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The repeating points in manifestos every year in DUSU Elections

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As the election season is round the corner, there are a few questions we need to ask ourselves before you cast your precious vote. For the past many years these student unions have been releasing majestic manifestos. Has there been any progress? Has the University witnessed a change?
If you go through the manifestos of different parties, you’ll realise how similar they are in the amenities, provisions and campaigning techniques. The consecutive years have seen no major change in these manifestos; they remain focused on providing a safe environment for women, affordable hostel facilities, proper implementation of the Choice Based Credit System, formation of a North Eastern Cell, encouragement of anti-ragging and anti-discriminatory practices, and so on.
One might argue that change doesn’t happen in a day but the fact that certain parties have backed a seat or two (or more) in DUSU elections year after year and still the agendas they put forth remain the same is a matter of great concern. The students of the University of Delhi need to question their political presence and the allocation of resources that they garner.
Talking of ABVP, since 2014, certain bullet points have maintained their place in the list of agendas even after them coming consecutively to power. They include having a bank account for all the students of the University, hostels, safety from sexual harassment and discrimination, North East progression and preservation of their culture and rights, etc. It is alarming that such issues of grave concern still remain left to be addressed. The same story continues if we look at the manifesto of NSUI or even that of AISA.
Political ideology and inclination is what separates them because the demands and needs of the students are basic and every party knows the importance to assure the basic minimum requirements in their own ways. The problem arises when after capturing the seats, the funds are misused or muscle power becomes the means to address issues, staff and students alike.
One way by which we, being aware citizens of this University, can ensure greater credibility, responsibility and participation from their side is by continuously questioning them through the means of different forums regarding their earlier manifestos and the allocation of funds. The fact that we are the largest democracy of the world gives us an advantage over these parties who live in a constant fear of losing elections if they don’t perform to the best of their abilities. We have to target this weakness of them because this one vote that all of us have is our greatest strength.
Feature Image Credits: PV Purnima for DU Beat
Ananya Bhardwaj
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DUB News

DU changes policy for calculation of ad-hoc teachers’ teaching experience points

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The recent policy change in calculation of points for teaching experience will affect hundreds of DU’s ad-hoc teachers.

In an environment where ad-hoc teachers face uncertainty and battle for fair-play on a daily basis, the University of Delhi (DU) has come up with a new policy which could make things even more difficult. In this unprecedented move which only tips the scales further, DU has altered the 2013 University ordinance which allotted twenty points for teaching experience. According to the new policy, one year of teaching experience will now equal a mere four points. But if the teacher has five years of teaching experience, he or she shall be rewarded twenty points.

The magnitude of blatant disregard for ad-hoc teachers’ toil, experience and time is clear in the policy which slashes the points rewarded in a brutal manner. It is expected to affect as many as 4,500 ad-hoc teachers vying for permanent positions. A report by The Indian Express marks out how significant these points are during the screening process for permanent recruitment.

Pankaj Garg, a Mathematics lecturer and member of the academic council, spoke to The Indian Express on this issue, stating: “We have submitted a new formula to Dean of College and coordinator core committee screening for calculating points of teaching experience.” Indeed, the teachers and members of the academic and executive council have been unanimously vocal in their condemnation of the new policy, while actively raising an objection to it. The massive reduction in points not only affects the current teachers, but will also have an adverse impact on the points for teaching experience calculated for the future generations of DU’s lecturers.

This change, brought about after the University centralised the screening process for recruitment of assistant professors, leaves not only the current ad-hoc teachers, but also the students who might have desired to become university lecturers one day in the future, in an utter flux. Such unforeseen and adverse policy changes on the part of a major, reputable central university like DU, do not reflect well upon the state of higher education in government institutions. They are only the mirror reflections of a sad, deeply infested public education system, now rotting away at its core. While a University official refused to comment beyond stating to The Indian Express that they would look into the issue, only time will tell which side finally wins, and whether or not the ad-hoc teachers get their due.

Feature Image Credits: The Indian Express

Deepannita Misra

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News

DU sends list of governing bodies in a last-minute save

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DU has finally sent in a list of the governing bodies of its colleges. Here’s a quick run-down of events that lead up to Delhi government’s massive decision to freeze funds for the 28 colleges it funded. 

 

In what can be called a last minute miraculous save, the University of Delhi has finally sent a list of names for governing bodies of the 28 Delhi University colleges to the Delhi government. This is in response to the Delhi government’s repeated reminders and an ultimate threat to withdraw support for the 28 colleges it funds. On 31st July, Manish Sisodia announced a landmark decision to freeze funds since the respective colleges had failed to form governing bodies in time.

Devesh Sinha, the Dean of Colleges confirmed that DU had sent the list of the reviewed panel, and said, “A few changes were made to the list and it was sent to the Directorate of Education”. He also mentioned that the Executive Council has tried to maintain a diversity of occupations and included at least 2 female candidates. When he was questioned by Indian Express about the delay in the formation of the governing bodies 2 weeks back, he had said, “Since our Vice Chancellor and other top officials are involved in the Law Faculty interviews, there has been some delay in the process.”

The Directorate of Education is yet to verify if it received any list concerning this.

In what has been a to-and-fro of documents since long, the saga has been ongoing since October last year. The term for the last governing bodies ended in October 2016. According to a picture tweeted by Sisodia detailing the sequence of events, repeated reminders were sent to Delhi University by the Director of Higher Education, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi(GNCTD).

In February this year, a panel of names was sent to GNCTD. The government then sent its recommended panel to Delhi University for approval. Since then, the list has been hanging, either due to a change required in the format or the list not being approved by the Executive Council of DU. Finally, the list was passed albeit after tweaking minor changes, to include recommendations from diverse backgrounds and evenly divide. The governing body of a college comprises of five members from the university panel, five members from the government, two university representatives, two representatives of the college faculty and the college principal. An ideal governing body consists of a wide range of members to ensure a healthy mix of lawyers, educationists, journalists etc.

Delhi government’s decision to hold on to funds had sparked a huge furor among both, students and teachers. Members of ABVP challenged the move and burnt an effigy of Sisidoa on 31st July near the Faculty of Arts, North Campus. The National Democratic Teachers’ Federation, too, protested against the government’s decisions citing financial reasons. According to sources, 360 crore is annually allotted to those 28 colleges. With the list finally sent, it remains a dubious question if the decision to freeze funds would be pulled back.

 

Image credits- Financial Express

 

Vijeata Balani

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Shri Ram College of Commerce

Sports facilities offered in various University of Delhi colleges

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The University of Delhi (DU) is regarded as the academic powerhouse of the country. The talented student fraternity, experienced faculty and the incredible exposure that it offers to its students, makes DU what it is. Yet, for all the hype around DU, most people assume that its colleges lack adequate sports facilities. This stereotype is widely spread, despite there being a little truth to it. In fact, most DU colleges offer resources like swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, cricket grounds, etc. Hence, it’s high time we break off this age old myth!

1) Hans Raj College

Shah Rukh Khan’s alma mater offers its students an indoor badminton court, shooting range, lawn tennis court, pistol shooting range, basketball court etc. Often students from other colleges after having acquired adequate permission from the authorities are allowed to practise here and use these resources.
What makes it special – It has a state-of-art gym which can be accessed by Hans Raj students at the cost of 1000 per month. Hans Raj also offers immense opportunities and resources to those dedicated to shooting and archery, an extracurricular that only a few colleges offer.

2) Indraprastha College for Women (IPCW)

IPCW offers a swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, fitness centre, squash court, badminton court, climbing walls and walking track to its students.
What makes it unique – The swimming pool and lawn tennis facilities can be accessed by students from other colleges for a nominal fee of around 300 per month. IPCW also has a playing arena for differently-abled students, a move which other colleges should adopt as well.

3) Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC)

SRCC is one of the most well-equipped colleges in Delhi University, as far as sporting facilities are concerned.  It is home to a centrally air conditioned indoor stadium with a seating capacity of 1200 people. It has been designed for games like badminton, basketball, table tennis and judo.
What makes it unique -The college also offers multiple gyms, a sports injury and rehabilitation centre and a medical room. Students from other colleges can access the swimming pool facilities for a nominal cost.

4) Sri Guru Teg Bahadur (SGTB) Khalsa College

SGTB Khalsa nurtures its athletes exceptionally well. It has a very talented cricket team that has won many laurels.
What makes it unique -a cricket academy also operates on its grounds during the evenings. This academy provides students with an excellent training in cricket, available to non-Khalsa college students as well, for a cost of 1500 per month.

5) Kamala Nehru College (KNC)

KNC offers sports like football, cricket, judo, athletics, basketball and aerobics.
What makes it unique – It has a gym inside its campus which students from Gargi College can access for a reasonable cost of 300-500 per month.

6) St. Stephens College

Stephens has a badminton hall, basketball court, shooting range (10mts air pistol and air rifle), squash court and a swimming pool.
What makes it special- The badminton and squash courts have wooden flooring while the basketball court has synthetic flooring.

7) Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR)

LSR is a pioneer in the field of sports. Sports like archery, basketball, air rifle shooting and volleyball and squash are all prioritised here.
What makes it special- The Dr. Bharat Ram Sports meet. It is not only a prominent sports meet but also the only one hosted by a women’s college that caters to both men and women.

These colleges are not an exception. Most Delhi University colleges have unique sports facilities. If certain colleges lack certain resources, they tie up with other colleges to ensure that their students have access to the same. These grounds have produced athletes and sportspersons who have won laurels at various international platforms and it is the time that they are given their due recognition.

 

Kinjal Pandey

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Arts & Culture

Unregulated Attendance: A boon in disguise?

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Attendance is hardly a worry for DU students. But it might be the very thing that makes DU students different from others. It has its downsides, but it does encourage students to use their time in extra-curricular and engage in a whole lot other activities.

It is hardly a secret that many of the Delhi University colleges don’t quite regulate the minimum attendance required by students. As per the rule, students need to have an attendance of at least 67%. But as things stand, only a few actually abide by the policy and fulfill this criteria. And even though it might not be seen as something to brag about, it might actually be the trick to help students groom themselves. The university offers much more to its students than just plain studying and unregulated attendance might be the tool that triggers the participation level of students in various activities ranging from cultural events to society work. Because students are relieved from fulfilling the attendance quota, they are left with ample time to do something worthwhile. And that is when they use this opportunity by catering to their interests or pursuing other vocational courses widening their grid of learning and putting in the effort to do something beyond academics.

Today, students of the University, who are into theatre, dance or music devote day and night in practice and go on to perform in different cities, showcasing their talent and excelling in their respective field. While students who are into literature, entrepreneurship and fashion invest all the time they need to come up with something new. And if not these, others can join politics or even become a freelancer. This rebate of attendance given to students is the key to students being able to look into much more than just studying. At the college level, when everyone wants to shape themselves for the future, unregulated attendance acts as the factor that provides the students with an extra dimension of learning. It helps them possess an extra attribute which otherwise, wouldn’t even have been discovered by them. This freedom that the students get actually gives them the opportunity to explore more about themselves and ignites a passion in them to make the most of it.

Today, students of Delhi University participate and achieve in national and global-level competitions excelling in various arenas. They are adding much more than just a degree on their resume. They are adding an extra skill, discovering their hidden talents and doing what they like in free spirit. They are letting creativity meet potential to harness something more out of themselves. And none of it could have been possible without the freedom provided by unregulated attendance. So, the next time we think about why do DU students do much more than students from anywhere else, we all know what to thank for it.

 

Feature Image Credits: The Great Handshake

Karan Singhania

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Top Picks

Migration in University of Delhi

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Getting into one’s dream college may not always turn out be a reality, but Delhi University gives the aspirants a second chance to migrate to the college of their choice.

The migration procedure in University of Delhi allows students to migrate from one college to another of their choice. It is a boon for those who aimed to get into top colleges but couldn’t due to the high cut-offs. However, it is to be noted that according to University of Delhi, ‘Migration is not a right; it is only a permissive facility and not an obligatory one. It all depends upon both incoming and outgoing Colleges concerned; therefore, the policy of Reservation in Migration for both Inter-College & Inter-University is not applicable.’

The University of Delhi also allows Inter- University migration only on the grounds that the parents or guardian of the student is living in Delhi or has migrated to Delhi. It is applicable for B.A Programme and B.Com Programme students in their third semester. Inter college migration is provided by the University in B.A, B.Com, B.A (Hons), B.Com (Hons) and B.Sc. (Hons) in the 3rd semester.

There are some general rules and conditions for the process which are as follows:-

  • Students cannot migrate from a regular college to School of Open Learning(SOL) or Non Collegiate Women’s Education Board(NCWEB)
  • Students cannot migrate to another college in a different course.
  • Students cannot migrate in the fifth semester or third year.
  • Students cannot migrate at the Post-Graduate level.

 

Only students who have passed both the semesters of first year of degree course under semester mode are eligible. Migration can be sought during the office hours till August 31 (tentatively). There documents that are required are:-

  • No Objection Certificate from the Head of the College where the student is studying as well as where he/she wants to migrate.
  • A leaving certificate from the Head of the concerned college.
  • Mark sheets of the examination already passed.

 

 

Feature Image credits- Yo Search

Anukriti Mishra

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Karan Singhania

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News

Student from Zakir Hussain Delhi College Attacked, Left with 38 Stitches

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A young student, currently enrolled at the University of Delhi, received 38 stitches on her waist after she was brutally attacked with supposedly a blade by an unidentified youth. The incident took place on a Thursday afternoon in North Delhi’s Timarpur.

The first-year student from Zakir Hussain Delhi College was on her way to college around 3 pm. She was walking along a lake in Nehru Vihar when the attack took place. The Police has been speculating that it was an offense committed by a stalker, but the Delhi Police Commissioner of North Delhi, Jatin Narwal, has so far ruled that out after the probe which involved speaking to the victim in detail. “It appears to be the work of a thief who may have tried to snatch her bag to rob it,” said the officer to the Hindustan Times.

The 18-year old woman further quoted that she remembered seeing the suspect with some other young men in her neighbourhood a couple of times in the last few days, but his activities never elicited substantial suspicions.

“A youth in his early 20s approached me from behind and attacked my waist with a sharp object. He ran away immediately after that,” she said, describing the gruesome incident. On seeing her profusely bleeding, a few passersby called the police. By the time the police arrived, she was already rushed to the hospital. “I received a long cut on my waist and was given 38 stitches. But now I am recovering”, the woman commented.

The Commissioner expressed the strong likelihood of catching the culprit, and remarked, “We have strong clues about his identity and hope to arrest him soon.”

 

Feature Image Credits – 10minutos.com

 

Ankita Dhar Karmakar

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DUB Speak

Your Next Three Years, Defined by Your Next Three Weeks

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The University of Delhi is undoubtedly a breeding ground for personal growth. For 60,000 students each year, the central university becomes a new home, out of which students leave as the best versions of themselves. This is not the work of solely DU itself, though – it requires students to make the best of what the University has to offer.

Delhi University is most popular for its numerous societies. Whether performing or non-performing, these societies usually hold their auditions in the first couple weeks of August. While they may be daunting, auditions are one of the best ways to get out of your comfort zones, especially right out of school. They also work as a quick method of getting to know both your seniors and your peers and finding a group of people who are passionate about the same things as you. College is about exploring and growing – whether that’s excelling in a field you’re already experienced in or going out of your way to developing a new skill. Many a time, your fellow society members will go on to become your friends for life.

These friends are, of course, as diverse as they come. As a DU professor once said, “During our times, classrooms were mostly filled with students who came from Delhi itself, but now every classroom is a picture of Pan-Indian culture.” It is likely that your class has a substantial composition of students who aren’t from the same background or region as you. This diversity gives you a special window into the different parts – and more importantly, the different people – of India. Make an effort to befriend them. You’ll definitely learn about the diversity our country offers, but in addition to that, there’s a good chance you’ll also get to enjoy the cuisines and cultures of other states.

The next three weeks are when you’ll probably pick your college friends and stick with them during your time in DU. As we know, a man’s friends define who he is. The people whom you will choose will play a huge role in influencing your life decisions for the next three years. In both your difficult times and happy moments, they will become your family. They say we can’t choose our family, but college is when lifelong friendships are made. Choose wisely and you’ll have a new, handpicked family in merely a few years.

When it comes to growth, we can’t forget about the sudden shock that college gives you. Prescribed books, reference books, guides, sample question papers, and everything else that previously made your academic journey a set road are now a thing of the past. Xerox readings, partial syllabus coverage, and delayed exam results reflect the sad state of higher education in our country, but on the other side also give you an opportunity to build your skills of self-reliance and forge a personality that seeks success on self-efforts. So when DU gives you a hard time, use it to hone your confidence and spontaneity.

With two weeks of college already completed, make the most out of the coming days to make your mark. Get ready to embrace Delhi University – it’ll be your home before you know it.

ImageDesign by Kartik Kakar for DU Beat

Srivedant Kar

[email protected]

Vineeta Rana

[email protected]

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DUB Speak

Your Next Three Years, Defined by Your Next Three Weeks

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The University of Delhi is undoubtedly a breeding ground for personal growth. For 60,000 students each year, the central university becomes a new home, out of which students leave as the best versions of themselves. This is not the work of solely DU itself, though – it requires students to make the best of what the University has to offer.

Delhi University is most popular for its numerous societies. Whether performing or non-performing, these societies usually hold their auditions in the first couple weeks of August. While they may be daunting, auditions are one of the best ways to get out of your comfort zones, especially right out of school. They also work as a quick method of getting to know both your seniors and your peers and finding a group of people who are passionate about the same things as you. College is about exploring and growing – whether that’s excelling in a field you’re already experienced in or going out of your way to developing a new skill. Many a time, your fellow society members will go on to become your friends for life.

These friends are, of course, as diverse as they come. As a DU professor once said, “During our times, classrooms were mostly filled with students who came from Delhi itself, but now every classroom is a picture of Pan-Indian culture.” It is likely that your class has a substantial composition of students who aren’t from the same background or region as you. This diversity gives you a special window into the different parts – and more importantly, the different people – of India. Make an effort to befriend them. You’ll definitely learn about the diversity our country offers, but in addition to that, there’s a good chance you’ll also get to enjoy the cuisines and cultures of other states.

The next three weeks are when you’ll probably pick your college friends and stick with them during your time in DU. As we know, a man’s friends define who he is. The people whom you will choose will play a huge role in influencing your life decisions for the next three years. In both your difficult times and happy moments, they will become your family. They say we can’t choose our family, but college is when lifelong friendships are made. Choose wisely and you’ll have a new, handpicked family in merely a few years.

When it comes to growth, we can’t forget about the sudden shock that college gives you. Prescribed books, reference books, guides, sample question papers, and everything else that previously made your academic journey a set road are now a thing of the past. Xerox readings, partial syllabus coverage, and delayed exam results reflect the sad state of higher education in our country, but on the other side also give you an opportunity to build your skills of self-reliance and forge a personality that seeks success on self-efforts. So when DU gives you a hard time, use it to hone your confidence and spontaneity.

With two weeks of college already completed, make the most out of the coming days to make your mark. Get ready to embrace Delhi University – it’ll be your home before you know it.

ImageDesign by Kartik Kakar for DU Beat

Srivedant Kar

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Vineeta Rana

[email protected]

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Campus Central

Zero is the the qualifying marks for SC/ST Category in Maths dept. PhD Admissions

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The University of Delhi is one of the most competitive places to secure a seat. With the ever increasing cut-throat completion and the advent of seat cuts in higher education, it is now especially tough to pursue post graduate-research courses. In this condition, if you come to know that for you can qualify for PhD interview even when you scored zero marks in the entrance test, then you’ll probably dismiss this news as a piece of fiction. Well, looks like in Delhi University fiction is the truth.

On July 25th the list of candidates selected for the interview and its schedule for PhD admission was declared on Delhi University’s official website. In the list, the minimum qualifying marks for all categories are mentioned, wherein for ST and SC category the minimum marks were said to be zero.  

 

According to the Department of Mathematics website  the selection criterion for PhD is such that , the candidates without without any external fellowship will be called for an interview based on the entrance test and the merit list of selected candidates will be prepared on the basis of performance in the interview. However the setting of zero marks as the minimum qualifying marks for sitting in the interview raises questions of  the relevance of the written exam.

Talking to DU Beat, on the condition of anonymity, a high ranking official belonging to the Department Mathematics clarified that the entrance test is not qualifying test and there isn’t any guideline set by the university to dictate the minimum eligibility marks for the entrance. He also added that since the department doesn’t get enough SC/ST applicants, and as per the University rules the reserved seats need to be filled by reserved category students only, it is only wise to call all those who gave the entrance test. He also asserted the need for official guidelines to set the minimum eligibility criterion based on entrance exam  because the department on its own can’t fudge with the rules. He also informed that earlier the department had even admitted students in certain reserved categories with negative marks.

Image Credits: www.du.ac.in

Niharika Dabral

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