Unique Times January 2023

Rooting For A 'Neutral Rate'

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

Dr. Varghese Kurian: The Idealistic Entrepreneur

Who Strives For Success Group Chairman & Managing Director

VKL Holding Company & Al Namal Group

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Chief Mentor Mr. V.P. Nandakumar

Director & CEO Jebitha Ajit

Editor Ajit Ravi

Legal Advisor

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B.S.Krishnan Associates

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Sub-Editor Anusha Varghese

Associate Editor Ravi Saini

Correspondents

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Dr. Thomas Nechupadam

Vivek Venugopal- Quarter Mile

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Editorial

who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday" - Eleanor Roosevelt.

Your goals can be attained by putting in a lot of effort and being persistent. We must always keep in mind that success cannot be achieved quickly. The only surefire method to obtain the achievement you've always wanted is via hard work combined with a strong determination to suffer and succeed. One of the keys to our success in life is hard effort. Only hard work can transform your life from a curse into a blessing. Being lazy and sluggish makes life a curse. When we put forth the necessary effort, we can accomplish anything and get beyond any challenge. Dr. Varghese Kurian, chairman of the VKL Holdings and Al Namal Group of Companies, is the cover story for this month and a prime example of a person who attained all of his objectives by tenacity and perseverance.

In this edition, Manappuram Finance Limited MD and CEO V P Nandakumar expresses his thoughts on 'Rooting For A 'Neutral Rate''.

Along with the aforesaid articles, the edition has all our regular articles from beauty, movie reviews and book reviews to motivation and business articles.

“Just the knowledge that a good book is waiting for one at the end of a long day makes the day happier” - Kathleen Norris.

Happy Reading!

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Ph:0484

"Iam

Dr. Varghese Kurian Group Chairman & Managing Director VKL Holding Company & Al Namal Group

India to Take Up Accessibility to Energy, Food Grains

Strongly’ at G20: S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated on 31st December that India aims to address the issue of affordability and accessibility to energy, foodgrains, and fertilisers

“quite vigorously” during its G20 presidency, as the economies of the Global South have been harmed. On December 1, India formally took the G20 presidency. The next G20 Leaders’ Summit at the Heads of State/Government level is set for September 9 and 10 in New Delhi. S Jaishankar, who is on his first official visit to Cyprus as India and Cyprus celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, said at a business event that the efficiency and delivery of global supply chains is a shared challenge for all governments today.

Mukesh Ambani To Students

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, used an original strategy to remind kids of the value and significance of their parents in their life. Last week, Mr. Ambani spoke at the Pandit Deendayal Energy University commencement, telling the graduating students that their parents and families, who supported them, shared in their efforts. “Let me tell you something in your own lingo – the language of the youth. Nowadays, every youngster is excited about 4G and now 5G. But there is no ‘G’ in this world greater than Mata ji and Pita ji. They were, are, and will always remain your most dependable pillars of strength and support,” he said. By 2047, Mr. Ambani predicted that the country’s young, brilliant minds will help India’s economy rise from $3 trillion to $40 trillion. Reliance Jio, owned by the business tycoon, has successfully introduced 5G services in a number of cities across the nation.

“Mata ji, Pita ji Bigger Than 5G”:

‘Very

“Do what you love and success will follow. Passion is the fuel behind a successful career”

Meg Whitman, CEO of Quibi

Meta, Airtel to Jointly Invest in Telecom Infrastructure in India

Together, the world’s largest social media platform Meta Platforms and Bharti Airtel will invest in telecom infrastructure to meet India’s growing demand for high-speed data and digital services. The announcement follows telecom operators’ demands for revenue sharing with service providers so they can build networks. “Airtel and Meta will jointly invest in global connectivity infrastructure and CPaaS (communications platform as a service) based new-age digital solutions to support the emerging requirements of customers and enterprises in India,” the statement said. As part of the partnership, Airtel will work with Meta and STC (Saudi Telecom Company) to connect India to the 2Africa Pearls undersea cable system, which is currently the longest subsea cable system in the world. Meta had earlier in September 2021 revealed their intention to expand 2Africa Pearls to India.

Mukesh

Ambani’s

Reliance to Acquire Metro AG’s India Business for `2,850 Crore

In order to further solidify its hegemonic position in India’s enormous retail market, Mukesh Ambani’s conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd. will pay 2,850 crores for the wholesale operations in India of German company Metro AG. “Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd, on 22nd December signed definitive agreements to acquire a 100 per cent equity stake in Metro Cash & Carry India for a total cash consideration of `2,850 crore, subject to closing adjustments,” said a joint statement. Reliance Retail will have access to a network of Metro India stores in prime locations throughout important cities, as well as a sizable base of registered kiranas and other institutional clients, as well as a robust supplier network, through this transaction.

“Quality means doing it right when no one is looking”

Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company

India

Largest

“Connected” Nation,

Over 800 Million Broadband Users: Centre

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the minister of state for electronics, information technology, and skill development and entrepreneurship, said that with more than 800 million broadband customers, India is currently the most “connected” country in the world. He made his comments on 11th December during the India Internet Governance Forum 2022’s closing ceremony. “Leveraging Techade for Empowering Bharat” was the event’s topic. In his remarks, MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar said: “We have 800 million Indian customers, making us the most “connected” country in the world. With 1.2 billion Indian customers, 5G and BharatNet’s greatest rural broadband access initiative would have the single-largest presence on the internet.”He added that we anticipate both new legal frameworks and technical advancements to continue to be essential. He continued, “The third leg of this Global Standard Cyber Law Framework, which we think will stimulate the Indian internet and economy, would be the deep involvement by all stakeholders".

Centre to Launch Digital India Fund to Support

Deep-Tech Startups: Minister

The government would establish a Digital India Innovation Fund to encourage deep-tech firms, said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and IT. According to an official statement, the minister made these remarks during his talk to over 1,000 college students as part of the ‘New India for Young India: Techade of Opportunities programme’ at the Catholic Bishop House Campus in Thamarassery, Kerala. According to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the government would establish a Digital India Innovation Fund to support deeptech startups. The minister stated that the Prime Minister’s vision of New India is one in which every Indian has abundant possibilities to participate in the development process, with hard work and skills being the only determinants of success.

“If you want to grow you have to do something different from the majority of people”

Lakshmi Mittal, CEO of ArcelorMittal

Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95

Former Pope Benedict XVI died at the age of 95, over a decade after stepping down due to ill health. He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years before becoming the first Pope to retire since Gregory XII in 1415 in 2013.Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae convent within the Vatican walls, where he died on 30th December at 09:34 (08:34 GMT). On January 5, his successor, Pope Francis, will officiate at the funeral. The body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be put in St Peter’s Basilica on January 2 for “the greeting of the faithful,” according to the Vatican. After the former Pope’s death was announced, bells rang out from Munich Cathedral, and a solitary bell rang out from St Peter’s Square in Rome.

Andrew Tate Detained in Romania

Over Human Trafficking Case

According to reports, controversial online influencer Andrew Tate was held in Romania as part of an investigation into rape and people trafficking. In Bucharest, the capital, Mr. Tate’s home was searched while he and his brother Tristan were being held captive. According to Reuters, a lawyer for the boys confirmed their imprisonment. The former kickboxer gained notoriety in 2016 after being removed from the British television programme Big Brother because of a video that purported to show him assaulting a woman. As a result of his comments that women should “carry responsibility” for being sexually assaulted, he later gained prominence online and was banned from Twitter. He was later given a second chance.

Boris Becker: Former Wimbledon Champion Released After Serving Eight Months of Prison Sentence

Boris Becker, a former Wimbledon champion, has been freed from prison after serving the entirety of his eight-month term for concealing assets and loans totaling £2.5 million in order to avoid paying obligations. After being convicted guilty of four offences under the Insolvency Act in April, the 55-year-old German was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. He was let out of jail on 15th December morning and has since taken a flight to Germany. According to the BBC, Becker was expelled from the United Kingdom. “Becker was released from detention in England and has left for Germany today,” according to a statement from his Berlin-based attorney Christian-Oliver Moser. According to a government source who spoke to the BBC, Becker took a private plane rented by a friend out of Biggin Hill.

Berlin AquaDom Aquarium: Police Not

Seeking Suspects Over Explosion

Following the explosion of the “AquaDom” aquarium on Friday, Berlin police said they are not looking for suspects and have warned the public about what they claim to be a bogus tweet saying otherwise. One million litres of saltwater were released during the explosion at the Radisson Blu hotel, soaking the establishment and the streets around it. Numerous fish perished, while glass that fell on people harmed two individuals. The structure has now been deemed safe by inspectors. There is no proof the explosion in the 15.85m-high (52 foot) aquarium was the product of a targeted attack, a police source told local media on Friday. They have also utilised social media to refute a tweet from a replica account that requests public assistance in finding suspects connected to the incident.

For more info: europetimes.co

Dr. Varghese Kurian: The Idealistic Entrepreneur Who Strives For Success

Success is much more than wealth, influence, or notoriety. Success is just the satisfaction and happiness one feels after adopting a certain lifestyle or engaging in a certain activity. Only with intense effort and a tiny bit of luck can success in any endeavour or area of life be attained. Determination is one of the most essential success ingredients and may even be the most essential success secret. Never giving up until the goal of happiness and contentment in life is fully attained is vital for success. Diverse people find enjoyment and contentment in quite different things.

Dr. Varghese Kurian is the chairman of the VKL Holdings and Al Namal Group of Companies, which employs more than 7000 people. The group’s businesses include real estate, property development and management, construction, health,

and hospitality. Since 1990, Dr. Varghese Kurian has been actively involved in real estate development. He has successfully created, managed, marketed, and sold more than 200 commercial and residential structures worth more than BHD 500 million throughout the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Varghese Kurian made a successful entry into the hotel market with the Dream Hotel in Kochi, which is now known as the Radisson Blu. He feels that luxurious and sophisticated hotels are essential for the rise of tourism, which will expedite the country's progress. “Kerala has many unexplored destinations and one reason why they go unnoticed is we don’t have good hotels and places which provide essential facilities,” he says.

The Group finished the Best Western Olive, Al Murooj, Lulu Hypermarket in Hidd, and Middle

East Hospital projects despite the upheaval brought on by the heightened civil unrest.

The Group was able to complete projects for a significant discount thanks to decreased costs for raw materials, lower subcontractor rates, and a drop in the demand for building supplies. They had more confidence in Bahrain, which allowed them to extend their holdings.

The real estate, property development and management, construction, health, and hospitality sectors of VKL Holdings and the Al Namal Group of Companies are quite well known. VKL Holdings has carved itself a distinct niche in and around the Kingdom of Bahrain by utilising the most cutting-edge methods across all of its multiple divisions.

His journey to greatness began in Bahrain in the 1980s when he arrived as a civil engineer. He worked for a construction firm up until 1992

"Every success story is a tale of constant adaption, revision and change" - Richard Branson

Dr. Varghese credits it to a top-notch group of trustworthy, detail-oriented experts who share the organization’s commitment to sustainable growth and who persevere with the highest humility. Dr. Varghese is still amused and appreciative when he considers how he came to diversify his business portfolio.

when he founded the VKL Al Namal Group, a construction and real estate business. The company initially started out as just another construction firm, but it gradually grew into one of the largest firms, with facilities on-site for electromechanical, HVAC, interiors, aluminium, and wrought iron work, which helped to complete some of the significant projects that proved to be turning points for the business. In Bahrain today, this group has proven to be the greatest in its industry. More

than 7000 people are employed by VKL Al Namal Group, which has expanded beyond just real estate and construction. These activities include trading, oil and gas, marine dredging, and education.

Dr. Varghese credits it to a topnotch group of trustworthy, detailoriented experts who share the organization’s commitment to sustainable growth and who persevere with the highest humility. Dr. Varghese is still amused and appreciative when he considers how he came

to diversify his business portfolio.

In addition to being a prosperous businessman, Varghese Kurian embodies humanity by staying true to his roots even when things are difficult. He is a man of humility who, although having amassed a sizable empire, makes sure to constantly uphold his obligation in striving to benefit society in addition to his economic objectives. As part of the business’s CSR drive, he gave Rs. 8 crores to flood relief programmes in Kerala, of which Rs. 2 crore went to the Chief Ministers’ Relief Fund. In addition, VKL Group did not hesitate to offer assistance to flood victims in Kuttanadu by supplying necessities like food and clothing. In his hometown of Seethathodu, which is close to Pathanamthitta, he rebuilt more than 500 destroyed homes and provided home appliances to more than 6000 homes. His social contribution goes beyond CSR initiatives; it also includes providing medical and financial aid to those in need, funding impoverished people's weddings, and other charitable tasks that he completes all year long. Additionally, he has donated money to cover Indian expat children's wedding costs. He also started a philanthropic organisa-

As part of the business’s CSR drive, he gave Rs. 8 crores to flood relief programmes in Kerala, of which Rs. 2 crore went to the Chief Ministers’ Relief Fund. In addition, VKL Group did not hesitate to offer assistance to flood victims in Kuttanadu by supplying necessities like food and clothing.

tion in his parents' names to support poor people's welfare initiatives.

Kurian is passionate about testing out cutting-edge concepts in the tourism sector. He makes excellent investments without hesitation, and industrialists like him are uncommon. VKL had already invested in the ambitious seaplane project, which unhappily ran into administrative roadblocks and dashed Kurian's hopes. But still he remains optimistic, nevertheless, about the vast potential that seaplanes can have for the travel and tourism sector. He thinks Kerala's varied landscape has the opportunity for such a project.

Through his involvement with numerous notable organisations, Kurian has gained recognition throughout the world. He was honoured by the Indian government by receiving the highly coveted Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for 2014. In

addition, he has received numerous awards, including the Global Visionary Award. Without a doubt, one might conclude that this individual leaves his trail open for others to follow. On January 16, 2023, he will receive the coveted MBA Award in recognition of both his contributions to the business world and his CSR activities.

Dr. Varghese Kurian and his wife, Lizhy Varghese, a multifaceted homemaker and the backbone of the family, ensure that their three children - Sija, Jeeban and Vishakh have a knowledge of humanity and its truths.

Varghese Kurian states, “From a small beginning as a single construction company, we have achieved our current strong position in the market by travelling a road less taken, providing to you the best the industry has to offer without compromising on quality.”

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

Rooting For A 'Neutral Rate'

Monetary policy actions of the central banks worldover have come under intense scrutiny from leading economists and policy analysts ever since the runaway rise in general price levels – retail inflation to borrow words from economists’ lexicon – started roiling most economies in the world of any nomenclature – be it developed or developing, emerging or advanced. The spiralling prices have landed nations in a piquant situation with the talk about an impending recession – a fall in economic growth through two successive quarters technically – stoking fears of a ‘hard landing’ getting louder. In plain English, hard landing refers to a rapid fall in the rate of economic expansion after a sharp uptick arguably attributed to higher prices chipping away the disposable income in the hands of common men.

It may be also in order here to mention that higher interest rates for longer periods turns capital dearer. The effect of these twin developments means an overall contraction in aggregate demand or purchasing power of the people leading to further fall in economic activity, employment and income levels. In short, the economy will eventually enter a vicious cycle of slowing growth with each critical variable flagged above feeding into each other’s weakness.

Needless to add, inflation is generally considered as an indirect tax on income and any slip in containing it will fan recessionary pressures pushing the economies to the brink. This is because higher prices would hit where it hurts most – a slowdown in private final consumption expenditure – the key driver of economic growth at any given point of time.

It may be pertinent here to point

out that the critics of the monetary policy trace the current slowdown in global growth to the pandemic era ultra-loose monetary policy. They are quick to point out that leading central banks – especially the US Fed – were way behind the curve in reading the evolving inflation trajectory. This line of argument arguably holds good since the Fed and many other major central banks have been stubbornly sticking to their flawed narrative that `inflation is transitory’ and would be behind us sooner than later, a reading that went terribly wrong by all standards and measures.

It is a truism that with rising prices, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, becoming a new normal and more stubborn and entrenched than originally thought, central banks wasted no time in flipping their position overnight to a hawkish stance. As the old saying goes, the rest is history. The upshot

A 'neutral rate' path is the best policy option available in the RBI’s tool kit to support flagging growth while fighting inflation.

is that it led to the beginning of the current interest rate cycle closely followed by the aggressive tightening of liquidity support to economic growth; a synchronised action that has been crimping overall activity level since.

In layman’s words, the policy of near zero interest rates unleashed by the central banks on top of pandemic era fiscal support of all kinds under the economic stimulus package to counter the Covid-induced economic slowdown was abandoned in no time and a trend reversal followed with apex banks going for back-to-back jumbo sized interest rate hikes to douse the inflationary fire that has been threatening to leave nations staring at a cost-ofliving crisis.

Back home, the RBI was forced to play the catch-up game with other major central banks by going for somewhat outsized rate hikes since May last to bring the inflation reading to its comfort level of less than 6%. An assessment of the

evolving macro-economic construct gives credence to the argument that price pressures are finally cooling with global commodity prices and threat of ultra-aggressive rate hikes by the Fed fading. The Fed chair Jerome Powell had dropped enough hints that future rate hikes would come at a much slower pace. But this does not mean that the Fed has done away with the current rate hike since the job market in the US still remains red hot.

In my view, India’s inflation print would remain above 6% till February next and then slide to 4.5%-5.5% level through FY2024. On the other hand, various multilateral agencies have slashed India’s economic growth forecast citing multiple headwinds – both global and domestic – that may mute economic expansion further. It is now a certainty that India is likely to finish the current fiscal at a much lower pace of GDP growth that median estimates peg at below 7%, which may go down again if the global eco-

nomic growth fades further.

Such tidings make a strong case for policy rate moving to neutral territory in sync with a data-driven assessment of inflation-growth dynamics going forward, irrespective of other major central banks rate actions. The December policy meeting of the MPC comes at a time when the jury is still out about the incremental effect of past policy hikes. A data driven assessment shows that while non-farm credit is growing at healthy teens, higher rates are playing out to be demand restrictive, if not destructive, at least in some pockets of the economy. On the other hand, price pressures are arguably cooling off with domestic supply shocks easing and global commodity prices easing. Therefore, in my opinion it may be prudent for MPC members to turn to a `neutral rate’ path which is the best policy option available in the RBI’s tool kit to support flagging growth while fighting inflation without any let up 

A data driven assessment shows that while non-farm credit is growing at healthy teens, higher rates are playing out to be demand restrictive, if not destructive, at least in some pockets of the economy.

Rajesh Nair Associate Partner, Ernst & Young LLP

Great Teams And The Success Of Building Together

Happy New year! Looking forward to another year of exploring the management together.

As we wound up 2022, we saw a flurry of CEO interviews, founders of great companies speaking on television, podcasts, articles et.al. The common thread of these seminal conversations and opinions was the learning from building a great organisation, their individual corporate journeys and the learning for the professional and the man on the street. While we got a cornucopia of ideas and seminal points of learning – there was one point that stood out - Great team!

If your scour reading material in every walk of life, be it football, business, politics, etc., one common theme you observe is the success attributed to a great team. We connect these comments, at times,

to the magnanimity of a star who is giving undue credit to his/her team, while he/she is the true beacon of success. This is also because we are conditioned to thrive for individual excellence and in turn admire people who have achieved it. But more often than not, you are bewildered by the beauty of collective action, an exemplary success is a smorgasbord of sundry actions where everyone around had to play a role in it.

Teaming as a management subject has been much discussed and thought about and there are several books on the subject. These seminal works attempt to give you frameworks and highlight some of the common pitfalls when you build teams. But like all management topics, each of them is contextual and what suits Jane will not suit Julie. When we reminisce

The cornerstone to a great team is the sense of collective victory and the ability to celebrate each other's success.

through our careers and experiences, each of us has travails of our own and some of these core experiences structure our philosophy on the subject. This philosophy for some is a set of rules which govern their behaviours when it comes to teaming and for some, they become anecdotes that serendipitously tell us what

to do. What I write below are more of the latter, some interesting themes I have discovered and have lent colour to my lens; some I will modify with years and some will stay on. A team is not the sun and the planets circling them

It is not like a sun with mul-

tiple planets revolving in ellipses and orbits around it. It must be like a constellation of stars. Each of them shines differently on different nights and some shine more than others at different times of the year. Every situation needs leadership with different skill sets and orientations. A wellcoordinated team has the mem-

bers leveraging their peculiarities and strengths and doing the journey in a common direction. What better example than the recent exploits of the German soccer team which won the world cup! Just when you have the defence of the opposing team marking a 'star' another 'star' shines and takes a different approach to the goal. The beauty is when they shine in unison.

A team is not a collection of 'look-alikes'

While it seems logical that a team should be comprised of similar people, it is often not the best approach. Diversity of people in the team is important to get fresh ideas, fresh ways of thinking and the ability to, as the cliché goes, 'think out of the box'. Diversity is a big busi-

ness multiplier and it is the source of a wide variety of ideas and the ability to dissect different sectional cuts of each issue. Yes, I was looking for responses that align with my way of thinking in interviews. A great answer was one that I had premeditated not because it was a great idea completely not on my shelf. Research in recent times has also proved that gender diversity brings great value. The inherent competencies women leaders display bring in a fortune in terms of great ideas. A team is not about the fastest draw

Individual glory and the ‘fastest draw’ is that of the spaghetti western genre. In real life, the collective focus and distributed leadership is what wins many a situation. Great

times are those where the members publicly commit to the team objectively, even if they have to downplay their interests and skill display. Collective discussions always throw up multifarious scenarios and this is necessary for a well-knit plan which envisages and evaluates the different courses of action. Internal conflicts are not always a deterrent, idea based conflicts are a necessity. The team needs to focus on having ideological conflicts which indulge in debating ideas and concepts and not personality-based or mean-spirited attacks.

A team needs a larger purpose

A collective dream has the power to enthuse and lend energy to any team. Sometimes, the purpose is

so strong that the negative minds in the team also lend their efforts. This comes from the 'trust' that everyone is connected to a larger vision and purpose. It is never easy to align minds, but a powerful idea is a great common thread to bond with. One is always surprised how a single purpose often brings together people with diverse ideas, ethos and experiences. It also brings in commitment with increased buy-in to each action and clarity of purpose.

A team needs a win-win mindset

The cornerstone to a great team is the sense of collective victory and the ability to celebrate each other's success. One of the virtues our schooling system needs to instill isthis value of appreciating another’s

success and also that of a ‘team win. It is not generosity and altruism that should promote our complimenting a team member, it is the genuine interest in the accomplishment and how that made a larger difference to the team goal. A mental victory over another team member might give one satisfaction but is never a catalyst for long-term cooperation. A team needs to nurture the creativity garden

To put it politely – the future is uncertain. We have no clue of what changes will wilt our resolves, scrap our well-laid plans and trash the best of strategies. It is important to constantly churn out new ideas and even encourage radical ideas. Our education system constantly creates in us a 'fear to make mistakes'. We

are petrified of making mistakes, of sounding silly or of suggesting 'ridiculous' ideas. We stigmatize mistakes. A pat on the back and laughing out an idea that failed go a long way in sending a message of – 'It is safe to discuss ideas here'! A culture like that lends emotional confidence to the members of the team.

The ability to build great teams is also one of the key differentiators when we research people who were successful and those who squandered great opportunities. Team structures or organisation structures have to facilitate the distribution of work, integration of ideas, and the constant collective quest to seek success. It always pays to remember that you are only as good at the team you are part of!

Collective discussions always throw up multifarious scenarios and this is necessary for a well-knit plan which envisages and evaluates the different courses of action. Internal conflicts are not always a deterrent, idea based conflicts are a necessity.

Being an Ampotithamburan is a divine appointment. Any child born in this lineage is blessed for observing the rituals with devotion and completing all the fasts and upacharas from Upanayanam.

A Glimpse Of Royalty Through

Ampotithamburan Of Shankarodath Palace

His Highness His Holiness Manavendra Varma Yogathiripad

An interview with His Highness His Holiness Manavendra Varma Yogathiripad, the celibate youngest king of Olavakot Kavilpad Thekumpuram Pulikal Shankarodath palace in Palakkad district.

Can you explain the history of Shankarodath palace?

If you walk through the pathway of the Shankarodath palace, the palace stands as a symbol of survival and renewal. It was only very late that we came to know about the ancestor of the palace. Today, when the palace and the temple are receiving honors and respect from all over, all the sorrows and miseries experienced by our previous generations till very recently reveal the history of Shankarodath palace. The progenitor of Shankarodath palace is Thriprangot palace, a branch of the Vettath dynasty of the Tanur kingdom. The available information is that during the Vettath dynasty, the royal administration was held at Vettath palace. A branch of this was in Thriprangot palace. The Shankarodath palace is the lineage of the lady there. With the disappearance of the Maharaja of the Vettath dynasty due to war, the mistress of Thriprangot palace and her daughter were fleeing. The descendants of Narayani Ambikathamburathi, daughter of Devaprabha Tamburathi of Thriprangot palace, are here. Generally, the mistresses of our clan have the surname Ambika and Ambalika and are known as Nambrashtathiri. It has been understood through history that the fugitive mistress and her daughter reached Olavakot Pulikal in 1793. Here, a Nair family named Veluthedath Thodi used to

give shelter to the mistress and her daughter. The Karanavattis of this family built a small hut and took care of the wife and daughter in it as if they were their own relatives. The queens used to do daily work by cleaning the house in the Shiva temple here. All these areas were under the rule of Samuthiri during the war period. They were in hiding for fear of losing their lives if they were revealed to be members of the royal family. Only the title of Vellathiri was revealed. They were also known as Varathas meaning those who came from Valluvanad. Since we did not know about our ancestors at that time, we lived together with the Nair Samiti. However, while continuing a different way of life, we also practiced Shodashakriya rituals. Kalpathi Sivacharyas used to perform shodashakriyas for us as we could not understand that our Othikan was Kotamangalatmana. During that period, along with doing Thriprangottappan’s Thevaram in our Thevarapura, the Pujas of the Paradevatas were also being performed. Vettathamma, Chamravatat Ayyappan, Thriprangottappan, Thirunnavayathevar, and Thirumandhamkunnilamma are our deities. Panavur Mana performs the Paradevtapujas conducted once in a while. Still Kovalam tantris are Panavoor manakars. When the grandmothers used to come here, they used to carry the idols of Thevaramurthys and perform the daily

Thevaram. Our Thevara Murthys are Mullapally Ganapathi, Mullapally Narasimham, Tirur Narasimham, Goshalakrishnan, Alathiyur Srihanuman, Alathiyur Sriraman, Thrikandyurappan, Vettath Mangalat Mahavishnu, Vettathamma, Navamukundan and Keraladhiswarathappan. The headquarter of the Vettath clan was at Keraladhishwaram. When the ancestor was searched and found, it was learned that the images brought as Thevar images were used as Aratubimbams for the famous Mamangam. Now when Mamangam was re-invented, it was these images that were enshrined there. There is so much joy in that. The palace has a very sacrificial and miserable tradition of having to hide one's identity. It is only because of Upasana that the Shankarodath palace exists today and all kinds of prosperity are there. What we want to convey to all the people is that everyone should follow their Upasana. The Shankarodath palace is proof that it will bring glory. You are the current virtuous celibate. If so, who will be the heir after your reign?

Mistresses will have importance and authority in temples and palaces. Mistresses have absolute powers, except that lords have positions. Ampotithamburan position is not something that happens in every generation. Palace’s Valiyathamburan position is passed down

Pulikal Sri Vishwanagayakshitram has a close relationship with Mannarassala temple. It cannot be said that only the temple. If the sanctum sanctorum exists today at Shankaraodath, the blessing of the entire glory of this sanctum sanctorum is entirely from Mannarashala. Mannarashala is worshiped by the whole Gurusthaniya of this temple.

from generation to generation. At Shankarodath, the eldest male subject of the palace will be elevated to the position of Valiyathamburan. Being an Ampotithamburan is a divine appointment. Any child born in this lineage is blessed for observing the rituals with devotion and completing all the fasts and upacharas from Upanayanam. Who will be appointed in the next generation to take the throne as Ampotithamburan is God’s decision. It is our firm belief that Vettekaran, Bhadrakali and Naga Gods, our Vamsopasanamurthys, will determine it.

What is meant by Ampotithamburan?

The position Ampotithamburan means the one who nurtures the ego and the one who nurtures (the maintainer of) all. Ampotithamburan is a place where one surrenders oneself to God in order to feed everyone. The main teacher of the rituals that the palace is still following today is Thangamani Tamburati’s grandmother Vellathiri Lakshmikutty Nambrashtathiri who was a great builder. Although it is not clear in the topics that the grandmother imparted, it is revealed that it is the place where our ancestors are enshrined and that we have a place called Yogathiripad in that meeting and Yogathiripad must be a true celibate. What grandmothers inherited from their forefathers is passed down to us by understanding what was written down and the next generation continues to follow it. The knowledge imparted by the

grandmother is to follow the path taken by Vishvamitra to the position of Brahmarshi by taking care of the subjects standing by his dharma and not failing in the affairs of God. Apart from this knowledge, for more clarity about the position of Ampotithamburan, it was understood from the conversation with the historians of Kerala that Ampotithamburan was a title that existed in Kerala in the past and it had stopped in the interim. Can you explain the main idols and worship methods in Shankarodath palace?

This temple and place are not known by the name of the palace but by the name of Nagayakshi Kavu. This palace itself was known as Pulikal Nagayakshikav Vishwanagayakshi Kshetra. The palace's name has been known for a while now. Because this place has the importance of Nagayakshiamma and the importance of serpents. That’s because the Kavus were here in the first place. Worship of snakes is performed here. The temple came later and, in our childhood, there were only kavus. This is the history of these Kavus. My grandmother’s mother, Ambikathamburati (Kochampu), who was the grand mistress of the palace, died of gum disease when my grandmother was four years old. Granddaughter was raised by grandmother's grandmother from the age of four. In the practice of those days, the grandmother married off when she was four and a half years old. The reason for this is that the position of Kunchikav and the position

of Tamburati will be obtained before Kettukalyanam. After that only, you will get permission to do the tevaram. The work that started at the age of four and a half, continued unceasingly until her death at the age of 104. According to our knowledge, within ten years of Grandma’s life, she saw a golden snake crawling in Thekini and Grandma beat it to death. As a result of the curse of killing the golden snake, the grandmother contracted a disease called Vellapand or Chitradharan, which spread throughout her body. Because of this, the girls who had been thinking about it were moving away. Later, Pallath Kesavan Nair, a man from the Nair community, gives the pudda to the grandmother. He was a World War II veteran. It was he who built and maintained the Shankarodath Kovilakam. Realizing that the grandmother became ill because of killing the golden snake, he performed penance and decided to re-consecrate it and worship it. The legend of this place is understood when the problem is thought of during that period. In the past, this was the ashram of Maharishi Kashyapa and therefore there would be a sufficient presence of serpents, and only if they were worshiped properly, thevaram was performed in the limited sense. I am the son of a daughter of that grandmother. In my youth, I used to worship the big mud mound under a tamarind tree in the southern courtyard of the family home. In 2007, the mud mound collapsed during heavy rains and Srilakam was built there after finding that there

was Swayambhu inside the mud mound. The temple came into existence during that period. Until then, only Kavus existed here. The spirit of Kashyapa Maharshi resides in the vault here. Vishwanagayakshiamma (Maninagayakshiamma) is the main murti here. Nagaraja, Nagayakshiamma and Sarpayakshiamma are worshiped together in the shrine. It is considered as Mahavishesa worship. Another is the subordinate Shankarodath Kavu. Here Balabhadra Devi, the Swarupadeva of Shankaradoth resides in Porkali Bhava. This goddess is our clan deity. Apart from the clan deity, there are seven goddesses, Kiratashivan, who is a traditional worshiper, and Vettekarappan are also worshipped. These are the main deities.

Difference between Nagas (snakes) and Sarpa (serpents)?

The difference between nagas and serpents is that nagas are aphrodisiacs. That is, the Nagas are Vishwakundalini, the spirit that can assume the form it wants when it wants. The serpent is the power that is the kundalini of the universe itself. Snakes can be seen clearly. Usually, all we see are snakes.

Can you explain the rituals of Naga worship and Sarpa worship?

Of course. Naga worship and serpent worship are different. Both have two routines. However, the two are mutually exclusive and are performed together. Naga worship alone and serpent worships alone are not to be done. Nagasarpa worships have many rituals. Sarpa worship comes in complete nature worship. Nagaradhana comes in complete tanuyantrasadhana. Hence, Naga worship includes rituals and rituals besides being associated with Tantra. Rituals are most important in serpent worship. What is the relationship between Mannarassala temple and Pulikal Sri Vishwanagayakshitram?

Pulikal Sri Vishwanagayakshitram has a close relationship with Mannarassala temple. It cannot be said that only the temple. If the sanctum sanctorum exists today at Shankaraodath, the blessing of the entire glory of this sanctum sanctorum is entirely from Mannarashala. Mannarashala is worshiped by the whole Gurusthaniya of this temple. These are the reasons. We are Kshatriyas. We are not allowed puja vidhis. But in our tradition, there is Tevaram and worship of Paradevata. It is also fortunate that our Vettath clan is generally the best for women. Being blessed by Garuda, the ladies of Vettath have not only been able to perform thevaram but also have been blessed to treat poisons. The consumption still continues. No tantra or pooja is allowed. After coming to this earth, the serpent became our Upasanamurti. This shrine stands in the middle of the Kavus. Therefore, it was Valiamma Savitri Antharjana of Mannarassala who came to the point of compulsion to worship serpents and completely turned the way to worship our great-grandmother as a guru. That blessing remains today. That's why the system of giving the right to landfill once a year is going on from here. From here, he reaches Mannarassala and visits his mother, and takes the blessings of that place. Moreover, Mannarassalayappan resides in Machil above the vault. Many years ago, one of the people

here had a vision of a golden snake coming out of a cave. He called the people together. As everyone watched, the golden serpent climbed into the mold and the tortoise turned into stone. Kallama is still worshiped as the vehicle of the Naga king. It was understood that the Naga king had come here to reveal Nagayakshiamma. A reception is always held here for the Naga king. Tirukallan festival is also held for Naga Raja and Nagayakshiamma. We are also blessed by Valiyathirumeni of Mannarassala. Therefore, it can be said without a doubt that the palace is still standing due to the blessings of Mannarashala. Along with the main deities, many deities are also worshiped here. Can you clarify about sub-deity concepts?

Of course. As sub-deities in the Nagayakshikaka, Maninagam, Karinagam, Balaganapati, Baladandayudhapani, Balamanikandan, Keraladhiswarathappan, Alathiyurappan, Vettathamma, Nagadevata, Salagrams, Nagakanyaka, Banalingams and Nagachamundi are the deities within the enclosure. There are deities of Keezhakala and Kshetrapalan in Keezkhava. There are five Kavus based on Chaturvarna. Brahmanasarpakavu (for Brahmin snakes), Vishasarpakavu (for Vaishya snakes), Agamasarpakavu or Kshatriyasarpakavu (for Kshatriya snakes), Ayilyamkavu (for Shudra snakes) and Yakshika. There is also a deity of Gandharvaswamy in Yakshikavu. These are the sub-deity concepts

Dr Arun Oommen MBBS, MS (Gen Surg), MCh (Neurosurgery), MRCSEd,MBA Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon VPS Lakeshore Hospital NH-47, Bypass, Maradu, Nettoor PO, Kochi 682040, India.

We can harness the natural power of neuroplasticity to increase our cognitive abilities, enhance our ability to learn new information, and improve our memory at any age.

Techniques of How to Improve Your Memory

Astrong memory depends on the health and vitality of our brain. There are lots we can do to improve our memory and mental performance. Boost our mental performance as much as possible. Preserve and enhance our grey matter as we age.

The human brain has an astonishing ability to adapt and change— even into old age. This ability is known as neuroplasticity. With the right stimulation, our brain can form new neural pathways, alter existing connections, and adapt and react in ever-changing ways. The brain’s incredible ability to reshape itself holds true when it comes to learning and memory. We can harness the natural power of neuroplasticity to increase our cognitive abilities, enhance our ability to learn new information, and improve our memory at any age.

1. Brain workouts-

By adulthood, our brain has already developed millions of neural pathways that help us process and recall information quickly, solve

familiar problems, and execute habitual tasks with minimal mental effort. But if we always stick to these well-worn paths, we aren’t giving our brain the stimulation it needs to keep growing and developing. The more we work out our brains, the better we’ll be able to process and remember information. But not all activities are equal. The best brain exercises break our routine and challenge us to use and develop new brain pathways. Four key elements of a good brain workout-

A. It teaches us something new. To strengthen the brain, we need to keep learning and developing new skills i.e. something that’s unfamiliar and out of our comfort zone.

B. It’s challenging. It must be something that requires good mental effort. Demands our full and close attention.

C. A skill that can stretch our capabilities. When a previously difficult level starts to feel comfortable, that means it’s time to tackle the

next level of performance.

D. It’s rewarding. Enjoyable and satisfying tasks enhance the brain’s learning process.

2. Eat a brain-boosting diet

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Those who have a well-balanced breakfast with the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fresh fruit and vegetables show improved memory, creativity, focus, and overall performance. 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. 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.

The brain uses only glucose for fuel. It consumes around five grams an hour, but can't store it. That is why the brain has to be regularly supplied with 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. Brown rice, Bread, Pasta, 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 oc-

curs to be one of the most powerful antioxidants and protects the brain's fatty tissues from ageing. Research has shown that Vitamin E delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Eat leafy green vegetables, and nuts to increase your intake of this vital nutrient. The vitamin E and magnesium in almonds will keep our brains at top-working capacity. Avocado is rich in Vitamin E.. Research has shown that absorption of two key carotenoid antioxidants, beta carotene and lycopene, increases sig-

nificantly when fresh avocado or avocado oil is added to any salads. Blueberries in particular are able to increase concentration and memory” 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 our brain which results in sharper focus. Blueberries help to maintain healthy cognitive function and smoothly working nerve cells. 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 benefits. All edible berries are also a rich source of Vitamin C. Together, they not only strengthen blood capillaries and improve circulation, which enables 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.

Protein is able to stimulate orexin neurons, the cells in our brain responsible for keeping us 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 the build up the membrane of brain cells. A synthesis made from serine and methionine is used in the process of memorization, where noradrenalin, stimulat-

ing learning, and its production relies on the presence of tyrosine and phenylalanine, all are found in eggs' proteins.

Eating cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon not only helps us to improve memory retention but can also protect us from degenerative mental diseases such as dementia. That is because they contain high levels of essential fatty acids called DHA.

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

If our brain doesn’t get enough

fluid we’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 our fluid intake.

Food rich in B vitamins, such as chicken, potatoes, and bananas, can help improve our memory and keep our 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. Spinach, lettuce, wa-

tercress, 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 boost the brain's activity, tea drinkers do better on tests on memory and information processing.

Nutritional tips that help to reduce your risk of dementia:

-Have adequate omega-3 FA.

-Limit calories and saturated fat.

-Eat more fruit and vegetables. It is packed with antioxidants, substances that protect your brain cells from damage

-Drink green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that protect against free radicals that can damage brain cells.

-Drink wine (or grape juice) in moderation. (around 1 glass a day for women; 2 for men) may actually improve memory and cognition. Red wine appears to be the best option, as it is rich in resveratrol, a flavonoid that boosts blood flow in the brain and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Other resveratrol-packed options include grape juice, cranberry juice, fresh grapes, berries, and peanuts.

3. Proper physical exercise

Physical exercise helps your brain stay sharp. It increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Exercise also enhances the effects of helpful brain chemicals and reduces stress hormones. Exercise also plays an important role in neuroplasticity by boosting growth factors and stimulating new neuronal connections.

Aerobic exercise is particularly good for the brain, so choose activities that keep our blood pumping. Physical activities that require handeye coordination or complex motor skills are particularly beneficial for brain building. Regular aerobic exercises improve the functioning of the hippocampus and reduce the onset of age-related hippocampal atrophy. Hippocampus is a part of the

limbic system and plays important role in spacial memory and cognitive functions. It plays a vital role in consolidating recent memory into long-term memory.

4. Proper sleep

An adult needs around 7-9 hours of proper sleep. Sleep deprivation drastically affects memory, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking skills. Proper sleep is critical to learning new things and in improving memory. Research shows that sleep is necessary for memory consolidation, with memory-enhancing activity occurring during the deepest stages of sleep.

The blue light emitted by TVs, tablets, phones, and computers trigger wakefulness and suppresses hormones such as melatonin that induce sleep.

5. Devote time for socializing

Healthy relationships can be considered a very good brain booster. A life full of friends and fun comes with a lot of cognitive benefits. Interacting with others stimulates the brain and provides good-quality brain exercises. Research shows that having meaningful friendships and a strong support system is vital not only the emotional health but also to brain health and people with the

most active social lives had the slowest rate of memory decline.

Good friendship comes with a lot of laughter. Unlike emotional responses, which are limited to specific areas of the brain, laughter engages multiple regions across the whole brain. Jokes and working out punch lines activate areas of the brain vital to learning and creativity. Laughter seems to help people think more broadly and associate more freely.

6. Keeping Stress under control

Chronic Stress can damage the brain cells and damage the hippocampus, the region of the brain involved in the formation of new memories and the retrieval of old ones. Studies have linked stress to memory loss. Learning proper stress-relieving techniques is vital in enhancing cognitive functions and proper memory.

Meditation is highly stressbusting and is a memory booster too. Meditation can improve focus, concentration, creativity, memory, and learning and reasoning skills. It helps improve many different types of conditions, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Meditation works its “magic” by changing the actual brain. Brain images show

that regular meditators have more activity in the left prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with feelings of joy and equanimity. Meditation also increases the thickness of the cerebral cortex and encourages more connections between brain cells—all of which increase mental sharpness and memory ability.

7. Identify and treat health problems

It’s not just dementia or Alzheimer’s disease that causes memory loss. There are many diseases, mental health disorders, and medications that can interfere with memory:

-Cardiac diseases- Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure, have been linked to mild cognitive impairment.

-Diabetes- people with diabetes experience far greater cognitive decline than those who don’t suffer from the disease.

-Hormone imbalance- Women going through menopause often experience memory problems when their estrogen dips. In men, low testosterone can cause issues. Thyroid imbalances can also cause forgetfulness, sluggish thinking, or confusion.

-Medications. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can get in the way of memory

and clear thinking. Common culprits include cold and allergy medications, sleep aids, and antidepressants.

-Depression- mental sluggishness, difficulty concentrating, and forgetfulness are common symptoms of depression. Memory issues can be particularly bad in older people and are sometimes mistaken for dementia. Properly treated depression can help to regain memory.

8. Learn practical steps to support learning and memory

Pay attention- We can’t learn something (encode it into our brain) if we don’t pay enough attention to it. It takes about eight seconds of intense focus to process a piece of information into our memory

Involve as many senses as possible. Try to relate information to colors, textures, smells, and tastes. The physical act of rewriting information or reading aloud can help imprint it onto our brains.

Relate information to what you already know.

Rehearse information we’ve already learned. This “spaced rehearsal” is more effective than cramming, especially for retaining what we’ve learned.

Use mnemonic devices to make memorization easier

Vinod Kumar

Once the play is over then you are in a different role. All opponents merge into one unit called humanity.

Transaction

To be able to win the world cup, you require a) Sincerity b) Dedication c) Honesty to the job d) Determination and respect to the event. Interaction is an equal thing to gossip. You may kick the ball many times towards the goal, but the goalkeeper will protect the goalpost from breach. The defenders among the opponents will secure their goal from your kick and shot. Therefore your goal will not pierce through to inside their goal. Why do you keep blaming the goalkeeper? Because your kick could not drill the ball into their goal? The objective is not the number of kicks that you do. The objective is to get the ball that you kicked into their goal. Then it can be called a transaction. Limiting your action to interaction may not give desired results.

Played well, but lost, the game is an excuse. Simply because that was not your objective. Playing well may be an interaction. But then getting the ball into the opponent’s goal is the purpose. That is a transaction.

The losing team made an assessment and verdict. They said "we made only one mistake when the opponent headed the ball, that one time, and the ball entered the goal. Just that one mistake we did, but for all the other 89 minutes we made no mistakes. This is not true. What you

could say is, all 89 minutes you were making mistakes, that you could not strike even one goal into the opponent's goal post net. It is aiming for the mistake that led to one strike, to defeat.

Traditionally, only South Americans or Europeans have held world cup victories. When such traditions collapse, will Africa and Asia get the world cup victory? For something new to happen, many old traditions have to collapse. Many players on the opposing team were inside your own team, in smaller league matches. They have bonded with each other intimately for 3 or 4 years. But then a world cup match comes once in 4 years. At this moment, the bonding with their friends for many years will have to collapse. They are compelled to defeat that very person who was their support system while they were in their team, in smaller league matches. Their friendship can become an impediment to their victory.

There is only one victory cup. Many teams are sure that they will not get it. But when they played, the participation of each player was complete and total. Not a single chance or effort and focus were spared. Every player played fully and wholeheartedly, yet knowing all the time that they will not succeed in getting the world cup to the

team. They saved absolutely nothing. Every portion of strength, stamina, skills, and talent was invested into what they were doing. Their output could not be any better than ever. Even though they know that they will not be the champions this time.

Every player has to merge with each other in thoughts. Each individual player has to align with the goal in the collective method of work. Each player has aligned and merged with the collective need that is to be victorious in the world cup football championship. No one player can hope to dominate. All have come to the team, so as to contribute. If a team is victorious, then it will be of collective glory. There are rules for transactions. You would be benefited only if you are contributing to the glory and victory of the group.

You will face offense from the opposition team. You will have to take it and swallow it. There is no place for your hurt or your wound or your injury. You are accountable to recover and heal, all by yourself. Transactions are paramount in this context. And sentiments are just trash and garbage. The champions will have subordinated all their feelings and emotions, so that there is accuracy in their transactions. The purpose is to get the championship. There are keepers of your justice and fairness. They are called refer-

ees. Can you be compliant to rules, regulations and laws? Violators will be dismissed. Transaction mandates you to be compliant. Is it ever possible that you have transactions which are really hygienic and clean?

Transaction must get its deserved legitimacies. Do you have any honesty and sincerity in the method by which you transact? Are you afraid of being on the losing side? Do you agree that many times, that you may not be benefiting in a transaction?

Before you entered the transaction, did you not agree to all the conditions? What right do you have to change the conditions in the middle of the transactions?

Preparations and practices and sacrifices alone bring championship to the victor. Active participation and

domain expertise is essential to be victorious. Even fans in the stadium cannot become complacent, apathetic and lazy. Some competency is expected from the fans who are cheering for their favorite team.

Two main components in a transaction are: 1) Contract 2) Persuasion

These components must be respected. All have their own accountability to relate to the specificities and accuracies in contracts and in persuasions. If you work to get the skills on the fact, then you will not be crying foul every time when the opponents are winning. You have to earn and do things to deserve the victories.

Finally one must know that you will have to become visible in the market. The market is called the

football industry. The market will decide your glory or your defeat. The market is founded on the word called transaction. Are you willing for this trade?

Transaction demands that you are totally involved. Transactions cannot be done in the mode of remote control. Why are you not taking ownership of what you are involved in? Only with total ownership can you wish to prevail into a transaction. Otherwise, you may have to relent and then retreat. Transactions are not always harsh and hard. There are transactions that are subtle and refined. Many transactions can happen without much noise. Transactions can also be a fine art of negotiations and bargains. Very subtly though, it has a semblance of a dispute or even combat. Certainly

not for the faint-hearted.

Why do people not enjoy transactions? What you see in the football world cup is entertainment for you, for a day. You are only exposed to the championship match. There are the knockout matches, the quarter-finals, and final contests. The players have prepared for this for over decades. Interaction can be easy, but transactions are of superior quality. Do not mistake vibrancy and dynamism in transactions, to be as erratic or impulsive. Transactions can be instantaneous but they adhere to many predictable traits, Strategy and tact are skills that enable transactions. Are you bored? Get into the football ground and begin to play. Get to the Transaction.

Transaction Has 5 Components

1) You identify the resistance and defense of your opponents.

2) Identify the vulnerability and helplessness in your opponent.

3) Persuade your opponent that

you have a fitting solution and that’s your product.

4) Ensure that the opponent is willing to part with money and other resources to procure your product.

5) Ensure that you are able to harvest profit from the transaction. Transactions Need Commitment

Johnson claimed that he is a big fan of football. He said that he wished that he watched all the world cup matches on television. Then he confessed that he missed a few main matches. The reason he gave was that it was too late in the night on television in his time zone. If he stayed awake all night, then he may not be effective in his workplace. Then his commitment was to other works in hand. He did not prioritize watching the game at night. Is not that Johnson has compromised in his attention to football. The transaction needs your unscattered attention. Why does your focus become diffused?

One pointed focus does not allow reasons for dispersing your sharp and keen interest. Are you willing to get to play football?

Counter Action

It is essential that you are prepared to give counteraction. You must be steeped in judiciousness. You have a responsibility for the mode in which you express yourself. You should not load your opponent with grief, sorrow and other hurtful sentiments. Though you are exposing a backlash to the opponent yet, the opponent should get the learning and not the bruise. Once the play is over then you are in a different role. All opponents merge into one unit called humanity. The opportunities are there. There are many possibilities. What are the odds of victory? The paramount factor is that your output is total, complete and full. Do recall Shakira's song from 2010? The name of the song was 'waka waka he he, Tsamina mina'

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

Taxability Of Immoveable Property Under The Act And The Tax Treaties - A Brief Analysis

1. An Introduction

In the past couple of weeks, I have received numerous queries from NRI on the taxability of income from the immoveable property. The questions relate to whether income earned from the immoveable property in India would be liable to tax in the state of residence of the concerned NRI. In this article, I intend to shed some light on the taxability of income from immoveable property both under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the concerned tax treaty. The taxability of income from immovable properties is typically covered under Article 6 of the concerned tax treaty. At the outset, it would be relevant to understand the meaning of the term “immoveable property”

1.1 Meaning of the term

“immoveable property”

It deserves to be noted that the term “immovable property” has not been defined in the tax treaty or the Model Convention. Thus, the said term would need to be understood based on its interpretation under the law of the applicable contracting state. From an Indian context, the term “immoveable property” has been defined under a few legislations. The said definition and its related interpretation has been detailed in the ensuing paragraphs.

However, section 2(26) of the General Clause Act, 1897 defines the term ‘immovable property’ in an inclusive manner so as to cover land, benefits arise out land and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth.

Further, Section 2(z) of the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016, states that immovable property includes “land, buildings, rights of ways, lights or any other benefit arising out of land and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything which is attached to the earth, but not standing timber, standing crops or grass”.

The term “immoveable property” has also been defined under Section 3 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. Further, the term “attached to the earth” has also been defined under Section 3 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 to mean:

• Rooted in the earth, as in the case of trees and shrubs;

• Imbedded in the earth, as in the case of walls or building;

• Attached to what is so embedded

It deserves to be noted that the term “immovable property” has not been defined in the tax treaty or the Model Convention.

for the permanent beneficial enjoyment of that to which it is attached.

1.2 A few judicial precedents on the interpretation of the term “immoveable property”

• The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Sirpur Paper Mills Ltd v. Collector of Central Excise, Hyderabad 1997 taxmann.com 265 (SC) held that a paper making machine assembled and erected site by embedding in a concrete base would not qualify as an “immoveable property” since the embedding in the base was undertaken to ensure wobblefree operation. The Hon’ble Court held that just because a plant and machinery are fixed in the earth for better functioning, it does not automatically become an immovable property. Further, the Hon’ble Court held machine was capable of being

sold after being dismantled from its base.

• The Hon’ble Apex Court, in the case of Commissioner of Central Excise, Indore v. Virdi Brothers [2007] 2007 taxmann.com 1553 (SC) held that if items assembled or erected at site and attached by foundation to earth can be dismantled without substantial damage to its components and thus can be reassembled, then the items would be considered as moveable.

• The Hon’ble Andhra Pradesh High Court in the case of Bamadev Panigrahi Vs Monorama Raj AIR 1974 AP 226 held that a cinema projector and a diesel engine fixed on the earth for the purpose of exhibiting shows in a cinema would qualify as moveable properties. In the said case, the Hon’ble High Court held as under:

“On a careful consideration of

the entire facts and circumstances, we are of the firm view that the intendment, object and purpose of installing the cinema equipment in question, was only to have the beneficial enjoyment of the very equipment during the period of the lease or mortgage. That apart, the diesel oil engine and the cinema projector are not rooted in the earth as in the case of trees and shrubs, or imbedded in the earth as in the case of walls or buildings, or attached to what is so imbedded for the permanent beneficial enjoyment of that to which they are attached. In the circumstances, the equipment or machinery must be held to have not been attached to the earth within the meaning of the expression "attached to the earth" under Section 3 of the Transfer of Property Act. The machinery is not only not at-

tached to the earth, but also not permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth. Hence, the machinery in question must be held to be movable property but not immovable property.”

• The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Solid and Correct Engineering Works Co and Others (2010) 5 SCC 122 held that where fixing of a plant is meant only to give stability to the plant and its operations wobble free or the setting up of the plant itself is not intended to be permanent at a given place, the apparatus would not qualify as “immoveable property”. A similar was also upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Mallur Siddeswara Spinning Mills Vs CCE (2004) 166 ELT 154 and Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd. and Anr. v. Commissioner of Central Excise 2000 (120) ELT 273 (SC).

• In the context of structures erected on leased land, the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala in the case of Delta Communications Vs State of Kerala [2016] 69 taxmann.com 412 (Kerala)/[2016] 90 VST 438 (Kerala) [31-07-2015] held that “Structures erected on property taken on lease and let out to various parties for advertising, these structures are to be treated as tangible and corporeal goods”. In the said judgment, the Hon’ble Kerala High Court held that such “goods” would NOT partake the nature of “immoveable property”.

• The CBEC in Circular No 58/1/2002-CX dated 15.01.2002 has clarified that if goods are capable of being sold without dismantling are actually dismantled into their components for ease of transportation then such goods cannot be held to

be immoveable property. The relevant extract of the Circular is provided below:

“If any goods installed at site (example paper making machine) are capable of being sold or shifted as such after removal from the base…the goods would be considered to be movable and thus excisable. The mere fact that the goods, though being capable of being sold or shifted without dismantling, are actually dismantled into their components/parts for ease of transportation etc., they will not cease to be dutiable merely because they are transported in dismantled condition. “

Thus, the term “immoveable property” would also include those items that are permanently affixed to the said property, which cannot be dismantled without destroying the concerned structure. It however be relevant to note that Article 6(2) of the Model Convention has expounded the term to include property accessory to immovable property, livestock and equipment used in agriculture and forestry, rights to which the provisions of general law respecting landed property apply, usufruct of immovable property and rights to variable or fixed payments as consideration for the working of, or the right to work, mineral deposits, sources and other natural resources; ships and aircraft shall not be regarded as immovable property.

With this backdrop, we shall in the next paragraphs, evaluate the taxability of income from immoveable properties both under the Act and the related tax convention.

2. Taxability under the Act

Under the Income-tax Act, 1961, income from immoveable properties situated in India is taxable in India. This is based on the provisions of Section 9(1)(i) of the Act. The said provision states as follows:

All income accruing or arising, whether directly or indirectly, through or from any business connection in India, or through or from any property in India, or through or from any asset or source of income in India, or through the transfer of a capital asset situate in India.

Needless to state, applying the doctrine of treaty-override, an assessee could choose to be governed by the provisions of the Act or the related tax treaty, depending on which is more beneficial. In a landmark judgment, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of PVAL Kulandagan Chettiar [2004] 267 ITR 654 held that income earned by a Malaysian tax resident from a property situated in Malaysia would not be taxable in India, in the absence of a “business connection” in India. The relevant extract of the judgment is captured below:

“The immovable property in question is situate in Malaysia and income is derived from that property. Further, it has also been held as a matter of fact that there is no permanent establishment in India in regard to carrying on the business of rubber plantations in Malaysia out of which income is derived and that finding of fact has been recorded by all the authorities and affirmed by the High Court. We, therefore, do not propose to reexamine the question whether the finding is correct or not. Proceeding on that basis, we hold that business

It would also be relevant to note that income from agriculture and forestry is also taxed as income from immoveable property.

income out of rubber plantations cannot be taxed in India because of closer economic relations between the assessee and Malaysia in which the property is located and where the permanent establishment has been set up will determine the fiscal domicile.”

The above-judgment was preceded by a landmark judgment of the Karnataka High Court in the case of RM Muthiah [1993] 67 Taxman 222, where the Hon’ble Court held as follows after considering the provisions of section 90 of the Act:

Section 90(a) of the Act also refers to the granting of relief in respect of Income on which income-tax have been paid both under the said Act and under the Income-tax Act of the other country. Similarly clause (b) also refers to the avoidance of double taxation. We are not concerned with other clauses of section 90 in the instant case. In other words, the parties to an Agreement to avoid double taxation is to grant relief to the assessee, in case the law of two countries operate on the same income and the assessee may have to pay tax in two countries. The revenue's contention in the instant case is entirely based on sections 4 and 5. But these

provisions shall have to be read subject to the provisions of agreement in question. The agreement in question, by necessary implication, takes away the power of the Indian Government to levy tax on the income in respect of certain categories as per articles6, 7, 8, 9. 10, 11, etc., of the agreement.

3. Taxability under the treaty/ convention

Under the convention, it deserves to be noted that the right to tax income from immoveable property is given to the state of source. This is on account of the fact that there is a very close economic connection between the source of income and the state of source. It deserves mention that the situs, i.e., where the immovable property is situated takes precedence over any of the rules governing Permanent Establishment. The UN Model follows a similar view akin to the OECD Model. Under the US Model Convention, Article 6(5), a resident has an option by election to be taxed on a net basis, as in case of permanent establishment on income from real property situated in other State.

It would also be relevant to note that income from agriculture and forestry is also taxed as in-

come from immoveable property. The term income agriculture and forestry include not only income that an enterprise engaged in agriculture or forestry activities derives from selling its agricultural produce but also income that is integral to carry out of agriculture or forestry activities – for instance, income from permits associated with rights integral to carrying out of agriculture or forestry activities.

The OECD Model Convention states that the right to tax of the State of source has a priority as contained in Article 6. Consequently, income indirectly derived from immoveable property would also fall within the confines of Article 6. The convention states that where the said income is part of a permanent establishment, the same would be taxed as income of the concerned business enterprise.

The above-principles would be a useful tool in determining whether an NRI, for instance, a person who is gainfully employed in the UK, would be liable to tax in the UK on the rental income that he earns in India or the gains that accrues to him as a result of the alienation of immoveable property

Rajiv Ambat Lifestyle Disorders Coach & Founder - NuvoVivo

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

5 Tips for a Fail-Proof New Year Resolution

Talk about New Year and one of the first few things that come to mind are the goals and resolutions for the year ahead. New Year's and New Year's resolutions have become synonymous with one another. Improving health or losing some weight is always at the top of the agenda for many of us. Yet, this goal evades many, only to top the list for the next year's resolution! According to various studies, more than 75% of the people who join a gym drops out after 7 - 10 days!

That takes us to the questionWhy do new year's resolutions on health & fitness fail for many people? And how can we make it failproof? Here are 5 tips for a fail-proof new year resolution -

Tip 1 - Make it Realistic

A realistic goal has a higher chance of being achieved. If your goal is weight loss, do not expect to

lose more than 3-4 kgs in a month. Not only is it very difficult to achieve, but it is also extremely unhealthy! Redefine your goals to meet a larger objective of long-term health and wellness. Instead of losing weight, focus on losing fat. Instead of thinning down, focus on gaining strength. Instead of losing a specific amount of weight, focus on reducing your blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Remember - weight loss is a by-product of improved metabolism & health, and not the other way around. It is possible to lose weight and worsen your health at the same time!

Tip 2 - Take Small Steps

Rome was not built in a day! All good things in life take time; health & fitness is not any different.

The famous 80 - 20 rule applies to our lifestyle and health too. 20% of the changes in your lifestyle will bring forth 80% of the results. Take small steps towards a healthy life;

include one large bowl of vegetables as a sabzi or salad in all the main 3 meals of the day. Make sure these vegetables are mostly those grown above the ground - such vegetables are more in fibre and lesser in calories as compared to the ones grown below the ground (tubers). Reduce fried & junk food and increase water intake. Exercise for 20 mins daily. This alone might give you nearly 80% of the intended results unless you have any specific metabolic diseases like thyroid disorders, diabetes, etc.

Also, do not measure your weight or the centimetres around your belly every single day. Weight loss is not a linear function. You do not lose a specific 'X' gram of weight every day/week. There will be days when you lose more than X grams, and there will be days when you lose lesser. Worse - there will days when you may even end up gaining a few

The famous 80 - 20 rule applies to our lifestyle and health too. 20% of the changes in your lifestyle will bring forth 80% of the results.

grams, let alone lose it!

Tip 3 - Make it Sustainable

The definition of eating healthy is not eating bland, tasteless food or fancy meals. You do not need an avocado salad or guacamole dip to become healthy. One can very well include most of their local cuisines and still become healthy. Always resort to a balanced approach that involves your regular food items in the diet menu. If you cannot practise a diet for the rest of your life, then it is not going to get you long-term results. You are better off taking the sustainable and enjoyable route. It is important to build a healthy relationship with food; what is the point if you cannot have a small piece of cake on your loved ones' birthday just because you are on a diet? There is no point living every day for a tomorrow and never ever living a today.

Avoid analysis paralysis with calorie planning. Learn to group food in terms of swaps and substitutions. For example, one whole egg (hen) and 25 grams of panner have roughly the same protein-fat ratio, as well as the total calories. This means you can have either an egg sandwich or a paneer sandwich and make it less boring while staying within your calorie limit at the same time. Similarly,

you may interchange 200 grams of cooked rice (1 and a half bowl) with 3 medium-sized chapatis. Grouping food in terms of its closest approximations will allow you to track and manage calories without too much analysis paralysis. After all, slow and steady wins the race!

Tip 4 - Make it Sensible

Most of what we hear about what is healthy and not healthy becomes very complex when it comes to our food plate! For example - while brown rice is a healthier option than white rice, between brown rice with curd & pickle, and white rice with a good portion of green leafy vegetables and lean protein (fish, egg whites or pulses) - the latter is a healthier choice than the former. White bread with panner-burji and vegetables as a paneer sandwich is healthier than brown bread with jam or maple syrup!

Make sure you are not pennywise and pound-foolish when it comes to food choices.

Tip 5 - Make it Scientific

There is a well-defined methodology behind health & wellness rooted in the science of nutrition, exercise and medical sciences. There is no panacea to your health challenges; there is no single vegetable, juice, fruit or supplement that

will solve your health problem. It is your total lifestyle change which is a combination of your nutrition, physical activity, sleep & stress management that decides how healthy you become.

Also, the diet & exercise that suits one person may not suit another. It depends on many factors, viz. age, gender, medical condition, physical conditions and current lifestyle. For example - A high-fat diet such as keto will not suit a person with a high-grade fatty liver and gall bladder stones. A high-protein diet will not suit a person with high uric acid or high creatinine levels. Such a scientific approach is required in exercises too - a person with hernia or haemorrhoids should avoid deadlifts or weighted squats in a gym. Jogging, skipping and jumping jacks will not suit a person with arthritis. HighIntensity Interval Training (HIIT) is best avoided by a person with congenital heart disease.

I repeat - All good things in life take time, effort and discipline. Improving one's health and fitness is not any different. I hope you ace not just your health goals, but all your new year resolutions this year!

Wishing you the best of health, happiness & prosperity in 2023!

Every new beginning can always tell a lot about the way you look at yourself and more about what you really are.

The End Is Never The End!

Abrand new year always brings in a sense of a renewed chapter in your life. This time of the year we always yearn for fresh new starts. Life always has its endings and beginnings overlapping one another. Life keeps bringing about a series of new days, months, weeks, situations, jobs, relationships, people and things. When something culminates and ends, there is something new that awaits you right ahead. The truth then is that there in fact are no endings and beginnings. Have you ever noticed - it's not linear, Life's journey is a circle, and you are brought about similar challenges again and again until you learn to

win over them eventually. Endings and beginnings happen constantly in all of our lives. December is an ending, and January is yet another beginning - another chance for you to get it right and better it this time. While we acknowledge for these obvious transitions to be a constant in life, it is imperative to give a solid closure for what has passed, let go of the old and be excited to move on to what's coming next. Reflecting on what has transpired is the most important thing to be done - Learning from the experiences is inevitable, or less the history will repeat itself until we learn it. Whenever you see that you are approaching an inevitable ending, take some

time out to meditate on what it has revealed to you, and what learning has it brought upon you. It is with these added armours are you going to step in boldly and confidently to the new dawn, the new beginning that's beckoning you right ahead. It is indeed another brilliant chance for you to go through it once again and make all the wrongs right. When you stretch yourself into the right, it is not only for you, but you are making it right for hundreds of people around you. Yes, it's all connected. It's like a ripple effect that makes a huge difference than you ever imagined, that touches you, your family, and the society you live in.

As we know there is an ending

Dolly Maria

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

“Everytime you finish, you arrive at a new beginning”.

to anything and everything that we go through, something that we always should keep in mind is definitely the same – the end. As Steven Covey puts it, ‘Always keep the end in mind’, in whatever you do. May it be in business, your personal work, spiritual or social life. When you have it in mind that this is all going to end one day, you'll be excited about the actual journey itself, the roads and turns of it, you'll be excited about the new next new be-

ginning. Always being mindful about the ending will help you tread the current moment more carefully, and also will help you to enjoy the present. You never know what tomorrow brings. The future, economy, or people can be unpredictable. What you can control is then, Yourself. When you have the end in mind, it brings about more clarity to your journey and the action plans that should be followed on it. So let’s say again, self-awareness is the key to

winning the game. Sometimes we cannot control on what the external factors would turn out to be, but we can always control and decide what we will be doing at any juncture of a situation. Hence, work on yourself. Having self-control; for self-discipline is the most important trait needed to succeed in this very unpredictable journey called life. Don’t you worry if you make mistakes. Embrace the golden stellar opportunity each day brings us, and

Always being mindful about the ending will help you tread the current moment more carefully, and also will help you to enjoy the present. You never know what tomorrow brings. The future, economy, or people can be unpredictable. What you can control is then, Yourself.

the dawn of self-realization can in reality actualise the essence of positive manifestations.

Every new beginning can always tell a lot about the way you look at yourself and more about what you really are. It is indeed those new resolutions that you take that distinguishes you from what you were and what you are going to be. It is not only about making plans and resolutions but sustaining it until the next ending. Most of the time we see people making the same old resolutions again as in the previous end and never could make it for more than a lap or two, giving up on it and trying to relive the resolutions again for the next beginning, most of the time again in vain. However, when you observe people who have happily successfully moved on in life, they always make minor and major changes on the go till the end. Even if they couldn't complete the resolution 100%, they would have definitely put it into practice until the very last day, consistently. They would then find themselves far beyond and ahead from where they stood the previous time in the finishing line. Success is never what you see on the exterior mostly. Of course actions and changes should bring in tangible results. However, sometimes when we keep working within ourselves, it’s all growing inside, gradually and one fine day, it’s all going to show up beautifully outside like an exquisite garden. Hold on to your values and ethics. Do change what you think needs to be changed, even if some of those include your very precious beliefs or rituals. It is important to accept the negative with the positive –weed out the negatives and embrace the positives. On the journey of your growth and transformation, be open to any change that would do good for yourselves and the people you love, whether it be your family or your teammates. Always remember to enjoy the milestones and highlights of the last circle – whether it be a job, a relationship or another home. Every cycle has always something important to teach you. There indeed were a lot of good moments that can be cherished for all life and keep it close to your heart. Let it be a fuel for accelerating to your next cycle of growth. Do not put too much pressure of condemn yourself for anything; learn to forgive yourself for your mistakes and move on confidently to another victorious chapter of your life. Remember to hold your head high. Also, note that you'd never be completely ready for any new start. Just do the right preparations, comfortably break your comfort zones, jump in bravely and learn on the go. Because, “In the end, you keep going back to the beginning.”

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Pineapples For Natural Skincare And Beautiful Hair

Atasty tropical fruit, pineapples can be eaten raw, cooked, juiced, or preserved. The benefits of pineapple for your general health also extend to your skin and hair. Consuming this nutritious fruit will refresh your skin and make it look clean and fresh if you have acne, skin rashes, or other skin issues. Manganese and vitamin A are the two main nutrients in pineapple that contribute to its health benefits. Here are some advantages of eating pineapple for your skin and hair in terms of health.

Stops Hair Loss

A crucial component that helps to stop hair loss is vitamin C. It is a potent antioxidant that fights against the harm caused by free radicals. A great source of this water-soluble vitamin is pineapple. To benefit from Vitamin C and stop hair loss, eat them as wedges or just juice them and drink it.

Treats Acne

Pineapple juice is loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, which can heal sun damage and acne as well as smooth out uneven skin toning. A substance called bromelain can help to reduce joint swelling and inflammation. One glass of pineapple juice will help you get rid of all the acne scars, so all you have to do to seem fair is to desire it. Additionally, it will keep your skin hydrated and clear.

Treats Chapped Lips

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A natural exfoliant, pineapple aids in removing dead skin cells from the skin. Lips that are

Dr. Elizabath Chacko, MD-Kalpana International

chapped are often dry and may start bleeding. You must combine 1 teaspoon of olive oil with some squeezed pineapple juice. Apply this now, and let it sit on your chapped lips overnight. If utilised for a week, you will receive lips that are smooth and moisturised.

Treats Scalp Inflammation

The only thing you need to do to get immediate relief from intense itching is to try some pineapple. This nutritious fruit is thought to reduce scalp inflammation and stop unintended hair loss. Therefore, make it a point to consume pineapple juice to stop hair loss.

Black Spots are Treated

You must apply some pineapple slices over your black spots in order to lessen the appearance of them

on your face. It must be left on your face for five minutes so that it can dry. Once this is finished, simply wash it away with water to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin.

Shinier, Softer Hair

Vitamin C included in pineapple is what gives hair a smoother and shinier appearance. Acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema can all be avoided because to the anti-inflammatory qualities of the bromelain enzyme, which is a component of pineapple. Its strong antioxidant content improves not just your skin, hair, and health, but also your immunity.

Prevents Pimples

By consuming pineapple juice, you are consuming alpha-hydroxy acid, which is the major compound that prevents cells from dying and

so helps with anti-aging. Simply apply some pineapple juice to your face and wait five minutes for it to dry. Once you've finished, you may rinse it off with some water to remove the toxins from your face and give your skin a fresh, vibrant appearance.

While pineapples are a fruit that can help with digestion, improves the appearance of your skin, and makes your hair feel soft and silky, consuming too much of this fruit might have a negative impact on your health. Make sure to finish your breakfast before consuming some fresh pineapple juice; this will benefit you. If consumed on an empty stomach, acidity may develop. Therefore, remember that you only need to drink one glass of pineapple juice every day for it to be beneficial for you

St.Lucia – The Caribbean Island Paradise

St. Lucia, a Caribbean island paradise that mixes craggy volcanic mountains, tropical jungle, and sandy beaches, is instantly identifiable for its towering Pitons.

St. Lucia, a Caribbean island paradise that mixes craggy volcanic mountains, tropical jungle, and sandy beaches, is instantly identifiable for its towering Pitons. It is the ideal vacation for honeymooners and divers alike since it finds a balance between a developed, tourist-friendly island and a rural location full of local character and untouched natural beauty. The island is full of waterfalls, sandy beaches, fresh seafood, and more, from the busy, party-loving north to the relaxed tranquillity of the nature-heavy south.

Best Time to Visit

In Saint Lucia, the high season lasts from mid-December to midApril, when there are more tourists and fewer flight and lodging options.

For a beach vacation, this is also the ideal time to travel to Saint Lucia.

For beach days in Saint Lucia, the months of December, January, and February are frequently cooler than any other time of year. Even though this region doesn't experience true winters, there is a little temperature shift that is evident between the end of the year and the beginning of a new one. It usually starts getting colder in November and continues into February, with breezier than usual days and chillier than usual nights.

The Piton Mountains

The Pitons never lose their breathtaking beauty, no matter how many times you view them. The magnificence of these twin peaks in person, especially when viewing

them up close in either of the two cities where they are situated, is likely to astound first-time observers more than anybody else.

On the island, specifically in Soufriere and Choiseul, are the two mountains known as Gros Piton and Petit Piton. A sighting of them is even more amazing because they are in such perfect places that they appear to be spouting up side by side from different angles. The Pitons are considered a part of the World Heritage Site, with Gros Piton being the tallest at 2,619 feet.

The Sulphur Spring Mud Baths

The only drive-in volcano in the Caribbean, and probably the entire globe, is said to be the Sulphur Springs in Soufriere. This region's

The Sulphur Springs is the best location to learn about how the Caribbean islands were formed by volcanic eruptions and the advantages of soaking in the mineral-rich springs.

geothermal activity is so intense that there are steaming vents and boiling mud baths.The most popular activity at the Sulphur Springs is a mud bath, which is both relaxing and entertaining.

The Sulphur Springs is the best location to learn about how the Caribbean islands were formed by volcanic eruptions and the advantages of soaking in the mineral-rich springs. If you're looking for a fun and affordable spa treatment, try the Saint Lucian mud bath.

Marigot Bay

Possibly St. Lucia's most picturesque bay is Marigot Bay. The best place to see it is from a lookout point on the road leading from the main Caribbean coastal route to the bay itself. Yachts bob in the bay's clear waters as lush hillsides descend to the charming palm-lined beach.

The British fleet is said to have hidden here from the French by covering their masts with palm leaves because the harbour is so deep and protected. Additionally, Marigot Bay served as the backdrop for the 1967 motion picture Doctor Doolittle, a distinction that has permanently influenced the names of a few nearby businesses.

Anse Chastanet Marine National Park

The coral reef at Anse Chastanet is home to an abundance of marine life. Divers can view colourful sponges, soft corals, boulder coral, and brain coral on a plateau between two and eight metres deep. Divers may see a wide variety of species in the coral gardens, including parrotfish, goatfish, wrasse, chromis, and barracudas, as well as frogfish in a sizable nearby cavern.

A wall that descends 46 metres from the plateau's edge leads to an ecology of lace coral where lobsters, crabs, and eels live. Below 30 metres, plate coral first appears. Anse Chastanet is a protected beach with stunning views of the Pitons above the water.

Tet Paul Nature Trail

The Tet Paul Nature Trail, close to Soufrière, offers some of southern St. Lucia's most breathtaking views, making hiking there very enjoyable. This 45-minute easy to moderate hike winds through tropical forest in St. Lucia's Pitons Management Area, which is part of the World Heritage Site. You can see as far as Martinique and St. Vincent on a clear day.

Along the easy walk, you may discover the traditional Amerindian craft of cassava production, try rare tropical fruits, and learn about

medicinal plants and trees. Along the journey, you'll also see many of pineapples growing. The "stairway to heaven," which has steep steps leading up to a panoramic view of the surroundings, is the centrepiece.

Soufrière

The vibrant fishing community of Soufrière wraps around a stunning harbour while being watched over by the imposing Pitons. About an hour's drive south of Castries, the nation's capital, is this quaint St. Lucian village, which is a perfect place to base yourself while seeing the area's sights.

Soufrière, which was established in 1745, has a fascinating past. Josephine, the wife of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, was born here in 1763, which is its ma-

jor claim to fame. The town square was the location of the guillotine set up during the French Revolution in 1780, and many plantation owners and their families were beheaded here. However, Soufriere's history also has a gory side.

Enbas Saut Waterfall Trail

The Enbas Saut waterfall route is located on the lush slopes of Mount Gimie, St. Lucia's highest mountain, and is accessible from Edmund, above Soufriere. The well-kept trail winds through a thick forest before arriving at a cascade that has carved its way through volcanic rock. The hike takes roughly two and a half hours and calls for sturdy hiking boots. Be prepared to climb up and down a lot of steep steps, which will work your calves.

Sharp-eyed birders are in for a treat. Watch out for the Semper's warbler, St. Lucia wren, St. Lucia oriole, and St. Lucia parrot. The area is also home to exotic plants including Honduras mahogany and blue mahoe.

Embark the Journey that Lasts a Lifetime

Anyone who steps foot on Saint Lucia's beach is enthralled by its natural beauty and magic. She never fails to evoke, welcoming guests with her calming waves, warm beaches, and friendly people. The island personifies exploration and inspiration as the only independent country named after a woman. Her guests always express reluctance to go and a desire to come back.

Happy travelling!

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

Mahindra XUV400

Mahindra may be late to the electric party, but the XUV400 has a lot going for it against its established rival - the Nexon EV. Like the Nexon EV, this is an adaptation of their IC engine car and not one of their ‘Born-Electric’ ones coming later. But unlike the Nexon EV which is a sub 4 metre compact SUV, the XUV400 is a wider, full 4.2 meter-long Creta-sized mid-segment SUV. And with Mahindra always playing the value game, they may price it closer to the Nexon EV Max.

The styling is a lot similar to the XUV300, but this one looks way better without the truncated rear. With no tax benefits to be had, Mahindra

has opted for the full Tivoli size and that means, a bigger boot – 378 litres as opposed to the 257 litres of the XUV300. The rear end is very similar in design, but with clear tail lights. The front end has a closedoff grille with lots of copper-coloured trim.

Inside, it is familiar stuff as the XUV300, save for….you guessed it, more copper colour trim. The dashboard with its small 7-inch infotainment screen looks dated after what we have come to experience on the XUV700 and Scorpio. The sense of space inside is much better than in a Nexon EV. The front seats are supportive and wide. Rear seat space isn’t compromised because of

the clever battery placement which is mostly along the centreline of the floor pan.

Under the hood, the XUV400 gets a 150bhp, 310Nm motor powering the front wheels. The battery pack is 39kWh using older chemistry NMC cells, from LG Chem while the battery management, controllers and motor are from Valeo. The motor calibration is very good

with very little vibrations. The XUV400 comes with three driving modes – Fun, Fast, and Fearless –probably named by the same person who came up with Zip, Zap, Zoom. In Fearless, it accelerates hard and all that torque comes up in an instant. 0-100kmph is dealt with, in under 9 seconds and the top speed is 160kmph. There is a lot of wheelspin, which Mahindra assures will

be taken care of by the Traction control system when the production variants come out. Fast and Fun modes are noticeably slower with more regen and there is even a onepedal mode with L chosen on the selector.

The XUV 400 has good straight-line stability and composure. In the corners, you can feel the chassis is capable, but in this prototype

Mahindra claims an MIDC range of 456km and a charging time of 50 minutes on a 50kW DC charger to get from 0-80 percent. It can charge from 0-100 percent in 6.5 hours and 13 hours using a 7.2kW or a 3.3kW charger respectively.

form, it was a bit hard to drive smoothly in the corners, especially in Fearless mode. Go near the throttle and it gives way to inside-wheelspin and makes it understeer. The steering is also a bit slackened in the centre and doesn’t weigh up nicely. The ride quality is decent though. What takes the

cake is the braking which it does with minimal fuss and no drama.

Mahindra claims an MIDC range of 456km and a charging time of 50 minutes on a 50kW DC charger to get from 0-80 percent. It can charge from 0-100 percent in 6.5 hours and 13 hours using a 7.2kW or a

3.3kW charger respectively. The XUV400 promises to be a competitive alternative to the Nexon EV Max, with a bigger size, better performance, more space, and better range. The battery chemistry may be a bit old, but if it works it works. We will wait for the pricing to see if it's any good

Bollywood

comedy-thriller Govinda

Naam Mera was written and directed by Shashank Khaitan. Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar, and Kiara Advani are the movie’s stars. Mumbai-based backup dancer Govind “Govinda” Waghmare, also known as Govya or Govindya, aspires to become a choreographer in the future. In order to be with his dancer girlfriend Suku, he wants to get a divorce from his bitterly unhappy marriage to Gauri. Govinda Naam Mera is a pleasant surprise. The screenplay by Shashank Khaitan is really well-written and interesting. With all of its unexpected turns, the story is a success. Vicky Kaushal, who played the title role so effortlessly and with amazing comic timing, was the film’s biggest revelation. You'll start moving to both of the energetic songs, Kyaa Baat Haii 2.0 and Bijli. John Stewart Eduri's background music for the movie is cleverly composed and fits the mood of the narrative.

Blurr

Thehorror thriller Blurr is a Hindi-language movie from India. Ajay Bahl is the director of it. Taapsee Pannu and Gulshan Devaiah play the two main characters in the movie. Taapsee Pannu’s maiden endeavour as a producer is this movie. The movie is an authorised Hindi remake of the Spanish movie Julia’s Eyes. In the narrative, a woman named Gayatri learns of the premature death of her blind twin sister. She then struggles with her own vision as she attempts to solve the murder’s riddle. Ajay Bahl, the director, and Sudhir Chaudhary, the cinematographer, expertly infused the movie with an ambient horror feel. Fog and misty mountains create the ideal atmosphere. Whether the perpetrator is a person or a menacing creature will remain a mystery to the viewer. “Blurr” is tense, scary, and chilling, and it will keep you intrigued the entire time.

Cirkus

Rohit Shetty is the director and producer of the period comedy Cirkus, which is an Indian movie in Hindi. It is part of Shetty’s ComedyVerse series. TSeries and Rohit Shetty Productionz collaborated to produce the movie. Ranveer Singh and Varun Sharma all play dual characters in the movie along with Pooja Hegde, and Jacqueline Fernandez. Dr. Roy Jamnadas finds two pairs of identical twins outside his orphanage and gives them up for adoption, placing them with two different families in two different places. Years later, when one set of twins decides to travel to the city where the other set of twins operates a circus, a comedy of errors results. Rohit Shetty has walked the tightrope of entertaining the audience with comedy and drama before, and he was successful this time as well. The Rohit Shetty movie explores a fascinating idea: the shame associated with adoption and the antiquated concept of “lineage” or “one’s own blood.”

Deshmukh, making his feature film debut, directed the Marathi-language love drama film Ved, which was also produced by his wife, Genelia D’Souza. Majili, a 2019 Telugu film, served as its inspiration. The movie tells the tale of Satya, a young man who is only passionate about two things: cricket and his fiancée. He goes to addictions after he struggles at cricket and loses his girlfriend. The movie creates a few situations that speaks about the characters and the helplessness of the movie's protagonist, a man-child, most effectively. Even if you haven't seen Majili, the plot is obvious. The actors are praised more than a compelling plot is presented. Ved is the ideal weekend watch if you love Riteish or Genelia. This masala entertainer, which is funny and action-packed, is one that everyone enjoys watching.

Riteish

A Dangerous Business

Author : Jane Smiley

Price : `1,903 (Hardcover)

Jane Smiley is the author of this murder mystery. The story takes place during the Gold Rush in California. Since her husband was slain in a struggle, Eliza Ripple has been employed in a brothel. She now enjoys financial stability. Eliza is motivated by her reading and sets out to uncover the riddle of these murders and apprehend the perpetrator when the bodies of young ladies start turning up. Eliza does a great job of describing her own life and feelings as she learns about them thanks to Smiley. Eliza is a simple individual who hasn't had a lot of life experience. The book paints a fascinating picture of the port town and the variety of visitors and locals who pass through or live there. The town's ladies remain mostly at home, unobserved, except for performing errands, while the patrons of the brothel constitute a cross-section of the male population.

Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion

Author : Bushra Rehman

Price : `2,110 (Hardcover)

Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion penned by Bushra Rehman, is a Literary Fiction novel. Razia Mirza grew up in a Pakistani-American family that she is quite familiar with. She develops a gap with her family after being accepted to a prominent school in Manhattan. Razia now needs to decide between her family, her beliefs, and her future because she has begun to feel something for Angela. This is a tale of a girl coming of age that begins when she was a young child and had complete naivety about the world. She expresses these profound perceptions of the world and how people perceive her. You get to see her transformation from the obedient child she once was to a rebel who understands how distinct she is from her family. The writing in this narrative was exquisite and had a nearly poetic quality. It contained lovely metaphors and succinct, powerful life experiences that wove a thread of Razia and her friends’ progress.

Author : Darby Kane

Price : `1,489 (Paperback)

The Last Invitation The Widowmaker

Thelatest thrilling novel from Darby Kane, The Last Invitation, dishes up the fire and delivers the tension. Every second Tuesday of the month, The Sophie Foundation, a prestigious club, convenes to conduct business. They examine the files of bad men who need to be punished while enjoying wine and cheese. When she discovers that the secret society has gotten out of hand, Jessa Hall leaped at the opportunity to join, but she now needs to figure out a way to leave before she ends up losing her life. Nothing is lacking from this tale, which centres on justice, retaliation, terrible behaviour on the part of men, and female empowerment. A secret society, the past resurfacing in the present, and a shocking antagonist are just a few of the essential elements found in The Last Invitation, which is a relentless, deftly knit thriller. Kane serves as a reminder to keep your friends close and your enemies closer in this story of ancient connections, secrets, and retribution.

Author : Hannah Morrissey

Price : `1,490 (Paperback)

InHannah Morrissey’s breathtaking new Black Harbor mystery, The Widowmaker, a wealthy family mired in scandal, a detective tasked with solving an impossible cold case, and a lady with a dark past converge. The Reynolds family is sizable and has many mysteries of their own. Eleanor Reynolds is viewed by the public as a black widow. Twenty years ago, her husband Clive vanished, and everyone believes she got away with murder. Hudson delves into a convoluted murder scheme after examining some hints from his deceased partner’s writings. Hannah Morrissey is skilled at establishing evocative scenes. The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey is dark, deep, and gritty with its steady pacing, engaging plot, and interesting characters. In alternate chapters, the story is told from the perspectives of Morgan and Ryan. The plot strikes the ideal mix between a sophisticated psychological thriller and a police investigation.