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horticulture
Pervin Malhotra l I want to be a tax consultant l Best course options for gaming and programming? l How can my daughter get into a law course? l Which is the right course in biotechnology?
testing times: clat
career compass: packaging technology
classroom code: fashion education
Looks that Matter
Poor appreciation makes employees leave
Happiness @ work
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Bouquet of choices
If being close to nature is an integral part of your career plan then explore the options that this rapidly expanding field offers Zubin Malhotra Of the fields that have received a major boost with the opening up of the Indian economy, horticulture or the art of growing fruits, flowers, vegetables and ornamental plants is a significant one. With additional allocation from the Central Government, horticulture, hitherto regarded as a poor cousin of mainstream agriculture, has been given due recognition as a major field where proper research and marketing can yield good results. Horticulture has emerged as a specialised field in itself and can be divided into four major specialisations: l
Pomology or cultivation of fruits l
Floriculture or
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Olericulture or
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Post-harvest technology/ fruit preservation Besides these major options, there also exist smaller areas like growing ornamental plants, landscaping with trees and decorative shrubs, fruit preservation etc. In fact, each of these fields is so large in itself that you can at best, hope to specialise in only a sub-part of a sub-field.
Work profile
The horticulturist's work basically consists of trying to improve the quality of plants to produce higher yields, using agro-technology to prevent and cure plant diseases. In short, growing and nurturing plants. Whether employed in a research institute or working in your own farm, you have to be essentially in tune with nature and enjoy being among plants. If you are a nature lover, you will enjoy the lab-to-land type of work. Of course it helps to have green fingers (although those in the field say this is a characteristic that can be honed to perfection on the job). Research is a very important part of this field and many horticulturists are employed in research in various aspects like breeding, propagation production, storage and processing of plants, methods of cultivation, improving yields of horticultural crops, seed and fruit quality, bettering plant resistance to diseases, adaptation of various plants to various soils and climatic conditions and many other related experiments. Besides research, you could be involved in community related work e.g. setting up of nurseries, seed farms and orchards or in advising local farmers on techniques for improving cultivation, to get better yields or as a landscape consultant. Contrary to popular supposition, horticulture is as much an urban as a rural field. A horticulturist, in fact, is actively involved in the laying out of various parks, gardens and green belts in cities.
Job opportunities
Thanks to increasing "green consciousness" and interest in ayurveda, naturopathy and aroma therapy, the scope for horticulture is expanding rapidly and will, in the next few years, offer employment to many, especially in the private sector. With developments in agro-technology and fertilisers, influx of foreign expertise and focused marketing strategies, the industry, especially pomology and floriculture, have received a major boost. While you can work as a researcher in the various agricultural varsities, research institutes, state agricultural universities, it is in the private sector that a majority of the upcoming jobs are expected to lie. In the last decade, the number of orchards and nurseries has gone up manifold, and many Indian fruits e.g. banana, mango, coconut, plum, jackfruit, kinnow, papaya etc which are not so common or well known elsewhere, are now being widely exported. Export earnings from this field have also multiplied as a result. And being a tax-free field, many enterprising people are reaping benefits from sales of their produce, be it mangoes or chillies, begonias or carnations.
Where to work
Horticulturists are employed in agricultural universities, central institutes, state agricultural universities, community development centres, PWDs, in departments like forestry, irrigation, town planning, archaeology, in agricultural marketing cooperatives, banks, especially in NABARD, hotels, large firms, gardens, nurseries, zoos, theme parks and private estates.
Remuneration
Financially the setting up of nurseries, orchards, seed farms, florist's outlet, plant rental services, floral arrangement services are more remunerative.
Where to study
If you love being outdoors with flowers and plants, this profession will hardly seem like work - the sheer pleasure of being in the midst of nature would a great reward in itself. However, training for this field is extremely important. The first step after Plus II (PCB) would be to do a BSc. in Agriculture or Horticulture. There are many universities both specialised as well as general that offer a four-year degree in this field. Of these, colleges of agriculture in Dapoli, Akola, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore and Parbhani are the most popular for horticulture. A common entrance exam is conducted by the Indian Council for Agriculturual Research (ICAR). Being a highly specialised field, an MSc in horticulture with some specialisation is advisable. Admission to MSc courses in agriculture/horticulture has also been centralised by ICAR for 15 per cent of the seats in the relevant departments all over India. For those interested in research, a PhD programme would be the next logical step. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, is the foremost institute for training in this field. There are 23 other institutes offering MSc Horticulture all over India. All candidates selected for MSc by ICAR are paid a monthly fellowship besides a contingency grant annually. If any student is unable to secure the JRF, he/she is given financial assistance at IARI. Judging from the number of enquiries IARI receives everyday, horticulture has caught the imagination of many an entrepreneur. And if the present trends continue, India should soon see a bountiful rise in earnings from horticultural exports, which in turn will greatly enhance the income of both the entrepreneur and the local cultivator. With expat Indians willing to pay the earth for fresh karelas or sweet smelling rajnigandhas, the job and income potential from horticulture is indeed bright and promising.
Areas of specialisation
Ornamental odyssey Blooming profits in floriculture
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Career Hotline
Q. I am a BCom graduate, and will be appearing for CS final examination later this year. I want to become a tax consultant. Please tell me what specialisation do I need to do for this? Which course will be the best suited for this profession? — Anju
The most typical route to becoming a tax consultant is CA. As a Chartered Accountant you are well-versed with the nitty-gritty of various direct and indirect taxes, state and central taxes and their applicability, and more importantly the "loop-holes". Tax laws are ever-changing, and also differ from state to state. Add to this, international operations and complying with import-export rules and duties of various countries. So you can see why this expertise is much in demand. Unfortunately, your CS qualification isn't sufficient to become a tax consultant. While you may have covered taxation as a subject in your course, as a qualified CS your role is to advise the board of a company on procedural, legal and statutory matters. All is not lost though. Even if you don't enrol (and complete) your CA after completing your CS (though many people do), you can still make a career in the area of taxation. One option is for you to do an LLB specialising in tax law. As a taxation lawyer, you will combine your knowledge of tax rules and legal precepts to appear in court on behalf of clients in litigation related to taxation (e.g. the recent Vodafone case in the Supreme Court). Your CS + Law combo will also open up other options as a professional CS or advisor (just in case you change your mind) Alternatively, if finance, tax, accounting, auditing is what excites you, then how about exploring careers on the tax "enforcers" side. After you complete your graduation, you could appear for the Civil Services exam and join the Indian Audit and Accounts Services or Income Tax and Customs Department, Indian Civil Accounts Service or even the Indian Revenue Service.
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Best course options for gaming and programming?
Q. I am going to complete my Class XII in commerce stream this year. I am very keen on making a career in gaming and programming. Which courses or degree must I opt for? — Sunny
If you have studied maths in your Class XII, then you can pursue a BCA or BSC-IT for starters. If not, then go down the DOEACC route and start with the foundation programme and work your way up. Increasingly games are being developed as 'apps' and for casual playing on our mobile phones and tablet screens, and even online. A lot of these games rely more on an interesting or topical 'idea' and good execution (visuals). Incidentally, this is also the fastest growing segment. You can enter the gaming industry from an animation and design perspective as well. Several private institutes offer short-term courses/diplomas in gaming related areas - game design, gaming and programming, etc. I would suggest you take up these courses alongside your graduation. This will give you a "feel" of the profession and also test your suitability and interest. Some of the full-time programmes can even be taken up after completing your graduation.
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How can my daughter get into a law course?
Q. My daughter is now appearing for her Class XI exams. She would like to go for a degree in law in future. I would like to know about law degrees in India. Are there any pre-exams for admission in law colleges and is it after Class XII only. Kindly help me. — Pravin Sharma
After Class XII - the course is referred to as an Integrated 5-year Law programme (BA-LLB, BSc-LLB, BBA-LLB). Where to study: Institutes offering this programme are the 15-odd National Law Universities, and several private universities. Entry: Entrance Exam (e.g CLAT, AILET, etc) followed by Interview. After graduation - the traditional three-year LLB programme. Where to Study: LLB is offered by the Department of Legal Studies at several universities, prominent among them being Delhi, Bombay, Chennai, Pune, Allahabad. Entry: University entrance exam followed by interview.
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Which is the right course in biotechnology?
Q. I'm a student of Class XII with PCMB. I want to do some research related work in the field of biotechnology. I am confused whether to pursue BSc or BTech in biotechnology. What if I don't get into BTech - Biotech? Should I do my BSc in Microbiology / Biochemistry and then MSc in Biotechnology?
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Be sure of your aptitude
Q. I had opted for science stream in Class XII, but I have realised that I don't like chemistry and biology one bit. Please suggest other options for me after the Board examination.
A.Rather than choosing a course merely because it has nothing to do with biology or chemistry, you need to ask yourself whether you would like to continue with science, or whether your interests and talents lie elsewhere. As for alternate options, I'm assuming you don't have maths as a subject in Plus II. At the UG level you can quite easily switch tracks. You are eligible for courses from literature, humanities and commerce fields as also hotel management, law, mass media and government service (after completing your graduation regardless of subject), as also joining the Indian Army.
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Law of preparation
Satya Narayanan R Law schools offer a world of opportunities but come with limited seats. 24,000 students compete for approximately 6,000 seats in the various National Law Colleges across the country. The key to cracking the code to their hallowed corridors lies in securing a top rank in the Common Law Aptitude Test (CLAT). The CLAT tests students on their English, Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness and Legal Aptitude. While you may have studied most of these subjects at school, the CLAT tests your aptitude for these subjects through application-based questions and not on the theoretical questions that one usually finds in school examination papers. Your preparation for the CLAT will inevitably clash with your preparation for board exams. While you will have almost a month to prepare for the CLAT after writing your boards, it would be a good idea to ease the pressure by beginning early. Here are a few things you can do to gear up for the CLAT even as you prepare for your board exams. Read newspaper daily and you already have two sections covered Not only can you keep a tab on current affairs but also use it as the perfect opportunity to spot at least five new words everyday. Find out what they mean and use them during the day - even if only in your status update! By the time you're done with your boards, you will be in good stead for the English and General Awareness sections. 45 minutes on the newspaper daily is all it should take. Practice a few questions daily for logical reasoning Since most students are new to this subject it would be a good idea to practice 5-10 problems on a daily basis and once the boards are behind you, Mathematics can be easily tackled once you stop fearing it The good news is that the CLAT tests you on elementary mathematics covering only Class X level problems. Whether or not you have mathematics as a subject in your Plus II, make sure you pick up a few questions from sample CLAT papers or previous years' papers to stay in touch with the kind of questions asked. Depending on your comfort level with the subject you can choose to spend more or lesser time on it after your boards. Keep in touch with the basics for legal aptitude Students who have already attended preparation classes diligently or have gone through the study material will have some respite during the boards. All they need to do is to keep revisiting the concepts daily for 15-30 minutes. Students who have just started preparing or have not been introduced to this section at all should try reading the basics and cover them in detail once the board examinations are over. Once you put your heart to getting into a top law school, you'll see that these exercises are neither tedious nor time consuming. The next five years at law school will be the best in your life and the enviable pay package you land after it will make it worth the extra efforts. Most law entrance exams for top law schools around the country follow a pattern similar to the CLAT thus preparing you for them as well. Good luck! — The writer is Chairman, CL Educate
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The Commonwealth Scholarship Plan, New Zealand, offers monetary aid to Indian nationals pursuing higher education in New Zealand. Subjects: Environment science, agriculture, fishery, bio-security and food safety. Financial support: Tuition fee and various other institutional costs and allowances, covering travel expenditure, medical insurance and living allowance. Eligibility: Not above 40 years. The applicant should have received a letter by the desired university, where he/she wishes to pursue education and have prior work experience of two years. How to apply: Applicants have to submit application to the Ministry of Human Resources. Online applications are accepted, provided a hard copy of the application is sent to the ministry within seven days after the deadline. Deadline: May 31, 2012. Check Out: www.education.nic.in.
Maitri opportunity
Polimoda, Florence, Italy, is offering Maitri Global Education Scholarship programme for students pursuing one-year master's programme (design/ marketing). The scholarship amount will cover the partial amount of tuition fee. Eligibility: The applicant l
Must be a citizen of a South Asian country having a graduation or an equivalent degree from a recognised university. l
Must be registered in Maitri Global Education l
Must be admitted to any master programme in Polimoda through MGE l
Must have attended a basic course in Italian l
Age not exceeding 45 years l
Must be a citizen of any South Asian country Criteria for selection: l
Application for scholarship; CV; An essay stating the reasons why you choose Polimoda and why you deserve a scholarship (maximum number of pages:2 A4 size); Portfolio; Interview Proof of basic knowledge of Italian (diploma or certificate) l
Photocopy of university certificate and passport l
Official proof of family earnings Scholarship amount: l
Selected candidates will get €5000 in two instalments. l
The scholarship winners will be announced only after the commencement of the semester. l
The winners will be communicated officially by the MGE scholarship department. l
The first instalment will be handed to the winner in the 6th month and the second half of the amount in the final month of the course. How to apply: Fill in the application form for scholarship and get all documents ready and mail these to the following address. Maitri Global Education 12R Via Bernardo Cennini Florence, 50123 Italy. Check out: Maitri Global Education
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career compass: packaging technology Packaging is a vital tool of marketing products and an amalgamation of different disciplines. Packaging technologists straddle different roles that this exciting career offers. Here's how and where you can study to get into this field. Packaging is the "silent salesperson" sitting next to the competition on the shelf. It must not only get the consumer's attention but shout "buy me". How often have we picked up a product from the store just because the packaging was so alluring! And how many of us refuse to discard containers and bottles just because they are too good to throw away. That's the magic of packaging. No wonder packaging has become such a vital tool for the marketing of a product. Packaging encompasses numerous disciplines from science and engineering to marketing and graphic arts. Broadly, the areas cover design, manufacture and marketing. While each of these is a distinct area of specialisation, they are so closely inter-linked that professionals from one area need to be well-acquainted with the working of the other two. Over the years, the concept of packaging has evolved from that of serving as a mere container to a sophisticated package incorporating sales appeal, convenience, long-term protection, portability, shelf-life, environment-friendly biodegradability and cost-effectiveness. Today's packaging technologist must break free from tradition while being be conversant with the physical properties of the material being used, the manufacturing process, the machinery being used, not to mention the aesthetics and the scale of operations to come up with innovative solutions. Packaging technologists working on the manufacturing side are typically engineers who supervise the production of the packaging material after testing its durability, disposability and other variant factors. They also handle the packaging and filling process using appropriate machinery. Those in marketing have to sell packaging material (and there is a truly wide variety on offer from foil and plastic to biodegradable and recyclable material, single use pouches to heat 'n serve options). They could also selling the or machinery for manufacturing the requisite material or packing the product i.e. vacuum, ziplock, spout and bubble packaging, etc. Packaging design
Designers and artists who can innovate and design attractive eye-catching packaging that stands out on the shelf are always in demand. So those with a good sense of typography and graphics who have done a degree or diploma in graphic design or commercial art can look at specialising in packaging design as a challenging and rewarding career. The opportunities are virtually as unlimited as your imagination. Although some elements of packaging design are taught in the course, the rest are learnt mainly on the job.
Job prospects
Thanks to the boom in domestic and export trade, opportunities in the packaging industry have increased tremendously. In fact, industry projections indicate a dramatic growth in the consumption of packaging material which is in turn indicative of bright prospects for employment in the industry. The increasing demand for high quality packaging has resulted in a veritable boom in the industry. Graduates with an additional qualification in packaging technology are offered jobs in production, purchase/marketing and research & development. Students undergoing the two-year PG diploma course at the Institute of Packaging are provided with placement opportunities in leading packaging industries including MNCs with good remuneration. Those with a PG diploma in packaging technology as well as those who have completed a three-month certificate course in packaging technology can also look into prospects of entrepreneurship.
Where to study
Students can go in for postgraduate diploma and certificate courses in packaging technology, although there are limited institutions conducting these courses. Often science and engineering graduates are hired by organisations and are given on-the-job training. While science graduates are eligible for jobs in marketing and design, those going into manufacturing would require a background in engineering and printing. — Zubin Malhotra. The writer is Career Coach, CARING, India.
Courses
The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) established by the M/o Commerce, based in Mumbai and with branches in Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, offers the following programmes: l
3-month full-time Certificate Programme in Packaging The course is suitable for fresh Diploma/ Graduates in any discipline who desire to make a career in Packaging Business / Profession. The programme comprises classroom sessions by institute's own and guest faculty, with visits to industries for study of various packaging processes and technologies. The course opens good opportunities in packaging industry. The course is attended by a number graduates from business families as well as students from other countries. On successful completion of the course, students are awarded a certificate, which is accredited by the Asian Packaging Federation. This course is conducted at Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata every year during July-December. l
Two-year full-time Post Graduate Diploma in Packaging This course is open to all graduates in science, technology and engineering and allied fields. Admission is through an all-India entrance exam conducted in June every year in all metro cities. Admission forms are available in April and the course begins in August. The course is conducted at Mumbai and Delhi. The course has four semesters, of which three are offered at the campus of the institute while, for the fourth semester, students work on projects in different industries in the country. After successfully passing the required examinations held in every semester and industrial training, students are awarded Post Graduate Diploma in Packaging. The course has been conducted for the past 23 years and many past students are working in reputed national and international companies. Campus placement absorbs most students. l
Distance Education Programme This 18-month course starting in January every year is designed for working executives who are graduates /diploma-holders in different disciplines but need packaging knowledge by virtue of their job requirements. Successful candidates are awarded a Graduate Diploma in Packaging Technology, accredited by the Asian Packaging Federation (APF). Guru Jambheswar University of Science & Technoloy, Hisar, offers a BTEch in Engineering and Packaging Technology. Pusa Polytechnic, Pusa, New Delhi offers a three-year diploma in printing technology which comes along with 18-month specialisation course in packaging. It also offers post graduate Diploma in Printing and Packaging. Students can also consider going in for a BTech in Polymer technology or Plastic Technology offered at various engineering colleges across the country. Some elements of package design are also covered in graphic design / commercial art and product design courses.
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Dual edge
The course: B. Tech. Computer Science + LLB with specialisation in Cyber Laws Overview: The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, offers this first of its kind engineering and law combined programme in India. The course provides an amalgam of computer science with laws pertaining to cyber world. Unique points: Combines engineering degree with law qualifications l
Extensive coverage of computer science theory and practice, including high-end computer science courses such as E-commerce, artificial intelligence, enterprise system, embedded chips, and computer security l
Specialist courses in cyber laws such as introduction to cyber laws, cyber crimes, regulatory framework, cyber-jurisprudence, IPR issues in cyber space. l
Extensive computer science project work combined with legal case-based teaching. Duration: Six years. Eligibility: Minimum 60 per cent marks at higher and senior secondary level (10th and 12th) Minimum 60 per cent aggregate in physics, chemistry and mathematics at Senior Secondary level also mandatory Selection: UPES Engineering Aptitude Test (UPESEAT) + Central Counseling Fee: Rs 11.5 lakh (approx) Check out: enrollments@upes.ac.in
First step into banking
Axis Bank and NIIT Institute of Finance, Banking and Insurance Training Ltd. (IFBI) have started Post Graduate Diploma in Retail Banking (PGDRB), an exclusive career programme designed for Axis Bank. A first- of-its-kind the programme aims to build a pool of modern banking professionals for Axis Bank. The course: PGDRB is a comprehensive career programme for banking professionals that will familiarise students with the banking industry (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance industry) in India in an interesting and informative way. The programme focuses on core component of modern banking which is Customer Service, Transaction Processing; Selling Skills & Banking Software Application. IFBI has designed a comprehensive programme that builds competencies on four dimensions - domain, application, technology and customer-service - needed by new-age banking professionals. Admission criteria: Admission test and interview. The selected candidates will be provided with Provisional Appointment letters at the time of enrolment, and after successful completion of the programme they will join Axis Bank at the officer level. Job prospects: After completion of the programme students will join Axis Bank as Front Desk Officers (FDOs), who are the first point of contact for existing and potential customers. FDOs play the crucial role of representing the bank to first time customers and hence need to have a pleasant personality, good communication skills and thorough knowledge of the bank’s offerings along with an understanding of the customer's requirements. — TNS
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classroom code: fashion education Fashion has become an integral part of modern day life and this fact has added a whole new perspective to fashion education also. In the past two decades a lot has changed in India vis-à-vis the economic scenario and the mindset towards fashion. While the fashion industry was once viewed with skepticism, there is more acceptance now. "Fashion is slowly evolving beyond a hobby and is being taken as a serious career option — extending beyond the realm of just fashion designing", says Dr. A. K.G Nair, Group Director, Pearl Academy of Fashion, a multi-city fashion education institute. In an interview he talks about the current scenario in the field of fashion education in the country. Excerpts: Which are the key points that a student wanting to get into a course in this field should keep in mind before selecting an institute to get a competitive edge in this career? To begin one’s career as a fashion designer, two types of qualifications are required: natural and acquired. o Natural skills would comprise a decent aesthetic sense, colour expertise, good taste and a sense of trends and fashion. An eye for detail and knowledge of fabrics are a big plus for those serious about a career as a fashion designer. o Acquired skills would include qualifying from a recognised fashion institute. You can enrol for either a full-time course or a part-time certificate course. Students usually take these up after their Plus II. Of course, the courses are also available for graduates or people with higher qualifications. There are several short-term certificate courses offered by the same fashion institutes for super specialisation, on part-time basis. These courses equip students with technical and creative thinking skills. Besides this, a student interested in a career in fashion industry should also develop an understanding of business, marketing and retail as much as any other fashion design course. Students should have an insight of the principles of marketing, retail buying and merchandising in the fashion industry. There are no set standards for individual skill-sets; every student has potential that can be honed through right training and education. Students have their own creative minds, and each student expresses his/her individuality through his designs. Fashion is a global concept. Do you think that the curriculum in Indian institutes is comparable to the global needs and can give students from India an international standing? Fashion is an ever-evolving phenomenon and differs from continent to continent according to traditional sensibilities. Fashion education in India has basically been focused on producing designers who work in one-man enterprises. But with the changing scope of fashion in terms of open borders and international recognition, the focus in good institutes is now shifting to preparing the leaders of tomorrow. These are persons with the ability to transform Indian sensibilities into international designs and work across various fields of fashion and design. The mindset of education for fashion as personal business needs to be phased out. We need to align our thought process with international business concepts. There is also the need for fashion training institutes in India to build capacity, adopt new techniques and skills and include new curricula in fashion education to match international standards and produce in-depth literature and well-researched documents on fashion. Which areas of fashion education in India need mending or restyling as per you? The primary areas of work in the fashion industry are market research, designing and manufacturing of garments and textiles. The curriculum needs to focus on taking the local design sensibilities to an international level and leverage on Indian heritage to produce leaders of the future. The academic programmes should attempt to prepare global leaders who create, manage and lead effective change across diverse organisations and different fashion platforms. Since the beginning, professional fashion education has been adopting training techniques and practices from the West. Indian institutes now have a better understanding of what works best for us. An insight into the cultural and ethnic aspects of the Indian markets, ways of working and orientation that is closely related to the national cultural diversity needs to be integrated in all learning. Another important factor is the use of smart technology to innovate and adapt to extreme disparities in the fashion industry. For instance, there are factories which are supported by state-of-the-art technology and on the other hand very fine hand-made and crafted exclusive products are made in a complete sans-technology environment. Fashion education needs to stress on an amalgamation of appreciation of the local visual images and forms with super technology. How important is international exposure for students and what steps you, as head of a fashion institute, have taken to offer it to your students. We at PAF not only provide access to global curriculum but also prepare students to meet the market needs. Students gain greater exposure and are trained to think beyond classroom lectures through experiential learning via collaborations with the industry and international colleges. Exchange programmes and industry associations provide on-ground training and help students deal with real-life challenges in the fashion industry. We also offer scholarships and subsidies across various levels for students who have potential but lack the resources. PAF has a merit education system, wherein we provide assistance in education according to the merits of students. — As told to Geetu Vaid IFFTI conclave
The 14th Annual Conference of the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI) will be held in Jaipur from 17 to 21 March. The conference is being hosted by Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF). One of the biggest fashion-education fora in the world, IFFTI will bring together the leaders from fashion education industry across the globe. Themed 'Fashion Beyond Borders', IFFTI's 2012 conference will be attended by major national and international thought leaders in fashion design, fashion technology and fashion business representing 40-member institutions and enterprises from 19 countries. Industry icons such as Manish Arora, Jeffry Aronsson, Romeo Gigli, Simon Lock, Frances Corner OBE, amongst others, will share their vision and thoughts about the business of fashion. The conference will highlight the scope and potential of fashion and fashion education in the Indian market.
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How to beat office politics
Love it or hate it, but you can't ignore office politics! Climbing up the social ladder is akin to the corporate one, where one has to watch out for one's back! No wonder then, backbiting, back stabbing, back scratching and 'back' many other unmentionable things is the order of a 'work' day.
The issue is whether to be an Ostrich or take the bull by its horns! Many may like to differ, but such machinations at the office do take a toll on one's mental health. Dr. Simmi Waraich, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital Mohali, says, "The stress from office politics can sometimes get displaced onto the home front or may lead to psychosomatic symptoms where a person develops physical problems such as non-specific aches and pains which are due to psychological factors. One must also watch out for panic attacks and depression as other fallouts of watching socially more adept colleagues getting ahead via sweet talking the boss or sheer sycophancy." Spiteful colleagues, the notional, 'Hari Sadu' prototype bosses, incompetent subordinates and a stressful deadline's Damocles' sword, all make the office atmosphere vicious. So if your endeavour is to keep your head above the sinister office waters and stay afloat in this cut-throat politics then try these tips: Be
busy, not a busybody Do not give unsolicited advice, as that may be considered as interference. It might also make you a target of unnecessary and unwarranted attention. Ajaya Sharma, ADM, Max New York Life, Noida, says, "Office politics is a dirty game and it is true that some people do benefit out of playing such tricks but their gain is temporary and the harms permanent. So one must cut through the murky game of office politics and stay focussed on why one was hired to do a particular job." Employer’s role Shalini Dutta Country Head, Human Resources at VHIRE4U, Bangalore, says, "Office politics would hurt an employee the most when he does not get the credit for the good work done by him or even worse when someone else thrives due to his hard work. Evolved process flows & reporting mechanisms with well-defined Key Result Areas as well performance evaluation parameters greatly dissipates this issue. A Skip level Review meeting also reduces the scope of these issues affecting employees to a great level." So make sure you are aware of the HR policies of the company before signing on that contract! Be a professional Maintain a professional attitude when you are at work. Let people see your sincerity towards work and be an example worthy to be followed. Amandeep Randhawa, Director at the Innergise Learning, Private limited, New Delhi says, "In case difference and misunderstandings arise, keep the channels of communication clear. Try to be factual about sorting out your differences." She adds, "Don't mix personal values with professional ethos." Do unto others… Manasi Luthra, City Head, First impressions Image Consulting, Pune, says "How you get treated is how you treat everyone, you may be great with the boss but it is equally important to be respectful with your subordinates and colleagues. This reflects your integrity and honesty which in any case should not be subjective." One more way of avoiding office politics scaring you is by being respectful towards your colleagues and subordinates. Help them in the hour of need, develop goodwill and be polite with everyone. Who says you can't be firm without being impolite? Pep talk Get active for a fresh look at the dirty picture in the office. It also helps if you have a positive attitude towards life! Simmi Waraich says, "If you are upset over an issue in the office. Talk yourself down by reminding yourself it is not worth letting anything get under your skin. A few times in a day, take four-five deep breaths feeling each inhalation pulling in calming fresh air and each exhalation deepening the relaxation in your muscles. Stand up and stretch or take a break, go out for a five-minute round after consciously telling yourself to switch off for five
Be neutral Whatever be your personal or professional opinions you don't have to express them aggressively. Try not to take sides too often. Put your point across but in a neutral manner. Be balanced in your outlook and approach. Gossip girls beware! Randhawa adds, "There is a very thin line between being good friends and being 'gossip girls'. First identify what that necessary reserve is that you have to impose on your inter-personal relation in the office. Speak easy Talk about the problems with a family member or friend. It brings a fresh perspective to the issue. Do make a plan with a friend on how to deal with the problem and try it out in office the next day. If it works it's good. If it doesn't then too there is no reason to lose sleep over it. Simmi Waraich adds, "Change fixed beliefs as life does not always go as per a plan. People can be unfair or curt at times which is ok. Learn to take such things in your stride. At the same time people can also be very helpful and good. Perhaps you need to build up your communication skills and tell the other person what is bothering you." One thing is clear that you can't hide behind your work desks from work machinations! What one must do is equip oneself better to be able to handle it and not back out or back down!
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Looks that Matter
Have you ever wondered why some people in this world seem to have it all? The best in profession, the best in relationships and the best in spiritual life. Their life seems picture perfect. A closer look at them would clear the haze — they have planned it well. So unless you won the lucky sperm contest and came into this world as a ridiculously endowed trust fund baby, you need to learn the system and plan your life well and the first step of that is to look good. You may be thinking has the time come for boards of directors to rely on a candidate's facial structure when selecting a new candidate?
Perhaps. As we comfortably nestle in the 21st century — one thing becomes strikingly clear — LOOKS matter. Gone are those days when it was thought that face was just a façade, today face is a mirror — a reflection of what your performance is going to be , and not without reason because research has proved that a face that exudes confidence is the face that would look good. You look good only when you feel good and the feel-good factor is either your confidence or your performance. Slowly it becomes a virtuous circle feel good leads to looking good and in turn looking good makes you feel good. Look around yourself and mentally draw a picture of all successful persons in your life. You would find that there is a common denominator that runs through each of them — good looks or the charisma that draws you to them. It has also been proved that pay hikes are also subtly related to the way you present and carry yourself. It would appear that beauty is in the eye of the paymaster. The question is, however, whether such differences in personal attributes also make a difference in job performance. While these traits do seem to enhance one's self-image, and leadership success is often connected to such psychological characteristics, research has not yet identified any objective physical traits of leaders that could be used to predict their organisational performance. Well, now one aspect of appearance has been carefully researched and proven to make a difference: facial structure. The proof is in the profits. So, for those who have recently entered a new profession or are thinking of their growth trajectory, here are a few tips: Vesture at its best Vesture or dress makes such a powerful impact in the work place that it is the first linear step you should take while in a new profession or job. See to it that your wardrobe speaks volumes about your style statement. However, that does not mean that your dresses should cost you a fortune and only brands will speak for you. True creativity lies in teaming your clothes so that they complement each other. One easy way to save money and yet look and feel good is to invest in accessories that can complement your clothes. And the best of clothes would make you look foolish if you have boot strapped them at the last moment. Do not make your clothes carry you, you need to carry them without drawing too much of attention to them. Dress to the occasion A hamartia or fatal error that the best dressed tend to commit is they would either under dress or overdress for the occasion. Picture yourself landing up at the office picnic in your latest suit- neck tie et all. Although you are vesture at its best — you will look like Don Quixote in his shining armour. See to it that on such occasions you are dressed in a sprightly casual dress. But beware do not make your clothes scream. Wear your own price tag For those of you who are wondering that the expenditure on your clothes is going to dig a hole in your pockets beware — it is not the price tag. It is YOU. You are your price tag. You carry your own value. The day you are dressed up immaculately, positive vibrations around you will make you feel good and you will realise that you are able to solve life's problems in a jiffy. Once you have done that and enhanced your performance you will realise that suddenly you seem to have increased your market value. You are a brand in yourself. You have graduated to a level where — you have pioneered to do it and you occupy a mind space in your employer's mind and the next time he thinks of whom to promote, he will think of you because you started with looks and today you exuide a psychological sense of power. You have become the face of the organisation - a face to love. For those of you who have gone on a 'yeah but' journey of "yeah I agree but it is too late now", let me tell you it is never too late to plan your life. Almost every one of us can reclaim his life. — The writer is a career
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Poor appreciation makes employees leave
The real reason people quit their job and look for a new one is that they feel underappreciated. In surveys by the American Psychological Association, half of all employees who said they did not feel valued at work also said they intend to look for a new job in the next year.
Overall, the research showed that employees who do feel valued are more likely to have better physical and mental health and higher levels of engagement, satisfaction and motivation. The study was based on surveys of more than 1,700 full and part-time employees in the USA. More than 90 per cent of workers who reported feeling valued said they were motivated to do their best at work, and 88 per cent reported feeling engaged, the study found. That compared with just 33 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively, of those who don't feel respected in the office. According to the study, overall 21 per cent of working Americans do not feel valued by their employers. A variety of factors is to blame — those surveyed cited having fewer opportunities for involvement in workplace decision-making, being dissatisfied with the potential for growth and advancement, having few opportunities to use flexible work arrangements, and feeling they were not receiving adequate compensation and non-monetary rewards. The American Psychological Association honoured a number of businesses at its seventh annual Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and 78 per cent of the employees of the winning companies said they would recommend their organisation to others as a good place to work. "Successful organisations have learned that high performance and sustainable results require attention to the relationships among employee, organisation, customer and community," David Ballard, head of the APA's Psychologically Healthy Workplace Programme, said. — ANI
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Happiness @ work Every workflow is like a highway. As a bad driver would create chaos on the road, an error, left by negligence, can ruin the final product. Plus, as it becomes almost impossible to spot a mistake due to the force of the workflow, doubly check the product before you release it for the next process.
Similarly, before scholar Vallabhacharya met the blind Soordas, he was singing verses of self-denigration. The scholar made the poet sing about the glories of Lord Krishna. Before Gandhiji came on to the scene, the Freedom Movement was confined to a few revolutionaries and leaders. Feeling that this kind of independence would be incomplete, he worked for bringing ordinary men, women, children, Harijans, Muslims together into India’s struggle for freedom. When the Buddha met robber Angulimala on the highway, he told him to pluck a leaf. “Now that you have plucked it, it is dead. Can you re-attach it?” Buddha said. Angulimala had no answer. “Similarly, when you kill a person for the notorious garland of yours, you can’t bring him back to life.” On hearing these words of wisdom, Angulimala sought the refuge of the Sangha. Janardana Swani, the Kiledar of Deogarh, placed saint Ekanath in charge of the treasury. One night, Ekanath’s accounts had a discrepancy of a pie. He sat till dawn to trace the small change. On another occasion, Ekanath saw that Janardana was in a trance when some enemy forces attacked. So instead of arousing him, Ekanath put on Janardana’s armour and won the battle for his master. On his deathbed, Shivlinga Rudra Sarja, the King of Kittur, realised that he had no heir. So he hurriedly adopted a son and wrote to the British authorities about it. But the Brits refused to accept the adoption. So Shivalinga’s stepmother Chennamma was forced to stand up against the British might. When two men from Goa came to meet Shirdi Sai Baba, he asked Rs 15 from one of them. Following his mate, the other person also offered money (Rs 35) to Baba, but Baba refused. On being asked the reason, Baba explained, “The money is not for me as I don’t need anything. The one I took the money from had promised his first salary (Rs 15) to Lord Dattatreya, but he forgot. So I cleared off his debt today.” Do it cleanly, once and for all. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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1. Who has served as the Chief Minister of Punjab for the maximum number of times?
2. Who is set to become the youngest Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh? 3. Name the second Sikh to be appointed the Chief of the Indian Army. 4. Who recently became Russia’s President for a record third time? 5. Name the President of Iran. 6. Which film won the award for the best special effects at the 59th National Film Awards announced recently? 7. Which is the highest peak in Japan? 8. How many years ago did the Fukushima nuclear accident take place? 9. With which sport is MC Mary Kom associated? 10. Which batsman along with VVS Laxman put together a match-winning partnership of 376 runs against Australia in the Kolkata Test in 2001? — Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 407: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Anshul Sharma, class IX, Blue Star School, opposite DC office, Hamirpur, Himachal
Pradesh, Pin Code – 177001 Second: Aditi Kalia, class VI-A, Saraswati Vihar Senior Secondary School, Mavi Kalan, Delhi Road, Saharanpur (UP), Pin Code - 247001 Third: Rajat Kukreja, class IX-A, Bharat Public School, Patel Nagar, Hisar (Haryana), Pin Code – 125001 Answers to quiz 407: India; 2012; Bharati; Julia Gillard; Zurich, Tokyo, Geneva; Jind; Andhra Pradesh; Punjabi University; Ricky Ponting; Richard Levi 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
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Career Hotline
Law schools offer a world of opportunities but come with limited seats. 24,000 students compete for approximately 6,000 seats in the various National Law Colleges across the country. The key to cracking the code to their hallowed corridors lies in securing a top rank in the Common Law Aptitude Test (CLAT). The CLAT tests students on their English, Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness and Legal Aptitude. While you may have studied most of these subjects at school, the CLAT tests your aptitude for these subjects through application-based questions and not on the theoretical questions that one usually finds in school examination papers.
Fashion has become an integral part of modern day life and this fact has added a whole new perspective to fashion education also. In the past two decades a lot has changed in India vis-à-vis the economic scenario and the mindset towards fashion. While the fashion industry was once viewed with skepticism, there is more acceptance now.
Have you ever wondered why some people in this world seem to have it all? The best in profession, the best in relationships and the best in spiritual life. Their life seems picture perfect. A closer look at them would clear the haze — they have planned it well. So unless you won the lucky sperm contest and came into this world as a ridiculously endowed trust fund baby, you need to learn the system and plan your life well and the first step of that is to look good. You may be thinking has the time come for boards of directors to rely on a candidate's facial structure when selecting a new candidate?
The real reason people quit their job and look for a new one is that they feel underappreciated. In surveys by the American Psychological Association, half of all employees who said they did not feel valued at work also said they intend to look for a new job in the next year.
Overall, the research showed that employees who do feel valued are more likely to have better physical and mental health and higher levels of engagement, satisfaction and motivation.
Sweet fruits of pomology
A.Tax consultants advise, counsel and guide individuals, trusts and corporate bodies through the complex, and often confusing gamut of tax rules. Tax consultants may either have their own practice or be employed in consulting, accounting and advisory firms, investment banks, wealth management and law firms, or even be employed in corporate sector in the finance department. They also represent their clients during tax audits.
A.Hardcore game engine and programme design relies heavily on maths and physics. Since you are a commerce student you are at a disadvantage here. But don't lose hope, all is not lost.
A.Your daughter has two options to study law - After Class XII, and after completing her graduation.
A.There is no "one" specified path to a career in biotechnology. It is a multi-disciplinary field which combines engineering, technology and biology. Ideally, you should do a BTech followed by an MTech and then PhD. Research-level work (all the exciting stuff - new discoveries and development - that you read about in Biotechnology) will only come your way post a PhD. If you fail to get into a decent engineering college then look at doing a BSc in any of the biological sciences, followed by an MSc and then a doctoral programme in biotechnology.
Higher studies in New Zealand
Scholarship Department
