EDUCATION

Varsity in Hamletian dilemma as it plays name game
Sanjog Gupta

New Delhi, October 29
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University seems to perpetually be in two minds about ‘what to teach’. The Hamletian dilemma is reflected in the christening and re-christening of its courses. Since its establishment in 1998, the university has re-christened at least three courses, corroborating them with appropriate modifications in the course content.

The dubious policies boiled over when the students decided to stage a mass protest beginning October 24, which since then had evolved into a major strike comprising thousands of students repeatedly converging on the campus demanding clarifications followed by effective action. The officials mollified the raging students by promising to take appropriate action but as one student pointed out, they had been receiving such assurances for a long time.

A three-year Bachelors in Computer Applications (BCA) was launched in 1999, which inducted close to 300 students. Next year, the university conducted a Common Entrance Test (CET) for a Bachelors course in Information Technology (BIT). The university however, admitted the qualifying students into a four-year course titled Bachelors in Information Systems (BIS). The same year, even the three-year BCA course was converted into the BIS course and students were ‘transferred’ to the new course as it offered “more than what a BCA was offering”.

In 2001-2002, candidates appeared for the CET with the objective of acquiring admission into BIS, but qualifying students were admitted into the three-year BCA course. One university official tried to justify the last modification by saying, “The course is AICTE certified unlike the BIS course. We could not attain a certification for BIS, hence we have decided to continue only with BCA.”

But the students who were already in their third year could not exercise the option of shifting to BCA since BIS is a four-year course and they had already paid the fees for the fourth year. These students were in for another surprise in the 2002 semester exam. The question papers mentioned their course as Bachelor in Information Sciences.

The university also launched a course titled Bachelors in Computer Aided Management in 1999 but then decided to generalise the course by re-christening it as Bachelors in Business Administration (Computer Aided Management) this year, while making accompanying course modifications.

The third re-christening to the university’s credit involved students wanting to pursue a career in the Fourth Estate. The university commenced a course titled Bachelors in Mass Communications in 1999 but last year decided to amend the nomenclature to Bachelors in Journalism & Mass Communications, as per a UGC directive. The two batches of students recruited prior to the amendment still don’t know what nomenclature degree will they receive. The university authorities are confused themselves over the issues, preferring to evade the issue.

The beleaguered students have haplessly wondered what course they will graduate in. The mark sheet of the amended BBA (CAM) course’s examination still refers to the course as BCAM. The frequent modifications in courses have left a large proportion puzzled over the exact content. There have been various instances of examination papers being “out of course” and students applying for one course getting enrolled in another. There is no difference between the three-year BCA and the four-year BIS since both are only certified by the UGC.

One student summed up the irony of the situation by saying, “We normally find ourselves after a day in college wondering whether we will be pursuing the ‘same’ course the next day.”

School to open branch in Gurgaon
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, October 29
Heritage School, Vasant Kunj, Delhi, will start two new branches, each in Gurgaon and Rohini, from the next academic session. According to the chairman, Heritage School, Mr N. C. Jain, the new branches would have classes up to standard VI to begin with. An additional class each would be added each year till standard XII. The schools would be recognised by the Delhi Board and would be affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

He further said that the new branches would start functioning from the next academic session. The new school buildings would be centrally air-conditioned and the schools would offer facilities including library, modern cafeteria, bookshop, uniform shop, music rooms for contemporary and classical music, dance rooms, activity rooms, amphitheater and computer labs.

Clear encroachments around Jama Masjid: HC
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 29
Delhi High Court today directed the authorities concerned to ensure that no encroachments were allowed in and around the historic Jama Masjid. A division bench comprising Justices A. D. Singh and R. S. Sodhi, gave the directive while issuing notices to Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment, Delhi Lt-Governor, Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Commissioner of Police, Delhi Wakf Board, Archaeological Survey of India and Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Ahmed Bukhari on a PIL, filed by one Raisuddin.

The judges pointed out that no one was above the law while directing that a clear corridor be created leading up to the monument in the interest of the community and of tourists.

The petitioner said that on the pretext of averting law and order problems the authorities were not taking appropriate action against land-grabbing mafias or against the alleged encroachments by the Imam.

CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
‘Urban Chick’ look is the trend of the season
Smriti Kak

Wills Sports unveiled the Fall/ Winter 2002 collection at the Maurya Sheraton & Towers last week. The collection comprises of contemporary international trends for the season. Unveiled were four fashion forward looks for the season.

The first being the ‘Radiant Look’, which has horizontal stripes, zig zag lines, colour blocks and bright colours. The collection has unique flat knits, trendy ribs, decorative flatlock details and stylish mock-necks.

The ‘Urban Chick’ look is a distinctly urban and contemporary styled. For men the collection offers ‘Retro Washed’ shirts and engineered city pants fashioned from horizontal cord. The ladies collection has a mix of femininity, reflected in touch of embroidery, crochet detailing and fashionable skirts.

Also exhibited were the ‘Snug Look’, featuring turtlenecks, reversible and ‘bomber jackets’, cardigans and pullovers in rich colours. The clothes are made of Merino wool, lamb wool, polar fleece and there are jackets in corduroy acrowool and soft cotton nylon with contrast fleece.

The ‘Limelight Look’ is a unique ensemble of trendy styles with leather and sequins used for a striking look. The collection features denim rock shirts, rock leather jackets and crystal laced scoop neck tees for women. Models, Nafisa Joseph, Tupur Chatterjee, Udita Goswami and John Abraham showcased the clothes.

Season of Glitter

Adding to the glitter of the festive season is gold and diamond jewellery. Wooing the consumers with the latest designs, manufacturers and designers are racing against time to put their best bet forward. Titan’s Tanishq has launched ‘Lightweight’ diamond jewellery targeted at women who aspires to own a diamond.

The collection is affordable and trendy. ‘Necklets’, a part of this line, is trendy neckwear for women.

Saroja, manager, sales and Marketing, says, “priced reasonably, this collection allows a woman to own multiple sets of diamond jewellery.”

‘Rose’, a brand of jewellery makers, have launched the first of its kind ‘private jewellery salon’ at Santushti complex in the Capital. On offer will be 18-carat gold, IF to VVS quality diamonds, precious and semi precious stones and branded jewellery.

Meanwhile, the World Gold Council, following the success of ‘Collection g’, has launched ‘lightweight gold jewellery’ comprising of nearly 800 designs.

‘Collection g’, blends current international jewellery trends of fluidity and movement with the Indian style. The range is targeted at young women with a preference for light and practical wear.

Clubwear

They describe themselves as an ‘out of body experience’. Oobe, a brand of casual western wear for women, has now introduced ‘Oobe clubwear’.

The new range is for girls who appreciate tongue-in-cheek fashion, say the manufacturers. Designed by Krishna Mehta, the collection has been designed after research work aided by the international forecasts.

Managing director, Oobe, Nilesh Mehta, points out, “from the time we launched in 2000, our objective has been to offer different options in dressing to young women. The Oobe girl mixes allure with casual attitude and she opts for a style that gives up simplicity to concentrate on details. But what is vital is the fact that the range is not just fun but also comfortable and affordable”.

With a colour palette ranging from turquoise to reds and silver in bold styles, the line has tops, halters, jackets and knits.

Make-up show

Cosmetologist Bharati Taneja of Alps presented a hair and make up show in the Capital last week. The show, ‘Alps Magic 2002’ presented more than 200 hairstyles, encompassing five decades of hair trends and make up.

The show was choreographed by Anup Bannerjee, complete with arc lights, 3D effects and music. Says Bharati, “I have been in the industry for the last fourteen years. This industry has given me everything I desired for. ‘Alps Magic 2002’ is my way of acknowledging my patrons, my colleagues and my well wishers who have constantly inspired me to achieve more”.

Festival of crafts

Cottage Emporium is playing host to a spectacular collection of crafts curated from across the country. Titled ‘Craftopia’, this festival of crafts was on display from the 17th to 28th October.

The masterpieces will, however, remain on display at the Cottage Emporium.

Craftopia has on display rare collections of masterpieces in wood, bronze, marble and looms.

The bronze statues inspired by the school of metal sculpting dating back to the period of the Gupta and the Chola kings, are a visual delight. The piece that attracted the maximum attention was that of Lord Krishna playing his flute, crafted in panchioha, an alloy.

Poetic rendition of the Tanjore paintings patronised by the Maratha rulers have also been reproduced. The splendour of the paintings in real gold and gems were recreated for their aesthetic appeal.

Also on display will be figurative scriptures inspired from temple carvings, each one with a different story to tell.

The Cottage Emporium has also revamped its women’s section. The floor will offer a wide collection of Managalgiri, Bhagalpur, Muga and Patola saris and dress material and a plethora of accessories.

For the festive season, there are 24-carat gold coins with 3D coloured images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.

Bollywood calling

For those waiting to hone their acting skills, ‘Bollywood Act’ has opened its doors in the Capital. An acting institute, it claims to be associated with the likes of Raza Murad, Alka Amin and Kiran Kumar among others.

Raza Murad is scheduled to have an interactive session with the students, where he will share his experiences with the children. The director of ‘Bollywood Act’, Mr Sahir Khan, said “Mr. Murad will also conduct a special session with the children of ‘Agni Sholay Sankalp’, a charity theatre workshop including children from the underprivileged sections.

A play is currently being prepared which revolves around the dreams and aspirations of the children from the poor strata of the society. The grand finale of the workshop is aimed at raising funds for these children.

Bharat Gaurav

‘Bharat Gaurav’, a musical production showcasing the talent of 60 young and budding artists, was staged in the Capital. These artists sought to showcase the country’s golden heritage.

The play was staged in aid of Sahan, a model school for mentally challenged children and adults. Depicting Indian history from the Harappan civilisation to Independence, the show was made interesting by the use of special effects, dance and drama.

The play helped the children shed their inhibitions and understand the heritage of the country. Sahan is run by the Federation for the Welfare of Mentally Retarded and the National Trust for Handicap.