Edunology - Saumya Aggarwal

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Nano-SIM seems to be talk of the hour. Apple shifted to the Nano-SIM standard with the iPhone 5. Android phones till now, had remained on the micro-SIM standard, irrespective of the brand, the device or the price band it played in. Except for the Moto X, but that hasn’t made a splash in India, as yet. But, with the Nexus 5 apparently shifting to the even smaller SIM card standard, surely the next line of Android flagships (and beyond), will also make the shift.

What is Nano-Sim?

The current Nano-SIM cards that we are using in the newer iPhones and now with the Moto X as well, are also known as the Fourth Form Factor (4FF). This SIM measures a mere 12.3 mm x 8.8 mm x 0.67 mm, which is 15% thinner than the micro-SIM cards that most Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry 10 phones deploy, with dimensions at 15mm x 12mm x 0.76mm.

Why the shift to the even smaller SIM standard? 

The basic idea behind the even smaller SIM card standard is that the Nano SIM (4FF) reduces the size of the SIM effectively to just the golden coloured contact area. The area around the contact area is just about enough to prevent any electrical shorts that may occur within the socket. Essentially, the socket (also known as SIM-card slot) design remains the same, only that it is now smaller in dimension because the area around the contact area is greatly reduced.

Why the shift to the even smaller SIM standard?

Albeit belatedly, Android phones are also moving to this standard, because this allows smartphone makers those critical extra millimeters to play around with, with the immediate demands of a faster processor, the cooling need that comes with it as well as the bigger batteries to make the phone last longer than they do these days, on a single charge. There is no performance or cost advantage, but just the technological and internal design aspects. This is confusing! The regular SIM, the micro-SIM and a Nano-SIM, this is all becoming a little too much to manage. The confusion is one thing, but the lack of flexibility is a major problem. If you have one phone which uses a micro-SIM, and one of the iPhones with the Nano-SIM, the two SIMs cannot be swapped. And while it is manageable most of the time, can become a headache if you want to change phones, which trust me, a lot of us do!

Is your Nano SIM card ready? 

Well, it isn’t as simple as “I have a SIM card and can I convert this to a Nano-SIM”. Certain things you need to keep in mind.

Getting Nano-Ready: How to get the SIM down to size

There are micro-SIM and Nano-SIM cutters available in stores, which will chop down the regular SIM into the new size. Both cutters are separate, and should not be confused. Buy the cutter, and carefully follow the instructions on the box, and pray. Always keep the cutter on a hard surface, after placing the SIM in the slot as required, and press down hard on it. Do not, even though the design may suggest, try to use it the way you would use a stapler. If you aren’t able to put the requisite pressure, the SIM may be permanently damaged. Alternatively, you could ask your mobile service provider to change your SIM card into the Nano-SIM variety. Since the iPhone 5 has been around for long, they are all well versed with this kind of SIM card! Though, unlike chopping it down yourself, you will probably have to pay for this switch.

What to watch out for if you are already using a Micro-SIM 

There are certain aspects that you need to take care of first. One is, what is the existing size of the SIM card? If you're already using a micro-SIM, you ideally shouldn’t make the effort of chopping it further into a Nano-SIM. There is the massive risk of cracking the contact area. We would recommend going to your mobile service provider and getting a replacement SIM anyway.

Alternatively, if you have a family member or a friend’s Nano-SIM card at hand for reference, you can get hold of some sandpaper and with some patience, then you can pretty much do the work yourself. Do not, for one second, consider using a knife or a scissor to do this job, because the contact area has fairly low tolerance levels for any kind of abuse.

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Economic Times released “India’s best companies to work for (2013)” earlier this week and declared following as top 10.

1. Google
2. Intel  Technology
3. American Express
4. NIIT
5. Forbes Marshall
6. NTPC
7. Ujjivan Financial Services
8. MakeMyTrip
9. Marriott Hotels
10. Blue Dart Express

Interesting to note names like NTPC which is public sector organization and not so well known names like Forbes Marshall, Ujjvan Financial Services. Recently I remember lot of friends signing "Bloody Monday tu mera khoon chus le (Bloody Monday, you can sucking my blood)", however in these companies employees love coming to work. Few standout examples from the survey which really make these organizations a great place to work.

Google has amazing 20% time program where employees have flexibility to work for 20% on projects that are completely unrelated to their regular work. Flat organization structure, collaborative decision taking, merit based promotion and genuine employee care are few learnings from this best organization.

In Intel, managers ensure that personal life of subordinates is not affected and there is bond among colleagues beyond typical manager-subordinate relation.

“Chairman’s Quality Club” in NIIT identifies top talent to be further developed under the chairman of the company.

Marriott, right from Junior associates are encouraged to stay for one night with families on occassions such as birthdays. Blue dart prides itself in growing in house talent with whopping 96% of senior management growing with in the company.

Key highlights that can be learned from such examples:
1. Scope of something new in job
2. Humans are treated like humans with love and bonding
3. Recognition by top management
4. Perks/society recognition to motivate employees at root level also
5. Merit based promotion with preference to in house talent

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Post attending TedxGateway Mumbai last December, see post here, wish to dig deeper into issues brought by Mittal Patel (speaker at Tedx).

Mittal Patel, has been working for Nomadic tribes of Gujarat, which has now taken a shape of Vicharata Samudaay Samarthan Manch (VSSM). VSSM focuses on education, livelihood housing, works in several districts of Gujarat which is always in limelight due to good works by currently best available Chief Minister in India Mr. Narendra Modi. Her video can be seen here.

Various de-notified tribes are spread across India waiting for recognizition from Government agencies. These tribes are spread across India and follow different religion, customs, beliefs, languages and occupations. One such tribe is nomadic, spread across Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is believed that in Gujarat alone nomadic tribes number cross whopping 4 million which approximates to population of Singapore. Nomadic tribes are not recognized even by local village authorities. They are forced to reside outside main village boundaries without basic ammenties like road, electricity, water, school, hospital and proper shelter. Women are forced to prostitution here y default to earn bread. Community can't even obtain voter id cards (necessary for voting in democratic India) and ration cards (necessary for subsidized government food scheme). In all, they are non existent on this earth. Due to this, they are unable to participate in government rural guarantee work schemes like NREGA.

Mittal Patel, popularly known as Mittal Ben in Gujarat has been successful in garning Government attention for nomadic tribe's issues. VSSM has been conducting field surveys and already submitted details of thousands of people to state election officer. Survey is one part, verification and stamp of local village authorities makes the process complicated. However, more than 10,000 people got voter id card getting recognizition for the first time in history due to her efforts. Gujarat government passed a resolution to give nomadic tribes land rights and allocated over 500 plots bringing much cheer to these people.

Well, work is far from done. It requires human hands and finances to take it to scale. Request readers to contribute to such social causes, I personally believe that they need our voice and time than only money. Let us come togther to make this earth an equal & better place to live in.

This post is influenced by Franklin Templeton "The Idea Caravan" to create awareness on social issues. Franklin Templeton Investments partnered the TEDxGateway Mumbai in December 2012.

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Its newly released movie 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2' with likes of Dharmendra, Sunny Deol is indeed classical example of bad product for the Indian audience. Riding somewhat success of 'Yamla Pagla Deewana' (previous release), this movie has made sure that no more sequel would be made now of this series.

Posing as a baba on the ghaats of Benares, con artist Dharam (Dharmendra), with the help of his son Gajodhar (Bobby Deol), fools unsuspecting disciples into parting with their riches. When they encounter wealthy London businessman Sir Yograj Khanna (Annu Kapoor), the father-son duo pose as millionaires themselves, and hatch a plan to wed Gajodhar with the rich man's daughter (Neha Sharma). But their operation is nearly derailed by Dharam's older son Paramveer (Sunny Deol), who is shocked to discover that his dad and his brother are still up to their old tricks.

The film's potpourri of mad characters includes a self-obsessed villain named Dudeji (Anupam Kher) and his pair of costume-coordinated sidekicks (Johnny Lever and Sucheta Khanna). Jokes written surronding an ape and Johnny have clearly failed to impress. The film is shot in UK and seems to cater to Indians in India and in UK, both I believe were asked to put mind aside while watching. Few pointers that made me think its a below average product for the segment:

1. Tasteless humor with Anupam Kher and Johnny Lever.
2. Sunny Deol with same old shit of demolishing entire army and rip Sumos apart.
3. Poor standard of comedy with Dharmendra swaying to tunes of 'Yeh dosti hum nahin todenge', like really!
4. Songs that you won't remember even just after the movie
5. Nothing original

Both female actresses had great on screen presence but got limited role in front of Deols. Finally, regarding the marketing:

1. Less promos to be seen
2. All sardars in the ad - like really!!!
3. No great hook up online, rather FB-Twitter-Blogs are all sad for this movie

Overall, a time and money waste.

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Twitter can be used as a hot prospecting tool. In today's digital world, Twitter has endless possbilities. It has huge amount of traffic and many times host first reaction to major events.

Build relations - First thing first
Don't keep adding hunderds of followers and then bombard with offers. Engage them and build a relationship. Respond to their query, help them out and showcase your expertise. Tweet value added messages and keep it simple.

Search people
Find right set of audience. If you represent car service company then find 'car break down' in specific area and save the search. So whenever, there is new tweet, you will be able to see them on your dashboards.You can then reach out to them in light mode. Don't sell immediately, offer help and remember to showcase your expertise.

Keep finding such people, follow them and invest time. If you are adding value, you will see they will add you back.

Establish an Image
Select the right handle, you can't chose @sextonight to sell education services. Have a relevant handle and then offer help. Keep building on previous efforts and don't get into negative discussions of competitors/products. We are there to show value of our product!

Don't just keep promoting your product/services day in day out. Strike a perfect timing and offer tips, suggest your product when relationship is built.

Be Transparent
Everything that you say will always be on Twitter, there are no secrets on Twitter. Always post correct information about your products and services, because what you say can always be found, it can haunt you in the future if you are posting false information about your company. If you are posting false information, it can discourage your prospects from purchasing your products or services.

Social media is about interaction. It's not just a tool for self promotion and plugs but, it's a place where you can interact with customers, colleagues, and prospects.

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Last year, Indian Government had made it mandatory to e-file income tax returns for assesses with an annual income of Rs 10 lakh and above. This time, the government the plan is to do the same for taxpayers with a taxable income above Rs 5 lakh.

The reason behind the move, said officials, was the fact that about 80 per cent of taxpayers who are not mandated to file e-returns are already doing so. There are 35 million taxpayers, of which about 1.8 million fall in the income tax slab of Rs 5-10 lakh. A similar number are in the above Rs 10 lakh category. 16 million people who electronically filed their returns last year, many had a taxable income of less than Rs 10 lakh.

The tax department was earlier expecting electronic returns to go up to 20 million this year. With this new provision, the number could go up further. E-filing will also enable faster processing of refunds.

Few pointers:

1. Don't panic: It is very simple to file returns online. If you are not comfortable, approach your Chartered Accountant.

2. No Digital signatures are required for filing online, you just need the send the online acknowledgement with signature to Income Tax department.

3. 5 Lakhs does not mean your CTC. It is net taxable income after deducting LTA, HRA, Medical etc.

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Who is the real culprit in increasing rape cases across India?

I just came back from hectic official trip of Chennai and Pondicherry. On the airport, happened to meet four gentlemenWe all had ample time as Air India flights are always delayed. I asked if Air India has any another flight for me, answer given was flight is only 1 hours and 15 minutes delayed. Anyways, these four people, one is from Mumbai, second is from Rajasthan and other two others from Kerala. They all work in Mumbai for multinational companies. Over coffee, we happened to discuss the recent forgetable Delhi rape incident. For confidential purposes, not disclosing names and companies of our four friends.

Here is the summary of conversation:

1. Strangely all were of the opinion that girl was at fault too. She should not have stepped out during late hours in country like India irrespective of a particular city.

2. Indian society is backward and still girls are not given equal status. They acknowledged education, old mind set and unequal money distribution playing major roles.

3. All agreed that women are not safe in any part of India. Though they felt Mumbai is better despite most corrupt police system in the country. They ranked Bangalore as best city to live in India.

4. Rapists according of them have done extremely bad act and should be hanged till death. Congress government which has been ruling India majorly in last 60 years is also main culprit for such divided society.

5. Laws are present in India but police is only interested in money and not protecting such laws.



I do not agree to few statements. Girl was not at fault at all, everyone has right to roam freely. We need laws that do not accept such incidences at all, rapists should be hanged till death and most importantly implementation of them. We as society need to rise, codemn people since beginning and not let such shameful events happen in India.

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Ransomware was first seen in Russia and Russian-speaking countries in 2009, according to the Symantec whitepaper "Ransomware: A Growing Menace." The first known instance of the tactic came in a pop-up that claimed to be a message from Microsoft. It alerted the user that the computer had to be activated by the company before use by obtaining a code via an SMS message. That message was then sent to a premium rate number that charged the victim. Since then they improved the charging mechanism and recover cost was upwards of Indian Rupees 25000 (US$500).





Please do not give up on such malware practices online.