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Career Hotline
On record
Train the trainer initiative
Wal-Mart on hiring spree
Practical
Skills
Fortnightly Quiz-372
The right Angle Happiness @ work
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A fruitful farm
If you love the scent of soil and farming is in your blood, then take a cue from these progressive agri-entrepreneurs and reap a rich career harvest in agriculture, writes
R.M.S. Atwal
What charmed Prince Charles during his recent visit to India perhaps more than the current Common Wealth Games was how young farmers from Punjab had transformed themselves into profitable 'agri-entrepreneurs' through the use of 'brainy farming' techniques instead of the back-breaking age-old 'brawny farming'. Organic farming, floriculture, or mushroom farming, the agriculture today is a different 'mind-game' for the modern Punjabi farmer, who has come a long way from riding a bullock-cart to farm-planning on a laptop. While it is a fact that the glitz and glamour of city lifestyle coupled with the lure of the lucre has made many a educated youth from rural areas shun ancestral farming and fly abroad or to the metros in search of greener pastures, but there are still a few who have made a mark for themselves by changing with the times without changing their vocation. Fighting odds like shrinking landholdings and farm labour crises, the young farmers in Punjab have not had a smooth ride in this field. Though fruits of development have virtually failed to percolate down to the rural masses, these young men and women have made the farm-to-fork journey fruitful. As an icing on the cake, the flush of NRI money, too, has changed the face of rural Punjab. Thanks to technological progress in agriculture and related fields, the youth in rural areas literary means business now. Having succeeded in breaking his father's traditional 'wheat-paddy cycle' with some cash crops, the educated rural and semi-urban youth is venturing into new areas like high-yielding horticulture, mushroom and sunflower cultivation on the one hand and fish, bee-keeping and dairy farming on the other. His result-oriented 'smart farming' is already bearing fruit. No wonder, modern farming is more about brains than brawn!
Some highly educated Punjabi youth are running their own pesticide, fertiliser and food preservation units. Others are into teaching latest farming techniques to the young and the old farmers. The Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), Ludhiana, is doing a yeoman's service in this direction. After graduating from PAU, the 'Potato Prince' of India, Jang Bahadur Singh Sangha of Quadianwala village in Jalandhar, has carved a niche for himself by joining his family agri-business of potato-seed production and tissue culture. With over 6,000 acres under cultivation, Sangha runs a technology-driven operation of a scale and specialisation that even big-tag corporate farming projects are yet to achieve. A 1990 post-graduate from prestigious Cornell University (US), 42-year old Sangha feels that there is too much of 'unutilised' body force floating around in Punjab who do not engage themselves in agriculture but still want to enjoy its luxuries. "Today, there are too many tractors in Punjab but not much agricultural land is available. This leads to frustration among our youth. The state can be the hub of vegetable production in India if our government starts vegetable export, especially to CIS countries of erstwhile Russia," he suggests. This young 'agri-entrepreneur' opines that mechanised farming has made life easier for modern-day farmers and their children. "Though farming is not a glamorised profession, the young generation can make it profitable by making it innovative by breaking the traditional wheat-paddy cycle and by growing off-season vegetables," adds Sangha. Educating farmers about latest innovations in growing vegetables, fruits and flowers is a 'great experience' for Dr Gagandeep Kaur (30), who is working as an Assistant Professor at PAU's Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Kapurthala. "Farmers in the Kapurthala region have diversified tastes and are very open to experimenting with new ideas. Their awareness level is quite high as compared to that of those in other districts. Moreover, women do take active interest in our short-term vocational courses," she says. As far as rural girls are concerned, they seem to have a limited choice due to socio-economic reasons. Not wanting to be glued forever to home and hearth, they, too, are trying to explore avenues after doing courses like Home Science and Food Preservation. According to Dr Gagandeep, there are very good career options for young men and women today in teaching, research and extension education after graduating in agriculture. "Remember, working in the agriculture field is not a 9 to 5 job. Remuneration is good and youngsters should be ready to put their heart and soul into the jobs assigned to them. One should have a passion for interacting with farmers," avers this young horticulture officer. Though she does not have a rural background, Dr. Gagandeep firmly believes that like any other profession agriculture, too, needs total commitment. "Youngsters who don't love the nature and farming should not go for it just for the heck of it," she advises. 'Net house' vegetable cultivation is a new concept that is gaining ground in the Doaba region. Some innovative farmers are making huge profits by using this modern method. Since it is low on investment and high on yield, even small and marginal farmers can go in for it since the government gives 40 per cent subsidy on the purchase of nets. "A farmer can, on an average, make up to Rs 3 lakh in three months during the vegetable season by using this technique. His vegetables are all safe (from fog and pests) under the net," says young Harvinder Singh Hundal of Wariyana village, on the outskirts of Jalandhar. Grandson of Padmashree (Agriculture) Ajit Singh Hundal, Harvinder feels that with low labour, low spray and low fertiliser costs, coupled with drip irrigation, it's a winning proposition for small farmers who own only a couple of acres of land. Harvinder, who has recently tied up with Wal-Mart India for supplying vegetables, feels that the rural youth should take active interest in farming by adopting innovative techniques instead of going abroad and doing menial jobs. Avtar Singh Dhindsa (54) of Langrian village in Sangrur district, has been engaged in flower seeds' cultivation and exports to the US, Japan and Europe for the past 25 years. He feels that the need of the hour is to make agriculture attractive for the rural youth. "We have to make modern techniques of agriculture available to them so that they can earn a profitable and respectable living. Farming can be a very good career option for them. I have two MBA graduates already working for me, one of them got his degree in management from France," he adds. He mainly grows flowers on his 150-acre farm, which, according to him, gives him three to five times more profit than a normal crop like wheat. So, with government subsidies, bank loans and professional expertise available in abundance, the educated rural youth can make a decent living by learning and adopting innovative techniques in the farm sector. With little fine-tuning and a change of heart, he can help bring in another Green Revolution in Punjab. Courses at PAU
After Class X: Direct admission to six-year BSc Agriculture course. No written test for boys and girls with a rural background. Only 35 per cent marks required in interview. Home Science is for girls only. Boys and girls can both be absorbed as Agriculture Development Officers in Punjab Government or as teachers in schools and colleges. The brightest among them can go for MSc and PhD, too. After Plus II (Medical & Non-Medical): Students can take up BSc Agriculture, BSc Home Science, BSc Food Science Technology, BSc Bio-technology. They can also go for MSc direct in specialised field like Microbiology and take up lectureship in UGC-approved colleges. Some bright students can get jobs in clinical labs and work as dieticians too. After BSc: There are opportunities galore for those who have done BSc Agriculture. They can either work as Agriculture Development Officers in different government departments or go for teaching jobs. While some of them who are keen on higher studies can go for MSc and PhD, others can fly abroad for foreign doctorate degrees. Top placements: Well-known Indian and multinational companies are looking for talented individuals and offer good pay packages. There is no dearth of jobs in the government departments and banks, too.
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Scared of English
Pervin Malhotra
— Jassi Singh A. What if I were to tell you that your friends are absolutely wrong. No, you don't need a tough (or very extensive) vocabulary to be able to work in a BPO. A decent vocabulary with a neutral accent (no pronounced vernacular or mother tongue influence) is what is needed for international BPOs. The domestic ones are even more lenient in their requirements. Don't let anyone deter you from what you want to achieve in life — even if it takes a bit longer. Moreover, the recruitment strategy of companies in the services sector is changing in favour of small town youth. In a marked departure from the traditional model of employing English-speaking public school products, many banks and even BPOs are recruiting graduates from smaller towns and even some villages, who have a government school background. The notion that only English-speaking people can serve customers is wrong. Even those who don't know English can be suitably trained to cater to this segment. This strategy l not only contributes to containing the escalating attrition rates but also helps absorb educated unemployed youth from rural and semi-urban areas. Many other companies like Wipro have also started sourcing some of their work-force from this graduate pool. The strategy pays off because in turn, the companies get staff which is more stable and loyal.
Scope of perfusion tech
— Reema Vohra A.
A perfusionist is a skilled and qualified allied health professional who works as a member of an open-heart surgery team, responsible for the selection, setup, and operation of a Heart-Lung Machine and other life support systems such as artificial lungs, lABP LVAD, RVAD, & ECMO. Clinical perfusionists are required to operate circulation equipment when it becomes necessary to temporarily and artificially replace the patient's circulatory or respiratory functions. They also control the patient's body temperature during surgery. The perfusionist ensures blood supply to each cell during an open-heart surgery even when the heart and lungs are not functioning. The removal of carbon-dioxide from and addition of oxygen to the blood takes place through the machine when blood is pumped through it. This enables surgeons to make necessary cardiac repair. Understandably, this is a highly specialised job that requires total dedication.
Where to study
Elig: GNM (+ 1-yr work experience)/ BSc. Nursing. KEM Hospital, Mumbai (Mah) Diploma in Extra Corporeal Perfusion Technology (1-year) Elig: BSc You can find jobs in speciality/ super speciality hospitals like Apollo, Escorts, Wockhardt, Fortis etc.
Finance is the way to go
Q. Could you please give me some information about the MFC course offered by Delhi University? Does any other university also offer this course? — Jatin Khanna A.
The interconnected global economy has redefined the role and demand for finance professionals who have an in-depth knowledge of mutual funds, derivatives and equities, real estate, investment analysis, insurance management, treasury management, risk management, portfolio management, and project appraisal who can work with a wide spectrum of financial institutions, including those in corporate and international finance, investment analysis and portfolio management, money and capital markets, including stock exchanges, depository services and stock broking, financial services like merchant banking, leasing, credit rating, venture capital etc., banking and financial institutions, insurance, real estate, mutual funds, treasury operations and financial consultancy and advisory services. The financial sector, which took a severe beating, is slowly but surely on the path of recovery and is making up lost ground. Even during the worst phase of the economic crisis areas like commercial banking, insurance and financial planning bucked the trend and continued to perform well. For those of you wanting to make a career in the vast and exciting world of financial services, now is as good a time as any to be hitching your wagon to this cart. Delhi University's Department of Financial Studies, South Campus, offers a MFC (Masters in Finance & Control) at the PG level (www.mfc.edu). The MFC comprises of 16 courses in finance and accounting and a super-specialisation in the last semester to equip students with skills in financial planning, decision-making and control while familiarising them with the financial and regulatory environment. The revised MFC curriculum which was implemented from July '09 includes courses in investor psychology, investment philosophy, mathematics of financial markets and technology valuation. This is a good option for someone who wishes to focus on finance from day one. The two-year programme in finance is at par with an MBA. Graduates from any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks can apply. Starting this year, the MFC course will short-list candidates for admission based on their performance on the Common Admission Test (CAT). The final selection will be made after a Group Discussion and Personal Interview. What's more, at Rs. 11,500 p.a. the fee is an absolute steal. MFC is also offered at some other universities e.g.:
Other related courses are Master's in Business Finance such as those offered by the ICICI Research Centre, Chennai or NABM, Pune etc.
Marital status no hindrance
Q. My wife would like to pursue a course in nursing. Are married people eligible for enrolling in nursing programmes? Is it important that the nursing college is recognised? — Amarpreet Singh Kalkat A.
Married candidates are eligible for admission to all nursing programmes provided they produce medical fitness certificate. I trust she has passed her Class 12 with physics, chemistry and biology) with a minimum aggregate of 50%. Admission to BSc (N) courses is on the basis of an entrance exam. Make sure she enrolls in a nursing college which is duly registered with the Indian Nursing Council (www.indiannursingcouncil.org). Otherwise, she will not be allowed to register as a nurse/ midwife outside the state within which the institute is located. A number of nursing schools recognised by State Nursing Councils are functioning on the basis of affiliations granted by concerned universities. However, INC does not recognise this qualification at the national level.
The writer is a noted career expert and director, Career Guidance India (CARING). Please send in your queries with your full name, complete address
and academic qualifications to: The Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at careers
@tribunemail.com
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On record
If you have good communication skills and are interested in the field of medicine then medical transcription can prove to be a lucrative career choice, writes
Usha Albuquerque
The medical transcriptionist’s work is to listen (using a headset) to the recordings, and a foot-pedal for any necessary pauses while editing and clarifying any grammatical errors. You, therefore, need to understand terms associated with medicine, procedures used to diagnose, comprehend assessments of treatments and have some basic knowledge of physiology, anatomy, and pharmacology. As the job involves the health and physical condition of patients, transcriptionists must have the ability to comprehend and accurately transcribe assessments of patients. Medical transcriptions often go through several levels of checking and proof-reading to decrease the possibility of errors or discrepancies and to make necessary corrections. Getting In
Good language skills, particularly in English, are the major requirement for this field. Most companies recruit graduates with strong English comprehension skills, particularly in listening, and with a knowledge of medical terms, as also good computer skills with a knowledge of word-processing. Qualifications required to pursue medical transcription courses is not high. Anyone who’s passed high school can apply for such courses, although most companies prefer to employ graduates with good language skills and the ability to pick up, and follow different accents and diction. If you also have a background in biology, chemistry or pharmacy with a knowledge and understanding of medical terminologies, then you can do well in this profession. Much of this training is imparted at the MT training institutes as well as at computer and BPO training institutes which have sprung up in all the major cities. Most Medical Transcription training courses range from three months to one year and comprise English grammar, medical terminology and human anatomy; some also expose you to American accents. Fees for short term (3-6 months) courses range from Rs 12,000-30,000. It is important however, to ensure the standards of faculty and training methods of an institute. Most MT centres employ doctors and specialists to impart training. Along with this the institute’s placement record should also be kept in mind before joining a course. There are many companies, mostly in the metros and major cities that handle medical transcription work of patients from across the globe. These companies recruit those with some experience, or with call centre/BPO backgrounds. Many also recruit freshers and train them with the necessary skills. After the classroom-based training for a period of four to six months, candidates are absorbed provisionally by the medical transcription firm, for on-the-job training, which may last from six months to one year or more. During this period medical transcription professionals are directly put onto production and they work on current and live medical records. The career path may differ from company to company – but most freshers start as a Trainee MT and move onto that of Junior MT in a couple of years. Once you become a Senior MT and Proofreader you can move up the ladder to the job of Editor, MT Supervisor and Manager within a short period. Medical transcription made an entry in India more than 10 years back. But as too many players entered the field without proper training and expertise, most companies fizzled out, leaving behind a poor impression of this challenging career. India still provides an ideal location for conducting medical transcription, and so many companies are once again looking to tap the large numbers of educated English speaking people, and the comparative low cost of work in India. Medical transcription is an industry that is estimated to grow faster than the average through the year 2012 among all occupations. Moreover, the increasing population and ageing society contribute to the growth of this career. The older age category usually receives medical care requiring documentation such as medical tests, procedures, or treatments. Transcription services will continue to grow because of the constant need for electronic documentation required by regulators, providers, third-party payers, and clients.
Flexi work
As MT work can also be done at home, it provides a wonderful opportunity for young, educated mothers who would otherwise have to put their careers on hold while their children grow up. Retired persons, the disabled, or those who simply don’t wish to venture out of their homes for earning, could all thrive in this career. There are many companies that hire transcriptionists who work from home, by providing the requisite software. Such companies, allow transcriptionists to connect to the main office, send them the voice files to be transcribed, and then send the documents back to the company. All one needs is a personal computer, the requisite skills sets and to a certain extent the domain knowledge.
Pay package
As a junior MT you can start on a salary of Rs 5,000-6,000 which can go up to Rs 25,000 as you progress to middle and senior positions. Incentives are based on the amount of work done (called “line-count”) and the accuracy maintained. For those taking up free lance MT work, the prevailing market fee is around Rs 2 per line of 65 characters. Most large medical transcription service providers, however, offer salaries that are structured into a basic component and an incremental per-line rate for all lines transcribed beyond the stipulated minimum. This allows for flexibility in salaries and the high incentives for those who can undertake larger volume of work.
Training Institutes
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Train the trainer initiative
Punjab Infotech has tied up with Infosys BPO to make the youth of the state employable and industry ready through its new project — Genesis.
The ‘Train the Trainer’ initiative is unique for the state of Punjab under which college lecturers are being trained to further impart training to their students to be ready for employment in the growing ITeS industry, informed Rakesh Verma, Managing Director, Punjab Infotech. It is the seventh state in which the project has been launched to equip the teaching fraternity in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, according to Vikas Ahuja, centre head of Infosys BPO. The first batch of 48 lecturers from 24 colleges of Punjab completed their 10-day extensive training in communication skills and analytical abilities recently. They would further empower their students through a 100-hour module. “We intend to reach out to at least 5,000 college students to prepare them for the ITeS jobs, who will also be assisted by Infosys BPO in placement at the job fairs”, added Verma. The IT/BPO sector is one of the largest employers in the country. It gives direct employment to 2.2 million people and by the year 2020 would employ 10 million people.
— TNS
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Wal-Mart on hiring spree
US-based retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc will add eight lakh new jobs in the next five years across the world, including India.
The company that currently employs 22 lakh people around the world is looking to hire more as it expands its operations. “Walmart currently employs 2.2 million people and we anticipate it to go up to 3 million in the next five years. Most of the new jobs will be outside the US,” Wal-Mart, Executive Vice-President Global People Division (Human Resource) said while speaking at an event organised by the Bharti Walmart in New Delhi. Asked how many new jobs will be created for India, Chambers did not provide specifics. “It would depend on our expansion in the country. More and more people will be hired as we open new stores here,” she said. Bharti Wal-Mart, the 50:50 joint venture between India’s Bharti Enterprises and Wal-Mart currently operates three cash and carry outlets in the country. The company plans to have a total of up to 15 stores by March next year and plant to enter new states like Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
— PTI
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Practical
Skills However, clearer thoughts and feelings, and release from tension, may not be a sufficient impetus to induce one to write and keep on writing. It is only through words that we become self-aware. If we are only half aware of the words we are using, then we are only half aware of ourselves intellectually. It is necessary to win people’s confidence, to relax them, it is vital to be spontaneous with just the right words at the right moment, backed up by real feelings, and not empty words with forced smiles. Many say: “But I cannot write to save my life.” Or, others assure us that “As soon as I sit down to write, my mind becomes a blank.” For these people and, in fact, for everybody to start with, a particular writing exercise is excellent therapy. It is simple. Take a pad, or exercise book, pen and clock. Then, for 10 minutes non-stop, write down whatever words come into your head. If you get stuck, write the last word down again until further ideas arrive. It does not have to make “sense”. All that you are aiming at in the beginning is a ready flow of words. Thus, you write non-stop for 10 minutes. This is sometimes more difficult than it sounds, because some people end up with tension, and even perspire. But a persistent attempt must be made, even if the result is a single word written over and over ad-infinitum. This must be practiced for 10 minutes every day, until there is a ready flow, easy, and smooth, without too much repetition of words. Once you have broken the first barriers of tension to reach this flow, keep it up for a week or so to stabilise it. It is the best to set a period of six months or a year to discipline your mind. The next exercise is a little more difficult. You will see why the first has to perfected. With pad, pen and clock, write non-stop for 10 minutes or longer, with as little thought or concentration as possible, on any one subject. For instance, men, dogs, cars, hope, dreams — any of these or countless other subjects will do. The whole point, though, is not to inject careful thinking and reasoning into the process, but just to let whatever comes in your mind express itself without effort. The second exercise puts the lessons of the first one tro some purpose. The flow of writing is expressing associated ideas on a given subject. It does not matter at this point whether the whole script links up. The test of perfection is when groups of associated ideas begin to express themselves with little or no conscious effort. When this stage is reached, we can move on. When dealing with any ideas — new or old, at work, or merely in conversation — whole wealth of new realisation comes readily to mind. Not only do the ideas come to mind, but we find words to express them also. The next exercise will stabilise developed fluidity of thought, and also the influence mental state
profoundly. This exercise is simple as well as difficult. Like in the last one we take a word. But this time, instead of simply allowing your thoughts and ideas to express themselves spontaneously, you have to make a concentrated effort to think about the word. You must define its meaning. To define is to determine the nature of things to make them clear and understandable. To define the words you use is to define your contact with life and people. This has a fantastic effect upon one’s intelligence and insight. Do not rush from one word to another. Work on just a few words, and keep coming back to them, writing down fresh insights. It doesn’t matter if you use a dictionary or reference books to confirm your feelings or enlarge your understanding. But what you write must not be parrot-like repetition. It must only be what you understand. If, in researching, you read things you cannot see the truth of in your own life and understanding, discard it. In dealing with words you must first get rid of what you already know by writing it down. When you get to the point of being “stuck” and go beyond it, you will know you have done something wonderful, for you will have gone beyond yourself. Third exercise involves toying with the idea of the “Fourth Dimension”. One may say that this is the difference between people. It is the difference between what it feels like inside to be myself or yourself. This difference constitutes another dimension of human consciousness. One might call it the quality of a thing outside of its physical representation. You set loose our inner self to express itself, and then direct it to express in particular fields. Then it had to look closely at itself until it could transcend its own limitations. It comes back to free expression. The last exercise is to simply write spontaneously about your everyday experiences.
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Fortnightly Quiz-372
1. Name the batsmen who were involved in an 81-run ninth wicket stand that led to India’s memorable victory in the Mohali Test against Australia recently.
2. To which country did the world-renowned painter, philosopher and author Nicholas Roerich belong? 3. Name the thinnest material ever discovered, consisting of a sheet of bonded carbon atoms, for which this year’s physics Nobel prize has been awarded to Russian scientists. 4. Who won this year’s medicine Nobel for developing in-vitro fertilisation? 5. Which Nobel Peace laureate, whose outspoken criticism helped bring an end to South Africa’s apartheid, retired from public life recently? 6. Which striking rare plant of Japan has been found to have a genetic code 50 times longer than that of a human being, setting the world record for the longest genome ever discovered? 7. In which year did East and West Germany reunite? 8. Which community in Rajasthan and Haryana is known to worship black bucks? 9. Which city in Turkey spreads over two continents? 10. Which country is the world’s largest producer of opium? — Tarun Sharma
Winners of quiz 371: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Paras Pathak, class X-B, St Soldier Divine Public School, Una Road, near Sadhu Ashram, Hoshiarpur, Pin Code – 146001 Second: Gautam Kumar (5650), class IX-A, Sainik School, Kunjpura, Karnal, Pin Code – 132023 Third: Sahibnoor, class IV-D, St Anne’s Convent School, Sector 32-C, Chandigarh, Pin Code – 160030 Answers to quiz 371: MC Mary Kom; ‘Peepli Live’; Malayalam literature; Britain; Five; United Kingdom; Jamshedpur; Liver; 1912; Mike Fennell 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
Name ………….............
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Effective communication
Shiv Khera
— Manish Sharma A. There are many people who take some time to become comf0rtable in talking to others, there is nothing radically wrong in this, so don’t worry too much about this. Most people are not able to communicate not because they lack knowledge but because they lack confidence. Some people become introvert out of choice whereas others become introverts because they are uncomfortable out of their choice. There is difference between loneliness and solitude. Loneliness is the pain of being alone while solitude is the pleasure of being alone. Communication is a learnt skill as well as an attitude. It is an attitude if you would like to communicate and become a pleasant personality. And when you become a pleasing personality then learning to communicate becomes a lot easier. Attitude is a choice, and if you have the skills and don’t want to communicate then that is the choice you are making. Some people are shy and withdrawn because of their lack of confidence and insecurity. People also have a misconception that being a good communicator means that one is a good speaker. But it’s not always true. Good communicators are usually good listeners, too. You need to overcome your fear of opening up to people. Just remind yourself that every human being has a unique personality and one can learn a lot from observing and interacting. Don’t get too worked up about what to talk about and stick to topics that are neutral, and which you are comfortable talking about. So you can make a beginning by listening more and with genuine interest and concern. Knowing how to start a conversation is very important. Asking questions like What kind of work you do or What got you started in this profession is the polite way of starting a conversation. Avoid sounding like an investigator. The writer is a noted motivation guru and author. Please send in your queries to: The Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at jobs@tribunemail.com
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Happiness @ work Due to rivalry between his mother and stepmother, prince Dhruva, a mere child at that time, was prevented from sitting on King Uttanapada’s lap. To earn his father’s love, he sought Vishnu’s refuge. He went to the forest, took guidance from sage Narada and meditated till Vishnu appeared. For standing his ground, he still shines as the Pole Star. King Janaka had no way to complete a yagna as Bandhi, a great scholar, needed to be defeated for it. For 12 long years, scholars from all over had lost and were drowned. Putting his life at risk, 12-year-old Ashtavakra took Bandhi on and defeated him. Against tremendous opposition from priests, saint Ekanath of Paithan decided to explain the scriptures to the masses in Marathi. One day, a youth from the opposite camp spat on him when he came out of the Godavari after his bath. When he came out after taking another dip, the youth repeated his act. This cycle continued 108 times and finally, the youth fell at Ekanath’s feet. Neither was he the eldest nor his father’s favourite, but Aurangzeb fought and imprisoned his father — fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan — and his brothers — Dara Shikoh, Murad and Shuja — to seize the throne. ‘Butcher’ Asoka too massacred his brothers to be king. “Every kalpa (eon) can be ushered in only by Me,” said Vishnu. He delivered life across two kalpas in his Matsya (fish) incarnation and took out the Earth from under the water in the form of Varaha (boar). To dispel darkness, the lamp goes through fire. Can you? — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at
svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Q. I come from a non-English speaking background in Ludhiana. My friends often make fun of me when I tell them that I wish to work in a BPO or other service sector companies. They say my English is poor as I don't use tough or big words which are necessary for BPO jobs. Is it true? Does it mean that with my basic English I won't get a job anywhere? Should I mug up all the big-big words? Please answer me soon.
Q. Can you please tell me something about the scope of perfusion technology? I am a student of BSc Nursing.
When you visit a doctor‘s clinic the consultation notes, details of any clinical tests, or medical records are written noted down and stored for future use in the doctor’s office, clinic or hospital records. To streamline this process and manage the doctor’s time more efficiently, doctors in USA, UK and some other countries began to record such reports on audio tapes which were then transcribed into text form and stored in computers. With the advent of high-speed satellite links it has become possible for this data to be transmitted directly to any part of the world where the download into computerised format can be carried out. This is called medical transcription and is carried out by language specialists who transform medical reports from an audio format to written form. Medical records dictated by doctors (or their secretaries/nurses) into a tape or onto a digital voice processing system are accurately and swiftly converted into a word document, by the MT or MLS (medical language specialist). These records could be clinic notes, pathology reports, operative or consultation notes, discharge summaries, etc. before being “uploaded” back to the doctor’s office or clinic.
While most medical records from physicians are transmitted by means of digital or analog dictating equipment, there is an increasing use of the Internet and speech recognition technology. This is convenient for transcriptionists because they can receive and return dictation immediately through the Internet, or have drafts of reports electronically translated into text from sound. The transcriptionist then has to just edit the reports for punctuation, grammar and errors in translation; format the reports and ensure that the reports are medically reliable.
Writing is a way of expressing either our state of tension or our state of well being. It is a means of getting into touch with our real thoughts — our real feelings — and clarifying both.
Q. I am from defence background but my problem is that I feel very hesitant speaking to people. Although, I get along well with my friends. I feel that my interpersonal skills are not good as speaking to someone is an ardous task for me. I usually keep quiet and don’t like talking to people. It takes a lot of time before I get comfortable with someone. Why is it so, and how can I work on it?
As all of us resist change that adversely affects us, a wise and gentle boss can fine tune a change, but to usher one in, you need someone who can force the issue. A turnaround requires tremendous conviction and personal sacrifices.