The Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship

The Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship is a merit-based loan scholarship program designed for the best and brightest minds who wish to pursue their post-graduate studies in India or abroad.  Besides gaining a higher education, those selected will have a unique advantage of being a part of the the Narotam Sekhsaria mentoring program. Applications are invited for scholarships for the the academic year 2009-10; there's only a few days left, so why not fill it now!!

Eligibility:
1) Indian Nationals residing in India.
2) Students below 30 years of age (as on 31st Jan, 2009).
3) Graduates of a recognized Indian University. (Final year students of degree course or those awaiting results can also apply).
4) Students planning to pursue post-graduate studies at prestigious institutes from the Fall Semester. (Students awaiting admissions are also eligible, but the award of scholarship is subject to securing admission).

Given are the details of the scholarship:


Scholarship amout:
The amount of the scholarship, upto a maximum of Rs. 10 lakh, will be decided as per the assessment of the foundation.

How to apply:
Download the application form from their website at www.nsscholarship.net. An application fee of Rs. 300, by cash/DD/MO drawn in favour of Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation should accompany the duly filled forms. (Cheques are NOT accepted). All completed forms must reach the foundation by 20th Feb, 2009. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Selection Process:
All applicaions will be screened for the purpose of shortlisting. Shortlisted candidates will have to appear for a personal Inteview at Mumbai during April 2009. The interview is mandatory, and is the basis for final selection.

Contact:
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation
102, Maker Chambers III
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021
Tel: +91 22 2282 4705/4589
Email: admin@nsfoundation.co.in

Want to protect your idea??

Recently...errr well not really, it was a while ago since i've been thinking about the procedure to protecting one's original idea/concept about something... I said IDEA or CONCEPT.

The first thing that came into my mind was of a Copyright Protection. However, copyright doesn't protect your ideas/concepts. I've gone through some of the US and Indian copyright protection handbook and that led me to the conclusion that copyright, in any case, doesn't protect your ideas from being 'copied'.

The question arises now... Can an idea be protected??



Yes. An idea can be protected in the form of an invention. Patenting the creation and the technical drawings (related to the idea) is one option but someone in the university, a student or any individual may not be ready to spend the handful amount of dollars required to get the idea patented. Copyright, on the other hand is cheap and protects your idea in the form of an innovation or original creation. If you've created something, putting a © symbol protects your creation but however, you need to register it (which though requires a small fee) if in case legal issues are to be fought. Putting a © symbol conveys that the creation is copyright property and just putting the symbol ensures it rights. For federal acts or legal proceedings, valid registration with the Copyright Protection Department in your country is essential.

Other ways to protect your ideas include submission of your ideas to organisations. Many of which are available online and some charges small amount of fees while others doesn't. Another way is to mail yourself all the required documents provided the envelop in still sealed. This is valid only when there is a date stamped on the envelop by the post office and which represents the date on which your idea becomes 'yours'. However, this method is not much recommended.


Bottomline is, turn your idea into an innovation first...