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Off with the Cutoffs? A Student’s Perspectives

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Amidst the recent decision by the HRD ministry on keeping the cutoff system like the way it is (instead of an entrance test exam), different viewpoints emerge amongst the ‘DU aspirant’ demographic.

There were talks in the academic circle that in the University of Delhi (DU), soon a method of selection based on entrance exams would replace the usually straightforward system of cutoffs. However as of now, hopes for this seem to have been tarnished as HRD minister Prakash Javadekar ruled against the DU administration’s transitionary move, at least for the 2018-19 batch for now. The complicated nature of the matter can be expressed through Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) President Rajib Ray’s statement ‘Neither Vice-Chancellor nor HRD can decide in isolation about the entrance criteria. Procedurally, an ordinance needs to be proposed to the academic council and the decision will be taken thereafter.’
While academicians, deans and professors have accepted this decision in mixed tones, many students who are aspiring to be members of the DU varsity have had more direct opinions. The consensus was in the favour of a change in the system and felt an entrance test would be more useful in picking out the ‘more deserving’ candidates. According to Bhavya Bhadauria, one of the many 12th graders who are aspiring for DU, ‘Entrance tests would be a nice mechanism to curb illegal processes (like teachers in Bihar reportedly helping kids cheat in finals) and to tackle the options the right way. We might not get our desired percentage in the boards but the probability of getting a desired score in an entrance test seems more likely.’

Aspirants also highlight the inequality in mark distributions for different state boards which might create a bias in measuring cutoffs.
On the other side of the scale are students who feel the cutoff process has been more open to diverse and unbiased admissions. Eric Chopra from Delhi wishes to study History Hons at DU after his boards and is fairly supportive of cutoffs. He cites a personal experience to explain his perspective. ‘Back in 11th, I had served as an exam writer for a special kid during his boards. I was just supposed to be a writer but he actually did not know much. Still even in the subjects where I thought he’ll flunk, he still got marks in 80s.’ Eric recalls, pointing out how boards might end up giving good grade points and percentages to even those who in conventional standards might not have ‘studied much’. However, this sparks off a whole another debate about who’s deserving and who’s not.
Interviewing further school students along similar lines, the consensus was of the view that already a lot of effort and time goes into boards for high schoolers. After completing this seemingly and overhyped Herculean task, preparing for another exam to enter their desired college would be additional burden. Hence, a few students are fine if they are chosen in colleges on the basis of their efforts in the last class of school.
Such discussions also bring out new ideas and ‘what if’ situations. Itanagar’s Oshin Gyati feels that it is saddening that some students despite having a good percentage can’t find admission in their desired DU college for not meeting the cutoff by one percent or even a point percent. ‘Admission should be on the basis of cutoffs but an entrance can be conducted for those who can’t match the cutoff by 1-5 percent.’ She gleefully remarks. While it seems like a helpful alternative but sadly, would seem very impractical to implement. Mrinalinee Sharma, a current first year student in Hindu College, feels that interview and application-based admissions should be introduced like other countries.
The possibilities are endless and all these view points are useful in deciding what’s relevant for students and their undergraduate future. However, the administration needs to take in account other factors too like the diverse social and economic backgrounds of the aspirants. Whatever be the case, cutoffs would seem to prevail at least for the next year, till a change kicks in.

Feature Image Credits: The Asian Age

Shaurya Singh Thapa 

[email protected] 

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Campus Central

Off with the Cutoffs? A Student's Perspectives

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Amidst the recent decision by the HRD ministry on keeping the cutoff system like the way it is (instead of an entrance test exam), different viewpoints emerge amongst the ‘DU aspirant’ demographic. There were talks in the academic circle that in the University of Delhi (DU), soon a method of selection based on entrance exams would replace the usually straightforward system of cutoffs. However as of now, hopes for this seem to have been tarnished as HRD minister Prakash Javadekar ruled against the DU administration’s transitionary move, at least for the 2018-19 batch for now. The complicated nature of the matter can be expressed through Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) President Rajib Ray’s statement ‘Neither Vice-Chancellor nor HRD can decide in isolation about the entrance criteria. Procedurally, an ordinance needs to be proposed to the academic council and the decision will be taken thereafter.’ While academicians, deans and professors have accepted this decision in mixed tones, many students who are aspiring to be members of the DU varsity have had more direct opinions. The consensus was in the favour of a change in the system and felt an entrance test would be more useful in picking out the ‘more deserving’ candidates. According to Bhavya Bhadauria, one of the many 12th graders who are aspiring for DU, ‘Entrance tests would be a nice mechanism to curb illegal processes (like teachers in Bihar reportedly helping kids cheat in finals) and to tackle the options the right way. We might not get our desired percentage in the boards but the probability of getting a desired score in an entrance test seems more likely.’ Aspirants also highlight the inequality in mark distributions for different state boards which might create a bias in measuring cutoffs. On the other side of the scale are students who feel the cutoff process has been more open to diverse and unbiased admissions. Eric Chopra from Delhi wishes to study History Hons at DU after his boards and is fairly supportive of cutoffs. He cites a personal experience to explain his perspective. ‘Back in 11th, I had served as an exam writer for a special kid during his boards. I was just supposed to be a writer but he actually did not know much. Still even in the subjects where I thought he’ll flunk, he still got marks in 80s.’ Eric recalls, pointing out how boards might end up giving good grade points and percentages to even those who in conventional standards might not have ‘studied much’. However, this sparks off a whole another debate about who’s deserving and who’s not. Interviewing further school students along similar lines, the consensus was of the view that already a lot of effort and time goes into boards for high schoolers. After completing this seemingly and overhyped Herculean task, preparing for another exam to enter their desired college would be additional burden. Hence, a few students are fine if they are chosen in colleges on the basis of their efforts in the last class of school. Such discussions also bring out new ideas and ‘what if’ situations. Itanagar’s Oshin Gyati feels that it is saddening that some students despite having a good percentage can’t find admission in their desired DU college for not meeting the cutoff by one percent or even a point percent. ‘Admission should be on the basis of cutoffs but an entrance can be conducted for those who can’t match the cutoff by 1-5 percent.’ She gleefully remarks. While it seems like a helpful alternative but sadly, would seem very impractical to implement. Mrinalinee Sharma, a current first year student in Hindu College, feels that interview and application-based admissions should be introduced like other countries. The possibilities are endless and all these view points are useful in deciding what’s relevant for students and their undergraduate future. However, the administration needs to take in account other factors too like the diverse social and economic backgrounds of the aspirants. Whatever be the case, cutoffs would seem to prevail at least for the next year, till a change kicks in. Feature Image Credits: The Asian Age Shaurya Singh Thapa  [email protected] ]]>

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DUB News

Resident Evil- Umang Bhardwaj vs DU

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Gwyer Hall has again faced the scrutiny of the Delhi HC as a student files a petition, revealing the undemocratic nature of the hostel students’ union.

Whether for actual work or just for the mere sake of formality, democratic institutions are present at all levels in a country like ours. The union of a hostel is very much a democratic institution itself, at least for the dwellers of the hostel. However, this does not seem to be the case in the University of Delhi’s oldest men’s hostel, the renowned Gwyer Hall.
Just a few months ago, DU Beat had covered a story of a blind student who had challenged the authorities to court on the grounds of being wrongfully evicted from Gwyer Hall. Now the hostel has again found its presence on the legal grounds, as another differently abled student Umang Bhardwaj has pointed out that its students’ union is undemocratic and has held sway since their last term as no fresh elections took place this year. The petition also alleges the hostel union president of misadministration. Then we also have a report of two students being grounded on disciplinary terms by the administration; both were running for the post of mess secretary in the hostel union. Some students have also alleged that those who have possessed political sway are facing no fears of eviction and instead are enjoying the perks of a residential tenure. Such timing of all hell getting loose at the same time; is there some sort of pattern at work here?
The members of the union have completed one full tenure this November and naturally would have paved the way for others if elections were held (which did not happen for reasons yet to be disclosed). The Delhi High Court will be waiting for a response from DU for the petition by December 20th. The election issue in Gwyer Hall is violating the DU Hostel rules but also articles from the Lyngdoh Committee Report.
So, would this hostel which was once called ‘Law Hall’ respect the law and provide democratic righteousness to its residents? That only time will tell.

The hostel authorities were not available for a comment.

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Shaurya Thapa

[email protected]

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DUB Speak

Writing Papers in English Honours: A Guide

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With the semester exams coming closer each day, DU Beat brings to you a guide to writing papers in English Honours.

“… And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”

  • John Keating, Dead Poets Society

Literature is a problematic yet beautiful vista of thought. It teaches you to love strongly, and the opposite. It teaches you something that transcends the very meaning of literature- the written word. A perfectly imbalanced translation of human emotions onto pages; the magic and mayhem, literature is food for the soul indeed. Studying English as your core subject at the university level makes a narrative of you. You see yourself becoming a story and a story teller. You are enraptured in the literary melody of words and powerful emotions. But all this must transliterate into good marks for you, because as a professor at my college once said, “Let us face it, with English Honours, your prospects are bleak. So at least get a good score.”

Literature is best understood through perceptions. It is highly subjective and invites your own ideas in the mix. But it will be wrong to claim that it is highly technical. The grammar rules and syntax, even the sound of two words together, the redundant alliterative usage of words, and the consequent inferences of two words written successively; the minutest technicality needs to be perfected to obtain a heightened grasp. Language is as complex as arithmetic probably, in this regard.

While writing academic papers in English Honours, it is a given fact that plagiarism leads to your self-inflicted doom. Literature always retains the artistic credit in the acknowledgement of every single word that is not your own. But it is as Professor Keval Arora’s guide to Assignment Submissions pointedly notes, “Quote sparingly, only in order to strengthen your own argument. Do not treat quotations as a substitute for the work that you are expected to do.” Professor Arora in the same document instructs warningly:

 

SPOILER ALERT:
PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY UNACKNOWLEDGED BORROWING WILL BE PENALISED AS AN ACT OF CHEATING.

The penalty for widespread copying can be as high as a non?negotiable* ZERO/10.

It is extremely significant then, to ascribe the quotations to authors and/or sources. As Professor Arora notes, “Acknowledge the source (book/essay; author’s name; website) from where the material is taken.”

It is a very obvious point to be mentioned at the onset, but nevertheless its pressing importance cannot be overstated.

“Your writing should always make sense to yourself first, and you should be reading it as a critic,” says Professor Laboni Bhattacharya of Hindu College. It is very important to have a structure for your writing. The introductory lines, the main body, and then the conclusive inferences. More often than not, we find the lacking of adhesion in our writing. The over-emphasis on certain ideas is played well, but then the cohesion seems to wither. It is suggested that every idea should be presented in a different paragraph; broken down into a series of ideas so as to enable a greater understanding of the written material. It always helps to play with the sentence structure and length in this regard. From short phrases to elongated sentences, the idea becomes to create a melody in your writing.

Every piece of writing in English Literature offers some arguments, and some justifications. The author describes certain ideas as per his own volition. Khyati Sanger, a second year English Literature student of Miranda House shares her passionate opinions on the subject, “Always seek for conflicting ideologies in your readings. Read about multiple schools of thought and then make up your own mind. The real aspect of Literature is that it cannot possibly mean the exact truth. As a student studying Literature, we are told to always argue; to question the idea of a thinker and that is one of the various intriguing activities peripheral to Literature.”

An essay might deeply interest you, and sometimes even appear to be the word of ultimate reason. But it is always a perspective that is impressed on you, for you to indulge in an exploration of your own. “When reading a text, I always make it a task to transcend myself into the historical background of the text. History, not just the political but the socio-economic background of the text is extremely important to dissect the layers of meaning the text aims to explore,” says Khyati. Quoting a thinker is not just for the sake of it, it is felt that the quote needs incorporating into the sentence that you form. Through such citings, building up your own justification of the answer is important.

Literature has been through trends and revolutions and so, it becomes a task to identify the writings with their period-specific thinking. It is after such understanding that you enable a brilliant writing of your answers and essays. Writing in English Literature needs to be as interpretative, as interpolative as you can possibly endeavour to manage.

As for writing the answer scripts in a moment of exam induced anxiety, Prachi Mehra, a second year English Literature student at Gargi College states, “Once you get the question paper, take a quick scan. It is always a better option to attempt the 15 markers first and maintain your speed with them. When writing the first paragraph, think of the structure of your answer. A well-structured answer always scores more. Also, while analysing literature, the present tense is preferably used.” To bring everything back to attention while writing an answer with a drowsy mind due to lack of sleep, that becomes a challenging task.

Before you begin with your answer, read the question carefully and give it to your analytical skills to recall the incidents to be quoted, the arguments to be made and the justifications to be rendered in the course of your answer. Making bullet points of the necessary points can prove useful here. Your originality, hard work and interpretative abilities will render good scores to you.

Once you have the quotes, the ideas and the opinions on paper, you have written your piece. And in that moment of completion, there is an immense joy. You cannot always aim at excellence, and the arbitrariness of Literature is one of its characteristic merits. Sanchi Mehta, President of the Department of English of Hindu College captures the joy of writing an exam of literature when she says, “Writing an English Honours exam is an anxious outpour of the revelations, questions and criticism of the texts, authors/poets/playwrights and age that arouse in us while reading. It is an endeavour to sieve and pick the right arguments and defending them copiously to produce an adumbration of the prodigious critical essays one reads in preparation and the marvellous knowledge imparted by teachers in classroom. What one does achieve at the end is a certain level of catharsis and well, comfort that at least the assessment of how good (or bad) it was can be procrastinated till the results are declared.”

The most important idea while writing a paper in English Honours is essentially the ability of the writer to maintain his or her originality with the copious interaction of a whirlpool of interpretations ascribed to a multitude of authors and writers. It is a parallelism that is required. Parallelism and the spirit to pursue it.

So read and write as a habit, as a passion and you are halfway there.

Feature Image Credits: Learning Skills

 

Kartik Chauhan

[email protected]

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Hysterically Horrific Exam Tales

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Exams, in the pluralistic usage can inspire the deepest fears in every student. Sometimes this fear is heightened to a hysteria.

 

There is no other way to inspire anxiety in college students than handing them their date sheet for semester exams. More often than not, we are given the internals and practical examinations during regular days at college; but the semester exams inspire an excitement that is too real. Internals and practicals, meant to prepare us for the ultimate semester exams, fail to help us in their direct motive. It is in such times that we become hysterical with horror.

 

A friend of mine had to go through the grind of completing a respectable part of her unending curriculum, bereft of the comforts of her mattress; staying up through the night for a good score in a test scheduled at 8:30 am on a wintry December morning. At 7:30am, having covered a sizeable part of her syllabus, she decided to freshen up with a quick nap. But then she slept through the exam. And well, to be fair, we all know she had the better bargain— you cannot put a price on an innocent dreamy slumber after a wakeful night.

 

“In the middle of protests and elections in full swing through the early months of this semester, classes and studies took a major hit,” said a third year Political Science student at Kirori Mal College, retaining the request of anonymity. Truly, the cancelled classes are now being conjured up out of thin air, early in the mornings for an 8:50 session or later into the day— when exhaustion is a mutual feeling between the professors and students—  for a reckless 3:50 lecture.

Exams, you see, inspire some scares.

 

In the course of the exams, you can never laugh at the hysteria. It is a retrospective activity, to be fair. It is, as a third year English Honors student at Hindu said, when asked to share her hysterical exams stories, “Exams are hyperventilating! They become hysterical later.” Possibly no argument exists to refute this. Maybe the expectations that we have, or in some cases are imposed to have, go a long way in adding to this smothering nature of exams. “You have admitted yourself successfully in one of the most prestigious colleges in the nation. Did you think your work was over? You thought wrong,” said a professor of English Literature at Hindu College in a particularly scathing lecture in the first week of the new session.

 

Sometimes it so happens, that the standards we are expected to match and possibly, outmatch, are highly unreasonable. Like another friend studying Journalism from Delhi School of Journalism mentioned, “My teacher asked us to shoot a documentary in one day- 10am to 4:30pm was the time allotted for the same”. Maybe it is just this overburdened spirit that crumbles under unreasonable standards of intelligence enforced on us for being in the university.

 

But it is good to see some spirited victims of oppression retaining their merit through this grind. “I have two internals tomorrow, I’m just binge eating and crying…” said a third year Psychology student at Daulat Ram College. “Two assignment submissions, one core internal and one Generic Elective internal for tomorrow. Planning to doze off.” said another inspiring model of chill studying at Kirori Mal College.

 

Allowing the sharing of my own experience. I finished reading the wrong book a day before the exam. And then despite my quick reading habits— avoiding the retention or understanding of the content— I decided not to read the right book. I walked into my class the next day, sat for an internal unprepared totally, and ended up scoring a single digit on a 20-marker paper. I mean, that is better than a zero, at least.

 

An interesting subplot to the exams season is the trouble of attendance. Let us face it, the 67% mark is impossible to reach, let alone maintain. And then the problems with admit cards adding to our hysterical narrations later in the next semester. During exams, the most arbitrary engagement will appear most promising. Infinite no-thank-you’s to videos like “Cat reads chemistry” on YouTube for instance; killing time but teaching us to live the high life during exams.

 

I feel unpreparedness is an opportunity to explore our innovation, so we all know who is the winner.

 

Feature Image Credits: 1to1tutoringwithjoy

 

 

Kartik Chauhan

[email protected]

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Study Hacks for Exams

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Time flies! And in what seems like the blink of an eye, the semester exams have, yet again, come knocking at the reluctant doors of students. Here are seven hacks to help you save this semester! 

 

Exams are an inevitable reality in students’ life, and although the effectiveness of the concept of examinations is debatable, there is but little we can do about them.

Having said that, here are a few hacks that will get you through this exam season.

  1. Begin studying: This seems to be a no-brainer. However, it is the most difficult step because often we are so caught up in procrastination, that we spend the day being anxious and get little or nothing done. Physically force yourself to study for five minutes, and it should be a smoother process from there.

 

  1. If you don’t feel like studying, ask your body why: When in a situation wherein you can’t seem to study, ask yourself the reason behind it. Often, it is elements like fatigue, an untidy study-space, information overload, or hunger that acts as a barrier. When your body tells you the reason, listen to it and take measures accordingly – be it a power-nap, tidying up, or a snack.

 

  1. Stay hydrated: Water is always a better option over caffeinated drinks, because the latter tends to make you jittery and restless. Accompanied by a snack, this will give you the little doses of energy that you require.

 

  1. Watch motivational videos: Studying for several hours may render you lifeless, and throw you into pits where you question your existence. But, there are motivational videos that could, possibly, bring back the enthusiasm.

 

 

 

  1. Try to change your place of study: Studying in the same corner may get a bit dull after a certain point. Think of sitting outdoors or on your balcony while reading texts, on the floors of the rarely-used guest bedroom while writing an assignment, and then getting back to your good-old-study-table eventually.

 

  1. Ask for help: If there are concepts that aren’t clear, don’t hesitate to ask your peers or teachers. Teachers should be able and willing to help, and on teaching you, your peers are revising their portions as well.

 

  1. Solve previous years’ question papers: There is a set pattern for the type of questions that are asked in an examination.
    Here’s the link to DU’s question papers: http://www.du.ac.in/du/index.php?page=academic-resources

We won’t say that exams aren’t important, because how society has it, they are. If you haven’t started studying yet, don’t panic and begin with it. If you put honest effort into it, a good score is waiting for you.

Best of luck!

Image credits: DU Beat

 

Maumil Mehraj

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Biblio

Akhil Katyal’s Poetry Session in Hindu College

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Akhil Katyal came to Hindu College on 5 November and did a reading of his different poems among which were his famous pieces that have captured the youth through social media.

It wouldn’t be wise to make it sound generic and limit it to calling it solely an enriching experience, although it was, but it truly was mostly poetic. Katyal had an interactive session that followed it. Questions ranged from his most favourite poet Agha Shahid Ali to Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Shahid was quoted multiple times in the course of the beautiful session. From questions that were targeted on pieces within “Country Without a Post Office” to his newest works.

A lot of talks were also targeted on the young adult approach to poetry wherein a student asked if he could invent his own style. To which Katyal said, styles become recognised if everyone else starts doing it which of course also involves a process of keeping indefinite patience on the creator’s behalf.

Katyal was witty, sharp with his words and understood things that went on in our minds. Whether it be the comparisons of longingness in poetry in Faiz or the same in Shahid. Whether it was Katyal’s own pieces on 377 and queer support or just general perceptions of our messed up city and world, he did leave behind a mark of his own in that hour of curiosity, love and more.

It truly was lovely to hear, “the world is full of paper, write to me.”

Katyal went on to talk passionately about his professor from his time at Hindu College, Dr. Lalita Subbu. He heartily credited her as his model of inspiration to enter into this frenzy of poetic liberty and its explorations into the social backgrounds. In a candid session, Katyal discussed the politics of Section 377 and humored the audience with his sarcastic sadness upon the decriminalization of same-sex relations; claiming the Supreme Court’s decision to rendering his “two poems invalid”.

Interestingly Katyal also talked about the essence of language as a medium. Katyal has a background wherein he works with translations extensively. The idea of “lost in translation” is of little importance to him. Emphasis was laid on having the sentiment, the emotion to work on poetry, language being a medium to translate such powerful emotions into art. It was meant to show the young students the power of our aboriginal languages of Urdu and Punjabi. Katyal recited a beautiful piece translated to Punjabi by his student in Ramjas College to display the exuberance.

“Jivein haan ovein hi haan,

Apni marzi di kardi haan,

Jivein ivein hi pasand haan,

Toh ad ja meri aad vich.

Ni te zara suni,

Tu khunje maar bhaad vich.”

He said, “Go back to your poetry and you will observe patterns in your writing when you are write in a particular language.” His love of urdu and urdu poetry is inspiring, to say the least. The passion with which he talks of his favorite poets Faiz or Shahid Ali or Amrita Pritam inspired the room full of enthusiastic Hinduites willing to learn from Katyal the intricacies of effective and hard-hitting poetry.

It was in totality a mesmerising event where the spirit of poetry, the mutual love of language and expression was celebrated in such a way that it still reverberates in all our hearts and ignites a spark of inspiration to just, as Katyal put it, “keep reading to find great influence, write and most importantly experiment with your ideas because who knows when you might actually succeed in inventing a new form in which we all might be writing our next poems.”

Feature Image Credits: Brown Paper Bag

DU Beat

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SOL Students Protest Against the Absence of Classes

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In lieu of the absence of classes and study material for the approaching exams, students of SOL are distressed.

The School of Open Learning (SOL) faces a crisis as students remain in angst due to the absence of notes and proper scheduled classes. The classes for the session of 2018-19 are set to commence soon enough. The Executive Director of SOL, H.C. Pokhriyal, said in a recent interview to The Indian Express, “We have been able to complete our admissions only by 20th October, which is why classes have not started yet, but they will start soon”.

The SOL website has already added the portal for acceptance of examination forms, without a proper commencement of the academic session. Colleges under Delhi University will commence their examinations from 28th November 2018. Mr. Pokhriyal further explains that the admission process usually begins by June and extends till August. However, this year, the process began in August itself, as a result of which there was a delay. Students should be able to pick up the material from 12th November and classes would begin soon. Usually, the classes commence in September. The admission process for SOL is similar to that of other colleges associated with the varsity. The examinations are also conducted by Delhi University. The course structure is also alike, for the school as well as other constituent colleges.

The annual examinations occur in April. However, the strange thing is the fact that students still do not have their study materials. The study material is given immediately after the admission, as explained by the Staff Council Secretary of SOL, J.Khuntia. At present, more than four and a half lakh students are enrolled at the UG and PG level.  Almost all of the processes are handled by the online Students Information and Management System. Several students do not have proper access to the e-resources and do not have a sense of clarity about the study patterns. The official website is showcasing study materials for the second semester and beyond, thereby creating more confusion. Authorities should give directions to the students in lieu of the approaching exams.

Feature Image Credits: The School of Open Learning

Avnika Chhikara

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Blind Justice – Lovely Grover versus DU

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A blind Masters students’ legal fight against the University of Delhi after he was asked to vacate his hostel in an ‘unjust’ manner.

Lovely Kumar Grover is a student pursuing his Masters degree from the University of Delhi. He used to stay in a room in Gwyer Hall, a place which had become almost like home to him. He has been ordered to vacate this room now. He is a visually challenged student, who feels like even authorities have become indifferent to his needs.

Grover’s parents passed away when he was younger and he hardly had a guardian to fall back too. Yet he managed to make way to the University and get enrolled in an MPhil course. As is the case with other students of his age, Grover was also dependent on the hostel for his accommodation during the time spanned by his course. The hostel authorities at Gwyer Hall asked him to leave as staying further in the hostel would ‘overstay’ his time. All this has been done hurriedly without fair warning, according to the student. Grover has not yet finished his course and has nowhere else to fall back to and as his thesis submission date has been extended, he requested for an extension in the date of leaving the hostel but this effort was to no avail.

The catch here which points towards discriminatory behaviour is when it was apparently found out that only Grover’s requests were being rejected while the others were easily and very smoothly being granted an extension. The move is now being taken to the court by the adamant blind student who is being supported in his battle against the University by two lawyers who also happen to be his ex-classmates. If we use legal terminology, the provisions of the Right to Persons with Disabilities Act (2016) are clearly being violated.

The matter remains unresolved as the next hearing date Delhi High Court is scheduled to the 13th of November. Time will tell if Lady Justice would remove her blindfold and do justice to this young man. 

Feature Image Credits – Sabrang India

Shaurya Singh Thapa 

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Diwali Season for the Atheist

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It is well known that its hard to be an atheist in a country like India, where 99.76% of people have strong religious identities and beliefs. These hardships increase tenfold during- you guessed it- festive holidays.

In a very informal study of those in my immediate friend circle, I realised that people who don’t necessarily believe in God, or are not even fully aware of the story of Ramayana – basically moderate or soft atheists, still enjoy Diwali. For all Indians, Diwali is more than a religious holiday, it provides motivation to clean your dwellings, a reason get dressed in traditional clothes (no matter how uncomfortable and restraining) and an excuse to laze around and play cards with your near and dear ones. Moderate atheists are usually seen having the best time, cooperating with most of the traditions, albeit with sly remarks about how compulsive their parents are.

Sure, it seems harmless so far. But for a devout atheist, things are a little different. Diwali seems synonymous to coercion and hypocrisy. This year I stood first hand witness to people burning crackers while wearing anti pollution face masks, my family members dancing to the most demeaning of Bollywood item numbers, and being told from  at least four different sources to, “Smile more, beta”.

And I’m sure its the same story everywhere. Your average Diwali starts with you being forced to sit in a pooja, meeting people you haven’t seen since last years Diwali, and being expected to spend exorbitant amounts of money on things that are really unnecessary. Any rational person may still find indulging and complying with your family a fair trade off, given how much they do for you. And that does sound fair.

But living in the world of #metoo, sensitisation and libertarianism, festivals manifest themselves into culture wars. Even a two-day period of compliance with religious hypocrisy becomes a source of moral panic. For the first time in history, the moralizers are young people, and not their parents. Each time I am forced to dance to a Yo Yo Honey Singh song or waste food as offerings to idols, I spiral into existentialism and despair. I feel troubled because I think wastefulness in the name of religion is wrong. And I’d rather protest than be a silent onlooker (even if that protesting is limited to declining party invitations, not lighting lamps or eating Diwali sweets).

Because at the end of the day, the representation my generation has fought for is more important to me than family values. It can be said that I’m evaluating culture for it’s moral correctness more than for it’s sentiment. But that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make as a devout atheist.

So long, a Not So Happy Diwali.

Feature Image Credits – Surabhi Khare for DU Beat.

Nikita Bhatia

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