The anti tobacco campaign was inaugurated with much enthusiasm on the 3rd of February at the Hansraj College where the World Lung Foundation joined forces with the Delhi University to restrain the pernicious practice of smoking and tobacco consumption.
The Global Health Professional Students Survey, carried out among 15 medical colleges in the country, has revealed a high prevalence of tobacco use among students and poor enforcement of tobacco ban on medical campuses. A testament to this is the growing number of pan shops near college campuses, although the law prohibits sale and smoking of cigarettes in public places . Another worrying aspect is the growth of female smokers. The world lung foundation estimates that one third of Indian women consume at least one form of tobacco.
Restraining these trends requires local participation and active campaigning. The world lung foundation has played a leading role in this regard. It has contributed immensely in making north campus a smoke free zone; such programs have also been spread to Uttarakhand and other regions. Affiliating with colleges, a team of nodal officers from the member staff as well as student volunteers have been established with the objective to deter tobacco consumption by spreading awareness. Nodal officers and tobacco brigades have volunteered to act as guides to users and custodians of tobacco free campus.
To spread this message, a two day event consisting of competitions ranging from painting, declamation and street play were held. The key note address was presented by the principal of Hansraj college who explained in detail the correlation between Darwin’s theory and use of relaxants. The chief guest on this occasion was Mr. G.S. Khatri, the president of World Lung Foundation and a pioneer of the north campus ‘Smoke Free Zone’ initiative. The painting and the declamation contests were based on the theme of discouragement of tobacco usage and saw a large turnout. The second day witnessed a street play competition which was won by Hansraj college through an emotive performance of the hazards of tobacco consumption.
It was acknowledged by all present during the course of the campaign that such initiatives need all the possible support that can be provided, for this addiction is dangerous and its consequences dire though eventually this critical decision lies in an individual’s very own hands.
Author: Haruki Murakami Kafka On The Shore blends fables, legends and mysteries sprinkled with reality. It revolves around two characters, one a teenage boy, Kafka Tamura and the other an adorable and pitiable, Satoru Nakata. Kafka Tamura is a fourteen-year-old runaway who escapes home in search of meaning and to distance himself of his father’s malevolence. Fate leads him to the town of Takamastu. Here, he finds shelter in a library and a mentor in Oshima, a librarian, who is a trans sexual gay. Alternate chapters relate the story of Satoru Nakata who loses higher intellectual functions in a world war 2 accident, under mysterious circumstances. This accident, on the upside, gives him the ability to converse with cats. The plot unfolds as Koichi Tamura, Kafka’s father coerces Nakata into murdering him. This renders him into a journey to right the wrong and restore the balance. He is accompanied on this journey by a disciple who facilitates this process by his own self discovery and encounter with fate in the form of a ghost like pimp. From fish rains to a journey into the after world, the disparate stories of the heroes converge in the library where Miss Saeki connects the dots. Kafka on the Shore is comprehensive – both in its reach and ambition. It is both suspenseful and mysterious, drawing readers to the finish- a real page turner. While it manages to create a surreal experience Murukami does well in delivering a coherent finishing touch.]]>
The Hansraj Dramatic Society organized its first ever theatre festival this November to resounding success. Over the years this society has established a name for itself with its selection of plays and quality of performance. From the contentious choice of performing Vagina Monologue to hosting the maiden theater festival ‘Éclat,’ the Dramatic Society has come a long way.
Sponsored by Jindal Steel and Radio Mirchi, this festival saw a wide range of events including street play, stage play, ad-mad and monologue competition. Street play was held on the first day of the festival and registered an impressive turn out and active audience participation. KNC & JMC bagged the first and the second prize while SRCC was awarded the most energetic team.
Stage play was won by a beautifully choreographed play by Maitreyi while LSR’s surreal drama Hairy Tales from Here and There placed a close second. In the monologue event president of the Hansraj dramatics society Nitin placed second while Ishika and Indrani, also from Hansraj, shared the first prize.
The festival was a huge success and the audience turnout and participation was appreciated by all the teams performing. The organisation and scale of the event was respectable and with time and planning can be improved. However, this is a foundation that theater at Hansraj can take pride in.
Frustration, loss of relationship, remorse, conformity and escape are some of the pretexts addicts site for drug consumption. What they fail to anticipate is the harm they cause themselves and their family by this one reckless decision.
This was the message that AISEC wanted to convey to the students of Delhi University in a workshop held at Hansraj College. Through their event ‘Breaking Free’ they had former victims of drug abuse share the stories of their painful experience during the period of addiction and the difficult process of rehabilitation with. These former addicts were given an opportunity to explain their stories before a sympathetic audience. This was followed by an insightful address by Ms. Kiran Bedi in which she explained the multiple obstacles one encounters in overcoming this affliction and the important role a society plays in supporting the victims and upholding their will and spirit.
An effective though short five- minute presentation discussing the same was also screened. Ms. Priya Dutta, touched the central nerve of the issue by highlighting the necessity to separate the supposed cool quotient from drug usage which lures the impressionable youth. Another important point coming out of this exchange was the vicious nature of this addiction and the moral and spiritual vacuum it leaves within an individual.
The Question and Answer round brought forth a variety of queries from the audience, each of which was dealt comprehensively by the panellists.
Breaking free was an honest attempt to resolve a problem that, over the years, has spread alarmingly and become a plague devouring our younger generations. AISEC plans to follow up this concern by forming associations with NGOs and other such forums and organize further formal and informal discussions. This endeavour on their part shall hopefully not only rescue individuals and their families but salvage the society as a whole.
The writer complains about the scholarship not being advertised in the papers.
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most coveted awards for international study. It opens the door to the University of Oxford for post -graduate courses ranging from Master’s programme or a research degree to a second undergraduate degree. Innumerable students from all over the globe aspire to win recognition and financial aid through this medium. Initiated in 1902, with the vision of Cecil Rhodes, it has been extended to Commonwealth countries including India.
The selection process for Rhodes begins in the month of august by which candidates are required to submit their applications. These applications must include an essay mentioning the aspirant’s strengths, weaknesses, goals, career aims etc. The application should include recommendations from six close acquaintances, three of whom the applicant ought to have studied under. One passport size photograph, age certificate, evidences of courses taken and other academic distinctions obtained are also required.
While nominating the committee regards the qualities and ethos that Cecil Rhodes held dear. A Rhodes scholar is expected to posses an exemplary academic record complimented by striking sport skills. Character, compassion, leadership ability, morals and ethics are indispensable tools of their armory. Short listed candidates are then called for a preliminary personal interview, after which the selected candidates face another interview in December which forms the final leg of the selection. The chosen candidates join the esteemed club consisting of dignitaries such as Bill Clinton and Bill Gates. The essence of Rhodes Scholarship is the promise of a life full of opportunities!