Monday 7 July 2014

TOPPER'S TALK(AIR -459)

Topper Profile

NameVinay G M
Rank in CSE-2013459
Roll No.143172
Age25
Total attempts in CSE2
Optional SubjectPublic Administration
Medium chosen for Mains answersEnglish
Schooling mediumEnglish
College mediumEnglish
Home town/cityShimoga, Karnataka
Work-experience if anyHuawei Technologies, Bangalore. Software Engineer – 5 months
Details of other competitive exams, including success/failures
  • SSC CGLE 2012 – Tax Assistant in CBEC
  • State PSC – Interview Given
  • SBI 2013(Failed to Clear 1st round)
  • IB ACIO 2012(Failed to Clear 1st round)
Details of coaching, mock tests, postal material for any competitive exam (if used)
  • Prelims 2012 : JSS Institute, Bangalore
  • Byju’s for CSAT
  • Couldn’t clear prelims in 2012
service preference #1, 2 and 3IPS,IAS,IRS
state cadre preference (top3)Kar,TN,MH

Education

% in class 1094.8
% in class 1293.6
Schooling (Medium)English
Graduation course and %B.E. Computer Science and Engineering (81.5)
Name of college, city, passing out yearSJCE, Mysore, 2011
Post-graduationNA
Any other professional coursesNA
Hobbies & Extra curricularMovies, Travelling, Chess, Puzzles

Introduction

Q. Tell us something about yourself, your family, when and why did you enter in this field of competitive exams?
UPSC Topper CSE 2013 Rank 459 Vinay GM Shimoga karnataka
I am from a middle class family. My father is Working  in Karnataka Govt. I had thought about getting into Civil Services in my School days itself. But I lacked any guidance or motivation. So never thought much about that until I completed my graduation. I decided to work for a year or two and then try for this exam but later decided to quit the job earlier itself. I have seen the work of IAS/IPS officers and the level of respect they get in the society. It has been a true motivator for me. This success means a lot to my family as I am the first person to clear this exam.

Electronic Vs Paper material

Q. In recent times, there is spur in electronic material- blogs, sites, pdfs, RSS-feeds. Many aspirants feel bogged down by this information overload. So, how much do you rely on electronic material and how much on the paper material (Books, newspapers)?
I think it should be flexible and one must decide for himself what is best for him! I read both electronic and paper material. If the material is very important, I would take printout of it else would read in laptop itself and note down imp points. I just made simple notes for current affairs. For traditional subjects, just read the books and marked there itself.

Tempo and style

Q. People know what books and syllabus points are to be prepared. But most of them lack consistency in their preparation. So, how do you keep study momentum going on? How do you fight against the mood swings and distractions?
Yes Rest and Leisure also form an important part of daily routine. One cannot study for entire 24 hrs! I used to study for around 8hrs when exams were around. Every night I do watch a movie/TV series  which relaxes my mind and restores the momentum for the next day to study efficiently. Also talking to friends/family will help keep morale high. Hope is the most important thing. Other qualities an aspirant must try to inculcate are confidence, self belief and optimism!

Struggle of a Senior player

(Answer only if you’re a senior player.)
After 1-2 failures in any competitive exam, a phase of mental saturation & emotion struggle comes. MY question are two:
Q1. How did you survive through this mental prison and what’re your words of wisdom to other senior players? If any specific inspirational incident(s), please share.
I didn’t fell anytime the preparation as ‘mental prison’. Rather I enjoyed it as knowledge gaining phase. Some amount of sacrifice is needed in order to achieve great things.  Believe in yourself, keep trying and have patience… the success time would definitely come and  you would have reached your destiny! I too failed many times even in smaller exams but didn’t took the results very seriously. I corrected my mistakes and put efforts in right direction.
Q2. What went wrong in your previous attempt? What changes did you make in this current attempt?
I failed in Prelims. I practiced CSAT more mainly comprehension part and cleared this time

Prelims (CSAT) General studies

***Note: NCERT Textbooks are Important. Other than ncert books, I have mentioned other sources in this column. I have not scored good marks in GS. So I have refrained from telling detailed strategy! Many toppers have already shared their strategy in Mrunal. Pls refer them!
Topicstrategy/booklist/comment
History Ancient-
History Medieval-
History Modern (Freedom Struggle)
Culture societyNIOS, IGNOU
Polity (theory + current)
Economy (theory + current)
Science (theory + current)Manorama, Hindu S/T
Environment (theory + current)Barucha
geography physicalYoutube
geography India
geography world
other national/international current affairsFrontline, Hindu
Schemes, Policy & Filler StuffGov websites like PIB ,PRS
Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS prelim 2013 paper?
Many mock tests for GS are not good! Its better not to take any mock for GS paper 1 as I found no mock is on the lines of what upsc expects!
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HEATHROW NEW GADGET DEVICES

Heathrow AirportPassengers at Heathrow will be required to show their electronic devices functioning

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Heathrow Airport has told passengers to ensure all electronic devices carried as hand baggage are charged before travel if they are flying to the US.
It posted details of the new rule on its website and Facebook page.
The move follows a request from the US that "certain overseas airports" implement enhanced security measures.
The UK government has also revised its rules to state that if a "device doesn't switch on, you won't be allowed to bring it on to the aircraft".
Affected passengers have been told they may also have to undergo extra screening measures.
The Department for Transport declined to say whether other UK airports would enforce a similar restriction on flights to the US.
American officials said last week they were aware of a "credible" terrorist threat, but have not linked the security changes to any specific intelligence.
Heathrow FacebookHeathrow alerted passengers to the new rules via its Facebook page and its own website
Analysts, however, have suggested the action could be a response to efforts by Islamic militants in Syria and Yemen to build bombs that evade airport security checks.
Powerless phones
A spokeswoman for Heathrow said that it did not comment on security matters.
But the BBC understands that passengers flying to the US will be advised to remove relevant chargers from their hold luggage at check-in, so that they can top up carried-on gadgets if necessary. Alternatively, they can opt to place any powered-down kit in their stowed luggage.
If they still arrive at the security point with a powerless device, they will directed to a nearby retailer that might be able to provide a recharging cable, and told of the location of airport charging points.
If the traveller is still unable to power on their machine, it will be suggested they make use of MailandFly - an existing service offered by the firm Bagport, which is based at Heathrow's security control.
SmartphoneThe US has said that mobile phones will be among the checked items
It allows passengers to pay for banned hand baggage to either be shipped to them separately or be stored at one of the firm's warehouses for up to 42 days.
"We already deal with perfumes, knives and other prohibited items... and shipping a powered-down device would be possible," said Bagport station manager Liisi Puutsa.
If the traveller rejects this option, it will ultimately be up to the airline to arrange what happens to the device.
Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Delta Air Lines and Air France were all unable to provide details of how they would tackle such a situation when asked by the BBC.
Check list
The authorities are not providing a specific list of the devices now subject to power-on checks.
However, the US Transport Security Administration has singled outmobile phones as one type of device affected, and the UK's hand luggage rules also mention tablets, MP3 players, cameras and electric shavers as other examples.
One expert suggested an ever-growing number of gadgets were likely to be included over the coming years.
"When they first started asking for laptops to be taking out separately, they used to ask that the device be powered up too," said TK Keanini, chief technology officer at the cybersecurity firm Lancope.
"This is nothing new in terms of a requirement, but I do see it as a growing challenge for them as more and more types of devices start to make it through these checkpoints.
"With the 'internet of things' approaching, smart-everything will pose new challenges at these checkpoints." 
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WOMEN BEATEN BY US COP(CHP)



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The California Highway Patrol says that it is investigating footage posted on YouTube that shows a policeman repeatedly punching the face and head of a prostrate woman.
Video shows him straddling the woman and hitting her at least 11 times.
Police say that the woman needed to be restrained and was endangering herself and motorists by walking on a busy road in the west of Los Angeles.
The incident was recorded by passing motorist David Tiaz.
"[The policeman] just pounded her," he told CBS Los Angeles.
"If you look at the video, there are 15 hits. To the head, and not just simple jabs. These are blows to the head. Blows. Really serious blows. And this is ridiculous to me."
"I find it hard to believe there [was] no other remedy in this situation."
The officer involved in the incident is reported by the AP news agency to be on administrative leave while it is being investigated. He has not been identified.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) says that it is looking into the details of the incident, which has been condemned by civil rights leaders.
"As a matter of policy, every time there is a use of force by our officers, there is a review conducted to determine whether the use of force was appropriate," a CHP statement said.
"That will be done in this case. However, since there is an ongoing investigation, it would be premature to comment on this specific video segment without reviewing the entire incident."
When the video starts, the officer is seen trying to detain the barefooted woman, who walks a few steps away from him.
But the officer is seen forcing her to the ground, briefly struggling with her before repeatedly pummelling her. A few moments later, a plainclothes officer enters the picture and helps his colleague put the woman in handcuffs.
A CHP spokesperson was quoted by CBS Los Angeles on Friday as saying that the agency was trying to bring Tuesday's incident "to a just conclusion".
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Tuesday 1 July 2014

CRISIS IN IRAQ : SUNNIS V/S SHIAS

Sunnis and Shias: Islam's ancient DIVISION

Pilgrims worshipping at MeccaPilgrimage to Mecca is one of many rituals that are shared by both sects
What are the differences between Sunnis and Shias?

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Muslims are split into two main branches, the Sunnis and Shias. The split originates in a dispute soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad over who should lead the Muslim community.
The great majority of Muslims are Sunnis - estimates suggest the figure is somewhere between 85% and 90%.
Members of the two sects have co-existed for centuries and share many fundamental beliefs and practices.
Though they may not interact much outside the public sphere, there are always exceptions. In urban Iraq, for instance, intermarriage between Sunnis and Shia was, until recently, quite common.
The differences lie in the fields of doctrine, ritual, law, theology and religious organisation.
Their leaders also often seem to be in competition.
From Lebanon and Syria to Iraq and Pakistan, many recent conflicts have emphasised the sectarian divide, tearing communities apart.
Who are the Sunnis?
Sunni Muslims regard themselves as the orthodox and traditionalist branch of Islam.
The word Sunni comes from "Ahl al-Sunna", the people of the tradition. The tradition in this case refers to practices based on precedent or reports of the actions of the Prophet Muhammad and those close to him.
Sunnis venerate all the prophets mentioned in the Koran, but particularly Muhammad as the final prophet. All subsequent Muslim leaders are seen as temporal figures.
Women pass by the mosque of Mohammed Ali in CairoEgypt is home to some of Sunni Islam's oldest centres of learning
In contrast to Shias, Sunni religious teachers and leaders have historically come under state control.
The Sunni tradition also emphasises a codified system of Islamic law and adherence to four schools of law.
Who are the Shias?
In early Islamic history the Shia were a political faction - literally "Shiat Ali" or the party of Ali.
The Shia claimed the right of Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, and his descendants to lead the Islamic community.
Ali was killed in a power struggle over who should be caliph, leader of the Muslims. His sons - Hussein and Hassan - also struggled to capture the caliphate. Hussein died on the battlefield opposing a subsequent caliph and Hassan is believed to have been poisoned.
Shia women at Ashura celebration in IstanbulWomen from Turkey's Shia minority observe a religious procession in Istanbul
These events gave rise to the Shia cult of martyrdom and the rituals of grieving.
There is a distinctive messianic element to the faith and Shias have a hierarchy of clerics who practise independent and ongoing interpretation of Islamic texts.
Estimates of the number of Shia range from 120 to 170 million, roughly one-tenth of all Muslims.
Shia Muslims are in the majority in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Azerbaijan and, according to some estimates, Yemen. There are large Shia communities in Afghanistan, India, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
What role has sectarianism played in recent crises?
In countries that have been governed by Sunnis, Shias tend to make up the poorest sections of society. They often see themselves as victims of discrimination and oppression. Some extremist Sunni doctrines have preached hatred of Shias.
The Iranian revolution of 1979 launched a radical Shia Islamist agenda that was perceived as a challenge to conservative Sunni regimes, particularly in the Gulf.
Tehran's policy of supporting Shia militias and parties beyond its borders was matched by the Gulf states, which strengthened their links to Sunni governments and movements abroad.
Protesters in BahrainDiscontent among the Shia has fuelled street protests in Bahrain
During the civil war in Lebanon, Shias gained a strong political voice because of the military activities of Hezbollah.
In Pakistan and Afghanistan, hardline Sunni militant groups - such as the Taliban - have often attacked Shia places of worship.
The current conflicts in Iraq and Syria have also acquired strong sectarian overtones. Young Sunni men in both countries have joined rebel groups, many of which echo the hardline ideology of al-Qaeda.
Meanwhile, many of their counterparts from the Shia community have been fighting for - or alongside - government forces.
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Thursday 26 June 2014

TIPS AND STRATEGY FOR IAS MAINS

The Essay Paper will be first and will cover 250 marks. The Essay topics are very dynamic in orientation. In the recent years and in the past also the essay topics are taken from various diversified fields and one can write a good essay only when he can comprehend the whole picture of the nation.
Some important things the candidate should keep in mind is that the candidate should always use the word ‘nation’ instead of country. It will have a positive impact on the content of the essay. The candidates should also read some of the famous speeches of the world leaders such as the tryst with the destiny speech of Jawaharlal Nehru and the likes. These speeches will give a overall picture to the candidates. The candidates should follow a Big Picture Approach in writing and Essay it means that the imagination should be free flowing and the effect of one thing with its counter effect and the consequential effects on the society. The Cascading effects should also be mentioned in the essay with all the possible solutions for such effects.
Don’t hesitate in giving new ideas and initiative whether or not they fit in our existing system. The candidates can even suggest some new Laws and Rules which will be needed. But the candidate should not suggest such measures which are contradicting to the Political Culture and the Basic Structure of the Constitution of India.
The candidates can start the essay with the relevant famous quotations of the World Personalities and start the essay by justifying the quotation in the present scenario. The candidate can also use the famous quotations for justifying their points in between the essay. Always keep in mind the practical aspects of the suggestions given in the essay. But it does not mean that the candidate should not think out of the box. The candidate should read as much as he can to develop the writing and thinking skills. Newspaper provides new inputs and new ideas to the candidate which can be mentioned in the essay paper.
Recent years the number of options (to choose from) in the essay paper are reduced to four. This time also the choice for the candidates is expected that it will remain four.The syllabus of the IAS Main Essay paper mentions that the candidate is expected to write an essay on the specific topic. The candidates are expected to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
So it means that the presentation should be in orderly fashion. It is expected from the candidate that he should present the occurrence of the events should be present in an orderly manner. Special emphasis should be given on the chronology of the events. The chronology of the events should not be disturbed.The candidates should give new ideas and should present a comperhensive view regarding the Essays topics.
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IAS Main 2014: Important Topics for Environment and Ecology

The IAS Main 2013 is commencing from 2 December, 2013. The Scheme of Exam is notified by the UPSC. The IAS Main will be conducted on New Pattern and hence a new set of approach will be required to face this challenge. In the recent times the significance and importance of Environment topics has been increased significantly.

The Environment is taking the driving seat in all issues and discussions. There can be number of environmental issues which need to be discussed and they have their significance in short as well as long run. The long run concern is more important and cannot be overlooked.

There are various International Conventions, Conferences and Calamities in the calendar year which the candidates should not miss. Some of the Important Issues which should not be missed are as follows.
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