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Know Your Candidate: AISA-CYSS

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With DUSU Elections nearing its culmination soon, it becomes imperative for voters to realise the importance their vote holds. Read on the manifestos of the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates from AISA-CYSS to know more about the contenders!

 

Candidate for President: Abhigyan

Abhigyan Devyani Gandhi now identifies
himself as Abhigyan because, he shared
with DU Beat, his parents could not decide which surname- maternal or paternal to bound him to. This non-conventional fundamental of his upbringing seems to affect a lot of his individuality too.

As a first-year student of Political Science
at Ramjas College, this Presidential candidate of the AISA-CYSS alliance was home-schooled for three years till grade four, and changed multiple schools because he and his parents realised the
flaws in Indian schooling, which we bring to debate in 2018. As the child of a single mother, Abhigyan has spent a long part of his life understanding the strength in individuality and independence, and yet this Jaipuriya feels that ‘politics’ is a medium to influence, to change, to prosper through
the actions of a team which don’t succeed
well enough in isolation. When asked what he, as an individual, brings to the University of Delhi, he said that there is an ideology, a process, and a motivation each candidate can bring, but there is an undeniable need for unity and
team-work.

The ideology of change drives Abhigyan when he says that the most pressing issues which he hopes to resolve include- student accommodation, freedom of expression, Internal Complaints’ committee (ICC), and gender equality.
Giving anecdotes from his own tryst with
the taboos surrounding conversations
on sex and sexual harassment, Abhigyan
vehemently opposes the curb on the
freedom of expression, especially in
educational spaces. By recognising
these issues, it’s striking to note that he
acknowledges his privileges and has an
insight on those unprivileged students
who suffer due to the limited space in
hostels.
As a central university, he believes,
DU must have better ways to embrace
diversity- gender, social, cultural, and
financial, to become accessible. On the note of accessibility as a student politician, Abhigyan revealed that he wishes to start a campaign called ‘Aao
gumm baantte hain’ to have dialogues
on grassroots problems which affect the
larger dynamics of our education.

Visitingdifferent colleges, he shared, has made him aware of the fortune and privilege North Campus enjoys, in terms of infrastructure, faculty, dialogue, etc. which must extend to all the institutes of education.With a sense of humour, he told DU Beat that he doesn’t plan on leaving Ramjas for the next three years, and this makes him accountable, visible, and reachable to the en masse.

Initially skeptical about the campaigning,
Abhigyan hopes to eradicate the non-
inclusive, polarising, hostile, and dissent-
averse nature of the process and of
politics by pursuing a Doctorate, becoming an academician, and participating in revolutionary, educated politics.“Come on the streets, come out in the heat. There’s no education confined to the classrooms of DU. There’s a lot of fun in bringing change through the streets,” Abhigyan said and then added his ballot number at the end in his witty undertone.

Candidate for the Post of Vice President: Anshika Singh

A student of Dyal Singh College, Anshika
Singh is standing from the AISA-CYSS panel in the Delhi University Students’ Union elections, for the post of Vice-President. Emphasising on the day-to-day problems students face, she wishes to solve student issues effectively, on a priority basis. In her campaign, she highlights the need to focus on women empowerment, by pointing out the lack of special busses, lack of hostels, and infrastructure for the female students of DU. Adding to the lack of infrastructure
in the varsity, she also speaks actively about the shortage of reading material,
resources, and books in the college
libraries. She aims to bring forward issues that she, herself, has faced as a student, and provide constructive solutions for them. Anshika also vehemently condemns the popular opposition parties, who, in her beliefs, have only used the platform of DUSU to advance their own political careers, rather than actually producing anything constructive from holding office,
as stated by her on multiple social media
platforms.

 

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DUSU Elections 2018

Know Your Candidate: ABVP Edition

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With DUSU Elections coming to a close soon, it becomes imperative for voters to realise the importance their vote holds. Read on the maniefestos of the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates from ABVP to know more about the contenders!

Candidate for the post of President-

Ankiv Baisoya
The Presidential candidate of the ABVP,
Mr. Ankiv Baisoya, had done his graduation in B.A. (Hons.) Economics from the College of Vocational Studies, University of Delhi (DU). Currently pursuing his Masters degree in Buddhist studies from the Department of Buddhist Studies (DU), Baisoya has been a diligent member of the ABVP for the last five years. When asked about his agenda for this year’s Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU), he told DU Beat, “If I am elected as the President, I will make sure over fifty percent of the DUSU budget is allocated towards women empowerment, holistic development of students belonging to the SC and ST communities, and towards an extensive focus on sports in the varsity.”
The establishment of a Research Students’ Grievance Cell and ensuring the conduct of fair and regular elections to the Internal Complaints’ Committee in all colleges are amongst the developments that he wants to bring about in the varsity. Further, he envisages the provision of a police booth
near every hostel and college, and pledges to equip those booths with female police
staff.

When the DU Beat correspondent
asked Baisoya why he thinks he is worthy of the post of President, he stated,
“Besides working for the students at the
grassroot level in the last five years, I
have taken up their issues of grievance
and worked to mitigate the same. I have
actively contributed to the protests
demanding 24*7 access to the library
facility for students of DU’s North Campus, as a result of which the access to the library was extended by three hours. Moreover, I have tirelessly worked in the ABVP’s efforts to campaign against the imposition of massive taxes on sanitary napkins. The government’s cut on the taxes on sanitary napkins has been largely considered a resulting factor of our collective effort. I espouse a university which will treat all students equally regardless of the area or community they come from. I espouse a
university which will embrace the girl child and provide a safe learning environment for her. I espouse a university where students will be able to venture into the worlds of knowledge, unhindered.”

Candidate for the Post of Vice-
President: Shakti Singh
The Vice Presidential candidate fielded
by the ABVP, Shakti Singh, belongs to
Baniyan of Uttar Pradesh but has done his schooling from Nainital. Having completed his graduation from MIT Pune in the year 2016, he is currently is a second-year law student at the Faculty of Law, DU. Shakti, who is a national-level boxer and a silver medalist at the state-level, said, “As a sportsperson, I will try my best to create a better atmosphere to simultaneously encourage sports with academics so that we can establish a healthy society and set the grounds for a better sports culture in Delhi University. Moreover, I will make sure that sports funds are allocated accurately.”
Having worked for the non-governmental organisation, ‘Association for Awareness,’ Singh is an active proponent of women’s safety and security and a large aspect of his agenda is focussed on gender sensitisation.

Mr. Singh has propounded that self-defence training camps should be held in various colleges for the girl students. Another area that Singh wants to work upon is the control over the rent for rooms in the North and South campuses of DU. He told DU Beat, “It is unfortunate that students who come from different regions of the country to study in India’s premier university are compelled to pay huge sums of money just for their accommodation.

If I am elected as the Vice President, I will work for the drafting and implementation of a ‘Room Rent Control’ Bill. I will ensure that outstation students are not forced to pay a very high rent, and that there is a ceiling on the maximum amount that can be charged from students.” Stressing on the importance of every student’s vote, Singh’s message to the student community of DU is, “None of the Above (NOTA) is not an option.

NOTA would not resolve the problems of
high varsity fees or inadequate facilities
on campus. We must have a direction in
life in order to comprehensively fulfill the purpose of our existence. Similarly, if I am elected, I will try my level best to carve out a sense of direction for the varsity such that the student community can study and pursue their aspirations in a conducive environment.

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Bazinga

Bazinga – Seventh Pay Commission Implemented For DU Teachers

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A long drawn struggle culminated with the authorities implementing the seventh pay commission. Vice Chancellor, Rajeev Javedkar announced the 7th pay commission for all teachers of University of Delhi (DU). The commission would provide a 9% increase in the pay of all teachers.

The director of the Remuneration Managerial Board (RMB), in his statement, said that the government had increased their budget since March. If rather than disrupting classes and protesting, had DUTA tabled a proposal for overall development in a peaceful manner, the issue would have been dealt with earlier. The statement did stir some irritation and unrest among certain teachers, however a predominant feeling of happiness that came after a long successful struggle. Professor Zoya Chaudhry, a Political Science teacher from Lady Shri Ram College For Women said, “Despite being nation builders and educators, our salaries don’t even allow us to access basic amenities, a pay hike at this point is just and a necessity.”

While the mood of the teaching faculty was quite jubilant, a wide range of opinion was brought on the platter by the students. While a number of them sympathise with the teachers, their cause, and talked about how the university needs to further better their conditions, a large number of them were on the opposite end of the spectrum. They felt that teachers bunked classes, weren’t serious about coursework or attendances, barely taught them anything and had a casual attitude so they didn’t understand what the pay hike was for. Sukeerat Kaur Channi, a student of Sri Venkateshwara college stated, “I’m a regular college student yet I’m unaware of who my literature teacher is. An increase in their pay might just encourage this callous attitude.” Yet no talk of mobilisation has come up among those who disagree with this move.

A number of college teachers expressed their jubilation by talking about it in lectures, holding seminars explaining their struggle, having discussions and put across their views regarding the whole saga. The success of this protest has, however, become an inspiration for another section of Delhi university employees, which is the workers and peons in various college. Extremely distressed with their low pays and lack of incentives and services for them, looking up to the success of the teachers’ pay raise, a number of unions have initiated talks to mobilise themselves in a similar manner and push forth their cause to better their lifestyle.

Feature Image Credits: The Indian Express

Bhavika Behal
[email protected]

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Campus Central

DUSU Elections: What to expect, the Dos and Don’ts Designed

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We are almost near elections, and the entire University is simmering in the heat of the DUSU election fever. 

On a daily basis when you walk into your college, electoral candidates swarm around you like bees with scores of marigold garlands around their necks. Each of them hands over a small card with their name on it which says, “Please vote and support.”
What to expect:

As a student of Delhi University, you must be acquainted with the fact that these elections are a reflection of the general elections at the pan-India level, with huge crowds of people walking around the campus, tossing pieces of paper all over the place. But they also prove to be a source of valuable exposure. Not only do they introduce the students to the nuances of politics, but also provide adequate opportunities for people to connect and socialise. Students get an avenue to share their problems and expect solutions to them.

In order to ensure that your college session flows smoothly through the election period, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Always vote:

Election Day should not be considered as a holiday. Elections are the lifeblood of a democratic scaffold, and are important for its survival. Make sure you are responsible enough to cast your vote on time to the candidate you find the most suitable, unmoved by what others perceive, and free from prejudices. Ensuring this shall make
you a responsible student, an aware individual, and a self-respecting adult. Remember that the essence of a democratic setup lies in the freedom to choose a representative. Voting is an individual right, nobody can force you to vote against your will. Voting is your intrinsic right as a student of the University, and you should make it count.
Never support the use of unfair means:

Political parties and individuals affiliated to them sometimes go to wrongful extents to ensure their seat in office. Often an incentive of a hefty return in exchange for a vote is utilised as a common tactic. Several accounts of students getting free meals, movie tickets, trips to amusement parks a week before the elections float around the University in abundance! Always bear in your mind that each and every vote has a substantial effect on the political framework, and hence, on the life of students of the University. Thus, your vote accounts not only for you, but also for thousands of other students you are studying with. Remember that “selling your vote” is an idea that is undemocratic and is also liable to attract administrative punishment, if caught.

Don’t indulge in negative campaigning:

Even if you do not appreciate a candidate or their ideologies, remember that there are ways to democratically put forth your opinions, as opposed to passing rude comments and engaging in negative campaigning. Negative campaigning is against the virtue of a democratic election. It reflects insecurity and mistrust in your own choice, as opposed to reflecting weakness on the flip side of the coin. There will always be multiple differing opinions and ideas for you to choose from. Making a choice does not make you wrong, but belittling others from making a choice varying from yours does.

Abstain from heated arguments:

You may think that the person you support is the most deserving for certain reasons, while others would do the same for someone else. In case of such differences, it is always best to keep your cool while someone from the opposing block is expressing their opinion. Keep in mind that it is the “virtue of the wise to keep mum.” The heated arguments shall disturb not only the parties concerned, but also those around whom all of this shall occur. Adding to that, the DUSU elections can become a really sensitive matter at the drop of a hat.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat.

Aashish Jain

[email protected]

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Campus Central

The Precarious Road to College Placements

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In the midst of the unclear selection criteria, the inability of colleges to prepare students for corporate interviews, and the inclination of prosperous packages to only prime colleges,  placements have become a tricky territory to navigate. 

When you see a third-year student with a formidable countenance, sitting in formals, tapping their feet in nervous anxiety, it is a nobrainer that the student is awaiting the result for the last round of the recruitment drive. A little hope, a little fear, and plenty of drama are what could potentially sum up the tormenting interview rounds. If the fear turns out real then there are high chances of feeling wornout and developing loathsome feelings for the company. Being a student who’s already faced rejection from multiple companies, it is disheartening to tell your loved ones that you didn’t crack it. What is even more saddening is that you feel worthless, and the weariness of the day translates to a lack of efficiency in the remaining recruitment drives. Since these jobs are exclusive to many University of Delhi (DU) graduates, it needs to be asked: are these jobs worth the hassle?
From what can be noticed through simple observation, the compensation offered to graduates does not seem enough to sustain a metropolitan lifestyle. The packages offered by most companies fall in the bracket of three to four lakh per year and that means barely enough salary to make the ends meet, let alone keep aside some savings. The job profiles are often not what students aspire to do right out of college, and securing placement in the popular profiles is a tough nut to crack. The precursor for most students is exposure and the fear of sitting idle, which is why factors like job profile and compensation take a backseat.
Top colleges of DU, like Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies and Shri Ram College of Commerce are adrift from this concept to a certain degree, as many companies come to these colleges with reasonably good profiles and higher than average packages. Meanwhile, other colleges, especially the newer and off-campus ones, are yet to have an active, functioning placement cell to remove the aforementioned barriers.
If all companies do visit these campuses, students from courses other than Commerce and Economics are not eligible to sit for these drives. In many colleges, students who do secure placements are debarred from sitting in the forthcoming ones. DU’s Central Placement Cell is a right step in this direction, but the odds of securing a job are lesser with more number of applicants.
The latent, fundamental problem behind placements in DU is the lack of knowledge of the job profile. Colleges give little insight into what the corporate world expects out of students. The subject structures of many courses fail to equip students with the necessary knowledge they need to decide which field they’d like to start their career in. With surface-level knowledge and ambiguity on a lot of topics, the course structure is still bent towards academic learning over joboriented learning. The Choice Based Credit System, which proclaims of being studentoriented, that offers choice and mobility to students remains ineffective. Due to lack of infrastructure or lack of enthusiasm for college administration, the “choice” remains nonexistent.
Another recurring issue amongst college graduates is the seemingly dubious methods employed by recruiters to judge candidates. Interviewers give higher weightage to a candidate’s ability to speak English fluently over their knowledge in the field. The Human Resources round continues to be hit-or-miss in many cases, and the candidate is left in the lurch, wondering what went wrong. Thus, there is a scope of countless permutations out of it and no fixed answer.
Given a fresher’s limited knowledge of everything corporate, it’s understandable why companies employ conventional wisdom to assess candidates. What could, however be added, is a proper feedback mechanism, and above all, a move to conduct more offcampus recruitment drives that assess a candidate on meritorious grounds and not on the basis of which college he/she belongs to.
To all my fellow third-year students who’ve faced rejection, it’s imperative to realise how inconsequential these placement drives are in the larger scheme of things. There’s probably a better job offer waiting for you in the coming months!

 

Vijeata Balani

[email protected]

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Campus Central

DU’s Academic Council Recommends the Scrapping of Two Books That “Glorify Naxalism”, Academics Differ 

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In light of the recent arrests of activists who have been working around tribal rights, Delhi University banned two books, which were prescribed as History readings, for ‘glorifying Naxals’ and ‘legitimising conversion of tribals to Christians’.

Subalterns and Sovereigns: An Anthropological History of Bastar, by Nalini Sundar and Against Ecological Romanticism: Verrier Elwin and the Making of an Anti-modern Tribal Identity, by Archana Prasad are the books which are being removed from the course based on the logic that they are ‘not fit’ for DU students.

Against Ecological Romanticism: Verrier Elwin and the Making of an Anti-modern Tribal Identity is a set of essays which aim to challenge the preconceived notions about tribal life, economy and identity while stating the reality if their lives. Subalterns and Sovereigns: An Anthropological History of Bastar talks about the political changes taking places in Bastar which in turn affected the socio-economic status. It traces these developments from colonial India to postcolonial India.

Both the authors have been highly appreciated for their work in their respective books and have won prestigious awards like Ester Boserup Prize for Research on Development from Copenhagen in 2016 and the Malcolm Adiseshiah Award for Distinguished Contributions to Development Studies in 2017. Sundar points out how it was a couple of BJP leaders’ objection which led to this unjustified decision. She was backed by historian Ramachandra Guha who emphasised on the scholarly importance of the book for academic purposes. 

Feature Image Credits: Culture Trip

Oishee Roy

[email protected]

With inputs from Times of India

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Spo(r)tlight

National Sports Day: What DU has Contributed to the Realm of Sports

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On the occasion of National Sports Day, i.e. 29th August 2018, let us look at how DU has managed to influence and produce sportsmen in various fields.

National Sports Day is celebrated throughout India on 29th August 2018. The day also involves the celebration of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand. Often referred to as ‘The Wizard’ he had incredible hockey skills. To commemorate his birth anniversary, in 2012 the Government of India designated 29th August as the country’s National Sports Day.
On this day, the President gives out all the sports-related awards like the Arjuna award, Dronacharya award, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to honour sportspersons and coaches who have made the nation proud with their service in their respective sports.
The University of Delhi is a varsity that recognises the importance of sports in everyday life. The University has produced world renowned sportsmen like Unmukt Chand, who is a graduate from St. Stephen’s College, and plays for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, and also plays domestic cricket for Delhi. Naveen Jindal, former Member of Parliament and the Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Limited, is a graduate from Hansraj College. He is a national record holder in skeet shooting, and has won many national and international awards for the same. Apart from this, he has also excelled in Polo. Gautam Gambhir, the well known cricketer who represents India at the international level, is a graduate from Hindu College. Anjum Chopra, former captain of the Women’s National Cricket Team, is also a graduate from Hindu College. These are a few amongst the many DU graduates and current students who have been achieving international success.
Manish Adhikari, a football player from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) who represented India in the 43rd Asian Football Championship held in China says, “From playing football with my neighbourhood friends to being selected for the school, and then getting selected in my dream college SRCC, football became a huge part of my life. Representing India at the international level was a once in a lifetime experience which I will cherish forever. DU has helped me emerge as a player by giving me a platform to train and compete with the best players in the country. Football has taught me to be a responsible and disciplined individual. It has also helped me understand the importance of teamwork and leadership. Some of the best memories of my college life are on the football ground with my team mates.”
Playing a sport in college is somewhat similar to having a job- if you do not show up to practice, your position in the team is in jeopardy. Sometimes it is hard to choose to stay in when your friends are going out because you have practice in the morning, or you wish you could go to the movies, but you have a game. However, as a college athlete you must be dedicated and committed to the team.
Admission to the University of Delhi through sports quota is a long process. The candidates who apply are given marks based on their certificates. The next step is a fitness test, and later trials, which include both individual skills and team matches. The cut off is then released by different colleges that have vacant seats for the respective games and positions. After the admission, the students are required to go for practice sessions every day. Proper diet coupons are provided by the colleges to maintain the health of the hardworking sportsmen and sportswomen. Despite its questionable sports infrastructure, DU has time and again given great gems to the nation in the field of sports.

 

Feature Image Credits: Akarsh Mathur for DU Beat.

Anoushka Sharma

[email protected]

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Arts & Culture

The Unconventional Raksha Bandhan

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This Rakshabandhan, we attempt to explore the fundamental principles of the sibling relationship.

Raksha Bandhan, the great annual affair where all brothers and sisters set their differences aside and attempt to celebrate their love-hate relationship. With long-awaited family reunions, nostalgic recollections of childhood shenanigans and The Godfather level negotiation regarding presents; a Rakhi is exchanged for gifts, chocolates, or (everyone’s favourite) cold hard cash. The brother-sister relationship is sacred, but it’s witnessed elsewhere too.

The University of Delhi has a number of all-girls colleges and in there, we see a different dynamic of sibling-like-relationships: sisterhood. These colleges have, time and again, challenged the myth of ‘girl rivalry’.  The students of these colleges have moved way past the stereotype of ‘is she smarter than me’ and ‘look at her attitude’’ and transcended to hanging out together in their own girl gangs. These comprise of future CEOs, mothers, defence personnel, artists, and politicians. Their views and ideas may not align, but keeping up with the spirit of sisterhood, they protect one another regardless.

The past decade was a little toxic, with women proudly proclaiming themselves as ‘anti-feminists’ and participating in the culture that pitted women against one another. Society had done a horrible thing to womankind by making them believe that they were lesser than men and in order to be acknowledged, they had to compete with other women.

However, with increased awareness and the advent of progressive pop culture, be it the feminist t-shirts or snazzy memes, the scenario changed. Girls have each other’s backs. They stand for and protect one another. Be it small things like fixing their hair, shaping bigger ideals that determine their lives, or drafting a perfect text to that one ex, our sisters have got us covered. They address real issues like education, equality, a secure future, and most importantly, self-love on our minds.

The state of affairs in my home was always slightly different. Growing up with a single mother, I, and my little sister shared a solicitous bond; I was more of a brother to her than a sister. Although this brotherly sentiment was never symbolically validated with an actual tangible rakhi, it was omnipresent. For her, I was, and still am, a warder of potential ‘boyfriends’ and amateur Batista Bomber. Perhaps the absence of a male figure in her life made me unconsciously morph into one, but in our household, that’s what I am now. Sometimes that absence is more severely felt; while scratching out ‘Father’s Name’ to write my mother’s in every official form filled or trying to deal with the people’s pitiful glances with dignity. Other times, it’s just a matter of being the makeshift electrician, the amateur chauffer, and the destructor of my mother’s favourite mason jars. It has its ups and downs, but the foundation of our relationship remains the same.

Dear men, I do not intend to take your thunder away. The celebration of Raksha Bandhan, albeit patriarchal, is fun. This Raksha Bandhan, let’s acknowledge and celebrate brotherhood in all its forms, as at its core brotherhood is a sentiment, a promise of unconditional love and support.

Feature Image Credits: Reuters

Maumil Mehraj ([email protected])

Nikita Bhatia ([email protected]) 

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Campus Central

Refresh At TedX Shivaji

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TedX Shivaji organised its first event on Friday, 24th August. DU Beat brings you the highlights along with a sneak peak of the performances.

Shivaji College, University of Delhi (DU), organised its first ever TEDx Event on Friday, 24th July 2018 in their college campus in Shivaji Enclave, Raja Garden, Delhi.

The event lasted for five hours, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and saw a turnout of over eighty students from all across the Delhi University. The theme being F5 (refresh), the event saw eight speakers who kept the audience on their feet and ready for more.

Niladri Chatterjee, a professor at IIT Delhi, was the first speaker of the event and spoke about the importance of human intelligence in the era of artificial technology. “We have to be smart so that the machines that we use be more human-like,” said Chatterjee. Suhani Jalota, CEO/Founder at Myna Mahila Foundation and recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, spoke about the importance of women healthcare and sanitation.

The event also saw an enthralling performance by Amrut Bhat, Founder of the Drum Circle, who brought the audience to their feet, cheering to the rhythm of his music.

Another speaker at the event, Rudrani Chettri, a transgender model and activist and founder of the MITR Trust for the sexual and reproductive awareness of the LGBTQ+ community in India, talked about her struggles and her aim to make the fashion and art industry more gender fluid.

On Rudrani’s talk, Namrata Randhava, a first-year student of B.A. Programme at Gargi College, said “She was so amazing that she almost made me tear up. I was completely mesmerised by her talk. It was a great combination of light-hearted and powerful words!”

“Everything that is happening in your life is building up to something,” said Mohammad Kaif, captain of the World Cup Winning Under 19 Indian Cricket team in 2000 who was a speaker at the event along with his wife, Pooja Kaif, a corporate anchor.

The event also witnessed talks by Shruti Sharma, founder of Books on the Delhi Metro, Anamika Singh, a performer/ dancer and the founder of Ada,, and Divya Prakash Dubey, an author and storyteller. There was a lunch break from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. which stretched on too long and exhausted the audience. The event dragged on a little longer till 4 p.m. but the stories kept the audience engaged.

Anmol Sharma, a second-year B.Com. Programme student of Shivaji College and a member of the organising committee of TedX Shivaji, said, “We were not expecting the event to be completely sold out and have such a wide turnout since Shivaji is an off-campus college and does not attract a huge audience.” “This was our first TEDx event and all of us, along with the administration, are really happy with the response we got. We’re all geared up for another TEDx event next year,” he added.

Muskan Sethi
[email protected]

Inputs from Namrata Randhawa
[email protected]

Feature Image Credits:  Namrata Randhawa  for DU Beat

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News

Sale of Junk Food Banned in All Universities by UGC

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all varsities and higher education institutions to ban sale of junk food in their campuses.

On Wednesday, 23rd August 2018, the University Grants Commission (UGC) issued a notice all the Vice Chancellors of the universities under it to ban junk food in their premises. The letter states, “Banning junk food in colleges would set new standards for healthy food and make the students live better, and learn better and also reduce the obesity levels in young learners, thus preventing lifestyle diseases which have a direct link with excessive weight”.

According to the Press Trust of India, UGC secretary Jaspal S. Sandhu said that the Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry wanted to issue instructions against availability and sale of junk food in Higher Educational Institutions. This is done to ensure strict adherence to the advisory issued in November 2016 for banning junk food in colleges. “You are requested to ensure strict adherence to the advisory. Create awareness among the younger generation who are vulnerable,” the circular read.

DU Beat contacted a few students and teachers regarding the same. Aryan Pandla, a student from Delhi School of Journalism says, “Eating junk food is not unhealthy. But the excess of it creates issues like obesity. A ban should not have been imposed by the UGC but instead a regulatory measure should have been taken. UGC should promote healthy food like daal-chawal, but banning on junk food is not the solution. The students will still have access to junk food because of prevalence of small food outlets near the college.” Ms.Nazish Khan, a professor in Bharti College says, “It’s a welcome move by the UGC and should have been implemented long ago. However, it’s never too late. There might be some problems with the execution but nonetheless, it will bring a healthy living.”

A same move was made by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) two years ago. It had asked all its affiliated schools to ensure that food items like chips, carbonated drinks, ready-to-eat noodles, pizzas, burgers and confectionery items like chocolates, candies are not available in the school canteens. Schools were also asked to inspect lunch boxes of students, create awareness about nutritious food and regularly monitor students’ health. The circular was released following a report by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar and promotion of healthy snacks in schools.

Further, the board also advised all schools affiliated to it to try that no such food items are available around 200 meters of the school premises.

Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Anoushka Sharma

[email protected]

 

 

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