Why they failed to predict the global economic crisisand why their help is still crucial to a recovery

Half of all Americans expect another country to emerge this century as the world's technology leader, according to a survey released earlier this month by Duke University. 72 per cent expect the technological advancements of the 21st century to surpass those of the previous century, and only 49 per cent predict the US will lead the way in producing these advances.

Sheeroy Desai, CEO of PAC, was in India recently. In an interview to rediff.com, he made some interesting observations on the recent recession and its impending recovery.

After the collateral debt obligations crisis, all the other 'quants' have been lumped together as fast dancers who do amoral complex things. This is an understandable perception, but unfair.

Even in a banner year marked by achievements of the highest order across a wide variety of fields, it was inevitable that Dr Zakaria would be named India Abroad Person of the Year 2008. Filmmaker Mira Nair, who won the award last year, was on hand to honour her successor with the award that, over the seven years of its existence, has become one of the most sought after accolades in the community space

Here is the second part of a series wherein we publish reader stories concerning ragging in colleges.

A survey of US public opinion has revealed that half of Americans expect India, China, Japan or Europe to emerge as the world's technological leader in the future.

For all those who have started preparing for CAT 2009 here are a few points to remember.

Let us put away that dreaded thought and focus instead on ways to have access to funds when we need them the most like, for instance, a job-loss or an emergency surgery for a loved one! Here budgeting comes into play.

Here's how you should prepare yourself for various Civil Services exams scheduled in 2009.

Yesterday's hot job can be tomorrow's lukewarm option. So should you really go about choosing what subject to study based on what you think is 'in demand'?

When you're a features writer, you end up having to make up lists. Of greatest this and worst that. Of gangster movies. Of soundtracks.

Paula Samore, an American citizen who was at the Taj hotel, recounts two extraordinary days.

Manoj K Jain is an infectious disease physician, a writer, and a national leader in health-care quality improvement. Memphis-based Jain, 45, also writes for publications including The Washington Post.

Experts from the UK Border Agency and Visa Services, British High Commission, New Delhi, hosted a chat with GA readers on November 10. The transcript.

Experts from TestFunda.com hosted a CAT chat on October 23. For those of you who missed the chat. The unedited transcript.

If you want to stay on with your current employer, consider asking your boss for reduced hours, less responsibility or cyclical work that would still bring in some money but give you more flexibility, a sort of virtual retirement.

To answer CAT related questions Ajeet Khurana, director of Peak Seekers, an institute that trains CAT aspirants, hosted a chat with GA readers on November 6. The transcript.

Money and markets make headlines daily. Now is a great time to teach your kids

To answer CAT-related questions Praveen Vedamuthu, Assistant Centre Manager with IMS, hosted a chat with GA readers on October 22. The transcript.

Obama's winning will underscore that in America anything is possible. My hope is that young Indian Americans will see Obama and say, 'I can go into public service as well'. My hope is that Obama will inspire Indian Americans to see politics as something noble, as something that can make a difference in people's lives, says Ro Khanna

Toyota is being cautious with the technology, but GM is full-speed-ahead for a 2010 launch of its Volt. To the victor will go the spoils.

Fans of Chetan Bhagat got a chance to discuss the writer's bestsellers like Five Point Someone, One Night @ A Call Centre, The 3 Mistakes of My Life and a movie, Hello based on one of his novels, during a chat on Wednesday.

Talking of Data Interpretation (DI), it is more than just deciphering graphs, charts and tables.

Some tips that may prove useful in scoring well in this section.

Syed Faiz Ahmed, general manager, IMS Learning Resources Pvt Ltd, hosted a chat with GA readers on September 10, to tackle CAT questions. The transcript.

To help you improve your skills and better you performance in the CAT, experts from Career Launcher hosted a chat with readers on September 19. The transcript.

If you really want to bell the CAT, you have to dispel the myths and the apprehensions that are gripping your mind.

Britain has excellent private schools which offer world-class education. However, the application process is quite challenging.

Overseas education expert Karan Gupta hosted a chat with GA readers discussing courses and colleges abroad. Here's the transcript.

R Shiva Kumar, director -- R&D, Career Launcher, hosted a chat with GA readers on August 29 addressing various CAT-related questions. The transcript.

What should you do if you are not too good in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension?Are there any specific strategies you should be looking at to improve your sectional scores and accuracy? Jaya Desai, faculty, IMs, asnwered your CAT queries.

The changes, while making it harder for students to get into the University, aim to help students improve their research work.

There's just over three months to go for the CAT 2008, and it's time to make sure your preparation and strategies are focussed and well-planned.

Munira Lokhandwala, a faculty at IMS Learning Resources hosted a CAT 2008 chat with GA readers on July 23. For those of you who mised the chat, here's the unedited transcript.

Price control is distortive and encourages consumption when it should be discouraged - oil prices being a case in point.

It was one of the most tantalising days in Indian Parliament. Parties debated for and against the nuclear deal. MPs crossed swords, armed with allegations and statistics. As the nation kept glued to the happenings, rediff.com's Prem Panicker gave its readers a blow-by-blow account of what happened. Here is the transcript:

To address CAT 2008 doubts, Vinayak Kudva, product head -- CAT at IMS Learning Resources, hosted a chat with GA readers on July 8. The transcript.

It is of course true that a lot of low-income people can indeed afford mobile phones today, as handsets cost no more than Rs 700.

International education consultant Karan Gupta addresses some of the queries we recieved via e-mail.