A Freshers Outlook On ALS Delhi Theology Religion Essay Example

seemed like distant memories. Honestly, I never imagined people could be so focused and joyful at the same time. Our seniors were simply fun! It feels like just an hour has passed since the first day even though it's been almost a month now. As someone rightly said, "Time flies when you are having fun." It has been a whirlwind journey so far, but I yearn for more. Admission to one of India's top institutions is not an end in itself; it's just the beginning of a long road ahead.

Manaved Nambiar

"THE Unfolding CRISIS IN SYRIA The civil war-like situation in Syria has been the focus of much of the world's attention for the past year. The initially peaceful 'Arab spring' revolution against an autocratic government in Syria has now turned into a brutal conflict, resulting in over 20,000 deaths.

The violence has intensified after the holy month of Ramadan, leading to even more casualties. The international community has been divided on how to address the crisis in Syria due to its complex and diverse nature, as well as its strategic importance in the region. Syria is a convergence point for various political and economic interests. Additionally, its volatile sectarian composition serves as an arena for regional powers to pursue their religious rivalries.

For over four decades, Syria has been under the rule of the Ba'ath party, known for its secularism and opposition to extremist religious groups. The Ba'ath party's governance has been recognized for its progressive policies, particularly regarding women's rights. Unlike other conservative Arab countries, the streets of Damascus resemble those of European cities, where women freely dress in Western attire.

Syria, a country known for its

sectarian and religious diversity, was able to maintain a peaceful coexistence among its different religious groups, including Sunnis, Alawites and Christians. This was possible due to the Assad family belonging to the minority Alawite religious order."

The nation previously had a stable and thriving economy, benefiting from the Assad administration's economic policies. However, the peaceful revolution was met with violent crackdowns by the regime, leading to human rights violations and an uprising. Similar to Libya, Syria has now become a center of violence due to international and regional political interests. To understand this further, we must examine Syria's foreign policy and its challengers.

Syria has long supported Hezbollah, which opposes Israeli aggression in Palestine and Lebanon. Syria also has its own history of conflict with Israel. Iran sees Syria as a close ally and uses it as a means to support Hezbollah financially and militarily. The US and other Western countries want to disrupt this alliance by installing a friendly government in Damascus since they are allies of Israel.

As a result, the West is supporting the Syrian resistance known as the "Free Syrian Army" in their fight against the Assad government. Regional powers such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Gulf monarchies are also aiding the Syrian rebels.
Each country has its own reasons for supporting the rebels, such as asserting their political power and reducing Iran's influence. Saudi Arabia specifically aims to establish a Sunni-majority state in Syria, unlike the current pro-Iran Alawite-led government. The tensions have led to immediate conflict lines being drawn, creating divisions among the United Nations members. The "P5" group led by the United States advocates for imposing punitive sanctions on Syria, similar to

implementing a "No Fly Zone" in Libya. However, Russia and China strongly oppose this idea and have vetoed attempts to impose sanctions. Since Gaddafi's death last year, Libya has become increasingly unstable with tribal divisions and religious fundamentalism posing threats. Kofi Annan's peace program offered a glimmer of hope from the UN but has been disappointing due to ceasefires being violated by both sides. The US appears unsupportive of the peace program as it does not align with their strategic plans for a short-to-medium-term cessation of hostilities.The composition of the "Free Syrian Army" (FSA) consists mainly of Sunni militants who follow Salafist ideologies and receive support from Saudi Arabia, both ideologically, economically, and militarily. This is in contrast to the West's contradictory approach, as they combat Salafi extremism in Yemen, Pakistan, and Afghanistan while supporting similar individuals against a secular government led by a minority representative. It is not surprising given that the US, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia were involved in creating the Taliban to fight against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. This sectarian bias within opposition groups has raised concerns among minorities such as Alawites and Christians who strongly support the Assad government. One disappointing aspect is how international media houses have covered these events with their biases apparent. Western media has been criticized for deliberately concealing facts to negatively portray Assad and manipulating footage with deceptive images. For example, during coverage of the recent "Houla massacre," the BBC aired falsely attributed images of maimed bodies to Assad's forces which later had to be retracted when it was revealed that they were old images from Iraq.Arab intelligence networks, such as Qatar's Al Jazeera and

Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya, have faced allegations of manipulating footage to discredit the Assad government. Similarly, Russia's 'Russia Today' and Iran's 'Press Television' have displayed a clear bias in favor of Assad, often disregarding human rights abuses committed by government loyalists. Consequently, people worldwide have been unable to obtain an accurate and unbiased understanding of the events occurring in Syria over the past year. This situation is a disgrace for both the implicated media organizations and humanity as a whole. In my opinion, resolving the violence and bloodshed in Syria should be an internal effort rather than imposed by external powers. It is crucial for rebels and the government to reach an agreement that facilitates rebel groups disarming and integrating into mainstream society, mirroring Assad's proposal for a new multiparty system. President Assad's introduction of a new constitution is seen as a positive step towards this goal. To ensure stability during this transition period, he should resign while an interim government takes charge, similar to what occurred in Bangladesh between elections. Ultimately, fair elections must be held following standard democratic processes practiced globally. Above all else, foreign powers should cease supporting sectarian organizations and refrain from interfering in Syria's internal affairs.Countries like Saudi Arabia and the US choosing to fuel sectarianism could have prevented much of the conflict. The UN must play a positive role in facilitating an international consensus. Varun Nambiar believes in the potential of today's youth and their ability to lead the country to great achievements. He acknowledges that older generations had different circumstances, but that doesn't mean young adults lack focus or work ethic. Despite criticisms of being materialistic, Varun has

faith in the younger generation's ability to be hardworking and persistent, citing examples like M.S Dhoni, Sania Mirza, Abhinav Bindra, Priyanka Chopra, Sachin Pilot, and Anoushka Shankar.Every generation has its defining characteristics, and the generation that came of age in the 21st century is known for its determined pursuit of success. Some individuals associate success with fame, others with wealth, and still others with excelling in their chosen field. Regardless of the size or nature of their dreams, today's youth demonstrate a strong determination to work towards them.

While some may label us as impatient, it is worth noting that we have access to cutting-edge technology, software, and appliances. Critics may criticize our excessive reliance on technology, but I believe that it has played a significant role in shaping who we are as a generation. Technology has empowered us and made us feel more capable.

Furthermore, today's youth is well-informed about both local events and global affairs. In fact, I would argue that we are more knowledgeable than previous generations. We possess high levels of confidence and self-assurance while maintaining a positive outlook on life. We have set clear goals for ourselves and are dedicated to achieving them.

The youth of the twenty-first century is transforming India by bringing optimism, energy, and joy. There is an impressive surge in young talent emerging on the international stage along with numerous accomplishments being achieved. While opportunities available to young people have increased significantly, so has our drive to succeed.

We have the potential to rise up and create an unprecedented India that will astonish the world. According to Dr.A.P.J.,Abdul Kalam once said, "If India is to become developed by 2020, it

will do so by relying on the shoulders of the young." It is crucial that we acknowledge this fact. AYUSHMAAN DATTA expresses his concerns about the Reservation System in our country. This system affects everyone and often in a negative way. The diversity of our nation includes people from various cultures, languages, castes, and genders. Unfortunately, certain groups such as those from backward classes lack opportunities. To assist them, the government has implemented reservations in colleges with approximately 50% of seats being allocated for them. This leaves only 50% available for the general population, which further decreases due to sports quota, management quota, staff quota etc. In reality, less than 30% of the general population receives special treatment through reservations. While understanding that these individuals deserve equal opportunities, it is important to recognize that this system is not fair. They need support at school level and an equal playing field during college admissions - a crucial phase for one's future prospects. Feeling frustrated about not having access to certain classes with more available seats and lower requirements is common among many individuals like AYUSHMAAN DATTA himself who believe life should be fairer but understand its inherent unfairness as well. He suggests that if they desire something, they should work for it just like anyone else rather than relying solely on reservations or quotas. Consequently treating everyone equally irrespective of their background seems ideal even if it may seem unattainable in reality; hope remains nevertheless.
In a country like India, the prevailing belief is that if you truly want to achieve something, you will be able to accomplish it. However, there is an unrealistic expectation that if

you are unable to do so, then you must not really desire it. This mindset often leads people to regret engaging in activities they dislike due to societal pressures. Unfortunately, the system is fundamentally flawed and cannot be fixed. While some may argue otherwise, this change is highly unlikely. Currently, our nation is in a state of decline; nonetheless, we possess the potential for resurgence akin to the mythical phoenix rising from its ashes.

Moving on to another topic of discussion presented by Raushan Tara: religion has transformed into a profitable business venture within India. The accumulation of wealth within this sector is astonishingly vast – including 100 kg of gold, 307 kg of silver, and countless crores in currency notes (so abundant that they couldn't even be counted using three note counting machines). Additionally, an empire worth Rs.40000 crore exists as part of this religious heavyweight's holdings. It's crucial to note that these riches pertain specifically to religious figures rather than hidden or untaxed assets owned by politicians or industrialists.

Religion holds immense significance within India where it encompasses more than 90% of the population's lives - surpassing mere existence itself. One can envision business as a molecule: just as adding atoms causes molecules to expand, business expands with politics' inclusion and further grows through education and healthcare sectors alike.And when there was nothing more to add, a solution was found - religion. This is how GOD was transformed into a religion, requiring little investment but offering returns that could sustain future generations of religious leaders. The sight of priests using their phones during religious rituals at temples or clients' homes is common and not new

to us. Politics and religion often go hand in hand, creating a profitable yet dangerous alliance that affects the well-being of individuals in our country. Vote bank politics divides people based on their religion, allowing political parties to control them and inciting conflict over faith. Ironically, what could have been a means of promoting peace, harmony, and truth has instead become a source of strife and pain within society. It is also worth mentioning the relationship between religion and India's thriving tourism industry. Vrindavan and Dharamsala serve as clear examples of this connection as these sacred places have turned into commodities where shops, guides, priests, and gurus exploit people's beliefs. Religion in India now represents more than just spiritual awakening; it has become an asylum for fraudsters and criminals. While not all who preach religion are fraudulent, it is often forgotten in our pursuit of wealth that God has already secured victory in the gameWe should resist the influence of self-proclaimed Godmen and avoid compromising our faith, which we may regret later. KSHITIJ MAHESHWARI A A A A A A A A A A A Life in a metro The metropolitan cities of our country are rapidly developing, both in reality and on screen. The increasing use of machines has brought convenience but also dependence. We are breaking societal norms as we progress towards a modern world. The rapid growth in film, sports, and global aspects has both positive and negative impacts. Urban lifestyles offer comforts like transportation, luxury hotels, and hospitals for a blissful existence. However, do we not worry about the pollution caused by these vehicles or the environmental damage from public transportation?

We seem to have forgotten that humanity created these cities; now we are trapped by urban lifestyle's chains. Busy work schedules, lack of time for children, and nuclear families have eroded our inherent qualities. It is time for us to seek peace and tranquility and discover our true purpose through self-reflection.

As humans, we need to establish a connection with our souls and acknowledge that we are the ones enabling events to occur in our surroundings. The internal spark within us will lead us towards a more improved and illuminated future.