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A Queer, Straight Opinion Jargon Breaking COVER STORY
Their Lives, Their Struggle Lives of three individuals whose struggles have made them what they are today
Confessions of a StumbleUpon Addict
Maadhyam
The Undergrad |
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If
Editor’s Desk WELCOME TO THE
If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream---and not make dreams your master; If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same:. If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings, And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
Arpan Chaturvedi
Nupur Sonar
Sumedh Natu
Editor-in-chief
Editor-in-chief
Managing Editor
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t gives us immense pleasure to present the first edition of “The Undergrad”. The magazine is a student run initiative of Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (UG). We dedicate our first issue to every undergraduate out there with a dream. Our cover story is based on the theme - struggle before accomplishment. We have attempted to uncover the impact of struggle based on the lives of three individuals who we believe have made a difference, who we believe have made it. In the rest of the issue we have attempted to strike a balance between predominant influences in the life of an Undergad. We have also included features which we hope will be informative as well as entertaining. We aim to view the working class heroes of our society through the eyes of the students on the brink of a professional
BIG ISSUE
career. The opinions expressed by our writers in this issue might not run parallel to popular social belief yet we believe them to be important. Masses dominate opinions but argument is essential to shade an argument with all three colours of life - black, white and grey. No person in this world is ever wrong, with good argument anyone can be right. The only difference between aesthetic nudity and pornography is lighting. We wish to thank our director Mr. Anupam Siddhartha for granting us this opportunity. “To a good present and a better future.” Sincerely, Arpan Chaturvedi Nupur Sonar Sumedh Natu
- Rudyard Kipling
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Contents
SEPTEMBER, 2011
to combine physical agility with mental grit. Theft, in the Vedic Period was awarded with death penalty. Satya Harish Chandra had to kill his own wife when she was accused of theft. So, petty robbery or not, this was one art where there was no room for getting things wrong.
ISSUE I
War tactics were more of a mental than a physical art form. How exactly do you plan war and how do you deduce your enemy’s mind-set? It all boiled down to game theory. Chanakya- arguably the best Indian war tactician of all time set battle strategies and counter strategies, the sheer brilliance of which people admire even today.
The Artistic Criminal...................5 Legally Blonde...........................5
Venture 99............................. 6 Saving up at the end Jargon Breaking..........................13
of the month...........................7
Drumroll.....................................17
A Queer, straight opinion...........8
Punya Nagari: The Skype way to School.......... 9
Running on blades....................10
Wayanad in turmoil....................12
Finding Home............................18
Maushi.......................................19
Switchshot..................................23
COVER STORY.....14-16
Found under carnal knowledge................................ 26
Food:
Open Lobby........................ 21 Maadhyam Contests........... 22
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he origins of Indian art come from the word Kala, which consists of 64 different forms of fine arts and crafts. These 64 Kalas are a part of the Vedas. They were considered an essential part of education and apart from the commonly known dance, music, drama, painting and sculpture, the 64 Kalas also include war tactics, juggling, sleight of hands, theft, gambling, seduction, grooming and many other ‘not-so-healthy’ hobbies.
No wonder they were called, ‘the good old days’
Thinking from their point of view, Hastalaghav (sleight of hands) could have very well been considered an art form because it tests your ease with the hands. Magic tricks were also a part of Hastalaghav. Dance portrays your ability to express using your body, just as music does with your voice. Theft was arguably the most dangerous of the arts; Not only did it test how keen the performer’s mind was but also his ability
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You’re a twit when...........28 Confessions of a Stumbleupon addict........28
LEGALLY
BLONDE?
The Undergrad Editorial Team shares a few laws that everyone should be aware of.
Quick fix........................25
Clikthrough......................29
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Every gentleman of the Vedic Period was required to have an in-depth knowledge of these fascinating arts to be considered a part of cultured society. Incredible as this sounds, they were never misused.
Grub mismatch..............24
Golf #101..................................27
Madness for Maadhyam...... 20
Lasya Nadimpally elaborates on ancient arts like gambling, stealing and seduction.
Mathematics, General Science, Social Sciences and extra-curricular activities are all a routine part of our syllabus. But wait, are we taught juggling and theft?
Their Lives, Their Struggles The Issue talks about three individuals whose struggles we think deserve a special mention.
The Artistic Criminal
Gambling as we know was a favourite pass time of kings. Betting entire kingdoms to chance would have given monarchs a high of a completely different kind but gambling too, had its own share of cheats.
Women and safety:
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Mobile Phones and Road safety:
A woman cannot be arrested from sunset to sunrise (1800 hrs to 0600 hrs) without the presence of a female officer/ constable and the permission of a class one judicial magistrate.
According to all state traffic regulations if a driver is driving a four-wheeler or riding two-wheeler alone, then he or she must switch their cellular phone off.
This means that if any woman is ordered to report to the police after 1800 hrs, she can refuse unless accompanied by a female constable. This law was enforced after an incident in Pune (2005) where a couple was arrested by the police. The woman held was raped by a policeman.
While, people are aware that telephonic conversations while riding or driving are forbidden, they are unaware that the rule extends to complete usage of a mobile-phone device. A person isn’t even allowed to play music on his phone while driving/ riding. In contrast to popular belief, hands-free device or a phone loudspeaker being used as well. A driver is not allowed to park his car and use the phone too. (If your phone is switched off, how can you receive a call?)
This law comes under The Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act of 2005 (Subsection 4 and Section 46 of CrPC 1973.)
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Venture 99
SAVING UP AT THE END OF THE MONTH Undergrad Editorial Team
Aditi Dharmadhikari explores innovative profit making initiatives by students.
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t its very crux, the idea is simple. Take something small, put in some effort, give time and make a profit.
The Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies ( SCMS -UG), Pune established an Entrepreneurship Cell committee (E-Cell) in 2010 - a club for honing the skills of budding entrepreneurs. This was a group of people that recognized the importance of blending creativity and marketing to make profits with minimal street capital. Instead of believing in this theory fervently by rote (as most of us tend to do academically), they plucked it from their textbooks and made it materialize into an event that is now the flagship event of the E-cell.
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The 99 rupee venture is a classic business simulation. Each team starts off with Rs. 99 and five hours in their hands. They are then made to bid on the areas they would like to market their eventual product in. Once the areas are allocated to the respective teams, the frenzy begins. Spontaneity is a quality that is indispensable to any vocation, and this competition is all about thinking on your feet. This was demonstrated by one team who decided to slip into their dancing shoes, and instead of the stage took to the roads with their moves.
Other teams offered to wash glass windows of showrooms, made durable paper bags from newspapers bought from raddiwallahs and went door to door in Viman Nagar offering services such as gardening and cleaning houses. Services appear to require a smaller overall investment so, another team invested their street capital in just coloured markers. They let the ink do the talking for them with elaborate tattoos on the arms of fascinated customers. A team which was lucky enough to have a gymnast amongst their members decided to take the performance oriented route. Performing gymnastics routines right
on the road, they managed to attract a considerable amount of attention, admiration and consequently, funds. This team eventually went on to win the event, making a whopping Rs. 7,000 from a mere investment of Rs. 99. From the seemingly paltry investment of Rs. 1,600, the students managed to amass a mammoth sum of Rs. 40,000 at the end of the event, making it a runaway success.
On a broader level, concepts like these are being implemented by national and international organizations like National Entrepreneurship Network and TEDx. They provide budding entrepreneurs with the resources to pool in ideas and content to create their business models backed by products worth marketing. Emphasis on dialogue between innovators and investors ensures that the quality of the product remains tip-top.
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Go on a fast. Frankly, it is the latest fad these days!
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Bet your kid brother his monthly pocket money that you’d beat him in chess left handed.
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Get into a fight and get knocked out. You won’t need to spend when you’re in a coma.
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Cry out loud in the middle of a boring class, ‘Oh my God!’ My papa just lost all his shares in the stock market crash. What will I do now?’ None of us have tried this trick. But we can vouch for its authenticity.
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Open a ‘Profile Picture Studio’. After all, great profile pictures have become the supreme prerequisite for social acceptance.
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Take your entire clan to a mall during a Sony PS3 promotion. Take control of one console and refuse to surrender it.
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Go to your richest best friends place to watch a new movie. Volunteer to get the CD (Appa Balvant Chowk) and sigh in piece as his imported chef, Bose music system and Plasma 70 inch TV take over the rest.
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Bet your mom a ridiculous scoreline (8-2 should do the trick) over a re-run of a Manchester United-Arsenal match.
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Keep no more than 5 notes in your pocket. No 500 and 1000 buck notes. They seduce you to spend. Stick to the good old 100’s and 50’s.
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Watch Murder 2. You’ll spend your entire week trying to figure out the meaning of life.
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A QUEER, STRAIGHT OPINION Having been actively involved in the activities of the LGBT Community in Pune, Esha Vaish speaks on their behalf.
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iving in a city which refused to accept the existence of our growing Lesbain Gay Bisexual Transgender Community (LGBT), queer social networking sites became our only medium for interaction and expression. The anonymity that the internet offered us has brought to Pune its queer lifestyle. In fact, the IT revolution not only changed the city’s skyline, but also ushered in a cosmopolitan character conducive to new ideas. This has been one of the key factors that facilitated the growth of our community. A fellow member of our community and the founder of Prayatna, an organisation set up to tackle and educate the local population about the issues faced by the queer community, Omky, has always believed that the IT crowd that came in with the IT revolution, brought in new ideas and thoughts that were instrumental in opening up the city. He also feels that with the increased acceptance level, the city might be on the brink of a major revolution. Prayatna today holds support meetings out in the open without the stigma and fear that prevailed in earlier years. The Pune Queer Fest 2010 was the first of its kind to be held in the city. There were debates and discussions on issues concerning our community followed by movie screenings. In a city undergoing a slow, gruelling transformation, the event was not just well attended but also well received by citizens and members alike. Ameya, an active member of our community and a Pune-based 8
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entrepreneur feels that the success of the Q-Fest (2010) is a clear indication of the fact that Pune’s gay community is both visible and vibrant. “I am confident that very soon Pune will have its own Pride March, given the level of enthusiasm that is now seen in the city”, said he. Exploring the flip side of the situation, Bindhu Madhav Khire, a member of the Sampathik Gay Support Group points out that the representation of the transgender community in the city is close to negligible. This is one the major hurdles that we as a community need to address.
ORGANISATIONS: Organised Lesbian Alliance for Visibility and Acceptance (OLAVA): Address: P.O. Box No. 2108, Model Colony Post Office. Pune 411016. Email: olava_2000@yahoo.com Samapathik Gay Support Group: Contact person: Bindu Madhava Phone : 020 427 2806 Email: samapathik@hotmail.com Open Space: ‘Queering Saturdays’ : Screenings and discussions of queer movies Contact Number: 02025457371 Address: B - 301, 2nd Floor, Kanchanjunga Bldg, Kanchan Lane, Off Law College Road, Near Krishna Dining Hall, Pune 411 004 Website: www.openspaceindia.org Birds of a feather: Niki Ray : 9764005739
PUBLICATIONS: The path of queer acceptance is a meandering, sensitive one and we have just started walking on it. Before we can truly embrace freedom, the continued discrimination within the community and by straight-jacketed Punekars who believe we have no place in civilized society needs to be addressed. Still, we continue to walk this path believing that in the end we will find a ‘Queer-Friendly City hoping that one day we’re treated just like any other citizen and not as a labelled community.
Magazine: Jiah E- magazine: The Queer Chronicle (TQC) Samapathik Trust: www.genocites.com/samapathik_pune Address: 1004, Budhwar Peth, T9 Third floor, Rameshwar Market, Near Vijay Maruti Chowk, Pune 411002, Maharathra India Helpline number: 020-24465362 (Monday only 7-8pm) Contact number: 020 24465362 (11am to 6pm Monday to Sturdays) www.samapathik@hotmail.com samapathik_pune@yahoo.co.in Queer books available for sale
The Skype way to School Sanchita Dash takes you through the inspiring journey of Chaitanya Gurukul Foundation, a school which teaches children via Skype
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ost great inventions have, more often than not, grown out of a dire need, an environment of absolute deprivation. Founded in March 2011, Chandrakant Singh’s initiative, Chaitanya Gurukul began as an effort to ensure that no child in the village of Chamanpura, Bihar, suffered a bereft childhood. In a village that barely had any electricity, Chandrakant Singh managed to revolutionize not just the concept but also the means of education. Having all the amenities that a metropolitan school boasts of, Chaitanya Gurukul’s vision is to “Educate, Enlighten, Empower and Emit.” Children here are taught by
faculty from across the country through Skype. In the process, he faced several problems ranging from acquiring land permissions to errant power supply. Eventually having won over the villagers, he convinced them to give their land for the construction of the school. However the biggest challenge was to persuade experienced teachers to move to a remote village like Chamanpura. It was out of this dilemma that the idea of Skype School was born. The novelty of the concept attracted public attention and helped to raise funds for the project. The tuition fee for the school is slated at Rs. 300 per month with an increase
of Rs. 100 for every academic year. The students are provided with food and other necessities. A biometric finger-scanner is used to record their daily attendance. The school also has a residential facility which is home to around 200 students. What’s more? They use renewable resources of energy like biomass and solar energy to ensure a continuous supply of electricity. Having enrolled over 500 students within 6 months of its inauguration, the Chaitanya Gurukul Trust continues to instil hope in hundreds of villagers and inspire them to innovate and explore new avenues.
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Running on blades Pistorius is currently the 100 metres – record holder for the 10.91 seconds three sprint races in the 200 metres – disabled category. 21.58 seconds Here is a look at his 400 metres – records: 47.49 seconds
However, Pistorius did not sit still. He appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The Court considered his plea, accepting that the tests did not calculate the disadvantage that he had at the start of the blocks and while sprinting on the turns during the 200 and the 400 metres events. He continued to take part in able-bodied competitions and aimed at qualifying for the London Olympics, 2012. In Lignano, he stole the spotlight as he managed to beat the “A” standard qualification time of 45.25 seconds, clocking 45.07 seconds.
After an exciting month of athletics in Daegeu, Prannoy Jagati takes you through Oscar Pistorius’s journey so far.
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dversity causes some men to break, others to break records.” Oscar “Blade Runner” Pistorius - commonly known as the fastest man with no legs, is quite simply an athletic marvel. The idea of seeing a man with blades for legs challenge and outsprint able-bodied athletes continues to baffle people all over the world today. The South African runner had his legs amputated knee-below when he was 11 months old as a result of being born without the Fibula bones necessary for movement. His physical condition however did not deter him from taking part in school sports where he was a part of both, the rugby and water polo teams. He
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also played tennis and wrestled in middle school. After a serious rugby accident he was introduced to the sport that became his key to fame at the international level ever since. Pistorius broke into the international athletics circuit in the 2004 “Summer Paralympics” as a sprinter, using the “Cheetah flex foot carbon fibre transtibial” artificial limbs. His blades are J-shaped with spikes at the toe ends for grip. Clocking in at 21.97 seconds, he created a new world record in the 200 metres event in the disabled category. Since then, he always had a burning desire to take part in competitions for able-bodied athletes. He continued to participate in events for the disabled and broke his own 200
metres record thrice. In 2007, Pistorius debuted in his first able-bodied international event at the Golden Gala, Rome. His dream to participate in ablebodied events came to a crashing halt when it was considered by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) that he had a fair advantage over able-bodied runners because of his blades. A controversial study concluded that the amount of energy that was required to run with his blades was lesser than the energy required by the able-bodied. Lance Armstrong faced a similar scenario when his ‘cancer drugs’ were blamed for boosting his performance during the Tour de France.
Pistorius, however failed to qualify for the individual 400 metres race in the Daegu World Championships last month but was selected for the 400 metres relay, even running the heats for it. Although, the team qualified for the finals, he had to face disappointment as he was dropped out of the team for the final event. The South African team finished second, but failed to register better timings as compared to the heats. Although Pistorius did not run the finals, he was awarded the silver medal for running in the heats, thus making him the only disabled man to win a medal in an able-bodied athletics event Pistorius was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Bronze by the President of South Africa in 2006. He was featured in the Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2008 and was declared the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2009.
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JARGON BREAKING
Wayanad in turmoil
Dhruv Satija simplifies political jargon through anecdotes
Amrita Paul explores the darker side of god’s own country. It’s monsoon again. I look out of the window. It has been over ten years now. But it feels just like yesterday when I was 13, studying in the seventh standard when you came to our hut asking for a glass of water.
“Where’s your backpack, Sunil?” I asked the wide-eyed eighthgrader as we stood side by side in the lift. “What bhaiya! backpacks are so out of fashion.
It was pouring heavily and I asked you to step in, recognizing you as my brother’s friend. Your visits became more frequent as the days passed by. You told me that you had developed a ‘sudden’ liking for me and wanted to marry me. I knew I liked you too. That afternoon when my parents were out you came hurriedly and pleaded me to make love to you.
Most of these young women have been deployed to farms to earn a living. Adolescent girls are exploited in the work place environment and over 200 of the tribal mothers are juveniles. Some of them go missing while the others who manage to survive, are often too scared to approach the police for 12
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Yet another morning, I was jolted out of sleep by the clattering of vessels from my neighbour, Mrs. Gaikwad’s kitchen. Nearly choking on the fumes of her tadka-ridden cooking, I dragged myself to her doorstep to slip in a subtle word about the daily nuisance she caused me for over a year now.
“Err… so what do you know about socialism?” I asked in disbelief. “Socialism is an economic system which believes in taking from the people according to their capacity and giving them back depending on the quality and quantity of the effort put in. Socialism allows for ownership of private property meant for personal use”, he replied instantaneously.
I remember everything from that day. Everything, but your face. It’s monsoon and I know things will never be the same again…
The first case of unwed mothers was reported in Wayanad in the year 1952. Since then, the number has steadily increased. One of the major problems of the tribal unwed mothers in this area is poverty. The non-tribals take advantage of their condition and once the women are pregnant, they are left in a lurch. Some of these women are even forced into prostitution for survival resulting in severe health issues such as AIDS and other STDs. Isolation, rejection and neglect by family members has further increased their psychological trauma.
“We don’t use books anymore bhaiya. We learn through films and presentations. Like today we learnt about socialism and communism through Disney.” said the exasperated kid.
“Yeah, Disney’s ‘Bug’s Life’ has an underlying message of socialism, you didn’t know that?’’ widening his eyes further.
Two hours later, I looked out of the window as you walked away. That was the last time I ever saw or heard from you. Today I am twenty three, mother of a nine year old. Your child. Our child.
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6:30 am. Still four hours for my alarm to go off.
“Through Disney?” I had to ask.
I resisted. You gave your word. I gave in.
ome to 2000 unwed mothers, Wayanad District in Kerala is situated on the southern tip of the Deccan Plateau. There have been several cases of sexually abused and abandoned women in tribal settlements all over the state but with 36% share of the state adivasi (tribal) population residing in Wayanad, it has the greatest number.
I shot him a quizzical look.
“And Disney taught you all this?” I heard myself ask. help. In addition, most of the women are illiterate or school dropouts due to language barriers. The tribal language does not have any script, is purely oral and is very different from Malayalam, the locally taught language. The new government under Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has recently announced a relief package for unwed mothers which comprises of a one acre plot, a house and a Rs.1000 monthly pension. However, only those who can produce the required documents will be entitled to these benefits. The irony here is that most of these women do not even have a ration card, let alone all the other prerequisites. It is necessary for the government to take measures to build proper schools in the area so that these women get a chance to earn a livelihood and educate their children. The State Women’s Commission along with NGOs working in the area needs to implement this as education alone can help improve the plight of these tribal women.
“Duh”, said the irritated punk. Flashing his iPod in my face, he said, “In a socialist setup I’d still be able to own this without owning the factory manufacturing it. But in communist China, I wouldn’t be able to own either of the two.” “So, did you also learn about communism?”I asked, zapped by the kid’s understanding of the concept and clarity of thought.
She opened the door and I knew she was in a mood to gossip. “You know that new tenant who’s moved in to the house next to yours works with prostitutes? Beta us se tum thoda bachke hi rehna, haan?’’ she said in a scandalous tone. “Toh kya hua? She is working for their welfare”, I retorted. “Arre beta… Lekin woh bhi kahi aisi-waisi nikli toh? Tum thoda bachke hi rehna usse.’’ “Prostitution has been legalized aunty.” A blank look on her face and I knew she didn’t understand what ‘legalization’ meant. I went on to explain that legalization is the removal of legal prohibition against an act deemed illegal previously. Brought under complete government control, legalization ensures that the act in question can be regulated.” “So, this is just like that ‘gay ruling’ na beta?” she questioned. “No, that was decriminalisation aunty.” I said
“Communism is a system that believes in a stateless and classless society where the means of production and distribution are owned by the government and the consumers happen to be the workers producing the goods. The communist gives back only according to the need. So, you definitely won’t be able to own an iPod in a communist set up since it is certainly not a need.” Wow. He couldn’t have done better even with a dictionary in his hand.
“Decriminalisation?!” another puzzled look and I dove head first into giving her a second explanation, “Decriminalisation is the abolition of criminal penalties associated with certain acts. Such a decision is taken when the judiciary along with the civil society decides that the particular act is not a matter to be addressed by the criminal justice system, just like in the case of same gender consensual sex.”
The lift reached the ground floor, I watched the kid as he hopped out of the lift.
She nodded, a streak of comprehension lighting up her face. I walked back feeling triumphant. Finally I had put those hours of classroom attendance to some use.
I clearly needed to start watching more Disney!
The Undergrad | 13
Their Lives, Their Struggle The Undergrad Editorial Team “To me the great hope is that now with these 8mm video recorders, people who normally would not have made movies, would start making them. Suddenly some day one fat little girl in Ohio will turn out to be the next Mozart, and make a beautiful film with her father’s camera. For once this whole professionalism about movies will be destroyed forever. It will truly be an art form.” -Francis Ford Coppola.
With every day that passes by, we lose from amidst a number of individuals few, whose lives remain unsung. We shall never know how they impacted the world we live in, however miniscule their contribution. Through this story we shed light on three handpicked individuals we think have set an example to everyone around them who dare to dream.
Yogesh Pardeshi
Anurag Kashyap
Former World Carrom Champion
Film-maker
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ark...black...noir...Kashyap.It’s uncanny how smoothly they fit together. In an era dominated by loud dramas and unrealistic representations of Indian society, Anurag Kashyap’s films have had the pungent kick Indian cinema needed. Every human being has a primal side to them. Arguably, Kashyap’s films have repeatedly explored the depth of human irrationality in a way no director in India has. How complex would the mind of such an artist be? How would he have grown up? What would have lead a man into fearlessly exhibiting what he wants to exhibit, not caring about whether anyone else would appreciate his work? We had a chance to meet the man himself during the premier of his latest film, “That Girl in Yellow Boots.” We had heard rumours about his outspoken nature, and we weren’t disappointed. His style was quite unique, an entertaining montage of sentences cramped between the choicest Hindi ‘swear-slang’. On being asked about his struggle, he smiled and said that 14
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he had never had more fun. One of the most publicised parts of his life revolves around the time he spent sleeping and practically living in lofts, water-tanks and beaches. During this time, he spent over eight months on the streets of Mumbai, exploring different parts of the city where, as we understand he gained a lot of insight about life in general. He worked for five years with the theatre group Jana Natya Manch, where he acted in and wrote a number of street plays. Almost nostalgically, he looked back at the “5-star hotel mein toilet karna” and the “chori karke khana khana” days, he gave us that “couldn’tcare-less smile” and said, “It’s the main time. Pata nahin why people dread it.Woh asli din the.”
changes in a film just because of foul language or violence.” The conversation then took a turn towards the technical aspects of film making. However, Kashyap took us completely by surprise, admitting that if one thinks too much about the technicality involved in making a film, its true essence is lost. For him, shooting a film was all about the relationship between the cast and the crew. Unable to contain ourselves any longer, we blurted out a question that had been biting us for quite some time. We asked, at the end of the day films do require revenue, so how much thought does he put into his audience while making his films? “Zero!” came his curt reply, “Just tell your story, make your film.” Perhaps this is what makes him… him. Finally, we had to ask, what goes into making a good film? He smiled, his eyes twinkled…
Later, he went on to work as an independent script writer for a few months. Paanch, his first film as a director was banned by the censorboard but broke piracy records nation-wide. Kashyap’s hatred towards “Bas! Pyaar Kar!” Love what you do . Do censorship was evident, “You can’t cut or what you love. edit a film. Keeping an age limit is ok. The censorboard should not be allowed to make
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n a cricket crazy nation like India, pursuing a sport like carrom as a profession guarantees a struggle which in the case of Yogesh Pardeshi, lasted for over 20 long years. At the age of fourteen, Yogesh Pardeshi decided to turn his childhood passion into a career. But he soon realized that sponsorship and government funding for professional carrom players is a huge problem. His humble background coupled with family responsibilities acted as further deterrents. “Though I played my first international tournament in 1991, I did not receive any sponsorship till 2001. The government rated the sport in the ‘Class C’ category and never bothered to monitor its progress. I was a World Champion and was ignored by the
government”, said a disappointed Pardeshi. It was only after he bagged the Lyon World Championship in 2008, did the Maharashtra government recognize his efforts with a meager cash prize of Rs. 5 Lakh. Recalling his days of struggle, when he’d had to sell carrom boards and carrom strikers, take loans or sell old scrap from his house to sustain himself, the World Champion now feels that apart from his strong family values, these experiences actually helped him remain focused and grounded. Even today, he practices for 6-8 hours every day, for 14 days a month before any major tournament. He believes that the turning point in his career came when he joined Indian Oil Corporation. The company provides funds for all the tourna ments he participates in, irrespective where they are held.
hardships, he said, “My mother and wife were major pillars of support. I had a lot of passion and love for the sport, and thought carrom was like God. Like people pray, I decided to devote all my time and energy to it. I did not worry about anything else, only concentrated on the game and played it religiously. I am happy now, for God has finally rewarded me for all my hard work.” As of now, all his immediate attention and concentration is on the European Tour which is set to begin at the end of this year. He will be playing multiple matches in five different countries across Europe. His main focus, however is on preparing for the World Championship which are scheduled to be held next year, where he will defend his title as the World Champion.
When asked about what kept him motivated even when he was faced with extreme
The Undergrad | 15
DRUMROLL Aditi Dharmadhikari tells us about the lesser known approach to therapy- through the use of music.
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Faith Gonsalves
In the contemporary setup when you are trying to change something, struggle is inevitable.”
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wenty-four year old Faith Gonsalves is the founder of Music Basti, an organisation that visits shelter homes to teach music to underprivileged children. Being a musician herself, she believes that music taught her some of the most implicit lessons of life. In the same way, Music Basti empowers children through music, providing them a medium for expression. They believe that music helps build life skills that are crucial to individual growth. This is facilitated through an interaction with a diverse range of musicians. By will or force, most of us have been a part of the school choir at one point or another, nerves jangled by never ending verses, vocal chords forced to work overtime but Faith chose to look beyond. “Singing in school and college gave me so many opportunities to learn, cooperate with a group or choir, understand the art of performance and slowly ease away all the nerves!” recounts Faith. This gave birth to the idea of Music Basti.
Founder, Music Basti
Faith’s resolution to help these children voice their emotions made her persist even when her initial efforts to break the ice were thwarted. She says,“In the contemporary setup when you are trying to change something, struggle is inevitable. I sometimes wonder how much of a lasting impact we’re really making. But then again, there are moments with these children that put everything into perspective.” One such incident was when one of her students, sang an original song at an event organised by Music Basti.
Assalam alaikum maula (Greetings, may peace be upon you.) Kaun hoon main ye bata do, Kahaan se aaya ye bata na Kaun hoon main ye bata do, Kahan se aaya ye bata na (Tell me who I am, And where I come from) Jindagi ye kya hai maulah, Bebasi ye kya hai maulah Har jagah gam hi gam, Pyaar itna kam hai maulah (What is the course that this life takes O my protector? Why the helplessness?There is sorrow everywhere And not enough love) Assalam alaikum maulah (Greetings, may peace be upon you.)
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This song written by Akshay, eloquently describes his inner conflicts as he questions the purpose of life. “I will never fully understand the challenges that children who are alone face”, she confesses even as she persists with her efforts. On a more personal note, Faith shares, “Music Basti, for me, was a point of connection bringing together different things that particularly interested me or that I was involved with, namely, music and arts, artist communities and at-risk children in an informal education format.” Looking at the bigger picture she goes on to add, “I don’t believe in pivotal points in time.” She also feels that accepting struggle as a part of any endeavour is crucial to keep oneself motivated. Hers is a thankless job. Faith was a speaker at the Guwahati TEDx conference and a nominee for the CNN-Real Heroes Award
ime and again, one finds that India has left behind something very fundamental in the multi-layered waves of its past, like a legacy lost to the Arabian Sea. This, if resurrected, could revolutionize those who are underprivileged in our country. Art Based Therapy (ABT) happens to be one of them. It incorporates creative activities like dance, drama, storytelling, singing and drumming, channelising them into a positive therapeutic form. This includes dealing with medical conditions ranging from stress, hypertension, body stiffness to withdrawal symptoms during rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts. Today, in the West it is possible for practitioners to acquire a credible degree in Art Based Therapy. Unfortunately, there is hardly any such facility available in India. Amalgamation of creative expression, healing and education is a concoction that was initiated in India in the world during the Vedic Era. The concept of chanting ‘Om’the idea that the positive energy of the universe can be harnessed with merely one word was neglected in the era following the Vedas. ‘Shaman’ drumming and sound vibrations are all ancient secrets of our soil, lost over time, only to be popularized by the West in their socio-cultural contexts later on.
institute which is involved in conducting drum circles. They also act as a rhythm ensemble. The brainchild of Varun Venkit, Taal Inc. conducts regular workshops mainly across Pune, Mumbai and Delhi. Using the principles of the Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), they hold sessions for a versatile target group. “This kind of alternative therapy is very much required in India,” shares Varun Venkit. “We aim to equalise drumming circles as a form of therapy in the medical fraternity, and popularise its therapeutic benefits.” The Bhojwani Drum Circle is another institute in Pune that conducts drum circles on a weekly basis. Every Saturday, a batch gathers to share a spontaneous percussion experiment with only a small pep talk at the beginning and a set of djembes, African percussion instruments. Sahil Shroff, one of the regulars, shares, “It’s a fantastic way to spend a Saturday evening and it’s definitely something to look forward to every week. It’s almost like a trance, once we start playing. It’s like we forget worldly things and connect on a different level altogether. People come to the circle for various reasons, but personally, I love participating because I enjoy it so thoroughly.”
In addition, these therapies are inherently culture-based, and need to have a very well-defined basis in one’s own cultural identity. For instance, an elderly person in the West will be asked to sing a Stevie Wonder song (as a part of Improvisational Music Therapy – IMT) while someone in India would be asked to sing a Ghazal or maybe an old Bollywood classic. There are plenty of dance instructors or drama teachers in our country but using these creative means of expression for the purpose of education is very different from a stereotypical workshop .The creativity needs to be channeled with a tangible goal. World Centre for Creative Learning Foundation (WCCLF) is a Pune-based NGO which is a pioneer in this field. It carries out its own models and research on IMT and DT (Drama Therapy), and trains practitioners who would go on to conduct sessions. Drum Circles are a part of IMT which explore how rhythm and percussion combine to heal an ailment. Taal Inc. is an
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Punya Nagri
MAUSHI W
hipping up batches of crispy kaanda-bhajjis and vada pavs, punctuated with the ubiquitous little glasses of chai, one has often found a visit to the quintessential Maushi’s tapri the silver lining to their rainy day. Maushi is the mildly interested but unfailingly friendly face that creeps into your day’s routine and makes itself a content little space in your heart. She, in turn, develops a soft spot for her regular student customers and is more than ready to dish out
free chai and a kasa kay? to her favourites with a smile that crinkles her eyes. Found at the corners of roads lined up with institutes and bang opposite college gates, Maushi’s humble tapri almost becomes a second home to these students. Simply put, she is often a lifesaver to most sleep-deprived and overworked youngsters in dire need of a respite that sometimes can only be found in hot crunchy feel-good ‘home’ food.
Maushi’s top 10 Marathi phrases for the month: 1. Kay challay bhau? – What’s up, bro? 2. Agdi majet- Spectacular mate! 3. Agdi sundar chah zhala- Fantastic cuppa’ tea. 4. Aho please, phakta paach minta- Come on, man! Just five minutes!
Finding home
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he flight was preparing to land. Switching my iPod off, I stared out of the window. The glimmering lights in contrast with the dark night brought an instant smile to my tired face. Yes, I was home again. I realised my love for Pune when I was away from the city for my internship. Even though I was receiving much appreciation for my work and having the time of my life trekking through India’s tropical jungle, a sense of longing to be back to Pune perpetually pinched me.
It had only been a year after all, since I came to Pune. Yet, I felt much closer to the city than I ever have been to my ‘hometown’ (Shillong). I remember being instantly attracted to this new world a year back. The new streets, the different ambience, the alien people, notorious thug like autowallahs, the controlled chaos - I took to it all immediately. 18
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5. Me bindook nahi ahe! Shistit bhav sanga-I’m not stupid, you know. Tell me the right price Anurag Banerjee
Back in my hometown, I remember telling my parents very animatedly about the city. Of how college is a small part of life in Pune, of how delicious vada pav and chaha (tea) at the road side tapri is, of how beautiful the old city is, of how there is always so much happening and of how I could not wait to be back. “You talk of your home in Pune, what about your home here? Have you forgotten us?” my father once asked me. I could not answer his question. Maybe to me, his question was more of a statement. Maybe I have forgotten the charm of my silent, serene little hometown. Maybe I have embraced the hustle-bustle of Pune. But maybe that is because Pune gave me direction, made me realize my passion for photography. Maybe I am too lost in the innumerable beautiful frames Pune has to conjure and the life buzzing in them. And maybe that is why Pune for me is and will remain, home.
6. Veda ahes ka? –Are you mental? 7. Aaj ratri. Mazhya ghari? - Tonight. My place? 8. Mala bhook lagliye!- I’m hungry 9. Jorachi lagliye! - Bladder burst! 10. Udya nakki karin, ai shappat! - I’ll definitely do it tomorrow. “Mother die promise”
Maushi’s monthly Marathi abuse: Doka ahe ka khoka? - Do you have a head or an empty box?
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Madness for a
’ m a y h d a ‘Ma
wdown on a Gupta give us a lo ar nt ya Na d an r Iye Sanyukta edia-festival. SIMC-UG’s annual m
A
y b b o L Open Sanyukta Iyer
I
The endless saga of your misfortune is just the icing on your mundane, monotonous and needy life.
We have the annoyingly talented, moody workforce and the constant in and out, yes and no over decisions and well, in this case – not so much participants as much as funds.
What you need is a revolution.
We also have the walkie-talkie, the band-bajaa and media barsaat.
ndia’s Image Guru, Dilip Cherian is a top end lobbyist and Consulting Partner at Perfect Relations. His insights into the Indian political system are indispensable and when asked what would be his solution to improve the ‘image’ of Congress today, he blames the government’s ‘slow paced’ approach towards eradicating corruption being the huge problem. “The silly thing is that the government has painted itself into a corner. It needs an internal champion who can be the leader. The moment the Congress can do that, it will win back some of its lost ground,” says Cherian.
Maadhyam is a lot like American Idol.
We have change in power and glory for the all talk– sounds good personnel. We have the underdog and the bill keeper, the door keeper and the fund raiser. What we have, at our little- experienced hands is the unstoppable energy and fast-paced, grounding of a widespread media college festival.
Interestingly, PR in India is essentially a form of advocacy and lobbying is an intrinsic part of public affairs. In a democratic system, information has been sought by Governments to craft major policy decisions. After liberalization, the practice of mainstream advocacy has become an accepted alternative.
clouded blue sky looms above your frizzy head; you’re having a bad hair day. After your cold shower, coffee-less morning when you stop to grab a bite on the way, you’re faced with the dilemma of Maushi running out of Vada Pav. To top it all, the Kiranawala has been banned from selling cigarettes, what a start!
We have our stage, we have our judges– some sweet, some acerbic. We have our own share of crashable equipment and parading college students, pumped up with the running around of production and enthralled about the fact that all the work is the responsibility of the under-represented, varied student community. We have our own dean-ish, Bollywood-Ishtyle version of Simon Cowell, the popular American TV producer cum star, and we have nasty takers for guest appearances too. Okay- so we don’t have an Adam Lambert, but well we have our special ‘mirch masala’ and anyway, that’s India for you. Oh! And did I mention we are original? 3 days – October 13, 14 and 15, 2011 Celebrities, speakers, visionaries and gatekeepers will stroll through the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (UG), Viman Nagar (hear the planes fly while you take a quick siesta in class) campus, preaching and feasting about the world of mass-media through seminars and contests. Maadhyam, this time around is an extravaganza of wit, creativity and tongue in cheek madness in the form of short films, debates and
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workshops, theatre, speakers and sundowners are sure to bring out the competitive spirit in even the most sober soul on campus. Maadhyam is also a lot like Indian Idol.
Life as a student (and being one, our opinion doesn’t really count) passes as quickly as the monsoon. You choose to wear white and end up with muddy stains all over your pants. You have a stomach upset and fail to locate your morning paper. You do not bathe and brush in a hurry. You forget to drench yourself in deo and fail to locate black shoes to go with the uniform. You are caught for chewing gum in class- secretly trying to hide your morning breath. Your sleepy eyes find themselves shut, heads down on the desk only to be picked up by a conservative oldie.
“Coalition politics with its continuous push and pull results in shifting policies. Therefore, influencing the government is foreseeable especially in the future of Indian politics,” says Mr. Cherian, proving how public relations and lobbying are not as dissociative as they appear to be. In his personal life Cherian switched from hard core journalism to PR and believes that it was an effort to try and be part of the actual process rather than being part of the commentary. He says, “Working with the government showed me that not all of the government is about shady deals. Understanding the philosophy behind the policy changes and the methodology of influencing them in a practical and open manner is what lobbying has given me.”
The endless saga of your misfortune is just the icing on your mundane, monotonous and needy life. What you need is a revolution. Maadhyam welcomes you to the madness.
Dilip Cherian
Find Mr. Dilip Cherian, policy maker, columnist and former business editor, on day 1 of Maadhyam talking about the media revolution and growth of lobbying in India.
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CONTEST WINNERS
SWITCH SHOT Prannoy Jagati, Sahil Ahuja and Faizan Shaikh explore the journey cricket has seen over the past few decades.
The Reverse Sweep which was popularised by the likes of Mike Gatting and Andy Flower has become very common in today’s game. Kevin Pietersen went on to modify the reverse sweep and converted it to a switch shot (Where the batsman shifts from a right-handed batting stance to a left-handed one right before the delivery). The game saw an increase in the use of brute muscle, in shot making. Players like M.S Dhoni, Chris Gayle and Pollard are a testimony to this fact. Dhoni, in particular invented the Helicopter Shot, which is now a part of the Oxford dictionary.
Riddhima Chawda SIMC, Batch 2014 Sin- Sloth Title- Absence
Topic –
Write a 700 word piece using 7 out of the 50 given words with the underlying theme being ‘Revolution’.
Constant, Death, Dot, Breakfast, Witness, War, Miracle, Fragnance, Cage, Facebook, Feet, Horizon, Utopia, Bridge, Space, One, Formicate, Time, Pulp, Theft, Light, Resurrect, Phobia, Art, Blind, Crawl, Heart, Apocalypse, Pink, Numb, Precious, Dove, Placate, Nerd, Silk, Uranium, Predict, Abuse, Stanley Kubrick, Clarity, Mustard, Snatch, Dude, Crab, Snow ball, Reign, Sodomy, Confuse, Abyss, Void.
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tanley Kubrick once said- “The greatest nations have all acted like gangsters and the smallest like prostitutes.” The pimp of the plot though no longer remains the government but the media sodomizing the public with its utopian ideals spiralling in an abyss of theft and confusion. But times are changing and with it are people; the constancy of war can’t outlive the fragrance of revolutions spreading swiftly across countries. Horizons are expanding and opening cages of freedom filling the void created by blind phobias perpetuated by a maniacal media.
emerged dabbing its feet into the reigning madness of mediums snowballing into an era where human distances have been bridged forever. But the question as to whether this is a miracle or a bane lingers. In its attempt to placate its own users, a steady stream of abuse has trickled down the web and resulted in the dumbing down of numbed masses. Yet, the ardent revolutionary here too is making inroads by crying out against abuse. The light here emanating from the delicate folds of jasmines spread across North Africa and the Middle-East uniting people to fight as one forgetting class and crass distinctions.
Kubrick viewed the screen as a magic medium where celluloid space becomes an odyssey of art, resurrecting even the most precocious of hearts. Yet, today the same medium is witnessing a gruesome death at the hands of commercial perpetrators. Breakfast isn’t at Tiffany’s anymore and fiction is restricted strictly to pulp. Apocalypse is coming now with signatures on the dotted line where fornication takes centre stage as actors drop their silky fold of pink draperies, wrapping themselves instead in darker shades of fame and money. Still, there is a light at the end of the tunnel with people snatching opportunities, crawling on the untrodden roads of the digital revolution emerging in film-making.
Kubrick said “It's a mistake to confuse pity with love.” We say it’s stupidity to confuse an eagle with a dove. Why? Because no one can predict the future and peaceful revolts can turn violent in a jiffy. An eye for an eye will make the world blind but so will uranium. What’s required is clarity in a murky system of mustard bitterness. For us, it’s a common call to the dudes and the nerds, to the perpetrators of discrimination and to the uprisings of the masses to break the crab like structure of power and status quo that grips our steadily Westernizing world and to spark a revolution across countries, across religions, across languages and most importantly across mediums that brings about that change we desire. Because change is the power of this medium. Our medium. Maadhyam.
With Facebook gaining in prominence, a new tool has
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MAYANK SUSNGI, SIMC, BATCH 2012
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C
ricket has witnessed change in its format, just like any other sport. It has evolved from the classic Five Day Test matches to the limited over, One Day Internationals. With the introduction of the T20 format there was a desperate need to create innovative batting and bowling styles that would fetch runs and take wickets at a quick rate. In the past two decades, primarily in the past five years, a plethora of innovations have found their way into the cricketing dictionary. The old school batting style was mostly confined to defensive play and stroke making in front of the wicket. There was rarely a player who would reverse sweep a ball. Strokes then, were very elegant and relied more on timing than brute power. The talent of a batsman back then would be judged on his technique. With the change in game styles, batsmen were forced to invent new, unorthodox strokes, prioritising the need to hit the ball over the boundary. The element of risk taking and pace of the game led to batsman making changes in their technique. For example dashing Sri Lankan Opener T.M. Dilshan single-handedly engineered the Dil-scoop during the first edition of the IPL (Indian Premier League). The ball is met in front of the stumps and scooped behind the keeper to an area where the fielder is generally absent.
The art of bowling also had its share of changes and innovations with time. Pace often injured the players due to the short pitched deliveries, aimed at the heads of the batsmen. A high arm bowling action meant that the bowlers pitched the ball at a good length and did not bring much variation in their style. A good length ball was the ideal ball to be bowled. As trends changed, bowlers were restricted to one bouncer per over. The era of 70’s and early 80’s which was primarily known for the West Indian pace attack slowly subsided to give way to the Pakistanis. The discovery of the art of the Reverse Swing by Pakistani legend Sarfaraz Navaz was later mastered by the likes of Akram and Waqar and subsequently bowlers all over the world. To keep up with the innovations, the bowlers added more tricks to their armour. Slow bouncers and slower deliveries were bowled to confuse the batsmen. Brett Lee mastered the Toe Crusher and other fast bowlers like Shaun Tait, Shoaib Akhtar and Lasith Malinga soon followed. They did not follow the high arm action to generate pace. Their strength came from the shoulders. Hence, they have a slinging action. Similar changes in spin bowling were seen with regard to the grip of the ball. Spinners used their wrist as well their fingers to spin the ball. Ajantha Mendis created the carom ball, a technique which is extremely difficult to execute. The likes of Anil Kumble who were less dependent on spinning the ball, used a wide mix of deliveries like the Flipper and Googly to torment the batsmen. Entertainment versus Tradition, the age old argument continues. The addition of tournaments like Hong-Kong super sixes and KFC Big Bash will ensure further change in the game. No matter how future innovations decide to shape the game, cricket will truly remain a winner if it retains its aura of being “The Gentleman’s Game”
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Quickfix
Grubmismatch Akida Wahi swears by the phrase “food for thought” but she also likes to think outside the tiffin box. A complete foodie and a maniacal hygiene freak, you’ll often find her hosting gourmet langar for her broke friends. She can sniff out a lie from miles away and uses her spare time solving Sudoku.
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here are two schools of thought. One set of people (much like my grandfather) believe one can eat anything any time, it’s all going to end in the same place either way. The other set of people are so particular about their food habits they’d rather just not eat. However, it is extremely important that we eat everything in the right proportions and combinations to avoid ending up with a stomach ache. One should definitely eat all types of food but, if you believe that you can bombard your stomach with anything that is remotely edible and yet get away with it, be warned. I’d suggest, you avoid washing down your lavish bacon and eggs breakfast with a glass of milk. In the same way, avoid combining two concentrated proteins at the same time. This includes combinations like nuts and meat, or eggs and meat, cheese and nuts, cheese and eggs, meat and milk, or eggs and milk. Milk, if it is to be consumed at all,
Madhur Khinvansara is rumoured to have learnt how to cook on a deserted rainforest near Tuvalu. For security reasons we cannot reveal how she managed to cross Indian borders. When she’s not cooking, you’ll find her bouncing off walls with excitement or carrying out a loud animated conversation about the best eateries in the gallis and khopchas of Pune. She never says no to a photograph, and is a genius when it comes to stretching a buck.
Chocolate Covered Cornflakes
is best consumed on its own. The reason for avoiding combinations is that each protein requires a specific character and strength of digestive juice to be secreted. Eggs require different timing in stomach secretions as compared to milk or meat. Combining our favourite drink like tea, coffee, alcohol and soft drink with solid food is a big mistake. These beverages hinder digestion by restricting hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach hindered. Speaking of acidic substances, curd rice is not exactly light on the stomach. Curd is best mixed in salads and vegetables. Eating curd with milk or solid food, hampers food digestionas it blocks secretion of gastric juices. If you thought you were eating it all right and didn’t know the cause of that stomach ache you had last evening, think again. What you need to remember is that the human body is like a chemical laboratory. It is important that we don’t treat it like a dump. Eat healthy to remain fit. Bon Apetit!
It is as simple as the name! An easy ice cream topping, midnight snack or something to munch on with your coffee. 1. Melt the chocolate in a microwave. 2. After the texture becomes really smooth, stir it around with a spoon to reduce the temperature of the chocolate. Do this for around 3-4 minutes. 3. Add cornflakes to it and mix it well.
Ingredients: 1 bowl of cornflakes 1 bar of cooking chocolate
4. On a plate place some butter paper or baking sheets. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the paper. 5. Place it in the fridge for 5-10mins. 6. After they turn hard, store it in a cool or dry place. 7. Serve with ice-cream, coffee or just eat it plain!
Baked Beans Roll 1. Chop the onion finely and the lettuce lengthwise. 2. Heat the chapatti and the baked beans. 3. Spread a layer of mayonnaise on the chapatti. In the centre of the chapatti, spread some baked beans. Top it off with lettuce and onions. 4. Season it with salt, pepper, oregano and chili flakes as per taste. 5. Repeat it with the second chapatti.
Ingredients: 2 left over chapattis Tin of baked beans Mayonnaise 1 Onion
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Salt, pepper, oregano, chilli flakes(to taste) Lettuce leaves (chopped) The Undergrad | 25
Esha Vaish explores the history of four controversial words from the English slang family and reveals the skeletons responsible for their current status-change.
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“
h! F***ing hell”, yelled Maaya, again as she swung a book in my general direction. With a party breathing down her neck, no dress seemed good enough. Amused by her reaction I said, “You do know that f***ing hell technically doesn’t mean anything, right?” Maaya, turned around, two different hangers in her hands and her curious button eyes pinned on me. Dramatically placing her hand on her hip she snorted, “And what’s that supposed to mean?” “Oh! Nothing,” I said choosing my words carefully, just to annoy her. “You’re no soldier and you’re definitely no F.U.C.K.” By now I had her full attention. She raised her eyebrow as if expecting me to continue and I obliged. “If a soldier of the British Imperial Army was found to have a venereal disease, “Found Under Carnal Knowledge” or F.U.C.K would be stamped on his papers.” “Really?” she retorted, “I thought the King of England needed you to hang a sign on your door saying, ‘Forni-
FOUND UNDER CARNAL KNOWLEDGE cation Under Consent of King’ and that’s where the four letter came from.” “Wrong etymology”, I said, savouring the sweet feeling of proving Maaya wrong, as she generally never gets her facts wrong. She was considerably ‘‘cheesed off ’’ and ignored of my last snub, pretending to be busy, trying on a green tube dress. “What do you think?” she asked turning around, “too slutty?” Unable to resist annoying her further, “No, rather clean,” I replied. “God! You’re driving me crazy, ” came her exasperated reply. “Slut was an idle, dirty, untidy or slovenly woman in old English society, ” I proudly said. Maaya was quick to retaliate, “We don’t live in old English society, do we?” The girl had a point, so I held my tongue, more information still racing through my brain. A geek was a lifestyle rather than a tag, and having lived in that category it was an old habit to process information. “Why don’t you go as a dude?” I asked. I must have peeved her off too much for she turned around and sarcastically said, “Please educate me as to what that is supposed to mean, will you?” “Dude was the street term in Britain for a person who dressed in ‘duds’ or
rags, “ I replied in a single breath. “Why have you been collecting all this knowledge?” she asked. I shrugged, “I stumbled upon it.” She smiled, her Maaya smile, and I knew I had won her over. The shrew was mean, but she was my best friend and loved me to bits. “Amusing! Which other words have you been researching?” she asked. “A street in London going by the name Gropecunte lane was the inspiration behind the slang ‘cunt.’ The street was notorious for prostitution and till today can be found on Google Maps.” “Wow”, she exclaimed, removing her smart phone and before I could ask, her fingers raced across buttons searching for it. “Found it!” she squealed. “Say, we should go shopping to London”, she said. The conversation took a diversion and landed on the familiar route of shopping! I smiled to myself, nodding here and there as Maaya fantasised about a shopping trip that was never going to materialise.
Golf #101
A few common terms in golf compiled By Prannoy Jagati
Tee:
The place from where the first shot towards a hole is played.
Divot:
The portion of turf that is ripped out of the ground after a golfer plays his shot (due to the digging of the club into the ground).
Par:
When a golfer holes the ball in the number of shots that have been stipulated for a particular hole.
Birdie:
When a golfer holes the ball in one shot less than the number of shots that have been stipulated for a particular hole.
Eagle:
When a golfer holes the ball in two shots less than the number of shots that have been stipulated for a particular hole.
Double Eagle, Albatross:
When a golfer holes the ball in three shots less than the number of shots that have been stipulated for a particular hole.
Bogey, Double Bogey:
When a golfer holes a ball in one and two shots more than the number of shots that have been stipulated for a particular hole.
Handicap:
The average difference between a player’s score and a set standard as calculated by specified procedures. 26
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You’re a twit when...
Clikthrough
Abhinandan Sridhar (A.S), unofficially second in line to Jack Dorsey (Shhh, it’s a secret) attempts to educate the common masses on Twitter etiquette. Twitter is quite a rage in our country now. More people are jumping on to the tweet bandwagon every day. We thought we’d mention some ‘Don’ts’ that will make your Twitter time more popular. You’re a twit when...
You are a twit when … You don’t tweet: This will result in your follower count showing a value tantalizingly close to zero. You Retweet your own tweets: This action is analogous to liking your own posts on Facebook or worse, putting up your own photo as your desktop wallpaper. You are looking for a Newsfeed instead of a Timeline: We know it is painful but, no, Twitter is NOT Facebook. You are Kamaal R Khan’s ghost tweeter: No. Even if you are promised a very prominent role in Deshdrohi -2 we suggest you turn the post down.
Dhruv Satija tells us about an interactive video website where buying merchandise seen on screen is just a click away.
You use ridiculous hashtags like #LetsMakeThisHashtagTrendForever and #SayYouLOVEMeGoddamnit: Oops! Then #YouWillNeverFigureHashtagsOut! You keep pinging celebs like they’re your best-buds: Forget celebs, you need to start worrying whether your existing friends still want to talk to you. We’ll wrap up with these pointers. If you have committed all of the aforementioned atrocities, we propose you turn to Orkut, for reasons best left unspoken. On the other hand, if you haven’t done any of the above, then we can proudly commend you for enjoying life in 140 characters!
You operate spam-bot accounts that woo users with a busty blonde’s display picture: Well, we have nothing to say to you.
CONFESSIONS OF A
STUMBLEUPON ADDICT Surabhi Mokashi
Stumble this world and then the next Posting comments in green text That’s the fun we StumbleUpon From funny hats to old dead stars Finding alien games and leotards Biggest boulders up on Mars That’s what we StumbleUpon! Stumble, stumble, on we go Finding sites that we didn’t know In the evening’s afterglow All we do is stumble.
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When I first started stumbling, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All I had been looking for was a more exciting way to spend my time on the internet and now they tell me I have a problem? This is preposterous! The magic of that initial Stumble was inexplicable. Diving head first into the unknown; I was seeing, hearing, reading, and listening to new things. It gets you quite obsessed. The eclectic collection they’ve found is irresistible. Every step brought me pictures, information, music and sites I never expected to find!
From big movie stars to little beer bars, StumbleUpon, had everything. I’d say, “You’re not surfing right unless you’re doing it with Stumble.” Stumbling has given me a reason to explore the internet and now my sole purpose is to find those obscure little sites in their sheer brilliance. The best part, I never know what I’m going to discover with the next click. Or the next… it’s been 3 hours… but just one more! So, if you don’t have it, get it. It’s going to be hours and hours of fun and education.
Have you ever wondered where did Pit Bull get that amazing watch from? Or where Taylor Swift got that beautiful white dress from? Well, here’s a site that brings you one step closer to being able to acquire all that you see in your favourite videos. Clikthrough.com is a video website that gives you all the information you need about a location, garment, accessory, furniture, car or bike featured in a music video. All you need to do is simply scroll over the product that catches your eye and they’ll tell you its name. To get more information about the products, click on the icons below the video. The website also enables you to access all the information you need to have about the artist, including news, shows and albums. You can also turn off this feature on the video player and enjoy your video uninterrupted. You can turn the feature on and get all the information you need, the second time round. Another interesting feature available on the website is that if
a product that you like or something similar to it is featured in other music videos, you can view those videos and chose the best for yourself. They also have tie ups with various artists and studios such as Ne-Yo, Natasha Bedingfield, Pitbull, Eminem, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Paramount Pictures Boomerang. They have tied up with leading luxury brands like Louis Vitton, Gucci and ELLE Magazine. The website is trying to strike a deal with television studios to incorporate TV shows in their gallery as well. So we’re not too far away from the day when you can know where Joey and Chandler got that large white dog with wheels from! The only disappointment is that they don’t have Indian music videos on their site. On asking Abe McCullum, the man behind clikthrough.com about such a possibility in the future her said, “We would like that of possible. Unfortunately we don’t have any connections in India to sell our solution.”
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Editorial
Marketing Faizan Shaikh
(Editor in Chief)
(Marketing Director) (Creative Head)
Nupur Sonar
Abhinandan S.
(Editor in Chief)
(Copy Head)
Madhur K.
Sumedh Natu
(Managing Editor)
Divesh L.
Neethika B.
(Advertising Head) (Sponsorship Head)
Sounak Roy
Abhishek Bardia
Saumya Gupta
Esha Vaish (Copy Editor) Nikhil Burby Aditi D. Anshika K. Prannoy Jagati Iknoor Kaur Sanchita Dash Sahana Sriram Anonna Dutt Gautami S. Hitisha Jain Rishabh Kumar
Aishwarya Kar Alina G. Akida Wahi Arnav Abbey Zainab V. Kunal Pandey Ankita Rajan Sakshi H. Ahmar Zaman Ayeisha D. Vishishta N.
(Budget Head) Chitra S. Jeel Shah Laksh Fomra Vashita M. Surabhi M. Mansi C. Nayantara G. Sahil Ahuja Shalaka Desai Sonali Devan
Acknowledgements Sagar Kamath Milinda Natu
| The Undergrad
Amitabh Dasgupta Mohan Sinha
Sahil Khan Malvika Asher
Layout & Magazine Design : Mayank Susngi & Priya Gupta
We’ve attempted to credit every image we’ve used in the design. However, in places where the artist’s name couldn’t be established, we’ve added links to the page.
Artistic Criminal- http://good-wallpapers.com/fantasy/4251 Running on Blades- http://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/leave-ourblade-runner-alone.htm Anurag Kashyap- http://www.indianfilmfestival.org/publicity.php Drum circlescom/?photo=280
http://deography.
Drumroll- http://www.myspace.com/ drumsinnumpty Maushi/Editor’s Pictures- Sounak Roy
The Undergrad
The Undergrad 30
Rohan Kapoor Dhruv Satija Amrita Paul Lasya N. Anaheeta D. Pranjal Gupta Charulata B. Lemuela Patel Akruti Patel Bushra Shaikh Siddharth Rajan Hardeepa M.
Creative Commons, Wikimedia Commons, Google images, Blogs
(Sales Head)
(P.R. Head)
(Photography Head)
Images Courtesy
Priya Gupta
Arpan Chaturvedi
Yogesh Pardeshi- http://www.livemint.com/2010/02/12205645/Strikerwho-got-his-goal.html Music Basti-http://www.musicbasti. org/the-process/music-teachingprograms/music-education-workshops-content-development/
A Queer, Straight Opinion (Bars)http://www.niu.edu/lgbt/resourcecenter/audience/faculty_staff.shtml Queer Mask- http://newshopper. sulekha.com/india-gay-pride_photo_1905412.htm Skype (logo)http://gigaom. com/2010/12/23/the-incredible-importance-of-skype/ (guru)- http://www.adaringadventure. com/life-coaching/hes-not-a-guru-hesa-very-naughty-boy/ Legally Blonde- http://www.rtonmainstreet.com/ Venture 99 (Coins)http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Assorted_ United_States_coins.jpg Wayanad in Turmoil- http://deshlai. wordpress.com/tag/rajarhat/ Maadhyam Logo/Scan- Maadhyam Creative Team
Dilip Cherian- Courtesy Dilip Cherian’s Office
Switchshot- http://www.cricturf.com/ events/ausvssl.html
Grub Mismatch: (Milk & eggs)- http:// farmersandartisans.com/2011/milkegg-shares-q2 (Rice & Curd)- http://rajendermanju.blogspot.com/2010/05/thayirsaadham.html (Smiling eggs)- http://www.hdphotos.org/dreamstime/bacon-andeggs-with-tomato.htm
Jargon Breakinghttp://www. theatlanticright.com/2009/09/29/ breaking-senate-finance-committeerejects-public-option-amendment/ (Broken Link)- http://antenamisionera.wordpress.com/category/jesus/
Golfhttp://laurahier.livejournal. com/16147.html Stumbleuponhttp://elitemom. net/2011/08/stumbleupon-wtf-is-thedeal/ You’re a twit when- http://mobloggy. wordpress.com/tag/minturn/
Quickfix- Madhur Khinvansara Clikthrough- http://thepixelreport. org/2010/10/10/clikthrough/ http://r3r.com/blog/2009/in-streamvideo-marketing-clikthrough/ Paper Texture- http://www.vectoreps.com/index.php/2010/04/highquality-paper-textures/
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Symbiosis Institute Of Media & Communication (UG) Survey No.231, Viman Nagar, Pune – 411014 Contact: +91-20-26634511/12/13/14. Email: contactus@simcug.edu.in Website: http://www.simcug.edu.in