Owing to the increasing importance of health administration and healthcare management, the demand for trained personnel in hospital administration has been constantly on the rise. Everyone can’t be a trained doctor or a nurse, but there are other prospects too which can help one become an effective and useful person in hospital administration. 
Hospital Administration
P.C. Chhabra

Since childhood everyone comes across the phrase “Health is Wealth”. Not everyone can be a trained doctor or a nurse. There are other prospects, too, which can help one to become an effective and useful person in hospital administration. A special course in “Hospital Administration and Health care Management” has been designed. It is one of the most lucrative and important careers in the health sector. Health management is among the top 10 millennium professions, according to a recent US survey.

In today’s era, professionalism and competition prevails in all fields of work. The government hospitals as well as private ones are competing with each other to provide first-class service. There is a growing need for professional courses in hospital administration and health. The institutes have become proactive and have thus designed a new course in hospital management and healthcare management which is available for both medical and non-medical persons. Hospital administration and healthcare management gives practical training on techniques of heathcare. It teaches the techniques to become the hospital administrator so that they are equipped to handle administrative affairs of the hospital in a better way. This course helps to teach the aspects of health administration, hospital administration and how to handle patients and healthcare. It further helps to impart professional responsibility of planning, controlling, directing and managing the health services.

Career prospects

Owing to the increasing importance of health administration, the demand for trained personnel in hospital management has been constantly on the rise. The hospital managers can work in the hospitals, outpatient clinics and treatment clinics. Therefore, the hospital and health managers need to be responsive and should learn the technique of making the patients comfortable as also to ensure that the patients get a world-class treatment. The graduates of health administration have great opportunity for the money-spinning jobs. They can be health managers, health consultants; they can even join health insurance companies.

The professionals can always be a part of private hospitals. As professional managers and administrators they have better understanding of management and healthcare delivery systems. They can find employment in large corporate hospitals, public hospitals or private sector hospitals, clinics, international and national healthcare organisation and insurance companies. If the professionals wish to take up teaching job, they can always join as lecturers in colleges and universities. Even healthcare centres, nursing homes, mental health organisations, public health departments, rehabilitation centres, pharmaceuticals and hospital supply firms, medical software companies and hospital consulting firms are avenues which are open for them. After gaining a few years of experience, one can even open his own nursing home or hospital.

Job prospects

Once hospital administration and health management course is completed, it gives innumerous scope for the professional in different sectors like health managers, health trainers and health administrators. The fresh degree holders can be assistant hospital administrators or managers of non-health departments like finance. Climbing the ladder, one can be hospital administrator and senior manager whereas the experienced and senior administrators can be CEOs in their organisations.

Remuneration

Hospital management qualification can reward even a fresh entrant to the industry a reasonable amount of Rs 8,000 - Rs 12,000 per month. Students, who aim to become college lecturers can get up to Rs 15,000. As the person climbs up the hierarchy and with increased experience, the earnings tend to increase and one can expect up to Rs 40,000 to 50,000 per month.

Eligibility criteria

Graduates with minimum 50 per cent aggregate marks from any recognised university are eligible to apply. The selection for hospital administration and health care management course involves an aptitude followed by successful performance in the personal interview round by the corporates.

Duration

Most universities and colleges offer various courses in hospital administration and healthcare management. Some offer full time MBA course in hospital administration while others may offer certificate and diploma courses in hospital management.

Even short-term distance learning programmes are also available. A full-fledged executive postgraduate programme in hospital management is also available; this course is of 11 months which is divided into two levels -- intermediate level for five months and after that advanced level of six months.

Some of the prominent institutes that offer hospital administration and healthcare management courses are as follows:

The writer is Dean Academics at Netaji Subhash Institute of Management Sciences (NIMS), New Delhi. He can be reached at pcchhabra@gmail.com

Institute Watch

Netaji Subhash Institute of Management Sciences (NIMS)

NDM - 1, Opp City Tower, Netaji Subhash Place,

Pitampura, New Delhi - 110 034

Phone: 011-47020055 / 09771620055

Email: info@nimsindia.net Website: www.nimsindia.net

All India Institute of

Medical Sciences

Ansari Nagar, New Delhi

T: 26589796, 26594832

E mail : Reg@aiims.ac.in

Faculty of Management Studies

University of Delhi, New Delhi

T: 011-2766 6382/6383/6384

Email : adminoffice@fms.edu

National Institute of Health and Family Welfare

New Mehrauli Road, Munirka, New Delhi

T: 91-11-26165959, 91-11-26166441, 91-11-26107773

Email: info.nihfw@nic.in

Website: www.nihfw.org

Institute of Public Health & Hygiene RZ - A - 44, Mahipalpur Extn., New Delhi

T: 9811817972, 91-011- 30620600,

Email: iphhparamedic@yahoo.co.in

Career Hotline
Options in journalism
Pervin Malhotra

Q. I want to do journalism and want to know if it is a good idea to do a graduation first and then a masters in journalism? — Ritika Vij

A. There are no hard and fast rules about this. Typically, journalism and mass communication courses are offered at the post-graduation level, and they continue to remain the better option. However, given the increased interest level in the area, several universities now offer these programmes at the undergraduate level.

A UG course will teach you the basics of the craft and also give an opportunity to intern with news and media organisations thereby giving you practical, first-hand experience and if you are lucky (and hardworking) a few bylines to add real shine and weight to your CV by the time you graduate. But this route leads you to be a general reporter.

To be a subject specialist, it is preferable that you have a strong academic base and understanding of an area - politics, economics, business, internal relations - and then top that with a postgraduate degree.

Contrary to typical notions, it is not a glamorous life. It is a practical, hands-on field that requires long hours, lots of effort, and a lot of time spent outdoors, interacting with people from diverse walks of life, a nose for news and a stickler for deadlines come rain or shine. Understand this and only then opt for journalism as a career.

Prospects of analyst

Q. Is a career in analytics good for a B.Tech graduate and would an MBA suit that profile well?

A. Knowledge Process Outsourcing or KPO has given a new dimension to the outsourcing industry in India. KPO differs from BPO in that they require specialised knowledge and skills and often require qualified professionals (lawyers, engineers, doctors, etc). KPO services also tend to be more qualitative and judgement based. In short, they are higher IQ jobs.

Analytics is the process of analysing (raw) data to unearth hidden patterns, understand trends, and draw meaningful conclusions to help in business modelling, decision making, and forecasting.

It uses computers, mathematics and statistics as its tools. Thus as an engineer you possess the requisite skills.

M.Sc in IIT

Q. While pursuing B.Sc Chemistry (2nd year) at Panjab University, I have developed a great interest in biochemistry. I have heard that one can do M.Sc from IITs also. Will I be eligible for this - particularly at IIT Delhi? — Minal Punj

A. Sure you are ranked among the top centres for higher education in chemistry in the country, IIT Delhi's Department of Chemistry is an attractive destination for students pursuing M. Sc., M.Tech and Ph.D degrees and research.

And luckily for you, the unique feature of IIT-D’s M.Sc curriculum is that biochemistry is treated on an equal footing with the traditional sub-disciplines of chemistry: inorganic, organic, and physical.

Besides, the basic courses in these four sub-disciplines you will be exposed to the state-of-the-art in various research fields in the elective courses. You will learn design and synthetic principles, use analytical instruments, and sharpen your writing skills during your year-long project work on cutting-edge research problems to prepare yourself for a career in modern day R&D in chemistry.

You can then work in major chemical companies or pursue your doctoral work in top class institutes and universities across the globe.

IIT-D also offers a unique M.Tech in “Molecular Engineering: Chemical Synthesis & Analysis”.

This two-year post-MSc programme prepares students for a career in the chemical industry.

To pursue M.Sc at any of the IITs, you need a bachelor's degree with chemistry as a subject for three years/six semesters and mathematics at (plus II) level.

Selection is on the basis of a Joint Admission Test (JAM) for M.Sc in May.

Scholarships for girls

Q. I have a single girl child. She got 80 per cent marks in plus II exam. At present, she is doing B.Sc in biotechnology (II year). Is she eligible for any government scholarship? I have heard that government gives fee exemption to the single girl child who gets 60 per cent marks in the board exams. — T.M. Jogi

A. Yes you’ve heard right. You daughter can avail of the Single Girl Child Scholarship Scheme for Class XII pass students of CBSE pursuing undergraduate courses. For details, including eligibility and other conditions, log onto: www.cbse.nic.in

Even at the postgraduate level, your talented daughter is eligible for a number of scholarships, including one named after perhaps the most famous single girl child our country has known in modern history - Indira Gandhi.

The PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child is offered for those admitted to a master's programme (non-professional courses) in any recognised university/college during the current year.

Your daughter's tuition fee will be waived off and she will get a scholarship of Rs 2,000 p.m. for 10 months in a year, for two years of her post-graduate programme.

Every year, as many as 1,200 scholarships are awarded by the University Grants Commission under this banner, and a major section of applicants win it. So, your daughter has a good chance to get one.

Log onto the UGC website: www.ugc.ac.in for details.

Check out engineering streams

Q. I am keen to do engineering and have got a decent AIEEE rank but I’m confused about which stream to pursue. Which branches have more scope for jobs in India? — Deepak Chawla

A. Often, students end up running (blindly) after the more “popular” streams such as computer science, mechanical, electronics - thus shooting the cut-offs higher.

If not sure, spend a little time researching the various streams online, looking at the course structure and content to understand what each stream entails. Acquaint yourself with the typical work and working conditions in different branches of engineering. Understand your interests and abilities. Evaluate your suitability based on all this information and then choose.

There is a fair degree of cross-mobility after completing your B.Tech. In most cases, students opt for an MBA straight after thus rendering stream choice irrelevant.

Upgrade skills

Q. I teach English at the bachelor’s level as an ad hoc lecturer in a college. Can you suggest an add-on course or activity that I could pursue to upgrade my skills? — Veena Bakshi

A. Well for one, ETS, the creator of the TOEFL test, is conducting a complimentary full-day Propell workshop for the TOEFL iBT test.

The session will provide teaching strategies for English language professionals at the university level in preparing students for the TOEFL iBT test.

The workshop will offer hands-on techniques and activities for English language instructors to use in the classroom to build an engaging TOEFL iBT curriculum to effectively prepare students for test day.

The one-day session, led by aa senior TOEFL iBT expert from ETS’s Princeton HQ, will include a comprehensive overview of the test, a detailed review of the scoring guidelines for writing and speaking sections, practice scoring sample test-taker responses and a discussion on practical applications to guide classroom instruction.

Each conference participant will receive a workshop manual and a certificate of attendance.

For more information contact, Geraldine DeBrass-Ee Tel: 09379915371 or via email at Geraldine@the-practice.net.

But you’ll have to really hurry… the workshop in Delhi at The Taj Ambassador will be conducted on June 30 (dates for other cities are closed).

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 

Swift Group offers new courses
Plans to set up deemed university in Punjab

Chandigarh: For the first time, Swift Group of Colleges (SGOC) has introduced new courses in management and humanities, which are open for admissions.

Spread over 47 acres, the campus has the best faculty in India and abroad and at present 500 students are studying. It has state-of-the-art library, engineering labs, high-tech laboratories, equipped with state-of-the-art workshops, aesthetically designed tutorial rooms and Wi-Fi campus.

The SGOC has a backing of the Ind-Swift Group, a reputed business house in Chandigarh since1984. With dedicated approach over 25 years, the Ind-Swift Group today is the second largest group of North India with diversification in API, finished dosage form, infrastructure development, publication, state-of-the-art packaging, stationery besides education.

The colleges currently offer courses in nursing (M.Sc, B.Sc), pharmacy (B.Pharma), management (MBA, BBA, MCA, BCA), engineering (automotive, civil, mechanical, computer, electronics and paramedical).

The group also has plans to spread education in all streams, especially targeting the medical and healthcare industry in all parts of the country, starting with Punjab.

The SGOC is the only institute offering industrial training to students at the bachelor level. After completing education from SGOC, students have an option of taking placements within the Ind-Swift Group, along with the option of campus placements.

Recently, the group entered into an MOU with Royal Roads University, Canada, for a course in tourism and hospitality. The group is also engaged in social service and recently conducted medical health camps in 30 villages surrounding rural areas of the campus.

Dr Gopal Munjal, well-known industrialist and philanthropist, is a visionary and the colleges are under the guidance of Dr Maninder, who has 3 years of experience in education.

The SGOC campus is at Ghaggar Sarai village, Rajpura, District Patiala, Punjab (39 km from Chandigarh).

Admission helpline number: 09216555777

Beating the Monday blues
Ragini Gulati

We may have passed out of school years ago but there is one feeling that still remains with us - Monday blues. The thought of waking up early and going to work after a two-day weekend seems daunting. As Sunday night approaches, the fun and relaxed atmosphere of the weekend becomes a faint memory. Since we frantically wait for the weekend it is natural to feel gloomy and distressed on the day that follows it.

Most of us drag ourselves out of bed on Monday mornings wishing the weekend had lasted for another day. After a blissful weekend nobody likes to come face-to-face with the real world and deal with the pile of work that looms ahead. However, arrival of the least favourite day of the week is inevitable. Monday morning’s come every week and there is no way of skipping it!

Get a good night’s sleep

The first thing which triggers Monday blues, is having to wake up early to go to work. We often use weekends to catch up on sleep lost during the week. Also, there is a tendency to stay up late and subsequently wake up late. This change in sleeping pattern disrupts the internal clock of our body making it difficult to wake up on Monday morning. To avoid drowsiness and fatigue on a Monday, stick to the sleeping routine even on weekends. Moreover, try not to nap on Sunday afternoon since it can interfere with the sleep at night. A good night’s sleep is essential, both for the body and mind, especially after a hard day’s work.

Prepare ahead for Monday morning

There are plenty of simple yet time-consuming chores that have to be done every morning before going to work. Avoid rushing on Monday morning’s by doing as many things as possible the night before. Picking out what to wear to work and preparing lunch usually takes a lot of time. Reduce the time to get ready in the morning by deciding and ironing outfit the previous night. Pack lunch, straighten the house and finish chores so that there is no hurry on Monday.

Make a to-do list

Every Friday, prepare a to-do list of things to be accomplished the next week. It will help start off the week on a productive note and reduce chances of missing out anything. Also before leaving workplace on Friday, make a separate list in order of priority for Monday. Knowing the load of work that waits on Monday will give a feeling of control and head start the week in the right direction.

Plan an activity

Schedule mid-week activities and breaks to shake off the Monday blues. Instead of desperately waiting for the weekend, plan activities during the week with family and friends. Knowing that there is something to look forward to will make the week seem shorter. Feel refreshed and invigorated by doing something out of the routine on Mondays. Reward yourself with a small treat on Monday mornings to help get through the day and make it less mundane. Connect with colleagues over lunch or coffee and exchange notes on the weekend.

Eat a healthy breakfast

Breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day. Unfortunately, some of us forget to include breakfast in our daily routine. As a result, by midmorning, we not only feel low but also hungry. Nothing can lift spirits better on a Monday morning than a hearty and filling breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast every morning enhances overall energy levels and sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Get a new job

Although Mondays are not welcomed with enthusiasm, feeling depressed at the thought of another week at work is not a good sign. Since we spend so much time in office it makes sense to have a job that we enjoy. People who like their work look forward to the week ahead with anticipation and excitement. Enjoying one’s job has a positive impact not only on the professional but personal life also. If you love what you do, then you won’t dread Monday mornings as much. 

Kerala could become India's new Silicon Valley

Dubai: Kerala could well become an IT hub as the advantages enjoyed by Bangalore, the country's 'Silicon Valley', start to wear thin, said a senior IT official here.

Gigo Joseph, CEO of Infopark Kochi, said the congestion in India's leading IT hubs has presented Kerala with the unique opportunity to market itself as an alternative investment destination for IT and IT-enabled services companies.

"Moreover, it can benefit from IT companies starting to prefer the lower operating expenses of Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations for their bases," Joseph was quoted by Gulf News to have said.

A study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India suggested Bangalore’s credentials were on the decline for a number of reasons, most of all due to crumbling infrastructure. It added that 55 percent of the IT companies located there preferred to shift operations to alternative sites.

By 2015, Kerala is expected to have 200,000 direct job opportunities in IT and related industries, with Infopark expected to create more than 100,000 jobs, said the report. — PTI 

Sharda varsity offers scholarships

New Delhi Recognising the intellectual talent of meritorious students, Sharda University has announced scholarships worth Rs 25 crore. Sharda University’s Scholarship Programme is one of the most comprehensive one. The university is inviting applications from students to avail up to 100 per cent scholarships across different academic courses viz. B. Tech, BBA, MBA, B com and BA (Journalism and Mass Comm). For those seeking admission in B. Tech programmess, scholarships are being offered to students based on their performance in 12th standard, AIEEE and UPSEE exams. Those securing 90 per cent and above in 12th and AIEEE & UPSEE toppers are eligible for 100 per cent scholarship. There are three categories for B.Tech aspirants and about 200 scholarships are being offered by the university in each category.

Likewise, three categories of scholarships can be availed by students seeking admission to BBA, B.Com, BA (Journalism and Mass Comm) courses based on their 12th standard grades. Excellent scholarship programmes are also being offered to MBA aspirants based on their CAT /MAT scores. Besides these, students excelling in sports are also eligible for these scholarships.

Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gupta, Chancellor, Sharda University, says, “Right to Education is one of the fundamental rights of every Indian citizen and Sharda University believes that money should not be a roadblock for a student with an innovative idea in his mind and passion in his heart. We extend different scholarships and financial aid to meritorious students based on their academic achievements and potential, to ensure that every deserving student has access to quality education.”

Students from humanities, science and commerce streams are not left behind. As part of Sharda University’s School Connect Programme, aptitude test under the Sharda Scholarship Program (SSP) across India is conducted in the month of November every year. A total of 100 scholarships are awarded to toppers of this aptitude test. Last year, over 30,000 students participated from 120 schools across India to avail this scholarship.

For more information on eligibility criteria for scholarships please visit: <http://www.sharda.ac.in/admissions>

About Sharda University

Sharda University, established as a state private university in Greater Noida through the U.P. State Legislative Act in 2009 and approved by the UGC, is the only multi-discipline campus spread over 63 acres with an impressive infrastructure, a diverse mix of students, and a stimulating environment.

Sharda is an institution, which promises to become one of India’s leading universities with an acknowledged reputation for excellence in research and teaching. Sharda University brings 15 years of experience under the Sharda Group of Institutions (SGI) and a new culture of innovation, flexibility, progressiveness and vibrancy. The university envisions an ambience of excellence, inspiring value-based education, research and development.

Do you feel motivated? 
Though it requires a personal investigation and research to remain always motivated, here are certain strategies which keep one motivated almost all the time. 
D.C.Sharma

All the people who are most productive know the time when they are the most productive. Some feel they are most productive when they take a strong tea, others prefer cold drink or coffee. Still others feel they are most productive when they work with cooperative colleagues. But in the modern workplace scenario, all such things can’t be possible at all the times. Yet, one has to be motivated to be more productive. The best way is not to feel ruffled with such trifles. A little bit of patience makes the sunshine come. A little bit of hope makes the rainy day look gay. All you have to do is to lift up your spirits, and hence your mood. Practice can make you a habitual mood lifter.

To motivate yourself, learn to talk to yourself. Imagine there is a competent guide inside your head. Listen to his mature counsel. He speaks to you in a still small voice. Mostly he comes to you as a feeling, often as a vibration. You feel relaxed a bit as he speaks to you. He is just your Higher Self, always guiding and uplifting you. He can never be wrong. Obey his advice and gain a lot, always, forever.

Everyone is born with a purpose. Obstacles do come, but the zest to achieve your purpose removes them all. Happiness rushes to you when you feel motivated with your purpose. George Eliot, an English novelist has well said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” People fail for lack of purpose, not for lack of talent. We are all born with a talent. We have only to explore it, and develop it to achieve our true purpose in life.

Feel proud of your outstanding output. Boast of your productivity to your own self, not to others. In the latter case, others may label you as proud. Boasting to yourself alone, you would feel encouraged. You will then do much better in future. Even keep some money reserved to reward you every time you do your best. It will certainly boost your morale.

Organise your stuff well. Don’t be cluttered with too many things in hand at a time. Keep everything in order. Plan your timings in advance. Then stick to your schedule. It saves you from hurry and flurry. You’ll see how it improves your output considerably.

Let no failure ever discourage you. You grow even with failures. H. Stanley Judd has advised, “Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t waste energy to cover up failure. If you’re not failing, you are not growing.” Even King Bruce failed many times. You know how he learnt a great lesson from a tiny spider.

Never ever think of postponing the work in hand. Always work regularly with full faith and confidence, better slow but steadily. When you do so for 21 days it will become a habit with you. Then you shall always feel motivated doing your best with the least effort. 

Banking and telecom sectors witnessed a significant upsurge in hiring activity in May, says Naukri Job Speak Index
Hiring activity gains momentum

n The service sector witnessed an uptrend in the hiring activity, with the job indices for telecom and banking sectors moving up by 24 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively, in May over April.

n A year-on-year comparison of the job index shows that the hiring activity in all key metros has witnessed double-digit growth.

The month of May has seen recruitment activity move at a steady pace with the Naukri Job Speak index uptick by 2 per cent in May over April. When we compare the index with same time a year ago, it clearly shows that the job market is upbeat as the May, 2011 index is 19 per cent above the May, 2010 index. Thus, the overall hiring sentiment continues to remain healthy and the gains have touched almost every sector of the economy.

Hitesh Oberoi, CEO and MD, Info Edge India, said “The first half of 2011 has been very encouraging as the job scenario has been upbeat across sectors. However, with the improving job market and healthy appraisals, the key challenge now is to retain proven employees.”

An in-depth analysis of the indices shows that the first four months of 2011 have clocked impressive growth figures for almost all key industry sectors. The services sector in particular displayed strong hiring trends in May, 2011, with sectors like telecom, insurance and banking witnessing their job speak index move up by 24, 21 and 13 per cent, respectively, in May over April. While IT-software, ITeS and pharma sectors maintained steady hiring levels, capital goods and construction sectors saw a four per cent dip in their hiring activity, respectively, in May as compared to April.

Functional area analysis

The hottest skill sets for the month of May were professionals in banking and marketing as their index moved up by 18 and 11 per cent in May over April. The demand for professionals in IT-software, accounts and ITeS moved up by 4 per cent, respectively, in May as compared to April. Although the hiring activity for professionals in sales and business development and production dipped by 4 and 2 per cent in May over April, the three-month moving average indices suggest more stability.

Barring Mumbai, which maintained steady hiring levels, all other top cities have witnessed significant growth in their hiring activity in May. Hiring activity for Kolkata, Bangalore and Delhi moved up by 14, 9 and 7 per cent, respectively, in May as compared to April. The job index for Pune and Chennai moved up by six per cent and for Hyderabad the index moved up by 5 per cent in May as compared to the previous month.

Scaling the corporate ladder
Ragini Gulati

In today’s highly competitive scenario, achieving success in the corporate world is an uphill task. It is, in fact, a challenge to hold on to one’s job, much less than get a promotion. However, instead of getting discouraged, professionals should work towards moving up the corporate ladder.

Job descriptions and specifications only provide the framework for excelling in the current job and be regarded as the best performer. Similarly, supervisors give very little information on how to move to the next level. As a result, to map the road to success, one needs to identify the skills and experiences required for the next promotion. In addition to educational qualification, career specialisation and experience, there are certain other factors essential for career growth. Here are a few moves to reach the top of the ladder:

Be passionate

Climbing the corporate ladder becomes easier when one is passionate about the job. Enjoying the task at hand spurs enthusiasm naturally to work harder, be more resourceful and deliver high quality results. As a consequence, look out for options within the company and speak to the HR for assigning projects that you are not only good at but have a genuine interest in.

Getting noticed

Getting noticed is very important when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder. Contributing to the company newsletter, giving presentations, participating in training sessions are some of the ways of getting noticed. Putting in hard work and not getting acknowledged for is more or less a wasted effort. Take credit for your work to make the senior management recognise the time and effort that has been involved in a specific task. Another way to increase visibility is by volunteering for cross-functional projects. It will not only help to gain exposure but also build a reputation.

Stay motivated

Although easier said than done, the unpredictability of the corporate world can be both frustrating and demoralising. Since we cannot change the circumstances, one should look at carefully choosing responses to them. Make a conscious decision to start each day with a positive outlook, irrespective of the situation. Inspire yourself to stay on track, seek new avenues and combat fresh challenges. Seek out the support of family, friends and colleagues to stay motivated against all odds. Most importantly, keep away from negative people to avoid losing focus and getting sidetracked.

Develop cordial relationships

Learn to get along with everyone in the organisation, including seniors, peers and subordinates. It will help gain access to work-related information and also make more people aware of your capabilities. Moreover, organisations value people who gel easily with co-workers, whether it is the security staff or the CEO. Develop cordial relations by volunteering to help out teammates in finishing a portion of their job. Go the extra mile by being polite and cheerful while interacting with colleagues.

Time management

By learning to manage time effectively, one can significantly increase both level of efficiency and productivity. Ensure that assignments are completed before deadline even if it means putting in extra hours at work. Instead of wasting time on criticism and petty issues, concentrate on the task at hand. Make it a habit to reach office on time since bosses have a way of keeping a watch over everyone at work. Showing up late for meetings or events not only portrays a lack of commitment but also disrespect for job.

Keep learning

Learning is a never-ending process and should continue irrespective of the profile or industry. Enroll in a programme or take up a specialised course to help with the current job profile as well as augment portfolio. 

AppLabs to hire 1,000 engineers

New Delhi: Software testing company AppLabs has plans to hire 1,000 engineers this year to test software products being sold to different verticals. "Demand for software testing is increasing. With increasing awareness among people, more people are getting attracted towards this service," Abhay Rao, AVP, Human Resource, AppLabs told PTI.

"We are expanding our operations globally and plan to hire around 1,000 software testing engineers across all verticals we are present in and getting in to," he added. The company will hire 800 engineers in India and rest of 200 engineers will be hired by offices of company in the US and Europe. "We will be hiring around 50 engineers next month to meet our operational demand on immediate basis," Rao said.

Based on the demand for service of the company, Rao said that he expects approximately 50 per cent revenue growth for the company in this financial year. At present, AppLabs has close to 2,500 employees across its offices in India, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and London.

The company has plans to expand in Europe and as part of this it will open an office in Zurich within next six months.

To share the growth of company, AppLabs also announced to give 20 per cent average salary hike to its employees across board. "Last year we could not give much hike but we are seeing increased demand of our services which we have shared with our employees," Rao said.

The company though did not disclose its revenue but said that among industry verticals banking finance and services sector contributed maximum to its revenue at 31 per cent, followed by technology segment at 18 per cent, travel vertical at 12 per cent and retail segment accounted for 11 per cent of it total revenue. — PTI 

Happiness @ work
Gems of ancient wisdom
Make a qualitative difference

The characteristic that distinguishes man from animals is the use of the brain. Don’t waste all your time in just doing donkey work.

Mirza Ghalib wrote that when he asked the Almighty why he was decreed life-long existence, God said, “Are you a crow caught in a snare only to be set free? You are a nightingale, held in a cage, so that the age may hear your melody.” Little wonder then that Ghalib rejected many of his couplets when he sat down to compile his life’s work.

Akbar wanted to honour Tulsidas, but Tulsidas said, “My songs praise the glory of Rama. What can I sing in the court of a mortal king?”

Before Vallabhacharya, the greatest scholar-saint of the time, met Soordas, the poet-saint, Soordas’ verse had a tone of self-denigration. Vallabhacharya first told him about the life and times of Lord Krishna and then told Soor to sing about Krishna’s playful antics.

Mahiravana, the son of Ravana and the ruler of the nether world, abducted Rama and Lakshman during Rama’s attack on Lanka. He wished to make a sacrifice of the Ayodhya princes before Goddess Durga. When Mahiravana ordered the enchained princes to bow before the sacrificial altar, Rama said, “We have never bowed to anyone before. Please show us how to do so.” When Mahiravana knelt to set the example, Hanuman cut off his head and rescued Rama and Lakshman.

In the early stages of creation, Brahma and Vishnu came to life. They saw nothing else, but an unending lingam of light. They decided to find what was there at its ends. Brahma, in the form of a swan, flew to check out the lingam’s top while Vishnu, in the form of a boar, dived to check out its bottom, but to no avail.

Brahma was not willing to admit defeat so he conspired with a ketaki flower to be his witness. In front of Vishnu, Brahma claimed that he had seen one end of the lingam along with the flower.

At this wrongdoing, Shiva emerged from the lingam and cursed Brahma that no temple would be dedicated to him. The three-eyed one cursed the ketaki flower that it won’t be used in any ritual. Freedom fighter Bhagat Singh refused to run away after dropping the bomb at the Central Assembly on April 8, 1929. “From the court, I’ll spread our message,” he said.

A human life is rare. Put it to full use.

— Sai R. Vaidyanathan

The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com