BinBrain.com Success

John Paul II

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:34:00 +0000

John Paul II ( Karol Józef Wojtyła) reigned as the 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City from 16 October 1978, until his death, almost 27 years later. His was the second-longest pontificate after Pius IX's 32-year reign. He has been the only Polish pope, and was the first non-Italian pope since the Dutch Adrian VI in the 1520s.

John Paul II was Pope during a period in which the Catholic Church's influence declined in developed countries but expanded in the Third World. During his reign, the pope traveled extensively, visiting over 100 countries, more than any of his predecessors. He remains one of the most-traveled world leaders in history. He was fluent in numerous languages: his native Polish and also Italian, French, German, English, Spanish, Croatian, Portuguese, Russian and Latin. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he canonized a great number of people.

He beatified 1,340 people , more people than any previous pope. The Vatican asserts he canonized more people than the combined tally of his predecessors during the last five centuries, and from a far greater variety of cultures. Whether he had canonized more saints than all previous popes put together, as is sometimes also claimed, is difficult to prove, as the records of many early canonizations are incomplete, missing, or inaccurate. However, it is known that his abolition of the office of Promotor Fidei ("Promoter of the Faith") streamlined the process.

Karol Józef Wojtyła was born on 18 May 1920 in the Polish town of Wadowice and was the youngest of three children of Karol Wojtyła and Emilia Kaczorowska. His mother died on April 13, 1929, when he was just nine years old, and his father supported him so that he could study. His brother, who worked as a doctor, died when Wojtyła was twelve. He lost everyone in his family - a sister, brother, mother, and father - before he became a priest. His youth was marked by extensive contacts with the then thriving Jewish community of Wadowice. He played sports during his youth, and was particularly interested in football (soccer) as a goalkeeper.

In 1942 he entered the underground seminary run by the Archbishop of Kraków, Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha. Karol Wojtyła was ordained a priest on 1 November 1946, by Cardinal Sapieha. Not long after, he was sent to study theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy, commonly known as the Angelicum, where he earned a licentiate and later a doctorate in sacred theology. This doctorate, the first of two, was based on the Latin dissertation Doctrina de fide apud S. Ioannem a Cruce (The Doctrine of Faith According to Saint John of the Cross). Even though his doctoral work was unanimously approved in June 1948, he was denied the degree because he could not afford to print the text of his dissertation (an Angelicum rule). In December of that year, a revised text of his dissertation was approved by the theological faculty of Jagiellonian University in Kraków, and Wojtyła was finally awarded the degree.

On 4 July 1958 Pope Pius XII named him titular bishop of Ombi and auxiliary to Archbishop Baziak, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Kraków. He was consecrated to the Episcopate by Arcbishop Baziak on September 28, 1958. At 38 Karol Wojtyła was the youngest bishop in Poland. Pope John Paul II recounts in his book Rise, Let us be on our Way how he entered a room a full of priests, after news had been received of his appointment as auxiliary Bishop, when Archbishop Baziak called out "Habemus papam" ("We have a Pope"). Baziak died in June 1962 and on July 16 Karol Wojtyła was elected as Vicar Capitular, or temporary administrator, of the Archdiocese until an Archbishop could be appointed.

In August 1978 following Paul's death, he voted in the Papal conclave that elected Pope John Paul I, who at 65 was considered young by papal standards. However, John Paul I was in poor health and he died after only 33 days as pope, thereby precipitating another conclave.

Voting in the second conclave was divided between two particularly strong candidates: Giuseppe Siri, the Archbishop of Genoa; and Giovanni Benelli, the Archbishop of Florence and a close associate of Pope John Paul I. In early ballots, Benelli came within nine votes of victory. However, Wojtyła secured election as a compromise candidate, in part through the support of Franz Cardinal König and others who had previously supported Cardinal Siri.

He became the 264th Pope according to the chronological List of popes. At only 58 years of age, he was the youngest pope elected since Pope Pius IX in 1846. Like his immediate predecessor, Pope John Paul II dispensed with the traditional Papal coronation and instead received ecclesiastical investiture with the simplified Papal inauguration on 22 October 1978. During his inauguration, when the cardinals were to kneel before him to take their vows and kiss his ring, he stood up as the Polish prelate Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski knelt down, stopped him from kissing the ring and hugged him (SABC2 "The Greatest souls" documentary 2005). As Bishop of Rome he took possession of his Cathedral Church, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, on 12 November 1978.

Dhirubhai Ambani

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani was an Indian rags-to-riches business tycoon who founded Reliance Industries in Mumbai with his cousin. Many people consider Ambani's phenomenal rise to be an example of crony capitalism and the result of proximity to the ruling politicians because it was achieved through preferential treatment given to him in a highly repressive business environment. Ambani took his company (Reliance) public in 1977, and by 2007 the combined fortune of the family (sons Anil & Mukesh) was 100 billion dollars, making the Ambanis one of the richest families in the world.

Dhirubhai Ambani was born on 28 December 1932, at Chorwad, Junagadh (now the state of Gujarat, India) to Hirachand Gordhanbhai Ambani and Jamnaben in a Modh Bania family of very moderate means. Although he was born in Gujarat, he is of Sindhi descent, which is a socio-ethnic group that belonged to Sindh, a former area of Northwest India that now belongs to Pakistan after the Partition. He was the second son of a school teacher. Dhirubhai Ambani is said to have started his entrepreneurial career by selling "pakora" to pilgrims in Mount Girnar over the weekends. When he was 16 years old, he moved to Aden, Yemen. He worked with A. Besse & Co. for a salary of Rs.300. Two years later, A. Besse & Co. became the distributors for Shell products, and Dhirubhai was promoted to manage the company’s filling station at the port of Aden.

He was married to Kokilaben and had two sons, Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani and two daughters, Nina Kothari and Deepti Salgaocar

In 1962, Dhirubhai returned to India and started the Reliance Commercial Corporation with a capital of Rs.15,000.00. The primary business of Reliance Commercial Corporation was to import polyester yarn and export spices.

The business was setup in partnership with Champaklal Damani, his second cousin, who used to be with him in Aden, Yemen. The first office of the Reliance Commercial Corporation was set up at the Narsinathan Street in Masjid Bunder. It was a 350 sq ft. room with a telephone, one table and three chairs. Initially, they had two assistants to help them with their business. In 1965, Champaklal Damani and Dhirubhai Ambani ended their partnership and Dhirubhai started on his own. It is believed that both had different temperaments and a different take on how to conduct business. While Mr. Damani was a cautious trader and did not believe in building yarn inventories, Dhirubhai was a known risk taker and he considered that building inventories, anticipating a price rise, and making profits thnd Estate in Bhuleshwar, Mumbai. In 1968, he moved to an upmarket apartment at Altamount Road in South Mumbai. Ambani's net worth was estimated at about Rs.1 million by late 1960s.

Sensing a good opportunity in the textile business, Dhirubhai started his first textile mill at Naroda, in Ahmedabad in the year 1966. Textiles were manufactured using polyester fibre yarn. Dhirubhai started the brand "Vimal", which was named after his elder brother Ramaniklal Ambani's son, Vimal Ambani. Extensive marketing of the brand "Vimal" in the interiors of India made it a household name. Franchise retail outlets were started and they used to sell "only Vimal" brand of textiles. In the year 1975, a Technical team from the World Bank visited the Reliance Textiles' Manufacturing unit. This unit has the rare distinction of being certified as "excellent even by developed country standards" during that period.

ABDUL KALAM

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:27:00 +0000

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (Abul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam) , was the eleventh President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007. Due to his unconventional working style, he is also popularly known as the People's President. Before his term as India's president, he distinguished himself as engineering visionary and was awarded India's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna in 1997 for his work with DRDO and his role as scientific advisor to the Indian government. He is popularly known as the Missile Man of India for his work and is considered a progressive mentor, innovator and visionary in India.

APJ Abdul Kalam was born in 1931 in a middle-class family in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, a town well-known for its Hindu shrines. His mother tongue is Tamil. His father, a devout Muslim, owned boats which he rented out to local fishermen and was a good friend of Hindu religious leaders and the school teachers at Rameshwaram. Kalam grew up in an intimate relationship with nature, and he says in Wings of Fire that he never could imagine that water could be so powerful a destroying force as that he witnessed when he was six. That was in 1934 when a cyclonic storm swept away the Pamban bridge and a trainload of passengers with it and also Kalam's native village, Dhanushkodi.

Kalam observes strict personal discipline, vegetarianism, teetotalism and celibacy. He is a lover of natural beauty. Kalam is a scholar of Thirukkural; in most of his speeches, he quotes at least one kural. Kalam has written several inspirational books, most notably his autobiography Wings of Fire, aimed at motivating Indian youth.

Kalam's probable views on certain issues have been espoused by him in his book India 2020 where he strongly advocates an action plan to develop India into a knowledge superpower and into a developed nation by the year 2020. Kalam is credited with the view that India ought to take a more assertive stance in international relations; he regards his work on India's nuclear weapons program as a way to assert India's place as a future superpower.

Kalam continues to take an active interest in other developments in the field of science and technology as well. He has proposed a research programme for developing bio-implants. He is a supporter of Open source software over proprietary solutions and believes that the use of open source software on a large scale will bring more people the benefits of information technology.

Success Stories - Abraham Lincoln

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:15:00 +0000

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, two uneducated farmers. When Lincoln was nine, his mother, then thirty-four years old, died of milk sickness. Soon afterwards, his father remarried to Sarah Bush Johnston. Lincoln was affectionate toward his stepmother, whom he would call "Mother" for the rest of his life, but he was distant from his father. Lincoln's formal education consisted of about 18 months of schooling, but he was largely self-educated and an avid reader. He was also a talented local wrestler and skilled with an axe. Lincoln avoided hunting and fishing because he did not like killing animals, even for food. He was unusually tall, as well as strong. Lincoln began his political career in 1832, at age 23, with an unsuccessful campaign for the Illinois General Assembly, as a member of the Whig Party. In 1834, he won election to the state legislature, and, after coming across the Commentaries on the Laws of England, began to teach himself law. Admitted to the bar in 1837, he moved to Springfield, Illinois, that same year and began to practice law with John T. Stuart. With a reputation as a formidable adversary during cross-examinations and in his closing arguments, Lincoln became one of the most respected and successful lawyers in Illinois and grew steadily more prosperous. On November 4, 1842 Lincoln married Mary Todd, daughter of a prominent slave-owning family from Kentucky. The couple had four sons. Robert Todd Lincoln was born in Springfield, Illinois on 1 August 1843. Their only child to survive into adulthood, young Robert attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard College. A Whig and an admirer of party leader Henry Clay, Lincoln was elected to a term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1846. On November 6, 1860, Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States, beating Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckinridge of the Southern Democrats, and John Bell of the new Constitutional Union Party. He was the first Republican president, winning entirely on the strength of his support in the North: he was not even on the ballot in nine states in the South, and won only 2 of 996 counties in the other Southern states.

IGNOU

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:20:00 +0000

The Indira Gandhi National Open University was established by an Act of Parliament in 1985. Today it serves the educational aspirations of about 1.5 million students in India and 35 countries abroad through 11 Schools of Studies and an elaborate network of 58 regional centres , 7 sub- regional centres , 1400 study centres, and 41 overseas centres. The University is making all efforts to take higher education to the doorsteps of the hitherto unreached. As of now, we cater to about 10% of all students enrolled in higher education in the country are enrolled with IGNOU.

Apart from teaching and research, extension and training form the mainstay of its academic activities. It also acts as a national resource centre; and more importantly, functions as an apex body to promote and maintain standards of distance education. The University has its presence in 35 countries. The Commonwealth of Learning has recognised it as one of its centres of excellence. It also has the unique privilege of hosting the Secretariats of SAARC Consortium of Open Distance Learning (SACODiL) approved by Heads of Govts. of SAARC Nations and Global Mega Universities Network (GMUNET) initially promoted by UNESCO.The vision statement of the university reads as:

Indira Gandhi National Open University, the National Resource Centre for Open and Distance Learning with international recognition and presence, shall provide seamless access to sustainable and learner-centric quality education, skill upgradation and training to all by using innovative technologies and methodologies and ensuring convergence of existing systems for massive human resource required for promoting integrated national development and global understanding.

In order to fulfil the vision of democratising higher education and providing access to all segments of people, the University

* imparts education and knowledge through various flexible means suited to the open and distance education mode, including information and communication technologies;

* provides higher education and training to large sections of population, particularly the disadvantaged segments of the society;

* promotes national integration and the integrated development of human personality;

* encourages, co-ordinates and assists open universities and distance learning systems to improve standards in such systems.

Admissions to various programmes of the University are open as per the academic calendar. These announcements are widely published through national and regional media. Forms are available at Regional Centres.

* For Management Programmes admission announcements are issued twice a year March/April and September/October. Entrance Tests are held twice a year on the first Sunday of February and on the first Sunday of August.
* For BA (Bachelor of Arts), B.Com(Bachelor of Commerce), B.Sc(Bachelor of Science), BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications), BTS(Bachelor of Tourism Studies), MA(English), MA(Hindi) admission announcements are issued in May/June session for July session
* Admission to Bachelor of Education(B.Ed) Bachelor of Information Technology(BIT) Advanced Diploma in Information Technology(ADIT) programmes are available through a national entrance test, which is conducted on the first Sunday of August. Advertisement inviting applications for the entrance test is usually issued in April/May
* For Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Adminstration(CEMBA) and Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration(CEMPA) the advertisements are issued in April and October every year for the entrance tests to be held in May and November for July and January Session respectively.
* For Bachelor's Preparatory Programme and all Certificate Programmes (Except Certificate in Rural Surgery(CRS) and Certificate in Teaching of Primary School Mathematics(CTPM) there is walk-in-admissions throughout the year. Application forms submitted between 01 June and 30 November will be considered for January session while applications received between 01 December and 31 May will be considered for July session.
* For Doctoral programmes, application forms submitted between 01 April and 30 September are considered for January session while applications received between 01 October and 31 March are considered for July session
* For all other programmes admission announcements are issued in May/June and the last date for submission of filled-in application forms is 15 September. The academic session starts from 01 January.

Kerala Kalamandalam

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Kerala Kalamandalam is a major center for learning Indian Performing Arts especially those that developed in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated in the village of Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur district near the banks of Bharathapuzha River.

It was founded in 1930 by late poet Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukunda Raja. Kalamandalam imparts training in classical dance and theatre formsKathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kudiyattam, Thullal,Kuchipudi,Bharatanatyam,Nangiar Koothu, and traditional orchestraPanchavadyam.Training is also given in various percussion instruments like Chenda,Maddalam,and Mizhavu. Kalamandalam follows the Gurukula system of education, the ancient Indian education system.

In the turn of the century, it was the whims and fancies of feudal chieftains and temple committees that controlled ancient art forms like Koodiyattam and Kathakali. Mohiniyattam, the graceful dance , had fallen into disrepute.From the modest contributions of an art loving public and money collected through lotteries, Kerala Kalamandalam was born in November 1930, in Kunnamkulam and later shifted to a village called Cheruthuruthy, nestled on the banks of the Nila, the cradle of Keralan culture.

Kalamandalam was conceived in the Gurukula Sampradaya, an ancient tradition of residential schooling where students stayed with the teachers, sharing the same atmosphere and learning from them the nuances of the great arts. Eminent masters were brought to Kalamandalam. Training sessions, which started in the morning, extended till late in the night.

The changes brought by Kalamandalam in Kerala’s social and cultural ethos is indeed noteworthy. It sought to democratize high art in a caste ridden society, where the practice of classical arts was the privilege of only the so called upper castes.

In the first half of this century the 2000 years old ancient art form of Kootiyattom was relegated to Koothambalams in a few great temples. From a stifling environment of caste restrictions, Koothambalam today has been revitalized and accessible to all. Today UNESCO has honored Kootiyattom as being part of a living World Heritage.

Admission

In April-May every year Kalamandalam notifies in the leading Malayalam newspapers details of admission to students in the various courses offered here. Every year we receive hundreds of applications from young aspirants for admission to different courses. We have constituted an Interview Board consisting of experts in each art- discipline and members of the Governing Council. Eligible applicants will be requested to appear for an interview at Kalamandalam by the end of May. The Board will judge the aptitude of each applicant and would consider previous training if any he / she has in the art-discipline concerned. Applicants belonging to families practising traditional arts my possibly get preference. For areas of acting/dancing, sense of rhythm, physical appearance and histrionic taste are the criteria for selection. For vocalists and percussionists, sense of rhythm, voice-culture and previous training are the most desirable qualities for selection. Students admitted to various courses have to join the A.H.S.L.C. (Art High School Leaving Certificate Course). The upper-age limit for admission is thirteen. Each student is allowed to choose only one art-discipline for intensive training. Together with theoretical and practical training in the performing art concerned he / she has to learn scholastic subjects in the school. Those who pass the three-year A.H.S.L.C. Course can join the Plus Two Course and then for the B.A. Degree in Performing Arts. Kalamandalam introduced High School education for its students in 1990. The new system harmonized academic-study and training in performing arts. Till then all the students who joined for regular courses were awarded Diploma and Post – Diploma. In the present setup, the Diploma Course is retained to enable talented aspirants undergo training in various art- subjects.

Courses Offered

KATHAKALI VESHAM- REGULAR KALARI KATHAKALI VESHAM- THEKKAN KALARI (South School) KATHAKALI MUSIC-REGULAR KALARI KATHAKALI MUSIC- THEKKAN KALARI KATHAKALI CHENDA- REGULAR KALARI KATHAKALI CHENDA - THEKKAN KALARI KATHAKALI MADDALAM KATHAKALI CHUTTY - REGULAR KALARI KATHAKALI CHUTTY - THEKKAN KALARI MOHINIYATTAM KUTIYATTAM

Contact:

Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University for Art and Culture Cheruthuruthy – 679 531 via Thrissur, Kerala, India Telephone: 91+ 4884 262418, 262526, Fax: 91- 4884 - 262019

www.kalamandalam.org
Email: info@kalamandalam.org

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:56:00 +0000

It's my pleasure to write about Jawaharlal Nehru University, widely known as JNU. I hope this article may help those who are in search of excellent Asian universities for higher studies and research.

JNU is located in the southern part of New Delhi, Capital of India. and is well connected by road from the three main Railway Stations, i.e. New delhi and Delhi and Nizammudin railway station as well as the Inter-state Bus Terminus of Delhi. It is also a short distance away from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. In short JNU is easily accessible from anywhere in the world.

The very Nehruvian objectives embedded in the founding of the University, national integration, social justice, secularism, the democratic way of life, international understanding and scientific approach to the problems of society had built into it constant and energetic endeavour to renew knowledge through self-questioning.

The excellent teacher-student ratio at 1:10,Several Centres in these Schools have been declared by the UGC to be Centres of 'Excellence'. These are Centre for Historical Studies, Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Centre for Political Studies, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, all in the School of Social Sciences. In addition three Science Schools--School of Physical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Environmental Sciences have also received the UGC recognition as Centers for Excellence.

Leading Faculties in JNU

The University includes the following Schools of inter-disciplinary research and teaching besides some Special Centres of Study:

1.School of International Studies

2.School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies

3.School of Social Sciences

4.School of Arts and Aesthetics

5.School of Life Sciences

6.School of Environmental Sciences

7.School of Computer and Systems Sciences

8.School of Physical Sciences

9.School of Information Technology

10.School of Biotechnology

11.Centre for Molecular Medicine

12.Centre for Sanskrit Studies

13.Centre for the Study of Law and Governance

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) attracts students from all over the country and abroad, and from diverse strata of society. JNU has come to be deemed the best University in the nation today and is among the better- known Universities of the world. In the academic year 2001-2002, JNU had 186 foreign students from 34 countries from all over the world, a fair chunk of them coming from South- East Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Europe and the USA. Also, it conducted Language and Culture classes free of charge for JNU students, which included Thai Boxing, Japanese, German, English and Hindi classes conducted by FSA members and Indian students. A Delhi sight-seeing tour was organised as well as a trip to Agra.

Financial Aid

JNU Facilitates their students with different Financial Aid Programs

Scholarships

A limited number of Merit-cum-means scholarships are available for the deserving and meritorious students whose parent's/guardian's monthly income does not exceed Rs. 25,000/- per annum or as may be laid down from time to time in case of students of the IVth year of the 5-year Integrated M.A. programme/2-year M.A./M.Sc. Programmes.The value of these scholarships is Rs. 300/- p.m. for resident students and Rs. 120/- p.m. for non-resident students. The payment of scholarships will be governed by the rules in force in the University from time to time.

Note : The term 'income' shall mean Basic pay, DA, CCA, all allowances, honorarium, bonus, special pay etc.(excluding HRA) after allowing standard deduction in the case of salaried persons and entire gross income in the case of non-salaried class without any standard deduction.

A limited number of Ford Foundation Scholarships of the value of Rs. 500/- per month are available for students of the M.A. Programme of the School of International Studies. The Scholarships will be awarded purely on merit subject to the provison that at least half of them will go to female students.

Admission Procedure

Every year foreign students are admitted to various programmes of study under the following categories

(a) Self-financing Students

(b) Under the Cultural Exchange Fellowship Programme of Govt. of India.

(c) As Casual Scholars to audit the courses (not leading to award of any degree)

Foreign students seeking admission in any of the categories under (a) and (b) above will have to satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria for admission to the various programmes of study as prescribed by the University.

All foreign students who are in India are required to appear in the Entrance Examination which will be conducted by the University in the third week of May every year at various Centres all over the country.

Tution Fee

Foreign students admitted to various programmes of study including casual students are required to pay fees and incidental charges as per following rates in US Dollars or in Indian currency as per prevalent exchange rates :

1. Tuition Fee and Other Fees per Semester for courses in Science Disciplines US$ 750

2. Tuition Fee and other Fees per Semester for courses in Humanities & Social Sciences US$ 500

3. Incidental charges per semester US $ 100

Semester fee from foreign nationals is accepted either in foreign currency i.e. in US$ or in equivalent Indian rupees. The exchange rate for accepting fees from foreign nationals has been accepted as the buying rate prevalent on the first day or registration in each semester. The Finance Branch of the University notifies the rate of conversion of the US$ into Indian rupees applicable for each semester. Refunds, if any, will be in Indian Currency. However, the decision of the University in the matter will be final.

Time Table For Admission

1. Last date of receipt of completed Application Form 1st April

2. Deadline for registration of candidates selected for admission to various programmes 14th August

Semesters and Vacations

1. Monsoon Semester : 22nd July to 5th December

2. Winter Semester : 6th January to 12th May

3. Winter Break : 6th December to 5th January

4. Summer Vacation : 13th May to 21st July

Hostel Facilities

JNU which is basically a residential University, endeavours to provide residence to almost all outstation students. There are 16 hostels which can accommodate about 4600 students.

The messes in the hostels are highly subsidised as students do not have to pay for the services of cooks, helpers, sanitation and other staff that have been provided to the hostels. The provision of three meals in each hostel is on "no profit no loss" basis. The actual running of the mess is controlled by the mess committee elected by the students themselves.

Hostels charges are nominal. Each hostel is provided with indoor and outdoor facilities for games and sports. Recreation facilities like T.V. sets and some musical instruments are also provided.

Private housing facility is available around JNU Campus. However, the University does not provide any specific information or suggestion regarding private accommodation.

There is also a Foreign Students' Association in the University under the general supervision of a Foreign Students' Advisor.

The University hostel system includes 10 Hostels for Boys and Girls and one complex accommodating married students and one complex is coming up shortly for post Doctoral Fellows. These are spacious, well furnished hostels. Apart from hygienic foods, hostels provides recreational facilities includes TVs, indoor games, health Club, and PCOs etc. Each hostel has its live-in wardens, a member of faculty who administers the hostels.

Important Telephone Numbers

1. Foreign Students Advisor - 26704215

2. Dean of Students - 26742523

3. Director of Admissions - 26704054

4. Dy. Registrar (Admissions) - 26742617

5. Public Relations Officer - 26704046

Prof. Sushama jain is the advisor of the Foreign Students' Affairs. Contact advisor_fsa@mail.jnu.ac.in for queries.

For more inquiries, contact dr_admissions@mail.jnu.ac.in

Photography

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:21:00 +0000

Photography is a unique and creative medium of self-expression. It is an art form requiring aesthetic sense as well as technical expertise. A hobby that can be made profitable by going professional by the talented.
The word "photography" comes from the French photographie which is based on the Greek words phos ("light"), and graphis ("stylus", "paintbrush") or graphê ("representation by means of lines" or "drawing"), together meaning "drawing with light." Traditionally, the product of photography has been called a photograph, commonly shortened to photo. With the explosion of the communication network, the growth of advertising and media and the fashion boom, and digital photography, it has now become a profession with great commercial value. Photos are an essential part in both print and electronic media. So this is an area offering great scope for those who have an interest and attributes needed to be a professional. Being a creative medium, photography requires more of inherent talent for success than formal training. However training hones the inherent skills and help to shine in this competitive field with various specializations like portraiture, fashion and advertising photography, journalistic photography, wildlife and outdoors photography etc. Creating a commercial quality photograph requires the skill for choosing and presenting a subject in a way to achieve the maximum effect with the appropriate equipment. One should have a definite know how of the angle, lighting and the latest equipments and technology to make a name in the field.

Eligibility :

There are no specific academic requirements for full time courses in photography, however, candidates who have cleared the 10+2 exam are eligible for the diploma/certificate courses in photography.

Job Prospects & Career Options:

Job Prospects

One of the most exciting aspects of photography is the variety of jobs available in the field, ranging from highly specialized, technical work to jobs that require creativity and Visual literacy. One can begin your career as an assistant of a senior or professional photographer, so that he/she can grasp the finer points of photography. Photographers can specialize in areas such as portrait, commercial and industrial, advertising, scientific, fashion, news, wildlife photography etc. They have the option to either take up jobs with news papers, magazines, advertising agencies, government agencies, industrial houses or work as free lancers. The government employs photographers on a regular pay scale to do general photography documentation, for covering day-to-day events and functions and for making photo features and captioning. Fashion photographers can find employment with fashion houses, designers, fashion journals and news papers.

Career Options

Press photographers are also known as photojournalists. Press photographers supply pictures to the national and local press, and must be versatile with an ability to photograph all kinds of subjects. They must have journalistic instincts, know what makes a good news picture, be able to write accurate captions, work well with reporters, be quick and often work under difficult conditions.

Feature photography essentially involves telling a story in pictures and therefore requires knowledge of the subject. Feature Photographers cover an entire theme or subject with a set of photographs. The work is varied, and leads to assignments at any time and in any place-photographing people at home, or life in foreign parts, or schools at work, anything that makes a story. Photographers specialise in the photography of wildlife, sports travel, environment etc. They may work with news reporters or work as free-lancers and take independent assignments on environment, wild life etc.

Editorial Photographers work normally for magazines and periodicals, nearly always as freelancers. The main task of an editorial photographer is to pictorially illustrate what is written in the article or report. Work can be varied, depending on the article or report, which needs illustration.

Commercial/ Industrial photographer takes pictures of merchandise, exteriors and interiors of factories, and machinery both indoors and outdoors to be used for company brochures, annual reports, and in advertising and selling. An industrial photographer's main emphasis is on taking pictures for a single company or firm. The main intention is to make the company's factory, machines or products look good.

Portrait / wedding photographers: They take pictures of individuals or small groups. Portrait subjects like pets, children, families, weddings, functions and activities of sports and social clubs. However, there is an increasing demand for portraits in the home, garden or workplace, especially in the case of children's portraits. Portrait photographers may work for a studio or be self-employed.

Advertising photographs are either taken by the photographic departments of advertising agencies, by photographic studios, or by freelance photographers. A large number of photographers do catalogue work, while some studios specialize in 'mail order' photography. This is the best paid and most competitive branch; success in this sphere depends entirely on ability, efficiency and the right personality. Advertising photographers are usually provided with instructions as to what exactly has to be photographed. However they are also expected to suggest their own ideas for new angles.

Fashion photography as a career developed recently in India. It is an extremely creative and well paid profession. Most fashion photography is done by specialist studios or freelancers who are commissioned by fashion houses or advertising agencies. They usually work under the direction of a fashion expert. The bulk of fashion photography is carried out in either Mumbai or Delhi and involves by highly sophisticated and well-equipped studios by freelancers who are commissioned by fashion houses of advertising agencies. They can also find employment with fashion houses, designers, fashion journals and news papers.

Fine arts photographers sell their photographs as fine artwork. In addition to technical proficiency, fine arts photographers need artistic talent and creativity.

Digital photography involves the use of a digital camera. The images are captured on a disk, floppy or directly on to the computer. In conventional methods of photography the images were captured on film which had to be processed and then scanned with the help of a scanner onto the computer for any further changes or effects that the image may need. Digital photography saves time and money that goes into scanning images. Digital photography is used largely in the media, as digital images can be stored easily and conveyed quickly over long distances.

Nature and Wildlife Photography involves taking photographs of animals, birds, plants and landscapes. While photos of rare species are in great demand, nature photographs are also widely used as pictures for calendars or covers. Romantic sunsets, flowers, trees, lakes and waterfalls, etc, all make interesting subjects for a nature photographer.

Forensic Photography : A crime scene must be photographed from every angle clearly to show detail, with the emphasis on accurately recording the size and distance of objects. They can find employment with law enforcement agencies, police, legal system and in the investigative services of the government and also private detective agencies.

Freelancing has been the most popular career choice among photographers. Photographers who want to be self-employed need to have business management skills. They must have good communication, problem solving skills, and be able to work independently. They can do freelancing in any of the above fields.

Remuneration :

Photographers can start working as assistants to senior photographers, in which capacity they are paid around Rs. 3,500 - 6,000. Yourearnings can go up to 25,000, depending upon the designation and the organisation likewise and maybe more once you have established yourself as a freelancer.

FASHION DESIGNING

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:21:00 +0000

Fashion design is the applied art dedicated to the design of clothing and lifestyle accessories created within the cultural and social influences of a specific time.

Fashion design differs from costume design due to its core product having a built in obsolescence usually of one to two seasons. A season is defined as either autumn/winter or spring/summer. Fashion design is generally considered to have started in the 19th century with Charles Frederick Worth who was the first person to sew their label into the garments that they created. While all articles of clothing from any time period are studied by academics as costume design, only clothing created after 1858 could be considered as fashion design.

Fashion designers design clothing and accessories also for women. Some high-fashion designers are self-employed and design for individual clients. Other high-fashion designers cater to specialty stores or high-fashion department stores. These designers create original garments, as well as those that follow established fashion trends. Most fashion designers, however, work for apparel manufacturers, creating designs of men’s, women’s, and children’s fashions for the mass market. Designer brands which have a 'name' as their brand such as Calvin Klein or Ralph Lauren are likely to be designed by a team of individual designers under the direction of a designer director.

Scope and Importance of Fashion Designing

Designing is one of the most important aspects of the fashion world. In fact, everything revolves around designs. But it's no easy cakewalk. It's a hard grind and you need a lot of stamina to sustain in the long run. Do you feel it's right up your street? Then read on.

You need to have a feel for textures and a flair for styles. Colours and combinations should fascinate you. Your mind's eye should be able to put it all together before you start on a project.

An ability to sketch and draw is of immense help. You need a keen eye for detail. So sharpen your powers of observation.

Unless you have terrific talent and the right contacts, don't venture out by yourself. You're always better off working as a trainee under some designer for a while. You'll pick up valuable pointers. Be willing to learn from them.

Don't expect to hit gold with your first few designs. Your enthusiasm shouldn't wane with rejects. Keep yourself motivated and continue to work hard.

Don't be afraid to experiment with colours and designs. Give your creativity free rein.

Learn to handle people. Customers, tailors, suppliers may each have their own idiosyncrasies. It's important you cope without losing your cool.

Scout around for textiles. Don't go in for the run of the mill stuff. You'll find some priceless stuff in little towns and villages that have a heritage of weaving. Get them to cater to your requirements.

Find a real good tailor. Don't compromise on this issue. Only a good karigar can make your dreams come true. Build up a rapport with him/her. It's important you understand each other. You should be able to discuss the requirements and the possibilities of each design.

Always have a variety of designs. Especially if you are going to hold an exhibition for your potential customers, you need to show off your varied styles. The styles should be market friendly.

Start off with affordable styles. It's almost impossible for a newcomer to succeed with extravagant price tags.

Get to know the nitty-gritties of merchandising. There is a lot more to it than meets the eye.

Learn to enjoy your job. If you have an eye only on the rewards, it will be a relentless grind for you.

Fashion TV - Its Importance in Fashion Designing

Fashion TVan international television channel devoted to fashion and modelling.Founded in France in 1997 by its president Michel Adam Lisowski, Fashion TV has become one of the most widely-distributed satellite channels in the world: 31 satellite and 2,000 cable systems, with a total of 300 million households in 202 countries across the five continents.

CAREER GUIDANCE

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:19:00 +0000

Modeling

A model is a person who poses or displays for purposes of art, fashion, or other products and advertising. Modeling is distinguished from other types of public performance, such as an acting, dancing or mime artistry, although the boundary is not well defined. Appearing in a movie or a play is generally not considered to be modeling, regardless of the nature of the role. However, models generally have to express emotion in their photographs, and many models have also described themselves as actors. Types of models include glamour, fashion, fitness, bikini, fine-art, and body-part models.

Become a Model and Get Paid to Model

Imagine having an exciting high-paying job as a professional model. Imagine walking down a runway at a designer fashion show, or having your photo taken for Vogue or your favorite magazine. As a model you may have the opportunity to travel to beautiful locations, be pampered, attend events with celebrities, and earn thousands of dollars a day. Modeling can also lead to many other fabulous opportunities including acting. While a lucky few can become a supermodel like Tyra Banks, it is possible to have a successful modeling career even if you are not very tall, thin, or young. In fact, many items sell better when they are promoted by models who look more like "real" people. Consumers want to see what clothes or beauty products look like on someone "just like them." As a result, there are modeling opportunities for people of all shapes and sizes. Which category do you fit into? * High fashion modeling * Glamour modeling * Petite modeling * Plus size modeling * Teen modeling * Mature modeling * Body part modeling (hand modeling, etc.) * Character or "real people" modeling In addition to fashion, models are also needed to advertise a wide variety of products and services - from cars to food. As a model your work may involve: * Runway modeling * Catalog modeling * Showroom modeling * Fit modeling * Promotional (trade show) modeling * Television * Videos * Editorial (magazine and newspaper) modeling * Print advertisements

Getting Ready for a Modeling Career

* How to look the best you can. Simple tips to help you improve the appearance of your: o Hair o Eyebrows o Skin o Makeup o Body
Professional Courses

There are many modeling schools which help with deportment and personality development, teach make-up and related techniques, help in getting together a portfolio, and familiarize you with the industry and may coordinate entry.

Career Prospects

There is a boom in the international fashion industry these days. Modelling is one of the few industries where the earning power of women is higher than that of men. This is largely due to the fact that men's fashion and fragrance markets are considerably smaller than the women's. The media has only recently turned its attention to the new generation of male models who are well on their way to commanding the hype and earning power enjoyed by their female counterparts. Super males are fast heading towards celebrity status. Smart men know it is lucrative and can act as a springboard to other exciting professions. Male modeling market expanded with the growth of the international men's clothing industry. As foreign and local brands of men's clothing, accessories and cosmetics are flooding the Indian market, the male modeling scene is becoming vibrant. A model could get rich quick and stay around for a comparatively long time by selecting the right kind of work, spacing out ad campaigns to avoid overexposure. Changing your look in terms of hairdo, and style lf make-up can give you a new lease all over again. Models today thrive on multiple challenges of modeling, product endorsements, acting, television anchoring / presenting and establishing modeling agencies and training schools. Modeling is a self- centered career and a model has to constantly take care of self. Each job can be your last so try and learn from each job and it can be educational, lucrative, and confidence building too.

PERSONALITY

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:39:00 +0000

SMILE PLEASE.....

Hey dear ,smile please. Always keep a pleasing smile on your face. It will provide you healthy mind and body. There are scientific grounds too, to back this view . let us just go through it:

In physiology, a smile is a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles most notably near both ends of the mouth. The smile can be also around the eyes. Among humans, it's customarily an expression of pleasure, happiness, or amusement, but can also be an involuntary expression of anxiety, in which case it can be known as a grimace.

There is much evidence that smiling is a normal reaction to certain stimuli and occurs regardless of culture. Happiness is most often the cause of a smile. Among animals, the exposure of teeth, which may bear a resemblance to a smile, is often used as a threat or warning display - known as a snarl - or a sign of submission. In chimpanzees, it can be a sign of fear.

conversation skill

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:28:00 +0000

Why Conversation Skill Is Important?

You may have all the necessary technical skills, the expertise and the experience that can really attest that you deserve that next promotion, but if you haven't got the conversation skills to back it up, you might miss the opportunity to level up in your career.

It is important to be able to have the conversation skills to communicate everything that will contribute for your career growth. You can't just silently plug away at your work without being open to opportunities of growth. You can actually make changes by means of using your conversation skills.

Conversation skills are important to any kinds of career because it is the base means with which you express yourself to other people, specifically your colleagues, your boss and other people you will deal with in the career you have chosen for yourself. Many a competent graduate has missed out on opportunities for a rewarding career because he or she lacked the ample amount of conversation skills needed to be able to sustain the communication dynamics that come with every sort of promotion in work.

From the very beginning of your career, conversation skills are some sort of gauge with which other people measure your capability, coupled with your array of experiences and qualifications shown over a steady stream of performance for a set period of time. Conversation skills in itself will not land you the promotion or career growth you aspire, but a lack of it will certainly lessen your likelihood of bagging a good job, especially if they have seen better conversationalists among your colleagues who may be aspiring for the same career growth form that you want.

Having good conversation skills does not only give a good edge compared to your colleagues, but it will also help you gain the general goodwill of most people in your workplace. If you are as gracious with your words as you are excellent with your work, people will just naturally trust you and establish you as someone who is reliable and fun to work with. Good conversation skills ease the gaps that come between people who have little or almost nothing in common.

Not all career growth opportunities are easily bestowed. You might find your efforts be less visible to the people who can help you land that promotion. In this case, you will definitely need to be backed up by your subtle and well-thought out conversation skill strategies that will help you be able to express yourself and assert your qualification to your bosses without making them feel threatened or imposed upon.

Conversation skills do not only deal with the fluent pronunciation, the good articulation or the well-versed array of words. Veering from the technical aspect is the emotional correspondence which makes your eloquent speaking capabilities more felt by those who will hear you and converse with you. Body language is also a great factor which will either make or break your statements. A good investment as you grow in your career is to enroll in courses or read on books that will help enhance or refresh your conversation skills. Technological devices from the Internet can also help enhance your skills if you are stuck in a daytime office job with little room for extracurricular courses.

Communities online such as forums and groups can also be helpful in making you well-versed and up-to-date with the things outside your office-- something you can tell your colleagues as an icebreaker in the middle of a very busy day.

If you are a person with good conversation skills, you also naturally inspire others to do the same thing even without trying. Good conversation skills is not just admirable, it is also contagious especially with people you interact with on a regular basis. If you are a catalyst to having good conversation skills at work, you can also expect your colleagues and consequently, your entire company, to grow well with you in that arena. Having good conversation skills is like shining a flashlight on what is otherwise considered as a typical work routine day. In addition to that, if you have cultivated yourself to attain good conversation skills, you will definitely reap what you sow by means of meeting more interesting people who can match your conversation skills and double your growth, professionally as well as personally.

Given a long and varied history, the term has, unsurprisingly, no less than three major types of definitions in the field, each of which has generated its own tradition of research, findings, and practical applications:

1. The original definition presents self-esteem as a ratio found by dividing one’s successes in areas of life of importance to a given individual by the failures in them or one’s “success / pretensions”.Problems with this approach come from making self-esteem contingent upon success: this implies inherent instability because failure can occur at any moment.

2. In the mid 1960s Morris Rosenberg and social-learning theorists defined self-esteem in terms of a stable sense of personal worth or worthiness, measurable by self-report testing. This became the most frequently used definition for research, but involves problems of boundary-definition, making self-esteem indistinguishable from such things as narcissism or simple bragging.

3. Nathaniel Branden in 1969 briefly defined self-esteem as "…the experience of being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and being worthy of happiness". This two-factor approach, as some have also called it, provides a balanced definition that seems to be capable of dealing with limits of defining self-esteem primarily in terms of competence or worth alone.

Branden’s (1969) description of self-esteem includes the following primary properties:

1. self-esteem as a basic human need, i.e., "…it makes an essential contribution to the life process", "…is indispensable to normal and healthy self-development, and has a value for survival."
2. self-esteem as an automatic and inevitable consequence of the sum of individuals' choices in using their consciousness
3. something experienced as a part of, or background to, all of the individual's thoughts, feelings and actions.

Compare the usage of terms such as self-love or self-confidence.

Measuring self-esteem

For the purposes of empirical research, psychologists typically assess self-esteem by a self-report questionnaire yielding a quantitative result. They establish the validity and reliability of the questionnaire prior to its use.

Popular lore recognizes just "high" self-esteem and "low" self-esteem.

The "Rosenberg Self Esteem Questionnaire" evaluates one's self esteem.[citation needed] A high score shows high self-esteem and a low score shows low self-esteem.[citation needed]

Maslow's approaches to esteem

Maslow described two kinds of esteem needs — the need for respect from others and the need for self-respect.[citation needed] Respect from others entails recognition, acceptance, status, and appreciation.[citation needed] Without the fulfillment of these needs, Maslow suggests, an individual feels discouraged, weak and inferior.[citation needed]

Quality and level of self-esteem

Level and quality of self-esteem, though correlated, remain distinct. Level-wise, one can exhibit high but fragile self-esteem (as in narcissism) or low but stable self-esteem (as in humility). However, investigators can indirectly assess the quality of self-esteem in several ways:

1. in terms of its constancy over time (stability)
2. in terms of its independence of meeting particular conditions (non-contingency)
3. in terms of its ingrained nature at a basic psychological level (implicitness or automaticity).

Excessive self-esteem

Humans have portrayed the dangers of excessive self-esteem and the advantages of more humility since at least the development of Greek tragedy, which typically showed the results of hubris. Ongoing social concern with too much perceived self-esteem reflects in everyday language: we speak of "overweening" types and of the need to "take a person down a peg or two". Spiritual practices (notably Eastern spiritual practices) which de-emphasize the self may lead to a more socially acceptable balance in the personal self-esteem stakes.

Criticisms

Critics see the all pervading importance given to self-esteem in popular culture and in modern psychology as misleading and dogmatic. A review[citation needed] of self-esteem literature by Roy Baumeister confirmed that high self-regard per se is not necessarily "good"; nor does it translate into higher estimates by others of a person's intellect, appearance or virtue. Baumeister describes the view of self-esteem as panacea as "a very compelling illusion" because it correlates with happiness and other good things; he sees psychologists as "a little too eager in promoting the program before the data were in." Some social constructionists[attribution needed] argue that modern-day America — with its overwhelming cultural bias towards self-enhancement — has fabricated and validated the dogma of self-esteem as a universal human goal that all must strive towards perfecting. This fails to consider the absence of such an emphasis in other flourishing cultures, in which people neither celebrate high self-esteem so much nor regard it as so central a concept.

Psychological literature and popular culture both concentrate on the presence or absence of high self-esteem, however some evidence suggests that the overemphasis on the self-esteem mantra can lead to rapid falls when the self becomes invalidated in the domains that one considers important. In addition this pursuit may have negative consequences on the welfare of society as a whole. Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhist and Hindu thought, tends to see the self in its limited form as illusory; it perceives a "true self" as a sublime and transcendent entity, whose nature remains hidden from the limited or egoic self.

group discussion

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:14:00 +0000

4 steps to acing Group Discussion

Group Discussions are an important part of the short-listing process for admission to B-Schools.

Why? Because business management is essentially a group activity and working with groups is perhaps the most important parameter of career success as a manager.

These are the four main areas tested in your GD:

i. Content
ii. Communication skills
iii. Group dynamics
iv. Leadership

Content

Content is a combination of knowledge and the ability to create coherent, logical arguments on the basis of that knowledge. Merely memorising facts is pointless. We need an in-depth understanding of various issues as well as the ability to analyse the topic and build arguments.

For example, take the topic 'Are peace talks between India and Pakistan useless or useful?' The candidate should be clearly aware that this is not a test of patriotism. Nor should he or she forget that the purpose of the discussion is getting into a good B-School, and that his or her influence on India's foreign policy is zilch. So, an emotional response would, in all probability, get you disqualified.

Go for a balanced response like, "Even though little has resulted from talks, it is certainly good to see the talks continue." Please remember that your opinion does not matter. The depth of knowledge and logical analysis you show is critical. Unfortunately, such analytical skills are rarely taught at the school and graduate level, so learn and practise first.

ii. Communication skills

Communication is a two-way process, and the role of the listener is critical.

* The listener has his own interpretation of what you say. Unless you listen to him, you cannot figure out whether he or she has understood you.
* Unless you listen, the points you make may not fit in with points made by others. It is easy for an experienced evaluator (moderator) to realise you aren't listening.

Besides listening, you also need the ability to:

* Express your ideas in a clear and concise manner.
* Build on others' points.
* Sum up the discussion made by the entire group.

iii. Group dynamics

As mentioned before, a GD is a formal peer group situation and tests your behaviour as well as your influence on the group. Formal language and mutual respect are obvious requirements. In addition, you need to have:

* Willingness to listen and discuss various points of view. Do not take strong views in the beginning itself; try and analyse the pros and cons of a situation.
* Learn to disagree politely, if required. In fact, it is far better to put forward your point of view without specifically saying 'I disagree' or 'You're wrong'.
* Show appreciation for good points made by others. You can make a positive contribution by agreeing to and expanding an argument made by someone else.
* Size the opportunity to make a summary near the end or, even better, a part summary. Partial agreement or part consensus is a sign of the group's progress. Complete agreement is impossible in the time frame allotted.

Leadership

One of the most common misconceptions about leadership is that it is all about controlling the group. However, for the GDs we are talking about, leadership is all about giving direction to the group in terms of content.

It is about initiating the discussion and suggesting a path on which the group can continue the discussion.

A good leader is one who allows others to express their views and channels the discussion to a probable decision or conclusion on the given topic.

Types of GDs

i. Topic-based

~ Knowledge intensive: Here, the background knowledge of a subject is required for effective participation (for example: Should India go in for full convertibility of the rupee?).

~ Non-knowledge intensive: Requires structured thinking, but subject knowledge is not required (for example: Do women make better managers?)

~ Abstract: Requires out-of-the-box thinking, analogy and example-based discussion (For example: Money is sweeter than honey, blue is better than red).

ii. Case studies

A structured discussion of a specific situation is given as a case. Sometimes, you will be asked to enact a role play where each participant is allotted a role to play, with relevance to the case study.

iii. Group tasks

These are an extension of case studies where specific objectives are to be achieved as a group.

Conducting GDs

While there is a great deal of variety in the methodology of conducting a Group Discussion, let's discuss the methodology commonly used for B-School selections.

Normally 8-10 students are taken as a group, though in some cases, up to 16 people may be included in a group. The GD lasts for 10-15 minutes.

For a topic-based GD, 2-3 minutes of thinking time may be given; though the group is often told to start right away. For case studies, however, about 15 minutes is given.

The evaluation is done by one or two experts, usually professors from the B-School itself. Please remember that these people are experts with a lot of experience and can be counted upon to observe all details, even if the GD is chaotic.

The candidates may be seated in a circle or in a rectangular arrangement, with or without a table. Seating arrangements may be prefixed or there may be free seating.

The discussion may be stopped at the set time or even earlier. A conclusion or consensus may be asked for, though it usually does not occur. A written or oral summary may asked for at the end from each candidate.

How to prepare?

i. Content

~ Develop subject knowledge on current affairs, general awareness and business trends.
~ Structure arguments on selected topics, considering both sides to the argument.
~ Plan for short and lucid points.

ii. Practice

~ GD skills cannot be learned from books. Get into practice groups.
~ Get skilled people to observe and give feedback.
~ Spend a lot of time analysing each GD performance. Plan specific improvements

career guidence

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:31:00 +0000

How to Plan Your Career?

Choosing a career is a difficult matter, in the best of times. Add to this opinions of friends and parents, and the young person is caught up in a confusing situation where making a decision is almost impossible. We give here a model that can help young people to choose a career, gain competencies required for it, make decisions, set goals and take action. The decision for each individual is different, since everyone is a distinct individual. This model is helpful not only for fresher but also throughout one's life.

flowers

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:46:00 +0000

INTERVIEW

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Preparation is key to a successful interview

Does the idea of going to a job interview make you feel a little queasy? Many people find that it is the hardest part of the hiring process. But it doesn’t have to be. The more you prepare and practice, the more comfortable you will feel. Increase your odds of landing the job you want by brushing up on your interview skills.

Prepare before you go.
Find out all you can about the company before you go to the interview. Understand the products that they produce and/or the services that they provide. It’s also good to know who the customers are and who the major competitors are.

Practice makes perfect.
It will also make you feel more confident and relaxed. So, practice your answers to common questions. Make a list of questions to ask, too. Almost all interviewers will ask if you have questions. This is a great opportunity for you to show that you have done your homework and have put some thought into your questions

Make a great impression.
The interview is your chance to show that you are the best person for the job. Your application or resume has already exhibited that you are qualified. Now it ’s up to you to show how your skills and experience match this position and this company.

The employer will be looking and listening to determine if you are a good fit. He/she will be looking for a number of different qualities, in addition to the skills that you possess. To make the best impression, dress appropriately; sell your strengths; arrive early, by about 10-15 minutes; be enthusiastic; shake hands firmly; be an active listener; sit up straight and maintain eye contact; ask questions.

Say "thank you".
After the interview, follow up with a thank-you note. This is a chance for you to restate your interest and how you can benefit the company. Your best bet is to try to time it so that the note gets there before the hiring decision is made. You should also follow up with a phone call if you don’t hear back from the employer within the specified time. Check out some samples:

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:54:00 +0000

What Is Self Confidence?

How to gain self confidence

Today is one of those days when your group has to make a presentation to a client. This is an important occasion because it is an opportunity to get your boss' attention. It could mean a raise or a promotion if you could just muster the courage to stand there in front of these people and present your proposal. The problem is, your shyness gets the better of you, and you are relegated to the background.

You sat there mesmerized, as your colleague Elena made a winning presentation of your proposal. She stood there, dressed in a simple gray suit that spelled confidence! "Why can't I gather enough courage to present my work to these people when I know this project like the back of my hand," you ask yourself.

Self confidence. This is what you lack, and this is what your colleague Elena has. But what is self confidence? Is it the ability to speak in a loud voice so you can get people's attention? Is it about power dressing?

Self confidence is an attitude that is characterized by a positive belief that one can take control of one's life and of one's plans.

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:02:00 +0000

personality development- childhood and adolescence

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:01:00 +0000

Personality Development
Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence by Jerome Kagan, Ph.D. Harvard University

The concept of personality refers to the profile of stable beliefs, moods, and behaviors that differentiate among children (and adults) who live in a particular society. The profiles that differentiate children across cultures of different historical times will not be the same because the most adaptive profiles vary with the values of the society and the historical era. An essay on personality development written 300 years ago by a New England Puritan would have listed piety as a major psychological trait but that would not be regarded as an important personality trait in contemporary America.

Contemporary theorists emphasize personality traits having to do with individualism, internalized conscience, sociability with strangers, the ability to control strong emotion and impulse, and personal achievement.

An important reason for the immaturity of our understanding of personality development is the heavy reliance on questionnaires that are filled out by parents of children or the responses of older children to questionnaires. Because there is less use of behavioral observations of children, our theories of personality development are not strong.

Five Perspectives on Personality Development Perspective Assumed Processes Primary Outcomes
Temperament Inherent physiological mechanisms Ease of arousal, ability to regulate emotions and impulses, energy, reaction to unfamiliar people and events, dominant mood
Psychoanalytic Conflict over sexual and hostile motives Defenses, phobias, depressed mood
Attachment Relation to the caretaker in the infant years Control of impulse, social habits, security, anger, frustration tolerance, trust in others, capacity for love
Self Interpretations of experience, identification Guilt, shame, anxiety, self-confidence
Observed behavior Acquired habits Sociability, aggressive behavior, impulsivity, shyness, obedience

There are five different hypotheses regarding the early origins of personality (see accompanying table). One assumes that the child's inherited biology, usually called a temperamental bias, is an important basis for the child's later personality. Alexander Thomas and StellaChess suggested there were nine temperamental dimensions along with three synthetic types they called the difficult child, the easy child, and the child who is slow to warm up to unfamiliarity. Longitudinal studies of children suggest that a shy and fearful style of reacting to challenge and novelty predicts, to a modest degree, an adult personality that is passive to challenge and introverted in mood.

Manners

noreply@blogger.com (binbrain) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 07:08:00 +0000

Helping Children With Manners

Manners are constantly changing from one century or one generation to the next. For example, a handshake originally was meant to show that men were not carrying a sword or dagger in their hands. Men still tip their hats because once knights in armor lifted the visors of their helmets to show their faces. And it wasn't too many years ago that a man almost always got up in a crowded bus and gave his seat to a woman. Nevertheless, certain manners do survive from one decade to the next, and this is because manners make life easier for everybody.

There are three important ideas behind the good manners we use today: custom, consideration, and common sense. Custom is the habit of doing certain things like shaking hands and tipping hats mentioned above. Consideration is the most important idea behind all good manners. Almost always, being considerate is being well-mannered. Consideration is simply thinking about the way the other person feels. Being rude to someone is bad manners, not because a book says so, but because it causes hurt feelings. Nearly all good manners have in element of common sense. If you are standing in the rear of a crowded elevator, it's not reasonable-nor good manners-to try pushing your way to the front so you can get out first.

These are the basic ideas we want to teach our children when we are trying to instill good manners-simple kindness, consideration, and common sense. The following suggestions written for and directed to children may give some added authority in the matter of what is common courtesy and what is not.

Manners at Home

Home is where you learn to get along with people. 'Me closer you live with other people, the more important good manners are. Everybody in a household should respect the rights and feelings of everybody else. Try to listen when others in the family have something to say. Even a little brother or sister who can't yet read or a grandmother who seems quite old has a right to an opinion.

It is important for members of a family to consider each other's privacy. No matter how crowded a home is, everyone in it has a right to some place that is his own. Here are some privacy don'ts:

* Don't open a closed door until you have knocked and waited for permission to enter.
* Don't go into anyone else's bureau, desk, box, or papers at home or anywhere else without his permission.
* Don't read anyone's mail or anything he has written (for example, a diary) unless he asks you to.
* Don't discuss the private affairs of your family with outsiders or tell about a family problem.

Another important part of family good manners is sharing. You share the TV set and the telephone and the bathroom and maybe a bedroom or a closet or a desk. You share the work. This means cleaning up after yourself and sharing the responsibility for the safety of everyone in the house.