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संकल्प गुप्ता आइवार्ट द्वारा संचालित एशियन विमेंस फिल्म फेस्टिवल के दूसरे दिन की शुरुआत फिल्मों की स्क्रीनिंग से हुई। इसमें एशियाई महिला फिल्म निर्माताओं द्वारा निर्मित कुछ फिल्में दिखाई गईं। इन फिल्मों का फोकस आने वाले कल यानी भविष्य पर है। खास तौर से भविष्य होने वाले आधुनिक बदलावों को इनमें प्रदर्शित किया गया है। | आइवार्ट द्वारा आयोजित इस फिल्म फेस्टिवल में न फिल्मों की स्क्रीनिंग हो रही है, बल्कि इसमें हिस्सा ले रहे फिल्म-निर्माताओं से सवाल-जवाब का मौका भी कार्यक्रम में भागीदारी करने आए लोगों को मिल रहा है। मॉडर्न और डरावना है भविष्य आइवार्ट फिल्म फेस्ट में कई ऐसी फिल्में भी देखने को मिलीं, जिन्होंने यह सोचने पर मजबूर कर दिया कि आने वाला कल आधुनिक होने के साथ-साथ खतरनाक भी हो सकता है। ज्यादातर फिल्मों का अंत इस सलाह के साथ होता है कि ‘ अगर हम अभी भी नही रुके तो भविष्य में जिंदगी बद से बदतर हो सकती है ’ छात्रों को मिला फिल्मों की दुनिया का नया अनुभव फिल्म फेस्ट में शामिल होने के लिए दिल्ली-एनसीआर के कई विश्व-विद्यालयों से बहुत से छात्र पहुंचे हैं। इन सभी का मकसद फिल्मों की दुनिया के नए पहलुओं को जानना है। अब तक दिखाई गई फिल्मों के बारे में इन छात्रों की प्रतिक्रियाओं से साफ है कि वे इन फिल्मों के विषयों और प्रस्तुतियों से काफी ज्यादा प्रभावित हैं।

By Shreya Dattatraya Chougule At the 18 th Asian Women's Film Festival , upcoming filmmaker Eshwarya Grover spoke about how IAWRT “as a festival is a safe place for her to discuss issues she couldn’t anywhere else,” as she spoke about her film “May”. Grover's “May” looks back at memories of her childhood. “I was just trying to look back at my memories and construct it into a film. I thought maybe I should write on my childhood as the only thing I could think about during the lockdown was my late grandparents as I stayed at my ancestral home,” she said describing the process behind selecting the theme. “I had to look for what I wanted to talk about, what was my voice. My previous film ‘ Memoirs of Saira and Salim ’ was set during the 2002 riots. May is completely different from that,” Grover said regarding experimenting across themes. She put forward her learning experiences at the film festival after her student film got selected to be screened in the ‘Webs We Weave’ segment on the second day of the festival. “With every screening we see how people perceive films or add their experiences to make it better. When I see filmmakers here understand the vision I had with the film, it feels great.” “The women filmmakers, particularly at this festival, have such strong voices. This is very inspiring for young filmmakers,” said Grover appreciating the work of women in cinema. She also addressed gender bias and talked about the imbalanced ratio of women filmmaking students. “There is a gender bias. Filmmakers here are overcoming barriers.” She drew contrast between women-empowered film festivals and society as a whole as she spoke about the platform IAWRT provided. “This is my second time at the fest. My first time with the festival was with the film Memoirs of Saira and Salim. It talks about the controversial topic of 2002 riots. The festival however was a safe place to talk about the film openly.” Grover discussed how the industry may change overtime with experienced women filmmakers giving their best to bring in the best opportunities for women. Bennett University’s Times School of Media is a key partner in the 18 th IAWRT Asian Film Festival . Its students are playing an important role as volunteers and rapporteurs. (The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Pragya Singh The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) held a roundtable seminar on the representation of gender, women and children in the media at the India International Centre on the sidelines of the 18 th Asian Women’s Film Festival. The conference, held on March 16, was attended by the students of Bennett University. It held a host of conversations about the role the media plays in uplifting women. “In the media, we don’t have enough voices of people who aren’t cisgender, upper-caste men,” Paromita Vohra, founder of Agents of Ishq, said. Women in journalism face numerous challenges. Nupur Basu , a journalist for more than four decades, shared the story of a fellow journalist. “A journalist, whose name I cannot reveal, was covering the Hathras rape case from the site. The police got hold of her recordings and threatened to book her,” Basu said. She stressed on how the deteriorating state of women in journalism has led to the scant number of women in the industry with many opting to quit. Women’s role was not the only thing that was addressed in the seminar. Maheen Mirza , cinematographer, Ekta Collectives, said, “People of the queer community are even behind the women when it comes to representation.” She said that while women are under-represented “we have to start with first convincing people that we are humans and have feelings too”. “For the queer community, it is a long, long journey to get the representation we need in the media”, she said. The seminar was a host of narratives on where media is as a voice of the underrepresented and where it should be. Bennett University’s Times School of Media is a key partner in the 18 th IAWRT Asian Film Festival. Its students are playing an important role as volunteers and rapporteurs. (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Shreya Singh Chandel "I can't say if there is a glass ceiling for everyone. But if I happen to encounter one, I would definitely like to explore what's past that," says noted film director Farah Khatun , as she talks about the inequalities faced by women, especially in workplaces. When it comes to the notion of success, the sky is the limit. However, when it comes to women who are competing to reach for the sky, they find themselves being driven headfirst into a glass ceiling, which tends to limit their journey and cut them out of their paths to success. In a society where everyone is competing in a race towards excellence, any gender that does not identify as a male has additional obstacles lined up for them. Where males are expected to be alphas, family heads and their bread winners, women are expected to perform household chores as if they don't have a work life to cater to and cater to work lives as if they don't have household chores to look after. Khatun discussed how deep rooted misogyny has not only poisoned the society in context to her award winning documentary, ' Holy Rights (2020)', but also, has managed to double down the weight and pressure of career and success. "I have observed that a female cinematographer has to prove herself by putting in extra efforts to gain the approval of her superiors, in comparison to their male counterparts," she said. Khatun cited an example of the day-to-day gender discrimination faced by females in the field of films and television. Khatun also mentioned that women can't even voice such things out in the form of films, not because of the lack of medium, but because of the fact that the audience in India considers these topics as PSAs. However, Khatun hopes to witness a new dawn of hope anytime soon, after being cordially invited to the 18th IAWRT Asia Women’s Film Festival and interacting with other women who find themselves in the same boat. Bennett University’s Times School of Media is a key partner in the 18 th IAWRT Asian Film Festival. Its students are playing an important role as volunteers and rapporteurs. (The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Pragya Singh Day two of Asian Women’s Film Festival organised by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT), was held with the screening of movies from around all of Asia spanning from fiction to animation. The 18th edition of the Asian Women’s Film Festival was held at the India International Centre in New Delhi. The audience watched attentively as the session films explored themes like Triple Talaq and myths on diseases. The session ‘Envisaging Futures’ was a riveting one that featured four short films. The films revolved around AI and sci-fi. ‘ Robot Mom ’, an Indonesian film directed by A J Kelly , stood out for its fresh storyline and plot twist. Set in 2030 in a world dominated by AI, it follows a teenage-girl Sisca, who seeks to exchange her mother for an AI version who would be ‘more efficient and caring’. “My film explores the idea that in a world where AI dominates everything, could a mother too be replaced?” Kelly said. ‘Robot Mom’ was greatly applauded by the audience. “The VFX was surprisingly good for a student film with no Budget,” Hemant Kumar, a student of Bennett University said. He said that it is films like these that remind us that it does not require an enormous budget to make good films. The films that ranged from Philippines to Azerbaijan, also gave the audience a peak into the traditions of other countries. Bennett University’s Times School of Media is a key partner in the 18 th IAWRT Asian Film Festival. Its students are playing an important role as volunteers and rapporteurs. (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme

By Shreya Dattatraya Chougule "We share the same experiences. Maybe we can face the grief through some humour," said Miri Urman as she discussed her film 'It’s a Wrap' at the 18th Asian Women's Film Festival . Miri Urman's non-fiction film 'It’s a Wrap' was featured on the second day of the three-day film festival under the segment Umbilical. The film shows Urman’s ailing mother. The mother, Haya, decides to stop eating or take medicines as she accepts her fate. Weaved through humour and emotions, the story sails through Haya preparing a farewell and Urman trying to accept what is inevitable. “It was difficult for me to look at the film as I was on screen, however, I just accepted it. I took the responsibility to go through the process,” said Urman, as she spoke about how the personal connect with the film made it an emotional journey for her. “Through the movie I wanted to tell people don’t fear death. The dying people are not afraid, they have accepted it just like my mother.” Miri Urman also talked about how the theme for the movie came to be. “The theme chose me. We just decided to start filming as my mother decided to bid farewell. A year later we revisted the films and were amazed by the memories we made despite the waiting grief,” she said. She discussed how the story or the material did not matter because she wished to put everything on screen as it is. “My mother was a humorous and happy person even during her last days. While we recorded she said a lot of funny things and it was important to bring it in the final product,” said Urman highlighting the topic of risks of humour in a sensitive film. “We specially asked the musicians to not put tragic music. Instead, we requested for light music that complemented well with my mother’s mood during the film," Urman said as she shared the process of inculcating humour in a movie that talks about grief and death. Urman finally shared the overwhelming response she received from the audience. "People tell me how much the liked my film... How much they enjoyed it. They never expected a movie to talk about losing loved ones that packed emotions other than sadness," Urman said. Bennett University’s Times School of Media is a key partner in the 18 th IAWRT Asian Film Festival. Its students are playing an important role as volunteers and rapporteurs. (The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Shreya Dattatraya Chougule The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) once again celebrated women through cinema at 18th edition of Asian Women’s Film Festival held from 15th to 17th March at India International Centre . On the first day, the problems faced by women were portrayed through fictions, non-fiction and animated films made by women. The first segment, Growing Up in Silence, moderated by Jabeen Merchant , highlighted taboo topics for women in the society. The first short film, Come Moon by Clarissa Ruth Natan, discussed how young girls in an Indonesian village are stuck with old methods like using a cloth instead of sanitary napkin, or how the topic was never discussed in the family. “While the questions are being asked of the daughter, the father, who doesn’t really have any idea about the topic speaks for her. It’s almost as if the girls should not discuss the topic,” said Merchant, as she addressed the audience during an interaction. The other two films - Silent and My Mother’s Daughter - brought the topic of rape to the table. Both the films, through two completely different women, show how their past led their present being greatly affected. Yet they are ready to face it and go through it. Yu Jin Choi addressing the audience regarding women in animation. The second segment, A Blurred Lens, brought in different emotions as it went from a heartwarming story like Zhang Zifan’s That Day, to an experimental movie - Bareh by Shabnam Miryazi - discussing death across seven lives. Later Yangchen Thapa’s animation Long Lost Home put forward her personal story about her roots and family. “The whole animation is painted on glass and talks about two generations and their sense of belonging to home. It’s difficult to talk about my lost home Tibet directly, however through these symbols, and films I can truly express what I feel,” said Thapa, as she visited the memories of her family and the process of creation of the film for the audience. The festival also put the spotlight on South Korean animation by female directors through a special curation Finding Her Way. The curation revolved around the idea of how women are looked at in the society and how some may escape, and some may not. The curation featured films like Little King , Young-suk, Corner of the room, SURA and Moth. Yu Jin Choi later addressed the audience to discuss issues like representation of women in South Korean entertainment industry, and the symbolism through which women are portrayed. “Yes, the women from the above list are shown in the form of a spider, a mouse or a moth. However, it is not to be taken negatively. It just presents a not-so-bright outlook on women’s lives and how they overcome despite the challenges thrown at them,” said Choi. Bennett University’s Times School of Media is a key partner in the 18 th IAWRT Asian Film Festival. Its students are playing an important role as volunteers and rapporteurs. (The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Pragya Singh The students of Bennett University will attend the Asian Women’s Film Festival organised by International Association of Women in Radio and Television ( IAWRT ). The 18 th edition of the festival is to be held at the India International Centre, New Delhi, between March 15-17. The Film Festival will screen over 60 films in addition to holding workshops and roundtable discussions. The genres include fiction, non-fiction as well as animation and student films from 20 countries, running the gamut from Iran to South Korea. The discussions include interactions with renowned women filmmakers and storytellers from around the globe, sharing their experiences and insight with the audience. The festival will also pay tribute to late Sumitra Peries , the first female film director from Sri Lanka, often termed the ‘Poetess of Sri Lankan Cinema’. Vaishnavee , a 2018-film directed by Peries, will be screened at the festival. Pragya Singh, a student of Bennett University, teaching filmmaking on mobile phone to girls from tribal areas at the IAWRT workshop held between March 1-3 . Photo by Sankalp Gupta Earlier this month, the students of Bennett University had participated in Phase-I of the IAWRT Chapter India which was a workshop on Gender Climate Change Intersectionalities . The workshop, which was held between March 1-3 aimed to teach women from backward and tribal areas the art of filmmaking. The mentors and students collectively worked to illustrate the nuts and bolts of videography to the 28 women participating in the workshop. The objective was to enable them to present their experience with climate change through the medium of films. ‘Climate Change I’m living it’ an anthology of six films that were made by the women during the workshop will be screened on March 17 at the festival. The festival will simultaneously hold ‘The Lives She Explores’, an exhibition of photographs scrutinizing the lives of women living at the edge of India’s socio-economic strata. The Film Festival is geared up to be a visual and intellectual treat, while celebrating and empowering women through the potent medium of films. Bennett University’s Times School of Media is a key partner in the 18 th IAWRT Asian Film Festival. Its students are playing an important role as volunteers and rapporteurs. (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA Journalism and Mass Communication programme.)

By Pragya Singh Students of Bennett University participated in a three-day workshop organised by The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) in association with Alliance Française. The workshop, which aimed at teaching women of tribal and backward communities the art of filmmaking, kickstarted on March 1 at Alliance Française in New Delhi. The workshop started with filmmakers, professors and students guiding women through the nitty-gritties of filmmaking. It aimed to provide to the women a means of sharing their experience with climate change to the world through the medium of films. The mentors took turns to explain the basics of shooting with a mobile camera as 28 women huddled around them to learn. “While shooting if we are taking an interview, we will record try to shoot in areas where there is less background noise,” Dr. Yuki Azaad Tomar , professor at Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, explained as the participants listened attentively. Dr. Yuki Azaad Tomar, Professor Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi teaching filmmaking at a workshop organised by IAWRT and Alliance Française on March 1. Photo by Pragya Singh She said that being a professor of development communication, anything that is associated with using media for social change concerns her. “Climate change can especially be felt in Delhi and that makes this workshop even more important for me,” she added. Day 1 of the workshop saw enthusiastic participation from the attendees with women from as far away as Jharkhand visiting to learn. Mithlesh Kumari Janaki, district co-ordinator of Ekta Parishad for Bhojpur district, Bihar, said, “I had no previous experience with how to make videos or films and often my videos would be blurry. Here, I have learnt simple techniques on how to hold the mobile phone steady while filming, how to focus on the subject, what kinds of angles can be explored while recording etc.” Janaki and her colleagues from the Ekta Parishad travelled over 900 kilometres solely for the three-day workshop. “The distance and commute are hardly a discouraging factor when one gets to learn all this. I am looking forward to learning a lot more and making short films on climate change myself,” she said. (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

In an interactive session led by Prabhanjan Verma, Head of Video Operations of ESPN, he discussed the importance of the digital medium growing in sports production and production in general.

By Medhansh Das The students at Bennett University were pleasantly surprised with the opening of the new food outlet, Southern Stories on February 28. Situated opposite the Maggi Hotspot , it offers a variety of South Indian delicacies such as Dosa, Idli, Lemon rice and much more. The outlet is a sub-branch of the Quench company which already has one existing food joint in BU at the sports complex. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sudhanshu Varma and the Vice Chancellor (VC) of BU, Dr. Prabhu Kumar Aggarwal were present for the opening ceremony of the food joint. The South Indian population in the campus was excited to try the food there and had formed a huge crowd outside the store even before its opening. “A few select students and some other officials, including myself tried some of their sample food six months prior to its opening, and I have to say it’s even better than some authentic South Indian food that I have tried in Bangalore,” said the COO Sudhanshu Varma. “We were delighted by the response of the students today on our opening day. It seems that word was spread around the campus about our Dosa which has contributed up to 80 per cent of our sales as of yet,” said Vikas Jain, the franchise head of Nestle India Limited for their retail and cafe business and the owner of Quench and Southern Stories. “Right now, we have started with limited items, but gradually we intend to add more items to our menu to show that we can pull up a bunch of other South Indian dishes as well,” he added. The crowd outside the outlet was filled with hustle and bustle, as all the curious students wanted to try out their food and the reviews have been widely positive. “Since it is the first representation of South India in any format in BU, the taste of the Dosa was pretty good, the chutney could use some more work but seeing the rush on the first day its impressive as to how the food quality hasn’t dropped yet,” said Piyush Kumar Jain, a first-year BAJMC English student. With the opening of Southern Stories, BU now has six food outlets, providing a wide range of flavours and tastes for the students to try in the campus. (The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Pakhi Dave A self-defence training session was organised for the girl students of Bennett University on Monday. The session was organised by the School of Management in collaboration with Bennett University’s Women Development Cell in association with the BMA Academy ( Bodhicitta Mindfulness Academy ) under the guidance of UP Police. The training session was held at the Indoor Basketball Court at the sports complex of the university. “This is perhaps the most required event for any girl today, not only girls but everybody. To be anywhere in this world, safety and security is important,” said Dr. Nilanjan Chattopadhyay, Dean, School of Management. Self-defence training is a vital life skill that prepares women for the unexpected. By learning techniques to fend off attackers, individuals are better prepared to handle potentially dangerous situations and defend themselves if necessary. “Self-defence to me is not only protecting myself, but also about being aware and prepared for the most unexpected situations,” said Shreya Singh, a 1 st year film student at Bennett University, after the training session. Nearly 80 girl students turned up for the training session. The lamp was lit by Dr. Gauri Chakraborty, Dr. Sandhya Rai and the trainers of the academy to mark the beginning of the event. This was followed by a series of warm-up exercises performed by the volunteers under the guidance of the trainers. The students were very excited and thrilled about the programme. “I am just excited to learn some new punches and have fun,” said Panya Jain, a 1 st year journalism student, when asked about the expectations of the students from the session. “Workshops like these ensure that women who come from diverse groups are able to understand their bodies and gain self-confidence,” said Dr Gauri Chakraborty, Chairman of the University Women Development Cell . She further spoke about how girls' participation nowadays in public spaces can largely be influenced by these self-defence workshops. Girls need to be agile with their response to any attacks or harms. Self-defence trainings introduce the thought of understanding how one can respond immediately. (The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Pranavi Ambati The Basketball Court at Bennett University’s Sports Complex saw high a footfall on Saturday with students gathered to cheer the BU basketball team as they won against players from Galgotias. The match, which began at 8:00 pm, ended with the scoreboard reading 48-34 and the audience inside the complex breaking into a loud applause. “I am extremely happy that we won. It was only possible because we played as a team – it was not one man’s game. Our preparation paid off well,” said Tadipatri Shahajahan , the Captain of BU’s Basketball Team. Fifteen minutes into the game, the match seemed as if it would settle in Bennett’s favour. Galgotias slowly caught up and narrowed the gap with 4 consecutive baskets. After the half-time, BU widened the difference in scores and emerged as clear victors. According to the university’s Sports Department, the NBA India division reaching out to Bennett to be part of the NBA College League was an offer they couldn’t turn down. Vineet Nehra, Sports Officer at Bennett University, said, “Players who are part of the NBA Academy are the best out there. They’re part of the U-18 basketball team. A platform like this provides our team with great exposure.” Other matches through the day saw Shri Ram College of Commerce and the NBA Academy team emerging as winners in their respective matches. Shri Ram College of Commerce defeated Motilal Nehru College, 55 for 38. The NBA Academy won against Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, 41 for 24. “The more nets our team scored, the harder we cheered. Bennett won, and we’re happy we sat to watch them win it,” said Rashmi Kumari, a first-year BJMC Hindi student, who was among the audience in the evening. (The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Ritika Choudhary Times School of Media on 24 th February held a panel discussion on “How India and G20 Can Help the Climate Agenda: Lessons from the Air We Breathe in Delhi” at Bennett University. The panel consisted Dr Ravi Kant Pathak , Associate Professor at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Dr. EpameiNondas Tsiligiannis , research engineer at the University of Gothenburg. Mr. Harsh Raj Mishra resident researcher at the Indo Gangetic Plains – Centre of Air Research and Education (IGP-CARE); and Mr. Prateek Kumar, an environmentalist and advocacy consultant. The session covered issues like how With the Average AQI in Delhi being 250+ breathing in Delhi is equivalent to smoking 33 cigs a day and how 16.7 lakh people died due to air pollution in India in 2019, according to a report published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal, making it the need of the hour to fight pollution. Currently, India’s G20 presidency with the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, is the best hope for the world in its fight against the climate crisis after PM Narendra Modi listed climate crisis along with terror and the pandemic, as being the most significant challenges the world needs to fight together. Dr Ravi Kant Pathak explained, “everything that goes into the atmosphere undergoes complex chemistry and physical state of the material that is floating in the air is evolving and transforming continuously and is also evolving from the molecular perspective while taking a toll on people’s health and Earth’s climate.” “Air quality and climate are two sides of the same coin,” said Dr Nondas. So, if you want to solve one of these you have to think a little more complex regarding both issues. He advised measures like influencing public opinion by becoming a journalist, influence stakeholders, politicians, communicate scientific knowledge or findings in an attractive way to prevent this potential catastrophe. “In the IGP area pollution starts from Pakistan and goes all the way down to Bangladesh defying any borders and if we want to fight it, we need a unique collaboration,” Dr Nondas added. One of the major weapons one can use against climate change is sustainable development which is mainly nature or environment centric development. The students after attending today's session also expressed how they do not feel as helpless anymore about not helping the environment. “Big changes need time and my little contribution can help a lot and I'll keep doing them with the amount of information and ideas I acquired from this session,” said Aarushi Bhadury, a 4th semester BAJMC student. It also acted as an eye opener for students as it made them realise the importance of air and how “this is an alarming situation for which we need to improve our day-to-day activities to maintain the environment as well as our health,” said Sharva Shrivastava, a 4th semester BAJMC student. (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Vanisha Rajesh Singh and Shreya Chougule In a two-day lecture, executive vice-president of Radio Mirchi Nitin Singh discussed the intricacies of the radio business with the first-year students of the BAJMC programme of the Times School of Media. Singh provided valuable learning lessons and shared his expertise and insights with the students during his lecture. Throughout the lecture, Singh shared his extensive knowledge and experience in the field of radio, discussing various aspects of the evolving industry, including programming, marketing and revenue generation. “To be the best in the industry, a station primarily needs to understand their target audience and how to appeal to them through the content they broadcast,” he emphasised. Over the course of the lecture, Singh played several radio campaigns for the students, explaining how these short audio-visual clips are crucial for creating a brand's identity. He highlighted the importance of creating tunes that are catchy and memorable. Singh also shared his experience of collaborating with various brands for successful marketing campaigns. He said, "We have collaborated with brands like Maggi, Hero Cycles, and Amazon Echo among others, to create successful campaigns that resonate with our audience." The students were impressed with the digital marketing collaborations undertaken by Radio Mirchi."It was fascinating to learn about the various digital marketing collaborations that Radio Mirchi has launched. It highlights the importance of staying relevant in an increasingly digital world," said Maansi Sreejith, a first-year BAJMC student. At the end of the lecture, he expressed his happiness with the students' engagement during the two-day session. "I was delighted to see the level of curiosity and enthusiasm shown by the students. It was a pleasure to interact with such a well-behaved batch of students," Singh said. (The writers are Semester II students of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Shreya Mishra Bennett University hosted a fun and knowledgeable session with Media Students on the Public Relations industry and media with industry expert. In an interaction with Nitin Mantri , the group CEO of AvianWe , the students got to know about the integration of academia and industry. The chat dwelled on how students can be trained to become industry professionals while learning in the university. It focused on students’ need to focus on well-rounded growth to meet the pace of the fast-changing media industry. The chat also emphasised the necessity of social media and the different dynamics each platform deals with. While academics play a huge role in shaping the individual, the need to strike the “right balance between academics and industry exposure” is essential. He pointed, “I have looked at the course curriculum of different institutes and I feel a lot of what was lacking was industry inputs and industry knowledge from people working in the industry,” said Mantri. In pics: Fireside chat with AvianWe CEO Nitin Mantri The session addressed the requirements of the industry from someone who is trying to enter the space. He talked about the need to be aware of what’s happening in the market and the related spheres as “unless you are aware of the market you cannot be creative”. Discussing the expectations of the market Mantri said, “we are now also looking for people with vertical knowledge.” Sharing the experience and takeaways from the chat Rebecca Sarah Mark said, “Getting to be a part of the fireside chat with Nitin sir was amazing. Getting first-hand knowledge on what is expected of us as students and how the industry will be when we enter into the 'real world' was definitely scary but necessary as well as educational.” (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Aakriti Ghai Bennett University organised an 'Oral Awareness Campaign' in association with Clove Dental , North India’s largest network of dental clinics. The two-day camp, held in the Wellness Centre, started on February 23, 2023, from 10 am to 6pm. The camp will end on February 24, 2023. With the moto of Healthy Teeth , Happy Life, the purpose of the camp was to promote the idea of prioritizing one’s dental health just like one’s physical health. The campaign included free oral examination, complimentary consultation along with some other special benefits. The campaign was successfully conducted with the help of Bennett University’s Student Council. “We initially had a target of around 100 students, but the turnout came to be more than that which is a big achievement for us,” Japsahib Singh Ahuja, member of the Student Council said. Doctors checking the oral health of students at the two-day camp. Photo by Aryamaan Jit Singh Bawa. With hectic days it becomes tough for students to take care of their oral health. “The oral health of students is negligible. Out of nearly 120 students who we checked, only one or two had a properly maintained dental hygiene. There’s a lot of scope of improvement for all,” Dr Sanjay, DDS, said. “Regarding oral hygiene, students have a better advantage as they are educated and must be better with the oral hygiene, but I definitely had an idea that maintenance-wise students are lagging a little. Students should take the initiative for this type of ortho treatment so that they have a better smile, especially the girls,” Dr. Jinshu, MDS, said. Students attended the camp with great enthusiasm. Many of them said that more such health check campaigns should be organised. “For students whose homes are far away and who get to go home after every 6-7 months, such camps will be beneficial,” Nikita Singh, a 2 nd year BAJMC student, said. (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Anushree Sinha The ‘Silken Temptations – Fashion Event’ at Delhi Technological University (DTU) witnessed Bennett University’s fashion club Panache ’s silky-smooth ride to victory, claiming the top position on February 12 th , 2023. The theme of the competition – Bollywood - brought out the most creative and glamorous side of the trendsetters, thus making them set the ramp on fire. From the graceful tunes of the 1958 song “Aaiye Meherbaan...” sung by Asha Bhosle for the movie Howrah Bridge, to the rocking beats of the 2011 hit “Dhunki” sung by Neha Bhasin for the movie Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, every model from team Panache captivated the audience with their ravishing catwalk as well as moves. Panache's Srijan Singh was crowned as the best male model at the fest. “It’s just what we do,” said Arshiya Sharma, secretary of Panache, in awe of her club making her heart swell with pride. The cherry-on-top moment turned out to be participant Srijan Singh being crowned as the best male model at the fest. His intense gaze and sure-footed steps on the ramp were unbeatable and set him apart from the rest. The entire team of Panache was thrilled to bring home the trophy indicating their exceptional talent and unmatched allure. The charm and captivating spell of every contestant made it possible to claim the best. Panache was set up as a club in Bennett University in 2020. (The writer is a Semester VI student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Omji Dubey Bennett University celebrated Mahashivratri with a unique event organized by a group of students. The event, which was held in the open area at the beginning of the N-block ground, started at 11:00 PM on 18th Feb and lasted until 1:30 AM on 19th Feb. The main focus of this unofficial event was on meditation and producing positive energy. The organizers, who were students from different years and streams, had also arranged performances by students including dance and music. Additionally, a small prayer was held at midnight to commemorate the marriage of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva , and Goddess Parvati . Overcoming challenges The event was organized by Sampada , an unofficial student group, which faced various challenges during the planning and execution of the event. According to Amrit, the head of the group, the biggest challenge was arranging funds for the event. However, the group was able to raise the required amount from students themselves and managed to arrange everything at a minimal cost. The main focus of this unofficial event was on meditation and producing positive energy. The organizers were also skeptical about the turnout of students due to the odd timings of the event. “However, these concerns were unfounded as more than 350 students attended the function, and around 1,200 glasses of Thandai were distributed as prasad after the event. This enthusiastic response from the students was a testament to the success of the event, which left everyone with positive energy,” said Amrit. Varun Kesharwani, another member of Sampada, expressed his gratitude towards the administration, who provided them with permission and logistical help. “The stage setup was done by the vendor and volunteers for the event. It was the student volunteers who made it happen and the students who attended this program made it a majestic night,” Varun added. Celebrating culture with dance and music The event showcased a cultural celebration with performances by various students. Ojus, Adhyay, Devesh, Raj, Suryansh, Saksham, Shruti, Malay, Sukeeta, Daksh, and Ganesh sang prayers and spiritual songs, while Apoorva, Utkarsh, and Anand expressed their art through dance, including Indian and western dance styles. The performers were amazed by the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd. One of the performers, Adhyay, said, “ We loved performing for them and I hope we were able to create the vibe that was needed.” “I am a very spiritual person and performing on such auspicious occasion is a blessing for us”, said another performer. The event showcased a cultural celebration with performances by various students. Bennett University has always promoted secularism and respect for diversity, and this event was another testament to its efforts. The University has previously celebrated various auspicious occasions such as holding a langar on the holy Guru Nanak Jayanti Gurupurab and arranging food for students at 4 AM in the morning during Ramadan. The Mahashivratri celebration was another example of how the University encourages its students to celebrate different cultures and traditions. (The writer is a Semester VI student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Vanisha Rajesh Singh On the occasion of ‘ Converge ’, the alumni meet of 2023, Bennett University’s dance clubs, Rivaaz (Classical and Folk) and Verve (Western), came together to organize an energetic free-style dance session to celebrate the joy of dance. The session saw a great turnout, with students from different streams joining in to showcase their dancing skills. The participants danced to a variety of songs, ranging from Bollywood hits to popular western tracks, creating a lively atmosphere in the university’s dance room. “It was wonderful. It felt great to see so much energy and positivity on the dance floor. We’ve been wanting to unite both the clubs for a long time. Our main focus was to promote togetherness and healthy competition among the clubs,” said Vidhi Goswami, the Rivaaz secretary. The participants were thrilled with the session, and many expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to dance and connect with other students. "I had a great time dancing with my friends and meeting new people," said Sarthak Anand, a team member from Verve. "The energy in the room was amazing. The healthy battle between both the clubs was indeed a treat to watch, and I'm looking forward to the next session," he said. Students praised the club leaders for their efforts in organizing the event. "The Rivaaz and Verve clubs did an amazing job, and the session was a great way to celebrate the return of the clubs’ ex-secretaries. I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a fun event,” said Simarpreet Kaur, a first-year BAJMC student. The event provided a platform for students to express themselves creatively and showcase their dancing talent. Many students, who were hesitant to dance initially, joined in and had a great time. It also showcased the university's commitment to providing a well-rounded education, including opportunities for artistic expression and creative exploration. (The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Shreya Mishra Bennett University announced the opening of Rangeela Lounge for students to indulge in recreational activities in a captivating environment. The opening of the Rangeela lounge on Thursday was accompanied with big celebrations. The traditional dance club, Rivaaz, set the stage ablaze with their dance performance while Advaita, the music club of Bennett University, lifted the spirit of the people with their melodious songs. Verve, the western dance club, set the stage on fire with their group dance. The Rangeela Lounge was inaugurated by the Bennett University Vice Chancellor Dr Prabhu Kumar Aggarwal along with the Chief Operating Officer Sudhanshu Verma amid the festivities. Rangeela lounge will be open from 12 noon to 12 midnight every day. It’s a space meant for students to hangout and engage in talks. “It’s a creative space, it will help the students open their minds and think beyond the box. Though it has boundaries, it is set to have no boundaries,” said Anupama Chugh, Senior Manager, Student Welfare Office, Bennett University. Bennett University Vice Chancellor Dr Prabhu Kumar Aggarwal along with the COO Sudhanshu Verma inaugurated the Rangeela lounge amid huge festivities. The work to build the lounge began on December 2, 2022, and involved 30 students from the university. “We started working last semester with our first event - 'be a part of out art'. It was based on - best out of waste, in which, around 30 students, including our core members, participated. But the major work began in January," said Vaibhavi Sharma, president of Silhouette, the university’s fine arts club. Vaibhavi said that her team wanted to create the resonance of “home away from home” in the décor. The decor of the lounge aims to create the resonance of a “home away from home”. The lounge is divided in different themes. “The first area of the lounge, that is when you enter it, is based on a musical theme, hence the CD wall and the CD table tops. That is followed by an area for people who love reading books, then there is a vintage-based aesthetic, and finally there is the love theme, the reds and the greens,” Vaibhavi said. The lounge aims to enhance the spirit of inclusivity. A space inside Bennett where students can come, relax and just have fun. To celebrate the launch of the Rangeela Club, Bennett University's Sunset Movie Club also organised a screening of the 2016 romantic comedy-drama movie La La Land . (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Aaradhana Rawat The young creative minds at Bennett University continue to broaden their knowledge and horizons, this time through the entertaining and dynamic world of comics. On 16th February 2023, the Times School of Media and the University Women's Development Cell , in collaboration with the American Centre, gave an inside peek into the world of superheroes and villains with Ms Regine Sawyer . The American Comic Book Writer and Editor captivated the imagination of eager students with the power of pictures and stories through the nostalgic medium of comic books. Talking about them as a medium for inspiration and creativity as a child, she emphasised their ability to help create her identity as a woman of colour. Over the course of the international guest lecture, she elaborated on the start of her career as a simple Archie Comics and X-Men fan, her endeavours in Marvel and DC Comics and her drive to found a veritable hub for empowering women of colour to openly publish their works, i.e., Women in Comics Collective International ( WinC ). Proudly presenting their quarterly literary and art periodical, WinC Magazine , she showcased the many works of writers and artists from around the world. Talking about comics as a medium for inspiration and creativity as a child, Ms Regine Sawyer emphasised their ability to help create her identity as a woman of colour. Photo by Sanya Dhingra Her travel and attendance at Comic Con Mumbai helped her strengthen the mission of WinC, fully believing in the power of their educational and professional workshops, panel discussions, art shows, and Comic Book Festivals to encourage young and upcoming artists. The gathering truly came alive during the interactive session wherein Ms Sawyer created an original character bone structure, taking in varying prompts from the present students and faculty. Throughout the session, she encouraged and enjoyed the unique requests of her audience, as well as answered their diverse questions with beaming joy. (The writer is a second-year student of BAFTW, Times School of Media.)

By Omji Dubey Bennett University's Sunset Movie Club , on the celebratory occasion of the inauguration of Rangeela Lounge , held an open-air movie screening on the night of February 16th. The romantic musical comedy-drama film, La La Land , was screened in front of the Kathi Junction on the M-block wall. The event was attended by more than 150 students. The event, though originally planned to be screened in front of the D3 hostel block was moved to the M-block due to a technical glitch at the last minute. The movie A 2016 American romantic musical comedy-drama movie, La La Land stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone . While Gosling is a struggling jazz pianist, Emma Stone is an aspiring actress in the movie. The movie follows the two actors and how they meet and fall in love while pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles. The Rangeela Lounge The Rangeela Lounge, a common room for the students, was inaugurated on the same day, with the Vice-Chancellor of Bennett University, Dr. Prabhu Kumar Aggrawal, and the COO of Bennett University, Mr. Sudhanshu Varma, presiding over the ceremony. The event was preceded by performances from various cultural clubs of Bennett University, further adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Overcoming challenges Expressing gratitute for the overwhelming response from the students, Soha Inas, the joint secretary of the Sunset Movie Club, said, "We were overwhelmed by the response that we got from the students. They were really cooperative and supported us even when we had to shift the venue." She commended the students' willingness to help, which motivated the club to overcome all challenges and successfully screen the movie. Shreya Mishra, a second-year BAJMC student and a core member of the Sunset Movie Club, shared her thoughts on the event, saying, "Sunset movie club has always been the students' favorite. We expected more people, but due to the change in venue and timings at the last moment, the response was average. Yet, the dedication and support from the students was immense. Their willingness motivated us and we screened the movie, overcoming all the challenges." All’s well that ends well The students who attended the event were full of appreciation for the efforts of the Sunset Movie Club. Many acknowledged that they had attended previous open screenings by the club and were thrilled to see the club's determination and dedication to making the event a success, even with last-minute changes. One student remarked, "La La Land is one of my favorite movies. I enjoyed the movie the whole time and would like to thank the Sunset Movie Club for hosting the same." Overall, the event was a huge success, thanks to the efforts of the Sunset Movie Club and the support of the students. It was a night to remember for everyone who attended, and the Sunset Movie Club looks forward to bringing more such events to the students in the future. (The writer is a Semester VI student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Palak Narula Director, Medical Education at Medanta, Dr. Randeep Guleria visited Bennett University to deliver a talk as a part of the National Science Day celebrations. The theme of the National Science Day for 2023 was "Global Science for Global Wellbeing" as declared by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. Padma Shri Award winner and Chairman Institute of Internal Medicine, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine Dr Guleria is globally renowned for his vast experience and exceptional contribution to India's COVID response as the then director of AIIMS. Addressing the students of biotechnology, he spoke about the importance of global wellbeing post-pandemic. "There was a lot of inequity as far as global wellbeing is concerned. We are looking at the wellbeing of every individual irrespective of the place where he is, the socio-economic status, or whether he belongs to a developed or developing country…. It has become more important now as the world has become a global village," said Dr. Guleria. Not only is the country's population growing, but there is also a shift in the demographic profile of the society. Strategic innovation in the medical sector is the need of the hour, as healthcare expenditures have skyrocketed and have become unaffordable for the low-income group, he said. Commenting on the concept of One Health and the importance of health and the necessity of overall wellbeing, Dr. Guleria said, “When we start looking at health, it also has to be animal health, plant health, and environmental health because they are all interlinked. Infections are moving from one species to the other and causing problems, and therefore we have to look at health of not only humans but animals, plants, and the environment." With the shifting focus on sustainability and technological advances, Frugal Innovation in Healthcare was the highlight of his talk. Creating cost-effective solutions in a resource-constrained environment is what is required to strengthen the future of healthcare in India. "Frugal Innovation means doing things in a cost-effective manner without compromising on the quality… This is possible and can be done in countries like India where there is this need, and I think it is going to have a global impact." Moreover, the hike in healthcare and start-up budgets may be a boon to the innovation sector. "There has to be support in funding if the concept of One Health has to be taken forward, both in the development of infrastructure and support in research. There is a need for us to develop strategies for looking at health which is at a global level," he said. (The writer is a Semester VI student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Hadassah Mani Bandi The Sounds of Bennett radio club held an RJ Hunt in Bennett University on February 13 in the N-block grounds. The contest was open to all Bennett University students. The shortlisted participants were required to perform in front of the chief guests RJ Ginnie and RJ Vidit . Of the 35 students who had registered for the contest, 12 made it to the finals and were required to perform in front of the judges. They were given the topics for their performance on the spot and had to come up with a suitable performance. Rebecca, a second-year BAJMC student, won the RJ Hunt with her witty and humorous improv train story. RJ Vidit said that the participants were talented and that they had a lot of unique takes on an RJ’s job. “We found the event interesting. I hope we get more RJs from Bennett University to come work with us,” he said. WhileRJ Vidit saw the fun in the event, RJ Ginnie had more of a professional take on it. “Radio is done very differently, but it was fun to see how people assumed radio works. I may break your heart because radio is nothing like this,” said RJ Ginnie. The event wasn’t just for the participants only. The audience too was involved during the quiz round held by Vanshika and Vaidehi, the RJs of Sounds of Bennett. Shreya Talwar 1st year BAJMC student cracking jokes about Valentines' Day during her performance. Photo by Kanak Bhatia “It was fun to see people perform with random prompts on the spot and how they came up with the weirdest stories,” said Abhay Jain, a second-year BAJMC student. “I liked how they made me feel involved in the show with the quiz, and how some of the participants made me feel like I was listening to a radio show,” said Adtiya Rajan, a second-year BAJMC student. Sounds of B ennett team during their live performance at the RJ Hunt. Photo by Kanak Bhatia “I like how this event gave a platform to these amazing performers to showcase their potential in a way that could positively impact their future,” said Debioshi Dutta a second-year BCA student. The Sounds of Bennett members also gave a live musical performance to entertain the audience. The work of the Sounds of Bennett club was evident in the organization and marketing for the event. B.Tech students Aryan Yadav and Shahanbir Singh Randhawa during their performances. Photo by Kanak Bhatia. (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

By Pragya Singh “When in doubt, wear red.” These lines by Bill Blass had a contrary meaning this Valentine ’s Day at Bennett University . Instead of doubt, red shone bright for love. Panache, the University’s fashion club, set a colour-coded attire for the day, where couples wore red, those who weren’t dating wore white and people whose relationship status was complicated wore black. “This day marks us knowing each other for a whole year”, said Altamash Alam, a B-tech student, while holding hands with his girlfriend Tanisha Singh. “The fact that we are each other’s first Valentine makes it all the more special”, Tanisha said. The lovebirds dressed sharply in red for the occasion. Altamash Alam and Tanisha Singh, B-Tech CSE, 3rd Year. The couple celebrated Valentine's Day in red. Photo by: Pragya Singh. However, the couples in red were not the only ones who stood out. People who weren’t in a relationship also looked happy in white. “I am single and ready to mingle”, Ojas Jaiswal said while laughing with his friend Ashna Santhosh. The two celebrated the day eating their favourite food at the University’s outlets. Ashna Santhosh and Ojas Jaiswal, BAJMC, 2nd year students. The students who weren’t dating were clad in white. Photo by: Pragya Singh. The exciting dress code was not all that was in store for the students. Ruhaniyat, a sub-segment of Alexis club, organised 'Let it Out 2.0' which allowed students to send letters anonymously. “It doesn’t have to be romantic love and you don’t even have to reveal your identity,” Mansi Tibrewal, a core member of Alexis, said. The letters were delivered with a candy stuck to it. Despite the fact that Valentine’s Day focus is always couples, 'Let it Out 2.0' provided a means to send a letter to your friend or acquaintance. The idea behind the event was to celebrate all kinds of relationships, be it friendship or courtship. Ruhaniyat’s Let it Out 2.0 allowed students to send letters to their special ones. Photo by: Pragya Singh. Truly, love was in the air. (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

The Times Literature Fest organised a session to answer the question “Is it a good time to be queer in India?” and a talk about how LGBTQIA+ community faces constant struggles when it comes to acceptance of their sexuality and freedom to express their choices.

By Pragya Singh The Times Lit Fest 2023 kickstarted with the inaugural session, ‘Why Fear a Dharmic Nation’ on Saturday. The session consisted of eminent scholars like R Jagannathan, Ashwin Sanghi , Pawan K Varma and Sudheendra Kulkarni in conversation with Rahul Shivshankar . The conversation revolved around the idea behind Jagannathan’s latest book ‘ Dharmic Nation: Freeing Bharat , Remaking India’. The Panel debated the fundamental question revolving around what nationhood is and where does dharma and religion fit with the idea of India. According to Jagannathan, “Dharma is a way of accommodating differences and is certain to keep us together because everyone has to uphold dharma no matter what religion, caste or creed you belong to”. He said that this is because dharmo rakshati rakshita , that is Dharma protects those who protect Dharma. Jagannathan stressed on the need for all religion to accept the idea that we must live together and accept differences. He said that we must uphold dharma, which is not religion but a larger balance between different ideologies. Verma furthered this argument, saying that in order to legitimately recognise the achievements of Ancient India some people have automatically conflated it with the glorification of Hinduism, thereby going against our values of secularism. He said that we are a dialogue in civilization. He quoted the Mahabharata which emphasised that non-violence is the supreme dharma. The Manusmriti, defines dharma as steadiness, forgiveness, self-control, purity, control of sense organs, discrimination, knowledge, truthfulness and absence of anger. Dharma has no absolute right or absolute wrong. In India needs to be a dharmic Nation. A dharmic nation is one that places due value on the possibility of what is right and wrong. He says that what is right and wrong must be decided by a person in each context. He gave the example of a man dying of hunger, who breaks into a rich man’s compound to steal an apple. Would this be theft or a legitimate act of survival? He highlighted that in Abrahamic ways there would be an absolute judgement in non-stealing, but Hinduism has refrained from describing dharma in absolute terms but has an ethical framework keeping in consideration all aspects of the situation. The prime difference between Hinduism and the Abrahamic way is that in Abrahamic belief, there is one true God who must be worshipped while Hinduism is pantheistic with many Gods. Meanwhile, Sanghi marvels on the tolerance of Hinduism which even worships the Buddha as the ninth avatar of Vishnu. He says that Hinduism is acceptance. One can be religious or an atheist, one can consider a stone a shivling while other calls a shivling a stone; all of these beliefs are equally welcome. Such is the beauty of our civilization. Taking the discussion forward, Kulkarni said, “believing that Indian civilization is Hindu civilization is wrong because in course of time, our civilization has internalised influences that came from outside... Islam, Christianity and Zoroastrianism came and they are all part of India. He concluded that Indian civilization should not be equated with Hindu civilization in such a narrow sense. Ending the dialogue on a fiery note, Jagannathan said that while people say Hindus are in danger, what is really endangered in the country is justice and equality. He stressed on the ‘real challenge’ before Hindu society which is inequality, poverty, and unemployment. (The writer is a Semester IV student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)

The Times School of Media students showcased 14 projects to a group of recruiters drawn from different media companies on February 10. The presentations were made by the Class of 2023 to showcase the 360-degree learning that the School provides to its undergraduate students enrolled in the BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme. This was the first Project Showcase that the School held in association with Careers and Placement Cell of Bennett University. The recruiters who were present during the Project Showcase included Mr Saurabh Varma , the Chief Creative Officer and Filmmaker for Content Engineers, Ms Nupur Sharma , who is a Senior Partner at DDB Mudra, Mr Munavar Attari, who is India managing director of Fleishman Hillard, Mr Praveen Rao , who is Director-Marketing at SAP India, Mr Shobhit Arora , who heads the Connected TV division as AGM in India Today Group, Ms Sadaf Rizvi, who is a Film maker and founder of Mediagenic Productions, Ms Tarini Manchanda, who is a film academician and documentary filmmaker, Ms Mehak Kasbekar, who is the Editor-in-Chief at Brut India, Mr Rohit Gandhi , who is Founder and Former Editor-in-Chief of WION, and Ishita Mehta, who is an independent film producer. The projects that were showcased by the students were: Project 1: The Project showcased how the Class of 2023 overcame challenges of working from home during the pandemic years and still produced he Times of Bennett and Bennett Times, two broadsheet newspapers produced in English and Hindi. Project 2: The Project showcased how the students kept the BU TV going through the pandemic years and reported in difficult situations from their homes. Project 3: The Project showcased the production of Sounds of Bennett, which is a half-hour audio bulletin produced by students that has exciting segments such as Culture Gali, Glass Half Full, quizzes, songs etc. Project 4: The Project showcase the student website www.timesofbennett.com, which is populated with student content created in text, audio and video formats and also includes photo essays, infographics and short films. Project 5: The Project showcased video storytelling as a key component of the programme. Samples of one-to-three-minute news and analytical videos produced by the students were showcased.. Project 6: The Project showcased Project Shark Tank, which is a 360-degree marketing communication project that encompasses research, media planning, scheduling, campaign creation, PR as well as sales promotion. Project 7: The Project showcased the six-second video ads that the students produce by using YouTube’s ABCD video ad parameters that used emotional appeal, pacing and framing. Project 8: The Project showcased the two Instagram pages that are managed by students -- one which is supervised by the Faculty directly and another which is visualised and run by students under Faculty guidance Project 9: The Project showcased a public relations campaign created by students on early intervention and prevention of diabetes through PR. Project 10: The Project showcased an innovative evaluation method used by the School Jhol 3.0 where the students conceptualised and execute a B2C event. Project 11: The Project showcased the work that the students do with Greater Noida Industrial Authority thanks to an agreement that the Times School of Media has entered into with Greater Noida Authority where the Authority gives access to students to collect information and create content in real time like professional journalists. Project 12: The Project showcased and dissected scenes of two films made by two students. Project 13: The Project showcased the advanced learning opportunities that the School provides to promising and talented students. Project 14: The students showcased two ads that were produced by them for companies even before they graduated.

The BAJMC Semester IV students of Times School of Media were taken on a field trip to Times Lit Fest held at Siri Fort Auditorium on February 11. The students spent a full day at Siri Fort Auditorium in Delhi listening to authors talk about their latest books. Here’s a report by Nikita Singh , a BAJMC Sem IV student, on the session of Mr Pradeep Magazine , a well-known Sports Journalist and Author, who has written two books on cricket, Not Quite Cricket and Not Just Cricket : A Reporter’s Journey through Modern India. The Session began with the author talking about radio commentaries and the romance they created in the minds of cricket lovers. “At that time people didn’t have television sets and radio commentary was the only way to know what was happening in a match. People also didn’t know what a cover drive looked like so they had to depend entirely on the way radio commentators described the ups and downs of a match,” Magazine said. Magazine praised the three lords of Indian Cricket - Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, and Sachin Tendulkar. “They are achievers because they made their name by being selected into the Indian eleven and let their bats talk,” he said. Nikita Singh, Sankalp Gupta and Yash Jaiswal with Sports Journalist Pradeep Magazine. When asked to give advice to budding sports journalists, Magazine said “People generally think that after becoming a sports journalist they will get to meet cricketers, but the reality is different. You need to have good writing skills, patience, and good vocabulary and understand the language of cricket. Only then you can be a good sports journalist.” The Session was full of learning for the students.

Students of Times School of Media, Bennett University were taken on a field trip to the studios of Radio Mirchi, Times Now Navbharat, Times Now and Mirror Now news channels.

An MoU was signed between GNIDA and Times School of Media, Bennett University to allow students to create professional media content for the authority. The MoU was signed during a press conference by Vice Chancelloe Prabhu Aggarwal and GNIDA Addl CEO Prerna Sharma

By: Hadassah Mani Bandi A sustainable picnic ? What’s that you ask. It’s outing with only sustainable resources. Bennett University ’s eco-club held a picnic on the university lawns, where everyone could paint, dance, meet new people, and have an overall fun Saturday with only organic material. It was a fun event with everyone pitching in from cutting fruits, to playing music, distributing food, and even painting each other faces with tattoos. The event's goal was to bring people together to enjoy the environment, bask in the warm sun as well as realize the need to become a sustainable community. “The most beautiful thing I learned is that community is powerful, when people show up and realize they matter to each other they move towards change, if you want to protect someone you are willing to do things,” said Ayera the founder and advisor of the sustainability committee and a fifth-year law student. All the creative people were given a canvas of newspapers to paint on, something which most students throw usually throw away. For the food, everyone brought their own tiffin boxes so that no non-biodegradable plates were was used. “The event was calming and relaxing. Everyone was sitting together painting and singing making it a refreshing event. I liked the fact that it was a nice environment, it made me think about sustainability without making me feel guilty,” said Sasha Rastogi a second year BAJMC student. The Sustainability Committee works with other clubs on campus to organize events around climate change and sustainability and incorporates them into administrative practices in the university.

By Ritika Choudhary Greater Noida: Bennett university students were introduced to Sounds of Bennett (SoB), university's in-house audio club. During their induction on November 30 th , students were excited to know about the functioning, programming and content that goes online. “We wanted to introduce and explain what our station does, how it functions and what all segments we cover. It gave students an idea about producing and programming a radio show. The aim was to encourage radio enthusiasts join Sounds of Bennett,” said Chaitanya Pramod, vice president of SoB. During their interaction, the core members of SoB detailed their plans of creating a 30 hours of programme. This was followed by discussion on the ‘Personality’ of the station. They also focused on the kind of stories they tell through their existing programmes like “Culture Galli and Glass Half Full”. Members also explained about copyright issues and how music and poetry can be used in programming without violating the law. A practical demonstration of RJ links and Vox pops was also given to the newbies with the help of games. This was followed by a quiz for new members that kept them entertained and involved during the entire session. They also explained how they do programming every week with their process of choosing a theme. At the end of the seminar, their social media manager, Anubha Shriwas talked about the presence of Sounds of Bennett on Social Media, the importance of social media for SoB and reasoning behind it. The audience loved how the induction was planned. “The induction was very fulfilling as we got to know a lot about how SoB works, and the activities planned were very interesting. I am really excited about being a part of the club,” said Aditi Mukherjee, BAJMC student, 1 st year.

Bennett University students interacted with Sadhguru at the Mental Health Conclave 2022 organised in GL Bajaj College on December 2. At the Conclave the students wanted to know what they could do to balance their academic life with personal life. “It depends on how you manage your time,” Sadhguru said. According to him, “Literate people have so many problems compared to illiterate people when education should provide solutions to all the problems.

By Anubha Shriwas It was the spookiest festival at Bennett University . It was Halloween night. The campus was decorated with skulls, pumpkins, crosses, and all things that screamed scary. Students dressed up as witches, vampires and even their favourite anime characters. Fairy lights lit up campus as students feasted at street food stalls. And that was not all : a photo booth with props for pictures, face and body painting stalls and one entertainment show after another. Celebrations started with an open-mic horror storytelling ‘Boos and Hoos’ by the debating society Cerebrum followed by ‘Scary Monologues’ by Ansh, the acting society. The stories they performed were creative as well as original. “I am the soul of a father who has possessed a mob boss's body and is now avenging the death of my daughter who had been raped,” said Jatin Singhal, performing his monologue at the event, sending a chill down the spines of the audience The dance society, Verve, surprised the audience with a flash mob. They showcased a scary dance performance followed by a ramp walk for the best costumes, organised by Panache, the fashion society. Models walked ramp to live music performed by Advaita, the music society. “We thought a ramp walk would be the perfect way to show how people got creative with outfits and we collaborated with Advaita for live music which added a different essence to it,” said Pushp Sharma, the joint secretary of Panache. The costumes and formations of the models were in sync, spinning a scary tale. Continuing the festivities, Rivaaz, the classical dance society, performed four horror stories, based on real events, using different classical dance forms. Following this, there was a game called ‘Wrap Up like a Mummy race.’ “I was surprised to win the first round and shocked to lose the last round but overall my partner Vanshika and I had a lot of fun.” said Vaidehi Shah, a participant. A DJ night followed this where people danced for hours. The celebrations ended in the spookiest way, with Sunset, the movie society, screening the movie, ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose. ’ (The writer is a Sem 3 students of BAJMC course)

By Amisha Piplani and Hatim Hussain On the last day of the Bennett University mega college fest, Uphoria x Zenevia was taken over by the soulful voice of Jubin Nautiyal . He began with “ Tu hi aana ” and then dedicated his ‘ Kinna sona ’ version to all the ladies in the audience. There was not a single dull moment as he captured the audience’s attention from the get-go. He took both the students and the teachers on a trip down memory lane with his retro numbers. To bring a change in the mood and uplift the crowd, Jubin sang “ Aaj ki raat ” a song from the movie ‘ Don . The students were seen crying, smiling, laughing with him. He serenaded the audience with his last song for the night, ‘ Dil galti kar baitha ’, just the right fit for to conclude the fest. Emotional fashion walk Day 3 of the fest began with a ramp walk with students’ using their outfits to express their emotions. Second runner-up of Miss India 2022 Shanita Chauhan and fashion designer Charu Parasher were the judges. “Best part of college is the energy that the students bring in. The creativity of the event is amazing. The students in their performance reflected the emotions as per the theme of the event and I loved it. The fashion show felt like a theatre performance,” said Chauhan. "It was so amazing to see that the youth of today has so many aspirations and it is reflected in the performances," Parashar said. Maitri College won the event while Zakir Hussain came in second followed by Amity University and Hindu College. Monologues and more Abhinay, a monologue competition saw some of the best mono acts the university students had seen. "I saw someone in a market, I talked to her, she somehow thought of me as her safe space and told me that she was a victim of marital rape. I took that as inspiration for my act," Prerna Goyal, the winner from Technia Institute of Advanced Studies, said. Archi Agrawal from Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta Institute of Technology and Management (ADGITM) bagged the 2nd position for her portrayal of emotions while Akshit Khanna from Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, was the second runner-up. To test the students’ knowledge of films, the University’s movie club organised a trivia competition, Samosa with Sunset. The competition had 12 teams and each team took a bite off a samosa for every right answer . The fest ended with ‘Mock CID’ a murder-mystery event that tested both the physical and mental strength of students, ‘Unchartered’ a treasure hunt mixed with photography skills and ‘Picasso,’ with students capturing not just photos, but emotions, stories, and aesthetics. (The writers are both Sem 5 students of BA (JMC) course at Bennett University)

By Amisha Piplani Bennett University (BU) in collaboration with UK-based Loughborough University has organised a five-part online series of Digital Storytelling workshop for the Times School of Media students. The first session of the Digital Storytelling workshop was held on November 4.The objective of the workshop is to educate Bennett students on the art of digital storytelling and the role of technology in enhancing the experience of storytelling. Loughborough University professors conduct a workshop for Bennett Students</p>"> While thanking Loughborough University for their association with Bennett University’s Times School of Media (TSOM), Professor Sunil Saxena , Head of Department, TSOM stressed on the need for digital storytelling in the present times. “Everyone can now create, publish and distribute content on the internet, so it’s important to know how to tell a story well.” Prof. Michael Wilson , Director, Storytelling Academy , and head of Creative Arts, Loughborough University likened digital storytelling to a Swiss knife. “Digital storytelling like a Swiss knife has many functions. It is an art that brings people together.” Taking the session forward, Dr Antonia Liguori , senior lecturer, Loughborough University, UK, talked about what inspired her to be a storyteller and what factors she considered to be important to be a good storyteller. “Storytelling starts with listening. Most people have a misconception that storytelling only requires good speaking skills. But to be a good journalist, you need to listen to people’s points of view first.” “The best part about Digital storytelling is that it's very contradictory- you might think that because it's digital and has technological elements, it would make the process faster, but that's where you’re wrong, in fact, it makes it slower. That’s the beauty of it, you start putting emphasis on every little detail of the whole process,” she added. She then proceeded to ask BU students about what storytelling meant to them. “Storytelling, for me, is the essence of being a human, and listening is an important tool in it too. As we are social animals getting reactions after we narrate incidents makes us feel confident and we crave that validation,” explained Amisha Piplani, 3rd-year BAJMC student at BU. After the interactive session, Dr Liguori showcased two Digital Storytelling projects of students from Loughborough University. The hour-long session came to an end with Dr Liguori asking students to bring an object that was a key in bringing them closer to their dream of becoming a journalist. Prof. Wilson joined Loughborough University, in 2014 as a professor of drama and then continued to become the Dean of Arts, English, and Drama. Dr Liguori has been using digital storytelling as a participatory methodology for interdisciplinary research. (The writer is a Sem 3 students of BAJMC course) Join exciting programmes offered by Bennett University

Nizami Bandhu , Sufi music band, cast its spell on Bennett University students on the second day of the annual college festival, Uphoria. The Sufi music band performance started at 8: 30 pm amidst euphoric cries of students. Kun Faya Kun was the showstopper of the night with everyone chanting along with the band. “Nizami Bandhu’s performance was the most unbelievable performance of the second day of Uphoria festival. It was my first ever live concert, I was so excited about the music band performing at Bennett”, said Nikita Rani, third-year BAJMC student. Bennett mini mela While Nizami Bandhu was the high point of the second day of Uphoria fest, events such the mini-mela kept the campus abuzz during the day. The mini mela was organized by Bennett student clubs, included activities such as doodling, face painting, customizing tote bags with waste materials, and of course there was a huge variety of cuisines. Personal hygiene brand Svish, also one of the sponsors of the event, distributed free intimate hygiene wipes to students at the mini mela. Battle of the bands The Battle of Bands, a music competition, where eight colleges participated had students dancing and swaying to the music. The Battle of Bands was followed by an open mic event where students opened their hearts out on the mic. Chandrakala : classical dance show Another big draw on the second day of Bennett’s day 2 Uphoria festival was Chandrakala, the solo classical dance competition. Students from universities such as the Delhi University (DU) and Sharda University participated in the competition. The first position was grabbed by Divyanshi Sachi of Jaypee Institute of Technology, while the second and third positions were taken by Pratyusha of Gulshan Kumar Films and Television, and Shivanjali Sahai, Jaypee Institute of Technology. The judges for Chandrakala lauded the efforts of the participants. “The event's primary goal was to revive lost cultures.” Zangoora, the gypsy prince musical Dance and music marked the festivities of day 2. The next big event after Chandrakala, was Bennett University’s musical production Zangoora: The Gypsy Prince. Though the musical production was conceived by Ansh, Bennett’s Drama and theatre club, other clubs such as Rivaaz, Verve and Advaita also collaborated to make the production possible. The musical was about a boy who was raised as a gypsy, but he later discovers that he’s a prince and how he fights against all odds to reclaim his throne Shrestha, first-year B Tech student, one of the performers in the musical, said, "Words won't do justice to this feeling I have inside me right before I get to step on the stage. It's a pleasure to be a part of this team, and I hope I get a chance to experience this again." Midnight movie madness Interestingly, Day 2 of Uphoria began at midnight with the screening of the Hrithik Roshan starrer, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and this was followed by Nirvana, a yoga session organized by a student club, Art of Living (AoL) early in the morning. Vatsala Singh, a student of BAJMC, said, "All the events for Day 2 of Uphoria fest were exciting. I attended most of the events and enjoyed each moment of it." (The writers are Sem 5 students of BA (JMC) course)

By Surbhi Kaul What do you get when you mix a stand-up comedian with a live band, a romantic ‘prom’ night and a variety of contests for students? You get Uphoria, the annual festival of Bennett University . The first day of the 3-day inter-collegiate festival, kicked off with inter-collegiate contests, star performances and a prom night . The star of the evening was comedian Gaurav Kapoor , who made fun of everything from Delhi-Mumbai jokes to taking pots shots at married life. " Dekho Bhai jabse meri Shaadi hui hai na, chhoti chhoti baaton par ladayi ho jaati hai bahut zyada (Guys, ever since I got married, we fight on every small issue)," Kapoor said. Then he urged the faculty members present there to relate their stories of marital fights. Pointing towards Vinod Shastri, Dean of Student Welfare of Bennett University, Kapoor asked, "Chalo bhai ab faculty se puchte hai, Sir, aap bataiye aapki kis baat par ladayi hoti hai," To which Shastri responded, " Har baat pe ". That set the tone for his set, with the entire audience in splits. The Enchanting Prom Night After the laughter session, students got ready for the much-awaited event of day 1, the "Prom Night.” The night started with a performance by some couples to famous songs such as Ishq wala love , Night changes by One Direction, Dheere Dheere se Meri zindagi and more. The event allowed the entry of couples, so singles who didn't have partners had to wait outside till the event finished. "I feel a little bit sad for them but no worries they will enjoy other events too," said Rohitashya Chaudhari from B Tech (CSE). "As I wanted to be at the Prom Night, I quickly found a partner to dance with we have become really good friends," said Isha Singh, BA (JMC)student. Powerful Band performance After the Prom Night, the gates opened for everybody to listen to the performance by " Antriksh ". The band sang various AR Rehman songs including " Dil Se Re ". One of the important moments the band shared, was their joy of celebrating 10 years of their band at Bennett University. "Today is a special day for us because today we completed 10 years of our band and celebrating here at Bennett University among such an audience is a huge pleasure," said Varun Rajput , the lead singer. (The writer is a Sem 5 students of BA (JMC) course at Bennett University)

By Surabhi Shahi Aakrosh , the street play event, at the first day of Bennett University ’s annual college festival, Uphoria, was a crowd puller with six colleges participating in the competition. Team Kalakriti from Galgotia University won the first prize, while the second and third prizes were bagged by Teams Abhivyakti from Amity University and Team Muktalif from Christ University respectively. Well-known theatre actor Nasir Abdullah was the judge for the event. The street play or nukkad natak took place in front of C block, which houses the residential hostel. There were more than 100 students that had gathered, and more joined in as the street play participants hollered in Hindi: aao aao natak dekho (come and watch the street play). Colleges that participated in the event included Galgotia University, Christ, Rukmini Institute of Advanced Studies, Symbiosis centre for management studies (SCMS). Divya Jyoti, head of management of Ansh, dramatics and theatrical club, Bennett University, said, “All the six teams were amazing and full of action. All of them picked important social causes for their nukaad natak and each one delivered good performances.” One social such cause was down syndrome which Team Roshni from Jamia Hamdard University performed on. The team through its performance tried to sensitise the audience about the condition and the hardships of those who have down syndrome; how these individuals become victims of bullying and struggle with lack of acceptance because of their condition. Water scarcity was another social cause that was taken up at Aakrosh. Team Kirdaar from SCMS performed on the theme of water scarcity. The participants shared that the Bennett crowd was quite engaged during the performances. “We got a good audience response.” Jyoti, head of Management at Ansh, added, “The audience response was good, in fact when the teams were doing the flash mob, it excited the students even more. The energy of each team was just adding to the audience's reaction.” Spiral Dip This event was a collaboration event organized by the creative clubs of Bennett: Alexis and Silhouette clubs. The event involved making tie-n-dye t-shirt on your own. “I am not a very artistic person, but I did not face as many difficulties today as I thought I would because everyone here was so helpful”, one of the members said. “They are opening up the t-shirts tomorrow because we have to let them dry overnight, I guess but I am very excited to see how my t-shirt will look”, she added. There were several other contests too like a Bollywood mimic contest, a ramp walk, and a stand-up contest for students. (The writer is a Sem 5 student of BA (JMC) course at Bennett University)

By Surabhi Shahi Bluemoon 7.0 , organized for the freshers by their seniors, was filled with energetic performances by the various clubs of the university. From Bollywood style dances to traditional Indian dance, to bhangra and rap. It started off with a short but energetic performance by Verve, the dance club. To help promote the movie DoctorG they performed on the song " Dil Dhak Dhak Karta Hai " from the movie. Next was a unique performance by Rivaaz , the traditional dance club. They added their own twist by performing Indian dance forms on songs across various genres and languages. They kick started their performance with a dance routine on the song Mia by Drake. Rivaaz's unique routine Surbhi Kaul , one of the performers from Rivaaz, said that the crowd was amazing, and their enthusiasm and cheers helped ease her nervousness to perform and she was able to enjoy it. “We did bhangra, and it needs a lot of energy. Everyone was cheering and I was in the front, and I enjoyed it a lot,” she added. This was followed by performances on Punjabi songs like 4 Yaar by Parmish Verma. After performances by Rivaaz, the crowd was entertained by a rap performance by Omji Dubey and Saurabh Mishra . The was followed by a ramp walk by the freshers. The next performance by Verve had the audience enthralled. It consisted of various individual performances and a duo performance by Prachi Tiwari and Anoushka Chowdhary. The energy on stage was unmatched. The cheers from the audience helped the performers even more. Verve dances to glory “The audience was amazing and supportive. When we went on stage and the lights fell on Prachi and I, we danced our hearts out and had so much fun on stage. Overall, it was an amazing performance by Verve, and I am very happy about it”, said Anoushka. The final performance of the night was by Advaita , the music club. The club was introduced to the audience by Prafull Tripathi , the Joint Secretary and though the set up took a while, the performance that came after it was worth the wait. Bluemoon was overall a success because of how everything played out especially the cultural performances. (The writer is a Sem 5 student of BA JMC course)

By Ankita Pandey And winner of Miss and Mr Fresher are Niharika Lal of BA (JMC) and Utkarsh Gangwalia (BTech). But wait... There was one more winner this year. Ananya Arora (BA Liberal Arts) was crowned Mx Fresher. Femina Miss India Meghalaya 2022 Gargee Nandy and model, actor and entrepreneur Rushil Dudeja announced the winners. In the history of the university, for the first time there were three winners on the night of fresher’s party, representing the third gender. Every year the freshers look forward to the biggest bash on campus for them, Bluemoon , where they get to showcase their talent, get to watch seniors perform for them and win the coveted crown of Miss and Mr Fresher. This year was Version 7.0 of this popular event at Bennett University. The theme was ‘Vogue’ and the freshers danced to every beat of DJ Khushi. The ambience of the party changed into applause and cheer when the Miss Fresher, Mr Fresher and Mx Fresher 2022 were announced. The night started with Vice Chancellor Prabhu Aggarwal wishing the freshers a fun party. COO Sudhanshu Verma said “ Jyada padhai nahi karne ka, bas class me bina phone ke jana, exam me number aa jayenge, enjoy this golden period of your life.” The four emcees Sherya, Prafull, Krishika and Aryan kept the audience engaged throughout the event. Performances started with a quick dance on DoctorG’ s song, followed by Rivaaz’s (classical dance club) bhangra, rap by Omji Dubey and Saurabh Mishra and a dance performance by Verve’s secretary Prachi Tiwari and team. (For details on the performance read article: The performances that made Bluemoon 7.0 a huge success) The highlight of the night was the title contest of Miss, Mr and Mx Fresher. The 10 shortlisted contestants electrified the ramp with their ramp walk. Then, came the final step to the crown, for which they answered a question from the jury. “It feels great that a transgender was announced as Mx Fresher. I enjoyed the preparation period, and every one was very supportive,” said Ananya, winner of Mx Fresher. “Welcoming this huge number of juniors was not easy without the help of my team which has been working for the last four weeks,” said Arnav Batra, the President of student council. The student council asked the freshers to enrol for Talent Hunt to find the most deserving fresher. Out of 200 registrations, 10 were shortlisted for the ramp walk on the D-day. Femina Miss India Meghalaya 2022 Gargee urged the freshers to be rebellious for good cause. “This cheerful night is making me miss my college days, amazing performers, organisers and audience,” she said. The freshers then danced to the beats of DJ Khushi, bringing the curtains down on another exciting Bluemoon night. ( The article is written by a Sem 5 students of BA JMC course)

By Smriti Goyal They are RJs. They are actors. They are PR professionals. They are copywriters. They are the graduation batch of Times School of Media Class of 2022. ‘Excitement’, ‘Overwhelming’, ‘Unbelievable’ and ‘Learnings’ are the words students used to describe their feelings on their graduation. Omanshi Sabharwal, winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s gold medal for excellence in academics from Times School of Media spoke about her time at Bennett . “Being the vice president in university’s student council, I’ve always arranged things, so it was a little weird and exciting too to come back to the college being on the other side of the table.” Every end is a new beginning, and the batch of 2022 expressed it very well at the 4 th Convocation ceremony of Bennett University . Placards like ‘College khatm! Earnings shuru!’ were arranged at the photo booth for the students. They had a mixed feeling of curiousness and nervousness on moving out of the comforts of college life. All of them said that it’s still hard to accept that they are graduates now. The shift from a college student to a professional is difficult, but they were excited for their life ahead. Many described their college life as a roller-coaster ride but something they enjoyed. When asked about one thing they will always thank Bennett for, some said it’s the real-life learnings but most of them thanked the people they met here. Whether a faculty member or their colleagues, they thanked everyone for being there. Anmol Singh, Class of 2022, said she would miss her friends and hanging out late for practices while Ritvik Kapoor, a batchmate, said he would miss missing classes and chilling in his hostel room. Navneet Khurana, also from the Class of 2022, now an RJ with Radio Mirchi , said he would miss the opportunities and learnings he got from the University. Aryan Bajaj, an aspiring actor, said he was inspired by Ranveer Singh’s speech and would work hard on making it big in Bollywood. The batch of 2022 bid an emotional farewell to their Alma Mater and were ready to start a new chapter of their lives. (The writer is a Sem 5 student of BA JMC course)

By Surabhi Kaul Greater Noida: Believe in yourself was the big message given to the graduating batch of Bennet University by actor and producer Ranveer Singh . Speaking to the Class of 2022 as the Guest of Honour at the Fourth Convocation of Bennett University , Ranveer told students they can achieve what they seek if they believe in themselves and not give up. Relating his story of becoming an actor, from being a rank outsider to Bollywood superstar, Ranveer said he kept working hard in search of what he wanted. “There was a time when I turned down three roles, even though I had nothing in hand. Some of the directors were shocked that I had refused them. But I did not take those roles because I believed in myself. I knew I could do better,” he said. ‘Social media is fake’ Ranveer cautioned students against the false validation of social media. “There’s a lot of negativity on social media and don’t believe everything you read there. I have seen many negative comments on social media about me, my clothes etc., but I don’t let it get me down,” he said. He also asked students to respect their parents and not let anyone come in the way of their dreams. Ranveer started his speech by asking the graduands to join him in singing “We will rock you.” That had the entire hall energised with everyone joining the actor. This year, Bennett University gave the prestigious the Doctor of Philosophy, the Honoris Causa award to Ms. Falguni Nayar , CEO of Nykaa for her extraordinary contributions in the field of Business. Accepting the award, Ms. Nayar said, “As an entrepreneur, I am constantly learning about latest technology, understanding consumer insights to keep my business growing. Curiosity will always give you an edge because learning is integral to growth,” she said. She talked about the success of Nykaa as she believed in the company and what it stood to achieve. Script your own success Delivering his address as Chancellor of Bennett University, Vineet Jain told students to go after what they are passionate about and ditch all the standard definitions of success. "Forget the standard definitions of success, seek what gives you meaning and if you found your WHY then you can definitely find your WHAT and HOW. Find something which you enjoy, not what society tells you to do," Jain said. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh Ananadiben Patel, who was the Chief Guest, in her convocation message sent virtually, told students that they were indeed lucky to get such a good education. Giving his annual report, Vice Chancellor, Dr Prabhu Kumar Aggarwal said Bennett University remained strong despite the preceding two pandemic years. After the Chief Guests delivered their speeches, the Convocation event ended with over 450 students from four schools of the University receiving their degrees from the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor. (The article is written by a Sem 5 student of BA JMC course)

Actor Producer Ranveer Singh interacts with students at Bennett University during the 4th annual convocation. He had the audience in a frenzy with his performance of his rap number 'Asli hip-hop' from the movie Gully Boy

By Amisha Piplani With the fest right around the corner, students have been nothing but excited. The first-year students are getting their freshers’ party, Bluemoon 7.0, and the seniors are finally getting their first official fest- they're the pandemic students so it's a huge deal for them! On Thursday, students were asked to gather around between C & D block for 'something big’. Two mysterious pillars awaited them in that space. These pillars were covered with large pieces of cloth. People playing dhol arrived from all directions and lightened the atmosphere with bhangra and good music. Jubin Nautiyal and Antariksh to perform at BU fest The students participated in dancing with the dhol whilst still waiting to find out about the mysterious pillars. Suddenly, the music stopped and the 'dholwaalas' pointed at the pillars. Mr Vineet Jain, the Managing Director of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd did the honours of removing the cloth from the first pillar- revealing the names 'Jubin Nautiyal' and 'Antariksh'. Students' cheers were so loud that they could be heard from inside the hostel. Jubin Nautiyal, the popular playback singer with almost 10 million followers on his Instagram- he is famous for some of the most-played Bollywood songs like Raatan Lambiyan . Antariksh is an India Rock/Pop band known for their rock versions of Bollywood songs such as Dil Chahta Hai and also their originals like 'Kaha re' and 'Quest' . Gaurav Kapoor and Nizami Bandhu also in line-up Srijan Singh, a 3rd-year B-Tech student designed the posters for the reveal, he took the fabric off of the second pillar revealing the names ' Gaurav Kapoor ' and ' Nizamu Bandhu '. Gaurav Kapoor is a stand-up comedian who has taken the nation by storm with his stand-up comedy videos- which are shared everywhere repeatedly. Nizami Bandhu is one of India's oldest and most popular sufi band. They have been featured in movies like Kalank, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Rockstar and Yahaan. If the hype for Uphoria X Zenevia wasn't enough already, the artists’ reveal marked the day when everyone was left speechless.

By Shubh Bhardwaj The evening on the campus started with foot-tapping Gujarati songs and morphed into a night of Punjabi dance numbers, alongside the Jaikaras of Maa Durga , sending high-spirited devotees into a trance Earlier in the day, the start of the event was marked by Maa Durga aarti and bhajans , with University COO Sudhanshu Verma lighting the lamp and leading the prayers. Traditional dress code The students looked stunning in their grand outfits as they performed garba and dandiya dances to the tune of traditional Gujarati songs. The performances were in absolute sync and soon the floor was open to all the students as more of them shrugged off their inhibitions to shake a leg. The stage for the garba night was spectacular, the dance floor was full of DJ and fairy lights, and the golden colour added a whole different flavour to the Navratri gala. While traditional was the pronounced dress code for the night, it seemed as if the entire strength of the University was on the dance floor. Dance like no one is watching you Garba, fugdi , and dandiya were some of the eye-catchers of the evening while simply raising one’s hands in the air and jumping to the beats was the favourite step of many Bennettians . The university left no stone unturned to make the event a grand success, as the students savoured mouth-watering food, served on stalls in the ‘street food lane’. Smiles Everywhere Everyone was wearing a spontaneous smile, which was also a warm welcome to the new members of the Bennett family. The freshers got to know about how the university gives equal importance to all festivals, and what life at Bennett is all about. The gig was also an occasion where special moments were captured. Even as everyone danced their hearts out, the emotional songs left the students teary-eyed as well. (The writer is a second-year student of BA JMC)

By Hadassah Mani Bandi Can you do an 800-meter dash, 25 push-ups, 30 squats, and a 1-minute plank in five minutes and nine seconds? Akula Lakshman Raju, a 3rd-year B. Tech CSE student did just that at the CrossFit event organized by Bennett University’s sports committee recently. The event kicked off a series of sports activities that will be held through the semester. To win the CrossFit contest, participants had to complete this circuit of four events in the shortest time. It was a test of endurance as well as speed. The winner, Raju, beat the runner-up Ansh Jain by a whisker, a time difference of just one second. “I am an experienced runner. As a kid I was overweight and took to running to lose weight and that training helped me win this event,” said Raju. The winner takes it all Among the girls, Navya Karalingannavar, a 2nd year BA Liberal Arts student, bagged the first prize, defeating the only other female participant, Richa Raperia.“We used to have such events in school and now, in college. It is fun. I would like other girls to join such events. Even if they can’t put in as much effort they should participate. They may not win but it will help improve their fitness,” Navya said The event was also open to freshers and many of them participated in their first Bennett sports event. “I haven’t exhausted myself this much in a long time, it was refreshing,” said Mohak Kapoor a first year BAJMC student. The winners and runners’ up were given T-shirts as a prize. (The writer is a Second Year student of BA JMC )

By Hadassah Mani Bandi For the Telegu-speaking students at Bennett University, a special screening of the movie, ‘Sita Ramam’ was held. Nipun Rahul, a fourth-year B.Tech student, organized the showing of this romantic period movie. The movie’s cast include popular actors like Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur and was directed by Hanu Raghavapudi . “I didn’t want to screen the dubbed version because I felt that the authenticity of the movie would be lost in translation,” said Nipun. For him, the movie is close to his heart since it helped him understand the relationship between India and Pakistan . He wanted to use the powerful romantic storyline to help BU’s student audiences appreciate the connection between the two countries. “I really wanted them to feel the connection via the story. I found it very beautiful and that is why I organized this screening for others,” he said. Not just for Telegu speakers Around 30 students, mostly from the Telegu community, attended the movie screening. A few non-Telegu speaking students too were there, as the movies had English subtitles. “I loved the movie. It was emotional and heart-warming. My friend even cried. I am new to watching south Indian movies, but I found this experience fun and enlightening,” said Vaidehi Shah a second year BAJMC student. “I have never seen a movie that captured the feeling between Indians and Pakistanis in such an authentic way. The enmity and strong emotions were just out there,” said Vanshika Srivastava, also a second year BAJMC student. Understanding Indo-Pak relations Nipun said that the movie helped him value his experiences in Pakistan. “I visited Pakistan a few weeks ago and could relate to and could relate to what is depicted in the movie. I really wanted everyone, especially the ones who haven’t watched the movie, to recognize the essence of Indo-Pak relations,” he said. “I went to Pakistan as a tourist because I was curious about the country since my childhood. There is undeniably some bad blood between the two countries, so I wanted to know how they feel about Indians and that curiosity led me to visit Pakistan. After I got my visa, I went via the Wagah border and travelled from there by bus,” he added. (The writer is a second-year student of BA JMC)