Socrates

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." 

Socrates

"To find yourself, think for yourself."

Nelson Mandela

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

Jim Rohn

"Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day." 

Buddha

"The mind is everything. What you think, you become." 

Sunday, 16 September 2018

Registrar of Newspapers for India-RNI

 Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI)was established on 1 July 1956, on the recommendation of the First Press Commission in 1953 and by amending the Press and Registration of Books Act 1867. It is a  statutory body of Ministry of Information,.  and Broadcasting for the registration of the publications, such as newspapers and magazines, in India  
The Press and Registration of Books Act contains the duties and functions of the RNI. On account of some more responsibilities entrusted upon RNI during all these years, the office is performing both statutory as well as some non-statutory functions.
The Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India is headquartered in New Delhi, and has five regional offices at Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bhopal and Guwahati. RNI regulates and monitors printing and publication of newspapers based on the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 

The Press and Registration of Books Act contains the duties and functions of the RNI. Online registration system was formally inaugurated in 2004 by the Information and Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy.

HISTORY OF REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS FOR INDIA

STATUTORY FUNCTIONS:

NON-STATUTORY FUNCTIONS:


STATUTORY FUNCTIONS
  1. Compilation and maintenance of a Register of Newspapers containing particulars about all the newspapers published.
  1. Issue of Certificate of Registration to the newspapers published under valid declaration;
  1. Scrutiny and analysis of annual statements sent by the publishers of newspapers every year under Section 19-D of the Press and Registration of Books Act containing information on circulation, ownership etc;
  1. Informing the District Magistrates about availability of titles, to intending publishers for filing declaration;
  1. Ensuring that newspapers are published in accordance with the provisions of the Press and Registration of Books Act 1867 and the Rules made there under.
  1. Verification under Section 19-F of the PRB Act, of circulation claims furnished by the publishers in their Annual Statements; and
  1. Preparation and submission to the Government on or before 31st December each year, a report containing all available information and statistics about the press in India with particular reference to the emerging trends in circulation and in the direction of common ownership units etc.
  1. Formulation of Newsprint Allocation Policy - Guidelines and issue of Eligibility Certificate to the newspapers to enable them to import newsprint and to procure indigenous newsprint.
  1. Assessing and certifying the essential need and requirement of newspaper establishments to import printing and composing machinery and allied materials.
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Press Institute of India (PII)

The Press Institute of India (PII) founded in 1963.  It is an independent non-profit organisation established to create and sustain high and responsible standards of journalism. Its present director is journalist  Shashi Nair 
Training and other activities
The Press Institute of India's (PII’s) is providing  training workshops for journalists . It is  focused on a range of issues – from development journalism, women empowerment and child rights to national security, foreign policy and plain writing-reporting-editing. The objective is to equip them with better reporting and writing skills, and to empower them better.
This is to encourage coverage of vital issues affecting the lives of the majority of r people, which mainstream media is really not in a position to cover substantially.
Over the years, PII has trained thousands of journalists from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other parts of Asia. PII was the nodal agency for sending reporters, subeditors and photographers for training to the Thomson Foundation, UK.

Collaborations

PII has had  collaborations with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Ford Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, UNICEF, Press Foundation of Asia. They have been notable collaborations – with the British Council, Thomson Foundation, Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Oxfam (GB), Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, International Council for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims, and International Red Cross.
Research Institute for Newspaper Development (RIND)
RIND was established under the Registration of Societies Act in 1979 with the joint efforts of seven newspaper publishers and editors – the Ananda Bazar Patrika, The Hindu, Malayala Manorama, Deccan Herald, Nai Dunia, Andhra Patrika and Gujarat Samachar. The initiative is  taken by C.G.K. Reddy after he had retired from The Hindu as business manager.  Reddy became the institution’s first director, and editor of its publication RIND Survey, a monthly that focuses more on the technical aspects of the newspaper and news publishing business. In recent years, this has expanded to include developments in television, the Internet and social or new media.
RIND  has  been also conducting workshops for the technical staff in news publishing houses, equipping them with knowledge relating to developments in the field and the necessary skills to function effectively. 

Monday, 27 August 2018

Depression


Depression is arguably one of the most difficult disorders to cope with on a daily basis.Depression is a common mental disorder that causes people to experience depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.
  • Depression seems to be more common among women than men.
  • Symptoms include lack of joy and reduced interest in things that used to bring a person happiness.
  • Life events, such as bereavement{Bereavement is the state of loss when someone close to you has died.}, produce mood changes that can usually be distinguished from the features of depression.
  • The causes of depression are not fully understood but are likely to be a complex combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors.

Depression can happen to anyone. Many successful and famous people who seem to have everything going for them battle with this problem. Depression also affects people of every age.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the most common illness worldwide and the leading cause of disability. They estimate that 350 million people are affected by depression, globally.
According to the World Health Organization, India is one of the most depressed countries in the world. While around 9% of people in the country say they have experienced extended periods of depression at least once within their lifetime, nearly 36% have suffered from Major Depressive Episodes (MDE).
Going to see a doctor for depression should ideally be as normal as visiting a physician for diabetes. But our society does not consider it “normal” because there is a stigma attached to mental health issues.

Signs and symptoms
  • Tiredness and loss of energy.
  • Sadness that doesn’t go away. 
  • Loss of self-confidence and self-esteem. 
  • Difficulty concentrating. 
  • Not being able to enjoy things that are usually pleasurable or interesting. 
  • Feeling anxious all the time. 
  • Avoiding other people, sometimes even your close friends. 
  • Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. 
  • Sleeping problems - difficulties in getting off to sleep or waking up much earlier than usual.
  • Very strong feelings of guilt or worthlessness. 
  • Finding it hard to function at work/college/school. 
  • Loss of appetite. 
  • Loss of sex drive and/or sexual problems. 
  • Physical aches and pains. 
  • Thinking about suicide and death. 
  • Self-harm
If you experience four or more of these symptoms for most of the day - every day - for more than two weeks, you should seek help from your GP.
Causes
The causes of depression are not fully understood and may not be down to a single source. Depression is likely to be due to a complex combination of factors that include:

Depression has a wide range of causes and potential treatments.
  • genetics
  • biological - changes in neurotransmitter levels
  • environmental
  • psychological and social (psychosocial)
Some people are at higher risk of depression than others; risk factors include:
  • Life events: These include bereavement, divorce, work issues, relationships with friends and family, financial problems, medical concerns, or acute stress.
  • Personality: Those with less successful coping strategies, or previous life trauma are more susceptible[capable or admitting ].
  • Genetic factors: Having a first-degree relatives with depression increases the risk.
  • Childhood trauma.
  • Some prescription drugs: These include corticosteroids, some beta-blockers, interferon, and other prescription drugs.
  • Abuse of recreational drugs: Abuse of alcohol, amphetamines, and other drugs are strongly linked to depression.
  • A past head injury.
  • Having had one episode of major depression: This increases the risk of a subsequent one.
  • Chronic pain syndromes: These and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease make depression more

 Types of depression

There are several types of depression, some of which are listed below.
Mild depression
Depression is described as mild when it has a limited negative effect on your daily life. For example, you may have difficulty concentrating at work or motivating yourself to do the things you normally enjoy.
Major depression
Major depression interferes with an individual’s daily life - with eating, sleeping and other everyday activities. It can lead to hospital admission, if the person is so unwell they are at risk of harm to themselves.
Bi-polar disorder
The mood swings in bi-polar disorder can be extreme - from highs, where the individual feels extremely overjoyed , where they may experience complete despair, tiredness and suicidal feelings. Sometimes people have very severe symptoms where they cannot make sense of their world and do things that seem odd or illogical. 
Postnatal depression
Many new mothers experience what are sometimes called 'baby blues' a few days after the birth. These feelings of anxiety and lack of confidence are very distressing but in most cases last only a couple of weeks. Post-natal depression is more intense and lasts longer. It can leave new mothers feeling completely overwhelmed, inadequate and unable to cope. They may have problems sleeping, panic attacks or an intense fear of dying. They may also experience negative feelings towards their child. It affects one in ten mothers and usually begins two to three weeks after the birth.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is associated with the start of winter and can last until spring when longer days bring more daylight. When it is mild, it is sometimes called ‘winter blues’. SAD can make the sufferer feel anxious, stressed and depressed. It may interfere with their moods and with their sleeping and eating patterns.


Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistently low mood and a feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is a persistent problem, not a passing one, lasting on average 6 to 8 months.

Diagnosis starts with a consultation from a mental health expert.
Diagnosis of depression starts with a consultation with a doctor or mental health specialist. It is important to seek the help of a health professional to rule out different causes of depression, ensure an accurate differential diagnosis, and secure safe and effective treatment.
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/travel/2018/05/30/explore-parts-unknown-hong-kong-ron-1.cnntravel
pdf
https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/DepressionSelfHelp.pdf
worksheet


Monday, 20 August 2018

Aesthetic philosophy!
















Beauty & Art

The nature of beauty is one of the most enduring and controversial themes in Western philosophy, Beauty has traditionally been counted among the ultimate values, with goodness, truth, and justice. 

It is a primary theme among ancient Greek,  was central to eighteenth and nineteenth-century thought, By the beginning of the twentieth century, beauty was in decline as a subject of philosophical inquiry, and also as a primary goal of the arts. 
Art is an activity we do.  Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires. Through art we can sharing the way we experience the world, which for many is an extension of personality. It is the communication of intimate concepts.  Art is in how the media is used or  the way in which the content is expressed.

Beauty is rather a measure of affect, a measure of emotion. In the context of art, beauty is determined by the  successful communication between the artist and the perceived one. Beautiful art is successful in portraying the artist’s most thoughtful intended emotions. So beauty in art is eternally subjective.
Art is a means to state an opinion or a feeling, or else to create a different view of the world, whether it be inspired by the work of other people or something invented that’s entirely new. Beauty alone is not art, but art can be made of, about or for beautiful things. Beauty can be found in a snowy mountain scene: art is the photograph of it shown to family, However, art is not necessarily positive: it can be deliberately hurtful or displeasing: it can make you , it evokes an emotion in you, then it is art.

Beauty itself is but the sensible image of the infinite,” said the historian George Bancroft. The nature of beauty is one of the most fascinating riddles of philosophy. Is beauty universal? How do we know it? How can we predispose ourselves to embrace.


Sunday, 25 March 2018

How to Face Interview



How to Face Interview People feel stressed as they hear about INTERVIEW. Most of them focus only on the questions to be answered in the Interview. But the interview is the test of not only knowledge but behaviour and honesty too.Go prepared Interview
Be articulate when you answer the questions - 
       

Research the Company
·         Do some homework, e.g. Find out about the company’s vision, goal, strategy, products, finances, departments, competitive advantages, competitors, the work culture and the management from the website. It will  impress your interviewers and show them how much you care.
·         You can find ways to show that you know your stuff during the interview.

Be thorough with your CV
·         You should be familiar with whatever is mentioned in the CV. Read it thoroughly so that you’re not puzzled by any question regarding your past employment and education.
·          
Prepare to answer common questions.
·         Though each interview is different, there are some common interview questions and if you’re prepared for them,:introduce yourself
Prepare to ask at least two questions.
·         At the end of most interviews, your potential employers will ask you if you have any questions you want to ask them. You should prepare at least a handful of questions and pick the ones that are the most relevant to ask; this shows that you’ve done your research and are excited about the position.
·         Asking what your daily work life on the job would look like,
·         Asking about other ways you can get involved at the company in addition to the job description. For example, if you’re applying for a teaching job at the high school, you can ask if you can be involved in extracurricular activities too.


Dress professionally
·         The way you dress makes a statement about yourself. Avoid bright colours and loud jewellery.
·         Make sure to groom yourself well and to pay attention to your hygiene, too. If you don’t put time and effort into your appearance, it will show.

Facing an interview
·         Introduce yourself with confidence - “Self-introduction?” Prepare your Introduction & Key points. The introductory speech is your two minute opportunity to enlighten the interviewer about yourself and what you have to offer.   Smile, be natural and speak with confidence.
·         Even if you don’t feel confident, act as one emanating confidence. Your body language should be accurate and you should be making a positive impact during the interview.
·         Sit straight on the chair and look into the eyes of the interviewer. Remember, you’ve nothing to lose and go with that mind-set. This causes less palpable stress.
·         
Speak as clearly and confidently as you can and make eye contact when you share your thoughts and ideas.     Practising saying what you have to say aloud can help you gain the confidence to be articulate during your interview. That said, you should make sure your words sound natural, not rehearsed.

·       
 
Identify Achievements 

Employers want to know how hiring you will make their organisation better and contribute to their overall success. (Assuming you did your homework as suggested in point 1 you can offer examples of innovations, process improvements or revenue saving ideas that may be of interest).

·         Be Open and Honest 

When responding to the employer's questions, tell the truth! If you made a mistake, say it in a positive way, accept responsibility for it,
·      

   Avoid sharing overly personal information. 

- Don’t talk about your significant other, your kids, or your personal problems at home; this shows that you’re not focused on the job and that you’re unprofessional. 

·    Make sure to thank your interviewers in person.

·         When the interview is over, show that you’re grateful for the fact that your interviewers took the time to meet with you and to get a chance to talk to you about Just say something simple like, “Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me. This has been a wonderful opportunity and I really appreciate it.”
·         Don’t ask about the perks of the job before you’ve been given an offer. This will make it look like you’re more interested in vacation days than in working.

Even if your boss is a rude,    When asked a question, do not just jump to an answer just to avoid silence. Think, and then reply. It should appear that the answer is well thought through, rather than uncomfortably cobbled together. Lies can be caught if the interviewer pushes you a little
 mock interview of IAS

Saturday, 24 March 2018

Group discussion


"Group" is a collection of individuals who have regular contact and frequent interaction and who work together to achieve a common set of goals. 

"Discussion" is the process whereby two or more people exchange information or ideas in a face-to-face situation to achieve a goal. The goal, or end product, maybe increased knowledge, agreement leading to action, disagreement leading to competition or resolution or perhaps only a clearing of the air or a continuation of the status-quo.

Group discussion is a new trend that has come up in order to evaluate student personality. A group of participants are made to discuss on a topic or subject for a limited time and then assessed accordingly. It is a chance for you to be more vocal.


There are a lot of advantages of a group discussion:
1.It helps to shed away the shyness of a candidate and brings his viewpoint amidst all. 
2.It stimulates to think in a different, new way.
3.It helps the candidate in understanding his/ her own strengths and weaknesses.
4.It acts as an aid in expansion of the knowledge of the participant. 
5.It helps to analyse the social or economic issues more logically. 


Here is a list of what should be done and what should be avoided at a Group Discussion (GD)
1.Be as natural as possible. Do not try to be someone you are not. Be yourself. In an attempt to be someone else, your opinions will not be portrayed. 
2.Sit with a straight and confident posture. 
3.Be assertive yet humble. You need to stick to your values and beliefs, but learn to respect the values and opinions of others too. 
4.Grab the opportunity to speak first, i.e. to start the group discussion with your opinion. It generally leaves a good impression on the evaluator, but take the move only if you have complete knowledge of the subject.
5.Do not repeat a point, or be lengthy or irrelevant. Also intervene, if someone else is going on an irrelevant track. 
6.Facilitate contribution from others. Do not just go on and on and on with only your opinionated view. Remember, it is a group discussion. Allow others to speak too.
7.Make an eye contact with all the participants. It creates more room for conversation. Also keep nodding, when others speak, it shows receptivity. 
8.Be an active and dynamic participant. The examiner wants to hear you speak. So do put forth your views. 
9.Be positive and prepare your thoughts well but do not be over-confident. 
10.Think well before you speak. You are being heard and judged upon. 
11.When raising an objection to a point kept by another speaker, back it up with a solid reason to get the point across. 
12.Use quotes, facts and figures, statements, everyday life examples to express a clear chain of thoughts. Also it might leave a good impression on the examiner and help you score well. 

These are some basic yet very vital tips that will help you feel a bit more confident about yourself and make you ready to appear for that group discussion trend. 

Group Discussion", popularly labeled as GD, is a methodology used by an organization (company, institute, business school, etc.) to gauge whether the candidate has certain personality traits. 

  1. ·         It is very important to dress formally and arrive on time. The way you walk to your allocated seats speaks about your personality. Be confident but not arrogant.
  2. ·         Take a pen and a notepad. It makes you look organized.
  3. ·         Listen to others carefully, jot down the relevant points and list down your own points.
  4. ·         Organize your thoughts before you speak. This will help you express with confidence and clarity.
  5. ·         Pay attention while others are speaking. This will enable you contribute to the discussion in a positive way.
  6. ·     Do not to deviate yourself from the topic. Talking about unrelated things puts a bad impression.
  7.         Do not interrupt the speech of other participants and wait till they complete.
8. Maintain a balance in your tone while objecting to the points made by other participants. Avoid raising your voice too much or shouting.
9  9. Respect the opinion of others. Agree and acknowledge what you find good points expressed by others.    
         10. Express your disagreement in a polite, dignified and convincing manner.

  1. 11.  Do not use negative comments like ‘‘this point is wrong" or "your argument doesn't make any sense." Instead use phrases like “You have a good point but there’s another aspect to it…
  2. 1         Do not try to dominate other participants. It is a discussion and not an argument or debate.
  3. 14.   Keep your body language positive. Table thumping, pointing fingers, looking here and there, etc, are negative gestures.
  4.  If  someone becomes openly antagonistic to you, and says things directly contradicting your points of view or makes personal attack, stay calm and relaxed. A situation like this is a good opportunity to demonstrate your conflict handling skills and maturity.
  5.  If the attack is directed against you as a person, then the best strategy is to just ignore it and get on with the discussion, without any animosity towards the attacker. This is hard to do but if you manage, it will be the best advertisement for your maturity.
  6.  Be Yourself:  The most important mantra to ace GDs is “Be Yourself”. The more you change things about yourself, the more trouble you would find yourself in. The best way to go about things is to be natural and make sure all your responses are natural and spontaneous..
  7. A  Group Discussion is not a seminar: The most fundamental principle of participating in a Group Discussion is that you need to speak; there is no escape to this bare minimum requirement of a group discussion.
  8.   Repeating the topic at the onset : Repeating the topic is an indication of your need to buy more time to think. 
  9.   Speaking for the sake of speaking : This is a superficial way of participating and both the panel and the group will realize the lack of content in your speech.
  10.      Getting into a conflict with a parallel speaker : Getting into an undesirable conflict without any logic, may be of detrimental consequences. However, it should not hold you from constructive arguments.