Category: Education

Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, morals, beliefs, and habits.

International System and Environmental Issues

Environmental issues arose across the world after the Industrial Revolution, during the 19th CE, there was a wide need for a change and development at that time. People desired for a speedy process of production and because of this, it set into motion changes which were unexpected.

Smoke was released across Europe and North America. Plains had turned into deserts, and various other issues had cropped up in USA and Canada too. It was only by the half of the 20th CE, there arose a concern for air and water pollution. The same cannot be said for land pollution, it only came into limelight after the introduction of pesticides. People were overjoyed with the agricultural revolution that they forgot to notice its defects, it was Rachel Carson who brought in the negative impacts of the usage of pesticides in her book ‘Silent Spring’. This gave the environmental movement a boost too. It paved way for a great number of researches across the world.

This made the people the need to have a world wide conference to discuss about the environmental issues and a need to change them. And thus the first global conference was held, it is named as Stockholm Conference. This conference was a pivotal event in the growth of the global concern for environment. This was the first time, countries of the world came to discuss the problems and make up good measures to correct them.

These were the following outcomes of the Stockholm conference

  • Firstly, people were of the perception that humanity and environment were different and had no connections. This was not the case. After the conference it was made sure that such a thinking has to be shifted off people’s mind in order to save our environment.
  • Stockholm created a comparison between the developed and developing countries. There were arguments from both sides but it was considered and decisions were made too. The least developed and developing countries were given priority in determining the international policy.
  • The importance and role played by NGO’s gave more importance to governmental and intergovernmental organizations.
  • The introduction of United Nations Environmental Program. This program was the best possible solution to the problems of the global world.

         After the 1980’s there was a second wave of the environmental movement. This movement focused more on the complex issues and highlighted unresolved ones. Immediate action was taken for this, and this time it was more suitable and better understood than the previous times. Examples are World commission on Environment and Development(1986), Rio Conference(1992), Kyoto Protocol(1997) and the Johannesburg summit (2002).

The World Commission on Environment and Development is popularly known as Brundtland Commission. The commission focused on Sustainable development. The commission wanted to put forward new  ideas that could create growth and sustainable development across the country. This promoted the Earth Summit of 1992 Rio de Janerio.

Major outcomes of Rio Summit are

  • The Framework Convention on Climate Change
  • The Convention on Biological Diversity
  • Agenda 21
  • The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
  • Forest Principle

The Rio conference gave birth to the Kyoto Protocol, which was signed in 1997. 160 countries, especially the developed ones came together and promised to cut off their level of emission of greenhouse gases. But this wasn’t the case for every countries, the United States of America withdrew due to its pressure. The next Summit was held in Johannesburg, its main focus was also on sustainable development, many new policies and timetables were made but nothing was quite effective as they had calculated it to be.

Nation states wanted a plan which would help their self- interest rather than the interests as a whole. If we look closely we can see that the globe is divided into two, one set of countries are developed and they add to most of the greenhouse emissions, while the other set of countries are struggling to feed their citizens. And so when policies are to be made, it is to be ensured that it is accordingly to their interests.These were the recent changes brought in by the international systems

Benefits of attending Virtual conferences

In-person events such as international conferences, seminars, lectures, debates, symposia, and the like, have long served members of the academic community and professionals from industry, by serving as platforms where the latest knowledge can be acquired. Anyone wishing to update themselves on the most recent developments and advancements in their fields of interest can do so easily by taking part in such events. 

However, over the past few years, a new alternative to these in-person events have emerged in the form of virtual conferences that are conducted online. These online events as most people are aware of, are events that are conducted through the internet. Participants take part in the event by logging into websites or portals where the entire conference is being broadcast. While a lot of conference-goers are skeptical about such events, doubting their efficacy, many (including those who don’t normally take part in conferences) are finding these modern alternatives incredibly convenient and equally, if not more effective than their in-person counterparts. 

Listed below are all the various benefits that virtual conferences have to offer participants.

  • Being Able To Enjoy The Conference Experience From Home

This is perhaps one of the biggest advantages that taking part in an online academic conference has to offer conference-goers. Whereas for an in-person event, one would have to spend money on traveling to the venue of the conference, taking pains to navigate through a city and find the exact location of the venue, partaking in online conferences only requires people to simply sign up and log in, much like they would for an email or social media account. 

Aside from not having to spend money or waste time on traveling, finding accommodations and meals, participants of a virtual academic conference also needn’t worry about dressing conventions and rules. One can dress in the most comfortable attire possible for online conferences and not have to bother about formal wear. 

  • One Can Enjoy The Conference Experience On The Go

Yes! With the rapid advancement of smartphone technology, there’s no reason why one should only take part in an online conference from their home or any other static location. Participants can simply login to the website where the conference is taking place, from their mobile phones while they’re travelling and take part in while travelling from place to place. 

  • Participants Have More Time To Collect Their Thoughts

Unlike in-person conferences and symposia, where attendees are plagued by several distractions, including disturbances by other participants, noises (both from outside the venue and inside), lingering thoughts and worries about food, accommodation, and travel, participants of virtual academic events can devote their entire focus and attention to the virtual events that they’re attending with ease. This unwavering focus and attention that participants of virtual academic conferences are able to devote to these events helps them grasp remarkably more insights, retain more knowledge, understand concepts better, and ask more questions (to gain clarity on complex theories), than those who take part in in-person conferences. 

  • Gaining The Most Bang For Your Buck

Those who take part in conferences that are conducted virtually, also find that they have far more fulfilling experiences for lesser money than they do taking part in in-person academic events. This is because not only are the registration fees for such events far less than for conventional, in-person events, there is also no need for participants to waste their precious money on accommodation, food, and travel. This means that they can learn, network, develop their skills, and do everything else that they would in an in-person event, for much cheaper by taking part in a virtual academic event such as a conference, seminar, debate, lecture, or symposium.  

If you’re someone who has been thinking about taking part in a virtual academic event for a while now but has been putting it off, in the pursuit of better in-person events, you will find that international virtual conference from ARDA Conferences offers far more opportunities for career growth and enhancement, skill development, networking and forming profound collaborative partnerships and association than the former. 

Critical Security Studies

Any analysis on Security Studies first and foremost requires one to understand what the term ‘security’ entails. This, however, is not an easy task. As scholars like Ken Booth pointed out, this is because Security is a Derivative concept. This implies that one’s understanding of the term is derived from their political outlook and philosophical worldview. Hence, even within the same community, different conceptions of security may exist. In this sense, the process becomes political in nature.

In 1991, Ken Booth gave a minimalist definition of security i.e. security as the absence of threat. This may further be questioned as to what all can be termed as a ‘threat’ is it only physical in nature? Or are other factors involved? This is where Critical Security Studies (CSS) differs from Traditional Security Studies.

The foundations of Security Studies are based on the Traditionalist understanding also known as the Realist approach. This follows a Top-Down strategy that focuses inherently on state-centrism. The problem that CSS notes with this is that it tends to overlook the potential of human agency as it gets marginalized or is rendered absolutely invisible in such an approach. It reflects and constitutes a state dominated field with the belief that liberty can only be achieved through military force. Therefore, CSS deem it as narrow in nature and entirely masculinist as it overlooks aspects of gender inequality, wartime rape, trafficking and among other aspects. They also criticize the traditionalist approach for being Eurocentric in its nature and scope.

As aforementioned, Security is a derivative concept and the process is political in nature. Ken Booth also highlighted that Security has 1) an instrumental value. It provides the freedom to do something other than security from threat. 2) it is a process rather than an end point. That is to say that it enables the possibility of finding ways of coexistence without depriving others of their life chances. Being a pioneer of this approach Booth called for the rethinking of security as Emancipation. One of the first and foremost aspects that he recognized was that security is what we make of it. It is created inter-subjectively and it is possible to expand international security studies and still remain within an asserted neo-realist framework and approach.

A key idea of CSS is Emancipation. Booth identifies Emancipation as freeing of people from physical and human constraints which stop them from carrying out what they would freely choose to do. For him, it is emancipation that produces true security. Security and emancipation are therefore identified as two sides of the same coin. This understanding helps to gauge that the relationship between critical theory and security is crucial to CSS. This enables 1) Broadening i.e. includes a range of issues beyond military force. 2) Deepening i.e. connects our understanding of security to deeply rooted assumptions about political life. 3) Extending i.e. recognizes a multiplicity of issues and actors. 4) Focusing i.e. it has a normative goal in the form of Human Emancipation of security studies.

CSS does have its own share of limitations but it also has inherent potentialities. It attempts to offer a way to change the traditional global security narrative. Its focus is on the development of human potential.

Public and Private Administration

These are a few terms we have familiarized in the past years. Administration means ‘to administer’ , derived from a Latin word ‘ad’ and ‘ministrare’, it means to serve or manage. We all do know the difference in the meaning of Public and Private.

Administration came as a activity from the times of men and women but as a discipline it emerged only a century and decade ago. In order to live together harmoniously there was a need for a system of control and rules. A leader was much needed to make amendments and negotiations.

As this became a discipline there was a need to categorize it and so the two broad categories of Public and Private administration emerged.

Public Administration can be briefly said as implementation of public policy, as laid down by a competent authority, economically and efficiently for the benefit of the people.

Private Administration refers to the implementation of policy and management of private property or administration.

The following are the similarities between Private and Public Administration

  • Skills

No matter which sector you work for, private or public the usage of your skill is the same. The skills and techniques adopted by both the sector are the same. The work of an engineer or a teacher is the same in both private and public sector.

  • Influence

There has been a profound influence on each other. Public corporations are set up as an idea to import the private administration into it. Likewise big and private firms have taken up policies like welfare and insurance too.

  • Administrative set up

The administrative set up is the same for both the administration. There is a certain level of hierarchy existing in both. And people are recognized according to it. The work is divided on this basis of this structure.

  • Public Relations

Both of the administrations make sure to have contact with the masses. Even though private administration work on their self-interest, they work according to the needs of the people too. Public administration is for the people. Many private industries are taken up by the government too and vice versa. This proves the how much alike they are.

  • Research and Improvement

No matter how far both the industries have come, they always improve and make alternative changes. They constantly try to bring innovations and changes according to time.

Differences between Public and Private Administration.

  • Prestige

Prestige for public administration is very much important. Public administration works for the people and what people think about the government is very Important for them and hence there are a wide range of opportunities available to the public.

  • Political direction

Sometimes public administration is pushed according to the party’s needs. There is can be a bias due to the influence of a particular party, after all it’s the party which wins the election.

  • Profit motive

Private administration run on the basis of profit and their own self- interest, while public administration is for public welfare. There is no other motive like private administration, their duty is to serve people.

  • Uniformity of treatment

Public administration is bound by certain laws and regulations, there is equality of treatment for everyone, No one is treated indifferently. But the same cannot be said for private administration, there is a chance of personal bias in it.

  • Monopolistic

Some services of the public administration are monopolistic, the government does not allow a second party to invest or make business out of it, this is done for the welfare of the people of the nation.

  • Responsibility to Public

Public administration is made for the people and so it is accountable to the law and its people. It owes a certain amount of responsibility to the government.

These are the similarities and differences of private and public administration. Both of these are necessary for a nation of succeed

Online classes results in Eyesight and Ear problems

Most of the students are now undertaking online classes due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. This is indeed a cause of worry for many parents because children spend extra hours on mobile phones and laptops. Experts also speak of the hazardous effects that digital classes can have on eyes of young children. Parents must take precautions and measures to ensure safety of the child’s eyes.

Needless to say, excessive usage of mobile phones, laptops or any other gadgets can affect children in many ways. This can be mental and physical. Eye strain is one amongst the most common problems. Some of its symptoms include excessive blinking, tearing, frequent rubbing of the eyes, dry eyes, headaches from eye strain and even tiredness. Parents must be extremely watchful and careful on how the child spends time online.Most of the classes, especially for children above class 8, goes on for long hours. Parents must cut short their time spent on video games, TV and other gadgets. Only a strict no works with most children!

During the last two weeks, a few school children in the age group of 8-10 came to my clinic with complaints of dryness in their eyes and frequent blinking of eyes. Prolonged reading on the mobile screen and watching it from close range may result in this type of problems,” says G. Hanumantha Rao, an ophthalmologist, who runs his clinic on MVP Double Road. He suggests that a laptop or a desktop with a large screen should be preferred. It also ensures that proper viewing distance is maintained, at least to some extent.

“Prolonged use of earphones can result in noise-induced deafness. It can also cause tinnitus and the child may experience ringing sounds in the ear. Severe exposure may cause inability to hear certain frequencies. The problems depend on the duration and intensity of the sound,” says B. Ramachandra Rao, an ENT surgeon at the Government ENT Hospital in the city.

Digital Marketing: An Emerging Field

The importance of digital marketing is taking quantum jumps in today’s business world. The world has become so digital now even small kids are becoming tech-savvy and started doing digital experiments. People have realized the importance of digital marketing in today’s competitive world, and so our young curious minds. Digital Marketing as a career has benefits which far outweigh other streams of Marketing, in much the same way demand outweighs the supply of Digital Marketing professionals. Yes, that’s right. The demand for professionals in the Online Marketing field has high sky-rocketed ever since companies realized that traditional channels of Marketing alone won’t bring in revenue. 70% of marketing job openings now require digital skills.

Digital marketing skills are so high in demand right now that many companies prefer giving jobs to the candidate who is digital amateur. But unfortunately, there are lot of jobs available but not enough readily adequate people to fill them. Today all job profiles seek practical knowledge. Going for a job interview with an academic degree does not work nowadays as these people are instantly rejected undoubtedly, Digital Marketing is a versatile and rewarding career.
With increasing budgets, higher pay and expanding career choices, the digital domain is finally being taken seriously. There has been an increase in Digital Marketing jobs worldwide, and Digital Marketers are hot property. With the possibility of steering your own career, the benefits of Digital Marketing are immense.


Various subfields spinning out of the Digital Marketing domain are in themselves full-fledged with a wide range of career options.

  1. SEO- Search Engine Optimization is the art of getting a high rank for a website in SERP’s.
  2. SEM- Search Engine Marketing involves using paid methods for maximum outreach.
  3. SMM- Social Media Marketing involves optimizing content and using social media to reach the target audience.
  4. Email Marketing- Effective Emails are written and designed for engagement and increasing product reach.
  5. Content Marketing- Effective copy and content are extremely important in engaging users.

Other than these most favourable career options of Digital Marketing, there are many other choices available such as Analytics, Copywriting, Web Design and Development, Advertising etc.

1. Compete with Large Corporations- Digital Marketing can enable you to compete head and head with large corporations. With Digital Marketing, you can get a coma competitive advantage even as a startup or small business leader.

2. Get Prepared For The ‘Internet Of Things’- As people are getting tech-savvy would be a good move to promote your business through the digital platform. This can help you connect with your customers anytime and anywhere in an effective way.

3. Earn People’s Trust And Build Brand Reputation- It’s important to classify brand objectives with customers interest. Digital Marketing can help target the right customers in a substantial way.

4. Ensure Online Business Survival- Digital Marketers can implement innovative ways to entice customers. By targeting the right kind of people, marketers can take the necessary steps for betterment and success for their businesses.

5. Know All About Your Competitors- Many brands and businesses are ramping up on their digital marketing campaigns, using various channels. Have a look at your comcompetitor’srategies and plan yours accordingly to get an edge over them.

6. Real-Time Results- Digital Marketing lets you know how influential your approach has been. By understanding the scenario, you can take the necessary steps to retouch the results in stipulated time.

7. Improve Your Outreach- The online platform is the best medium to connect with your customers worldwide. With Online Marketing, you can be more fetching in terms of providing earnest responses to the relevant queries and feedback.

Final Thoughts:
If there ever was a time to jump on the digital career bandwagon, then this is the time. Make yourself the perfect fit to fill in the Digital Marketing skill gap and open the doors to a wide variety of career choices. With the domain still in its infancy, the possibilities are endless but one thing is for sure: it’s only going to get better from here.

Money does not get Locked ,it’s get invested:MUTUAL FUNDS

A mutual fund is a company that pools money from many investors and invests the money in securities such as stocks, bonds, and short-term debt. The combined holdings of the mutual fund are known as its portfolio. Investors buy shares in mutual funds.

Mutual funds are a popular choice among investors because they generally offer the following features:

  • Professional Management. The fund managers do the research for you. They select the securities and monitor the performance.
  • Diversification or “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Mutual funds typically invest in a range of companies and industries. This helps to lower your risk if one company fails.
  • Affordability. Most mutual funds set a relatively low dollar amount for initial investment and subsequent purchases.
  • Liquidity. Mutual fund investors can easily redeem their shares at any time, for the current net asset value (NAV) plus any redemption fees.

How to buy and sell mutual funds

Investors buy mutual fund shares from the fund itself or through a broker for the fund, rather than from other investors. The price that investors pay for the mutual fund is the fund’s per share net asset value plus any fees charged at the time of purchase, such as sales loads.Mutual fund shares are “redeemable,” meaning investors can sell the shares back to the fund at any time. The fund usually must send you the payment within seven days.

Types of mutual funds

  • Money Market Funds: have relatively low risks. By law, they can invest only in certain high-quality, short-term investments issued by U.S. corporations, and federal, state and local governments.
  • Bond funds: have higher risks than money market funds because they typically aim to produce higher returns. Because there are many different types of bonds, the risks and rewards of bond funds can vary dramatically.
  • Stock funds: invest in corporate stocks. Not all stock funds are the same. Some examples are:
    • Growth funds focus on stocks that may not pay a regular dividend but have potential for above-average financial gains.
    • Income funds invest in stocks that pay regular dividends.
    • Index funds track a particular market index such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
    • Sector funds specialize in a particular industry segment.
  • Target date funds: hold a mix of stocks, bonds, and other investments. Over time, the mix gradually shifts according to the fund’s strategy. Target date funds, sometimes known as lifecycle funds, are designed for individuals with particular retirement dates in mind.

Road Safety

We all live in a world where we take our lives for granted, we always forget safety measures and put ourselves in constant risk especially while driving. Driving safely and using appropriate measures not only saves our lives but also of the ones around us. Everyday we can see new cases being reported of accidents been caused due to carelessness. These happen due to our own little mistakes, if we take proper precautions we can always be safe from these kind of accidents. Wearing safety belts and helmets whenever we go out always ensures us of our safety while driving.

It is advisable to not mix drinking and driving together. Using phones while driving leads to a lot of accidents these days. Drunken drivers had often ended up bringing  trouble to other passengers too. Many accidents have been reported across the countries where drunken dries has run over homeless people especially during night time .

Road safety is an important part of our lifestyle. We take issues like this so lightly that we forget its gravity and how it can affect us. Driving rashly can cost us our lives. There is no point in regretting after things have happened, we always have to be careful and fully aware of our surroundings while driving and on road.

It is high time that we take issues like road safety very seriously. Government of India has taken up various policies for the safety of its citizens but what’s more disturbing is that people do not follow it. People have gained ignorance and have not so caring attitudes towards road safety. Often we see people paying fine for overspeed or not wearing a helmet or seatbelt.

Listed below are a few basic road safety rules that applies to everyone.

  • As per the Indian law, you should have minimum 18 years of age to avail a driving license.
  • While driving, you should not use mobile phones  as it can cause serious road accidents
  • Drinking and driving is not allowed as it seems to be a deadly combination for you
  • You need to wear seat belt while driving a four wheeler
  • Helmets are necessary when you use two wheelers for travelling.
  • Make sure that you keep left on the road, when you use cycles for travelling.

Recently road safety has gained enough amount of attention among people, especially the youth. They have taken up initiatives to rise the issue in various platforms. Many organisations have been build by students across the country to spread awareness on the need for road safety.

Hoping to see people taking issues like road safety more into perspective so as to see a budding nation of responsible adults. As a citizen of India it is very important for us to follow the rules and regulations made for us. It is in the best interest of the citizens of the nation these laws are made. Traffic signs provide valuable information to drivers and other road users. They represent rules that are in place to keep you safe, and help to communicate messages to drivers and pedestrians that can maintain order and reduce accidents. Neglecting them can be dangerous.

Ways to stay optimistic


Do you often find yourself giving in to negativities and put yourself in a bad mood? Well, if this is so then you don’t have to let bad news or negativities ruin your day. Every new day has something positive to offer, but some days you might have to look for it a little harder. Here are four things you can apply in your daily life to attract positivity and happiness into your life.
1) Practice gratitude-  Write in a gratitude journal everyday, right after you wake up from your sleep. Being thankful for the things you already have or have achieved so far, helps you stay motivated the entire day. Studies have shown gratitude to be linked with positive emotions and overall well-being over time. Starting your day with positive thoughts would thus help you stay focused only on the positive aspects of your life.
2) Listen to Music- whenever you find yourself in a bad mood because of certain negativities clouding your mind, then just tune into some music that gives out happy vibes. Researches have shown that listening to happy music instantly put you in a happy mood, as music activates the region of your brain that produces the feel good hormone, dopamine. Therefore you start feeling good and happy after a while.
3) Follow your passion- to cast of all the negative thoughts, try doing the things you are most passionate about or try to do something that would add meaning to your life. You can become a volunteer if you want to. Volunteer for a cause you believe in or sign in for a class to learn something new. This would give you a new sense of meaning and fulfillment in life.
4) Practice meditation- Try to inculcate the habit of practicing meditation into your daily routine. A few minutes of meditation would help you clear your mind, boost your mood by decreasing stress and you would feel much better. This would ultimately help you stay calm  and focused in your life.
So, readers, don’t let negativities cloud your thinking and suck your optimism. You have a choice to decide how to respond to any situation. So, next time if  you find yourself being bogged down by all the negativities around you then just try to incorporate the above mentioned tips into your life and see the difference for yourself!

Indian Education System

This is one of the highly debated questions among the youth of our nation. As time as passed on and we got more exposed to different cultures, practices, people of different nations through globalization. That was the point of realization for us, was our education system worth existing for? and wasn’t there a need for change too.

Indian Education system need a lot of fixations, it should start within the core itself. The way the education system works, affects the mental health of the students too and it is important to have a healthy student both mentally and physically for a better nation.

Here are a few problems that needed to be fixed.

Indian Education system focuses more on marks than what is actually learned. We live in a society where marks matter and not what has been learned by the student.  Students are forced by their parents and teachers to score marks, while not worrying how it affects their mental health. When we focus on marks, we always tend to forget one thing that is whether the knowledge was actually imparted to the child.

Rote learning should not be practiced, learning with experience is what matters. When people practice rote learning, it never stays in the memory of the child. Teachers at school now tell students to memorize everything and come, while it might be easy for some it will not be the same for all. There are students who cannot study too much theory, while some cannot understand a lot of mathematical problems.

The way the human brain works is different from one to another, in some people, the left side of the brain works and right side for the rest.

And so we cannot expect everyone to memorize what is learned, instead if learning by experience is done then we could get better results. When students experience and learn something, there are higher chances of not forgetting it.  Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation was the one who suggested the idea of learning by experimenting/ experiencing.  Learning in a four walled room would never help a child grow fully. Rabindranath Tagore in 1901 build Shanthi Niketan in order to emphasize the need to learn with the nature. Classes in this school wasn’t held in four walled classrooms instead on the ground next to trees.

In India, there is a wide disparity between a science and arts student. Students who take arts are often stereotyped to be less intelligent. Arts subject is not given the same subject value as those of science and commerce does. Parents force their children to take science, leaving them with no option than learning it. One important thing while studying is, loving the subject. We should always make sure to love our books, then only they will love us back.

 Not every student wants to study the routine subjects, some likes extracurricular activities more.  Some students are very much talented in music, dance, instrumental music, sports and lots more, but with a busy schedule at school they are forced to throw away their talents and study. This kind of system harms the young minds.

India should learn from countries like Finland, which focuses on the overall development of a child rather than academic performances. We need a youth fully capable of their strengths and weaknesses.

It’s Alzheimer’s Month

Dementia is an umbrella term for several diseases affecting memory, other cognitive abilities, and behavior that interfere significantly with someone’s ability to maintain their activities of daily living. These functions include memory, language skills, visual perception, problem-solving, self-management, and the ability to focus and pay attention. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of living. Although age is the most known risk factor for dementia, it is not a normal part of aging.

Fifty million people worldwide currently live with dementia, a condition that causes significant psychological burden as well as social and financial distress to those living with it, their carers, and families. There are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Two in three people with dementia live in low- and middle-income countries.

There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, resulting in stigmatization and barriers to diagnosis and care. The impact of dementia on carers, family, and society at large can be physical, psychological, social, and economical.

There are many different forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Other major forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (abnormal aggregates of protein that develop inside nerve cells), and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia (degeneration of the frontal lobe of the brain). The boundaries between different forms of dementia are indistinct and mixed forms often co-exist.

There is no treatment currently available to cure dementia or to alter its progressive course. Numerous new treatments are being investigated in various stages of clinical trials. The principal goals for dementia care are:

1.Early diagnosis to promote early and optimal management

The early stage of dementia is often overlooked, because the onset is gradual. Common symptoms include: forgetfulness, losing track of the time and becoming lost in familiar places.

2.Optimizing physical health, cognition, activity and well-being

As dementia progresses to the middle stage, the signs and symptoms become clearer and more restricting. These include:

  • becoming forgetful of recent events and people’s names
  • becoming lost at home
  • having increasing difficulty with communication
  • needing help with personal care
  • experiencing behaviour changes, including wandering and repeated questioning.

3.Identifying and treating accompanying physical illness

The late stage of dementia is one of near total dependence and inactivity. Memory disturbances are serious and the physical signs and symptoms become more obvious. Symptoms include:

  • becoming unaware of the time and place
  • having difficulty recognizing relatives and friends
  • having an increasing need for assisted self-care
  • having difficulty walking
  • experiencing behaviour changes that may escalate and include aggression.

4.Detecting and treating challenging behavioural and psychological symptoms

The following are used to temporarily improve dementia symptoms.

  • Cholinesterase inhibitors. These medications — including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Razadyne) — work by boosting levels of a chemical messenger involved in memory and judgment.
  • Side effects can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other possible side effects include slowed heart rate, fainting and sleep disturbances.
  • Memantine. Memantine (Namenda) works by regulating the activity of glutamate, another chemical messenger involved in brain functions, such as learning and memory. In some cases, memantine is prescribed with a cholinesterase inhibitor.
  • A common side effect of memantine is dizziness.
  • Other medications. Your doctor might prescribe medications to treat other symptoms or conditions, such as depression, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, parkinsonism or agitation.

Several dementia symptoms and behavior problems might be treated initially using non drug approaches, such as:

  • Occupational therapy. An occupational therapist can show you how to make your home safer and teach coping behaviors. The purpose is to prevent accidents, such as falls; manage behavior; and prepare you for the dementia progression.
  • Modifying the environment. Reducing clutter and noise can make it easier for someone with dementia to focus and function. You might need to hide objects that can threaten safety, such as knives and car keys. Monitoring systems can alert you if the person with dementia wanders.
  • Simplifying tasks. Break tasks into easier steps and focus on success, not failure. Structure and routine also help reduce confusion in people with dementia.

5.Providing information and long-term support to carers.

Dementia symptoms and behavior problems will progress over time. Caregivers might try the following suggestions:

· Enhance communication

· Encourage exercise

· Engage in activity

· Establish a nighttime ritual

· Keep a calendar

· Plan for the future

· Learn as much as you can about memory loss and dementia.

World Alzheimer’s Month is the international campaign to raise awareness about dementia. September 2020 will mark the 9th World Alzheimer’s Month.

Routines to pick again for students and service workers before Unlock 5.0

It has been nearly six months of COVID-19 and lock-down. We haven’t been able to control the virus, yet few vaccines are in development that may help the situation. However, it is expected to come near last quarter of 2020. However, it is expected that Institutes and other services may resume in next phase of unlock with some guidelines and safety protocols. In unlock 4.0 Institutions outside the containment zones are allowed to work within the half amount but students were not supposed to attend schools and colleges. But it is seeming that in the coming time, schools outside containment zone might be ordered to reopen school anytime coming in future. So, we bring to you, the scheduled routines we should start following now so that we can be back on track within the given time. This will help us to regain our lost touch. In the lock-down phase we have become the rusty in the meantime, but we need to be at our toes and let’s get started,

  • Sleep Cycle

Due to less work and more time, we have been more or less in last few months, few peoples might have used their time well, but the time would have changed. Mostly we might be awake till late night doing what they love or enjoying some good content, but this had ruined our sleep cycle. Surely, we would have been taking a good 8-10-hour sleep but from very late night to mid noon in actually. So, we need to fix this as it would cause problems in school or working time. We can start by sleeping early and try to wakeup in morning. It would take time but reducing this by one hour for 5-6 days will result in good sleep cycle. You will manage to sleep early and wake early to get a healthy lifestyle and efficient energy to work productively in whole day.

  • Morning Time

As we will get our sleep cycle right, it’s time to use the morning time for great Health. We have been sitting inside and idle for most of the time. Due to lock-down, work and physical exercise was reduced to high extent. This will result in storing a lot of fat and hence making us physically unfit. So, we can correct this by doing yoga and other exercises in mean time. Gym is not functioning fully, but a little effort can make you fit so that you can be on your toes by the time when everything gets back to normal.

  • Evening out

In whole period of lock-down, we have been inside the home most of the times and getting bored absolutely doing nothing or tired of doing everything. So, it is good to take a walk-in evening time to relax and chill in that time. We all love to enjoy doing nothing and roam around for some time. As we have lot time now and we should make use of evening.

  • Food cycle

In these days, all the markets, restaurants and outside food was prohibited and also not available. We all were forced to make and have foods in home only. Well that was the good part of this lock-down for us, but it has its downside too, like we were free to eat anytime be it a day or night. We might have been taking N no. of meals in a 24-hour day. Our food cycle has been bad for quite many days, but it starts to affect us somehow badly. So, its right time to reset it and use it well in favor of us. We can make plan for a perfect meal throughout the day and can design that according to our workload and necessity

  • Quality work

We have a lot of time in this period of lock-down like some free time where we can do something of our own. Things we take interest in or things that fascinates us and we always wanted to give it a try. We can enjoy our hobbies and get the most of it. We can turn it and modify in some great shape as we want always. We can also start by studying some of our subjects or work front things we have took a break with, deliberately or creatively to give space. Things are now starting, and we need to be ready and be like we were ever ready. To use most of this time and keep us waiting and engaging in activities so that we can slay in upcoming time.

We hope you take some great from this and make most of everything and use time for enriching in any way possible. Lock-down has given us some golden chances to do anything to everything. It’s never late or early to start something instead its amount of efforts and work that needs to be done to get best out of it.   

Achieving a balanced life


One’s life is said to be balanced when you find time for doing the things you have to do as well as finding time for the things you like to do the most. Balancing your life depends upon how well you manage your time. A balanced life would give you a sense of fulfillment, bringing in peace, joy and harmony to your life.
Some of the suggestions to help you find balance in life are as follows-
1) Productive mornings- to start your day with positivity and motivation, grab a piece of paper, write down three things you want to get done everyday. No more,no less! After you have accomplished those three things, give yourself permission to consider your day successful and that anything else you do is a bonus! Taking an hour every morning to write down your daily goals would set your day right and would help you stay motivated the entire day. This is the best way to kick start your day!
2) Practice meditation- inculcating the habit of practising meditation in the morning, into your daily routine would help in clearing your mind, boosting you to stay productive and focused on your work. Meditation also helps achieving peace. An early morning meditation is thus a great way to start your day with positive energy.
3) Letting go- recognise that there’s nothing wrong in letting go of people who show no concern for you. Break your ties from every negative person alive in your life. If you can’t completely break ties with them then at least do yourself a favour by not frequently being in touch with them. Avoid toxic people as much as possible, to focus on the right things in life. Stay close to those who help you grow as a person in life.
4) Self-care- Make self-care a part of your routine. It shouldn’t be something you do on a special occasion. You should show yourself and the world that you care about yourself everyday! Moreover, remember to accept yourself as who you are while knowing that you deserve better,can actually help you eradicate energy- sucking people and situations out of your life like no other!
5) Find time for yourself- don’t forget to live your life while always being on work. Take a break when needed. Go out  for a walk in nature. Spend time with yourself. Keep your phone aside and do the activities you have always loved doing.  So, better set clear boundaries from when you want to zone out. Your life isn’t dedicated to giving your devices  attention every time their screens light up.
   Finding balance in life is thus all about keeping your heart and mind happy.Being at peace with yourself is what matters the most. So go ahead and try to put your life together by achieving the much needed  balance in your life!

How to learn effectively and efficiently

 Imagine studying so hard for a test and ending up getting lesser marks than expected, that’s quite disappointing right? Each and every time we learn something new, it is important to learn it in an effective way. Focusing on the right points and methods can make us all memorize things very easily. It will also become easier for us to score more marks too.

Methods of studying can vary from student to student but the most common and reliable methods are mentioned below.

  • Learn at your own pace

Learning capacity for every single person is different from each other. Some people have the ability to memorize much more than others can possibly do. But don’t be afraid of that. Always take your time in learning but make sure to not waste your time too. Learn as much as your brain can take and do not stress over it because if you do there are higher chances that you might not recall what you have learned.  Learning Is a process that requires a lot of brain power, so never exhaust yourself in the process.

  • Make a time table

Always make a time table for your course of study so that you will be regular at it, it can be exhausting to follow a time table but if you really try, you would fall into pace very easily in a week or two’s time. When a time table is made, your brain functions accordingly, the body also knows that it is your time study. Studying then will become a habit and much easier too.

  • Getting proper sleep

A very important aspect of learning is getting proper sleep, students must make sure to sleep at least 7-8 hours a day to lead a healthy life. Proper sleep and food makes your body function properly, this way it will become easier for you to learn too.

  • Making notes

When attending a lecture, always make notes of what is taught in the class. When you listen to the teacher and write notes, it gets registered in your brain so that it will become easier to recall when you are revising.

  • Short notes

When reading a book or a study material, make short notes, use highlighters, little pop ups so as to learn easily. Making eye catching notes will make it easier for the brain to learn. Also in the process of making it we all also be revising. Carry this short note always with you, so that you can read through it whenever you are free.

  • Taking breaks

Taking breaks between studying makes studying more effective. It will make our brain function properly. It helps the brain cells arrange the important information and filter out what’s needed to be studied and not.

  • Always drink water and eat healthy food

During the times of exam or when your studying make sure to drink water regularly. Eating healthy food should be made a habit. When during exams avoid eating food from outside, so as to avoid any kind of food poisoning of any sorts.

  • Practice

Just like the quote ‘ practice makes a man perfect’, it is to be made a habit of practicing and writing down what is learnt every day. When you are regular at it, memorizing will be an easier.

  • Learning by experience.

Learning something by experience makes sure that we do not forget it, it is always better than simply memorizing it in our minds. When you experience something there are higher chances you might not forget it.

IIT Bombay’s convocation ceremony goes virtual

Avatars attended graduation and not let the spirits get dampened by the current pandemic. The students of IIT Bombay showed their technical talent at their virtual reality graduation ceremony held on Sunday, 23 August 2020. Over 2000 graduates attended this ceremony as their own digital avatars. The University created avatars for each student, faculty members and speaker. In computing World Avatar is a digital representation of a person or character. This word had been taken from the concept of Gods having various forms in Hindu mythology. In Sanskrit, Avatar means Descent. In Hindu mythology when Gods come on to Earth, they take different forms of life and these forms are known as Avatars. We can think of VR as near reality. Virtual Reality uses technology to create an experience that seems real but is not actually happening. It stimulates an Environment and users can interact with 3D objects and living things in this virtual environment. Student avatars walked on the podium to receive their diplomas. Afterwards, these students even interacted with each other. Classmates and Colleagues virtually explored the campus. The Director of IIT Bombay, Professor Subhasis Chaudhuri hoped that this effort will inspire Engineers to think big and think innovatively. His words: “providing a virtual reality experience to all our graduates needed not only highly innovative steps but also a tremendous effort by our professors and staff.” Director Subhasis Chaudhuri said students should not be disadvantaged of a convocation ceremony. “The process involved a lot of planning and technology implementation,” he said. With two months contribution and hard work of a team of 20 resulted in making the virtual convocation a reality. The event live telecasted on DD Sahyadri Channel, Institute’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Live telecasts commenced with speeches and one student saw each from different categories collecting medals and degrees virtually with their names and photos. A mobile application is designed specially only for IIT Bombay students in which they can see their animated personalized avatars graduating and getting his or her degree. IIT Bombay has taken the health of the students as their first priority besides understanding their needs and emotions. “The Institute thought it best to arrange such a VR-convocation for the graduating students so as not to put their health at risk but at the same time, not deprive them of the sense of achievement and pride of passing out of India’s premier engineering Institute,” IIT-Bombay said. By seeing IIT Bombay’s great Innovation, in his speech, Stephen A. Schwarzman said, “India occupies a unique position in the world today, especially when it comes to technology, where it has established global leadership through its talent. Of the 72 Indian-origin engineers who have founded unicorns across the world, 50 per cent are IIT alumni. IIT engineers are defining the global technology landscape and the newest alumni will be the next generation of future global leaders who will advance that mission”. He further said, with a young, ambitious and tech-savvy population, a forward-thinking government that supports entrepreneurship, and the fourth-largest start-up ecosystem in the world, India is poised to stake its claim as one of the world’s great innovation hubs.” Virtual Reality is a wonderful and innovative technology that is able to spread smiles on IIT Bombay graduates without depriving them from their achievements.