Editorial - Richa Joshi

As the years go by the College gains in a variety of activities and achievements. However, the past too, keeps haunting us as a reminder of cherished values, events and persons. It is with the latter factor that this issue of The Stephanian begins. We have two tributes to the late Dr. Hala. Dr. Wilson in his characteristic lively style brings out the humanitarian aspects of Dr. Hala as against his organizational capacities. Dr. Hala emerges as a man who had deep concern and sympathy for everyone, including the karamcharis. Arvind Malhotra, old Stephanian and basketball captain, highlights Dr. Hala's warm encouragement to sports in College.

The early months of the year 2000 saw the demise of Acharya Satya Bhushan Yogi, former head of the Sanskrit-Hindi department in College. In a moving tribute to him the Editor remembers Yogiji's scholarship, originality, thought provoking lectures, poetry and expertise in homoeopathy. Students were always following him discussing one issue or the other.

The editorial teams of The Stephanian worked vigorously to secure three write-ups based on interviews. Mr. Amin's long innings at College has endeared him to many generations of Stephanians. As president of games he exerted a benign influence on its growth and development. He also drafted the present constitution of the Students Union Society. He initiated the Informal Discussion Group, which is now thriving as a lively forum for discussion with notable personalities. 

The second write-up carries an interview with Mr. Bipin Behari Lall, a Senior Stephanian (1934-40) who has been regularly present at the annual reunion lunch of Stephanians. Four generations of his family have been alumni of the College. In an engrossing narration about 
the pre-Independence era Mr. Lall, a leading criminal lawyer, tells us how the College community was pulled in opposite directions of support to the British rulers as against joining forces with the freedom fighters. He is also a highly respected former member of the College Governing Body and tells us how its members deliberated on different issues.

The third article based on interview has another Senior Stephanian (1953-58), Mr. Yashpal Bharadwaj for its subject. Mr. Bharadwaj was an outstanding cricketer who played for College, Delhi University and for the states of Delhi and Southern Punjab. He rose to eminence as a history teacher and principal of three famous schools in India and abroad. 
Mr. Suresh Narain, who joined the College at the dawn of Independence in 1947, describes in his inimitable style the bonds between the College and its alumni. Among the humorous sidelights are his experiences of working with the Shakespeare Society and the Penguin Club, besides enjoying a qawwali tutored by Dr. Abedi and Mr. Amin. Mr. Kalyan Bose, who came seven years later, recalls his experience as a cadet in the College unit of the NCC. It gave the cadets opportunity of closer association with members of other colleges and with the army instructors.

Most of the creative writing by the students deals with the different facets of College life. In Images of the Mind, Vineetha Zachariah writes about the visually challenged junior members of the College- their experiences, challenges and expectations. Other Journals in College by Lisa, Sriram, Nandita and Sumith is coverage on the magazines and books produced by the different societies and forums in College. Make a Blood Relation by Nandita Sinha gives a vivid description of the efforts of the Social Service League in achieving an all-time record of blood donation from 456 volunteers. 

From the Hiking Club we have received accounts of two of their expeditions, written by Mr. Eric Salvan and Ms.Lucie Lacombe.

In Chaos and Non-linearity, Abhinandan Deb gives us a summary of last year's Popli Memorial Lectures by Prof. Ram Ramaswamy. Readers will be fascinated with this lucid introduction to the Chaos theory, which is hailed as the third greatest scientific upheaval in the twentieth century after Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. In their prize essay titled The Emerging Digital Economy Jacob, Manpreet and Ryan Valles highlight the far-reaching changes in the world economy with the growth of information technology.

Other contributions in the creative writing section introduce new talent, which deserves recognition. Venkat's story Kaikariamma narrates the tale of a middle-aged woman who sells vegetables undergoing many trials and tribulations. Finally she kills her alcoholic husband to gain her freedom.

Daniel Mathew's reflective piece Back to Where We Belong recalls the warmth of affection from relatives in Kerala, his home state.

Creative writing also appears in the form of poetry. Shivaji's prize winning poem I lose the argument shows "an acute awareness of a vast and complex world, its upheavals, it experiments and catastrophes."

Guest speakers too have enriched this issue. In his address at the new millennium Christmas Carol Service, titled The Glory of Christmas the Revd. Yesupadam Bandela attempts to derive messages of lasting value from the life of Jesus and from characters in the Bible like Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men.

At the annual Dismissal Service and Prize Giving Function our chief guest Mr. N. Vittal spoke on Beyond St. Stephen's and Into the World. While highlighting India's achievements in many areas Mr. Vittal also gave shocking instances on how corruption has jeopardized communal harmony and harmed the nation's economy. He has also given a significant message to the junior members in their final year in College.The College Chronicle highlights achievements of our sportspersons and carries excellent reports on the activities 
of twenty-two societies.

Principal's Report gives us a comprehensive coverage on the four areas of College activities- Faculty, Scholars, Sports and Games, Clubs and Societies.

This issue is the collective effort of alumni, faculty members, friends and junior members of the College. Mention must be made of the student editors who pursued writers, reporters, poets and photographers and persuaded them to hand in their piece well before the deadline. Their enthusiasm during the year and their suggestions to improve the quality of the magazine have probably made it more interesting to our readers. They have also typed and proofread the bulk of this issue and made The Stephanian truly hi-tech.

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