Interview websites

If you're not the scion of some bigwig dynasty with more money in the bank than is anathema for the majority who must pave their own road, you will have, hopefully, realised that getting a job that allows you to hold your head up and get you swimming instead of merely treading water is not really a matter of luck. It all depends on your will and determination to go for broke with the firm belief that the one important commodity you have as a bargaining chip is yourself. It's your preparation and dedication that will land you that dream.

Naturally, it's not that applicants are not ready to put in efforts in this regard, but many a time the method of preparation tends to go awry. Well, the best way to explore the job industry is through the Internet because websites and blogs have updated information to guide you during the preparatory stage.

Here, then are the top eight websites you can check to get recruited by your dream company, as reported by Business Insider. Company websites will always display the best on offer, but when you plan to join one of them, it's obvious that you will be curious to know about the negatives as well. But then again, try as you might you may not get a transparent feedback, which is where this American website has reviews from former or current employees on a variety of organisations and since these reviews come as anonymous posts, people do write in about both the positives and negatives. Hence, it would pay to browse the website to know every detail of your recruiter and get a clear picture — from salary to work culture and beyond.

Khan Academy: Group discussions and personal interviews are now a part of the recruitment process of any kind of company. Candidates tend to be confused about preparing on this, but reading newspapers and magazines might improve your general knowledge. So for deeper analysis into critical subjects, you can log in to this website where there are elaborate informative videos or lectures that will help you gain knowledge and prepare for an interview.

Coursera and edX: These two websites have online academic contents to help you prepare methodically on subjects like biology, social sciences, mathematics, physics, engineering, humanities, medicine, business, computer science and more. Online courses in affiliated universities like Stanford and University of Pennsylvania are also open for all. This open-sourced software based academic planning is more practical oriented than theory.

Codeacademy: If coding interests you, then this website is meant for you. They offer coding tricks and techniques in eight important programming languages and have the course divided into parts like — for beginners, advanced users and more. Their "Hour Of Code" app has the same website content and you can try it out, the sooner the better. Last year, the website crossed almost 24 million users across the globe.

LearnVest: Before joining the professional world, every individual has so many questions to answer and doubts to clarify. But it's hard to find one who patiently explains every bit of it. However, you have an online solution — LearnVest has every possible clarification you might need and puts you on the road to a better pay cheque, with the same degrees and qualifications. From your first salary to retirement plans, they have structured financial plans.

Investopedia: To increase your knowledge on finance and marketing, this is the website to look into. They have an online finance dictionary to guide you from scratch to end. Content based on personal finance, there is market analysis and free trading simulators provided with clarity and brevity. It's easy to understand and reliable, too. The website received 40-million views per month recently.

Duolingo: Take a look at this website and it could become one of your favourites if you have plans to extend your linguistic knowledge. They have structured online content that will help you to learn new languages. It's very interesting and can be pursued as a pastime as well. Duolingo is ad-free and does not charge for its online facilities like translators or open courses. Its app version is available for Android and Windows phones.

Y Combinator Startup Library: Away from the professional world, if you're planning to start a business of your own or initiate a startup, then do check this website. Your idea of being an entrepreneur will be encouraged and enlightened. You get tips and advice from experts to prepare your initial stage and there are blogs by Paul Graham, the website co-founder, or from Sequoia Capital, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm.

GIA's Globally Recognised Graduate Gemologist Diploma Programme Debuts in Bangalore

19-02-2015 1:41PM

Business Wire India
 GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will offer its internationally recognised Graduate Gemologist (GG) diploma programme for the first time in Bangalore, an important consumer market for jewellery. The programme, which gives students access to world-class education in gemmology, begins February 26, 2015.

The 26-week GG programme combines theory with practical hands-on learning. The course, taught by experienced instructors, teaches students the grading and identification skills to prepare for a career as a buyer, appraiser, retailer or other gem and jewellery professional. Students gain both technical expertise and practical skills to evaluate gemstones using the GIA-developed 4Cs (colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight) of diamond quality, the International Diamond Grading System™ and the Colored Stone Grading System.

Students learn to grade diamonds consistently and accurately in the D-to-Z colour range; use a microscope, a polariscope, a refractometer and other gemmological equipment; identify hundreds of common and unusual gemstones; detect synthetics, simulants and treated gems; understand value and the path gems take from mine to market; and speak the language of gemstones accurately, confidently and fluently to consumers.

The Graduate Gemologist diploma programme will be held in Bangalore. For more details about the course and about GIA in India, visit www.giaindia.in, email eduindia@gia.edu, or call 09500044181 or 1800 102 1566.

GIA, the global leader in gem and jewellery education, also offers full-and part-time courses on diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, merchandising, jewellery design, retail and more. The Institute conducts regular corporate seminars on jewellery-related topics across 60 cities in India.

About GIA An independent organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemmology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most respected gemmological education available. Early in the 1950s, GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight.  In 1953, the Institute created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweller in the world.

Through research, education, gemmological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewellery by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu

Common myths about exercise among women

Fitness expert and nutritionist Neeraj Mehta shares a few exercise myths among women - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/photos/lifestyle-gallery/common-myths-about-exercise-among-women/#sthash.zvINW4Jz.dpuf

Fitness expert and nutritionist Neeraj Mehta shares a few exercise myths among women

Weight training will bulk up my body: Male and female bodies differ in many ways. Weight training reacts in different ways for both the body types. Male body produces a hormone called testosterone which is essential if you want to gain size. Good news is that female body does not produce this hormone. So chances of getting bulky if you lift weights are nil. Instead, weight training will help you in toning up. 

I should not work out during menstrual cycle: You can and you should workout during your menstrual cycle. Exercising during your periods will help you in reduced abdominal cramps. When you exercise your body releases feel good hormones “Endorphins”, which keeps your brain calm and makes you feel better. However, avoid doing intensive exercise and skip the abs day. Light Yoga stretches, cardio, swimming, light weight training is recommended

More sweating means more weight loss: When you sweat, your body releases water and sodium, due to which you feel that you have lost weight. This illusionary weight loss is only temporary and comes back when you rehydrate yourself. Sweating is a mechanism of body for cool down; don’t count more sweating as more weight loss

To get a flat stomach, do a lot of crunches: If you want to lose that stubborn belly fat, you have to hit your abdominal muscles from different angles with intensity. Crunches alone would not help you. To reduce the circumference of your belly, you should train your lower extremities as well. Dead lifts and squats are effective exercises to reduce the belly fat. Along with that you should add a lot of other variations such as twisting movements and leg raises  http://indianexpress.com/photos/lifestyle-gallery/common-myths-about-exercise-among-women/5/#sthash.zvINW4Jz.dpuf

1. Women who train with weights will develop large muscles.

This myth is not only absurd but also a real obstacle for those who wish to lose weight and/or develop a sleek, toned appearance. Due to insufficient amounts of testosterone, women are genetically incapable of developing large muscles without extraneous supplementation, a common practice in the sport of bodybuilding. Regular weight training does build muscle but this is crucial for weight loss and maintenance as muscle burns more calories than body fat. As such, if you have more muscle, you’ll burn more calories, even during rest. The bottom line is that in order to develop muscular strength and endurance as well as shape and tone you must perform whole-body weight training at least 2 to 3 days per week.

2. Exercising one area will cause fat to be removed from that area.

This is truly a myth. Overall body fat must be reduced in order to lose fat in any one particular area. Where you lose the most fat depends on your genetic makeup. You can be born with a genetic predisposition to be what’s called an apple or a pear shape. These classifications relate to how fat is distributed throughout your body. If you have an apple shape you’ll tend to store fat in your upper body, especially around the midsection, while if you have a pear shape, the majority of your fat will tend to be stored in your lower body. Regardless of how your body fat is distributed the two factors that have the most profound impact on your total body fat are the amount of calories you consume and the amount you burn on a daily basis. As such, in order to reduce excess body fat you should perform regular exercise training with aerobic (cardiovascular) conditioning and weight training and couple this with sensible eating.

Abdul Kalam was a visionary scientist, firm believer in God: Former ISRO scientist

While he was known as a “visionary scientist”, former President A P J Abdul Kalam was also a “firm believer in God”.

“Many of us know Kalam only as a visionary scientist who could inspire and motivate others. While being a great scientist, Kalam remained a firm believer in God. He had the ability to pardon people who had committed mistakes. He used to say that God would take care of those who committed crimes. Many people do not know this facet of Kalam’s personality,’’ said former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan, who joined Kalam’s team of engineers in 1966. Narayanan said after he was acquitted in the ISRO spy case, Kalam advised him against a legal battle. “He asked me why I wanted to sue them (police officers). He would say leave it to God, one cannot sell fabricated stories in the court of God,” he recalled.

Avinash Chander, former director general, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), recalled how he, Kalam and other fellow scientists went to have a last-minute look at the Agni missile before the launch. “Everything was in place and the second test was slated to take place. That night, at midnight, Kalam called me and took me to the missile test facility to check last-minute preparations. I still remember what he told me then. He said, ‘Avinash, we have to do our best, but at one point we have to believe that God will take care of the rest of it’,” said Chander. “His death leaves a gap that cannot be filled… He was always there, giving courage to the (scientific) community. Today, if India is making missiles, it is because of him,” he said.

“I had a 13-year association with Kalam dating back to 1985. In 1989, during the first launch of Agni, the first attempt failed and the DRDO came under tremendous pressure from the government, media and even the scientific community,” recalled G Satheesh Reddy, scientific advisor to the defence minister. “Kalam never let the pressure that he faced percolate down to us, his team members. Instead, he kept encouraging us. We were together for almost two months during that time. Even the third attempt failed, but Kalam never lost his temper,” said Reddy.

- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/abdul-kalam-was-a-staunch-believer-in-god-former-isro-scientist/#sthash.HgGDBJC4.dpuf

“May Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in peace and give fortitude to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss,” Basit said in his condolence message.

“I was fortunate and honoured to have met this great man and to be inspired by his personality, achievements and vision. RIP,” said Carmon.

“My condolences to the Indian people on the passing of former President Abdul Kalam, an inspiring scientist and leader,” said US Ambassador Richard Verma.

Meanwhile, condolence messages also came from world leaders.

“I am saddened to hear the news of the demise of former Indian president Kalam. Nepal has lost a good friend and I have lost an honoured and ideal personality,” said Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

“Sincere condolences on the sad demise of Dr A P J Kalam. A great and inspirational Indian President,” said Maldivian High Commissioner to India Ahmed Mohamed.

spa managed by visually challenged people

http://spandanaspa.com/services.html, 216, Second Floor, Kamdhenu Bldg. No. 1 , First Cross Lane, Above Domino’s, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W), Mumbai.
 Spandana Spa is an NGO engaged in helping and providing employment opportunities to visually challenged people. It's an initiative to bring out the hidden
 Shriya Saran at her shree spandana spa. https://twitter.com/shriya1109

Superfood... really?

So, another exotic food hits the headlines for possessing superlative powers and you give in! Maybe it's time to pause and rethink the whole superfood phenomenon...

Spinach isn't as hot as kale and millet pales in comparison to quinoa. Since when did we start looking only for celebrity foodstuffs to fill our kitchen racks? Well, ever since the whole `superfood' sensation got the better of us. Superfoods aren't totally un-super but they aren't always the answer.Many people don't realise that the term superfood has no legal or regulated definition, and as a result is often used as a marketing ploy. As American author and columnist Susan Maushart puts it, "The whole superfood thing -the notion that certain edibles contain powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal fruits and vegetables -has only been with us for about 15 years. Blueberries were super hot for a while, until they were elbowed out of the way by acai berries.The truth is, the superfood designation has never carried much weight with food scientists. They have repeatedly pointed to the lack of empirical goodness around most of the claims for superfoods."

What is it after all?

Dr Anjali Hooda Sangwan, consultant obesity, metabolic medicine and clinical nutrition says, "No foods are actually categorised as superfoods by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) or FDA (Food and Drug Administration). These are terms used to market a certain food item and what's not easily available or sourced from different geographical locations. Scientifically speaking, foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene -that has immunity boosting properties -should be considered better than others in the same category." Manufacturers and stores label products as superfoods to indicate that they're full of nutrients, but they're not necessarily foods rich in antioxidants.

"Superfood is a colloquial term just like detox. It is ideally an antioxidant or phytonutrient that has better qualities than most regular foods," adds Ishi Khosla, clinical nutritionist.

Exotic quotient  A food needn't always be alien sounding to earn the `super' title. These foods are considered exotic because a lot of them are unavailable to the common man or in one part of the world. For instance, goji berries are considered exotic in India but not in China where they grow in abundance. Similarly chia seeds are from another continent, and therefore, considered rare in our part of the world. "We have a barrage of superfoods all around us -in legumes, spices, vegetables and oils.We just don't know how to market them like the West does and don't have enough research to put something in the spotlight. Why go all gaga over quinoa when we have amaranth, why overdo olive oil when our mustard oil is so good and why overspend on goji berries when there is amla," questions Khosla. Any unprocessed food rich in vitamins like C, E, beta carotene, low inflammation factor and decent fibre can qualify as super.

In other words, "foods high on the glycemic index, foods containing saturated transfats can never qualify as superfoods. They should instead be rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and mostly be plant based. Even whole grains packed with nutrients are considered a superfood," says Aakanksha Kapoor, marketing manager of an organic food brand.

Get a balance Did you know that eating too much quinoa could actually give you a lot of unwanted flab? Too much of anything is bad and the same holds true for these edible superstars. A person with cancer may binge on tomatoes -it has lycopene, an antioxidant which can protect against DNA and cell damage but then heshe may also become deficient in other nutrients. Don't increase your super quotient at the expense of a balanced diet. The idea is to blend it in.Introduce superfoods gradually into your meal plans without making any major alterations. Alternate your oils, greens, nuts and grains. Mix them in your salads, juices and smoothies. Khosla advises, "The goal is to eat a variety of foods -include all the food groups -in the right amounts as a part of a healthy diet."

Best secret for washboard abs: Stomach Vacuuming

This simple, easy but effective exercise routine is fast gaining momentum in the world of fitness.

Envy your favourite movie star's picture-perfect six-pack abs? If a popular bodybuilding fitness trend is to be believed, you too can achieve the same, without having to starve yourself or adding too many repetitions of tedious crunches and planks to your workout routine. Called Stomach Vacuuming, this is a breathing and contraction exercise that focuses on strengthening the transverse abdominis, the deepest abdominal muscle, thus tightening the midsection of the body.

What's the hype? 

city-based fitness professional Althea Shah says, "This is probably one of the best exercises you can do for your abs. Stomach Vacuuming uses the principle of breathing out air, while holding the stomach in. The abdominal region has four important skeletal muscles, which should be trained well to get flat abs." This workout not just flattens the stomach but also stabilises the spine, improves posture and prevents common ailments like lower back pain, etc.

How to do the exercise

It's advisable to do it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach. It can be performed standing, sitting, in a tabletop pose or lying on the back.

Slowly inhale as much air as possible and start to exhale as much as possible while bringing your stomach in; hold this position. Try to visualise your navel touching your backbone. Hold and squeeze at this point (start with 15 seconds and go upto 60 seconds), and then release. The tighter the squeeze, the better. Repeat three to five times.

Combine it with your regular exercise routine and a healthy diet, if you want the best results in a few weeks.

The many variants of this exercise

Supine Stomach Vacuum: Performed by lying on the back with your hips and knees flexed; your feet are flat on the floor or bed.

Quadruped Stomach Vacuum: This is the next step that is done on the hands and knees. Once you can do five, 60-second Supine Stomach Vacuums, progress to the quadruped variation. It is more difficult than the previous version because you have to work against gravity.

Seated Stomach Vacuum: The most challenging one, you can do it by sitting on a stable surface, without leaning against anything. To take this exercise a notch higher, perform this variation on an unstable surface like a Swiss ball.

Did you know?

This exercise, which originated from ancient yoga practices, was initially restricted to bodybuilders. Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger did the workout to shrink his waistline and attain a defined physique.