Google, Intel, Makemytrip among the 'Best Companies to Work'

Google India, Makemytrip, Marriott, Intel and American Express were adjudged as the 'Best Companies to Work' in India this year in a study conducted by Great Place to Work Institute.
As per the study, Google India, Intel Technology, Makemytrip, American Express India, Marriott Hotels are top five among the top 50 companies in India, Great Place To Work Institute India's CEO, Prasenjit Bhattacharya said here.
Great Place to Work Institute is a pioneer in studying and recognising best workplaces around the world. For over 25 years and in 45 countries, the Institute has been conducting studies to identify and understand the best workplaces.
Bhattacharya said that the overall expectation of employees remain the same as in 2010.
Companies are putting in place new initiatives to retain the talent like Makemytrip.com offering 70 per cent Esops to its workforce and American Express has special pregnancy care programme for female employees etc.
The top 50 best workplaces are concentrated in Mumbai, NCR and Bangalore, but also have representation from Chennai, Pune, Vizag, Ahmedabad and Ludhiana.
38 of the top 50 have more than 1000 employees, with 19 out of 50 having more than 5000 employees. Only 12 of the top 50 best workplaces saw increase in employees at more than 30 per cent in the previous year, and five actually reduced its workforce.
While 8 out of top 50 best workplaces have employee attrition of over 20 per cent, however, in all major industries, attrition for the top 50, on an average, is less by one-third to two-third of the industry average, Bhattacharya said.
Overall, one of the biggest improvements in workplace culture shown by the best workplaces over the years has been in the area of work- life balance, flexibility in being able to take time off when required, and creatively designing and implementing practices and policies which are perceived as special and unique benefits, by employees.
One of the most difficult areas where the best employers have fared much better than others is in fair pay and fair share of profits. Corporate India has loosened its purse strings in 2011 and in the Top 50 best workplaces this year, 4 per cent more respondents in our survey are agreeing with the statement that they receive a fair share of profits made by their company and 3 percent more agreeing that they are paid fairly for the work they do, Bhattacharya said.
Fair pay and fair share of profits had seen the biggest dip in our previous study at the beginning of 2010, he said.
Bhattacharya also pointed out that the company now plans to expand its operations in neighbouring SAARC countries and may have segment wise studies for corporate sector.

Jackson ’Thriller’ jacket sells for $1.8 million

Los Angeles: A leather jacket worn by Michael Jackson for his "Thriller" video sold for $1.8 million at an auction on Sunday to a Texas gold trader who plans to use it to raise money for children's hospitals worldwide.

The black and red calf leather jacket with winged shoulders was one of two used for the shoot. The other one, in scuffed condition, is owned by the Jackson estate.

The one sold by Julien's auction house in Beverly Hills is in better shape and is signed on the sleeve by Jackson. It was designed by Deborah Landis, the wife of "Thriller" director John Landis. Jackson presented it to the vendors, Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, his longtime costume designers.

It sold to Milton Verret of Austin, Texas, who showed up in person to triumph over about a dozen bidders from around the world.

"It is one of the most important pieces of rock 'n' roll memorabilia in history," Verret told Reuters. His collection also includes another Jackson jacket and guitars signed by members of U2.

Plans are underway to show the "Thriller" jacket at Dell Children's Hospital in Austin, before sending it around the world to display during charity events. A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit an animal reserve where Jackson's two Bengal tigers reside.

Jackson, who died two years ago on Saturday, filmed the video for the title track to his blockbuster album "Thriller" in 1983. The 14-minute clip, in which Jackson turns into a zombie and dances with other undead types, is considered one of the most influential music videos ever made.

Exclusive News: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office goes live on...

Exclusive News: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office goes live on...: "Thiruvananthapuram: Surfers logging on to a Kerala government's website will be able to see the functioning of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy..."

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office goes live on internet

Thiruvananthapuram: Surfers logging on to a Kerala government's website will be able to see the functioning of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office now as it has gone live online Friday, thanks to live webstreaming.

The live webstreaming on the chief minister's new website was inaugurated Friday in the presence of cabinet ministers and other top officials.

The address of the site is www.keralacm.gov.in. The site can also be used for lodging complaints to the chief minister. The site will be renewed each year. The site is also a part of making the governance transparent.

The new webstreaming would include a host of new features as compared to what he did in 2004 when Chandy was the chief minister the first time a statement said.

This is the only chief minister's office in India that makes live streaming.

New Tsunami Video by a Mobile Camera | Share it with your friends at lea...

Private bus strike on Wednesday

Thiruvananthapuram: Registering their protest against the hike in diesel prices, the Private Bus Operators Cooridination Committee has declared a bus strike on Wednesday.

They are demanding raising the minimum bus charge to six rupees from the current four and abolishing student concessions.

The Committee said that they will launch an indefinite strike if their demands are not met at the

Muthukad gets top honour from US society

Climbing a rope suspended in air or conjuring up a tree out of his hat is mere child's play for ace magician Gopinath Muthukad who has won this year's International Merlin Award, or the magicians' Oscar.

The master illusionist and stunt performer is the second Indian to be chosen to receive the Merlin Award for outstanding contributions to magic in 2011 conferred by the US-based International Magicians Society.

Previously, P C Sorkar Jr had received the award. "The award is equivalent to the Oscars and am elated for the recognition by the magic fraternity. It will definitely add to the popularity of the art and attract more young people to pick it up," Muthukad, who ventured into the world of magic at the age of 10 and has not looked back since, said.

The Kerala-based magician heads a Magic Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, which runs certificate courses recognised by the University of Kerala and boasts of high-profile students like superstar Mohanlal among others. Over the past 35 years Muthukad has also organised a series of global magic conventions and campaigns across the country. However, the illusionist says his motto is "Magic with a mission."

"I want to work towards the cause of social upliftment. We conduct shows to promote national integration and fight against social evils like alcoholism, tobacco and terrorism," says Muthukad who in the year 2010 under the Ministry of Defence had organised special shows for Army personnel across the country for two months.

In India while traditional magicians and street tricks are going strong, in western countries they rely more on sophisticated machinery and high tech gadgets to mesmerise audiences with their stunts and tricks. "In the end magic is all about presentation because there are only a total of 13 tricks which individual performers mix and combine to create new illusions," says Muthukad.

"Houdini, David Copperfield, Franz Harary and Criss Angel are fairly well known globally. All of them use sophisticated gadgetry and expensive equipments. Even I had performed the fire escape trick invented by Houdini, but it requires sustained and rigorous practice," says the Indian magician.

Harry Houdini is considered a legend in magic and noted for his sensational escape acts. Muthukad who was introduced into the world of magic by his cousin says he later went on to train under masters like R K Malayath, Vazakunnam Namboodiri, P C Sorkar junior, K Lal and Podderman from Holland.

"I was so much in love with magic that as a child I was once duped by a snake charmer who showed me a trick that later turned out to be fake," reminisces Muthukad with a chuckle. The 47-year-old illusionist is scheduled to receive the Merlin award in the national capital on June 23 from Tony Hassini, President of the 27,000 member strong International Magicians' Society. Magicians from across the world are expected to perform here.