Are we still copying the West? Aren't we grown up to be called as innovatorsrather than imitators? This remains to be a hot topic of discussion as many feel that innovations in India are not a very rare activity rather they often go unrecognized while others argue that the habit of imitating the West still haunts India and this will block the Indian minds to venture into real innovative activities.

India is fast growing to a phase where it's already termed as a global innovator for high-tech products and services; however, the innovative potential of the country is largely relatively underperformed. According to the marketing advisory firm Zennov, there has been an 11 percent increase in creating Intellectual Property in India. Indian researchers and companies have been filing 36,000 patents annually. However, the study reveals that India is trailing behind China files around 4,00,000 annual patents which is a clear sign that our immediate neighbor is far ahead of us in innovations despite the fact that large number of patent holders and applicants globally are Indians.

It's an indisputable fact that India's rapid economic growth is giving a great boost to its efforts to create its own innovations and not just relying on imitation. The notion that Indians are imitating than innovating is quite an outdated view and the fact is that the country is updating its technologies quite fast which will undoubtedly boost innovation. Although China and the West seems to be much ahead of India in terms of technological innovations, India stands tall in frugal-innovations - in ultra low-cost products and services for the poor.

The rush of Western MNCs like Google, Microsoft GE, and Cisco, to India will definitely enhance innovation further as they increase their R&D spending to stay in forefront in this huge emerging market. The country should look ahead to benefit from the increasing competition by producing stronger skills, better infrastructure to unleash innovation. More early stage funding will enable the bright minds to materialize their innovative ideas. Lastly, but most importantly the diaspora needs to be tapped more effectively. Inclusive innovation should be the ideal goal where R&D efforts for poor should be scaled up and the ability of informal enterprises to be improved further to exploit existing knowledge, which would be backed by realistic and time bound implementation plan.

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Would you recognize a significant IT business trend if you saw one? Over the years, many products, technologies and IT-related business trends have been hyped beyond their significance. But the killers are the ones that go unnoticed and wind up being transformational. It's difficult to know the difference, but there's an old journalism adage: Follow the money. With that in mind, here are five things to keep an eye on as we march toward 2011.

• The recession is transformational. Since late 2008, many companies facing reduced top-line growth have eked out profits with deep cuts. In many cases, those savings have been held aside, awaiting the right moment. Odds are, that moment will come in 2011. For IT shops, business growth could require new technology, but additional IT resources may not be added as quickly. Senior IT leaders should be planning now how to meet the demands of anxious CEOs with smaller staffs and shorter timelines.

• The spotlight remains on cost-saving technologies. Given the recession, it's no surprise that virtualization, the head-slappingly obvious money-saver that was hot well before the recession, is even hotter now. A year ago, Gartner named it the No.1 technology for 2010, based on a survey of CIOs. I'd put it there again for 2011, followed by cloud computing , software as a service and, to a lesser degree, business analytics.

• Mobile is exploding. Everyone can see this. But are IT shops focused on the management, support and security challenges that come with mobile computing? A huge percentage of employees are bringing personal quick-access storage devices to work and putting sensitive documents and e-mails on them. And here come tablets. Over 30 new tablets were announced or delivered in 2010, and they're inexpensive enough that a lot of people are buying them.

• Software is undergoing rapid change. Take the public-cloud phenomenon and stir in largely Web-based mobile applications, and you'll see the start of a software trend that could transform the way we work. When you connect meaningful enterprise data to tablet computers served via your data center, private cloud or hybrid cloud, you've got a transformational technology. For years we've been trying to unchain knowledge workers from their desks so they can interact with one another and work wherever they go. There is a potential to create near-real-time business communication without us having to work at that full time. The days of large, monolithic, LAN-connected, proprietary enterprise apps are numbered

• Enterprise 2.0 will run its course. Crowdsourcing information (the real value of Web 2.0 for the enterprise) is a powerful tool. It's a simple way to help us avoid starting every new undertaking from scratch. It shapes ideas and provides valuable insights. And it's on its way to becoming pervasive. But it's not a technology; it's more like a business strategy. The hype surrounding Web 2.0 technologies will die down, and business use of these tools won't be thought of as a key trend in 2011.

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UPSC Exam 2011

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has going to conduct Civil Services (Pre) Examination-2011 on 12/06/2011. Persons who are eligible and interested in this UPSC Examination 2011 can apply online or offline before the last date.  Complete Exam details like no of posts, age limit, exam dates, online application form, fee, how to apply and other details are as follows:

UPSC Exam 2011 details The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will hold the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2011   for recruitment of nearly 880 various posts of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and certain other Group 'A' and Group 'B' Central Services / Posts.

Eligibility:Age Limit:  21-30 years as on 01/08/2011. The upper age is relaxable for SC/ST/OBC and certain other categories of candidates to the extent specified in the Notice.

Educational Qualification: Degree of a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.Physical Standards: Candidates must be physically fit according to the Regulations given in notice.

Fee: For General and OBC category candidate Rs.100/- through Central Recruitment Fee Stamp only. SC/ST/PH/Female candidates are exempted from payment (OBC candidates required to pay full fee) for the candidates applying offline. Those who are applying Online need to deposit Rs.50/- in any branch of SBI

Online Application Submission : Candidates can apply Online also at http://upsconline.nic.in/pto 21/03/2011.

Offline Application Form: The candidates must apply in the Common Application Form devised by the Commission for itsexaminations, which can be purchased from the designated Head Post Offices/ Post offices throughout the country against cash payment of Rs. 30/- only. OR published in the Employment News.

How To Apply Offline : All Offline applications must reach the "Controller of Examination, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069" either by hand or by Post/Speed Post or by courier on or before the 21/03/2011. [Candidates from far-flung areas can send application through post/speed post upto 28/03/2011]

Important details: UPSC Official website for Advt.

More Information: For complete details about  UPSC  Civil Services (Pre) Examination-2011 details like how to apply, selection procedure, online application form, fee and other details available at official website or go to important links

Best wishes and regards,

Namita Jain

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Hello,

This blog basically holds a great deal of importance and value for the one's who wish to identify the working areas being an Entrepreneurs. Hence, this blog is all about- "ENTREPRENEURITIES"....Entrepreneur's opportunities...

There is certainly no formula to become a successful entrepreneur. Some may succeed and make good profits, others sink along the way. Which are the most lucrative sectors for entrepreneurs? Here's a list of 10 bestest opportunities entrepreneurs can look at...

1. Tourism

Tourism is a booming industry in India. With the number of domestic and international tourists rising every year, this is one hot sector entrepreneurs must focus on. India with its diverse culture and rich heritage has a lot to offer to foreign tourists.

But this sector is not well organised. India lacks trained professionals in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Any business in this sector will thrive in the long run as the demand contuse to grow every year.

2. Automobile

India is now a hot spot for automobiles and auto-components. A cost-effective hub for auto components sourcing for global auto makers, the automotive sector is potential sector for entrepreneurs. The automobile industry recorded a 26 per cent growth in domestic sales in 2009-10.

3. Textiles

India is famous for its textiles. Each state has its unique style in terms of apparels. India can grow as a preferred location for manufacturing textiles taking into account the huge demand for garments. Places like Tirupur and Ludhiana are now export hubs for textiles. A better understanding of the markets and customers' needs can boost growth in this sector.

4. Software

India's software and services exports are likely to rise with export revenue growth projected at 13 to 15 percent to hit about $57 billion by March 2011.

5. Engineering goods

India continues to be one of the fastest growing exporters of engineering goods, growing at a rate of 30.1 per cent. The government has set a target of $110 billion by 2014 for total engineering exports. Entrepreneurs must capitalise on the booming demand for products from the engineering industry.

6. Franchising

India is well connected with the world. Hence, franchising with leading brands who wants to spread across the country could also offer ample opportunities for young entrepreneurs. With many small towns developing at a fast pace in India, the franchising model is bound to succeed.

7. Education and Training

There is a good demand for education and online tutorial services. With good facilities at competitive rates, India can attract more students from abroad. Unique teaching methods, educational portals and tools can be used effectively to make the sector useful and interesting.

8. Organic farming

Organic farming has been in India since a long time. The importance of organic farming will grow at a fast pace, especially with many foreigners preferring only organic products. Entrepreneurs can focus on business opportunities in this sector. There are many small-time farmers who have adopted organic farming but the demand is still unmet, offering many opportunities for those who can promote organic farming on a large scale.

9. Floriculture

India's floriculture segment is small and unorganized. There is a lot to be done in this lucrative sector. The global trade in floriculture products is worth $9.4 billion. With a 8 per cent growth, it is expected to grow to $16 billion by 2010. India's share in world trade is just 0.18 per cent.

This is a huge market to be tapped considering the rising demand for fresh flowers. More awareness and better farming and infrastructure can boost exports.

10. Recycling business

E-waste will rise to alarming proportions in the developing world within a decade, with computer waste in India alone to grow by 500 per cent from 2007 levels by 2020, according to a UN study. This sector opens a viable business opportunity for entrepreneurs in terms of e-waste management and disposal.

Hoping this might help somebody understand his area of interest.

Regards and best wishes,

Namita Jain

CA-CTians

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Computer Society of India (CSI) was shaped in 1965 with a mission to guide the Indian IT industry down the right path. And since its formative years it has worked very effectively towards achieving its goals. Today, the CSI has 67 chapters all over India, 381 student branches, and more than 50000 members including India's most famous IT industry leaders, brilliant scientists and dedicated academicians.

The National Student Convention is a major event of Computer Society of India conducted annually for the students to present and share their creative ideas in the field of Computers and IT among student community from all over India.

The CSI has decided to hold 27th NSC-2011 for the first time in M.P. at ITM Universe Gwalior from March 9th - 12th 2011 which includes the first bilingual conference of CSI in the country on"IT-Contemporary and Future Technologies for Social Change" .

The convention also includes Workshops on various upcoming Technologies including Silverlight and Hadoop to expose students to the Futuristic IT. Close to 2,500 participants are expected to attend this event from the entire country.

The second call for paper lasts till 15^th February, 2011. The various themes for the conference are -

Regards,

Namita Jain

CA-CTians

NSC-Secretariat (ITM Universe)

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It was a bright day when I went to my college. Thinking, it is yet another day of my life...the usual one.

But, there was something different planned for me that day by somebody who is my best well wisher and by the one whom I believe in.

The results for the written round need to displayed that day... and I was not sure that being a candidate from 2^nd year, I would had been able to match up with the minds of my seniors and cleared this round. But, I ranked under 20 amongst them.

Great, that was the most positive start.... The same day I had to face my Group Discussion and Personal Interview. The GD was to take place in morning session and PI in evening and as I had already stated, I was not ready for my written clearance and so, I was even not prepared to face these rounds.

Being amongst the 5 candidates who were selected from 2^nd year, I felt very special and privileged to have been selected to move further and fight for the competition.

The Group Discussion began. I had not felt more nervous before this ever in my life. I was facing the 1^st GD of my life that too in 2^nd year. I looked around to find myself to be the only one in that batch who was the youngest to sit with the other human races there. A sense of coldness struck me and I felt like I was in no state to sit there anymore. I was numb. But anyhow, I did managed to speak a few points and contradict some others in the discussion going on there.

When I stepped out of that conference hall, I still remember the way my friends had been waiting outside to listen to my experience and I had just one thing to say- "I tried, but I don't think I'll go any further now..."

The results for GD were up by lunch time and I didn't even cared to look at them knowing the fact that I was not amongst one of the selected once. But, an event coordinator rushed towards me, congratulated and I was stunned. I was amongst the top 5 candidates there.

Now, was my time, I wasn't ready with anything to present myself in the Personal Interview with.  I didn't even had my Resume with me... how was I to manage it in just one hour?

I rushed to the TAP Cell of my college and asked for help to get my resume done but that was not a good step either. I then asked my friends to help me and with the help of our training module's sessions we all tried our best and emerged out with my resume in my hand.

I was the second candidate to go in for the Interview. I sat outside the room waiting for the first person to come out and at the same time thinking as to why be I the 2^nd candidate to go inside??? I wouldn't even get a chance to ask the 1^st candidate as to what all the HR's are asking and how should I answer them.

After about a wait of 30 minutes, it was my chance now and I had no clue then as to what I had to do and what I had to say and............just anything.

I walked inside the room closing the door behind me. There were 2 HR's sitting in-front of me and some spectators maybe as they were busy reading my body language. I managed to smile before them.

I wished them good evening and then waited for them to ask me to have a seat. I then seated myself before them.  I handed them resume then and waited to see it tear in-front of my eyes...but unfortunately, they didn't do that. They read it closely and one of the HR's started:

"So, you are Namita? Namita Jain", reading my resume

"Yes Sir..."

"Tell us about yourself, introduce yourself to us..."

"Sir, introduce myself. Okay, Sir, I love to read books, novels, magazines... I like adventurous trips...love outings with my friends and............ I write poems, presently working on a novelette as well............"

"I am asking you to introduce yourself Namita", surprised.

"Sir, this is what I am doing. I am telling about myself. I love to do all this and about whom else would I tell you so much????", satisfied with my answer.

Stunned, "Okay, continue..."

"So, Sir....I am very creative, I love doing creative stuff........................" and I continued for another 2 minutes.

"hmmm.... So how do you think are your skills going to help my company?", back to the track

"Sir, I am technically sound and I work efficiently. I love working actually..... if I know I am given a task and if I have any responsibility then it is my head-ache how do I complete it... but I manage to do it anyhow.."

"Oh... that's very well said by you... your resume says that...you like adventure... what kind of adventure?"

"Sir, adventures like... tracking expeditions, kayaking, river rafting, cliff jumping and so many more..."

"have you done any such thing before?"

"Yes Sir, I went on my adventure school trip for 2 years and along with them I did flying fox, river crossing, Burma bridge, tug of war and much more...."

"okay...!!!  Tell me, what do you know about this project which you've mentioned in your resume? Was it your technical project???"

And the series of questions continued and I tried to answer my best.... I finally was confident enough to sit before them and answer to their questions... realizing they were humans before me and they wouldn't bite me.... :P

After about 40 minutes they said- "Okay Namita, you may leave and wait for the results to come"

I knew what they meant.... They clearly meant that I was not inn... L

I stood up to leave when they stopped me.

"Namita, a piece of advice for you..."

"Yes Sir...", smiling

"Next time when you start with an interview and you are asked to introduce yourself, then do not start telling them stories.... Tell them your name, address, your aggregate, your fathers' name, and maybe one of your best quality which the company is looking for......."

:O :O :O.............."Okay Sir... I'll keep that in mind...!!! "

And the most awaited time.....next day the results were to be announced....

And I can still feel that happiness in me.............. apart from all the mistakes I did inside the room... I stood first. I won the event......

The 1^st prize was- the student who gets selected will be placed in their company.... And I was told by the coordinators that my resume was forwarded to their company head...once I come in 4^th year... I'll be approached by them.

Though this was one of the best experience I could had started with in my 2^nd year of college.... I've learnt from it a lot which I would like you all to remember for yourself and for always......

In an interview...'be yourself'.... Don't pretend to be someone else. When you are true to others and when it is visible on your face...there is nothing that can stop you then...because... you are at your best then...

Certainly hoping that I didn't bore you up with my story... just thought that I could help somebody.

Regards,

Namita Jain

CA-CTians.

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In partnership with Accenture, the Capital Access Program is pleased to announce the launch of a business mentorship program for greenentrepreneurs who are interested in growing their business. Selected entrepreneurs will have a chance to meet for two hours a month with one of Accenture's top business professionals. Accenture Business Mentors, all of whom are executives with extensive business experience, will work with participating entrepreneurs to address challenges in core business competency areas. Accenture is providing these services on a pro-bono basis, as part of its Skills to Succeed initiative. The objective of this program is to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses and create more green jobs. Both Accenture and Green for All are committed to promoting a strong greeneconomy.

Concentrate...Focus...maybe you get an opportunity to work with Accenture

Program Requirements

Entrepreneurs will have at least three years operating experience, positive revenues, and an interest in scaling their business with operational support from Accenture executives. Their businesses should be focused on green products, sustainable services, or renewable energy. Special preference will be extended to women- and minority-owned or -operated organizations, as well as enterprises located in or serving vulnerable communities.

To Apply:

The business mentorship program will run from January 15, 2011, to June 15, 2011. Interestedentrepreneurs should download the application, and email it to cap@greenforall.org for more information. Applications are available from November 15, 2010 to January 1, 2011. Selectedentrepreneurs will be notified by January 15, 2011. Download the mentorship application.

Follow up the link for more details -

http://www.greenforall.org/what-we-do/capital-access-program/business-mentorship

Regards and Best Wishes,

Namita Jain

CA-CTains

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Hello all,

Do not go on what the image says.... :P

Here are 12 New Year's resolutions, conveniently divisible into monthly goals, for engineers and engineering managers for 2011. The purpose of the resolutions is to get individuals and firms in alignment with changing technologies and market conditions and to prepare for the tremendous opportunities awaiting those who've invested in the future. Some of these resolutions are personal goals or company goals, and many make great leadership development opportunities to delegate to younger staff.

1.     Get introspective. Think about your career and firm and determine your needs for self- and corporate improvement. What have you been wanting to learn but haven't taken the time to act on?

2.     Invest in training for yourself.   Whether it's technical training on new software, such as BIM, electrical design, or energy modeling; or soft-skills training such as time management, public speaking, or English as a second language, set up a training program that will benefit your career.

3.     Establish or evaluate the corporate mentoring program. If your company is large enough to support mentoring, i.e., if it has one or more employees, then make sure the engineers and technicians have mentors inside and/or outside the company. If you have a mentoring program, take its pulse and see if it needs sprucing up.

4.     Establish or evaluate a brown-bag internal training program. Whether you have internal or external speakers once a month or more, brown-bag or lunch-andlearn seminars are great ways to enhance staff members' technical skills and help them earn professional development hours (PDHs) or continuing education units (CEUs).

5.     Join and be active in essential engineering societies, such as ASHRAE, IEEE, ASHE, ASPE, and others. Having staff update the company on codes/standards, conference sessions, awards programs, etc., is grist for the brown-bags mentioned in number 4 above.

6.     Research new technologies and share with the staff. Ask one or more engineers assigned to technologies such as controls, standby power systems, lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, etc. to prepare an annual or semiannual report (and brown-bag presentation) on emerging or underused technologies.

7.     Research research. That's not a typo. Spend some time looking for new or recent research reports you might have missed on topics such as economics of energy efficiency, green buildings, the Smart Grid, construction markets, accident reports, litigation rulings, and communications trends. Use informal seminars to share knowledge.

8.     Get into the field. Shadow commis sioning providers, operators, suppliers, and construction contractors. Learn how systems perform and age in the field. Share the knowledge.

9.     Get visible. Many of the above resolutions will lead to publishable technical articles in trade publications. Also, become a Webinar and/or conference speaker-there are tons of opportunities in engineering and green building events and with the many trade publications. Develop a reward program for staff members whose articles are published or who participate in a conference or webinar event.

10.  Focus on economics. Learn the ins and outs of your clients' businesses so you can frame engineering decisions in their hot-button financial terms. Hire economic experts to coach you. Share the knowledge in brown-bag sessions.

11.  Check on past projects. Overtly or subliminally check to see how past projects are doing in the "real world." Try to learn strengths and weaknesses of past work to improve future work.

12.  Reassess guide specifications and internal processes. Take everything learned in 2011 and apply it for 2012 and beyond.

I certainly hope these may help you reach the heights and make you lead the path of success.

Regards and best wishes,

Namita Jain

CA-CTians

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?????????????????IS THIS TRUE?????????????????

Obviously paper is made by cutting down trees... but is it really true that being paperless leads to being green???

Lets find it out....read this excerpt and maybe you can conclude then as to what is the right answer to the above mentioned question...

Reality-

This is perhaps the most widespread myth that most people fail to comprehend. The term 'paperless office' was used with the advent of web-centric offices and it was believed that by dumping physical use of paper, businesses and people were actually making a contribution to the cause of the environment. It is generally believed that through this paper-free approach people are saving the trees and hence, assisting in environment conservation. Folks who are harping about the paper-free advantages of the computing environment fail to realize that in the current scenario, the use of computers is actually increasing the demands on the ecosystem.

How? The reason lies in the increasing energy demands that are being created due to computerized environments. To a normal PC user, it isn't very apparent, but the fact is that PCs tend to heat-up the environment in a workplace. As a result, more energy-sapping solutions are being sought in the form of installations such as heaving air-conditioning devices at workplaces. Further, a PC itself isn't the more power-efficient gadget that has been invented. This is also the challenge faced by innovative vendors who are trying to promote greener PCs, i.e. those with reduced power-consumption patterns - such eco-friendly computing technologies aren't cheap to develop and hence, have limited marketability.

Alternatives

There are simple methods of developing a PC environment that actually reduces the consumption of power and is greener:

• Purchase computers that are Energy Star-compliant - this is just one of the many certifications that can differentiate authentic, low power-consuming systems from the rest
• Use flat-screen monitors that use substantially lesser energy than CRTs. Similarly, laptop models are known to use lesser energy than the conventional desktop models
• Use darker backgrounds on the screen as they use slightly lesser power than brighter displays
• Try to read/review documents and e-mails rather than printing them

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A green job, also called a green-collar job is, according to the United Nations Environment Program, "work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute(s) substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, this includes jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution

A 2004 study by the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL) at UC Berkeley reported that the renewable energy sector generates more jobs than the fossil fuel-based energy sector per unit of energy delivered (i.e., per average megawatt) across a broad range of scenarios. Contrarily, a report analyzing the impact of an eleven year Green energy project in Spain concluded that the U.S. should expect a loss of at least 2.2 jobs on average, or about 9 jobs lost for every 4 created, in addition to those jobs that non-subsidized investments with the same resources would have created.

In 2010, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics received funding to analyze data about green jobs. The goal of this initiative is to "(1) the number of and trend over time in green jobs, (2) the industrial, occupational, and geographic distribution of the jobs, and (3) the wages of the workers in these jobs."

In 2007 the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) jointly launched the Green Jobs Initiative. The International Employers Organization (IEO) joined the Initiative in 2008.

The Green Jobs Act of 2007 (H.R. 2847), introduced by Reps. Hilda Solis (D-CA) and John Tierney (D-MA), "authorized up to $125 million in funding to establish national and state job training programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, to help address job shortages that are impairing growth in green industries, such as energy efficient buildings and construction, renewable electric power, energy efficient vehicles, and bio-fuels development."  The Energy Independence and Security Act passed in December 2007 incorporates the Green Jobs Act of 2007.

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