Our Movement Turns Into An Event

Moving forth in the same direction we, the students of Faculty of Architecture had an onset of a peaceful march on 22 September 2011 at 11:00am from Butler Park, Qaiserbagh via Parivartan Chowk finally assembling in a peaceful congregation at the Jhulelal Park, Dharna Sthal where we made a silent demonstration in form of a “dharna” till 5:00 pm in the evening.

With high spirits and astounding rigour we students stood fast in a peaceful manner. We put forth our request and appeal to all the media personnel and authorities who visited us at the site. There was excitement and indignation in the eyes of every student, but a determined and peaceful demeanor was all that came out of it as we stood fast on our resolve to fight for our rights peacefully. We proliferate our cause with zeal and fervor. All of us were dressed in white, an army of peace and determination in search of their identities, having a strong and united motto.

 Our venture was more so epitomized by the presence of our alumni and visits from famed architects who once studied in the same esteemed institution that today we are a part of. Eminent architects of Lucknow like Ar. Kapil Bhatia, Ar. Jitendra Kumar Tripathi, Ar. Asheesh Srivastava, Ar. Anupam Mittal with Ar. Shubhra Mittal, Ar. Arvind Yadav etc. were some of the most known names who visited us during our demonstration. They put forth their concern and gave an impetus to our endeavor, proclaiming their support; their voices ringing in our ears raised our morale to supreme levels when the rain struck and we stood there undeterred from our motive, drenched in water, drunk with determination.

For the same event media came for full support and published our events thereby broadcasting the same on news channels. We thank them for the same and appeal to them for their continuing understanding and motivation.

We thank Aaj, Amar Ujala, Daily news, Dainik Jagran, Hindustan Times, G-Next, Jansandesh Times, Lokmat, Nishpaksh Pratidin, Pioneer Hindi, Rashtriya Sahara, Swatantra Bharat, Swatantra Chetna, Tarunmitra, Times of India, United bharat, Voice of Movement, Youth, ETV, Sahara Samay, for their support in propagation.

The detailed outputs from the above sources can be viewed further in the following scans from newspapers.

Registration with the COA – A Student’s Perspective

On that 1^st day of college, when being registered as the students of the first year, batch 2009-2010, the principal of the college, entered into  a three hour long discussion with us regarding some questions put up by some of the inquisitive (and probably more informed) students among us. The gist of the lecture was why the college, despite producing some of the finest and most capable architecture graduates of the country every year, was not getting registered with the Council of Architecture.

Today as I sit with my fellow classmates and other students both seniors and juniors, on the third day of our silent but impactful protest, I still remember the reassurance given to us that fateful day two years ago by the Dean, and to many other batches before us on the same day when they entered into the first year at this college. I must admit I find the current protest impactful, definitely, despite the fact that not a slogan or cheer has been uttered by any of the students on these three days. With the knowledge that we are some of the best architecture students of the country, well set in our hearts and minds, we continue to stand for one cause in a legal, well presented and formulated and most importantly peaceful manner.

Unlike any protest I have ever witnessed before (certainly not having been a part of one) we sit through the day receiving news, both good and bad with equal measure of grim solidarity and perseverance, ranging from our applications and appeals being received in good light by the government to winning various architectural competitions all over the nation to the grave delay and irresponsiveness of some of the authorities. Every passing day fills us with optimism as we are beginning to see the silver lining s in the clouds, in the form of the good news that greets us every few hours. The students, all sitting together like a close knit family are preparing for some of the toughest design competitions and assignments that they meet with great gusto. The same students are also preparing slogans and banners to vehemently put forward their cause which we now recognize as our last resort to attain our well deserved identity. We guide each other, we learn from each other, we are dependent on each other, and we take our strength from each other. Every face glows with a resolve, every heart beats ton one rhythm; our motive.

The Fact that our seniors and alumni stand with us, pushing our cause forward contributes further to lifting up our spirits. Clearly from the present scenario, the surging hopes and strengthening support, we are sure that the darkened days that had made our future obscure and indistinct are soon to be replaced by the encouraging light of a sense of security as we succeed in our cause. And we know that this shall happen pretty soon, since we move together on the path is just right for us.

-          Violet Panorama

Read Our Silence

The Day it started…

It was a day, 19^th September, along with the rise of the sun, rose a new issue which is as important as water for the fish, bread for the man; a very serious issue for the livelihood of the upcoming “Architects”. The issue is so serious and sophisticated as it is linked and co-related to the future of innocent lives. The issue is Architect Registration by the Council of Architecture.

Yes! Registration of the future architects, or as we can say that the guarantee and surety of the future of struggling lives of ‘us’, the students. We spend five long years to give our level best so that we may have and experience a bright future with the identity of an Architect.

Without the registration, the scenario is just the opposite. The hard work of five years, the experience of training sessions, working and learning; all goes in vain. So we the students decided to raise our voices, without making any physical noise, for our right to registration. All the students of the final year, with the support of the third and the second years too and many of the alumni from this prestigious institution hereby stand silent yet eloquent to defend and fight our right to be registered as a professional architect by the Council of Architecture.

Change is necessary and it has started and will be in motion. We won’t stop till our goal is achieved; the goal of “identity”, the goal of “recognition”, the goal of “registration”.

-Pearl Drop

Days to Remember

The day I remember was 30 July 2010, I urging my father on phone to go to the place and have a look at the college, which college; GCA.

My father was in Lucknow due to some office work and I was allotted Faculty of Architecture in the GBTU counseling After my father came back, he told me about how small the college campus was, even smaller than my school campus. He argued with me trying to persuade me to join B.Tech in Mumbai the place where he’d done his graduation. But I was adamant about joining B.Arch.

When I first entered the college I admit I was not very pleased with its infrastructure, but what made me happy was the iconic status of the college in terms of education. The day was 12 August 2010, the Principal addressing us, I was really happy. But soon I realized that all these 5 years of education were a waste here as this all could go in vain if we are not registered as an architect by the Council of Architecture. On year has passed since then and today I am in the second year, but the question still remains unresolved, will I ever be known as an Architect?

We need to do something about this, and yes we started it on 19 September 2011, in the form of a silent and peaceful movement, and what we want is COA Registration.Lots of questions were raised and answered about our aims and our methods. My parents wanted to know if this was the only way open to us. After I told them all that was to be told, they had only one thing to say; go ahead.

But I know one thing; the past days of our movement have made me see that we will get our rights as architects. I am sitting here now, not just thinking but believing that my five years of hard work will not go in vain.

-Circle Master

The Second day proceedings and media coverage........20th September 2011

As we continue on the second day 20th September 2011, too with our incessant effort to avail our basic right,we did not attend the classes and collected at the college campus and sat there in peaceful protest . The permission to legally portray a presentation and silent march had been in process, while the media got concerned too and approached us in the college campus . The entire day went in students silently, being involved in creative efforts such as caricatures, slogans, poetry, write-ups and being involved in architectural competition activities etc.: hence we mention that though not attending the classes we could not dampen our creative spirits and did our best to give impetus to our talents.

We are thankful for the media to publish adequate information and helping in propagating our cause to the best of their efforts.We hope that their valuable support shall continue further.

We would like to bring forth the news broadcast of the day:-

While Amar Ujala gave a briefing of the event publishing our picture for the same and emphasizing our endeavor putting forth the students' voice, therein Hindustan (hindi) gave a little briefing as an update of the turnover of the event on the second day.Hindustan Times gave information from the authorities and the proceedings forming henceforth from their part. Sahara gave crisp information on part of both the student and administration.Times Of India provided a little detailed information regarding the proceedings by the concerned authorities. 

We as, students would again like to state that we do not ask for anything except registration and are still not in a state, maturity and position to understand the tussels of the governance, authorities, and university until we are in a dilemma as to what our future holds without registration. We again peacefully plead , please provide us registration and support us for our cause, we ask for nothing more..........help rescuing the future of more than 300 students......

The scans attached herein can be referred for detailed comprehending of the media initiative.........

Amar Ujala

Hindustan (hindi)

 

Hindustan Times

Sahara

Times Of India

 

News proceedings as per the first day of the onset of the event.

As the onset of the peaceful protest has begun, we hereby inform that the event started taking shape from 19^th September ’11 as we students of Faculty  Of Architecture, G.B.T.U Lucknow, collected at the Laxman Park, on 19^th September’11 in the morning and did not attend our classes which we deemed as worthless until we avail registration from the Council Of Architecture. Our respected Dean and some members of the faculty approached to coerce us to attend our classes yet we decided not to deter from our cause and endeavour, and have continued with the same. 

For the same event ,the media published their reports , we appreciate them for coming forth with the information. The print media responded , for example, HINDUSTAN TIMES , published the exact events of the day, though PIONEER (HINDI) unfortunately, misinterpreted a few things to some extent, and the same has been sought out. RASHTRIYA SAHARA talked about the efforts by our institute and threw light on the past endeavors of the authorities and how they are further proceeding. TIMES OF INDIA also issued crisp information about our day’s event . The media has a crucial role in helping us and our problem to propagate and throw light on the severe grievances we are facing.

For further details on the above said you may read the actual newspaper scans attached herewith     

 PIONEER (Hindi)

RASHTRIYA SAHARA