Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Career Hotline
 Better to apply for the US Fall session
Pervin Malhotra

Pervin Malhotra
Pervin Malhotra

Q I am a final year student of B.Tech (Electrical). I am planning to apply to universities in the US for the spring semester admission next year. But my friends here say that it is very difficult to get scholarship for spring semester. Is it true? Should I apply for Fall 2007 instead?

— ParmeetJeet Singh

 

A As an international student it is better to apply for the Fall Semester admission, mainly for three reasons:

Firstly, financial aid is relatively more easily available in the Fall semester than in the spring semester.

Secondly, though not perhaps as important, is the fact that February is one of the coldest month in many parts of th US. It is therefore not a particularly good time to have your first stint with snow — especially if you are not a native of the Himalayas. And finally, more students are admitted in the Fall semester than in the Spring semester, so naturally your chances of getting in are greater. Timing your moves correctly while applying to a US varsity is a most crucial factor.

So when should you start the application process?

At least 18 months in advance of your intended date of enrollment. For example, if you wish to enroll in the Fall session: August/September 2007, you should start the process around April 2006.

Browse the net for college rankings and other useful info. There are plenty of websites including www.usnews.com and www.fulbright-india.org

Heal with medicinal plants

Q I am in the final year of BSc (Agriculture). Now I want to do MSc (Medicinal Plants). Which universities offer this specialisation and what is the business potential of this field?

— Harwinder Singh

 

A India has 15 agroclimatic zones, 47000 different plant species and 15000 medicinal plants. The Indian systems of medicine have identified 1500 medicinal plants, of which 500 species are mostly used in the preparation of drugs. The effectiveness of these drugs mainly depends on the proper use and sustained availability of genuine raw materials. The domestic market of the Indian systems of medicine like ayurveda, unani etc, runs into thousands of crores and is expanding by the day. Moreover, there is a growing demand for natural products, including items of medicinal/pharmaceutical value, food supplements and cosmetics both for the domestic and international markets. India, with its diversified biodiversity has a tremendous potential and advantage in this emerging area.

According to the WHO, over 80 per cent of the world population relies on traditional medicine largely plant-based for their primary healthcare requirements. The value of medicinal plants trade in India is worth $ 5.5 billion and is growing rapidly. The international market of herbal products is estimated at $ 62 billion which is poised to grow to $ 5 trillion by 2050. Presently our share of the global of medicinal plants exports is a mere fraction.

You can pursue M.Sc. in Medicinal Plants at the following universities:

Gujarat Ayurved University, Administrative Bhavan, Irwin Hospital Rd, Jamnagar 361008 (Guj). Also offers Diploma in Medicinal Plants.

Gulbarga University, ‘Jnana Ganga’, Gulbarga 585106 (Karn).

University of Madras, Institute of Correspondence Education, Chepauk, Chennai offers a 6-month Certificate in Herbal Farming and 1-year PG Diplomas Medicinal & Aromatic Plants through distance learning, which you may find useful.

Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed University), Dindigul Distt Gandhiram 624302 (TN) offers a Certificate Course in Medicinal Plants.

You can also get in touch with some of the leading agricultural universities like Punjab Agricultural University, G.B Pant University, Pant Nagar, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi or Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry in Solan for technical guidance and details.

Central Institute of Medical & Aromatic Plants, P O CIMAP, Lucknow 226015. CIMAP develops agrotechnologies for economically significant medicinal and aromatic plants. It also conducts basic research in phytochemistry, plant physiology and biochemistry, pathology, genetics, entomology and pharmacognosy (plant biology, organic chemistry).

Aromatic & Medicinal Plants Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Odakkali (www.kau.edu) is a lead centre for lemon grass research at the national and international level. Set up to promote conservation of endangered species of medicinal and aromatic plants, AMPRS has standardised the farm management practices and post-harvest technology of such plants.

National Medicinal Plants Board, M/o Health & Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH, GoI has prioritised 32 medicinal plants on the basis of their demand. The Board also invites project proposals on Contractual Farming. Log onto their website: http://nmpb.nic.in for a wealth of information.

 

Making music a career

Q I am keen on a career in Music. Can you please tell me about the institutions imparting training in music and also the job prospects in this field?

— Sanjugta Bansal

A You have not mentioned your area of specialisation — is it vocal or instrumental? Indian or Western?

In keeping with the overall entertainment boom, the Indian music industry is expected to thrive alongside. Driven by organised music retailing, promotion of music albums on TV, and the Internet emerging as a powerful distribution channel, the music segment is expected to cross Rs 1, 900 crore this year according to an FICCI-Arthur Andersen.

So, if you want to be the next Indian Idol or the next Lata or Abida Parveen, Kavita K or Jaspinder N, nothing can stop you. Provided you have the three Ts: Talent, Training and Tenacity.

However, in every sphere of music — be it vocal or instrumental, classical or light (non-classical/semi-classical or pop), stage or playback — the competition is very keen, as there are several professionally qualified and talented musicians. You just have to tune into any random episode of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ or ‘Antakshari’ to experience the dazzling abundance of musical talent in our country.

To launch forth as a professional vocalist or instrumentalist, you need proper training and regular ‘riyaz’ (practice or rehearsal). Traditionally, this begins very early in life under a qualified ‘guru’ so that you can fully assimilate both the theoretical as well as practical aspects of the music. Pop artistes, though are often self-taught. Also, for a pop-artiste, image is all important - you must have that certain star quality!

Although music is offered as part of the curriculum in most schools, several private music schools institutes also impart training in different styles of music. Many established performers also run their own schools of music or take on private students.

Qualified and talented musicians are offered full-time jobs in AIR, DD and in departments of culture. Appointments are made on the basis of educational qualifications and performance in audition and/or screen tests. Certain schools and colleges also offer full-time jobs for music teachers. Professionally trained musicians may also set up their own schools and offer training programmes for different age groups. There is great demand for good teachers.

Talented performers may not always pursue music as a full-time profession but combine a full-time job with freelance work as a TV/radio/stage artiste.

The other options for musicians include composing music for films, advertising jingles, serials and documentary films on TV, reporting or reviewing musical performances as correspondents or critics for newspapers and magazines or market music for large music companies. You can either give solo performances or start your own band and organise concerts at clubs, star-rated hotels and discotheques or perform at social or religious functions. You can even specialise in music therapy which is fast catching up in the West.

 

The writer is a noted career consultant

Please send in your query, preferably on a postcard, along with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29,
Chandigarh — 160030, or at careers@tribunemail.com