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Protesters Burn Effigy of DU VC

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The effigy burning, along with a rally, organised on 14 June, came as a follow-up to the protests of 11 June.

On the morning of 14 June, student organisations gathered at the Gate No. 4 of the Arts Faculty building to protest against “fee hike and faulty admission process in Delhi University.”

Over ten student organisations – among them, All India Students’ Association (AISA), Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (BSCEM), Collective, Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), Parivartankami Chhatra Sangathan (Pachhas), Pinjra Tod, Students’ Federation of India (SFI) – organised a protest rally and burnt the effigy of the University Vice-Chancellor to raise their demands.

The rally began from the Arts Faculty building and went around the North Campus of the University. The proceedings ended with a public meeting and the effigy burning. This came as a follow-up to an earlier protest by these organisations, raising the same issues, on 11 June.

The protesting students demanded the following:

1. Decreasing the registration fee for Other Backward Classes (OBC) to Rs. 300 and apologizing for the “inconvenience caused.”
2. Decreasing the fee for unreserved category students from Rs. 750 to Rs. 500.
3. Refunding the “extra fee” collected from students.
4. “Immediately resolving” the technical problems in the online registration form.
5. Giving two days to applicants to make corrections in their form after filling it up.
6. Setting the entrance exam question paper in Hindi as well.
7. Providing “proper facilities” should be at the exam centres.
8. Revoking the fee hike in Ramjas College & Bharati College.
9. An “unconditional apology” from the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW) for giving “false information” regarding the eligibility criteria for OBC and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation.

The University had set the registration fee for undergraduate admissions at Rs. 250 and Rs. 100 for OBC and EWS students respectively. The ‘additional registration fee for each entrance-based course’ for the former was Rs. 750 and Rs. 300 for the latter. The same distinction of Rs. 750 and Rs. 300 also applies to the application fee for the postgraduate, MPhil and PhD courses. Even though one of the demands of the protesters was refunding the “extra fee collected from students”, the admission guidelines of the University mention that the registration and entrance exam fees are non-refundable.

The first eight demands had been raised in the previous protests as well. A memorandum had been submitted to the Dean by the protesting organisations, which detailed their position. The protesting students had argued that since the income cut-off limit for both the ‘non-creamy layer’ OBC category and the EWS category was similar; and that the former had been given reservation on three bases – social, economic and educational backwardness – while the EWS was given reservation only owing to their economic backwardness, the fees charged from OBC students should not be higher than that of the EWS ones.

According to some protesters who had met the Dean on 11 June, they were allegedly given wrong information by him about the reservation criteria of the OBC and the EWS categories. Upon discovering the alleged falsehood of the information, the protesters had begun a dharna outside the Dean’s office. Hence, the protesting parties this time demanded an “unconditional apology” from the Dean for the alleged false information as well.

According to Amarjeet Kumar Singh, the DU Law Faculty In-charge of AISA, “The Dean refused to meet today and we were informed that he will response (respond) only on Monday.”

A statement issued by SFI alleged, “Before the rally could even start, the police started manhandling SFI activists and detained several protestors. Seeing pressure mounting from the student community, the police was forced to immediately release the detainees.”

Sumit Kataria, Vice President of SFI Delhi, told DU Beat that he and Ravi Shankar, also an SFI member, were “manhandled” by the police, but didn’t suffer any bruises.

Pachhas also issued a statement which read, “Protest ke dauran police ne apna tanashahi roop dikhate hue Pachhas ke sathi Deepak aur BSCEM ke sathi Ujwal ko maarpeet karte hue giraftar kar liya. Baad mein chhatron ke dabav ke baad unhein chhod diya gaya” – during the protest the police showed their dictatorial nature and arrested Deepak of Pachhas and Ujwal of BSCEM. Later, the police released them due to the pressure of students.

Speaking to DU Beat, Deepak Gupta said that he and Ujjwal were arrested by the police and taken to the Maurice Nagar Police Station. There they were allegedly detained for around half an hour. As the rally approached the police station, the police were brought under pressure to release both of them. He also alleged that he had suffered bruises from the encounter with the police.

We also spoke to Ujwal of BSCEM, the other person who was detained by the police. “SI (sub-inspector) Rohit of Maurice Nagar police station started tussle with a comrade named Deepak who is from PACHAAS (Pachhas). SI was trying to bully him by saying that you don’t have the permission to meet the DSW. I intervened in the conversation and said that we are students of the university and we don’t need police permission to meet the administration officials. I also asked him to show me the notice/permission by the university administration that lead (led) to the entry of police in campus. At this he got ignited and pushed me in the van. He asked another policeman to arrest us. I and Deepak were pushed into the van, we were beaten up by the policeman. Deepak’s slipper also got torn. In a van we were carried to Maurice Nagar police station, the police illegally detained us and ensured that we (do) not join the march. (Afterwards) when the protesting students started approaching the gates of (the) police station they released us,” he said.

The protests are expected to continue in some or the other form if the protesters don’t receive a satisfactory response from the Dean by Monday.

Image credits- Sumit Kataria from SFI

Prateek Pankaj
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Admissions

An Extensive Guide to Admissions: St. Stephen’s College

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Presenting a detailed guide to applying to one of the most premier institutes in the country, St. Stephen’s College. 

University of Delhi (DU) admissions have begun and it is important for all DU aspirants to be able to understand the admission procedures. The admissions to all colleges in the university follow a similar pattern. However, this pattern differs in the case of semi-autonomous colleges . One of these colleges includes St. Stephen’s College. This Christian minority college has a slightly different form of admission for taking in students.

Applying to St. Stephen’s College is a double-layered process. The applicant must start by applying to the university, that is, going through the standard procedure of filling the university application. Once that has been completed, the applicant must then apply on St. Stephen’s admission’s portal. This portal can only be accessed with the applicant’s DU form number. After accessing the admission portal, the applicant must register at the portal using their DU form number. This is followed by a verification email sent by the college. Once verified, the applicant can proceed to the next stage. The application procedure is very simple and comprehensive. The admission form has various sections that need to be filled or completed in order to move to the next aspect of the form.

Given below are the various steps for the same:

  1. After the verification is done, the first page begins with the form requesting various kinds of personal informations like the name of the applicant, the father’s name, the mother’s name, their occupations etc. After filling all such details correctly we move on to the next page.
  2. The second page deals with various documents that are to be submitted by the applicant with respect to various kinds of reservations that the college has allotted for non-Christian applicants. These are divided into various categories that include SCs, STs, and OBCs. In case of Christian students, documents that declare their churches and denominations are to be submitted. All Christian students are to submit scanned copies of their baptism certificates along with a declaration from their parish Priest stating the authenticity of the Christian upbringing of the applicant. The applicant can also select multiple categories, if it applies to him or her.
  3. The third page deals with course selection. This page provides details for the various courses that the institution provides, and the subjects that need to be added for the same. After the applicant selects the subject or subjects he or she wishes to apply to, the applicant can proceed to the next page.
  4. The fourth page deals with various aspects of the applicant’s education qualifications. This space is meant for the applicants to put in details like the address of their school, the form of syllabus or the board that they followed, their school etc. The scanned copies of tenth and twelfth class mark sheets are to be uploaded here. Followed by whether their result has been declared or not. If the applicant chooses “Yes”, then four columns appear for the subjects. The applicant can also add more subjects. Based on the subject chosen, the site automatically calculates the best of four. For example: If the student chooses chemistry, then chemistry would be automatically added in the best of four.
  5. The fifth page deals with three questions. This page is a very important step in filling the form. It can also be said to be the most important because it deals with the applicant answering questions posed by the college. The answers play an important role in further selections. The first question deals with the goals, aspirations, and various interests of the applicant.
  6. This question is followed by the statement of purpose (SOP). This basically asks the applicant to state the reasons for choosing the subject they have applied for. The applicant must answer this question carefully. The last question is “Why St. Stephen’s College?”

These three questions are to be written within a word limit of 100 to 300 words.

Applications are filtered from here, based on the answers written by the applicants. Thus, it is important to write carefully with valid reasons for your arguments.

Once the SOPs have been filled, the payment has to be made for the form. The applicant has to pay 200 INR per course. If the applicant wants to apply for the residence facility, then another 350 rupees is to be paid. The residence facility is the hostel facility that the college provides for its students, who do not belong to Delhi or the NCR regions.

This is the basic format that is followed by the college for its admission process. Do not be worried about the SOPs ( Please take a copy of your SOPs as they might be needed for the interview that would follow).

A thorough background of your course and the college would be good pointers for a great SOP. DU Beat wishes good luck to all applicants applying to St. Stephen’s. May the odds be in your favour!

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Stephen Mathew

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Campus Central

Concern Over Unfinished, Dusty Road in Front of Ramjas College

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The construction work in front of Ramjas college, which started a month ago to install sewage lines has been creating problems for the daily commuters. The roads were demolished in order to build proper sewage lines, and were hastily and temporarily repaired recently.  

This temporary and haphazard work done by the authorities is creating problems for the students and teachers alike. All the people suffering from breathing problems such as asthma find it difficult to breathe in the air, which is rife with dust particles. It not only aggravates their breathing, but also adversely affects their health.
Archit Singh, a student from the college suffering from asthma said, “I live in the hostel and I fear to go out of the college because the air is full of dust particles.”
Both asthmatic students and professors faced problems as they were unable to attend lectures resulting in huge loss to academics.

The road is not well-developed and is causing problems for the daily commuters. Veethi Khare, first year student of the college says, “I come to college on foot and the damaged footpath is run all over by the vehicles. This makes it quite difficult for the pedestrians to walk as they have no space left.”

It is also a major concern for the disabled people who face problems in crossing the road.
A PwD student Sumer Ram said, “The authorities are not making the road due to which so many PwD students refrain from coming to college. Blind students face problems in crossing the road.”

A student of Ramjas College, Udbhav Sharma wrote an application to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and highlighted the major concerns pertaining to this issue. He said, “Ramjas is a big college of Delhi University and such broken condition of road does not reflect good on the ambience of the college itself.” He also laid emphasis on the problems that the freshers will face, if the road is not constructed well within time.

 

 

Priya Sharma, a first year history student said, “It’s a shame that the administration has not shown any concern towards this. Even around this time, I didn’t come across any signs of improvement. The road is still in the same old condition. Moreover everybody is supposed to go from the main gate, I mean it’d be nice if they can allow people to enter from the other gates.”

Faculty members of the college appealed to the concerned authorities to take the requisite action. Talking to DU Beat, Principal Manoj Khanna questioned the Delhi Jalboard’s inefficiencies in completing the task on time.

Feature Image Credits: Ramjas College on Instagram (@ramjascollege)

Antriksha Pathania
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Around the Campus

Crazy Ideas for Romantic Dates in North Campus

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Being in love at many times leads to a big hole in your pocket. Eating at lavish restaurants and going for fancy dinner dates can only be done at the starting of the month when you’ve just got the pocket money, since by the end of the month we all tend to be broke. But ‘no money’ doesn’t mean ‘no date’. So to solve your problem, we’ve got a list of romantic and budget-friendly places to visit, and things to do with your sweetheart in north campus.

College memories stay with us for life, and so do the memories of college dates. A perfect date, however, doesn’t strictly mean candlelit dinner at a 5-star restaurant. A perfect date is anything that gives you such memories as you will cherish for life. After all, 20 years down the line you will not remember which restaurant you went to, but you will remember if you did anything special with your beloved. You will remember all your crazy dates. So spend your hard earned money on the most attractive luxuries later in life. And for now, enjoy the smaller joys of life with your partner.

Here is a  list that offers you a variety of options, which you can consider for a memorable and romantic date.

  1.    Crazy E-rickshaw experience

North campus and E-rickshaws go hand in hand. But have you ever thought that E- rickshaw rides can be romantic as well? Take an E-rickshaw to any place and be your weird selves on the ride. Or sit at the back of the motor rickshaw, crack jokes, laugh together, and hold on to each other’s hands tightly when you get scared of the vehicles coming in your direction.

  1.    Sudama ki Chai

North campus has various places to visit — from Kamla Nagar to Hudson Lane to Majnu ka Tila. One such place amongst these is Sudama Tea Stall located on the road between Kirorimal and Ramjas college. This place is perfect if you are on a stroll with your better-half and want to stop for some chai. Sudamaji has been serving tea for the last 24 years, and it remains open till midnight because it is visited by an enormous number of people. It is the best and the cheapest place for a nice session of chatting and laughing over steaming cups of tea.

  1.    A Romantic Bicycle Ride

Bicycle rides can never be boring. When you have nothing to do on a pleasant evening, then take your partner on a bicycle ride. You can lend bicycles from Vishwavidyalaya metro station at Rs 10 per hour, and go to Kamla Nagar for food-stall hopping; enjoying each other’s company and some good food. Visit random lanes, have ice-creams from the street vendors, and remember to enjoy yourselves.

  1.    A walk around the campus

The campus has a lot to offer and the best thing that two people can do is go on a walk hand in hand through the campus exploring different places like arts faculty, science faculty and the road near Kamla Nehru Ridge. You can go college hopping and click selfies in front of the colleges, exploring the various regions in the campus.

  1.    A Lazy Evening at the Ridge

If you and your partner are history geeks or heritage lovers – and are not afraid of monkeys – then going to the Ridge is a good idea. Exploring history together and getting cosy in the desolate place can be a fun experience. Also go there only if you are not afraid of the haunted stories that revolve around the khooni jheel. This date might turn out to be the most adventurous one!

  1.    What is better than college canteens?

Being a north campus student gives you the best experience of the campus life because of the proximity of all the colleges. Another perfect idea for a romantic, yet simple date is to go and visit the canteens of all the colleges and try some special dishes everywhere. You might remember what you ate where, and laugh about how you convinced the security guards to let you in, a few years down the line.

Suggestion: Do not miss out on D-School’s canteen.

  1.   A Walk through VC Lawns

The Vice Chancellor’s garden in North Campus is a great place to spend your evenings. Long walks in pretty lawns are always a perfect idea for two people who are in love, as this gives you some quality time with each other, away from the hustle-bustle of your lives. So the next time when you both feel that you do not have anything to do, then buy some snacks for yourself from the vendors there, and go for a walk hand in hand; striking some romantic conversations.

  1.    Shopping at Kamla Nagar

We all shop at high-end malls as a habit. To make your shopping experiences more memorable, take your date for shopping in the streets of Kamla Nagar market and enjoy bargaining with the shopkeepers there, who are easily annoyed and annoying, but always entertaining.

 

The campus also has a range of restaurants and pretty cafes that one can always go to. But the lunch dates at expensive cafes are never going to be like the conversations you strike while strolling through VC lawns. So go and create some crazy memories with your sweetheart that you will cherish for life.

 

Feature Image Credits: Tripoto

 

Priya Chauhan

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Events

A Vibrant Display of Flowers and Emotions at The Annual Flower Show

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The 61st Annual Flower Show organised by the Garden Committee of University of Delhi saw a powerfully beautiful display of flowers and emotions.

The Mughal Garden of the Vice Chancellor’s Lawns was adorned with a thousand flowers in a stunning array of as many colors on the 1st of March, 2019. Celebrating the 61st edition of the Annual Flower Show of University of Delhi, the exhibit left every spectator spellbound. As Pooja, a fellow admirer of flowers and plants excitedly stated, “It feels like a dreamy heaven!”

Participants from 26 colleges, 14 hostels and University Halls, institutions, schools and students from Delhi-NCR participated in the event. A diverse multitude of around 7000 footfalls including children and senior citizens enjoyed the floral displays and fête. The event was inaugurated by the Pro Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar of the University. Prizes including 72 rolling shields and cups were awarded.

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The annual event aims at sensitizing the university students to participate actively and contribute to the environment by preserving its bounties and beauties. Bakhtawar Iqbal, a third year student from Hindu College exclaimed that he aspired to practise gardening from this day onwards. Pooja, another student bought more than ten saplings from the exhibition. She stated, “One of the best things about this exercise is that they sell these saplings, like succulents, at throwaway prices! I love how the committee maintains the aim to enable students like me, who are always broke, to adopt plants and nurture them.”

One of the main highlights of the exhibit this time was the ‘Forest: Conservation, Productivity, Livelihood’ project. Talking to DU Beat, Parul Bhardwaj, a student of Botany under the Garden Secretary of University of Delhi, Professor Sudeshna Mazumdar-Leighton said, “This is something new about this time. We have an educational exhibit that iterates the imprtance of forests. The project, as the name suggests has three dimensions: Conservation, Productivity, Livelihood. It focuses on usage of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) like silk, honey and oils like mahua and kusum.” Bhardwaj also mentioned, “Integration of the women community living in close proximity of the forests has been efficiently aimed at as well. Women are the primary sellers, gatherers and processors of NTFPs. This project and its propagation aims at allowing them greater employment opportunities.”

IMG_20190301_131958-01

Notably, the most exuberant display of flowers was by the Miranda House Team. Deservingly, Miranda House was awarded all top three positions. A vast variety of flowers from sunflowers to lillies and daisies, the exhibit captured eyes and emotion alike. Adding to this were various street play performances by societies.

Various artpieces and models displayed in tents drove home powerful and inspiring messages home. Different arrays of flowers were named and interpreted differently. These models that explored themes like women empowerment and the joys and trials of womanhood, or those that voiced concern over brahmanical patriarchy, all of them carried insight.

A special section was dedicated to commemorate the brave soldiers lost in the tragic Pulwama terror attack. Beautiful wreaths mourned and celebrated the martyrs. Many of the flowered models advocated the prevailing of peace and how war is never the answer.

The message driven home by organising this event was that of celebrating nature in all its splendour and serene beauty.

Image Credits: Kartik Chauhan

Kartik Chauhan
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Campus Central

Disguised Scamsters Terrorise DU Students

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Mutiple accounts of women dressed in green salwar-kameez, terrorising and exploiting students from across the university have surfaced online in the last couple of days.

The University of Delhi’s (DU) students have become subjects to various disguised scamsters soliciting money from students by terrorising them. A message was shared by a student from Ramjas College which started doing rounds on social media around 26th February, 2019. The message exposed a group of women dressed in green salwar-suit robbing money from the students in North Campus; all in the name of blessing the money with good fortune.

The incident shared by the Ramjas student happened on her way back to the metro station in front of Hansraj Hostel (Kamla Nagar). The student mentioned that first, a woman came to her, dressed as described above. The woman asked the student to give her a rupee or two as she waved a basket at her and claimed that the donated money was to be given at the dargah. The student was followed by the woman who consistently asked for money. After multiple denials by the student, the woman in green reportedly said that she would swear on her Baba that she had no intention to steal her (the student’s) money. The woman insisted that the student’s touching of her money to the basket would yield good fortune.

At this moment, two more women dressed similarly backed the student into a corner and forced her into taking out her money. Anxious and scared, by her own admission, the student took out a ?50 note which was snatched by the three women who pretended to pray for the student, and performed a ritual chant, as if they were blessing the student. Subsequently, the three women snatched a 500 note from her wallet and refused returning the money when asked to do so. Thankfully for the cornered student, another girl passing by observed the problem and came to assist her. However, the three women created an interruption by pushing the other girl away and took off rapidly from the scene. The victim who reported the event was shook after the three women took off.

However in the same message that has been shared by her, the student explores the intensity and terror of the situation. The same gang of scamsters were seen in the vicinity doing similar performances with other chosen vulnerable students. They were spotted around Kirori Mal College, and later near Sudama Tea Stall near Delhi School of Economics. Strangely enough, the attempt to follow the three women to thwart their exploitative targeting of students was reportedly met with obscene curses, ridiculing and insulting her future and family.

After the circulation of the aforementioned account, various students from the North Campus have narrated their own experiences with these women wearing green salwar-kameez. Most of the accounts follow a similar pattern wherein the student, mostly girls, are chosen and cornered by these scamsters who then take off with their money. The possibility of the robbing women carrying weapons has not been corroborated yet but it cannot be ruled out as well. Multiple accounts of North Campus students have exposed the deep concern that this explosive scamming mandates. No action has been taken against the identified thieving women.

However, the dargah women are not exclusive to the North Campus. Various incidents of their terror have been shared by students from Kamala Nehru College. Gargi and Rishita from Kamala Nehru College shared their experience with these women who chased them in Greater Kailash’s M-Block Market, asking for money. When denied, the women hurled abusive curses at the two unsuspecting girls. This rampant exploitation of students in the university at the hands of these women concerns us all. The fearless violations carried out by them in such active areas, in broad daylight, propose questions on the safety of students in the campus.

DU Beat appeals to everyone to stay safe and vigilant in campus until these disguised terror-inspiring women are tried legally.

Feature Image Credits: Akarsh Mathur for DU Beat

Kartik Chauhan

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DUB Speak

Popular Hang-out Spots for this Valentine’s Day

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Thinking of going out for a cute, non-expensive date with your significant other (or maybe yourself!) this Valentine’s Day? We give you the best spots in North and South Campus for a memorable Valentine’s experience.

Here are spots in North Campus you mustn’t miss!

1) The Ridge: The Kamala Nehru Ridge has its own history of being a lover’s spot but be careful, don’t let the monkeys get you or the insects harm you! Bask in the winter sun for a peaceful getaway from the bustling North Campus.

2) Delhi School of Economics: The Delhi School of Economics (DSE) lawns are perfect for a mini photoshoot in the winters. DSE has many lawns (some less populated) which give you the perfect peace and quiet with your significant other. The tea from JP Tea Stall makes it worthwhile!

3) Kamla Nagar: Take a stroll through the bustling market and hunt for the cheapest outlet you can find. It can be a super fun thing to do with your partner while getting lost in the many narrow lanes of ‘K-Nags’.

4) Hudson Lane: Okay, we get it. It’s not exactly ‘non-expensive’ but take a walk through Hudson Lane before 11:00 AM, when the restaurants and cafes haven’t opened for business yet. Save up for Valentine’s day as many restaurants would have offers going and it’s the perfect way to feed the capitalist agenda.
5) Majnu Ka Tila: Roam around Mini-Tibet while devouring delicious dumplings or laphing this winter with your partner. It’s the perfect place to shop for cheap clothing, bags and more trendy stuff! Make sure you try the cafés and restaurants serving Tibetan, Nepali and even Korean food.

Discover these unexplored spots in South Delhi with your partner.

1. Siri Fort Ruins: In the heart of South Delhi lies the beautiful and isolated Siri Fort ruins. Pack a picnic basket, enjoy the Valentine’s Day afternoon in this brightly lit monument and make your day special. The nearest metro station to reach here is Green Park.

2. Deer Park: Cherish the breath-taking sunset at Deer Park in Hauz Khas Village. The freshness of nature and sight of the gorgeous lake will bring positivity and happiness in you.

3. Lodhi Garden: A lovely spot to escape from the hectic city. Come along with your partners to admire nature, tombs and a lake in this relaxing spot. You can spend hours strolling through the area and appreciating the flora.

4. Park behind Ansal Plaza: An empty, isolated yet beautiful space for you to meet and have a simple and peaceful date. Just behind Ansal Plaza, this seems like an old piece of land but is very well maintained with lovely seating arrangements under the shade of tall stunning trees.
5. DDA-Gulmohar Park: Extremely close to Green Park Metro Station, this well-maintained park is a perfect spot to bask in the sunshine, spend lazy afternoons with your significant other and enjoy watching rehearsals of various cultural societies who generally come out to practice in winters.

6. Sheikh Yusuf Qattal’s Tomb: An old monument with intricate jaalis, blue tiles and a 12-pillared structure, Sheikh Yusuf Qattal’s Tomb is a peaceful and beautiful unexplored date spot with minimal tourists. This Valentine’s Day, explore this hidden marvel with your loved ones and enjoy.
Image Credits- Pinterest

Sakshi Arora
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Jaishree Kumar
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DUB Speak

A take on Safety in North Campus

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In light of recent events, safety in North Campus has been proven fragile. But even the failure in this test has not incentivized the necessary authoritative action.

 

Delhi University’s North Campus is famously known for its prestigious colleges. Some of the best colleges in the country are all smattered in close vicinity to each other. But in recent months, the same area has come to be known for its increasing crime rates.

 

On 2nd December, a tragic incident happened in the campus at nightfall. The incident started doing rounds on social media in a couple of days, to the utter disbelief and outrage of all students and residents of North Campus alike.

In the Facebook post, shared by multiple people, the following message was broadcasted:
“With utmost shock and anger, we inform you that our dear friend, Sandipan, a PhD student of Delhi School of Economics, was attacked by a couple of phone snatchers with knife late night on 2nd December. He was stabbed multiple times and is now admitted at Hindu Rao Hospital. The incident happened on the Naala bridge at Patel Chest. This is just opposite the Maurice Nagar Police Station.”
Pointedly, the area in question is a frequently visited place by all students in North Campus. A huge number of students reside around the area and so, the famous food outlets of North Campus are accessed via the same road. However, the incident raises questions on the presumed comforts and safety of the area, that the students expect before they take up expensive lodgings there.

 

The post continued, “Despite giving the number of the bike to the police, no action has yet been taken. The incident and the police inaction is telling of how dangerous our own campus has become.”

 

Multiple cases of phones being snatched have been reported by students. Within the first week of the commencement of college, a student of Hindu College lost her phone to the self-same phone-snatchers. Another student of Hindu College, on her way back from Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station to her PG in Shakti Nagar said, “I was sitting in a rickshaw with three other friends. The rickshaw came to a halt in front of Daulat Ram College where two men on a bike rushed past us and took away my phone.” The incident was traumatic for her to recount later.

 

As reported by DU Beat earlier, Aashish Jain, a student of Kirori Mal College (KMC) recalled the incident when his mobile phone was snatched. “I was right outside the college gate when I was on a call,” he said, adding that he hadn’t realised that people on motorbikes were keeping a watchful eye on him. “I disconnected the call, and was going to put the phone in my pocket when one of them snatched it from my hand and ran off on their motorbike.”

 

Unfortunately, safety is not a concern because of these material losses alone. Safety of girls is as always only an agenda in the pompous manifestos of all political parties. A student recalled being stalked by a group of men in their car when she was returning from her college one evening. Such stories are far from uncommon. It is sad that we should demand for gender-specific safety in such an eminent area.

 

Casual sexism and misogyny that all of us observe everyday go on to show that legal action in seclusion cannot ensure safety of women. We need a more ‘human’ approach towards the issue. Calling out such abominable behaviour is our resistance. It is ironic how an area that is marked for its institutions and their excellence, should be called out for its degrading safety measures.
“Delhi Police must immediately book the perpetrators,” notes the same Facebook post (aforementioned). “DU administration and the Delhi Police must ensure safety of students around the campus and around every college of DU.”
The inaction of the authorities can easily be explained in their inability to apprehend the perpetrators as yet. It is high time that proper action is taken. The ignorance towards these seemingly petty crimes may prove more harmful otherwise.

 

Feature Image Credits: Dailymail

 

 

Kartik Chauhan

[email protected]

 

 

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Campus Central

More Than Geography: North Campus Vs South Campus

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With the end of school life, admission fever has caught up and life is changed forever. The cocoon of school life has burst and you are in for a rollercoaster ride at the University of Delhi. One of the most relevant debates in the University is: North Campus or South Campus? I understand that everybody does not have the privilege of choosing between the two, but the preferred choice has always been the North Campus. Having settled for a South Campus College, I can vouch for the differences but each one has its own pros and cons.

Location
All the colleges in North Campus (NC) are located within walking distances of each other. In addition to this, all the Departments and Faculties of the University lie in the vicinity along with teachers’ residences and apartments. Cluster Innovation Centre and Delhi School of Journalism are also a part of North Campus. South Campus colleges are located in a gap of kilometres from each other and walking is not feasible. Being in such a close-knit environment, NC students have the opportunity of coming across other fellow students from other colleges and making friends beyond just their college, the same is not plausible for South Campus students.

Activity
With the benefit of having all colleges, departments, and faculties in the same neighbourhood, students are often found at locations other than their colleges during free hours. Not a day goes by when there is not a talk, seminar, play or other events (s) in any one of the colleges. Such privilege has not been bestowed upon the South Campus students because a) not enough events take place during odd semesters and b) time travelling to NC would consume the free periods.

Hangout Spots
Anna Canteen, Tom Uncle’s Maggie,  Majnu Ka Tila, and Hudson Lane are some of the favourite hangout spots for North Campus students.  Kamla Nagar (Knags), a favoured shopping stretch, is at a stone’s throw away from all colleges. Satya Niketan, Hauz Khas Village, Lajpat Nagar, and Nehru Place are the preferred hangout hubs for South Campus students offering an array of options for eating and shopping.

Hullabaloo
The protest culture is a double-edged sword. The sloganising and haranguing have often excited and disturbed the North Campus students. The right to protest is a blessing in disguise for the University teachers and students to claim their fundamental rights, but often the same protests are used as a  propaganda tool of the political parties which disrupts the schedules of North Campus colleges. Residing in solitude and away from the protest culture, the South Campus colleges carry on with their lives in peace, but that has not deterred the students and teachers from joining their compatriots on various occasions. Considering most protests often culminate at Mandi House, all colleges get equal access to participate in vibrant student-led movements.

In conversation with the DU Beat correspondent Dr. Anjana Nera Dev, Assistant Professor at Gargi College, articulated, “The North-South friendly rivalry is part of the urban legend heritage of DU admissions. While common sense dictates that geography and academic credentials are the reasons for the inter list migrations between the two, there seems to be more to this than meets the eye. Also, the preferred direction seems to be North, while South is better for all the co-curricular activities. I wonder when the compass will go back to having four cardinal points and the East and West will also become desirable destinations to which students will aspire and about which the media will debate.”

Everybody’s college life has its own share of ups and downs and once you have settled in your college, you love your college no matter what and it becomes your home.

Feature Image Credits: The University of Delhi
Prachi Mehra 
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Campus Central

Anna’s Canteen Gets Eviction Notice, to be Shut Down Soon

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One of the most famous addas of North Campus is getting shut down, and the students cannot contain their grief. The Post Graduate (PG) Mens’ hostel canteen which the students fondly call Anna’s Canteen after the name of its owner, Shetty Anna is closing. It is located at Kamla Nehru ridge and is very famous for its fit-for-king South Indian food. It has about four types of rice, and serves a very renowned biryani. The canteen is all the more famous among those broke students who find Anna’s food very reasonably priced. It is also often visited by cats that are very active and play with the students there. However, the situation now seems grim as Anna has been asked to vacate the hostel before 30th June 2018.

Anna sounded bewildered while talking to a DU Beat correspondent and said that “I have no idea why such a notice has been slapped against me. All the students are my side and they don’t want me to leave. I am ready to make all the changes they want.” Further, Anna informed DU Beat that he has not even been given enough time to vacate the hostel, being only a week’s time after the notice was issued.

In a telephonic conversation with a DU Beat correspondent, Mr. Pujit, Cultural Secretary of PG Mens’ hostel said, “The hostel management has not been following proper procedure for eviction of Anna Canteen from the hostel campus. Students have not been consulted. Anna prepared the best South Indian dishes in the entire state.”

One of the main members of the P.G Mens’ administration, on the condition of anonymity, told DU Beat, “Anna’s contract with the hostel has expired and we have invited new tenders in which Anna himself may apply. Even the N.A.A.C. committee recommendations go against the canteen.”

Anna’s food is a must-try for anyone visiting North Campus. There is no doubt that everyone in campus will miss Anna and the cats dearly. His departure is expected to remain the talk of the town for a long time to come.

 
Feature Image Credits: NDTV
Khyati Sanger
[email protected]
Sandeep Samal
[email protected]

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