‘Computer science craze bad trend’
From Rakesh Lohumi
SHIMLA: The growing craze for computer science is a bad trend which will affect research and intellectual pursuit in comparatively more important disciplines of basic sciences in the long run, Prof Yash Pal, eminent physicist and a former Chairman of the University Grants Commission, told TNS in an interview here.

Career Hotline
by Pervin Malhotra

Deadline

No impact on enrolment despite scheme
Non-participation of local bodies is much to blame
By V.P. Prabhakar

THERE are serious gaps and flaws in the implementation of the Nutritional Support to Primary Education scheme in Punjab which was to give a boost to universalisation of primary education by increasing enrolment, retention and attendance.

In fact, scanty coverage rendered the scheme practically a non-starter, even after four years of its launching. The scheme failed to make any impact, either on enrolment, which showed a declining trend, or on the dropout rate, which increased.

The wheat was distributed without observing the condition of 80 per cent attendance. The children were not served cooked pre-cooked food, as envisaged. The transportation of wheat was left to schoolteachers who had to arrange for it through their own resources/sale proceeds of empty gunny bags.

Non-participation of local bodies in implementing the scheme by setting up Village Education Committees (VEC) to generate community support to the programme also adversely affected the achievement of envisaged targets. The total lack of supervision and monitoring of envisaged targets. The total lack of supervision and monitoring at the state and district level further affected implementation.

There was heavy shortfall, according to the CAG report, in coverage of blocks (39 to 90 per cent), schools (37 to 89 per cent) and children (34 to 90 per cent) in the state during 1995-99. In the four districts of Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and Ropar, the percentage shortfall in achievement of targets during 1995-96 to 1998-99 increased sharply from 12 to 68 per cent in educational blocks, from 12 to 67 per cent in schools and from 17 to 71 per cent in respect of children. The scheme became almost non-functional in 1998-99 as only 13 to of 41 educational blocks, 931 out of 2849 schools and 97990 out of 332380 children were covered in four districts.

With such a dismal picture, the obvious conclusion is that the scheme has been a non-starter. It led to lapsing of 10.26 lakh quintals of what allocated by the Government of India in 1995-99 which included 1.49 lakh quintals of wheat in the four districts mentioned.

Though the scheme was to be extended to all primary classes of government and government aided schools in all districts from 1997-98, it was not implemented at all in five districts of Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and Nawanshahr, depriving the benefits of the scheme to 7.20 lakh and 6.46 lakh children per month in 1997-98 and 1998-99, respectively .

The District Education Officers/Deputy Commissioners of Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Ludhiana attributed it to transportation problem, storage of wheat and non-availability of funds. The replies were not tenabale as Deputy Commissioners were made responsible for collection and distribution of wheat under the scheme.

The scheme provided that wheat was to be distributed among children of primary classes (I to V) with a minimum of 80 per cent attendance per month. However, this condition was not observed in 265 schools of four districts and 134.47 quintals wheat valued at Rs 0.93 lakh was distributed among 4742 ineligible children of different primary classes during 1995-99.

In the Khamano education block of Fatehgarh Sahib, 840.72 quintals of wheat was distributed among 28024 children against 26973 children actually on the rolls during September, October and December of the academic year 1997.98. This resulted in excess distribution of 31.53 quintals of wheat.

As per the scheme, local bodies were to set up village education committees (veCs) to ensure broad popular participation. However, local bodies did not participate in the implementation of the scheme and VECs were not constituted.

None of the district authorities in the test-checked districts asked for funds, nor the DRDAs undertake the responsibility of transportation inspite of DRDAs being under the control of Deputy Commissioners. In the absence of necessary arrangements, transportation charges of Rs 10.41 lakh were initially borne by the school staff during 1995-98 of which Rs 4.98 lakh were adjusted from the sale proceeds of empty gunny bags.

A sum of Rs 1.96 lakh was reimbursed by the Centre, whereas a reimbursement of Rs 1.54 lakh is awaited. The transportation charges of Rs 0.92 lakh were met by by District Education Officers by raising loans from examination and building funds during 1997-99. Similarly school staff of Fatehgarh Sahib incurred expenditure during 1997-99.

The significance of the decrease in enrolment figures in 1998-99 can be gauged from the fact that during the period 1998-99, the eligible population of children to the primary class has gone up by 5.44 per cent compared to 1994-95. Viewed against this, the drop in enrolment in much more staggering. The objective of arresting the problem of dropout has also not been achieved. The percentage of children, enrolled during 1994-95 in Class I declined, progressively, to 70 per cent in 1998-99 in the four districts checked. The percentage of dropouts was 43 in Bathinda, 19 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 31 in Patiala and 17 in Ropar. 

‘Computer science craze bad trend’
From Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA: The growing craze for computer science is a bad trend which will affect research and intellectual pursuit in comparatively more important disciplines of basic sciences in the long run, Prof Yash Pal, eminent physicist and a former Chairman of the University Grants Commission, told TNS in an interview here.

Software writing and computer applications were mere techniques and did not involve any scientific research or development. As such, software writers, system analysts and other working in the field of computer science fell in the category of technicians and not scientist. It would be erroneous to call them knowledge workers, he said.

Thus, assigning the best brains to computer sciences was not a good strategy as it did not require the most brilliant. Computer science was more of an enabling facility which came handy for those involved in research in the field of mathematics, physics, chemistry and other basic sciences. Creative genius were required only for development of advanced computers, particularly the underdevelopment quantum computers and organic computers, he pointed out.

Referring to the standards of research in India, he said there were some outstanding institutions in a “sea of mediocrity” like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, the Institute of Science, Bangalore and the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune. Besides, some good work was being done in selected departments of various universities. The I.I.T.s were good in academics not basic research.

He lamented that most of the research in the universities was being carried out in pursuit of Ph.D and, thus, largely irrelevant. It was high time that steps where taken to discourage this “pseudo-research” which had no utility. The increasing interdependence of various disciplines also made it imperative to have a fresh look at the combination of subjects offered to students.

He said the students should be enrolled in the university and not in a particular discipline to enable him to have greater freedom in choosing the stream he wanted to pursue. The degree should be granted on the basis of his overall performance in various subjects.

Prof Yash Pal said the lack of adequate facilities and perennial resource crunch was the bane of universities which were completely dysfunctional. In the highly competitive post-liberalised world, more funds would have to be invested in higher education. Unlike some advanced countries even their linkage to industry might not help. In India the industry was not innovative enough to require new research and it was mostly using already available technology for manufacturing products.

An effective industry-university link would be possible only if the industrial climate in the country changed drastically and became conducive for innovations.

In the absence of any financial support from industry, the universities required much more funds from the government to be exalted centres of higher learning. At present a meagre two to three per cent of the budget was being spent on education, out of which 15 to 20 per cent was allocated for higher education. This was woefully inadequate. Even in developed countries, where industry provided much support to universities, state funding for higher education accounted for at 25 per cent of the education budget. Worse, most of the budget was being utilised for paying salaries.

The challenge of liberalisation and globalisation could be met only by inventing more on higher education. The planners must not forget that scientists who had made atom bomb and missiles for the country were all educated in government institutions. The country could not afford to neglect these institutions. In fact, they needed even greater support from the government to meet the challenge of globalisation.

I would like to know about the demand of drug inspectors in the government sector.

Hari Singh, Moga

With the proliferating menace of spurious and sub-standard drugs infiltrating the market, a lot is wanting in the department of vigilance. The strength of drug control organisations is woefully inadequate for the tremendous increase in the number of drug traders and manufacturers over the past 20 years. The Drug Control Department shoulders the mind-boggling task of watch over thousands of chemist shops, medicine supplies in hospitals and nursing homes and drug manufacturing units in each state.

The task force appointed by the Central Government has recommended that there should be atleast one drug-inspector for every 25 manufacturing units and 100 selling establishments. The All India Drug Control Officers Confederation has submitted a memorandum to the Union Govt highlighting the deficiences in the system. There is a requirement for atleast 2907 drug-inspectors in the country as against the existing strength of 703.

I am an unemployed graduate belonging to a farming background. I have heard that bee-keeping and mushroom cultivation can be lucarative propositions. Where can I get the knowhow and assistance to set-up these ventures?

Amrik Singh, Chandigarh

The Punjab Government’s Department of Industries and Commerce, Rural Employment Generation Programme of the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), SCO No. 3003-04, Sector-22-D, Chandigarh, offers a golden opportunity for young people like you who wish to set up their own village industries by offering loans, subsidies and attractive margin-money scheme through nationalised and Grameen Banks. KVIC also offers the initial kit etc. for setting up the apiary.

For mushroom farming contact the National Research Centre for Mushroom (ICAR), Chambaghat, Solan (HP). They are offering a 10- day workshop on Mushroom Production Technology for Entrepreneurs. The fee is Rs. 2500/-. Tel: 01792-30451, 30767

National Research Centre for Mushroom (ICAR), Chambaghat, Solan, HP 173213, Ph: 01792-30451 E-mail: rnverma@nde.vsnl.net.in conducts 10-day courses on cultivation of white button & speciality mushrooms including spawn production, compost production, casing, crop management, processing, project formulation, economic aspects of mushroom cultivation etc. The course fee is Rs. 2500/- and selected candidates have to make their own arrangements for boarding and lodging.

I have just completed my BDS (Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery). Are there any job prospects for a dentist in the armed forces?

Himanshu Batra

Yes there are. The Indian Army offers Direct Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission to civilian dental surgeons. The eligibility and selection procedure is as follows:

* For Direct Permanent Commission:

* BDS with 60% marks in final year/MDS

* Possession of Dental Registration Certificate of Dental Council of India

* Age: Postgraduates should not be completing 30 years of age and graduates 28 years of age as on 31 December.

* Selection Procedure: Written (objective) test, clinical test and interview.

* For Short Service Commission:

* BDS/MDS

* Possession of Dental Registration Certificate from Dental Council of India

* Age: Below 45 years of age as on 31 December

* Selection Procedure: Interview

All the selected candidates have to undergo medical examination.

For further information you may contact:

* Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS/Dental), Room No. 9, ‘L’ Block, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi-110001.

Could you please give me some information about the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, and its complete address.

Deepika V K, Hisar

The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Post Box No 335, Near Nagger, Bhopal 462003, MP is the only institute of its kind in that focuses on the economics of forestry and natural resources of India and Southeast Asia.

IIFM offers a 2-yr postgraduate course in Forest Management. The course is designed to familiarise students in the various aspects of forestry as well as in the development and management of forests preparing them to become professional natural resource managers.

Admission to the programme is on the basis of Common Aptitude Examination (CAT) scores.

The fee for this 21-month long course is Rs 50,000. Scholarship of Rs 1500 pm is awarded to students from India (except NRI sponsored) and SAARC countries.

IIFM has an active placement cell. Organisations like the World Wide Fund, Tata Energy Research Institute, World Bank, SIDA and US Aid Society for Development of Wasteland Development recruit students from this institute.

Could you please let me know the career options available after completing MSc in Zoology.

Shivani Ghai

You have a fairly wide range of options open to you:

Besides teaching, you could take up the job of a Research Assistant in a university, government body, health authority or industry or that of an Analyst in food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries to maintain quality and consistency of the products.

You could even work as a Medical or Laboratory Technician in hospitals and scientific institutions involved in conducting research and training.

Another area you could consider is marketing of pharmaceutical and healthcare products to medical and veterinary practitioners, retail pharmacists, hospitals and clinics.

Wildlife & forest conservation is yet another area you should be looking at. This could involve conducting biological surveys and making recommendations on the management and safeguarding of rare and endangered plants, animals and their habitats.

If you are adventurous, the Indian Forest Service could offer a rewarding career in the reserved forests and wildlife parks outdoors. You could of course sit for the Civil Services exam if you are so inclined.

With some further training you could even go on to specialise in the related fields of sericulture (rearing of silk worms), pissiculture (fish breeding), social forestry, animal husbandry or biotechnology after doing an additional course in these subjects. Forest and Wildlife Management is another upcoming field. The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal is a premier institution in this field.

After higher studies in Zoology you could work as a scientist in research-centered institutions like the Zoological Survey of India, the Indian Council for Forestry Research & Education ,or the Wildlife Institute, Dehradun.

I am a hotel management student. Most of my senior colleagues are opting for jobs in sales and marketing instead of going into hotels for which we have been trained. Does this mean that there is no future in hotels?

Kinshi Wadwa

Organised working hours, glamour, performance-based promotions, regular incentives. If you associate these with hotel industry, you are terribly mistaken.

Hotel tariffs in our country are the highest but the salaries paid to hotel staff are among the lowest in the world. Then indefinite working hours, inability to choose the department you want to work in, promotions based on experience and not on performance make it all the more difficult. On the other hand, sales and marketing offer fixed working hours, monetary benefits, new challenges, performance based promotions and more chances of growth which lure such students.

The mushrooming of hotel management institutes has added upto the problems as these teaching shops do not produce students that match the high standards of the industry due to lack of proper guidance. A student going into these courses are blissfully unaware of the amount of hard work required in a hotel job. Thus, such students withdraw and take up other careers.

Moreover, a hotel management course trains students to handle all types of work making it easier for them to shift from one profession to another and particularly to other service industries which wlecome those who are adept at customer relations etc.

Deadline

Archives

Appln F: Employment News 2-9 Sep

Armed Forces

Oct 03 Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, New Delhi 110001.

* Combined Defence Services Examination-(I), 2001

For admission to:

1) Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

2) Naval Academy, Goa

3) Air Force Station, Begumpet, H’bad (Pre Flying Training Course)

4) Officer’s Training Academy, Chennai.

Common Appln F: Available at designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices for Rs. 20/-.

Details: Employment News 2-8 Sep.

Armed Forces

Oct 15 Indian Army

NCC Special Entry Scheme for Short Service Commission (NT)

Elig: Age: 19 - 25 yrs (i) Bachelor’s degree (50%) (ii) NCC ‘C’ Certificate with minimum B-Grade.

Info & Appln: At all NCC Group HQs.

Book Publishing

National Book Trust, India, A-15, Green Park Extn, New Delhi 110016.

Ph: 6563188

* Training Course in Book Publishing (4 wks)

(Course fee: Rs. 3,000/-).

Elig: Bachelor’s degree.

Appln F: Send Rs. 30/- by IPO/DD favouring “National Book Trust, India” superscribing “For Training Course in Book Publishing”, at the above add.

Law

Sep 18 MD University National Law College, Sector 40, Gurgaon, (Har).

* Integrated LLB (5-yrs)

Test: Sep 23

Appln F: Send Rs. 550/- by DD favouring “Finance Officer, MD University, Rohtak at the above address. At counter: Rs. 500/-cash. Also available from Principal, Govt. College, Gurgaon.

Management

Sep 16 Institute of Agri Business Management, Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner 334006 (Raj)

Ph: 0151-250562

* Master of Business Admin (Agri Bus) (2-yrs)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree in Agri or allied disciplines (

Selectn: Candidates selected on the basis of merit in qualifying exam will be called for GD and interview.

Appln F: Send Rs. 500/- by DD favouring “Director, IABM, RAU” payable at the Bank of Rajasthan Ltd., Beechwal Campus, Bikaner.

Oct 20 Indian Institute of Management, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad 380015.

www.iimamdp.org

* 25th Management Education Programme

Elig: Organizational Sponsorship (Age: no bar).

Appln F: Send company nominations to the above add.

Oct 10 Common Admission Test (CAT) for IIMs.

1. Postgraduate Programmes in Management (PGP)

2. Fellow Programme in Management

(Equiv to PhD)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree (3 yrs).

CAT: Dec 10 at 20 centres.

Appln F & Info Bulletin: At selected branches of SBI for Rs. 900/- (Rs. 450/- for SC/ST) till 25 Sept.

Dec 04 XLRI, C. H. Area (E), Jamshedpur-831001.

1) PG Programmes (2-yrs):

a) Personnel Mgt & Industrial Rel

b) Business Mgt

2) Executive PG Programme (3-yrs P/T)

3) Fellow Programme in Management

Elig:

1) Bachelor’s degree (50%) (SC/ST: 40%)

2) Bachelor’s degree (50%) (SC/ST: 40%) + 5-yrs managerial work-ex.

3) PG (55%) (SC/ST: 45%)/BE/BTech (60%) (SC/ST: 50%) + 3-yrs work-ex.

Selection: XAT Test Jan 7, 2001 at 18 centres including B’lore, Cal, Chandi & Delhi, GD & Interview.

Appln F: Send Rs. 900/- by DD favouring “XLRI Jamshedpur” payable at SBI, XLRI Br, (Code No. 4660) with self-add stickers (3” x 2”) with Ph No. and covering letter stating choice of centre to: Admissions Coordinator, XLRI at above add before Nov 20.

Oct 10 Indian Institute of Management, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad 380015.

www.iimamdp.org

* Agri-Business Management

Elig: Scores in CAT-2000

Appln F: See CAT notification.

Dec 07 Fore School of Management, B-18, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016.

www.fsm.ac.in

* PG Dip in Business Mgmt

Elig: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline & Scores in CAT 2000.

Selectn: Acad Per, work-ex.

Appln F: Send Rs. 975 by DD favouring “For School of Management” payable at New Delhi. At counter: Rs. 925/- (cash).

Dec 04 Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Loyola College, Chennai 600014.

www.liba-loyola.com

* PG Dip in Business Admin

Elig: Bachelor’s degree (50%), Scores in XAT (XLRI).

Selectn: GD followed by Interview.

Appln F: Send Rs. 420/- by DD favouring “LIBA, Chennai”. At counter: Rs. 400/- (cash).

Recruitment -Banking

Sep 14 Banking Service Recruitment Board, SCO 8 & 9, 1st Fl, Sector-26, Chandigarh. 160019

* Recruitment of Clerical Grade Staff

Elig: For Clerks/Typists (Hin, Eng, Bi): 10+2/Class XI (50%, SC/ST: Pass) OR Matric/SSC (old Pattern) SSLC/10th Std (60%, SC/ST: 50%).

For Stenos: Matric/SSC (Old Pattern( SSLC/Class X (pass).

Detailed Info & Appln Format: Employment News 26 Aug-1 Sep.

CARING (Career Information & Guidance), New Delhi