Unique Times September 2019 Feat Sushama Nandakumar

Vol 8 Issue No.95 Sept-Oct 2019

Memorable moments from Milan 2019 Shri V.P. Nandakumar, MD & CEO Manappuram Finance Ltd.

Lesotho: The Most Beautiful African Kingdom

A Golden Career Teacher, Social Worker, and Businesswoman

Sushama Nandakumar,

Managing Director of Manappuram Jewellers Ltd

Editorial

Chief Mentor Mr. V.P. Nandakumar Director & CEO Jebitha Ajit Editor Jebitha Ajit outh African social right activist Legal Advisor Latha Anand Desmond Tutu said: “Hope is being

B.S.Krishnan Associates able to see that there is light despite all bskrishnanassociates@gmail.com Sub-Editor Vignesh S.G the darkness”. This Onam, the festival Associate Editor Ravi Saini of harvest, let us hope to see a better

Rajeev Kumar tomorrow.

Director and special editor kollur Read the cover story about Sushama Correspondents Dr. Thomas Nechupadam Nandakumar, wife of V.P. Nandakumar, Managing Director

Vivek Venugopal- Quarter Mile of Manappuram Finance. A teacher-turned-businesswom Amrutha V Kumar an, she is now at the helm as Managing Director of ManapCreative Design PEGASUS puram Jewellers, a prominent gems and jewellery franchise.

Cover Photographer Ashique Hassan While travelling all over world for business, she believes Marketing UAE that a successful business needs ethics, hard-working and

Phygicart.com sincerity.

P.O. Box: 92546, Al Karama Dubai In his regular column, V.P. Nandakumar, CEO and MD,

Mr. Anish K Joy

Mob: +971528946999 Manappuram Finance, share with readers the highlights info@phygicart.com and special moments in Milan in Italy where he had spent

Plot No 19A, 9th Floor, ten days as a candidate standing for election to the position

Green Building, Film City, of International Director of Lions Clubs International.

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Jayasankar M, a/101, has got the style, appeal, space, comfort, and is just the

New Prathamesh Niwas,

OPP. Laxmi Park, Thakurli East, right size. Our travel expert explores a beautiful African

Dombivli post, Thane District, 421201 Kingdom in detail. That is none other than the Kingdom of Lesotho. Not many countries in Africa are as beautiful

Mob: 9820708662 as this country. Maseru, Semonkong, Morija, Thaba-Tseka

Tamil Nadu and Mount Moorosi are popular destinations in this heaven

Vice president like country.

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Cover Photograph Sushama Nandakumar, Managing Director of Manappuram, Jewellers Ltd

Printer & publisher Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd. Kalamassery, Ernakulam on behalf of Ajit Ravi. Printed at S.T.Reddiar & Sons, Cochin-18.

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CONTENTS

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18

Memorable moments from Milan 2019

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On Employment and Skill development

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A Golden Career Teacher, Social Worker, and Businesswoman

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Sabka Vikas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme, 2019 – A medicine for cleansing

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Dream a goal in your soul!

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56

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Gadgets

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Recipes

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Natural tips to remove darkness around eyes

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Lesotho: The Most Beautiful African Kingdom

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Kia Seltos

UNIQUE DIARY

Centre revokes ‘super-rich surcharge’ policy

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he central government has rolled back the higher super-rich surcharge levied on capital gains in equity market for domestic and foreign investors. The big move has been announced by central finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The move is expected to boost the Indian economy which is at present in a very disturbed state. The move gives an impression that the central government is ready to do whatever they can to improve the economy of the country. The move also reassures the corporate world that the government respects all who make wealth.

A source says that more such measures can be expected in the coming days to improve the economy.

Violations of CSR no longer criminal offence, says FM

"Every successful business professional I know is constantly learning, reading, growing in their field."

Rachel Hollis

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he most controversial policy the country adopted in the resent past in connection with its corporate sector was making the violations of CSR as a criminal offence. Many conglomerates then criticised the move adopted by the central government. Now, the centre has brought a slight change in their policy. It seems that the centre has been properly convinced by the corporate houses about the downsides of the move. As per the new policy related to this matter, the violations of Corporate Social Responsibility will not be a criminal offence hereafter. The new move is expected to impress the corporate houses.

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September-October 2019

Flood brings disaster to agriculture

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he rain-related issues, such as flood, have brought disaster to the country’s agricultural sector. Several Indian states such as Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Delhi have experienced serious rainfall. The rain-related issues have affected almost all of them. As most of these states are agrarian in character, the country’s agriculture sector has been serious impacted due to the rain related issues. In Maharashtra alone, crops on over four lakh hectares have been damaged by the recent flood. Sugarcane, cotton, tur dal, soyabean, rice and groundnut are among those which are most affected. The issue is likely to impact the country’s economy seriously in the near future itself. It is high time for the government to formulate a feasible national policy on climate change.

UK to launch natural alternative to pesticide

"Remind people that profit is the difference between revenue and expense. This makes you look smart."

Scott Adams

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he United Kingdom is set to launch a natural alternative to pesticides. The project is progressing with the help of the researchers of the Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield. A popular agricultural company, Syngenta, is also working closely with the institute in this revolutionary project. The proposed alternative is expected to be launched in the near future itself. The best quality of the aforesaid alternative is that it only targets specific pests without harming beneficial pollinators. It is also nature friendly. The new finding is expected to give a huge blow to huge chemical pesticide companies.

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UNIQUE DIARY

Prices of vegetables to go up due to rain

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s a result of widespread agriculture loss due to rain, the price of vegetables in the country is likely to go up in the coming days. The prices of tomato and onion have seen an exponential growth in the agrarian states of Haryana and Punjab. This tremendous growth is due to supply shortage. The price of tomato has doubled to around Rs 80 per kg and that of onion to Rs 50 per kg. The things are not different in the other regions of the country. As the consumer states such as Kerala are going to enter their festival season shortly, the price is likely to go up further in the coming days.

Media and entertainment sector growth to double in five years

"Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader."

Tacitus

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he growth of the media and entertainment sector in the country is expected to double in the time frame of five years. The finding has appeared in a report recently published by KPMG India. Prior to this, the organisation has released ten such reports.

The latest is its eleventh report. The increased digital penetration and the availability of local contents have been cited as the reason for the growth of the sector. The report indicates that in the coming days the job opportunities in the sector will increase considerably. The report may encourage more investors to invest in the growing sector of media and entertainment.

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BUSINESS

Milan is the leading financial centre and the most prosperous manufacturing and commercial city of Italy. Along with London, Paris and New York, it is one of the four fashion capitals of the world, home to iconic brands such as Prada, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana.

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

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he 102nd International Convention of Lions Clubs International (LCI) was held at Milan, Italy, in July 5 to 9 this year. Milan is the leading financial centre and the most prosperous manufacturing and commercial city of Italy. Along with London, Paris and New York, it is one of the four fashion capitals of the world, home to iconic brands such as Prada, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana.

Celebrated artist and polymath, Leonardo Da Vinci, spent 17 years of his life in this city and some of his best works were created here. Not surprisingly, Milan is a very smart city with a mix of well-preserved old buildings and contemporary architecture, narrow cobbled streets and broad tree-lined avenues. Coming from India, one of the first things that strikes your attention is the preponderance of small cars on the roads, almost like what you would see in India. Indeed, I have never seen more of tiny, two-door cars than what I saw in Italy.

I was in Milan for ten days from July 3 to 13 because, as a candidate standing for election to the position of International Director of Lions Clubs International, there was a lot of work to be done in meeting lead-

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ers and delegates, and campaigning for votes. With Europe going through an unprecedented heatwave, Milan unfortunately was no exception. Day time temperatures were quite high and hotter than even Kerala, something we had not looked forward to.

However, visiting to Italy in the peak of summer also has advantages as we discovered soon. The day dawns early and you get daylight extending up to nearly ten o’ clock in the night, a boon to tourists on a short trip trying to take in as many sights as possible.

Having arrived in Milan a couple of days in advance of the official start of the convention, the first two days were spent in a flurry of meetings with Board members and other important leaders of LCI. Besides, there was also the registration formalities and paper work to be completed. The venue of the convention was the Milan Convention Centre, MiCo for short, said to be the largest convention centre in Europe.

The few days that I spent in Milan were some of the most hectic and action-packed days I have ever gone through. The fact is, I met more people (from all over the world too), gave more speeches and in turn, sat through more speeches than I would perhaps have done in a year!

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Looking back, it was one of those much-needed constructive experiences in life where you emerge with increased confidence and renewed optimism in your abilities. Let me then share with you the highlights and special moments in Milan that made the experience so worthwhile to me.

The Parade of Nations

One of the main attractions of the Milan Convention was the Parade of Nations held in the morning on Saturday, July 6. An estimated 10,000 Lions from over 125 countries with many in native attire marched in the parade. The parade was flagged off by the International President Lion Gudrun Yngvadottir and led by the entire past and present leadership of Lions Clubs traveling in slow-moving vintage cars and waving energetically to the crowds lined up throughout the route. I marched with the Lions of Kerala and most of us were dressed in Mundu and Kurta while women delegates wore the traditional Kerala saree. From the Indian contingent, I must say the Lions from Punjab stole the show. Dressed in a riot of colours, they marched to the beat of drums of the Bhangra dance and drew much cheer from the onlook-

MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM MILAN 2019 The 102nd International Convention of Lions Clubs was held at Milan in July

ers. But for sheer festivity of colours, there was none to beat the bright multi-coloured clothing of the Lions from the African countries. The parade ended well before the heat of noon could begin. The ending point was before the Galleria where, in May 1951, the first Lions club of Italy was formed.

Remarkably, this spot was within hand-shaking distance of one of the most striking monuments in Milan,

the Duomo, or the Milan Cathedral.

As one of the largest churches of contemporary Europe, it is truly an imposing sight, capable of holding more than 20,000 people at a time.

Construction of the Cathedral began in 1386, after a fire in 1075 had destroyed the earlier cathedral built in 355 AD. It took five centuries to complete and today it is the 3rd largest church in the world (after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and the Seville

Cathedral in Spain). We had lunch at one of the many restaurants that line the street with the tables laid out on the pavement under colourful umbrellas. There is something to be said about biting into a pizza and sipping chilled beer on a warm, sunny morning against the magnificent backdrop of the Milan cathedral.

The elections

After lunch, it was back to MiCo where the first event was an ‘Ice-

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cream Social’ hosted by the Lions of Gujarat in support of Lion Dr. Patti Hill from Canada who was standing for election to the post of 3rd International Vice President. Lion Patti was contesting as the official candidate, which means her candidature was endorsed by the leadership of the LCI. At this point, a word about the elections that took place at the Milan Convention is in order. Elections were held for the offices of International President, International 1st vice President, International 2nd Vice President, International 3rd Vice President, and 17 International Directors representing the seven geographic regions or ‘constitutional areas’ which together make up Lions Clubs International. Of these, the first three elections, i.e. from 2nd Vice President and above, are largely a formality where the candidate holding the lower position moves up upon winning more than 50 percent ‘Yes’ votes, without any other candidate to contest against him or her. The most important election was the one for the office of International 3rd Vice President, because once you are elected to this position, your path to International President is almost automatic.

As an international organisation with nearly one and a half million members, it is only to be expected that there will be many contenders aspiring for its highest offices. No surprise then, that in the months leading up to the convention, many candidates from across the world declared their intention to contest for the 3rd Vice President’s post. However, the usual practice is that International leadership evaluates all these candidates and after mutual consultation, a consensus is evolved over the candidate deemed best suited for the position who is then nominated to become part of the ‘official panel’ of candidates. Likewise, International Directors who are elected to represent the seven constitutional areas of LCI can also see multiple candidates vying for the position. However, the leadership of the constitutional area ensures that candidate best suited for office

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becomes the consensus candidate with a place on the official panel. It so happened that the Milan Convention also saw an unofficial candidate from Lebanon, Past International Director Lion Salim Moussan, contesting against the official candidate for 3rd International Vice President.

His energetic and spirited campaign injected drama and suspense into what ideally should have been a rather tame affair.

Interestingly, while the International Directors are chosen to represent the various constitutional areas, the voting is open to all delegates.

As exciting as the Milan Convention was, the one regret I have is that schedules were so tightly packed, there was hardly any time for sight-seeing.

Therefore, even as I and Lion R. Sampath were contesting from India from the ISAAME (India, South Asia, Africa and Middle East) constitutional area, we still needed votes of delegates from all other constitutional areas.

Coming back to the ‘Ice Cream Social’, Dr. Patti Hill made an eloquent and impassioned appeal in support of her candidature as the invited audience was treated to a flow of ice creams in a variety of the most delicious flavours. Importantly, the occasion also gave an opportunity to me and my fellow candidate for ID from India, Lion R. Sampath to address the delegates and seek their votes. We were given two minutes

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each and I was able acquaint the audience with highlights of my career as a Lion member, and my qualifications for the position I was seeking.

While the ‘Ice cream Social’ involved a select gathering mostly from India, the business session that followed was where all the 17 candidates for International Director were given the opportunity to address the delegates. The format allowed strictly two minutes time to each candidate during which he or she would be introduced by another eminent Lion leader before taking the podium to directly address the delegates.

Typically, most of the ID candidates were introduced by other Past International Directors (PIDs). Lion R Sampath was introduced by PID Lion N.S. Sankar. I was fortunate to be introduced by the Chairperson of the Lions Clubs International Foundation and Past International President Lion Dr. Naresh Aggarwal, who spoke glowingly in favour of my candidature.

The caucus meetings

Lion Sampath and I also made a series of joint appearances at the various caucus meetings that were being held parallel to the convention. By definition, a caucus is a meeting of members of a group or subgroup to discuss issues and make decisions. However, the Lions caucuses were local meetings of delegates from one country making use of the large attendance at the convention to get together and discuss issues of common relevance.

More often, these were early morning meetings over breakfast to allow the attendees to make it to the main convention in time. And that meant getting ready early and out of the hotel before seven o’ clock, hoping to make our appearance at two or three caucuses at least before the main convention began. By prior arrangement, we were allowed to interrupt their proceedings to make a brief address to the gathering to pitch our candidature. Past International Director Lion N.S. Sankar was kind enough to accompany us to all the caucuses and introduce us to the audience. Over three to four

days, we addressed caucuses of the US, Canada, Japan, Korea, Nepal and many more, and the experience of addressing a varied, international audience was quite useful.

The results

Voting for the elections began on July 7 and went on for the whole of July 8 and ended sharp at nine o’clock in the morning on 9 July. The results were announced the same day at the third and final plenary session which began at ten o’clock.

As the event marking the conclusion of the Milan convention, the final plenary session was memorable for its spectacular on-stage cultural performances that brought together top-notch musicians and dancers from Italy and the rest of the world.

The dance performances were truly breath-taking and I am sure those more acquainted with western classical music and opera would have said the same about the musical performances too.

It was around noon that Past International President Clement F Kusiak strode on to the stage to announce the results of the elections.

As all candidates for International Director were contesting unopposed on the official panel, there was never really a suspense about the eventual

outcome. All the same, it felt good to hear my name being announced, along with my co-candidate Lion R. Sampath, as having been elected as International Director. And then came the much-anticipated moment. The announcement about elections to 3rd International Vice President. The hall resonated with applause when the name of Lion Dr. Patti Hill was announced as the winner. There was a large Canadian contingent in the hall easily identifiable by their bright red T-shirts who were almost delirious with joy. It was quite understandable because Dr. Patti Hill had overcome a spirited challenge, and the outcome was uncertain till the very end. Well, as they say, all is well that ends well!

Among the other announcements, Lion Dr. Jung Yul Choi of South Korea was declared elected as the International President to take over from Lion Gudrun Yngvadottir of Iceland. By convention, Lion Gudrun moved on to the LCI Foundation as its Chairperson, taking over from Lion Dr. Naresh Aggarwal, who now becomes a Past International President. Lion Gudrun’s farewell speech touched upon the highlights of her tenure and was warmly received. After taking the

oath of office, the new President Dr. Choi made an excellent presentation outlining his theme for the year ‘Service with diversity.’ The final announcement was the news that delegates had voted to make Africa into a new constitutional area. Accordingly, LCI now has eight constitutional areas, with the erstwhile ISAAME shortened to ISAME (India, South Asia and the Middle-East), as Africa has rightfully emerged as a separate constitutional area.

Even as the convention got over at the end of the third plenary session on July 9, I had to stay back for three days more because of my new responsibilities and engagements as an International Director.

The remaining days were taken up in Board meetings, receptions, and photo sessions, as also an orientation session for newly elected IDs. The final engagement was an early morning breakfast meeting of all Board members on July 12 where we bid goodbye. The rest of the day was spent in shopping and the next day, we took the flight back to India.

Memories and learnings

As exciting as the Milan Convention was, the one regret I have is that schedules were so tightly packed, there was hardly any time for sight-

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seeing. Given that in terms of the wealth of its historical monuments and artefacts, Italy is one of the most richly endowed countries in the world, I may have missed a lot.

Maybe, some other time perhaps.

One of the pleasures of a Lions international convention is running into people you would never meet and get to know otherwise. Here is just one example. On our way to a caucus meeting, our team paused to have a photograph taken against the backdrop of the large Convention hoarding (or billboard) just outside the entrance to the building. As one of us stepped away and began clicking on his cell phone camera, there was a couple that passed by and the lady turned around and cheerfully offered to take over so that all of us could be included in the group photograph. This was a very considerate offer we could not refuse. And then, in the casual chit-chat that ensued, we learnt that her name was Petra and her husband was Peter. They were both medical doctors from Bavaria in Germany and they were in Milan because Dr. Petra was a District Governor Elect. At this point, one of us mentioned that I was a candidate for International Director and Dr. Petra’s reaction was spontaneous. “Well, in that case, I am the

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one who should get myself photographed with you!’

Finally, every Convention offers some lessons or learnings so that the next convention becomes even better. For the record, the Milan Convention had some failings too, and these were mostly related to the choice of venue. In hindsight, the Milan Convention Centre was not an ideal venue. The important plenary sessions were held at MiCo Hall 3 which had both a capacity constraint and a design flaw.

For the opening plenary session on July 7, entry into the hall was closed well before time simply because the seating capacity was inadequate for the sheer turnout of delegates. Those turned away were directed to another hall where they watched the proceedings livestreamed on a big screen. Incidentally, I have attended the last three conventions at Las Vegas, Chicago and Fukuoka, where the venues were so spacious that capacity was never a constraint. The design of the hall was problematic in that it was long and narrow, with seats laid out facing the long side, with the main stage placed in the middle of the hall to one side. Only those lucky enough to get seats at the centre were able to get a direct view of the stage. Oth-

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ers inside the hall had to be content with watching the proceedings livestreamed on big LED screens, which rather defeats the purpose. The big attraction of the second plenary session on July 8 was an on-stage interview of the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair by the journalist and broadcaster Alastair Campbell who had served as Blair’s Press Secretary when he was Prime Minister.

However, this eagerly anticipated event was marred somewhat by the poor acoustics in many parts of the hall. It made their conversation indecipherable to sections of the audience especially those seated away from the main stage and watching it on a screen.

With the Lions International Convention of 2022 scheduled to be held in New Delhi, we the Lions of India have to ensure that these deficiencies do not recur. Notwithstanding these minor shortcomings, Milan 2019 was a memorable and exhilarating experience

(V.P. Nandakumar is MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd. He was elected as an International Director of Lions Clubs International at its convention held in Milan, Italy, in July 2019)

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BUSINESS

Rajesh Nair Partner-Emerge Ventures Pte Rajesh is also the President of the Kerala Chapter of TiE Global

Innovation is part of the DNA of the entrepreneur. You need to innovate every day and every time you face a problem. That's how entrepreneurs solve problems. The key therefore is not to expect freebies and handouts; that's not the way an entrepreneur thinks and acts.

Every problem for an entrepreneur is an opportunity to innovate.

The dream of a ‘Grown in Kerala – Onam meal’ …

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he festival season begins in India this quarter, and it dawns earlier in Kerala with Onam. After a near wash out and the gloomy lurking clouds in the last month, the festivities come back with a bang. Traders and retailers place big bets on the days ahead. This is one of the ‘make or break’ retail seasons.

The days of Onam in Kerala are the best. The morning always begins with fun and frolic. The children are attired in the ‘Onna kodi’ (new dresses) brought for them by their parents. It is fun to see them run around and mount on makeshift swings. The swings swim like a pendulum, and the children reach out to touch a cloud with their nimble hands.

My memories about the festival are mostly related to the fabulous feast at noon. The delicious aroma of cooked rice, mingled with cooked vegetables and the wood smoke wafting through the rooms where the banana leaves are laid. It is great to remember how we sit in two rows facing each other – the men and the children, while the ladies are busy

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serving. The leaves are brightened by the silver drops of water dancing on the green contours of the leaves.

The dishes are brought in from the smoke blackened kitchen which always had that pleasurable whiff even when there was no cooking. And then, the array of vegetarian delicacies… But, these days when I think of it, I look back with wistful blues and an invisible tear creeps up.

Now, when I look at the clean green plantain leaf, I see vegetables we are forced to get from other states, some of suspect quality.

These are vegetables we can grow in Kerala in plenty and also ensure that they are safe to eat. The farmer – entrepreneur or ‘agripreneur’ in me hopes that the youth in Kerala will see this as an opportunity. Visionary

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agriculture entrepreneur Shivdas Menon often talks of his dream to eat an Onam meal with every dish made from the local produce in Kerala!

We are at the threshold of cutting edge technology in agriculture where we can use polyhouses, vertical agriculture and several new techniques to grow vegetables. Due to the rising literacy levels and the urban influence, the youth in Kerala are increasingly shying away from agriculture. This has led to underuse of land resources. The low labour productivity due to the limited and slow adoption of technology, and the inadequate support infrastructure in terms of transportation, warehousing and credit facilities impact the production levels and the extent of

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wastages in production. By designing more schemes and easing the process of setting up small ventures, we can create smaller clusters and also build an ecosystem for encouraging the agripreneurs.

The role of the government and industry associations like TiE and CII are also paramount here. The new wave of start-ups in agriculture are already challenging normal of logistics, technology and also working against constraints of regulations and dictates in the state. The trend will accelerate with higher technology innovations provided the best minds also get into the business. In the growing free economy, hard won rights that have become commonplace such as collective bargaining, the five-day workweek, paid time off

and insurance against workplace injuries and unemployment could all come under threat – there is big wall separating the farmer and the corporate citizen. Independent contractors in a free economy have none of these protections. The startups disrupting work argue that existing regulations were designed for another era and do not apply nor is it relevant anymore. There’s some validity in that, but regulation also protects consumers and workers in important ways. Governments will need to find the right balance, creating regulatory regimes designed for the future — nimble, real-time and powered by big data and smart technologies.

Innovation is part of the DNA of the entrepreneur. You need to

innovate every day and every time you face a problem. That's how entrepreneurs solve problems. The key therefore is not to expect freebies and handouts; that's not the way an entrepreneur thinks and acts. Every problem for an entrepreneur is an opportunity to innovate.

I am not an economist; I don’t know what will be the impact of a surge of agri ventures on the state exchequer. A quick ‘back of the envelope calculation’ says that while manufacturing creates a great ripple effect in the economy, tourism has the propensity to quickly open avenues of self-employment and burgeon small scale, low investment entrepreneurship. Likewise, agriculture is a great inclusive development tool. With a small piece

of your backyard you can experiment growing something which will reduce what you have to buy to cook and perhaps give you excess to sell.

The new aggregator models in entrepreneurship will facilitate market places for the zealous small farmer too.

Imagine all the dishes that are arranged in an order that made the palate look like a painting. Several islands of colours spread on the leaves. They say when God looks down on the world, he sees a similar profusion of colour, and each Onam Ela (leaf) is a colourful microcosm of the world. And soon, I pray and dream that the leaf will have every ingredient grown and nurtured in the fields and farms of Kerala – Grown in Kerala

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A Golden Career Teacher, Social Worker, and Businesswoman

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he Managing Director of Manappuram Jewellers Ltd., a prominent gems and jewellery franchise, operating in three Southern states of India strides into the Boardroom.

As simple as she appears, one cannot miss the aura of elegance around her. Meet Sushama Nandakumar, a teacher turned businesswoman who is still affectionately called ‘Sushama teacher’ in Valapad, a coastal town in central Kerala. Valapad is also where the Manappauram group, a large conglomerate in the banking and finance sector, is headquartered.

The teacher

Her teaching career started in 1981 and she served in schools in the coastal belt of the Thrissur District in central Kerala. After teaching for 30 long years, she retired

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in 2011. The schools where she worked catered mostly to the underprivileged students coming from the coastal fishing communities. Those days she often went out of her way to support them to whatever extent she could, such as by providing textbooks to the students, or paying their fees.

Towards the end of her career, when she had become the Principal of her school, she would find herself using almost her entire salary to pay for various needs of the school, including the noon meal programme and paying for co-curricular activities.

She was a fine teacher too. Her students who came from all walks of life still share warm memories about their favorite Sushama Teacher.

Some of her old students are now to be found working for the Manappuram Group. She loved teaching, and even today she continues to work closely with schools in Valapad and nearby places despite her punishing schedule. An area of interest to her is technology applied to school education where she has tried to use technology to make learning more easy and fun. One such project where she was hands-on was to develop a mobile learning app called Edu-App which unlike other educational apps is made available to students totally free thanks to support from the Manappuram Group. The Edu-App provides a platform for students, parents and teachers to come together and derive the full benefits of digital technology which otherwise would be quite unaffordable to people in rural Kerala, especially in the coastal fishing communities.

Sushama Teacher was also instrumental in the makeover of the Vidyavilasom Upper Primary school in Valapad which was originally run by her father. What used to be a typical run-down rural school aided by the government is today a wellreputed school of almost international standards. The school boasts of the finest infrastructure and smart classrooms and the management has hired additional teachers at their own cost to offer co-curricular activities such as music, computers, karate etc. Likewise, she also lends her expertise to the Mukundapuram Public School in Irinjalakuda which

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is managed by the Manappuram Foundation.

The businesswoman

Soon after retiring from teaching, Sushama Nandakumar joined Manappuram Jewellers Ltd. as its Managing Director. After she came on board, she oversaw a rebranding exercise with the retail outlets giving up the ‘Manappuram Jewellery’ tag to become ‘Riti Jewelry”. Having taken off in a big way, she reasoned that the jewellery business needed an identity distinct from the parent brand. Today, Riti Jewelry has become a reputed brand name, and a synonym for purity and ethical standards. Her vision is to make her

With her background as a teacher, Sushama Nandakumar is interested in developing the schools in the area.

Essential furniture has been provided to select schools in Anantapur while children have been provided text-books and study material. company a pioneer innovator in the jewellery segment making premium quality jewellery affordable to the mass market. She is determined to introduce integrity, transparency and professionalism into a sector where such things are known to be amiss.

Her no-compromise attitude to integrity means that she has often had to walk the extra mile. For instance, Manappuram Riti Jewelry deals exclusively in BIS 916 Hallmarked gold, a mark of quality enforced by the Bureau of Indian Standards and recognized by the government of India. However, in order to ensure that manufacturing process does not produce jewellery

September-October 2019

even fractionally lower than 916 purity, the company insists on dealing only in gold of 917 purity, which is purer than 916 gold. This is not just a marketing ploy but a foolproof assurance about the quality of the gold customers get to buy at Riti Jewelry showrooms. Also, the making charges and other costs are kept at the lowest levels in the market, ensuring affordability for a wider class of people. Finally, in keeping with the highest standards of integrity and transparency, all transactions at Manappuram Riti Jewelry are billed for the full value, and nothing is sold without an invoice.

A new showroom of Riti Jewelry has recently opened in Valapad which is said to be the largest jewellery showroom in the coastal belt of Thrissur District. Once again, Sushama Nandakumar was at the forefront in the launching of the new showroom, keeping an eye on interiors, jewellery designs and staffing.

To complement the jewellery showroom and make it a wedding destination of choice, her company has also opened a family spa and salon called LA Beaute in the same premises, once again the largest such establishment in the coastal belt.

To cater to the expanding demand for gold jewellery, Manappuram Jewellers has now set up its own large scale manufacturing unit in Bommasandra (Bengaluru) where more than a 100 employees work full time. This is in addition to the 400 odd people employed by the Jewellery chain.

One of the notable aspects of her way of doing business is a commitment to CSR. The company has zeroed in on the backward region of Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh as the focal point of its CSR efforts. With her background as a teacher, Sushama Nandakumar is interested in developing the schools in the area.

Essential furniture has been provided to select schools in Anantapur while children have been provided text-books and study material. Another project aims to provide potable water to schools using RO plants.

All the CSR projects are executed through the Manappuram Foundation, the CSR body of the Manap-

puram Group.

The Lion

Sushama Nanadakumar became part of Lions Clubs International when she joined the Lions Club of Triprayar in 2008. Over the years, she has held some important positions such as President of the Lions Club of Triprayar, Zone Chairperson and President of the District Lioness Forum. She has been instrumental in bringing women to the forefront and encouraging them to join Lions Club and become leaders. She also spearheaded many programs to help women become financially independent.

Most recently, she has become the Coordinator for Leadership of Lions District 318D which consists of the revenue districts of Thrissur, Malappuram and Palakkad. It is an assignment dear to her heart as she believes leadership skills are essential for the success of any service organization. Her point is that service is most effective when it is delivered by a team working together

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25

for a common purpose. Effective service requires co-ordination with multiple entities like local government, social workers, community leaders and the general public, all of which requires leadership and people management skills of the highest order. As District Coordinator for Leadership, she has set her sights on rolling out a series of programs and projects to develop leadership qualities among members of the Club.

The person behind the leader

Sushama Nandakumar is an avid traveller and has travelled to most parts of the world for business and leisure.

She always finds time to watch good movies. While at home, she is most enthusiastic about gardening and finds this hobby to be the most relaxing way to stay in touch with nature. Her family has been always a pillar of support. The Chairman of the Manappuram Group and her husband, Mr. V.P. Nandakumar, helps and guides her in her business ventures, especially the financial aspects. He makes it a point to be present in all monthly review meetings of Manappuram Jewellers Ltd. and extends valuable guidance. The couple have three children, with the oldest being Dr. Sumitha, who works as a Gynecologist with the Amrita Institute of Medical Science, Kochi. Her son, Sooraj, is now in the UK pursuing entrepreneurial dreams while his younger brother, Suhas, is an Assistant Vice President in Manappuram Finance Ltd. in charge of the travel loans department.

For a teacher turned businesswoman, a life of constant travel and unending meetings can be stressful, but not so for Sushama Nandakumar. On the day that the Unique Times team met her, she had just returned from a tiring trip to a remote village near Athirapally as part of a charity outreach. Nevertheless, her energy was undiminished and she spent a good couple of hours with the magazine, patiently answering our many queries. And that was not all. She had a couple of more meetings to attend before she would call it a day.

Lastly, the message she conveys is about the need to be ethical, hard-working and sincere in all that we do. Charity and concern for those less fortunate has been a hallmark of her career. Throughout her life, she took pains to help people, help them get out of their hardships and pursue their dreamsď Ź

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September-October 2019

&

POWERED BY

FINANCE

In my view, the scheme is indeed an opportunity to clear pending tax dues and start a new beginning. The intention of the government is to cover a “case” rather than a “person”, which is notable.

Adv Sherry Samuel Oommen is a practising lawyer at High Court of Kerala who specialises in tax and Corporate Laws.

Presently he heads the tax and corporate law practice of Nash Capital Partners. Apart from being a qualified lawyer, he is also a chartered accountant, cost accountant and a company secretary. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree and is reachable at sherryoommen@nashcp.com.

Sabka Vikas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme, 2019 – A medicine for cleansing

I

n view of the advent of the Goods and Services Tax regime, the Union Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2019 sought to introduce a one-time measure for liquidation of past disputes under Central Excise, Service tax and 26 other indirect tax enactments under the banner Sabka Vikas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme, 2019. The scheme provides that eligible persons shall declare the unpaid tax dues and pay the same in accordance with the provisions of the scheme. It deserves mention that the scheme is operational from 01 September 2019 until 31 December 2019.

A few of the salient features of the scheme

 Interestingly, the relief proposed under the

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scheme varies from 40% to 70% of the tax dues for cases other than voluntary disclosure cases, depending on the amount of tax dues involved. This indeed is a boon to consider a one-time settlement of pending disputed dues.  The scheme also provides a complete waiver of interest and penalty.  For voluntary disclosures, a relief has been provided regarding the waiver of interest and penalty. Additionally, the person discharged under the scheme shall not be liable for prosecution.  The amount(s) if any paid as pre-deposit at any stage of the enquiry, adjudication, investigation or audit is allowed as a deduction whilst computing the amount payable under the scheme. However,

where the amount of predeposit or deposit already paid by the declarant exceeds the amount payable by the declarant under the scheme, the declarant shall not be entitled to any refund.

Eligibility criteria for filing a declaration under the scheme

The scheme provides that all persons shall be eligible to file a declaration under the scheme except the following persons: 1. A person who has been issued with a showcause notice for an erroneous refund; 2. A person who has been issued a show cause notice (for matter other than erroneous refund) and the final hearing has also taken place, but Order in Original has not been passed till 30 June

2019; 3. A person who has filed an appeal before the appellate forum and such appeal has been heard finally on or before 30 June 2019, but Order in Appeal has not been passed till 30 June 2019; 4. A person who has been subjected to an enquiry or investigation or audit and the amount of duty involved has not been quantified on or before 30 June 2019; 5. A person who has been convicted for any offence, if such conviction is for the matter for which he intends to file a declaration; 6. A person who has filed an ap-

plication with the Settlement Commission for settlement of a case; 7. cases in respect of goods that are still subject to levy of Central Excise such as specified petroleum products and tobacco i.e. goods falling in 4th Schedule to the Central Excise Act, 1944; 8. A person who has made a voluntary disclosure after being subjected to any enquiry or investigation or audit.

Relief under the scheme

In respect of cases pending in adjudication or appeal (in any forum) or in respect of cases which are under enquiry, investigation

or audit, where the duty has been quantified and communicated to the assessee, the relief granted depends on the amount of duty. If the amount of duty pending in adjudication, enquiry, investigation, audit or appeal is up to INR 50 Lakhs, a relief of 70 percent of the “tax dues” is available.

In all other cases, the relief is limited to 50 percent of the “tax dues”. In respect of cases where tax dues are relatable to an amount in arrears i.e. where the demand is confirmed, and where there is no appeal pending, the relief granted depends on the amount of duty. If the amount of duty in arrears is up

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29

to INR 50 Lakhs, a relief of 60 percent of the “tax dues” is available.

In all other cases, the relief is limited to 40 percent of the “tax dues”. In respect of tax dues which are relatable to an amount in arrears and disclosed in a return, and where the declarant has indicated an amount of duty as payable but not paid it, the relief is dependent on the quantum involved. A relief of up to 60 percent of the “tax dues” is granted where the tax dues are up to an amount of INR 50 Lakhs. In all other cases, the relief is limited to 40 percent of the “tax dues”. In respect of cases, where a show cause notice is issued for payment of interest and penalty, a complete waiver is being offered in respect of the entire late fees and penalty, if the entire amount of duty has been paid. In respect of cases where the tax dues are payable on account of a voluntary disclosure by the declarant, a relief is only available in respect of penalty. Importantly, no relief is sought to be given on the duty component.

The term “tax dues” has been given a broad definition under the scheme to include excise duty, service tax and cesses payable under

30

an indirect tax enactment. Further, CENVAT credit has also been included in the said definition.

How the scheme works

An eligible assessee is required to furnish his declaration electronically in the prescribed form. On receipt of declaration, an auto acknowledgement bearing a unique reference number will be generated by the system. The declaration filed by the assessee would thereafter be reviewed by a Designated Committee, which would be constituted in accordance with the scheme. The scheme provides that the Designated Committee after reviewing the declaration, shall issue a statement in Form SVLDRS-3 indicating the amount payable by the declarant. The scheme provides an opportunity for the declarant to present his case before the Designated Committee in the event the amount payable exceeds the amount stated in the declaration. The amount payable as indicated in the statement issued by the designated committee (ie, Form SVLDRS-3), shall be paid electronically through internet banking within a period of 30 days

September-October 2019

from the date of issue of such statement. If the declarant does not pay the amount within the stipulated time, due to any reason, the declaration will be treated as lapsed. Post payment of the taxes as provided in the scheme and fulfilment of other preconditions, the Designated Committee would issue a Discharge Certificate. The said certificate would need to be issued within 30 days of the said payment and/or submission of the required proof, as mandated in the scheme.

Conclusion

In my view, the scheme is indeed an opportunity to clear pending tax dues and start a new beginning. The intention of the government is to cover a “case” rather than a “person”, which is notable. Hence, if assuming a person has been served with a notice for erroneous refund and at the same has other outstanding disputes which are covered under the scheme, he will be eligible to file the declaration for the other cases.

As apparent, the scheme lays substantial focus on small taxpayers as would be evident from the fact that the extent of relief provided is higher in respect of cases involving lesser duty

HEALTH

Dr Joseph Kunnirickal Joseph

MD(MED), CCEBDM(diabetes) Consultant in Internal medicine and Diabetes VPS Lakeshore Hospital,Kochi (Author is a speaker for antidiabetes medications and also an avid writer to the Week and Indian express).

What if a patient is obese with a BMI more than 28? The answer lies in the discovery of newer molecules like GLP 1 agonists like Liraglutide or Dulaglutide which can suppress appetite thereby reducing sugars and weight simultaneously. There are newer oral agents like SGLT 2 Inhibitors like Empa/Dapagliflozin that can reduce sugar by excreting it through urine and also reduce weight synergistically.

Diabesity

(OBESITY AND DIABETES)

T

he malady called diabetes (high blood sugars) is increasing with every passing year.

India and the Middle East boast among the largest diabetes patients in the world.

At our hospital, we receive a large number of Indian and Arab patients from the Middle East. We also receive complicated diabetes cases from all over Kerala. So what is different when it comes to diabetes management in 2019? For starters, there is the advent of ultra-long acting insulins like Degludac that acts for more than 42 hours. What is the benefit? In a patient who takes a jab of more than 100 units of insulin a day the dosage maybe reduced to less than 50 units a day within a month or two! Is it magic? No...it is real, actual medical facts. What if a patient is obese with a BMI more than 28? The answer lies in the discovery of newer molecules like GLP 1 agonists like Liraglutide or Dulaglutide which can suppress appetite thereby reducing sugars and weight simultaneously. There are newer oral agents like SGLT 2 Inhibitors like Empa/Dapagliflozin that can reduce sugar by excreting it through urine and also reduce weight synergistically. Which means a patient who uses either of the two molecules alone or in conjunction will lose about 6 kilos in 6 months thereby reducing insulin resistance and also reducing the units of insulin required achieving optimum control of sugars.

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September-October 2019

Next in the pipeline are pens that contain both GLP agonist and basal insulin in a single device that will take care of both fasting and prandial sugars. Also in 2020 Semaglutide is coming which is a once a week GLP 1 agonist that comes in both oral and injectable forms. The year 2020 will mark the shift to incretin based therapy for diabetes from insulin based therapy. Another exciting discovery is the digital monitoring of diabetes.

By 2019 end apple is partnering with Dexconn to come out with an iwatch that can sense sugar levels without pricking to monitor real time sugars. Imagine check-

ing your sugars with just a flick of the wrist! But the real game changer is various apps on playstore and apple store whereby all your glucose readings are synced with the doctor’s mobiles and in case your sugars drop or spike the doctor will receive instant alerts whereby he can alert the patient via WhatsApp on dosing of insulin.

Medtronic’s has come out with the first artificial pancreas basically an insulin pump that delivers insulin according to how much meal you consume without physically adjusting the dose counter. Is this all rocket science? No! All the above mentioned information is being

practiced at all major hospitals in Kochi and also at our centre. We have had cases where insulin units were reduced in 2 months and patients losing weight in about 4 months’ time thereby overcoming insulin resistance and preventing complications. What I mentioned in this article is version 2.0 of modern diabetes management. No longer must one prick themselves with huge units of insulin, with old generation tablets and suffer hypoglycemia. If you are looking to get the latest management in diabetes, Kochi beckons. Precision targeted treatment for diabetes is what we practice

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MOTIVATION

Dolly Neena Dolly Neena is founder of Your Wing, a training company born out of a noble cause and spirit.

She holds a decade long experience being a passionate mentor and entrepreneur.

DREAM A GOAL IN YOUR SOUL! "The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach!"

A

s a professional, entrepreneur or individual, we have dreams and goals. We set milestones, short-term and long-term, to reach them. Goals give you direction and destination, give you hope and something to look forward to, and give you a sense of personal satisfaction.

Goal setting can be simply the act of stating what you would like to achieve in a specific span of time following some specific parameters. Setting goals helps you set your priority, without which you wouldn’t be clear as to where to go; objectives are incremental here. Undoubtedly, your personal and business success completely depend on how well you plan out your goals, how meticulously you

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September-October 2019

Identify the mistakes you might have made. Correct them with small improvements. Don’t get paralysed by fear - initially, don’t force yourself with gigantic tasks, take baby steps over it, because it’s always a good idea to start small.

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track it down, and how successfully you achieve those.

Every one of us sets one or the other goal in our lifetime - it could be to read more books, lose 10 kilos, spend more quality time with your family, get a better job, travel around the world etc. But, the stark truth is it is much easier to set goals than to actually get them done. Before you set a goal, it’s extremely significant to understand where you stand currently. It is important to analyse your current parameters and assess what your scores on the same are. It helps you determine which areas you need improvement on, what is the gap or distance between what is expected and what exists, to determine desired goal sets, to monitor and evaluate continuously. Do analyze the collected data or info, and make an action plan as to how to go about to facilitate desired outcomes. Always get maximum clarity on your goals – like ask yourself

why do you want to achieve this goal, what are the benefits that it brings you, how hard you think you’d need to try for this, and dig deep as much as you can answering all possible questions. You need to convince yourself why you really want this goal to be achieved. Focusing becomes extremely important here. On the go, you will be able to gather and acquire the skills needed, in case you are really committed on the goal.

As many of you know there is a widely followed simple method for Goal Setting, which is called SMART. Specific: Well defined, clear, and unambiguous Measurable: With specific criteria that measure your progress towards the accomplishment of the goal Achievable: Attainable and not impossible to achieve Realistic: Within reach, realistic, and relevant to your life

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purpose Time-Bound: With a clearly defined timeline, including a starting date and a target date. The purpose is to create urgency.

It’s all about which direction are you moving. Make sure you are on the right track. When you have something in your mind, you will have a big picture of it. At times it might look impossible to achieve or might look the hardest. This is where it is important to dissect the plan to shorter milestones. Have a middle picture and a small picture as well. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

So, have bite-sized action plans to help you succeed short terms. It is important to write down your goal, specifics by details. This helps you avoid just aimlessly wandering over surroundings. There will be challenges, lapses, hurdles and slowdowns. Have contingency plans.

You need to plan a customized individual goal where you are sure you can stay comfortable and motivated throughout the process without quitting out forever. When you really think through the plans, short term and long term, it will give you more confidence to put your first step forward. Reflect on who you are and what you want.

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Goal setting always should succeed with an Action plan. Always be very specific as to what you want, who all should be involved, when exactly would you want to have this done, what exactly I want to achieve, and why do I want to achieve this. Write down all possible reasons why you wanted to have this goal at all. Otherwise you will be just beating around the bush with another vague, undefined, plan. A goal should always be measurable as well – how many or much would you need, and assess the indicators well so as to know how well you reach there soon. This helps a clarity in decision making. You might want to change the original plans as when you further, however the ultimate goal remains the same. Every goal should be achievable and realistic.

The more challenging the goals are, the more satisfying it will be when you reach there. Life coaches do urge you to have B-HAGs, Big Audacious Hairy Goals. Definitely you should target for the stars to reach the sky and above. However, be mindful that a larger-than-life goal should not put you down. Setting general and unrealistic goals can go very detrimental for you. It should well be in the approach. Don’t place a goal like you want to be in Mars

September-October 2019

the coming month. A Goal should always have a deadline attached to it. An urgency and a clear foreseeing of finish date will help you set your milestones accordingly. Always block the schedule in your calendar, and avoid snoozing.

Identify the mistakes you might have made. Correct them with small improvements. Don’t get paralysed by fear - initially, don’t force yourself with gigantic tasks, take baby steps over it, because it’s always a good idea to start small. Don’t brood over the mistakes or failures. Setbacks are bound to happen in any endeavor. It’s just a part of the game. To keep you highly motivated, reward yourself and celebrate the small victories. Be happy with the small improvement you’ve made. Go an extra mile and write down the moments of joy you experienced. These will help your neuron synapses fire up for more. Utilize the very new boon called Social Media, and take inspirations from people who have achieved the impossible.

Give yourself the permission to Dream. And, then give yourself the confidence to pursue those inspiring dreams. And, at last, give yourself those lovely moments to relish on achievement of your dreams. Go Dream!

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HEALTH

Brain uses only glucose for fuel. It consumes around five grams an hour, but does not know how to store it. That is why brain has to be regularly supplied by glucose via the circulatory system. The most difficult task within intellectual performance- the capacity to memorize- depends on the blood level of glucose.

Dr Arun Oommen MBBS, MS (Gen Surg), Mch( Neurosurgery), MRCSEd, MBA ConsultantNeurosurgeon, VPS Lakeshore Hospital Kochi, India

Boosting memory and intelligence through proper food and food habits

I

ntelligence comes in two forms: crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence. Crystallized intelligence is defined as the ability to use learned knowledge and experience.

This form of intelligence grows as you age. Fluid intelligence is defined as the ability to solve new problems, use logic in new situations, and identify patterns.

Fluid intelligence peaks in early adulthood and then begins to decline gradually with time. Psychologists believe that this form of intelligence can be improved. By setting aside time to exercise your mind, you can become more creative, focus better, and solve problems quicker. Also, you need to find out about the proper nutrients your brain needs for enhanced intelligence.

Breakfast is the most

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important meal of the day. Those who have a wellbalanced breakfast show improved memory, creativity, focus, and overall performance. Breakfast should contain the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Split breakfast into three.

One third should be filled with a protein-based food, one third with a variety of fresh fruit and veggies, and a quarter with starchy carbohydrates. Make sure you add some good fats and you have a nutritious breakfast.

The sugars in these foods are released more slowly into your blood stream.

This means they satisfy your hunger for longer and help your energy levels to increase. To keep your blood sugar levels stable and your brain supplied with fuel, aim to eat three small meals a

day with a couple of healthy snacks in between. Ideas for healthy snacks include low fat yogurt, oatcakes, fresh or dried fruit, smoothies or low-fat cereal bars. A heavy meal late at night can disrupt your sleep, so try to eat at least three hours before going to bed. This will help your body digest your food before sleep Brain uses only glucose for fuel. It consumes around five grams an hour, but does not know how to store it. That is why brain has to be regularly supplied by glucose via the circulatory system. The most difficult task within intellectual performance- the capacity to memorize- depends on the blood level of glucose. The complex sugars and those, which have a low glycaemic Index, are crucial. Bread, Pasta, brown rice and Pulses

are full of these complex sugars, and their glycemic index is one of the lowest. It really allows the regulation of glucose in the blood and supplies the brain without creating a reaction of hyperglycemia.

Vitamin E is necessary for brain health because it works as an antioxidant. This vitamin occurs to be one of the most powerful antioxidant and protects brain’s fatty tissues from ageing. Research has shown that Vitamin E delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Eat leafy green vegetables, kiwi, and nuts to up your intake of this vital nutrient. The vitamin E and magnesium in almonds will keep your brain at top-working capacity. Avocado is surprisingly rich in Vitamin E. Recent research has shown that absorption of two key carotenoid antioxidants, beta carotene and lycopene, increases significantly when fresh avocado or avocado oil is added to any avocado-free salad.

Protein is able to stimulate

Blueberries in particular are able to increase concentration and memory. This is due to the large amount of antioxidants they contain. orexin neurons, the cells in your brain responsible for keeping you awake. All animal by products such as fish, meats, dairy, and eggs are packed with protein. Eggs are rich in amino acids, vital in the production of the principal neurotransmitters.

Eggs contain phospholipids and lecithin, integral to build up membrane of brain cell. A synthesis made from

serine and methionine are used in the process of memorization, where noradrenalin, stimulating learning, and its production rely on the presence of tyrosine and phenylalanine, all are found in eggs’ proteins.

Blueberries in particular are able to increase concentration and memory. This is due to the large amount of antioxidants they contain.

Blueberries are one of the most potent antioxidant foods on the planet.

These powerful nutrients are able to stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain which results in sharper focus. Blueberries help to maintain healthy cognitive function and smoothly working nerve cells.

The fact that they are able to fight cancer is also encouraging. Blueberries have been shown to actually reverse some of the aging that occurs in the brain. Other small, darkly colored berries, like cherries, raspberries, gooseberries and mulberries provide similar health ben-

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efits. All edible berries are also rich source of Vitamin C. Together, they not only strengthen blood capillaries and improve circulation, which enable the best oxygenation of the brain, but also fight against free radicals which can affect nerve cells, especially brain cells. People who consume more vitamin C perform better in tests for recall, memory and attention. When picking fruits and vegetables, go for a rainbow of colours – not just because they look good, but because this is a guide to the good things they have inside.

Eating cold water fatty fish, such as salmon not only helps you to improve memory retention, but can also protect you for degenerative mental disease such as dementia. That is because they contain high levels of essential fatty acids called DHA. Fish oil may reduce inflammation in the brain and offer a protective effect. Try to eat at least two portions of oil-rich fish a week.

Brain cells need a good supply of oxygen. A lack of iron in your diet can reduce your blood’s ability to carry oxygen, reducing the amount delivered to your brain. Not getting enough iron can also cause problems such as poor concentration, lack of energy and tiredness. Lowfat meat is an excellent source of iron It contains iron and zinc which are important minerals for cognitive function of the brain. These ele-

ments participate in mitosis of brain cells and in reactions of DNA synthesis. Other good sources of iron include egg yolks, pulses such as red kidney beans and lentils, dried apricots, fortified breakfast cereals, broccoli, wholegrain cereals and whole meal bread.

If brain doesn’t get enough fluid, you’ll feel tired and be more likely to suffer from headaches. Aim to drink 6-8 glasses of fluid a day. Water is the healthiest choice but fruit juice, fruit smoothies and milk also count towards your fluid intake Food rich in B vitamins, such as chicken, potatoes and bananas, can help improve your memory and keep your brain healthy. Magnesium is an essential mineral in the transmission of nervous impulses.

Bananas are a source of Vitamin B6 and magnesium. B6 vitamin is not only involved in the assimilation of magnesium, but also in the metabolism of amino acids and the functioning of the nervous system through producing certain neurotransmitters, notably gamma amino butyric acid and serotonin. Both of them create the right state of mind for prudent, calm and measured behavior.

All leafy vegetables share richness in Vitamin B9 (folates), which is thought to play an active role in the development of a fetus’ nervous tissue and also in the renewal

of blood cells. If spinach is not to your taste, go for lamb’s lettuce, watercress, broccoli, iceberg lettuce or different types of herbs. Among these veggies, rosemary is worth noting as it has certain flavonoids notably apigenin that has stimulating properties affecting memory and concentration through encouraging cerebral blood flow.

The flavonol in dark chocolate boosts the circulatory system, increasing the amount of blood that reaches your brain. Hence is found useful during an exam. Ginkgo biloba increases the blood flow to the brain to increase short-term memory, improve focus, and reduce dementia. Tea also showed protective effects on the brain. Besides the well-known high antioxidant content which helps fight free radicals and boosts the brain’s activity, tea drinkers do better on tests on memory and information processing.

Exercise contributes to overall physical and mental health. Having a healthy body leads to development of intelligence. Simple writing, Meditation, involving in critical thinking activities, being creative, regular IQ exercises, playing competitive games (chess), listening to music and proper sleep can help to improve intelligence. Social interaction enhances synaptic activity of the brain and improve intelligence

GADGETS

Asus ROG Phone 2

` 35, 090 (approximately)

Android v9.0 (Pie) OS

6.59 inches Display

48 MP + 13 MP Primary Cameras

24 MP Secondary Camera

8 GB RAM

128 GB Internal Memory

6000 mAh Battery Capacity

Honor 9X

` 14, 190 (approximately) Android v9.0 (Pie) OS 6.59 inches Display 48 MP + 2 MP Dual Primary Cameras 16 MP Secondary Camera 4 GB RAM 64 GB Internal Memory 512 GB Expandable Memory 4000 mAh Battery Capacity

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September-October 2019

Nokia 5.2

` 13, 999 (approximately) Android v9.0 (Pie) OS 5.9 inches Display 16 MP + 5 MP Dual Primary Cameras 16 MP Secondary Camera 3 GB RAM 32 GB Internal Memory 400 GB Expandable Memory 3500 mAh Battery Capacity

Huawei Mate 30 Pro

` 84, 990 (approximately) Android v9.0 (Pie) OS 6.71 inches Display 40 MP + 40 MP + 8 MP Triple

Primary Cameras 32 MP Secondary Camera 8 GB RAM 128 GB Internal Memory 256 GB Expandable Memory 4500 mAh Battery Capacity

September-October 2019

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COOKERY

ONAM SPECIAL Toshma Biju

Aval payasam Ingredients

• • • • • • •

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Aval - 1/4 cup Jaggery - 1/4 cup Coconut milk - 1/4 cup Powdered cardamom seed - 2 nos Ghee - 2 teaspoon Water - as much as required Roasted cashews – 10 nos

September-October 2019

Method

Heat a pan with a tablespoon of ghee and roast the cashews. Set it aside. Clean the aval.

In the same pan, roast the cleaned aval and cardamom together until the aval becomes crispy and turns little brown. Allow it to cool.

Now, take the water in a bowl and add the aval. Mix it well. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in between and check the water level. Add more water if needed. It thickens after few minutes.

Now, add the powdered jaggery and mix well. Allow it to boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Finally, add the roasted cashews. Add the items given under "flavour" if necessary. Switch off the flame, and add 1/4 cup of boiled milk or coconut milk.

Caramel payasam Ingredients

• • • • •

Boiled milk - 1 cup Sugar - 2 tablespoons (to caramelize) + 1 tablespoon Condensed milk – a little Mixed nuts - few (chopped, and roasted in ghee) Ghee - 1 teaspoon (to roast nuts)

Method

Boil milk, and add 1 tablespoon sugar to it. Chop nuts finely, and set it aside. Take 2 tablespoons of sugar in a kadai, and mix in medium flame. Keep mixing in low flame. Now, sugar would be melted completely. Keep the flame very low and keep stirring. Then, it will turn golden brown like jaggery syrup. This is called Caramel. Keep the boiled milk ready in one hand. Add the milk as soon as the sugar is caramelized. Make sure flame is low throughout the process. As you add milk, it will raise and becomes frothy. Switch off the flame and mix it well.

Milk would turn slightly orange in colour.

Now, roast the nuts in ghee, and add it to the payasam. Mix well. Serve hot or refrigerate for 30 minutes and serve.

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Rice payasam Ingredients

• • • • • •

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Milk - 1 litre Basmati rice - 1/3 cup Sugar - 1/3 - 1/2 cup Cardamom - 4 pods Nuts and dry fruits – to garnish Ghee – 2 teaspoons

September-October 2019

Method

Boil milk in a wide bowl, and when it starts to roll boil, add slightly crushed cardamom pods.

Wash the rice and add to the milk. Allow it to boil in low to medium flame till rice gets cooked well but it should be firm and soft without losing its shape.

Generally, rice takes longer time to cook. So, keep mixing every now and then and make sure it is not burnt in the bottom.

When the rice is almost cooked & add sugar mix well. Let it boil till the mixture thickens slightly.

Switch off the flame. Add nuts and ghee. Allow it to cool, refrigerate and serve chilled.

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BEAUTY

Natural tips to remove darkness around eyes

D

arkness around eyes is a common problem.

It makes people look older than what they really are. It is what that makes this an intolerable one. People do not normally want to look older.

They always want to look young.

It is for this youth appearance that they spend hours in beauty shops. The appearance of darkness around your eyes can make all your efforts to look young useless. Don’t worry. In this edition, we share some useful natural tips to overcome this threat. They are simple and highly effective. Let’s go through it one by one patently.

Coconut Oil

This oil is a rich source of several vitamins and minerals.

That is a well known fact. It is abundantly available in this part of the world. What makes this oil suitable for the elimination of dark circles around eyes is the presence of Vitamin E and anti-

oxidants in this oil.

Take a few drops of coconut oil. Apply it gently around your eyes before going to bed at night.

Wash it off with lukewarm water the next morning. Use it at least twice a week. You will definitely see miracle.

Cucumber

It is the most popular method used to get rid of darkness around eyes. It is a very effective method. The vegetable is easily available in this part of the world.

Take a slice of cucumber cut in round shape. Place it on your closed eyes. Rest with it for few minutes (at least fifteen minutes). Take it off after the completion of the aforesaid period.

Use this daily for better result.

For better experience, use refrigerated cucumber.

Milk

It is said that milk can also fight darkness around

Dr. Elizabath Chacko, MD-Kalpana International

Mob: 9388618112

50

September-October 2019

eyes. It is the lactic acid present in it that helps it fight the condition. Fortunately, it is easy to avail fresh milk in this part of the world unlike the rest.

Take a few drops of milk in a bowl. Sock disinfected cotton balls in the bowl. Gently press those balls over your eyes. Keep it there for few minutes. Wash it off after the aforesaid time with lukewarm water. Try it at least thrice a week.

that it has enormous bleaching properties. It is this that makes it a perfect remedy for darkness around eyes.

Take a few drops of tomato juice. Add a drop of lemon juice in it. Mix them well. Apply the mixture gently under your eyes.

Keep it there for nearly ten minutes. Remove it after that with lukewarm water. Try it at least twice a week.

Tomato

This is one of the methods that can provide quick result. It is not necessary to elaborate too much about the properties of lemon. All know that it is the rich

It is normally used to whiten skin. Now, a new study says that it can also be used to fight darkness around eyes. It is a known fact

Lemon

source of several vitamins and minerals. It also has anti-oxidant properties. It is normally used in skin to fight several difficult skin conditions.

Take a few drops of lemon.

Apply it gently around your eyes.

Remove it after ten minutes with lukewarm water. Do it daily until your darkness is cured. It will not take more than a week or two. No need to apply it after that. You can apply it again if the darkness returns.

Try these natural methods. Stay Healthy!!! 

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TRAVELOGUE

Lesotho is a very special country. Only two more countries exist like this in the world at present.

Itis one of only three Independent countries completely surrounded by the territory of another country. It is South Africa that surrounds this Kingdom.

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September-October 2019

Lesotho: The Most Beautiful African Kingdom

A

frica is the symbol of true natural beauty.

People visit this continent to get the real taste of nature. The continent is a bowl of surprises. Still, not many choose this continent over others as their travel destination. The reason is that there are several misconceptions about this amazing continent. Those prompt people to choose others over Africa.

Actually, most of the misconceptions are baseless. To know this land better, it should be explored thoroughly. It is those who know only little about this continent propagate false information about this truly

blessed land. In this edition, a beautiful African Kingdom is explored in detail. That is none other than the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Let’s Begin

Lesotho is a very special country. Only two more countries exist like this in the world at present. It is one of only three Independent countries completely surrounded by the territory of another country.

It is South Africa that surrounds this Kingdom. In short, this country is situated inside South Africa. The surprise element does not end here. It is just a beginning.

This is a small kingdom. It

is just little more than 11, 580 sq mi.

This former British colony has all the prime characteristics of a typical ex-British colony. It is moderately populated, with a population of over 2 million people.

The Strength

Even though it is not a big country, it gives enormous importance to its internal and external security. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations. It maintains cordial relation with its only neighbour South Africa. It is also closely connected to several western countries such as Germany and France. Apart from these countries, it works closely with its former master Briton.

The country’s economy depends heavily on its neighbour. Diamond is

the most prominent natural resource available in the country. It supports the country’s economy significantly.

Foreign remittance also contributes hugely to the country’s economy.

Meanwhile, the main source of income of the common population of the country is agriculture. In the recent days, the textile manufacturing sector has also shown a notable growth. Due to its peculiar economic situation, it is highly vulnerable to the global economic fluctuations. It regularly receives financial assistance from several sources including the World Bank. It is also a member of various economic unions such as the Southern African Customs Union.

The Weakness

Lesotho faces several social issues, from AIDS to sexual violence culture. The sad reality is that it does not have enough resources to

address these evils singlehandedly.

It relays heavily on its supporters to overcome the evils. The country needs huge money to contain the evils effectively. Mainly, it is where it lacks. A quarter of the country’s population is affected by the incurable health condition of AIDS. Unfortunately, the country has the highest rape rate of any country. Tuberculosis is another big issue. The health infrastructure of Lesotho is still in a primitive stage. The heath issues the country faces at present are beyond the capacity of its health infrastructure. In the recent past, disability has also emerged as a serious issue, though no genuine data is available on how many people are affected by this condition at present.

The Hope

This country has enormous potential. Its tourism sector can bring huge fortune. The land is blessed

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53

with all a prefect tourist attraction normally requires . Not many countries in Africa are as beautiful as this country. Its natural beauty is worth commendable. Maseru, Semonkong, Morija, Thaba-Tseka and Mount Moorosi are popular destinations in this heaven like country.

Maseru is the capital of Lesotho.

It is located on the Caledon River. It is the most vibrant city in this part of the world. Initially, it was a police camp. It was later elevated to the position of the capital of the country after the independence of the country from British. It is home to several historical ruins. The ruins of the 19th century reign of King Moshoeshoe are situated in this region.

The city is a perfect shopping destination. It has everything a normal

54

tourist needs. It is the place where the majority of the government offices in the country are situated. The travel infrastructure in this region is far better than the rest of the country.

Semonkong is home to several stunning attractions, including Maletsunyane Falls (which is a stunning waterfall on the Maletsunyane River), and Thaba Putsoa (which is a mountain situated close to the national capital). SemonKong, which means ‘place of smoke’, was originally a refugee camp for Basotho who were displayed by the Gun War. Morija is a small town situated in the south of the national capital. It is a religious destination. It is home to several ancient churches. Lesotho Evangelical church is the most

September-October 2019

prominent among them. The 19th century church speaks a lot about the country’s first French Protestant mission. There are several museums in this part of the country.

The museums give a clear picture of the rich culture of this gifted land.

Mokhoarane Mountain is another attraction here. There is a surprise in this destination. That surprise is dinosaur footprints.

Thaba-Tseka is a small city in the country. It is scarcely populated.

What makes this city different is its peculiar political characteristics.

The city is the subject of the case studies in James Ferguson’s book The Anti-Politics Machine. It is not as developed as the rest of the country due to its different political characteristics. The city is blessed with natural beauty. As it is less populated, its natural beauty is least exploited. The city has everything a traveller wants, from shopping destinations to religious destinations.

Mount Moorosi is a mountain situated in the banks of the Orange River. This mountain has serious historical significance. It is where the battle between tribal chief Moorosi and the colonial Briton occurred. Not only is it famous for its historic significance, the mountain is also popular for its extra-ordinary natural beauty.

Plan your trip soon!!! This African heaven is desperately waiting for you!!! 

AUTO REVIEW

Vivek Venugopal is one of India’s top automotivewriterswithover 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.

K

ia is to Hyundai what Skoda is to VW. It is the more lifestyle division of a main stream brand.

Apart from the R&D and few of the top management, both companies don’t share much. Kia has been testing the waters here for a while.

Now, it has a fullfledged manufacturfacility in Andhra The interiors are well ing Pradesh, and a reasonably well estabmade too. lished dealer network.

The dashboard has We were among the first to drive the Sela pleasing design tos, its first offering and overall quality for the Indian market, ahead of its actual is excellent. Plastics launch. have a nice texture The Seltos’ styling is sure to please eveto them, and there is ryone. It is roughly a faux leather trim on the size of a Creta, but is marginally longer. the dashboard.

In fact, the Seltos is based on the next gen Creta that will hit the Indian markets later this year. It looks very upmarket from the

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September-October 2019

front with LED headlamps and fog lamps whose elements resemble ice cubes. The traditional Kia grill is well finished with a knurled finish, and has DRLs extending on to it. The bonnet has a squared off edge giving it a purposeful look. The 17 inch wheels in both the GT Line and Tech Line models fill the arches well.

The GT Line has red accents on the alloys along with those in the airdam, sides and rear. The side profile has an upward swept quarter glass, while the rear is quite conventional in design and layout.

The interiors are well made too. The dashboard has a pleasing design and overall quality is excellent. Plastics have a nice texture to them, and there is a faux leather trim on the dashboard. The buttons have a quality feel to them, the knobs have a knurled finish, and even the speaker grills are designed to look expensive. The dashboard has a Merc look to it with the infotainment screen and gauges being part of one big rectangular console. The 10.25 inch touch screen offers Apple Car Play, Android Auto, Navigation, voice control, along with various features including a concierge service.

You can press a button for a location query and an actual person will answer to whom you can then request to patch the route map to your navigation sys-

Kia Seltos

September-October 2019

57

tem. You get wireless charging, tyre pressure monitoring, a 400W Bose system, ambient lighting etc. The lower trims feature a standard Arkamys sound system; we didn’t feel the Bose system was that superior. The steering wheel is great to hold, and everything has a well put together feel. What’s also impressive is the driver MID is another 7 inch screen with crisp graphics and cool animations, supplementing two analogue

58

gauges. The GT Line cars get another display in the form of a heads-up on a small retractable screen which shows maps, speed and other important info. Apparently, like with Hyundais, you can’t have the fully loaded variant if you choose an automatic.

Kia should have known better.

I usually prefer black interiors in a car, but in the Seltos, the Tech Line interiors seemed more appealing than the GT Line. Perhaps, it

September-October 2019

had to do with the stitched pattern of the seats with matching carpets or that the automatic version of the GT we tested, was missing out on the ventilated seats and sunroof. The front seats are comfortable, and the driver side gets electric adjustment.

The rear seat is reclinable by 6 degrees, gets sun blinds for the sides and is a comfortable place to be.

Headroom and legroom though not in the league of the larger SUVs like

the Hector, are still good. You wish it offered a bit more thigh support at the rear. Still, the shoulder line is lower than in the Creta, giving you better view, and the extra quarter glass at the rear makes the cabin feel airier. You get the same air quality index display above the rear air vents and a charging socket for your mobile phone.

You get a choice of three engines with the Seltos – a 1.5L petrol, a 1.4L turbo petrol or a 1.5L diesel. All three engines come with a 6 speed manual or its own type of automatic transmission option. The basic 1.5L engine gets a CVT, while the diesel gets a 6 speed conventional torque convertor while the top spec 1.4L turbo petrol gets a 7 speed Dual Clutch. We haven’t driven the base naturally aspirated model yet.

The 1.5L turbo diesel is soon going to be the mainstay engine in the Kia and Hyundai range, and is a brilliant performer. It makes 115bhp and 250Nm - slightly down on power and torque compared to the Creta’s 1.6L with 128bhp and 260Nm. But, on the road, it feels just as good with a much linear nature making up for the sudden bump in the power. Performance is adequate, and power stays strong till about 4600rpm. The gearbox is smooth and the clutch is easy to operate.

If you are buying the diesel au-

60

tomatic, you’d be surprised to know that the driving experience is much better than in the Hyundai Creta diesel AT. The same six speed gearbox in the Creta used to get confused with full throttle inputs, wrongly selecting second gear where it would often rev the engine out of its powerband before selecting the third gear and accelerating. In the Seltos, the gearbox shift logic has been improved to select the right gear, and the wider powerband means there is always ample pulling power after each downshift.

Just as impressive as the diesel is, 1.4L turbo petrol is the engine to have right now. Essentially, a 4 cylinder version of the one in the Venue, this direct injection motor with its healthy 140bhp and 242Nm torque is very refined, eager to rev and enjoyable. The dual clutch gearbox doesn’t feel as lightning fast as it does in a VAG car, but does its job brilliantly. It can upshift closer to the red line and even lets you do manual downshifts at reasonably high revs giving you better control over the car. Still, like in the Venue, the DCT gearbox is tuned conservatively to extend its clutch life with gentler shifts. There is even a mode in the driver’s MID to monitor the temp of the transmission.

Dynamically, the Seltos also happens to be one of the best SUVs to

September-October 2019

come from the Korean shores. The ride quality is brilliant, and the Seltos soaks all broken patches of roads with aplomb. The suspension has an adequate amount of travel and doesn’t feel as willowy as in the Creta. Despite the focus on comfort, it somehow manages to grip well too.

On the wet roads of Goa, the Kia felt planted and although the steering isn’t the most feel-some around, still feels direct. The brakes which are discs at the rear, manage to stop well too. The GT Line car offers three driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport) and traction settings (Mud, Snow, Wet/Sand). While Sport makes the steering stiffer and the throttle a bit more responsive, the traction settings made no noticeable difference to the driving.

Kia’s maiden product for India seems to have got everything right.

It has got the style, appeal, space, comfort, and is just the right size. It also drives well and there is an engine option for everyone. And, Kia offers one of the best warranties in its class, on top of the excellent reliability we have come to expect of new Hyundai products. With entry level model starting from Rs.9.46 lakhs, they even got the pricing right. If we could find a fault with it, it is that the choice of engines, transmission and variants can give you a hard time at the dealership

MOVIE REVIEW

Dream Girl

T

his Bollywood film is a romantic comedy directed by talented filmmaker Raaj Shaandilyaa. The movie is produced by Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor and Nachiket Pantvaidya. It tells the story of a dream girl. The main attraction of this film is its comedy sequences. There are several exemplary comedy sequences in the movie. The main actor of the film, Ayushmaan Khurrana, has done a good job. He appears as the central character of the film. What is that character is a small suspense.

Apart from the actor, Nushrat Bharucha, Manjot Singh, Abhishek Banerjee and Arbaaz Khan act in the lead roles.

Section 375

I

t is a suspense thriller directed by popular filmmaker Ajay Bahl, who is the maker of the hit film of B A Pass.

Like his previous film, in this film also, he takes up a controversial topic. The film revolves around the topic of section 375. There are several exceptional court room scenes in the film. Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadda, Meera Chopra, Rahul Bhat and Tanuka Laghate appear in the lead roles. The film extensively discusses the topic of section 375. It covers all the major angles of the topic. It is definitely a must watch. It is one of the best social films released in the recent history of the Bollywood film industry.

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September-October 2019

Joker

I

t is a crime thriller directed by exceptional filmmaker Todd Phillips.

The central character of the film is a psycho. That character is what that makes this movie extraordinarily beautiful. The entire film revolves around that character. That character is a failed comedian-turned-criminal.

The best part of the film is that it makes a small attempt to expose how society negatively influences people.

Joaquin Phoenix, who acts the central character, is the prime actor. Apart from him, Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro and Marc Maron appear in the lead roles. The film has the potential to attract all kinds of audience.

Ad Astra

T

his film is a science fiction directed by senior American filmmaker James Gray, who is the product of USC School of Cinematic Arts. The film tells the story of a man’s journey across solar system to find his missing father who is a threat to whole humanity. This cinematography part of the film deserves special appreciation. That part is handled by Hoyte van Hoytema. Brad Pitt, Ruth Negga, Tommy Lee Jones, Liv Tyler and Donald Sutherland appear in the lead roles. The film can also be categorised as a fantasy drama, as that element is abundantly used in many of its scenes.

September-October 2019

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BOOK REVIEW

Shiksha: My Experiments as an Education Minister Author Price

: Manish Sisodia : Rs. 200 (Paperback)

W

ithin a short span of time, the Delhi government led by the AAP has brought in a sea change in the sector of education. The government has been appreciated by many for its enviable achievement.

The bran behind that transformation is none other than its education minister, Manish Sisodia, who is also the deputy Chief Minister of the capital of the nation. The book helps to understand how he has managed to achieve this change in a short span of time. It discusses about the state’s revolutionary ‘happiness curriculum’ and well-lauded ‘entrepreneurship mindset programme’. This book will attract all those who wish to bring a true change in their society through education.

Permanent Record Author Price

I

: Edward Snowden : Rs. 559 (Paperback)

t was in the year 2013 that young IT expert Edward Snowden became the prime enemy of the US. It was the year in which he exposed the dark truth lies beneath the white face of the White House. He was one of the experts who helped the US to develop a surveillance program, which it used to spy on every communication channel available in the earth. In the aforesaid year, he severed his ties with his country and told the world about the unforgivable crime he was doing at the behest of his country. It shocked the world. In this first attempt to share his version to the world, he explains what motivated him to break away from his employer. He also discusses about his personal life in this book. The book will disappoint none.

64

September-October 2019

BOOK REVIEW

Kashmir’s Untold Story: Declassified Author Price

: Iqbal Chand Malhotra, Maroof Raza : Rs. 374 (Hardcover)

S

ince the beginning of the month of August, the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is under severe political turmoil. It is under severe restrictions at present. It was the passage of certain bills in the parliament that brought this to the state. The bills revoked the Article 370, which assures special status to the state. And, these also transformed the state into the UT of J&K and the UT of Ladakh. What has gone wrong in Kashmir? To understand it, it is important to understand the state’s history, how is it important to Pakistan and China, and what the region is for India. This book will help to under the Kashmir problem in a detailed manner.

Big Billion Startup: The Untold Flipkart Story Author Price

F

: Mihir Dalal : Rs. 559 (Hardcover)

lipkart is now one of the most popular ecommerce platforms operate in this part of the world. It has redefined the way people shop. Interestingly, the success story of this ecommerce company has encouraged many to follow its path. Do you know how this journey began? It was a small apartment in the garden city of Bangalore that gave birth to this giant. IIT graduates Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal were the residents of that apartment. The idea born out of their mind materialised in the year 2007. The rest is history. This book gives a deep insight about the successful journey of Flipkart.

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September-October 2019

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