Good Morning IIT Delhi!
As you recover from the post-minor trauma, (and as the first years gear up for their majors) we bring to you the latest news (and gossip) in and beyond IITD in this edition of TL;DR.
Highlights include the fate of online engineers, the season of fests, a drone show and the curious case of a lost faccha. Beyond IITD, there is a treat for Marvel fans, IPL auction and more.
We also return with the second instalment of honest club intros- introducing the two newest additions to clubs at IITD and an invitation to the first offline activities post-Valentines Day ;)
Save the Dates
Rendezvous 22 is set to hit the calendars sooner than you think! Keep a lookout for the upcoming events on their Instagram page.
21 February - Registration deadline for Gazettale
23 February - Registration for Hash Code, Google’s team-based programming competition
24 February - Magazine Design talk with Mr Rajat Agarwal as an introduction to Gazettale'22
EDC’s annual business and entrepreneurship fest, BECON is running with full vigour. Check out the latest events and deadlines :
21 February - Commencement of One-Day CEO challenge 2.0
22 February - BPlan, a case study competition in collaboration with Zypp Electric
26 February - Guest talk by Ashneer Grover, MD and Co-founder at BharatPe and ofc, the shark.
27 February - Watercolour competition by AZURE
NSS’s annual fest, Kaizen, is back! Lined up, the events are
23rd February - Registration for 404 Resolved, a hackathon
23rd February- Webinar on violence against women
28th February - First round submission to Bazinga, a stand-up comedy competition
12th March - Submission to Tamasha, a dramatics competition
The deadline for ENCORE has been extended to February 22
IRD Unit is inviting proposals from Undergraduate students for the Summer Undergraduate Research Award, 2022. Applications will be accepted till March 11. Check the circular here
Fate of Online Engineers
Announcements were made at the start of the year, with the director saying that it is the top priority for the institute to return to normal operations in 2022. Rumours were spread once the DDMA orders were issued regarding the opening of Delhi colleges from 7th February. Rumours about the audit policy not being removed, offline classes were all there and cleared around the minors. A survey was conducted between the minors for the UG first year, non first year students and the faculty in order to know their opinion regarding the way forward for the semester.
The key highlights were as follows;
Non UG FY, 43% (28+15) wanted offline classes.
36% were comfortable with online classes with in-person evaluations post 14 March.
21% wanted to have other choices, the most prominent of which was to have online majors.
From the faculty, 60% (22+9+29) of them were more comfortable with offline evaluations.
36% were more interested in continuing the online semester with online evaluations, one of the responses said that it may be a cumbersome task for them to have offline evaluations.
UG first year, 76% of the students wanted their second semester to start in person and from the faculty, 57% wanted the same. However, 30% of the faculty also wanted to have their majors scheduled for the coming week, to be held in person.
What would finally happen is yet to be seen, a senate meeting is scheduled for today for the same. On a side note, the CAIC Gsec confirmed that the plebian audit policy is to stay, so don't worry, there’s still hope in salvaging your semester. Nonetheless, if you are already feeling like “agla sem phodenge”, then you have our sympathies.
Drone Show
BotLabs Dynamics, the startup whose drone show was featured at the beating retreat ceremony on Republic Day, did a drone show for the IIT D community on 14th February. It was done as a tribute to Prof Rao, whose 6-year tenure as director of the institute ended on 14th February. The drones formed an image of Prof Rao in his honour and displayed a message thanking him for his contribution. Prof Rao has been a great supporter of entrepreneurship, and under his leadership, the institute has made huge leaps in the same.
BSW Student Support Team
The Board for Student Welfare (BSW) has launched another welcome initiative, The Student Support Team, to help students facing mental health problems who are hesitant to approach the SCS team. By building a team of student representatives from all hostels, the goal is to encourage and aid the students in addressing their mental health issues by speaking up to their peers.
The Student Support Team representatives have been trained by Suicide Prevention India Foundation (SPIF) and are intended to act as a bridge between the students and professional counsellors. You can find the contacts of the student representative through this link.
The Season of Fests
Over the past few weeks, all of our social feeds have become swamped with announcements of several fests. Everywhere you look, you see a story about RDV, a post about tryst and a lot more. So we decided to do a TL;DR about the upcoming fests so you can stay up to date with all the happenings on campus.
Rendezvous, North India's largest cultural fest, is the year's highlight for IITD students, marked by star performances and incredible competitions. Rendezvous is a delight of its own. Be it drama, music or dance, the performances are beyond imagination. With its date to be announced soon and many pre-fest events about to happen, get ready for a bang. Do check them out on instagram.
Tryst ‘22, the annual technical festival of IIT Delhi is just round the corner too. It is North India’s largest science, technology and business festival. Follow Tryst on their instagram channel and stay tuned for a plethora of mind blowing events competitions, workshops and lectures.
Kaizen is the social annual festival of IITD and is all set to be held in the online mode from 22nd to 24th April this year. The social extravaganza with its feel-good themes has decided to forgo the typical guest lecture-workshop pattern and has a unique blend of cultural events for social causes lined up. Keep checking the NSS Instagram page for updates.
BECON: Business and Entrepreneurship Conclave is a summit organized by the eDC IIT Delhi and has exciting workshops and competitions lined up for budding entrepreneurs. Check out their Instagram page for updates here.
The case of the LOST FACCHA
Reporting from IIT Delhi. On 11th of February, we were flabbergasted as we received news of a first year undergraduate disappearing off the grounds of the campus. Witnesses claim that they found the door to his hostel room flung wide open and that the objects in his room were left untouched. Sources claim he was last sighted at Satpura Night Mess around 10 PM. His acquaintances, not being able to reach him, were worried and severely distressed. They reached out to the Board of Student Welfare for support. We observed a major upheaval in the first year students as the whereabouts of the student could not be found for over 13 hours. While some speculated that the evil far-left organisation that had gotten hold of BSP in June of 2021 must have resurfaced and begun its shady activities, others speculated that he might have taken the regular 10 minute nap in some other desolate hostel.
Much to the relief of the whole of the student community, the aforementioned student took to social media to inform his list of followers that he was back, healthy and safe. However, he refuses to make comments on where he had disappeared, only asserting that his phone battery ditched him when it was most needed, unlike his friends who kept a lookout for him and his whereabouts.
Nevertheless, as they say, all’s well that ends well. We are thankful that our fellow resident came home in one piece, lest we would’ve lost a great, loving, caring, responsible soul. And an asset to the future of Indian technology and innovation.
Here’s the link to the student’s Instagram story informing everyone of his well being that brought relief upon so many of us. Needless to say, it is advised to keep your communication devices in check to avoid any such mishaps. Stay safe when out all on your own and inform your friends of your whereabouts.
IPL Auction
The IPL Auction 2022 was held on 12th and 13th February; a total of 590 players went under the hammer. IPL 2022 will have 10 teams from this year, with Lucknow and Ahemdabad. Ishan Kishan was the most expensive player in IPL 2022 mega auction after being snapped up for 15.25 Crores by Mumbai Indians. While many young U19 WC stars like Hangargekar and Bawa were bought for multi-crores, many legends like Suresh Raina and Chris Lynn were unsold.
Multiverse of Madness: The bill comes due…
There has never been a better time to be a Marvel fan as the studio recently dropped the first trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The trailer has mind-bending and trippy visuals that are sure to leave you entranced. There is a surprise voice cameo from an all-time favourite character that transcends the multiversal boundaries and brings two of the largest marvel universes together *excited squeaks*. There is so much going on in the trailer with multiple variants of pivotal characters that it makes us wonder what all astonishing revelations Marvel is keeping buried under the wraps. Check out the trailer here.
We are in The Riddler’s Game now…
Next month, the caped crusader will be back on the big screen as DC is all set for the release of The Batman on March 4, with Robert Pattinson's version of the iconic character. Directed by Matt Reeves, this version of the dark knight is a more realistic reboot of the character and the movie will be a neo-noir detective film inspired by cinematic masterpieces like seven. Don't miss your chance to witness it in the theatres as tickets will go on sale soon. Check out the trailer here.
Badhaai Do
Hindi cinema has no shortage of generic commercial cinema with an underlying social message. It’s the same formula that actors like Akshay Kumar and Ayushmann Khurana have been thriving on recently, and despite the criticism they face, it’s a tried-and-tested method. Cue a stereotypical North Indian family, a comedy of errors and a change of heart in the last moment. From the trailer, Badhaai Do was shaping out to be the same kind of film. Sumi, played by Bhumi Pednekar, is a lesbian PT teacher being pressured to marry a man by her family. Shardul, played by Rajkumar Rao, is a gay police officer going through a similar situation. They decide to enter into a marriage of convenience with each other, where they live as roommates and continue to see their partners while satisfying their families.
What ensues is a very nuanced view into the concept of “lavender marriages”, - which are still very prevalent in the country. The movie has been marketed as just another generic movie; however, it is anything but that. It delves into sensitive topics with tact and honesty, refusing to shy away from the harsher realities that the LGBTQ+ community have to face in India. Critics and audiences alike are praising the movie for their performances, writing and general execution of the message they’re trying to put forth. Badhaai Do has managed to do what films such as Shubh Mangal Zyaada Savdhaan and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga failed to do and deserves to be seen by everyone.
Death on the Nile
Death on the Nile is a classic Agatha Christie murder mystery - morally grey characters with hidden motivations, scornful ex-fiances, an inescapable murder scene where everyone is a suspect, and of course, our favourite magnificently-moustached, egg-headed, grey-cell exerciser - the ever eccentric Hercule Poirot. Set on a honeymoon cruise in the middle of the River Nile, this is a solid film elevated by its intriguing mystery, performances and overall execution. With intricate production design, gorgeous costumes and just the right amount of drama, the film manages to add an old Hollywood feel without ever making it seem excessive or cringeworthy. Boasting a star-studded cast comprising of the likes of Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Emma Mackey, Letitia Wright and our very own Ali Fazal, the performances add largely to what makes this movie work with every actor providing a unique and believable spin on their character. The movie’s pacing is on the slower side in the first half but picks up later on. Death on the Nile is not a revolutionary murder mystery by any means; however, it is an entertaining watch that will manage to keep you engaged throughout.
Honest Club Intros (part 2);
“Just got the confirmation. BSP to be disbanded for making too many bluffs on other student-run-bodies.”- CAIC Gsec
We’re back, for the second part of the series. Once again we are going to be lazy and not exhaust our list. Stay tuned for the third part as well :)
AXLR8R; If you join us, you won't be able to join any other club (consults looking for PoRs, Beware!!)
FACC- If you see garbage somewhere, we most likely would’ve been the reason behind it after our workshops <3.
Hindi Samati- हमारी ईमेल कोई नहीं पढ़ता है क्युकि वह हिंदी में लिखी होती है। (just like you didn’t read the first sentence)
Dance Club- Our biggest flex is our fitness and stamina but is nowhere to be found when we are crying at practices.
Quizzing Club- We are nerds who felt academic quizzes weren’t tough enough. <mcq test mei tukka laga dena sikha denge, please consider>
We would also like to take this opportunity to introduce the newest additions to clubs at IITD
Buri Buri Zaemon
Remember Shinchan? The one dude who would come on Hungama TV and your parents would tell you to not learn anything from him. However, in the wake of recent events, it seems like people have failed their parents by believing in the existence of a creature that Shinchan imagined. Buri Buri Zaemon is back in the town with his crows. The cowardly pig seems to have affected a large chunk of the IITD population (way faster than COVID). His modus operandi is through Whatsapp groups, where the stickers have been adopted as the means of communication. Whether or not the SAC would get this body officially recognised for its contributions to entertainment and recreation remains to be seen.
The Third Wheeling Club
Do you constantly feel like the ‘kabaab mein haddi’ in a world rife with couples? Are you one of the few people who realise that valentine’s day is nothing but a capitalist scam? Are you the only single one among your friends; ofc, due to your own choices, no?
Well then, we are happy to introduce IITD’s very first ‘Third Wheeling Club’, the official stop for all the happily self-partnered peeps to celebrate the joys of not being in a relationship and a haven for all those looking to avoid the puke inducing affectionate couples that plague our population. Join in if you have the pleasure of enjoying the headache-free lives of young (hot) singles!
Check out their insta page here.
Continue reading for an invite to their first offline activities.
HOZIER’S SAD EARTHLY SCENE
Your Valentine’s went quite dry, didn’t it? If the minors didn’t bleed you enough, that is. But fret not, we at the TL;DR team got you quite covered. Pick out the roses, and put on some perfume for we are putting you out of your misery. After all, for the first time in forever, it seems like everything’s going to be offline, so we decided to make a highly-curated and thoroughly-researched list (ahem!) of the places where even Hozier will want to “worship like a dog at the shrine” and “offer his deathless death”.
Yadda, yadda - sit quiet, frisky people. We know you just want to see the list, don’t you? :)
1). SAC Benches, Nalanda Grounds: Let’s start with the most obvious, shall we? A path strewn with benches straight down from Zanskar up to the Karakoram-Aravali fork, this is a tried-and-tested option, possibly for decades.
2). Open Air Theatre: open it is, but populated on not streaming days? Probably not. Find a sneaky lil’ location somewhere you spies
3). The narrow road from SBI: There’s a camera or two in there, though. Or so have we heard. Just find the blind spots (no pun intended) and it’s all chill though.
4). SAC Yulu Stand-Nilgiri Road: A “sister” of the Nalanda Grounds one. Not much to be added here. But it’s quite an adrenaline (and oxytocin) rush when you get oh-so-disappointed to find every single bench filled, but just come across the last empty one.
5). Pockets near Research Park: You’ll have to search a bit over here, as there is no place very specific to mention. But just look through the place, will you? Beware of the guards though, they mysteriously spawn in the most unlikely places.
Bonus Romantic One: The rooftop of the Main Building :)
This is not an invitation from the Third Wheeling Club for single junta to reach these locations with megaphones.