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Dinesh Singh

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If Mr. Dinesh Singh were a Pokémon, he would surely be from the same family as the cumbersome and exponentially lazy Slowpoke. Like his far cuter counterpart, the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University took a while to wake up and realize that he was digging his own grave by not paying heed to any of the furious questions hurtled at him by the agitated youth studying in the capital. With issues such as safety, accommodation, and elections hanging by an incredibly thin thread, Dinesh Singh finally took matters into his own, highly slippery hands and addressed the students on 1st September.

If replying to tricky questions was an art, none could have been better than our beloved Vice Chancellor. Every controversial question was tackled with a diplomatic smile and a not-so-subtle subject change. Since safety was of utmost importance, girls were promised a hostel with free travel facilities as well as the installation of CCTV’s all around the campus. Looks like programmes such as Big Boss are not enough to satisfy the TRP-hungry show producers and their equally bored audience. Next in line is a peek into the lives of the young and frustrated DU Students.

With some great ideas in the pipeline, such as mobile canteens and easy access to Wi-Fi, it is quite a shame that this pipe is similar to Delhi’s sewage line constructed during the colonial times; untouched and never to be modified. Dinesh Singh was obviously daydreaming when he announced that disabled-friendly modes of transport would be provided in the form of DTCs and Metros, forgetting that the college campus itself would still be a nightmare for those facing difficulties. He also seems to have taken Dalrymple’s description of Delhi as the city of Djinns quite seriously, with his strong belief in an invisible hostel that has already been magically constructed for girls in South Campus, in a location that shows it is still clearly under-construction.

If I were bestowed with the honor of being made the Vice Chancellor of DU, I would dye my hair and get a face-lift to make sure my dynamic audience has its eyes glued on me instead of snoring at the back. Then the words that come out all airbrushed from my lips might as well be ignored. While mentioning the proposition that the football teams in DU would be getting a special training in New Zealand, I wouldn’t add the extra advantage being offered to the women’s soccer team being sent free of cost. This hidden information exists for the sole reason that, brilliant though the opportunity sounds, Dinesh Singh conveniently forgot to mention that the facilities for women’s soccer are relatively new and still under development in many colleges. So unless there was a secret agreement between New Zealand and India regarding the exchange of their excess population of sheep in return for female textile workers disguised in soccer cleats and sweat absorbing shorts, It is hard to see how this would boost the morale of rising sport stars without motivating them to train first.

My humble request to our Vice Chancellor would be for him to invest in an expensive hearing aid, so that his ears don’t fail him when questions regarding various important issues are shot at him. However, if I were in his place I would definitely arm myself with a shield, just in case one well-aimed arrow leaves me struggling to form coherent sentences.

 

 

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Uncategorized

AIESEC YOUth Carnival

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Words just don’t do justice to the colourful and vivacious spectacle of the youth carnival, which saw visitors arrive in droves to join the cultural extravaganza organised by AIESEC in collaboration with RC Cola on September 1st.

The pinnacle of the event was the GLOBAL VILLAGE; an international carnival where Foreign graduates and post graduates from the AIESEC fraternity of about 110 countries and 2100 Universities expressed themselves.

“This kind of interaction and cultural exchange is be a step in the right direction. AIESEC should be congratulated on organising this and I would also like the interns who have come to our country to experience the diversity of our culture”, said a fresher.

The carnival kicked off with some really innovative and fun filled activities like battle of bands, AIESEC artist’s day, hog-athon and floor canvas. The fashion parade was all glam and glitter for onlookers with participants donning costumes from across the world. Budding artists who consider graffiti a powerful tool of expression, spray-painted to their hearts’ content in the graffiti wall session. The street play was received with much enthusiasm by the audience as the artists splendidly put forth a social message through their sharp dialogues and brilliant acting. Following this, Jasleen Royal’s impromptu performance made everyone sing along with her.

They had definitely saved the best for the last as Parikrama brought the house down with its vibrant signature music. It was truly a carnival that celebrated youth.

-Sakshi Gupta

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Campus Central

Ban on Student Rallies after Harassment Incident

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It’s election time again and all Delhi University political parties are coming out of hibernation. They really wanted to make a mark and what a way they chose.

On 31st August, a girl from Indraprastha College for Women was molested in North Campus. The incident happened in the afternoon on the road opposite Daulat Ram College when a DUSU rally passed by. The girl was in a rickshaw when she got caught in the middle of the procession, was pulled down the rickshaw and harassed by several men.

While this incident happened, several policemen were on duty and did absolutely nothing to help her. One of her close friends described this behavior of the police as preposterous and inhuman. When the university authorities were contacted the first question asked was whether the girl was wearing decent clothes or not. “I was shocked to hear them ask me this question and felt like strangling them through the phone” said another of her classmates.

On 1st September, the college union and several of her close friends along with the victim went to the Commonwealth Sports Complex in North Campus to talk to the Vice Chancellor. The VC had already heard of the event as it went viral on the social network and denied entry to each and every student of IP College. Special orders were given to the guard to not allow the students inside. The students waited outside for half an hour. Finally when the principal Ms. Babli Saraf intervened, the students were allowed inside and given a chance to speak their demands. The students wanted action to be taken on the behavior of the policemen and wanted all such rallies banned. The VC promised to look into the matter and insured that some action would be taken.

Later on the same day, the proctor issued an order banning all rallies and demonstrations in North Campus. Also, not more than four people will be allowed to canvas the area at a time. This probably must be the fastest that DU authorities have responded after filing of a complaint. One of the contesting parties ABVP however, was quoted saying that it will “go ahead with a rally in North Campus in favour of women’s safety despite the ban.”

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Campus Central

YOUth Carnival by AIESEC in Delhi University: Press Release

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That time of the year, when colleges have just begun, students are in the beginning throes of the wispy seriousness that makes them attend classes, when all of DU is virtually asleep, comes this one brilliant idea, to hold the biggest Youth Fest of all times, a Fest that will create an unprecedented impact on the DU fest scene which is comatose at the moment, the Fest that is guaranteed to knock your socks off. AIESEC in Delhi University and RC Cola bring to you the “YouTH FESTIVAL” on the 1st of September at Cambridge School, Rajouri Gardens from 12pm onwards. The Youth Carnival, is an initiative of AIESEC in Delhi University to celebrate the unfathomable Power of the Youth and showcase the culture of AIESEC and the love for what we do being an AIESEC-er. AIESEC is the world’s largest entirely youth run organization present in over 110 countries and territories, 2,100 colleges and universities with a strong membership base of over 6,000 members globally. AIESEC services 4000 clients from Corporate and Development sector with 16,000 exchange based internships. We aim to impact the society through its youth and that is the crux of this mega event. We anticipate a footfall of more than 7 thousand students from more than 30 top colleges in and around Delhi. This event will serve as a platform for International Interns from 20 different countries and AIESEC-ers from more than 20 cities in India through various competitions and performances reflecting on AIESEC values and goals celebrating YOUTH. There will be a concert performance by Parikrama, the celebrated Indian Rock band, as well as a Global Village, where there will be an array of stalls put up by our interns as a way of sharing their culture and tradition with us, and taking a bit of ours in return. Preceding this event, AIESEC DU hosted two extremely successful pre-events- Empower, coupled with the YOUth night; a musical evening hosted at Manajsa, Hauz Khas, on the 19th , starring the band “Colossal Figures’’; serve as pre-events to the incoming giant. The motto of the entire series of events is to “RAISE HELL AND STAY YOUNG”, revolving around dignitaries like Raghav Mandava, a renowned jounalist and comedian, Safia, an RJ with Radio Mirchi and many others who spoke at Empower. Backed by our very impressive local and national board of advisors, the upcoming YouTH Carnival is going to be a force to reckon with.]]>

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Gargi College

No First Aid at Hand

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First aid facilities in most colleges belonging to one of the most prestigious universities in the country seem to be in a state of apathy. Most colleges in Delhi University lack basic first aid provisions, giving an impression of utter callousness on their part.

Students of most colleges seem unaware of any such facilities even if they do exist. “I have no idea about it. I don’t think anybody would know”, says Parth, a student of Kirori Mal College. The story seems to be no different in Sri Venkateswara College. “I don’t even know if we have a medical room. I’m just glad I’ve never had to use it”, says Aniruddh, a 3rd year Economics student from Sri Venkateswara.

The LSR Infirmary

However, this is only one end of the spectrum. The other end has colleges like St. Stephen’s where the facilities provided are reportedly top notch. “We have proper medical facilities and a very approachable medical staff”, Vatsal, a student of St. Stephen’s was quoted as saying.

Interestingly, the girls’ colleges of Delhi University seem to fare much better in this regard. Colleges like Lady Sri Ram, Gargi and Jesus and Mary have a well equipped infirmary. “We have a well equipped infirmary and a stationed nurse, and from what I’ve heard, it’s quite adequate”, says Tanya, an LSR-ite.  “The first aid facilities in our college are pretty good and the nurse is friendly. Since it’s a girls college, we have provisions for every possible thing”, says Nandita, a student of Gargi college.

It seems that the co-ed colleges of Delhi University need to take a lesson or two from the girls’ colleges and provide adequate provisions to its students and make them aware of such facilities being provided to them in college.

Surya Rajappan
[email protected]

 

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Campus Central

Migration between College: A Delhi University Perspective

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Migration, the process by which a student can change his/her college within the University while not having to repeat a year of education, is a boon for meritorious students who might have not made it to their college of choice initially. Before 2011, migration was a clearly stated policy in most college brochures/handbooks and the practice was fairly common.

Come 2011 and enter the semester system. The migration policies suddenly go off the records; it does not find a mention in any college prospectus. The reasons offered in hushed tones is that colleges doesn’t want to complicate an already complex scenario by working out how a student would migrate through semesters, and how marks would be carried forward and how the conflicting optional-papers system would be worked out.

This however, does not imply that migrations are disallowed. There exists a file in the DU website, a file record of an amendment to Ordinance IV, relating to migrations. It clearly states that migrations are still allowed, and can now even occur across universities (as per new rules)! The rules more or less remain the same as before.

The policy change has puts questions before us : why is migrations being down-played by the University? Why is it so that our correspondent, who visited the SOL for migration, is told “There are no migrations allowed as of date, we shall let you know if there is a change in policies.” Why is so that staff members in various North Campus colleges where we reached out either refuse to comment or state that migrations are disallowed?

The dean’s office at the University says that the website needs to be updated and that colleges do allow migrations. This statement comes amidst reports that the last date to apply for migrations (as found out from college sources directly) at Hindu College and GGS College are already past. For the immediate attention of interested students, Khalsa College, among a possibly larger list, is still accepting applications!

Being a government-funded university, it is of paramount importance that transparency is followed at all levels. Delhi University should take steps to make information available at all levels. Migrations are an across-the-University issue and require immediate attention as far as updating the website is concerned. Colleges also need to work keeping student’s welfare in mind. Difficulty faced by colleges in admitting migration students indicates a flaw in the system for which a meritorious student should not be penalized.

 

Arnav Das
[email protected]

Photo credits: Additi Seth 

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Features

SIFE SRCC

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SIFE, which stands for Students in Free Enterprise, is an international non-profit organisation and was incepted in 1975. It began its organisation in the United States. Today, in India SIFE operates as a subsidiary of SIFE worldwide and is one of the 39 countries around the world that comprises SIFE’s premier business and higher education network.

SIFE came to SRCC in the year 2007 and since then it is one of the most active and well known society of the college. Its basic work is to bring together a diverse network of university students and create a better and more sustainable world through the positive power of business. Well-known companies like Boston Consulting Group, The Times of India, FDCI, Punjab National Bank, Max India foundation are its partners.  This society finds underprivileged communities and develops a business model for them. It has a team consisting of students from all the three years – the third year students act as advisory members and students from first and second year are allocated duties and responsibilities for completion of their undertaken projects. Till date SIFE SRCC has undertaken 10 projects out of which 4 are still continuing.

The 4 on-going projects namely, Life on Wheels, Kayakalp, Azmat and Aahar have proved to be quite a success. Under project Life on Wheels, SIFE empowers the rickshaw puller community by facilitating ownership of rickshaws. This is done by getting loans sanctioned for the rickshaw pullers from Punjab National Bank and then ensuring successful repayment of the loan amount. At present SIFE has 100 rickshaw pullers and 61 percent loan repayment. Project Kayakalp (meaning rejuvenation) attempts to preserve India’s ancient culture of puppetry while providing the poor artists an opportunity to earn livelihood by showcasing their art to the community. Under project Azmat (meaning dignity), SIFE SRCC identified the existence of manual scavengers in Nekpur near Ghaziabad. The caste system, there, dictates that those belonging to Dalit sub-caste should engage in cleaning dry latrines (non-flush toilets) and carrying human excreta on their heads to disposal grounds. Azmat seeks to rehabilitate these underprivileged people and provide them an alternative source of income. Project Aahar is engaged in providing sustainable source of income to girls rescued from trafficking and helping them to develop culinary skills by providing proper training thus making them independent.

With these projects SIFE SRCC is easily one of the best in DU. It was awarded the second place in the SIFE National Competition in 2011 and third place in 2012. This year (2011-2012) it is working with 57 members and impacting 750 people both directly and indirectly. These figures indicate that SIFE SRCC has huge potential and it will, in near future, bring a significant change in our community.

 

Aishwarya Chaurasia
[email protected]

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DUB Speak

Guess Who’s Back

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“Madam, jhanda le lo madam.”
Here I am, at an Official Anna Hazare campaign. The campaign looks like a party. There are some men wearing Nehru caps, holding the tricolor and eating ice cream. A boy with adolescent facial hair suddenly dodged forward with a thin paint brush- he wants to paint the tricolor on my face. Beggar women come up to me with tiny flags. There is utter chaos and traffic in Connaught Place, the hooliganism of this “peaceful” protest is scary.

Last year, almost whenever I asked a D.U. student about Anna, The answer was almost always like sarcasm-filled rhetoric.
“So, being a young student, what are your thoughts about Anna Hazare and his cause?”
“Ummm… I think It’s.. great.. we need to get rid of corruption… and um, I think its going to awaken a new spirit among all Indians..”

Why was there so much fuss about “Anna”? Last year, Anna wouldn’t eat, not until the “hand” of the Congress agreed to feed him. Young, hot blooded students can thrive on anarchy- give them that, and they will fill the streets with protests,

The truth is, “Anna Hazare” is not just one man. The man who was once fasting unto death is Kisan Baburao Hazare. Anna Hazare, is the group of students looking for opportunities to organize Mass Bunks in colleges, Anna Hazare is the stampede at Connaught Place, Anna Hazare are all those kids who liked the “I am Anna” page on Facebook but had no real knowledge about the Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare are those kids also, who wrote anti-government messages as their status posts on Facebook. What is “Anna” but a small word contained within the walls of the University of Delhi, classroom discussions, and sprawled across Facebook?

Women , middle school students, old men, as they held their long , white candlesticks and roamed the streets of the city, doing what actually was a very confused, very feeble form of protest. Right behind the protesting mob, walked ill-clad slum children, skins burnt to a deep chocolate brown colour by the merciless Indian summer, a few discoloured tufts of hair on their heads, rolling bicycle tires by smacking them with sticks, singing “Anna! Anna!” as they skipped along.

There was an Anna in every college canteen – in the form of loud, chaotic group discussions and fiery debates. There was an Anna in every excuse for bunking classes. There was an Anna in every classroom, in the flurry of hands being raised to ask questions, in every teacher being bombarded with the typical questions starting with the words “when will the government…”, in every answer, starting with the words “the government needs to…” or “the government should…”

These boys on the roads of Connaught Place, screaming slogans about Anna Hazare, and bothering most ladies with questions like “Are you Anna?” – This doesn’t really look like a step towards mitigating corruption. Roads blocked, traffic stagnating due to protests and “peace” marches- There could have been a pregnant woman, or a severely ill person in one of the cars lined up, waiting for the roads to clear- How is this in any way correct?

Targeting the government, local newspapers poking fun at the Prime Minister, capturing unflattering Images of politicians, all the madness of the time when the media couldn’t see anything beyond Hazare- is this the kind of behaviour that should be set before the already-confused youth of today?

Gradually, Anna Hazare faded away from printed pages, classroom debates slowly diminished, all the agitations, outbursts, fizzled out- peace was restored in all the worlds I belonged to. The metaphorical Anna had decayed. A new, normal day in the college cafeteria- just as I sit down to take a sip from my relaxing cup of coffee- I hear some new, non-Delhiite fresher student ask “Oye , what was the deal with this whole Anna thing? Phir se chaalu ho gaya uska?”

 

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Campus Central

First Step Towards a Meta College

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Delhi University has recently introduced the Meta College concept in the form of a B.Tech. Humanities Course, which is open for application to any student enrolled in any course at any college/SOL/Non-Collegiate Programme of the University of Delhi. The concept basically works on the idea of designing your own degree.

The Cluster Innovation Centre, or CIC, has designed a course which while allowing a student to gain competencies in core areas required in any corporate role today, also give the freedom to study and explore areas in various fields of study. Students will be given the choice to choose courses to specialize in a particular stream such as Journalism, Education, Historical Tourism, Counseling and Art and Design and will also have the liberty to choose appropriate professions for themselves. The course plans to emphasize learning through hands-on projects, virtual learning and group based activities rather than relying exclusively on class room learning.

The first and the last semester of this four-year course will be compulsory for all students regardless of their stream choices, with the first semester consisting of papers such as The Art of Communication and Mathematical Awareness. The last semester, on the other hand will focus on papers like Legal Literacy and Social Enquiry. The University also organized Open Days on 7th August at S. P. Jain Auditorium, South Campus and on 8th August at the Conference Hall, North Campus for any queries on the same.

The introduction of this course is a bold move and hopefully, the first amongst many which are needed to bridge the gap between interests and opportunities. Applications for the course are open on the Delhi University website till 17th August. The admission procedure involves an one hour written test with multiple choice questions, followed by an interview of the shortlisted students.

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Campus Central

Let's Hangout!

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What a glistening mirage college life radiates! To each of  those dreamy eyed ones, campus  life is a gift wrapped experience of enthralling fun, persistent chilling, some really cool signature hangouts, and truly the incidence of  “the best things in life” with a validity of three years! This picture perfect imagery might just be shattered with some mundane schedules and chores that we hate to get around with, but that isnt too much of a problem. Delhi University offers you some splendid locales, that would be just enough to reconcile all the pieces of the broken hour glass. The more happening north campus has much to allure. With attempts to modify classrooms to student’s interests, what happens around in the haven of students is not worth the miss! It’s the ever so famous Kamala Nagar market that you will splurge on, you’d live to die for QD’s scrumptious delights.  The more desi ones will take refuge in Chatte de Hatti and monsoon rains will pour on Kamala Nehru ridge, to all lovers’ glee. The more popular colleges will leave you spellbound with blissful experiences.  Whether it is the iconic sports complex of SRCC and the adored Irfan’s canteen or the ultimate café of St. Stephen’s, ranging to the unexplored ones like a supposed Bhoot Bangla, a Graffiti wall, SPIC MACAY’s Canteen and the Tibetan market, you would want to venture into every barricade and every locked iron door, simply because this place breathes youthfulness and freedom. To satiate your drive to explore some more irresistible places, do not hesitate to visit all that south campus has to offer you.  Lined up in Satya Niketan is an array of enticing cafes including student’s paradise QD’s. The elite Taj’ CCD is a host to a number of campus birdies too. Contrary to that is the incredibly popular Chowrangee in Satya Niketan which feeds you to your heart’s satisfaction. Living up to the popular perception of Delhi’s malling culture, Delhi University students will never refrain from spending days together in malls like they were their second homes. Many of whom have attained nirvana in our favourite Select City walk. The ones in Vasant Kunj have supremely come up with the ice skating and bowling trends, which is truly GenY’s thing to do. Delhi University is a world in itself and it’s unbelievable how seemingly short the time we have here seems. It has a myriad of joys to spread and heaps of experiences to retain forever and for life. So, cease this year here and set out on the journey to unveil new avenues. Hope you have a Xing on experience! Picture Credits: Additi Seth]]>

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