EDUCATION

CAMPUS
Poll fever catching on at Delhi University
Smriti Kak

The zest and the hullabaloo that Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections entail, make it hard even for the most obscure to escape without being affected.

Even if you swear non-allegiance to any political outfit, it is hard to be indifferent to the student “leaders”, who insists on shaking hands and sometimes greeting you with an embrace.

Posters, cards, pens and other paraphernalia are the tools that aid in campaigning. It hardly matters that the cards discarded within minutes of changing hands add up to the pile on the ground.

Campaigning has become a full-time job that requires meticulous planning, imagination and a bottomless purse. Thrown in are parties for the newcomers…all in the hope to woo and win their precious vote.

Each DUSU election witnesses the formation of new student organisations. While most of them disappear just as they surface, there are factions that have been holding fort.

However, the NSUI and the ABVP, which claim to be “the right choice for serving the student community”, are undeterred by the presence of new groups that claim to represent the “new aspirations” of the student community.

Highlighting the failures of the traditional student organisations, the recently formed Indian National Students Organisation (INSO) is ‘celebrating’ the coming under its fold large number of student representatives who had earlier been associated with the NSUI and the ABVP.

It claims that the student union president of Deshbandu College and PGDAV College have left NSUI to join INSO. Those who have moved away from the ABVP camp to join INSO include the vice-presidents of student union of DAV College and Zakir Hussain College, apart from the chief councillor of DAV College.

The INSO spokesperson, A Kapoor Chaudhary, believes that the influx of NSUI and ABVP leaders to INSO is a clear proof, if one were needed, that the “enlightened” student community looks upon it as an alternative to the traditional student organisations in Delhi University that has been “conspicuous by a lack of imagination” on student welfare issues. However, the NSUI and the ABVP are unfazed. “These organisations come to the fore at the time of election. We have concrete proof of the work that we have done, and a few people breaking away does not take that away from us,” said Kuntal Krishna, the NSUI spokesperson. He asserts, “students know the work that we have done for them and will vote for the organisation that is worth their vote.”

Meanwhile, rallies by different student outfits are being organised with a vengeance. With few positive poll issues in their bag, the various student organisations are resorting to the familiar tactic of pulling each other down.

The opponents of INSO claim that the much-talked about rally by INSO had “participants from outside the Delhi University”. However, INSO not only deny this charge, but question the character of a recent ABVP rally “where students in school uniform had a major presence”.

Alliance in Multimedia programme

Arena Multimedia has announced an alliance with the premier Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), which will see the launch of the course B.Sc. in Multimedia.

It will prove to be a boon for students hoping to pursue global careers in multimedia.

This is a three-year, 6-semester programme, wherein students pursuing Arena’s comprehensive career programme, the Arena Multimedia Specialist (AMS) course, can enter into B.Sc. in Multimedia course offered by SMU.

Students will get a degree from SMU after successful completion of the course, plus AMS certification from Arena. Apart from fresh entry, students currently pursuing the Arena Multimedia Specialist Programme will also be able to enrol for B.Sc. in Multimedia through the lateral entry route and get a direct entry to the 2nd semester of the B.Sc. in Multimedia programme.

Arena Multimedia claimed that SMU being recognised by the UGC, students could also pursue higher studies in other Indian or foreign universities as per applicable norms.

The B.Sc. in Multimedia programme allows for both lateral and fresh entry; students currently undergoing diploma course under Arena Multimedia Specialist Programme can upgrade their course to 3-year AMS programme and take a lateral direct entry to the 2nd semester B.Sc. programme by undertaking additional SMU modules.

The course B.Sc. in Multimedia integrates Arena’s industry relevant AMS programme with SMU modules to offer students the best theoretical, technical and hands-on knowledge. Arena Multimedia stated that SMU would conduct examination for the subjects as per the university rules at centres designated by it.

Independence Day celebration

Former Union Minister, Dr Bhisma Narain Singh, speaking at the Independence Day programme organised at the Asian Academy of Film and Television.

He also inaugurated a painting exhibition by noted artist Tapan Dash, who will also be painting a 50-feet picture to commemorate his visit to the AAFT.

CS Results on August 25

The results of the Company Secretaries examination for the foundation, intermediate and final stages held in June will be declared on August 25 at the ICSI headquarters.

The CS results will be announced simultaneously at all the four regional offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, including 60 chapter offices and 56 examination centres in India and abroad.

The results will be declared at 4 p.m., and will also be available on the website

Mashelkar honoured

The Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, has been awarded the ‘Ahilya Rashtriya Puraskar’ for the year 2003.

The award comprises of a citation and a cash prize of Rs one lakh and has been awarded to Dr. Mashlekar for his pioneering contribution to the nation building process through science and technology.

The award will be presented to him at a special function to be held in Indore on August 25.