Uniquetimes October 2021

Vol 9 Issue No.121 Oct - Nov 2021 USD 0.70`50AED 5BD 0.500

The phenomenal rise of ESG investing has a flip side Shri V.P. Nandakumar MD & CEO Manappuram Finance Ltd.

Abhishek Parakkat

A Shining Star with a Visionary Goal

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Editorial “C

hase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.” – Tony Hsieh In this edition, our cover story is on Abhishek Parakkat, a dynamic entrepreneur who leads a chain of companies with a passion that only the young possess and maturity that belies his age.

In his regular column, Manappuram Finance Limited MD and CEO V P Nandakumar throws light on the topic, ‘The Phenomenal Rise Of ESG Investing Has A Flip Side’.

The travel article is sure to teleport us to a new world, the Land of Fire and Ice as Iceland is known.

You will get to know its rich cultural history, Norse mythology, folklore and more.

In the auto section, our expert reviews Mahindra XUV700, going into the minute details of this luxurious car. XUV700 is the evolution of XUV500 which comprises of uniques features,and it's sophisticated look will surely admire an auto lover.

Of course, the edition has all the regular sections from beauty, movie and book reviews to motivation, business and humour pieces.

“Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere.” – Jean Rhys

Let’s build a beautiful home!

Happy Reading!

Thank You Sd/Jebitha Ajit

Cover Photograph Abhishek Parakkat

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.

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CONTENTS

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Abhishek parakkat a shining star with a visionary goal

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The phenomenal rise of ESG investing has a flip side

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Is distraction the greatest bane of productivity?

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Alcohol and Brain damage

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What you need to keep in mind while Filing Tax Returns

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Gadgets Stay Young and Rejuvenate Naturally Escape to the nomadic edge of the world Iceland Mahindra XUV700

UNIQUE DIARY

Byju’s Expands Abroad with Tynker

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s India’s most valuable edtech business continues to expand abroad, Byju’s has purchased Tynker, a US-based coding platform, in a stock-and-cash deal.

The financial parameters of the deal were not published, but a source close to the situation stated Byju’s was paying $150-$200 million (Rs 1,100-1,470 crore) for Tynker. Tynker will be able to provide its creative coding platform to more kids, educators, schools, and coding camps around the world as a result of the acquisition, according to a statement released by Byju’s on Thursday. In the previous several months, the Bengaluru-based startup has spent more than $2 billion on acquisitions in India and internationally. With this Byju will have access to more than 60 million students and 100,000 schools in Tynker’s existing global user base as a result of the acquisition.

Amazon, Microsoft Swooping in on India’s $24 Billion Data Goldmine on Agriculture

“Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.”

Coco Chanel

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mazon.com, Microsoft, and Cisco Systems are among the technological behemoths lining up to collect data from India’s farmers as part of a government-led productivity drive aimed at modernising the country’s ageing agricultural sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which is attempting to assure food security in the world’s second-most populous country, has signed preliminary agreements with three American titans and a bevvy of local enterprises to exchange farm statistics it has gathered since taking power in 2014. Modi believes that the private sector can assist farmers increase yields by developing apps and tools based on data like crop output, soil condition, and land holdings.

UNIQUE DIARY

Bharti Airtel to Expand Its Optical Network as Part of Its 5G Readiness

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ejas Network has been chosen by telco major Bharti Airtel to expand its optical network capacity in important metros. Tejas stated in a statement that its TJ1600 DWDM/ OTN equipment will be supplied and installed to extend Airtel’s optical network, support 5G backhaul, provide B2B services, and broadband applications. Airtel will provide a superior experience to its consumers as a result of its increased capacity, according to the company.

The TJ1600 from Tejas is an optical transport platform that unifies various layers of networking operations. Wireless backhaul, data centre connectivity, enterprise services, router bypass, and wholesale services are all supported.

India, UK to Resolve CoWIN Certification Row

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

Albert Einstein

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he UK government has clarified its position on Covishield, stating that the major concern is vaccination certification, not the vaccine itself. Alex Ellis, the British High Commissioner to India, indicated that all sides are in talks to address the issue. “We’ve established that Covishield isn’t a concern. The UK is welcoming to visitors, and we’ve already seen a large number of visitors from India, whether they’re tourists, businesspeople, or students “According to Ellis. He went on to say that India and the United Kingdom “have been having deep technical discussions regarding certification, with the builders of the CoWIN and NHS apps, about both apps.” More than 62,500 student visas were issued “in the year ending June 2021,” according to the UK High Commissioner to India, a nearly 30% increase over the previous year. According to UK regulations, Indian travellers who have received both doses of the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) are considered unvaccinated and must complete a 10-day period of self-isolation.

PM Modi will Launch Sansad TV on September 15

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n September 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Sansad TV, a new channel created by uniting Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV, according to sources. According to them, several shows on this new channel would be hosted by veteran Congress leader Karan Singh, economist Bibek Debroy, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, and attorney Hemant Batra.

According to a source, “Sansad TV is being positioned as an intellectual channel that would give high-quality material to the national and worldwide audience on themes linked to the country’s democratic ethos and institutions.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will formally launch the channel on September 15 at a celebration in the Parliament complex, according to reports.

Ford’s Exit From India: Halt to the Future of Employees, Dealers

“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

Theodore Roosevelt

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housands of employees at Ford Motor Co. and numerous Ford-related businesses face an unclear future after the global automaker abruptly ended its operations in India on Thursday, following a growing list of American automakers to leave the nation.

The decision, which was revealed on Thursday, would have an impact on 4,000 staff, hundreds of dealers, and a large number of customers. According to Vinkesh Gulati, president of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations in India, which represents more than four-fifths of the country’s retailers, more than $272 million has been invested in the establishment of dealerships that employ around 40,000 people.

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Anger in France over Viral Bullying of 11-year olds

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fficials from the French Ministry of Education have criticised an online bullying trend aimed at youngsters born in 2010. On the video-sharing app TikTok, the #Anti2010 movement has gained traction in the last month. Users have been encouraged to join a “anti-2010 police” after posts on the site have received millions of views. It has caused particular concern among parents because it is aimed at 11-year-old youngsters, who are about to begin secondary school. It has been reported that it has moved off the computer and into the playground.

Mr. Blanquer warned that any student who engages in such bullying will face consequences, and that families can report incidences of harassment to an emergency hotline.

Georgian Chess Icon Sues Netflix for Queen’s Gambit Portrayal

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ona Gaprindashvili, a Georgian chess legend, has sued Netflix for defamation, alleging that she was misrepresented in the hit series The Queen’s Gambit. The case is based on a scene in the final episode of the drama in which Gaprindashvili, aged 80, claims he has never played competitive chess with males. According to the paper, she had faced at least 59 male players by 1968, the year in which the incident is set. The claim was dismissed by Netflix as having “no merit.” Gaprindashvili and her “illustrious career” were treated with “only the utmost respect” by the corporation, which promised to “vigorously defend the case.” The Queen’s Gambit is based on Walter Tevis’s 1983 novel and follows Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon, a fictitious chess player. The series premiered last year and was dubbed “Netflix’s biggest limited scripted series ever” by the streaming service.

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EU Demands Universal Charger for Phones

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ccording to a new rule proposed by the European Commission, manufacturers will be required to develop a universal charging solution for phones and small electronic devices (EC). The goal is to reduce waste by encouraging people to reuse their old chargers when purchasing a new gadget.

According to the plan, all smartphones sold in the EU must include USB-C chargers. Apple has stated that such a move would be detrimental to innovation. Apple’s iPhone series has an Apple-designed “Lightning” connector, making it the most popular smartphone with a unique charging port. “We continue to be concerned that tight regulation mandating only one type of connector stifles rather than encourages innovation, harming consumers in Europe and around the world,” the company told the BBC. It went on to say that by 2030, it wants every Apple device and usage to be carbon neutral.

Dutch Boy Wins Right for Covid Jab

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espite his father’s concerns, a 12-year-old child in the Dutch city of Groningen has won a legal battle to get vaccinated against Covid-19 so that he can visit his dying grandma. A judge concluded that the vaccination would lessen his risks of infecting the woman, who has advanced cancer. Vaccines have been approved for Dutch children aged 12 to 17, however children under the age of 17 require the consent of both parents. Vaccine scepticism is on the rise in the United States. The boy should be vaccinated as soon as possible, according to Groningen District Court Judge Bart Tromp, because his interests were more essential than his father’s fears.

Judge Tromp dismissed the boy’s father’s claims that immunizations were “in the testing phase” and presented hazards to reproductive organs, claiming that they lacked scientific support. While children were less likely to become extremely ill as a result of the infection, he warned that they could have long Covid.

For more info: europetimes.co

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COVER STORY COVERSTORY

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ABHISHEK PARAKKAT

A SHINING STAR

WITH A VISIONARY GOAL Abhishek Parakatt- The young talented entrepreneur proving that age is no barrier for entrepreneurship

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bhishek Parakkat, the scion of the well known Parakkat Group, exemplifies all of the values and characteristics that transform ordinary people into amazing success stories. No wonder then that the young shining star in the world of business was able to knock out all the obstacles on his path with his sheer passion and persistence.

The Parakkat Group, established in the year 1990, began its journey when Prakash Parakkat, the Chairman of Parakkat Group of Companies, ventured first into the ‘pure gold business’ by starting two showrooms at Kalady and Sreemoolanagaram. In no time, Parakkat turned out to be the name that satisfied everyone’s golden desires by providing the most

innovative designs with incomparable quality and cost-effectiveness.

However, the group found its niche when Prakash opened their first ‘one gram gold layered ornament’ showroom in the heart of Ernakulam. It was an instant success and if the company today has nearly 100 showrooms across the world, it is the result of utmost determination and hard work. Besides different districts of Kerala and cities like Madurai, Mangalore, Bangalore and New Delhi, there are showrooms in Dubai, Bahrain, Muscat, and Kuala Lumpur. The group gradually diversified into other businesses under the same brand name -- Parakkat Jewels, Parakkat Nature Resorts, Parakkat Weddings and Parakkat Software to name a few. Abhishek

Parakkat, the younger son of Prakash Parakkat, currently manages the research and development wing and also manages the administration of his companies. Often, in the world of business, what is tougher to achieve than growth is to consolidate and maintain what has already been accomplished. This is where the BCom graduate, who has reached the pinnacle at a very young age, shoulders a heavy responsibility.

The world of business is really complicated, especially in modern times. To be stable, immense determination and perseverance are required on the part of the leaders. Even one wrong decision can lead to a great loss. We have been seeing that even veterans often face failures. But to be at the helm at a very young age is

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COVER STORY COVERSTORY

Abhishek believes that proper communication and teamwork lead to a successful output. He tries to delegate responsibilities to his representatives and train them to the fullest so that he can concentrate on bringing new ideas and innovations. He always stays calm and poised which leads to a positive atmosphere.

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possible only if one is able to acquire knowledge about the various nuances of business and if the person has a dream to touch even newer heights.

Born into a business family, Abhishek was always curious to know about the various dynamics of business. He always dreamed of following the footsteps of his parents and was aware that this is the path that he should pursue to serve the people. From a very young age, Abhishek always came up with offbeat business ideas and suggestions and his parents not only gave him a patient ear but also supported him in the best way possible.

Abhishek believes that proper communication and teamwork lead to a successful output. He tries to delegate responsibilities to his representatives and train them to the fullest so that he can concentrate on bringing new ideas and innovations.

He always stays calm and poised which leads to a positive atmosphere. Stability and creative plan-

ning are the foundations on which business empires are builit upon.

He schedules his day with a proper plan and regimen which makes implementation not only stress-free but also effective.

There are challenges and barriers in every sector but these are probably nowhere more in abundance than in the field of business.

As for Abhishek, barriers are just a part of the journey of success. If we have to gain success, overcoming the risks is the best way rather than worrying about them, he says. “Barriers always teach us a good lesson if we are ready to learn from them,” he says, adding that nothing is difficult to surmount if there is a great supporting system that is there to boost one’s confidence. “Even a risk can turn into a new opportunity,” he philosophises. “If you have a healthy body, an equally health mind and you believe in yourself, nothing is impossible.”

What is the one thing that brings

joy and relief to him? “Making others happy,” he says, adding that the greatest thing anyone can accomplish is to bring a smile of satisfaction to those around you. Serving society and helping loved ones would be the greatest achievement for any entrepreneur, he affirms. How did he get this kind of worldview? Even as a teenager, Abhishek loved to travel to the farthest corners of the world; he has been to more than 30 countries and this has undoubtedly helped mould his philosophy. He still has several more in his bucket list and is waiting for Covid-19 pandemic to loosen its grip over the world so that he can explore more regions.

Abhishek is also passionate about modeling. It boosts his confidence and helps him stay in shape and be fit. He goes by the dictum of a healthy mind residing in a healthy body. He believes that all this contributes to a positive mindset that is almost contagious in nature.

Learning from failure is his

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COVER STORY COVERSTORY

mantra of success. Abhishek has faced a couple of failures in business but has never allowed these setbacks to erode his confidence.

Rather they only helped create a desire to achieve more. Failures are useful if they make you try harder and bring out your fullest potential, he says. “Overcoming your limitations and thinking out of the box are what makes a difference,” he says. “Even if you have to face failure, let it be, because it always teaches you a new lesson. The important thing is to always grab every single opportunity that comes your way.”

Fortunately for him, even during failures, there were a few people around him, especially within his family, who not only believed in him but also encouraged him. Whenever he achieved

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a milestone, they never forgot to applaud him. Abhishek says if he has achieved anything so far, it’s only because of his family’s support. “They always motivated me to achieve all my dreams but they were also strict when needed in the same way as most parents do,” he reveals.

Managing a chain of business at such a young age needs a lot of mental agility and innovativeness.

Abhishek says he is a person who tries to plan the future with utmost creativity. Clearly, his sheer confidence and positivity make him a visionary businessman and a focused leader who can inspire his team to reach organisational goals. Abhishek has a constant desire to change things for the better. The success saga of this young entrepreneur continues

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with lots of dreams and goals yet to be achieved.

There is no big secret to his success other than that he works extremely hard to achieve results.

His strength is constant research and development, as well as being technologically savvy, which allows him to lead and be the best in the industry. He is pleased with the fact that his company provides pensions to 100 elderly people, and that he is thereby contributing to society in whatever manner he can.

As a parting shot, he states that if you give it your all, nothing is impossible to achieve. Keep going forward and never lose hope; all that is important is that you stay focused and work hard to get closer to your goals by giving your all

BUSINESS

Good corporate governance helps companies build trust with investors as also with all other stakeholders. Consequently, corporate governance helps promote financial viability by creating a long-term investment opportunity for market participants.

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

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THE PHENOMENAL RISE OF ESG INVESTING HAS A FLIP SIDE

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hese days, we hear a lot about a trend in the markets called ESG investing, and about all the money flowing into it globally. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, being the three broad areas of concern that drive certain market players who regard themselves as “socially responsible investors.” They believe in going beyond the

traditional concerns related to the profitability and risks of the business to also give due importance to ESG factors when evaluating an investment opportunity.

On the face of it, there appears nothing wrong in looking beyond narrow considerations of profitability at larger factors such as the impact of the business on the environment and the society. But then, my curi-

osity was piqued when Mr. Aswath Damodaran, a wellknown professor of finance at the Stern School of Business (New York University), created a stir recently by writing that the growing trend of ESG investing would end up costing companies and investors dearly.

Without mincing words, he declared that ESG is a mistake that will cost companies and investors money

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BUSINESS

while making the world worse off as it creates more harm than good for society.

But before going into Mr. Damodaran’s critique of ESG, let’s first look at what ESG investing is all about, and why so many are convinced it is the future of investing.

Environmental: There is no doubt that our environment faces the risk of continuing deterioration from various factors such as the burning of fossil fuels or the indiscriminate use of plastic. The earth’s forest cover is steadily eroding while our seas and rivers are polluted with toxic wastes which imperils the fragile ecological balance of our water bodies. With growing emissions of carbon dioxide, global warming is a reality which causes our glaciers to melt so much that we face the prospect of rising sea levels submerging low-lying coastal areas in the not-too-distant future. Therefore, it stands to or-

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der that companies that choose to adhere to the best practices for energy conservation and preserving the environment deserve our encouragement.

Social: Businesses have a common tendency to focus narrowly on their profits.

When making more profit becomes the paramount objective, companies may engage in unhealthy and unethical practices. Essentially a business deploys the various factors of production such as land, water, raw materials, labour, capital, etc. to produce goods and services of value. In the quest to maximize output and profits, these resources can be used irresponsibly, as happens when labour is exploited without paying just wages, or when pollutants are discharged into water bodies without the requisite treatment to save on costs.

Corporate Governance: It’s a fact that corporate governance lies at the heart of a

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modern-day business, and it refers to the processes, practices, and policies followed by a company’s directors and executives related to all the decision-making that go into managing the company. Investors are well-advised to invest in companies that adhere to high standards of corporate governance because the evidence reveals that companies that value transparency and compliance with statutory norms show better prospects for sustainable growth. Good corporate governance helps companies build trust with investors as also with all other stakeholders. Consequently, corporate governance helps promote financial viability by creating a long-term investment opportunity for market participants. What’s more, by adhering to higher standards of compliance and transparency, a company minimizes the risk of a major fraud or scandal that can put the whole business at

risk. In this way, the business also becomes more “sustainable.”

Recent Trends in ESG Investing

ESG investing has been growing steadily over the last few years and the recent pandemic has accelerated the trend. It is reported that globally about US$2.96 trillion is currently invested in funds that carry the ESG tag. Global inflows into sustainable funds went up by 88% in the fourth quarter of the calendar year 2020 to cross $150 billion. Europe accounted for about 80% of these inflows, the US share stood at $13.4 billion, while flows for Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, and Asia combined stood at $11.1 billion. According to a report by the Climate Bond Initiative, the global issuance of green bonds is on track to reach between $400 billion and $500 billion in 2021, nearly double the record high of $270 billion in 2020.

In India, ESG investing is still in its early stages. However, it is rapidly

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gaining ground with mutual funds pushing it with young investors.

Inflows into ESG funds increased by 76% to `3,686 crores in FY21 against `2,094 crores in FY20. ESG funds together had an asset base of nearly `9,900 crores at the end of FY 2021. The increasing inflows are said to point to growing investor interest as the disruption caused by the pandemic draws attention to the need for sustainable and resilient business models that respond to multiple stakeholders.

What’s the flip side?

I began this article by referring to Prof. Aswath Damodaran’s critique of ESG investing. A common criticism of the concept of ESG investing has to do with its lack of precision and the fact that it can accommodate many different investing strategies within its ambit. For example, there were 400 climate-focused funds at the end of 2020, sub-divided into five different categories: low carbon, climate-conscious, green bond, climate solutions, and clean energy/ technology.

It’s also pointed out that the bar for what constitutes a good corporate citizen is quite low. Contrary to what many investors think, most ESG ratings have little to do with corporate responsibility towards ESG factors.

Instead, what is sought to be measured is the degree to which a company’s economic value is at risk due to ESG factors. It’s been pointed out that a polluting company can still get a respectable ESG score if the rating agency takes the view that the pollution is managed well and that there is no risk to the company’s market value.

Champions of ESG investing often point to studies suggesting

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that there is a positive relationship between ESG performance and financial performance, with ESG compliant companies likely to deliver higher profits and better returns for investors. However, critics point out that such positive linkages are tenuous and sensitive to how profits are measured and over what period. Often, the positive correlation is based on a rating methodology which makes it easy to obtain good scores without much effort. In this context, Prof. Aswath Damodaran sees a weak link between ESG and operating performance (growth and profitability) as the notion that adding an ESG constraint to investing will increase expected returns is counter-intuitive. He says that while some firms benefit from being good, many do not. The evidence is stronger that bad firms get punished, either with higher funding costs or with a greater incidence of disasters and shocks. “ESG advocates are on the much stronger ground telling companies not to be bad, than telling companies to be good,” he concludes.

Prof. Damodaran also counters the implicit presumption that unless companies are explicitly committed to ESG, they cannot contribute to society. He points to the examples of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett as two businessmen who built hugely valuable companies that would have considered goodness as a factor in their decision making only if it was good for their business (i.e., without allowing extraneous considerations to affect their decision-making).

Having done that, they have both committed to donating a substantial portion of their wealth to charitable causes and they have also made

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their shareholders wealthy, with many shareholders going on to give money back to society. According to Prof. Damodaran, the difference between the “old” model of business exemplified by Gates and Buffet and the “new ESG” version lies in who does the giving back to society, with corporate CEOs and management taking over that responsibility from shareholders.

Prof. Damodaran also has a word of caution for investors drawn to ESG funds in the quest for higher returns while seeking to lessen the burden on their social consciousness. If the market gets carried away and overprices how much being "good" will add to a company's profitability, then investing in 'good' companies will generate lower riskadjusted returns than investing in 'bad' companies.

Prof. Damodaran’s critique is quite exhaustive and makes many valid points. In this article, I have been able to convey only a gist of what I thought were his key points.

I would urge interested readers to check out his blog post of September 14, 2021, under the title “The ESG Movement: The "Goodness" Gravy Train Rolls On!” In this blog, he refers to an earlier post on the same subject dated September 21, 2020, which also makes for compelling reading. This blog carries the title “Sounding good or Doing good?

A Skeptical Look at ESG” and that just about sums up the entire case against carrying ESG investing too far (V.P. Nandakumar is MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd. Views are personal)

BUSINESS

Rajesh Nair Associate Partner, Ernst & Young LLP

Most of the distractions or diversions happen because our mind looks to avoid discomfort. Perhaps we can also say that every action around human behaviour is to singularly avoid discomfort.

The constant objective of the brain is the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain.

Is Distraction the Greatest Bane of Productivity?

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hange is pervading all walks of life. We live at a time when technology has hyperbolically invaded our lives and every activity we do on a normal day. Some say that technology is the organ in your extended body that regulates and often gives direction to your life. What began as, ‘Hey, I can do that faster...’ has now become ‘I can’t live without it.’ In nearly every person around us, we see the urge to casually glance at the cell phones, peruse the laptop screens endlessly, and at times, even meaninglessly dancing our fingertips on the keyboard. A usual body gesture today is to stare at the mobile screens and there is many an update that builds into your thinking process and often disrupts the way we think. Distraction is suddenly more prevalent than the ability to sit and discuss things in detail and in-depth.

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But when we delve into this issue, we often see that we cannot blame technology. Most of the distractions or diversions happen because our mind looks to avoid discomfort.

Perhaps we can also say that every action around human behaviour is to singularly avoid discomfort. The constant objective of the brain is the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain. The mind often works as an analgesic and finds newer means to avoid pain. It is easy to snap out of the deep-thinking process and take a glance at your phone and peruse endlessly through myriad updates and selected content embellishing your screen. And now, we live on the internet/social media ‘filter bubbles’.

Analytics helps firms and sites to give you more of what you seek, understand your tastes, your choices and add to your already busy palette with more similar information. The cues

are often not just habit-forming but addictive to the extent, one cannot resist the temptation to delve deeper into a series of disconnected, often, useless information that just builds in your mind.

On top of all this, there is the onslaught of messages. An average educated Indian (though the data may be valid for the uneducated as well) spends, intermittently, more than nine hours looking at a screen – a computer, television, or a mobile screen. Furious WhatsApp users get more than 1,000 messages in a day.

Yes, perhaps our ability to negotiate this data deluge has improved, but it seems just too much. There are days when we just want to be free from the gazillion emails, blinking screens, perfunctory messages – free from all of it. And then there is Facebook, Instagram, and a long list of pit stops where you peruse through without aim and often get lost with the urge to reply to prosaic entries, participate in conversations and build a social place of distraction.

Perhaps the skill of the century is actually the ability to not be distracted. So, is technology the reason why all these sudden winds of ‘lack of focus’ are sweeping in and out? Perhaps, technology has added a few tools, there is no question or debate to that. At some level, it is a convenient ploy to avoid a lot of concentration on the important work at hand. But the elements of distraction have always been there.

Freud called it the pleasure principle – the tendency to keep searching

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BUSINESS

There are days when we just want to be free from the gazillion emails, blinking screens, perfunctory messages – free from all of it. And then there is Facebook, Instagram, and a long list of pit stops where you peruse through without aim and often get lost with the urge to reply to prosaic entries, participate in conversations and build a social place of distraction. for easier things to do. But it is not an invention of this century. Plato, in the olden times, even had a term for it – ‘akrasia’ – the tendency to keep doing the wrong things in spite of more important and necessary things on the agenda.

And of course, we have always had experts claiming success with various productivity-enhancing tools -- TO DO lists rank high among the most popular and the most used ones. My experience has been that these lists are mere notes of intent and the mind needs more assistance to do this – that assistance can only be had when you schedule the activity in a calendar. When there is

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a prime slot for an activity, there is more than mere intent and the propensity for the action to take place is far more realistic. The satisfaction of completing a ‘TO DO’ list at times shifts focus from the kind of activity that needs to be accomplished.

We often finish the easier tasks and not necessarily the more important tasks. So, next time try the calendar instead of the laundry list of things to do.

Besides all these, the key driver to all these distractions is the internal motivation and the external tools. All of the technology provide those external impulses and distractions but it is the internal ones that

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urge you to pick the external channels. Any amount of digital minimalism will not save you from the habit to seek distractions. These normally manifest as boredom, uncertainty, fatigue, anxiety, etc. And to avoid that conversation within yourself, you seek out options. It is important to not run away from the discomfort.

Learn to harness it and use it as a trigger to improve productivity and not pick up an easier task to find the gratification of completion. So, while the external factors affect your concentration, if you want to cheat distraction – look inside, ask yourself, analyse your mind and the answers are there for you!

HEALTH

Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, especially during the 48 hours immediately following a bout of drinking. Typical symptoms include profuse sweating, racing heart rate, and feelings of restlessness and anxiety.

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

Alcohol and Brain Damage

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lcohol begins affecting a person’s brain as soon as it enters the bloodstream. In a healthy person, the liver quickly filters alcohol, helping the body get rid of the drug. However, when a person drinks to excess, the liver cannot filter the alcohol fast enough, and this triggers immediate changes in the brain. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can damage both the brain and liver, causing lasting damages. In general, the more alcohol a person drinks, the more likely it becomes that alcohol will damage the brain — both in the short and long term.

Why does drinking alcohol have such profound effects on thought, mood, and behavior? And why does alcohol dependence develop and persist in some people and not in others? Through neuroscience research, scientists are gaining a better understanding of how alcohol changes the brain and how those changes in turn influence certain behaviors.

Excessive alcohol consumption can have long-lasting effects

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on neurotransmitters in the brain, decreasing their effectiveness or even mimicking them. Alcohol also destroys brain cells and contracts brain tissue. Some people with a history of excessive alcohol use develop nutritional deficiencies that further damage brain function.

A number of factors influence how and to what extent alcohol affects the brain, including • how much and how often a person drinks • the age at which he or she first began drinking, and how long he or she has been drinking • the person’s age, level of education, gender, genetic background, and family history of alcoholism • whether he or she is at risk as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure and • his or her general health status.

How Alcohol Changes the Brain:

Alcohol Tolerance, Alcohol Dependence, and Alcohol With-

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drawal As the brain adapts to alcohol’s presence over time, a heavy drinker may begin to respond to alcohol differently than someone who drinks only moderately. Some of these changes may be behind alcohol’s effects, including alcohol tolerance (i.e., having to drink more in order to become intoxicated) and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These effects are associated with alcohol dependence. When the brain is exposed to alcohol, it may become tolerant or insensitive to alcohol’s effects. Thus, as a person “When alcohol is present in the brain for long periods as with long¬ term heavy drinking the brain seeks to compensate for its effects.” continues to drink heavily, he or she may need more alcohol than before to become intoxicated. As tolerance increases, drinking may escalate, putting a heavy drinker at risk for a number of health problems including alcohol dependence. Even as the brain becomes tolerant to alcohol, other changes in the brain may increase some people’s sensitivity to alcohol. The desire for alcohol may

transition into a pathological craving for these effects. This craving is strongly associated with alcohol dependence. Other changes in the brain increase a heavy drinker’s risk for experiencing alcohol withdrawal a collection of symptoms that can appear when a person with alcohol dependence suddenly stops drinking. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, especially during the 48 hours immediately following a bout of drinking. Typical symptoms include profuse sweating, racing heart rate, and feelings of restlessness and anxiety. Research shows that alcohol¬ dependent people may continue drinking to avoid experiencing withdrawal. Feelings of anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal can persist long after the initial withdrawal symptoms have ceased, and some researchers believe that over the long term this anxiety is a driving force behind alcohol ¬use relapse.

Neurons and Synaptic Transmission

The brain transmits information through a system of interconnected nerve cells known as neurons.

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HEALTH Signals travel rapidly along chains of neurons using a combination of electrical and chemical processes.

These signals cause many of alcohol’s effects on behaviors, such as tolerance, craving, and addiction.

Signals travel from one neuron to the next through a process known as synaptic transmission.

These signals are vital to brain function, sending messages throughout the brain, which, in turn, regulate every aspect of the body’s function. Neurotransmitter chemicals play a key role in this signal transmission. Under normal circumstances, the brain’s balance of neurotransmitters allows the body and brain to function unimpaired. Alcohol can cause changes that upset this balance, impairing brain function. For example, the brain balances the activity of inhibitory neurotransmitters, which work to delay or stop nerve signals, with that of excitatory neurotransmitters, which work to speed up these signals. Alcohol can slow signal transmission in the brain, contributing to some of the effects associated with alcohol intoxication, including sleepiness and sedation. As the brain becomes used to alcohol, it compensates for alcohol’s slowing effects by increasing the activity of excitatory neurotransmitters, speeding up the signal transmission. In this way, the brain attempts to restore itself to a normal state in the presence of alcohol. If the influence of alcohol is suddenly removed (that is if a long-term heavy drinker stops drinking suddenly), the brain may have to readjust once again: this may lead to the unpleasant feelings associated with alcohol withdrawal, such as experiencing “the shakes” or increased anxiety.

Short-Term Effects

People with severe symptoms of intoxication or symptoms that last many hours are at risk of alcohol poisoning. The ethanol in alcohol acts like a poison. When the liver is not able to filter this poison quickly enough, a person can develop signs of alcohol poisoning or alcohol overdose. An overdose of alcohol affects the brain’s ability to sustain basic life functions.

Symptoms include:

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• vomiting • seizures • slow heart rate • difficulty staying awake • fainting • low body temperature • low gag reflex, which can increase the risk of choking if a person vomits • clammy skin As soon as alcohol enters the bloodstream, it changes brain functions. Moderate consumption of alcohol may cause the following temporary effects: • loss of inhibition • decreased planning and organizational skills • changes in mood and concentration • difficulty forming new memories • sleepiness • depressed mood • changes in energy levels • memory loss • poor judgment • reduced motor control, including delayed reflexes that can make driving dangerous An untreated alcohol overdose can be fatal. Severe alcohol overdoses may cause permanent brain damage even if the person survives.

The higher a person’s blood alcohol concentration, the higher their risks of alcohol overdose. The heavy consumption of high-alcohol drinks is more likely to cause alcohol poisoning. People who have smaller bodies, drink alcohol less frequently, or have a history of liver disease are also more vulnerable to alcohol poisoning.

Blackouts and Memory Lapses

Alcohol can produce detectable impairments in memory after only a few drinks and, as the amount of alcohol increases, so does the degree of impairment. Large quantities of alcohol, especially when consumed quickly and on an empty stomach, can produce a blackout, or an interval of time for which the intoxicated person cannot recall key details of events or even entire events. Blackouts are much more common among social drinkers than previously assumed and should be viewed as a

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potential consequence of acute intoxication they had participated in a wide range of potentially dangerous events including vandalism, unprotected sex, and driving that they could not remember.

Long-Term Effects

Over time, alcohol abuse can cause permanent brain damage.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Up to 80 percent of alcoholics, however, have a deficiency in thiamine and some of these people will go on to develop serious brain disorders such as Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) WKS is a disease that consists of two separate syndromes, a short-lived and severe condition called Wernicke’s encephalopathy and a long-lasting and debilitating condition known as Korsakoff ’s psychosis. Alcohol abuse makes it more difficult for the body to absorb thiamine.

Some symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy include: • confusion and disorientation that continue well beyond the period of drunkenness • malnourishment that may cause significant weight loss • trouble moving the eyes or strange and jerky eye movements • poor balance Approximately 80 to 90 percent of alcoholics with Wernicke’s encephalopathy develop Korsakoff ’s psychosis, a chronic and debilitating syndrome characterized by persistent learning and memory problems.

This is a type of dementia. Patients with Korsakoff ’s psychosis are forgetful and quickly frustrated and have difficulty with walking and coordination. Although these patients have problems remembering old information (i.e., retrograde amnesia), it is their difficulty in “laying down” new information (i.e., anterograde amnesia) that is the most striking.

For example, these patients can discuss in detail an event in their lives, but an hour later might not remember ever having the conversation.

They also develop

• poor judgment • decreased planning and organizational skills • hallucinations • progressively worsening cog-

nitive decline that may affect every area of functioning, including speech, vision, and bowel and bladder function Treatment of WKS- Vitamin supplements and complete abstinence from alcohol may reverse symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome within the first 2 years after stopping drinking. The cerebellum, an area of the brain responsible for coordinating movement and perhaps even some forms of learning, appears to be particularly sensitive to the effects of thiamine deficiency and is the region most frequently damaged in association with chronic alcohol consumption. Administering thiamine helps to improve brain function, especially in patients in the ear-

ly stages of WKS. When damage to the brain is more severe, the course of care shifts from treatment to providing support to the patient and his or her family. Custodial care may be necessary for the 25 percent of patients who have permanent brain damage and significant loss of cognitive skills.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which people usually refer to as fetal alcohol syndrome, happen when a developing baby gets exposure to alcohol during gestation. Fetal alcohol syndrome affects many aspects of functioning and can cause brain damage.

The symptoms vary in severity • intellectual disabilities

• hyperactivity • poor memory • trouble concentrating • weak coordination • vision and hearing issues Doctors have not yet established a safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, so the best strategy for preventing fetal alcohol syndrome is to abstain altogether from alcohol at this time. If a pregnant woman cannot abstain, she should aim to reduce her alcohol consumption as much as possible.

Head Injuries

Alcohol is a risk factor for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) due to falls, car accidents, fights, and other blows to the head. 35–81% of people who seek treatment for a TBI are intoxicated.

In the short term, a head injury can cause confusion and disorientation. It may also result in dangerous brain swelling. Severe head injuries may even be fatal because they affect the brain’s ability to control essential functions, such as breathing and blood pressure.

The long-term effects of head injuries vary but include: • dementia-like symptoms, such as difficulties forming new memories • changes in mood or behavior • increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease • changes in blood flow patterns in the brain

Psychological Effects

Alcohol has numerous psychological effects, including: • personality and mood changes • changes in impulse control • trouble concentrating • depression Perhaps the most significant psychological effect, however, is addiction. Over time, people who consume large quantities of alcohol develop a tolerance to the drug.

They also become dependent. This dependency means that their brains crave the drug, causing them to experience withdrawal when they do not drink. Addiction leads a person to continue using alcohol, even when it harms them. People with severe alcohol use disorder may develop a dangerous withdrawal condi-

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HEALTH tion called delirium tremens (DT).

DT begins with psychological symptoms that include: • anxiety • insomnia • intense alcohol cravings • paranoia • hallucinations or delusions Without treatment, DT can be fatal in more than one-third of people whom it affects. People with DT may experience seizures, dangerous changes in blood pressure, and excessive vomiting and diarrhea, which can result in nutritional deficiencies.

Other System Damages

Alcohol does more than harm the brain. Both severe intoxication and long-term abuse can damage virtually every system in the body.

The physiological effects of alcohol include: • high blood pressure • heart disease • changes in heart rhythm • damage to blood vessels • liver disease • kidney failure • pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas • a weaker immune system • an increased risk for certain

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cancers, including cancers of the esophagus, breast, liver, and colon

these harmful byproducts to enter the brain, thus harming brain cells.

Liver Disease

How Much Can People Drink Safely?

Most people realize that heavy, long–term drinking can damage the liver, the organ chiefly responsible for breaking down alcohol into harmless byproducts and clearing it from the body. But people may not be aware that prolonged liver dysfunction, such as liver cirrhosis resulting from excessive alcohol consumption, can harm the brain, leading to a serious and potentially fatal brain disorder known as hepatic encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy can cause changes in sleep patterns, mood, and personality; psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression; severe cognitive effects such as shortened attention span; and problems with coordination such as flapping or shaking of the hands (called asterixis). In the most serious cases, patients may slip into a coma (i.e., hepatic coma), which can be fatal. Two toxic substances, ammonia, and manganese have a role in the development of hepatic encephalopathy. Alcohol–damaged liver cells allow excess amounts of

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Although alcohol can cause significant brain damage, an emerging body of research suggests that modest alcohol consumption may be beneficial for the brain. Recent research found that Dementia risk was lower among those who consumed fewer units of alcohol per week.

The 2015–2020 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. People who should avoid alcohol include those who: • are recovering from alcohol use disorder • are taking drugs that interact with alcohol • are pregnant • have certain liver diseases • find it difficult to control their drinking As safe alcohol consumption varies from person to person, and different sources recommend various intakes, it is important to take an individualized approach. People

should talk to a healthcare professional about their drinking history and personal risk factors to get tailored advice on safe alcohol consumption.

How to Reduce Alcohol Intake?

People with a history of alcohol misuse may not be able to consume alcohol safely. In these cases, the best strategy is to avoid alcohol altogether. People with severe addictions or a long history of alcohol misuse may suffer serious withdrawal symptoms when quitting. Medical detoxification may be considered which may prevent serious issues, such as delirium tremens.

People who want to cut back on alcohol should consider the following strategies: • setting a personal limit of one drink a day for women and two for men • only drinking at certain times or occasions, such as at parties or on the weekends • not using alcohol to cope with emotional stress or to fall asleep • drinking beverages with lower alcohol content, for example, by replacing spirits with wine Unfortunately, there is no “magic pill” for treating alcohol-related problems. It is unclear why some people respond well to certain medications, but others do not. However, exciting new research is helping scientists learn more about how alcohol affects different people. A handful of medications are now available to treat alcohol problems, many of which aim to alter the short¬ or long¬ term effects of alcohol by either interfering with or imitating the actions of key neurotransmitters. Scientists still are seeking to understand the details of how some of these medications work in the brain, but studies suggest that, in some people, they can be helpful in treating alcoholism and its consequences. New Strategies for Studying Alcohol and the Brain Powerful imaging methods now allow researchers to study how alcohol affects different brain systems and structures. Some of these methods include positron emission tomography (PET), event-¬related

potentials (ERPs), and magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRI/MRS).

These methods are especially useful because they allow researchers to see, in real-time, how alcohol changes the human brain. These imaging techniques—when used with alcoholics, nonalcoholics, and children of alcoholics— may help identify genetic risk factors for alcoholism. PET is being used to track the changes that alcohol use causes in specific neurotransmitter systems—changes

Hepatic encephalopathy can cause changes in sleep patterns, mood, and personality; psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression; severe cognitive effects such as shortened attention span; and problems with coordination such as flapping or shaking of the hands (called asterixis).

that may be the cause of alcohol’s short¬-term pleasurable effects (i.e., intoxication) and long¬-term detrimental effects (i.e., alcohol dependence) on people.

Are Women More Vulnerable to Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain?

Studies comparing men and women’s sensitivity to alcohol-induced brain damage, however, have not been as conclusive but women are more vulnerable than men to many of the medical consequences of alcohol use. Alcoholic women develop cirrhosis alcohol-induced damage of the heart muscle (i.e., cardiomyopathy) and nerve damage (i.e., peripheral neuropathy) after fewer years of heavy drinking than do alcoholic men.

Using imaging with computerized tomography, two studies compared brain shrinkage, a common indicator of brain damage, in alcoholic men and women and reported that male and female alcoholics both showed significantly greater brain shrinkage than control subjects.

Studies also showed that both men and women have similar learning and memory problems as a result of heavy drinking. The difference is that alcoholic women reported that they had been drinking excessively for only about half as long as the alcoholic men in these studies. This indicates that women’s brains, like their other organs, are more vulnerable to alcoholinduced damage than men’s.

Conclusion

Alcoholics are not all alike.

They experience different degrees of impairment, and the disease has different origins for different people. Consequently, researchers have not found conclusive evidence that any one variable is solely responsible for the brain deficits found in alcoholics. Characterizing what makes some alcoholics vulnerable to brain damage whereas others do not remain the subject of active research.

The good news is that most alcoholics with cognitive impairment show at least some improvement in brain structure and functioning within a year of abstinence, though some people take much longer. Clinicians must consider a variety of treatment methods to help people stop drinking and to recover from alcohol-related brain impairments, and tailor these treatments to the individual patient.

Clinicians can use brain–imaging techniques to monitor the course and success of treatment because imaging can reveal structural, functional, and biochemical changes in living patients over time. Promising new medications also are in the early stages of development, as researchers strive to design therapies that can help prevent alcohol’s harmful effects and promote the growth of new brain cells to take the place of those that have been damaged by alcohol

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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.

It is important to understand the various components of the salary income so as to take benefit of various exemptions applicable and available to them. In addition to the exemptions, assesses are eligible to claim various deductions based on the investment and other spending made during the relevant previous year.

I

t’s that time of the year when there is an unnecessary flurry and hype about filing tax returns. It is also that time of the year when the bosses who manage the portal of the Income-Tax Department are invariably hauled up by the Government, which adds to the frenzy in the media. Year after year, the same drama continues -- To extend or not to extend the due date. Well, the Government has now extended the date for filing tax returns for individual taxpayers from 30 September 2021 to 31 December 2021 vide Press Release dated 09.09.2021.

Moving on, it is not surprising that the salaried class forms the major chunk of the overall taxpayers in our country and the contribution they make to the tax collection of the exchequer is significantly high. Even though the income tax-related formalities of

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this category of taxpayers are often taken care of by their employers by way of deduction of tax from their salaries and by the filing of returns (in certain cases), there are always questions asked about the basics of return filing, various deductions, and exemptions and benefits available to them; and often these are not availed owing to sheer ignorance. In order to accelerate the income tax return filing of such class, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had also introduced a bulk filing facility to certain eligible employers for their employees.

New Tax Regime

Beginning with the current financial year ended 31 March 2021, the Government has introduced a new tax regime, wherein every individual has the option to either continue with the existing personal tax rates by availing deductions/ exemptions (referred to as “the old

What You Need to Keep in Mind While Filing Tax Returns regime”) or to opt for the newly introduced personal tax regime WITHOUT any deduction/exemption (referred to as “the new regime”). In our view, the new tax regime appears to be a subterfuge as deductions/exemptions would

need to be forgone.

To expound further, a closer comparative analysis is highly recommended before opting for the new regime as the total tax outflow can vary at different levels of income. Taxpayers who are

opting for the new tax regime are expected to choose and declare the same while filing the tax return for the said financial year.

An illustrative comparative statement for better understanding is given below:

Particulars

Old Regime with Deductions

New Regime

Old Regime with Deductions

New Regime

Income

15,00,000

15,00,000

30,00,000

30,00,000

Less - Exemptions/ Deductions

200,000 [80C & 8CCD (1b)]

Nil

4 Lakhs [Std Ded, 80C & 8CCD (1b) Sec 24]

Nil

Taxable Income

13,00,000

15,00,000

26,00,000

30,00,000

Total Tax

2,02,500

1,87,500

5,92,500

6,37,500

In short, as apparent, one should do a cost-benefit analysis and then determine the regime to be governed by.

What Constitutes Salary?

Even though the term ‘Salary’ in normal parlance constitutes the remuneration paid by an employer to his employees, for income tax purposes, salary covers a wide set of incomes which includes wages, annuity or pension, gratuity, any fees or commission, perquisite or profit in lieu of or in addition to any salary or wages, advance salary, leave encashment, employer’s contribution to Provident Fund in excess of 12% of salary, contribution by the employer or Government under the Pension

Scheme under Sec 80CCD, etc.

Deductions and Exemptions

It is important to understand the various components of the salary income so as to take benefit of various exemptions applicable and available to them. In addition to the exemptions, assesses are eligible to claim various deductions based on the investment and other spending made during the relevant previous year. This part of the article tries to capture some of the common exemptions and deductions available to the salaried class so as to enable the proper planning and optimize the tax outflow. This would be relevant for individuals who choose to be governed by the old tax regime.

Component Wise Exemptions (Illustrative):

• House Rent Allowance (‘HRA’): Benefit of exemption of the HRA is available to those salaried individuals who have availed of rented accommodation. There are limits prescribed on the maximum HRA that can be claimed as an exemption. Further, if an assessee does not receive HRA, but pays rent, he could consider availing a deduction under section 80GG of the Act, up to a maximum of INR 5,000 per month.

• L eave Travel Allowance (‘LTC’): On the family travels on the actual amount spent on travel subject to conditions. Due to Covid-19, cash allowance in lieu of travel con-

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FINANCE cession is exempted for AY 2021-22 subject to conditions.

• Food Coupons: Food coupons are not taxed, subject to limits.

• Children’s Education Allowance: INR 1200 per annum per child for two children.

Deductions (Illustrative):

In addition to the exemptions, the following deductions are available to the salaried class: • Standard Deduction: Deduction available to the salaried class irrespective of any spend or proof available, brought into effect from AY 2019-20. The current Standard deduction available is INR 50,000 p.a.

• Deductions available under Chapter VIA – It may be noted that investment in the listed options

Other Deductions:

Interest on Home Loan: Available under the head ‘Income from

House Property’ –- Maximum INR 2 lakh & additional INR 50,000 under Section 80EE, subject to fulfillment of certain conditions. Medical Insurance Premium –- maximum of INR 1 lakh Medical expenses of INR 40,000 and 1 lakh for senior citizens Deduction on eligible donations Interest on savings – Maximum INR 10,000

Income Tax Return and Other Forms

The Form of Income Tax Return applicable to an individual with salary income is decided by the various heads of income such person has earned during the previous year. Return forms applicable to Individuals with income from salaries are:

ITR-1 (Sahaj) ITR-2

Total income <INR 50 lakh (not suitable for certain taxpayers) Where ITR 1 is not suitable + No business income

ITR-3

Where ITR 1,2 &4 are not suitable + Business income

ITR-4 (Sugam)

For Resident other than Not Ordinarily Resident.

A few other statutory declarations/forms a salaried person should be familiar with whilst filing his tax return are as follows: • Form 12BB: This is a statement provided by an employee to his employer on the details related to HRA, LTC, Deduction of Interest on a home loan, Tax Saving Claims/ Deductions on eligible payments, or investments for the purpose of calculating the Tax to be Deducted at Source.

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helps in proper tax planning. Deductions under sections 80C/80CCC, which has an overall cap of INR 1.5 lakh. The said sections cover investments in Provident Fund, payments towards life insurance premium, investments in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, National Saving Certificate, ULIP, tax saving FD for 5 years, infrastructure bonds, etc. Further, a deduction is also available on the principal repayment against a home loan. Pertinently, an additional deduction of INR 50,000 is available in respect of contributions to the New Pension Scheme. This is in addition to the limit of INR 150,000.

• Form 16: Certificate provided by the employer to the employees containing the details of the income of such person, deductions/exemptions, and Tax Deducted at Source for the purpose of Computing Tax Payable/Refundable.

• Form 26AS: This is a form that contains information related to taxpayers, which is available on the portal of the department. This statement usually captures details of taxes standing to the credit of the

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concerned assessee. In my experience, I have realised that many taxpayers do not undertake a periodic review of the taxes deducted by others and their related deposits, resulting in ‘double’ payment of taxes.

As I close, in the event of doubt, please do get professional advice.

One can’t but remember the phrase often attributed to the Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus, “Prevention is better than cure”

MOTIVATION

When a good business plan ‘guides’ you through each stage of business, the amount of passion you have for it ‘holds’ you through the end of it. Passion indeed is a fuel that keeps entrepreneurs going, n matter what. Even when an entrepreneur hits the rock bottom, it is his passion that lifts him to dust off, get up and try again.

Dolly Neena Dolly Neena 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.

KNOW YOUR PASSION “A true passion that burns within your soul is one that can never be put out.”

T

he more passionate the entrepreneur, the more likely they are to succeed.

One of the most important factors that you need to succeed in life is Passion. Having Passion and the fire at heart will fuel you on a longer run. As we know one of the most common pieces of advice given to aspiring entrepreneurs is to follow their passion. It is because when you have a genuine passion for what you do, it’d help you climb the hurdles with the same passion. In business and life, passion is what gets you going. Things that you are passionate about, are really your true calling!

There are many out there who’d like to ditch a 9 to 5 job, or people who want to be their own bosses and those who say “I want to follow my passion”. These become the entrepreneur lot. Some people see

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another’s success, and decide to pick that trade up. Before you start any business, one quintessential question you need to ask yourself is – Do you have enough passion to succeed in this? “What’s your passion... What makes you happy?”

These are common questions we ask ourselves at different stages of life.

When you start a business, or when you plan to diversify, it is important then to ask yourself this question – why are you planning this? Do you have enough passion to carry this through? Are you going to love what you’re planning to do? Skills and knowledge are definitely one thing that you need to succeed. Another step should be planning. Business plans are not only about money – It’s the entire business/company profile, the market research, marketing/promotional plans, vision/mission, goal setting, operational/administrational strategies, man-management, and a lot more. Operating without a business plan is never a good idea. When

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you run a business, there will be a lot of expected and unexpected challenges an entrepreneur must face.

Growing your business as per your expectations is complicated. Until a sense of stability is met, a series and repetition of challenges are bound to be confronted with. Handling the intricate systems and processes, to parallel with the market competition, managing effective employees, coping with contingency situations, motivating self n others, sustaining productivity, ensuring performance, employing training, and keeping up with innovations – a business life requires herculean efforts to be fought with. This is where the importance of passion comes into the picture.

If the sole goal was to make money while starting a business, these challenges can cripple you and you might find yourself running away from the monstrous clutches of entrepreneurial problems if you do not have enough passion in your heart for it.

Passion is undoubtedly the most significant component that helps a business person excel in business.

If you really feel unexplainably passionate about something and want to pursue it, I’d suggest you should definitely follow your gut feeling.

When a good business plan ‘guides’ you through each stage of business, the amount of passion you have for it ‘holds’ you through the end of it.

Passion indeed is a fuel that keeps

entrepreneurs going, no matter what. Even when an entrepreneur hits the rock bottom, it is his passion that lifts him to dust off, get up and try again. It could be the passion to help others, passion to invent, develop a product/service, maybe a passion to lead or to be founding, a passion to be known for this – the reason can be anything. However, you need to have that burning desire in you! An entrepreneur, then,

should be able to share this passion with the rest of the team.

When you are in business, stress, and challenges can bring about negative emotions in you. It might discourage you from going further ahead. But Passion drives you and builds a positive attitude in you, which in turn strengthens you to overcome obstacles. You have a renewed energy in doing things and succeeding. It has a direct significant

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MOTIVATION effect on your performance psychology. For a tenacious entrepreneur who is set out to make the impossible happen, it’s all about making his dreams a reality. Passion catalyzes you to work relentlessly and convert the unreal to the real. When your mind is positively optimistic, the chances of winning are extremely high. Passions draw people onto you as well. It brings a sparkle to your eyes when you talk about your line of work. It helps in your sales. If your client sees no passion in you, it is very likely that they won’t go for your product or services. It is your passion for what you do that draws people’s attention towards you, your company, and your services. It makes you more attractive to your investors; they know a passionate individual never gives up on his dreams. When you have passion, it encourages you to innovate – to develop the qual-

42

ity of what you’re offering. Passion helps you overcome fear – Most of us are reluctant to take the risk out of the fear of failure. When your passion is intensified high, it diminishes the fear in you and helps you take that big leap of faith.

There is a high possibility that when you have passion, you avoid shortcuts and hazardous routes. Your loyal customers will realize that you are not in this business desperate to make money, but because you love it.

It shows your integrity. Passion enhances integrity. Integrity will help you stay in business, develop highquality services and products, and keeps you on track despite the hurdles, and thus ensuring your longerterm success. Your passion will help you stay in the game. It is your belief in that particular thing that you reflect when you are passionate about it. Richard Branson says, “When

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you believe in something the force of your convictions will spark other people’s interest and motivate them to help you achieve your goals. This is essential to success." Passion won’t make you feel you’re slogging – but you will be happy doing the tasks and chores without complaints or regrets. Sometimes, at work, you’ll need to make compromises/ adjustments/ sacrifices in order to succeed 0 for eg, you might not be able to find more time to party in the initial developing stages of your business.

But it is your Passion for business that helps you do amendments in order to survive, develop, sustain and excel. Persistence and Passion go hand in hand. It is because of your undying intensity of dreams, that you want to try once again. It is that persistence that lets you win one day for sure. With true passion at heart, you are a real winner!

GADGETS

Apple iPhone 13

Rs. 79,900 (Approximately)

iOS v15

6.1 inches (15.49 cm) Display

12 MP + 12 MP Primary Cameras

12 MP Front Camera

4 GB RAM

256 GB Internal Storage

3227 mAh Battery Capacity

Realme C25Y

Rs 13,999 (Approximately) Android v11 6.5 inches (16.51 cm) Display 50 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP Primary Cameras 32 MP Front Camera 4 GB RAM 128 GB Internal Storage 5000 mAh Battery Capacity

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Vivo X70 Pro Plus

Rs 79,990 (Approximately) Android v11 6.78 inches (17.22 cm) Display 50 MP + 48 MP + 12 MP +

8 MP Primary Cameras 8 MP Front Camera 12 GB RAM 256 GB Internal Storage 4500 mAh Battery Capacity

Realme 8i

Rs 12,999 (Approximately) Android v11 6.6 inches (16.76 cm) Display 50 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP Primary Cameras 16 MP Front Camera 4 GB RAM 64 GB Internal Storage 5000 mAh Battery Capacity

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BEAUTY

Stay Young and Rejuvenate Naturally

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remature aging is more of a problem than aging. Today's diet and lifestyle are leading us to the problem of premature aging. Over time, our body begins to show signs of aging. Wrinkles, dark spots, and dry skin may appear. But the physical difficulties of old age can be prevented to some extent by diet.

The cells in the body are regenerated every day. This would not be possible without a healthy diet. Our skin needs plenty of water. Drinking 3-4 liters of water a day will keep the skin hydrated, soft, and clean, because water expels toxins. Eating a healthy diet will help us to avoid these symptoms. In addition, there are many nutritious fruits that nature has blessed us with. These are beneficial to our health and beauty issues to some extent. Here are some foods that can help prevent premature aging;

Dr. Elizabath Chacko, MD-Kalpana International

Mob: 9388618112

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Tomato

Tomatoes are a storehouse of nutrients and vitamins. Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, and Thiamine. It also contains potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, and protein. The water content of tomatoes is 95%. The other 5% is mainly carbohydrates and fiber. Tomatoes also contain a compound called lycopene, which smoothes the skin. A 2008 study found that tomatoes help reduce skin wrinkles.

Papaya

Papaya is a rich source of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, as well as vitamins E and C. Papaya, contains papain which is an active enzyme. It is found in almost all cosmetic products. The antioxidant properties of papaya protect the skin. Papaya, which is rich in water and fiber, can be included in the diet for those

who want to reduce obesity. Don't be afraid of gaining weight as you are low in calories. They also prevent the accumulation of fat in the body.

Strawberry

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C. So strawberries help to keep the skin hydrated and keep the skin always young. It also helps in fighting acne. Delicious strawberries are full of antioxidants. It is said to be good for digestion because it contains a lot of fiber. In addition, the inclusion of strawberries in the diet is beneficial for controlling blood pressure and hair growth. Strawberries can help prevent cancer because they contain antioxidants.

Olive Oil

The monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil help reduce skin wrinkles.

It acts as an antioxidant. Its antioxidants prevent premature aging.

Some research suggests that applying olive oil to the skin may help fight cancer-causing cells.

Stay Beautiful!

Be Healthy!

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TRAVELOGUE

Iceland is famed for its breathtaking landscapes, with over 10,000 of them featuring waterfalls. From the 3 metre (9 foot) tall Bruarfoss to the 240 metre Morsi Waterfall, there is something for everyone (787 foot). A visit to Iceland isn't complete without taking in these breathtaking sights.

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ESCAPE TO THE NOMADIC EDGE OF THE WORLD

ICELAND

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celand also known as the “The Land of Fire and Ice”, has some of Europe’s largest glaciers and some of the world’s most active volcanoes. The country's stunning glaciers, roaring waterfalls, and dramatic natural nighttime shows are just a few of the reasons why visitors go to the edge of the earth. There are numerous traits that distinguish this country.

One of the reasons for Iceland's beauty is that it has remained remarkably unaffected by human activity. Much of this country is unsuitable for human habitation: For example, the glacier Vatnajökull covers around 8% of Iceland's landmass. Also, putting a residence near the base of an active volcano is not a good idea!

As a result, Iceland's population density is around 8

persons per square mile (or 3 people per kilometre). The majority of Icelanders live in cities, as they do in many sparsely populated countries: Reykjavik is home to nearly a third of the country's population.

Iceland is one of the most interesting nature-oriented destinations to visit, despite the fact that the weather and seasons change dramatically

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TRAVELOGUE

throughout the year. As a result, there is incredible natural beauty to behold throughout the year. Summer brings the midnight sun, while winter brings the breathtaking Northern Lights; spring and autumn deliver everything in between.

Experiential opportunities that are offered in December may not be available in June, and vice versa. The midnight sun, watching puffins, generally higher temperatures, camping, and other activities are all available in June. December, on the other hand, delivers the Northern Lights, ice cave excursions, lovely holiday twinkling lights, and more. There is no single season that contains all of the adventure and relaxing activities. In every season, there is definitely something for everyone.

Icelandic has been spoken in Iceland since the country's settlement in the 9th century, and it has remained relatively unchanged since then. It was primarily the language spoken by the Nordic people throughout the Middle Ages in the Nordic countries, as well as in parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, including the Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, and the Hebrides, and parts of France and Russia, as well as as far south as Constantinople. Lithuanian, Portuguese, Filipino, Thai, and Latvian are among the other languages spoken in Iceland.

One of the Oldest Democracies in the World

Ancient Greek, Roman, and Icelandic democracies are examples of great democracies. Iceland has the world's oldest stillfunctioning parliament, which not everyone is aware of.

You will ultimately come to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park if you travel around the Golden Circle. Its breathtak-

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Iceland could very well be one of the top whale-watching destinations on the planet. In fact, Keiko from Free Willy, the whale-ultra-celeb, was taken in Iceland's Reyarfjörur Fjord. Keiko was a Killer Whale, but there are roughly eleven other species that can be seen all year. ing scenery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is significant not only because the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates collide here, but also because of its historical significance.

Known to be the Safest Country in the World

You may already be aware of this, but it's worth mentioning again and again.

You don't have to be concerned about violent crimes in Iceland. This is due to the fact that the country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

It has led the list of safest countries for almost a decade. Also, did you know that Iceland is the only NATO member without a standing army?

This is due to a number of causes, including a higher sense of equality among the populace, which is aided by the town's modest size of just over 333,000 people. There's a sense that everyone knows each other, which must increase mutual trust.

Spend Night in a Farm House

Spending a night in one of Iceland's many farm-stays is another excellent opportunity to gain a true sense of the country's culture. A large number of farms give travellers bed and breakfast accommodations. From simple shared rooms to individual huts and cottages, farm stays provide something for everyone. It's also worth noting that food derived from the surrounding area is generally always available.

Many farms now provide horseback riding excursions and guided hikes, with some even allowing you to participate in farm activities. Remember that booking a farm vacation in advance is always a good idea, especially if you want to get the best deal on lodging.

See the Northern Lights

One of the most compelling reasons to visit Iceland in the winter is to see the Northern Lights. From late September to

early April, you may view them across much of the country on a clear night. It's crucial to realise, though, that seeing them is never a guarantee because they're a natural phenomena.

If you want to see the Northern Lights, plan on spending at least a couple of days in the country. It's best to travel as far as possible outside of the city limits: The glowing lights will appear more brightly if there is less light pollution.

The Northern Lights may be seen from Pingvellir National Park, which is noted for its stunning views.

Whale Watching

Iceland could very well be one of the top whale-watching destinations on the planet. In fact, Keiko from Free Willy, the whale-ultra-celeb, was taken in Iceland's Reyarfjörur Fjord. Keiko was a Killer Whale, but there are roughly eleven other species that can be seen all year.

Although whales may be

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TRAVELOGUE seen all along the coast, there are three spectacular spots where whale watching cruises can be taken.

Húsavík is Iceland's most popular whale-watching spot. The population of this small village is only 182, and it is surrounded by rolling green hills. Make a point of visiting the Whale Museum while you're there.

Eyjafjörur is Iceland's longest fjord, and Reykjavik, the capital, has a cheerful, vibrant atmosphere.

Whales can be seen in Iceland at any time of year, but the best time to watch them is during the summer (June-September), when the warm oceans are teeming with krill and fish. June to August is the busiest

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season, so make your reservations early.

Gaze in Awe at the Many Waterfalls

Iceland is famed for its breathtaking landscapes, with over 10,000 of them featuring waterfalls. From the 3 metre (9 foot) tall Bruarfoss to the 240 metre Morsi Waterfall, there is something for everyone (787 foot). A visit to Iceland isn't complete without taking in these breathtaking sights.

Skogafoss waterfall, with its vibrant green banks, may be familiar to you from the Walter Mitty film.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall has a watery curtain behind which you can peek

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to see what secrets it holds, whereas Gullfoss is a massive classic twotiered waterfall.

Want to See More? Get Packing!

Iceland's wildness is unique in that it is usually untouched and unspoiled. It is our collective responsibility as Icelanders and visitors to do everything we can to keep it that way.

During your travel to Iceland, be mindful of Mother Nature. Always stay on authorised trails, do not cross ropes, camp in designated campgrounds, and pack out your waste.

As a result, future generations will be able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Iceland's island!

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.

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The styling is an evolution of the XUV500 and it looks a lot better in the flesh than in the pics. The lines are cleaner, the multi-layer rear wheel arches are gone and the horizontal cheetah paw door handles make way for flush-fitting ones that are more aerodynamic.

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f someone were to ask me if India has finally caught up with the rest of the world in terms of our car-building skills, this is what I would show them. The XUV700 is not just the best Mahindra to date but is up there with the global cars in terms of space, performance, features, tech, dynamics, safety, etc. But if you factor in our taxes and then consider the base model pricing, then it’s better than anything the world market can come up with!

The name may be confusing to some, but the XUV 700 is

actually the next-gen XUV500 with a lot of improvements and a lot more tech built into it.

The styling is an evolution of the XUV500 and it looks a lot better in the flesh than in the pics. The lines are cleaner, the multi-layer rear wheel arches are gone and the horizontal cheetah paw door handles make way for flush-fitting ones that are more aerodynamic. But certain elements like the grille and C-shaped headlamps could do with a more minimalist design.

This is the first car to have the new Mahindra SUV logo that

Mahindra XUV700

sits well in the diverging grille. The car has a muscular look at the front and flows well to the rear with a notable rise at the C pillar. The rear looks good with the plastic tail gate’s multiple creases and all. The wheels are 18 inches but they don’t show their size with those arches. The door handles may look like a novelty item at first, but they are fiddly to use in anything but the top-spec models. You have to manually push it to pop and then pull it to open the door. It gets worse in the base models where you have to take out the remote key and unlock the car first.

Step inside and the XUV700 gets

more appealing. The dashboard is a clean design with a big horizontal tablet-style unit making up the top part. It comprises of two 10.25 inch screens – one for the driver info and the other for the infotainment. The display clarity is good, the layouts and colours are fantastic and it is incredibly customizable. There are several functions built into it, most of which can put some very expensive cars to shame. There is the usual Apple Car Play and Android Auto, Alexa, local apps like Just Dial, Zomato, and lots of radar-based driving features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto Emergency Braking,

Lane Departure warning, etc. It also has a 12 speaker Sony audio system hooked on it that sounds incredible.

On the downside, the software needs a bit more refining as there are illogically laid out menus and sometimes an entire sub-menu dedicated to just one function. Mahindra said they would have this fixed before it goes into production.

The rest of the dashboard is well made, with decent ergonomics and everything feeling well put together.

The steering wheel is nice to hold and despite the car being so big, it feels cozy at the front. Plastic quality is average, with the leather-covered

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AUTO REVIEW

trim lifting the quality feel and the wood trim on the door pads bringing it down. The switches for the driver seat controls are on this trim, in Mercedes fashion. The two-zone aircon controls are from the XUV500 and there is an array of toggle buttons for essential functions. The front seats are the right size, have the perfect cushioning and side bolster support.

It also has a function where it slides back for easy entry/exit and adjusts itself back to the last position when you close the door – like on a German car. The middle row seats are another XUV highlight and this one has good room and a perfectly reclining backrest. The seat is wide and the support is good. The thirdrow seats are accessed by tumbling the middle seat forward and are best suited for children. There is very little boot space with all three rows in place and it is sensible to buy the five-seater variant or keep the thirdrow seats folded down unless you really need them.

The XUV700 comes with either a 2.0 litre petrol and 2.2 litre diesel option, both of which can be had with a 6-speed manual or torque convertor automatic. The 2.0litre turbo petrol is the same M

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Stallion engine we first saw in the petrol Thar, but instead of making 150bhp, it produces a staggering 197bhp here. It is easily the fastest car in its class clocking 0-100kmph in 9.3 seconds and petrolheads will love it. Power comes in about 1500rpm and it pulls well till just under 5000rpm. It is smooth and quite torquey and when paired with the 6-speed automatic, quite easy to drive. The downside is, with nearly

The car has a muscular look at the front and flows well to the rear with a notable rise at the C pillar. The rear looks good with the plastic tail gate’s multiple creases and all. The wheels are 18 inches but they don’t show their size with those arches.

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two tonnes of the car around it, it’s not very fuel-efficient.

The 2.2 litre M Hawk diesel is a pretty decent allrounder as well.

It is very refined for diesel and with 185bhp, it is still fast too. The diesel manual does 0-100kmph in around 10.1 seconds. There are three power modes – Zip, Zap, and Zoom which sounds like they were designed by a six-year-old. There is a noticeable difference in each with Zip cutting down power to 155bhp, the Zap giving you the full 185 bhp, and Zoom giving you better throttle responses along with it. The gearshifts in the manual are not all that slick, but it is perfectly short geared to drive around in town.

The XUV700 has seen a lot of work go into its suspension. It has frequency-selective dampers (much like in the Jeep Compass) which give a smooth ride at slow speeds while remaining stiff for good handling. The steering feel is decent, it changes direction and grips well for a big SUV. The high-speed stability was great when we drove it near its 200kmph top speed at the Mahindra test track. The ride quality isn’t perfect but is way better than it was in the XUV500. The ADAS systems

AUTO REVIEW

seem to work well in the XUV700 with adaptive cruise control being the most notable addition. It lets you maintain a fixed distance from the car in front so when it slows down and stops, you do the same, and when it speeds up you speed up. This is particularly handy in stop-and-go traffic conditions.

The XUV700 is an SUV with lots of features, acres of space,

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advanced driver aids, competent engines, good ride and handling packed into it. There are automatics for those who want it and it even has an all-wheel-drive equipped variant on offer. The base model pricing was quite interesting when Mahindra announced they will start around the 12 lakh rupee mark. While the diesel base model diesel is a 155bhp detuned version, the

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petrol manual is still the full spec four-cylinder with 200bhp and 200kmph top speed. To give you an idea of its value proposition, most SUVs in that price range are sub-four meter compacts with tiny 3 cylinder turbo-petrol making about 120bhp max. Goes on to show how overpriced other manufacturer’s cars are but this Mahindra will certainly make them rethink their pricing

MOVIE REVIEW

Kaanekkaane

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aanekkaane is an Indian Malayalam-language thriller drama film written by Bobby and Sanjay and directed by Manu Ashokan.

The movie is about a father played by Suraj Venjaramoodu who finds some foul play in the hit-and-run death case of his daughter and is in search of the hidden truth of the accident. Tovino Thomas, Aishwarya Lakshmi, and Shruti Ramachandran are also seen in the movie playing pivotal roles. It portrays complex and real people with character flaws and even healing abilities but adds more layers to the complexities with regard to human bonds.

The movie is a battle between right and wrong.

Suraj steals the show with his portrayal of a heartbroken father in a gripping tale of a family held together by lies. In simple, this movie is a deeply involving drama set on a thriller background, with top-notch performances from all the actors especially Suraj Venjaramoodu.

Sunny

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unny is an Indian Malayalam language musical drama film written and directed by Ranjith Sankar. The plot revolves around a failed musician Sunny which is played by Jayasurya, who seeks solitude with his memories keeping him company. As he struggles to recover his confidence, composure, and his music, his family, friends, and colleagues flit in and out of his thoughts. The movie has captured all the emotions of a person in the present pandemic situation. It is an impactful film on the importance of taking mental health seriously. The film takes its time to acquaint us with Sunny's story, but the film's modest runtime works in its favour and keeps it interesting.

Nothing spectacular happens in the film, but some basic stories, when presented properly, can have a lasting impact, and Sunny is a wonderful example of this.

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Malignant

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alignant is an American horror film directed by James Wan, based on an original story by Wan, Ingrid Bisu, and Cooper. The film stars Annabelle Wallis as a woman who begins to have visions of people being murdered, only to realize the events are happening in real life. The movie is scary without the corny build-up music that keeps us attentive from start to end. The best part was how intelligently Wan delivered the shocking reality and the final twist. You never see it coming, and when it does, all you can do is appreciate the smartness in it. If you like horror genre films then this movie is definitely recommended because it just has its own uniqueness to it. The tension is maintained throughout the film as the action proceeds at a relentless pace. This movie guarantees to be a good horror thriller with a few twists and surprises.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

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hang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a 2021 American superhero film based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Shang-Chi. The story is about a martial arts master Shang-Chi confronting the past he thought he left behind when he's drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization. The amazingly choreographed fights will bring you to the edge of your seats and at the same time, you can't help but groove to the peppy background score. The movie being a little over 2 hours you don't feel like it's a drag nor does it feel rushed either. If you've never read any comics on Shang-Chi, this film really goes over who he is and his past as well as his father. This movie isn't only a must-watch, but a movie to give a tribute to martial arts culture for those who are true fans of it.

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BOOK REVIEW

Rock Paper scissors Author : Alice Feeney Price : ` 1,744 (hard cover)

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ock Paper scissors is a thriller novel written by Alice Feeney. The story is about a couple Mr. and Mrs. Wright, their ten years of marriage, ten years of secrets, and an anniversary they will never forget. Rock Paper Scissors delivers strong entertainment value, interpersonal secrets, and shocking twists, particularly well-suited for readers who tend to gravitate towards lighter suspense and stories about hidden agendas and secrets within a marriage. The use of Rock Paper Scissors appears throughout and in several clever ways especially at the end. Short chapters keep readers hooked throughout, and Feeney is a pro at juggling multiple points of view and perspectives without losing readers' attention. If you love domestic suspense then go for it.

Apples Never Fall Author : Liane Moriarty Price : ` 1,507 (hard cover)

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pples Never Fall penned by Liane Moriarty is a family mystery novel.

It is a family saga centering around the Delaney family. Joy Delaney, a beloved wife and mother of four has disappeared. Her adult children are extremely shocked, but they're reluctant to report her missing because they know the prime suspect will be their father, and they're not really sure of his innocence. When the police start asking questions, it quickly becomes clear everyone in the family has stories to tell and secrets to hide. And before it's all over, everything will be revealed. This seemingly simple tale of dysfunctional families and relationships, of people's flaws and the messiness of their lives, will hit the readers. It delves into family dynamics with disarming honesty and more than a little humour.

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The Night She Disappeared Author : Lisa Jewell Price : ` 1,299 (paperback)

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he Night She Disappeared is a mystery thriller written by Lisa Jewell.

The story revolves around the disappearance of a young woman and her boyfriend after partying at the massive country estate of a new college friend. One year later, Sophie Beck, a novelist moves into a cottage on the edge of the woods that border the same estate. While going for a long walk at the dense forest locally known as Dark Place she stumbles upon a mysterious note that simply reads, "DIG HERE."The story further unveils the mystery behind the clue. It offers up an enjoyable mix of capable writing, an intriguing premise, and relatively believable drama. If looking for a reasonable story with a couple of elements that move beyond the graded thriller, then this is the one for you.

Eight Perfect Hours Author : Lia Louis Price : ` 1,263 (Hardcover)

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ight Perfect Hours is a contemporary romance novel written by Lia Louis. The story is about two strangers who meet in varied circumstances during a blizzard and spend one perfect evening together, thinking they'll never see each other again. But fate seems to have different plans.

This is charming, funny, and well-written, with wonderful, vibrant characters and a story that will win your heart. It's just a wonderful story about two people growing into who they're meant to be leaving some aspects of the past behind, while also discovering how much other aspects have determined their future. This book is not only about finding the love of your life, it is about finding yourself, your life purpose, and recognizing your true potential in pursuing your dreams.

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EASY & BREEZY

WAIT BEFORE YOU PICK UP A QUARREL WITH THE WAITER

Sujit Chandra Kumar is an independent journalist who has earlier worked with leading publications for three decades

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ome time ago, before the second lockdown, I had a meeting with a non-resident Keralite at a five-star hotel in Kochi, along with a lady who was planning to be his business partner.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the hotel was operating with a skeleton workforce and a pared-down menu.

After the dining and discussion was over, the way the NRK behaved confirmed my suspicion that the person had a mean streak in him. He nearly shouted at the waiter for taking long to bring the cheque – actually, all of five minutes – and when the floor manager came rushing to check what was wrong, he complained further about the food on offer, the ambience and the service, all of which in his opinion left a lot to be desired.

The other day, a friend who runs a vegetarian restaurant told me how a guest turned angry and abusive when it took about 10 minutes for his dosa to arrive. While paying, he complained about the price too

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and even posted a random negative comment about the eatery in some of the social media groups where he is a member. The restaurateur, who was relieved that he could open his place to the public after the government lifted the restrictions, sounded crestfallen to the extent that he wondered if he was right in choosing his line of business! Only a yogi or a psychologist should venture into this line, he remarked, and I couldn’t spot any tinge of sarcasm in his tone.

He shared how a much-travelled celebrity once tossed the bill contemptuously because he was in a hurry to leave!

The hospitality business runs on the fuel called politeness... but when the staff greet guests respectfully, it has two kinds of effects on people. One group imbibe the humility instantly and behave nicely to the staff, enjoying the hospitality. The second group, on the other hand, turn arrogant and imagine themselves to be some elite class or nobility who deserve special treatment and start ordering the staff around. They do not stop this boorish behaviour till they leave the premises.

Just the same way the pandemic made corporates wiser about the benefits of remote work mode, even in fields where such a method was unthinkable till then, the ho-

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tel industry also needs to embrace the ‘self service’ practice. When dining was allowed only in open areas, many restaurants opted for this method to cut down on staff and customers complied without complaints. The restrictions to dine may have been lifted but nothing stops the customer from picking up his own glass of water or helping himself with filling his plate instead of shouting ‘waiter, waiter’ and waiting for him with irritation.

No need to tip anyone if you are doing the serving yourself but walk out as the gentleman who entered the premises.

The food business is a tricky one because it revolves around that amorphous and highly subjective feeling called ‘taste’. It is not easy to arrive at a common denominator and someone or the other would always end up ‘unsatisfied’. Besides, tasty dishes are unlikely to be all that healthy. The liberal use of certain sauces, hydrogenated vegetable oils, salt, sugar and ajinomoto is what brings that elusive quality called taste to what they dish out at the restaurants. So, next time you feel like creating a scene over bland food, think again if you want to consume tasty food or healthy stuff. Curb the temptation to give the poor waiter a mouthful by stuffing yourself with a large bite of whatever it is that you ordered

Printed On 09/ 10/ 2021

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