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World Cup Hero Detained by Stephen’s

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It has been known since decades that St. Stephen’s College is a very unique college in campus, and that it follows its own rules and has always remained very set in its ideas. There is no denying the fact that it is one of the most sought after college in Delhi University, but it is also true that it has the image of being quite fixed in its ideologies.

This comes very evidently to us today after Unmukt Chand captain of India’s under 19 side, who just brought the country great pride by winning the world cup and hitting a 111 runs in the final match was detained by his college for low attendance. A student who should have been given great honour for his remarkable performance in the World Cup was shown a chit of no promotion in college shortly after he returned. Earlier also, Unmukt, a student of BA Programme was barred from taking the second semester exams owing to low attendance.

The entire Indian cricket fraternity is baffled at the state of affairs. MS Dhoni also tweeted “This incident shows the lack of importance and respect given to sports in India”. Unfortunately this incident has taken place besides the fact that Unmkut Chand has been academically inclined throughout the year, he had earlier secured a first division in his exams which is credible for a sportsperson with such hectic schedules. An international player who has dedicatedly played for the country can certainly be excused by the college for low attendance.

However, the Stephen’s principal Valson Thampu on his part said that he had no control over the University rules, and only the administration can make an exception. All are now geared up for the court hearing on 16th September that will decide our young captain’s fate.

 

Picture credits: Additi Seth

 

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Arts & Culture

The Doppler Effect

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The Doppler Effect is one band whose chords resonate with the sound of the youth. With their inception on 21st October 2010, the band members, Ashwin Nayar on lead guitar, Akshay Johar on bass guitar, Sherry Mathews on lead vocals and Suyash Gabriel on drums, initially came together to pour some new life into classic rock, with a pinch of their own elements. Adding some funk, hard and progressive rock to familiar tunes, this band rose to meteoric heights at quite an early stage.

After a whirlwind of a first week, they were called to perform at various occasions such as the MUN (Model United Nations) at BITS Pilani and for DU college fests such as Woodstock- SRCC and at Harmony- St. Stephen’s college in early 2011. They were also spotted at The Gig Week, Delhi’s first live music appreciation summit where talented bands took to the stage and performed for an enthusiastic audience.

The Doppler Effect was one such band, receiving tremendous appreciation for their well-deserved work. “They don’t play the usual clichéd music. It sounds more on the lines of new age funk, with a rock music base. That’s what makes the band stand apart from the rest,” says Nolina Mishra, a student of LSR College who worked with the organisers of The Gig Week and got an opportunity to hear their performance. Apart from this, The Doppler Effect was runners up and had a special mention for best performance at The Open Mic night held at The Living Room Cafe, Hauz Khas Village. Owing to their stupendous rise to fame, the band has received prizes at various competitions. Accolades such as best band, best bassist, and best drummer at MDI have been given to this talented group. The band also came first at the CHANNEL [V] Launchpad Prelims held in Delhi, making it to the finals and finally playing at Goa. Their most recent success story has been at Emergence 2012, held at Lemp Brew Pub and Kitchen in Gurgaon, where they defeated The Incredible Mindfunk and Grammy Winning Effort and bagged a staggering Rs. One Lakh for their brilliant performance.

“The finals were nerve wracking, but there was an optimistic vibe which we all shared. We were energetic on stage and managed to convey the up-beat energy not only to the audience and audience but to each other as well” said an ecstatic Syuyash Gabriel, drummer – TDE. Talking about their future plans bassist Akshay Johar said “We are currently recording our single ‘Believe’ which should be up online very soon. The album will be worked on during the course of the next few months.”

Parth Sharma
[email protected]

Vishakha Darbha
[email protected]

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Events

Quite a masquerade

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So, who doesn’t fancy a little drama in their life? At the risk of sounding slightly presumptuous, I would have to say that most of us do. For those who prefer their dose of it on stage rather than off, Hindu College’s annual theatre festival—Masquerade—was the place to be.

The two day event hosted by the English Dramatics Society, ‘Masque’, saw some of the finest colleges of DU showcasing their acting prowess. On day 1 of the fest, IP College for women, LSR, St. Stephen’s and SRCC proved their mettle as masters of nuanced expressions; while on day 2, Kirori Mal College, Hindu College, Sri Venkateswara College and Ramjas College gave them a run for their proverbial money.

To judge the participating teams were two distinguished members of the theatre fraternity. Ms. Amina Sherwani, a distinguished theatre person, journalist and sculptor. She has vast experience in people’s theatre and has performed all over the country as scriptwriter, director as well as light and set designer and has produced and directed over fifty plays. Mr. Milin Kapoor, renowned cinematographer and special effects editor. He has more than 28 years of experience in film, video design, interactivity and cyber space. He has worked on over 400 productions and with some of the biggest names in the Indian film industry.

 

The most striking performances on the first day were that of LSR and SRCC; wherein SRCC stole the limelight with their witty mystery piece titled ‘Three Blind Mice’. While each member of the SRCC team did a commendable job; it is noteworthy that the IP team consisted of only three members and their dedication was par excellence. Their play ‘Sonata’ explored the world of a writer as the events of one night that occur in the lives of these women are penned down. LSR presented ‘Skeleton Woman’, a story about two people who defeat fantastical odds to be together. St. Stephen’s had put together a play that dealt with the phenomenon of False Memory Syndrome called ‘Anna Weiss’.

On the 22nd of February, Sri Venkateswara college mesmerised the audience and the judges with their play ‘Pulp’, a  comical journey of two playwrights and their rushed attempt to churn out one decent play after another, in order to pacify their producers. Hindu College won many accolades for their production ‘Dead Man’s Testimony’—an adaptation of Ayn Rand’s ‘Night of January 16th’, although they did not compete. KMC presented ‘Line’– a story about five people attempting to reach the front of a queue using all kinds of strategies and Ramjas told us what happens when a joke goes awry in ‘Mr. Kolpert’.

 

The results declared were as follows:

1st place – Sri Venkateswara College for ‘Pulp’

2nd place – LSR for ‘Skeleton Woman’

3d place – KMC for ‘Line’

Outlaw Award (For the team which did something different)  – St. Stephens for ‘Anna Weiss’

 

 

 

 

 

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Hans Raj College

St. Stephens Invitational Football Tournament- Results

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Hindu vs Stephens: Stephens won by a solitary goal.
SRCC vs Hans Raj: Hans Raj won by 2 goals to nil.
Stephens vs Alumni: Alumni won by 2 goals to nil.
Hans Raj vs KMC: 0-0 draw.
Ramjas vs Hindu: 1-1 draw.
Zakir Hussain vs SRCC: goalless draw.
Stephens vs Ramjas: Stephens won 3-0.
Hindu vs Alumni: Alumni won by 2 goals to 1.
Hans Raj vs Zakir Hussain: goalless draw.
KMC vs SRCC: goalless draw.
Alumni vs Ramjas: Alumni won by a solitary goal.
KMC vs Zakir Hussain: one goal apiece.

Semi-finals (2nd feb)

Stephens vs Hans Raj: 1-1 (FT) Stephens won on penalties

KMC vs Alumni: 0-0 (FT) Alumni won penalties

Finals

Alumni vs Stephens

Watch this space for the results of the finals

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News

St Stephen’s to get new principal

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St Stephens College has started the procedure for inducting a new principal for the college.
The National Commission for Minority Education Institutions (NCMEI) upheld DUTA’s contention that Thampu’s appointment was “patently illegal.� And asked Delhi University (DU) to start the process for the appointment of a principal at the college, Thampu had been appointed Officer on Special Duty in 2006 for a term of three years after former principal Anil Wilson took over as the vice-chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University.

The Church of North India (CNI), which governs the college, met members of the college’s supreme council and decided to induct a new principal by March 15. The Church claims that the controversy on Thampu’s appointment has adversely affected the college’s reputation.

“The college’s unblemished reputation has certainly taken a beating due to this controversy. The appointment of a principal is now inevitable,� said Reverend Enosdas Pradhan, general secretary, CNI.

Thampu can apply for the principal’s post, but will have to go through the screening procedure. “He (Thampu) is a priest of our church and is responsible for bringing the college back into the folds of the CNI. We would be happy if he applies for the post,� Pradhan said.

The college has laid down new eligibility conditions for principal. The new criteria, met by incumbent Reverend Valson Thampu, do not require the principal to meet standards fixed by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

According to the new conditions, the principal need not be a PhD. But he/she has to be between 50 and 60 years old. The supreme council of the college said the new principal would have to meet only its criteria, not those set by the UGC or Delhi University.

Less than a year ago, however, it had said it was mandatory for the new principal to meet standards set by both the bodies. The UGC and Delhi University require all college principals to be PhDs. Though Thampu recently got a PhD in theology from Allahabad Agricultural University, the National Council for Minority Education Institutions has asked DU to scrutinise the legitimacy of the degree.

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