Kriti Sharma, Author at DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

What’s HOT and what’s NOT!

By Kriti Sharma September 16, 2016

From its campus patrols, the DUB Fashion Police identify what you ought to pick and ditch from the fashion racks!

There is a very fine line between following a trend i.e. endorsing something which is in vogue and overdoing fashion i.e. wearing old couture to death. While the common chica very rarely distinguishes between the two, fashion critics are extremely firm about the distinction in their look books: choose to do the former, and you’re a fashionista; whereas the latter would make you a wannabe.

Delhi University is a hotbed for the latest fashion. Yet, most of us end up blindly following trends. To help you stay at the top of your game and not commit any fashion faux pass, we tell you what’s HOT and what’s NOT, this semester!

HOT: Grab it ASAP!

1. The Bardot Top

This top gives girls the perfect opportunity to flaunt those beautifully rounded shoulders! Available (right, left and centre!) in different colours, textures, prints and forms; these can be effortlessly paired with denim shorts, jeans and skirts, palazzos and track pants. For more help, take inspiration from Katrina Kaif’s enviable collection in Baar Baar Dekho!

2. The Brogues

Although these now androgynous shoes were all the rage last year, this year too, they are very much in fashion. Not only do they offer comfort, but a surprising quirk to any boring outfit! The authentic ones that come in leather are a must have, since they can be worn in the approaching fall-winter season too!

NOT: Ouch! Our eyes hurt, so please, trash that murdered fashion!

1. The Plaid Shirt

Trendy in the times of yore (and until last year), clothes in the plaid print were so popular that this year, they just seem so passé! If you don’t want to end up looking like the next girl, then ditch the plaid and try stripes instead. A visit to any H&M store will prove how stripes are catching on these days!

2. The Black Choker

Ariana Grande wore the choker so well that it became a part of every girl’s wardrobe. But this one is like those fashion trends that create a riot so fast, that the charm doesn’t last for long. Also because these are so easily available, try something unique instead.

3. The Wreath

Who doesn’t like looking like a princess? But seriously girls, I wore a flower tiara/ wreath to my Official Freshers’. And I’m in my third year right now. Yes, that is how old this accessory is!

Feature Image Credits: http://english.eagetutor.com/

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Futility of College Restrictions: Dress Codes to Curfews

By Kriti Sharma September 12, 2016

“My understanding is that he’s exercising his constitutional right to make a statement. I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about…He has generated more conversation around some topics that need to be talked about.”

The above was Barack Obama’s response to NFL player Colin Kaepernick remaining seated while the American national anthem played, as a way of protesting racism. If the authorities behind India’s educational institutions paid heed to what the POTUS says in this case, our students would be a considerably less frustrated lot.

From dress codes to curfews, lax administration to authorities’ ruthlessly crushing dissent (this sounds almost like I’m talking about a dictatorial regime) there are several battles that the average Indian student may choose to fight. These battles however, must be picked carefully. The invisible lines must be toed, and criticism of age old established traditions and archaic rules can sometimes earn you a letter of suspension.

The irony is hard to ignore. The same institutions that have taught us to question and analyse and think for ourselves, are restricting our freedom to do the very same. The situation is much like that in France. Most cities in the country that pioneered and advocated the ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity during the French Revolution are banning the burkini. All the critical analysis and logical reasoning we are imbibed with in college have no practical significance whatsoever. For, when it comes down to allowing the practical application of such principles with regard to irrational rules that the authorities in college lay down. Protests and criticism are immediately clamped down with the proverbial iron fist. This defeats the very purpose of these institutions.

Worse still, some institutions, inspite of all the ‘learning’ that happens in the classroom, seem to have convinced at least some of their students that the rules are in place ‘for their own good,’ or that when they joined college, they joined with the awareness of a dress code/curfew that existed. Not that this justifies the existence of such rules in the first place.

In terms of the manner in which they function, several of India’s (and I include just India because I have no knowledge about institutions elsewhere in the world) educational institutions may be sexist and incredibly patriarchal. The need of the hour is open spaces of discussion and debate-spaces where dissent and criticism are encouraged and welcomed as a means towards betterment rather than a threat to the manacles of authority.

Image credits: youthkiawaaz.com

Abhinaya Harigovind
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5 Life lessons to be learnt from Masterchef Australia

By Kriti Sharma September 6, 2016

Masterchef Australia recently packed up its eight season, with Elena Duggan beating tough competitor Matt Sinclair and taking home the cake (pun absolutely intended). Like editions before it, this season too was filled with outstanding participants, exciting challenges and of course, food that made me salivate every time I took to the telly at the prime time of nine o’clock.

Masterchef Australia is indubitably, one of the most loved food shows on television today. The universal format, the endearing judges and the tangibility of the entire experience takes the show several notches higher than where other reality shows would rank. As such, the show has a large viewership. That’s probably because it caters to a wide audience, comprising of not just gourmet cooks and food enthusiasts, but also anyone who at the end of the day, wants to go to sleep feeling inspired and motivated.

Thus, there are several life lessons and values that one can imbibe from the show. The top five are as follows:

1. Trust your instincts
Very early in the season, Matt learnt that every time he tried to make things that didn’t reflect where he came from, he dished out extremely contrived food that failed to impress. But after learning his lesson the hard way, once he began to cook in his comfort zone and work with familiar flavours and ingredients, there was no stopping him. The result: he fought his way into the finals!

2. Believe in second chances
Theresa’s elimination was rather saddening. Sure, the initial setback was huge. But she walked out of the show with her beliefs intact, and if anything, only stronger and more inspired to chase her dreams. She bagged an apprenticeship under Reynold Poernemo (The Dessert King from Season 7) and honed her skills. She returned to the show as a wild card entrant and stole hearts with renewed passion, zest and fervor.

3. Winning and losing are both part of life
Win-loss are the two sides of the same coin. Victory and defeat are very unpredictable. There are times when you can do exceedingly well at things which you otherwise consider your weakness. For instance, Harry never willingly chose to cook desserts. But he made the ‘Brookies’ (brownie+cookies) and stole Nigella Lawson’s heart. Then there are times when your strengths let you down. Like Elise’s dessert became her reason for elimination, even though she was one of the best dessert cooks to ever feature on the show. The important thing is to take both success and failure in your stride. Don’t second guess yourself. True talent can never be latent for long. It always comes through.

4. Take criticism constructively and positively
You’ll never be perfect and you’ll never be the best. There is always scope for learning, growing and progressing to become a better ‘you’. So instead of letting criticism rub you the wrong way, take the advice of elders and mentors with the intention of inculcating their teachings into your life. When Jimmy didn’t listen to the judges’ advice and went astray, he put a poor dish that sent him home.

5. Dreams do come true
Inspiring reality shows like Masterchef Australia are shining examples of how when an individual dares to dream and takes that one step further to realise his dream, he becomes unstoppable. Faith in one’s ability, perseverance, dedication and patience always pay off hefty yields. When you see people coming from humble backgrounds achieving their goals, you feel motivated to reach out to the world with your own sweet ambitions. And once you set your heart to something, there really is no looking back! That’s the power of belief and positive affirmations.

Kriti Sharma
[email protected]

Image Credits: hubpages.com

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Spo(r)tlight

DU College cancels physical education course

By Kriti Sharma August 29, 2016

While Indian female athletes shine at the global platform in the Rio Olympics, back home, a girls college in DU cancels popular physical education course.

Delhi University’s Bhagini Nivedita College has cancelled its physical education course, dealing a severe blow to the 24 students currently enrolled in this elective course, as part of the 3Y-UG BA Programme. As per the notice issued by the college on 17 August, the students have been asked to opt for other electives instead, like mass communication and creative writing.

Introduced in 2011, the physical education course has suffered an uncertain fate ever since the controversial Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) was set up. Unfortunately, like the FYUP, even the current system of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) doesn’t bolster this course, thereby becoming a prime reason for its cancellation.

College authorities said that other reasons for withdrawing this elective are the changes in workload under the new system and unavailability of equipped teaching staff. But the concerned teacher, Mamta Sahrawat, alleged that the course was being unfairly targeted, in spite of a fair number of students showing interest for this course.

The students are the worst hit by this decision, because it is their future that hangs in the balance. Teachers from other departments of the college have sent an application to the principal, Purbi Saikia, asking her to allow the course to run. But response to the proactive pleas of teachers and students alike, is still awaited.

With inputs from Hindustan Times.

Featured Image Credits: www.hindustantimes.com

Kriti Sharma
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The ever-changing emotions and many moods of a third year student

By Kriti Sharma August 29, 2016

“Knock,knock!”
“Who is there?”
“Your final year of college.”

Where is the punch line, you ask? There isn’t any, my friend. Because believe me, when the third year of college comes knocking at your door, it is no joke.

The last two semesters of college are an emotional roller-coaster ride, where your life will constantly swivel among emotions of joy, anxiety, ambition, depression and nostalgia. These emotions will be felt at varying intensities at different stages, thereby dividing your last year of college into the following four phases:

PHASE 1: NOSTALGIA and DEPRESSION

When you start your fifth semester, the realisation of being a senior and having just one more year of college to look forward to dawns on you, sending you into a mood of reminiscence. You start looking at every aspect of college through the memories you’ve lived by it. So every nook and cranny will remind you of a beautiful moment, etched in your mind for eternity. The canteen will bring to mind those joyous moments spent bunking lectures; old professors met near the staff room will remind you of boring/interesting lectures; the sports field will remind you of the fun-filled fest season and so on. Waking up to the fact that time has literally flown by and that you have just one more year to relish college life, will, send you into a downward spiral of depression.

PHASE 2: SELF-DOUBT and ANXIETY

Even before you can nurse yourself from the depression, you’ll be handed yet another blow, this time on the academic and professional front. Suddenly, everyone you meet will ask you just one question: what next? Most of us have no clue. And before you know it, you’re swimming in the deep, dark sea of consternation.

PHASE 3: AMBITION and DRIVE

You’re half-way there now, and start gaining some sort of clarity about the future. This lucidity is further encouraged by college placements. As you sit for multiple companies and profiles, your motivational drive gets a good boost. You feel this sense of maturity, a feeling and realisation that you’re all grown up now and must shortly set foot into the big, bad world. This phase does wonders to your self-esteem and confidence. In a way, your curve begins to peak.

PHASE 4: BITTER SWEET JOY

You can see the finish line. By now, you’ve either got a job in hand, or have cleared entrances to fortify your higher education opportunity. All the fests are over. Your farewell is coming up and after that, you will take the last set of collegiate exams. Now is when you begin to experience a bitter sweet joy. Bitter, for all that you’re going to leave behind; yet pleasantly sweet because you’re about to enter another stage in your life.

Finally, as you bid adieu to college life, you hark back to the three wonderful years that have gone by. These years, as they say, may never come back. Yet, to have them safely and securely placed in a precious corner of your mind, heart and soul, is in itself, beautiful and cherish-worthy.

Image credits: collegecandy.com

Kriti Sharma
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Five things that are messing with a DU student’s sleep

By Kriti Sharma August 21, 2016

If you ever find yourself in a Campus-bound metro, particularly on a week day morning, you are sure to notice one common feature on every student’s face: sleep. This apparent sleep deprivation manifests in all forms. Some can be seen sleeping with open mouths while others tend to perpetually yawn, quite contagiously. A few others can be found nodding off every now and then. One category that deserves a special mention here is the ‘martyr’, representing someone who is extremely sleepy yet bravely fights off the urge to doze, via mental engagement (like reading, listening to music or talking).

What baffles me about my observations is that I am yet to find a concrete cause for this trend. I haven’t been able to completely comprehend why DU students are so sleepy in the morning! Most of us are used to waking up early, courtesy – ungodly school timings. Further, you can rule out late night studies, as a majority of us bank on last minute ‘feed your brain all you can before the exam’ study tactics. Then what on Earth is turning DU students into zombies? Here are possible reasons:

A. Endless streaming of series

In the era of Torrents and Netflix, who waits for per day episodes? Most of us just download the entire series and guzzle down 10-12 episodes in one go. The typical scenario: we sit down with season 1 at dusk and reach season 3 by dawn.

B. Social media

I usually switch my phone off after 2200 hrs. Sure, you can call me a prude. But I learnt my lesson when I got extremely addicted to Facebook, Instagram and BuzzFeed during the holidays. It started with a desire to just sift through my NewsFeed post dinner. But then, one link would lead to another and I would end up spending hours pouring over nonsensical updates, thereby, jeopardising my sleeping pattern. I managed to break the cycle, but a lot of us are still caught in it. No wonder our sleep is in such disequilibrium!

C. Parties and outings

Oh yes! Just one (although extremely dear to us) among the many perks of being in college- extension of curfews and new-found independence! How can one get the prescribed 8-hour sleep if one is often partying or clubbing away, that too on week nights?

D. Social calls and commitments

We usually tend to make all our important phone calls during night, because college, society work, tuitions, etc. keep us occupied through the day. So latest gossip, deep and emotional conversations with the best friend, love talks with the better-half or catching up with a school friend is usually done after 2100 hrs, when everyone is taking a breather from their busy schedules. But when the chit-chat turns into a routinely-nightly-mega conversation, we pay a hefty price. Not just in money to the phone company, but also through our heavily compromised sleep.

E. Insomnia

Some of us are just plain unlucky. Because at the end of the day, how does one defy insomnia? Popping pills is not just scary, but also futile. Counting sheep (or the number of times Rihanna, ironically, says ‘work’ in her song ‘Work’) doesn’t soothe the mind either – the catastrophic result? Well, living through the first half of your next day without any sense of consciousness.

I don’t wish to sound like your family doctor, or mother. But the hard fact of life is that 6-8 hrs of sleep for an adult human being is imperative, if one wishes to keep their mental and physical faculties alive and kicking. So I advise all of you sleepyheads out there to fulfill your quota in the method and manner that fits you the best. I’m a morning person, and one thing I can tell you with certainty: mornings are the most peaceful and productive periods of the day. Don’t miss out on them because of erratic and silly habits.

Feature Image Credits: www.everydaypeoplecartoons.com

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Women’s safety in DU: How safe are we?

By Kriti Sharma August 16, 2016

We seldom realise the severity of an ugly situation until we find ourselves embroiled in something equally, if not more unpleasant. Reading the newspaper daily had kept me cognizant of the crimes against women in the National Capital; but only recently, when I was victimised, not once but thrice, did the shock and horror of it engulf me in hatred and disgust. The most outrageous part of it all is that my untoward experiences occurred on campus: an area that is supposed to be ‘a safe haven’ for the University’s burgeoning student population.

Episode 1: One day, as I waited for the train at the platform of Vishwavidyalaya station, I was approached by a stranger. He was a man in his mid-twenties. He boldly walked up to me and very squarely asked me, “Are you the prettiest girl on this planet?” Completely appalled by this stranger’s forwardness, my mind grew blank with fear. I was paralysed- both tongue and feet. He took my silent panic as encouragement and tried to get comfortable. Just then the metro rushed into the station. I reflexively jumped right in and fled to the Ladies’ coach. I found a corner seat and sat there, numb and motionless for the rest of the journey.

Episode 2: I was crossing the road in front of my college, when a bike with two crudely dressed boys sped past me. An instant later, the boy sitting behind the driver turned around, sized me up, whistled and hooted and loudly screamed out ‘Jaaneman, haseena!’ He followed this up with a cackle and before my mind could respond to the situation, the bike was a blur in the distance.

Episode 3: I was at Kamla Nagar, purchasing my books for the new academic session, when a group of boys, perceptibly students from a campus college, walked into the book store. One of them noticed me and overtly pointed me out to his friend. The friend then went on to call the boy beside him and before I knew it, all three boys were ogling at me. The stares made me extremely uncomfortable and I walked out immediately. I thought I had managed to escape the scene when these boys followed me out, overtook me, brushed their shoulder against me, called me ‘Tota’ and then hurried away.

Yes. The metro incident was my first experience with the disgusting indecency of men in Delhi University (and elsewhere, in general) and the other two episodes gave me a bitter taste of eve-teasing. I don’t wish to further opine my views on the subject of women’s safety in DU, because I know no one is listening. However, putting the entire issue in perspective, I, as a girl student in DU, seek answers to the following questions: what is the point of having a police constable stationed every 200 m on campus when lewd men still openly get away with their lascivious deeds? Also, why hasn’t the University done something more tangible to make public places like roads, platforms and campus markets safer? Why do problems like eve-teasing receive such tepid attention and response from the authorities? Are these issues not crimes? Or do we need something grave like rape or murder to happen to get authorities to implement stringent rules?

I know I am just one among the many women on campus who has had a tryst with such disturbing events. I feel we must come to the fore and talk about our experiences, no matter how hurtful, to create awareness and awaken the concerned parties to our cause. Questions like the ones above have to be raised more frequently and vociferously to actually pave the way for change.
So, dear sister, share your thoughts, views and opinions with us. Help us stir and sensitise the otherwise apathetic authorities. We look forward to hearing from you.

Image Credits: www.livemint.com

Kriti Sharma
[email protected]

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Life At Delhi University: The Debating Society

By Kriti Sharma August 2, 2016

Christopher Hitchens once remarked, “Time spent arguing is, oddly enough, almost never wasted.”
And rightly so, for debating in DU is one of the most gratifying and fruitful activities. In school, debating is one of those things that students pursue outside their curriculum, as a leisure activity. In college however, debating is more than just a hobby. For many, debating becomes life itself. That, in a nutshell, highlights the intensity and passion with which people debate in DU; the colossal time that it consumes; and the euphoria of achievement that it is capable of bringing to the winners.

Ignorant freshers often believe that their experiences from MUNs and school level debating are sufficient for conquering the DU debating scene. But such complacency is the biggest myth attached to the DebSoc. Firstly, every college debating society conducts trials for freshers, where the main criteria for selection is a person’s ability to reason, articulate and argue. So no fresher will ever be prejudiced against the lack of prior debating experience. Secondly, every society invests at least a month in training their newest members in different forms and styles, indoctrinating nuanced arguments and holding mock debates. This training period goes a long way in prepping the rookie debaters for their initial tournaments (eg: Fresher tournaments).Thereafter, the credentials of a debater will solely depend on his participation, potential and growth.

There are several reasons why you should consider taking up debating in college. Debating will help rid you of your inhibitions, make you more knowledgeable, teach you how to cajole people in the cleverest of ways, widen your ability to reason with logic and give you a college life worth experiencing.

But before you immerse yourself in the world of DU Debating, here are five things to know about the Debsoc ethos:

A. Killer Kompetition
The circuit doesn’t have an age bar and quite often, you might land up in a sticky situation where you, as team of fucchas, are debating against stalwarts from Law Faculty and DSE, people who are almost three years greater than you in age and experience. This can be extremely intimidating, especially if the seniors take you as a joke. Winning in such scenarios is almost next to impossible. The best thing to do then is to take the debate as a learning experience. Instead of getting discouraged by failure, keep up the perseverance and debate with panache! Who knows, maybe a couple of months later, when faced with the same team of titans, you cream your opponents. Or more realistically, at least manage to put up a decent fight!

B. Break Night Parties
When you’re in the debating society, exciting break night lore will form a substantial part of the legacy that you will receive from your seniors. Break night parties are one of the two (the other being the hefty cash prizes) things that draw senior debaters to a tournament. Senior participation decides the reputation of a tournament, and thus it is absolutely essential to host an extravagant break night party. Debaters are hedonists; that is the crooked truth.

Break night parties are like after parties: exclusive and lavish, anything and everything worth talking about happens here! Debaters let loose and enjoy the music, food and other gifts of Dionysius. After attending a break night party, you will realise (and possibly relish) that you belong to an elite society of people who are smart, yet know how to enjoy the finer things in life. Your first break night party will become a defining moment in your debating life and certainly a memory that you will cherish otherwise as well.

C. The freaky outstations
For a debater, outstation tournaments are equally, if not more, important than DU tournaments and your seniors in the society will insist that your participation is well rounded. But getting permission from your parents, making arrangements for transportation and accommodation and saving for expected expenses are arduous tasks. Missing out on such tournaments can put you legions behind and hurt your growth. Outstations are usually a big no for debaters from conservative families. But those who have attended outstation tournaments will unanimously agree that an outstation tournament is like a never ending break night party: a perfect balance between work and play!

D. My way or the Highway
To survive in the circuit, you must be adept in one of the following two things: A. You must either possess tremendous knowledge about several issues like International Relations (IR), Economics, Third Gender Rights, Feminism etc OR B.You must make the other person believe that you possess in depth knowledge about these things. Not that you can faff your way to the finals. But a decent level of knowledge, complemented by a receptive mind, quick thinking and cocky smartness, can help you argue your way through the toughest and slimiest of motions. When all else fails, smartness will double up as a reliable weapon.

E. Family, not society
Most tournaments happen over a span of three to four days and take up almost six to seven hours per day. On non-tournament days, most debaters spend their time in intra and inter societal mock debates. Some others can be found in their groups, discussing raging issues in the library or just chilling in the college canteen. When you spend so much time with your society, members become the best of friends in no time. The bond that you share with your fellow debaters is inexplicable.It’s so tight and lasting that you might as well be a part of a family. Truly, DebSoc Bonhomie is a thing of legends.

I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I were to say that the debating society is the object of desire of every fresher. The glamour, the talent and the intellect are sure to lure you right in!

But a word of caution: Join the DebSoc,but join it for keeps. Invest your effort if you intend on staying; don’t join the society if you want instant results and lack patience. Debating requires time and commitment, because you’ll take at least a year to learn the tricks of the trade, another year to establish yourself in the circuit, and if you’re one of those bright bulbs, then you’ll finally come around to shining in your third year.

So, if you’re one of those toughies who have mastered the art of determination and perseverance, join the debating society to develop a skill set that will help you in every phase of your life.