The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Newly formed DUTA frowns on academic reforms
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 11
Months after the university announced the academic reforms which included introduction of 25 per cent internal assessment, tutorials and contact classes, the newly formed Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) has raised objections.

The DUTA president, Dr Aditya Narayan Mishra, asserted the “decisions were taken without seeking feedback and opinion from the teachers”. Following protests from the teachers, DUTA has now asked various college associations to discuss and tabulate their views on the reforms.

“We have asked these associations to submit their opinion and whether they feel the reforms are feasible so that if the need arises we can take up the issue with the Vice-Chancellor,” said Dr Mishra.

DUTA contends that by way of introducing tutorials and perceptorials, the DU has “obliged the UGC by increasing the workload of teachers”.

The teachers’ body has also raised objections against the new structure of the BA (Pass) course.

“It reduces the study of languages, which means slashing the posts for teachers who teach Hindi and English, foundation courses are badly designed and emphasis on the Indian realities is missing,” pointed out Dr Mishra.

As far as the “flaws” of the internal assessment are concerned, DUTA has put forth that the university has failed to fill the posts of extra teachers required for the perceptorials and tutorials, which are an important requirement for assessment.

“There is total confusion about the terminal exams for the PG students, there is no physical infrastructure available. Where will the classes be held in the absence of rooms”, questioned Dr Mishra.

He went to add, “Would the introduction of the institution of tutor for day scholars, particularly for non-professional courses, achieve any non-academic objectives”.

The teachers’ grudge that the university failed to seek their opinion prior to announcing these reforms is, however, refuted by the officials.

“These decisions did not take place in a day. There was a committee appointed, which included two college Principals, staff members, Academic and Executive Committee members and even students. It is not true that the teachers were not consulted, the decision was based on responses which we got over a period of time”, said the Registrar, Dr Atindra Sen.

CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Put your best foot forward
Smriti Kak

D&A, a house of high fashion footwear, has unveiled a new array of styles and patterns for women. The Winter 2003-04 Collection by D&A comprises footwear made from fitting materials chosen from all across the country. The collection claim the makers “exudes a riot of colours varying from shimmering silver to glittering gold and ravishing colours to fascinating fuchsias”.

The stylised range comprises sleek sandals, Stilettos, High Boots, Roman tie-ups, Swaroski’s pointed pumps, sandals with sequinned and studded straps, formal sandals with acrylic heals.

D&A offers, “Stilettos will heighten your fashion credo in black or brown with studs or Swaroski’s. High boots are very in this season and you can wear them with mini skirts or tiny dresses.

Festival season you can shimmer in metallic shades. Customers have a wide range to choose from with colours, styles and prices ranging to fit in every budget”.

Along with the “stylised footwear”, there is wide range of bags to match. And for those who want to waltz their way through the buying spree, a live jazz band plays at the store on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

As for those for whom the wedding bells peal, ‘Metro Shoes’ have launched the Wedding Collection 2003. The range comprises sandals and studded boots and is designed to cover ceremonies like mehndi, wedding and receptions. Shimmer and glamour, being the predominant theme.

‘Carlton London’, international brand for women, has also set foot in the Indian market with their collection, which includes knee length boots in leather and suede, flat shoes, high closed toed shoes in various colours.

The haute look for Indian hair

The gurus of hair fashion have predicted Igora Spice Brown to be the colour for the season. Schwarzkopf Professional claim the colour will be helpful in biding the chilly winter winds goodbye through its warm sunny feel.

Inspired from the hues of select Indian spices, the warm hues of Igora Spice Brown have been specially crafted keeping in mind the Indian skin tones and hair colour preferences.

For the fashion conscious youth

Vivacious twosome: Viva band members Pratichee and Neha sporting Creative Line.

Creative Line, the brand representing En-Vogue and Chic winter wear, has launched its Winter Collection 2003-04 for women, men and kids. This “creatively designed” range is being promoted by the all-women pop star band VIVA.

The range includes a plethora of styles and colours ranging from Cardigans and Designer Cardigans to Pullovers, Tops, Designer Tops, High Necks, Coats and Long Coats. The colour palette includes brighter shades of fuchsias, yellows, turquoise, magenta, orange and reds as also sober and deep colours like beige and burgundy in different tones and depth.

Creative Line’s collection also offers accessories like caps, stoles, shawls and mufflers to match the attire. The range also involves innovations in terms of lengths and cuts with V-necks, round necks, off shoulders, boat neck and kurta style woolens to choose from. An assortment of patterns has been made by selecting and combining various knits as per design requirements like cable knit, deca knit, jacquard and the likes.

It was pointed out that the range also includes special themes like denim dezure, desert queen and enigma, which, “are just the right styles to add fad in the wardrobe this winter”.

As for the tie-up with VIVA, it is “a step towards building a strong bond with fashion conscious youth and aspiring style icons. Our collection has been designed keeping in mind the latest trends of the international market for the purpose of integrating the same with the Indian Consumers’ fashion statement” offers Varinder Agarwal, Chairman, Creative Line.

A softer line for men and sensual elegance for women

A model displaying the Fall/Winter Collection of Wills Lifestyle.

Wills collection for Fall Winter’03 is a striking and vibrant range comprising Wills Classic formal wear, Wills Sport relaxed wear, Wills Clublife evening wear and Fashion Accessories from Furla and Valentino from Italy.

The Wills Sport range of relaxed wear exudes vibrancy with all over prints and stylish stripes. Styling features like contrast tipping and lycra-ribbed edges have been used in the men’s collection. Also included are crushed fabrics and fabrics with suede finish. The collection for women includes prints and intarsia patterns. Distinctive self-structures and charming crochet detailing.

The Wills Classic Fall/ Winter range offers a multitude of options through contemporary styling features as Turn-up collar, Kent collar and Edge stitched Spread collars for men. The collection is crafted from fabrics including Egyptian cotton, Irish Linen and Superfine Australian wool. The Woman’s range comprises self-embroidered Chinese collar and charming pointed collars. Pleated and laced yokes and gathered cuffs are also part of the design.

The Wills Clublife range of premium eveningwear features the best of exotic Brazilian fabrics and stretch cotton styles with the most eye-catching detailing. Men can choose from a tempting range, offering styles, such as shirts with Motif prints and distinctive Club effect, and form-flattering sheer Tees. Woman’s range offers Halters and Floral prints, delicate spaghetti strap-tops and trousers with striking prints and elegant embossing.

Giovani’s Fall Winter 2003 Collection captures the spirit of Italian design through the quality of fabrics used and the appeal of classic design. The new collection narrates a season of softer silhouettes for men and sensual elegance for women.

The strong sociological trend where sexes seem to blend are reflects itself in the fashion world with the Modo Trasverle’ or ‘Crossover Fashion’ showcased in this collection.

Must adds to the men’s wardrobe includes sleek and slim fit suits with narrow lapels and sharp looks, shirts with embroidery and a range of stunning colours in airy fabrics. For women, the wardrobe essentials include dark coloured jackets with bold stripes, long coats, an inspiration from the 60’s, elegantly tailored suits with fitted jackets and formal pin stripe skirts.