About 150 participants from colleges all over Delhi joined the movement against discriminatory hostel rules against women on October 8 in a night procession that encouraged students to take a night leave from their PGs and hostels to claim the night. The group marched from Vishwa Vidyalaya metro station to various women’s hostels, especially those with a known history of repression, such as Miranda House, St. Stephen’s College, and Ramjas College to name a few, with powerful posters, slogans, and songs. Alumni from various colleges shared testimonials about their experiences of being locked in their rooms or campuses. The procession that lasted for about 5 hours and ended at 11:30 at night, also had a sabha in solidarity with the Delhi Rent Control Movement by Right to Accommodation.
Below is an account by a member of the movement, Subhashini Shriya on the journey so far and what’s to come next:
“The journey of Pinjara Tod has been exhilarating to say the least. In the short span of a few weeks, we have met, heard, connected to hundreds of women across the city and also some from across the country. The most striking of the many insights we have gained from the campaign is just how widespread is the feeling of discontent and disappointment among young women, coming to the city in the hopes of discovering a new life, and finding themselves repeatedly pushed back into pigeonholes and cages at every step. Yes, the most exhilarating is the feeling of being not one, but one among so many. Having come together, having grown from a few to many, having faced the aggressive political climate on campus, having fought to assert ourselves as an autonomous collective of women we are now approaching the Jan Sunwai, to be held on the 10th of October, 2 PM at Jantar Mantar, where women students and alumni from universities and colleges across Delhi will come together and speak of the daily challenges, of the rules, attitudes, basic lack of resources and biases that they face in negotiating their life as students; work out demands to be made of the DCW, their university administrations, and society at large. We hope that the Jan Sunwai will see this collective that we have been feeling pulsating under the skin everyday commonsense take shape, in the body of a diverse collective of women, with a diverse set of concerns, experiences demands, across lines of caste, class, region, religion and so on, to converge at the aspiration of breaking out of all cages that lock us in as young women students in the city. We hope to find you there with us on the 10th, with your story and your voice, joining with ours to make us all collectively stronger and a step closer to breaking some of the many cages that surround us!”
Universities from all over the country have spoken up in support of Pinjra Tod. Student political group, All India Students’ Association, or AISA has also been seen handing out pamphlets of the Jan Sunwai to students in North Campus. Although the group welcomes all the support that’s coming their way, they have very clearly stated that they are independent of any political affiliations. The charter of demands as is to be presented to the Delhi Commission for Women is as follows:
Extend the curfews of all women’s hostels and PGs till half an hour after the time any University resources, such as libraries, labs or sports complexes remain open or half an hour after the approach of the last metro at the closest metro station, whichever is later.
Abolish the concept of local guardians for students, while keeping a provision for an emergency local contact number and discontinue requirement for parental or guardian’s permission for late nights or night outs for all students above 18 yrs of age.
No cap on night outs and late nights taken with prior notice. The utilization of a night out or late night should not be dependent on the discretion of the warden or any administrative authority.
No arbitrary restrictions on the entry on female visitors into women’s hostels.
Ensure availability of secure, non-discriminatory accommodation for all women students. Chart out and publicly announce time bound plan for construction of women’s hostels.
Announce a list of PGs and private accommodations regulated by the university in nearby areas and make the list available to all students with the university administration setting up mechanism for grievance redressal with regard to such accommodation. Implement the Delhi Rent Control Act 1995 to regulate rising rents in these areas.
Provide a clear breakup of the components of hostel fees, with a minimal infrastructural rent and maintenance cost beside the cost of food, electricity and water. Introduce provision for payment of hostel fees on a monthly basis rather than in a lump sum per semester or year.
Set up ICCs against sexual harassment in all colleges and universities as elected, representative bodies and in the spirit of the Vishakha judgment and make provisions for anti-discrimination policy in accordance with the UGC Saksham Committee Report and SC NLSA judgment.
Accommodation of all PwD women students in university hostels on priority basis.
Need based allocation of hostel accommodation.
Fixed allotment of hostel seat for the entire period of the student’s course including academic vacations.
Strokes, the fine arts society of SGTB Khalsa organized ‘Chauraha: 15 artists, 15 tales’, their annual art exhibition on 29th and 30th of September. As the name itself implies, the theme of the exhibition centered around 15 different tales of 15 different artists who contributed their art work around the idea of crossroads: a place where 4 roads meet. The exhibition was also located strategically inside the college campus. Also known famously as ‘Jannat’, this place leads to 4 different paths inside the college.
Displaying beautiful paintings inside a small circular tent house, the organizers had pretty much arranged everything in the most orderly manner possible, adhering to their central theme of Chauraha. The apt setting reflected on the faces of the audience, all of whom looked absolutely mesmerized by what they were seeing. The art work also very much focused on the theme. With realistic paintings of how people use a crossroad to welcome haunted spirits to the abstract concept of how we deal with small crossroads daily in our life, the exhibition pretty much covered all the parameters of this unique concept.
Not only this, the exhibition had a stall called ‘Kreartivity’, where some unique purchasable items ranging from bookmarks to book-jackets were showcased. The art focused event also saw a segment under the banner of ‘live art’ where artists were literally creating paintings then and there for everyone to see. A competition with the theme, ‘best out of the waste’ was also organized.
Mixed with unprecedented segments and a few surprises, the event saw a huge footfall not only from colleges under Delhi University but other colleges as well. Badal Chitrakar, a renowned artist in India and abroad was the chief guest of the event.
rising intolerance in the society and the importance of nonviolence. The play was organised during Raahgiri, on September 27, 2015 at Connaught Place, New Delhi. The play was performed by Abhinay, the dramatics society of Maharaja Agrasen College.
The Peace Gong is a national platform for children and youth to connect together and work for peace, nonviolence and sustainable development. Speaking on the efforts of the team to create awareness on the importance of nonviolence, the Peace Gong youth coordinator, Abhishek Ranjan, a first year student of the Maharaja Agrasen College said the Peace Gong was planning to bring together students of different colleges of Delhi University to propagate the message of peace, tolerance and mutual understanding.
Explaining the concept behind the play, Ankita Tomar, a 3rd year Journalism student of the Maharaja Agrasen College and the coordinator of Abhinay said, “We all know how throughout our freedom struggle, Mahatma Gandhi placed emphasis on the principles of nonviolence. But we are all concerned at the rising intolerance in our society where people tend to follow the path of violence at the slightest pretext. Through this play we are trying to portray that violence is no solution.”
Another Coordinator of Abhinay, Kartik Kala, a third year student pointed out that they intended to stage the play in other places in Delhi. He said, “It is important to incorporate Bapu’s teachings in one’s life and work for a compassionate world.”
“What we require is a student’s movement to address issues of intolerance and mutual disrespect,” said Palak Narula, another Peace Gong youth member and a first year student of Journalism. “We have to use different forms of media to reach out to each and every member of the society to influence aggressive behaviour towards each other. As a group committed to work for peace and nonviolence, we intend to learn and use the Gandhian principles of nonviolent communication to bring change and greater understanding in the society.”
Ankit Kumar, a first year student of Maharaja Agrasen College and also a Peace Gong youth member said in the coming weeks they planned totake up issues like road rage etc to address issues of rising intolerance in the society.
Other members of Abhinay like Vinay Sharma, Vihaan Pathak, Neha Singh, Sahil Vashist and others expressing their concern on the rising intolerance said they hoped their medium of street plays would contribute to create some awareness on the significance of mutual respect.
Image Credits: Vishal Bhandari and Abhishek RanjanGuest Post By Abhishek Ranjan
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Sarmaya, The Commerce Society of Zakir Hussain Delhi College(E) in collaborations with MBAGuru, Leader in Adaptive Preparation for CAT organized a India Quiz & Seminar on SWOT Analysis conducted by the eminent youth Motivator Mr. Vikram Gehlot on 23rd September 2015. The Quiz had two rounds, Preliminary and Finals, the event begin with a preliminary round to shortlist TOP 6 teams out of 130 Teams present in the auditorium. The prelims consisted questions from various topics such as Mythology, History, Politics, Current Affairs, Sports, Business.Later on, Mr. Vikram Gehlot was honoured by Dr. Iqbal Sayeed, President, Sarmaya and invited to take up the session, with a pack of 600 odd Individuals in the auditorium, speaking about the various trends in the markets regarding the career option that students opt, and the insight as to what they want to do in life, Vikram Sir drew a parallel between the both. Students at the end of an hour-lasting session were highly motivated to really think about the pondering career oriented questions.“The event concluded by awarding the winners, Team of Bishal Kumar, Ramjas College and Pratik Panda, Hansraj College won the Ist Prize after a wonderful set of final questions put up by the duo Quiz Masters – Mohak Chibbar and Drona Vatsyayan. Team of Saawan and Karthik from Zakir Husain Delhi College(M) finished second in the nail biting finals. The other teams to qualify for the finals included Team of Prithvi Raj, GB Pant Engineering College and Abhishek Shukla from Zakir Husain Delhi College (M), Nitij Rao and Nandakumar . N from Hindu College, Arpan Banerjee from Hindu College and Shvabh Chakarwarti from DCSC, Anindita Roy from Ambedkar University and Kartik Mishra from G L Bajaj battled out in the finals.” As told by Rishabh Jain, PR Head, Sarmaya]]>
It is well known that elections in the Delhi University leave deep environmental impact in colleges. In a bizarre turn of events, we’ve been introduced to a different impact as well this time. Mast Dola, a candidate for the post of a Central Councillor from an off-campus college, realised his biceps have beefed up when he finally went to the gym after losing the elections that involved a lot of handshakes.
“I love shaking,” he said. “Sometimes they would tell me they don’t want to shake my hand but I would shake their hand anyway. I thought that’s what wins you elections”. Dola said he did feel a little stiff but didn’t realise the extent of the impact until he measured it. “I biceps grew by 6 inches. My parents were shocked. My gym trainers have introduced a special package in the gym now – they call it the ‘DUSU package’. It’s only available for DU students,” he said.
Dola has now moved on in life from the loss in the elections. “I may have lost the elections but I won at life,” he said. He is doing public speaking sessions these days and is also known to be finishing his autobiography called ‘6 inches’.
Disclaimer: Believe Bazinga only at your own risk!
Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), the 2nd best medical college in Delhi after AIIMS doesn’t allow the medical aspirants to easily enter the arena of accomplishment. As rigorous as it sounds, students need to undergo spiral maze to reach this imperial college. To begin with, every student has to give All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT), an annual medical entrance examination. The exam is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for admission to MBBS course in several medical colleges across the country. Results are declared within a month following which a merit list is prepared for admission against seats under their control. The meritorious students are invited for counselling for the Delhi based medical colleges at the conference center of Delhi University (DU) where their documents are verified after which they are allotted seats for the preferred college according to the ranks. In MAMC 250 students are admitted annually. The distribution of seats is as per Delhi University Norms.
1. 15% of total seats are filled in through the entrance examination conducted by the C.B.S.E. on All India basis.
2. 85% of total seats are filled in through the Delhi University Norms.
3. 6 seats are reserved for Government of India nominees.
After allotment students need to visit MAMC along with the documents received from the DU and final strings of admission procedure are tied up with students receiving their provisional roll numbers and information booklets. The student is now a “Maulanian”.
Drowned in an ocean of inexpressible emotions, the journey which will take them to the title of doctor starts. What goes in the mind of an individual is a mixed nectar of enthusiasm, accomplishment, passion and a deep desire to learn. The first day is always the orientation day. It is a day when the students enter the era of independence, a day when they meet the other companions with whom they will slowly create deep bonds for life, a day when they will meet all the gurus who will shape their careers and probably the last day when they will be attentive during lectures.
MAMC is obviously a big brand and the first week is probably the time when people are most excited, so much so that a selfie with dissected upper limb, white coat, the M-gate and almost hundreds at each place can be found. Happy faces which include those of proud parents, seniors and juniors alike, also it is time for two events: hostel night and Goonj (the intra college fest).This journey is sure a long and hard one and pretty soon the week brings its share of grief and tears (obviously the crocodile tears of formalin). This may take some time but the students are also made to prick themselves and the first sight of blood may faint some.
Different kind of dimension can be experienced in the hostel. Every hostel room is a big stage with the an awesome audience which premiers late night movies, endless gossips and selfies, dancing sessions. Those so called PDP’ by seniors, discussion of the crushes, commitments of some and broken hearts of many, It is safe to say that everyone is lost in the zeal and zest of the new found facet of life.
All in all the first week embarks the most alluring and malleable period capable of metamorphosing a novice sailor to the veteran surfer.
One month into the semester and it’s time for BITS Pilani’s first fest of the session. The 30th edition of BITS Open Sports Meet or BOSM will take place from the 18th to 22nd September. This year BOSM will witnesses roughly 1500 outstation participants from IITs to Delhi University along with international participation from Sri Lanka and Dubai. With a professional show and new events lined up, the fest is set for a complete revamp this year. Here’s a look at the major new developments this time around:
The inauguration ceremony scheduled for the 18th will host Mrs. Premlata Agarwal, the oldest Indian woman to scale Mt. Everest as the chief guest with Mr. Joy Bhattacharya as the Guest of Honour for the occasion. There is also an inspirational talk scheduled by Mrs. Premlata on the 19th based on her lifetime achievements and the struggles she endured for the same. BOSM witnesses a professional show for the first time ever with “The F16s” , an electro indie band from Chennai coming down to Pilani as part of their new album launch. The event serves a twofold purpose-drawing in the general crowd and setting the tone for the other fests to come. Ignition, the LAN gaming event is also being reinstated this year with a lot of popular games and it promises to be a major crowd puller. A F1 simulator and football game screening are also on the itinerary. The usual and widely popular street football, box cricket and zorbing as well as Mountaineering and Adventure Club’s Spartan Dash are also seeing a renewal.
Among the sporting events, women’s football and an Indian sports zone which will include kabaddi and pitthoo are being introduced this year. In addition to this there are the regular events planned for this BOSM too, ranging from the BOSM sports quiz to photography and commentary competitions.
The organising committee (the CoSSAc) as well as the Sports Financial Committee is adopting a more liberal approach towards things. Plans are in place to enhance BOSM as both a sports fest as well as a BITSian one. The sports secretaries of the various hostels are being involved in streamlining the management process. Due to a surplus of funds, there is bound to be an increase in prize money and every participant will receive a goody bag. The BOSM app will be getting a brand new interface and matches are being prescheduled to afford the teams greater convenience.
BOSM promises to be much bigger and better this year. With the tireless effort being put in to make the sporting fest grander than ever before, there is definitely going to be a lot to look forward to.
DU Beat is the online media partner for this event.
Who says one needs a degree to teach or a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to help? The students of Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College didn’t require any labels or fanfare to fulfill their powerful vision of creating a difference in the society. With only a sincere heart and a burning desire to help, their successful initiative lead to the formation of the society, Sahyog. Staying true to its name, it involves a group of student volunteers who work together with full dedication and cooperation to empower the future of underprivileged children in Delhi.
Sahyog was founded in 2013 by Aditya who encouraged everyone to work towards the betterment of the conditions of these children as much as they could. What started as a group of only five to six members has now emerged as a forum of a total of thirty six volunteers. Their main aim is to provide less-fortunate children with free education in all essential subjects, training in co-curricular activities such as dance, drama, art and athletics and lessons in all moral values of life.
These students regularly visit the backward areas around their college in search of disadvantaged children or the ones seen doing labour and motivate their families to send them for their classes. As of now, they have more than fifty children who come to their college from neighboring areas such as Chandrawal Gaon, Kamla Nagar and Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar.
Ritesh Yadav, one of the members of Sahyog, said, “It gives us great happiness in seeing the children enjoy themselves in our classes. These children are always enthusiastic about learning something new every day. Sometimes, they would get so excited that they would arrive hours before the scheduled time, especially for the dance and drama classes.”
The members of Sahyog teach these children for two hours daily and most of the time, hold their classes in the basketball court due to lack of available places. They source all the required materials such as books and stationeries themselves, but are also provided with necessary aid by their teachers at KMC whenever needed.
Warning 1: Pangs of hunger for Ma’s dal-chawal, which you otherwise cribbed about at home.
Warning 2: An overwhelming need to be in your room at home.
Warning 3: New found love for an annoying sibling you would fight with every day.
When you feel all of this, accompanied by an unexplainable yearning for the past, for the place you grew up in and for the friends you spent your school days with, you should know you’re homesick.
Homesickness-an ugly monster that inevitably invades every hosteller’s life once the heady high of being in Delhi University has begun to fade. If you find yourself longing for home or worse, crying yourself to sleep at night, you must remember that there are several perks of having moved away from home in the first place.
You could, at some point in the future, probably survive a concentration camp: From sharing toilets with ten people to learning to adjust with uncooperative room mates, hostel equips you with the hardiness and confidence to survive even the worst of situations.
Every time you need something, you cannot yell for Ma: And that, dear fucch, teaches you to be independent. When you need your favourite pair of jeans, you’re going to realise you haven’t washed them in weeks. Empty laundry bags become a rare, but rewarding sight, and if you’re out of toothpaste, you have nobody to blame but yourself.
It’s all about the money, honey: Your monthly allowance is almost always insufficient for all those necessities-right from thrice a week momo cravings, to weekend Hauz Khas runs and groceries. What do you do? You learn to budget and save every penny you can. If you still have money in your pockets at the end of the month, congratulations! You can treat yourself to dessert at Big Chill.
Explore! In stepping out of that comfort zone, you have given yourself an opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds and to explore a whole new city! Delhi is an interesting place with something for everybody. All you need to do is get out of your room once in a while.
Distance makes the heart grow fonder: You begin to realise just how much family means to you. What makes it all worthwhile, is being pampered when you go home every couple of months. Your favourite meals will be made, cousins will take you out to dinner and you will feel like you’re royalty.
Most importantly, you will learn to stick by the decisions you made and that, gives you room to grow.
Every year more than 1.5 lakh students join School of Open Learning, many of whom migrate from regular colleges. What drives students to take this decision?
One of the most common reasons is that as students get promoted to higher semesters, the pressure of college attendance takes a toll on their career aims. Unable to handle the tuitions along with regular classes, the School of Open Learning witnesses a lot of migrations. A number of professional courses like Charted Accountancy and Actuarial Sciences, to name a few, demand work experience or articleship before students can move to higher levels. This is impossible to continue with regular classes and so SOL or correspondence becomes the only option for students intent on completing the course with their degree.
Many students enroll themselves in Delhi University to experience the carefree and fun life that the colleges in DU seem to offer. Being a part of SOL takes that away- the fests, the societies, the friends, and everything else. But it does give students plenty of time to focus on life ahead and excel in their professional course of choice.
SOL and regular colleges give a student the same platform except that regular colleges give students a sense of satisfaction of studying under the aegis of Delhi University, while SOL doesn’t. The criteria to enter management institutes like the IIMs and ISBs are the same for both, School of Open Learning and regular DU colleges, thus motivating students even from “top” colleges like SRCC and Hans Raj to take the leap.
But the fact that a degree isn’t always sufficient to propel students to positions they are capable of, and that the environment of a college does do plenty to ready a student for life after college, the decision to shift to School of Open Learning must be backed with unrelenting motivation and hard work.
