Writing effective answers in exams like the UPSC Civil Services Examination

Daily writing prompt

What skill would you like to learn?

By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

Writing effective answers in exams like the UPSC Civil Services Examination requires a strategic approach. Here are some essential tips to enhance your answer-writing skills:

1. Understand the Question

Read Carefully: Make sure you comprehend what is being asked. Look for keywords and specific instructions.
Identify the Demand: Determine if the question is asking for an explanation, analysis, comparison, or opinion.

2. Structure Your Answer

Introduction: Start with a brief introduction that outlines the key points you will discuss. This sets the context for your answer.
Body: Present your arguments and points systematically. Use subheadings or bullet points where appropriate for clarity.
Conclusion: End with a concise conclusion that summarizes your main points and, if applicable, provides a perspective or recommendation.

3. Be Concise and Relevant

Stick to the Point: Avoid unnecessary elaboration. Focus on the question and avoid tangents.
Use Clear Language: Write in simple and straightforward language. Avoid jargon unless necessary.

4. Incorporate Facts and Examples

Use Data and Statistics: Support your arguments with relevant facts, figures, and examples. This adds credibility to your answer.
Real-Life Examples: Referencing current events, historical instances, or case studies can illustrate your points effectively.

5. Practice Time Management

Plan Your Time: Allocate a specific amount of time for each question. Practice writing answers within the set time limits to build efficiency.
Review Your Answers: If time permits, quickly review your answers for clarity and completeness.

6. Develop Your Own Style

Practice Regularly: Write practice answers to previous years’ questions to improve your style and speed.
Seek Feedback: Share your answers with peers or mentors to get constructive feedback and improve.

7. Use Diagrams and Flowcharts

Visual Aids: Where applicable, use diagrams, flowcharts, or tables to summarize information. Visuals can make complex information easier to digest.

8. Be Objective and Analytical

Critical Thinking: Show your ability to analyze different viewpoints. Weigh pros and cons where necessary, demonstrating depth in your understanding.
Balanced Approach: If the question requires an opinion, present a balanced view rather than a one-sided argument.

9. Stay Updated on Current Affairs

Integrate Relevant Current Events: Relate your answers to current affairs when relevant. This shows your awareness of the world and how it relates to the topic.

10. Stay Calm and Focused

Maintain Composure: Manage exam stress with relaxation techniques. A calm mind enhances clarity and focus while writing.
Stay Positive: Believe in your preparation and skills. Confidence can greatly influence your performance.

Conclusion

Effective answer writing in UPSC exams is a skill that develops over time with practice and reflection. By following these tips and continuously honing your writing ability, you can enhance your chances of success in the examination.

References

Clayton, D. L. K., Rogers, S., & Stuifbergen, A. (1999). Answers to unasked questions: Writing in the margins. Research in Nursing & Health, 22(6), 512-522.

Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2023). Fundamentals of Research Writing and Uses of Research Methodologies. Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd.

Dehalwar, K. (Ed.). (2024). Basics of Research Methodology-Writing and Publication. EduPedia Publications Pvt Ltd.

Hand, B., Prain, V., & Wallace, C. (2002). Influences of writing tasks on students’ answers to recall and higher-level test questions. Research in Science Education, 32, 19-34.

Rijlaarsdam, G., & Van den Bergh, H. (2013). The dynamics of composing—An agenda for research into an interactive compensatory model of writing: Many questions, some answers. In The science of writing (pp. 107-125). Routledge.

Recent Trends of ICT in Indian Higher Education System: An Analytical Study

Mohd Mushtaq

Research Scholar

Department of Education and Training

Maulana Azad National Urdu University Hyderabad-32

Abstract:

With the fastest eras of information communication technology, Education requires an innovative methods and strategies of teaching learning process. The relationship between technology and education at all levels is bi-directional. According to NEP 2020, Digital India Campaign is helping to make over the whole nation into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. While education will play a critical role in this transformation. ICT play an important role in the improvement of educational processes and outcomes. The present study is to explore the recent trends of ICT and role of ICT in Indian higher education system. Finding of the study revealed that the usage of ICT in education will increase the interest, motivation, excitement and learning capacity among students during the teaching learning process. ICT enhance the learner interest, gives flexibility to the students, enhance motivation, give freedom to the students, increases the learner potentials and capabilities etc. Some resources of educational technology such as smart devices, digital cameras, social media platform, software applications and better facilities of internet. Further found that when we have best resources according to the recent trends of ICT and facilities for the implementation of information communication technology, the teaching process will be skilful and reached at higher standard and students will gain more and more knowledge. Education through ICT is very effective and successful such as through the interactions between students and teachers, peer groups and course materials etc.

Keyword: Information Communication Technology, Recent trends, teaching learning process, Role of ICT, Indian education system.

INTRODUCTION

Education is critical in modifying an individual’s behaviour to meet the demands of the present situation. As a result, it has a significant impact on societal change. Due to the rising of population emergence of information technology and education is also going bi-directional. Hence education play a vital role in changing the society as well as the modification of behaviour of an individual. For the betterment of education innovative technology are applied in e- learning to enhance the quality education. Online learning is the combination of tool which we can use through the websites. In online learning students can obtain knowledge from a website, it is considered a more flexible learning strategy. They can download appropriate learning materials, as well as use the mail system and a variety of social media sites where teachers and students can interact and learn by sharing their perspectives. Emergence of Innovative applications of computer in the teaching learning process increasing day by day and it includes e- learning, computer learning, network-based learning, intranet based and internet-based learning and also includes many strategies of learning such as; text, video, animations, audio, and virtual /pure online environment. ICT, stands for “information and communication technology,” was first used in 1992. Science, technology, and engineering use ICT as a discipline and management technique to manage information, its use, and involvement with socioeconomic and cultural issues. In the current situation, ICT tools are usually overlooked. The traditional educational system was insufficient to hold a student’s attention in the developed world and in the age of modern science. The present methods also struggle to fulfil the needs of learning among students. Predictable processes of teaching and learning which brought knowledge as bits, it includes memorizing theories, justifications, facts and principles that do not achieve teaching objectives. For effective teaching learning process, new and innovative strategies must be personalised to increase the interest of the students. Technology plays a vital role in teaching learning process. At current time development of technology is very useful for teaching learning process. Educational technology is made up of two words education and technology. Education is the process of attaining and imparting knowledge, skill and attitudes. Technology denotes approaches as well as technical devices. Technology is the techniques of science and methods of obtaining new knowledge related to technology and others field such as, arts, science and specifically professional courses. National Council for Educational Research and Training defined that educational technology as the means of three different things includes with progress, application and evaluation the first thing is strategies/techniques, second is system and the third one is aids to improve overall teaching leaning process. In present scenario of education, e-learning is the most recent kind of ICT applied to improve and accelerate teaching and learning. It is a well-known fact that ICT has entered every aspect of life and that education has spread to practically every country in the world. E-learning offers a variety of applications and accessibility to students seven days a week, 24 hours a day so that anybody can participate in class at any time and from any location using a variety of communication methods. E-learning in India has modified the evolving characteristics of instructional materials and created new educational opportunities. ICT is a type of technology that makes it possible to conduct information-based activities. These include obtaining information, processing data, and gathering, processing, and displaying data. Communication and cooperation are especially critical in these efforts. It has evolved into ICT, or information and communication technology. As a result, an online teacher makes up for the absence of a physical classroom by creating a friendly atmosphere where all students feel at ease taking part in online lessons. By offering flexible locations, class schedules, and the world’s best content, it considerably aids in the migration of our lives into the digital world.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Goyal, and Bhagat (2010) Factor that affect information and communication technology usage: A case study in Management Education. In this study survey based research was conducted under 458 respondent 57 teacher and 401 students from different background. The finding of the study show that both students and teachers gave significant importance to pedagogy and ICT is very effective in teaching learning process for teacher as well as students. Usage of information communication technology in teaching learning process gives flexibility to the students, engaging students, better relationship between teacher and students, students and peer group and increase students motivation, students interest, enhance capability of students and freedom to students. Some pedagogical factors are relevant for the effective usage of ICT such as, usage of technology in daily routine, development of ICT day to day life, some technological device like reliability of ICT, IT and data security etc.

Amit Mahajan and Dhirendra Sharma (2012) conducted a study on Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunity and Threats analysis of information communication technology infrastructure and services in Jammu University. In this study the researcher revealed that the university have a better ICT infrastructure and services for the students. ICT services play an important role in teaching learning process with the experts of technology it increase the student’s opportunity, identify the weakness of students as well as researcher and give greater chance for improving the research work. Result of the study show that most of the institution want a better facilities in ICT for teaching learning process and same as it is University of Jammu have better facility and want to developed institution in information communication technology.

Ulka Toro and Millind Joshi (2012) conducted a study on information Communication Technology Review of Literature from the Period 2004-2011. In this study the researcher found that ICT play a vital role in teaching learning process at higher education level. Around the world emergence of technology increasingly day by day and moving it into the digital society. ICT is being more important in 21 century among teaching learning process. ICT help in improving the weaknesses and strength of the student at higher education. Finding of the study revealed that the new information communication technology tools have basic produced significant transformation in industry, agriculture, education, medicines, engineering and others fields. The new teaching approaches involve the use of audio-visual, computer and telematics tools on the part of lecturers.

Syed Noor-Ul-Amin (2013) a study on an effective use of information and communication technology for education and learning by worldwide knowledge. The purpose of this study is to explore the usage of technology in teaching learning process. In past few years the usage of information communication technology is changed. The higher education system is highly influence by information communication technology and quality of education for improving the quality of education and application of ICT. In this study the researcher explore that the ICT not effected on learner styles but also effects on teachers way of teaching. It enables students centered learning and increase the overall significance of ICT in education as well as teaching learning process. In this study the researcher identify and assess significant strategies in national as well as international research and effective use of ICT for education with respect to the teaching learning process, Quality of ICT and accessibility of education ICT and learning motivation, ICT and learning environment, and ICT to enhance the educational performance. The researcher further found that ICT can show a very less significant role in overall development of teaching learning quality and students oriented learning modules in recent education system. Usage of ICT is very helpful in teaching learning process which enhanced the teaching strategies.

Ishtiaq etal. (2017) conducted a study on the effects of information and communication technology on the students’ academic achievement and retention in chemistry. Experimental methods were used for the study. In this study 50 students of 9^th class belonging to the Kohsar Public School and College Latamber Karak under sample random sampling were selected. The study is based on equalling groups that is based on pre-test and post-test. Mean average, standard deviation, and t-test were used for analysing the data through statistical analysis. In this study the researcher found that the Information communication technology have positively effect on students’ academic performance and retention and ICT was found more effective, interesting and motivating for the students as well as teacher.

Mushtaq Ahmed Patel (2020) conducted a study on Open Educational Resource a teaching-learning tool in the times of covid-19 in India. In this study the researcher found that open educational resource is an innovative approach in teaching learning process. OER help the students as well as teacher for accessing the material easily and without time being. The teacher and student can access the material through some electronic devices such as, computer, mobile phone, desktop, smart phone and tablets etc. The researcher further found that that individuals are making isolated efforts with few unorganized governments and non-government agencies efforts.

Mushtaq and Banwaree Lal (2022) conducted a study on Blended Mode of education and its relevance in teaching learning process. In this study the researcher try to find out the emergence of technology in teaching learning process. The main objectives of the study is to explore the features, key benefits of blended learning, role of teacher and students in blended learning environment and infrastructure required for blended learning classroom. Result of the study reveals that blended learning is the combination of learning where students learn through offline mode (physical presence) with online instruments in teaching learning process. Blended learning is more effective, interesting and motivated for the students as well as teachers and enhance the learning potentials, remove the relationship gap between teacher and students and give freedom to the students. The implementation of blended learning requires better infrastructure, good trained teachers, experts, and a better system of technology for the effective and interesting teaching learning process. And further found that face to face teaching learning process with the use of online instruments such as projectors, smart board, laptop, desktop, and some software application increase the learners and teacher capabilities, interest, motivation, learning potential, problem solving skills, creativity, cognitive power and practice of the learners in teaching learning process.

OBJECTIVES

1. To study the Role of ICT in Indian higher education system.

2. To study the recent trends of ICT in Indian higher education system.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the role of ICT in Indian higher education system?

2. What is the recent trends of ICT in Indian education system?

METHODOLOGY

In this study Qualitative methods of research was used to analyze the role of ICT in Indian higher education system and recent trends of ICT in Indian education system for the study.

ROLE OF ICT IN INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

ICT plays a significant role in teaching learning process, strategies of Information Communication Technology in administration, role of ICT in research, ICT as a Change agent in Society and role of ICT changing in Higher education. In day today life Information communication Technology play an important role in the overall educational process encompassing from endeavor to the application of technology in handling key issues of access, fairness, administration, effectiveness, teaching process, techniques or strategies, quality, research and development. Information Communication Technology gives insight to the students and teachers for the development of education and its plays important role to make effective teaching learning process at higher education level. Use of ICT in higher education give establishing a forceful edge by contribute to improve the service among staff and students, enhanced learning process among students and increase experience towards teachers in teaching learning process and research also. ICT plays a significant role in administration of educational institutions for the usage of prevailing resources and make easy administration tasks such as, student administration, staff administration, general administration by removing the work load of paper and exchange the physical conservation of record keeping to electronic maintenance of records which helps in easy recovery of any material of students, staff and general with in a section of seconds can access the essential information and knowledge. Combination of ICT in higher education increases the excellence of research work and more number of students enrolled in the research work in the different fields. Information communication technology enables the connections throughout the world in all disciplines and make social networking. It saves time, money and struggle to the researchers in their research studies. Information communication technology is most essential for computing and analyses of data in quantitative works. Some software of ICT is beneficial for analyzing and interpretation of data such as, excel, SPSS, statistical techniques for social science, online analyzing calculators etc. usage of information communication technology is beneficial for the researcher where the researcher scholar identify the literature reviews making objectives hypothesis and methodology in research work and using ICT in an appropriate situations. The advancement of higher education in India combined with the need to stand and be competitive in an international situation needs a good decisions to be taken rapidly and effectively. This has increased the opportunity and difficulties of administration, thus making it essential to implement different approaches of higher education administration. The increasing student population in higher education accelerated the necessity of for information communication technology to process, recover and store data and information in a quick basic and particular patterns. The attentions of electronic administration in higher education is on the establishments of an actual electronic administration by taking care of prevailing resources in the form of economically. The concept of traditional classroom moving from black board, notebook, pencils to an online education such as; computer software, internet, some apps of teaching and learning. Besides that the ICT change the teacher centered approach into student centric approach and the duty of teacher is coach, counselor, mentor and knowledge provider and the teaching learning process provide real time problem solving methods, intellectual reasoning and creative thinking also.

HIGHER EDUCATION: The students of under-graduation, graduation, MPhil, PhD and post doctorial belonging to the different colleges, and universities are falling in higher education. Different curriculum and co curriculum covering different disciplines like science, arts, medical, non-medical, commerce, computer science, social science, engineering, mathematics culture and humanities. The government of India take an initiates in the form of SWAYAM that is providing MOOCs courses with certificate at the completion of course.

RECENT TRENDS OF ICT IN INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

The global usage of internet has increased the demand for spreading of educational programmes. The highest advantage of using ICT tools is that it reduces carbon footprint. Usage of ICT tools allows e learning to take place in virtual learning environment. Online tools and mobile phones are very effective to promote learning. Today’s learners are tech understanding. In order to make learning interesting mobile phones can be used by learners to explore. From young age learners need to be taught the safety measures to be taken during natural disasters. Initially this can be taught with the help of mobile phones where primary learners can learn about the safety measure through mobile phones. With the help of mobile phone students can watch cartoons based on natural disaster. This will help the students to understand the concept easily and with the help of mobile phones leaners can get access to information. Artificial intelligence is the current trend in education. Teaching artificial intelligence at school is very important. Schools should focus on three areas first the learners should learn with Artificial intelligence that is they need to know how to use them, secondly, they should learn about artificial intelligence this will enlighten them on the techniques and technologies involved in artificial intelligence. This will bring awareness to know its impact on human lives. Especially in building up of values and skills for life. It has the potential to transform education therefore it is essential to include artificial intelligence in education to meet the goals of sustainable development. With the help of artificial intelligence, it is possible to promote equitable quality education and it provides opportunities for lifelong learning. In recent trends of education blended learning plays an important role in teaching learning process. Blended means mixed up of traditional as well as virtual classroom where teachers and students presence are compulsory. Teacher imparts education via traditional classroom with the use of information communication technology such as, power point slides, pdf, videos, Google classroom, Google zoom, Google meet, Edmodo applications and some gamification applications. After Covid pandemic in higher education university grant commission recommended to the institutions 40% syllabus should be taught in online mode and 60% syllabus through offline mode.

Technology is a significant element in students’ education as well as teacher training programmes. Through digital media platform students have access knowledge and information without any restrictions. ICT is essential to pre-service teacher education programs in the twenty-first century. Without adequate ICT expertise, it is impossible for a teacher to perform in their classroom, hence it cannot be considered to be complete. In day-to-day life, attention is also located on diverse educational philosophy and educational practice based on the various that developing requirements of our society. These theories and practises suggest that teacher education has also experienced alterations. It makes wisdom that new technology must be merged into the teacher education. Along with having strong perception towards teaching skills, teachers also need to have the correct attitudes and values. The minimum requirements of any training programme are that it should assist the learner in obtaining the fundamental abilities and aptitudes of a successful teacher. Inter- disciplinary approaches, correspondence courses, orientation courses, and other innovative developments in education are currently popular especially for teacher and students also. Other methods used in education include team teaching, programmed instruction, micro teaching, and simulations teaching are beneficial for the learner. Action research is now used in classroom during teaching learning process and teacher education as well. ICT assists as a portal to the informational world and aids in keeping students as well teacher up to date. It promotes knowledge, skill, learning aptitudes, potential, research aptitudes, online course teacher and student relationship, skilled based course and learning strategies also. Some beneficial approaches for students and teachers are as under;

E- Learning
Online/ virtual learning
Blended learning
Mobile learning
Artificial intelligence
Open and distance education
Learner centred environment
Learning management system

Technology is nowadays being used in the classroom by Indian higher education. Technology includes some online approaches during teaching learning for the effectiveness of teaching learning process. Such approaches are laptops, LCD projectors, desktops, Smart classrooms, online video lectures, conferences, workshop, seminar, research webinar and memory sticks. ICT is beneficial for the teacher in teaching learning process. Because teachers are the only ones who can give pupils a bright future. Some of the recent trends are as under;

Mobile Learning. With the emergence of technology the combining of software and hardware are generate new advances “Smart Phone” that is the essential tools in day to day life. A smart phone have advanced fixed technology in the field of industrial and telecommunications. Mobile devices with internet connectivity and computational power are projected to soon replace personal computers as the official appliance in classrooms.

Cloud computing. Applications are increasingly moving away from independent desktops and laptops and onto server farms that can be accessed online. This trend will result in the availability of less expensive information appliances that do not need the size or processing capacity of a PC, which will have significant implications for educational systems. Providing interconnectivity to access data stored in the “cloud” will be the challenge.
One-to-One computing. Around the world, the tradition of classroom environment is to provide knowledge and information from the teacher to students and the application of information communication technology. In this setting of classroom students can learn through individual devices such as mobile phone, individual laptop/desktop, tablet etc. classrooms should prepare for the universal availability of personal learning devices.
Universal learning. With the development of technology required strong network connection and better infrastructure for teaching learning process all over the world. Information communication technology gives great opportunity to the students for obtaining knowledge without time constrain, gives flexibility to students for accessing their knowledge from anywhere and at any time. This trend of ICT requires a rethinking on traditional classroom environment
Gaming. According to the Horizon Report, a current survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project revealed that the excessive playing of online games are found in youth or young peoples and this types of activities can-not benefitted for the health. Most of the young people are interconnected with the society through games
Personalized learning. Education systems are increasingly day by day and exploring the use of technology for better understanding among student’s knowledge.

Some Current trend in Information Technology are as under, SWAYAM (Study Web of Active-learning for Youth Aspiring minds) Learning Management System, MOOCs, Robotics, Open Educational Resource, Cooperative Learning Strategies (CLS), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning etc. Integration of technology in present situation plays a vital role in our education system as well as outside the educational background. But, education will be able to plays its role more effectively by making the individuals creative, innovative and efficient. Educational technology can immensely contribute to the qualitative as well as quantitative improvement of education.

CONCLUSION

This study examine that the recent trends of information communication technology and role of ICT in Indian higher education system. ICT plays a vital role in the school education as well as higher education system in India. During Covid pandemic all the formal education system was unfortunately stopped, meanwhile ICT was started day by day and spread over the world. ICT can immensely contribute to the qualitative as well as quantitative improvement of education.According to National Policy on Education 2020 technology will be benefitted for the students as well as teacher. Technology integration play an important role in teaching learning process. Some recent trends of ICT such as; Learning Management System, MOOCs, Robert, Cooperative Learning Strategies, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Moodle, Open Educational Resource, Online Assessment and Portfolio, Smart classroom, Electronic Devices, and some software application are Google meet, Google classroom, Zoom, WebEx, Study Blue Flashcards, Schoology, Quiz, Teacher Kit, Animoto, Socrative, Seesaw, Tether, FoxFi, Too Noisy, Answer Garden, Slido etc. Finding of the study revealed that usage of technology such as projectors, smart boards, laptops, desktop computers, and some software applications makes learning convenient and enhanced learner and teacher capabilities, interest, motivation, and learning potential as well as problem-solving abilities, creativity, and cognitive ability. If the proper infrastructure would be available with the recent trends of technology in Indian higher education system and trained teachers in information technology then the educational standard will be high.

REFERENCES

Amit Mahajan, Dhirendra Sharma (2012). A Technical SWOT Analysis of ICT Facilities: Jammu University, Jammu, India. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering. 2(12): 128-139.

Goyal, Ela; Seema Purohit and Manju Bhagat. 2010. ‘Factors that affect information and communication technology usage: A case study in management’. Education journal of information technology management, 21 (4) 38-57.

Hussain, I,. Suleman, Q,. Naseer ud din, M,. & Shafique ,F. (2017) Effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Students’ Academic Achievement and Retention in Chemistry at Secondary Level. Journal of Education and Educational Development. 4(1)73-93.

Mushtaq. M,. & Meena B,. L. (2022) Blended Mode of education and its relevance in teaching learning process. Post Covid Education Scenario in India. G.H.G. Khalsa Colleges, Gurusar Sadhar Twenty first century publications Patiala. 73-78.

NEP (2020). New Education Policy. Ministry of Human Resource Development Government of India. Retrieved from www.education.in

Patel. I. Mushtaq (2020) the OER – a teaching-learning tool in the times of covid-19 in India. Global and Lokal Distance Education- GLOKALde, October 2020, Vol 6 (2), https://www.glokalde.com/pdf/issues/18/Volume6Number2.pdf#page=91

Syed Noor-Ul-Amin (2013) An Effective use of ICT for Education and Learning by Drawing on Worldwide Knowledge, Research, and Experience: ICT as a Change Agent for Education, Department Of Education, University Of Kashmir, , 2(4), 38-45,

Ulka Toro and Millind Joshi (2012).ICT in Higher Education: Review of Literature from the Period 2004-2011.International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology. 3(1):20-23.

UNESCO (2002). Information and Communication Technologies in Teacher Education, A Planning Guide. Paris: UNESCO.

New policy of Education system 2022

The president of India Sri Ramnath Kovind inaugurated a virtual conference of governors on the role of national education policy NEP 2020 and transforming higher education in New Delhi. Today Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural session of the conference which was attended by union education minister sir Ramesh April Shank for Education Sri Sanjay Dutta governors lieutenant governor administrations of states and also some sat chief ministers and education ministers addressing the conference.

The president of India said that the national education policy NEP will take the country, especially the youth forward by the needs and aspirations of the 21st century congratulated the prime minister for his visionary leadership and inspiring role in shaping this historical document he also appreciated Dr. Kastura Runyan and ministers as well as the officials of education ministry for giving shape to NEP. Through an elaborate process that took into consideration more than two lack suggestions received 2.5 lakhs gram panchayats more than 12.5 thousand local bodies and about 675 districts if changes are effectively brought about India will emerge as an education superpower he added elaborating on the NEP. The president said that governors being chancellors of states Universities have a crucial role to play in the implementation of NEP there are some 400 states Universities with about 40k colleges affiliated with them hence it was imperative to establish coordination and dialogues with these universities which could be done by governors who are also the chancellors the president said that Education is the most effective way for social justice and hence the NEP calls for an investment of about 6 percentage of GDP jointly by the center and the states. He said the NEP emphasized strengthening public educational institutions for a vibrant democratic society and at the same time inculcating respect among students for fundamental rights duties constitutional values and patriotism speaking on the occasion the prime minister said the education policy and education system are important means of fulfilling the aspirations of the country. The prime minister said that though the responsibility of education lies with the central state and local level governments their interference in the policy should be minimal. He said the relevance and effectiveness of the education policy will increase when more and more teachers, parents, and students get associated with it. He added that NEP 2020 was drafted after receiving feedback from millions of people across the country and from those related to the Education sector which is why there is a sense of ownership and an all round acceptance among people about this policy. The prime minister further said that NEP is not only directed at reforming the education system but also at giving a new direction to the social and economic fabric of 21st-century India. he said the policy aims at making India self-reliant or atma nirbhar by making our youth further ready in a rapidly changing world and equipping them with the knowledge and skills as per the requirements of the future. He added that NEP focuses on learning rather than studying and goes beyond the curriculum to emphasize his critical thinking he said there is more emphasis given on passion practically and performance than a process he said that the policy aims at making India a knowledge economy in the 21st century. He said that it also allows for offshore campuses of top international Universities in India which will address the issue of brain drain in his welcome remarks union education Minister Sri Rameshh’s portrayal of Shank touched upon the journey evolution and consultation process of the NEP. The minister said this policy is the result of a wide-ranging consultation process covering Laksa villages block districts’ academicians vice chancellor principal teachers and scientists he stressed the new direction and support to research that will be given through the national research foundation. He said the NEP will make our education system both flexible and stable he said the focus and the police are on reform transform and performance and hope the road to a swatch status act atma nirbhar and Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat will go through this NEP policy the minister of State for Education Sri Sanjay dutra appreciated the entering insights from the governor’s conference and thanked all the participants of the conference discussion sessions with governors lieutenant governor and education minister of the states and union Territories were held during the conference the prospect of transformational reforms in higher education under the new NEP 2020 and the road ahead was elaborately discussed upon in the session the governors and lieutenant governors briefed the president and other participants about various issues with regards to their states and union Territories.

The New Education Policy is a comprehensive and all-encompassing policy that seeks to revamp the Indian education system in its entirety. One of the most significant changes proposed by the NEP is the switch from the 10+2 education structure to a new 5+3+3+4 education system.

Under the new system, students will spend five years in elementary school, three years in middle school, three years in high school, and four years in college. This will allow for a more well-rounded and holistic education, as students will be exposed to a broader range of subjects and disciplines.

In addition, the New Education Policy 2022 also proposes introducing multiple exit options so that students can choose to leave the education system after completing elementary school, middle school, or high school if they so desire.

The NEP 2022 is an ambitious and far-reaching policy that seeks to transform the Indian education system into one that is on par with the best in the world.

This national education policy focuses on students’ individual needs. It aims to create a more flexible and adaptive education system that can meet the needs of students and the economy.

Vocational Education is part of the new education policy. It includes teaching the mother tongue and provincial languages up to the 5th year of schooling. Training in vocational skills will be included from the 6th class onwards.

SALIENT FEATURES OF INDIAN SOCIETY

Indian society is known for its ability of tolerance and acceptance, and social cohesion making it unique in sustaining its culture. The importance of fraternity enshrined in the Preamble of the constitution makes it a duty of every citizen.
Indian society is extensively diverse in cultural and regional aspects and it is pertinent that it is posited in each individual the realization of ideas and objectives in the Preamble concerning every other individual.
India from ancient times has thrived to create a nationality that is neither governed by universalism nor by exclusivity to its interest groups. The multi-cultural conundrum is a salient feature of Indian society that has been a boon and a bane over the history of the country.

SALIENT FEATURES OF INDIA:
• Multi-Ethnic Society
• Multi-Lingual Society
• Multi-Class Society
• Patriarchal Society
• Unity In Diversity
• Tribes
• Family
• Kinship System
• Balance between spiritualism and materialism
• Balance between Individualism and collectivism
• Co-existence of traditionalism and modernity

The multi-ethnic Indian society
Multi-ethnicity is a major salient feature of Indian society. An ethnic group or ethnicity is a category of people who identify with each other, usually based on a common language or dialect, history, society, culture, or nation.
A society with the co-existence of a wide variety of racial groups is a Multi-ethnic society. India is home to almost multiple racial profiles like Nordic, Dinaric, Proto-Australoid, Mongolian, etc.
Multilingualism- salient feature of Indian society
India is home to many native languages, and it is also common that people to speak and understand more than one language or dialect, which can entail the use of different scripts as well.
India’s 2011 census documents that 121 languages are spoken as mother tongues, which is defined as the first lan¬guage a person learns and uses.
Of these languages, the Constitution of India recognizes twenty-two of them as official or “scheduled” languages. Articles 344(1) and 351 of the Constitution of India, titled the Eighth Schedule, recognize the following languages as official languages of the states of India:
• Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Six languages also hold the title of classical languages (Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu), which are determined to have a history of recorded use for more than 1,500 years and a rich body of literature.
Multi-religious society
India is a cradle of world religions whose ancestors have preached and practiced almost all major religions of the world giving rise to worldly beliefs, practices, rites, rituals, ceremonies, and institutions.
The co-existence of all the religions and variety of faiths has been a shining example of religious pluralism and tolerance.
• The principle of secularism despite several conflicts and riots has been upheld by our citizens time and again.
• Indian Constitution has rightly reflected the idea of multi religions. It states that “every citizen has a right to freely practice, preach, profess and propagate any religion or faith”.
• A secular state has been defined as a “state in which all religions and citizens irrespective of their faith would be treated impartially”.
• Apart from the major religions, several tribal religions are coexisting in Indian society.
UNITY IN DIVERSITY:
“Unity in Diversity” is a phrase implying unity among people with diverse cultural, religious, and other demographic differences. It denotes the sense of oneness and we-ness .In India, people of different religions have continued to respect the ideals and values of people of other religions, and hence, India has always stood up as an integrated nation ready to put its arms around everybody in this world.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENT: The environment can be defined as a sum total of all the living and non-living elements and their effects which influence human life. While all living or biotic elements are animals, plants, forests, fisheries, and birds, etc. The non-living or abiotic elements include water, land, sunlight, rocks, and air, etc.
The environment offers resources for production which includes both renewable and non-renewable resources. The environment includes the sun, soil, water, and air, which are essential for human life. It sustains life by providing genetic and biodiversity. The environment enhances the quality of life.

DEFINITION OF POLLUTION: Pollution introduces us to the world of hazardous products. These hazardous materials are called Pollutants. Pollutants, such as volcanic ash, may be normal. Human activity such as garbage or runoff created by factories may also generate them. The quality of air, water and land are impaired by contaminants.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: Environmental pollution occurs when in due course of time, the environment is unable to absorb and neutralize toxic byproducts of human activities. Environmental Pollution is not a new phenomenon, yet it remains one of the greatest threats to the health and well-being of humanity and one of the major environmental causes of death and morbidity.
In environmental pollution, pollutants originate from a source, are transported by air or water, and are dumped into the soil by human beings.

The long-term impacts of pollution are still being felt despite global attention to the issue. Day by day, our atmosphere is becoming more and more polluted due to anthropogenic activities. It is usually due to the pollutants released into the air, water, soil, etc., through many human activities.
Types of Environmental Pollution
Based on the part of the environment that is polluted, Pollution is of the following types:
1. Air Pollution
2. Water Pollution
3. Soil Pollution
4. Noise Pollution
5. Radioactive Pollution

AIR POLLUTION: Air Pollution occurs due to undesirable changes in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of air that exert harmful effects on all living beings. Harmful effects caused by air pollution depend on the Concentration of pollutants, Duration of exposure to the pollutants and Type of the organism it affects.
Effects of Air Pollution:
An increased risk of heart disease, wheezing, coughing, and respiratory problems and skin, nose, and throat irritation can be caused by high levels of air pollution. Air Pollution affects human health in different ways, Air pollution may also cause heart attacks, asthma, and other respiratory complications. Like humans, animals can also suffer from a variety of health problems because of air pollution, including birth defects, reproductive failure and diseases.
Besides the impact on humans and livestock, air pollution causes a variety of environmental effects. Acid rain includes high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids that are formed by the burning of fossil fuels by the oxides and sulfur oxides released into the air. Acid rain kills trees and acidifies soils and bodies of water, making survival difficult for fishes and other marine organisms.

WATER POLLUTION:
Water Pollution is defined as any undesirable change in physical, chemical, or biological properties of water that may affect living beings adversely. Due to human activities, ponds, rivers, oceans, and estuaries are getting polluted in several parts of the world.
Effects of Water Pollution:
The consequences of water pollution depend on where contaminants are dumped. Water pollution is a significant danger to humans, animals and marine life. Water sources near urbanized areas tend to be highly contaminated by the legal and illegal dumping of waste and chemicals by industrial facilities, health centres and individuals.
The death of marine animals, which can destroy the whole food chain, is by far the greatest consequence of water contamination. In drinking water supplies, fertilizer contamination can cause toxic algae blooms that destroy fish and other aquatic animals. Direct exposure to this poisonous algae causes significant human health issues, including neurological symptoms, breathing problems and stomach and liver diseases.
When disinfectants used to treat drinking water enter water contaminated with toxic algae and respond to the production of dioxins, a consequential problem is developed.

SOIL POLLUTION:
Soil Pollution is the build-up of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or disease-causing agents in the soil, which have adverse effects on plant growth and animal health.
Effects of Soil Pollution:
For humans, plants, microorganisms and marine life, land and soil contamination have significant implications. Different skin problems, respiratory problems and even various types of cancers may result from polluted land and soil. These poisonous substances come into direct contact with the human body by eating fruits and vegetables grown in polluted soils, direct contact with the skin and breathing in air polluted by particles and dust.

NOISE POLLUTION:
The unpleasant, discomfort-causing sound from any source is called noise. The sustained presence of harmful, unwanted, or annoying noise in the environment is called noise pollution. Any object that produces noise is a potential source of noise pollution. Examples are television and radio (when played at a loud volume), air coolers, automobiles, blaring loudspeakers, and air conditioners.
Effects of Noise Pollution:
Noise has a jarring effect on us. One should not underestimate the impact of noise pollution on people. Some of the harmful effects of noise pollution are Irritation and loss of concentration, Sleep disturbance and stress (which can lead to high blood pressure) and Ear damage and loss of hearing.

RADIO POLLUTION:
It is the release of radioactive waves into the environment which are harmful for the environment. This is considered one of the most dangerous pollution because of its permanent effects. It can cause cancer, infertility due to exposure, congenital disabilities, and blindness. It can permanently change the soil, air, and water. It can even cause mutation in species which can propagate for ages.

GLOBAL WARMING

Global Warming Definition:
“Global warming is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature generally due to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFC’s, and other pollutants.”

The Earth is warming up, and humans are at least partially to blame. The causes, effects, and complexities of global warming are important to understand so that we can fight for the health of our planet.
Global warming is the long-term warming of the planet’s overall temperature. Though this warming trend has been going on for a long time, its pace has significantly increased in the last hundred years due to the burning of fossil fuels. As the human population has increased, so has the volume of fossil fuels burned. Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas, and burning them causes what is known as the “greenhouse effect” in Earth’s atmosphere.
The greenhouse effect is when the Sun’s rays penetrate the atmosphere, but when that heat is reflected off the surface cannot escape back into space. Gases produced by the burning of fossil fuels prevent the heat from leaving the atmosphere. These greenhouse gasses are carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide.
The excess heat in the atmosphere has caused the average global temperature to rise overtime, otherwise known as global warming.

Global warming has presented another issue called climate change. Sometimes these phrases are used interchangeably, however, they are different. Climate change refers to changes in weather patterns and growing seasons around the world. It also refers to sea level rise caused by the expansion of warmer seas and melting ice sheets and glaciers. Global warming causes climate change, which poses a serious threat to life on earth in the forms of widespread flooding and extreme weather. Scientists continue to study global warming and its impact on Earth.

Origin and Development of Agriculture

Agriculture began in different parts of the globe in a diverse range.Agriculture started approximately 10,000 years ago,when human began to domesticate plants and animals. Agriculture is the important turning point of humankind. It brought several development and cultivation of processes for producing food,fibre and fuel and so on which are important for the human race to its next level.

The development of agricultural about 12,000 years ago changed the way humans lived. It was switched from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to permanent settlements and farming. Traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyles, followed by humans since their evolution, were swept aside in favor of permanent settlements and a reliable food supply.Domesticated plants and animals have been raised at scales ranging from the household to massive commercial operations. Agriculture developed independently in many regions of the world. It was the first profound change in the relationship between fully modern humans and the environment.Although global climate change played a role in the development of agriculture, it does not account for the complex and diverse cultural responses that ensued, the specific timing of the appearance of agricultural communities in different regions, or the specific regional impact of climate change on local environments. By studying populations that did not develop intensive agriculture or certain crops , such as wheat and rice.Many studies are made from agriculture like pathology , horticulture, agronomy,floriculture and so on.

Raw materials from agriculture make huge portion of trade internationally,in both imports and exports.The impact of high on export show the wealth of the country. Agriculutral industries is one of the biggest sources of employment,whether it’s a farmer, harvester, technician for farm equipment, scientist and so on,there are plenty of jobs available in this field. Agricultural jobs helps in reducing high rate of unemployment in the developing countries. Economic development of a country is tied to a country’s agriculture sector. Agriculture is important for the world’s food supply. Agriculture is important for the world’s food supply.

Agriculture is the backbone of a country.As agriculture plays an important role in the economic development of the country it is our responsibility to save and preserve the agricultural lands for our use and our future generations to live a healthy life.

‘ Agriculture is a fundamental source of national prosperity’. -by J.J.MAPES

Building best habits!

Building habits

Our habits have the power to enable us, most of the time, to live a more organized life. However, we might find it quite challenging when it comes to establishing new habits, as they require time and strong will.
We should start by taking small steps every day to get used to eventually taking big ones for long periods.

Set measurable targets as habits

When trying to build new habits, be specific by thinking about ways to measure the evolution of your action: set clear targets that can help you, when the deadline previously decided on approaches, to evaluate your progress.

The pros and cons of building new habits

When picking up a new habit, think it well through: take into account the possible inconveniences as well as the most attractive advantages.
Remember that sometimes it might get harder to keep to the habit, but eventually, you are doing it for a good cause that is related directly to yourself.

Get used to planning

Whenever you plan on building a new habit, make sure that you have already planned thoroughly what to do when difficulties appear: how to handle the situations that make it harder to respect your new routine.

Associate new habits with the old ones

If you feel like picking up a new habit, don’t start from scratch. It is easier when you associate a new habit with one that already exists.
This way, it will seem less work and fewer changes. In the end, both notions tend to scare us, so why not better avoid them?

Ensure the means

When building a new habit, make sure you have all the means that would enable you to get to like it faster.
Equipment is often what matters the most when trying to get used to a new routine.

Provide the proper reward

When considering a new habit, make sure you see its accomplishment as satisfying rather than tiring. Therefore, choosing the proper reward after the completion of the habit can make you feel more at ease when it comes to your new routine.

Reference

https://zapier.com/blog/effective-habit-change/

Job offer

Shift yоur mindset аbоut the jоb оffer

Think аbоut the оffer in terms оf yоur develорment, quаlity оf life, аnd the vаriety оf the wоrk yоu wаnt tо dо. Think аbоut the trаde-оffs yоu аre gоing tо mаke.

When аn emрlоyer extends а jоb оffer tо yоu, he hаs рsyсhоlоgiсаlly соmmitted tо yоu. Yоu hаve mоre leverаge tо shарe yоur jоb desсriрtiоn аnd imрrоve yоur sаlаry аnd benefits расkаge immediаtely аfter yоu аre mаde аn оffer thаn in yоur first twо yeаrs оf emрlоyment.

Соmmitment аnd enthusiаsm

The рurроse оf the interview is tо get the оffer. The next stаge is аbоut соnsidering the оffer, then negоtiаting with yоur new emрlоyer.

Emрlоyers need tо feel thаt yоu аre соmmitted. Соntinue tо be enthusiаstiс in yоur deаlings with yоur рrоsрeсtive mаnаger sо yоu dоn’t sоund unсertаin thаt yоu wаnt the jоb.

Metriсs fоr аssessing а jоb оffer

Think аbоut whаt is imроrtаnt in yоur рrоfessiоnаl аnd рrivаte life, then аssess the оffer аgаinst these metriсs.

Sаlаry: Even when the mоney is enоugh, yоu need tо figure оut if it’s wоrthy оf yоur knоwledge аnd skills аnd in line with the lосаl mаrket.
Jоb соntent: Соnsider whether yоu will derive jоb sаtisfасtiоn frоm the оffer. Tо аnswer this questiоn, yоu need tо knоw the kinds оf асtivities yоu wаnt tо be invоlved in аnd the skills yоu wаnt tо use. Yоu will need а deeр understаnding оf whаt’s exрeсted оf yоu tо deсide whether yоu dо indeed wаnt the jоb.
Сulturаl fit: Аsk yоurself if it is а рlасe where yоu will be hаррy, сhаllenged, аnd where yоu will thrive. It might mаke sense tо dо а triаl run tо see whаt yоur соlleаgues аre like.
Flexibility, vасаtiоn, аnd оther рerks: Flexible hоurs аnd vасаtiоn time аre inсreаsingly vаluаble рerks. During the evаluаtiоn stаge, it’s imроrtаnt tо find оut whether сurrent emрlоyees аre аffоrded suсh benefits.
Оther орtiоns: Аlsо, аssess yоur wаlk-аwаy аlternаtives. Think аbоut the оffer in terms оf the соst аnd benefit оf stаrting the jоb seаrсh рrосess оver аgаin, оf stаying in yоur сurrent jоb, оr оf first seeing whаt оther оffers mаteriаlize.

Negоtiаting а jоb оffer: Devise yоur рlаn

Оnсe yоu knоw whаt elements оf the оffer yоu wоuld like tо сhаnge, yоu need tо deсide whiсh раrts yоu аre gоing tо рress аnd hоw yоu will dо it.
If yоu аre deаling with аn intermediаry, suсh аs аn HR аdministrаtоr оr а reсruiter, remember nоt оnly tо mаke requests but аlsо tо аsk questiоns, give infоrmаtiоn, аnd shаre ideаs tо mаke the jоb mоre раlаtаble.

Be tоugh but сheerful during the negоtiаtiоn

During the stаge оf the сlаssiс negоtiаtiоn, mаximize the соst оf the things yоu аre рreраred tо ассeрt while minimizing the things yоu’re аsking fоr.

Sаy nо (роlitely) if the jоb feels nоt right

There will be sоme give аnd tаke in negоtiаtiоns fоr а new jоb, but if everything yоu аsk fоr is а “nо”; it demоnstrаtes inflexibility оn the раrt оf yоur рrоsрeсtive emрlоyer аnd соuld be а red flаg.
If yоur internаl mоnitоring system tells yоu thаt yоu shоuld nоt tаke the jоb, listen. Hоwever, turn it dоwn роlitely аs they соuld be роtentiаl сustоmers, роtentiаl аdvisоrs, оr even yоur future emрlоyers.

Reference

https://hbr.org/2017/04/how-to-evaluate-accept-reject-or-negotiate-a-job-offer

Digital vs Handwritten Notes

An important process in studying and learning is note-taking. Almost every student does it, and it is a practical requirement to pass a class. With the large amounts of information presented in each course, note-taking helps in encoding the information and thus makes it easier to remember. It also produces study materials to refer to later for exams and projects.

TYping (computer)

Typing is a fast and easy way to take the information presented in lectures and textbooks and consolidate them for reference later. But, due to its fast nature, this method leads to the least amount of information retained and will require you to study more later.

The organization is customizable

Limitless folders can be created almost instantly so sorting is as easy as ever. Tags can be applied to files for easy access, sorting, and searching. Each file has a name so it is clear what that file is, and those names can always be changed.

Rather than copying or scanning notes, computers have simple share screens to instantly share with anyone. People can collaborate on the same document like in Google Docs, or files can be emailed and/or texted quickly.

Typing is the fastest

Writing can be time-consuming, especially in a fast lecture. Typing takes the least amount of time so more information can be put on the page and reviewed later.

Import lecture slides

If someone does not want to type out all the information a professor teaches, importing lecture slides is very easy and can be stored on the device.

Backups

Although it is less likely anything bad will happen to a computer since it is more valuable than a notebook, computers can backup manually (or automatically) so that your notes are safe.

Digitally Handwritten (Tablet)

The tablet (and other devices that allow digital handwriting) is a happy medium that has both benefits of the computer and those of paper notes. Sharing and customization are easy and handwriting yields greater retention while the size makes tablets as portable as notebooks.

Portable

Not only is a tablet the size of a notebook (or smaller), but it also takes the place of all of them. All your subjects can be stored on a single device.

Simple and extensive editing capabilities

Handwriting allows you to write anywhere on a sheet and not be restricted by margins or spacing and there are a variety of pen sizes and colours to use. Photos and other elements can be placed anywhere on a page and text wrapping is not a concern. If you want your handwriting to be turned into text, many apps offer that ability.

The organization is customizable

Tablets, and other such devices, offer the same organization options (and sometimes more) as computers.

Sharing is just as easy as with computers.

High retention

Since you are handwriting the notes on the device, there is higher retention and mental processing of the information. This yield to better acquisition of the information and less need for studying later.

Import lecture slides

Storing lecture slides is just as easy and the same as with computers.

Backups

All your notes can be stored on the device or in the cloud. Same as computers.

Paper notes

The standard modality that college students have used for centuries. Paper notes are the most accessible way to take notes. Cheaper than the other two methods, many people utilize paper notes to record information for courses.

Natural feel

Paper is what we all write on. Many aspects of our lives include writing by hand on paper.

Portable

Notebooks are easy to carry and transport. Just so long as there are not too many.

Flexible

There are no restrictions. A page is very flexible in that you can write anywhere on it.

Cheap

Unlike the other options, notebooks can cost only a few dollars or less and pencils/pens are very cheap as well. This is a great option if you do not want to break the bank.

Highest retention

Since you must be very aware of what content you are writing down as well as that erasing is not as easy on say a tablet, there is higher retention of the materials compared to the other modalities discussed.

No distractions

Computers and tablets have notifications and if someone texts you or you get emails on the device, or your favourite game sends an enticing notification to try and get you to play again can cause distractions. This disrupts your flow of learning and breaks your focus. Do Not Disturb is an option, but for a true distraction, a free distraction-free is the best option.

Reference

https://guts.wisc.edu/2020/11/19/pros-and-cons-of-typed-digitally-handwritten-and-paper-notes/

How To Break The Procrastination Cycle & Get Things Done

It’s 9 in the morning. You are fresh and focused and all set to work on that challenging project which needs to be completed urgently. You sit at your desk and fire up the laptop and while waiting for it to boot, you reach for your phone and then, as if on auto pilot, you find yourself opening Instagram (or Facebook or YouTube or news or whatever that is that you are obsessed with!) and start scrolling, and bam, the next thing you realise is it’s already 11, you are exhausted and you haven’t even logged in. Sounds familiar ? What exactly do you think happened here? Where did all that morning energy go ? Did the time just fly ? Well, this trap that most of us fall into is nothing but procrastination.

What is Procrastination ?

Procrastination usually involves doing something easy or enjoyable instead of the unpleasant but important things that you are supposed to be doing. It is the irrational avoidance of a task or an activity. Most of the time we confuse it with laziness. Though outwardly both of them may seem similar and produce almost the same outcomes, they are fundamentally different.

Procrastination vs Laziness

Laziness is when a person is unwilling to put in the effort or energy needed to carry out a task. It is about avoiding responsibilities completely.Procrastination, on the other hand, is when a person has an intense desire to do the task and is even willing to put in the effort needed, but is stopped by an inner resistance or barrier that has been put up between his mind and the task at hand. Say for example, on a Sunday if you decide that you are not going to do anything but curl up on the couch and binge watch your favourite show, then you are deliberately making a choice not to do anything else at all on that day. On the other hand when you have an important assignment to submit and the deadline is fast approaching but you decide to put it off and watch Netflix instead, then that’s a classic example of procrastination.

Effects of Long Term Procrastination

Long term procrastination can have serious adverse effects on our mental and physical health.The longer you procrastinate, the more overwhelming the task becomes, which in turn may cause anxiety, guilt and stress. Overall productivity of the individual decreases over time with procrastination and this might even lead to depression. As our mental health and physical health are deeply intertwined, a decline in one can have a serious negative impact on the other. Over time, chronic procrastination not only has productivity costs but also impacts our physical and mental wellbeing adversely.

Causes of Procrastination

Procrastination may stem from the need of the emotional part of our brain for instant rewards. When you have to deal with a task that is overwhelming or boring or unpleasant, the brain tries to find out ways to avoid doing it by replacing it with something easy or comfortable or instantly gratifying. And the momentary relief that the brain feels while putting off the task is the reward it gets for procrastination. And it’s our natural tendency to repeat things that we are rewarded for and thus this becomes a cycle rather than a one-off behaviour.

Procrastination may also be due to underlying mental health issues. People with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) find it hard to stay organized and have difficulties with time management which can make a task seem overwhelming.

Those suffering from depression tend to have low self esteem which makes them doubt their ability to successfully complete a task. Anxiety also plays similar tricks on the brain and instills a fear of failure and lack of confidence in the person.

Surprisingly, perfectionists are often procrastinators.The fear of doing a task imperfectly can lead them to putting off the task indefinitely.

Certain other traits like poor decision making skills, lack of structure, ambiguity, absence of personal meaning and lack of instant gratification may also lead to procrastination.

How to Overcome Procrastination ?

If you are procrastinating because you find it boring or unpleasant, then try to focus on the long term benefits of completing the task. Identifying the long term benefits would help in aligning your present self with the future self. Also, it is equally important to focus on the consequences of putting off the task. Think about all the ways in which not doing this task would affect you. Listing down the impact of avoidance of the task in the major areas of your life would give a realistic view about the situation and give the brain that necessary push to get you started on the task.

The brain finds it easier to deal with tasks which are unambiguous and properly structured. When you have a pile of half finished or pending tasks, your brain goes into a state of panic, which makes focusing even on a single task difficult. Setting a roadmap with well defined milestones and breaking down the task into tiny manageable units can help in tackling those tasks which might otherwise seem overwhelming. Knowing what, how and when to do a task brings about a structure and clarity to the task.

More often than not, procrastination may also be a result of underlying mental health issues. Emotional regulation and stress management under the guidance of a therapist may be the best course of action in such cases.

In most cases, the biggest challenge one may face is in getting started on a task. For those struggling with the starting trouble, taking the tiniest possible first step would help in overcoming the inertia. Keep a timer for 5 minutes and tell yourself that you would stop after 5 minutes and get started on the task. Once you are successful in getting the brain to stay focused for those 5 minutes, then you are most likely to get into the flow of the task and continue doing the task. Just push yourself to take that initial step and the rest will follow.

Fear in any form – The fear of failure, fear of judgement or fear of rejection- holds you back from getting out of your comfort zone and is yet another reason why most people procrastinate. List down all possible fears and worst case scenarios that you have conjured up in your mind. Once you have it all listed out right in front of you, analyse each of the scenarios. If you feel that your fear is logical and rational, then try and find ways to combat it. Cross out the irrational ones. Think about your whys and about what really matters to you. Ask yourself – Would you rather do it and face the consequences or give in to your fears and regret not doing it, years later ?

The brain often looks for instant rewards. Putting off a boring or difficult task provides a relief which gives the brain the much needed instant gratification. Unless you give the brain a better offer, it continues to find ways to satisfy its craving for quick rewards. So rewarding yourself with a treat after the completion of a milestone would be a good idea to trick the brain into doing similar difficult tasks. Also focusing on and internalising the ‘feel good vibes’ that you get once you complete a difficult task would make the brain crave for such similar experiences which would eventually help in breaking the procrastination loop.

Thanks to scroll-culture, the attention span of most of us today has reached almost to the level of a goldfish’s. It just takes a beep from the phone or a mail pop up or even the sound of our own internal voices for us to get distracted. Not surprisingly, people who have difficulty in staying focussed on the task at hand tend to be master procrastinators. So stay away from the phone, close all those unnecessary tabs and if possible disconnect from the internet before you start an important task. When it comes to the constant chatter of your mind, try and find ways to calm it down through meditation or other calming techniques. You can also try writing down the random thoughts that come to your mind during a task so that they can be dealt with later. Assuring the brain that you have set aside a certain amount of time to deal with those thoughts will help in calming it down and bringing the focus back to the work that you are doing.

Last but not the least, rephrase your inner dialogue. When you tell yourself that you have to or you need to do a task, it creates an internal pressure on you to do it. The phrases ‘Have to’ or ‘Need to’ creates an impression that you have no choice but to do the task. Most of us do not like it when somebody forces us to work, even if we like the task. The rebel in you starts to resist and finds ways to avoid doing it. The conflict here is between you and your internal voice. So, be it any task, rephrasing the internal dialogue to ‘I want to’ or ‘I choose to’ , puts you in a position of power. Here, you are not doing it because you have to, rather you are doing it because you want to. It makes you feel more in control and you start owning the work. Once this change in perception happens, it’s much easier to do the task, because hey, you are the boss and you are doing only those things that you really want.

To sum up, procrastination can be best described as the constant conflict between your present self and the future self. While the future self has big dreams and goals for you and constantly comes up with ideas and plans for your bigger and better future, the present self pulls you towards the most instantly gratifying and comfortable option available. To break out of this habit loop, it is important that you learn how to manage your emotions and moods. I hope and wish that the tips mentioned above would help you kick-start your journey towards curbing procrastination. Good Luck !

YOUNG MINDS – BIG REVOLUTIONS

It is rightly said, there is no age bar to make a difference in the world. It just needs an ignition and the willingness to do something different, for the betterment of the society. One might feel, it is a daunting task to initiate alone and make amendments, but a single person with grit and determination is sufficient enough to make the world a a better place. Mother Teresa states, “I cannot alone change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” There are many such youth personalities, who came forward to make a difference.

Malala Yousafzai

Female education activist and Nobel Peace Prize awardee, Malala Yousafzai was born in a family where education to girl child was encouraged. Gaining inspiration from her father’s humanitarian work, she decided to get into female education activism. The terrorist group, Tehrik-i-Taliban, was agitated by the her attempts to encourage education for the women. Malala, along with two other girls were shot by gunmen from the same terrorist organization to retaliate against her activism. Even after facing such a violent attack at a tender age of just 15, she did not halt her deeds. She started a fund raising organisation with her own name after recovery. She was then featured in the Times Magazine as one of the Most Influential People in the world and was asked to address the House of Commons at Canada.

Isra Hisri

Isra Hisri, the daughter of Ilhan Omar (U.S Congresswoman), is an American Environmental Activist. She began gaining awareness bout concepts related to the environment in her freshman year when she became a part of her High School’s Environmental Club. In the Club, she was the only girl who had a dark complexion, hence she would feel left out amongst the whites. She played her part in co-ordination of student led strikes related to environmental protection in spite of being neglected by many of her fellow mates. Hisri has made it her goal to use her advocacy in environmental and anti-racial matters since the age of 16. She co-founded and served the Youth Climate Strike and has been awarded the Brower Youth Award.

Nkosi Johnson

Nkosi Johnson, hailing from South Africa was born with HIV-AIDS. He was adopted by another woman, as his mother could no longer nurture him since she herself was suffering from the disease. He lost his mother when he had begun with his schooling years. His school did not permit him to secure admission and attend classes when they became aware of what he was suffering from. Nkosi addressed at the International Aids Conference, encouraging Aids patients to be outspoken about the disease and seek medical aid. Nkosi’s Haven, a refuge for HIV Positive mothers and children was founded by him with the help of his adoptive mother. He lost his life in the year 2001 due to brain damage complications. He was declared as the awardee of International Children’s Peace Prize. His refuge was donated with USD 1,00,000 by Kids Right Foundation. Author, Jim Wooten, wrote a book on Nkosi’s journey of life and named it as We Are All The Same.

“BE THE CHANGE, YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD” – M.K Gandhi

There are several other youth personalities such as Greta Thunberg, Jaylen Arnold, Param Jaggi, Marley Dias and many more. The youth is not just the leaders of tomorrow but can be the leaders of today as well. Developing and nurturing social values is what the youth must try to contribute in today’s times. Young minds do have the energy and coherent ideas to bring about a change in society, therefore must strive for it. It is time for all the budding minds to realise their eureka moment and create a revolutionary change across the seven seas.

UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE

Reasearch says, about 7 lac people die of suicide annually, with approximately 132 suicides daily. An alarming rate, isn’t it? At times, we as humans may fail to understand what another individual might be facing. For every death by suicide, there are many more people who attempt it. Globally, ingestion of toxic substances, hanging and firearms are the most common methods of committing a suicide.

Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist and scholar, identified four different types of Suicides. Durkheim stated that, there are no societies in this world, where suicides do not occur. It includes, Egoistic Suicide, Altruistic Suicide, Anomic Suicide and Fatalistic Suicide. We can understand the core of these four forms of suicide, with further expansion of each term.

1. EGOISTIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, when a man becomes socially isolated or feels that he has no place in society, he destroys himself. It is committed by people in order to find a route of escape from loneliness and introversion. Such individuals are devoid of proper care and empathy from the people in their lives. They are not socialists, hence they find it difficult to mingle in groups. This leads them to feel unhappy, alone and helpless in this world. Cutting off from the mainstream is the main cause of suicide in this case.

EXAMPLE – Person A, is an employee of a firm and is working most of the time in his day. He does not mingle with his relatives and friends or attend any social functions. Due to this, the ties with his family members are getting estranged day after day. His spouse argues with him regarding the same complaints. He now begins to feel alone. Ultimately, there arrives a day when he’s fed up with all the querulous complaints and fights, thus takes his own life.

2. ALTRUISTIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, it is a sacrifice of one’s life to save or benefit others, for the betterment of society. It is quite an opposite of Egoistic Suicide. An over integration with society may lead to extreme benevolence in an individual. The individual regards suicide as a sacrifice that he/she is making for the good of a group or society as a whole. People committing suicide due to such a reason may consider their act as courageous and selfless.

Example – In the olden times, Indian women used to lay themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands in order to follow the cultural rituals.

3. ANOMIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, a moral confusion within an individual and inability to comprehend social direction may cause an upheaval in the life of an individual. An individual feels bewildered about the position that he holds in society and goes through a lack of self regulation. A sudden change in societal dimensions or ups and downs in a person’s personal life, may contribute to disappointment in his/her life.

Example – A once wealthy businessman, invests in a venture, but the venture fails miserably, he suffers a tremendous loss and goes bankrupt. Unable to deal with the sudden change in status and overall situation, he plans to end his life.

4. FATALISTIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, Fatalistic suicide is caused from excessive regulation, that of persons with futures, pitilessly blocked and passions violently choked by oppressive discipline. Burden of mental and physical oppression by other people on oneself may lead to a constant feeling of hopelessness. Finding oneself under strict norms, rules, high civil expectations and regulations may lead to depression in oneself, eventually causing the person to end his/her life.

Example – A famous singer feels extremely conscious about her image in the society. She experiences a burden from society’s expectations from her and thus fears failure and poor performance. She fails to handle this undue pressure and has thoughts about ending her life.

In my opinion, suicides do have societal roots. The reason for any person to commit suicide does not solely lie with him, but with the society as well. We are all directly or indirectly dependent on each other for materialistic and emotional needs. Materialistic needs can be fulfilled in some or the other way but emotional needs rarely come to the forefront. Rightly approaching those experiencing stressful situations, intervening and empathizing can greatly contribute in prevention. Suicides are preventable, with individual, community and national support.

THE COBRA EFFECT

The economic term ‘The Cobra Effect’ was coined by German economist Horst Siebert. The Cobra Effect refers to a situation where in, an attempted well planned and intended solution given to any problem makes the problem worse. This leads to an unintended negative consequence. This term is used to illustrate the causes of incorrect solutions in economy and politics.

This term was coined with regards to a real situation that occurred in Colonial India. There was an alarming increase in the number of venomous cobras in the city of Delhi. The British government expressed their concern regarding this issue. The government planned to offer a sum to the public for killing the cobras. A large number of venomous snakes were captured and killed by people in order to earn the reward. This served as a very successful strategy initially. But, over a period of time, people began to trick the officials by breeding cobras, expanding their numbers and later killing them to continue getting the reward from the government. Ultimately, the government became well informed about the ill happenings in hunger for the reward. Hence, they scrapped this entire plan. After scrapping of the scheme, people were no more interested in capturing, breeding and killing cobras. Therefore, they set all their wild cobra population free in the city. This in turn, increased the population of venomous cobras in the city. Thus, a planned solution to the problem lead to the problem worsening.

A similar instance occurred in Hanoi, Vietnam during the French Colonial rule. The officials designed a scheme in which people would earn a bounty upon killing rats. In order to earn the cash reward, people had to kill a rat, chop off it’s tail and provide it to the responsible officials. Over a span of time, the government noticed rats wandering in places without tails. They were surprised on being aware of the fact that, rat catchers were collecting rats, chopping off their tails and later leaving them into sewers where breeding would take place. This produced a humongous number of rats. The idea of offering a bounty on exchange of dead rat tails failed miserably.

Airbus Airlines, formally suggested their design engineers to make it’s airplane cabins quieter to ensure a pleasant travel experience. The idea was executed and cabins were made more silent than usual. Instead of making the travel more peaceful, it worsened the travel experience of the passengers onboard. People could easily eavesdrop on other people’s conversations, could hear louder noises of food and beverage trollies rolling in the aisle, babies crying on board and restroom doors opening and shutting throughout the journey. This economic decision of Airbus did not succeed.

In 1989, Mexico proposed a plan of action called – ‘Hoy No Circula’ . According to this scheme, people were debarred from using their private vehicles from 5:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m depending on the last digit of their vehicle’s number plate. This was in context of odd and even numbers. The scheme was introduced to limit the number of vehicles on road which in turn would cut down release of pollutants in the atmosphere. Instead of abiding by the norms in a fair manner, people began purchasing two vehicles in the same household, one with an even number plate and another with an odd one. This particular scheme did not serve very fruitful in the longrun.

Perverse Incentive or better known as Cobra Effect may not always be an outcome of poorly planned modules or shortsighted decisions. It may cause due to unpredictable behaviors of the recipients. A strategy planned to curb anything may cause adverse outcomes when people find the same strategy rewarding. In such contrast outcome scenarios, planning authorities may either scrap the plan or re-design it in order to get constructive outcomes.

7 spices of India

India is the biggest producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world. India exports about 180 different spices to 150 countries of the world. A wide variety of spices are grown in different parts of the country many of which are native to these places. Others are imported and cultivated locally. Spices have been used in Indian kitchens for centuries, they are one of the most important thing in our daily diet. Spices are added to food to give it flavor, aroma, and to preserve it, also spices are said to be really good for health. Several spices are blended together to give food the known Indian taste. Not only in kitchens but spices play a vital role in pharmaceutical products, medicines, cosmetics, etc. Spices are known to help in curing many deseases like arthritis cancer, diabetes.

Spices add a twist to our foods. Without spices food looks, smells and tastes dull and lifeless, a pinch of common spices is what we all need. Be it cardamom in our tea, turmeric in lentils or curry leaves in curry, all the spices offer something different and are an essential part of our lives. They are known to be effective in gastric problems, blood disorders, infectious diseases. There are 7 spices which are a must to have in indian households. These spices are used for their aroma and spices and for their potential health benefits.

TURMERIC

Turmeric has been used since ancient times as a healer, coloring agent and most importantly to give a yellow shade to our food and all the health benefits it provides us with consuming just a small amount daily. It is like a sack of nutrients. It has many benefits including, it’s antioxidant and antispetic properties. It has been a prominent ingredient in cosmetic industry as well. Face creams, face washes, etc with the goodness of turmeric are found in abudance. It is grown as a rhizom and can be used as fresh or dried. Cucurmin is the main component of turmeric. It is also helpful in stopping blood for minor cuts. Also known as golden spice or indian saffron. It helps relieve pain, aids digestion and supports immune system. A glass of milk with turmeric can be very effective at night for better sleep and digestion. It is known to provide warmth to the body, clean blood and cure skin realted problems.

CUIMIN

Cumin consists of oil that provide a particular aroma to the seeds. It is the basic and one of the first ingredient used while cooking. Smal boat shaped seeds is an ancient spice used as whole or powder and is infused with the hot oil or lightly roasted to bring out the flavor. It has an earthy aroma, and is beneficial for heart related diseases due to its antioxidant properties and has various vitamins and minerals in it. Cumin seeds improve taste and craving. Cumin oil posesses antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It is helpful in toothache and jaundice as well and is widely used in pharmaceutical industries.

FENUGREEK

India accounts for the major production of fenugreek and is derived from various states out of which Rajasthan alone gives 80% of the indian output. The majority is cultivated and consumed in India itself. It is used as a herb dried or fresh in cooking, it possesses bitter taste which is reduced by roasting the seeds. Fenugreek plant is about 2-3 feet tall, it’s green leaves and pods that contain small, golden-brown seeds. For many years it has been used in Chinese medicines to treak skin problems many other diseases. And for similar reasons it has long utilized in households and can be found in shampoos and soaps as well. For it’s nutritious value and sweet nutty taste it has been a must to have spice in Indian kitchens. Fenugreek may be helpful in aiding diabetes and is also taken as supplement.

CORIANDER

Coriander is one of the most used herb to flavor dishes, the seeds known as Coriander and the leaves as cilantro. Commonly known as dhaniya in india, It is also known as chinese parsley. Used in soups, currie masalas in India, middle, eastern and asian meals. While leaves and dried or ground seeds are used, coriander is useful in lowerin blood sugar, boosting immune system, lower heart related deseases. Both seeds and leaves of coriander are very different in taste. Whole seeds are added to vegetables, pickes, lentils and baked goods. Their aroma is released by warming. While leaves are used to garnish dishes. Coriander seeds are toasted and ground before eating as their texture can be hard to chew. A bright shining green plant. Surprisingly it has several skin benefits. It slowly absorbs the sugar in stomach and stimulates insulin and is found effective in lowering blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

CLOVE

Clove is grown in Asia and America, its oil, stem, dried flower buds and leaves are used in making medicines. Clove is very effective in dental problems and can cure toothache when applied directly to it. Also used as a flavoring in foods and beverages, toothpaste, perfume, soaps and cigarettes. It resembles a nail in shape. It’s use in culinary is mainly for flavoring as it blends both with sweet and savory dishes. Clove oil has antispetic and antibiotic properties and is used especially in dentistry. Clove is often found in indian cuisine for it aroma and flavor and is a part of garam masala, which is a mixture od different spices.

CINNAMON

Cinnamon is a spice extracted from bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots of the cinnamon tree and has been a part of traditional medicine for thousands for years. It has many health benefits and is also used for flavoring and fragrance. It is effective in blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, stomach issues and obesity. It has antioxidant, antibiotic and anti inflammatory properties and has traces of nutrients in it. In india it is used in making chutneys, meat or rice dishes. Sometimes while cinnamon sticks are also used.

CARDAMOM

After Saffron and vanilla, cardamom is the most expensive spice in the world. This versatile pod is used in teas, spices and many sweets are garnished using cardamom. In indian cuisine whole pods of cardamom are used in making curry, milk deserts and many other dishes. It is widely used in making chai as it for its aroma and flavor. It benefits in gastric problems, cardiovascular issues, controlling cancer and cholesterol and is rich in nutrients. It is also included in garam masala as an essential ingredient. These small green and black pods have a wide range of uses added to their list.

Why do Insectivorous plants exist?

If you find insectivorous plants strange and fascinating then this blog is for you.

What are insectivorous plants?

Insectivorous plants are those plants that derive some nutrients by trapping and consuming animals, mainly insects.

Categories of being insectivorous

There are essential two things that a plant has to do to be considered insectivorous:-

Ability to take nutrients from dead prey:- a plant should have the ability to trap the prey and absorb nutrients from it. Those prey is usually insects or small vertebrates like, salamanders. It is not enough for the plant just to have defenses that can kill an animal that’s trying to snack on it. It also has to get it’s animal’s nutrients.
At least have one adaption:- the plant need to have one adaption that actively lures in, catches, or digests it’s prey.

Doing at least one of these things and absorbing the nutrients for it’s benefit make it a insectivorous plant.

Plant traps

Over millions of years and across hundreds of species, plants have developed five different types of traps, most of them are from different times. And traps can be passive, if prey just fall into them and can’t escape, or active, if plant actually moves to catch its prey.

Pitcher plant:- pitfall traps are the standard and passive trap used by plants like pitcher plants. Prey lands on the plants slippery surface and slides down into a pool of digestive juices.
Sundews:- these are flypaper traps in which the prey become stuck in a sticky substance that is produced by the plant leaves. These traps can be passive as well as active. Sundews have sticky moving tentacles that react to contract with prey.
Venus fly trap:- these are snap traps which are active, using rapid modified leave
Bladderworts: they have bladder-suction. This creates little negative pressure vacuum inside their traps, which, when triggered by prey, pop open and suck the victim inside before snapping close.
Lobster-pot trap:- they passive traps that force prey to move towards the plant’s digestive organ by having little inward pointing hairs that keep prey from moving backward out of the trap.

All of these unrelated plants have not only developed the same kinds of traps but it looks like they have also developed that same molecular mechanism for digesting their prey.

Reason of existence

It goes back to idea of convergent evolution. All these different insectivorous plants are responding to similar environmental pressure:-

Found in open sunny places that have moist but nutrients – poor – acidic soil. Many of them live in bogs and fens.
In these kind of habitat where nitrogen and phosphorus is not present in the soil, the plant tend to developed two kinds of leaves one for normal photosynthesis and one that are modified onto their particular type of trap.
This results them to invest more in modified leaves than normal photosynthesis leaves as they have to live in a place with enough sunlight as well as to trap preys

Insectivorous plants can stop paying carnivorous temporally once they’re put in nutrients rich soil and if they don’t get enough sunlight and water.

Insectivorous plants are pretty rare and they are only found in certain kinds of habitats, they are just less likely to fossilize than other kinds of plants that are more widespread.

1. Understand the Question

2. Structure Your Answer

3. Be Concise and Relevant

4. Incorporate Facts and Examples

5. Practice Time Management

6. Develop Your Own Style

7. Use Diagrams and Flowcharts

8. Be Objective and Analytical

9. Stay Updated on Current Affairs

10. Stay Calm and Focused

Conclusion

References

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Building habits

Set measurable targets as habits

The pros and cons of building new habits

Get used to planning

Associate new habits with the old ones

Ensure the means

Provide the proper reward

Reference

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Shift yоur mindset аbоut the jоb оffer

Соmmitment аnd enthusiаsm

Metriсs fоr аssessing а jоb оffer

Negоtiаting а jоb оffer: Devise yоur рlаn

Be tоugh but сheerful during the negоtiаtiоn

Sаy nо (роlitely) if the jоb feels nоt right

Reference

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TYping (computer)

The organization is customizable

Easy to share

Typing is the fastest

Import lecture slides

Backups

Digitally Handwritten (Tablet)

Portable

Simple and extensive editing capabilities

The organization is customizable

Easy to share

High retention

Import lecture slides

Backups

Paper notes

Natural feel

Portable

Flexible

Cheap

Highest retention

No distractions

Reference

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What is Procrastination ?

Procrastination vs Laziness

Effects of Long Term Procrastination

Causes of Procrastination

How to Overcome Procrastination ?

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1. EGOISTIC SUICIDE

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TURMERIC

CUIMIN

FENUGREEK

CORIANDER

CLOVE

CINNAMON

CARDAMOM

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What are insectivorous plants?

Categories of being insectivorous

Plant traps