My First and Last AFSB Experience

My First and Last AFSB Experience

AFCAT 2016(2) Score: 157+ 83 (EKT)

Day 1:
OIR tests were of moderate difficulty. I could attend just 25 out of 40 questions in OIR test 1. 40 out of 40 questions in test 2. PPDT was a hazy picture. I narrated my story and spoke only twice during discussion.

Tip: Don’t shout during discussion. Patiently wait for your turn to make your point (Gentleman quality). Leading the discussion doesn’t always help. A complete story with couple of points in discussion will get you through this phase. In our batch out of 165 reported, 63 were screened in.

Day 2:
Had 4 pyschological tests. The tests were TAT, WAT, SRT, and self description. Although, I didn’t prepare for these tests, I could attend more than 98% of questions within the given time. Do make sure your answers are positive, rational, ethical and logical. Most important is your Self Description(SD). You will be told what to write in SD and asked questions in interview based on what you write. If possible, prepare for this before hand.

Tip: Write as fast as you can legibly. Don’t think much. Write the first thought that comes to your mind. My friends were thinking much before they wrote thereby they lost time.

Day 3:
My interview was scheduled on day 3. This is the most important part of your SSB. All the questions asked were about myself, my family, my education, work, friends, hobbies, extra curricular activities. Generic questions like what is the role of armed forces in India, Role of Ground Duty Branches and Logistics Branches were some of the questions asked to me. Those who applied for flying were asked about aircraft fleet, flying principle, helicopter fleet. Some others were asked about any 5 news of national importance and 5 international affairs news. This is pure luck, some were asked current affair questions, some weren’t.
Tip: Show your intent to join the armed forces. Show that you are physically active and serious of joining the forces. I lacked here. Do your homework before you attend a SSB interview. This is completely different from a corporate interview.
Day 4:

This day was off me. Utilize this time to read more about the Indian Air Force, its fleet, AF Academy, Places to visit which is put up on the notice boards. High probability of asking these questions in Interview. Many were asked!
Tip: Be Aware of the surroundings in which you stay. Use the motivation room to know more about the Indian Air Force.
Day 5:

1st test was GD where the topics were Reasons for increase in Voter Turnout, India US Relations, why North East India is largely underdeveloped, Demonetization, GST and other topics of social and national importance. 1st topic is selective out of 2 topics given by GTO. 2nd topic is given by GTO.

2nd Test was group Planning where you are given a map with resource, location, distance, time. You are required to plan to avoid a possible militant attack. Write your plan and discuss it. Try to conclude your plans point by point during discussion and make sure you discuss all tasks mention in the plan and anoint someone who can conclude well covering all points discussed.

3rd test was progressive group task. This task had 4 obstacles where the task is to cross the obstacles without touching ground using the balli, plank. What matters is here is your group planning skills, how you plan, how you work in a team, how good a follower you are, how you cooperate and how much you participate and involved you are.

4th Test was half Group task. This is same obstacle like the previous task but with group reduced to half. With less people, you will get a chance to be more involved, lead and think proactively.

5th Test was Individual Task. There are 10 obstacles to cross with points equivalent to obstacle no (like obstacle 9 has 9 points). Have a plan here. Going for tougher obstacles initially will drain you physically making it difficult to perform east obstacles. Going for easier obstacles will leave with less time later. Look at the obstacles before hand and have a sequence plan. This has the least weightage among all tasks.

6th Test is Final Group Task. Same like progressive group task but less time limit.
We didn’t have any lecturette.

Tip: Make sure you have good stamina by undertaking regular running and have some upper body strength. During the entire GTO you will be required to run. This will drain you physically. In our batch of Freshers, the highest no of obstacles successfully crossed were 7. Repeaters usually cross 9 -10. Some do Cross more than 10 Obstacles. In group tasks, plan before you execute it. I think we as team failed here. Nobody had a plan and we were getting stuck in between. Go through youtube videos and SSB Books before you attend. I was totally unaware here and suffered big time in Group Tasks.

Day 6:
Day 6 was Conference. Hardly 2 minute discussion to each candidate. I was asked questions like what are the qualities that i would like to improve. And more questions based on what I answered. My conference lasted 4 minutes. For some it was less than 30 seconds. For some it was about 15 minutes.

Result : Not Recommended.

Reason:
1) Being too frank with IO. Didn’t show enough intent to join the forces. I was not physically active in last 4 months because of my job. But excuses don’t help you!
2) Not doing my homework before attending SSB. Ask a senior or repeater candidate before going for an SSB. If possible, interact with the one serving the armed forces to guide you. And Read lots of SSB experiences.

General Tip:
Armed Forces looks for Officer like qualities. In SSB’s, they looks for these OLQ’s. If you have it in you, you will be recommended. (Remember SSB doesn’t select you, it recommends you!). Google these qualities if you don’t know them. And also, not being recommended on the first attempt doesn’t mean you don’t have those qualities. It means you didn’t portray them well. I would suggest every aspiring candidate to give only 3 attempts. Your attempt as a fresher is a golden chance (High chances of being recommended). Your chances of getting selected after your 3rd attempt is very vey minimal.

Does one need coaching classes for getting recommended?
Definitely not! No coaching classes can build qualities in you. Qualities are imbibed since childhood and teenage, through parents and society. AFCAT is comparatively easy exam which can be cracked easily with some self practice. Psychological test are tests to show how you think and behave. Coaching can help you only in Individual Tasks and group tasks. I feel completing the obstacle is never the task. What you do to complete the task matters. For Current affairs, read newspapers regularly or be aware about the important recent happenings in India and world. In a nutshell, do not waste your time joining coaching classes. In my batch of whom 4 were recommended, none joined any coaching classes (2 were freshers and 2 were repeaters)

I thoroughly enjoyed my 5 day stay in AFSB. It was a great and fulfilling experience for me. The things where I thought I am good turned out to be bad and where I thought I was bad turnout out I am the best amongst others. I came to know more about myself. I strongly suggest everyone to experience SSB at least once in their lifetime.

Leather Market in Dharavi

Down inside the narrow lanes of Dharavi, amidst one of the world’s largest slum, lives an emerging, bustling and not so well known industry to outsiders. Welcome to Dharavi, a striving leather market in India, infact the largest exporter of leather largely comprising informal business structure.

Leather industry in Dharavi has been mostly been undercover though you can see some pressing units and rollers in some houses. Leather is nothing but animal skin. The leather that you can find in Dharavi is mostly sheep skin or goat skin. Buffalo’s skin and camel skins are considered to give premium leather. Leather can be classifies into 3 major types of leather which are full grain leather, top grain leather and genuine leather.

Full grain leather is the most premium leather which is tough, has high strength and is basically is the outermost exposed skin of an animal. Full grain Leather is cross linked (or zigzag pattern) and top grain leather is straight linked(or linear pattern) making full grain leather the most sought after due to its toughness and pebbled looks. Third comes the genuine leather which is actually the inner most layer of animal skin which is not so tough and not so strong. The one that you get in Dharavi is mostly genuine leather or genuine leather layered with synthetics.

But then the question arises, how is it actually made? If you get into the streets of Chamada Bazaar, you can find the real leather on making. Dead animal skin is removed, and unfortunately the skin obtained cannot be used as leather directly and requires loads of processing.

Leather is processed mainly in tanneries. Processed leather comes to Dharavi from Kolkata, Tamil Nadu, Kanpur and some even from DHAKA (one of the biggest producers of leather). Bulk of leather is procured from these places and further processed in Dharavi for dyeing and stitching. Dye is applied to this processed leather with shades of black, brown, maroon and red. Once dyed, the leather is ready to be stitched.

Tailors with conventional sewing machines sit down in crumpled places in rooms shaping and stitching leather. End products ranging from jackets, wallets, belts, handbags to purses are made here.

One can find these leather products for cheap in dozens of outlets just near 90feet road in Dharavi. Jackets range from Rs.3000 to Rs.10000, Ladies Handbags from Rs.1000 onwards, Belts from Rs.300 to 1500. But ultimately the price at which you buy depends largely on your bargaining ability. Generally, a fair price would be 60% of the seller’s price and 50% of sellers price is a good buy. Enquire with 4-5 dealers to get an idea of the price range before actually buying it.

But then again one more important question comes up, how can one differentiate between original leather and synthetic leather. With advanced processing technologies, even synthetic leather can be made to look like real leather. But don’t be afraid; there is still a way to find out. One of the most common ways is find out is the flame test with a cigarette lighter. Real Leather won’t burn!. The texture will be same even after exposure to flame. But if you can find a seller ready to do a flame test, then you are lucky enough and can guarantee good leather. A synthetic leather would burn and the texture would not remain same.

Another simple way is the wrinkle test. Real leather on pressing or bending shows up wrinkles, and vanishes as soon as the load is removed. Synthetic leather on other hand doesn’t get wrinked but leaves a permanent mark once the load is removed.

The ones that you get in Dharavi is mostly genuine leather which is somewhat costly and then comes the synthetic leather normally layered with resin. Advanced processes can make a synthetic leather give the same texture, feel, looks like a real leather. Full grain leather and top grain leather which is of premium quality usually gets exported to some European and American countries where the demand is huge. Premium leather is usually not sold normally in dharavi as the market for this is actually huge outside India. And this premium leather is sold to some of the tops brands in market known today.

If you don’t want to flaunt brands and want a long lasting leather product then do visit Dharavi. But then if you are particularly concerned about the market economics then please don’t buy from here as this is mostly the informal market with hardly any registered companies. But if you are least concerned about this, then Dharavi leather market is for you. I leave it to the readers discretion to find out how this animal skin is actually obtained as some may not approve it!. Good Luck.Cheers.

Oil and Gas Industry - Overview, Jobs, Salary

Oil companies can be broadly classified into 3 types:
1) Oil Rig Companies
2) Oil and Gas Service Companies
3) Oil and Gas Refining companies
4) Oil and Gas Exploration Companies

So the crude oil and gas the consumers use typically involves the combined  work of all the above mentioned type of oil companies.

Exploration Companies are those who explore oil and gas reserves i.e they find oil/gas blocks for commercial exploitation.
These exploration companies give contract to oil rig companies which provides rigs for oil extraction purposes and Service Companies who do the drilling, evaluation, logging, completions and production.
The exploration company sells the Oil/Gas to Refining companies who in turn sell it to consumer.

 

Mechanical engineers can find jobs in all the above type of companies.
Oil rig companies are private companies ( Both Indian & Foreign) . You can approach their offices in India or websites and submit your resume. Some reputed companies also have campus placements. An engineer get initial salary around 2 Lacs per month. However, no salary is given in off period.

If you try for job in oil rig companies other than campus placements, then probably very low starting salary of around 20k per month , which may rise exponentially once you gain experience.
However, you have to work as Banksman (Helper) first before you move forward in your rank. Whether you are an engineer or a 12 pass, you have start from the lowest rank and rise above. An engineer learns and grows fast and after a year or 2 he will probably would have been promoted 5-6 ranks.

Work nature is tough. Physically demanding during initial years and you get 28 days off if you work for 28 days ( 12 hours shift both day and night)

Oil and Gas Service companies (private) post their vacancies on their website. Create a profile and you can apply for suitable job postings.  Typically an engineer gets a starting salary of average 5 Lakhs per Annum (plus allowances which may add to another 5 Lpa). Job profile is mainly site work mostly specialised work for which the company will give training. However, days off is less since the companies pays you during off period as well. No defined shift pattern of work for service company engineers. Work may come at any time during day or night. Perform your job and you can take rest.

Oil and Gas Refining companies and Exploration companies are mostly public sector companies in India who usually hire through GATE. CTC is around 10 LPA. Private companies have campus placements and you can also apply if you have requisite experience through their website. Salary is typically around 7 LPA which may increase depending on your experience.

Oil and Gas Industry is one of the highly demanding and highly paid industry. No wonder only the physically and mentally tough survive.

All the best folks.

Letter to a Student ebook download

As final exams (and preparatory exams for students appearing for board exams) are fast approaching, I hope this booklet will be of use for such students. Also, I hope the book will be useful to anybody who is willing to develop better habits and lead a disciplined life.

In this book, you will find a number of practical hints on how to study well. Of Course, thestudents will read them faithfully. But, many of them, even after reading, are sure to ask the same questions that have been answered here. What does it show? Obviously, they would not have read the book with due attention. So, we hope the students will be more attentive.

Author : Swami Purushottamananda
Publication : Ramakrishna Math Bangalore.
Year of publication : 1997, Bangalore,Karnataka,India.

Download file contains scanned images of actual book (Credits : Guruprasad)

Source : http://guruprasad.net/posts/letter-to-a-student/

Download Letter To a Student Ebook

Advanced Vehicle to vehicle Communication

Advanced Vehicle Technology - V2V Communication

 

One of the biggest safety and traffic flow technologies coming is vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it is beginning to take steps to enable V2V technology for light vehicles. It allows vehicles to communicate information about their speed, conditions, and surroundings. The technology currently being used in testing utilizes Dedicated Short Range Communications, or DSRC. It works in the 5.9 GHZ range with bandwidth of 75 MHz and a range of about 1000 meters (.62 miles). That’s certainly far enough to warn of accidents, road hazards, slower traffic flow and even pedestrians, traffic signals and crosswalks. It’s amazing, creating a sort of living mind on the roads. The implications are huge. Coupled with technologies like adaptive cruise control, it could even help adjust speeds between cars to make traffic flow much faster on freeways and highways. And more fuel efficient. The icing on this cake is a potential 81% lower accident rate. That means less injuries, less fatalities and lower insurance rates. Airbags, seat belts and ABS are all great, but not getting into an accident in the first place is even better.

In 2012, the DOT conducted a test using 3000 connected vehicles (cars, trucks and buses). The vehicles were able to send and receive anonymous safety data between one another, and they were able to communicate warnings to drivers in cases of possible crashes. This technology will be even more useful when it rolls out in larger numbers of new vehicles. The average vehicle on the road is 11 years old, meaning that it will take a years to reach critical mass to make it truly effective. There is talk of using smartphone apps to assist in this, though they would have to be coupled to another device in the car. GM has been experimenting with transponders. Possibly in the same way you can currently add a bluetooth speaker to your car to work with your phone in cars that don’t have it built in, you could have a device that does much the same for V2V, working with your smartphone (or without). It’s doubtful that could all be built in to your smartphone, as that adds a whole new radio. Think bigger, heavier phone with more battery drain. And unnecessary for anyone who doesn’t drive.

Source : http://driverlesscar.com/