Dealing with monthly menstrual cycles (satanic waterfall, monthly monster, whatever you call it) is hard enough without adding to it the hassle of keeping a track of when the next one’s approaching while also balancing birth control pills and being sexually active. While periods can often be erratic and tricky, most fall into a nearly regular cycle which is always helpful to track because your hormone levels can explain many mysteries of life – from feeling bloated to crying about losing a pen. The ladies at DU Beat share the applications they trust to keep their cycle sorted:
- My Days: This app couldn’t be simpler to use and has a very no-nonsense user interface. You add dates when your period starts and when it ends, if and when you take a pill or are sexually active, and it marks the dates when you will possibly be ovulating and the date of your next period. The more regular you are with adding your data to the app, the better it predicts.
- Clue: Other than tracking your period, Clue also has a lot of parameters to track your premenstrual syndrome symptoms as well, including emotions, physical pain and cravings. Hence, its calendar not only gives you ovulation and period dates but also dates when you’re likely to be PMSing.
- Period Tracker: This application does everything – tracks your period, your ovulation dates and takes into account when you’ve been sexually active. The user interface is cute too!
- Lunacycle: Lunacycle details not only your next period date and ovulation date but also rates the possibility of pregnancy (as high, low and average) based on what your cycle looks like. It offers advice (which can sometimes be a little sexist) and descriptions of what your skin is going to feel like, what diet you should take and what beauty routines you should try based on your cycle and hormone levels.
- Period Diary: This application is customisable, and not just with respect to changes in your cycle according to the data you add to it, but also in terms of its user interface. It has theme options of floral, butterflies and hearts, which, albeit clichéd, are also cute! Its other features include adding notes about mood, a past period summary, notifications and a late period alert.
Make your life easier and try out a few of these applications to lessen your chances of being caught unaware the next time your period arrives!
Featured Image Credis: http://www.imore.com/sites/
Come 17th August 2016, Gargi College will kick off its golden jubilee celebrations that will be drawn out over the entire year with various events and festivities. With the theme “Service to Humanity ” , the college will host a cultural program involving about fifteen prominent NGOs who with their noble work have led to the empowerment of the weaker sections of our society and the betterment of the general public. Institutions including Youth for Seva, Tamanna, Yodhas, Arya Mahila, Jamkhat along with Cheshire and Goonj will be attending the inaugural event where they will present performances in tandem with the college students.
The event will be in attendance by eminent chief guests like Mr. Anshu Gupta, the winner of the Raman Magsaysay Award and the founder of Goonj who work towards sustainable development resources for the poor. The founders of other NGOs will also be present which includes Mr. Rahul Yadav, founder of an UNESCO award winning NGO Yodhas “Indians Fighting against Cancer.” Professor Anil Aneja, OSD,Equal OpportunityCell and Mr. Atul Kotra, the Chairman, Governing Body of Gargi College will also be present as Guests of Honour along with the college principal Dr. Shashi Tyagi. The event will comprise of at least two hundred members of the attending NGOs who apart from cultural performances will also be putting up stalls featuring their own creations for sale within the college.
The jubilee festivities will also witness a tree plantation drive which will be spearheaded by the Principal and the Guests of honour. A calendar will also be launched, commemorating the fifty years of Gargi’s excellence. Established in 1967, Gargi is the only women’s college in South campus that offers education in the four streams of Science, Commerce and Arts, and Elementary Education. In February, the college was awarded the third highest CGPA of 3.30 (Grade A) within Delhi University by The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
In 2004, UGC conferred on the College the title, “College with Potential for Excellence ” and bestowed a special grant to undertake research and community service projects. In 2009, the Department of biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India awarded the Star College Grant and a grant for establishing the bioinformatics facility at Gargi. Along with its academic achievements, Gargi is also known for its Social Outreach Programmes that include The NSS, NCC, Equal Opportunity Cell and Women’s Development centers of the college who arrange events that sensitise students to gender, economic and other issues to create awareness and opportunities for social responsibility.
Image credits: canviar.in
Guest post by Indrani Chakravartty, Gargi College
With the pressure of studies and society activities slowly building up, DU Beat brings you some must have Delhi experiences that every fresher must catch.
1. Cycling trip to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Pick up the bright green bicycles from the Patel Chowk Metro station and go for a cycling trip to the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan with your friends. You can also combine this with a picnic in the India Gate lawns. Delhi being the heart of power of the country and this being a powerful location of the city, the trip might give you a feeling of being closer to power and will be a good memory to go back to any day!
(Image Credits: Alex Arthur for DU Beat)
2. Midnight exploration of the Ridge
Having spent quite a few days in the college, your seniors must have filled your ears with the stories of the crying woman in a white saree or the monkey which hunts people at night, all of them residing at a common address- the ridge. Why not explore it yourself with your friends at midnight?
The silence of the night and the street lights combine perfectly to give you a feeling of someone who’s been waiting for long and is beckoning you. (Try this at your own risk and have a strong heart throughout!)
(Image Credits: www.holidify.com )
3. Photoshoot at India Gate
With the Independence Day approaching and a patriotic fever rising all over the country this is the best time to plan a trip to India Gate and obviously click a picture of yours to set as your Independence Day cover photo on Facebook. What better way to display your patriotism and flaunting being in the capital at this time of the year?
(Photo Credits: commons.wikimedia.org)
4. Going for a theatre experience
The capital is home to some of the best auditoriums of the country which play hosts to lots of plays. If you’re a theatre enthusiast then Mandi House which stations the National School of Drama, Shri Ram Centre for Art and Culture, Bharatiya Kala Kendra and many more literary avenues can become one of your most visited locations in Delhi.
(Photo Credits: commons.wikimedia.org)
5. Catch the light and sound show in Red Fort
The great red building has been a witness to the rise and fall of the mighty Mughal Empire and the rise of Modern India. They say it right when they say that the red sandstones of Red Fort narrate history, for one trip to the Fort will take you back in time to the glorious days of Mughal rule in India. You can catch the light and sound show in the evening which would take you through a beautiful journey of history.
(Photo Credits: www.flickr.com)
So whether you are of the adventurous kind or prefer artful displays, there are many things you do to keep yourselves excited and amazed. This list is just a preview. So buckle up freshers! Delhi has tonnes of adventures in store for you!
Feature Image Credits: Alex Arthur for DU Beat
Srivedant Kar
[email protected]
Jaadu –
Hello, everyone. I am just another student in the crowd of thousands who has recently joined Delhi University. While I imagined college to be all hap and happening, I wasn’t really aware that things in this city were going to be that difficult to manage. There are countless things I get stuck with every day, and initially, I did feel like packing my bags and heading back to my hometown, but the universe has its way to fix things.
And for me, that fix was Jaadu, Duh. No Koi Mil Gaya reference here.
Jaadu, a personal butler service came to my rescue when I was first loitering around in colleges for admissions. The second cut-off list was just out, and my phone had no internet access to check the same. But, right there and then, I saw a pamphlet at a desk which read about Jaadu. They claimed that they could do anything and everything you wanted by simply leaving them either an SMS or a Facebook message. Immediately, I left Jaadu a text message and asked them to send me the cut-off list of the requisite college for specific courses. They greeted me well and sent all that was required in less than 10 minutes. At first, I was skeptical about their service, but no this was real, and it was happening.
At another instance, I sent a Facebook message to Jaadu asking if they could help me with the cheapest cabs available from my location and to my surprise, there was a cab waiting outside exactly 15 minutes later. No need of having multiple apps, no need to enter into irritating conversations with drivers, and no hassle at all.
After the tedious admission procedure, I was all fueled up for my PG hunt. We knew nothing about the place, so we had no idea where to go and search for the ‘good’ PGs. All I did was message Jaadu about my requirement which was basically finding an affordable accommodation, close to my college. After half an hour or so, there were pictures from 4 different PGs perfectly matching the requirements with their respective locations. Honestly, I didn’t have to pay all the PGs a visit; I totally loved the first one and finalized it right there and then. I soon realized that I would need Jaadu as long as I live here.
A few days later, I was doing extra hours at college; you know the kind of excitement you have for your first assignment. Now amidst all the taxing work, I completely forgot that I had to take my medicine. Immediately I messaged Jaadu and they were there in less than half an hour with the medicines I ordered. I also ordered a glass of lemon juice, which they fetched from the nearest juice store. Yes, they did charge me a convenience fee this time, but it was a bare minimum. This is how sorted my life had become.
Oh, and you have to hear this one out. I was really hungry at 2 in the night. Now my PG’s have really strict timings. But I hardly had anything to worry about, because Jaadu was there. I placed my order of a huge grilled burger and some chocolate Brownies and nom nom; it was there, in roughly 40 minutes. This is definitely not bad if you are looking for midnight bytes.
The story doesn’t end here. Last Sunday was my mom’s birthday and I had already selected a Westside kurta but had no idea where I would find the store or the post office here. So I sent Jaadu the pictures of what I had selected and gave him the postal address. And my work was done the very next day. My mom was delighted to see the present and asked me how I managed to do all this and all I said was.
“Maa Jaadu 😉 “
Yes, I did have to pay the amount in advance which I very conveniently did for they had gained my trust and love.
I am now a loyal customer, always seeking their help every now and then.
And so I say, it has helped me, it will help you.
You can SMS them at 9818884394 (Thank me later) or check out their Facebook page here
Image Credits: https://web.facebook.com/jaaduinc/photos
As a part of their Undergraduate research project some students from Miranda House College have devised a new way to control mosquitos that is environment friendly, sustainable and economical.
Recently the city had its first dengue victim of the season leading the New Delhi Municipal Corporation to wake up and commence their mosquito control drives all across the city. Meanwhile some young researchers of Miranda House College have come up with unique and more effective research study on controlling mosquitoes. The research was a part of the undergraduate research project that was taken up by these students who were keen to learn more about research and at the same time contribute to the society.
They have come up with various plans to control breeding of mosquitos. On being asked about what change they could expect in the society if their project is taken up to a higher level, Radhika a second year student from Life Sciences said, “Through this mosquito- based research, I hope awareness will be propagated among each individual to control fostering mosquito population which is causing life- threatening epidemics. We can take a course towards pollution free, safe and clean technologies to control the mosquito menace.” The research team consists of four students who were guided by a faculty member. “Having pictured research as something that is done at a very high level, we were really excited to take up the project that caters to our curiosity which revolved around what research is all about” said Kanika, a Zoology student who was a part of the team.
Dr. Vimal Thareja who mentored this project spoke to our correspondent and stressed upon the importance of practical learning rather than going for rote learning. She further emphasised on the need to encourage inquisitiveness, keen observations and innovations at undergraduate level. The students also presented their project at a seminar on the occasion of celebration of World Environment Day at Gandhi Bhavan where their project was highly applauded.
DU Beat has always encouraged undergraduate research in Indian Universities. Young students coming up with such ideas are a ray of hope in a field which is exclusively thought to be a part of the curriculum of higher academics. More of such projects should be taken up to foster a better academic environment in the universities.
Srivedant Kar
Image Credits
Shruti Acharya, Team member
College life is driven by a lot of factors. Although, technology is not a very major one, it helps you to keep tab on various aspects of your college life. So, here’s the first part of the list of the hardware that we think would really help you in your undergraduate journey:
- Smartphone
Source: pixabey.com
With time changing more swiftly than weather, a smartphone is a must for all new fuchchas out there unless you want to get on back foot for losing out on the random WhatsApp chats and latest class time updates and last minute changes declared by your popular class representative (CR). From taking a perfect selfie to calculating your monthly expenses, your smartphone can be the gateway to the world.
2. Earphones
From the drum beats of the theatre society to the noises of students bunking classes, you have to face a whole new level of distractions while trying to concentrate on something in college. In this situation a good earphone can come as a great rescue in time. With a great combination of right volume and right music it has the power to shift you to a different world where you can focus on your work in hand. No doubt some awesome companies like Google, Facebook and apple have earphone vending machines on their office premises.
3. Power Banks
From waking you up in the morning for the 8:30 classes to satisfying your soul with music during break within classes, your phone works harder than you. With WhatsApp and Facebook notifications pinging up in every ten minutes your phone’s battery life is going to get tired like you at the end or even middle of the day. A good power bank can ensure that your lifeline i.e. – phone doesn’t go out of its life and make your life more difficult. Go get one, before you decide between whether to make a last call of the day or to play your favourite song.
Having the right hardware is just not enough. One needs to know how to use it. Else it’s just dead weight that you’re carrying. So here’s the first part of the list of apps and software that would really help you in your undergraduate journey:
- For Social Needs
WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat – These are the four pillars of a good social life in not just DU, but in any university across the nation. Most of you, are already on Facebook and WhatsApp. Instagram and Snapchat are the ones on which many of you still aren’t. For an all-round social life, you need to be on the other two as well. You’ll realise their importance once the fest season comes. So register yourself right now and like the DU Beat pages (Yes! That is essential for a very cool social life as well. True Story!).
2. For Documentation and Project Needs
Open Office & Libre Office – These three are free license office suites which will help you to do all your digital assignments, presentation, reports and projects on Laptop or PC. Microsoft Office suite is one the best but it is paid. These are the best free alternatives.
3. For Utility
Truecaller – If you have an active social life in college or you’re involved in various co-curricular activities, you’ll need to filter out the incoming calls. This app comes in handy. It’s a universal caller ID which gives you the name of the person along with some additional information. User can also block numbers, making it an excellent ‘pervert management tool for girls.
ColorNote– The app is one of the best apps for taking quick notes and messages on your phone. You can make check lists and can even pin your TODOs in the notification bar. It’s available for Android and Windows phone. Similar variants are available for Apple iPhones easily.
Pocket– The ultimate apps for bookmarks. There are various links leading to articles about plethora of things on various social networks which will resonate with your personality. This app helps you save such links so that they can be read anywhere, on any platform or device. You can even save them offline and load it later. All you need to do is save them under your pocket account.
We wrap up the first part of our tech list here. Stay tuned for more. Do tell us about your personal experiences with apps and software in similar categories.
Image credits: natashascrazylife.blogspot.com
Kavach Chandra and Srivedant Kar
[email protected]
[email protected]
First of all, you made it. Congratulations. That’s bright enough! Second of all, Delhi University is going to be everything you imagined. Okay not everything, but it’s going to be nothing less than three maddening, crazy and heartening years for you! But before you stop reading and start texting with anticipation and excitement, let us (your humble seniors) clear some of your misconceptions.
What to look out for:
- Jam Packed Social Calendar: Of the many things students will need to sacrifice this year, their social life is not one of them. With the new found freedom, the newbies can now go have a ball with their new found friends!
- Better societies and awesomer fests: As ECA and sports activities are as important marks, fests and societies will get a boost and improve drastically. With the fucchas working even harder to prove their mettle, it’s safe to expect each college putting up a grand show!
- College protests: As the hand of the ABVP and NSUI still looms large over DU, most freshers will be witness to their spectacularly conducted and overly dramatized protests. With political connections, there students will definitely try to bring the house down.
Busting Some Myths:
- Ragging: Contrary to the common belief of – ‘Tu kyu kar rha hai? Fucche se karwa lenge!’ DU isn’t exactly a frame out of 3 idiots and you will definitely not have to perform crazy stunts or walk around pretending to be James Bond just because a senior told you to do so. With strict anti-ragging laws, your worst nightmare should be cranky teachers and definitely not your seniors!
- The Ladies/ The Studs: For all those who stayed single to find their soul mates in DU, you’ll be waiting some more time. Contrary to popular beliefs, the girl’s colleges are not a pond of budding super models. And not all boys look like they were ripped off magazine covers. They too are humans, give them some credit for looking perfectly human and not like porcelain dolls.
- Equality Among Colleges: Okay so you’ve probably been expecting this all the way, but suddenly your best friend from the other college will become ‘them’ and your newly found united college buddies will be ‘us’.
- Completely Fudged up Timelines: If you had been cursing your friends, family, associates etc. for not being punctual all this time, you are about to experience a whole new level of procrastination. The University declares results exactly a month after its due date, if you’re lucky. Be glad that’s the only thing the university does. And if you have any other issues to sought with the administrative department, then god save you!
By Raghav Chopra ([email protected]) and Akriti Gupta ([email protected])
The School of Open Learning, Delhi University has recently opened admissions for undergraduates for session 2016. Read below to find out more about the process and the changing trend of increase in SOL Admissions.
The School of Open Learning opened its undergraduate admissions, 2016 from 15th July, 2016. An array of documents have to be uploaded in case of online registration.
www.sol.du.ac.in
SOL provides the following courses for under graduation:-
B.A. (Programme)
B.A. (Hons.) English
B.A. (Hons.) Pol. Sc.
B.Com.
B.Com. (Hons.)
The admissions close on 30th August, 2016.
The School of Open Learning is a pioneer institution in the field of distance learning. Lately, the institution has seen a rise in the number of applicants year after year. As per admission data, 49,000 students had applied online to SOL by 21st July, 2016 said a report in Times of India.
The increase in the number of applicants can be traced to a number of reasons. The first and foremost reason is how applicants wish to pursue other courses like C.A and/or prepare for IAS papers. Getting enrolled in SOL gives them more time prepare for these exams. SOL has also been attracting a lot of students with high percentages. This year four students with a perfect percentage of 100 have enrolled themselves to SOL.
The high rate of influx is also a reflection of soaring cutoffs in DU. With many students not being able to make it into DU; SOL is a good option for students who do not wish to compromise on their education or haven’t been able to make it to a college of their choice even with a good percentage. Many students in SOL have percentages ranging between 80%-95%.
Another important aspect is the financial aspect. The annual fee for undergraduate courses approximately Rs. 3,500, relatively cheaper in comparison to DU colleges who’s annual fees ranges from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 18,000.
Featured image credits: www.thehindu.com
Akshara Srivastava
[email protected]
Ques. Amma, I enjoy sex a lot more when I’m slightly tipsy or drunk but my boyfriend is unable to do it when he is even slightly intoxicated. How do we resolve this?
Ans. Aiyyo, I see an impression of me in you! Well, this is not that big a problem. We just need to find a path that serves the purpose of both you and your dosa, little vada!
The solution is simple, there’s no harm in drinking alone. To let out a little secret, Amma does it all the time! If you feel you’ll be able to feel the steam better with some added water, little idli, go ahead with it. If your boyfriend is not comfortable with the same, he may not join you. This idli and chutney combination can work out brilliantly for you if you’re willing to take the matter in your own hands (pun intended).
Whenever you know it’s going to be your day (or night), you can drink alone if you really need it. Amma also believes that you can find ways to feel good about the act without being drunk. Talk about this to your boyfriend; talking is the key to good relationships (and sex!). If both of you know the other’s needs and desires, it’ll be better than ever before!
Sex Amma says: ‘Have any queries little idlis? Guide them to me guilt-free at [email protected] and Amma shall come save you!
Flouting the ethics of privacy is against Amma’s principles.’