Second Issue

VOX POPULI uncensored

There is no index of character so sure as the voice.

-- Benjamin Disraeli

‘Vox Populi’ is a Latin term for ‘Voice of the People.’ ‘Vox Populi uncensored’ is an endeavor to index the individual voice of the residents of Hall 4 on diverse issues that immediately concern them. With this objective, every fortnight our editors will meet you at your doorsteps to heed your intelligent perspectives, strong sentiments, and spirited responses. Through such a mission we aim to broaden and promote understanding and dialogue among the residents. Therefore, we request you to cooperate through casting your voice in this dedicated task of promoting the spirit of democracy and freedom of expression.

SATHYARAJ. V.
A-110 / 4
sathya@iitk.ac.in

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Do you Know?

Muharram

Muharram festival commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammed. This festival starts at the 1st day of Muharram (the first month of Islamic calendar) and lasts for 10 days until 10th of Muharram. During this month, while on a journey, Hazrat Imam Hussain, his family members and a number of his followers were surrounded by the forces of Yazid, the Muslim ruler of the time. During the siege, they were deprived of food and water and many of them were put to death. The incident happened at a place called Karbala in Iraq in 61st year after Hijra. This dispute was result of a disagreement among Muslims on the question of succession after the demise of Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph. Some sects of Muslims hold meetings where speeches are made on the happenings of Karbala and on the lives of martyrs. The Shias, however, observe this festival in a different fashion. As Muharram approaches, they put on black clothes, as black is regarded as a color of mourning. Majalis (assemblies) are held every day during the first nine days where Shia orators relate the incident of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his party in a great detail. On the 10th day of Muharram, large processions are formed and the devoted followers parade the streets holding banners and carrying models of the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his people, who fell at Karbala. They show their grief and sorrow by inflicting wounds on their own bodies with sharp metal tied to chain with which they scourge themselves. This is done in order to depict the sufferings of the martyrs. It is a sad occasion and everyone in the procession chants "Ya Hussain", with loud wails of lamentation.

Taken from: http://www.islam.com/MFMuharam.htm

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Quote of the Week:

Triumph is just a little umph added to try.

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Puzzle Corner:

Cipher text puzzle

The president of hall-4 is out to watch "Rang De Basanti". It is very important to send him a secret and urgent message within next one hour. Our president, for the geek he is, has forgotten his cell phone in his room. Ankur, chairman reading-room committee, has a friend in hall-8, who is going to Rave Theater, but his friend is a HEC member of the rival hostel and he is not supposed to get the "secret" message. So, Narayan Dada decides to encrypt the "all important message" and give the cipher text to Ankur. Ankur writes it down on a piece of paper and hands it over to his hall-8 friend. When the president receives the paper, he sees the following:

AASPH HGIDD LZNRW LIAAA AEEII MNMTN
Key: KANPUR

Hint: The number of letters in each group is important, so is the total number of letters of the whole cipher text.

Can you tell what message was sent?

- Anupam Gupta (anupamg@iitk.ac.in)

Solution of the Circle Puzzle:

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Humor Section
Originally published in IITK Comics
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They said:

I am very pleased to notice that the Wall Magazine (stupendous effort) has come to being. I will like to congratulate Reading Room committee for their efforts to make it a reality where the inception has transcended conceiving. I wish all the best for all the future endeavors they will like to engage in...

Sumanta Sarathi Sharma
President, Hall IV