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In conversation with DUSU Vice President, Priyanka Chhawri

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After days of anticipation and a rigorous electoral campaign, ABVP’s Vice Presidential candidate Priyanka Chhawri emerged victorious. A graduate in Mathematics from Lakshmibai College , University of Delhi, and currently pursuing her M.A in Buddhist Studies from Dept. Of Buddhist Studies, DU, from discussing her journey into politics to her plans of bringing changes in the campuse, we got chatting with her about her new found role.

Excerpts:

DUB: What motivated you to pursue your candidature in the DUSU elections? How did your journey into student level politics begin?

Priyanka Chhawri: I am a student activist from the past five years and it all started when I appeared for CATE entrance and saw a group of students protesting at the arts faculty against the DU administration. The protest was led by ABVP.I was so influenced by the student leaders that it occurred to me that I must also be there one day! So when I got admission in LBC,  I joined ABVP and became an active member! I saw a great change in me in these five years. ABVP groomed me into a more confident and responsible person and with time I attained the leadership skills that were needed to contest in DUSU elections and now, here I am, as the DUSU Vice President.

DUB:  What are your some of the key areas that you are personally looking forward to focusing upon in your tenure?

PC: Personally , I would focus more on introducing societies for blind and physically handicapped students, constructing pathways for the same, giving North Campus a new look by putting the map of the campus near metro and recognised places, creating awareness session about the women safety app launched by ABVP – ‘I FEEL SAFE’, in every college, providing health cards,making medical rooms functional in every college and providing the facility of printed mark sheets be issued to students after every semester.

DUB:  The DUSU polls saw some lavish campaigning this time again. What is your take on the guidelines by Lyngdoh Committee and National Green Tribunal about the budget restrictions and green campaigning? Do you think they are realistic targets that can be met?

PC: I think it’s not feasible to contest DUSU election in just 5ooo Rupees. How unrealistic it is, that the same amount is allowed to both contest college elections and DUSU? From the last four years , the Lyngdoh Committee hasn’t been reviewed and it’s time that we look into this matter.So, as an officer bearer, I will certainly put forward this issue. As far as paper usage is concerned, it is reduced as compared to last two years but yes it needs to end and just be limited to wall of democracy and advertising sites.

DUB: Last year saw DUSU office bearers being involved in some controversy or the other and accountability and work transparency was also an issue. How do you seek to tackle that?

PC: ABVP led DUSU is very committed to work for the student welfare and we have started working the day we joined our office. We submitted a memorandum to the DSW concerning the issues of students and currently we are working to combat the recent mass failure of the LL.B students regarding which, we have given a letter to the VC. This DUSU panel is dedicated to work for the student community and we have started our work positively !

DUB: NSUI has alleged discrepancy in the voting process and after a hunger strike, they are now planning to move to the court. What is your take on this whole matter?

PC: DU is a democratic university and it’s NSUI’s democratic right to get their doubts clear but I think by doing this they are questioning the mandate of the students. I think they should accept the decision of the students and move on and raise students issues rather than sitting and challenging the choice of students.

DUB: Having gone through the entire process of filing nominations, becoming the final candidate to actually winning, is there anything that you wish to change (procedural or otherwise) in the way DUSU elections unfold?

PC: From filing the nomination to actually contesting DUSU was a great experience. The administration has been very cautious during the scrutiny. But, an incident that seemed like a failure to me was when a candidate who filled the nomination was not present during scrutiny. It should become mandatory for all the candidates to be present during that process.

DUB: DUSU elections have been known to provide the country with some of the finest ministers we have had at the helm of authority in the past. Do you see yourself there? Do you plan to continue in politics?

PC: As of now , I will be working for the students and continue as a student activist.

DUB: Any interesting anecdote you would like to share with us that happened during the election process?

PC: Yes. Once I was delivering a speech in Shaheed Bhagat Singh College. I was in such a hurry (because it was the last day to campaign and I had to cover many colleges) that I forgot the last part and garbled some words and ran away. The students found it so funny and they said, ‘Hum samajh gaye aapki bhaavna’.

DUB: In a line, how would you define your motto for this year as a DUSU office bearer?

PC: I want this DUSU panel to be a medium of exposure for the student community. I will work on involving more students in every activity that is organised by DUSU!

Interviewed by Riya Chhibber

[email protected]

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Hans Raj College

Lean IN circle starts at Hansraj College

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Lean IN is an international organisation founded by Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg. It aims at creating an equivalent society and working towards making women more confident and better leaders.

Tanya Jain, a student of Economic (H) from Hansraj College has started a Lean IN circle in the college recently. The concept behind this is to have a chapter under which various Lean IN circles are registered. Lean IN Hansraj circle is registered under the Lean IN India chapter and is being initiated in collaboration with the Women Development Cell of the college. Lean IN Hansraj would be following the guidelines from Lean IN itself.

Lean IN provides resources for all its circles and chapters. There are workshops & expert videos which each circle is supposed to follow. Lean IN provides circle members with step-by-step meeting guides, which contain topics for discussion, workshops, and videos recorded by Lean IN Leaders. However, the organisation provides immense amount of flexibility to its members to work according to their circumstances.

All the provided guides/expert videos are aimed at making its members communicate freely with each other along with giving them a confidence boost and turning them into better leaders. Circle meetings include discussions which are highly interactive in nature and allow members to speak up without any qualms whatsoever.

Lean IN circle Hansraj recently conducted its first meeting and set goals to follow in the coming year.

These goals include-
1. Interacting freely with one another and getting to know each other better.
2. Gaining self confidence and getting over fears/inhibitions by accepting themselves.
3. Improving their leadership skills.

How to start a Lean IN Circle:- Visit the website http://www.leanin.org/, click on the tab ‘Start a circle’, fill in your details. You become a new circle leader and are eligible to open your circle for applications. Lean IN has kept the process very simple to let more and more people feel motivated towards starting one circle.

Image Credits- Nikita Mohite from Hansraj College

Akshara Srivastava
[email protected]

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Indraprastha College for Women

IPCW organises a talk by Dr. Shirshendu Chakrabarti

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The English Literary Society of Indraprastha College for Women (IPCW) organised a talk by Dr. Shirshendu Chakrabarti on 8th September,2016. The talk was based on the topic, “The Eighteenth Century City : The Insanity and the Insane”. It was chaired by the college principal, Dr. Babli Moitra Saraf, who is also a senior member of the English Department.

Dr. Saraf, while welcoming Dr. Chakrabarti introduced the audience to his credentials. Dr. Chakrabarti has been teaching in the English Department of St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi; for over 40 years, and is a globally known figure in the English Literature sphere. He has authored a book on Tagore called ‘Towards an Ethics and Aesthetics of the Future: Rabindranath Tagore 1930-41’. He has also written various scholarly articles on 18th century, and has now devoted himself to the study of Tagore.

The talk started by discussing the major aspects in which the city grew and attained modernity. He then talked about the reality of the 18th century, that is, the ‘Polarisation of the Polite and the Popular’. Under popular literature, he elaborated on the separation of ‘Sanity and Insanity’, and how this idea of separation finds its space in the 18th century city. During the course of the talk, Dr. Chakrabarti made various references to London and the Shakespearean City. He further elaborated on the Shakespearean City and its social aspects. The talk moved further down in the discussion of squalor and crime in the 18th century city.

Towards the end, a question and answer session was held, in which the literature enthusiasts of the college and guest attendees delved into a deeper discussion of the subject. The gathering and members of the IPCW LitSoc then expressed their gratitude by a standing ovation and round of applause.

Image Credits: Prof. Kanav Gupta from IPCW

Priyal Mahtta

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Top Picks

Five Historical Places to Visit around DU Colleges

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Most colleges in the Delhi University are part of a rich historical tradition by the virtue of being part of the freedom movement and in setting tone for various cultural and intellectual developments post-independence. With a gamut of historical coordinates around the colleges, it becomes inevitable for one to visit them to better understand aesthetics of various colleges and the environment they create. Here is a list of five major historical sites worth visiting around DU colleges:

1. Khooni Jheel

The jheel gets its name for the war of independence in 1857 when, first, the fleeing British were murdered at the spot and, later, Indian mutineers and their horses were killed in the area. It is believed that corpses and carcasses made a bloody pool at the spot leaving a stench that drove anyone who tried coming close to the area.  In the present day, the spot has a pond which rejuvenates itself with rain water. Khooni Jheel is located in the Kamla Nehru Ridge which is adjacent to North Campus.

Image credits: flickr
Image credits: flickr

2. Flagstaff Tower

The structure, originally a single tower, marks an intersection in the Kamla Nehru Ridge and was built in 1828. It sheltered families of many British officials who housed in the adjoining Civil Lines area during the Siege of Delhi in 1857. The tower is one roomed and has been declared a ‘protected monument’ by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Image credits: flickr
Image credits: flickr

3. Delhi War Cemetry

The cemetery, controlled by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was built in 1951 and has over 1000 graves of soldiers who died in the First and the Second World War. It is located near Airforce station Naraina and is accessible from Dhaula Kuan.

Image credits: Common Wealth Graves Commission
Image credits: Common Wealth Graves Commission

4. Nizamuddin Basti

The area is one of the oldest in Delhi and houses the Nizamuddin Auliya dargah.  Humayun’s Tomb, Chausath Khamba, Mirza Galib’s tomb and Lal Mahal are other prominent structures in the area. The basti can be accessed from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium metro station on the violet line.

nizamuddin-basti
Image credits: So Delhi

5. Vice Chancellor’s Office

The erstwhile Vice-Regal Lodge, which was the residence of the Viceroy before the building of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, houses a huge ball room (now a convocation hall), legislative assembly building (Academic Council) and a museum. The lodge also has a chamber where Bhagat Singh was kept before being taken to the gallows in Lahore for hanging. The office is surrounded by the VC lawns and is located in the North Campus area.

The Hindu
The Hindu

Sidharth Yadav

[email protected]

 

 

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DUB Speak

DUSU Elections: Handwritten posters to replace printed ones

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

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

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

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

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DUB Speak

Priyanka and Anshu: Bungalow Road, Kamla Nagar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Featured Image Credits – Jowhiti for Tripadvisor

Sidharth Yadav

[email protected]

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Fashion

This Fresher’s Season, Look Your Best!

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

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

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Image Credits: dailymail.co.uk

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

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


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

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Image Credits: tumblr_inline_nmwqw61V4u1t0c38m_1280,

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

ss280ss_1052978a
Image Credits: thescottishsun.co.uk

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

Feature Image Credits
timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Swareena Gurung.
[email protected]

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Life at Delhi University

Life at Delhi University: The Music Society

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

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    DUB Speak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Image Credits: www.livemint.com

    Kriti Sharma
    [email protected]

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    DUB Speak

    Exploring the other side: Is DU as liberal as it looks?

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    Delhi University always boasts of a liberal exterior. However, little do we know about the many practices and special customs that some DU Colleges follow. Are you aware of these practices already? Find out!

    The social fabric in DU:

    Tradition is something that runs deep in our societal practices, right from the celebration of important calendar dates to following a set of rituals and Delhi University is no different an institution when it comes to following these practices.

    Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, a renowned Sikh minority college, has formalised strict rules and regulations, mainly revolving around the kind of clothes its students can wear.  While sleeveless outfits, crop tops and short skirts are prohibited for girls, boys are not allowed to wear shorts.

    Misbah, the Western Dance Society of SGGSCC, faces major problems when it comes to getting ECA attendance or wearing short costumes and practicing in the open within the college premises, as informed to us by many students on condition of anonymity. Insiders tell us that, initially there was no budget for societies except the societies of Folk nature like Bhangra and Gidda.

    While there is a separate room allotted for western dance practices, outside the room, the dancers can’t wear short costumes. Though the rules have become a bit more liberal of late, but the college’s administration committee is stricter than that of other Sikh minority colleges like SGTB Khalsa.

    The Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan in colleges:

    It is not just our Prime Minister who takes the call for a clean India seriously. Some colleges have gone a step further in promoting this campaign. Kamala Nehru College does not permit its students to eat anywhere in the college except the canteen area. The whole college is adorned with notices that read ‘Don’t eat in the lawn’, ‘No eatables allowed in the class’, while the college has failed to alternatively create sitting spaces for its students and faculty. The lack of chairs, benches and other places to sit is inadequate to meet the current number of students.

    While colleges have their own set of rules, it is important to understand the story from the other side as well!

    Written on condition of anonymity (With inputs from verifiable sources) . Have similar stories to share? Write to us at [email protected] or [email protected].

    Image credits: sggscc.ac.in and DU Beat

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