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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
M. Krishnamurthy to speak at Chicago university conference
The University of Chicago Library will host the 20th International Open Repositories Conference (IORC) from June 15–18, 2025. The theme of this year's conference is 'Twenty Years of Progress, a Future of Possibilities.' M. Krishnamurthy, professor, Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru, has been invited to speak at the event. He has also been selected as one of the fellows of the University of Chicago, U.S. During the conference, he will deliver a lecture on Research Data Management in Social Science.


The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Showcase your expertise
I am pursuing Social Science. My UG degree was International Relations, and Master's was Political Science. What are the potential career options in teaching in India and abroad? What skills do I need to develop? Dheeraj Dear Dheeraj, Your academic background is a strong asset. Potential career options in India include teaching in government and private schools (the latter could be affiliated to Indian or international boards), universities and colleges, coaching or tutoring, and curriculum development or creation of educational content. Abroad, you can teach at schools if you complete specific certifications that are prerequisites in those countries. Work on becoming a subject matter expert, and stay updated on current events. Understand and apply pedagogical skills such as lesson planning, delivery, classroom management and differentiated instruction. Work on your verbal and written communication and active listening. Use technology to create digital content and build a skillset in software proficiency. Develop interpersonal skills, research and analytical skills and a deep understanding of cultural sensitivity. Also, explore online teaching, work with NGOs and think tanks, and build an online presence by creating a professional website or blog to showcase your expertise and teaching philosophy to help you stand out. I am in the final year of B.A. Economics. I want to do a PG in Economics and Econometrics. Are there any good institutions? Also will it help to pursue courses in computers? Sethu Dear Sethu, Some of India's top institutions, known for their Economics and Econometrics programmes are Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Delhi and Kolkata; Delhi School of Economics (DSE); Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), Mumbai; Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU); Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) Delhi, Kanpur, and Kharagpur; and Madras School of Economics (MSE), Chennai. Computer skills are essential for Econometrics (as it relies on statistical software such as R, Python, and Stata). Proficiency in these tools is crucial for data analysis and model building and will broaden your job prospects. I have completed BBA but am not sure what to do next. I am interested in stock market trading. Are there any courses on the stock market, especially futures and option trading? Viswa Dear Viswa, The National Stock Exchange (NSE) Academy offers a range of courses including futures and options trading, and provides industry-recognised certifications. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Institute also offers courses related to the stock market, including derivatives trading that cater to different levels of experience. The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) offers certification exams that are mandatory for certain roles in the securities market. Online platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and edx offering a variety of courses on finance, investing, and trading. Zerodha, a popular brokerage platform in India, provides free educational modules on various aspects of the stock market, including futures and options. Investopedia is another valuable online resource to learn about financial terms and concepts. Many brokerage firms offer educational resources and seminars on trading. However, be cautious and ensure that the information is unbiased and genuine. Before trading with real money, practice with a demo account to get a feel for the market and test your strategies. Start small and gradually increase your investment as you gain experience. The stock market is constantly evolving and dynamic. So, it is essential to stay updated with the latest trends and developments. Futures and options trading involves significant risk, so understand the potential losses before you start trading. Be wary of 'get-rich-quick' schemes, scams and unrealistic promises. I completed (Hons) Agriculture and worked in an e-commerce supplier. Now I am looking after operations and finance in two retail shops in my family business. This has got me interested in finance, and I took up a certification in Investment Banking. Should I look for entry-level jobs in the investment sector or try for CFA Level 1? Raghul Dear Raghul, Entry-level jobs in the investment sector will help you gain practical experience, build a professional network, and learn from experienced professionals. However, these positions are highly competitive, and your non-traditional background may require you to put in extra effort to showcase your skills. But the CFA Level 1 CFA Level 1 is a globally recognised qualification and will significantly enhance your credibility and showcase a strong commitment to finance, thereby increasing your chances of landing better jobs. However, it will require significant time and effort for preparation and does not guarantee a job. Start preparing for the exam while actively seeking entry-level jobs. Leverage your experience in managing finances and operations in your family business, and highlight your ability to analyse financial data and make informed decisions. Connect with professionals in the investment sector. Customise your resume to highlight relevant skills and experience. Emphasise your analytical skills, financial acumen, and ability to learn quickly. Gain proficiency in financial software and tools, and improve your communication and presentation skills. Consider internships to gain relevant experience and make connections.


Time of India
05-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Plastic peril in Sundarbans: Microplastics found in fishing cat scat, soil, water and prey
KOLKATA : A study has laid bare the presence of plastic in scat samples of fishing cats in the Indian Sundarbans, indicating how far the non-biodegradable pollutant has penetrated the fragile ecosystem. Plastic was also found in their environmental and dietary components like soil, water, vegetation, rodents, fish and crabs. The plastic includes both high- and low-density polyethylene and the study follows similar exposes on the presence of heavy metals in the Sundarbans ecosystem . Experts blame tourism, unused fishing nets discarded in the islands and industrial influx from Kolkata for the magnitude of the problem. 'Microplastics detected in the scat samples of fishing cats are mainly fibres with some beads and pellets, foam, sheets and fragments. The sizes ranged between 0.1 and 0.9mm. An analysis confirmed that the majority of microplastics were composed of high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene and polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, poly-ether, and diglycidyl ethers that are common constituents of plastic pollution originating from tourist and industrial waste,' said Samrat Chakraborty of Calcutta University's dept of zoology, who led the study. Professor Goutam Kumar Saha of dept of zoology, CU, and Dr Tanoy Mukherjee of Indian Statistical Institute along with Joydip Kundu of city-based NGO SHER were the co-principal investigators. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The study — conducted at Pakhiralay, Patharpratima, Lothian Wildlife Sanctuary and Henry's Island with the Wildlife Conservation Trust's BEES Grants — identified unscientific tourism loads and random littering (of plastic packets and bottles) plus nets discarded by fisherfolk as the microplastic sources. Plastic pollution could lead to gastrointestinal problems in fishing cats, Bengal's state animal, Chakraborty said. 'This can also result in behavioural changes that may impact their hunting practices. These toxins can cause severe damage to the reproductive cycles, resulting in poor litter numbers or babies with imm-unological problems. All these may impact the fishing cat population in the near future,' he added. The same study earlier detected the presence of heavy metals like lead and chromium in fishing cat scat samples and the environment. The team has also conducted two awareness camps in the Sundarbans. Teachers from forest fringes participated in the camp at Pakhiralay, where they focused on the pollutants' toxic effects. The team conducted a clean-up drive at the Bhagabatpur Crocodile Sanctuary. Awareness camps, too, were held in 12 South Bengal districts to reach out to a wider audience of grassroots communities, teachers, fishermen, boatmen, students and other stakeholders and make them aware of the ecological significance of fishing cats and the need for their conservation, Chakraborty said.


Time of India
05-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Fishing cat poop reveals plastic peril in Sundarbans
KOLKATA: A study has laid bare the presence of plastic in scat samples of fishing cats in the Indian Sundarbans , indicating how far the non-biodegradable pollutant has penetrated the fragile ecosystem. Plastic was also found in their environmental and dietary components like soil, water, vegetation, rodents, fish and crabs. The plastic includes both high- and low-density polyethylene and the study follows similar exposes on the presence of heavy metals in the Sundarbans ecosystem . Experts blame tourism, unused fishing nets discarded in the islands and industrial influx from Kolkata for the magnitude of the problem. 'Microplastics detected in the scat samples of fishing cats are mainly fibres with some beads and pellets, foam, sheets and fragments. The sizes ranged between 0.1 and 0.9mm. An analysis confirmed that the majority of microplastics were composed of high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene and polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, poly-ether, and diglycidyl ethers that are common constituents of plastic pollution originating from tourist and industrial waste,' principal investigator and Calcutta University zoology professor Samrat Chakraborty said, quoting from the study. Indian Statistical Institute professors Goutam Kumar Saha and Tanoy Mukherjee along with Joydip Kundu of city-based NGO SHER were the co-principal investigators. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Accounting Automation Software Might Help You To Earn More Accounting Automation Software | Search ads Undo The study — conducted at Pakhiralay, Patharpratima, Lothian Wildlife Sanctuary and Henry's Island with the Wildlife Conservation Trust's BEES Grants — identified unscientific tourism loads and random littering (of plastic packets and bottles) plus nets discarded by fisherfolk as the microplastic sources. Plastic pollution could lead to gastrointestinal problems in fishing cats, Bengal's state animal, Chakraborty said. 'This can also result in behavioural changes that may impact their hunting practices. These toxins can cause severe damage to the reproductive cycles, resulting in poor litter numbers or babies with imm-unological problems. All these may impact the fishing cat population in the near future,' he added. The same study earlier detected the presence of heavy metals like lead and chromium in fishing cat scat samples and the environment. The team has also conducted two awareness camps in the Sundarbans. Teachers from forest fringes participated in the camp at Pakhiralay, where they focused on the pollutants' toxic effects. The team conducted a clean-up drive at the Bhagabatpur Crocodile Sanctuary. Awareness camps, too, were held in 12 south Bengal districts to reach out to a wider audience of grassroots communities, teachers, fishermen, boatmen, students and other stakeholders and make them aware of the ecological significance of fishing cats and the need for their conservation, Chakraborty said. Earlier, the study had pointed to heavy metal presence in the mangroves. As per initial findings, there is presence of heavy metals such as lead and chromium in the fishing cats' scat samples, their environmental samples — water, soil, vegetation — and also in food chain — fish, rodents, crabs. According to Chakraborty, scats and the environmental samples were initially collected. 'This was followed by acid digestion and then quantification of heavy metals by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry technique (ICP-OES) to arrive at the initial results,' he elaborated.


NDTV
04-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Bengal ISC Topper Drops Her Surname, Says 'Humanism' Only Religion
Kolkata: Srijani, the ISC topper from West Bengal who scored a perfect 400 out of 400, chose not to retain her surname when filing her examination form saying the decision stemmed from her belief in a society free from distinctions based on caste, creed, religion and gender. The student of Future Foundation School in South Kolkata achieved a flawless 100 in all her subjects. Despite the intense academic schedule, she found time to participate in the Women Reclaim the Night movement on August 14, following the rape-murder of an RG Kar medical student. "As an individual, it was my decision - supported by my parents and sister. I believe in a society rising above divisions in caste, gender and religion, and beyond economic status. For me, a surname doesn't matter. I've always been known by my first name to my friends and loved ones. Why carry the baggage of a surname? I'm lucky to have the full support of my family," Srijani, the Ranikuthi resident in the city's Tollygunge area told PTI on Saturday. Her father Debashis Goswami, an Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) professor and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, and mother Gopa Mukherjee, assistant professor of Gurudas College, were doubly proud for their daughter's feat as well as her principles and values. "Both my daughters uphold the values and beliefs we inculcated in them since birth. I myself don't use my husband's surname. When we applied for our daughters' birth certificates, we didn't include any surname. We envision a society free from the prejudices of patriarchy and chauvinism," Ms Mukherjee said. Ms Mukherjee, along with both her daughters, actively participated repeatedly during the R G Kar protests. "For me, walking with thousands of fellow citizens seeking justice for the RG Kar victim never conflicted with academic preparations," she said. Srijani, who aspires to pursue research in pure science like her father, said she never saw herself as the typical studious type. "Beyond study hours, I'd always find time for adda with my parents, sister and close friends," she said. When asked about her stance on religion, she added, "I wrote 'Humanism' in the slot for religion on the application form." An official from Future Foundation, Regent Park, noted, "We have no issue if a candidate wishes to opt out of a surname. This is perfectly within the law." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)