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UGC Proposes On-Demand Exams for Undergraduate Level

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University Grants Commission (UGC) has requested the current government to introduce on-demand examinations at the undergraduate level to reduce failures and malpractices that happen during scheduled exams. UGC also wants to ensure that the decision to appear for the exam comes from the students and not the institution.

The University Grants Commission (UGC)  panel has suggested that on-demand examinations be introduced for students at the undergraduate level. UGC has proposed for a National Board to conduct examinations emphasising on “exams should be held when the learner is ready” and urged the current Modi government to introduce the initiative.

This proposal would be a reform by the UGC panel on evaluation. The proposal would reorganise and rearrange matters that relate to examinations which were set up in May 2018 in a committee that was chaired by Vice Chancellor, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, M.M. Salunkhe.

According to the report submitted by UGC last week, the UGC panel stated, “Assessment can take place when the learners consider themselves ready to appear. Thus readiness depends on the learner and not institutions.” The panel also added that this initiative would lead to a reduction in failures and also malpractices that occur during scheduled examinations.

The plan suggested an extensive use of automation and technology, with question papers being drawn from a question bank. The Board suggested that the on-demand exams should first begin for distance mode programmes and then be implemented to all other eligible programmes without any age or eligibility restrictions.

UGC also recommended setting up of a National Board that would deal with the operation and execution of these on-demand examinations. “Uniform grading and credit transfer policies must be evolved for this to work”, said the report by the UGC panel.

This evaluation reform is based on the poor nature of University’s productivity. It also aims to change the dearth of employment that Indian graduates and postgraduates face.

Though many students welcome the idea, thinking it to be synonymous to the GMAT tests, others remain sceptical. Nidhi, second-year student, Daulat Ram College told DU Beat, “The idea is good and is definitely an attempt to show that universities and the educational committees are trying to be more student-friendly, and are finally catching up to international standards.”

She further added, “However, I don’t think universities- or least the government universities have enough resources to be able to implement these efficiently. This will ultimately lead to chaos and in the end, it will up to us students to bear the brunt of all the poor implementation.”

Teachers also echoed similar concerns about the inefficiency of the suggestion. As reported by The Print, Professor Amita Singh, Centre for the Study of Law and Governance, Jawaharlal Nehru University said, “A university is not a call centre that can work 24X7 to fulfil the demands of innumerable students. Academic preparation needs discipline, a conducive environment for students to think, discuss and debate while preparing for exams. There should also be the availability of libraries, books, coffee shops and hostels.”

However, keeping the debate of efficiency aside, it must be noted that while the UGC issued guidelines to all universities in 2015 to offer students a choice based credit system, the current reality is that there is little flexibility or choice for learners. It added that students should have the freedom to opt for courses beyond their core specialisations.

Feature Image Credits: India Today

Shreya Juyal

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DUB News

SOL Students Strictly Oppose the Semester System

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The students from the School of Open Learning (SOL) held a referendum against the implementation of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS). Read on to know more.

The School of Open Learning (SOL) was established as a constituent college of the Delhi University (DU) in 1962, and is a pioneer in the field of distance education in India. It is one of the largest educational institutions in India, with around 5 lakh students.

SOL is a correspondence option offered to students all over the country by DU. It is a suitable alternative for people pursuing professional courses like Chartered Accountancy, Company Secretary etc. As these students require a degree but find it hard to go to college every day.

Till the last academic session, SOL had been following the annual mode of examinations. Until this July, when the University announced the introduction of CBCS, wherein exams take place each semester (every six months).

According to the students, SOL is not yet ready for the transitions. They have been protesting against this notion. The protest was led by the activists from the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS). “It should be known that implementing CBCS without discussion with the general students is not only arbitrary but is also an example of the administration’s carelessness. It should also be noted that till now more than 1.5 lakh students have already been admitted in annual mode and without any consultation, the semester system has been imposed,” read a statement issued by KYS.

As stated in a report by the Hindsutan Times, around 10,000 students participated in the aforementioned referendum, out of which 99% rejected the administration’s decision of implementing the CBCS system in SOL.

Some of the students had also indulged in a hunger strike in August. Earlier they wrote to the Ministry of Human Resource Development asking for assistance regarding the same. The students also claimed that CBCS study material has not been provided. Further, they said that no steps were taken to inform the students about the modifications in the curriculum.

Feature Image Credits: SOL Website

Avni Dhawan

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Delhi School of Journalism

DSJ Student Detained from Appearing for Semester Exams

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Delhi School of Journalism has once again made the headlines, amid malpractice controversies and protests.

The students of Delhi School of Journalism have been visibly agitated this semester: the campus has seen discontent escalate into protests, violence and unwarranted disciplinary actions. The frustration stems from poor infrastructure facilities, unavailability of the media labs, edit bays, cameras- which had been promised in the prospectus. The fee structure is unusually high, which doesn’t help the students.

The students of Delhi School of Journalism organised a Chhatra Sangarsh Rally on 25th September 2018 in North Campus of the University. The rally came three days after the students broke off the four-day long hunger strike after getting written assurance for the fulfilment of their promises. The students demanded a lower fee structure, funds from the University Grants Commission, basic facilities, media lab and ICT Centre, financial transparency, faculty on regular basis, and the right to dissent.

The students now allege concerted attempts on behalf of the authorities to ‘silence dissent’. This comes following unfair suspensions of several students. The student fraternity of DSJ has released a plea for help, citing the example of a student who is facing severe hardships at the hands of the authorities. Ambuj Bharadwaj, a second year student from DSJ has been suspended without reasonable grounds. He was a prominent face of the Stand With DSJ cause, and had previously been unlawfully detained by Delhi Police.The students have filed several pleas with the college Review Committee, which includes the Director of the college, Prof. J.P. Dubey. Mr. Dubey has been accused of acting vengefully and with disregard for student welfare. The student’s wishes have not yet been addressed, and Ambuj continues to miss his semester examinations, as the authorities conveniently postpone a judgement. 

 

Feature Image Credits: Financial Express

Nikita Bhatia

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DUB Speak

The Reality Of College Exams

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In school, we are often provided with this rosy picture of college where the academic environment seems to be pretty chill. Except, when you actually step into the college doors, you do realise that it is a far cry from it.

One often gets to hear how getting marks in the 12th standard should be our primary concern in life, almost offering a silent implication that it all going to be smooth sailing from there onwards. As much as I and the rest of the student community would have liked to believe so, here is a warning for all the freshers reading this, if that is you’re still not aware, that it is not to be so.

College, as an environment has become synonymous with freedom, independence, and low-key academic tension, going by what pop culture has very conveniently fed us, resulting in this popular notion.  You are almost entertained with the whole idea of what walking into the college doors would be like, of course, only to be slammed on the face with this door, namely, reality.

College marks and exams almost seem insignificant in school, what with all the pressure to clear all those engineering exams and scoring above 95% in boards. Clearing these, make it seem like the battle won, except it is not even half of it. College placements, cracking entrance exams for masters, filling up applications for higher studies; all have a pre-requisite of a decent GPA in college. I hate to break it you, but it is an endless, vicious cycle. One which you unintentionally signed up for, the moment your existence came to be. There isn’t really an escape route.

For starters, acceptance might just help you deal with this a lot better because life is such. Secondly, it would be advisable that you probably stop reading this article and start scramming, because other things can wait but you probably really need those marks right now. Thirdly, if you feel demotivated

at any point, I take the last point back. Marks are just a number and numbers shouldn’t really define you. Your success wouldn’t be determined by one bad external. However having said that, even though your success isn’t really hinged on how well you do in college, I do believe that it is important to work hard in whatever capacity you can towards your goal and making your dreams a reality.

College might just be some of the best years of your life, however, they are also the years that truly define you as a person and help form a foundation. It is important to live and enjoy your college life to the fullest, but it is almost important to utilize this time to figure things out. The next time you hear an adult telling a kid how college is going to be all fun and games, stop them right there, or on second thoughts, don’t.

Feature Image Credits: GK India

Anoushka Singh
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Exams

How to Have More Faith in Your Preparation: A Guide to Not Freak Out!

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The exam season leaves us in an air of uncertainty and anxiety related to the syllabus! These are a few tips to keep you positive throughout the exams.

“We live in a test-conscious, test-giving culture in which the lives of people are in part determined by their test performance. (Seymour Sarason et al., 1960, p.26, Yale University).”

Having faith in oneself is vital to performing well. This is something every exam goer should keep in mind. The exams are a testing time for you, mentally, but here are a few tips to be confident about your preparation for the exams.

  • You have given your best

If you know you have delivered your one hundred percent into the preparation, keep reminding yourself about it. The syllabus is ever so vast, but if you are confident that the topics you’ve done are in perfection, you can climb Everest with that confidence!

  • Do not let others cause anxiety to you

The night before the exam is filled with a lot of distractions. Friends and classmates calling you up to clear the doubts or to share the notes, Whatsapp groups will be filled with multiple discussions. Above all, there will always be that one friend, who will hype things up so much and freak everyone out. Do not let all of this scare you. Believe in yourself and be confident you will be able to pull off a good examination.

  • Be confident and positive

Do not let the negative thoughts brim past you! Believe in your preparation and be confident and happy you were able to pull off all that you decided to work on. Stressing unnecessarily will affect your performance in the paper as well!

  • It is not the end of the world

Being dedicated to your studies is an important activity but stressing too much on an exam might not be an ideal situation. Believe in the preparation, and even if you feel you are lacking in something, there is always a better time. Invest more in the preparation for the next paper. Do not let the blues affect your performance in all of your exams.

  • Strategize your preparation

If you feel a little blue looking at the vast expanse of the syllabus to be covered, take a cue and design a schedule in such a way that you target all the main and the important topics! A study by the Stanford Research scholars revealed that college students who employ a strategic approach to the use of study resources improved their exam scores by an average of one-third of a letter grade. Smart studying is an effective way to cover up all of the important topics of the exam in a shorter time. Focus on efficiency.

The exams are for sure a testing time for everyone, but do not let it affect you in a way which will delineate your performance. Give your best, at all costs, and relax knowing this fact, at the end of the day.

 

Feature Image credits: Very Well Mind

Avnika Chhikara
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Uncategorized

Why You Should Avoid Guides and Solution Booklets

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In a desperate call for quick action, when you find an essay online that even remotely connects with your own submission, the default action is to cite without reading. Efficiency, right?

 

Most of us would agree with the truth that all our submissions are the burdens we bear. The burdens that block our exposure to the outer world; a world seemingly ours for the taking with its immense prospects and adventures. For instance, every second that you spend reading a critical essay, you could rather be complaining about the mounting work on your social media handles. And we all know that the latter seems too enticing.

 

The sad truth in the complexity of our education system is its incomprehensibility by most people. Increasingly, the idea of education has been overshadowed by the idea of getting a job. And not just a normal job, but one that comes with unending perks. Much as this debate invites moral intervention, it is nonetheless as irrefutable as the reality. In this race, we often find ourselves to be lost. And with the advent of internet, our crises are averted by ‘hacks’.

 

Being unimaginative, unthinking, and avoiding application of intellect by students today is becoming a real choice. Some may say that the choice is enforced. There is so much to do and so little time; the true refrain. It is in the event of a crisis that the need for a desperate escape is felt, and that means that we want a guide or a solution book.

 

It is not in my purview to question the credibility of such solution books, guides and answer booklets or for that matter any essay, writing or answer available on the Internet. But what can be said about all these ‘comforts’ is that they do you more harm than they offer you a chance to revive.

 

The idea of education to develop free thinking needs reinstatement. Our jumping to academic hacks implies our failures to act on our own. Sometimes, it does prove helpful to seek such a measure. But a study reveals that excessively depending on hacks and the easy-way-out, cripples your thinking. When you let the keyboard function on its three keys, your functioning of the brain is put to a miserable test. Try to use all these keys. Try to use all of your own merit.

 

Dependence is perceived to be an easy way of living. In an age where our opinions are shaped by public majority, where is the scope for expression? What we ask in such questioning is the failing object of education. There is a lot that deserves your attention. There is always a lot. And this is why you need to avoid the haphazard academic ‘hacks’. In the infinite pools of knowledge, even a quick plunge can heighten your spirit. The shallows of guides and help books will offer you a respite, but you will never learn to swim.

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

 

 

Kartik Chauhan

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DUB Speak

Hysterically Horrific Exam Tales

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Exams, in the pluralistic usage can inspire the deepest fears in every student. Sometimes this fear is heightened to a hysteria.

 

There is no other way to inspire anxiety in college students than handing them their date sheet for semester exams. More often than not, we are given the internals and practical examinations during regular days at college; but the semester exams inspire an excitement that is too real. Internals and practicals, meant to prepare us for the ultimate semester exams, fail to help us in their direct motive. It is in such times that we become hysterical with horror.

 

A friend of mine had to go through the grind of completing a respectable part of her unending curriculum, bereft of the comforts of her mattress; staying up through the night for a good score in a test scheduled at 8:30 am on a wintry December morning. At 7:30am, having covered a sizeable part of her syllabus, she decided to freshen up with a quick nap. But then she slept through the exam. And well, to be fair, we all know she had the better bargain— you cannot put a price on an innocent dreamy slumber after a wakeful night.

 

“In the middle of protests and elections in full swing through the early months of this semester, classes and studies took a major hit,” said a third year Political Science student at Kirori Mal College, retaining the request of anonymity. Truly, the cancelled classes are now being conjured up out of thin air, early in the mornings for an 8:50 session or later into the day— when exhaustion is a mutual feeling between the professors and students—  for a reckless 3:50 lecture.

Exams, you see, inspire some scares.

 

In the course of the exams, you can never laugh at the hysteria. It is a retrospective activity, to be fair. It is, as a third year English Honors student at Hindu said, when asked to share her hysterical exams stories, “Exams are hyperventilating! They become hysterical later.” Possibly no argument exists to refute this. Maybe the expectations that we have, or in some cases are imposed to have, go a long way in adding to this smothering nature of exams. “You have admitted yourself successfully in one of the most prestigious colleges in the nation. Did you think your work was over? You thought wrong,” said a professor of English Literature at Hindu College in a particularly scathing lecture in the first week of the new session.

 

Sometimes it so happens, that the standards we are expected to match and possibly, outmatch, are highly unreasonable. Like another friend studying Journalism from Delhi School of Journalism mentioned, “My teacher asked us to shoot a documentary in one day- 10am to 4:30pm was the time allotted for the same”. Maybe it is just this overburdened spirit that crumbles under unreasonable standards of intelligence enforced on us for being in the university.

 

But it is good to see some spirited victims of oppression retaining their merit through this grind. “I have two internals tomorrow, I’m just binge eating and crying…” said a third year Psychology student at Daulat Ram College. “Two assignment submissions, one core internal and one Generic Elective internal for tomorrow. Planning to doze off.” said another inspiring model of chill studying at Kirori Mal College.

 

Allowing the sharing of my own experience. I finished reading the wrong book a day before the exam. And then despite my quick reading habits— avoiding the retention or understanding of the content— I decided not to read the right book. I walked into my class the next day, sat for an internal unprepared totally, and ended up scoring a single digit on a 20-marker paper. I mean, that is better than a zero, at least.

 

An interesting subplot to the exams season is the trouble of attendance. Let us face it, the 67% mark is impossible to reach, let alone maintain. And then the problems with admit cards adding to our hysterical narrations later in the next semester. During exams, the most arbitrary engagement will appear most promising. Infinite no-thank-you’s to videos like “Cat reads chemistry” on YouTube for instance; killing time but teaching us to live the high life during exams.

 

I feel unpreparedness is an opportunity to explore our innovation, so we all know who is the winner.

 

Feature Image Credits: 1to1tutoringwithjoy

 

 

Kartik Chauhan

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DUB Speak

Study Hacks for Exams

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Time flies! And in what seems like the blink of an eye, the semester exams have, yet again, come knocking at the reluctant doors of students. Here are seven hacks to help you save this semester! 

 

Exams are an inevitable reality in students’ life, and although the effectiveness of the concept of examinations is debatable, there is but little we can do about them.

Having said that, here are a few hacks that will get you through this exam season.

  1. Begin studying: This seems to be a no-brainer. However, it is the most difficult step because often we are so caught up in procrastination, that we spend the day being anxious and get little or nothing done. Physically force yourself to study for five minutes, and it should be a smoother process from there.

 

  1. If you don’t feel like studying, ask your body why: When in a situation wherein you can’t seem to study, ask yourself the reason behind it. Often, it is elements like fatigue, an untidy study-space, information overload, or hunger that acts as a barrier. When your body tells you the reason, listen to it and take measures accordingly – be it a power-nap, tidying up, or a snack.

 

  1. Stay hydrated: Water is always a better option over caffeinated drinks, because the latter tends to make you jittery and restless. Accompanied by a snack, this will give you the little doses of energy that you require.

 

  1. Watch motivational videos: Studying for several hours may render you lifeless, and throw you into pits where you question your existence. But, there are motivational videos that could, possibly, bring back the enthusiasm.

 

 

 

  1. Try to change your place of study: Studying in the same corner may get a bit dull after a certain point. Think of sitting outdoors or on your balcony while reading texts, on the floors of the rarely-used guest bedroom while writing an assignment, and then getting back to your good-old-study-table eventually.

 

  1. Ask for help: If there are concepts that aren’t clear, don’t hesitate to ask your peers or teachers. Teachers should be able and willing to help, and on teaching you, your peers are revising their portions as well.

 

  1. Solve previous years’ question papers: There is a set pattern for the type of questions that are asked in an examination.
    Here’s the link to DU’s question papers: http://www.du.ac.in/du/index.php?page=academic-resources

We won’t say that exams aren’t important, because how society has it, they are. If you haven’t started studying yet, don’t panic and begin with it. If you put honest effort into it, a good score is waiting for you.

Best of luck!

Image credits: DU Beat

 

Maumil Mehraj

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Exams

All Nighters: Not Always the Best Option

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All-nighters are the quintessential package under the exam season fuss, but are it good for your health? We unravel this mystery.

All-nighters are something which has been an integral part of each and every college student’s life. The night revolving around cozy blankets or sturdy chairs and rounds of coffee to keep you alive, all in the shivers of the exam. All-nighters are usually something which students pull off before an exam, usually as a result of a vast syllabus which is to be covered. However, research shows that pulling an all-nighter before an exam, may not be the best option.

Pulling an all-nighter has a serious effect on your health. Past studies have shown that all-nighters affect the cognitive abilities majorly. It can cause distortion to your memory. And majorly impair the concentration and problem-solving abilities.  Besides, once the effect of the caffeine wears off, it leaves one very weary. Writing a three-hour examination requires the brain and the body to be susceptible to the pressure. Majority of those who tend to study all night have a probability of scoring lesser GPAs in comparison to their peers. So staying up all night may simply not be the best option!

Recent studies from a Swedish based research term also suggests that even one night of missed ‘snoozing’ or sleep may have a long-lasting effect on your genes. The study was reported back in 2015 by the group. It targeted studying the ‘clock’ genes, an integral part of the circadian rhythm which is found throughout the body. They act like tiny clocks which control and coordinate the internal body clock, in the muscle and adipose tissues. Every cell in your body contains its own circadian clock, and your hypothalamus acts as a master clock that keeps them all running in sync. When you stay up all day and all night, though, your signaling gets completely out of whack . That throws your cells’ circadian clocks out of sync, thereby making you feel a vague sense of nausea, fatigue, lassitude, sleepiness. The study suggests that a missed night of sleep is enough to throw our metabolism in a loop, risking us to prone obesity and diabetes.

Heena Garg, a second-year Literature student of Maitreyi College feels, “all-nighters leave you exhausted very often. But it is the exam blues which keep you awake, unable to sleep. You’re always wondering how much more of the syllabus is left to be covered, as there is just so much of it!”

Many experts also state that all-nighters affect the brain’s efficiency, which keeps reducing, each hour we deprive our body of sleep. One of the biggest tolls an all-nighter has is on our working memory. When we cram, our brain uses only short-term memory. To retain that information for a lengthier tie, we need to utilize our long-term memory. It is as simple as it is ‘information that comes in quick leaves just as quickly’. A heavy dosage of information in a short amount of time doesn’t allow the information to assimilate. Sleeping helps in the assimilation and memory consolidation. Our capacity to learn and memorize anything is the most effective in the morning time. This is when the peak cognitive efficiency is present. As you stay awake for longer hours, the brain’s efficiency reduces. The brain uses molecules called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which help it in burning fuels. The linger one stays awake, the more ATP is used; hence there is less to help metabolize energy.

Nikki Chaudhary, a second-year Literature student of Maitreyi College says, “Working or studying all night is something which is seen as quite an adventure to most of the young adults these days. Coffee and books go hand in hand for such individuals, who are unaware of the health deteriorating repercussions of this habit causing an imbalance in their routine cycle.”

The long-term dangers of all-nighters include the reduced learning and cognitive ability and increased likelihood of developing anxiety disorders. Other hazards include weight gain, an increased risk of diabetes, and potential brain damage. Despite the hazards attached to it, all-nighters became a choice which many time-crunched people make!

Hersh Dhillon, a second-year Computer Science student at IIT Ropar comments “I mainly pull all-nighters in or around exam time and sometimes on Fridays. Well, in retrospect I feel the exams in which I slept for a decent 5 hours are the ones I scored more at. Quite possibly because the exams I stayed up all night for were tougher. But yeah, this could well be a reason”

According to caffeineinformer.com, “Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance on the planet.” Almost 80% of the world uses caffeine. While being metabolized by the body caffeine has several well-documented positive effects on the body and its processes. Caffeine ensures alertness or wakefulness. This is achieved by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine signals the brain that it’s time for the body to slow down and sleep.

In order to ensure they are well awake, students are prone to abuse energy drinks, or at least regularly consume them, thereby affecting the sleep quality. Caffeine intake should be moderate and works best after a regular sleep routine. Drinks like coffee and energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster, Tzinga etc. may provide instant energy, but have deteriorating effects in the long run. Prolonged or improper use of these energy drinks may lead to headaches, palpitations, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset etc. A continuous streak of staying awake can lead to strokes or even loss of short-term memory.

Make a study schedule on what all you will cover before the exam day. It is always good to keep a mental note of it as well! Second, invest in short naps. If you plan to stay awake for really late, take a nap for at least 30 minutes so as to freshen up and then you can cover up what is left. In this manner, your brain can relax and assimilate the knowledge you just went through and you are ready for learning whatever is left to, without forgetting the previous one. When you sleep, the hippocampus replays what you’ve learned while you were awake.Dr. Charles Czeisler, chairman of the board of the National Sleep Foundation and chief of sleep medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital says, “No sleep, no long-term memory of those lessons.” Invest in eating dry fruits and baked snacks or roasted chana to keep the iron levels up and you energized throughout.

Hence, ensure you sleep nicely in between the exam season and have brain rich foods to ensure you pass with flying colours.

 For more information check out the link to this Youtube Video by Claudia Aguirre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqONk48l5vY

 

Feature Image credits: Medium

 Avnika Chhikara
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Exams

A letter to the Delhi Winters

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The winters are a terrible time when the exam clashes and you’re forced out of your comfortable blankets and cozy houses. Let us pray this winter won’t be so brutal to us whilst we study for our exams!

Dear Winters,

I can notice you’ve made your mind to enter the ‘Dilwaalo ki Dilli’ with grandeur. Sending gushes of chilly winds in the mornings and late nights, your arrival has made the winter equipment come back to life. In hurdles, the sweaters and blankets keep coming out in piles. Grandmother calls to ask whether we require goond and gaajarpak to ensure we stay alive. Mother ushers the help as they labour out laddoos, while all we are instructed to do is sit and study.

Your presence is felt on my study table. The wooden desk turning utterly cold. I eerily try to succumb to it, but no matter how many years of this practice we’ve had, the chills still get the worst of me! Thank you, to you, I’ll gain extra pounds while devouring the most wholesome meals of the year, being excused by everyone for the beastly appetite. I pray to you for not tempting me into divine slumbers, as I need every possible hour of the day to skim the books, the elixir of knowledge. Let me be wide awake before the examination day, let the teeth clutter and clatter but leave the mind functioning enough.

As I’d go to the examination center, I pray there isn’t much fog, even though an alternative wish is to disappear in the mist, than to face the fate of the papers. Let the woolen gloves on my hand leave me smitten like a kitten, I wish to not have frost bit hands as I have three hours ahead of me to faff. May you, in a decent attempt, try to be as pleasant as ever, on the days I step out of the house, with scarves and beret caps, to endure to the tale of losing an entire semester for nothing, but fun! May you please, please not try to slip from the crooks and crannies; my college has a lot of broken, un-shut windows. May you try your best possible, to not give any season blues. It is a musical choir of sneezing and coughs for a hundred and eighty minutes full. May you bring a percussion along, to distract the noise of the sharp clanking of the heeled foot apparel, with which the supervisor walks in pendulum motions here and there until she stops to read the answer script and wonder and wonder what’s there.

I’ve seen an idol of you, hung near the tea stall. There are days, when the chaiwaala bhaiya may call upon you, summon you, try all sorts of possible necromancy to lure you, but don’t get too tempted. There is a humanly limit to us glugging down hot ginger teas. You become the season ambassador for “hello friends’ chai peelo”, and as wonderful those few minutes are, we need to face the reality of the exams. Let us fight through your turbulent chills, as we have promised ourselves lots of leisure. Once you come, I wish you can go as soon as possible, but you don’t listen to me anymore. As I bid adieu to the gone summers, I reminisce the beautiful days. Winter is coming, winter is coming, and we need to face the harsh fate of it anyways.  I hope you will have a short visit, that is what you always promise, but you present to us pleasant sunshine and wide gardens to picnic on, so we present some affection from our side as well. It is hard to track your location as your address keeps changing. Now that you’ve come to Asia-Pacific, stay put!

Yours truly,

A DU student

 

Feature Image credits: Sky Met Weather

Avnika Chhikara
[email protected]

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