The Hindu : New Delhi News : DUSU elections hit another low this year

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Thursday, Sep 11, 2008
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New Delhi

DUSU elections hit another low this year

In terms of voter turnout, the Delhi University Students’ Union elections hit another low this year as the authorities put the voting percentage at a poor 40 per cent. This was 3 per cent less than last year. In fact, that has been the norm in the past few years. The zeal among students to democratically elect their own union is missing. And not many on the campus seem to care much about which organisation is elected. “Most students are not very concerned these days. The fact is that whatever voters we get is essentially because the different college union polls are held on the same day as the DUSU elections. If they were to be separated, there is a strong possibility that there will be even fewer people coming out to vote,” said a university official. Agrees Rohit, secretary of Delhi unit of the Students’ Federation of India. “The poor voter turnout is because of sheer inactivity of DUSU. The college union does take up some pertinent issues, which is why students are more involved in the elections to college unions. But because of Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations on 75 per cent attendance and no academic arrears even in a subsidiary paper, it has become difficult to find good candidates even for college union,” he added. “Unless it seriously takes up issues like sexual harassment and internal assessment and delivers, why would the students vote in DUSU polls?” asked Rohit. Many feel DUSU’s lacklustre performance in the past several years had antagonised the student community. “DUSU seems to have lost its charm. That’s because students have lost their confidence in the body. In the past six years, the National Students’ Union of India has been running DUSU like an event management company,” said ABVP activist and former DUSU president Nakul Bhardwaj. “Earlier, candidates would struggle a lot before reaching the DUSU level. They would first be required to prove their mettle at the college level before contesting the DUSU polls. The NSUI has been using the ‘glamour card’ to get in political novice in the students’ union. There is a dearth of genuine student leaders,” he added.

NIIT, Vivek Vihar, has moved to a new location. The institute has moved from its earlier address of C-55, Vivek Vihar, to the D Block Market of the same area.

“The new location is student-friendly and more prominent. We are trying to meet students’ expectations through dedicated faculties, unique teaching methodology and modern infrastructure,” said an official.

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University has introduced “super speciality medical courses” from this academic session. The courses will be run at its two affiliated medical institutions: Vardhman Mahavir Medical College at Safdarjung Hospital and Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. The courses include DM Cardiology, M.Ch. (Cardio Vascular and Thoracic Surgery) and M.Ch. Plastic Surgery, of three years du ration each.

Admission to these courses will be made on the basis of an entrance test. Detailed information regarding the programmes, eligibility criteria and entrance test can be obtained from www.ipu.ac.in. The last date for obtaining and submitting applications is September 16.

Parul Sharma

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