Pull of petro law
Petroleum law is an emerging field with good scope, writes Usha Albuquerque

While practically every aspect of our lives is governed by rules and regulations this is much more so in the commercial world. Every business organisation, big or small, working in a national or global marketplace requires lawyers to define the rules, advise business houses, work out mergers and acquisitions, and generally enable companies to work within the parameters of law.

Every acquisition, merger, joint venture deal, foreign collaboration, public listing or de-listing requires dozens of lawyers for drawing up contracts and interpreting statutes and statutory provisions.

There are many types of lawyers — some practice in all areas of the law, while others choose to specialise. Traditionally lawyers specialise in Civil and criminal cases, labour law and constitution law, but today’s lawyer can choose the sophistication of corporate boardrooms. More than that, with businesses growing in size and new business enterprises opening up every year, which compete fiercely for customers’ favours, often treading on each other’s toes, contravening agreements, side stepping contracts, overlooking patents and ignoring property rights, etc. there is a growing need for lawyers to understand the legal framework against which business decisions are made. Such study is essential to understand the environment in which businesses operates, particularly with relevance to specific sectors where regulations are complex and can impact the businesses in numerous and unexpected ways.

One such sector is the petroleum or oil and gas sector which has been one of the harbingers of huge economic growth. Today, India imports more than 70 per cent of its oil requirements despite its large reserves of 775 million metric tonnes of crude oil and 1074 billion cubic metres (BCM) of natural gas as on April 1, 2009, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. In addition the new oil and gas finds in Rajasthan, the Godawari basin and offshore sites, have increased production significantly, but so has the demand for petroleum products.

The petroleum industry is driven by cutting-edge technology that makes it possible to recover oil and gas from areas several miles below the surface of our oceans and from remote locations far from existing roads, cities, or supplies. The search for more oil has also led India to scout through the international markets of the emerging energy-trading countries and look for partnerships that can enable the country not only to produce sufficient energy to power our growing needs, but also to be one of the major players in the export of petrochemical intermediaries. All these aspects of the industry cover issues such as legal regulations, rights, environmental safeguards, property and tenancy regulations, trading policies, and so on which require specialised attention.

Petroleum and energy law, therefore, deals specifically with the use, regulations and taxation of all sources and products of energy, both renewable and non-renewable. It covers the legal framework and contractual requirements for energy sector companies, as well as those general aspects of business or commercial law applicable to all commercial enterprises--from taxes and liability to licensing and trade-marking.

Getting In

You can study law after Class XII with any subject, and take up the integrated 5-year BA LL.B programme, or opt for a 3-year LL.B course after graduation in any subject. There is generally no specialisation at the BALLB level, so those interested in entering corporate law, specifically for petroleum or energy law, can take up internships with an petroleum company, or a corporate house or law firm handling the oil and energy sector organisations and pick up experience while working in this sector. There is so far only one institute in India which offers a course which provides a focus in petroleum law. This is the University for Petroleum and Energy Studies at Dehradun. It offers a five-year integrated BALLB designed to train and develop specialised legal professionals who can understand and handle the latest laws and judgements connected with the energy sector apart from other legal subjects. The course, therefore, covers Petroleum Laws & Policy, Energy Economics, Case Law on Petroleum & Power Sector as well as other legal subjects.

The Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University in Gujarat is the only other institute offering a programme in petroleum management which also includes petroleum law.

After graduating, a lawyer has several professional options. With a specialisation in petroleum law you can work with a petroleum company, or one in the energy, or oil and gas sector as in-house counsel handling all the legal matters related to its business activities.You can also take up private practice which involves working alone or with partners in a firm to provide legal services to clients (individuals or corporations). You can choose to specialise in petroleum law or set up a general practice, and also take up energy related cases. You can also join the government judicial service and work with the government.

Given the importance of petroleum in our day-to-day life and the increasing demand-supply gap in the energy sector it can be said that there is a big demand for all professionals in this sector. Most major employers are public sector companies and large multi-nationals operating in India and abroad, involved in oil exploration and production, oil refining, petro-chemical operation, petroleum product distribution and marketing as well as international trading and retailing.

As newer sources of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) are explored and reservoirs and wells drilled, there will be challenges with regard to regulations, usage, and other legal aspects requiring professional inputs.

If you want to make it big and cash on this, as yet fresh new career, you need all the ingredients of a corporate lawyer, made famous by John Grisham. This includes a strong reasoning ability, analytical and memorising skills, and excellent communication skills and articulation, and needless to say, hard work, a practical approach, common sense, honesty towards your profession, and willingness to work long hours. You also need to have an interest in the energy sector, which can keep you buoyant for years to come. 

Game for squash

Q. We have just moved from Chandigarh to Delhi. Our son, who is not very tall or athletic, has developed a great deal of interest in squash. Would it be a good idea to encourage him? We would be very grateful if you could you please give us some idea about this sport and suggest where he can train in Delhi?

— Avleen Singh

A. Eminently suited to the Indian physique, squash is far less expensive as compared to tennis or badminton. Squash is fairly easy to learn. It does not require brute strength but instead calls for accuracy and discipline.

In India the game is run and managed by a number of state and national-level associations that are working collectively to develop this sport.

The Squash Racquets Federation of India (SRFI) is the national governing body for squash in India. It conducts training camps, organises state and national-level tournaments. Besides conducting the National Squash Championship, it is in charge of selecting the players and coaches for the national team.

SRFI runs the ICL-TNSRA Squash Academy for training upcoming talent. To learn more about it, log onto their official website: www.srfi.in

India has produced notable players who have brought laurels to the country in international tournaments – India currently holds sixth position in the world in this game. The junior women’s team secured the Bronze at the 2009 World Championship.

Although not an Olympics sport yet, Squash is emerging as a top sport in India and the world.

Contact the Delhi Squash Association (DSA) in Delhi (affiliated to SRFI)

While you can pick up some smart tips online, there’s nothing like coaching under a qualified trainer. Besides some of the reputed clubs like the DSOI and Delhi Gymkhana, there are quite a few squash courts in Delhi, including at the Siri Fort Sports Complex, Saket Sports Complex, Netaji Subhash Sports Complex, Jasola Vihar , Vasant Kunj Sports Complex, Paschim Vihar Sports Complex, Rohini Sports Complex, Chilla Sports Complex, near Vasundhra Enclave etc

For a wealth of information and details of upcoming tournaments, log onto: http://dsasquash.wordpress.com/ or www.squash-northindia.org or www.squashtalk.com

Specialisation in biophysics

Q. I will be completing BSc (Physics) this year. After that I am thinking of doing MSc in biophysics. Please give me information on the universities that offer this specialisation and the course content.

— Geeta Ravindran

A. Biophysics applies the principles of mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics to the study of living cells and organisms, including structures and fine structures, bioelectric phenomena, radiation effects, molecular behaviour, photosynthesis, membranes and modelling. With the breakthroughs in unravelling the DNA, it is now possible to study the inner workings of biological systems with unprecedented precision to investigate how the brain processes and stores information, the heart pumps blood, muscles contract etc. Biophysicists work in universities, industry, medical centers, research institutes and government.

MSc Biophysics is also offered at Panjab University, Chandigarh, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, University of Mumbai, University of Madras and a couple of other universities.

The Department of Biophysics, at AIIMS is a centre of drug discovery and clinical proteomics. It combines the fields of structural biology, bioinformatics and proteomics seamlessly. The goal of modern research in drug discovery is to develop drugs that are demonstrably better than the existing therapies which will act in a specific way with minimal side effects. Conventional approaches of drug discovery can end up being a long and an expensive process. Hundreds of thousands of samples need to be screened before reaching some potential compounds with desired properties. Not just that, it could end up taking dozens of years and millions of dollars. However, with the advances in protein structure determination, structure-based drug design has emerged as a powerful and swifter tool for developing new drugs with specific properties and minimal side effects. In structure-based drug design, the three-dimensional structure of a drug target interacting with small molecules is used for drug discovery. This method allows you to see exactly how the Ligand molecule interacts with its target protein. Moreover, the designed compounds that have affinities in the acceptable pharmacological range can be further processed for other biological assays and clinical trials.

The eligibility is BSc (H) with at least 60 per cent aggregate. Selection is on the basis of an entrance exam (90 minutes with 90 objective-type questions).

A challenging choice

Q. I am a student of microbiology. Could you please tell me something about molecular biology and the prospects in this field?

— Ritwik Sengupta

A. I see that you’ve been inspired by the Indian-born structural biologist Venkatraman Ramakrishnan who bagged the Nobel Prize in chemistry for detailed mapping of the ribosome that make proteins with two other scientists last year!

This is a highly challenging and fascinating interdisciplinary science which draws from fields like biochemistry, microbiology, and biotechnology. Like all other life sciences, it examines and solves a broad range of critical biological problems i.e. designing, producing and testing new drugs to treat AIDS, cancer, asthma, diabetes or new peptides to fight bacterial infection. A lot of work is underway in new areas such as gene mapping, gene therapy and drug delivery systems using advanced DNA technologies.

Starting from the evolution of the cell and small molecules, your study of microbiology at the bachelor’s level would have covered energy, biosynthesis, macromolecules, protein function, basic genetic mechanisms, recombinant DNA technology, control of gene expression membrane, ionic basis of membrane excitability, intracellular compartments and protein sorting, cell signalling, the cytoskeleton, maintenance of tissues, and the immune system.

You will now learn various computational methods, including molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, pharmacophore mapping and modeling (plotting the spatial arrangement of a small number of atoms or functional groups) and some software packages. Theory will be complemented with considerable lab work and experiments.

Gene mapping and gene transfer – introducing genes directly resistant to drought, disease etc into plants has tremendous implications on agriculture.

If you are fascinated by the beauty and intricacies of the smallest life forms and are prepared to work hard, this can be an extremely challenging and promising field.

You will essentially work on research programmes at institutes, pharmaceutical and agri-biotech firms and universities to provide accurate and reliable diagnostic data based on modern molecular methods to cure various diseases and develop new and high yielding breeds of plants. You could even work as a DNA fingerprinting expert.

You could even apply to international agencies like the India Japan Science Council (www.jsps.go.jp/english) Imperial Cancer Research Fund (UK), the Volkswagen Foundation (Germany), University of Ryukyus, Okinawa (Japan), or the National Institutes of Health (USA) for short-term and long-term overseas research assignments.

Correct guide

Q. I’ve heard from many that the notes that we have from help books will do nothing beneficial for us. I have no other option but to refer to help books in order to understand the subjects because in class, most of the teachers teach only in Hindi rather than in English. I’m a 1st year B.A (Prog) student.

— Girish Kr

A. Please use the help books only as guides. No more, no less. Don’t reproduce their content verbatim. Refer to them to kick-start your own thinking and analysis of the topic. Also consult your seniors. They may have better notes. And so would your counterparts in some of the better colleges in your university.

OFFICE Mantra
Surviving a Bad boss
Little diplomacy can go a long way, suggests Deepak Kaistha

Handling a tough taskmaster needs a lot of patience and diplomacy. To start with a tough boss can be demotivating, uninspiring and meddling in projects being handled by their immediate subordinates. Most managers and bosses who behave like tyrants are people who are brilliant in their respective jobs, but have never had any formal training in leadership. Very few people make good managers; they are promoted for excelling in their field of work and yet they might not have the necessary managerial leadership qualities. Employees have been known to be pushed to the brink of desperation due to bad leadership at work; but it really is a matter of perception. There are times when one needs to look beyond the behaviour of his boss and work ways around it to diplomatically survive the situation.

Often, the problem is not as big as it looks. Every coin has two sides, and one can turn a bad situation and work it to his advantage only if he changes his perception of the situation and puts his management skills to test to get out of a messy situation.

One of the ways to handle the situation well is to try and understand the reason behind the said behaviour of your boss. There might be a genuine reason for his conduct, such as a grave personal problem that is spilling onto his professional life. If this is the case, then the problem, at best, is temporary.

Sometimes, you just have to be a little diplomatic in your dealings with your boss. There are times, when people in positions of power feel insecure of their subordinates. In such a situation, you have to make sure you give colleagues and your boss credit for what you are able to accomplish. If you have a boss who is threatened by your smartness and prowess, he will feel less threatened if you direct some praise his way. You also need to make sure that you excel in your work. Having a bad boss is not an excuse to be a bad employee. You need to maintain a positive demeanour at all times; having a positive attitude shows you are not cowed down by your boss’ attitude towards you. The positivity reflects in your work too.

You also need to keep your boss updated about everything you do. Put everything in writing and send regular mails keeping him in the know of things. This way you will prove your efficiency, besides leaving no way for him to point fingers at you.

If the situation gets out of hand, you might have to report your boss to the higher authorities. But never complain. If your superior’s actions are hindering your work then you have every right to report his actions to someone senior or to the HR department. But before doing that you should be ready with concrete information, which you can source from co-workers or others to support the case. Highlighting his wrong deeds concerning the company’s policies or image should be most critical point.

Remember, a bad boss is not necessarily a bad person. Do not hold anything against him; instead try to understand whether his actions are triggered by your own work method, or if he is simply new in a managerial position and resultantly unable to handle all the pressure. You need to guide your boss subtly to better his performance as a manager. In no time, your professional conduct will be returned to you. Even if you cannot change your boss’ overall behaviour, you will have been able to modify his behaviour towards you.

(The writer is the Director & Managing Partner Planman HR Pvt. Ltd)

Digital footprints on road to marketing
Sheenu Jain

The Internet has dramatically changed the way in which businesses interact, market, and sell to customers. The rapid replacement of traditional media by social networking sites, websites, blogs, and video sharing sites has created an urgent demand for professionals who can think innovatively about how to successfully capitalise and capture the opportunities of an enormous audience through digital channels.

Digital marketing is a business practice of promoting brands with the help of interactive media like the Internet and mobile phones. This method promotes products and services with the help of several digital distribution channels in order to reach consumers in the most cost-effective manner. Besides proving to be a cost-effective, digital marketing is also a personalised method of reaching prospective customers.

Throughout the US, Europe and now India, investment and activity in digital marketing is growing at a fast pace. Digital media, such as the internet, email, mobiles, TV and radio, now play an increasing role in both tactical initiatives and as a key component within fully integrated, multi-channel campaigns.

No marketing budget, plan or strategy can now be considered complete unless it includes a digital component. As a result, today’s organisations need marketing staff who truly understand digital marketing technologies, applications and techniques.

They need people who know exactly what is possible, achievable, affordable and effective within digital marketing. They need people who can plan and direct online campaigns, execute them cost-effectively, and integrate them with their traditional marketing activities.

The rapid emergence of digital marketing has left employers desperate for staff who how the Internet revolution is reshaping their business and will continue to impact it. Digital marketing programmes thus, put students on the fast track to understanding the industry and gaining the skills needed to secure exciting marketing roles with leading brands and agencies around the world.

The detailed learning includes

l How to plan, evaluate and measure digital marketing.

l  How to acquire customers through digital channels.

l  What makes a good website and why.

l  Why integration and multi-channel marketing are key.

l  What effect social media is having on organisations and their customer relationships.

l  How to convert and retain customers online.

l How to measure and optimise performance.

l  How organisations and business models must change to reflect this new media environment.

In India, marketers with a thorough understanding of the digital technologies are in very short supply, and digital skills have proven difficult to quantify or verify. Part of the problem is that digital marketing is a relatively new professional discipline. But, more significantly, no type of professional training or qualification in digital marketing has been available within India. There are few digital marketing courses available both offered by institutions and online. Most of the institutions are private institutions.

Options

The available career options in this field are digital marketing manager, Digital copywriter, Search engine optimization marketing strategist etc. with handsome salaries being offered these days.

It’s no wonder that the demand for digital marketing skills is high and the need for a professional qualification in digital marketing is so great. “Digital Marketing is a must for all progressive companies. Every Industry that wants to make profits inspite of the ever-rising costs, has to look at Digital Marketing solutions. You can’t sell an I-Pod to youngsters without going Digital.”

The writer is Senior Lecturer, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur

Institutes offering the course

IMRI – Bangalore

Two programmes in Digital Marketing

GPDM- Graduate Programme in Digital Marketing is a 12-month digital marketing training programme for graduates/post-graduates to learn in depth about the Internet world.

EPDM – Executive Programme in Digital Marketing is a 6-month advanced training programme for professionals to learn the latest tools and techniques in expanding the reach of the brand through industry’s best-practices of user experience, online consumer behavior, in-depth market analysis and optimisation of web pages to meet the set standards of search engines, online consumers, portals etc.

IICM- International Institute of Creative Marketing, Mumbai

Certificate courses in Digital Marketing. It is specifically designed for students who shall be actively involved in the operational aspects of planning and managing digital or multi-channel marketing campaigns. It will also benefit marketing executives who have some level of responsibility for digital marketing, or who wish to make more effective use of digital marketing techniques within their overall marketing mix.

The institute offers Digital Marketing Masterclass also.

IDMI – International Digital Marketing Institute

IDMI offers certificate programmes in digital marketing covering most of the elements of digital marketing mix. Recently they have started offering 2-day intensive digital marketing bootcamp conducted by global digital marketing experts which will equip participants to plan complete digital marketing end to end campaign in an efficient manner.

Digital Marketing Institute

The institute offers India’s first certificate course in Search Engine Marketing. It offer courses for seasoned media professionals, as well as freshers. It is backed by IAMAI (Internet & Mobile Association of India). 

Institute Newsboard
Pearl academy bags 3 projects

Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF) has been awarded three projects under UKIERI (UK-India Education and Research Initiative with:Ravensbourne College of Communication & Design for exploration of design and supply chain across India and UK;

Adam Smith College (Scotland) for building an understanding of  collaborative work links between the Scottish and Indian education sector in the area of new media;  and London College of Fashion for understanding skills required by graduates to bring in sustainability into the Fast Fashion.

The project aims to address the challenges of embedding professional and technical skills into the creative fashion curriculum through staff development exchanges. According to Dr. A.K.G Nair, Group Director, Pearl Academy of Fashion, “Pearl Academy of Fashion is proud to be a part of the UKIERI project. International exchange Programmes and research partnerships are always great learning tools. Such initiatives will not only help in strengthening institutional collaborations and industry linkages, but also enhance the knowledge base of faculty in both the countries.”

Best animation institute award

Picasso Animation College, has bagged the award for “Best Animation Institute of the Year 2010” at the Fourth Idiot Animation Contest Award Ceremony organised by India Book of Records held at IIT, Delhi recently.

Picasso bagged this award for a short film Asoka made by students of the institute. The film has been shortlisted in the top 10 out of 100 entries. Speaking on the occasion, Ranganathan Swamy K.J. , Art & Design Faculty of Picasso Animation College, said, “This award is a recognition of the hardwork of the students of the college and I would like to dedicate this award to the entire team, who have helped us to reach this magnificent feat.”

This award is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards for the animation institutes in India. Students from various branches of Picasso Animation College came to join this magnificent feat.

the right Angle
Thin line between Right & wrong
Shiv Khera

Q. I am an executive working with an MNC. Every month, I submit fake bills to claim my conveyance and entertainment allowance which is a part of my pay package.  Am I doing something wrong, and will it hurt my reputation?

— Raghav

A. As you mentioned that you are working in an MNC, I am sure you must have met certain criterion of employment, including educational background. However, referring to your dilemma, I would like to ask that if conveyance and entertainment is part of your package. If it is then why do you even have a dilemma, And why do you think you are fudging? But the very fact that you are asking this question shows you have certain concerns and levels of discomfort.

Many times company provides entertainment and mobile expenses to its employees either for promotion of company business or as reimbursement for certain pre-agreed actual expenses. The key words here are “pre-agreed” and “actual”. For instance, somebody is entitled to a business promotion for a company and he takes his family out for dinner. The bill is generated and the money is actually spent and the employee actually claims the money from the company. The questions which arise here:

l  Personal spending transferred to the company, is it justifiable?

l Supposing he never spent that money anywhere and arranged a fake bill, is it justifiable?

In both these cases is the employee entitled to this money? Supposing you were the owner and you knew that one of your employees is doing this, what would your response be and how would you classify this situation as? But if this is the correct thing you are doing, then why hide it and if transparency means anything, then why don’t you directly clarify and get it approved from your employer? But if you know this will never get approved then doing such a deed becomes unethical and illegal too. However, if this is being justifiably used for company promotion and is approved then it is called Entitlement referred to as Reimbursement.

The dilemma we are referring here is an integrity issue and it ruins the goodwill of the company. These ethical dilemmas pertain to three parties:

l  The person who is doing it

l  The person who is the aggrieved party

l  Society

Whenever we do something wrong, even if no one is watching us, our self esteem goes down. It is only the first lie which is difficult, the second becomes easier and gradually one becomes a professional liar and the reverse is just as true. Whether you are found out or not, the big hindrance is that you always live in fear of being caught. This increases the stress levels. Secondly, you fall down in your own eyes. The question here arises aren’t you guilty, and the choice is do you want to stay like this for the rest of your life?

There is a big difference between Reputation and Character. Reputation is what others think of you and character is what we know who we are. Some people are honest because they don’t want to get caught telling lies, they are doing the right thing for the wrong reason. They are building a reputation of honesty but are they really honest? While some people are honest because they believe it is the right thing to do. Therefore, they are doing right thing for right reason and that’s called Character. Reputation is just the shadow, Character is reality. Character is the root, reputation is the fruit. Reputation opens the door and character keeps it open.

Character is what we would do or not do even if no one is watching. Character is what I would do or not do even if I know I would never get caught.

“Genius, we admire; Wealth, we envy; Power, we fear; but only the Character is what we trust”. If trust does not exist between any relationship, including employee and employer, then what’s left?

Corporate genius
Ragini Gulati

With a growing and challenging market, the demand for Company Secretaries has increased manifold. In addition to having a simple admission process, there are no entry barriers for students interested in doing a CS course. Lucrative salary, perks and the prestige attached are added attractions to the CS course.

The course covers multitude disciplines, including law, management, finance and corporate governance. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) provides course material for all subjects at the time of registration.

Course

The CS course is by correspondence/ distance learning, with provision for optional oral coaching classes. Admission to CS course is open throughout the year. Examinations for CS course are held twice a year in June and December.

Students who join the course after Plus II or equivalent have to undergo three stages: Foundation Programme; Executive Programme; and Professional Programme

While students who join the course after graduation has to undergo two stages:

l  Executive Programme

l Professional Programme

The Foundation Programme which is of eight-month duration can be pursued by students who have cleared Plus II or equivalent examination in arts, science or commerce streams (excluding Fine Arts).

The Executive Programme can be pursued by graduates from any stream except Fine Arts. The Professional Programme can be pursued only after clearing the Executive Programme of CS Course.

Role

A CS is a vital link between the company and its Board of Directors, shareholders and government. As a CS an individual has direct access to board room meetings and top management.

Job scope

A Company Secretary has the option of either taking up a job or doing private practice.

Pursuant to Section 383A of the Companies Act, 1956, “Companies with a paid-up share capital of Rs.5 crore or more are required to appoint a whole time Company Secretary who must be a member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)”. Moreover, all companies seeking listing on Stock Exchange are required to appoint a whole time CS.

After obtaining a ‘Certificate of Practice’ from the institute, members can take up independent practice. Moreover, “Every company having a paid-up share capital of Rs. 10 lakh or more but less than Rs 5 crore is required to engage the services of a Company Secretary in whole-time practice for issuing of a compliance certificate”.

Post globalisation India has entered into bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Mauritius etc. These agreements recognise the course of CS, opening avenues for those interested in working abroad. Similarly the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has entered into a MoU with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, UK.

The CS course is also recognised by various universities which open avenues for CS to be appointed as lecturers in Commerce and Management.

Pay Package

The pay package of a CS varies depending on the sector and capability of an individual. A CS may get a starting salary ranging between Rs 3-5 lakh per annum. Corporates and multi-nationals are believed to offer Company Secretaries with considerable experience packages ranging between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 1 crore p.a.

Happiness work
Old is gold
Gems of ancient wisdom

In this age of hire and fire and use and throw, hiring fresh personnel and getting new gadgets looks too easy, but don’t forget that the induction of new resources means spending additional money.

Your old resources, that have held your fort for so long, could also be put to use at no extra cost.

Eagle siblings — Jatayu and Sampati — were spent forces in Rama’s time, but Jatayu gave up his life to prevent Ravana from kidnapping Sita and Sampati guided Hanuman and his team in their search for Sita at the Indian coast.

The chieftains of Mewar were looking for a replacement for Rana Banvir when they turned to Panna Bai, the old nurse-maid of the royal household. Four years earlier, Banvir had killed her son Chandan mistaking him for Uday Singh, the second son of Rani Karmavati. After a battle near Maholi, Uday was crowned Maharana of Mewar.

King Indradyumna had put Savara chieftain Vishvavasu behind bars for ‘lying’ about the whereabouts of an exquisite idol of Krishna. Later, the lord in the king’s dream said, “That idol has been lost forever to mankind, but I have manifested Myself as a log floating in the sea. Take Me out.” But the log would not move however hard the monarch tried. “Release my devotee Vishvavasu. Only then will I come out of the water,” a voice from the heavens said. Later, the log was modelled into the renowned idols at Jagannath Puri.

In dire straits, the mother of a martyr came to Akbar’s court and presented him with her son’s sword. Akbar ordered that she be given a few coins and the rusted weapon be deposited in the armoury.

Birbal, who knew the value of martyrs in a kingdom’s security, would not have it. He said, “In your hands, which are like a philosopher’s stone, shouldn’t the sword turn golden, your Majesty?” Realising his mistake, the Emperor gave the martyr’s mother gold equal in weight to the sword.

As King Dushyant had forgotten Shakuntala, both were leading separate lives. Dushyant’s ring, which had slipped from Shakuntala’s finger into the river, was swallowed by a fish and restored to the king by a fisherman. This reminded the king of his promise to sage Kanva’s foster daughter and he eventually was reunited with her.

Old gold is just as valuable as new gold.

— Sai R. Vaidyanathan

The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com 

Fortnightly Quiz-371

Punching to glory

1. Which Indian woman boxer recently claimed a historic fifth successive Woman Championship title (48-kg category)?

2. Which film, portraying media’s trivialisation of farmers’ suicides, has been selected as India’s official entry at the next year’s Oscars in the Best Foreign Film category?

3. With which discipline is Jnanpith awardee ONV Kurup associated?

4. Which country’s secret intelligence service is known as MI6?

5. How many digits are going to be used in the numbering of trains by the Railways from December 20?

6. Which country recently opened the world’s largest offshore wind farm as part of the government’s bid to reduce carbon emissions that drive climate change?

7. Where is the prestigious management school Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) situated?

8. Which organ of the body is affected by hepatitis?

9. In which year did the Titanic tragedy take place?

10. Name the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

— Tarun Sharma

Winners of quiz 370: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Shifona Garg, class 10th-C, St Joseph’s Convent Secondary School, Bhagu Road, Bathinda, Pin Code – 151001

Second: Latika Chawla, class 10, Section Daffodils, St Thomas School, Civil Lines, Jagadhari, Pin Code – 135003

Third: Girish Sharma, class 10, Sophia Convent School, NH-22, district Panchkula – 133302, Kalka

Answers to quiz 370: Sushil Kumar; Sonia Gandhi; Ridge; Armed Forces Special Powers Act; Nuclear research; Hoshiarpur (Punjab); Hyderabad; Himachal Pradesh; Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq; Rafael Nadal

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 on the letter/postcard to facilitate the delivery of the prize money.

Answers can also be sent at quiz@tribunemail.com