Iresh Gupta, Author at DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

“Thoughts of young writers have more impact on the society because when they think mature for their age, then certainly they are the change makers or at least have the capability to bring some change”, says a young writer Sirjandeep Kaur Ubha who released her debut fiction novel, ‘The Triumph’.

Eighteen year old, Sirjandeep is a second year student at Hans Raj College pursuing an undergraduate degree in commerce. Sirjandeep, through the 180-page text endeavored to accentuate and highlight the agony of Ibadat, the female protagonist of ‘The Triumph’. The book outlines Ibadat’s perseverance and tenacity to battle out her rightful place in the society.

As a writer, Sirjandeep feels that the condition of women in the Indian society is poignant and this less-dominating gender is reckoned as a black sheep in our culture. Supplicating her readers to contemplate the condition of women in our country where 93 rapes happen every day, she says, “Women are commoditized everyday around us. I have been reading about the much boosted rape culture in our country for a long time now but the shock associated with Damini Gang Rape filled me with courage to give birth to Ibadat and write her story of triumph.”

The fictional text has been released in Chandigarh and Bombay where it has managed to sell more than 1000 copies within a few days of its release. Not concerned much with the associated profits, Sirjandeep wants the novel to reach every household. “I want to express this to all the girls that keeping quiet is no way to deal. You need to raise voice because if you choose not to speak today, then you can never speak to choose”, she adds.

On being asked if Sirjandeep is a staunch feminist, she remarks that, “Guru Nanak said, ‘So kyun manda aakiye, jitt jamme raajan’ which means that why curse those who gave birth to the entire world and even the kings. I will always fight for women rights. Yes, I am a feminist.”

Sirjandeep is also a published English poet.
To order ‘The Triumph’, visit www.unistarbooks.com

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Campus Central

Hans Raj student releases debut novel; writes on women's struggle and her rights

By Iresh Gupta October 13, 2014

“Thoughts of young writers have more impact on the society because when they think mature for their age, then certainly they are the change makers or at least have the capability to bring some change”, says a young writer Sirjandeep Kaur Ubha who released her debut fiction novel, ‘The Triumph’.

Eighteen year old, Sirjandeep is a second year student at Hans Raj College pursuing an undergraduate degree in commerce. Sirjandeep, through the 180-page text endeavored to accentuate and highlight the agony of Ibadat, the female protagonist of ‘The Triumph’. The book outlines Ibadat’s perseverance and tenacity to battle out her rightful place in the society.

As a writer, Sirjandeep feels that the condition of women in the Indian society is poignant and this less-dominating gender is reckoned as a black sheep in our culture. Supplicating her readers to contemplate the condition of women in our country where 93 rapes happen every day, she says, “Women are commoditized everyday around us. I have been reading about the much boosted rape culture in our country for a long time now but the shock associated with Damini Gang Rape filled me with courage to give birth to Ibadat and write her story of triumph.”

The fictional text has been released in Chandigarh and Bombay where it has managed to sell more than 1000 copies within a few days of its release. Not concerned much with the associated profits, Sirjandeep wants the novel to reach every household. “I want to express this to all the girls that keeping quiet is no way to deal. You need to raise voice because if you choose not to speak today, then you can never speak to choose”, she adds.

On being asked if Sirjandeep is a staunch feminist, she remarks that, “Guru Nanak said, ‘So kyun manda aakiye, jitt jamme raajan’ which means that why curse those who gave birth to the entire world and even the kings. I will always fight for women rights. Yes, I am a feminist.”

Sirjandeep is also a published English poet. To order ‘The Triumph’, visit www.unistarbooks.com

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ABVP campaigns against live-in-relationships; state that they lead to degradation of a woman

By Iresh Gupta October 11, 2014

Post Delhi University Students’ Union elections, the winning party Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarathi Parishad (ABVP) launched one of its initial campaigns focusing majorly on ‘atrocities towards women and their objectification’. The campaign witnessed 200 partisans joining hands to form a human chain to fight ‘live in relationships’ and ‘love jihad’.

While a few welcomed this step in all sincerity and without equivocation, larger population at University titled it as a doomed campaign. According to ABVP, live-in-relationships are against Indian culture as they involve no fidelity towards values.

Human chain formed by ABVP supporters outside Arts Facutly in North Campus

This means that people indulging into such relationships aren’t mature enough and they are constrained to act in a way ABVP wants. Other students at the varsity also feel that this is some kind of policing where the party is trying to question consensual relationship of two people.

The crusaders also justify the movement by highlighting the agenda of reducing crime and abuse rate pertaining to live-in relationships by making girls aware of malignant effects such relationships have. I personally feel that University deserves to attract more attention towards issues like students’ accommodation or specifically girls’ hostels. Yes, of-course, it is ABVP’s right and personal standpoint to campaign for the matters like these, but the ruling party that swept all the positions at DUSU elections is expected to do much more.

The ABVP leaders, however say that the campaign focuses on overall safety of women, restoring respect for the gender, curbing issues like female foeticide and moderate the youth to create a generation that is unaccustomed to alcohol and drugs.

Groups also focused on fighting ‘forced conversion of Hindu girls by Muslim men’ and abstained from using words like ‘love jihad’. ABVP strives to save girls of falling into such traps where men with pretended identities force them to convert religion by means of marriage. Congress backed National Student’s Union of India (NSUI) thinks that ABVP is labouring enough only to enkindle differences between students of various religions and maximum students also think alike.

Moreover, matters like these are born out of ABVP’s patron party BJP which has been fueling the issue of ‘love jihad’ for a long time now. Yogi Adityanath, love jihad’s self made critic ambassador calls it an international conspiracy and feels that only BJP led government in Uttar Pradesh can stop this ‘social evil’. ABVP taking cues from BJP to launch similar campaigns in University, where maximum people don’t consider love-jihad as an ‘evil’, seems like an untenable and a substandard coalition by the student body.

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Biblio

Opinion: Chetan Bhagat’s Half Girlfriend and his debatable form of writing

By Iresh Gupta October 3, 2014

“”Once upon a time, there was a Bihari boy called Madhav.
He fell in love with a girl called Riya.
Madhav didn’t speak English well. Riya did.
Madhav wanted a relationship. Riya didn’t.
Riya wanted just friendship. Madhav didn’t.
Riya suggested a compromise. She agreed to be his half-girlfriend””

The first thing I thought when I read these lines a month back was something not that appealing to me to read this book. “I used to read these once-upon-a-time-stories in Class 5. This doesn’t sound like some good work” – I thought. Chetan Bhagat, nation’s bestselling author wrote these words for the back cover of his two-day-old novel, Half Girlfriend. Chetan’s work has always been a matter of debate for the reading class in India, a place where he always manages to sell millions of his printed stories.

While most of my friends from literature describe his writing using the most unsuitable words, a few readers turn his pages with utmost interest. A few gave no place to his books in their Top 10 books for the book bucket challenge while some others chose not to take up the challenge because they had read no other books but his. Was it a matter of shame to put his books as your favorite ones on the social networking websites? Are his books good enough to influence someone or leave an impression as the holy definition of that challenge stated?

According to the major population studying in Delhi University or any class of students, mentioning Chetan’s books as something you read becomes a matter of laughter for others. Will University see a day when students from English Honours will read his work as part of the curriculum? I am sure the strugglers of a bachelor degree would themselves choose not to. A group of Stephanians is already in pain to learn that Chetan has used their respectable St. Stephen’s College as a set out location of love for Madhav and Riya. Why? Is it ethically wrong to have someone with your college tag who cannot speak English in the book?

His supporters, including me bless his books for attracting us to read at all and give birth to a new generation of writers whom the elite readers term as ‘Chetan-type-writers’.
“He never uses good English” – some comment. What is the definition of good English? Is it using high vocabulary, which half the readers may not understand or is it using simple language to let the essence of story flow to the reader? The former is for those who make such comments but how many of you have tried writing a book? How many of you can drop out of their corporate jobs to become a writer?

The problem here is that we blindly criticize. If there are no extra points to read his books, then there should be no deductions as well for the same. Chetan who took three years to write Half Girlfriend. simply chooses the subject of love and develops a story webbing around his personal experiences targeting all ages of readers especially the young ones.

Yes, there are complaints by those who have already read it that it has an exaggerated Bollywood angle. The movie based on Half-Girlfriend was announced much before the release of the book and the potential cast is already in news. With all his books as successful big screen makes, I feel the exaggerated angle has become a necessity for Chetan where he writes visualizing his story on screen. Everyone knows that 2 States was better to read than to watch. However, a few others call this the best CB book till date while some sense the lack of humour in Half Girlfriend.

Chetan Bhagat turns Co-Producer for Half Girlfriend, the movie by Mohit Suri and Ekta Kapoor that is expected to be out in Summer 2016

“”Once upon a time, there was a Bihari boy called Madhav.
He fell in love with a girl called Riya.
Madhav didn’t speak English well. Riya did.
Madhav wanted a relationship. Riya didn’t.
Riya wanted just friendship. Madhav didn’t.
Riya suggested a compromise. She agreed to be his half-girlfriend””

I was judgmental to title this book as ’bad’ by just reading the back cover. The book here deserves a read.

Featured Image Credits: indialive.today

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Campus Central

Ad Hoc teaching staff exceeds regular teachers in Delhi University

By Iresh Gupta September 29, 2014

Four months after the FYUP ‘miscarriage’ where ad-hoc teachers were left in a jeopardy, Delhi University now witnesses ad-hoc teaching staff outnumbering the regular teachers. 5000 ‘temporary’ teachers have been apparently tagged as ‘permanently’ ad-hoc in the University. The irony behind this statement arises from the violation of UGC norms which validate the appointment of ad hoc teachers only in the time of emergency and also limits the proportion of these teachers at 10% of the total.

Permanent appointments have not taken place in the University for a long time now and the future of these teachers is put to question. With almost all colleges being the contributors to teachers’ questionable future, Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), India’s top institute also houses many more ad-hoc teachers than the permanent ones. Daulat Ram College (DRC), Atma Ram Sanatan Dharam College (ARSD), Maharaja Agarsen College (MAC) and Dyal Singh College also join SRCC’s list whereas Satyawati College(Evening) and Ram Lal Anand College (Evening) have 50:50 ratio for ad hoc and regular teachers.

According to the statement by University authorities, appointments were frozen between 2010-2013 due to the new point based system. However, Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has a different story to tell. “Since the appointment of Dinesh Singh, our present Vice Chancellor, University has stepped out of fresh teachers’ appointments. The point based system they talk about never existed for appointment of teachers. It was something only meant for promotions. However, every college had their own set of reasons for not taking in permanent teachers”, says Nandita Narain, President (DUTA).

“My game is over. I am a bad influence on everyone”: Pankaj Narang, longest term of 20 years as an ad-hoc

Pankaj Narang also seems to employed permanently now but as a temporary teacher at ARSD where there are 170 ad-hoc teachers compared to only 40 permanent ones. “I have a long association here – first as a student, then a research scholar and now a teacher. But what have I got back is absolutely nothing. My job is still not secure”, he says.

Prof. Narang teaches in Department of Physics at ARSD and he has been denied research grants to carry out research by the government. He adds, “The reason for such rejection is my status as an ad-hoc. There is zero input and the authorities expect full input from me. This is just unfortunate for me and is deliberately done by the University. I am a bad influence on everyone. No one wants to be a teacher when they look at me.” Apart from Prof. Narang, two more professors at ARSD with more than 15 years of experience are part of the ad-hoc faculty.

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Aap Ki Adaalat reaches KMC; Rajat Sharma in the witness box

By Iresh Gupta September 24, 2014

“I have been asking questions to people in my witness box for 21 years now, but today it is your turn. Aaj main aap ki adaalat mein aaya hun”, announced Rajat Sharma when he entered pushing back the large crowd at Kirori Mal College.

The Round Table Society at Kirori Mal College organized “Youth-o-litics” which was held on 22^nd September 2014. Apart from Rajat Sharma, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief at India TV, the event also witnessed Yogendra Yadav from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) addressing the audience of about 250 students.

To highlight the topic and theme of “Youth-o-litics”, the organizing team presented a video representation of Indian political era. The clip highlighted the evolution of politics and talked about the major incidents or events in the history of this field ranging from Rajiv Gandhi assassination and 1999’ Kargil War to the appointment of Pratibha Patil as the first women President and to the present era of Narendra Modi.

[caption id="attachment_26367" align="aligncenter" width="900"]

Students from various colleges gathered to get a glimpse of Rajat Sharma[/caption]

“My life is not as sexy as it seems on TV”, says Rajat Sharma

The Indian journalist and news anchor, Rajat Sharma who is popularly known for his show ‘Aap ki Adaalat’ chose to rather answer questions at the KMC seminar. Talking a little about his connections with Delhi University, Rajat Shamra, an alumnus of Shri Ram College of Commerce shared his journey from being a kid at municipality school, travelling through the tough times at Delhi University to the world of journalism and media.

[caption id="attachment_26369" align="alignleft" width="205"]

Rajat Sharma talks about youth and the evolution of media and politics[/caption]

Answering the questions, Rajat Sharma talked about the challenges and growth at his news channel, the various political parties and the ongoing matters like Love Jihad. He also discussed on how media is unnecessarily portrayed as the biased medium of communication and tried establishing the relationship between his profession and the students through his 45 minute conversation.

Sharma, whose adaalat with the present Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Aap Ki Adaalat fetched the maximum market share on channel, feels that all those who sit in his witness box step out as more accountable people who have to answer the janta at any cost. He also talked about the Delhi University’s youth involvement in political matters saying, “Be it in support of Anna Hazare or to protest against Delhi gang rape, the youth of Delhi majorly from the DU have shown their power. The student community all can fire a revolution and bring a change. It is ready to sacrifice all luxuries and stand up for welfare of society and country.”

Click here to view a part of Rajat Sharma’s speech.

“Role of youth in country’s politics is very significant”, says Yogendra Yadav

Yogendra Yadav who is presently an “Aam Aadmi” is also the former member of University Grants Commission (UGC). Facing maximum questions about Aam Aadmi Party and its demise in Delhi, Yadav highlighted the far line boundaries of politics.

“It is impossible to break the set norms in the field of politics and yes politics is dirty, but it is necessary to realize that it is very important. No country, no state and infact no university like yours can serve without politics”, says Yogendra Yadav.

[caption id="attachment_26346" align="aligncenter" width="596"]

Yogendra Yadav from Aap Aadmi Party adressing the students at Kirori Mal College | Credits: Tanya Aggarwal[/caption]

He was questioned and asked about the ways where politics could benefit each and every citizen of the country to which he expressed that the answer lies with the youth of the nation who are very much capable of bringing such change.

In Feature Image: Rajat Sharma Feature Image Credits: India TV

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“It is uncool to carry tiffins to college”, say Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy Kapoor

By Iresh Gupta September 17, 2014

While promoting Daawat-E-Ishq as part of the ‘Food Yatra’ at Delhi University, Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy Kapoor took out some time to get candid with the correspondents of DU Beat. As both of them share their experience of the canteen trial at Miranda House and Hindu College, Parineeti also demands the girls’ colleges to be converted to co-educational institutes.

From talking about their film to sharing the experience of working with each other at Yash Raj’s ‘kitchen’, these co-stars gave advice for the DU students apart from fighting over the unused gifts they once gave to each other and talking about their own college life and their love for food.

Presenting Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy Kapoor, in conversation with our correspondents Iresh Gupta and Ishika Gupta (Photographed by Swati Verma)

Ishika: Hello! So tell us a little about the film and what made you sign this film as the film deals with the intricacies of different Indian food items?

Parineeti: I signed the film majorly because I wanted to work with Habib Sir (Habib Faisal, Director) again after Ishqzaade. I have always done films which have an edge and where I am a strong woman. Here, the character is very strong, but the girl is very simple and sweet who later meets him (points towards Aditya) and falls with his character. This was a role which I have not played before, so I was really excited when I was offered Daawat-E-Ishq.

Aditya: For me it was a different character and something with a challenge. I enjoyed the script a lot because the film world is an arena I don’t know or I have not been a part of or grown in. But Habib Sir knew that world and it is good to work in such an environment. I was excited as it was the combination of the script, the director, the c0-star, the production house and the character.

Iresh: So did you consider the risk factor here? Because the concept of falling in love over food is not something that has been explored in the industry earlier?

Parineeti: Actually this was the newest and the coolest thing about the film. A love story can explore different subjects. This is a food centric film and the subject of food is a little rare. I was very excited for that.

Aditya: Exactly! This is what attracted us towards the film. I mean you must not have seen anyone falling in love over the matters of food. It was mixing up two opposite but equally spicy cultures of Lucknow and Hyderabad. So it was Daawat-E-Ishq for me as well.

Iresh: And how was it working with each other for the first time?

Aditya: I was excited before the film and then I met her and my world came crashing down (mocks). But genuinely we had a fun time together. We share this sense of humour that is quite lame to other people but we enjoy it. Sometimes films can also be boring so it a bonus to have a company that is good and entertaining.

Parineeti: Yes, we manage entertaining each other. We also had Anupam Sir (Anupam Kher) in the team. He is the positive kind of energetic man. He is definitely the most positive, energetic and youngest of all three of us. So this was a great thing that we experienced in our journey.

Ishika: Tell us about your experience at the two colleges you visited for Food Yatra in Delhi University?

Aditya: Parineeti had issues at Miranda but I had no complaints. It was amazing. It gave me some positive energy. We got a great response from Hindu as well though there were more boys there but I never had much problem. (laughs)

Iresh: Parineeti you were offended by the fact that there were no boys at Miranda, right?

Parineeti: There were no boys in Miranda House and I am very upset about that fact. Miranda House and JMC (Jesus and Mary College) should start getting boys. Hindu was great as it had boys. I was dancing there but at Miranda I was bored and I had nothing to do.

Aditya and Parineeti duing their visit to Miranda House for 'Daawat-E-Isshq Food Yatra' — Aditya and Parineeti duing their visit to Miranda House for ‘Daawat-E-Isshq Food Yatra’

Click here for full report on Aditya Roy Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra’s visit to Miranda House and Hindu College

Ishika: Parineeti, tell us something about your favourite restaurants while you were in college?

Parineeti: I have not been a Delhi University kid. I completed my studies in England. My list of restaurants won’t help you much. You should ask Aditya about his favorite restaurants while he was in college. He actually never attended college, so he knows well about the food outside.

Aditya : No, I will tell you about her. She has her restaurant in her own house. She would bathe in Nutella every day.

Iresh: And something about your college life in Bombay, Aditya?

Aditya: I did not do much in college. It was pretty much chilled. I have spent maximum time with my friends sitting on car bonnets in Bombay. But those are great memories. It was great privilege after so many years of school to do nothing and have the maximum freedom.

Ishika: One advice you would give to college students in terms of food management as the pocket money is limited.

Parineeti: Do whatever but don’t carry dabbas to college. Never. It is most uncool thing one can do in college. Rather snatch food from those who get dabbas.

Aditya: First advice is that GO TO COLLEGE. Then with minimal budget go and eat street food, your maggi or vada pav or whatever the trend is in Delhi or simply rob. But never carry dabbas. I agree with Pari on this.

Feature Image Credits: Iresh Gupta for DU Beat

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Campus Central

"It is uncool to carry tiffins to college", say Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy Kapoor