special educator
Take the road less travelled 
Gauri Chhabra

Education today stands precariously balanced at the cusp of a dichotomist world order — one too powerful to be dead and the other too powerless to be born. Both the worlds — of the able and differently abled — are equally important. The sole responsibility of maintaining a balance between these dichotomised worlds lies on the shoulders of the Special Educator.

The mainstreaming of special or differently abled children with the abled owes its genesis to the Kothari Commission (1964-66), the first education commission of independent India that observed: "the education of the handicapped children should be an inseparable part of the education system." From there on, all students — dyslexic, autistic, cerebral palsied, sensory impaired and suffering from Down's Syndrome, were mainstreamed into education. And then arose another genre of schools — Special Schools.

Getting in

Students with a bachelor's degree and having an aptitude for teaching can join a course in special education. There are institutes which offer bachelor's and master's programmes in special education. There are many organisations which offer short-term programmes (2 weeks to 1 month). It is always advisable to join courses of at least one-year duration, preferably in any of the following combinations:

There is a massive shortage of Special Educators in India

n Graduate with at least 50 per cent marks and B.Ed. (special education) or B.Ed. (general) with two-year Diploma in Special Education.

n PG degree with at least 50 per cent marks and B.Ed. (special education).

n B.Ed. (General) with two years diploma in special education.

n PG degree with at least 50 per cent marks and diploma in special education.

n Diploma in Education — Special Education (deaf/blind)

All qualifications in special education should be recognised from the RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) institutions.

Typical work activities

The work of a Special Educator includes the following:

n Teaching either individuals or small groups of pupils within or outside the classroom.

n Preparing lessons and resources.

n Marking and assessing student’s assignments.

n Developing and adapting conventional teaching methods to meet the individual needs.

n Using special equipment and facilities, such as audio-visual materials and computers .

n Use of specialist skills.

n Teaching Braille to visually impaired pupils.

n Teaching sign language and lip reading to students who have hearing impairments.

n Advising other classroom teachers to define appropriate activities for the pupils in relation to the curriculum.

n Assessing children's special needs

Special settings

Special Educators can work in a variety of settings. Some have their own classrooms and teach only special education students; others work as special education resource teachers and offer individualised help to students in general education classrooms; still others teach together with general education teachers in classes composed of both general and special education students. Some teachers work with special education students for several hours a day in a resource room, separate from their general education classroom. Considerably fewer special education teachers work in residential facilities or tutor students in homebound or hospital environments.

Special educators who work with infants usually travel to the child's home to work with the child and his or her parents. Many of these infants have medical problems that slow or preclude normal development. Special education teachers show parents techniques and activities designed to stimulate the infant and encourage the growth and development of the child's skills. Toddlers usually receive their services at a pre-school where special education teachers help them develop social, self-help, motor, language, and cognitive skills, often through the use of play.

Employment options are not limited to India. Indian special educators are in great demand in developed countries like the US, Australia and England.

Pay packages

Salaries depend on the qualifications and the place and city where one is employed. A fresher looking for opportunities in Mumbai or Delhi is likely to get a much higher pay package than someone in a tier III city. Fresh graduates can expect anywhere between Rs 15,000 to 20,000 and above in privately-run clinics and special schools. Special schools that are funded may pay graduates around Rs 12,000. A diploma holder can expect an initial salary of Rs 5,000. Those going in for part time or home tuitions on hourly basis can earn Rs 200 to Rs 500 per hour.

Future track

The career of a special educator is on a fast track into the future with the RTE and the growing awareness among people about the need of inclusion and orchestration of these students in the mainstream. The number of students requiring special education services has grown steadily in recent years as improvements in identification has allowed learning disabilities to be diagnosed at earlier ages. In addition, medical advances have resulted in more children surviving serious accidents or illnesses, but with impairments that require special accommodations. Finally, more parents are expected to seek special services for those of their children who have difficulty meeting the new, higher standards required of students.

Finally, the road as a Special Educator though less travelled will make a difference

First-hand account

This is what a typical work day is for a Special Educator :

"I get to work about 8 am and I get the resources ready and plan lessons up till about 9 am. I do anything that needs to be organised or prepared for later in the week before 9 am. Then we have a meeting with the team to make sure everyone is clear about any medical or social issues, which are very common in our children.

Then we set up our first class; the first morning session is tutoring a home group and we focus on the kids' personal targets there, so that's quite intense teaching. Our curriculum is very life-skills based. Sometimes we have specialists come in and help us; for instance I have a movement therapist who comes in twice a week to help us. Again the afternoon is dedicated to curriculum subjects such as dance; it's different every day.

At the end of the day I bring all my class together and we talk about whether we've had a nice day or not. We choose an inspirational piece of music or a video and all watch it together. After they go home I may need to speak to parents on the phone, have meetings, and take care of paperwork, the assessment and recording of students' progress".

Special schools

A special school is a school catering for students who have special educational needs due to severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities or behavioural problems providing individualised education, addressing specific needs. In recent times, however, there has been an endeavour to educate differently abled children in mainstream schools bymore reliance on Special Educators.

Teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a challenge that gives immense satisfaction on professional as well as personal fronts.

Sangeeta, Principal, Manovikas IGNOU Community College .

Institute watch

n Action for Ability Development and Inclusion (AADI), Formerly The Spastics Society of Northern India, New Delhi

n National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad

n The Rehabilitation Council of India provides the list of babout 15 institutions running the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remedial courses.

n Action for Autism, New Delhi

n All-India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai

n All-India Institute for Speech and Hearing, Mysore

n Manovikas-IGNOU Community College, New Delhi

n Shishu Sarothi, Centre for Rehabilitation and Training for Multiple Disability, Guwahati

n Training College for Teachers of the Deaf and Blind, Ahmedabad

n National Association for the Blind, Mumbai

Individualised Guidance Programme (IGP)

Since special education rests on the edifice that each child is unique, Special Educators help to develop an Individualised Guidance Programme (IGP) for each student. The IGP sets personalised goals for each student and is tailored to the student's individual needs and ability. When appropriate, the programme includes a transition plan outlining specific steps to prepare students with disabilities for middle school and in the case of older students, a job or post-secondary study. Teachers review the IEP with the student's parents, school administrators, and the student's general education teacher. Teachers work closely with parents to inform them of their child's progress and suggest techniques to promote learning at home.

Special education teachers design and teach appropriate curricula, assign work geared toward each student's needs and abilities, and grade papers and homework assignments. Preparing special education students for daily life after graduation also is an important aspect of the job. Teachers provide students with career counselling or help them learn routine skills, such as balancing a cheque book.

— The writer is a Ludhiana-based  career consultant 

Career Hotline
Pervin Malhotra email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com ...
Explore the varied vistas of biophysics

Q. I am a student of Class XII and I have taken physics, chemistry, maths and biology because I love all these subjects. I have heard that there’s a field called Biophysics. Can you please tell me something about it? — Veer Beniwal

A.Biophysics applies the principles of mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics to the study of living cells and organisms, including structures and fine structures, bioelectric phenomena, radiation effects, molecular behaviour, photosynthesis, membranes and modelling.

Breakthroughs in unraveling the DNA have made it possible to study the inner workings of biological systems with unprecedented precision to investigate how the brain processes and stores information, how the heart pumps blood or muscles contract etc.

Biophysicists work in universities, industry, medical centers, research institutes and government.

MSc Biophysics is also offered at Panjab University, Chandigarh; All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; University of Mumbai; and University of Madras amongst others.

The applications of biophysics are quite significant in biochemistry, nanotechnology, bioengineering and systems biology but its range of research is vast and includes topics such as structural biology or enzyme kinetics etc

Like any other field of research, be prepared for extended study – a PhD and perhaps even post-doctoral research — to make a headway in this field.

The Department of Biophysics, at AIIMS is a centre of drug discovery and clinical proteomics. It seamlessly combines structural biology, bioinformatics and proteomics.

Eligibility: BSc (H) with at least 60 per cent aggregate.

Selection is on the basis of an entrance exam (90 min with 90 objective-type questions).

Discover new cures

The goal of modern research in drug discovery is to develop drugs that are demonstrably better than the existing therapies which will act in a specific way with minimal side effects. Conventional approaches of drug discovery can end up being a long and an expensive process. Hundreds of thousands of samples need to be screened before reaching some potential compounds with desired properties. Not just that, it could end up taking dozens of years and millions of dollars. However, with the advances in protein structure determination, structure-based drug design has emerged as a powerful and swifter tool for developing new drugs with specific properties and minimal side effects. In structure based drug design, the three-dimensional structure of a drug target interacting with small molecules is used for drug discovery. This method allows you to see exactly how the Ligand molecule interacts with its target protein. Moreover, the designed compounds that have affinities in the acceptable pharmacological range can be further processed for other biological assays and clinical trials.

Route to Indian Statistical Services

Q. I am an economics graduate. Can I appear for the Indian Statistical Services (ISS) exam? If so could you please give me some details? — Seema Ahlawat

A.You’ll have to wait a bit as you’re not yet eligible for the ISS examination.

This is a competitive exam conducted by the UPSC for the recruitment of grade IV officers of the Indian Statistical Service.

Postgraduates in statistics, applied/mathematical statistics aged between 21 and 30 years (age relaxable for SC/ST/OBC) can take the entrance exam. The two-part exam consists of General English and General Studies Papers (100 marks each), and three papers in statistics (200 marks each).

Part II is viva voce which carries a maximum of 200 marks. This is intended to supplement the written exam for testing your general and specialised knowledge and abilities.

You are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in your academic study but also in current events both within and outside your state and country. You must be familiar with modern currents of thought and developments.

If selected, you will be put on a two-year probation, which is basically a period of training and taking departmental exams.

The detailed syllabus and examination plan is advertised in the Employment News from time to time. You can also log on to the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in.

Straddle medicine and engineering

Q. Could you tell me about a career in biomedical engineering? — Rupesh Bansal

A.Biomedical science and technology is an inter-disciplinary field that bridges life sciences and engineering. The course includes the study of biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, biotech, principles of design, materials science, biomechanics and life sciences.

Biomedical engineers have contributed a lot to developing better artificial joints

As a Biomedical engineer you will apply mathematical and scientific principles to design, develop and evaluate biological and health systems and products e.g. instrumentation, diagnostic aids, life-support systems, implants, artificial organs, prosthetic and orthotic devices, health management and healthcare delivery systems and medical information systems.

For instance, lakhs of knee and hip joints are replaced in India each year. Bio-medical engineers are needed to develop longer-lasting and better functioning artificial joints. To take another example, Heisenberg used the metal used as a technological device at ISRO to develop the stent, which has proved to be a boon for heart patients, apart from reducing the cost of surgery from Rs 80,000 to Rs 10,000.

Presently, opportunities for bio-medical engineers or bioengineers as they’re sometimes called, lie essentially in the field of research and development.

You can also opt for pure research in institutes like the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Bombay, ITBHU, Osmania University, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Development of Education, Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram etc, besides medical equipment manufacturers and agricultural and horticultural institutions.

The R&D departments of pharmaceutical industries keen to upgrade the quality of their products would be another option.

You could also work in hospitals, colleges and government regulatory agencies. In the hospital, biomedical engineers guide the selection and use of medical equipment besides supervising their performance, testing and maintenance. 

Scholarship round-up

TOEFL scholarships

The 2012 TOEFL Scholarship Programme in India will be having a 16 per cent increase over the 2011 scholarship funding. Ten TOEFL scholarships will be awarded to Indian students for undergraduate or graduate study in 2012 at a college or university listed in the TOEFL Destinations Directory.

Amount: Four $10,000 scholarships:

n One scholarship to a college/ university in the UK.

n One scholarship to a college/ university in the US.

n One scholarship to a college/ university in Australia.

n One scholarship to a college/ university in Canada.

Six $5,000 scholarships to any college/university worldwide

Deadline: Completed applications must be postmarked by April 13, 2012.

Check out:

http://www.ets.org/toefl/scholarships/overview/india/

Students who have additional questions can contact the TOEFL Scholarship Programme by email at TOEFL@studyplaces.com or by phone at +91 9711237111 Monday — Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

ISEC offer for researchers

The Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) offers research fellowships for doctoral research programme in various fields. The institute offers two categories of Ph D Programme — full-time (residential) for students, and part-time (non-residential) for serving academicians and interested scholars.

Study Subject(s): Agricultural Economics or Rural Development, Development Studies, Economics, Education, Environmental Economics/Ecological Economics/Natural Resource Economics, Political Science/International Relations/Public Administration, Population/Demographic Studies, Sociology/Social Anthropology

Course: Doctoral Research

Eligibility: The aspirants for ISEC Ph.D Programme and research fellowships must satisfy the following requirements:

a) Master’s degree or equivalent in any of the disciplines with at least 55% marks in the aggregate (50 per cent in case of SC/ST applicants);

b). A pass in UGC-NET or JRF or SLET or M Phil is desirable

Age limit: Below 35 years. 40 years in case of teachers and members of professional staff in Research Institutes.

How to apply: By post.

Deadline: May 15, 2012.

ICMR beckons biomedical scientists

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) invites applications from Indian biomedical scientists for the international fellowships for the year 2012-13.

Number of fellowships: Young scientists-12; Senior scientists-6

Study Subject(s): Biomedical, Health

Course Level: Research Fellowships

Duration: 3-6 months for young scientists and 10-15 days for senior scientists

Eligibility: M.D/PhD degree with at least three years teaching/ research experience for young scientists.

At least 15 years teaching/research experience for senior scientists. Regular position in a recognised biomedical/research/health institution in India.

Age limit: Below 45 years for young and 55 years for senior scientists.

Financial support: $ 2400 per month, contingency grant of Rs 15,000 and return economy class air ticket (excursion airfare) for young scientists.

$160 per day (including $75 as perdiem and rest for accommodation expenses) and return economy class air ticket (excursion airfare) for senior scientists.

If selected, the fellowship is to be availed before February 28, 2013

Deadline: April 30, 2012.

field of focus: library & information science
Get booked
Usha Albuquerque

If you love browsing about in book stores looking for something interesting to read and your hobby is to curl up with a good book, library science is where you get paid to do just that. Books are available in all shapes and sizes, periodicals, newspapers, and so on have filled shelf upon shelf of libraries across the world. But the traditional concept of a library is being redefined, from a place to access paper records or books, to one which also houses the most advanced media, including CD-ROM, the Internet, virtual libraries, and remote access to a wide range of resources.

Library science is an information science, providing the means to manage the explosion in knowledge and information, utilising the new technology to collect, store, categorise, compile, and make information available to larger and larger numbers of people.

Librarians select materials, organise those materials and help people use them effectively. Although librarians traditionally worked with printed resources, they have kept up with ever-evolving technology and now work with electronic resources that include the Internet, computerised databases and ebooks. Librarians are, therefore, also referred to as information professionals, and the field of work is library and information science.

There are different kinds of libraries depending upon the individuals to which these are catering to. Various kinds of libraries are public, reference, children's libraries and those attached to offices and institutions of both private and public sector organisations. These could include a mobile-lending library. There are also specialist libraries attached to the research and academic institutions that cater to specific readers in specific subjects such as medicine, engineering, art, music, or types of books such as Braille or collections for children. Newspaper and news agencies maintain indexed records of their own work and reference material. Foreign missions in different cities set up information centres to promote an understanding of their country's culture.

Work profile

The most important function of a library is to organise, acquire and disseminate information. Some tasks of librarians are to:

n select and purchase materials from publishers, wholesalers and distributors, classify them according to subject matter

n organise and arrange books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials in a way that users can easily find them.

n show users how to efficiently search for information on the Internet and in other online resources;

n supervise assistants who prepare cards, computer records, or other access tools that direct users to resources;

n read book reviews and publishing catalogues to stay updated about recent literature and academic resources.

n keep a constant track of all the books in the library, update catalogues, and stock the library with new books as soon as they arrive.

n In technical libraries, librarians may be required to determine the user's needs, and search, acquire, if necessary and prepare materials for use.

n coordinate programmes such as story-telling for children, and literacy skills and book talks for adults;

n preserve documents through computerised systems, enhancing and refreshing content, and making it available on-line and digitally.

Librarians in administrative services oversee the management and planning of libraries, they negotiate contracts for services, materials, and equipment, supervise library employees, perform public-relations and fund-raising duties, prepare budgets, and direct activities to ensure that everything functions properly.

Courses

You can take up a course in library science after study in any field of discipline. Some courses in Library and Information Science include:

n Certificate course in Library and Information science (CLISc or CLIB) 3-6 months.

Eligibility: Plus II.

n Diploma course in Library and Information Science (DLISC or DLIB) 1-year. Eligibility: Plus II.

n Bachelor in Library and information science (BLISC or B.LIB) 1-year.

Eligibility: Graduate in any discipline from recognised university

n Bachelor in Library and Information Science - 3-year.

Eligibility: Plus II.

n Master in Library and information Science (MLISC or M.LIB) 1-year.

Eligibility: BLISc or B.LIB from recognised university.

n M.Phil in Library and Information science.

Eligibility: MLISC or M.LIB from a recognised university

n Ph.D in library and Information Science.

Eligibility: MLISC from a recognised university

Most state universities offer courses in library science at the graduate, postgraduate, certificate and diploma levels. In view of the increasing use of computer and information technology in libraries, several universities in India have started various courses focusing primarily on information technology and computer.

NISCAIR under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, conducts a two-year programme leading to the award of Associateship in Information Science (AIS).

The Documentations Research and Training Centre (DRTC) at the Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore offers Associateship in Documentation and Information Science (ADIS).This award is also recognised as equivalent to MLISc degree, and is widely sought after in the employment market.

The National Informatics Centre funded by UGC offers a one-year training programme for library science graduates in technology and e-content management.

Prospects

Depending on your level of training you can work as a Librarian, Documentation Officer, Scientist (Library Science/ Documentation), Library and Information Officer, Knowledge Manager, Information Analyst, and so on, with any category of libraries, including libraries of government organisations and agencies, public libraries, as well as with those in schools, colleges and academic institutions.

Librarians are also recruited for information brokerage services, archival work at universities, private collection, photo/film libraries, media organisations, and with software companies for research and content management.

Remuneration

Starting salaries in this field can range from Rs 10,000 - 40,000 depending on your qualification. Research and academic institution such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and others offer good opportunities for trained professionals, with salary scales similar to those applicable to scientific staff.

Skill set

While a love for books is a pre-requisite in this career, you also need to be methodical and organised in your thinking, resourceful, perservering and computer literate. A curiosity and an interest in a wide variety of subjects are other useful personal qualities that can ensure your growth in this vast world of information.

INSTITUTE WATCH

n National Institute of Science Communication & Information Resources (NISCAIR- formerly INSDOC), New Delhi www.niscair.res.in

n Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC), Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore www.drtc.isibang.ac.in

n Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra www.kukinfo.com (BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D)

n Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar www.gndusite.com (BLISc , MLISc, Ph.D)

n Punjabi University, Patiala www.universitypunjabi.org (DLSc, BLISc , MLISc, Ph.D)

n University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (BLISc and Documentation, MLISc and Documentation, Ph.D)

n Panjab University, Chandigarh

n University of Jammu, Jammu (BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D)

n Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.

JOBSCAPE

n Public/government libraries

n Libraries of ministries and other government departments

n Universities and other academic institutions

n News agencies and organisations

n Private organisations and special libraries

n Publishing companies

n Foreign embassies and international organisations

n Photo/film/ video/ TV libraries

n Information centres/documentation centres

n Organisations with large information handling requirements

n Research organisations such as CSIR, DRDO, ICSSR, ICHR, ICMR, ICAR

n Museums and galleries having reading rooms and research facilities 

— The writer is a career expert

different strokes: quizzing
Cerebral edge
Arupjyoti Gogoi

Are you a quiz buff? If yes, then this can jazz up your career prospects by enhancing the "cerebral quotient" of your resume and also by adding that extra sheen to your portfolio if you are already working. Increasing awareness and interest in quizzing has lead to regular quiz competitions being organised across the country throughout the year giving professionals a chance to travel, and win prizes.

India got its formal brush with this 'sport of scholars' almost 40 years ago when the father of Indian quiz, Neil O'Brien conducted the first organised quiz. Over the past few years, quizzing has come a long way from being just a school and college level competition.

Corporate edge

Though so far quizzing has not been accepted as a 'formal' profession in our country, big corporate houses have shown keen interest in this area. If we look at the changes that have taken place over the past few years, then we surely have to thank the corporate houses for endorsing and investing money in this fun-filled sport. It also helps them in their brand building exercise and to reach the niche target audience.

"It is a win-win situation for the corporates as well as the sport. With investment pouring in from big corporate houses, quizzing has a strong future in our country", says Dr. Navin Jayakumar, founding member of The Quiz Foundation of India and quizmaster of The Landmark Quiz for the past 18 years.

The Landmark Quiz, a TATA property is one of the oldest open quizzes in India and has been a part of the quizzing culture of India for the past 20 years now. It had been started in Chennai. Corporate quiz competitions are becoming popular day by day in India. Corporates have started making their own teams to take part in various corporate quiz competitions throughout the year. The team members who regularly represent one corporate house or organisation get hefty pay apart from the prizes won in the competitions. Apart from business quizzes, we see a number of other such competitions organised at national or state level in the areas of sports, IT, art and culture, science, politics etc. Online quizzes have also become very popular now.

Popular sport

Amitabh Bachchan, who hosted record-setting "Kaun Banega Crorepati" show on TV, has given a whole new idiom to quizzing in India. People from every nook and corner of the country got an opportunity to participate in this show and emerged as one of the most popular reality shows in the history of Indian television. In the past few years the number of quiz competitions has increased across the country. Be it business quiz or sports quiz, every quiz competition has its own aura.

Quiz afficionados have also pitched in significantly to popularise this sport. For example, The Quiz Foundation of India (or QFI), Chennai, a non-profit organisation is aiming to popularise quizzing in the city and also provide a forum for quizzers to meet and interact regularly. Members of the QFI frequently organise and conduct quizzes for a number of schools, colleges and companies based in and around the city.

Go for it

If you are thinking seriously to take quizzing to add that extra punch to your profession, you are certainly taking a right decision. Quizzing in India is no longer treated as intellectuals sport or merely a pass time. It has become a serious professional sport and moreover, people have already taken it as a full-fledged profession.

smart strategy: dealing with mistakes at workplace
Fix the faultlines
Ragini Gulati

Mistakes are unavoidable and each one of us has our own share of them. Be it small goof ups or a major slip, they are also a part of every workplace. In fact, most employers expect their staff members to make them once in a while. Making a mistake can be an unpleasant experience irrespective of the severity of error or stakes involved. It can not only result in embarrassment and humiliation but temporary loss of credibility also. As a consequence while most people accept that slip-ups are inevitable, no one likes to be responsible for them. The key to recovering from a mistake is to deal with it in the right way, rather than brushing things under the carpet. Own it up, accept the repercussions and be part of the solution to the problem resulting from the mistake.

Don't blame others

It might be easy to blame a team member or colleague for the mistake at work, but refrain from doing so. Not only will your boss be livid when they discover the truth, you will be in far worse trouble than before. Moreover, you don't want to be the cause of someone else's punishment, especially when they didn't do anything wrong. Also avoid playing the blame game by pointing fingers at others even if the mistake was not directly yours. Accept at least portion of responsibility for the blunder committed by an individual under your supervision. In case it is a group mistake, acknowledge your role in it without any hesitation.

Accept mistake

Although it may be tempting to cover up the mistake it is always best to confess. As human beings we are bound to blunder but how we deal with it afterwards is what counts really. Pretending that you did not make an error and going about business as usual is guaranteed to have negative consequences. Be candid and admit the mistake to your boss immediately rather than putting it off. The longer you wait, the more damaging the situation can become. It may aggravate a seemingly small problem which otherwise could be managed easily. Accepting responsibility takes courage but demonstrates a high level of professionalism. Moreover, supervisors are far more understanding of mistakes when you are upfront about them.

Apologise

Be prepared to apologise for your mistake. A lot of people go to great lengths to make up for their mistakes when a simple apology would do the job. Express to your boss that you are aware of where you went wrong and will not make the same mistake again. When possible express your regret in person rather than sending an e-mail. Although a lot harder, it will speak volumes about the sincerity of your apology and the strength of character. However, resist the urge to apologise repeatedly or profusely. It could be considered as an act of defense and also make you feel like a victim. Moreover, overdoing anything takes away its effectiveness and fails to create the desired impact.

Have a plan

Taking responsibility not only means accepting the mistake but also being prepared to clean up the mess. Once you have admitted your error, approach the boss with a game plan on how to fix it. Volunteer corrective measures rather than waiting to be forced or pressured to resolve the concern. Proposing solution will minimize the chances of recurrence and also show that you are taking the matter seriously. Even if the plan gets rejected your boss will appreciate the sense of ownership. Moreover, a problem solver is seen as a more worthy resource than an individual who looks to his boss for a solution at every point in time.

Learn from it

One of the most important things to focus on when a mistake has been made is to learn from it. Having taken remedial measures it is important to understand the reasons for the error. An individual who repeatedly makes the same mistakes is either not paying attention or refuses to learn from them. Assess the situation by figuring out what went wrong and how you can avoid something similar in the future. Take notes to restructure work habits and function even more effectively. It will also bring a sense of reality and keep a check on over-confidence that develops from doing things right every time.

Move on

Irrespective of the seriousness of a mistake, just let it go and move on. Once you have done the analysis there is no value in worrying or dwelling on it. Focus on what you can do the next time, not what should have been done. Get back to your work with a renewed sense of confidence and a futuristic approach. Although it can be hard to re-build confidence after slipping up, it is not entirely impossible. Make a conscious effort to win back the boss' trust while being patient at the same time. Most importantly don't fall into the trap of believing that just because you made a mistake, you're a failure. 

Happiness @ work
Gems of ancient wisdom
Get your facts right

In every organisation, there are many layers. It may not be possible for top bosses to know correctly the contribution each worker makes. Hence, before rewarding or punishing junior staff, get your facts right.

Seeing that Akbar had gone to Malwa, prince Salim went to Ajmer and got engrossed in the pleasures of life. Then, he revolted and announced himself king in Allahabad. This naturally soured the relations between the two, but Salim wrongly assumed that courtier Abul Fazl’s scheming was behind it. So Salim got Abul Fazl killed near Sironj.

When King Bimbisara heard that Buddha was in the company of sage Kashyapa, he thought that the Buddha was a disciple of Kashyapa. But it later turned out that it was the other way round.

Rumours about the cartridges being greased with cow and pig fat were doing the rounds in the 34th Native Infantry Regiment stationed in Barrackpore in 1857. When soldier Mangal Pande, who had a mild temperament, asked a colleague about the cartridges, he retorted, “I talk and you don’t. But none of us acts.” Mangal Pande proved his colleague wrong as he kickstarted the First War of Indian Independence.

On December 23, 1912, revolutionaries threw a bomb at Viceroy Lord Hardinge at Chandni Chowk in Delhi. The intelligence units caught all suspects except the one who plotted the whole thing — Ras Behari Bose. The fact that he had rushed to Dehradun after the bombing and had publicly condemned the attack threw the Brits off track.

When the British attacked Kittur, Rani Chennamma led the forces to victory and caught many British prisoners of war. The British got reinforcements and again besieged Kittur. Before her final battle, she released all British prisoners who went and told Chaplin, the Deccan Commissioner, that Chennamma had treated them well and that she wanted peace. Despite knowing this, the British attacked Chennamma, defeated her and took her prisoner.

When Subhadra, wife of Arjun, and their son Abhimanyu were on their way to interrupt the marriage of Vatsala, Balrama’s daughter, and Lakshman, Duryodhana’s son, their carriage was intercepted by Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s son. A fight ensued between the cousins — Abhimanyu and Ghatotkacha — in which the latter could have been killed but for his timely recognition.

Accused of heresy, Kabir was taken before Emperor Sikandar Lodi who ordered that the saint be drowned. But Kabir came out unscathed. Then, he was locked up in a hut that was set afire. This too didn’t kill the saint. Then, Kabir was put before a charging elephant. The jumbo saw a group of lions in Kabir and scampered away. Finally, Lodi set Kabir free.

Don’t forget that appearances can be deceptive.

— Sai R. Vaidyanathan

The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com

Course cruising

Right to ACT

Jamia Millia Islamia's premier media institute, AJK Mass Communication Research Centre will offer a new course in acting from July, 2012 session.

The course: Postgraduate Diploma

Details: The course will introduce students to the fundamentals of acting and to make them informed observers of the acting experience. Through various improvisations and exercises, which will constitute the course curricula, acting skills of the students' will be nurtured. This course will open avenues for students in theatre productions as well as television and film industry.

Duration: One year

Seats: 20

Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline with not less than 50% marks in aggregate.

Admission criteria: Entrance Test followed by an interview.

Check out: www.jmi.ac.in

Deadline: May 3, 2012.

Concern for climate

Climate change is a pressing environmental concern in the modern day context. Addressing climate change requires a good scientific understanding, as well as coordinated actions and policies at the local, national and global levels. As part of the community of scientists searching for solutions, TERI University offers a programme leading to the award of an M Sc in climate science and policy. This is an intensive four-semester programme intended to imbue present and future professionals in the arena with practical and theoretical knowledge in the scientific and policy issues relevant to climate change.

Course: M.Sc. (Climate Science and Policy)

Duration: Two years

Eligibility: A bachelor's degree in science/engineering or economics/mathematics/ statistics/geography with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 6.75 on a 10 point scale or equivalent as determined by TERI University, wherever letter grades are awarded, or 60% marks in aggregate (of all the years/semesters of the qualifying examinations), wherever marks are awarded. For candidates with bachelor's degree in humanities, a relaxation of 5% could be allowed.

Selection criteria: Online test and interview conducted by the university followed by an interview.

Deadline: April 27

Check out: www.teriuniversity.ac.in

Dual advantage

Course: GNIT College of Management invites applications for its two-year full-time Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) dual programme with specialisations in HR, Marketing, Finance, IT and International Business.

Eligibility: Minimum of three-years Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline recognised by UGC. Candidate should have a valid CAT/MAT/XAT score.

Check out: http://www.gnitcm.net/

Address: Plot No 6C, Knowledge Park-II Greater Noida, Ph No. 0120-6496203, 8860606608, 9310014161 emails at: admission@gnit.net

Selection criteria: Selections are made on the basis of GD/PI

Deadline: June 30

Fortnightly quiz 410

Big cause

1. Where was the world’s largest “Red Ribbon”, symbolising fight against HIV/AIDS, formed recently?

2. Name the Russian-made nuclear-powered submarine that was recently inducted into the Navy.

3. Where is the historic 13th century dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti situated?

4. Which state recently completed one year of the 108 ambulance service?

5. How many years ago did the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) come into being?

6. Name the 24th Jain Tirthankara.

7. In which African country is Timbuktu situated?

8. How many years have been completed by Disneyland in Paris?

9. Name the veteran Indian tennis player who recently won the 50th doubles titles of his career.

10. Which country recently retained the number one spot in the ICC Test rankings?

— Tarun Sharma

Winners of quiz 409: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Tripti Dhiman, class X (Red), Springfields Public School, Ratauli Road, Yamuna Nagar, Pin Code – 135001

Second: Ripu Daman, class V-C, Cambridge International School for Girls, Urban Estate Phase II, Jalandhar City, Pin Code – 144001

Third: Preksha Goyal, class V-B, LKL Sarvhitkari Senior Secondary Vidya Mandir, Rampura Phul, district Bathinda Pin Code – 151103

Answers to quiz 409: Hundred; March 22; National Counter Terrorism Centre; March 20; 1913; India; Formula One racing; Six; Two; 100

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