INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

We celebrate International Women’s Day every year on the 8th of March to commemorate women’s contributions to society, culture, economics, and politics. The day also celebrates gender equality in all spheres of life and reminds us of the work that remains to be done to ensure we stick to the path of gender equality.

This year the theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’.

The UN states, “From the earliest days of computing to the present age of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, women have made untold contributions to the digital world in which we increasingly live.” It is commendable that these achievements have been against all the odds in the field that has neither appreciated nor welcomed women.

According to the United Nations (UN), women make up only 22 per cent of artificial intelligence (AI) workers and 28 per cent of engineers globally. Not only this, but they also face a gender pay gap of 21 per cent. A survey of women journalists from 125 countries found that three-quarters had experienced online violence in the course of their work and a third had self-censored in response. 

“Digital rights are women’s rights” was the opening statement to the Commission on the Status of Women at its 67th session, by Ms Sima Bahous, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.

Excerpts from her speech indicate the following solutions to attain the goal: 

• Closing the gender digital divide 
• Investing in digital, science and technology education for girls and women
• Ensuring jobs and leadership positions for women in the tech and innovation sectors
• Ensuring transparency and accountability of digital technology
• Placing the principles of inclusion, intersectionality, and systemic change at the core of digitalization
• Working with men to foster ethical and responsible online behaviour and making equality a cornerstone of digital citizenship. 
• Making the necessary effort and investment to ensure that online spaces are free of violence and abuse, with mechanisms and clear accountability to tackle all forms of harassment and discrimination and hate speech.   

While we persistently make efforts towards attaining this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, let us know more about the valuable contributions made by a few Indian women leaders in the technology sector in recent times.

Debjani Ghosh: A veteran of the technology industry, she was the first woman to lead Intel India, Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology. Currently, the President of NASSCOM, she was a driving force behind the creation of the “Think Digital, Think India” strategy.

Upasana Taku: Co-founder of the top mobile payment network in India, Mobikwik, she became the first female to run a payments company in India. With a rich experience in the fintech sector, she was awarded the ‘Best Woman Entrepreneur Award 2017’ by ASSOCHAM.

Mayurakshi Ray: Until recently, the chief compliance officer at GeBBS Healthcare Solutions, Mayurakshi is a CA by qualification, but an Information and Cyber Security consultant by profession. She is the Recipient of the Top 100 CISO award for 3 years in a row and has co-authored the 7th edition of the Global Technology Audit Guide (GTAG) on Information Technology Outsourcing issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), Florida.

Dr Neena Pahuja: Former Director General at ERNET India, Dr Neena with over 33 years of experience, has worked in different business verticals in various capacities. Starting from software development to consulting & ERP implementation, her areas of expertise include IT roadmap planning, application development, product development, ERP & Supply Chain implementation, Analytical tools, financial planning, IT Strategy, Business Process Re-engineering, Change Management, and security & compliance. Her PhD work was on Scheduling algorithms for multimedia on the network and parallel processing.

Puneet Kaur Kohli: CTO of Universal Sompo General Insurance Company, Ms. Kohli has worked in various leadership roles and was associated with Manappuram Finance, Bajaj Cap, Bharti Airtel, and Motricity in the past. With a B.Tech from Delhi College of Engineering and an MBA in Information Systems from FMS, Delhi, she has won the business transformation leaders award from TechCircle for 2020, NBFC Tech Tech 100 award for disruptive technologies in 2019 and 2020. With a few more awards under her belt, she has an extensive experience of 25 years in Information Technology across esteemed organisations.

Harmeen Mehta: Former Global Chief Information Officer and Head of Digital, at Bharti Airtel Limited and currently Chief Digital & Innovation Officer at BT, Harmeen has over 20 years of experience in technology and has been recognized among the top 10 women in the telecom and technology industry across the globe. Born in Chandigarh, she studied artificial intelligence and neural networks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She was the winner of the 2018 MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award.

With many other such examples of women leaders in the technology sector, women have proved that they are the biggest reservoir of talent in the world. It is fascinating to see India’s progress in empowering women in IT, but the reality is that there is a great amount of work that is yet to be done in this field. 

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement” – Hope that in the coming times, we will boast of many more Indian women leaders and experts in the digital and technology sector.

‘Happy International Women’s Day.’ 

Translating Vision into Reality

‘Creativity and Art takes patience and perseverance and so does building a successful business.’ While we take efforts to hone and develop our artistic skills, there’s nothing more satisfying than to be able to gain financial freedom through our creativity and “Earn while we Learn”.

Let’s know more about the journey of a student who has recently stepped into the shoes of a budding entrepreneur equipped with artistic skills.

^{Tote It Up}

Contributed by Anusha Burman: Student- B.Tech (First year-Computer Science & Business Systems)

‘Tote It Up’-Translating my vision into reality

Being introduced to art at an early age led me to discover my interest in painting. Ever since I held a paintbrush, I have never looked back- it is something that brings me joy and tremendous satisfaction as it is a medium through which I can translate my creative endeavours into an art piece. Having my paintings featured in annual school magazines from an early age and finishing first in every art competition serves as a constant reminder as to why I love doing what I do.  

I have seen several people initiate their businesses on social media. Some of them are “knickgasm” which is a small business that sells original handmade custom sneakers, “artsy_pleasing” by Vaishnavi Patel which sells her artwork and “immersed.in.art” by Sonika which sells her Resin art. Apart from these small businesses that inspired me, my family and friends who gave me ideas also encouraged me to create Tote It Up in July (@toteitup.in).

Tote It Up is a small business on Instagram where I sell hand-painted tote bags. These can be based on designs that are already posted on my page or I customise them as per the client’s requirement. I create these designs using acrylics because it is suitable for the material of the bag. To attract a wider audience, I regularly promote designs on my social media pages that also include testimonials from customers which authenticates the page. This experience is still a learning process for me; seeing other social-media business owners and how they maintain their social media engagement has taught me that ‘Consistency is the key’. 

As India heads towards the festivities in the coming days, I plan to diversify the range of my venture. Also, I am working towards collaborating with influencers and content creators on Instagram to expand my outreach.  

Though I started the business very recently, I have managed to get a good response. Translating my vision into reality by starting this venture has brought me nothing but joy. By running my business venture, I find that having artistic confidence is important for success. In other words, the artist needs to have trust, belief, and faith that he or she can create good art. Personally, for me, art is more than what people see to the eye- it is a way to express an individual’s emotions and is a stress reliever. I genuinely believe that the business I run brings out the best in me because it has improved my confidence and self-esteem. Apart from this creative happiness that I receive, my venture has also helped me develop entrepreneurship skills.  

A small business, however, does come with its own set of challenges. Hand-painting tote bags is time-consuming; there are days when one has to pull all-nighters to stick to deadlines. Stocking the inventory and ensuring that there is sufficient stock for the month is an ongoing process. This needs to be taken care of while running a business venture. Moreover, balancing expenses with revenue is important to gain maximum profit from the business. 

Tote it Up will always be something that I continue to pursue as a side hustle while majoring in Computer Science and Business Systems. This course is in complete sync with my skills and interest areas. Along with computer science, I will be studying business fundamentals such as principles of management, business strategy, business communication, financial and cost accounting etc. This curriculum will not only teach me the core topics of Computer Science but also will help me develop an equal appreciation of humanities, management sciences and human values. I will be exposed to emerging topics such as Analytics, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, the Internet of Things etc. which will make me industry ready at the end of four years of study.

By taking up this course, I know for sure that it will help me with my business venture in the long run. Computer Science Engineering will help me with understanding the technical aspects of a business setup while the business topics in this course would teach me to strategize and plan my business accordingly. I intend to balance my studies with the business venture, hence intend to maintain a work-study balance.

I feel that if our hobby involves artistic endeavours, there are many ways we can turn our creativity into income. New age platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are proving beneficial in promoting our work. To cite an example, youngsters with content creativity have their own YouTube channels and post their work consistently. There are a lot of other ways which can help attain financial freedom with the aid of creative skills.

I hope my journey encourages creativity and fresh thinking among the readers and they too are able to translate their vision into reality.

Well of wealth: Stock market

Contributed by: Krish Ajmera – Grade 11 Commerce student

Do you know even if you earn money and keep it in a safe, you will be eventually losing it? 

How is that possible? The reason is Inflation.

Let us understand it with an example:

Assuming you make INR 50,000 monthly, you keep INR 5000 aside as savings. By the year-end, you would have INR 60000 in your savings account. Saving 5000 monthly can lead to 60000 at the end of the year. 

WOW!! HAPPY?

Well, you shouldn’t be. Why? That’s because inflation in India in 2021 was at around 5.59%. Now, what does that mean and how does it affect you?

Inflation is the rate at which the value of a currency is falling and, consequently, the general level of prices for goods and services is rising.

Let us assume that in 2020 you were able to buy 10 apples with INR 100. With inflation in play at around 5 %, you would be able to buy only 6.67 apples with INR 100 {because now each apple will cost INR 15 instead of 10}

Cost Price Index

Let us understand this better with the help of the consumer price index (CPI) maintained by the World Bank. 

_{CPI graph by World Bank}

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation, food, and medical care. It is calculated by taking price changes for each item in the predetermined basket of goods and averaging them.

The CPI for India in 2022 is 184 (the base year 2010 = 100), which means that INR 184 in 2022 has the same buying power as INR 100 in 2010. That’s the reason why saving money is not enough because as time passes by, its purchasing power depreciates. That means if you had saved INR 100 in 2010, it would make you lose INR 84 by 2021 because of the depreciating purchasing power of INR.

Investing

So, what is a better alternative to saving? It is Investing.

Investing is the act of allocating resources, usually money, with the expectation of generating an income or profit. There are numerous investment opportunities a person can invest in and earn a return on investment of 5-10% annually.

Some of the investment opportunities are:

• Real estate 
• Equities
• Government bonds 
• Commodities 
• Bank Fixed deposits 
• Gold

According to risk appetite and expected returns, one can invest accordingly using the above-mentioned investment tools. For example, if one wants to invest with minimum risk, the person can invest in Bank Fixed deposits or Government bonds. One looking for making huge profits by taking risks at an early age can invest in the equities of a company i.e. buying shares of that company. 

Stock Market

Over the past few years, Indian stock markets have witnessed massive wealth creation. Today, many ace investors like Mr Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Mr Vijay Kedia have made a billion-dollar fortune in the stock market. 

Is it possible for ordinary people like us to make reasonable returns from stock markets? 

Yes, of course. Anyone can learn the tricks of trading and investment in stock markets.

Are stock markets gambling dens??

Many people believe that stock markets are nothing but gambling dens. I feel it’s true for people who invest/trade without any education, research or analysis.

A key principle in gambling and investing, is to minimize risk while maximizing profits. Gamblers have fewer ways to mitigate losses than investors do. Investors have more sources of relevant information than gamblers do. Eventually, the odds will always be in favour of an investor and not of a gambler.

What are stock markets exactly?

Considering the current scenario, growing environmental concern and the gradual move from fuel-powered cars to electric cars will immensely benefit electric-vehicle manufacturers.

Seeing rising inflation rates, you decide to invest in electric vehicle companies. Now, how do you do that? Do you buy the company worth probably 100s of crores? NO.

What you can do is buy parts(equities) of that company. Is that possible? Yes. That’s the exact purpose of stock markets. Stock Markets have 1000s of companies listed which want to raise funds in exchange shares (small parts of the company).

Now let’s assume that you want to invest in Tata Motors, an electric vehicle manufacturer. You buy equities/shares of Tata Motors from the stock exchange (BSE/NSE). The last traded price of Tata motors was 459.75. It means by paying 459.75/- you can buy one share of Tata Motors that will make you a partial owner of the company (you will own 0.0000010966 % of the company).

The prices of stocks increase or decrease based on demand and supply. Hence, it is imperative to stay updated with the economic changes. 

Skills required for stock markets: 

• Analytical skills
• Research skills
• Control over emotions (ability to stay calm)
• Record maintenance (bookkeeping)
• Patience and discipline

I feel the most important skill is having control over emotions. It is essential to understand that it is difficult for a professional trader or investor to time the market with 100% precision. One is bound to make a few mistakes while trading in the market. So, one should accept losses gracefully and learn from their mistakes.

Recently many colleges and the stock exchanges have started providing academic and practical courses to students and professionals on stock markets. A few programs that can help students gain expertise in the financial domain are:

• BFM (Bachelors of Financial Markets)
• NSE provides programs on various topics (trading, fundamental analysis, options trading)
• CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst (It is an American professional course related to financial education and investments)

To sum it up, in these times of rising inflation rates saving is not enough, so you need to start investing. But you should not invest without prior education, research and analysis as then it will be no different from gambling.

STUDY OF EARTH SCIENCES-GEOLOGY

^{Image Source: The Hindu}

The above image looks like that of ordinary rock, isn’t it?  However, you will be surprised to know it is a priceless stone!!

This Singhbhum rock sample formed from magma was recovered nearly eight years ago from Champua in Odisha’s Kendujhar district. A discovery of great promise made by the Indian and foreign geologists placed India at the forefront of geological research in the world. Scientists found in the rock a grain of magmatic zircon (a mineral that contains traces of radioactive isotopes) estimated to be 4,240 million years old. The isotopic analysis was done in collaboration with a Chinese senior researcher using the machine SHRIMP (Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe).

A lot of us wonder how these magnificent formations are formed and wish to study the processes that create them.

This brings us to know more about the fields of study like Earth Sciences that are associated with not only knowing more about these processes but also resolving the current climate and energy-related concerns.

Earth Science is the study of Earth and its neighbours in space. While few Earth scientists use their knowledge of the Earth to locate and develop energy and mineral resources, the others study the impact of human activity on Earth’s environment, and design methods to protect the planet. A few of them also specialise in using their knowledge about Earth processes such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes to plan communities that will not expose people to these dangerous events.

Four basic areas of Earth Science study are:

Geology: Branch of Earth Science that deals with the study of Earth—it’s interior and its exterior surface, the rocks and other materials that are around us, the processes that have resulted in the formation of those materials, the water that flows over the surface and lies underground, the changes that have taken place over the vastness of geological time, and the changes that we can anticipate will take place in the near future.

Meteorology: Branch of the atmospheric sciences which includes atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric physics, with a major focus on weather forecasting.

Oceanography: Branch that deals with the study of all aspects of oceans and covers a wide range of topics, from marine life and ecosystems to currents and waves, to the movement of sediments, to seafloor geology.

Astronomy: Branch that includes the scientific study of celestial objects (stars, planets, comets, and galaxies) and phenomena that originate outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

These interdisciplinary fields of study combine the knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, Biology with Geology, Geography, Palaeontology, Astronomy, Mathematics to understand more about the origin, development and future of the Earth.

Let’s learn more about Geology:

Geology, an interdisciplinary field of study, involves the understanding and application of all of the other sciences: chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, astronomy, and others. Be it the Rocky Mountains in Canada, the Gangotri glacier or the Singhbhum rock in India, Geology with around 150 branches, plays an important role in knowing and understanding more about our planet.

Geology includes various specializations and sub-disciplines like:

• Mineralogy – scientific study of minerals and mineralised artefacts.
• Seismology – study to monitor the earthquakes and protect people and property from damage.
• Volcanology – study of volcanoes, lava, magma and associated phenomena.
• Planetary Geology: study that compares the geology of other planets to Earth.
• Biogeology – Study of the interactions between the Earth’s biosphere and the lithosphere
• Economic geology – Science concerned with earth materials of economic value
• Engineering geology – Application of geology to engineering practice
• Environmental geology – Science of the practical application of geology in environmental problems.
• Geochemistry – Science that applies chemistry to analyze geological systems
• Geologic modelling – Applied science of creating computerized representations of portions of the Earth’s crust
• Geomorphology – Scientific study of landforms and the processes that shape them
• Geophysics – Physics of the Earth and its vicinity
• Historical geology – Study of the geological history of Earth
• Hydrogeology – Study of the distribution and movement of groundwater
• Hydrology – Study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth and other planets including the water cycle, water resources and environmental sustainability.
• Marine geology – Study of the history and structure of the ocean floor
• Mining geology – Extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth
• Palaeontology – Study of life 11,700 years ago that includes the study of fossils.
• Petroleum geology – Study of the origin, occurrence, movement, accumulation, and exploration of hydrocarbon fuels
• Petrology – Branch of geology that studies the origin, composition, distribution and structure of rocks (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary).
• Stratigraphy – Study of rock layers and their formation.
• Sedimentology – The study of natural sediments and of the processes by which they are formed
• Structural geology – Science of the description and interpretation of deformation in the Earth’s crust
• Crystallography – Scientific study of crystal structure.
• Spectral Geology – Measurement and analysis of electromagnetic spectrum to identify spectrally distinct and physically significant features of different rock types and surface materials, their mineralogy and their alteration signatures.

Skills required:

• Observation skills
• Good ability in data processing, analysis and interpretation
• Problem-solving skills and analytical thinking
• Self-motivation and resilience
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good physical stamina

Career Path:

Students should opt for Geology or Pure Science (PCM) in grade 12 and complete a bachelor’s degree in geology, earth sciences or related scientific field. Institutes like IISER also provides a 5-year dual BS-MS degree in Earth Sciences.

National level exams like GATE and a few university-level exams are conducted for pursuing Masters in Geology/Earth Science/Applied Geology.

PG programs in the above-mentioned specialisations will set students up for a career within the energy, environmental or engineering sectors and related work experience can further boost their job prospects.

After getting a degree, students can work in private companies or consulting firms in India as well as abroad.

Scope and opportunities:

Few top segments that require Geologists are:

• Environmental consulting/protection firms
• Geology/Engineering firms
• Government institutions
• Academics (Teaching)
• Construction companies
• Petroleum and mining companies

In India, geologists and earth scientists work in organizations like:

• Geological Survey of India
• Oil & Natural Gas Corporation
• Coal India Limited
• NHPC
• Cairn Energy India
• Indian Oil
• Hindustan Zinc Limited
• Water and Sanitation Management Organization
• ISRO
• DRDO
• Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited
• Central Ground Water Board
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited

The top five jobs held by geology graduates include geologists, mineralogists, environment professionals, civil engineers and geophysicists.

Geology looks at some of the most important issues in society today including energy sources and sustainability, climate change, the impacts of developments on the environment, water management, mineral resources and natural hazards.

_{References: Wikipedia-Outline of Geology}

Online schooling-Is it the future of education?

Aaraav Ovalekar : Grade 10 student

No one would have thought in 2010 that the students would be sitting in front of a laptop attending school. Even if someone thought so, people would have laughed at him, emphasizing that such stuff exists only in storybooks for children. Yet, here we are in 2021, where after the Covid-19 pandemic, online schooling has become the new normal. The human race has come up with solutions for almost all the problems that it has faced in the years gone by. Online schooling is one such solution that has changed our perception of education.

Online education seems like a boon for us as it has made learning possible within the boundaries of our house. One of its benefits includes reduced commuting time and has become more convenient for the people who had to spend that tad bit of extra time to reach school.

Although it is a beneficial way of learning, I believe that it is just a short-term solution and that the cons weigh out the pros. Human interaction in the school is a crucial factor for better learning and overall development. Online education minimizes this interaction and lowers the importance of discipline, sincerity, and honesty that the students learn in school. Students are alert and much more focused during offline lectures than in online ones. The lack of human interaction and the various distractions prevalent at home is the reason for the lack of attention. It is a beneficial alternative for the people living in well-developed areas but the real struggle is for people in the rural areas. Lack of proper internet connection and the latest technology is stagnating their progress. It also proves to be costlier due to the technological necessities. An example is when a man had to sell his family cow to get a smartphone for his son to continue his education.

Despite having all its cons, one of the benefits of online education has been the advent of Massive Open Online Courses. These are free online courses that are available for all to enroll. From online resources on engineering and data science to ones on languages and business management, these MOOCs offer a plethora of options to the user. They have become a flexible way of learning new skills within the comforts of one’s home and have broken all the barriers of distance that would be prevalent while developing skills offline. They provide us with an opportunity to improve and expand our knowledge on various subjects without having to be worried about time constraints. They also help in the overall development of a person in a hassle-free and efficient manner.

To conclude, online education isolates a student from his peers and thus, fails to develop necessary characteristics like teamwork, cooperation, and communication. Though it might be the new normal and a crucial solution during the testing times of this pandemic, the several challenges faced during the process do not make online schooling a viable future of education.

Source: https://aaraavovalekar03.wordpress.com/

POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Dhruv Thakkar-Grade 10 student

^{Image source: Unsplash}

Attitude is a feeling or opinion about something or someone or a way of behaving. A positive attitude is being happy and optimistic in any situation. A more comprehensive definition from Kendra Cherry states, “Positive thinking actually means approaching life’s challenges with a positive outlook. It does not necessarily mean avoiding or ignoring the bad things; instead, it involves making the most of the potentially bad situations, trying to see the best in other people, and viewing yourself and your abilities in a positive light.”

Positive attitude helps manage problems and helps approach hardships more positively and productively. Few golden rules that each one should keep in mind:

• One should Focus on the good things 

Unpleasing situations and barriers are a part of life. When you face one, keep your attention on the good things no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they seem. It is well said that “Good things take time”, so one should be patient and wait for the result. There must be a way out. One should never forget that “Where there is a will there is a way”. If you look for it, you can always find a “silver lining in every cloud”. 

• One should Practice positive self-talk

In my opinion, everyone should practice positive self-talk because sometimes we know the answer but unable to get it at that instant. We tend to be harsh with ourselves and be our own worst critic. To stop this, we need to be mindful of the voice in our head and respond with positive messages, also known as positive self-talk.

Research shows that even a tiny shift in the way we talk to yourself can influence our ability to regulate our feelings, thoughts, and behaviour under stress.

Here’s an example of positive self-talk: Instead of thinking “I am not getting a way out of this situation”, try “I will find a better and a different way.”

• One should Open oneself up to laughter

Studies have found that laughter lowers stress, anxiety, and depression. It also improves mood, and self-esteem besides boosting self-confidence.

Be open to humour in all situations, especially the difficult ones, and permit yourself to laugh. It instantly lightens the frame of mind and makes things seem a little less difficult, relieving oneself of unnecessary stress.

• One should Spend time with positive people

A positive person can lighten up everyone’s mood. The positive person has a different aura which is created by his positive thoughts. Negativity and positivity are communicable. Try spending time with positive people and it will bring wonders in your life. 

Being around positive people has been shown to improve confidence and that increases our chances of reaching goals. Surround yourself with people who will lift you and help you see the bright side of life. 

While we talk about these golden rules, let’s also understand the health benefits of positive thinking:

According to ‘John Hopkins Medicine’, researchers continue to explore the physical and mental health benefits of positive thinking and optimism that leads to:

· Increased life span

· Lower rates of depression

· Lower levels of distress

· Clear thinking and better-coping skills

· Greater resistance to the common cold

· Better psychological and physical well-being

· Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease

· Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

It goes without saying that we can add positivity to our life through practice and reap the benefits that come along with optimism.

‘Social Media’-Through the lens of a teenager

Diya Changwani- Grade 10 student

_{Image credit: iStock}

We are currently living in an unprecedented era – The one of coronavirus, or as it is popularly known, Covid-19. These times have crippled us, forcing us to stay in and maintain social distancing. 

Cooped up in our houses all day, we are bored out of our minds, causing us to turn to one of the only sources of entertainment in these conditions – Social media. 

So, what is social media? Social media as defined by the Oxford dictionary, is, “Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.” 

Social media consists of many famous and known platforms, like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. They were initially used as a means to communicate and connect with people in different parts of the world. A person in Mumbai, India could easily speak to someone in Africa, so long as they had social media. From this perspective, social media was considered a boon to mankind. However, overuse of anything ruins its value, and social media was no different. What was once used as a platform to spread positivity and kindness and connect with people now had tons of hate, negativity and explicit content. People began to misuse this platform, and as of today, the situation is at an all-time low. We can use this platform to follow our favorite actors, artists, musicians and authors and see what they are up to, but now, almost every post of theirs has a lot of negative comments from netizens. All of this is unhealthy and takes a toll on the mental health of a person. Not only famous personalities but also teens are obsessed with this deadly habit.

They see the posts of beauty moguls and daredevils and aspire to be them. For example, the Kardashian-Jenner clan is famous for their surgically enhanced lips and the “perfect body”, so the teens who view their content become self-conscious and undergo surgery under the misconception that they are not beautiful as they are. A study published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2019 that analyzed search data for specific procedures against relevant celebrity news found all-time-high interest in lip fillers, lip implants, lip injections, butt enhancements, and butt implants.

One example: Following then-17-year-old Kylie Jenner’s admission of lip augmentation in 2015, searches for “lip fillers” went up 3,233 percent. The fear of missing out and trying to ape these social media frenzied personalities has caused many mental health related issues in teenagers at such a tender age. About 20 percent of all teens experience depression before they reach adulthood. Between 10 to 15 percent suffer from symptoms at any one time and one of the causes is overuse of social media. Only 30 percent of depressed teens are being treated for it. These numbers are shocking and are growing at a steady pace. We need to do something about it before the situation spirals out of control. We need to nip the evil in the bud by decreasing the time spent on social media and in today’s times, learn to not only maintain social distancing but also distancing from social media.

Let’s be more responsible and minimize the usage and use the various social media platforms, if needed be, only to spark positive vibrations.

Emerging trends in Finance Management Education

B-schools teach financial management to the management graduates and that includes aspects related to strategic planning, organising, directing, and controlling of financial undertakings in an organisation. Management graduates also learn about applying principles of management to financial aspects in an enterprise and learn key aspects related to critical financial decisions. Aspects related to capital budgeting, capital structure and working capital management are some fundamental aspects that are taught.

Graduates who join the workforce in the finance domain give critical inputs to the organisation in the investment decisions, financing decision and also dividend policy decision. In large organisations, one of the prime roles of a financial management team is to ensure wealth maximization of shareholders i.e. ensure that shareholders earn maximum wealth for the investment made by them.

Effective financial management is of paramount importance for any business (large or small) to survive and grow. It involves planning, organising, controlling and monitoring the financial resources, which can help in achieving the business objectives of the organisation.

here are a few emerging trends in finance management and these have to be learnt by management graduates which can help them in being relevant and also be an efficient workforce of tomorrow.

1. Digital transformation

Financial management as an area is witnessing a colossal and continuous focus on digitization and the adoption of new and emerging technologies to bring in operational efficiencies, enhance superior customer experiences.

Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Machine learning application to finance is transforming the financial management domain. There are tools, technologies and platforms which are specifically focused towards financial management and having hands-on knowledge will be of immense value to the next generation workforce.

McKinsey has identified four digital technologies that are re-shaping the finance management which are: Automation and robotics, which helps in improving processes; Data visualization, which gives end users real-time easy to understand financial information; basic analytics, which helps in efficient decision support; and advanced analytics, which can help business to uncover hidden shareholder value and growth opportunities.

2. Digital finance and digital money

The next trend in financial management is Digital finance and Digital Money (DFDM). DFDM encompasses a plethora of new financial products, financial businesses, finance related software, and new forms of customer communication and interaction all of this delivered by FinTech companies and innovative financial service providers.

Today, many banks or traditional insurance companies are facing competition from ‘FinTech’ companies, as new products and services are being floated by them almost every month.

The next generation workforce who focus on financial management must learn the new ways to reach and engage with technologically savvy clientele and have sound knowledge about DFDM.

3. Cryptocurrency – the next big thing

Knowledge about cryptocurrency — a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend is also mandatory for the workforce of the future.

Having knowledge about cryptocurrencies which are decentralized networks based on blockchain technology and have a distributed ledger enforced by a disparate network of computers — is expected in the next generation workforce who will enter the financial management domain.

4. Focus on user experience

Humancentric design has gained paramount importance in recent times. Banks are now aware that it’s not enough to create usable interfaces for banking service delivery but the experience given to customers at every touch point of digital interaction is important.

These trends are re-building the financial services industry. By building out personalized experiences for customers, banks and other financial industry brands will stand to grow their market share and build retention through a loyal customer base.

Hence, all aspects related to enhancing user experience is also “necessary” for an individual who would get into the financial management area.

5. New risks and challenges

Finance management professionals will face an expansive new set of risks that come with technology, the most serious of which are perhaps external security risks. Hence, they must be aware and must constantly update themselves about the risks and challenges thrown by ‘Fintech’ implementations.

With technology playing a major role in financial management, new risks and challenges is also a trend today. New regulations to face and mitigate the risks are dynamically created by regulatory bodies.

New legal regulations brought by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and others have to be studied and the finance management professionals have to be updated and must also adapt to a variety of new regulations throughout time.

– Article by Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman, Director, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune, and Dean, Faculty of Management, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Source: indiatoday.in-education-today

‘WORLD HEALTH DAY’-IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE

Aaraav Ovalekar-Grade 10 student

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In today’s modern world of advanced technology and gadgets, exercise often takes a backseat. ‘YES’, the advanced technology does make our lives easier but it is also important to remember that ‘health is wealth’ and it is not necessary that something which makes our life comfortable also makes us healthier. According to 358 surveys across 168 countries and 1.9 million people, about 28% or 1.4 billion adults do not get enough exercise on a week-to-week basis. According to another study, only 21% of Indians living in urban areas exercise regularly or follow a diet plan to stay healthy, whilst only 9% of the remaining intend to start exercising while on the contrary, only 5% intend to follow a diet plan to keep fit. Keeping fit is crucial as it helps in avoiding major diseases. A healthy human tends to fall sick less often and can perform better.

There are many ways of exercising, for me playing sports is the best one. Playing sports is very beneficial as it is a form of exercise and also a stress buster. It serves as a nice break from daily work and enlightens one’s mood. It also helps in the overall development of a person and teaches him important qualities like team spirit, respect, and a good sense of competition. For students, it acts as a break from studies and also helps in building new friendships. Above all, it releases hormones like serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins which are commonly known as feel-good or happy hormones and have always been the better alternative to the ever so popular video games.

Other than playing sports other forms of exercise include cycling which improves one’s cardiovascular fitness, improves joint mobility, and helps in building good hand-eye co-ordination and building a good posture. Not only cycling but dancing as a form of exercise has also been proven to be a great form of exercise. It improves agility and flexibility and improves muscle tone and strength. Speaking of flexibility, Yoga too helps to improve it and also reduces mental stress and tranquillizes one’s mind.

Improvement in the quality of sleep, improvement in heart health, lowering the chance of high blood pressure-related diseases, an increase in the life span, improvement of memory and brain functions are just some of the benefits of exercising daily. Some consequences of not exercising daily include developing high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and heart-related diseases. The HDL cholesterol, also known as the ‘good’ cholesterol which helps to remove the harmful LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream goes down on not getting adequate exercise which leads to the amount of LDL cholesterol to increase which can cause diseases like atherosclerosis.

It is necessary for children between the ages of six and fourteen to at least get one hour of daily physical exercise as playing sports like badminton, football, cricket, tennis, table tennis, basketball, etc. makes up a crucial part of their childhood and overall development.

Nowadays, technology has made our lives very easy. Generally, most of our requirements are available at our fingertips. Within a few clicks, we can get our monthly supplies and are also able to buy the latest gadgets and clothes. People are much more connected now via the umpteen social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and morning walks to meet friends, a form of exercise, has become less common. These days almost all the buildings have elevators which are quite helpful but have discouraged masses to take the stairs which is also a great form of exercise. Exercising is vital to lead a healthy life which in turn makes one’s life prosperous. Lastly, I would like to quote the great American boxer, Gene Tunney, “To enjoy the glow of good health you must exercise.”

TIPS TO PREPARE WELL FOR BOARD EXAMS

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It is that time of the year when class 10 and 12 students are preparing to appear for their board exams. The immense pressure of performance can be overwhelming and can lead to a lot of anxiety and stress.

While the respective boards have released the time table for the board exams, students have geared up with the study for the full course and planning for effective revision for the exams.

Attempting all the questions correctly in the given stipulated time ensuring to score well in the exams is enough to send a chill down the student’s spine.

However, the following tips and guidelines can help students reduce the exam stress and anxiety ensuring they perform decently well.

Focus on the preparation time well

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand.”

While every student has different learning capabilities, the student needs to understand his/her learning style and environment and focus on the preparation time. It is always recommended to start the preparation well beforehand to help get ample time for revision and practice.

Concentrate on the syllabus and the latest exam pattern

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have.”

It is very important to understand the question paper pattern based on the currently reduced syllabus and devise a strategy accordingly. This is where the facilitators along with the student can help strategize based on the individual student’s strength and challenging areas. Knowing the marking schemes released by the board will help students understand how their answers would be evaluated in board exams.

Adhere to a well-devised realistic time table

“It takes both a plan and a schedule to get things done.”

The importance of creating a proper time table along with strict adherence can’t be reiterated enough. Make a timetable that divides time into slots to focus on different subjects. Setting deadlines and goals will ensure the student stays on track. Time the preparation on any topic or subject well to have enough time on hands to study other topics/subjects too. Setting up a routine will dissuade a student from procrastination and will surely pay off in the long run.

Sufficient time for self-study

“Teachers open the doors but you must enter by yourself.”

Besides school and coaching class, a student should devote sufficient time to self-study that will help analyze the common mistakes and practice well the topics learned in school and coaching class.

Make a strategy to learn long answers

“Strategy is about making clear-cut choices.”

Learning long answers can be quite challenging for the student as engulfing massive text is never easy. To overcome this concern, students must prepare a strategy for writing long answers, like breaking them into paragraphs and writing them on paper.

Focus on languages

“Steer yourself in the right direction.”

While students focus more on core subjects, it is equally important not to ignore language subjects like English, Hindi etc. as these subjects may boost a student’s overall percentile in the exam. 

Practice a lot of question papers

“Practice makes perfect.”

It is a good practice to solve more and more previous years’ question papers that helps students track their preparation level. Solving past papers and timed practice tests will help students develop their problem-solving skills and accuracy. 

Stay calm and take regular small breaks

“Stop worrying about what can go wrong, and get excited about what can go right.”

The students must stay calm and composed at all times especially during the preparation and exams. Students should avoid studying for long hours continuously and take regular short intervals to rejuvenate mind and retrieve energy for the next study session. This will help maintain focus and alertness.

Eat, drink healthy and sleep well

‘A healthy mind lives in a healthy body.’

This famous adage should be every student’s go-to mantra. Staying hydrated and eating healthy has a lot of health benefits. Drinking lots of water, eating fruits and veggies and a good intake of protein-rich foods sharpens the mind while good sleep can boost the immune system also helping improve concentration and productivity. Exam times call for a special focus on these golden habits.

Stay away from distractions

“Be about actions and no distractions”.  

All forms of distractions mostly including gadgets and social media should be kept at bay during the preparation and at least a few months before the exams. 

Clarity of thought, expression and handwriting

“Clarity affords focus.”

Writing the board exams following the techniques and at the same time focusing on good handwriting and clarity of thought will reduce the stress levels of the invigilator while deciphering the answers. Needless to mention, neat and legible handwriting also creates a good impression.

Fear, anxiety and stress always hamper preparations and thereby performance. Staying calm, positive and putting in best efforts will help students sail through the exams easily. Remember that “an exam is not only a test of your academic knowledge but also a test of your calmness, stability and courage.”

Happy Studying!!