CAREER QUERIES HOTLINE
Pervin Malhotra, Tribune’s career expert answers all your career queries.

Admission deadline

Lesson in english
By W.L. Gordon

FORTNIGHTLY QUIZ-132

Why do we say that?
Lock, stock and barrel

CAREER QUERIES HOTLINE
Pervin Malhotra, Tribune’s career expert answers all your career queries.

What is the eligibility criteria for flight stewards?

A: A Flight Steward/Purser’s job is quite similar to that of an airhostess. Starting as an Asst. Flight Steward, you will work alongside the airhostess, while as a Sr Steward you will check the cargo, keep an account of occupancy, handle the duty-free items, serve alcoholic drinks on board, collect the money for in-flight purchases and help the hostess perform her duties efficiently.

Personal attributes like a friendly and helpful nature, ability to communicate, patience and good humour will hold you in good stead. You also need loads of stamina to walk up and down the aisle pushing trolleys and serving the passengers on board.

The typical eligibility criteria for a flight steward are as follows:

Male candidates below 26 years

Minimum height - 165 cm (barefoot)

Weight - in proportion to height

Education - Bachelor’s degree or Class XII with 3-yr diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology

Physically fit with a pleasing personality

Fluency in English and Hindi

Knowledge of foreign languages is desirable

Vision - normal without glasses. Total power of contact lenses for correcting distance vision should not exceed -2D (minus two dioptres)

Ability to communicate easily with people.

Assistant Flight Stewards are selected on the basis of performance in an objective-type written test to assess your general awareness and mental flexibility. Those who qualify in the written test are called for group discussion and interview to assess mental alertness and communication skills.

Training, similar to that for airhostesses, is provided but with less emphasis on personal grooming. With experience, a steward can rise to become the senior or chief steward. Your flying career can happily continue up to retirement unlike your female counterparts.

Candidates are taken in as Assistant Flight Stewards in government carriers as trainees on a monthly stipend. On confirmation, the remuneration package is fairly decent. Typically, private airlines tend to pay higher salaries. Flying allowances and other benefits like free travel etc. are additional in both cases. However, international carriers have begun to recruit flight pursers from India only recently.

It is not necessary to join a training programme to become a flight steward as most airlines provide extensive training upon recruitment.

Q: I will be passing out of school this year. Instead of wasting three years in college, wouldn’t it be better to start something of my own?

A: When you hear success stories of people who quit studies after school, it may be tempting to believe that education doesn’t matter for the entrepreneurially inclined. But unless you have an idea that is absolutely time-critical which just can’t wait (like some of the recent dotcom mega successes), it’s probably better to complete your education. For one thing, it is unusual for a person your age in business to be taken seriously. As a teenager you will find it very hard to raise money or hire good people (unless your father is a ‘money bags’). More importantly, college offers a tremendous all-round experience. Besides the regular course work, there is valuable learning outside the classroom that has a direct bearing on whatever you undertake. The social bonding and extra-curricular activities and opportunities for self-exploration and widening your mental horizons which college life offers are a tremendous asset that will hold good throughout your life. Besides, a degree can be critical for pursing higher studies or even a job later. For instance, even though Microsoft was founded by a couple of college dropouts it is unusual for them or most other companies for that matter, to hire anybody in a key position who has quit his or her education midway.

Most importantly, the world is getting to be an increasingly competitive, complex and specialized place. Which makes college education as critical today as high school education was at one time. "Go to college", implores Bill Gates, the world’s richest and most successful entrepreneur-industrialist who now strongly regrets having left Harvard midway.

Q: I am interested in pursuing a career in crime investigation. Is there any government or private detective training school? What are the prospects in this field?

A: There are no formal recognised courses for private detectives except those run by a couple of privately institutions. However, a good detective agency will put you through formal as well as on-the-job training upon recruitment. Besides physical fitness and knowledge of English and the local language, loads of patience, persistence and presence of mind are essential, as is a driving license.

The best thing to do would be to contact some of the known agencies like Globe Detective Agency, Lancer’s Network Ltd or Ace Detectives & Securities who may take in freshers as trainees. At the end of your probation period you may be appointed as a junior investigator leading to senior and chief investigator.

On acquiring the necessary training you can apply for a detective license issued by the Govt. of India.

A sizeable number of former policemen and defence personnel join private agencies as their training comes in handy.

You can also work in a government agency like RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), the Police Service or IB (Central Intelligence Bureau). RAW recruits candidates directly at the junior level starting with the appointment of Deputy Field Officers. Appointment at the senior levels are made in two ways: the first is through campus recruitment of Civil Services candidates at the foundation course and the second is recruitment of technical and scientific personnel directly from universities and from the D/o Science & Technology. Organisations under the control of IB include the Central Fingerprint Bureau, Central Detective Training School and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory. You can join the CBI and IB through direct recruitment as Assistant Intelligence Officer Grade II. Selection for this post is made through a competitive exam held annually by the UPSC at various centres in the country.

Private detective agencies are mostly run by former policemen and ex-army officers. Many of these start off by offering security services and gradually move on to the business of surveillance and detection.

But remember: the real world of a detective is a lot different from what you get to read in novels. The work can be quite tedious. Hot chases and thrilling encounters are a rare occurrence.

To gain further knowledge about private investigation, write to the National Institute of Private Investigation, S-2 Paradise Plaza, Alaknanda Commercial Complex, New Delhi 110019. Ph: (011) 6412666, for their correspondence course.

The Indore Christian College, affiliated to Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore (MP) also offers course in investigation.

A: You can either do a degree or diploma in Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy. A joint entrance examination is conducted by the Institute for the Physically Handicapped, Vishnu Digamber Marg, New Delhi 110002 for admission to degree-level programmes in the following leading institutes:

National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, BT Road, Kolkata 700090 (BPT, BOT, BPO)

National Institute for Rehabilitation Training & Research, Cuttack. BSc (31/2 yrs)

Institute for the Physically Handicapped, New Delhi 110002 BPT, BOT (31/2 yrs)

University of Delhi’s Amar Jyoti Institute of Physiotherapy, Karkardooma, Vikas Marg, Delhi-110092. Ph: 2151286 Fax: 2154936 offers BSc (H) (Physical Therapy). Eligibility: SSC or Equiv (10+2) with 50% agg from PCB stream with English.

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110006 offers Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy (41/2 yrs) at: Awadh Instt of Rehabilitation Sciences & Research.

The entrance test is designed to test your knowledge in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Besides these, BPT/BOT courses are offered by a large number of institutions (75 plus) all over the country.

Admission deadline

Jun 18 Indian Navy, INS Kunjali, Colaba, Mumbai 400005.

Recruitment of Non-Matrics as Musician Sailors

Elig: Unmaried male Indian Citizens. VIII pass with proficiency in Music. Age: Below 20 yrs.

Appln F: See Employment News 19-25 May.

Jun 16 Indian Coast Guard, Coast Guard HQ, National Stadium Complex, Purana Quila Rd, New Delhi 110011.

Recruitment of Asst. Commandants:

(1) General Duty

(2) General Duty (Pilot)

(3) Technical

Elig: Male Indian citizens.

(1): Bachelor’s degree with Maths & Phy at 10+2 level.

Age: Below 25 yrs.

(2): BSc with Phy & Maths. Age: Below 27 yrs.

(3): BE Naval Archi/Mech/Marine/Electron/Design/Prodn/Control Engg/ Electricl/Telecomm OR Engineer of Motorship certificate from GoI, M/o Surface Transport (1st Div) OR Bachelor’s in Marine Engg from the College of Marine Engg, under the D/o Surface Transport, GoI OR pass in Section ‘A’ & ‘B’ exams of the Institution of Engineers (India) in any of the above listed disciplines.

Age: Below 30 yrs.

Appln F: See leading newspapers.

Aug 20 National Instt. Of Personnel Management (NIPM), 45, Jhowtala Road (Ist Floor), PB No. 10275, Kolkata 700019.

E-mail: nipm@cal2.vsnl.net.in

PG Diploma in Personnel Management (3 yrs, Distance Edn)

Elig: Direct Admission: Master’s in Law/Engg/Med./Agri & Chartered/Costs/Mgmt Accountants/MBAs.

Score in NIPM Test & AIMA (MAT).

NIPM Test: 5 Aug. at 21 centers including B’lore, Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi & Trichy

Appln F: Send Rs. 330/- by DD favouring "National Institute of Personnel Management" payable at Kolkata to the above address. At counter: Rs. 300/- (cash).

Jun 21 Maulana Azad College of Engineering & Technology, Anisabad, Patna 800002 (Bihar).

E-mail: macet@dtevani.net.in

BSc Engg:

Comp Sc/Electron & Commun/Mech & Info Tech

Elig: 10+2 PCM (50% agg).

Test: 22 July at Patna.

Appln F: Send Rs. 300/- by DD favouring "Maulana Azad College of Engineering & Technology, Patna" along with self-addressed, stamped

(Rs. 37/-) envelope (24 x 15 cm). At counter: DD for Rs. 300/- .

Jun 25 Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215 (Jharkhand).

ME (FT & PT)/MPharm/MTech (FT & PT) & MSc in various disciplines

Elig: For ME/MPharm & MTech (FT): Sponsored candidates (55% agg).

ME (PT): Certificate, Diploma or Master’s degree of BIT. For MSc: Electron & IT (women only).

Appln F: Send Rs. 200/- by DD favouring "Birla Institute of Technology" payable at Mesra, Ranchi with 2 self-addressed slips (3 x 4") mentioning course name. At counter: Rs. 150/- (DD).

Jun 30 Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli 620015, TN.

ME/MTech/MSc/PG Dip & PhD in various disciplines

Appln F: Send Rs. 650/- by DD in favour of "The Principal, Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli -15" payable at, SBI (code 1617).REC Branch, Tiruchirappalli.

July 07 Motilal Nehru Regional Engineering College, Allahabad 211004 (UP).

ME:

(1) Applied Mechanics

(2) Civil Engg

(3) Comp Sc & Engg

(4) Electrical Engg

(5) Electronics Engg

(6). Mechanical Engg

Appln F: Send Rs. 350/- by DD favouring "Dean (Academic Affairs), MNR Engineering College branch, Allahabad" payable at SBI (Code No. 2580) along with a self-addressed envelope (25 x 30cm). At counter: Rs. 300/- (cash).

Jun 25 NCERT, Regional Institute of Education, Shyamla Hills, Bhopal 462013 (MP).

(1) BSc, BEd Integrated (4 yrs)

(2) BEd Secondary (2 yrs)

(3) MEd (Elementary Edu) (1 yr)

(4) PG Dip in Guidance & Counselling (1 yr)

Appln F: Send Rs. 30/- by DD favouring "Principal, Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal" payable at SBI, RCE Branch, Shyamala Hills, Bhopal, along with a self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 3/-), envelope (23 x 10 cm), to the Asst. Prog. Coordinator at the above address.

Jun 29 All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Manasagangothri, Mysore 570006.

(1) BSc (Sp & Hg) (4 yrs)

(2) MSc (Sp & Hg) (2 yrs)

(3) PhD (Sp & Hg) (3 yrs)

Elig: (1): 10+2 or equiv (50% agg)

(2): BSc (Sp & Hg) or equiv.

(3): MSc (Sp & Hg) or equiv.

Appln F: Send Rs. 100/- for BSc, Rs. 250/- for MSc & Rs. 300/- for PhD by DD favouring "Director, AIISH, Mysore" along with stamped (Rs. 20/-) a self-addressed envelope (18 x 25 cm) at the above address.

Jun 01 University of Rajasthan, Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur-302004.

Competitive Entrance Exam (CEE) 2001 for MD/MCh Courses

Elig: MCh: MS General surgery.

DM: MD Gen Medicine or Paediatrics.

Test: 14-16 June followed by clinical exam.

Appln F: Send Rs. 240/- by DD favouring "Principal, SMS Medical College, Jaipur". At counter: Rs. 200/- (cash).

(Fee Rs. 800/- along with form by DD favouring "Registrar, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur" to the convenor at above address).

Jun 15 Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067.

Website: www.jnu.ac.in

PhD Programmes in:

School of International Studies;Soc Sc;Lang;Lit & Culture Studies; Comp & Systems Sc; Physical Sc;Life Sc; Biotech;Law & Governance; Molecular Medicine & Bioinformatics

Elig: MPhil with FGPA of 6.00/10.00 or research exp in recog Univ/Research Instt/Research publication. For Molecular Medicine: MBBS with 1 yr exp or MD. For Bioinformatics: PG in the subj. For Law & Governance: relevant Administrative/Legal exp.

Appln F: Send Rs. 150/- DD favouring "Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi with self-addressed envelope (28 x 20 cm). At counter: Rs. 100/- (cash).

Jun 18 Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Mgt & Research, (Univ of Pune), A-4, Paschim Vihar, Rohtak Road, Opp. Ordnance Depot, New Delhi 110063.

E-mail: bvimr@del3.vsnl.net.in

(1) Diploma in Business Management (DBM) (2 yrs)

(2) Masters in Computer Mgt (MCM) (2 yrs)

(3) Masters in Personnel Mgt (MPM) (2 yrs)

(4) Master of Management Science (MMS) (1 yr)

Elig: (1): Bachelor’s degree with 2 yrs work exp. or diploma in Engg with 3 yrs exp.

(2): Bachelor’s degree(45% agg).

(3): Bachelor’s degree (50% agg) or Any Bachelor’s degree with 2 yrs work exp.

(4): DBM from Pune Univ or MCom with 10 yrs work exp.

Test: (CET) 25 June.

Appln F: Send Rs. 350/- by DD favouring "Director, Bharati Vidyapeeth’s Institute of Management & Research, New Delhi". At counter: Rs. 300/- (cash).

Jun 22 University of Delhi, (Faculty of Science) Room No. 9, New Administrative Building, Delhi 110007.

MSc:

Phys; Chem; Botany; Zoology; Geology & Anthropology

Test: 2-4 July.

Appln F: Send Rs. 50/- (for each course separately) by DD favouring "Registrar, University of Delhi", payable at SBI Service Branch, New Delhi (code 7687) with self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 12/-) envelope (25 x 17 cm) to the above address.

Jun 30 Indira Gandhi National Open Univ (IGNOU), Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068.

Website: www.ignou.org

(1) Bachelor’s in Info Tech (BIT) (3 yrs)

(2) Advance Dip in Info Tech (ADIT) (1 yr)

(3) BEd (Distance Ed) (2 yrs)

Elig: (1): 10+2 or equiv. (2) Bachelor degree in any subj.

(3) Bachelor’s degree with 2-yr FT regular teaching exp.

Test: 5 Aug.

Appln F: Send Rs. 350/- by DD favouring "IGNOU" payable at 41 regional centres or at above address mentioning your name, add & program on the reverse of the DD. At regional centres: Rs. 300/- (cash) of.

Unless otherwise specified, the dates mentioned above are deadlines for receipt of completed application forms.

Lesson in english
By W.L. Gordon

The preposition "of" should not follow "all" unless the next word is a pronoun. Thus, "ALL THE men are present," and "ALL OF us were absent."

Sagacious. Pronounced as "sa-gay-shuss" with an accent on the second syllable.

Equilibrium — has three "is".

Friction (noun) — attrition, abrasion, rubbing, massage, grating, rasping, contact.

"Use a word three times and it is yours." Let us increase our vocabularly by mastering one word each day.

Today’s word: FORENSIC (adjective) — belonging to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate; argumentative. Accent the second syllable.

E.g. "The attorney addressed the court in forensic manner."

FORTNIGHTLY QUIZ-132

1. Who has been appointed the new Chief Election Commissioner?

2. Name the first blind person who recently scaled the Mount Everest.

3. Who recently became the youngest and oldest persons to have climbed the Mount Everest?

4. Who recently led the first Indian Army expedition that reached the summit of the Mount Everest?

5. Name the head of the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit who recently gave report on match-fixing in the game.

6. At which place was the Asia's biggest mango market destroyed in a major fire recently?

7. Who is the Chief Minister of Assam?

8. Name the director of the film Pearl Harbour.

9. In which country has been the world's first "Vedic City" set up?

10. In which museum of the country was a 10-foot-high metal tree with 60 alphabets printed on its leaves put up recently?

11. Which country recently hosted the third East Asian Games?

12. Where is the Barabati cricket stadium situated?

13. With which sport is Merdeka Cup associated?

14. Name the inventor of the oval-shaped golf ball.

15. Where will be the hockey World Cup held in 2002?

Winners of quiz 131.Total entries received were 454. 370 entrants gave all correct answers. The first prize by draw of lots goes to Jasveen Kaur, X-A, Sacred Heart High School, Amritsar.

Second: Manik Raina, 9th-C, St Lukes Senior Secondary School, Solan-173212. Third: Haritima,VII-A, Carmel Convent School, Nahan-173001.

Answers to quiz 131: Poorna Vijay; Katherine Frank; China, India, USA, Indonesia and Brazil; San Juan; 1963; Ukranian Antonov-225 cargo plane; Miss Puerto Rico Denise Quinones; Don McKinnon; London; Unmanned Air Vehicle; Five; Abdel Latif Abu Haif of Egypt; Powerlifting; Qatar; Wang Liqin and Wang Nan.

— Tarun Sharma

Why do we say that?

Lock, stock and barrel

IF someone decided to emigrate, they might choose to sell their house and contents — ‘lock, stock and barrel.’ In other words, everything they possess. The phrase means something in its entirety.

Its origins, however, have nothing to do with door locks, shop stocks or barrels of beer. It is simply an old military reference to mean everything, the whole lot. The lock, stock and barrel of a firearm is the complete gun.