Issuu

Vol 8 Issue No.96 Oct-Nov 2019

Falling interest rates:

what can savers do? Falling interest rates:what can savers do? Shri V.P. Nandakumar, MD & CEO Manappuram Finance Ltd.

Dominica: The Nature Isle of the Caribbean

Dr. Sajimon Parayil: The Khadi Campaigner

Dr. Sajimon Parayil, The khadi man

Editorial

Chief Mentor Mr. V.P. Nandakumar Director & CEO Jebitha Ajit Editor Jebitha Ajit Legal Advisor Latha Anand e the change that you want to see B.S.Krishnan Associates in the world, says Gandhi. In this bskrishnanassociates@gmail.com 150th birth anniversary year of GanSub-Editor Vignesh S.G dhi, our cover story introduces Dr. SaAssociate Editor Ravi Saini jimon Parayil, a multifaceted business Rajeev Kumar magnate and fashion icon, who wants Director and special editor kollur to be a change by bringing Khadi back Correspondents Dr. Thomas Nechupadam to the limelight. He longs for a world where Khadi Vivek Venugopal- Quarter Mile plays a pivotal role. Amrutha V Kumar Creative Design PEGASUS Shri. V.P. Nandakumar, the Chiarman and Cover Photographer Ashique Hassan Managing Director of Manappuram Finance in Marketing UAE his regular column shares two happy news about Phygicart.com Manappuram. While the first one was the upgra P.O. Box: 92546, Al Karama Dubai dation in rating given by CRISIL to Manappuram Mr. Anish K Joy Finance and two of its subsidiaries (Ashirvad Mi Mob: +971528946999 crofinance and Manappuram Home Finance), the info@phygicart.com second one was the launch of Manappuram Home Plot No 19A, 9th Floor, Finance's maiden public issue of NCDs to raise up Green Building, Film City, to Rs.200 crores. Sector - 16A, Noida - 201301 Maharashtra In Auto, our expert team introduces Renault Jayasankar M, a/101, Triber, a compact MPV that can go places. Our New Prathamesh Niwas, travel writer introduces Dominica, the Nature Isle OPP. Laxmi Park, Thakurli East, of the Caribbean. Writings on beauty, stock market, Dombivli post, Thane District, 421201 gadgets, banking, movie review, book review and Mob: 9820708662 several other articles are waiting for your response. Hariharan As always, thanks for picking us up and we hope chennai, Mob: 9840018929 you enjoy the read! Unique Times, No.6/31, Arunachalam main road, Saligramam, Chennai â€“ 600093 Karnataka Paperback Publishing 3218/A, 6th C Main, Jebitha Ajit 13th Cross, HAL 2nd stage, Indiranagar Bengaluru 560038 Andhrapradesh PEGASUS Ph: 09288800999 Sunilkumar NN Your wing Dr. Susan S Sunny Director Ambalika Saikia, Ambalika_saikia@yahoo.com Shwetha Menon

Printed at St. Reddiar & Sons, P.B. No: 3627, Veekshanam Road, Cochin Published at Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd. L5-106, Changampuzha Nagar Kalamassery, Ernakulam-682 033 e-mail: editor@uniquetimes.org uniquetimesindia@gmail.com Ph:0484 2532040, 2532080 Mob:+91 98460 50283, 94470 50283

Cover Photograph Dr. Sajimon Parayil, The khadi man

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

CONTENTS

Falling interest rates: what can savers do?

Is the concept of EMPLOYEE LOYALTY obsolete?

Dr. Sajimon Parayil: The Khadi Campaigner

Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019-A few key aspects

Cervical spondylitis is on the rise

Gadgets

Recipes

Natural ways to smoothen hair

Dominica: The Nature Isle of the Caribbean

Renault Triber

UNIQUE DIARY

Trade Unions conduct strike against 100 per cent FDI in coal mining

‘one day’ strike has been organised in the mines of Coal India Ltd and Singareni Collieries Company Ltd, against the central government’s decision to allow nearly 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in the coal mining sector. As many as five unions, including the Indian National Mineworkers’ Federation, Hind Khadan Mazdoor Federation, Indian Mineworkers’ Federation, All India Central Council of Trade Unions and the All India Coal Workers’ Federation, have participated in the strike. Notably, under the banner of these unions, almost half-amillion workers of the aforesaid companies have participated in the strike to pressurise the government to withdraw its controversial decision.

WB FM Mitra cites structural changes as reason for economic slowdown

“The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.” Socrates

est Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra has cited the structural changes that the central government has recently brought in to the Indian economy as the reason for the slowdown of the economy of the country. In his argument, the minister has brought in the sensitive topics of the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax and the demonetisation of the highest denomination banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000. He has also named the collapse of IL&FS as another serious issue. The minister has blunted the ‘cyclical’ argument, with his assertion that the reason for the economic slowdown hinges to the structural changes in the economy.

October-November 2019

Corporate India welcomes Govt’s corporate tax cut

ost conglomerates have welcomed the central government’s decision to reduce the corporate tax to around 22 per cent. Many have called the decision as a perfect Diwali gift to the Indian corporate sector. As per the government’s new policy, the corporate tax has been reduced to less than 22 per cent. According to the same policy, the corporate tax for the new manufacturing companies registered after October 2019 have been brought down to around 15 per cent. The move is expected to give a fresh boost to the Indian economy, especially the Indian manufacturing sector – which urgently requires a fresh impetus.

Tax cut less likely to widen fiscal deficit: Niti Aayog

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." Thomas Edison

he tax cut that has been proposed recently by the central government is less likely to widen the fiscal deficit of the economy of the country, as per the opinion of the Niti Aayog. Recently, the central government has sharply reduced the corporate tax to less than 22 per cent. It has also introduced measures necessary to encourage the manufacturing sector of the country, especially the newest ones. The move is likely to bring growth in the Indian corporate sector. Meanwhile, the government is expected to face a revenue loss of Rs 1.45 lakh crore in this financial year alone due to the new move. The government, as per a report, expects to overcome the loss with the increased tax collection expected to happen due to the proposed growth in the Indian corporate sector.

October-November 2019

UNIQUE DIARY

Govt launches CHC app for farmers

he central government has launched the Custom Hiring Centres app to support the farmers of the country, and to help them make their land more productive and their work more easier. The CHC app will help farmers to connect with their nearest Custom Hiring Centres. It will enable them to access the latest farm technology available in the market, and to rent farm equipments easily. It will also help to keep the rent of farm equipments to the lowest level possible. Already, several CHCs have registered with the app. A user is only required to share his/her basic details like his/her phone number to join the app, and use the facilities it offers.

Opposition unhappy with economic slowdown

â€œ Always think outside the box and embrace opportunities that appear, wherever they might be.â€? Lakshmi Mittal

n the recent past, many opposition parties, including the Congress party, have come out strongly against the ruling BJP for the weak state of the Indian economy. Most have named the policies of the present government as the reason for the slowdown of the economy. The Congress party has even mocked some of the statements made by the ruling regime to explain the present state of the economy. As the country is going to witness some crucial assembly elections in the states like Maharashtra in the near future, the intensity of the opposition to the governmentâ€™s economic policies is likely to increase in the coming days.

October-November 2019

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BUSINESS

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

October-November 2019

Savers not only suffer from the lower interest earnings on their savings, they also face risk of loss of principal in case of a default. Ever since the IL&FS default about a year ago, we keep getting news about defaults by other NBFCs.

Falling interest rates: what can savers do?

he RBI looks all set to announce yet another reduction in policy rates on 4th October. Experts expect benchmark policy rates to go down to levels of 5 percent from the current rate of 5.4 percent. That would take the overall cuts in policy rates in the current cycle to over 150 basis points (one basis point is equivalent to one hundredth of a percentage point). Ever since RBI started cutting rates, the banks have been reducing the deposit rates, and even the long-standing interest rate of 4 percent on savings bank deposits was not spared. Most banks now offer less than 3 percent interest on saving deposits. Savers not only suffer from the lower interest earnings on their savings, they also face risk of loss of principal in case of a default. Ever since the IL&FS default about a year ago, we keep getting news about defaults by other NBFCs. However, what is most worrying is when established savings institutions where retail savers keep their deposits (like PMC Bank) get into trouble.

Recently, CRISIL in its report on the credit rating transition in India highlighted that credit rating downgrades have significantly worsened in recent days. Indeed, Manappuram Finance and two of its subsidiaries (Asirvad Microfinance and Manappuram Home Finance) were the only NBFCs to receive an upgrade in their credit rating by CRISIL in the September quarter. This rating upgrade by CRISIL, arguably the most conservative rating agency in India, and in such a difficult environment, is a reaffirmation of our credit profile and our low risk business model. Nearly two-thirds of the business of Manappuram Finance comes from gold loans. By design and structure, the gold loan business is low-risk.

NCD Issue by Manappuram Home Finance

Manappuram Home finance focusses on providing affordable housing finance for the economically weaker sections mainly in Tier II and Tier III cities and towns in India. In an environment where investors are frantically searching for suitable investment opportuni-

ties that would combine safety with reasonable returns, Manappuram Home Finance has now launched its maiden public issue of NCDs to raise up to `200 crores at very attractive rates of interest. The NCD issue offers several worthwhile investment options: for example, the five year, monthly interest option offers depositors an effective yield of 10.75 percent. Further, there are monthly, annual and cumulative interest options with tenure of 3 and 5 years, including one cumulative option to double your investment in just 2500 days! The NCD offering by Manappuram Home Finance is rated AA-; Stable by CARE. The rating indicates high degree of safety regarding timely servicing of financial obligations with very low credit risk. It has been well said that opportunity rarely knocks twice. The NCD issue of Manappuram Home Finance is indeed the best opportunity to lock into the high rates offered by a highly rated company backed by a strong parent. For Indiaâ€™s retail investors, the time to act is nowď Ź

October-November 2019

BUSINESS

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

Today, even when an analyst sees economic instability, political uncertainties, currency fluctuations, can one ignore the surge of opportunities in these geographies? You can ignore it only at your peril.

Is the concept of EMPLOYEE LOYALTY obsolete?

e are increasingly ‘on the move’ or so the data says. From the average one-job-lifetime, we have officially reached the stage of ‘11- 60’. It denotes a recent research in the EMEIA region which pegged that an average professional starting her career after 2010 will change at least 11 jobs by the time she hangs her boots by sixty. Of course, the larger question is the fact that this number of changes is changing as the years go by, and the research now modifies the number to 14. Also, contentious is the fact of the ‘sixty year exit gate’ since most professionals today continue working, ‘consulting’ and advising till the age of seventy. With change being the norm, is the concept of employee loyalty even worth debating? A short answer – Yes, employee engagement and loyalty are equally important today if not more. When I started my career with Tata Motors two decades ago, we went through an elaborate two year training period before being assigned higher operational responsibilities. A significant number of engineers quit in the first three years – mostly to pursue a management qualification or a post-graduation from a university abroad. Ratan Tata, during those days, famously quoted that he was not afraid and annoyed with this higher attrition. He strongly advocated that each of these young engineers will become brand ambassadors of the Tatas for many years to come and also perhaps find their way back to the group. True, many of us have continued on and built careers in different industries but the fondness for the Tatas still remain. It is not the length of the stay any more but the qual-

October-November 2019

ity of stay. Let me elucidate with the popular railway journey analogy. If you consider an organisation’s lifecycle as a long railway journey, there are many stops in the between. There will be passengers who disembark and there will be new faces to board and join the journey. It is never to worry about the length of their presence in the train. But, the key is to make the journey memorable. You can’t make them travel to destinations beyond their interest but you can leave them with lovely memories of the journey. It is also the winter of change around the world. What is stable today will develop fractures tomorrow. We are still looking to differentiate between the headlines and trendlines. Out performance indices this

quarter has no relation with what we will accomplish tomorrow. Classic example of this is the emerging markets across the world. Today, even when an analyst sees economic instability, political uncertainties, currency fluctuations, can one ignore the surge of opportunities in these geographies? You can ignore it only at your peril. This kind of change has also redefined the meaning of stability for the employee. She begins to look at the optimal way to swim the tide – when to float, when to steer, when to go deeper. There is nothing wrong in that. After all we want our best teams to display the courage to take risks and look at long term when you still have short term pressures. People will move on. In recent times,

October-November 2019

many companies have higher engagement with their ‘alumni’ group. Most employees keep the bridges intact and the network alive. For the organisations, the need for employee engagement has never been more important. Engaged employees make great partners in the future. For the employee, it is OK to look at wider opportunities and seek more challenging opportunities. The fine balance is to look for is the ability to have an ‘engaged life’. Make the right choices, spend time with your near and dear ones, take a pause to smell the mornings, waft through lovely books, and enjoy the little pleasures around you. Afterall, you still want your obituary to look better than your resume! What emerges now is the need to look at

competencies and learning rather than loyalty. The repositories of knowledge defy the imagination of pundits let alone students. Looking at the history of civilization can itself engage a perceptive mind for years and years of learning management. The conquests of Alexander, military acumen of Napoleon, Chinese war strategies (Art of war by SunTzu) are still today the favourites of management students. Afterall, its war out there at the market place. The artillery may be different but the scenario is still the same. â€?Obliterate the competitionâ€?. Old religious scriptures are the best teachers of the quality of life and the moral responsibilities of man (or manager). Life and times of Emperor Ashoka teaches the concept of corporate citizenship, federalist governance, and society. But, the management lexicon

The changing landscape not only reiterates the point of picking up new skills, but also permanently erasing some business practices of the past.

October-November 2019

has also changed… Collaboration has become more popular than competition. With new technological advances, partnerships have become important. This is a whole new ball game. It has become increasingly clear that your charm is to not pave way for selective individualistic growth but the growth of an ecosystem around you. The key is to make the pie bigger than to increase your size of the pie. This means deep learning of not only what you are doing but also what others are doing. And, of course, the habits are changing. But, there are several facets of 'new habits' which has reconfirmed that the times are changing....  One of my close business friends addressing a public gathering lamented "Signing of cheques is fast becoming a rare activity"... While the humour in the statement hits you faster than the true meaning. These are the ominous signs of

times to come... Stinginess is in... There will be a lot of caution exercised by corporates while spending. The good times are around they say but this habit is here to say. So, the days of doing less with less have gone and now are days of doing more with less...  Methodologies and 'the way we do things' is changing faster than one can fathom... The regular terms like long term strategy and 5-year plan are no longer in use, and now the horizon decision making is smaller. So, what does that mean - getting back to the drawing board much more than often...  The last point also ushers in an allied new competence - ability to unlearn. The changing landscape not only reiterates the point of picking up new skills, but also permanently erasing some business practices of the past.  The 'how of doing things' has also changed. Ethics are good busi-

October-November 2019

ness practices are much more in conversation and for once most senior business heads urge their teams to walk the talk and constantly reinforce the need of following these practices. If one is doing or abetting the wrong things, he / she can be sure that the Damocles sword is much more closer to his / her head than it was couple of years ago. Luckily, a lot of rhetoric in the media speaks this language of straightforward deals. Quoting Subroto Bagchi in Professional - "Ethics is about doing the right things even when no one else is watching." I cannot imagine it be more succinctly put ... Or, what Narayana Murthy says - "Integrity is the softest pillow"... So, are we in for more learning and fun this year? I am sure we are. There will be more roads to cover and alleys to traverse. I touch the feet of Ganesha, and walk on...

October-November 2019

: il y a r a P n o im j a S Dr. r e n ig a p m a C i d a h The K

K On the other side, Sparas will be in the forefront of e-commerce trading. We will be opening new showrooms in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and, even, in Bahrain, apart from the one we have in Ernakulam. We deliver to almost all pin codes in India - thanks to our sales platforms in Flipkart and Amazon

hadi is very close to an Indian's heart. It still carries all the essences of the freedom movement of the country. The fabric is much revered, and is worn with passion across the subcontinent. Unfortunately, the industry is not doing well. The youth has long gone away from the Khadi clothing. But, not everybody is thinking so. Meet Dr. Sajimon Parayil, the multifaceted business magnate and fashion icon who is determined to bring Khadi back to the limelight. Sparas, one of the ventures he is spearheading, is a click and brick model to bring khadi available to your doorsteps. Dr. Sajimon Parayil also heads the Bits Group, which has presence all over the Middle-East, South Asia and Europe. He is now called the Khadi-man for all his efforts to uplift Khadi craftsman and bring this great fabric of our country back to the glory it had before. Unique Times in a short chat with Dr. Sajimon Parayil ponders more about his campaign for Khadi.

What do you think is the future of Khadi?

Khadi is a great piece of fabric. It is handwoven mostly by rural artisans. It

October-November 2019

is not very expensive. It is available everywhere. It is probably the most suitable fabric for the Indian subcontinent because it adapts to the climatic conditions – it stays cool in summer and gives us warmth when it's cold. I don’t think any other fabric in this world has a nationalistic flavour to it. Khadi clothing still receives a fair share of respect as it is always worn by prominent members of the society. I see a great future for Khadi, accepting the fact that the youth of the nation still keep khadi away except for festivals and ceremonies. It is certainly because the khadi has not evolved to cater to the needs of the younger generation. I expect more designer labels and brands to come out with a khadi line. Somehow, you

We are probably the first in private sector to campaign for khadi products, especially in a large scale. My dream is to make this exceptional piece of clothing available in the global market and make it real big. cannot stay away from this wonderful piece of fabric which also embodies the great traditions of this nation. This is exactly what I envisioned when I launched Sparas – to be in tandem with the demands of the consumer, especially youth who has the sort of purchasing power. It is a joy to see them wear the products of Sparas. I am committed to bring new

October-November 2019

designers and fashion labels to make them adopt khadi into their main product line.

How will Sparas change the game in this Khadi sector?

Well, we don’t want to be the game-changer here, but we want to show a different angle about its marketing. The khadi sector is a place where there is a lot of exploitation by middlemen. The handloom weavers who toil all the days get only peanuts. A mundu or a Veshti, which costs around 1800-2000 rupees in a retail showroom, will only get the weaver 180 rupees or so. This is one aspect where I want Sparas to be a gamechanger (if you can call it that way). Another aspect where Sparas is concentrating is to develop organic

products â€“ currently, our products use natural dyes and are produced in organic methods. Apart from all of these, the marketing has to be extraordinary to appease and woo customers. You also need to have a neat supply network to get the products delivered to the customer. Sparas.com is an online store, where customers can purchase our latest products and get them delivered to their doorstep. We are probably the first in private sector to campaign for khadi products, especially in a large scale. My dream is to make this exceptional piece of clothing available in the global market and make it real big.

How are you going to achieve this dream of making khadi available globally?

My first objective is to empower the artisans, especially the tribal people who can produce traditional designs in clothing and other related products. I like to make a self-sustainable village called a Khadi Gramam or a Khadi village where all kinds of artisans can showcase their talent and Sparas will market it globally. Probably, it's the only way these artisans can be paid fairly for their talent. We are organizing a workshop for artisans in Wayanad Kerala, where the recent floods have played havoc. We are associating with certain NGOs to make the workshop a huge success. Further, we will be conducting this workshops all over India to study and source products, and preserve Indiaâ€™s valuable artistic traditions in the hands of our artisans by sustaining them. On the other side, Sparas will be in the forefront of e-commerce trading. We will be opening new showrooms in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and, even, in Bahrain, apart from the one we have in Ernakulam. We deliver to almost all pin codes in India â€“ thanks to our sales plat-

October-November 2019

forms in Flipkart and Amazon.

How important is the Organic and Eco friendly process in the khadi sector?

Khadi is a product, which has its roots firm in the soil of this great country. We promote organic and eco -friendly business. Our products are packaged in jute bags or khadi cloth covers. No business can envision their future without opting to adopt sustainable practices. We are happy and proud that we are focusing on sustainable options right from the word go.

You are well known for your positive inputs to fashion industry. As a fashion icon, what do you think of Khadi?

I certainly believe that Khadi has a great future in the fashion industry. As I said before, this exceptional piece of fabric with all its nuances will be joy to work with for designers. I wish to organise a fashion show with prominent labels showcasing khadi.

Where do you think government support should come in?

Governments have been supporting khadi sector for a long time now, but, sadly, the sector is in shambles. Apart from a few success stories, we mostly hear about the misery of these artisans. Governments will

October-November 2019

have to promote khadi in schools, other educational institutions and offices. Sparas is a brand of the future, and Dr Sajimon Parayil is walking ahead of times. It is most sure that with his business expertise and stint in the fashion industry he will make khadi clothing in demand globally. India will need entrepreneurs like him to bring back the glory of all forgotten crafts and scientific expertise of this country to the forefrontď Ź

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FINANCE

Adv Sherry Samuel Oommen is a practising lawyer at High Court of Kerala who specialises in tax and Corporate Laws. Presently he heads the tax and corporate law practice of Nash Capital Partners. Apart from being a qualified lawyer, he is also a chartered accountant, cost accountant and a company secretary. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree and is reachable at sherryoommen@nashcp.com.

In a recent report by Credit Suisse, it is projected that over 100 companies with global sales of over USD 1 trillion that projects exports of USD 350-550 billion in exports will shift out of China which is â€œinevitable even if slowâ€?. It is quite likely that countries like India could be significant a beneficiary if suitably positioned.

Taxation Laws

(Amendment) Ordinance, 2019-A few key aspects

ith a view to tackle the recent economic slowdown, the Government has promulgated the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2019 on September 20, 2019, announcing key significant changes to corporate tax rates in the Income-tax Act, 1961. While existing domestic companies have been provided an option to pay tax at a concessional rate of 22% (excluding surcharge and applicable cess), new domestic companies set up on or after 1 October 2019, and commencing manufacturing before 31 March 2023, would have the option to pay tax at 15% (excluding surcharge and applicable cess). However, the reduced tax rates come with consequential surrender of specified deductions/incentives. No minimum alternate tax (MAT) would be applicable in either of these options. It may be noted that companies that do not opt for the concessional tax rates will continue to enjoy the benefit of such specified deductions/incentives, and where applicable, be

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subject to MAT at 15% (excluding surcharge and applicable cess).

HOW DOES THE ABOVE WORK?

1. For existing domestic companies Any existing domestic company, with effect from Financial 2019-20, has an option to pay tax at 22%, subject to the following conditions: • The total income of the said company would need to be computed without claiming prescribed deductions or set-off of loss; • In the event a company opts for availing the said reduced rates of taxation, the said option would need

to be exercised within the prescribed time for filing the return of income (ROI) under section 139(1) of the Act for the Financial Year (“FY”) 2019-20 or the subsequent FYs; • Once the option is exercised, such option cannot be withdrawn for the same FY or subsequent FYs. 2. For newly set-up domestic manufacturing companies Any domestic company which is incorporated on or after 1 October 2019, and commences production on or before 31 March 2023 has an option of paying tax at the rate of 15 percent (excluding surcharge and

cess), subject to the following conditions: • The total income is computed without claiming prescribed deductions or set-off of loss; • The said newly set up company should not be formed by the splitting up or reconstruction of a business already in existence; • Subject to a relaxation of 20 percent, the said new company does not use plant and machinery previously used for any purpose in India and no depreciation has been claimed on the same; • The said new company does not use any building previously used

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as a hotel or convention centre; • The said company is not engaged in any business other than the manufacture or production of an article or thing and research in relation to or distribution of such article or thing manufactured or produced by it; • As in the case of existing companies availing the benefit of the reduced rate of taxation at 22 percent, the total income of the said newly established manufacturing company would need to be computed without claiming prescribed deductions or set-off of loss. Further, a newly established company that opts for availing the said reduced rates of taxation, would need to exercise the said option within the prescribed time for filing the return of income (ROI) under section 139(1) of the Act for the FY 2019-20 or the subsequent FYs. Additionally, once the option is exercised, such option cannot be withdrawn for the same FY or subsequent FYs.

• Companies exercising the option of availing the reduced rate of taxation of 22 percent or 15 percent, have been excluded from the applicability of Minimum Alternate Tax (“MAT”). • For the purpose of determination of the liability towards advance tax, the applicable surcharge

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It is indeed welcome that the Government is seriously considering alternate ways of stimulating growth. The Press Release mentions that the total revenue foregone for the reduction in corporate tax rate and other relief is estimated at INR 1,45,000 crore.

rate on companies subjected to a reduced rate of 22 percent/15 percent respectively, shall be at 10 percent.

A FEW OTHER SIGNIFICANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The overall rate of tax under Minimum Alternate Tax has been reduced from 18.5 percent to 15 percent. • Tax on buy-back of shares (being shares listed on a recognised stock exchange), which was proposed in the Union Budget, would not be applicable for shares for which the public announcement was made before 5 July 2019. To expound further, buyback of shares refers to a company purchasing its own shares. When such purchase generates income for the company (because of an increased share price in comparison to the original issue price), the company is required to pay 20% tax on the income so generated. The Ordinance exempts certain listed companies from this re-

quirement. These are companies which made a public announcement regarding buy-back of shares before July 5, 2019 (as per the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Buy-back of Securities) Regulations, 2018. • The surcharge rate of 25%/37% introduced by the Finance (No.2) Act, 2019, shall not apply to capital gains arising on sale of equity share in a company or a unit of an equity-oriented fund or unit of business trust.

CONCLUSION

It is indeed welcome that the Government is seriously consid-

ering alternate ways of stimulating growth. The Press Release mentions that the total revenue foregone for the reduction in corporate tax rate and other relief is estimated at INR 1,45,000 crore. One would argue that the newly introduced rates of taxation has been announced with the objective of offering tax breaks to companies moving away from China as trade wars have now forced the world to rethink the supply chains. In a recent report by Credit Suisse, it is projected that over 100 companies with global sales of over USD 1 trillion that projects exports of USD 350-550

billion in exports will shift out of China which is “inevitable even if slow”. It is quite likely that countries like India could be significant a beneficiary if suitably positioned. Another notable amendment is the grandfathering of buyback of shares by listed companies as otherwise such companies would have a higher outflow than what was approved by the Board of Directors and the shareholders and in some instances securities transaction tax was also paid during the transition period from the issue of the Finance (No.2) Bill 2019 and its enactment

October-November 2019

MOTIVATION

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

THE EXECUTION KEY! G oals are an inevitable part of human life. Dreams gives you wings to soar high, and fuels you to strive ahead in life. When you have definite goals, it helps you to motivate yourself to a purpose, make action plans accordingly and proceed further ahead. Every goal has a minimum work threshold. You will have to strategize and work hard towards achieving those goals. Unless you put in the minimum required, you will fall far short from whatâ€™s planned. All of it, to achieve, will require a tremendous investment of money, effort and time. Every year, millions of entrepreneurs come up with great innovative ideas, but very few manage to succeed in getting it done in real. Many a times, people think they can implement a goal well enough without a concrete plan. Many spend hours on strategizing, but fails to

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As we know, many pursuits in life doesnâ€™t come as easy as we think it will. Sometimes, we see the road blockage; at times, we see a dead end or a bottleneck; sometimes, hurdles. Sometimes, we see that some people with more talent and skill are left far behind while some with less skills move ahead.

October-November 2019

follow it through. However, it is impossible to get a thing done before you outline a skeleton of action plans set for the journey ahead. However, it is also true that even if you have a solid foolproof strategy designed, still you struggle on the implementation process. They say that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Strategy is results; but without results nothing matters! Thus execution is clearly more important. As we know, many pursuits in life doesnâ€™t come as easy as we think it will. Sometimes, we see the road blockage; at times, we see a dead end or a bottleneck; sometimes, hurdles. Sometimes, we see that some people with more talent and skill

are left far behind while some with less skills move ahead. Itâ€™s mostly because of their hard work and executing abilities. You really donâ€™t have to be the best to be successful; you just need to be determined. You just need to have the persistence to keep trying. Competitions exists in every field of life, whether it be business or office. However, the idea is to keep improving; to steadily progress. The key is to write down definite goals on paper, and clearly jot down the action plans to follow it. Give strict deadlines for your goals with date attached. Most of the times at organizations we fail to reach the proposed targets. You need to be very clear

October-November 2019

about what you need to achieve. According to a survey done at FranklinCovey, they figured out that organizations fail at execution because:  85% of the employees do not know what are the important goals of the company  87% of the workers do not know what to do to achieve the goals  80% of the employees do not know or track their measures of success  72% of the workers are not held

If you have a bigger picture of the goal in hand and a clarity on the primary initiatives to be taken, it is easier to drill down the goals to smaller parts and execute it one by one

accountable for their results Hence, they brought about FranklinCovey’s 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX). “The framework helps companies translate strategy into action by cutting through the “whirlwind” of urgent activity to execute on the most important goals in the face of competing priorities and distractions. The 4DX approach has 4 main elements:

I. Focus on the wildly important goal – WIG

Narrow your focus by clearly identifying one Wildly Important Goal (WIG). And, define a “lag measure” that will indicate success and when it will happen. In the form of: “From X to Y by Z”. For example, “Lose 15 pounds by December 15th.”

II. Act on the lead measures (levers you can influence)

October-November 2019

Identify and track metrics that you can influence and directly act upon. Lead measures are things you can track daily or weekly, for example: “Work out 3 times this week”. Executing on the lead measures (working out) leads to achieving the lag measure (losing 15 pounds).

III. Keep a compelling/fun scoreboard (of lag & lead measures)

For example, put a 6-month timeline up on your wall and track your workouts and your weight. Either you “worked out 3 times this week” – or you didn’t. And, 6 months later, you’ve either lost 15 pounds – or you didn’t.

IV. Hold each other accountable (weekly reviews/ commitments)

This is a simple weekly meeting that highlights successes, analyzes failures, and course-corrects as necessary. For example, standing at the timeline on your wall and explaining to your 8-year old son why there are no checkmarks in the Workout column for the past week. If you have a bigger picture of the goal in hand and a clarity on

October-November 2019

the primary initiatives to be taken, it is easier to drill down the goals to smaller parts and execute it one by one. Setting smaller goals per big goal, and focusing on one or two goals at a time would help you be more productive. You need to have a thorough understanding between the Products, Markets, Capabilities/Skills that you possess and the specific Results you want. Set your priorities clear before you strategize. Utilise your time in analysing, assessing and collecting required data. Tracking the time that you spend to reach the first milestone is very important for you to figure out when you would reach the next â€“ also helps you make necessary changes in case needed. Identify and note down the patterns. Take help from outside or outsource of you need help in research. Delegates saves you a lot of time, in case assigned to the right party. Distill the strategies down to prioritized important points, and list out the urgents. Make sure you donâ€™t spend more time in planning and less in execution. Strike a balance to have the team fire on all four cylinders. Do not overuse time for meetings after meetings. Daily and weekly huddles and reviews are extremely helpful to revisit on your goals and the progress you have made in achieving those goals. Developing tracking systems to manage change would be potential. Track the issues down to the Root Cause Analysis, and uproot it. Reinforce the best practices so that it is repeated more often. Evaluate the strategy clearly, track the actions taken as per the plan, reprimand in case not done, appreciate and reward on proven progress and set new plans for the milestones ahead. Most importantly, focus on the given task, like there is no tomorrow. Happy Executing!ď€˝

October-November 2019

HEALTH

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

Cervical spondylitis is on the rise 1. Neck pain cases are increasing nowadays? Why? What can be the reasons?

The increase in neck pain cases is mainly due to the recent changes in the lifestyle, especially of the newer generation. Bad posturing and sedentary lifestyles are the main culprits. Spending so much time with a mobile, laptop or any electronic equipment with the neck in a bend posture causes so much strain on the neck muscles and led to spasm (text neck syndrome). Trying to relieve the spasm causes excess strain on the spine. This repeated activity will accelerate spine degeneration (Cervical spondylitis). The same occurs also with people spending so much time driving with neck in a fixed position. Also, sleeping on a soft sponge mattress, large pillow or

October-November 2019

sleeping in sitting position or any awkward posture (especially in a moving vehicle) can cause excess neck strain and, thus, pain. Moreover, due to the increasing sedentary lifestyle, neck muscles do not acquire the desired strength thus causing more strain on the spine. Earlier, cervical spondylitis was a disease of the elderly, but, recently due to increase in neck strain, degenerative changes starts much earlier and has even stated affecting teenagers

2. Which type of people or professional is more prone to this type of pain?

Professionals spending more time sedentary seated in front of a computer, long distance drivers, manual workers, construction workers and head loading workers, policemen and security officials carrying

heavy equipments, weight lifters, dentists, and surgeons are vulnerable to the said disease.

3. What are the life style modifications and Habits required to reduce future neck pain?

Human body is designed to maintain erect posture so maintain proper posture always. Sleep on our back on a firm mattress and use a small pillow or a cervical pillow. Never sleep in sitting position or any other compromised positions, especially when travelling. Position the computers/laptops we use at eye level to avoid neck bending. Donâ€™t forget to move your neck to both sides and up and down directions frequently in between computer work, driving or any other job. Practice neck ex-

ercises regularly to strengthen the muscles so that they can withstand more strain. Carry heavy weight (if required) evenly. Prevent jerky lifting of heavy weights. Avoid head-loading as far as possible.

4. What are the home remedies and treatment options available?

Proper understanding of the causative factor and avoiding them is very essential and the most important step in treatment. Proper rest and local appliable medications can be helpful in majority of cases. Oral medicines, like simple analgesics and muscle relaxants, may also be tried. Heat application, deep tissue massage, physiotherapy, ultrasound or electric stimulation can be helpful. Regular use of cervical pillow

can dramatically reduce the pain. If there is radicular or paraesthesia type symptoms in the arms and fingers, certain drugs may be given specifically. Once the pain subsides, proper exercises, yoga etc which help to stretch and strengthen the muscles can be done. Persistent or recurrent pain not subsiding with simple measures should be evaluated properly before planning further treatment. Certain alternative medicine therapists have the habit of offering treatment without properly evaluating the exact cause of pain which have resulted in catastrophic consequences. Surgery can be helpful is certain subset of problems like disc prolapse or severe degeneration not subsiding with medicine and other treatmentď Ź

October-November 2019

GADGETS

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

` 14, 090 (approximately) Android v9.0 (Pie) 6.53 inches Display 64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP Quad Primary Cameras 20 MP Secondary Camera 6 GB RAM 64 GB Internal Memory 256 GB Expandable Memory 4500 mAh Battery Capacity

Apple IPhone 11 Max

` 1, 34, 900 (approximately) Apple iOS v13.0 6.5 inches Display 12 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP Primary Cameras 10 MP Secondary Camera 4 GB RAM 64 GB Internal Memory 4100 mAh Battery Capacity

October-November 2019

Vivo V17

` 24, 990 (approximately) Android v9.0 (Pie) OS 6.39 inches Display 24 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP + 2 MP Primary Cameras 16 MP + 2 MP Secondary Cameras 6 GB RAM 128 GB Internal Memory 256 GB Expandable Memory 4000 mAh Battery Capacity

Gionee M11

` 13, 999 (approximately) Android v8.1 (Oreo) OS 6.21 inches Display 16 MP + 5 MP Primary Cameras 13 MP Secondary Camera 6 GB RAM 128 GB Internal Memory 256 GB Expandable Memory 5000 mAh Battery Capacity

October-November 2019

COOKERY

Toshma Biju

Kerala Style Egg Roast Ingredients

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Boiled Eggs – 6 nos Coconut Oil – 3 tablespoons Mustard Seeds – 1/2 teaspoon Chopped Onion – 3 cups Finely Chopped Ginger and Garlic - 1 teaspoon Green Chilly – 1 slit Curry Leaves – 1 sprig Turmeric Powder – 1/4 teaspoon Kashmiri Chilly Powder – 1.5 teaspoon Coriander Powder – 1 – 1.5 teaspoon Pepper Powder – 1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 – 1 teaspoon Chopped Tomato – 1 medium Salt – To Taste

October-November 2019

Method

Heat coconut oil in a wide non-stick pan over medium-high heat and splutter the mustard seeds. Add sliced onion and little salt. Saute until onion turns transparent. Add chopped ginger-garlic, green chilly, if using, and curry leaves. Continue to saute until onion turns golden; it takes about 10 minutes. Bring down the heat to low. Now, add all masala powders. Stir for a couple of minutes until their raw smell completely leaves and oil separates. Sprinkle a little water to avoid the masala powders from getting burnt. Next, add the chopped tomatoes and enough salt. Cook for 5 – 6 minutes until they get completely mashed up and oil separates. Add 1/4 cup hot water. Mix well and taste-check for salt. Now, add the egg halves. Mix them carefully with the masala. Cover with the lid and cook for one minute over very low heat.

Egg Potato Curry Ingredients

• • • • • •

Boiled Eggs – 6 nos Potato – 2 nos Finely Sliced Onion – 1/4 cup Slit Green Chillies – 3 nos Chopped Ginger – 1 teaspoon Chopped Garlic – 8 (small) cloves

Ingredients for Grind

• • • • • • • • • • •

Turmeric Powder – 1/4 teaspoon Chilly Powder – 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder – 2 teaspoons Pepper Powder – 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon – 1 stick Cardamom Pods – 2 nos Cloves – 3 nos Vinegar – 2 teaspoons Coconut Milk – 1 cup Salt – To Taste Oil – 1 tablespoon

Method

Hard boil and shell the eggs and keep it aside. Grind ingredients to a fine paste. Heat oil in a pan and fry the thinly sliced onion, green chillies, ginger and garlic. Add the masala paste and fry well. Dilute the vinegar with water and add salt. Stir into the masala and bring to boil. Cut the potatoes into quarters, add to the gravy and cook until done. Add the thick coconut milk and bring to a boil once more. Halve the boiled eggs and add to the gravy. Remove from fire. Heat oil. Splutter mustard seeds, add sliced pearl onions and curry leaves, and fry lightly. Pour over curry.

For the Seasoning

• • • • •

Oil – 1 teaspoon Ghee – 1/2 teaspoon Mustard Seeds – 1/2 teaspoon Chopped onion – 3 nos Curry Leaves – a few

October-November 2019

Egg Biriyani Ingredients

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Boiled Eggs – 6 nos Ghee – 3 tablespoons Onion – 1medium - large Chopped Ginger – 1 tablespoon Chopped Garlic – 3 nos Chopped Green Chilies – 2 nos Turmeric Powder – 1/2 teaspoon Chilly Powder – 3/4 teaspoon Cumin Powder – 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 teaspoon Tomato – 1 medium (chopped) Yoghurt – 1.5 tablespoon Chopped Cilantro – 2 tablespoons Chopped Mint Leaves – 2 tablespoons Salt – To Taste

For Ghee Rice

• • • • •

Biriyani Rice – 2 cups (soaked and, then, drained) Ghee – 2 tablespoons Whole Spices Salt – To Taste Hot Water – 3 cups

To Garnish

• • • • • •

Onion – 1 small (thinly sliced and fried in ghee until crisp and brown) Cashew Nuts – 1/4 cup, fried in ghee Raisins – 1/4 cup (fried in ghee) Chopped Mint Leaves – 2 tablespoons Rose Water – few drops

October-November 2019

Method

Crush ginger, garlic and green chillies, to a coarse mixture. Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced onion, salt and saute until light golden. Add ginger-garlic-green chilly mixture. Saute until onion turns golden. Add turmeric powder, chilly powder and cumin powder. Cook for a minute over low heat. Add garam masala powder and mix well. Next add yoghurt, chopped cilantro and mint. Cook for a minute or two. Add 1/2 cup hot water and mix well. Make a few slits on the boiled eggs and add them. Cook for a minute over low heat. Sprinkle a tablespoon of cilantro and mint leaves and switch off. To cook rice, heat a 4 or 5 litre pressure cooker or any heavy-bottomed vessel with 2 – 3 tablespoons ghee. Add the whole spices numbered 11. Stir for a few seconds until fragrant. Add drained rice. Stir for a few seconds. Add 3 cups of hot water, enough salt and bring to a boil. Taste-check for salt - the water should be slightly salty. Cover with lid and cook until steam starts to come out profusely. Put on the whistle (if you are using pressure cooker). Bring down the heat to low and cook for 3 – 4 minutes. Switch off. Open the lid after 10 – 15 minutes. Fluff the cooked rice gently using a fork. In a heavy-bottomed vessel smeared with ghee (you can use the one in which you cooked egg masala if it is oven-proof), spread half of the egg masala in the bottom. Top it with half of the cooked ghee rice. Sprinkle fried onion, cashews, raisins, chopped mint, cilantro and saffron water. Spread the remaining egg masala on top followed by remaining ghee rice. Sprinkle fried onion, cashews, raisins, mint etc. Cover tightly with aluminium foil. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes, or heat a large tawa at low heat. Place the biriyani pot and cook for 10 – 15 minutes. Switch it off. Let it rest unopened for another 10 – 15 minutes in the biriyani pot. Mix gently. Serve hot.

Chicken Curry Ingredients

• • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chicken - 3/4 kg Turmeric Powder - 1/4 teaspoon Chilly Powder - 1/2 teaspoon Pepper Powder - 1/2 teaspoon Salt - To Taste (Marinate the chicken pieces with the above ingredients for at least 2 hrs.) Potato - 2 small (cut into medium cubes) Onion - 2 medium (thinly sliced) Slit Green Chilies - 2 nos Ginger - Garlic Paste - 3 teaspoons Curry Leaves - 1 sprig Tomato - 1 medium (chopped) Turmeric Powder - 1/4 teaspoon Chilly Powder - 3/4 - 1 teaspoon Pepper Powder - 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Coriander Powder - 1 tablespoon Garam Masala Powder - 1 teaspoon Thick Coconut Milk - 1/2 cup Salt - To Taste Oil - 1 - 1.5 tablespoon

For the Seasoning

• • •

Peal Onions - 6 nos Curry Leaves - a few Coconut Oil - 1 - 1.5 teaspoon

October-November 2019

Method

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a deep pan. Add thinly sliced onion, little salt and saute until golden. Add ginger-garlic paste, slit green chilies and curry leaves. Saute until their raw smell is gone, and, then, add the chopped tomatoes. Cook covered until they get mashed up and oil separates. Add the masala powders and saute until their raw smell is gone, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle a little water if the masala sticks to the pan. Add the chicken pieces, mix well and cook for a few minutes. Add the cubed potatoes and 1.5 – 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and cook covered until the chicken pieces are cooked well, about 30 – 35 minutes, at mediumlow heat. Add 1/2 cup thick coconut milk and a few curry leaves. Switch off the flame. Heat 1 – 1.5 teaspoon oil in a small pan. Add sliced pearl onions and fry until brown. Add a few curry leaves. Stir for a few seconds and pour over the prepared curry. Cover with a lid for 10 minutes. Serve with rice or chapattis or appam or idiyappam etc.

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Chicken Roast Ingredients

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chicken - 1.5 kg (cut into medium sized pieces) Onion - 5 thinly sliced Pearl Onion Sliced - 15 nos Chopped Garlic - 1/2 cup Chopped Ginger - 1/2 cup Tomato Sliced - 1 medium Tomato Ketchup - 2 teaspoons Curry Leaves - 4 sprigs Chili powder - 1.5 teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli Powder 3 teaspoons Pepper Powder - 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder - 1 teaspoon (optional) Fresh Garam Masala Powder - 3 teaspoons Turmeric Powder - 1/2 teaspoon Coconut Milk - 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil - 4 - 5 tablespoons Salt - To Taste

Marinade for Chicken

• • • • • • • •

Fresh Ginger - Garlic Paste - 2 teaspoons Garam Masala Powder - 2 teaspoons Pepper Powder - 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli Powder - 2 teaspoons Chilli Powder - 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder - 1/4 teaspoon Fresh Lime Juice - 1 large lemon Salt - To Taste

October-November 2019

Method

Marinate the chicken pieces with the above marinade for at least 1-2 hrs. Cook the marinated chicken in a heavy wide pan with the coconut milk. No need to add water since water will ooze out from the chicken. Stir in between. Once the chicken is cooked, add 1- 2 tablespoon coconut oil and sauté the pieces in medium heat until browned. Meanwhile, in another non-stick pan, heat coconut oil. Add onion, pearl onion and salt and sauté them well. When the onion turns light brown add the ginger, garlic and curry leaves. Sauté well for a few more minutes. Then, add the tomatoes, mix well and sauté until the tomatoes are mashed up. Add the chilli powders, coriander powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder and pepper powder. Mix well. Check for salt. Now, add the ketchup and mix well. Finally, add the chicken pieces and mix well. Cook for a few minutes at medium heat so that the pieces will be covered with the masala.

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BEAUTY

Natural ways to smoothen hair

October-November 2019

eople waste thousands of money to smoothen hair. Several expensive treatments are available in the market to smoothen hair. But, only few people know that there are numerous, less expensive, natural methods available to smoothen hair. In this edition, some of these inexpensive, natural, methods to smoothen hair are thoroughly explored. Before going to details, it is important to understand that all methods do not work for all hair types. So, it is pertinent to know your hair type before attempting any method. For this, an experienced beauty expertâ€™s advice is recommended. He/she can help you to understand which of the below-mentioned ways are suitable for your hair type. Letâ€™s go back to the original topic.

Coconut Milk

It is a rich source of several vitamins such as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B 5, vitamin B6 and vitamin E. It also contains several minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, selenium and phosphorus. Apart from the aforementioned ones, it also possesses fatty oils. These elements can certainly help in smoothening hair. Take half a cup of coconut milk. Pour a teaspoon of lime juice into it. Mix them well. Keep it in the fridge for at least few hours. Apply the refrigerated

mixture on your hair smoothly. Keep it there for few minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. For better result, do it at least once a week.

rest on your hair for few minutes. Wash them off with lukewarm water. Apply a few drops of mind shampoo if needed. Try it at least once a week for better result.

Egg

Honey

Everyone knows that egg is good for hair. It is a rich source of several vitamins and minerals including protein, vitamin A, fatty acids and vitamin E. Importantly, it also contains a special component, lutein. Due to the presence of the aforesaid elements, egg is most suitable for the purpose. But, unfortunately, not many know how to effectively use this element. Take an egg and carefully separate the egg white from the rest of the egg. Whisk the egg white well in a bowl. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of honey into the bowl. Mix the mixture well. Apply the mixture on your hair slowly. Wash it off after few minutes. Try it once in a week.

Banana

Not many know banana can be applied on hair for smoothening it. As per a report, banana is the most suitable fruit that can be applied on hair to smoothen it. Banana contains potassium, calcium, carbohydrates, natural oils and vitamins. All these are good for hair. Finely mash a banana in a bowl. Add a few drops of olive oil into the mashed banana. Mix the mixture well. Apply the mixture thoroughly on your hair. Let it

It is a sweet way to smoothen hair. This method has more fans than the rest. That does not mean that it is more effective than the rest. It only means that people love this method than the others for some reasons known only to them. It is a well-known fact that honey is a rich source of several vitamins and minerals. It has anti-dehydration and oxidation properties. Honey is regarded as a natural hair conditioner. Take half a cup of coconut milk. Pour two or three teaspoons of honey into it. Mix the mixture well. Apply the mixture on your hair. Wash it off after few minutes. Repeat it at least once a week. For better result, use organic honey, which have more beneficial properties than the inorganic. The aforesaid methods are extremely effective. But, these methods do not work for all hair types. A beauty expert can guide you which one of these methods is suitable for your hair type.

Stay Healthy!

Dr. Elizabath Chacko, MD-Kalpana International

Mob: 9388618112

October-November 2019

TRAVELOGUE

Dominica:

The Nature Isle of the Caribbean

The Isle has everything a traveller normally looks for. That makes the Island unavoidable. It has peaceful beaches, adventurous mountains, i nformative museums, talkative historic ruins, enlightening music and haunting cuisine.

October-November 2019

ravelling is like meditation; both need deep involvement. The moment that fact is understood, a new, beautiful, perspective on travelling is born. No trip is helpful if not approached with that perspective. Like meditation, travelling can cleanse soul. It can erase all unwanted emotions that cast shadow over soul. Like what happens after each meditation session, a cleansed soul is achieved after each travelling session. For normal people like us, there is nothing beautiful than living with a cleansed soul. Living with a cleansed soul means living with a capacity to enjoy each moment to its fullest. Human beings are natural travellers. Travelling is their natural characteristics. It was once regarded as an effective method

to acquire knowledge. Actually, it is still treated as one. This article of the magazine is dedicated to those who see travelling as an effective way of obtaining knowledge. In this edition, a beautiful West Indies Island is explored. That Isle is popularly known as the ‘Nature Isle of the Caribbean’. That Isle is none other than Dominica!

A Slow Start

Like most other countries in the region, Dominica was a British colony. Prior to the arrival of Briton, the Isle had been under the rule of French. Actually, its colonial past began with the discovery of this Island by Colombus in the 1490s. The Island was originally inhibited by the Kalinago community. But, the arrival of the European colonials changed the demography of the region almost completely, making its original composition almost unrecognisable. It was in the year 1978 the Isle breathed freedom. It was actually unexpected. Importantly, the freedom was granted not because of the pressure from the country’s insiders, but because of the pressure from the outside world. Post-independence, the country adopted the system of parliamentary democracy. Notably, it declared itself as a republic unlike many others in the region.

October-November 2019

To A Respected Republic

The Commonwealth of Dominica is now a very powerful republic in the region. It is a member of the Caribbean Community, popularly known by its abbreviation, CARICOM. It is also a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Its economy is much powerful than most others in the region. It also has a respectable Human Rights

index. It gives good care to its internal and external security. The crime rate index in the country is much lower than others in the Caribbean territory. It has an impressive transport and health infrastructure.

From Trade

The country is a member of International Monetary Fund and other International financial organisations which are guided by the

October-November 2019

capitalist ideology. Agriculture is a very important sector in the Island. It contributes significantly to the economy of the country. Apart from agriculture, construction and other services support its economy in a big way. Unfortunately, the GDP rate of the country is not that impressive. The Island lacks production. There is no serious manufacturing sector in the Isle. How the country keeps

the strength of its economy high in the face of the low performance of its GDP is an impressive one to look at. That is actually achieved through the intelligent policy of ‘Citizenship by Investment’. In reality, that policy is the backbone of the country’s economy. This policy makes up the majority of the total foreign investment the country gets each year. The policy allows foreign nationals to acquire the citizenship of the Isle in return of a small investment in certain selected sectors.

To Tourism

Another main sector that supports the economy of this Isle is tourism. Though certain natural calamities which the Isle has suffered in the recent past have negatively affected the sector and has considerably reduced the total number of tourists the country normally gets

The country is a member of International Monetary Fund and other International financial organisations which are guided by the capitalist ideology. Agriculture is a very important sector in the Island.

October-November 2019

each year, those have not succeeded in destructing the sector completely. For that reason, the sector is still strong and firm. The Isle has everything a traveller normally looks for. That makes the Island unavoidable. It has peaceful beaches, adventurous mountains, informative museums, talkative historic ruins, enlightening music and haunting cuisine. Roseau, Portsmouth, Scotts Head, Calibishie, and Soufriere are the top five tourist destinations in this Isle. Roseau is the capital of Dominica. It is one of the populated regions in the Isle. As the capital, it is home to the majority of the major government offices in the country. The city is known for its colonial ruins and its museums. The Dominican Museum, which speaks volumes about the rich history of the country, and the cobblestone Old Market, which was once an important slave market, are the main attractions here. Portsmouth is an attractive town in the Isle. It is one of the regions in the Island which was badly damaged by the Hurricane Maria. Interestingly, the town has successfully recovered from the damages inflicted by the disaster. It now stands as an undeniable tourist attraction in this part of the world. The town is known for its beaches, museums, parks and its forts. The Prince Rupert Bay, Fort Shirley, Cabrits National Park and the Toucari Caves are the popular attractions in this town. Scotts Head is a beautiful village

in Dominica. It is actually a fishing village. Its population is less than 721. The village offers opportunity for snorkelling and diving. What makes this village special is its scenic beauty. It looks like heaven. The annual fest hosted by the village is the most exciting event this country offers. The festival is literally the exhibition of the rich artistic quality of the country. It happens in June-July. Calibishie is a spectacular village located in the country of Dominica. It is where some excellent resorts in the country are located. The village not only has beaches, but also has rain forests. It is actually a rare combination. It is in reality the least spoiled region in the country. The

October-November 2019

village offers opportunity for snorkelling, scuba diving and cycling. Soufriere is a tiny village in Dominica. Its population is not more than 2,000. Like other villages in the country, it is also popular for its scenic beauty. The Roman Catholic Church of St Mark is the most popular attraction in this village. The Dominican cuisine is not different from the typical Caribbean cuisine. It has a small French and British influence also. The people of this country speak English. That makes the communication part less difficult. This country is not less than heaven. Visit this heaven at least once!ď€˝

AUTO REVIEW

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

T The front seats are comfy and are set high enough to give you a commanding view of the road. All the seats are made of good quality fabric, and the colour palette used for the whole cabin is pleasant. The second row seats are set higher than the front ones.

October-November 2019

he Triber is what Renault thinks India needs at the moment – a compact MPV that can go places. It has the practicality and seating capacity of an MPV, the ruggedness and ground clearance of a crossover, and yet is under four metres like a small hatchback. Small hatchbacks and MPVs are what Renault is known for worldwide, and this India specific model, based on the Kwid platform, has a lot going for it. Sitting 1.7 meter wide, the Triber has a rugged look. The Renault lozenge logo sits right in the middle of the grille that straddles the headlamps. The front end has a Kwid inspired look. The overall styling is very European especially at the rear. There is a particularly interesting kink the C

pillar. And, those cleverly designed roof rails may help disguise it, but you can see the roofline rising abruptly after the B pillar, to maximize headroom and give a theatrical seating to every row. There are other clever touches too. To reduce the visual bulk, the tall sides need these black elements on the doors, but to save costs, it is a vinyl sticker than an actual plastic side cladding. And, these lovely 15 inch wheels that you see here may look like alloys, but are in fact, plastic wheel caps over a steel rim! Just like the exteriors, the interiors are also interesting. The dashboard feels good quality, and feels more expensive than the sticker price suggests. It is a good design too with a solid European flavour. There is a band of silver trim that

Renault Triber

October-November 2019

runs across the width below which sits the 8.0 inch infotainment system. The AC controls are chunky knobs. The starter button has a shiny bezel around it, and there is a dedicated space for your cellphone. There are two glove boxes one of which is cooled, and the centre console has another cavernous storage box which is also cooled. The steering wheel is the perfect size, and like the rest of the dashboard, feels much better than the ones in more expensive Renaults. The all-digital gauge cluster on the other hand is trying too hard with various circular segments lighting up in white to show engine rpm, fuel, temp etc. The front seats are comfy and are set high enough to give you a com-

There are two glove boxes one of which is cooled, and the centre console has another cavernous storage box which is also cooled. The steering wheel is the perfect size, and like the rest of the dashboard, feels much better than the ones in more expensive Renaults. manding view of the road. All the seats are made of good quality fabric, and the colour palette used for the whole cabin is pleasant. The second row seats are set higher than the front ones. There is an adequate amount of legroom, while headroom is enormous. The seat splits 60:40, and the recline can be adjusted to your comfort. There are AC vents in

October-November 2019

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the B pillar and their fan speed can be controlled by a knob on the centre console. With doors that open wide and the middle row seat that can be tumbled forward with a lever, access to the last row isn’t that difficult. You do get a reasonable amount of space here too, and it is brilliant considering the car is under 4 meters long. In the rear, most passengers have to make do with non-retractable seat belts and have to sit with their knees up although Renault has provided adjustable head restraints in this row. With all seats in place, the boot is just 84 litres, but you can easily take the last row out and you have 320litres. With the middle row folded down, this becomes 625 litres. The engine is perhaps the least impressive bit in the Triber. It produces 72bhp and 96Nm, and is a development on the Kwid unit that also powers the base Clio and Dacia Sandero in other markets. It is pretty high tech on paper with dual variable valve timing and all, but the performance is rather pedestrian. It also sounds gruff when you rev it, which you have to, considering how weak it is in the midrange. It is adequate for

city use, but you will struggle with full complement of passengers or on an incline. The clutch is snappy and the gearshifts feel a little vague. The ride quality is very good as we have come to expect of Renaults. The suspension can cope with bad roads and potholes with ease. There is a good amount of suspension travel and ground clearance of 182mm makes it almost as good as a crossover. There is a hint of firmness in the ride, but it gets better with speeds. Triber rides on 185/65 R15 tyres which are better at dealing broken sections than most other hatches. The handling is acceptable, although the steering isn’t the most communicative

October-November 2019

around. It understeers a bit when pushed hard, but this isn’t a car which you drive fast anyway. Brakes feel strong enough for the car’s capabilities too. The Triber has a lot going for it. The combination of various seat adjustments give it a lot of flexibility and the general cabin quality seems to belong to a class above. The engine and driving experience could have been better, but the Triber claws back lost points with good design, space utilization, ride quality and value. With prices starting from Rs.4.95 lakhs and going up to Rs.6.49 lakhs, the Triber is a practical alternative to a conventional hatchback

MOVIE REVIEW

Prasthanam

t is a political drama directed by Telugu-based filmmaker Deva Katta. The film revolves around a politician who marries a widow who has a mysterious character. Bollywood Superstar Sanjay Dutt appears as the lead character. Apart from the Superstar, Amyra Dastur, Satyajeet Dubey, Manisha Koirala, Ali Fazal and Jackie Shroff act in the lead roles. As expected, there are several mind blowing action sequences in the film. Notably, the producer of the film is Manyata Dutt, who is the wife of Mr. Dutt. The film is definitely the most stunning action film Mr. Dutt has worked in the recent past.

The Zoya Factor

t is a beautiful Bollywood film directed by filmmaker-cum-writer Abhishek Sharma. It is based on an exciting novel written by talented Indian writer Anuja Chauhan. The film not only shares the name of the novel, but also shares its charm. Cricket is an important element in the film. Interestingly, The Zoya Factor is a women centric film. The central character of the film is a young advertising executive, Zoya. Sonam Kapoor appears as Zoya. Apart from Ms. Sonam, South Indian youth icon star Dulquer Salmaan, Sanjay Kapoor, R Bhakti Klein, Angad Bedi and Sikandar Kher act in the lead roles in the film.

October-November 2019

Zombieland: Double Tap

t is an action film directed by young American filmmaker Ruben Fleischer. Like what the name of the film indicates, it is a Zombie film. It is far better than most films that have been released under this category. The reason is simple: it is more action packed than the others. There are several stunning action sequences in the film. The film’s screenplay is done by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and David Callaham. In this exceptional film, Abigail Breslin, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Zoey Deutch, Rosario Dawson, Thomas Middleditch, Luke Wilson, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray appear in the lead roles.

Hustlers

t is an interesting Hollywood film directed by actress-cum-filmmaker Lorene Scafaria. It is based on ‘The Hustlers at Scores’ by Jessica Pressler. The film revolves around four strippers. It portrays how a group of strippers overcomes the 2008 economic collapse with an intelligent, but crooked, plan. There are several exciting comedy sequences in the film. And, the glamour sequences in the film are worth appreciable. The aforesaid elements are used brilliantly by the director in the film. Jennifer Lopez, Lili Reinhart, Constance Wu, Cardi B, Julia Stiles, Lizzo, Keke Palmer, Madeline Brewer, Trace Lysette and Mette Towley act in the lead roles.

October-November 2019

BOOK REVIEW

For the Record Author Price

: David Cameron : Rs. 879 (Hardcover)

he author of the book is a former Prime Minister of the European country of the United Kingdom. In this book, he discusses the important national and International events he witnessed during his eventful career as the Prime Minister of one of the world’s powerful countries – including the Brexit. The book helps to understand the man who changed the course of the politics of the UK’s Conservative Party. The book can excite all categories of readers, though it is more suitable for political researchers and political science and International relations students. The former Conservative strongman deserves a special appreciation for the effort he has put to bring out the book.

Bridgital Nation: Solving Technology’s People Problem Author : N Chandrasekaran, Roopa Purushothaman Price : Rs. 419 (Hardcover)

he book is the contribution of two brilliant minds: one is an experienced businessman, N Chandrasekaran, who is the Chairman of Tata Sons, and the other is a talented economist, Roopa Purushothaman, who is the Chief Economist of the Tata Group. Through this extraordinary book, the writers introduce a highly creative concept, Bridgital. It is complicated, yet simple. The book says that the concept is the most effective solution to some of the serious problems the country confronts at this moment. The book asserts that the concept can create a huge impact in the economy of the country. The book is suitable to all types of readers.

October-November 2019

BOOK REVIEW

The Great Game in the Buddhist Himalayas: India and China’s Quest for Strategic Dominance Author Price

: Phunchok Stobdan : Rs. 479 (Hardcover)

ndia disagrees with China in many matters. The notable disagreement is regarding the China’s Tibet policy. India opposed the takeover of the Tibet region by China. Neglecting the warnings given by the Asian hegemon, the South Asia superpower offered political asylum to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and many of his supporters. Since then, the topic of ‘Buddhist diplomacy’ remains as a sensitive one for both China and India. The topic hinders the formation of a long-lasting, friendly, relation between these two Asian powers. This book discusses the sensitive topic of Buddhist diplomacy in depth. The book, which is more like a geopolitical thriller, no doubt, can excite all kinds of readers.

Child’s Play Author Price

: Danielle Steel : Rs. 319 (Paperback)

he book is an amazing fiction written by one of the most talented fiction writers of the world. The story of the book revolves around an esteemed Manhattan lawyer, whose personal life is as eventful as her professional life. Though the story has a western social background, what it discusses is relevant everywhere. In short, it has a universal message. The book can attract those close to their family and are interested to read the stories related to that topic, than the rest. There is a deep family element in the story. It is what that makes this book extremely special.

October-November 2019

Printed On 09/ 10/ 2019

RNI Reg No. KERENG/2011/42633