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DUSU Elections: Handwritten posters to replace printed ones

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This year, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had asked Delhi University to conduct paperless elections. Bolstered by NGT’s order, University authorities have decided to allow each candidate to paste only two “handwritten” posters in the campus. The chief election officer Prof. D.S Rawat said “As per the NGT order, we will allow just two ‘handwritten’ posters per candidate in one campus. Candidates will have to strictly abide by the model code of conduct set according to the Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations”.  In a recent meeting of the central advisory committee, decisions were taken to prevent wastage of polls of paper used by candidates for campaigning. Every year, lakhs of rupees are wasted on papers used in campaigns. But the university has not yet taken any action in this regard.

Recently, one of the candidates was found to have violated the rule in colleges across north campus. Following the trend, just after a couple of days, many other parties also showered the corridors of colleges with their flyers. No action has been taken against any of the candidates even though college level committees have been constituted under the principals to report such violations to the University authorities. Last Thursday, one candidate and his supporters were found defacing the Vishwavidyalaya Marg in front of gate no.1 of North Campus with paper posters and fliers. When asked about the same, one of the supporters said “These pamphlets are printed to be thrown on campus”.

Even though the campaigning has started with full swing, the University authorities seem to be in deep sleep. Without any actions, even after rampant violations, it looks like the University is planning to implement paperless elections by making rules which exist only on paper.

Image Credits: www.thehindu.com
Srivedant Kar
[email protected]

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Campus Central

Delhi University colleges literally falling apart

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HANS RAJ COLLEGE Walking into college feels like walking into a factory site. Students are welcomed by behemoth construction taking place beside the canteen and near the main block. Initially, the former appeared to be nothing more than an eyesore. Soon however, it turned into a life threat, as debris from the site began plummeting down on students who dared to venture into the canteen area. Imagine feeling like Chicken Little in every single moment you spend at college! It is rather depressing to know that the most beloved and popular space in college – The Lover’s Point – is now also the most lethal and comes with a muted ‘enter at your own peril’ warning. The construction taking place near the main block is problematic because of the sounds emanating from the drilling, breaking, and building activity. The cacophony disrupts teaching and sometimes, splinters and tiny rocks fly into the classroom itself, injuring nonchalant students.

DAULAT RAM COLLEGE

Daulat Ram College has recently made headlines for its inadequate infrastructure, to the point of social media being flooded with memes about students wearing helmets to class. On 30 August 2016, a chunk of cement and plaster fell from the ceiling during a lecture in Room 105, injuring five students. Students had protested a mere couple weeks prior to this event, demanding timely renovation and proper sanitation in the college. In the aftermath of this event however, both students and teachers have taken a more hardline stance and boycotted classes until their demands for safe classrooms are met. The teachers’ association of the college has drafted a resolution stating the same. Police and media infiltrated the college on the day of the event, and emergency meetings were called between the Principal and the governing body. The students went as far as to involve the Vice-Chancellor of DU in the proceedings. An interactive session between administrative authorities, students, teachers, and parents has also been scheduled. We have yet to see whether this will be enough to finally propel the authorities to action. At the end of the day, all students have the same complaint: if only the college had been wiser and undertaken all construction work during the long summer break, students would have not just reaped the benefits of improved infrastructure, but also dodged (pun intended) the menacing consequences of infrastructural development. Kriti Sharma [email protected] Vineeta Rana [email protected]

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DUB Speak

Priyanka and Anshu: Bungalow Road, Kamla Nagar

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Swarms of people passing the Bungalow Road seem to miss the unmissable. Having honed the art of ignorance myself, I quite successfully give certain human coordinates that form the aesthetics of the area as much as McDonald’s or Bookland a miss, but not this time.

Priyanka and Anshu, having evaded the liberal policies of the government, carry an air of versatility, to be able to fit in or rather have the surroundings fit them. The articles they are selling are like accolades on offer. They sell stationery items.

Having punctuated the area for over 8 years, 16 years old Priyanka, who is typically seen reading elementary school books outside Planet Fashion, boasts of having taught business skills to many top notch garments vendors in the area. Bablu, a prominent garments crusader in the area confirms the claim. “Priyanka taught me the nitty gritty of the garment market, from getting the articles at wholesale rates from Tank Road and Ramesh Park to selling the articles and managing my accounts”, says Bablu.  He assists his partner in managing a make shift niche where wide variety of clothes can be seen arranged in files of threes on a cot.

Albeit a school dropout, Priyanka takes pride in attending tuitions from 3 to 6 PM every day. However, she laments her parents’ decision to make her leave school and doesn’t want the same fate for her 4 younger sisters. A resident of Chandrawal Village, Priyanka’s day starts with helping her mother with domestic chores after which she gets down to tutor her younger sisters. “I study everyday so that I could teach my younger sisters”, says Priyanka.

On a typical day, she can be seen with a box of assorted stationery articles switching spots to try and get potential customers. Her wingman is usually 9 years old Anshu, who unable to pronounce the ‘N’ in her name calls herself Ansu. She considers Priyanka her idol and can be seen copying her jargon in her own way.

The duo earn somewhere between Rs 600-700 per day on weekdays and over Rs 1200 on weekends. Priyanka claims that she gives her earnings to her father who works in a thread factory in Malkaganj. She also takes pride in having an account in Canara Bank.

After a day’s work, much like the other 40 children selling different articles in Kamla Nagar, the duo retires at 9PM. Their employers are their parents who tally the numbers of articles sold and the earnings upon their return. About to leave, I extend my hand towards Priyanka for a handshake. She shies away and instead folds her hand wishing me adieu.

Featured Image Credits – Jowhiti for Tripadvisor

Sidharth Yadav

[email protected]

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Fashion

This Fresher’s Season, Look Your Best!

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With Fresher’s season in full swing, and coveted titles of ‘Best Dressed’ up for grabs, a few tips wouldn’t hurt right? For starters, it is important to note that it’s a college fresher’s party and not a wedding. Overdressing will kill the mood. On the contrary, long before you know it, you’ll be a senior scourging for throwback fresher’s party pictures, so you might as well put in a little effort. Also, try not to spend too much money on your outfit, because with college life come a host of events you’ll want to dress up for. Invest in a wearable outfit rather than something you’ll wear only once. Wearing an old outfit wouldn’t hurt and the DIY route is always commendable. If you’re still confused and sticking to the theme is a little trickier than what you’d envisioned, here are a few looks to draw inspiration from:

The ‘Friends’ Look.
 With slip dresses making a comeback in runways and blog posts the world over, they surely make a statement while also appearing breezy and comfortable. To take it up a notch, layering one over a plain t-shirt like Phoebe and Rachel do on ‘Friends’ is a good idea.

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Image Credits: dailymail.co.uk

Karishma’s look in Zubeida.
The ‘Bollywood’ theme is a recurring one each year, and for those daring to make a statement in a sari, Karishma Kapoor’s innumerable ethnic looks in the movie Zubeida can be an inspiration. Opt for a light sari with a matching blouse in a pastel hue, and take it light on the accessories. Don a youthful look this time around, as you always have your farewell to look more ‘mature’!

Image Credits: www.lautanindonesia.com
Image Credits: lautanindonesia.com


Woodstock, Coachella and Glastonbury vibes.
Look at music festival outfits for a fun and vibrant look. Off-shoulder dresses, with over the top jewellery and gladiator sandals never fail to make a statement.

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Image Credits: tumblr_inline_nmwqw61V4u1t0c38m_1280,

Accessorise the right way.
Most outfits scream for accessories, and a good option this time would be trendy headgear. Say, a turban or a chunky headpiece! YouTube has millions of tutorials on wearing turbans and bandanas. Check them out if taking the headgear route is your thing.

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Image Credits: thescottishsun.co.uk

These tips are only for inspiration, so as to come up with something of your own. You wouldn’t want to let go of your comfort zone, trying to ape someone else!

Feature Image Credits
timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Swareena Gurung.
[email protected]

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Life at Delhi University

Life at Delhi University: The Music Society

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  • Building Bonds that go beyond Verbal Communication:  As is rightly said by Henry Longfellow, “music is the universal language of Mankind” and the music society is the perfect example of this statement. We all hail from different states, eat different food, have different cultural backgrounds and speak different languages which at times becomes a barrier in initiating a conversation and befriending each other. For that matter, A Punjabi girl (trained in Jazz guitar) might have some troubles bonding with a Keralite guy (a trained Carnatic vocalist) and won’t have many things in common when it comes to having a verbal communication. But both of them would be equally enchanted and amused when the jazz guitarist jams to the Carnatic Symphonies establishing a bond that transcends the cultural divide.
  • Team work: This notion might not sound as exclusive to the music society as the previous one, but trust me, it is. Music forms like acapella performances which include a group of 10-20 vocalists performing together without any instrumental aid, requires immense coordination. Unlike a pyramidal structure which has its base as the most crucial part, an acapella has a musical structure as dynamic and fragile as a house of cards where every singer has an equally important role to play to maintain the overall balance. ( One mistake and, Pffftt!)
  • What you do is also your means of recreation:  Unlike certain societies where people, after hours of working, take breaks to relax, we do something we’ve been doing for hours already. We play more. So it’s very common for musicians to break into random jamming sessions and have a small fling, playing their favourite melodies when they wish to take a break.
  • You may also find your Alter Ego:  We tend to like and connect with people with similar tastes in literature, sports etc. Every musician has his or her unique way of composing and improvising. But the moment you realize that the person you’re jamming with has a similar composing / improvising sense, you tend to have an inexplicable chemistry, an instant connection which often, later establishes and compliments strong friendships.
  • Altercation regarding grants and equipment:  An integral part of the music society is pleading for grants and permission to use college’s sound equipment, auditorium etc. You’re really lucky if you have cooperative cultural secretaries but if not, boy! you’re going to have a tough time!
    • Being a part of the music society demands commitment in terms of practice routines. It demands discipline and often causes discomfort at times, as you have to practice in public places, in the scorching heat even when colleges are closed. (And also Because A/C Jampads charge money.) But what it gives you in return is much more than it asks for. A family like experience, great musical minds to work with and friendships that go beyond cultural barriers.   Feature Image Credits- http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_29172264/employers-bend-over-backward-shower-their-workers-unusual Aditya Narang [email protected]]]>

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    DUB Speak

    Women’s safety in DU: How safe are we?

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    We seldom realise the severity of an ugly situation until we find ourselves embroiled in something equally, if not more unpleasant. Reading the newspaper daily had kept me cognizant of the crimes against women in the National Capital; but only recently, when I was victimised, not once but thrice, did the shock and horror of it engulf me in hatred and disgust.  The most outrageous part of it all is that my untoward experiences occurred on campus: an area that is supposed to be ‘a safe haven’ for the University’s burgeoning student population.

    Episode 1: One day, as I waited for the train at the platform of Vishwavidyalaya station, I was approached by a stranger. He was a man in his mid-twenties. He boldly walked up to me and very squarely asked me, “Are you the prettiest girl on this planet?” Completely appalled by this stranger’s forwardness, my mind grew blank with fear. I was paralysed- both tongue and feet. He took my silent panic as encouragement and tried to get comfortable. Just then the metro rushed into the station. I reflexively jumped right in and fled to the Ladies’ coach. I found a corner seat and sat there, numb and motionless for the rest of the journey.

    Episode 2: I was crossing the road in front of my college, when a bike with two crudely dressed boys sped past me. An instant later, the boy sitting behind the driver turned around, sized me up, whistled and hooted and loudly screamed out ‘Jaaneman, haseena!’ He followed this up with a cackle and before my mind could respond to the situation, the bike was a blur in the distance.

    Episode 3: I was at Kamla Nagar, purchasing my books for the new academic session, when a group of boys, perceptibly students from a campus college, walked into the book store. One of them noticed me and overtly pointed me out to his friend. The friend then went on to call the boy beside him and before I knew it, all three boys were ogling at me. The stares made me extremely uncomfortable and I walked out immediately. I thought I had managed to escape the scene when these boys followed me out, overtook me, brushed their shoulder against me, called me ‘Tota’ and then hurried away.

    Yes. The metro incident was my first experience with the disgusting indecency of men in Delhi University (and elsewhere, in general) and the other two episodes gave me a bitter taste of eve-teasing. I don’t wish to further opine my views on the subject of women’s safety in DU, because I know no one is listening. However, putting the entire issue in perspective, I, as a girl student in DU, seek answers to the following questions: what is the point of having a police constable stationed every 200 m on campus when lewd men still openly get away with their lascivious deeds? Also, why hasn’t the University done something more tangible to make public places like roads, platforms and campus markets safer? Why do problems like eve-teasing receive such tepid attention and response from the authorities? Are these issues not crimes? Or do we need something grave like rape or murder to happen to get authorities to implement stringent rules?

    I know I am just one among the many women on campus who has had a tryst with such disturbing events. I feel we must come to the fore and talk about our experiences, no matter how hurtful, to create awareness and awaken the concerned parties to our cause. Questions like the ones above have to be raised more frequently and vociferously to actually pave the way for change.
    So, dear sister, share your thoughts, views and opinions with us. Help us stir and sensitise the otherwise apathetic authorities. We look forward to hearing from you.

    Image Credits: www.livemint.com

    Kriti Sharma
    [email protected]

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    DUB Speak

    Life at Delhi University: The Photography Society

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    Being in a Photography/Visual Arts society is an enthralling and educating experience to say the least. Being in the company of people who know the skills of photography, and who are ready to teach and most importantly learn, has made me appreciate the beauty of insignificant things.

    This is what my experience has been like being in The Darkroom, the visual arts society of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies. (We proudly call ourselves a visual arts society because we teach, share and set forth the spirit of not only photography, but graphic designing and film-making as well)

    1.) Photowalks to the best spots in and around Delhi

    Our craving to capture architectural beauty drives us all around Delhi; from Humayun’s Tomb to Feroz Shah Kotla Fort to Hauz Khas. Sometimes the photowalks happen in crowded yet colourful places like Chandni Chowk which give us abundant human subjects to capture.

    2.) Knowledge of DSLR, even when you don’t have one

    When I joined my society, I didn’t even know what the full form of a DSLR was (many of us still don’t know, that’s a fact) but eventually we start learning how to operate a DSLR even when we don’t own one. Some of us even save up money to buy it. More than the intuitiveness, I guess it’s the fact that our non-photographer friends who force us to learn about DSLRs. Earlier when my friends used to ask me about DSLRs, I just used to tell them something out of Wikipedia.

    3.) Keeping track of photography society pages on Facebook

    An arduous task is to keep track of different competitions that come up on Facebook. Most of us have a competitions database but miserably fail to update it. Sometimes we just stalk a particular society’s facebook page until they post a competition.

    4.) Sharing the cameras in competitions

    When on-the-spot photography competitions happen (mostly during the fest season), we sometimes have just one camera and 4 participants. But, we somehow manage to submit every photo.

    5.) Where’s my tripod? Where’s my memory card?

    We keep losing our stuff for some reason, either things get swapped with another person in the society, or we just lose our stuff altogether.

    Kartikeya Bhatotia
    [email protected]

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    DUB News

    Apart from Olympics, DU set to shine at Paralympics too

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    Delhi University recently earned itself the reputation of being the only university in the country to send the maximum number of participants to the Rio Olympics this year. But it’s not just the Olympics where it is sending students.

    The Olympics is the biggest dream of any qualified sportsperson and the ultimate stage where they get a chance to prove themselves. Apurvi Chandela, who has qualified for the women’s 10m air rifle, Lalit Mathur, who has qualified for the men’s 4x400m relay and Manika Batra, who has qualified for the women’s singles at Table Tennis are getting a chance to play in the biggest and the most glamorous competition of their lives. Batra is at the top of the table tennis rankings in India, Apurvi has already won a gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Glassgow and Mathur has already made his bollywood debut as Farhan Akhtar’s body double in the movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

    However, it’s not just the Olympics where DU kids will lock horns with international talent. Sharad Kumar, a graduate from Kirori Mal College is all set to compete in the Rio Paralympics. He was banned in 2012 for allegedly taking steroids during the Malaysian open Para Athletics Championship but proved himself after winning the gold medal at the 2014 Para Asian Games at Incheon. He also broke a 12 year old record in the men’s high jump category. The 22 year old has proved himself worthy of the 2016 Paralympics. But it is disheartening to know that even after winning the gold, he was not given any recognition. Despite every medalist being given tonnes of special facilities by the government, Sharad did not receive any. This reflects the sad state of affairs in India where athletes are expected to give their all for the country but the government still fails to give them their due rewards. An athlete like Sharad should get the recognition he deserves and it is something he has definitely earned again this time.

    We wish him all the best for the Paralympics!

    Image credits: thesalute.in
    Inputs from news18.com

    Arindam Goswami

    [email protected]

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    DU Dhaba

    Ten food joints that DU freshers must visit

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    Lots of food joints around but confused as to where to head first? To a place which would be light on your pocket and serve food as delicious as would bombard your current diet chart? Well, here is a list of food joints which you MUST visit to flaunt how amazing your life at DU is!

    1.Y not Chinese

    Popular among the students as YNC, this place is located in Kamla Nagar market. The place is entirely air-conditioned and can accommodate 40-50 people at a time. Being light on your pocket, the place offers a variety of dishes from Chinese to Tibetan to North Indian. The quantity of food is more than sufficient and the quality, good. A variety of momos are served here, ranging from steamed to fried to tandoori to achari momos! A nice décor with dim lighting makes a lovely ambience. Cost for two- Rs. 250/- approximately. Read an extended food review, here.

    Image Credits: www.sodelhi.com

    2. Chacha ke Chole Bhature

    In the streets of Kamla Nagar market, this shop has found a little space for itself.  Known to every DU student, this place offers a respite when the thoughts of oily food divert a student’s attention during the lectures. The shop is always surrounded by students. Although you have to stand and eat as it is not a proper restaurant type of place, the taste of the ever-popular dish offered here makes the struggle bearable. One plate costs around 30-40 bucks.

    chole
    Image Credits: www.tipini.com

    3. The Big Yellow Door

    Known as BYD among the students, the place is rather innovative with a yellow inclined door rather than the usual doors seen around. The menu ranges from cheese fries and salads to The Flying Chicken Pizza and various wraps. An interesting range of milk shakes like The Kit-Kat Shake lure the students to come here even when they know that there might already be a long queue of students outside the door waiting to get seated. All the items are offered at a reasonable price and ‘Go Creative’ seems to be the motto of this place which is located in Vijay Nagar. Cost for two is around 250 bucks. Read the extended food review, here.

    byd2
    Image Credits: www.khaugalideals.com

    4. My kind of Street Cafe

    Located in Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar, the place serves as a hot spot for South Campus students. Bright yellow walls and a green door is obviously one of the attractions but  games like monopoly which are offered here makes the place an engaging one. Cheese-filled momos and the desserts are the things to look out for. The ‘make your own order’ menu card promises to catch your attention.

    Image Credits: www.buzzintown.com

    5. Tom Uncle’s Maggi Point

    Located near Daulat Ram College, this place is what comes to a student’s mind when one talks about maggi. Maggi with all sorts of different  varieties, which are around 20, is served here. This place has been popular since ages and  is really cheap. Variety. Within your budget. Must visit.

    Image Credits: www.sodelhi.com

    6. Majnu ka Tila

    If you love to taste different varieties of food, Tee Dee, located in the streets of Tibetan refugee settlement, Majnu ka Tila, should be on your list. Tibetan and Chinese dishes are offered here. Thukpa, Thentuk and Gyuma are the most famous dishes served.  Apple beer is the highlight of the place. Cost for two: Rs. 350-400/-  Read the extended food review, here.

    tee dee
    Tee Dee, Majnu ka Tila ( Image Credits: Jayati Bhola for DU Beat)

    7. Bhelpuri outside Hindu College

    If you are a fan of street food, then the right spot for you to have the best bhelpuri served in the campus is the bhelpuri served outside the Hindu College. More quantity (even a single plate is sufficient for two people), less cost. Don’t forget to carry your water bottles as the bhelpuri is really spicy! One plate costs around 20 bucks.

    Image Credits: Additi Seth for DU Beat.

    8. Bittoo Tikki Wala

    Popular among the students as BTW, this place is located in the North Campus and is yet another hotspot of street food lovers. The tikki served here is delicious and is offered at a reasonable price.

    btw
    Image Credits: www.shaadikitayaari.com

    9. D- School

    Famous for its canteen, the place is always bustling with life. A lot of dishes are there on the menu but the non-vegetarian ones are the best compared to all others. The canteen is affordable and is always filled with students from North Campus so that you can always spot one of your old friends around. Being a fresher, this place should be on your flaunting list!  JP Tea Stall is a favorite of  the students too.

    Screenshot_2014-06-20-12-51-32

    10. QD’s

    Located in Hudson Lane, Kingsway Camp, Satya Niketan, the place is known for its tandoori momos and other Chinese cuisines. It is a proper dine-in spot where one can relax after a tiring day. The food is delicious. Every student should visit the place at least once in his/her college life. Groups of friends can be easily spotted chilling out here. Coolers like ‘Jump Up and Kiss Me’ are popular among the students in summers and help in beating the heat. Even if you are not used to tasting new dishes and stick to your favourites, this place will definitely have something for you! Cost for two is around Rs 350- 400.

    qds
    Image Credits: www.sodelhi.com

    Keep visiting places, wishing you a fun filled and tasty first year!

     

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    DUB Speak

    Life At Delhi University: The Debating Society

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    Christopher Hitchens once remarked, “Time spent arguing is, oddly enough, almost never wasted.”
    And rightly so, for debating in DU is one of the most gratifying and fruitful activities. In school, debating is one of those things that students pursue outside their curriculum, as a leisure activity. In college however, debating is more than just a hobby. For many, debating becomes life itself. That, in a nutshell, highlights the intensity and passion with which people debate in DU; the colossal time that it consumes; and the euphoria of achievement that it is capable of bringing to the winners.

    Ignorant freshers often believe that their experiences from MUNs and school level debating are sufficient for conquering the DU debating scene. But such complacency is the biggest myth attached to the DebSoc. Firstly, every college debating society conducts trials for freshers, where the main criteria for selection is a person’s ability to reason, articulate and argue.  So no fresher will ever be prejudiced against the lack of prior debating experience.  Secondly, every society invests at least a month in training their newest members in different forms and styles, indoctrinating nuanced arguments and holding mock debates. This training period goes a long way in prepping the rookie debaters for their initial tournaments (eg: Fresher tournaments).Thereafter, the credentials of a debater will solely depend on his participation, potential and growth.

    There are several reasons why you should consider taking up debating in college. Debating will help rid you of your inhibitions, make you more knowledgeable, teach you how to cajole people in the cleverest of ways, widen your ability to reason with logic and give you a college life worth experiencing.

    But before you immerse yourself in the world of DU Debating, here are five things to know about the Debsoc ethos:

    A. Killer Kompetition
    The circuit doesn’t have an age bar and quite often, you might land up in a sticky situation where you, as team of fucchas, are debating against stalwarts from Law Faculty and DSE, people who are almost three years greater than you in age and experience. This can be extremely intimidating, especially if the seniors take you as a joke. Winning in such scenarios is almost next to impossible. The best thing to do then is to take the debate as a learning experience. Instead of getting discouraged by failure, keep up the perseverance and debate with panache! Who knows, maybe a couple of months later, when faced with the same team of titans, you cream your opponents. Or more realistically, at least manage to put up a decent fight!

    B. Break Night Parties
    When you’re in the debating society, exciting break night lore will form a substantial part of the legacy that you will receive from your seniors. Break night parties are one of the two (the other being the hefty cash prizes) things that draw senior debaters to a tournament. Senior participation decides the reputation of a tournament, and thus it is absolutely essential to host an extravagant break night party. Debaters are hedonists; that is the crooked truth.

    Break night parties are like after parties: exclusive and lavish, anything and everything worth talking about happens here! Debaters let loose and enjoy the music, food and other gifts of Dionysius. After attending a break night party, you will realise (and possibly relish) that you belong to an elite society of people who are smart, yet know how to enjoy the finer things in life. Your first break night party will become a defining moment in your debating life and certainly a memory that you will cherish otherwise as well.

    C.  The freaky outstations
    For a debater, outstation tournaments are equally, if not more, important than DU tournaments and your seniors in the society will insist that your participation is well rounded. But getting permission from your parents, making arrangements for transportation and accommodation and saving for expected expenses are arduous tasks. Missing out on such tournaments can put you legions behind and hurt your growth. Outstations are usually a big no for debaters from conservative families. But those who have attended outstation tournaments will unanimously agree that an outstation tournament is like a never ending break night party: a perfect balance between work and play!

    D. My way or the Highway
    To survive in the circuit, you must be adept in one of the following two things: A. You must either possess tremendous knowledge about several issues like International Relations (IR), Economics, Third Gender Rights, Feminism etc OR B.You must make the other person believe that you possess in depth knowledge about these things. Not that you can faff your way to the finals. But a decent level of knowledge, complemented by a receptive mind, quick thinking and cocky smartness, can help you argue your way through the toughest and slimiest of motions. When all else fails, smartness will double up as a reliable weapon.

    E. Family, not society
    Most tournaments happen over a span of three to four days and take up almost six to seven hours per day. On non-tournament days, most debaters spend their time in intra and inter societal mock debates. Some others can be found in their groups, discussing raging issues in the library or just chilling in the college canteen. When you spend so much time with your society, members become the best of friends in no time. The bond that you share with your fellow debaters is inexplicable.It’s so tight and lasting that you might as well be a part of a family. Truly, DebSoc Bonhomie is a thing of legends.

    I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I were to say that the debating society is the object of desire of every fresher. The glamour, the talent and the intellect are sure to lure you right in!

    But a word of caution: Join the DebSoc,but join it for keeps. Invest your effort if you intend on staying; don’t join the society if you want instant results and lack patience. Debating requires time and commitment, because you’ll take at least a year to learn the tricks of the trade, another year to establish yourself in the circuit, and if you’re one of those bright bulbs, then you’ll finally come around to shining in your third year.

    So, if you’re one of those toughies who have mastered the art of determination and perseverance, join the debating society to develop a skill set that will help you in every phase of your life.

    Kriti Sharma
    [email protected]

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