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11/11/11

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You can speak in Public

It’s a most valuable skill, for those who do it successfully reap substantial rewards, here’s a guide to the essentials.

When someone asks you to deliver a talk in front of a group, what’s your reaction? If you’re like most people, it’s sheer terror. According to The Book of Lists, the No. 1 phobia is the fear of public speaking.

Questions for discussion:

Share an experience when you were not prepared and asked to speak.

Can you improve your speaking skill? How?

The two steps in making any speech preparation and delivery are equally important. Here are four rules for planning your talk:

PICK THE RIGHT SUBJECT

It should be a topic about which you have strong feelings. The only way to be comfortable in front of an audience is to know what you’re taking about and to believe in what you’re trying to get across.

Choose a subject of direct interest to your listeners and slant your message to them. Assume that you’ve come up with an idea to improve NYG commitment. If you’re called upon to present your proposal emphasize the good it will bring, when presenting the plan to the youth leaders who implement it, stress how it will make their work easier to contact every youth.

ORGANIZE YOUR POINTS LOGICALLY

You need a beginning, usually a brief description of the problem you intend to attack, a middle that enumerates the main points in your solution, and an end that summarizes your entire presentation. An old rule for speakers puts it this way : “Tell them what you’re going to tell them; then tell them; and, finally, tell them what you’ve told them.”

It also helps to put “hooks” on each major point. Many of us were taught to memorize the names of the RAINBOW colours by remembering the mnemonic VIBGYOR standing for Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red. Mnemonics help your listeners follow your train of thought. They make your message more memorable. And they help you remember what you want to say.

REHEARSE IN PRIVATE

After you’ve planned your presentation, you need to practice delivering it. It’s best to do this in private, not in front of a friend or family member. You’re rehearsing a speech to a group, not a one-on-one discussion. Try to visualize the audience. “See” and “hear” the positive response you’ll be receiving.

Whenever possible, do a final review in the room where you’ll be speaking. This way, you will feel at home during your actual performance.

KEEP NOTES TO A MINIMUM

The worst thing to do is try to read your speech. It’s virtually impossible to make a reading sound spontaneous . if necessary, list your major headings on index cards or old greeting cards with only a few words on each card. A quick glance will trigger your thoughts. The less you refer to notes, the better you’ll communicate with your audience. Public speaking is essentially a matter of communication between you and your audience. For most speakers, copious notes are more of a hindrance than a help.

But no matter how well you prepare, you also have to deliver the speech. Here are three rules for your delivery:

MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR AUDIENCE

There’s no need for “oratory” in the old-fashioned sense. Be your self, and you’ll seldom go wrong. Simple words and short sentences are best. Examples and anecdotes also help to “build a bridge” to your listeners. Also, be sure to look at the audience and maintain eye contact. Seek out the friendly faces. (Ignore any that are not).

For the platform pro, humor is a requirement, but for the average person, it is not necessary unless it makes a point and unless you use it well. Don’t begin a speech by saying, “Before I get into my talk, let me tell you a joke.” That sort of thing adds nothing to your message and , in fact, can destroy your effectiveness.

NEVER APOLOGIZE

If you feel any shortcomings, ignore them. If you have a cold, don’t mention it. To be confident, act confident. If you happen to forget what you were going to say next, keep it to yourself. (Your listeners won’t know unless you tell them). Instead, you can also ask the audience to reflect in silence what you have told them, giving you time to recollect.

If you suffer from stage fright, don’t worry about it. A certain degree of tension is helpful. As someone said, “Don’t remove your butterflies entirely, just get them to fly in formation.”

BUILD TO A CLIMAX

There should be a compelling purpose to your talk. Aim toward it throughout your speech. Then close with a call to action.

Don’t wait too long to finish. Be sure that you stop speaking before the audience stops listening. George M. Cohan had the right idea: “Always leave them wanting for more.”

The old saying, “practice makes perfect,” applies in public speaking too. So speak at every opportunity, the rewards can be enormous. Indeed, with practice, you can use speaking as springboard to success and a fuller, more satisfying life.

Reference – Reader’s Digest, Aug 1983

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INDIA's 12th Five Year Plan

The twelfth Five Year Plan is scheduled to be submitted in 2012!

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How to get scholarships

Most students and parents are under the impression that you need to either be an Olympic-caliber athlete or have perfect test scores and grades to qualify for some free money, but that’s not necessarily the case. With proper planning, research, and ambition, many students can qualify for and receive a college scholarship that is right for them.

Types of College Scholarships and How to Plan for Them

Merit

In order to snap up a partial or full merit scholarship, colleges look for students with a rigorous course load, high marks, and exceptional standardized test scores. However, you should not only focus on A’s and that perfect 2400, but also on being a well-rounded student with clear goals and ambitions. Decide what it is you like to do and where your talents lie, and get involved. Do you enjoy public speaking? Join the Debate Team or try out for Mock Trial. Have an affinity for numbers? Become a math-lete!

Can’t think of a club that you’d want to be a part of? Start your own! What colleges want are talented students who can add value and diversity to their student body. But don’t wait until April of your junior year to join the Future Farmers of America and expect to win your school of choice’s FFA award. What colleges want in a scholarship recipient is commitment and responsibility in academics and extracurricular interests.

Some universities offer scholarships to students who have excelled in a certain field and want to pursue a related major. For instance, some colleges offer college scholarships, upon admission, to students who have displayed academic rigor and interest in the specialized field. Department scholarships are yet another reason why staying on top of grades and activities is paramount.

Athletic

Apart from the skill you’re born with, the only secret to being a great athlete is hard work. Dedication to your sport and a desire for competition are crucial as well. Getting an athletic scholarship means being the best at your sport not only at your school but being better than most athletes of your kind in the nation, so you’ll have to play and train for years, plus have the right people see you perform. Chances are if you’re good enough to get a scholarship, people will be buzzing about you without your having to get your name out much. But if you are an athlete and think you may be eligible to receive some money, talk to your coach about sending schools your reels, or having scouts come out to see you play.

Need-based

Need-based college scholarships are given to students who don’t have the finances to attend college. Lately, among educational institutions with staggering endowments, the family income eligibility has broadened considerably to include not only lower-income families but also middle- to even upper middle-income ones. For instance, at Harvard University, admitted students whose families make $60,000 per year, or less, will receive 100% financial aid.

However, if you are not attending one of these institutions, you can still receive a need-based college scholarship if you’re willing to do the work. As soon as you submit your first application, visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website, better known as FAFSA. You’ll need it to apply for any kind of federal financial aid, including scholarships.

Other places to get college scholarships

Corporations

Ask your parents, relatives, and friends if their companies offer scholarships to college students. It’s a tax write-off for them, and a chance to burnish their public images. Companies tend to want to reward high school students who are considering a professional field related to the product they are selling. For example, Tylenol gives away up to $350,000 in scholarships to “future doctors, nurses and other health professionals.” The quickest way to find such an offer is searching the internet until you see one interesting and fitting for your idea of your future goals.

Your Local Place of Worship

If you are an active member of a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or any other religious congregation, find out if they are offering scholarship money to high school students. The criteria are usually less stringent than merit-based scholarships because they want to see their members do well and hopefully give back later on. Contact the administration or leaders of your particular house of worship early senior year.

Your Community

Sometimes just being a member of the community is enough to earn you free money. Jump on the web and Google your city hall, local businesses, community centers, and groups around town that have members and money to give back.

Important Details to keep in mind:

• Make sure your application is perfect. You wouldn’t want to miss out on cash because of a few careless spelling errors or a field left blank. Especially for college scholarships that attract many applicants, whoever is making the choice will have to first chop apps that aren’t completely filled out and proofread. Have an extra set of eyes (or two) look over each application and, if applicable, essay, so you get a fair shot at winning.
  
• The Essay. Speaking of essay, if your application requires a written portion, here are some quick tips that are just as important as perfect grammar and spelling:
  
  • Be likeable: Stay positive, optimistic, and relatable in whatever you write about.
    
  • Be different: If the people who award scholarships are reading dozens, maybe hundreds, of essays, how is yours going to be different? Think of what makes your experiences and high school career unique. You don’t have to be a spectacular writer to achieve this, just…
    
  • Be authentic: Don’t make up a heartwarming anecdote—unless you have one, or be hilarious and snarky—unless you really are. The best writing comes from someplace true.
    
  • Sell yourself: Give the readers a reason to believe in your aptitude. Regardless of the prompt, discuss somewhere your ambition and dedication in everything that you do. It’s what they are ultimately looking for in the right candidate.
    
• Get your dates straight. If you’re applying for several college scholarships, stay organized! Be aware of when the due date is, or whether the application is rolling. Find out if it’s first come, first serve or if whoever is evaluating the applications reads them all at once. These small details can count for a lot.

There are tons of resources available for students who are looking for college scholarship money. The bottom line is, as early as you can, optimize your time in high school by being involved, and always work hard. Each student has a talent or skill, something to offer to the school that’s right for them. Thinking ahead and being aware is a good way to find what you’re looking for.

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How to get AADHAR CARD

The prestigious UIDAI project is renamed as ‘AADHAAR’, with its own new logo. Unique Identification Authority of India project is known as AADHAAR which means 'support' or 'foundation'. Its logo is such design as a yellow sun with a fingerprint in its centre.
Aadhaar is an unique 12-digit number which is provided to every resident of India. This 12 digit number will be contains all basic demographics and biometric information about the owner like – photograph, ten fingerprints and iris in a central database. UID card will be Easily verifiable. Getting UID is not mandatory but it will be valuable.
UID card can contain all the personal information hence t can be used as ration card, passport or any ID based application.

The enrollment camps list needs to be updated as at present it is not covering all regions. If you are not able to find the list of centers, one of the possibility is that the centers for the area are yet of be finalized, but if you have the information about the centers, help updating it

Timing: The timing of most of the camps is from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Working days: Most of the camps are open on working days e.g Monday to Friday. Some might be open on weekends but confirm that before planning to go to one.

Click here for AADHAR enrollment Centers!

Along with the filled Aadhaar enrollment form, following documents need to be produced in original or attested copies from notary/gazetted officer.

• Proof of Identity (PoI)
• Proof of Address (PoA)
• Date of Birth (DoB)

As per the UID website, following are the documents which will be accepted as proof. If you don’t have some or any of the listed documents, see the bottom section ‘In case one does not have documents for proof’ for the procedure to be followed.

Proof of Identity (PoI) (containing name and photo)

1. Passport
2. PAN Card
3. Ration/ PDS Photo Card
4. Voter ID
5. Driving License
6. Government Photo ID Cards
7. NREGS Job Card
8. Photo ID issued by Recognized Educational Institution
9. Arms License
10. Photo Bank ATM Card
11. Photo Credit Card
12. Pensioner Photo Card
13. Freedom Fighter Photo Card
14. Kissan Photo Passbook
15. CGHS / ECHS Photo Card
16. Address Card having Name and Photo issued by Department of Posts
17. Certificate of Identify having photo issued by Group A Gazetted Officer on letterhead

Documents without photos will not be accepted. Older photos are acceptable.

Proof of Address (PoA) (containing name and address)

1. Passport
2. Bank Statement/ Passbook
3. Post Office Account Statement/Passbook
4. Ration Card
5. Voter ID
6. Driving License
7. Government Photo ID cards
8. Electricity Bill (not older than 3 months)
9. Water bill (not older than 3 months)
10. Telephone Landline Bill (not older than 3 months)
11. Property Tax Receipt (not older than 3 months)
12. Credit Card Statement (not older than 3 months)
13. Insurance Policy
14. Signed Letter having Photo from Bank on letterhead
15. Signed Letter having Photo issued by registered Company on letterhead
16. Signed Letter having Photo issued by Recognized Educational Instruction on letterhead
17. NREGS Job Card
18. Arms License
19. Pensioner Card
20. Freedom Fighter Card
21. Kissan Passbook
22. CGHS / ECHS Card
23. Certificate of Address having photo issued by MP or MLA or Group A Gazetted Officer on letterhead
24. Certificate of Address issued by Village Panchayat head or its equivalent authority (for rural areas)
25. Income Tax Assessment Order
26. Vehicle Registration Certificate
27. Registered Sale / Lease / Rent Agreement
28. Address Card having Photo issued by Department of Posts
29. Caste and Domicile Certificate having photo issued by the state government.

For Date of Birth (DoB) proof (having name and DoB)

1. Birth Certificate
2. SSLC Book/Certificate
3. Passport
4. Certificate of Date of Birth issued by Group A Gazetted Officer on letterhead

In case one does not have documents for proof – Introducer System

In the case of people who do not have documents for proof, there is an introducer system. The Registrar for enrollment can designate individuals who can vouch for the validity of a person’s information. Introducers can be government agencies, banks, teachers, village postmen, elected representatives and NGOs. Introducers will be enrolled first and given training. Their UID will be mentioned among the details of the person who gets enrolled.

Aadhaar enrollment process

1. Resident goes to enrollment camp. (In coming times there might be online appointment) to get an application and token number of appointment for a particular day.
2. On that day the applicant visits the camp with original residential documents of address proof, identity proof and proof of relationship (for children below 5 years) and proof of date of birth along with photocopies of the documents.
3. En-roller (operator) enters resident data into system.
4. Resident validates data entry.
5. Face photograph of resident is captured.
6. Iris scan is done.
7. Fingerprint capturing of Left hand.
8. Fingerprint capturing of Right hand.
9. Thumb-print capture (both thumbs).
10. En-roller (operator) signs with his own finger print.
11. Resident receives printed acknowledgement.
12. He/she will receive Aadhaar number is 60 – 90 days by speed post.

Kindly note:

* As per UID norms, the application can be submitted anywhere in India.

* Photocopies of form are valid.

Who can get an Aadhaar?

An individual who is a resident in India and satisfies the verification process laid down by the UIDAI can get an Aadhaar.

Age:

A person of any age can get an aadhaar. For children below 3 years, biometric details will not be taken and the aadhaar will be linked to guardians/parents. They shall have to register biometrics when they turn 5 years of age. For children between 5 to 15 years, the biometric shall be re-registered again when they turn 15 years of age, as biometrics change with age.

Why Aadhaar?

• Great potential for not-so-privileged, poor and the marginalised people, mostly living in the rural areas
• Clear proof of identity
• Facilitate entry for poor and underprivileged residents into the formal banking system
• Opportunity to avail services provided by the government and the private sector
• Giving migrants mobility of identity
• Financial inclusion with deeper penetration of banks, insurance and easy distribution of benefits of government schemes.

Once a person is on the Aadhaar database the person will be able to establish identity easily. Aadhaar will become the single source of identity verification. Residents would be spared the hassle of repeatedly providing supporting identity documents each time they wish to access services such as obtaining a bank account, passport, driving license and so on. By providing a clear proof of identity, Aadhaar will also facilitate entry for poor and underprivileged residents into the formal banking system and the opportunity to avail services provided by the government and the private sector. Aadhaar will also give migrants mobility of identity.

Aadhar for NRI
The Aadhaar Number/ UID would be issued to every individual resident in India that satisfies the verification process laid down by the UIDAI, including NRIs, and foreigners residing in India. The physical presence in India for providing fingerprints and other bio-metrics etc is necessary. Aadhaar UID doesn’t establish citizenship and is not only for Indians.

Registration/ Enrollment of Aadhaar Number/ UID Card

Residents of India need to visit the nearest Enrollment Camp and need to fulfill some formalities (given below) in order to register for an Aadhaar.

1. Documents Verification.
2. Biometric Scanning of Ten Fingerprints.
3. Biometric Scanning of Iris.
4. Photograph.

Here are some of the stages of enrollment:

Enrolment Agency Operator

Resident Provides Verification Document

Enroler Enters Resident Data

Resident Validating Data Entry

Capture of Face Photograph

Iris Capture

Fingerprints Capture (Left Hand)

Fingerprints Capture (Right Hand)

Both Thumbprint Capture

Enroler Signing off with his own finger print

Resident Receives Acknowledgment

After these stages, residents will get an Aadhaar number within 20 to 30 days.

Code
# - Use for Unique Identity cards (Indians)
* - Use for NRI.
// - Use for foreigners working in embassies or Ministers/ Officials.
= - Use for foreign visitors in India.
*/ - Foreigners are working in Indian.
0xxx - Country code for NRI where he is living now..
0011 - Delhi (state code) NRI belongs to Delhi state
0000 - NRI belongs to particular district.
**** **** **** - The 12 digits will belongs to UID Number

Card's numbers

# 0091 0011 0000 **** **** **** - for Indian
* 0001 0212 0000 **** **** **** - for NRI (US Citizen)
// 0001 0212 0000 **** **** **** - for other foreigners working in India.
= 0001 0011 0000 **** **** **** - for foreign visitors.
*/ 0001 0032 0000 **** **** **** - for foreigners working in India.

How UID is useful

- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- No need carry huge amount of currency
- Bank Account opening
- Recruiters get all information about person.
- Shopping purpose
- As driving license
- Personal detail like, height, finger prints, etc.
- Voting card
- Property dealing
- Paying Electricity bill, Water bill, house tax or other bills itself.

AADHAR REGISTRATION VERIFICATION
UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Kindly Note: * Aadhaar is provided free of cost, No need to pay anyone. * There is no deadline (last date) for getting enrolled, If there is rush at enrollment centers, Don’t stress , have patience, there will be more centres, more counters in the days to come. * Aadhaar is a Number not a Card * Do NOT share/disclose your Aadhaar number publicly (e.g on this site). * It’s good to have an Aadhaar number, though its not mandatory (as of now).

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YC SB Model coming soon......

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Future Sustainability of VRCs in Wayanad

Kerala State Planning Board New Vice Chairman K.M.Chandrasekhar Sir (Ex.Cabinet Secretary)

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