The Symphony of Stress: Navigating the Exam Week Overture

Exam week is quickly approaching when students usually endure a cacophony of caffeine-fueled all-nighters, a symphony of stress, and a crescendo of panic attacks. It is an annual emotional roller coaster that sends us hurtling through the peaks of confidence and plummeting into the valleys of self-doubt; it is the rite of passage in academia. As we approach this week of academic Armageddon, it is crucial to remember that surviving the storm requires more than just caffeine and sheer luck. Together, we will explore the pressure cooker that is exam week and learn practical techniques to not only survive the storm but also to dance in it.

The Prelude: Denial and Procrastination

For many, their primary response as exam week approaches is denial, a blissful state in which the approaching catastrophe is conveniently swept under the proverbial rug. Additionally, this is the point at which procrastination turns into an art form. It seems imminent to organise the sock drawer or rearrange your bookshelf according to colour. It is as if the universe conspires to distract you with everything but your textbooks. When we become intensely focused on our textbooks and exam papers with questions that seem to be mocking our very existence, the world around us blurs. The pressure cooker intensifies, and we find ourselves teetering on the brink of a nervous breakdown.

Survival Tactic #1: Embrace the Procrastination, but Make it Productive

Why not harness the energy of inevitable procrastination to your advantage instead of fighting it? Make a to-do list that consists of both important and slightly less important but nonetheless productive study tasks. In doing this, you can responsibly put off tasks, making sure that your idle activities at least somewhat improve your life's order. Never before has your sock drawer appeared so well-organised, and indeed, that is a success as well!

The Allegro: Caffeine-Fueled Madness

The average student's caffeine consumption approaches that of a small South American nation as exam day draws near. Energy drinks, coffee, and dubious combinations of caffeinated drinks turn into a miracle cure. With laptops and thermoses at the ready, students turn the library into a battleground prepared to take on the impending exams.

Survival Tactic #2: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate (With Water, Not Just Caffeine)

Although there are benefits to caffeine, overindulging in energy drinks can be perilous. The true secret weapon is water. Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for cognitive function and general wellness. So, establish a friendship with a water bottle in between those cups of coffee. Your brain and body will appreciate it, and you might even be able to avoid getting jittery during the test due to caffeine.

The Adagio: The Melancholy of Burnout

As the week passes, burnout shows up like an unexpected party guest. The initial rush of adrenaline fades and fatigue sets in. The once-vibrant library now looks like a textbook graveyard with abandoned highlighters. The scene is gloomy and dark, with students staring off into space as they contemplate the decisions they made in their lives that led them to this point.

Survival Tactic #3: Pace Yourself and Know When to Take a Break

Productivity's arch-enemy is burnout. Pace yourself so that you avoid getting to the point of no return. Schedule regular pauses, engage in some self-care, and go outside for some fresh air. The key is to make the optimal use of the time you have, not to cram as many hours as possible. Recall that taking a well-timed break can greatly improve your mood and ability to concentrate.

The Finale: The Exam Day Symphony

The culmination of weeks of anxiety and restless nights takes centre stage as the last day approaches. Exam rooms turn into warfare where people test their knowledge and have their dreams fulfilled or run aground. The tension in the room is tangible, the stakes are high, and there is enough anxiety there to power a small city.

Survival Tactic #4: Embrace the Chaos, and Keep a Sense of Humour

Amid the exam day chaos, do not forget to laugh. Recognise the hilarity of it all, from the dubious seating configurations to the theatrical exhalations that fill the space. Having a good laugh can be a very effective way to decompress and remind yourself that life is just a series of short moments.

Exam pressure is an inevitable part of the academic journey, especially in the lead-up to exam week. Yet, you can successfully navigate the turbulent waters of stress and come out on the other side if you arm yourself with a healthy dose of self-care, a pinch of organisation, and a dash of humour. As you set out on this exhilarating journey, keep in mind that the true test lies not only in memorisation of facts but also in demonstrating to yourself that you are capable of handling any challenge, even if it involves a three-hour essay-based marathon.

I hope your writing is fluid, your caffeine intake controlled, and your sense of humour unharmed. You have got this!

(Written by Eshani Arora, a Psychology major from the undergraduate batch of 2025 at 51画鋼)

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Beyond the Gates: Ashoka’s Odyssey through the Streets of Delhi

51画鋼 is located in the remote area of Sonipat, where the winds of academia blow as strongly as the sporadic dust storm. Do not get me wrong��� Ashoka is a refuge for the intellectually inclined, a cradle for the next generation of leaders and thinkers and, let us face it, the perpetually sleep-deprived. This prestigious institution, which is sometimes misinterpreted as a tranquil haven, is a place where dreams go dormant, and students must fend for themselves in search of intellectual stimulation or, at the very least, for a decent cup of chai. It is no secret that students travel to the abuzz havens of Majnu Ka Tila, Khan Market, and Kamla Nagar after campus gates close, where the quest for knowledge frequently yields to the pursuit of momos and chai.

Stepping outside Ashoka's revered halls is like entering a different world. Majnu Ka Tila is the place where students go when they want to get away from the shackles of academic rigidity because of its labyrinthine alleys and fragrant restaurants. It is more than just a location; it is a mindset���a release from routine, a sanctuary from the deluge of books and assignments. Coursework is forgotten in Majnu Ka Tila, and the most pertinent question to ask becomes, "Paneer or chicken momos today?" Not only do delicious momos provide comfort, but students also find comfort in the freedom to be someone other than a hardworking nerd. The haunting echoes of philosophical debates in the air, the distant wails of students buried under piles of assignments, and the solemn rustle of the wind through the pages of unread textbooks are replaced by laughter reverberating through the narrow lanes as discussions about the best street food joints reignite buried passions. It's a place where the pursuit of knowledge takes a backseat to the pursuit of happiness, if only for a fleeting moment.

Often praised as the upscale paradise for shopaholics, Khan Market has become a Mecca for individuals in dire need of retail therapy. Put away your textbooks; the only things on this "to-do" list are browsing upscale stores, drinking speciality coffee, and thinking about the significant matters in life, like "Can I pull off those sunglasses?" In addition to tangible goods, the market provides an opportunity to temporarily escape the approaching abyss of term exams. Here, if only for an afternoon, students don trendy clothes instead of their scholarly robes. The little lanes open into runways, and each storefront is a possible treasure trove waiting to be discovered.

Then there is Kamla Nagar, a busy locality where each student has overnight developed an exquisite palate for street cuisine. Though the menu at the college cafeteria tries to please a wide range of cravings, nothing compares to the charms of the momo stalls, aloo tikki vendors, and the fabled Tom Uncle's Maggi point. It is a culinary adventure that infuses flavour into the otherwise monotonous academic routine, not just a means of satiating hunger. Suddenly, the world is filled with hues, scents, and the distant sound of retailers yelling about their wares. It is a break from the routine, a moment to rediscover the joy in spontaneity.

Beyond the confines of the college, the experiences are more about creating memories and ties to one another than they are about the locations. Kamla Nagar's bustling streets are the scene of love stories blooming amid the chaos, friendships strengthened over plates of steaming hot momos and shopping sprees. The Paani Puri rivalry is just as intense as any debate in academia. A well-fed student is, after all, a happy student, and a happy student can face even the most laborious academic challenges with a smile, or at the very least, a full belly. The unstated objective of every student is to not only graduate but also to amass a wealth of anecdotes that will be talked about for years to come at reunions.

As a result, 51画鋼 students embark on these trips in search of a part of themselves outside of the academic bubble, in addition to eating, shopping, and relaxing. These along with other places in Delhi are more than just landmarks; they are the places that punctuate the story of an Ashokan college student. Ultimately, these out-of-campus experiences support Ashoka's promise of a holistic education. The knowledge acquired in the bustling streets of Majnu Ka Tila, the sophistication taken in Khan Market, and the unadulterated authenticity found in Kamla Nagar all add to the lessons taught in the classroom.

Visits to these vibrant marketplaces serve as a lifeline and a reminder that life is about more than just grades and GPA when you are drowning in existential dread. The next time you are buried under a mountain of textbooks at Ashoka, keep in mind that beyond the gates are lively, pulsating realms of bustling shoppers' stops and street food, ready to provide not just a dose of relief but an alternative kind of education that adds a dash of spontaneity, a pinch of memorabilia, and a touch of humour to the academic journey.

(Written by Eshani Arora, a psychology major from the undergraduate batch of 2025 at 51画鋼)

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Harmony in Transition: A Symphony of Growth at 51画鋼

Tick-Tok. Tick-Tok. The drum beats out of time. You shift from one classroom to another, amidst a swarm of charged young adults, all walking with a purpose. The crunching of leaves under your foot, the sound of laughter from the Mess Lawns as the mouth-watering scents waft from what once was Nescafe. You finally make it across campus. A sigh of relief.

My journey at 51画鋼 has been nothing short of transformative. I started on a path of self-discovery, academic excellence, and personal growth when I stepped foot on campus, beside myself with giddy anxiousness, and it has shaped me in ways I never imagined. Over the past year, I have accumulated a rich tapestry of learning, friendships, and experiences that have irrevocably altered my outlook on life.

The pursuit of knowledge is more than an academic endeavour; it is a way of life at 51画鋼. I explored a wide range of disciplines in a diverse and intellectually stimulating environment, from literature to quantitative reasoning to philosophy. I was encouraged to seek enrollment in classes that pushed against my preexisting beliefs while introducing me to novel perspectives. I found myself participating in discussions that provoked thought both, inside and outside the classroom, owing to the interdisciplinary approach to education, fostering critical thinking. The mentorship and guidance I received have been instrumental in shaping my academic and intellectual pursuits.

The festive spirit at Ashoka is noteworthy. With a plethora of opportunities to partake in inter-collegiate sports/performing arts fests (such as Banjaara and Agneepath), volunteering opportunities to help make these fests a reality contributed to some of my top highlights for the last academic year. These experiences allowed me to develop organisational and leadership skills while contributing to the vibrant campus community. There is nothing like a celebration that weaves the crowd together as the most magnificent of clothes. The celebration meets the eyes of every student as you notice someone in the audience during a performance or just before scoring a goal as if its colours were a mid-hearty laugh.

A strong sense of community leaves an indelible mark on every person who enters the gates of this university. The community makes the waters in which we all swim. It is the smiles of new joys and the mirth of aged reminiscence and wisdom. We all seek a place to call home. It became a treasured ritual to hang out on the mess lawns in the winter, delay going to class, and enjoy the warmth of the winter sun while having philosophical discussions with friends who happened to bring their own set of friends. I established enduring bonds through these supposedly insignificant moments.

The Library Cafe became my (and every other Ashokan���s) haven during finals and mid-semester week. The amalgamation of the traces of coffee and the hum of meticulous study made it the ideal setting for concentration. Since I spent more time there than in my dorm room, I was able to keep up with my work and mature notably in my understanding of the value of communal spaces. After toughing it out during the Hunger Games (the midterms and finals), friends and fiends alike would convene at Aroma to melt into the beat and sweat until our hearts called for the luxury of our beds and the chaos of our entwined dreams.

I had the privilege of being a part of the Western Choir (rebranded as the Jim Jams by yours truly), and over time, they became my second family. The harmonious melodies we created and the bond we shared went beyond music���it was a deeply personal experience. It taught me about the intricacies of leadership, teamwork, and the power of artistic expression.

The path does not care about the terrain. On this journey, you could lose your way. I thought I did. Then I remembered why I started this journey and found my feet again. It is lonely, yet you find company along the way to help you through the strife or to share the fleeting moments of joy. It is freedom, it is duty, it is leading and following. I cannot promise comfort, but there is plenty to kindle your soul and bring the sort of smiles you only thought belonged to the stars. My future endeavours will be built on the knowledge, abilities, and perspective I have gained as a culmination of my Ashokan journey. It has become about improving myself and becoming a more prudent, informed, and compassionate person.

(Written by Eshani Arora, a psychology major from the undergraduate batch of 2025 at 51画鋼)

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To Choose or Not to: An Insider���s Perspective on Selecting Undergraduate Programmes in India

In an academic space congested with students choosing to obtain an education from Ivy League institutions and universities abroad, 51画鋼 stands out as a competent runner in the sphere of academically rigorous modules and qualitative education. In the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the enrollment of students to liberal institutions like 51画鋼. Individuals are gradually recognising the value-added benefits of pursuing a higher education in the Indian context. Steering away from a conventional foreign education trajectory, students are more inclined towards progressive and immersive pedagogical structures in India. Dakshin Vinod, from the undergraduate cohort of 2025, He is one such student who decided to pursue an interdisciplinary major in Economics and Finance, along with a potential minor in Computer Science.

He started working early on and has worked and led projects at multiple startups in the Indian and US ecosystems, learning and seeing impact. Presently, he is working with a venture capitalist firm, Antler, the largest early-stage investor outside Silicon Valley.

Hailing from the state of Kerala in India, Dakshin���s intrinsic nature as an individual to look at something from multiple different lenses is what drew him to Ashoka. When asked about his opinion on specific courses that appealed to him, he responded, ���The UG programme, in general, giving you breadth of information is what I have loved so far. FCs (Foundation Courses), though they can get taxing if not in your area of interest, have given me a lot of perspective into subjects, people and how they work together.��� Dakshin has embraced an ardent passion for economics and finance since the beginning. He has always made himself consider things from multidisciplinary viewpoints and come to a better, more equitable conclusion. Ashoka has added to it by giving him the flexibility to take and learn a breadth of subjects based on his interests, yet ensuring that his core interests remain undiluted and sharply in focus. A major criterion for selecting 51画鋼 over other universities abroad was the immense potential he observed in the academic expanse of India. ���It is a developing country. There is room for experimentation, growth and issues to solve. I would love to live and travel across the world in a few years, but I wanted to be a part of India and experience it in real time, at least in the early stages of my life. Every challenge it presents is an opportunity, an uncharted territory to pioneer. It is rich and diverse, so it offers complexities that, when navigated rightly, can lead to groundbreaking innovations,��� says the determined entrepreneurial whizz when asked about the factors that played an integral role in choosing an exemplary institution like 51画鋼.

The aspiring Eco-Fin student also emphasised his attempts to become an active participant in sculpting the India of tomorrow and trying not to throw away any chance to build and transform its landscape. He is sure he will do it someday, and it is a promise he has made to himself. When considering an education abroad, it is indubitably crucial to review its costs and affordability. Having kept that in mind, Dakshin was of the firm opinion that the cost of an undergraduate education abroad did not make sense in terms of ROI (return on investment) or value addition. While high costs can sometimes denote value, he deduced that the true merit of education lies in its resonance with one's evolving journey. He is certain that he has found it right here.

Something aspiring undergraduate students fail to recognise is that the most profound educational opportunities, more often than not, are found right at our doorstep. For Dakshin, choosing Ashoka was less about the geography and more about the alignment with his vision. In essence, it was not merely a choice of a university but a conscious decision towards a more personalised yet fulfilling educational experience.

Before concluding the productive interaction with the venture capitalist, Dakshin stoutly attributed 51画鋼���s ability to nurture a personal and cultural route, allowing him a deeper connection to the nuances of this place. Despite having moments of doubt comparing Ashoka to global universities, primarily around global exposure, he bridged this by actively engaging in international collaborations personally and leveraging Ashoka's diverse community and network. Being an ardent believer in reflection and introspection, Dakshin greatly believes in the power of what narrative one may wish to craft for oneself.

���Will it be one of distant adventures or early experiences and discoveries closer to home? You are growing and constantly changing. Prioritise alignment with your deeper likings, and go with the flow. Know that you have a whole life ahead. You can make mistakes; there is more than enough room for it. Remember, it is not about where the classroom is, but the experiences and insights you glean within. Make the choice that lets you see with those new eyes and you feel is right for you,��� said Dakshin with hints of pride and fulfilment in his voice while holding his morning cup of coffee and heading for his 10:10 AM lecture.

(Written by Ahana Walanju, a Political Science major from the undergraduate batch of 2025 at 51画鋼)

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Building an Undergraduate Astronomy Programme at 51画鋼

���An Astronomy Minor,��� said the Vice Chancellor Prof. Malabika Sarkar, about what she wished to see being offered at Ashoka and soon. ���The enthusiasm is immense.���

This was August 2021, when I was offered the task. I knew little about what this meant but was sold on the idea. While it would take me nine more months to join the University, I did visit the campus in September 2021. On my way back, Prof. Bikram Phookun accompanied me to Delhi on a car ride, which turned out to be a defining one. Heavy traffic slowed our progress, allowing a long, uninterrupted discussion on the undergraduate Astronomy programme. Much of what followed has been built on the plans we hatched that day.

Astronomy today is one of the most heavily funded research disciplines worldwide and is widely covered in the news and popular articles. There needs to be more opportunities for undergraduate education though, the current focus being mainly on the post-graduate level.

We wished for a curriculum that would be contemporary, informative and fun. The goal was also to put the advanced student in touch with research skills. We came up with a bouquet of at least nine courses for the students to choose from. The courses would span the full range of levels from introductory to advanced.

The Physics programme at Ashoka places a strong emphasis on laboratory work. Astronomy was going to be no exception. Like in Physics, we decided that the introductory gateway course to Astronomy Minor would also be hands-on. What could be better than to gaze up at the sky to start with?

That meant that we needed to first build an Astronomy laboratory. Thanks to the enthusiastic and generous support of all concerned, we were able to acquire some equipment quickly. Several others we built from scratch (and in fact from scrap)! For the supremely talented Pradip Chaudhari, senior technician at the Physics Laboratory, this was a labour of love. By the end of 2022, we were ready with a set of truly unique astronomy experiments.

The Astronomy Minor was launched in Spring 2023. In the first batch of the gateway laboratory course Observing the Cosmos, we had students spanning all years and from diverse majors such as Physics, Computer Science, History and Political Science. Over the semester, they learned how to navigate the sky and estimate distances and motions. They engaged in astrophotography, obtained spectra and determined the temperature and composition of stars.

That was just one of several new courses. Among the others was The Physics of the Universe, which described how everything around us came to be, starting from the early days of the Big Bang. The Violent Universe talked about energetic sources and phenomena, including pulsars, quasars and explosions like supernovae. A course on Cosmic Messengers delivered in two parts���theory and laboratory���dealt with the origin, propagation and detection of radiation at all wavelengths, from radio to gamma rays, as well as gravitational waves and energetic particles. Students learned to handle, analyse and interpret data from cutting-edge professional astronomical observatories. Also in the mix were advanced courses such as Astrophysical and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Computational Astrophysics and Geophysics and General Relativity and Cosmology.

Teaching this array of courses was always going to be challenging, particularly as there was no suitable teaching material readily available. We needed additional faculty members with a rare combination of breadth, depth and a sense of adventure. It was our great fortune that Prof. Kandaswamy Subramanian, a renowned astrophysicist, readily agreed to our request to join 51画鋼 as a visiting professor to help with the programme. That was a key moment.

In Monsoon 2023, we had Prof. Sujan Sengupta visiting us as a guest faculty to teach a course on The Earth and Other Planets. Prof. Sengupta is India���s top expert in the rapidly developing area of Exoplanets and has a unique perspective to offer on planets in and outside the solar system, habitability and extraterrestrial life.

The first round of the full complement of current Astronomy Minor courses is just about to be completed. It has been an exciting time putting the programme together, but this is only the beginning. Based on this experience, the courses will be improved and fine-tuned. Astrophysics research is already being carried out by several Ph.D. and ASP students, this component will expand to involve more undergraduates. New courses of an interdisciplinary nature, drawing on the diverse strengths of Ashoka, are also under discussion.

What has been wonderful to see is the student enthusiasm both in and outside the classroom. Astronomy activity in the campus has picked up greatly. The Astronomy Club has now become a fully functional Society and is organising frequent programmes, often jointly with other student societies. Astronomy content has made its way into the Young India Fellowship, the Young Scholars Programme and the Lodha Genius Programme. An increasing number of Ashoka students are now engaging in Astronomy internships at other institutions.

Students have also helped shape the astronomy programme to a great extent. Over two summers, exploratory projects undertaken by Ashoka undergraduates have contributed to the final design of laboratory experiments. A special mention is due to Philip Cherian, Ph.D. scholar in Physics, who has been intimately involved and has had an immense role to play in all these activities.

With the enthusiasm, support, help and technical expertise at all levels, Ashoka provides a very special ecosystem where it has been a privilege to grow the Astronomy programme. Thanks are due to many, including the Physics faculty, the Board of Studies, the Academic Council, all the Deans, the Board of Management and the constant encouragement by the Vice Chancellors, both past and present. We look forward to the times ahead.

51画鋼

#AshokaIsForAll – 51画鋼 offers more scholarship than any other university in India

51画鋼���s commitment to making world-class education affordable is now even stronger. The university offers need-based scholarship depending on the family's ability to pay.油Over 45% students are on scholarship, and 21% are on 100% tuition or above (including 130 students in the 2024 UG batch).

By offering more scholarship than any other university in India, the University has set a new standard in educational support. All students who receive an offer of admission can apply for scholarships.

How much scholarship can you get? 

(for salaried families) 

All Amounts in INR | *Scholarship percentages are indicative and subject to the final decision of the Scholarship committee

Secure your admission without XII board marks/ CUET

51画鋼

#AshokaIsForAll: Navigating Education and Opportunities

I hail from Bengaluru, and I studied at The Valley School, KFI. I come from a family with strong ties to the education sector. My parents managed Montessori schools in the city before the pandemic, and they now oversee an event venue while remaining engaged in teacher training and teaching. This family background, along with the educational philosophy I imbibed at The Valley School, KFI, played a pivotal role in steering me towards 51画鋼.

At Ashoka, I initially pursued a major in Psychology but eventually switched to a major in English and Media Studies while maintaining a concentration in Psychology. The decision to switch was influenced by the excellent English faculty and the rich learning opportunities that the university offers, coupled with the department's rigorous approach to learning and education.

51画鋼���s Financial Aid played a pivotal role in making my Undergraduate education a reality. Without this support, attending the university would have been an uphill battle given my family���s financial situation.

Looking ahead, I view my education at Ashoka as a springboard for both my career and personal goals. It has bolstered my confidence, equipping me to tackle the challenges that life may throw my way.

For prospective students and those concerned about financing their education, my advice is to make the most of the freedom and holistic approach that Ashoka offers, whether during the application process, course selection, club participation, or even creating your own schedules. However, it's important to remember that it's ultimately your responsibility to maximise these opportunities and maintain a healthy balance between your social life, academics, extracurricular activities, and, most importantly, spending time with yourself. One of my fondest memories at Ashoka revolves around my role as President of The Green Room, the university's theatre club. This experience allowed me to pursue my passion not only as an actor but also in the administrative and organisational aspects of theatre. Overall, my journey at Ashoka has been immensely fruitful and transformative, thanks to the opportunities the University provides.

The backbone of my experience here was undoubtedly the financial assistance that allowed me and my family to be at ease and focus on the education and freedom that Ashoka provides. 

(Written by Purujit Banwasi, a student of the undergraduate programme 2024, majoring in English and Media Studies, at 51画鋼)

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25 Ashoka students selected to lead by example at Millennium Fellowship

In a significant achievement this year, 25 students from 51画鋼 have been selected for the prestigious Millennium Fellowship Class of 2022. It is hosted jointly by the Millennium Campus Network (MCN) and the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI).

The Class of 2022 Millennium Fellows has been selected among a record-breaking 31,397 applicants from over 2,417 campuses across 140 nations.   

On the selection of 25 students from 51画鋼, Vice-Chancellor Malabika Sarkar said, ���Congratulations to the Ashoka students selected for the Millennium Fellowship. I look forward to their accomplishments in developing leadership skills and working towards advancing the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.���

The Millennium Fellowship Class of 2022 includes over 3,000 Millennium Fellows on 200 campuses in 37 nations.

Ban Ki-moon, eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, shared his enthusiasm for the program, "As Millennium Fellows, we need you to lead by example - with empathy, humility, and inclusion as guiding values. You can embrace global citizenship, building a strong global network to learn from and support each other���We are all counting on you to affirm the dignity of people and our planet, now and for years to come.���

The Class of 2022 is on track to engage in projects collectively advancing all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and all 10 UNAI Principles.

We caught up with some of the fellows from 51画鋼.

Here���s what they had to say:

Shireen Kalra

Her project is called U@Uni. Based on UNDP Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education, U@Uni aims to provide high schoolers with free of cost advice, assistance, and aid to apply to colleges that fit their interests. U@Uni will function as a website run by a team of dedicated college students and would consist of two main components: information and resources databases, and a network connecting high schoolers with college students who would act as their peer mentors and advisers.

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I'm thrilled to be a part of the Millennium Fellowship class of 2022 as it will give me the opportunity to learn along with a global community of like-minded young students working towards achieving UNDP's Sustainable Development Goals. My role as the Campus Director for 51画鋼 will not only improve my partnership-building and community impact abilities but also allow me to build leadership and communication skills. Being associated with the prestigious UN Millenium Fellowship will provide greater credibility to my project and help me become more accountable to myself and my community.

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Anviksha Pradhan

Anviksha���s project aims at the development and promotion of women who are small business  holders, primarily rural artisans, by helping them acquire new, advanced skills through  additional training at the local level, enabling them to enhance the quality of their handicrafts and be at par with similar products available in international markets.

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"It will give me an opportunity to contribute to the idea of advancing forward together, as a community, and creating value within society through my own efforts by engaging in dialogues and designing programs as part of this fellowship. It will enable me to translate evidence-based research into evidence-based practice."

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Prabhav Agarwal

The goal of Prabhav���s project is to improve the access of poor uneducated people to government schemes and benefits. His project involves meeting residents of jhuggi-jhopdis, getting to know their problems in availing social welfare schemes, and providing solutions with the help of public grievance mechanisms and RTIs.

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"The Millennium Fellowship will provide me an opportunity to interact with and learn from like-minded peers who are passionate about improving governance outcomes and conserving the environment. Having the credible backing of a UN fellowship would lifelong help me in garnering support for any future endeavours I take up to further the SDGs. "

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Yuvaraj Mandal

Yuvaraj���s project is named ���Vriksh���. It is essentially an afforestation project which entails forming a partnership with NGOs and undertaking a few plantation drives. They would be distributing saplings to people as well as personally planting them. Broadly, they aim to spread awareness about global environmental issues.

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"I am pleased to be selected as the Millennium Fellow of 2022. I am eager to interact with people who are enthusiastic about social service and have the motivation to actually give something back to their community. I strongly feel that communicating and working with them on a daily basis will help me improve my social skills. I look forward to implementing my project."

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Kiara Driver

Kiara is working on a project that endeavours to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on socially and economically disadvantaged communities and how one can overcome educational and linguistic barriers to make life-saving information easily accessible and understandable to these communities.

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"I am excited to join the Millennium Fellowship Class of 2022 as it gives me an opportunity to learn with my peers, working on a project that can only be realised by the collaborative effort of people who want to change the world with their incredible ideas."

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Devyani Tuli

Devyani is working on developing a comprehensive online curriculum for the American Sign language (ASL). This involves interaction sessions with professionals in the field from various special and inclusive schools. She aspires to make sign language an accessible form of communication for all and ensure quality education and equal opportunities for persons with special needs.

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"A sense of community and service-driven motive are the tenets of the millennium fellowship cohort. Being a part of this batch and interacting with like-minded people while building my own social initiative is something I really look forward to."

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Anisha Jain

There is a stigma of gap years in India, despite the many advantages. Anisha���s project aims to raise awareness about the benefits of gap years and guide gap year students to make the best of their time.

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"The Millennium Fellowship connects students from all over the world aiming to create a social impact. I am excited to be able to connect with like-minded peers and learn more about leadership, and how any with a vision, can create an impact to help create a better world."

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Debdoot Ray

Debdoot���s project, Interlude hopes to engage in helping gap year students across India explore and grow. They wish to fight the social stigma of taking a gap year in India and create a future where students in India have the freedom to take an academic break. They intend to achieve their goals by providing personalized mentorship, career counselling, internship opportunities, mental health counselling, building a community of gap year students, academic help, and peer teaching, gap year guidance repository, and upskilling workshops.

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"There is a strong allure for meaningful social impact work that draws me toward the very prestigious UN Millennium Fellowship. It would connect me to a network of passionate and driven social impact workers who I can learn a lot from. A semester-long leadership development program would also help me become a better leader and a better team member for tomorrow."

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Praharsh Prasoon

Praharsh is working on a project titled "Prabha". As part of the project, he teaches children, particularly from disadvantaged communities, things that they are not trained in government schools. Skills such as critical thinking, analytical skills, argument writing, and close reading are things I work with them on.

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"I am excited to join the Millennium Fellowship because the connections that I am going to make at the program will enable me to widen the reach of my initiative. Additionally, I will strengthen skills such as leadership, communication, networking, and commitment."

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Kartikeya Reddy

Kartikeya���s project is related to advancing SDG 4: Quality Education. He will be working on an educational initiative that seeks to help young people make more informed choices about how they can effectively regulate the personal information they share online, and learn more about the politics of the internet.

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"I am incredibly honoured and excited to be selected for the Millennium Fellowship Class of 2022. The opportunity to interact with change-makers from around the world, and to learn from and with young individuals who are equally passionate about advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is something I'm really looking forward to."

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Afsaar Maniyar

Afsaar���s idea is to build a community of students on financial aid at 51画鋼 in order for a more robust representation of them. Somewhere amidst the myriad voices, their voices get sidetracked. Hence he wishes to build a community that will work on highlighting their voice and putting forward their opinions and needs as a collective.

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"I joined MCN because I wanted to be a part of a student movement to solve the global issues in my community. The platform provided me with a virtual support network of leaders worldwide with whom I could brainstorm ideas and learn about the greatest threats to humanity through MCN's rich sessions and webinars."

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Nyima Tenzin

Gynecologists around the world describe Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) as a modern epidemic in urban women. However, so little about it is known to women around the world especially women from marginalized communities with limited access to health care. Around 80% of women go undiagnosed resulting in serious health complications such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, acne, and depression. Therefore, Project Keymo (female/women in Tibetan) aims to raise awareness about PCOD among women in the Tibetan community.

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"Through the Millennium Fellowship program, I am very excited to turn my project idea into a reality and make a positive impact in my community. Learning about other Millenium fellows' projects, I am always inspired by their dedication and the impact they made."

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Archita Sriram

Archita���s project revolves around sustainable development goal 4 of ensuring employment for all. She has always been interested in the sphere of education and upskilling because she believes that it is the surest way to help create independence and self-sustainability for all. Her project Aarohana meaning ascent aims to help people from marginalised sections of society gain access to upskilling and employment through vocational training. She aims to connect and provide a forum in which to connect with the kind of jobs the people wish to train in and act upon their interests.

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"I have been a person whose passion and motivation is fueled by the people around me. I believe that over the past few years that I have been involved in the social impact space more closely, I have come to value and cherish surrounding myself with people who can not only understand my passion but also share their own, helping me create a collective flame. I have encountered such people at different times, but the Millenium Fellowship provides exactly this unity and support structure I have been seeking. Beyond this, knowing that the Fellowship offers a diverse, international community to interact with, learn from and interact in eye-opening ways makes me very excited."

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Lavanya Goswami

Project Shabdkosh with NEEV-the community engagement club at 51画鋼 addresses SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. The project aims at creating quality educational resources for all students and making them freely accessible to students from underprivileged backgrounds. They would also raise funds to further the education of underprivileged students.

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"As a Millennium Fellow, I am very excited to engage in forwarding the Sustainable Development Goals at the grass root level. It is enthralling to be able to actively work in my local community while simultaneously being connected with an international network of students who are just as passionate as me about making the world a better place."

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Pankhudi Narayan

Pankhudi���s project, Helping Hands provides structured training for scribes to be adequately prepared to scribe for neurodiverse students. Scribing is a form of academic accommodation provided for writing examinations and she had identified a gap in the lack of training received by scribes. Helping Hands bridges this gap by finding suitable scribes for neurodivergent students and aims to sensitize, train, and equip the scribes with the skills required to be able to scribe. The project aligns with UN SDG 4 of quality education and the UNAI principle calling for educational opportunities for all since the initiative aims to create a network of trained scribes and help make scribing as a form of academic accommodation, more accessible through the creation of a network of passionate scribes, well versed assisting. They will undergo training through special educators and a psychologist in order to understand how they can best assist the student they are scribing for.

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"I am excited to be able to connect with other cohorts of fellows engaged in their social impact projects and to attend training sessions with them. I am interested in researching gendered violence, particularly studying Intimate Partner Violence and so I am also really excited and looking forward to the webinars on various related discourses by bodies like UN Women."

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Paarthvi Raj Singh

Paarthvi is working on Pukaar which is a project aimed at exploring the nuanced realities of the experience of Urban Poverty in cosmopolitan contexts in India. Thus, the project involved lending dimensionality and depth to the study of a field that has often been reduced to numbers and figures.

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"I am enthralled to be joining my colleagues in the Fellowship as well as the rich and diverse alumni network that the Millennium Fellowship gives me access to. My academic journey at Ashoka has always centered around facilitating action and implementation through theory and I feel like being a part of this very capable cohort is a culmination of the same. I can't wait to see the places we'll go!"

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Aditya Tiwari

Issues of urban poverty are most often talked about in terms of abstract numbers and figures, invisibilising real people and their lived everyday experiences of social, economic, and even historical exclusion. Project Pukaar hopes to contribute a more nuanced outlook on urban poverty and its interaction with institutions like the state.

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"I am excited to join the Millennium Fellowship cohort of 2022, to meet and work with like-minded people, and to find for myself the freedom to think critically and analytically about the biggest issues facing our world in environments other than the safe cocoon of a classroom space."

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Amiya Kumar

Over the years due to rapid industrialization, India has experienced mass internal migration. Due to the pandemic, the numbers reached alarming rates. A large number of the population lost their lives and livelihoods as they were not earning enough and were unable to avail government services and schemes. The objective of Amiya���s project is to make migrant workers cognisant of the various policies and resources available to them and also push to institutionalize further policies. Her work will be addressing the 8th Sustainable Development Goal that promotes decent work and economic growth.

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"The Millennium Fellowship will provide me with a forum of exchange where I can engage with young minds working on goals similar to mine. I am looking forward to learning not only about my project, but from my peers as well."

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Ishan Pratap Singh

Ishan is working on the Urban Heat Island project and hopes to develop a project for countering this phenomenon. Localizing the net zero emission goal is critical for small-scale Climate Action movements to be effective and he wants to work with other fellows towards achieving such a target for our rapidly urbanizing cities.

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"I am incredibly excited to be working with such a talented and passionate class of fellows towards the Sustainable Development Goals. I am particularly interested in working on Climate Action with other fellows and look forward to contributing positively towards making impactful change on my University campus, my city and beyond."

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Ariyamala Sivakumar

Ariyamala is working on an EdTech Project. During the pandemic, the lack of access to online education widened the gap between education in rural and urban India. She wants to create a channel to transform the usable E-waste from urban India to fulfill this need in rural India.

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"As someone who's always had grand ideas about how to impact the world only to be shut down by the lack of resources available to them, an opportunity like this meant the chance to translate my ideas into reality. I can't wait to experience how peer input can help me chisel away at my concept to deliver its true potential."

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51画鋼

51画鋼 101: A Deep Dive into Course Categories of the Undergraduate Programme

The undergraduate programme at 51画鋼 is unique in its multidisciplinary approach. This enables the student to dabble with different courses and perspectives both inside and outside the classroom. This gives them enough time to explore myriad possibilities before they can decide what they want to major in. Students are not expected to declare their Major until the middle of the second year.

The course content is divided into the following categories:

Foundation Courses (FCs)

Currently, Ashoka has 9 Foundation Courses that cover various disciplines. These foundation courses are:

• Great Books
• Literature and the World
• Economics, Politics, and Society
• Principles of Science
• Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematical Thinking
• Environmental Studies
• Mind and Behaviour
• Indian Civilisations
• Introduction to Critical Thinking

The first semester is dedicated exclusively to these mandatory Foundational Courses. These courses help narrow down what the students want to study at 51画鋼, specially if they are starting college wanting to delve deeper into fields they have not explored before. The University takes an approach that is catered towards incoming undergraduates to create a wonderful foundation for a liberal arts programme.

Major Courses

These are a range of courses catered towards fulfilling your major. Major Courses are further divided in the following manner:

Required/Core Courses: These are the courses students have to complete in order to obtain a degree in a certain subject. These are often introductory gateway courses meant to build a primary base in a certain field. Therefore, a student is expected to take them before higher-level courses and electives.

Electives: Electives are courses within a subject that take up various different themes, and one can choose them based on their interest. Students are required to take up a certain number of electives to complete their degree, but no particular elective is compulsory to take up.

This would become clearer with an example.

If one wants to pursue Political Science at Ashoka, they will have 4 required courses to complete, such as Introduction to Indian Politics and Introduction to Political Theory, and to complete the rest of their degree, they will take up 8 electives, such as Frankfurt School and Critical Theory.

Minor Courses

These courses are designed for students as a requirement for fulfilling their minor. Similar to Major Courses, Minor Courses are categorised as Required Courses(RCs) and Electives.

The number of RCs in electives is lesser as a minor requires a lesser number of courses. Generally, there are one or two gateway courses to pursue higher-level courses in a minor.

Similarly, to complete a minor, the students will also have to complete a lesser number of electives.

Co-Curricular Courses (CCs)

CCs are 2 credit courses that take place once a week. They help students engage with fields such as Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Languages.

A CC classroom helps provide a learning experience that does not strictly adhere to an academic curriculum and is an environment that thrives on collaboration.

Independent Study Modules (ISMs)

ISMs are research modules where students can do theoretical research (write review papers) or empirical research (e.g., conducting experiments), or both (e.g., propose a topic, run an experiment, then write results up).

These are not mandatory, but if there is a topic some students would like to study academically, they can propose it as an Independent Study Module to a Professor.

If approved, an ISM counts for 4 credits like other courses related to one���s major or minor.

Extracted from a compilation prepared by the , 51画鋼

51画鋼

How to make the most of your Ashoka Experience

The new batch of undergraduate students are leaving behind the familiarity of life as they knew it and taking a plunge into the unknown world of college. Excitement and anxieties must be running high, making them wonder what this new phase of their life is going to look like. It is only natural to have these thoughts. 

We sought suggestions from some seniors at 51画鋼 to help them navigate this new phase with comfort. Here is what they had to say: 

���I know things are daunting the moment you enter, and things can get difficult and that impostor syndrome is an ever-looming problem. But, please remember that you���re here for a reason and that you are unique in your own way ��わ�����

Deeksha Puri, UG���23

���Ashoka is a place where you will often want to do a lot of things. Explore everything, but pursue only those which you are really passionate about. Do not let the fear of missing out get to you, you will find your calling soon!���

Rochan Mohapatra, UG���23

���When you step into Ashoka, there is talent all around you. You might feel incompetent at times but trust me, you have so much in you. Shut the noise and focus on helping yourself grow. You would not even realize but Ashoka will shape you in numerous ways.���

Archisha Sharma, UG���23

���Ashoka as a place can be a bit overwhelming to come into. But trust me, you would get past that feeling when it becomes your home and an inseparable part of your heart. From the wholesome residence life, diversity of peers, to cutting-edge classes, you get it all!���

Jai Desai, ASP���23

���Always be true to yourself and take things slowly. Please try not to hold back and express yourself without worrying about the naysayers.
PS: Manage your time wisely and you will do great.���

Ojas Arora, ASP���23

���Remember that you do not need to have it figured out. Take it slow if it is overwhelming. It is easy to get lost in your own feelings, but remember that everyone around is also pushing for their own goals. Sleep enough and have fun whenever you can because you can accomplish more with a sound mind than with a stressed one.���

Emmanuel Banda, UG23

���It���s okay to be unsure of who you are and what you want. Allow yourself the liberty of uncertainty and take your time to carve your space. There is so much to try and three years is plenty of time- reach out to people, join clubs and societies, and sign up for internships that allow you to explore. Soak it all in- Ashoka is yours to make and to revel in.���

Manasi Narula, UG23

���Join as many clubs as you can. Make a hundred friends. Study but only those things that actually bring you joy. Do not obsess over your grades but do obsess over your personality. Make every second at Ashoka worth it. Have fun and come out of this university as a happy confident satisfied individual because I swear to God there is no better place to be you than Ashoka.���

Bhaavya Gupta, UG22

51画鋼

What they thought: First Impressions of the former undergraduate batches

As you embark on this new phase in your life, the phrase ���don���t judge a book by its cover��� becomes all the more important. While it may seem daunting at first, 51画鋼 is an amazing place with a thriving student community. Here you will get the opportunity to go to new places, try new things, and meet new people.

As the new undergraduate batch of UG '25 prepare to start their Ashoka journey, let us hear from some Ashoka students on what their initial thoughts were, when they first joined Ashoka. 

"As a fresher, I found Ashoka to be an extremely energetic space with a very welcoming and warm set of peers and seniors always ready to help. While I was a little nervous, settling into such a refreshing community was seamless!"

Advaith Jaikumar, UG���22

���I joined college at 22 and will be graduating at the age of 24. Ashoka gave me the chance to complete my education and with the best resources at hand. The switch from the Armed forces to the Liberal Arts wasn���t that hard, the credit goes to all the amazing professors, students and culture at Ashoka.���

Vicky Singh, UG���23

���Ashoka was a culture shock and a new learning system. As time passed, everything began to make more sense. I grew to love the diversity. I made mistakes and took criticism for the betterment of myself. My journey here reminds me of this line from The Fault in our Stars, ���Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings.���

Fibion Mukwati, ASP���23

���Ashoka has been a rollercoaster ride both personally and academically. Gradually, the environment grew on me. I found myself surrounded by and perpetually learning from extraordinary people ready to offer a helping hand, making the space very warm and welcoming. I hope that your journey ends up being immensely pleasant and phenomenal for you too :)���

Avishi Srivastava, UG���23

���Feeling overwhelmed in the first few weeks is inevitable but acknowledging and overcoming it is easier at Ashoka than anywhere else! Have faith in the people around you, and don���t forget to make plenty of pointless conversations in your first semester, you���ll never forget those."

Vrithika Pattapu, UG���23

���My first semester at Ashoka was a rollercoaster of experience and emotions. You want to do everything and it is always confusing. For someone like me who is interested in everything out there, Ashoka is a lot of fun because it gives you a chance to take a quick look at almost all of them and decide for yourself. It suited my personality. It was exciting!���

Surya San Win, UG���22

���My very first impression about Ashoka was that the virtual tour had not prepared me for the fact that it's such a beautiful campus. And then the very next thought was that it had an air of freedom, of being able to do anything including walking around in pajamas without caring about what others thought.���

Suyasha Shakya, ASP���23

���Ashoka wasn���t as stressful as I thought it would be. I found a lot of friendly people who made my transition smooth and easy, especially members of the 51画鋼 International Students Association.���

Etsehiwot Bekele UG23

���Ashoka for me was like entering into a kaleidoscope of vibrant people, cultures and knowledge. It was daunting at first, but I grew to love this family away from home. From staying up all night to watch the sunrise, to submitting assignments a minute before the deadline, I learnt more than I ever knew I was capable of. It has been the best of times.���

Nisarg Shah, UG23

51画鋼

Ashoka alumna gets selected for the Indian Air Force

The exciting truth still has not sunk in for Vedika Gupta, the second Ashoka student to successfully earn a spot in the Indian Air Force (IAF). When asked why the Air Force, she said that she has a family background in the forces--but that is that. It was a fact, but not a major factor in her final decision. Vedika ���was fortunate enough to sit in the cockpit of a Su-30 at the Jodhpur Air Base and, however cliched it sounds, ever since that moment, I knew I wanted to be a fighter pilot, an Air Warrior. Soon enough, I made it my mission to turn this dream into reality; and once one sets their minds to something, the sky's the limit.���

Vedika was part of the 2019 batch of the undergraduate programme at 51画鋼. She has wanted to join the IAF since she was a teenager; and her experience as an Ashoka student has played a significant role in making her feel equipped and ready to grasp her dream. She said, ���I was slightly more timid before I came to Ashoka. But, the kind of discussions that took place in its classrooms and the sheer amount of work I put into my research papers--it all played a role in making me more self-assured, and that in turn reflected in my Services Selection Board results. I did not feel inferior to anyone then; I felt like I had everything I needed to clear all the tests and to be selected to become an officer. My friends were also an inspiration to me. Everyone was so driven and passionate that it fuelled me up and I was always going, ���How is the josh? High sir!������

The process to apply and merit a seat in the force was an extremely rigorous one for Vedika. She had been trying since 2018; and in 2021, in her fourth attempt, she finally made it. It definitely was not easy to stay resilient in the face of repeated failures as she recalled, but ���I guess perseverance pays off! Each time I did not make it, and saw my peers excelling professionally and academically, I felt stagnant and all sorts of doubts kept creeping in. I asked myself whether I was even made for this. I think what kept me going was the dream that the fourteen year old me had dreamt; and how every decision I have made in my life rested upon that dream. I am a sportsperson and if that has taught me anything, it is to not be a quitter. So, I was tenacious, because it was not a job I was after, it was a dream.��� 

The final list of July 2021 consists of 10 women in the flying branch, which Vedika feels proud and privileged to be a part of.

Towards the end of our interview, I asked her about her family and friends��� reaction to the news. ���My mother started crying in the middle of a restaurant when she heard the news. My younger sister is a mixed bag of emotions because, while she is extremely proud of me, training does entail no communication for a year and a half. My father is beyond ecstatic--it is almost as if he himself is going to the academy again! All my friends are overjoyed and extremely proud of me. It feels surreal: to have wanted something for so long and to finally, get it,��� concluded Vedika. 

Vedika is going to be serving for fourteen years (until 2036). After that, when she retires, she might choose to fly commercially and get into civil aviation; or she might pursue something completely different in line with her other interests in media--���who knows what the future holds!���

Written by Anushka Bidani, undergraduate student of English & Creative Writing

51画鋼

���What it may be like:��� Into Ashoka���s Orientation Week

The phase before entering college is full of different colours - one may be full of excitement, anxious, fraught with expectations, or with no expectations at all. The most unique fusion of this phase is its uncertainty and predictability playing out simultaneously, with Ashoka���s Orientation Week as a site to experience this interplay. 

As one enters Ashoka���s O-week, as it is popularly called, one is freely and graciously exposed to different settings to experience the enthusiastic emotions surrounding the excitement of ���college life.��� Be it the mandatory workshops or guest-speaker sessions, the regular coming together of batchmates familiarises a fresher to what it may be like - with their personal expectations of the ���it.��� As the trend follows, all first-year students are divided into diverse cohorts, guided by a cohort leader(s). The cohorts interact, play, sing, have coffee nights, meet, and enjoy with each other to immerse themselves into what it may be like as college begins.

The week is all planned out left, right and centre to not only help give a glimpse of the schedule as the semesters begin, but also to expose students to opportunities, spaces, and possibilities. For example, regular evening activities and fun sessions within and between cohorts are based around getting to know the University that is so much theirs. ���Which Ashoka building is what?��� ���Which spot is unique to what?��� Such thoroughly planned-out events help students feel part of Ashoka���s landscape and architecture, which welcomes you even before you enter the campus while travelling the 44th National Highway, and occupies a space of its own - not just in terms of Ashoka���s erudition, but also its ingrained and inseparable culture and values. 

In that way, the O-week gives one an entire week to enjoy and imbibe the treasures of campus life, which makes Ashoka what it truly is. With good time in hand, one may find themselves trying the mess-food for the first time with a group of strangers-turned-best friends in a comfortably shared dining space. By trying out new sports, shuttle services to travel independently, unique meeting spots, food vendors and what it may be like, the week gives one a time of one���s own to experience Ashoka and its offerings. With open arms welcoming Ashoka and its possibilities, it���s time to gear-up for one of the most thrilling, exciting and memorable experiences in this beginning of a new journey - Welcome, Undergraduate Class of 2024! 

51画鋼

#GraduateStories – Embracing Discomfort by Dimpy Nandwani

Ashoka was never supposed to be my place. In fact, it wasn't even the first choice. Before coming here, I was having a gala time in a different college! 

 I was amongst the first people from Jodhpur to join Ashoka. Even after receiving an offer letter from Ashoka, my relatives and teachers were not too excited. It was a new university and no one had heard about it. Having scored really well in my board exams, everyone was insistent that I join a more well known  institution. Eventually, I succumbed to the pressure and joined the college everyone wanted me to join, but was surprised by how much I loved it there! I met some delightful people and had a great group of friends. 

After around a month of studying at the other university, my parents suggested that I shift to Ashoka. They were impressed with Ashoka���s faculty and thought it would be a better fit for me. I didn���t want to leave though ��� I had fallen into this safe little bubble that I had no desire to snap out of. It all happened very suddenly ��� before I knew it, I was leaving my safe space and entering a completely new environment with no time to process this big change in my life.   

Even after joining Ashoka, I was miserable. While the fresh batch excitedly chatted and explored the campus, I sat alone in a corner and cried. Everything was new and way out of my comfort zone. Students here seemed to have it all figured out, while I struggled to relate with these strangers who were so different from my family and friends back at home. My everyday routine consisted of crying either to my mother or to my Resident Assistant about how much I missed home. 51画鋼 was not easy either. Having been used to rote learning methods in school, thinking critically was not something I was used to doing. But mostly, I wasn���t ready to give up the comfort and love I had found at my previous university.  

But they say that it is only after you have stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to grow. And boy did my life change during my time in Ashoka! Things began to take a turn for the better after regular interactions with Professor Devapriya Roy. I had taken the Critical Thinking Seminar with her in the first year. She took me under her wing, helped me develop my writing skills, build my confidence, and most importantly, find my place within these 25 acres of intimidating land. Slowly, I started participating in class, joining clubs, making friends, taking up jobs, and doing things that I never thought I was capable of doing. Amidst all the chaos, I found Abhinaya, the dance club:  my biggest constant. Dance helped me find the best of friends. From rushing to practices every day to hustling for costumes at 3 am, Abhinaya helped me evolve in my own way.

 While on my first day at Ashoka I didn���t want to be there, on my last day, I couldn't bring myself to leave this place I now called home. Embracing discomfort has led me to discover myself and identify what I am truly capable of. My parents were beyond proud on the day of my graduation. My mother had previously carried the guilt of making me join an institution I did not enjoy at first. And now, tears of joy welled up in her eyes when I told her that joining Ashoka was the best decision of my life!

51画鋼

Ashoka���s nonconventional interdisciplinary approach towards natural sciences: The success of the maiden Physics batch

Studying sciences at a Liberal Arts research university like Ashoka is unique. Its research-based pedagogy taught by eminent global faculty, coupled with interdisciplinary approach to learning sciences, focus on critical thinking, state-of-the-art labs and infrastructure make Ashoka���s science programmes distinctive. 

Perhaps the most exciting part of Ashoka���s pedagogy is the amalgamation of an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach that makes up for a potent combination. And, putting them all together in a collective space and share ideas combining both education and research presents an unprecedented opportunity to do amazing science. 

For the students who are pursuing sciences programmes at Ashoka, learning what research is and getting hands-on experience helps them to critically analyse what is happening around the world, and that is enthralling. Case in point ��� the first Physics batch and their incredible performance. 

Physics is and can be many things to many people, and is the door that leads to the most incredible phenomenon in the universe. Albert Einstein once said, ���The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible,��� and physics makes it all possible. 

The first Physics batch which graduated this year is special. Out of the twelve students in the batch, six are going for their higher studies abroad with full scholarships. Professor Somendra M. Bhattacharjee, Head of the Physics Department, heaped praises on the batch. 

���They excelled in physics while, at the same time, honed their skills  in other fields, as varied as  dhrupad, sports, video photography to Biology, Economics, English, Entrepreneurship, EVS, International Relations, and Philosophy. We admire the first physics major batch as much for their enthusiasm as for their smooth blending of the Ashokan multidimensional education with the intellectual rigour of physics,��� Bhattacharjee was quoted saying. 

The Physics Department was set up four years ago. One of the main people behind its establishment, Bikram Phookun, currently the Assistant Professor of Physics at St. Stephen���s College, University of Delhi talked about this in detail. ���In setting up the Physics programme at Ashoka we had to fit a rather large number of ���absolutely necessary��� courses and labs into the constraints of the Ashoka system, which requires students to do a lot of courses outside their major. I think we were able to use the constraints creatively to design a programme whose core courses cover all the basics of physics and whose electives offer students the possibility of deepening or broadening their knowledge of physics. The Physics programme also contains many courses of interest to those wishing only to do a minor or a concentration in physics (or even just to dabble in it!),��� said Phookun. He was the Professor of Physics at Ashoka between 2017 and 2019. 

Apart from Phookun and Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, former CV Raman University Professor at Ashoka and current Director, TCG-CREST, Amin Nizami and Pramoda Kumar, who joined the department as assistant professors, helped in designing the courses and implementing the experiments. In addition, there are a few names whose undeniable contributions helped the process of setting up easier ��� Lab Superintendent Sudarshana Baneree, Lab Assistant Pradip Chaudhuri and the Teaching Fellows (TF) including Philip Cherian, Ojasvi Khare, Shreya Arya, Manpreet Kaur, Malavika Srivastava, and Aditya Jain. Chaudhuri���s skill in the lab is exceptional, and he helped to make it a place where students wanted to be wherein the TFs helped in setting up the labs, doing a lot of the initial work of procurement of equipment, exploring options for experiments, and also helped develop the theoretical courses, among others. The department gained immensely from the contributions of all them. Every one of them was a friend, philosopher, and a guide to the entire batch. 

We got in touch with some of the students who received full scholarships for their higher studies abroad and asked them to share their experience of pursuing Physics at Ashoka. 

���The liberal arts curriculum helped me critically analyse my ideas and beliefs. My learning was not limited to a science textbook, instead in all Physics and Biology courses students were motivated to understand the history behind any scientific development. This approached encouraged me to understand that science does not exist in a vacuum. Religion as well as political ideas can direct scientific analysis in particular directions. One needs to understand these ideas to get a holistic view of scientific discoveries,��� said Yajushi Khurana who is going to pursue a Ph.D. in Computational Biology at the joint University of Pittsburgh-Carnegie Mellon programme. 

Rahul Menon jumped in, ���I was a little skeptical when joining Ashoka, we were the first batch of Physics students which meant we did not have any seniors to look to for advice nor any alumni to turn to, to see what this programme would offer. I am happy to say that it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have always had a knack for visualising physical systems, allowing me to grasp new concepts very quickly and over the last three years I have been given an environment where I could refine this skill.��� 

For Menon, the lab courses were one of the highlights of the course. He continued, ���At Ashoka, instead of being confined to a formulaic procedure, we were confronted with problems and given the necessary apparatus to discover a solution ourselves, often prompting me to come up with innovative albeit sometimes unorthodox setups for collecting and analysing data. 

���The Professors and TFs were incredibly supportive in and out of the classroom. They were invested in seeing that we were developing a deep understanding of whatever we were studying and gave us a lot of opportunities to test and apply these skills. We were introduced to ongoing research through weekly colloquiums that allowed us to expand our view of what we could pursue after graduating and how the concepts we were learning would translate to real-world research.��� Menon is going to pursue an MA in Physics with specialisation in Quantum Technology at the University of Waterloo. 

For Shwetabh Singh, however, the answer was fairly simple. ���Ashoka is possibly one of the best places I could have pursued natural science in the country.��� Singh is going to pursue an MA in Aerospace Engineering at Virginia Tech. 

For Rashmi Gottumukkala, one of the main factors for the Physics programme���s uniqueness is the excellent laboratories. She said, ���We were able to do sophisticated experiments like the Michelson Interferometer and the Zeeman Effect using top-class equipment. Our TFs also encouraged us to develop programming skills using Python in the lab, which later on became indispensable during projects and research work. At Ashoka, instead of looking at the labs as a chore (which is common for science students to do), we thoroughly enjoyed them, and for me, they were usually the highlights of the day!

���Ashoka has encouraged student endeavours, giving us funds to purchase a telescope for amateur astronomy, a diffraction grating for stellar spectroscopy, and a solar astronomy kit, amongst other things. Through these activities at the Astro Club, I was able to discover my love for amateur astronomy, which pushed me to seek an astronomy research project in my third year. This finally led me to realise that astronomy and astrophysics were fields I would like to pursue, the hope being to eventually become an astronomer.��� Gottumukkala has received an Inlaks Scholarship to pursue an MA in Astrophysics at the University of Geneva. 

Sreya Dey summed it up perfectly. ���Had I not come to Ashoka, I would not be who I am today. The kinds of conversations and topics I engaged with at Ashoka made me confront some of the most difficult questions that I have had about myself. I faced several challenges, both personal and academic. Even though I constantly struggled, in hindsight, I know that it helped me understand myself. Physics was a difficult subject. Going into the programme, I knew that I loved it. And now, I still love it, but it is a different kind of love. I have learnt to appreciate the difficult parts and realised that to become good at it or do something substantial in it, one needs to make a dedicated effort for a long time. This realisation coupled with the realisation that I wanted to put in that effort which led me to choose a Master���s in Physics. My professors and peers helped me throughout, and none of it could have been possible without their support. Plus, I had a lot of fun!��� Dey has an acceptance from the University of Jena, Germany for an MA in Physics but is exploring other options as well. 

Their batchmate Heer Shah is going to pursue an Elite Masters in Advanced Materials and Processes at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universit辰t Erlangen-N端rnberg, Germany.  

The Physics programme at Ashoka was enriched by the presence of many extraordinary minds like them and was designed in such a manner that other students pursuing it as a minor could also benefit from it, thereby upholding Ashoka���s interdisciplinary pedagogy. 

A prime example of this is Kabir Bakshi. The Physics Department has contributed significantly to his success.  And guess what did Kabir major in? Philosophy. Yes, you read that right! Kabir majored in Philosophy but took almost all the Physics Theory courses that the subject majors did, and not just that, he was at or near the top of the class in all of them. Last year he received the Felix Scholarship to get into the extremely prestigious BPhil programme in Philosophy at Oxford University, with the declared intention of specialising in the philosophy of science. 

Phookun said, ���I have no doubt that the training in physics he received from the department, and the strong recommendation I wrote in support of his applications, contributed to his being admitted to Oxford (and, I hope, his continued success there).��� 

Vidur Singh, a Computer Science major is another example who took no theory courses in physics but was the top student in all the lab courses. Presently, he is pursuing his Master���s degree in artificial intelligence from Aarhus University, Denmark. 

Ashoka congratulates everyone involved in making the Physics programme a stellar success! We are sure that these graduates with their knowledge, skillset, problem-solving skills and critical thinking with a passion to make a difference will go onto do many great things in the world. 

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Why I love the Undergraduate Programme at Ashoka

As I write this, I have two years of Ashoka under my belt and now I think I can safely say that pursuing the Undergraduate Programme at Ashoka has impacted me in an unexpected, life-changing sort of way. Looking back, like many others, going through the college admissions process alone as a high school student had me lost and confused. Uncertainty, panic and incapability to eliminate choices resulted in me applying to more than fifteen colleges, 51画鋼 being one of them. I had heard about Ashoka from a friend who spoke at length about her experience there. Although it seemed like a great university, I was not completely sure if it would be the right fit for me at the time. But boy am I glad I chose it!  There are so many reasons to love Ashoka (every student might have a different story) but I have tried to list down my top three reasons which truly resonated with me and my experience.  

1. The flexibility of a liberal arts education: What surprised me the most about pursuing liberal arts at Ashoka was how it put a lot of emphasis on students taking charge of their own learning. The structure of the programme is designed for students who are unsure about where their passion lies. As someone who was confused about what major to pick, I was able to spend a whole year playing the field, experimenting with courses and choosing disciplines that made sense to me. The number of course options to choose from empowers students to learn about a huge variety of subjects ranging from Performing Arts, Sociology, Politics, Economics to science related subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Through the foundation courses, I was taught to view problems from different viewpoints pertaining to social, economic, environmental, ecological, etc.  Moreover, because of the interdisciplinary pedagogy that Ashoka follows, I did not have to choose between majors and was able to undertake my education in two disciplines. This allowed me to expand my horizons by combining two or more interrelated disciplines. I was able to create my own learning pathway resulting in a truly integrated education. 

 2. Opportunities are endless: Ashoka opened doors to a hub of opportunities for me which I never considered in school. There are a lot of things to do at Ashoka; I never felt dejected if I did not get selected to be a part of some student-led club, event or society. There were so many other things I could be a part of that it never worried me. One can gain quite a few skills at Ashoka ��� whether it is learning a new language by doing a co-curricular course or learning skills from other students by joining student-led organisations. These skills are certainly very beneficial but having the opportunity to apply these skills made my university experience even more well-rounded.  As someone who had no work/volunteering experience before joining Ashoka, I was able to land some wonderful internship programmes through Ashoka which helped me understand a work environment, apply theoretical knowledge and boost my confidence. With the Career Development Office working endlessly to ensure that students gain work experience, our student inboxes are a plethora of opportunities! 

 3. Ashoka challenges its students to push their limits: By giving me space to make mistakes, ponder open-ended questions, and work under strict time constraints, Ashoka helped me realise my own capabilities. The professors at Ashoka empower students to think outside the box and question the status quo ��� something that we were never taught to do in school. Along with my five academic courses, when I also joined two clubs and took up a leadership position, I was worried that I had bitten off more than I could chew. And I would be lying if I said I handled it all with ease. There were days when the pressure got to me and the workload felt too overwhelming. But at the end of it, it was one of those accomplishments that I can look back on and say ��� wow, I did that! It put me to the test and made me realise that I can in fact handle much more than what I gave myself credit for. Before I knew it, my time management skills had improved so much that I was able to juggle my academics, internships and extra curriculars without having to sacrifice my physical and mental health in the process. Thus, though my time at Ashoka was limited, my learnings from it are boundless. Ashoka gave a wonderful can-do attitude ��� a valuable quality I never possessed before. It truly acted as a catalyst in my transition from adolescence to adulthood. By empowering me to spot, understand and assess my own skills and capabilities, it made me a much more confident, mature and responsible person. And I am grateful for it.    

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#GraduateStories – The Economics Survival Kit by Lipsa Mohanty

Being a CBSE science kid, my last two years in school were miserable. I had just changed schools and found myself in a place with an extremely unhealthy level of competition. People would not share notes or discuss ideas for the physics project in the miserable hope of trying to outrank others. Naturally, I adapted to the solitary form of studying.  

Cut to my second semester, I was found - almost having given up on my oncoming Math for Economics exam - in the Student Hall 4 Commons by two knights in shining pajamas: Prerna and Sanskriti. They very generously took me under their wings and we started studying together. The next few days involved getting up early to grab the best class room, dump our bags, and hurriedly finish breakfast to begin our almost 14-hour long study sessions. And I actually could not believe I had once thought group study sessions were inefficient. Everyone was so willing to pick up each other's slack or explain patiently when any one of us did not understand a word. The next year, we were joined by Divisha, who immediately dived in to save us in our time management. But, a particular incident stood out to me and I will always carry it in my heart. 

 I had joined a very time consuming theatre production, Dalchini in my second year which started at 9 pm and never ended. When I mentioned this to this group, I was scared that I would be asked to manage myself or make a choice between the two. After listening, Sanskriti commanded, ���Okay then, we need to start studying now and prepare a time table so that we wrap up everyday by 8:30 pm.��� Shook, I wanted to know why particularly at 8:30 pm to which she replied, ���You also need to get dinner, Lipsa.��� 

 And that was all it took to unlearn years of unhealthy competition entrenched in me.  

Compassion and friendship. Divisha, Prerna, and Sanskriti have been my survival kit for these three years. They have helped me when I slacked while also making me feel like a worthwhile addition to the group. A lot of my learning has happened in our discussions at ungodly hours, both academic and otherwise. This is my only 'advice' to the incoming students: please reach out to people. People at Ashoka are willing to help and most importantly, you do not have to do it alone.

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#Graduate Stories – Lunch Affairs by Saloni Mehta

Throughout my first week at Ashoka, I skipped lunch. None of my friends wanted to eat at the same time as me, and I just could not bring myself to eat alone in the mess. The other outlets on campus were always too crowded during lunch hour. 

My interaction with the food spaces at Ashoka would have perhaps been the truest reflections of how I was feeling at any point in my time there. My second semester was one of the most difficult parts of my life. Most of my second semester meals were sourced from the vending machine at the reception of my dorm. Contrastingly, I was always to be found sitting just outside the mess on really happy days. 

I remember the day I stopped feeling like an outsider at Ashoka. It was when Anuj Bhaiya at the Nescafe outlet knighted me with a nickname! From that moment till the very end, my days were incomplete without a Nescafe coffee and paneer roll. I remember sneaking out of class early to eat chocolate mousse at the mess with a friend in my first semester. He is one of my most cherished friends today. Breakfasts became a ritual with another dear friend. Professors became mentors over Monday lunches and coffees. Dhaba chai at 2:30 AM was an unspoken rule after five hours of trying to make sense of matrices. The food spaces on campus have been where most of my romantic adventures began, and also where they ended.  

Gradually, I found myself enjoying eating alone. The table in the main mess on the first floor, adjacent to the kitchen and closer to the stairs became my table. I am going to be annoyed if I find someone else occupying that table even ten years later!  

When I returned to campus for my last semester, after a year at home, my favourite bhaiya still secretly gave me extra dessert. That (thankfully) did not change but other things did. My tables were now always filled with friends. At one such table, I suddenly realised how much support I had in my life and teared up. I also began going up to acquaintances eating alone and asking if I could join them. Each of those conversations have been wonderfully personal and enriching. I find it amazing how I shared tables with so many people with such different things to offer to the world. 

 One night, I finally went for a chai alone. The Dhaba shut down the next day. I'm unsure if I could have found a more fitting end to my journey. 

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#GraduateStories – Naman Bhatnagar

Ashoka���s culture unleashed my inner eccentric person! 

���You know what would be really cool? If these posters glowed in the dark!��� 

���Ever tried to make lasagne in Sonepat?��� ���Worth a shot?��� 

���Want to host a Masterchef at Ashoka?��� ���Why not?��� 

���Did you know you could grow your own lettuce and parsley in your room using water instead of soil?��� ���Sounds crazy! Let us do it!��� 

For a freshman who was still testing the waters trying to figure out his interests, the din of Ashoka mess halls and dhaba nights provided the perfect spaces to find like-minded, burgeoning 'wackadoodles'. In retrospect, my fondest moments were born out of our wild and crazy endeavours. 

On some days, I got to wake up to the smell of 250 freshly baked red velvets that sought refuge from the greedy monsters that were my neighbours. On others, I would find myself ���temporarily borrowing��� fridges in order to mass-produce ice lollies. During weekdays, I would find myself getting scrappy with a Computer Science Major trying to build a telemedicine platform. Come the weekend, I would end up running across campus trying to crack a student-led treasure hunt. 

The vibe seemed to be infectious! No matter where I looked, I would always find someone trying something novel, something cool, or simply something that would leave me smiling gleefully. Campus life just seemed to suck us in! And it opened entirely new worlds to me. 

What is more, our collective growth and development mattered to one another. In my life, I remember a fellow Ashoka student held a class on how to use Photoshop, another taught me how to write calligraphy, and a third showed me the A-Z���s of investing. And in the broader Ashoka space, I relished watching my peers set up larger sustainable initiatives like the Ashoka Distinguished Speakers Series, among many others. It set the tone for what kind of peer I wanted to be. As a result, when I became a senior, I made sure to pass this giving spirit, forward to others. 

While there were a thousand different experiences that shaped me across my Ashoka journey, I think I would miss our bustling community the most.

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#GraduateStories – Atishay Khanna

I have often wondered what lies beyond Earth's horizon, and how Earth would become just another planet inhabited by humans. Humans will become multiplanetary species due to a lack of alternatives as well as a desire to conquer. More than the urge and eagerness to conquer and know what lies ahead, we would have to rescue our humanity from natural disasters and threats owing to our anthropocentric mindset. It would be na誰ve not to embrace and recognise that space is the future, and that the vastness of space would complement our limitless vision. 

I eventually want to devote all of my work and resources to developing a system that makes space accessible to the average person. To realise and work toward that goal, I established the Space Entrepreneurship Series at 51画鋼, where academics and entrepreneurs from the space sector come to share their expertise with students. It was not much, but it was a step in the right direction. 51画鋼 offered me with all the resources and guidance I required, and I received mentoring from the University's Centre of Entrepreneurship. It was a fantastic event, with students attending and being able to study a sector that was relatively new and full of potential.   

Ashoka laid the groundwork for me and instilled in me ideals that will serve me well throughout my life. I have learnt the significance of forming a strong community and to rise beyond the individual and to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, to contribute to the realisation of a greater vision.  

Every 51画鋼 student has their own vision for the future, but one thing that all of our visions have in common is that we cannot leave anyone behind because the community must move forward together. I shall take away from this institution the significance of thinking and creating in order to tackle the world's problems. We must all awake the entrepreneur within us so that we can seek out and solve challenges. Students with a clear vision and strong principles are our hope in a world of despair.

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Round 3 UG Applications open! Apply before XII board exams to secure your seat.

51画鋼 invites applications in the third round of undergraduate admissions for the batch starting in August 2021.

You can apply online without XII board marks to secure your seat and get a confirmed admissions decision before your board exams!

• Apply with predicted XII grades - 
• Build your own curriculum - 
• Need-based Financial Aid (Scholarship) - 
• Frequently Asked Questions - 
• Ashoka's response to COVID-19  - 

 For any other queries/doubts or assistance with your application form, write to us at apply@ashoka.edu.in or call 011 - 40747565.    

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OPEN HOUSE | Undergraduate Programme & Admissions | Register now!

51画鋼 invites high school students and parents for an online Open House with Ali Imran, Vice President - External Communications on the Undergraduate Programme and Admissions at 51画鋼.

In this open house, we will cover the various aspects of the UG Programme at Ashoka including the courses, faculty, student life, admissions and financial aid. Parents and students are also invited to ask any questions related to the programme and clarify their doubts.

Round 2 applications for the undergraduate programme will close on 11th January 2021.油

Speaker:-
Ali Imran
Vice President - External Engagement
Ashoka Universit

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Q&A with Admissions | Meet the undergraduate admissions team to clarify your doubts

With Round 1 deadline approaching (18 November), we would like to help you with your Ashoka undergraduate application. Join us for an interaction with the admissions team this Wednesday, 11th November at 6 PM to clarify all your doubts regarding the application form, timelines, Ashoka Aptitude Assessment, interview and any other queries related to the admissions process.

We would encourage students to apply early in Round 1 without XII Board marks for an early admissions and financial aid decision, and reduce uncertainty about your college application.油油

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Webinar – Undergraduate Application Form Walkthrough | Register now!

51画鋼 invites you to a webinar on 'Undergraduate Application Form Walkthrough' on Friday, 23rd October, 2020 at 5 PM.

In this webinar, the speakers will take you through Ashoka's Undergraduate Application Form, Ashoka Aptitude Assessment and On-the-spot Essay, followed by Q&A.

Key takeaways:
Brief outline of the UG Admissions process
Components of the Ashoka UG application form
What is the Ashoka Aptitude Assessment?
What to expect in on-the-spot essays? 

Speakers:-
Rahul Sreekumar and Kopal Agarwal
Office of Admissions - 51画鋼

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Webinar – UG Admissions: Writing Personal Essays and Presenting Yourself in Interviews | Register now!

51画鋼 invites you to an exclusive session on how to think about writing personal essays for college applications and prepare for interviews.  In this webinar, Mercia Prince will help students understand the importance and context of personal essays, what students should ask themselves before writing their essays, and the DOs and DO-NOTs to keep in mind. She will also talk about the core aspects of the interview process and how you can best present yourself in any interview.  

Join us on Friday, 30 October at 5 PM to know more! 

Speaker:-

Mercia PrinceDeputy Director - Office of Admissions51画鋼

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Undergraduate Admissions – What do we look for in students? | Register now!

Round 1 applications for the Undergraduate programme will open on 14 October 2020. With that in mind, meet our Admissions Director, Vineet Sabharwal to understand what Ashoka really looks for in a student.

油油

This webinar entails an introduction to Ashoka���s core values, philosophy and process of selecting students for the University���s Undergraduate Programme in Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Interwoven with examples ranging from ancient history to the technology-driven present, participants will explore the identity of an Ashoka student, and learn about the relevance of our holistic admissions process.

Key takeaways of the workshop:

- What makes each applicant unique and therefore how to fill a comprehensive application, based on the individual���s personal context
- How to prepare for the admissions process, including the personal interview and on-the-spot essay
- Admissions calendar

Speaker:-
Vineet Sabharwal
Director - Admissions and Financial Aid
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Undergraduate 51画鋼 at 51画鋼 by Prof. Jonathan Gil Harris | Register Now!

51画鋼 offers a unique opportunity to pursue Majors and Minors in it���s Undergraduate programme. This webinar will cover the scope and opportunities available to students to pursue their academics at Ashoka.

A few broad topics that will be covered in this session -

• Courses - Majors and Minors, including interdisciplinary majors at Ashoka
• Classroom environment 
• Choices available to students to design their own course
• Study abroad opportunities 
• Faculty and pedagogy

Join Prof. Jonathan Gil Harris who is a professor of English and former Dean of Academic Affairs at 51画鋼 in understanding the various aspects of academics at 51画鋼.

Speaker details:-

Prof. Jonathan Gil Harris

Head of the Department, English

Professor of English, 51画鋼

Ph.D. University of Sussex

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Undergraduate Admissions at 51画鋼 – Webinar

51画鋼 offers a multidisciplinary undergraduate programme in the interest of exposing students to many different perspectives in and out of the classroom. Students can choose their own subjects to combine their various interests to earn a B.A.(Hons.) or a B.Sc.(Hons.) degree. An Ashoka education carries a strong emphasis on foundational knowledge, research-based pedagogy and hands-on experience with real-world challenges.
51画鋼 follows a holistic online admissions process which is based on every student's unique individual context rather than cut-offs. Join us on Friday, 8th May at 5 PM to learn more about the application process and what it takes to get into Ashoka. 

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Round 4 Undergraduate Application Deadline – 22 May, 2020

51画鋼 invites applications for the Undergraduate Programme in Round 4, the deadline for which is 22 May, 2020.  The university follows a  that is based not on cut-offs but the overall profile of students. You can get a confirmed offer of admission without your board marks. Take the Ashoka Aptitude Test or submit your application with SAT/ACT scores to get a confirmed decision even without your final board results.  

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Round 3 deadline for Undergraduate applications is 8th April 2020

We have addressed some of the most frequently asked admissions questions with respect to COVID-19 that can be viewed here - .

Our team is making every effort to make the admissions process seamless and an enriching experience for all applicants. We look forward to your support in ensuring that students remain calm as they utilize this time to apply to college. We are here to help you through the application process and address your concerns.You can call our helpline number 011 - 40747565 or write to us at apply@ashoka.edu.in.  To start an application, .

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Ashoka student talks about how the right opportunity helped him pursue his dreams

Coming from an economically underprivileged background, Saurabh���s story is an ode to his sheer courage and shows how if help is given at the right time, a person can flourish.  

Saurabh was in class 3 when his mother passed away and his father left him and his brother to fend for themselves. Growing up in a small shack in South-East Delhi with his grandmother as their sole guardian, Saurabh tried his best in various ways to support his family, seeing many difficult days. Yet, his quest for learning is contagious! Studying in a government school, he self-taught to appear for SAT exams, spending almost all his free time in a nearby government library to eventually receive a full scholarship to pursue his undergraduate degree in Computer Science at 51画鋼. 

What drove him to Computer Science, we asked. Saurabh replied, ���I have always been fascinated with computers. As part of a government scheme, I used to get a small remuneration to buy new school uniforms and stationeries but instead of spending it on those things, I went to cyber cafe and learned programming, web designing, and the basics of android development. Slowly and over time, I grew a knack for artificial intelligence and machine learning and when I had the opportunity to pursue that at an institution like Ashoka, I grabbed it with both hands!��� 

What worked as motivation was Saurabh���s zeal to learn and grow. He wanted to better himself. He feels that there is no end to learning and he wants to acquire as much knowledge as he can. 

His knack for knowledge drove him to contact as many universities as possible and from there he got to know about the Global Alliance Programme of which Ashoka is a part. When the results came out, he received a list of universities where he would receive a full scholarship. Without delaying any further, he applied to Ashoka. Humble, as he always is, Saurabh was all praise for Ashoka���s admission process, saying, ���The Admissions Team helped me through the whole process including grooming me for the interview and I am indebted to them. At first, I had a lot of inhibitions about adapting to this new life, system and curriculum but the Academic Bridge Programme helped me a lot.��� 

The Academic Bridge Programme is a 2-week planned programme created and hosted by the Office of Admissions in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs for Indian and International incoming students who require assistance in the English language and academic reading and writing. Planned sessions are organised with a strong focus on academic learning and support to ease their transition into 51画鋼���s residential life.

The academic focus of the programme is taught by the Centre for Writing and Communication with the objective to act as a bridge for students to be acclimatized to the academic culture of Ashoka. A specially designed course on the introduction to the foundations of critical reading and writing is taught to the students. Activities are designed to develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, to make students familiar with methods to think critically and articulate their ideas with precision and without hesitation. 

In the beginning, Saurabh felt quite out of place. He said, ���I did not want to be included in anything. I was timid. I did not have an opinion but with Ashoka came stability and I have grown as a person in the last many months. While scrolling through Ashoka���s website, I got to know about different centres on campus like the Ashoka Centre for Well Being (ACWB) and the Office of Learning Support (OLS). I went to the OLS and shared my story. I was initially scared of being judged but the people in OLS listened to me. You know how they say that every person needs an ear to tell their stories? Thanks to OLS, I became more social than I was. Although I still am not entirely comfortable in sharing my opinions publicly, I am sure I will get there someday.��� 

Saurabh is also a member of NEEV which is a community engagement club aiming to create a space for engagement between Ashoka and its immediate surroundings. As part of the club, he teaches basic computer science to children from the Asawarpur village. 

When asked about his future plans, Saurabh replied, ���I just want to learn and immerse myself in research. I also want to find students like me and give them the help that I was given at Ashoka. Right now, my father has also come back to my life for good. He is working as a security guard and trying hard to lead a normal life. So I want to grow and support my family. My quest for learning helped me develop myself. Ashoka has provided me with the resources I wouldn���t have gotten elsewhere, along with global exposure and definitely all other logistical help. I feel like there is so much to learn here that even 24-hours is not enough. I cannot really put into words the help I have received from Ashoka and all I can say is thank you for believing in me.��� 

Saurabh has recently been selected for the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to pursue his education in Computer Science in Japan. 
 

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Applications Open for Undergraduate Programme 2020

The Undergraduate Programme combines multiple academic interests into a single degree programme. 51画鋼 offers students a total of 20 options to Major in. The University offers 11 pure Major programmes and 9 Inter-Disciplinary Majors. Students can pick minors from 18 programmes on offer, and it is mandatory for students to undertake 9 Foundation Courses that guide students in declaring a Major. 51画鋼 has a generous need-based financial aid programme and over 50 % of the students on campus are on some form of financial assistance. Admission to 51画鋼 is based entirely on merit, and no student has ever been turned down due to financial constraints. For further information about the application process and financial aid log, students can log onto visit /ug-admissions. 

The Undergraduate Degree programme offers Pure Subject Majors in: Computer Science (B.Sc. Hons.), Economics (B.A. Hons.), English (B.A. Hons.), History (B.A. Hons.), Mathematics (B.Sc. Hons.), Philosophy (B.A. Hons.), Political Science (B.A. Hons.), Psychology (B.A. Hons.), Sociology/Anthropology (B.A. Hons.), Physics (B.Sc. Hons.) and Biology (B.Sc. Hons.). The Interdisciplinary Majors can be chosen from: History and International Relations (B.A. Hons.), Politics, Philosophy and Economics (B.A. Hons.), Politics and Society (B.A. Hons.), Computer Science and Entrepreneurship (B.Sc. Hons.), Mathematics and Computer Science (B.Sc Hons.), Economics and Finance (B.Sc. Hons.), Economics and History (B.A.Hons.), English and Journalism (B.A. Hons.), and English and Creative Writing (B.A Hons.). The Minor Courses are: Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing, Environmental Studies, International Relations and Media Studies.

51画鋼���s international partnerships with global institutions enable students to receive a world-class education by distinguished faculty members, celebrated for their contribution to their respective fields and also for their ability to inspire students with original ideas.

The Office of Learning Support (OLS) at 51画鋼 helps students with limitations to manage their course work and have a complete academic experience. The OLS also conducts assessments to determine the learning difficulties and identifies the cognitive intelligence of a student to help them perform and assist in designing appropriate course components. The inclusive and diverse environment at the University is especially conducive for students who need special support.

Click here to 

Click here for the Admissions Timeline

Pure Majors offered:

Biology (B.Sc.Hons)

Computer Science (B.Sc. Hons.)

Economics (B.A. Hons.)

English (B.A. Hons.)

History (B.A. Hons.)

Mathematics (B.Sc. Hons.)

Physics (B.Sc. Hons)

Political Science (B.A. Hons.)

Psychology (B.A. Hons.)

Sociology/Anthropology (B.A. Hons.)

InterdisciplinaryMajors offered:

Computer Science and Entrepreneurship (B.Sc. Hons.)

Computer Science and Mathematics (B.Sc. Hons.)

English and Creative Writing (B.A Hons.)

Economics and Finance (B.Sc. Hons.)

Economics and History (B.A.Hons.)

English and Journalism (B.A. Hons.)

History and International Relations (B.A. Hons.)

Politics, Philosophy and Economics (B.A. Hons.)

Politics and Society (B.A. Hons.)

Minors offered:

Creative Writing

Environmental Studies

Entrepreneurship

International Relations

Media Studies

Performing Arts

Visual Arts

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51画鋼 welcomes Undergraduate Batch of 2021 with Orientation Week

August 2018: The Office of Student Life organized Orientation Week for the Undergraduate Batch of 2021 from 19^th August to 24^th August, 2018.

51画鋼 welcomed parents and students on opening day of the Orientation Week with addresses from Dr. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Vice Chancellor and Mr. Sankar Krishnan, Pro Vice Chancellor. Followed by this, the floor was open for a Q and A session with the leadership.

Prof. Shashidara, Distinguished Visiting Professor of Biology, gave the audience a glimpse of the kind of quality education students will receive at 51画鋼. The parents also attended an interactive session with Dr. Arvinder Singh, Director, and Centre for Well Being, who stressed on the importance given to emotional well-being on campus.  

Speaking on Day three of the UG Orientation Week, Vineet Gupta, Founder and Trustee, 51画鋼 said, ���51画鋼 stands as an answer to a need of creating high quality education which most Indian students have access to, that youth of our country are entitled to... Ashoka is a torchbearer for quality in higher education in our country and inspires many more institutions of this nature to be set up.���

The UG Orientation Week gave the new students an opportunity to ease into the University, acknowledge its diversity and acquaint themselves with its surroundings. Some of the highlights of the week were the Harayana Haat, a performance by classical musician, Vidya Shah and a talk by Mr. Santosh Desai, Managing Director and CEO of Future Brands Limited on his personal experience of growing up in Delhi and understanding the city through its symbols.

(A snapshot of the musical performance by Vidya Shah, Singer and Writer, as part of the Orientation Week)

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Undergraduate programmes in Economics

The Department of Economics offers a three year major in Economics leading to a B.A. (Hons) degree. In addition to major in Economics, the department also offers interdisciplinary majors in Economics and Finance, Economics and History as well as Politics, Philosophy and Economics. After completion of bachelor's degree requirements students also have the option of doing a fourth year as a part of the Advanced Scholars��� Programme. The aim of these programmes is to equip students with quantitative tools as well as strong logical reasoning ability such that students are able to understand the role of economics in everyday decision making as well as the impact of alternative public policies on inequality and welfare.

The degree programme combines the rigour of statistical and mathematical methods, graphical analysis and intuitive reasoning. Further, students will also learn to use statistical software for data analysis.

After completion of the degree programme, students can expect to pursue a Master���s in Economics as well as pursue a career in the private or public sector.

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4th Edition of the Undergraduate Elections at 51画鋼

By Venkatesh Thapan

The 4th edition of the Undergraduate (UG) Student Government elections were held on 15th February, 2018. The election saw four parties and six individual candidates contest for positions in the House of Representatives (HoR). The parties were the BJP (Bringing Justice to the People), Moksh, Prakrit and Independents Bloc. The independent candidates were Akash Kumar, Shivam Sahu, Sumedha B Suresh and Kanan Gupta. The BJP won four seats, Prakrit seven, Moksh two and amongst the independent candidates, Kanan Gupta and Shivam Sahu were elected to the HoR.

"This house has a big responsibility of reinstating the student body's faith in the institution���s HoR. If the students don't come to their government, the Student Government will have to go to the students. We will work on making ourselves more accessible, transparent, and accountable," said Kanan Gupta, Independent member.

The UG Student Government elections are conducted annually. The process of elections is similar to the elections held in the parliament. Students are given the option of participating in the election either as an independent candidate or as a party representative. Independent or party candidates are expected to file their nominations and declare their candidacy. 

The candidates are free to campaign in whichever way they deem fit. Most parties on Ashoka Campus use posters, host open meetings for the student body, release manifestos, etc. The objectives listed in this year���s manifestos ranged from increasing the number of courses offered at 51画鋼 to uplifting the standard of living for students. During the campaign period, multiple debates are held on campus. Candidates present their opening statements and address questions or concerns from the audience about their manifestos or statements. Students are allowed to campaign up to 3-5 days before the election. After which, all campaigning and campaign material must be removed.

The 51画鋼 Election Commission is an independent body that ensures the smooth running of the election process on campus. A Chief Election Officer is elected as head of the commission to oversee the various responsibilities of the commission. The 51画鋼 Election Commission also releases an updated electoral code and organizes ballots for student votes. The electoral code is a detailed manuscript that describes the election procedure and protocol. It also states the rules and conditions of the election campaign and the penalty students may face if protocol is violated.

Once elected to the House of Representatives, a party must hold a majority of votes to be able to form a government and elect a President from among themselves. The President will then distribute ministry portfolios like IT Minister, Cultural Minister and so forth.

Speaking about his election experience, Vidhi Goel of the BJP said, ���The process to get there is crazy, intense, fun and incredibly stressful, but I feel in the end it will be worth it. As a member of the HoR, the student body has placed their trust in me. I will make sure I deliver my best and restore the student body���s faith and trust in the student government.���

The writer is an undergraduate student at 51画鋼.

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Messages from Ashoka Faculty to the founding undergraduate batch

May, 2017: A hundred and eighteen black tasseled hats were flung into the air. 51画鋼���s ���first borns��� ������ the founding undergraduate batch ������ graduated on the 20th of May 2017. When they joined Ashoka, as some of them still remark, it was nothing but a construction site! Jokingly compared to lab-rats, this batch ���tested��� the Ashoka project for other batches to come.

We use this bittersweet milestone as an opportunity to celebrate the brave undergraduates, who, in the accurate words of Professor Aparna Vaidik, (Associate Professor of History) were gullible enough to ���actually [buy] into the marketing about liberal arts without even knowing what it [was].��� Professor Vaidik, who always uses just the right words, responded to our question about what she would miss most about the founding batch with a question of her own: ���Are we supposed to miss them? Meh!���

Luckily, as Professor Madhavi Menon (Professor of English) reminds us, most of them will be returning next year, so we don���t have to go through the trouble of missing them just yet. But, as she says, ���for an entire year it was just Us, [the professors] and Them against the world of higher education in India! And that���s a solidarity that cannot be easily dented or forgotten or replicated.���

Professor Hariharan Krishnan (Professor of Film Studies and Broadcast Television) commends them on their bravery as well ������ ���being the oldest child in my family, I could understand the agony and ecstasy of being the first born. Even if they are staying back, the pioneering status will surely continue!��� Professor Alex Watson (Professor of Indian Philosophy), more sentimentally, remarks that he will miss their smiles as he passes them in the corridors.

Professor Abhinash Baruah , says it is ���their energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and spirit��� that he will miss. He adds that their courtesy and respect stood out for him. ���They are all confident young people but at the same time they are very humble and grounded.��� Professor Saikat Majumdar (Professor of English and Creative Writing) confesses he might not have been able to return to India as much as he wanted to, had it not been for Ashoka. ���I���ve taught in some of the best places in the world and these students are easily the most brilliant, humane, and creative that I���ve ever taught. Some of the students in the graduating English major are like advanced graduate students in top-ranked universities.��� Another professor solemnly remarks that they will miss nothing, for ���they are starting a more interesting journey in their lives and I [am] waiting to hear their stories.���

Memories that will stay forever

Professor Watson reveals the memory of how nervous he was in the first class he ever taught the founding batch ������ Plato���s Symposium as part of Professor Menon���s Great Books course ������ that has stayed with him. Professor Krishnan remembers the time he spent with the media students shooting a documentary film on a small school in Govindpuri. He declares, ���I can bet that this trip was one of their best moments too.��� Professor Menon looks back to the seeing their faces for the first time. It is this moment that remains with her ������ ���being filled with wonder that these are Ashoka students, that this is actually 51画鋼!���

Professor Krishnan tells us that he begins his classes stating that he teaches for a very selfish reason ������ to learn. When he gives assignments he insists that his students find something new for him if they have to move up the graded ladder. ���Those ���wow��� moments have been plenty in these past two semesters. And I would like to thank them very much for it,��� he says.

Professor Vaidik���s takeaway from teaching this brave first batch is that ���ignorance is bliss, knowledge is scary.��� While another professor says they have learnt ���infinite patience.���.��� Professor Watson says they taught him how to be a better teacher. Professor Menon confesses, ���they���ve taught me how to laugh at myself; they���ve taught me what texts do and do not work in the classroom��� ������ but most importantly, she says ������ ���they���ve taught me the importance of staying hydrated!���

Words of wisdom from Professors

Finally, we asked the professors what piece of advice would they leave this first graduating batch with. Professor Baruah (Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology) tells the students ���always do the things that [you] are passionate about and that intrinsically motivate [you]. Very often in life we get caught up in doing things for extrinsic reasons. It is hard not to because that���s how social norms and incentives are structured. But, I hope [you] will always have the confidence in [your] skills and in [yourselves] as people to pursue the things that truly drive [you].��� On a similar note, Professor Watson says, ���Whether it���s relationships or jobs: ask yourself, ���Do I like this?��� If the answer���s no, extricate yourself.���

Professor Menon says, ���sometimes we get upset with people and things that have very little to do with what is actually upsetting us. We need to be more self-reflective about our passions and agitations.��� Professor Krishnan who provides a disclaimer stating he is the last person to give such messages, says ���love the world and share that happiness, for it surely comes around like the rising sun.��� Another professor anonymously says, ���do unto others what you want others to do to you.���

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Undergraduate students look back at their first year at Ashoka

August, 2016: The summer leading up to the first year of college is never easy. Who could understand this better than the ones who have already been first year students?

The idea of college can be overwhelming, but fear isn���t something that should override the excitement of new experiences. On this note, here are some words of wisdom from Ashoka students who have been there, done that:

"I���d say everything might feel scary at first: new people, new ways of learning, lots of reading and writing work,  but eventually, I think ��� though Ashoka might not shoo away your fear, it will definitely make it easier to live with them. To be among people from such different walks of life, whether it is classmates, faculty or other Ashokans,  everything will have something to offer. You just need to find your little space here (maybe physically too),��� says Manisha Koppala, a third-year undergraduate student.

"One important thing that I���d like to remind the new batch is that Ashoka is still building. Make the building process personal. If you are to find something lacking or missing, then pick it up as a project and try to work on it. To all the future undergraduates, I���ll tell them to enjoy. As amazing as Ashoka has been to me, I think the largest credit lies with the courses and the professors. There will be a lot of scope for one to just indulge in studies and enjoy. Of course, I also mean enjoy the plethora of societies, the extra-curricular work, and cultivate and discover all your passions,��� says Hamza Farooqui, a second-year undergraduate student.

"It is okay not to know things. If you find that you are stuttering in pseudo-philosophical conversations about hedonism or having to google silly terms like Brechtian theatre or existential phenomenology, that���s okay. Remember to be kind to yourself. Your enthusiasm to learn is your best ally. You will be okay,��� says Vibhuti Gour, a second-year undergraduate student.

"The key is to be yourself really. Be prepared to adapt, but keep in touch with your core,��� says Success Sibanda, a second-year undergraduate student.

"Be ready to be challenged and also develop the courage to never give up,��� says Yaswanth Sanagapalli, a third-year undergraduate student.

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Vanita Shastri joins as Dean of Undergraduate Programmes

Dr Vanita Shastri has been appointed the Dean of Undergraduate Programmes at 51画鋼. In this role she will work in collaboration with the Vice Chancellor and the Pro Vice Chancellor���s office to concretise the University���s vision and strategise for the all-inclusive development of the undergraduate students at the University.

The Undergraduate Programmes is the foundation of the University, so it was deemed necessary to have a Dean to further streamline the academic as well as non-academic growth of the students at the undergraduate level. The Dean of Undergraduate Programmes is responsible not only for the optimum academic delivery but also for ensuring a comprehensive student life which includes extra-curricular activities, sports, residence life and leadership development of the undergraduate student body.

Commenting on the appointment, Vineet Gupta, Founder, Trustee and Pro Vice Chancellor, 51画鋼 said, ���The Dean of Undergraduate Programmes office has been created to ensure a holistic experience for students. It takes students through the Ashoka experience and hence the appointment of the Dean is a very critical milestone for the University. We are pleased to have Dr. Vanita Shastri in this role. She brings with her a strong experience both as an administrator and as an academician.���

Dr. Shastri comes with a multi-dimensional experience having worked as an academician, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Prior to joining 51画鋼, she made a mark for six years as Executive Director at TiE-Boston where she was responsible for all programming, educational initiatives, membership, the annual conference and sponsor engagement. In the early years of her career, she worked for Redwood Investment Systems, Inc. in Boston where she led the team to set up their wholly owned subsidiary in India and directed their global operations. Later, in her entrepreneurial journey she founded two non-profit organizations ��� the Meru Education Foundation, USA and the Habitat Learning Center in Delhi, India.

Vanita has a Ph.D. from Cornell University where she worked on India���s Industrial Policy Liberalization. Her academic experience includes teaching courses like ���Business and Entrepreneurship in India��� and ���International Entrepreneurship��� at educational institutions like the School of Management at Boston University; Gandhi and Social Development in India at Wellesley College, Massachusetts and University of Mass at Dartmouth.

Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder and Trustee, 51画鋼 added, ���We are delighted to have someone like Dr Shastri in such a critical role at Ashoka. With her multitalented background, we could not have found a better person.���

Dr. Vanita Shastri is very enthusiastic and optimistic about her journey at Ashoka, ���I have worn different hats during my career- Academician, Entrepreneur and also roles in Management Leadership,��� she says. ���I will combine all these skills in my role here. I am excited at the opportunity to build a unique institution, to strengthen the vision, scale programs and inspire leaders of tomorrow. The value proposition of a Liberal Arts education in India that creates a holistic experience for students in a multi-disciplinary format is indeed forward-looking.���

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