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Raghav Chopra

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BMS Entrance Exam to be scrapped? Here’s why that’s a bad idea

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A recent edition of a national daily, along with rumors being circulated in Delhi University, reported that the next major change DU is ready to implement is the abolition of the entrance exam for Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) from the next academic session. The proposal, if seen through, would render the admission process of BMS the same as most other commerce based courses, largely class 12th Board Exam percentage driven.

Last year, following the implementation of the Four Year Degree Program, Delhi University revamped a lot of its course structures. Some courses were completely done away with. The implementation of BMS was a result of one such policy decision. DU combined three of its most sought after management degrees, BBE (Bachelor of Business Economics), BFIA (Bachelor of Financial and Investment Analysis) and BBS (Bachelor of Business Studies) to form BMS. Adding fuel to the frenzy surrounding its implementation, the colleges offering this course were also changed. And now, the entrance test is being considered for cancellation.

This decision, if seen through, can prove to be a major setback. The whole purpose of having an entrance exam was to test the basic logical and analytical abilities of a student opting to pursue a career in management. Removing the entrance exam and admitting students solely on their board result is the same as having IIT and AIIMS remove their exams also, the flimsy logic being that students are anyway taught everything once they enter, so why test if they fit the course or not. The one logic that eludes me is that if a degree in management is the same as any other field in commerce, then why teach this degree program at all? The students might as well be taught Economics or Mathematics as their main subjects.

In hindsight, the one blunder DU has already committed, in addition to implementing FYUP, is the abolition of the previously held group discussion round in the BMS admission procedure, on the premise that group discussions don’t really point out a students ability to become a good manager. Being able to sit in a diverse crowd and still make your point is in fact the very definition of the quintessential CEO.

For what it’s worth, the existing procedure does subject students to a personal interview round, thereby requiring that the candidate has a more holistic personality, rather than just the super power to cram up piles of books and blurt them out on empty sheets. But apparently, that is also being abolished. But on what grounds? That a good manager does not even need to have basic skills of being able to address a stressful situation?

The plan, if implemented is yet another debacle in the long list of controversial moves that DU is very unapologetically making.

Illustration by Mehr Gill for DU Beat

Update (20th May): Entrance exam for BMS will be held in 2014 as well. Read this article for further details.

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DUB News

MTV India and DU Beat come together for the politically empowered youth

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With the general elections just around the corner (April 2014), the involvement of youth in Indian politics, or lack thereof, is an issue that needs immediate attention. Being aware of politics is one thing and being politically conscious is another. To address this question among the youth, MTV India has come up with a campaign ‘MTV India Rock The Vote’ to understand the political mindset of India’s future and proactively encourage them to be a part of the system, at least fulfill their obligation and exercise their right to choose the next head of the country. The Campaign, which started with MTV promoting the cause on its various media platforms, both with celebrities and the youth, has now spread its wings. DU Beat has joined MTV’s endeavor to make the youth understand the urgency of the hour and the need for them to be a part of the most important aspect of the country- its Government.

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The Campaign kicked off in December 2013. Through its inceptive weeks, MTV took the campaign to various youth- centered platforms including college fests, events etc. They have also used their brand power to bring together various personalities through web and TV episodes, who pledge to ‘Rock the Vote’ this year and have their voices heard.

With a tongue in cheek tagline ‘Dabao na… Button’, Rock The Vote emphasizes on the idea that if you don’t vote to affect the system, you can’t complain when the system wrongs you. The campaign also guides you as to how to go about the entire electoral process, including getting a voter ID made. Visit their website for more information!

Through our association, DU Beat plans to take the campaign to its core- The youth. We plan to reach out to the empowered DU student and promote awareness and political participation this April along with understanding and attempting to develop the mindsets that they have with regards to the Indian political system.

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Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies

Sunburn concludes SSCBS’ Crescendo 2014

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After the first day featuring a range of dance competitions along with the Bollywood night, the second and final day at Crescendo – the Annual cultural fest of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (SSCBS) ended with a bang. On the 11th of March, the day started with Octaves – the music competition comprising five categories and culminated with Sunburn.

The results for Octaves were as follows:

Battle of The Bands – The Hansraj Projekt (1st position), SSCBS’ Dhwani (2nd position) and Conundrum – (P.G.D.A.V based alternative rock band) (3rd position)

Western Music (Group) – Lady Shri Ram College for Women’s Western Music Society (1st position), Kamala Nehru College’s  Zephyr (2nd), SSCBS’ Dhwani and Sri Venkateshwara College’s Crescendo (3rd position)

Western Music (Solo) – Shreya Adhikari from Sri Venkateshwara College (1st position), Chong Norbu Sherpa from Aurobindo College(2nd position) and Abhilasha Sinha from Lady Shri Ram College for Women and Nirupan Sihna from Hans Raj College (3rd position)

Indian Music (Group) – Daulat Ram College’s Ahalya and Sri Venkateswara College tied on the first position followed by Kamala Nehru College’s Sangeetika  placed at the second.

Indian Music (Solo) – Shreya Adhikari from Sri Venkateswara College was adjudged the best singer.

The day progressed with various informal events like Rangoli making and the English Sitcom Quiz. To add to the cheer and put a befitting end to the high-energy fest, Sunburn performed for the rest of the evening. Post a few security glitches of the previous day, the security was tightened and entry was strictly regulated to prevent the situation from getting out of control. Inside the main stadium, Sunburn put up it’s set up, complete with LCDs, LEDs and spotlights to give the entire fest the feel of an authentic concert. The concert started on schedule and witnessed sunburn’s signature electric music. The invigorated reception it received sealed it as a success.

An elated and tired Saumya Shoor, one of the crescendo organisers had the following to say, “The kind of response we have gotten is truly is heartening. We had some high expectations to match this time. And with the amount of work we put in, we are glad that the event was received so well.”

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DUB Speak

The Ultimate Mid-Semester Break Checklist

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It is that time of the year again! The one-week that keeps you from dropping out of college every semester and considering the Indian Film Industry as your calling. It is the mid semester break! 10 days of early noon mornings and late night phone calls, ones that don’t involve you fretting over an assignment due the next day. Although your colleges have done a fine job at making sure you don’t have too much time to do pretty much anything else other than their own assignments (and projects and practical files!), the mid-sem break is the perfect time to rouse those latent hobbies and interests that can keep you from dropping out, till the next mid sem. If you’re having trouble remembering those, here’s some help:

Pick Up a hobby: When was the last time you thought of learning the guitar? Yesterday. When was the last time you did something about it? Never! Well then, no time like the present. And why just the guitar? Pick up that old box of paints, or that old French book, or that dusty skateboard. Believe me you’re still young enough to pick up something and start afresh.

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Try Some New Eating Places: If you’re a food fanatic, then you have some serious catching up to do. With hundreds of new places opening up and your college sucking up all your time, you have been missing out on some superb places. (Refer to our DU Dhaba section, if you need help)

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Complete an entire T.V Show Season: Although it might just be the most unproductive use of a day, but you need those days too! Pick a new T.V. show or a new season of an old one and spend the entire day in front of your T.V., in the comfort of your bed. The profound satisfaction of wasting an entire day after days of running around is well worth the little effort.

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Watching an entire season in a day

 

Make your resume, or start thinking of it: This isn’t exactly holiday time agenda, but the best time to think over grave issues like these would be the holidays. Pick up your resume and start punching holes. We all know what we want to do and how to get there. So start thinking of the future plan of action.

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Filling out a resume

Becoming best friends with your sweatpants: Let’s be real. A week of no college is bound to be spent on the bed, in front of the TV and/or with a bowl of edible items. But all these activities can be performed wearing the most comfortable attire in the world- The Sweatpants. So, this break become besties with your sweats and have a great week.

sweatpants

 imagecourtesy: Tumblr.com

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Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies

SSCBS’ Crescendo Day 1: Western dance, debating and more

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Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (SSCBS) concluded the first day of its annual fest- Crescendo. The event, being held in Talkatora stadium, kick started on 10th March with various cultural events being held simultaneously. The highlights of the day included a photography debate, an entertainment quiz, Snakes and Ladders and the western dance competition.  In addition, a knock out debate was conducted.  unique themed debate in which the one who lost the debate was eliminated and the winner then debated with a new debater till only one person was left.

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Sri Guru Gobind Singh College’s Misbah performing at SSCBS’ Crescendo. | Image Credit: Vishal Soni

The real attention grabber was Encore, the Inter College Dance competition, which saw societies converging from the entire university. The stage was set up in the indoor stadium with audience cheering to the invigorated dances. IIT Delhi’s We Defyn took away the numero uno position and a cash prize of Rs. 8,000. Jesus and Mary College’s Mudra stood second and won Rs. 5,000. Sri Venkateshwara College’s Verve received a special mention for their performance.

Akshay from Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce emerged victorious in ‘How I Quizzed Your Mother’. The second and third positions were occupied by Udit and Umang and Sahil and Nimit. Both the teams were from SSCBS.

Shaurya Upadhyay of Hans Raj College won the one on one knock out debate, adjudged the best debater by Madhav Mittal, a third year debater from Kirori Mal College. Vibhuti from Kirori Mal College and Udayylok Bangbash from Hindu maintained the longest unbeated streak, each defeating four opponents.

The day ended with a Bollywood Night featuring a DJ playing Hindi songs in the indoor court, late into the evening.

Featured Image Credit: Vishal Soni

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S.G.T.B Khalsa College

Swami Shraddhanand champions at Khalsa’s T20 Cricket Tournament

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S.G.T.B Khalsa organized it’s annual cricket tournament- 2nd Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fatesingh T20 Cricket Tournament. The cricketing event commenced on February 10 and it’s finals were held on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. One of the biggest cricket tournaments of the University, it saw participation of 12 teams from across colleges. The event was declared open by Bishan Singh Bedi on February 10. Its finals, saw Swami Shraddhanand (SSN) College emerge as winners against M.K. Group. The former set a target of 182 which the latter lost by 18 runs.

The winning team got a total cash prize of Rs.1,00,000 and the runner’s up took home Rs. 50,000. The finals and the award ceremony was attended by Cricketers Ajay Jadeja and Ajit Jadeja and Mr. Jitendre Lal, member Gujrat Chamber of Commerce. International Cricket Umpire, K. Hariharan, was also present at the event.

Krishnaraj Lal, Vice President, Khalsa, had the following to say, “As a student of such a prestigious college, it’s an honor to be a part of the Union. Mr. Jadega’s father served as an MP from my city, Jamnagar for 5 terms. So having Mr. Ajay Jadeja here is an even greater privilege. We are glad to have pulled off this event. Between juggling Lashkara (Khalsa’s Cultural Fest) and creating a bigger and better tournament, it has been nothing less than a challenge”.

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DU Dhaba

Food Review: Cha Bar- Oxford Bookstore

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Books, Brownies and Beverages…

What more can a human being want?

If you are of a similar ideology, then Cha Bar is the place for you. Located in N block, Cannaught Place, opposite Statesman House, Cha Bar redefines the concept of Book Cafes. Opened inside Oxford Bookstore, the entrance has a graffiti made with bent tube lights and a showcase with a few coffee table books. The chamber opens into Cha Bar on the right and Oxford bookstore spread over in some 200 sq. yards. The place has books on every possible genre and the most comfortable and alluring places to sit and shuffle through them. Long with books, movies and magazines, it also has a few handmade items like diaries, wrapping papers, photoframes etc.

Cha Bar2

Cha Bar runs along the right hand corner of the bookstore. This small, intricately designed café can seat about 35 people at a time and has some excellent options for a quick bite. The food isn’t permitted into the main bookstore but if you order non greasy food and are nice enough, they may be willing to serve at the back where wooden benches have been placed for the ones who prefer to just read and not buy.

The food is more of salads and sandwiches. It also has beverages and desserts on the menu. If your going their for the first time and confused by the wide choices, you may want to go for the cottage cheese and panini sandwich along with five spiced cookies for dessert. They wont disappoint you.

Cha Bar1

Along with an excellent ambience, good service and superb crowd, the place is refreshingly affordable and doesn’t make you think twice. An elaborate meal for two, complete with dessert and beverage will cost well below a grand.

In conclusion, this is the place to spend a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Image Credit: Greta Khawbung for DU Beat

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Campus Central

Manthan magic continues

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Usually, Verve’s plays manage to create an emotional stir among its audience. Mehul Gupta, one of the spectators had the following to say,  “Usually Verve’s plays leave you reeling in contemplation. This year’s play had a very pertinent theme. Beautifully acted and strung.” After performing at Dilli Haat, Jantar Mantar, Green Park and Moments Mall, the last week of the street theatre fest shall feature performances at M Block GK Market, Shadipur and Vishvidyalaya metro station, with a closing act at India Gate. To track performance schedule during Manthan, click here.]]>

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Flicks

Movie Review: Gunday

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Centered on the time when Bangladesh was formed, Gunday delves into the lives of Bikram and Bala, two refugees who came to India hiding in a coal train. YRF’s first big release of the year hopes to break the wave of flops in the first quarter. The film stars Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor in the lead. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, its music has been composed by Sohail Sen.

The movie starts with Bikram and Bala, two 10 year old ‘Indians’ stranded in Bangladesh. Two kids who were a few days from perishing from hunger end up being gun peddlers for a local corrupt officer. A murder, an illegal train ride back to India and a failed attempt at a job later, these 10 year olds start selling stolen coal. A few years later, two refugees have their hands in every shred of illegal business in Kolkata. Life seems to have settled. They have money, respect and fame. Enter Nandita (Priyanka Chopra), Kolkata’s most beautiful cabaret dancer. And as every film with 3 protagonists goes, a love triangle ensues.

A friendship that was unbreakable is cracked by a common love interest. What follows is a tangled web of betrayal, revenge, violence and redemption. Without revealing the plot completely, here are a few reasons this film is worth a watch:

1. The Bromance

Gunday recreates the friendship that reminds you of the likes of Jai-Veeru.

2. Priyanka Chopra

For all the PC fans, Priyanka is not just a treat to the eyes but her acting is perfect for a 70s heroine.

3. The absence of mindless violence

For the first time in a long time an action movie has more to offer than just aimless fighting and people flying around a hero.

4. Revisit the 70s India

Although the 70s have been over exploited with the plethora of mediocre films (remember ‘Once Upon A Time and its sequel), Gunday is a fresh take at the same old story.  Music- Except for ‘Tune Maari Entriyaan’, Gunday’s music is easily forgettable.

Editor’s Note: This is more of the disclaimer – the author of this review is a huge admirer of Priyanka Chopra.

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Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies

Manthan 2014: Annual street theatre festival of SSCBS begins

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‘In the Circle of Life, Struggle goes on…’

Verve, the street play society of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, is back with yet another installment of its much-celebrated street play festival- Manthan. First held in 2008, Manthan began with the hope to honor the true spirit of street plays with an endeavor to raise voices on matters plaguing Indian society. A few years later, with its core spirit still alive, Manthan has evolved into a National Festival bringing together street play societies from across the country under the aegis of Verve.

The theme of the event is to bring young minds and youth determination together in an attempt to alter regressive norms and make way for change. It is an instrument of spreading mass awareness regarding various social issues, that demand immediate attention and broaden the ideologies of citizens across the country, through performances in NGOs, schools and various public places.

 

Post by Manthan.

 

This year Manthan plans to expand its reach and cover over 50 colleges, in  15 cities including Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh and Jaipur. Manthan has introduced the Manthan Leaders Programme, recruiting 50 Manthan Ambassadors from across the nation.
Streetplay societies of different colleges will perform in their respective cities while Verve, along with various others from DU, takes on Delhi. A fortnight long Festival, Manthan started on February 10, 2014 at Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies and finally concludes on Feb 28. Performances are scheduled in prominent places in the capital like Jantar Mantar, Dilli Haat INA and Select Citywalk.

Non-competitive in nature, the festival plans to bring the leaders of tomorrow together to chime for change. And as they put it, watch out for the roars of revolution in the streets!

View entire event schedule here.

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