been introduced, papers like indirect tax have been dropped.Discipline 2, which comprises six papers, includes setting up a business, marketing for beginners, financial reporting and analysis, personal tax planning, investing in stock market and insurance and risk management. However, the optional papers like financial market, institutions and financial services, compensation management, corporate tax planning and business data processing found no place in the new structure.

Diluted or Enriched
A section of teachers has alleged dilution of the B.Com (H) course as full-fledged papers on indirect tax (VAT and service tax) and international business have been dropped. However, the mix of different subjects in Foundation and Discipline course seems quite promising in giving a more intensive touch to Commerce as a whole.

Knowledge- Theory or practical
The four year course, definitely, has more practical side than the previous three year system. With subjects like Setting up a Business, Marketing for Beginners, Financial Reporting & Analysis, Personal Tax Planning, Investing in Stock Market, Insurance & Risk Management in discipline 2 the students are expected to have more exposure to actual business and market condition.

(Commerce 2013 cut-offs)

Work Load- swell up?
The first year has 11 foundation subjects which the students have to take. There is no other way out. Naturally the work load has increased. However, the pressure on students will fluctuate with every semester. In addition the Foundation course offers subjects like Science and Life which a commerce student might not be interested in, which in turn increases the work load.

Co- curricular activities
With increased workload and diverse subjects, focus on extracurricular activities will demand greater effort and time. The students might face difficulty in coping up with these. In the second, third and fourth year however, one cultural activity has been made compulsory.

Multiple exit points
Many professors feel that multiple exit points will encourage dropping out and actually lead to greater inequity among students. If a student leaves after two years, it will be of little help to him as far as employment is concerned. With multiple exit points it is unclear how students will be accommodated in other colleges outside Delhi.

Final Verdict
Although the FYUP offers more choices and greater diversity, if we look closely, a student has little choice to make and most of foundation subjects might not prove to be worth it. However, if a student completes all the four year he/ she will have a better employment prospect. The study is in depth if we ignore the subjects which have been dropped.

(For analysis of other courses click here)

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