The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Cheaper loans S.C.Dhall Education loans are set to get cheaper for meritorious students planning to pursue higher studies. Banks will be free to offer differential interest rates based on the rating of courses/institutions and students, according to a circular on revised guidelines on educational loans sent to banks by the Indian Banks Association. The rating could be taken up by banks as a tool for improving asset quality. This would mean that the rate of interest on education loans, which is around 13.25-14.5 per cent at present, can come down depending on the institution, course, academic record of the applicant and his/her employability potential. Banks would now fix the quantum of concession in the interest to be offered to meritorious students individually. If the ratings are high, the interest concession could be as low as base rate plus one per cent. This works out to be around 11 per cent. According to a senior bank official, the modalities on rating and other aspects are being worked out. The guidelines have also asked banks to keep admissions under management quota for all courses, including nursing, outside the scope of the scheme. Part-time courses, research work and job-oriented specialised programmes could be considered on the banks' discretion based on merit and placement records. While computing the loan amount, scholarship/fee waiver available to a student will also be taken into account. Tracing students for repayment after the completion of the course could be done with educational institutions. Hereafter, educational loans would be given based purely on merit. In view of the increasing stress on the educational loan portfolio of banks, the government is proposing to establish a Credit Guarantee Fund Trust. This will be applicable to educational loans granted by banks up to Rs 7.5 lakh without any collateral security and third-party guarantee. PAN mandatory Several banks have tightened the norms for granting education loans following rising defaults in this segment. They have made the submission of PAN (Permanent Account Number) details of the applicant's parent/guardian (often the co-borrower) mandatory from this year. On the existing educational loans, banks are understood to be sending out letters asking the student-borrower and the co-borrower to furnish PAN details. Submission of PAN details will help lending institutions to ascertain the income of the parents and, in the event of a failure in repayment, refer the case to CIBIL (Credit Information Bureau of India Ltd).
	Scholarship roundup IOC offer IndianOil Corporation Ltd has announced scholarships for students of High School+/ITI, engineering, medical, management courses in India, 2012 Eligibility: SC: Scheduled Caste, ST: Scheduled Tribe, OBC: Other Backward Class, GEN: General, PwDs: Persons with Disabilities (minimum 40% disability as per definition under Disabilities Act 1952). Students pursuing full time/regular courses (not correspondence or distance mode) in these streams and studying in schools/colleges /institutions/universities recognised by MCI/AICTE/State Education Boards/State Govt./ICSE/ISC/CBSE/Central Govt./ Association of Indian universities, shall be eligible to apply. nThe student should have bonafide admission in the first year of school/college/institute/university in the academic year 2012-13. Students having confirmed admission in the first year of full time engineering degree course (minimum 4 years), MBBS (minimum 4 years), MBA (minimum 2 years) are eligible to apply. Students of two years full time/regular courses (not correspondence or distance mode) post graduate courses in Business Administration/Management recognized by Central/State Govt./Association of Indian universities and which are equivalent to MBA, are eligible for Management stream scholarship. Age limit: Minimum 15 years and maximum 30 years as on 03.07.2012. Persons born between 03.07.1982 and 03.07.1997 (both days inclusive) are eligible to apply. Details: 2000 Scholarships are being offered for 10+/ITI studies. The equitable distribution of scholarships may be state-wise, based on "Number of students appeared for Class X during 2011-12?.Once awarded, the scholarships will be disbursed @ Rs 3,000 per month for four years in case of engineering & MBBS and two years for MBA courses and @ Rs 1,000 per month for duration of two years in case of 10+/ITI course. Duration of each course in no case be less than the duration of the scholarship. The scholarship will be suspended, if the scholar is not promoted to the next academic year and the scholarship will be discontinued permanently if this happens for the second time, in succession or two times in the entire course of the study. How to Apply: Online at http://www.eonlineapply.com/ioclscholar2012/default.aspx . Deadline: September 30, 2012 Check out: http://www.eonlineapply.com/ioclscholar2012/default.aspx or http://www.iocl.com/Aboutus/Scholarships.aspx Digital high Master's scholarships (Distance Learning) in Digital Heritage for UK/EU and international citizens are on offer at University of Leicester, UK. The Master's in Digital Heritage aims to engage students critically and creatively with wide ranging ideas and issues, and to develop a view of digital heritage informed by both theory and the practical methods and skills necessary to become creative and effective new media professionals in the heritage sector. Study Subject(s): Digital Heritage Course Level: Master's Scholarship Provider: School of Museum Studies Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: Applicants should have a first or second-class honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject and clear evidence of vocational intention and aptitude. Applicants should have a strong interest in IT and are expected to have a basic aptitude in IT. The scholarships are not open to existing students on the MA/MSc Digital Heritage programme. Details: Two £1,000 scholarships for October 2012 entry to distance learning Master's in Digital Heritage programme. The scholarships will be paid as a reduction in the course fee and are open to new UK/EU and international applicants. How to Apply: Online Deadline: August 31, 2012 Check out: museum.studies@le.ac.uk or www.le.ac.uk/museumstudies For physically challenged National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC), Government of India is offering a scholarship scheme for graduate and postgraduate students with disabilities for pursuing professional courses in the current academic session. Study subject(s): Professional courses Eligibility: Scholarships will be awarded to eligible students with disabilities for pursuing higher academic/professional or technical qualification Financial assistance can be given for computer with editing software for blind/deaf graduate and post graduate students pursuing professional courses and for support access software for cerebral palsy students Monthly income of the beneficiary/parent or guardian should not be more than Rs 15,000 (Rs 1.80 lakh p.a.) from all sources. Family income includes income of parent/guardian Scholarship holder under this scheme will not concurrently hold any other scholarship/stipend. If already any other scholarship/stipend awarded, the student is required to exercise his/her option for choosing the scholarship that he/she proposes to avail and inform awarding authority about the same. Details: Under this scheme, 500 national scholarships will be awarded to eligible students. The selected students will get Rs 1,000 (for hostellers) or Rs 700 (for day scholars) per month. How to apply: Online Deadline: August 31, 2012 Check out: www.nhfdc.nic.in International MBA scholarship Newcastle University Business School, UK has announced a unique MBA scholarship geared to the high-calibre international students. The MBA scholarship has been developed to provide a financially viable opportunity to the best students in India desiring an MBA from a Russell Group University. The school is offering prospective students financial assistance, with pre-paid flights, a free iPad3, and a rebate of £1,000 upon successful completion of the programme. Alongside the scholarship opportunity, the Business School has also created an innovative entrepreneurship track to complement its high quality MBA programme. The MBA programme, and unique scholarship opportunity, at the Business School is centred on providing individuals, who have at least three years’ management experience, with the knowledge, skills, support and educational understanding needed to enhance their employability.
	A strategic move A dash of history stirred into political science and sprinkled with a liberal dose of strategy. Are you intrigued by this recipe? Then defence studies is a territory that you must explore Asif Ahmed Global conflict and the threat of war has been a concern for all nations for several decades. Internal and regional political instability, economic turmoil and poor international relations have bothered all governments. While diplomacy plays an integral role in maintaining peace in a region, internal security and preparedness for combat are the issues that are an integral part of governance. Defence studies, also known as war studies, defence and strategic studies, military science or national security studies, as an academic discipline is assuming significance as we need trained planners, strategists and analysts. Today's youngsters may be attracted to the armed forces, but few know that defence studies also offers career opportunities in a world in which the line between traditional and upcoming careers has become blurred. Defence studies has established itself as a subject to be reckoned with as most universities have introduced it at the graduate or postgraduate levels in the country. International relations, national security, tackling terrorism and strategic planning, if these are topics that interest you, then a career involving research in these subjects is possible with a degree in defence studies. Scope How many students opt for a master's degree in Defence and Strategic Studies? Not many, but this course has good scope. It covers all strategic and domestic issues that affect the security and defence of the nation, and helps a student gain adequate military education - mainly the historical and geographical aspects. By gaining awareness on war and its associated problems, one can help the government in strategic policy development. Candidates who complete the course successfully are highly in demand in the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Navy. Where to study The courses offered in this field are BA (as a subject), MA, M. Phil., Certificate Courses, PG diplomas and Ph.D. Defence and Strategic Studies is an interdisciplinary subject which includes, among other topics, the study of national security, military history, international relations, military geography, science and technology, modern strategic thought, military psychology, military sociology, area studies (South Asia-China-Pakistan), international law, theory and practice of war, disaster management, Indian Ocean, conflict resolution & peace studies, map reading and defence economics etc. Students from different disciplines opt for this course and wide arrays of opportunities are available once you complete it. There are good opportunities to study this subject in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh as well as at other important universities in the country and abroad. While Punjabi University, Patiala, has a PG department on its campus, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, runs graduate classes in the subject. In Chandigarh, Panjab University has a department of Defence and National Security Studies. The Department was established in 2001. It offers master's course in Defence & Strategic Studies, including research degree programmes. The admission to the master's course is open to all the students from various streams but preference is given to the applicants who have studied Defence Studies/Military Science at graduation level. Five seats are reserved for the serving defence personnel. The Department also offers M.Phil course in Defence & Strategic Studies to defence officers posted at HQ Army Training Command, Shimla, at 29 training establishments and at Western Command, Chandimandir. The Department is running a one-year PG Diploma and three-month Executive Certificate Course in Disaster Management & Security. In Jammu University also there is a National Security Chair, which was established a few years back. The newly established Central University of Jammu is also offering master's course in Defence & Strategic Studies from its first session in 2012. Opportunities The multi-disciplinary approach of the course ensures that it is helpful not only in making a career but also in preparing for competitive examinations. It is also being chosen as an optional subject in the state services. Some of the careers that students of defence studies can explore include: Armed forces: Students have a scope of being recruited in the Army Education Corps. The Education Corps recruits teachers to teach defence studies in the Army. Many students enter the armed services after completing a course in Defence and Strategic Studies. They start out as Commissioned Officers and then move up the rank ladder. There are opportunities in the Coast Guard, CRPF and CISF too. Candidates who have completed graduation in this field are directly recruited as Commissioned Officers in Army/Navy/Air Force in the Education Corps and as Ground Duty Officers after they clear the physical criteria tests. Defence journalism: A course in defence studies and strategy is godsend for a budding journalist wanting to understand the Army, warfare as well as national security problems. The course, besides providing knowledge about the Army hierarchy, also highlights the military functioning. It also has a paper on terrorism and insurgency as also national security. In this, the basic concepts and contours of both are discussed in detail. Besides, papers on information warfare and cyber terrorism can also be of interest to journalists. If you like writing and communicating, you could become a journalist. "Today, everyone is a specialist. You can become a sports journalist or someone who writes on politics. Having done this course, you can specialise in defence. Research: There are a number of research institutes as well as universities ready to enroll postgraduates for research on defence-related subjects. The premier among these is the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis, New Delhi, besides many universities running PG courses in the region. There are many scholarships for research positions in foreign think tanks, research institutions and universities as Research Associates/Research Fellow/ Research Officer/Intern. Some of the institutes offering research opportunities are: French Institute of International Relations, Institute for International and Strategic Relations (France); Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies (Israel); Japan Institute of International Affairs, National Institute for Defense Studies (Tokyo Japan); Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies; Institute for Strategic Studies; Stockholm International Peace Research Institute; Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, Chatham House; the Brookings Institution (USA); Center for Strategic and International Studies (USA); Council on Foreign Relations (USA); Foreign Policy Research Institute USA; Institute for National Strategic Studies (USA); Kings College London; and The RAND Corporation New avenues: The concept of security has changed now. The military protects the country. But who protects the corporates, malls and big hotels? This is where a degree in Defence and Strategic Studies, where you get trained in civil defence, comes in handy. But there is a certain mindset at work, “Strangely, security is not considered a proper occupation for an educated person. But, if you realise that this mindset is not correct, then there are a wide range of opportunities available.” In the corporate sector, many opportunities are opening up nowadays. With security forming a huge concern for all, trained professionals are very much in demand. The remuneration is also good. — The writer is Assistant Professor, Defence and Strategic Studies. Kurukshetra University. INSTITUTE WATCH Punjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh(U.T.) 160014. PG, MPhil and doctoral programmes and Diploma in Disaster Management. www.puchd.ac.in Punjabi University, Patiala PG, MPhil and doctoral programmes www.punjabiuniversity. ac.in Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. PG, MPhil and doctoral programmes www.mdurohtak.ac.in Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Graduate, PG, doctoral and Diplomas in Military Studies & Defence Management. www.hnbgu.ac.in Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, Department of Political Science, Arts Faculty Building, kuk. PG programme. www.kuk.ac.in Central University of Jammu PG programme. www.cujammu.in Field in focus: defence studies Avenues Defence analysis, Defence research, Tactical Services, advice and tactical strategic planning National security planning and implementation and Civil Defence Armed forces, national security organisations Defence journalism Academic research, teaching in universities and colleges Writing and publishing books with government and UGC sponsored grants, articles and blogs Subject is in the list for Public Services Commission examinations of some states UGC recognises the subject for Junior Research Fellowship in NET examination Colleges offering under-graduate degrees Punjab Government. Mohindra College, Modi College and Khalsa College in Patiala; Khalsa College Anandpur Sahib; Guru Gobind College, Sanghera (Barnala); Khalsa College, Domeli (Kapurthala), under GNDU Haryana University College Rohtak; four government colleges in Mahendergarh; two government colleges in Jhajjar; Government College, Meham; Government College, Baudhkala, Bhiwani; four colleges in Hisar; Government colleges in Karnal, Panchkula and Bahadurgarh Chandigarh Government College, Sector 11 and Government College, Sector 46
	Cutting edge IT courses Aditya Malik Employers today operate in a global competitive environment that demands new and constantly developing talent pool to retain global competitiveness. The problem faced by the employers is that out of the 5,50,000 engineering graduates passing out every year, anywhere between 10 and 25 per cent cannot be readily employed by any technology firm in the country. According to NASSCOM, only 25 per cent of graduates working in the IT sector are readily employable, while only 15 per cent are fit for back-office jobs. The Indian IT industry has had a phenomenal success over the past decade contributing massively to the country’s growth story. The industry has grown from $4 billion export revenue in 1998 to $59-billion in 2011 and is employing over two million workforce. In FY 2012 the industry is poised to reach a significant milestone — aggregate revenue of $100 billion (source: NASSCOM). The constantly evolving IT industry looks for individuals who have knowledge about the latest technology and are perpetual learners. Given the speed at which technologies get upgraded to stay ahead of the pack you need to look for trainers or training organisations that change and upgrade their curriculum real time. Top emerging technologies Cloud Computing, Information Security, IT Services, and Remote Infrastructure Management (RIM) are the top emerging technologies in this sector. Training in these can go a long way in increasing the employability quotient of freshers. Here is what each of these technologies stands for: Cloud Computing Cloud computing helps organisations to minimise capital expenditure by providing them an option of renting IT infrastructure and application services instead of owning them. According to a Gartner survey, Indian companies expect to adopt new cloud services much faster than originally anticipated, with two-thirds of CIOs expecting the majority of IT to be running in the cloud within the next four years. To enroll in a cloud computing course students must have basic IT knowledge. After course completion students will get an opportunity to join data centres, cloud solutions providers, remote infrastructure service providers, system integrators and IT product and service providers as IT Consultant-Cloud, cloud application developer, cloud infrastructure administrator, and IT managers. Average starting salary is around Rs 4.5 lakh per annum. Information Security Personal and enterprise wide information theft resulting from information theft, virus, malware, and other vulnerabilities has led to the creation of numerous information security products portfolio and services. With 10-15 per cent enterprise wide IT spending on information security, the IT security fraternity has evolved as an indispensable workforce. To enroll in an Information Security course students must have basic IT knowledge. After completion of the course students get an opportunity to join sectors such as data centres, RIM service providers, system integrators as cyber security analyst, security engineer, IT audit and compliance managers. Average starting salary is around Rs 4.5 lakh per annum. IT Services IT services portfolio includes product engineering, custom software development, maintenance and testing services of software applications. This domain currently employs over one million programming professionals with specialised skills in Microsoft, Java, open source programming platforms. Over the years, Indian IT service offerings have evolved from application development and maintenance, to emerge as full service players providing product engineering, testing services, infrastructure services, consulting and system integration. To enroll in an IT services course students should have basic programming skills. After completion of the course students can join software development centers as Software Engineers/Developers and Testers.Average starting salary is around Rs 3.5 lakh per annum. Remote Infrastructure Management RIM is the remote management of the IT infrastructure of a company, such as its workstations (desktop PCs, laptops, notebooks), communications and networking hardware and software, as well as applications, by a service provider. Students learn desktop and server management, routing and switching, managing and troubleshooting IT infrastructure. After the completion of RIM course students can join System integrators, RIM Service Providers, Data centers or IT enabled business enterprises as Desktop Support Executive, Server Support Executive, Network Support Executive, System Administrator, IT Support Executive or L1 Support. Average starting salary is around Rs 2.75 lakh per annum. — The writer is CEO, Talent Edge
	Course cruising Research avenues Pandit Deendyal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, is offering admissions to Ph.D programme in engineering, science and technology, management, public policy, English language and literature, social sciences, public administration. Eligible candidates can apply through prescribed application form downloaded from www.pdpu.ac.in Eligibility: For research in an area of engg./technology/sciences Master’s degree in engineering/technology or equivalent in an appropriate area with a minimum CPI of 6.5 or 60% of marks. OR Master’s degree in science or equivalent in an appropriate area with first class or a minimum CPI of 6.5 or 60% of marks, where class is not awarded. For research in an area of Management MBA/MTech./ME with at least 60 per cent marks or equivalent, or A professional qualification like ACA, AICWA, ACS with at least 60 per cent marks or equivalent. For research in an area related to liberal studies i.e. English language & literature, public administration and public policy MA with minimum 55% or its equivalent in an appropriate area Selection procedure: A discipline wise (e.g. Civil Engg./Management) written Aptitude Test will be conducted on August 4, 2012 in SPT-1 building of the University campus from 9-30 a.m. to 11-30 a.m. This will be followed by personal interview on the same day from 12 noon onward. The list of the selected candidates will be announced on the website on August 8, 2012. Deadline: July 30, 2012 Hospital-based M.Phil programme Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences has invited applications for M.Phil Clinical Psychology course to be offered in academic affiliation with the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi. Duration: Two years Eligibility: MA/MSc in psychology, cognitive science, applied psychology/clinical counseling from a UGC recognised university with minimum of 55 per cent marks. Seats: 19 Selection criteria: Entrance exam How to apply: On prescribed proforma available on ihbas.delhigovt.nic.in Deadline: August 8, 2012 Check out: ihbas.delhigovt.nic.in Management programmes Institute of Management Education (IME), Ghaziabad, invites applications for its full-time management programmes — PGDM (Dual)two-year post graduate diploma in management and three-year BBA. Eligibility: Graduation for PGDM and Plus II for BBA. Selection criteria: Aptitude test and interview How to apply: The admission forms can be downloaded from http:// imesahibabad.ac.in. Deadline: July 20 2012. Gurgaon based International School of Business & Media is also inviting applications for its two-year PGDM programme in Marketing, Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, Human Resource, Fashion Retail and Supply Chain & Operations Management. Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university with minimum 50% marks in aggregate. Candidates appearing for final year examinations can also apply, provided they complete all degree requirements by September 30. Deadline: July 31, 2012. Check out: http://www.isbmmedia.edu.in
	Training initiatives in banking ICICI Bank partners with ITM University to offer Certificate Course in Retail Banking Sales Management ICICI Bank Ltd. and ITM University, Chhattisgarh, have come together to launch a specialised certificate course in Retail Banking Sales Management. The course, under the banner of the ICICI Bank Sales Academy will be conducted on a fully residential basis on the ITM University campus in Raipur. Duration: Three months with one month instructor-led classroom activity on the university campus and two-month internship at different branches of the ICICI Bank. On successful completion of the campus leg of the course, participants would be absorbed as sales trainees on the rolls of the bank. Manipal Global Education Services signs MoU with Tamilnad Mercantile Bank for Banking Training Programme This programme is a customised six-month full-time residential programme that has been designed to equip trainee officers of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd with necessary domain knowledge in banking, and also enhancing competency and soft skills. Upon the successful completion of the programme, the trainee officers will be awarded a Diploma in Banking Certificate by MaGE. The first batch is scheduled to start in August, 2012 at Bangalore. — TNS
	Oh! BOSS It is placement time for students who are about to graduate. They will be entering the world of work shortly. While each workplace has its different ethos and culture, the "big boss" puzzle is generally a difficult one to crack. They come in a wide variety, each with different characteristics. So it is better to be mentally prepared and know what to expect. Here are some main types: Ravinder Bhatia As a trainee one is generally put in the charge of a ‘junior boss’ who makes one learn the basics of one's work. This ‘first’ boss is the teacher type who is generally kind and understanding and will have a lot of patience. He will not scream his head out if you make a mistake. So don’t be scared of making mistakes as they are the stepping stones to success. Shirker This type will saddle you with a lot of work and will pass the buck to a new recruit knowing full well that the fresher will not refuse for the fear of losing the job or creating a wrong impression. But believe me friends working under such a ‘senior’ is a wonderful learning opportunity. If you wish, and you must, to learn beyond the assigned task, grab this chance and thank the shirkers. Smart Alec This type spots the talent in you very quickly. He delegates and grooms you. He praises you in public causing a lot of envy among the oldies in the company. It is very important to stay grounded and not rub other people the wrong way because this patronising “groomer” may soon find another protégé leaving you to fend for yourself. Typical manager Has no knowledge of the subject, so he chooses highly qualified and well-informed subordinates, carries his own coterie along wherever he goes, manages to get promotion every time and keeps everyone in good humour. No-nonsense A stickler for rules and doesn't waste time and wants no one to do so. If you would wish him “Good Morning”, he would reply, “What’s good about the morning don’t waste time and get back to your seat.” Doesn’t tolerate any interference in his work. Show off A commonly found character! He loves to boast about his qualification, his knowledge and his belongings. He has a super inflated ego and loves to show off his wardrobe, zippy automobiles, latest gadgets or foreign sojourns and expects a lot of compliments and praise. This type you will always find surrounded with a couple of faithful and enamoured stooges who also gather secret information for him. In Hitler’s mould Starts the day by calling subordinates to his room one by one, yelling at them, telling them that they are good for nothing, are stupid workers and need to work harder. The subordinates are so used to this early morning firing that if on a particular day the boss is absent or is busy elsewhere and has not fired them; they would be worried about his health. Sadist This one usually comes to the office early in the morning, marks his attendance, leaves instructions for the day on each junior’s desk and “disappear/get busy” till it is time for everyone to leave. While the minions are strapping up their bags, the “devoted one” returns, calls each one and reviews the day’s work and abuse them. He generally doesn’t have a family and doesn’t mind sitting late in office. But more than that he loves to see his subordinates stay with him. What sadistic pleasure! Shrewd operator As a boss he will be in the know of things happenings around him, yet he would ask many questions to confirm and reinforce the gathered information. He will be very patient, cool, and portray himself as honest and having sound personal ethics e.g. not using the office car for personal purposes. But, don’t be fooled because this guy is in for bigger game and gains. Gandhian bent A very-very rare species. He may be dressed in khadi, talk to the point, be very polite and unassuming. If someone came to meet you during office hours, he would personally come with the guest to your seat, introduce you and leave with a reminder not to waste more than 15 minutes as your office time is precious. Work alcoholic Would be the first to arrive and last to leave office. Doesn’t smile, is only worried about office, has no time for the home, eats at odd intervals — alone, never takes leave, even if he does so visits the office. Will not trust a junior easily and would like to do all the work himself. Very little chance of learning much from this type, except getting motivated to become a work alcoholic oneself Most ‘Gifted’ This one is always expecting some gift. He starts wishing ‘Happy Diwali’ one month before the actual date. He will oblige a customer and in the evening remind him of the favour he has done and drop hints of reciprocating the gesture. If his main interest is fulfilled he will not be very serious in his review of your performance. To be or not to be He would say ‘yes’ one minute and then ‘no’ immediately. If a cheque is presented for payment and there is insufficient balance, he would say “pass it” and the next moment he would say “return it”. Before you return it he would again repeat the story of ‘pass it’ and ‘return it’. What a time waster! Holy cow Typically a calm and level-headed person, knowledgeable, never loses his cool even in the worst of circumstances, docile, but a strict follower of rules. He is the non-interfering type. One would love to work with this type. Illustrations: Sandeep Joshi
	Bullying scare Watching others get bullied at work makes other employees want to quit Researchers have suggested that merely showing up for work in an environment where bullying goes on is enough to make many workers think about quitting. Canadian researchers have found that nurses not bullied directly, but who worked in an environment where workplace bullying occurred, felt a stronger urge to quit than those actually being bullied. These findings on 'ambient' bullying have significant implications for organisations, as well as contributing a new statistical approach to the field. To understand whether bullying in the work unit environment can have a negative impact on a worker's desire to remain in their organisation, independent of their personal or direct experiences of workplace bullying, organisational behaviour and human resources experts from the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada surveyed 357 nurses in 41 hospital units. Their analysis of the survey results showed that targets of bullying were more likely to be thinking of leaving. They also showed a statistically significant link between working somewhere where bullying was going on and a wish to leave. Next, the researchers used statistical analysis to test the relationship between turnover intention and whether an individual was experiencing bullying directly. They found that the positive relationship between work unit-level bullying and turnover intentions is stronger for those who rarely experienced direct bullying compared with those who are bullied often. According to the authors, the study has wider implications in the field of human resources because they examined a broad, varied and generalised experience of bullying. Further, because they relied on hierarchical linear modelling techniques, the researchers could accurately examine the simultaneous impacts of direct bullying and ambient bullying, showing each unique effect above and beyond that accounted for by the other. "Of particular note is the fact that we could predict turnover intentions as effectively either by whether someone was the direct target of bullying, or by how much an environment was characterised by bullying," Marjan Houshmand, corresponding author of the study, said. The authors theorise that although individuals may experience moral indignation at others being bullied, it is perceived as being even more unfair when others are bullied and they are not. — ANI
	Happiness @ work Gems of ancient wisdom Dress for the occasion Clothes are man’s second skin. What you wear to office should facilitate your actions and not hinder yours or your colleagues’ work. In August 1948, when the Pope permitted Sister Agnes to work in the slums, she decided to wear a sari similar to one worn by municipal cleaners in Calcutta. Her white sari with blue border, her good knowledge of Bengali and her hard work got her worldwide renown as Mother Teresa. Knowing well that national integration was the need of the hour, patriot Subramania Bharati — against the Brahmanical dress code — began sporting a moustache and a turban. For kick starting the Revolt of 1857, the 34th Native Infantry, in which Mangal Pandey was a sepoy, was disbanded. The ‘mutineers’ were stripped of their uniforms, but allowed to keep their Kilmarnock caps that they had themselves paid for. But these freedom fighters threw the caps on the ground and trampled these contemptuously. “We are free,” the soldiers declared. In order to not only avoid arrest but also spread Gandhiji’s message to the people, Lal Bahadur Shastri dressed up as a farmer and toured villages during the Quit India Movement in 1942. In 1931, when the Congress renewed the Civil Disobedience Movement, Jawaharlal Nehru handed some important papers to Jayaprakash Narayan that were to be taken to Bombay. JP reached Bombay disguised as a Parsi and gave these to Sarojini Naidu, acting president of the Congress. Soon after Ramakrishna Paramhans’ death, Swami Vivekananda shaved his head and donned saffron clothes. When asked, he replied, “Saffron is symbolic of renunciation.” When Mihirakula, Huna King of Gandhara, set his sights on Malwa in fifth century AD, King Yashodharma of Malwa forged an alliance with his neighbouring kingdoms to ward him off. As soon as Mihirakula — on the battlefield — realised that defeat was certain, he exchanged his headgear with a soldier and escaped. During the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 between Rana Pratap’s army and Akbar’s forces led by Raja Man Singh and Asaf Khan II, Rana Pratap was injured. To fool the enemy, Pratap’s friend Mana put on Pratap’s helmet and continued the battle. This gave the other soldiers time to rescue Pratap and take him to a cave in the jungle. When Sultana Razia, the only reigning Queen on the throne of Delhi, ascended the throne in 13th century AD, she started appearing in public without a veil. On this, her Nizam-ul-Mulk (Prime Minister) objected, “Even in your father’s reign, you always covered your noble face. Why this change now?” Razia replied, “I wasn’t their ruler then, but now I am.” In office, dress as office goers do. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com