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Future perfect
Career Hotline
Virtual education... for free!
Food for Thought
Salary & perks Are IT pros satisfied?
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Future perfect
Biotechnology is not a new term — we come across the phenomenon in our day-to-day life. The yoghurt, cheese and bread we eat every day are the result of biotechnology. Every living thing, from the most simple to the most sophisticated, carries a genetic code or “blueprint” that determines precisely what traits it will have.
What’s it all about?
How it works?
Agricultural biotechnologists handle the breeding and selection with the objective of producing more productive, more resistant varieties of agricultural products, or for producing better or different quality of product than the existing variety. They look for ways to improve crop yield, control pests and weeds more safely and effectively, and conserve soil and water. They work with a range of agricultural products, not only to increase productivity, but also study ways to improve the nutritional value of crops and the quality of seed. They study the breeding, physiology, and management of crops and use genetic engineering to develop crops resistant to pests and drought. Most agricultural biotechnologists work in basic or applied research and development. Basic research seeks to understand the biological and chemical processes by which crops and livestock grow, such as determining the role of a particular gene in plant growth. Applied research uses this knowledge to discover mechanisms to improve the quality, quantity, or safety of agricultural products.
Showing the way
Biotechnology has been used in rice and canola to increase the amounts of beta-carotene, the precursor of Vitamin A, which is in short supply in diets in many parts of the world. The hope is that consumption of foods rich in beta-carotene will alleviate the chronic Vitamin A deficiencies in the diets of many of the poor in Asia and Africa. Other research is underway to increase the levels of other vitamins, to improve the amount of proteins in crops like potatoes and cassava. Researchers are also developing foods that can deliver certain types of therapeutic substances, such as vaccines, which stimulate the body’s immune system against certain endemic diseases. The bio-genetically engineered BT Cotton plant is already being extensively grown around the country, and scientists are examining the effects of genetically modified seeds introduced for food crops such as brinjal and other vegetables. While this has created jubilation amongst scientists across the globe, at the same time, the intended applications have also raised several ethical, legal and issues social too. Agricultural biotechnologists continue to conduct extensive studies, greenhouse trials, field tests, examining agronomic data to ensure that the change in the genetic structure not only produces a plant that is pest resistant, but also humanly safe for consumption.
The first step
To become a biotechnologist, you need to have at least a Master’s degree in the subject. Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary science including not only biology, but also subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering. So while you can directly take up BTech or BSc in biotechnology, genetic engineering or microbiology, it is normally recommended that you take up a degree in any life science like biochemistry, botany, zoology, microbiology, home science, applied microbiology, and environmental biology; mathematics, physics, chemistry, or agriculture. This provides a wide base for building on the blocks of knowledge of biotechnology. This has to be followed by an MSc or MTech in biotechnology where you can specialise in the field of your choice.
Course chat
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) offer an integrated five-year MTech programme in biotechnology. There are many universities that offer MTech and MSc courses in different specialisations of biotechnology. The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, holds a combined entrance examination every year for admission to the MSc course in biotechnology offered at almost 22 universities. Universities offering the MSc programme through the Combined Entrance Exam include Benaras Hindu University, Pondicherry University, MS University, Baroda, Poona University; Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, Goa University, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Central University, Hyderabad, Madurai Kamraj University, Panjab University, Chandigarh, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Through this examination, you can also opt for an MSc (agricultural biotechnology) offered at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore and GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttaranchal) and for the MTech programme in biotechnology at Anna University, Chennai, and Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Biotechnology is a scientific research oriented field that involves years of study beyond the post-graduate degree in a doctoral programme because opportunities exist in faculty positions or in research projects in private and public-sector institutions and organisations. There are various research organisations in the areas of bioscience and biotechnology under CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), ICAR (Indian Council for Agricultural Research) and other such research organisations. The CSIR-UGC Junior Research Fellowship exam provides an option to work on a research project leading to a doctorate with a fellowship. Other research organisations include Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Central for Plant Biotechnology, Central Drug Research Institute, National Institute of Nutrition, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, National Centre for Biology Sciences, Potato Research Institute, Tobacco Research Institute and others. A number of private and public sector organisations are also conducting research in this field.
Must-haves
As the work is largely related to scientific research, it becomes quite essential to have a good academic background in science. Hard work and high level of intelligence with a scientific bent of mind, perseverance, ability to work for long hours, originality, team spirit are some important essentials for becoming a successful biotechnologist. You also need to be able to apply statistical techniques, and to use computers to analyse data and to control biological and chemical processing. Major advancements in agriculture have been possible due to biotechnology. Over the years, the agricultural output has increased, owing to improvement in the quality of seeds, insecticides and fertilizers. With the Indian economy so dependent on agriculture, such strides are opening up opportunities for bringing in new areas under cultivation, introducing newer varieties of crops and seeds and tree improvement. Whether the process to produce new varieties follows the conventional breeding methodology, or the newer genetic engineering is a debate that will continue, but will also provide ample opportunities for the qualified. (The writer is a career expert)
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Career Hotline
A. While professional dress codes are alive and well in financial and executive management, they are defined to a much lesser extent for software professionals. What holds for I-banking will make you stand out like a sore thumb in IT. But that doesn’t mean you wear torn, stressed jeans or neon noodle straps peeping through your tee! To avoid looking out of place, it’s best to strike a balance. Veer on the side of conservatism, before you become familiar with the organisation’s dress code. But dress code or no dress code, a professional who doesn’t take the time to maintain a professional appearance presents the image of not being able to perform adequately on the job. Here are a few pointers that will serve you well. Flashy jewellery, multiple earrings, and chunky chain necklaces are no-nos. And please leave the zircons at home; most people can recognise them instantly. No facial hair (depilate, bleach, laser, whatever!) Also, go easy on the makeup. Don’t use the ski-slope approach to cosmetics (i.e. 3” of powder on top of a 6” base). Avoid “cheap” or “loud” perfumes – can be terribly distracting and off-putting to your colleagues. Lastly, go for comfortable, high quality shoes (flat or moderately heeled, polished well if in leather) If comfy in westerns, you can go for nice trousers or skirt with a shirt (e.g. black or gray with a light-colour blouse). I would definitely invest in a good pantsuit — preferably dark — either black or blue for client meetings (However, considering the blazing summer, a pale beige may not be out of order). Invest in a few nice tops that will coordinate with the suit. Keep a variety of sleeveless tops which are less bulky to wear and perfectly okay since you’ll be wearing a jacket on top. Also, make sure you have matching shoes and handbag. In winter, you can also go for sweaters or turtlenecks. Those ensure a smart look. If you are comfy in a saree or salwar-kameez, go for neat non-fussy lines without too much embellishment. Experiment with Indo-westerns if you like – the idea is to be to look professional without submerging your individuality. While researching on the proper attire to wear to work, I recently came across this brilliantly written article with lashes of humour. Do check it out at
www.dba-oracle.com/dress_code.htm.
Read this!
A STUDY of IT workers in the US showed that they were 32 per cent less likely to wear clean clothes throughout the week than business managers and 34 per cent more likely to sport a ponytail! But that’s about the male of the species in the US of A for you, and in no way reflects IT women in India.
Love geography & computers?
A. You are lucky. There is a field that combines your love for both subjects — Geographical Information System (GIS). It is a high-tech computer-based system capable of capturing, assembling, storing, manipulating and displaying locationally defined geographically referenced data. GIS is used for digital map making, site selection, finding the best route, solving environmental problems, exploring natural resources, urban planning and solutions for other problems. Application of GIS in India has matured with GIS software being used in various mission critical national projects including those pertaining to the environment, forestry, land records, and utilities. Map and satellite information sources can be combined in models that simulate the interactions of complex natural systems. GIS allows planners to calculate the emergency response time in the event of a natural disaster like the floods in Bihar. It also helps the police track down criminals. The Department of Space, National Informatics Centre, state forest departments, the Survey of India, ministry of environment and forests, Geological Survey of India and educational institutions like IITs, IIMs, universities and their affiliated colleges use GIS software. GIS is becoming indispensable in business. Recently, corporate giants have made significant investments in this technology. For instance, Reliance Digital World deploys GIS as a strategic IT tool in their network planning and execution. Besides utilising its potential in operations and maintenance, they are extensively using GIS in various projects including Infocom, retail outlets, hydrocarbon exploration and gas pipeline execution. Remote sensing is yet another related area of specialisation you could consider at the postgraduate level.
Cracking the Civils? Free coaching available
A. The Central and state governments and some philanthropic organisations offer free IAS coaching for various sections of students. Moreover, universities like Punjabi University, Patiala, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Panjab University, Chandigarh, or Ranchi University’s Postgraduate department of anthropology and several others also offer free coaching for IAS and allied services and other competitive exams (e.g. banking services exam). You could also check with your local public library for study and reading material. Then there are several organisations like the Hamdard Study Circle in Delhi (www.jamiahamdard.edu/study.asp) that offers free coaching for all the three stages of the Civil Services Exam (i.e. prelims, mains and personality test) to Muslim students. It offers good board and lodging facilities, a well-equipped library and Internet facility spread over a 14-acre campus in Talimabad in South Delhi. No fee is charged for coaching but students pay Rs 800 a month for the hostel and amenities and Rs 850 a month for meals. A stipend is offered to deserving students of Minority, OBC and SC/ST categories under a Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment grant. So far, 161 candidates have qualified for various civil services from Hamdard Study Circle. Do log on to www.socialjustice.nic.in for various scholarships for technical and higher studies. For details of other state government schemes, log onto: www.civilservices.com. Readers who are aware of other such organisations or bodies that students can contact for help, please write in.
Career CHOICE
A. There are plenty of women engineers. While there may be relatively fewer women in the traditional branches of engineering like civil or mechanical that involve working outdoors, on site, or on the factory floor, their number is growing. And there are any number of hotshot electronics, computer and even aeronautical engineers who are women! The same goes with doctors. Making a career decision is not the easiest thing in the world. So, please don’t let mere statistics guide your choice of career. Numbers don’t count. Your calibre does. Both medicine and engineering are top-of-the-line options, which leads me to believe that you are keen on pursuing a professional career. It’s therefore essential to go by your interests, aptitude and inclination rather than conforming to outdated beliefs and assumptions. This is certainly not to belittle certain practical considerations. For instance, if you are keen on medicine but don’t savour the prospect of being on call round-the-clock, you may opt for fields like dentistry, ophthalmology or dermatology, plastic surgery etc, which pose fewer emergencies. By the way, should you wish to have the best of both medicine and technology – you could opt for Whatever you do, keep in mind this very obvious fact: if women continue to opt for the typical soft options they’ve been traditionally pursuing, they’re bound to remain confined to conventional age-old stereotypes. True, to get ahead, a woman may have to work twice as hard as her male counterpart, but fortunately, that’s not at all difficult! Also, do make a realistic SWOT analysis to assess your strengths and weakness. This will make for greater clarity and help you prioritise your goals.
IGNOU to educate, train BPL youths in six states
Ignou will start a series of programmes early next year to educate and train youths from below poverty line families in tribal areas of six states. After clearing the certificate or diploma courses, mostly in information technology, successful candidates will be given employment. While the certificate programmes are for six months each, the diploma courses will be for one year, IGNOU spokesman Surojit Mahalanobis said. The programmes will be conducted through a Common Service Centre (CSC) in each village panchayat of the six states -– Orissa, MP, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. All programmes will be carried out online from application to certification stages. For this, the process is on for hiring services of trained teachers from nearby areas to teach and guide the IGNOU students in every village panchayat, he said. The pass-out students will be employed in various industries in East Zone of India. Initially, the programmes will be run from a hired house until the construction of the Regional Institute for Vocational Education and Training for East Zone (RIVET-EZ), gets completed and handed over to IGNOU. The RIVET-EZ is part of development programmes of IGNOU through education and training to the grassroots. For the North East states, a RIVET-type IGNOU Institute of Vocational Education and Training (IIVET) is already functioning at Shillong, Meghalaya. Four more RIVETS will be set up soon for other zones of the country.
— PTI
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Virtual education... for free!
Video-sharing site YouTube recently created a hub called YouTube EDU at youtube.com/edu for the more than 100 US colleges and universities offering free online learning. Among the thousands of videos on YouTube EDU are the celebrated classroom theatrics of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) physics professor Walter Lewin, whose clips have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. Other leading institutions of higher education posting videos to YouTube include the University of California at Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford and Yale. Interested in dentistry? Then the YouTube channel of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry may be the place for you, serving up a total of 426 videos. The courses offered on YouTube EDU are free and not for credit but the number of schools offering online classes which count towards a degree is booming. According to a study done for the Sloan Consortium, more than 3.9 million students in the United States were taking at least one online course in 2007, the latest year for which full statistics were available. That was a 12 per cent increase over the previous year, according to Sloan, a non-profit whose mission is to “integrate online education into the mainstream of higher education.”
Why so?
The economic downturn, rising unemployment and higher gasoline costs were cited in the study as factors expected to fuel demand for online education. Colleges and universities, however, are not the only ones offering free knowledge on the Internet. Nature Education, for example, has launched Scitable.com, a website it describes as a “collaborative online learning space for science.” “What we wanted to do with Scitable is to bring education roundly into the 21st century, to take advantage of all of the tools and technology available today,” said Vikram Savkar, publishing director of Nature Education, a division of Britain’s Nature Publishing Group. “One of our goals is to level the playing field when it comes to science,” he said. “Most countries in the world see developing a trained workforce and research cadre in science as key to their national development. “Science impacts nearly everything — medicine, agriculture, industry — but access to top quality science information and education is unequally distributed around the world,” Savkar said. “In many cases it’s expensive. In many cases it’s just inaccessible,” he said. “One of our major goals with Scitable is to offer very high-quality content and community experts that students anywhere in the world can turn to.”
SAVKAR said Scitable, which launched in January, has users in more than 85 countries tapping into its library of content, joining its community of faculty and students or using its various learning tools. “This isn’t social networking for purely social purposes,” he said. “This is about collaborating to teach and learn.” For the moment, Scitable is devoted entirely to the field of genetics. But it plans to phase in content on cell and molecular biology, drug discovery, biotechnology and neuroscience. “Eventually we’ll touch on chemistry and physics,” Savkar said. “We’ll develop modules on environmental science and ecology.” He said Nature hopes Scitable will eventually be financially self-sustaining through advertising, sponsorship and premium offerings such as tutoring and career placement services. “We’re giving ourselves a good long time — four or five years — to get there,” he said.
— Agencies
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Food for Thought
A Majority of workers do not think their bosses are honest, said a survey, and one in four would fire their boss if they could.
Only four in ten workers would take their bosses’ jobs if offered, according to the survey conducted for Adecco Group North America, part of Zurich-based Adecco Group, a human resources and placement company. Two-thirds of workers, however, would not change anything about their relationship with their boss, the survey found. It found 53 per cent workers do not think their boss is honest, a similar number do not think their boss is fair or patient and two-thirds do not think their boss is loyal. A quarter say they believe their boss is dishonest about their job security, and 28 percent would lay off or fire their boss if given the opportunity, it said. By a wide margin of 89 percent, workers think their relationship with the boss is important for job satisfaction, the survey found. The online study was conducted for Adecco by Harris Interactive October 6 to 8, 2009. Harris interviewed a nationwide sample of 2,081 U.S. adults, 1,147 of whom were employed full- or part-time. A margin of error was not possible to quantify or estimate, the company said.
Gmail to detect misdirected emails
Google has added an embarrassment-avoidance tool that catches misdirected Gmail messages before users of the free Web-based email service fire them off.
A feature playfully dubbed “Got the wrong Bob?” is designed to warn people if it appears they may be about to send a Gmail message to an unintended recipient, according to Google engineers Ari Leichtberg and Yossi Matias. “When’s the last time you got an email from a stranger asking, ‘Are you sure you meant to send this to me?’ and promptly realised that you didn’t?” Leichtberg and Matias asked in a joint blog post. “Sometimes these little mistakes are actually quite painful. Hate mail about your boss to your boss? Personal info to some random guy named Bob instead of Bob the HR rep? Doh!” The new feature from Google Labs can be turned on by modifying Gmail Settings. The software identifies groups of people Gmail users most often send messages to, and then alerts senders when they deviate from patterns. “Gmail will try to identify when you’ve accidentally included the wrong person, before it’s too late,” the engineers said. In the spirit of the new tool, Google has renamed a “Suggest more recipients” feature to “Don’t forget Bob.” Gmail goof-prevention tools include “Undo Send” that recalls freshly sent email messages and “Mail Goggles” intended to thwart drunken messaging by only sending late-night emails after basic math problems are correctly answered. — Agencies
People in authority have psychological problems
People with job authority are defined as those who direct or manage the work of others, have control over others, pay, and can hire or fire others. Sociology professor Scott Schieman and doctoral student Sarah Reid of the Toronto University said people who wield authority have certain benefits but there are negatives too. “In most cases, the health costs negate the benefits.” “Power at work does have drawbacks, and the negative impact on personal health - both emotional and physical - is one of them,” says Schieman, lead author of the study. People with work authority report significantly higher levels of interpersonal conflict with others, says Schieman. These findings appeared online in Social Science and Medicine.
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Salary & perks Are IT pros satisfied?
How satisfied are the employees of Indian IT companies on factors like salary, hikes, promotions and transparency of their appraisal system? Dataquest’s annual DQTop 20 survey tried to answer these and more such related questions.
Interestingly, the top IT companies including TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Microsoft, Intel and Sun Micro shied away from the survey this year. Seems tough times made them cagey about their HR policies. The questions become more crucial considering the tough phase global economy and with it the Indian IT has been going through. However, it seems the rising job insecurity in the sector has dampened the expectation level of the sector, so it seems as the survey reveals. Here’s over to how satisfied are IT pros with their companies. Seems the recession has deflated the salary expectations of techies. Almost 95 per cent of the IT employees (who participated in the survey) feel they are paid just right for the work they perform. While about 49.2 per cent of IT employees feel that they are paid enough for the work they do, some 45.1 per cent agree somewhat. There’s just a marginal 5.7 per cent of employees who strongly feel they are underpaid. Among the companies, HCL Infoystems topped the category followed by RMSI and Rolta India. HCL Infoystems also topped the charts on the hikes and salaries. The bottom three whose employees strongly feel that they are not paid enough for the work they perform include Global Logic, Infrasoft and Steria India. Has your company devised a mechanism to help you manage your tax? Here, while 54.3 per cent employees surveyed feel that their salary structure is tax efficient, another 41.8 per cent have some misgivings about their salary structure being tax-savvy. However, there is some 3.9% IT employees who feel that their salary structure is not at all tax-friendly. Among the companies who offer most tax-efficient salary structures are iGate, HCL Infosystems and RMSI. Steria India, Nucleus Software and Genpact are in bottom three. The discontentment regarding salary seems high here. While 44.1 per cent of IT employees somewhat agree that they are not paid at par with the industry standards, some 20.4 per cent strongly agree that their salary package is below standard industry norms. However, 35.5 per cent employees surveyed say that their salary compensation is at par with the industry. The three companies who ranked at the bottom on point are iGate, Rolta India and HCL Infosystems. Hexaware, Infrasoft and Genpact bag the first three spots where employees strongly agree. The report says that hikes and salary remained a big issue for Hexaware during the last fiscal. The company reported a 5-10 per cent of salary cut for middle and senior level employees. Another point where recession seems to have affected the sentiment. Despite a marginal increase in salary last fiscal (2008-09, this too in few companies), almost 43.1 per cent employees are strongly satisfied with the salary hikes they got. Another 45.6 per cent almost feel satisfied with their current salary appraisal. A marginal 11.3 per cent of employees expressed their discontentment with the salary hikes they received. The companies that bagged the first three spot in the category include HCL Infosystems, RMSI and Rolta India. The slowdown saw companies across sizes withdrawing perks and benefits given to their employees in a bid to rein in costs. Cost cutting became the survival mantra for businesses globally. Surprisingly, the survey reveals different results. Again may be job security became a bigger concern than perks during the tough times when companies across globe handed pink slips. Almost 46 per cent employees expressed strong satisfaction with the perks their company offered. Another 44.7 per cent expressed contentment with the benefits being given. Only a percentage of 9.3 feels dissatisfied with the perks and benefits offered to them. The top three companies whose employees strongly feel satisfied include HCL Infosystems, RMSI, Rolta India. Unlike most other companies, during the downturn Rolta India experienced no trouble in terms of monetary benefits and salaries. RMSI too managed to hand out its annual increments and bonuses during the fiscal 2008-09. Among those whose employees disagree include Genpact, Infrasoft and Cybage Software. Is gender equality a norm in IT companies? Or is it more a talk than practice? Are companies fair to the fairer sex? It seems so, according to the survey. A whopping 80 per cent strongly agree that their company makes no discrimination in terms of salary on the basis of employees’ sex. Another 18.5 per cent somewhat agree that companies are fair in terms of salary structure. Only a marginal 2.3% expressed reservations about their company’s gender fairness. Among the companies whose employees strongly agree with it are RMSI, HCL Infosystems and Rolta India. According to the survey, many employees of RMSI complained of gender discrimination and said that KRAs are set differently for women. Employees from Infrasoft, Nucleus Sofware and Steria India also expressed some gender biases and inequalities.
— TNS
Fair appraisals
Most employees find the appraisal system in their companies transparent and fair, so reveals the survey. Almost 60 per cent employees feel that their company’s appraisal procedure is transparent. Another 35 per cent almost agree with the statement. Only a mere 4.9 per cent expressed strong disagreement with the system. On the fairness front too, almost 60 per cent employees strongly agree while only a small 5.4 per cent strongly disagree. Among the top three companies who showed transparency and fairness include RMSI, HCL Infosystems and Rolta India. The bottom three includes Steria India, Genpact and Infrasoft.
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Happiness @ work
To project oneself as superior among equals, few among us do not miss any chance to bring others down. Their favourite pastime is highlighting the faults of colleagues. Avoid it, cautions the Dhammapada as:
“How easy it is to see another’s faults, How hard it is to find your own. Don’t winnow other’s faults in the wind like chaff …Your own mischief will consume you.” Shishupal, the King of Chedi, criticised Krishna no end. On his 100th invective, Krishna slit his throat. Even after sending the Pandavas into 13-year exile, Duryodhana wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to see them in misery. He went to Dwaitavana to see how Yudhisthira was faring sans royal comforts. Duryodhana’s party got into an altercation with some Gandharvas there and was held captive until the Pandavas came to the rescue. Another’s misery cannot make you happy and finding faults in others does not lessen your imperfections. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan This column appears weekly. The writer can be contacted at
svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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1. Name the India-born scientist who has shared the 2009 chemistry Nobel with a US and an Israeli scientist for their path-breaking work on ribosomes. 2. Who is the only woman to have won the Nobel Prize in economics? 3. Name the Nobel Peace Prize winner for 2009. 4. Who was described as a “man of all times and places” for his contribution towards world peace, in a unanimous resolution passed by the US House of Representatives recently? 5. Name one of the world’s oldest hill ranges, falling in Haryana and Rajasthan, which have suffered a great deal of environmental degradation for the past many decades due to mining. 6. Which genetically modified (GM) food crop was approved by a government committee for cultivation in the country recently? 7. Which country has emerged as the world’s fastest growing telecom market, surpassing China? 8. What is the term used to describe a mixture of gases, solids, liquids and other pollutants in the air that mar its quality and make the sky look black? 9. Which city will host the 2011 World Cup Cricket final? 10. Which Brazilian football player has won the 2009 Golden Foot Award? — Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 346: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Komalpreet Kaur, XI-B, RD Khosla DAV Model Senior Secondary School, Batala, district Gurdaspur, Pin Code - 143505 Second: Amanjot Kaur Sidhu, class XI (medical), Eastwood International School, Doomwali village (bypass road), PO Pathrala, district Bathinda, Pin Code - 151401 Third: Urmila Chakraborty, class XI-A, Shiwalik Public School, Ropar, Pin Code - 141001 Answers to quiz 346: Sixty; Manna Dey; October 2; Mahatma Gandhi; Border Security Force; 150th, China; Mohamed El Baradei; Vijender Singh; Rio de Janeiro Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent at the school address. Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place to facilitate the delivery of the prize money. Answers can also be sent at quiz@tribunemail.com
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While we are celebrating the Nobel Prize for Dr Venkatesh Ramakrishnan, another science story is also making news while causing some concern. With the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee giving the in-principle approval for the commercial cultivation of a food crop, BT Brinjal, attention is again focused on the importance of biosciences in creating new technologies that can bring about dramatic changes in our healthcare and food systems, so vital for our survival on this planet.
When it comes to office wear, less is more
How satisfied are the employees of Indian IT companies on factors like salary, hikes, promotions and transparency of their appraisal system? Dataquest’s annual DQTop 20 survey tried to answer these and more such related
questions. Interestingly, the top IT companies including TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Microsoft, Intel and Sun Micro shied away from the survey this year. Seems tough times made them cagey about their HR
policies.
While we are celebrating the Nobel Prize for Dr Venkatesh Ramakrishnan, another science story is also making news while causing some concern. With the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee giving the in-principle approval for the commercial cultivation of a food crop, BT Brinjal, attention is again focused on the importance of biosciences in creating new technologies that can bring about dramatic changes in our healthcare and food systems, so vital for our survival on this planet.
The increase in population in India and the world has been causing great apprehension among planners, economists and governments around the world on the earth’s ability to continue to feed larger and larger numbers. It is this concern that has brought about huge advances in the field of agriculture with the application of agricultural biotechnology for the development of new crop varieties, hybrid products, seeds, biofertilizers, biopesticides and genetically engineered crops. 
Biotechnology is a precise science that enables us to find the most beneficial traits, in terms of added nutrition, increased flavor, or greater ability to fight pests or diseases, and incorporate them into various organisms. Biotechnology is able to isolate a particular gene (or trait) in one organism, remove it, and then transfer it to another organism, where this same gene replicates itself, creating a stronger and more resilient strain of the same substance. Biotechnology uses micro-organic plant and animal cells to produce materials such as food, medicine and chemicals, which can be used by man in his daily life. Agricultural scientists applying principles of biotechnology are providing technological support for development of new and high-yielding varieties of agricultural products for a growing population.
Q. Is there a dress code for women in the software sector? I am very ambitious and focused. What image should I project in my office?
— Garima Bedi
Q. I am a student of class 12. My favourite subjects are computer science and geography. What are the good opportunities I can get with these subjects?
— Jaideep Chamaria
Q. I’m pursuing MA first year through distance mode and am polio afflicted. I want to prepare for the IAS but my father doesn’t have the finances. Are there any government schemes to help the physically-challenged prepare for these exams either in Patiala or Delhi?
— Rashida Anwar
Q. I am a student of Class XI with subjects physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology. If given a choice, should I prefer to study medicine or engineering? How many women engineers are there in India?
— Vaidehi Chugh
They don’t offer degrees but then they don’t charge tuition either. Colleges and universities across the United States are offering free courses online on virtually every subject imaginable, including videotaped lectures by some of their most distinguished professors.
People wielding power at workplace are more likely to suffer from psychological and physical problems. A University of Toronto study, which used data from a survey of 1,800 American workers in different occupations and sectors, revealed previously undocumented evidence about the ups and downsides of power at workplaces.
