DELHI UNIVERSITY FOR DELHI-ITES?

For Mail Today:

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June 1, 2010: Lok Abhiyan, an initiative taken to bridge the gap between the government and the people, organized a seminar Face to Face for students aspiring to take admission in Delhi University (DU) on Tuesday evening. Presided over by BJP leader and President of LoK Abhiyan, Vijay Goel, the seminar included eminent panelists from the University to address problems faced by students and teachers in DU.

“This seminar will give a chance to all freshers to have one-to-one with the highest authorities in DU”, said Nupur Sharma, President of Delhi University Students Union. Goel raised some important questions on behalf of the students which included problems with accommodation of out-station students in University colleges, preference to Delhi Students, online submission of OMR forms, and the success of Information Centres all over Delhi.

Goel questioned, “If Maharashtra can give preference to domicile, why not Delhi University?” He emphasized on the fact that 70% of the seats in DU are taken by outside students, therefore creating problems for students here. Also, the accommodation provided to out-station students is not upto the mark and students struggle to rent flats in Mukherji Nagar, Kingsway Camp, etc.

However, Vice Chancellor Deepak Pental clarified that in the general category only 10-15% students are from outside Delhi. He further defended his stand by explaining that SC/ST reservation is a constitutional obligation and the University can’t turn its back on them. “The seats of these (SC/ST) categories will be filled only by tribes from outside. Such a condition is inevitable.”

To counter the problem of accommodation of out-station students, Pental informed that two hostels with an accommodation of thousand each are under construction in Dhaka Village, 1.5km from the University campus. Two more hostels are being planned in the same area.

The question however remains if Delhi University is indeed for Delhi-ites and, therefore, should give some relaxation to residents of Delhi for admissions, or should it continue to be a centralized academic institution knows for its educational standards and not because it is situated In Delhi.

Mishika Singh

Tree Protest By KNC Students

23.02.2010

Description:

It started on the morning of 23rd February 2010, with a group of students skipping classes to stop the felling of some trees opposite Kamala Nehru College.

By afternoon, it became an 'issue' for the Government as we were 'disrupting' their work.

The CPWD has been asked to UPROOT eleven trees on SIRI FORT ROAD for the widening of roads. Even though they have got permission from the Forest Department to do so, there is NO PERMISSION from the UTTIPEC for widening of roads. In spite of the Supreme Court order which requires a mandatory permit from UTTIPEC, the CPWD is going ahead with the cutting of trees ILLEGALLY.

Also, if the roads are widened, there won't be any footpath for pedestrians to walk on. Is two weeks of Commonwealth Games reason enough for the government to cut these tress and put the lives of thousands of college students at risk??

24.02.2010

The first protest took place on 24February. It started around 10am and went on till 1pm. We were able to postpone the felling if trees, but no on k new till exactly how long.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/25/stories/2010022558670200.htm

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Girl-power-resists-chopping-drive/articleshow/5613693.cms

06.03.2010

The PWD resumed their work on the night of 5th March around 10pm. We were able to stop the felling of trees that time too but immediate action needed to be taken to put an end to this. Another protest was organised on March6th against the PWD. Participation of people had died out majorly, as only the very few who actually felt for the cause were present. Nevertheless, we continued with out POA.

13.03.2010

The fight is still going on with no outcome as such. The deadline of the feeling of trees has been extended from March end to July end, ensuring that the work is done as soon as we start with our summer breaks.

All the time people talk about raising their voices against the wrongs that are being done. But it's strange that when you actually do that, not many join you. Moreover, you are suppressed even before you start. "Tum system ko nahi, system tumhe badalta hai" has a whole new meaning for me after going through all this for more than 2weeks now.

Two weeks of Commonwealth Games does not mean we sacrifice our environment and risk thousands of young lives.

Join us on http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=ss&gid=322711103667 and help our voices get heard.

Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=photos&ref=ss&gid=322711103667

Videos: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=361264443128&oid=322711103667

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnkBlU0LwaY

Disappointed,

Mish-ika

The How and Why of Commonwealth!

Page 4 of today's Times of India (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?showST=true&Skin=TOINEW&Daily=CAP&BaseHref=CAP/2009/08/01&Enter=true&GZ=T) was dedicated completely to how medical facilities in the city are getting all pumped up to prepare the City for the upcoming Commonwealth Games (CWG). Although the main story focused on how all hospitals are upgrading their staff and infrastructure in order to ensure that all health issues can be tackled effectively during CWG, side stories focus on what problems can still be encountered even when so much is being done.

The facts and figures given along with the story make it easier for the reader to understand and give an overall positive outlook to the story. My problem with the story, however, is that although is appears to be totally unbiased and thoroughly based on facts, the way it is presented gave an idea how this country needs an external push all the time for development to occur. The whole hullabaloo over CWG had definitely proved to be a boon for the city. First the metros, the highways, flyovers, and now finally the health sector- the city is making progress in all areas. But the sad part is that all this is being done mainly for people who will be here for the CWG. When Bush visited India some years back, a whole new set of flyovers and wide roads were constructed. Why is that we need motivation from outside to plunge into hardcore development work?

Also, as I mentioned before, even though a lot has been taken care of, there are still a few problems which the government chooses not to see. There is no action plan for outbreak of any epidemic, specially dengue cases, which is expected to rise this year. Mosquito breeding peaks in October, as the weather is conducive, therefore the risk factor in this case is very high.

CWG have done a lot of good to the City in terms of development. Hopefully all this will be restored even after the Games are over.

All the best to Delhi for hosting CWG for the very first time.