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Hindu’s Hostel Residents Protest Against the Fee Hike

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On 4th August 2018, 40-50 residents of the Hindu College Hostel staged a strike to protest against the recurrent hike in the yearly fee. The students demand a decrement in the yearly fee, or they wish to see tangible benefits in the living conditions of the hostel.
During the first week of August, the students residing in the hostel of Hindu College staged a protest against the recurrent hike in the yearly fee of the hostel. The protest was in the form of a strike, which began at 9 a.m. on the 4th of August, according to the sources who participated in the protest.
As per the sources, the students who are vehemently against the fee hike settled themselves outside the hostel, in order to peacefully get their concerns heard and resolved by the authorities. After protesting in front of the hostel gates, the crowd went outside the Principal’s office. The sources have revealed that the Principal, Dr. Anju Srivastava, readily listened to the issues the students were fighting against.
Inputs from numerous residents of the Hindu College’s hostel can be used to understand that the 40-50 students who sat for the strike are in opposition of the lack of transparency in the monetary matters. A student, on the condition of anonymity, told DU Beat that the ceilings and the ‘renovations’ in the hostel could be used as a clear evidence of the dearth of justification for the fee hike. The students are appalled by the yearly increment in the fee, when there have been no improvements whatsoever, in the way the students were housed.
The sources conferred that the yearly fee, for the first-year resident students, has increased from an approximate of INR 51,000 to INR 70,000 within a duration of three years (2016-2018). A collaborative account of the protesters inferred that the yearly increment in the fee has been attributed to the government’s policies pertaining to the workers’ daily wages. Since the policies are revised on a regular basis, it allegedly becomes inevitable for the authorities to adjust the residents’ fee accordingly.
On the condition of anonymity, a source revealed that despite the allocation of a yearly fund of INR 62 lakhs by the University Grants Commission, the hostel runs into a deficit almost every year. There had been a surplus amount on certain occasions, a few years back, and the authorities had hired more workers. The reasons behind the hiring remain unclear and the students have no idea as to why the hostel must employ two managers in one mess, unusual for any college hostel.
To resolve the mentioned issues, the source claimed that the students met with the warden and both the parties have been thinking of possible ways to accommodate the extra workers, four to five in number, instead of terminating them. The students think that the surplus hiring occurred in order to please certain groups or individuals. The clear explanation or understanding for this has not been provided to the students.
A meeting will take place on 13th or 14th August, where the Hostel Managing Committee and the Principal would attempt to meet the student’s demands- to either reduce the fee or to justify the hike by showing tangible results in the hostel’s conditions.
A student told DU Beat, “She (Dr. Srivastava) wasn’t in denial. She agreed that the reasons for the protests are genuine, and she was keen on helping us. The overall response has been very positive.”

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Anushree Joshi

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Bazinga

BAZINGA: Attendance Compulsion Eliminated from Indian Universities

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On 30th July 2018, the UGC had released a press statement that declared the removal of attendance compulsion for Bachelor’s and Master’s courses in Indian universities affiliated to it.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) had released the press statement on Monday, 30th July 2018. The same had declared that from the forthcoming semester, there would be no compulsion of maintaining a particular percentage of attendance in order to be deemed eligible to sit for the semester examinations. According to a statement of UGC Chairman, Mr. D.P. Singh, several dialogue exchanges between student bodies, and the UGC had led to the ultimate decision.

Back when Rocky Tuseed’s Presidency in the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) was not yet disqualified, he and other senior members of the DUSU had been in talks with the UGC and had also filed petitions with regard to the unfairness of the system of compulsory attendance.
Before the new guidelines were announced, the University of Delhi (DU) had in place strict regulations and norms to detain those students who had attendance below the margin of 66.66% from taking their semester exams. Many schools of thought had argued that the operandi of attendance compulsion at the college-level blatantly shielded poor teaching methods.

Saugata Bhaduri, a Professor of English at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), told The Telegraph in 2016, “In JNU where I teach, and which is generally considered the best university of the country, it is officially stated that attendance is not required. Yet we run classes to full capacity and more, with students, not only coming to every scheduled class on their own without any rule asking them to do so, but actually seeking out every opportunity for extra classes and additional academic opportunities. That is what educational institutions should aspire for.”
When the notice by the UGC was released, Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament, had immediately expressed his delight on the piece of news by tweeting, “A move to move from over-regulation to quality learning.”

However, many quarters within India wonder whether it will improve the quality of education whether it will improve the quality of education in India or if it will lead to an increase in complacence in students. Lavina Mulani, a first-year student pursuing B.Sc. (Hons) from Miranda House, responded to the new UGC guidelines, by saying, “It may be true that students will attend the classes that interest and stimulate them. But in colleges, the dilemma between skipping classes and participating in cultural activities will also be highlighted by the new norms. It is upon the student’s will to choose the course of his or her education. The question is are we truly ready for the responsibility?”
With the UGC’s populist move to remove attendance mandates, students now have the freedom of choice. Whether this choice aggrandises indiscipline or enhances the quality of learning, only time is equipped to answer.

DISCLAIMER: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted!

Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times
Anushree Joshi

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DUB Speak

DU and its All-Pervading Issue of Inadequate Infrastructure

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The recent case of Delhi School of Journalism(DSJ) students protesting against the poor infrastructure faced by them stands as the quintessential embodiment of how many DU students feel about infrastructural facilities in their own colleges.

Inadequate infrastructure has always been one of biggest problems faced by students and faculty alike under colleges affiliated to University of Delhi (DU). Being almost a century old university, most of DU’s colleges were established around mid 20th Century. This, along with lack of proper maintenance and harsh conduct towards it, remain the biggest reasons for DU’s poor infrastructure.

From washrooms with cleanliness levels of porta-potties, overcrowded classrooms with conjoined benches and poor ventilation, rats running around in its canteens, to roofs falling off and permanently damaged infrastructure, to the failure of the Equal Opportunity Cell to maintain adequate facilities for students with special needs, University of Delhi seems indifferent towards basic infrastructural requirements of its students. Such poor maintenance often results in high degree of inconvenience to students and staff alike, there even being some cases of injuries to the students caused by the lumps of roofs falling on them.

Cases such as roofs falling off at KNC and DRC, as well as various cases of inadequate infrastructure such as non-PwD-friendly rooms at SRCC and Rajdhani college stand as fresh examples of the problem. Apart from poor infrastructure in its colleges, the problem of scarcity of hostels and their limited seats also remains one of the biggest infrastructural issues for University of Delhi. There are a total of 12 DU colleges offering hostel facility, out of which only three provide hostel facility for boys. Procedure of admission in hostels itself is a highly complicated process, let alone live under the smeary conditions of the same for years. Students from outside Delhi tend to prefer PGs over DU’s hostels often due to this reason. When asked regarding the issue of such unpalatable infrastructure, university officials generally reply with a variety of reasons ranging from shortage of funding to lack of space for expansion.

However, to its credit, some new and off-campus college such as Maharaja Agraseen College(MAC), Deen Dayal Upadhyay College, Zakir Hussain College etc. do succeed in maintaining decent college campuses, along with some north campus colleges like St. Stephens, Shri Ram College of Commerce(SRCC), and Miranda House.

According to a study conducted by students of the Department of Anthropology in 2016, DU students’ rating of its infrastructure stood at an average of 62%. Being a government funded University, DU is inevitably subject to having comparatively worse infrastructural conditions when compared to private universities such as Amity or Sharda. However, It also is expected to provide basic amenities like cleaner washrooms and ample number of classrooms. With most of its constructions being in dire need of renovation, it is a matter of time to see how long does its indifference towards the highly inconvenient and potentially dangerous infrastructural conditions persists.

Feature Image Credits – India Times

Rishaj

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Bazinga

Bazinga: University of Delhi to Introduce a ‘Gender Neutral Hostel’ by the Next Academic Session

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Continuing its efforts to increase transgender awareness, University of Delhi(DU) announced on Monday its plans to introduce a ‘gender neutral hostel’ by the academic session 2018-19.

It was the year 2015 when DU took a much-needed and critically acclaimed step to introduce a ‘third gender’ category. However, as years passed by, not a single student enrolled and attended regular classes under the category. Acknowledging this, the university’s Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor J.P. Khurana announced on Monday its plans to introduce gender a neutral hostel, along with other initiatives to increase transgender visibility.

‘While pondering the idea of a third gender only hostel, we realized the decision will only end up having segregatory implications. We thought if gender neutral hostels were to be introduced instead, binary students would learn to be more accepting of students of the third gender.’ He said.

The announcement has received mixed reactions from students, some claiming it to be a ‘progressive’ and ‘moral’ decision, while others calling it ‘unnecessary’ and ‘disruptive’.  “I acknowledge the need for trans awareness, but I personally cannot defend such a potentially dangerous decision, especially for girls. How would you make sure that no atrocities happen when you put everyone in the same dorm?” Neha, a resident of Ramjas colleges’ girls hostel told DU Beat.  Professor J.P. Khurana acknowledged this issue, stating that if the decision is confirmed, he’d ensure that ‘safety of the residents remains a priority’.

‘We were aware of the criticism we’d receive when coming up with the idea. However, we thought it’d be in the best of students’ interests if they were to be exposed to third gender on a more recurring basis, and a residential program seems to be obviously the superior way of accomplishing it. It should be noted all necessary steps for the students’ safety will be taken if the decision is to be implemented. Safety of the students remains a priority for us.’ he said

Another concern raised by students is that the decision might only end up backfiring for transgender students. Suspecting that keeping them in the same hostel as trans-phobic students may trigger ‘regular abuse’ and ‘unwanted attention’.  The hostel is rumored to have the ability to accommodate about a hundred students. It is also suspected that hostel charges will be much higher than that of other DU colleges’ hostels.

This wouldn’t be the first time the concept of gender neutral hostels is introduced in India. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai announced this April its intentions to introduce sexless hostels by the next academic session. While the idea of gender neutral hostels sounds appealing, the question here remains that will DU be able to flawlessly introduce and implement the concept or will it only end up becoming another nightmare for transgender students?

Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted!

Rishaj

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Admissions 2018

How School is Different From College, And How to Cope Up With The Latter

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The modus operandi of a college with its jam-packed classes and extremely busy professors defers from the relatively relaxed atmosphere of a school. Although it might not be easy to shake off the feeling that school is over, you will face the ultimatum of settling in inevitably. Here are some ways in which you can understand, right at the bat, the crucial differences between the operating systems of schools and colleges:

  1. To each his own: Unlike the schools where there are set timetables and teachers know the students personally, colleges are have thousands of students. The professors are too busy with academic ambitions of their own to go out after every student and ask them about their progress. It is largely the duty of the student to pursue their educators and let them know if they face any problems.
  2. It’s not all a party: No, unfortunately colleges in University of Delhi (and elsewhere) do not host year-long parties. Parties are highly small in number and restricted to a handful of formal occasions like fresher’s, farewell, the fests, and so on. Even though informal parties might abound, students are often seen buried in books, trying to outpace the amount of readings given to them to save their lives.
  3. Bunking is not occasional: Those of you who have concocted rose-tinted dreams of college life being full of bunking classes and going to their “hangout” spots, are about to get a rude shock. Professors are strict about attendance in many colleges, and unfortunately, it is one of those ways in which they actually track the movements of the students.
  4. Hush, it’s not all that bad: Although there are many things that make college life harder than school life, there are some amazing perks to be enjoyed as well such as the relative independence it offers, the wide range of societies that cater to the different skills of a student and of course, the out-station trips and the fests. Enjoy these moments with full enthusiasm because of their apparent rarity, almost like pearls found in an oyster.

Although college life can be intimidating to many, the important thing to remember is that adjusting to college life is something every student grapples with in the beginning and figures out by the end of it.

Feature Image Credits: Surabhi Khare for Mercatus

Sara Sohail

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DUB Speak

12 Ways DU is Like Hogwarts

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Celebrating Harry Potter’s birthday, DU Beat brings to you 11 ways through which you can access your own Hogwarts at the Delhi University and create your own magic!

Harry Potter has ruled the hearts and souls (refer: Hurcruxes) since we stepped into the Wizarding World through Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997. Today, as we celebrate Harry’s 38th birth anniversary, we bring to you a few parallels that you could draw from the world of muggles and magic to the world of the University of Delhi (DU) and the lack of it. Here’s tracing your journey at Hogwarts through DU:

  1. The Sorting Hat or in our case, DU cut-offs
download
Image Credits- Pottermore

 

The cut-offs act as a sorting hat (but in our case, they don’t really listen to us) as they sort us in different campuses and colleges.

  1. The Four Houses or in our case the different DU Campuses
0742da8e32132f969c26bd9182af4f67
Image Credits – Pinterest

 

The sorting Hat, i.e., the cut-off’s divide us up in 4 separate houses:

Gryffindor: The South Campus Colleges

Slytherin: The North Campus Colleges

Hufflepuff: The East and Central Delhi Colleges

Ravenclaw: The West Delhi Colleges

  1. Dumbledore’s Army or dedicated society members
Dumbledore's_Army
Image Credits- Wikia

 

The societies in every college are led by the man behind the show himself: Albus Dumbledore. (Meeting in secret spaces because the college rarely ever gives you space for your society/ lets you miss classes for meetings)

  1. Errol Weasley or the constantly  glitching DU website
download (1)
Image Credits – Wikia

 

The Weasley’s loyal family owl is flown out to us in the form of the DU website, which never works during results or exams or pretty much ever.

  1. Dolores Umbridge or scary faculty members
Dolores_Umbridge
Image Credits- Harry Potter Wiki

 

The professors’ and the principals’ reactions towards our self-proclaimed autonomy serve as a social manifestation of the most real villain in the series, Dolores Umbridge. (Read: I must not tell lies.)

  1. Rubeus Hagrid or in our case, college gatekeepers

Every college guard is Hagrid. Try sneaking into your college without an ID and you will see what we mean!

Rubeushagrid
Image Credits – Harry Potter Wiki

 

  1. Argus Filch and Hostel wardens
WB_F4_ArgusFilch_FilchStoodInCorridor_C394-7
Image credits – Pottermore

 

Argus Filch is every strict hostel warden ever who holds on to dear curfew as if it were oxygen. How dare you return at 8:01 p.m. when the in-time was 8!

  1. Norris (Filch’s Cat) and the one classmate who is the teacher’s pet
Image credits- Screenrat
Image credits- Screenrat

 

Every teacher’s pet ever is Filch’s Cat, ready to rat on us and score extra points with the professor. CR’s can sometimes be guilty of doing so.

  1. Voldemort and exams (they must not be named)
Voldemort-Death
Image Credits – MuggleNet

 

The nose-less demon is socially manifested in our lives in the form of exams, with its Horcruxes leaching at our souls all year long through internals and practicals.

11. Howler or an angry phone call from parents

Image credits- Howler
Image credits- Howler

 

A call from angry parents is just like a howler, involving endless screaming, shouting, and embarrassed silence on our end as we get berated endlessly.

12. Hogsmeade aka Hudson Lane and Satya Niketan

Image Credits- Pottermore
Image Credits- Pottermore

 

Each Campus has its own Hogsmeade. North Campus has Hudson Lane, South Camus has Satya Niketan, and the off-campus colleges have their own few spots to go drink Butterbeer too!

 

Every year, the applications are out and the cut-offs release, DU receives its very own fresh batch of Wizards, ready to change the world in their own ways. And even though Hogwarts has no comparison and it never will, we can’t help but wonder if Hogwarts is only accessible through Platform Nine and Three Quarters or do we really create our magic, even if it is in the Muggle world.

 

Feature Image Credits:  Cnet

Muskan Sethi

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Campus Central

Teachers’ Column: A Journey of Reminiscence

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As the University of Delhi (DU) wraps up its hectic admission season, DU Beat wishes to take you on a ‘Journey of Reminiscence’ with the people who make the University the best in the country: Teachers
As you find yourself at the threshold of this journey that you will remember all your life, we aim to give you a glimpse of what has been. Even though our teachers may seem very intimidating, not relatable, and often distant, it is important to remember that they once were where we currently are, they were once students. They have dealt with heartbreaks, failures, deadline submissions, college flings, and everything else we are experiencing right now. Over the years, they have accumulated this experience and bundled it up in warm smiles, reassuring glances, and occasionally in the form of strict reprimands.

These staunch personalities have been inspirational figures for the students of Delhi University, and will continue being the source of light for thousands of graduate students. Not only do they propel students towards the path of success, their life lessons have prevented students from gloating about their achievements, and being gracious about the little things. Teachers, they’re just like us!

Here are the statements of a few teachers of Delhi University who share some fond memories of their college days and give valuable messages to the incoming batch of 2018-19.

“I have had the pleasure of studying in both the North and South campuses of DU. Few of the fondest memories from my college days are associated with the badminton courts of South Campus and the cafes in Kamla Nagar. DU sure has changed over the years and one of the most striking features is the makeover from rickety U-Specials to the swanky Metro rides which all of us enjoy today, but the heart and spirit of the varsity is still the same. DU occupies a significant place in the academic and socio-cultural scene in the country. That will not change for many decades to come.”

-Prof. Parikshit Sirohi

Campus Law Centre

“This University provides a platform where students from the length and breadth of our country can design their dreams and decide their futures, while creating a beautiful tapestry of culture. Each college is a microcosm with its unique opportunities and challenges and I wish to see students overcome those challenges and seize those opportunities. Academic rigor aside, DU is a cultural gold mine. You must extract as much as you can!”

-Dr. Saleem Mir

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

Cluster Innovation Centre

“College memories are the sweetest memories that I cherish. In my first year our class had decided to bunk a particular lecture; as we were not prepared with our readings. Though we bunked the lecture but our leave was cancelled because of hostellers. I still remember how much we regretted our decision. College provides you with a lot of opportunities; make the maximum use of it. Stay focused, be member of societies that interest you. Go for an education which encompasses the holistic development of an individual and not just awards you with a degree at the end of three years. Hard work, dedication, and sacrifice are the keys to success.”

-Dr. Shachi Chawla

Department of Political Science

Daulat Ram College

“I did my graduation from LSR and I’ve spent some of my best moments in the college canteen. The Paneer Dosa with extra sambar on offer used to fill our days with pleasure. My class used to be an epitome of diversity. I still treasure the Manipuri Lungi that my friend from Manipur gifted me. DU is the place to be in if you want a well-rounded experience of college life. So enjoy each day, be it good or bad. You’ll cherish the good days and learn from the bad ones.”

-Prof. Sonali Chitalkar

Department of Political Science

Miranda House

“There is always something that stands out about each student. A few of them are perennially hungry and always show up to class with a bowlful of maggi while others stumble in their pyjamas for the early morning class, still groggy with sleep. The first day of college is your first step towards autonomy. Do not worry about your appearance. You don’t have to look like a student who has stepped out of a Karan Johar film. Wear comfortable clothes and a friendly smile. Here’s a pro tip, bring a few extra pencils or pens. You’d be surprised at how easy it is to break the ice with your classmates if you have an extra pen to share.”

-Prof. Garima Yadav

Department of English

Shaheed Bhagat Singh College

“During my college days, Valentine’s day had just emerged as a fad. As my friend and I attended our lectures that day, our fresh-in-college rebellious selves scribbled notes to each other, planning our coup d’état from the double lecture by sneaking out from the side windows. Owing to my horrible aiming skills, one of the balls of paper landed directly at the Professor’s desk. Incidentally, I secured highest marks in that paper and am still in touch with the said Professor. DU has much more to offer than just fashion, hip cafes, and politics. The hallmark of this institution is the vibrant spaces it creates for learning outside classrooms.”

-Prof. Rachita Mittal

Department of English

Lady Shri Ram College for Women

“Before anything else, the fresher’s must know that they are learning in an environment with zero judgment. In DU, you are safe to make mistakes. I understand that learning from mistakes isn’t always the best way, but sometimes it’s the only way. Second, even teachers are always learning. Students need to know that we are neither above nor beneath them. If we learn together, we’ll make a terrific progress. My fondest memory of teaching in this University is associated with the care I’ve received all these years. Every year on my birthday, my students get me a cake, sing me the ‘Happy Birthday’ song, and embellish the walls of the classroom with birthday decor.”

-Prof. Dhani Ram

Department of Commerce

Ramjas College

“College life is marked by a lot of freedom, so the students should make the most of it keeping in mind their limits. College life has a lot to offer to freshers: there are college societies, trips, and the eventual exam fever. I would just say that learn, grow, and groom yourself in the three years of college life.”

-Ms. Saloni Arora

Department of Commerce

Jesus and Mary College

Our professors happen to be a fascinating bunch of people. Having dedicated a fair share of their lives to academia and learning, they are able to think dynamically and creatively. Being surrounded by students, specifically the crème de la crème of students in the country, in a varsity that is the hot-bed of student politics, gives them a rare kind of insight. Their lessons and words of wisdom, both inside and outside the classroom are precious and deserve to be cherished. These snippets of knowledge come from a place of great experience and a fundamental desire to create change and are therefore, extremely valuable. The role of academia in the creation of a free-thinking society can never be over-estimated. It is easy to fear and be intimidated by our professors by virtue of their age and experience. In such moments, it is crucial that we look back at these anecdotes full of candour, vulnerability, and youthful mistakes, and remember that they too were once young, falliable, and insecure like we are.

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat.

Vaibhavi Sharma Pathak

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Meher Gill

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DUB Speak

Reality Checks for a DU Fresher

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As a fresher, you enter college with several expectations and dreams. Not to burst your bubble, but it is extremely important to get some reality checks early on, so that you don’t miss out on what really matters. Having said that, take cognizance of the following eventualities:

1. You may not make good friends on day one

You won’t necessarily gel well with someone on day one- you might even come back a little lonely. It is okay, every other student out there is lonely too. In your head, you might have already started comparing your college ‘acquaintance’ with school friends, looking for alternatives to replace them. Be prepared for heartbreaks and disappointments, as it takes a little while to create a meaningful bond.

2. Your freshers party may not be the best, and it’s okay

Your freshers party won’t be as perfect as you think, most probably. It is because there is only so much funds and freedom given to your seniors to organise your party. Furthermore, your expectations will most certainly differ from what they have in mind. Regardless of that, give them credit for all their efforts, and remember that one day your juniors will think the same for you. Click loads of pictures and pretend that the party was the best thing to happen to you, on Instagram.

3. Everyone else is as apprehensive and confused as you

We know you are cautious, nervous, confused and even judgmental of yourself right now. However, remember that every other fresher is probably feeling the same way! It is completely natural to feel this way in a new environment. One day, the same place which intimidates you, will feel like home and you’ll just laze around, comfortable with yourself.

4. Your branded clothes will not matter after a while

Buy as much as you want, for we love the shine in your eyes and confidence in your spirit that the clothes adorn you with. Having said that, this is a gentle reality check that you will be wearing your PJ’s to college henceforth.. The place becomes home, and you end up wearing all of those clothes you’d never thought would see the light of the day.

5. Taking a lead is always the best

Yes, life isn’t a race. You all are at college to learn together and help one another. However, don’t think that the first year is just a moment to relax. You have relatively lesser academic pressure, so take this time out to take the lead and boost yourself by beginning early. Relax all you want, explore, and have fun too! At the same time, start devoting time to constructive pursuits to get a head start in the corporate, fast-paced world.

 

Feature Image Credits: Afterschool
Khyati Sanger

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DUB Speak

To be or not to be, That is the Question

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College is the place where we rediscover ourselves. However, the process may not always be as straightforward as we are led to believe.

Popular culture has given us problematic ideas about what to expect from college. We hope to find friends, love, increased self-confidence, and the prospect of being gainfully employed in these three years. We hope to find solutions to the problems that have plagued us all our lives, both internally and externally, over these three years.

During our boards and across the latter years of our school life, the thought that things would be different during college was our greatest consolation. We hope to fix everything we dislike about ourselves in this one place, hoping that crossing the threshold of our to-be alma maters fills us the excitement, self-love, and success we never found. But college, and the kind of change it brings, has been largely exaggerated. Sure, we may have lost our uniforms and some of us have started living away from home, but deep down, we are the same people we have always been.

 

According to pop culture, the fundamental solution to all problems is outside us – it can be a person, an incident, or an experience. Sadly, life-changing stimuli that is neatly wrapped with a bow is not waiting there for us. There won’t be a Bunny to our Naina, waiting around in a college corridor, who will teach us how to live our life fully. For change to be truly constructive, it needs to stem from within.

We may get a new haircut before college starts, hoping that it solves our self-acceptance issues, but truth be told, issues that stem from within can never be solved by a change of scene. A lot of people experience major transformations and become altogether different individuals in college. This does not mean that it was college that led to these changes – it was the inherent desire within them to fearlessly embrace change and improve.

It is important that those who are just on the verge of a new beginning start out with a realistic thought of what the next three years would look like. You will not meet your best friends for life unless you seek new people, you won’t become a great debater unless you go out and try public speaking. You most likely will still have the same problems you have always faced; the only way to create fundamental change in yourself and for the better is to seek opportunity rather than waiting for it to find you. Apply for an internship at that organisation you aspire to be part of, write to the people you look upto, make new friends from different cultures and backgrounds, take
trips that are both planned and unplanned, sometimes with friends, sometimes alone. For us to get what we want, it is imperative that we seek what we hope to find.

To the Batch of 2021, I would just like to say, for us to get what we want, it is imperative we seek what we hope to find.

 

Kinjal Pandey
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DUB Speak

How DU Offers the Best Exposure

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The University of Delhi (DU) offers students the best kind of exposure they can think of, not only academically but culturally as well.

Situated in the capital of one of the most populated nations, Delhi University has its own share of limelight. It goes without saying that anything that happens in the University, be it the admission process, cultural fests, the records of academic excellence, or even the food spots popular among its students, everything manages to grab the attention of public.

Delhi University started with only three colleges being affiliated to it and now has more than 60 colleges whose students are awarded degrees by the University. Students from all over the country apply to study in the colleges of DU. This year, over 3 lakh students applied for admission in the under graduated programmes. It is only natural in such circumstances to expect an environment that takes into consideration the interests of various groups and communities and gives them a place to thrive in.

The fact that so many students apply for admissions here is a major premise contributing to the high cut-offs. Academically speaking, the colleges are able to get students who are among the best in the whole nation. In this way, the whole process teaches a student ‘survival’, a by-product of studying in one of the best universities of the nation. You will find a lot of like-minded individuals to share healthy competition with, which will only help motivate you to do better. Apart from having a reputation of housing the “country’s toppers,” Delhi University also offers you the wisdom and experience of some of the most accomplished and oldest Professors in the country, all within the capacity of the walls of your college building.

Coming to the cultural aspects, the various societies that function in the colleges are perhaps one of the best ways to learn and experience what team work actually is. By joining a society, one does not only get to perform but also gets to practice in a simulation that is somewhat similar to the corporate world. The experience and pleasure derived from the society activities, and representing your college at different levels teaches you more than the confined walls of classes ever can. Some societies and cells like Enactus, Placement Cell, etc offer you real work experience that adds as an effective CV booster.

One very important factor contributing to the fact that DU indeed offers the best exposure is also the number of famous and eminent alumni that it has provided to the nation. For example: Ramachandra Guha and Amitav Ghosh from St. Stephens College, Satish Kaushik and Naveen Patnaik from Kirori Mal College, Arun Jaitley from Shri Ram College of Commerce, and the list continues. The paths that these people created long back are still alive in the legacy of greatness they have left behind in the corridors of their respective colleges.

 

Feature Image Credits: Sarthak Gautam for DU Beat. 

Akshada Shrotryia

[email protected]

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