As a head start to their annual fest Scoop, the Department of Journalism, Delhi College of Arts & Commerce is presents Ex Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in conversation with M.J. Akbar, Editor-in-chief of Sunday Guardian. Talking of the upcoming elections, the discussion will be on the topic, “Lok Sabha Elections 2014: Is the political Landscape Changing in India?”.
We present you live updates from the event!
On 17th January, the political science department of Delhi College of Arts & Commerce organised an informative seminar about different academic options offered at LSE to students globally. The guest lecturer was W.S Breare-Hall who is the Student Recruitment and Study Abroad Manager at LSE.
The seminar kicked off with introduction of London School of Economics which was established in 1895 by Beatrice and Sidney Webb, George Bernard Shaw and Graham Wallas. Mr. Hall illustrated LSE as an institution which strives to make a positive difference in the society by creative policy makers of tomorrow. He said, “People come to LSE not because who we are but because who we are. When you go home after your classes at LSE, you have a unique insight and far more exciting experiences, knowledge and skills.”
He described the procedure of selection programmes, scholarships, financial aids and accommodation facilities at London School of Economics. He went on to throw light on various graduate, undergraduate and general courses offered at LSE. On choice of degree at LSE he said, “When you are choosing a degree, look carefully. If it’s not according to your interests then it’s not right for you. Tailor the degree according to your interests.”
“Being the president of the department, I want to give my best to the students. In today’s world it’s essential to get global to understand the socio-cultural contest at the local level. The seminar was an attempt at this. We hope to keep having such informative seminars in the future too”, said Pooja, the president of Political Science Department of Delhi College of Arts & Commerce.
Mr.Hall concluded the event thanking the gathering,”It is I who must thank you for being such a welcoming and gracious host.I hope those present found my talk helpful and I would be delighted to visit you again in the future.”
A group of twelve students and five professors from the University of Delhi attended the 10th South Asian Economics Students Meet (SAESM) held at Lahore, Pakistan from 23rd to 30th December. This economic meet had an undergraduate students representation from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The entire event was divided into two halves. The conference and various competitions were held on the first three days, followed by a retreat on the next three. Political Economy in South Asia was the overall theme for this meet, conversely, there were six sub-themes. University of Delhi, Lahore University of Management Sciences, University of Kabul, Symbiosis School of Economics, Pune, St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata and many more attended this event.
The students stayed in the Lahore University campus. The first day commenced with the national anthems of the seven South Asian countries being represented, which was followed by the opening ceremony- finally unraveling the 10th Annual Meet. Charvi Kain, LSR and Sambodhi Sarkar, St. Stephen’s College stood second in the quiz; Palaash Bhargava, KMC stood third in the Budding Economist and Chhavi Miglani from SRCC reached the final round for the Budding Economist.
Apart from leading the Indian delegation, Sambodhi Sarkar also won the Amartya Sen-Mehboob ul Haq Award. His paper on The Political Economy of Public Finance was deemed the best overall paper during the conference. Miranda House’s Amrita Garai won laurels for her paper on The Political Economy of International Trade as well.
Other students who represented the University of Delhi were Ishneet Kaur from KMC, Anuvinda PS from LSR, Manas Pathak and Jatin Bavishi of Ramjas College, Karan Kumar from DCAC, Stuti Oberoi of Miranda House and Ishita Asija representing IP College for Women.
After the hectic meet the students were taken for a day trip to Islamabad and for a short visit to the Harappan Valley. A professor of Lahore University also invited all students for lunch at his farmhouse.
The overall feeling by the students of India was that their image of Pakistan had changed and changed for the better. Charvi Kain said, “I felt as though Lahore was quite similar to New Delhi, the people were very warm and the experience had been quite enriching.” Whereas, Palaash Bharagava mentioned that he got to understand Political Economy way beyond the Indian way of learning. He even said that as Economics has various schools of thought, this event proved to be quite successful in making him understand different perspectives of Economics.
While Economics departments of other colleges go about organizing their departmental fests, Ecolibrium, the ecosoc of DCAC has come up with a new refreshing idea of`Ecolympics: sports day with a twist’ as they like to put it.
Ecolympics, to be held on 19th march, 10 am onwards in the grounds of DCAC seeks to bring together students, teachers and staff of the college for a fun filled day. With competitions like lemon race, tug of war, sack race, 3 legged race, taboo and 5 on 5 football, participants will not only get a chance to revisit and relive their childhood days but also a chance to win cash prizes worth Rs. 12000!!
The main attractions of the day however, will be the popular Paint Ball and the Segway. For those who don’t know, Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicle and a fun ride.
To complete the day, there will be some good food too, to fill all those hungry stomachs after a day of jumping around.
In their attempt to make 19th a crazy and memorable day for the participants, Ecolibrium has received immense support and encouragement from their sponsors Jain art jewelers, Healthee.in, Sangeeta Bedi School of Economics and Math’s, DU beat, IATA Flight Center, Punjab sweet corner thy campus and Spicy by Nature .
“We are expecting a participation of at least 150 people given all the excitement it has created among the students” Says Siddharth, Vice president, Ecolibrium.
Here’s a day dedicated to fun, freedom and of course spirit of sportsmanship spirit!
Tushar Prashar is a regular guy from Delhi, pursuing B.A Program from Delhi College of Arts and Commerce. Looking at him you’ll be amazed how a rather lanky guy like him can do what he does. But this boy, blessed with a sound sense of music, an uncanny ability to imitate the roaring sounds of drums and trumpets, AND, an amazing set of oral fittings, does so, and how!
In a conversation with him:
DU Beat: So, how did you get into beatboxing?
Well, as a kid I always used to imitate people, Gradually, it led to imitation of sounds as well. That is how I developed interest. I used to do beats, somewhat like 2 years ago I came to know about the art that is beatboxing, so I started working on it, watching videos of other renowned beatboxers on You Tube, adding my own style of course. So, yes, since then, there has been no stopping.
DUB: So, are you associated with some band?
No, I have collaborated with other artists, but, no, haven’t formed a band as yet, but is quite possible, soon.
DUB: What’s “Beatbox Battle”?
It’s like an organisation of all the beatboxers across the globe, where all of them can connect with each other.Basically, it is about the art of battling each other to judge the best beatboxer around, but in India, there hasn’t been a beatbox battle yet. There are just 120 odd recognised beatboxers in India.
DUB: Do you plan to take it up as a career?
Yes, lately I have been quite involved with music, along with beatboxing I would like to get into music production. I’m currently also working as music critic for a magazine called the “Euphoria Magazine”, which is like India’s first Electronic and Dance Music Magazine. Also, I have my music promotion channel on You Tube. So, if it works out, then I’m definitely viewing it as a career thing.
DUB: So, you’re a critic as well?
Yes, I write for drum and bass. It’s a genre, like house, trance, and kids these days are into dubstep, but yes, drum and bass is my thing. “unz unz unz unz”, this is what trance sounds like!
DUB: So, have your parents been supportive of your choice?
Well, earlier they didn’t get the concept of creating-sounds-from-the-
DUB: So, where all have you performed?
I have performed at Café Morrison, the “Comedy Convention” at FICCI Auditorium, at “Red Bull Paper Planes Event”. These are the good ones, but otherwise I have jammed a lot!
DUB: Is your college atmosphere conducive to what you do? Like when you miss classes and all, do you have to struggle for attendance?
Yes, the atmosphere is good. Though the attendance issues are a bit tough to manage, but hopefully from this semester, things shall change!
DUB: People whose work inspires you?
Oh there are many! Reeps one from UK, Beardyman from UK, Babeli from Germany, Tom Thum from Australia, amongst others.
DUB: Has this affected your life in any way?
Well, it has been a part of my life for the past 2 years, so yes my life has changed a lot. People even recognize me as a “walking talking stereo”!
DUB: So, anything you would like to say to the budding beatboxers?
Keep it real, listen to good music, there’s a lot around, the sad part is many beatboxers and musicians try to imitate others. Its better to keep things according to your style. And, don’t listen to Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and the likes (kidding.)