G'Day India Jan 2024 Issue 201

JAN 2024

w w w. g d a y i n d i a . c o m . a u

VOL 18 ISSUE 201

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AUSTRALIAN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

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The World Is Our Playground" Series Book 5 Released!

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NEWS VICTORIA

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Anmol Anand, Debasree Das, Dileep Narayan, Dr Raj Kotharu, Gary Nair, Harpal Sandhu, Manjit Sethi, Narisa Dawar, Sanchita Abrol, Karthik Arasu, Abhi Narayan, Gurpal Singh, Monisha Iswaran, P. Harsora, Nandita Chakraborty, Archita Baweja, Barinderjeet Kaur, Gurpal Singh, Muktesh Chibber, Shivani Prabhu, Payel Ghosh Disclaimer: Opinions published in G’Day India are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. No advertising design or material is to be reproduced without the written consent of the editor. All copyrights reserved to G’Day India.

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MELBOURNE, Jan 9: From children’s literacy and digital media skills courses for teens to mentorships and artist residencies, the Allan Labor Government is investing in the future of the state's creative industries sector.

Acting Minister for Creative Industries Natalie Hutchins announced two-year grants for small creative organisations to create a big impact for their community, through the latest recipients of the Creative Ventures Program.

The Labor Government’s investment of more than $2 million is supporting 11 creative ventures including small organisations, micro businesses and creative collectives to deliver important programs and create innovative works over the next two years.

Spanning the state, the recipients include 100 Story Building, a social enterprise that boosts creativity and literacy for children and young people, which will faciliate new writing and publishing programs for young writers at their new centre in Footscray.

Dandenong’s Connection Arts Space and Way Over There Collective will host a new residency program and more profesional development and exhibition opportunities for artists in Melbourne’s South East, while Motherless Collective (MoCo) will showcase the work of First Nations LGBTQIA+ creatives to metro and

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regional audiences.

Warrnambool’s One Day Studios will offer training in digital media production to disadvantaged young people and create career pathways into the creative industries, while arts and cultural hub Dumawul will support First Peoples artists living on Djandak-Dja Dja Wurrung Country with professional and creative development opportunities.

FLOW Festival, led by a collective of Deaf and Hard of Hearing artists and leaders, will present an inclusive and vibrant program showcasing the talents and perspectives of the Deaf community.

Sibling Archirecture will undertake research into the design of spaces for neurodivergent and sensorially diverse people.

Wantok Music Foundation will collaborate with Victorian musicians of Timor Leste heritage and Timor Leste artists, while MILKE will advance the careers of independent producers through a mentorship program, workshops and resources, and Beat Entertainment will deliver a two-year program of bold, original works.

An initiative of the Creative State 2025 strategy, the Creative Ventures Program is open to creative entitites with up to 10 staff.

For more information including the full list of recipients, visit creative.vic.gov.au

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

Public Fertility Care Now in Available in City’s North East

MELBOURNE, Jan 9: Women and families living in Melbourne’s north eastern suburbs can now realise their dream of starting or growing their family, with the Allan Labor Government’s nation-leading public fertility care service now available at the Mercy Hospital for Women.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas and Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines today announced the opening of the new satellite site in Heidelberg, which will deliver support and treatment for locals wanting to access fertility care closer to home – reducing travel times and slashing costs, saving Victorians up to $10,000.

Offering eligible patients, a range of services, including specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and ultrasounds – it is the ninth site to open following the launch of other satellite sites in Epping, Bendigo, Warrnambool, Shepparton, Mildura, Sunshine, Geelong and Ballarat.

Delivered as part of a $120 million investment by the Labor Government public fertility care will support up to 5,000 people every year – providing up to 3,375 treatment cycles – easing the financial pressure for thousands of Victorians during what is already a challenging experience for many.

This latest service follows the launch of Australia’s first public egg and sperm bank in July 2023 at the Royal Women’s Hospital

which is currently accepting egg, sperm and embryo donations from the community.

Since the roll out of public fertility care in Victoria in 2022 – the landmark service is already making it easier and more affordable for prospective parents to access vital services on their IVF journey, with more than 1,100 Victorians commencing their treatment journey and a total of 60 pregnancies to date.

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Access to public fertility care is available through a GP or specialist referral which is sent to the Royal Women’s Hospital who then organise eligible patients to receive treatment at their closest health service.

More information is available at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/services-support/ public-fertility-care-services

Council Rates Cap to Keep Costs Low for Victorian Families

MELBOURNE, Dec 22: Council rate increases will be capped at the forecast Consumer Price Index for next financial year, continuing the Allan Labor Government’s drive to reduce pressures on household budgets.

Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne today announced the rate cap of 2.75 per cent for 2024-25 under the Labor Government’s Fair Go Rates system.

The Government accepted the recommendation of the Essential Services Commission regarding the cap, which is equal to the forecast Consumer Price Index for 2024-25. The rate cap limits the amount all Victorian councils can increase their total revenue from general rates and municipal charges.

Ministerial Guidelines have also been released for service rates and charges for the collection of kerbside waste and recycling from properties. Service rates and charges used to fund waste collection and management are not subject to the rate cap.

The Guidelines detail that services that provide a general benefit to the whole municipality, such as tree planting, graffiti removal and street cleaning, should not

funded by service rates or charges to individual ratepayers.

The Labor Government introduced the Fair Go Rates system in 2016 to reduce cost of living pressures and that has been achieved. In the decade before the introduction of the rate cap, council rates increased by an average of 6 per cent per annum. The average rate cap between 201617 and 2023-24 was 2.25 per cent.

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Councils are able to apply for a higher rate cap if they can demonstrate community support and a critical need for spending on services or projects that require a rate rise above the capped amount. There were no applications for an exemption this financial year, when the cap was set at 3.5 per cent.

For more information go to localgovernment.vic.gov.au/councilinnovation-and-performance

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NEWS VICTORIA

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

Four More Rapid Access Hubs to Deliver Surgery Sooner

MELBOURNE, Jan 4: The Allan Labor Government is delivering a further four Rapid Access Hubs as part of its landmark $1.5 billion-dollar COVID Catch Up Plan – supporting an additional 6,000 planned surgeries annually.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today visited The Alfred where a new hub will begin admitting patients next Monday – announcing the other locations at Moorabbin Hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital, as well as the Northern Hospital, which is now fully operational having opened in September 2023.

Established to repair the planned

surgery system and ensure more Victorians get the surgery they need sooner, the hubs offer an alternative pathway to care, onthe-spot procedures, and reduced wait times for low-risk procedures.

The hubs will be used exclusively for planned surgery to relieve pressure on main theatres, avoid impact to emergency procedures and free up staff – with minor upgrades undertaken at each hospital to accommodate: • Northern Hospital (now open) – $1 million for new equipment, making an existing theatre space operational to deliver an additional 1,000 procedures annually.

• The Alfred (opening 8 January) – $3.5 million to add an operating room, enabling an extra 1,350 procedures annually, including hernia repairs, cataract removals and joint replacements.

• Moorabbin Hospital (opening May 2024) – $6.1 million for a dedicated orthopaedic surgery centre, featuring up to 12 consulting rooms and a telehealth hub for post-operative follow up, delivering an additional 2,160 orthopaedic admissions annually.

• Royal Children’s Hospital (opening May 2024) – $3 million to support a six-

bed increase in overnight stay capacity, supporting an extra 1,560 admissions annually.

The new Rapid Access Hubs join the eight sites announced in 2022, with services up and running at six locations – Broadmeadows Hospital, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Sandringham Hospital, St Vincent’s on the Park, University Hospital Geelong, and Werribee Mercy Hospital.

Construction has been completed on two hubs at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Women’s Hospital, with both health services set to begin admitting patients early this year.

To support the COVID Catch Up Plan, the Labor Government is investing in the training and development of 2,500 healthcare workers, as well as an additional 2,500 medical professionals recruited from overseas since 2022.

The benefits of the plan are already being highlighted across the system, with 51,361 patients admitted for planned surgery in the first quarter of 2023/24, decreasing the wait list by a further 3.3 per cent.

All Category 1 patients received their surgery in the clinically recommended timeframes – and median waiting times improved yet again for Category 2 and 3 patients by 21 and 40 days respectively since the same time the year prior.

(MEDIA RELEASE)

More Great Schools Opening Right Across Victoria

MELBOURNE, Jan 10: The Allan Labor Government is getting on with the job of building 100 new schools in communities that need them, with five new schools set to open in Melbourne and regional Victoria in time for Term 1 of 2026.

Acting Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll announced that construction will begin at five new primary schools, with a $280 million investment supporting more than 2,800 students to access the world-class facilities they deserve, close to home.

Tarneit Plains Primary School (interim name) in Truganina will accommodate 575 students, with 50 places reserved for students with disability.

Toolern Waters Primary School (interim name) in Weir Views, south of Melton, will cater to 715 students, including 65 places for students with disability.

In Wallan, Wallan East Primary School (interim name) will provide 525 students with a new school close to home.

Leneva (Frederic Street Road) Primary School (interim name) in Wodonga East will accommodate 525 students, including 50

places for students with disability, and will welcome students from Bandiana Primary School who have the option to relocate if they choose.

Families in Charlemont, south of Geelong, will be able to access modern, top-class facilities at Horseshoe Bend Primary School (interim name), with capacity for 525 students.

Leneva (Frederic Street Road) Primary School, Tarneit Plains Primary School and Toolern Waters Primary School will be designed as supported inclusion schools – giving every family the choice to send their children where they will thrive, whether that’s a special school or with extra support in the

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mainstream education system.

Tenders to build the new schools will open early this year and construction is expected to begin from the middle of 2024. The five new schools are in addition to three schools already scheduled for a 2026 opening, plus 14 schools opening this year and an extra six opening their doors to the community in 2025.

The funding is in addition to the Labor Government’s $14.9 billion investment since 2014 to deliver new schools and more than 1,940 school upgrades – generating approximately 21,200 jobs.

(MEDIA RELEASE)

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

Splash With Hippos at Melbourne’s Coolest Beach Party

MELBOURNE, Jan 8: The ultimate summer school holiday celebration is now happening at Werribee Open Range Zoo with Hippo a Go-Go Beach Party activities each day until the end of January, thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government.

Kids can play in designated splash zones and enjoy bubbles, a live DJ and a range of kid-friendly games, while adults can sit in the shade and enjoy delicious food and drink

— all at Hippo Beach, amongst the Zoo’s resident hippopotamuses.

Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Hippo Beach is home to 33-year-old hippo Primrose and her two daughters, Tulip and Lotus, who also love cooling off in their three large ponds. Visitors can watch the 1400-kilogram mammals devour more than 10 kilograms of hay, fruit and vegetables throughout the day.

Children under 16 years of age can enjoy

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the Hippo a Go-Go Beach Party for free when accompanied by a paying adult Zoo visitor.

The event is 11am to 2pm each day until Sunday, 28 January.

Children under 16 years can enjoy free zoo entry to Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Kyabram Fauna Park on weekends, Victorian school holidays and public holidays.

Each year, Werribee Open Range Zoo welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors, including Zoos Victoria Members, and is expected to see more than 100,000 people visit this summer.

As part of the Labor Government’s $88 million expansion of Werribee Open Range Zoo, the entire Asian elephant herd currently at Melbourne Zoo will move to Werribee once a purpose-built 21-hectare habitat is completed later this year.

The perimeter fencing installation has commenced and the elephant overpass has recently been installed at Werribee Open Range Zoo, which will allow the Asian elephant herd to walk between habitats and over pedestrian pathways below.

Werribee Open Range Zoo is open every day from 9am to 5pm.

(MEDIA RELEASE)

New Funding to Help Fight Invasive Red Imported Fire Ants

MELBOURNE, Dec 29: The Allan Labor Government is investing $69.7 million to help the national fight against one of the world’s worst invasive pests, the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA).

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced Victoria will provide the full funding requested to support the national eradication program – which will halt the spread of the pest from Queensland to other parts of Australia.

RIFA (Solenopsis invictais) is a destructive South American ant that can spread quickly and cause significant negative impacts on agriculture, the natural environment, human health and the economy.

Victoria has been part of the effort to eradicate Red Imported Fire Ants since the national eradication program began in 2001, following the first detection in Brisbane.

Fire ant biosecurity zones are in place to help manage the movement of materials that are known to spread fire ants, both within Queensland and interstate.

High-risk materials including soil, hay, mulch, manure, quarry products, turf and potted plants are subject to legally enforced movement controls.

Agriculture Victoria routinely conducts surveillance, imposes market access and trade conditions on the movement of fire ant host materials from Queensland, promotes awareness and responds to reports of suspect RIFA. This proactive approach enabled a swift response from Victorian biosecurity officers when a RIFA Queen was found at a Melbourne nursery in February, having arrived in imported plant materials from Queensland.

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This detection successfully contained and eradicated the ant and highlights the value of Victoria’s risk management efforts.

The new funding is in addition to $47.9 million invested by Victoria as part of the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program since 2017.

Anyone who suspects an unusual plant pest or disease is encouraged to make a report online or phone the exotic plant hotline on 1800 084 881.

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NEWS AUSTRALIA

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

Australia to expose companies' gender pay gaps

CANBERRA, Jan 6: The Australian government will publish the gender pay gaps at large companies in a bid to improve income equality, a Minister revealed.

From February 27, the pay discrepancies between male and female employees at every company with over 100 employees in Australia will be made available online under legislation aiming to improve pay transparency and female participation in the workforce.

Katy Gallagher, the Minister for Women and Minister for Finance, told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) that the move would hold companies accountable.

According to data published by the government's Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) in November last year, the gender pay gap was 21.7 per cent in 2023 -down from 22.8 per cent in 2022.

It means that, on average, women earned A$26,393 ($17,720) less than their male colleagues in 2023.

Gallagher told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) that by publishing the data for every company the government hoped to drive action to reduce the gap.

"Publishing gender pay gaps is an important step in raising awareness, and

holding organizations to account where there is a gender pay gap across their organisation - and that's a big change," she said.

"I think for those that have a significant gender pay gap, they're going to have to change the way they do things."

The WGEA found that three-quarters of Australian employers had gender pay gaps in

2023 larger than 5 per cent in favor of male employees.

Women made up 42 per cent of all manager positions, the WGEA said, up from 41 per cent in 2022.

(IANS)

Australian govt puts republic plans on hold

CANBERRA, Jan 9: The Australian government has put on hold its plans to cut ties with the British monarchy by becoming a republic.

Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for the republic, said that holding a referendum on becoming a republic was not currently a priority for the governing Labor Part.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in June 2022 committed to holding a referendum - a

vote of the Australian people on a proposed change to the country's constitution -- on splitting from the monarchy if he wins a second term in power in 2025.

However, Thistlethwaite told state media the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that there was no timeline for a vote but that he remained passionate about the issue.

"The current method of selecting our head

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of state is undemocratic. It doesn't represent modern Australian values, and that's something that we want to begin a discussion with Australians in the longer term," he said.

"I'm certainly committed to and still passionate about Australia, hopefully having one day one of our own as our head of state," said the assistant minister for the republic.

"It's a longer-term priority, but at the moment, the priority of the Albanese government is the cost of living relief for Australians."

He said that at the moment, all the policies "have been directed at assisting Australians to get through that difficult period".

Albanese said after winning power in 2022 that Australia's splitting from the monarchy was inevitable and appointed Thistlethwaite as the first-ever minister dedicated to the issue.

Australia last held a referendum on becoming a republic in 1999 when 54.8 per cent of voters rejected a proposal to replace the British monarch as the country's head of state with a president appointed by Parliament.

(IANS)

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Australian govt urged to address health gaps before next pandemic

CANBERRA, Jan 3: Disadvantaged Australians were six times more likely to die from Covid-19 at the peak of the pandemic than the country's most advantaged people, researchers revealed.

In its submission to the federal government's Covid-19 Response Inquiry, local independent public policy think tank the Grattan Institute said that people from poorer backgrounds, those from regional and remote areas and Indigenous Australians fell behind in every area during the pandemic.

Researchers Peter Breadon and Anika Stobart wrote in the submission that early in 2021 people from the most disadvantaged portion of the Australian population were six times more likely to die from Covid-19 than the most advantaged population group.

They said that the federal government must urgently address the health gaps before Australia faces another pandemic or face an increased risk of the health system becoming overwhelmed.

"The disparities in infection rates will probably have long-lasting effects, with some people suffering from the consequences of the pandemic, such as long Covid, for years to come," Breadon and Stobart wrote.

"If we wait for the next pandemic, it will

be too late to ensure fair outcomes. Australia must build a strong and equitable health system now and have systems ready to go when the next crisis comes."

In addition to those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the researchers also found that Australians who were born overseas also had higher rates of death and lower vaccination rates than the general population,

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with the disparity highest among those from Middle Eastern and southeastern European backgrounds.

The federal inquiry was established in September 2023.

Submissions close later in January and it will hand down its findings by the end of September 2024.

(IANS)

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NEWS INDIA

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

Vande Bharat Express to Kashmir marks fruition of dream dating back to 1898

JAMMU, Jan 7: The upcoming UdhampurSrinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is one of the most challenging and ambitious railway links in the world.

India has undertaken one of its most formidable railway projects to date in its bid to establish a rail link between Udhampur in Jammu division and the Valley, which passes through the Himalayan foothills.

The railway link to Kashmir will provide alternative and reliable connectivity between Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and the rest of the country.

USBRL is the only railway link in India’s high mountain ranges that has been laid out in broad gauge. The 345-km extension of the Indian Railway network will allow a 900-km direct train journey from Delhi to Srinagar.

USBRL crosses earthquake-prone zones and areas beset with extreme cold and hot temperatures, combined with the most challenging topography.

Till now, the idea of connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of India had only remained a dream.

The project is said to have been mooted in 1898 by the British to the Maharaja of J&K. It was floated again in 1902 and 1904, but never took off.

In 1994, then Railway Minister in the Narasimha Rao-led Government, Jaffer Sharief, spoke of laying a rail link connecting the Valley.

In 2001, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it finally assumed the status of a national project.

The configuration for the Kashmir Railway represents one of the most significant railway engineering challenges ever encountered with the only competition coming from the ChinaTibet rail route, which crosses permanently frozen ground and climbs to more than 5,000 metres above sea level.

While the temperatures in the Kashmir Valley are not as severe as in Tibet, the Valley experiences extreme winters with heavy snowfalls.

USBRL is built as per the Indian standard gauge of 1,676 mm, laid on concrete sleepers with continuous welded rail and a minimum curve radius of 676m. The maximum line speed is 100 kmph.

It is little wonder that to realise this dream, the world’s highest railway bridge, taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, had to be constructed at a whopping cost of Rs 28,000 crore.

The bridge, known as the Chenab Bridge is 359 metres tall and since it is constructed in seismic zone IV, it is designed to withstand an earthquake of the magnitude of 8 on the Richter scale.

The total estimated cost of the USBRL is

over Rs 37,000 crore and the length of the railway link is 272 kms. The rail link has 38 tunnels whose combined length is 119 kms.

The longest of these tunnels called T-49 has a length of 12.75 kms and is India’s longest transportation tunnel.

There are a total of 927 bridges with a combined length of 13 kms. The project has generated more than 553 lakh man-days of indirect employment so far.

Another crucial facet of the USBRL project's socio-economic development efforts has been the construction of over 215 kms of approach roads.

The first train will chug out from Udhampur to Srinagar and then on to Baramulla in March this year. The availability of rail transport to and from the Valley to the rest of India will change the face of Kashmir’s economy.

From horticulture, agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, industries, education and healthcare, every sector of J&K’s economy would get the boost it has been waiting for since the country’s Independence in 1947.

Once the Kashmir Valley is connected to Indian Railway’s network, the Jammu to Srinagar journey will be faster and more comfortable for passengers.

The Jammu to Srinagar journey by the new railway link is expected to take 3.5 hours and the 49th Vande Bharat Express train has been

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allotted for the USBRL. Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw said recently that a Vande Metro service will run between Srinagar and Jammu cities, in which trains will run at a specific frequency.

He also stated that once the line is opened, it will be easier to transport apples and other agricultural products from J&K. Additionally, a few locations have been identified to explore the tourism potential at the Chenab Bridge. From the security point of view also the USBRL will be a very important milestone in guarding the hinterland and protecting the difficult borders of the Himalayan region.

Northern Railway conducted a successful 15-km trial run of an electric train for the first time from Banihal in the Valley to Khari Railway Station in Ramban district recently.

The chugging of the first Vande Bharat Express train will bring a smile on the faces of hundreds of engineers and thousands of workers who toiled for decades to make this dream possible.

The arrival of the train through the Himalayan foothills after crossing the world’s tallest railway bridge will usher in an era of development and prosperity in Kashmir that had to wait for over two centuries to become a reality.

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

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World wants country like India to balance out established powers: Jaishankar BENGALURU, Jan 5: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has said the world today wants a country like India to balance out the established powers.

"Today, we are spreading our wings. The world actually wants a country like ours today to balance out the established powers," the EAM said.

The EAM was speaking on his book 'Why Bharat Matters' at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of PES University in Bengaluru.

On the difference between the pre- and post-Modi era foreign policy, the EAM said the "answer is the new way of thinking."

"For example, to take our neighbourhood and make them partners, not competitors who envy you but neighbours who benefit from you... Our neighbours today associate India with education and health... They see the new power linkages... We are recapturing our history... If you go by archaeology, in the middle of Vietnam there are Shiv temples thousand years old... Look at the gulf, till the '60s and 70s, the Indian rupee was a legal tender in some of these countries... We let go of these connections as we had a smaller view of ourselves," he said.

The EAM further said that India is today holding its ground, "whether it is a complicated issue like the conflict in Ukraine and the pressures that come with it, or whether what has been happening in the Indo-Pacific and how do we ensure that there is stability and there is order... There were pressures on us to not do the Quad. There were pressures on us to restrict our economic dealings with Russia. We stood firm against both..."

Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar recently reflected on India's relationship with China, and while shedding light on historical nuances, he provided a perspective on how a more Bharat-centric approach could have shaped the nation's view of its ties with China differently.

"If we had been more Bharat, we would have had a less rosy view of our relationship with China," said Jaishankar while delving into India's historical perspectives on its relationships with China.

He made the remarks in an address at the launch event of his book 'Why Bharat Matters' in the national capital.

He asserted, "Regarding the three countries that I posited, Pakistan, China, and the US, were actually three very debated

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relationships in our early years."

The minister referred to historical records, citing exchanges of notes and letters between the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on China. He emphasised the starkly differing views expressed by the two leaders, shedding light on the complexities of India's early stance on its relationship with China.

"This is not something which is my fantasy. There is a kind of a record out there. There's an exchange of notes, letters between Sardar Patel and Pandit Nehru on China, and they have very starkly differing views about it," said the EAM.

(ANI)

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NEWS WORLD

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

US and global economy may face major challenges in 2024

WASHINGTON, Jan 2: The US and the global economy may face major challenges in 2024 though they have proved to be surprisingly resilient in the past year.

However, the strains of wars, still-elevated inflation and continued high interest rates could impact GDP growth rates.

“Chastened by an economy that outfoxed their predictions in 2023, economists are taking a cautious approach to 2024," media reports said.

Global economists are calling for a consensus on a growth slow down, perhaps a mild recession, and an economy marked by lower interest rates and lower inflation. But a few are sticking their necks out, saying “the economy could be stronger than expected or that interest rate cuts could come sooner and be more frequent".

“Looking at 2024, economic conditions are expected to deteriorate modestly, though real GDP growth and the pace of job gains are expected to remain positive, and inflation is expected to decline to around 2.5 per cent," said Kevin Kliesen, a business economist and research officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

“This outcome, should it occur, would seem to vindicate those who have long believed in the possibility of a soft landing for the economy,” he added.

The 2024 forecasts, especially the US economy, are based on a shift in the US Federal Reserve’s policy. The central bank hinted at its December that meeting it could halt interest rate hikes and even consider dropping them from the rapid rise in interest rates that characterised the last 18 months.

The surge in inflation that occurred in the beginning of 2022 is projected to become a trickle as 2024 progresses, reports said.

Economists don’t believe matters will return to the pre-pandemic era of extremely low inflation and interest rates, media reports said.

“We believe that interest rates will remain above the rate of inflation,” said Andrew Patterson, senior international economist at Vanguard.

“The days of ultra-low interest rates are over, and we have greater conviction in this view than we did just a year ago.”

Money savers could be rewarded for their prudence and long-term investing could return to favour after several years of momentum stock-picking, said Patterson, adding that “an era of sound money, where savers earn positive real returns and borrowers need to carefully weigh capital costs, is with us for the foreseeable future".

The key difference in 2024 for most Americans will be the moderation in inflation.

After seeing consumer prices spike to a 9 per cent annual level of inflation in mid-2022, the level of inflation has fallen to around 3 per cent and is expected to decline further to the mid-2 per cent range or lower, US News &

World Report said.

Prices could be ascendant from inflated levels, but the rate will be closer to levels that are more in line with pre-pandemic history.

Interest rates, having peaked in 2023, will be on the downward trajectory even if they settle at a higher level than before the Covid-19 era, reports said.

“These two dynamics of robust employment and falling inflation will result in notable gains in real disposable income for American households and will be the difference between the solid expansion that we forecast and a more modest pace of growth closer to 1 per cent,” said RSM US economists.

(RSM US Middle Market Business Index is based in Washington and offers legwork to keep the government and corporations ahead of issues that affect their bottom line) Housing mortgage rates are likely to settle in the 6 per cent range or lower from the high of 8 per cent registered last year. Housing rent or sale or buys could usher in a positive outlook for the housing market that has shown signs of life recently.

Demographic changes will be at the forefront of demand in 2024 as baby boomers continue to sit on houses with 3 per cent and below mortgage rates and older millennials enter the key time of their careers.

The average age of a new homeowner is now 36, up three years from 2021.

“Boomers are going to be in charge of the market for the next 10 years or so,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. Supply chains battered during the pandemic are mostly back to normal, and evidence of that is the fact that car dealers are offering incentives as their lots are full again.

The labour market is predicted to cool down after proving far stronger than expected in 2023. Monthly job gains are forecast to hit around the 100,000-mark after being more than double that for much of 2023. The unemployment rate could tick up to 4 per cent or so from its current 3.7 per cent level.

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Productivity has picked up recently, touching 4.7 per cent in the third quarter (Oct-Dec 2023) and advancing at a 4 per cent rate in the past six months. Companies have been investing heavily in new manufacturing capacity, as well as in new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).

AI is the new buzz in the investing market now. Its driving outsized gains in the top technology stocks in 2023, but some caution is warranted, said Takahide Kiuchi, a former Bank of Japan monetary policy official and executive economist at the Nomura Research Institute.

“The impact should not be exaggerated,” Kiuchi said, adding that “the silicon cycle is moving upward right now” although he doubts it will be great enough to offset an overall slowing of the US economy in 2024.

Although Joe Biden has disappointed progressives within the Democratic Party, he has governed as an interventionist in the economy, pushing domestic manufacturing, clean energy and providing help to lowerincome households.

Donald Trump is campaigning as a friend of the rich, promising tax cuts that would likely empower wealthy earners while also touting more tariffs on imported goods, a policy that is generally harmful to American consumers.

The geopolitical arena is as hot as ever, with conflicts in the Middle East and Europe raging and lower temperature jousting in Asia a constant threat to world peace.

Recent drone attacks on commercial shipping interests in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal region have raised specters of an energy shock or a broader, regional conflict. A slowing economy in China, the world’s second largest, is also a risk factor for overall global growth, media reports said.

In summary, the risks are there for an otherwise moderately positive forecast for 2024. The US economy surprised most people in 2023. Whether it can do so again is the question that will remain to be answered.

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

15

Biden launches poll campaign with 'Save Democracy' plea; Trump hits back

WASHINGTON, Jan 7: US President Joe Biden launched his presidential campaign with the "Save Democracy Plea" directly attacking his predecessor Donald Trump for the January 6, 2021, riots on Capitol Hill, while commemorating the 3rd anniversary as a "Day of Infamy".

President Biden made an impassioned appeal to Americans at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania to join him in defending US democracy from the former President, who by comparison has promised to pardon the insurrectionists.

The democracy those Americans (freedom fighters) fought for is under threat. "Whether democracy is still America's sacred cause is the most urgent question of our time," he said in a Friday speech near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where the Continental Army spent the frigid 1777-78 winter under General George Washington during the uprising against British Colonial rule while freeing America in 1776 on July 4 from the shackles of imperialism.

Biden listed a litany of Trump's "more outrageous" claims and comments, drawing analogies to the language of Adolf Hitler and

the antidemocratic actions of dictators.

Highly critical of Trump laughing at the violent attack on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul, who suffered blunt edge head trauma, Biden said of Trump, "What a sick-" and stopped short of adding another, perhaps more colourful word. "We all know who Donald Trump is," Biden said later. "The question we have to answer is, who are we?"

Media Reports quoted Biden as asking.

How central is this message to Biden's re-election campaign, the President declared that the "preservation of American democracy" is the "central issue of my presidency" in a slick campaign video released this week, CNN reported.

Trump responded to Biden's speech

Friday by calling it "pathetic fear-mongering" and mocking Biden's lifelong struggle with stuttering. Trump argued that Biden's presidency was marked by "weakness, incompetence, corruption and failure," he told a crowd of supporters in Sioux Center, Iowa. "That's why crooked Joe is staging his pathetic fear-mongering campaign event in Pennsylvania today."

"He's a threat to democracy. I'm a threat?

They've weaponized the government -- he's saying I'm a threat to democracy," Trump said.

(IANS)

British Sikh 'Polar Preet' claims record for fastest solo ski across Antarctica

LONDON, Jan 1: Having already broken two Guinness World Records for polar exploration, British Sikh Army medic Harpreet Chandi has said she now has a third one.

By covering 1,130km of Antarctic ice in 31 days, 13 hours and 19 minutes, Chandi, also known as Polar Preet, claims she has become the fastest woman to ski solo across Antarctica.

“I’m tired but so glad I made it. “This was completely different to my last expedition... I completely pushed myself to my limits on my last expedition, a speed attempt is completely different," the 34-year-old said, speaking from the south pole.

“After my last expedition, I knew I could cope well on the ice which gave me the confidence to tackle this head on,” she added.

The Guinness World Records will need to verify the claim, which can take several months, and if confirmed, it would beat the previous record holder, Canadian Caroline Cote, by a day, 14 hours and 34 minutes.

For the trek, Chandi left the Hercules inlet on the Ronne ice shelf on November 26, and arrived at the south pole at 2.24 am UK time on December 28.

She skied for between 12 and 13 hours a day on average and pulled a 75 kg sled that had everything she needed to survive behind her.

“It was definitely not a sprint, but I had to constantly weigh up my effort and how long I would ski for each day. Too long or too fast and I was going to burn out. Too slow or finish too early and I’d miss out on the record," she said.

Calling Antarctica an amazing place and glad that it allowed her a safe passage, Chandi said: "it’s an absolute privilege to be here. It is not a place any person can conquer, it is a place you treat with respect and hope it allows you safe passage".

Chandi is on a career break from military service where she was a physiotherapist providing rehabilitation for injured soldiers and officers.

Speaking about her journey, she said that her focus was on what she could control, not what she couldn't.

"I couldn’t control the conditions -- the blistering sun, the whiteouts, the temperatures of minus 30C, but I can control how I dealt with them. Just keep taking it one step at a time,” Chandi, who was named Member of the British Empire (MBE) recently, said.

Also honoured as 'woman of the year' at the Women in Defence Awards 2022, Chandi made history by becoming the first woman of colour to complete a 700-mile Antarctic journey -- solo and unsupported -- to the south pole in 2021.

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Chandi said never thought she would return to Antarctica this year but returned after realising that this expedition was just not about pushing herself, but also about inspiring others to challenge their boundaries, and break their barriers.

“One of my biggest motivations in those dark times on the ice is the thought of inspiring others to face their own challenge," she said.

(IANS)

NEWS WORLD

G’Day Mate !

16

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

Getting married in Australia Completing the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) Form Celebrants should advise parties to complete the NOIM with care. The parties must fill in all the required sections of the NOIM. They must read the notes on the front of the printed form before completing the NOIM. It is recommended that couple type in, or use block letters, to complete the form.

If the NOIM is downloaded from the Attorney-General’s Department’s website, care should be taken to download and print all pages so that couples can read all the Notes, including the Privacy Note. The celebrant or another person may write the particulars on behalf of the parties giving the notice, as long as the parties check them for accuracy.

Where a party is unable to ascertain all of the particulars required in the NOIM after reasonable inquiry, they must write ‘unknown’ in the appropriate spaces. In order to make the NOIM effective, the parties must also provide the celebrant with a statutory declaration as to their inability to ascertain the particulars not included in the NOIM, and the reasons for that inability, before the marriage is

solemnised. Celebrants must not solemnise a marriage until a satisfactory statutory declaration is received.

However, a statutory declaration is not necessary for the information required to be provided for parent’s names and their country of birth. The NOIM requires that the parties to the marriage, list their parents.

In most cases people will list their parents as per their birth certificates or adoption papers.

There is no requirement to sight evidence of the parents’ names irrespective of whether a birth certificate is produced.

If you have further questions, you may contact me on 0425 853 086 or navee64@gmail.com.

L’Oreal heiress is first woman to amass a fortune of $100bn LONDON, Dec 29: The L’Oreal heiress and businesswoman, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, has become the first woman to amass a fortune of $100bn, media reports said.

Bettencourt Meyers, who is French, broke through the barrier on Thursday thanks to a rise in the share price of the cosmetics empire she inherited from her mother, who also held the title of the world’s richest woman until her death in 2017.

L’Oreal was founded in 1909

by Eugene Schueller, Bettencourt Meyers’s grandfather, to manufacture and market a hair dye he had invented, The Guardian reported.

Based in the north-western Parisian suburb of Clichy, in the region of Hauts-de-Seine, it has grown into a globe-straddling colossus valued at €241bn (£209bn) on the Paris stock exchange.

The famously reclusive Bettencourt Meyers, 70, and her family, remain the largest shareholders with a stake of nearly

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35 per cent, the value of which has helped her wealth balloon by $28.6bn this year to reach $100bn, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Bettencourt Meyers was far from alone in growing richer during a year in which the fortunes of billionaires generally increased significantly, even as the cost of living crisis affected countries across the world.

Of the world’s 50 richest people, 12 lost money in 2023 while the remainder watched their piles grow, albeit without adjusting for inflation.

In a list dominated by men, mostly from the US, Bettencourt Meyers remains 12th in a ranking topped by Elon Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX founder.

Bettencourt Meyers was not the highest-placed French person.

Bernard Arnault, the luxury goods tycoon, has a $179bn fortune that has grown by $16.9bn in 2023, thanks to the performance of his LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) group.

(IANS)

LEGAL

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

17 17

Family Trust and the property division BY GURPAL SINGH

F

amily trusts are common legal structure used in Australia with multitude of benefits.

Under section 4 of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (the Act) Family Trust is considered a property and are thus liable to be divided between the parties to the property division. The legal owners of the trust are known as trustees and are in charge of managing and administering assets for the benefits of the beneficiaries.

To form a family trust, the settlor provides the trustee with the assets to be held for the beneficiaries. The settlor is a person responsible for setting up the trust and describing the beneficiaries, the trustee, and the appointer. The appointer is a person who has the power to change the trustee and is responsible for appointing and replacing the trustee or trustees if so required. The beneficiaries generally are family members who may benefit from the trust, such as parents, children and the grandchildren. In the event of bankruptcy, family trusts can protect assets from creditors, reduce tax rates and protect vulnerable family members from poor spending decisions. If one party is not listed as either the appointer or trustee but is indirectly controlling the trust, the trust could still form part of the asset pool. A trust may also be referred to as a ‘financial resource’ for financial resource is an asset that will generate income in the future, such as inheritance or a beneficiary’s interest in the trust.

Once considered a financial resource, under section 75(2) of the Act, the court will take the trust into account as a potential future necessity for one or both the parties of

divorce.

The powers of the court exercising jurisdiction under the Act to affect third parties who are entitled to be considered for distributions from a discretionary trust, or who exercise the responsibilities of trusteeship, are limited. In order for the assets to be treated as property for the purposes of the Act, it is necessary, but not sufficient, that a party to the marriage has control of the assets and the power to distribute to himself or herself, or the other spouse. The source of the assets must also be examined.

Where the source of the trust assets is from someone other than a party to the marriage, there are third party beneficiaries who have rights to be considered, and neither party, and neither part to the marriage has an equitable proprietary interest in the fund, the trust property cannot be divided under section 79 or section 85A to the prejudice of

the third parties even where the conditions of control by a party to the marriage and power to distribute to one or other of them are met. The court cannot treat as property of the parties to the marriage or either of them assets which are under the control of third-party trustees under a party to the marriage has an equitable proprietary interest or has the power to appoint or remove the trustee. The court will consider various factors when dividing a family trust in the event of separation including the size of the trust, assets, establishment location, and the beneficiaries’ entitlements.

Trust assets are unlikely to be excluded from a family settlement if the structure is such that individuals are receiving assets from the trust or an income from the family trust if it is intended that the family trust should not be included in the matrimonial pool available for distribution in any potential property settlements as a result of the relationship breakdown.

In the matter of Kennon v Spry the family court pooled the assets of a 1968 family trust as the property of the marriage. This decision resulted in trust assets of a family trust forming part of the property pool in family law proceedings. It also resulted in the reversal updates to the discretionary trust which had removed the husband and wife as beneficiaries of the trust. The court considered three issues being control of the trust – directly or indirectly; who put the assets into the family trust and are they really your assets and who benefits from the family trust? Are distributions going to you or the new spouse/partner. The high court decision in Spry reveals the court’s power to dismantle trust structures.

Gurpal Singh is the principal lawyer of Melbourne law firm, Saundh Singh & Smith Lawyers | W: www.sssl.com.au

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18

FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

FIT YET MOST VULNERABLE TO FATALITIES: DO FITNESS FANATICS OVERDO GYMMING? of their own limitations.

“The increased number of cardiac arrests that occur during workouts may be related to a number of heart-related issues. Particularly for those who are not used to regular exercise, abrupt and intense physical effort can put stress on the cardiovascular system,” Dr Gupta explained. These occurrences may be caused by improper warm-up, pre-existing heart problems, and insufficient medical screening prior to vigorous exercise.

“It emphasises how crucial it is to seek medical advice from experts, go through comprehensive health evaluations, and gradually level up the intensity of exercise to protect heart health when engaging in fitness activities,” the doctor noted.

In terms of a single episode of exercise, there is no absolute upper limit defined, and it all depends on the individual’s training level.

Over the past few months, there has been a number of sudden cardiac deaths in relatively young, and seemingly healthy individuals in various parts of the country -- leaving millions gasping for answers as cases of new Covid variant JN.1 increase with deaths being reported in the country. In the pursuit of fitness, a puzzling paradox has emerged, causing great consternation especially among those who exercise.

said. However, the recent toll of lives lost post-exercise prompts reflection on the risk of overexertion.

“Influential fitness enthusiasts, shaping ideals through social media, set benchmarks that sometimes border on extremes,” said Dr Digvijay D Nalawade, Interventional Cardiologist, DPU Private Super Speciality Hospital, Pimpri, Pune. D. Sameer Gupta, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Group Director - Cardiac Cath Lab at Metro Hospital in Noida said that many people are overdoing their exercises leading to their physical and mental health issues.

According to Dr. Aashish Contractor, Director, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, on social media, it is common to attribute some of the deaths in young and fit persons, to excessive “There are a number of possible reasons for exercise. the occurrence of individuals developing health problems or losing their lives after exercising.

“It is important to keep in mind that sudden Fitness trends and social media may contribute cardiac death very rarely occurs in someone to exaggerated exercise regimens and with a healthy heart. Exercise may be the unrealistic goals which may cause some people trigger to have a cardiac event in individuals to overdo it,” he said. Exercise fanatics may be who have undetected or silent heart disease, driven to extremes by peer pressure, a need for but it is almost never the cause,” Dr Contractor instant gratification, and a lack of understanding

One should avoid high levels of unaccustomed exertion, the rule of thumb being that any given bout of exercise should not be more than a 10 per cent increase compared to previous bouts, advise health experts.

Research has shown that a very large volume of exercise over several decades might cause some changes in the heart muscle, as well as accumulation of calcium in the coronary arteries.

“At this point, the amount of exercise has not been defined, and the consequences of these changes have not been fully understood.

However, it is well known that to reap optimum health benefits, moderate exercise is the way to go,” said Dr Contractor.

Dr Gupta said that strength training, flexibility training, and cardiovascular activities should all be incorporated into a fitness routine.

“Aim for 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity or at least 150 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic activity per week, in addition to two or more days of muscle-strengthening activities. Heart health can be enhanced by a well-rounded fitness programme that includes both strength training and aerobic activities,” he said.

It is advisable for individuals to consult with their healthcare providers before initiating or making significant changes to their exercise routine, added Dr Nalawade. “In this age of wellness enthusiasm, the true challenge is not just intense exercise but wisely moderating it -- a delicate balance between pushing limits and safeguarding holistic health,” he noted.

(IANSlife)

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G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

19

SO MANY FIT PEOPLE ARE DYING SO YOUNG: EXPERTS SCRAMBLE FOR ANSWERS

Post the Covid pandemic, there has been a spate of deaths in India, ranging from school students to seemingly fit celebrities, mostly due to heart attack. Are we staring at another pandemic of heart failure?

In the most recent case, a Class IX student, Yogesh Singh, collapsed on his way to the classroom at a private school in Jaipur and succumbed to suspected cardiac arrest.

A week earlier, a 13-year-old girl, a Class VII student, died after she suffered a heart attack while walking to school in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district.

This comes after several people collapsed at Garba events during Navratri in Gujarat, and at least 10 people reportedly died of heart attacks. The youngest of the victims was reportedly just 17 years old.

Recently, ‘Golmaal’ actor Shreyas Talpade (47) and Bollywood diva and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen (47) survived a heart attack, while well-known Telugu actor and dramatist Harikanth passed away at 33 due to a cardiac arrest in July.

The list goes on...

According to the recent National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, the number of deaths due to heart attacks increased by

12.5 per cent in 2022 as compared to 2021.

The report noted that 32,457 people died of heart attack in 2022, a considerable increase from the 28,413 deaths reported the previous year.

Several studies have connected the virus to poor heart function, post Covid-19. In a most recent study, a team of Japanese researchers predicted the risk of “heart failure pandemic” as a result of Covid-19.

Covid infections have raised the risk of heart failure from persistent viral infection in the heart, even without developing heart disease, said the team, including researchers from Riken, Japan’s largest scientific institute, The Mainichi reported.

Post the Covid pandemic, there has been a significant surge in heart attacks, even among the otherwise healthy population.

Although some have linked it to Covid vaccination, global health authorities like the WHO, US CDC, as well the ICMR, have denied the association between the two.

Their studies have shown that people without Covid vaccination have been more at risk of heart problems due to Covid, and that the jabs have been safe.

Experts also pointed out several factors that increase the risk of heart attack, such as a high sodium diet, lack of exercise, smoking, binge drinking, sedentary lifestyle, etc.

According to health experts, high haemoglobin levels can also raise the risk of heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

Polycythemia is a condition where red cells increase in the human body due to abnormalities in the bone marrow.

These excess cells thicken the blood, slowing its flow and can cause serious problems like blood clots.

“High haemoglobin levels should not be ignored as they can increase the risk of blood clotting and can sometimes lead to dangerous conditions like stroke, heart attack and blood clots in legs and abdomen,” said Dr Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

Doctors have also cautioned people to avoid over exercise, citing lingering physical stress and complications.

“Severe Covid survivors often experience lingering physical stress and complications that can significantly impact their overall health and well-being,” Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director & HOD, Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, told IANS. These effects may vary from person to person, but some common physical stressors include respiratory challenges, cardiovascular issues, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal problems, olfactory and taste disturbances, Kumar said.

Dr. Ashwani Maichand, Director, Department of Orthopaedics, at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, said blind ambition and neglected fatigue can overload muscles, joints, and heart.

He called out against “unrealistic exercise trends, inadequate guidance, and ignoring underlying medical conditions”.

“We need a fitness ecosystem that champions informed training, respects individual thresholds, and recognises the red flags of overexertion,” Maichand said.

(IANS)

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20

FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

WHY DOES IMPROVING BODY IMAGE TOP NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS LIST?

Increasingly visual and digital culture has led us to believe that how we look is intrinsic to our self-worth, said researchers as improving body image again tops new year resolution list.

make it any less harmful.”

A YouGov Poll revealed that for the last four years in a row, the top three New Year’s resolutions people intended to make were about getting a better body, namely doing more exercise, losing weight and improving diet.

“We think if only we could lose weight, get the right body, then other things in our life would change -- maybe we would be able to get a better job, a better relationship or being happy -- but body change is illusionary and having a ‘better’ body doesn’t deliver these things, and so the well-meaning resolutions, end up being completely counterproductive,” Widdows said.

Moreover, in the case of New Year’s resolutions, Widdows is clear that they don’t deliver what they promise.

Researchers from the University of Warwick warned about ‘lookism’ and the toxic resolutions in a social media-fuelled bodycritical era.

She coined the phrase “lookism” and set up an #everydaylookism campaign, in a bid to stamp out appearance discrimination -- the most prevalent form of bullying.

“Doing more exercising, losing weight and dieting are common New Year’s resolutions which might be undertaken under the guise of improving one’s health, but it is often for beauty,” said Professor Heather Widdows, a leading beauty philosopher at the varsity.

“We used to think we had to change what’s on the inside to be better, we now increasingly judge ourselves and others on looks or how we present ourselves to the world. What we value and what matters to people has dramatically shifted in recent years with the advent of social media.

“Looks matter to us-this shift is radically changing our identity and our sense of selfworth, and we are barely recognising it,”

Widdows said.

She believes this shift in our self-worth has given rise to an epidemic of body image anxiety.

“It is vital to reduce this pressure to be perfect if we are going to look after our physical and mental health as a society,” Widdows said.

“We should be calling out lookism, and helping people to feel less ashamed when their bodies don’t measure up. There’s lots of work to be done to recognise and “We are starting to see body image anxiety address appearance bullying because affect people at a younger age and continue despite being the most prevalent, it is the as they get older,” she said. “Because this one we do least about,” she noted. is something that is affecting so many of us, it is becoming normalised but it doesn’t (IANS)

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G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

21

YOUR CAREER HOROSCOPE FOR 2024 As we embark on the journey of a new year, let’s delve into the celestial insights of renowned Celebrity Astrologer Parduman Suri to unravel what the stars have in store for your professional life in 2024.

Here’s a comprehensive guide for each zodiac sign, highlighting potential career opportunities and challenges.

Aries (March 21 - April 19) Aries professionals can anticipate a stable start to the year, with promising success in September and October leading to growth and promotions. While challenges may surface in August, the overall outlook favours career advancement. Opportunities for business ventures and overseas travel between April and September add an extra layer of positivity.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) For Taurus individuals, hard work becomes the key to career growth in 2024. With Saturn influencing the tenth house, financial stability and recognition are on the horizon. Caution is advised with expenses, but March-April and December bring opportunities for career advancements, making it a favourable year for Taurus professionals.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Financial stability and recognition are in the cards for Geminis in 2024. March-April and December offer chances for overseas travel and career advancements. However, managing conflicts with partners requires caution. Businessmen can expect a fruitful year with a focus on financial management.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Saturn and Venus set the stage for a positive career start for Cancer individuals.

Growth is promised in May and June, with challenges in July to August followed by favourable advancements in October to November. Overall, 2024 looks to be a year of positive developments and growth in the job sector for Cancer professionals.

Leo (July 23 - August 22) Saturn’s presence in the seventh house signals growth in business and partnerships for Leos. Opportunities for foreign travel emerge, and advancements in the job are expected in March-April and December.

Caution is advised in August to avoid conflicts with colleagues.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22) Saturn in the eighth house brings stability and progress for Virgos. Jupiter’s influence in the ninth house balances career and family. Job changes and advancements are likely in May-June and August. Challenges may arise in July, but success in the career is promised from October to November.

Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Financial prosperity is on the horizon for Libra in 2024. Starting a new business in the first half of the year is favorable. Challenges in March-April and caution about rivals in May-June give way to progress from August to December, ensuring a successful year.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Stability reigns for Scorpios in 2024, favouring the existing job. Job changes and promotions are possible between August and October. Financial rewards accompany some challenges, but overall, a financially promising year with success after a job change.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Saturn’s aspect brings success in Aquarius’ efforts. Active months in February-March and August-September indicate positive outcomes. Overseas travel opportunities may arise, providing an excellent year for career success.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20) Mars and the Sun bring success to Pisces’ career at the start of the year. Financial considerations and expenses are balanced, with gains in the career. Crucial periods in March-April and August-September offer overseas travel opportunities, while caution is advised in communication from October Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) to December.

Ups and downs characterize Sagittarius’ career in 2024. Mental stress may arise These astrological insights offer a glimpse between April and August, but a new job into the potential career paths for each opportunity and favourable months in zodiac sign in 2024. Remember, individual September, November, and December experiences may vary, and it’s essential to contribute to overall career success. approach astrological predictions with an Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) open mind, seeking professional guidance A promising start for Capricorns in 2024 for personalized advice. with Saturn’s influence in the second house.

Success in the career is highlighted, with May the stars guide you to a successful and significant progress from January to March fulfilling year ahead! and July to August. Financial stability is ensured, gradually maturing by the end of the year.

(IANSlife)

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22

FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

TRAVEL TRENDS TO LOOK FORWARD IN 2024 The unwavering appetite for exploration among Indian travellers is evident. As we step into 2024, Rajeev Kale - President and Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa - Thomas Cook (India) Limited, believes that the robust travel sentiment persists, and anticipates a sustained surge in demand from the dynamic Indian market.

The onset of new beginnings brings positivity and anticipation and according to the data analysis of Thomas Cook, it reveals key trends gaining traction among Indian consumers in 2024, further accelerating to meet evolving preferences.

“Event-based travel is emerging as a significant trend, driven by the enthusiasm of Young India’s millennials, young professionals, and Gen Z. Their keen interest in the thrill of live concerts, events, and cultural immersion is poised to be a driving force for travel in the upcoming year. This demographic seeks immersive experiences that go beyond traditional tourism, reflecting a desire for dynamic and culturally rich journeys,” says Rajeev.

As we look ahead, to the year 2024, the data analysis of Thomas Cook reveals tourism industry anticipates the following trend not only to persist but to evolve, shaping the preferences

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and choices of contemporary Indian travellers.

Sleep Tourism and Wellness Retreats for Rejuvenation: Young Indians are diverging significantly from the travel habits of previous generations, moving away from tightly scheduled sightseeing holidays to embrace more relaxed vacations. The current generation, burdened by work fatigue, seeks opportunities for rest and rejuvenation. Trends like sleep tourism, which go beyond uninterrupted sleep to include activities like yoga, swimming, and spa wellness therapy, are gaining widespread popularity.

Consequently, accommodations offering soundproof rooms, sleep consultations, recorded

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

23

Rishikesh, Manali, Aamby Valley, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Goa, Kovalam, Auli, Bir Billing, Gulmarg, and Vagamon.

Sports Tourism: The intersection of sports and travel remains a significant trend, with enthusiasts travelling to witness major sporting events, tournaments, and championships across the globe.

Travel for Festivals: Cultural celebrations and festivals around the world attract Indian travellers, seeking to immerse themselves in diverse traditions and celebrations.

Luxury Travel: There is a sustained interest in luxury travel experiences, with discerning travellers seeking exclusive accommodations, personalised services, and opulent amenities. sleep meditations, pillow menus, sleep kits, and concierge services are experiencing a surge in demand. Notable destinations for such experiences include Goa, Coorg, Mysore, Kodaikanal, Alleppey, and Puducherry. At the same time, more people are choosing wellness retreats for peace and well-being. This has led to a noticeable increase in yoga and meditation tourism in places like Rishikesh, Mysore, and Pondicherry, showing how people today prefer a holistic approach to travel Personalised and Curated Travel: Indians increasingly seek personalised and tailormade journeys, gaining more control over their itineraries. The demand for fully customisable private holidays, especially among discerning travellers, is on the rise. This trend caters to those looking for premium, experience-led travel, with a focus on a leisurely exploration of a destination’s history, culture, cuisine, and hidden gems. This is anticipated to attract interest from High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs), multigenerational families, ad-hoc groups of friends, and honeymooners/couples, reflecting a preference for exclusive and tailored travel adventures.

Visa-Friendly Destinations on the Rise: The

recent announcements of free visa travel to countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Kenya are expected to spark increased interest among Indian travellers. The accessibility of easy-visa and visa-on-arrival options in these destinations further contributes to the growing appeal for hassle-free international travel.

Top Destinations Overview: We foresee Australia, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, and Finland to be top choices when it comes to long-haul journeys.

Meanwhile, those opting for shorter getaways favour bustling locations such as Singapore, Malaysia, the Maldives, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Thailand, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ras Al Khaimah, Oman, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Bhutan. And for those seeking something midway, destinations like South Korea, Japan, and Turkiye offer compelling options.

Daniel D’Souza, President and Country Head of Holidays, SOTC Travel, adds, “ In 2024, a dynamic shift in the global travel landscape is anticipated, blending enduring trends with compelling new ones. With 75 years of expertise, we believe no one understands the Indian traveller better than us. Leveraging this legacy, we not only discern our travellers’ wants but also understand their evolving needs.”

According to the Holidays, SOTC Travel analysis existing trends, foresee a significant uptick in emerging travel preferences sustained trends: Hidden Gems and Offbeat Destinations: The quest for unique and lesser-explored locales continues to gain momentum, with travellers seeking authentic and offbeat experiences beyond conventional tourist destinations.

Domestic destinations such as Meghalaya, Ziro, Ponmudi, Sandakphu, Gokarna, Halebidu, Patan, Varkala, Mandu, Tawang, Hampi, Jawai and many more will continue to pop up on travellers itineraries for more unconventional travel.

Adventure Tourism: The thrill of adventure is a constant driver for Indian travellers, with a growing demand for experiences such as trekking, wildlife safaris, and adrenalinepumping activities. Destinations that will continue to cater to this demand include

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Food Tourism: Culinary exploration remains a key trend, with travellers increasingly interested in discovering local cuisines, street food, and culinary traditions.

Cruise Holidays: Cruises continue to be a popular choice, offering a unique blend of luxury, entertainment, and the opportunity to explore multiple destinations in a single journey.

The Holidays, SOTC Travel study also indicates some of the emerging developments in the tourist business that we may anticipate, such as: Astro Tourism: Catering to celestial enthusiasts, Astro Tourism involves travel experiences centred around stargazing, celestial events, and astronomical wonders.

Travel During Shoulder Season (Off-Season Travel): Embracing off-season travel allows for a more serene and economical exploration of destinations, avoiding peak tourist times.

Instant Holidays (Holidays On-the-Go/Short Booking Window): Catering to the fast-paced lifestyles of modern travellers, instant holidays involve spontaneous bookings and short planning windows.

Skip-Gen Travel (Grandparents Travelling With Their Grandchildren): A growing trend where grandparents create memorable travel experiences with their grandchildren, fostering intergenerational bonds.

Plan-Free Travel (Plan on the Move): Emphasising spontaneity and flexibility, planfree travel allows for on-the-go decision-making, and adapting plans based on immediate preferences.

Religious Tourism: Spiritual journeys remain a focal point, with travellers seeking profound experiences at sacred destinations. Notable among these are the Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir, Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, Shirdi in Maharashtra, Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

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FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

CAN MEDITATION IMPROVE THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH? Social media has evolved into an inseparable part of our lives, with its substantial role in connecting people, sharing information and expressing creativity. However, the excessive usage of social media, especially by Gen Z, has adversely impacted people’s mental health. In this article, we will delve deeper into how the mental health of young individuals is impacted by social media, underlining the adverse consequences, such as depression and low selfesteem, while highlighting the potential benefits of meditation as a form of therapy.

generation, leading to low self-esteem and a sense of inferiority. Comparing one’s reality with the highlight reels of others can be detrimental, driving dissatisfaction and negative emotions.

Numerous studies have shown that practising meditation can effectively reduce stress levels.

By embracing it, GenZ can calm their minds and stay motivated. The practice also furnishes a host of approaches to managing stress, enhancing mental resilience and facilitating in navigating the challenges of social media more effectively.

While individuals often compare themselves with the flawless lives of others on social media, it is a flawed practice as it involves assessing one’s existence based on limited and usually manufactured glimpses of others’ lives. This can Alleviates anxiety result in feelings of jealousy and envy, negatively As mentioned earlier, excessive social media affecting one’s mental health. usage can induce anxiety due to the continuous flow of information and social comparisons. In The unparalleled influence of social media Cyberbullying this regard, meditation can be an ideal solution on Gen Z Similar to conventional forms of bullying, to ease anxiety by allowing individuals to stay Gen Z is the first generation to have been raised cyberbullying can cause considerable damage to mindful and focused on the present moment, entirely in the digital era, with social media as an an individual’s self-esteem. In this regard, GenZ, thus relieving stress and soothing the mind. essential part of their lives from the beginning. who is often extensively involved in social media, The practice is also renowned for reducing the They are consumers and creators who utilise may find it challenging to escape cyberbullying, symptoms of depression by enhancing emotional platforms such as Instagram, X, and Facebook resulting in feelings of remorse, anxiety and control and self-awareness. to communicate their experiences, thoughts, and seclusion. imaginations with the world.

Enhances self-esteem Sleep disruption Regular meditation also boosts self-acceptance, Owing to this, they often find themselves Moreover, excessive screen time, coupled with self-compassion, and a deeper relationship with using these platforms more frequently and for the addictive characteristics of social media, can oneself, alleviating the negative impact of social prolonged durations, getting lost in the intricate disrupt sleep patterns and affect sleep quality. media’s unrealistic standards and comparisons. maze of the digital world. Here are some of This can lead to irritability, depression and As a result, individuals experience significant the ways through which social media hampers anxiety and worsen mental health problems. growth in their self-esteem. the mental health of young individuals, leading How meditation can play a transformative role to conditions like low self-esteem, anxiety, in addressing these challenges with its healing As young individuals continue to navigate the depression and much more. benefits? digital world, they must prioritise their mental well-being. An effective way to do so is by Unrealistic expectations Meditation can be a powerful remedy to mitigate embracing mindfulness practices like meditation Social media has emerged as a platform social media’s impact on individuals’ mental into their daily routine. This could allow them where individuals reveal their best moments, health. By relaxing and focusing the mind on the to balance their online presence and their real often edited and carefully curated to deliver an present moment, this age-old practice offers a personalities while nurturing compassion for idealised version of their lives. This can fuel host of benefits, including: themselves.

By Raman Mittal unrealistic expectations among the younger Stress reduction

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FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

25 25

CONTENT CREATION TRENDS 2023 AND 2024

We pretty spend most of our times on the screen whether it’s on the phone or infant of a computer.

It becomes impossible to escape social media and influencer created content. Here is what will be trending in 2024.

Rise of Creatorpreneurs: The creator economy, once dominated by entertainers, is now witnessing a significant shift towards education and knowledge sharing, giving rise to a new breed of creators- “creatorpreneurs”.

Today, nearly 2X as many creators prefer to establish themselves as sustainable business owners rather than chase celebrity influencer status with books and podcasts witnessing the biggest y-o-y growth in creation. Sectors such as personal development, health & fitness, personal finance, etc., have seen significant growth, indicating a strong demand for creatorled educational content.

Growth: The e-learning industry is projected to exceed $460 billion by 2026, representing a vast opportunity for creators in the educational space. On Classplus alone, the earnings of nonacademic creators have soared by 2.5X in 2023 from the previous year. The number of creators using the platform has also grown by 300% from 2021.

Shift From Social Media to Other Digital Learning Products: Fearing the unpredictability of ad revenue and seasonal brand deals on social media, creators are

diversifying their income streams and turning to entrepreneurship to build sustainable revenue through digital learning products.77% of creators said algorithm changes had a moderate-to-significant impact on their audience engagement. Additionally, 25% of creators estimated they’ve lost $1,000-$9,999 in revenue due to algorithmic changes, and 24% estimated $10,000-$49,999 in losses.

2023 Saw The Rise of Fin-fluencers: The rise of the creator economy has coincided with an increase in financial awareness among retail investors. The number of investor accounts has surged from 3.93 crore in December 2019 to 13.23 crore by the end of October 2023.In line with these trends, finance and investment education is an emerging category across platforms. They are teaching courses ranging from basic financial literacy to advanced investment strategies, catering to various levels of expertise and interest.

Upskilling For Professional Growth: Creator-led courses are gaining traction as alternatives to the traditional education system.

The appeal lies in its flexibility and accessibility, allowing individuals to upskill at their own pace from anywhere at an affordable cost.

(The course listings of creators on Classplus typically range from 1k for bite-sized video courses to 50k INR for certification courses.)

The demand for online creator-led courses is soaring with coding, digital marketing, and

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personality development witnessing remarkable growth. Professionals are also engaging with leaders from major tech companies for 1-on-1 mentorship and consultations. Every month, 15 million learners visit Classplus powered apps of these creators to upskill themselves on skills in digital marketing, coding, communication, etc.

Boom in Categories for “Bharat”: Social Media has become a medium for successful business owners to share their expertise and insights, thereby enabling others to start and grow their micro-businesses. This trend is significantly empowering individuals, particularly women in Tier II+ India to generate income and start successful ventures. Around 70% of the audience accessing courses by these creators using Class plus are from Tier II+ cities and towns. Some courses gaining momentumOrganic Farming, Makeup, Art, Jewellery, Designing, Cooking & Catering, Fashion Designing.

Increasing Focus on Health and Well-Being: Around 94 per cent of Indians are worried about their own and their family’s health and feel that lifestyle changes like exercising, yoga and dieting will benefit their health and overall wellbeing. People are spending more on gym memberships, yoga classes, and curated diet plans.

(IANSlife)

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FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

SCIENTIFIC TRICKS TO RECOVER FROM A HANGOVER We’ve all been there -- the morning after a night of excessive alcohol consumption, struggling to function with a pounding headache, queasy stomach, and an overall sense of misery.

While there’s no magical cure for a hangover, science offers some valuable insights into how we can alleviate its effects and expedite our recovery.

Explore five scientifically backed strategies to help you bounce back from a hangover put lines

by Soniya Nirav, a certified dietician at Fast&Up. Hydration -- The Ultimate Hangover Healer One of the primary culprits behind the misery of a hangover is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes your body to expel more fluids through urine than it takes in. This can lead to a significant loss of water and essential electrolytes, leaving you feeling parched and miserable.

The solution? Rehydrate, and do it generously.

Water is your best friend during a hangover.

Sip on water throughout the day to replenish lost fluids and help alleviate symptoms like headache, dizziness, and dry mouth. For an extra boost, consider reaching for electrolyte-rich beverages such as sports drinks, which can help restore the balance of vital minerals in your body.

Electrolytes -- The Key to Rebalancing Alcohol not only depletes your body of water but also strips away crucial electrolytes like potassium and sodium. These electrolytes play a crucial role in maintaining various bodily functions, including nerve and muscle function, which can be compromised during a hangover.

To replenish your electrolyte levels, incorporate foods and beverages rich in these minerals into your recovery plan. Bananas, for example, are an excellent source of potassium, while coconut water is a natural source of both potassium and sodium. Additionally, sports drinks often contain a balanced mix of electrolytes to help restore your body’s equilibrium.

Antioxidants -- Combatting HangoverInduced Inflammation Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the production of harmful free radicals in your body, which contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation. This, in turn, worsens hangover symptoms.

To combat this oxidative stress, introduce antioxidant-rich foods into your diet. Fruits and vegetables, such as berries, citrus fruits, and leafy greens, are packed with antioxidants that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation, and alleviate some of the discomfort associated with a hangover. Adding these foods to your post-drinking meals or snacks can be a smart choice.

Rest and Sleep -- Your Body’s Natural Recovery Mechanism Alcohol has a notorious reputation for disrupting your sleep cycle. While it might make you feel drowsy initially, it can lead to fragmented and restless sleep throughout the night, leaving you feeling fatigued and groggy the next day.

replenishing beverage. Coconut water can be particularly beneficial for those struggling with a hangover because it contains potassium, sodium, and natural sugars that help rehydrate and reenergize your body. While it may not be a magical cure, it can certainly provide relief and contribute to your overall recovery efforts.

The solution? Prioritize rest and sleep. Give your body the time it needs to recover by taking a nap or getting an extra hour or two of sleep. This can help you regain your energy, improve your mood, and accelerate your hangover recovery.

Make your sleep environment as comfortable as possible to maximize the quality of your rest.

Natural Hangover Remedy -- Coconut Water Coconut water is often touted as a natural hangover remedy due to its hydrating properties and electrolyte content. It’s a clear liquid extracted from young green coconuts and has gained popularity as a refreshing and

While there’s no foolproof way to completely eliminate a hangover, these five scientific fixes can undoubtedly help ease your discomfort and expedite your recovery. Hydration, electrolytes, antioxidants, rest, and the inclusion of natural remedies like coconut water can collectively make the morning after a night of indulgence a little more bearable. Remember, the best way to prevent a hangover is to drink in moderation, but when that isn’t possible, these strategies can be your lifeline to feeling better sooner.

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By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

27

REBUILDING CONFIDENCE AFTER EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Emotional abuse is a silent and insidious form of mistreatment that can erode a person’s selfesteem, leaving them feeling broken and devoid of self-worth. For those who have experienced emotional abuse in a relationship, the journey to healing and rebuilding confidence can be arduous. However, with the guidance and support of a relationship coach, individuals can tap into the transformative power of self-care to reclaim their sense of self.

It is a very serious topic, as emotional abuse is silent but hurts the sentiments of the other person. Abuse is just a word, but the sense of it in a relationship is very deep. It can manifest in various forms, including constant criticism, humiliation, isolation, gaslighting, and emotional blackmail. Over time, the victim of emotional abuse may internalise these negative messages, leading to a profound loss of confidence and self-belief.

Anjali Tyagi, a certified relationship coach, outlines some strategies for helping women combat emotional abuse in relationships and reclaim their confidence via the power of selfcare.

Creating a Safe Space: One of the first steps in healing from emotional abuse is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to share their experiences and emotions.

Relationship coaches offer this safe haven where clients can open up about their past trauma and feelings without fear of criticism, which develops a sense of safety and creates a comfortable environment for the people.

Self-Reflection and Awareness: Emotional abuse often leaves survivors with a distorted

self-image. Relationship coaches help reflect on their strengths, values, and goals. Through introspection, individuals can regain a sense of self-awareness and begin to separate their identity from the negative messages they received during the abusive relationship.

Setting Boundaries: Emotional abuse often involves violations of personal boundaries.

Relationship coaches work with people to establish healthy boundaries that protect their emotional well-being. Learning to say “no” and assert their needs is a crucial step in rebuilding confidence and self-respect.

Rebuilding Self-Esteem: Low self-esteem is a common consequence of emotional abuse.

Relationship coaches guide in developing selfcompassion and self-acceptance.

Identifying Self-Care Practises: Self-care is a cornerstone of healing from emotional abuse.

Relationship coaches help to identify self-care practises that resonate with them, such as mindfulness, journaling, exercise, or creative pursuits. These practices promote emotional healing and boost self-confidence.

Establishing Support Networks: Isolation is often a tactic used by emotional abusers to maintain control. Relationship coaches assist in building a strong support network of friends, family, or support groups. Having a supportive community can be a lifeline during the healing process.

Developing Resilience: Emotional abuse survivors often grapple with feelings of vulnerability. Relationship coaches help in developing resilience by teaching coping

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strategies, stress management techniques, and emotional regulation skills. This resilience allows individuals to bounce back from setbacks and challenges with renewed strength.

Goal Setting and Progress Monitoring: Setting and achieving goals is a vital aspect of rebuilding confidence. Relationship coaches work to set realistic and achievable goals, whether they relate to personal growth, career advancement, or relationships. Regular progress monitoring keeps them motivated and focused on their journey to healing and self-empowerment.

“After experiencing emotional abuse, regaining confidence is a process that calls for endurance, self-compassion, and commitment to one’s own well-being. The potential of self-care to foster emotional healing and aid survivors of emotional abuse in regaining a sense of self-worth and self-belief is what gives it its strength.

On this path, a relationship coach acts as a reliable friend and mentor, providing encouragement, advice, and skills that enable people to recover their lives.

Keep in mind that recovering from emotional abuse takes time, and it is acceptable to ask for assistance and help. In addition to regaining their confidence, survivors can come out of the shadows of abuse as stronger, more resilient people prepared to embrace a brighter future full of self-love and self-empowerment with the help of a relationship coach and a dedication to selfcare”, concludes Tyagi.

(IANSlife)

28

TECH

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

GOOGLE INTRODUCES NEW AI METHODS TO DEVELOP ADVANCED ROBOTS cent faster than RT-2 models after being provided with a short history of images. We believe this is the first scalable attention mechanism to provide computational improvements with no quality loss,” said the DeepMind team.

When the team applied SARA-RT to a state-of-the-art RT-2 model with billions of parameters, it resulted in faster decisionmaking and better performance on a wide range of robotic tasks.

Another model called RT-Trajectory high automatically adds visual outlines that describe robot motions in training videos.

RT-Trajectory takes each video in a training dataset and overlays it with a 2D trajectory sketch of the robot arm’s gripper as it performs the task.

The Google DeepMind robotics team has introduced new AI-based systems based on large language models (LLMs) to help develop better multi-tasking robots for our daily use.

The tech giant unveiled AutoRT, SARART and RT-Trajectory systems to improve real-world robot data collection, speed, and generalisation.

“We’re announcing a suite of advances in robotics research that bring us a step closer to this future. AutoRT, SARA-RT, and RT-Trajectory build on our historic Robotics Transformers work to help robots make decisions faster, and better understand and navigate their environments,” the Google DeepMind team said in a statement.

“In extensive real-world evaluations over seven months, the system safely orchestrated as many as 20 robots simultaneously, and up to 52 unique robots in total, in a variety of office buildings, gathering a diverse dataset comprising 77,000 robotic trials across 6,650 unique tasks,” the team informed.

The Self-Adaptive Robust Attention for Robotics Transformers (SARA-RT) system converts Robotics Transformer (RT) models into more efficient versions.

“The best SARA-RT-2 models were 10.6 per cent more accurate and 14 per

AutoRT harnesses the potential of large foundation models which is critical to creating robots that can understand practical human goals.

By collecting more experiential training data AutoRT can help scale robotic learning to better train robots for the real world, said the team, said Google.

AutoRT combines large foundation models such as a LLM or a Visual Language Model (VLM), and a robot control model (RT-1 or RT-2) to create a system that can deploy robots to gather training data in novel environments.

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“These trajectories, in the form of RGB images, provide low-level, practical visual hints to the model as it learns its robotcontrol policies,” said Google.

When tested on 41 tasks unseen in the training data, an arm controlled by RT-Trajectory more than doubled the performance of existing state-of-the-art RT models: it achieved a task success rate of 63 per cent compared with 29 per cent for RT-2.

“RT-Trajectory can also create trajectories by watching human demonstrations of desired tasks, and even accept hand-drawn sketches. And it can be readily adapted to different robot platforms,” according to the team.

(IANS)

AI

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

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AI-GENERATED INFLUENCERS STEALING BUSINESS FROM HUMAN CONTENT CREATORS Generative AI-created virtual influencers are now stealing business from human content creators as big brands now embrace AI avatars to promote their products on social media. Virtual influencers, created by using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, have broken into the growing $21 billion content creator economy, reports The Financial Times.

“We were taken aback by the skyrocketing rates influencers charge nowadays. That got us thinking, ‘What if we just create our own influencer?’ “ said

Diana Nunez, co-founder of the ad agency called The Clueless. Nunez created Aitana Lopez and the “rest is history”. Pink-haired Lopez is now a virtual influencer that is followed by more than 200,000 people on social media. The virtual influencer now earns more than Rs 9 lakh per month.

“Brands have paid about $1,000 a post for her to promote their products on social media -- despite the fact that she is entirely fictional,” the report noted.

The Clueless has another creation

in development, which it calls a “curvy Mexican” named Laila.

Over the past few years, there have been partnerships between luxury brands and virtual influencers, like Kim Kardashian’s make-up line KKW Beauty with Noonoouri, and Louis Vuitton with Ayayi.

The report cited a Meta ad analysis that claimed ad recall was 91 per cent cheaper per person when H&M used virtual models.

An Instagram analysis of an H&M advert featuring virtual influencer Kuki found that it reached 11 times more people and resulted in a 91 per cent decrease in cost per person remembering the ad than a traditional ad.

Brands have been quick to engage with virtual influencers as a new way to attract attention while reducing costs, according to the report.

Lil Miquela virtual influencer charges up to thousands of dollars for product promotion and has worked with brands like Burberry, Prada and Givenchy. Lil Miquela has nearly 3 million followers. (IANS) (IANS)

HACKERS TAP SOCIAL ENGINEERING, AI TO DRIVE MORE CYBER-ATTACKS IN 2024 The profitability and the ease with which social engineering-related cyberattacks are launched will drive an even higher volume of these incidents in 2024, a new report showed on Thursday.

A major trend in cybersecurity is the speed and adeptness with which hackers adapt their techniques to take advantage of technological advances, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Attacks leveraging social engineering have become more frequent and more expensive in 2023.

In the new year, cybercriminals will be quick to innovate and expand their use of methods like social engineering, and deceptive practices used to influence people to release sensitive or personal

principal analyst, Enterprise Technology and Services, at GlobalData.

In 2023, concern about AI being used for nefarious purposes increased with the unprecedented developmental progress in areas like generative and synthetic AI.

data for illegal purposes.

“Cybercriminals are exploiting the biggest vulnerability within any organization: humans. As progress in AI and analytics continues to advance, hackers will find more inventive and effective ways to capitalize on human weakness in areas of (mis)trust, the desire for expediency, and convenient rewards,” said Amy Larsen DeCarlo,

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Threat actors can apply AI to change up malware algorithms so quickly that security software doesn’t recognize the potential danger associated with tactics like deepfakes, said the report.

“In 2024, enterprises contending with challenged markets will need to tighten IT budgets. This will jeopardize some cybersecurity investments at a time when organizations can’t afford to not prioritize fortifying their defence’s,” said DeCarlo. ( (IANS)

30

RELATIONSHIPS

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

DATING IS GOING TO GET EASIER THIS 2024

Studies show that this year, the dating world will be undergoing a significant transformation, ushering in a new era of connectivity, authenticity, and overall ease. A recent consumer analysis by the Indian dating app QuackQuack revealed that 33% of GenZ daters believe that dating is about to get simpler and less toxic. The study was conducted among 15,000 respondents between the ages of 18 and 26 hailing from Tier 1, 2, and 3 Indian cities.

The participants are mostly students and some working professionals.

QuackQuack’s Founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, “We have a large number of GenZ population on our app, and evidently, this group can predict dating trends better than anyone. In our study, the 18 to 26 age group envisioned a future where individuals embrace personal growth, forge meaningful connections, and prioritize mental health; we want to learn more and take the necessary measures to pave the way for a non-toxic dating landscape.”

Emphasis on Mental Health Dating in 2024 is taking a holistic approach by prioritizing mental health, said 46% of respondents above 20. They highlighted how both individuals and dating platforms are recognizing the importance of creating spaces that foster positivity and support, and that will precisely be why dating will be more aligned with personal well-being and not just love and romance. These individuals revealed that

open conversations about emotional wellbeing are becoming integral parts of the dating experience. Mindful exercises like intentional eye contact, daily appreciation, and affirmations are being followed by new couples to create better connections and a safer space. These daters are encouraging people to address even minor mental health concerns in the early stages of their relationship, making it a more compassionate and understanding environment.

Inclusive Relationships Society’s understanding of relationships is evolving, and 2024 is seeing a surge in acceptance of diverse relationship models.

QuackQuack’s consumer analysis shows that at least 11% of daters from across India are choosing non-traditional paths and gaining visibility and acceptance. 21% of daters from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities explained that online dating apps are the best option when it comes to choosing a non-traditional relationship pattern; these platforms allow individuals to find partners who align with their values and lifestyles. This inclusivity is fostering a more supportive and understanding dating culture.

Personal Growth Relationship goals mean much more than finding the perfect partner or being perfectly compatible. Personal growth in a relationship is the primary focus in 2024. 37% of women between 18 and 25 called dating a journey of

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self-discovery; they disclosed that in today’s day and age, people are seeking partners who complement their personal development rather than fulfilling predefined societal expectations.

This shift is actually promoting healthier relationships and a more open mindset. People are no longer fascinated by outer beauty but rather attracted by kindness and intelligence.

Authenticity Over Perfection A much-needed break from the body image issues created by social media, GenZ from Tier 1 said the era of curated perfection is fading away, dating shifting towards more body positivity and making room for authenticity. In 2024, daters are embracing their imperfections, and some are even connecting over them, said these participants. Being true to yourself is an attractive quality in a person. This trend encourages genuine connections, as individuals feel more comfortable expressing their real selves without fear of judgment.

Mindful Unplugging Dating Fatigue has been one of the most talked-about phenomena in the past couple of years, and to combat it, daters are adopting mindful unplugging. 49% of men and women above 22 illustrated the importance of taking breaks from constant online interactions, allowing space and time for personal reflection and real-world connections.

(IANSlife)

LIFESTYLE

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

31

SLEEP DEPRIVATION MAKES US LESS HAPPY, MORE ANXIOUS Lack of sleep not only makes us tired, but can also affect our emotional functioning, decrease positive moods and put us at higher risk for anxiety symptoms, according to a study.

The study, published in the journal Psychological Bulletin, synthesised more than 50 years of research on sleep deprivation and mood.

Lead author Cara Palmer, PhD, of Montana State University said that the findings showed that more than 30 per cent of adults and up to 90 per cent of teenagers don’t get enough sleep.

“In our largely sleep-deprived society, quantifying the effects of sleep loss on emotion is critical for promoting psychological health,” Palmer said.

“This study represents the most comprehensive synthesis of experimental sleep and emotion research to date, and provides strong evidence that periods of extended wakefulness, shortened sleep duration, and nighttime awakenings adversely influence human emotional functioning,” she added.

The team analysed data from 154 studies spanning five decades, with 5,715 total participants. In all those studies, researchers disrupted participants’ sleep for one or more nights. In some experiments, participants were kept awake for an extended period.

In others, they were allowed a shorterthan-typical amount of sleep, and in others they were periodically awakened throughout the night.

Each study also measured at least one emotion-related variable after the sleep manipulation, such as participants’ selfreported mood, their response to emotional stimuli, and measures of depression and anxiety symptoms.

Overall, the researchers found that all three types of sleep loss resulted in fewer positive emotions such as joy, happiness and contentment among participants, as well as increased anxiety symptoms such as a rapid heart rate and increased worrying.

“This occurred even after short periods of sleep loss, like staying up an hour or two

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later than usual or after losing just a few of hours of sleep,” Palmer said. “We also found that sleep loss increased anxiety symptoms and blunted arousal in response to emotional stimuli.”

Findings for symptoms of depression were smaller and less consistent, as were those for negative emotions such as sadness, worry and stress.

One limitation to the study is that the majority of participants were young adults -- the average age was 23. Future research should include a more diverse age sample to better understand how sleep deprivation affects people at different ages, according to the researchers.

“The implications of this research for individual and public health are considerable in a largely sleep-deprived society. Industries and sectors prone to sleep loss, such as first responders, pilots and truck drivers, should develop and adopt policies that prioritize sleep to mitigate against the risks to daytime function and well-being,” Palmer said.

(IANS)

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HEALTH

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

DISRUPTED SLEEP IN 30S, 40S MAY UP MEMORY, THINKING PROBLEMS LATER People who have more disrupted sleep in their 30s and 40s may be more likely to have memory and thinking problems a decade later, according to new research.

The study, published in the journal Neurology, does not prove that sleep quality causes cognitive decline. It only shows an association.

“Given that signs of Alzheimer’s disease start to accumulate in the brain several decades before symptoms begin, understanding the connection between sleep and cognition earlier in life is critical for understanding the role of sleep problems as a risk factor for the disease,” said Yue Leng, from the University of California, San Francisco.

“Our findings indicate that the quality rather than the quantity of sleep matters most for cognitive health in middle age,” Leng added. The study involved 526 people with an average age of 40. They were followed for 11 years.

Researchers looked at participants’ sleep duration and quality. Participants wore a wrist activity monitor for three consecutive days on two occasions approximately one year apart to calculate their averages. Participants slept for an average of six hours.

Participants also reported bedtimes and wake times in a sleep diary and completed a sleep quality survey with scores ranging from zero to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. A total of 239 people, or 46 per cent, reported poor sleep with a score greater than five.

Participants also completed a series of memory and thinking tests. Researchers also looked at sleep fragmentation, which measures repetitive short interruptions of sleep. They looked at both the percentage of time spent moving and the percentage of time spent not moving for one minute or less during sleep.

After adding these two percentages

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together, researchers found that participants had an average sleep fragmentation of 19 per cent.

Researchers then divided participants into three groups based on their sleep fragmentation score. Of the 175 people with the most disrupted sleep, 44 had poor cognitive performance 10 years later, compared to 10 of the 176 people with the least disrupted sleep.

After adjusting for age, gender, race, and education, people who had the most disrupted sleep had more than twice the odds of having poor cognitive performance when compared to those with the least disrupted sleep.

There was no difference in cognitive performance at midlife for those in the middle group compared to the group with the least disrupted sleep.

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

ADDING TABLE SALT TO FOOD LINKED TO CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE RISK

Love to add more salt to your food at the table? Beware, it may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), warned a study.

The risk was more pronounced among people with a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate -- indicator of kidney function -- and lower body mass index or physical activity level.

The study, which involved 465,288 participants, showed that a higher self-reported frequency of adding salt to foods -- a common eating behaviour shaped by a person’s long-term preference for salty taste in foods and habitual salt intake -- was significantly associated with an increased risk of CKD. In the paper, published in JAMA Network, the team found that people who added salt to their foods were also more likely than those who did not add salt to their foods to be current smokers and have diabetes or CVD at baseline.

“The findings suggest that reducing the frequency of adding salt to foods at the table might be a valuable strategy to lower CKD risk in the general population,”

Rui Tang, from the Department of Epidemiology at Tulane University in the US. Previous studies have showed that a higher self-reported frequency of adding salt to foods was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, premature mortality, and type 2 diabetes.

The new study found that the positive associations of the self-reported frequency of adding salt to foods with the risk of CKD appeared to be attenuated with a higher BMI. The team also observed the association of sodium intake with CKD was lessened in participants with regular physical activity compared with those who were less physically active, suggesting optimal physical activity might lower the adverse association of high preference for salt with CKD. This finding is supported by prior studies that reported increased physical activity was associated with better CKD outcomes, the researchers said.

(IANS)

Health tip:

33

Peanut oil is loaded with a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid (OEA) which can helps reduce appetite and promote weight loss

Zoom Vs. Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits

H

ave you experienced people coming up to you and gently letting you know that you have pale teeth?

According to popular belief, pale teeth, more often than not, make you look dirty and old. Is getting rid of those yellow ones your biggest concern right now? Then you must look for teeth whitening options and save yourself all the worry.

We are going to discuss some basic facts about the two most popular ways amongst all the teeth whitening options. They are Zoom In-chair teeth whitening and Take-home teeth whitening kits.

Let us have a look at what aspects differentiate them from each other.

Zoom In-Chair Teeth Whitening This method lies at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry and plays a crucial role in providing patients with an attractive smile. This tooth whitening treatment is performed by qualified and experienced dental professionals with the help of advanced equipment. The basic features of this method are as follows: Quick Zoom teeth whitening is the fastest way to brighten your pale set of teeth. The process requires applying whitening gel and leaving it to work for at least 15 minutes in one go. This step is repeated for 3 to 4 times depending upon how bright you want your teeth to be.

It usually takes even less than a couple of hours for your teeth to reach the level of whiteness you require.

Safe Professional teeth whitening is the safest option compared to other methods. Being in the safe hands of experienced dentists who take all the measures to avoid any risks and injuries during your teeth whitening procedure is anytime better than doing it on your own.

Efficient Dentists first examine your teeth to ascertain the type of stains you have. This helps to ensure if you are a candidate for Zoom teeth whitening and whether the level of whiteness you want is achievable.

This further enhances the efficiency of teeth whitening.

Lasts longer Usually, the results of Zoom teeth whitening last longer than the take-home teeth whitening kits or any other methods. You must also remember to avoid foods and drinks that contribute to staining your teeth and harming the enamel.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits This is yet another popular form of teeth whitening. All those who

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cannot make it to a dentist’s clinic in time or are suffering from dental anxiety often prefer to whiten their teeth at home. The sales of home teeth whitening kits are on the rise.

Cost-effective Take-home teeth whitening kits are lighter on your pockets compared to the in-chair teeth whitening option. If budget is your biggest concern, you might want to check out the home teeth whitening kits.

Hassle-free This method does not require artificial bonding or attachments to teeth. It is just like getting your teeth whitened at a dental clinic except for the effectiveness. Home teeth whitening takes longer to show results as compared to Zoom in-chair teeth whitening.

Easy to use tray The home teeth whitening kits include simple trays and are designed in a way that makes them easy to use on your own. You need not call in your friends or family to help you whiten your teeth.

Variety of options Just like the different kinds of teeth and stains on them, takehome teeth whitening kits come in a variety of options. You may ask your dentist to help you select the best home teeth whitening kit for you.

Conclusion: You can wave your pale teeth a goodbye and welcome the new smile any time you want. Teeth whitening is the way forward.

But before you select any teeth whitening method, make sure you consult your dentist. They will suggest the right teeth whitening option according to your teeth and the stains present on them.

Happy teeth whitening!

For more information about teeth whitening options at Healthy Smiles Dental Group clinic in Blackburn, feel free to visit us during work hours. You may also call us on 03 9877 2035 to talk to our frontdesk coordinators and book an appointment.

Dr Ved Berani BDS(Mum), ADEC(Aust), MBA(Melb), FIADFE, MFGDP(UK) Principal Dentist & Clinical Advisor Healthy Smiles Dental Group 150-152 Canterbury Rd, Blackburn South VIC 3130 Call us: (03) 9877 2035 www.healthysmiles.com.au

34

HEALTH

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

Eat your breakfast, dinner early to reduce heart attack risk Are you one of those people who skip their first meal of the day or eat a late breakfast and dinner? Beware, you may be at risk of heart attack, warns a study.

before 8 p.m., particularly in women.

Finally, a longer duration of night-time fasting -- the time between the last meal of the day and the first meal of the following day -- is associated with a reduced risk of cerebrovascular disease, supporting the idea of eating one’s first and last meals earlier in the day.

The study suggested eating the first meal of the day at 8 a.m. and dinner by 8 p.m. to avoid risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world according to the Global Burden of Disease study, with 18.6 million annual deaths in 2019, of which around 7.9 are attributable to diet. This means that diet plays a major role in the development and progression of these diseases.

The study by French research institute INRAE - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment showed that having a first meal later in the day (such as when skipping breakfast), is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, with a 6 per cent increase in risk per hour delay.

For example, a person who eats for the first time at 9 a.m. is 6 per cent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than someone

For the study, published in Nature Communications, the scientists used data from 103,389 participants to study the associations between food intake patterns and cardiovascular disease.

The findings, which need to be replicated in other cohorts and through additional scientific studies with different designs, highlight a potential role for meal timing in preventing cardiovascular disease. who eats at 8 a.m.

When it comes to the last meal of the day, eating late (after 9 p.m.) is associated with a 28 per cent increase in the risk of cerebrovascular disease such as stroke compared with eating

The team suggest that adopting the habit of eating earlier first and last meals with a longer period of night-time fasting could help to prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease.

(IANS)

Early risers at risk of developing eating disorder

Being an early riser could increase the risk for having anorexia nervosa -- an eating disorder characterised by low weight, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight.

as a morning disorder in contrast to most other evening-based psychiatric diseases and support the association between anorexia nervosa and insomnia as seen in earlier studies,” said Hassan S Dashti, an assistant investigator in the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at MGH and an assistant professor of anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School.

The study found that having anorexia nervosa could lead to an earlier wake time.

It also revealed a link between anorexia nervosa and insomnia risk.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the study showed anorexia nervosa is based on rising early, unlike many other disorders that tend to be evening-based such as depression, binge eating disorder and schizophrenia.

Previous research has suggested a possible connection between eating disorders and the body’s internal clock, or circadian clock, which controls a wide range of biological functions such as sleep and affects nearly every organ in the body.

In the new study, an international team of researchers led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), found a two-way association between genes associated with anorexia nervosa and genes associated with morning

chronotype (waking early and going to bed early).

When they further assessed the insomnia connection by developing a “genetic risk score” for anorexia nervosa, the scientists found that the genetic risk score was indeed associated with higher insomnia risk.

“Our findings implicate anorexia nervosa

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Treatments for anorexia nervosa are limited and current treatments have relapse rates of up to 52 per cent. In addition, the cause of the disease is still unclear. With anorexia nervosa having the second highest mortality rate of psychiatric diseases, more research is desperately needed into new prevention strategies and treatments.

“The clinical implications of our new findings are currently unclear; however, our results could direct future investigations into circadian-based therapies for anorexia nervosa prevention and treatment,” said lead author Hannah Wilcox, researcher at MGH.

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

35

High BP, cholesterol before age 55 may up risk of heart disease later in life Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol before age 55 can have a lasting impact on your risk of heart disease in later life -- even if you subsequently lower your levels, a new study has said. In the study published in the journal PLoS ONE, the researchers conducted a three-sample Mendelian randomisation analysis using data from the UK Biobank including 136,648 participants for LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), 135,431 participants for SBP (systolic blood pressure), and 24,052 cases for CHD (coronary heart disease) to assess the effect of duration of exposure to the risk factors on risk of CHD. The researchers discovered that when high LDL-C and SBP levels could be predicted using genetics, there was an increased risk of coronary heart disease, regardless of age at diagnosis. They also stated that those with elevated SBP and LDL-C levels in their early to midlife years were at a greater risk of coronary heart disease, regardless of their SBP and LDL-C levels later in life. In addition, they mentioned that coronary heart disease is often caused by a person’s cumulative exposure to risk factors such as SBD and LDL-C, which can have long-term consequences on a person’s risk.

“These findings support the importance of lifelong risk factor control in young individuals, whose risk of CHD accumulates throughout life,” said the researchers. Moreover, the researchers proposed that treating young people with increased SBP and/or LDL-C is critical in order to reduce accumulated exposure over their lives.

“Our findings suggest that old age alone should not be a reason to withhold otherwise appropriate LDL-C and BP-lowering treatments, because the effect of genetically mediated LDL-C and SBP on the incident risk of (coronary heart disease) is consistent throughout life,” they wrote.

(IANS)

Meat-based low-carb diet may not aid in weight loss Following a low-carbohydrate diet to cut your weight? A new study shows that an animal-based low-carb diet may not help you lose weight, but a plant-based one may help.

The study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that low-carbohydrate diets, consisting mostly of plant-based proteins and fats with healthy carbohydrates such as whole grains, were associated with slower long-term weight gain. On the other hand, low-carb diets, high in animal-based proteins and fats or refined carbohydrates, were associated with faster long-term weight gain.

proteins, healthy fats, and fewer refined carbohydrates -- over time.

These associations were most pronounced among participants who were younger (below 55 years old), overweight or obese, and/or less physically active.

The results for the vegetable-based low carbohydrate diet were more ambiguous.

“Our study goes beyond the simple question of, ‘To carb or not to carb?’” said lead author Binkai Liu, research assistant in the Department carbohydrates were significantly associated of Nutrition. with slower long-term weight gain.

“It dissects the low-carbohydrate diet and provides a nuanced look at how the composition of these diets can affect health over years, not just weeks or months.”

For the new study, published in JAMA Network Open, the team analysed the diets and weights of 123,332 healthy adults from as early as 1986 to as recently as 2018.

The study found that diets comprised of plant-based proteins and fats and healthy

Participants who increased their adherence to a total low-carbohydrate diet -- overall lower carbohydrate intake; animal-based proteins and fats; plant-based proteins and fats; and animal-based proteins, unhealthy fats, and carbohydrates coming from unhealthy sources such as processed breads and cereals on average gained more weight compared to those who increased their adherence to healthy low-carbohydrate diet (HLCD) -- plant-based

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While data from one study showed an association between higher vegetable-based low-carbohydrate diet scores and less weight gain over time, the data around the same diet were more mixed.

“The key takeaway here is that not all lowcarbohydrate diets are created equal when it comes to managing weight in the longterm,” said Qi Sun, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition.

“Our findings could shake up the way we think about popular low-carbohydrate diets and suggest that public health initiatives should continue to promote dietary patterns that emphasise healthful foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products,” Qi added.

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

36

WILL WRITE MY OWN SCRIPT:

KRITIKA KAMRA’S 2024 MOTTO Actress Kritika Kamra has revealed that the year 2024 began on a ‘calm and restorative’ note and shared that this year she will be doing whatever she wants, evolving at her own pace, moving mindfully, with authenticity and courage. The actress is known for her works in ‘Bheed’, ‘Hush Hush’, ‘Tandav’, ‘Kitani Mohabbat Hai 2’ and many other projects. Taking to Instagram, Kritika, who has 1.7 million followers shared her holiday album, and it is full of serenity and peace.

The string of photos shows Kritika posing for a mirror selfie in a red floral bathing gown, flaunting her bare skin.

There is also a glimpse of a cottage in a forest, a video which features her taking a stroll in the forest lanes, natural beauty and a glimpse of the diva taking the sun bath. There is also a photo of the ‘Pyaar Ka Bandhan’ actress swimming in a pool.

The post was given a geotag of “Netravali Wild Life Sanctuary”, which is located in South Eastern Goa. The actress penned a long note along with the pictures, which read as: “This year started with a calm, restorative, donothing, go-nowhere, meet-nobody

“I’m back to the city and the grind with a tan, some usual holiday guilt, and a lot of plans for this year... well, this month actually. But the little (very) time I spent away from my phone and with my thoughts has given me an idea of what I want 2024 to be like,” said Kritika in her post.

Talking about the New Year motto, the diva further said: “This year is going to be about doing what the hell I want, when I want…Evolve at my own pace, move mindfully, with authenticity and courage. I’m not interested in what l “should” be doing to be successful. I will write my own script and edit it as many times as needed.”

kinda getaway for me. ‘Forest bathing’ or what the Japanese call ‘Shinin Yoku’ is a cool sounding simple concept. It’s an escape to the jungle where you walk in the woods, soak up the sun and fresh scent of nature, wake up to birdsong and open your senses to things around you. (Things totally normal and part of regular life back in my hometown, my parents will laugh at me).”

Meanwhile, on the work front, she was last seen in the period crime thriller ‘Bambai Meri Jaan’, which stars Avinash Tiwary, Kay Kay Menon, Kritika Kamra, Nivedita Bhattacharya and Amyra Dastur.

It is a sneak into post-independence Bombay and streets riddled with crime.

She next has ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ and ‘For Your Eyes Only’.

(IANS)

PREITY ZINTA KICKS OFF 2024 ON A ‘COLOURFUL’ NOTE, SHARES PIC Actress Preity Zinta on Wednesday shared picture of herself from the New Year celebrations and shared that she is starting the year 2024 on a colourful note.

Though, the ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ actress did not disclose the location where the photograph was clicked, her fans commented on the post, saying that it is Peru.

The ‘Veer Zaara’ actress is an ardent social media user and enjoys 10.8 million followers on Instagram. Taking to the photo-sharing application, Preity dropped a happy selfie, wearing a colourful hat, and an orange coloured tee shirt.

On February 29, 2016, Zinta married Gene Goodenough at a private ceremony in Los Angeles. In 2021, she and her husband became parents to twins, a boy and a girl, through surrogacy.

With black sunglasses, the actress is flaunting her dimpled smile.

She captioned the post: “Starting 2024 on a colourful note #pztravel #ting.”

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On the work front, Preity was last seen in 2018 film ‘Bhaiaji Superhit’, which was an action comedy film starring Sunny Deol, Arshad Warsi, Ameesha Patel and Shreyas Talpade.

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

37

AKSHAY KUMAR, ARSHAD WARSI COULD ENGAGE IN LEGAL TUSSLE IN ‘JOLLY LLB 3’ Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, who last shared the screen in ‘Bachchan Paandey’, are teaming up once again for the third instalment of the ‘Jolly LLB’ franchise. The first two instalments of the franchise were successful, and now the two actors will be locking horns in a legal tussle reportedly in the third part.

A well placed source has shared that the shooting for the film is set to begin in May 2024.

The source said: “Director Subhash Kapoor has begun his preparations for the 3rd instalment of ‘Jolly LLB’. It is going

to be Akshay versus Arshad this time.

Subhash has cracked a subject that pits both the Jolly’s against each other. The shooting begins in May 2024 and the film will be released in theatres in 2025.”

The film is being produced by Disney and Cape Of Good Films. Fans have loved both the Jollys in the previous parts, while Arshad as Jagdish Tyagi received lots of love and praise, Akshay as Jagdish Mishra was also hailed by fans.

Apart from this project, Arshad and Akshay are also working together on ‘Welcome To The Jungle’, which is set to release in 2024. (IANS)

AMITABH BACHCHAN BIDS EMOTIONAL FAREWELL TO ‘KBC 15’ Amitabh Bachchan, who has been the host of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 15’ bids an emotional farewell to the quiz based reality show, and said he has witnessed a new India on the ten seats of the stage.

The first episode of season 15 premiered on August 14. Amitabh has hosted 14 seasons of the knowledge based reality show, since the year 2000. However, the season 3 of the show which premiered in 2007 was hosted by superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

The last episode of this season featured an IAS aspirant Avinash Bharti, who hails from Haiderganj, Uttar Pradesh. He won the amount of Rs 50 lakh.

The finale episode also featured Indian Para-archer Sheetal Devi and actress Vidya Balan. They were followed by veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, and her granddaughter and diva Sara Ali Khan.

In episode 100, which is titled as ‘Vidai Ka Samay’, the megastar was seen giving a monologue. For the finale episode, Amitabh sported a red suit and paired it with a white shirt.

“Normally, these seats are occupied by the audience and their selfless love. By people who are here to help total strangers.

Prayers are invoked here. Playfulness and shenanigans are also born here. l’ve witnessed a new India on these 10 seats (fastest finger first seats). A glorious and progressive India,” he said.

In the monologue, the ‘Don’ actor said: “Goodbyes are really strange. Those who bid goodbye with a smile do so with really heavy hearts. Bidding a beloved goodbye doesn’t make you sad because it leaves the house vacant, rather, it makes you sad because their departure leaves a void in your heart.”

The ‘Brahmastra’ actor went on to say, “An indigent India with unwavering and steadfast resolve. An India, who with the ink of its hard work, penned new destinies.

I’ve witnessed futures being adorned and histories being written. It feels as though I’ve witnessed an entire journey of one’s life.”

The 81-year-old actor shared that he had the urge to sit in the audience seats.

Amitabh said that the stage is his strength.

“The resonating applause of the viewers

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not only honours the efforts of every contestant, but also, always, inspires me to keep going. I wish to end this season with that very applause,” he ended his speech.

In season 15, the makers had introduced a new part called ‘Super Sandook’ where players, after crossing the second threshold, attempt a rapid fire question round. The 50:50 lifeline was replaced with the ‘Double Dip’.

Retired Squadron Leader Sushmita Sahay was the first contestant of the 15th season. Jaskaran Singh, an IAS aspirant, became the first Rs one crore winner of Season 15.

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

38

JANHVI KAPOOR CALLS DATING ACTORS ‘CHAOTIC’

‘TO WIN THE HEARTS OF EVERY INDIAN - AND I WILL ACHIEVE IT’: BABIL KHAN’S BIG DREAM

Basking in the glow of the praise he’s been getting for his performance in ‘The Railway Men’, Babil Khan says his only dream is to win the hearts of every Indian and he’s confident that he will achieve it.

Actress Janhvi Kapoor has opened up on dating actors and called it “chaotic,” adding that actors often get very “competitive and weird.”

Dating actors can be tricky at times and looks like Janhvi has had enough of it. The gorgeous diva spilled the beans on the Koffee couch.

Bollywood sibling pair Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor will be appearing on the upcoming episode of the streaming chat show ‘Koffee with Karan’. The two will be seen spilling beans on their careers, family and love life.

Host and filmmaker Karan Johar asked: “You also have a philosophy which we have spoken about that you don’t really want to date actors, because you think it is somewhere or the other turbulent.”

Opening up about it, Janhvi said: “It is chaotic for sure. Vanity is such a big part of this profession. I am extremely vain, this profession is where you need to be obsessed with yourself at all times. It

consumes you.”

“You need to be with someone who is okay to let you have your moments also. But I find with actors, they get very competitive and very weird,” said the ‘Dhadak’ actress.

Janhvi has reportedly dated her ‘Dhadak’ co-star Ishaan Khattar. After that she was rumoured to be dating handsome hunk Kartik Aaryan.

KJo asked: “You would never date an actor because where you are right now, you are comfortable?”

To this, the ‘Mili’ actress replied: “There is always tension when there is an actor, I am telling you. I can’t deal with that tension because I like to be undyingly devoted and expect that devotion. When you are in the same profession, it is difficult. Specifically in this profession.”

Reportedly, the actress is currently dating Shikhar Pahariya.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Babil also spoke about his upcoming projects, the love he received for ‘The Railway Men’ and much more.

Talking about the praise for ‘The Railway Men’, he said, “I have one dream.

Characters will come and go, but I have to win the hearts of each and every Indian, and that I will achieve for sure.”

On being asked about his late father Irrfan Khan’s many international projects, Babil said, “My father never thought about national and international projects. He used to only connect with the story. If the story was good, he never used to think about whether the film was ‘national’ or ‘international’. I feel these are the labels we audiences have made.”

About his upcoming project, Babil said, “I have signed a non-disclosure agreement with my makers, so I cannot disclose anything. I can only share that it is a thriller film.”

(AGENCIES)

(IANS)

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G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

39

SARA HAD THE SPARK OF ACTING IN HER SINCE CHILDHOOD: SHARMILA TAGORE Bollywood’s veteran actress Sharmila Tagore has showered love on her granddaughter Sara Ali Khan and shared how the young diva ‘always had the spark in her’ to become an actor. Sharmila, and Sara appeared on the finale episode of the quiz based reality show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 15’, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.

Sara is the daughter of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh.

In a conversation with the duo, megastar Big B said to Sharmila: “Both of us are blessed grandparents. There’s a saying about grandparents. ‘Interest is cherished more than the principal.’ Your interest is sitting beside you (referring to Sara).”

Calling Sara a famous actor, who has achieved fame in the acting field, the ‘Sholay’ actor asked the 79-year-old actress: “You must have seen her film ‘Kedarnath’. How did you find it?”

Replying to her ‘Chupke Chupke’ co-star, Sharmila said: “When Sara was a little girl…she used to stand in front of the mirror all the time, doing her own thing...She was always like that and she has always had the spark in her.”

“As a newcomer in ‘Kedarnath’, she was very good,” added the senior actress.

Sara marked her acting debut with the 2018 romantic disaster movie ‘Kedarnath’, starring late actor Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead.

She played the character of Mandakini Tripathi,

while Sushant was seen as her love interest Mansoor Khan.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sara next has ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’, ‘Metro... In Dino’, Jagan Shakti’s untitled project, and ‘Murder Mubarak’.

SALMAN TRAINS 3.5 HOURS EVERY DAY FOR ‘BULL’ Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who was recently seen in the Diwali release ‘Tiger 3’, will be seen playing the role of Brigadier Farukh Bulsara in his next film titled ‘Bull’. The Bollywood superstar is undergoing rigorous physical training to look the part for this film.

Salman is training for 3.5 Hours a day and has also changed his diet a bit as a part of preparations for the role. The team of the film started with the mahurat shot in Mumbai on December 29, and the superstar is also training with paramilitary forces.

A source said: “Salman Khan to play Brigadier Farukh Bulsara, who led Operation Cactus in 1988 in the Maldives. He will be playing a paramilitary officer in the upcoming Dharma project, to begin filming in February. The superstar is undergoing rigorous physical training to play the character of Brigadier Bulsara.”

‘Bull’ directed by Vishnu Varadhan, and produced by Dharma Productions, presents a retelling of Operation Cactus wherein the Indian Armed Forces, on November 3, 1988, assisted the Maldives in reclaiming control following a coup attempt led by businessman Abdullah Luthufi and the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). The Indian forces efficiently neutralised the mercenaries and restored control to President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s government within hours.

The source added: “The superstar is training for 3.5 hours daily to get into the skin of the character. Of course, with a minor change in his diet.”

(ANI)

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(IANS)

40

FOOD

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

bon appétit

Did you know:

Watermelon is high in citrulline, which increases blood flow to the penis, strengthening erections

Zero-waste restaurants:

A look into eco-friendly culinary practices

There has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of our daily choices, including the food we consume. As a result, a new wave of sustainability has emerged in the culinary world, with zerowaste restaurants leading the charge.

The Concept of Zero-Waste Dining Zero-waste dining is not just a trend; it's a commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of the restaurant industry. These establishments aim to produce little to no waste by implementing innovative strategies throughout the entire food production and consumption process. From sourcing ingredients to managing leftovers, every aspect of the culinary experience is carefully curated to minimize environmental impact.

Sustainable Sourcing One of the cornerstones of zero-waste restaurants is the emphasis on sustainable sourcing. These establishments forge partnerships with local farmers, growers, and suppliers who share their commitment to eco-friendly practices. By sourcing locally, zero-waste restaurants not only support the community but also reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

Mindful Menu Planning Zero-waste restaurants carefully plan their menus to ensure that every ingredient serves a purpose. Chefs embrace creativity

by using the whole ingredient, from root to stem, minimizing waste in the kitchen.

Unconventional cuts of meat, lesser-known vegetables, and repurposed food scraps become culinary delights, challenging both chefs and diners to appreciate the full potential of every component.

Composting and Recycling Waste that cannot be eliminated through sustainable sourcing or mindful menu planning is meticulously managed through composting and recycling programs. Food scraps are composted, turning them into nutrient-rich soil for local farms or community gardens. Packaging materials are selected with recycling in mind, and customers are encouraged to participate in the recycling process, further reducing the restaurant's overall waste output.

Efficient Kitchen Practices Zero-waste restaurants also focus on streamlining kitchen operations to minimize waste at every stage of food preparation.

This includes efficient food storage, proper inventory management, and creative utilization of leftovers. Chefs and kitchen staff are trained to repurpose excess ingredients, creating new dishes or components to ensure that nothing goes to waste.

Engaging the Community Beyond their physical practices, zero-

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waste restaurants actively engage with their local communities to promote sustainability.

Educational initiatives, workshops, and partnerships with environmental organizations help raise awareness about the impact of food choices on the planet. By fostering a sense of community responsibility, these restaurants inspire both staff and customers to adopt more sustainable habits beyond the dining table.

The Future of Dining Zero-waste restaurants are not just a passing trend; they represent a paradigm shift in the culinary landscape. As more people seek ways to reduce their ecological footprint, these establishments serve as beacons of inspiration, demonstrating that delicious, inventive cuisine can coexist with environmental responsibility.

Zero-waste restaurants are at the forefront of a culinary revolution that prioritizes sustainability without compromising on taste or experience. By reimagining the entire food production and consumption process, these establishments offer a glimpse into a more environmentally conscious future, one where dining out is not just a pleasure for the palate but also a celebration of responsible living.

By Ashish Tiwari

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

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NUTRIENTS TO ENHANCED IMMUNE HEALTH IN 2024

Start your new year on a strong note by making a new year resolution to attain better immune health. Good nutrition is critical to support a healthy immune system.

There is a strong relationship between poor nutritional status and compromised immunity. By boosting your immunity, you can benefit from better health. Whether you’re an adult aiming for optimal health or a parent looking to fortify your child’s immunity, incorporating essential nutrients into your daily diet is key.

mouth, stomach, and lungs healthy so that they can fight infection. It’s also key for sharp vision. Consume it with some fat for better absorption. Sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, and spinach are loaded with Vitamin A.

Adult Nutrition for Enhanced Immunity Proteins: They serve as the fundamental building blocks for every cell in the body, contributing to the development of vital components such as muscles, bones, hormones, and antibodies. It plays a crucial role in fortifying the immune system by supporting the production of antibodies and providing essential amino acids as fuel for immune cells. Eggs stand out as an excellent protein source. Yet, a diverse range of foods, including chickpeas, cottage cheese, quinoa, Greek yoghurt, peanuts, and almonds, also function as significant contributors to protein intake.

Vitamin D: It is a multitasking nutrient that helps to activate immune cells and regulate their function. Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb calcium and promotes a strong immune system. Few foods are naturally rich in vitamin D3, such as the flesh of fatty fish and fish liver oils, egg yolks, orange juice and cheese.

Vitamin C: It helps the body build healthy skin and connective tissue, which blocks the entry of foreign microbes. Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant protecting cells from damage. It also helps protect against anaemia by helping us absorb more iron To help you attain better immune health, from plant foods. Oranges are best known Dr. Ganesh Kadhe, Director, of Medical and as sources of Vitamin C. However, some Scientific Affairs, Abbott’s Nutrition Business foods power-packed with Vitamin C are shares important nutrients and their sources kiwis, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, that can keep you strong: cauliflower, and red peppers.

Vitamin A: It helps regulate the immune system. Known as the “anti-infective vitamin, this nutrient keeps your skin,

Vitamin E: It works as an antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from damage due to free radicals. Healthy cell membranes help keep foreign microbes out and support a healthy immune response.

Vitamin E is a common nutrient found in most foods. Cooking oils, seeds, and nuts are exceptionally rich sources.

Zinc: It is needed for cellular reproduction,

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which is important in the synthesis of new immune system cells. Zinc is critical for proper growth and development, especially during childhood and adolescence. Meat, especially red meat is an excellent source of zinc for those who prefer non-vegetarian food. For vegetarians, food like chickpeas, lentils and beans contain a substantial quantity of zinc. Seeds could also be a healthy addition to your diet.

Child Nutrition for Strong Immunity Protein-Packed Meals: Children, in their developmental years, benefit from proteinrich foods for growth and a resilient immune system. Include sources like lean meats, dairy products, eggs, legumes, and nuts in their diet.

Colourful Fruits and Vegetables: Introduce a variety of fruits and vegetables to provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Brightly coloured produce such as berries, carrots, and leafy greens are not only visually appealing but also rich in nutrients.

Calcium and Vitamin D for Growth: For better bone health and overall growth ensure sufficient intake of calcium and Vitamin D. Include dairy products, fortified cereals, and kid-friendly Vitamin D-rich foods Fiber for Gut Health: Ensure a balanced diet with fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. A healthy gut contributes to a robust immune system.

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

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DIET

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

Being the healthiest version of you starting from now BY DEEVYA GUPTA

SET YOUR HEALTH GOALS Small and achievable goals that you can easily meet can boost your confidence and help keep you motivated throughout the year.

Examples of specific goals may look like: Doing a small amount of physical activity for a set time frame, even if it is just 5 minutes to start off with or a nutrition goal of aiming to include salads with two of your main meals in the day. Make sure the goals you set are realistic. The goals you set should help you to feel good overall so that they are enjoyable and feel more sustainable rather than a chore. Research suggests it may take an average of 66 days to form some sort of behaviour change so don’t give up!

MAINTAIN A POSITIVE OUTLOOK WHEN THINKING OF FOOD AND LIFESTYLE You should try and not relate emotional words back to your habits such as good, bad healthy, junk and unhealthy. Having certain foods or being less active does not make you a ‘bad’ person. Rather look at things from the perspective of how often you need those things for examples we have ‘everyday foods’ such as vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairy and unprocessed grains which our body required for overall nutrition, and then there are ‘sometimes foods’ or ‘party foods and drinks’ to have on occasion in small quantities. This will make the process easier and a more positive experience. Aim to have mostly nutritious foods that contain more fibre, vitamins and minerals and keep the processed foods for occasionally and in small

quantities. Eating slowly can also help you relate back to how hungry you are actually feeling at the time of eating particular foods.

Don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t always go to plan. Keeping a positive and happy relationship with yourself will allow you to continue your health journey. You are more likely to continue with changes if you feel happy. If you often feel guilty after having certain foods, drinks or not being as active as you like, focus on the things you have done or will do next.

LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HUNGER AND THIRST Many times, we may confuse our body’s sensation of feeling thirsty for being hungry and may end eating more as a result. Since the body is 70% water, aim to keep yourself well hydrated with water. With warmer weather and increased exercise, water intakes may need to be further increased.

By consistently increasing your overall intake of water you may notice many more

positive changes including clear skin, feeling energetic and your insides will thank you for it. Every now and then you may have another drink of choice but as long as you don’t make it your primary drink of choice there is no harm in that.

STAY ACCOUNTABLE Create a supportive environment where it is easier to make change and maintain it.

Some people may like to get a professional in to help keep them accountable and provide support and this is where a dietitian can be of further assistance.

From the team at ABC of Nutrition we wish you the best of health for 2024.

Please note this advice is of a general nature. If you have any concerns or queries you should get tailored advice from an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and always consult with your General Practitioner before making any changes. Feel free to contact us if you require any specific Dietitian advice.

Deevya Gupta is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian in Melbourne | W: www.abcofnutrition.com.au

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RECIPE

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

Turkey Kebabs

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Christmas is incomplete without Turkey! In preparation for Christmas, there’s no doubt that roast Turkey is on the menu. What about trying something different this year? These spicy turkey kebabs are quick to prepare and taste great, so you can spend more time with your loved ones instead of in the kitchen. Try them... they won’t disappoint! This is a quick and easy recipe of turkey kebabs, made with minced turkey, Indian spices and served with mint and cranberry sauce

Ingredients: • 500g turkey mince • 1 egg • 2-3 tbsp breadcrumbs • 1 tbsp ginger, finely chopped • 1-2 green chillies, finely chopped • 1 med red onion, finely chopped • 2 tbsp coriander, finely chopped • 2 tbsp mint leaves finely chopped • ¼ tsp cardamom powder • ½ tsp black pepper, coarse • 1 tsp red chilli flakes • Salt to taste • For frying: Olive oil

Serves 2-4

Method: 1. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients with the turkey mince. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until ready to cook.

2. Take 2–3 tbsp of the mixture and roll to form smooth patties or kebabs.

3. Heat olive oil in a pan and fry until cooked through and golden brown.

4. Serve hot

Garnish: With fresh Garden salad and trio of sauce – cranberry sauce, mint sauce and tomato sauce.

Tip: Gently stir the rice because basmati after soaking becomes very fragile

Variation: Have as a snack, in a wrap or in a burger.

recipe

BY MANJIT SETHI

from the private collection

Nutritious veg salad for long-term male space travellers

A tasty and nutritious vegetarian salad made up of soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sweet potato and/ or sunflower seeds could be the optimal "space meal", suggests a study.

As space agencies plan for longer missions, they're grappling with the challenge of how to best feed people.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide designed the vegetarian salad with fresh ingredients that meet male astronauts specialised nutritional needs and can be grown in space.

Astronauts in space burn more calories than humans on Earth and require extra micronutrients, such as calcium, to stay healthy during extended exposure to microgravity. Additionally, future longterm missions will require growing food in a sustainable, circular way within the spacecraft or space colonies.

While researchers have explored methods of growing food in space and what nutrients astronauts require to stay healthy, specific fresh meals have not been developed.

In the study, detailed in the journal ACS Food Science & Technology, Volker Hessel and his team from the varsity wanted to optimise a space meal that meets those unique requirements of spaceflight and tastes good.

First, the researchers assessed combinations of fresh ingredients, using a method called linear programming, which computationally balances different variables to meet a specific goal.

In this case, their model identified how well the combinations of different foods could meet a male astronaut’s daily nutritional needs while minimising the water required to grow the foods. The team was

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also concerned about the sustainability of the foods in space, selecting ingredients that needed little fertiliser, time and area to grow and whether inedible portions could be recycled.

Of the 10 scenarios the researchers examined, they found that a vegetarian meal made up of soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sweet potato and/or sunflower seeds provided the most efficient balance of maximal nutrients and minimal farming inputs.

While this combination couldn't quite provide all the micronutrients an astronaut needs, those missing could be added in a supplement, the researchers suggest.

To make sure that the identified combination was tasty, the team whipped up the ideal space meal as a salad for four people to taste test here on Earth. One tester gave rave reviews and "wouldn't mind eating this all week as an astronaut."

Other people were more muted in their praise, even though they went back for second helpings.

In the future, the researchers plan to see what their computer model dishes up as options for female astronauts and expand the variety of crops in their database.

(IANS)

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ASTROLOGY

G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

By D. Narayan (Tantracharya) Mesha (Aries)

Beginning of the year would be auspicious for economic perspective. Due to favourable factors for business, there would be enhancement in gaining wealth.

Saturn posited in Eleventh House could create gains for you by your brothers. You would be recipient of gem stones and ornament etc. after April month. You could get your long outstanding money.

Best days: 3, 12, 30 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange, Cream

Simha (Leo)

Vrishabh (Taurus)

After April, you would draw comforts from land, buildings and vehicles.

Auspicious ceremonies would be celebrated in the family. You would make some huge investment during this time period. Before taking a decisive step with regard to investment or economic affairs, it is indispensable to seek advice of experienced persons connected with the concerned domain.

Beginning of the year yield sweet fruits for wealth and property perspectives, combined aspectual effect of Jupiter and Saturn on Second House would offer you land, buildings, ornaments, vehicles and gem stones. Besides having income, expenditure on, articles of physical comforts and amenities would also be incurred. There might be expenditure on marriage of brother, sister or son.

Best days: 9, 18, 27 Lucky Colour: Green, Blue

Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, White, Yellow

Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

Kanya (Virgo)

Tula (Libra)

Vrishchik (Scorpio)

Beginning of the year would be moderately auspicious for wealth and property. You would be in possession of comforts from immovable property along with vehicles also. There would be enhancement of income and hence level of desired savings could be achieved. You would incur expenditure on auspicious ceremonies and social celebrations. Inflow of wealth would be added due to destiny children.

Best days: 5,3 Lucky Colour: White & Orange

Best days: 3, 12 Lucky Colour: Orange, Green

Dhanu (Sagittarius)

Makara (Capricorn)

Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

Karkat (Cancer)

This year would be auspicious for economic perspective would remain a source of sudden gains.

Which because an incessant flow of income for you. You could get rid of old prolonged debts and other liabilities. After April time period would be highly auspicious. At that time you would have your all-round progress.

This period is quite favorable for making investment. If you invest in some profession/venture at this time, you would have desired gains.

This year would be fruitful in respect of work and profession.

Since Saturn is posited in Seventh House, so you would attain success in your work and profession. You would make a progress in profession because of your luck. If you are involved in a partnership business then a handsome desired gain awaits for you, your competitors might raise an ugly head to obstruct accomplishment of professional undertakings.

Beginning of the year would be favorable for economic perspective.

There would be ceaseless flow of income due to aspectual effect of Jupiter on Eleventh House but after transit of Jupiter, a well to do economic status might not be maintained. Such unexpected expenses would crop up which disturbs your budget. Put a curb on ways for having quick and easy money.

Mithuna (Gemini)

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This year would be auspicious for family and society perspective. In the beginning of the year, aspect of Saturn on Jupiter in Fourth House would maintain a harmonious, congenial and conducive environment in your family. Cooperation of all members of family along with that of parents would be a part of your strength.

There would be celebrations of auspicious ceremonies in the family and you play a pivotal role to make these a success.

Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: White, Green, Blue

This year would bestow peace and development upon the family cooperation of your brothers would be at your hand in the beginning of the year. If you are bachelor, you could get married during this period. Your social status and rank would be more prestigious than at present.

Your name and fame would shift from inner circle to enter circle of society along with respect and prestige.

Beginning of the year would be exceedingly auspicious for economic perspective.

Because of aspect of Second House by Jupiter and Saturn jointly, you could make your economic status stable and stronger by devising desired savings. You might get gem stones and ornament etc.

There would be incessant flow of income which might help you to get rid of old pending debts.

Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange

Kumbha (Aquarius)

Meen (Pisces)

Beginning of the year would be almost favorable for economic perspective.

But do not be in haste for taking decisions involving any sort risk. In the beginning of the year aspect of Jupiter on Eleventh House would maintain incessant flow of income.. All of a sudden, there would be unexpected expenses which would disturb equilibrium of your budget.

Beginning of the year would be auspicious for family and society perspective. In the beginning of the year, Jupiter in Second House indicates an addition of a member in the family. This addition could be addition of a child. Due to feeling of mutual dedication among the members of family, a peaceful and congenial environment prevails at your home.

Lucky Colour: White, Green, Blue Lucky Numbers - 5, 3, 6

Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, Yellow, White

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Have a laug h

HAVE A LAUGH

How BEDROOM smells after MARRIAGE: First 3 years....

Perfumes, Flowers, Chocolate, Fruits...

After 3 years....

Baby Powder, Johnson's Cream and Lotions, Baby Oils....

After 15 years....

Tiger balm, axe oil, methyl salicylate ointment Vicks, After 40 years....

Spiritual books, watching Tv alone Four stages of marriage: Mad for each other, Made for each other, Mad at each other & Mad because of each other What's Marriage?

Answer- MARRIAGE Is The 7th Sense

of Humans, that Destroys All The Six Senses and Makes The Person NON-Sense...!

Definition Of Happy Couple HE Does What SHE Wants…

SHE Does What SHE Wants Wife: Dear, this computer is not working as per my command....

Husband: Exactly darling! it’s a computer, not a Husband...!!

'Laughing At Your Own Mistakes, Can Lengthen Your Life."

- Shakespeare "Laughing At your Wife's Mistakes, can SHORTEN your Life...."

- Shakespeare's Wife

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G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

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G’DAY INDIA | JAN 2024

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