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He came, he sang and he conquered hearts in the city of nawabs. Bollywood singer Neeraj Shridhar, wowed the large crowd that had turned up to see him perform live as part of Hindustan Times (Lucknow Edition) 15th anniversary celebrations on Saturday.

TEEN DEEVIYAN LOVE MERA HIT HIT SONIYE… Neeraj & Zenia Malhotra Ayushi Neeraj Shridhar Heena & Deepika Sonam Chabra Mili & Papiya JOSH DANCE TROUP Shweta Sharma SwatiEven before he arrived on the stage at Anandi water park and resorts, fans mobbed Neeraj in his room. Not one to be flustered, Neeraj met each one, shook hands, signed autographs and posed with them for the camera. “I never say no my fans. After all I am here because of them,” he said in a candid chat with HTCity.

Looking relaxed in blue denims and black t-shirt, Neeraj said he enjoyed coming to Lucknow frequently. “Though this is my second performance here, I have visited the city a number of times. I love the city, the Imambara, the Residency. Tundy kebabs are a must,” he said.

His take on reality shows? “Reality shows are good but most of the kids who come across as brilliant singers, fade away once the show is over. You have to be really good and only then you can make it as a singer,” said Neeraj who has spent a good part of his early life in Sweden.

Who is he most comfortable with as a singer? “I get along with everybody. Recently I was asked to sing for David Dhawan’s upcoming remake of Chashme

Buddoor that has music by Sajid Wajid. After I recorded the song, I came to know that Wajid had also sung the song. So I told David to go with Wajid’s song and not mine,” Neeraj revealed.

Saturday’s event opened with a sizzling dance performance by Josh Dance troupe led by Shweta. They performed on groovy numbers like Lailamainlaila and

Dilmeramuftka. Before Neeraj’s performance, singer Gauri Shah belted out some groovy numbers like Yeh

Meradil and Dhunkidhunki. Neeraj sang choicest of songs including Bhool Bhulaiyyaheyybaby, woh Chali, chorbajari, love Merahithitsoniye, aale, Premkinaiya, race Sansoonki, thakarke and Aahunaahun. Toward the end, he sang

Characterdheela which was ably supported by actor-performer Shweta Sharma. Neeraj concluded with his latest chartbuster number from ‘Cocktail’ Tumhiho

Bandhu. Even after the singer left the stage his fans kept dancing near the stage.

The event was anchored by Sonam Chabra.

The event was presented by BN College of Engineering and Technology in association with Vibgyor Housing, Lucknow, Hero, Anandi Water Parks and Resorts Pvt Ltd, Radio City, Blooming link, Titan, Raj Hitech Royal Green City and UB Group. The sponsors were also felicitated during the event. Hero Motocorp officials Anil Jhanjharia and Akhilesh Sharma also used the occasion to launch their new bike Ignitor.

LUCKNOW: I will always remember this night and the crowd — all thanks to Hindustan Times, said Neeraj Shridhar during his rocking show to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Hindustan Times (Lucknow edition) at Anandi Water Parks on Saturday.

“Some people feel that I am an angrez and can’t speak Hindi. You can see that I am a desi boy,” he said before starting the evening with a soft number ‘Ajab Leher Hai’ from Break Ke Baad and went on to pep up the evening with his smash hit ‘Tere Aankhen Bhool Bhuliaya’.

He then belted out a series of hit numbers, getting the audience in the mood to sing along. Saturday’s do was presented by BNCET in association with Vibgyor Housing, Lucknow, Hero, Anandi Water Parks and Resorts Pvt Ltd, Radio City, Blooming Link, Titan, Raj Hitech Royal Green City and UB Group.

Earlier, winners of ‘Hindustan Times @ 15’ essay contest Priyamvada Ranjan, drawing contest Tarun Pandey and poetry competition Shubhi Jain were awarded certificates and gift vouchers by HT senior resident editor Sunita Aron. Runners-up of these contests Shivangi Garg, Baby Aleena Khan, Ambika Ajai Singh, Tanya Agarwal, Sharmishta Nigam, Ishwin Kaur and Iram Khan were also appreciated for their creativity and given gift vouchers.

 

Felicitation Ceremony

Awaiting them on their return from Ahmedabad is a felicitation ceremony where the cash grants and seed funds from The Power of Ideas corpus will be distributed. These guaranteed funds are in addition to the investment from investors who the entrepreneurs will interface with immediately afterwards.

 

Courtesy ET & IIM-A

Can a software company build its own smartphone? We may find out soon. This past week, Googlecompleted its acquisition of the hardware makerMotorola Mobility for $12.5 billion, which could lead to the search giant making its own smartphone. But another software titan might be getting into the hardware game as well: Facebook.

Employees of Facebook and several engineers who have been sought out by recruiters there, as well as people briefed on Facebook’s plans, say the company hopes to release its own smartphone by next year. These people spoke only on the condition of anonymity for fear of jeopardizing their employment or relationships with Facebook. The company has already hired more than half a dozen former Apple software and hardware engineers who worked on the iPhone, and one who worked on the iPad, the employees and those briefed on the plans said.

This would be Facebook’s third effort at building a smartphone, said one person briefed on the plans and one who was recruited. In 2010, the blog TechCrunchreported that Facebook was working on a smartphone. The project crumbled after the company realised the difficulties involved, according to people who had worked on it.

The website AllThingsD reported last year that Facebook and HTC had entered a partnership to create a smartphone, code-named “Buffy,” which is still in the works. Now, the company has been going deeper into the process, by expanding the group working on Buffy, and exploring other smartphone projects too, creating a team of seasoned hardware engineers who have built the devices before.

One engineer who formerly worked at Apple and worked on the iPhone said he had met with Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive, who then peppered him with questions about the inner workings of smartphones. It did not sound like idle intellectual curiosity, the engineer said; Zuckerberg asked about intricate details, including the types of chips used, he said.

Another former Apple hardware engineer was recruited by a Facebook executive and was told about the company’s hardware explorations. When asked on Friday, Facebook did not deny or confirm that a project to build a smartphone existed, but pointed to a previous statement it gave to AllThingsD last year that said in part: “We’re working across the entire mobile industry; with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers”.
For Facebook, the motivation is clear; as a newly public company, it must find new sources of revenue, and it fears being left behind in mobile, one of the most promising areas for growth. “Mark is worried that if he doesn’t create a mobile phone in the near future that Facebook will simply become an app on other mobile platforms,” a Facebook employee said.

Facebook is going to great lengths to keep the phone project a secret, specifically not posting job listings on the company’s job website, but instead going doorto-door to find the right talent for the project. But can a company that is wired as a social network learn how to build hardware? Mixing the cultures of hardware and software designers is akin to mixing oil and water. With the rare exception of Apple, other phone makers aren’t very good at this. The biggest names in consumer electronics have struggled with phone hardware.

Courtsey ET

Here’s a simple task. List your best accomplishments. What tops the list? Your comfy house, the swanky car or a daredevil holiday? Somewhere down the line could be your current designation. Even your hefty pay package or education qualification will make it to the list.But what about the concrete foundation on which all these things are perched precariously? One solid blow to it and your house of cards could begin to collapse. Yet, our greatest asset-career-is the one that we ignore most often.

After all, bragging rights seem to be reserved for the best that our money can buy. A job is just another word for drudgery, and the only rapturous event in our work schedule is pay day. So, what have you done to ensure that you continue to get a pay cheque the next month or the months and years after that?

Gone are the days when jobs used to fall in your laps. Now, you need to constantly prove that you are suitable even for the one that you have. The only way to get ahead in your professional life is by constantly investing in your career. “Most people worry about their jobs, not their career. Jobs can come and go, but a career needs to be nurtured,” says Sanjeev Parida, vice-president, HR, Tech Mahindra.

Even a tiny investment in terms of time and effort can help you reap rich rewards. The difference between the earning potential of a high performer and a poor one is a whopping 875% (see Returns from your career). Complacency at workplace will only earn you a standard increment of 5% a year, or worse, none at all. This is even lower than the prevailing inflation rate. So, effectively, you’re becoming poorer each year. Not a very happy scenario, is it?

On the other hand, a high performer has a good chance of getting a 15% increment a year, since his employer will be keen to reward and retain him. It’s obvious at first glance that he will earn more money, but the difference in the earning potential of the two over the long term, say, 35 years, can be a massive Rs 19 crore.

Even if both workers invest just 30% of their income every year in an investment that delivers 8% returns, the high performer will have a comfortable retirement corpus of Rs 13.14 crore, six times more than his lackadaisical colleague’s Rs 2.39 crore. Enough of an incentive to start taking a more active interest in your career, isn’t it?

What’s the plan?
Now that you’ve woken up to how important an asset your career is, you need to start formulating a career plan. Set down short-term goals that you want to fulfill in the next five years, and long-term ones that you aim to reach in 10 years, 15 years and 20 years. Then write down what you have done to achieve these objectives or what you will need to do.”Your career goals could be centred on learning, monetary benefits, designations and the nature of roles. A good way to keep track is to update your resume every quarter. If, for two quarters, you have no achievement to list, you’re not adding value to the role or yourself,” says Naveen Narayanan, global head, talent acquisition,HCL Technologies.

A lack of value addition will reflect in your work and no employer is going to reward you if your contribution at the workplace isn’t satisfactory. “Most employees live in an assumption mode. They need to be realistic about their work and a candid appraisal provides a true picture of this. Use this feedback to understand how well you are contributing to the company,” says SY Siddiqui, managing executive officer, administration (HR, finance & IT), Maruti Suzuki.

So, you may believe that you are slogging and sweating at the office, but the end-of-the-year result could state differently. Before you start screaming that people are out to get you at the office, understand that your appraisal is a clearer reflection of your performance as it measures your output vis-a-vis that of your peers. You may not be able to get a peek at their report card, but the salary hike is a good way of measuring how the company values you (see What your increment says).

In the current job market, where competition is high and lay-offs are just around the corner, you need to be proactive and more flexible at the workplace. Remember, rigidity is a sign of rigor mortis. So, be willing to take on extra responsibility, juggle your work hours a bit, face new challenges and learn niche skills.

More importantly, focus on the long term and keep track of the new developments in your field. If you want to remain relevant in the job market, you need to constantly reinvent yourself. “The skills that you require in your profession are constantly evolving and if you don’t adapt, you’ll become obsolete. There are thousands of people graduating from institutes every year, so you need to bring something different to the table,” says Bimal Rath, founder, Think Talent Services.

Cortsey ET

LUCKNOW: The script is ready. The cast is brilliant and talented. But the success of any blockbuster depends on its director. This is not about any celluloid fantasy. It is about taking Uttar Pradesh on the road to development by ushering in transformation not only in administrative mindset but also in policy and perception.

And captains of the industry were unanimous in their verdict on the quality of script (read State’s Industrial policy) — brilliant. While reposing faith in the ability and statesmanship of an energetic and young chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to deliver, they pledged their full support to make UP the most preferred destination for investors.

The short and snappy brainstorming session on Industrial Transformation of UP at the HT-HH Development Conclave threw up some innovative ideas, focussed on hitherto untapped growth potential in aviation and medium/small scale industries and laid out the development roadmap for the way forward.

The distinguished panel comprised Radico Khaitan chairman Dr Lalit Khaitan, aviation expert Faran Siddiqi of Cornell University, New York, Padma Shree Irshad Mirza and Samsung Industry VP corporate affairs Ambrish Bakaya. Former Confederation of Indian Industries chairman Kiron Chopra moderated the session.

Chopra began the discussion wondering why industrial growth in UP despite its wealth of natural resources, skilled manpower and potential has been in hibernation for so long. “This initiative should serve as a wake-up call and act as a catalyst for development and growth,” he further said.

Aviation expert Faran Siddiqui, who had come all the way from New York to participate in the event, outlined how the aerospace sector could attract big-ticket investment not only in India but in UP also, attracting a big pie from the sunshine sector.

“India needs 200-300 billion dollar investment and if we can bring just 510% of it to this state, it will be a big boost to its development. The sector has the potential of creating 60,000odd direct jobs (it involves hiring of 25 different types of engineers) and 3-4 lakh indirect jobs. UP with its big man power can benefit tremendously if it grabs this opportunity and acts as a frontrunner in the aviation sector,” he pointed out.

Doyen of the leather industry Padm Shri Irshad Mirza emphasised the need for educating the labour work force and spending money on social welfare.

“Power is a prime requirement, industrial infrastructure development is needed but training of employees is also equally important to bring about industrial transformation. Also UP is the only state imposing VAT on raw leather, why?” he asked.

Khaitan, also chairman of Assocham Northern Region, saw huge prospect in industrial development with steps taken by government to involve industry bodies in making the policies. “Proactive steps are been taken to make UP an attractive investment destination in terms of quality infrastructure, skilled human resources, policy environment and good governance. We need to create satisfied industrialists who in turn will become best ambassadors to promote the state,” he said. Khaitan emphasised on subsidize interest rates on term loans to encourage establishment of small scale industrial units in rural areas.

Ambrish Bakaya, VP corporate affairs for mobile and IT division of Samsung India Electronics, talked about merging central government and state policies to get more benefits from them. “UP can be hub of Center’s Electronic Technology Park policy. Again, Technology Fund can get big time work for small and medium enterprises.”

He talked about bringing new investments and focusing on giving benefit to existing industries. “UP is on a cuss of change and logistics, skill manpower and infrastructure development can make a difference,” he added.

The moderator Kiron Chopra highlighted on how clusters (Bhadoi, Unnao and Moradabad) were fragmented and heartbroken. The focus should be on education, tourism and healthcare. “What state needs today is skill development, stable policy with implementation, clean governance, rationalised taxation and more teeth to Udyog Bandu,” concluded Chopra.

Courtesy HT lucknow

Sibal calls for centre-state collaboration

LUCKNOW: Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal on Saturday said, “the fortune of India and UP is interlinked and, therefore, the centre and the state governments should collaborate for development of UP.”

Speaking at the Development Conclave organised by Hindustan Times and Hindustan here, Sibal said, “Samajwadi Party got massive support of the people in the assembly elections and so it’s an opportunity for chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to take UP on the path of development.” Assuring all support from the central government, Sibal said “the people would definitely respond by giving him a second term in the next assembly election if he does good work.”

Earlier, the central and state governments had been at loggerheads on various issues.

But the Hindustantimes Conclave set the stage for a new chapter in relationship between the two. Sibal gave an indication of the change in relationship between the two governments by assuring support to the state government in education and health sector.

He said, “The state government should create an appropriate industrial environment and give incentives to big industries to invest in the state. There are 23 million small-scale industries in UP and the state government should protect them before opening the door to big industries.”

“There are several clusters of small-scale industries in UP, including Moradabad, Bhadohi, Kanpur, Aligarh and Firozabad. There is employment opportunity in this sector but the people lack skills. The state government should launch vocational courses for development of skills. The central government would support the state government in this endeavour,” he said. He said the ministry of science and technology had developed a plan for rejuvenation of small-scale industries and it would give technology input to the small-scale industries in UP. Stressing on peace and tranquility in the state, Sibal called upon Akhilesh Yadav to take opposition parties into confidence for development of UP. “Collaborate with political parties that opposed you in the assembly elections,” he said. “The state government should ensure that there was no conflict of caste and religion in the state,” Sibal said. “For development of UP education and health should be beyond political agenda of political parties. There should be no politicking over the two issues. Batting for FDI in retail sector, Sibal said, “The people should get rid of fear psychosis -that western companies would capture the Indian market. There should be no politicking over development issues. I hope the young leader would work to change this negative environment.” There was a message for the young chief minister from the veteran politician – - the need to change the model of governance. Sibal said “governance of the 21st century was different from 20th century. Aspirations of the people have increased and the poor want a share in the development pie. We have to understand the aspirations of the people and fulfill them, too. Time has come to prepare a plan for 20 years.” Sibal expressed concern over the poor power scenario, poor standard of primary and secondary education, increase in infant mortality, crime against weaker section, and closure of industrial units. The exercise to take UP forward should be collaborative by paving the way for participation of the stakeholder in governance,” he said.

Courtesy HT lucknow

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said his government would have to work hard for five years to ensure the state doesn’t miss the bus to development.

“If we fail to script a turnaround story, UP will touch a new low in terms of development,” he said while warning the bureaucrats to change their style of functioning. “Results won’t be possible if officers do not reform themselves,” said the chief minister while speaking at the Hindustan Times-hindustan Development Conclave.

Insisting that bureaucrats won’t be allowed to dominate the governance process as was the case in the previous government, Akhilesh recalled the ignorance of BSP MPS on the entry of foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail sector in Uttar Pradesh.

“They (BSP leaders) were not aware that a leading foreign brand had set up shop in Lucknow while the party was opposing the same,” he said while taking the FDI topic forward: “We will support the Centre on the issue only if it is in the interest of farmers.”

“The people have expressed faith in us…they have given us a thumping majority. We will have to devote all our energy,” he said while reminding the people that the Mayawati government too had been given a clear majority but was voted out for “its misdeeds”.

The chief minister hoped the Centre would extend cooperation to put the state back on development track. “We will take the state ahead with the cooperation of the Centre,” he said while reminding the UPA how the Samajwadi Party (SP) helped it on the nuclear issue.

“We are sure the Centre will help us out. It will help us in the field of power as we helped them on the nuclear deal issue,” he said. The development scenario had gone from bad to worse, the chief minister admitted while citing examples of Kanpur, Firozabad and Bhadohi. Referring to Yamuna Expressway project, he said the 160-km expressway built during the previous regime would be extended to Lucknow. “It would shorten the distance between the state capital and New Delhi,” he said.listing his achievements, Akhilesh said his government had unveiled a 100-point agenda incorporating various central and state schemes aimed at developing the state.

“A number of new schemes too had been formulated and the government would announce them in the state budget on June 1,” he said.

Courtesy HT lucknow