Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness, treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise.
What sort of work is available in sports medicine?
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_medicine)
Sports medicine specialists focus on the evaluation and non-surgical care of athletes and other active people. Sports medicine specialists are concerned with all problems -- injury and illness alike - related to athletics and physical fitness. They are especially well suited to care for people with medical problems (for example, asthma, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, or obesity) who wish to begin an exercise program, improve their fitness, and reduce risks to their health.
Sports medicine has always been difficult to define because it is not a single specialty, but an area that involves health care professionals, researchers and educators from a wide variety of disciplines. Its function is not only curative and rehabilitative, but also preventative, which may actually be the most important one of all.
Education:
Few Institutes in India offer courses in Sports Medicine and most of them are for students after MBBS or graduation in Physiotherapy.
Some of the educational institutes for sports medicine are:
1. National Institute of Sports, Sports Authority of India, Affiliated to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences Faridkot and Recognized by MCI)
Two year Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine
2. Sports Authority of India, Patiala, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
Masters in Sports Medicine
Ph. No. +91-183-2258802-09 Extn. 3019
3. Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports - Patiala, Punjab
Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine
4. Susruta Institute Of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Master of Physiotheraphy - Sports Medicine and rehabilitation
There are many sporting teams that employ a sports or athletic trainer who assists on a daily basis with basic knowledge in massage, strapping and response to acute sports injuries.
Job prospects:
The term Sports Medicine involves:
- Maintaining an athlete’s fitness and physical well being
- Assessing and treating injured athletes,
- Advising and educating on prevention strategies
Sports medicine career finds its prospects in various setups:
- Hospitals
- Sports Clubs
- Individual teams
The Assam Rifles are one of the Paramilitary forces of India. Since its inception in 1835, over the course of its history, the Assam Rifles and its predecessor units have served in a number of roles, conflicts and theatres including World War I where they served in Europe and the Middle East, and World War II where they served mainly in Burma. In the post World War II period the Assam Rifles has expanded greatly as has its role. (Refer the link - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam_Rifles)Assam Rifles conduct counterinsurgency operations in the northeast and other areas where deemed necessary, under control of the army. During peace and ‘proxy war’, ensure the security of the Indo-China and Indo-Myanmar borders. During the war, rear area security in the TBA.(Refer the link - assamrifles.gov.in/profile.aspx)Entry: Recruitments for the Assam Rifles is done for various posts:
- Constables
- Havildar (Clerks)
- Medical Officers and Specialist doctors
- Veterinary Doctors
Eligibility:For Constables & Clerks:
- Age Limit: Candidates age must be between 18 to 23 years as on 01-08-2013. Upper age is relaxable by 3 years to OBC and 5 years to SC/ST Candidates.
- Educational Qualifications: Candidates must possess Matriculation or 10th class pass from a recognized board/university.
For Technical Trades:
- Age Limit: Candidates age must be between 18 to 23 years as on 01-08-2012. Upper age is relaxable by 3 years to OBC and 5 years to SC/ST Candidates.
- Educational Qualifications: Candidates must possess Matric or 10th class pass with Diploma/ITI, English, Math & Science with Physics/ Biology, Graduation with Madhyama in Sanskrit or Bhusan in Hindi.
The recruitment rally consists of three stages:I. Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- 5 KM Run. All male candidates have to successfully complete 5 KM run within 24 mins and for female candidates it shall be 1.6 KM (1600 M) within 8 mins 30 secs.
- Long Jump. Long Jump of 11 feet has to be cleared by the male candidates and for female candidates it shall be 9 feet. Each candidate will be given three chances.
- High Jump. High jump of three and a half feet (3.5 feet) has to be cleared by the male candidates while for female candidates it will be three feet. Each candidate will be given three chances.
Note: No physical efficiency test will be conducted for Ex-servicemen.II. Written Tests
- Written Test. Candidates who qualify in the PETs will be required to appear in a written test.
- The written test will consist of only OMR based objective type multiple choice questions
- Candidates applying under compassionate appointment scheme of the Government will not be required to appear in the written test. (Sons/ legally adopted son during the lifetime of the AR persons who have laid down their life during ops.)
III. Trade Test
- To be conducted for various trades.
- A practical test will be conducted for trade candidates appearing for enrolment.
- To qualify, the candidates will have to pass in the physical, medical and the written tests separately.
Career Advancement: A candidate has the opportunity to grow up till the level of Commandant while in service of Assam Rifles. Officers are appointed by direct appointment by the central Government from other armed forces.
- Director General (Army officer on deputation)
- Inspector General (Army officer on deputation)
- Deputy Inspector General (Army officer on deputation)
- Commandant
- 2IC (Second In Command)
- Deputy Commandant
- Assistant Commandant
It is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict.
As an officer in the Indian Air Force, you lead a challenging, adventurous and rewarding life. As you grow in the organisation, you get many opportunities along your way, like a chance for specialized training in India and abroad, option to study further, possibility to get posted in Indian missions abroad, amongst others. You become an integral part of the adventurous and challenging life Air Force offers you.
Commands
The Indian Air Force is divided into five operational and two functional commands. Each Command is headed by an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Air Marshal.
The commands are:
Operational Commands
1. Central Air Command (CAC), headquartered at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
2. Eastern Air Command (EAC), headquartered at Shillong, Meghalaya
3. Southern Air Command (SAC), headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
4. South Western Air Command (SWAC), headquartered at Gandhinagar, Gujarat
5. Western Air Command (WAC), headquartered at Subroto Park, New Delhi
Functional Commands
1. Training Command (TC), headquartered at Bangalore, Karnataka
2. Maintenance Command (MC), headquartered at Nagpur, Maharashtra
Career Options in Indian Air Force
Broadly the Air Force has three branches with further sub-streams which give an opportunity to choose a career of one’s own choice:
(a) Flying Branch
· Fighters
· Transports
· Helicopters
(b) Technical Branch
· Mechanical
· Electronics
(c) Ground Duty Branch
· Administration
· Accounts
· Logistics
· Education
· Meteorology
Entry to Indian Air Force
There are different ways of entry to Air Force:
STEP I
1. For NDA and CDSE:
NDA
Eligibility Criteria
· Age - 16 ½ to 19 years(at the time of commencement of course)
· Nationality - Indian
· Gender - Men only
· Educational Qualifications - 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics. Appearing final year students can also eligible to apply.
CDSE (COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION) (FOR MEN ONLY)
Men can enter through this mode of entry and will get a Permanent Commission.
Eligibility criteria:
· Age - 19 to 23 years (at the time of commencement of course)
· Nationality – Indian
· Marital Status - Single
· Gender - Men only.
Educational Qualifications
· Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) / BE / B Tech (Four Year Course).
· Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
· No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.
Written tests are conducted by UPSC only. For details visit www.upsc.gov.in
2. Technical Branch: Entry into the Technical Branch is through two schemes, both via AFCAT
UNIVERSITY ENTRY SCHEME(UES)
· For candidates studying in Pre-Final year of B-tech/BE degree course
· For men only. Grant of Permanent Commission.
· Educational Qualifications: The candidate must be currently studying in Pre-final year of BE / BTech degree course with choice of subject as mentioned above. There must be No backlog / arrears of papers of previous semesters at the time of SSB Testing.
· On completion of degree, minimum 60% of marks in aggregate in all papers put together are mandatory.
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING COURSE
· After completion of Engineering degree or while in your final year/semester of Engineering
· For both Men and Women. Permanent Commission (for men) / Short Service Commission (For men and women)
· Marks - Must have scored a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate in all the papers put together in any one of the qualifications listed
· Final year students are eligible to apply provided they do not have any present backlog at the time of SSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
AFCAT – Air Force Common Admission Test.
For all entries other than NDA and CDSE and for all branches, candidates have to undergo the AFCAT.
The test is conducted twice a year in February and September. The test is conducted all across India by the Indian Air Force
3. NCC entry
Air Sqn NCC Senior division ‘C’ certificate holders are to apply through DG NCC/ respective NCC Air Squadron. They would then appear for AFCAT
4. GROUND DUTY
General Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty Branches
· Age - 20 to 23 Years for Graduates and 20 to 25 years for Post Graduates (at the time of commencement of course). Upper age limit relaxed upto 26 years for Law Graduates (3 Years Course), upto 27 years for CA / ICWA / M Ed / Ph D.
· Marital Status - Candidates below the age of 25 years must be Unmarried.
· Nationality - Indian
· Gender - Both men and women.
As a Graduate/ Post Graduate you can join as an officer in any of the following Ground Duty Branches
ADMINISTRATION BRANCH
Permanent Commission (for Men) / Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
Responsible for the efficient management of both human and material resources. Some of the officers of the Administration Branch are selected and trained to carry out the following duties also:
· Air Traffic Controller – Involves maintaining an orderly flow of traffic and airspace management.
· Fighter Controller – Involves close contact and supervision between the air and radar for effective airspace management.
Educational Qualifications
Graduation degree in any discipline with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together
OR
Post Graduation degree / equivalent diploma in any discipline with a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
ACCOUNTS BRANCH
· Permanent Commission (for Men) / Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
· Responsible for efficient financial management of funds. You will also act as internal auditor to ensure a zero-defect audit from outside agencies.
Educational Qualifications
Graduate Degree in Commerce (B Com) with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together
OR
Post Graduate Degree in Commerce (M Com) / CA / ICWA with a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
LOGISTICS BRANCH
· Permanent Commission (for Men) / Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
· Responsible for materials management of all Air Force resources. You would ensure efficient supervision of inventories, and involve in procurement processes of various ranges of equipment.
Educational Qualifications
Graduation degree in any discipline with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together
OR
Post Graduation Degree/ equivalent diploma in any discipline with a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
As a Postgraduate you can join in the following Ground Duty Branches.
EDUCATION BRANCH
Educational Qualifications - Post Graduate Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
METEOROLOGY BRANCH
As a Meteorology Branch Officer you would be involved handling the latest satellite imagery and state- of-the-art monitoring equipment, you would render specific advice to the operators on all aspects of weather.
Educational Qualifications
Post Graduate Degree in any Science Stream / Mathematics / Statistics / Geography / Computer
Applications / Environmental Science / Applied Physics / Oceanography / Agricultural Meteorology / Ecology & Environment / Geo- physics / Environmental Biology. All candidates should have scored a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all papers of Post Graduation put together and should have studied Maths and Physics in Graduation with minimum of 55% marks in both subjects.
STEP 2 - SSB (Services Selection Board) TESTING
For those who have successfully cleared Step 1, you will receive a Call letter to report to any one of the Air Force Selection Boards located at Dehradun, Varanasi, Gandhinagar and Mysore.
At the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB), you undergo following tests in order to ascertain your suitability and gauge your potential as an Officer in the Indian Air Force.
· Officer Intelligence rating Test
· Picture perception and Discussion Test
· Psychological Tests are written tests that are conducted by a Psychologist.
· Group Tests are interactive indoor and outdoor activities that are a combination of mental and physical work.
· Interview involves a personal conversation with an Interviewing Officer.
Career Advancement
Once recruited the candidates grow through the following stages with excellent perks and an adventurous, fulfilling, disciplined lifestyle.
Commissioned Officers
· Flying Officer
· Flight Lieutenant
· Squadron Leader
· Wing Commander
· Group Captain
· Air Commodore
· Air Vice Marshal
· Air Marshal
· Air Chief Marshal
· Marshal of the Air Force- honorary rank
· Junior Commissioned Officers
· Junior Warrant Officer
· Master Warrant Officer
· Warrant Officer
Non-Commissioned Officers
· Airman
· Leading
· Aircraftman
· Corporal
· Sergeant
We often wonder why there can be only one Dhirubhai Ambani, only one Narayan Murthy, only one Bill Gates, only one Albert Einstein and the likes? People take good education and work hard all their lives and yet manage to get through an average life collecting money for themselves and providing for their families. Somehow we do not take enough pains to think beyond that they might be extra ordinarily genius or purely in luck.
A deeper insight can show us something very obvious. All of these Achievers and many more like them have worked for and put their efforts where their natural aptitude and inclination was. It is a no- brainer to understand that when we do something that we are natural with, we produce extraordinary results.
Unfortunately, we choose the career that has given good results for others. So if a big brother has bagged a cushy job with engineering degree then we believe that engineering as a career is the best and so on. When we do not try to match our nature, our personality our aptitude to the demands of the career we enter into a land that is not for us. Then either we have to put in extra efforts just to sail through or we pass through the life with utter lack of any passion just because everyone does so and that we have to.
I can never over emphasize the importance of choosing a career that we are made for. Here I present for you my favorite story to illustrate my point. Hope it helps
A mother and a baby camel were lying around, and suddenly the baby camel asked, “mother, may I ask you some questions? Mother said, “Sure! Why son, is there something bothering you?
Baby said, “Why do camels have humps?” Mother said “Well son, we are desert animals, we need the humps to store water and we are known to survive without water”. Baby said, “Okay, then why are our legs long and our feet rounded?” Mother said, “Son, obviously they are meant for walking in the desert. You know with these legs I can move around the desert better than anyone does!” Baby said, “Okay, then why are our eyelashes long? Sometimes it bothers my sight”. Mother with pride said, “My son, those long thick eyelashes are your protective cover. They help to protect your eyes from the desert sand and wind”.
Baby after thinking said, “I see. So the hump is to store water when we are in the desert, the legs are for walking through the desert and these eye lashes protect my eyes from the desert then what in god’s name are we doing here in the Zoo!?”
Friends, students, parents and teachers, please take a note that these are mere animals and do not have much at stake, but we are people with real emotions, feelings, desires, aspirations and needs. If we do not choose a career suitable to our natural traits, we would spend most of this beautiful life feeling like we are living caged in a zoo often wondering what all beautiful and big things we could have achieved in this gifted life.
As language evolves, many words come to take the more popular meaning or rather the meaning of convenience. However over the period the words may lose their depth and come to mean very little to us. The origin of words usually has much deeper meaning and knowing it can enrich us in so many ways.
‘Career’ is one such word that has lost its real value in the transition. For most of us a career means a profession or line of study or work. Nothing is wrong in this meaning but it is incomplete in many ways.
Career is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a person’s course or progress through life. It can also pertain to an occupation or a profession that usually involves special training or formal education and is considered to be a person’s lifework
Even the origin of the word ‘career’ is traced back to Latin ‘carrus’ meaning ‘wheeled vehicle’ that basically symbolizes journey and progress.
Thus career is all about the progress in life. When we take into consideration only the study and profession aspect of career, we develop a warped view towards it. Our focus stills on the options presented to us by the society and our decisions based on the acquiring of degrees and bagging a source of earning.
In reality, choosing a university course only is one step towards the journey of life, which is vast. Most people choose a university degree that seems to be giving them a much accepted professional status and guaranteed income. While zeroing on the course we tend to neglect the most important aspect of choosing the career, the very question: Why do I want to take up a career? While the apparent answer may seem to be about earning a livelihood, if we take a few minutes and ask ourselves another Why? The answer could be easily traced to: I want to be happy! Where does happiness come from? It comes from inner satisfaction, a sense of contentment. We very well know that money alone cannot guarantee that contentment. So isn’t it worth the while to consider this inner satisfaction while choosing our career?
Now our satisfaction is based on many parameters like where we work, where we live, who do we associate with, what is the nature of our work, what are our work hours, what challenges the work has for us, do we enjoy our work, does it align with our life goal, does it give us the opportunities to travel, to grow, to be creative, to invent, to serve, to solve, to change and so many other needs that we have apart from making money?
Choosing a career thus is not just about knowing the employability of that study course. It is about knowing who you are, what you want and what can it give you what you live for. It is a process of exploration. You need to explore yourself and explore the range of career options and then match the career to your needs.
