Quote of the Day November 9, 2022

 

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”
Gen. Colin L. Powell

“सफलता का कोई रहस्य नहीं हैं। यह तैयारी, कड़ी मेहनत और असफलता से सीखने का ही परिणाम होता है।”
जन. कोलिन एल. पावेल

Current Affairs- November 8, 2022

 

INDIA

– SC upholds 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in admissions and govt jobs in 3:2 verdict

– Indian Air Force begins online registration process for induction of Agniveervayu

– MoS Rajiv Chandrashekhar releases 2 books on PM Modi in Dubai: “Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery” and “Heartfelt: The Legacy of Faith”

– Indo-German Week of the Young Researchers 2022 being held from Nov 7 to 10

– President presents National Florence Nightingale Awards 2021 to nursing professionals

– National Cancer Awareness Day observed on Nov 7, birth anniversary of Nobel-prize-winning scientist Madame Curie

– IAF Chief holds talks with French Air Force Chief Gen Stephane Mille in New Delhi

– UK court approves extradition of arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari to India

– UP CM Yogi Adityanath unveils statue of former PM Chandra Shekhar in Ballia

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

– Renewable energy ministry to continue Bio Energy Programme till 2025-26

– Nitin Gadkari inaugurates and lays foundation stone of 8 National Highway projects worth Rs 4054 crore in Jabalpur, MP

WORLD

– Last eight years had been hotter than any year prior to 2015: World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

– Tanzania: Passenger plane crashes into Lake Victoria, 19 killed 24 survived

– Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying parody will be suspended: Elon Musk

SPORTS

– Denmark’s Holger Rune wins men’s singles title at Paris Masters tennis

– Indian mixed doubles pair of G. Sathiyan and Manika Batra loses in final of World Table Tennis Contender in Nova Gorica (Slovenia)

Current Affairs- November 9, 2022

 

INDIA

– Education not business to earn profit, fees shall always be affordable: SC says while upholding the AP HC order quashing state govt.’s decision to enhance the tuition fee in medical colleges by more than 7 times to Rs 24 lakh per annum

– PM unveils logo, theme website of India’s G20 presidency beginning from Dec 1

– COP27 (Conference of the Parties): India joins five-nation Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) in Egypt

– Air force chiefs of India and France fly as part of Ex Garuda VII in Jodhpur, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari & General Stéphane Mille

– Indian Navy participates Malabar Naval Exercise in Japan

– Centre grants 265 Diplomate of National Board postgraduate medical seats to J&K

– Dr Subhash Babu becomes first Indian scientist awarded Bailey K. Ashford Medal in US

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

– Govt declares computer systems linked to census management as “protected” for being critical information infrastructure

WORLD

– UN General Assembly designates Nov 18 as World Day for prevention of child sexual abuse

Career as an HR manager: Education, top colleges, skills, responsibilities and more

 A workforce is what makes a company successful. The (HR) Human resources are the department that looks after the people who work for the company and its operations. An ideal HR professional has to adapt themselves to a working environment where they are required to solve problems, coordinate, and assess achievements along with handling the company’s culture.

With the changes in the way of working and employee-employer relations, the role of a Human resource manager or an HR manager is beyond just performing administrative tasks and headhunting. They are responsible for bridging the gap between management and employees. In other words, Human resource management (HRM) is the strategic approach to managing people in an organisation effectively.

Educational requirements for beginning a career in HRM

Pursuing a career in HRM starts by you meeting the basic eligibility criteria. HRM courses are usually provided at the postgraduate level in India, particularly with an MBA. However, there are multiple options available for someone who wants to prepare for this career right after their 10 +12 or during their graduation.

However, remember that it is not necessary to come from a non-technical or technical background. Possessing specific skills and having relevant industry experience is now being given more importance than degrees. There are also several online websites that offer courses in HRM, which provide the relevant knowledge and experience required for pursuing a career as a human resource manager.

Top Indian colleges providing courses in HRM

In India, graduates commonly opt for an MBA with a specialisation in HR. The course usually lasts two years and includes a mandatory internship, often followed by campus placements. Graduates looking to become HR managers can check out colleges or institutes that offer this programme.

Here are the top ten MBA colleges in India that offer specialisation programmes in HR :

1. Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) Jamshedpur
2. Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon
3. SVKMs NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) Mumbai
4. Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai
5. International Management Institute (IMI) Delhi
6. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi
7. University Business School (UBS), Panjab University, Chandigarh
8. Xavier Institute of Social Service Ranchi
9. Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Kolkata
10. International School of Business and Media, Pune
    

Skills required for HR professionals

To succeed in a career like Human Resource Management a person has to have the knack for understanding human relations. They should excel in moulding their operational style according to different people as and when necessary. Additionally, an HR professional should focus on people development and come up with strategic planning for the same.

Following are some key soft skills that are required from a human resource manager:

• Organisation skills
• Time management
• Adaptability
• Problem Solving
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Communication

Major responsibilities of HR professionals

An experienced HR professional provides leadership and direction to ensure the company operates efficiently. Apart from interviewing and hiring new employees, they create training and development programs and supervise the operation of the other departments as well.

Here are some of the major responsibilities of a human resources manager:

• Improve the organisation's human resources by planning, implementing and assessing human resource programs and policies
• Bridge gaps in the relationship between the employees and the management by addressing complaints
• Look after the recruitment and selection procedure
• Conduct training programs for new and current employees
• Liaise with different departments to understand staff shortage and create a job vacancy portal
• Make sure there is a positive and safe work environment for everyone to work
• Manage workplace grievances, disciplinary and termination procedures
• Provide training to junior HRs.

HR Manager salaries

The remuneration for an HR manager depends on factors such as years of experience, certifications, skill sets, education and location. The pay scale varies from company to company but in India, on an average, an HR manager makes nearly 3.6 LPA per year.

A human resources manager or HR manager is an important person in any organisation, one who is responsible for creating a holistic work environment and fostering a healthy employer-employee relationship. Often, they form the framework that keeps the rest of the set up work smoothly.

Aditi Gupta

Source: The Telegraph, 9/11/22

Not mandatory to publish in journals before final PhD thesis: UGC

 

According to the latest available report of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), the enrolment at PhD level increased from 1,26,451 to 2,02,550 (0.5 per cent of total enrolment in higher education) between 2015-16 and 2019-20.

IN NEW regulations for doctoral programmes notified Monday, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has scrapped the mandatory requirement of getting research papers published in peer-reviewed journals before the final submission of a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) thesis.

So far, it was mandatory for M.Phil (Master of Philosophy) scholars to present at least one research paper in a conference or seminar while PhD scholars had to publish at least one research paper in a refereed journal and make two paper presentations in conferences or seminars before the submission of their thesis for adjudication.

When contacted, Prof M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairperson, UGC, said by scrapping the mandatory publication requirement, the higher education regulator has recognised that the “one-size-fits-all” approach is not desirable. Elaborating on the need to shun a common approach towards assessing all disciplines, he pointed out that many doctoral scholars in computer science prefer presenting their papers at conferences rather than publishing in journals.

But it does not mean Ph.D scholars should stop publication of research papers in peer-reviewed journals, he said. “Focussing on high-quality research will lead to publications in good journals, even if it is not mandatory. It will add value when they apply for employment or post-doctoral opportunities,” he told The Indian Express.

According to the latest available report of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), the enrolment at PhD level increased from 1,26,451 to 2,02,550 (0.5 per cent of total enrolment in higher education) between 2015-16 and 2019-20.

In 2018, The Indian Express had published a series of investigative reports on how India has emerged as one of the biggest markets for sub-standard research journals with many doctoral candidates getting their papers published for a fee.

Following that, a four-member UGC committee chaired by P Balram, former Director of the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, had recommended that publication of research material in “predatory” journals or presentations in conferences organised by their publishers should not be considered for academic credit in any form.

In draft regulations floated in March this year, the UGC had proposed universities be allowed to draw up their own guidelines in this area. It also sought public feedback on replacing the term mandatory with “desirable”, but that clause has now been removed altogether under the final UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022, notified on Monday.

The commission has also dropped its plan to make universities and colleges reserve at least 60 per cent of their annual intake of doctoral candidates for NET or JRF qualified students, according to the revised PhD regulations. In the draft regulations floated in March, the UGC had proposed that 60 per cent of the total vacant seats in an academic year in a higher education institution be drawn from NET/JRF qualified students.

The draft regulations had also envisaged a common entrance test for PhD admissions. This also does not find mention in the final version of the guidelines, which means that universities and colleges will remain free to admit students through NET/JRF as well as entrance exams without having to adhere to any cap for either of the two categories in line with the prevailing norms.

In cases where selection of candidates are through entrances conducted by the individual universities, a weightage of 70 per cent will be given to performance in the written test and 30 per cent to interview.

The final regulations, however, retain the provision of part-time PhDs that is primarily targeted at working professionals aspiring to obtain doctoral degrees. IITs already allow such programmes. “The Higher Educational Institution concerned shall obtain a No Objection Certificate through the candidate for a part-time PhD programme from the appropriate authority in the organisation where the candidate is employed…,” state the regulations.

Under the revised regulations, those joining PhD programmes after a four year UG programme can do so after a one-year master’s degree, while graduates of conventional three-year UG degrees need to have completed two year master’s degrees.

Candidates who have completed the M.Phil programmes with at least 55 per cent marks in aggregate also figure in the eligibility criteria. While the M.Phil programme will be phased out with the notification of the new rules, it will not have any bearing on M.Phil degree programmes which have already commenced.

To ensure quality of their output, earlier, research scholars had to appear before a Research Advisory Committee once in six months and present progress of their work for evaluation and further guidance. They will have to do so each semester now.

“I urge the universities to ensure that the PhD evaluation process is strengthened and research scholars are trained to publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at conferences, and apply for patents where feasible,” Prof Jagadesh Kumar said.

Written by Sourav Roy Barman

Source: Indian Express, 9/11/22

PM Modi unveils G20 logo: Significance of the lotus on it

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled the logo, theme and website of India’s G20 presidency. The logo bears a lotus and the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

Speaking at the launch via video conferencing, the PM said the lotus is a symbol of hope.

“The world is going through the after-effects of a disruptive once-in-a-century pandemic, conflicts and lot of economic uncertainty. The symbol of the lotus in the G20 logo is a representation of hope in these times. No matter how adverse the circumstances, the lotus still blooms,” PM Modi said.India will assume the presidency of the powerful G20 grouping from the current chair, Indonesia, on December 1, and hold the post for a year. The G20 Leaders’ Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10, 2023 in New Delhi.

Calling India the ‘mother of democracy’, PM Modi said India’s efforts will be to ensure that “there is no first world or third world, but only one world.”

Significance of the G20 logo

The PM said the logo is not just a symbol, but a message and a resolve. “This G20 logo is not just a symbol, it is a message, an emotion running through our veins. It is a resolve, which is now being included in our thoughts,” the Prime Minister said.

Elaborating, the Prime Minister said that the logo reflects our idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole earth is a family), because of which India has always believed in global harmony. “The lotus flower symbolises our Puranic heritage, our aastha (belief) and boddhikta (intellectualism),” he said.

What is G20

The G20 was formed in 1999 in the backdrop of the financial crisis of the late 1990s that hit East Asia and Southeast Asia in particular. Its aim was to secure global financial stability by involving middle-income countries. Its prominent members are: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US, and the EU. Spain is invited as a permanent guest.

“G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation representing around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. During the course of its G20 Presidency, India will be holding about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors in multiple locations across India. The G20 Summit to be held next year, would be one of the highest profile international gatherings to be hosted by India,” the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a press release on Monday.

The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among members, and the country holding the presidency, together with the previous and next presidency-holder, forms the ‘Troika’ to ensure continuity of the G20 agenda.

During India’s presidency, India, Indonesia and Brazil will form the troika. “This would be the first time when the troika would consist of three developing countries and emerging economies,” a release by the Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said.

How does the G20 work?

The G20 has no permanent secretariat. The agenda and work are coordinated by representatives of the G20 countries, known as ‘Sherpas’, who work together with the finance ministers and governors of the central banks. India has announced that ex-NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant would be the G20 Sherpa after Piyush Goyal.

“On the advice of the G7 Finance Ministers, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors began holding meetings to discuss the response to the global financial crisis that occurred,” the G20 website says. Since 1999, an annual meeting of finance ministers has taken place.

The first G20 Summit took place in 2008 in Washington DC, US. In addition to Summits, the Sherpa meetings (that help in negotiations and building consensus), and other events are also organised throughout the year. Each year, the presidency invites guest countries.

Source: Indian Express, 8/11/22

What an Oxfam report says about carbon emissions of the world’s richest people

 

The report said that on average, billionaires are responsible for emitting “3 million tonnes” of carbon a year, which is “more than a million times the average for someone in the bottom 90% of humanity.” Here is how it reached its conclusions.

An Oxfam report titled, Carbon Billionaires: The investment emissions of the world’s richest people, has said the world’s richest people emit “unsustainable amounts of carbon,” as compared with an ordinary person. 

This report is based on the fact that every human on Earth has a carbon footprint, which can be divided into “personal consumption emissions, emissions through government spending and emissions linked to investments.”

What does the Oxfam report say?

An analysis of the investments of 125 of the world’s richest billionaires was conducted by Oxfam International, and the report was published this November. It demonstrated that on average, billionaires are responsible for emitting “3 million tonnes” of carbon a year, which is, “more than a million times the average for someone in the bottom 90% of humanity.” 

It further found out that the 125 billionaires taken as a sample fund about 393 million tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per year. This is equivalent to the “annual carbon emissions of France,” which is a nation of 67 million people. 

In comparison, it said, “it would take 1.8 million cows to emit the same levels of CO2e as each of the 125 billionaires,” and “almost four million people would have to go vegan to offset the emissions of each of the billionaires.”

How was the research conducted?

Oxfam listed the 220 richest people in the world, based on Bloomberg Billionaire List (August 2022), and obtained emissions data from data provider Exerica. It then identified the ownership of these billionaires in corporations and their emissions

Scope 1 emissions: These are a direct result of the company’s operations.

Scope 2 emissions: They constitute indirect emissions, for example, energy to operate machines.

Scope 3 emissions are other indirect emissions such as those resulting from a company’s supply chains. 

To focus on investments and sectors where billionaires have a massive influence, their final research database involved 183 corporates, with investments by 125 billionaires worth $2.4 trillion. They utilised the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which “provides the world’s most widely used GHG accounting standards”, to calculate the carbon footprint of these companies. 

Why does the report matter?

The report comes at a time when discussions to meet the globally agreed target of limiting the world’s temperature to below 1.5℃ is underway at COP 27 in Egypt and has significant implications for climate policymaking. It takes a critical look at the relationship between economic inequality and climate crisis.

The idea is that since billionaires hold significant wealth and stakes in globally recognised corporations, they hold the power to influence the ways in which those corporations behave. As people from low and middle-income backgrounds do not exercise much control over their energy choices, the report says it is imperative for world leaders to ensure that “those who emit the most carbon also do the most to reduce those emissions.”

One can also gauge the ways in which the conduct of investors in the global economy impacts our environment. The decisions made by the investors — whether to invest in corporations failing to reduce carbon emissions, or to fund fossil fuel and similar industries — can further determine the intensity of future emissions. 

What are billionaires’ ‘personal consumption emissions’?

Apart from investments by billionaires, their personal consumption also adds up. For example, in 2018, emissions from the private yachts, planes, helicopters and mansions of 20 billionaires generated, on average, about 8,194 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂e). As evident in the billionaire space race, a single space flight can emit as much carbon dioxide as a normal person will in their lifetime, the report highlighted.

In 2021, research conducted by Oxfam and the Stockholm Environment Institute revealed: “The richest 1 per cent (around 63 million people) alone were responsible for 15 per cent of cumulative emissions and that they were emitting 35 times the level of CO₂e compatible with the 1.5°C by 2030 goal of the Paris Agreement.”

What can be done to curb their carbon footprint?

Corporations are failing to cut emissions and avert climate change, as per the report. To make the 2050 climate change plans of ‘net-zero’ total carbon emissions, they are heavily relying on using land in low-income countries to plant trees but the report points out some flaws in that plan. “In 2021 Oxfam revealed that using land alone to remove the world’s carbon emissions to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2050 would require at least 1.6bn hectares of new forests, an area equivalent to five times the size of India,” it said.

“At present,” the report states, “no state in the world compels corporates to reduce their carbon footprints.” It is the responsibility of governments to create climate policies that work towards green transition, mainly, through the regulation of corporate investments in highly polluting industries. 

They should aim to set strong and binding science-based GHG reduction targets and demand greater transparency. Governments should also include workers’ rights, protection of their livelihoods and that of marginalised communities who are adversely affected by climate change in policy decisions.

Most importantly, the report suggests that a wealth tax on the richest could aid the urgent climate finance needs of developing countries and “raise hundreds of billions of dollars to help and protect those already suffering the impacts of catastrophic climate change.”

Written by Ariba

Source: Indian Express, 8/11/22