Unique Times May 2022

Vol 11 Issue No.127 May - Jun 2022 USD 0.70`50AED 5BD 0.500

EXPORTS: INDIA’S $400 BILLION MILESTONE Shri V.P. Nandakumar, MD & CEO Manappuram Finance Ltd.

Available at: SAJ EARTH RESORT, Kochi, MANAPPURAM RITI JEWELLERY, All over South India

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Editorial “T

he doctor of the future will give no medicine but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet, and the cause and prevention of disease.”

- Thomas A. Edison.

Though every vocation leads to societal contribution when practised properly and with enthusiasm, there are few professions where you can claim to save lives every day. A doctor’s profession is one of those that elevate you to the rank of God. The doctor-patient relationship is regarded as the most important aspect of medical ethics.

It is commonly formed when a physician attends to a patient’s medical requirements in a pleasant manner, such as during a check-up, diagnosis, and treatment. Patients can effectively share their health difficulties when they have faith in their providers. The development of trust allows the patient to follow the doctor’s instructions, which leads to improved health. This month our cover story is about one of the leading Neurosurgeons in Kerala Dr. Arun Oommen who opens up about his journey for humanity and life.

In this edition, Manappuram Finance Limited MD and CEO V P Nandakumar expresses his thoughts on Exports: India’s $400 Billion Milestone.

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

“While the journey seems long and hard at the beginning with perseverance and dedication the rewards at the end last a lifetime.” - William R. Francis Happy Reading!!

Thank You Sd/Jebitha Ajit

Cover Photograph Dr Arun Oommen Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, Lakeshore Hospital

Printer & publisher Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd. Cochin (682033) on behalf of Ajit Ravi. Printed at S.T.Reddiar & Sons, P.B. No: 3627, Veekshanam Road, Cochin-18.

CONTENTS

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Dr Arun Oommen: A top Neurosurgeon who is wedded to his profession and social work

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COVERSTORY 22

Exports: India’s $400 Billion Milestone

BUSINESS BUSINESS

28

Are You Ready for the Entrepreneurship Plunge?

38

Place of Effective Management, a Poem not so well Understood

28

CONTENTS AUTO REVIEW

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38

44

Dream Big Before Doing Big !!

48

Gadgets

50

Dark Chocolates: Your Ideal Comfort without Words

TRAVELOGUE

BEAUTY

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52

50

Key West: Experience the High Tides and Florida Vibes

58

Baleno

UNIQUE DIARY

Covid booster dose: Covishield and Covaxin prices have been slashed to Rs 225 per shot

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he Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech slashed the prices of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines for private hospitals to Rs 225 per dose on 9th April, a day before the Centre rolls out precautionary doses of Covid-19 vaccines to all adults. In private hospitals, each dose of Covishield costs Rs 600, while Covaxin costs Rs 1,200."Private vaccination centres must declare the price per dose they charge on Co-WIN in accordance with the prices declared by the manufacturers," the ministry instructed the states.The announcement by the Serum Institute of India in Pune and Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad came just hours before the two vaccine manufacturers met with the central government for a consultation meeting. "We are pleased to announce that the SII has decided to revise the price of COVISHIELD vaccine for private hospitals from Rs.600 to Rs 225 per dose after discussions with the Central government," SII chief executive officer Adar Poonawalla tweeted.

India will continue to follow a uniform vaccination schedule for booster shots.

"Preventive dose administration will be homologous," according to the health ministry.

In constant currency, HCL Tech expects revenue to increase by 12-14 percent in fiscal 2023

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

Clayton Christensen

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D

uring the earnings conference, HCL Technologies Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director C Vijayakumar stated that the market environment is "buoyant" and that there is "strong momentum across verticals and service lines."

The company's revenue from operations for the fourth quarter of 2021-22 was 22,597 crore, up 15% from the previous year.

The March quarter net profit was 4.4 percent higher than the previous quarter, at 3,593 crore. On a year-over-year basis, net profit increased by 23.9 percent."For comparison purposes, net income of Q4 FY'21 and full-year FY'21 excludes the impact of one-time milestone bonus paid to employees ($78.8 million, 575 crore net of tax) and DTL (Deferred Tax Liabilities) on Goodwill impact in the tax expense ($165.1 million, 1,222 crore) in Q4 FY'21," according to a company statement.

These one-time factors had a negative impact on net profit in Q4 FY21.The net income for the full fiscal year FY22 was 13,499 crore, up from 11,145 crore the previous year.

UNIQUE DIARY

Nirmala Sitharaman Invites Silicon Valley to India: "Unique Opportunity"

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hile pitching for collaboration with the US in financial services and emerging technologies in Silicon Valley, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman invited investors to be a part of the country's growth story.

"India is likely to remain the world's fastest-growing major economy over the next few years, driven by the continued expansion of its technology and startup ecosystems," Ms. Sitharaman told a group of eminent corporate executives in Silicon Valley. "The US-India collaboration in financial services and emerging technologies will support increased investment and innovation, and fintech represents a unique opportunity for sustainable and inclusive growth," the Finance Minister said, inviting leading investors to join India's growth story.Dr. V Ananth Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser, Government of India; Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian Ambassador to the United States; Rajat Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance; and Nilesh Shah, chairman, CII National Committee on Financial Markets were among those who attended the executive meeting, which was moderated by Atul Keshap, president, USIBC.

Ola and Zomato will now compete for 10-minute food delivery

F “Every problem is a gift without problems we would not grow.”

Anthony Robbins

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ollowing Zomato's announcement of 10-minute food delivery last month, ride-hailing giant Ola has now entered the fray, with the company piloting the services in select Bengaluru and Gurugram pin codes. Ola has been providing instant food delivery services in some areas for quite some time. Ola Dash, the Bhavish Aggarwal-led firm's recently announced quick commerce initiative, is responsible for the 10-minute food delivery.A spokesperson for Ola confirmed that the ride-hailing giant has been testing its quick food delivery service in a few cities, but declined to provide further details. And when it comes to the new instant-food delivery model, Ola Dash's dark stores network appears to be the key.While announcing the firm's 10-minute delivery option, Zomato's CEO Deepinder Goyal said that the fulfilment of the company's delivery promise will rely on its dense finishing station network, which is located close to high-demand customer neighbourhoods.

Experts believe Zomato could have an advantage over a new entrant like Ola when it comes to instant food delivery because of its extensive tie-ups with cloud kitchens, algorithms based on most-demanded food items, and the ability to leverage its hyperlocal presence to drive its 10-minute delivery segment.

Unfair Business Practices: Inquiry against Zomato and Swiggy

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nvestigation against online food delivery companies Zomato and Swiggy for alleged business practices. According to the reports, such an inquiry has been ordered by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). It is alleged that Swiggy and Zomato are making some changes to their platform in favor of certain brands in the name of certain business finance interests. According to the PTI report, this eliminates the possibility of small restaurants competing in the food delivery sector."The allegations of the brands who claim that the allegation is valid at first glance and that these food delivery platforms are in favor of it need to be scrutinized in detail," the Competition Commission of India said in a statement announcing the inquiry. The inquiry was ordered in a complaint filed by the National Restaurant Association of India in July. The business association alleges that Zomato used consumer data to build its own cloud kitchens. Their main allegation is that a cloud kitchen is a virtual kitchen that is used as a means of preparing food only for delivery or takeout. Swiggy is also trying to make a profit by selling to brands of its own interest.

Visit of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to India Is Expected to Boost Free Trade Talks

“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” John F. Kennedy

A

ccording to highly-placed Indian government sources, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to arrive in India next week, shortly after the UK's long Easter break, with a state visit highlighting a successful India-UK partnership on the agenda, in addition to a busy schedule in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Johnson are expected to assess the negotiations and set a deadline for the process's possible completion, which was previously set for the end of this year.According to officials familiar with the discussions, "significant progress" was made in the remaining 22 chapters of the FTA at the conclusion of the first two rounds of official negotiations, with the third round held on the month of April.

Johnson's visit to India on 21st and 22nd of April, when bilateral discussions and interactions with Indian business leaders are planned.

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Britney Spears Says She Is Pregnant After Controversial Guardianship Ends

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ritney Spears announced on 11th April that she is expecting her third child, five months after a judge ended the tumultuous guardianship that the pop star claimed prevented her from having more children. The 40-year-old wrote on Instagram, "I got a pregnancy test… and uhhhhh well… I am having a baby." In November, a Los Angeles judge dissolved Spears' father's conservatorship, which the singer claimed had prevented her from having a contraceptive IUD removed despite her desire for more children. Spears' representatives did not respond to an AFP request for comment right away.

"I was like, 'Geez… what happened to my stomach???'" says the narrator. Spears wrote that her 28-year-old partner Sam Asghari, whom she has begun to refer to as her "husband" online, speculated that she was "food pregnant." "It's getting bigger!!! If there are two of them in there, I'm going to lose it "The singer's comments sparked speculation that she was expecting twins, prompting speculation on the internet. After a highly public breakdown in 2007, when Spears attacked a paparazzo's car at a gas station, she was placed under her father Jamie Spears' conservatorship, which lasted nearly 14 years.

Fans had long suspected that the "…Baby One More Time" singer was unhappy with her father as guardian, so she asked a Los Angeles judge to end the legal arrangement that had left her "traumatised" in June 2021. After her father Jamie Spears was removed from his position as guardian of her finances and estate at a hearing in September, the guardianship was officially ended in November 2021.

Moskva, a Russian warship, has sunk in the Black Sea

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ccording to Russia's defence ministry, a Russian warship that was damaged by an explosion on 13th April has sunk. According to a ministry message, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Moskva, was being towed to port when it sank due to "stormy seas."

The 510-crew missile cruiser, which led Russia's naval assault on Ukraine, was a symbol of the country's military might. Kyiv claims that its missiles struck the warship. According to the United States, it was also hit by Ukrainian missiles. Moscow has denied any attack and claims the ship sank due to a fire."The vessel lost its balance while being towed… towards the destination port due to hull damage caused by a fire that broke out after ammunition exploded. The ship sank due to the rough seas" according to the Russian Defense Ministry. According to Ukraine, the warship's captain was killed on board. The authorities claim the ship sank in stormy seas after fire and explosions on board caused significant hull damage. Morning TV bulletins limited themselves to briefly reporting the statement issued by the authorities, who claim the ship sank in stormy seas after fire and explosions on board caused significant hull damage.

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Sexual assault charges against US rapper Snoop Dogg have been dropped

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n unnamed woman filed a sexual assault claim against US rapper Snoop Dogg, which was later withdrawn. Jane Doe, the woman named in the lawsuit, claimed that the US rapper sexually assaulted her after she attended one of his concerts in 2013. The allegations were false, according to Snoop Dogg's representatives, who welcomed the voluntary dismissal. The claim was withdrawn earlier this week, nearly two months after it was filed in California's Central District. It was filed just days before Snoop Dogg's appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show. Charges against all other parties named in the case, including the rapper's business associate, were also dropped as a result of the voluntary dismissal. Snoop Dogg's ex-girlfriend was described as a dancer, model, host, and actress. However, the actress stated that she had never worked for him. In a statement to the Reuters news agency on 7th April, a representative for Snoop Dogg said, "It is not surprising that the plaintiff dismissed her complaint against the defendants." Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, allegedly barged into her house when she was sick, forcing her to perform oral sex and masturbating in front of her. She went on to say that she had "felt pressured" by the star because of his dominance and power. Snoop Dogg previously called the allegations "meritless" and stated that he had never had "any sexual encounter" with her.

Tom Parker: The Wanted Singer Dies Aged 33

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om Parker, a member of the British boy band The Wanted, died at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. In October 2020, the singer revealed to his fans that he had an inoperable tumour. “Our hearts are broken,” his wife Kelsey Hardwick wrote on Instagram. The couple had two young children together. “Tom was the centre of our world; we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence,” she wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has helped him throughout his illness; he fought to the very end. I’ll always be proud of you.” The couple had a daughter, Aurelia Rose, and a son, Bodhi, after marrying in 2018. Parker’s death “devastated” the band, who said they were with him and his family at his bedside when he died. Parker, Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes, and Jay McGuiness formed The Wanted in 2009. Glad You Came and All Time Low were their two UK number one singles, and they also had eight other top ten hits, including Chasing The Sun, Heart Vacancy, and Lightning. Last September, Parker organised a Stand Up To Cancer concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and The Wanted reunited. It also raised money for the National Brain Appeal. In November, the band released a greatest hits album. Parker told fans shortly before the album’s release that his brain tumour was “stable” and “under control.”

For more info: europetimes.co

May - Jun 2022

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COVER STORY COVERSTORY

Dr Arun Oommen: A top Neurosurgeon who is wedded to his

profession and social work A young doctor who devotes his time and talent to help those in need. A noble soul who tries to give back to the community more than what he takes from it. It was with this intent that he began to work with the Sehion charity movement. One keeps hearing that the healthcare sector is losing the spirit of compassion and humaneness but Dr Arun Oommen is a living example of a person who disproves this theory.

H

e devotes a portion of his time in his daily routine to Sehion’s activities. Not just financially but also by becoming one of them, caring for the sick and delivering food to the hungry. When he dons this role, not many may realise that this is a person who is an accomplished surgeon. He performed this role to perfection especially during the phase when the lockdown was announced until the time when the lockdown was lifted on June 8; he was one of the volunteers attached to the Sehion Auxiliary team headed by Shri M X Judeson to deliver food to most parts of West Kochi. As

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the lockdown worsened, he set aside a good portion of his savings for food and other necessities for the neediest. With the result that nobody in West Kochi had to go to bed hungry, thanks to the efforts of Dr Arun and his Sehion team during the lockdown period.

Excerpts from an interview with Dr Arun:

tors in our family and this was a driving force. Thereafter my effort and focus was to become a doctor.

It was always my dream to become a socially committed doctor.The belief that a doctor can make a difference in the society fuelled my desire to become a surgeon.

1. Why did you choose the medical field?

I loved taking up challenges. If someone said a task was impossible, I wanted to achieve that very task. “You can do this,” were the words that inspired me the most.

That was the motivation to take up surgery as a subject of specialisation when I opted for medicine.

Neurosurgery is no doubt challeng-

My childhood dream was to become a pilot. But a deficiency in my visual acuity was a hindrance to my ambition. My parent’s dream, on the other hand, was to become a doctor. Ultimately his dream became my dream. We had no doc-

2. Why did you opt for Neurosurgery?

Become a doctor only if you are really interested.

Do not give in to anybody’s pressure

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COVER STORY COVERSTORY

ing but that is why it proved to be a thrill. There is nothing in this world that we cannot achieve. “Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools” – this quote from the French emperor Napoleon was very inspiring in my journey to become a neurosurgeon. Actually, I am still a student in this speciality. Every day, I am learning something new.

To this day, I have worked very sincerely to take care of every patient who comes to me. I try my best to help those who trust me.

3. What is your main motivating force?

It is imperative that we have a belief in ourselves. In order to properly carry out the responsibilities entrusted to us, we must be able to properly understand the problems of each patient in front of us and respond empathetically to their needs.

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My father and mother were teachers in Nigeria. I grew up seeing the suffering and hardships of the common people there. That is why I always try to see the problems of others as my own and work towards resolving them. In my opinion, a doctor does not become effective by virtue of his learning alone but when his knowledge is combined with good character. I firmly believe that we can make a difference when we try to act on the assumption that someone else’s difficulties and hardships are our own.

4. Can you share your memories of your first independent surgery after becoming a neurosurgeon?

It was a surgery performed at the Thrissur Medical College after becoming a neurosurgeon. The patient was a five days’ old baby boy. The

baby had a genetic disorder called myelomeningocele that occurs when the child is in the mother’s womb.

In such babies, the lining of the spinal cord and it's covering is repaired by covering it with layers from the fascia and thus repairing the defect.

The baby recovered after the surgery and was discharged. I was overjoyed when that boy came to see me after eleven long years. That baby had a genetic defect that makes it a little harder to walk than other babies.

But that kid is a great artist today.

He has already proved his talent on many TV channel programmes.

5.What made you think different from others in the medical field?

It was not a conscious decision but as British businesswoman and human rights activist Anita Roddick said, “If you do things well, do them

A doctor does not become effective by virtue of his learning alone but when his knowledge is combined with good character. I firmly believe that we can make a difference when we try to act on the assumption that someone else’s difficulties and hardships are our own. better. Be daring, be different, be just.”

It has made me think a lot. As doctors, we have a lot to do. To give an example, today’s perception about the healthcare industry is that there is no longer as warm a relationship between doctor and patient as there used to be. Changes in routine and the higher incidence of diseases have greatly increased the number of patients. Therefore, treatment responsibility and patient congestion are increasing. For these reasons, many doctors today are unable to maintain a healthy relationship with their patients.

I am someone who believes that a good doctor-patient relationship is essential.

That is why I try to help those who put their trust in me as much as I can.

As a doctor, I often have to make crucial decisions at different stages of a patient’s treatment. For example, once a patient with a brain tumour was brought to the hospital after a sudden collapse. He was unconscious when he was brought in. One side was not moving. He has bleeding inside the brain when we got the scan done. Surgery was required to be done immediately. The cooperation of the patient’s companions is crucial in such situations. So also is the confidence in the doctor. When the doctor believes that he can do whatever it takes to save the patient, there is a strong bond between the patient and the doctor. I still remember what the

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COVER STORY COVERSTORY

There is nothing in this world that we cannot achieve. “Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools” – this quote from the French emperor Napoleon was very inspiring in my journey to become a neurosurgeon. Actually, I am still a student in this speciality. Every day, I am learning something new

patient’s relative said in this case.

“We are confident that he will be back in two days if the doctor acts bravely''. Then the man quoted the Bible and told a few stories, the story of Jesus resurrecting the dying. He got up and walked two days after the surgery. It feels like a divine blessing in moments like this. Remembering that we were able to do our work most beautifully. There is a principle that I firmly believe in. “A good doctor treats a disease, but a better doctor treats the patient with the disease.” I want to be a better doctor.

6. Any other unforgettable experiences?

A doctor has a lot of commitment and responsibility to the community. This is what makes a doctor very different from those in other professions.

Once, a North Indian who came to Kerala for a business meeting was brought to Lakeshore hospital in critical condition after he suffered an unexpected brain haemorrhage at the hotel where he was staying.

The patient was in a critical condition. He had to undergo emergency surgery and had no relatives with him. Usually, any hospital is reluctant to admit a patient in such cases.

But the surgery put an end to these obstacles and a life that could have been lost was saved. He was hospitalised for about 15 days. After full recovery, he returned to his home-

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town. He has been doing regular phone reviews for the last four years.

Needless to say, this was a case that gave me a lot of joy as a doctor.

I also remember another incident that gave me a lot of satisfaction. One day, an accident patient was brought to the hospital with a serious brain injury. Those who brought him did not know who he was. Such cases are usually referred to the general hospital. But the patient was brought to Lakeshore Hospital in a critical condition with heavy bleeding. Emergency surgery was the only option failing which patient may face death.The patient was from a financially distressed family with wife and three daughters and the eldest child was engaged to be married. By the time the surgery was over, all of his relatives had arrived including his wife and three children. The condition of the family would have been deplorable if they had lost their father in that situation.

There is something his daughter said during the review after the surgery.

“In our prayer room, there is a photo of doctor along with God,” she said.

What better honour can a doctor receive?

area that most people do not choose after studying medicine. In my opinion, in order to be a good doctor, the person must know everything about a hospital and its rules and procedures. That way, they can work better. So, I completed a two-year MBA at the Indian School of Business.

8. People, in general, know the need to consult a gynaecologist, paediatrician, or physician. But under what circumstances should a neurosurgeon be approached?

7. Why did you pursue MBA in Hospital Administration after becoming a doctor?

Neurosurgeons perform surgeries on the brain, spine, and nervous system. A neurosurgeon treats them if they are injured in an accident or have a brain or spine tumour and other mass lesion like abscess,etc.

Hydrocephalus, brain tumours, and some congenital brain disorders also come under their purview. Another crucial area is functional neurosurgery. If diseases like Parkinsonism (Parkinson’s) are not treated with drugs, the disease can be cured to some extent by strengthening certain cells in the brain. Similarly, neurosurgeons perform all the keyhole surgeries performed for problems such as disc bulges in the spine, spine instrumentation and hydrocephalus.

While working as a neurosurgeon, I felt that I needed to study hospital administration. This is an

As I mentioned earlier, I was

9. What motivated you to do charitable activities?

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COVER STORY COVERSTORY

born in Ethiopia and raised in Nigeria. My parents were schoolteachers there. We know that many countries in Africa are still backward. Countries in Africa do not have adequate food, water, education or safe living conditions. Ethiopia and Nigeria were no different. As my parents were teachers, we had the basic necessities of life. But the situation in the neighbourhood was very different. I saw in those faces a little hope when people, who had no food at all, no proper clothes to wear, reached out to us for food. Those pitiful faces are still in my memory. My family used to feed helpless people as much as they could. It was there that I saw the most horrible state of hunger.

That’s why I grew up knowing the

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value of food. Later, it became an inner desire to do something for the hungry. Whenever possible I work towards this aim.

Once I saw a mentally ill person eating rotten raw fish waste. Even the foul smell was nothing compared to the hunger, for him. Many such factors motivated me to work for people who are suffering. It was at this point that he met Mr MX Judeson (Mr Judeson). When I learned more about the Sehion team that he was leading and their activities, I decided to join their Fellowship team. The Sehion team works for the homeless and mentally ill people in West Kochi and delivers daily meals. As its managing trustee, I am able to participate in such highly ef-

fective projects. During the Covid lockdown time, our team delivered food to Kochi and surrounding areas three times a day. My greatest desire is to do the best we can for others.

10. Can you please tell us about your future plans and ideas? What are your suggestions to improve the medical field?

The medical profession has to be at its best since it deals with people’s health and life-saving situations.

Hence, the best talents with the right attitude and approach should join the profession. Unfortunately, due to different reasons, the medical profession is not considered very attractive nowadays. We should initiate steps to make it a very satisfying

profession that can attract the best possible talent. Also, it's high time that all citizens get the best possible treatment without paying from their own pocket. This can be made possible through a well-structured, government-run health insurance scheme that is available for all citizens.

Educating the public about the various first aid options in emergency situations is also very important as it would improve the standard of healthcare drastically. At a personal level, I would like to publish health books for the public if time per-

mits. The first one was published recently.

11. Tell us a little about your family.

My wife is Dr Roja Joseph, Medical Oncologist, VPS Lakeshore Hospital. Athenn and Aiden are my children. Both are students of Kalamassery Rajagiri Public School. My father VG Oommen and mother Susan Oommen were teachers. Ajay, my sister, and my brother-in-law Oommen K Mammen are both Chartered Accountants.

12. What would you tell those who are aspir-

ing to join the field of healthcare?

To all the young people who aspire to be good doctors, I want to say, 1. Become a doctor only if you are really interested. Do not give in to anybody’s pressure.

2. The patient’s certificate that ‘you are a good doctor’ makes you outshine from other doctors. Salary, status, fame, awards, etc. are all very small things when compared with people’s recognition. Always strive to get their blessing. This is what I want to say to today’s youth

“A good doctor treats a disease, but a better doctor treats the patient with the disease.”

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BUSINESS

The centre of gravity of international trade has shifted away from Europe and the US to Asia. Multilateral trade agreements are losing ground to bilateral agreements and India is presently in the process of entering into FTAs (or free trade agreements) with six countries.

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

EXPORTS:

INDIA’S $400 BILLION MILESTONE

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ndia’s merchandise exports grew by 43 per cent in 202122 to cross the milestone of $400 billion dollars. The record exports in FY 2021-22 represent a 33 per cent surge over the pre-pandemic levels of 2019-20.

If the year 2020 was defined by the pandemic and all the stresses occasioned by it, it may be said that 2021 was the year of economic recovery with

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pent-up demand and generous fiscal and monetary stimulus by governments and central banks around the world spurring economic activity. However, by the time we entered 2022, the picture had darkened somewhat with inflation emerging as a major threat to global growth. And then, the war in Ukraine (which started on 24 February) added to the gloom. Consequently, stock markets around the world have

begun to surrender the extraordinary gains they registered in 2021. Here in India, there are signs that with inflation threatening to get out of hand, the RBI may be forced to follow in the footsteps of the US Federal Reserve and push through a series of hikes in interest rates. Already the first shot has been fired with an unexpected hike of 40 bps in interest rates announced on May 4, 2022. All the same, amid the

increasing pessimism about our economic outlook, there are some positive trends as well that bode well for the future.

One such trend is related to India’s collections under the goods and services tax (GST). Recently, it was reported that GST collected in April 2022 (and pertaining to the economic activity in March) broke all records, having touched Rs.1.68 lakh crore. This is the 10th month in a row that the GST revenues have exceed `1 lakh crore and the April collection is about 20 per cent higher than Rs.1.40 lakh crore achieved

in April 2021.

The other notable trend is related to India’s exports which is the subject of this article. On 23 March, Commerce Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal announced that India's merchandise exports had crossed the $400 billion milestone for the first time ever in FY 2021 – 22. India’s goods exports (which excludes exports of services) grew by 43.2 per cent in 2021-22 to nearly $418 billion dollars, rising by over $125 billion compared to the figure recorded in FY 2020-21 which was affected by the pandemic. The record exports in

FY 2021-22 represent a 33 per cent surge over the pre-pandemic levels of 2019-20.

The key export sectors to contribute to the extraordinary growth include petroleum products, engineering goods, gems and jewellery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

Engineering goods exports grew 46 per cent over the year at $111 billion, of which about $16 billion was shipped to the U.S. alone. Agricultural exports have crossed $50 billion during the year with significant growth in exports of rice, wheat, marine products, coffee, and dairy

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BUSINESS

With continuing tensions over trade issues between the US and China (recall that it all began under the Trump presidency), US importers have reached out to India for import of relatively lower value items like sports goods, toys, stationery, cables and electronics parts because punitive tariffs on imports from China have made them expensive. US businesses are therefore looking to replace Chinese exports with Indian products in at least seven product lines including vulcanised rubber, footwear, and kitchen accessories.

products. Other sectors reporting exceptional growth include petroleum products and drugs and pharmaceutical products. Bangladesh was the biggest importer of Indian chemicals, while China was the biggest buyer of gems and jewellery. Indian exports were earlier dominated by the neighbouring and ASEAN nations, but this year exports recorded a significant jump to developed countries like the US, Netherlands, UK etc.

Significantly, the composition of our exports is shifting towards higher value-added products. For long a primary goods exporter, India’s export of commodities and raw materials saw a decline in 2021-22 on account of fall in iron ore and oil meal exports.

FACTORS DRIVING THE GROWTH Pent up demand: Demand for goods had fallen as the Covid pandemic forced people around the world to remain indoors under lockdown. As the situation became normal, people went out of their way to make up for the time lost under lockdowns and consequently there was a pent-up demand for goods and services that became visible every-

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where.

Improved competitiveness: India’s export surge was helped by the increase in domestic manufacturing capacity and its improved competitiveness. For example, India’s exports of mobile phones have now crossed USD 6 billion; till a few years ago, there were no exports under this category. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme first launched in March 2020 has supported growth in exports, particularly in mobile phones, electronics, drugs and pharma sectors.

The PLI scheme also gave a fillip to the local assembly of smartphones and boosted mobile phone exports from the country. A total of 14 companies have been shortlisted for inclusion under the smartphone PLI scheme, which was announced in April 2020. The government also gave special attention to defence exports. As a result, the value of defence exports has risen to Rs 11,607 crore in FY2022 (till March 21, 2022) from Rs 1,941 crore in the FY2015.

Improved infrastructure: India has been continuously improving its logistics and connectivity infrastructure which helps our quest

to become a global manufacturing hub. It is essential to reduce logistics costs in order to boost exports at a time when global firms are increasingly moving their manufacturing facilities out of China to de-risk global supply chains.

The Covid-19 outbreak in the first quarter of FY 2020-21 led to rising demand for staple foods which paved the way for higher agriculture exports. Thanks to the special efforts made to overcome the pandemic-induced bottlenecks, India was able to rise to the occasion and emerge as a reliable supplier of food.

Our agricultural exports have grown by nearly 20 per cent in FY 2021-22 to $ 50.21 billion. Remarkably, this growth was achieved on top of the growth of 18 per cent achieved in FY 2020-21 when we recorded $41.87 billion in agricultural exports. In fact, in the current scenario following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, India is being looked up to for supplies of wheat and other food grains.

The two mega initiatives of the Indian government, the National Monetisation Pipeline (which seeks to augment infrastructure through private investment) and the PM Gati Shakti plan (a national master plan

for multimodal connectivity) are expected to further boost India’s agricultural and processed food products exports and sustain it in the years to come.

Efforts to reduced dependence on China: With Covid-19 disrupting global supply chains, many multinational companies have shifted parts of their production platforms away from China to India and

other Asian countries. The trend had begun prior to the pandemic. With continuing tensions over trade issues between the US and China (recall that it all began under the Trump presidency), US importers have reached out to India for import of relatively lower value items like sports goods, toys, stationery, cables and electronics parts because punitive tariffs on imports from China

have made them expensive. US businesses are therefore looking to replace Chinese exports with Indian products in at least seven product lines including vulcanised rubber, footwear, and kitchen accessories.

India exported $1.5 billion worth of these items to the US in FY 201819.

Inflation, an artificial boost to exports: The global recovery

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BUSINESS

from the pandemic has seen a sudden surge in the demand for goods and services which in turn has led to the prices of energy, commodities including metals, and food rising sharply. One of the factors contributing to India’s export performance is that higher prices have artificially boosted the value of our exports. India’s export of petroleum products (which accounts for 15 per cent of our overall exports) grew by 152 per cent thanks largely to the high crude oil prices. The UAE was the top destination for petroleum product export in FY22. The year saw

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continuous increases in the price of crude oil as demand increased as the global economic recovery took hold, and now even more so after the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia took hold. Besides, India has also done well in the exports of iron and steel, copper, other metals, and cereals.

Government’s fillip to domestic manufacturing: The timely initiatives of the government have also played a key part in promoting Indian exports. To promote Indian products in the global market, the government implemented a series

of measures to promote exports of goods and services. The introduction of Refund of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and the Rebate of State and Central Levies and Taxes (RoSCTL) Schemes have addressed some of the grievances of exporters. The launch of the Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin facilitates exports by increasing the utilisation of free trade agreements (FTA) by exporters.

The $400 billion export landmark was achieved through a bottom-up approach where the trade

potential for different countries was assessed based on past trends.

Exports were examined by product and state and 200 countries and territories were targeted. Attention was given to lost markets, low hanging fruits (where India has competitive advantage), and in faster resolution of the issues faced by exporters. Active engagement with different export promotion councils, industry associations and other stakeholders helped in reaching this milestone.

YES, IMPORTS HAVE ALSO SURGED While talking about our record exports, it must be mentioned that India’s trade deficit widened to $192 billion in FY22 as imports hit a record high of $610 billion. This was mainly because the value of petroleum imports nearly doubled as compared to the year before.

Recall that global petroleum prices had fallen sharply in the aftermath of Covid-19 which had artificially suppressed the value of petroleum imports in FY 2020-21. The sharp 94 per cent jump in the value of petroleum imports was due to the rise in global crude oil prices during the year. Indeed, petroleum accounted for 26 per cent of our total imports in FY 2021-22. The below table shows how imports have also surged during last two fiscal years. However, when we consider the pre-pandemic FY2019-20 as the base (being free of

pandemic related distortions), it will be seen that growth in exports have outpaced growth in imports.

LOOKING AHEAD India has now set a target of USD 500 billion exports for FY 2022-23 and hopes to touch USD 1 trillion exports by 2027. The centre of gravity of international trade has shifted away from Europe and the US to Asia. Multilateral trade agreements are losing ground to bilateral agreements and India is presently in the process of entering into FTAs (or free trade agreements) with six countries. We have signed an interim trade pact with Australia and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE. Trade talks with the UK are going on and an agreement is expected shortly. The list of other countries and regional blocs negotiating trade deals with India includes Russia, Canada, the GCC, and the Southern African Customs Union.

The Ukraine war has badly affected the world economy and created a commodity squeeze in Europe, which countries like India can fill in. For instance, an outcome of the sanctions on Russia is the likelihood of a steel shortage in Europe that countries like India are well positioned to make good.

While the prospects for exports look good as of now, there are downside risks too. The global tighten-

ing of liquidity, continued volatility in global commodity prices, high freight costs, the possibility of new variants of COVID-19 causing a resurgence etc. may pose a challenge for India’s ambitious export targets (V.P. Nandakumar is MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd. Views are personal.)

Source: Business Standard

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BUSINESS

Rajesh Nair Associate Partner, Ernst & Young LLP

Entrepreneurs provide one of the main engines of growth in any healthy economy. They act as important catalysts of change and growth by seeding innovation and creating new business models and industries.

Are You Ready for the Entrepreneurship Plunge?

T

he last few years have been a revelation of sorts. No amount of foresight and premonition helped anyone and the forecasting for the future was as inane as crystal ball viewing or an ink test. Many economists, behavioural scientists, broached this subject in some of their seminal writings, but could not deconstruct the nature of the beast. In its aftermath, there have been some clear wins for finance and economics. There is a tremendous increase in the debate on matters of economy, which unfortunately was not there in the last century. The discipline of management has been enriched by several treatises and books in the past five years. What has also evolved is the additional impetus for entrepreneur-

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ship. We saw professionals who lost jobs using their creativity and the latest technology, starting companies online, transitioning into on-call delivery mechanisms and rewriting the fundamental rules of the supply chain.

Entrepreneurship as a viable career option has found its time and it is here to stay. It is the creation of new businesses, albeit small that will provide the impetus for growth and employment not just in the developing countries but also in the more prosperous cousins. Policymakers also need to reorient their key priorities which dictate economic measures. While current account deficit, public debt, GDP, and the regular economic ratios, the increased focus needs to be on cre-

ating avenues for self-employment and encouraging citizens to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable career option. Entrepreneurs provide one of the main engines of growth in any healthy economy. They act as important catalysts of change and growth by seeding innovation and creating new business models and industries.

They also generate jobs, support local communities and build prosperous societies.

It is meaningless to say that countries are becoming stronger economically and deficits may be starting to fall but for millions of people around the world who remain locked out of the jobs market, the true sustainable economic recovery is a distant dream. While we harp that the societal view towards entre-

preneurship failure is very high and a failed entrepreneur is a pariah, the recent years have changed all that. They are now increasingly being acknowledged as value creators and more importantly, job creators.

Creating a suitable business ecosystem needs to be not only important but crucial. Governments across the world have actively embarked on policies in this sphere. While each of these policies is endemic to the social fabric of the respective country, there are some common threads to pick up and learn.

While there is increasing consensus that one of the key aspects of employment and growth remains entrepreneurship, it will be interesting to look inwardly and decipher whether this is a career or a life avocation that suits you. It is also important to ask some of these questions to yourself and honestly answer them.

When we look at our ideas, we

feel those goosebumps of purely being enamoured with the product or service. You sleep less and dream more, and nothing can come in between you and business success.

While the excitement of ‘starting something’ is often too overwhelming and in some sense a little romantic, one must be realistic … In the frenzy of excitement, it is often good to remind ourselves of a few seemingly minor aspects that have a large bearing on your onward journey.

Here are those questions: -

1. Are you ready to forgo your monthly paycheck?

Behavioural scientists aver there is something as addictive as drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. It is the monthly paycheck. And this addiction group is more than all the others put together. The security that the first of the month brings you and the unconscious smile you conjure, are not easy to lose. It becomes part of every planning we do with life and

the extended lives of our near and dear ones. Our standing in society and at times our self-worth is based on that slip of paper or the e-note we receive in the mail these days.

2. Are you ready to forgo personal time?

“You can be the boss of your own time“ – well this is a cliché we hear so often. One of the first things a lot of new entrepreneurs do is to think that they are now masters of their time. But it is the contrary, a lot of activities you took for granted as an employee comes into your calendar now and there is seldom a ‘back office’ which is working overtime to make efficient and make the best use of your time. Your mind needs to cover a much longer and exhaustive checklist and often the fulfillment and the delay is totally dependent on your ability to manage time

3. Are you ready to ask for work?

Most of us feel extremely awk-

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BUSINESS

Creating a suitable business ecosystem needs to be not only important but crucial. Governments across the world have actively embarked on policies in this sphere. While each of these policies is endemic to the social fabric of the respective country, there are some common threads to pick up and learn. ward asking our friends, batchmates, and relatives for work. One needs to have the courage and conviction to do this. It is vital, during the initial days to build a value proposition that is compelling rather than depending on your relationships to get work. A continuous pipeline of meaningful work comes, not just by a past connection but by having a robust product or service which outlines a great client value proposition.

4. Are you still keeping the fallback option?

Your business venture has to

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

5. Are you hoping for a better work-life balance?

A good percentage of new ventures are people who leave mainstream careers to have ‘more time at home!’ There is a difference between a sabbatical and entrepreneurship. An entrepreneur has no

distinction between work and life … it is all just life!

The underlying theme in all of this is the phenomenal discipline you will have to instill in your work.

Organisations have systems that help us prioritise our time and work.

The added teamwork dependencies articulate things we have to do and this we can postpone. But when you are running your business, you can’t afford to take the eyes of the ball! If you are not thinking about the business, no one else is! So, ask these questions, before the plunge!

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Vennala Thykkattu Sri Mahadeva Temple

T

hykkattu Sri Mahadeva Temple, located at Vennala in Ernakulam district, is considered to be one of the oldest temples in Kerala. Inscriptions found in the temple premises reveal the ancient history of the temple. The circular 'Sreekovil' of Lord Mahadevan

is the crowning example of ancient temple architecture. The temple is more than 2000 years old and is now in the care of the Thykkattu Devaswom Trust in Vennala. The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva in the form of a savage. Locals and devotees consider and worship the deity in the form of

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Temple before restoration the serene and majestic Lord Shiva.

The temple was renovated in 2017 and after the re-dedication and purification ceremony, it was decided to celebrate 'Shivratri' every year as an eight-day long festival and the practice continues to this day.

Traditionally, it is believed that the temple also has the presence of Lord Vishnu and Dharma Sastha (Ayyappan), who are worshiped in the temple. The Pandavas lived in a place called Hidumbavanam (this area is now known as Irumpanam) near Vennala after the burning of Arakkillam. It was in this area that Arjuna performed penance for Lord Mahadev in order to obtain the Pasupatastra. If the deadly weapon does not reach the hands of the deserving person, it will lead to the destruction of the world itself. Realising this, Mahadevan disguises himself as a forest dweller (kirathan) and arrives to test

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Arjuna. In this battle, Arjuna loses all his weapons except his bow, Gandheevam. In a fit of rage, Arjuna tries to strike Mahadeva with a bow, but is stopped by an anonymous person, who seizes his bow. Unarmed, Arjuna realises that it is no savage standing in front of him but God himself and falls at his feet. Satisfied with Arjuna, Mahadevan appears in the form of Vishwaroopam and grants him the gift of Pashupata astra.

This is how the Thykkattu Sri Mahadeva Temple has come to be the resting place of Lord Mahadevan. Although the idol is brutal in nature, it has a relatively low intensity. There is also a legend of Perunthachan associated with the Thykkattu Sri Mahadeva Temple.

A history of Perunthachan blocking the wind with a stone. On the west side of the temple was an extensive field to the south.

Due to the strong south-westerly winds, it was very difficult to keep the fire on the lamp post on the west side of the temple. Perunthachan, who was once exhausted after a long journey, was bathing in the eastern side of the temple, and resting on the altar on the southern side when he noticed someone trying to light the evening lamp on the lighthouse.

Despite repeated attempts, the lamp was extinguished by a strong southwesterly wind. Legend has it that Perunthachan saw this and placed a granite slab in the west corner of the lighthouse to block the wind.

History of marble History of Vennala Vediyoor Madam (Pankulam) is associated with Lord Vishnu. Legend has it that the place where butter is offered on the banana leaf, a favourite offering of Lord Vishnu, and where the leaves are kept in a heap, came to

Temple after restoration be known as the Vennayil Mala and gradually the name Vennala was derived from it.

The other tale is related to the Mahabharata story. The cave to which the Pandavas escaped when Arakillam caught fire also passes through Kakkanad, the nearest place to Vennala. Its remnants are still visible. The butter (venna) that had been stored in the fire melted and flowed out of the cave and created small ripples (ala).

The next tale is related to nature. The whole area was formerly a venilla forest. (Vennilla is a shrub with white leaves). As an example of this, there are still vennilla plants in the premises of the Thykkattu Shiva Temple. In addition, until about the 1980s, the entire area was covered with white sand dunes. The mountain of white sand is called Venmala and later this became Vennala. Circumambulation during festival

Mahadevan, the Supreme Being A Brahmin couple, who were

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Arise of festival

Cutural events related to the festival

As per the concept of 'Kiratamoorthy', Maheshwaran bestows blessings on each and every one of his devotees. In this temple Puliyannoor Murali Narayanan Namboothiri is the Tantri and Iravimangalam Illam Santosh P Namboothiri is the Melshanthi. Devotees testify that the blessing of Thaikattappan can remove unwanted lust, anger and temptations of the human mind. grieving the loss of their children, came to Thaikattappan and offered heartfelt prayers and bhajans. It is said that Lord Mahadevan blessed the couple with children. It is this experience that draws many to the temple. Devotees offer Umamaheswara Pushpanjali and Bhagyasooktha Pushpanjali to Thaikattappan for a successful marriage.

Sahasrabhishekam and Udayasthamana Pooja are performed to fulfill various desires and for prosperity.

Vaishnava presence and concept of Upadevata A Brahmin woman who was a devotee of Thaikattappan used to visit the Sri Poorrnathrayesa Temple in Tripunithura regularly. According to legend, during her old age, she was unable to visit the temple due to her disability. It was decided to perform 'Deva Prasna' there to know the will of Bhagavad Gita and to perform poojas with equal importance to Vishnu. The presence of Lord Dharmasastha is also traditionally considered and worshiped. Inside the temple, Ganapati and Durga

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bless the devotees on both sides of the shrine.

According to the clear instructions in 'Devaprasna', the Brahmarakshas found in 'Meenarasi' are especially invoked and worshiped properly. The Naga Prathishtha, located at the southwest corner (Kannimoola) of the temple courtyard, is also ritually erected. Mullakkal Bhagwati, enshrined on the outer wall of the temple at Kumbharashi, is a personification of the power of 'Sri Bhadrakali'. In ancient times, the Thykkattu Devaswom in Edappally South Village had 35 acres of land, but only the temple and its surroundings now exist. Besides rituals, offerings, and celebrations along with the Shivratri festival, in the Malayalam month of Karkitakam is observed as the Ramayana month and 'Akhandanamajapa' is performed.

Ganapati Homa and Bhagavathyseva are also performed during the month of Karkitakam.

The 'Thalam' of the East has been a part of the temple festival since 1990. The main offerings of

Lord Mahadevan are Pradosha Pooja and 1001 jugs and 101 jugs of 'Jaladhara' in every Pradosh. Abhishekam is performed on Thiruvatira in the month of Dhanu and Rudrabhishekam on Shivratri. Other important offerings to Lord Mahadevan are Kadumpayasa Nivedyam, Dhara, Udayasthamana Pooja, Mritunjaya Pushpanjali and Ilanir Abhishekam.

As per the concept of 'Kiratamoorthy', Maheshwaran bestows blessings on each and every one of his devotees. In this temple Puliyannoor Murali Narayanan Namboothiri is the Tantri and Iravimangalam Illam Santosh P Namboothiri is the Melshanthi. Devotees testify that the blessing of Thaikattappan can remove unwanted lust, anger and temptations of the human mind.

To contact the temple: + 91- 484 -2805986, + 91-9562888888 Email: thykkattudevaswom@gmail.com Web: www.thykkattudevaswom.org

FINANCE

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.

Place of Effective Management,

a Poem not so well Understood 1. Setting the context Taxability of income under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (“the Act”) is fundamentally dependent upon the residential status of a person.

Depending on the residential status, the scope of income chargeable to tax is determined having regard to the provisions of section 5 of the Act. Further, the residential status of a person is determined based on the provisions of section 6 of the Act. In the context of a “company”, once the said entity qualifies as a “resident” under the Act, it becomes liable to tax in India on its world-wide income. The question

therefore that arises is when does a company become a “resident” under the Act? 1.1 Determination of residential status Prior to Finance Bill, 2015, a company qualified as a “resident” during a previous year, if it satisfied any of the following conditions: • It is an Indian company; or • During the year concerned, the control and management of its affairs is situated wholly in India.

The above definition led to a situation where a foreign company could wriggle out of the “resident” status if control and management

of its affairs was done outside India partly. This led to instances, where companies for the sake of ensuring that they do not qualify as “resident” would hold a few board meetings outside India. Pertinently, Courts had laid down, for instance, the Delhi Tribunal in the case of Radha Rani Holdings Private Limited [2007] 110 TTJ 920 that even if the slightest control and management is exercised outside India, a company would not qualify as a resident for tax purposes. In the said case, the Hon’ble Tribunal held that the term “control and management” meant the actual “control and manage-

The emphasis emanating from Indian jurisprudence has been determination of where the “head and bran” of the enterprise is actually located. The said principle takes it root from the judgment in the case of Calcutta Jute Mills (1876) 1 TC 83. In a leading decision in the case of De Beers Consolidated Mines 5 TC 198, it was held that a company resides where the main business is carried on and the real business is carried on where the central management and control actually abides. The Indian interpretation has not been any different.

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ment” and not the carrying on of the day to day business.

The above-mentioned definition of the term led to strange anomalies.

This led to an amendment being effected vide Finance Act, 2015. Pursuant to the said change, a company would qualify as a resident if it satisfied any of the following conditions: • It is an Indian company; or • Its place of effective management, at any time in that year, is in India.

It would also be profitable to refer to certain extracts of the Memorandum explaining the provisions to the Finance Bill, 2015 to better appreciate the context of the change: “Due to the requirement that whole of control and management

should be situated in India and that too for whole of the year, the condition has been rendered to be practically inapplicable. A company can easily avoid becoming a resident by simply holding a board meeting outside India. This facilitates creation of shell companies which are incorporated outside but controlled from India. 'Place of effective management' (POEM) is an internationally recognised concept for determination of residence of a company incorporated in a foreign jurisdiction. Most of the tax treaties entered into by India recognise the concept of 'place of effective management' for determination of residence of a company as a tie-breaker rule

for avoidance of double taxation…

The OECD commentary on model convention provides definition of place of effective management to mean the place where key management and commercial decisions that are necessary for the conduct of the entity's business as a whole, are, in substance, made.

The modification in the condition of residence in respect of company by including the concept of effective management would align the provisions of the Act with the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) entered into by India with other countries and would also be in line with international standards. It would also be a measure

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FINANCE to deal with cases of creation of shell companies outside India but being controlled and managed from India.”

In view of the above, the understanding of the term “place of effective management” holds considerable significance, as the determination of residential status of a company is now solely based on the said driver.

2. Key determinants of POEM In order to determine the existence of a POEM, one has to understand the meaning of the said phrase. The explanation embedded to section 6(3) of the Act states that the term “Place of Effective Management” would mean a place where the key management and commercial decisions that are necessary for the conduct of the business of the entity as whole are in substance made. The principles governing interpretation of POEM qua the Act was elucidated in detail by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (“CBDT”).

The CBDT vide Circular No 6/2017 dated 24.01.2017 broadly laid down conditions that would need to be satisfied for a POEM to outside India.

The Board in the said circular stated that the POEM would be set to be

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outside India if the following conditions are satisfied: i. If the concerned company has active business outside India; AND ii. The majority of the board meetings are held outside India.

The Board in the said circular also laid down tests as regards when a company would be said to be engaged in “active business outside India”. The tests include the following which should be satisfied cumulatively: i. The passive income of the enterprise should not be more than 50 percent of its total income; ii. The total assets situation in India of the concerned enterprise should be less than 50 percent of its total assets; iii. Less than 50 percent of the total number of its employees should be situated in India; and iv. The payroll expense of such employees should be less than 50 percent of the total payroll expenses.

The said circular also lays down the basis for determination of “income”, “value of assets”, “number of employees”, “payroll expenses” and “passive income”. The Circular notably states that the place of effective management in case of a company engaged in active business

outside India shall be presumed to be outside India if the majority meetings of the board of directors of the company are held outside India.

In respect of companies that do not meet the test of active business outside India as stated above, the Circular states that the determination of POEM would be a two-stage process, comprising of the following processes, which are entirely dependent on the concerned factual matrix: i. First stage would be identification or ascertaining the person or persons who actually make the key management and commercial decision for conduct of the company's business as a whole; and ii. The second stage would be the place where the decisions are in fact being made.

3. Provisions of the tax treaty In the context of tax treaties, qua understanding the term “place of effective management”, Klaus Vogel in his commentary lays down that what is relevant is place where the decisions are taken and not the place where the execution is done.

Further, the OECD Model Commentary lays emphasis on the place where the “key” management and

FINANCE

commercial decisions of the enterprise is taken for the enterprise as whole, ie, the determination of where the “head and seat and directing power” is situated. Some of these aspects have been subjected to judicial interpretation in India.

On a broad perusal of the OECD Model Commentary, the factors that would need to be considered whilst determining the place of effective management are as follows: i. The actual place where the board meetings of the Company are held; ii. The place where the accounting records of an enterprise is kept; iii. The place where the key management personnel usually carry on their activities; iv. The place where the headquarter of the enterprise is located, amongst others.

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3.1 A few judicial pronouncements The emphasis emanating from Indian jurisprudence has been determination of where the “head and bran” of the enterprise is actually located. The said principle takes it root from the judgment in the case of Calcutta Jute Mills (1876) 1 TC 83. In a leading decision in the case of De Beers Consolidated Mines 5 TC 198, it was held that a company resides where the main business is carried on and the real business is carried on where the central management and control actually abides. The Indian interpretation has not been any different.

For instance, the Rajokot Tribunal in the case of Pearl Logistics and Exim Corporation 2017-TII-

57-ITAT-Rajkot-INTL held that as the board meetings in entirety where held outside India, there was no POEM in India. The situs of the board meeting, ie, the “head and brain” as place of determination of control and management has also been judicially recognised in case of Radha Rani Holdings (P) Limited (2007) 16 SOT 495 and Saraswati Holding Corpn Inc (2007) 16 SOT 535.

3.2 Conclusion The ensuing years are going to be interesting from an international tax jurisprudence standpoint.

With the emerging concepts such as MLI, the doctrine of principal purpose test, GAAR, and POEM in the reckoning, the annals of international tax jurisprudence is likely to undergo a tectonic change

MOTIVATION

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.

No one gets to decide whether you are successful or not - No one can set your limits – you should set your bar high after every milestone. It is important to be strategic when you are on the path – make sure you know what you want to accomplish and how to get there.

DREAM BIG BEFORE DOING BIG !!

W

e all have dreams, goals, plans, and desires and we set expectations for ourselves ahead of our lives.

How do you set expectations for yourself? Do you sell it short or do you really aim high enough?

Do you find yourself capable enough to know when and how far to swing the pendulum?

The world out there is so much unpredictable and you are to expect the unexpected; you’ll definitely encounter unexpected challenges and obstacles. Aiming specific and planning it out right

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can set you onto a safer path in terms of reaching your goals.

No one is going to deliver your career goals on a silver platter; you are the one solely accountable for making things happen.

Let’s buckle up for that.

“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams”.

Just look back and imagine those times when your heart was singing – you had dreams when you were at your best when you were internally motivated and was in a feeling of creativity. Goals inspire you to move

forward in life. A life without a purpose at times is a dangerous thing to do. It is indeed imperative to know what you are, what you want in life, and what you’re going to do about it. Self-analysis and self-awareness are the first steps to finding yourself, your strength. Life becomes more meaningful when you have a desired destination to reach and you are excited about it. Every day you wake up with such joy and excitement that you look forward to reaching your dream faster. You are filled with more positivity when you have sched-

uled things at hand to do and deal with. Human beings continually seek meaning, and connection aligned to a sense of purpose in the pursuit of life. A larger purpose indeed pushes you to get out of your comfort zone and do great things, for yourself and the society you live in. It gives you the strength to overcome your vulnerability and self-doubts, inorder to achieve your big goals. Discover what you are really passionate about, what makes you come alive, what you are amazing at doing, and what gives you the heart’s content when you’ve accomplished that.

Thinking big is the key to achieving your goals, however, the most impending question is where to start. Schedule preparation time.

Help yourself to jot out different possibilities, scenarios, challenges, pros, and cons. Always be ready to entertain the unimaginable, impossible and unthinkable. Take it one at a time. You really don’t need to feel pressured by seeing another person walking past you or succeeding ahead of you. Break down your goals, and set milestones and deadlines; Stay true to your plans and track, and that will ensure your success in due time. For accomplishing bigger goals, you’ll need a team. Don’t try to do everything alone or on your own.

Picking up the right people to share your dream and work along with you is equally important. Developing a support system will help you in staying motivated when you run on low

fuel. Work consistently and tirelessly despite any setbacks. Do understand that you will have hurdles along the way, it is only to strengthen you along the journey and for your next level of growth. Hence, do not be afraid of failures nor be disheartened with roadblocks, but make sure you learn from the mistakes. Do not forget to celebrate your smaller victories as well. If you are always busy and brooding over the small things that crowd your day, you might miss focusing on the bigger picture. Take time to visualize the end result – better to take some meditative time in the morning or evening to contemplate your larger aspirations.

Successful people always innovate n always imagine themselves play-

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MOTIVATION

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Successful people never set low aims in life. They always set larger-than-life goals, Big audacious dreams that others may mock. One might think this is unrealistic, but it is not true. The truth could be that you are underestimating yourself and what the universe can create for you.

ing it big - It is the certainty and quality of your thought process that will get you closer to your desired goals. The size of your success is determined by the size of your Belief. Start behaving big. There is no particular master plan or blueprint for successful transformation. It is always adopted, adapted, and learned along the way, as per your distinctness.

Successful people never set low aims in life. They always set larger-than-life goals, Big audacious dreams that others may mock. One might think this is unrealistic, but it is not true. The truth could be that you are underestimating yourself and what the universe can create for you. I am not asking you to set absolutely impossible goals – getting to celebrate each win is equally important to fuel you further, yes.

Just that, do not let other people decide what they want of you. No one gets to decide whether you are successful or not - No one can set your limits – you should set your bar high after every milestone. It is important to be strategic when you are on the path – make sure you know what you want to accomplish and how to get there. Seek help on the way and skill yourself up. Do not be embarrassed to ask for help, because no one is perfect and no one has everything. Skilling and

sharpening your skills is extremely important as every level would need a different you to perform at your best. Hence, do not ever rely on the skills that you used in achieving the previous milestone. Always keep your mind open, be a continuous learner and give yourself a reason for being. It’s amazing to try what you’ve never done before and push yourself beyond limits. You’ll be amazed to see what you made happen.

Do not let your personal and family responsibilities cut you short on setting your ambitions high. Nowadays, most MNCs back you with flexible policies to support you with your personal responsibilities, like Deloitte and Netflix offer lengthy paid parental leave. Many companies offer flexible work-fromhome arrangements even before Covid time. Some companies even offer onsite childcare. These are all to manage and balance your domestic and corporate responsibilities more easily. Take a closer look into your baggage, and responsibilities – sort them outcast a different light into your problems, find alternative solutions and turn your weaknesses into your strength. “A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules”

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GADGETS

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Rs. 127,490 (Approximately)

iOS v15

6.7 inches (17.02 cm) Display

12 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP

Primary Camera

12 MP Front Camera

6 GB RAM

128 GB Internal Storage

4352 mAh Battery Capacity

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Rs 109,999 (Approximately) Android v12 6.8 inches (17.27 cm) Display 108 MP + 12 MP + 10 MP +

10 MP Primary Camera 40 MP Front Camera 12 GB RAM 256 GB Internal Storage 5000 mAh Battery Capacity

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Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra

Rs 69,999 (Approximately) Android v11 6.81 inches (17.3 cm) Display 50 MP + 48 MP +

48 MP Primary Camera 20 MP Front Camera 12 GB RAM 256 GB Internal Storage 5000 mAh Battery Capacity

Moto G22

Rs 10,990 (Approximately) Android v12 6.5 inches (16.51 cm) Display 50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP +

2 MP Primary Camera 16 MP Front Camera 4 GB RAM 64 GB Internal Storage 5000 mAh Battery Capacity

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BEAUTY

Dark Chocolates: Your Ideal Comfort without Words

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here are a lot of items that wouldn't be the same without a scoop of chocolate, from ice cream to cakes.

A mouthful of chocolate is a guilty pleasure for many people who enjoy it on occasion. However, after reading this, you'll want to dash to the refrigerator and devour that bar you've been saving for a "special" occasion.

So, here's the deal: dark chocolate has a slew of beauty and health benefits, and research suggests that eating little amounts of dark chocolate can truly enhance your health.

Eating a piece of dark chocolate provides more health benefits than you might think, from stress relief to skin protection to cholesterol reduction.

We've compiled a list of all the dark chocolate health, skin, and hair advantages below.

Protects Yourself from the Sun

Dr. Elizabath Chacko, MD-Kalpana International

While it is critical to apply sunscreen every day to protect your skin from the sun, you can improve the effectiveness of your sunscreen by eating a piece of dark chocolate once a day. Dark chocolate has several health benefits, including reduced skin redness when exposed to the sun. This means that consuming dark chocolate will protect your skin from sunburn, tanning, and a variety of other sun-related disorders.

Slows Down the Ageing Process

Mob: 9388618112

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Another advantage of dark chocolate is that it significantly slows down the ageing process. Dark choc-

olate's antioxidants protect your skin from free radical damage, which helps to prevent dark spots, pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Enhances the Volume of Hair

The benefits of dark chocolate don't stop with your skin; it also has some incredible hair benefits, one of which is increased hair volume. Essential elements including copper, zinc, and iron, as previously

mentioned, aid to boost cell growth and blood circulation.

Increased scalp blood circulation is an excellent technique to reactivate dormant hair follicles. This is what makes hair look fuller and more volumized.

Prevents Infection of the Scalp

Another fantastic advantage of dark chocolate is that it aids in the prevention of scalp infections. Dark chocolate's antioxidant and anti-

inflammatory characteristics assist to keep scalp infections at bay, resulting in less hair breakage and loss.

According to experts, the maximum amount of dark chocolate one should consume in one day is 30-60g.

More than that raises your calorie consumption, which can cause its own set of issues.

Stay Healthy!

Stay Beautiful!

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TRAVELOGUE

Attending the sunset celebration at Mallory Square is one of the most popular things to do in Key West. This place is completely full. Every night, a celebration takes place on the waterfront overlooking the Harbor, where tourists and locals alike gather to watch the sunset.

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Key West: Experience the High Tides and Florida Vibes

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ey West is a tropical island in the Florida Keys archipelago. Despite this, US Highway 1 connects the Florida Keys to the mainland. The Overseas Highway connects the keys and leads to Key West. It's a beautiful way to travel, but flights and boats are also popular options for getting to Key West.

Cuba is less than 100 miles (160 kilometres) away from Key West, making it closer than Miami. Because of Key West's southern location, the weather is pleasant throughout the year.

The average daily maximum temperature in January is 75 degrees F, and the average nighttime temperature is only 65 degrees F. Summer

in Key West is known as "endless" because of the pleasant temperatures even in the coldest month of the year.

The main attraction of the Florida Keys, however, is much more than just great weather.

When you visit Key West, you'll notice that it has a distinct quirky vibe and that there's something for everyone to discover. Key

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TRAVELOGUE

Higgs Beach, one of the island's most popular waterfront areas, is a pleasant place to sunbathe, swim, and generally relax. Located on Key West's southwest shore, it features a park, picnic areas, and playgrounds for visitors, as well as snorkeling and sailing.

West is unquestionably one of Florida's most beautiful islands.

Day Trip To Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the United States, located 113 kilometres (70 miles) south of Key West. Yes, it is not in downtown Key West or on the island, but it is the best thing to do in Key West, in our opinion. It's a lovely day trip that includes snorkeling and cocktails as you sail to the remote island.

Between 1845 and 1876, the Dry

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Tortugas served as a fort. During the Spanish-American War, Fort Jefferson was a massive military fort that was used to defend the area. It occupies nearly the entire Garden Key. It occupies nearly the entire Garden Key. You can camp overnight on Garden Key or take a day trip out to explore the island and its beautiful sandy beaches.

Sunset Celebration Mallory Square

Attending the sunset celebration at Mallory Square is one of the most popular things to do in Key West.

This place is completely full. Every

night, a celebration takes place on the waterfront overlooking the Harbor, where tourists and locals alike gather to watch the sunset.

As crowds gather around them, street performers put on spectacular performances. A festive atmosphere is created by vendors selling local arts and crafts, food stalls, and street musicians all congregating in one location. It's a fun place to visit but bring some small bills or change to tip the performers, as they work hard for their money.

Higgs Beach

Higgs Beach, one of the island's

most popular waterfront areas, is a pleasant place to sunbathe, swim, and generally relax. Located on Key West's southwest shore, it features a park, picnic areas, and playgrounds for visitors, as well as snorkeling and sailing.

Aside from relaxing on the beach, visitors can engage in sports such as tennis and volleyball or visit historic sites such as the African Refugee Cemetery and the West Martello Tower. Higgs Beach has beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean from its sandy shores and two prominent peers, in addition to its recreational opportunities.

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum

The excellent Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum is located near the Old Town waterfront and houses a large collection of artifacts and exhibitions. It's named after Mel Fisher, a diver who discovered several shipwrecks in the area, and it gives you a fascinating look at the island's history and the waters around it.

Its well-preserved galleries house gold coins, jewels, and cannons recovered from several Spanish ships over the course of several decades and numerous dives. The museum also has interesting exhibits on underwater archaeology, diving, and the Transatlantic slave trade, in addition to these valuable treasures.

Key West Cemetery

The sprawling Key West Cemetery, located in the heart of Old Town, is more convenient. It was founded in 1847 after a hurricane washed away the island's previous cemetery, and it is believed to be the final resting place of 100,000 people, far more than they live on Key West today.

There are sections dedicated to Cuban freedom fighters and US Navy sailors, among other things, in addition to the impressive tombs and mausoleums. While the island is a somber place, epitaphs such as 'I told you I was sick' and 'I'm just resting my eyes' inscribed on some of the gravestones reflect the island's inhabitants' quirkiness and humour.

Key West Aquarium

The wonderful Key West Aquarium, which is home to all kinds of colorful fish and corals, is just a short walk from the museum. It was built between 1932 and 1934 as one of the first open-air aquariums in the United States, with additional exhibit spaces added over time.

Since then, it has enchanted countless generations with its glistening shoals of fish and incredible marine animals, including alligators, jellyfish, sharks, and sea turtles. The touch tank, where visitors can stroke stingrays and starfish while watching other fish swim by, is one of the aquarium's most popular features.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is not to be missed for its incredible marine life, outstanding outdoor activities, and the massive historic Fort Jefferson, despite being the most inaccessible of all America's national parks. The small archipelago of coral islands is only accessible by boat or seaplane because it is nearly 70 miles west of Key West.

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TRAVELOGUE

Fort Jefferson's sturdy defenses are amazing to explore and contrast delightfully with the shimmering waters surrounding it. It is the largest brick building in the Western Hemisphere. The majority of the park's treasures, however, are found beneath the waves, where visitors can enjoy unforgettable snorkeling and scuba diving among colourful corals, shoals of fish, and atmospheric shipwrecks.

Sloppy Joe’s Bar

Sloppy Joe's Bar, one of the best places in Key West to grab a drink, dance, or listen to live music, has been a mainstay of the island's entertainment and nightlife scene since 1933. The atmospheric bar's name was inspired by Ernest Hemingway—one of its early and favourite patrons—and is a very lively yet laid-back place.

Since 1937, the infamous rowdy and slightly rundown saloon has had a restaurant and retail shop at its

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current location, the corner of Duval and Green streets. The majority of visitors, on the other hand, flock to its curved bar to enjoy a drink and listen to live music, with the popular establishment impressively open every day of the year.

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

The excellent Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is without a doubt the island's most popular attraction, aside from its incredible nightlife. The renowned author lived in Key West for just under a decade, penning parts of some of his best novels such as 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' and 'A Farewell to Arms' during that time.

Between 1931 and 1939, Hemingway and his second wife Pauline lived in the charming Spanish Colonial house, which was built in 1851. It is now a museum with many interesting artifacts and exhibits, as well as personal belongings, that

shed light on the author's life and work. The historic house and museum, which are surrounded by lush grounds, are a must-see in Key West.

The Destination You’ve Got to Experience

You can stay in Key West for a fantastic, long, and relaxing vacation, or you can visit in just one day!

It's also a great place to visit on a Florida road trip. And, in case you're wondering, kids will enjoy Key West as well! Because Key West is only 90 miles from Cuba, you can eat some delicious Cuban cuisine!

There is a restaurant near Duval and Mallory Square, but the locals prefer El Siboney. Don't miss out on the fried plantain! A Key West Food Tour is another excellent way to sample Cuban cuisine while learning about its history.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~ Saint Augustine

Happy Travel!!

AUTO REVIEW

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.

T

his is the second generation Baleno and it’s hard to tell by looking at it. The key components of the chassis have been retained although it’s a thorough revision with mostly new underpinnings. The styling is evolutionary and each body panel is new.

The front end has been designed to look wider with redesigned headlamps and grille. The side has a

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The Baleno is powered by a 1.2 litre K12N engine with 90bhp and 113Nm. It features dual VVT and two injectors per cylinder. While most cars today have turbocharged three cylinders, we like Suzuki’s old-school approach with a smooth, simpler, reliable, naturally aspirated four-cylinder.

more pronounced shoulder line and a smaller window on the C pillar.

The rear tail lamps have a portion that extends to the tailgate and the spoiler looks better integrated than in the last car. The car feels more solid than the last one, in the way the door shut and skin panels feel tauter. It weighs roughly 55-70 kilos more than before.

The interiors are all new and

there is a more modern dashboard with swooping curves. The blue colour looks very well against the rest of the black cabin. Taking centre stage is a floating 9-inch screen that has good resolution and a snappy interface. It also has a 360-degree camera, Apple Car Play, Amazon Alexa voice assistant, and Arkamys audio.

The steering wheel is similar to the one in the Swift. The gauge cluster

Baleno is similar to the old one in layout with a colour TFT screen in the middle, but there is a retractable HUD screen above it that shows relevant info. Material quality has gone up with softer plastic and leatherette and the cabin feels richer overall.

The front seats are massively improved and hugely supportive.

The side bolstering, both on the back and seat base, is sumptuous. There is also more shoulder support as well. The rear seats are better too. While legroom and headroom were always plenty, the

old seatback was a bit flat. This one is more contoured and gets rear AC vents too. Boot space has come down by 21 litres but it’s still a reasonable 318 litres.

The Baleno is powered by a 1.2 litre K12N engine with 90bhp and 113Nm. It features dual VVT and two injectors per cylinder.

While most cars today have turbocharged three cylinders, we like Suzuki’s old-school approach with a smooth, simpler, reliable, naturally aspirated four-cylinder.

It is also more efficient than the turbo rivals under day-to-day driv-

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AUTO REVIEW

ing. The engine doesn’t feel as revvy as the original K12B, but it still feels very peppy. It’s very tractable from low revs and there is a strong pull around 4000rpm.

Maruti has ditched the CVT for a most cost-effective AMT and while we are yet to drive it, we aren’t sure about the idea of an AMT in a premium hatch like the Baleno.

The suspension of the Bale-

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no is where significant money has been spent. The lower arms and rear twist beams are all new, you get 20mm more travel along with recalibrated springs and dampers. The handling is much better with better turn-in and more composure. The steering seems to have more weight and accuracy although it could do with more feel. The ride has a newfound plushness where the

older car felt choppy. It absorbs bumps and potholes better, but it is a bit too soft on the highway for our liking.

The Baleno is a massive improvement over the earlier car in quality, ride, handling, performance, comfort, safety, and features. While it has got expensive, it makes for a better family hatchback than before and is our pick in its segment 

MOVIE REVIEW

K.G.F Chapter 2

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he first sequel, KGF: Chapter 1, concluded on a high note and piqued interest for almost 3.5 years. With the release of KGF: Chapter 2, Yash and director Prashanth Neel have once again knocked it out of the park.

After defeating Garuda, Raja Krishnappa Bairya AKA Rocky Bhai (Yash) is now the monarch of Kolar Gold Fields (KGF). Rocky has constructed an indestructible empire in KGF, according to Prakash Raj, with his intelligent thinking and quick wit. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ramika Sen (Raveena Tandon) is concerned about Rocky Bhai's rapid rise. The tale revolves around how they deal with Rocky. KGF: Chapter 2 depicts the antagonists' inability to cope with Rocky's ascension to the role of people's saviour. Rocky simply has one ambition, and he has no fear of anyone or anything. It's an engaging sequel with multiple audience applause-worthy moments. The film's climax is both cathartic and beautifully shot.

Marvelous and the Black Hole

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arvelous and the Black Hole, an adorable, sincere, and amusing coming-of-age drama that is simple, effective, and demands to be seen, Kate Tseung's film tackles youthful wrath.

The story revolves around Sammy, after her latest act of deviancy lands her in the principal's office near the end of the school year, 13-year-old Sammy (Miya Cech) is forced to take a summer class at the local community college. Sammy is dealing with her mother's death and her father's new relationship, despite her abrasive demeanour. While attempting to dodge class, Sammy encounters Margo, an eccentric stage magician (Rhea Perlman). Margo takes Sammy under her wing and begins to teach her stage magic, and the two form an odd friendship. It's a modest, private affair that blends the harsh truth of a young person struggling with bereavement with a story about an older magician bringing light and joy into the life of a young person.

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Ambulance

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n his latest high-speed chase action-thriller "Ambulance," a formulaic criminal movie, Michael Bay returns to the director's chair.

The story is about when a distinguished veteran partners up with his adopted brother to steal $32 million from a Los Angeles bank in order to pay for his wife's medical costs. When their escape goes horribly wrong, the desperate criminals commandeer an ambulance, which is transporting a badly injured cop and an EMT worker. In the middle of a high-speed chase, the two siblings must outrun the cops while keeping their hostages alive. This film included an incredible cast, including Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who played two brothers in the film, as well as Eiza González, who plays an EMT, and all of them performed brilliantly in their respective parts. With each passing minute of the car chase action, the two brothers' chemistry grows stronger." Ambulance," a thriller that will have even the most casual moviegoer on edge.

Charlotte

C

harlotte is a Canadian-FrenchBelgian animated biographical drama film directed by Eric Warin and Tahir Rana about German painter Charlotte Salomon. On the eve of World War II, Charlotte Salomon, a young German-Jewish painter, departs Berlin and strives to recreate herself in the South of France. Charlotte is a well-made animated film about a young woman's quest for great artistic achievement in the most terrifying of times. This film mostly shows her psychological struggles, her artistic flare, and her personal goals during the Holocaust years. Salomon was a determined lady who sought to live each day to the fullest, even in the most trying of circumstances. The powerful moments resonate deeply as Rana and Warin carefully plot through Charlotte’s short life, putting the audience in an emotional grip.

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BOOK REVIEW

One Hand to Hold, One Hand to Carve Author Price

: M Shaw : ` 1000 (Paperback)

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ne Hand to Hold, One Hand to Carve is a horror fiction novel written by M Shaw. On a frigid morgue slab, two halves of a human cadaver awaken. Left and Right are two unique personalities that have no memory of their past lives as a single body. Because they are forced to live on the outskirts of society, the two brothers have completely different notions about what kind of life they want. Their approaching split will send them down separate, terrifying paths: one onward to a new life, the other backward to the source of their conflict. One Hand to Hold, One Hand to Carve is a strange and surreal Body Horror trip that redefines familial relationships and what it means to be a person. It's an excellent allegorical story about identity, violence, estrangement, inner struggles, wants, solitude, and perhaps even hope and despair.

The Candy House Author Price

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: Jennifer Egan : ` 1515 (Hardcover)

he Candy House is a psychological fiction penned by Jennifer Egan.

The Candy House follows a group of individuals as they deal with Bix Bouton's groundbreaking invention, "Own Your Unconscious," which allows people to upload and share their memories. Naturally, opinions differ on whether communal consciousness is beneficial. The Candy House is a bright, colourful vision of a world that is just around the corner. The Candy House is a very unique combination of ferocious intelligence and heart. This book is about technology and how it makes us feel wonderful while also having unforeseen consequences. Every chapter is written in a distinct style, with a different character and set in a different era. " The Candy House" is much more approachable, but it's still a bold attempt to reduce an infinite network to a human scale.

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Heartbroke Author Price

: Chelsea Bieker : ` 2000 (Hardcover)

C

helsea Bieker's first collection of short stories has the perfect title.

"Heartbroke" is a story about cornered women, poisoned relationships, lonely California landscapes, and quiet violence. The characters of Heartbroke are bound together by the austere and expansive vistas of California's Central Valley. Two teenage documentary filmmakers are drawn into the world of a mother and son peddling dream catchers along a highway leading to a polluted beach. And two adolescent females engage in a perilous online game involving fate. Heartbroke is brimming with each character's attempt to find grace wherever they can. These stories repeatedly show us the many dimensions of parenthood, women who struggle, triumph, or flatly fail in their attempts. Chelsea Bieker brilliantly illuminates a golden yet gothic world of longing and abandonment under an unrelenting California sun, told in bright, snappy prose that reveals a world of loss and love beneath.

Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets Author Price

: Chelsea Ichaso : ` 761 (Paperback)

D

ead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets is a thriller mystery novel written by Chelsea Ichaso. The story is when on the day Piper fell down a cliff and ended up in a coma, Savannah and Piper had just had the worst argument of their lives. Everyone, including the police, believes she tried suicide, but Savannah is skeptical, especially after discovering a weird note in Piper's locker at school. Her books are right on and packed with tension, keeping you turning pages quicker than you can finish the last sentence on each page. Another suspense-filled thriller for people of all ages. This is a clever, high-tension, extra twisty, fast-paced whodunnit mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. If you're searching for a quick and simple read, this is the book for you!

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EASY & BREEZY

Living for the sake of others

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s Corona has taken a back seat and life has returned to normal, one of the increasing trends is for people, especially youngsters, to hit the gym and try to attain the Salman Khanesque body of their dreams.

Though there are no surveys to prove this, boys outnumber girls by many times these days when it comes to sculpting their bodies.

An interesting insight came to light when I was talking to a nephew who has come down from Long Island in the United States.

The young man has been born and raised in America and is an American in the way he walks, talks and thinks. Let us call him Arun for our purposes.

Arun used to go to the gym but has now stopped it. “Girls don’t like it that much,” he lets on. It was hard to believe his theory that members of the opposite sex did not like men with rippling muscles any longer. Arun goes on to explain that it is not exactly the looks that the girls are uncomfortable with. “They assume that if you are spending too much time on your body, then you are probably narcissistic and more bothered about you than others.

That you won’t have too much time to allot for your girlfriend. Besides,

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one may have diet restrictions which again prevent one from enjoying all kinds of food and drinks with friends.”

I know what’s on your mind.

Why do people adopt a particular lifestyle just to impress girls or all those others don't just lead life the way one wants to? This is easier said than done. All of our school life is spent trying to impress teachers, teenage years are a struggle to get the attention and approval of those from the opposite sex, and professional life is but an attempt to meet the expectations of the various bosses. Each and everything that we do is influenced by what others are likely to think about the act. Just think about the lengths to which people go just to crack a joke, so that others may laugh? Some people even practise and rehearse their jokes, in the hope that they would be appreciated for their sense of humour.

There are a few activities that we indulge in for self-satisfaction such as reading, praying, listening to music and watching movies but most of what we do is for the sake of others and with the hope that it will enhance our image or prestige among a small or large group of people. This tendency has increased

Sujit Chandra Kumar has been working as an editor with leading publications for over three decades

manifold in the digital age. Once upon a time, people simply travelled for the sake of it and to soak themselves in it. But now, we ensure that we shoot enough Instagrammable pictures and share them on the spot. The priority is not enjoying the experience but to capture a digital image of it. Even when we visit a restaurant, many of us want to share it with the world. We like the likes more than even the biryani.

There is no escape from the trend and there is no need to escape. I once interviewed a very famous guru just before he addressed a huge gathering of people and I could distinctly make out that he was wearing eye makeup. Even the so called self-realised soul required such external accoutrements to impress his followers, so what to talk of ordinary folk like us? Just that, let us not completely forget to enjoy the biryani’s aroma or the brilliant sunset in our haste to capture it on camera for others

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