They say you'll find more students in the canteens than in the classes at colleges of Delhi University. After all, how can you expect a student to concentrate on an empty stomach? To add insult to injury, other than the empty stomach, there's an equally empty pocket the regular DU going crowd has to deal with! Mail Today dishes out all the reasonably-priced kiosks and eateries which serve as the popular hang-outs for Delhi University... Bon appétit!
North Campus:
Uncle Tony – This is one guy who has made hay while the sun shines. A cheap imitation of Uncle Tom, he has built fort in front of Miranda, where confused students and mourners alike come and have his Masala Maggi (Rs. 15). He serves banta as an antidote to the cries of "mirchi".
USP: Pick-up on the way to the metro station
Hindu Bhel: That's what the bhelpuri wallah who sits right beside the Hindu College gates is popularly called. The snack costs Rs. 15 and goes well with the nimbu masala banta priced at Rs. 10.
USP: A lip-smacking must-have!
K-Nags: Or Kamala Nagar Market has a lot of cheap outlets which are unanimous with the very existence of North Campus. Chacha ke Chhole Bhature (not for those who are crowd-phobic), Majnu ka Tila (Tibetan and north-eastern cuisine, known for its momos besides its Beef Chilly), Momo King and Momo Point top the list (Budget: Rs. 30-50). There are a lot of dhabas you'll find here which have an amazing variety of paranthas to offer.
USP: Variety
Other hot-spots: D-School canteen (Dessert anyone? Check out their jelly and cream for just Rs. 15), Hindu canteen, Stephen's Cafe (you better get that right, "It's not a canteen, it's a cafe!") where you'll get minced meat cutlets like none other and cheese magi which you wouldn't get anywhere else. The hostel for girls pursuing PG courses opposite Miranda is a haven for girls.
Occasionally you can burn your pocket at: The Nirula's opposite Faculty of Arts (or "Arts-Fac", to get the lingo right), CCD, Barista, Bercoes and Ziya's (for hukkah-lovers, this the Mochas for North Campus).
Budget: Rs. 100+
South Campus:
Chowrangi Lane – Located at the mouth of the gully right opposite Sri Venkateswara College, this place is famous for its rolls. The veg. and egg rolls start at Rs. 15 and the non-veg. rolls range between Rs. 25 and 60. Venky swears by its mutton seekh rolls (Rs. 40).
USP: Run and grab a bite between classes!
Chinese Food Plaza- Further down the same gully, the Chinese Food Plaza (CFP) is the place to go to if you want a fuller tummy. CFP keeps south campus students happy with its Happy Hours (10:00am -1:00pm and 3:00pm - 6:00pm) where you can get a complete Chinese meal with momos et al for just Rs. 30-35.
USP: Sit-down, chill-out point
Other Hot-spots: Go to Keventer's for their oh-so-popular milk-shakes (students vouch for their Chocolate milk-shake). You can also get maggi and sandwiches from there (Budget: Rs. 20-25). Head to Giggles pastry shop for your regular dose of junk (cold drinks/juices, tea/coffee, chips, pastries, etc.). Venky's canteen has great South Indian food to offer.
Occasionally you can burn your pocket at: CCD, Barista, Nissan's multi-cuisine restaurant, China Bowl (market lane running parallel to the campus).
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Expect surprises at Interview
Going to Delhi University? Who said it all depends on your board result? The wild goose chase has just begun. There's first a cut-off to clear to sit for the entrance exam then there's the entrance exam itself, with its 1:5 ratio of getting selected, then a group discussion if you're heading towards BBS/BFIA, which if you manage to survive leads you to the guillotine... The Interview! Those who went under the blade and managed to save their necks tell their gory tales.
Upasana Roy who has just completed her graduation from Stephen's in Chemistry Honours shudders when she recollects, "The first question they asked me for my interview was what my name means and where does it originate from. That was pretty simple. It was when they asked me if I knew who had found the Upasana Meditation Centre that I was caught off-guard. I still don't know if such a place even exists". Kartik, who is a second year student pursuing BBS from Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies was asked why he was wearing a tie and if someone had advised him to dress in formals. "I wonder what they did to those who were sporting shorts, for there were quite a few of them at the time I had come to give my interview" he shares. The institutions wish to enquire if students are taking coaching to prepare for the admission process, for a lot of such centres have come up in the recent past that provide guidance on these matters. Aanchal Mehta, Kartik's batch-mate was confronted by the genie in the bottle. "What would you ask for if you were granted three wishes they asked me", she relates.
A yawning Krishnan, pass-out from Stephen's, tells us, "The colour of the wall behind you and the number of steps you had to climb to reach the room where the interview is being conducted are all old tricks in the book". He observed that people applying to arts courses are the ones persecuted, while the science stream gets questions that are more or less related to the stream, by which he nowhere implies straight out of textbook stuff. Science faces the numericals, which means an interview might not necessarily mean it is going to be oral, it could very well be written too. At Stephen's the panel is eager to gauge if you're applying to the course or THE College.
Journalism entrances are basically about your favourite News Channel/ News Show Host/ Newspaper/ Newspaper column/ Journalist should be on your tips besides a few others if asked to list/name. You should have valid reasons for your preference/ dislike. Interviewers for media courses might occasionally ask about issues you feel strongly about. Commonly asked questions are: Introduction (which includes your name, the school you come from, the stream you opted for, subjects/favourite subject if asked and your interests/hobbies besides Family Background), why the respective course/college, why should the institution take you. Mili Aggarwal, 2nd year Journalism Honours, Kamala Nehru College, adds a word of caution,"Never make up stuff, it's always better to politely decline the question. You're not expected to know everything, anyway." Generally one question leads on to the other so remember you're the person in control. Take it on from there!
Upasana Roy who has just completed her graduation from Stephen's in Chemistry Honours shudders when she recollects, "The first question they asked me for my interview was what my name means and where does it originate from. That was pretty simple. It was when they asked me if I knew who had found the Upasana Meditation Centre that I was caught off-guard. I still don't know if such a place even exists". Kartik, who is a second year student pursuing BBS from Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies was asked why he was wearing a tie and if someone had advised him to dress in formals. "I wonder what they did to those who were sporting shorts, for there were quite a few of them at the time I had come to give my interview" he shares. The institutions wish to enquire if students are taking coaching to prepare for the admission process, for a lot of such centres have come up in the recent past that provide guidance on these matters. Aanchal Mehta, Kartik's batch-mate was confronted by the genie in the bottle. "What would you ask for if you were granted three wishes they asked me", she relates.
A yawning Krishnan, pass-out from Stephen's, tells us, "The colour of the wall behind you and the number of steps you had to climb to reach the room where the interview is being conducted are all old tricks in the book". He observed that people applying to arts courses are the ones persecuted, while the science stream gets questions that are more or less related to the stream, by which he nowhere implies straight out of textbook stuff. Science faces the numericals, which means an interview might not necessarily mean it is going to be oral, it could very well be written too. At Stephen's the panel is eager to gauge if you're applying to the course or THE College.
Journalism entrances are basically about your favourite News Channel/ News Show Host/ Newspaper/ Newspaper column/ Journalist should be on your tips besides a few others if asked to list/name. You should have valid reasons for your preference/ dislike. Interviewers for media courses might occasionally ask about issues you feel strongly about. Commonly asked questions are: Introduction (which includes your name, the school you come from, the stream you opted for, subjects/favourite subject if asked and your interests/hobbies besides Family Background), why the respective course/college, why should the institution take you. Mili Aggarwal, 2nd year Journalism Honours, Kamala Nehru College, adds a word of caution,"Never make up stuff, it's always better to politely decline the question. You're not expected to know everything, anyway." Generally one question leads on to the other so remember you're the person in control. Take it on from there!
Girls colleges: Required?
Today, 20 of the 70 colleges in Delhi University are women's colleges. This implies approximately 28.56% seats are reserved for women in Delhi University. Additively some courses in co-ed colleges are offered at 3-5% recession in cut-off for women. Women can apply to the remaining 50 colleges as well, since there isn't a single all-boys college in DU. St. Stephen's College was initially a men's college but became co-ed in 1950. Mail Today asked Delhi University: Isn't it about time that women's colleges followed Stephen's footsteps and turned co-ed too? This is what DU had to say…
Sakshi Kapoor who comes from a convent school feels awkward interacting with the opposite sex and would definitely prefer a co-ed college over a women's college to get over her inhibitions. Besides, she's very confident she'll manage getting through one with her aggregate. This self-assurance is shared by other girls too. The pass percentage of girls who appeared for CBSE class 12 examinations in 2008 was 85.44 while that of boys was 77.59. The question that arises is that do girls continue to feel challenged when it comes to competing against boys for pursuing education? Udit Khurana, 2nd year B.A. (Hons) Maths can't comprehend why. "Most girls make the cut-off with ease as they tend to perform much better than boys in the board exams" he comments. Arushi Chanana, doing Sociology Honours, from JMC thinks the situation reflects a gender bias. "Most of my male friends had to shift out of Delhi since Delhi University has co-ed colleges that are either nearly impossible to get through or not good enough to want to make it through. The ones who've stayed behind have had to compromise on their choice of course to get admitted to the reputed colleges", she shares. Even though Arushi sympathises with the opposite sex in this regard and thinks, ideally, women's colleges should turn co-ed, she fears the standards might come down. "Not a bad idea but it will be difficult to implement", says Della, Arushi's class-mate.
"Easier said than done", Anshika Joshi, a pass-out from Miranda suggests that the premier women's colleges should let be and first the experiment should be carried out with the average ones. Bulbul Maira, an aspirant, questions, "Why not simply introduce new colleges just for the boys"? Jagriti Gangopadhyay, Vice President Miranda thinks that women's colleges have just begun to find themselves and there's still a long way to go. "It is rather fortunate that they have a good standard. You can't blame women's colleges if they're doing well! I'd say it's easier to bring up the standards of existing co-ed colleges than to turn the women's colleges into co-ed". Surabhi Bahl points out to the sex ratio in co-ed colleges which favours boys, "There are 150 seats for boys and 53 seats for girls in SRCC; if LSR too becomes co-ed, where will the girls go?" Gauri Bhola, mother to two sons; one already in DU the other an aspirant, is severely against reservation of any kind whatsoever. "It isn't a child's fault if he or she is born a girl/boy, Hindu/Muslim/Christian, into whatever sect/caste/class/tribe. Reservations end up re-enforcing rather than reducing differences".
Mail Today asked if it is administratively possible to carry out the conversion. Dr. Shalini Anant, a counsellor in a women's college responded, "I don't think there's a need; if there was a requirement we'd have already gone ahead and made all efforts to make the provision possible". The urban-rural divide is still visible in terms of parents being comfortable sending their daughters to co-ed colleges others feel. Girls coming from smaller places are continuing further education only because they are in women's colleges. Veena Puri, Superintendent of exams, Bharati College, who has been associated with the college since its inception 36 years ago gives insight into the situation. "A certain percentage of parents still don't like to send their daughters to co-ed colleges and if we refuse to consider them, who does? It is also true that the freedom the girls feel does get affected if they go to a co-ed college". She feels the college will lose its essence if it turns co-ed; "the girl-boy interaction is just one overly politicised aspect of this debate".
Women's colleges were established in times when the segregation between men and women was extremely prominent. "30-40 years ago parents felt if their daughters mixed up with boys they'll get all sorts of wrong ideas. No doubt things have changed but parents whose daughters haven't been able to get through women's colleges still come and request us to take them in for they feel they are negatively influenced in co-ed environments. We tell them the girls wouldn't have any less number of male friends just by shifting to a women's college. Step onto North Campus and you'll realise how inter-connected the students of different colleges are. We actually encourage interaction with the opposite sex and allow our girls to compete with boys at various inter-collegiate events". As a Biology professor, Dr. K. Nirmala, Admission in-charge at Daulat Ram, feels a co-ed environment is naturally a healthier representation of society. She adds that "converting women's colleges into co-ed will definitely be a big leap and require a lot of policy changes. We do have these debates from time to time and the girls always speak in favour of DR turning co-ed but parents still prefer their girls in women's colleges".
Sakshi Kapoor who comes from a convent school feels awkward interacting with the opposite sex and would definitely prefer a co-ed college over a women's college to get over her inhibitions. Besides, she's very confident she'll manage getting through one with her aggregate. This self-assurance is shared by other girls too. The pass percentage of girls who appeared for CBSE class 12 examinations in 2008 was 85.44 while that of boys was 77.59. The question that arises is that do girls continue to feel challenged when it comes to competing against boys for pursuing education? Udit Khurana, 2nd year B.A. (Hons) Maths can't comprehend why. "Most girls make the cut-off with ease as they tend to perform much better than boys in the board exams" he comments. Arushi Chanana, doing Sociology Honours, from JMC thinks the situation reflects a gender bias. "Most of my male friends had to shift out of Delhi since Delhi University has co-ed colleges that are either nearly impossible to get through or not good enough to want to make it through. The ones who've stayed behind have had to compromise on their choice of course to get admitted to the reputed colleges", she shares. Even though Arushi sympathises with the opposite sex in this regard and thinks, ideally, women's colleges should turn co-ed, she fears the standards might come down. "Not a bad idea but it will be difficult to implement", says Della, Arushi's class-mate.
"Easier said than done", Anshika Joshi, a pass-out from Miranda suggests that the premier women's colleges should let be and first the experiment should be carried out with the average ones. Bulbul Maira, an aspirant, questions, "Why not simply introduce new colleges just for the boys"? Jagriti Gangopadhyay, Vice President Miranda thinks that women's colleges have just begun to find themselves and there's still a long way to go. "It is rather fortunate that they have a good standard. You can't blame women's colleges if they're doing well! I'd say it's easier to bring up the standards of existing co-ed colleges than to turn the women's colleges into co-ed". Surabhi Bahl points out to the sex ratio in co-ed colleges which favours boys, "There are 150 seats for boys and 53 seats for girls in SRCC; if LSR too becomes co-ed, where will the girls go?" Gauri Bhola, mother to two sons; one already in DU the other an aspirant, is severely against reservation of any kind whatsoever. "It isn't a child's fault if he or she is born a girl/boy, Hindu/Muslim/Christian, into whatever sect/caste/class/tribe. Reservations end up re-enforcing rather than reducing differences".
Mail Today asked if it is administratively possible to carry out the conversion. Dr. Shalini Anant, a counsellor in a women's college responded, "I don't think there's a need; if there was a requirement we'd have already gone ahead and made all efforts to make the provision possible". The urban-rural divide is still visible in terms of parents being comfortable sending their daughters to co-ed colleges others feel. Girls coming from smaller places are continuing further education only because they are in women's colleges. Veena Puri, Superintendent of exams, Bharati College, who has been associated with the college since its inception 36 years ago gives insight into the situation. "A certain percentage of parents still don't like to send their daughters to co-ed colleges and if we refuse to consider them, who does? It is also true that the freedom the girls feel does get affected if they go to a co-ed college". She feels the college will lose its essence if it turns co-ed; "the girl-boy interaction is just one overly politicised aspect of this debate".
Women's colleges were established in times when the segregation between men and women was extremely prominent. "30-40 years ago parents felt if their daughters mixed up with boys they'll get all sorts of wrong ideas. No doubt things have changed but parents whose daughters haven't been able to get through women's colleges still come and request us to take them in for they feel they are negatively influenced in co-ed environments. We tell them the girls wouldn't have any less number of male friends just by shifting to a women's college. Step onto North Campus and you'll realise how inter-connected the students of different colleges are. We actually encourage interaction with the opposite sex and allow our girls to compete with boys at various inter-collegiate events". As a Biology professor, Dr. K. Nirmala, Admission in-charge at Daulat Ram, feels a co-ed environment is naturally a healthier representation of society. She adds that "converting women's colleges into co-ed will definitely be a big leap and require a lot of policy changes. We do have these debates from time to time and the girls always speak in favour of DR turning co-ed but parents still prefer their girls in women's colleges".
About Choices and Compromises
The common pre-admission form with its provision to fill in every course in every college might have conveniently postponed, for most students, the dilemma of deciding which course to take up and where. Now, with the various first cut-off lists round the corner, it's inevitably 'inky-pinky-ponky' time. Mail Today set out to survey the various factors that influence the choice of course and college for the students of Delhi University and this is what we discovered:
'Two roads diverged in a wood and I-/I took the one less travelled by,/And that has made all the difference' said Robert Frost in 1920 and it still stands true. Wafa Rizvi, presently standing at the fork in the road, swears by Frost. "These days everyone has the option of converting his/her passion into his/her profession; small wonder then that students are shifting their attention to the fields they are better at instead of the fields which are considered better off." Professor S.M. Ishtiaque, who is currently teaching Textile Engineering at IIT Delhi, adds to the thought. "If you're a carpenter, be a good carpenter instead of being a mediocre engineer who easily gets lost in the crowd". Faisal Haq, who teaches Journalism as Visiting Faculty at KNC and DCAC cautions, "The glamour, jazz and glitz might attract students to media but the amount of hard work and struggle in this field fizzes out the infatuation."
Akshay Singh fears he might have to sacrifice in love, his infatuation for DU. "My girlfriend's parents are forcing her to do law; since my parents are fine with whatever I'm doing so I guess I'll have to be the one who has to make the compromise." Shalini Anant, Counsellor at Miranda House delves into the Parents vs. Peers debate a little further. "We come across both, varieties of unreasonable parents and varieties of unreasonable children on a daily basis. There are parents who want to live their dreams through their children by making them achieve what they could not in their own lives and then there are children who want to pursue a course only because their best-friends/boyfriends/girlfriends are doing that course."
Sadly both parents and children remain ignorant/unaware of all the career prospects and promising courses available. Ravneet Kaur's parents, for instance, want her to take up B.A. Programme despite the milieu of options now available, because that was the most coveted course in their time. But parents still do have their children's best interest at heart. A student applying to Stephen's felt that children today are independent but not knowledgeable enough. He wanted to go into Multimedia Designing but wasn't too sure. His father recommended him the civil services and he trusts his father's council. He has no complaints in this regard for he knows if he had been decided enough his father wouldn't have intervened. Most parents today are highly supportive of their children in whatever they do. But they still continue to have an inkling towards options which offer job security rather than job satisfaction.
Amrita Bahri, DUSU President points out to another disturbing trend. "A few days back this girl approached me at the help-desk, heavily opinionated on the fact that Eco (Hons.) is the 'in-thing' and defines the 'fashion statement'. Eco (Hons.) happens to be one of the most difficult courses and if you do not harbour a genuine interest you won't be able to cope with it, I pointed out to her, but apparently she had already made up her mind." Many students just float into a course because they are still undecided on what to do, so they apply everywhere and take admission wherever they get through. Just out of school, sick of the heavy bags and school uniforms, college is 'chill-out' time for most, a time to relax. So they pick up any general course which isn't too demanding and doesn't limit their options later.
'Two roads diverged in a wood and I-/I took the one less travelled by,/And that has made all the difference' said Robert Frost in 1920 and it still stands true. Wafa Rizvi, presently standing at the fork in the road, swears by Frost. "These days everyone has the option of converting his/her passion into his/her profession; small wonder then that students are shifting their attention to the fields they are better at instead of the fields which are considered better off." Professor S.M. Ishtiaque, who is currently teaching Textile Engineering at IIT Delhi, adds to the thought. "If you're a carpenter, be a good carpenter instead of being a mediocre engineer who easily gets lost in the crowd". Faisal Haq, who teaches Journalism as Visiting Faculty at KNC and DCAC cautions, "The glamour, jazz and glitz might attract students to media but the amount of hard work and struggle in this field fizzes out the infatuation."
Akshay Singh fears he might have to sacrifice in love, his infatuation for DU. "My girlfriend's parents are forcing her to do law; since my parents are fine with whatever I'm doing so I guess I'll have to be the one who has to make the compromise." Shalini Anant, Counsellor at Miranda House delves into the Parents vs. Peers debate a little further. "We come across both, varieties of unreasonable parents and varieties of unreasonable children on a daily basis. There are parents who want to live their dreams through their children by making them achieve what they could not in their own lives and then there are children who want to pursue a course only because their best-friends/boyfriends/girlfriends are doing that course."
Sadly both parents and children remain ignorant/unaware of all the career prospects and promising courses available. Ravneet Kaur's parents, for instance, want her to take up B.A. Programme despite the milieu of options now available, because that was the most coveted course in their time. But parents still do have their children's best interest at heart. A student applying to Stephen's felt that children today are independent but not knowledgeable enough. He wanted to go into Multimedia Designing but wasn't too sure. His father recommended him the civil services and he trusts his father's council. He has no complaints in this regard for he knows if he had been decided enough his father wouldn't have intervened. Most parents today are highly supportive of their children in whatever they do. But they still continue to have an inkling towards options which offer job security rather than job satisfaction.
Amrita Bahri, DUSU President points out to another disturbing trend. "A few days back this girl approached me at the help-desk, heavily opinionated on the fact that Eco (Hons.) is the 'in-thing' and defines the 'fashion statement'. Eco (Hons.) happens to be one of the most difficult courses and if you do not harbour a genuine interest you won't be able to cope with it, I pointed out to her, but apparently she had already made up her mind." Many students just float into a course because they are still undecided on what to do, so they apply everywhere and take admission wherever they get through. Just out of school, sick of the heavy bags and school uniforms, college is 'chill-out' time for most, a time to relax. So they pick up any general course which isn't too demanding and doesn't limit their options later.
Accomodation Problems faced by DU students
"Bookings for PG accommodations begin in March, and by July every reasonable place is booked. The freshers are then fooled into the most expensive places" comments Aditi who is currently lodging in a rented flat at Hudson Lanes in North Campus. Shrishti Khattri, who has just passed out of English Honours from Hansraj, advises out-station candidates applying to Delhi University to get a taste of hostels, college-owned or private, before going in for PGAs or rented flats. She feels the practice harbours a sense of responsibility which is vital for survival if one has to live completely on their own. Unfortunately all aren't as lucky as Shrishti to have the choice of hostels over PGs, even more so the choice to shift out of a hostel when they manage to get one. Students putting up at Karol Bagh and Ber Sarai, for instance, don't share the affluence of Kamla Nagar, Indra Vihar, Haqeeqat Nagar, Anand Lok, GK-1, etc. Students living in the lower-rung PGs generally see convenience in their proximity to the Administrative Services' coaching institutes present here. Those appearing for the second or third time generally have to take up part time jobs to support their education. Otherwise, as Manik puts it, "Students' parents don't exactly compromise on rent. Finding accommodation is a mad goose chase, you can't afford to be picky-choosy. Grab whatever you get! It's the people who are working, and not the students, who strive to save their money by compromising on cleanliness and hygiene".
There is no denying that the current situation truly reflects the effects of Privatisation. Contrary to popular opinion, the current trend supports PGAs over hostels. Parents continue to vouch for hostels but their children aren't too happy with the early curfews (7:00 pm hostels, 11:00 pm in PGAs). Students who have enjoyed hostel facility in their first year of college turn it down in their second year and move to PGAs. For that matter, students (which indirectly implies that their parents too) are willing to bear the extra cost of living in rented flats rather than messing around with land-lords. Vatsala, who is working in a call centre, to earn extra pocket money, returns by 3:00-4:00 am, minus the hassles. She's paying a rent of Rs. 6,000 per month for one room. Bringing in a friend for an over-night stay isn't an issue either. She has to cook her own food though. But then it isn't as if food is a convenience in PGAs. Some land-lords don't allow paying-guests to keep gas stoves, others offer stale food. Land-lords aren't too keen on keeping initially made promises after a few months. Prices of PGAs are double that of hostels. While hostel fee is Rs. 2, 500, PGAs/rented flats cost anywhere between Rs. 5,000-9,000 depending on the facilities provided. Internet, AC, food, round the clock availability of running/drinking water, laundry, safety of neighbourhood, proximity from college, number of room-mates are factors that affect the cost of the room.
"Kamala Nehru College is going to come up with a hostel very soon" informs Ms. Rina Mandal, Vice Principal who simultaneously feels for the local candidates who are in abundance there. Colleges with hostel facility are popular among out-station candidates which gives locals a better chance in those colleges which don't. Hindu too will have a girl's hostel in the near future while the main South Campus is striving for the facility commonly for all the colleges there.
Ironically, there's a gender bias here too. This time the discrimination is against males. If you have noticed the flyers outside colleges offering PGAs, they start with 'Girls wanted for...'. Saif, a 2nd year student pursuing Eco Hons from Zakir Hussain, lists the reasons for this favouritism. "Girls follow curfews more religiously and are more punctual in paying rent. I guess that's because girls get more money. Guys with girlfriends have to spend on their maintenance while others invest in smoking or drinking which eats through their allowance". Other than that he says boys are a noisy, boisterous, partying lot which are a real pain to land-lords. "But", Saif adds, "guys have contacts and find their way through to an accommodation despite the preference for girls" who he thinks are better off in hostels.
Veterans advise that freshers should look for other freshers as room-mates since older tenants tend to impose their seniority on the new-comer. Better still try to work it out with your friends. Aditi shares her experience, "Aman, my ex-roomie stole my debit card and cashed out an amount of Rs. 12,500, since then I take extra care to lock up everything before I leave". Shrishti too thinks finding a place isn't as much a problem as is adjustment with people. In her own words, "Compromise is the mother of all accommodation problems!"
There is no denying that the current situation truly reflects the effects of Privatisation. Contrary to popular opinion, the current trend supports PGAs over hostels. Parents continue to vouch for hostels but their children aren't too happy with the early curfews (7:00 pm hostels, 11:00 pm in PGAs). Students who have enjoyed hostel facility in their first year of college turn it down in their second year and move to PGAs. For that matter, students (which indirectly implies that their parents too) are willing to bear the extra cost of living in rented flats rather than messing around with land-lords. Vatsala, who is working in a call centre, to earn extra pocket money, returns by 3:00-4:00 am, minus the hassles. She's paying a rent of Rs. 6,000 per month for one room. Bringing in a friend for an over-night stay isn't an issue either. She has to cook her own food though. But then it isn't as if food is a convenience in PGAs. Some land-lords don't allow paying-guests to keep gas stoves, others offer stale food. Land-lords aren't too keen on keeping initially made promises after a few months. Prices of PGAs are double that of hostels. While hostel fee is Rs. 2, 500, PGAs/rented flats cost anywhere between Rs. 5,000-9,000 depending on the facilities provided. Internet, AC, food, round the clock availability of running/drinking water, laundry, safety of neighbourhood, proximity from college, number of room-mates are factors that affect the cost of the room.
"Kamala Nehru College is going to come up with a hostel very soon" informs Ms. Rina Mandal, Vice Principal who simultaneously feels for the local candidates who are in abundance there. Colleges with hostel facility are popular among out-station candidates which gives locals a better chance in those colleges which don't. Hindu too will have a girl's hostel in the near future while the main South Campus is striving for the facility commonly for all the colleges there.
Ironically, there's a gender bias here too. This time the discrimination is against males. If you have noticed the flyers outside colleges offering PGAs, they start with 'Girls wanted for...'. Saif, a 2nd year student pursuing Eco Hons from Zakir Hussain, lists the reasons for this favouritism. "Girls follow curfews more religiously and are more punctual in paying rent. I guess that's because girls get more money. Guys with girlfriends have to spend on their maintenance while others invest in smoking or drinking which eats through their allowance". Other than that he says boys are a noisy, boisterous, partying lot which are a real pain to land-lords. "But", Saif adds, "guys have contacts and find their way through to an accommodation despite the preference for girls" who he thinks are better off in hostels.
Veterans advise that freshers should look for other freshers as room-mates since older tenants tend to impose their seniority on the new-comer. Better still try to work it out with your friends. Aditi shares her experience, "Aman, my ex-roomie stole my debit card and cashed out an amount of Rs. 12,500, since then I take extra care to lock up everything before I leave". Shrishti too thinks finding a place isn't as much a problem as is adjustment with people. In her own words, "Compromise is the mother of all accommodation problems!"
Campus Fashion
Come to college and it is good-bye to school uniforms; time to step back into the world of colour. But shopping for college can be a horror for some and, by default, an eyesore for others. Mail Today conducted a small survey on the ever-changing campus fashion: what's "so totally in" this summer, the absolute "no-no's" or the "oh-so-yesterday's", where to go, what to buy and how much to pay for it. DU fashion experts come to the fresher's rescue with this summer's fashion forecast…
DO's
Colours: Light/pastel colours (white, relatives of yellow, coral/peach pink)
Prints: Minimum, if at all then floral/graphic/illusion prints (graphic and illusion prints are more wintery)
Fabric: Cotton, linen, denim
Western
Uppers: Ganjis, formal white shirts with waist-coats, long T-shirts, shirt dresses/short dresses and shirts for guys
Lowers: Loose shorts, dungaree shorts, harem shorts (knee-length), pyjamas, white cotton three-fourths, denim capris, skin-fit/straight-fit jeans
Indian
Salwar-Kameez/Kurta-Pyjamas: Anaarkali style, long kurtas with churidaar pyjamas, printed patialas with chikan work kurtas
Accessories: Chunky (single long beaded necklace and single wooden bangle), Metallic (particularly silver), Glass jewellery (colourful bangles) besides big bags, shades, stoles and cloth belts
Make-up: Nail art with bold colours in nail-paint (green, blue, purple, golden), light blush-on, kajal/kohl (black/grey/blue/green), mascara
Hair-style: Wavy/curly/messy
Foot-wear: Oshos, Floaters, Canvas shoes
Brands: (Western-Uppers :) Westside, Benetton, Mango, (Western-Lowers :) Numero Uno, Levis, Lifestyle; (Indian :) Cottage Industries, People Tree, Sabhyata, Fabindia; (Foot-wear :) Nike, Converse, Crocs
DON'T's
Colours: Bold/Dark colours
Prints: Polka dots/ stripes in prints and sequin work
Fabric: Lycra, Corduroys, Silk, Velvet
Western
Uppers: Frilly dresses, balloon dresses, peasant tops (balloon short-sleeved ones), and asymmetrical dresses
Lowers: Flared jeans, acid-washed/faded jeans, leggings, harem pants, cargoes, asymmetrical skirts
Indian
Salwar-Kameez/Kurta-Pyjamas: Short kurtis over jeans/patialas/churidaars
Accessories: Golden/silver bags, too many beads, anklets, loud dangler ear-rings, jholas, bandanas, scarves
Make-up: Lip-stick, black/red nail-paint, eye-liner
Hair-style: Poker-straight, hair colouring and/or streaks (especially golden/yellow/bleached streaks)
Foot-wear: Heels/stilettos and boots, golden/silver belles with ribbon bows
ONE-STOP SHOPS
· "Delhi University swears by Sarojini Nagar market and Janpath" observes NIFT's Keerti Kataria, next door neighbour to Kamala Nehru, Gargi and Institute of Home Economics. Sarojini Nagar was unanimously voted as the ultimate shopper's haven when it came to tops, T-shirts, etc. (Budget: Rs. 150-200 per piece).
· GK-1, M-Block market should be approached by those with generous parents (Budget: Rs. 250-300 per piece).
· Go to Tantra/People Tree for slogan T-shirts (Budget: Rs. 150-200 per tee).
· Janpath is good for accessories (Budget: Below Rs. 50 per article) and so is Khan Market. Khan Market is for the unconventional, style-statement making 'elite'. People Tree has some great stuff too.
· Good quality jeans are available at GK, South-Ex and Kamla Nagar Market. Wait for sale-time.
· Fabindia (GK N-Block, Lajpat Nagar, CP) and Sabhyata (Lajpat Nagar) have taken the Indian-wear scene by storm and continue to be, more or less, high-priced (approx. Rs. 300 for one kurta).
· For canvas shoes head straight to Converse. Oshos (Flip-flop jute chappals) are still in, still priced at Rs. 100, and still all over the place. Stick to brands for floaters and shoes.
· Check out the fari Market opposite McD's Priya Complex, Basant Lok for bags.
To sum it up in Designer, Sidika Kapoor's words "The formula to looking good is feeling good. It's all about your creativity, sensibility and street smartness; where you buy your clothes from and to where you wear them. Carry off whatever you wear with confidence, wear your attitude!"
DO's
Colours: Light/pastel colours (white, relatives of yellow, coral/peach pink)
Prints: Minimum, if at all then floral/graphic/illusion prints (graphic and illusion prints are more wintery)
Fabric: Cotton, linen, denim
Western
Uppers: Ganjis, formal white shirts with waist-coats, long T-shirts, shirt dresses/short dresses and shirts for guys
Lowers: Loose shorts, dungaree shorts, harem shorts (knee-length), pyjamas, white cotton three-fourths, denim capris, skin-fit/straight-fit jeans
Indian
Salwar-Kameez/Kurta-Pyjamas: Anaarkali style, long kurtas with churidaar pyjamas, printed patialas with chikan work kurtas
Accessories: Chunky (single long beaded necklace and single wooden bangle), Metallic (particularly silver), Glass jewellery (colourful bangles) besides big bags, shades, stoles and cloth belts
Make-up: Nail art with bold colours in nail-paint (green, blue, purple, golden), light blush-on, kajal/kohl (black/grey/blue/green), mascara
Hair-style: Wavy/curly/messy
Foot-wear: Oshos, Floaters, Canvas shoes
Brands: (Western-Uppers :) Westside, Benetton, Mango, (Western-Lowers :) Numero Uno, Levis, Lifestyle; (Indian :) Cottage Industries, People Tree, Sabhyata, Fabindia; (Foot-wear :) Nike, Converse, Crocs
DON'T's
Colours: Bold/Dark colours
Prints: Polka dots/ stripes in prints and sequin work
Fabric: Lycra, Corduroys, Silk, Velvet
Western
Uppers: Frilly dresses, balloon dresses, peasant tops (balloon short-sleeved ones), and asymmetrical dresses
Lowers: Flared jeans, acid-washed/faded jeans, leggings, harem pants, cargoes, asymmetrical skirts
Indian
Salwar-Kameez/Kurta-Pyjamas: Short kurtis over jeans/patialas/churidaars
Accessories: Golden/silver bags, too many beads, anklets, loud dangler ear-rings, jholas, bandanas, scarves
Make-up: Lip-stick, black/red nail-paint, eye-liner
Hair-style: Poker-straight, hair colouring and/or streaks (especially golden/yellow/bleached streaks)
Foot-wear: Heels/stilettos and boots, golden/silver belles with ribbon bows
ONE-STOP SHOPS
· "Delhi University swears by Sarojini Nagar market and Janpath" observes NIFT's Keerti Kataria, next door neighbour to Kamala Nehru, Gargi and Institute of Home Economics. Sarojini Nagar was unanimously voted as the ultimate shopper's haven when it came to tops, T-shirts, etc. (Budget: Rs. 150-200 per piece).
· GK-1, M-Block market should be approached by those with generous parents (Budget: Rs. 250-300 per piece).
· Go to Tantra/People Tree for slogan T-shirts (Budget: Rs. 150-200 per tee).
· Janpath is good for accessories (Budget: Below Rs. 50 per article) and so is Khan Market. Khan Market is for the unconventional, style-statement making 'elite'. People Tree has some great stuff too.
· Good quality jeans are available at GK, South-Ex and Kamla Nagar Market. Wait for sale-time.
· Fabindia (GK N-Block, Lajpat Nagar, CP) and Sabhyata (Lajpat Nagar) have taken the Indian-wear scene by storm and continue to be, more or less, high-priced (approx. Rs. 300 for one kurta).
· For canvas shoes head straight to Converse. Oshos (Flip-flop jute chappals) are still in, still priced at Rs. 100, and still all over the place. Stick to brands for floaters and shoes.
· Check out the fari Market opposite McD's Priya Complex, Basant Lok for bags.
To sum it up in Designer, Sidika Kapoor's words "The formula to looking good is feeling good. It's all about your creativity, sensibility and street smartness; where you buy your clothes from and to where you wear them. Carry off whatever you wear with confidence, wear your attitude!"
Campus Hopping - Necessary Exercise
One week since DU admissions opened, and the sale of forms still show a rather dim picture. There has been enough contemplation on the current state of affairs. Some say that the internet is the culprit; others predict a last minute rush. Officials have reconciled to the low tide by saying less applicants means smooth admissions with minimum disappointments. All said and done, if students look beyond their web of convenience, there's a lot they are missing out on by not doing the necessary campus-hopping exercise. Here's a list of reasons as to why you must pay a trip to your prospective colleges:
1. The minute you step onto a college campus, you get a vibe from the place. Consciously or unconsciously, it shapes your decision to join the college or not. Students have left a college at a later stage on the pretext of it being 'unwelcoming'.
Students Speak: "I had wanted to sit for Kamala Nehru's Journalism entrance exam only because otherwise LSR's would have been the first such exam that I would be giving. But when I went to fill the form, I immediately felt connected to the place. The campus has a very homely feel to it", says Vrishnika, 2nd year Journalism (Hons), KNC.
2. When you interact with the staff and/or student volunteers, you gauge an idea about not only the administration but also the functioning of the college. No amount of research will match your first impression of the place.
Students Speak: Indrajit Banerjee, a B.Sc/B.A. Maths (Hons) aspirant says, "Colleges which have student volunteers always make for keener aspirants to these venues".
3. Meeting fellow aspirants is always a lot of fun. Why miss the chance of making friends? It is always better to know a few people before hand.
Students Speak: Udit Khurana from Hansraj comments "In my class the best of friends had met each other for the first time while standing in queues at admission time".
4. Campus-hopping is always more interesting for girls. Before you go and do your college shopping, it's always better to study the campus fashion.
Students Speak: Naam, a member of her college's fashion society comments on the ever-changing campus fashion, "Cling jeans are out, straight cut is in, while straightened hair is so past, one can sport anything from wavy to curly to messy this year".
5. It is always fun to go and check out the different canteens and eating joints in and around colleges. If you're a 'foodie', here's your chance to conduct your own survey and prepare your personal food-guide.
Students Speak: "Admission time was one-whole week of eating out and eating cheap everyday", recollects Manas, this year's pass-out from Stephen's.
The more effort you make to get into a college, the more involved you feel with the affairs of the college; you already feel like you're a part of it. What are you doing then, still sitting at home?
1. The minute you step onto a college campus, you get a vibe from the place. Consciously or unconsciously, it shapes your decision to join the college or not. Students have left a college at a later stage on the pretext of it being 'unwelcoming'.
Students Speak: "I had wanted to sit for Kamala Nehru's Journalism entrance exam only because otherwise LSR's would have been the first such exam that I would be giving. But when I went to fill the form, I immediately felt connected to the place. The campus has a very homely feel to it", says Vrishnika, 2nd year Journalism (Hons), KNC.
2. When you interact with the staff and/or student volunteers, you gauge an idea about not only the administration but also the functioning of the college. No amount of research will match your first impression of the place.
Students Speak: Indrajit Banerjee, a B.Sc/B.A. Maths (Hons) aspirant says, "Colleges which have student volunteers always make for keener aspirants to these venues".
3. Meeting fellow aspirants is always a lot of fun. Why miss the chance of making friends? It is always better to know a few people before hand.
Students Speak: Udit Khurana from Hansraj comments "In my class the best of friends had met each other for the first time while standing in queues at admission time".
4. Campus-hopping is always more interesting for girls. Before you go and do your college shopping, it's always better to study the campus fashion.
Students Speak: Naam, a member of her college's fashion society comments on the ever-changing campus fashion, "Cling jeans are out, straight cut is in, while straightened hair is so past, one can sport anything from wavy to curly to messy this year".
5. It is always fun to go and check out the different canteens and eating joints in and around colleges. If you're a 'foodie', here's your chance to conduct your own survey and prepare your personal food-guide.
Students Speak: "Admission time was one-whole week of eating out and eating cheap everyday", recollects Manas, this year's pass-out from Stephen's.
The more effort you make to get into a college, the more involved you feel with the affairs of the college; you already feel like you're a part of it. What are you doing then, still sitting at home?
Theatre in DU
Our education system has, time and again, been severely criticised for its cruel preference for scholastic achievers. Fortunately things are changing. All DU colleges, as per university rules, recruit students through ECA and Sports quotas, and roughly 5 students (colleges largely differ on the criteria and the number) are admitted per society/sport into the college post rigorous trials. Every DU College boasts of an active Drama and Dance society, at least.
Around admission time, every education counsellor professes that one should opt for choice of course over choice of college, since in the long run 'it is the course that stays with you, even beyond the three years you spend at college'. But what if a student wants to opt for a non-academic career? Is it then wrong to join a college for the extra-curricular activities it offers?
Personality Development is a very important aspect of college life, and what could be a better measure of the personality development that a college offers than its co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Certain colleges that haven't been as prominent as the so-called 'brands' have also done exceedingly well in this sphere. South Campus/ Off Campus colleges (Dayal Singh (Evening) and Maharaja Agrasen, for instance), which are usually behind the scenes, come to the fore-front, in this respect.
DU colleges have made a commendable effort in reviving the dying arts, especially that of theatre. 'Experimental Theatre' and 'Campus Theatre' are two genres that have become unanimous with DU's theatre tradition. The following are the colleges whose Drama Societies have been performing consistently in competitions over the years and deserve mention (aspiring actors, please note):
STREET THEATRE
Dayal Singh (Evening), Maharaja Agrasen, Kamala Nehru, SRCC, Gargi
College: Dayal Singh (Evening)
Name of the Drama Society: Junoon
Street Play(s) performed (2007-08): Street Play called 'Soch' (based on discrimination on the basis of caste and class distinctions).
Achievements: 30 prizes (approx) in all, which include 1st position at IP College of Women, Miranda, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, IP University, Dhirubhai Institute of Technology, Ahmedabad, Deshbandhu, Deshbandhu (Evening), Bhagat Singh, Janki Devi Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Rajdhani and Lady Harding besides 2nd position at AIIMS, IIT-D, IIT-K, Hansraj, SVC, KNC, MAC amongst others.
USP: "Most respected society for its enthusiasm and comic timing; presents the hardest of facts in the smoothest style." (President, Drama Society, Gargi College)
College: Maharaja Agrasen
Name of Drama Society: Abhinay
Street Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Street Play called 'Teesra Sach' (based on Trans-Genders)
Achievements: 1st position at Youth Nexus, Hindu, Gargi, JMC, IHE, and MDI, Gurgaon
USP: Original theme, natural attention-seeking tendency.
College: Kamala Nehru
Name of Drama Society: Lakshya
Street Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Street play called 'Iss raste par' (based on Road Rage)
Achievements: 1st position at SRCC, LSR, Gargi, Hindu and Dayal Singh (Evening)
USP: Unconventional, infectious energy levels.
College: Sri Ram College of Commerce
Name of Drama Society: Dram.-Soc.
Street Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Street play called 'Aham Bramhasmi' (based on Communalism)
Achievements: Held 1st position at IIM Bangalore, NIFT and Indian Institute of Labour and Management, Gurgaon
USP: Spontaneous, amazing talent pool, versatile, catchy music.
College: Gargi
Name of Drama Society: Kshitij
Street Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Street play called 'Haan Main Samajh Gaya' (based on the loop-holes of the Indian Education System)
Achievements: 1st position at MAC and Mata Sundri
USP: Simple to comprehend, constant motion.
STAGE THEATRE
Lady Sri Ram, Kirori Mal, Hansraj, Sri Venkateswara
College: Lady Sri Ram
Name of Drama Society: Dram.-Soc.
Stage Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Hindi Stage play 'Kharashein' (K) written by Gulzar, English Stage Plays; Mahesh Dattani's 'Tara'(T) and Woody Allen's 'Death' (D) besides the Public Production 'Final Solutions' both written and directed by Mahesh Dattani
Achievements: (K) 1st position at IIT Powai (Bombay), MICA; (T) SRCC, IIM Bangalore, DCE; (D) NLS Bangalore and JMC.
USP: "Brilliant timing; be it comedy, drama or tragedy; campus theatre in professional taste." (Member, Drama Society, Hansraj)
College: Kirori Mal
Name of Drama Society: The Players
Stage Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Hindi Stage Plays 'Holi' (written by Mahesh Elkunchwar) and 'Line Mein Lago' (written by Nigel Williams). English Stage Play 'Ground Zero'(self-scripted)
Achievements: Holi and Ground Zero performed 15 times, out of which 11 were competitive performances where KMC received in all 13 prizes (approx). Holi has had a reputation of either winning or being disqualified completely. Ground Zero, on the other hand, uniformly received high critical acclaim.
USP: Amazing actors; offer variety without compromising on performance.
College: Hansraj
Name of Drama Society: Theatrix
Stage Play(s) Performed (2007-08): English Stage Play 'Vagina Monologues' (an adaptation of the popular novel by the same name)
Achievements: 1st position at BITS Pilani, 'Vagina Monologues' voted as the 'Best Play' at SRCC, IP College for Women and Miranda House
USP: Risk-taking attitude; limited resources, maximum utilisation.
College: Sri Venkateswara
Name of Drama Society: (Hindi) Anubhuti/ (English) Verbum
Stage Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Hindi Stage play, Vijay Tendulkar's Baby. English Stage play, Adaptation of Woody Allen's 'God'
Achievements: Hindi Dramatics Society won in all 18 prizes while the English Dramatics Society won 6. 14 prizes out of these went to the Stage Play Category (both Hindi and English)
USP: Bold choice of script; merging the difference between campus theatre and professional theatre.
Non-competitive performances were held in terms of various theatre festivals and special performances on invitation basis. Most of the above-listed colleges were present at one or the other of these venues: NSD, IHC, KMC, Stephen's, Hansraj besides Govt. College University, Lahore.
Around admission time, every education counsellor professes that one should opt for choice of course over choice of college, since in the long run 'it is the course that stays with you, even beyond the three years you spend at college'. But what if a student wants to opt for a non-academic career? Is it then wrong to join a college for the extra-curricular activities it offers?
Personality Development is a very important aspect of college life, and what could be a better measure of the personality development that a college offers than its co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Certain colleges that haven't been as prominent as the so-called 'brands' have also done exceedingly well in this sphere. South Campus/ Off Campus colleges (Dayal Singh (Evening) and Maharaja Agrasen, for instance), which are usually behind the scenes, come to the fore-front, in this respect.
DU colleges have made a commendable effort in reviving the dying arts, especially that of theatre. 'Experimental Theatre' and 'Campus Theatre' are two genres that have become unanimous with DU's theatre tradition. The following are the colleges whose Drama Societies have been performing consistently in competitions over the years and deserve mention (aspiring actors, please note):
STREET THEATRE
Dayal Singh (Evening), Maharaja Agrasen, Kamala Nehru, SRCC, Gargi
College: Dayal Singh (Evening)
Name of the Drama Society: Junoon
Street Play(s) performed (2007-08): Street Play called 'Soch' (based on discrimination on the basis of caste and class distinctions).
Achievements: 30 prizes (approx) in all, which include 1st position at IP College of Women, Miranda, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, IP University, Dhirubhai Institute of Technology, Ahmedabad, Deshbandhu, Deshbandhu (Evening), Bhagat Singh, Janki Devi Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Rajdhani and Lady Harding besides 2nd position at AIIMS, IIT-D, IIT-K, Hansraj, SVC, KNC, MAC amongst others.
USP: "Most respected society for its enthusiasm and comic timing; presents the hardest of facts in the smoothest style." (President, Drama Society, Gargi College)
College: Maharaja Agrasen
Name of Drama Society: Abhinay
Street Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Street Play called 'Teesra Sach' (based on Trans-Genders)
Achievements: 1st position at Youth Nexus, Hindu, Gargi, JMC, IHE, and MDI, Gurgaon
USP: Original theme, natural attention-seeking tendency.
College: Kamala Nehru
Name of Drama Society: Lakshya
Street Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Street play called 'Iss raste par' (based on Road Rage)
Achievements: 1st position at SRCC, LSR, Gargi, Hindu and Dayal Singh (Evening)
USP: Unconventional, infectious energy levels.
College: Sri Ram College of Commerce
Name of Drama Society: Dram.-Soc.
Street Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Street play called 'Aham Bramhasmi' (based on Communalism)
Achievements: Held 1st position at IIM Bangalore, NIFT and Indian Institute of Labour and Management, Gurgaon
USP: Spontaneous, amazing talent pool, versatile, catchy music.
College: Gargi
Name of Drama Society: Kshitij
Street Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Street play called 'Haan Main Samajh Gaya' (based on the loop-holes of the Indian Education System)
Achievements: 1st position at MAC and Mata Sundri
USP: Simple to comprehend, constant motion.
STAGE THEATRE
Lady Sri Ram, Kirori Mal, Hansraj, Sri Venkateswara
College: Lady Sri Ram
Name of Drama Society: Dram.-Soc.
Stage Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Hindi Stage play 'Kharashein' (K) written by Gulzar, English Stage Plays; Mahesh Dattani's 'Tara'(T) and Woody Allen's 'Death' (D) besides the Public Production 'Final Solutions' both written and directed by Mahesh Dattani
Achievements: (K) 1st position at IIT Powai (Bombay), MICA; (T) SRCC, IIM Bangalore, DCE; (D) NLS Bangalore and JMC.
USP: "Brilliant timing; be it comedy, drama or tragedy; campus theatre in professional taste." (Member, Drama Society, Hansraj)
College: Kirori Mal
Name of Drama Society: The Players
Stage Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Hindi Stage Plays 'Holi' (written by Mahesh Elkunchwar) and 'Line Mein Lago' (written by Nigel Williams). English Stage Play 'Ground Zero'(self-scripted)
Achievements: Holi and Ground Zero performed 15 times, out of which 11 were competitive performances where KMC received in all 13 prizes (approx). Holi has had a reputation of either winning or being disqualified completely. Ground Zero, on the other hand, uniformly received high critical acclaim.
USP: Amazing actors; offer variety without compromising on performance.
College: Hansraj
Name of Drama Society: Theatrix
Stage Play(s) Performed (2007-08): English Stage Play 'Vagina Monologues' (an adaptation of the popular novel by the same name)
Achievements: 1st position at BITS Pilani, 'Vagina Monologues' voted as the 'Best Play' at SRCC, IP College for Women and Miranda House
USP: Risk-taking attitude; limited resources, maximum utilisation.
College: Sri Venkateswara
Name of Drama Society: (Hindi) Anubhuti/ (English) Verbum
Stage Play(s) Performed (2007-08): Hindi Stage play, Vijay Tendulkar's Baby. English Stage play, Adaptation of Woody Allen's 'God'
Achievements: Hindi Dramatics Society won in all 18 prizes while the English Dramatics Society won 6. 14 prizes out of these went to the Stage Play Category (both Hindi and English)
USP: Bold choice of script; merging the difference between campus theatre and professional theatre.
Non-competitive performances were held in terms of various theatre festivals and special performances on invitation basis. Most of the above-listed colleges were present at one or the other of these venues: NSD, IHC, KMC, Stephen's, Hansraj besides Govt. College University, Lahore.
A FRESHER'S GUIDE TO THE CAMPUS
For all the excited campus-hopping DU aspirants, here's a statutory warning, all isn't as hunky-dory as it seems from the outside. Veterans give an insight into what is in store for freshers. From 'friendly interactions' to transport, pocket-no-money to notes, here's a one-stop guide to all your college problems.
RAGGING
"Nothing constructive has come out of banning ragging", says Nikita, now a 2nd year student. "Freshers who resisted ragging quoting the 'Say No to Ragging' rule faced the music throughout the year. Such behavior never goes down well with seniors and these students earn themselves a negative reputation amongst peers too". Some schools are reputed for churning out the so-called "snobs" or "snoots". Another 2nd year warns against the not disclosing the school name tactic. "A girl from my batch initially refused to name her school, on insistence she took some other school's name. Since students from that school were present there, her act fell flat on its face. Nothing could have been more embarrassing".
Veteran Tips:
1. Dress down, there will be a lot of time to show off later. Do not unnecessarily invite attention to yourself.
2. Without sounding over-enthusiastic, volunteer to do the safer, more regular stuff such as singing, dancing, acting, etc. Go prepared with interesting alternatives, seniors too do run out of ideas and novelty never goes unappreciated. Make it enjoyable for yourself, you'll be telling practically everyone about these incidents the rest of your life.
3. If you find something you've been demanded to do provocative, genuinely sound confused and do a miserable job at it. The seniors eventually get bored of non-performers and move on.
4. Find seniors from your school and remain in groups. Very large groups, too attract attention.
TRANSPORT
It's about time you became conversant with Bus Routes. In any case you're safer 'on' a blue-line than on the road using any other mode of transport. Chances are you'll live longer. There are certain sites that have come up in the last six months which offer services like second-hand bikes and organize car-pool. Girls, especially, shouldn't hesitate in asking men to get off women's seats if they wish to make their bus journeys more comfortable. Dial 100 if an auto-wallah refuses to run by the meter. Do not practice courtesy when it comes to asking people who are travelling alone in an auto and going the same direction as yours. This one might not be applicable to the girls.
ALLOWANCE
You will barely be left with any money at all after paying your travel expenses and getting books photocopied, which will be on a daily basis if you wish to submit your weekly assignments on time. You'll have to do away with your food money at times. Go for momos or chhole kulche which are not only available everywhere but cost Rs. 10-15 and are light on the pocket and filling enough as a mid-day meal. Between classes, there wouldn't even be time to eat more. If you carry food from home, carry a serving size of 3-4 if you wish to get your portion of it.
NOTES
If you have been boasting of not issuing a single book from the library throughout school, you'll have a tough time coping up with college. The concept of textbooks is redundant. You'll be running after books which might have just a para on the topic you're covering. With the number of assignments you get on a weekly basis, and the number of reference books required per assignment, photo-copying is a must. At the end of the three years of college, you'll regret you didn't buy a photocopy machine. Borrow notes from seniors, but don't sit over them, share your resources. The best idea is to make your own notes immediately as you will reduce the garbage-disposal problem you'll face at the end of the year. Since your seniors are dying to get rid of the kabaad, getting their notes out of them shouldn't be much of a problem.
RAGGING
"Nothing constructive has come out of banning ragging", says Nikita, now a 2nd year student. "Freshers who resisted ragging quoting the 'Say No to Ragging' rule faced the music throughout the year. Such behavior never goes down well with seniors and these students earn themselves a negative reputation amongst peers too". Some schools are reputed for churning out the so-called "snobs" or "snoots". Another 2nd year warns against the not disclosing the school name tactic. "A girl from my batch initially refused to name her school, on insistence she took some other school's name. Since students from that school were present there, her act fell flat on its face. Nothing could have been more embarrassing".
Veteran Tips:
1. Dress down, there will be a lot of time to show off later. Do not unnecessarily invite attention to yourself.
2. Without sounding over-enthusiastic, volunteer to do the safer, more regular stuff such as singing, dancing, acting, etc. Go prepared with interesting alternatives, seniors too do run out of ideas and novelty never goes unappreciated. Make it enjoyable for yourself, you'll be telling practically everyone about these incidents the rest of your life.
3. If you find something you've been demanded to do provocative, genuinely sound confused and do a miserable job at it. The seniors eventually get bored of non-performers and move on.
4. Find seniors from your school and remain in groups. Very large groups, too attract attention.
TRANSPORT
It's about time you became conversant with Bus Routes. In any case you're safer 'on' a blue-line than on the road using any other mode of transport. Chances are you'll live longer. There are certain sites that have come up in the last six months which offer services like second-hand bikes and organize car-pool. Girls, especially, shouldn't hesitate in asking men to get off women's seats if they wish to make their bus journeys more comfortable. Dial 100 if an auto-wallah refuses to run by the meter. Do not practice courtesy when it comes to asking people who are travelling alone in an auto and going the same direction as yours. This one might not be applicable to the girls.
ALLOWANCE
You will barely be left with any money at all after paying your travel expenses and getting books photocopied, which will be on a daily basis if you wish to submit your weekly assignments on time. You'll have to do away with your food money at times. Go for momos or chhole kulche which are not only available everywhere but cost Rs. 10-15 and are light on the pocket and filling enough as a mid-day meal. Between classes, there wouldn't even be time to eat more. If you carry food from home, carry a serving size of 3-4 if you wish to get your portion of it.
NOTES
If you have been boasting of not issuing a single book from the library throughout school, you'll have a tough time coping up with college. The concept of textbooks is redundant. You'll be running after books which might have just a para on the topic you're covering. With the number of assignments you get on a weekly basis, and the number of reference books required per assignment, photo-copying is a must. At the end of the three years of college, you'll regret you didn't buy a photocopy machine. Borrow notes from seniors, but don't sit over them, share your resources. The best idea is to make your own notes immediately as you will reduce the garbage-disposal problem you'll face at the end of the year. Since your seniors are dying to get rid of the kabaad, getting their notes out of them shouldn't be much of a problem.
DU ADMISSIONS: DAY 1 OF THE MADNESS
Day 1 of DU Admissions might have been "lukewarm" as a DUSU volunteer put it, but the heat, it seems, has taken its toll on the DU aspirants. With the centralized form promising to be simpler, the queries became more original this year. Let's take a look at the Not So Frequently Asked Questions that made it to the Help Desks at various colleges.
A bunch of genuinely confused boys approached a volunteer at Miranda House seeking re-assurance that the building isn't housing Khalsa College on its premises. What bothered them even more was the information that Miranda House is a women's college, which by default bars boys from admission into the college. Another man in their league was adamant on filling in JMC for his younger brother. Small wonder then, that three Urdu Honours male aspirants justified the concept of Girls Colleges as a refuge for those females who felt "unsafe" in their presence. Girls held their own, claiming co-ed colleges are the place to be and they can take the competition head on. The concept of Girls Colleges to them was a thing of the past.
We received interesting opinions on the debate on entrance exams too. Subverting popular belief that entrances are an irritant to most students, the majority seemed to favour them. And yes, this is the year DU has ruled out entrances for English Honours. The grass is always greener on the other side? The College vs. Course discussion continued; ideally tilted towards the choice of Course. People were refreshingly realistic about their preferences though B. Com still won hands down as the most opted for subject.
A bunch of genuinely confused boys approached a volunteer at Miranda House seeking re-assurance that the building isn't housing Khalsa College on its premises. What bothered them even more was the information that Miranda House is a women's college, which by default bars boys from admission into the college. Another man in their league was adamant on filling in JMC for his younger brother. Small wonder then, that three Urdu Honours male aspirants justified the concept of Girls Colleges as a refuge for those females who felt "unsafe" in their presence. Girls held their own, claiming co-ed colleges are the place to be and they can take the competition head on. The concept of Girls Colleges to them was a thing of the past.
We received interesting opinions on the debate on entrance exams too. Subverting popular belief that entrances are an irritant to most students, the majority seemed to favour them. And yes, this is the year DU has ruled out entrances for English Honours. The grass is always greener on the other side? The College vs. Course discussion continued; ideally tilted towards the choice of Course. People were refreshingly realistic about their preferences though B. Com still won hands down as the most opted for subject.
PAIN IS GOOD
I'm picking at my wound again (unbeatably my favourite pastime these days)... Adiba yells, "Can you quit putting your chot up for display for God's sake?" and looks away, eyes tightly shut, disgusted! I can understand... or well, can I? As in I'd do that if I were in her place! So how's this different???
I guess I know better than to look away from my own troubles... I have to face them, sooner if not later... Blah! They're mine after all... 'Mine'- Possessive article.
You'd think people identify better with you when you're dealing with the negatives... Isn't that exactly why they can't see you happy? Isn't that why they keep pulling you down all the time? Irrespective of the fact whether you're already at the bottom... They fear you'll get better than them if they let you... so they crush you right in the beginning... 'Coz then they can use your shoulders to stand over you. "One down; n to go!"... You're no more than a rung in their ladder to get to the top...
Even otherwise, does anyone really care? Obviously they'll tell you they went through something similar and like duh they understand, but eventually look away when the cut is at its ugliest and where the itch most irritating! "Mess with it when I'm not around..."
I reproach myself for showing off and pull my sleeve over my elbow... But then again, why? What's there to hide or what's wrong with show-off (if at all you call it show off)??? Don't all of us seek sympathy? I mean at least I do, for all I care, and that too in volumes (now that I've admitted it :P)... After all Insecurity does this to you sometime or the other... But then I do enjoy the pain too... It does take my mind off things for a while... Suddenly all my problems seem to be centred around that one single blood clot, and somehow I am convinced that bit by bit removing the dead skin gets me rid of them somewhat... Strangely enough I ignore the scars and blemishes it leaves behind in that moment of blind hope...
Accidentally I pull where it is still cathected to the skin; and the sight of fresh blood oozing out stabs me back to my ugly reality... I feel my stomach turning... the pain comes rushing back... "Nice to see you again! At least you're always there when things are at their worst..."
I guess I know better than to look away from my own troubles... I have to face them, sooner if not later... Blah! They're mine after all... 'Mine'- Possessive article.
You'd think people identify better with you when you're dealing with the negatives... Isn't that exactly why they can't see you happy? Isn't that why they keep pulling you down all the time? Irrespective of the fact whether you're already at the bottom... They fear you'll get better than them if they let you... so they crush you right in the beginning... 'Coz then they can use your shoulders to stand over you. "One down; n to go!"... You're no more than a rung in their ladder to get to the top...
Even otherwise, does anyone really care? Obviously they'll tell you they went through something similar and like duh they understand, but eventually look away when the cut is at its ugliest and where the itch most irritating! "Mess with it when I'm not around..."
I reproach myself for showing off and pull my sleeve over my elbow... But then again, why? What's there to hide or what's wrong with show-off (if at all you call it show off)??? Don't all of us seek sympathy? I mean at least I do, for all I care, and that too in volumes (now that I've admitted it :P)... After all Insecurity does this to you sometime or the other... But then I do enjoy the pain too... It does take my mind off things for a while... Suddenly all my problems seem to be centred around that one single blood clot, and somehow I am convinced that bit by bit removing the dead skin gets me rid of them somewhat... Strangely enough I ignore the scars and blemishes it leaves behind in that moment of blind hope...
Accidentally I pull where it is still cathected to the skin; and the sight of fresh blood oozing out stabs me back to my ugly reality... I feel my stomach turning... the pain comes rushing back... "Nice to see you again! At least you're always there when things are at their worst..."
REJECTING THE SYSTEM.....
And randomly I pick up the first register in my reach, flip it to its last pages and begin to scribble with the only pen that writes that I happen to fumble upon in the dark... the way I always begin on anything! Too much of a co-incidence won't you think? Sometimes I feel I am part of this secret controversy by one of those Greek Muses that dictate from your shoulder or as they might put it "inspire" you... another puppet in the invisible hands of fate, probably with imbalanced if not broken strings...
So, I haven't been able to put myself to sleep and am coming up with all sorts of after-dark insomniac, crazy ideas to distract myself... but then a part of me recognises them as futile attempts at suppressing the nagging desire to write... The razai seems warm no more and I surrender to the urge, wondering if I really had any other option... Catharsis I call it... Writing comes to me naturally as the only other way besides weeping to get it out of the system and I don't want to cry right now... Even the light from the heater seems sufficient; rather inviting I'd say...
It's about time that I stop lying to myself and admit it... I AM GOING TO MISS SCHOOL AFTER ALL... no matter how many pain-in-the-ass bruises it has given to my ego, for I cannot deny DPS RK Puram's role in helping me discover besides teaching what it means and nurturing it... Yes, these last two years have been looooong and I'm happy that they're over... but no matter how much I try to run away from the fact... the truth remains that I am a Dipsite and the school campus has been making me sick with nostalgia the past FEW (and no more, you get that?) days... I guess its been my Defence Mechanism: 'Rejecting the system before the system rejects you' as Rejection continues to stand out as my strongest fear!
Now to all those of you whose calls I'm repeatedly ignoring and others with whom I've been conversing in monosyllables without making eye contact... I'm learning to live without you and its SLIGHTLY uncomfortable even without your INSISTENT glares... Very bluntly, I don't know how to deal with farewells and goodbyes (with GOD KNOWS how much of good intended at heart)...
As my parched throat hurts, I can't help letting go of withheld tears rebelling against my strength to prevent their outbreak... and as they stain my strained cheeks... It finally sinks in... I'm leaving my second home!!! For so many years I had been successively growing complacent and in a matter of a few days everything becomes uncertain to the limit of being unsettling... and its like "13 years down the drain... What the heck???"... But then at the same time I know (or do i?) who all are walking with me beyond the school gates and no doubt they are very few... Its disheartening to know that you're leaving so much behind... but then again, everything that has made a difference is a part and parcel of me now and however hard I wish to rip out all of it; I realise that's what makes me what I am and minus this I am nothing... My luggage suddenly seems heavier as the ends of my lips twitch into a meek smile...
So, I haven't been able to put myself to sleep and am coming up with all sorts of after-dark insomniac, crazy ideas to distract myself... but then a part of me recognises them as futile attempts at suppressing the nagging desire to write... The razai seems warm no more and I surrender to the urge, wondering if I really had any other option... Catharsis I call it... Writing comes to me naturally as the only other way besides weeping to get it out of the system and I don't want to cry right now... Even the light from the heater seems sufficient; rather inviting I'd say...
It's about time that I stop lying to myself and admit it... I AM GOING TO MISS SCHOOL AFTER ALL... no matter how many pain-in-the-ass bruises it has given to my ego, for I cannot deny DPS RK Puram's role in helping me discover besides teaching what it means and nurturing it... Yes, these last two years have been looooong and I'm happy that they're over... but no matter how much I try to run away from the fact... the truth remains that I am a Dipsite and the school campus has been making me sick with nostalgia the past FEW (and no more, you get that?) days... I guess its been my Defence Mechanism: 'Rejecting the system before the system rejects you' as Rejection continues to stand out as my strongest fear!
Now to all those of you whose calls I'm repeatedly ignoring and others with whom I've been conversing in monosyllables without making eye contact... I'm learning to live without you and its SLIGHTLY uncomfortable even without your INSISTENT glares... Very bluntly, I don't know how to deal with farewells and goodbyes (with GOD KNOWS how much of good intended at heart)...
As my parched throat hurts, I can't help letting go of withheld tears rebelling against my strength to prevent their outbreak... and as they stain my strained cheeks... It finally sinks in... I'm leaving my second home!!! For so many years I had been successively growing complacent and in a matter of a few days everything becomes uncertain to the limit of being unsettling... and its like "13 years down the drain... What the heck???"... But then at the same time I know (or do i?) who all are walking with me beyond the school gates and no doubt they are very few... Its disheartening to know that you're leaving so much behind... but then again, everything that has made a difference is a part and parcel of me now and however hard I wish to rip out all of it; I realise that's what makes me what I am and minus this I am nothing... My luggage suddenly seems heavier as the ends of my lips twitch into a meek smile...
FUSS MACHINE - Nobody's Perfect; I am Nobody!
Isn't it irritating that our very basic vocabulary comprises of words which are subjectively defined? Good, Bad, Right, Wrong even True and False, for that matter, are debatable courtesy conflicting contexts. The problem word in question is "Perfect". Wouldn't it be perfect is at least 'PERFECT' was perfect??? 'Perfect' is probably the superlative to best since best itself is superlative for good and better [Good; Better; Best]. For bare minimums everyone would agree that it lies at the upper-end of the continuum. That in itself is enough to detect the loophole. The concept of perfection is similar to that of infinity. NOT DEFINED! Even two infinity signs can't be equated however much we would wish for convenience's sake. So that quite explains why no one gets full marks on English. Nothing is completely right and nothing is entirely wrong! Everything is relative and the w.r.ts (with respect to’s) aren't standardized! "SUBJECTIVITY" is the name of the game!!!
So! With so much of ambiguity, how did the (so-called) "Perfectionist" come around? At the very outset I would like to differentiate between a Fully Functioning Person (FFP) or a Self-Actualized Individual and a Perfectionist. For all those who are laymen to the Humanistic Approach in Psychology; a FFP is "one who is sensitive to the needs and rights of others, but does not allow society's standards to shape her/his feelings and actions to an excessive degree." Self-actualization is a related concept viz. a state in which people have reached their own fullest potential; a holistic approach focusing the larger picture. The Perfectionist in contrast is too obsessed with the onion rings being congruent in shape, every hand-written letter being a photocopy of the same elsewhere and the groceries being kept in alphabetical order (Danny Tanner in Full House, Monday to Friday 1800 hrs Zee Cafe) to go beyond anything but detail!!! Food for thought: How many of you have wondered while eating Pringles the amount of wastage involved in packaging one single stack of identical chips?
When did you last hear someone boasting of being a Perfectionist? First of all Perfectionists are far from perfect so the very notion of Perfectionism is wrong. "Nobody's Perfect" still stands true through the test of time. Coming to the "I am Nobody" of the refined maxim; there's absolutely NOTHING to boast about in being a Perfectionist. The point being Perfectionists have some serious issues in life. I reckon they suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. They can NEVER have long-term relationships! They tend to withdraw at the peak of a relationship. Why contradict myself by addressing the "Perfect Relationship" (happy, content, satisfied, ideal, successful are complete no-no’s for me in the circumference of this article) when the Fuss Machine would put people off even before they enter into a relationship with her/him? Even another Perfectionist would be subjected to rejection by a Perfectionist! You know how the make of the human being is; there has to be at least ONE flaw, and when you get too close to the perfectionist, that one negligible fault becomes a glare-in-the-face for her/him. And after you've scratched your head enough trying to figure out where Ms./Mr. Paranoid vanished in the middle of an intimate kiss... You'll discover... IMPERFECTION!!!
Never at Peace...
Signing out... Perfectionist
So! With so much of ambiguity, how did the (so-called) "Perfectionist" come around? At the very outset I would like to differentiate between a Fully Functioning Person (FFP) or a Self-Actualized Individual and a Perfectionist. For all those who are laymen to the Humanistic Approach in Psychology; a FFP is "one who is sensitive to the needs and rights of others, but does not allow society's standards to shape her/his feelings and actions to an excessive degree." Self-actualization is a related concept viz. a state in which people have reached their own fullest potential; a holistic approach focusing the larger picture. The Perfectionist in contrast is too obsessed with the onion rings being congruent in shape, every hand-written letter being a photocopy of the same elsewhere and the groceries being kept in alphabetical order (Danny Tanner in Full House, Monday to Friday 1800 hrs Zee Cafe) to go beyond anything but detail!!! Food for thought: How many of you have wondered while eating Pringles the amount of wastage involved in packaging one single stack of identical chips?
When did you last hear someone boasting of being a Perfectionist? First of all Perfectionists are far from perfect so the very notion of Perfectionism is wrong. "Nobody's Perfect" still stands true through the test of time. Coming to the "I am Nobody" of the refined maxim; there's absolutely NOTHING to boast about in being a Perfectionist. The point being Perfectionists have some serious issues in life. I reckon they suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. They can NEVER have long-term relationships! They tend to withdraw at the peak of a relationship. Why contradict myself by addressing the "Perfect Relationship" (happy, content, satisfied, ideal, successful are complete no-no’s for me in the circumference of this article) when the Fuss Machine would put people off even before they enter into a relationship with her/him? Even another Perfectionist would be subjected to rejection by a Perfectionist! You know how the make of the human being is; there has to be at least ONE flaw, and when you get too close to the perfectionist, that one negligible fault becomes a glare-in-the-face for her/him. And after you've scratched your head enough trying to figure out where Ms./Mr. Paranoid vanished in the middle of an intimate kiss... You'll discover... IMPERFECTION!!!
Never at Peace...
Signing out... Perfectionist
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