Do Non Resident Indians involve in Nation building?

PodUniversal - Edition 39

In the recent years, lot of educated youngsters migrate to United States and Europe for better prospects. There are two type of Non Resident Indians (1) people who are living there even prior to 1991 and (2) people who migrate to foreign countries post 1991.

During 1990 when India was facing acute financial and political crisis, during Prime Minister Chandrasekar's period, gold reserve was pledged to meet the day to day balance of payment. At that time, fearing collapse of Indian economy, many Non Resident Indians repatriated their investments from the Indian Banks to their living country. At that time, it added further financial strain and crisis to India. Rajiv Gandhi assassination lead to further political crisis. During 1991, Narasimha Rao took over as Prime Minister and with the help of Dr Manmohan Singh (then Finance Minister and present Prime Minister) liberated the Indian economy.

Economic liberalisation opened up our economy and lot of opportunities. Indian economy started booming. Lot of educated youngsters started moving to US and Europe for better prospects. Now the young Indians have started building up the Image of the country across the globe. What was considered by developed countries as the 'land of snake charmers and beggars' is now being seen as 'technology savvy country'.

In this background, few questions arise in our mind: (1) What is the attitude of NRIs towards the development of India (2) How far, they will raise to the occasion, if another crisis is faced by India (3) What is the role of NRIs in developing the Nation.

With these questions, we approached Mr Sudarshan Venkatraman, Chairman of Zylog Systems Limited, an Indian Multinational Company for his views. He has been operating the business in many countries. He belongs to the 'post 1991 group of NRI'. He has been taking active interest silently in various social welfare activities, particularly towards education of dalit and downtrodden children. You can listen to his views by clicking to play (13 minutes)


The interview may also be listened from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857189

If you want to download in mp3 format, right click this link and save to your desktop (12 mp)

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How to select University courses - Tips to parents and students

PodUniversal - Edition 38

Now this an admission season. The parents of the students who have completed 12th standard are in a confused mood. There is a notion amongst the parents and students that only Engineering Courses in Information Technology are best suited for future prospects. Arts and Science courses are not preferred. Is the hype of IT Engineering courses a 'myth' or 'reality'?

On 22nd June, 2008, we telephonically interviewed Prof. R Radhakrishnan, Vice Chancellor of Anna University, Coimbatore to clarify on these points and to guide the parents and students. Anna University is one of the leading technical Universities in India with more than 100 affiliated engineering colleges. This podcast interview will be useful for the students who are seeking admission in University courses and also pursing various education in different colleges in India.

Prof. Radhakrishnan suggests that a minimum basic degree with computer skills are sufficient to get placement and to develop future.prospects. He even goes to suggest that students with 10th standard qualification can also learn the skills that are needed by the industry and can go for jobs. Then they can earn more qualifications through distance education. He also says that students should improve the English language communication skills.

Prof. Radhakrishnan suggests that after completing the Schooling, the students should (1) self evaluate themselves and find out their interest with the help of their parents and teachers and (2) identify the field of education, based on the interest.

Please listen to his interview by clicking to play (17 minutes) - Gist is given below for convenience.


The interview may also be listened from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857185

If you want to download the interview in mp3 format, right click this link and save to desktop (16mb)

Gist of the interview by Prof. R Radhakrishnan

1. Hype for in IT related engineering courses has been created more by the industry. People relate the IT and ITES related jobs only to the engineering subjects. Hence, people want to admit their children in engineering education.

2. In many Universities, B.Sc courses are also offered in computer related subjects. Currently, no education is complete without computer skills.

3. There are enough job opportunities for all. Even a student with 10th standard qualification with good academic record and communication skills can acquire the skills needed by the industry. After getting into the job, he can acquire more qualifications.

4. Information Technology is integral part of all the subject.

5. Presently, we do not have proper counselling system to help the students.

6. After completing 12th Standard, students from South India, prefer to pursue in Engineering and Medicine; Students from North India prefer Arts and Science.

7. After completing the Schooling, the students should (1) self evaluate themselves and find out their interest with the help of their parents and teachers and (2) identify the field of education, based on the interest.

8. Even if they pursue Arts and Science courses, they can go for MBA. Even engineering students go for 'diversified education' and go for MBA courses. Now 'Integrated or Inter-disciplinary approach' is taking place.

7. Last year 1,00,000 engineering seats were allotted by the authorities in 300 colleges / deemed universities in Tamilnadu. Out of this 75% went to IT and IT related courses. Only 25% were allotted for other engineering courses like Civil, Mechanical courses. Out of 75,000 students, how many would get jobs? There will be a tough competition. But competition in the other 25% like civil, mechanical engineering courses are less. There are more employment opportunities for these subjects.

8. Industries want only basic degree and minimum computer knowledge. The students should choose good educational institutions.

9. Bio Technology and Nano Technology have great future in the next 10 years.

10. Industry is insisting on soft skills. They insist on 'English language communication skills'

11. We fail in arriving at the level of language communication knowledge of the students. At the end of the course only, we realise that they lack in language skills. In Anna University, Coimbatore, we have started assessing the newly joined students for their language skills and they are graded accordingly. We are going to support them for improving their language skills, to suit the International standards.

12. I advise the students not to be carried away by the trends or hype. They should choose any branch whether engineering or arts and science. Also improve the computer skills. Definitely they will get the job. They should also think as to how they would contribute to the Nation. Whichever course, they choose, they can contribute to the Nation.

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Unsung Heroes - Young Helping Minds

PodUniversal - Edition 35

Many times, the elders blame the younger generation including students for their behaviour and changes they bring about. But seldom we recognise them for their silent contribution to the society.

Nagappan, Sathiyan and a dozen young students used to celebrate their birth day parties in hotels and enjoy the dinner. Suddenly four years back, Nagappan and his friends decided not to spend lavishly the money for their birthdays in the hotels and instead pool the money to help poor students. A physically disabled junior student hailing from a very poor family was the first beneficiary of their gesture. They paid his college fees.

The smile on the face of the poor disabled boy motivated Nagappan and others to mobilise more number of students, who can contribute around 20 to 25 rupees every month. All the amount so collected were pooled for supporting more such poor and disabled students for their education., by way of fees, books, etc.

The encouragement given by the fellow students made Nagappan and Sathiyan to form a trust in the name of 'Young Helping Minds' and they registered the trust deed with authorities and also with Income Tax Department. They have around 250 students / young people contributing their small share towards the noble cause of educating the poor and disabled children. Presently, they support 35 such students for their education.

Inspired by Dr Abdul Kalam, Nagappan also changed his name as 'Kalam' Nagappan. They want to increase the contributors to 1000 and to increase the beneficiaries to 100 by 2010. Nagappan, Sathiyan, Poornima and Ponmudi, the trustees of this Young Helping Minds met me last Sunday.

I asked them : "Now you are all students. You are happily involving yourself in the social activities. Some of you have completed and now working in companies. What would happen if you all get married and enter the family life?" Without hesitation or even blinking of the eye, they responded together, "We will look only for like minded partners".

When they sought an appointment with me to meet, I was happy that i was going to motivate them further. Finally, after having had three hours of discussion, I ended up in getting myself motivated by these young boys and girls. I saw them off from my office with all hope that India's future is in the safe hands.

They can be contacted at younghelpingminds@yahoo.co.in
Their website www.younghelpingminds.org

I also recorded their interview in podcast. Please listen to the podcast by clicking to play. (8 mts)



The podcast may also be listened from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857183

If you want to download the podcast in mp3 format: - Right click this link and save to your desktop

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Protecting youth from HIV / AIDS - A special interview

PodUniversal Edition 34

Dr K. Surya Rao of Vishakapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) was honoured by President of India during May 2008 with Padma Shree Award. The Award was given to him for his contribution in the research activities of HIV / AIDS and for creating awarenss.

In and exclusive interview with K. Srinivasan, Editor of PodUniversal, Dr Surya Rao speaks about the present situation of impact of HIV / AIDS in India and also gives suggestions to protect from this killer virus.

Please click to listen to his interview (11 m 45 s)

You can also listen this interview from this link
http://podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857179

To download this interview in mp3 format - Right click this link and save to your desktop (10.7 mb)

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

April 2008 issue of our ezine deals with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This issue is Guest Edited by Mr S Narendra, Former Information Advisor to Indian Prime Ministers. We are carrying exclusive views from eminent persons, who have rich experience in CSR initiatives. The ezine in pdf format (460 k) may be downloaded from
http://www.primepointfoundation.org/presense/presense0408.pdf

Please also listen to the podcast interviews

PodUniversal Edition 32

Mr Kishor A Chaukar, Mg. Director, Tata Industries Ltd

Please click to listen to the interview (12 m 30 sec)


You can also listen to the interview from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857140

Right click this link to download in mp3 format (11.4 mb)

PodUniversal Edition 33

Mr Gerard Helmink, Director, Akzo Nobel, Netherlands

Please click to listen to the interview ( 10 m)


You can also listen to the interview from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857142

Right click this link to download in mp3 format ( 9.2 mb)

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Higher education in European Universities - Useful tips to aspiring students

PodUniversal - Edition 31

Presently, many students aspire to get educated in European Universities. In an exclusive interview with K. Srinivasan, Editor of PodUniversal, Mr Mark Bickerton, Director, Student recruitment and International Relations of London Metropoliton University, London speaks about the various aspects of higher education in UK and other European Universities.

London Metro is the single largest University in London and third largest in UK. Around 35,000 students are studying in the University. Of this, around 7000 students are from nearly 150 countries.

Mr Mark is a well known academician and is associated with the University for more than two decades.

Please listen to his interview by clicking to play ( 12 minutes)

You can also listen this interview from the following links:

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857128

http://blip.tv/file/824882

If you want to download this interview in mp3 format, right click this link and save to your desktop ( 11 mb)

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Exclusive interview with Mr Colin Farrington, Director General, CIPR, London

Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), London is one of the oldest Institutions in the PR field. They are celebrating their 60th Anniversary this year. To coincide with their 60th Anniversary, they are hosting '5th World PR Conference' at London during June 2008.

March 2008 issue of PR-e-Sense focusses on CIPR. Mr Colin Farrington, Director General of CIPR is the Guest Editor of this ezine. We carry an exclusive Podcast interview also with Mr Colin.

March issue of ezine may be downloaded from this link (350 k in pdf file)
http://www.primepointfoundation.org/presense/presense0308.pdf

PodUniversal - Edition 30

Please listen to the podcast interview of Mr Colin Farrington - Click to play

Click to play

To download the file in mp3 format, right click and save ( 6.4 mb)

This podcast interview may also be listened from

http://blip.tv/file/779874

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Exclusive interviews with Dr Abdul Kalam and Dr Y S Rajan, duo of India Vision 2020

This ezine completes two years and enters third year successfully. Feb 2008 issue is the Special Second Anniversary Issue. This issue is unique in its own way.

If all the Indians chant with pride the 'Vision 2020' mantra, the entire credit goes to the duo Dr Abdul Kalam and Dr Y S Rajan, who authored the book India 2020 together. This edition is Guest Edited by Dr Y S Rajan and we carry the exclusive interviews from Dr Kalam and Dr Rajan.

Download the ezine

Please download the ezine from the following link ( 250k in pdf)
http://www.primepointfoundation.org/presense/presense0208.pdf

PodUniversal - Edition 28 - Podcast interview of Dr Kalam

Please listen to the exclusive interview with Dr Abdul Kalam - click to play ( 6 minutes)


You may also watch this podcast from the following link
http://blip.tv/file/698761

You may download this podcast in wmv format - right click and save

PodUniversal Edition 29 - Podcast interview of Dr Y S Rajan

To listen to the podcast interview of Dr Y S Rajan - click to play (13 minutes)

Click to play to listen to Dr Y S Rajan

You may also listen this podcast from the following link
http://blip.tv/file/692523

You may download this podcast in mp3 format - right click and save (12 mb)

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ABCI celebrates Golden Jubilee

Association of Business Communicators of India (ABCI) is the first organisation in India to be set up for professional communicators established in the year 1957. Their Golden Jubilee coinced with the 47th Annual Awards Nite held on 11th Jan 2008 at Mumbai. ABCI's Awards are considered as "Oscars of Business Communication". PodUniversal brings out two special podcast features on ABCI.

These podcasts are part of the lead stories published in Jan 2008 issue Corporate ezine PR-e-Sense, published by Prime Point Foundation. All the back issues of PR-e-Sense can be downloaded from http://www.corportezine.in/.

Jan 2008 issue of PR-e-Sense may be downloaded from the following link (280 k in pdf)
http://www.primepointfoundation.org/presense/presense0108.pdf

Now please listen to the podcasts:

PodUniversal Edition 26 - ABCI - Specail feature - Part I

In this podcast, we have brought out exclusive interviews with Mr Yogesh Joshi (President of ABCI), Ms K Bhavani (Director of Communication of Singapore Govt and Global Communicator Award winner from ABCI) and Mr G P C Nayar (Chairman SCMS Group of Educational Institutions and Life Time Achievement Award winner from ABCI)

Please click to play (10 minutes)

Click To Play

You may also listen to this podcast from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857064

Right right click this link to download and save to desktop ( 9.3 mb)

PodUniversal Edition 27 - ABCI - Specail feature - Part II

In this podcast, we have brought out an exclusive interview with Mr K S Neelakantan, a doyen in the PR and Communication industry. He has received many awards, including that of 'Life Time Achievement Award' from ABCI

Please click to play ( 8 m 43 s)

Click To Play

You may also listen to this podcast from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857067

Please right lcick this link to download and save to desktop (8.3 mb)

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Documentary film on Dr Abdul Kalam - A worthy gift to the Nation

PodUniversal Edition 25

Last week, a documentary on Dr Abdul Kalam was released at Chennai. The documentary has been produced and Directed by Mr P Dhanapal, CEO, Minveli Media Works. Mr Dhanapal is a great admirer of Dr Kalam. His mission is to spread the message of Dr Kalam across the Nation amongst the youth. As a single person, he devoted more than 30 months in the production of this documentary by collecting various information, materials on Dr Kalam. He was taking the guidance of Dr Y S Rajan (co-author of the book India 2020) and Mr Ponraj (presently Advisor to Dr Kalam) for the authenticity of the information.

The 60 minutes English documentary film was released at Chennai last week by Mr K. Balachandar, doyen of Indian film Industry, in the presence of Dr Kalam. I have seen the documentary fully. I donot find words to appreciate the enormous work that has gone behind this production. This is a 'story in story' type. A grand father tells his grand son about the greatness of Dr Kalam. In the process, speeches of Dr Kalam at various places, including that of European Union have been included. Right from the childhood of Dr Kalam at Rameswaram till his Rashtrapathi Bhavan days are visualised in an interesting manner. At the end, you don't feel that you have spent one hour on this.

Mr Dhanapal has given this New Year gift to the Nation. Inorder to ensure that Dr Kalam's message spreads acorss the Nation, he has priced this VCD, so low at Rs.50/-. This VCD can be used as 'gift' to youth during any memorable occassions. This can be screened in the Schools and colleges.

If you want to get the CD, please contact Mr Dhanapal

Mr Dhanapal can be contacted at pdhanapal@yahoo.com or can be contacted at 09282235990

We have taken an exclusive interview (9 minutes 40 sec) with him. Please listen to his interview by clicking to play. Please also watch the trailer of the documentary given below.

Click To Play

You can listen to this interview from this link also
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857066

If you want to download the interview in mp3 format, right click this link and save ( 9.2 mb)

Please watch the trailer of the documentary film (6 minutes)

Click To Play

The trailer can also be viewed from the following link:
http://blip.tv/file/625631

To download the trailer in wmv format, right click here and save to desktop (21 mb) (can be played in windows media player)

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Right to Information Act

PodUniversal - Edition 24

Mr A K Venkatasubramanian IAS (Retd), Former Secretary to Govt. India, in an exclusive podcast interview talks about the various aspects of Right to Information Act. He also speaks about the various benefits the general public can derive by extensive and intelligent use of this RTI Act.

Mr Venkatasubramanian is a well known Citizien Activist. He runs more than 200 Citizen centres in Tamilnadu.

This interview is part of the lead story of December 07 issue of Corporate ezine PR-e-Sense. The December 07 isue of PR-e-Sense may be downloaded from the following link (248 k in pdf format)

http://www.primepointfoundation.org/presense/presense1207.pdf
All the earlier issues of ezine may be downloaded from
http://www.corporatezine.in

Please listen to the interview of Mr Venkatasubramanian. Click to play

Click To Play

The audio of the interview may be downloaded in mp3 format (9.31 mb) - Right click and save this link

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Corporate arrogance and human insensitivity

PodUniversal - Edition 23

In an exclusive podcast interview, Mr T S Krishna Murthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India speaks about the various corporate arrogances and human insensitive activities practised by Corporate executives. He also suggests various measures to improve the human aspect in the day to day functioning of the Corporates.

This podcast interview is part of the lead story of Corporate ezine PR-e-Sense November 2007 issue, published by Prime Point Foundation. (Download 224 k in pdf format)

Please listen to the interview 10 minutes - Click to play

Download the interview in mp3 format - right click this link and save - 9.4 mb

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