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Antiquity’13:Celebrating Myths and Legends

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Antiquity, the annual Academic meet of the History Department of Lady Shri Ram College was held on 16th February, 2013. One of the most awaited History fests in Delhi University, Antiquity truly lived up to its hype this year, with some brilliant lectures and academically intriguing competitions. The History Department President, Vidushi Singh, inaugurated the fest, and her inspiring speech left students truly questioning the true meaning of myths and legends in their life and their reliability as intangible sources of heritage. According to Vidushi, “As students of History, the one thing that we have come to realize is that it is important to question our identities and the myths and legends that create it. Only then can we stop reigning in our curiosity and enquire about the blind acceptance of certain myths that govern our lives. This is one of the prime reasons that made us choose Myths and Legends this year as a theme for Antiquity.”

Dr. Shireen Moosvi, renowned Professor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) spoke about ‘The age of Akbar and the legend of Anarkali’. Her talk transported students to the reign of Akbar, and was immensely beneficial for the third year students who are currently studying Mughal India. Indeed, a ruler is truly defined by the supporters he keeps, and Dr. Moosvi clearly highlighted it during her lecture about Akbar. Her hypothesis about Anarkali also left the students spellbound. The second lecture was delivered by Dr. Narayani Gupta, renowned Professor of History at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Dr. Gupta spoke on the legends surrounding Delhi. With a dash of humour and a couple of eye opening facts, she received a thunderous applause at the end of her speech.

The Quiz, which was the highlight of the fest, was one of the most challenging events. Sudarshana Chanda, the quiz master, one of the best quizzing students of LSR conducted the quiz. She has been conducting the quiz for the past three years, each year making it even more challenging and interesting than the previous one.  The Paper Presentation competition was held in the afternoon, and saw participation from students of LSR as well as other colleges, and departments other than History. The competition was won by students of Miranda House, whose presentation on ‘Bengal folk paintings’ left the audience spellbound. Some really intense and thought provoking presentations were presented, one of them by Flavy Sen Sharma, on ‘Women  in the Jatakas’. Flavy came second.

According to Diksha Jhalani, the Secretary of the History Union, “I feel Antiquity is the best platform for undergraduate students belonging to any and every field to come and display their talents as well as learn more about the subject. It is definitely by far the biggest event I have worked for.” Diksha has been actively contributing throughout the year to the Union activities, and the hard work showed in the excellent organization of every event in Antiquity. Madhurima, the treasurer of the Union, also echoed the same view, and was seen throughout the fest actively working with all the volunteers to ensure all technical glitches and other problems were solved.

Antiquity ended on a bright note, with all participants going back to their respective colleges learning something new about the discipline of history, and re- instating their love for the subject. The all- inclusive atmosphere truly makes Antiquity a unique experience for every student and it is hoped that Antiquity returns next year bigger and better!

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Campus Central

Antiquity, 2013: The Annual Academic Meet of the History Department of LSR

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Antiquity is the annual History Department fest of Lady Shri Ram College and is one of the most renowned History fests in the University of Delhi at the undergraduate level, primarily. Each year, this academic meet at LSR is graced by the presence of famous historians like Prof. Arvind Sinha, Dr. Upinder Singh, Prof.  Amar Farooqui, and enthusiastic participants who make the events of Antiquity an amazing experience.  Last year, we had events like Paper Presentation, Quiz, Guest Lecture by Professor Arvind Sinha, Photography and Dastangoi- traditional Indian art of story telling in Urdu. Throughout this  academic year the department organized guest lectures by famous historians like Dr Vasant Shinde,  Prof. Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Dr. Irfan Habib, Prof. Farhat Hasan,  Dr. Madhavan K. Palat  along with Heritage walks and Research methodology workshop to provide better insight to the students. The objective of Antiquity is to ensure a healthy competition and interaction among the best minds of Delhi from different colleges and disciplines. The fest is not just for undergraduates pursuing History but for everyone who has an interest in the subject, in spite of their academic backgrounds. This year we desire to have antiquity more innovative, inclusive and interesting based on the theme of Myths and Legends. Our myths and legends as much as our Past, form the basis of our identity. These are often the basis on which are History is made and from them our History is culled out. Myths and legends surround and consume us yet we remain unaware of them. Every day, one would run across instances where we can feel the influence of mythology- in names and places, yet rarely would we stop to think about it. As students of History, the one thing that we have come to realize is that it is important to question our identities and the myths and legends that create it. Only when we stop reigning in our curiosity and enquire can we stop the blind acceptance of certain myths that govern our lives. At the same time, it is important to treat myths and legends as a part of our priceless intangible heritage. Though our myths and legends continue to be a part of our oral histories, they are also becoming a part of a dying tradition due to lack of documentation. The Events in Antiquity 2013 include Paper presentation on “History down the ages”, a Quiz with the theme of “Myths and Legends” and a conventional debate with the motion “This house believes that myths are a means of oppression in the modern society”. Prof. Narayani Gupta and prof.  Shirin Moosvi will also be gracing us with their presence at Antiquity,2013. While Prof. Mosvy will deal with the extremely interesting topic of The Legend of Anarkali, Prof. Gupta will speak about legends of Delhi. Prof. Moosvi. Renowned professor of the Aligarh Muslim University, Ms Moosvi is the author of a number of books and written extensive papers on economic, gender, social, administrative and demographic history. Prof. Gupta is the author of Delhi Between Two Empires and a name to reckon with where history of Delhi is concerned. For further details visit http://lsrantiquity2013.weebly.com. You can also contact the History Union of LSR at [email protected]. If you want to speak to an union member directly contact- Vidushi Singh                                    Diksha Jhalani                            Madhurima Chaudhari President                                               Secretary                                           Treasurer 9899091975                                        8447500932                                    9810137315]]>

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Campus Central

Vapp And Chehel In LSR: Exemplary Examples Of Reselience

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Social work is an activity most of us believe in, are vocal about, but find difficult to engage in. A step to create a change was taken by Vrinda Dalmia of LSR (then a second year psychology student), in 2010, who started Chehel, a community project, which aims at empowering underprivileged students through education. Chehel is a voluntary organization, open to every person interested in making a difference to the lives of underprivileged children, from students to housewives. Students from nursery to class 9 are taught by the volunteers, and children have already made immense progress in maths, for which they have very strong aptitude. The students are mostly from the slum area of Zamrudpur. Subjects ranging from English, Maths and Hindi are taught to the children, and Fridays are an ‘extra- curricular activity day’ for them. The children are currently preparing a play which the Chehel volunteers plan to showcase in February. “One of the main objectives of Chehel is to give quality education to children for free which is not received by them in government schools. We are an alternative for parents, who have to send their children to tuitions costing 600 Rs a month, as they don’t find good teachers for their children. The parents of the children are extremely eager to empower their children with education, and we are helping them realize their dream. Anybody with a passion to teach can be a part of Chehel, we have volunteers who are professionals, as well as college students. We teach the children in a park and are really approachable,” says Deepika, one of current co-ordinators of Chehel. Chehel’s founder, Vrinda is currently a Gandhi fellow working in Rajasthan and her initiative is being taken forward by Deepika, Mohika and Pooja, the current co-ordinators of Chehel. In a field like rural development, ground level work is extremely important, and Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) is quite unique in having a society specifically dedicated to engage students in social, economic and political issues. The Voluntary Agency Placement Program (VAPP) was begun in 1995 with a vision to provide students a grass root level forum. The society acts like a bridge between NGO’s like Students for Free Tibet (SFI), Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS), Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), etc. With the help of VAPP, LSR students have worked with these various organizations, working in rural areas of Jharkhand, Bihar, Chattisgarh, etc and engaging in activities like social auditing and legal documentation. Recently, VAPP also had an informal trip to the site of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, where students engaged with legal documentation with the locals. Students who have been an active part of VAPP have gone on to work with organizations like the National Council for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI). In fact, one of the very active members of NCPRI, Anjali Bharadwaj is an LSR alumnae! However, it’s sad to see that LSR does not encourage any collaboration between an organization like Chehel and VAPP, nor is Chehel allowed to carve a niche for itself in college due to stringent rules. A career in the field of social work and rural development is not only socially rewarding, but it also gives one an opportunity to innovate and become a better person!]]>

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Campus Central

Let’s Talk- An LSR Students’ Union and WDC initiative

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The Students’ Union and the Women’s Development Cell of Lady Shri Ram College organized a forum, “Let’s Talk” for the students on 22nd January. The idea behind this forum was to make the students aware of the violence faced by people around them, and to get them to open up and “talk” about these things without any apprehensions.

The one and a half hour event saw active participation from the 40 students that attended the forum, out of which 6 – 7 students mustered up the courage to talk about their unfortunate experiences. More students were eager to participate but could not do so due to time constraints. Out of the students who spoke about their experiences, some mentioned being abused by their fathers, while some were raped and never got to raise their voice thereafter.

The forum managed to leave an impact on everybody- some even left the place teary eyed. “I’ve been to such forums before, but it was really shocking to know that even around us, the people we pass by every other day have been victims of such awful acts”, said Sonakshi, a second year Philosophy Hons student.

This is the first of a series of forums to be held in the premises of LSR. It will be followed by “Let’s Act” and other such programmes to empower young people who have been treated in unjust ways and to give them a chance to speak up against such acts of ruthlessness.

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Campus Central

Re-Living and Re-Cherishing One's Memories: The Alumna Cell of Lady Shri Ram College

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Revisiting your alma mater after many years is a dream come true for anybody and the Alumna Cell of Lady Shri Ram College acts as a facilitator between the alumna and the college, years after they pass out. The Alumna Cell is one of the most active societies of the college and every week they organize the Alumna Bazaar, a platform for the alumna to showcase their skills. Numerous alumnae, ranging from the batch of 1956 to 2008, visit LSR every week to set up stalls and exhibitions. The items range from chocolates, kurtas, flowers, candles, diyas and Tihar jail cosmetic products! “The Alumna Bazaar is a platform for showcasing the talent of the alumna. It is really fascinating to see our alumna pursuing their hobbies as their passion and setting up such innovative stalls. Ours is one of the most active alumna cells of Delhi University and we also have a grand home coming in the form of ‘Nostalgia’, our annual alumna meet. Once, one of our alumna’s came all the way from Thailand just to re-visit her college!” said Kajal Kalsi, one of the co-ordinators of Alumna Cell. The Alumna Cell does indeed provide a wonderful opportunity for the alumna to re-live their LSR days, and the current co-ordinators, Kajal, Vatsala, Meghna and Jaya are working really hard to make each and every day memorable for every alumna that visits college. It is hoped that Nostalgia continues to be a grand success and the Alumna Cell continues reaching great heights!  ]]>

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Campus Central

Re-Living and Re-Cherishing One’s Memories: The Alumna Cell of Lady Shri Ram College

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Revisiting your alma mater after many years is a dream come true for anybody and the Alumna Cell of Lady Shri Ram College acts as a facilitator between the alumna and the college, years after they pass out. The Alumna Cell is one of the most active societies of the college and every week they organize the Alumna Bazaar, a platform for the alumna to showcase their skills. Numerous alumnae, ranging from the batch of 1956 to 2008, visit LSR every week to set up stalls and exhibitions. The items range from chocolates, kurtas, flowers, candles, diyas and Tihar jail cosmetic products!

“The Alumna Bazaar is a platform for showcasing the talent of the alumna. It is really fascinating to see our alumna pursuing their hobbies as their passion and setting up such innovative stalls. Ours is one of the most active alumna cells of Delhi University and we also have a grand home coming in the form of ‘Nostalgia’, our annual alumna meet. Once, one of our alumna’s came all the way from Thailand just to re-visit her college!” said Kajal Kalsi, one of the co-ordinators of Alumna Cell. The Alumna Cell does indeed provide a wonderful opportunity for the alumna to re-live their LSR days, and the current co-ordinators, Kajal, Vatsala, Meghna and Jaya are working really hard to make each and every day memorable for every alumna that visits college.

It is hoped that Nostalgia continues to be a grand success and the Alumna Cell continues reaching great heights!

 

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DUB Speak

College Misfits

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Every college of Delhi University has a culture of its own which defines it. The culture is as instrumental in getting the college a ranking on the glossy pages of the most-prestigious education magazines, as it is in getting its students to feel what they do about the dynamics of the subject that is, “college and me”.

One of the most unfortunate things that could ever happen to a student, all strapping him up for the big-bad world is that he finds himself fenced in by people, fellow students he is not able to associate with. (This statement is made, notwithstanding the age-old adage- “It’s all in the mind”).

Following is what the self-confessed misfits had to say about the college they are still struggling to adapt to the ethos of.:

Shri Ram College of Commerce:

I have always been rather flippant about things and more creative and subjective than moulded into a thought frame which gives me opinions about what’s happening in this world in general. Encountering people by the dozen everyday in college, who would kill to glamorise their CVs and who swear by the “B-plan and Case Study lexicon” in all their discussions, and with little encouragement by the college authorities to talk about activities I could more relate to, like music and Art, I have just never been able to feel that sense of belongingness to this place, or more precisely, to the crowd. Also, the course (in my case) has never been an incentive to feel happy about the place.

Lady Shri Ram College:

I longed to find nutcases of girls around me in the campus, but in vain. The girls were (with no offence meant) always prim and proper, with hair in place, and a certain “LSR twirl” on their tongues. The fantastical college world I had imagined for myself in my dreams came crumbling down when I first set foot on the grounds of this institution. I almost resigned, calling “this” part of the world extensively phony. Though I still feel lost, I think I have come to terms with the culture of the college.

College has a huge role to play when it comes to shaping the person you would be. When they regurgitate the idea of, “choosing course over college”, they’re not entirely wrong, as when the chips are down, you have the refuge of your books at least because if the college refuses to choose YOU, you’re in for trouble for the next three years of your life.

 

Vatsala Gaur
[email protected]

Image credits: Additi Seth
[email protected] 

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Campus Central

Aung San Suu Kyi felicitated at LSR

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For someone who has had to endure as much as Burmese pro-Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for such an extended period of time, it is no less than fascinating that she still retains a youthful charm, made even more potent accompanied now by an ethereal aura. One would imagine that the unrelenting crackdown on their cause, the innumerable attempts at their life, the taxing period of house arrest and the pain of separation from their loved ones would be adequate to crush anyone’s spirit. But like a phoenix that rises from the ashes, she has risen again, with a renewed vigour towards the realization of her cause for democracy for her people. This was something that was visible to all this morning, at her alma mater, Lady Shri Ram College.

Suu, as she was lovingly called during her college days studying Political Science here, arrived at the college for an emotional ‘homecoming’ just past 9.30 am. Accompanied by Hon’ble Minister of State for HRD Shashi Tharoor and several other dignatories including former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, she was greeted by current students of the college sporting traditional Burmese skirts or longyis, staff as well as her former teachers, as she made her way through a packed college auditorium up the stage for the commencement of her felicitation ceremony. After welcome addresses by the Principal, Dr. Meenakshi Gopinath, the Chairperson Mr. Arun Bharat Ram and Dr. Shashi Tharoor, the Nobel laureate renowned for her intransigent fight for democracy, was honoured by the distinguished panel.

Perhaps the most riveting of the moments was her stirring unrehearsed speech, in which she reached out to ‘her girls’, and all young people at large. She acknowledged the support she always received from the institution, even in times when she had little contact with the outside world and remarked, “… My faith in the oneness of human aspirations is justified.” She further touched upon the “emotional connection” she had with the people of India, and thanked them for their support through trying times. “I feel myself partly a citizen of India”, she said. Addressing young political aspirants, she warned against “unprincipled politics”, urging them to never compromise on their principles if they were to enter the political arena. She concluded by asking for continuing support in the last few steps that Burma had left towards democracy, effectively consolidating all the hearts she had already conquered.

 

Tanya Dua
[email protected] 

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Arts & Culture

Bombay Bhel Puri wala outside LSR

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His menu boasts of no more than two items: Bhel Puri and Sev Puri. And both these items cost no more than Rs 20. Needless to say, one will always find him crowded by a bunch of girls after almost every class. He is present on all working days, Monday to Friday, at the same spot.  A chaat lover’s blessing, this man.

Of the two items, Sev Puri is a super hit among the students – Although the Bhel Puri doesn’t lag far behind. If you are a fan of spicy chaat, showered (yes, showered. Not just sprinkled) with jhaal and coriander over it, served with a dash of lemon – this is a must try for you! Reasonable, delicious and a filling mid day snack – it doesn’t get better than this. The demand for this chaat is so high that the Bhel Puri wala makes about Rs 1,500 – 2,000 each day.

And to add to all this goodness, he even gives you a complimentary matthi or bhel if needed to reduce the spiciness.

Image Credits: Additi Seth

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Campus Central

Talk on Travel Writing by William Dalrymple at LSR

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The English Department of Lady Shri Ram College for Women organised a talk by the much-acclaimed author, William Dalrymple, on 27th September. The excitement was palpable in the room overflowing with students as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the author for a talk on Travel writing. Others stood at a Penguin Publishers stall outside, buying his books in the hope of getting a signed copy from him.

William Dalrymple was greeted with hearty and enthusiastic applause as soon as he stepped into the room, slightly flustered and out of breath. The talk proceeded smoothly as everyone listened in rapt attention to his elaboration on the significance of Travel Writing and its relevance in today’s time. This was followed by the author reading a couple of excerpts from his books such as City of Djinns, based on Delhi and his most recent novel Nine Lives, a book about nine individuals on their path towards spirituality and salvation. He also read out a couple of paragraphs from his current favourite Travel book titled The Wild Places, by Robert Macfarlane.

With a great sense of humour coupled with an equally wonderful portrayal of sensitivity, Dalrymple managed to capture the imagination of every person sitting in the room. “Thank you Sir, we felt like we were travelling with you and experiencing your adventures first hand as you narrated them to us,” was one such heartfelt comment from the audience. A busy round of question and answer followed the talk, where students and staff members quizzed him on varied topics such as his inspirations, the language barrier, stereotypes present in various cultures, until there was absolutely no time left to answer more queries. The two hours ended with hoards of students rushing towards his table as he signed personal copies of his books. The talk succeeded in leaving its audience with a sense of wanderlust after William Dalrymple’s vivid descriptions and poetic narration.

Image source: The Hindu

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