The Counsellor - 35

THE COUNSELLOR

Sporting law

I am doing BA LLB from Delhi. I am not interested in litigation or civil or criminal law. I am an extrovert with varied interests - actually passionate about sports (hockey), which I've had to give up because it clashes with my studies. Can you suggest some new or lesser-known field of law that I could look at? I am very confused.

Kehar Singh

Do you know how very lucky you are Jansher?

Just fasten your seatbelt while I tell you about this exciting new area of law that will combine your professional specialisation and your interests.

Sports law is set to be the next cash cow for law majors in India. With sports gaining popularity and prominence, law firms are looking at expanding their portfolio in this segment, which they feel is recessionproof.

Law firms are now preparing all celebrity endorsement deals. Earlier, it was restricted to the two parties involved - the celebrity endorsing the brand and the corporate entity. However, now law firms are increasingly being approached to facilitate such deals as part of their advisory services.

Sports law in India is likely to emerge as a big area of practice in the next five years. And with the sector getting corporatised, there will be

an increased demand for lawyers specialising in this field in the years to come. Their role will be to ensure that the contractual obligations of the athlete are tailored to suit them.

Skill upgrade

I have been working for the last three years in a small private factory after doing my ITI certificate course. I am very keen to upgrade my skills but due to financial constraints, can't leave my job to do a regular diploma in engineering in a polytechnic. Please help me.

Abhilash Chaudhary

Here's an option that will fit you just fine. Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) is launching a diploma in mechanical engineering (DME) in January 2009.

Eligibility for admission to this programme is matriculation (55%) or matriculation with an ITI certificate/certificate in motorcycle service & repair from Ignou. Candidates should be employed in Central or state-level, public or private manufacturing industries or in other related organisations employing similar manpower. Otherwise they should be self-employed in an equivalent capacity.

The prospectus and application forms are available on payment of Rs 100 by hand and Rs 150 by post.

Forms can be obtained from the Programme Coordinator (DME), Room No 104, Block -C New Academic blocks, IGNOU Campus, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 68.

But hurry, the application deadline is October 30, 2008.

Research best

Our daughter who has been a merit-holder throughout, went to Canada to pursue her higher studies in biology. She is now doing research in McGill University while teaching there. We want her to come back now. However, she is refusing to do so because she says there are lesser opportunities for research in India. And even those that exist, don't pay well. Could you please suggest something she can do here that could be equally satisfying?

Kavita

Why not. Better late than never, India has decided to kick-start a talent hunt to strengthen its research base in high-end biomedical research field in the country's laboratories. Under a joint initiative between the department of biotechnology and UK’s Wellcome Trust, the government is offering lucrative packages to attract the best Indian-origin talent across the globe to augment its R&D base.

Under this programme, the early career fellow would get up to Rs 7.16 lakh per annum, intermediate fellows up to Rs 9.65 lakh and senior fellows up to Rs 12.83 lakh per-annum. Besides the salary package, they will also be offered high-end medical facilities for themselves and their families. Only those who have a proven global record in biomedical research can apply as senior fellows. And given your daughter’s passion and capability, I don’t see why she wouldn’t fit the bill.

In all, 70 fellowships will be awarded every year under the programme in different areas of bioresearch for the next 10 years, to begin with. Research professionals would be attached to different institutions to prove leadership in biomedical research, which is an area of tremendous global significance today.

Some Indian biotech firms are also doing exciting cutting-edge research. Perhaps your daughter could explore the option of working with them in her area of interest/specialisation.

Language command

What is group discussion? My English is not very good. Is good command over English compulsory? How should I prepare myself for this and the interview?

Susheel Sharma

As the name suggests, a group discussion (GD) is a discussion on a given topic by a group of participants.

It's very essential to have a good command over the English language both for clearing the written exam as well as the GD and Interview for admission to management courses - particularly the good ones.

Unless you have a decent command of the language, you won’t be able to put your views across - particularly at such short notice. You will get barely 10 minutes to prepare for the topic for discussion. And you don’t know what direction the discussion will take. You don’t need to know literary English but at least enough to put your views across clearly and cogently.

English being the lingua franca of the corporate sector, you must possess excellent written as well as oral communication skills to succeed.

But, nothing is impossible. If you work on building your vocabulary and improving your language skills in dead earnest right away, you’ll be amazed how quickly you pick up the essentials.

Join a coaching class which can give you practice in participating in mock GDs and interviews to gain practice and overcome your hesitation of speaking in public. Alternatively, form a group of your own and discuss a variety of topics within a stipulated time frame, so that when the actual time comes, you are not taken by surprise. Keep yourself updated about current events, economy etc. For the Interview brush up on the subjects that you have learnt during your graduation or if you are working, read more about the latest happenings in your field.

English is not our mother tongue, so it’s quite natural if it doesn’t come to us easily. But, if you make it a regular habit to attentively read books and papers, watch and listen to radio and TV programmes, and avail of every opportunity to converse in English, there's no way you won't succeed. It's only a language after all.

All said and done, GDs and interviews are just tools to test your personality. Be clear about your goals, be frank and be yourself. The rest will take care of itself.

Sunil Sharma

Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

&

www.dilsedesi.org

The Counsellor - 31

THE COUNSELLOR

Looking ahead 

I am a BSc (biology) graduate. I wanted to get into a medical college but my family's financial condition is not so good. So instead, I will have to now look at opportunities in related medical fields. Please tell me other options, which are good for me.    

Ajmer Kumar

So what if you couldn't do an MBBS! When one door closes, ten windows open up. There is so much else you could do related to the medical field. You can do a one-year course in medical technology, medical lab technology, radiology, radiography, imaging technology, biotechnology, medical microbiology, forensic science or even a course in clinical research or bioinformatics. Should you wish to start earning right away, you can join a good pharmaceutical or nutraceutical company as a sales executive and work your way up. Medical transcription and working with a KPO in the life science space is yet another option. 

Maths phobia 

Like many, I am also in race for CAT exam this year. Even after three months of revision, I have not been able to overcome my maths phobia. What should I do? 

   

Prya Raj

Mathematical ability is a mechanical and logical process. It is mechanical because once you understand the method for solving a particular kind of problem you will always get it right; unless you slip up in the calculation part, which is even more mechanical. 

   Maths phobia is a very real and fairly common phenomenon. The only way to tackle this fear is to relearn your maths from the basics. Understanding various methods and practicing their application will help cure you of this phobia. Once you've understood the fundas and practised the basics, maths will become mechanical; and will therefore, be both speedy and accurate. Remember: the exam does not attempt to test you on solving a third degree differential equation. It does, however, expect you to know how to calculate distance and speed. 

   For the math-phobic, I extend my personal guarantee that you will overcome this bugbear — provided you begin at the beginning and pace yourself for the race. 

   If necessary, engage a good tutor to teach you the basics at your pace and on level of understanding — and give up feeling sheepish, shy or ashamed of asking for detailed and silly-sounding explanations of obvious problems. Keep at it till you understand the method. The level of mathematics is not very high (essentially of class 10 level with a few topics other than calculus like progression, permutation-combination (algebra), probability (statistics) and Set Theory (Venn Diagrams). If you had enough time, you would probably manage to crack most of the questions. However, time being the most constraining factor in this exam, not to mention the negative marking, you need to master speed. And that only comes with knowing the basics and constant practice. Taking regular mock tests also helps. 

   Obviously, if you are beginning from scratch and not just brushing up on what you already know, so you need to give yourself a little longer than what MBA aspirants usually allot to preparation. But don't worry, you will eventually find your own pace and catch up with all the hares out there.

 

Shooting right 

I have been very fascinated with shooting since I was a kid. How should I start my career in shooting? Where can I get training? 

   

 Vijay Prakash

Shooting, as a career seems to be bang on target ever since Major Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore's triumph at the Olympics in Athens. It has further grown in popularity with Abhinav Bindra doing us proud by bagging India's very first Olympics Gold at Beijing. 

   While a few elite schools and colleges have shooting facilities, aspiring marksmen can begin practicing at local sports clubs and ranges in several major cities. You will need to check if there is a 

local shooting range in your city where you can get started. 

   A number of schemes are offered by the government for training marksmen and cash incentives are offered to medal winners. But notwithstanding its soaring popularity, shooting is generally regarded an expensive sport which only the affluent, powerful and the talented with institutional support can pursue as a serious career. While shooters like Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang come from affluent families (Abhinav has the luxury of an air-conditioned indoor range in his backyard), others like Rajyavardhan Rathore are decorated Indian Army officers (Vishisth Sena Medal). 

   The expenses are a major inhibiting factor, which is why most of the earlier shooters belonged to royal families. A second hand air pistol for example can cost upwards of Rs 80,000 (the best are Austrian); a standard pistol Rs 1.5 lakh while trap shooting is exorbitantly expensive as the shotgun itself costs Rs 3-4 lakh. Ammunition costs are prohibitive. Besides, the equipment and rifle, gear including jacket pants and shoes can vary from event to event and cost anything between Rs 15,000 to Rs 3 lakh for rifle shooting. 

   Ironically all the top 25 ranked players in India get an eligibility certificate from the Sports Federation of India to import the weapon of their choice (although no financial assistance is given). The certificate is valid for one year and more often than not it takes about as much time to get the certificate. 

   Aspiring marksmen can begin practicing at local clubs and ranges that are registered with the rifle association. You will need to check if there is a local shooting range in your city where you can get started. 

   Incidentally we have so much undiscovered and uncelebrated talent in India, score of Abhinavs in the making, not to mention this 80-year woman from Baghpat village who is now representing India in international events trained by Dr Rajpal, an ace shooter himself. 

   Some training centres in North India: 

   

National Rifle Association of India (NRAI): 

It is the central administrative body for promoting shooting sport in India. It is affiliated to the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF), the apex body of shooting sport. NRAI has a network of 46 State Rifle Associations/Units all over India, and holds national level competitions in Rifle and Air Pistol events 

   

Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Tughlakabad (near Delhi): 

It has good infrastructure for this sport (10 m air pistol shooting range is air conditioned, the 50 m outdoor range 

   

Siri Fort Sports Complex: 

It has two shooting ranges of international standards (For Members. Also Pay and Play: Rs 250 per hr and Rs 2 per pellet) (Rs 500 for a box of 300/500). 

   

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar: 

The only Indian university to have an international standard indoor shooting range (22 shooters can shoot at a time) 

   

NIS, Patiala: 

Encouraged by Bindra's golden feat the NIS, Patiala has drawn up plans for a full-fledged shooting range, both indoor and outdoor.

 

At par? 

While working as a steno since last year, I am pursuing MBA through distance education. Will I face any kind of discrimination in the job market against the regular MBA candidates? 

   

SukhDev Singh

Distance MBAs don't offer the quality, depth and over-all exposure necessary to impress employers. No matter how good, these programmes are, there is no substitute for a regular programme. 

   Besides, a regular full-time MBA from a reputed B-school offers the attraction of on-campus recruitment. 

   MBA courses offered through distance learning are usually preferred by working professionals to upgrade their qualifications for better growth prospects, particularly those working in the government sector. 

   Naturally since no placement facilities are offered for students of part-time or distance learning programmes, you will have to look for a job on your own. Try to leverage your work experience if any in the best way possible. 

   Management is essentially a practical hands-on discipline rather than a mere academic field of study. So while you'll gain in professional knowledge, you must be missing out on classroom interaction, dissection of case studies and the opportunity of networking with your peers, professors and visiting faculty, which form an essential core of a regular MBA programme. Try and relate what you are studying to the work you are doing. That way, you will be able to talk about it more eloquently during your job interview. 

   Also make sure you are regular with your study and assignments. The dropout rate of distance programmes tends to be pretty high. Rowing two boats at the same time is not always easy. After a hard day at work, it’s tough to sit down to regular study in the evening or night — month after month. It is why not many of those who enroll in correspondence or part-time courses end up completing them. 

   You'll need to be extremely focused, disciplined and motivated to submit your assignments on time and take the exams regularly. Tough certainly, but not impossible. 

   Yes, you may find it a bit of a problem in your first job, but use it as a base and prove your worth.

  

  Sunil Sharma

    Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

             &

www.dilsedesi.org

The Counsellor - 30

THE COUNSELLOR

 

Teaching gateway 

I did my MSc Botany several years back and helped my father run his shop. As I am interested in teaching, I'm wondering whether I should try for lectureship by taking the NET. Is there an age limit? I am 28. Or like everyone else should I do an MBA? 

   

Rakesh Sharma

The CSIR NET is held in all major Science subjects, viz Chemical Sciences; Earth Atmospheric Ocean & Planetary Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. It is conducted jointly with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. 

   Sadly, although close to 2,000 fellowships (1965 JRFs for June 08 NET) are offered to science students, relatively few candidates take the NET (although the number is slowly rising). 

   Lured by lucrative corporate jobs many of our brightest students head for management classrooms instead of research labs. Result? 

   A dwindling number of PhDs in the country despite the ever-increasing undergrad enrolments.

   And, the waning interest in research translates into the acute faculty crunch faced by most universities today. 

   The consequences can be serious - we will remain a non-inventive society with slower prospects of growth. Such a small number of patent applications filed each year. 

   While the age limit for JRF (NET) is 28 years (relaxed up to five years for SC/ST/OBC, physically handicapped/visually handicapped and female applicants), there is no upper age limit for LS (NET). And incidentally, the JRF is now a decent Rs 14,000 (plus contingency funding). Those applying for LS (NET) can also avail of the JRF by enrolling for research projects that take in research fellows. So, do give it a shot. 

   So, if you haven't done so already, you can apply online on www.csirhrdg.res.in. Fortuitously, the date for applying online has been extended to September 11, 2008. 

   Make sure the hard copy of your completed application form reaches the CSIR Exam Unit by September 16 (September 18 for remote areas). 

Bigger picture 

My sister is severely afflicted with Polio that makes even moving out of home very difficult. She is doing her MA through correspondence and has decent communication skills. Although she gives a couple of tuitions to small children, she is unable to earn enough to be self-sufficient. Is there anything she can do to supplement her income? 

 

  Jitin infosys

There is plenty. Fulfilling a long standing industry demand for lowering operating costs and bringing in more people, including women and the physically challenged into the work force, the government has given a go-ahead to agents working at call centres among other service providers, to work from home. This will help fight attrition and traffic blues, lower costs, and allow many more people to join the work force. 

   The kind of processes that companies will permit to be operated from home like tele marketing, ad-booking etc need to be identified and the security issues and dynamics need to be worked out. 

   Also, a fair amount of content creation and preproduction work for publishing houses is being outsourced to India. Your sister should contact such firms to explore possibilities. Similarly, I know of quite a few people (subject specialists like psychologists, teachers, nutritionists, consultants) doing online counselling from the comfort of their home - either independently or through dedicated voice/web-based service providers. 

   These are just a few examples. With a bit of scouting (and you can help her with it), she can perhaps find a lot of similar options that match her interest and temperament

Cost effective 

Please tell me if there are any scholarships for pursuing an MBA or PGDBM through distance learning? I am very keen to do an MBA but cannot afford to pay a heavy fee as I am currently unemployed and looking after my ailing father. 

  

 Ritesh Desi

 

What you are doing is admirable. And as one good deed deserves another, here’s one scholarship offer you can check out for starters. 

   The All India Management Association (AIMA) offers 30 scholarships for underprivileged students who clear the Management Aptitude Test (MAT), and qualify for AIMA's Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) or Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology & Management (PGDITM) through the distance-learning mode. 

   The total cost of the PGDM and PGDITM programmes, comprising of four modules, is Rs 76,000 and Rs 1.20 lakh respectively. The cost is divided into equal parts per module. AIMA would initially offer the scholarships to eligible students in the first module and then extend it on the basis of their academic performance. The number of scholarships is likely to increase from the next session in January. 

   These scholarships would be offered to students whose parents earn less than Rs 2 lakh perannum to enable them to obtain a professional postgraduate qualification.

 

 

Bigger picture 

I am a student of class XII (PCB). I have always wanted to go into medicine but everyone is dissuading me saying that while it takes very long to become a doctor on one hand, there are plenty of doctors in the market anyway. What is the correct picture? 

   

Karan Singh

Accepted that compared to several other careers, the study of medicine does take a somewhat longer time, but as far as the supply of doctors in the market goes, I'll let the statistics speak. 

   Did you, for instance, know that although India produces the largest number of doctors and nurses in the world, our healthcare sector will be short of 45,000 docs on a yearly basis by 2012 and 3.5 lakh nurses for primary and secondary care by 2015. 

   We need at least one million doctors to meet an acceptable population to doctor ratio of 1000: 1. 

   If not remedied, the shortage will lead to further deterioration of quality services offered in healthcare sector which could contribute 6.05% of our GDP and has the potential to employ around nine million people by 2012. Want another argument? Presently, we do only 80,000 heart surgeries (against the requirement of 2.5 million) each year; same for other procedures. four-and-a-half lakh of the total six lakh heart surgeries in the world are done in the US.

Research options 

I am a civil engineer working in a large construction firm. I would be very interested in doing a course in project management. Are any courses available in this field through distance learning? 

  

 Mayank Pandey

Generally project management is taught as a part of the production and operation management module in MBA programmes. However, here are some specific programmes offered through the distance mode, which you could consider. Do study their offerings and course structure carefully, to ensure that they meet your specific requirements. 

   

   Alagappa University, Directorate of Distance Education, Karaikudi (www.alagappauniversity.ac.in ) 

   Offers two courses: MBA in Project Mgt (Dist) ; Advance Diploma in Project Mgt (1-year, Dist) 

 

   National Institute of Construction Management & Research (NICMAR), School of Distance Education, Pune (www.nicmar.org ) offers PG Programme in Project Mgt (2-year, Dist) 

 

  University of Hyderabad, Centre for Distance Education, Hyderabad (www.uohyd.ernet.in ) offers a PG Diploma in Planning & Project Mgt (Dist). 

 

  ICFAI University (www.icfai.org ) also offers a PG Diploma in Project Mgt (Dist) 

 

   IGNOU (with Centre for Excellence in Project Mgt & Project Mgt Assoc) has recently announced a PG Programme in Project Mgt details: www.ignou.ac.in ) 

 

   HughesNet in collab with IIT Delhi offers a three-month continuing education programme on Project Mgt for working professionals.. 

 

   Alternatively, you could also consider acquiring the QPMP (Qualified Project Management Professional) Certification offered by Project Management Associates. Details: 

www.pma-india.org  

 

Sunil Sharma

   Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

           &

www.dilsedesi.org

New course on social development

New course on social development

 

WITH a view to attain larger educational benefits for the vast population of people in India, the Society for Participatory Research in India (PRIA) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou). Through this MOU an academic programme `Advanced Diploma in Managing Participatory Development Projects' (MPDP) will be delivered through the open and distance mode of learning. 

 

   Speaking on the occasion of signing the MoU with Ignou, Rajesh Tandon, president PRIA, said that this is a historic occasion where a civil society organisation is partnering with a nationally reputed university to launch an educational programme. Tandon pointed out that though the government has invested a lot of money in development projects, they have not yielded the desired results due to the lack of skilled project managers to supervise and implement. 

 

   According to Sanjay Bhatt, head, department of social work, Delhi University, this programme addresses the need of the hour as today social objectives are clearly lacking in the mandate of higher education. Bhatt opined that the quest for specialisation and super-specialisation has led to a lack of synergy among disciplines and resulted in narrowing the vision of higher education. "The fundamental objective of higher education should be to secure a quality life for the citizens of a country. The introduction of this programme is a step in this direction as it will sensitise people to the needs and requirements of civil society," said Bhatt.

 

  

   Sunil Sharma

     Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

             &

www.dilsedesi.org

The Counsellor - 23

THE COUNSELLOR

Future prospects 

I’m in my final year of BA Political Science (Honours). What are the future prospects after doing MA (International Relations) from JNU? 

    Shankar Bose

 

   After doing your masters from JNU’s prestigious School of International Studies, you will have the following options: You could either opt for teaching political science or international relations at the college or university level. This will be subject to qualifying the National Eligibility Test (NET), conducted by the UGC for central/state universities or the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) for state universities. The Civil Services in general, and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in particular, is another popular option for students of ‘pol sc’ as the subject is popularly called. The general studies paper requires considerable knowledge of Indian polity and current affairs. If you have a flair for writing, you can also become a political analyst for a newspaper, news-related website or TV. In Delhi, you can also take up research jobs in organisations such as: Institute for Defence Studies & Analysis (IDSA), Old JNU Campus, New Mehrauli Road, Delhi Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Dharma Marg, Chanakyapuri, Delhi Research & Information Systems for Non-aligned Countries, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, Delhi Indian Council of World Affairs, Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR), India International Centre, Max Mueller Marg, Delhi Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, Teenmurti House, Delhi 

Civil action 

I am in my second year of MSW. What sorts of jobs are there for professionals in this field in the government sector? 

   Adiyta Desai

 

    The Government of India conducts examinations through the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions for appointing welfare officers at the central and state levels. The position is that of gazetted officers in family welfare, education, social welfare, tribal development programmes and prisons. National bodies like the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) and National Institute of Public Co-operation & Child Development (NIPCD) and major community development projects also appoint welfare officers. Some of these jobs are also open to PG degree-holders in related fields like sociology, psychology, economics, etc. As a social welfare officer, your functions would be primarily that of an executive. You would be involved in programme planning, funding, execution, monitoring, evaluation and auditing procedures. 

Way forward 

I am 22-years-old and work as a junior account executive in a Gurgaon-based advertising agency. I want to pursue an MBA. Should I work for a few years and then apply to B-schools. Will my work experience be considered at all? This is my first job. 

   Shome De

 

    It is not clear from your query how long you have been working as a junior account executive in the agency. But if you look at the typical class composition of the leading B-schools in India, you will find that students have an average of 2-4 years of work-experience. In B-schools in the US it is anywhere between 3-7 years! If you have less than two years of work-ex, it will hardly get you any weight age in MBA selection or in placement. You’ll be treated on par with fresh graduates.

 

Biotech research 

I have completed final year of MSc biotech. Now I’m very confused as to whether I should pursue a PhD or an MBA. I am not aware about the research prospects. 

K. R. Sharma

 

   There are vast opportunities in biotech particularly for those who have specialised in areas like clinical research and manufacturing, field-testing of genetically modified (GM) crops, regulatory affairs such as IPR and biosafety, consultancy for business planning and global collaborations. The need for trained manpower in biotech has increased as the industry has grown at the rate of 35% per-annum in the last four years. While there are a sufficient number of MScs in biotech, more quality PhDs are still required. India needs biotech schools with state-of-the art facilities to produce biotech professionals for the industry. It can become a global R&D hub if incentives are provided for research on a long-term basis. The country’s future growth would mainly depend on innovation and the ability to bring new technology from overseas. Our scientific pool of qualified researchers and the largest number of USFDA approved plants outside the US, would also help us grab a large chunk of the $100 billion contract manufacturing and research pie which is expected to grow manifold in the coming decade. So if a career in research interests you, you have little to worry.

 

Next step 

Can you please tell me whether I can appear in science subjects if I take the Class 12 exams privately? 

Sushil Gupta

 

   As far as I know, private candidates are not allowed to offer subjects, which involve practical work for the exam except in the case of students who failed earlier and had pursued a regular course of study at a school affiliated to the CBSE board in the previous academic year. Nonetheless, female students can offer home science with practicals.

 

Dual degree 

I have just completed my Bachelor’s in geography. Since I have developed an interest in the subject, I am keen on pursuing a Master’s while doing my BEd. Could you please suggest institutes from where I can do a distance-learning programme in geography? 

   Manish Goswami

 

   Here are some universities you could look at: Institute of Advanced Studies in Education. Refer to the website www.iaseduniv.org for more details Jiwaji University, Gwalior, MP. Refer to the website www.idejug.org for more details. Kurukshetra University, directorate of correspondence courses, Kurukshetra. Refer to the website www.kuk.ernet.in for more details. Netaji Subhash Open University, Kolkata, which offers a Msc degree in geography through distance learning. Refer to the website www.wbnsou.com  for more details.

 

Different route 

I am a science graduate. Instead of pursuing IT or MBA like most of my friends, I want to do something ‘hatke’. I am very fascinated by the thought of pursuing detective-related work. But people say that it’s not a field for girls. 

Pooja Raman

 

   Private investigation is no longer a male bastion. In a profession dominated by men, the army of Indian women sleuths has been increasing steadily over the years. In the big cities, they are not just working as private eyes, but even heading all-women outfits. Almost all 60 detective agencies in Delhi have a sizeable number of women, while six are run by women alone. In fact in certain cases especially matrimonial and child custody, women private investigators have often proved to be more effective than their male counterparts. A woman’s innate inquisitiveness and attention to detail makes her an ideal candidate for surveillance activities, interviewing subjects, and conducting telephonic enquiries. The greatest advantage that a woman investigator has is that nobody is suspicious of being shadowed by a woman undercover agent. Also you’ll find it naturally easier to access information. You can work either with the police department or with a private detective company. In the police department, detectives are plainclothes investigators who gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases. Besides handling undercover operations, interviews, examining records and shadowing or keeping an eye on the activities of suspects, private investigators offer many other services such as pre-employment verification, surveillance, investigating corporate fraud and individual background profiles. If you are familiar with gadgets like mini cameras, voice recorders etc you can get started with as little as a couple of thousand bucks. A matchbox sized, wireless camera costs Rs 1,200 while you can get a digital recorder for as little as Rs 2,000. There are no formal academic requirements for most private detective jobs, although a college degree is essential. Most companies will train you on the job. Starting out with simpler assignments, you will advance to more challenging assignments as you gain confidence. Many private detectives enter the field after serving in government intelligence, defence or law enforcement jobs. However, let me warn you: A career in this field may not be as adventurous and romantic as novels and films make it out to be. Although it is certainly a “hatke” profession, it’s a tough job requiring long hours, patience, intelligence, common sense, tenacity, the ability to improvise and keen observation.

 

Sunil Sharma

   Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

&   www.dilsedesi.org