Social Self and Essential Self ....

Once , one frustrated IT engineer -Rohan , went to a counselor for his typical IT syndrome  challenges .He was feeling flat and listless .Work performance was deteriorating .  Rohan was unsure about his future . Counselor started with following questions ...

1. When you was a little kid , did you have an imaginary friend ?
2. Is there anything you do regularly that makes you forget what time it is ?
3. Do you laugh more in some situation than in others ?

There was no answer to any of the question .

Rohan was not happy with these questions and in anger , he left the session in between and never come back . How he can come back ?  The reason was the conversation - taken place  was with Social Self of Rohan . The part of him that had learned to value the things that were valued by the people around him .This Social Self could not tell what Rohan loved ,enjoyed or wanted .He has completely forgotten his Essential Self .By birth , his essential self was curious , fascinated , playful .But by repressing , these urges for years and years , he has lost access to them . In Rohan's life social self was the the vehicle but essential self was navigational equipment . Rohan had lost its compass . It was not only the wrong job that made him feel so aimless and uninspired , it was the loss of his life's purpose .

Young friends , our social and essential self should communicate freely with each other .

Essential self is the essence  of our personality and Social self is the part of us , that we developed in response to pressures from the people around us . Both are crucial in the life . There are certain people around us who only hear the essential self and refuse to develop social self and finally end up in cages .

Please take care of both !! 

Very effective Stress Buster - One minute Belly Breathing .

This is very effective breathing technique .It is also called as Diaphragmatic breathing or abdominal breathing . It is a completely different way to get oxygen to your cells . This breathing is quite deep and it causes your belly to push out rather than your chest to rise up . This technique is achieved primarily achieved by the contraction of your diaphragm that pulls air in and gently massages your internal organs in a rhythmic way .You must have observed that this is the way , children breathe .It triggers nervous systems for rest and repair .

Stand or sit up straight .
Inhale slowly through your nose trying to get the air down as far as possible into your belly .Belly will push out .That is normal .
Pause for a second .
Exhale slowly through nose twice longer than inhalation .
Repeat for 10 times .
Feel the stress fall away rapidly .

This is not only the best relaxation exercise but it also improves digestion .

More important , you can use this technique anywhere ..in the office , on the roads , in the class , at the home .At many of the yoga classes , this is the first work out to start with .

Stay healthy , stay happy !!

   

Some Important Entry point exams to join defense forces .

CAREER OPTIONS

Std 6^th/ 9^th        -         Sainik School

                                    RIMC – Dehradun

                                    RMS

Std 12^th            -           NDA (3 years)  -  JNU   - English, GK, Maths  -            900 marks

                                    Army – BA, Bsc, B Tech . for Airforce & Navy -Physics & Maths mandatory.

After NDA        -           For Army -  IMA,         For Airforce – AFA,     For Navy – INA  (1 year).

                                    3 years + 1 year = Total 4  years.

Preferences     -           Infantry, Artillery, Army Supply Corps, Army Ordinance Corps

After Std 12     -           1.  NDA            -    Total seats – 355

2.  TES for boys  - twice in a  year (min 80% in Std 12)         

                                    Step 1 -  SSB

                                    Step 2  - Common Military Training of 1 year at OTA , Gaya

                                    Step 3 – 4 years graduation at different places like CME Pune, MCME Mhow etc.

                                    This is reverse as compared to NDA.

UES                  -           Now exist only for Navy through campus recruitment.

CDS                  -           Most popular entry for all 3 forces.

For Army & Navy – physics & maths not mandatory, any graduation is allowed.

For Airforce – physics & maths mandatory.

CDS Can be given twice in a year at final year appearing and after graduation.

GK, English & Maths for entrance test.

No of seats :  Army - 100,  Airforce – 32, Navy – 45.

This is permanent commission.

Only one entry for girls which is called SSC(W)Tech- can serve for 10 years with further extension of 4 years.

Airforce           -           Most popular exam AFCAT - twice in a year - final year appearing and after graduation.

Now this entry is also made short service for all 3 roles – Flying Branch, Technical & Ground Duties.

                                    Total seats – 80

TGC                 -           Technical Graduate    -           After graduation up to age of 27.

                                    Only interview            -           1 year training at IMA.

                                    Permanent Commission.

SSC Tech          -           For final year appearing

This is also popular entry because if candidate is merit out from TGC, they will be automatically considered for SSC Tech.

SSB -Defense forces Entance - Most Challenging !!

 
At any given time , defense forces have a scarcity of officers .There are different corps of forces as well as many Tech and non tech profiles . For e.g . Indian Army has Tech corps  of Signals ( Telecommunication + IT + controls ) , EME (
Electronics and Mechanical Engineers ) , Engineers ( civil , ground ) . Similarly there are operational / fighting arms like  Infantry, Armoured and Mechanized Infantry. Supporting Arms include Artillery, Arms air defense, Army aviation corps .
 
Service Selection Board  - SSB Interview procedure is quite tough and it access your values and  personality in real sense .There are more than eight to ten different channels for getting into Defense forces in India .This includes  - UES ,TGC , CDS , TES ,AFCAT , TA , INET, NDA etc .Total success rate of clearing SSB is hardly 6 to 9% of total appeared candidates .One fact about clearing SSB is you can not pretend . You need to be natural in terms of responses , answers and tasks . Your qualities of joining forces have been decided since childhood , your thought process , attitude  and sharpness ...all matters !


After clearing first round of written exam , the second round is SSB Interview .Those clear the written exam , are being called for SSB by respective military boards . SSB is the classic combination of Intelligence ,Personality and group tests . Total duration of SSB is of five days .Following tests are included in those five days .

Structure of SSB process -

1. Intelligence test comprises of Verbal and Non verbal reasoning .
2. Picture perception and Discussion Test ( PPDT ) - A picture / Image is shown and candidates to analyze the image , i.e .interpret the image , describe the mood and action of the character .Then he needs to create the story based on the image and discuss within the group .
3. Thematic Appreciation Test ( TAT ) - Series of images are shown to write a quick story after understanding the theme .
4. Word Association Test ( WAT ) - 60 words are sh own in 15 seconds . Candidates need to write down a sentence which comes to his mind after seeing the words .
5. Situation Reaction Test ( SRT ) - 60 real life situations are given and candidates need to write down the reactions in 30 minutes .
6. Self Description Test ( SDT ) - Candidates need to write few paragraphs , describing themselves in the context of the views of parents , teachers and friends .
7. Group Tests  -Outdoor group tasks are carried out . This includes Group discussion (GD)on current and social issues , Group planning Exercise ( task)(GPE) which has a model and candidates need to identify the issues and solutions , Progressive group task(PGT) in which they need to overcome four given obstacles in a group with some material provided , Group Obstacle Race(GOR) where six obstacles have to overcome competitively.Thus four group tests are included .
8. Lecturette  - Speaking on any of the four topics given .
9. Individual Obstacle test , to clear 10 obstacles in 3 minutes , Command Task , in which he is made a commander and need to accomplish the task with the help of subordinates .
10 .Final group task , to perform in reuniting .
11. Personal Interviews - related to education , family , hobbies , work , experience , achievements , awareness .
12 . Board Conference  - All assessors / officers come together and narrate the total assessment to each candidate .

If the candidate is finally shortlisted from these rounds , he is retained for final Medical tests . 

Jai Hind !!

Beautiful lines by Khalil Gibran on Children .

Dear Parents , 

( Khalil Gibran was a great philosopher , essayist , poet , artist and sculptor .Below lines are taken by his famous book -The Prophet , which is considered to be a second bestseller in the world after Bible ) .

The lines are still a perfect guide for today's parents .

 " Your children are not your children .They are the sons or daughters of Life's longing for itself .They come through you but not from you .And though they are with you , they do not belong to you .You may give them your love but not your thoughts .They have their own thoughts .You may house their bodies but not their souls .For their souls dwell in the houses of tomorrow , which you can not visit , not even in your dreams . You may strive to be like them , but seek not to make them like you .Life does not go backwards , nor tarries with yesterday .You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth .The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite and he bends you with His might that his arrows may go swift and far . Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness , For even as he loves the arrow that flies , so He loves also the bow that is stable ."

So , we can only wish our wards - Best of Luck !!    

 

Seven Indian Genius .

Hello , 

I was going through some autobiographies of Indian business icons and found a lot of common points in their success stories .

 Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was the first Indian entrepreneur who brought revolutions in Bio Technology in India , till that time nobody dared to put the steps into it .Her thought was ahead of time . Azim Premji is the next inspiration .His father -Mohammad Premji  had a business of Sunflower oil at small town , Amalner in Jalgaon district . When he passed away in 1966 , Azim was 21 years old , enjoying his life at Stanford . He left everything and joined the business .At that time ,all share holders were of the opinion of selling out the company .Azim was firm and had a strong belief .He changed the gears , thought differently and entered into IT .From 4 crore company , today Wipro is third largest IT industry in India with revenue of 40,000 crore and profit of 10, 000 crore .Risk taking ability of NR Narayan Murthy was amazing , he rejected jobs at HMT , Telco and Air India and joined IIM Ahmedabad as a system programmer .Similarly he left Patni computers to found Infosys in 1981 when three out of his five partners were fresh . They got the first land line phone after one year .But next journey of Infosys is the history . Infosys became the first Indian company to be listed on the US NASDAQ in March 1999.
Venu Srinivasan - Chairman of TVS Group - set a record when TVS was awarded the prestigious international Deming prize in TQM and the first Indian Industry to get this honor . Deepak Parekh -Chairman of HDFC has given the dimensions to the dreams of every Indian middle class person .In 1978 , when he joined HDFC , other govt and private banks were totally reluctant to give home loans .Mr Parekh kept that sole vision and created history . Same history is created by Late Dr verges curien in Indian dairy industry. Can we had ever thought that the milk and milk business can contribute in such a way in Indian economy . He not only empowered millions , but lopped technology , management and humanity in one thread . Mukesh Ambani is today's superstar in this league .Words are less to describe the success story of Reliance group . He is the true champion and the face of modern Indian Industry .

Common mantras behind their amazing journey ...

. Always Think Big .
. Think differently .
. Always work for long term objectives .
. Strive for Excellence and insist for excellence .
. Value for people , rest will follow .

Big Salute !!

Template for bright Career options .

Dear Students , 

The search for good career should start at Std 9th and 10th and in next three years , you should be in a position to chalk out the career path . Many times , we select a broad category  and thought process of the students is somewhat like  , I will do engineering and after my CET / JEE score , I will decide the branch . This thinking is called Parachute thinking and such careers are called Parachute careers .You are then not aware , where you are going to land and how will be the situation . In India , there are around 250 career paths scattered over 40 disciplines or domains . It is expected that with the help of parents , friends , career guidance institutes , seniors from that fields , every student must do rigorous efforts to form a proper action plan on following lines .

Part 1 :

1. What are my personality traits  .
2. What is my liking and aptitude traits .
3. Can I chalk down minimum five careers to match this .
4. Can I brainstorm , talk to mentors and find out which career is best suited for me .
5. I am planning for my career and not the first job .
6. Can I select one branch and a course - For e.g. Architecture or chemical engineering .

Part 2 : Career - XYZ .....

1. Write down one page summary about this career , which you have selected which consists of general info , nature of job profiles , job opportunities etc .

2. Now the next step - Detail Analysis of career on following 7 parameters .

    a . Career growth opportunities .
    b. Competitiveness .
    c . Study options in India .
    d. Study options Abroad .
    e. Career Stability .
    f . Return on Investments.
    h. Direct Social Impact . 

3. Study Paths , which subjects , which entrance , preparation strategies , age limits , admission procedures , deadlines etc . Divide in four phases - X,XII ,UG and PG ..


4. Study of the top institutes offering the programs -India and abroad .

5. Cost of Education -India and abroad .

6.  Career opportunities in detail in India and Abroad .

7. Top reasons to choose the career .

8 . Try to conduct interview of three personalities in the career on following lines ...why he / she  choose to work in this area , what challenges faced , is the passion satisfied , advice .

9 . Collect all resources ( soft and hard copies ) and keep updating .

 
 

Just 15 minutes Breathing Exercise to avoid Any Virus .

Many experts have suggested that only way to fight such conditions is to increase your immunity .There are limits on measures taken by Govt .It may be social distancing , Lock down , isolation centers .However , if we see India as a nation and present horrifying conditions everywhere , at one point of time , the life has to start , work has to resume , people will be on the roads and in the markets . In this context , only one option remains and that is -Build your respiratory system strong .

I had attended one special training in 2015 at Kaivlya Yoga Institute , Pune .Late Dr Nitin Unkule was our guru and mentor . After that , I read a lot of literature and tried to fit 15 minutes breathing work out in my schedule . Background of these efforts was my serious illness in 2012 .I am happy to share that with the great guidance by some mentors like Dr Unkule , I could see the major change .

In this corona phase , I would like to share the some simple cycles with you all and start the journey happily after 14th April .

1. Nadi Shuddhi - 

Many people directly starts with Anulom Vilom , which is not right . Before that we should do single nostril breathing . First , close left nostril , inhale deeply through right nostril . Close right nostril just for a moment to have a feel and immediately release / exhale the right nostril . Then repeat this process for left nostril by keeping right nostril closed . Remember you are inhaling and exhaling from the same nostril . Do this for at least 10 to 12 times .

 Now you becomes eligible for Anulom Vilom , which is alternate nostril breathing . Do Anulom Vilom for 10 to 15 cycles . Remember , Anulom Vilom will be without Kumbhka . I will not explain this process , as it is well known .

2. Kapalbhati - 

Do not directly start Kapalbhati with exhaling through both the nostrils .It is discovered that the first step is to close left nostril and through right nostril ,inhale fully and then start continuous exhale only through right nostril ( 60 to 90 seconds ) .Repeat the same through left nostril by closing right nostril , for same duration .

Now you are free for normal Kapalbhati for 5 to 7 minutes , which is again , very familiar to us .

3. Pranayam -

 After these two exercises , you should do Ideal Pranayam , which squared breathing which is composed of Poorak ( Inhale ) , Kumbhka( holding inside ) , Rechak ( exhale ) and bhyaa Kumbhak ( holding outside ) . 

Proportion should be 1:4:2:2 .

This is the ratio between the inhalation time, retention time and exhalation time during breathing. For example, let us say you are doing breathing by counting mentally during inhalation, retention and exhalation of breath.

Ratio of 1:4:2:2 (inhalation:retention :exhalation : hold ) means that suppose you inhale in 2 counts, hold breath inside for 8 counts and exhale for 2 counts and hold breath outside for 2 counts . version - 2:8:4:4 can be like following -
 
1-2 (two counts): inhale.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (eight counts): hold breath inside.
1-2-3-4 (four counts): exhale.
1-2-3-4 ( four counts ) : hold outside . 

Importance of Kumbhaka - Kumbhaka is the crux of developing our immunity .

Duration will be max 5 to 7minutes .
 
 BREATH IN PRANAYAMA - 
 

Prana means life force and ayama means ascention, expansion and extension.

Pranayama is the expansion of the life force through control of the breath. (Iyengar,2002) ,In meditation we are passively observing the breath, but in pranayama we are actively controlling it using various techniques employed and developed by India’s ancient yogis.

 

I am sure , this info will help you .

God bless!!

 

 

 





 

शूर सौ में एक, पण्डित हजार में एक और वक्ता दसहजार में एक हो सकता है

There was an interesting exercise carried out .People were asked to list their top fears .Most widely selected fear reports - Speaking , especially Public speaking . This fear ranked top , even ahead of , snakes , heights and even death , sometimes  !!

Speaking is very powerful process of alignment of multiple minds into a shared consciousness .Famous speech given by Swami Vivekananda , on 11th Sept 1893 at Chicago was of four minutes and few lines , but it ignited millions of minds .

As a student , engineer , service executives ,  manager ...you take any role and core part of your personality remains same  - How you talk , how you address , how you present  , how you convince .In majority cases , if a person is fair at public speaking , there are good chances that he will be equally good in Presentations , meetings , deliberations . Great orators conquer the world . If you see the world history in the last century ...Adolf Hitler , Winston Churchill , Henry ford ,Vinayak Savarkar , Atal Bihari  Vajpayee , Naraendra Modi ... the list is endless .

There are some common tips , which everybody knows and that are always discussed hundred of times . For e.g .  Reading is the most imp backbone , do a rigorous practice , study the subject well , do not take psychological pressure , listen to good speeches and discussions etc . But unfortunately knowing all of these , the fear of speaking remains on top . Hence there is a need of sharing some scientific / psychological measures , which we must take .  

1.Freshness / uniqueness   - There is no one way to give a great talk .Key part of the appeal of the great talk is its freshness . You should have something valuable to say and to say it authentically in your own unique way .

2. Objective - It is the key of unlocking empathy , stirring excitements , sharing knowledge and insights and finally promoting a shared dream .Take somethings that matters deeply to you and rebuild it inside the minds of your listeners . Here something = Idea . Remember , here Idea can be anything ..How to ... , Story , human insights , event , image , concept .At the end , there should be a change in perception of listeners  ...how they see the world .

3. Language  -  Yes , Words matter !! Language is magic but only to the extent that it is shared by speaker and listener .That is why we see and feel boredom of very high sophisticated speeches .They never touch your hearts . Brains' response to language is tremendous only if it matches frequency .

4. Avoid following strictly - Sales style , Rambling , Spokesperson style , fabricated inspirational .

5. Structure - What ? So what ? Now what ?  You should ignite the minds to see the world better .Your talk may be humorous , but then listener must find humor from next day in their life . Fundamentals remain same  -  Introduction , Context ( Why ? ) , Main concepts ( what ? ) , Practical implications ( how ?) , Conclusion ( future ) .

6. Use five tools  -

 * Connection - Get personal , keep humor , no ego , thread stories
 * Narration - smooth flow , attractive pitch and emotions .what for them style.
 * Explanation - Generate curiosity , use metaphors . generate excitement
 * Persuasion - change the minds of listeners with purpose 
 * Revelation- share surprising facts and examples to make their belief .


वक्ता दशसहस्त्रेषु 11 

     

Do you know ...You have any of these 34 Strenghths .

This is quite interesting .
Every person on this earth can have minimum one and maximum three to four strengths  out of 34 strengths , provided he makes constant efforts to develop those .

1. ACHIEVER  - If , you are in a constant need of achievement , day in , day out . Nurse , Salesperson , writer .
2. ACTIVATOR - If you are impatient , always looking for action. Entrepreneur .
3. ADAPTABILITY -  If you are living in the moment and flexible .  TV Producer , Project manager , Corporate trainer .
4. ANALYTICAL - If you are objective and like data . Scientist , system admin , HR Executive , school Principal .
5. ARRANGER  - If you are managing all variables . Finance Executive , Operations Manager , Entrepreneur .
6. BELIEF - If you go with values , Air line executive , Father .
7. COMMAND  - If you like to take a charge and impose your views . Leader , hospitality manager .
8. COMMUNICATION - If you like to explain , describe , host or speak .Marketing Director , Banking Executive .
9. COMPETITION - If you like measurements and other competitors .Chairman of corporate .
10.CONTENTEDNESS -  If you are sensitive and faithful . Homemaker ,Psychologist , Teacher .
11 .CONSISTENCY - If you are balanced , like discipline . General Manager of a hotel  ,Magazine editor , Operations manager  ,
12 . CONTEXT - If you have habit of looking back  , holistic thinking and decision making . Software designer , Media Analyst ,Accounting Manager .
13 .DELIBERATIVE  - If you are careful and cautious .Film producer , school administrator ,  project manager .
14. DEVELOPER - If you like to groom people , support and motivate . Nurse , Counselor ,Social Worker .
15 .DISCIPLINE - If deadlines , planning matters most to you . Army officer , PT Teacher , Superintendent of Police .
16 .EMPATHY - If you can sense the emotions and feelings of others and intuitively see the world .Social worker , Leader , Administrator , school teacher .
17 . FOCUS  -If you goal oriented , always alert for each single step . Marketing head , Top class players , Intelligence officers, administrative officers .
18 .FUTURISTIC - If future fascinates you and always looking for better .Businessman , Scientists , researchers .
19 . HARMONY - If you always try to find common ground in a group .Nun , Teacher , Technician .
20. IDEATION - If you always look for connections and very constructive in developing ideas .Writer , Interior Designer .
21 .INCLUDER -  If  you always like to people along and accommodate them . Defense lawyer .Mentor .
22, INDIVIDUALIZATION - If you are a keen observer of other individuals , their personalities , strengths . Detectives , hair designers , beauty consultants ,  Team managers, publishers .
23 .INPUT - If you are naturists , like to collect from nature , to collect books , models . Writer , naturalists .
24 . INTELLECTION  - If you like to think and enjoy your time alone , keep reflecting . Artist , Painter , astrologist , astronomic .
25 .LEARNER - If your approach is of learning , excited about the process . Manufacturing engineer , plant head , managing editor , executive coach .
26 . MAXIMIZER - If you always search for excellence in yours and others .Flight attendant , Marketing Head , R&D engineer .
27. POSITIVITY - If you are generous , celebrate each small moment . Communication manager , Internet marketing executive .
28. RELATOR -If you believe in sharing and relationships . Anchor , Entrepreneur .
29. RESPONSIBILITY - If you always take psychological relationship in dealing .Placement consultant , Operation manager .
30 . RESTORATIVE - If problem solving is your passion .Software designer , TV producer .
31 . SELF ASSURANCE - If you are high in confidence and conviction . Administrative officer , Motivating speaker .
32. SIGNIFICANCE - If you like recognition and feel the need to be admired .
33 . STRATEGIC - If you are mindful , always find the best route .Defense authorities, Business development officer .
34 . WOO - If you are dominant and always like to win over others . Dictators in every field , competitive sportsman . 

One important aspect of the study is any person will have three to four strengths, out of which one will be his dominant strengths and others are ancillary .
 

Employability card for every engineering student .

As we see  nationwide , there are proper academic systems which are being followed in all engineering institutions either by universities or at college level .One of that is -Mark-sheet .It is given at the end of semester and year . In many autonomous institutions , there are a lot of credit systems and grade systems . However , when we see the different evaluation sheet designed and used by all top industries , it is seen that the expectations about competencies , skills and knowledge are interpreted in a totally different way . It may be IT , ITeS , manufacturing , product , telecom , consulting or any core industry , their look out is totally different .The main reason is there are couple of major factors come into the picture .The first one - Ability to get employment , Second  - Ability to Learn , third  - Personality assessment , which is then converged to a single term - Fit for the organization . Are our institutes making our candidates -FIT .  

After all conscious efforts taken by academia , we are failing to define certain measurable for the progress of the students and hence after discussion with some tech and HR leaders , it is felt that , there is a utter need to make evaluation of every student more systematically with some typical parameters and timely assessment .

1. Can we define specific skill sets and assessment of the same branch wise , yearly .
2. Can we have a checklist to assess the knowledge and ability to apply .
3. Can we have standard certification for communication skill enhancement .
4. Can we have credits for presentation skills , group discussion and interviewing techniques .
5. Can we make Project assessment , Internship evaluation more pragmatic .
6. Can we add the course like  - Segments of Industry , current trends , emerging job profiles .
7 .Even for on line courses which the students take , can we link the performance to this card .
8. Can we add some points like achievements , participation in hackathon , model making competitions and calibrate those points .

This may lead to a proper diagnosis and we may have a valid proof , called employabilty card of the student with us . There are certain efforts taken by some institutes but it is not reaching effectively to all levels of students .

We can easily see , the Engineering is no more the lucrative choice for high talent in India . This is a worry . Our engineers are tomorrow's doctors and our doctors are tomorrow's scientists . To keep this chain live , robust system of employ ability is a need of an hour .