* On behalf of the Science students,prepare a representation to your college principal stating how a major portion of the syllabus for the Semester Examination could not be covered due to frequent strikes in the (Delhi) University. * It has been discovered that one of the laboratory attendants was negligent in handling the radioactive pencils used in science practicals. Prepare a memorandum to be issued to the employee giving him stringent warning for his carelessness and warn him that any such repetition would result in a serious action against him. The Delhi University science students who took the first semester exams were expected to answer these two question that featured on the Technical Writing and Communication in English paper. The fact the two sensitive subjects semester system and mishandling of radioactive material featured on the question paper and the way in which the questions were posed,has raised many an eyebrow. The examination was held on January 13 and was taken by the first semester students of BSc (Hons),BSc Physical Sciences and BSc Life Sciences. The identity of the teacher who drafted the question paper is unknown,thanks to the secretive nature of the examination process. Both posers are part of the fourth question,which carries 10 marks. Students can opt to answer either. Also featured in the question paper,which carries 75 marks,is a question asking students to prepare a speech to be delivered by a candidate for a Delhi University Students Union seat. Students have also been asked to write a speech that their principal would deliver as part of the Save the Tiger campaign and have been asked their opinion on whether the (sic) politicians be allowed to exploit the religious sentiments of people for their vote bank. While the question on the semester system is being read as a move to make students give evidence against their teachers,the question on the radioactive leak is misleading. On April 30 last year,Newsline had reported that a laboratory assistant in the Chemistry department of the DU had warned the Head of the Department of the dangerous nature of the Gamma Irradiator. This was corroborated by a three-member committee which later looked into the case. The examination question,however,chooses to fault the laboratory assistant.
