Mastering library science via correspondence

I am keen on doing a postgraduate course in library science through correspondence. Could you please suggest some recognised courses.

Debiprasad Ghosh

The following universities offer one-year MLIS/MLISc (masters of library and information science) through correspondence. Eligibility for most of these courses is a bachelors in library science (BLIS/BLISc/BLib).

• Andhra University, School of Correspondence Education, Waltair, Visakhapatnam 530003. Course: MA (library and information science) Duration: Two years. Eligibility: Graduation with concerned subject

• Annamalai University, Directorate of Distance Education, Annamalai Nagar 608002

• Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Institute of Open & Distance Learning, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal 462026

• Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Department of Correspondence Courses, Gour Nagar, Sagar 470003

• Guru Ghasidas University, Institute of Distance Education, PO Koni, Bilaspur 495009 (Chattisgarh)

• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068

• University of Chennai, Institute of Correspondence Education, Centenary Buildings, Chepauk, Chennai 600005

• Mahatma Gandhi Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya, Institute of Distance Learning & Continuing Education, Chitrakoot 485331

Put on your dancing shoes

I am doing my BA and want to become a professional dancer. How should I go about it? Please advise.

Krishnakoli Mallick

To be a professional dancer, you first have to decide which form of dance you wish to excel in. It could either be Indian classical dance (i.e. Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, etc.), folk dance, Russian ballet, modern or western dance. Dancing can become a career only for a few. You need tremendous physical fitness, talent, stamina and grace to succeed.

Classical dance is probably the most demanding and precise of dance forms. You should ideally begin your lessons at an early age because it takes nearly seven-eight years of training to become a professional dancer.

A dancer?s life appears glamourous and exciting. While this may be true for a minority, the regimen of rigorous daily practice combined with gruelling stage performances can be a somewhat different reality. You need to keep your body in peak condition at all times.

Western dance is also becoming increasingly popular ? particularly with the younger lot. Earlier confined to social dancing, musicals and talent contests, modern dances like jazz dancing, salsa and funk etc have received a shot in the arm with the popularity of music videos and dance numbers.

School for would-be soldiers

I wish to admit my son in a military or sainik school. Please explain the admission procedure and the location of these schools. Will he get any preference because my father served in the Indian Army?

Onil Pal

In India, there are three types of schools that prepare a student for a career in the army. These are: the Military Schools, Sainik schools and the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) at Dehradun.

The five military schools (Chail, Ajmer, Bangalore, Belgaum and Dholpur) are run by the defence department, while the sainik schools are run by the respective state governments.

Admission to both schools is through an open exam after Class V (also after Class X in Sainik Schools). Both schools follow the CBSE syllabus and charge a nominal fee as in the case of any government school.

Although these schools prepare the boys physically, mentally as well as academically for entry into the National Defence Academy and OTA/IMA/medical/Vet/technical branches, students have to take the NDA exam separately to seek an entry into the Indian Army.

In the admission process, preference is given to those candidates whose family members have served in the army. Typically, only one candidate from each state is selected. The prospectus, application form and old question papers can be obtained from principal of the nearest Sainik School.

RIMC, which has a relatively higher fee structure, has a more rigorous selection procedure. Only boys who are in or have cleared Class VII between 11? ?13 years are eligible.

The prospectus contains question papers (English, maths and GK) of the previous four entrance exams (which are held bi-anually). For more information, log on to: www.rimc.org.

The nearest Sainik Schools for your son would be at Purulia, West Bengal. All the best.

Do what you want to do

I have done English (honours) followed by a course in PR, a course in network programming and Java. But I am getting jobs as a front office executive or in call centres. I am thinking of pursuing MBA through correspondence. Please advise.

Firdaus Mehta

As with most young people, you face the problem of not knowing what you want to do. Your education also reflects this. What you should do is to first try to determine what it is that you would truly enjoy doing. I know this is easier said than done. However, if you can identify your aptitude and skills, it will give direction to your career. You should then focus on acquiring the necessary skills to move in this direction.

For example, if call centres is your career choice, you need to focus on improving your communication skills ? both written and verbal. Besides, if you?ve got what it takes, you can, with some experience, rise up to the managerial level in the BPO sector and do it swifter than in the corporate sector.

There?s always a second chance

My eldest son has got admission in an American university. Although his interview went pretty well, his visa request was turned down. Does this mean that he will not be able study in the US?

Sumit Poddar

Certainly not. Your son must have received a letter stating the reasons for rejection. Perhaps he was unable to convince them of financial capability to sustain his education or they may have viewed him as a potential immigrant.

In case they have issued him a 221G refusal letter, it means the visa was not issued because further proof was required regarding financial capacity or for verifying his academic records, or the necessary documents were not in order.

This is a procedural delay and your son can go back to them without having to pay a new fee or fill a new form. If he does his homework well enough, he has every chance of sailing through the next time.