Latest news with #DelhiUniversity
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Indian Author and Human Rights Advocate Rajesh Talwar Honoured with the University of Nottingham Alumni Award
HT Syndication New Delhi [India], June 20: Renowned multi-genre Indian author has been recently honoured with the University of Nottingham Alumni Laureate Award. Rajesh Talwar a legal scholar, and a former senior United Nations official has received this an award from his Alma Mater that celebrates graduates who have made an outstanding contribution to their profession, to social causes and to society . Mr Talwar, a British Chevening Scholarship recipient pursued his LL.M in International Human Rights Law at the University of Nottingham from 1996 to 1997. Over the past two decades, he has built a distinguished career with the United Nations across three continents, serving in key roles in post-conflict and humanitarian missions in Kosovo, Somalia, Afghanistan, Kenya, East Timor and Liberia. At the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), he held the position of Executive Officer and chaired the Secretariat to the Human Rights Advisory Panel, helping shape human rights oversight in the region. He has also worked as a Legal Advisor to the Police Commissioner in the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and has been the Deputy Legal Adviser to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Alongside his international career, Mr Talwar is also a prolific writer, having authored 42 books across a range of genres -- from legal scholarship and social commentary to plays and children's literature. His work demonstrates a consistent focus on justice, inclusion, and rights-based discourse. His widely acclaimed publications include The Third Sex and Human Rights; Courting Injustice: The Nirbhaya Case and its Aftermath, a critique of India's legal system; and The Mahatma's Manifesto: A Critique of Hind Swaraj, offering a contemporary and unorthodox interpretation of Gandhian philosophy. Rajesh Talwar is also an alumnus of La Martiniere College, Lucknow and Hindu College, University of Delhi, He has also attended courses at Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge. Prior to joining the United Nations, he practised law at the courts in Delhi for many years, and also taught law at Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia. In their citation, the award jury noted: 'This nominee has had a global impact, contributing to human rights and sustainability through policy change and education, such as writing a play on toxic terror and a book on caste discrimination. The judges selected Rajesh for embodying the value of respect through his dedication to the cause of human rights.' The jury's reference to 'toxic terror' is about a play he has written titled 'The Killings in November' that is available in paperback and was staged by Delhi University students. The reference to caste discrimination refers to Mr Rajesh Talwar's popular play for children 'The Boy Who Wrote a Constitution' on the childhood of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, which chronicles episodes in the great leader's childhood where he faced severe discrimination. Responding to the honour, Mr Talwar said, 'It is deeply meaningful to be recognised by my alma mater, the University of Nottingham, which played a transformative role in shaping my values, perspectives, and career. Studying human rights law in the UK as a Chevening Scholar gave me access to world-class academic training, but more importantly, it opened up a global outlook and provided me with a perspective that continues to inform my work to this day. Whether serving with the United Nations or writing on justice and human rights, or even writing inspirational books for children, the foundation laid during my time at Nottingham has remained a constant guiding light. This award is not just a personal honour -- it is a reflection of the powerful and enduring educational bridge between India and the UK, which continues to empower individuals to make a difference globally.' He is currently working on an AI-generated animation film titled, 'Smoky Sky Songs' based on the issue of air pollution that continues to affect the lives of Indians. He will receive the Alumni Laureate Award at a ceremony that will be held in late July 2025 in the United Kingdom, as part of the university's global celebrations of alumni excellence. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by HT Syndication. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Mint
5 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
India slaps five-year anti-dumping duty on Chinese aluminium foil, chemicals
New Delhi: India has imposed five-year anti-dumping duties on imports of Chinese aluminium foil and acetonitrile from China, Russia, and Taiwan, according to a government notification, after trade investigations found that under-priced shipments were harming domestic manufacturers. The measures, replacing earlier provisional tariffs, are part of India's broader effort to curb cheap imports and protect local producers. 'This is a strategic sector linked to packaging, defence, and energy," said Abhash Kumar, trade expert and assistant professor of economics at Delhi University. 'The measure sends a strong signal about India's intent to safeguard its value-added aluminium manufacturing base." Read this | India's quality crusade: Stricter standards aim to boost manufacturing, curb substandard imports The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which concluded the investigation in March, found that imports of aluminium foil from China were being priced significantly below normal value, causing substantial damage to Indian producers. Domestic companies including Hindalco and Jindal Aluminium had petitioned for the duties, citing rising imports over the past two years that were eroding margins and impacting capacity utilisation. Five-year tariffs on aluminium, chemicals The definitive anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil now ranges from $479 to $721 per metric tonne, effective from 17 March 2025. This replaces provisional duties imposed in March that ranged from $619 to $873 per tonne. While the duty bands are lower, the shift from a six-month provisional tariff to a five-year definitive measure signals India's decision to lock in long-term trade protection for domestic manufacturers. A general duty of $721 per tonne applies to producers not specifically listed, according to the government notification issued late Thursday. During the period of investigation from April 2022 to September 2023, the combined capacity and production of the applicant domestic producers stood at 132,140 metric tonnes and 69,572 metric tonnes, respectively—representing about 45% of India's total aluminium foil capacity and 54% of total production. National capacity during that period was 289,735 metric tonnes, with total production at 126,495 metric tonnes. Despite a 106% rise in domestic consumption, imports from China surged by 178%, while Indian producers' sales rose only 29%, indicating intense import-led pricing pressure. According to World Bank trade data, India imported 140,234 tonnes of aluminium foil from China during the first eleven months of 2024, up from 121,272 tonnes during the same period a year earlier. Producers impacted include Chinese firms Henan Mingtai Technology, Sunho New Materials, and Jiangsu Dingsheng. The duties cover aluminium foil of up to 80 microns in thickness, imported under multiple tariff lines. Certain specialised aluminium foil products used in capacitors, cooling systems, aluminium panels, beer bottle necks, and adhesive tapes are excluded. Separately, India also imposed five-year anti-dumping duties on acetonitrile imports after finding that exporters from China, Russia, and Taiwan were selling below fair value. Acetonitrile is widely used as a solvent in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and research laboratories. The duties on acetonitrile, notified on Thursday, range from $202 to $481 per metric tonne, depending on the exporter. The highest duty of $481 per tonne applies to Chinese suppliers not individually named, while lower rates apply to Nantong Liyang Chemical, Shandong Kunda Biotechnology, and Weifang Zhonghui Chemical. Similar duty levels were set for exporters from Russia and Taiwan. Read this | Centre eyes tighter customs rules to curb smuggling by 'import carriers' India's total annual demand for acetonitrile is estimated at 25,000 to 27,000 tonnes, according to IMARC Group, a research firm. Of that, domestic production accounts for around 15,000 to 18,000 tonnes, with imports covering 12,000 to 15,000 tonnes. India's domestic acetonitrile production is currently limited to a few players, including Jubilant Ingrevia and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (RCF). Industry participants had complained that the influx of cheap imports was squeezing margins and lowering capacity utilisation. Part of broader trade push Both duties will remain in place for five years unless modified or revoked following review. They are payable in Indian rupees and calculated using the Reserve Bank of India's exchange rates on the date of entry. The actions reflect a broader trend in India's trade policy, which has seen a steady rise in anti-dumping cases, particularly involving Chinese exports across sectors including steel, chemicals, consumer goods, and electronics. In 2024, the DGTR launched 43 anti-dumping investigations and reviews, of which 34—or nearly 79%—involved imports from China. In March 2025 alone, DGTR issued final findings in 13 cases, 12 of which targeted Chinese products. India is also moving to tighten controls on imports of substandard paper products, particularly from China, with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the process of introducing a new Quality Control Order, Mint reported earlier. Read this | India to crack down on substandard Chinese paper imports amid rare-earths row The decision also comes shortly after the US raised its tariffs on aluminium and steel imports to 50% from 25%, applicable to all trading partners including India and China. 'The higher duty imposed by the US may be a reason to put a check on excessive imports of aluminium from China," said Arun Kumar Garodia, former chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC). Also read | US-China trade war blows hot and cold for India The aluminium duty decision comes amid broader concerns about China's control over critical raw materials. Beijing recently restricted exports of rare earth magnets to India, further complicating trade relations between the two countries.
NDTV
8 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
Delhi University Admissions 2025: 10 Things You Must Know Before Applying
Delhi University Admissions 2025: Delhi University (DU) has started its undergraduate (UG) admission process for the 2025-26 academic year through the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS-UG 2025). All admissions will be based on the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET-UG) 2025 scores. Here are 10 key things students must know before applying: 1. Single Admission Portal for All Colleges CSAS-UG 2025 is the only valid platform for applying to DU UG programmes. The admission process includes three phases: Phase 1: Application submission Phase 2: Filling college and course preferences after CUET results Phase 3: Seat allocation and admission confirmation 2. Second phase of UG admissions The second phase of UG admissions will begin after the CUET results are declared. Students can now apply using either one language and three subjects or two languages and two subjects - whichever combination gives a higher score will be considered. 3. Eligibility and Course Requirements Students must meet course-specific eligibility as listed in the Undergraduate Bulletin of Information 2025 (UG BoI). These include subject combinations, marks in Class 12, and CUET scores. 4. Tie-Breaker Rules Updated If multiple students have the same CUET score and subject marks, the tie will now be resolved by: Best 3, then 4, then 5 subject marks in Class 12 Age (older gets priority) Class 10 board marks (newly added this year) 5. Application and Additional Fees The application fee is: Rs 250 for General/OBC/EWS Rs 100 for SC/ST/PwBD Additional Rs 100 for ECA/Sports quota, and Rs 400 for select performance-based courses like Music, Fine Arts, or BSc (PE, HE & Sports). 6. What's New in 2025? No longer mandatory to score 30% in CUET language paper for BSc (Hons) eligibility Auto-integration of CUET data on CSAS portal for a smoother experience Students can now directly accept upgraded seats Mobile access to CSAS portal introduced (laptop use still recommended) 7. Wide Range of Programs and Seats Delhi University offers 79 undergraduate programmes across 69 colleges, with 71,624 seats. Each BA programme + college combination is treated as a separate option during allocation. 8. Required Documents at Application Students must upload: Class 10 and 12 mark sheets Valid caste/reservation certificates, if applicable ECA/Sports, PwBD, orphan, minority, and other quota-related documents All certificates must match the names used in CUET and board documents. 9. Important: Read All Rules Carefully Before applying, students should read the UG BoI and CSAS 2025 guidelines thoroughly. Admission will follow DU's rules and notifications strictly. Documents not in English or Hindi must be submitted with translated, certified versions. 10. CUET-UG 2025 Is Mandatory Admission to all UG courses at DU's 69 colleges will be done solely through CUET (UG) 2025. Just appearing in CUET is not enough-candidates must also register on the CSAS portal: For detailed guidelines, visit or the official CSAS portal. Make sure to apply within the given timelines after CUET results are out.
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Woman on the verge: How Sahiba Bali is working her way to the top
When asked where home is, Sahiba Bali finds it hard to answer. Bali, 30, is part-Kashmiri, part-Punjabi, but was born in Kolkata. She spent her early years in Indonesia (the Bali jokes write themselves), but returned to Delhi to complete school and attend Delhi University. Then, she flew to the UK to complete her Masters in marketing, and did an extra business course at Oxford, just because she could. Then, she moved to Mumbai. But the reason someone would ask her that in the first place is because Bali is everywhere. She started off as a brand manager for Zomato, was an associate director at Unacademy, and found time to be a lifestyle content creator. She ended up hosting S4 of Shark Tank India, is now a sports broadcaster and an anchor at Disney Star, and has been in three movies and several web series. She played Kashmiri student Ambreen in Laila Majnu (2018), an Inter-Services agent Abida in the Netflix series Bard of Blood (2019), and an exacting journalist in Amar Singh Chamkila (2024). For this season's IPL, Punjab Kings brought her on as their marketing and digital curator, making those viral fun Reels with cricketers. While you catch your breath, she's now in a music video too: Haqeeqat, sung and composed by Akhil Sachdeva. None of this, she says, was part of the plan. Early start As the only child of a banker and a production-house director, Bali recalls watching both parents hard at work, every day. She ended up excelling in her studies simply because she didn't know any other way. But being an only child meant more than academic excellence. 'My parents were working through the day, so I would be left to my own devices,' Bali recalls. 'I had only myself to entertain and motivate.' Cue the extracurriculars: Bharatanatyam, keyboard, jazz, debating, theatre. 'I was doing so much, and a lot of it was competitive. It just inculcated this behaviour of trying to excel in different things. That stayed with me.' It also helped chart a multi-pronged path to the spotlight. Acting was never meant to be more than a side hustle, Bali says. But perhaps the roulette of auditions and rejections didn't hit as hard. 'During the weeks when I wasn't acting, instead of sulking about the lack of work and feeling bad about rejection, I took a marketing job on the side.' Bali originally auditioned for Triptii Dimri's role in Laila Majnu, but got the part of her sister instead. She auditioned for Kiara Advani's role in Kabir Singh, as well as Anushka Sharma's role in Sultan, opposite Salman Khan. She recalls a Netflix show that fell through. 'I had this great role — a woman from Delhi who lives in Gurgaon, a complete girl-next-door. But unfortunately, after we signed the contract and everything, they went ahead with someone else because they wanted to package it differently.' She just kept auditioning until the tide began to turn. Audiences noticed her small part in Laila Majnu. She began to be recognised for the videos she'd do with Zomato; her fresh vibe resonating with viewers on YouTube and Instagram. People began watching her vlogs (each video now has more than 20 lakh views). Speak easy Bali is often cast as Kashmiri. 'Maybe I look and talk the part.' But she's eager to break that stereotype. 'I want a typical Yash Raj filmi, over-the-top romantic drama,' she says, and quickly adds that she'd also do 'a very natural, Piku-type role'. But she's aware that her big break is yet to come. Until then, she's not shying away from being herself in public. Last year, Bali was invited to an Indian billionaire's son's wedding, a much-spotlighted event that was dubbed The Shaadi Of The Century. She skipped it, telling interviewers that she didn't want to attend it just for the attention. In April, she was one of the few people in entertainment to speak up against the erasure of Mughal history from grade 7 NCERT textbooks. As a star-in-the-making, she knows the cost of speaking her mind. But she knows how fickle fandom is too. 'It's the small things,' she says. 'I don't talk about something, people start forming opinions about me. If I do say something about an issue, then there are questions.' Of course, like all young people, she yearns for simpler times. 'There are days where I really wish we had gone back to analogue life and didn't have smartphones,' she admits. The constant scrutiny means 'whenever I'm saying anything, I have to think twice'. But years of putting in the effort, competing and coming out shining are helping her battle online negativity and public opinion. 'I tell myself that this is for two hours, that people are going to forget, that there are bigger problems in the world, that nobody cares about you in the grand scheme of things,' she says. 'I don't worry about what I can't change.' We'll be seeing more of her on screen. Let's hope she keeps that fighting spirit intact. From HT Brunch, June 21, 2025 Follow us on
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Delhi University to introduce course on role of tech in marriage, religion
Delhi University's (DU) anthropology department will introduce three courses in its upcoming seventh and eight semesters called 'Anthropology of Technology', 'Primate Behaviour', and 'Anthropology of Public Policy', in which it will teach the role of technology in social institutions such as marriage and religion, how behavioural patterns of non-human primates can be studied to understand human behaviour, and anthropological approaches to public policy, a department official told HT on Thursday. The university is in the process of finalising the seventh and eighth semester syllabi for the first batch of fourth year, scheduled to begin this year under the National Education Policy 2020. 'The department's syllabus for the upcoming fourth year (seventh and eighth semesters) were approved by the academic council in the last week of December 2024. The idea was to experiment with innovative ideas. In this technology driven era, we feel students need to study how technology impacts our society and even topics like crime, social relationships and social harmony,' said a department official, requesting anonymity. Anthropology of Technology This discipline specific elective (DSE) course is a new addition to the eighth semester. According to the proposal, which HT has seen, the primary focus will be on objectives like 'understanding the role of social and cultural factors in technological innovations and usage' and 'understanding the ways in which technological advancements re-constitute social and cultural realities around us'. The paper has been divided into four units. The second unit will cover topics such as 'role of technology in re-constituting social institutions; kinship, marriage, family, religion, economy, polity'. The third unit will deal with 'exploring cyber spaces, social media platforms, virtual realities, the internet and meta-universe in ethnographic context'. The fourth unit will cover 'uses and applications of artificial intelligence, social robotics; human-machine relationships…digital concerns and critique of post-human anthropology'. Anthropology of Public Policy Another eighth semester course, this will focus on 'concept and approaches of anthropology of public policy'. 'Public policy is a domain majorly covered in economics and political science, where they are usually dealing with a wide spectrum of information and data. We wanted to introduce a paper which would look at the same topics through a microscopic lens, sensitive to local cultures,' the official added. The paper will also cover colonial and post-colonial India in the context of public policies. Primate Behaviour This course will be introduced for seventh semester students and will focus on 'behavioural patterns of non-human primates as a model for understanding human behaviour'. 'In the evolution of humans, we consider a lot of behaviour like kinship, preferential mating or even dominance of certain social groups as exclusive. However, we wanted to trace the behaviour of non-human primates to understand these behavioural patterns better,' the official said. According to the syllabus, topics such as 'primate cognition, language and communication patterns among non-human context and function of primate communication as precursor to human communication', 'mother-infant relationship' and other areas will be studied as well, leading up to 'primate culture as a precursor to human culture'.
