IICT, Hyderabad received samples for detection of Chemical Weapons from OPCW

The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, recently received over 50 samples for detection of chemical weapons from the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The samples in the form of soil, water and organic solvents were sent twice a year since 2008 when IICT attained the status of designated laboratory for off-site analysis of weapons.

OPCW had been sending to IICT for analysis only blank samples collected from different parts of the world. Six samples which were coded to hide the identity of the substance and the originating country were sent by courier every six months as part of continuous evaluation of the lab. The report of the institute should be cent per cent accurate to be eligible to get three ‘A’ grades in succession and pass the proficiency test every year.

The institute has already got the proficiency certificate for this year (2013), but it was yet to enter into a technical agreement with OPCW to get authentic on-site samples.It had the technique to identify chemicals at parts per million (PPM) levels. A dedicated centre for analysis of chemical toxins was set up at the institute to attend to OPCW.

The IICT was one of the 21 labs in 17 countries that were designated by OPCW for off-site analysis of chemical weapons.

Apart from IICT, the Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also one of the 'designated laboratories' of the OPCW. 

A 'designated laboratory' has to participate every year in the OPCW proficienc

Searching For Jobs When Times Are Hard, How To Make Yourself Stand Out

7.7 million Americans were unemployed at the end of 2007, according to the Department of Labor. Out of these 7.7 million people, and with a questionable economic forecast, how are you going to make yourself stand out and get the job? With a few tips, you may find yourself with more options that you think.

In a challenging economic environment, the most important tip for job seekers is to use your network. With less jobs and more competition, any edge up is going to be useful. When you invest time in relationships with colleagues through professional associations, alumni groups, friends, family or church groups, you may find out about an opening before the general public.

Another tip for job seekers that is under-utilized is making phone calls to companies. If you know there is an opening or think they are going to hiring soon, do what you can to get on the phone with the hiring manager, or that person's supervisor. This may take a little digging to find out who the right person is to contact, but your initiative could be rewarded with an interview. For example, if someone in your alumni club mentions to you that XYZ, Co. just got a new contract and will need to add staff. Call the new project lead and ask for an interview.

When you are actively job seeking, staying organized can be the most important advice. Keep track of your prospects. You will want to have the job announcement, your cover letter, along with notes about the position and company, the names of the interviewers, the status of the interview, and any tasks for follow-up, including a thank you card. Keeping track of this information will help you if you get called back and for networking possibilities. It is important to follow-up with all interviews. While you may have dropped out of the running for the original position, by following up and reminding them of your skills and availability, you may considered for the next position they have available, or agree to pass your name on to others in the company or industry.

Research and preparation can never be minimized when job seeking, but when times are tight, this can help you stand out. Don't go into an interview without a good understanding of the company. Research the services or products and come up with one or two clarifying questions about the company. This will show the interviewer that you are interested in the work they do and are already thinking about how you could contribute. Many companies have web sites that can give you this information quite easily. If you can get a sense for the corporate philosophy, be sure to incorporate this into your answers in the interview. The more you know about the company, the more you can apply your skills directly to the work they do.

Depending on what career section you are looking at, your prospects may not be so bad. Service sector jobs are actually on the increase, to include technical and professional services, food service and health care. Regardless of your field, going forward with these tips and a positive attitude will make a difference to prospective employers.

Using Social Media To Improve Job Chances

December 8 2011 - An analysis of 100 polls conducted by worldwide job search engine www.SimplyHired.com has shed some light on the impotance of social media in the process of job-hunting. Gautam Godhwani, co-founder and CEO said:

"The slow recovery of our economy has changed the way job seekers look for jobs as well as what they look for in the work they choose. Today’s job seekers rely more heavily on social networking and referrals to find a job. In addition, job seekers are looking for more than just financial security - they prefer jobs that fit their personal requirements, whether that means location, benefits or even the company’s recycling policy."

Some of the highlights of the survey:

• 51% of employees were hired through a friend’s referral
• Among people using social networks in their job search, LinkedIn was most effective (54%), followed by Facebook (22%)
• 82% of job seekers would prefer a lower-paying job they loved than a higher-paying one they didn’t like
• 41% of job seekers with children would prefer to work full-time - even if money and childcare were not issues
• 18% of recent graduates had a job lined up upon graduation

Until recently, the rules of the game were simple: post your resume or CV on a host of jobsites and recruiters would come looking for you. But the game has changed and is continuing to evolve, according to recruiters at MRINetwork, one of the world’s largest search and recruitment organizations.

Tony McKinnon, president of MRINetwork said:

"Social media sites have become increasingly important platforms for finding jobs by facilitating connections and demonstrating the achievements and interests of job seekers. But capturing the attention of prospective employers and recruiters - who have made the sites a routine part of their searches - has also become more difficult because of the overwhelming amount of information available."

He offers several useful tips to adapt job seekers' messages so they are more likely to 'go viral':

1. Keep it simple. Text should be pruned to a core message and always stick to the point. Don't leave room for misinterpretation. McKinnon advises that any superfluous or flowery language and clever wordplay should be removed. "Remember, too, that your audience may include many for whom English is a second language." But, he cautions, brevity should not come at the expense of clarity. People should be able to tell:
• what your message is
• why it is important
• why it affects them personally, and

Guide to Psychometric Tests for Interim Jobs

We’ve all had the conversation. A friend’s been for a job interview, "Blimey," he says nervously, "They asked me to do a psychometric test. No idea if I ticked the right boxes..."

Between 65% and 70% of interim management job interviews now involve some form of psychometric testing with many standard job positions also requiring these tests to be performed as part of the hiring process. But what is a psychometric test? What’s your potential new employer really looking for? And what’s the best way to make sure you pass the test and get the job?

These days, interim employers may well receive hundreds of applications for one job. A psychometric test offers them a quick way to find the candidates who are suitable - who possess the skills and knowledge they’re looking for, and if necessary, who’ll work well as part of a team.

Typically, a psychometric test might include questions on numeracy and literacy - but there’ll also be questions about your attitudes and feelings as well. And don’t be surprised if some questions seem to repeat themselves. That’s to check the consistency of your answers.

So if you’re faced with a psychometric test when you go for your interim job interview, what is the best way to make sure that you do well? Here are a couple of tips:

10 Tips for Successful Career Planning

1. Make Career Planning an Annual Event
2. Map Your Path Since Last Career Planning
3. Reflect on Your Likes and Dislikes, Needs and Wants
4. Examine Your Pastimes and Hobbies
5. Make Note of Your Past Accomplishments
6. Look Beyond Your Current Job for Transferable Skills
7. Review Career and Job Trends
8. Set Career and Job Goals
9. Explore New Education/Training Opportunities
10. Research Further Career/Job Advancement Opportunities

Career planning is not an activity that should be done once -- in high school or college -- and then left behind as we move forward in our jobs and careers. Rather, career planning is an activity that is best done on a regular basis -- especially given the data that the average worker will change careers (not jobs) multiple times over his or her lifetime. And it's never too soon or too late to start your career planning. Career planning is not a hard activity, not something to be dreaded or put off, but rather an activity that should be liberating and fulfilling, providing goals to achieve in your current career or plans for beginning a

transition to a new career. Career planning should be a rewarding and positive experience. Here, then, are 10 tips to help you achieve successful career planning.

1. Make Career Planning an Annual Event Many of us have physicals, visit the eye doctor and dentist, and do a myriad of other things on an annual basis, so why not career planning? Find a day or weekend once a year -- more often if you feel the need or if you're planning a major career change -- and schedule a retreat for yourself. Try to block out all distractions so that you have the time to truly focus on your career -- what you really want out of your career, out of your life. By making career planning an annual event, you will feel more secure in your career choice and direction -- and you'll be better prepared for the many uncertainties and difficulties that lie ahead in all of our jobs and career.

2. Map Your Path Since Last Career Planning One of your first activities whenever you take on career planning is spending time mapping out your job and career path since the last time you did any sort of career planning. While you should not dwell on your past, taking the time to review and reflect on the path -- whether straight and narrow or one filled with any curves and dead-ends -- will help you plan for the future. Once you've mapped your past, take the time to reflect on your course -- and note why it looks the way it does. Are you happy with your path? Could you have done things better? What might you have done differently? What can you do differently in the future? 3. Reflect on Your Likes and Dislikes, Needs and Wants Change is a factor of life; everybody changes, as do our likes and dislikes. Something we loved doing two years ago may now give us displeasure. So always take time to reflect on the things in your life -- not just in your job -- that you feel most strongly about. Make a two-column list of your major likes and dislikes. Then use this list to examine your current job and career path. If your job and career still fall mostly in the like column, then you know you are still on the right path; however, if your job activities fall mostly in the dislike column, now is the time to begin examining new jobs and new careers. Finally, take the time to really think about what it is you want or need from your work, from your career. Are you looking to make a difference in the world? To be famous? To become financially independent? To effect change? Take the time to understand the motives that drive your sense of success and happiness. 4. Examine Your Pastimes and Hobbies

Words Indicating Pairs and Groups

Words Indicating Pairs and Groups (वर्ड्‌स इन्कीकेटिंग पेयर्स एण्ड ग्रूप्स)

जोड़े और समूह दर्शाने वाले शब्द

जिस प्रकार हिन्दी भाषा में कुछ विशेष वस्तुओं के जोड़ों या समूहों के लिये कुछ विशेष शब्द ही प्रयोग किये जाते हैं, उसी प्रकार अँग्रेजी में भी कुछ विशेष शब्द प्रयोग होते हैं- उदाहरण के लिये, ‘चाबियों के गुच्छे’ के लिये सही शब्द है ‘Bunch of keys’; इसके लिए ‘Crowd of keys’ या ‘group of keys’ या कोई भी दूसरा शब्द प्रयोग नहीं कर सकते, ऐसे कुछ विशेष शब्दों की सूची आप नीचे देखकर याद कर सकते हैं-

● An army (आर्मी) of soldiers — सैनिकों की फौज
● A bunch (बंच) of grapes — अंगूरों का गुच्छा
● A bunch (बंच) of keys — चाबियों का गुच्छा
● A bouquet (बुके) of flowers — फूलों का गुलदस्ता
● A crowd (क्राउड) of people — लोगों की भीड़
● A chain (चेन) of mountains — पहाड़ों की श्रृंखला

Abbreviations (एब्रीवियेशन्स)

Abbreviations (एब्रीवियेशन्स)

शब्दों के संक्षिप्त रूप

a. m. — Ante meridian (रात के बारह बजे से दिन के बारह बजे तक का समय)
p. m. — Post meridian (दिन के बारह बजे से रात के बारह बजे तक)
B. A. — Bachelor of Arts
M. A. — Master of Arts
B. Sc. — Bachelor of Science
M. Sc. — Master of Science
B. Sc. Ag. — Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
M. Sc. Ag. — Master of Science in Agriculture
M. B. B. S. — Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
M. D. — Doctor of Medicine
M. S. — Master of Surgery
Ph. D. / D. Phil. — Doctor of Philosophy (Arts और Science दोनों के लिए)
D. Litt./Lit. — Doctor of Literature / Doctor of Letters
D. Sc. — Doctor of Science
B. Com. — Bachelor of Commerce
M. Com. — Master of Commerce
Dr. — Doctor