India Education Centre to come up at Noida

NEW DELHI: In its continuing effort to launch demonstration projects, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) is going to soon start the construction of multi-crore India Education Centre at Noida which will not only house knowledge-based educational institutions but also facilitate research, academic training and consultancy in the areas of human habitation and environment.

HUDCO Chairman and Managing Director P.S. Rana said the India Education Centre, spread in 10 acres along the NH 24, would also have a Vedic Research Centre which would undertake research and documentation in areas of Vedic knowledge related with health and environment.

HUDCO is colloborating with state governments to establish HUDCO chairs in the Administration and Training Institutes for Urban settlements. Seventeen states have already taken initiative in this regard. HUDCO will give Rs 7 lakh per year for five years for training of professional in urban planning in these institutes.

One such HUDCO Bazaar will be established at Lucknow as Awadh Centre while another will come up at Thiruvananthapuram. — TNS

NIFT may get varsity status

NEW DELHI: The Textiles Ministry is drafting a Bill aimed at granting university status to the National Institute of Fashion Technology.

"We are preparing a Bill for giving university status to NIFT so that students graduating from there can get a degree, Union Textiles Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters here.

He said the ministry was trying to bring the matter to the Cabinet at the earliest.

However, he said in the wake of elections it would be tabled in Parliament only by the new government. — PTI

Making a mark as woman DJ

AHMEDABAD: She has broken into a male bastion, and Kary Fernandes certainly likes to make a song and dance about it - literally! She is popularly known as DJ Kary in Delhi, where she is based.

"There weren’t any women DJs a few years ago, so I thought why not be one? That is how it started and I trained myself on the nitty-gritty of the job," she says.

She has opened an institute in her Delhi-based studio, called Omerta, where she trains young women aspirants on the technical aspects of the job. — IANS

QUERY HOTLINE

Future of alternative medicine bright

A While traditional Indian medicine has a 5000-year old history and has been used by millions, modern medicine is merely 150-years old.

The healing methods of the Far East (particularly China, India and Korea) are now finding increasing acceptance all over the world as an alternative line of treatment, even though stubborn lobbyists for academic medicine argue that the methods have not yet been adequately scientifically researched. For instance, the market for ayurvedic drugs is growing in the US with more and more Americans trying to "return to nature". Among the numerous formulations that have gained acceptance, isabgol is a hot favourite.

While, alternative medicine cannot replace modern medicine as far as diagnosis, investigation and emergency care are concerned, certain ‘alternative’ cures have shown remarkable results even in chronic illnesses like diabetes, leucoderma and cancer, including hard to cure disease like AIDS.

The future of alternative medicine is bright. In a developing country like India, alternative systems of therapeutics, which encompass ayurveda, homoeopathy, unani, reiki, pranic healing, acupuncture, acupressure, etc have a definite role to play in alleviating sickness – both chronic and acute. The cost-effectiveness, efficacy, low toxicity, and few adverse effects renders them invaluable as viable alternatives to conventional medicine. Similarly, homoeopathy is now a widely accepted system of medicine that has a worldwide following.

The WHO has assessed the total world market for alternative medicine at a whopping Rs 51,210 crore. The market for herbal remedies alone is pegged at $ 5 trillion, with an annual growth of 11 per cent.

Interestingly, herbal medicine accounts for 45 per cent of the European market. In fact, a WHO survey shows that 60 to 90 per cent of people in the UK rely on complimentary systems of medicine — which explains the renewed interest in these systems. Home to 15,000 medicinal plants, and as one of the 12 mega bio-diverse countries of the world, India is sitting on a veritable green mine.

Awakening to the potential, the Central Government has announced a separate national policy on the Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy (ISM&H) to boost and promote indigenous medicine. A Medicinal Plants Board has been set up to address issues on conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants.

A You will have to go to colleges in nearby states like Punjab or UP as presently there are no degree colleges in the state (except two polytechnics that offer diploma (DPharm) courses.

With only a few thousand registered pharmacists in the state as against a requirement of one pharmacist for every 200 persons, there is a real dearth of pharmacists in the state. Even the Pharmaceutical Council of India has recognised the need for at least two graduate and two postgraduate degree colleges for pharmacy in the state.

A It’s so wonderful that you are concerned about hurting your parent’s wishes. But what about you? Your future? Your dreams? Your longing for creativity and meaning in your life?

Firstly, I think you need to take stock of what you’re afraid of: not wanting to face the risks if he says "no". That he may not love you anymore. That he may think you are ungrateful and not a dutiful son. Or that you’d be letting the family down.But you must also realise that you are going along with something you don’t want, then putting the blame on them for doing it. That way, you don’t have to take responsibility. Except that when it comes to your career, you do have a choice. It’s up to you to shape your life and your career the way you want to.

The fact is that each of us is born with a free will — and nothing can change that. Our free will and our understanding of this fact are perhaps our greatest resources.

But with freedom comes accountability, with accountability comes guilt and with guilt comes anxiety. Since freedom leads to anxiety, it is easier to repress it than to bear it proudly. The alternative might be unpleasant. But to think free will is always pleasurable is naive.

Not taking time out to reflect about the choices before you would be a costly mistake. Unfortunately, we often blame others, so as to avoid the responsibility. By saying ‘I had no choice’ (and meaning it), we are simply betraying our human nature. I’m sure in time your father will understand. Perhaps he will even encourage you. Have you tried talking things over — explaining your aspirations and your point of view? Just try.

A Accommodation facilities at each educational institution vary a great deal. While some universities and colleges offer rooms in halls of residence or student flats to 90 per cent or more of their first-year students, others cannot provide accommodation for more than 20 per cent of incoming students. However, all institutions will help you find a suitable privately-owned accommodation. Some of the different types of private accommodation available are:

Hostels offer accommodation for both single and married students. Meals are usually provided although some have cooking facilities. To be on the safer side, apply for a room well in advance.

Lodging are rented rooms in private houses. Since the owner and his family will live in the house, you will have to adapt your lifestyle to fit in with theirs. Meals may be provided or you may be allowed to use the kitchen to cook your own meals. Flats and houses are available on rent. A group of friends share the rent and other bills for a furnished flat or house situated near the college. Although this kind of accommodation can work out to be cheaper, it may take some "looking" to find suitable houses.

A Valuers (Real Estate) must have thorough knowledge of civil engineering, architecture and property laws.

The Institute of Estate Managers & Appraisers, Kolkata, offers a course in Real Estate Mgt & Valuation (1-yr). Elig: BE/BTech or Dip in Engg. Selection: Entrance Test (1st divisioners exempted).

Your work areas could include govt and semi-govt sectors, banks, insurance cos, municipalities, the IT Department, and businesses that deal with immovable property, industrial/housing estates. You can also work independently.

Yet another area fresh entrants can target is that of Claims. Accuracy, not qualifications, is what is needed to be an Underwriter or Claims professional.

The Underwriter’s job involves filtering the bad or sub-standard prospects, if operating in the life sector and managing risks in the general insurance sector. This is ideal for those in the fields of medicine, pharmacy and life sciences.

Business Analysts are required to design the process flow. This is a new opportunity for fresh business graduates who can be trained in the company’s processes and for customising them to match the workflow.

Business Development Managers: An MBA with three to four years of experience in marketing can join an insurance company as a business development manager. Handling a team of 30 to 40 insurance agents, you will co-ordinate between them and the company, besides handling the customer care service. In addition to a salary on a par with any other industry, you can expect attractive incentives if your team meets the company’s targets.

AFor complete information regarding employment prospects in the above-mentioned international bodies, you may contact the following:

UNDP Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme, 55 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110003.

United Nations Information Centre, 55 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110003.

International Labour Organisation (ILO), a UN agency (www.ilo.org/india)

WHO Representative, World Health Organisation, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110002.

World Bank, 55 Max Mueller Marg, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003.

United Nations Children Fund, 73 Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003.

— Pervin Malhotra, Director, CARING

Please send in your query, preferably on a postcard, along with your name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Query Hotline, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160020, or at careerguide@tribuneindia.com