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A Tribute to Gauri Lankesh: A Bullet Can Never Kill an Idea

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What can stop a mind which is devoid of fear? A mind which speaks the truth and a pen which nibs down the truth?

Three bullets which took the life of Gauri Lankesh try to tell us that they can do the same, they can even silence free voices. But the outrage afterwards – protests across the country and newspaper editorials – speaks of another story, which is the one I choose to believe.

Gauri Lankesh was a fearless journalist who opposed the communal and totalitarian politics of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and its twisted interpretations of Hinduism. She stood against the caste system, inequality, and gender discrimination. She was one of the most prominent free voices which criticised the government openly and fiercely, without any fear. She inherited a legacy of thought from her father which advocated giving a voice to the downtrodden and the oppressed, the majority of whose plight doesn’t reach the power corridors of the establishment.

In her life, she was a living example of a revolutionary mind. In a patriarchal society where the role of women is limited to working within the walls of the house, where they are not allowed to dream big, where they are still treated like the property of men and often face sexual violence both inside as well as outside the house, she was an independent woman who fiercely lived, breathed, and wrote critically of the establishment, unfazed. At a time when speaking against the government is traded for being anti-national and the space for dissent is ever-shrinking, she refused to bow down and until her last day, advocated for granting refugee status to the Rohingya Muslims. Her killing resembles the same pattern as that of M.M. Kalburgi, Narendra Dabholkar, and Govind Pansare. Even after huge public outrage, the snail-paced investigation in all these cases sends a clear message from the establishment.

The onus is on you. Will you listen?

If your answer is that of the ruling side, then you stand on the same side as the internet trolls, whose values are driven and encouraged by people whose rationale equates to superior quality garbage. In this case, I can see you taking this country towards an age of “unreason”, where holding power becomes the prerequisite and the sole validating agency of truth.

If your answer is on the other side, then we all stand together in this fight for freedom of expression and protection of the rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution. And we all stand together to inherit the legacy of the slain journalist, who took bullets for speaking what she wanted to.

 

Feature Image Credits: Scroll

Srivedant Kar
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Cluster Innovation Centre

Miscreants Stalk Female Students, Try to Beat up a Faculty Member who Comes to Their Defence at Cluster Innovation Centre

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In another incident of hooliganism on the University campus, miscreants tried to beat up a female faculty member who came to the defence of her students.

On 30th August 2017, two female students complained about constant harassment and gawking they were being subjected to by an outsider, who was coming to the Cluster Innovation Centre’s canteen for the last couple of weeks. After getting a complaint, one of the faculty member confronted the guy and asked him to not to avail canteen services on the grounds of the complaint and the fact that canteen is open only for CIC students, faculty and workers. The accused apologized and left the CIC premises.

Next day, on 1st September, a group of 7-8 people barged in the canteen despite clear restrictions of no outsider entry. When they didn’t leave after over an hour and intimidated the canteen workers, the canteen worker complained to the faculty. The faculty member, who confronted them a day before, asked them to leave again and within minutes the encounter became violent. The miscreants boasted about their authority aggressively and insulted the professor.

The miscreants also tried to beat up a student who tried to record the entire incident on his phone. “They were speaking to the professor very disrespectfully, so I stepped in and told them to tone down. They didn’t stop so I sneakily started recording them. One of the guys noticed and they came after me, started pulling my collar,” says the student who was assaulted by the miscreants. “Later the guys closed the canteen door and threatened the workers to not serve anyone,” says Lalit Bod, a student who was an eye witness to the incident.

The security guards who tried to save the student were also roughed up in the process of protecting the student. The miscreants left the spot after the incident and later returned with canes and lathis and tried to beat up the teacher. They were stopped by the students who were present at the spot and intervened to protect their teacher from getting beaten up. “While I was standing near the lobby, I saw these miscreants coming towards the teacher with lathis. Immediately I and some of my friends rushed towards him and overpowered him. Then we took him away from the teacher”, says Siddharth Nandan, one of the students who intervened to save their teacher. Later all the miscreants fled from the spot.

Delhi Police has taken cognizance of the offence and registered a FIR for the case. “A case has been registered and we are investigating the matter,” said Pradeep Narwal, DCP of North Delhi.

After the incident, the CIC administration has put up a notice banning everyone from the campus after 7 PM. This notice has put many students who used to stay till late evening to work on various projects and assignments at a problem. “We used to watch lectures and use internet facilities for our academic work. Now sadly, we have to suffer for the work of miscreants,” said one of the final-year students who did not wish to be named. “The administration should not restrict the students, it should rather curb the illegal entry of outsiders,” he said.

Meanwhile, teachers and students are hopeful that the administration will take up the issue with police, and ensure that the safety of the students is maintained on the campus. Prof. H.P Singh, the director of the centre, refused to comment on the issue.

Image credits: DU Beat

Srivedant Kar

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Niharika Dabral

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DUSU Elections 2017

In wake of the upcoming DUSU Elections, ABVP organises ‘Chatra Adhikar Rally’ at North Campus

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In the sunny afternoon of 30th August 2017 Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi (ABVP) organised a ‘Chattra Adhikar Rally’ at the north campus of Delhi University. The rally which was organised in the wake of the upcoming elections, ABVP pushed forward its demands for U-Special Buses, more hostels and supplementary exams from the administration.
The rally which was scheduled to begin at afternoon beginning at 1 PM. The rally started with the speeches by several supporters and activists. The crowd which was sparse at the beginning started growing in its size within an hour as individual candidates arrived with their supporters in large numbers. This was followed by speeches by the prime candidates who aspire to fight DUSU elections on an ABVP ticket. Amidst shouting of support slogans of candidates, some of them spoke about their plans for the upcoming year, if they win the elections. The major plank on which ABVP is going to fight the elections this year is hostels, U-Special buses and supplementary exams.
While speaking at the rally some leaders took the credit of drawback of FYUP as well as printing of statement of marks. Some of the candidates also highlighted that keeping anti-national forces out of the University would be their prime focus. A brief spell of rains in the middle of the event forced the supporters to seek shelter under roofs available nearby. As the rains paused, the rally begun from the arts faculty and proceeded through the Ramjas College and then passed through the arts faculty through the road in front of SRCC. The rally ended with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’.
Speaking to DU Beat, Saket Bahuguna-the national media convener of ABVP said “The rally was organised in the wake of elections. This coming out of students in large numbers is a wakeup call for the administration to fulfil our demands.”

Image credits: Srivedant Kar for DU Beat.
Srivedant Kar
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DUB Speak

Taking the ‘Students’ out of the Students’ Union

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A few months back, when stones rained from across roads and protesting students had to face the violence that was unleashed afterwards, the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU), found itself on the opposite side of the students. Rather than speaking for the victims, it was accused of siding with the perpetrators of the violence. This was in stark contrast to the history of the student body, when the Union which was dominated by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) stood against the hooliganism of Youth Congress workers during the Emergency era of  the 1970s. The Union which once stood to protect the freedom of expression has been accused of suppressing it after four decades.

In the days after the Ramjas incident, several programmes across different colleges and departments were cancelled or censored in the fear of instigating  violence. When fests born out of the year-long work of students were cancelled, the Union, rather than coming forward to ensure peace and security of the students, went ahead to side with those who stood for censorship and prohibited certain plays from being performed.

The faculty at University of Delhi (DU) is witness to several student-led initiatives which grew into major forces in the country. The Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was one of those forces which grew hugely within this University. In recent years, several initiatives like the Pinjra Tod Movement and the hostel accommodation movement have grown within this campus. However, the Union, rather than being a facilitator, has been found on the opposing side of these movements.

All these arguments lead us to ask a simple question: Is the regular ‘student’ of the University represented as a part of the Students’ Union?

Institutionally, yes. Every student who is a part of the University pays a nominal fee every year which goes towards the day-to-day functioning of the Union and its budget.

But numbers speak a different story. Through a small analysis on the voting pattern in the University, it can be seen that the overall voting percentage is falling. An ordinary student of the University, who is excited about fests and worried about examinations, has seen an erosion of her or his interest in the election process. This eroding of trust should be a major concern for both the Union and the University. It indicates a potential lack of representation, which leads to increasing the distance between the students and the administration.

While student unions across the world are challenging conventions by fighting repression and standing for equal rights, the largest student union of our country stands on the path of losing its basic student character. This distancing movement of the Students’ Union from the students should be curtailed at the earliest. A misrepresented Union not only fails to serve its democratic purpose, but also leads to a large-scale failure to address problems which might flare up in the form of tensions among the administration and the very people whom it is meant to serve, the students.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat 

Srivedant Kar
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Admissions 2017

Everything you want to know about Delhi School of Journalism

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After months of wait and with the admissions season nearing its end, it’s spring time for aspirants of the Delhi School of Journalism. After going through much stress through the bureaucratic conveyer belt, Delhi School of Journalism has finally begun the journey towards its inception. In a press conference held on 23rd August, the chairman of the standing committee on admissions declared the opening of registrations for the coveted course. Let’s take a look at the details of the program on offer.

Course Structure

The course is a five-year integrated course with an exit option at the end of three years. The program will be offered in two different mediums: Hindi and English. It would include four foreign languages as well two Indian languages. The student has to select one foreign language and one Indian language for the course.

The course is designed as per the CBCS scheme. The five-year course will span across 28 Core courses, 2 Compulsory and 2 elective AECC courses, 4 GE courses, four DSEs and a dissertation. The student will be graded on an equal weightage scale with 50% of the credits from Classroom lectures and 50% of credits from assignments, projects and internships.

Career Training

Students will be encouraged to undertake internships at reputed media organisations. The centre plans to have a career and placement cell which will facilitate the internships and campus placements. A special provision has been made wherein the Industry experts conduct workshops or interact with the students.

Admissions Requirements

All the students who have passed class 12th with at least 50% are eligible to apply for the entrance test. The national level entrance test will examine the candidate’s proficiency in General Knowledge and Current affairs, Analytical and Comprehension Skills. Only Sixty students each will be admitted into the course for Hindi and English respectively with regular reservation rules followed by the University.

The entrance test would be held on 17th September 2017 with 9 AM to 11 AM being the test timing for English while 2 PM to 4 PM will be the test time for Hindi. The reiteration fees for the entrance is Rs.500 for General and OBC category while its Rs.250 for SC, ST and PWD category.

Fees and Scholarships available

The fee breaks up for the course as Rs. 39,500 for the first semester and Rs.28,000 for the second semester. Along with the refundable caution money of Rs. 10,000, every student has to pay Rs.77,500 per year.

The toppers of the entrance exams (One each from English and Hindi), toppers of every semester exams and students coming from the remotest part of the country will be provided with scholarships. The School also aims to provide financial aid to 25% of the students on the basis of merit cum means.

Location and Infrastructure

The campus of the School of Journalism is located in the ground floor of the University Stadium building which also houses the Cluster Innovation Centre. The building is fully air conditioned and a state of art media lab cum studio is also in planning for the school.

University Facilities

The students of the School are entitled to use the University Library. The school also provides hostel facilities to outstation students, however, the hostel seats are quite limited.

Although after months of deliberations the Delhi School of Journalism has taken off into the realisation phase, only time will be the perfect judge of its success.

For more information regarding the admissions, fees, FAQs and other details you can visit the website of the School of Journalism here.

 

Image Credits: Srivedant Kar for DU Beat

 

Srivedant Kar

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DUB Speak

Protest Culture: The best lesson that you’ll learn in your time at Delhi University

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A true democracy is where everyone is equal. The one who sits on the chair and the one who stands below have equal rights and powers. This equality comes when everyone has the right to question those in power. This makes the authority accountable to people and also allows those who don’t hold any position of power demand the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution. In the Indian scenario, where questioning elders is deemed as disrespect, a majority of the country never learns this art of critical thinking which is essential for the soul of every democracy to survive on.

The University of Delhi (DU) is considered as one of the most politically active campuses in the country. Every other day, you can find a protest, gathering or a rally for various reasons in its north campus. This protest culture of the University offers a lot to learn from the students. These protests not only gather support for various demands but also become an important chapter in your learning process. It teaches you how to question authority and how to register dissent in person or as a community. This lesson further helps you to speak your mind and share your thoughts without any fear of authority.  Regardless of the immediate goal at hand, be it high hostel fees or poor infrastructure, it trains you to be proactive against larger issues throughout your life.

These protests also instil in you the courage to fight and the resilience to survive opposition from systemic forces. Many a time, people face oppression because the victim either lacks the courage or the knowledge required to speak up. This courage won’t just help you grow as a leader but also helps you in articulating your opinions on public platforms. Be it in corporate boardrooms or political meetings, courageous leaders are the need of the hour today. Given the history of the University, some student protesters such as Arun Jaitley and Shashi Tharoor have grown up to become senior politicians in the country. The ability to stand up for what you believe in determines your position in the society.

Be it the case of adhocism of teachers, a fake encounter in a Naxalite area or the plight of Syrian refugees, every major injustice, be it local or global is highlighted through protests in the University.

Today, as incumbent governments across countries are cracking down on dissent and vilifying the protest culture as ‘anti-national’, the time requires you to learn how to protest more than ever before. The next time you see a protest or find an invitation regarding something you feel strongly about, make it a point to participate. By staying silent or avoiding protests you are killing someone who is most important to your future, the leader inside you.

 

Srivedant Kar

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Arts & Culture

On Independence Day, this Army of Young People Worked All Day to Feed One Million Stomachs

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As we all celebrate the 70th year of freedom, a youth organisation is all out to battle the biggest threat to our population – hunger. The Robin Hood Army (RHA), an organisation of professionals, students, and mostly youth volunteers, works to feed the hungry every day.

The Robin Hood Army is a team of volunteers who collect surplus food which would otherwise go waste from restaurants and distributes it to the poor and homeless. In the last three years, this passionate team of individuals from different walks of life has served food to over 2.1 million people across 41 cities.

On the eve of Independence Day, they launched a campaign to fight hunger. #Mission1Million, which the Robin Hood Army calls its ‘largest war against hunger’ – aims to bring together the private sector and civil society to feed one million hungry people this Independence Day in both India and Pakistan. #Mission1Million aims to collect and facilitate a million meals that will go to orphanages, old-age homes, the homeless, and even the patients in hospitals.

The major idea behind this unprecedented project was to raise awareness about the national hunger problem (more than 200 million hungry). As a part of the initiative more than 10,000 ‘Robins’ will manage the operations across 41 cities across India and Pakistan.

Speaking to News18, Aarushi Batra, co-founder of the Robin Hood Army, said, “As the youth of our nation, it is imperative that we take the onus, stop blaming the state for everything, and use our skills and collective network to make a real difference.”

RHA works only through partnerships and volunteers and doesn’t take any donation or funds.

Meanwhile, a large number of DU students join the organisation every year. “The learning benefit and the social, as well as EQ that we learn, is a boon for us,” says Samikshya Samantaray who works as a volunteer at RHA. “The self-satisfaction of working for the underprivileged and giving something back to the society is invaluable,” she adds.

During previous I-Day celebrations, RHA undertook two campaigns – Mission100K in 2015 and Mission500K in 2016 – and the response was massive. They shot past their target, as volunteers from all parts of the nation contributed to the initiative.

You can be a Robin too. To join Robin Hood Army, click here and follow the details.

 

Srivedant Kar

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DUB Speak

Your Next Three Years, Defined by Your Next Three Weeks

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The University of Delhi is undoubtedly a breeding ground for personal growth. For 60,000 students each year, the central university becomes a new home, out of which students leave as the best versions of themselves. This is not the work of solely DU itself, though – it requires students to make the best of what the University has to offer.

Delhi University is most popular for its numerous societies. Whether performing or non-performing, these societies usually hold their auditions in the first couple weeks of August. While they may be daunting, auditions are one of the best ways to get out of your comfort zones, especially right out of school. They also work as a quick method of getting to know both your seniors and your peers and finding a group of people who are passionate about the same things as you. College is about exploring and growing – whether that’s excelling in a field you’re already experienced in or going out of your way to developing a new skill. Many a time, your fellow society members will go on to become your friends for life.

These friends are, of course, as diverse as they come. As a DU professor once said, “During our times, classrooms were mostly filled with students who came from Delhi itself, but now every classroom is a picture of Pan-Indian culture.” It is likely that your class has a substantial composition of students who aren’t from the same background or region as you. This diversity gives you a special window into the different parts – and more importantly, the different people – of India. Make an effort to befriend them. You’ll definitely learn about the diversity our country offers, but in addition to that, there’s a good chance you’ll also get to enjoy the cuisines and cultures of other states.

The next three weeks are when you’ll probably pick your college friends and stick with them during your time in DU. As we know, a man’s friends define who he is. The people whom you will choose will play a huge role in influencing your life decisions for the next three years. In both your difficult times and happy moments, they will become your family. They say we can’t choose our family, but college is when lifelong friendships are made. Choose wisely and you’ll have a new, handpicked family in merely a few years.

When it comes to growth, we can’t forget about the sudden shock that college gives you. Prescribed books, reference books, guides, sample question papers, and everything else that previously made your academic journey a set road are now a thing of the past. Xerox readings, partial syllabus coverage, and delayed exam results reflect the sad state of higher education in our country, but on the other side also give you an opportunity to build your skills of self-reliance and forge a personality that seeks success on self-efforts. So when DU gives you a hard time, use it to hone your confidence and spontaneity.

With two weeks of college already completed, make the most out of the coming days to make your mark. Get ready to embrace Delhi University – it’ll be your home before you know it.

ImageDesign by Kartik Kakar for DU Beat

Srivedant Kar

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Vineeta Rana

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Admissions 2017

Delhi University declares Schedule for 7th Cut Off

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In a recent press release, Delhi University has declared the schedule for the seventh cut off for admissions to its undergraduate courses.  The seventh cut off for merit based admissions will be declared on 27th July, the admissions for which will take place on 27th and 28th July. Although a majority of the seats for admissions have been filled, still some few seats remain for grabs in a few colleges of the University.

University will also declare two more cut offs for NCWEB. The sixth cut off which will be declared on 27th July will admit students on 27th and 28th July whereas the seventh cut off list will be declared on 1st August, the admissions for which will happen on 1st and 2nd August.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, while Shyam Lal college has the highest number of courses open for admissions several most sought after colleges have already closed their admissions.

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Image credits: www.du.ac.in

Srivedant Kar

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Admissions 2017

Admissions date extended, DU to declare sixth cut off and a special drive for reserved categories to fill remaining seats

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In a recent press release published in the University website, Delhi University (DU) has extended the date of admissions based on the fifth cut off till 20th July 2017, i.e-today. Students who couldn’t take admissions in any college due to various reasons can take admissions in colleges today.

After 20th July 2017 , he admissions for the fifth cut off list would be closed.  This would be followed by the sixth cut off which would be announced on 22nd July 2017. Admissions for the same would commence from 22nd July to 25th July. The admissions would be announced for all categories and admissions will take place on all other days except for Sunday.

According to the new release, every student who had registered for admissions for the session 2017-18 with the University and had failed to take admissions in earlier lists due to various reasons will be eligible for admissions in the sixth cut off.

Meanwhile the University has also planned to start a special drive for admissions in the reserved categories. This drive which would take place from 31st July to 5th August would include all the reserved category admissions like SC, ST, OBC, PwD, CW, Kashmiri Migrants and Sports.

While the orientation of some colleges have already taken place, but many other colleges have their orientations lined up for today as the academic season begins. While most of the seats for UG courses have been filled, the University is still in the process to finishing with the Post Graduate admissions which has led to several doubts, if the University would succeed in beginning its new academic season from 20th as declared in its academic calendar.

 

Srivedant Kar

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