Through 2017, we have seen technological advancements, new regulatory policies, and ever-demanding customers reshape the banking industry landscape.

For some time now, incumbents of the financial sector have been under pressure to address the demands of the well-informed millennial customer, while staying relevant and profitable at the same time.

Gone are the days when banks viewed FinTech companies as disruptors; today, they are partners that are pairing up to take on the challenges of a digital first world.

The Indian FinTech scene comes with an added extra; new initiatives by the government to boost financial inclusion and promote a cashless society have opened windows of opportunities for FinTech companies, where first-mover advantages are tremendous. As a result of the governments initiatives, there has been a sharp increase in consumer adoption of FinTech.

EY, in its FinTech Adoption Index for 2017, states that 52% of Indias digitally active consumers are adopting FinTech; a figure that is only second to Chinas 69%, which is the global highest.

In these times of uncertainty, only one thing is certain â€" change. Below are some of the FinTech trends that could become major game-changers in 2018.

Next-Gen Chatbots: 2017 saw several major banks in India such as HDFC Bank, ICICI bank, and YES Bank, amongst others, adopting chatbots for supporting customer interactions. Currently, these chatbots are said to possess the intelligence of a 2-3-year old. However, as machines do not suffer from physical or learning fatigue, the evolution of a chatbot could be best described as more exponential than linear. So, in 2018, we could expect more chatbots to be deployed with improved quality of interactions, speed of responses, and accuracy in decision-making.
Machine Learning: Banks in 2018 will start adopting new regression models powered by machine learning to deliver better offerings. The brightest data scientists will be involved in this delivery and they will be aided by insights into customer behaviour, expectations and responses. These insights will be gained by adopting big data tools and will enable banks to predict customer needs and meet them in a customised manner.
Blockchain: As Niti Aayog is creating IndiaChain to reduce fraud, speed up contract enforcement, and increase transparency, its clear that blockchain is no more the elephant in the room that no one is willing to address.

Several major players have already begun pilot projects to measure the feasibility of adopting blockchain into their ecosystems. As blockchain is virtually unhackable due to time stamps that mark a data entry in a distributed ledger, banks will explore options to leverage the power of blockchain to transform back-end operations.
Smart Workflows: With the help of embedded AI aiding the back-end operations of banks, they will be able to quickly identify bottlenecks in their operational workflows and bring in significant improvements in process efficiencies.
Automated Personalisation: Banks will leverage the power of FinTech to personalise the offerings that users see on all their devices. Banks will change the appearance of apps based on actual usage. This will make users feel more connected with banks and it will also set the stage for efficient self-service. There will also be advancements in providing pre-filled data to users, based on their previous interaction history, preferences and banking habits.
Open Banking: With initiatives such as UPI and AEPS, banking will become more open in 2018. With more APIs exposed by banks, the process of carrying out payments and other banking transactions would be greatly quickened as well as simplified.
Physical and Digital Merger: FinTech has made it possible for banks to reach customers who are data-rich but credit-poor. In a country like India, where so many people still dont have access to banking facilities, FinTech works better by offering a phygital (a combination of physical and digital) experience. The objective here is effective self-service that enables customers to walk into a branch and make use of basic automated services.
Extended Digital Coverage: Until now, most digital banking solutions have been primarily targeted at retail customers. In 2018, banks will extend digital coverage to other areas such as corporate banking and SME banking and also transform their internal operations to derive the best out of digital transformation initiatives.
Agile Architecture: Digital solutions are here to stay and as timelines shrink, budgets tighten, and lifecycles shorten, banks will follow new architecture paradigms such as micro apps, micro services and more. These will enable banks to introduce changes significantly faster with minimal impact on existing deployments and services.
Security: Data is the new oil and with so much data being generated every second, hackers are constantly devising ways to acquire it. As most cyber security measures up till now have been reactive rather than preventive in nature, banks will now begin to adopt additional measures to ensure data security at all stages using a combination of encryption, OTPs, biometric authentication and more.

As the Indian FinTech space grows to reach an expected $2.4 billion by 2020, 2018 will be a critical year in that journey. Customers are increasingly open to banking innovations driven by technology, government regulations are leading the charge, and private players are making major investments. This is leading to greater financial inclusion as everyone gets access to advanced banking services and a wide range of financial offerings. These trends are sure to play a key role in this transition.

(The writer is Executive Director at
i-exceed Technology Solutions)

Japanese car major Toyota completes two decades in India this year, scripting a journey that was fast-paced with quicker gear shifts at some points, with a few slower turns at others, while at few points, it encountered roadblocks. But the Japanese carmaker has grown with the times in India, and hopes to tag along with the market environment.

In 1997, the Indian market had just begun opening to foreign car brands. Toyota formed its Indian subsidiary Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited with Kirloskar Group, which took 11% stake in the JV, to set its course in the utility vehicle arena, with the Qualis which came in 2000. Toyota has since commanded a significant share of a few UV segments, adopting a wait-and-watch approach, as it carefully makes its moves in a chequered Indian car market, governed by an uncertain regulatory environment.

"Our journey has been punctuated by happiness. We have customers whore reluctant to leave us. We have sold over a million vehicles in the market. Our Fortuner sees 60% segment share, Innova sees 35% share; segment-by-segment, we enjoy double-digit share across. From the beginning of TKM sales operations until October 2017, the cumulative sales share of Fortuner (including the new Fortuner), Innova, Innova Crysta, and Qualis, contributed to 56% of our total sales," says Shekar Viswanathan, Wholetime Director and Vice Chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), who is an old hand at the company.

Sharing vignettes of Toyotas Indian years gone by with DH, Viswanthan mentions, "We havent completed our journey yet. We feel that we are still good to go for another 100 years and more. We intend capturing more of the Indian market and make good products available."

Bangalore beginnings

In 1997, scouting for a credible partner for its India foray, the Toyota Motor Corporation entered into joint venture with Kirloskar Systems, headed by Vikram Kirloskar, in an 89:11 partnership.

Setting up shop through JVs and partnerships is a strategy Toyota adopts globally. "While Toyota has all the expertise in making cars, for knowledge about local conditions, dealing with local governments, and with the public at large, we need someone known from the community. In India, we found an excellent partner in Kirloskar," Viswanathan says.

Almost every foreign carmaker in India went to Sanand or Halol in Gujarat, Talegaon or Chakan in Maharashtra, Oragadam or Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, and Gurugram and Manesar in Haryana. Toyota, as TKM, found an encouraging safe haven in Karnataka, setting up its India headquarters in Bengaluru, along with a sprawling 432-acre manufacturing plant with a capacity of up to 3,10,000 units at nearby Bidadi.

"When selecting a place, its the decision of the intending investors and JV partners, who study the availability of land, water, electricity, talent, skills, and labour laws at a particular market. Bengaluruhas always had the advantage of technical skills, on which TKM imparted further knowhow. The Karnataka government has always provided us with great support," says Viswanathan.

In 20 years, in terms of production and shipping quality audit (the number of cars that go out to the yard before being shipped to dealerships, and the defects that are detected then), Toyotas India factory is top-notch when compared with the 42 manufacturing facilities it operates worldwide. Also, the facility employs over 90% of its workforce from within the state and has attracted many of its ancillaries and suppliers to come within range â€" further developing the vicinity.

In December 2010, it set up a second 2,10,000-capacity plant to produce the Corolla Altis, Etios, Etios Liva, Etios Cross, Camry and Camry Hybrid, while in 2016, Toyota Industries Engine India opened a plant to make diesel engines for the Innova and Fortuner, thus adding a fillip to localisation.

Toyotas India

Around 70% of the Indian car market is dominated by small cars, which in definition refer to vehicles with sub-4 metre bodies and driving on engines of 1,500 cc or lesser capacities. The Etios and Liva have been termed as Toyotas small cars, but only the latter has passed the test in this regard. Also, the Etios, which is a hit with fleet operators and has seen fewer sales from private buyers, holds a 4% share in its respective segment.

"Thereve been questions like, In every other segment, youve been doing consistently well. But why is it a different story with small cars?," relates Viswanathan.

The small car segment is extremely competitive, with Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata, Renault, Datsun, Nissan, Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen, asking for a slice. "We have a crowded market, with the A-B segments dominating customer sentiment. We need to be realistic about what we can achieve in the small car space," he reflects.

Is Toyota giving India its pride of place? Toyota has invested over Rs 6,400 crore till date in the country. The company, which boasts of 130 models in its international stable, is among the top-three players globally, with industry estimates claiming its global sales to increase to around 10.23 million vehicles this year, across 170 countries. The Corolla is one of the worlds highest-selling vehicles of all time.

So where does India fit into Toyotas world map? "Toyota has always placed India on a very high pedestal, simply because of its demographic architecture. But it must be noted that Toyota has one of its largest footprints in the US. It has a presence in countries which had policies welcoming foreign investment much before India. Those are developed markets for Toyota, and must not be neglected," Viswanathan says.

Slow start, power on

TKM enjoys a modest 5% market share in India, but it does not want to chase competition.

For the fiscal 2016-17, TKM posted a growth of 11% at 1,42,500 units as against 1,28,500 units in the previous fiscal.

Observing the market with a keen sense of judgement and acumen amassed over the years from global experiences, the company is looking at the path the government is building â€" the mobility of tomorrow.

The Centre is bullish on alternate fuels, and by 2030, it has envisioned an all-electric mobility push. Today, however, there are very few players in the market who are looking in this direction, let alone planning products.

Five years ago, Toyota articulated its 2050 Global Vision, by when it envisages a market teeming with electric cars, hybrids and hydrogen vehicles. "We must be technology-agnostic. The government must encourage all technologies, as there is no surity on which technology will succeed," Viswanathan says, adding that the path to adopt new technologies is transitional.

"The Department of Heavy Industries has been at it for a while now. Through the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), and in pursuance to the encouragement given to EVs, pure hybrids, and mild hybrids, we were very happy with that roadmap which supported a gradual shift from internal combustion engine vehicles to minimising the use of fossil fuels. We believe that 100% use of EVs will be achieved by 2050, even if 30% of the total population use EVs around the world," he says, ruing, "However, you cannot have discriminatory treatment. Today, (under GST) EVs are taxed at 12%, while hybrids are taxed at 43%."

EVs will typically be used over short distances for city commutes. For longer distances, hybrids are seen as the logical stepping stone for faster adoption of full electrics, clamouring for the need of charging infrastructure.

Just last week, Toyota signed a crucial agreement with compatriot Suzuki to manufacture and sell electric vehicles in India by the turn of this decade. The pact will have Toyota providing technical knowledge for the project, while Suzuki will manufacture the vehicles for India, and also supply to Toyota.

"We look to revolve around the regulatory environment. Toyota is one of the most advanced players in EV technology. But due to a lack of charging infrastructure, weve brought in hybrids, as they offer the advantage of an internal combustion engine for longer drives," reiterates Viswanathan. Is the government ready for the powerplay?

Adrian Bonilla lived in a shared house in this Silicon Valley town with his wife and two grandchildren until earlier this year, when the rent for their bedroom jumped to $1,200 from $900 a month. Bonilla attributed that rise to Facebook, which is based nearby and was growing.

So Bonilla, a 43-year-old mechanic and Uber driver, bought a 1991 recreational vehicle and joined a family-oriented RV community on a quiet cul-de-sac. They lived there until last week, when Bonilla received an eviction notice.

This time, Bonilla said, the reason he had to move was because the city wanted to clear the way for "the Facebook school." That school is funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a limited liability company set up by Facebooks co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, to work on social change endeavors. Chan is a co-founder of the school, a private institution for low-income children called the Primary School.

Despite the goodwill behind the school, it has been met with opposition.

"The school is a Facebook school. Its not a city school," Bonilla said, adding that he knew he would have to move again when he heard about it. "When Facebook comes, everybody moves everywhere."

Zuckerberg is already facing plenty of troubles across the globe, including questions about Russian interference on Facebook during the 2016 election. The skirmish between the couples initiative and the RV community, which city officials said was becoming a flood hazard, is a reminder of how the billionaire also faces difficulties on his own doorstep.

For many in East Palo Alto, which is just blocks from Facebooks headquarters in Menlo Park, California, no CEO and company have come to embody the anxieties of the modern tech boom more than Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook. At a meeting last Wednesday at East Palo Altos City Hall, about 100 residents and protesters gathered with city staff to discuss their housing and some invoked Zuckerbergs name.

"I want to talk about the elephant in the room," said Zach Kirk, 20, a Stanford University student who grew up in Palo Alto. "Actually, hes not in the room, hes in some mansion: Mark Zuckerberg."

Wherever Zuckerberg goes in Silicon Valley, he seems to generate a housing problem. In 2014, after the tech mogul bought a house in San Francisco, neighbors complained about construction, his security detail, the parking and how his presence would inflate prices. Earlier this year, protesters marched in East Palo Alto to denounce the displacement of residents because of big tech companies like Facebook.

The battles are likely to grow as Facebook continues its expansion in Menlo Park, with 1.75 million square feet of new office space expected to be built. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has also been growing, staffing up as it prepares to invest Zuckerbergs enormous fortune in efforts like his stated goal to "cure, prevent, and manage all disease."

Community members expect more tension later this month at an East Palo Alto town hall hosted by Real Community Coalition, a local citizens group, and featuring Facebook. At the meeting, residents will have the opportunity to ask Facebook executives questions about the companys role in the community.

"Connections are at the core of everything we do at Facebook and our relationship with residents of East Palo Alto is no different," Juan Salazar, a public policy manager for Facebook, said in a statement.

The social network has been lobbying to build more housing in the region, which Silicon Valley cities, worried about traffic and preferring a commercial over residential tax base, have fought against. In East Palo Alto, Facebook has invested $18.5 million into the Catalyst Housing Fund, an affordable housing initiative; the company has set a goal to grow the fund to $75 million.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which is also writing grants for affordable housing, said working side by side with local communities was "core to our work." In a statement, the Primary School said the episode with the RV residents was "frustrating and emblematic of larger housing issues in the Bay Area," but that it was not aware of East Palo Altos action to evict those residents and had not engaged with city officials on the matter.

East Palo Altos residents have long felt disempowered against change brought by tech leaders like Zuckerberg. A 2.6-square-mile town where one-third of the schoolchildren are homeless, it has stood as a sign that Silicon Valleys wealth might not spread to those beyond its tech campuses. And so even as Zuckerbergs limited liability company seeks to build a school here, many of its residents are skeptical.

"CZIs just walking into something with a lot of baggage," said Daniel Saver, a lawyer with the Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, which receives funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. "People here have been pushed around by very big interests and have been taken advantage of for decades. "

Sean Charpentier, East Palo Altos assistant city manager, said the region had been squeezed by the wealth around it and that the homeless population had grown. "Were a receptacle for the externalities around us," he said. "Its felt more deeply here because this city was formed to provide safe and affordable housing."

Patricia Lopez, 48, who owns a home on the street where the RVs were parked, said the trouble for the RV residents began after a community meeting that Facebook executives attended.

"They didnt introduce themselves, but the organizer said, Facebook is in the house, and they waved. And ever since then, its been heavy harassment, heavy policing," she said, which ultimately led to the evictions.

At last weeks City Hall meeting, residents and protesters expressed support for the school but anxiety over the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

By 11 p.m., protesters and city staff were getting agitated and tired. Eventually, the Public Works and Transportation Commission recommended that city staff pursue a long-term solution for the RV community by working with nonprofit organizations and by looking into a ban on oversize vehicles parking overnight.

Facebook said a senior executive attended the meeting. Nearly 50 community members spoke that night. The Facebook executive did not.

How do New York Times journalists use technology in their jobs and in their personal lives? Kenneth Chang, who covers space for The New York Times, discussed the tech hes using.

What has stood out about how tech in the space race has changed in recent years?

The fundamentals of rocket science have not changed in the last 50 years. We dont have "Star Trek" transporter beams. We dont have antigravity. We dont have electromagnetic rail guns. We dont have space elevators. To escape the planet, its still the explosive churning of fuel and oxygen, igniting the mixture and blowing the exhaust out of the engine nozzle.

Tech moguls like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are now involved in the space industry. Do you give the edge to Bezos or Musk and why?

The innovation in the space business has occurred in the business side. Take Musks SpaceX. His companys Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule offer, more or less, the same capabilities as the decades-old Russian Soyuz. What Musk did was figure out how to build and launch the rockets at a lower cost. I like to joke that SpaceX is the Southwest Airlines of the rocket industry.

In the last couple of years, SpaceX has also accomplished something new and different: landing the booster stage of a Falcon 9, refurbishing it and launching it again. That has the potential for huge cost savings if rockets are not being thrown away after one flight.

Bezos rocket company, Blue Origin, has a similar approach toward reusable rockets. Blue Origin has not yet finished its New Glenn rocket, which will take payloads to orbit, but it has been testing and launching a smaller vehicle, known as New Shepard, that will take space tourists on a short up-and-down ride to the edge of space.

Do you have a favourite space app or a piece of technology for covering space?

I dont use any space-specific apps. But the interconnectedness of everything today is awesome.

Early one morning a few years ago, I interviewed astronauts on the International Space Station while sitting at my kitchen counter. Just oldfangled technology: a landline telephone. But its something that I wouldnt have imagined possible 20 years ago. Its easier than ever to connect Point A to Point B even when Point B is 250 miles up, speeding at 17,000 mph.

Rocket launches are routinely webstreamed now. And I can watch a launch on my phone while going to pick up my family at the airport, as I did this month when the latest cargo rocket, an Orbital ATK Antares rocket, headed to the space station. SpaceX has gotten really good at showing video from its rockets, even the boosters descending back to Earth.

That all makes it easier to cover space without going anywhere. The downside is not being at launches. Space shuttle launches were Earth-rattling.

Back on Earth, how do you keep on top of the space industry? Are there publications or websites that you routinely turn to?

Jeff Foust at SpaceNews somehow manages to do four things simultaneously (tweet, respond to tweets, file his story, ask questions). When Elon Musk did a Reddit AMA ("Ask Me Anything"), instead of wading through the AMA, I took a glance at Jeffs Twitter feed to see if there were any big revelations. There werent.

Emily Lakdawalla at the Planetary Society presents wonderfully insightful dives into the latest data from NASAs planetary probes. Eric Berger, a former Houston Chronicle space reporter, has been freed from the chains of shrinking newspapers and is now at the Ars Technica website. He has his ear to the ground for D.C. whisperings of space policy, and he has great yarns, too. Among the many other reporters worth mentioning: William Harwood, Robert Pearlman, Miriam Kramer, Loren Grush, Lee Billings, Nadia Drake and Marcia Smith.

Two similar-sounding websites - spaceflightnow.com and nasaspaceflight.com - are ones I turn to often.

Outside work, what tech product are you currently obsessed with using in your daily life and why?

I guess Im not obsessed with the iPhone X. I just returned it, even though I had gotten up at 2:45 a.m. to order it at the moment it went on sale and then received it a week later on the first day it was available.

Gorgeous phone. Gorgeous screen. Great camera. FaceID works really well (except when I was lying in bed). I found the new gestures easy to learn. It worked great. But with a case, it was wider than I liked. I decided I preferred the smaller iPhone SE. It wasnt worth $1,000 for something I merely liked quite a bit.

Once upon a time, I used a microrecorder for capturing interviews and lectures. Then I used an iPod with a microphone attachment. Now its all on my phone.

What could be better about your iPhone?

Maybe Apple will cram the guts of the X into the body of the SE with an all-screen front. Heres hoping.

However, the quick pace of change in tech makes it hard to maintain a functional work flow. Its the curse of app rot. Ive cycled through several voice memo apps. The one that Apple provides works fine, except its inconvenient to get the recordings off the phone.

I found a different app that worked well; then it didnt work as well. I found another app I really liked. Then it started losing entire interviews, and that was unacceptable. I am currently using Just Press Record, which works across the Mac, iPhone and Apple Watch and stores the recordings in iCloud, so its easy to get at them wherever I am. Im hoping the developer wont lose interest in it anytime soon.

Agasihonda in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district is a major source of water for the people of the village of the same name. An old pump shed and the iron pipelines connected to the century-old tank indicate that the water source has been in use for a very long time. The one acre tank has a catchment area of eight acres. Thus, it is also called as Nine-acre Tank.

Rainwater from the village flows to the catchment area through a storm water drain. Old gate valves control the inflow of water to the tank. A huge gate, built in the old times, to check silt and soil from entering the tank, still exists. We can also see an ancient gauge that measures water stored during the monsoons. The instrument is functional even now.

The teppada theru (car festival) is organised when the tank brims with water. Thousands of people gather to witness this festival. Now the tank has around 12 feet water and it can hold up to 60 feet of water. A village elder says that once the tank is full, it can supply drinking water to the village for 10 years. During summer, over 20,000 people depend on this tank for drinking water.

But the tank has not reached the maximum storage point for the last 10 years. Silting has reduced the storage capacity of Agasihonda as well. Recently, a team of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project put in efforts to desilt the tank with the help of villagers.

A city whose original name was Venugram (the village of bamboos) would obviously flaunt the magical grass around in some form, even now. The Burud Galli (bamboo street) in the city doesnt leave one disappointed. In fact, Belagavi has many such streets that bear testimony to the profession of the craftspersons residing there. Streets like Tambat Galli (copper smiths), Saraf Galli (jewellers), Kalhaigar Galli (re-tinning) trace their identity to the occupation of majority of people residing there. While not many streets have artisans actively continuing the family occupation now, some streets are carrying the tradition forward, despite hardships and competition.

Burud Galli and Tambat Galli are two streets where you wont take a second step without noticing skilled people at work. Step on to crowded Burud Galli in the heart of the business district, and you will spot men and women intently focused on the work at hand. Squatting on the narrow street is a middle-aged man busy scraping bamboo. At another corner, youll see an elderly woman busy rolling thin strips of bamboo and giving it the shape of a basket. Her eyes are so focused that she will not even notice youre observing her.

Visit Mohan Kordes house on the street. His BA certificate is placed prominently on the wall. He is a third generation of the Burud community artisan to have settled here. He proudly shows the album of his bamboo creations. They include roti baskets, sieves, flower baskets, wedding décor, small chariots, lanterns, curtains, carpets, vases, arches, book stand and many such utility and decorative items one would never imagine could be created from this sturdy grass. These designs have evolved over generations. The artisans here say that they can see any design and replicate it with bamboo. However, without proper training or set standards of quality, the products lack finesse.

Making ends meet

Their creations have changed over the years, in tune with changing consumer preferences. Earlier, bamboo baskets were much in demand as they were used to store onions, rotis, vegetables, etc. Artisans now make lanterns, showpieces, decorative screens, etc. Almost all the Burud families here still practice the tradition, where the whole family is involved in making one or the other object from bamboo, with the womenfolk preferring products like screens and small vases that require nimble handwork.

The Burud community gets all the bamboo it needs from the wholesale market near the city fort. For this, each craftsperson has to purchase a pass from the Forest Department. This pass permits them to ferry the purchased bamboo to their place of work. The best bamboo, they say, comes from the southern Konkan area of Chandgad in Maharashtra. The Alnavar bamboo is also used. A bigger bamboo auction is held at Sankeshwar near Belagavi. A shoot of bamboo sells anywhere between Rs 60 and Rs 100, depending upon quality and size. An eight-foot ladder with five steps needs three bamboo shoots and sells at around Rs 500.

All the products are sold from the houses, which also turn out to be manufacturing units, as there is no formal marketing facility. The manufacturing schedule is planned throughout the year, in tune with the seasons and festivals. Thus, making lanterns begins two months before Deepavali. Then it is continued with slight changes for Christmas. The wedding season, which requires wedding hall decoration, starts after Deepavali and continues till monsoon. The harvest season requires large sieves and storage containers for grains. The monsoon creates demand for woven bamboo screens.

Mohan feels that the administration is unaware of the problems of the artisans, and no effort has been made to train them in new methods and designs. This year, the community made beautiful lanterns for Deepavali, but these handmade lanterns found few takers with the onslaught of cheap and flashy products. Training and exposure to new and better designs could work wonders for these skilled artisans.

Tied to the past

A few kilometres away from Burud Galli is a small by lane in the old suburb of Shahpur. The old timers will narrate experiences of a constant beating sound emanating from the street. The Tambat Galli or the street of the copper smiths mostly comprises families with the surname Bojgar. I met Salam Bojgar, a young chap with a flourishing business in copper utensils. His house is chock- a- block with copper utensils of all shapes and sizes. He has stocked pitchers, cooking utensils, water storage pots, pans, kadhais, jugs and many more. Not all of these are made here. The Bojgars have set up their rudimentary furnaces in their tiny courtyards and five to seven men work together. Earlier, the copper nuggets would be provided by the metal merchants and the ready objects would be handed over in the evening. The nuggets would then be beaten into sheets of desired thickness.

Now they get ready sheets which need to be shaped. Four persons have to work for a whole day to make a large water pot. Two roundels of metal are fused in the middle and a third thick one is fused at the neck. The metal is heated and reheated to bring it to a shape on a basic furnace that works on coal. Small kids help in keeping the furnace ignited by continuously fanning it and in turn, learn the craft by observing. A fistful of ash is splashed on the heated metal to check the right temperature. A third man sitting close by takes over once the pot is ready. He polishes it by repeatedly rotating it and buffing the pot. He then proceeds to make the ubiquitous pockmarks on the pot without which the pot will not be sold.

Changing times

The objects are made by the artisans upon order from the metal merchants. Utensils, pots, cauldrons and water storage vessels are made as per demand. What strikes you is the lack of modern equipment and even a decent workplace. Wooden hammers used to beat metal are worn out and the artisans look forlorn with the meagre income that this trade provides them. The fancy metal ware in Salams house is brought from Kolhapur where huge factories churn out any design you want in minutes.

It works cheaper for metal merchants to get the machine-made utensils than commission these craftspersons. A few members of these families are in the trade of re-tinning the copper ware. Also known as kalhaiwalas, they skilfully apply a thin coat of tin inside copper utensils, without which the metal will adversely react with food, especially acidic, and turn it poisonous. This re-tinning has to be done at least once in six months and was once a flourishing trade. A handful of these skilled craftspersons are into the job as restaurants and caterers still come looking for them. Smita Surebankar, a historian in Belagavi, reminisces about an ancient Ratta inscription, which mentions different areas of the city being occupied by people engaged in different occupations. It indicates that the city was clearly demarcated on the basis of livelihood even back then.

With all the skill and dedication, most of these artisans are stuck in the old mould and need urgent attention to keep their craft and trade afloat lest we lose this rich heritage of ours forever.

When we happened to read about Gandikota situated in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, being referred to as the Grand Canyon Of India, we got curious and could not contain our excitement to visit this place.

The Grand Canyon in the US is one of the most astounding geographical features of the world, which we happened to visit some years ago. So my wife and I decided to make a trip to Gandikota and also cover few other popular places nearby.

Gandikota is at a distance of about 270 km from Bengaluru and within 15 km from a place called Jammalamadugu. The normal route is NH 44 via Anantapur.

Our destination was the Gandikota Fort situated on the ridge of a gorge between Erramama Hills. The fort is supposed to have been built by a subordinate of the Chalukya king in the 13th century and later ruled by the powerful Pennasani Nayaks.
From within the fort area, one could reach the gorge edge to have a view of the Pennar river flowing below.

As we reached the Gandikota village and kept navigating through a narrow passage, the fort came into view suddenly and we drove along the narrow passage within those magnificent fort walls. Once inside, we realised it was a massive area with several monuments located far and wide within the fort. It was noon and we could see the huge rocky ridges along the river running deep below.

The fort houses a mosque, the Jamia Masjid, and two ancient temples namely the Madavaraya and the Ranganatha Temple. All these places of worship are in ruins and not functional anymore. Some call this place the second Hampi. There are beautiful sculptures depicting Ramayana and Mahabharata in the Madvaraya Temples. Besides this, there is a huge granary built in those ancient times.

For a place like Gandikota, one needs to carry ones own lunch. The fort itself is an ideal picnic spot.

However, the best part of the trip for a visitor is the Pennar river winding its way deep down the gorge with the tall ridges on both sides making a striking similar note to the Grand Canyon. The scene is amazing.

One needs to climb over the ridges and move closer to the edge to get a full-length view of the gorge which could be a little tricky but manageable. But for a slightly more adventurous traveller, there waits an amazing view of the gorge. There are people who find their own paths to descend to the riverbed 300 feet below. It will be a good trip if you can stay at Gandikota, do the trekking down to the river early in the morning. The sunset and the sunrise are a delight to watch either from the edge of the canyon or from the Ranganatha Temple which is at an elevated level. For a traveller from Bengaluru or Hyderabad, the best place to halt is either Anantapur or Tadipatri, since there are also other interesting places to cover like the Tadipatri Temples, Gooty Fort, Belum Caves etc.

A trip to Gandikota is an amazing experience which can be done within a day.

(The author can be contacted on mvsub2k7@gmail.com)

This picture was taken in 1982 during my school days. I studied in a well-known Anglo Indian convent school at Frazer Town - St Francis Xaviers Girls High School.

On our transfer from Chennai, my sister and I got admission to this prestigious school, which was on the road adjacent to our home.

My dad used to drop us at school and mom brought lunch for us while we were in the smaller classes. Later, we would run to the house for lunch.

In the evenings it was a hop, skip and jump from school with friends. This was our routine for 10 years.

Our principal at that time was Sister Patrica, who was a French nun from the convent of St Joseph of Tarbes. Our school not only excelled in academics, but also in sports and other extracurricular activities.

We had many excellent teachers. Rema Nambiar and Rukmini maam made sure that we became proficient in Hindi. Mascarenes, Bonjo, Bastian and Sister Marian were all outstanding teachers who have helped mould our characters.

I cannot forget Krishna maam, our NCC teacher, who made our contingent with accolades at the Republic Day Parade in Delhi. I stood first among all students of East area schools in ICSE.

Our school annual days and sports days were full of fun. We had lots of food stalls, music, dance and jam sessions. My best friends, Deepa, Shama and myself would vie for top honours, be it in academics or sports.

My sister and I were good at classical dance, debates, and dramatics. Our colony had a bunch of active girls and we had great fun playing at the nearby Coles Park, till our mother came to take us home.

In those days, the Cantonment area was safe for girl children.

The lunchtime visits to Thomas Cafe was another unforgettable experience. Their pastries were mouth- watering and we would share all the goodies there.

In the evening, when all four schools on our road would get over at the same time, boys from the two other schools would ogle at us girls.

I wish I could go back to those good old school days. We have an old girls meeting once a year, though all of us are at various places.

Those days of the 80s at Frazer Town will always be evergreen in my memory.

Bollywood actor of Swedish-Greek origin, Elli AvrRam made her debut in Bollywood with Mickey Virus where she played the character of Kamayani George. She followed it up with Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon opposite Kapil Sharma. She also made a special appearance in Naam Shabana and did a special song in Poster Boys.
She was a contestant in Bigg Boss 7 and made a guest appearance in Bigg Boss 8. She is currently hosting the Great Indian Laughter Challenge and is working on a Tamil-Kannada bilingual project which is the remake of Queen.

Cinema

Akshay Kumar

"I have always admired the work of Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra. I think Akshay Kumars disciplined lifestyle and way of life is something for the younger generation to follow and emulate. I have worked with him and I like the way he remains calm and positive even in the most tense situations. I read somewhere that he advocates the early to bed, early to rise policy and I believe that it is this that made him a successful person. Priyanka Chopra has taken her work to another level. She has proved that nothing is impossible to achieve."

Music

Kiss

"As a teenager, I was a hard-core fan of the American band Kiss. Their music leans heavily towards metallic and rock, and I knew almost all their songs by heart. I once remember dressing up like the drummer of the band. The make up and the costume matched perfectly. I have also grown up listening to my father Jannis Avramidis music. His compositions and music have always had a calming effect on me."

Travel

Kefalonia

"I was 15 years when I first visited Kefalonia, a small island west of mainland Greece. I wish to go there again because I was enchanted by what I saw. You have to climb down 500 steps to reach the beach at Kefalonia. The entire beach was covered with white round stones and I still remember playing with those stones. I also love everything about Greece because that is where I was born and raised for the most part of my life."

Author

Jostein Gaarder

"I was only 13 years old when my father gifted me Sophies World by Jostein Gaarder. It is my favourite book till date. It has a bit of philosophy, psychology and spirituality. It is a little heavy for a teenager but I was deeply influenced by what the author had highlighted in the various sections of the book. There are several thought-provoking parts in the book and I soon began relating it to everyday existence. I would say that I literally turned a thinker after reading that book."

Food

Pani puri

"I am addicted to Pani puri and I can eat it at any time. I have close family friends who make delicious Pani puri and whenever I crave for it, I call them up and ask them to make it for me. I also like a special Greek fish preparation called Tsipoura. My mother makes this dish for me whenever I go home. It is grilled fish with baked potatoes. And I love anything that my mother cooks because I miss her food."

Inspiration

Maria Marina

"I have been influenced by my mother Maria Marina. Her positive spirit, generosity and kindness towards others has inspired me a great deal. I have never seen her get angry or raise her voice against anybody. She has always handled any stressful situation in a calm way. I have tried to emulate her positive spirit and adopt her way of life."

Actor Arshad Warsi hasnt had it easy. He has done all kinds of odd jobs and experimented with dance and theatre for quite a while before entering Bollywood. The actor though points out that all the experience that he has gained from his work has made him a stronger person. He says that he has lost count of the number of films that he has acted in, especially the sequels. He admits to have had a foreboding on which films will do well and which wont. He has five projects in hand, including the sequels to Munna Bhai MBBS and Dhamaal. The actor who was in the city recently for Signature Startup Masterclass, takes time off to chat with Nina C George about his life and work.

You have entertained people through many roles. How would you describe your sense of humour in real life?

I have a good sense of humour. I laugh a lot and crack a joke or two only when I am with my close friends because I know they can relate to what I am saying. But I am careful when talking in public.

Why have you become very choosy?

I pick and choose my hits and flops. I know that many of the projects may flop, but I still work in them because I can make my money. I believe that one should choose ones hits and flops and that one should also do dignified flops.

You have worked on a lot of sequels. Ever got bored of it?

I have always noticed that the directors who make sequels have clarity of thought, a good judgement about the end product and know exactly what they want from the actors. The reality is that sequels are always made with good characters.

Would you like to work in a Kannada film?

I cant speak a word of Kannada. I dont work in a film unless I am familiar with the language.

In such a rushed existence, do you get time to spend with your family?

I make time to spend with my family. My son is 13 years old and daughter is 10. I make sure that I dont miss out on their growing up years and spend quality time with them.

Your mantra to handling stress...

I dont get stressed. Life is very simple and it is up to you to either go with the flow or complicate it.

How would you rate yourself as an actor?

I am not a bad actor, I am a decent one. I never add any extra frills to my character and thats precisely why all my roles appear to be as real and as natural as possible.

Whats your opinion about Signature Startup Masterclass?

I am glad that Signature Startup Masterclass thought that my life and story is worth documenting. It is a very unique concept.

Thoughts on Bengaluru...

I used to regularly visit Bengaluru 26 years ago with my dance troupe. We used to perform here quite frequently. I still remember that the first thing that we would do when we reached Bengaluru was to shop at The Wearhouse. They always sold some cool clothes. Bengaluru was always a nice place to hang out. We would also hop in and out of as many pubs and cafes back then.

Bulletin Board

Retail internship

PUMA Sports India is hiring interns for Retail Operations profile in Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. Students and recent graduates who are proficient in English can apply by December 15. The stipend is Rs 7,000 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-191.

English course

British Council announces the new batch of myEnglish, an English improvement course. It is designed to improve fluency, accuracy and confidence in English through interactive lessons. This course is for students and working professionals above the age of 18. The course will begin on December 16, 2017. For more details, visit www.britishcouncil.in/myenglish.

UG courses

Indian School of Business & Finance (ISBF) invites students to apply for its three-year undergraduate honours degree programmes. The last date to apply is December 10, 2017. For more details visit www.applytoisbf.com.

Marketing internship

IDBI Federal Life Insurance Company is hiring interns for Marketing profile in Bengaluru, Hosur and Arisinakunte. Students and recent graduates who are proficient in English can apply by December 31. The stipend is Rs. 3,750-8,750 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-192.

Business courses

IMS Noida invites applications for the Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Postgraduate Diploma in Management - Entrepreneurship courses. The last date to apply is March 31, 2018. For more details, visit www.imsnoida.in.

STEAM School

Makers Asylum and Institut Français India present STEAM School, under the umbrella of Bonjour India, a four-month-long, 100 project strong multidisciplinary journey across India. All projects from STEAM School will be showcased at TECH2017, a UNESCO conference, in Visakhapatnam from December 16 to 18, 2017. For more details, visit www.bonjour-india.in.

Online learning

Shine.com introduces www.shinelearning.com, a professional courses and certifications marketplace for working professionals. For more details, visit www.shinelearning.com.

TFI Fellowship

The Teach For India Fellowship provides an opportunity for youngsters to serve as full-time teachers to children from low-income communities. Applications for the 2018-2020 fellowship is now open. The last date to apply is December 10. To apply, visit apply.teachforindia.org.

Social Media internship

Nightingales Medical Trust is looking for Social Media interns with communication skills and knowledge of digital media landscape, including various social media sites. The stipend is Rs 20,000 per month. For more details, call on 9243737217 or email hr@nightingaleseldercare.com.

Research Grant programme

As part of its efforts to strengthen and elevate the state of understanding of societal processes and outcomes, Azim Premji University conducts its annual Research Grant Programme. Applicants may submit their proposals online at www.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in. The last date for submissions is January 30, 2018.

Music scholarship

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai and Citi India jointly invite applications for the Citi - NCPA Scholarship for Indian Music 2018-2019. Applicants are given a scholarship to pursue advance training in Hindustani music. The last date to apply is December 20, 2017. Candidates in the age group of 18 â€" 30 years are eligible to apply. For more details, call 022-66223872.

UCollege scholarship

Udacity announced its UCollege Scholarship to help students prepare for #JobsOfTomorrow. Udacity will offer 50% scholarship on its Nanodegree programmes to all students currently enrolled in any UGC or AICTE approved institution, if they enrol between December 1 and 15, 2017.

Online essay contest

The Council for Youth Development and Research Foundation invites entries for the All India Online Essay Competition 2018 at the junior and senior level on the occasion of 69th Republic Day of India. The last date to submit is December 31. To submit, visit www.bit.ly/2AAquzU.

Studying in USA

EducationUSA, Chennai is conducting a series of informational sessions this month for students looking to study in the United States. This includes a webinar session Ask an Adviser on December 8, Graduate Studies in the US by University of Chicago on December 12, Spring 2018 Pre-Departure Orientation on December 14, and Graduate Studies in the USA Students Perspective on December 21. For more details, call 044-28574134
or email usiefchennai@usief.org.in.

Culinary scholarships

Le Cordon Bleu, New Zealand invites applications for the Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Business Scholarships for International Students. The last date to apply is December 23. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2zHEhHZ.

Visiting scholarship

The University of St Andrews has announced Library Visiting Scholarship Scheme 2018. Visiting scholarships are an opportunity for the candidates to research a topic from the special collections of the universitys library. The last date to apply is January 21, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/1RNEBBZ.

Science scholarship

The Novus Biologicals Scholarship Programme is providing scholarships to students who are interested in developing a career in science. The scholarship will be awarded to students pursuing a degree in a Science-related field. The last date to apply is December 15. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/2eTLOsU.

Judgement writing contest

Centre for Public Law, ILS Law College, Pune invites applications from students pursuing the three-year or five-year law courses for the fifth ILS National Alternate Judgement Writing Competition 2017-2018. The last date to submit is December 20. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2zRIHaZ.

Anant fellowship

Anant National University invites applications for The Anant Fellowship 2018. The fellowship is aimed to prepare and empower solutionaries who design, build and preserve more equitable and sustainable Built Environment in India. The last date to apply is December 20. For more details, visit www.anu.edu.in/fellowship.

EIS scholarships

Erasmus in School (EIS) has launched scholarships for the young individuals across the world who are interested to be a language assistant in any educational institution. The last date to apply is December 20. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2AbIh3C.

CBT course

Calm India, a four-week Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) course on how to gain control of your mind and build resilience to stress, anxiety and depression, has been launched to address declining risk in India. To enrol, visit www.calmindia.com.

Postgraduate scholarships

Newcastle University is offering 40 Vice-Chancellors Excellence Scholarships for outstanding international applicants who apply to commence full-time Masters studies. The last date to apply is June 29, 2018. For more details, email scholarship.application s@ncl.ac.uk.

Kofi Atta Annan once said, "Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family." While education is the key to transformation, it is essential to keep re-imagining the mediums through which it is delivered. Time and again, we need to look beyond the four walls of a classroom and traditional methods of teaching for the holistic development of a child.

The advent of technology has liberated education from an archaic system and things are changing for the better, albeit gradually. Gone are the days when students had to take down notes while a teacher was explaining a lesson. These days, with the help of recorded lectures, students are only required to concentrate on whats being taught, and have the option to play it over and over again without having to go through the unnecessary labour of making notes.

Yet, it might be a bit of an over-stretch to think that digital ways alone can solve the problems that affect Indias educational landscape. While technology can quicken the process or reach out to more learners, it is only by adopting a seamless blend of the efficiency of the digital medium with the penetrative and focused
traditional pedagogical methods can we create an impact on the way education is consumed.

Connecting with students

One of the greatest contributions of tech-enabled education is the spread of online courses. Online learning offers a host of opportunities to students by offering content-heavy courses, soft-skill courses, language and technical skill courses or simply subject-specific courses.

While this has enabled students in even the remotest areas of the country to learn from material prepared by the best teachers, there is a flipside to it that is often ignored. Education is not a one-time service provider but a long-term process. While machines, artificial intelligence (AI) or any other technical innovation provides the material, it cannot redefine its approach to meet the needs of children who fail to understand the academic concepts through the rigid manner of tech-based education.

People often tend to overlook the fact that technology is only as good as its creator. Unless there is a tutor to inspire, help students through their struggles, adopt teaching methods that are suited to the students needs and abilities, students wont be able to succeed in their career paths. Technology can only lend a helping hand to learn, but it cannot replace the immense knowledge and experience that comes with a teacher. Therefore, a blend of traditional learning and digital tools is necessary to create an environment that is informative and immersive. This will enable students to achieve good scores.

While AI-powered chatbots can deliver the best of content to many students simultaneously by analysing a large amount of data, it completely lacks on the emotional involvement quotient. Throughout history, teaching has been an interaction between students and the teacher.

Thus, our learning evolution has happened considering the emotional quotient. Technology can certainly change the way students learn, but for students to avail the complete benefits of digital tools, an approach which takes in the emotional connect that students
and teachers have is necessary. It is essential that teachers add value to lessons and inspire students to attain their goals.

The world over, the debate over technology and its pervasive role in human society is intensifying. It is however, beyond doubt that education will do nothing but benefit from a partnered approach by digital innovation and human compassion. A blended approach where technology is used as a driver to empower tutors in delivering exceptional learning outcomes can be put into use to achieve the desired results.

Every child is different with diverse needs, strengths and learning abilities, and a successful system of education is the one that can teach the same lesson in different ways, catering to every student.

(The author is co-founder, Genext Students, Mumbai)

A Business Management programme is designed to impart business and management skills to groom students into effective leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in todays competitive economy. The academic standards set by educational institutions provide information on instructional approaches that have proven to be successful in complementing the students learning. These approaches are studentâ€"centric and reflect new views of the learners. In traditional settings, teachers in this domain assume an active leadership role and operate as decision makers, planners and collaborators who are more reflective, responsible and empowered, besides being specialists in the subject.

With growing universal importance of student achievement standards and greater emphasis on performance-based assessment within education, edification seems more receptive to a range of corporate-sector strategies. The teaching profession comes with tremendous challenges as it demands teachers to go beyond the traditional role to provide promising alternatives.

The faculty plays a pivotal role in the amelioration of academic standards by implementation of reform ideas. The reform movement affords an opportunity for faculty members to re-examine and analyse teaching and learning in the light of newer perspectives on educational practice. There is an emerging focus on raising the standard of teaching through teacher learning while retaining focus on student improvement.

Professional development

In addition to specific professional development strategies, effective opportunities for learning should be considered in education. High-growth organisations have flexible structures that promote informal learning. This is an educational strategy for faculty and students that implies consideration of alternative teacher roles. In an informal learning context, faculty members become facilitators, mentors or resource providers.

Teacher preparation and professional development need to be made industry-relevant. Professional development for faculty covers learning situations like attending conferences and being involved in research besides the full range of intellectual discipline, from conceptual understanding to the practical application of knowledge.

In view of the emphasis on student achievement standards, institutions must ensure that the professional development of the teacher is aligned with individual and organisational needs and goals. Teacher evaluation should be strongly performance based. Corporate companies evaluate work effectiveness in terms of results and performance. Similarly, faculty members need to be evaluated against stipulated performance standards and on an ongoing basis. The evaluation should be based on teachers content knowledge and student amelioration.

Such performance-based evaluation entails assigning tasks to faculty members based on their demonstrated level of skill and recommending appropriate remedial strategies to address weaknesses. Knowledge management in education leaves a lot to be desired. Faculty members have limited access to data and requisite training which in turn hampers their personal performance and that of their students.

Thus, as teachers learn more about content, pedagogy and reform, they develop self-confidence and self-worth. Challenges need to be faced to avoid becoming irrelevant. So, the need of the hour is to hone up ones skill-sets. Influence of collegiality, collaboration, and professional learning communities on teacher and student success is highly valued and promoted across all levels of education as positive avenues of constructive learning.

Authentic learning experiences

The job description of a teacher includes developing and implementing innovative teaching techniques, preparing teaching materials, lectures and student assessment, among others. Growing emphasis on providing authentic learning experiences to faculty members has resulted in augmented teaching and learning.

The faculty members success in making coherent instructional decisions depends on developing a position or stance on professionalism, collaboration, knowledge, and instruction that is focused on learning and the learner. Any institution capable of imparting the skill sets necessary for effective teaching should be eligible to participate in teacher preparation. If faculty members can demonstrate their ability to perform well in the classroom, the length and path of their preparation should be irrelevant.

There is recognition that faculty members are a critical link between reform ideas and improved student learning. As views of educational leadership encompass new understandings from the corporate world, the relationship between college administrators and faculty members is evolving.

(The author is director, Adarsh Institute
of Management and Information
Technology, Bengaluru)

Dear Madam,

I am a third year Electronics and Communication engineering student. I plan to pursue a Masters course in Engineering Management in countries like New Zealand or UK. Could you suggest some universities? What is the process to apply for the programme for September 2019? Do I have to write GRE if I am writing IELTS?

A Student

Dear Student,

Universities for Engineering Management in New Zealand are University of Canterbury and University of Auckland. In UK, Nottingham Trent University, Brunel University, Middlesex University, University of Birmingham and the University of Manchester. You dont have to write the GRE exam for both of these countries. Your IELTS scores are sufficient.

Dear Madam,

I am a final year Industrial and Production engineering student and I would like to pursue an MS degree in the same field in Germany. I have been going through some of the courses offered by the colleges and have observed that a few of them ask for a work experience of at least one year. Since I do not have any work experience is there a chance of me getting accepted for the course or is it advisable to apply for an alternative course?

A Student

Dear Student,

Some of the German universities which are well-known for Industrial and Production Engineering include Technical University of Berlin, Hamburg University of
Technology, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Reutlingen University,
FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Technical University of Munich,
Technical University of Darmstadt and University of Groningen.

Work experience is definitely a preferred entry requirement. If you have a high GPA, have carried out projects other than your regular course work and have knowledge of German language, they will consider your application. Alternative courses like Engineering Management do not require work experience.

Either way, I would advise you to register for and complete a German language course at the Goethe Institute. This will help you with your admissions and will work to your advantage in the job market.

Dear Madam,

I am studying II PUC (Science). I am interested in studying Neuroscience. For this, I want to continue my education abroad and wish to study Neuroscience in Germany or other European countries. What are the qualifications and exams I have to take to study abroad? Also, what is the minimum percentage I have to get in my II PUC exam? Lastly, which universities are good to study Neuroscience?

A Student

Dear Student,

German universities offer high quality education, are extremely affordable and offer long stay visas for students. Hence, getting admission to one of their universities is highly competitive. You should have a high percentage of over 85 % in your PUC and a good IELTS or TOEFL score.

Doing a course in German language will strengthen your application. University of Munich, Heidelberg University, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Charite -Medical University of Berlin, University of Bonn and Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf are good for Neuroscience.

Dear Madam,

I am a fourth year BE student. Im interested in having a career in research and teaching. Currently Im preparing for GATE with a goal of pursuing Masters in Aerospace engineering in an IIT. Would it be a better option to try for MS in a
foreign university?

A Student

Dear Student,

If you are taking the GATE and aiming for the IITs, stay focused and work towards your plan. In my experience, it is easier to get into a foreign university than an IIT. Luckily, most foreign universities accept the GATE scores. Perhaps you could keep your options open by applying to both IITs as well as some of the top foreign universities.

Dear Madam,

I am a Class 12 student. I want to become an oncologist. Could you please suggest some good colleges abroad for the same? Also, please suggest the application process and the exams I need to attempt.

Spoorthi

Dear Spoorthi,

Oncology is offered as a specialised course by all the top medical schools in the world. Depending on which country you wish to study in, the entrance exams vary.

For instance, for US, Canada, Singapore and Europe you need to write SAT, SAT Subject tests, TOEFL iBT or IELTS. For the UK, you need to write IELTS and UKAT or BMAT.

Application process is very similar in all countries. You have to complete an online application and upload documents such as passport copy, resume, statement of purpose, high school transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendations from two subject teachers and a counsellor.

Dear Madam,

Im studying MBBS. I would like to pursue my Masters degree in the UK or Singapore. Please guide with the procedure or tests required for the same.

Sheeba

Dear Sheeba,

Singapore universities such as NUS - Duke Medical School and NTU offer postgraduate programmes like MD and PhD. Both MCAT and GAMSAT test scores are accepted by them. To pursue a Masters in the UK after your MBBS, you need to write only the IELTS test. Once you are registered for your programme, you should take the PLAB exam to be able to practice in the UK.

Dear Madam,

I want to pursue my MS in Germany. Most of the universities dont ask for GRE in Germany, but does having a GRE score help in getting into a better university? Kindly help me with some suggestions.

A Student

Dear Student,

GRE is required for most German universities. It certainly will help even if it is not mandatory. Additionally, take the TOEFL iBT or IELTS and a German Language test. You should always aim to have more credentials than what is the bare requirement.

Robots have always fascinated people, whether they are aspiring to be the engineers of the future or just spectators and consumers wanting to see what the next gadget will be. For those wanting to start a career as an engineer, it is an excellent time to study robotics: governments across the globe are encouraging industries to focus on the long-awaited fourth industrial revolution, the so-called Industry 4.0, which will embed robots in smart manufacturing technologies.

Manufacturing has come a long way since the first mechanisation of devices using water or steam power. The first factories relied on simple machines doing repetitive tasks and people labouring to complete the product. As consumerism and need grew, the mass production assembly line allowed items to be created quickly and to a high quality, using machines running on electricity.

Then came the first standalone automation systems and robots. The next evolution in manufacturing is cyber physical systems - interconnected networks of robots, devices and products that communicate data, which is the main new element of smart manufacturing, or Industry 4.0.

Outside of the factories, robots have vast potential for operating in our cities where they will contribute to smart and safe traffic systems with wirelessly interconnected driverless cars. And in healthcare, robots surgeons will operate on and care for people with tireless attention to detail, moving surgical tools with micro-scale precision beyond the limits of human capability. There is a massive demand for the engineers who will design these robots of the future, and one of the ways in which these engineers will learn the skills they need is through either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

A Mechatronic and Robotics engineering degree is built around the pillars of Computing, Control, Mechanics and Electronics. And one more thing: Maths. Maths is often overlooked by prospective students but it is central to robot design as a good engineer needs to understand all the fundamentals. For instance, using differential equations from Calculus to
describe the changing forces and velocities of a driverless car with respect to
time.

Mathematics is also of key importance for developing machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms for robot control. As such, on most degree programmes in Robotics engineering, you will study machine learning techniques such as artificial neural networks, pattern recognition and data fusion - some of the main building blocks of artificial intelligence.

Possible careers

Currently, robots and mechatronics systems used in industry are quite simple: robot arms pick up objects and place them down in pre-defined locations in factories, safely isolated from people. However, in the future, robots will operate around people, in what are known as unstructured environments, where random events occur. Robots will need to be able to adapt to unpredictable situations, like when a person unexpectedly steps out in front of a driverless car.

As the robots become smarter, the demand for robots will increase in industry, driving increased employment opportunities for robotics engineers. Some of the industry sectors likely to benefit are:

Smart manufacturing: Robots working safely alongside humans to increase productivity (in industry 4.0).

Offshore exploration: Underwater robots will be use to explore the oceans, inspect and maintain underwater infrastructure, and also aid rescue missions.

Robotics engineering is one of the most soguht-after degree to study not only because of the excitement it offers, but also due to the high salaries offered, when compared to many other fields. This makes Robotics engineering a great investment for your future.

So, if you enjoy Maths but want to work in a growing industry, amongst some of the most exciting technologies of the 21st century - consider robotics as a possible option for study in higher education.

(The author is senior lecturer, University of Sheffield, UK)

The younger generation today is seeing a number of traditional career options losing their sheen and at the same time, a plethora of new career options coming into being. Further, there is an information overdose due to global exposure. A direct consequence of this is conflicting views about career choices among students and parents.

Informed career choice

In this light, here are some guidelines that you can follow to make an informed choice:

* Parents should discuss with their children about their career aspirations and not force their desires onto their children.

* Parents should ensure that the children are not victims of peer pressure. Some students have the tendency to choose career options that are preferred by their friends or the ones that are much in demand. Sometimes, parents also force their kids to
pursue the most sought-after careers. Such a short-sighted approach would only lead to incorrect career choices and plenty of anxiety and confusion later on.

* The right approach would be to take up an aptitude test that can help the student ascertain the right career choice based on his or her interest and potential, and then work towards the same.

* Career counselling plays a critical role in helping students plan out their career. A career counsellor is helpful as he or she can give not only expert guidance but also a dispassionate view of various options.

* A thorough research online can enlighten the students about the pros and cons of various institutions. This would also connect them with the universitys alumni and provide a channel to get more information.

* It is very critical for all parents and teachers to help students transition from school to college in a seamless and smooth manner. Further, the transition from a junior college to a professional institution should be handled with utmost care and caution.

* Another important focus area for the younger generation is to develop ones overall personality. In todays competitive world, the person who succeeds is the one who has the right attitude and multiple skills. It is necessary to strengthen ones communication and teamwork skills.

* Parents should encourage the child to actively participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities at the school and college level. It is here that they learn valuable lessons of competitiveness and sportspersonship.

In short, it is essential that schools initiate in-house career seminars for students right from high school. This would help students know about various career options and the requirements for the same. It is ideal that the parents also attend these seminars as they can get their doubts clarified. The seminar should be followed up by an aptitude test the results of which need to be discussed on an one-to-one basis with the students and their parents.

Students need to remember that underlying interest is key to pursue a career. The age of information overdose is such that it becomes important to pause, analyse and then decide on the right career path from among a plethora of options available.

Choosing the right college

Choosing a degree in the field of interest is crucial for a student to build a strong foundation for his or her career. Though short-term courses can help students find a job, career progression will be stunted over a period of time without proper qualification. It would be ideal to complete a Masters degree in the chosen area of interest.

As the admission process can be a bit daunting for both students and parents, here are some tips that can make the process stress-free:

* Make a list of colleges that you wish to apply to: It is every students dream to go to the best college. However, the admission process is dependent not only on your performance but the relative performance of your peers. Hence, it is better to make a list of colleges that one can apply to. This should be determined by factors like the college or universitys faculty, reputation, subjects offered and proximity from home. Besides, students should also familiarise themselves with the admission procedure and the requirements for online applications.

Keep attested copies of all important documents such as marks card, domicile certificates ready, as they are needed during the admission process. It would also be useful to visit the college you are applying to, get some ideas about the courses and interact with the students and faculty.

* Confirm the admission: Based on the admission process, take admission into the first college allotted to you. This will minimise your anxiety to a great extent. Every system allows you to continue to try for a seat in the college of your choice although you have confirmed one seat for yourself in some other college. Do ensure that you are aware of the deadlines for these procedures as these cannot be extended. As most of these are available online, tracking becomes much easier.

* Understand the migration process: It is important to keep in mind that the process of migration from a junior college to a degree college has to be planned for in a systematic manner. Ensure that all the procedures and norms for this migration are understood and followed. One may also need migration certificate if the transition is across states or across different boards. Since the rules vary from board to board and even state to state, sufficient preparation will make the task much easier.

Let us remember that conscious planning is essential to have a good career. Students should never choose careers because they are popular. Instead they but should opt for the ones that suit them. Remember that if careers are not planned, they may go haywire. Besides, the latent potential that people possess may remain subdued and suppressed. Hence, parents and teachers should facilitate students to make wise career choices.

(The author is with ITM Group of Institutions, Mumbai)