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Five ways to celebrate an animal-friendly Diwali

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This Diwali, make sure that your pet does not pay the price of your festivities. Remember, the fireworks which are a humongous source of delight for us, are a medium of torture for the sensitive ears of our pets who can hear frequencies well beyond the human range of hearing. They are neither acquainted with the religious sentiment behind the festival nor are they aware of how safe or dangerous the crackers are for them. Hence, it is our responsibility to make our pets and other animals feel safe and secure amidst the deafening noises.

Here are five ways to do so-

 

Keep your pet indoors

Your pet might get bewildered by the loud noises, the smoke and the unanticipated excitement if kept outside. Add to this the chance of being injured by crackers. Keeping your pet inside will reduce the trauma and ensure he/she is out of harm’s way. Also, try to distract them with television, loud music and so on.

 

Do not leave them alone

It might seem appealing to visit your loved ones on Diwali but if you are the owner of a beloved animal, kindly refrain from doing so, especially during evening hours. Your pet needs your presence in order to feel safe. To them, you are their world, it is you who will save them from whatever havoc has broken loose causing the distressing noises.

 

Feed them before the fireworks start

The fear and wariness is likely to kill your pet’s appetite. To them the noise is a sign of potential danger. Make sure they are fed before the fireworks start.

 

Use pet-friendly crackers

Celebrate Diwali in the traditional way without compromising with your pet’s comfort. Light up your house vibrantly with oil lamps and coloured lights and use fireworks like phuljhadis and chakris which provide a pleasant sight but no noise pollution. Gift your pet accessories like ear muffs to cut out the noise.

 

Spread Awareness, keep watch

Spread the above points amongst anyone and everyone. Teach children to not trouble pets and strays for mere enjoyment. Be vigilant, stop children and adults alike from harming them. Make sure that there is a special area beyond which firecrackers aren’t allowed, most housing societies follow this, and it is high time all neighbourhoods did so. And since such an area is normally an open space, like a field, make sure that there are no stray animals around.

 

Image source: The Hindu

Ishani Rajkhowa
[email protected]

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Kirorimal College

KMC organizes seminar on ‘Ragging, Rape and Reform’

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“La Politique”, the Political Science department of Kirori Mal College, in association with the Centre for Advanced Research on Development and Change, organized a seminar on 16th October, titled “Ragging, Rape and Reform.”

 

The event began with power-point presentations made by second year students, dealing with the alarming issue of ragging. Aimed at highlighting the ongoing menace, despite the sensitization of society and implementation of stringent laws, a student – made video was shared, pin-pointing the psychological trauma inflicted upon a fresher due to ragging. Shocking statistics showed that India and Sri Lanka remain the only two nations where the issue remains prevalent even today. The students also covered a rather little known aspect of ragging, the harassment of teachers by students. Though a small-scale phenomenon, it highlights the deteriorating teacher-student relationship, especially at the college level.

 

The second issue covered by the students was another burning topic- juvenile delinquency, i.e. offences committed by minors. Firstly, the students tried to understand the issue not in vacuum, but as a product of several factors such as poverty, domestic violence, illiteracy, child labor and peer pressure. The question of trial of juveniles as adults, in heinous crimes such as rapes, was hotly debated. This was followed by an analysis of the implementation of the recently amended Juvenile Justice Act and the state of rehabilitation centres in India. A strong appeal was made for the creation of a children’s court, to handle such matters with sensitivity and not push juveniles further into the world of crimes.

 

Next, it was the turn of the guest speaker for the day, Prof Rajinder Kachroo, founder and trustee of the Aman Satya Kachroo Foundation, to present his views on the matter. He labeled the ongoing issue of ragging as a manifestation of the “seniority syndrome” and “unconditional obedience” prevalent in India. Sharing experiences from his lectures in various institutions in and around Delhi, he focused on the need to sensitize not only the victims and perpetrators, but also the bystanders. He even put up an open question- whether any form of punishment really proved to be a deterrent for the committers of crimes? This was followed by an impassionate appeal for dissing the “chalta hai” attitude and making a stride towards change by Ms. Naeem Akhtar. With the end of the two-hour long seminar, students walked out of the hall, with refreshments in their hand and a buzz of ideas in their head.

 

 

Shruti Sonal

[email protected]

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Interviews

Strength and ability to be vocal marks a good student union: KNC College President

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Ms. Kamya Kiran, the College President 2014-15 of Kamala Nehru College, believes hard work will solely do justice to her responsibilities. She wishes to be a force to reckon with and plans to begin from working on little problems. DU Beat brings to you an interview with Ms. Kamya Kiran.

Could you give us a rough idea of your agenda in election campaign?

My only agenda during this year’s election campaign is to help the student body of KNC in as many ways as possible. I spent time with the students and plan to work on issues they mentioned.

How do you plan to go about executing your agenda and launching Kamala Nehru College as a brand in itself?

KNC is an established and renowned college. The only thing which prevents the college from being a brand in itself is the tiny wrinkles it has which need to be smoothed out.

College President often means skipping classes, doing all the work and being specifically responsible. Do you think it’s a big sacrifice in terms of academics?

I do not feel the position asks for a big sacrifice academically. I’m an ECA student and missing classes is nothing extraordinary for me. The trick is to work hard on one’s own and keep up with the rest of the classes.

In this academic year, what is the one thing that you’re determined to focus your attention on?

As the president, I’m currently focusing on figuring out ways to fulfill my promise to the student body about solving their problems as well as pushing new, innovative projects which will benefit the student body greatly.

Lastly, how important do you think it is for KNC to have a student union that walks the talk?

I think it is very important for every college to have a student union which walks the talk. For me, the strength and ability to be vocal and to push actively for the requirements of the student body is what marks a good student union. I believe these traits define any student body and not just KNC’s.

Arushi Pathak

[email protected]

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Daulat Ram College

WDC Daulat Ram College produces short film ‘Jagriti’

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The Women Development Cell of Daulat Ram College- Pragati, has always been effectively outspoken when it comes to addressing issues of women’s empowerment. This time the students of the college have produced a short film ‘Jagriti’ which is not only about women’s development but about human development as well. The motive of this movie is to instill sensitivity in the minds of young boys. To inculcate a feeling of mutual equality in them so that they believe that women are as strong as they come- be it in their nature, or their self- esteem or their personality.

Women’s development has often been cited as an integral part of human development rather than a separate idea. According to Nobel Laureate Prof. Amartya Sen, one of the key figures behind the United Nations’ Human Development agenda, empowering women is key to building the future we want.

Pragati, which essentially means ‘to excel’, aims at providing students an opportunity to give expression to their thoughts and ideas. Through this short film their message stands out clear and loud- gender discrimination is something that has been ingrained in the subconscious minds of Indians. The patriarchal society that we live in, the rituals we follow, the festivals we celebrate, all in all many things that we accept as ‘simply natural’ add to the large picture of inequality that women in India face on a daily basis.

Malini Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics and Convener, Women Development Cell of Daulat Ram College, said,” We strongly believe that today’s boy is tomorrow’s man and so he should learn one basic thing apart from his curriculum, to respect women, to not see her as an object for lust, not a hand for work but a hand at work.”

The Women Development Cell of the college has also collaborated with a number of projects to spread awareness regarding women’s rights.

“We want young boys and men to raise their voices against growing atrocities on women”, Malini Sharma added.

Surbhi Sharma
[email protected]

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Biblio

In conversation with Mr. Saroj Kumar Rath 

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Mr. Saroj Kumar Rath, Assistant Professor of History at Sri Aurobindo College (Evening), Delhi University talks about the horrific Mumbai Terror Attacks of 2008 and the loopholes in India’s Security Agencies in his book Fragile Frontiers: The Secret History of Mumbai Terror Attacks. The book meticulously covers how the fastest city of India came to a standstill on the fateful day of 26th November, 2008 and how the entire attack was well planned and co-ordinated. With the book out in stores now, DUB brings to you excerpts from an interview with Mr. Rath.

 

How did the idea of writing on one of the most serious terror attacks of Indian History occur to you?

I have been researching on India’s National Security and International Terrorism for more than 15 years. When Professor Chikako Taya of Hosei University, Tokyo asked me to join her in her scrutiny of Mumbai Terror Attacks in the autumn of 2009, I immediately sensed an opportunity to engage myself in an intense study to unravel the historical analysis of India’s national security centered on Mumbai Terror Attacks. So the idea to write the book basically stemmed from government’s apathy to provide information about major terror attacks and the inability of academia-intelligentsia to unravel the truth so far.

 

 

After 9/11, there were many strategic and structural changes made in the United States of America. Do you think India changed its behaviour towards terrorism after 26/11 in any way?

No. Not only America made strategic and structural overhaul of Himalayan proportion but also successfully thwarted 25 major terror attacks since 9/11. Contrary to the experience of the West, India’s record in dealing with terrorist attacks is dismal. The attacks on Pune, Bangalore, Varanasi, Mumbai, Delhi, Gaya and Patna from 2010 to 2014 were testimony to the fact that security apparatus of India are still vulnerable and the country’s systemic failure is taking epidemic proportion. If another Mumbai happened, we are destined to make the same mistake.

 

 

How did you proceed with your research?

     It was far more challenging than other cold-calculated analysis of historical events. To get a sense of the attacks, I undertook on-the-spot inquiries at all the nine places of attacks in Mumbai. I have taken a boat ride near Cuff Parade following the trail of the terrorists and went from court to court to follow the trials. From the Esplanade Session Court of Mumbai to Tis Hazari Court Delhi; I have personally travelled to witness the trial. Chasing the original documents and classified reports were looked as if insurmountable. Special Public Prosecutor, Ujjwal Nikam, kindly allowed my wife Mony and me to visit the Arthur Road Jail Court, where Ajmal Kasab was facing the solitary confinement.

 

 

Your book, Fragile Frontiers, covers the most intricate details of the attacks and the pre & post attacks situations. Was it difficult to write on such a vast issue?

    This is a very good question. It is tough to work on such topics when the bureaucracy is hostile, police is chary of sharing the slightest details and the judiciary is blind to the grand design of the attacks. Because of the hazard attached with the research, it took nearly five years to come out with the book. It is far too difficult to write on such subjects than the word ‘difficult’ itself. This book is meant to understand our national security, get a sense of what ailing our system and envision steps for future.

Lastly, what do you understand of terrorism- now that you’re the author of a book  that talks about one of the most deadly terror attacks of recent times?

The issue of terrorism is now a house-hold subject and even page-3 people are making statements about terrorism, insurgency, ISIS and the likes.  Simple yet intriguing, my understanding about terrorism-now is, the subject has become the single-most important topic for contemporary world. But terrorism as such has become a way of life for many, trade for some, state arsenal for others, religious duty for several, and national struggle for a few.

Arushi Pathak,
[email protected]

 

 

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News

Delhi University opens nominations for Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal Award

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Delhi University is the proud craftsman of many geniuses and multi-talented personalities. From our current Defense and Finance Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley to CWG Gold Medalist Shooter Mansher Singh, Delhi University boasts of its impeccable students and alumni. Acknowledging the efforts and achievements of exceptional students in the fields of sports and extra-curricular activities, DU awards Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal every year at the annual university convocation to such outstanding students.

Based on General Proficiency including conduct of the student and participation in Sports and Extra Curricular Activities, the recipient of the medal is decided upon by the Standing Committee of the University of Delhi. Any student, with at least one degree from the University of Delhi with a minimum 60% marks and exceptional performance in Sports or Extra Curricular Activities may fill up a proforma and submit it to the Head of the Institution. The latter, after thorough evaluation at Departmental and College level would send one suitable entry only. The form is available on the University of Delhi website and requires details about all Inter-College/ Inter-University/ Inter-State/ National/ International participations.

Named after the former President of India, the medal aims to regard and appreciate the performance of the students in co-curricular activities. A copy of the certificates of participation of all the activities mentioned in the form need to be produced by the applicant whenever required. The applicant should have participated in National/ International Sports events or equivalent Extra-Curricular Activities along with Academic excellence. The last day for the respective Heads of the Institutions to submit their recommended application for the nomination of a candidate is Friday, 17th October 2014, addressed to the Dean of Examinations.

For more information, refer to the link-
http://du.ac.in/du/uploads/Guidelines/15092014_Guide.pdf

 

Arushi Pathak
[email protected]

 

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Lady Shri Ram College for Women

A look at TEDx LSR: Ideas worth spreading

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Lady Shri Ram College for Women in collaboration with TEDx organized its first event focusing on the motto of ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’ on September 13 in the college auditorium. The well-organized event had six speakers, who spoke about a variety of topics. Starting with Mihir Srivastava, an artist who paints nudes as a hobby and ending with Shreena Thakore, co-founder of No Country for Women, the talks were thought -provoking and inspirational in a very unconventional style.

With the ideas being very diverse and from different fields, there was a common thread between all these talks, which was the passion with which each idea was propagated. The objective of the event was to have a collaborative learning and communication event which dealt with topics which exist in everyday life but don’t catch our attention.

The highlight of the event was the ease and clarity with which the speakers spoke. All the speakers were very clear about their ideas and the existing notions in society which restrict one.

Mr. Matthew Whoolery, Professor of Psychology at Brigham Young University-Idaho, USA, talked about the concept of “How to be Unhappy?”

A very humorous and satire filled talk, he managed to convey the problem of unhappiness in very simple words and gave a very easy way to stay “away” from happiness by thinking and focusing on one’s own problems and needs.

Mihir Srivastava talked about “Conversations in the nude”, which talked about his experiences of painting nude people. He emphasized on the point of “private space in public nudity” and also how the appreciation he received from people on his work, was apprehensive. Mr. Aseem Shrivastava, an ecological economist, brought out a rather interesting point in his talk titled”Dignity of the Earth”. He explained the Arrow of Time and how one can has to go back in time, to the origin after a while. He said, ”Sometimes you have to go very far from home inorder to realize that you have to ultimately come back.” By home he referred to nature and the need for sustainability.

The event had a refreshment break in the middle which provided the attendees with a forum to interact with the speakers. All the people were given goodie bags sponsored by Teach for India. The other sponsors were The Alum Store, Indian Oil and Chai Point. Overall, the entire event brought out ideas which made everyone realize that imagination is more important than knowledge.

Ishita Sharma
[email protected]
Image credits: Mugdha
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DUB News

ABVP sweeps DUSU elections 2014

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The results of the first Delhi University Students’ Union Elections after establishment of BJP led government at the centre are out and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) swept all four seats following in the footsteps of its parent political party.

 

Mohit Nagar with 20,718 votes, Parvesh Malik with 21,935 votes, Kanika Shekhawat with 18,671 votes and Aashutosh Mathur securing 23,133 votes bagged the posts of President, Vice President, Secretary and Joint Secretary respectively, defeating ABVP’s biggest rival the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) by a few thousand votes. The vote count for the latter being – Presidential candidate(19,804), Vice Presidential candidate(14,076), Secretarial candidate(15,649) and Joint Secretarial candidate(12,065). All India Students’ Association (AISA) with its influential presence during the campaigning season rose to the third position with its candidates for the posts of President, VP, Secretary and Joint Secretary attaining 10,163, 11,944, 12,932 and 9,338 votes respectively.

 

Total voter turnout for 2014 DUSU election reached 59,423(43.43%) with 1,36,821 eligible voters and votes accumulated from 128 EVMs gathered from 50 polling centers. While last year ABVP managed to win three of the four posts with the secretarial post taken over by NSUI, 2014 has been the first time since 1997 that the party has had a clear sweep over DUSU. The “Modi Wave” seems to have worked its charm yet again, this time at the university level, as admitted by the newly appointed Joint Secretary.

 

Ishani Rajkhowa

[email protected]

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Sex Amma

Sex Amma: My girlfriend chants Bhajans while we do the ‘act’

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Q. Dear Amma. My girlfriend is pretty religious. It took me some time to convince her to go physical with me, and eventually she agreed. However, the first time we did it, she was chanting bhajans.. I didn’t say anything, thinking she’s scared. The next time though, she started playing them on her phone. It was weird, to be honest. I talked to her about it and she said it turns her on and she can’t get into the mood without it.. Well, what?!? It makes me really uncomfortable, but I don’t complain because the sex is great. I’m so confused. Help!
A. Oh so you’ve landed a Meera, my confused idli. Amma has heard that religion is the opium of the world, but this is some next level stuff!
However strange all this might be, I’d suggest you to put up with it. It seems God herself has blessed your sex life. Be grateful and don’t complain!
In order not to be uncomfortable, ask Meera to put on her earphones. That way, she gets her fill of religion and other things, and so do you! And remember, people are strange, as Morrison pointed out. Gotta deal with it!

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DUB Speak

Be a part of Milaap, be a part of change

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Milaap.org is an online fundraising platform that was started by three passionate, young entrepreneurs in June 2010. The organization’s main aim is to change the way people fund and impact communities in need by enabling individuals to make a difference in a very transparent, accountable and sustainable manner.

At Milaap, it is not about investing in charity but about investing in business and trade. A very innovative step taken by them is a system through which one can see profiles of people who need funds for various purposes. One can even choose whom she or he wants to fund. The total fund raised goes directly to the beneficiaries; here the money is given not as donations but as loans with affordable interest. Beneficiaries repay the loans in small installments every month; and every month there is an update made on repayment. That is how the entire sum is repaid to the organization. Milaap has also received support from institutions like the Dell Foundation, the Montpelier Foundation, DBS Bank and National Skill Development Corporation.

Not only is it effective, this organization is also credited for being remarkably impactful. Milaap has cumulatively disbursed 10.25 crore in loans and impacted over 50,000 lives. Currently, over 10,000 individuals have invested via Milaap.

Millaap has a simple yet endearingly impactful mission. It wishes to reach out to more people who can help it serve better and become part of its fundraising organization. At Milaap, you can give loans for basic needs of people like drinking water connections, toilets, solar lighting or for job-linked skills training as well as providing working capital for small businesses.

If you want to bring in a timely, effective, and remarkable change by helping the society through a powerful platform under the guidance of a proper and diligent organization- Millaap is just the organization to join.

Image source: www.milaap.org

Surbhi Sharma
[email protected]

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