Scheduled Caste (SC)/ Scheduled Tribe (ST) Cell
The SC/ST Cell of Lady Shri Ram College for Women was set up to upheld the rights, dignity and facilitate inclusion, welfare and fair opportunities for the members belonging to Scheduled Castes(SCs) and Scheduled Tribes(STs) in Higher Educational Institutions as mandated by University Grant Commission(UGC), Ministry of Education, Government of India (GOI). Being a constituent college of University of Delhi, Lady Shri Ram College for Women is in spirit and action committed to the idea of inclusion, equality, social justice, affirmative policies, programmes, schemes, facilities meant for members belonging to historically deprived, marginalized and less privileged groups like SCs and STs.
The objective is to ensure for the members of SCs AND STs who join, a truly affirming space and full membership in college community that involves; for the students a non-obstructive and successful pursuit of higher education; for Faculty a fulfilled experience of teaching, research and promotion and successful delivery of service and their entitlements in return for the non-teaching staff.
The Cell’s aims to provide a platform; a living structure of opportunities where students can realize potential, sharpen their skills, share their concerns, issues & the Cell takes appropriate measures to address these concerns.
Keeping the interest of Student at centre the Cell organizes Guest Lectures by distinguished speakers, interactive sessions with experts, a range of competitions, capacity building training and workshop and awareness sessions from time to time to create awareness among the SC/ST students regarding various Government & Non-Government Scholarship Schemes & Programs so that students can benefit by availing those facilities.
The SC/ST Cell functions through a team of 12 members; Faculty Convenor, Co-convenor, Faculty advisors and four student coordinators who are duly selected every academic year through a rigorous process of selection that includes interviews to addresses academic and non-academic issues and complaints received from students, teaching and non-teaching staffs belonging to the SC and ST communities. For smooth functioning the Cell has constituted different teams i.e. Book & Documentary Team, Research Team, Ideation Team, Media & Publicity Team and Logistics Team. The Cell also coordinates the members through department representatives. For the Psychological and Emotional well-being of its student members the cell runs a Menor Mentee and Peer Support system.
The faculty and other Team members of the Cell always efforts to ensure a milieu where members from this marginalized and deprived communities can fully participate and live a dignified and accomplished life in college without any sort of caste-based discrimination. Every year the cell organizes sensitization programmes in order to ensure a condition that fosters dignity, inclusivity and community. A place Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.
The Broader objectives and functions of SC/ST Cell have been as follows:
- Ensuring Equal opportunities, Protection of Right and Full Participation.
- To ensure Holistic welfare of SC/ST students; quality education, scholarships, cutting age life shaping skill Training collaborating with other vital institutional arrangements of college to have a successful higher educational training, experience and output in terms of placements, internships and employment.
- To ensure and help the college in implementing the reservation policy with regard to the admission of students and the recruitment and promotions of teaching and non-teaching staff at various levels.
- To Sensitize the new members of SC and ST Community about caste related discrimination and violation of rights as students of marginalize community and sensitize the campus community on importance of associational and community living.
- To Collect data regarding the implementation of the policies in respect of admissions, appointments to teaching and non-teaching positions in the University.
- To help the Students, Teaching and non-teaching staff belonging SC/ST community to integrate with the larger community of the college and to overcome any difficulties the students of the community may face throughout the 3-4 years of their study.
- In addition to the main two mentioned above the main aim of the Cell is to monitor the guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission from time to time, based on the policies of the Government of India and the Government of NCT-Delhi related to upholding the interest of all stakeholders belong to the community .
- SC/ST cell regularly shares the information to students about various type of available scholarships so that they could avail the scholarship they are eligible for.
- Grievance Redressal: The Cell addresses complaints and grievances of SC/ST individuals related to caste-based discrimination, academic issues, administrative problems, and social concerns.
- Awareness and Support: The Cell organizes Orientation programs time to time and provides information on various scholarships, Student and citizenship rights and career etc .
- Recognizing the importance of digital literacy and 21st century life skills in today’s world and Keeping in view of the needs of the students the Cell organizes CV writing, communication enhancement skills, Basic Research Methodology and Techniques, IT and data analysis Workshop time to Time.
- Through its various programs and activities, the Cell has been successfully facilitating a vibrant platform for critical discussions, education, and empowerment; promoting a more inclusive and equitable community, logical, creative and innovative thinking. The Cell also organizes Talks and Seminars on Historical, socio-economic, general and current issues to keep students engaged and informed.
- To achieve equity in opportunities the Cell supports the students with Mentorship and Academic and career Performance Enhancement Initiatives.
- The Cell through its Journal Navchetna soon to be published encourages the students to write thought-provoking articles on their life Journeys, caste, Tribal Problems, social justice and other issues of India and geopolitics.
Staff Advisors:
Dr. Pushpita Behera (Convenor)
Email Id: pushpitabehera@lsr.du.ac.in
Ms. Asmita Jataria (Co-convenor)
Email Id: asmitajataria@lsr.du.ac.in
Dr. Dhiren Kumar Sahoo
Email Id: dhirenkumar.sahoo@lsr.du.ac.in
Ms. Maitreyee Mandal
Email Id: maitreyeemandal@lsr.edu.in
Dr. Shama Norien Major
Email Id: shamanorienmajor@lsr.du.ac.in
Prof. Vandana Suraj Bhan
Email Id: vandanasbhan@lsr.ac.in
Dr. Vidya Sagar
Emai Id: mathsagar@gmail.com
Dr. Rahul Maurya
Email Id: Mauryarahul.maurya@lsr.du.ac.in
Student Co-ordinators:
Sayee Amol Kamble
Priya Singh
Niying
Diksha Madhukar (Treasurer)
Nodal Officer: Dr. Nitin Tanwar
Annual Report 2024-25
The academic year 2024-25 marked a significant milestone for the SC-ST Cell, as it embarked on a series of initiatives and events aimed at promoting advocacy, education, and empowerment. The year commenced with an Orientation Session on September 26, 2024, which introduced students to the Cell’s mission, vision, and initiatives.
This event provided a platform for new members to engage with the Cell’s objectives and interact with like-minded peers. The session set the tone for the year, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and collective action in promoting social change. In collaboration with the LSR Students’ Union, the SC-ST Cell hosted a documentary screening of Crossroads: Dalit Defenders on October 18, 2024. This powerful film delved into the lived realities of Dalit activists fighting for justice and equality in contemporary India. The screening was followed by an interactive discussion, encouraging students to reflect on systemic discrimination and the necessity of resistance. This event underscored the importance of critical thinking and dialogue in challenging dominant narratives and promoting social justice.
Recognizing the importance of digital literacy in today’s world, the SC-ST Cell organized a Basic IT Skills Workshop on October 18, 2024. This initiative aimed to equip students with essential technological competencies, ensuring greater accessibility and opportunities in the digital world. The workshop was particularly beneficial for students seeking to enhance their professional and academic pursuits. Literature has long been a medium for challenging social hierarchies, and this was evident in the Book Reading Session on ‘Growing Up Untouchable in India’ by Vasant Moon, by the Books & Documentary Club of the cell on January 30, 2025.
This memoir provided a firsthand account of caste-based discrimination, resilience, and the power of education. The reading session fostered critical discussions on caste realities in India and how literature can catalyze change.
The year culminated with a significant collaboration between the SC-ST Cell and Bahubhashi, celebrating the richness of regional narratives. On February 15, 2025, the event Parayi Petta Panthirukulam showcased a timeless folktale from Kerala, that challenges entrenched social barriers. Through this event, the Cell underscored the importance of diverse cultural expressions in questioning and redefining societal norms.
In addition to these events, the SC-ST Cell’s official blog, Blue Beats, published 11 thought-provoking articles on caste, social justice, and geopolitics. These articles amplified marginalized voices, challenged structural inequalities, and sparked meaningful dialogue. Featured pieces included Caste Decides; Rape is Tort or Not?, Prison Walls and Caste Chains, and Decoding the Dispute: Ladakh at the Crossroads of Geopolitics. The final event for this academic year was the celebration of Dr. B.R Ambedkar’s birthday, organised on April 12, 2025. Professor Raj Kumar from Department of English, University of Delhi delivered the Ambedkar Memorial lecture titled Understanding Dr. B.R Ambedkar. The SC-ST Cell collaborated with the Quiz Society for an inter-college quiz competition that witnessed participation of over fifty students across the university.
In a nutshell the SC-ST Cell’s initiatives and events during the academic year 2024-25 demonstrated its commitment to fostering advocacy, education, and empowerment. Through its programs and publications, the Cell created a platform for critical discussions, education, and empowerment, promoting a more inclusive and equitable community. As the Cell continues to grow and evolve, it remains dedicated to challenging dominant narratives and promoting social justice, ensuring a brighter future for all.