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Scholarships Offered by DU: All That You Need To Know About

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The University of Delhi (DU) witnesses a diversified plethora of students from different parts of the country seeking admission each year; for the thirst for educational opportunities and exposure to the dimmed lights of the capital city. Apart from their cultural divergence, they also belong to different sections of the society with finance having an upper hand over all the attributes. Therefore, in order to ensure equal participation, ease out the stress of financial burden, and recognise student welfare, the administration provides scholarships to all students with adherence to certain conditions. 

Here are some scholarships granted by the University for its undergraduate students:

Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao Endowment Book-Grant:

This scholarship is provided to a student who has secured a place in any college under DU and belongs to the family of a Class IV or Class III employee of the University. They must be in the first year of their three-year undergraduate course. A sum of Rs. 100 is provided for each month for a duration of one year and is renewable if the performance of the student is satisfactory.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_UG_1.pdf

Sh. Prem Prakash Award:

The financial aid is a one-time grant called the “Sh. Prem Prakash Award” worth Rs. 3,500/ – payable at the start of the year. The awardee is chosen on the basis of merit from amidst the offsprings of Class-IV workers of the University. The awardee must be admitted into the 1st year of any college under the varsity. If no suitable candidate is found from the Class-IV families, then the students from the Class-III families will be taken into consideration. Students who are already availing the benefits of other grants from the University, from other University, private body, state or central government will not be eligible for the aforementioned award.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/Sh.%20Prem%20Prakash%20Award.pdf

The Delhi University & College Karmachari Union Book- Grant:

There will be two grants by the name of ‘Delhi University & College Karmachari Union’ (DUCKU) worth Rs. 250 per month for a period of one year. Applicants should hail from the families of the non-teaching staff of the University of Delhi (DU) and must be enrolled in the first year of the three-year undergraduate course.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_UG_8.pdf

The Delhi State Co-operative Union Grant:

The allowance is known as ‘The Delhi State Co-operative Union Stipend’ and consists of an aid of Rs. 50 per month for a period of one year. However, it can be renewed as well on the basis of the performance of the awardee. This stipend is handed over to those students who are the off-springs or dependent brothers of non-commissioned defence force personnel resident of the Union Territory of Delhi. Choices will be favoured towards the son of a Jawan who was either killed or incapacitated during action in or after 1965.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_UG_9.pdf

Pt. Man Mohan Nath Dhar Book- Grant:

The Pandit Man Mohan Dhar endowment scholarship offers a monthly stipend of Rs. 100 for a period of one year. It is awarded to deserving and needy students who are pursuing their undergraduate/postgraduate classes from the University of Delhi and whose family income doesn’t exceed the amount from which it starts attracting income tax.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_UG_11.pdf

Sardar Kartar Singh Grover Memorial Book- Grant:

The scholarship is  worth Rs.350/ – per month which will be normally viable for an academic year from 1st August of a year to 30th April of the following year (Nine Months); extendable to the following scholarly year.The Scholarship will be granted to an understudy of Computer Science courses, BCA or B.Sc. (H) who gets best grades in the First Year Annual Examination of the BCA – B.Sc. (H) course. If two students are found to have the same marks, then the awardee is decided on the basis of the rank secured in the entrance if given/ Class 12 result if the admission was merit-based.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/Sardar-Kartar-Singh-Grover-Memorial-Merit-Scholarship_new.pdf

Ganga Sant Book- Grant:

The awardee of this scholarship will be granted an amount of Rs. 175/month for a period of three years which is renewable yearly on the basis of performance of the awardee. To avail this scholarship, a student must be enrolled in BA. Hons( Sanskrit) and must be in dire need of financial assistance. If no such students are found in the above mentioned course, the scholarship will be passed to B.A. Hons( Mathematics). In case, no student is found, the scholarship will be passed to any other course, taking in regards the financial condition of the student. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/Ganga-Sant.pdf

Puran Chand Khatri Book- Grant:

This scholarship facilitates the educational journey of first year students hailing from Khatri families with an amount of Rs. 40/month for a period of one year. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit, of the class 12 examination conducted by Central Board of Secondary Examination or any other examination recognised as equivalent to the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/Puran-Chand.pdf

Delhi University Women Association Book- Grant:

Two awardees will be chosen every year for a financial aid of Rs. 100 per month for a period of three years. The continuation of the same depends on the performance of the student. Daughters of Jawans who are meritorious and in need of financial assistance are given preference. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/09092015_DUWA_Scholarship.pdf

Smt. Kesra Bai Luthra Book- Grant:

Under this scholarship, the awardee will receive an amount of ?100 a month for a period of 3 years which is renewable every year on the basis of performance of the awardee. The students pursuing B.Sc. (Hons) course in Botany or Zoology and must possess the characteristics of merit along with the need of financial assistance. If a student is availing any other scholarship, then they will.not be able to receive this scholarship. If the scholar has failed to make satisfactory progress or is found to be guilty of gross misconduct, the individual after due warning will be reported to the principal of the college, who may withdraw their scholarship.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/06092017_Keshra.pdf

Prof. J.C. Luthra & Smt. Kesra Bai Luthra Book- Grant:

The scholarship provides the opportunity with a financial aid of ?100/month for a period of 3 years which is renewable at the end of each year on the basis of the acceptable performance of the awardee. The student must pass class 12 examination or an examination equivalent to the same and preferably must not be below high to class. The student must be enrolled in BSc.(Hons) course in Botany,.Zoology, Physics or Chemistry. They must be meritorious enough and must be in need of financial assistance in order to pursue their higher studies. Once scholarship shall be awarded to the student offering the above-mentioned disciplines as the main subject in such a manner that 50% of the recipients shall be women candidates. The same criterias for ineligibility including the holding of any other scholarship from any source is applicable here as well.

Satish Batra Memorial Book- Grant:

With a financial aid of Rs.300 per month for a period of three years, the Satish Batra Scholarship is awarded to a needy student who have passed their class 12 examination and are in their first year of B.A.(Hons)/ B.A. (Pass) in Urdu from the University. The continuation of the same depends on the academic performance of the awardee.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/satish-batra.pdf

Dr. S.L. Haro & Smt. V. Hora Endowment Book- Grant:

The awardee of this scholarship will be granted an amount of Rs. 100 month for a period of three years which is renewable yearly on the basis of performance of the awardee. To avail this scholarship, a student must be enrolled in B.Sc (Hons) in Zoology course and must be in dire need of financial assistance. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/S-L-Hora.pdf

Shri Khushi Ram Book- Grant:

Three awardees with merit and in need of financial assistance will be chosen every year for a financial aid of Rs. 100 per month for a period of three years. The continuation of the same depends on the performance of the student. The awardees must be enrolled in the first year of Bachelor’s degree under the Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Mathematics, Music & Art. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/08012021_UG14.pdf

Shubo Chander Aimya Banerjee Book- Grant:

This scholarship is provided to two deserving and needy students who are pursuing their undergraduate classes from the University of Delhi and whose family income doesn’t exceed the amount from which it starts attracting income tax. They must be in the first year of their three-year undergraduate course. A sum of Rs. 50 is provided for each month for a duration of one year and is renewable if the performance of the student is satisfactory. The awardees must be enrolled in the first year of Bachelor’s degree under the Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Mathematics, Music & Art.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/08012021_SubodhChand18.pdf

Shri Ram Lubhaya Book- Grant:

Under this scholarship for blind individuals, the awardee will receive an amount of ?100 a month for a period of one year which is renewable every year on the basis of performance of the awardee. The student must be in the 1st year of their undergraduate course after acquiring admission to the University on merit basis. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/01092018_sh-ram-lubhaya.pdf

Shri Moti Lal Kaul Aima Memorial Book- Grant:

This financial aid for blind students is worth Rs. 150 per month for a period of three years. The awardee must be admitted into the 1st year of any college under the varsity under the courses of B.A. (Hons.)/ B. Sc. (Hons.)/ B.Com (Hons.) Students who are already availing the benefits of other grants from the University, from other University, private body, state or central government will not be eligible for the aforementioned award.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/01092018_sh-motilal_kaul.pdf

Vijender Sharmila Chopra Book- Grant:

The Vijender Sharmila Chopra scholarship offers a monthly stipend of Rs. 100 for a period of three years. It is offered to the blind student who was successful in securing the highest marks in Class 12 examinations and enrolls themselves in B. Sc./ B.Com/ B.A. Vocational Studies (Hons.) or Pass Course under DU.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/01092018_vijendra-sharmila-chopra.pdf

Postgraduate Scholarships:

Here are two of the scholarships offered by DU for its postgraduate students:

Delhi University & All India Postgraduate Scholarship:

A total number of 20 students will be awarded with the above scholarship which consists of an aid of Rs. 400 per month. The candidates must have passed their undergraduate education from a recognized Indian university with a first class. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_PG_1.pdf

His Holiness The Pope Scholarship: 

This scholarship was given by His Holiness The Pope during his visit to India in 1964 and is available for post-graduate students. It consists of an amount of Rs. 150 per month for the students in need of financial aid and whose parents’ income including his/her own income does not exceed the amount from which it starts attracting income tax. The scholarship is tenable for one year and can be renewed for the second year if the performance of the student is satisfactory.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_PG_2.pdf

For more information, kindly visit the official DU website.

It has been ages since these scholarships were announced. With the changing times, there should have been an increase in the amount of scholarships as well.

Read Also:

Scholarships That Every Third-Year Should Apply for

Victory for the Student Community and Scholarship at DSE

DU Students Receive EY Scholarship

Featured Image Credits: Ulearning

Himasweeta Sarma

[email protected]

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Arts & Culture

Diversity out of the Question of Languages

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Following the recent events, we tried to locate what language our nation speaks—of hate or of Mir?

“I knew that language is the most private and yet most public things.” – Arundhati Roy, In What Language Does Rain Fall Over Tormented Cities?

What language do we speak altogether, collectively as a nation? 780, or the ones actually recognised? Of love or of hate? Do we even speak together, ever?

I learned in my history class about imagined communities. Are we just one true imagination that exists with all its hypocrisies with just one name that binds us together? The peculiar curiosity about your identity starts somewhere around our age only, I think India never got out of that phase, she is still trudging the path of curiosity to know all about it.

Being trilingual, I get how difficult it can be to brainstorm with three words meaning something somewhat similar but never the exact same. How does India manage with so many? We read about diversity since first grade. In the language, I read it, “Anekta mei ekta.” At times, I think her diversity could never get out of this essay. It tried and tried, but it was such a high pedestal that returning was never an option, but we found out her invisibility on the streets at times, for we all read or maybe heard it – India: A Land of Diversities.

But whose language does India actually speak? Of Ghalib or of those who went rallying against Fab India when it named its Diwali Collection Jashn-e-Riwaaz, which loosely translates into a celebration of tradition.

The social media went mad with hails of ‘NO Abrahaminsation of Hindu Festivals’. And amidst this, a Markazi Khayal came to me that what word could we substitute for Khyal in Kabhi Kabhi mere dil mei Khayal aata hai? Or maybe what would we substitute when the people actually discover that the words Hindi, Hindu and Hindostan are from Persian Arabic? Did I miss a class of Language partition when the words of Urdu casually entered the conversations and even a bit of Shudh Hindi found its place with slang from the local dialect?

The Partition happened when, during the British era, the Hindustani language broke up into Hindi and Urdu, and since then, the graph has been up and down with the ‘language’ that we decide to speak publicly, sometimes of hate and sometimes of mir.

According to a research paper about the decline of Urdu sounds,

First, the decline of Urdu sounds began in the 1990s, which marks the rise of the Hindutva politics and the beginning of the mushrooming of cable television networks.”

So, this is the language I have been referring to the language that the current hegemony chooses to speak.

A good thing about Grammarly is that you can set the tone of language that you want to deliver your content in, and it rectifies the words accordingly. What would the tone be when people don’t let Munawwar Faruqui perform in Goa for 500 people would set themselves on fire. The organisers received threats from several Hindutva groups, and shows in Raipur, Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Mumbai had to be cancelled. Munawwar was also arrested for a joke he did not tell, and the apex court that granted him release said the tone of the FIR was vague and no apparent reason for his arrest.

Clearly, the cancel culture in our country goes a different way, where the dominant group shuns the language that it does not want to hear, be it just the name of the collection, an advertisement that talks of love bonds, or anything that might prick the forces of Hindutva. Who will be the next Kaifi saheb, perhaps Ghalib or the true sense of diversity that we talked about on pages?

Although Hindi’s victory has been a resounding one, it does not seem to have entirely allayed its keepers’ anxieties. Perhaps that’s because their enemies are dead poets who have a habit of refusing to really die.” – Arundhati Roy, In What Language Does Rain Fall Over Tormented Cities? 

There is a linguistic relativity hypothesis that says our language shapes our thought, and Arundhati writes in her essay that a country’s public language is its own public imagination. So, the next time you say ‘ye Ishq nahīñ āsāñ itnā hī samajh liije ik aag kā dariyā hai aur Duub ke jaanā hai’ know that in the current context it literally applies to the word Ishq for someday people might take offence for its existence because of its source.

All this is to say that we in India live and work (and write) in a complicated land, in which nothing is or ever will be settled. Especially not the question of language. Languages.” – Arundhati Roy, In What Language Does Rain Fall Over Tormented Cities? 

Kashish Shivani

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Lessons From The Last OBE and Tips for The Upcoming One.

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We know everything is confusing, uncertain, and downright frustrating right now- and the university’s apathy towards the students giving examinations has further exacerbated the stress of the current times. But amidst this emotional rollercoaster, here’s an OBE rewind piece about some things you could do to ensure that the upcoming OBE exams are as stress-free as possible during these turbulent times. 

In the run-up to the examinations, make sure to take care of your mental health. Download your admit card and recheck all the details. Prepare only as much as you can, and as much as you need to. Take frequent breaks, stay hydrated and make sure to unwind after a long day of going through study material or preparing summaries. If there is anything that the previous OBEs have taught us, it is that they require a very specific kind of preparation, which does not always include memorizing the text or practicing writing answers, as we do in conventional examinations. Open book examinations lean more towards the technical knowledge and understanding of the text, including all the big ideas in the study material and going over past papers and guides to predict the patterns of question papers.

A student from Lady Shri Ram College for Women says, “We created small study groups and helped one another with summaries to understand and comprehend different parts of the course, and prepared these to easily refer during the exams. We worked together during these uncertain times and our trust and cooperation got us through our previous OBEs stress-free.”

Working together with friends or classmates is a good idea during these times, as OBEs do not require students to memorise the details, rather compile these together from different readings of a particular topic after internalising the basic concepts.

The night before the examinations, remember these examinations aren’t indicative of your academic prowess or merit and we are all going through difficult times. Prepare a top sheet with your name, roll number, college, paper code and course name to scan on top of the answer script and upload. This will prevent any added stress of having to write that on the day of the exam. Prepare either ruled or blank A4 sheets to write the examination  and try logging into the portal to ensure that the login details are all in place. Ensure that you have the contact details of the examination nodal officer for your college in case of any discrepancy.

During the examinations, it can get stressful. Paired with time management issues and the time-consuming process of scanning and uploading, many face extreme difficulties in uploading on time before the portal crashes, and sometimes even upload the wrong pdfs. An easy fix for this is to scan every answer after writing it, verify that all the pages are in order and label it according to the answer number so that it is easy to upload at the end, rather than leave all of them to be done in one go as it  adds to your stress and anxiety. The best app to scan answer scripts with is Adobe Scan, but other alternatives include Google Drive Scan and Office Lens, although they might be slower.

Another student from Hansraj College says, “I faced difficulties in compressing the files before time ran out and the portal crashed, after which I had to email my answers separately.” A good preemptive measure to make sure that compressing and uploading are easy during the examinations is to bookmark SmallPDF or PDFCompressor Applications to your laptop’s bookmarks bar for easy access to prevent confusion in the last few minutes of the OBE.

If the portal crashes, do not worry. A teacher from Daulat Ram College expresses, “I get panic-stricken messages when the portal crashes in the last hour of the OBE, with students asking for help and worrying that they will be given a zero because they were unable to upload. The portal gets overburdened by the sheer number of people trying to upload at the same time, but I tell them all not to worry, and that they must follow the required procedure for their answer scripts to be considered.” This procedure is twofold: continue uploading answers until the end of the 5th hour, which is the extra hour in case the portal crashes in the designated time, and if you are still unable to upload, take clear screenshots including the time stamp of the portal failure or network issues. As a last resort, email the examination officer of your college with all the answer pdfs attached, clearly mentioning name, roll number, paper code, the reason for not being able to upload and screenshot evidence for the technical failure. Your paper will be considered granted you have legitimate reasons for not being able to upload.

Finally, we are all in this together. These are unprecedented times and everyone is fighting their own battles. No one expects you to ace your Open book examinations or top the class during a global pandemic. Be kind to yourself. Good luck with your exams!

Read Also: 

Eerie Exams Enlightener: The Weirdness of OBEs

Delhi University: Freshers Guide to Online Examinations OBE

DU issues rules for OBE to be held from June 7

Featured Image Credits: India TV

Riddhi Mukherjee

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Farewell: Mourning our Lost Memories and Experiences

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With graduation right around the corner, third-years sit by as they lose all hope of getting a physical farewell, or any of the college experiences for that matter. DU Beat spoke to some of them in order to get an insight into their psyche and know the popular opinion that has been going around.

The pandemic has taken away a lot of things from us, but most of all, it has stolen away some of the most beautiful days of one’s life — a real chance at a college experience. With having completed a year, confined to the four walls of our room, we sit and wonder as our dreams, hopes, ambitions fade away into the lone. 

Anushree Joshi, a third-year student at LSR says, “The greatest loss of finishing college online is the ability to sit and look my peers in the eyes as they tell me about their days and I tell them about mine. The anxiety of things ending, in any normal year, would be wrapped up in the hullabaloo of celebration — multiple farewells, graduation dinners, and the lasts of meals and outings.”

But there’s a pang of ineffable sadness now, in knowing that some of the teachers who have changed the way I look at life have never even seen my face in real life, or might not remember it. It’s a loss much less significant than what this world is experiencing right now in different ways, but it’s a loss incredibly personal and irreparable,” she added.

Another, 3rd-year History major Aanya Wig elaborated on her wishlist for the New Year’s this year, “I wished to go back to campus, I wish I could sit in class and attend a lecture, I wished I could sit in the sun in the front lawns, I wished to get another vada pao, I wished I could hear the chirpy voices in the corridor, I wished to walk on campus again, and I wished to spend a little more time with the wonderful women at college.”

How does one then even begin to grapple with such questions, then? During the past year, people have lost people, their incomes, and even their interest in anything and everything around. The thought of bidding goodbye to such spaces of liberalism and inclusivity to be out there in the ‘real world’ is frightening enough that now, we even have to deal with not being able to go back to college for that one last time: sit in those lush green lawns, or juggle between classes as you order that cup of ice tea or chilly cheese Maggi from the Nescafé and sit at your favourite spot which makes you feel home with people who have stayed with you during the past three years, even when everyone else left. How does one even begin to get closure?

I don’t think the idea of online classes was bad in itself because yes, it was the need of the hour, but like million other things, this idea was also not executed well. Not only the students, but the teachers also faced a lot of issues to get adjusted to this new normal. Not to mention how it has adversely affected the process of learning in itself,” expressed Somya Jain, an Economics major at LSR.

Shivani Dadhwal, a KNC student elaborated on the losses we have all faced as a collective,

Having spent 50% of the time at online college is sad, there are so many unfinished Nescafé ice teas, college gang trips, classes, fests, outfits to wear to college, impromptu plans, whacky canteen food combinations, conversations and jokes. Abruptly, one was made to pack it all up and just walk away.”

It’s okay to mourn, it’s okay to get disheartened or even feel at loss here, but it’s not okay to not gift yourself the right to celebrate your own graduation. You deserve this farewell (even if it’s online) more than anyone else and hold on to your memories, learnings, and celebrations for your tomorrow will find you much farther than where you are today.

 

Featured Image Credits: DU Updates

 

Annanya Chaturvedi

[email protected]

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Here is How You Plan A Fun Budget Date In Delhi!

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We have curated just the perfect date for you under a reasonable budget, so get your perfect outfit and ask your favourite person out on a date already. And if you aren’t already dating, this may be the perfect sign for you to finally ask them out!

 We live in extremely uncanny times where the swipe and the hustle culture defines relationships and dating life. College years can be the most extraordinary experience of your life and for some, it becomes rather idyllic if you have someone to share them with and just explore random places, go on long drives, and watch pretty sunsets.

It’s time we move beyond Instagram filters and Snapchat streaks to explore the city with our favourite person. Street food dates, cafe dates, movie dates, park dates – it all works, right as long as you are with this one person who makes you feel out of this world.

1.No pressure, but the beginnings always set the mood for the rest of the day. And that’s exactly why you should start off with breakfast at Carnatic Café, Lodhi Road with their extensive breakfast menu at extremely reasonable prices. The lovely little place serves the most amazing filter coffee and a South Indian diet to keep you rejuvenated for the rest of the day.

Nearest metro station: Greater Kailash

Price per two people:  Rs. 300 (approx)

2. Head towards Lodhi Art district, grab Yulu bikes and ride across graffiti lanes and enjoy just the perfect colours of Delhi. Perfect for people who appreciate art or love to get photographed, its pop colours and abstract shapes would make you fall in love with Delhi (and who knows, maybe even your date) all over again!

Nearest metro station: JLN Stadium

How to Yulu? Download the app, locate one, scan the QR code, and ride along!

3. After enjoying your ride, head towards the famous Moolchand Paranthe Waala to get the best varieties of moist and flavoursome paranthas followed by their famous mango lassi in Lajpat Nagar for who doesn’t love yum food and a good laugh. The hot, greasy paranthas were apparently loved by the King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan who used to often enjoy them back in the day when he was in Delhi.

Nearest metro station: Moolchand

Price per two people: Rs. 100 to 200

Pro tip: Don’t spend forever deciding which paranthas to get, okayy!

4. Now head towards Bangla Sahib and grab your favourite kulhad wali chai with freshly made pakode and take a long walk across the place. After a tiring day, you’d instantly be replenished after entering its serene premises.

 Nearest metro station: Rajiv Chowk

5. The final stop would be Sunder Nursery where you can experience the beautiful sunset across the lake with your special someone! The place shuts down at 7 pm, so make sure you don’t miss out on this one. The two of you watching the sunset surrounded by trees, flowers, and all the other beautiful things in the world after a wholesome day out would just be the perfect idea to end your date with.

Nearest metro station: Lajpat Nagar

 

We know dates can get pretty overwhelming at times, but take this one day out just for yourself and for the person who makes you so happy. Follow our map but don’t forget to explore random places ‘cause those are the best ones. Talk your heart out, laugh unhesitatingly, make loads of memories, and be yourself in the most ‘you’ way possible. You got this!

 

Featured Image credits: istock

 

Annanya Chaturvedi

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 Hridika Rao

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Toxic Culture of DU Societies: Seniors with Junior Mindsets

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Any talk about Delhi University is incomplete without a mention of its extravagant societies. But, is the extra pressure which comes up with the really stiff competition actually worth it?

The fun and frolic which comes up with the joining of a cultural group, or the engagement in the big brain talks by being part of an academic community, indeed contributes in adding up to ones college memories. But, continuing with this on the stake of ones mental health is not correct. The excessive competition and the pressure of having the first position in the entire DU circuit, sometimes makes the loved society culture extremely toxic. The daily seven to eight hour practices irrespective of rain and hail along with the flawed senior junior culture leaves many students shattered and face serious existential crisis.

Most of the times first years seeing the beautifully decorated registration desk apply in numerous societies but, the actual marathon begins only after you clear the auditions and officially become a part of it. The superiority of seniors and the inferiority of juniors the entitlement of only one and two years older mates as ‘Didis’ and ‘Bhaiyas’ often causes a complete reversal of ones opinions and thoughts. The mass scolding sessions, or rather the wordly mass assassination of juniors by the supremely talented Didis and Bhaiyas leaves one with tears, an outcome of supressed speech and anger.

“I joined the western dance society of my college with high expectations. I thought that it will help me live my passion but, it turned out to be completely opposite. All the dancers were great and the joining opened doors to many opportunities for me but, the super strict environment which makes one to think twice about doing and saying anything made me leave it in the very next month. People need to understand that maintaining a Hitler inspired environment wont help in the sustenance of art,” said a first year student of Delhi University.

“There is literally no junior who hasn’t cried. Once we went for lunch after a competition and all of us ordered according to our budgets assuming everyone was to pay for their own meal. The seniors enjoyed quite a lot and ordered double and triple of what we had, we obviously didn’t think much of it since everybody ate according to their pockets but with the arrival of bill they changed the protocol and forced us to go dutch. They divided the entire amount equally, irrespective the quantity each person ordered. This was shocking for me since I hadn’t seen anything so unfair till then. This society politics is very difficult to deal with,” said another first year.

However not all are alike. Some of them have very positive impacts on ones development and growth. It completely depends upon the management and environment. So, its imperative for one to think and choose wisely. Pursuing anything which has a toll on mental health would leave you with nothing but only distress and regret. Leaving after joining with a reason “I don’t feel good” is a reason enough for you to resign.
Featured Image Credits: Du Beat Archives

Kriti Gupta

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DUTA Writes to CM Regarding Inadequacy of Grants

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Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) wrote to Delhi’s Chief Minister regarding the inadequacy of grants sanctioned to 12 of DU’s colleges that are 100% funded by the Delhi Government.

On 9th May 2020, DUTA wrote to Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal regarding the inadequacy grants provided to twelve of the university’s colleges that are completely dependent on the Delhi Government for funds.

The 3rd/final instalment of Grant-in-Aid during the financial year 2019-2020 was sanctioned on 25.3.2020 and more recently, on 7.5.2020, 1st instalment of Grant-in-aid on monthly basis (Salary purpose only) was sanctioned.

As a result of the Government’s tardiness, the colleges’ funds were delayed for several months and staffers had to remain without their salaries. Further, the sanctioned grants- when sanctioned- are inadequate and not enough to cover salaries even up to April.

DUTA complained that the grants sanctioned on 23rd March 2020  were barely enough to cover salaries of January and February, resulting which, many of these colleges have been unable to pay their employees.

Along with not being able to pay the salaries of staffers after April, these under-funded colleges have not been able to make payments towards reimbursements and arrears that are due to their staffers, and are also unable to pay for electricity bills, property tax and general maintenance.

Along with the letter, DUTA presented a summary of the feedback that they have received from Staff Associations of under-funded colleges and the mentioned deficit is in regards to the funds required to cover staffer salaries alone. The feedback provided is as follows:

1.Acharya Narendra Dev College: Deficit of 6.15 cr

2. Aditi Maha Vidyalaya: Deficit of 3.85 cr

3. Bhagini Nivedita College: Deficit of 0.18 cr

4. Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences : Information not available

5. Dr B. R. Ambedkar College: Deficit of 2.48 cr

6. Deen Dayal Upadhyay College: Deficit of 3.63 cr

7. IGIPE&SS: Deficit of 0.2 cr

8. Keshav Mahavidyalaya: Deficit of 1.9 cr

9. Maharshi Valmiki College of Education: Information not available

10. Maharaja Agrasen College: Deficit of 2.61 cr

11. Saheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for women : Deficit of 2.41 cr

12. Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies : Salaries up to April have been covered

Further, the Sanction Order of 7.5.2020  states that, “As per observations of Finance Department request for release of GIA of next installment may be submitted after formation of Governing Body in all Government Colleges in 2020-21.”

DUTA has expressed disappointment in the sanction, claiming that issue of grants- especially the issue of salaries- cannot be linked to the formation of Governing bodies as the teaching and non-teaching staff and no role in their formation. They also mentioned that the non-payment of salaries is a violation of basic human rights, especially for non-teaching staff working on contracts, and ad-hoc and guest teachers who are more vulnerable.

“We find it extremely unfortunate that there has been no focus on the growth of these institutions. The 12 colleges are in dire need of the additional funds necessary for development of infrastructure development for smooth academic and administrative functioning.

The colleges still await release of funds for additional posts for teaching and non-teaching staff in view of the extension of reservation to EWSs and consequent increase in intake of students. Moreover, some of the new courses that were started after obtaining the necessary approvals are being starved of funds required for appointing teachers to run these courses.

The delay in doing so, despite repeated reminders, has undermine the teaching learning process and affect the quality of education imparted in these institutions. We write to seek your intervention for an urgent release of adequate grants to cover all pending dues including salaries, reimbursements and arrears due to employees on account of the 7th Pay Revision and for adequate infrastructure development and maintenance and for the EWS expansion. We seek an appointment to discuss these issues with you,” Rajib Ray, DUTA’s president, mentioned in the addressed letter.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Shreya Juyal

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DUB News

DU Forms ‘Working Group’ to Oversee Course of Action for Examination Conduction

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With the extended classes coming to an end soon and doubts over what next with respect to academics, DU has formed a 15-member working group to “oversee all examination related matters.”

In a notification posted on the official website, dated 6thMay, DU has constituted a ‘working group’ to inspect and give suggestions on examination related matters. The working group has been put together to study the various examination related affairs, review the preparedness for conducting this session’s examinations and then take the appropriate measures.

The 15-member body is headed by Professor Vinay Gupta, Dean (Examinations), who is presiding over the committee as the Chairman, and comprises of members from different colleges and departments of DU. The notification also stated that “the working group may co-opt any expert, if required, with the prior approval of the competent authority.”

Dr. Uma Shankar Pandey, the Officer on Special Duty, School of Open Learning (SOL) and also a member of the committee, told Career 360,“There are chances of having both online and offline examination, but that would be too early to say anything as we are yet to have any meeting.”

He denied the question of the University not conducting the examination and stated that examinations will be held as per the schedule announced by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

He also said that any decision will be taken keeping the interests of students in mind. Although, concerns over conducting examination through online mode have been raised many times in the past few months, Dr. Pandey’s statement clearly indicates that the committee is considering all its options before coming to a conclusion. Today itself, the Working group posted an invitation for comments/suggestions from stakeholders on examinations. They have been asked to send them to the following email ID of the Working Group- [email protected].

However, questions have been raised on the committee’s composition. As reported by The Hindu, University executive council members, Rajesh Jha and JL Gupta, censured the committee, calling it “arbitrary and undemocratic”; and in a letter to the Vice Chancellor, they raised their concerns over the formation of the committee and inclusion of certain “nominated members” and some other aspects.

In parallel, Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA), also wrote to the Vice Chancellor about the absence of the statutory bodies of the University –the Executive and Academic Council, from the Working Group. They also expanded their argument to highlight the inclusion of elected representatives of teachers in the committee and the students’ as well as DUTA’s opposition to the online mode of examinations.

It’s been more than 10 days since University Grants Commission (UGC) released the guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar for Universities. With various universities such as Mumbai University releasing their academic plans, DU students and teachers are eagerly waiting for the University’s course of action. The Working Group might speed things up and some official statement or notification can be expected in the coming days.

Feature Image Credits:DU Beat

Ipshika Ghosh

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Coronavirus

UGC Recommends Revised Academic Calendar

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Keeping in mind the present Coronavirus situation, the University Grants Commission has issued suggestions with respect to the functioning of universities post lockdown.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesdayreleased a fresh set of guidelines on how universities and colleges should function after the lockdown ends. The guidelines suggested a special emphasis on ensuring learning while ensuring social distancing. It was suggested that colleges open from August for enrolled students and for the new batch, admissions begin in August and classes by September.

The universities shall follow a six day week once they resume operations, as per the recommendations of the UGC panel. For laboratory or practical experiments, students will be allowed to work through virtual laboratories.

Here are some other suggestions by the UGC:

— The universities and colleges have been advised to hold their final year or terminal semester examination from 1st July to 15th July. They can declare their results at the end of the month.

— For first and second-year students, the varsity can conduct exams from July 16-30 and announce results by 14th August, if possible. If not, the students will be graded based on the internal assessments of the past two semesters.

— Universities have also been asked to use innovative modes of examinations and assessments. The duration of exams will be reduced from three hours to two hours. This might be a one-time move.

— The universities have been asked to develop virtual classroom and video conferencing facility and all teaching staff to be trained with the use of technology. Further, all the content of universities will be uploaded in digital form on its official website to be accessed anytime, as per the guidelines of the UGC panel.

— Faculty would be thoroughly trained in information communication technology (ICT) skills as well as online teaching tools. Teachers will be asked to publish 25 per cent of the syllabus through online teaching and the rest through face to face traditional classrooms.

— Every university will establish a COVID-19 cell for handling student grievances related to exams and academic activities during the coronavirus pandemic. The UGC has also announced to establish a helpline for monitoring student grievances in this regard. Among other immediate measures, attendance will be granted to all students for this period.

— The UGC also suggested universities to devise a proforma to record the travel/ stay history of the staff and students for the period when they were away from the university due to lockdown.

Featured Image Credits: DU Beat Archives 

Khush Vardhan Dembla

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Uncategorized

Second-Year Students of SSCBS Win Big At Global Case Competition at Harvard

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In a monumental win for India and Delhi University (DU), students of Shaheed Sukhdev Colllege of Business Studies (SSCBS) were declared winners at the Global Case Competition, Harvard University 2020.

Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (SSCBS) brought laurels to Delhi University (DU) as well as the nation. In the first-ever win for India of this kind, SSCBS bagged the first position representing India at the Global Case Competition at Harvard University (GCCH) 2020. Competing with over 140 teams from universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, John Hopkins University, HEC Paris and London Business School. 

Prize money of 10,000 USD was awarded to the winning team. Mr Olivier Levyne, Managing Director, CACIB announced the glorious win to the team comprising of 2nd-year students from  SSCBS- Sparsh Sehgal, Ojas Jhamb, Kunal Vats, Raghav Nath and Aanand Negi. They were mentored under the able guidance of the faculty members Mr Neeraj Sehrawat and Mr Amit Kumar.

Image Credits: Press Release, SSCBS
Image Credits: Press Release, SSCBS

Kunal Vats spoke to DU Beat, “I hope this win sets a precedent of Indian teams winning big at the global stage and inspires many business students to work towards their dreams,” The team members expressed their delight too, “It has been a dream come true for us! Winning it has been surreal. Competing against and beating the top universities from around the world will always have a special place in our lives. We’re happy that our hard work and quality of work was rewarded. This edition was online as compared to the other rounds held at Harvard, and we were able to adapt to the new format effectively. We’re really glad that this competition happened despite the ongoing pandemic!” 

Congratulating the winners, Dr Poonam Verma, Principal, SSCBS says, “It was a great opportunity for our students to learn and interact with other international students. I am glad that our students are achieving international laurels and bringing positive news especially during such times,”

The GCCH is organized by the IFSA Network and Harvard GSAS Business Club. One of the most prestigious case competitions, it attracts the brightest economists, business-minds and finance-enthusiasts from around the world. With a mere three weeks in hand, students compete on a finance case involving strategic management, eventually, culminating at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Due to the pandemic, the event was organised through an online mode. School of Business and Economics, Brazil and John Hopkins University were declared the first and second runner-up, respectively. 

Feature Image Credits: Official Website, SSCBS

Anandi Sen

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