Maumil Mehraj, Author at DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

DUB News

Delhi Government Stops Funding of 28 DU Colleges

By Maumil Mehraj April 26, 2019

Owing to failure in the constitution of their governing bodies by Delhi University (DU), Delhi Government has stopped funds to 28 DU colleges.

Delhi government has once again stopped the funding of 28 DU colleges, partially or fully funded by them owing to the delay in the appointment of their Governing Bodies, Education Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia said on Monday.

The previously appointed bodies ended their term on 9th March. On 20th February, Sisodia had written to DU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Yogesh Tyagi for extension of their term for three months. However, no action was taken by the University.

The Hindu has reported that Delhi government had given the University a deadline of 31st July last year to clear appointments of the ten member governing bodies for each of the 28 colleges, which had been pending since 2016. The government had stopped the funding earlier too, in 2017 as DU had deferred formation of the Governing Bodies.

On Monday, Sisodia directed the Finance Department to stop the funds, which amount to INR 360 crore annually, over what he termed was the “deliberate and mala fide attempt to delay formation of governing bodies”.

According to a report by Times of India, in his letter to DU Vice Chancellor and the Finance Department, Sisodia said, “Delhi University has not constituted the governing bodies in the 28 colleges…till date. It is directed that till the governing bodies are formed in these colleges, no funds should be released.”

He added that because of the absence of governing bodies, there was no one to keep an eye on how the colleges function. “As the custodian of public money, I cannot allow unchecked corruption and irregularities to be sustained on government funds.”

This decision by the government was met with a strong dissent by the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) and Nation Democratic Teachers’ Front (NDTF) who demanded the withdrawal of the decision.

“The DUTA finds it unacceptable that the employees of these colleges be held to ransom because of the impasse created by the University and/or the Government. The stopping of funds is a short-sighted step as it will only disrupt the academic and administrative functioning of these colleges when students are preparing for their semester exams,” Rajib Ray, President of DUTA said in a press release.

Abha Dev Habib, former Executive Council member also expressed her immense displeasure and said, “DU had taken almost a year last time for the formation of Governing Bodies and the standoff between DU and Delhi Government resulted in funds cut, delayed salaries etc.. The history seems to be repeating itself. Governance, teachers, non-teaching employees and students suffered in the twelve colleges, which are 100% funded by the Delhi Government. Also last time the DU list had a large number of names which appeared to be because of BJP interference and the list did not give options to Delhi Government to choose. We fear that we are heading towards a similar situation.”

Devesh Sinha, Dean of Colleges, DU, however, has denied any deadlock between the university and the government. He said that DU had written to the government on Monday, assuring that governing bodies of all colleges funded by the government would be formed within two weeks.

Sinha further added, “The EC has objections to the list of names that were nominated. The governing bodies are supposed to include experts from various fields. However, in some cases, the government had recommended five persons from the field of education for one college. We are sorting this out and will form the bodies within two weeks.”

The move, however, is unlikely to affect the colleges immediately as the next instalment of funds from the government isn’t due till September. But if it drags on till November, it will become very difficult for colleges which are fully funded by the government particularly.

Feature Image Credits: Niharika Dabral for DU Beat

Shreya Agrawal

Common Rooms Fairly Uncommon in DU

By Maumil Mehraj April 10, 2019

Out of the colleges that responded to our survey, CVS and St. Stephen’s were the only two co-ed colleges that provided common rooms for both boys and girls. Read on to understand their importance.

We, as Indian students, have embraced the fact that the quality of our lives and education will never improve. Part of it could be traced back to the administrations’ unswerving and unwavering faith in the ideas of denial – both in terms of denying to acknowledge the pathetic state of infrastructure, and denying the students their rights. From a broader spectrum, it is almost mandatory for institutions to provide privacy to the students enrolled, and common rooms are only an extension of it. Why, then, must a premiere institute like the University of Delhi grossly lag behind?

One (or two) common room(s) in each college of the University is actually not asking a lot. Here, the common narrative of the fees being INR 5,000 will be spewed again. But the fact of the matter is that a public university, run by the central government, has sufficient amount of funds, which again, we are paying as the tax. There are, of course, girls’ colleges like Lady Shri Ram, Jesus and Mary, and Vivekananda that provide students with common rooms. And others like Ramjas, Khalsa, Hansraj, Rajdhani, and Moti Lal Nehru College that provide common rooms to just girls. But most of the other DU colleges fail to follow suit.

“During the process of upgradation of college campuses in their structural capacity, these common rooms should be promoted to provide a space to the students in the campuses, which besides studies and sports, allow them to unwind the day while maintaining their privacy,” says Aeshal Nisar Dalal, President, CVS Students’ Union.

Flipside to it would be the opinions of students in such colleges. “BCR (Boys’ Common Room) has no facilities, not even a mirror, let alone an AC,” says Sameer Dabra, a second-year student of English Honours from College of Vocational Studies (CVS). “Guys are found playing PUBG there most of the time.” Even where students have been given a provision of this seeming luxury, the condition of
these rooms is a sorry state of affairs, altogether.

“The common rooms are as good as non-existent! The management and the union, every election season make hollow promises to improve the ill-maintained rooms but it continues to remain in shambles,” confirms Kshitij Naagar, an English student in his first-year.

Representatives from the Students Union of St. Stephen’s were, unfortunately, were not available to comment. While CVS must be appreciated for their action towards student-centric ideologies, there is still a long way to go. As far as the other colleges are concerned, it is about time that they learned from CVS, Stephen’s, and the above-mentioned girls’ colleges, and respect basic human dignity by essentially normalising the process of giving students their rights.

Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Maumil Mehraj
[email protected]

auburn umbrella

Auburn Umbrella: How to Style Socks

By Maumil Mehraj April 6, 2019

Socks have evolved from warm and fuzzy utilities of winter to a veritable fashion statement. With celebrities sporting bold socks paired with their couture outfits, there is no reason why we should hold back.

In today’s market, where anything and everything is available if you look hard enough, it is not difficult to fall in love with that perfect pair of socks. Emboldened by the trends in the fashion industry – be it stylists, YouTubers and fashion bloggers, or our very own Ranveer Singh, we need not hesitate before letting it all out.

Now a lot of people might be confused about how to style socks. We are here to help with a few tips and tricks.Get socks in a similar, but not the same shade of shoes that you will be wearing. So, think of jeans that are folded a tad bit above the ankle, a pair of fawn-coloured boots, and dark-brown ankle socks poking their way through. You will have a whole westernised vibe going on. This is the initial, safe choice in your journey of making socks into an accessory.

The world is divided between if they like this trend or not. Some are all up for it, while others are repulsed. To be very honest, I, personally, belong to the latter category, but hey, just throwing another choice in your direction. Many fashion bloggers are big fans of wearing socks underneath their heels – stilettoes, peep-toes, or the good ole. If you feel like you are into that, by all means, go ahead.

I am a believer in looking good when you are chilling because it makes you feel good about yourself. Guys and girls, put on cute-looking socks over your pyjamas, not only will they keep you comfy, but that peek in the mirror will be all the more worthwhile.

Moderately daring, but outrageously bright, polka-dotted socks are a thing, people! Up the style and up the gumption and wear them with the most formal pieces of clothing you own, after all, you only live once!

Try sticking to breathable fabrics like cotton in these summer months to keep you comfortable. Explore all possibilities and see what works for you, and don’t let anyone, us included, govern your fashion choices.

Feature Image Credits: The Idle Man

Maumil Mehraj

More than a Dozen departments in Delhi University are being run Without Heads

By Maumil Mehraj March 31, 2019

In addition to this, around 4000 teaching positions vacant in various colleges of the varsity.

As many as 13 Departments of Delhi University (DU) are currently functioning without a permanent dean or head. This lack of a regulatory figure has led to a disruptment in the activities of the concerned departments.

According to Rajesh Jha, a member of DU’s Executive Council (EC), there are 13 departments that don’t have a dean or permanent head. Additionally, there are two more departments whose deans’ tenures have ended, but they are temporarily working as deans on the request of the University administration, as expressed by him on The Sunday Guardian Live.

“The University administration is reluctant to function in a normal manner; it comes up with strange anti-education initiatives, and is not taking care of the real needs of the university. There are 13 departments that don’t have a permanent dean or head. Nearly 20 DU colleges have no permanent principals. The funds allocated for various development works of the University are not being used properly,” Jha further added, speaking to the same news agency.

Works including research, among others, are getting affected due to this. Administrative works, too, naturally, are being affected. “The DU administration, mainly the Vice-Chancellor (VC), is reluctant to address these problems,” Jha complained.

According to the EC member, in the Faculty of Medical Science, posts of eight department heads are lying vacant; similarly, in the Faculty of Social Science, three posts of heads are vacant. The Faculty of Interdisciplinary and Applied Science and Faculty of Commerce have one post of head vacant in each center.

DU teachers have been, time and again, protesting for the appointment of administrative and teaching, but all has fallen to deaf ears since the University’s affairs are still being run in an ad-hoc manner. Nearly 4,000 teaching staff posts are vacant in the various colleges of DU and the teaching is being managed by ad-hoc teachers.

Every year, there is a steady increase in the number of students that DU houses, but it does not run the same way when it comes to staff. There is an imbalance between the ration of students and teachers; therefore, the standard of education is on a decline.

Image credits: DU Beat archives

Maumil Mehraj

DUB Speak

NSUI Members Halt Delhi Metro train at Vishwavidyalya; Protest metro Hike

By Maumil Mehraj March 6, 2019

Services on the busy Yellow Line came to a standstill when several of the members climbed down on metro tracks.

NSUI (National Students’ Union of India), Monday blocked the metro tracks at North Campus’ Vishwavidyalya station, protesting the incessant hike in metro fares. Several members of the Union protested, and the trains were stopped for 30 minutes.

The students raised slogans against Narendra Modi, and Arvind Kejriwal alike, claiming that the government at the State, as well as the Centre, do nothing but pass the blame on each other.

They are also protesting for the introduction for a students’ pass for the metro, as is the case with DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation).

The Delhi Congress then tweeted a video of the same protest and stating that NSUI’s Delhi President, Akshay Lakra led the group, and expressed the party’s support to the cause of their youth-wing. “They (the governments at the Centre and the State) have been a failure in handling the Delhi Metro and now they are inaugurating the Ahmedabad Metro,” Lakra held, “Until the approval is given for metro passes, the NSUI will keep protesting.”

Delhi NSUI in demand of the DU Students Metro Pass protested under the leadership of Delhi President Akshay Lakra in front of Vishvidhyalaya Metro Station & expressed their agitation by jumping in front of the Metro Train,Delhi NSUI has been opposing the increase in Metro Fares pic.twitter.com/DRRwKRwPWQ

— Delhi Congress (@INCDelhi) March 4, 2019

Even last year, NSUI had protested in a similar fashion to press for their demands. The members were later removed from the tracks and handed over to the police, and the train services restored.

Thirteen protesters were detained and brought to Kashmere Gate Metro police station. A case was registered against the members of the Congress’ student wing under relevant sections of the DMRC Act, 2002 and the hearing will take place in the Tis Hazari court on March 6, police confirmed.

When asked about the method of the protest, and the inconvenience caused, the NSUI said, “Our protest is peaceful and disciplined and we are waiting for a response from the authority. We have been trying to get in touch with Kailash Gehlot, the transport minister, and his refusal in meeting us forced us to take this step.”

Speaking to DU Beat, NSUI Media Secretary, Saimon Farooqui said that NSUI’s protest against the rising price of metro and demand for metro fare concession passes is a cause that will benefit the Delhi University student community. “We will continue our fight and protest again if the government does not fulfil our demands,” he added.

(With inputs from the Indian Express)

Image Credits: DU Beat archives

Maumil Mehraj

News

DUSU President Shakti Singh Burns the Pakistani Flag

By Maumil Mehraj March 5, 2019

The event was conducted to express solidarity with the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack.

In an Instagram video released after the day of the Pulwama attack in Kashmir, ABVP (Akhil Bhartiya Vidya Parishad) leader and DUSU (Delhi University Students Union) President, Shakti Singh is seen delivering a speech, following which there is a picture where he is seen burning the Pakistan flag.

The video is captioned, “now there will be no vow, there will be a battle. The war will be very gruesome”, and the comments that his followers have made support Shakti’s actions, lauding him for his bravery and nationalism.

Singh stared off expressing his sadness on the CRPF personnel’s death and then authoritatively, declared war on Pakistan.

Following the Lyngdoh Committee’s guidelines, Shakti had been promoted to the post of President when the erstwhile office holder Ankiv Baisoya’s degree from the Tamil Nadu University was declared counterfeit.

In the press release, ABVP listed several demands they had from the government. One of them was to ‘deal with’ the terrorist organisation Jaish e Mohammad (JeM) and Pakistan. They also instructed the centre to remove Article 370 that grants special status to Kashmir.

“We have seen Pakistan’s activities since independence. Every time it is Pakistan that is supporting terrorism. But they are not ready to accept,” said Miss Monika, National Media Convenor, ABVP, “We have continuously lost our defence persons because of terrorist attacks. And India has always proved their involvement by providing them with training and funds. ABVP is clear that end of terrorism is mandatory, and if war is the way out to end terrorism, then we are ready to support. But end of terrorism is mandatory in the nation and human welfare.”

When asked about the burning of Pakistan’s flag, she said, “At that moment the whole nation was in deep grief and completely saddened because of the Pulwama attack. It was simply a symbol of protest. A way to show our aggression.”

This, of course, does not answer the question of if the new, educated generation believes war, and not dialogue, to be a solution of ending international disputes.
Shakti Singh was contacted by DU Beat, but he did not give us his stance on the issue.

Featured Image Credits- Instagram/Shakti Singh ABVP

Maumil Mehraj
[email protected]

DU Begins Accepting Foreign National Applications for the Year 2019-20

By Maumil Mehraj February 27, 2019

The varsity offers over 500 programs at undergraduate and higher levels making it an appealing choice for foreign nationals for applying.

The application process for foreign nationals seeking admissions in Delhi University (DU) began on Friday, 22nd February. Applications are open for undergraduate, post-graduate, M.Phil, Ph.D, certificate, diploma, and advanced diploma courses.

All applications will be accepted through the official website for foreign students – http://fsr.du.ac.in/. At first look, the window looks almost exactly like the one which is made available for Indian students, however, the application fee is INR 1500, which is 10 times the normal remuneration.

The website details a comprehensive, four-step procedure that the prospective students are supposed to follow in order to apply. After having filled the online application form, they are to attach documents in accordance with the guidelines of the Foreign Students’ Registry (FSR). Hard-copies attested by the Embassy have to then be sent to the FSR by post.

Following is the scrutiny of the application, after which the applicant is informed via email. If selected, further documents, like the visa have to be arranged for. On reaching Delhi, the students check with the FSR, and that is the end of the procedure. “The process was very straightforward, and, from what I’ve heard, much less cumbersome than what DU students go through to get in,” is the opinion of Sam Halpert, a History Honors student at St. Stephens, who is an American resident.

The University also provides an International Students’ House for male students, located at Mall Road, for those who wish to stay there.

Times of India reports that that last year, DU received over 3000 applications. Most of these are from the sub-continent. Afifa, a first-year B.Com Honors student of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College hails from Afghanistan and says that an Indian education was, arguably, the best thing that happened to her, and something that would set her course for getting a better life.

Besides countries like Nepal, Afghanistan, Myanmar and the likes, DU also has students coming in from the US or UK. When asked why he chose to come to India when so many Indian students are trying to study in the US, Halpert listed several reasons. “I have been exposed to a much more monolithic depiction of India and wanted a deeper window into what factors shape Indian politics and the Indian economy. I am also betting on India playing a more important role in geopolitics in the coming years. While many Americans are turning their focus to China, I see India as a country that also deserves a closer look. Having a deeper understanding of India will be crucial to remaining a global power,” he said.

The difference in tuition fee is another appealing component to him. “Although I think I pay more than a national student, that is still less than what I pay in the US, especially coupled with the lower cost of living in Delhi.”

In any DU college the cut-offs are the basis on which admission is sought. But in case of foreign students, it is a centralised allotment on behalf of all the colleges of the University. “There is no cut-off. Instead the dean asks us to choose among some college according to our percentage. We can surely persuade them to give us better options,” says Vikalp Kashyap, a first-year B.Com Honors student.

Foreign students studying in DU is not just advantageous to them, but to the Indian student community as well, because it provides a wholesome, more global outlook.

Feature Image Credits: fsr.du.ac.in

Maumil Mehraj

auburn umbrella

Auburn Umbrella: How to Incorporate a Pheran in Your Wardrobe

By Maumil Mehraj February 27, 2019

Plausibly, the first question that would come to most people’s mind would be, ‘what exactly is a pheran?’ It is a long cloak-like tunic that is traditionally worn in Kashmir, in keeping with the spirit of winter and the subsequent provision of warmth.

These tunics are normally knee-length and worn by both men and women, however, the ones for women often have more handiwork, particularly around the neck, the cuffs, and the hemline. Traditionally, these garments are made of wool or tweed, but are now even stitched from cotton for warmer months. There is also a luxurious variant which had gold or silver embroidery (tilla) on it, and works especially well for the darker hours in the day.

However, warmth is not the only purpose it serves. Pherans have come up as a trendy, modernised version of their erstwhile self, and could be styled in multiple ways depending on the occasion. They could be especially useful for DU students in these winter months, because they are both stylish, and practical.

How to style it:

Worn with jeans: A simple pheran in colours like navy blue, black or brown would go wonderfully with a pair of jeans. If it is getting too cold, a sweater could be worn inside it.
With boots: Brighter colours like deep reds, or whites could be worn with woolen leggings over moto or ankle boots. The outfit looks very put-together and chic.
Styled with scarves: Scarves, especially bulkier ones, are great accessories for pherans. Experiment with colours which are outrageously contrasting with your pheran.
Hooded pherans: A close western substitute would be the hooded cape worn by Little Red Riding Hood. Hooded pherans might be difficult to find in Delhi, but, that by no means, should stop you from going to your tailors and asking for a custom-made pheran.

Where to shop:

Dilli haat: Dilli Haat has a good collection of pherans, with locals from Kashmir selling them. However, be sure to bargain with them.
Connaught Place: There are more than a few stores in CP which deal in Kashmiri Handicrafts, and have, among other things, Kashmiri pherans in stock this winter.
Online: Websites like kashmirkit.com have an abundant selection of pherans to choose from. Besides, there are third-party websites which also stock these garments.

Although some of these tend to be a little on the pricier side, but a pheran is a just investment, and will stay good as new for years.

Image credits: Mamanushka blog

Maumil Mehraj

Law Student Hits Teacher; Says He Made ‘Insensitive Remarks’

By Maumil Mehraj February 24, 2019

The student took the teacher to Maurice Nagar Police Station for his apparently anti-national comments in context of Pulwama attack, but the cops filed a case against him.

A guest faculty member at University of Delhi’s (DU) Law Faculty was allegedly assaulted by a student, namely Devendra Barala, citing the teacher’s ‘insensitive’ statement in reference to the death of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the recent Pulwama attacks.

Barala, a third-year student, has claimed that on the day of the Pulwama attack, he tried to show a video of the incident to the teacher outside the classroom. According to him, the teacher refused to watch it, claiming it to be propaganda material. “The professor said why feel sad for those who are there to die,” he alleged, also saying that the teacher held the same stance the next day.

According to The Times of India, Barala said, “The teacher told me that I should not be emotional. The army-men are dying in North-East and Jharkhand as well.” He mentioned that he took the teacher to the police station for his apparently anti-national comments, and wanted to get him arrested. What happened at the station, however, was different because the cops arrested Barala instead.

Contradicting Barala’s claims, the teacher, under conditions of anonymity, said that there was no truth in his statements. “He (the student) assaulted me and then dragged me to Maurice Nagar Police Station,” The distressed teacher further added, “However, I managed to file an assault case against him.”

The teacher claims that he had told the student to not pay heed to WhatsApp videos, as they are often fake, or part of propaganda. The video that the student wanted him to see was one of the numerous others that mushroom at sensitive times, where social media should be used with caution, and only accepted after thorough verification of the facts.

The teacher has filed a police complaint and Barala received a showcase notice from Joint-Teachers’ Consultative Committee on Friday, 22^nd February 2019, to explain his behaviour. Besides, Professor Ved Kumari, Dean of the Law Faculty has assured that a committee would be made to look into the matter.

The teacher said that Barala wanted his views on the attack, to which he condemned the attack. He also informed Barala that any act of terror was unjustifiable. “We must also criticise the government,” he added, which may have instigated the student to attack him and force him to the police.
DU Beat tried contacting the authorities, but they were unavailable to comment.

With inputs from The Times of India

Image Credits: University of Delhi

Maumil Mehraj