EDUCATION

Admission to Ignou management courses begins 
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 15
Admission to the Management Programmes 2003 of Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) has begun. The Management Programme of Ignou includes Master of Business Administration (MBA), Diploma in Management (DIM), Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDIM), Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (PGDHRM), Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management (PGDFM), Post Graduate Diploma in Operations Management (PGDOM) and Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management (PGDMM).

All these programmes have multimedia design, using technology aided delivery systems. These will be offered through the countrywide network of study centres. The university would be admitting the students for the above degrees/diplomas in management starting from July 2003 and January 2004 through an entrance test `Openmat-XIII’ to be held on Sunday, February 2, 2003, at nearly 175 centres all over the country, a release said.

Eligibility for admission is a bachelor’s degree with three years supervisory, managerial, professional experience or a degree in engineering, technology, medicine, architecture, law etc or professional qualification in accountancy, cost and works accountancy, company secretaryship etc or master’s degrees in any subject. The university may consider other degrees to this list of equivalent professional degree/qualification.

Non-graduates with six years supervisory, managerial or professional experiences are eligible to apply for DIM only. Experience includes work experience during or after acquiring the qualification as specified. Work experience requirement of 3/6 years should be fulfilled as on October 25, 2003 and April 25, 2003 respectively, as the case may be. There is no age bar for any of the programmes.

`Student Handbook and Prospectus for Management Programmes - 2003’ can be obtained from the Director (SR and E), Ignou, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068 and from all the Regional Centres of Ignou, including Ignou-ARMY, Ignou-AIR FORCE and Ignou-Navy Recognised Regional Centres, by sending a sum of Rs 350 through a Demand Draft/IPO in favour of Ignou payable at the city from where it is requisitioned by post, or by paying Rs 300 in cash at the respective sale counters. The date for receipt of request for `Prospectus’ by post is November 11, 2002.

Filled-in forms for Entrance Test Openmat-III must reach the Director (SR and E), Ignou, Post Bag No. 2, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi - 110068, by ordinary post on or before November 30, 2002, the release said. 

CAMPUS SCENE
Learning how to conduct poll, the JNU way
Sanjog Gupta

New Delhi, October 15
“Another university, another students union, another elections – the whole story repeated all over again,” would probably be how an average DU student responds to the mention of JNU Students’ Union elections. But for those holding this opinion the JNU elections serve as a great eye opener, a “learning experience”, as some might say. Not all elections have to center around flamboyant campaigns, which rely on dancers, mini road shows, processions, slogan shouting, ‘gifts’ and exercising muscle power. An election campaign does not necessarily need to brandish a budget running into lakhs and flout each code of conduct that had ever been devised.

Student elections can be based on ‘issues’ and can be conducted in an orderly manner, wherein each party adheres to the code of conduct and treats each of its tenets as a commandment. The JNUSU elections entail all of this and more; aspects which the ‘democratic process’ in DUSU should attempt at imbibing. The JNUSU and DUSU elections stand as an outstanding instance of ‘how to’ and ‘how not to’ conduct elections.

While the DUSU elections are about shenanigans attempted at attracting voters, the JNUSU elections serve as a perfect platform for serving reminders to the authorities on the pending issues which need to be looked into. While the DUSU election campaigns disrupt the academic schedules of DU to an extent as classes become a rare phenomenon, the JNUSU elections are conducted in such a manner that the process does not even slightly encroach upon academic territory. While DUSU elections are perceived to be a redundant process aimed at furthering the political aspirations of a select faction of students, the JNUSU elections are regarded as the ‘expression of student opinion’.

The growing perception of the electoral process among DU students has led to a cynical dismissal of the whole process as ‘redundant’, affecting voter turnout due to dissidence, while the general perception in JNU is that the elections are a ‘vibrant process of democracy’. The icing on this cake is the fact that JNU elections are wholly conducted by students. The 28-member Election Commission is solely responsible for the ‘proper conduct’ of elections while DU requires the intervention of university authorities.

One DUTA member seeking to rationalise this phenomenon attributed the contrast to the relative sizes of the two universities and their respective compositions.

She said, “Delhi University has a lot more students than JNU and most of them are at the undergraduate level while JNU is primarily a postgraduate university. Therefore, not only are the number of voters that need to be managed small but JNU has more responsible voters.” Another member elaborated further, “Since the electorate is large, political parties level greater importance on DUSU elections, thereby playing a more active role, which results in larger budgets and flamboyant campaigns.”

Prof Deepak Nayyar, Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University, had suggested that the election format should be amended to resemble the JNU format wherein students manage the elections themselves and each party is allotted time and space to ‘reach out’ to voters. But Deepti Rawat, recently elected DUSU Secretary, was quick at dismissing this suggestion, “Since there are more students in DU and it would be impossible for us to reach each voter, hence we need to invest in large campaigns.”

The reasons for this stark contrast in the electoral process are many but remain vague in explaining the disparity in the ‘quality of elections’ between DU and JNU. While the batch of candidates in JNU spend most of their time in preparing speeches, pondering over issues, addressing students and conceptualising manifestos, their counterparts in DU had spent most of their time in distributing ‘gifts’ and doing the rounds of the campus with a battalion of supporters.

In spite of this remarkable disparity, the process has remained the same for almost 20 years with any suggestion to amend the process being seen as an “attack on students’ rights”. Most DU students are increasingly preferring not to exercise these rights. 

CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
A one-stop shop for bridal wear 
Smriti Kak

For the designer house that has taken on the onerous task of making a woman resplendent in her everyday attire, it is only fair to expect it to come up with effulgent wear for the wedding day. Satya Paul and L’affaire unveiled their bridal collection last week during the Sunsilk Bridal Asia show. The theme was constructed along vibrant, yet understated lines, for the bride who treads the modern turf with traditions intact. The collection has a range of lehngas, from the multi-coloured kalis in rich silk with intricate embroidery and reshams work to the absolute colour line with vibrant hues.

Teeming jackets and lehngas was their shot at the latest fusion wear. In the scribble line, the aged metallic elements like antique copper, bronze and a green bronze patina were used to create a new look.

The ‘odhnies’ made of tissue, net and georgette are a part of the collection. The models also walked down the ramp in Satya Paul hand-painted saris in hues of green and blue with shimmer and sparkle. The sequin sheets on the saris in a contrast of colour blocks were appreciated.

Adonis, take a bow

There may not be the rustle of silk or the well-practiced walk on six inches, but the well-practiced answers to posers and the poise, the hallmarks of a beauty and brain contest, will be conspicuous at the forthcoming Grasim Mr International pageant.

Now in its fifth year, the contest will be held in the Capital on October 26 where judges will get to pick the winners. The contestants will have to sweat it out in the two sub contests scheduled for October 21, where the boys err... men will vie for the titles of the ‘Best Talent’ and ‘National Costume’.

Participants from countries like Canada, Venezuela and Germany amongst others will undergo training and grooming for the mega event, lest faux pas mar the show. The pageant, which claims to be “ a tribute to the true spirit of ideal man” and “manifests the winning attributes of the modern man, the very essence of manhood”, is being sponsored by the Aditya Birla Group and Grasim Suiting.

The question-answer round, the crucial aspect of these pageants, will be something to watch out for. It will be interesting to see how well these ‘beautiful men’ gush out lessons on charity and compassion and handle the bouncers from the judges, a mix from the world of films, sports and art and culture scene.Time for Adonis to take a bow.

Body truth

Complete body analysis.

Whoever said that beauty belonged to the women’s domain? That’s not us talking. Beautique Body Shoppe, a one stop complete grooming centre for women and men, seeks to contest the notion that beauty is a woman’s domain. The Shoppe recently invited the members of the band ‘Euphoria’ for a complete body analysis. These men were given an insight into their body truth, a face and hair analysis, apart from being told what would work for their body and in what quantity. The Shoppe is passionate about grooming men, “… because it is for the first time in India someone really took into account the comprehensive grooming needs of man”! So we have an American Crew, the exclusive men’s designer range of hair and skin care products from the USA. The range offers shave balms and bathing products for the men to look suave.

And let’s hear it from the men, “I have become an ardent admirer of the whole concept and glad that its not just women, but men too can experience the benefits of this personalised one stop grooming solutions through knowledge buying”.

In case you are wondering who played spokesperson, this comes from none other than Palash Sen, the lead singer of Euphoria who also happened to play a part opposite Sushmita Sen in Filhaal.

Mughalai wear

Denis Parker, the men’s ethnic wear brand, has unveiled its royal sherwanis and ethnic suits for the men who are tying the knot. The brand has tried to capture the costume’s elegance, which is traced back to the Mughal era. The silk and suiting fabrics are used to give the garments a different feel and appeal.

Rich and bold colours in spun and jacquard silk are for those who wish to stand out. Complete with works like the ‘dabka’ and the use of crystals, these Sherwanis are offered with churidars and ‘odhnis’.

Bohemian touch

Designers Shantanu and Nikhil displayed their specially created lines for both men and women during the Bridal Asia exhibition. The collection for women has been designed with a strong Bohemian influence.

Paisley prints have been prominently used throughout the creations. The designers showcased three lines in this section-a red paisley line, a corset with sari line and a lehariya Bandhini line.

The fabrics were mainly crepes and tussar silk. A lot of reds with black were used along with pinks, blues and purples. In the menswear, two lines were showcased-kurta with dhotis and sherwanis with shawls. The fabrics used were wool, twisted wool and polyester. Crepes and silks were used for the kurtas. The colours used for the menswear creations were mainly muted ones for the winter season. The garments have been embellished with intricate embroidery done out of metallic threads. Mirrors and uncut stones in colours of red, blue and green have been used.

Complete look

Art Deco, a home store that caters to the tastes of those who want exclusivity and innovative designs for their homes had opened its door in the Capital’s New Friends Colony. The store started by Neeraj and Sumana Bhasin, blends the aesthetic appeal of European traditions in art with the oriental mysticism of the East. On offer are a variety of upholstered convertibles, sofas and chairs imported from France. Accessorising the furniture are wall lamps, tables and ceramics designed to give the homes a complete look.

For brides only

Anmol, a designer jewellery store, has launched an entire range of diamond, platinum and gold jewellery for the brides to be. The new bridal range has jewellery with a hue of colours and intricate designs inspired by elements that radiate bliss.

The entire range was showcased at the Bridal Asia exhibition.

The bridal range showcased wedding trousseau essentials like necklaces, earrings, rings, bangles and bracelets. Sparkling diamond jewellery with solitaires, coloured diamonds, uncut diamonds, platinum jewellery, kundan and jadaau sets in a variety of design combinations, were crafted by Anmol’s team of designers for the exhibition.

Anmol has been conceived on the lines of Bvlgari and Cartier, and the store boasts of celebrities, socialites and connoisseurs as its patrons.

Band of Boys

It has been sweet success for the Band of Boys.

The Band of Boys, India’s first boy band, has already sold more than one-lakh copies of their debut album, ‘A Band of Boys’. And, all this within a week of the album hitting the stands.

Vinod Nayyat has written the songs and the theme is that of love and romance. The songs cater to the diverse tastes of the listeners and are hummable. The range is from the semi-classical, ‘Aye ho jab se,’ to the mass-based, ‘Tirchi Nazar’. The band is increasingly gaining popularity amongst the youth.

(Inputs by Nalini Ranjan)