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Entrances to replace the Cut-off lists?

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The to-be-Delhi University students have a drastic change in store for them this admission season, with the authorities planning to scrap the cut-offs in the next academic session. As the four-year undergraduate system is all set to be launched, a common curriculum is most likely for all students in their first year.

Merit lists or maybe even an entrance exam might soon replace the dreaded cut-off lists that students watch out for every year. The only thing stopping the implementation of this system is the wait for the final approval from the academic council. However, the issue that arises here is the sheer number of applicants for the colleges in DU. Holding entrance tests for so many students in about 70 colleges is a mammoth task, and might get quite difficult to handle. “This doesn’t seem to be a very good idea, because entrances just increase pressure. The cut-offs were bad enough, now with entrance exams we have to worry about what to study and how to crack these tests just a few months after giving our boards,” says Sakshee, a school student currently in her final year.

Another change the officials want to bring about is the merging of the results from the different education boards across the country, giving individual colleges the ability to devise their own merit lists. Other internal changes might also be brought about, such as the scrapping of the marks given for attendance. However, these are just speculations and the truth will only be known closer to the admissions period. Until then, aspiring DU students anticipate the next avalanche waiting to crash over their heads, thanks to the University’s knack of throwing last minute shockers and its inability to make concrete decisions.

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Campus Central

The case of the perplexing DU results

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The Mayan prediction of the world ending on 21st December might not have come true, but the students of Delhi University were in for a small glimpse of what could have been, as the semester results were declared barely three weeks after the exams ended.

The results were a tad surprising and unpleasant for most. 2nd Year History honours saw a fall of 10 percent in their marks as compared to the last two semesters. The topper of Lady Shri Ram College scored a 75% that was a drop from last semester’s 81%, while the average was around 60%. A significant number of people failed in courses such as Economics (Hons) and B Com (Hons), while the general trend was poor scores in subjects where students were confident of scoring well. “A large number of people want to give their papers for re-evaluation, but the procedure is not yet clear to anybody as it had been removed for a while,” says Diksha Jhalani from LSR.

The Economics (Hons.) topper at Kamla Nehru College scored an 83, while St. Stephen’s saw an 85, which was similar to last semester’s scores. B Com honours at SRCC saw a drop of about 5-6%, with the highest being around 89% as compared to a couple of students scoring in the nineties last year. Other courses such as Psychology (Hons.) also saw a drop in percentage, with some students claiming that the only thing that helped them scrape through was good marks given by their college in the internals. English honours in Venky saw a fall of 6-7% in the overall percentage, while other colleges also saw a slight decrease in the English scores this semester. The result of the subject Economic History of India and interdisciplinary courses like Environmental Issues was not as good as expected, despite these subjects being highly scoring.

The results of the first semester were more or less the same as what it was last year, with many of the students scoring high percentages. However, there was also an increase in the number of students who didn’t do so well, leading to more students failing. First year students mostly responded to the results as unexpected, while the correction of qualifying papers like lower and higher Hindi was more lenient this time, with most students passing these exams. Overall, the results this semester consisted of more nightmares for the students, as the Delhi University Board can’t seem to make up its mind on maintaining consistency when it comes to giving marks in the recently introduced semester system.

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Bazinga

Bazinga

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A lot of mortals, Mayans, their descendants and otherwise believe that the world shall meet its end on the 21st of December of this year that has gone by, viz. 2012. As always there is the ardent group of the nay-sayers, the non-believers, the sceptics. These members of highest pig-headedness as well as optimism are found in generous dosage across the face of planet which is apparently approaching its long-forecasted doom.

The supremely intelligent coterie of people, the powers that be at Delhi University however are those who belong to the yet another category of people, the most commonly found – the sloths. If our sources are to be believed, news is that all checking of examination answer-sheets has been put on hold. This affects courses from the undergrad level, and taking its path through the post-graduate courses infiltrates the doctorate programmes. The process of checking the answer-sheet will slowly begin only after the 21st of this month, after every agency confirms that life will go on.

Our source informs us that the authorities at the University feel that in the event of the apocalypse, the declaration of results leaves no one in good stead. One one hand, it calls the teachers to check scores of answer sheets, which may all be to no avail, thus expending their energies in vain. The other concern being that they “wish that the students end their time on Earth without the additionally depressing knowledge of their scores”, though exceptions may abound for the sundry genii who populate the University in peaceful cohabitation. For them, we offer our commiserations.

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Events

Youth Leaders Drive to Donate

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AIESEC in Delhi University, in association with the Rotary Blood Bank & Rotary club of New Delhi, Organized a blood donation drive on world AIDS day at the Select Citywalk mall in Saket, South Delhi.

About AIESEC

AIESEC In Delhi University is a branch of the Organization AIESEC, which is the largest youth run organization present in 113 countries. It focuses on creating a positive impact to the society, being the global youth voice, providing the students with leadership opportunities and exchange programs.

About the Event

“Do your bit,” was AIESEC in DU’s 1st pre-event to the, NATIONAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT ’13 to be held in the month of February’13 at Jaipur. “Do Your bit” was an initiative about setting an example for the youth, by having the largest number of students gathering to donate blood on the occasion of World AIDS DAY. The blood then went to Rotary Blood Bank & Rotary club of Delhi, who would provide it to those who needed it. On the 1st of December, the students campaigned around the mall, Select Citywalk, spreading facts about AIDS as well as convincing people to come and do their bit, by donating to contribute to the Nobel cause.

The event started at 1pm and began with the blood donation drive. There were about 150 registrations and around 80 accepted people donated blood. Others were rejected due to smoking, alcohol, Blood Pressure related issues etc. Apart from the students of AIESEC in Delhi University there were also interns from abroad who contributed to this cause. “I was very glad to be a part of this cause” was a sentiment shared by a Japnese Girls named Masa, who donated blood on the day. The event was thought to be, “Very Supportive” by a Sri Lankan girl named Sayuri, who supported the AIESEC interns in their initiative. The donors were provided with certificates, donor cards along with mugs as a token to their contribution. A gentleman of about 50 years, donated blood for the 45th time. He was, “Very glad to see students working on such a Nobel cause.” “I am very happy with the success of the event” was a closing remark made by Adhiraj Singh, president of AIESEC DU.

This camp stood out from yet another blood donation camp by having foreign interns (students) from AIESEC contributing to the cause. The day ended with 80 donors at 6 pm in the evening, and AIESEC in Delhi University an organization run for the students, by the students and from the students succeeded in their mission of Leading Young India.

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Arts & Culture

Satya Niketan’s Essence of the East

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The doors of Essence of the East open into a small room with eight tables, with plain green walls. It is a no non-sense place where you can just concentrate on the flavours from the East. A pleasant looking girl hands out the menu. Don’t hesitate if you don’t understand any name, ask and she’ll answer it most readily. The menu has a wide range of dishes and is presented in a direct manner, without any superfluous descriptions.

Coming to the food, pork ribs are enormously loved by the customers. Naagah, a 3rd year student of Sociology from Sri Venkateswara College is a regular customer, along with Sean, who is pursuing MA from the South Campus. They both enjoyed the pork ribs and pork noodles. They find the place to be easy on the pocket, something which every student looks for. Kriti Talwar, pursuing MA English from South Campus, said, “The pork noodles are a little too oily, but tasty.”

Thukpa is a popular soup-and-noodles dish, and rightly so. It is yummy and tummy-filling. EOTE offers Thukpa to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian customers. Another popular dish, Honey Chili Potatoes, is average in taste and a better version can be obtained elsewhere.

EOTE has introduced Leafu Noodles, which are neon green in colour in their vegetarian version. A little sprinkle of soy sauce from one of the tiny bowls make the noodles all the more delicious. Kimchi, a Korean dish, is a cold cabbage salad with just a little too much chili. Gooseberry juice is well-suited for the taste buds that can accept something new, as it is made from fermented gooseberries. It is a bit strange, but it surely is something fresh for our palate.

The restaurant has free home delivery service with minimum order of Rs.100. You can bring the East to the comforts of your P.G. and enjoy!

 

Shreya Mudgil
[email protected]

Image credits: zomato.com

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Campus Central

Pink Ribbons, Inc. – Documentary Screening by the Department of Social Work

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A movie screening is being hosted by The Department of Social Work, Delhi University on Saturday, the 20th of October, at 2 pm. The venue for the film screening is the Auditorium, Department of Social Work, Delhi University. A documentary called ‘Pink Ribbons Inc’ will be showcased. This movie emphasizes on the devastating reality of breast cancer which labeled by marketing experts as a ‘dream cause,’ has become obfuscated by a shiny, pink story of success. This movie is a 2011 National Film Board of Canada documentary, directed by Lea Pool. It seeks to highlight the reality that companies often use Breast Cancer as a means of increasing sales or improving their public image, even while producing and marketing carcinogenic products. The film argues that not enough money is being invested into cancer research and prevention. It features, amongst others, an interview of Charlotte Haley, who had started a peach-ribbon campaign more than 20 years ago, in order to fight for an increase in budget of Cancer research. She turned down an offer from cosmetics giant Estee Lauder, who wanted to use her ribbons in an awareness campaign, and so company decided to simply change the colour of the ribbons to pink and go through with the event anyway. Rathi R, General Secretary, Students’ Union Department of Social Work says, “As you know, October is the Breast Cancer Awareness Month and seeing as this movie focuses on how capitalism has taken over a social cause like Breast Cancer awareness we thought it would be perfect for the event. Companies often claim that money raised will go towards conducting research and spreading awareness about Breast Cancer, but all the money doesn’t go towards the cause and ‘Pink Ribbons, Inc’ goes behind the scenes to show the reality. The purpose of screening this movie is that most people are not aware about the disease and the Pink Ribbon has now come to symbolize something beautiful and feminine. But it’s not beautiful and not feminine, there are a lot of problems that women go through and we wish to highlight the same.’ The movie is therefore a must watch, as it attempts to spread awareness and sensitize people about the problems associated with Breast Cancer. Such an enterprise by the Department of Social Work is lauded and appreciated.  ]]>

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Campus Central

PGs – An Enigma in North Campus

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If you happen to roam around North Campus, there are two things you won’t miss seeing: one, a fast-food corner and two, students. They are everywhere, be it Kamla Nagar, Roop Nagar or Aadarsh Nagar. This is not news since North Campus is all about DU colleges. With these students, comes the question of their accommodation as more than 70% of them are outstation residents. It is here that these ‘fancy’ PGs play their role, and how! The students are provided with a fully air conditioned room, a gym, “all kinds of beauty treatment facilities”, Maggi and cold drinks a phone call away, 24 hours power back up, Wi-Fi, personal bathrooms, any time cab facility and so on! The rates of such PGs range from Rs 14000 to 20000 per month.

“In our times a student’s life was considered to be one filled with hardships, where a good result was the fruit of multiple sacrifices that the student made by leaving the comfort of his home and by surviving the brutalities of the world outside. And look at the scenario now!” comments a DU teacher. The students, away from home, live in much luxury now, and their parents think nothing of the 20 or so grand they lavish on their kid each month. The worst part is that the quality of all these PGs tops the scale during the first few months, but it’s downhill after that. Reportedly, the Wi-Fi stops working, the food quality deteriorates and the AC does not work half of the time. “We don’t have an alternative to leave the PG and move elsewhere since that would result in us forfeiting the security the landlords take in the beginning (which is rent of two months)” says Ridhima, a paying guest.

Most of the PGs are not even registered, meaning that they are not legally permitted to carry on a commercial business. The tactics that they use to exploit the comfort-seeking students is deplorable. Just half a decade back the maximum a hostel or a PG charged was Rs 7000.

However, a respite from these fraud PGs is DU hostel. The newly opened Undergraduate hostel and the Rajiv Gandhi hostel for girls are not only cheap but far better than these PGs.  They are clean, spacious and the food is hygienic and delicious. And all this in around Rs 24000 per year! The admission to the hostel is however on merit basis since they provide accommodation only to 800 girls.

 

Aishwarya Chaurasia
[email protected]

Image credits: Sapna Mathur

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Campus Central

Mid-semester Break – A Break? Really?

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Lying on a vividly-hued hammock in your backyard, on a breezy day (those not blessed with the expanse of a backyard and hence with a hammock can replace the imagery with a couch or what-please-you), poring over one of your favoured leisure reads, calling out for the mother whenever the glass of lemonade needed to be refilled…aah! THIS constitutes the paraphernalia of a perfect break, unlike the “break” the university had planned for us which, as I put, and most of my other fellow university slaves would agree to, was a blatant misnomer for one!

How would you exactly describe a break? Well, a period of time when there is complete detachment from anything paperback, hardcover, spiral-bound, containing the writings of a wasted someone (resemblance to “books” is purely intentional, yes). It does NOT entail being buried into a plethora of reading material, with eyes glued to the computer screen (for research purposes of course), counting the number of hours before we could finally shove that assignment away and take a breather!

Being an outstationer, a break is something I start looking forward to since the moment I set foot on the New Delhi Railway Station after coming back from one! This time I took more books and fewer clothes, owing to a string of tests after the college re-opens.

Also, the one thing that really upset hosteliers and day-scholars alike was the short span of the holidays. “Before the semester-system was put into practice, the break used to stretch for a minimum of ten days. These were over in a jiffy. Before I could raise my head from the ten thousand assignments that I had to complete, it was time to bid-adieu,” said an outraged Divya Mehrotra, a Pol. Science student of IP College, who also happens to be a hostelier.

The time of the month the break came about also did not go down too well with most students. “The break should have been clubbed with the Dushhehra holidays. This time of the year means more to us than just the festival. Now, I’ll have to miss classes to accommodate the festival,” quoted Nishita Banerjee, a student of History from LSR and a hurt Bengali.

So, the break which stands for a refreshing change from the mundane and routine life of attending classes, commuting, meeting deadlines, bunking classes (yes, that’s part of the routine, isn’t it?), didn’t really fulfill its promise. And, with the examination datesheet being declared JUST before the break began, it couldn’t get worse. Kudos to the VC!

 

Vatsala Gaur
[email protected]

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Events

Antaragni: Unleash The Fire Within- 7 Days To Go

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Antaragni- Antar + Agni(hindi)-The fire within. Antaragni, the annual intercollegiate cultural festival of IIT Kanpur, is a tribute to the fire that remains kindled in the hearts of people, the fire that drives them to melt boundaries and achieve the extraordinary. The fest started as “Culfest” in the 1960’s before being rechristened Antaragni in 1993. The generic name was to emphasize the fact that it was the first and only such event at that time. Antaragni’12, with the theme ‘Medieval Fantasy’ will be held from the 11th to the 14th of October and is scheduled to be opened by the multi-lingual sensation Raghu Dixit.

Antaragni is one eclectic mix of a lot of things- competitions, professional shows, talks, exhibitions, street shows, workshops and the list goes on ad infinitum. It becomes a classic case of having too many options and one wishes to be present at a lot of places simultaneously. Competitions form the backbone of this festival. Events catering to dramatics, dance, musicals, photography, English and Hindi literature and quizzes have seen extensive and intensive participation from colleges, especially those from Delhi. The situation is such that this year two of the events (Synchronicity- Rock competition and Quizzes) have dedicated Delhi rounds.

In order to cement its position as Northern India’s favourite festival, Antaragni’12 has initiated the ‘Dream On’ campaign. It is an ambitious idea which attempts to give the winners a shot at national fame and creative satisfaction of learning from the best in each field. The winners of different competitions in addition to monetary incentives will be provided with internships, mentorships and recording deals  with leading academies like Shimak Davar’s Institute of performing arts, Barry John Acting Studio, Delhi College of Arts, Delhi School of Photography etc. In fact, Ritambhara has been especially opened to individual participants with coverage in MAXIM and photo-shoots in Hollywood at stake.

To add spirit and flesh to this skeleton of competitions, there would be national and international artists (more than 10 in number) ranging from rock bands to Irish folk musicians to sand artists to Odishi dancers. There would be fun informal activities while Mridaksh will continue its search for Ms & Mr. Antaragni. If it’s the intellect that needs simulation, there would be a panel discussion with eminent people like Arun Maira and Ayaz Memon. To take care of the glamour aspect there would the likes of Sudhir Mishra, Rajiv Khandelwal and Abbas Tyrewala who’ll have special sessions with the students.

The festival seems to be shaping up well with a holistic cultural showcase and it’s only a matter of time before, as the motto says, the fire is unleashed.

Visit www.antaragni.in and https://www.facebook.com/antaragni.iitk for more information.

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Juxtapose

DramSoc v/s DanceSoc

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Juxtapose, DUbeat weekly wits

Juxtapose, DUbeat weekly wits

Graphic Credits: Gurman Bhatia

Dance Society or the Dramatics Society? Two of the most prominent and active societies of Delhi University colleges. Today Juxtapose gives you an opportunity to pick your favourite and reason it out with the opponents.

So hit the link and get started!

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