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Global footprint
dairy farming
GUEST COLUMN
NTPC to hire 1,000 engineers
guest column
news board
Happiness @ work
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Global footprint
In the global village that the present day world has become every sphere is inter-related and so are the economies. Companies are having off shore campuses where in the skill set required to excel is quite similar to the one that we have back home in India. As a result a lot many companies are picking up Indian students from their college campuses and offering them global placements. And going by the trends available Indian students are also game for it. "In an environment where the market for talent is becoming global, there is a growing realisation that many individuals may have to relocate for work to other countries or to other continents", says Kamal Karanth, Managing Director Kelly Services.
Campus placements
A recent survey by Kelly Services reveals that, almost nine out of 10 Indian students are willing to move abroad for the right job. "Indian companies are also becoming globalised where-in they have manufacturing facilities as well as marketing operations overseas. So it is not only the foreign companies who come and hire students for overseas jobs, but many Indian companies, too, are picking up students for their off shore branch offices", tells Abhijit Mukherjee, Director, Thapar University Patiala. Jobs are being offered in IT, manufacturing, banking and even finance sectors. "This time on our campus we had quite a few foreign players offering good openings. We had Goldman Sachs, Google, Handoi Heavy Electricals from Korea, and Tech-Link from USA visiting our campus this year. Even the starting salary was somewhere close to Rs 7.5 lakh", reveals Mukherjee. But some of the educationists are of the view that this phenomenon of global placements is more pronounced in Ivy League institutions and has not percolated to the middle rung institutions. Many IT majors do train their employees in India first and then send them to foreign locations. After its South African acquisition Bharti-Airtel is posting youngsters abroad after training them in India. This is usually done in the case of students who are from middle rung institutions as there is a skill difference from the ones who have passed out from top institutes. "Companies usually focus on increasing their skill set vis a vis their domain knowledge. This helps in students leveraging their jobs better in foreign locales. We had a batch of around 500 students from TCS. These students were hired during their campus placement drive across various campuses for their off shore locations. The fee of getting these students certified in Global Certifications was borne by TCS", reveals Mohan Das Menon, Practice Head-Service Excellence QAI.
Challenges and fitment
Companies are very selective in picking up students for global fitments. Percentage of marks, personality, communication skills as well as soft skills are thoroughly analysed. "The recruitment process is three-pronged. First is the aptitude test as well as the technical test. Then there is a group discussion and technical interview. After that is the HR round where your communication skills and personality traits are tested", informs Mukherjee. Usually the students eyeing foreign fitments go abroad for their four-month project semester to have a feel of the work environment. Institutes also help students in acquiring a "foreign" work experience. They have visiting faculty from abroad, and even organise training for the students in companies like Crompton Greaves that have global footprints
Good prospects
For those landing a job abroad the career progression is good as one is usually two steps ahead of his peers in India. Generally in foreign locations students do not do much of job hopping as longer stints with a company are valued and the students are also bound by contracts and their visa restrictions. "I was working for the Infosys in their Mohali campus when I was sent on a project to England for two years. Apart from a massive increase in my remuneration, I also got international exposure. I had the offer from Ernst and Young while working in England but was unable to switch because of my contract. But I must say if anyone gets a chance then one must experience this global exposure", says Sachin Verma who runs his own Software development firm now.
Not a cake walk
Foreign placement may seem a dream come true for a fresher but it is not an easy proposition. "Some of the students do not derive job satisfaction in the initial years of careers since they are not given leadership positions and are not even offered creative roles. Most of them get hired for back-up operations like looking at data, coding etc. They are not involved in the decision making process which, at times, does not give the students job satisfaction", says Sanjay Modi, Senior Dean LPU. Apart from this, there a few quite a few social barriers also like cultural difference, acquaintance with the area as well as lack of social networking end even at times emotional attachment with the near and dear ones proves to burgeoning to go far off or are impediment in excellence. "But in fast-growing sectors such as engineering, science, finance and healthcare, there is a diverse global demand that can present personal rewards and career opportunities for those willing to travel," adds Karanth.
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Career Hotline
Studying abroad
Q. Being an only child, I'm somewhat over-protected at home. For this reason I have told my parents that I would like to go abroad for further studies, preferably to the USA. However, my relatives say that I will not be able to cope with the pressures and system of study there. They say that I will get totally undisciplined because of all the freedom there unlike our school system where teachers keep a close eye on the students. What do you feel? — Manish Ranjan But don't worry - you won't be left completely on you own. Universities have a sophisticated service infrastructure to help you. There are counselling centres, residence advisors, medical services, placement offices, etc Sure, the freedom at college can be difficult to get used to. Immense study load with an emphasis on self-study vs rote learning on one hand and the numerous distractions, including a new multi-cultural environment, on the other may pull you in opposite directions. One of the most important things you can learn during your first months at university is "balance".
UN interpreters
Q. I have done my master's in Spanish and would like to work with the United Nations as an interpreter. How do I go about it? — Rupa Bedi However, you can apply for the post only upon successful completion of the Simultaneous Interpretation Course from either of the schools at Geneva or France. At theUNO, interpreters are recruited after qualifying in a test which is administered individually. Besides a university degree, you must possess extensive general knowledge to make the grade. Both an art and a science, an interpreter's job is one of the most highly paid yet the most difficult to qualify and train for. Your job is to put across the real sense of what is being said in one language to those listening in another language while making it as alive and spontaneous as the original. You may use one of the
two methods: In simultaneous interpretation, the speech is translated as it is delivered, while in consecutive interpretation you take notes while the speaker is speaking and then, after each statement, translate the message in full in the other language. Conference interpreting is generally limited to a small number of languages - English, French, Spanish Russian, Chinese, Arabic at the international level, and the languages of the member countries of the EU. Conference Interpreters usually have a degree in a language as well as a special degree in translation or interpretation. Proficiency in at least two languages is essential. International conference interpreters must be members of a professional body like the International Association of Conference Interpreters in Geneva, Switzerland which has strict admission criteria based on peer review by senior members. Apart from a degree, it requires 200 days of working as a freelance interpreter which may take years. AIIC takes in only 100-130 members each year and is the only global association of conference interpreters with 2800 professional conference interpreters across 250 cities in over 90 countries. Details: (www.aiic.net) Besides promoting conference interpretation, and protecting the interest of its members, AIIC sets the standards for interpretation schools so that their trainees meet the stringent requirements of
the profession.
Education for all
Q. In my city, there are several adolescents working in different shops. Many of them either never went to school or dropped out of primary school. Is there any way to educate them in an organised fashion, at nights or early mornings, so that they learn the three Rs and gain some skills that they can you in
the future? — Mahima Goel NIOS has hundreds of accredited agencies (AAs) all over India that serve as facilitation centres, exam centres and training centres to provide practical and theoretical training. Chandigarh alone has 25. (Incidentally, any NGO interested in educating these children can apply to become an AA). Under OBE, students are taught at three levels corresponding to different classes of formal schooling i.e. OBE level A is equivalent to class I-III, OBE level B is equivalent to class IV-V,
and OBE level C is equivalent to class VI-VIII. While students at Level A learn four subjects, those at the higher levels are taught five. Also, for those older than 14 years, one of the subjects taught
is vocational. At least 100 hours must be devoted to every subject. While it is termed "open education", half or more of these hours must be through classroom study, the rest through self-study. On completion of all the requirements of the specific level, the student is awarded a certificate from the
NIOS.
Let the genius blossom
Q. We have a very bright four-year-old daughter. She can memorise things very quickly and is also very good at maths. What special training can we give her to make her a super achiever? Which IQ Test should he take? I could never do anything great in my life, but would like to see our son achieve fame and success. — Ranjit Dev Try to expose her to as many new experiences, stimuli and learning opportunities as possible, so that she can discover her real talent. Don't force anything upon her at this point as it may hamper her growth. Also, I think it's too early for an IQ or any other test. Not all abilities can be captured in pen and paper tests. I know of so many precocious kids ending up confused and stressed out because of well-meaning but over-ambitious parents who vicariously inflict their aspirations on their offspring with disastrous outcomes. So I would urge you not to rush or push her. Just enjoy her and let her enjoy a normal and balanced childhood. My best wishes for her brilliant future.
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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Training gains
Rajinder Singh The field of dairy farming and animal breeding offers excellent self-employment opportunities to youth and women in rural areas. Dairy farming has traditionally been a lucrative profession for people in Haryana's rural areas because of high demand for milk and milk-based products. The state's proximity to the national capital, which is a major market for dairy products, has motivated a number of people to get into this field. They have traditional/ indigenous technological knowledge about livestock rearing that has been transferred from one generation to another but extensive training and other related initiatives taken by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the state have enabled thousands of people to get better returns from dairy farming. The use of latest research and a scientific approach to the profession has resulted in enhanced milk production and better breeding of milch animals. Haryana has growth rate of 3-4 per cent annually which has tremendous scope to grow at the rate of 6-8 per cent with available resources and service providers. Some of the major factors that have been helpful in making this sector lucrative are: n In view of tremendous demand among semi-educated youth of the state the Krishi Vigyan Kendras keep on organising training programmes in the state that extend help in training and education and starting new dairy farms in the area. As many as 185 youths and women were given training about the use of modern dairy farming techniques at a five-month training programme organised by KVK Rohtak from October 2010 to February 2011. n The department of animal husbandry and dairying also provides good services and facilities to milk producers at their doorstep. These services include AI for breed improvement and development, vaccination against various dreadful diseases like FMD, HS and trypanosomiasis (surra) etc and insurance and financial help along with subsidies for setting up of modern dairies. n Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Limited (HDDCOF) and Haryana state cooperative supply and federation limited (HAFED) are also providing services to the dairy farmers. "Mineral mixture" and balanced cattle feed is also available at low rate with good quality through milk cooperative societies. Milk is also purchased at the rate of Rs 3.65 per point fat (Rs 36.50 per kg of 10 points fat) at the village level through the village milk cooperative societies. Thus by providing services to the youth and women for dairy development like training and education on all aspects of modern dairy farm management techniques, preventive vaccination against contagious diseases, supplying good quality inputs at low rate and by providing better prices for their milk at village level the productivity of dairy animals can be enhanced and more self-employment avenues and opportunities can be created for rural youth and women. The writer is Senior Coordinator, KVK Jhajjar.
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Fair appraisals
Deepak Kaistha on how appraisals can be kept objective Performance appraisals help to strategically review the performance of the employees, their strengths, weaknesses and accomplishments during the year. It helps in deciding the goals, objectives and the desired performance standards for the employee for the upcoming year. Employee appraisals should focus on people rather than forms. To conduct an objective and useful appraisal, managers should separate employee evaluation meetings from raise review processes, focus on standards that reflect job responsibilities, make employee appraisals an ongoing process instead of an annual review, work towards achieving an understanding rather than full agreement, discuss performance in terms of specific examples, encourage ratings from others, evaluate results (rather than intentions or efforts), discuss positive and negative performance equally, minimise subjectivity, and become skilled at completing appraisal forms. Following are the HR practices to keep appraisals objective: n Fairness: Any manager or supervisor will agree that performance appraisals are supposed to fairly and objectively rate job performance. In practice, however, this purpose is often obscured when 'Performance Appraisals ' are used to do everything from managing salary budgets to putting problem employees on notice. n Documentation: It is the key. As such, planning and preparation are critical. In practical terms this means that an appraisal is an ongoing and proactive process that goes far beyond the mechanics of filling out a form. n Averaging: This is a common practice when determining an overall appraisal rating. This means that while individual aspects of an employee's performance could influence the overall rating, appraisers should not use these individual aspects to compute an average overall rating. The writer is Director and Managing Partner Planman, New Delhi.
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NTPC to hire 1,000 engineers
The country's largest power producer NTPC will hire 10,000 engineers in the next 10 years as part of massive expansion plans. "We need to hire 1,000 engineers every year for the next ten years to meet manpower requirements in view of our plans to expand generation capacity," NTPC Director, Human Resources S.P Singh told
PTI.
At present, the power giant has about 25,000 employees, out of which half of the workforce are engineers. The company also aims to improve its Man-to-MW ratio — an indicator of the work force's efficiency — to as much as 0.50, which would be the best achieved so far globally, by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17).
— PTI
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Smart Strategy Test of nerves Sung Jin Kang
Mental strength
Revision & regular regimen
The amount of time (two to three years) and the variety of topics involved in the preparation for JEE makes it quite a daunting task to remember everything. So the student should make sure that he/she revises the concepts regularly and doesn’t fall out of touch with a topic studied earlier. One should have a systematic and meticulous plan where regular timings are allotted for mastering a topic first and then for solving problems.
Root out rote learning
If there is anything that differentiates JEE from other examinations it’s the fact that the paper tests a student’s grasp of the concepts and not his/her memory retention capabilities. So it’s extremely important that the student has a thorough understanding of the basic concepts so that he doesn’t feel intimidated when encountering a never-before-seen problem in the exam. During preparation never be in haste and do not be tempted to see the solution before attempting a question. This methodology will harm you in the long run as it will become a habit. Take your own time, ponder over the possibilities, see if you can exploit the underlying symmetries etc that are not visible to an untrained eye and never be satisfied with one solution. Try coming up with faster, elegant solutions.
Cultivate passion
Problems if seen as a burden look quite uninspiring and daunting. If a student can cultivate passion for the subjects involved, the journey to IITs would be a lot more exciting and stimulating. Nothing can boost an aspirant’s confidence more than solving a problem that seems intimidating at the first glance. The trick lies in treating the problems as a challenge lying there to be conquered and thereby deriving that unparalleled joy of cracking a tough problem. The entire process will become fun and fulfilling if one adopts this approach.
Right institute
There are a number of institutes to choose from when it comes to getting coaching for IIT JEE. And a lot of these charge obscene amounts of money in the name of past reputation and try their best to lure unsuspecting students and cash in on their ignorance. It is advisable to do some research, attend a few demo classes first and then make an informed decision. Choose an academy that suits your needs and comes up with innovative solutions as opposed to the established ones that dogmatically resort to archaic methods. Choose an academy that breaks the mould and gives you the flexibility to choose a teacher of your choice and offers convenient fee break-down structures, online support etc where you don’t feel like just another cow in a herd.
Need for speed
Having a thorough knowledge of the subjects involved is the single most important aspect of JEE preparation. However, mastering the concepts alone is not sufficient. It takes more than that. Through constant practice a student has to attain speeds which will enable him to solve the paper within the given period and have sufficient time left to look for possible mistakes. Only through constant practice and revision can one arrive at this. However, one shouldn’t blindly plunge into the problem without reading it completely in an effort to solve it faster. As the saying goes it has always been “think before ink” when it comes to solving problems in JEE. So read the problem carefully first, understand what exactly is happening and what is needed and only then proceed with a mercurial speed.
Weightage to practicals
If you look at the pattern of the question papers set in the past 10 years you’d notice that an increasing amount of weightage is being given to questions involving practicals which was not the case earlier. In the words of a former Chairman of JEE committee it’s a new direction taken by the governing committee to ensure that the students have the aptitude for conducting experiments along with solid theoretical foundations.
Mock tests
It is very important for a student to develop a habit of discussing problems and the various subtle techniques involved in solving them with other aspirants. This way he/she would be exposed to different methods of attacking a problem, a chance to spot mistakes and misconceptions early and dissect them methodically. Taking as many mock tests as possible will not only acclimatise a student to the atmosphere of the “D-day”, but also give him/her a chance to assess and analyse his performance.
Expect the unexpected
One of the things that makes JEE special when compared to other entrance examinations is the unpredictability in its pattern. So, no matter how many problems you have solved the paper could always spring a surprise. Be prepared for this and don’t panic if something strange appears out of the blue. Remember, everyone else is giving the same paper along with you and are in the same state of mind.
Making notes
The student should also make it a habit to maintain notes and write down all the concepts and techniques that he comes across. The market is flooded with hundreds of books on different topics with each claiming to be better than the others. So it’s a good idea to gather the best ones that one comes in contact with for future reference. The writer is the Director (India) of Etoos Academy Pvt Ltd.
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Leading the way
Prakash Kumar, a software engineer in a well-known MNC, was pleasantly surprised when he received his promotion letter. His new responsibilities also included leading a team of eight members. Prakash is one example of budding team leaders who are identified by their employers and nurtured to become successful leaders in future.
Team leadership plays an important role in organisational growth in every organisation, whether big or small. With the ever increasing challenges in the modern day business environment, team leadership functions are also going through a radical change. Now merely leading a team doesn’t necessarily mean leadership. Leadership means setting up policies and directions as well as motivating and energising people. Teamwork in operations is the key to the success of an organisation. A good team leader always conceptualises the scope of any project and leads the team accordingly to achieve the set targets. According to Keshav Murugesh, Group CEO WNS Global Services, “A team leader should possess five very important qualities — energy, passion, execution, motivation and the ability to make quick decisions”. Some of the basic attributes that are expected in a team leader in every organisation, include developing or setting goals after involving all team members; laying a crystal clear plan, a road map to achieve the set goals and objectives and to constantly motivate the team to achieve these goals. “It is important to set realistic targets but at the same time these should be made challenging. A good leader should be a role model for his team and must have the ability to develop a strong team spirit”, adds Murugesh. While identifying and nurturing future leaders companies have to be clear on certain important points like whether team leaders are born or trained. Experts are of the view that a leader develops certain skills over a period of time but there are certain qualities that are inborn. A team leader is responsible for driving a team to achieve organisational goals on a regular basis. “Genetic research on leadership suggests that only 30 per cent of leadership is innate, and the rest can be developed. So leadership is both inborn and learnt. A leader influences a group of people who follow him to do something together,” says Dr. Matthew Barney, Vice-President and Director, Infosys Leadership Institute, Infosys Technologies. According to a study carried out by Kenexa, a global provider of business solutions for human resources, “Team leaders drive the success of organisations and contribute to the health of a country’s economy. According to employees, leaders in India and China rank the highest, with more than 70 per cent of employees agreeing that their leaders communicate their vision, handle challenges, value employees, are committed to improving quality and inspire trust. These countries currently have a leadership advantage, according to employees”. With the mounting number of responsibilities and deliverables, a team leader has to cope up with many challenges while leading a team. “They face increased government scrutiny, hyper competition, ambitious competitors and disruptive technologies. But they also get a chance to do rewarding work that changes the human condition”, says Dr Barney. The challenges may vary from organisation to organisation. According to Dr. Bob Bergman, Consulting Director, EMEA, Kenexa, “The obvious challenge for most team leaders these days is making do with fewer number of people. For many organisations the economic downturn meant reduction in workforce with no reduction in the workload. So team leaders are left with the problem of getting the work done with smaller headcounts.
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Solace from inflation
With day-to-day living turning costlier, companies have raised salaries to as high as 40 per cent especially at the junior levels, say experts. In recent times, inflation has been at high levels due to soaring prices of essential commodities. "Inflation has affected the salary hikes towards the higher side," executive search firm GlobalHunt's director Sunil Goel told PTI. "As inflation has raised cost of living, so direct impact is visible more at junior and entry level where companies have increased salaries up to 30-40 per cent," he said. Last month, inflation climbed to 8.31 per cent as compared to 8.23 per cent in January. Food inflation stood at 9.42 per cent in the week ended March 5. As such attrition rates along with inflation had prompted companies to enhance the overall basic salary structures to "15-20 per cent at all the employment levels", Gi Staffing Services' Branch Head (Mumbai) Swapnil Jain said. India is expected to see one of the highest salary hikes this year at 12.9 per cent, according to global HR consultancy Aon Hewitt. Last year, actual increase was around 11.7 per cent. "Inflation decreases the propensity to save; therefore the organisations try and match up to the salary packages of the employees to the same extent," Elixir Web Solutions' HR Manager Geeta Verma said. "The hike in inflation rates has enabled organisations to provide competitive salaries so that ratio of expenses/savings remains proportionate to the increasing levels of inflation," Verma noted. Aon Hewitt has projected salaries of general/entry level staff to be 12.7 per cent in 2011 as compared to 11.4 per cent last year. It had pointed out the rise could be attributed to high turnover (attrition) rates and high inflation rates. However, experts feel that inflation has not pushed salaries to higher levels in companies across the board since some entities also look at pay parity for their employees. — PTI
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1. In which place in Japan was a reactor of a nuclear plant crippled recently following a high-magnitude quake and tsunami, posing a big threat of radiation? 2. What is the new name approved for Orissa by Parliament? 3. Name the US billionaires who were recently in India to promote philanthropy. 4. What is the name given to the hour during which people around the world turn off lights in their homes and establishments to reflect in darkness on how to fight global warming and save environment? 5. Name the youngest minister in the country. 6. When is World House Sparrow Day observed? 7. In which state do the “Lathmaar” Holi celebrations take place? 8. Which country ended Australia’s 34-match unbeaten run in the Cricket World Cup dating back to 1999? 9. Which country has won the cricket World Cup the maximum number of times? 10. Name the Indian cricketer who walked off towards the pavilion despite having been given not out by the umpire, and TV replays also remaining inconclusive, during a match in the 2011 cricket World Cup. — Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 383: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Mridul, class VIII, Mukand Lal Public School, Sarojani Colony, Yamuna Nagar, Pin Code - 135001 Second: Vaishvi Sood, class IV-C, Roll No 47, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sidhpur, Dharamshala (HP) Pin Code – 176057 Third: Nitesh Katoch, class IX-C, Manav Public School, 61, Anand Avenue, Maqbool Road, Amritsar, Pin Code – 143001 Answers to quiz 383: 8.9; Fiftyfive; Harvard University; euthanasia; 1959; Losar; Gandhinagar and New Delhi; Chetan Sharma against New Zealand in Nagpur; Sachin Tendulkar; Javed Miandad and Sachin Tendulkar 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 Name ………….…………...........
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Rejuvenate your career
Ajay Verma, though a bright executive, always seemed desperate to slip away from his office during work hours. His inattentive manner during important conferences was an irritant for his boss. His sluggishness was, in fact, triggered by his frustration over not getting his due at workplace after years of slogging and hard work.
In the fiercely competitive work environment one comes across many like Ajay. It is a sad sight to see careers stagnating and workers losing the zest for work. Though HR and managements should be more sensitive to such a scenario, it also depends on the worker himself to take measures to add new life to his career.. Research has shown that after reaching a certain position in one's career many employees feel the zeal and enthusiasm lacking. The lack of appreciation, yearning for a promotion, unsatisfactory pay packet are some of the factors that make a career sloppy and boring. If such is your position then it is time to rescue and rejuvenate your career. Here are some useful tips that can make this happen:
Improve thinking
It all adds up to having a positive attitude. Dr Nishi Vishwanathan, CCO and Director at Chillibreeze Solutions Pvt. Ltd. says, "Sometimes walking over to a colleague's cabin for a quick chat can help. But when you select this as your relaxation technique, make sure that you seek out someone who exudes positivism." Be positive. Drive away the negativity that has cluttered around you both professionally and personally. Negativity comes easily and to be positive in a totally negative situation is the key to a great and kicking career. Your positive attitude towards work and workplace agendas will act as a breath of fresh air for your stuck in career. Try to be a better person, be optimistic and look for the cheering things around you. Handle negative criticism comfortably and try to compliment the deserving. Remember, spreading positivity is always pleasing and in your own interest. It will surely act as a career booster.
Attitude counts
Your attitude towards your work and life may be responsible for your sloppy career. Being exceptionally egoistic or throwing tantrums because of attitudinal problems can never rescue your career. Awake, arise and introspect. You may be the boss in your office but a bad rapport with your co-workers will earn you a bad reputation. It may mar your chances of a promotion. Shun your attitudinal problems and see your 'oh-so-boring' office and co-workers change in a jiffy.
Pick up skills
Your salary slips boast of your fat pay, yet you continue to remain unhappy with your career. On the other hand, you observe that gawky intern with his fresh formulas and solutions getting good popularity. If this is the position, then take a break from your routine work and go for some training. Update yourself with the latest theories, technical matters and related things that will put a new life into your career. With an updated knowledge and training, you will feel a new zeal once again in your career.
Take a break
Life is not summed up in work. There are much more important things than work. Working non-stop leads to stress and boredom. Besides getting involved in work or office related problems and ignoring your personal life will actually push towards a path of boredom in your career in the long run. So, take a break. Go on a vacation, find a new hobby or resurrect an old one, volunteer for a cause you believe in or simply spend your time in meditation, listening to music and in relaxation. These actions will bring clarity and purpose to your life and soon you will land up with a rejuvenated work and career ahead.
Change change
Change is good if it is positive. You have been in your present job since long. So, it is time that you brush up and update your resume with the skills you have acquired during the period of service in the present organisation and head for a new one. Working in one particular office for many years may make one bored and frustrated, especially if one has got no promotion or only an insignificant push up as compared to one's colleagues. Joining a new organisation in a new position will give the much needed impetus to your stagnant career. A new working environment, a new set of colleagues, a new boss may act as a refreshing change and breathe in new life into your career. So, act, act and act in the new direction.
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Gems of ancient wisdom Being good amid bad Can righteousness survive in an ocean of unrighteousness? Can the incorruptible stay afloat in the sea of corruption? Yes. While his siblings were doing all the wrong things, Vibheeshana never moved away from the right. Elder brother Ravana was abducting women, sister Shoorpanakha was going after every male who caught her eye and brother Kumbhakarna, though sleeping most of the while, was troubling sages in his waking period. When the entire world was being forced to worship demon Hiranyakashyap as the Almighty, the demon’s own son Prahlad held on to his faith in Lord Vishnu. The father tried to bring him around by ‘educating’ and persuading him. Then, Hiranyakashyap even tried killing him by various means, but Prahlad survived due to the Lord’s grace. Even though she was born a Rakshashi and her brother Hidimb was a man-eating demon, Hidimba, due to her prudence, got married to Bhima. The mighty Gathotkacha was a result of their union. Bali, despite being the king of the daityas, displayed that he could stick to his word come what may. He renounced his everything when Lord Vishnu came and begged it off him in the form of Vamana. Daanav Maya was a devotee of Shiva and as a result, escaped death at the time of the destruction of Tripura, the three floating realms made of gold, silver and iron. He later created the palace at Indraprastha for Yudhisthira. On being asked how he had achieved perfect detachment while continuing to live as a king in the middle of women, riches and power, King Janak of Vaideh said, “Over my bed hangs a sword by a sheer thread. I know it can fall anytime and end my life. This is my secret.” Despite being the zamindar of Jagdishpur in Bihar and a good friend of British officers, Kunwar Singh took part in the First War of Indian Independence in 1857 at the ripe old age of 70. The Indian freedom struggle found a staunch supporter in Annie Besant, an Irish woman. She was the President of both the Indian National Congress and the Theosophical Society. Three of the many things that earned Mohan Das the title of the Mahatma were his staying away from meat and alcohol in the London cold, remaining non-violent in a violent world and leading a simple life in a society where appearances matter. However vast a desert may be, a resolute seeker will surely find an oasis. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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COURSE chat
The programme curriculum has been designed to train professionals with technical background to help them find employment as a Patent Engineer/Associate/Attorney with a leading Corporate, MNC, R&D Institution, KPO or Law firm of the country.
Course details
The course includes up-to-date education in the US, European and Indian patent laws and procedures and is designed and delivered by outstanding professionals with rich teaching, research, industry and consulting experience. 240 hours of custom course curriculum will cover technical, legal and management aspects of patents & patent processes. Focus will be on developing skills in areas like Prior Art/Patent Searches, Analysis, Landscaping, Claims and Specification Drafting, Filing and Prosecution. The pedagogy of the programme is to train participants using case studies and illustrations. The assessment methodology includes classroom assignments, group discussions and final examination.
Seats and selection
The programme will be offered to select 30 candidates who match GIIP's selection criteria. The selection criteria are merit based, followed by a personal interview and written test (optional).
Placement
On successful completion of the programme, all participants will be provided placement that matches their profile and career plan. All participants of the previous batches have been placed with a leading MNC, KPO or Law Firm. Over 75% of the participants of the previous two batches got placed even before the completion of the programme.
Eligibility
Aspiring candidate should be Graduate (Science, Engineering and other technical degrees) with minimum 1 year of work experience, Post-Graduate (Science, Engineering and other technical degrees) or Legal Professionals (LL.B. & LL.M.) with technical background.
Programme duration
April 18- June 10
Application Deadline
April 12, 2011
How to apply? To apply, send the filled-in application form, available on GIIP's website (http://www.giipinfo.com), to admissions@giipinfo.com.
Certified Crop Adviser Programme
The Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals (ISAP) in collaboration with the American Society of Agronomy has launched Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Programme in India. The first of its kind flagship programme is a professionally recognised certification by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) which will benefit extension workers, agronomists, crop experts, specialists, consultants and other agriculture practitioners of the public and private organisations. Targeted at improving the knowledge levels of the frontline agriculture extension specialists employed by private companies, non-government organisations, and public-sector agencies, this certification will also provide a competitive edge to agriculture professionals who wish to have an eclectic, meaningful careers especially those who directly interface and advice farmers on various crop related issues. Hailed as the most important intervention in the field of Agriculture Extension, the certification aims to benefit professionals such as market development officers, agriculture extension professionals, agri input sales personnel, agriculture development officers, field assistants, farm extension workers both in public and private sectors, consultants and farm managers, educators and extension specialists, academic scientists and agronomy researchers, etc. by building their proficiency and keeping their knowledge updated. The comprehensive curriculum addresses practical knowledge in all key areas of farming and after undergoing the CCA programme, an agriculture professional is assured to get more acceptability, credibility and recognition in the market. The CCA course details are available on the www.certifiedcropadviser.org/india. Every CCA must undertake 40 hours of continuous education in two years; to maintain his/her certification; which can include workshops and trainings that are part of the curriculum. In addition, CCAs are provided with self-study materials, journals and queries addressed by experts from renowned agricultural universities. The comprehensive course covers four core competency areas of agriculture: Nutrient Management, Soil and Water Management, Pest Management, Crop Management; thus, leading to a CCA workforce with expertise in four broad areas. The certification establishes competency in all aspects of crop production through examination, continuous education, and experience and ethics requirement. The CCA Programme was started by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) in the 1991 and till date has more than 14,000 CCA's in the USA and Canada.
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In the global village that the present day world has become every sphere is inter-related and so are the economies. Companies are having off shore campuses where in the skill set required to excel is quite similar to the one that we have back home in India. As a result a lot many companies are picking up Indian students from their college campuses and offering them global placements. And going by the trends available Indian students are also game for it. "In an environment where the market for talent is becoming global, there is a growing realisation that many individuals may have to relocate for work to other countries or to other continents", says Kamal Karanth, Managing Director Kelly Services.
Deepak Kaistha on how appraisals can be kept objective
IIT JEE – The very mention of these words sends shivers down the spines of students and gives sleepless nights to nervous parents. But is this entrance exam really all that hard to crack or is it sheer hype that has made it a dreaded prospect? Well, to begin with it doesn’t need any kind of super human effort to get into the IITs.
If you have the right attitude and a desire to excel coupled with
diligent guidance and are willing to give your heart and soul for a few
years, you can make it to temples of technology also known as IITs
without losing sleep.
Can righteousness survive in an ocean of unrighteousness? Can the incorruptible stay afloat in the sea of corruption? Yes.
While his siblings were doing all the wrong things, Vibheeshana never moved away from the right. Elder brother Ravana was abducting women, sister Shoorpanakha was going after every male who caught her eye and brother
Kumbhakarna, though sleeping most of the while, was troubling sages in his waking period.
A. Unlike school, university teachers in India, those in the US rarely check class attendance or day-to-day homework. You are expected to be responsible for yourself and your obligations as a student (you'll be treated as an adult and in turn, will be expected to behave as one).
A. Working in the United Nations Organisation (UNO) as an interpreter calls for proficiency in more than one foreign language. Fortunately, Spanish happens to be one of the official languages of the UNO (The others being English, French, Russian, Mandarin and Arabic).
A. To provide elementary education under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to school dropouts, neo-literates, out of school learners and adults, the National Institute of Open Learning (NIOS) - the world's largest open school- runs the Open Basic Education (OBE) programme.
A. It must be so wonderful to know that you have such an intelligent child. Less than one per cent of children are really gifted. However, there is no need to give her any special attention. Just leave her alone with lots of colours, paper, pencils, toys and books.
IIT JEE – The very mention of these words sends shivers down the spines of students and gives sleepless nights to nervous parents. But is this entrance exam really all that hard to crack or is it sheer hype that has made it a dreaded prospect? Well, to begin with it doesn’t need any kind of super human effort to get into the IITs. If you have the right attitude and a desire to excel coupled with diligent guidance and are willing to give your heart and soul for a few years, you can make it to temples of technology also known as IITs without losing sleep. Here are a few tips that would surely be of some help for students preparing to get into an IIT.
The first thing that comes into the mind of most of the students who start preparing for JEE is the uncertainty of it all. Doubts linger regarding the possibility of cracking the exam against a backdrop of such fierce competition. So it’s extremely important to sustain the spirit and keep going. Try setting short-term goals with one step at a time and derive confidence from it. Don’t make grandiose plans of conquering it all in one shot. It’s a sure recipe for disaster. And remember that every student has the mettle to crack JEE were he given the right guidance and provided a conducive atmosphere. It doesn’t take an Einstein to solve the problems but a dedicated, hard working student whose ambitions drives him forward. It’s all about not giving up and having faith in oneself.
Global Institute of Intellectual Property (GIIP) has invited applications for its eight-week (full-time) Executive Post Graduate programme in Patent Protection, Enforcement and Management.
