COURSES AND CAREER IN BUSINESS AND TRADE

Commerce

 

India has come a long way since its independence. The economy has increased tremendously. There is no doubt that the number of commerce courses have increased as well. Lakhs of students apply for commerce courses in the every year. The new GST plans put up by the government have not only been giving more importance to commercial studies but it has also given rise to different new programmes. Commerce courses have always been coveted by people who just want to make a lot of money. However, after some years, a few quit the career because they could not find any job satisfaction. This is because a number of them joined the career for the wrong reasons. Yes, most of the commerce courses are money-making courses but if your personality suits a career with much more exposure or a career that is outgoing and much more than a career that requires you to work 9-5 in an office sitting in front of a computer, you will never get satisfaction, and may quit the career looking for a new one. Hence, when you choose any career in commerce, remember to choose it only if you are genuinely interested in it. 

Chattered Accountancy: CA is one of the most profitable courses among the commerce courses. Many of the students who choose commerce first choose it because CA is their end goal. However, many join it because they do not know other alternates. Here are the few alternate careers to CA:

Actuarial Science: Actuarial Science is a discipline that assesses financial risks in the insurance and finance fields, using mathematical and statistical methods. Actuarial science applies the mathematics of probability and statistics to define, analyse, and solve the financial implications of uncertain future events. In order to pursue it you will have to take Commerce with Maths, after which you have multiple

options. They are B.Sc. in Actuarial Science, Bachelors in Accounting and Finance (BAF), after which you could pursue an MBA or Masters in Actuarial Finances.

Banking: Everyone knows what banking is. Working in a bank in various capacities has been a prestigious career for many years. In order to have a career in banking you have to take commerce and a bachelor’s degree in either B.Com. or BAF post which you could either take your Bank PO exam or SBI/RBI exam or simply pursue an MBA in Finance.

Business Administration: If you want to be part of building and growing an organization or business, Business Administration is for you. You could be part of marketing or sales for the business, or the day to day operation in the organization or even hire and sustain employees. You could pursue it by doing a Bachelors in Business Administration after which you can pursue Masters in it and specialize in any field you might be interested in.

Company Secretary: A company secretary is responsible for the smooth functioning of administration of the organization. They have their responsibilities in the financial and legal functions of the organization. In order to be a company secretary you will have to finish your 12th in commerce followed by a course in company secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.

Economics: Economics is the social science that studies how people interact with value; in particular production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. As a career you could either teach economics or conduct research on a topic. To become an economist, you will have to take up economics in either Arts or Commerce in 11th and 12th, followed by a Bachelor’s in Arts/in Economics, then a Masters in the same and then a Ph.D. in Economics.

Finance Management: Financial Management refers to the strategic planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of financial undertakings in an organisation or an institute. It also includes applying management principles to the financial assets of an organisation. You could also apply these principals to manage the personal finances of individuals who are looking for insurance options and investment management. Once you are done with commerce in 11th and 12th you have three options; Bachelor’s in Commerce (B. Com), Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finances (B.A.F) or Bachelor’s in Financial Management (B.F.M), followed by any of those courses you can pursue an MBA in Finances.

Forensic Accounting: As a forensic accountant, you will be working in the Indian Revenue Services (IRS). You will be tasked with protecting people from tax and other financial frauds. You will also be tasked at making sure people obey the laws of the country and manage their finances in accordance with these laws. In order to have career in the IRS, you have to take up Commerce in 11th and 12th followed by a Bachelor’s in any of the commerce courses (B.Com., BAF, BFM, BBA). Once you are 21 years of age you can give your IRS exams.

Human Resource Management (Payroll): As a Human Resource Manager you will be in charge of hiring employees and sustaining them in the organization. In the Payroll department, you will be in charge of managing the employees’ salaries including other finance-related issues of the employee which include their provident fund and employee taxes. In order to have career as an HR you need to purse commerce in 11th and 12th followed by either B. Com. or BBA and then an MBA specialising in Human Resources.

Yes, Commerce is all about the money; however, patience is another very important aspect. Choose Commerce only if you are a person who is comfortable with working indoors for long hours and if you’re good at Maths.

SEVENTH MONTH OF THE YEAR

 

July is the seventh month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days. It was named by the Roman Senate in honour of the Roman general, Julius Caesar, it being the month of his birth. Prior to that, it was called Quintilis. Quintilis means “fifth month” in Latin, which represents where this month originally fell in the Roman calendar.
He conquered Gaul (what is now part of Italy, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands), changed the structure of the Roman government into a dictatorship, was assassinated in legendary fashion. Caesar is responsible for the year  having 365 days, and for the existence of a leap year every four years.
July comes between June and August. The halfway point of the year is either on July 2 or in the night of July 1-2. 
July always begins on the same day of the week as April, and additionally, January in leap years. July does not end on the same day of the week as any other month in common years, but ends on the same day of the week as January in leap years.
It is the seasonal equivalent of January in the other hemisphere. In the North, it is summer and in the South it is winter.
In the Northern Hemisphere, July is often the warmest month of the year, and major sporting events and music festivals are held around this time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a winter month, with the coldest-recorded temperature having been measured in Antarctica in this month.

STORY TIME

Why the stork is white

     At the beginning of time, when the world had just been created, all the birds were white in colour. Unfortunately, some birds were always victimising the others and since both were white, the perpetrators of the crimes could never be identified and punished. So, the weak birds continued to have their eggs robbed, their meals snatched and their nests taken over by their aggressive fellow birds.

     One day, the victim birds decided to protest to the Creator. They went to Him in a delegation and complained of the terrible life they led. The Creator was aghast, since he had just then been patting himself on the back for creating such a wonderful world.

“Let me think about it,” the Creator replied, running his fingers through his grey beard.

     After some time, he shouted, “Eureka! I’ve got the solution. I’ll give each species a different set of colours.”

     And this is what he did. As every bird preened itself, showing off its gorgeous hues, there was suddenly a great commotion. There was a late arrival. It was the stork.

“Why are you late?” thundered the Creator, his eyes flashing lightning.

“I–I–I overslept,” mumbled the stork, blushing pink.

“Ha!” exclaimed the Creator. “You don’t lie very well. What were you really upto?”

The stork broke down. “I am sorry. But I was stealing shrimps in the lake,” said the stork, breathless with tears.

“Stealing shrimps?” boomed the Creator. “You know that stealing is forbidden in my world!”

The stork was silent. The other birds fell silent, too.

“Your punishment,” announced the Creator, “is that your feathers shall forever remain white. Then you will be visible at all times, and cannot indulge in your thieving habits!”

And that is why the stork has such dazzling white feathers. But has it stopped stealing? Just ask the shrimps!

DO YOU KNOW

How does a seat belt help a car passenger in the event of an accident?

When a car is in motion, the passengers seating in it are also moving at the same speed. If the car is moving at a speed of 70kmph (kilometres per hour), for example, the passengers are also moving at the same speed though they are not aware of it. 

Now, if the car crashes, its speed rapidly changes from 70kmph to 0kmph. The passengers are still moving at 70kmph at the time of impact, in accordance with Newton's first law of motion which states that "a body in motion tends to keep moving until an external force is applied to stop it".

An external force has stopped the motion of the car but not that of the passengers. They will hurtle forward at 70kmph and hit the dashboard or crash through the windshield. But not if they're wearing seat belts. 

Firstly, a seat belt, being slightly elastic, stretches to slow down the abrupt halt of the passenger. It also secures the passenger to the seat thereby stopping him/her from being thrown forward. Thirdly, it spreads the force of impact over the stronger parts of the body like the lap (pelvis) rib cage and shoulders. 

So wearing a seat belt can prevent grievous hurt or even death, in an accident. 

JAPANESE FORM OF POETRY

Haiku

Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry which originated hundreds of years ago. It is distinctive because it is very brief. It captures a single moment or thought in few words. In the Japanese language which is written in characters, a haiku is typically composed using just seventeen sound units (similar to syllables in English) and is expressed in three short lines. There are five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five again in the third line. Another distinctive quality about Haiku is that it does not rhyme. 

In the 17th century, haiku also emerged as an art form in Japan. Almost all Haiku poems relate to the beauty of nature and the Japanese Zen philosophy. Other topics that haiku poems deal with are animals, season of the year, or something as simple as a rain drop or a snowflake. 

Example: In a pouch I grow, 

                 On a southern continent 

                  Strange creatures I know 

Rabindranath Tagore composed haiku too and also translated some Japanese haiku into Bengali. Newer forms of haiku in English experiment with a wide range of topics. 

JULY 11

World population day

Observed on July 11, world population day raises awareness about population issues and their impact on society and the environment. It emphasises the need for sustainable development, finding a balance between population growth and resources. The day highlights women's empowerment, reproductive health rights, and challenges related to healthcare provision. It also emphasises the connection between population dynamics and environmental sustainability, promoting sustainable consumption, resource management and renewable energy. 

World population day addresses migration, urbanisation and the need for Inclusive and sustainable cities. It calls for discussions and actions to address these challenges, ensuring the well-being of present and future generations. Ultimately, the day serves as a platform to foster dialogue, raise awareness and promote action for a balanced, equitable and sustainable world. 

The theme for world population day 2024 is "Leave no one behind, count everyone". 

BRUSH UP YOUR TENNIS VOCABULARY

Tennis A to Z

Ace: A serve that the opponent doesn't touch with the racquet. An ace wins the point immediately for the server.

Backspin: A shot which forces the ball to spin and and reduce its speed at impact. It is also known as 'slice' or 'underspin'.

Career Golden Slam: A term associated with a player who has won all the four major titles and also an Olympic gold medal. So far only four people have achieved this feat: Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams. 

Deuce: A score of 40-40. A player must score two consecutive points from deuce if he has to win the game. A player to score the first point from deuce is said to have an advantage. If he scores another, he wins the game. But if the opponent scores then the score goes back to deuce. 

Error: A loss in point due to the shot not landing correctly in the opponent 's court. 

Frame shot: A shot coming off the frame of the racquet rather than off the strings. Usually it is a mishit. 

Grunt: Noises made by the players while serving or hitting the ball. Notable players who grunt are Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova among others. 

Hopper: A large container that holds tennis balls. 

Jam: To hit the ball at or near to the opponent's body forcing him/her to hit back awkwardly. 

Kick Serve: A type of serve which spins tremendously causing the ball to change the direction when it bounces. 

Lucky loser: A player who loses the final qualifying round but still gets to enter the tournament when another player withdraws. 

Mis-hit: A shot that fails to hit the middle of the racquet. 

No man's land: The area between the service line and the base line is said to be a no-man's land. 

Overrule: A decision is said to be overruled when the umpire reverses the decision of the line judge. 

Poaching: In doubles, a player hits a shot, mostly a volley, which was intended for his/her partner. 

Qualifier: A small competition held to choose a specified number of players for the main tournament. 

Return ace: A shot in which the opponent serves, the player returns the serve, and the opponent is unable to hit the ball. It’s the opposite of ace wherein the server serves and the receiver is unable to hit the ball.

SABR (Sneak Attack by Roger): It is an attack devised by Roger Federer in which the serve returner rushes toward during a serve to upset the opponent's rhythm.

Tandem: It is a doubles formation in which each partner is responsible for one half of the court as divided by the centre line.

Umpire: An arbitrator who usually sits on a high chair next to the tennis court. 

Volley: A shot in which the ball is struck before it bounces on the ground. 

Western grip: A type of grip used by a player to generate a lot of topspin on the groundstrokes.

Zero pointer: Top 10 players who withdraw from a commitment tournament receive a mandatory zero pointer (no points) on their rankings.