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Discussions around "HR and The Workplace Revolution" at DSE

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Student Development Cell of the MBA (Human Resource and Development), Delhi School of Economics (DSE) organized its annual event, HR Symposia 2014 on 30th-31st October 2014. An initiative under The Department of Commerce, D-School, this event was held at The Institute of Life Long Learning, North Campus, University of Delhi. Distinguished speakers, who were primarily HR executives from companies like Samsung, Jindal Steel and Power and Lanco, to name a few, were invited to address an audience of aspiring HR professionals on the theme, “HR and The Workplace Revolution.”

Day 1

On Day 1, Sahil Ramchandani, a member of Student Development Cell delivered the welcome speech. To start with the session, N. Suresh Kumar, Business HR Head and Senior Manager HR of Lanco Power Ltd. spoke on “HR Analytics”. This was followed by a session on “The Rise and Staying Power of Virtual Teams” by Jappreet Sethi, Managing Partner of Idea Katalyst Ventures. The first day ended with Chief People Officer (Zee Media), Geetanjali Pandit Gupta addressing the students. Ms. Gupta’s session revolved around the topic“Talent Mobility: 2020 and Beyond”.

“It was great to see the enthusiasm of all the participants on Day 1. The highly charged atmosphere at the session was stimulating enough to help all the students learn and grow”, said Shailja Singhal, the event Convenor.

Day 2

“Social media is a boon for HR because it helps the future employer gauge the true personality of the prospective employee, by watching her or his footprints on Facebook and Twitter etc.” – Dr. Deepak Malhotra

Day 2 began with the first lecture being delivered by Dr. Deepak Malhotra, PhD, Vice President HR, IL&FS Environmental Infrastructure and Service Ltd. He spoke at length to the students on ‘Leadership, Social Media & HR and the Road-Ahead for Gen Y’. He highlighted the importance of social media in the HR workspace, the point which all the participants found interesting.

Second lecture by Amulya Sah, Head HR, Samsung R&D Institute was on the topic – ‘Soaring High: How to be successful in life?’ His personality, which according to the audience was vivacious and charming, enraptured them all. His presentation was interactive, with a large dose of humour very cleverly camouflaged into it. He imparted essential life lessons, which, in hindsight, seem universally applicable. Some of these were ‘grow up and be real’, ‘don’t expect a genie for yourself’, ‘set big and scary goals’, and ‘be passionately curious’.

For the final lecture, there was a last minute replacement. Rajeev Bhadauria, Director Group HR, Jindal Steel and Power could not attend the seminar and so, Dr.Prabhu Aggarwal, Chief Learning Officer, Jindal Steel and Power very kindly offered to interact with the students instead. Lack of prior intimation did not permit him to deliver a specific lecture. However, he converted the seminar session into an engaging Q&A session, where he invited questions from the students in the audience. He spoke about the immense opportunities in the United States of America, India’s need to invest in its higher education curriculum and the crucial role that private universities of India can play to improve the quality of workforce.

The event was thoroughly enjoyed by the students of MBA (HRD). Sitanshu Tiwari, a first year student of MBA(HRD) says, “ HR Symposia always provides us with a great learning avenue. This year too, the speakers gave us valuable inputs that we can apply to the career we hope to pursue in the future.”

The event culminated with an address by the Student Development Cell, the organizers for HR Symposia 2014. Divya Gupta, a senior member of the SDC thanked her team for their support and effort and signed off by declaring HR Symposia, 2015 ‘open’.

Feature Image Credits: Student Development Cell, Delhi School of Economics

Kriti Sharma [email protected]

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DUB Speak

Beyond The Obvious: Motilal Nehru College

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Motilal Nehru College(also known as MLNC or MNC), part of the south campus of The Delhi University is situated next to Ramlal Anand College and 1.8 Km away from Venkateshwara College and the bustling Satya Niketan market.

Entering the college, you will be greeted by the bust of late Motilal Nehru in-front of the gate and the “Jubilee Block” on the left which was constructed to mark the college’s 50th anniversary this year. The college has a seminar hall, well-equipped computer labs and one of the biggest libraries in DU, although it still lacks an auditorium. Apart from the infrastructure, MLNC has a huge campus that facilitates lush green parks, a football field, basketball and volleyball courts and the canteen adjoined by a unique rocky area which is suitable for spending time in-between classes especially in the winter sun.

The canteen provides an engaging menu serving both North as well as South Indian Dishes. Chinese is the latest addition to the menu.

In terms of the administration, the principal is very supportive toward both academic and non-academic endeavors by students and the staff is truly dedicated and enthusiastic. The teachers leave no stone unturned to bring students to their classrooms. Speaking of the crowd, there are three types of students. Firstly, the ones who are seen either in the classroom or library, secondly the ones seen only in the canteen (even after their final year) and lastly the ones who know the perfect recipe to a productive college life with the right balance of academics, fun and work. Work, here, includes a variety of activities by numerous societies who strive day in and day out to make a name for their college. Some of these societies are Malhaar (the music society), Electra (the dance society), Kritirang (the fine arts society), Bi Scope (social issues related film screening committee), Gandhi study circle and the society with most number of achievements, Abhivyanjana (the debate society).

Moreover, Motilal Nehru College has recently been registered under ‘Enactus’ and is the only college under the banner of Enactus in India to work for animal welfare as a part of their project. Thus, MLNC is set to make a mark in the field of social entrepreneurship as well.

Students can also enjoy a delightful movie after or in-between classes with PVR Priya and the malls at Vasant Kunj being Rs 60 away by auto.

The college, apart from being in a close proximity to Satya Niketan is also adjacent to Shantiniketan, which is within a walking distance making it the second-most popular hang-out spot after Satya for local students and the topmost one for out-station ones who mostly put up in PGs and flats at Satya and get outrageously bored of it.

Overall, MLNC might not be in the top ten colleges of DU yet but is surely a forerunner in the race to earn a position in the lot.

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DUB Speak

Beyond the obvious: Shaheed Bhagat Singh College

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Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, a co-educational institute established in 1967 is one of the fastest growing off-campus colleges of Delhi University. Named after one of the greatest freedom fighters the country was blessed with, SBSC is among the top five colleges in the university for Commerce with its final cut-offs touching the 95% mark. The College is situated in Sheikh Sarai Phase II with College of Vocational Studies as its neighbour. As soon as you enter the premises of the college, you are greeted with a statue of late freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Other than commerce, the college is known for its Arts courses as well. With projectors in lecture halls, a double story library and two computer labs, SBSC gives an impression of being well equipped and modernized.

The college is quite active culturally too. The Drama society can be seen practicing day in and day out in the lawns, regardless of the weather, and never fail to make the college proud at inter-college events. The other active societies such as the photography, music, dance, commerce and economics societies, among many others keep the students busy all round the year taking part in fests and hosting events. The college also has facilities to serve sports such as basketball, tennis, football and cricket to keep the athletic bunch happy.

Though, one of the downsides is that the college requires a much needed auditorium and a parking area, which the previous student unions have been demanding for ceaselessly. The commencement of each year brings a renewed hope of either one wish being granted.

Coming to the most important part, food; the college’s canteen fares well when it comes to serving mouth watering dishes. ‘Anna ki canteen’ can never fail to rescue the hungry young kids with delicious food from multiple cuisines (sounds fancier than it is). Also, right outside the college, students can be found chilling at Chacha ki dukaan (a small eatery which serves mouth-watering rolls), the juice stalls or at Café Motto right opposite CVS. And if you get bored of that, then Select City walk is just 10 bucks away (those shared autos are life-savers for SBSCians).

The economical morning show at PVR Saket is the favourite option for the college kids here to pass their spare time between classes. Well, if you don’t feel like going out you can grab a Samosa and just sit and chat under the tree behind the canteen which seems to accommodate half of the college. Everyone seems to have their own fixed spot in and around the campus and can always be found there.

The truth is that SBSC is one of the most easy going colleges in the University where students know very well how to have fun during their three years but at the same time realize when it is time to step into the library and be prepared for the semester exams storm coming their way.

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Interviews

Interview: DU alumnus Dr. Kiran Bedi says, “I am still a student”

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“The moment I empower a woman, I empower a family”
-Dr. Kiran Bedi

Law graduate from Faculty of Law (Delhi University), Dr. Kiran Bedi was the first woman IPS officer to join the police force. In conversation with our correspondent, the former national tennis champion talks about her journey from being a student to a lecturer and then serving the police force before finally taking on to the social sector. Anchor of the famous Indian television show, Aap Ki Kachehri, Dr Kiran also expresses her distaste for politics and strives to serve the poor and underprivileged throughout her life.

Presenting to you, Dr. Kiran Bedi in conversation with our correspondent Iresh Gupta (Photographed by Kashish Madan)

Iresh: Hello Dr. Kiran! As the first woman IPS officer, tell us about what galvanized you or inspired you to take up policing?

Dr. Kiran: Hi Iresh! I guess the force that attracted me towards policing was my sensitivity to injustice and related issues. Also, I was a very patriotic person, a person who would get goose-pimples and cry while singing the national anthem. Moreover, I was a cop at the age of 14 as an NCC cadet. Till the age of 18, I wore a uniform everyday for my NCC parade. I was already into the system of uniform, a life that is very difficult and organized, yet enjoyable. I became a police officer to experience this joy every day.

Iresh: But the era of 50s-60s was not an era for girls. So were your parents also keen to see you in that uniform?

Dr. Kiran: I am a product of my parents. I was not like an isolated rose. I was part of the garden where my parents were the gardeners. In those days of 50s and 60s, my three sisters and me had carved a niche for ourselves because our parents were continuously nutritioning us.

Iresh: Were you not scared of the risks involved? You also then planned to pursue law after taking charge as the police officer. How did this come up?

Kiran Bedi speaks about her old days as a young police officer | Image Credits: Kashish Madan
Kiran Bedi speaks about her old days as a young police officer | Image Credits: Kashish Madan

Dr. Kiran: My parents brought me up to take risks. They did not make ship for the harbour; they made ship for the sea (smiles).

Law was something I wanted to do because it was strengthening my own way of serving. I could not join morning classes so I joined evening classes in Delhi University and combined my subject with my profession. In addition, studying law being a police officer was so interesting because I knew the application of law, all I had to understand is section of law.

Iresh: You pursued law from Faculty of Law, Delhi University. Would you like to share with us your memories as a student?

Dr. Kiran: The fact is that I am still a student. You cannot be anything but a student all your life. I read a lot, I write regularly and I constantly research. Education leaves hunger for knowledge. I will be a student for rest of my life. As far as Delhi University is concerned, I have great fond memories. I am still associated with the place as I often go back to talk in colleges and share my experiences.

Iresh: A few days back you visited LSR for a session by NSS. Tell us about your experience there.

Dr. Kiran: It was a very detailed session. I had a good time answering the questions. The best part was that they asked great questions on the topic “Women Safety and Security”. We discussed matters like dressing, different treatment of brothers and sisters at home and everyday issues like the ones faced in metros. I am glad that I was there. I was an experience for life.

Iresh: Relative to your session yesterday, tell us why do you think girls still are ambivalent about coming to Delhi for studies or jobs?

Dr. Kiran: Parents I feel hold back girls, wherein they should hold back boys. Girls have all the right to do everything. They feel unsafe because it is in their minds as well. There has to be reorientation of their own mind, attitude and belief. They need to speak and tell everyone that they are not weak; it is someone else who is immature and doing all this. At the same time, they need to take proper precautions  and they need to understand that if parents are stopping them to wear certain kind of clothes, it is not because they want to restrict them or because of their gender, it is because they want to protect them.

Internships
Kiran Bedi invites summer and winter internships for both her foundations – Navjyoti India Foundation and India Vision Foundation for community work, rural and social work, prison assignments, journalism, IT and education. To connect and apply click here.

Iresh: Would you like to tell us about your current projects and activities?

Dr. Kiran: Iresh, I have lots of things going but what takes away the chunk of my time are my two foundations called Navjyoti India Foundation and India Vision Foundation which are some 26 and 20 years old respectively. We have trained and qualified social workers, teachers and councillors who have been running these schools for the poor training them to do entrepreneurship, business development, career orientation and skills development.

We have thousands tenth and twelfth class students whom we do not let drop out of studies. Instead, we go by their skills and enable them. So I been mentoring these two young adults for long now and we also work with villages, prisons, slums, women and children for community development and social empowerment.

Iresh: In the end, tell us on how do you look back at your journey today?

Dr. Kiran: If I look at my journey, I would say that I have not wasted a day. It has been a life of huge personal achievements. It is without having lost a day and getting progressive with time. Every day has been a preparation for the next day. There has never been a pressure of winning or losing, it is just about doing it the right way. It has been a journey for a better tomorrow (smiles).

Iresh: Thank you Dr. Kiran. It was great talking to you. DU Beat wishes you all the best for both your foundations and all the projects in the near future.

Dr. Kiran: Thank you Iresh. It was nice talking to you as well.

Feature Image Credits: Kashish Madan for DU Beat

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DUB Speak

Beyond the cliché: Possibilities after Commerce

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It is a known fact that education in commerce, in Delhi University and elsewhere, demands sky-high marks in board exams. It is also a known fact that students pursuing Commerce walk away with some of the best pay packages from some of the best firms in the business. But contrary to popular belief, a graduation in commerce does not leave one restricted to the corporate world with an MBA or a CA qualification as the only career options. Students of commerce can, and should, be open to other options as well, both in the world of commerce and finance and beyond.

Law

Law, as a career, has been a sought-after one of late. It is a well-paying field with opportunities both in the public and the private sector. For graduates of Commerce, corporate law would seem to be the best option if one wants to step into the legal sector but at the same time, a degree in Commerce is no hindrance if one wants to get into any other branch of law.

Entrepreneurship

Often known as a feasible option only for those with financial back-up, entrepreneurship is about knowing how to make a venture successful. Yes, it entails starting from scratch but for students of Commerce, this should be made slightly easier owing to the fact that their entry into the world as entrepreneurs (if they so wish) will be based on a sound knowledge of how to make things work. Moreover, entrepreneurship allows one to venture into any field that one wants to.

Corporate Communications

While this might sound like a part of the 9 to 5 life again, corporate communications is more than just marketing and crisis management; creative fields like Advertising and Public Relations are also part of it. And the ad industry is a major, major part of the media industry. So, if one has the flair for creativity coupled with a sense of business, this is the way to go. Communications Management is quite in vogue too.

Civil Services

In a country like ours, the civil services are never going to lose their popularity. It is what a large number of graduates aspire towards. And while it is common for these aspirants to have taken up liberal arts subjects like History and Philosophy in college, there is no dearth of doctors and engineers, and yes, Commerce graduates, making it to the top. In fact, Commerce & Accountancy is an option for the Mains.

The Academia Way

An M.Com, M.Phil and PhD are not things of the past for a student of Commerce, academia continues to bring opportunities to commerce graduates and post-graduates, especially so with the mushrooming of B-Schools. And like law, the job sector spans the public and the private.

Arts

A Commerce graduate can always pursue a post-graduation in Arts, if she or he has the desire and the aptitude to do so. Almost every university of good repute in the country holds entrance exams for M.A. courses. Hence, it is about the aptitude and not about giving leverage to some courses over others.

Journalism

A commerce graduate can potentially become an excellent corporate journalist if they have the requisite spark and flair in them. While some Universities only admit journalism graduates to their PG journalism programmes, some do not impose such restrictions. Numerous diploma courses and private training programmes by media houses themselves are also open for commerce graduates.

The Job Sector

As mentioned earlier, Commerce graduates can walk away with jaw-dropping packages even before the completion of their graduate degree. There’s banking and finance, there’s marketing and business development, there’s human resource and talent acquisitions and much more.

In conclusion, no degree should restrict somebody from pursuing what one wants to. A commerce graduate can be a successful chef and a liberal arts student can make a great manager just as well. If you must know, Hrithik Roshan, too, is a commerce graduate.

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Hans Raj College

In conversation with DU gold medalist archer and Arjuna Award winner ‘Abhishek Verma’

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Hans Raj College has always been known to produce sports persons who not only conquer national level championships but also prove themselves in the international world. Once again the college has managed to get itself into the limelight with one of its students, Abhishek Verma, who did his college and University proud by receiving honorary Arjuna Award for his performance in Asian Archery Championship where he won three gold medals.

Verma who works as the Income Tax Officer for the Indian Government, has also won World Archery Federation’s Gold Target Award in 2013 and Rajiv Gandhi State Award in 2007. The 25 year old also participated in Asian Grand Prix tournament recently in 2014 and bagged one gold and two silver medals.

Abhishek, who started off with his journey as a student at Hans Raj College, went on to become the coach of the archery team of the college and succeeded in proving his mettle when he won one gold in the men’s compound event and one silver medal individually at the recently concluded Asian games. In conversation with Shaurya Sahai, he spoke of archery, how his college contributed to getting him to the peak of success and his experience as a coach.

Shaurya: Hello Abhishek! First of all congratulations for gold and silver medal at the Asian Games. How does it feel to being back pride to your country?
Abhishek: Fetching two medals at the first games is a big achievement in fact the biggest of my life so far. I am really happy. This was really special for me and my teammates with whom I won a gold in the men’s compound event.

Abhishek Verma with his teammates Rajat Chauhan and Sandeep Kumar after winning a maiden gold in the men's compound team event for Archery at Asian Games 2014.
Abhishek Verma with his teammates Rajat Chauhan and Sandeep Kumar after winning a maiden gold in the men’s compound team event for Archery at Asian Games 2014.

Shaurya: Would you like to tell us more about yourself?
Abhishek:  I am very simple boy. Archery is my passion. It is not only a game for me it is the way of living for me. When I am free my all time is spend with my family. My hobby apart from different forms of Archery is travelling.

Shaurya: How was your experience coaching the archery team of Hans Raj College?
Abhishek: I am feeling very proud because I was also a student of Hans Raj College and then I was a coach of my college team. It was an honour to coach, as my college team is Number 1 in Delhi University.

Shaurya: How has Hans Raj College contributed to getting you to this point in life?
Abhishek: College has contributed in a great way because college life is very different from school life and here I got a chance to represent my country in World University Games as well as World University Archery Championship. That was the first time I was selected for any games and it was awesome experience for me because when I came back, I felt that I got lots of experience and knowledge about archery, which was all because of Hans Raj.

Shaurya: So Abhishek, how does it feel to be an Arjuna award winner?
Abhishek: It is a huge honor for me to be an Arjuna awardee.

Abhishek Verma receiving Arjuna Award from Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, President of India
Abhishek Verma receiving Arjuna Award from Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, President of India

Shaurya: Abhishek, what is your take on sports in Delhi University as a whole?
Abhishek: I can only comment about Archery for which DU is great. I started my Archery career in Delhi University ground itself. Currently the ground is known as rugby ground of Delhi University after Common Wealth Games.

Shaurya: If not an archer, what else you think you could have been?
Abhishek:  Sorry, I do not know about that but if now I think about myself I can’t think of anything but Archery.

Shaurya: Also, to whom do you credit your success the most?
Abhishek: All credit goes to my mom. She supported me at every level. She is my real inspiration.

Shaurya: Would you like to give a piece of advice to the aspiring archers in the University?
Abhishek: Yes, I want to tell only one thing – Go Hard or Go Home. When I am at the ground I am only thinking about archery. So all do need to practice well and concentrate. Before you sleep just think about yours faults in your game for that day and next day try to improve those faults.

Shaurya: Thank you Abhishek! DU Beat wishes you all the best for your future plans.

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Arts & Culture

Gender Studies Group organises DU’s first Lesbian Film Festival

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Using the medium of film, Gender Studies Group attempted to sensitize the youth of Delhi University by organising its first Lesbian Film Festival on 26-27 September at Lecture Hall, Faculty of Social Sciences.

Gender Studies Group is an independent, University-wide student group “committed to reading, writing and thinking about gender”. It conducts reading groups and organises events around questions of gender every month.

Among the films projected was Deepa Mehta’s Fire, which was met with a lot of outrage and controversy in India in its public release year of 1998. The film revolves around the life of a woman who falls in love with her sister-in-law.

The film festival drew an audience of over a 100 students on both the days. “Women who love women are ‘invisibilised’ and erased. Same sex culture is dominated by gay men. Women are not given space to be on their own in the culture, to breathe in their own space. So, we want to create that space and focus on how to create that space,” said Aapurv Jain of Gender Studies Group. While the organisers consider the festival majorly successful, they also recall unsavoury remarks made both online and at the festival, especially related to the name of the festival.

Among other films showcased at the festival were Umbartha by Jabbar Patel and Debalina’s Ebang Bewarish and More Than a Friend. The movies were followed by a panel discussion on lesbian representation in cinema.

 

Image Credits: Gurbir Singh Sidhu

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Indraprastha College for Women

Beyond The Obvious: Indraprastha College for Women

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Indraprastha College for Women is the oldest women’s college of the University of Delhi and was founded in 1924 as a part of the nation-wide campaign for women’s education and empowerment, at the call of Annie Besant. The college premises saw a number of shifts from Old Delhi to Chandrawali Bhawan to the present Alipore House site which was the then office of the Commander-in-Chief. Having witnessed the British style parties and balls, the College is a heritage site and thus, proudly retains its architecture from the good old days.

The college is situated in the posh area of Civil Lines with an excellent metro connectivity from the college walls. Yes, the college has its own Metro Gate! The only neighbouring site to the college though is the National Centre for Vector-Borne Disease Control. But, IPites are undeterred. The college campus is sufficient enough to kill time in, it is that huge!

Free periods are mostly spent in the college’s very own Majnu ka Tilla, or the circular canteen, the library, bleachers, back lawns, gymnasium, tut-rooms, front lawns, pavilions or even empty classrooms. In winters especially, one can find girls sunbathing in the college field or soaking the sunlight in the back lawns.

While most girls like to remain in the campus, there is Moet’s-the Chinese restaurant and Mocha’s for the affluent who prefer to drop there in groups. Sant Parmanand Hospital across the college has Bikano, which is very affordable for anyone. The Momo’s Point and the Roll Point near the Metro Station are also frequently visited sites, along with the Wai-Wai noodles in the Metro station premises. You will often find girls sitting behind a narrow lane of the station, eating and smoking, or at the station steps chatting and laughing. But, the college’s favourite eatery remains the Bun-Tikki Wala aka Banta Wala, just outside the college gate. Anytime after he opens his shop, one can find around 25 girls standing and ordering his range of delicacies, rushing in and out of college between classes for the quick snack.

Is that all to a life of an IPite? No. A 40 rupee ride to Kamla Nagar and GTB Nagar is all it takes if one wishes. Shopping, partying or simply singing loudly from their cars on the Ridge is what Ipites generally enjoy doing. Technically not in Campus, but very much a part of it!
The college canteen is often flooded with students, who have a variety to offer from the menu, at affordable prices. Chhole Bhature, Dosa, Chilli Potato, Cold Coffee, Sev Puri, Juices and a lot more is never kept out of service. A huge demand is always catered by a large supply.

The college is a photographer’s heaven! With peacocks and parrots around 365 days of the year, the college’s green campus with sprawling environment all around is natural photographic scenery. IPCW boasts of a beautiful front garden with a breathtaking variety of roses and other flowers and a scenically placed fountain. Another photographic place is the graffiti wall in the college.

The college has a wide range of societies to offer. Abhivyakti, the well-reknowned DramSoc in the DU Circuit and Afroza, the much-praised Western Dance Society, amongst several others, are the proud achievers of many competitions and events, bringing much praise to the college. The college has individual achievers too, from mountaineers to academic achievers, to national-level sportswomen.

Shruti, the annual college-fest is a favourite amongst the DUites. With Singers like Kailaash Kher and Euphoria having performed here in the past, the wide range of activities keeps everyone on their toes, in a fun way. The college-hostels are proud hosts of their independent Proms/ Guest Nights, held in February, which sees a lot of enthusiasm and dancing all evening.

As a part and parcel of an IPites’ life, every student is imbibed with the values of ‘keeping the college clean and tidy’ and ‘helping the needy’. An IPite is fashionable, fun, studious, helping, aware, success-oriented, opportunistic, crazy and hungry-for-food. But, the best part is that the life of a girl of IP College is guy-free. When in IPCW, you won’t miss guys for long, you will have girlfriends and they will be your best mates for life!

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