The image above is scanned from The Speaking Tree, ToI, Bangalore dated 02/05/10. Couldn't find online link to this article, so wanted to save this by scanning this.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Gayatri Mantra
The image above is scanned from The Speaking Tree, ToI, Bangalore dated 02/05/10. Couldn't find online link to this article, so wanted to save this by scanning this.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Obligations of Government Department under RTI
RTI clearly says that government departments should constantly provide as much information to public on there own through various means of communication like print, internet etc. It actually benefits them only as then many RTI queries will be reduced. If you would have noticed, all government websites now have a RTI link where they provide information about various officers, hierarchies, salaries, duties, department budgets etc for that department.
All departments have to compulsorily have PIO -- public information officer. You file your RTI application with PIO. PIO has to compulsorily provide information in 30 days. However for issues related to life and liberty of person, its 48 hours.
All departments need to have appellate authority which has officers senior in rank to PIO. If the applicant is not satisfied with the information received from PIO, or if the applicant has not received any information at all, he can appeal to appellate authority.
Still if the applicant is not satisfied, he can file appeal with information commission. The information commission has the authority to fine PIO if it feels that PIO didn't provide the information without any reasonable cause, or didn't provide in stipulated time, or tried to destroy information etc. The fine is Rs 250/- per day till the information is provided upto a max of Rs 25000/-.
At sub-divisional level or sub-district level, there are APIO -- assistant public information officer who will take application from public and pass to PIO in 5 days.
Fees for the RTI application is Rs 10/-. BPL people don't need to pay that. If the information to provided involves photocopying etc, then Rs 2/- per copy or more depending on size of copy. If it involves inspection, then no fee for first hour and Rs 5/- for each 15 minutes. The onus is on PIO to provide information in the language asked by applicant in the application.
All departments have to compulsorily have PIO -- public information officer. You file your RTI application with PIO. PIO has to compulsorily provide information in 30 days. However for issues related to life and liberty of person, its 48 hours.
All departments need to have appellate authority which has officers senior in rank to PIO. If the applicant is not satisfied with the information received from PIO, or if the applicant has not received any information at all, he can appeal to appellate authority.
Still if the applicant is not satisfied, he can file appeal with information commission. The information commission has the authority to fine PIO if it feels that PIO didn't provide the information without any reasonable cause, or didn't provide in stipulated time, or tried to destroy information etc. The fine is Rs 250/- per day till the information is provided upto a max of Rs 25000/-.
At sub-divisional level or sub-district level, there are APIO -- assistant public information officer who will take application from public and pass to PIO in 5 days.
Fees for the RTI application is Rs 10/-. BPL people don't need to pay that. If the information to provided involves photocopying etc, then Rs 2/- per copy or more depending on size of copy. If it involves inspection, then no fee for first hour and Rs 5/- for each 15 minutes. The onus is on PIO to provide information in the language asked by applicant in the application.
Monday, May 31, 2010
First day of PGSEM orientation
Today was the first day of PGSEM program orientation. I was very excited, going back to school after 10 years. It’s for 3 days and college had arranged for accommodation but I was not sure whether I will stay in hostel or come back. However I had carried luggage but kept in car on reaching IIMB. After getting the room keys, went to hostel room which reminded me that I am actually in a college hostel and not in some hotel room. Anyway, it was on top floor so opened the room windows and left for lunch in Amruth Kalsa, the name of hostel mess. By that time many people had come there and there were lot of introductions going on which might have happened again during the course of the day. Special lunch was organized for us and after having that I was looking forward to the dinner at MDC.
After finishing the lunch, we went to auditorium where some activities were planned by SAC (Student affairs committee). On reaching the audi, the first shocker came. We all were given 3 big fat books for the 3 courses in the first quarter. And the big realization finally dawned upon me that getting in doesn’t mean that degree will come as a cakewalk, probably getting in was the easiest part. Anyway SAC (seniors) gave us one information form to fill and started calling one by one to get photos clicked probably for ID card. Some were mostly uninterested; some got it clicked again after setting their hair and all. One guy again asked the photographer in the evening to click again after coming in formals. I was reading through the schedule book where the final quarter exam date was given which was clashing with the deliverable date on which I am working currently in office and SAC members were telling that first quarter GPA matters the most. I wanted to say “aal is well” but what came out was God, please help.
SAC then started presentations on various things – academics and various activities/committees and answered the various queries people had about various things. And then came the million dollar question – how can placements/better jobs be facilitated for this course. SAC told the various things they have been doing to make the industry more aware about this program. I must say SAC team really organized the orientation well, were present till late in night, considering they all are working professionals like us.
Then the actual inauguration came. Everyone was in formals. Last I was in formals during the PGSEM interview and before that I don’t remember when. Prof Pankaj Chandra, director, and Prof N Agarwal, Chairperson PGSEM were present along with Mr Harsh Manglik, chairman Nasscom, who was the chief guest. I was smiling and getting excited, not actually because of the speeches which these 3 distinguished gentlemen gave though each of them gave a truly excellent and thought provoking speech and I am looking forward to more of these in my IIMB days, I think it was the aamir khan effect of actually being a student at IIMB.
After that we went for dinner and we were told to assemble outside audi at 9 pm. All 75 students were divided into 4 groups and there were group activities planned during the 3 days, probably to give a platform to incoming students to mingle and know each other better. Most of the people reached audi late and everyone got a mild blasting from the SAC team. Anyway, the activities started with antakshri. Each team had to sing maximum songs on the given word in 45s. We came first in reverse order, which I think is because we got word “ishq” which is not hindi :) Don’t mind my excuse.
Its 11pm and now we are doing the final task for the evening - write a blog which our team has to submit by 7.45am tomorrow. And yes, I am staying back at hostel; thankfully I didn’t forget to bring bedsheet.
For those interested in Harsh Manglik's speech, read here
After finishing the lunch, we went to auditorium where some activities were planned by SAC (Student affairs committee). On reaching the audi, the first shocker came. We all were given 3 big fat books for the 3 courses in the first quarter. And the big realization finally dawned upon me that getting in doesn’t mean that degree will come as a cakewalk, probably getting in was the easiest part. Anyway SAC (seniors) gave us one information form to fill and started calling one by one to get photos clicked probably for ID card. Some were mostly uninterested; some got it clicked again after setting their hair and all. One guy again asked the photographer in the evening to click again after coming in formals. I was reading through the schedule book where the final quarter exam date was given which was clashing with the deliverable date on which I am working currently in office and SAC members were telling that first quarter GPA matters the most. I wanted to say “aal is well” but what came out was God, please help.
SAC then started presentations on various things – academics and various activities/committees and answered the various queries people had about various things. And then came the million dollar question – how can placements/better jobs be facilitated for this course. SAC told the various things they have been doing to make the industry more aware about this program. I must say SAC team really organized the orientation well, were present till late in night, considering they all are working professionals like us.
Then the actual inauguration came. Everyone was in formals. Last I was in formals during the PGSEM interview and before that I don’t remember when. Prof Pankaj Chandra, director, and Prof N Agarwal, Chairperson PGSEM were present along with Mr Harsh Manglik, chairman Nasscom, who was the chief guest. I was smiling and getting excited, not actually because of the speeches which these 3 distinguished gentlemen gave though each of them gave a truly excellent and thought provoking speech and I am looking forward to more of these in my IIMB days, I think it was the aamir khan effect of actually being a student at IIMB.
After that we went for dinner and we were told to assemble outside audi at 9 pm. All 75 students were divided into 4 groups and there were group activities planned during the 3 days, probably to give a platform to incoming students to mingle and know each other better. Most of the people reached audi late and everyone got a mild blasting from the SAC team. Anyway, the activities started with antakshri. Each team had to sing maximum songs on the given word in 45s. We came first in reverse order, which I think is because we got word “ishq” which is not hindi :) Don’t mind my excuse.
Its 11pm and now we are doing the final task for the evening - write a blog which our team has to submit by 7.45am tomorrow. And yes, I am staying back at hostel; thankfully I didn’t forget to bring bedsheet.
For those interested in Harsh Manglik's speech, read here
Saturday, May 1, 2010
My PGSEM (MBA@IIMB) 2010 Interview
My interview was on 24th April at 9 am. I reached the campus at around 8.35 am. At the classroom blocks gate, there were 2 persons from IIMB who told to go to room L11 for one essay writing. L11 was a techie class -- audio system, projector, smart system like credit card swipe machine for attendance ...or maybe I am out of college for 10 years now, that's why I got too fascinated by all that :). BTW my kid's school also has projector in all classrooms. Anyway, at 9 am we were given the topic -- Issues and challenges before Human Resource Management in India. 10 minutes were given to think through it and 20 mins to write the essay.
After the essay, we were given our interview schedule. There were multiple interview panels and I was in P2. Each group had 10 candidates. It was in M23 class.
I went to M23. There were 9 guys and 1 girl. One person from admin collected xerox of mark sheets/experience letters from each one of us. The interview started at around 10 am. I was 8th in the queue. Each interview lasted for some 20-30 mins with one taking almost 40 mins. It was a long wait. My turn came at around 1.20 pm. 3 hours I was just waiting and waiting on the chair, and yes there were 2 whose was after mine. There was one conference going on in the next classroom. During there second tea break, one guy actually asked me whom I am waiting for there for so long. I told him about PGSEM interview -- he smiled and wished me luck.
Finally 1.20 pm!!
There were 2 members in the interview panel -- lets call them P1 and P2. I don't know there names,
They offered me seat. Probably it has been too long for them also taking interviews, so may be it was fun time for them :)
The interview started -- no question about introduction.
P1: This is your 4th company. Why did I do so, and at hindsight do I think it was good or bad for me?
I told the reasons why I changed -- some gyan that I wanted to go into development only. In first job after development, I landed into maintenance type work which I didn't want to do. Second company got merged with someone and was not doing well. 3rd one didn't have too many projects....and so on
P1: How do you think about software engineering as a career option, if you have to tell me to my son in 10th, what will you say?
Only job where constantly paid to study/learn, lot of things newly coming every now and then, unlearn and learn...that's why it never gets boring + its better to do MS than jump straightway into job...and so on
P2: But whats the point when you can loose jobs, no guarantee, very few jobs..
Its with all private sector. Agreed that only 5-7 lakhs are software engineers, but its a plush job and where potential is unlimited. Lot of indirect jobs are also getting created because of this. And yes, we need more sectors to open up like software -- biotech, BPOs etc
Now it was mostly P2 -- I don't know faculty or alumni, but P1 I think was faculty
In my SOP, i had put theme as entrepreneurship. Other than this, I was asked on nothing from SOP, and nothing else from anything else either.
P2: Do you have any ideas?
Yes
P2: Which ones
I told him one about retail and one in software (thanks to my office buddies. we have been discussing a lot about these for sometime now)
P2: He asked about retail -- have I done any analysis, what I would need, capital and other stuff
Somehow I managed
Then it was about my software idea
P2: You can start now itself, why need an MBA
I told that I can do, but once it scales up I will need all the skills in sales/marketing blah blah
P2 was not convinced. He was trying to portray I don't need MBA or maybe he was checking if I am myself clear about why I want to do MBA and what I want to do after MBA:)
P2: You can do MBA from Bangalore university or elsewhere. Some correspondence course, why waste time and money
Told him no correspondence course can match the learning of class, and when you want everything best for you, then why not get trained by the best college in country
P2 was still not convinced. Many times to his questions I asked him -- I don't agree or I don't buy this.
P2: Do you have any stats on how many students have graduated
I told him I don't know about PGP, but PGSEM around 500-600
P2: There have been thousands of students altogether, but we have not heard any great stories on entrepreneurship. So again I don't need MBA
P2: In business you need selling skills, which you have as you are unconsciously trying to sell why we should take you.
I replied for a businessman these things should come consciously and blah blah
P2: Its just theory in class, how will theory help you in business.
I said PGSEM being a part time course is a great advantage. Whatever we learn in class can try to apply those concepts during workweek. Its actually 2.5 years of practical, and its upto the candidate what he wants to take from this course.
Thankfully track of interview shifted now.
P2: If you are asked to handle some project, which model you will use
I couldn't get the question -- maybe because of so much of defense which I did for why I need to do this MBA. Actually he was asking about waterfall/spiral/agile model etc
P1: If we don't take you, what will you do
May be I will apply again next year
P2: But will you continue your business
Surely I will do
P2: But will you apply again next year
Yes, I will do both things.
GOOD LUCK.
Keeping my fingers crossed!!!
More on PGSEM can be found here.
After the essay, we were given our interview schedule. There were multiple interview panels and I was in P2. Each group had 10 candidates. It was in M23 class.
I went to M23. There were 9 guys and 1 girl. One person from admin collected xerox of mark sheets/experience letters from each one of us. The interview started at around 10 am. I was 8th in the queue. Each interview lasted for some 20-30 mins with one taking almost 40 mins. It was a long wait. My turn came at around 1.20 pm. 3 hours I was just waiting and waiting on the chair, and yes there were 2 whose was after mine. There was one conference going on in the next classroom. During there second tea break, one guy actually asked me whom I am waiting for there for so long. I told him about PGSEM interview -- he smiled and wished me luck.
Finally 1.20 pm!!
There were 2 members in the interview panel -- lets call them P1 and P2. I don't know there names,
They offered me seat. Probably it has been too long for them also taking interviews, so may be it was fun time for them :)
The interview started -- no question about introduction.
P1: This is your 4th company. Why did I do so, and at hindsight do I think it was good or bad for me?
I told the reasons why I changed -- some gyan that I wanted to go into development only. In first job after development, I landed into maintenance type work which I didn't want to do. Second company got merged with someone and was not doing well. 3rd one didn't have too many projects....and so on
P1: How do you think about software engineering as a career option, if you have to tell me to my son in 10th, what will you say?
Only job where constantly paid to study/learn, lot of things newly coming every now and then, unlearn and learn...that's why it never gets boring + its better to do MS than jump straightway into job...and so on
P2: But whats the point when you can loose jobs, no guarantee, very few jobs..
Its with all private sector. Agreed that only 5-7 lakhs are software engineers, but its a plush job and where potential is unlimited. Lot of indirect jobs are also getting created because of this. And yes, we need more sectors to open up like software -- biotech, BPOs etc
Now it was mostly P2 -- I don't know faculty or alumni, but P1 I think was faculty
In my SOP, i had put theme as entrepreneurship. Other than this, I was asked on nothing from SOP, and nothing else from anything else either.
P2: Do you have any ideas?
Yes
P2: Which ones
I told him one about retail and one in software (thanks to my office buddies. we have been discussing a lot about these for sometime now)
P2: He asked about retail -- have I done any analysis, what I would need, capital and other stuff
Somehow I managed
Then it was about my software idea
P2: You can start now itself, why need an MBA
I told that I can do, but once it scales up I will need all the skills in sales/marketing blah blah
P2 was not convinced. He was trying to portray I don't need MBA or maybe he was checking if I am myself clear about why I want to do MBA and what I want to do after MBA:)
P2: You can do MBA from Bangalore university or elsewhere. Some correspondence course, why waste time and money
Told him no correspondence course can match the learning of class, and when you want everything best for you, then why not get trained by the best college in country
P2 was still not convinced. Many times to his questions I asked him -- I don't agree or I don't buy this.
P2: Do you have any stats on how many students have graduated
I told him I don't know about PGP, but PGSEM around 500-600
P2: There have been thousands of students altogether, but we have not heard any great stories on entrepreneurship. So again I don't need MBA
P2: In business you need selling skills, which you have as you are unconsciously trying to sell why we should take you.
I replied for a businessman these things should come consciously and blah blah
P2: Its just theory in class, how will theory help you in business.
I said PGSEM being a part time course is a great advantage. Whatever we learn in class can try to apply those concepts during workweek. Its actually 2.5 years of practical, and its upto the candidate what he wants to take from this course.
Thankfully track of interview shifted now.
P2: If you are asked to handle some project, which model you will use
I couldn't get the question -- maybe because of so much of defense which I did for why I need to do this MBA. Actually he was asking about waterfall/spiral/agile model etc
P1: If we don't take you, what will you do
May be I will apply again next year
P2: But will you continue your business
Surely I will do
P2: But will you apply again next year
Yes, I will do both things.
GOOD LUCK.
Keeping my fingers crossed!!!
More on PGSEM can be found here.
Friday, April 30, 2010
RTI -- Right to Information Act
RTI or Right to Informatiom Act is a revolutionary act which became operational on 12th October 2005 in India. Revolutionary for Indian citizens, but Sweden notified it as early as 1766. Around 70-75 countries have RTI act, good to know that still India leads in the sub-continent even though the act became operational here in 2005!! Note that 9 states -- J & K, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam & Goa, already had there own state acts before 2005. The Central RTI Act extends to the whole of India except J&K which has its own state act.
Whats great about RTI -- RTI empowers every citizen to ask any questions from the Government or seek any information, take copies of any government documents, inspect any government documents, inspect any government works and take samples of materials of any government work. Could you imagine this happening in India!! Its a powerful tool in the hands of common man which can help bring in era of performance and efficieny, help weed out corruption. Earlier if you would have asked any information from any government officer, he would have simply thrown you out. But now he has to mandatorily provide the information, otherwise he can be fined for not providing the information.
Two examples here:
1. Imagine your file is stuck in some government department and you dont have any clue why is it so. Just file an RTI. The officer has to compulsarily answer why/where it is stuck
2. Imagine some sub-standard work being done by some contractor in your locality. File an RTI, inspect the work and even take the sample!!
RTI covers practically every government department. However, security agencies are out of it, but there also if there is some corruption charge or human rights violation, you can get information under RTI.
All private bodies, which are owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Government are directly covered. Others are indirectly covered. That is, if a government department can access information from any private body under any other Act, the same can be accessed by the citizen under the RTI Act through that government department.
More FAQs about RTI
Will expand this post soon about Obligations of government departments under RTI and How to File RTI
Whats great about RTI -- RTI empowers every citizen to ask any questions from the Government or seek any information, take copies of any government documents, inspect any government documents, inspect any government works and take samples of materials of any government work. Could you imagine this happening in India!! Its a powerful tool in the hands of common man which can help bring in era of performance and efficieny, help weed out corruption. Earlier if you would have asked any information from any government officer, he would have simply thrown you out. But now he has to mandatorily provide the information, otherwise he can be fined for not providing the information.
Two examples here:
1. Imagine your file is stuck in some government department and you dont have any clue why is it so. Just file an RTI. The officer has to compulsarily answer why/where it is stuck
2. Imagine some sub-standard work being done by some contractor in your locality. File an RTI, inspect the work and even take the sample!!
RTI covers practically every government department. However, security agencies are out of it, but there also if there is some corruption charge or human rights violation, you can get information under RTI.
All private bodies, which are owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Government are directly covered. Others are indirectly covered. That is, if a government department can access information from any private body under any other Act, the same can be accessed by the citizen under the RTI Act through that government department.
More FAQs about RTI
Will expand this post soon about Obligations of government departments under RTI and How to File RTI
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
BBMP Elections: Why your vote could have made a difference
I was going through the election results in ToI and it was clear why my vote would have mattered in the elections. Though it is an another issue that I didn't vote because despite of applying twice for my name inclusion in voter list, it didn't happen. Anyway, scanning through the list shows that in one area one candidate has won by just 9 votes (Karisandra seat). Had 10 more people voted in favor of the candidate who lost, it would have changed the result. There is one more who won by 49 votes and there are few others who also won by narrow margin. So if few hundred had voted more, it could have altered the results in a big way. All I want to say that "My Vote Matters, Your Vote Matters and It surely can make a difference". So please go out and vote in the next elections -- be it state, centre or city.
About the recent BBMP Elections 2010:
Results decoded on Janaagraha Blog
Candidate Affidavits
Results
Winner's (BJP) Election Manifesto
Quick glance at results from ToI, Bangalore and you will immediately know why your vote matters!!
About the recent BBMP Elections 2010:
Results decoded on Janaagraha Blog
Candidate Affidavits
Results
Winner's (BJP) Election Manifesto
Quick glance at results from ToI, Bangalore and you will immediately know why your vote matters!!
BMTC Bus Day tomorrow!!
Its BMTC Bus Day tomorrow. So leave your car at home and ride the comfortable AC Volvo.
All information about bus routes and timings is available at http://www.bmtctravelinfo.in/april-bus-day
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