TL;DR: Chaos, Conflict and Culture
Greetings, IIT Delhi!
As winter creeps in, dressed in cosy sweatshirts, students, in their newfound state of morning lethargy, scramble to seek advice from their wiser predecessors on which courses to take before the deadline. Ah, the perennial question persists: do MTL180 and CVL100 truly hold the keys to academic enlightenment? (Rumor has it, mass withdrawals are looming!)
Oh, and let's not forget the grand spectacle of the Vice President's visit, complete with the dazzling presence of esteemed IAS officers on Public Service Day. And who could overlook the heart-pounding excitement of those Garba nights, where we all channelled our inner Dandiya royalty?
Let's raise a toast to none other than Matthew Perry, the one and only Chandler Bing, whose wit and grin were the life preservers in the stormy sea of academia. Without him, who knows how we would have survived? So here's to you, Matthew Perry, for making our academic journey just a tad more bearable with your comedic genius.
Campus news:
From Classrooms to Civil Service: IIT Delhi Alumni shine in Public Service Day 2023
On the 29th of October, 2023, the IIT Delhi Alumni Association celebrated the IITD Alumni Public Service Day at Dogra Hall. This flagship event was a tribute to the distinguished alumni who have devoted their careers to the Civil Services. The overarching theme of the occasion was "The Value and Virtue of Public Service to the Community and Innovative Governance for Sustainable Development". The esteemed Chief Guest for the event was Hon’ble Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Prime Minister Office, Ministry of Science and Technology, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, and Department of Space, Government of India.
The day commenced with an inaugural session, followed by an engaging panel discussion featuring accomplished alumni who have excelled in the realm of public service. Subsequently, all the IITD Alumni Civil Servants were felicitated for their exceptional contributions. The entertainment segment featured captivating performances from the V-Defyn Dance Society, Ankahi, the Dramatics Society, and the Music Club.
The event stood as a testament to the remarkable dedication and service ethos of IITD alumni, emphasizing the pivotal role they play in innovative governance and sustainable development. It was a day of pride, reflection, and celebration, encapsulating the spirit of selfless service and community betterment.
Vice President Visit
On 25th October, our Hon’ble Vice President, Sri Jagdeep Dhankar had come to the campus for an interactive session with IITD students. The session began with the VIce President explaining the importance and relevance of science in today’s world and how it is used everywhere; followed by him explaining how IIT is a crucial institution towards the development of our country. The session had valuable insights on how students can go ahead helping the country immensely, specifically talking about how many students from IIT and other colleges helped devise solutions to combat covid which was a tough time for all of us. The session concluded with the students asking him questions.
‘Materials and Art’ - Paving the path towards the evolution of teaching methods
The 2nd edition of a one-of-a-kind term paper presentation was organised by Professor Lakshmi Narayan Ramasubramanian on 18th October 2023 as a part of his MLL251 course. The activity, which had a weightage of 20% of the total score, required the teams to select a research paper from the journal Acta Materialia, go through it and then present it during the event in a creative and unique way, combining it with an artform. The six participating teams were randomly divided to encourage and test their teamwork. The judges for this competition were the winners of the previous edition of the same activity.
When asked about the inspiration behind organising such an event, the professor said, “The rise of AI softwares like ChatGPT has hindered the students from trying to understand concepts deeply. These softwares are so advanced that it makes it very difficult for us to determine whether the assignments are done honestly or not. This is unfair to the honest students. It should also make us introspect as instructors, if we are not making things interesting enough that the students are losing interest in the subject. It is our responsibility to keep evolving our methods of teaching as well. So, I experimented with this activity last year and it was a success. Everyone who was a part of it enjoyed it thoroughly and learnt a lot in the process as well. The aim is to help the students develop a deeper understanding of the subject and to judge them based on their curiosity, creativity and innovation.”
The presentation itself consisted of teams utilising memes, and parodies of Bollywood movies and songs to present complex research topics. This event makes us reflect on a new potential paradigm for education, and we hope that it sparks the conception of more innovative and interactive pedagogical methodologies throughout the institute too.
National News:
Brutality at a prayer meeting - Bomb Blasts at a convention centre in Kerala
Three people were killed, and over fifty were injured in a series of blasts that occurred on the morning of October 29th at a Jehovah’s Witnesses prayer convention at Kalamassery in Ernakulam district of Kerala. The explosions occurred at 9:38 A.M. when an estimated 2,000 people had assembled for the prayer meeting, primarily families with women and children.
As the police continue to investigate the matter, a person from Kochi has surrendered, claiming responsibility for the bomb blast. Dominic Martin posted a video on Facebook claiming responsibility for the attacks before surrendering shortly after noon at a police station in Thrissur district, about 40 km from the site of the explosions. Martin said that he believed the Jevovah’s Witnesses’ teachings to be anti-national, and he had urged the group to change their views.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan stressed upon the seriousness of the incident. A 20-member special team led by ADGP (Additional Director General of Police) Law and Order will be investigating this incident. An all-party meeting has been called for on 30th October.
Supreme Court’s Verdict on Same-Sex Marriage
On October 17, 2023, the Supreme Court of India refused to grant legal recognition to marriages between persons of the same sex. The five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, announced a 3:2 verdict, much to the dismay of the entire queer community. The petitioners had asked for the same rights as heterosexual couples, like the status of spouse in finance and insurance issues; medical, inheritance, and even in adoption matters. Given the progressive changes in law in recent years, there was a high expectation that the Supreme Court would provide a gender-neutral interpretation of the Special Marriage Act (SMA), a law that allows any two people to marry, to include same-sex couples. However, the Court disagreed on the existence of the fundamental right to marry and accepted the government’s view that any move to legalise same-sex marriages should fall within the legislature’s domain. Due to religious and cultural beliefs, a significant portion of society may oppose the idea of same-sex marriage, and therefore, there is a slim possibility of Parliament taking the initiative to do so.
International News
War's Wounded Soul: Contemplating the Israel-Hamas Conflict
The Israel-Hamas conflict has taken a perilous turn in recent days, with both sides engaged in intense clashes and military operations. The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, reported fierce battles with Israeli forces in Gaza, even claiming to have set two Israeli tanks on fire. However, these claims remain unconfirmed by the Israeli army. As the conflict continues to escalate, Israeli forces persist with airstrikes and artillery shelling in northern Gaza. Notably, the Israeli military has deployed additional ground troops throughout the Palestinian territory, signaling an expansion of their ground operation.
In a surprising turn of events domestically, Amnon Shashua, a high-profile Israeli businessman and CEO of Mobileye, a company specialising in self-driving automotive technologies, has called for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration. Shashua's critique centres around what he perceives as failures, dissonance, and incompetence in handling the recent violence. Shashua's call for a leadership change is a rare public rebuke from Israel's corporate sector and reflects the growing dissatisfaction with the government's response to the crisis.
Internationally, the United States is closely monitoring the situation. Jake Sullivan, the White House's national security advisor, emphasised that while differences in perspective may exist, the U.S. is actively engaging with Israel and posing "hard questions" regarding the military offensive in Gaza. These questions encompass discussions about humanitarian aid, distinguishing between terrorists and innocent civilians, and Israel's strategic approach to its military operations.
The Israel-Hamas conflict remains a deeply intricate and sensitive issue with no immediate resolution in sight. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for global stakeholders to maintain their involvement, seek answers to pressing questions, and advocate for a peaceful and equitable resolution to the crisis that safeguards the lives and well-being of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Credit: Dan Wasserman (The Boston Globe)
Diplomacy Under Duress: India's Response to the Qatar Espionage Crisis
In a startling turn of events, eight former Indian naval officers were sentenced to death in Qatar on charges of espionage, causing a profound impact in India. This article delves into the intricacies of the case, India's diplomatic response, and the potential implications for the India-Qatar relationship. The accused, who were employed by the Al Dahra company in Doha, faced charges of espionage for Israel and their involvement in the production of Italian-origin stealth submarines. However, the exact nature of these charges has not been publicly disclosed, leaving the case surrounded by uncertainty.
India's Ministry of External Affairs swiftly expressed its deep shock at the imposition of death penalties and initiated a comprehensive diplomatic effort. The Ministry is providing consular and legal support to the accused individuals and aims to engage in dialogue with Qatari authorities, recognising the need for cautious diplomacy in this intricate situation.
India is actively exploring various strategies to address the situation, including collaboration with legal experts in Qatar for a higher court appeal, seeking clemency through diplomatic channels with the Emir of Qatar, and activating a 2015 agreement for the potential repatriation of the convicted personnel. In the event that these avenues prove ineffective, India may resort to the International Court of Justice as a last resort.
The India-Qatar relationship, significant in terms of economic ties, particularly in energy trade, is emphasised in this context. Nevertheless, the complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, marked by ongoing conflicts and Qatar's mediating role, presents substantial challenges to India's response. The international community will be closely monitoring India's efforts to obtain justice for the accused and to navigate negotiations with Qatar in the coming months.
US announces new nuclear bomb
The US government is updating its arsenal, as it announced a new gravity nuclear bomb is in development. The new versatile gravity bomb will be called B61-13, which is a variant of the B61 model that was introduced in the 1960s. The previous model, B61-12, was called as the most dangerous “nuclear arsenal to date”, not because of its nuclear yield but due to its versatility. The high accuracy and low nuclear yield make B61-12 one step closer to being used as a “battlefield weapon”.
Security officials clarified that the move to initiate the upgradation of the previous model resulted from a “changing security environment” and not any particular event. The unrest developing in several parts of the world over the last weeks and growing tensions over terrorist attacks influenced the US military to upgrade their arsenal. The total budget for the project is said to cost nearly 100 billion dollars, and the bomb is expected to be ready for use by 2029.
Sports and Entertainment
Aspirants Season 2: Lights, Camera, UPSC Action – A Compelling Continuation
TVF's latest offering, "Aspirants Season 2," invites viewers to embark on an exciting new journey, where they follow the lives of Abhilash, Guri, and SK as they navigate the complex world of government bureaucracy. Building on the success of the first season, the show continues to captivate its audience with relatable characters, authentic depiction of administrative life, and stellar performances. The central plot revolves around Abhilash's new role as the District Magistrate of Rampur, testing his administrative skills and straining his relationship with his mentor-cum-friend, Sandeep Bhaiya. As his friends grapple with their feelings, forgiveness and past grievances are in the balance. The show continues TVF's tradition of cleverly integrating the intricacies of academic fields into its narrative, providing an authentic and relatable experience. Apoorv Singh Karki's direction authentically portrays the characters' post-exam lives and the realities of administrative jobs, skillfully blending past and present. The cast delivers commendable performances that add depth to the characters. Naveen Kasturia's portrayal of Abhilash in his dual roles as a brilliant civil servant and a determined aspirant is truly impressive. Shivankit Singh Parihar skillfully depicts Guri’s work-related stress, Abhilash Thapliyal brings SK's issues to life, and Sunny Hinduja as Sandeep Bhaiya and Namita Dubey as Dhairya also deliver captivating performances as the focus shifts. New additions, like Tengam Celine as Deepa Nabam, add depth to the story. The show ends on a tantalising note, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the next season.
10 Teams, 1 Cup
Cricket fans across the world have yet again found themselves in the midst of sporting euphoria as part of the ODI Cricket World Cup undergoing right now in our very country where 10 teams are part of the unraveling DECI-mation. This edition has been a combination of predictable yet massively lopsided wins, 11th man run chases and some major upsets (competing hard with experiences of Asian parents). While top teams like England have managed to go below the rock bottom (muffled Ben Stokes screams being heard - Delhi people sadly can't distinguish), there have been inspiring fights from sides like Netherlands who managed to one up on the South Africans. India has been on the outshining side so far, becoming the table topper with the most recent century-worth thumping win on the English side with an all round performance, especially by the RS-VK duo, the pacers who have been successful in advocating for secularism across the country and the fielders participating in their own league of ‘best fielder’ award. There has been not-so surprisingly overwhelming support for the foreign teams in Pakistan matches (who have been lately planning a protein heist with dil dil Pakistan going off in the background). Stadiums across India have been lit up in all their glory with BCCI flexing their deep pockets. The stakes are on the rise as sides inch towards the SFs and away from the RR (iykyk) stage. While the rest of the world is stuck in conflicts, Indians have been very effective in joining the free subscription frenzy with viewerships reaching the (hot?) stars! As for the campus community, they are in for a MAJOR hassle, multitasking between acads and sporting mania.
It's that man, Jude Bellingham, again.
In a grueling and absorbing El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday, the Los Blancos came up trumps as they came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory courtesy of a brace by none other than Jude Bellingham. İlkay Gündoğan had scored his first ever goal for Barcelona inside the 6th minute itself after an unsuccessful interception by David Alaba put the ball on a silver platter for the German to side-foot past the goalkeeper Kepa.
Barcelona dominated much of the proceedings for the rest of the match, but that hardly matters when you are up against a team like Real Madrid. It took time, but in the 68th minute, out of nowhere, Jude Bellingham decided to bury a 25-yard strike into the top-right corner. Marc-André ter Stegen stood no chance. The comeback was complete in the second minute of stoppage time when Bellingham was at hand to make merry out of Luka Modric’s mistouch.
Jude Bellingham is becoming bafflingly inevitable with every passing game. On a day when Barcelona decided to adorn the Hot Lips logo on their jerseys and Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood of Rolling Stones fame looked on from the directors’ box, Real Madrid decided to treat the Catalonian crowd to a rendition of Hey Jude. Paul McCartney would be proud.
The One Where We Lost Chandler
Matthew Perry, the actor who played Chandler in the legendary show Friends, died at the age of 54 on October 28. Found unresponsive in a hot tub at his residence, his tragic demise has affected millions of fans worldwide who remember him, not just for his acting career but also for his inspiring story from addiction to advocacy.
Here’s a short poem dedicated to Chandler the Chan Chan man, who will stay in our hearts forever.
Sometimes you’re hopeless, and awkward and desperate for love.
You’ll switch on your laptop and find solace on the screen.
Bad days only need some Chandler and some caffeine.
You’ll laugh at his misery and cry at his jokes,
You’ll learn to not push people away, when they come too close.
You have trauma to deal with and scars to heal.
Chandler would tell you to throw in punchlines and leave them concealed.
You’ll learn to love the roommate who never pays rent.
He’ll be a home to return to, after your stupid job ends.
You’re terrible at relationships and keep calling your ex.
Soon to find the Monica who’ll put your search to rest.
Your childhood best friend might now be a scientist-y nerd.
You still love listening to the eccentric stories of his geeky world.
You never have good advice either, but hey! That’s okay.
People prefer a sarcastic comment anyway ;)
