Innholdsfortegnelse for 4 July 2022 i India Today

All the heated debate these days is about the radical transformation being imparted to India’s defence recruitment structure with the Agnipath scheme. But there’s another crucial field that is seeing a transformation that’s nothing short of epochal. That’s a college education. For decades now, July would bring to us news about maddeningly unreal cutoffs—inching ever closer to 100 per cent—that young aspirants had to match if they wanted to get into any of the colleges of repute. The race has always been tight for aspirants to get into the 42,000-odd colleges that come under over 1,000 universities across the country. But this July, there comes an attempt to turn access to higher education into a more level playing field. Colleges under 89 universities, including all central universities, will admit students…

“Was the physical exam a hoax?” Amit had cleared his physical and medical tests last year, after preparing for years. He shifted to Jaipur last July to enrol in coaching classes for the written exam. His monthly expense here is Rs 12,000, for which his labourer father has taken a loan. He is the third of four sons, his elder two brothers being unemployed. He believes that if the PM and defence minister have announced the scheme, “it must be correct and in the national interest”. But he does hope that the results of his physical and medical tests are considered, especially after he heard the army chief say that since the medical tests were conducted several months ago, the authorities weren’t sure how fit the aspirants were.Amit says he…

ARTS HINDU COLLEGE, Delhi SCIENCE HINDU COLLEGE, Delhi COMMERCE SHRI RAM COLLEGE OF COMMERCE, Delhi MEDICAL ALL INDIA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, New Delhi DENTAL SCIENCES MAULANA AZAD INSTITUTE OF DENTAL SCIENCES, Delhi ENGINEERING INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, DELHI, New Delhi ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY—ROORKEE, Roorkee LAW NATIONAL LAW SCHOOL OF INDIA UNIVERSITY, Bengaluru MASS COMMUNICATION INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MASS COMMUNICATION, New Delhi HOTEL MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT, CATERING & NUTRITION, PUSA, Delhi BBA SHAHEED SUKHDEV COLLEGE OF BUSINESS STUDIES, Delhi BCA DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, CHRIST (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY), Bengaluru FASHION DESIGN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY, New Delhi SOCIAL WORK TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, Mumbai…

One advantage with CUET is that it is a computer-based test, and marking is objective and accurate, with little scope for human error Since I took charge of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in February, people in general, including friends from media, have often asked me about my vision for the higher education regulator. The questions multiplied since the UGC announced in May the plan to conduct the first-ever Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for admissions into central university courses and other willingly participating universities. So far, 89 universities, including the central universities, have agreed to admit students through CUET this year. I’m sure the number will increase exponentially in the coming years. There is consensus, including among critics, that the CUET is a much-needed step towards making our higher…

Anticipating the impact of the oncoming pandemic on education, the Staff Council of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi, had decided on starting online teaching-learning even before the lockdown was imposed in March 2020. In the initial months, platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet and Google Classrooms were used to hold classes. The college also used multiple applications and tools, such as Cisco Webex, Blackboard Collaborate, Facebook Live, MS-Teams, WhatsApp and YouTube, to maximise reach and engagement. MS-Teams was eventually finalised as the mode. It all goes to show how SRCC rose to the Covid challenge and took proactive measures to keep teaching-learning as seamless as possible. Established in 1926, SRCC was amongst the progenitors of commerce education in the country, later expanding to economics and management.…

ARTS SCIENCE COMMERCE MEDICAL DENTAL SCIENCES ENGINEERING (GOVERNMENT) ENGINEERING (PRIVATE) ARCHITECTURE LAW MASS COMMUNICATION HOTEL MANAGEMENT BBA BCA SOCIAL WORK FASHION DESIGN Notes: 1. Rankings based on objective data and perceptual survey data; 2. Only colleges that submitted their objective data on time were ranked; 3. Only colleges that fulfilled the following criteria were considered for ranking: (i) a minimum of three graduated batches (ii) currently offering full-time undergraduate courses (with the exception of programmes in Social Work and Mass Communications); 4. Scores have been rounded off to one decimal place. This may result in rounding-off errors when totalling parameter-wise scores; 5. Colleges that were not ranked in the perceptual surveys have been given Perceptual Scores of 0; NP: did not participate…

Amitav Ghosh’s latest book, The Living Mountain: A Fable for Our Times, defies easy reactions. A review is supposed to describe what a book is trying to achieve, describe how the author has tried to do so, and assess whether they have succeeded. But a slim volume of 35 pages cannot be treated in the same manner as longer pieces, and a fable—by definition—has little to do with things like character development, or the novel’s role of showing the decisions of normal people in extraordinary circumstances. None of this is to say that the book is light or superficial. We have contemplated parables and koans for thousands of years. Their brevity adds, rather than subtracts, from their power. Similarly, Ghosh’s short tale—a story of a dream in a novella—draws power…

KINGO Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) is not of this planet, but his Bollywood dance moves, his delight, the wayhesays dishoom when killing a foe in the forest, all add sparkle to Marvel’s tepid Eternals. SHANG-CHI In Shang-Chi and The Leg - end of the Ten Rings, we meet a Chinese protagonist who transforms from martial arts master to assassin, then to a valet driver, and, finally, to a superhero. WONG Wong is many things—Sorcerer Supreme, protector of the New York Sanctum and librarian of Kamar-Taj—but you might only remember the Nepalese hero as Doctor Strange’s sidekick.…

IN EARLY MAY, LUXURY FASHION BRAND BALENCIAGA, popular for its unconventional approach, launched a limited-edition collection of overtly distressed sneakers called ‘Paris Sneaker’—entirely worn out and destroyed with ripped cotton and rubber—in a variety of versions, fetching up to US$ 1,850. Although mercilessly trolled on social media, it was a runaway hit. This may sound like a post-modern rendition of the Theatre of the Absurd. But fashion is so rarely about restraint or rational constructs. Interestingly, here is where this issue of Spice builds on the growing argument in favour of “Intelligent luxury”. Embracing an ideal that harmonises indulgence, sustainability and the environment, fashion designer Vaishali Shadangule’s unlikely journey from small-town Vidisha is transforming the worldview of India’s textile heritage. “I come from a very small town in India where…

The word ‘Cult Sneaker’ is most often used to describe a pair of sneakers that has people queuing up outside global stores, often paying hefty premiums for re-sold shoes and frantically posting these acquisitions on social media. The question remains: What makes a sneaker a collectible with a cult status? We asked content marketeer and self-confessed sneaker head, Mumbai-based, Gaurav Jain to weigh in on this. “Something that is either innovative, artistic or purveyed by someone iconic will end up as a cult pair. Some die with the hype but there are others that are truly iconic and stand the test of time. Air Force 1, Chuck Taylor All Stars and Jordan 1s are great examples of such cult classics.” As fandom kicks in… …We spoke to some enthusiasts who…

There is something almost mysterious about The Lodhi; night or day, the property never appears overrun by crowds like other city hotels. Its typical brand of discreet luxury is all about quiet elegance that celebrates subtle, understated indulgence. And Perbacco, the hotel’s Italian fine-dine restaurant is cut from the same cloth. A meal here is almost like a secret rendezvous, which seems exciting even before your chair has been pulled out. A Murano glass-inspired lighting installation and a vibrant Tuscan landscape re-create the charms of Italian Spring. The menu, curated by Michelin Star Chef Adriano Baldassarre, adds a further spring in your step with a happy marriage of pure Italian classics and those that come with a wicked twist of quirk. The new menu features more traditional food reminiscent of…

Just two years ago, the Indian Army, which has a strength of 1.2 million personnel, crossed a major milestone: it became the world’s largest ground force. Yet, there was no cause to celebrate. It achieved that distinction because India’s arch-rival, China, had decided to cut its two million-strong land-based People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by about 50 per cent. Significantly, the Chinese government didn’t cite budgetary constraints—in terms of military spend, China is second only to the US and its expenditure is more than three times India’s. Instead, Beijing said, their focus had shifted to building their air force and navy as well as investing in high technology to fortify their overall defence capability. More recently, the US, which despite its superpower status has an active armed force of 485,000, or…

The pandemic notwithstanding, the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, Pusa, in Delhi, went out of its way to make sure that students didn’t have to suffer any obstacles in their learning. All possible online media platforms were tried and the institute subscribed to the Cisco Webex portal to conduct both theory and practical classes. Audio-visual arrangements were made so that practical sessions could be held without any glitch, and all culinary, beverage, housekeeping and IDS software sessions were held with precision. It’s quite interesting how almost everything was planned out for online classes. For housekeeping practicals, for instance, students made a training module for orientation, and also planned human resources manning and first aid, while time motion study was done for bed-making procedures. It’s perhaps such far-sighted measures…

Bozo and Bisleri are thrilled. After 18 months of no activity, the sylvan campus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Deonar, Mumbai, is buzzing. Finally, the hallways are filled with students whom the two dogs can lick, play with and ask for treats. Christso Kamkra from Imphal is one of them. Early this year, when he and Themreiso Awungshi learned that they would finally get to attend an offline class even if it was only for a month, the two Manipuri students were thrilled. Classes for most of their two-year programme were held online. “The bonds forged online were bereft of emotion and not quite helpful. It’s only when I came here that we made lots of friends,” says Awungshi. Prachi Bhelane from Gondia district in Maharashtra…

Life in KOTHAPALLI is full of colour. And ties between its protagonists are vivid and, at times, disturbing Vauhini Vara’s debut novel, The Immortal King Rao, is many things: a generational family saga, an immigrant and coming-of-age novel, a meditation on the promise and peril of technology, a critique of corporate power, and an ambiguous speculative dystopia. The novel follows the intertwined biographies of King Rao—a Dalit child born in the village of Kothapalli, who rises to become the leader of the world’s most powerful technology company, before an equally precipitous fall—and his daughter, Athena, who remembers her own life while being held in a prison cell on charges of murder. From their tangled and uneasy relationship, two stories emerge: a slice of life in an Andhra village in the…

ARUNA DC’s Aruna is a shapeshifting, genderfluid, no-nonsense crime fighter. Born in Chennai, Aruna found a home in Bollywood as a stunt double. Last we read, the superhero was assisting Batgirl. CELSIUS Created by DC in 1977, Celsius commands fire, ice and her own team of superheroes, Doom Patrol. Before she turned caped crusader, family and friends knew her only as Arani Desai. OMEGA SENTINEL Had fate and villainy not transformed Karima Shapandar, a Kolkata police officer, into a sentinel, this superhero would have lived happily with her now-mutant boyfriend Neal.…

“The sneaker market is getting bigger and bigger in India now. The Jordans and Yeezys have the biggest fan base on our platforms, purely for the originality of these products and the international hype. People just love them. The sneaker culture is first about practicality in fashion (how comfortable they are) and it then moves to consumerism (who can sell them for a premium),” claims Crepdog Crew’s Kapil. But how can Indian sneaker brands market themselves differently to stand out besides huge global players? According to Shibani Bhagat, founder of homegrown sneaker brand 7-10: “Having to compete with global brands is a huge challenge for homegrown sneaker brands. India is the second largest manufacturer for sneakers in the world. We have the skillset and the know-how to manufacture a great…

Breguet isn’t just one of those brands that coasts on its history, this haute horology brand is actually inspired by it and so iterations of iconic models are power for the course. So also with the new 7597 timepiece that presents a visual variation of its emblematic Tradition Quantième Rétrograde model. The new watch displays a strong contrast between the monochrome blue applied to the dial and the anthracite-clad movement. Harking back to the origins of the company, the 7597 model takes inspiration from the “souscription” and tact watches created by Abraham Louis Breguet, whether in the shape of the bridges to the pare-chute shock-absorber system, or the size of the balance and the wheels. This eye-catcher of a timepiece also features a gold dial, a hand-guilloché “Clous de Paris”…

The year 2022 could be momentous for the future of education across the world. Covid brought life to a halt, including education in physical classrooms in the precincts of schools and colleges. Students instead took their place in front of their computer screens, as teachers struggled to recreate the spirit of the classroom online and keep the students engaged while educational institutes had to adapt teaching and examination methods to virtual modes. The pandemic wrought great disruption in the education sector. This year has seen India and the world making a slow return to a ‘normal’ whose contours may not be as we remember them. For the moment, schools and colleges have reopened, physical exams are back and students and teachers are interacting in classrooms, not on digital platforms. However,…

Over the past couple of years, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has been working on a carefully designed expansion plan as a result of which its student numbers have increased dramatically. Keeping pace with that is a growing faculty. For the first time in its history, the university will receive as many as 180 students for the BA, LLB (Honours) course in the forthcoming academic year, says Vice Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy. Similarly, the student numbers for the LLM course and the Master of Public Policy (MPP) programme have increased to 75. In addition to that, this year, the institute will welcome its first cohort of 60 students for a new three-year LLB course. “In the years ahead, we will be adding to these numbers,” says Krishnaswamy.…

Q What has gone right for the team during this campaign? Everything went right—from the way we prepared at camp before the tournament, the crowds that poured into Kolkata during every game and the football, which has been really enjoyable. This campaign had everything. Even the grit and the fight that the team showed in the game against Afghanistan was incredible. “I’m just happy finding the back of the net every time. And every single game is an opportunity to do the same—it’s what keeps me going” Q. What do you make of the youngsters on the team? I’m really pleased with the youngsters and the way they’ve turned up at the qualifiers. I’ve always been encouraged by the presence of youngsters who have come through in the last couple…

Q. Like your earlier film Kaagaz, Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga is about an ordinary man caught in extraordinary circumstances. Is it more difficult to play an ordinary man than, let’s say, a hero? It’s difficult to make audiences feel the presence of a powerless man. I enjoy playing someone who isn’t a hero. I consider myself powerless. We actors live under an illusion that we have a huge following on social media and fans surrounding us. That’s false power. Q. Sherdil is perched on your shoulders. Has your work on OTT encouraged filmmakers to cast you in lead parts in features? That may be true because my OTT shows (Mirzapur andCriminal Justice) are some of the most watched. You could also say that for my films Mimi andKaagaz in 2021;…

Collector’s Edition Designer spirits seem to be the toast of the season. Chivas has just launched its prestigious 18-year-old expression in collaboration with interior and fashion designer Sussanne Khan, who has designed the limited-edition pack. The pack pays homage to the multi-layered blend of Chivas 18 YO—a unique mélange of 85 flavour notes. Price Delhi ₹ 6,070; Maharashtra ₹8,650; Karnataka ₹10,700; Availability Retail outlets Havana Nights If the energy, verve and spirit of Cuba could be distilled in a bottle, it would probably be called Havana Club 7. This super premium dark rum from Pernod Ricard is matured in ex Bourbon barrels that bring out the rich natural flavours in versatile glory. Crafted for sipping, it can also be savoured on the rocks. Create your own story with each glass.…

Being free of plastic bottles wasn’t adequate. Shivdasani set up a glass factory to recycle glass bottles produced by the hotel and its neighbours by having world-renowned glassblowers come repurpose them into art. Soneva runs an innovative maker programme dedicated to finding new uses for the plastic that washes up on the archipelago’s shores. Soneva Surf is the world’s first fully sustainable surf programme, using ecofriendly surfboards, leashes, fins, rash guards, sunscreen, and board wax. Styrofoam packing is used to make feather weight structure blocks. The mosquito population has dropped by 98 per cent by setting up traps that replicate aroma mosquitoes mistake for humans. Natural pollinators such as bees breed in abundance amid the fruit bushes and multiple varieties of wild flowers. Shivdasani is currently researching Aquaponics, which will…

Lying in the dimly lit treatment room, I could feel the knots in my back gradually giving in. So far, so spa. Yet here at the Johnstown Estate near Dublin, although unseen forces were kneading my muscles, there wasn’t a therapist in the room. If there’s one thing we’ve all needed since 2020 it’s a good massage. Yet while our collective shoulders were knotted from Covid anxiety, spas have had to adapt their high-touch services, catering to the physical without actually being physical. “Touchless” treatments were one of the fastest-growing trends in 2021, according to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). THE SCI-FI SPA Salt caves and thalassotherapy have been around for yonks of course, as have those massage chairs that pound your coccyx. Yet accelerated innovation and the need to…