Base salary of software professional

Dear friends,

Recession is the creation of America but its sufferers are developing countries and under developed countries. The business magnates utilizes it as a rare opportunity for amassing their wealth by cheating the laborers and Government. It is a sorrow plight that the Central Government of India has not taken it seriously.

Earlier the software engineers were given 20 to 40 thousand rupees salary and now in the name of recession their promotion is denied, salary hike is curtailed and compels to do more work without any financial benefit. Now the freshers are forced to work for mere Rs 1500/- per month ie; about Rs50/- per day. We have to think seriously about this situation. The central government under its Deseeya Thozhil Dana Paddathi gives Rs125/-per day for an unskilled worker but a person who has spent about 12 years of schooling and 4 years of professional study gets mere Rs 50/- per day! What a wonderful Country is this for business magnates!!! Can we quote this as an example of good governance of any Government?

In order to become a Computer Engineer or IT Engineer he has to under go 12 years of schooling and 4 years professional engineering Course. Apart from this a huge amount has to be spent as fees and the university tortures them through various processes like not conducting the exams in time, not appointing proper teachers for teaching, asking question from out of syllabus and not evaluating answer papers properly and if revaluation is applied for, the revaluation results will not be published in time etc etc etc. We have so many student unions and they are struggling for the betterment of the system, but the system is crept in full of inertia and fails to move forward. I think time has elapsed a lot and we have verged at the point to do something without further delay otherwise we will be creating terrorists instead of good quality professional.

Isotope Hydrology

Dear friends,

Wikipedia has defined "Isotope hydrology is a field of hydrology that uses isotopic dating to estimate the age and origins of water and of movement within the hydrologic cycle. The techniques are used for water-use policy, mapping aquifers, conserving water supplies, and controlling pollution. It replaces or supplements past methods of measuring rain, river levels and other bodies of water over many decades."

Water molecules carry unique fingerprints, based in part on differing proportions of the oxygen and hydrogen isotopes that constitute all water. Isotopes are forms of the same element that have variable numbers of neutrons in their nuclei.

Air, soil and water contain mostly oxygen 16 ( ¹⁶O). Oxygen 18 ( ¹⁸O) occurs in one oxygen atom in every five hundred and is a bit heavier than oxygen 16, it has two extra neutrons. From a simple energy standpoint this results in a preference for evaporating the lighter ¹⁶O containing water and leaving more of the ¹⁸O water behind in the liquid state. Thus seawater tends to be richer in ¹⁸O and rain and snow relatively depleted in ¹⁸O. Higher average global temperature would provide more energy and thus an increase in atmospheric ¹⁸O water. Lower than normal amounts of ¹⁸O in groundwater or an ice layer would imply that the water or ice represents an evaporation origin during cooler climatic eras or even ice ages.

Carbon 14 dating is also used as part of isotope hydrology as all natural water contains dissolved carbon dioxide.(inserted from Wikipedia)

Practical Isotope Hydrology is a book written by Dr SM Rao, retired Associate Director of Isotope Group, Babha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. This is a very concise book contains lot of information for students, Engineers, scientists and decision makers.

There are some excellent books on isotope hydrology but as the author itself puts in "The books do not appear to be readily usable by practicing hydrologists who may be looking for solutions to field problems. In this book an attempt is made to simplify the basic science concepts and focus on field applications...Hydrology is region specific.....Hence an attempt is made in this book to give as many Indian examples as possible"

This book is divided into five chapters and the first chapter deals with what isotope hydrology is all about and why should isotope methods be used. It starts with a description of isotope characteristics as well as their relevance as tracers in studies on various stages of the hydrological cycle. The second chapter deals with basis for applications of various isotopes in hydrology. Through this chapter the author illustrates applications of both environmental isotopes and injected tracers. Third chapter deals with isotope applications in surface water hydrology. In this chapter the author depicts stream flow measurement, lake dynamics, percolation tank hydrology, seepages from dams, reservoirs and from canals. The fourth chapter is about isotope applications in groundwater hydrology. In this chapter in view of the importance of identification of ground water recharge and recharge process, due emphasis is given to this aspect of application of environmental isotopes. Role of isotopes in understanding rate of soil moisture transport in unsaturated zone, saturated zone, seawater intrusion, ground water contamination from natural pollutants like inland salinity, arsenic and nitrate is also discussed with examples. In the concluding fifth chapter the author discusses the need for enhanced application of isotope hydrology and how it can be achieved.

When Dr K Vasu, Scientist, W M(A) Division, initiated actions to develop Radiotracer laboratory in CWRDM with the constant pursuance of Dr V K Vamadevan, Head, Water anagement Agri. Division, it was Dr SM Rao who gave continued support in establishing Radiotracer Laboratory and later its up-gradation to Isotope Hydrology Division.

I am sure that this book will be a boon for beginners as well as professionals in the field of Isotope Hydrology.

St. Joseph's College, Devagiri

Dear friends,

St. Josephs College, Devagiri popularly known as Devagiri College was established in 1956 before the formation of Kerala State and consequently it was affiliated to Madras University and later Kerala State was formed it was affiliated to Kerala University and then to Calicut University on bifurcation. The founding fathers are Rev. Fr. Hormice Perumalil, Rev. Fr. Shabor Vallavanthara and first Principal Rev. Fr Theodosius. This is a CMI (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate) Institute. Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara (1805-1871) was the founder of CMI Congregation.

On the 85th death anniversary of Chavara Achan ie; on 3rd January 1956 Rev. Fr. Hormice laid the foundation stone for Devagiri College and it was completed within 5 months. On the basis of Mr R Krishna Moorthy's report, Madras University granted affiliation to Devagiri College. Dr Sabastian Valloppilly, Bishop of Tellichery blessed the buildings on 2nd June 1956 and opened it to the first batch of 200 Pre-University students and 20 Junior B A students. The College was formerly inaugurated by the then Governor of Madras Mr Sri Prakasa on 26th September 1956. National Assessment and Accreditation Council awarded A level certificate of Accreditation to St. Joseph's College, Devagiri on 3rd May 2004.

Earlier this hill was known as Kaniam Kunnu which was an isolated place not good for nothing and after acquiring this 77 acres of land by CMI they renamed it as Devagri which means the Mount of God. The motto of the Institution is 'PRO DEO ET PATRIA' means For God and Country

I have got a chance to study in this prestigious College from 1970-1972 for Pre Degree (First group) Course and from 1973-1976 for B. Sc Chemistry course. Rev. Fr. Isidore M Vadakkan was the Principal at that time. He came down to Devagiri in turbulent time which required extremely tactful handling and he has won it.

At that time a Bridge Intensive Course was introduced to the new comers to cop up with the change in Malayalam medium to English medium and Fr. Isidore M Vadakkan used to take classes for us. A handy 'English Readers Dictionary', published by the English Language Book Society and Oxford University Press, supplied to us as a part of the study material in connection with the Course for Rs 10/- is still a worthy asset to me as well as my family members.

From 1971 to 1974 Rev. Fr. Columbus Puthenpurakkal was the Principal. He joined Devagiri College as the Head of the Department of Economics in 1956. Rev. Fr. Ivans (1974-1976) was the third Principal in my tenure in the College.

Rev. Dr. Mathew Chalil was one of our Mathematics Teacher and he also became Principal of the college from 1st April 1989 to 31st October 1994.The impulses in writing this post is created by the present principal Rev. Fr. Joseph Kappalumakkal, who initiated the formation of Alumini Association in Devagiri college and given us a chance to interact with the old Gurus and colleagues in their zenith. The event took place on the Valentines Day (14th February 2009) and due to unavoidable domestic matters I left the place before completion of the afternoon session and I feels that it was a great loss to me.

I thank the organisers for giving me a chance to intract with old Gurues, colleagues and to recall my early days.

With expectations to meet in the next year
velayudhan

CWRDM and CSIR Rules

Dear friends,

The Executive Committee of Centre for Water Resources Development and Management(CWRDM) held on 28-2-1978 has decided to provide CSIR grades and pay to Technical staff of cwrdm and secretariat grades and pay for non-technical staff of cwrdm. Consequently staff were recruited as per CSIR norms and Kerala Government Secretariat pattern. This was again confirmed by G.O.Ms. No. 30/87/STED dated 06-12-1987 and subsequent Government Orders.

At that time different laboratories under CSIR prescribed different qualifications for one and the same post and an attempt to eliminate this anomaly was done through Velluri/ Core / Varadarajan Committee report and by Thyagarajan sub committee formed for the implementation of the same in CSIR.

CWRDM was also full of anomalies as present in CSIR. For example M Sc first class holders were appointed in cwrdm as Technical assistant, Junior scientific Assistant, Senior Scientific assistant and even as Scientist. Thus when Velluri Committee report was implemented in Centre for Earth Science Studies(CESS), a sister organisation of cwrdm, we also started actions for the implementation of the same in cwrdm and an agreement was made on 23-3-1988 for the in toto implementation of the same in cwrdm. But it was not implemented as per CSIR Velluri committee report.

The salient features of CSIR Velluri Committee Report are;

1. Fast Track Promotion for higher qualified persons w. e. f 1-2-1981 but in cwrdm it was implemented w. e. f 23-3-1988. Consequently more than 7 years were lost to the higher qualified persons

2. As a result of implementation of Velluri Committee Report w. e. f 1-2-1981 the scale of pay of Technical Assistant Group II grade (2) in CSIR (Group I grade (2) in CWRDM) was changed to Rs 380-560 with effect from 1-2-1981 instead of Rs 330-560 given in CWRDM. Thus there is a difference of five increments in the basic pay of CWRDM Technical Assistant grade(2) compared to CSIR Technical Assistant grade(2). Latter this scale was merged with Rs 380-640 in CSIR with effect from 1-1-1996(as a result of Fifth Pay Commission Revision)

3. Changes introduced in CSIR were not implemented in CWRDM resulting much more complication in CWRDM. For example situations were arisen even Technical Assistants having lesser pay than Helper in State Scale.

4. As per MANAS w. e. f 1-4-88 there were seven grades in Group-III (Group II in CWRDM) in CSIR but in cwrdm it is only five even though our sister concern CESS has implemented it to six grades w. e. f 1-1-1994

5. Percentage limit for assessment promotion were replaced by Thresh hold marks w. e. f 1-4-88 as per MANAS for Group-II, Group-III and Group-IV in CSIR(Group I, Group II and Group III respectively in CWRDM). This facility is also implemented in CESS w. e. f 1-1-1994 which is also lacking in cwrdm.

6. Residency period were also changed for Group III and Group IV in CSIR(Group II and Group III respectively in CWRDM) as per REVISED MANAS w. e. f 1-4-92 onwards. Details are given below


CSIR Group-II ( CWRDM Group-I) Assessment Promotion Posts

Group/Grades	Scale of Pay	Eligibility for Assessment(Yrs)	Thresh hold i.e. Minimum Marks	Merit Assessment
II(1)	3050-4590	7, 8, 9, 11 and after remaining for one year at the maximum of the grade	60	N A
II(2)*	Rs 4500-7000	-do-	70	N A
II(3)	Rs 5500-9000	-do-	75	N A
II(4)	Rs 6500-10500

* The revised Scale of Gr.II(2) Rs 1350-2200/ II(3) Rs 1400-2300 have been merged to the Revised Scale of Rs 4500-7000 w. e. f 1-1-96 and such cases are to be regulated as per CSIR letter No. 17/66/94-PPS dated 2-8-2000

CSIR Group-III ( CWRDM Group-II) Assessment Promotion Posts

Group/ Grades	Scale of Pay	Eligibility for Assess ment(Yrs)	Thresh hold i.e. Minimum Marks
			Normal Assess ment	Merit Assess ment
III(1)	Rs 4500-7000	5, 6, 7, 9 and after remaining for one year at the maximum of the grade	60	N A	N A
III(2)	Rs 5500-9000	-do-	60	N A	N A
III(3)	Rs 6500-10500	-do-	70	80/4y	90/3y
III(4)	Rs 8000-13500	-do-	75	85/4y	90/3y
III(5)	Rs 10000-15200	-do-	75	85/4y	90/3y
III(6)**	Rs 12000-16500	5, 6, 8 and at the maximum of the grade	75	85/4y	90/3y
III(7)	Rs 14300-18300

**Staff in Group III(6), who possess the entry level qualification of Group IV, will only be eligible for assessment to Grade II(7), the condition of first class will, however, not be insisted up on the cases.

CSIR Group-IV ( CWRDM Group-III) Assessment Promotion Posts

(w. e. f 1 – 4 – 2007)

Group/ Grades	Scale of Pay	Resi- dency period	Thresh hold i.e. Minimum Marks for Merit Assessment
			1st chance	2nd chance	3rd chance	4th chance	5th chance
IV(1) Scientist-B	Rs 8000- 13500	3	85	80	70	65	60
IV(2) Scientist-C	Rs 10000- 15200	4	85	80	75	70	60
IV(3) Scientist-E1	Rs 12000- 16500	4	85	80	75	70	60
IV(4) Scientist-E2	Rs 14300- 18300	5	85	80	75	70	-
IV(5) Scientist-F	Rs 16400- 20000	5	85	80	75	70	-
IV(6) Scientist-G	Rs 18400- 22400	5
IV(7) Scientist-H	Rs 22400- 24500

Honorable Justice Shri T R Ramachandran Nair, Honorable High court of Kerala, through his judgment has given a verdict to redress the injustice inflicted up on the technical and scientific staff of CWRDM and I hope that the authorities will take necessary steps to remove the anomalies prevailed in cwrdm.

With hope for better future
velayudhan

cwrdm unions

Dear friends,

Centre for Water Resources Development and Management(CWRDM) is an autonomous research institute established by Govt. of Kerala under its Science and Technology Policy on 21st February 1978. The Honorable Chief Minister C Achutha Menon and the Secretary to Govt of Kerala Dr P K Gopalakrishnan and the founder Director Dr C M Jacob were the visionaries involved in the creation of cwrdm. It was started in Ranjith, Pattam and latter shifted to 156 acre of land, which was actually acquired for Calicut University, in Kunnamangalam, Kozhikode(Calicut).

As it was a new Institute there were so many teething problems to be sorted out and consequently cwrdm Employees' Association was formed on 16th November 1980 by the meeting convened at Malabar Christian College High School, Calicut. Its first President was Com V K Rajan, MLA and the,then Honorable Minister for Agriculture . The Working President was Er K M Avirachan, Shri K Raveendran Pillai was Vice President, Shri. S Sunderam Asari was the Secretary , Shri P K Kunhikannan was the Treasurer and Shri E G Soman was Joint secretary. The union has submitted a memorandum to Dr Subba Rao, Honorable Minister of Irrigation and Chairman of cwrdm Governing Body consisting of 43 demands in which first was regarding Gratuity and second was pension and the last was to revise the existing service rule. Most of the demands were allowed but the most important demand pension was not implemented due to non consensus of Scientists community. When Shri Sundaram Asari got another job and left the centre Joint secretary Shri E G Soman became Secretary and Shri A Kabeer was the new Joint Secretary.

The Executive Director at that time was Er P Kumaraswamy and some of his actions made Scientists against him and even though he was appointed for ten years, he was expelled from his service prematurely and he moved to the Court for redress. But he was expired before getting a verdict from the Court. This was a sad incident.

When Er Avirachan got foreign assignment Dr K R Vijakumar became the working President and Shri Ieswaran Potti was the secretary. The expulsion of ED and aftermath actions has also effected the unity of staff and consequently cwrdm Employees' Organisation was formed on 5th December 1982 under the leadership of Shri M Kutyali, MLA and its working President was Shri N C John, vice President was Shri K G Gopalakrishnan Nair , Secretary was Shri Radhakrishnan, Joint secretary was Shri K Raveendran and Treasurer was Shri T S Raman. Dr L C Kandaswami, Shri N K Joseph, Shri M R Muhamed, Shri T Sreenivasan, Shri I Raveendran Nambiar, Shri K P Chandrasekharan and Smt T C Vimalakumari were Executive Commmitee members

As per the decision of cwrdm EC held on 28-2-1978 decided to accept CSIR grades and pay for Technical Staff of the Centre and whenever the Secretariat grades are revised, it will become applicable to non-technical staff of the Centrer with the approval of cwrdm Executive Committee

Later Dr KR Vijayakumar got appointment in Rubber Board and cosequently Shi M R Venugopal became Working President and Shri K R Prassannakumar as Secretary of cwrdm EA. By that time our sister organisation, Centre for Earth Science Studies(CESS), has implemented CSIR Velluri Commission Report and consequently the staff of cwrdm also wanted to implement it. But the lacuna in implementing it in cwrdm was the fact that as per the Velluri Commission report only First Class Diploma with 3 years duration alone was eligible for Fast Track Promotion. (CSIR has treated this matter very liberally so that even 2 year Trade Certificate holders were given Fast Track Promotion but this fact was unknown to them at that time). The majority Technical staff were Diploma holders in Agriculture having less than 3 years duration and thus Association prepared a separate Career Improvement rule starting with Rs 380-640 instead of Rs 425-700 for Group- II, Grade-1(in CSIR this is Group-III). This was brought to my notice by Shri E Abdul Hameed, when myself and Shri K Lakshmanan were in Annamalai University for our Computer course contact program and Examination. When I reached in cwrdm I have gone through their recommendations and I discussed this matter with my father in law Shri Kommadath Chandrasekharan, Retd. Div. Accountant, PWD. He prepared a strong letter which I redrafted and We(Smt Joyce Syriac, Shri K Lakshmanan and myself) submitted it through our Head, WM(Agri.) Division. Thus Association redrafted their Career Improvement rule and through deliberations they accepted to struggle for in toto implementation of csir rules in cwrdm. Shri M R Venugopal started hunger strike on 16th March 1988 in front of cwrdm which was inaugurated by Com. P K Balakrishnan Master, Counselor, Calicut Corporation and after 7 days struggle an agreement was signed in front of Honb'le Minister for Irrigation Mr Baby John to implement CSIR Velluri Commission Report in toto in cwrdm on 23-3-1988. Dr P Basak was the Executive Director and Shri Unneen Kutty was the Registrar of the Centre at that time.

The authorities kept this agreement in abeyance and by that time Shri MR Venugopal has gone for higher studies and hence my self , Shri E Abdul Hameed, Shri Radhakrishnan Nair, Shri T Valsen, Shri K R Prasannakumar, Shri G Narayana Pillai etc discussed the matter and gave the details of mode of implementation to the Chairman constituted for the purpose of implementation of CSIR Career Improvement Rules in CWRDM. Here also proper initiative was lacking from the part of Association and hence I kept aloof from the Association activities.

The implementation of Velluri Commission report was not in letter and spirit of the agreement and consequently Technical Staff were devoid of the benefits of CSIR rules and forced to accept the draw backs in the name of CSIR rules.

Namely, 1. The date of effect of Fast Track Promotion was 1-2-1981 but it was implemented with effect from 23-3-88 in cwrdm. This was done in-order to protect the interests(untouchable attitude) of the direct recruited scientists(w. e. f 1-2-1981) from Fast Tack promoted incumbents. Consequently the actual benefits were denied to them

2. The scale of pay of TA Gr2 was Rs 380-560 with effect from 21-10-1982 instead of Rs 330-560 as implemented in cwrdm. This again was replaced by Rs 380-640(revised Scale Rs 4500-7000) w. e. f. 1-1-1996. Hence presently Group- I(in CSIR Group-II) contains Four Grades only instead of Five in cwrdm

3. There were 7 grades with effect from 1-4-1988 in Technical Officers Grade(Groupe-II in cwrdm and Group III in CSIR) but it is still only 5 in cwrdm even though CESS had implemented it to 6.

4. Percentage limit for promotion was also removed from CSIR rules with effect from 1-4-1988(MANAS Report).

5. Drastic changes were made in Group III Category staff promotion rules in CSIR (Groupe-II in cwrdm) w. e. f. 1-4-1992 as per provisions of Revised MANAS. I will write about it latter

Organisation took a main roll in implementing Kerala Forest Research Institute(KFRI) scales of pay to administrative staff of cwrdm with the help of Shri K Sankera Narayanan, the only one political member in the history of CWRDM GB, the then Finance Minister of Kerala. Shri M K Sekharan was the working President of cwrdm Employees' Organisation at that time. It was a better scale to certain administrative staff but detrimental to Typists, watch men, sweeper and technical staff because in KFRI Technical Staff were governed by state scale of pay. As a result of the implementation of the KFRI rules in cwrdm Technical Staff recruited after 6-12-1987 were also governed by state scale of pay.

When Shri M R Venugopal came back after his studies he started to rejuvenate the union activities consequently in order to form a new union an ad hock committee was formed on 26-6-92 in which Shri A Kabeer, Shri K G Anil kumar, Shri K G Ittoope, Shri Chandra Bhoosan Sood, Shri P Raghavan Nair, Shri George Mammen and myself were participated and decided to form cwrdm Staff Federation and its inauguration was on 5th July 1992 at Venad Hotel , Medical College, Calicut . At that time external member ship was not allowed and hence no external president was there . My self was the Chairman, Shri A Kabeer was the Secrtary, Shri George Mammen was the Vice Chairman, Shri K G Anil Kumar was Joint Secretary, Shri K G Ittoope was the Treasurer and Smt Sasikala was the Executive Committee Member and Shri P Raghavan Nair was the Auditor. Even though we have political longevity still we were not interested to bring it in to the Research Organization activities but latter we found that it is very difficult to survive without the help of political support in between two strong political unions. Consequently on 28th August 1994 Com T P Dasan, former Mayor of Calicut Corporation, became the First President of our Staff Federation and myself was Working president, Shri V M Balagopalan was the Vice President, Shri A Kabeer was the Secretary, Shri K G Anil Kumar was the Joint Secretary, Shri M Haridasan was the Treasurer. Under his leader ship we flourished and we conducted Dharna on 1st September 1997 in front of cwrdm to materialise our demands, which was inaugurated by Com Elamaram Kareem, MLA and CITU State Secretary ,the then Honourable Minister for Industries

Consequent to some false allegations against Com. T P Dasan our new President was Com. C P Balan Vaidyar w. e. f. 8-2-1998. Even before becoming our President he was very much involved in the activities of cwrdm from his first tenure in Kerala Legislative Assembly onwards by supporting the local people inorder to get the promised appointment by the Goverment to the evicties of the land acquired for cwrdm and in cwrdm Employees Association struggles against the vindictive actions of cwrdm authorities. Under his leader ship we conducted 427 days struggle against the mismanagement of cwrdm authorities. He passed away on 27th September 2008. I have already published a post about him on September 2008 issue.

The latest decision of the Honourable High Court of Kerala is a boon to the Technical Staff and Fast Track Promoted Scientists of cwrdm. Its benefits are immense if the H C order is implemented as directed by Honorable Justice Shri T R Ramachandran Nair in OP No27219/2000.

There are two verdicts . Select the case number and then press submit to see the appropriate one.

Select Case Number :
OP No. 27219 of 2000(M)OP.No. 27219 of 2000(M)

Thanks a lot for the wise decision of the Honorable High Court of Kerala.
With best wishes
velayudhan

New Year Thoughts

Dear friends,
This post is created by the impulses of Gurudeve's teachings and our ED's daily messages. If you find anything wrong in the points depicted below, it is the fault of mine in understanding their teachings.

For a happy and prosperous life, keep the following in mind and act accordingly

1. Bow the learned

2. Opposite entities are complimentary

3. Accept the people as they are

4. Don't find fault with others intentions

5. Live today; don't brood over yesterday or tomorrow

6. Don't be a football of others

7. Be in the ladder, but look downwards also

8. Don't be greedy

9. Help the deserving

10. Try to smile as babies

11. Practice silence

12. Interact with good people

13. Respond, don't react

14. Practice yoga/Meditation/jogging

15. Learn to forgive

16. Remember the good things others done to us

17 When you grow, allow others to grow

I have not acquired much knowledge to give commentary on these points. If you are interested, then join ART OF LIVING (www.srisri.org) Course and be happy

With best wishes for a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
velayudhan

Happy New Year

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

--
With warm regards,
K T Velayudhan

http://insight-vel.blogspot.com/