35 people are selected across India for the First round in the Undergraduate Level Conference, 24 among these will qualify for the second round
TOPIC: Sustainable Globalization for Inclusive Development: Challenges and Opportunities
Background:
Globalization is a process of interaction and integration of all stakeholders in a global village having significant effects on the environment, culture, political systems, economic development and prosperity, as well as on the human well-being in the society. Though, the oft glamorized concept of globalization has attracted the attention of intellectuals all over the world, a comprehensive assessment of its impact on all stakeholders still awaits concerted effort. The paper is an attempt to explicate the real dynamics associated with the globalization process and its potential loopholes.
Issues and Concerns:
Myrdal’s theory explicitly highlights the imbalanced economic stature among the countries due to a mismatch between the fast backwash and slow trickle-down effect of globalization. This has resulted in the skewed growth rate between developed and developing countries and also unequal distribution of income affecting in turn other social sectors like education, health facilities, etc. Though potentially helpful, a deeper situational probing reveals us a picture of concentration of wealth in the hands of few, and a parasitic growth trend of few countries at the cost of others. However, one of the main reasons behind a lag is that third world countries are trying to imitate the growth pattern of developed countries.
Proposed Solutions: As a solution to lingering issue attempt is made to propose a model of Inclusive and Sustainable Globalization. Though, here mention will be made of India time and again, the model possesses enormous applicability to all the developing countries. One of the assured ways of reaching this position is the optimal use of technologies while recognizing that technology can act as a MAGNIFIER ONLY. Government schools should train children in vocational skills like computing, etc. for making students employable rather than focusing on formal education only. Internet, technology, TVs, DVDs and mobile phones can be used for accelerating community growth in villages.
Community radios are local radios broadcasting local programs managed by village community which can be used for announcements in the village regarding Panchayat meetings, school homework for kids, spreading awareness on severe issues and available Government facilities for AIDS, polio drops etc. These radios have numerous positive impacts. As mostly operated by women, such radios can act as a milestone in women empowerment scheme besides informing the whole community. Mobile phones can act as a boon for the villagers. Creation of employment opportunities in rural areas will reduce the urban migration and help crating a more balanced and effective resource distribution. Indian cities are no better than rural areas; rather give a sight of living hell of slums being victims of fruits of globalization. We need to learn from the rise of Japan in late 1970s which made their cultural and collective approach as their basic forte for growth. An Internal effort to grow by making self sustainable economy is definitely the need of the hour, rather than following the developed countries, and in this regard the economic policies followed by China are a lesson for everyone.
This is just an abstract, I am looking forward to your extensive comments on this, as it would help me to write the final paper (last date - 20th Oct'10)
Friday, October 1, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
To be a Journalist
Research journalism (My coining): This is better and apt for specialised candidates who don’t like a lot of travelling. It is mainly researching about topics on net and writing editorials. But it is a fairly difficult job and involves a detailed understanding of the subject, updated information in the area and needless to say, decent articulating skills. Newspaper offices are the libraries of all the latest reports issued by government and corporate, press releases and other stuffs. So it is very resourceful. Another option is working as a free lancer journalist.
A B C of Journalism
Skills needed to be a reporter: Good communication skills, proper idea of the beat including peripheral knowledge of the ongoing news in interlinking areas and decent writing ability.
Scanning the wires*: This basic aptitude enables a journalist to judge the news on their priority basis for the audience. Acquiring this skill would take roughly 10 days.
* Wires are news agencies that have extensive network of reporters spread all around. Generally newspapers do not have such large number of reporters, so they thrive on wires for news.
Reporting assignments: It is a fun activity. Each reporter has a beat(specialisation). A beat is acquired by following that stream over time, talking to experts like government officials, businessmen, concerned minister and academician. It is upto a reporter how deep he/she associates with the beat and this in turn establish his/her repo in that group. This way a reporter builds contacts. So, reporting assignments, in nutshell, is defined as following your beat.
Add on**: Any reporting is followed by lunch/dinner/high tea etc. This is a way to lure/ attract the reporters so that the news get proper coverage. In business section, at times, companies also give gifts to that beat reporter to maintain good relations and an ethicist reporter declines it.
**especially in business section
Networking: Reporters thrive on experts. They network with experts for news and updates. They certainly have an advantage over lay man because media can make anyone important. Starting conversation twice from scratch is difficult and annoying; following is a smarter way to grow.
Travelling: What irked me the most at Indian Express was travelling required for reporting. Delhi is a city of distances, and to go from one venue to another took on an average 1 hour. For reporters it is unavoidable, but for me it was a heck. So it is very much a subjective issue.
A B C of Journalism
Skills needed to be a reporter: Good communication skills, proper idea of the beat including peripheral knowledge of the ongoing news in interlinking areas and decent writing ability.
Scanning the wires*: This basic aptitude enables a journalist to judge the news on their priority basis for the audience. Acquiring this skill would take roughly 10 days.
* Wires are news agencies that have extensive network of reporters spread all around. Generally newspapers do not have such large number of reporters, so they thrive on wires for news.
Reporting assignments: It is a fun activity. Each reporter has a beat(specialisation). A beat is acquired by following that stream over time, talking to experts like government officials, businessmen, concerned minister and academician. It is upto a reporter how deep he/she associates with the beat and this in turn establish his/her repo in that group. This way a reporter builds contacts. So, reporting assignments, in nutshell, is defined as following your beat.
Add on**: Any reporting is followed by lunch/dinner/high tea etc. This is a way to lure/ attract the reporters so that the news get proper coverage. In business section, at times, companies also give gifts to that beat reporter to maintain good relations and an ethicist reporter declines it.
**especially in business section
Networking: Reporters thrive on experts. They network with experts for news and updates. They certainly have an advantage over lay man because media can make anyone important. Starting conversation twice from scratch is difficult and annoying; following is a smarter way to grow.
Travelling: What irked me the most at Indian Express was travelling required for reporting. Delhi is a city of distances, and to go from one venue to another took on an average 1 hour. For reporters it is unavoidable, but for me it was a heck. So it is very much a subjective issue.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Career Option: Merchant Navy
Merchant navy is a lucrative job opportunity for Science Stream aspirants dreaming to earn a handsome salary at work. The job is not always in sea(a common misconception), there are also a series of on shore jobs. But sea jobs fetch more money than shore jobs because of the “risk factor" involved. The general trend is that a new joiner spends initial years in sea and later part on shore.
The other eligibility requirement is that the candidate should have obtained at least 60% aggregate marks in PCM in 12th and 50% in English in either 10th or 12th standard. Age limit is 17 to 25 years.
The education fees are high but it is worth giving because the returns are higher and loan is easily available for the education. Sea life has a lot of free time for one’s creativity and exploration.
Selection exams are conducted twice a year. Detailed Information can be obtained from the below websites and the attached brochure:
Disclaimer: This informational page is created for friends and relatives.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Kentaro Toyama: When ICTD founder thinks the other way
Now this is interesting, Kentaro Toyama, one of the key founders of the Information Communication and Technology for Development (ICTD/ICT4D), today gave a talk titled "10 myths about ICT4D" . After working 18years in this area, now he feels that ICT can never elevate poverty. Poverty and related issues in poor can be removed by social means, their empowerment.
To mention his position in ICTD area, he is the key chair person of the ICTD2010 conference, which is also co-founded by him. He is the co-founder of Microsoft Research, India and in it he founded Technology for Emerging Markets(TEM) group which specializes on ICTD.
His profile link is http://www.kentarotoyama.org/profile/default.htm Kentaro is writing a book titled Strive: How Individual Growth Leads to Global Development. I am eagerly waiting for the book to be out. Kentaro's blog is http://ict4djester.org/blog/
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Trying out my creativity at Microsoft Research
May be, "Great creativity come at great place." This pic is my first try at drawing some sort of cartoon character during one of the lecture sessions going on at MSR. It may sound ridiculous but yeah during the session I was enjoying doing my own stuff.
I wanna add emotions to it and make it more expressive. Suggestions any kind are welcome...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Truths about Internship at The Indian Express
Going to Indian Express
26th May'10
I have been going to the Indian Express from last tuesday, thereby completing 8 days in the office including 3 days of holidays. The job on the first day seemed to be very exciting as on day one I was opportunist to meet the Finance Minister of India. For an outsider, what could had been more more fascinating?? I was boasting of my achievement to every person, who showed even the slightest interest in asking how I felt at IE. But is it that big an event from a journalist point of view??
Let me define Journalism : It is a profession required to update the citizens of the country of the ongoing happenings in the country and abroad in all spheres. And how journalists do it?? They do it by conversing with key officials in their beat and covering news by reporting. And here's is the key which entitles them to built contact in their area. My getting the chance to meet the FM was one such routine event for them, and a special event for me.
How about the later days?? It is all left to me to figure out myself. Either I continue to be in the same aura or choose to be more realistic and take up the job of reporting in regular fashion. Coming from a hard core academic background with a rigorous syllabus pattern, this truth was hard for me to understand then. As a result, I am daily bored to the extent that I came to the belief that fuck off this internship. To the extent that, i have started believing, being at home and watching movie would have been better job than this internship.
I continue to be bored. How could I think of revolutionizing the IE in mere 8 days of joining, when the regular employees have not succeeded in years. I guess, the best i can make out in the remaining days is to interact with as many people there in different sections, learn about the natuire of the job, and figure out what have motivated and glued them to this profession. I guess be cool, enjoy intern, work 6hours, have time for yourself, identify a beat and cover it.
When the government has so many ministries to different portfolios with n numbers of employees in each, thimking that i will know the ins and outxs of all in mere 20 days that too with no prior info. would certainly confer me with Nobel rather than a mere certificate by IE :P:P
Patience is needed everywhere and creativity takes time. Had it been such an easy task then then every third person would had been a journalist.
1st June'10
Indeed, Patience is the keyword. My previous bursting out helped me a lot in regaining my wisdom. Now, I guess I have learnt the rules of the game:) I have lowered my expectations. I no more go to the office early. I have started reaching there at 1-2p.m. and leave the office whatever time after 7p.m. I feel like. I kind of exploit the resources here, make all phone calls through the office number, take print outs and other similar stuffs.
What in turn I realise is that after adopting these strategies, I improvised on my productivity. Now, I have a byline story, 2 regular routine copies, 1-2 area watch is due, one interview will be coming this weekend and even now I stand a chance of getting an anchor story published in Financial Express. Had I still been impatient, I would probably ended up having at max 2-3 stories. But, I guess it's a lot more than getting mere stories in newspaper. It is about understanding whether this kind of work interests me, and do I really intend to carry it forward in future?
And the answer is YES. I am ready to join newpaper or media broadly as an edit team, analyst and certainly not as a reporter. I don't mean to say that reporting is boring, all I am saying that I am more competant in opinion kind of writing.
Time taking is an integral part of any new learning activity and one should be very patient to avoid making nasty decisions then. Giving more time, bring out the true picture of the thing and more than that weigh your real inclination towards it. So always explore and use experienced advice before forming notions about any job.
26th May'10
I have been going to the Indian Express from last tuesday, thereby completing 8 days in the office including 3 days of holidays. The job on the first day seemed to be very exciting as on day one I was opportunist to meet the Finance Minister of India. For an outsider, what could had been more more fascinating?? I was boasting of my achievement to every person, who showed even the slightest interest in asking how I felt at IE. But is it that big an event from a journalist point of view??
Let me define Journalism : It is a profession required to update the citizens of the country of the ongoing happenings in the country and abroad in all spheres. And how journalists do it?? They do it by conversing with key officials in their beat and covering news by reporting. And here's is the key which entitles them to built contact in their area. My getting the chance to meet the FM was one such routine event for them, and a special event for me.
How about the later days?? It is all left to me to figure out myself. Either I continue to be in the same aura or choose to be more realistic and take up the job of reporting in regular fashion. Coming from a hard core academic background with a rigorous syllabus pattern, this truth was hard for me to understand then. As a result, I am daily bored to the extent that I came to the belief that fuck off this internship. To the extent that, i have started believing, being at home and watching movie would have been better job than this internship.
I continue to be bored. How could I think of revolutionizing the IE in mere 8 days of joining, when the regular employees have not succeeded in years. I guess, the best i can make out in the remaining days is to interact with as many people there in different sections, learn about the natuire of the job, and figure out what have motivated and glued them to this profession. I guess be cool, enjoy intern, work 6hours, have time for yourself, identify a beat and cover it.
When the government has so many ministries to different portfolios with n numbers of employees in each, thimking that i will know the ins and outxs of all in mere 20 days that too with no prior info. would certainly confer me with Nobel rather than a mere certificate by IE :P:P
Patience is needed everywhere and creativity takes time. Had it been such an easy task then then every third person would had been a journalist.
1st June'10
Indeed, Patience is the keyword. My previous bursting out helped me a lot in regaining my wisdom. Now, I guess I have learnt the rules of the game:) I have lowered my expectations. I no more go to the office early. I have started reaching there at 1-2p.m. and leave the office whatever time after 7p.m. I feel like. I kind of exploit the resources here, make all phone calls through the office number, take print outs and other similar stuffs.
What in turn I realise is that after adopting these strategies, I improvised on my productivity. Now, I have a byline story, 2 regular routine copies, 1-2 area watch is due, one interview will be coming this weekend and even now I stand a chance of getting an anchor story published in Financial Express. Had I still been impatient, I would probably ended up having at max 2-3 stories. But, I guess it's a lot more than getting mere stories in newspaper. It is about understanding whether this kind of work interests me, and do I really intend to carry it forward in future?
And the answer is YES. I am ready to join newpaper or media broadly as an edit team, analyst and certainly not as a reporter. I don't mean to say that reporting is boring, all I am saying that I am more competant in opinion kind of writing.
Time taking is an integral part of any new learning activity and one should be very patient to avoid making nasty decisions then. Giving more time, bring out the true picture of the thing and more than that weigh your real inclination towards it. So always explore and use experienced advice before forming notions about any job.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
My first Byline in Indian Express Newspaper
Here's the link
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Plastic-producers-cry-for-help-as-exports-fall/624812
Please be generous and dont hold your emotions in writing comments.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Plastic-producers-cry-for-help-as-exports-fall/624812
Please be generous and dont hold your emotions in writing comments.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Intern Day1 - Met Finance Minister of India
What could be a better Day-1 of Internship for an Economics undergraduate than meeting the FM himself within half an hour of joining the office at the Indian Express, Delhi ?
I was privileged to sit within a meter range of Finance Minister of India "Pranab Mukherjee". It was an informal session and he discussed wide range of issues ranging from Women Reservation Bill to Civil Nuclear Liability Bill to the Tax Revenue and monsoon.
The session lasted for around two and half hours. I was sitting Shocked and quiet. But I was certainly trying to look sincere with a notepad in hand and scribbling stuffs in between :) Later I came to know that he had come under an exclusive IE activity "The Idea Exchange". Under this Idea Exchange sessions similar Bigshots keep coming once or twice a week. Lets hope for others.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Time for Parents to believe in their Kids
It is high time that youths should start taking responsibilities
and come to play. Present Political set up - Those who run the country (call
themselves responsible) have already made their future and those who have to
make their future are sidelined by saying, “Beta, Sirf JOSH se kaam nai chalta
hai”.
Those who say this or those who are running the nation, their
credibility and experience/background is not hidden from us. It is a sheer
matter of stigma prevalent in the society and the caring nature of parents that
subdue the intellectual independence of decision making of adolescents or
youths. The outcome is - We always try seeking the final word of assurance from
some elder/friend.
Bringing a structural change in the attitude of people needs
endeavour from both Parent’s as well as Chidlren’s part. Parents need to
entrust their children, give more freedom to them to decide on small matters
without interference. On the other hand, children should also show maturity and
refrain from making JOSHILA decisions. This creates the impression of
"Haste makes waste." More than that one should develop the courage to
abide by one’s decisions.
....inspired by Netaji
Monday, April 26, 2010
A New Kind of College
I was thinking if we could have an undergraduate college in India with 50 students intake each year. The set-up is like this, students are asked to decide their course content themselves. Similarly, they would also be asked to decide as to what should be the bare minimum, that they should know to get the passing degree.
It's not a new concept, i guess already being used in some B-school abroad. It would produce some of the candidates of very high potential, with many entrepreneurs, leaders and more than that fellows at LEAST learning what they wish to learn. I guess, 50 outgoing students of this kind, are worth changing the country in a period of 10 years.
It's not a new concept, i guess already being used in some B-school abroad. It would produce some of the candidates of very high potential, with many entrepreneurs, leaders and more than that fellows at LEAST learning what they wish to learn. I guess, 50 outgoing students of this kind, are worth changing the country in a period of 10 years.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
My encounter with the French Girl in the Library
I was reading Imagining India in the evening around 6pm yesterday. It was this time, she came and sat in front on the other row facing towards me. Now, I could concentrate no longer. The part I was reading described as to how English percolated in the roots of Indian culture over some 100 years(1835-1977) and now is an indispensable part of our civilization. I read two lines, then looked up, then again coming back. This pattern continued.
After continuing for half an hour this way, I thought it was better to return to hostel. So I got up, took the book and looking at her, left the place. While coming towards the hostel, in the midway, I suddenly realized that I don’t have my mobile with me. I checked my bag, to confirm. Yeah, I had left the cell phone in the library. I rushed back towards library, dropped my bag swiftly at the entrance and leaped towards the first floor. Thanks to the guard, he, somehow (generally they are stuck with the lines ‘Bhaiya I Card’ and don’t let you go even in case of emergency), understood the seriousness of the situation and didn’t ask me to show ID card then.
Reaching the spot, I found my cell lying on the table isolated. People were sitting two chairs away on both sides. I took a sigh of relief, picked up my cell and glanced at the girl. She was still engrossed attentively with her handouts, with a marker in her hand. I giggled at myself and left.
After continuing for half an hour this way, I thought it was better to return to hostel. So I got up, took the book and looking at her, left the place. While coming towards the hostel, in the midway, I suddenly realized that I don’t have my mobile with me. I checked my bag, to confirm. Yeah, I had left the cell phone in the library. I rushed back towards library, dropped my bag swiftly at the entrance and leaped towards the first floor. Thanks to the guard, he, somehow (generally they are stuck with the lines ‘Bhaiya I Card’ and don’t let you go even in case of emergency), understood the seriousness of the situation and didn’t ask me to show ID card then.
Reaching the spot, I found my cell lying on the table isolated. People were sitting two chairs away on both sides. I took a sigh of relief, picked up my cell and glanced at the girl. She was still engrossed attentively with her handouts, with a marker in her hand. I giggled at myself and left.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Human Rights in Indian Context
In a country like India what do we mean by Human Rights(HR)?
HR make sense only when the basic physical needs, like food, shelter, clothing and recreation, are fulfilled.India,with 1.3 billion people, have more than 40 million population living at an income less than Rs.530 a month. Would talking of HR make any sense for them? I suppose before talking about HR, we should talk about empowering the people of our country, so that they are able to enjoy the HR.
Small Scale Industries(SSI) will act as a milestone in empowering Indian population. SSI, being labour intensive industries, will help in employing a large number of unemployed population. Educated youths, good in marketing, have a lot of scope in them because SSI lack on marketing grounds. Local artisans cannot market their products well, and end up getting exploited. We could also assist SSI by helping them monetarily as they involve low cost upto 5 lakh and we can monitor it. Our role lies in coming up with innovative ideas in production and popularisation of the products.
The model of working should be like make the workers owners of the firm be it just 5% share. This would make the worker accountable and responsible for working smartly, and generating profits. It would improve the overall productive efficiency and in turn generate self confidence in the worker.
The second point that I want to make is that good quality, regular jobs should be promoted with proper pension and provident funds. If we cut the salary to half, this would help simply doubling of the number of jobs. But this cannot be done alone. I guess the increasing globalisation is hampering the overall uniform growth of our country. FDIs and FIIs are responsible significantly for the increasing regional imbalance, consumerism and individualistic feeling among people. More than that it is shifting the mind-set of people towards money and wasting many potential brains in software firms. Had these brains been in any other sector the payoffs would have been higher. A proper check should be on these MNCs from salary point of view, so that people have option to join firms based on their interest and not sheer money.
This is my point of view but I would definitely like to have a healthy discussion with the readers if you agree/disagree with me. I am also waiting to learn any refinements in my beliefs so that its effect is multiplied.
HR make sense only when the basic physical needs, like food, shelter, clothing and recreation, are fulfilled.India,with 1.3 billion people, have more than 40 million population living at an income less than Rs.530 a month. Would talking of HR make any sense for them? I suppose before talking about HR, we should talk about empowering the people of our country, so that they are able to enjoy the HR.
Small Scale Industries(SSI) will act as a milestone in empowering Indian population. SSI, being labour intensive industries, will help in employing a large number of unemployed population. Educated youths, good in marketing, have a lot of scope in them because SSI lack on marketing grounds. Local artisans cannot market their products well, and end up getting exploited. We could also assist SSI by helping them monetarily as they involve low cost upto 5 lakh and we can monitor it. Our role lies in coming up with innovative ideas in production and popularisation of the products.
The model of working should be like make the workers owners of the firm be it just 5% share. This would make the worker accountable and responsible for working smartly, and generating profits. It would improve the overall productive efficiency and in turn generate self confidence in the worker.
The second point that I want to make is that good quality, regular jobs should be promoted with proper pension and provident funds. If we cut the salary to half, this would help simply doubling of the number of jobs. But this cannot be done alone. I guess the increasing globalisation is hampering the overall uniform growth of our country. FDIs and FIIs are responsible significantly for the increasing regional imbalance, consumerism and individualistic feeling among people. More than that it is shifting the mind-set of people towards money and wasting many potential brains in software firms. Had these brains been in any other sector the payoffs would have been higher. A proper check should be on these MNCs from salary point of view, so that people have option to join firms based on their interest and not sheer money.
This is my point of view but I would definitely like to have a healthy discussion with the readers if you agree/disagree with me. I am also waiting to learn any refinements in my beliefs so that its effect is multiplied.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Getting Started
Well, it is my first blog. I am an activist by nature and believe that it is high time that we Indians should come out and join hands to revive the lost glory of our country.
Most of us wants to become entrepreneurs. I believe that this is something that can go long way in empowering our nation. I survey Small Scale Industries(SSI). These are low capital, labour intensive industries with high profit margin.
Through my blog, I intend to share with my readers different kinds of SSIs that I come across with the details of setting up an SSI of your own. Apart from this, I will also be sharing other incidences that happen with me during field work. Hope,it is informative and at the same time enjoyable.
Most of us wants to become entrepreneurs. I believe that this is something that can go long way in empowering our nation. I survey Small Scale Industries(SSI). These are low capital, labour intensive industries with high profit margin.
Through my blog, I intend to share with my readers different kinds of SSIs that I come across with the details of setting up an SSI of your own. Apart from this, I will also be sharing other incidences that happen with me during field work. Hope,it is informative and at the same time enjoyable.
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