JOBS & CAREERS
 


Take off with Avionics
Avionics was pioneered in the 1970s to cater to military rather than the civil aviation needs
Avionics is a multi-disciplinary field which opens up a vista of opportunities for graduates. Derived from “aviation” and “electronics”, avionics chiefly concerns electronic systems used in aircraft, satellites and spacecraft, comprising communications, navigation and the display and management of multiple systems. It also includes the hundreds of systems that are fitted in aircraft to meet individual roles, these can be as simple as a search light for a police helicopter or as complicated as the tactical system for an airborne early warning platform.


Careercature
Sandeep Joshi


Sir, I think we must give them a raise. One is an expert tweeter and the other is a champion in cards.

Career Hotline
Why is maths a good choice?
Q. I have just stepped into Class XI. I plan to pursue biotech or medicine as a career. My parents have forced me to take maths with physics, chemistry and biology. I want to know why I should study maths along with the other relevant subjects, since I fail to see its relevance to my career.

n
TOEFL facts
n Eligible for PMT
n Special benefits
n Pursuing space science

Course watch
PR institute
In an industry-academic initiative, the public relations consultancy Fourth Estate launched Indian School of Public Relations (ISPR) recently. It is India’s only institute exclusively for PR courses. The institute will offer three courses:

OFFICE Mantra
Positive face off
Standing up for oneself both in professional and personal life is essential. However, most of us struggle when it comes to standing up to the boss. We often worry that voicing our disagreement with a higher-up will make us appear disrespectful, argumentative or even unqualified for the position. As a consequence we let our bosses get away with too much simply because we are afraid of losing our job or creating a tense situation had we stood up for ourselves.

career scape
Catering industry
Golden platter
The hospitality industry is indeed assuming greater significance and is fast developing into a lucrative career choice. A training programme in hospitality management encompasses various aspects of the business of hotel, travel and tourism related industries and housekeeping and catering in the hospitality industry (including customer care executives). The focus of the training is on the applicability of management principles to the hospitality industry. It equips students with the required skills, knowledge and outlook to discharge supervisory responsibilities efficiently.

Region trends
A blend of skill and creativity
Fashion is a major industry in India now having excellent job opportunities for youngsters. The aura of glamour and the thrill of expressing creativity makes students opt for fashion designing courses. Such courses are a rage not only in metros and big cities but in small towns like Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh. The number of students opting for this course has increased substantially in this small town over tha past few years.

Ruling with rules
Business consultant for Sears, E. Richard Johns, says, “Rules are made to be broken….ask any teenager. Or what about you?”

Happiness @ work
Gems of ancient wisdom
Nobody does everything
For the sake of team morale, no member of the team, especially the leader, should announce that he does everything. After the Mahabharata war, it was time to honour the heroes. So it was decided that every charioteer should garland the respective warrior one steered during the war. All charioteers, but one, completed the ritual. Krishna kept sitting on the driver’s seat. Why does my charioteer Krishna not honour me? Haven’t I killed warriors like Bhishma, Jayadratha, Bhagdatta and Karna, thought Arjuna sadly.





 

Take off with Avionics
Avionics was pioneered in the 1970s to cater to military rather than the civil aviation needs
Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra

Avionics is a multi-disciplinary field which opens up a vista of opportunities for graduates. Derived from “aviation” and “electronics”, avionics chiefly concerns electronic systems used in aircraft, satellites and spacecraft, comprising communications, navigation and the display and management of multiple systems. It also includes the hundreds of systems that are fitted in aircraft to meet individual roles, these can be as simple as a search light for a police helicopter or as complicated as the tactical system for an airborne early warning platform.

Main categories or specialisations of this branch of knowledge include Aircraft avionics, Communications, Navigation, Monitoring, Aircraft flight control systems, Collision-avoidance systems, Weather systems, Aircraft management systems, Mission or tactical avionics that includes military communications, radars, sonar systems, electro-optics, ESM/DAS and aircraft networks etc. It is also applied in disaster relief and air ambulance.

Avionics was pioneered in the 1970s to cater to military needs rather than the civil airliner development. Military aircraft had become flying sensor platforms, and making large amounts of electronic equipment work together had become the new challenge. Today avionics, as used in military aircraft, almost always forms the biggest part of any development budget. Aircrafts like the F-15E and the now retired F-14 have roughly 80 per cent of their budget spent on avionics. Most modern helicopters now have budget splits of 60/40 in favour of avionics.

The civilian market has also seen a growth in the cost of avionics. Flight control systems (fly-by-wire) and new navigation needs brought on by tighter airspaces, have pushed up the development costs. The major change has been the recent boom in consumer flying. As more people begin to use planes as their primary mode of transportation, more elaborate methods of controlling aircraft safely in the highly restrictive airspaces have been invented.

The chief areas where avionics is implemented include: Communications, radio navigation, monitoring, aircraft flight control systems that reduce the workload of pilots at crucial times during a flight (like during landing, or in hover), and make these actions safer; aircraft collision avoidance systems; weather systems; aircraft management systems, integrated modular avionics and mission or tactical avionics that incorporate the use of avionics for military purposes as well as disaster relief and air ambulance.

These vast areas of application make the discipline very lucrative and highly in demand as the gap between the demand and supply of trained manpower is huge.

Job Description

There are many jobs in aviation avionics but avionics technician and avionics installation supervisor are the most popular two.

Avionics Technician

Some of the main job responsibilities of an avionics technician are repairing, inspecting and maintaining aircraft. It is important for an avionics technician to know how to maintain the computer systems in the aircraft cockpit. Another part of aviation avionics is to maintain weather radar systems, flight control systems, flight engine control systems and radio communications.

Avionics technicians need to have a degree in an avionics-related technology. A degree in maths, physics, electronics and computing is also of great help in this field.

Those aspiring to enter this field should have practical skills, should be able to solve problems well and be electronically minded to be successful. Employers also love to find people who are enthusiastic about being an avionics technician and are self-motivated and hard working.

Installation Supervisor

An installation supervisor has to manage and oversee a team of avionics engineers and technicians. It is important as an avionics installation supervisor to monitor the work of the avionics team to ensure that the work they do complies with the industry standards. Reading and understanding blueprints is another important part of an installation supervisor’s job. He also has to set work schedules, assess workers performance and implement projects.

An installation supervisor is not an entry level position so you will need to gain years of relevant experience

Duties

Core Tasks

n Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.
n Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
n Keep records of maintenance and repair work.
n Coordinate work with that of engineers, technicians, and other aircraft maintenance personnel.
n Install electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in aircraft, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering irons.

Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.

Additional Tasks

n Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams.
n Assemble prototypes or models of circuits, instruments, and systems for use in testing.
n Operate computer-aided drafting and design applications to design avionics system modifications.

Prospects

Employment prospects in avionics are quite good, especially for people who pursue specialty certifications. A number of aviation-related industries employ avionics technicians. Commercial airlines are some of the largest employers, relying on avionics technicians to keep their aircraft safe.

There is also a dual designation that combines airframe and powerplant certifications, commonly known as AMP mechanics. In terms of routine preventative maintenance, avionic technicians inspect engines, pressurised cabins, pilot panel instruments, and landing gear.

The writer is Prochancellor of Shobhit University

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Career Hotline
Why is maths a good choice?
Pervin Malhotra

Q. I have just stepped into Class XI. I plan to pursue biotech or medicine as a career. My parents have forced me to take maths with physics, chemistry and biology. I want to know why I should study maths along with the other relevant subjects, since I fail to see its relevance to my career.

— Vartika Saini

A. Although it's often believed that bio-sciences don't require any mathematical ability, this isn't true. Physics and even chemistry, to some extent, demand familiarity with mathematical concepts. Also, should you wish to pursue BTech Biotechnology or Bioinformatics, you'll find that in addition to PCB, maths is not just preferred, but mandatory.

Moreover, taking up maths with other science subjects, including biology, opens up many career avenues e.g. clinical research, biotechnology and bioinformatics, about which you may not be sufficiently aware of now, but which may catch your interest later. Why close doors to these options prematurely at this point?

Secondly, medical research on various health problems is growing, partly due to the world's increasingly aging population. Medical research often involves complex statistical calculations; which is why many respected statisticians happen to be doctors. A strong mathematical base helps in statistics. So if you choose to pursue medicine and later opt for medical research, your grounding in Plus II maths will help.

Thirdly, according to a recent study by researchers at both Harvard University and University of Virginia, students with the most rigorous high school preparation in maths perform significantly better in college courses in biology, chemistry and physics. And only maths has such an effect. Other sciences such as physics and chemistry, contrary to conventional wisdom, do not have any significant effect on performance in sister sciences. So studying maths is likely to improve your performance in the subjects you will be studying for medical entrance exams.

TOEFL facts

Q. I have been told that certain institutes abroad don't require TOEFL scores to evaluate a student's English proficiency. Is this true?

— Sanvi Khullar

A. Yes that's correct. Many institutions don't require TOEFL test scores from certain international applicants e.g. holders of degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions in English-speaking countries like US, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand.

n Those who have successfully completed at least a two-year course of study in which English was the language of instruction.
n Those who have taken the TOEFL within the last two years.
n Students from US or Canada who have taken a transfer and whose academic course work was favourably evaluated for content and duration.
n Also non-native Americans who have successfully pursued academic work in schools where English was the language of instruction in an English-speaking country for a specified period - generally two years.

Ideally you should contact your prospective institution directly concerning specific admission requirements.

A word of advice: Over 7,500 institutions in 10 countries around the world accept TOEFL scores. So do check the credentials of the schools that don't ask for TOEFL scores. They are generally not the best of schools. A complete listing of institutions that accept TOEFL scores can be found on the TOEFL destination directory.

Eligible for PMT

Q. I am studying in Class XII and have physics, chemistry and biotechnology combination. Please tell me if I will be eligible to sit for the AIPMT exam for admission to MBBS courses?

— Avinash Kher

A. Yes, students who have opted for biotechnology as an elective subject in place of biology at the Plus II level are now eligible to appear in the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) for 15 per cent merit positions in government medical colleges in India.

Special benefits

Q. Our peon has a polio-stricken daughter who is 15 years old. As they are a family of modest means and have to spend quite a bit on her treatment, they can't bear the cost of sending her to a decent school. Can they get any financial help?

— Rajan Garg

A. Your concern is touching. All disabled children between 14-18 years are entitled to an annual grant of Rs 3,000 from the government for personal needs, apart from schools taking care of their educational requirements.

The HRD ministry ofers a Rs 1,000-crore inclusive education scheme for children with special needs at the secondary level. With this scheme, a large number of disabled children will be brought under the inclusive education fold by increasing the disabilities covered from four to eight - blindness, low vision, leprosy, loco-motor disability, mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy and mental illness.

This scheme aimed at benefiting 6-7 lakh disabled children, will also provide funds to improve the learning environment for the disabled in schools.

The objective is to retain children with special needs till the secondary level by bringing the scheme on par with provisions for the disabled students up to the elementary school level under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.

Amongst others, The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi, offers a national scholarship for persons with disabilities for pursuing technical and professional courses. Details: Website www.socialjustice.nic.in.

Pursuing space science

Q. Please tell me what kind of courses do I need to pursue if I want to specialise in space science?

—Ajita Kaul

A. Space science is an umbrella term that covers all the scientific fields that are concerned with the study of the Universe (excluding the Earth and its atmosphere). Originally, all these fields were considered part of astronomy. However, in recent years the major sub-fields within astronomy, such as astrophysics, have grown so large that they're now considered separate fields on their own. There are eight overall categories that can generally be described on their own: Astrophysics, Galactic Science, Stellar Science, non-Earth Planetary Science, Biology of Other Planets, Astronautics / Space Travel, Space Colonization and Space Defence.

However, space science should not be confused with space research and space exploration.

The former relates to scientific studies carried out by using scientific equipment in space. Frequently, the term includes research in the upper atmosphere using sounding rockets and high-altitude balloons.

While space exploration involves a great deal of space research, it additionally uses space technology to broaden its spectrum of research including earth science and materials science in its ambit.

Understandably therefore, some of the varied academic programmes that produce space scientists are astrophysics, aerospace engineering and astronomy, remote sensing, GIS, Satellite Meteorology and Global Climate, Atmospheric Sciences, Satellite communication etc.

Some institutes offering these courses are: Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun, a premier centre for training in RS, the Centre for Space Science & Technology Education in the Asia Pacific region (CSSTE- AP), affiliated to the UN established at Dehradun offers courses in Remote Sensing and GIS, Satellite Meteorology and Global Climate, Atmospheric Sciences, Satellite communication and Space Sciences.

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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Course watch
PR institute

In an industry-academic initiative, the public relations consultancy Fourth Estate launched Indian School of Public Relations (ISPR) recently. It is India’s only institute exclusively for PR courses. The institute will offer three courses:

PG Programme – An 11-month Post-Graduate Programme.

The Advanced Course — Six-month Certified Intensive PR Training Programme.

The Foundation Programme — Three-month Certified Intensive PR Training Programme that will provide graduates and undergraduates with an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of public relations practitioners.

ELIGIBILTY: Students pursuing graduation, awaiting graduation results, post graduation and MBA students pursuing mass communication, advertising, journalism, marketing, event management and public relations can apply.

LISAA SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Lisaa, a design school from Paris, has brought international level design courses for students in India. Lisaa, New Delhi, is the first French Design School in India. The institute will award diplomas to students completing three-year courses in their respective design fields. Students will have the opportunity to present their end of year project in Paris and, therefore, be eligible for a Diploma issued by Lisaa France.

Courses offered: Interior design and Architecture (3 years); Fashion and Textile design (2 years); Graphic design and animation (2 years + 1 optional post-graduate year in Paris, France)

Qualification: Any student who has graduated in India in the Senior Secondary School Examination, Plus II model is eligible for courses. Prospective students have to pass a Lisaa Aptitude test and show examples of their interest and passion for the design fields through a portfolio of atleat 10 items of work.

Last date for submitting forms: August 20, 2011

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OFFICE Mantra
Positive face off
Standing up to the boss is not always a losing proposition, writes Ragini Gulati

Standing up for oneself both in professional and personal life is essential. However, most of us struggle when it comes to standing up to the boss. We often worry that voicing our disagreement with a higher-up will make us appear disrespectful, argumentative or even unqualified for the position. As a consequence we let our bosses get away with too much simply because we are afraid of losing our job or creating a tense situation had we stood up for ourselves.

Yet situations arise when it becomes absolutely necessary and unavoidable to take a stand. Moreover, as we move up in our career, it becomes important to understand how to handle difficult conversations. The sooner we can learn to solve problems rationally through mature dialogue, the better. By learning the right set of skills, one can respectfully disagree with one’s boss, without damaging the relationship or risking one’s job.

Pick the right moment

One of the most important aspects of standing up to the boss is not how but when it is done. Even if you disagree with the boss on something, avoid voicing your opinion in front of others or challenging him in a meeting. Observe the boss carefully and look for moments when he or she is in an agreeable, if not good, mood. Accordingly choose the right moment and request for an appointment.

Schedule a face-to-face meeting

It may seem easier to e-mail concerns to the boss but this is not an effective way of handling conflict. Set up a meeting with the boss and confidently address the issues in person. It is always better to have a face-to-face interaction especially when high degree of emotions is involved. However, disagreement does not mean being disrespectful, pointing fingers or blaming the boss. Take it slow and honestly and state the facts as simply as possible. Being reasonable with the boss will definitely improve the chances of getting the desired reaction from him. Moreover, a calm person is always able to negotiate better than someone who is angry or upset.

Body language

While interacting with the supervisor make sure that your body language supports your conversation. Instead of staring at the ground, look into his/her eyes without breaking contact. Making eye contact shows that you are honest about whatever you are saying and also do not fear the person concerned. Keep your voice steady and quiet, shoulders slung back and speak like a mature person. It is also important to stand up straight and assure yourself that you are in charge. When you project confidence through body language, including stance, voice and words, the boss will realise your seriousness about the issue at hand and is less likely to retaliate in an aggressive or defensive way.

Speak politely

While confronting the boss maintain his or her status by speaking politely. They have earned respect so be sure to give it to them even if they do not see your point of view. Avoid being aggressive, losing control or raising your voice as it will only worsen the situation. Irrespective of the conflict remain courteous since at the end of the day he or she is still your boss.

Don’t be critical

Although we all like to point out others’ mistakes, it is not always taken well especially by someone in a higher position than us. Avoid framing disagreement with the boss as criticism, instead offer a different perspective. Let your boss know that you are working with them as a team player to enhance the overall performance of the company. Kick things off by complimenting the boss on his management style and reassuring him of your positive intentions Support the difference in your opinion with relevant examples that show where you are coming from. Allow them to express their views and then clarify your concerns and recommendations.

Be ready for the consequences

Standing up to the boss is not only hard but also tricky. One has to realize that it may not always go well and if it does not we should be able to accept the consequences however unreasonable they might be. There is a possibility that the boss may hear you out but still chooses to go in a particular direction, completely disregarding your opinion. In such a situation rather than feeling dejected accept the decision of the boss and move forward with enthusiasm.

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career scape
Catering industry
Golden platter
Hemant Kumar Kochar

The hospitality industry is indeed assuming greater significance and is fast developing into a lucrative career choice. A training programme in hospitality management encompasses various aspects of the business of hotel, travel and tourism related industries and housekeeping and catering in the hospitality industry (including customer care executives). The focus of the training is on the applicability of management principles to the hospitality industry. It equips students with the required skills, knowledge and outlook to discharge supervisory responsibilities efficiently.

Trend

Catering management is an area which is being widely exploited by youngsters wanting to set up their own catering business. Catering industry is ideal for those who can generate some capital and have a penchant for entrepreneurship. Restaurants, cafes and pubs are places where catering options can be explored.

Work profile

In the catering business one can work as a coordinator to deal with suppliers, food servers, as well as attend to clients' needs. In a restaurant job, one must be in frequent contact with different people involved in the work, making sure, for example, that the food is delivered on time, and the entertainers perform to the satisfaction of the customers as promised.

Good job management skills are extremely important in this field.

The food service job manager must not only be able to supervise the preparation and serving of food, but should also know how much food and other supplies need to be ordered, what equipment would be needed, and should be able to coordinate the various activities in order to ensure that the event progresses smoothly.

Purchasing proper supplies entails the knowledge of a variety of food products, their suppliers, and the contacts needed to get the right product at the best possible price. A larger business or contract may lead to the appointment of an assistant manager to oversee the arrangements. The manager will take care of the ordering, planning, and supervising responsibilities, and may even work with the client. He is still generally responsible for the success of the whole business operations.

Skill set

As entrepreneurs, caterers or restaurant managers have to shoulder important administrative responsibilities such as overseeing the budgeting and bookkeeping operations. The caterers must make sure that the business continues to make a profit while prices are maintained at competitive levels. They must know how to figure costs and other budget considerations, plan inventories, buy food, and ensure compliance with health regulations.

Everything must be done for the customer's satisfaction. Kind, courteous, and hospitable dealing with the customers brings magic to the business.

Eligibility

Although there are no specific educational or professional requirements, an aspiring food service entrepreneur who wishes to handle a catering job or restaurant career should have the combined ability to understand proper food preparation with the ability to manage a food service operation. Many people develop these skills through on-the-job training, beginning as a caterer helper or as a worker in a restaurant. As the catering business has grown more competitively, many successful caterers and food service agents have chosen an option to get a college degree in hotel management.

Duration of courses

The duration of a Hotel Management or Hospitality Administration course varies from institute to institute and could vary between six months and three years. There is no particular course on catering. Hotel Management or Hospitality Administration students are also eligible.

Institute Watch

n Oberoi Centre of Learning and Deve lopment, New Delhi.
n NCHMCT (National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Management), New Delhi.
n Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Management & Research (MAHAR), Dehradun.

The writer is Director of Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR), Dehradun

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Region trends
A blend of skill and creativity
Dharam Prakash Gupta

A course in fashion designing takes students on the road to creativity
A course in fashion designing takes students on the road to creativity

Fashion is a major industry in India now having excellent job opportunities for youngsters. The aura of glamour and the thrill of expressing creativity makes students opt for fashion designing courses. Such courses are a rage not only in metros and big cities but in small towns like Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh. The number of students opting for this course has increased substantially in this small town over tha past few years. A consultant with Pinnacle Institute of Fashion Designing Hamirpur, Vandna Dhingra says, “Innovation and creativity are the key words in the fascinating world of fashion designing. This field requires a lot of hard work.”

“A humble beginning with a great idea and converting it into a fabulous sketch is not all that is needed to excel in this field. Students should also have the ability to create magic with colours, designs and shapes for a successful career in this field”, she adds.

A fashion designer first has to draw a sketch for creating an idea in different colour combinations and styles.

The next step is finalising fabric and colour combination for which adequate research is required to choose the right texture and drape of the fabric. The knowledge of fabric, colour schemes and emerging trends are important for this.

Next comes developing a pattern for which a draft is prepared in prototype keeping in view the size and measurements.

The last and final step is garment construction i.e. the final product is developed with all the finer details. A fashion design institute hones the skills of students keen to pursue this career by imparting training in sketching, pattern making, colour choices, fabric analysis and sewing.

As a fashion designer one can work as a designer, merchandiser, fashion media consultant, quality controller etc. and there is vast scope in this field as this industry is witnessing a tremendous growth.

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Ruling with rules
D. C. Sharma

Business consultant for Sears, E. Richard Johns, says, “Rules are made to be broken….ask any teenager. Or what about you?”

Yes, we all intend to drive fast when the road is straight and clear, and when there is no red light or cop in sight. Employees, too, are human so how can they be different?

Compliance and discipline matters remain the main management challenges in companies. Workers and the management have different perspective on rules imposed from time to time. While workers feel that rules, which are actually meant to run an organisation smoothly, are often used as tools to exercise biases and take out personal grudges, HR by the managers, it is a challenging job for managers to prove and maintain objectivity.

In their international bestseller First break all the rules Marcus Buckingham and Curt Caffman say, “The greatest managers in the world seem to have little in common. They differ in sex, age and race. They employ vastly different styles and focus on different goals. Yet despite their differences, great managers share one common trait, they do not hesitate to break virtually every rule held sacred by conventional wisdom.

Jim Calder, business development Director of Ernst & Young confirms that if you create a work environment where people feel valued, encourage them to do what they are good at all the time, then you have the makings of a successful business. That way you best manage your workplace with a remote control method. That’s the only way where the person at the helm of affairs does not stifle the talent and skills of his employees. That way the company concerned can put its employees to productive and constructive use.

If the rule aims at the accomplishment of the employees, it shows the manager has the primary mission to enhance output and productivity. What is the use of such a rule which binds the workforce not allowing free will to the workers to do their best utilising their skills in their own specific way?

Every rule should raise the morale of the employees. The workplace atmosphere where the workers feel suffocated can’t be conducive to any progress or prosperity. The employees who are really talented and better equipped with skills can’t pull on with such a suffocating atmosphere. They may even start leaving the company for good as they find better chances of progress and prosperity somewhere else.

Any rule which considers the welfare of employees is always better suited to good workforce which is potential to the core. This is the reason why most of the companies these days are offering free insurance covers to their employees. And the companies which frequently introduce pay hikes and special perks always win the hearts of their employees. That way they win more benefits and dividends by getting the fullest cooperation of their employees.

Good rules can also successfully impose specific discipline norms upon employees. But these rules should, in no way, interfere into the personal liberty of the workers. No worker, even the inefficient one, ever likes the interference of the company boss in his personal liberty.

A rule which forces employees to do overtime work without any rhyme or reason is always disliked. However, if the company seeks willingness of the workers, and even offers a handsome remuneration, they can be asked to offer their services of their own free will.

A rule which improves the efficiency of workers is always beneficial. The one which sharpens the worker’s job skill is certainly a blessing in disguise. The fact remains that though every employee is different, everyone likes the path of least resistance. Any rule which encourages workers to improve their skill and prove their worth is always appreciated. If the breaking of a company’s rule is odd, then better make rules which enhance the welfare of all employees.

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Happiness @ work
Gems of ancient wisdom
Nobody does everything

For the sake of team morale, no member of the team, especially the leader, should announce that he does everything. After the Mahabharata war, it was time to honour the heroes. So it was decided that every charioteer should garland the respective warrior one steered during the war. All charioteers, but one, completed the ritual. Krishna kept sitting on the driver’s seat. Why does my charioteer Krishna not honour me? Haven’t I killed warriors like Bhishma, Jayadratha, Bhagdatta and Karna, thought Arjuna sadly.

Krishna sensed what was going on in his friend’s mind. He told Arjuna to step down and get away from the chariot. Then, Krishna and Hanuman (on the flag staff) got down from the chariot. Suddenly, the chariot caught fire.

“What is the meaning of this?” Arjuna asked. “Your chariot had already been destroyed by enemy weapons. It only appeared intact till I sat on it,” explained Krishna.

In the ninth century, Chavundaraya, commander-in-chief of the Ganga dynasty, grew arrogant as he had got a 57-ft-high statue of Bahubali Swami carved at Shravana Belagola, Karnataka. But to his dismay, even a huge amount of milk that was being offered at the statue’s head couldn’t bathe it fully.

Then came the old woman who used to worship the stone from which the statue was carved. Just a potful of milk, along with her humility, did what gallons could not.

To make the Kaleyas, a class of demons who hid in the sea, visible, sage Agastya drank up the ocean. As soon as they were exposed, the gods killed them. Then, the gods requested the sage to fill the ocean again. “I cannot do it as I have digested the water. Get Ganga from heaven to fill it up.” Due to King Bhagirath’s sustained efforts, Ganga descended from heaven.

The noble and capable Asura king Bana had a thousand arms. “Besides Lord Shiva, there is none equal to me,” he boasted. As a result, Lord Shiva cursed him, “The ‘one equal to me’ will humble you, Bana.”

Meanwhile, his daughter Usha fell in love with Krishna’s grandson Aniruddha and married him in secret. This started a war between Bana, Shiva and Kartikeya on one side and Krishna, his son Pradyumna and Satyaki on the other. Leaving him with four arms, Krishna cut off the rest to humble the demon king.

Krishna said in the Gita, “Even though nothing exists beyond Me and I alone am the doer, Arjuna, you will still have to draw your arrows and kill all your enemies.”

If even the Almighty doesn’t claim that He does everything, how can any mortal?

— Sai R. Vaidyanathan
The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com

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Fortnightly Quiz-392

1. What is the capital of the newly formed nation South Sudan in Africa?

2. When is World Population Day observed?

3. Name the temple in Kerala where a large treasure was found recently.

4. To which country does the steel company Posco belong?

5. Which company tops the Fortune’s global list of the world’s 500 largest companies for 2011?

6. Name the five costliest cities of the world according to a recent global survey.

7. Which Sainik School in Punjab recently celebrated its golden jubilee?

8. What is the full form of NADA?

9. Name the Indian bowler to join the 400-Test wicket club recently.

10. How many times has India won cricket Test series against the West Indies on the latter’s soil?

— Tarun Sharma

Winners of quiz 391: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Shivam Gupta, class XI, G section, SD Public School, Sanatam Dharam Chowk, Jagadhari, Haryana, Pin Code – 135003

Second: Joydeep Singh, class VII, Dasmesh Public School, Talwandi Road, Faridkot, Pin Code – 151203

Third: Bhavnoor Singh, class IX-C, MGN Public School, The Mall, Kapurthala, Punjab Pin Code – 144601

Answers to quiz 391: Mao Zedong; China; Ban Ki-Moon; Pakistan; 8.8 kilometre; Hero Motocorp; June 26; ‘Jallikattu’; Motor racing (Formula One); Novak Djkovic

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……………….…………..................................
Class ....………….......….…….................................
School address ....................................................

 

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