Budding scientists, tech that

Q: I am a Class XII student. I want to know about KVPY and how I can apply for it.
— Jagriti Pandya

A: The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) was started in 1999 by the department of science and technology, Government of India, to encourage students of basic sciences, engineering and medicine to take up research. The programme aims to identify and encourage talented students with an aptitude for research. A generous scholarship and contingency grant is provided up to the pre-PhD level.

In addition, summer programmes for KVPY fellows are organised in prestigious research and educational institutes in the country. The programmes are administered by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, through the overall control of the chief executive. Those studying in Class XI, XII or any undergraduate programme, including engineering and medicine, are selected by a committee comprising experts from IISc, IIT Mumbai, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, in association with two zonal centres — the Indian Institute of Science Education Research in Calcutta and Mumbai. Special groups or committees have been set up at IISc, IIT and ICMR which screen applications, conduct interviews, make the final selection and attend to other follow-up matters.

The department of science and technology has entrusted IISc with the overall responsibility of organising the scheme, and set up a national advisory committee for overseeing its implementation. The eligibility for students of basic science is a minimum of 75 per cent in maths and science in the Class X board exams or 60 per cent marks in Plus Two.

Needle therapy is the in thing

Q: I have already done courses in alternative medicine and yoga. Now, I am interested in doing a short course in acupuncture. Would I be eligible for it? If so, could you please suggest a reputed institute that offers such a course?
— Gauri Das

A: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) has recently introduced a one-year postgraduate diploma in acupuncture in collaboration with the Institute of Acupuncture and Natural Medicines, New Delhi.

Graduates in allopathy, ayurveda, unani, siddha, homeopathy, yoga and naturopathy are eligible to apply for the course.

Put your best foot forward

Q: Can you tell me something about footwear manufacturing technology? Please mention some institutes that offer the course.
— Binoy Ghosh

A: India ranks second among footwear producing countries in the world, after China. Although we have a relatively modest share of the global footwear export market, the figures are expected to leapfrog, thanks to a shift from labour intensive methods to modern state-of-the-art production, technology and innovative design. With the commerce ministry paying special attention to this sector, it is expected to grow by 20-30 per cent in the coming years. Domestic demand for footwear is also on the rise, estimated at over 800 million pairs per annum.

Footwear manufacturing involves everything from preparing and treating the raw material to cutting, stitching and adding the finishing touches. This is a highly mechanised process handled by skilled production technicians with an eye for detail. On completing your course you could either work with shoe manufacturers or handle independent projects for them. The big companies that employ footwear technologists include Reebok, Adidas, Nike, Bata, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Farida Shoes, Drish Shoes, Mirza Tanners Ltd, M&B Footwear Ltd, Liberty Shoes, Lakhani Shoes, Sree Leather or lifestyle retail chains like Pantaloon, Lifestyle, Landmark and Footmark. After you have gained some hands-on experience in a well-established design and fabrication firm, you could set up your own unit, catering to international as well as domestic markets.

As this is not a cost-intensive venture, a small-scale unit could be set up with a relatively small investment. Besides, labour and raw material are available at a reasonable cost and power consumption is minimal. Some institutes that offer the course are the College of Leather Technology, Calcutta, the Footwear Design and Development Institute, Noida and the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Calcutta.