On February 9, in a Press Conference, the President of the Delhi Pradesh National Panthers Party (DPNPP) Mr. Sanjoy Sachdev warns Shri Ram Sene and Shiv Sena of “youth mode of direct action consequences” if they did not withdraw their opposition call to Valentine Day. DPNPP members are out on Delhi streets today onwards to protect couples peacefully celebrating Valentine’s week from Ram Sene like extreme elements who claim to forcefully marry off those who are seen celebrating the festival in public areas.
For the past 7 years, DPNPP has been deploying teams comprising of party members and volunteers armed with dry red chilli and black pepper powder at the commonly targeted areas of New Delhi every Valentine’s Day to counter fundamentalist outfits who oppose the peaceful celebration of the festival claiming that it is against Indian culture. This year pepper spray manufacturer ‘Back Off’ has gifted 10 kits to the party and about 50 persons trained in Judo Karate volunteered to join the patrolling team.
A control room to deal with complaints by harassed couples seeking protection from the ‘moral policing brigade’ has been set up in the party office. The helpline number – 09313784375 - was first flashed on Radio City 91.1 FM on February 5. Since the activation of the helpline, Mr. Harsh Malhotra, Secretary General DPNPP, who is personally looking after all the complaints, has been receiving calls congratulating the party on their noble efforts.
1200-1300 students have called in to enquire how they could become a part of the DPNPP effort. Even if 50% of this figure actively participates in the campaign, it would be an added bonus to the 400 member force which will be split in teams of 5-10 at approximately 50 target sites all over Delhi. CP, DU North and South Campuses, Karol Bagh, Janak Puri, Buddha Garden, Lodhi Garden, Malviya Nagar, Madrasa, Hauz Khas Park, Green Park amongst others are already being closely monitored.
There have also been a few severe critics who have called in to say that they do not support the celebration of Valentine’s Day. “On the 6th I received a call from a representative of the Iskcon Temple asking me why we are encouraging Valentine’s Day Celebrations. His objection was that if we allow a boy to give flowers to a girl today, tomorrow the girl might get pregnant and by that time it would be too late. When temple-workers of a Radha-Kishan temple; Krishna being the symbol of love in Hindu mythology, think in such narrow terms, it is clearly visible where the rest of the followers of the faith derive their religious interpretations from” shares Mr. Malhotra.
In their previous efforts the Police was not as supportive of the DPNPP and last year some 17-18 members were kept in Preventive Detention under Section 65. This year the prty has sought the help of the police in its move and announced that if the police obstructed the Panthers from assisting the youth in celebrating Valentine’s Day, it would move the court of law.
Last year the Shiv Sena had openly threatened to attack those found celebrating Valentine’s Day through hand-outs distributed in DU North Campus. They even tried to create a ruckus outside the gates of Hindu College but could not succeed because students got together and handled the situation from getting worse. There were similar attempts by the ‘Sangh Parivar’ activists at Green Park and at the Wimpy’s outlet in CP too, which the DPNPP took care of.
Jai Bhagwan Goel has left the Shiv Sena and come up with the Rashtravadi Sena which DNPP members identify as their primary threat. Shiv Sena on the other hand has not publicised any plans to thwart the celebration of Valentine’s Day but they will, as they have been doing for the past 7-8 years, burn heaps of “vulgar” Archie’s Cards at Jantar Mantar “peacefully”, informs Vishwanath Dutta, Secretary, North India Division office. On the conflicting ideologies of the DPNPP and the Shiv Sena, he comments, “Who has even heard about the Panther Party? This is just a gimmick to catch media attention. We have been opposing the so called ‘modernisation’ of Indian culture since the very beginning i.e. from the time Manmohan Singh became the Finance Minister, and will continue to oppose these so-called ‘secular’ parties till the very end.”
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, July 21, 2008
Food, Clothing... Education?
Enter Kamala Nagar Market and the word that registers and lingers on your temptation glands is 'SALE'. For those who haven't shopped to their heart's content, the end of season sale can very well serve as the beginning of college sale. Looking for ethnic wear? Head to Dhara: 20, UB Jawahar Nagar, Kamla Nagar Market.
Those of you who are looking for street wear need to be street smart too. Bargaining is the only way out and digging through the heaps of clothing is inevitable if you're at Bungalow road. And at Bungalow Road you'll be, if you shop for the entire season in one go. But time and patience is inversely proportional to the cash you shell out.
Wish to make your own style statement? The Tibetan Refugee Camp at Majnu ka Tila is yet to be discovered to its fullest potential. But don't forget to indulge in the momo-mania at Tee-Dees, where assortments of dumplings come with an assortment of names.
Momos, priced at Rs. 30 for a full-plate of chicken and Rs. 20 for vegetable have hooked onto DU's taste-buds. Ready to eat and steamed (steaming hot should be more like it), they serve those in hurry and the health-conscious respectively.
For those who worry their figure too much, there are not only sprouts but sprout laddoos too on offer at Rs. 10 at the Arts Faculty Canteen. You can get some fresh fruit juice and vegetable juice there too.
For the occasional binge go to Chacha ke Chhole Bhature, where the aloo bhaturas are a rage. It continues to attract North Campus alumni even today. Kashyap's bread pakode, chauffeured by Kashyap himself on his push-cart near Hansraj College (Rs. 10 per plate) are sold-out before you can get enough of the hot snack smothered with chaat-masala. Banta and chuski is available at the gol-chakkar when the spicy treat gets the better of you.
Moving down south, DCAC and JMC flock to Satya Niketan Market to share their food with Sri Venkateswara College. Mithas, as the Anand Lok Market Square is popularly known for the restaurant it houses by the same name is a common favourite of Gargi, Kamala Nehru and Institute of Home Economics. At Gate No. 3 of Siri Fort Auditorium, 2 'o' clock onwards, you can witness the magic of chatpati chaat at the kiosk there. SDA Market opposite IIT Delhi Main Gate is a hang-out for hookah-lovers, Frankie-connoisseurs and Subway bingers alike. You can get 2 pizzas at Rs. 100 from the Pizza Square outlet there.
Those of you who are looking for street wear need to be street smart too. Bargaining is the only way out and digging through the heaps of clothing is inevitable if you're at Bungalow road. And at Bungalow Road you'll be, if you shop for the entire season in one go. But time and patience is inversely proportional to the cash you shell out.
Wish to make your own style statement? The Tibetan Refugee Camp at Majnu ka Tila is yet to be discovered to its fullest potential. But don't forget to indulge in the momo-mania at Tee-Dees, where assortments of dumplings come with an assortment of names.
Momos, priced at Rs. 30 for a full-plate of chicken and Rs. 20 for vegetable have hooked onto DU's taste-buds. Ready to eat and steamed (steaming hot should be more like it), they serve those in hurry and the health-conscious respectively.
For those who worry their figure too much, there are not only sprouts but sprout laddoos too on offer at Rs. 10 at the Arts Faculty Canteen. You can get some fresh fruit juice and vegetable juice there too.
For the occasional binge go to Chacha ke Chhole Bhature, where the aloo bhaturas are a rage. It continues to attract North Campus alumni even today. Kashyap's bread pakode, chauffeured by Kashyap himself on his push-cart near Hansraj College (Rs. 10 per plate) are sold-out before you can get enough of the hot snack smothered with chaat-masala. Banta and chuski is available at the gol-chakkar when the spicy treat gets the better of you.
Moving down south, DCAC and JMC flock to Satya Niketan Market to share their food with Sri Venkateswara College. Mithas, as the Anand Lok Market Square is popularly known for the restaurant it houses by the same name is a common favourite of Gargi, Kamala Nehru and Institute of Home Economics. At Gate No. 3 of Siri Fort Auditorium, 2 'o' clock onwards, you can witness the magic of chatpati chaat at the kiosk there. SDA Market opposite IIT Delhi Main Gate is a hang-out for hookah-lovers, Frankie-connoisseurs and Subway bingers alike. You can get 2 pizzas at Rs. 100 from the Pizza Square outlet there.
Orientation Programme? What Orientation Programme?
A day before Delhi University officially re-opened, various North Campus colleges, namely Hindu College, St. Stephen's College, Sri Ram College of Commerce and Hansraj College scheduled their orientation for freshers. This year, most colleges made an attempt to keep the programme short and sweet, and at most places the 'formality' was over within an hour and a half, unlike last year's record five hours. "We'd expected speeches and we were delivered speeches", laughs Anupama Labar, English Honours 1st year at Hansraj College. "It could have been more entertaining", she complained, hinting at a possible inclusion of more presentations from the various societies active in the college.
Contradicting popular opinion, most freshers felt the orientation would have been an 'orientation' in the true sense if seniors were around since they are expected to give a better picture of what college really is about. Many were actually looking forward to breaking the ice through the "friendly interaction". Tirthankar Bose, 1st year, Maths Honours, clarified that this doesn't imply walking into the lion's den. His class-mate, Indrajit Banerjee shares, "We wanted to check out the college canteen but weren't sure of who might pounce onto us there".
Since parents too were invited for the orientation, a lot of children came with their entire family tagging along. Debanjum Singh, 1st year Physics Honours, Hansraj College, couldn't enter the auditorium as kins of fellow students occupied space intended to seat other students. The venue was brimming over, with people sitting on the floor and on window-sills. "The memory that I'm taking back of my first day in college is standing outside the auditorium listening to disembodied speeches and besura music", he commented. Priyanka Dey, 1st year, History Honours at Hindu doesn't agree with the claim that the idea of parents accompanying their wards is silly. "Parents are obviously interested in their children's welfare, where they are going, what they are upto. Beyond this, in any case, they are letting us be, which is difficult for both parent and child". Hindu College managed the crowd very well in terms of seating but at refreshment counters things went out of hand with students struggling to keep their food from tipping.
Contradicting popular opinion, most freshers felt the orientation would have been an 'orientation' in the true sense if seniors were around since they are expected to give a better picture of what college really is about. Many were actually looking forward to breaking the ice through the "friendly interaction". Tirthankar Bose, 1st year, Maths Honours, clarified that this doesn't imply walking into the lion's den. His class-mate, Indrajit Banerjee shares, "We wanted to check out the college canteen but weren't sure of who might pounce onto us there".
Since parents too were invited for the orientation, a lot of children came with their entire family tagging along. Debanjum Singh, 1st year Physics Honours, Hansraj College, couldn't enter the auditorium as kins of fellow students occupied space intended to seat other students. The venue was brimming over, with people sitting on the floor and on window-sills. "The memory that I'm taking back of my first day in college is standing outside the auditorium listening to disembodied speeches and besura music", he commented. Priyanka Dey, 1st year, History Honours at Hindu doesn't agree with the claim that the idea of parents accompanying their wards is silly. "Parents are obviously interested in their children's welfare, where they are going, what they are upto. Beyond this, in any case, they are letting us be, which is difficult for both parent and child". Hindu College managed the crowd very well in terms of seating but at refreshment counters things went out of hand with students struggling to keep their food from tipping.
Evening College tag a stigma
11 Evening Colleges were sanctioned by the UGC to the Delhi University in the 1970's. These colleges basically catered to students who wished to pursue further studies but were simultaneously working in the morning. Now most of these colleges strictly disallow students who are working and classes begin by two 'o' clock, hence the prefix 'evening' continues to be an issue for debate. As Principal of Dyal Singh Evening, Deepak Malhotra puts it, "The term 'evening' College is a misnomer. 'Second-shift' or even 'Afternoon' college is a better alternative."
Evening colleges offer the advantage of doing add-on courses, vocational courses and/or language courses in the morning and attending classes later in the day, besides the assurance that you will be up in time to attend the first class. Colleges like Dyal Singh Evening and Zakir Husain Evening are doing considerably better than their morning counter-parts in terms of their score in university exams and excellence in ECAs. As far as Dyal Singh Evening is concerned, the Evening College came before the morning one. But despite their success students continue to opt for Morning colleges over them.
Sushant Sharma, Secretary of PRO Wing of Art and Culture Association of Dyal Singh Evening provided insight into the situation. "When we counsel freshers to take admission into the Evening College rather than the Morning one, they express their apprehension. For most, it is still their last resort since they couldn't clear the comparatively higher cut-offs at the Morning colleges. When our theatre team has gone to perform at various fests, we've been greeted with snide comments. At various occasions we've felt discriminated against by the jury too in terms of the prizes going to less deserving teams thanks to the Evening College tag." Re-structuring the B.A. Pass course and calling it B.A. Programme worked wonders for its acceptance amongst students. Who knows, renaming 'Evening' College might just remove the stigma attached to it!
Dr. Satender Kumar, Principal Satyawati Evening lists the problems faced by an Evening College. "For girl students, Evening Colleges aren't their first choice due to the timings. Teachers have to stay back till even later than the students and this obviously breeds discontent amongst the staff. Other than that, Morning College students have to vacate the college premises for the Evening College by 4. Students involved in extra-curricular activities and sports wish to use the auditorium/common rooms and grounds, respectively, for practices. These stay-backs tend to spill over the prescribed time which remains a bone of contention between the two unions."
Before the Co-ordination Committee came into place, there were other issues too, such as fights for the better courses, the Morning College principal governing both the colleges and the Evening College Principal acting as a subordinate, etc. which are now more or less resolved. The Morning and Evening College now function as distinct entities with separate administration, separate offices, separate staff, separate libraries and in some cases with separate auditoriums in the same building. Suggestions such as the Morning classes being started early and additional floors being added to the building have regularly featured in discussions.
After Khalsa's Evening College moved in with the Morning College as Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, the number of Evening colleges stands stationary at 10. Mail Today asked the principals of infra-structurally superior colleges why a second-shift isn't run at their institutions. To that Hansraj College's principal said, "Our College offers science courses which means students need to use labs till much after classes get over. For an afternoon shift, classes have to start by 2 which wouldn't be possible. The professors who teach in the morning won't teach in the evening which would mean new appointments and compromised standards." Dr. Pratibha Jolly, Principal Miranda House quotes the quality over quantity maxim. "Education isn't just about class-room teaching. We offer holistic education to our girls and we're barely keeping our head above the water with the number of activities we've introduced."
Evening colleges offer the advantage of doing add-on courses, vocational courses and/or language courses in the morning and attending classes later in the day, besides the assurance that you will be up in time to attend the first class. Colleges like Dyal Singh Evening and Zakir Husain Evening are doing considerably better than their morning counter-parts in terms of their score in university exams and excellence in ECAs. As far as Dyal Singh Evening is concerned, the Evening College came before the morning one. But despite their success students continue to opt for Morning colleges over them.
Sushant Sharma, Secretary of PRO Wing of Art and Culture Association of Dyal Singh Evening provided insight into the situation. "When we counsel freshers to take admission into the Evening College rather than the Morning one, they express their apprehension. For most, it is still their last resort since they couldn't clear the comparatively higher cut-offs at the Morning colleges. When our theatre team has gone to perform at various fests, we've been greeted with snide comments. At various occasions we've felt discriminated against by the jury too in terms of the prizes going to less deserving teams thanks to the Evening College tag." Re-structuring the B.A. Pass course and calling it B.A. Programme worked wonders for its acceptance amongst students. Who knows, renaming 'Evening' College might just remove the stigma attached to it!
Dr. Satender Kumar, Principal Satyawati Evening lists the problems faced by an Evening College. "For girl students, Evening Colleges aren't their first choice due to the timings. Teachers have to stay back till even later than the students and this obviously breeds discontent amongst the staff. Other than that, Morning College students have to vacate the college premises for the Evening College by 4. Students involved in extra-curricular activities and sports wish to use the auditorium/common rooms and grounds, respectively, for practices. These stay-backs tend to spill over the prescribed time which remains a bone of contention between the two unions."
Before the Co-ordination Committee came into place, there were other issues too, such as fights for the better courses, the Morning College principal governing both the colleges and the Evening College Principal acting as a subordinate, etc. which are now more or less resolved. The Morning and Evening College now function as distinct entities with separate administration, separate offices, separate staff, separate libraries and in some cases with separate auditoriums in the same building. Suggestions such as the Morning classes being started early and additional floors being added to the building have regularly featured in discussions.
After Khalsa's Evening College moved in with the Morning College as Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, the number of Evening colleges stands stationary at 10. Mail Today asked the principals of infra-structurally superior colleges why a second-shift isn't run at their institutions. To that Hansraj College's principal said, "Our College offers science courses which means students need to use labs till much after classes get over. For an afternoon shift, classes have to start by 2 which wouldn't be possible. The professors who teach in the morning won't teach in the evening which would mean new appointments and compromised standards." Dr. Pratibha Jolly, Principal Miranda House quotes the quality over quantity maxim. "Education isn't just about class-room teaching. We offer holistic education to our girls and we're barely keeping our head above the water with the number of activities we've introduced."
The Unpublished Article
Shyam's father is a rickshaw puller while Shyam works at a chai-stall as his contribution to the household income. Shyam wants to become a Chartered Accountant one day and as soon as he's relieved from his day's duties, he gives his all to his books by the street-light. Shyam scraped to pass out from the neighbourhood central school where, occasionally, but teachers do find time to teach. His dream of making it to B.Com at DU shattered; he has lost all motivation to pursue further education. Shyam's father had to shell out most of his monthly income to pay for Shyam's studies in a government school. The very idea of a private university is unthinkable when a private school was out of question.
The Trehans sent their only boy to the best public school in the city, provided him with personal tutors for every subject. The boy, despite all the investment, sees no incentive to study, after all 'he will have to look after the family business in the end', and scored badly. When the possibility of paying his way into DU was ruled out, the Trehans doled out whatever was required to enrol him into a private university. There is nothing such as a free lunch.
DU offers scholarship to 'talented' students in terms of full fee concession or part fee concession at both the college and university level to those who can't support their studies themselves. An application plus documentary proof of income for those who have an income below 5,000 per month can get one admitted 'on the basis of merit on scholarship' to IP University. But the question remains, what about those who couldn't secure sound education at the school-level due to their economic inferiority?
Deputy Dean of Student's Welfare DU, Dr. Gurpreet Singh Tuteja, answers, "Evening colleges have reduced cut-offs and allow the student to work in the morning hours too. Besides that the non-collegiate women Education Board is admitting students at 14 centres. Students can opt for vocational courses and still manage to do well in life." He suggests short-term diploma courses, correspondence courses and School of Open Learning, for which just passing one's 12th boards is enough, as alternative options. But the compromise is evident and so is the bar on dreaming big.
Amity University has tied up with various banks which are based on the campus itself and give out education loans to students, which they themselves repay once they get a job. Since Amity assures a 100% placement, the guarantee is taken by the institution while the onus isn't on the parents. Anshum Pant, pursuing his B.Tech. from Amity University adds caution, "How well you get placed depends on your score on the aptitude test besides the degree isn't of as much value as that of a government university's."
Sumedha Upadhyay from Amity Law School, Delhi (affiliated to IP University) strongly disagrees that Private Universities are actually alternatives to Government Universities; they still continue to be the last resort. "In today's time free and compulsory education for all children below 14 years isn't enough; it should be ensured at graduate level too if the unemployment problem really needs to be resolved."
The draw-back of Government Universities is their lack of infra-structure and assured placement which private universities offer. The major disadvantage of a private university is its high fee due to lack of subsidies given to government-aided institutions besides the threat of de-recognition. As Rashmi Atal, PR Officer puts it, "Public-private partnership is the bridge between the gap in the future and IP University is a successful example of that. But there is still a long way to go."
The Trehans sent their only boy to the best public school in the city, provided him with personal tutors for every subject. The boy, despite all the investment, sees no incentive to study, after all 'he will have to look after the family business in the end', and scored badly. When the possibility of paying his way into DU was ruled out, the Trehans doled out whatever was required to enrol him into a private university. There is nothing such as a free lunch.
DU offers scholarship to 'talented' students in terms of full fee concession or part fee concession at both the college and university level to those who can't support their studies themselves. An application plus documentary proof of income for those who have an income below 5,000 per month can get one admitted 'on the basis of merit on scholarship' to IP University. But the question remains, what about those who couldn't secure sound education at the school-level due to their economic inferiority?
Deputy Dean of Student's Welfare DU, Dr. Gurpreet Singh Tuteja, answers, "Evening colleges have reduced cut-offs and allow the student to work in the morning hours too. Besides that the non-collegiate women Education Board is admitting students at 14 centres. Students can opt for vocational courses and still manage to do well in life." He suggests short-term diploma courses, correspondence courses and School of Open Learning, for which just passing one's 12th boards is enough, as alternative options. But the compromise is evident and so is the bar on dreaming big.
Amity University has tied up with various banks which are based on the campus itself and give out education loans to students, which they themselves repay once they get a job. Since Amity assures a 100% placement, the guarantee is taken by the institution while the onus isn't on the parents. Anshum Pant, pursuing his B.Tech. from Amity University adds caution, "How well you get placed depends on your score on the aptitude test besides the degree isn't of as much value as that of a government university's."
Sumedha Upadhyay from Amity Law School, Delhi (affiliated to IP University) strongly disagrees that Private Universities are actually alternatives to Government Universities; they still continue to be the last resort. "In today's time free and compulsory education for all children below 14 years isn't enough; it should be ensured at graduate level too if the unemployment problem really needs to be resolved."
The draw-back of Government Universities is their lack of infra-structure and assured placement which private universities offer. The major disadvantage of a private university is its high fee due to lack of subsidies given to government-aided institutions besides the threat of de-recognition. As Rashmi Atal, PR Officer puts it, "Public-private partnership is the bridge between the gap in the future and IP University is a successful example of that. But there is still a long way to go."
Queue Chats
The situation was chaotic at most DU colleges the day admissions opened. Counters for roll numbers, document verification, fee submission, etc. were all in different corners of the respective college campus making the lengthy process a further complicated one. "Taking admission in a DU college is an equivalent of a three hour maze of going from pillar to post" said a hassled Soumya Chadha from Summerfields School. Ankita Bhardwaj, Vice President, Student Union, Kamala Nehru College agreed that "It would definitely have been more convenient if all the counters were on a single floor."
"Timings should be extended", was a common demand. The bank counter, which was supposed to be open between 10 and 1 didn't open as per timing at many places. Even though the forms weren't made available after 1, the information wasn't clearly conveyed at the college gates which, for many, led to a lot of wastage of time besides their adding to the already teeming crowd. "Not enough volunteers at help-desks" and "under-staffed" counters were other complaints one couldn't miss while standing in various queues.
There was a lot of confusion regarding the cut-offs for the innumerable categories besides the subjectivity of subjects considered as vocational. Aspirants also faced trouble due to the differing demands at different colleges in terms of list of required documents for admission. Not being conversant with individual prospectuses, some students carried attested photocopies as specified by Jesus and Mary College instead of originals as required for admission at KNC. Provisional certificate, letter of recommendation by Principal of last school attended (for students applying through ECA category at Lady Sri Ram College), Certificate saying the level till which Hindi has been studied in school were cause for difficulty compelling many to repeat trips.
Parents accompanying students couldn't figure how to cut time. Except for the guardian's signature, most of the formalities are required to be done by the student and hence parents weren't allowed beyond a certain barrier. Thus every fifth minute volunteers had to deal with enquiries from worried parents about their children's whereabouts. Dipali Patel, applying to History Honours at KNC says, "Doing everything on my own was new to me, but I enjoy the independence."
"Timings should be extended", was a common demand. The bank counter, which was supposed to be open between 10 and 1 didn't open as per timing at many places. Even though the forms weren't made available after 1, the information wasn't clearly conveyed at the college gates which, for many, led to a lot of wastage of time besides their adding to the already teeming crowd. "Not enough volunteers at help-desks" and "under-staffed" counters were other complaints one couldn't miss while standing in various queues.
There was a lot of confusion regarding the cut-offs for the innumerable categories besides the subjectivity of subjects considered as vocational. Aspirants also faced trouble due to the differing demands at different colleges in terms of list of required documents for admission. Not being conversant with individual prospectuses, some students carried attested photocopies as specified by Jesus and Mary College instead of originals as required for admission at KNC. Provisional certificate, letter of recommendation by Principal of last school attended (for students applying through ECA category at Lady Sri Ram College), Certificate saying the level till which Hindi has been studied in school were cause for difficulty compelling many to repeat trips.
Parents accompanying students couldn't figure how to cut time. Except for the guardian's signature, most of the formalities are required to be done by the student and hence parents weren't allowed beyond a certain barrier. Thus every fifth minute volunteers had to deal with enquiries from worried parents about their children's whereabouts. Dipali Patel, applying to History Honours at KNC says, "Doing everything on my own was new to me, but I enjoy the independence."
26th June THE D-Day
26th of June remains the dreaded day, beating in anxiety levels the day the Board result is out, hands down. Especially since this year most news papers didn't feature the exhaustive first cut-off list, it was back to campus-hopping for checking individual college's cut-offs. A lot of students trotted down and stood waiting for hours on end, under the impression that the first cut-off will feature a list of their names, if they have cracked the course in that particular college. Another extension of the illusion was that students applying through individual forms to colleges will definitely see a name-based cut-off list which isn't so either. The colleges do not have the sanction to differentiate between people who have applied through individual forms against those who applied through the common pre-admission forms.
'Crazy', 'Unreasonable', 'Murderous' were some of the extreme adjectives used to define the first cut-off list this year by those, very obviously, discontented with the demanded percentage. Lady Shri Ram's cut-off list was received with shock universally. English, the subject as well as the course made for many a miserable day. Amongst the few happy faces were those of students who had managed to crack the Journalism entrance, which requires a very reasonable minimum eligibility as criteria to sit for the exam; despite the lesser intake of students, as compared to last year. Those who hadn't made it through the entrance failed to comprehend why. "The entrances were so simple and went well too but I still haven't made it to any of the colleges offering the course" says a disappointed Nikita Dhingra.
Students were anyway suggested by volunteers at help-desks to visit the colleges they seek admission in, to check up on the riders such as the minimum marks required in the subject concurrent to the course, English, math. Colleges also differ on the courses considered as vocational subjects for which 4% is deducted from the Best Four aggregate. Ridhima Bhatnagar of Tagore International felt cheated by Kamala Nehru's decision to chart Entrepreneurship as a vocational course which is compulsory for all students who opt for Humanities as a stream at Tagore. For a lot of the students who had given their 12th boards in these subjects, the negative weightage was still bearable as compared to including their fifth subject. Worst-hit were those who had more than one of these Vocational Subjects.
B.A. Programme and Geography besides Socio received an overwhelming response from students while B.Com (Pass) remained a reconciliation for a lot of those who had initially aspired for B.Com. (H). As far as the response from the OBC category was concerned, as a volunteer at the Gargi help-desk informs, "Not many have woken up to the fact that for verification of their belonging to the category, OBC's need to carry at the time of admission, a certificate of proof. We've received a lot of forms without attested photocopies, which would obviously mean that they can't receive the advantage sanctioned to them for belonging to Other Backward Classes."
'Crazy', 'Unreasonable', 'Murderous' were some of the extreme adjectives used to define the first cut-off list this year by those, very obviously, discontented with the demanded percentage. Lady Shri Ram's cut-off list was received with shock universally. English, the subject as well as the course made for many a miserable day. Amongst the few happy faces were those of students who had managed to crack the Journalism entrance, which requires a very reasonable minimum eligibility as criteria to sit for the exam; despite the lesser intake of students, as compared to last year. Those who hadn't made it through the entrance failed to comprehend why. "The entrances were so simple and went well too but I still haven't made it to any of the colleges offering the course" says a disappointed Nikita Dhingra.
Students were anyway suggested by volunteers at help-desks to visit the colleges they seek admission in, to check up on the riders such as the minimum marks required in the subject concurrent to the course, English, math. Colleges also differ on the courses considered as vocational subjects for which 4% is deducted from the Best Four aggregate. Ridhima Bhatnagar of Tagore International felt cheated by Kamala Nehru's decision to chart Entrepreneurship as a vocational course which is compulsory for all students who opt for Humanities as a stream at Tagore. For a lot of the students who had given their 12th boards in these subjects, the negative weightage was still bearable as compared to including their fifth subject. Worst-hit were those who had more than one of these Vocational Subjects.
B.A. Programme and Geography besides Socio received an overwhelming response from students while B.Com (Pass) remained a reconciliation for a lot of those who had initially aspired for B.Com. (H). As far as the response from the OBC category was concerned, as a volunteer at the Gargi help-desk informs, "Not many have woken up to the fact that for verification of their belonging to the category, OBC's need to carry at the time of admission, a certificate of proof. We've received a lot of forms without attested photocopies, which would obviously mean that they can't receive the advantage sanctioned to them for belonging to Other Backward Classes."
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