Future Indefinite!

Mass communication is a diverse field and that is a blessing, but only till your third year of graduation. Come sixth semester and there is complete confusion over the way ahead. Should one take up a job or an internship? Should one explore higher education opportunities? In case we do, so should we go for diploma, degree or go abroad? MMC or MBA? Entrance exam coaching?

So many questions yet a very simple answer. Don’t believe it? Read on!

Ask yourself 10 basic questions.

1) Why do I want to study more?

(a) To explore the subject in greater detail   or

(b) Dude, I just want a BETTER package and I think PG will help?

(c) My neighbor’s uncle’s great grandfather thinks I should do PG.

(d) I want to explore teaching as a career option.

2) I like the creative and field work part of media (A) or

I am OK sitting for 12 hours at my desk typing on my computer for the rest of my life (B)

3) I have come to media–

(a) by mistake

(b) by choice

(c) by fluke

4) I want a

(a) wellpaying job with any profile at a branded institution

(b) good profile, comfortable job with decent timings

(c) highly paid job with medium size institution, profile doesn’t matter

5) I am ready to 

(a) move out of my city

(b) to work in odd shifts even those that have bad timings

(c) build a career but HAVE a life to celebrate

(d) slog out for two years to see where I land up

6) I am flexible about 

(a) position and profile being offered

(b) salary and place of work

(c) area or field I will be asked to work in

7) I see myself as 

(a) owninga Yatch (Yacht)

(b) havingan ideal career and famous in my chosen field

(c) somehowmanaging with the salary but enjoying my life with a highly satisfying job

(d) Who cares about job, money is all I care for

8) I am worried about 

(a) Family/ friends/ parent’s expectations

(b) Falling short of my own goals

(c) Using what I have to the best of my capability

(d) That I have wasted my time doing BJMC

9)  I want to appear for entrance but 

(a) I don’t know how to prepare for one or which course is better

(b) I just want a good job…PG or no PG

(c) I don’t know anything…DAMN!!

(d) My parent’s think I need PG (but they don’t know what I learned in grads!)

10) I am thinking
(a) Why did I join BJMC?
(b) Why is it so confusing?
(c) Why is melody so chocolaty?
(d) Even after reading it all I can’t make sense of anything?

Choose one option from all questions and reply for the best career advise ever!
See your doubts melting away!

Ms. Aakanksha Sharma

Assistant Professor

Deptt. of Mass Communication

 The Invincible Zero

In Shakespeare’s King Lear, when the King’s youngest and dearest daughter refuses to pander to the King’s foolish conceit of being loved by her much more than what a daughter should, the King flies into a rage and says those oft-quoted words, ‘Nothing comes out of nothing.’ True enough, common logic dictates that nothing can ever come out of nothing. And yet, it is here that the truth of existence defies normal human understanding.

It stands to mathematical reason that the sum of two opposite values will always work out to zero. Put mathematically, we could say that for every value of ‘x’,

x + (-x) = 0.

This is a universal equality. Yet hidden in it is the paradoxical secret of existence. Were we to swap the Left Hand side of the equation with its right hand side, we would get

0 = x + (-x)

Put verbally, it means that zero can yield infinite pairings for every value of x and yet stay true. This is the power of zero.

Historically too, the zero has been the most enigmatic number. Viewed in the perspective of this equation, it can scarcely be equated with ‘nothing’. Then, what is zero? To my mind it is only, the negation of all attributes, positive and negative, as reflected in the other side of the equation. But, that does not mean it is nothing. It is something that transcends the value systems of the dualistic world. Hence, its sovereign ability to deliver an infinite variety of pairs of opposites! 

If zero solves the riddle of existence, it also provides the anchor of human consciousness and action. Our sensory mind is the repository of stimuli received from the environment. Based on the nature of the stimulus received, the human mind not only records it as either good/pleasant or bad/unpleasant but also responds accordingly. This structures both human consciousness and the gamut of human actions. Whether a person responds mildly or intensely to a set of stimuli, it creates ferment in his/her mind. The power of the human mind to grapple with challenging circumstances depends on its ability to keep the level of this agitation low. By negating the influence of the opposing stimuli, the human mind refuses to let its consciousness be altered by them. Such a mind stays put, so to say, in zero-consciousness.    

An individual who succeeds in sustaining this state of consciousness remains in a state of harmony and peace. Such an individual is not tossed about by the opposing emotions of ecstasy and agony. (S)he remains calm in the face of all provocations. Calmness of mind lends him/her the power of finding solutions to even the most vexed issues with ease and intellectual felicity. The peace that (s)he soaks in does not, however, remain restricted to him/her alone. It spills over to the people and objects around him/her. In other words, (s)he becomes the epicenter of universal peace and harmony.

If the number of such individuals were to increase in a society/community, there would be a naturally established order in it. Such societies/communities would replicate the 'Law' inherent in Nature/Cosmos. But, if a society were to suffer from a paucity of such individuals, it would be susceptible to the chaotic forces of greed, lust, and corruption, and could soon become unmanageable and decadent. So, all societies should endeavour to cultivate zero-consciousness among their members. 

Zero-consciousness cannot be obtained overnight. It can be obtained through an assiduous effort to stay calm. The threat to this consciousness comes as much from spurts of ecstasy as from bouts of depression. Both tend to unsettle the human mind and are, therefore, malefic from the point of view of zero-consciousness. However, as we are all human, we tend to get swept away by the currents of events. As we get involved in the maelstrom of events, we are unable to retain the objectivity required to stay calm and cool. In the process, we lose zero-consciousness and the ability to act and/or resolve problems with level-headed realism. Life gives us an opportunity to acquire this state of consciousness by throwing us into a number of trying and testy circumstances. As we grapple with these adverse situations, we gain the strength of mind that helps us to stay rooted in zero-consciousness. So, zero-consciousness should be a cherished goal for all educators and leaders of people.  

Dr. Ravi.K.Dhar

Professor & Director

Learning to practice the art of showing gratitude as a student

The journey of life for most of the students after class XII must be on new path. Most of you must have got admission in first the year of college after a very hectic admission process.  Some of you must have got admission in the subject of your choice whereas some would have opted or rather compromised on the subject, college or location.   Some must be grumbling whereas some must be feeling on top of the world.  However, you may feel but make sure that you feel proud of yourself and be able to show your gratitude to all those who made you achieve this important milestone of your journey.What is the need to show gratitude and why some of you/us may ask after all, I deserved it, after all I had put in lot of efforts and hard work to achieve it.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it: is like wrapping a present and not giving it – William Author Ward”. So before it is late express your gratitude to the cosmic and universal energies, express your gratitude to your loved ones, express to them how you feel for them and  contributing your achievement or success. 

Findings of the research done by Dr. Robert Emmons author and researcher, University of California establish what gives life meaning: Gratitude. Emmons research indicates that “gratitude improves emotional and physical health; it can strengthen relationship and communities. Without gratitude, life can be lonely, depressing and impoverished, says Emmons. “Gratitude enriches human life. It elevates, energizes, inspires and transforms. People are moved, opened and humbled through expressions of gratitude.”

We must be willing to recognize and acknowledge that we are the recipients of an unearned benefit. Simply remember to show your gratitude/ appreciation to people on a regular basis.  Many people fail to understand how gratitude can change a life.  All of us naturally possess both the positive as well as negative powers but it is in your hand or choice to give importance to, how to conduct yourself. And surely the evidence also shows that by showing gratitude, you do create an aura and send vibes which are creative and peaceful. You can simply show gratitude by being an active listener, being respectful to people around, by being thankful for all the things in life, by being willing to accept your mistake.

As a student many people will be crossing path in your journey of professional and personal journey; learn to express gratitude. It will surely bring harmony to your life.

 Dr. Neeru Johri

Professor & HoD 

Dept. of Communication Studies

The Most Ignored Art – The Art of Listening

                                                                                               

“Most people listen without hearing,” Leonardo Da Vinci. Listening is the most important language skill. When a child is conceived in his mother’s womb he starts listening then and there only. Whatever he listens inside, it shapes his personality after the birth. In the beginning itself, he starts listening individual sound without associating them to meanings. When he enters in this world he starts participating in face to face conversation and responding in single syllable words. After attentive listening he begins to utter multi-syllable words. Gradually when he matures he is able to understand the contextual meanings of oral symbols.

In the era of information technology, there is bombardment of information around us. Information is all-pervasive and this excessive information leads to reduction in concentration span. As the information is so readily available that we hardly listen, either we listen to refute or support but not to understand. Most of the people don’t understand that art of speech also improves when we listen attentively. Experience of our day to day activities adds to our background knowledge to infer the latent meaning of conversation. One who develops art of listening begins to understand the tone and attitude along with non-verbal communication. As a result of serious kind of listening one can listen to what others feel as well as what they say. Listening increases the power of reasoning and logic and interprets various situations. One who listens properly can articulate his ideas properly.

Listening is an active interpretation that shapes our realities, and it’s the answer to improving our productivity that leads to success in our lives. Various communication research studies have found out that we spent our 50-80% of conscious time in communicating. Half of that requires listening as communication is a two-way process. Your brain can think at between 4 and 10 times the speed of speech.  This means that when you are listening, you have lots of spare time to use your extra ‘brain time.

People who have poor art of listening pretend to pay attention while they are not. They try to do other things while listening. When not listened properly they find trainings and seminars uninteresting.  So they get distracted by the speaker’s way of speech, or other mannerisms. They concentrate on  distractions instead of what is being said at times over listening also creates problems like getting over-involved and thus losing the main thread of the arguments or thoughts. They over react in emotion-filled situations which may arouse personal anger and antagonism. At times people listen to collect facts only.  As a result they avoid anything that is complex or difficult.

Listening is learnt first and used most, but taught least. During foundation years of our training and teaching to young ones we hardly focus on this important skill. It is not a passive activity but an important ingredient of effective communication. Listening well is the vital ingredient in a successful, productive and interesting conversation. To improve listening habits one must be aware that daily work out helps in increase in efficiency in listening. Try to isolate only those sounds you want to hear; you will become adept at filtering out unwanted noise. Remember that you have two ears and one mouth – not the other way around. The wiser the person the less he speaks and the more he listens. 

Dr. Kiran Bala

Associate Professor

Dept. of Communication Studies

TAXATION AND INDIAN ECONOMY

India is a developing country.  The government plays an active role in promoting economic growth & development because private ownership & capital are limited. Fiscal policy or budget is considered to be an important instrument in promoting development & growth of the economy .Taxation is most important part of fiscal policy which can be used productively by the government. India has a well developed tax structure. The three tiers of Government, in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Constitution are empowered to impose tax. Also the tax structure of Indian economy consists of:  Direct and Indirect taxes. Income Tax, Corporate and Wealth Tax are one of the major direct taxes whereas Custom duty, Sales Tax, VAT, Excise Duty and upcoming (proposed) GST are indirect taxes.

So many changes have taken place in Indian Taxation structure due to liberalization and Economic Reforms. Some of the changes are:- rationalization of tax structure; progressive decrease in peak rates of customs duty ; decrease in corporate tax rate; customs duties to be aligned with ASEAN levels; widening of the tax base ; introduction of value added tax ; tax laws have been simplified to ensure better compliance. GST if implemented will going to prove a major improvement in the field of indirect taxation.

Taxation enables the government to stimulate a significant amount of revenue. During the financial year 2006-07, it is estimated that the tax revenue of the India was 81% of the total revenue receipts, whereas, non tax revenue was only 19%. Taxation in India follows the principle of equity. The direct taxes are progressive in nature. Also certain indirect taxes, such as taxes on luxury goods are also progressive in nature. This means the higher income group has to bear the higher burden of taxes, whereas, the lower income group is either exempted from tax (direct taxes) or has to pay lower rate of taxes. Taxation improves the distribution of income and wealth. It also foster the social welfare growth. The social welfare originates due to certain unwanted products like alcoholic products, tobacco products and such other products are heavily taxed, which restricts their consumption, which in turn facilitates social welfare. A part of the tax revenue is employed for social development activities, such as education, health and family welfare, which also improve social welfare as well as social order in the society. Taxation promotes exports and limit imports. Generally, developing countries and even the developed countries do not levy taxes on export items.  In India, exports are exempted from excise duty, VAT, customs duty and other duties. However, there is customs duty on imported goods.

Taxation helps to: Earn foreign exchange through the promotion of exports. It is also used as a tool of controlling inflation. Through taxation, the Government can control inflation in the following ways: - Inflation due to high rise in prices of essential items can be controlled by reducing the rate of indirect taxes. Inflation due to increase in demand can be controlled by discouraging the demand through increase in taxation/duty. Increase in tax rate may restrict consumption, which may reduce demand, and subsequently inflation may be controlled. Taxation induces regional development; Tax incentives such as tax holiday for setting up industries in backward regions, which induces business firms to set up industries in such regions, Tax revenue collected by government is also used for development of infrastructure in backward regions. Indirect taxes provides adequate source of development funds. These taxes are found to be better suited in developing countries because they have much wider coverage as compared to direct taxes. Both rich and poor pay indirect taxes in form of commodity price. In India collection of direct taxes is not very significant. Only a small proportion of population pays such taxes. Direct taxes are primary used in such to reduce unequal distribution of income  High degree of progression used in direct taxes discourages savings done by high income group and adversely effects investment and capital formation. Indirect taxes are used to divert resources from less desired use to more desired one in developing countries. 

Individual resident aged below 60 years (i.e. born on or after 1st April 1956)

Income Slabs		Tax Rates
i.	Where the taxable income does not exceed Rs. 2,50,000/-.	NIL
ii.	Where the taxable income exceeds Rs. 2,50,000/- but does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000/-.	10% of amount by which the taxable income exceeds Rs. 2,50,000/-. Less : Tax Credit u/s 87A - 10% of taxable income upto a maximum of Rs. 2000/-.
iii.	Where the taxable income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs. 10,00,000/-.	Rs. 25,000/- + 20% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/-.
iv.	Where the taxable income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-.	Rs. 125,000/- + 30% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-.

Surcharge : 12% of the Income Tax, where taxable income is more than Rs. 1 crore. , if applicable)

Education Cess : 3% of the total of Income Tax and Surcharge.

Senior Citizen (Individual resident who is of the age of 60 years or more but below the age of 80 years i.e. born on or after 1st April 1936 but before 1st April 1956:

Income Slabs		Tax Rates
i.	Where the taxable income does not exceed Rs. 3,00,000/-.	NIL
ii.	Where the taxable income exceeds Rs. 3,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000/-	10% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds Rs. 3,00,000/-. Less : Tax Credit u/s 87A - 10% of taxable income upto a maximum of Rs. 2000/-.
iii.	Where the taxable income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs. 10,00,000/-	Rs. 20,000/- + 20% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/-.
iv.	Where the taxable income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-	Rs. 120,000/- + 30% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-.

Surcharge : 12% of the Income Tax, where taxable income is more than Rs. 1 crore. , if applicable)

Education Cess : 3% of the total of Income Tax and Surcharge.

Super Senior Citizen (Individual resident who is of the age of 80 years or more i.e. born before 1st April 1936):

Income Slabs		Tax Rates
i.	Where the taxable income does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000/-.	NIL
ii.	Where the taxable income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs. 10,00,000/-	20% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/-.
iii.	Where the taxable income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-	Rs. 100,000/- + 30% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-.

Surcharge : 12% of the Income Tax, where taxable income is more than Rs. 1 crore. , if applicable)

Education Cess : 3% of the total of Income Tax and Surcharge.

CONCLUSION : Both direct and indirect taxes are essential to generate sufficient revenue to the state for meeting the increasing public expenditure. Both taxes are essential to foster the economic growth, fill employment and economic stability. Direct and indirect taxes should go side by side & balance each other.A well oriented system of taxation requires combination of direct & indirect taxes in different proportions.

 Ms. Meenakshi Chopra

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Management Studies

Quality of Websites

As web usage is growing daily the populations round the globe are coming nearer. With the arrival of World Wide internet as a colossal development, it's amazingly brought the globe nearer creating it a smaller thing to live in for its user. The quantity of persons seeking data and services on-line are increasing quickly in nearly each country of the globe. The people expect websites to avoid wasting their cash and time. The responsibility of the website developer is to create/design websites that are straightforward to use and are accessible to every sort of person. Implementing the straightforward principle of getting web site that works well and doesn’t confuse the user or get him annoyed, can facilitate to cut back the abandonment of the web site by visitors. However throughout the development phase of website, errors creep into the design of internet sites either internally or externally.

Evaluation is an organized determination of a subject's merit, price and significance, by using criteria ruled by a group of standards. Design, organization and simple use are necessary issues. Websites can offer helpful sources of information; but if they are slow to load and/or troublesome to navigate, search or scan, then their contribution or utility are going to be diminished. An efficient internet website style is one within which users are able to notice data quickly and in an exceedingly logical manner.

Do they visit the content you would like them to visit? Are they searching within the right places of your internet page? Are you able to get your user’s attention, or do they leave quickly?
It’s not with regards to the content either. If website’s design load slowly – or if moving from one section to a different takes in an extended time – it affects the user’s expertise and experience.

Things must be considered in web site design are as follows:
• is very important information being looked by the user?
• are the navigation and action things intuitive?
• is that the user being directed to sections in a logical way?
• is the website page load quickly enough to not withdraw the user?

Following parameters can be used to analyze the quality of websites:

1.      Total HTML

2.      Total Objects

3.      Total Images

4.      Total CSS

5.      Total Size (bytes)

6.      Total Script

7.      HTML Size  (bytes)

8.      Image Size (bytes)

9.      Script Size (bytes)

10.  CSS Size (bytes)

11.  Multimedia Size

The online tool “web Analyzer” can be used to analyze the websites because it provides a detailed analysis of the websites tested and therefore the areas that require to be improved. The websites contains a serious accessibility downside. There is associate imperative got to improve the total size, minimize the amount of external objects, size of pictures used etc. to create e-government websites to be simpler, extremely user-centric, effective and simple accessible for the users.

Ms. Poonam Malik

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Management Studies