Likes or life ?

We are all aware of the satisfying feeling we get when our post gets increasing number of likes. Most of us are guilty of posting everything on social media, be it a good picture, meal at a fancy restaurant, an achievement, an artwork, almost everything. Scrolling through your feed, checking the number of likes on your recently uploaded picture and finding that is has more likes than the previous one, gives immense happiness, and no we cannot disagree to that.

Researches have shown that the part of brain that get activated when we get a reward, say a chocolate or money, also gets activated when we see a large number of likes on our posts. Psychologist Emma Kenny explain, “ It’s a reward cycle, you get a squirt of dopamine every time you get a like or positive response on social media.”

Impact of social media validation

Most of us have at some point or the other deleted pictures from our social media. Not because we didn’t liked the picture, but because we were unhappy with the number of likes it received. More than our opinions what mattered was the social media validation.

Social media likes have made us less confident as individuals. As a generation we have started believing that others opinions are facts. More than posting for our happiness, we post for the likes and comments of others. We are all aware of the sudden hit of insecurity when our post do not get the amount of like we expected.
Social media has started affecting the self esteem of individuals, especially teenagers. Instead of being confident of our growth, we seek people’s approval. If you belong to that part of the population who constantly delete posts depending on the number of likes they get, then social media has negatively impacted your self esteem.

How much does others care about your post?

Not everyone who likes our post are actually concerned about the content. For most clicking the like button is a thoughtless action. We ourselves do the same while liking others picture, but then what makes us so insecure when our post gets less likes?
Psychologist Emma Kenny has related it to the inbuilt narcissistic instincts of an individual. We perceive the things that affect us differently than what affects other. We subconsciously do believe that our posts are better and interesting in comparison to others, and as a consequence we believe that the likes we receive are authentic.

Impacts of social media

Just like a coin, social media too has two faces. Social media connect people, give people opportunities and helps people deal with loneliness. However in recent times it does more bad than good. Using social media in wrong way has led to a multitude of mental health issues.

People using social media have reported more cases of loneliness. Reports suggest using social media for more than two hours can increase loneliness rather than reducing it. People especially women are likely at higher risk of mental issues resulting from overuse of social media. They display greater level of insecurity and paranoia. It can also result in depression and anxiety disorders.

Conclusion

Instead of using social media as a tool of inspiration, motivation and aspirations, we use it against ourselves. If social media is making us feel vulnerable, then it is worth taking break from this virtual world. We as individuals hold the steering wheel of our life, if we let social media to dictate us directions, it will most definitely backfire. We need to live a life for ourselves and not just for likes.

Is Technology Limiting Creativity

The term imagination is a hard word to describe. It can have a range of meanings, but creativity refers in its sense to the act of creating something original, creative or special through the use of thought. Creative thinking is often seen as the opposite of functions or disciplines requiring logic or being constrained by facts. Of course this is not necessarily true. But creative fields are widely believed to require creativity, while scientific fields do not. People often think that creativity is a chaotic, unforeseen, man-made phenomenon, while scientific research, math and machinery are bound by a set of substantive rules.

This has led to people sharing the paranoia that increasing society’s reliance on technology will limit creative thinking. When the question is presented, ‘Technology is limiting creativity,’ many people agree – yes, it is. In a recent report, Is Technology Killing Creativity, the author asserts that the point of the argument is often that we sacrifice original thinking to keep oneself constantly captivated. Then the writer goes on to say, if we can find anything online anywhere, we don’t give ourselves opportunity to solve problems and invent on our own.

Technology Enhances Creativity - Lauren Cho - Medium

Although it’s undeniably true that most people use smartphones and the Internet to flood their lives with idle time, the other side of an argument, though, is that technology actually redefines innovation. Of course, the concern is that adolescents have replaced conventionally imaginative hobbies such as painting, creating, and playing with passive computer behaviours such as gaming. Yet, given the fact that contemporary children do have higher media consumption levels than any previous generation, it is not necessarily true that imagination is lacking in their computer activities. Many kids use the internet to write blogs, create websites or dabbling in coding.

The emergence of technology and smartphones in particular has led to many specific recommendations that our dependency on these tools is killing creativity. This is not a new thought-people suggested that technology had long ago extinguished creative impulses. This was television and video games when I was a kid that were to bring down imaginations everywhere.

What’s the deal, then? Back in 1932, Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World, where he proposed a future in which living beings sat a constant desire for technological distraction. Thought could be kept at bay, because by trying to distract ourselves with our electronic gadgets we would simply zap any boredom. Often this is the crux of the argument – that we’re sacrificing original thinking to keep ourselves constantly captivated. It’s also argued that if we can find everything online somewhere, then we don’t give ourselves room to solve the problems and foster an innovative solution on our own.

Scientific research tells us that daydreaming requires time, as daydreaming enhances our imagination. When we fill some downtime with scrolling through screens, is the daydream time being inhibited? Creativity is often called a discipline of “use it or lose it.” You may be employed in a creative job position, but you can also strangle your creativity by being constantly fastened to a computer.

Technology has broadened the limits of what is possible with artistic practices like animation, music and graphic design. This has given creativity more definition, possibly even enabling more participants to join in. Taking a look at YouTube videos or even content present on Instagram-these are open platforms that allow everyone to participate and develop content.

Take the example like CGI in movies or platforms created to make graphic design more available for practitioners, the online outlets to promote the content. The openness extends the spectrum of artistic activities. On the Internet, only those considered by “experts” to possess artistic talent would have been revealed to the public. The curtain is lifted with the internet, and more people are noticed online every day. Artists like Bach and Van Gogh were not known in their own lives, though they would be well known if they were alive today.

Conclusion:

You can have a fair discussion free for both sides to disagree, but where does that leave us? Technology is here to stay and just continues to advance, and maybe one of the more rational reasons is for a healthy use of technology and knowledge, just like how we interpret our diets. There is the idea that our ancient ancestors benefitted from having as much information as possible – it would have been important for survival to know anything about their environment. The challenge now is that our brains need to be conditioned in an age of information overload to minimize the excess and just filter what is needed. It ties in with what we think the right climate requires to be nurtured

How Globalization affects the World Economy

Globalization is dominating the traditional economy, opening up new prospects for countries around the world. This is seen by some researchers as a catalyst for economic growth. Others blame it for the harm to the world which we face today. One thing is clear: this mechanism enables national economies across the globe to spread across boundaries and establish mutually beneficial ties.

Globalisation and Economic Policies

Undertakings around the world are no longer limited to country borders. They can widen around the globe, diversify their operational efficiency and reduce their costs by moving their manufacturing production to countries with cheap labour resources or better availability of raw materials. Burgeoning trade and rising economic connectivity are helping money to travel more than ever. Corporations can now operate across national boundaries and attract more customers, leading to higher profits and eventually economic growth.

How Does the Global Economy Affect the Meeting Planning Industry ...

With globalisation, a business in one country can now sell their goods halfway around the globe in another country. In addition, it can construct there stores and factories, invest in goods and contribute to the local economy. For example, Ford Motor Company had its call centre agents moved to India. Cisco opened a Bangalore Research and Development Centre.

In 2010, Microsoft developed a strategic 3 year contract to monitor its inbuilt IT operations with Infosys Technologies in India. By subcontracting its services to developing countries, businesses can save money and change the lives of people. Because of this, the rates of poverty have declined in the past decades worldwide.

Global Employment possibility:

Globalization enables people to consider moving and start their own business or find work in wealthier countries. It translates into a higher salary and better life chances. Furthermore, migrant workers can send money back home without paying outrageous fees. The free circulation of information and technology also empowers trade unions worldwide to combat for workers ‘ rights. Labour rights expanded as new laws and legislation were implemented. Furthermore, critical topics such as fair pay and gender equality are gradually becoming less common.

Multinational companies such as Google, IBM and Accenture are continually expanding and recruiting workers in their countries of operation. Others introduce exchange programs to give their workers the opportunity to work outside the country. Boston Consulting Group, L.E.K. Consulting and Edelman are just a few instances. This further speeds up globalisation, and fosters economic growth.

Additional Free Trade

One of globalisation’s primary advantages is free trade in goods and services. A country that specializes in motor vehicles, for example, would manufacture cars and parts at a place that maintains the lowest possible cost and sell them on local and international markets. That means more people living in other countries can buy those vehicles for less. They will have access to a broader array of brands and models at the same time.

Since 1945, after the development of economic globalization, world trade has increased by about 7 per cent. Countries that export goods have a competitive advantage and pay lower shipping fees.

Disadvantages of Globalization:

Globalization has its disadvantages, as does anything else. Free trade in goods, services , and information is placing the global economy in a phase of growth in income and employment. The main drawback is that it has also led to lower cash flows and tight credit across the local and national borders.

In fact, since 2008, more than 1,200 restrictive trade policies have been introduced by G2O countries such as the US, Brazil, Germany , France and Japan, which contribute for over 86 per cent of the global economy. This leads to higher taxes for companies importing and exporting goods, and stricter laws.

Conclusion:

Despite the downsides, there’s globalization here to live. The result is a smaller world, that is more interconnected. Socially, globalization has facilitated the interchange of knowledge and cultures, leading to a perception of the world in which individuals are more accessible and compassionate of one another.

NECESSITY, IMPORTANCE, OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONS OF MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT

Necessity of Maintenance Management:

Maintenance activities are related with repair, replacement and service of components or some identifiable group of components in a manufacturing plant so that it may continue to operate at a specified ‘availability’ for a specified period.

Thus maintenance management is associated with the direction and organisation of various resources so as to control the availability and performance of the industrial unit to some specified level.

Thus maintenance management may be treated as a restorative function of production management which is entrusted with the task of keeping equipment/machines and plant services ever available in proper operating condition.

The minimization of machine breakdowns and down time has been the main objective of maintenance but the strategies adopted by maintenance management to achieve this aim have undergone great changes in the past.

Maintenance has been considered just to repair the faulty equipment and put them back in order in minimum possible time.

In view of the utilization of mostly general purpose/conventional machines with low production output, the demands on maintenance function were not very high. But with fast developments in the design, development and mechanisms of control such as electronic, NC and CNC in machine tools the manufacturing scenario has changed a lot.

The stringent control of dimensional tolerances and surface finish of the product have increased the tendency to adopt standardization and interchange-ability of parts/components of machines.

In the current production setups even a minor down time leads to serious production problems both technological as well as economical. All this is due to tough competition in the industrial market. Under the present circumstances effective and objectively designed efforts to update maintenance management has become a necessity.

Importance of Maintenance Management:

Maintenance management is responsible for the smooth and efficient working of the industrial plant and helps in improving the productivity.

It also helps to keep the machines/equipment in their optimum operating conditions. Thus plant maintenance is an important and inevitable service function of an efficient production system.

It also helps in maintaining and improving the operational efficiency of the plant facilities and hence contributes towards revenue by decreasing the operating cost and improving the quality and quantity of the product being manufactured.

As a service function it is related with the incurrence of certain costs. The important component of such costs are — employment of maintenance staff, other minor administrative expenses, investment in maintenance equipment and inventory of repair components/ parts and maintenance materials.

Absence of plant maintenance may lead to frequent machine breakdown and failure of certain productive centres/services which in turn would result in stoppages of production activities, idle man and machine time, dislocation of the subsequent operations, poor quality of production, failure to meet delivery dates of product supply, industrial accidents endangering the life of workers/ operators and allied costs etc.

However, the importance of plant maintenance varies with the type of plant and its production but it plays a prominent role in production management because plant breakdown creates problems such as:

(i) Loss of production.

(ii) Rescheduling of production.

(iii) Materials wastage (due to sudden stoppage of process damages in process materials).

(iv) Need for overtimes,

(v) Need for work subcontracting.

(vi) For maximum manpower utilization workers may need alternative work due to temporary work shortages.

Hence, the absence of planned maintenance service proves costlier. So it should be provided in the light of cost benefit analysis. Since plant maintenance is a service function, it should be provided at the least possible cost but it is very important as discussed above.

Objectives of Maintenance Management:

The purpose of maintenance management is to optimize the performance of productive facilities of an organization by ensuring that these facilities function regularly and efficiently. This can be achieved by preventing the failures or breakdowns if any, as far as possible and by minimizing the production loss due to failures.

The main objectives of maintenance management are as follows:

(1) Minimizing the loss of productive time because of equipment failure to maximize the availability of plant, equipment and machinery for productive utilization through planned maintenance.

(2) To extend the useful life of the plant, machinery and other facilities by minimizing their wear and tear.

(3) Minimizing the loss due to production stoppages.

(4) To ensure operational readiness of all equipment’s needed for emergency purposes at all times such as fire-fighting equipment.

(5) Efficient use of maintenance equipment’s and personnel.

(6) To ensure safety of personnel through regular inspection and maintenance of facilities such as boilers, compressors and material handling equipment etc.

(7) To maximize efficiency and economy in production through optimum utilization of available facilities.

(8) To improve the quality of products and to improve the productivity of the plant.

(9) To minimize the total maintenance cost which may consist of cost of repairs, cost of preventive maintenance and inventory costs associated with spare parts/materials required for maintenance.

(10) To improve reliability, availability and maintainability.

Functions of Maintenance Management:

The important functions of maintenance can be summarized as follows:

(1) To develop maintenance policies, procedures and standards for the plant maintenance system.

(2) To schedule the maintenance work after due consultation with the concerned production departments.

(3) To carry out repairs and rectify or overhaul planned equipment/facilities for achieving the required level of availability and optimum operational efficiency.

(4) To ensure scheduled inspection, lubrication oil checking, and adjustment of plant machinery and equipment.

(5) To document and maintain record of each maintenance activity (i.e., repairs, replacement, overhauls, modifications and lubrication etc.).

(6) To maintain and carry out repairs of buildings, utilities, material handling equipment’s and other service facilities such as electrical installations, sewers, central stores and roadways etc.

(7) To carry out and facilitate periodic inspections of equipment and facilities to know their conditions related to their failure and stoppage of production.

(8) To prepare inventory list of spare parts and materials required for maintenance.

(9) To ensure cost effective maintenance.

(10) To forecast the maintenance expenditure and prepare a budget and to ensure that maintenance expenditure is as per planned budget.

(11) To recruit and train personnel to prepare the maintenance workforce for effective and efficient plant maintenance.

(12) To implement safety standards as required for the use of specific equipment or certain categories of equipment such as boilers, overhead cranes and chemical plants etc.

(13) To develop management information systems, to provide information to top management regarding the maintenance activities.

(14) To monitor the equipment condition at regular intervals.

(15) To ensure proper inventory control of spare parts and other materials required.

In terms of plants operations the functions of maintenance are:

(a) The plant must be available as and when required.

(b) The plant must not breakdown during actual operation state.

(d) The down time must not interfere with production runs.

(e) The down time due to breakdown should be a minimum.

To accomplish these conditions there must be complete cooperation and mutual understanding between maintenance and production departments. There must be an effective maintenance policy for planning, controlling and directing all maintenance activities.

The plant maintenance department must be well organized, adequately staffed sufficiently experienced and adequate in number to carry out corrective and timely maintenance with the efforts in minimizing breakdowns.

THE NEED FOR PLANNING IN ORGANIZATIONS

Planning helps an organization chart a course for the achievement of its goals. The process begins with reviewing the current operations of the organization and identifying what needs to be improved operationally in the upcoming year. From there, planning involves envisioning the results the organization wants to achieve, and determining the steps necessary to arrive at the intended destination – success, whether that is measured in financial terms, or goals that include being the highest-rated organization in customer satisfaction.

Efficient Use of Resources

All organizations, large and small, have limited resources. The planning process provides the information top management needs to make effective decisions about how to allocate the resources in a way that will enable the organization to reach its objectives. Productivity is maximized and resources are not wasted on projects with little chance of success.

Establishing Organizational Goals

Setting goals that challenge everyone in the organization to strive for better performance is one of the key aspects of the planning process. Goals must be aggressive, but realistic. Organizations cannot allow themselves to become too satisfied with how they are currently doing – or they are likely to lose ground to competitors.

The goal setting process can be a wake-up call for managers that have become complacent. The other benefit of goal setting comes when forecast results are compared to actual results. Organizations analyze significant variances from forecast and take action to remedy situations where revenues were lower than plan or expenses higher.

Managing Risk And Uncertainty

Managing risk is essential to an organization’s success. Even the largest corporations cannot control the economic and competitive environment around them. Unforeseen events occur that must be dealt with quickly, before negative financial consequences from these events become severe.

Planning encourages the development of “what-if” scenarios, where managers attempt to envision possible risk factors and develop contingency plans to deal with them. The pace of change in business is rapid, and organizations must be able to rapidly adjust their strategies to these changing conditions.

Team Building and Cooperation

Planning promotes team building and a spirit of cooperation. When the plan is completed and communicated to members of the organization, everyone knows what their responsibilities are, and how other areas of the organization need their assistance and expertise in order to complete assigned tasks. They see how their work contributes to the success of the organization as a whole and can take pride in their contributions.

Potential conflict can be reduced when top management solicits department or division managers’ input during the goal setting process. Individuals are less likely to resent budgetary targets when they had a say in their creation.

Creating Competitive Advantages

Planning helps organizations get a realistic view of their current strengths and weaknesses relative to major competitors. The management team sees areas where competitors may be vulnerable and then crafts marketing strategies to take advantage of these weaknesses. Observing competitors’ actions can also help organizations identify opportunities they may have overlooked, such as emerging international markets or opportunities to market products to completely different customer groups.

GENDER EQUALITY: need of today!

Equality or non-segregation is that state where each individual gets equivalent chances and rights. Each person of the general public longs for equivalent status, opportunity, and rights. In any case, it is a general perception that there exists heaps of separation between people. Segregation exists on account of social contrasts, geological contrasts, and sex. Imbalance dependent on sex is a worry that is predominant in the whole world. Indeed, even in the 21st century, across globe people detest equivalent benefits. Sexual orientation uniformity implies giving equivalent chances to the two people in political, financial, training and wellbeing perspectives.

Significance of Gender Equality

A country can advance and achieve higher improvement development just when the two people are qualified for equivalent chances. Ladies in the general public are regularly cornered and are shunned getting equivalent rights as men to wellbeing, training, dynamic and monetary autonomy as far as wages.

The social structure that wins since long so as to not get equivalent open doors as men. Ladies for the most part are the parental figures in the family. Along these lines, ladies are for the most part engaged with family exercises. There is lesser support of ladies in advanced education, dynamic jobs, and positions of authority. This sex dissimilarity is a prevention in the development pace of a nation. At the point when ladies take an interest in the workforce builds the financial development pace of the nation increments. Sexual orientation uniformity expands the general prosperity of the country alongside monetary success.

Sexual orientation Inequality in India

According to the World Economic Forum’s sexual orientation hole positioning, India remains at rank 108 out of 149 nations. This rank is a significant worry as it features the massive hole in circumstances in ladies with correlation with men. In Indian culture from quite a while back, the social structure has been to such an extent that the ladies are dismissed in numerous zones like instruction, wellbeing, dynamic territories, budgetary freedom, and so forth.

Another significant explanation, which adds to the oppressive conduct towards ladies in India, is the settlement framework in marriage. In view of this share framework, most Indian families think about young ladies as a weight. Inclination for child despite everything wins. Young ladies have avoided advanced education. Ladies are not qualified for equivalent openings for work and wages. In the 21st century, ladies are as yet favored sex in home overseeing exercises. Numerous ladies quit their place of employment and quit from positions of authority on account of family duties. Nonetheless, such activities are phenomenal among men.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT!

Women enpowerment or ladies strengthening alludes to making ladies incredible to make them fit for choosing for themselves. Ladies have endured a ton during that time on account of men. In prior hundreds of years, they were treated as nearly non-existent. As though all the rights had a place with men in any event, something as essential as casting a ballot. As the occasions developed, ladies understood their capacity. There on started the upset for ladies strengthening

As ladies were not permitted to settle on choices for them, ladies strengthening came in like a much needed refresher. It made them mindful of their privileges and how they should make their own place in the public eye as opposed to relying upon a man. It perceived the way that things can’t just work in support of somebody due to their sexual orientation. In any case, we despite everything have far to go when we talk about the reasons why we need it.

Requirement for Women Empowerment

Pretty much every nation, regardless of how dynamic has a background marked by abusing ladies. As such, ladies from everywhere throughout the world have been insubordinate to arrive at the status they have today. While the western nations are as yet gaining ground, underdeveloped nations like India despite everything need behind in Women Empowerment.

In India, ladies strengthening is required like never before. India is among the nations which are undependable for ladies. There are different explanations behind this. Initially, ladies in India are at risk for respect killings. Their family thinks its entitlement to end their lives on the off chance that they carry disgrace to the notoriety of their inheritance.

Besides, the training and opportunity situation is backward here. Ladies are not permitted to seek after advanced education, they are offered early. The men are as yet ruling ladies in certain districts like it’s the lady’s obligation to work for him perpetually. They don’t release them out or have opportunity of any sort.

What’s more, abusive behavior at home is a significant issue in India. The men beat up their significant other and misuse them as they might suspect ladies are their property. All the more in this way, since ladies are hesitant to shout out. Essentially, the ladies who accomplish really work get paid not exactly their male partners. It is out and out of line and chauvinist to pay somebody less for a similar work in light of their sex. In this manner, we perceive how ladies strengthening is the need of great importance. We have to enable these ladies to support themselves and never be a casualty of shamefulness.

Why ‘social distancing’ is arduous to follow?

*How it’s hard, the history of human civilization has one clear picture to reflect*

At times, we see catchphrases behind the trucks. One of them we catch the most is ‘Keep distance’.
During this period of the pandemic COVID-19, we are coming across the same consistently- Keep Distance!
We are seeing that people are averting the crowds, staying at a distance in gatherings and advising the very thing to follow.
As we know that it’s a global threat and in such case, the only way to avoid it is following the sole idea of being distant.

For the management of any contagious malady, apart from the medications and treatments, the idea of social distancing has been prevailing in nature and historical human civilization for a long time.
Even animals like chimps, bats and various insects become remote from the ailing of their own species.
It is believed that in the history of humans, to isolate the ailing person was first and foremost cited in the Bible (Leviticus 13:46) – “⁴⁶as long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.”

In human history, every epidemic witnessed ‘social distancing’ and it has traditionally been followed in human civilization.
When the past record and nature, both exhibit the same convention, then why it’s so difficult for us to obey it now?

History asserts that human beings have always existed in groups, have cared for each other and shared with each other.
We, humans, are developed to be designated as administrators on the Earth because of our patterns of working together, in communities and helping out each other to perform a certain task.
This is why we are yearning for such activities, to do whatever we used to do before the current scenario. Like school, college, hanging out with friends, movies, restaurants or travelling.

In this epoch of social distancing, the sentiment of staying close to people and staying together seems far off. We are even apart from the ones who need us. Social distancing is contrary to our core tendency hence it’s strenuous.

We have swivelled towards the Internet and social media in the wake of this new normal!
Nevertheless, we aren’t detached socially even if we’re sequestered.
Previously, we were condemning Internet for making people anti-social but currently, it has brought us together. Be it via video conferences or chat groups.

This isn’t the world we’ve been living in, not the habits we’ve been living with, we wouldn’t even have any intention to be in such a world for the unpredictable stretch.
With this hope that all adversities will culminate one day, we need to follow the tagline truly that we often find behind the truck!

History and Nature, both imply that social distancing is the absolute best way to deal with such a wave.
However, this foisted ‘social distancing’ will thrive the value of human interactions and propinquity within us.
Hopefully, it will prevail as it’s forever legacy.

Coming together in COVID-19

Since the dawn of civilisation, epidemics and pandemics have continued to haunt mankind. From the outbreak of Spanish Flu to Yellow fever, history of these pandemics dates back to the time of plague in Athens (430 B.C).But perhaps; COVID-19 (spread by SARS-COV-2 virus) is greatest in the history of mankind. This particular virus has brought entire world to a halt, something that the modern world history hasn’t witnessed before.

The virus, whose roots can be traced back to Hubei Province in China, has spread globally causing the infected number of cases rising over 92 lakh. From the Superpowers to third world countries, this virus has brought down healthcare sector, economies and the entire human race on its knees; India being no exception. Yes, various sectors such as healthcare, education, energy, and logistics have faced a serious crunch amidst lockdown. With the global economy shrinking to an all time low, economists predict a depression like situation in the near future. One might question whether we are heading towards an inevitable crisis? Or is the humanity doomed? Such negative thoughts do more harm to us than the virus itself.

Just like all other major turmoil and struggles, COVID-19 too comes with its own share of lessons and learning for the mankind. Lessons in humility, humanity and gratitude. These simple lessons which we had long forgotten in the rat race for materialistic pleasures. While some countries initially played the “blame game” but very soon they realized that the mightiest weapon in combating the virus lies in unity and mutual co-operation. Shunning the geo-political differences, the SAARC countries came together and contributed to the COVID-19 relief fund. Other stories include those of Hindu-Muslim harmony in Telangana where a group of Muslim men performed the last rituals of a Hindu woman in the middle of lockdown restrictions. This virus has brought out heart warming stories of real heroes to the forefront. From the generous acts of donating her education savings by 13 yr old Nethra of Madurai, few Jamatis voluntarily coming forward to donate plasma serve as a ray of hope in these turbulent times.

Despite the social distancing, humanity is coming closer than ever before with a mutual sense of compassion, empathy and concern towards fellow human beings. While we stay hidden indoors amidst fear, the mother earth is breathing back to life. Those little sparrows playing in my balcony, which I hadn’t seen in a long while, are a living testimony to that. The medical staff, sanitation workers and the COVID warriors whom we once took for granted are risking their lives to save ours. What else could be a nobler act than this!

The corona virus has indeed enabled us to look beyond economic differences. Becoming more sensitive and considerate towards our domestic helps. We’ve begun appreciating simple acts of kindness, engaging in deep conversations with our loved ones and clapping to say “thank you”. Our generation is more enlightened than ever before with the realisation however evolved the human race might become but in the end we’ll only remain a tiny speck in the universe. The forces of natural world are far mightier than we could possibly become. Humans may change the course of nature but can’t defy it.

The Chinese symbol “Yin and Yang” illustrates the philosophy of life beautifully. Life flows when energies complement rather than contradict each other. The mankind and nature must maintain balance for life to exist .The day we try to overpower the forces of natural world; it will only take a single microcosmic organism to perish the entire human race.

No, I’m not implying living in a utopian world and becoming ignorant of this deadly virus .True that our healthcare and education systems have failed required to meet necessary standards. But if it wasn’t for COVID-19, these loopholes might have gone neglected. There is no better time to reshape the economy, healthcare, politics and culture than now for the dawn of new world post COVID-19.

But why did it take a virus for this realisation?

“Because sometimes we need to get sick in order to get better”.

Let’s change our outlook towards this pandemic. Instead of perceiving it as a threat we need to see it as opportunity and emerge stronger than ever before. We are a fortunate generation having the privilege to shape a better world than the one we left behind. All we need is to shed stigmas and embrace this change.

Concluding in the words of Yuval Noah Harrai (bestselling author of Sapiens)

“The storm will pass, humankind will survive, most of us will still be alive –but we will inhabit a different world.”

ABC Analysis

ABC analysis is an approach that is mainly use in operations and supply chain for classifying inventory items based on the items’ consumption values. It is one of the most essential concept It helps in classifying inventory items based on the items consumption value. The ABC tool is used to identify the vital few from the trivial many, according to a defined set of criteria. Consumption value is the total value of an item consumed over a specified time period, for example, a year. The approach is based on the Pareto principle to help manage what matters and is applied.

We classify items as “A” class:

Annual consumption value is the highest.
Small in number, but consumes a large number of resources.
Analysis and control of this class are relatively intense since there is greatest potential to reduce costs or losses.
Tight control and aggressively managed.
It is managed by top management.

We classify items as “B” class:

These are inter-class items
Consumption value is lower than “A” items but higher than “C” items.
The scope of this class and the inventory management policies are determined by the estimated cost-benefit of class cost reduction and loss control systems and processes.
Moderate control.
Less frequent re-orders.
Purchase based on rigid requirements.
Managed by middle-level management.

We classify items as “C” class:

Lowest consumption value.
It is not usually cost-effective to deploy tight inventory controls, as the value of the risk of significant loss is relatively low.
Large in number but consumes lesser resources.
Low inventory turnover.
Purchase based on usage estimates.

ABC analysis is mainly used in 3 major industries:

First is in factories with raw materials where objective is to control inventory and tool used is ABC analysis using consumption value.
Second is in retail outlet where the objective is profit maximization and tool is ABC analysis which is done using sales value.
Third is stock verification where objective is to verify the stock and tool is ABC using stock value.

Disadvantages of ABC Analysis

It needs to be completed in the moment for more accurate results.
There might be chances of biases on analysis of data.

What is a Surveillance society?

The surveillance society is a society that is structured and organized using surveillance-based techniques. To be under surveillance means having information about individual’s movements and activities recorded by technologies, on behalf of the governments and organizations that structure our society. This information is sorted and categorized and then used as a basis for decisions which affect our life. Such decisions concern our entitlement, work, access to benefits, products, services, and criminal justice; our health, well-being, and our movement through private and public spaces.

Everyday encounters with surveillance include:

• Video cameras which watch us every day everywhere we go – in buildings, shopping malls, streets, and residential areas. Automatic systems can now also recognize number plates (as well as faces).

• Electronic tags that keep a check on ones who are on probation do not break their release conditions, and people arrested by police have samples of their DNA taken and kept whether they are guilty or not.

• We are constantly asked to prove our identity, for benefits like healthcare, and so on.

If surveillance is a normal aspect of the management and governance, then what’s wrong with it?

Using surveillance to achieve one’s aims, no matter how big or small bestows great power. Some interests will be served, while others will be marginalized. Some will receive entitlements and benefits, while others may not.

As data travel silently across international boundaries, national states, and within transnational corporations, the impact of surveillance becomes even harder to identify and regulate.

It focuses on correcting the negative also it gives a message to those who are watched that they are not trusted to behave appropriately.

The rise of technology is shattering even the illusion of privacy. Video cameras peer constantly from lamp poles, satellites and drones float through the skies, smartphones relay a dizzying barrage of information about their owners and what not.

The information of every traveler on every stop is noted and stored by Internet service providers like Google, Verizon, and Comcast. Retailers scan, remember, and analyze each purchase by every customer. Smart TVs know what we’re watching—soon they will have eyes to watch us watching them.

The future is here. Nearly everything that happens from now on has the potential to be seen by someone and also stored indefinitely. Government and the private corporations working with them, collect and store billions of records every day and they’re hungry for more. Technology makes all secrets difficult to keep.

There has been evidence that shows mass surveillance erodes intellectual freedom and damages the social fabric of the affected societies. It opens door to flawed and illegal profiling of individuals. Mass surveillance has also not helped in preventing terrorist attacks.

Other evidence shows that even the possibility of being under surveillance changes the way people think and act, causing them to avoid talking or writing about sensitive or controversial subjects. This only showcases that mass monitoring of citizens achieves only one thing that is the development of mutual mistrust between individual and state.

Surveillance society instead of beneficial has given us more non-benefits. It affects the privacy of the individual. The mismanagement of CCTV, ID cards, mobile phone data, health, and social security databases, shop loyalty cards, and other data retention technologies has an enormous potential in causing public or personal catastrophe – from criminals and terrorists hacking into or sabotaging the health care database, down to personal data being stolen or accidentally destroyed.

However, if surveillance and personal data collection are to achieve its true value then it should be tightly regulated to avoid abuse and mismanagement by government, companies, and individuals. If we are living in a society that relies on surveillance to get things done are we committing slow social suicide?

Surveillance and personal data collection have the potential to be of benefit to society but only if maintained with due care, otherwise it only risks jeopardizing the public safety it’s meant to protect.

Parenting during the Lock-down

Parenting in the times of coronavirus lockdown.

I had a feeling that we are headed towards a strict lockdown in the second week of March. Playschool for my toddler was shut anyway and for the elder kid, we were mainly going out only for therapies and a little park time in evening. I ordered a toy car for my two year old to drive around the house if playing outdoors gets banned. But before the delivery could happen, India plunged headlong in its fight against corona virus; Uttar Pradesh reported a few cases and Noida became a red zone!

No couriers will be delivered, no parks will be open, no play dates can happen, schools will remain closed, and domestic helps barred entry in the society – welcome parenting in times of lockdown.

In ‘normal’ times, a good 7-8 hours from morning till afternoon are taken care of by a fixed school schedule on weekdays and weekends are sorted with a few hours of outing or meeting friends and family. But now every day is a holiday for the kids while you have to work from home and for home!

The biggest challenge is to keep them ‘engaged’! How do you do that from 7 am to 7 pm? Problem multiplies manifold when you have a child with special needs and a toddler under the same roof. The little one it seems has an unconquerable diet for play time while my nine year old autistic girl can spend an entire day asking for food! The kitchen is now forced to churn out 5 meals and 8 snacks a day!

Did anyone mention workouts during lockdown? Not possible when you have a toddler in the house! Do your pushups, he will lie under you, try the hip thrusts – he will sit on you, squats are incomplete without him riding on your shoulders and don’t even aspire for walking lunges, there are toy dynamites on every inch of the floor!

However, what we have successfully managed to do is to keep our sleep cycle unchanged. We follow same school routine of waking up early and sleeping on time. One parent handles the digital class and therapy schedule of the older kid while the other takes care of the little ones play and food needs. Lockdown compulsions have also brought forth our own capacity of working as a team and managing with limited resources at hand. Half an hour of skating on house tiles is allowed, using crayons on walls is allowed, screen time has increased too but so has bonding time for all four of us. Many challenges of parenting in lockdown have thrown many positives too for families during this uncertain period.

As I write this piece, we are in the eighth week of lockdown and praying that things ease out a bit in the coming days. There are memes abound on social media that if this lockdown continues then a mother is sure to find some vaccine for the virus before scientists.

I had stolen some time for myself to write this bit but now I need to unlock the door before their (kids) banging breaks it.

It’s been more than a month, and I’ve been feeling more and more like the inventive father, Guido, in the 1997 film Life is Beautiful, as I try and shield my almost-eight-year-old a little from the unprecedented reality we are living through. I try and create games through the positive spins I put on everything, from rationed chocolates and ice creams to the short-masked cycling excursions I allow her for filtered mouthfuls of the freshest air that Gurgaon has experienced in the last 20 years.

Everyone across the world is living their own strange reality these days, but parents of under-10s are perhaps going through their most puzzling and challenging parenting phase yet. While kids these days are more aware of the impact of climate change, can navigate a Zoom class easily, and put together a complicated puzzle faster than our generation could, they are still emotionally fragile and processing this time as a very significant part of their childhood. It is what it is, we say, as we grapple with the bleak financial forecasts and the rising numbers of casualties across the world. Every parent has their own unique coping mechanism, but here’s what I feel has worked for me.

1) Tell them Age-Appropriate Truths:

If you have a curious one (and I think 99% of us do!), you will need to explain the impact of COVID-19 and what the foreseeable future holds for them in small easy-to-digest nuggets. By now, they are probably on auto-pilot as far as scrubbing their hands, slapping on masks, keeping an arm’s-length distance are concerned – but how do you tell kids that school as they knew it may not happen till July? September? Who knows? Or birthdays? Or playtime in the park? Or that the pool may not be open all summer? I try and stick to weekly silver linings…next week, we may be able to hit some tennis balls downstairs or let’s fill the splash pool so that you can enjoy a pretend swim. Let’s do a four-way video call with your pals so that we can simulate some school girlie chatter. We even did a video birthday cake-cutting where they sang Happy Birthday for a friend. It’s my way of showing her that we will inch back to normal slowly when it’s safe to do so.

2) Revel in Nature:

Since our kids are already little eco-warriors, this is the best part of the narrative to emphasise at this time. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they remember this time as the phase when dolphins and flamingos returned to Mumbai’s waters, or nilgai and peacocks roamed unfettered on Gurgaon’s streets, or the Ganga and Yamuna sparkled with clean waters and the snow-capped Himalayas were visible from Ludhiana? I make sure I show her all the WhatsApp forwards I receive that highlight these wonders from across the world so that she can feel good about the Earth rebooting itself and animals having their day.

3) Family First:

This is the biggest and most obvious plus. How long has it been since Mom, Dad and in some cases, Nana-Nani/Dada-Dadi, have all been home all day, day after day? My daughter has discovered that Dad is a mean cook and has the patience to complete a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle over a week; Nana and Nani rock at Ludo and Snakes and Ladders, and Mamma can dust the whole house, tidy every cupboard and play word games with her. We’ve all cribbed about the lack of quality time and missing our children’s milestones, so now is the time to get the most of these trying days. Believe me, we will miss this the most when it’s over, so let’s create some family rituals that we can carry into life post-COVID.

4) Less is More:

I’ve put together squared notebooks from empty pages of three older ones for her math homework, diluted paint in half-dried poster colour bottles so that she can paint watercolours, sharpened every colour pencil (we have far too many as a blister on my finger can testify!), taken out every single Lego set stashed away in drawers to. Suddenly, every toy bought over the last five years is that much more valuable as is every piece of clothing! She has enough summer clothes without me having had an opportunity to step out to replenish her wardrobe even though she’s grown more than a few inches over the last year! Involving her in making bagfuls of food, clothes and toys for charity also helps her empathise with what the world is going through.

5) Touchy Feely Time:

My day starts with cuddles with the dog who is on Cloud Nine having all of us home 24-7, followed by at least 15 minutes of having my sleepy child draped all over me, hugging, just being, and sharing her night of dreams (both fantastic and fearful) and plans for the day. Such a far cry from the rushed school mornings we are all missing, right? All of us have stashes of handmade cards proclaiming her love for us with her ridiculous spellings and her adorable illustrations. Virtual goodnight kisses are shared with grandparents and lots of love, hugs and kisses are being dispensed on FaceTime, Zoom and every other possible medium.

Kids are much more resilient than us, but as parents we are going through another learning phase through this lockdown!

Education without values makes a man clever devil

Education gives us knowledge and awareness. Knowledge gives us skills and makes us prepare for our career ,livelihood. Education has multiple role to play. Education is the process of imbibing external progressive idea, thoughts and belief into our internal thinking, which eventually gets reflected in our action. Role of education is immense towards a moral, ethical and just Society. The knowledge which are supposed to guide students to success may be abused or even misused for malicious acts. In order to prevent this, a set of values is necessary to guide the use of these knowledge. Values are principles or standards of behavior and it is someone’s judgement of what is important in life.

In the vedic period, in Ashram education, the guru (teacher) instruct his students to follow certain values throughout the life. In modern education system, value oriented education gets priority over others. It helps to develop scientific temper of mind, large heartedness, co-operation, respect for the culture of other groups ,etc. Value education can take place at home, as well as in schools , colleges, universities, jail and voluntary youth organization. Recently government of India promotes value education in its school. The ministry of human resource development has taken strong steps to introduce values among the school and teachers training centers.

Value based education is the only means which can give the young generation the right direction. In modern times people are extremely focused in the pursuit of their own success and self interest with killer instincts. They need success at any cost. In this process they do not remain human and become robots . Their activities become heartless and value free. Success may come to us but at the end we are not having a sense or feeling of fulfillment happens due to lack of values. Swami Vivekananda pinpointed value education as a total upliftment of society. Martin Luther King Jr said that the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and critically. Intelligence plus character is the goal of true education. All scam and episodes of corruption in the recent times in our country and the world are evidence to failure of human beings ,not because of lack of education, but of immoral character. Good character never allows one to perform under pressure or greed.

Osama Bin Laden, a dreed terrorist was a civil engineer, whose higher education could not help him to follow virtuous path. Education without values tends to make man clever devil. It is important to have an intelligent mind, but it is far more important to have a good heart . Nelson Mandela rightly said that a good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

If we analyse the activities of a solider and a terrorist, we can find that solider gives life for his people and his country, whereas a terrorist takes the lives of innocent people either in the name of religion or in the name of politics. A solider has both brain and heart but the terrorist has got only brain. Now a days many educated youth take the path of terrorism. This highlights that how education can be used to propagate ideas which are not only irrational but against peace, harmony and progress of human society. Value help us to differentiate between good and bad acts, while education only teach us about various acts.

The real education should come with moral values and character. Only the education with values can lead man to path of virtue. Thus ,our education system should adopt value based education at all levels. The value educational programs should not be led only during the school level, but should be carried on further up to the level of higher education too, as it is from that nation’s bureaucraft ,army personnel and future leaders would emerge.

Only the value -laden education can bring development in form of eradication of poverty, generation of employment, removal of social ills empowerment of women, problem solving skills, decision making power etc. With the value based education we can achieve a society, ” where the mind is without fear and head is held high, where knowledge is free”.

A teenager’s stress

In the cut-throat world of competition, it is natural to feel stressed about not keeping up with others. Stress up to a certain limit is normal and may motivate you to get ready for action. It is your body’s response to challenges. But too much of it for a long period of time can cause distress and may even prove to be a hindrance in performing day-to-day activities.

This may hit a person as early as their teenage years. Being a teen can be stressful. You have a constant pressure from the society. It may look easy but there is a lot going on internally which can be a huge burden for such a young mind. As you grow older, you suddenly start becoming conscious of who you are and what is your identity in the society, feeling a pressure to prove yourself the best. Now there is nothing wrong in trying to become a better person but the continuous expectations from school and one’s own peers can build a tremendous amount of pressure.

Some of the causes of the rising stress levels of teens can be attributed to the following factors:

School work: School work and periodic assessments form an important part of evaluation of a student’s progress but sometimes it can be a lot for an individual to bear. Sometimes, students even start to avoid going to school as a result. Some may even end up developing a “don’t care anymore” approach which doesn’t benefit anyone in anyway.

Along with excelling at academics, extra-curricular activities also need to be taken seriously for an overall development. It is always nice to take part in activities beyond your academics but again, pressure tags along with it. Now, there is a need to balance your studies as well as the activities.

Lack of time and sleep: As there is a lot to accomplish in a limited time, teens often end up sacrificing a good sleep cycle. Social media also occupies a lot of time because of which, they may get distracted and end up wasting their precious hours.

Life challenges: They may often feel unprepared for the future challenges or situations. This can make them feel overwhelmed and result in anxiety issues.

Some common signs of stress in teens are:

Having trouble sleeping or even feeling sleepy after having the right amount of it.
They have trouble concentrating and may lose focus easily.
They are always tired, fatigued or overly-anxious.
They many not be eating well leading to health issues.

Even though it is very prevalent, there are certain measures that can be applied to deal with it.

Here, major responsibility may lie on the parents to be attentive of their teen’s needs. If they are given a supportive environment to grow rather then a hostile one where they always feel criticized and undervalued, they may find it easier to open up about their problems.

Staying connected to family and friends, getting good enough sleep, eating healthy and exercising can be some of the ways to deal with stress.

Moreover, practicing helpful thinking patterns is important rather than unhelpful thinking, which constantly involves viewing yourself in a self-deprecating manner.

If the situation becomes way too serious, it is always ideal to get a professional involved. They will understand the situation better and help the child to deal with his stress as well as for their parents to know the causes behind of it so that they can create a stress-free environment for them.

Exploring Northeast India

Northeast is the collective name of the easternmost states of India. It comprises of 8 culturally and ecologically rich states. It comprises of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. These states are also know as ‘The seven sisters’ and Sikkim being the only brother.

If you are a travel geek, visit to the Northeast must top your bucket list. Each state is very different from each other, yet so similar. Each state can mesmerise you with its beauty. This part of India is so raw and pure, in comparison to the rest of the country and this makes it even more special.

Introduction to each state

• Arunachal Pradesh
The land of rising sun, Arunachal Pradesh, is characterized by mountainous ranges and sub mountainous ranges along the northern part. This state is truly diverse in terms of its culture. Arunachal Pradesh has 26 major tribes and multiple sub-tribes. People of Arunachal Pradesh speak over 50 dialects. Arunachal Pradesh is a green gold. Because of the variation in altitude and climatic condition, it has tropical, subtropical and temperate forest.

• Assam
Assam is a northeastern state popular for its wildlife, archaeological site and tea plantation. Assam is also known for its temples, especially the Kamakhya Temple. The world’s largest river island, Majuli, and the smallest river island, Umananda, are both located in this state. The culture of Assam is a rich and exotic tapestry. Natives of this state are known as Asomiya (Assamese) and it is also the state language of Assam. Weaving is an important part of Assamese culture. Gamocha is one of most easily recognisable cultural symbol, besides many.

• Manipur
Manipur is situated in the eastern frontier of India. Physically Manipur comprises of two parts, hills and valleys. The valley is centred surrounded by hills on all sides. The state has a forest canopy ranging from thickly dense forest to moderately dense forest to open forest. The cultural expression and art form of this state is famous worldwide. Manipuri dance whether folk or classical, is distinct from any other form.

• Meghalaya
Meghalaya is a hilly state in northeast India. This area is geographically rich, with mountains, stretches of valley and Highland plateau. Mawsynram, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya is the wettest place of earth. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya is known as the rock capital of India. The forest in Meghalaya are among the richest botanical habitat in Asia. Meghalaya’s forest host 660 species of birds.

• Mizoram
The state with highest literacy rate in Northeast is Mizoram. Among the northeastern states, it is the southern most landlocked state. Mizoram is the state of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes. Traditional festivals in this region revolve around jhum cultivation. This state has several dance forms, including, Cheraw, Khuallam, Chheihlam, Chai.

• Nagaland
Nagaland is largely a mountainous state. It is 16th state of India on 1st December 1963. The state has a monsoon climate with high humidity levels. Nagaland, just like all other northeastern state, is high in flora and fauna. Mithun is the state animal and has also adopted as the official seal of the Government of Nagaland. Music and dance is an intrinsic part of Naga life. The Hornbill festival celebrated in Kohima, capital of Nagaland, is famous worldwide.

• Sikkim
Sikkim is the only northeastern state which is not a part of ‘seven sisters’. It host Kanchenjunga, the highest peak of India and third highest in the world. Sikkim climate ranges from sub tropical in the south to tundra in the north. Sikkim is one of the few states of India to receive snow fall. The state is situated in the ecological hotspot of the Lower Himalayas, one of the only three ecoregions of India.

• Tripura
Tripura is the third most smallest state in the country. The state is characterized by hill ranges, valleys and plains. Tripura has a typical savanna climate. Unakoti in Tripura is popular worldwide. Multiple folklore are famous about Unakoti.

If you are travel freak, a visit to the Northeast is a must. This place won’t disappoint you.

How to create a good resume?

For most job-seekers, a good resume is what stands between a dream job and Choice D. Get your resume right, and you’ll be getting replies from every other company you apply to.

If your resume game is weak, though, you’ll end up sitting around for weeks, maybe even months, before you even get a single response.

So you’re probably wondering how you can write a resume which leads to HR managers inviting you to interviews daily.

Are you ready to learn how to make a resume that lands you your dream job?

Step 1: Choose From 3 Formats

So you are staring at a blank page on your computer wondering, “What is a resume and how do I start writing one?” Hundreds ask this same question every day and the reason is most likely due to the fact that there is no standard rule for formatting a resume.

To get started, try organizing all your information with a resume outline. This helps you see where your strengths and weaknesses are, and what aspects of your professional history you need to emphasize. Then, decide on what resume format is right for your application.

Your formatting decision comes down to 3 choices: Reverse-Chronological, Functional, and Combination. Each format has their own advantages and disadvantages. Below, you will find which one is best for you.

For more information, you can also check out our in-depth resume format guide.

Format 1: Reverse-Chronological

This is the most traditional format, and what you’re most likely to encounter in the real world (as an applicant or hiring manager). Chronological resume formats are generally more flexible, and can be used by applicants with any level of experience.

Details about the resume sections of this format:

Contact Information – The most consistent element across all three resume formats, contact details must be outlined near the top.

Resume Objective – This type of resume introduction can be used by anyone, and allows job-seekers to tailor their resume to their employer.

Work Experience – For this format, you must have a consistent work history (or one that isn’t too patchy).

Additional Skills – Your skills section can still be used to highlight personal attributes you’re proud of.

Education – Your degrees (any) and certifications (if relevant) should be prominent.

Accomplishments – Be sure to mention your most impressive awards and honors.

I should use if:

I want to show a vertical career progression.

I want to apply to a job in a similar field.

I want to promote my upward career mobility.

I shouldn’t use if:

I have major gaps in my employment history.

I am changing my career path.

I change jobs every few months.

Format 2: Functional

While chronological places emphasis on career progression, a functional resume is for a skills-based resume. Since it heavily emphasizes the applicant’s qualifications, functional format is more suitable for those with an expert level of experience.

Details about the sections on this format:

Contact Information – Regardless of your format, this will be always near or at the top of your resume.

Resume Introduction – The functional resume uses a more robust introduction, such as a qualifications summary to highlight your strongest areas right off the bat.

Work Experience – Note how small this section is, and how time periods are omitted. This is to de-emphasize experience, and highlight other sections.

Relevant Skills Section – Skills are the greatest selling point for someone who lacks a clear work history, so this section must be robust.

Education – Include your highest degree, and feel free to list a key (relevant) certification here too.

Accomplishments – If you have any notable work-related awards, list the most significant.

I should use if:

I have gaps in my employment history.

I am changing my career industry.

I want to highlight a specific skill set.

I shouldn’t use if:

I want to highlight my upward career mobility.

I am an entry level candidate that lacks experience.

I lack transferable skills.

Format 3: Combination

As you can probably guess, the combination resume format merges bits and pieces from both chronological and functional formats. Like the functional format, it focuses on specific qualifications, yet the body of the document contains professional experience similar to chronological format. This format is generally reserved for those with a great deal of experience in a particular industry.

Details about this format’s sections:

Contact Information – Similar to the other two formats, contact details are at the top.

Professional Profile – Users of the combination format are often highly skilled, and the professional profile can highlight these skills in a concise way.

Work Experience – Experience is more fleshed out in a combination resume than it is in its functional counterpart.

Skills Section – With your arsenal of work-related skills, you can divide them into two sections based on importance.

Education – For someone using a combination format, education is less crucial. However, it’s still definitely worth placing on the resume.

I should use if:

I want to highlight a developed skill set within a specific career.

I want to change my career path.

I am a master of the subject I am applying to.

I shouldn’t use if:

I want to highlight my education.

I lack experience.

I am an entry level candidate.

Step 2: Set Up Your Contact Information

Before delving into what information you should add, it’s important to remember that the information you include will largely depend on the format you choose. With that being said, below is a general guide to what information you should add and the order in which you should add it.

Name (largest font on page, middle initial is optional)

Mailing Address

Telephone Number (Check that you have an appropriate voicemail message)

Email Address (make sure it’s appropriate.)

Link to online portfolio (optional, ensure it is relevant to the position)

Beware of Student Loan Debt Forgiveness Offers

You may have seen ads for companies that promise student loan forgiveness or drastically lowered payments.

Do your homework before you click or call to learn more. Many third-party companies require a fee for their “services.” Know that paying a fee will not help you qualify for any of the Federal programs or speed up the process. Avoid scams and identity theft.

You may be eligible for FREE student loan assistance services through the Federal Student Loan Program, including loan consolidation, lower student loan payments, deferment or even loan forgiveness. You can also contact Herzing University’s Alumni Support center at alumnisupport@herzing.edu or by calling 1 (866) 508-0748 ext. 01353.

Read the full article, “Beware of Student Loan Debt Relief Offers and Credit Repair ‘Deals’,” from the U.S. Department of Education to learn more.

The art of forgiving

I have grown up idealizing my grandma. I love her and love everything she does. For me she has always been my iron woman. I have never in my life seen her whine or cry over something even once. It’s as if she doesn’t care. As if this world is too juvenile for her attention and care. Trust me, she doesn’t give two hoots about anything on this planet. Her life has always revolved around her and it continues to be like that. I’m not saying she’s selfish, she’s just not as bothered about others as we are. If she ever receives a compliment from someone, she thanks them. If people ever talk I’ll about her she does something which most of us fail to do- she forgives them.

I don’t know how she does it. I asked her one day how she lets go of all her anger to which she said that people who make you angry have the sole purpose of annoying nad irritating you. They want to get inside your mind and poison it. They want you to constantly think of them and how they wronged you. When you get angry at someone you pledge that you would never talk to them or think of them and in order to hold up this pledge you have to constantly remind your mind to not think of them. This is counterproductive because in order to forcefully and deliberately forget people you in turn constantly remind yourself of their bad deeds. This spoils your mind and wastes your time. Holding a grudge against someone comes with a heavy cost which you have to pay with your peace of mind. Thus, in order to be happy, you have to prioritise who is more important to you- yourself or others and if the answer is the former, you must forgive others.

Forgiveness isn’t philanthropy. You are not doing it to release others from their crimes and deeds, you are doing that to release your own self from the negative emotions and thoughts which come with resentment.

Life is too short to live it for others. You must start living for yourself. Love more, hate less because this is going to benefit you. Prioritise yourself. You should be your first priority and your happiness should be above your ego. The day you start loving yourself and the moment you realise that you want to start living life for your soul is the moment you will learn the art of forgiving. Imagine living for a 100 years. When you were 5 years old you had a fight with a friend of yours and you decided you would never speak to that friend or ever think of him. Now, you spent the next 95 years of your life reminding yourself how that person hurt you and how you should never think of him. Thus, you kept living every moment of your life for that person and just wasted a glorious 100 years holding on to a grudge which was fatal for your mental peace and we’ll being.

Thus, the path to eternal happiness starts from forgiveness. Let go of the hatred you have towards other people and you’ll notice how improved your life is. Always remember that your self respect is greater than your ego. While your ego prefers holding on to something your self respect will always remind you to let go because that’s the only way you can actually honour yourself.

Om Shanti.

Credit Guarantee fund Scheme for Education Loans

Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Education Loan (CGFSEL) has been launched by the Government of India to provide a guarantee for education loans under the Model Education Loan Scheme of Indian Banks’ Association. All Education Loans up to INR 4 lakhs are collateral-free but under this scheme, a student can avail an education loan up to INR 7.5 Lakhs without any collateral and a third-party guarantee. However, if there is a requirement to revise the loan limit, the fund has the right to do so. Disbursal of an education loan under this scheme is comparatively simple.

There will be a maximum of up to 2% interest rate over the base rate and if the interest rate is above that, then that education loan will fall outside the mandate of CGFSEL. However, this may change with respect to the prevalent interest rate scenario, base rates of Bank and RBI’s Credit Policies.

Margin

Up to INR 4 Lakhs – Nil
Above INR 4 Lakhs- 5% for study in India and 15% for study abroad.

Eligibility

There is no specific restriction regarding the age of a student in order to be eligible for an education loan. Age of joint applicant / co-borrower / guarantor should be minimum 21 years at the time of loan origination and maximum age at the time of loan maturity can be 70 years.

Process

Academic records (10th, 12th, Graduation (if applicable), entrance exam result through which admission is obtained. Proof of admission: Admission letter or offer letter from the educational institution. Loan account statement of the previous 1 year, if loan has been taken from another lender. Passport size photographs.

Which Education Loans are covered under this scheme?

The following Education loans will be considered eligible under this scheme:

The loans that are given by the bank to an eligible borrower according to the scheme of IBA ( Indian Banks Association ) without any collateral security and third-party guarantee. They must be in an agreement with NCGTC (National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company). The procedures prescribed by NCGTC must be followed and the guarantee cover in respect of education will be applied by the bank.
Loans that are disbursed in a quarterly manner prior to the expiry of the following quarter are eligible for the application of guarantee cover in respect of education loan by the Banks like PNB, Axis Bank, HDFC, etc.
“Material Date” basically means the date on which the guarantee fee, which has been covered previously in respect of the eligible borrower, becomes payable by the Bank to the respective trust. On the material date, the following criteria should satisfy:
- Overdue in respect of the account to the banks should not be there and in the books of the bank, the loan should not be classified as an NPA (Non-Performing Asset). An asset is classified as a non-performing asset on the basis of the guidelines given by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India).
- The purpose for which the loan has been granted to the borrower should not have been ceased.
- Without obtaining any consent from the NCGTC, the credit facility should not be utilized for adjustments of any debts.
There will be a list of educational institutes and their courses or the categories of educational institutes for which the guarantee cover will be available.

Which Education Loans are NOT covered under this scheme?

The following Education loans will not be considered eligible under this scheme:

Any Education Loan which is inconsistent in any way and does not follow the provisions, laws, and instructions issued by the central government or the Reserve Bank of India.
If an Education Loan is sanctioned by the bank with an interest rate of more than 2% over the base rate of the banks.
A case where the risks are additionally covered by the Government or any external authority.

Thousands of students are applying for Education Loan nowadays. To ensure fast and efficient disbursal of Education Loans the government of India launched CGFSEL. This scheme has definitely been useful for many students and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the continuation of the CGFSEL with an aim to provide loans to around 10 Lakh students.

Unemployment Amid The Pandemic

India, undoubtedly, is grappling with the problem of unemployment amid the pandemic. It has led to a spike in the country’s unemployment rate to 27.11%. Unemployment is more prominent in urban areas than in rural areas. Unemployment or underemployment levels of women are higher than those of men. Reports say that the rate of unemployment is the highest in urban areas, which constitute the most number of red zones due to the increase in the number of corona virus cases. Ever since, the country was put under lock down on March 25 to curb the spread of the deadly virus, India has seen a major fall in the economy. Perhaps the biggest cause of concern is the higher rate of joblessness among the youth, especially in the age group of 20 to 24 years.
India is a developing economy. The nature of employment sharply varies from the one that prevails in industrially advanced countries like the United States of America. Unemployment is a sheer waste of manpower. The socio -economic repercussions of unemployment are dangerous.

• Specific individual consequences of unemployment are obvious. How do we buy food? Pay the rent? Buying even the basic necessities could be tough, much less buying the latest technology gadget. These consequences are real for the unemployed, and the accumulative effects are visible in the entire economy as individuals and businesses struggle to meet the challenges that unemployment creates.

• Social consequences of prolonged unemployment can be significant. Studies suggest that a high unemployment rate is directly related to increases in property-related crime. Unemployment can also affect the health of individuals and families. A study of people with a high risk of unemployment found that they decreased their consumption of fruit and vegetables. Such a diet change can affect workers’ as well as their children’s health in the long run. Inadequate nutrition of children, a particular risk in low-income families, can hinder their physical and mental development.

• The slow rate of economic growth leads to poverty. It leads to many problems in the society. It gives rise to child labour. Poverty also leads to illiteracy, crime, corruption etc. There are reports of farmers committing suicide for not being able to repay loans. For a better source of living, people migrate to towns and cities. In fact, people below the poverty line e create slum areas in the cities. Slums have very poor hygienic conditions. They are forced to dwell under impoverished living conditions.
Example – Asia’s Largest Slum, Dharavi has an area of just over 2.1 square kilometers (0.81 sq. mi; 520 acres) and a population of about 1,000,000. With a population density of over 277,136/km2 (717,780/sq. mi), Dharavi is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

MEASURES TO REDUCE THE COST OF UNEMPLOYMENT
To mitigate the economic effects on society of the Coronavirus Outbreak, several measures have been taken. The measured are intended to provide greater security for those affected by the pandemic by limiting the spread of the deadly virus, combating the effects on businesses and jobs and providing financial security and transition opportunities for those who become unemployed.

Reducing The Spread Of The Virus
Everyone working in health care and infectious disease control must have the tools and resources needed to curb the spread of the virus. The local Government sector is therefore being given funding ,both targeted and general, to deal with the immediate additional costs resulting from the outbreak.

Tackling Rising Unemployment
Despite the extensive measures the Government has taken to support viable businesses, many people are going to lose their jobs. In view of the present economic situation several temporary changes have been made in unemployment insurance to make it easier to qualify for benefit and to ensure that this insurance provides greater financial security for people who become unemployed. In addition, more measures are proposed to provide good transition opportunities.

This is a global pandemic. Every county is caught in its own problems. No country is in a position to extend help for others. India, too, is alone in this. As citizens, we ought to abide by the stringent guidelines ,the Government has imposed to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

Explore Benefits of Online Learning for students

Online learning is affordable, accessible, and available.

These are the most favorable reasons behind the popularity of online education. Read on to find out what attracts students to prefer online learning.

Online Courses Are More Convenient:
This convenience comes in many forms. They don’t need to visit the college/university campus or follow any fixed schedules. They can obtain education anytime, anywhere. They don’t require to stick to a college/university routine, instead, they can master skills or learn new skills with their ongoing job, career, or other responsibilities.

Flexibility Creates Opportunity:
Flexibility is crucial to everyone in this hyper-connected 21st century. Learners will be able to study during their own time and pace. They can continue their ongoing jobs, other academic schedules, and accountabilities. This flexibility appeals to learners as it creates more opportunities to identify their potentials without putting any other thing on hold.

Reduced Costs:
As everything is virtual, there is no commuting cost associated with it. It is cost-effective compared to campus education because it is easy to attend and there is no application and other fees. Also, easy access to the online material is an added advantage, saving your hefty cost on books.

Meet People Across The Globe:
Geography is no longer an obstacle to learning and accessing the best educational material. When you enroll in any online classes, you may meet people from different backgrounds, cultures, and environments. This networking helps overcome challenges and establish a unique level of a bond between classmates and instructors.

Ideal for Everyone:
There is a wide range of subjects available for a different group of people. Whether you are a professional, high school graduate, college graduate, or simply want to enhance or learn skills, online education is ideal for everyone. From biology to space science and from technology to tools, there are online educational sources for every subject.

Technology has provided a lot of opportunities to educators also. More and more courses are being designed online and there are many benefits of it.

Here are some benefits of online education for teachers.

Online Learning: Benefits For Teachers
They can go ahead at an individual pace
They can save a lot of time by eliminating the commute to a physical place
They can track student’s progress online with the help of better tools
They can utilize the best resources available on the web to design the content
They can access a wide variety of modern teaching/learning platforms
Educators can incorporate interactive, immersive, and innovative technologies to make education effective and fun
Teachers are at the center of educational systems. While technology-driven education makes learning easier and fun, there are several challenges faced by educators in making a successful online program.

Challenges Faced By Educators: Area Of Concerns
No F2F Connection:
Due to the virtual classroom environment, there is no face-to-face communication. Sometimes, this trait is not effective enough to better connect with students.

Difficult To Track Practical Knowledge:
There are many tools and technologies to track the progress of students but educators won’t have real-life practical information about students’ performance. What they have gained and how they are applying in the real world is difficult to observe.

Technical Difficulties:
It is important to ensure having the proper equipment to make remote teaching effective. Not just reliable internet but proper webcam, headphone, laptop/pc help them make most of the virtual teaching.

Different Time zones:
In remote education, students can belong to different parts of the world. While they have the flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere, it is quite difficult for the instructor to cop up due to different time zones. Sometimes students need an immediate solution to their queries and delay in that cause results in ineffective learning.

Practical Tips For Students And Teachers To Make Online Education Effective:
Tips For Educators:
Choose Effective Teaching Methodology:
How will you deliver the content? What suits your students most? Live class at a specific time or self-paced learning? Choosing the right blend of teaching methodologies help achieve great engagement and better outcomes for your students.

Use Of Technology:
An effective learning management system has best-designed courses, interactive sessions, simulations, and graphical information that help students stay engaged throughout the program. You can lock/unlock videos, materials as per progress, add gamification, and decide the length of sessions based on the complexities of the topic.

Constant Communication:
Communication is a critical factor in making a successful education program. While it is not possible to have face-to-face communication, make sure your students know how and when to contact you. Give them feedback and instructions whenever necessary. Give them plenty of chances so they can speak for their queries and troubles. Educators need to engage students as much as they can to make it fun and easy to attend without getting them bored.

Continuously Evolve:
Eventually, you will figure out what works best. Administrators can support teachers to deliver best and teachers can ensure students have the best resources that help them grasp faster and better.

Think Of Ways To Motivate Students:
Every student learns differently and at a different speed. Being a teacher, your goal is to motivate students to they can stick to the course from start to finish. Motivate them in different ways and involve them in every discussion and methods so that they can get the full benefit of online classes without physical presence.

Tips For Students:
Choose A Quiet, Distraction-Free Study Location:
This is very important. Stay-at-home environment locations are often full of distractions. With the right software and hardware setup, build a study atmosphere that encourages productive behavior.

Self-Discipline Is Must:
In any online study, self-discipline is the key to achieve success. Prioritize your tasks and give dedicated hours to online study in case of self-paced courses. In scheduled live sessions, stay away from distractions during that time so that you can take full advantage of this mode of learning.

Create Long-Term Plans:
A long-term plan with equal attention to the subjects and lessons help make this journey easier. Stay organized and self-monitor your progress with customized strategies that will work. Explore your subject, raise questions, and be regular to create a perfect classroom atmosphere. Communicate with the teacher and other students, more and more.

Building Enhanced Digital Education Systems Amid Corona Crisis:
There is much more that needs to be done.

Universities, colleges, students, and teachers – no one was prepared for this pandemic and emergency remote teaching. Universities must make quick decisions and adapt to this new normal of education. Many universities are offering their online courses along with regular offline schedules. And several universities haven’t considered any online activities yet. Organizations that lack the necessary infrastructure, experience, and budget to explore remote mode are facing difficulties.

On the other side, online education platforms are observing a surge in new joiners and a range of topics to be explored.

At this time, preparing for the future is a strategic decision. Higher Ed institutes must embrace digital capabilities to achieve resilience.

E-Learning

Globe is revolving faster. If you need to survive, you have to adapt yourself. You have to make yourself equipped and make yourself the needed person in the industry. It has to be done in order to survive. Every time we cannot go out and learn, if you need to learn a bit more, you have to go through the e-learning platform.

SAVES YOUR TIME

It is because that if you learn in your house, it takes about a single minute to start learning. Think about a person, going half way across the city to learn. It saves lots of precious time and energy and it is also easier to do. Coz if you go learn in that place and return back, your 2-3 hours will be wasted in travelling and the expenses for travelling must also be considered. But if you stay in your house and learn, you will be saving all those money and you will learn fast.

ECONOMICAL

The amount that you invest in learning in a center is too high than if you learn in your e-learning. It is automatically good for everyone because if you learn in your gadget, you will only pay an amount which is too less than that of person paying for a center. So do engage yourself in the online platform and make yourself equipped.

LEARN AT YOUR OWN TIME

It is the important advantage of this learning. Because if you prefer the centers you have to go to the time they prefer, but in this platform, you take your own studying time. Adapt yourself to this and see the change.

CONCLUSION

“EVERYTHING CAN BE DONE, IF YOU HAVE A VISION, GO FOR IT AND ACHIEVE”.

Studying Abroad

Each and every second is precious, so don’t waste time and make it a memory. So don’t simply sit in your native and study the traditional subjects, come out from that and see that there is a huge world waiting for you outside. So don’t hesitate to go to other states and countries to learn. It is an awesome thing to learn in another place, it gives various knowledge about life and how to survive in life.

GIVES A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO LEARNING

Studying in an different university itself gives you a different kind of learning. Then just think about studying in another country. It is a different feeling that one have to go and experience it. Various things will be different and it gives various knowledge about things you don’t know. It is a hard thing that one have to change the way of learning, but in order to survive, you have to adapt yourself.

CHANCE FOR LEARNING OTHER LANGUAGE

It is a natural need to learn that language in order to survive in that place and country. Life is short, go speak with several people, make yourself a nice speaker. You will only achieve it if you go speak with various persons in that place. Don’t hesitate to go out. If you started then the fluency in that language will automatically grow.

MANAGE BILLS

It is a huge responsibility to go and learn in another country. Coz you have to maintain the accounts for the expenses and income. It is indeed an important thing to maintain this because if you leave that unattented then you may run out of money. It is important to manage your expenses and maintain a clean record of your expenses.

CONCLUSION

“LIFE IS SHORT, TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY AND WIN IT COZ CHANCE WILL COME ONLY ONCE!!”

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Necessity of Maintenance Management:

Importance of Maintenance Management:

Objectives of Maintenance Management:

Functions of Maintenance Management:

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Efficient Use of Resources

Establishing Organizational Goals

Managing Risk And Uncertainty

Team Building and Cooperation

Creating Competitive Advantages

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Which Education Loans are covered under this scheme?

Which Education Loans are NOT covered under this scheme?

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