Jul 30 2014 : The Economic Times (Delhi)

INDIA at Crossroads

NAMRATA KOHL





For economic growth and fast pace of development, India urgently needs to work on certain key areas like infrastructure, healthcare, energy issues and education system

The world is bullish about the India growth story. The country's population and its unharnessed potential have held promise for investors and multinational companies around the world. However, so far the inadequate physical infrastructure and delay in decision making have been the primary reasons for slow growth.After all, economic boom cannot be built on shaky foundation of a creaky infrastructure; it needs to be built on the rock solid foundation of sound physical and social infrastructure. Everything from power to roads, highways, ports to healthcare and education system needs to be improved upon, in both qualitative as well as quantitative terms. At the moment, even the basic needs of water, electricity, and housing are not adequate enough.

Take the case of electricity. The year marked a dark patch in the history of the Indian power sector, as one of the biggest blackouts hit the country's capital -Delhiites had to contend with long duration of power cut past two months,
suffering hours of darkness.
Another important sector that needs an overhaul is the country's healthcare infrastructure. There is a need to enhance and expand India's healthcare infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population.

Changing demographics, disease profiles and the shift from chronic to lifestyle diseases in the country has led to increased spending on healthcare delivery. High quality products are sought after in the sector.

The biggest failure of the Indian state is seen to be its inability to meet basic human needs, partly due
to the scale of the challenges in health care and education infrastructure. India's literacy rate is only 74 per cent and only one out of five people in the country has access to basic sanitation. Even more grave is the figure of underweight children under five years old in India. It is 42 per cent, the second-highest in the world. Today, India stands at the threshold of one of its biggest transformations scaling up healthcare and education using readily available technology and frugal innovation.
In addition to that, infrastructure is also one of the core challenges in the country, impacting on the overall situation. Highways, modern bridges, world-class airports, reliable power, and clean water are in desperately short supply. And what's already there is literally crumbling under the weight of large-scale migration from villages to cities. A typical scenario is that of people migrating from smaller cities, towns and villages to the metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad in search of employment opportunities. The economic activity has been concentrated in the key metros of the country and small cities lack adequate infrastructure and scope for employment. The result is that the metro cities become overpopulated, polluted, filthy, with shortage of all amenities of water, housing, power and become nearly uninhabitable for the original citizens. The country has been facing basic social issues for decades, which is hampering the overall growth of the nation in spite of having great potential. What and who will solve India's problems?

Jul 30 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

7-min run daily could add 3 years to your lifespan

Kounteya.Sinha @timesgroup.com

London:





A simple 7-minute run everyday can significantly cut the risk of a heart attack or death due to stroke.DC Lee, lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the Iowa State University said they found that runners who ran less than 51 minutes per week have the same mortality benefits compared to runners who ran more than three hours per week. The benefits were the same no matter how long, far, frequently or fast participants reported running.
Researchers studied 55,137 adults between the ages of 18 and 100 over a 15-year period to determine whether there is a relationship between running and longevity. Those who did run had a 30% lower risk of death from all causes and a 45% lower risk of death from heart disease or stroke. Runners on average lived three years longer compared to non-runners. The authors have therefore concluded that promoting running is as important as preventing smoking, obesity or hypertension.
Benefits were also the same regardless of sex, age, body mass index, health conditions, smoking status or alcohol use. The study showed that participants who ran less than 51 minutes, fewer than 6 miles, slower than 6
miles per hour, or only one to two times per week had a lower risk of dying compared to those who did not run.Thus, it is possible that the more may not be the better in relation to running and longevity.
“Since time is one of the strongest barriers to participate in physical activity, the study may motivate more people to start running and continue to run as an attainable health goal for mortality benefits,” Lee said. The optimum running speed was between 7.1mph and 7.6mph which cut the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by 60%, the study found.
For the full report, log on to http://www.timesofindia.com

Jul 30 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

Students to get 30 minutes more to crack CAT this year

Indore: PTI





Candidates appearing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) for entrance to IIMs and other prestigious business schools on November 16 and 22 will get 30 minutes more as number of questions will be more this time.“Earlier, candidates appearing for CAT were getting 140 minutes to solve the paper, but now time has been increased to 170 minutes,“ a spokesperson of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore, which is conducting the online CAT 2014, said.
“Henceforth, in sections of Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, the candidates will have to answer 50 questions each instead of earlier 30,“ the spokesperson said. As per the new feature, the candidates can allot time accordingly to solve either of sections of their choice depending on their ability and convenience.

What is "Shodhganga" and "ShodhGangotri"?

"Shodhganga" is a National repository of electronic theses and dissertations with fulltext content based on UGC notification. As per the UGC Notification (Minimum Standards & Procedure for Award of M.Phil. / Ph.D Degree, Regulation, 2009) dated 1st June 2009, it mandates submission of electronic version of theses and dissertations by the researchers in universities within 30 days of award of the PhD aiming at facilitating open access to Indian theses and dissertations to the academic community world-wide. INFLIBNET Centre has the non-exclusive rights to host the content on 'Shodhganga' with a disclaimer that IPR of the content is with the Research Scholars and Universities.
"Shodhgangotri" is a repository of electronic version of synopses/research proposals submitted to universities before awarding the Ph. D. Provisions are made in 'Shodhgangotri' and 'Shodhganga' for researchers to submit synopsis/theses online after registering into both.

2) Can I use 'Shodhganga' without registration?

Yes, registration is not required for browsing, searching and downloading the full text theses. You may download chapter wise or all chapters depending upon your requirement. But proper citation and acknowledgement should be done in your reference and citation.

3) I am a Research Scholar how I can upload my thesis?

For uploading thesis, You have to register into 'Shodhganga' as a 'Shodhganga User'. 'Shodhganga Administrator' will verify and authenticate user with proper user name and password. Theses should be split and upload as per the formats and standards suggested by INFLIBNET Centre for the uniqueness in order to maintain the standard and quality.

4) Can I upload my thesis in one PDF file?

No, INFLIBNET Centre follows standard format of uploaded files. Files should be numbered and named as shown in http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/manual/index.html#q9

5) My University name and Department name do not exist in Shodhganga or Shodhgangotri?

If it is missing, you may contact 'Shodhganga Administrator' at shodhganga@inflibnet.ac.in to create your university name and department name in 'Shodhganga'/ 'Shodhgangotri'.

6) Our University has not signed MoU and not in the list on Shodhganga. Can I send or upload my thesis?

As per the UGC notification, it is mandatory for all research scholars and universities to upload the thesis into Shodhganga. University needs to sign an MoU with INFLIBNET Centre for 'Shodhganga' project.

7) What should I do to withdraw my thesis from' Shodhganga?

INFLIBNET Centre and UGC do not encourage to withdraw the thesis unless requested with proper and valid reasons. To withdraw a thesis from 'Shodhganga' it is permitted only if a formal request is forwarded through Competent Authority of the University (ie. Vice Chancellor or Registrar) by citing valid reasons. In such cases, the embargo period should be between 6 months to one year period.

8) Is it possible to keep a part of the thesis under embargo period?

As mentioned above, a formal request is forwarded through Competent Authority of the University (ie. Vice Chancellor or Registrar) by citing valid reasons. However, embargo period should be specified so that after the period is over, thesis will go public for full text access.

9) I found problem in registering myself into 'Shodhganga' and 'ShodhGangotri'?

Kindly send the screen shots of the error. We will get back to you within 3 working days.

10) I uploaded my thesis but not displayed in Collection, Why?

Thesis will be merged with database only if it is in proper format, error free and in standard structure in its content. Please follow carefully the formats and standards specified by the INFLIBNET otherwise refer an old thesis for metadata, splitting the files and file naming conventions etc.

11) I submitted my softcopy of thesis to my university. Is it required to submit the softcopy online directly by myself?

INFLIBNET Centre encourages the research scholars to submit their thesis directly to 'Shodhganga' following by the format specified INFLIBNET Centre. The notification mandates submission of the softcopy within 30 days after awarding Ph. D. by university.

12) Can I get printout of Certificate of submission for my uploaded thesis?

Yes, provisions are made for research scholar. If the thesis is submitted by Research Scholar, he/she can take print out directly from the web site. INFLIBNET Centre do not provide any certificate for the thesis uploaded by INFLIBNET Centre or University.

13) My thesis is not in PDF format. How I can convert and split my thesis?

There are online tools available to convert files other files in to searchable PDF. Guidelines are provided in 'Help' menu on http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/moredetails/newmoredetails/dataformat.html and also in Manual athttp://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/ebook/

14) Is it mandatory to submit Synopsis or Research Proposal to ShodhGangotri?

'Shodhgangotri' is for Research in Progress details of ongoing researches in India. Submission will make you enable to claim your Ph.D title or topic in the national level before it is claimed by other research scholar. Shodhgangtri would provide a proof that you have registered the topic before others. (The topic/title will be publically accepted as the first registered topic and others may not be able to claim the same title/topic later.)

15) Do I get financial assistance to upload my thesis?

No, INFLIBNET Centre gives incentives to Universities who proactively participats in 'Shodhganga' Project for digitization of back volumes and setting up of ETD lab etc.

16) Do you test the content of the theses for the plagiarism?

No, It is the responsibility of Research Scholar, Research Supervisor (Guide) and Universities to check for plagiarised contents by using standard anti plagiarism software. INFLIBNET Centre provides Antiplagiarism software to the Universities only those which are eligible for getting grants from UGC (ie. Universities comes under 12(B) & 2(f))

17) Why my registration is delayed or not authenticated in Shodhganga?

You have to upload Ph.D. notification or certificate (scanned copy) awarded for Ph.D for registration. However, we are also permitting to upload registration notification so that the researcher can upload their thesis. However, merging thesis will be done only after receiving the Ph.D notification.

Source:   http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/

Jul 28 2014 : Mirror (Pune)

`Students need to innovate'

Sandip.Dighe @timesgroup.com TWEET @ThePuneMirror





In an interaction with school students, sr NASA scientist Goutam Chattopadhyay spoke of looking beyond marks

In a unique interactive session, 50 school students spent part of their Sunday with NASA senior scientist Goutam Chattopadhyay, at the National Chemical Laboratory's (NCL) Innovation Park in Pashan.The talk, organised by NCL under their Science Outreach Programme, saw students from Vidya Valley School, Vidyapratishthan, Baramati and other city-based schools in eager attendance.
Chattopadhyay, who was also part of the team that built Curiosity, the first rover that was sent to Mars in 2011, has been associated with Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NASA since 1999.
The most common question asked was the fundamentals of becoming a rocket scientist.
“Mathematics, Science, Art, History and Computer Skills are important, but you also need passion, along with curiosity and an unerring nose for questioning,” Chattopadhyay said.
Students were inspired by the talk. Amey Shirke who studies in Class IX at Vidyapratishthan School, Baramati, said, “I learnt so much from today’s talk, and would like to explore being a scientist. Also, I didn’t have a very clear idea of how Curiosity landed on Mars, but there was a video shown as part of the programme, which helped.” Ninad Gadhe, a teacher who accompanied students to the session, lauded the interaction, saying such
events help students develop an interest in science and research. “Our students attend similar programmes every month. Many of them have changed their approach towards science and are thinking seriously about doing research in the future,” he said.Speaking to Mirror, Chattopadhyay outlined the difference between academic systems in the US and India. “In the USA, undergraduate students get to do research, whereas Indian tend to focus on marks. As a result, their
minds are not open to innovative ideas which can be used in research.India should encourage science at the school level,” he said “We have very good institutes such as the IITs, and highly intelligent students, but the lack of leadership in academics is a problem,” he added.
Chattopadhyay also expressed his curiosity about Mangalyaan — India’s first spacecraft to Mars. “I am excited about Mangalyaan. Even if the mission isn’t 100 per cent successful, it is still a big achievement,” he said.

Jul 28 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

One rape every 30 minutes in India

Himanshi.Dhawan

New Delhi:





2.7 Lakh Cases Reported In 13 Yrs, Delhi Sees Highest Rise At 329%: Study

Even as an increasing number of violent crimes against women, especially rape, continue to be reported across the country , a 13-year analysis of crime data reveals that a little more than 57 rapes were reported every day . This averages at over two rapes every hour, every day during the last 13 years. A total of 2,72,844 cases were reported across 28 states and seven UTs in this period.A Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) analysis of reported rape cases between 2001 and 2013 shows that 2,64,130 rapes were reported in 28 states during the 13-year period -an average of almost 56 rapes per day. In the seven UTs, the average is almost two rapes per day . However, Delhi alone accounted for 8,060 reported incidents during this period.
While 16,075 cases of rape were reported in 2001 across all states and UTs, in 2013, the figure stood at 33,707 -indicating an increase of 52.30%. The expansion of the list of offences that constitute rape following amendments to the Criminal Amendment Act, 2013 has resulted in an increase in reported cases. The highest rise among the 28 states and UTs was in Delhi (329%) compared to the figure reported in 2001 when the UT reported 381 cases.
The number of cases reported in Maharashtra went up by 135%, rising from 1,302 in 2001 to 3,063 in 2013. In Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh, the number of cases reported was more than double the figure reported in 2001. Another reason for the increase in number of cases reported in 2013 would be the fear of punishment in the minds of police officers to whom rape cases reported.
Bengal is the only state where fewer cases of rape were reported after the 2013 amendments were enforced, falling from 2,046 in 2012 to 1,685 in 2013. The report's author Venkatesh Nayak, who analyzed NCRB data, said it would have to be examined why the state had bucked the trend and to see if police was suppressing complaints.
During the 13-year period, Madhya Pradesh reported the most number of rapes at 40,422.
The average figure for MP is more than eight rapes per day during the 13-year period. This is 44% higher than that of Bengal, which stood second with 22,472 cases, which averages at almost five incidents of rape per day across the state. It is followed by UP with 22,108 rapes, averaging 4.65 incidents a day .
The report also noted that while 3,563 persons were convicted for rape in 2012, 5,101 culprits were convicted in 2013, increasing by over 30%.
For the full report, log on to http://www.timesofindia.com

Jul 28 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

One in every 3 Apple engineers is Indian

Shilpa Phadnis & Sujit John

TNN





India has become a major ingredient in Apple's secret sauce, and the scale may surprise many . It is estimated that a third of the $171-billion company's engineering staff is Indian, and that a large and increasing proportion of its enterprise software, service and support work is done by Indian IT vendors.Apple filed 1,750 H-1B applications between 2001 and 2010, but the number rose sharply to 2,800 in 2011-13. USbased HfS Research, which compiled the data, says the majority of the H-1Bs would be Indians, indicating that the iPhone and iPad maker's dependence on Indian engineers has risen significantly in recent years.
“About one-third of Apple's engineering headcount consists of Indians who are either on H-1B visas or on green cards,“ said Pareekh Jain, principal analyst at HfS Research.
HfS arrives at that conclusion by looking at figures Apple disclosed in 2012, when it said it had 47,000 people working directly for it in the US, of which 7,700 were customer support operators and 27,350 worked retail in Apple Stores.
That left about 12,000 as engineers, designers, marketers and other white-collar tech product workers.
HfS Research also finds that Apple works with at least five India-based IT vendors -including four large firms and the scope of the work they do has been rising.
“Apple's outsourcing strategy can be described in three words as `outsourcing for growth'. The scope of out sourcing work has been enlarged in the last two or three years. From 2013, Apple has dedicated IT outsourcing vendor managers based out of Bangalore who are acting as the bridge between Apple's IT managers and India-based IT vendors,“ said Jain.
HfS Research declined to name the IT vendors. TCS, Infosys and Wipro are known to do work for Apple. Apple is seen to be among Infosys's top 10 clients. Two years ago, Infosys rented a 1.4-lakh sqft office space near its headquarters in Bangalore to house employees working exclusively for Apple. The building had a capacity to initially house 1,400 people.
Apple engages with Indian IT players for application development & maintenance, business intelligence & datawarehousing, data analytics applications, enterprise application integration and ERP implementation. Indian vendors also provide software support for development and maintenance of Apple retail stores, specific work for iTunes, iCloud, internal applications of release management, job search portals, and porting of web applications to iOS mobile.
“The other aspect of Apple's outsourcing strategy is multi-sourcing, with each IT vendor having some strong focus in areas like channels, CRM, supply chain, marketing and finance, and some overlap,“ Jain said.
Apple did not respond to a mail TOI sent on Friday seeking confirmation of the data. That was perhaps to be expected from a company regarded as among the most secretive in the world.
In 2006, Apple had leased space in Bangalore to establish a technical support centre with 3,000 people. But within months the company abandoned the plan following an outcry from customers casting doubts on India's ability to service and support Apple's high-quality products.
But in the following years, Apple was clearly convinced it could not do without India and found other ways to use the country's talent.
Incremental work coming from Apple has increased substantially as the volumes and complexity of Apple's supply chain has increased.
Apple, whose market valuation is at $585 billion, sold 35.2 million iPhones in the June quarter, a growth of 12.7% compared to the same period last year. Apple said demand from BRIC economies -Bra zil, Russia, India and China -spurred iPhone sales.
“Its data warehousing applications have petabytes of data. Its product lines, volumes and need for analytics have increased. Also, Apple has acquired more than 30 firms in the last three years whose systems and applications need migration and integration to Apple's applications. All this is translating into additional work for IT vendors,“ Jain said.