Avoid Writing Long and Complicated Sentences

Author : Dr Albert P’ Rayan

A friend of mine, an established writer, asked me to have a look at a letter he had published in a newspaper and give my comments on it. Almost every day he shoots a letter to a newspaper/magazine and has published over 10,000 letters in the past four decades. His articles have also been published by leading newspapers.

This was my comment on the 254-word letter: “Good letter. Congrats! You have commented on a burning issue. You have conveyed your views on the issue in a very powerful manner. It shows your clarity of thought. The tone of the letter is good. Your ideas and diction are superb.  Here is an important observation. Quite unusually, the sentences in this particular letter are very long.  The 254-word letter has only four sentences and they are long-winded with 56, 65, 47 and 86 words in the first, second, third and fourth sentence respectively. As the letter affects readability, it is good to write simple sentences.” As soon as he read my feedback, he appreciated my advice.

Language is for communication. Plain English is the key to clear communication. Pompous words, long sentences and lengthy paragraphs are hurdles for clear communication. A good writer has clarity of thought and clarity of expression. Gone are the days of long-winded sentences. Look at this extract from the BBC website:

So says Govan, a thin, bearded French jazz musician from Lyon whom I meet in a German language class for people recently arrived in Berlin. “In one month,” he says, “I met lot of people from everywhere.” The faces around the table are young, the accents mainly European. They tell a story about how the demography of this country is changing fast. Germany is now the world’s second most popular destination — after the US — for immigrants. And they are arriving in the hundreds of thousands.

The 87-word text has six sentences varied in length. The first sentence has 25 words whereas the last sentence has just nine words. The average number of words in a sentence is 14.5. The passage is easy to read and understand. Here are some tips for writing in plain English:

1. Know that communication is the main purpose of writing. Communicate, don’t complicate.

2. Know your readers. Be reader-friendly. Ask yourself whether your writing can be understood by your readers.

3. Use simple English.

4. Use verbs instead of nouns and noun phrases wherever possible. Verbs are called action words. They make your writing come alive. Instead of the noun phrase “give consideration to” use the verb “consider” and instead of “make an application to” use the verb “apply”.

5. Avoid wordy phrases. Use ‘to’ instead of ‘in order to’, ‘thrice’ instead of ‘on three different occasions’.

6. Write short and clear sentences. The average sentence length is 15-18 words.

7. Use a variety of sentence structures. Variety breaks monotony.

 — rayanal@yahoo.co.uk

Manage Your Time Wisely; It Waits For None

The popular age old proverb says, “Time and tide wait for none”. Very often we find ourselves saying, “Wish I had few more hours”. This pining for extra hours displays our inefficiency to make the best use of the given time. The fact that cannot be denied is that the number of seconds, minutes and hours we have in a day is fixed. We can choose to spend time on our thoughts, conversations or actions. Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase our effectiveness, efficiency and productivity. By following a set of guidelines, our modest endeavour to make the best use of time may be fulfilled.

• Carry a schedule to record your thoughts, conversations and actions for a week. This will help you understand the course of your time and to keep a track of the time that is productively used and the time that gets wasted.

• Begin your day only after having set your day’s work schedule. Plan the day’s work either on the previous night or early next morning. The list of work for the day should be categorised as (a) important but not urgent (b) urgent and important (c) not important and not urgent (d) urgent but not important.

• You need to decide when to accomplish the important but not urgent work; urgent and important is to be done immediately; not important and urgent can be done later, and urgent but not important can be delegated to somebody else. This will lessen the burden of doing multiple tasks in a stipulated time frame.

• You should assign time to complete urgent and important work, and the time frame must be strictly adhered to, with discipline, or else the delay will lead to unsatisfactory output. Every work should have its own time limit, thus preventing one task from eating into time set apart for another task.

• While on an important assignment, refrain from getting disturbed by phone calls, messages and chats. Block all sources of distractions, especially mobiles and social networking sites.

• Set a reminder for every task’s deadline well ahead of time. Trying to meet deadlines at the eleventh hour only causes stress and strain.

• Avoid procrastination, as it is a thief of time. Embrace punctuality, which is the soul of business.

• Similar tasks can be grouped to save time. Multitasking saves time.

• Evaluate your progress at the end of the week. In case of failure to accomplish a task, analyse the reasons and attempt to change strategy. Avoid being a prisoner of your habits; change in approach is a welcome step.

• Avoid being a slave of perfection and commitment. Maintaining deadlines is a good habit, but not at the cost of stressing yourself out. Accept reasonable tasks that can be completed within time.

New technical education schemes launched for women, specially-abled children

NEW DELHI : The government Tuesday launched two schemes in the area of technical education -- one for differently-abled children and another for women -- on the occasion of National Education Day. 

The schemes, Pragati and Saksham, to be implemented by the All India Council for Technical Education, were launched here in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee and Human Resource Development Minster Smriti Irani, among others. 

Pragati, which is aimed at providing assistance for advancement of girl participation in technical education, envisages selection of one girl per family, where the family income is less than Rs.6 lakh per annum, on merit in the qualifying examination to pursue technical education. 

The scheme attempts to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future. 

Saksham is aimed at providing encouragement and support to specially-abled children to pursue technical education. 

Under the scheme, 1,000 scholarships every year will be awarded to differently-abled students whose family income is less than Rs.6 lakh per annum. The candidates will be selected on basis of qualifying examination to pursue technical education in AICTE approved institutions from amongst such candidates. 

According to the ministry, the scholarship money will ensure "students with disabilities achieve their college goals, despite learning issues, environmental challenges, or medical bills".

Sources : The Times of India | Nov 13, 2014 |

India, UK set up 50m pound fund for research

NEW DELHI: India and the UK on Wednesday announced setting up of a 50 million pound Newton-Bhabha Fund which will be used for multi-disciplinary cooperation in the fields of science, research and innovation between the two countries. 

Minister for science and technology Harsh Vardhan said the programme was aimed at providing financial assistance to the best minds from both countries in carrying out scientific research and innovation. 

"Scientists, academicians, research scholars and administrators from both countries have come forward to undertake joint-research activities for developing a scientific temperamong the people. Newton-Bhabha Fund is a tribute to the famous icons Homi J Bhabha and Sir Issac Newton from both the lands. The programme aims to provide 50 million pounds to the best minds of both countries in addressing the global challenges through the application of science and technology," Vardhan said. 

Delegates from both the countries deliberated on various issues at a meeting of the 4th UK-India Science and Innovation Council and decided to go for joint new research projects in mental health and substance abuseamong others. 

"I hope this exciting new programme will deliver as much to global science as Newton and Bhabha. By working together to address big societal challenges, like sustainable cities, health, food, energy and water, the UK and India can deliver tangible benefits for our countries and the world," said Greg Clark, British minister for Universities, Science and Cities.

Sources : The Times of India | Nov 13, 2014 |

Preparing for That Job Interview

Landing a job interview with your dream company is your stage to showcase how you're the ideal person for this position and this company. Here are a few lesser known interview tips that make a world of difference to how the hiring manager feels about you.

The power of likeability

Job candidates often underestimate their own influence in the interview, when - particularly in the first interview - you're being judged on your 'likeability' and cultural fit. When you're representing yourself professionally, you want to be at your social best. To do this, use your individuality to target your answers rather than trying to fit a structural mould of what you think you are supposed to say. You want to be showcasing your personality and indicating your ambition and commitment and more through your answers throughout the interview.

Offering more

As well as liking you, the hiring manager wants to know that you will like all that the job entails. The best interviewees realise that the job responsibilities are often much more than the title or description indicates, and requires flexibility to adapt to the needs of the organisation. The role you're applying for will possess it's own power for the company. Its requirements will evolve and flex with the company and projects it undertakes. Think of yourself in that role and all the ways your position might need to venture out.

Salary talk

You should have a ballpark figure of the salary based on the advertisement and market rates offered for your position - you wouldn't be applying for a role without an estimate of your yearly returns. So it is best not to enquire about these until you are close to or at the offer stage, because while everyone knows it is important, the hiring manager does not want to see you as valuing the salary above the job and company itself.

Q&A

No interviewer wants to hear a candidates say "I have no questions". We want you to be interested in us and suck up every bit of information you need to decide whether the job is right for you and you have what it takes. Your questions show that you may indeed, have what it takes just by considering things important to the organisation. For obvious reasons, don't ask questions that make you look suspicious like "do you clock lunch breaks?"

Source | Business Standard | 3 November 2014

கணக்கை எளிதாகச் செய்ய ஓர் இணையதளம்!

FREE Online Mathematics tools (convertor or calculater) are intended to make the calculation and conversion of math or logical or arithmetic problems and give simple solutions. These mathematics tools will also help you in learning and creating math problems. These are free tools, tutorials and are copyright materials. If you find any error or issue in calculating maths or converting things, please get in touch with us @ support@easycalculation.com

கணக்கு என்றாலே பள்ளியில் படிக்கும் மாணவர்களுக்கு மட்டுமில்லை, பலருக்கும் கசப்புதான் ஏற்படும். அப்படிப்பட்டவர்கள் கணக்குகளை எளிமையாகக் செய்து பார்த்திட உதவ ஓர் இணையதளம் இருக்கிறது.

இந்த இணையதளத்தில் பரப்பளவு (Area), புள்ளியியல் (Statistics), முக்கோணவியல் (Trigonometry), பகுப்பாய்வு வடிவியல் (Analytical Geometry), எண்கள் (Numbers), அணிகள் (Matrix), இயற்கணிதம் (Algebra), மாற்றிகள் (Conversions), நிற மாற்றிகள் (Colour Converters), நாள் மற்றும் கிழமை (Date and Day), அடமானம் (Mortgage), அலகு மாற்றங்கள் (Unit Conversions), மாற்றக் காரணிகள் (Conversion Factors), உடல்நலம் (Health), இயற்பியல் (Physics), வேதியியல் (Chemistry), வானிலை (Weather), மருத்துவம் (Medical), இயந்திரவியல் (Mechanical), மேலான கணக்கீட்டு கருவிகள் (Top Calculators) எனும் முதன்மைத் தலைப்புகள் உள்ளன.

வடிவக் கணக்குகள்

பரப்பளவு எனும் தலைப்பில் சொடுக்கினால் சதுரம், செவ்வகம், வட்டம், முக்கோணம், நாற்கரம் எனப் பல வடிவங்களுக்கான எளிமையான கணக்கீட்டு கருவிகள் கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. நமக்குத் தேவையான வடிவத்தினைத் தேர்வு செய்தால் அந்த வடிவத்திற்கான சில கணக்கீட்டு முறைகள் அதற்கான வழிமுறைகள் (Formula) உடன் கிடைக்கிறது.

புள்ளியியல் எனும் தலைப்பில் சொடுக்கினால் புள்ளியியல் தொடர்பான பல்வேறு கணக்கீட்டுக் கருவிகள் கிடைக்கின்றன. இந்தக் கருவிகளில் நமக்குத் தேவையான கணக்கீட்டுக் கருவியைத் தேர்வு செய்து சொடுக்கினால் கிடைக்கும் கணக்கீட்டுக் கருவியின் கீழுள்ள காலிப்பெட்டியில் நம்மிடமுள்ள அளவீடுகளை உள்ளீடு செய்து நமக்குத் தேவையான விடையை உடனடியாகப் பெற முடியும்.

எண் கணிதம்

எண்கள் எனும் தலைப்பில் சொடுக்கினால் எண்கள் தொடர்பான கணக்குகளுக்கான பல கணக்கீட்டு கருவிகள் கிடைக்கின்றன. வர்க்கமூலம் (Square Root), சதவிகிதம் (Percentage), தசமப் பின்னம் (Decimal Fraction), மறுநிகழ்வுப் பின்னம் (Recurring Fraction), மடக்கைக் கணக்கீட்டு கருவி (Logarithmic Calculator), கூட்டு வட்டி (Compound Interest), ரோமானிய எண்கள் (Roman Numbers), தங்க விகிதக் கணக்கீட்டு கருவி (Golden Ratio Calculator) என்பது போன்று பல தலைப்புகளில் கணக்கீட்டு கருவிகள் அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இந்தக் கணக்கீட்டு கருவிகளில் தேவையானதைத் தேர்வு செய்து அதற்குள் இருக்கும் காலிப்பெட்டிகளில் நம்மிடமுள்ள அளவுகளை உள்ளீடு செய்து அதற்கான விடையைப் பெறலாம்.

வேடிக்கைக் கணக்குகள்

நிற மாற்றிகள் எனும் தலைப்பில் சொடுக்கினால் வேடிக்கைக் கணக்குகள் எனும் தலைப்பில் விலங்குகளின் வேகம் (Animal Speed), பீர் இழப்பு (Beer Loss) எனும் இரு கணக்கீட்டு கருவிகள் கிடைக்கின்றன. இதில் விலங்குகளின் வேகம் எனும் கணக்கீட்டு கருவியில் சொடுக்கினால் தூரம் எனும் தலைப்பில் ஒரு காலிப்பெட்டி கிடைக்கிறது. இதனருகில் மைல், கிலோமீட்டர், மீட்டர் எனும் அளவுகள் கொடுக்கப் பட்டுள்ளன.

காலிப்பெட்டியில் தூரத்தினை உள்ளீடு செய்து அதற்குரிய அளவையும் தேர்வு செய்து கீழுள்ள முடிவு எனும் பொத்தானை அழுத்தினால் சிங்கம், சிறுத்தைப் புலி, டயனோசர், யானை, வரிக்குதிரை, முயல், கங்காரு, பூனை, நரி, அணில், பன்றி, ஆமை, நத்தை, எறும்பு ஆகியவைகளின் பெயர்கள் கொண்ட பட்டியல் இடம் பெற்றுள்ளது. இதன் வலப்புறம் பட்டியலில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ள விலங்குகள் உள்ளீடு செய்த தூரத்தைக் கடக்க எடுத்துக் கொள்ளும் காலம் மணி: நிமிடம்: வினாடி: மி.வினாடி எனும் அளவுகளில் தரப்பட்டுள்ளன. அதற்கடுத்து ஒவ்வொரு விலங்கும் சராசரியாக ஒரு மணி நேரத்தில் கடக்க எடுத்துக் கொண்ட தொலைவும், அதற்கடுத்து விலங்குகள் ஓட்டத்தில் பெற்ற இடத்தின் மதிப்பும் தரப்பட்டுள்ளன. பீர் இழப்பு எனும் தலைப்பில் சொடுக்கி அதில் கேட்கப்பட்டுள்ள அளவீடுகளை உள்ளீடு செய்து முடிவுக்கான பொத்தானை அழுத்தினால் விலை வடிவிலான இழப்புகள், வாரம், மாதம் கால அளவுகளிலான இழப்புகள் மற்றும் மொத்த இழப்புகள் போன்றவை கிடைக்கின்றன.

இதுபோல முக்கோணவியல், பகுப்பாய்வு வடிவியல், அணிகள், இயற்கணிதம், மாற்றிகள் எனும் தலைப்புகளிலும் கணக்கீட்டுக் கருவிகள் கிடைக்கின்றன. தேவையான கணக்கீட்டுக் கருவியைத் தேர்வு செய்து அங்குள்ள காலிப்பெட்டிகளில் நம்மிடம் உள்ள அளவுகளை உள்ளீடு செய்து நமக்குத் தேவையான விடையைப் பெற முடியும்.

மொத்தத்தில் இந்த இணைய தளம் பல்வேறு கணக்கீட்டுக் கருவிகளைக் கொண்டு அனைவருக்கும் பயன் தருவதாக உள்ளது. இந்த இணையதளத்திற்குச் செல்ல http://easycalculation.com/ எனும் இணைய முகவரியினைப் பயன்படுத்தலாம்.

விரைவாக பாஸ்போர்ட் வழங்க வெளியூர்களில் சிறப்பு முகாம்: மண்டல அலுவலகம் நடவடிக்கை

பொதுமக்களுக்கு விரைவாக பாஸ்போர்ட் கிடைக்க வசதியாக, சென்னை மண்டல பாஸ்போர்ட் அலுவலகம் சார்பில் சென்னைக்கு வெளியிலும் சிறப்பு முகாம்கள் நடத்தப்பட உள்ளன. இதன்படி, நவம்பர் மாதம் பாண்டிச்சேரி மற்றும் கடலூ ரில் சிறப்பு முகாம்கள் நடைபெற உள்ளன.

சென்னை, சென்னை புறநகர், திருவள்ளூர், காஞ்சிபுரம், விழுப்புரம், கடலூர், காரைக்கால், கிருஷ்ணகிரி, திருவண்ணா மலை, தருமபுரி, வேலூர் ஆகிய மாவட்டங்கள் மற்றும் புதுச்சேரி யூனியன் பிரதேசம் ஆகியவை, சென்னை மண்டல பாஸ்போர்ட் அலுவலகத்தின் கட்டுப்பாட் டுக்குள் வருகின்றன.

தினமும் நூற்றுக்கணக் கானவர்கள் பாஸ்போர்ட்டுக்கு விண்ணப்பிக்க வருவதால் கூட்ட நெரிசல் ஏற்பட்டு வந்தது. இதைத் தடுக்கும் விதமாக, சென்னையில் உள்ள வடபழனி, தாம்பரம் மற்றும் அமைந்தகரையில் பாஸ்போர்ட் சேவை மையங்கள் (பாஸ்போர்ட் சேவா கேந்திரா) அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. அத்துடன் சென்னையில் பல இடங்களில் சிறப்பு முகாம்களும் நடத்தப்பட்டு வருகிறது. இந்நிலையில் முதன்முறையாக சென்னையைத் தவிர்த்து, இதர இடங்களிலும் சிறப்பு முகாம்களை நடத்த முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதுகுறித்து, மண்டல பாஸ்போர்ட் அதிகாரி சி.செந்தில் பாண்டியன் ‘தி இந்து’விடம் கூறியதாவது: பொதுமக்களுக்கு விரைவாக பாஸ்போர்ட் கிடைப் பதற்காக இந்த ஆண்டு துவக்கத் தில் இருந்து இதுவரை 4 சிறப்பு முகாம்கள் நடத்தப்பட்டுள்ளன. அடுத்த முகாம் நவம்பர் - 1ம் தேதி சென்னையில் நடைபெறுகிறது.

இந்நிலையில், முதன் முறையாக சென்னையை தவிர்த்து, வெளியிடங்களிலும் சிறப்பு முகாம்கள் நடத்த முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதன்படி, பாண்டிச்சேரியில் நவ.8 மற்றும் 9 ஆகிய தேதிகளிலும், கடலூரில் நவ.15 மற்றும் 16ம் தேதிகளிலும் சிறப்பு முகாம்கள் நடத்தப்பட உள்ளன. இந்த முகாம்களில், அப்பகுதியைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள் மட்டுமே விண்ணப்பிக்க முடியும். இந்த சிறப்பு முகாமில் ‘தட்கல்’ திட்டத்தின் கீழ் விண்ணப்பிக்க முடியாது. அடுத்த கட்டமாக, பிற மாவட்டங்களிலும் இத்தகைய சிறப்பு முகாம்கள் நடத்த தீர்மானிக் கப்பட்டுள்ளது என்றார்.

Model Youth Parliament Offers Internship In It

The Model Youth Parliament, an NGO based in Delhi, is offering an internship for undergraduate students. Computer Science or IT students can apply for this web development and managementinternship. You will need to work on the company’s website, create new website pages, landing pages and add downloadable documents and videos, work with data management team and use administration tools for the site. Students are required to have a thorough knowledge of HTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript and be tech savy, creative and have a overall knowledge of digital user interface. The last date to apply is October 30. 

Visit www.modelyouthparliament.com for details.

Telocrats Offers Industrial Training for ECE Candidates

Telocrats Technologies, Mohali, a telecommunication-based company which offers networksolutions is offering a six-months/six-weeks industrial training for ECE students. Those who are selected will be able to explore 3G/4G networks and interact with industry experts. A certificate will be provided by Telocrats once you complete the course. Lab work and on-job training will also be undertaken. Undergraduate and postgraduate students will be able to apply. Last date to apply is January 1, 2015. 

Visit www.telcocrats.com/industrial-training-for-ECE for details.

Be a Content Writer for Social Media Company Big Tin Pot

Those who are interested in writing and browse the web for hours together can apply for this internship which is available at Big Tin Pot. This is a startup and it collects information from across the web, grouping them together for active reading. Candidates familiar with SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)/SEM (Search engine marketing), Creative Writers and Wordpress Administrators can apply for this internship. Undergraduate students are preferred. The last date to apply is October 30. Visit www.thebigtinpot.com or email contactus@thebigtinpot.com for details.

Confident During an Employment Interview

What happens during a placement interview? Read on...

I attended a campus interview for a large IT company recently where I had to undergo three rounds of interview — aptitude, technical and HR. In the first round, candidates were tested on problem-solving and e-mail writing. I cleared this and was selected for the technical round, which was two days after the first. In the second round, the candidates were tested on technical skills.

The questions were cantered around the candidates’ respective streams of engineering. As I was a computer science student, the questions I had to answer were about C-language, Database Management Systems, Java and my mini-project. Eventually, I was selected for the HR round.

The long wait

It was a long wait before my turn came, the next day. The first thing they asked me was to tell them something that was not in my resume. “I am creative, curious and cautious,”

I replied. I also explained how I was all those things. When they asked me about the attrition rate of their company and I explained that it was at 10 per cent, they asked again if I was sure.

I was not actually sure but I said that I was. I assumed they were testing my confidence, and so, I gave a confident response.

In detail

I was asked about my project too, extensively. I explained everything — the tools we used, the front-end, the back-end and the purpose of the project.

After this, they asked how long I would work with the company and I immediately said, “five years.” Then, to manage the situation better, I said that I had not yet decided and that I may continue to work there for more than five years too. They seemed intrigued and kept questioning me about the timeframe. I then had to say that I might pursue a post-graduation degree.

The questions went on. I was asked if a post graduation was necessary and I stressed that it was. The last question was about what I wanted to do in life. I replied that I would like to become a researcher.

The HR person smiled and said, “You may leave now.” I didn’t understand what he meant, and I said, “Thank you for your time.” I gave a firm handshake and left the room.

I felt that I had made a few mistakes by revealing that I would pursue higher education and also while talking about attrition rates despite not being sure of my facts. However, I expected that I would be selected.

After two days, the results were declared. I was anxious initially, but saw that I was selected.

What I learnt from this experience was the importance of being confident during an employment interview, so as to come out with flying colours.

Thanks to : The Hindu | October 26, 2014

Competition is Key

From time to time the aims and objectives of human activity change. Once upon a time our youths were looking after the family profession. Sons of agriculturists used to be agriculturists and sons of fishermen continued as fishermen only. Now things are different. As per the needs of time and situation the entire aims and objectives before us have changed. Globalisation, computerisation and commercialisation and other many factors have had their effect.

Under the circumstances the field of education has changed enormously. Computerisation has changed the system of education and employment and globalisation has led to enormous competition in the field. Competition and exposure make a lot of difference to human activity and play a crucial role in one’s personality development.

CMA’s IAS Academy, Belgaum, is creating awareness among students and parents about handling competitive examinations effectively. As per a study, the percentage of youth from North Karnataka in the field of IAS is very less. This is because of lack of awareness and knowledge. If the students cultivate the spirit of competitiveness and set a high goal for their career, they can very well compete for civil service employment after graduation.

At the degree level itself students should concentrate on competitive examinations for posts in the IAS, IPS, IFS and IRS. This concentration, awareness, preparation and study towards competitive examinations will definitely help in their routine studies. Students can build up self-confidence, mental ability and competitive spirit in their day-to-day routine activities.

Weekend course

To spread this concept CMA’s IAS Academy, Belgaum, has started a basic course which will be held only during weekends. All undergraduate students can join the course and prepare effectively for Preliminary and Main examinations.

The competitive examinations are divided into General Studies, CSAT and Optional subjects. General Studies will cover subjects like History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology and Science and Technology as per NCERT/ICSE syllabus.

The CSAT paper consist of comprehension, basic numeracy, mental ability, logical reasoning and analytical ability.

Along with these subjects special guidance will be given in notes making techniques, memory techniques, presentation skills, communication skills, analysis of current events, mind mapping techniques, group learning techniques, and examination techniques.

The Academy has a group of counsellors who are specially trained for this purpose in Delhi and Hyderabad. Students will be given advanced training for all subjects if they prefer. Along with their routine studies all undergraduate students can join this special training course. For more details students can visit CMA’s office or contact 0831-2420147, 6054000.

(The writer is Registrar, CMA’s IAS Academy)

Thanks to : The Hindu | October 26, 2014

UK offers more scholarships to attract Indian Students

London, October 10:   

Britain is offering 396 new scholarships across 57 British universities for graduate and undergraduate students from India as part of efforts to counter rapid declines in student numbers. 

Speaking ahead of a week-long visit to India, British Business Secretary Dr Vincent Cable said they were increasing the number of scholarships for Indian students under the county’s GREAT Scholarship programme for 2015 as they sought to counter the growing perception that foreign students weren’t welcome in the country. 

Cable, a Liberal Democrat member of the ruling coalition government, stressed that his party had repeatedly pushed for changes to recent changes to Britain’s immigration regime. While there is no cap on the number of non-EU students allowed to study in the country, tough new rules, including restrictions on the post-study work visa, have discouraged Indian students from applying to the UK. The number of Indian first year students in 2012-13 fell by 25 per cent to 22,385 from the year before according to Government figures published in January. It is a 42 per cent drop on 2010-11 figures. 

Cable said that the fundamental problem remained the ruling Conservative party’s target of reducing net immigration: because overseas students fall within immigration numbers, a fall in the number of foreign students helped them towards this target. “The Conservative side sees the reduction in students as a good thing because it helps them meet their immigration target. What we are saying and the universities are saying is that this is silly – this is a British export and these people make a massive contribution to the UK, they are good for the British economy and good for British exports so why are we treating them like this.” 

The GREAT scholarship scheme has been in place since last year, and had initially offered 370 scholarships for Indian students hoping to study in the UK in fields such as engineering and IT. 

In addition, another scheme, enabling Indian alumni of UK institutions to re-visit their university, is also being launched. 

Cable’s visit follows a string of UK ministerial visits to India since the general election. Cable, who kicked off his visit in New Delhi on Friday, is set to visit Chennai, Pune and Goa. In Chennai, he is set to visit Ashok Leyland – a major investor in the UK through its premium bus maker Optare. A number of UK-India investments totalling will also be unveiled during his visit, including Amtek Auto’s £23-million investment in a new foundry in the UK, creating 500 jobs. The company is a supplier to Jaguar Land Rover and Ford. 

Cable said he would also use the trip to establish opportunities for collaboration between the two countries on the Bangalore-Mumbai Economic Corridor, in which Britain has repeatedly stressed its interest but for which British funding is yet to materialise. “We are keen to encourage it and make a contribution to it but the issue we have is that where British companies are strong are in specialist areas…we do specialist services and we would like to be involved in those big projects but not just doing it on a turn key basis.” 

Source | Business Line | 11 October 2014

How to make your resume more complete

Many young careerists - even those with a couple internships under their belt - feel as though their resume and LinkedIn profiles are, for lack of a better word… lacking. Here are some examples to make your resume more complete and ... less lacking.

Social media savviness

No. You aren't a guru, ninja or an expert. But you do know your way around Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest. Throw in your knowledge of Hootsuite, Tweetdeck, Twitter Chats, LinkedIn Groups, Facebook ads and you just might impress the social media novice whose organisation needs social help.

Self-learning

In today's job market, there isn't a single employer who doesn't respect someone who took it upon themselves to learn a skill, or master a software programme relevant to their organisation.

Demonstration of expertise using project management, photoshop, salesforce, infusionsoft, Google analytics - and maybe even a little coding - can take your resume from "meh" to "marvelous".

Freelance projects

Remember that project you did for the business near your campus? Or the couple of weeks you spent at that non-profit solving its biggest problem? Those mini-projects were real experience. List every relevant project you've ever taken on.

Theses, studies and white papers

Did you head up a research project? Write an industry relevant thesis? Did you lead an on-campus study? Each of these projects shows attention to detail, problem solving and analytical thinking - three skills in high demand by nearly every employer.

Content creation

Have you begun blogging? Guest blogging? Have you begun to show your subject matter expertise in a podcast, or a video blog? May be a YouTube channel? Employers will respect that you are willing to let your thoughts be known, and aren't afraid to stick your neck out.

Industry relevant competitions

Speaking of not being afraid to stick your neck out: relevant competitions - online, through your community, industry associations, the local chamber of commerce, and your fraternity or sorority - are a great way to punch up your resume.

Anything leadership

On-campus clubs, volunteer assignments, part-time retail jobs, heading up a fund-raiser or a committee, campus ambassadorships… anything that shows you were leading from front must go on your resume.

Reverse mentorship

All that social media and blogging experience you've obtained… ever put it to good use? Ever walk a CEO through a Twitter chat? Or set up a WordPress blog for a solopreneur? Each of these instances of reverse mentorship shows you are willing to give back and teach across generational boundaries- a marketable skill in today's workforce.

Remove bonus from your resume

Unless you are going into a field where these things still matter (medical, engineering), you are going to get rid of everything that makes you look like a current or recent student. Everything! GPA, relevant coursework, expected graduation dates - all of it. Why? Because no one hires students. They hire capable, work-ready young professionals.

Source | Business Standard | 13 October 2014

Free Access of World Scientific Journals

As a part of their anniversary celebrations, World Scientific is providing free full text access to its journals & Books published from 2001 onwards during this month (till October 31, 2014).  Those who are interested please do make use of the facility.

http://www.worldscientific.com/page/worldscinet

அரசுப் பணிக்கு விண்ணப்பிக்க சான்றொப்பம் தேவையில்லை: தமிழக அரசு உத்தரவு

அரசுப் பணிக்கு விண்ணப்பிக்க இனி சான்றொப்பம் (அட்டெஸ் டேஷன்) தேவையில்லை என தமிழக அரசு உத்தரவிட் டுள்ளது.

அரசுப் பணிக்கான விண்ணப்பங்களில் அரசு பதிவுபெற்ற கெசட்டட் அதிகாரி அல்லது நோட்டரி பப்ளிக் ஆகியோரிடம் சான்றொப்பம் பெற வேண்டும் என்ற நடைமுறை இருந்தது. இது மாணவர்கள் முதல் வேலை தேடும் இளைஞர்கள் வரை அனைத்து தரப்பினருக்கும் கடும் சிரமமாக இருந்தது.

கடைசி தேதிக்குள் விண்ணப்பதாரர்கள் விண்ணப் பிக்க முடிவதில்லை. அத்துடன், அரசு அலுவலகங்களில் தேவையின்றி விண்ணப்பங்கள் குவிவதை தடுக்கவும், எளிய நடைமுறைகளை பின்பற்றும் நோக்கிலும், இனிமேல் விண்ணப்பிக்கும் நபரே தனது விண்ணப்பத்தில் சான்றொப்ப கையெழுத்தை போட்டுக்கொள்ள தமிழக அரசு அனுமதி அளித்துள்ளது. நேர்முகத் தேர்வுக்கு வரும்போது மட்டும் அசல் சான்றிதழை சமர்ப்பித்தால் போதும்.

இதற்கான உத்தரவை பணியாளர் மற்றும் நிர்வாக சீர்திருத்த துறை முதன்மைச் செயலாளர் டேவிதார் கடந்த மாதம் 23-ம் தேதி பிறப்பித்த அரசாணையில் தெரிவித் துள்ளார்.

Thanks to : The Hindu Tamil

You stop growing when you stop learning: CTS Vice Chairman

In today’s competitive atmosphere students should come out with new thoughts and ideas; this can be generated only through constant learning. The student community should think big and have the confidence to accomplish their goals, speakers at “Techno Dhin” said on Friday.

 Speaking at the programme organised by the Oxford Engineering College here, Lakshmi Narayanan, Vice Chairman, Cognizant Technology Solutions, laid emphasis on constant learning. “If you stop learning you stop growing and become obsolete”, he said addressing the engineering students of the institution. New thoughts and ideas would generate only through constant learning, he said adding that people who excelled had learnt every day. He exhorted the students to give their best and excel in their career path.

Ms.Hema Gopal, Vice President, Tata Consultancy Services, Chennai, said discipline was the key to success. Irrespective of the medium of instruction, students should think big and constantly upgrade themselves to excel in their career, she said. She called upon the students to be strong in their fundamentals, learn beyond their academics, and improve their analytical abilities. Chairman and managing trustee of the college M.Subramaniam, spoke.

Scholarship Alert

Charles Wallace India Trust

Charles Wallace India Trust Long Term Scholarship offers awards for studying or gaining wider experience and exposure in Arts and Heritage Conservation.

Eligibility: Between 25 and 38 years, with an undergraduate degree, diploma or professional course.

Application: To be submitted at any British Council centre.

Prizes and rewards: 10 awards, covering accommodation and living costs for two months to one year.

Deadline: November 15

Website: www.b4s.in/plu.s/CWI640

Teach For India Fellowship 2015

This is a two year full-time paid fellowship to work as full-time teachers in under-resourced schools in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.

Eligibility: Graduates and professionals.

Application: Online.

Prizes and rewards: Stipend of Rs.17,500 per month, housing allowance.

Deadline: October 29.

Website: www.b4s.in/plus/TFI628

Scholarships for the differently abled

AICTE Scholarships for DA Students 2014 is an endeavour by AICTE to provide financial assistance to the differently-abled to promote technical education such as engineering, architecture, pharmacy, applied arts and so on, at degree and diploma levels.

Eligibility: Applicants must be studying undergraduate or diploma courses. Annual family income must not exceed Rs.6 lakhs.

Application: By post and email.

Prizes and rewards: 1,000 scholarships of Rs.30,000 or tuition fee at actual and Rs.20,000 each year.

Deadline: October 30.

Website: www.b4s.in/plus/ASF698

AICTE Scholarship Scheme for the Girl Child (SSGC)

The AICTE Scholarship Scheme for the Girl Child under Pragati is an endeavour to promote technical education among women.

Eligibility: One girl per family who has taken admission in a regular, full-time degree or diploma. The annual family income must be below Rs.6 lakhs.

Application: By post or email.

Deadline: October 30.

Website: www.b4s.in/plus/AST824.

Courtesy: www.buddy4study.com

The French connect

The Embassy of France in India and Campus France India (the French national agency for higher studies in France) has announced the 2014 Autumn Admission Tour in India.

This event will allow Indian students to meet with more than 20 top French B-Schools and Engineering schools in 3 metro-cities across India: Chennai (October 14), Bangalore (October 16) and Ahmedabad (October 18).

Students are invited to register at http://salons.campusfrance.org/india-oct14/v/ and book their 20-minute individual interviews with the institutes. Registration is free.

Students will have the opportunity to meet and interact with recruitment officers from top French institutions and listen to Indian alumni speak about their study experience and visa officers from the French Consulate, about visa application guidelines.

Students will also learn about the different scholarships and support schemes (such as housing assistance) they may be eligible for.