Sahiba Chawdhary, Author at DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

The National Science Fest will be organised by St. Stephen’s College on 24th, 25th and 26th January 2014. The event is being headed by the Students’ Union Society of the college, in collaboration with the Computer Science Society, Chemistry Society, Electronics Society, Photography Society, Environment Society, Debating Society and Quiz Club. The fest aims at offering a mix of competitive and academic activities. These range from a paper presentation to a treasure hunt.

Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar, Senior Secretary for NSF, says, “This year we present yet another edition of the Stephanian scientific extravaganza with many more electrifying events and a lot more enthusiasm to make this event memorable.”

First day brings an interdisciplinary triathlon of events with Debugging Electronicz, Paper Presentations and a Science Quiz. This trail of events continues to the second day with CYSAE (Competition for Young Scientists and Enthusiasts) and the Scientifik Exhibition.

Amal Jahan, General Secretary says, “We are expecting an overwhelming response given the trend that has been set for the past few years. Enormous energy and effort has been invested in planning NSF’14 to make it an interesting and exciting affair.”

The fest promises to pose ultimate challenges for the electronics enthusiasts with events like, “Debugging Electronicz” followed by the NSF talks where revered veterans like Dr. Prasanta Panigrahi and Dr. Patrick Dasgupta will talk about interesting topics such as Black Hole evaporation and Quantum Dots. The new twist to this year’s NSF is for the explorers with a scientific bent of mind with events like the Treasure Hunt.

For those consummate in rhetoric, Day 3 schedules the NSF Debate, with the motion “Whether parents should be allowed to choose the genetic composition of their kids!”

NSF ’14 is expected to conclude with the ‘Scientifik Exhibition’ wherein participants will be presenting posters and models on the topic “Innovative Practices for Conservation of Natural Resources”, which will be judged for the top spot by Dr. Kinkini Dasgupta, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

List of Events:

Day 1: 24th January, 2014

Opening Ceremony
NSF Talks

“Black hole evaporation and information loss problem” by Dr. Patrick Dasgupta
“The Fascinating World of Chemistry” by Dr. Subho Mozumdar

NSF Science Quiz
Debugging Electronicz
Paper Presentation

Day 2: 25th January, 2014

CYSAE (Competition for Young Scientists and Enthusiasts)
Scientifik Exhibition
NSF Talks

“Small Waves are Making Big Waves: Wavelets in Action” by Dr. Prasanta Panigrahi
“From Quantum Mechanics to Quantum Dots” by Dr. Sameer Sapra

Absurd Theory
Kapture Photography and Digital Imaging Event

Day 3: 26th January, 2014

NSF Debate
Treasure Hunt

For more information, you can visit www.nsf2014.wordpress.com or write to [email protected]

Note: DU Beat is the official media partner for NSF 2014.

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Lady Shri Ram College for Women

Hindu College emerges winner at LSR’s International Conventional Debate

By Sahiba Chawdhary January 10, 2014

The Annual LSR-Tashi International debate competition was organised by the Debating Society of Lady Shri Ram College For Women on 8th January, 2014. The annual event went international for the first time this year, with over 10 participating colleges from Delhi University, Trinity College Dublin and Durham University.

This year’s conventional debate was dedicated in the loving memory of Late Dr. Rena Sewak who left the Political Science and Debating Family of LSR last year. The debate was started with words of remembrance by the Principal, Dr. Meenakshi Gopinath who later acknowledged the presence of Dr. Sewak’s daughters to convey her respect.

Following the annual tradition, Tashi ’14 was sponsored by the Tashi Foundation and The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

With the motion of “This house believes that political correctness’s gain is discourses’ loss”, participants presented extensively researched arguments for and against the motion. The debate was judged by distinguished and established Delhi University alumna debaters- Sunil Tandon, Abha Adams and Ajay Mehra who later gave consequential feedback to the participants.

Urmi Tat, Secretary of the English Debating Society, LSR said, “The quality of debate was really good this year along with the feedback session that followed. It was a great learning experience for freshers as well as experienced debaters. We are thankful to our faculty for their constant support and backing to make this debate a success.”

Along with riveting arguments, the debate saw intriguing interjections by the participating teams, which led to enthralling replies and rebuttals. Hindu College’s Nomann Hasan and Vibhor Mathur won the debate taking home prize money of Rs. 20,000 with their arguments for and against the motion with preeminent examples to support their case. Eliza and Jessica Redman representing Durham University bagged the second place winning prize money worth Rs. 10,000.

On the international experience, “Format was really interesting, as we don’t get to debate as individual speakers back home, it is always a team competition. Most arguments were similar, but differently put. But it was an experience to debate in India as the debaters here are really good and make compelling arguments”, said Peter and Michael Kolman representing Trinity College Dublin.

The debate was closed by an interacting and thought-provoking feedback session by the judges who gave informative tips to improve and help enhance the quality of debating.

Image Credit: Mugdha for DU Beat

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Flicks

Movie Review: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

By Sahiba Chawdhary July 14, 2013

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a long daunting story of a true “life” of an Olympic world champion for whom life becomes a constant battle for survival. Milkha Singh, after being victimized by the Indo-Pak partition was wounded with scars which failed to heal with time.

The phenomenal director-producer Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra tries to give his audience a perfect flashback of the Flying Sikh, with the first half seeking to enlist the motivating factors for the protagonist- to run with a happy childhood in a proud family. Soon this life turns into a traumatic one of a refugee boy who wields a knife and becomes a coal thief. But the editing deficient flashback, takes a different turn with a captivating love affair with “Biro” (optimistically played by Sonam Kapoor) inspiring him to choose the right path in life. This leads him to join the army and eventually breaking an athletic world record at the 1960 Rome Olympics, giving him world prestige for the rest of his life. Instances of Milkha running, wounded and punishing himself after defeats are a constant reminder of the gutsy dream chaser aiming to get a national holiday named after him.

With moments of great inspiration, the film manages to pull its way through the second half with rigorous practice sessions on sets of Ladakh giving us a fine reminder of what made Milkha one of India’s most iconic athletes.

The film earns its title from Milkha’s father’s last words, “bhaag milkha bhaag” asking him to literally run for his life, making it the most patronizing memory of his life.

Eventually the well-intended biopic turns into a very detailed, exhausting 187-minute roll which lacks objectivity and turns into an overdose of melodrama. Soon you realize that the early years of the gangster mischief, the Australian affair, and meaningless songs are irrelevant and divert from the traditional pattern of a sporting biopic.

Farhan Akhtar pulls the snail-paced movie, with his convincing Punjabi accent, boorish physical presence, and tremendous commitment to his role as the Flying Sikh. Supporting roles of Milkha’s guides in his historic journey are portrayed convincingly by Pawan Malhotra and Yograj Singh.

As for the ratings, I will give the mouth-publicized flick 3 out of 5, as it is definitely a one-time watch for Farhan’s irreplaceable performance as an inspiring Milkha Singh- one that will go down in history.

In the run of daily life, take a stop to watch this mis-matched, much in need of editing film as you might end up taking a personal lesson back home.

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