I never knew that some thing like National Cyber Olympiad (NCO), exclusively devoted to information technology (IT), existed in India.
The Science Olympic Foundation, New Delhi (Chairman: Dr. Narindra Virmani, Former Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University, Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh) (http://www.sofworld.org/html2003/aboutus.shtml), a non-profit organisation set up in 1998, which started, and conducts, the National Cyber Olympiad in India, defines it as “a national level exam based on mental ability, logical and analytical reasoning and general questions on computers and information technology. The purpose is to test aptitude of the participants for taking up a career in mathematics and computers related areas.”
Students studying in classes 3 to 12 are eligible to participate in it. Rightly claimed to be “the first of its kind in the country”, it “is a nationwide talent search contest that will locate and identify cyber savvy talent amongst the younger generation.”
Fourth National Cyber Olympiad will be held on 12th August, 2004 (Thursday). Intending participants must register by July 20, 2004.
If India aspires to be an information technology (IT) super-power, popularisation of IT among school children and identifying IT savvy school children through such cyber olympiads are most laudable objectives. The Science Olympic Foundation (SOF), New Delhi deserves to be congratulated for conceiving and conducting this nationwide exercise. Well done, SOF!
Having said this, however, I have often wondered as to why no such competitions exist for adults. Is it due to the fact that adults have no time for such activities or that, even a small minority of them, is not interested in such activities? A food for thought, no doubt.
Dr D.C.Misra
New Delhi, India
July 15, 2004
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Thursday, July 01, 2004
FROM THE BOOK SHELF of Dr D.C.MISRA: know IT better
Balasubramaniam, Giri Pickbrain (2001): know IT better, Kolkata,India, Macmillan.
First Edition 91 pp. Rs 106/- ISBN 0333 935454
Available: http://www.macmillanindia.com/macnewmain.htm (accessed July 1, 2004).
This is an excellent book, a gold mine for information technology (IT) quiz lovers. Claimed to be India’s first IT quiz book, and India-oriented, it consists of 500 carefully designed questions, each a gem by itself. It has been compiled by Giri Balasubramaniam, popularly known as Pickbrain, a Bangalore-based young quiz enthusiast who has already carved out a name for himself in IT quiz field by hosting a number of quiz shows in India. The blurb very rightly states that ‘Its novelty lies in that it covers the entire gamut of IT, its various aspects, its history and applications without cluttering the readers’ mind with jargon.” Though the book is targeted, according to the author, to the urban and rural children, it can be very profitably read by adults too. Very reasonably priced (Which book, leave alone a quiz book, can you get in about $2?) and printed on good quality paper, it is a “must buy” for any IT quiz lover. The author, who no doubt has taken great pains in compiling it, needs to be congratulated for making his nuggets available to IT quiz lovers. I had purchased this book when it made its first appearance in 2001 and I find it equally entertaining, three years after, in 2004! This goes to the credit of its compiler. Thank you Mr Pickbrain.
Dr D.C.Misra
New Delhi, India
July 1, 2004
First Edition 91 pp. Rs 106/- ISBN 0333 935454
Available: http://www.macmillanindia.com/macnewmain.htm (accessed July 1, 2004).
This is an excellent book, a gold mine for information technology (IT) quiz lovers. Claimed to be India’s first IT quiz book, and India-oriented, it consists of 500 carefully designed questions, each a gem by itself. It has been compiled by Giri Balasubramaniam, popularly known as Pickbrain, a Bangalore-based young quiz enthusiast who has already carved out a name for himself in IT quiz field by hosting a number of quiz shows in India. The blurb very rightly states that ‘Its novelty lies in that it covers the entire gamut of IT, its various aspects, its history and applications without cluttering the readers’ mind with jargon.” Though the book is targeted, according to the author, to the urban and rural children, it can be very profitably read by adults too. Very reasonably priced (Which book, leave alone a quiz book, can you get in about $2?) and printed on good quality paper, it is a “must buy” for any IT quiz lover. The author, who no doubt has taken great pains in compiling it, needs to be congratulated for making his nuggets available to IT quiz lovers. I had purchased this book when it made its first appearance in 2001 and I find it equally entertaining, three years after, in 2004! This goes to the credit of its compiler. Thank you Mr Pickbrain.
Dr D.C.Misra
New Delhi, India
July 1, 2004
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