Q1. I am an Intermediate. I am keen on practicing homoeopathy, but would like a correspondence course in the subject. Could you suggest some good courses?

1. If you are serious about practicing homoeopathy, do not waste time in correspondence courses. They are not recognized and hence best left alone. Instead try for a good BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery), which is a 51/2-year course. 4-year diploma courses are also available but it is better to opt for the former, as these are not sufficient for professional practice. In Delhi and nearby areas, you may opt for the following institutions offering courses in BHMS:

Nehru Homeopathy Medical College (University of Delhi), Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024.

Dr. B.R. Sur Homeopathic Medical College (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University), Hospital and Research Centre, Moti Bagh, Nanak Pura, New Delhi 110021.

Bhartiya Homeopathy Medical College and Hospital (University of Rajasthan),Narayan Gate, Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

Dr. M P K Rajasthan Homeopathy Medical College Hospital & Research Centre (University of Rajasthan), Jaipur 302006.

Yuvraj Pratap Singh Memorial Homeopathy Medical College (University of Rajasthan), Shivaji Park, Alwar, Rajasthan.

Homeopathic Medical College (Rajasthan Vidyapeeth), Dabok (Udaipur) 313022.

For further information, you may contact Central Council of Homeopathy, 61-65, (Opp. D Block), Janakpuri Institutional Area, New Delhi 110058

Q2. I am a Class IX and want to be a successful lawyer. How should I plan my studies? Please guide.

1. the study of Law can be undertaken at 2 level. LLB, which can be done after graduation in any stream, is a 3-year postgraduate degree offered by nearly 400 functional law colleges in the country 398 to be precise. The bar Council of India has ordered the closure of 188 law colleges for their failure to maintain minimum teaching standards. Most of the evening classes at various colleges have also been banned for the same reason. However, if you are very sure that you would like to pursue Law as a career then you can enroll for an integrated five-year Law course BA-LLB (Hons) which is offered by over 30 Universities straight after 10+2. The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) is one of the premier institutions in this category.

Q3. What is the scope in Mining Engineering?

1. Mining Engineers are responsible for locating and safely extracting natural reserves like petroleum, minerals etc. The work also covers designing, planning, excavation of minerals and their transportation, maintenance of mines, air circulation and removal of toxic gases from the mine. On successful completion of the course you will find opportunities in the government as well as private sector i.e. ONGC, Coal India, Geological Survey of India, HCL, IPCL, Neyvelli Lignite Corporation etc.

Q4. Could you please provide me with information on institutes offering courses in Gemology?

1. Gemmology is the science that deals with sorting, grading, valuation, identification and cutting of gems. Some institutes conducting courses in gemology are:

Q5. I am a final year student of BE (Electronics) What is an MBA in IT or Computer Aided Management? Should I opt for it?

1. Not so long ago, technology used to be a tool for business strategy. In the last five years however, technology has become a driver of business strategy. Corporate requirements are now shifting beyond hiring traditional management graduates to those who combine management acumen with expertise in technology and related fields. For instance, the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Aided Management (PGDCM) offered by IIM-C focuses on the key areas of technology application, such as problem Solving, Application Design for Business Processes, Data Management Techniques, over and above the conventional mainstream courses in Marketing, Finance, Operations and Human Resources. Students of this programme have notched fabulous placements this year. Understandably, students opting for these courses require a greater degree of analytical and mathematical skills compared to those enrolling for the regular MBA. An electronics graduate with a BE in electronics from a decent engineering college would be ideally suited for this contemporary course.

Q6. I am 17 and will be appearing for my Higher Secondary Examination next year. I am interested in a career in the Indian Navy. Can women seek entry into the Indian Nevy? If yes, Please tell me about the eligibility requirements. Kindly provide me with an address where I can get direct information.

1. Indian Navy recruits women only in the Short Service Commission (SSC) while Permanent Commission jobs are meant only for man. Unmarried women are eligible for several non-combatant posts in the SSC. The duration of SSC is 7 years, extendable to 10 years. Job opportunities for women exist in the following branches:

Q7. Why do IT firms prefer recruiting engineering students (irrespective of the stream they come from) over B.Sc and B.Com Students?

1. It is true that IT companies have a bias towards recruiting engineers. The reasons are extraneous but manifold. For one, a student with a solid 4-yr engineering degree comes with a background of consistent hard-work and systematic logical thinking as compared to his counterpart from the relatively more relaxed humanities or commerce streams. Secondly, if you are working on a software project in any of the top IT firms, you would be required to visit the client’s site in the US at short notice. Since the HI-B visa (specifically created for IT professional) requires 4 years of undergraduate study, B.A/B.Sc/B.Com students from India would not be eligible.

Q8. If a course is AICTE approved, does it mean that its quality is guaranteed?

1. AICTE approval only signifies the credibility and capability of the institution to offer technical programmes in Engineering and Technology, Computer Applications, Architecture & Town Planning, Pharmacy, Management, Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Applied Arts & Crafts etc. In simple language, it is equivalent to permission granted to a kiranawala to open shop. It is in no way a proof of the institution’s or programmes demonstrated capability to comply with specified norms and regulations. For this AICTE "accredition", is the appropriate indicator. While the Gol has made accredition of programs mandatory for all higher and technical educational institutions, presently only a handful of institutions have come forward.