Unique Times December 2022

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Editorial

“Follow your passion - and if you don’t know what it is, realize that one reason for your existence on earth is to find it.” - Oprah Winfrey

Our country has experienced tremendous business and economic growth as a result of the rise in the number of female entrepreneurs. By creating jobs in the nation, influencing demographic changes, and motivating the subsequent generation of female founders, women-owned businesses are playing a significant role in society. In this edition, our cover story is about Lekha Balachandran, the founder of ResiTech Electricals. Having received prestigious awards she has proved her way to becoming one amongst the successful women entrepreneurs.

This time Manappuram Finance Limited MD and CEO V P Nandakumar shares with our readers, his valuable opinion on ‘ Covid Clouds Pass, a New Dawn Beckons’.

The edition also includes all of our normal coverage, such as travel, beauty, auto, movie, and book reviews, as well as business and motivational articles.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss Keep Reading! Happy Christmas and Happy New Year in Advance!!

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Lekha Balachandran Founder, ResiTech Electricals

In Talks to Sell Bisleri, Including with Tata Group: Chairman R Chauhan

RameshChauhan, a seasoned businessman, revealed on 24th November, that he is looking for a buyer for his packaged water company Bisleri International and is in talks with a number of parties, including Tata Consumer Products Ltd. A 7,000 crore contract with Tata Consumer Products Ltd.(TCPL), according to a report, was refuted by the 82-year-old pioneer of the Indian bottled water industry. When asked about the report that he has agreed to sell his business to the Tata Group firm, Chauhan, Chairman of Bisleri International said, “It’s not correct… We are still discussing.” When asked about the reasons for the sale of Bisleri business, the octogenarian business leader said someone had to handle it and look into it. Jayanti, his daughter, is not interested in running the company, Chauhan said. Chauhans sold their soft drink company to The Coca-Cola Company, a large US beverage company, thirty years ago. In 1993, he transferred to the company with its headquarters in Atlanta along with Thums Up, Gold Spot, Citra, Maaza, and Limca.

Jio Gets Company Tribunal’s Approval to Acquire Reliance Infratel

On 21st November, Jio received authorisation from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to purchase Reliance Infratel (RITL). For the purpose of completing the purchase of RCOM’s tower and fibre assets, the tribunal ordered Jio to deposit 3,720 crore into an escrow account at the State Bank of India (SBI). In November 2019, the Jio company, founded by billionaire Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani, made a bid for the tower and fibre assets of the Reliance Communications division, which was in debt. The Jio resolution plan was already unanimously agreed by the Committee of Creditors on March 4, 2020. According to Jio, the value of the assets may decrease if the acquisition of RITL assets is delayed owing to inter-creditor disputes. 43,540 mobile towers and approximately 1.78 lakh route kilometres of fibre are owned by RITL.

“The only way you are going to have success is to have lots of failures first.”

Sergey Brin

Metaverse in Race to Become 2022’s Oxford Word of the Year

Rupee

Falls

With

“Metaverse” being a finalist for the Oxford Word of the Year 2022, voters can now choose their favourite word for the first time. On December 2, voting will end, and on December 5, the results will be made public. India has significantly jumped on the metaverse bandwagon as well. The first metaverse influencer, “Kyra,” the first metaverse wedding, and the first food metaverse, “OneRare,” have all already occurred in India. A recent Deloitte report indicates that India has a higher than average awareness of the metaverse at 80%. According to the report, India’s economy could gain between $78 and $148 billion annually from the metaverse by 2035.

16 Paise to 81.85 as Dollar Rises on Global Gloom

An increase in instances in China that pushed for stronger controls there caused investor sentiment to decline globally on 21st November, hurting the rupee’s chances of an early lifting of curbs as the currency surged broadly. The rupee was last trading at 81.8475 per dollar, down from its previous closing of 81.6875 on 18th November, according to Bloomberg, after starting the day at 81.8288. According to PTI, the rupee dropped 11 paisas to provisionally close at 81.85 against the US dollar. China is coping with flare-ups of COVID. Due to two fatalities on 20th November, Beijing’s most populous district urged that citizens spend 21st November at home. Hopes that the government would soon relax its strict regulations have been dashed by the most recent cases.The dollar index, which measures the strength of the dollar against a basket of major rival currencies, is down more than 6% from its 20-year high reached in October as investors bet that the US Federal Reserve will scale back its aggressive interest rate hikes strategy in response to a drop in inflation there last month.

“Motivation is the catalyzing ingredient for every successful innovation.”

Clayton Christensen

Zomato Cuts Workforce up to 3% In Performance-Based Churn

According to a corporate representative who talked to NDTV, Zomato, a food ordering service, has reduced its personnel by up to 3% as part of ongoing performance-based layoffs. The representative stated, “There has been a routine performance-based churn of under 3% of our personnel; there is nothing more to it. According to a person with firsthand knowledge of the situation, at least 100 employees from a variety of tasks are affected, and the process has been ongoing for the previous two weeks. Due to a consistent increase in online ordering, Zomato on 17th November, last reported a reduced second-quarter deficit. According to the company’s regulatory filing, the combined net loss for the three months ending September 30 was 2.51 billion rupees, down from 4.30 billion rupees a year earlier. Operating income increased from 10.24 billion to 16.61 billion.

RBI To Launch Retail Digital Rupee On December 1 On Pilot Basis

digital rupee program. Banks will distribute the retail digital currency. Digital currency can be used for both P2P (person-to-person) and P2M (person-to-merchant) transactions. Using QR (Quick Response) codes, customers can make payments to merchants at their physical locations.

The retail digital rupee will be introduced on December 1, 2022, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on 29th November. Eight banks have been chosen by the central bank to take part in this trial in stages. A digital token that stands in for legal cash will be used to represent the retail digital rupee. Digital currency will be issued by the RBI in the same denominations as paper money and coins. Through a digital wallet on mobile phones and other devices, retail digital rupee transactions can be completed. Digital currency transactions can only be made through the digital wallets provided by banks taking part in the RBI’s

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

T.S. Eliot

Kate Winslet Covers Mum’s £17,000 Energy Bill

Kate Winslet has given a mother who has pay an astronomical energy bill to maintain her daughter’s life support £17,000. Clackmannanshire Council informed Carolynne Hunter that her bill would be expensive the following year. Freya, her 12-year-old daughter, is oxygen dependent due to her severe cerebral palsy and ongoing breathing issues. When the Titanic actress interfered after hearing about their altercation on BBC Scotland, Ms. Hunter claimed she was overcome. Winslet made a £17,000 donation to the family’s GoFundMe page and wished them well in a message to Ms. Hunter.Our family’s path has been quite stressful, and Ms. Hunter, 49, said: “At this point in my life, I just feel done.” Currently, running the equipment and heating the house costs them £6,500 a year, though Ms. Hunter claimed she had turned off the heat in most rooms to save money.

Netherlands to Ban Laughing Gas from January

The use of nitrous oxide, sometimes known as laughing gas, is now prohibited in the Netherlands due to health concerns regarding the rising number of young people who use it. The ban, which goes into effect in January, makes it unlawful to purchase, sell, or possess gas. The authorities claim that it is still permissible to utilise it in food production and medicine. The government also anticipates that the prohibition will result in fewer drug-related auto accidents. Laughing gas has reportedly been a factor in 1,800 accidents in the Netherlands over the last three years, according to road safety watchdog TeamAlert. According to Maartje Oosterink of TeamAlert, “almost two a day, data that really astonished us,” she told AD newspaper earlier this month. The well-known legal high has been more popular among clubbers and festival goers in recent years, and it’s frequently combined with other drugs like ketamine or MDMA (ecstasy).

Zaporizhzhia Strike Kills Newborn Baby at Ukraine Hospital

According to rescue officials, a newborn baby has been killed in a Russian missile attack on a maternity centre in southern Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia area. A doctor and the baby’s mother, who was the only woman in the building at the time, were extricated from the wreckage. Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, charged that Russia had brought “horror and bloodshed” to his nation. An important nuclear reactor is located in the Zaporizhzhia region, which has been the target of numerous Russian strikes. The hospital’s maternity wing was hit by Russian missiles overnight, according to Ukrainian emergency services, in the town of Vilnyansk, which is still under Ukrainian control. Although Ukraine controls the territory, the entire Zaporizhzhia region has been annexed by Russia as a result of phoney referendums held in September.

KFC Apologises After German Kristallnacht Promotion

KFC issued an apology after encouraging German consumers to celebrate Kristallnacht with cheesy chicken in a promotional pitch. More than 90 individuals were killed in the coordinated attacks carried out by the Nazis in 1938, which also damaged Jewish-run businesses and places of worship. Many people believe that it marked the start of the Holocaust. The remark, which received harsh criticism for its lack of tact, was ultimately attributed to “an error in our system.” The fast-food chain sent an app alert on 9th November, saying: “It’s memorial day for Kristallnacht! Treat yourself with more tender cheese on your crispy chicken. Now at KFCheese!” According to the Bild tabloid, a second message with an apology was issued around an hour later. “We are very sorry, we will check our internal processes immediately so that this does not happen again. Please excuse this error,” the message is reported to have said. The 9th November Kristallnacht anniversary is taken seriously in Germany, where a number of commemorative activities and talks are planned to remember the more than six million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis.

For more info: europetimes.co

Lekha Balachandran: The Woman Entrepreneur Taking The Electric Business By Storm

Lekha Balachandran, the founder of ResiTech, which has gained popularity in the field of heavy electrical equipment manufacturing, is a notable presence among industrialists. Lekha is a strong woman entrepreneur who has made her own mark in this field, which not many have tried in Kerala. The success of Lekha Balachandran, who overcame the challenges of transformer manufacturing and with the meticulous handling of the marketing sector by her husband took ResiTech to new heights. Let's read her success story.

An engineering graduate, Lekha entered the industry after marriage. She learned the first lessons of entrepreneurship when she joined her husband's family

business. ResiTech Electrical was born when Lekha and her marketing expert husband Balachandran decided to leave the industry for 18 years and start their own venture.

Lekha Balachandran has carved out this vast world of Transformers through hard work. It was her own will that helped Lekha succeed in the electrical equipment business, which women generally hesitate to venture into and perseverance is also the main factor of success. Her husband also accompanies Lekha by knowing the market and solely handles the marketing department. Years of experience in entrepreneurship and understanding of products have been an asset in Lekha's efforts to develop a brand

of

"Everything is within your power, and your power is within you,"

Janice Trachtman

Lekha's view is that no woman can succeed anywhere without the support of her family. Her husband Balachandran and their children Niranjana and Malavika stand by her every step of the way. And their love and support is the success of her and ResiTech, Lekha reiterates.

Lekha Balachandran's has become an organization with an annual turnover of Rs 18 crore which had an entrepreneurial excellence of just one year.

her own. Later, an astonishing growth awaited ResiTech, operating in Aluva Industrial Area.

Manufacturing and supplying transformers from 100 KVA to 2000 KVA, ResiTech has established itself on the industrial map of Kerala within a short span of time. The company started in 2007 with an investment of around two crore rupees and took a few years.

Lekha Balachandran's has become an organization with an annual turnover of Rs 18 crore which had an entrepreneurial excellence of just one year. ResiTech manufactures many products like 11KV Vacum Circuit Breaker Panels, 11 KV CT/PT Unit, 11 KV Resin Cast Potential Transformer, Low Tension Current Transformers, 22 KV/11 KV Outdoor CTs, 11 KV Load Break Switch Panel.

The one-year warranty and higher-quality transformers from ResiTech have made them a customer favourite. ResiTech is now an authorized system house of the global company Siemens.

Customers like KSEB, SBI, Reliance Communications, Railways, leading construction companies, PWD, etc. are the strength of ResiTech. 'Quality products and services make ResiTech popular. We always try to maintain a good relationship with our customers by providing the best products. That is ResiTech 's success' says Lekha.

Although we cannot expect a big business boom in Kerala as compared to other

states, as long as the buildings, crusher unit, hotel and real estate sectors survive. The key to success is maintaining positive relationships with both internal and external staff and suppliers.

Lekha states that there will be no major crisis in business as ResiTech 's market has now expanded to Bangalore and Coimbatore in South India. They want to take ResiTech to greater heights in the years to come. ResiTech aims to double the field and increase the product market.

For more than 16 years, ResiTech has produced epoxy resin cast transformers, switch gear components, high-tension current transformers, and potential transformers. Since their inception, they have had a positive reputation among electrical consultants, contractors, and industrial enterprises. They currently have plans to expand their production facilities and enter new markets and products.

Lekha was the convenor of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce Ladies Forum. She believes that this is the proudest achievement in her life and that this status will enable her to maintain her social responsibility as an entrepreneur. 'Business is the field where women can shine the most. Women can run a business as well as manage a family. I see this position as an opportunity to work to bring more women into the field' Lekha clarified.

Lekha Balachandran says

that start-up ventures should not be started without a clear understanding of the business.

‘After ascertaining what our passion is, work with 100 percent sincerity. Never allow yourself to go back once you get down to business'. Every entrepreneur is confident in these words of Lekha. Dedication and sincerity are the main factors that lead the business to success for Lekha who does not compromise on the correct payment of taxes and the quality of the products.

Lekha received prestigious SME Awards by DESTINATION KERALA, FICCI made in Kerala Awards 2022 for the engineering sector and TIE Kerala Award for “Women Entrepreneur of the year 2017”. Her hard work has been also recognized as Dhanam Business Women of the Year 2016, Best Transformer Brand in Kerala Award 2018 from Kerala Small Scale Industries Association and Hindu Economic Forum Navaratna Award. The awards were numerous in her name.

Lekha's view is that no woman can succeed anywhere without the support of her family. Her husband Balachandran and their children Niranjana and Malavika stand by her every step of the way. And their love and support is the success of her and ResiTech, Lekha reiterates.

She always believes that “Anything mentionable is manageable”. A lot of it is learned via patience and

practise. 'Every time I'm in a crisis, I feel energised. It takes practise to master the art of crisis management. Additionally, I have well-wishers and field veterans who I consult for counsel when necessary'.

Lekha concluded, "It took me many years to get to where I am now". Nothing could be more accurate for the female business owners of today who are boldly and fearlessly charting uncharted waters. They are moving forward with gumption and unbridled enthusiasm to change the world around them, make a difference with their ideas, seek solutions that have never been sought, fight diseases and social norms, run successful ventures and generate employment for many, and give rise to new sustainable ecosystems, whether it be in ecommerce, education, investing, travel, fashion, retail, fitness, hiring, or anything else under the sun

According to a recent Morgan Stanley Report, the coming decade would be India’s decade. It predicts that households with annual incomes of more than $35000 will see a five-fold jump to 25 million by the end of the decade, fuelling a consumption boom.

Shri V.P.Nandakumar MD & CEO Manappuram Finance Ltd.

Covid Clouds Pass, A New Dawn Beckons

The sombre, despondent mood that prevailed upon white goods manufacturers, consumer goods companies and automobile firms has now given way to one of upbeat optimism and exuberance. The main reason, of course, is that Covid-19 is almost behind us. We don’t brood over daily Covid numbers anymore or get exasperated by its virulence and spread.

Fear of mobility is largely on the wane. Malls, restaurants and theatres are once again bustling with activity. Consumption is surely and steadily picking up. A demand revival is music not just to the ears of malls and restaurants but also to SMEs and big corporates.

The resurgence hasn’t gone

unnoticed by lenders either. Bank credit growth, which was languishing in single digits, is close to 20%, a throwback to the mid-2000s. Both for banks and non-banking financial institutions, NPAs are coming down and profitability has shown clear signs of improvement.

Let us look at how this presents a golden opportunity for lenders. Despite huge efforts to formalise credit delivery, credit-GDP ratio in India is just a shade above 50%, a sharp contrast to triple digit for Japan and China. Even with Rs 30 trillion of NBFC credit being added, the metric just crosses 60%. We lag even smaller peers like Philippines and South Korea when it comes to credit penetration.

To be sure, almost 90% of the

adult population now have a deposit account, thanks to the Jan Dhan Yojna scheme. However, less than 10% possess a credit account. This huge potential provides an unmatched opportunity to lenders to expand their pie.

Financial literacy is still non-optimal in India and sustained efforts at financial inclusion can prove to be a game-changer of sorts. Sectors like micro finance merits special focus as the bottom of the pyramid lies outside the ambit of formal finance. NBFCs that have come up in a big way to cater to this segment have a unique opportunity to step up the game.

Available data shows that consumer sentiments are on a high, resulting in a rise in personal loans

As consumption reaches pre-Covid levels, it is bound to give a boost to the lending eco-system

and an increase in credit card penetration. Despite all the talk of high rural inflation and subdued wages, two-wheeler and tractor sales are inching back to pre-Covid levels. The story is not different for consumer durables like fridge and washing machine which are now in the essentials list of most families.

Vehicle loans’ share in overall lending has steadily increased from 1% to 4% in a decade. Share of semi-urban areas in credit card penetration has increased from practically nil to 8% in the same period. These are significant changes that lenders must take note of and design tailor-made products to suit their customers’ changing aspirations.

Though these are exciting times for the finance sector, what with a new-found optimism and upbeat sentiments, it is necessary to be mindful of the risks. Latest data shows that financial savings of households declined significantly in FY22. When read with rising credit card spends and an overall boom in personal loans, it raises questions about household leverage. Even as lenders go

all out to seize the opportunity provided by the current environment, caution should be the buzzword.

Some might point out that inflation is now a global phenomenon. And that most global central banks are tightening their monetary policies and major currencies including that of emerging markets are weakening. Interest rates are on the rise, inflation is above 7% and India’s current account deficit is close to the red line of 3%.

It is true that India cannot remain decoupled from the rest of the world. At the same time, we can take comfort from the fact that our vulnerability to external shocks is low. External debt constitutes just a fifth of our foreign exchange reserves.

Also on the positive side, asset quality is the best in a decade. Capitalisation is well above the minimum norm and profitability position is sound. An everwatchful regulator is doing its fair bit to ensure that systemic risks do not crop up, balancing caution with innovation. We, financial intermediaries, may not find a bet-

ter time than now to step up the game and reap the full benefits. According to a recent Morgan Stanley Report, the coming decade would be India’s decade. It predicts that households with annual incomes of more than $35000 will see a five-fold jump to 25 million by the end of the decade, fuelling a consumption boom.

As India leapfrogs to a higher growth orbit, its benefits will certainly accrue to financial intermediaries also. As a vast section of the populace still lies outside the formal sector, banks and nonbanking financial institutions will need to play a dominant role for the foreseeable future.

As we march forward, embracing innovation and technology, financial intermediaries cannot remain mere lenders and deposit takers. They need to be providers of wealth management, advisory and a slew of other services in tune with the aspirations of an emerging cohort. To successfully accomplish our goals, we must constantly reskill and upskill ourselves and be on top of the learning curve

Rajesh Nair Associate Partner, Ernst & Young LLP

Your business venture has to be like a bullet fired – ‘No option to stop it and get back to work! ‘This is easier said than done but a lot of empirical research says that people with plan B, C, D are not as likely to succeed as the one with only a plan A.

The Notion For Entrepreneurship Has Arrived

The best students in India today not just queue up in front of marquee companies but look to gather their ideas and prepare business plans. It is the time of the job creators! We need the young to look at starting businesses of their own and creating employment and wealth multiple. Entrepreneurship will enlarge the baseline and foundation of the business landscape. It will throw up more opportunities and prove to be a catalyst for every industry around us

There are a list of issues and opportunities, but we need to sit and think. Having an aspiring young population will change India like never before. We have to be cautious to

prepare it well for our youngsters to build on!

So what does it mean and what are the risks and opportunities attached to it? What are the trend lines and the headlines which bounce on the planning desks? Here are a few:

Exciting Market

A younger population and an increasingly strong middle class make us one of the best markets in the world for consumer products and electronics. Our adoption of electronic goods is being lauded as a classic business example of the changing nature of average lives of such equipment. The consumer in India is likely to discard her electronic accessories in half the time of

some of the mature markets. This will translate to exciting inventory turns for companies

Mobile economy

Our internet adoption is nothing to shout about. But the statistics of internet access through mobile phones is far more as a percentage than most countries in the world. So the youth who have entered the porticos of employment are likely to do more commerce through their mobile than their physical wallet.

Innovation and disruption

Youth is no guarantee for innovation but the speed of adoption to new technology and change dynamics, if far more agile. This means in business, we are likely to see more exciting operating models and some

pioneering changes as India becomes the hotbed of innovation for the world.

The benefits are many but let us also focus on some glaring risks:Need for quantum growth

The ‘qualified ready to work’ population increases at an astronomical percentage every year. For opportunities, we need companies tracing growth and new industries to come up every year. Unless there is stupendous baseline growth, there

cannot be enough opportunities for the youth. So growth is not just each organsation’s imperative but that of the economy as a whole!

Connected workspaces

The youth also need more connected workplaces. We chide the youth of today for reading less. Actually, on an average, they read thrice more the previous generations, through social media, SMSs, emails, etc. Such communication has also blurred the boundaries of work and

the work timings. Gone are the days, when the work starts from 9:30 am when one opens the ‘files’ on our desk. The employee of today starts off with mails at early hours and is up till wee hours communicating.

Availability of funding

For someone who has started a business, this question is the ‘holy grail’. There is some very intelligent literature available on this subject and each of them gives you perspectives of experts. You will easily get

advice on sprucing up your product explanation, business plan, getting the right resources in your organisation et.al. They are all sound erudite nuggets that one needs to take seriously. But, what is the common thread? What makes the Venture Capital guy choose Jane over John? The secret sauce of the pudding is –YOU! Yes, none else, nothing more!

The core element of the entire message is YOU and the ordeal to get the investor trust you. It could be the elevator pitch, the hundred slide deck or the difficult video conference. It is at the end, your ability to get the investor’s conviction that their money is safe with you. Safety of their investment comes first and then the scale, the growth and the exits. There is no panacea for generating trust and neither is there an all-cure snake oil. But here are some

interesting snippets, I heard in this journey

Vision: Your product or service may not suddenly change the world but what is the larger picture. You need to be able to articulate that and build the blocks together.

Passion: It is not just that complete faith you have in your product or service, but the intent and verve and the ability to convey that enthusiasm

Integrity: Be truthful on the strengths and weaknesses of the product. Don’t lie – It never works the long haul and you will have to have super memory to piece all those wise replies you gave if they were not true!

Learn: At times, some of the questions you get disappoint you, make you lose confidence and perhaps even cut your concept into

shreds. Use to learn, adapt and make your pitch stronger in the future.

All these ingredients need to have a pinch of earnestness and the intent to take feedback and be mentored through personal experiences and benefit from the feedback of others!

And then question of – will entrepreneurship suit me – here are a few questions to answer –

1. Are you ready to maintain exemplary discipline?

One of the first things a lot of jobbers do is to think that they are now masters of their time. In a recent business meeting, a senior entrepreneur reminded us that from the first day on his business, he still woke up early, got dressed and walked into his office – a makeshift office in the guest room. As entre-

preneur, time is never yours any more, he remarked!

2. Are you ready to ask for work?

Most of us feel extremely awkward to ask our friends, batch mates, relatives for work. One needs to have the courage and conviction to do this. It is vital, during the initial days

3. Are you ready to receive feedback and to work on it?

No one gets the product and service right, the first time over. You have to listen and work on the gazillion comments and feedback. Your ability to positively and constructively look at changes

will be crucial for your journey.

4. Are you still keeping the fall-back option?

Your business venture has to be like a bullet fired – ‘No option to stop it and get back to work! ‘This is easier said than done but a lot of empirical research says that people with plan B, C, D are not as likely to succeed as the one with only a plan A.

5. Are you ready to forgo you monthly pay check?

Behavioural scientists say that the monthly pay slip is more addictive than drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. The addict group is more than all the others put together. The security that the first

of the month brings you and the unconscious smile you conjure, is not easy to lose.

6. Are you hoping for better work life balance?

A good percentage of new ventures are people who leave main stream careers to have ‘more time at home!’ There is a difference between a sabbatical and entrepreneurship. An entrepreneur has not distinction of work and life … it is all just life!

These questions are more than a look in the mirror. Answer them to your satisfaction, before you take the plunge! But in any case, - Entrepreneurship has arrived and it is official now!

Vedha Architects: The Art Of Construction Through Innovation

As an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.” – Norman Foster

We have inherited the art of architecture from the very beginning of human construction. A talent that must be mastered is architecture. Although it can be learned, only minds with a propensity for odd thinking can completely master it. An amalgam of engineering, mechanics, and art is architecture. It’s the one job where having engineering, artistic, and, most importantly, realist skills

is a requirement.

A regular person who begins building is pushed to comply with building regulations, approval, timeframe, finances, etc. How can you make sure your building requirements are future-proof during this tiresome process? How do the façade and inside of your building differ from others’? How does your space reflect your personal style? “Why couldn’t we when nature can make every person as unique as they are?”

We all have different looks, yet we all have similar hearing, see-

ing, and breathing abilities. Divine proportions are nature's secret to uniqueness; the user-centric biophilic design is their peculiarity. And this is what makes VEDHA Architects different from others.

VEDHA Architects is a young architecture firm based in Kerala, Tamil Nadu with collaborators from Sydney and Netherlands. The architectural firm is founded by elite architects from the prestigious National Institute of Technology, Calicut. Ar. A. Aravind is the Founder, Principal Architect, Ar. Amrithavarshini ER is the Associate architect, Mr.

Ruthira Kumar is the CIO - Chief Innovation Officer. They define their architecture practice as “Transforming your intangible dreams into tangible reality”, every person is unique so to be their space’. Their portfolio showcases residences designed in luxury of uniqueness, private resorts designed to be one with nature,

showrooms designed in world class finesse.

What is unique about VEDHA?

They take great pride in their charming traditional architecture, scientific building methods, Vastu principles, climate-sensitive design, building biology, and material usage,

but they are unable to immediately apply them to our contemporary way of life. They incorporate a traditional understanding of divine proportions, climate, geography, lighting, and ventilation into the creation of cutting-edge architecture and design. Symbolising that gave birth to "VEDHA” and their motto “‘we Ar-

chitect Lives”

VEDHA Architects always focuses on sustainability as they believe sustainability is no more a choice, it’s a need and their work process also follows the same. Their process starts with understanding the client's needs and aspiration to project completion by handing over the client's testimony which brings satisfaction. Client happiness, Architectural & Interior Uniqueness in design form and spatial quality is how they measure their project success.

As all their work are worth praising few of their notable works

are Manushyar Resort in Vythiri Wayanad, Humble Residence for a Member of Parliament, Eco-Farm Convention center- Beypore, The Capsule - Mr. Arun Residence, Biome – Ilaya’s Biophilic residence, Rooftop Café and Alcazar. They constantly take care to ensure that no two projects they create are the same. Practising their mission— “Not to just design buildings but To Architect Lives”—successfully through exceptional spatial experience and individuality.

Biophilia in Architecture

It is crafted by combining the

ideal ratio of luxury, comfort, and nature with divinely proportioned main features, materials that provide a comfortable indoor environment, the necessary ACH (air changes per hour) ventilation, an organic built form, theme and concept-based spaces and refinement in quality. You might feel a strong, seamless connection to nature when you are in space. A tranquil mind, the luxury of refinement, and world class comfort.

When asked about the challenges that they foresee in a project the founder and principal architect

of VEDHA Architects A.Aravind said, that ‘Selection of right Materials is important to us because we don’t frequently use the same materials and finishes and are constantly looking for new ones and construction technology’. Add on to Architecture they also do customised state-ofthe-art Interior Design, Renovation in Hospitality industry, Residences and Commercial.

Delays in a building can be disastrous in every phase of the procedures. Not only can delays put project development in danger, but they also hurt owners' and clients' good-faith relationships. Delays in building nearly always result in additional and unforeseen costs on top of raising risks and harming company relationships. Use guidelines, stages, and methodologies, as well as clearly defined roles and duties for each project participant, to prevent this from happening. Your chances of finishing projects on time and within budget at every stage can be improved by using high-quality and effective project management techniques in conjunction with a dependable method of communicating deadlines and expectations.

It is important to remember that Indian architecture underwent multiple stages of development. There have been times when rulers attempted to demonstrate their might by building large structures. There have also been instances where many traditions and styles have been combined. The twenty-first century is one of those eras where architects attempt to fuse the old with the new. Architecture has entered a new era in which it is possible to push boundaries and discover new worlds through their creative and avant-garde designs. By virtue of their labour, architects might be regarded as practitioners of one of the human race’s most lasting arts

VEDHA Architects always focuses on sustainability as they believe sustainability is no more a choice, it’s a need and their work process also follows the same. Their process starts with understanding the client's needs and aspiration to project completion by handing over the client's testimony which brings satisfaction.

Dr Arun Oommen

MBBS, MS (Gen Surg), MCh (Neurosurgery), MRCSEd,MBA Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon VPS Lakeshore Hospital

NH-47, Bypass, Maradu, Nettoor PO, Kochi 682040, India.

Surgery on the brain and spinal cord requires the greatest of skills, surgical knowledge, perseverance, and physical endurance. Neurosurgeons work long hours on complex tasks. An average Neurosurgery can take around 4-6 hours to complete.

The Magic Of Modern Neurosurgery

With the advent of modern technology and advances in surgical techniques and skills results of Neurosurgery are excellent. Many complicated and neardeath brain and spine problems can be cured now by the magic of modern microneurosurgery.

If someone asks which is the most complex organ in the human body the answer will be almost unanimously –the Brain and spinal cord. Naturally, the field of medicine dealing with surgical problems of the brain and spine will be the most challenging, Intricate, and unnerving. Neurosurgery has over the years evolved to become a really challenging medical field of practice but thanks to extensive research, publications, and vast advances in surgical techniques and instrumentations the results have tremendously improved over the years.

There was not much advance-

ment in neurosurgery until the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In 1879 after locating, it via neurological signs alone, Scottish surgeon William Macewen (18481924) performed the first successful brain tumor removal. On November 25, 1884, English surgeon Rickman Godlee (1849-1925) performed the first primary brain tumor removal, via trephination. On March 16, 1907, Austrian surgeon Hermann Schloffer became the first to successfully remove a pituitary tumor.

While all physicians work to heal people, neurosurgeons often have especially gratifying outcomes from successful surgeries in which patients are freed from severe pain, physical disabilities, or impending death. Neurosurgeons can also participate in cutting-edge research, helping increase medical knowledge of illnesses for which there is currently no cure.

Surgery on the brain and spinal

cord requires the greatest of skills, surgical knowledge, perseverance, and physical endurance. Neurosurgeons work long hours on complex tasks. An average Neurosurgery can take around 4-6 hours to complete. In addition to neurosurgeons, neurosurgical patients have round clock care of neuro anaesthetists, neuro intensivists, neurologists, neuro radiologists, Neuropsychiatrist, trained Neuro Nurses, Neuro physiotherapists, Nutritional therapists and other allied specialists.

Some of the modalities that revolutionized Neurosurgery and have significantly improved the outcome include a fully equipped theatre with sophisticated operating microscopes, neuro navigation system, Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA), Neuro monitoring system, Intraoperative MRI, endoscopic and minimally invasive surgeries, sophisticated implants, etc.

Neurosurgery caters to a wide

spectrum of diseases or anomalies pertaining to the brain and spinal cord. Head injury secondary to road traffic accidents falls, assaults, etc. are managed by a Neurosurgeon. They perform a large number of complicated procedures like removing clots from the brain following accident-induced head injuries and repairing skull fractures and spine fractures. With ever-increasing research and understanding of head trauma, the success rate of treatment is increasing and is almost 95% in our centre. Also, massive clots formed following another spontaneous bleeding, like hypertensive bleeds, abnormal vessel bleeds, etc. are tackled by neurosurgeons. Minimally invasive Interventional therapies like coiling, embolisation, etc are very widely being done and are producing excellent results.

A wide spectrum of tumours and cancers can involve the brain and spinal cord. With the advent of modern technology, much improvement in surgical techniques, and a better understanding of different types of tumours and can-

cers, many types of tumours like Meningiomas, low-grade gliomas, pituitary tumours, germ cell tumours, scwanommas,cavernomas, etc. have entered the group of completely treatable tumours. Many of the most complex brain tumours can be removed surgically now. Extensive research and studies are going on and more and more treatment modalities are being tried to fight this dreaded disease. Immunotherapy/ biological response modifier (BRM) therapy, Oncolytic virus therapy. Targeted therapy of faulty genes or proteins, Gene therapy, Hormonal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and Electric field therapy are some of the treatment modalities that may bring hope in the future.

Neck pain and back pain is increasing much fold and problems secondary to disc prolapse are increasing. With the advent of minimally invasive surgeries and a better understanding of the anatomy, discs surgeries are now very safe and produce very good results.

Also removing damaged areas of the brain associated with epilepsy is

being done in many centres. Brain and spine-related congenital anomalies and also very complex and are dealt with by neurosurgeons.

The learning curve for becoming a trained Neurosurgeon is steep ..What it takes to become a Qualified Neurosurgeon in India. After 6 years of basic Medical Training and an intership, there is a 3-year Masters degree Training in surgery followed by 3 years of superspeciality training in Neurosurgery Proper. This tolls to around 12-14 years of extensive education, Intense Training, surgical learning, and research. Following this a Neurosurgeon can opt for his field of subspeciality like Neuro-Oncology, Neuroendocopy, Vascular neurosurgery, Paediatric neurosurgery, spine, Trauma, Functional Neurosurgery, etc. which requires further 1-2 years of fellowship training.

Many of neurosurgical patients are critically ill and required a prolonged period of medical care and is a journey from near death to life which naturally increases the bond between the doctor and patient and may even last a life time.

C Joseph Chacko Retired Dy. General Manager

Syndicate Bank MSc(PhysicsCUSAT),CAIIB(IIB&F),LLB(EKM

GOVT

A large part of emotional intelligence is being able to think about and empathize with how other people are feeling. This often involves considering how you would respond if you were in the same situation.

LAW

COLLEGE)and

PGDPM(BHAVANS) A trainer,visiting professor at Amity University and an advocate

Emotional Intelligence: The Intelligence That Matters

In the early parts of the history of mankind, it was physically strong who always succeeded. But later, physical strength gave way to intellectual capacity. Persons with high I Q were expected to be the sure winners. But not anymore!

The modern thinking is that EI -Emotional Intelligence is much more important in determining life success than IQ.

Intelligence of the Heart?

For many decades, people used to visualise E I as “the intelligence of the heart”, since the heart was treated as “the controller” of all emotions-love, kindness, sympathy,

anger, hatred, etc. As against this, IQ was accepted as the measure of “the intelligence of the brain”. Countless generations of lovers had sent pictures of hearts to show their feelings to their loved ones. But now it is an established fact that the heart does not “pump” any emotions and its only job is to pump blood! (Though emotions may affect this pumping!). It is also scientifically established that the limbic system, a group of interconnected structures located deep within the brain is responsible for behavioural and emotional responses of human beings. It is also generally agreed by the medi-

cal fraternity that the Amygdala, one of these structures is directly responsible for emotional responses and behaviours.

Emotional Intelligence- EI or EQ is the ability to be aware of, to control, and to articulate your emotions and to handle interpersonal relationships compassionately and sensibly. While this might seem important in psychology, it has quickly become an integral part of the study of organisational behaviour. There is enough evidence to conclude that a person with a high level of EQ can be a better leader. Human Resources Department in every organization is

now concerned about the EI of their workforce. This has also become an important factor in deciding your dealings with others in your everyday life.

The Emergence of Emotional Intelligence as a Subject of Study

Emotional intelligence as a term did not come into common use until around 1990. Despite being a relatively new term, interest in teaching and learning social and emotional intelligence has grown tremendously in recent years. The term "Emotional Intelligence" was first used in a doctoral dissertation by Wayne Payne in 1985. In 1987, in an article published in Mensa Magazine, Keith Beasley used the term "Emotional Quotient."

The concept of Emotional Intelligence was popularized after the publication of Daniel Goleman's book "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ." in 1995. Goleman states that unlike IQ, which is stable from childhood, Emotional Intelligence grows

throughout adulthood. It can be learned as one matures with proper awareness, assessment, and efforts to correct oneself.

Components of Emotional Intelligence

Daniel Goleman details five components of E I which relate to how we manage ourselves and how we manage others:

Self-Awareness: Ability to recognise, and understand one's own moods, and emotions as well as their effects on others.

Self-Regulation: Ability to control or redirect repulsive impulses-to think before acting.

Self-Motivation: Ability to act to pursue one’s goals with energy and persistence without being prompted by others.

Empathy: Ability to understand the emotional makeup of others and to treat people according to their emotional reactions.

Social Skills: Ability to build networks and proficiency in managing relationships and in building rapport.

Levels of Emotional Intelligence

Researchers who followed the theoretical framework given by Goleman suggest that there are four different levels of emotional intelligence

Perceiving emotions: The first step in understanding emotions is to perceive them accurately. In many cases, this might require a clear understanding of nonverbal signals such as body language and facial expressions.

Reasoning with emotions: The next step involves using emotions to promote thinking and use the cognitive ability to prioritize what we pay attention to and react to; deciding whether we should respond emotionally to all things that garner our attention or not.

Understanding emotions: The next important step is to understand the cause of another’s behaviour. If someone is expressing angry emotions, the observer must interpret the cause of the person's anger and what it could mean. For

example, if your boss is acting angry, it might mean that he is dissatisfied with your work, or it could also be that he got a dressing down from his boss or even that he had a fight with his partner.

Managing emotions: This is the highest level and the crucial part of emotional intelligence. Regulating the ability to manage emotions effectively and responding appropriately to the emotions of others are all important aspects of emotional management

Who are the Emotionally Intelligent?

From the above discussions on the components and levels of Emotional Intelligence, we can conclude that the following characteristics make one emotionally intelligent.

1. They Think Before Reacting

Emotionally intelligent people know that emotions can be powerful, but also that they are temporary. When a highly charged emotional event happens, such as becoming angry with a co-worker, the emotionally intelligent response would be to take some time before responding. This allows everyone to calm their emotions and think more rationally about all the factors surrounding the argument.

own feelings. Self-awareness allows people to consider the many different factors that contribute to their emotions.

3. They Have Empathy for Others

A large part of emotional intelligence is being able to think about and empathize with how other people are feeling. This often involves considering how you would respond if you were in the same situation. How Emotional Intelligence Is Measured

Recent researchers have concluded that emotions cannot be quantified. As such they argue that emotional intelligence is hardly worth measuring. However, several techniques have emerged to measure levels of emotional intelligence. Such tests generally fall into one of two types: Self-report tests and Ability tests.

Self-report tests are the most common because they are the easiest to administer and score. On such tests, respondents respond to questions or statements by assessing their own behaviours.

interpersonal relationships and interactions by using the concept of Transactional Analysis. He defined a transaction as a combination of a stimulus and a response. He had argued that most of the problems in everyday life can be attributed to “crossed transactions” between people. Emotional intelligence can be used in many ways to avoid crossed transactions and to cultivate “complementary transactions” in your daily life.

Emotional intelligence can be the key to healthy interpersonal communications, better relationships, and improved well-being. Some ways to practice emotional intelligence in your personal life include:

• Knowing why you do the things you do

• An awareness of your own personal strengths and limitations

• Self-confidence and self-acceptance

• An ability to accept and embrace change

• Accepting responsibility for own mistakes

• Being able to accept criticism and responsibility

• Being able to move on after making a mistake

2.

They Have Greater SelfAwareness

Emotionally intelligent people are not only good at thinking about how other people might feel but they are also adept at understanding their

Ability tests, on the other hand, involve having people respond to situations and then assessing their skills. Such tests often require people to demonstrate their abilities, which are then rated by a third party. How to Use Emotional Intelligence in

Daily Life

Eric Berne, the clinical psychiatrist even in the 1930s had explained

• Being able to say no when you need to

• Being able to share your feelings with others

• Being able to solve problems in ways that work for everyone

Recent researchers have concluded that emotions cannot be quantified. As such they argue that emotional intelligence is hardly worth measuring. However, several techniques have emerged to measure levels of emotional intelligence.

• Not being judgemental of others

• An ability to identify and describe what people are feeling

• Feelings of empathy and concern for others

• Showing sensitivity to the feelings of other people.

Tips for Improving EI

Fortunately, there are things that you can do to strengthen your own social and emotional intelligence. As you have seen, your emotional intelligence is directly linked to your brain. Just as you learn different things using your cognitive ability, emotional intelligence is also something that you can develop over time.

B F Skinner, an American psychologist in the 1930s argued that behaviour can be learned through the social and emotional experiences of the individual. With the use of different parts of your brain, you can practice and incorporate certain things that will help you achieve a higher emotional quotient. Before you excel in understanding others' emotions, figuring out your own is the first step to take. This way, you'll be self-aware and then eventually get to the part

of being socially aware. Your behaviour is a direct response to the way you understand emotions and use them. Thus, it is important to make sure that you are able to understand them through learning.

However, improving emotional intelligence through practice is always not that easy as it may seem. This is because genetics play an important role in shaping your emotional skills. While some people are born with a high degree of emotional intelligence, some evidence suggests that this is an ability you can develop and improve over the years.

Potential Pitfalls

Having lower emotional intelligence skills can lead to several potential pitfalls that can affect multiple areas of life including work and relationships. This author, during his official life, has come across several individuals who have failed miserably due to fewer emotional skills despite having higher levels of I Q. They tend to involve themselves in more arguments, have lower quality relationships, and have poor emotional coping skills.

Being low on emotional intelligence can have several drawbacks but having a very high level of emotional skills can also come with challenges. For example:

• Researchers suggest that people with high emotional intelligence tend to be less creative and innovative.

• Highly emotionally intelligent people may find it difficult to deliver negative feedback for fear of hurting other people's feelings.

• Researchers have also found that high EQ can sometimes be used for manipulative and deceptive purposes.

Although debates and controversies are likely to continue within the field for some time, overall interest in the topic of emotional intelligence continues to increase. Let us hope that the energy embodied in these discussions facilitates the continued refinement of the theory and practice related to emotional intelligence. While the progress of the emotional intelligence paradigm has been impressive, much remains to be discovered

Adv Sherry Samuel Oommen: This article is authored by Adv Sherry Samuel Oommen. Adv Oommen, who specializes in constitution, tax and corporate laws has also cleared the final exams of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. He has also completed his Masters Degree in Commerce, apart from obtaining a Post Graduate Diploma in Business and Corporate Laws from Symbiosis Pune. The views expressly are personal and should not be construed as a legal opinion.sherryoommen@nashcp.com.

Succession Planning Through Private Trust

In the Indian context, family-run businesses have been the backbone of the Indian economy. A report suggests that family-run businesses contribute nearly 80 percent of the nation’s GDP annually. Some of the key family-run groups in the Indian context would include the Tata Group, the TVS Group, the Aditya Birla Group, the Godrej Group, Reliance Group, et al. While businesses carried on by the families have grown under the aegis of their respective patriarch, the challenge of succession has also been a question. Some of the entities set up by these notable families have also been listed on various stock exchanges, thereby allowing the general public to participate in their growth story. The lack of vision/thought on the

issue of succession has been an albatross around the neck of most patriarch or their successors who are at the helm of affairs of the family business. In the recent past, apart from increase in profits, protecting the wealth of the family has been an important aspect. Further, apart from economic succession of a family’s assets, the question of management succession has also emerged as a key consideration in any succession planning exercise. Family businesses are keen to ensure that the business is handled by professional hands, whilst ensuring retention of ownership.

Various structures have emerged in the context of succession planning. Depending on the structure, the degree of control and the man-

ner of its devolution varies. There would be no gainsay in reiterating the fact that a “private trust” has one emerged as one of the most commonly used structures for managing personal assets (whether tangible or intangible) and a tool for succession planning.

What Is A Trust?

As per the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 (“Trust Act”), a trust has been defined in Section 3 of the said act to mean “an obligation annexed to the ownership of property, and arising out of a confidence reposed in and accepted by the owner, or declared or accepted by him, for the benefit of another, or of another and the owner.”

The Trust Act further provides that the person who reposes or de-

The lack of vision/thought on the issue of succession has been an albatross around the neck of most patriarch or their successors who are at the helm of affairs of the family business. In the recent past, apart from increase in profits, protecting the wealth of the family has been an important aspect.

clares the confidence is called the "author of the trust" (commonly referred to as a “settlor”). The person who accepts the confidence is called the "trustee". The person for whose benefit the confidence is accepted is called the "beneficiary". The subject matter of the trust is called "trust property". The "beneficial interest" or "interest" of the beneficiary is the right against the trustee as owner of the trust property. The instrument, if any, by which the trust is declared is called the "instrument of trust" (commonly known as the 'trust deed' or 'indenture of trust').

In summary, a trustee is reckoned as the legal owner while the beneficiary is regarded as the beneficial owners.

A trust may be created either through a non-testamentary document or by way of testamentary documents like a will. It may be noted that where a trust is intended to hold immovable property it must be established through a duly regis-

tered trust deed. However, a trust intended to hold only movable property may be established through a document (duly registered or not), or simply through an oral agreement with the delivery of the property to the trustee along with the necessary instructions.

A private trust could be of varying types, which include the following:

i. Depending on whether a trust can be revoked or cancelled by the settlor during his lifetime, a trust is classifiable as a “Revocable Trust” or an “Irrevocable Trust”

ii. Depending on the nature of determination of the share of the beneficiary, a trust is classifiable as a “Discretionary” or a “Determinate” Trust. To clarify further, a discretionary trust is an arrangement where the trustee may choose, from time to time, who (if anyone) among the beneficiaries is to benefit from the trust, and to what extent. However, where the entitlement of the

beneficiaries is fixed by the settlor at the time of settlement or by way of a formula, with the trustees having little or no discretion, such trust is typically referred to as a “determinate” trust.

What Are The Advantages Of A Private Trust?

Some of the key advantages of a private trust is that it bypasses the probate process which could be susceptible to frivolous claims and delays in the court process. With a help of a “Trust Advisor”, it would be possible for the Settlor to ensure that his desire is fulfilled even after his death. The desire could include safeguarding the interests of family members including maintenance of members with special needs. The trust structure also enables ringfencing the assets against possible claim of creditor against the settlor or the beneficiary. In essence, trust has now emerged as a well-established mechanism of succession planning that provides protection,

flexibility, and asset transfer to the next generation.

Taxation Of Private Trust?

The provisions relating to taxation of private trust is enshrined in Section 161 to 164 of the Incometax Act, 1961 (“the IT Act”). A private trust is not regarded as a separate taxable entity under section 2(31) of the IT Act. A perusal of the provisions would indicate that the trustees are liable to tax in the like manner and to the same extent as the beneficiaries. Thus, a trustee acquires the status of a “beneficiary” and is taxed in the role of the “beneficiary” as a representative assessee. For instance, if the beneficiaries are individuals, the trustee would be taxed on a representative basis considering their status as an individual. This proposition has been upheld by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of Food Corporation of India Limited [2009] 318 ITR 318.

Where a trust is an irrevocable determinate trust, if a trustee is assessed as a representative assessee. Such trustee will generally be able to take advantage of all of the benefits/deductions, available to the beneficiary in relation to that beneficiary's share of income under the IT Act. It would be pertinent to note that the beneficiary pays no additional tax on the distribution of trust income.

It would also be pertinent to mention that the transfer of a capital asset to an “irrevocable trust” is exempted from the purview of capital gains considering the provisions of section 47(iii) of the IT Act. Further, the beneficiaries too on transfer to a trust would not be subjected to tax under section 56(2)(x) of the IT Act. Interestingly, the Central Board of Direct Taxes in Circular 7 dated 27.07.2017 has clarified that the provisions relating to General Anti Avoidance Rules would not be

applicable in the case of such succession planning tools.

Where a trust is a discretionary irrevocable trust, the tax is levied at the maximum marginal rate. This is so because the discretion as regards who the beneficiaries are and their respective share is left to the imagination of the trustee.

It would however be noted that where a trust is revocable in nature, the trust is ignored for tax purposes and the related income is taxed in the hands of the settlor itself.

Conclusion

In view of the various benefits of the usage of a private trust as an instrument for succession and estate planning is an aspect to be considered. Succession planning is a key process that should be planned and executed in an organized manner. This would ensure that bitterness and feuds within the family are kept at a bay, thereby resulting in the preservation of family wealth

Rajiv Ambat Lifestyle Disorders Coach & Founder - NuvoVivo

About NuvoVivo (www.nuvovivo.com) Rajiv Ambat is the CEO of NuvoVivo, an online health & fitness company that is into medical fitness. He is a well-known speaker and author of the best-selling book - ‘The Midriff Crisis’ and lifestyle expert. Under the guidance of Mr Rajiv, his team at NuvoVivo help their clients manage/reverse lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, fatty liver, uric acid, hypertension, PCOS, thyroid disorders, etc.

Finally, It All Boils Down to One Word! Metabolism!

We all have heard people complain - ‘My metabolism is so low that I gain weight even if I eat very little!’ Why is ‘metabolism’ such a big deal? Let’s find out!

What Exactly Is Metabolism?

Metabolism or the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) refers to the amount of energy (calories) that our body spends to sustain life, i.e., for respiration, blood circulation,

temperature regulation, and various biochemical processes, and also for the functioning of various organs. For example, our heart is a muscular pump that pumps blood all over the body and it requires energy to do so. Similarly, our kidneys, liver, and spleen all require energy to function. Various biochemical reactions, such as cellular level reactions, transport of molecules, etc. that happen in every single cell in our body also consume energy. All these activities required to sustain life are

‘Metabolic Activities’ and the sum total of all the energy spent for these activities is called Basal Metabolic Rate.

Why Is Metabolism Important?

Apart from the obvious fact that these numerous bio-chemical reactions and activities are the basis of our life, metabolism also impacts our overall health. The energy spent by our body on metabolic activities is humungous; nearly 70% of the calories we burn is for metabolism while

Muscle tissue is metabolically more active than fat tissue, consuming nearly 3 times more energy. A person with better body composition (higher muscle mass) hence would have a higher metabolic rate. Hormonal issues, especially those that affect the thyroid glands also can severely alter our metabolism.

exercises and other activities including walking, talking, etc. accounts for the remaining 30% of calories expended during the day. In other words, if your metabolic rate is low, your total energy expenditure during the day will be much lesser. This means, you may easily end up on a calorie surplus even with moderate to low-calorie intake and thus will gain weight.

This is the reason, people who suffer from hypothyroidism gain weight very easily. Thyroid hormones play a very important role in regulating metabolic rate. As the thyroid gland becomes underactive (hypo), the metabolic rate falls and the total energy expenditure also becomes reduced.

Most of the lifestyle disorders including diabetes are a direct result of impaired metabolism and this is why lifestyle disorders are also referred to as metabolic disorders! Improving metabolic parameters is the key to reversing such diseases and becoming healthy.

Remember - you do not lose weight and become healthy. Rather you become healthy and improve

metabolic parameters; weight loss is just a by-product! How to Measure Metabolism?

There are mathematical equations and models like the ‘HarrisBenedict BMR equation’ to calculate the BMR. However, it is important to note that these equations are only an approximation. BMR is a highly variable number; your metabolic rate today may not be the same as yesterday. It can vary based on many factors such as the mood of the person, the temperature outside, and more. BMR is also dependent on body composition, and hormonal balances; even genetics play a role in the basal metabolic rate.

Factors Affecting Metabolism

Metabolic rate is influenced by many factors including the mood, the weather and even the masala in your food. However, the main factors that have a significant influence on your metabolic rate are - age, gender, hormones, body composition, body size and physical activity.

As we all age, we lose muscle mass and the metabolic rate drops.

This is called age-related sarcopenia and is the natural process of ageing. As the metabolic parameters drop, the body becomes more susceptible to lifestyle diseases. Age is yet another factor - men usually have a higher metabolic rate, as compared to women of the same age, height and weight. Body composition or the percentage of fat vs muscles in the body is yet another important indicator of our metabolic rate.

Muscle tissue is metabolically more active than fat tissue, consuming nearly 3 times more energy. A person with better body composition (higher muscle mass) hence would have a higher metabolic rate. Hormonal issues, especially those that affect the thyroid glands also can severely alter our metabolism.

Some Interesting Facts About the Metabolic Rate of Different Organs

• The brain occupies only 2% of the body weight, but it consumes (spends) 17% of the total energy requirement of the body.

• The heart weighs only 0.5% of total body weight but spends 8% of total energy in a day.

• The liver occupies 2.6% of body weight but amounts to a HUGE 19% of energy requirement in a day.

• Interestingly, fat occupies 21% of body weight but consumes only 3% of total energy. How to Improve Metabolism?

There is no single vegetable or fruit or a specific method that improves metabolism. An overall lifestyle change that involves nutritious food, adequate sleep and exercise

will improve metabolism gradually and steadily. Among all types of exercises, weight training has a direct and immediate impact on improving metabolism.

Muscle tissue is metabolically more active than adipose fat. In other words, muscle spends (needs) more energy than fat tissue. Every 1 kg of skeletal muscle burns roughly 13 kcal of energy, as compared to 4.5 kcal burnt by 1 kg of adipose. This is why improving muscle mass always

helps in improving metabolism.

One cannot improve metabolism in one single day. Improving metabolism and metabolic parameters entails an overall lifestyle change. As the metabolism improves, you would enjoy a host of health benefits including - better digestion, absorption & assimilation of nutrients, improved body vitals (blood glucose, blood pressure), improved body composition, and better quality of life. In short, better health!

There is no single vegetable or fruit or a specific method that improves metabolism. An overall lifestyle change that involves nutritious food, adequate sleep and exercise will improve metabolism gradually and steadily.

Dolly Maria

Dolly Maria is founder of THE IGNIST, a training company born out of a noble cause and spirit. She holds a decade long experience being a passionate mentor and entrepreneur.

You need to be the master of your emotions. You need to believe in yourself. Listen carefully to your inner talks. Nothing changes in your life until you believe you can do things that are significant to your own growth.

Refuse To Be Reduced!

Life is short. Life mostly is a storm. It's what you do when the storm comes that counts; How you learn to sail confidently out of the storm is what counts. Failures are inescapable and very much expected, without which you will not taste the nectar of success – one moment you find yourself basking in the limelight of success and next you find yourself battered in the storm – When you stare down the tumultuous trials of life, the one thing that confirms your safe arrival to the shore is "Confidence" in yourself!

Confidence is more than just a feeling. It's all about the willingness to pay the price of success. Everyone has doubts as you do about yourself, everyone has bad vicious days and life upsets each and every one of them on a regular basis. Whatever

the storm may be, steering clear off the fears and doubts and learning to emerge out a winner again for the next level of the test is the key. Confidence has no room for pity parties. If you want to learn to build confidence, you must be ready to look at yourself naked and vulnerable with all your flaws. You must be absolutely open for change. At intervals, life might ask you to take a complete detour – personally or professionally. You must be courageous to face the inevitable. Few failures are really not the end, but infact every end is just a new beginning. If you accurately learn these simple truths of life, it will be easier to grip on and stride ahead more with confidence.

Fighting and resisting adversities is pointless – Acceptance is fundamental. One of the easy strategies for recovering and gathering mo-

mentum is to remind yourself of your past achievements. Confidence is the key to turn your ignition on and vrooooom past the let-downs. The past successful milestones that you've covered with brilliance would be fuel. Use your past to your advantage. When you look back, it should only help you motivate – don't ever 'look back' for anything else. In this fast-paced rut of life, you tend to lose yourself in the crowd and busyness. The uncertainty of your abilities should not make it painful and fearful for you. So, take some time out to sit silently with yourself. Look inward first and foremost. Have the confidence to look into yourself. Know thyself – that's the very first rule to success. Being comfortable with yourself will only boost your confidence level. This is so important because you are. It all comes

down to you, to rebuild your life. You are the one who decides which road to take and to dictate your own terms for it. You set your boundaries, you limit your circles, and you choose your team and career; It is you who takes the final call on your life as matters. As Winston Churchill said, "Success is not final, Failure is not fatal – It is the courage to continue that counts". Self-confidence will then help you charge ahead. During the Black Hawk war, Lincoln was enlisted a Captain, but returned a Private, which did not cause him to shrink back from serving. Even through numerous other defeats in his public and private life, he stuck to his convictions and went on successfully to become the President of the United States.

There are several factors that affect our self-confidence – our upbringing, mind conditioning, parents, friends, the environment we are in, our past history, the way we think about ourselves, the media, our belief system, how others treat us and life experiences as a whole.

All of us have made mistakes and have had bitter disappointments in life. It is not that you get confident after a wide fanfare of success – it is actually the other way around – It is indeed your confidence in making it through it that leads you to succeed. Whatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is what you will manifest in your life as a reality and experience. Thinking positively is one of the first steps of manifestation. Whatever that had been invented on the face of Earth was first invested in the labyrinths of a Mind. No matter what adversity you face externally, the key is the stay focused on your faith in the imagination that you have. Learning the body language and psychology of Confidence starts here. "Where focus goes, energy flows". You need to be the master of your emotions. You need to believe in yourself. Listen carefully to your inner talks. Nothing changes in your life until you believe you can do things that are significant to your own growth. Make it a habit to weed out any deleterious

suggestions that may come up due to your conditioning. Your thoughts will dictate what emotions you engage yourself to be in. You will have to know to pinpoint what's ruling you – why you feel a particular way. Practice perpetual optimism. This is very important to assess your way ahead to success. Because everything starts in your mind, with how you think.

Make tiny steps, one day at a time. Believe in the magic of compound growth. Prepare diligently – it is important to tackle yourself carefully to attain a great level of self-confidence. Planning is crucial. The next step is to act on it. Decide small goals. Celebrate each win. Do not ever compare yourself with another. Set your own benchmarks and evaluations and just stick on with your sole route. Improve your skills, knowledge and attitude on the go wherever you find it necessary – do not be complacent about anything. Although it is good to embrace discomforts, always make a check whether you are lazing in your comfort zone for too long - Self-motivate.

Resting for more than required will eventually make you 'rust'. Practice positive affirmations. Adapt to constructive creative habits that will help you out of mundane monotonous routines of the day. Engage in activities that make you laugh, Do what you are really passionate about. Make sure you focus on the solutions, not the problems. Accept whatever situation you are in - Your eyes should always be on the path ahead, not the obstacles on the way. Always be sensitive to your internal dialogue – that is the most fatal thing. Strictly cut off any negatives and addictions. Most importantly always Visualise your Success. Dress your self-confidence in style, revel in You, build a better world and inspire thousands on your way!

Life is short. Life mostly is a storm. It’s what you do when the storm comes that counts; How you learn to sail confidently out of the storm is what counts. Failures are inescapable and very much expected, without which you will not taste the nectar of success – one moment you find yourself basking in the limelight of success and next you find yourself battered in the storm – When you stare down the tumultuous trials of life, the one thing that confirms your safe arrival to the shore is “Confidence” in yourself !

Confidence is more than just a feeling. It’s all about the willingness to pay the price of success. Everyone has doubts like you do about your-

self, everyone has bad vicious days and life upsets each n every one of them on a regular basis. Whatever the storm may be, steering clear off the fears and doubts and learning to emerge out a winner again for the next level of test is the key. Confidence has no room for pity parties.

If you want to learn to build confidence, you must be ready to look at yourself naked and vulnerable with all your flaws. You must be absolutely open for change. At intervals, life might ask you to take a complete detour – personally or professionally.

You must be courageous to face the inevitable. Few failures are really not the end, but infact every end is just a new beginning. If you accurately learn these simple truths of life, it will be easier to grip on and stride ahead more with confidence.

Fighting and resisting adversities is pointless – Acceptance is fundamental. One of the easy strategies in recovering and gathering momentum is to remind yourself of your past achievements. Confidence is the key to turn your ignition on and vrooooom past the let-downs. The past successful milestones that you’ve covered with brilliance would be a fuel. Use your past to your advantage. When you look back, it should only to help you motivate –don’t ever ‘look back’ for anything else. In this fast paced rut of life, you tend to lose yourself in the crowd and busy-ness. The uncertainty of your abilities should not make

it painful and fearful for you. So, take some time out to sit silent with yourself. Look inward first and foremost. Have the confidence to look into yourself. Know thyself – that’s the very first rule to success. Being comfortable with self will only boost your confidence level. This is so important because you are. It all comes down to you, to rebuild your life. You are the one who decides which road to take and to dictate your own terms to it. You set your boundaries, you limit your circles, you choose your team and career; It is you who takes the final call on your life as matters. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, Failure is not fatal – It is the courage to continue that counts”. Confidence in self will then help you charge ahead. During the Black Hawk war Lincoln was enlisted a Captain, but returned a Private, which did not cause him to shrink back from serving. Even through numerous other defeats in his public and private life, he stuck to his convictions and went on successfully to become the President of United States.

There are several factors that affect our self-confidence – our upbringing, mind conditioning, parents, friends, the environment we are in, our past history, the way we think about ourselves, the media, our belief system, how others treat us and life experiences as a whole. All of us have made mistakes and have had bitter disappointments in

Confidence is more than just a feeling. It’s all about the willingness to pay the price of success. Everyone has doubts like you do about yourself, everyone has bad vicious days and life upsets each n every one of them on a regular basis.

life. It is not that you get confident after a wide fanfare of success – it is actually the other way round – It is indeed your confidence in making through it that leads you to succeed. Whatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is what you will manifest in your life as a reality and experience. Thinking Positive is one of the first steps of manifestation. Whatever that had been invented on the face of Earth was first invested in the labyrinths of a Mind. No matter what adversity you face externally, the key is the stay focused on your faith in the imagination that you have. Learning the body language and psychology of Confidence starts here. “Where focus goes, energy flows”. You need to be the master of your emotions. You need to believe in self. Listen carefully to your inner talks. Nothing changes in your life until you believe you can do things that are significant to your own growth. Make it a habit to weed

out any deleterious suggestions that may come up due to your conditioning. Your thoughts will dictate what emotions you engage yourself to be in. You will have to know to pinpoint what’s ruling you – why you feel a particular way. Practice perpetual optimism. This is very important to assess your way ahead to success. Because everything starts in your mind, with how you think.

Make tiny steps, one day at a time. Believe in the magic of compound growth. Prepare diligently – it is important to tackle yourself carefully to attain a great level of self-confidence. Planning is crucial. Next step is to act on it. Decide small goals. Celebrate each wins. Do not ever compare yourself with another. Set your own benchmarks and evaluations and just stick on with your sole route. Improve your skills, knowledge and attitude on the go wherever you find it necessary – do not be com-

placent about anything. Although it is good to embrace discomforts, always make a check whether you are lazing on your comfort zone for too long - Self-motivate. Resting for more than required will eventually make you ‘rust’. Practice positive affirmations. Adapt to constructive creative habits that will help you out of mundane monotonous routines of the day. Engage in activities that make you laugh, Do what you are really passionate about. Make sure you focus on the solutions, not the problems. Accept whatever situation you are in - Your eyes should always be on the path ahead, not the obstacles on the way. Always be sensitive to your internal dialogue – that is the most fatal thing. Strictly cut off any negatives and addictions. Most importantly always Visualise your Success. Dress your self-confidence in style, revel in You, build a better world and inspire thousands on your way!

Beauty Benefits of Cucumbers That Will Amaze You

Cucumber is one of the most popular salad and sandwich ingredients and is frequently referred to as a "superfood." This green vegetable is unquestionably a favourite of everyone who is health aware. Cucumber, however, offers some fascinating cosmetic advantages that will encourage you to pick some up right away.

Cucumber is a wonderful vegetable to include in your diet and works wonders for your skin and hair in addition to having a high water content and low-calorie count. The best ingredient to treat many of our skin, hair, and health problems is cucumber.

A Quick Glow

It is well known that cucumbers have mild bleaching capabilities that can aid in removing skin tanner. In actuality, cucumber paste can also be used to heal skin burns. Not only that, but it also contributes to the desirable radiance of your skin.

Bolsters Hair

Consuming cucumber juice will give your body the nutrients needed for hair development and strengthening, such as silicon, salt, calcium, sulphur, and others. You only need to regularly rinse your hair with cucumber juice to get silky, shiny hair.

Fairer Skin Tone

This miraculous vegetable contains silica, which brightens and evens out skin tone. Juice from a cucumber should be grated. Apply it to your skin with clean cotton balls, and after 10 minutes, wash

your face with cold water. In no time, you'll notice the radiance!

Reduce Hair Loss

Cucumbers can help women with hair development issues, either by eating them or by preparing a hair moisturiser. A special substance found in cucumbers called silica fights numerous hair loss issues, prevents hair from falling out, and promotes faster hair growth.

Puffy Eyes

Vitamin C and caffeine, which both works to minimise water retention and lessen skin irritation, are found in cucumber skin. This explains why cucumber slices serve as effective natural eye pads and why they can be applied topically to reduce eye puffiness.

You should definitely incorporate this low-calorie vegetable in your regular diet now that you are aware of how fantastic it is. Enjoy all the health benefits of cucumbers and live a long life!

Stay Beautiful!

Stay Healthy!

McLeod Ganj:

One Of The Favorite Hill Station

Getaway In India

McLeod Ganj is home to revered Buddhist temples and monasteries, meditation and yoga centres, tremendous cultural diversity and interchange, exciting treks through pine forests, Indo-Tibetan cuisine, and Tibetan handicrafts.

McLeod Ganj is a neighbourhood in Dharamshala in the Himachal Pradesh district of Kangra. Recently, McLeod Ganj has become very well-liked by travellers from all across the nation. It quickly became a popular destination for all tourists.

McLeod Ganj is home to revered Buddhist temples and monasteries, meditation and yoga centres, tremendous cultural diversity and interchange, exciting treks through pine forests, Indo-Tibetan cuisine, and Tibetan handicrafts. For some, it is the perfect, reasonably priced

tranquil getaway.

Best Time to Visit

The greatest time to visit McLeod Ganj is during the monsoon season. The coldest months of McLeod Ganj are December through February, when temperatures can drop dangerously low. This time of year is ideal for visitors, especially honeymooners, as the mountains are heavily covered in snow.

Bhagsu Falls

Perhaps the most well-known tourist destination in Dharamshala, the Bhagsu Waterfall draws visitors looking to take in the splendours of nature and spend some quiet time

in solitude. The Bhagsunag Waterfall is the perfect place for a picnic with family and friends because it is situated on the main route that connects McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala.

The well-known Bhagsunath Temple is the main draw here. The waterfall rises from the Dhauladhar Valley, which is likewise regarded as a sacred area. During the monsoon season, when the water cascades from a height of around 30 feet and seems fascinating and stunningly beautiful, the Bhagsu Fall is at the height of its beauty and majesty.

Triund

Along

surroundings,

An accessible trip into the beautiful Himalayas is available in Himachal Pradesh's Triund. At a height of 2828 metres, just a few kilometres from Dharamshala, it is the ideal location for trekking, with fantastic paths providing picturesque views of the entire Kangra Valley.

Triund is a short and easy trek away. Either McLeod Ganj or Dharamkot, which is two kilometres to the north of McLeod Ganj, might be

used for this. The first half of the trek is a gradually inclining walk, and the final two kilometres from Snowline Cafe to Triund involve a vertical climb. An excellent reason to camp here at night is the view of the sunset from Triund.

Namgyal Monastery

The Namgyal Monastery in McLeod Ganj, the largest Tibetan temple outside of Tibet, is thought to be the place where the Dalai

Lama, the head of the Tibetan people, resides. Even those who are not inclined towards this religion can be drawn in by the atmosphere and serenity that this location fosters in the minds of its visitors.

Since the Namgyal Monastery is the 14th Dalai Lama's personal monastery, it is frequently referred to as "Dalai Lama's Temple." The second Dalai Lama established Namgyal Monastery in the 16th century, in-

with its stunning natural

McLeod Ganj offers a full range of refreshing therapies that will soothe all of your senses.

tending for the monks to assist him in religious matters.

Dharamkot

While Dharamkot, a tiny hippie community, is close to Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, it is not as popular with tourists as these nearby destinations. It is excellent to spend some time away, meditating in solitude, in a location known as the Yoga Village.

The tiny town is endowed with breathtaking views of the formidable Dhauladhar peaks and the surrounding Kangra Valley. Dharamkot, which is home to the Dhamma Shikhara Vipassana Meditation Center and the Tushita Buddhist Meditation Centre, strikes a delicate balance between being a tranquil yoga retreat town and an oasis for adventurers. As the starting point for several of

the most well-known walks in the area, such as the Triund and Indraprahar Pass treks, trekking is one of the most popular activities in Dharamkot.

Dal Lake

The Dal Lake is a tiny but charming lake that is situated in the Kangra district of and McLeod Ganj in Himachal Pradesh at a height of 1,775 metres above sea level close

Plan a vacation to McLeod Ganj soon because there are so many enjoyable and interesting things to do there. With your family and friends, you will undoubtedly have the fun of your life in this stunning hill station. Along with its stunning natural surroundings, McLeod Ganj offers a full range of refreshing therapies that will soothe all of your senses.

to the village of Tota Rani. The lake, which takes its name from Srinagar's renowned and stunning Dal Lake, is encircled by craggy mountains and enormous deodar trees.

The lake is peaceful and inviting nature enthusiasts to observe various fish species in their natural habitat. For adventure seekers, trekking expeditions around the lake are an option. Dal Lake is also a perfect place to stop over and relax if you are trekking up to Naddi, which is also known as the Sunset Point. The lake is the ideal place to relax with loved ones and spend a carefree day in the midst of nature because of its lush greenery and blossoming trees. The entire day, nature lovers come to this tourist attraction.

Tsuglakhang Temple

The Dalai Lama Temple, also known as Tsuglakhang Temple, is a political and religious centre in Dharamsala that is brimming with Tibetan culture. The temple, which is perfect for contemplative prayer and religious reflection, is constantly crowded

with lamas chanting on prayer wheels or beads. The Dalai Lama frequently travels there to teach and lead prayer gatherings because it is so close to his residence.

The temple complex has gained popularity for its picturesque setting and has developed into a respected Buddhist pilgrimage attraction. Additionally, the tranquil surroundings and ataraxy draw visitors from all over the world. Massive statues of Avalokiteshvara, Padmasambhava, and several other Buddhist monks can be found inside the enormous complex. The main attraction of Dalai Lama Temple is the enormous idol of Buddha sitting on an elevated pedestal.

St. John in the Wilderness Church

One of Himachal Pradesh's most significant churches is St. John in the Wilderness, which was constructed in 1852. This neo-gothic church, which is close to Dharamshala and on the road to McLeod Ganj, was constructed in honour of John the Baptist. This serene build-

ing, which is surrounded by dense deodar forests, is wellknown for its Belgian stainedglass windows.

The peculiar church is well-known as "St. John in the Wilderness" because it was constructed among thick forest. As one of Dharamsala's oldest structures, it serves as the ultimate resting place for Lord Ergin, a viceroy of India and former governor general under the British Raj. It's important to distinguish between this St. John in the Wilderness Church and the church with the same name that's situated in Nainital, Uttarakhand.

Dive in Close to Nature’s Beautiful Hill Station Plan a vacation to McLeod Ganj soon because there are so many enjoyable and interesting things to do there. With your family and friends, you will undoubtedly have the fun of your life in this stunning hill station. Along with its stunning natural surroundings, McLeod Ganj offers a full range of refreshing therapies that will soothe all of your senses

Vivek Venugopal is one of India’s top automotive writers with over a decade’s experience in road-testing and reviewing cars. He is currently the Editor of Quarter Mile magazine and a columnist in several leading magazines and newspapers. He is also a highly sought after consulting engineer and market analyst for many automobile manufacturers.

Mercedes Benz GLB

India's fascination and love for the three-pointed star has always been reciprocated well by Mercedes Benz's enthusiasm for and commitment to our market. Mercedes Benz has been on a roll this year with back-to-back launches. The GLB and its electric sibling the EQB were the last two models slated for this year and we sampled them both recently. Although these are meant to be volume sellers and local manufacturing is important, the GLB is imported from Mexico while the EQB comes from Hungary. Both offer seven seats and no other cars in that price range barring the Discovery Sport do that. To keep it simple, we will focus on the GLB for

now.

The GLB is based on the MFA2 platform which has the A class, CLA, GLA, and B class. From the outside, it looks like a shrunken GLS with its boxier styling. The dimensions are almost identical to the larger GLC. The front end is butch and very aggressive with a trapezoidal grille and square headlamps on either side. The side profile is uncluttered and the rear tail lamps are very much like that of the GLS. The 220d 4Matic we drove, comes as an AMG-line variant with deeper bumpers, more aggressive air intakes, and 19-inch alloys.

Step inside and you see a lot of familiarity with the A class and

GLA. The dashboard has the twin screen and the three turbine-style AC vents layout, but in the GLB, you have a few chunkier trim bits for an SUV look. The dashboard design is nice and the ergonomics are good. The MBUX spans across two 10.25-inch screens, one for the driver and another for the infotainment system. Material quality is good for most of the touch surfaces and ambient lighting lifts up the cabin when it's dark. The seats are

finished in part leather and part suede. The front seats are supportive with electric adjustments. The middle row can slide back and forth, recline, and comes with a 40:20:40 split. While underthigh support isn't great, legroom and headroom are adequate. The third row is best left for small children and Mercedes has a sticker on the door to remind you of that. Luggage space with the last row in place is 130 litres, but fold them down and you

have 500 litres of boot space.

The GLB comes with two engine choices – a 1.3 litre in the GLB 200 and the 2 litre diesel in the 220d form. The petrol engine is a four-cylinder with cylinder deactivation, borrowed from Renault and makes 160bhp and 250Nm. The diesel is the one we tested and has 190bhp and 400Nm. It feels quite strong and Mercedes claims a 0-100kmph time of 7.6 seconds. The 8-speed dual-clutch unit mated to

The GLB is based on the MFA2 platform which has the A class, CLA, GLA, and B class. From the outside, it looks like a shrunken GLS with its boxier styling. The dimensions are almost identical to the larger GLC. The front end is butch and very aggressive with a trapezoidal grille and square headlamps on either side.

it is an enthusiastic one with quick shits delivered as soon as you tug on the paddle shifters. You can drive the GLB fast and derive some fun out of it. The engine is reasonably refined at low speeds but gets gruff as the revs climb.

The GLB has good highway manners and excellent straightline stability. It is also eager to turn into corners with accurate steering and decent levels of grip – front and rear. There

is some body roll and the long wheelbase makes it feel less eager than say a GLA, but you can have a lot of fun with it.

It still feels front wheel driven with only 20-30 percent power sent to the rear most of the time. The ride quality is decent for the most part but on these 19 inches, big potholes filter through. The suspension does an excellent job of absorbing road imperfections at higher speeds.

The Mercedes GLB is a great family SUV for someone who wants prestige, good looks, practicality, and safety. The diesel engine is both strong and economical. While it isn't the full seven-seat experience you may have hoped for, it still offers comfortable 5+2 seating. Because they are imported, prices for the GLB range from Rs.63.8 to 69.8 lakhs ex. showroom. But that doesn’t take way from its versatility and appeal

Monica, O My Darling

The Hindi-language neo-noir crime comedy thriller movie Monica, O My Darling was made by Vasan Bala. Rajkummar Rao, Huma Qureshi, and Radhika Apte play pivotal roles in the movie. The film is based on Keigo Higashino's 1989 Japanese novel Burutasu No Shinzou. You can't miss this rollercoaster experience. The story centres on a young man who frantically seeks to make it big with the help of some odd allies and a cunning, evil scheme to commit the ideal murder. The plot is compelling and captivating, and the characters are realistically flawed enough that you won't groan at their manufactured goodness as you do in most movies. They all appear one thing on the exterior while hiding something else on the inside! That is the elegance of the writer's rendering of them. The conversations are authentic, and the language is one we can recognise and relate to. Movies are primarily meant to be enjoyed, and this one does just that.

Love Today

Love Today is Pradeep Ranganathan's second film directed after Comali, and it is a romantic comedy-drama in the Tamil language. The lead actors in the movie are Pradeep Ranganathan, Ivana, Raveena Ravi, Yogi Babu, Sathyaraj, and Raadhika Sarathkumar. The action takes place when a young couple is forced to swap phones for the day. What happens next is a comical and heartbreaking series of incidents that make their lives miserable. Love Today is a fun-filled look at contemporary love and how our cell phones can reveal our true selves when we are by ourselves. Pradeep appears to have been aware of the mood of his audience because he included several amusing moments that kids are sure to find appealing. The film's main strength is its strong story and screenplay. Without ever exaggerating the passion of the contemporary generation, each and every moment was expertly constructed.

Bediya

Amar Kaushik, an Indian filmmaker, directed the comedy-horror movie Bhediya. Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon play the key roles in it. The protagonist of the tale is a young guy who, after being bitten by a wolf in the wilderness, begins to change into a werewolf. Together with his companions, he searches for a remedy and solves a long-standing puzzle. It's excellent to watch a unique movie with humour, terror, a great plot, a solid screenplay, and—most importantly—a message for everyone about nature, wildlife, and the North East region of India. The mythology of Arunachal Pradesh and the urban legend of the werewolf are expertly woven together to make this movie enjoyable all the way through. It's not simply one protagonist focusing movie, so all characters have well-balanced weightage, which makes it incredibly enjoyable. You will love the movie because the dialogue is not overly drawn out and tedious. The film is packed with both comedy and suspense.

Mukundan Unni Associates

Vineeth

Sreenivasan and Suraj Venjaramoodu play the main characters in Abhinav Sunder Nayak's black comedy movie Mukundan Unni Associates, which is in the Malayalam language. Vineeth Sreenivasan's portrayal of advocate Mukundan Unni is driven by success and will stop at nothing to obtain respect, progress, and fortune. However, this unwavering nature combined with a healthy dose of greed has a price. The persona of Mukundan Unni serves as a clear message to society that one's own interests come before morality and emotion. The movie Mukundan Unni Associates is unquestionably unique; often, court cases films are only depicted in the context of the courtroom; but, in this case, we get to see what it takes for a new lawyer to get a case. The greatest way to convey his chilly, analytical intellect is how he keeps a snake at his house. The movie is made to be so much fun by Mukundan Unni's character, especially if you enjoy black comedies.

The Prisoner

Author : B A Paris Price : `1,464 (Paperback)

BA Paris is back with yet another psychological thriller book, The Prisoner. Amelie has survived despite losing both of her parents when she was a little child. Amelie wakes up as a prisoner in a dark chamber after marrying a billionaire with a beautiful lifestyle. Why did this occur? Who are her kidnappers? What makes her feel more secure now than she did when she was with her husband? Paris offers the reader an enthralling thriller that will keep them up late into the night with its spooky psychological turns. Effectively constructing her narrative, Paris offers a clear route into the unknown. It moves along quickly and is undoubtedly enjoyable for thriller genre enthusiasts. He creates a fantastic composition that is packed with psychological pleasures that will dazzle even the most devoted reader.

The Personal Assistant

Author : Kimberley Belle Price : `1,992 (Hardcover)

Penned

by Kimberley Belle

The Personal Assistant is a thriller novel. When Alex wakes up one morning and finds that everyone has turned against her, who is an influencer at the top of her game. She is abruptly cancelled by her supporters, and her personal assistant AC vanishes. The decline of Alex's career and the mysteries surrounding her vanished aide must be managed. This winter, The Personal Assistant is the ideal thriller to read. The compelling tale of Belle defies logic and leaves you thinking, 'What a horrible husband!' Alex has the greatest fear of every influencer when the online trolls start making physical threats in addition to their online torment. It was simple to be caught up in this plot, which is currently a hot topic. Getting a close-up look at a social media influencer's point of view was intriguing.

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

Author : Lisa Unger Price : `1,464 (Paperback)

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is a psychological thriller book written by Lisa Unger. When three couples rent a secluded luxury cabin in the woods, a weekend escape turns into a nightmare. Hannah's birthday weekend is off to a dreadful start when the cabin's personal chef discloses the cabin's scary past, with a storm brewing and a fairly persistent host. The buddies must decide how much they can trust one another as long-buried secrets surface. With backstories of mystery people involving DNA testing and a serial rapist, the plot is over-the-top and convoluted. By the end, you essentially despise everybody. However, the unexpected turns keep you on your toes and offer some enjoyable mindless amusement. From the slow burn first half, which was full of expertly created domestic suspense to the psychological thriller's second half's twists and turns, which were gripping and tension-filled, Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is a rollercoaster ride.

Now Is Not the Time to Panic

Author : Kevin Wilson Price : `1,870 (Hardcover)

Kevin Wilson’s new novel “Now Is Not the Time to Panic,” is a comingof-age story. The plot is when gifted artist Zeke, the new lad in town, first moves to Tennessee, Frankie Budge is simply trying to get through another lonely summer. Together, they design a memorable poster with a mysterious message, which they then put all over the city. The town suddenly goes into a panic as rumours start to spread, endangering Frankie and Zeke's relationship. When a journalist finds Frankie twenty years later to interview her about the Panic, Frankie must choose how much of the truth she is willing to divulge. An insightful investigation of teenage love, identity, and the influence of art is the main theme. The writing is of exceptional quality, especially in how compassionately the author portrays Frankie and Zeke and makes you care for them. This is a moving story that is also tender in many respects, but it never becomes overly sentimental.