Ayurveda

Ayurveda

Introduction:

Ayurveda, the perfect science or knowledge of life is believed to be the oldest treatment method which evolved around 600 BC in India. The word Ayurveda originated from the two Sanskrit words, 'Ayur' meaning life and 'Veda' meaning knowledge. Ayurveda practiced by special physicians called 'Vaidyas' is known to promote positive health, natural beauty and long life.

Life, according to Ayurveda, is a combination of senses, mind, body and soul. The medicinal system believes that human beings and nature should be in perfect harmony and that disease occurs when the equilibrium between these two is disrupted. Restoration of this fundamental balance, through the use of nature and its products is the main goal of this medical system. The concept is not just on curing bodily ailments but also on preventing. Ayurveda emphasizes that 'Prevention is better than cure'.

In Ayurveda, which is basically a humoural medical system, diseases are understood as an imbalance between the body's three humors, Vata (nerve energy), Pitta (catabolic fire energy) and Kapha (anabolic nutritive energy). Natural herbs and minerals are used for preparing  medicines. Apart from herbs, purification and detoxification, dietary changes, body massages and meditation are used to promote health and prevent and treat illness. Ayurvedic medicines are rapidly gaining acceptance all over the world as they have no side effects and is found to have cures for even rare ailments. Check out the link Ayurveda to know more about the system.

Eligibility & Course Areas:

Ø   The Ayurvedic Colleges of India awards the Degree of "Ayurvedacharya" or B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery) at the bachelor level. Duration of B.A.M.S is 5¹/₂ years/6¹/₂ years including Internship. 

Ø   Eligibility required to join  B.A.M.S (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery) is  Higher Secondary/P.U.C. preferably with Sanskrit or an examination equivalent there to, or Intermediate (Ayurvedic group- Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Sanskrit) of any recognised University/Board which confirms to the specifications approved by the Council. Minimum age of joining for BAMS course is 17 years. 

Ø   Some institutions also offers certificate courses or  pre Ayurvedic courses of 1 year to 2 years. Eligibility needed for such course is S.S.L.C./ Matriculation preferably with Sanskrit or an examination equivalent.

Ø   Main entrance exams for admission to a Bachelors degree in Ayurveda include, 'All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Exam' conducted by Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE), Delhi on a national level to select the candidates at an all India level (except in the states of Jammu & Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh ) for admission to roughly 15% of the total  seats in the colleges of each state, Pre-med entrance exam conducted by different states on their own for domiciled candidates. Some national level institutions where admission does not hinge on domicile status, give admission on the basis of merit in the 10+2 examination, or conducts their own entrance test for admission to BAMS courses.

Ø   Candidates who have passed BAMS can apply for post graduate programmes. The Post graduate programmes are conducted by many recognised  institutions and has a duration of 3 years leading to degrees of Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda (M.D. (Ayu)) and Master of Surgery in Ayurveda (M.S. (Ayu)). 

Ø   Candidates who have passed MBBS course recognized by Medical Council of India and have completed one year internship training can also apply for Post Graduate course in Ayurveda. 

Ø   Post-graduate programs is structured into 16 branches  leading to a Doctorate in Ayurveda. The 16 branches are Ayurvedic Sidhanta (Fundamental Principals of Ayurveda), Ayurved Samhita ( Treatise of Ayurveda),  Rachna Sharira ( Anatomy), Kriya Sharira (Physiology),  Dravya Guna Vigyan ( Materia Medica & Pharmacology), Ras- ShastraBhaishajya Kalpana ( Pharmaceuticals), Kumar Bharitya ( Paediatrics), Prasuti Tantra (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), Swasth Vrita (Social of Preventive Medicine), Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine, Rog Nidan ( Pathology,)  Shalya Tantra ( Surgery), Shalkya Tantra ( Eye & ENT ), Mano Roga ( Psychiatry), Panchkarma (Detoxification of body).

Job Prospects & Career Options:

An Ayurvedic practitioner can get employment as medical officer/doctor at government and private Ayurvedic hospitals. One can also start his/ her own practice or open ones own retail shop of Ayurveda medicines. They can also find employment as supervisors in 'Panch Karma' ( Ayurvedic massage) / health centres, as tutors in Ayurvedic colleges or do research, conduct workshops, seminars and retreats.

The number of Pharmaceutical companies manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines are increasing and the medicines are getting popular even in other countries. Patients from all over the world are coming to India for Ayurvedic treatment. More and more 'Pancha Karma Centres' are coming up for serving the tourists especially foreigners. With the popularity of the system the demand for Ayurvedic doctors are on the rise. In some of the states in India, it has been made mandatory to appoint at least one Ayurvedic Doctor in every civil hospital. So Ayurveda graduates have a bright scope in future.

Remuneration:

In government Ayurveda hospitals the starting salary scale is Rs.8000 - 13500 for BAMS graduates.

Tutors in Ayurveda colleges  get more than Rs 8000/- per month. In private practice the remuneration depends totally on the effort you put in and your professional reputation. Dedicated and competent practitioners can earn more.

Courses:

 » Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)

 » Certificate Course in Ayurveda Panchakarma

 » Diploma in Ayurved Medicine

 » Diploma in Ayurvedic Massage

» Diploma in Ayurveda Panchakarma

Astronomy

Introduction:

Astronomy, the oldest and the most fascinating science, deals with all the celestial bodies and the material universe beyond the earth's atmosphere. It is the science of the Universe which includes the study of motion, nature, law, constitution, history and possible future developments of heavenly bodies like the sun, planets, stars, comets, meteors, galaxies, satellites etc. 

Astronomy, sometimes considered as a sub-field of Physics is further divided into several branches such as Astrophysics, Astrometeorology, Astrobiology, Astrogeology, Astrometry, Cosmology etc. All these branches together helps to unravel the mysteries of the universe. It is a promising and amazing career for those who are interested in the mysteries of the universe and has a desire to unravel them. Since each country is going in for nuclear testing, the need for scientists in the filed of Astronomy is increasing. 

Eligibility & Course Areas:

A doctoral degree is the usual educational requirement to become an astronomer, since most of the work tends to be related to research and development. 

Those who opt for this field, should pass their plus two examination under the science stream, specially in physics and math's. For pursuing a career in theoretical or observational astronomy one may go through the science stream after plus two. Since universities offering undergraduate programmed in Astronomy are rarely found, one can join for a major/ honours in Physics with Mathematics as a subsidiary subject. Thereafter, take a master's degree in Physics or Astronomy. After the successful completion of MSc, one can do specialization in astronomy leading to Ph. D. which enables one to become an astronomer/ astronaut/ astrophysicist or a scientist/ research officer etc. in the field of space research. 

For doing Ph.D, which is mandatory to do research, one should appear for the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) examination.

For pursuing a career in Instrumentation/ Experimental Astronomy, after plus two one can go for Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Electrical / Electronics/ Electrical Communications. An engineer with a B. Tech or BE degree could also enter the field as a research scholar.

Job Prospects & Career Options:

Working on research is the main profession of an astronomer and this may usually involve travelling; working long hours including day and night. The work of an astronomer involves analysis and interpretation of enormous data gathered by observatories and satellites and making scientific papers or report their findings. They make observations with ground-based telescopes or any other sources and apply their knowledge to solve problems in navigation, space flight, and satellite communications. 

A beginner in the field of astronomy may be inducted as a researcher into an existing team which would be already working on a project. Ph.D. holders begin their careers in a postdoctoral research position, in which they may work with experienced physicists as they continue to learn about their specialty and develop ideas and results to be used in later work. Initial work may be under the close supervision of senior scientists. Depending on their areas of specialization, astronomers are classified into various groups like observational astronomers, stellar astronomers, solar astronomers etc. 

Most jobs in the basic research and development usually require a doctoral degree. The Ph.D. holders ultimately teach at the college or university level. Master’s degree holders are qualified for many jobs in manufacturing and applied research and development. Some master’s degree programs prepare students for specific research skills that does not require a Ph.D. Bachelor degree holder in this field are often qualified as technicians, research assistants or other types of jobs. 

Remuneration:

The remuneration depends on the aspects of work, kind of organization and experience in the field. As a beginner in the research work, a junior can earn a monthly stipend of approximately Rs.10,000 per month.

Government bodies and research institutes employ astronomers who are paid high salaries with other perk and allowances.

Courses:

 » M.Sc. Astronomy
 » M.Sc. Astrophysics
 » M.Sc. Meteorology
 » Ph.D. Astronomy
 » Ph.D. Astronomy and Astrophysics
 » Ph.D. Astrophysics
 » Ph.D. Atmospheric Science and Astrophysics

Assistance District Attorney / Deputy District Attorney

Introduction:

Assistant District Attorneys (ADA) are the lawyers working under the supervision of the District Attorney. The Assistant district attorneys assist the District Attorney in all administrative and managerial functions of his office according to his direction. They are generally considered as the second-in-command for the office and usually report directly to the head prosecutor. They conduct prosecution in court on behalf of the city, state and central governments as required by the District Attorney. 

Assistant district attorneys have a wide variety of responsibilities. It is their responsibility to ensure that the district attorney’s job is done properly and with precision. The most important duty of Assistant district attorney is to file charges against criminals and prosecuting them in court as required by District Attorney. In order to prosecute the criminals, they have to work with law enforcement officers (police departments and detectives) who have investigated the crime. Before filing charges against criminals they evaluate the criminal case presented by the law enforcement agency and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute. If there is sufficient evidence, then they file charges against the accused in the criminal court.

Eligibility:

Qualifications required : To work as an Assistant District Attorney, one should possess a Bachelor of Law degree from any recognized University and should have enrolled as an Advocate under the Advocates Act 1961, and should have practice with Bar Council for minimum 2 years.

Specialization in criminal laws will be beneficial for those who aspire to be an Assistant District attorney. Participating in moot court competitions while studying will give them the opportunity to argue cases and learn about the judicial process.

75% of the posts of Assistant District Attorney's are filled by Direct recruitment through a competitive examination by Public Service Commission (PSC) and the remaining 25% percent by promotion.

Remuneration:

Assistant District Attorney is a public servant and is entitled to receive pay scales as prescribed by the government. Salary varies according to experience, length of service, location and the hiring entity.

Courses:

Ø Bachelor of General Law (BGL)

Ø Bachelor of Law (LLB)

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy

Introduction:

Aromatherapy or Essential Oil therapy, is a complementary and alternative medicine designed for the treatment or prevention of diseases with the use of essential oils and other aromatic plant compounds. Aromatherapy - the 'Treatment through Fragrance', can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. The use of essential oil brings tremendous physical and mental benefits to the patients.  The essential oils stimulate the sense of smell and can have a positive effect on the body. The inhaled aroma from these essential oils is widely believed to stimulate brain functioning and many other functions in human physiology. They can support the immune system, reduce pain and inflammation, heal the skin and kills microbes such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. 

Eligibility:

Studying aromatherapy is a fun and challenging experience, combining core sciences with product formulation and scent blending. Only few Indian institutes are offering Aromatherapy courses and one can pursue certificate, diploma, degree and postgraduate diploma / degree courses through regular or distance mode. Minimum eligibility criteria for short term and degree courses is 10+2 and graduation for post graduate course. Depending on the type of the course, the duration may vary from 1 week to 3 years.

Indian Institute of Aromatheraphy and Cosmetology (Kolkata), Institute of Alternative Medicines Kolkata (IAMK), Science and Art Academy of Hair & Beauty Culture (Chennai), CV International Academy of Beauty Mumbai, International School of Aesthetics and Spa (Pune), The Global Institute of Aromatherapy (Kolkata) are some of the reputed institutes offering courses in Aromatheraphy. Indian Board of Alternative Medicines (Kolkata) offer 2 years Bachelor degree and 1year Diploma course in Aromatheraphy through its distance mode. 

Aromatherapists should possess the following personal attributes and abilities: 

Ø  A tolerant and calm manner 

Ø A caring approach 

Ø Empathy to listen to the needs of patients 

Ø Interest to help others to achieve positive change in their lives 

Ø Ability to inspire clients confidence and trust 

Ø Knowledge in botany and the study of plants 

Ø Excellent communication and listening skills 

Ø Good organizational skills 

Ø Excellent record keeping skills 

Ø An understanding of the limit of one’s own medical abilities

Ø Ability to recognize when to refer clients to a qualified medical doctor 

Ø Commercial awareness and business skills for self-employed persons 

Nature of Work and Job Prospects of Aromatherapists:

The main aim of an Aromatherapist, is to ease the patient's symptoms, rather than to cure them. The major duties and responsibilities of an Aromatherapist would involve: 

Ø Explaining the treatment to the patient

Ø Taking details of the patient’s medical history, diet and lifestyle 

Ø Selecting appropriate oils for treatment and blending the oils accordingly for massaging, bathing or inhaling, and applying them fully or partially on the patient.

Ø Keeping record of treatments and the blends of oils used 

Ø Supplying blended oils and instructions for clients to use at home

Ø Referring patients to other health practitioners if and when necessary

Besides these, other potential career opportunities in the field of Aromatherapy include:
- Aromatherapeutic counselor
- Essential oil retailer
- Essential oil store manager
- Custom aromatherapy blender for an Aromatherapy bar
- Community holistic health clinic participator
- Aromatherapy writer for journals, magazines or book author
- Massage therapists
- Aromatherapy teacher at massage school

Remuneration:

The salary of Aromatherapists varies depending on location, type of workplace and the number of patients treated. An experienced Aromatherapist can earn between Rs.20,000 - Rs 35,000 per month. As most Aromatherapists are usually self-employed they can choose their own working hours. An appointment with these professionals, usually lasts between 40 minutes to 1 1/2 hours and one can charge an hourly rate between Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 per session. Experienced practitioners can earn nearly Rs.1 lakh per month.

Courses:

Ø Aromatherapy Training

Ø Bachelor of Aromatherapy (Correspondence/ Distance Education)

Ø Bachelor of Aromatherapy

Ø Basic Aromatherapy Course

Ø Certificate Course in Aromatherapy

Ø Diploma in Aromatherapy (Correspondence/ Distance Education)

Ø Diploma in Aromatherapy

Ø Post Graduate Diploma in Aromatherapy

Archives (Archival Science / Studies)

Introduction:

History of every place is embedded in thousands of manuscripts, records, inscriptions, documents, etc. These unique records scientifically preserved and restored called archival records, help to understand the history of a particular region and society; to provide evidence for legal purposes; to prove ownership and rights; to demonstrate how organizations operate and how people lived etc. Archives alias Archival Records is the store house of historical records/ documents and the physical place they are located. The word 'archive' is derived from the Greek source arkheia ( pl. of arkheion) meaning public office or town hall, in which important official state documents were filed and interpreted under the authority of the Archon (ruler or lord, frequently used as the title of a specific public office). Usually archives consist of records that have been selected for permanent or long-term preservation on the ground of their enduring cultural, historical or evidentiary value. 

The term archives can mean different things and can be defined in three ways namely ;
- Historical record collections

- Repositories (Physical facilities)
- Organizations
Though archives are found in many different contexts, all archival programs have the same fundamental goal; i.e preservation of records about history and cultural heritage. 

Eligibility: 

Most colleges and universities teach Archival Science as a subsidiary subject with Information Science, or paired with a History program. Graduates in history, library science, political science, archival science or a similar discipline can start off their career as an archivist with archival coursework and some practical knowledge. The minimum educational qualification required to join for the above mentioned courses is 10+2 or its equivalent.  On completion of the bachelors degree, one can go for masters in the respective field and can further enroll for M.Phil or Ph.D. 

Some institutes in India offer Certificate and diploma courses in Archival Science such as PG Certificate in Archives, Post Graduate Diploma in Archives Studies, Post Graduate Diploma in Archives Keeping, Post Graduate Diploma in Archives and Documentation & Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Archival Science and Manuscriptology etc. These courses enable a student to gain knowledge of basic archival theory, methods, and/or practice of appraisal, including records management, aspects of library and information science management, and historical and research methods. 

Job Prospects and Career Options in Archival Studies:

Graduates in archival studies can find openings in corporate organizations handling any kind of data. Many people start off their career as assistant archivists. Trained and qualified archivist with proficiency in handling and maintenance of records and manuscripts are needed for preserving and handling various data and information records of historical as well as of national importance. Archivists can find openings in the archival units of various organizations such as museums, government agencies, colleges  and universities, industrial and commercial firms, hospitals, historical societies, charities, corporations and any institution whose records may potentially be valuable to researchers, exhibitors, genealogists, or others who would benefit from having access to original source material. 

Those who seek employment in government sectors must have to pass the examinations conducted by Union Public Service commission or Staff Selection Commission. National Archives of India, an attached office of the Ministry of Culture, which manages all the important documents and archives of the nation offer various job opportunities to qualified candidates in its various units. Indian Council for Historical Research appoint candidates to various posts include Archivists, Assistant Archivists, Director of Archives, Assistant Director of Archives for Records and Publication and Keeper of Records. Those with second class Master's Degree in Modern Indian History of a recognized University or equivalent with Knowledge of Archival Science and experience in relevant field are eligible for the posts. Archivists with a PhD degree are offered higher ranked positions in educational institutes with faculty status. 

Their work profile may include : 

Ø  Film Archivist

Ø  Reference Archivist

Ø  Photographic Archivist

Ø  Appraisal Archivist

Remuneration:

Pay packages offered to archivists differ largely, based on the nature of the employers. A fresher can earn a starting salary ranging from Rs. 10000 to Rs. 15000 per month. Experienced and qualified professionals can get higher salary packages of about Rs.20,000 per month. With increase in experience, one can easily get more. The initial pay scale of Assistant Archivist in the universities and institutes range from Rs. 15,000/- to Rs. 20,200/-. The pay scale of Assistant Archivist (general), for the Office of Director General, Archeological Survey of India range from Rs. 30,000 – 35,000. The pay scale of archivists in Central and State Governments ranges from Rs. 25,000/- – 50,000/-. In Reserve Bank of India (RBI/Bank)  the chief archivist (Deputy General Manager) will draw a starting basic pay of Rs. 35,000/- p.m. They will also be eligible for dearness allowance, local allowance, house allowance, family allowance, Grade Allowance as per rules in force from time to time.

Courses:

Ø  B.A. Archival Science

Ø  Certificate Course in Care and Conservation of Books, Manuscripts and Archives

Ø  Diploma in Archives and Documentation

Ø  Diploma in Archives and Records Management

Ø  M.Phil Archival Science

Ø  P.G. Diploma in Archival Studies and Museology

Ø  Post Graduate Certificate Course in Archives

Ø  Post Graduate Diploma in Archival Science and Manuscriptology

Ø  Post Graduate Diploma in Archival Studies

Ø  Post Graduate Diploma in Archives, Documentation and Management.