Being a shopaholic

It is one of the most interested, as well as overlooked, talk points of the modern century, particularly teenagers. We live in a community where we pretend to be down-to-earth by supporting the poor and vulnerable, while at the same time make them believe like they are not equal to the one who helped them. Society has greater confidence in the line “The first impression is the last impression” than “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Here what we call shopping addiction comes into the picture. So is it fair enough to link being a shopaholic and being materialistic?

Materialism, also referred to as physicalism, is, in theory, the belief that all facts (including facts concerning the human will and the course of human history) are causally or even reducible to real processes. For Marx and Engels, materialism meant that the natural universe, perceptible to the senses, had an empirical truth independent of mind or spirit. They did not deny the reality of mental or spiritual processes but affirmed that ideas could arise only as products and reflections of material conditions.

A shopaholic is a person who buys items not because he needs them, but because he likes them. And there’s a difference here. I’m not saying that buying things, and human desires are any sort of compulsion, but buying stuff simply for the sake of showing off is not a positive thing. Often it’s cool to buy the stuff you want, but to do so all the time and expose it to everyone is materialism.

Types of Shopaholics

1-Shop when they’re angry or upset: it’s not bad to be in this category until a frequent practice is practiced. Unless you’ve started to shop now and then. So this custom is putting you in debt. So you’re not just unpracticing this because you don’t have enough resources, because having to do so will lead to more anger.

2-Trophy shopaholics who just seek to find the right piece: these people purchase items because they consider them appealing and they think it’s nice to get the particular item regardless of how much it’s needless for them. Usually, they don’t look at money when they like something and want it at any cost.

3 – Shopaholics who like the reputation of being a big spender: they are someone who wants to show off at a far greater degree than most because their picture of culture is more important than everything else. They have an obsession with their status in society, and they judge everything from that perspective alone.

4-Bargain-seekers who buy when the item is on sale: they do not need any other excuse than because there is a discount on this particular item and they will need it in the future, or even someone else wants it. I’m not suggesting that buying anything for future use is not worth it, so at least you can know when you’re going to need it in the future.

Many people develop shopping addictions because they are addicted to how their brain feels when it comes to shopping. When they buy, their brains produce endorphins and dopamine, and over time, they become addicted. A professor of behavioral health sciences, Engs argues that 10 to 15 percent of the population could be predisposed to these emotions.

In certain situations, it can be impossible to predict whether you are a shopaholic or a loved one. A lot of people enjoy shopping, and a lot of people always waste so much money on this operation. It’s important to remember that going out once in a while doesn’t mean you ‘re a shopper. However, there are several signs and symptoms of shopping addicts that you might want to look for.

The short-term effects of a shopping addiction may be positive. In many cases, after a shopping trip, you may feel happy. However, such emotions are often combined with fear or remorse, and in most situations, remorse or fear may send you back to the store for even more shopping.

The long-term consequences of shopping addiction can vary in severity and duration. Most shoppers face financial difficulties, so they may be overburdened with debt. In some cases, they may max out their credit cards, but in some situations, they may take out a second mortgage on their house or make transactions on their company credit card. If you are addicted to shopping, your relationships can suffer as well. You that end up getting divorced or distancing yourself from your friends, children, or other loved ones.

NEP 2020 – A Maverick

By Udbhav Bhargava

The New Education policy (NEP) 2020 shares ideas to revamp education, teaching and assessment systems in schools, colleges. Two changes it envisions have sought most attention of students and parents across the country.

  • The 10+2 system will be divided into 5+3+3+4 format.
  • NEP expands age group 6-14 years of mandatory schooling to 3-18 years of schooling.

NEP on Board Examinations

Board exams will start for grades 10 and 12, but they will be of low value. The focus will be on concept testing and the application of knowledge. Students will get a second opportunity to improve their score at boards. Students will be able to select many of the disciplines and the ‘level’ at which they will take Board examinations. No hard distinction can take place between ‘curricular,’ ‘extracurricular,’ or ‘co-curricular,’ between ‘arts,’ ‘humanities,’ and ‘sciences,’ or between ‘vocational’ or ‘academic’ streams. In the same point, co-curriculum and vocational subjects such as athletics, music, commerce, science will be dealt with. Students may choose to take courses according to their preferences. Peer and instructor feedback will be infused in the schooling system along with inculcation of skills such as interpretation, logical thinking and conceptual clarity.

When will the change take place?

The reform of the school curriculum will come in the form of a new National Curricular Structure for School Education, to be implemented by the National Council for Educational Study and Training

Language importance in NEP

The NEP relies on the mother tongue of the students as the medium of instruction. “Wherever possible, the teaching medium shall be the home language, the mother tongue, the local language or the regional language until at least Grade 5 but ideally until Grade 8 and beyond. The home or local language shall consequently continue to be taught as a language wherever possible. Public and private schools will carry on from this. Research indicates that children are extremely quick to pick up languages between the ages of 2 and 8 and that multilingualism has significant cognitive benefits for young students, children should be exposed to multiple languages early on. The ‘Three language rule’ will proceed but there will be no language forced on anyone. It should be Indian, in at least two of the three languages. The NEP recommends only the mother tongue as an instructional medium, and does not make it obligatory. When the Center published the initial NEP draft in May 2019, it included a clause stipulating Hindi ‘s teaching as part of the school ‘s three-language formula. The Center soon released a revised phrasing of the clause following a backlash by Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and other states. Common entrance exam for admissions  

The National Testing Agency ( NTA) will administer a Joint Entrance Exam (CEE) for university admissions across the country.  A general aptitude test will be held at least twice a year, as well as comprehensive specific subject tests in sciences, humanities, languages, music, and vocational subjects.

Professional Education

Indian Higher Education Commission(HECI) will be formed as a single general umbrella body for entire higher education, except medical and legal education.

Reforms for HIE  

To step towards a system of higher education consisting of broad, multidisciplinary universities and colleges. Those institutions offering single streams must be phased out and that all universities and colleges must aspire to become multidisciplinary by 2040. At least one university in or close every HEI district across India offering local/Indian language medium of instruction or programs. Moving towards faculty and institutional autonomy; revamping curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and student support for improved student experience; reaffirming the dignity of faculty and institutional leadership roles through merit appointments and career advancement based on teaching, research, and service. Establishment of a National Research Foundation to fund excellent peer-reviewed work in universities and colleges and actively seed work. Governance for higher education institutions should pursue a “light but strong” approach to regulation by a single central higher education regulator.

4 year Courses

FYUP – Four Year Undergraduate Program Multiple Exit Options Academic Credit Bank for the digital collection of academic credits received from various HEIs so that they can be transferred to the final degree earned. The phasing-out of college affiliation in 15 years and a phase-wise mechanism for granting graded autonomy to colleges shall be established.

The Big Picture it envisions

The NEP offers only a specific path and is not necessary. Since education is a subject on the concurrent list, the proposed reforms can only be implemented in collaboration between the Center and the states. The government has set a 2040 target for the full policy to be implemented.

World Bank and India

The World Bank is a lending institution that funds essential infrastructural requirement, globally. Headquartered in Washington D.C., this fiscal institution is banked upon heavily by the governments of the world for timely dispensing of funds to support the development of major facilities and services. World Bank comprises the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is also responsible for the working of the International Finance Corporation, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes. The primary role is the unbiased distribution of funds for economic upliftment of the international community. It bears the responsibility of ensuring aid to settle investment disputes and facilitate fiscal and infrastructural reconstruction.   

India has been borrowing from World Bank through IBRD and IDA for various development projects in the country particularly related to infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, rural development etc. In 1958, World Bank played an important role in establishing India Aid Club for providing economic assistance to India.   Later in was renamed as India Development Forum. So far India has borrowed around $68billion from the World Bank. IDA funds are one of the most concessional loans given by the Bank and in India, they largely used for social sector projects that contribute towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).  

The World Bank’s Country Strategy (CAS) for India for 2009-2012 focuses on helping the country to fast-track the development of much-needed infrastructure and to support the seven poorest states achieve higher standards of living for their people. The strategy envisages a total proposed lending program of US$14 billion, in three years, of which US$9.6 billion is from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and US$4.4 billion (SDR 2.982 billion equivalent at the current exchange rate) from the International Development Association (IDA).   

The cooperation between the World Bank and India goes back to the foundation of the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development in 1944. As one of 44 countries, India prepared the agenda for the Bretton Woods Conference in June 1944. The Indian delegation was led by Jeremy Raisman, who was a finance member of the Indian government and proposed the name “International Bank for Reconstruction and Development”. India received its first bank loan of US$34million from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development in November 1948 for railway rehabilitation. Since then, India has become the country with the largest country program and its lending portfolio of the World Bank group inheres of 104 operations with a total volume of $27.1 billion.

The strategy is closely aligned with the Government of India’s own development priorities expressed in the Eleventh Five Year Plan. It was arrived at after a series of consultations with a broad range of stakeholders including the government and civil society. Under the strategy, the Bank used lending, dialogue, analytical work, engagement with the private sector, and capacity building to help India achieve its goals.  

In March 2012, World Bank announced $ 4.3 billion financial aid to India through a new innovative and flexible financing arrangement to help the country fight poverty. This arrangement, while facilitating a $ 4.3 billion increase in support to India, is designed to maintain International Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (IBRD) – which is its lending arm – net exposure within the limit of $ 17.5 billion established by it. Bank statement said that this will enable India to continue accessing long-term, low-interest IBRD finance for development projects aimed at improving the lives of its people, one third of whom are yet to make their way out of poverty.   

On 5 November 2012, World Bank signed an agreement with the central and Assam governments to provide $320 million, around Rs 1,760 crore, for improving secondary road network in the north-eastern state. The project will support improvement of priority sections of secondary roads, implementation of Assam’s ‘Road Sector Modernization Programme’ and development of a multi-sector road safety strategy, a statement said. As per the agreement, the project will be implemented over a period of six years.  

This is the second big financial allocation, though from an external agency, for Assam after the road transport and highways ministry gave around Rs 6,000 crore to improve the national highways across the state. Assam has the maximum share of a special road development programme designed for the north-eastern states. The objective of the World Bank project is to enhance road connectivity in Assam by assisting the public works department to improve and effectively manage its road network.   

The World Bank will continue to assist the central government by providing comprehensive analytical work to underpin policy and institutional reform and to improve the implementation of central government projects on the ground. Under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) for example, while schools are now more accessible and gender parity has been reached, the focus will now be on improving the quality of education provided. In the power sector, the Bank will continue to support Powergrid, India’s national electricity transmission agency, which it has helped to grow into a world-class institution.  

Though World Bank had dedicated ample funds for the economic development of the developing countries, still it is criticized for its organizational structure where developed countries had maximum say while the developing countries has little or no say. There is no doubt about its contribution in making the lives in developing countries better, now there is a need for it to make its organisation more democratic, and representative. 

Ajay Tyagi gets 18 months’ extension as SEBI chairman

Ajay Tyagi has been given an 18 month extension as the chairman of markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India, SEBI. His term will continue till February 2022.

Department of Personnel and Training in an order today said, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension of Ajay Tyagi’s term for 18 months with effect from 1st September 2020 to 28th February 2022. Tyagi, a 1984 batch retired IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre was appointed as the SEBI chairman in March 2017 for three years.

Nation witnesses path breaking announcements in last five years that ensured dignity and welfare of women

In the run up to the 74th Independence Day celebrations, we bring you today a special story about the initiatives for welfare  of  women. Women’s safety is an integral part of NDA government’s policy, governance and agenda. In the last five years, the nation has witnessed some path breaking announcements that ensured dignity and welfare of women.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill was passed by Parliament last year which makes instant triple talaq in any form illegal and void.

To provide a safe and secure growing environment to young girls, the government introduced a law to severely punish the criminals from indulging in heinous crimes. With the launch and widespread implementation of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, now there is no need for women to venture into forests to get firewood for cooking.

Awareness campaigns like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao have contributed towards saving the girl child, educating her, and making her a self sufficient citizen.

Talking to AIR News, social activist and Director of Centre for Social Research Ranjana Kumari said that financial empowerment of women is necessary for gender equality.

India says China has no locus standi on J&K; advises not to comment on internal affairs of other nations

India has said that China has no locus standi on Jammu and Kashmir and advised it  not  to comment on the internal affairs of other nations.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said this yesterday in response to a media query on Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson’s recent comment on Jammu and Kashmir. 

17 crore man days employment provided under Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan so far

The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan is taking action to provide employment to migrant workers who have returned to their native villages of six states. These states are Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

By the sixth week itself, a total of about 17 crore man days employment has been provided and 13,240 crore rupees has been spent so far. A large number of structures have been created under the Abhiyan. These include 62,532 water conservation structures, 1.74 lakh rural houses, 14,872 cattle sheds, 8,963 farm ponds, and 2,222 Community Sanitary Complexes. A total of 564 Gram Panchayats have been provided internet connectivity, and 16,124 candidates have been provided skill training through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan was launched to boost employment and livelihood opportunities for migrant workers returning to villages and similarly affected citizens in rural areas, in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

8 patients killed in Ahmedabad COVID hospital fire; PM Modi expresses sadness

In Gujarat, a major fire broke out in Ahmedabad’s COVID hospital in the wee hours today. According to police sources, at least eight COVID patients including three women died in the incident. Sources said that the fire started around 3:30 am in the ICU department of Shrey Hospital in Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad. Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot to control the fire. Many patients had been rescued by the police and fire department.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that fire broke out in the ICU unit of the hospital. He said that the primary reason for the fire is likely to be short circuit. Government has ordered an inquiry into this incident by two senior IAS officers. Police and FSL experts have started investigations. Principal Health Secretary Dr. Jayanti Ravi and Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Mukesh Kumar rushed to the spot after the incident. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed  grief and sorrow over the death of patients in the fire incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sadness over the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. In a tweet today, Mr. Modi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of injured persons.

The Prime Minister announced that ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives. He said, 50 thousand rupees each would be given to those who got injured due to the hospital fire.

The Prime Minister spoke to Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani and Mayor of Ahmedabad Bijal Patel regarding the situation. Mr Modi said that the administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected.

Normal life disrupted in Mumbai and its surrounding areas due to heavy rainfall; PM assures all possible help to Maharashtra

With the IMD issuing a warning of extreme rainfall over the next 24 hours for Konkan and Central Maharashtra region, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has asked people to stay indoors and venture out only for essential work. Taking stock of the situation, the Chief Minister asked the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai to coordinate with the police and railway authorities, health machinery and the National Disaster Response Force to ensure that citizens do not face any hardship. Widespread rains coupled with gusty winds across Maharashtra and Mumbai in particular threw life out of gear yesterday.

Mumbai received the highest rainfall of the season within just 12 hours yesterday, besides the highest-ever wind speed. According to the IMD, 330 mm rainfall was recorded at Colaba observatory whereas 146 mm rainfall was recorded in Santacruz. Heavy rains damaged three cranes at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal. JNPT spokesperson said that exact damage due to adverse weather and gusty winds is still being ascertained. However, no injuries have been reported. The heavy rains that have been lashing Navi Mumbai and adjoining areas have caused extensive damage to the DY Patil Stadium in Nerul. Twenty two passengers who were stranded at masjid railway station on the Central line have been rescued by the NDRF. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in the wake of heavy rains and has assured all possible help from the Centre.

President appoints Manoj Sinha as new Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir

The President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Manoj Sinha as the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The President accepted the resignation of Girish Chandra Murmu as Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Mr Murmu, a 1985 batch Gujarat cadre IAS officer was appointed as the LG in October last year. Our correspondent quoting sources reports, Mr Murmu had sent his resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar  has congratulated Manoj Sinha for being appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

More than 10 lakh 59 thousand people benefited from Vande Bharat Mission, says Civil Aviation Minister

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that more than 10 lakh 59 thousand people have benefited from Vande Bharat Mission.

In a tweet today, Mr. Puri said, more than 9 lakh 39 thousand stranded Indians have returned to India through various means and more than 1 lakh 20 thousand have flown out to various countries since 6th of May  this year. He said three thousand 841 Indians have returned from various countries  yesterday. Mr. Puri said, government is continuously making efforts to reach out to citizens with a helping hand under phase 5 of the mission.

Recovery rate of COVID-19 patients improves from 63 to 67 per cent in two weeks

The highest recoveries from coronavirus have been reported in the country within 24 hours. A total of 51 thousand 706 people affected with coronavirus have recovered in one day which is the highest figure since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in India. This has resulted in further improvement in the recovery rate which has reached 67.19 per cent in the country.

The Health and Family Welfare Ministry yesterday said, a total of 12 lakh 82 thousand 215 people have recovered from coronavirus in the country so far. It said, there has been a 63.8 per cent increase in recovered cases in the last 14 days. The aggressive testing along with ramped up hospital infrastructure has ensured the increasing recovery rate which has improved from 63 per cent to 67 per cent in two weeks. The Ministry said, a total of 52 thousand 509 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the country in the past 24 hours taking the total number of cases to 19 lakh 8 thousand 254. Presently, the total number of active corona cases in the country is five lakh 86 thousand 244. In a single day, 857 deaths have been reported taking the nationwide toll to 39 thousand 795. The case fatality rate has further declined to 2.08 per cent in the country.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research said that a total of two crore 14 lakh 84 thousand 402 tests have been conducted in the country so far.

PM Modi says construction of Ram Temple opens up several opportunities across sectors which will change economy of the region

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will become a modern symbol of India’s traditions. He said that Ram Mandir will symbolise the power of collective resolution of crores of people which will keep inspiring the future generations. The Prime Minister was addressing the gathering at Ram Janmbhumi in Ayodhya yesterday. He performed Bhoomi Poojan and laid the foundation stone of the grand Ram temple.

With yesterday’s ceremony the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya has started. The Prime Minister said that construction of the Ram temple marks a new chapter in India’s history.

Recounting the different Ramayans written in various languages, the Prime Minister noted that Shree Ram is the common thread of unity in diversity in the country. He said that Lord Ram is a symbol of strength and unity for all religions, irrespective of religion.

During his historic address at Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it is an emotional moment for the entire country. He said the construction of Ram Temple will also pave way for the development of Ayodhya and open up several opportunities across sectors which will change the economy of the region.

The Bhumi Poojan ceremony started at sharp 12.30 yesterday afternoon and culminated at 12.45 pm. Many saints, spiritual leaders and other leaders associated with the Ram Temple movement were present at the ceremony. Mahesh Bhagchandka and Pawan Singhal from the family of late Ashok  Singhal, Former President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad were Mukhya Yajman in Bhumi Pujan function.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister to have Darshan at Ram Janmbhumi and Hanumangarhi temple of Ayodhya. After planting a sapling of Parijat tree, he took part in the Bhumi Poojan ceremony.

The Prime Minister also released postage stamps on the model of Ram Temple and on Ramayana encyclopedia. A wooden Kodand Ram Statue was presented as a souvenir to the Prime Minister by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, the day will remain etched in the memory of every Indian. Mr. Modi in a tweet said, it was a blessed day in Ayodhya. May the blessings of Bhagwan Shree Ram always be upon us. He prayed that India may scale new heights of progress and that every Indian would be healthy and prosperous.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills basically refer to the communication skills. How we deal with others and the mode of our communication. But unlike other skills which can be acquired by the medium of training and experience, interpersonal skills are natural and inherent in a person. The moment we are born, we all start interacting accordingly, and with the growing year if we gain more experience, our interpersonal skill tends to be refined. People with good interaction skills connect with others easily, because they know when to say what, and this makes the communication pleasing and interesting. Interpersonal skills are natural talent possessed by an individual, not something that can be taught in a school.  

When we consider an organization, recruiters will select a person who is blessed with excellent interpersonal skills because of his/her ability to project a positive attitude and seek a smart solution to the problems. But those with poor interpersonal skills will not be considered for the job openings. Management students need to have an excellent command with the interpersonal skills, right from the time when they crack the CAT and other such competitive exams till the interview, management course and finally the campus placements, they should be proper in such skills. This will provide a stepping stone to their career and interpersonal skills of course acts as a confidence booster, which will be really fruitful for them in the job sector.   

What Are Interpersonal Skills ?

Interpersonal skills are the behaviors and tactics a person uses to interact with others effectively. In the business world, the term refers to an employee’s ability to work well with others. Interpersonal skills range from communication and listening to attitude and deportment. Interpersonal skills are often referred to as social intelligence. They depend on reading the signals others send and interpreting them accurately in order to form a response.

Everyone has a personal style and an interpersonal style, but some are more successful than others. While interpersonal skills may be based in part on personality and instinct, they also can be developed.

Understanding Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills can be developed but they cannot be learned solely from a textbook. They come naturally to some people, while others have to work at cultivating them.

In many organizations, employees with strong interpersonal skills are valued for their pleasant demeanor and positive, solution-oriented attitude. These employees are seen as team players, who work well with others to achieve a goal. In more human terms, everyone likes being around them, and that never hurts.

Interpersonal skills are strongly linked to a knowledge of social expectations and customs, whether learned or acquired. People with the strongest interpersonal skills adjust their tactics and communications on the fly depending on the reactions of others.

Interpersonal Skills in the Job Search

Interpersonal skills are highly valued in the business world. Job seekers should use every opportunity to show their interpersonal skills at interviews and on resumes.

Among the interpersonal skills often required in business are active listening—the ability to elicit and fully process information from a speaker. Negotiation is a skill that is prized in sales, marketing, law, and customer service. Other desirable interpersonal skills include public speaking, conflict management, team building, and collaboration.

Improving Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are best honed by practice. Expressing appreciation for team members and support staff, displaying empathy, moderating disputes quickly, and controlling displays of temper are all good exercises. Active listening can be practiced by repeating back a speaker’s comment to make sure true communication is taking place. If all that isn’t enough, there are courses that teach these skills.

Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace

Strong interpersonal skills such as negotiating, problem-solving, and knowledge-sharing are the main requirements for many jobs. Other skills are seen as essential qualifications for all employees, including :

  • Teamwork
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Dependability
  • Responsibility
  • Empathy

It’s difficult to imagine a company thriving if its employees do not have these interpersonal skills.

This is all based on human psychology and understanding of human behavior. A positive interpersonal skill makes an individual different from the crowd and the organization in which he/she works for, will have more credibility and productivity. Even during adverse situations, those with good interpersonal skills will react appropriately and control their feelings rather than getting overwhelmed by emotional outburst. It is all about the way we behave with people and how well we carry ourselves.  

Interpersonal skills not only mean proper communication but one should also possess good listening ability, balanced attitude and demeanor. Yet there are several programmes and seminars organized on interpersonal skills training and development. In the business domain, interpersonal skills include leadership, strong reliable networking and team work. The other three skills can be only possible if one succeeds in the interpersonal skills. This goes without saying that, interpersonal skills are a prerequisite not only in professional front but in also in the personal. Effective skills will help the employees to overcome challenges in workplace.    

Yet technical ability and intelligence is not all that one requires, interpersonal skills should not be taken for granted. It is required to communicate, counsel, motivate, negotiate and also to deal amicably with senior employees, subordinates and business delegates. Seeing the globalization and cut throat competition in the corporate sector, where things are uncertain, interpersonal skills is the need of the hour. Effective communication and emotional intelligence is an inborn talent and cannot be taught.   

Empathy, good conduct, analytical skills, logic, good presentation skills, finding immediate solution to the problems are the excellent intra personal qualities. It becomes easy to infuse more talent and training to a sharp employee, but it becomes all the more difficult rather impossible to train a dull person who have poor interpersonal skills. If communication is required for an individual to be called a human being, good interpersonal skills is the lifeblood for any given company or organization.   

In most of the cases it has been observed that a hard working employee gets less payment while the other employee in the same post gets more than him, even when the latter is not that technically advanced and skilled in his profession. Now this happens because the latter has good interpersonal and communicative skills and hence he steals the show. Technical expertise is requires but it should be inclusive of good interpersonal skills for a person and organization to be successful and thriving. 

ISRO TO MAKE ‘MOON SOIL’ IN INDIA WITH A PATENT IN HAND

By Udbhav Bhargava

Introduction

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has secured the patent for its remarkable process of manufacturing artificial Moon Soil on Earth. ISRO procures patent for producing Moon Soil on Earth Gaining the patent was amongst the few essential things required to begin with producing Regolith on Earth. All the required procedures have been fulfilled to start with the process of creating and producing the lunar soil simulant. ISRO has also found all the necessary factors such as mineralogy, grain size distribution, bulk chemistry and geo-mechanical properties, as per the patent application.

Moon Surface

The surface of the Moon has two hemispheres with rather asymmetric properties. As a consequence the nature of the Lunar surface that we can see from the Earth is substantially different from the surface that is always hidden from the Earth. We may also divide these into two groups

Near Side and Far Side

The side of the Moon unseen from the Earth is called the far side. One of the first Lunar orbiters’ discoveries is that the far side has a very different look than the near side. The findings revealed that Moon’s surface contains 80 per cent of ‘Highlands’ which are the dangerous areas of craters, cavities and mountains on the moon’s surface.

India and Far Side

With Chandrayaan-2 mission, ISRO objective was to land on the lunar South Pole However, India lost contact with the Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan) just few Kms before the surface of the moon.

Story behind Patenting of Moon soil

More than a decade ago, the Indian Space Research Organization ( ISRO) developed a proto-Lunar Terrain Test Facility (LTTF) at its advanced satellite testing unit in Bengaluru as the 2008 Chandrayaan-1 orbiter mission was being prepared. This, it did by modifying a balloon testing laboratory, about 30-40 m high, long, and wide. Sending a moon lander was at the time a remote priority thought. Realizing the dream, however, the first challenge was equipping the LTTF and making it look and sound like being on the moon. For that, it needed lunar ‘soil’, almost all of its features and texture, lunar temperatures, low gravity and the same amount of sunlight as on the moon.

Options with ISRO

An choice for recreating the terrain was to import simulated lunar soil from the U.S. — at an exorbitant $150 per kg (the price then prevailing). The facility needed roughly 60-70 tons of soil. ISRO bought a small amount of simulated lunar soil from the United States but soon wanted to pursue their own solution at a lower cost. Geologists from different national agencies noticed that a few sites near Salem in Tamil Nadu had the rock that somewhat matches composition and features of lunar soil. Professional crushers broke down the rocks and soil to the micro grain sizes the ISRO-led team had been searching for.

Several other space organizations from a variety of countries have struggled to reproduce simulant lunar soil and its behavior on Earth. The difference between the lunar soil simulant from ISRO and the simulants from other agencies is that ISRO has successfully found a way to recreate highlands where others have produced moon soil that is typically found in flat Moon regions. ISRO Chief K. Sivan in his statement revealed that space agency’s this new creation would ensure successful soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 rover through a sustainable stimulus for preparation.