relief Archives - DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

Several students of Delhi University’s BA (programme) Economics have claimed that most of the questions in the research methodology paper were out of the syllabus, causing the university administration to consider providing relief measures to the concerned same.

The research methodology paper for semester four of BA (Programme) Economics was conducted on May 16, during which several students had raised concerns about nearly all questions being out of the syllabus. The students claimed that they managed to attempt just two or three questions out of eight. Moreover, the question paper given to the students of semester four mentioned second semester. Following such concerns raised by the students, the university was considering that the answer papers be evaluated based on three questions with each being allotted 25 marks.

With the examinations of graduate and postgraduate courses currently underway, similar issues have been reported in other courses as well.

The research methodology paper consisted of eight questions of 15 marks each out of which only five questions needed to be attempted. However, what came as a shock to most students was that only two questions were from the syllabus, one was partially related to the syllabus while the rest were alien to them. On raising the matter with the invigilator, the issue was conveyed to the university officials who responded that the question paper was fine. However, the discontent among the students led them to submit a representation to the Head of Economics and based on these representations, a meeting was called and it was decided only three questions will be evaluated, as alleged by the faculty members.

The examination branch of Delhi University mentioned that it received several representations in this matter and those were forwarded to the Economics department. On May 24, a meeting of the research methodology question paper setters with all the teachers and moderators concerned was held by the Department of Economics to look into the issue.

The minutes of the meeting confirm that since most students were unable to attempt more than three questions out of eight, they will be evaluated based on three questions and each will be allotted 25 marks. For those who have attempted more than three questions, the best three questions will be considered, the minutes further clarified.

Reacting to such developments, Academic Council member Naveen Gaur claimed that similar issues have been reported in the question papers of other courses as well which reflects poorly upon the DU Examination system. Students have reported that the questions of second-year political science examination were out of the syllabus and an EWS exam for Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCEWB) students too had questions outside the syllabus.

Naveen Gaur emphasises that the ‘collapsing’ DU Examination system is because of the ‘barrage of so-called reforms’ including the ‘semester-system’ that has been imposed on Delhi University. He alleges that the system is ‘incapable of such large-scale changes’, with ‘six major changes in the last fourteen years’ and the examination system has to take the ‘maximum burden’ of these changes.

Gaur even goes on to add, ‘Similar things are happening in many papers and sadly as a community, we have stopped getting outraged by such things. This is also indicative of our degradation.’

Nevertheless, our best hopes rely on positive relief measures coming underway and students not being haunted by alien questions in the upcoming sessions as well.

Featured Image Credits: DU Updates (Google Images)

Priyanka Mukherjee

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Come monsoons, and the entirety of coastal India and Ganga basin fall victim to the heavy rainfalls. As one side of India faces acute water shortage, another side is cursed with deadly floods.

Assam Floods

Traditionally, Assam has been prone to heavy floods due to both natural and artificial reasons. The Brahmaputra river is among the world’s top five rivers in terms of discharge, as well as the sediment it brings. Whereas, population, habitation, and deforestation through the years has led to higher sedimentation. Combined with the heavy rainfalls, floods are an annual occurrence.

Over 12 lakh animals have been affected by the floods. Kaziranga National Park has reported around 129 animal deaths, including 10 rhinoceroses- the world’s only remaining one-horned rhinoceroses. In order to escape the flooded Kaziranga, animals have been trying to cross the highway, and reach the nearest Karbi hills. Deers, tigers, and rhinoceroses have been scavenging for food and shelter in human areas. However, this is simply the tip of the iceberg; over 95% of the National Park is under water.

As of 26th July, 27.15 lakh people have been drastically affected, the death toll stands at 80. Even though the worst of the rains are now over, residents are grappling for clean drinking water, food and basic amenities.

Assam needs the help of the rest of India to rebuild itself.

Here is how you can help:

Contribute to Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund on Paytm.
Contribute resources such as food items, utensils, clothes, toiletries and essentials at Goonj.
Contribute funds to Milaap, which would thus transfer the funds to Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Bihar Floods

Bihar’s death toll has escalated to an appalling 127 and over 88 lakh people have been affected. More than 12 districts have been severely affected leading to a demand of 10,000 crores INR, and declaring it as a national disaster.

As the water levels are gradually receding, people are going back to what was once their home. It is pretty sad to note that Bihar has been facing huge death tolls for the past few years, yet, both the State and Central government seem to have been ineffective at finding preventive measures. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told the Assembly on 16th July, 2019, that the state is “fully prepared” to deal with the flash floods. Despite the promises, the common folk continues to face atrocities.

Not to forget the ghastly 1987 floods which claimed 1399 human lives and 5300 animals. Mainstream media has been shying away from covering the floods, thus leading to minimum to zero attention on their real conditions.

Even though the situation has improved, and is accompanied by light showers, Bihar needs the community’s help and support to regain their normal life. Here is how you can help:

Contribute to Goonj. Basic amenities required, such as clothing, food, toiletries and miscellaneous.
Contribute to crowd-funding or other NGOs collaborating with the Bihar government.
Contribute funds to Bihar Chief Minister’s Relief Fund on Paytm.

India in today’s date is facing nature’s proverbial wrath. It’s time that the government took precautionary measures in flood-prone areas to not only save lives, but to preserve valuable yet diminishing natural resources.

Feature Image Credits: NDTV

Anandi Sen

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