DSA_Campus Connect April 2026

Dean of Student Affairs

Wasn’t it just a few days ago that we heralded in the New Year, and now, before we know it, Spring 2026 is nearly over! Everyone might not feel the same way, but when you ’ re swimming neck deep in campus life all the time, that’s what a semester feels like.Time passes us quickly, so does life and its moments. Someone wise once told me,“You only live for a day”. Now that sounds like a sentence, but it’s actually a beautiful thought, if you just pause and reflect on it for a moment It doesn’t mean you should be irresponsible or careless, because you live for just a day It means that this day is the only day you will ever have to live in Life is long and eventful, and people live for decades, into old age, but the only life you can live, is in the present, Today, this moment. The past is memories, some good and others not so, but we should remind ourselves that we are not defined, or constrained by our past, if only we choose to put in the effort and attention to make today a day that we meet our commitments, attend to our responsibilities, and work upon ourselves.

We know of great achievers only after they become famous Without exception, whatever their field, they have all dreamed big, worked at their dreams with passion, and faced more setbacks and failures than they have seen successes, but they have persevered

Success is not possible without perseverance, and perseverance is not possible without pushing through failure, rejection, frustration and disappointment Perseverance takes commitment and courage You can only remain committed, and not give up, in the face of obstacles and challenges, if you deeply believe in the worth of what you are doing and the purpose you intend to serve. People give up at the first hurdle, not because they can’t go on, but because they lackthe will, the belief and passion to struggle for what lies on the other side Whenever next you face adversity, be it in academics, in sport, in your relationships or personal life, remind yourself that the way you choose to respond, to persevere or give up, to take responsibility, or blame another, is forming the pattern for the life you are building yourself

Soon you will all head home to spend time with your family and enjoy a well-earned summer break.Take the time to celebrate all that is going well, strengthen the bonds you cherish, but also to take lessons from whatever has not worked out as you would have liked You can only make things better one day at a time Happy Holidays!

- Brigadier Steve Ismail

Celestia Explora successfully organized its annual colloquium “Stellar Talks” on 7th April 2026 Continuing its tradition of bringing cutting-edge astrophysical research to campus, this year’s edition featured a distinguished external speaker, Dr Dipankar Bhattacharya, HoD of Physics at Ashoka University.

The lecture, titled “Astronomy using Polarized Light,” offered an in-depth exploration of how polarization serves as a powerful diagnostic tool in modern astrophysics Dr Bhattacharya explained key mechanisms such as Thomson scattering, synchrotron radiation, and dust-induced polarization, illustrating how light carries imprints of magnetic fields and physical conditions across cosmic environments A central theme of the talk was the ability of polarimetry to reveal hidden geometries of astronomical objects, ranging from galaxies and neutron stars to black holes, beyond the resolving power of conventional telescopes. The session also highlighted the challenges of high-energy polarimetry, particularly in Xray and gamma-ray regimes, where weak signals and background interference necessitate sophisticated space-based instruments.

Tracing the evolution of the field, the speaker discussed milestones from early detections in the 1970s to recent advancements through missions such as IXPE and XPoSat

The lecture was complemented by engaging demonstrations using polarizing filters, alongside relatable examples such as polarization-based navigation in birds and insects

References to objects like the Crab Pulsar, Cygnus X-1, and the M51 galaxy provided concrete insight into ongoing research applications.

The event witnessed an audience of around 40 attendees, including PhD scholars and faculty members, with an interactive Q&A session reflecting strong engagement

Following the talk, attendees had the opportunity to interact informally with the speaker, fostering meaningful academic discussions. A token of appreciation was presented to Dr Bhattacharya by the club’s Content Lead, Shreeya Nair

Overall, Stellar Talks 2026 proved to be a stimulating and insightful experience, further strengthening the culture of scientific inquiry on campus while opening avenues for potential academic collaborations between institutions

Keep Looking Up!

FACTion, the Quizzing Society of SNU, conducted a variety of quizzes in April. It was a month full of action, a celebration of a competitive pastime more and more people on campus are realizing the fun of partaking in. A mix of both internal and uniwide events meant that along with the fun experiences, winners also walked away with cash prizes.

The first quiz conducted was "Here Comes the Block" by Veda Vyas on the 6th of April, 2026, and was about all things music The Winner Takes It All, as the ABBA song goes, and in this case that title belonged to Aditya Raghuram and Krishiv in first place; Kavyaa Kannan and Deeptha Vasanth were the runnersup

On 8th April 2026 "A Midsummer Night's Quiz" was held, with Deepak Srinivasan as the quizmaster, and of course the theme was Shakespeare "Some are born great, some achieve greatness " and here the greats were Kavyaa Kannan, Sreelakshmi Sreejith, and Aditya Raghuram, with the runnersup being Livanshi Bansal, Harshaditya Das, and Easwar Balakrishnan

The 13th of April, 2026 turned out to be the perfect date for the Philosophy Quiz with Adithya SR Nair as the quizmaster After lots of pondering and postulation, the fruit of perseverance was obtained In the words of Napoleon Bonaparte, “Victory belongs to the most persevering” And our winners were Kaustubh Ray, Vishvajit A, and Aditya Raghuram

On the 15th of April, 2026, a general quiz "Mera Quiz Bohot Deep Tha" took place, with Deeptha Vasanth making her debut as quizmaster As expected, the quiz was indeed very in-depth and engaging,with puns galore In first place were Ashwath Damle and Achintya Ranjan, with Aryan Pratap Singh and Aditya Raghuram being the runners-up

Very poetically saved for last came the farewell quiz for the seniors, on the eve of their graduation "Quiz Me Baby One Last Time" was held on 22nd of April 2026, with the quizmasters being Aditya Raghuram, Aditi Vashistha and Animish Nizan Saikia paying tribute to all the fourth-year students having their last huzzah The winners were Achintya Ranjan, Ashwath Damle, and Merunanda Sampath As for the prize, it was one that leaves none empty-handed: The Friends We Made Along The Way

FairTrade

Shiv Nadar University's FairTrade Club organised awareness assemblies at Shiv Nadar Schools in Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad, engaging over 250 students The sessions aimed to educate students on FairTrade principles including ethical sourcing fair wages and sustainable production At the Noida school, Prof N T Sudharshan Naidu shared real-world insights on the FairTrade movement, followed by Ms Vinnie Mathur who introduced core concepts Student members Navya Jain Daksh Malhotra, and Aditya Nagarajan shared their personal initiatives and experiences with the cause The Gurugram assembly was opened by Principal Mr Sameer Arora, who emphasised the importance of integrating ethical values into education Ms Manjima Chatterjee spoke on sustainability within school ecosystems, while nutritionist Prachi Pandit linked FairTrade to health and mindful living Prof Matthew Anderson from the University of Portsmouth provided a global academic perspective that connected

that connected FairTrade to governance and sustainable development The Faridabad session included an introduction to becoming a FairTrade School, which was led by Ms Prachi and Ms Vinnie An engaging quiz conducted by Daksh Malhotra and Aditya Nagarajan encouraged active student participation Students collectively took a FairTrade pledge and committed to making responsible consumer choices All three assemblies featured interactive Q&A segments that deepened student understanding and sparked meaningful discussion A key highlight was the central role played by university FairTrade Club members in conducting and leading the sessions Their involvement demonstrated how effectively student-led initiatives drove peer awareness and inspiration Overall, the assemblies successfully inspired students to reflect on the global impact of their everyday choices The FairTrade Club remained committed to expanding such outreach and building environmentally and socially conscious communities

TimeCapsule

Mythiya, Shiv Nadar University's mythology and folklore club, ran a four-part lecture series titled Mythology 101, inviting students to look at the world's oldest stories not as relics of a distant past but as living documents of the cultures that produced them Spanning traditions from ancient Mesopotamia to medieval Florence, each session approached a different corner of the mythological world with a question worth

sitting with long after the talk ended

The series opened with Inclinant Non Obligant a title drawn from Renaissance astrology meaning the stars incline but do not compel The lecture examined how different mythological traditions handle fate and prophecy, and what those choices reveal about a societys deeper assumptions From the Greek Moirai spinning the threads of mortal life to Kamsas doomed attempt to outrun a divine prophecy, and from Oedipus's tragic blindness to Alexander's sheer refusal to accept an unfavourable omen, the talk made a compelling case that how a culture tells stories about fate is inseparable from how it thinks about free will, power, and accountability The second session, Dragons, Serpents, and Why We Keep Killing Them, took on one of mythology's most universal motifs Across Vedic Greek Norse Avestan Mesopotamian Canaanite and Egyptian traditions, the hero-slays-serpent formula appears with striking regularity yet no two versions mean quite the same thing Indra's defeat of Vrtra restores the cosmic flow of water and seasonal order; Thor's killing of Jörmungandr is a mutual destruction at the end of time; Marduk's dismemberment of Tiamat literally constructs the universe from her body The same combat the lecture argued encodes

an entirely different worldview each time it is told The third talk took a deliberately playful approach Titled A Nerd Rambling about Dantes Inferno it reframed the Divine Comedy not as the intimidating canonical monument it is often taught as, but as a politically charged midlife crisis rendered in exquisite poetic architecture Tracing Dante's obsessions back through La Vita Nuova and unpacking the remarkable 3x33 structural matrix of the Comedy, the speaker argued that what makes Dante timeless is precisely how personal and how petty he was willing to be on the page The series closed with perhaps its most ambitious session: Divine but Disowned, a survey of transgender, gender-fluid, and third-gender figures in Hindu, Greco-Roman, and East Asian mythology From Shikhandi and Mohini to Tiresias and Hermaphroditus, the talk revealed a far more complex mythological landscape than popular imagination tends to allow while also carefully noting the interpretive risks of reading ancient figures through a contemporary lens Taken together Mythology 101 made a strong argument for why these stories still matter Not because they are old, but because they are in their own way still asking questions we have not finished answering

Inferno announced Groove-Mudra, the annual intra-college Western and Classical dance competition, held on 21st April 2026 at B315, 6 PM onwards. The event was open exclusively to non-Inferno dancers, giving students outside the club a platform to showcase their talent The twist was that Inferno members themselves had to dance in their opposite crew ' s style western dancers performed classical, and classical dancers performed western There was no registration fee and no restriction on dance styles Spectators were warmly invited to witness the showcase

The objective was to encourage participation from across campus, celebrate cultural diversity, and offer a healthy competitive space The turnout was good, with a lively audience that made the evening energetic Students described the experience as energetic, fun, and encouraging. Many found it daring to step onto the stage, especially those who had never performed publicly before The atmosphere was inspiring not because of technical perfection, but because everyone pushed their own limits Participants valued the feedback from skilled judges, which helped them improve There was a lot of mutual support among dancers By the end, students felt more confident, uplifted, and grateful for an event that celebrated both discipline and courage Groove-Mudra successfully ended the semester on a high note

A national platform uniting young scholars across disciplines to present, connect, and be recognised for outstanding research.

SUMMIT 2026 was rooted in a simple but powerful premise: to cultivate academic awareness, foster multidisciplinary knowledge sharing, and provide a prestigious platform that celebrates undergraduate research On 11th April, under the theme BRIDGE (Building Research through Interdisciplinary Dialogue and Global Engagement), the conference opened with a panel discussion featuring Dr Poonam Mehta (JNU), Dean Denys Leighton (OP Jindal Global University), and Prof Dipankar Nandi (IISc Bengaluru), spanning diverse disciplines in the true spirit of the theme! We were also honoured to host Prof Praveen Kumar Vemula as our Keynote Speaker

We received 125+ submissions across 6 diverse tracks, and the presenters of the selected papers joined us on campus from Delhi, Pune, and Coimbatore; we truly made a national mark! Our commitment to recognising excellence culminated in a 50,000 prize pool, awarded to 8 outstanding undergraduate researchers from Delhi University, Ashoka University, and SNIoE

The AURA old age home visit to Roshan Smriti was organized with the aim of creating a meaningful and engaging experience for the residents. The visit focused on spending quality time with the elderly, interacting with them, and fostering a warm and positive environment through simple yet thoughtful activities

The turnout for the event was strong, with a dedicated group of student volunteers participating actively. The session included conversations with residents, a music-based activity featuring old Hindi songs, and the distribution of snacks The music segment stood out as a highlight, encouraging participation and bringing a sense of joy and nostalgia to the residents Many residents joined in by singing along, clapping, and even requesting their favorite songs, making the session highly interactive

Beyond the planned activities, what made the visit truly special were the personal interactions that took place Residents shared stories from their lives, experiences, and memories, which created a space for genuine connection Volunteers were able to engage in meaningful Overall, the visit successfully fulfilled its objective of meaningful engagement, while also marking a step forward in expanding AURA’s initiatives beyond traditional teaching-based drives

As part of his remarkable 5,000 km crosscountry run from Kanyakumari to Kashmir under the One India Run initiative, Om Satija made a memorable stop at Shiv Nadar University bringing with him a powerful message of resilience, purpose, and social impact

Satija, a 23-year-old Indian-Australian athlete and physiotherapist based in Melbourne, is undertaking this extraordinary journey not only to test his endurance but also to raise awareness and funds for children from marginalised and leprosy-affected communities Covering nearly 50 km every day, his dedication and discipline have already inspired people across the country

During his visit to the university, students had the unique opportunity to run alongside him, experiencing firsthand the energy and determination that fuel his mission The campus run became more than just a physical activity it was a shared moment of motivation, pushing participants to reflect on their own limits and possibilities

The evening brought an equally engaging and memorable interaction at the amphitheatre Students gathered for an informal meet-up with Satija where he spoke about his journey the challenges he has faced, and the deeper purpose behind his run His stories from early morning starts at 4:30 am to the emotional experiences that inspired his cause left a strong impression on everyone present Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, the university band Snuphoria delivered a lively performance making the evening both inspiring and entertaining In a delightful and unexpected moment, Satija himself took to the stage and played the saxophone His visit was a powerful reminder that fitness, passion, and purpose can come together to create meaningful change For the Shiv Nadar University community, it was not just an event, but an experience that encouraged students to dream bigger, act with intention, and contribute to causes beyond themselves

The Deadlift Battle on 06.04.26 absolutely shook the campus, turning it into a high-voltage arena of strength, adrenaline, and nonstop chaos. Every lift felt like a final attempt, every shout from the crowd hit like fuel, and the energy in the room was unreal. Bars were bending, PRs were falling, and lifters stepped up with one goal - to dominate!

The women’s division saw a powerful showdown, with Jayshivani Senthilkumar taking the crown, locking in a huge 97.5 kg PR and 16.59 GL points. Hansika Rohilan pushed right till the end, securing silver with a 95 kg PR and 14.53 GL points, making it a fierce and closely fought battle. But the men’s category? Pure madness. Yasir Aftab delivered a monstrous 215 kg PR, finishing at 29.76 GL points and clinching gold in one of the tightest finishes of the event. Adi Guptawas right there, pulling an insane 207.5 kg, but fell short by just 0.1 points, ending at 29.66 GL points in a heartbreaker finish that had the entire crowd on edge.

4

The Fairtrade India Cup brought together 8 boys and 8 girls U-16 teams from 9 schools for three days of competitive football, teamwork, and shared purpose between 24th to 26th April at the Shiv Nadar University campus Played across multiple fields – including the newly installed astroturf pitch, amid a tightly run schedule, the tournament delivered high-energy matches and a strong display of sportsmanship throughout

The event was supported extensively by the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), the Sports Department, and the Hostel Administration, who played a key role in tournament planning, overall direction, logistics and student athlete mentoring

Organised by Department of Physical Education from 7th to 8th April, 2026 Shiv Nadar loE. This event showcased an incredible display of talent, teamwork and sportsmanship! From intense rallies to unforgettable moments, the tournament brought out the true spirit of table tennis.

Results:

Men's Singles - Navansh Gupta (Winner)

Mens Singles- Manepalli Sai (Runner-Up)

Women Singles- Sneha Rawat (Winner)

Women Singles- Nishita Kadali (Runner-Up)

Mixed doubles- Chayank Gupta, Nancy Patel (Winner)

Mixed doubles- Dev Kumar, Sai Asmita

Regulagedda (Runner-Up)

Congratulations to all the player who stepped up, competed hard and made this event a grand success

Held on Thursday, 23rd March, Night of Champions 2026 was an evening dedicated to celebrating the spirit of sport, bringing together athletes, coaches, and the wider university community to reflect on a year of hard work, resilience, and achievement. The event highlighted both inter-university success and the vibrant internal sporting culture that has continued to grow across campus

Throughout the year, teams consistently delivered strong performances, with at least one team securing a medal in every major tournament Across all sports, it was evident that teams had prepared rigorously, demonstrating discipline, commitment, and a clear upward trajectory in performance From individual brilliance to collective effort, the standard of competition and preparation stood out across the board

A particularly meaningful moment of the evening was the farewell segment for the graduating batch of student-athletes It served as a reflection on their journey from arriving with potential to leaving behind a lasting impact on the university’s sporting culture. Their contributions have helped shape teams, build traditions, and set benchmarks for future athletes.

The event also recognised outstanding individual performances through the Player of the Year Awards, honouring athletes who consistently raised the bar through their results, resilience, and influence within their teams

Further elevating the evening was the presentation of the Excellence in Sports Awards, celebrating individuals who went beyond performance to embody dedication, discipline, and exceptional sportsmanship These recognitions highlighted not just achievement, but the mindset and commitment that define true sporting excellence

Pedallingtothe NationalStage

Angad Veer Singh delivered an impressive performance at the All India Inter-University Road Cycling Championship 2026, securing an outstanding 8th position in the Individual Time Trial (ITT) event. Marking a significant improvement from his previous 19th-place finish in the 2024–25 edition, this achievement reflects both his dedication and consistent progress in a highly competitive national field

The championship, organised under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities, brings together top cycling talent from universities across the country, testing athletes on endurance, speed, and precision in events such as time trials and road races

Angad’s strong showing has also earned him qualification for the prestigious Khelo India University Games, a national multi-sport platform that features some of the best university athletes in India and aims to identify and nurture talent for international competition

This milestone not only highlights Angad’s individual commitment and growth but also brings pride to the university sporting community His journey stands as a testament to perseverance, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence in collegiate sports.

sion, and stage reflects the equired in the Bharatanatyam, movements and ds both technical h, qualities that erformance. The moment for the community and thin the student ternal cultural tudents with heir abilities on able experience. DSA played an ticipation in the continue to t in cultural and oss campus. g rjee for bringing els to the university through her outstanding ratanatyamperformance

CycleResale Initiative

Connecting students through a simple, organised system for buying and selling cycles while promoting affordability and sustainability.

On Campus Jobs

Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence offers undergraduate students a valuable opportunity to gain real-world experience and develop essential skills through the OnCampus Jobs (OCJ) program. This program goes beyond academics, helping students: Inculcate ethics and leadership qualities: OCJs provide practical settings to hone ethical conduct and develop leadership abilities through teamwork and responsibility.

Enhance service attitudes: Contributing to the university community through OCJs fosters a sense of service and commitment.

Gain valuable experience: Jobs like assisting in labs, managing help desks, or supporting departments in various functions provide valuable practical experience. Earn an additional income: Students receive compensation for their work, providing the experience of earning and instilling a sense of accountability.

Eligibility and Selection Process:

Open to undergraduate students from Second Year onward, with a CGPA above 6.0 (and specific master’s programs related to Teaching Assistantship), OCJ positions are advertised through email communication. Eligible students can apply if the job description aligns with their interests and skills. The selection process is similar to a formal job recruitment pattern. Departments conduct interviews and offer positions to qualified candidates.

Benefits and Compensation:

Competitive Hourly Pay: During a semester, students earn ₹100 per hour, with a maximum of 20 hours per week. During vacations, the compensation is ₹75 per hour, with a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Reduced Summer Hostel Fees: Students engaged in OCJs during summer vacations may have their hostel fees covered by the sponsoring department.

Getting Started with OCJs:

1.Stay Updated: Look out for emails from the Office of Dean of Students containing OCJ announcements, job descriptions, and application forms.

2.Apply for Relevant Jobs: Review the job descriptions and apply for positions that match your interests and skills.

3.Interview Process: Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews based on their availability.

4.Job Offer: Upon successful completion of the interview, you may receive an offer for the OCJ position.