The Hindu : Other States News : Another year, another poll

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 26, 2007
ePaper

Other States

Other States

Another year, another poll

With elections to the Delhi University Students’ Union just over a month away, the National Students’ Union of India has begun its preparations for one of the closely contested students’ polls in the country.

Ever since the new academic year got under way on July 16, NSUI has begun an ideology-based membership campaign on the campus.

With a target of making one-lakh new members within the next 60 days, NSUI has constituted a unit in every college comprising 10 to 12 students to ensure that there is a “personalised touch” to the campaign.

“We start interacting with newcomers during the time of sale and receipt of admission forms when we set up student assistance booths on the campus. But the real process starts when the colleges begin and our members become more active. This time we are aiming at getting one-lakh members,” said NSUI national spokesperson Kuntal Krishna.

The NSUI activists have been circulating a pamphlet with a motif of Mahatma Gandhi embossed on it to drive home the point that the organisation “adheres to” the ideals that the Father of the Nation lived and died for.

“We want newcomers to take a decision on which ideology they want to follow – that of Gandhi or of those who killed him. We believe in the ideals of democracy, secularism, cultural pluralism, socialism and unity in diversity and are committed to fight against forces that seek to destroy the composite fabric of our country,” Kuntal asserted.

Members of students’ group “United Students” called on Delhi Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf this past week and discussed their various demands, including introduction of shuttle buses for Delhi University’s North and South campuses, subsidised Metro railway fares for students, and introduction of additional U-special buses for colleges in the Capital’s far-flung areas.

“The Minister has agreed in principle to our shuttle bus service proposal and said he would forward it to the Transport Review Committee for further action,” claimed Ritwik Agrawal, a member of the delegation.

About the proposal for a special rebate for students who travel by the Metro railway, another member, Krishna Kaul, said: “We told Mr. Yusuf that students get special Metro passes everywhere else in the world and the same should apply to Delhi University. Students are spending more on travelling to college every month than their fee for the whole year. The Minister said he would discuss our case with the Fare Fixation Committee and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.”

However, the delegation claimed that Mr. Yusuf expressed his “helplessness” about introducing U-special buses for colleges outside the campus owing to shortage of vehicles.

“He said this proposal can only be considered next September when the fleet of buses is augmented,” said Nupur Mittal, another member of United Students.

The Centre for Media Studies (CMS) has set up a research-centred school of media and communication to support the next wave of expansion and growth of communication industry in the country.

The CMS Academy of Communication and Convergence Studies will be located within the CMS compound at Saket in South Delhi.

“Conventional approach to professional education is no longer good enough to excel in today’s competitive scenario. This is the first time in the country that a communication media school with research base is being set up,” said CMS director P. N. Vasanti.

Initially the Academy will offer short-term courses to professional functionaries in news media, media research, codes and regulations and behavioural change strategies.

A specially designed one-year post-graduate course will be launched from 2008-09.

-- Parul Sharma

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States