Latest
DU Beat – Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper
Tag

Delhi University

Browsing
DUB News

Maitreyi College Gives Insight to School Students on River Pollution

By

Maitreyi College recently organised an event in collaboration with Central Government’s Department of Biotechnology

 

In the first of a series of events, Delhi University’s (DU) South Campus institution, Maitreyi College organized an interactive session for school students to gain knowledge on environment issues, increasing pollution in the river Yamuna and the practice of waste segregation.

 

The college hosted students from around eighty schools in the city to visit its campus in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi and interact with the University students and faculty. The event – a conference as well as an interaction, was organized in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology of the Central Government on Friday, August 29th, 2019.

 

 

 

The school students were given an opportunity to express their understanding of the issues of climate change and river pollution, through the means of skits, short films and a poster-making competition.

This move is in line with the recent developments of environmental concern around the world. They not only include the local issue of the flooding of the river Yamuna and its poor state of cleanliness, but also occurrences such as that of the Amazon Rainforest’s wildfire, unabated rise in the level of microplastics in our water bodies, and the rapidly emerging concern of e-waste in the current global environment.

 

Chairman of the Governing Body of Maitreyi College, Shri Balaganpathy Devarkonda, said in a conversation with The Times of India, “…such events are important to bridge the gap between elementary and higher education and encourage students to indulge in discussion.”

 

The interaction of the students saw the mention of the Jal Shakti Ministry that has been recently introduced by the government to address the crisis of water management in the country. Students also discoursed regarding the potential way forward for the resolution of the crisis and pledged to take positive steps towards water conservation and cultivating a clean and green environment for all.

 

 

Featured Image Caption: Students at Qudsia Ghat, Yamuna riverfront

Featured Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

 

Bhavya Pandey

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Buses Sanctioned for the Differently-Abled in DU

By

Mr. Manoj Tiwari, the Minister of Parliament (MP) from East Delhi sanctioned the funding for two mini-buses to be able to provide safer transport facilities for the differently-abled students in the University of Delhi (DU).

Mr. Shakti Singh, the current President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) requested Mr Manoj Tiwari who is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from East Delhi for better transportation facilities for the differently abled.

INR 19,90,000 were sanctioned for the purchase of two Data Winger Motor Cars from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund. These mini buses were provided to Delhi University’s Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC)

Singh made this appeal on the 17th August and two days later, in a communique to the Commissioner, Mr. Tiwari has instructed the corporation to issue technical, financial and administrative sanctions within a time frame of 75 days.

The letter written by Mr. Tiwari to sanction the mini-buses for differently-able students Image Credits: Ashutosh Singh for Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)
The letter written by Mr. Tiwari to sanction the mini-buses for differently-able students
Image Credits: Ashutosh Singh for Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)

The University used to have transport facilities which were stopped in the year 2009. The differently abled living in the hostels had to go through various difficulties. Tactile paths were lacking which made it difficult to move freely. This was then later on dealt with by DUSU.

Shakti Singh DUSU President shared with DU Beat that, “Bohoth sari problems maine dekhi jispar humne kaam kiya. Pehla tha food jisko humne solve kiya, dusra tha tactile path, voh asuvidha bhi humne door kardi. Divyang chatro ko pedal jana padtha hain jo kaafi kathin hain. Humne Tiwari Ji se bath ki aur unhone fund release kardiya. Within 45 days ye laagu hoga (We saw various problems that we worked on. The first one being food which we solved second was tactile path. We resolved that incontinence as well. The physically impared had to walk which is a difficult task. We spoke to Mr. Tiwari and they released the fund. This shall be implemented within 45 days)”

He added that there were further facilities that needed to be provided and that DUSU was working on the same.

Feature Image Credits: The Hindu

Stephen Mathew

[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By
News

Pinjra Tod Opposes Police Visits and Inquiries About Kashmiri Students

By

In the wake of alleged incidents of the Delhi police visiting college hostels and PGs, and inquiring about Kashmiri residents, Pinjra Tod has written to the Commissioner of Police, Amulya Patnaik, opposing such visits.

Pinjra Tod, an autonomous collective to ensure secure, affordable, and non-discriminatory accommodation for women students across Delhi, has written a letter to the Patnaik alleging that “the Delhi Police has been going college to college, PG to PG in the neighbourhoods of Delhi, trying to identify and mark Kashmiri women students over the past few days.”

Citing an alleged incident, the collective shared that the police went straight to the warden of Miranda House College to collect the list of the names of Kashmiris, and their local and permanent residences. It was only after the intervention of the college Principal that the police returned.

“It would be better if they issued warning to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs)/hotels indulging in harassment of Kashmiri people instead of surveilling them”, said Pinjra Tod, describing another occurrence which reportedly took place in Jamia Nagar, where the police went to residential colonies, inquiring if women students and working professional staying there were from Jammu and Kashmir.

The collective accused that these visits made in the name of “students’ own protection” has on the contrary, “made people feel threatened and exposed in times when Kashmiri students are already facing public hostility from many corners.”

Pinjra Tod has also said that such “visits have been made in hostels and colleges across the University of Delhi and even off-campus residential areas around Jamia Milia Islamia.”

Linking these visits to the recent abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A by the centre and expressing their opposition towards the same, they said, “A mass hysteria around the triumph of Kashmir has been mobilised to polarize the country, unleashing the most Islamophobic, misogynistic, and genocidal impulses in our society” and these police visits and enquiries have “fueled fears of persecution in an atmosphere where the Indian state has acted against all its own constitutional commitments and past assurances.”

“This intimidation of Kashmiri women students has not stopped with the submission of our letter. Two days ago, Delhi police approached the Indraprastha College authorities and demanded information on Kashmiri students who lived in the hostel. In a context when Kashmiri students are being targeted, harassed and evicted out of houses, these steps taken by the Delhi Police only adds to their sense of insecurity on campus and leads to further targeting,” said Diya Davis, a member of Pinjra Tod.

They have demanded the police to be more “receptive and quick to act on any instances of harassment being reported by Kashmiri students, by landlords, neighbours and others.”

It is to be noted that on 5th August, on the day of the scrapping of the special status granted to Kashmir, Patnaik had issued directions for enhancing police presence in vulnerable areas and places frequented by Kashmiri people such as university campuses and markets in the national capital.

“Enhanced police presence will inspire confidence among the Kashmiri residents,” a senior official had said.

The veracity of the occurrences is yet to be ascertained.

 

Feature Image Credits: Pinjra Tod

 

Shreya Agrawal

[email protected]

 

 

 

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

UGC Recommends Institute of Eminence Status to DU

By

The University of Delhi (DU) has been named among 19 other institutes for Institutions of Eminence (IoE) status in a list released by the University Grants Commission(UGC) on Friday, 2nd August 2019.  The University is ranked 474 in the world rankings (QS 2020) which is one of the highest rankings among central universities. The UGC has recommended 10 public and 10 private institutes for the Institutions of Eminence  status.

The Institutions of Eminence scheme is aimed at developing 20 world class institutions which would put India on the global education map. The move allows greater academic, administrative and financial autonomy to the university. DU has consistently been among top rankings with. The University was ranked eighth this year.

The UGC, in its 542nd meeting held on 2nd August 2019 has considered the reports of the Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) appointed by the Government under the Chairmanship of Shri N Gopalaswami has recommended 15 public institutions and 15 private institutions to be considered for Institutions of Eminence. Since the scheme has only provided for 10 public and 10 private institutions, the UGC has examined the list of 15 public and 15 private institutions using ‘transparent and verifiable criteria’, according to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Image Source: PIB
Image Source: PIB

Institutes which are given IoE status from public category includes IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IISC Bangalore, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, University of Hyderabad, and BHU and private institutes which are recommended for IoE status include BITS Pilani, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Jio Institute (Reliance Foundation, Maharashtra) ,O.P JINDAL University and Shiv Nadar University.

Last year, the Ministry had granted Institution of Eminence status to six educational institutions. It included three public and three private institutes including Reliance Foundation’s yet-to-be-built Jio Institute, which had created a wide debate in the country. Gopalaswami, former Chief Election Commissioner who headed the expert panel which initially identified the list of IoEs commented, “We considered two types [of institutions], those who are already ranked well and those which are potential institutions. We might have felt something has potential, but government may feel something else, they may have felt that if an institution is not ranked at all, it cannot be considered. It is entirely justified.”

  • Benefits of the IoE Tag for the University

According to the Institutions of Eminence scheme, “These selected institutions are proposed to have greater autonomy compared to other higher education institutions. They will be exempted from approvals of government or UGC for academic collaborations with foreign institutions, except institutions in MEA and MHA list of negative countries. Once identified, the target for Institutions of Eminence will be to break into top 100 bracket in one internationally reputed ranking framework in 10 years.” Due to this prestigious status DU will get INR 1,000 crore from MHRD to achieve world- class status.

The decisions brought cheers among the students and academicians in the University. Welcoming this move, Stephen Mathew, a second-year student of St. Stephens College said, “I feel proud to be a student of the University. Personally, I feel safe in the university space per. It has also allowed me to grow academically and otherwise.”

Chhavi Bahmba, a fresher from Daulat Ram College commented, “I believe the University deserves it for the level of diversity and exposure offered. It offers a great undergraduate courses, however this status can help to work upon on few things like placement, infrastructure, etc.”

However, the UGC has denied the tag to some prominent institutions like Azim Premji University, Ashoka University, Indian Institute of Human Settlements etc. since they have not been placed in any global or national rankings. These recommendations are to be submitted to the MHRD for conferring the final status.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Sriya Rane

[email protected]

 

 

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Ramjas Road Menace: How Accessible are our Colleges?

By

Months on, the road outside Ramjas College is yet to be fully constructed. The road poses a serious threat to differently-abled students.

Amidst the unpredictable Delhi monsoon, the road outside Ramjas College turns into a sludge of dirt, grime, and puddles. Delhi police barricades stand in strange places as students leap over puddles and potholes.

The road that was dug up in March, in hopes of creating an improved one, still remains unfinished.

It limits the movement of students, and other travellers towards Daulat Ram College and Vijay Nagar. The looming cloud of dust became a permanent resident of the college, as students and teachers with breathing issues struggled.

During the second phase of construction, the road right outside the main gate was dug up, a gaping pit, roughly 10 feet deep stared at the world as students were forced to make their way to the college through the sidewalks caked with mounds of dirt and rubble. A walk to the college became a hiking trip.

As the raging Delhi summer went by, the capricious monsoon arrived. The dust outside the college has settled to puddles and swamps. Delhi Police barricades stand at the opening of the road, sometimes, it turns into a parking spot.

The tarmac on the road is yet to be laid but bikes and scooters still manage to scoot past the barricades. On the days when it rains heavily, the road turns into a massive puddle, forcing students to make their way through the sludge.

Letters to authorities have remained unanswered. Udhav Sharma, a third-year student wrote to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), explaining his concerns over the damaged roads. However, the NDMC is yet to respond. “The Principal told me that the work will get over in a few days.” But that’s yet to come true. Another pit has been dug up towards the sports ground gate of the college.

The road is also a source of great discomfort, and a possible threat to differently-abled students, faculty members and visitors to the college. Ramjas College is yet to become fully disabled-friendly. “The college space is inaccessible for people like me, the staff are rude, the damaged road is the cherry on top. There’s always a major risk of getting injured,” said a master’s student who chose to be anonymous.

The college Principal and Vice Principal remained unavailable for comments.

 

 

Feature Image Credits: Jaishree Kumar for DU Beat

 

Jaishree Kumar

[email protected]

 

 

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Follow Request: The Government of India

By

A brief look at the Ministry of Human Resource Development’s (MHRD) letter to all higher education institutes to link all student accounts to the social media accounts of the institutes, and the ministry and the reactions of college students.

A letter sent on 3rd July 2019 by the MHRD to all higher education institutes requesting them to identify and designate a faculty/non-faculty member as the “Social Media Champion” (SMC) whose duty it will be to get all the students of the college to connect their Twitter/Facebook/Instagram accounts to that of the MHRD and the educational institution by the 31st July. This move has already received a lot of backlash with the AISA saying on 9th July, that this step was aimed at curbing the freedom of expression of students. While the MHRD has replied that this step is completely voluntary for the students and they will not have any access to the student’s posts or data if a student follows them on social media, this move is still a cause for concern among the student community.

A copy of the MHRD’s letter sent to all Higher Education Institutes
A copy of the MHRD’s letter sent to all Higher Education Institutes

On talking to several students, it was found that some students felt the very act of asking students to follow certain pages was wrong, even though the MHRD ministry claims that it will just use this as a way to promote good work done by them and the educational institutes. Srijan Vaish , a first-year student from Dyal Singh College said, “The MHRD ministry is run by the government which is run by a  political party with its own particular ideologies, in this case the Bharatiya Janta Party  and the ideology of ‘hindutva’. So if students are compelled to follow their page, as young students, we can fall prey to the ideas that the central government is trying to promote. I feel that this manipulating the youth and not giving us the right to think for ourselves.”

While most students disagreed with the idea of following the MHRD, there was some who felt that something more sinister was going on behind the scenes, and felt that this would be the first step to monitoring students, their posts and their data. Prachi Johri, a second-year student from Indraprashta College for Women said that this could open the door for the government to “invade the privacy” of students. Prachi went on to say that if the government does take this extreme measure, it would “make the minorities, Muslims, LGBTQIA+ community, tribes and people with ideologies against the BJP lives very hard to survive, as the government will probably bully or lock them up for speaking against the government. It’ll disclose a lot of things to public which a student might not want to share. This will create a sense of fear and will stop students from pursuing higher education.”

In conclusion, while the MHRD might have good intentions and want to share their good work with students, perhaps connecting social media is not the best way to do it as lots of students are against this step, and additionally, feel that “sharing good work” is not the real motive of the government behind taking such steps.

Feature Image Credit: The Quint

Prabhanu Kumar Das
[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By
DUB Speak

Alarming Ambitions: The Case of DU’s Cut-offs

By

If you are reading this in a North Campus college’s canteen, you have your fortunes to thank for. You have made it to The Inaccessible.

The paid admission applications stood at 2,58,388 after the last date of registration at the undergraduate portal this year. The University of Delhi (DU), one of the most coveted education-hub of the country has provision of seats for less than a quarter of these applicants. To make up for this “exclusivity”, the University has a presumably foolproof hack: astounding cut-offs. With every year, the poor standard of education is validated by the rich number-game of cut-offs. National headlines in dailies are blaring announcements of which college set the highest cut-off percentage this year.

This practice necessitates the question of alarming ambitions that we are handing out to young high-school students, and for the sake of what? The University is a lot of things, but not the best academic space. How important is it, then, getting a whopping 99% if you wish to pursue B.A. (Honours) Political Science from Hindu College?

Our school system has been reduced to unhealthy academic pressures, topped with the co-curricular necessity to be an “all-rounder”. School teachers are critical when a student underperforms. The acknowledgement of good work is brushed aside with “you have to do even better in the Board exams”.

The severe and mortal fear of Board exams, as you will relate with, dear fresher, presents the most harrowing March ever. The DU cut-offs soaring through the roof have sustained the brand-value of colleges like Shri Ram College of Commerce, but their effect on the lives of high-school students have been largely treated as ambitions. “I remember my Business Studies teacher chiding me in front of a class of fifty-odd students, ‘If you plan on getting a 90 in your Board exam, better do not consider appearing for it in the first place.’ This was 15 days before the Board exams started, and till date, I am not over this statement, despite getting a good score. I remember it flashing in my mind every second during my Board exam.”

Truly, getting 95% today is disturbing. If you wish to pursue Economics Honours from Lady Shri Ram College, you need at least 97% or above, which is more or less saying that you must not lose more than 2.5 marks in each of your Best of Four Subjects. The Central Board of Secondary Education and other boards have also adjusted to the demand. 100s are tirelessly awarded to students in language papers. Such distribution puts to question the idea of 100s. But then, as long as you are getting a seat for English Honours at St. Stephen’s, how does your English proficiency matter? College comes with its opportunities, and hiding behind these opportunities are insecurities and vulnerabilities. The definition of a good college is earmarked in its history and brand-value. Most school students are blasted with the academic pressure by their parents and teachers, all to enable them to make it to their dream college. The inconsistent debate of the quality of our education system, along with the question of the inconsequential social exposure that we allow to our students pointedly screams at the alarming ambitions that we have enforced on the youth.

India is one of the leading countries in terms of its rich human-resources under the age of 35, but how effectively can we translate this resource into its most conducive form? Surely, not by falsely feeding the inadequate need for validation of the “top colleges of DU”.

 

Feature Image Credits: Manjit Thapp via Instagram

 

Kartik Chauhan

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Admissions 2019

Dear Freshers, Welcome to the World of Politics

By

The University of Delhi (DU) works as a microcosm of the world. And like the bigger picture, it has its own sense of politics. Here is a brief intro to Delhi University Student’s Union (DUSU) and its significance.

Many big names in contemporary Indian politics have had a stint in their college elections. Be it Arun Jaitley, president of the DUSU in 1974, or Kanhaiya Kumar, the Students Union President of Jawaharlal Nehru University; these elections seem like a foundation for a career in politics. 

The DUSU is a student body which held its first elections in 1954. It is the body which regulates and renegotiates the policies, rules and regulations agreed on by the varsity. DUSU actively involves itself in student-related issues and problems, tries to resolve them by pursuing the administration and works for the welfare of the students. DUSU has actively involved itself in the admission-related processes and issues of students. 

However, this entity is not free from dirty politics and hooliganism. The student politicians are infamous for staging protests, illegal activities, and unnecessary violence. The rivalry between ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad)— student-wing of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI)—student-wing of the Indian National Congress (INC)—is representative of their much larger right-versus-left conflict.

Supplementing this circle of politics are organisations like Pinjra Tod, Student’s Federation of India (SFI), All India Student’s Association (AISA), Democratic Student’s Union (DSU), Krantikari Yuva Sanghatan (KYS) and many others. 

The most important takeaway from the DUSU and its functioning for the university students is that it allows students to have an opportunity to contemplate their political choices, their freedom to vote, and the ‘apparent’ legacy of their family opinions. The first vote a DU student casts is for this simulation of National democracy.

Jaishree Kumar, a final year student of History from Ramjas College has experienced this circus for the past two years. She states, “Politics in the university can be intimidating, but it’s also a reflection of National politics, and in some ways, a caricature of it. Its apparent omnipresence is suffocating sometimes, but don’t get deterred by their loudness. Their freebies and niceness don’t matter. Their ‘may I help you’ signs disappear once the elections are over. Don’t run away from the politics, don’t take pride in calling yourself ‘apolitical’, don’t follow an ideology which has been passed down your family. You’re a university student, question everything.”

Some first-time witnesses of DUSU politics, like Prateek Pankaj from Hindu College call it “a social laboratory to understand how politics at the larger scale works”. He says, “More than anything, it teaches how democracy lives and breathes around us. When you see people protesting against the dismissal of sanitation workers or for the rights of ad-hoc teachers, it tells you how issues actually impact people.”

A humble advice to all the freshers: be aware, be involved and be alert. Form your own political opinions. I myself have experienced this ‘House of Shards’ for the first time last year, and I am already looking forward to this year’s dynamics. 

Feature Image Caption: Students queued to cast their votes during DUSU Elections 2018-19.

Feature Image Credits: Aakarsh Gupta for DU Beat

Sakshi Arora

[email protected] 

 

 

Keep Reading
By
Admissions

Live! DU Releases Fifth Cut-off List

By

The University of Delhi has released the fifth cut-off list today on the official website.

The admission under the DU 4th cut-off list ended ended on June 17th. The DU 5th cut-off list will be all about filling the seats in the reserved category in most colleges.

So far, the University has filled 67,419 seats out of the total 62,000. After the release of DU 5th cut-off, the admissions will take place from July 20, which will also be the first day for those who have already completed the admission process.

The candidates should note that this year, the university will notify just five cut-off lists.

Check this space for the latest updates on the fifth cut-off.

Click here to check the fifth cut-off list P.G.D.A.V. (E) College.

Click here to check the fifth cut-off list for Gargi College.

Click here to check the fifth cut-off list for Satyawati College.

Click here to check the fifth cut-off list for Shyam Lal College.

Click below to check the comprehensive fifth cut-off lists:

Arts & Commerce

Science

B.A. Programme

Keep Reading
By
Uncategorized

Monsoon Blues in DU: A New Semester

By

With the start of a new semester for some a new exciting college life for others, the University of Delhi (DU) session begins during monsoon.

The energy is generally high and full of high hopes and expectations. The students can be seen milling around trying out auditions for various societies, attending classes with a new-found vigour, and doing their best to make most out of the day.

However, all this energy still cannot dispel the little low you feel at the prospect of another year and all the challenges it will bring forth. It is a little daunting task for freshers coming from various parts of the country and finding their whole world turned upside down. It is hard to find your niche, your group of people, and a place in which you feel safe and most comfortable to be in. When you finally do, the rest of the journey is far more easier and smooth.

Speaking from experience, a student elaborates, “My first year was rough. My society took considerable amount of my time and in the beginning I was scared about managing both my classes and society. The most tough part was that I was not able to connect with my classmates as I was able to do with my society people.”  

At such point of time, classes become boring and you don’t even feel like attending lectures without any friendly faces in it. 

In girls’ colleges, the whole experience is different. If you are coming from co-ed schools, the whole environment feels alien. You have doubts about settling in and whether you will be able to survive the three years. However, trust me on this- no other college is as empowering and as enriching in experience as girls’ colleges turns out to be. 

A student from Kamala Nehru College says, “Initially, I was scared to be in this city. It was huge and fast. I thought people would be way smarter than me. I underestimated my own self and worth. With time, my confidence grew and I felt comfortable to such an extent that I was no longer intimidated by anyone. I realized my potential and all my initial fears and misconceptions disappeared.” 

There are also some very confusion-filled days when you feel like migrating. You are still confused about your course or college. The best way to cope with it would be to analyse what you want best thoroughly before making any long-term decision. The journey makes the destination more beautiful. So, have complete faith in your journey. 

The dreary weather can feel a little overbearing when combined with the feeling of not belonging but every dark cloud will dispel to let the sunshine pour forth. With time, you will create the best memories. Your initial fear will seem inconsequential and, with each passing day, your fears will abate. 

Apparently, monsoon in Delhi brings bouts of self-doubt and also a lot of mosquitoes. Don’t let the moody weather pull you under and also don’t let these mosquitoes bite. Both of them are not exactly recommended for a happy disposition required to make most of your days in DU!

Feature Image Source: Facebook

Antriksha Pathania
[email protected]

Keep Reading
By