Yamuna’s water level exceeded the danger threshold and rose to an all-time high of 208.8 meters, flooding important regions and forcing the closure of schools and institutions around the city. The University of Delhi announced the postponement of exams on July 13, 2023, putting students into a tailspin of uncertainty.
On July 13, 2023, the Yamuna reached an all-time high water level of 208.8 meters, forcing floodwater to reach Civil Lines, Kashmere Gate, ITO, and numerous other places. Three to four water treatment facilities had to close as a result of the flooding, which caused an acute shortage of water in one-fourth of Delhi. The Delhi government also declared that all schools and institutions in flooded regions would be closed, leading to the theory exams scheduled on the 17th, 18th and 19th and practical exams scheduled on the 14th, 15th, and 16th being postponed.
By the decision taken by Delhi Disaster Management Authority on 13.07.2023 as communicated by the Press Release dt. 13.07.2023 of Raj Niwas, Delhi, the University shall remain closed w.e.f. 14.07.2023 to 16.07.2023. The examinations scheduled during this period stand postponed” – Read the notice released by the University
The notification was followed by numerous fake exam notices. A few of the messages included the cancellation of all exams and fake postponement dates. This created a great deal of confusion among students appearing for exams.
DU needs to reel in the problem of fake notices. It was getting out of hand especially for the exam postponement issues.” – Hiten Dalmia, a first year student of BSc.(H) Mathematics
There were other problems alongside the fraudulent notices. A few of the student areas also experienced flooding, locking individuals inside. A sub locality of Mukherjee Nagar named Hakikat Nagar was inundated with contaminated drain water, which caused a power outage and a subsequent water problem.
The entire place had a gutter-like odour. We had to stay in our apartment for extended power cuts and without water because we had nowhere else to go. Our parents were worried that we wouldn’t get sick from the area’s drain water. It was terrible.” -Rahul, a UPSC aspirant and a graduate
Hakikat Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar
Up until Sunday, the capital’s flooding problem, power outage, and water shortage persisted. The situation in these locations got better as the Yamuna’s level steadily dropped. But for students who will take examinations in the following weeks, this relief was quickly followed by a little shock. The new dates for the postponed exams were announced by the University of Delhi on Monday. This announcement was received with conflicting emotions. Some people enjoyed it since it gave them more time to study, others felt upset because their exam gaps shrunk, and yet others were outraged because they had to cancel their tickets and plans to return home for the holidays.
The new date sheet is worse. I have my exams on 25,26, 27, and 28. Four continuous exams. How am I supposed to study? I reach home by 2 pm and I have an exam the next day at 9 AM?” – Tisha, a first-year student of B.com. (H)
Some students said this postponement gave them extra time to study and cover-up.
As we know the momentum to study in college develops only a few days ago so for me this postponement was a blessing. I enjoyed this extra time too instead of studying but now I am back on track.” – Shreeya Ahuja, a first first-year student of Bcom. (P)
Not all of the issues stemmed from the decreasing gap. The majority of the outstation students have already purchased tickets to return to their home cities. Students were compelled to either change their plans or cancel and buy a new ticket later due to the extension of the theory exams until the second of August and the practical exams until the fifth of August. Some were forced to pay cancellation fees because they had no other choice; others were unable to purchase tickets and were left with no choice but to purchase a train ticket under the “Tatkal” category. Many students have PG and broker contracts that expire on July 31. Often, PG owners and landlords impose extra charges on students when they stay past their contracts – thus adding another expense to all students.
The repercussions of these changes in the examination schedule have caused several students inconvenience and financial problems, emphasising the need for better planning as well as an understanding of students’ circumstances in such situations.
DUSU launches ‘One Day DUSU President’s Scheme’ to foster leadership skills and provide a platform to students. Under the scheme students from the varsity will get to head the students’ body for a day.
The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) on Monday, July 10th, announced a ‘One Day DUSU President’s Scheme’ under which the students from the varsity will get to head the students’ body for a day. The programme was announced at a Student Leader’s Meet, organised by DUSU on the occasion of National Student’s Day.
Students will have a unique opportunity to serve as DUSU president for a day under the scheme, which requires students to fill out a Google form, indicating their leadership skills in various sectors, including sports, academics, environment, art and culture, among others. Photos and videos must be attached with their respective projects as proof. The review of the application, shortlisting of candidates, and the final interview will be done by the Executive Council. During the interview, the candidates can discuss projects, showcase their abilities as well as present their vision.
After the evaluation by the Executive Council, the selected students will be publicly announced by the Council, recognising their leadership skills and contributions. The initiative is aimed at fostering and encouraging leadership skills and participation and provides a platform for students to contribute to the decision-making process within the university.
Student leaders play a crucial role in continuing the great legacy of DUSU leaders who have spearheaded student movements and served as inspirations for youth in India today. We hereby launch the One Day DUSU President scheme to give a platform to common students and our aspiring leaders to head the students’ union. The responsibility of student leaders is to lead by example and contribute to the betterment of society,”
A collection of poems, ‘Kyun-Dastan Khoj ki’ by author Suraj Singh discusses fundamental aspects of life ranging from wealth to love and friendship. Read on to learn more.
‘Kyun?- Daastan Khoj Ki’ is a thought-provoking book that delves into the profound question of “why” and its significance in our lives. With a target audience of young adults, college students, and university goers, the book aims to inspire and guide readers as they navigate their aspirational goals and explore the depths of their curiosities.
The book’s investigation of the “why” question is one of its central themes. Although, it encourages readers to contemplate the reasons behind the major aspects of life, invites them to embark on a journey of self-discovery and understanding. And challenges them to seek answers, unravel mysteries, and find their own unique perspectives. The book severely suffers from a lack of coherence and thematic consistency. The poems seem disconnected and randomly placed, making it difficult for readers to find a unifying thread or sense of purpose throughout the collection. The absence of a strong thematic foundation leaves the reader feeling disjointed and disengaged, preventing any meaningful connection with the poetry.
The author, Sooraj Singh, a recent graduate of Hindu College, University of Delhi has demonstrated a empathetic understanding of the target audience, recognizing their aspirations, dreams, and challenges in the book. Through his poems, he aims to inspire and motivate young individuals to question, explore, and pursue their passions.
Additionally, Singh tries to spark readers’ curiosity by incorporating the “why” question throughout the book. This is done in the hopes that the readers’ future endeavors will be guided and shaped by their curiosity. Often times, though, these lines come out as unoriginal and overused, lacking the inventive wording and novel analogies that make poetry engrossing.
In conclusion, “Kyun Dastan Khoj Ki” by Suraj Singh is a good read for those who enjoy contemplating profound questions and exploring certain aspects of philosophy, but is not recommended for those who are seeking an impactful exploration of Thematically-rich Hindi poetry.
Over the last decade streaming has changed the industry, some for the good and some for the bad. But its current model isn’t entirely sustainable.
On 16th February 2012, a show called Lilyhammer was launched on Netflix, becoming the first original series to stream on the service. Back then the number of subscribers Netflix had was reportedly 23 million. As of the first quarter of 2023, the number had jumped to 232.5 million. An increasing number of streaming platforms have emerged since then, taking over the industry, like Amazon Prime Video(reported to have more than 200 million subscribers in 2021), Apple TV+ (25 million subscribers as of March 2022) and Disney+ (157.8 million subscribers as in the second quarter of 2023). Now, you didn’t have to for a week to watch the next episode of your favourite at the preordained time of the telecast. You could now watch while travelling to work on a metro or even while taking the dump. And who wouldn’t take that bargain.
This shift within the industry happening for years now was only accelerated by the COVID-19 lockdown, with studios pivoting towards streaming. Hunkered in their houses, all people could go was bake endless loafs of sourdough or binge The Queen’s Gambit(that is when they were not binging any other show with royalty in its title-The Tiger King or The Crown). Even after the reopening of movie-theatres, the focus has remained on streaming, with many films including the The Fabelsman and Glass Onion, getting limited theatrical release before being made available online. It’s effects are a mixture of good and bad for the creatives. While it has gotten harder to commission content, these services do back up projects that perhaps would not have been picked by the traditional networks and studios, including the wide range of foreign-language TV and movie that are starting to get more global attention. This period of rise in streaming also heralded the era of Peak TV, where viewers were inundated with artisanal and critically acclaimed programming. The number of originally scripted stories exploded from 210 in 2009 to 599 in 2022. But it was a bubble that was bound to burst and now has.
In April 2022, Netflix announced that it had lost subscribers. The recent downturn in the media has forced streamers to cut back on the spending and turn a profit. They have thrown out entire series from their libraries and some have even cancelled shows that had finished productions on entire seasons. And the effects on the creative labour has been damaging.
On April 18 this year, 97.8% of the members of the Writers Guild of America voted to go on strike if they failed to reach a satisfactory agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. On May 2, 2023 the members of the guild started picketing at 1:00 pm. The main issues raised in the strike are of diminishing residuals, fewer number of writers in the room and fear of being replaced by AI.
The rise of streaming has led creation of mini-rooms where fewer number of writers are employed for shorter durations, eviscerating chances for writers to make a steady living by working on a show. It has also reduced the opportunities available to younger and newer talent to gain experience. It has alarmed the creatives further with reduction of residuals over the years. As streamers have grown, the residuals have fallen. While they are still paid residuals, they are incomparable to the ones they receive from TV channels. Sean Collins Smith, a writer for Chicago P.D, while talking to NPR said,
“I mean, my show on streaming, if I got a residual check for that-I’m not even kidding-it might be $5, $50, $100 if that.”
Despite it all, streaming also led to some of biggest strides in the industry, giving a platform to diverse and newer voices, that used to get drowned out by the old status quo. The solution to the problems created by streaming cannot be to go back to old ways despite how much the older established artists might like to throw around the term “back in our day” before regaling about the “glory days”. But the streaming model being followed right now is clearly unsustainable. The writer’s strike has been going on for 2 months now and is showing no sign of stopping. In June, more than 300+ members of SAG-AFTRA, including A-listers such as Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence, in a letter to union leadership said that they were ready to strike if a “transformative deal” was reached.
Julie Plec, creator of The Vampire Diaries, told Vulture,
“It’s not like just returning to the old status quo is the answer. We’re at the center of the tornado right now, and it seems like it’s whipping all around us, and I don’t think anybody really understands how to make it stop.”
An ultra-rich backdrop, razor sharp dialogue, and stellar acting is what makes Succession the gold standard for television right now.
Jesse Armstrong’s multiple-Emmy winning series has a deceptively simple premise – the patriarch of media conglomerate Waystar RoyCo is ageing and must choose an heir to his business empire. Thus, the stage is set for an endless game of musical chairs between his children for the throne – power-hungry Kendall, derisive Roman, politically-savvy Shiv and estranged oldest son Connor. Power-struggles, corporate backstabbing and constant plotting ensues between the siblings and a host of well-fleshed out and complicated side characters who form the heart of the show throughout its four-season run.
Succession’s portrayal of the wealthy and influential is both captivating and horrifying. ‘Multi-faceted’ is one way to describe the narcissistic and money-obsessed characters who reek of upper-class privilege and can manipulate the course of the nation as per their whims and fancies. Yet, despite the absolutely vile character arcs, it is impossible not to root for them in their achingly-tender moments of humanity. This is a testament to the masterclass in acting done by the ensemble of actors who deliver the show’s signature sharp and biting dialogue to perfection. There is something revolting yet fascinating in the obscene, and hilariously vulgar lines.
Besides the personal narratives of each character, the show also provides insightful commentary on wider social issues such as influence of media and technology on society, politics, culture, and identity. It calls out the power-mongering and under the table lifestyle of the luxurious. Familial influences and power structures dictate the living of the top 1%. This adds a fresh layer of analysis to the already complex individual storylines, making the show a wonderful mix of satire and insight on capitalism and American corporatism.
Exceptional locations, cinematography, background scores and production value – the hits keep coming. The glorious theme song (this plays in my head 24/7 on repeat) and opening credits hook you in for a wildly funny, tragic and jaw-dropping ride. The music perfectly captures the mood of the show – sinister, dark and greedy but whimsical when need be. Another standout is the work of the costumes department. The lack of ostentatious displays of wealthy but quiet luxury at its finest where a single cap costs millions of dollars is an absolute stroke of genius. The symbols of wealth like the fleet of black SUVs, the helicopters, the elaborate real estate and the constant entourage just add to the sensory delight of the show.
Succession is a much watch for fans of pitch-black comedy and suspense. It is a gift that keeps giving and the fascinating character-driven plot keeps you hooked despite your utter disgust for the characters. After all, the ultimate question remains – who shall be the successor and nab the top job?
Come for the family and corporate intrigue, stay for the absolute finest filmmaking seen in recent times. Be right back, going to make Nicholas Britell’s Succession theme song my new ringtone.
To mark the closing of the University of Delhi’s centenary celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation of three new buildings. The event was broadcast live throughout all DU campuses via screens installed in staff rooms, auditoriums, and other locations, with some colleges issuing guidelines related to attendance and also imposing dress code restrictions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the closing ceremony of DU’s centenary celebration as the Chief Guest and virtually laid the foundation of three new buildings: Delhi University’s Computer Centre, Faculty of Technology, and Academic Block. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also attended the event as the Chief Guest. The event, which took place from 11 AM to 1 PM, was broadcast live in almost all DU colleges via screens installed in staff rooms, libraries, auditoriums, etc. Several DU colleges released guidelines for their students, including guidelines regarding compulsory attendance, dress code, extra attendance to attendees, etc.
Participation in the event was declared mandatory in a notification issued at BR Ambedkar College, whilst a notification released at Zakir Hussain College said that the signatures of all the attendees will be sent to the university, adding that it’s being done at DU’s behest. Meanwhile, Professors at Hindu College sent students a WhatsApp message promising 5 extra days of attendance as a benefit for their participation in the event. Additionally, the message aims at encouraging students not to wear black clothes.
Several faculty members and students criticized these guidelines on social media. In an article by The Print, Abhigyan, a student of DU, said “Promising grades and attendance have become a regular event in DU. Similar promises related to extra marks in elective subjects for students who participate in yoga day were made.”
The Zakir Hussain College notification, asking all faculty members to turn up by 9 AM reads, “As per the directions of the University of Delhi all staff members other than the newly appointed teachers who are physically present at the multipurpose hall, University of Delhi, are mandatorily required to remain present in the college library to view the valedictory function of the centenary celebrations.”
Concerning the message, The Print contacted Hindu College Principal Anju Srivastav. She said “The administration’s message had been misunderstood, and there was no restriction on the color of clothes. It is not possible to give students extra attendance. However, we would like to see all students and staff turn up for the screening. We only wanted to send the message across that it is a regular working day and students have to come to college.”
Various student Unions criticized the release of these guidelines. SFI released a statement expressing strong criticism about certain notices released by several colleges about the valedictory ceremony. The message read “It is absolutely condemnable for any college to be releasing such dictatorial directives. If making the presence of all students mandatory for the live screening of the event was not exasperating enough, the admin has also asked students to not wear any black dress! It is preposterous that the college and university administration will go to any lengths to curb all sorts of dissent in our educational spaces. In addition to it, baiting students with five attendances in such a manner speaks volumes about the ‘serious’ approach adopted by institutions like Delhi University towards imparting sound, meaningful education to its students.”
Recently, headlines of the NIRF ranking started circulating in print and social media, sparking a discussion over the credibility of this ranking framework. Some of the most well-known allegations levelled against the legitimacy of this evaluating mechanism include data manipulation, corruption, and a lack of transparency. But are concerns like data manipulation and transparency the sole reasons, or are there flaws in the ranking framework’s entire methodology?
National Institutional Ranking Framework(NIRF) is a national-level government institution ranking system that was approved by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and launched on 29th September 2015. This ranking outlines a methodology drawn from overall recommendations and a broad understanding arrived at by a core committee set up by MHRD. For the last 7 years, Miranda House has been ranked as the best college in India. Almost every year, at least 5 colleges of the University of Delhi appear in the top 10 of the NIRF ranking.
The most heated discussion in student groups on the credibility of the NIRF ranking starts when a south campus college emerges in the top 10. With little focus on the ceilings of their college rooms, which frequently visit the classroom floor, which helped the college obtain 10th position last year and 9th this year.
-A student of Kirori Mal College
NIRF PARAMETERS EXPLAINED VIA FLOW CHART Image Credits: Quora
The NIRF ranking primarily ranks institutions based on five major parameters. Each parameter shares a separate weightage. The most alarming aspect of these metrics is that academic achievement of a college is given 80% weightage, which includes Teaching, Learning & Resources, Research & Professional practice, and Graduation outcome, while Inclusivity and Public Perception are given 10% weightage, each. When you look closely at the sub-parameters of each parameter, you will notice that the majority of the criteria that should be regarded as crucial for any public institute are either absent or there for the sake of being included there.
Investment in education has declined significantly in recent years. This reduces the budget that a college is granted each year, forcing institutions to seek alternative funding sources. Utilization of even granted funds is challenging for a government institute, forcing educational institutions to raise funding from private corporations to continue providing students with basic amenities and to preserve their reputation and status. So, if you look very carefully at everything, you will see a close connection between every little thing. NIRF is nothing more than a key to the systematic privatization of public institutions.
-Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor, Department of English, Kirori Mal College
In terms of data fabrication, one subparameter of Teaching, Learning, and Resources (TLR) is one of the most disputed. The student strength subparameter in the year 2022 ranking is what drew attention to this problem.
Amid the admission of the fresh batch after the cancellation of class 12th boards in 2021, headlines and reports of over-admission in DU began to circulate. Hindu College was one of the most hit, with 146 students admitted to B.A. (H) Political Science, a subject with a sanctioned capacity of 49 seats. Even with such a large admission intake, Hindu College maintained the same score in the student strength metric, which is computed based on the number of students accepted to the sanctioned allowed intake. Similar trends can be observed in SRCC, Miranda House, IP College, and many other DU colleges.
(Score out of 20)
2023
2022
2021
2020
Miranda House
18
18
16
16
SRCC
14
12
12
12
Hindu College
16
16
16
16
IP
14.53
14.60
12.59
12.73
Many argued that the score stayed constant since there was little variation in overall strength. However, it is more concerning that the score was balanced by over-admissions in a few courses and under-admissions in others. Such cases concern the quality of education of such institutions. Not just over-admission, but also under-admission, has an impact on the quality and choice of subjects, particularly for Honors degree students, who are obliged to study what is given or subjects towards the bottom of their preference triangle, as their options for DSE decline with low student strength.
Almost all DU institutions are equally inundated, yet the finger is pointed at the legitimacy of the ranking when a south campus college enters the top 10.
I remember opening my class’s unofficial group, which was flooded with 120+ messages. My classmates were discussing how ARSD could be in the top ten when north campus colleges like SRCC and Stephan’s are ranked 11 and 14, respectively. They don’t care about their institution’s rating, which isn’t even in the top 50, but they doubt the ranking of another college just because it isn’t on the north campus?
-A student of Ramjas College
The divide between the North and South campuses of Delhi University (DU) is largely rooted in the University’s historical development and the initial establishment of its colleges. North campus, being one of DU’s oldest, has an extended history and is home to some of the most prominent and known colleges. This historical advantage has contributed to the idea that North campus institutions perform better or have a higher standing than South campus colleges.
The presence of notable alumni from North campus universities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Naveen Patnaik, Manoj Bajpayee, Nimrat Kaur, Amitav Ghosh, and many more build up the belief that these colleges are more prominent. These graduates have achieved significant success in a variety of disciplines, including acting, politics, and writing, adding to the North campus institutions’ history and reputation. The establishment of DU’s South campus, on the other hand, is relatively newer than that of the North campus. South campus colleges emerged and developed in response to Delhi’s expanding demand for higher education and the necessity for new academic institutions. As a result, the South campus lacks the long-established history and the same roster of famous alumni that the North campus possesses”
To some extent, the idea that South campus colleges are questioned or seen as inferior is probably related to this lack of historical significance and a smaller number of noteworthy alumni. It is crucial to highlight, however, that this notion does not always represent the quality of education or the potential for success of students attending South campus universities. Academic standards, staff expertise, and learning and growth opportunities might differ amongst institutions on both the North and South campuses. ARSD has one of the top science faculties at DU, as well as better infrastructure than north campus colleges such as Kirori Mal, Hansraj, and Ramjas.
“It is ironic that institutions are obsessing so anxiously about their ranks when they themselves advise students not to worry about marks and the rat(e) race and focus instead on learning”
-Prof Anurag Mehra, Head of Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay in an article in NDTV
Prof Mehra in his article, “The Far From Magnificent Obsession with Ranks at IITs,” mainly addresses the ranking structure in the context of IITs, but he also critiques the methodology’s two fundamental parameters, “Research and Professional Practice” and “Graduation Outcome.” Professor Mehra writes:
“Having more teachers does not necessarily mean that teaching is better, or that the teachers are good. Having a larger fraction of students graduating does not imply that their degree is truly worth something. It can also imply that the university has set very low standards to pass students. Publishing more papers does not tell us much about the quality of research. In fact, the correlation can sometimes be inverse. Too many publications may suggest a lot of incremental work, while fewer papers may signal that these have something significant to say. A very impactful paper will have many citations but a large number of citations does not imply that a paper is great. This is because research communities have a spread across quality and we often have a situation where a large amount of mediocre, incremental research simply cites similar research. In metrics-based calculations, an institution that publishes a large number of low-quality papers will almost always win against one that publishes a few high-quality papers.
The focus of NIRF parameters on quantity rather than quality is one of the most alarming shortcomings and the strongest point that strengthens the foundation of questioning the legitimacy of this ranking framework system.
The vast majority of articles criticizing the reliability of NIRF focus on these three metrics, with some also focussing on the “Peer Perception” criterion. There is little to no discussion of NIRF’s worst-framed parameter, “Outreach and Inclusivity.” One of the reasons that even critics of this ranking fail to address the Outreach and Inclusivity parameter is a lack of awareness in their age group. The most vocal critics of NIRF are senior professors who have little to no knowledge of queer issues, women’s issues, or racism experienced by northeast and south students. The same is true for those who developed the ranking system.
The issue is that people who design these parameters are individuals who have been conditioned to sound inclusive.
-Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor, Department of English, Kirori Mal College
The Outreach and Inclusivity parameter, which receives only 10% of the weightage, is divided into four sub-parameters: the percentage of students from other states/countries, the percentage of women, the percentage of economically and socially challenged students, and facilities for Physically Challenged Students.
It is evident that a women’s colleges will receive full marks in the percentage of women subparameter even if the institution fails to offer a secure environment for them, even in an all women’s college. Whether it’s the Diwali Mela last year in Miranda or the Reveri Fest night in Gargi in 2020. Even after many complaints and CCTV recordings, they still fail to provide justice to the women of these colleges.
-A student of Gargi College
The fact that there are no parameters or subparameters related to campus safety and sexual harassment laws reflects the government’s and institutions’ incompetence. Even after multiple instances of men scaling the walls of DU colleges, the administration has consistently failed to provide justice and safety, and if students at India’s top colleges are not safe from such harassment from both outsiders and college administration, one can only speculate what students at the lowest-ranked colleges can expect.
The fight for DU’s queer students is far away from over. There are queer collectives at a lot of DU’s colleges, but all except one are unofficial and are not recognized by the college. Homophobia and transphobia are quite frequent on campus, and the college administration’s failure to address the issue leaves queer students with little choice but to seek refuge in these spaces for their safety. Miranda House is the only college in Delhi University with an official Queer Collective.
I’d say Miranda House’s QC is one of the most inactive in the entire DU circuit. Other colleges’ unofficial QCs are more active. It seems that involving the administration makes it harder to get stuff done. However, during the NAAC visit, it is depicted in such a way that the administration is doing all possible to help this community through this society.
-A student of Miranda House
Not only that, but the DU college administration exploits this one sub-parameter as a subject to get marks without having to study. Even though the colleges fail to provide basic amenities, the majority of DU’s colleges in the top 50 have a score of 20 out of 20 in facilities for Physically Challenged Students.
Our college’s science block does not have a lift and a ramp to access the science block from the main block. Just days before the NAAC visit, the Centre for Disability, Research, and Training was allotted a room, which can be found at the other end of the college near the hostel. Most PwD students find it challenging to gain access to that room on their own.
-Aarish Gazi, Kirori Mal College
One of the most shocking revelations can be seen in the Economic and Socially Backward Students category, which is calculated on the number of UG students who receive a complete tuition fee waiver. Most DU colleges have a score of less than 3 out of 20, and their scores have fallen after the implementation of CUET. This raises questions about the diversity of students from various economic and social backgrounds at public universities such as DU.
One of the most difficult issues in ranking systems is the addition of subjective criteria such as “perception” or reputation, which is also a NIRF ranking parameter. While it attempts to include qualitative factors, perception may also be impacted or controlled. Institutions might intentionally choose survey participants or engage in other practices to artificially boost their reputation. This might lead to a distorted perception that does not correspond to the institution’s true quality or originality.
The most important question that arises is: Who is the target audience of these frameworks? Is the government listening to them in coming up with solutions that can bring most (if not all) higher education institutions on the same page? Undoubtedly, it is a matter of celebration for the institutions leading the ranks, but the precarity of the scenario that this NIRF presents also needs immediate consideration and effective action.
-Kaibalyapati Mishra, Junior Research Fellow, Centre for Economic Studies & Policy, Institute for Social & Economic Change, Bangalore, and Krishna Raj, professor of economics, Centre for Economic Studies & Policy, Institute for Social & Economic Change, Bangalore in an article in DownToEarth
In conclusion, rankings often focus on the overall institutional level, which may not represent variations in performance between individual departments, programs, or disciplines within an institution. University systems are complicated, with several departments and programs, each with its own set of strengths and areas of specialization. These accomplishments may be underrepresented in the overall institutional ranking. Institutional rankings frequently prioritize quantitative measures such as research output, faculty-to-student ratios, or funding, which can create an environment that encourages institutions to prioritize these metrics over broader educational goals such as fostering critical thinking, creativity, and personal development. This discrepancy can result in a gap between the ideals that institutions proclaim and the measures that they prioritize.
However, it is worth noting that rankings might be useful in offering an overall assessment of institutional quality and repute. They can help prospective students, researchers, and employers collect preliminary information and make well-informed judgments. Rankings may also serve as a benchmark for colleges to evaluate their performance and identify areas for improvement. Along with their pursuit of rankings, colleges should prioritize a student-centered approach that supports genuine learning, personal growth, and the development of critical skills. By doing so, they could deliver a more balanced and meaningful educational experience for their students.
Trigger Warning – Sensitive content with mentions of Rape and Abuse
On 3 May 2023, an ethnic clash erupted in India’s north-eastern state of Manipur between the Meitei people, the majority of whom live in the Imphal Valley, and the tribal group hill areas, which includes the Kuki and Zo peoples. Many houses and vehicles were burned while many people are forced to leave their homes with their livelihoods destroyed.
As the ethnic hostilities in Manipur enter their second month, the situation is far from normal. The state is still experiencing violence and terror, with over 50,000 people driven out and 100 people dead. The state, which was once known as the ‘jewel of India’ because of its stunning beauty and beautiful environment, is now making headlines due to the Hill-Valley Divide. Crimes against humanity are on the rise, with people getting targeted purely on the basis of their identity, with no fault of their own.
In times of turmoil, there is also a spark in protests, candle marches, and awareness campaigns about the issue. Such efforts are particularly undertaken by the youth and student community, who are consistently attempting to raise knowledge about the issue.
Thousands of such students from the north eastern states attend Delhi University, and the city itself is home to many others who travel in pursuit of a better life and possibilities. With rising atrocities back at the home state, people here in Delhi are also at a greater risk of attack.
One such instance happened in May 2023.
A group of Kuki students were followed and attacked by a group of 30 other students who identified themselves as belonging to Meitei community.
–according to source
Students from both communities have expressed similar safety worries, leading to a number of peaceful protests in Delhi. These gatherings are intended to provide a safe setting for students to discuss their traumas and experiences, as well as connect with the entire Delhi University circle in order to obtain additional support and aid as needed.
As a result, it’s vital that we give safe platform to these students so that they can share their voices and also raise awareness. While one might search up political data, lookup the main cause of the entire issue on the internet, but this is Manipur Violence from the perspective of those who have experienced the horror firsthand.
This is about their journey and individual experiences.
I’ve been preparing for UPSC for the last two years; I was set to give the paper this time. When the clashes happened, I came to Delhi as it was my center for exams. But I was constantly worried about my family and people who were back at home. I couldn’t sleep the night before my exam. Just hours later, I received the message from our villagers, that they failed to defend our village. When we left our village we did not even take a blanket, our cattle was still there, we had hopes of returning some day! But I missed my UPSC paper while my home was burned down in Manipur
– A former student of Delhi University and a native of Manipur.
We were able to identify numerous issues through our talks with Manipuri students. It also gives rise to many questions in our mind regarding the whole situation. We tackled these curiosities during our conversation.
To begin, know that the entire northeast India is not a demographically and ethnically homogenous region, it has its own fair share of differences and diversity.
Just like north India has Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, is it possible to club them to one? The answer is no. In the same way north east cannot be clubbed together as one. The culture, the food, the language and art of every state differs greatly in the north eastern region too. People since years have been making the mistake of generalizing all the states making assumptions on how we look
– A post graduate Manipuri student from DU.
It was also revealed that ethnic discrimination, scams and derogatory name-calling are also rampant in Delhi.
Rickshwalas used to quote a higher price than the common pricing when I was new to the city. They think I’m a foreigner who doesn’t speak the language because of my appearance, so they can simply cheat me. I learned to ignore it over time, but such treatment makes us feel different in our own nation.
– A fresher from the state of Manipur.
People are always surprised with my fluency in Hindi, and because I don’t have typical features that usually north-east Indians have, people again find it hard to believe that I come from North-east region.
– A student from Assam.
Hearing such incidents reveals how deeply rooted this mistreatment is in our ideas and behaviour. Furthermore, these students suggested to their friends that removing assumptions and bias and just asking questions about their state and culture is an excellent way to help people feel at ease rather than striking up dialogues that are full of assumptions.
Secondly, it is crucial to understand and know how the various communities interacted in the state of Manipur. What, for example, triggered this abrupt violence and the divide between two populations that had previously coexisted peacefully? Or is this simply the culmination of the separation and discrimination that existed between the two tribes?
We got conflicting answers for this – It can be observed that some people reminisce about the peace and harmony they shared in their daily lives while others locate us to the issues simmering on the back burner.
We mingle together but there was always some kind of divide that I felt while growing up, this was specially in the case of language for me.
– A first year Manipuri student from DU.
The source emphasized in this conversation how language was a big issue because kids in Manipur had to learn many languages including their mother tongue, Hindi, English, and in certain cases Manipuri if that was not spoken by their tribe. The students describe it as a “pressure that they had to deal with their entire primary school life.”
We were always proud of the unity shared between the two communities, in school we would dress up in our traditional attires and celebrate each other’s festivals, It was something we cherished. After the violence started, it created gaps in our personal bonds as well. My friend from the other community, we don’t even talk these days. It is definitely different now. I don’t know if it will ever be like old days.
– A research student from DU.
This discourse, on the other hand, provides a viewpoint of ‘unity in variety,’ in which some people cherished their shared culture and customs by not letting their differences infiltrate. However, the fallout of the ethnic confrontations has disrupted the formerly shared unity. At this point, one could ask if life will ever return to normal in either of these communities, or if the conflict will leave its terrible imprint.
When it comes to the clash, ever since the ethnic riots began, there have been new concerns among both populations and the students we questioned discussed how the word used to describe them is not only offensive but rather an “attack on their identity,” as one source put it.
For instance, Kuki students expressed their displeasure with the harsh labels being used to describe them – including ‘illegal immigrants’ and ‘armed terrorists’.
My grandfather and father served in the Indian army; they are very much Indian and love their country, but they are now being targeted as foreigners and asked to leave the state.
– a former student of DU.
Such anecdotes make one wonder if terms like ‘Illegal immigrants’, ‘terrorists’ and ‘outsiders’ should be used loosely in extremely sensitive situations like this one or if questions of citizenship supersede considerations of humanity and respect towards communities?
Not only students, but intellectuals all around the country, have been arguing against the injustice of using such labels against a group. There has been recent news of illegal migration into the states of Manipur and Assam from neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar, but students believe that this issue should be handled cautiously rather than aggressively. Meanwhile, the government can create preparations to protect its national interests and borders, but we must all be mindful of the language we use to communicate with one another.
While people are being target solely on the basis of their identity, crimes against Women and children are also rising, and thousands are being driven from their homes. There is no bitterness between Kuki and Meitei students in any of our talks with them. Everyone wants solutions to their problems and for this mayhem to end. Nevertheless, what we noticed was that they cared most for the lives of innocent people.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back to the place where so many were murdered. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive.
– A student from Manipur
The education of the children is at risk and even those who are unaffected and safe are under emotional stress as a result of what they see on the news every day. I have no harsh thoughts towards my friends from the other community, but I’m concerned about what will happen if the situation does not change.
– A student from the north-eastern community.
This section of our discussions gets us to a place where we all reflect on how the differences have taken a nasty turn, and there is now a larger concern about implications of these fights. The once insignificant division has now penetrated people’s lives, hurting not just their livelihoods including safety and education, but also their mental health. Trauma and fear are significant obstacles that many people are still unable to overcome.
Previously, seeing someone from my state gave me a sense of familiarity and comfort, but now I’m not sure if the stranger I’m gazing at is from my community or not. I’m worried about my safety. Now, there’s a sense of fear.
– a fresher from DU.
While Manipur continues to seek hope and peace, Manipuri students are dissatisfied with how the mainstream media has failed to report the situation fairly and how many people have remained silent on the subject. They are concerned that the false narratives disseminated by the media channels will worsen the situation. Not only this, but also sharing information which is not based on facts is harmful to both the communities. Anyone on the internet searching and reading on this subject has to use the sources very wisely. ‘Misinformation is our biggest enemy in such times’, as stated by one of the students.
We have been organizing peace talks and discussions in the campus regarding the issue and I also frequently post on social media which I feel is very important to do in order to educate people who don’t know what is going on in Manipur. For all outsiders – We don’t want you to be ignorant about the issue. What we need the most right now is to support us and listen to us. Simply reaching out to and making an effort to understand the situation will help us a lot.
– a post-graduate Manipuri student from DU.
Land, demography, the fight for ST status, development inequity, and the complexity of who is truly on the receiving end are all issues that have multiple answers. There’s a Kuki and a Meitei version!
We don’t know what will happen next, but there’s a lot more at stake than just land: personal relationships, lives, scenic beauty, resources, the economy, and, most importantly, humanity. Regardless of differences, what everyone shares is a sense of hope and the need for peace. History has shown that in times of crisis, kindness has always helped people endure the storm. Whether it’s the Covid-19 pandemic, or one of the world’s great conflicts, a natural disaster – there are always episodes of kindness and humanity that have made a difference. This is similar to the efforts of students who exemplify the optimism that Manipur requires right now!
This was Manipur’s chapter through the eyes of students, as they simply wish to raise more awareness and have hopes to end this chaos and heal from this harsh experience.
A 19-year-old student from the University of Delhi was allegedly stabbed to death outside of Aryabhatta College.
On Sunday, in front of Aryabhatta College in South Campus, a 19-year-old Delhi University student, named Nikhil Chauhan, was allegedly stabbed to death. A week ago, one of the accused had allegedly harassed a woman friend of the victim, to which he had objected, said a senior police officer in conversation with The Hindu.
On Sunday, around 12:30 pm, the key accused and three of his accomplices met with Nikhil outside the College and stabbed him in the chest, the police stated. He was later rushed to the Charak Palika Hospital, where he was declared dead. CCTV footage has surfaced online, which, captured near the college, purportedly showed the accused escaping on scooters and a bike.
While talking to The Hindu, Nikhil’s father had this to say
We deserve justice, this is not what we send our children to school for.” He further stated, “I received a call at 12 p.m. that Nikhil has been injured, I rushed to the hospital, but by the time I reached, he passed away.”
The victim, who has been survived by his two brothers and parents who live in West Delhi’s Paschim Vihar, worked as a part-time model. His parents have said that he loved modelling and acting, taking part in many competitions in the city.
My son was also into modelling. He told me that he also wants to study political science to have vast knowledge about our country. He had a bright future. We don’t know what to do now,”
– said Mr Chauhan.
A case under IPC 302(murder) has been registered and an investigation is ongoing to apprehend the accused-who have been identified, the police have said.
“It is very unfortunate and sad that a young life has been lost and that also just outside the college where students come to learn and make career.” said a Delhi University spokesperson in a statement to The Hindu.
Delhi University’s East Campus to be ready by 2026 in Surajmal Vihar, to aid better administration, create more opportunities for higher education and introducing more law programmes. The construction work would begin within the next eight months, said VC, Delhi University.
The Vice Chancellor of Delhi University, Yogesh Singh, on Friday revealed the commencement of construction
work of the East Campus of Delhi University, adding that the work would begin next year with an aim to have the new East Campus ready in Surajmal Vihar by 2026. He says that the Delhi University plans to spend Rs 1718 crore on revamping the entire infrastructure of the university over the next few years.
The University of Delhi currently has two college campuses under it’s aegis–the North and the South Campus. The proposal for expansion were first brought up in December, 2020, when the then pro-vice-chancellor PC Joshi informed about prospects of development of a campus in East Delhi in a bid to reduce the administrative burden on the existing two campuses and also to give way to more opportunities for higher education.
This news elicited a positive response, especially from DU colleges located in East Delhi.
“We have to send someone to the North campus for some administrative work almost daily. Our students also have to travel all the way to the North campus for any grievance. It becomes even more difficult for us to coordinate during examination or admissions. Things will become really easier for us if we get a campus in Surajmal Vihar.”said Payal Mago, principal of Shaheed Rajguru College in Vasundhara Enclave.”
The Delhi University had also planned the establishment of a West Campus in Roshanpura, near Najafgarh, to cater to student coming from rural Delhi and Haryana. However, the VC responded that at present, there are no plans for the construction of a West Campus. With regards to the construction of the East Campus, Mr Singh, in conversation with the Press Trust of India, stated that,
“The construction of the East Campus will be begin in the next eight months. The process is underway. We have applied for funding with the Government of India”
The Vice Chancellor also relays the pertinence of having constructed a new campus by highlighting how it would help manage administrative work, introduce new courses and expand across the city. He laid heavy focus on their aim of launching law programmes in the new campus and incentivizing entrepreneurship.
“There are over 100 unicorns in the country today. We need to provide space to help students, faculty and alumni to come up with ideas,” said Mr. Singh (The Hindu).
