The right education for right job

When we embarked on the globalization, detractors cried that all the bonanza of the global village would be grabbed by the rich few and enveloping countries like India would be worse off.

But the soothsayers have been proved wrong and with every passing day one would discover that it was never so good for Indian youth before globalization. Top IT companies are visiting campuses of Arts and Science Colleges along with Engineering and MBA Colleges to select graduates for different IT related jobs. These raw graduates would be given short training before induction.

So breath taking changes are taking place across the world with education fast turning global and in this global interaction thousands of youngsters are going abroad for higher studies and employment and as many of them are coming to India universities. Indeed education in India had become global more than two thousands years ago when Chinese monks came to Nalanda to learn more about Buddhism. But today, along with the winds of change blowing across the different continents, the young minds embrace the whole world in one sweep, for knowledge transcends boundaries and narrow confines. In fact he has to hone his skills in such a way that he can no only became a job seeker, but a job giver.

Global entrepreneurs like Mr. L.N. Mittal are not made in a day, greatness has been in the making for quite a long time born out of right education, perseverance and positive thinking. Mr. Mittal could just have been a high salaried employee in any steel company, but here is a visionary cast in a heroic mould who hitched his wagon to a star! He has spread his empire far and wide. Isn't it a miracle that a Youngman of a country enslaved for over two centuries has come upon his own just a few decades after India's freedom? Mr. Mittal is a symbol of the grand vision Dr. Kalam has projected for India's children.

With commercial consideration ruling the roost, there has been a mushrooming growth of engineering colle According to the figure there are 1,346 engineering colleges in the country with an approved annual intake of 4,39,689 students. So we should see that states are not saddled with too many substandard institutions and the students do not risk getting admission to such colleges that lack both in faculty and facilities. IT would be a sorry state of affairs if world class institutions like IITs and IIMs have to coexist with those whose performance has yet to come up to mark, because we need the right education for the right job.

After checking out India's top engineering colleges, experts recommended in March, 2005 against putting them alongside IITs, saying it may even seem detrimental to the stature of the existing IITs. The findings came from two course - an expert committee and a standing committee. The expertcommittee short listed seen institutions in order to merit, taking into account all the relevant parameters. The committee stressed that even these institutions fall far below the level of existing IITs in all criteria used for short listing and may be described as institutions possessing the best potential among the engineering and technology colleges in the country for up gradation to the level of IITs. All this shows the best seats of learning wouldn't like to compromise on the quality of faculty and the high intelligence of the students.

India's main competitor China and other counties like Singapore. Taiawn and South Korea areinvesting in large and differentiated higher education systems. They are providing access to a large number of students at the bottom of the academic system while at the same time building some research-based universities that are able to complete with the world's best institutions. A recent issue of the London Times Higher Education supplement ranked the world's top 200 universities that included three in China, three in Hong Kong, three in South Korea, one in Taiwan and one in India.

India cannot afford to sit on its oars though it has a large higher education sector - the third larges in the world, after China and the United States. It has an edger over China in that it uses English as a primary language of higher education and research. India has a long academic tradition.

While only ten percent of the young in India go in for higher education, it is 15 percent in China and more than 50 percent in the major industrialized counties. Out top centers like IITs, IIMs, AIIMs and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research enroll well under one percent of the population.

It is high time we take hard look at our higher education making it compete with the best in the world. We don't want institutions that produce mediocrities. In the rat race China is heavily investing in improving its best universities with the aim of making a small group of them world class in the coming decades and making a large number internationally competitive research universities. India needs enough universities that not only produce bright graduates, but also promising reach icons badly required for our expanding knowledge economy.

So lets remember that only right education can provide the key to right job. Right education not only opens up the threshold of right employment, but the limitless possibilities of self employment. If you glimpse through the lives of the heroes of rage to riches stories, you would find that most of them had the brain and the brawn, but no enough money to launch the project born out of their pet idea. There were propelled only by the right education and indomitable will power to achieve the seemingly impossible.

HIV/AIDS

Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome, popularly known by its abbreviation AIDS is a fatal disease as it attacks and destroys the immune system of the body. It is caused by a virus called Human Immuno Deficiency Virus or HIV in short. This virus is even invisible to a microscope and can remain in die body for years together without showing any visible symptoms. AIDS is the last stage of infection of the virus. It takes at least 10 years of period between getting infected with HIV and reaching the stage of developing AIDS. The first ever case of a person with AIDS was detected in America in 1959 which later emerged as a dreadfully widespread disease in the 1980s in countries like France, Belgium, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe etc. In India, it was first reported in 1986.

HIV is a fast spreading disease in the world which if—not controlled—can take an epidemic proportion. As per the reports of Indian Health Organization (IHO), women and children are found to be more prone to the disease. The highest numbers of AIDS cases are found in Mumbai in India which is known as die AIDS capital of the country and is closely followed by Chennai, Thiruvanandiapuram, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Kolhapur. Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Delhi too have a number of HIV cases being reported in die recent years.

As per die common myth, HIV infection is not contagious as is measles, chicken pox, tuberculosis, cholera, plague, smallpox etc. The infection mainly spreads through a sexual route or blood to blood contact. HIV spreads mainly through sexual relationship-whether heterosexual or homosexual with an infected partner, transfusion of HIV infected blood and blood products, use of infected syringes or needles and is passed on by an infected mother to her unborn child. It is therefore, foolish to believe that HIV spreads through mosquitoes, embracing, holding, touching or kissing each other, shaking hands, coughing, sneezing, spitting, sharing of public toilets or swimming pools, sharing meals or eating from the same plates, or sharing clothes, bedsheets or attending similar schools or working together.

AIDS is in reality caused by a slow and gradual process. Medically, four stages have been defined in its long process. The initial HIV infection may show general symptoms like fever, bodyache or headache and then lie dormant for years together without showing any further signs. The infection can be passed on through. Next, a person may develop enlarged glands in the neck or armpits without any pain or other symptoms. Other symptoms can be fatigue, weight-loss, chronic diarrhoea, prolonged fever, cough, night sweats etc. Gradually, the virus damages the immune system. The last stage of die disease takes at least 10 years to culminate into a fully blown AIDS. By this time, die patient's immune system is totally destroyed and the person gets infected by various diseases and cancers. This stage is easily recognized and a man survives for about 3-4 years after entering this stage.

Two tests are carried out in order to confirm HIV infection—ELISA and Western Blot. ELISA is simple and the results can be known within a few hours but Western Blot is difficult, expensive and time consuming. It is carried out to confirm the first test. What had initially been thought of as a homosexual disease h» emerged as one of the most widespread one among men, women and children of ail ages. The diseases in many ways—strikes at the very foundation of the smallest unit of society – the family. The victims and their families go through a phase of emotional trauma, social isolation and are shatterred financially. The victims are removed form their jobs, disowned by their families and turned down everywhere. The facilities currently available are inadequate. More and more medical colleges, hospitals and counseling centres need to be developed.

Awareness about the disease, its causes add treatment should be created among the masses. Schools and colleges can be a Very effective medium of creating awareness among the youth. These youths in turn can be instrumental in spreading awareness among the other sections of the society. HIV patients need to be cared with compassion and be allowed to live and die with dignity. Voluntary organizations can help the government in accomplishing this task by various means of advertising, performing street plays, conducting seminars and involving the youth.

New Technologies for students

“With the help of technology students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more quickly.” I agree with this statement. Technology has helped a student’s cross national boundaries, open up new views and increase the speed at which he imbibes information.

New technology in the form of Internet has helped breach the limitations of a country’s frontiers. A student sitting in a small town of India can access the latest course material released by MIT on his topic of interest. He can gain access to the latest info that is happening in physical and thus improve his existing warehouse of knowledge. He can browse through the previous papers in physics and dwell deeper and deeper in his specialized study. And how long does this all take? A click of a mouse. Compare this with searching through the mazes of his small hometown library, only to find some outdated articles and consuming a great part of his daily activity.

Technology has helped open up many new avenues that previously were considered impossible. Take for example the simple LCD projectors. They give a visual feel of the subject that the student is studying helping him to learn not only quickly but also effectively. Or for that matter video conferencing. A student can ask questions and clear his lingering doubts when he interacts with a professor considered as the authority in his field.

An overlooked aspect of technology is the transportation. With rapid advances in transportation, a student in Japan does not think twice before signing up for a program in the US. Would this have been possible 100 years back? Certainly not.

In concluding I would like to say that technology has played a major role not only in increasing the speed at which students learn but also in bringing a radical change in the way they learn it.

The information technology is developing so rapidly that nearly all families in Hong Kong have at least one computer. Not only can students surf on the net and search for information at home, but they can also use computers at schools, at cyber centers and even in certain fast food restaurants. No doubt, the convenience in accessing information on the Internet helps students to learn more knowledge and learn it more quickly.

In the past, students can only learn from traditional books. In addition to the school curriculum, students might be able to learn from the extra-curricular books. They can go to the library and search for information. But this is much inconvenient than just sitting in front of the computer and learning things from websites from all over the world. In comparison, the information from the traditional books is so limited. By surfing on the net, students can get a wider horizon about any kind of information and have a deep understanding on each field.

On the other hand, students can never have such a quick way to search for information that they required. In a library, students might have to spend a whole hour in searching for a single book with relevant information. Yet, with a computer, students can search for an entire page of links with a search engine such as Google and Yahoo. The whole process involves just few clicks and several seconds. Moreover, information from books in library might be outdated. On the net, students can learn the first-handed information. With the help of technology, students can get information much quicker.

However, searching on the net for information has its disadvantages too. It is difficult to endure the information is accurate or not, as the publishing of website don’t have the controlling policies as that of publishing books. Yet, in general, it is still true that information technology help students to learn more and learn more quickly.

Nationalization

Generally speaking nationalization means the control of industries by the state. When a Government takes under its control as owner any privately run business, then this act is known as the act of nationalization.

The state becomes the owner of the nationalized concern. The State and the Government become responsible for the loss and the profit of the nationalized business. A few years ago, in our won country, life insurance business was nationalized. Then fourteen banks were nationalized. Bus services on different routes have also been nationalized. Many other industries and business concerns, including coal mines, have also been taken over by the Government.

Some people are against nationalization. They say that by nationalization, the Government takes away the right of the citizens to do any business which they think themselves to be capable of. This is against the spirit of democracy. But it is not so. Nationalization ad democracy can go hand-in-hand. They are not opposed to each other.

Nationalization has become the economic creed of modern times. Its advantages are many. First, private ownership of big industries and business concerns gives rise to two classes. On the one side, there re big capitalists who own, manage and control the firms and the mills. On the other, are the poor laborers. The capitalists become richer while the poor laborers grow poorer. Nationalization removes exploitation. It reduces inequalities. The distribution of wealth becomes uniform and just.

Secondly, under private ownership competition is very keen. Thus, big and powerful capitalists try to crush their small rivals. This is against national interest. Nationalization curbs unhealthy competition and checks corruption.

There are certain basic industries which must not be left in the hands of private persons. They must be run by the Government. Production of arms and ammunition, atomic energy, public utility serviceslike railways, electricity, oil and natural gas, waterworks and aviation, etc., are some such industries. In such production works, the service of the public is the main motive and not the earning of profits. We are sorry to note that a number of public sector undertakings are not doing commendable work. There are to-day a number of autonomous corporations, and they have not succeeded in increasing production. They are incurring heavy losses. They must face stiff competition from private enterprises so that their efficiency may be increased. The spirit of competition is of great good to the nation.

All is not good with nationalization. If the state begins to nationalize different business concerns from time to time, it kills private enterprise. Private persons do not invest in new industries lest they be nationalized.

Further, with gradual nationalization, the state begins to acquire greater and greater control over the life of the people. In the long run this leads to complete centralization of economic power in the hands of the state. This means bringing in dictatorship form the back door.

It should also be kept in mind that many of the privately owned concerns have only worn out and outdated machinery. Hence to nationalize such industries is not profitable. So new industries should be established instead of taking over the old ones. The public sector should be enlarged and strengthened, but the private sector must also be encouraged and helped to tide over the crisis which it may be facing.

Failures are the pillars of success

Man is destined to face challenges in life. Life is not a bed of roses. Obstacles and difficulties are bound to come in the way. All desire for success. However, everybody doesn't succeed in achieving his goals. Failures are a part of our lives. But one who keeps on striving is crowned with success, eventually.

Success is the result of hard work, firm determination and dedication. Sometimes, the attempt proves to be a failure. But failure is a natural phenomenon. It carries a treasure of invaluable experience. Success and failure are two facets of the same coin.

Every failure is a stepping stone to success. Failure teaches us a lot. It reveals our weakness that must be overcome. It informs us about the problem areas in our work. It guides and inspires us to put in more effort. It reveals the weakness of our planning. It gives us strength to act more decisively. We come to know about our limitations. It gives us a guideline for future course of action. Failure, thus prepares a person to go for the next endeavour with better chance of success.

A man who has not tasted failure doesn't know of success. He becomes too self assured and easy going. Most great men achieved success only after a long battle with failures. They learnt from their failures.

One who has met with failure needn't invest same amount of labor as invested in one's maiden attempt. He is merely required to analyze the ways he has adopted. Success without failure is seldom possible. Failure shouldn't stop us living life well. It is always possible to live your best life despite the odds and hardship. No matter one has lost his job, suffered a financial crises, faced a heart break-one should always believe that be can live his life best despite all this. This optimistic attitude will give him the courage to go ahead with life living well with all the hope and vigor. Living well is the revenge to the failure.

Fortunes favors the brave. And the brave is one who gets ahead, overcomes his failures and achieves his goal. We should keep our priorities before us, concentrate on them fully, do the consistent efforts and then we will see that every thing is falling on its right place.

The brave have the confidence to welcome challenges in life. Failures should not result in pessimism. Pessimism acts as a stumbling block in one' way to success. The pessimist sees difficulties in very opportunity. The optimist sees opportunities in every difficulty. Failures, thus, act as a ray of hope. In cases of failures, one should not be scared of the comments and criticism of the people.

The invention and discoveries are the result of hard work and sustained effort. All the inventors and discoveries met with failures on the way, but they never left their work in the midway. Life saving rugs are results of enormous efforts of such types.

Nothing great has ever been achieved without consistent effort in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties. The freedom struggles of India is a classic example of the heroic sacrifices made by the freedom fighters who neither cared for their lives, nor for their families. To them what mattered was freedom of the country. Every set back further strengthened their resolve. Ultimately the mighty British empire had to bow down and the Britishers had to leave India bag and baggage. The same can be said of Nelson Mandela who succeeded in freeing his nation despite facing a number of hurdles.

The youth of today is restless. They expect results immediately. Rome was not build in a day. Success is bound to follow once we start running towards our objective. One should not be depressed or dejected when one meets failure on the way.

Today, we can lead a comfortable life. We have numerous facilities and arrangements at our disposal. All these were not available in the past. They were invented and discovered. It was possible only through hard work and toil.

The Indian educational system need to be modified. The foundations of knowledge should be made strong. The youth should get career guidance. They should be made aware of the future challenges. They should be taught to accept each failure as a challenge. Today psychiatrists, career counselors help the youth to overcome their trauma.

Failure results when the preparation for a gold has not reached perfection. There is something lacking which requires timely attention. One can't enjoy one's success to the extreme unless one has tasted failure. Failure prepares the foundation for bigger things in life. Failure are thus the pillars of success.

Society and Government

“Society is Prouder by Our Wants and Government by Our Wickedness”

The quotation which forms the subject of the essay implies that society is essentially good, for it comes into being to satisfy human wants. On the other hand, government is bad for it owes its origin to human wickedness. Let us first consider the nature and organization of society and government and then draw our own conclusions.

Pundits of political science have defined society as a human organization in which a number of persons group themselves together for some particular purpose. Thus, a crowd is not a society for its members have no common purpose. Man comes into this world fitted with certain instincts which are necessary for his survival. For example, he has an instinct of self-protection. As a result of these instincts, he feels certain wants. To satisfy his instinct of self-protection, he feels the wants for food and shelter. As he cannot satisfy his wants by himself, he joins others to from a group. It was in this way that primitive societies originated. As a member of a group, the individual could easily protect himself from his human and animals enemies as also from the hostile forces of nature. With the passing of time these earliest societies became more and more elaborate, till they assumed their modern complex form.

But the formation of society was not enough by itself. Wicked persons tried to harm other members of the group and interfered with the satisfaction of their wants. Some individual had, therefore, to be appointed to restrain such evil minded persons. He was the head of the group whom they all obeyed, for he was remarkable either for his age or his physical power. He not only maintained order internally, but also arranged for the protection of the group from the attack of some other similar groups. As the society evolved, the head of the group took some advisers to help and guide him in the discharge of his functions. Such were the beginnings of government.

This account of the formation of society and government makes it clear that society arose to satisfy human wants and the government originated out of human wickedness. But society has other functions, too, besides satisfying human wants. Man is a social animal and he can never be happy without the company of his fellow beings. Society is essential for his happiness. Moreover, society is a powerful restraining force. Fear of social condemnation checks him from doing evil. Public opinion thus acts as a powerful force for good. It makes man moral, good and virtuous.

The government might make originated out of human wickedness, but it is not as evil as the anarchists would have us believe. So long as all human beings are not angels, government of some form or the other is essential. We cannot do without a government.

Society itself cannot be possible without the restraining influence of the government. People can never live in peace, if there is no force to deter the evil doers and to protect them from their external enemies. Thus the government is indispensable for the peaceful life of the individual. It is folly to brand it as an unmixed evil which should not be touched even with a pair of tongs.

Besides, the modern welfare governments are immense forces contributing to the happiness of the individual. A modern government looks after the welfare of the citizens in every walk of life. It is not a mere police force protecting him from internal and external enemies but a benign friend keeping a friendly eye over his destiny. It provides him with education and then with employment. It arranges for his treatment in case of illness and for regular pensions when he is old or disabled. In short, it is ever vigilant about his welfare and assures for him a better, happier and fuller life.