Notable Nuggets

Identity Crisis
Indians normally bother a great deal about our identity, Kannadiga Lingayat, Tamil Iyer, Kashmiri Pundit, etc. But we aren't worried about our official identity crises. Many of us don't preserve our SSLC marks card, a proper birth certificate; ration card, or for that matter don't even own a voter's ID.
Over the years the value of each of these identity proofs has changed. To begin with there was only one Ration Card. Green, pink, yellow, all hues indicating levels of economic status and also privileges at the fair price shop. Then came the voter's identity card also called Seshan Card; with too many blunders in it, it never became the universal identity it was supposed to be. In the last elections, many voters with ID cards were denied their rights since the voter's list didn't mention their names! So one good photo ID proof you can show today is your Driver's License. But the fun is, when you break a traffic rule, the police can't come over to your house to pin you down; many times the address given will be outdated with most of us still living in rented houses!
A passport is the ultimate ID proof one can have; but it is too valuable to be carried around. I feel the Permanent Account Number Card or the PAN card issued by the IT dept. fits the bill. For people who do not come in the tax bracket, the National Social Security Number being issued by the PF dept. could be a better alternative. But when will that happen... Hopefully within our presidents 2020 vision period.
http://epfindia.nic.in/SOCIAL%20SECURITY%20NUMBER.htm

Google Vs the Library
Let's ask ourselves a simple query... When was the last time we went to a public library...? There was a time when private circulating libraries were making flourishing business. Remember Eloor Lending Library... don't worry, it's still very much alive! With the advent of information revolution, there is a flood of information available at a click of a mouse.
That apart, all possible info is available on the net... Can we search anything on Google... probably not. If you want the details of Hitler's conquest on Russia during World War II, you get a complete picture. But if you want to search for info related to Indian like Mangal Pandey, you will only find film reviews. The few websites that have the info on 1857 uprising are very sketchy. On the other hand, this vast ocean of data is deprived to thousands of students studying in our universities and colleges.
Most of our libraries don't have computers with net connectivity, so a student would have to manage with archived journals and books. Fortunately things are changing; University Grants Commission is modernizing the university campuses with campus wide networks and setting up its own nationwide communication network named UGC-INFONET. City based knowledge management firm Informatics India and IIIT-B are hosting their annual global event in India called Infovision-2005. Let's hope this event facilitates debate on challenges before the information society and develop a unified vision.
http://www.infovision.org.in/2005/orgcommittee.html

All-in-one
Everybody loves a vibrant open forum where they can exchange views or seek help. One such happening online network is Bangalore Business Network on Ryze.com. Recently I happened to see an interesting job classified posted on it.
"A fast growing event management firm needs a graphic designer with experience in merchandising and events, skills in Flash, 3D Studio Max, know-how on music and fashion, good team player with communication skills, creative solutions within short deadlines..."
Wow! that's some job profile they are looking for! I am wondering isn't that too much to ask for in one person... honestly they are looking for quite a rare gem and that profile would cost them a bomb! Moreover there's no guarantee that they will stay with you for long. Better search for individual specialist who would do the same work for half the price.
But this is a syndrome that most of the SMEs suffer from. They want a well trained, flexible, experienced industry ready professional who would also come cheap! It is safer to get raw freshers, train them and grow them for bigger roles, than get quick fix professionals who would be a misfit.
http://www.ryze.com/posttopic.php?topicid=963594&confid=366

ESP for business
Recently I was invited by Ms. Lalitha Ravi to a lecture on life skills. These days there are too many corporate soft skills trainers in the market, so I was reluctant. But when I got a glimpse of the topic, it picked my curiosity. It was not just a counselling therapy, but it also included Aura Reading and ESP sessions!
R. Ravi, President of Epiance Inc., explained how this new therapy helped him in making key decisions in strategic issues. He was undergoing serious crisis during the inception of his company and was approached by an ESP expert Rashmi Aiyappa of Aashwasan. She studied his aural energy and suggested a few changes in the way he handled issues.
Rashmi believes that ESP can bring insights into events that can happen in future from our own consciousness. It helps in discovering one's true potential and enables our intuitive mind to make the right decision. This brings us back to the ancient thinking that human instinct has to be allowed to take irrational decisions beyond logical thinking. So in future if we are well aware of our ESP, we can perceive if we are going ahead with the deal, right from the first meeting!
These snippets were published in Businessgyan, Sep 2005
http://www.businessgyan.com/content/view/1624/344/