Women's Blogging Platform | Read, Write, Learn and Earn

[akshada11chavan]

We can do anything and everything

?We all love to dream something and desire to attain it in our life. The time we wish, energy gets created in the form of our thoughts. Once we expose ourselves to access unlimited possibilities, we can make our dream true and manifest the imagined thoughts. This dynamic nature is the key to feel unstoppable in achieving anything in our life. Though these above lines seem to be very difficult, it is very true.I chose to quit my job after I conceived, as few more complexities were there, but an inner rich and happy feelings to become a mother after a long wait did not allow me to think about the job and my career at that time. Once my child is little grown up and now when she has joined the school, I have started feeling about my career. A feeling of under the weather has veiled in my mind,

[akshada11chavan]

Benefits of joining a book club

A book club is a group of people who meet to discuss a book or books that they have read and express their opinions about the book/s. Each one has an opinion on a book; the gathering helps to understand each member’s likes, dislikes, etc. Members of the club meet frequently in libraries, book stalls, cafe’s or member’s homes. These days there are online forums also for discussing books. There are many business organizations which encourage employees to read more, therefore, allowing them to have book club and discussions. Progressive educational institutions make library reading compulsory for encouraging their students to hold book discussions regularly. As a teacher of management studies, I frequently give my students book review assignments. In my opinion and experience people who are passionate readers live longer. One research conducted in UK proved that people who were transitioning from the workforce to retirement and enjoyed reading and discussed books with others stayed healthy and enjoyed longer life. The researchers explained that social relationships are critical for managing the transition to retirement successfully. In fact, the benefits of these groups were found to be more encouraging than doing regular physical exercise. Book clubs allow combining an activity like reading with friendship which has multiple benefits because it not only lowers stress and increases social connections, but, it also allows book discussion which promotes the growth of new brain cells. Yes, please do not ignore the benefits. Book clubs give companionship and intellectual stimulation; thinking quickly during book club discussions stimulates the brain cells. You meet interesting people at book clubs. Some good books of which we have not heard of get discussed. You read things that you wouldn’t otherwise read. You best friends may not be great readers. So in the club you come across people who read up some interesting book and discuss. Sometimes it is sheer fun just to chat. All book clubs – no matter how serious, involve some chit chat. And that’s how it should be. It’s nice to have mix of men and women in the club. Books bring you closer to people. A similarity in ideas and thinking drives you closer to some people. We thrive on friendships as we grow older. And book clubs are a great excuse to make and keep friends. When you join a club, for the sake of discussion, it gives you a push to finish reading few books. all have heard from schools days that books are mental food for the brain. Yet many of us struggle with sitting down and actually finishing them regardless of our best intent. Because of some ardent readers in the club, it puts enough pressure on us to finish reading few books. You gain new perspectives. Sometimes the pieces you read in literature clubs are books you would just ignore on the bookshelf. By being introduced to new genres and styles, you see the perspectives of different people and different cultures. And the more perspective you gain, the more you grow. In case you want to start a book club, the ideal size of a book club is between eight to fifteen members. Restrict membership to fifteen. Because each member must speak, in a larger group people, who don’t speak, get ignored. A great way to gather a diverse group is to invite three to four people and ask each of them to invite their two to three friends. Discuss with everyone their genre preference and decide upon the first book option, the permanent meeting location and time, how the book club will run, and the goals for the club. If you haven’t yet joined a book club, please do it immediately. It has wonderful effects. A good story gets better if you have someone to share it with. And it could be better than sharing it with a group of people who have read it, too. Therefore, starting your own book club or joining an ongoing club is a good endeavour.

[akshada11chavan]

How to become a writer and achieve your dreams?

In the world full of web series and Netflix movies, some people still find their solace in reading books. Although, books are turning into series and movies and people are loving them. The entertainment industry is growing all over the globe because of great stories. Writers put a lot of creativity and imagination in their story which readers can feel and relate to. While reading a lot of books, few readers feel like writing one. I was one of them. I want my book/novel to be the one to which readers get attached to. For the girls out there, who want to become a writer but are afraid to actually start writing the novel. I am sharing my knowledge on how to become a writer.How to become a writer? The very primary requirement is, you need to figure out why you want to become a writer. Not because you want to become famous, but because you want to share your great stories with the world. If you are pretty sure about your reason to write a novel, you are already a writer. To write something good, you need a great story. The story is the core of your book and the whole plot is going to move your story ahead. Many times, newbie writers face difficulties with stories. They have the story but they are not sure how they are going to convert it into the book. Having a great story in your mind is very important. But what's more important is to understand the meaning of the story.To convert your story into a book, first, you need to create an outline of your story. Well, this is an optional step. But many writers consider planning their novel before writing it. Include the small details and chapters into your outline. Details about events, characters, conflicts under the chapter will be useful to write a novel chapter by chapter. Many newbie writers think that their vocabulary is poor. This can happen initially. Key is to read a lot and increase your vocabulary. Although, it doesn't really matter how much fancy words you are going to use in the novel. You can write an entire novel with the help of the words you already know by using them correctly. If you are a good reader, you will have a good vocabulary. Write your novel chapter by chapter. Research about your genre. Remember, even though you know your story, it is important to research about small details before putting them into the novel. Now, writers should understand their own characters wisely. Your characters should feel real to the readers and hence they should have a real personality. Study your characters, make their profile and then portray them. This way, you will know how your character is going to react to certain events. Write one chapter at a time, introduce the conflicts. Conflicts are some unfortunate events that are going to affect your main character. And all the conflicts you include in the novel should be resolved till the end unless you are writing a sequel or series of novels. Focus on the events, characters and lead towards the climax. When you complete writing your novel, it is still not ready to publish. Your editing phase starts after you finish writing the first draft. Review your novel, find out errors and plotholes, correct them. Edit until you love your novel. After finishing the final draft, give it to the beta readers to review. After correcting all the errors, your book is ready to publish. You can either publish it in the traditional way or can self publish it online on platforms like Wattpad or amazon e-book. Your story will be out for readers to enjoy and you will an author of the book. There are so many things to consider while writing a novel, keep in touch to learn more.

[akshada11chavan]

Did you know that the Indian Thali is made as per food pyramid

The Indian Thali which is called plate in English is an ancient way to present, enjoy and digest food in a unique way. It is believed that Thali is a temple innovation; the way it is presented in a certain way as offering to God. In Maharashtrian, South Indian in temples such as Tirupati Balaji, Meenaxi temple at Madurai, in Goan temple tradition there are people who are specialized in arrangement of cooked food in particular form. But, the best example is of plating seen in the Jagannath Temple in Puri, 56 food items offered to Lord Jagannath which is referred as “Chappan Bhog”. It consists of Lord Krishna’s favourite dishes and usually includes cereal, fruits, dry fruits, sweets, drinks, namkeen and pickles in quantities of seven under each category. There is another school of thought which acclaims big extensive plating to affluence of people; the rich and famous serve numerable items in a thali which goes on to show their riches. Ayurvedic Principal applied: Even today, the Indians food contains an Ayurvedic principal which is based on the food pyramid. Food Pyramid is a triangular nutrition food guide which tells us how much of what food to eat. This pyramid has been in use for decades now. In India we have a food guide pyramid given by the National Institute of Nutrition. In the US, the pyramid has been given by their USDA (United State Department of Agriculture). Even, in parts of Europe, Africa, Americas, Australia and Asia their versions exist. All of these pyramids and recommendations speak a similar language: more of complex carbohydrates, less of fat and protein, and adequate fruits, vegetables and fibre. Generally speaking, complex carbohydrates come at the bottom of the pyramid, next up are fruits and vegetables, higher up and in lesser quantities are the pulses, dals, dairy foods, and meats. Right on top in the narrowest section contains fats and sweets. Plating in India was also influenced by vaidyas (royal physicians) and hakims who were employed to evaluate what the king and his men should eat on a regular basis. In most royal courts, the vaid would decide not only the level of spices, but also the seasonal fruits and vegetables. Every thali consists of pickles and chutneys; because they add flavour and act as a foil to mild dishes and sweet chutneys do the same to spicy dishes and they aid digestion. Most Indian thalis feature palate cleansers. In the Manipuri Chakluk, it’s the cabbage salad. In Uttar Pradesh, it is the kachumber and in Odisha, a small cup of ripened papaya or coconut meat with mint serves the purpose. Palate cleansers help diners experience flavours better and also negate the need to drink water, which hold back digestion during a meal. One of the jewels of Indian thalis is the Kerala banana leaf sadhya thali which takes into consideration the three biological energies found throughout the human body the vatta, pitta and kapha. According to the classics of Ayurveda, the Charaka Samhita and Susruta-samhita, any food that has been cured and preserved is high on vitamin and antioxidants, and hence, works on the principle that less is more. The best example is the pickles. The pickle making is both science as well as an art. Seasonal and local food included: Indian thalis are highly seasonal and local. They display indigenous cooking techniques such as steaming, fermenting, grilling, deep frying, baking, smoking, boiling, stirring, peeling, slicing to name a few. The other common thing you will see in a thali is the use of clarified butter or ghee, which is considered to have medicinal properties that help digest food and build immunity while lending a rich aroma to the dish. Use of hand and no wastage of food: Traditionally, we eat our food using our hand. Therefore, do not ask for spoons and forks while eating. Use only one hand (usually the right one) to eat. The other hand should not touch the plate; it is not to be kept on the table. This hand can be used for re-serving yourself from the main bowls. The original culture of eating is by sitting on the floor to eat. You are not supposed to get up in the middle of a meal. It is considered rude and disrespect of food and the people you are eating with. Most important message is: DO NOT WASTE FOOD. If you are unsure of the quantity of food you want to eat, serve yourself small portions and go for a second round. It is completely okay if you end up serving yourself thrice, but wasting food is out of question. Food is integral part of culture: According to the distinguished and celebrated mythologist Devdutt Pattnaik, a culture can be destroyed by destroying the originality of food preparation. Food is an important part of any culture. Nearly every culture has its own food, and its own customs associated with eating food. After all, the culinary traditions tell from where we come. It is difficult to restrain originality of food and its authenticity. After all, “authentic” means enduring, or timeless; umpteen dishes have been evolved from so many cultures in the world. The biggest and greatest fact even today is, many people and families struggle to maintain the local cuisine’s taste; because an “authentic” dish is one that captures the spirit of the originality!

[akshada11chavan]

Divorce: Is it a Problem or Solution?

In India, marriage is still considered as a sacred institution uniting two souls. It is assumed to be one of the “must-do” customs for every Indian; especially for women. A husband is assumed to be the moral support for her life. However, with increasing rates of divorce in India, the marriage institution is at stake. With the western culture of “Live-in-relationship” taking the boom in India, even the Indian judiciary system has added the laws for the live-in-relationship. Now the question is if marriage is a lifetime commitment, why don’t people try to follow it and make their marriage work? Well, there are many issues which need to be addressed or worked on for a marriage to be a success. If the things are not in one’s control, then it is better to part away than just dragging the relationship only to cause mental trauma. However, both partners should take efforts to make it work by doing some adjustments and compromises. Common Marital Problems In-laws: For every newly married couple, the bride leaves her maternal home and enters her marital home. She is expected to get along well with her in-laws. However, it is a bit difficult for the mother-in-law to accept the new person in the house. She has to leave her own rules, possessiveness of all the things in house including her son. This is where the clashes begin. And this causes relationship problems between the couple also which may drive to a divorce. The bad habits or addictions of spouse: After the marriage, both partners become aware of any bad habits of their spouse such as leaving a wet towel on the bed, throwing shoes anywhere, spending more time with friends, over-expenditure, or even snoring. Alcohol addiction, excessive use of mobile also forms the main reasons causing serious relationship problems. Financial problems: The financial crisis also can lead to making their relationship bitter. If the wife finds after the marriage that she cannot even fulfill her basic desires of shopping, vacations etc. Then slowly she starts nagging her husband for financial status. Lack of financial planning can cause problems to worsen after childbirth. Unequal division of Household work: Irrespective of whether the wife is doing a job or not, she is expected to do all the household work like cleaning, cooking, washing clothes, etc. This makes her fatigued and irritated. All the above-mentioned problems can be resolved by taking appropriate actions with mutual understanding and having the patience or consulting a marriage counselor. But if the problems get severe like verbal or sexual abuse, extramarital affair, adultery, physical or mental harassment for dowry, any sort of mistreat or disrespect, then it is better to separate yourself from the abusive marriage. After all, you have the right to live your life happily and with dignity. Self-respect and dignity should NEVER be compromised at any cost. In such cases, divorce turns out to be a better solution. If divorce is unavoidable, go for it If you have tried your best to make it work, but it has failed totally and goes beyond repair, then take the next step to file a divorce case to make the rest of your life survivable. If you have kids from the wedlock then the decision becomes even harder but remember that if your marriage was filled with trauma and abuse then it is better to save your kids from the abusive environment as well. You will in fact be doing them a favor by helping them grow without being a part of a miserable environment even if it requires to be raised by a single parent. Grounds for Divorce Mutual consent: If both the partners are ready to separate and agree on divorce then they can file the divorce case on mutual consent after separation of one year. Cruelty: If one partner has done unbearable physical and mental harassment to the spouse then he/she can file a divorce case on Cruelty grounds. In this case, you will have to prove the partner’s cruelty in the court with proper documents and proofs. Adultery: If a husband commits adultery in an extramarital affair then he is charged with a criminal offense. The wife can file a divorce case against him on Adultery ground. However, if a wife commits adultery then she cannot be charged criminal offense; but her husband can file prosecution of the adulterer male for adultery. Desertion: One partner deserting the other without any reason for more than two consecutive years can be a ground for filing a divorce case. The desertion must be proved in the court. Conversion: If one spouse converts to another religion then the other spouse can seek a divorce without any waiting period. Mental disorder: If a spouse is found to have any mental disorder causing the incapability to perform normal marital duties then the other spouse can file a divorce case against the spouse. Communicable disease: If a spouse is suffering from any communicable disease like HIV/Aids or incurable form of leprosy then the other spouse can seek divorce. Renunciation of the world: If one spouse renounces married life and decides to take Sanyasa then the other spouse can file the divorce. Presumption of death: If the spouse has not been heard of being alive for a minimum of seven years then the divorce can be sought. This process of making allegations and anti-allegations on each other is very painful. Hire a good divorce lawyer who will genuinely fight for you and help you get justice. Alimony Once married, both the partners have their duty to support each other. So even during the divorce case, the earning spouse is supposed to maintain the other spouse who is dependent. While deciding the alimony amount court takes into consideration the age, earning potential of both, the health of the spouse who is dependent, the spouse taking custody of the child can pay less alimony or can ask for a larger amount if the child is minor. Property matters also need to be settled in the divorce case. Cost of Divorce The divorce cost in monetary values might differ from ten thousand to lakhs of rupees. The hidden cost is the tremendous mental pain that you go through. The case can take from months to years to get finished. But whatever it takes, always remember that it’s your life and you have every right to live your life happily and with dignity!

[akshada11chavan]

Business Lesson: How management is both art and science?

Much of the controversy of management being art or science is based on description of the fact that the earlier leaders of industry used intuition, hunches, commonsense, and experience in managing organizations. They were not well educated, they were not trained professional managers, but they managed their businesses brilliantly. However, commonsense and science differ considerably in solving the problems. Examples are Dhirubhai Ambani, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata and G.D.Birla…the list is big. In 1919, Ghanshyamdas Birla was in no better position. He had fought hard with his family and the colonial establishment to start a jute mill. World War I broke out before he could place orders for his machinery. He had based his projections on Rs 6,000 per loom. The price shot up to Rs 16,000. He went ahead. In 1950, aged 17, Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani sailed in a steerage class of ship to Aden to search for a job. For the next eight years, he sweated it out. Later in his life, without a single educational degree he created an empire called Reliance Industries. Management is Science because of several reasons like – it has universally accepted principles, it has cause and effect relationship etc, and at the same time it is art because it requires perfection through practice, practical knowledge, creativity, personal skills etc. Management is both an art and a science. Artistic application of management know-how is a must for solving complex situations in organizations. It is understood that managing is doing things artistically in the light of the realities of a situation. Human skills cannot stand alone; they need to be aligned with conceptual skills and technical skills. Therefore, theoretical knowledge of management is not adequate or relevant for solving the problems. A manager gains experience by continual application of management knowledge and facing new experiences. By solving many problems, a manager develops more skills and abilities for translating knowledge into practice. Application calls for innovativeness and creativity; Larry Page of Google is one such example of a businessperson who can endure a challenge, while also face criticism. Larry and his business have faced much criticism and received ample praise over the years for his company’s actions. But whenever he was caught in the midst of the storm, he has never let what others think influence him from pursuing the course for his company that he considers the best. The art of management is in knowing how to accomplish the desired results. Art may be defined as personalized application of general theoretical principles for achieving best possible results. Apple Inc’s Tim Cook is often compared to Steve Jobs. It is difficult to follow Steve Jobs, but, Tim Cook is doing a tremendous job. Rather than attempt to match the consumer-facing innovations Steve Jobs had been known for, Tim Cook is forging into the future with his own new advances, such as Apple’s newest original inventory management techniques. Traditionally, creativity was linked with people in artistic professions such as writers, painters or musicians. But, in today’s competitive business world, the need for creativity has transitioned into the business world. It has become increasingly important for organizations to rely on creative thinking, in an effort to distinguish themselves from competitors. Jeff Bezos of Amazon prefers focus on the customer. It is famous that in every meeting he leaves an empty seat for a customer to represent them. He considers the customer to be the most important person in the room, even if there is no customer present physically in the room. Bezos has made the customer a key component of his business strategies, customers find him very inspiring. He always portrays through his strategies that at the centre of his business are his customers. Amazon grew in leaps because of cultivated customer value. Most science and engineering students are good at managing businesses because they are good at analysis and solve problem in the real word specifically based on their subject. Businesses need engineering managers to oversee projects, product design and development, operations; create strategic plans; handle budgets, costs, and financing; and interface with marketing. Frederick Winslow Taylor was one of the first management thinkers. Taylor is known for his thinking of scientific management. He advised to scientifically select, train, and develop each worker rather than passively leaving them to train themselves. Taylor concentrated more on productivity and wages to be paid based on productivity. He stressed on time and motion study and other techniques for measuring work. Apart from this, in Taylor’s work, there also runs a strongly humanistic theme. He felt ideally that the interests of workers, managers and owners should be synchronized. Henri Fayol was a French coal-mine engineer, director of mines and modern management theoretician. His scientific management theory was formed on the bases of business administration and business management. He introduced the fourteen principles of management. In the academic world, this is also known as Fayolism. Management science theory is based on the thought that a contemporary approach to management that focuses on the use of rigorous quantitative techniques which help managers make maximum use of organizational resources to produce goods and services. It is also known as the mathematical or quantitative approach. In quintessence, this theory is a contemporary extension of scientific management, which, as developed by Taylor, also looks at quantitative approach to measuring the employee and his task in order to raise efficiency. The art to get maximum productivity is to use permutations and combinations as per employee’s strength, desire to work, desire to learn and the motivation techniques used by the management.

[akshada11chavan]

Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease is said to occur when the thyroid gland, located in the neck below the thyroid cartilage or Adam`s Apple, produces either a more or lesser amount of hormone required by the body. The thyroid hormone is responsible for regulating various body functions such as growth, metabolism, etc. In case the thyroid gland becomes hyperactive, it releases an excess amount of thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, resulting in Hyperthyroidism and in another case it may release a fewer amount of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream resulting in Hypothyroidism. Both the conditions affect the normal chemical activity of the cells and result in disturbed body functions such as metabolism. Whether a person has hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland becomes enlarged in both cases. An enlarged thyroid gland can be felt in the neck as lumps under the skin. Other than hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, some other thyroid diseases are thyroid cancer, non-cancerous thyroid nodule, congenital anomalies, etc. Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid disease is caused by overproduction of T?3 and T4 hormone, and it is generally caused by the development of Grave`s disease, an autoimmune disease. Under the condition of Grave`s disease, the immune system produces abnormal antibodies that make the thyroid gland produce more thyroid hormone than usual. Hyperthyroidism is more likely to occur in women than in men, teens and middle-aged adults. People with hyperthyroidism may experience weight loss, even if they eat more than normal. Some other symptoms of the disease are fatigue, difficulty in sleeping, protruding eyes, thyroid goiter, sweating, muscle weakness, intolerance to heat, abnormal menses in girls, etc. Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a thyroid disease that results due to the underproduction of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. It generally results due to an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto`s thyroiditis, congenital thyroid abnormalities or the removal of the thyroid gland in surgery, etc. Initially, the condition presents no symptoms at all but at advanced stages, it may present some common symptoms such as feeling depressed or sluggish, weight gain, baldness, cold intolerance, muscle weakness, dry hair, etc. It also affects the normal growth rate of an individual. Thyroid Cancer: Thyroid cancer is more commonly found in women than in men and there is no known cause of the disease. However, it may occur due to a family history of goiter, exposure to radiation, or other hereditary conditions. It is generally diagnosed with needle biopsy or through other radiology techniques. Thyroid Nodule: Thyroid Nodules are identified by the presence of a lump or enlarged areas in the thyroid gland. Most of the thyroid nodules are non-cancerous. Thyroid diseases are really very common these days due to a modified lifestyle and if the disease is not diagnosed at initial stages, they can result in severe ones. If you experience frequent weight loss or weight gain or any other above specified symptom, consult your physician. It might be possible that you have developed any of the thyroid diseases stated above. Women are more prone to thyroid abnormalities as compared to men, so they should pay special attention.

[akshada11chavan]

Best Treks to take this Summer

With summer round the corner, many might plan to escape to the mountains from the scorching heat. This summer make your escape even more adventurous and peaceful by trekking up the serene beauty of mountains and finding tranquility not in a hotel room, but out in untouched and remote locations. The Himalayan range provides many such opportunities every summer, with treks for experts and beginners. As more and more people are trying to experience the thrill of trekking, treks across the country are becoming a little too crowded, defying the very purpose of going on a trek. Here are some comparatively less known treks for you to try this summer and release some stress. So find your closest Decathlon showroom, get your gear set and prepare for an experience you'll never forget.1) Goechala Trek: Sikkim One of the seven sisters, Sikkim provides a mix of natural beauty and cultural richness. Goechala is a very popular trek, which takes you across the snow covered mountains, dense forests and a majestic view of Kanchendzongha, the world's third highest mountain. The trek takes approximately 10 days(base camp- top- back to base camp) to complete, running for 90kms inside the Kanchendzongha National Park. The journey is full of adventure, starting from Yuskom, passing through Samiti lake and breathtaking views of Mount Pandim, Kabru and Rotang before bringing you back to Yuskom on the 10th or 11th day. The spring season gives you an added opportunity to see the local flora at its best.Best time to Visit: April- MayDifficulty Level: Moderate2) Hampta Pass Trek: Himachal Pradesh One of the best treks in Himachal Pradesh, this trek in Manali district, gives you a spectacular view of the Himalayas while taking you to Chandrataal, a beautiful lake in middle of the mountains of Spiti.The trek takes about 5-6 days, so it's one of the best if you want a slightly shorter trek. The view is unparalleled in beauty and the end of the trek is very rewarding.Running for 26 kms, the trek starts as a drive from Manali to Jobra from where the journey is continued on foot and ends with a scenic view of Chandrataal from where the trekkers can return by car, driving through Rothang pass.Best time to visit: May - OctoberDifficulty level: Easy3)Triund Trek: Himachal Pradesh Hiding in the peaks of Dharamshala, Triund trek gives you an opportunity to walk next to streams, camp out for the night under a starry night sky and feast your eyes to the magnificent view.Since it's a 6 km trek, it can be completed by beginners as well and is the shortest trek in this list. The night sky view from the top is overly rewarding for such a short trek. Witness the local flora and fauna and eat local cuisine to your heart's contentment. Starting from Meclodganj, you can also take in the Tibetan art, cuisine and architecture on your way. At the top, various tents are available for a comfortable stay and a guest house too. Feel free to book one and experience the night sky at its best before trekking back to Mechlodganj the next day. Best time to visit: April- OctDifficulty level: Easy4) Kedarnaath Trek: Uttarakhand The best experience Uttarakhand has to offer is this trek. The towering Himalayan peaks, the lush meadows and the serene beauty of nature, all makes the trek as popular as it is.The 6 day trek coverinng 20 kms, Kedarnaath trek starts from Sankri, 220 kms away from the city of Dehradun and ends back at the same station. The trek also passes through Gaurikund, a famous hot water spring, and leads you towards the Kedarnaath temple. Going through the Govind National Park, the trekkers also get an opportunity to see the local flora and fauna. Difficulty Level: Easy5)Marha Valley Trek : Ladahak If you plan to drive to Leh Ladakh this summer, try something new by going on this 7 day trek. Passing through the dry mountains, small villages and wheat and mustard fields, the trek is an experience of a lifetime. The terrain offered by this trek is very unique and the ancient monasteries and Tibetan culture will leave you mesmerized. If you want to see Ladakh at its rawest and best, this is where to start. The trek starts from Siptuk, Leh and in the 7 days you travel through Mahra Valley, Nimaling and Sumdo.Best time to visit: June- OctoberDifficulty level: Moderate 6) Valley of Flowers: Gharwal Area The trek is as beautiful as the name suggests, a valley filled with countless blooming flowers and their aroma captivating all your senses. Located in Uttaranchal, the trek is approximately 6 days long in a remote area, offering peace and serenity for 37 kms . The valley also hosts several species of butterflies and endangered animals such as the mountain leopard and blue sheep.To reach the valley one has to trek from Govind Ghat, on the route to Hemkund Sahib, up to Ghangaria, 12 km ahead. The valley is about 5 km from Ghangaria. Best time to visit: July- SeptemberDifficulty Level: Easy7) Deorital Trek: Uttarakhand A perfect weekend trek for beginners, this trek offers spectacular view of the snow covered mountains, dense forest . Deoria Tal itself is a small lake in the lap of mountains. Clear crystal water and a picture perfect view, what better way to spend the weekend. The trek starts from Haridwar Sari to Deotriatal, and if you wish you can extend it to 5 days by covering 30 kms to Baniyakund, Chandrashilla Summit and back to Haridwar.Best time to visit: June- SeptemberDifficulty Level: EasyHow to Plan Your Trek?While you might plan to share your trek with family, friends or with no one in general, it is always advisable to book your trek with a team of experts through any site or travelling agency. There are many reliable sites, providing packages for almost all possible treks, with accommodation and food provided at affordable prices. Booking these packages not only makes your trek more safe in terms of staying and food, but also provides expert guidance along the way and the opportunity to meet new people. Finding accommodation or food along the way can be a cumbersome task and many a times even impossible, especially if you are trekking in a remote area. Being a woman and travelling alone is a daunting task itself, and then a trek to a remote isolated area makes it even more horrifying. Since most of the treks are almost a week long, carrying your own food and gear is also impossible and impractical for beginners. Booking your package through such portals ensures a smooth sailing.Some of the sites providing such services are https://www.trekthehimalayas.com/ and https://www.thrillophilia.com/ where you can find a detailed description of any trek of your choice and can browse through the various services they provide. Even if you are travelling with a big group, booking your tickets through such agents ensure smooth journey and expert guidance. So gear yourself up, choose one or any number of treks you wish and climb your way up making memories and gaining experience along the way.

[akshada11chavan]

Corporate Lessons: Why companies choose vertical integration?

In business management, vertical integration is an arrangement in which the supply chain of a company is owned by that company. Usually each member of the supply chain produces a different product or (market-specific) service, and the products combine to satisfy a common need. Vertical integration has also described management styles that bring large portions of the supply chain not only under a common ownership, but also into one corporation. Vertical integration and expansion is preferred because it secures the supplies needed by the firm to produce its product and the market needed to sell the product. Vertical integration and expansion can become unattractive when its actions become anti-competitive and hinder free competition in an open marketplace. Vertical integration is one method of avoiding the delay problem. A monopoly produced through vertical integration is called a vertical monopoly. For example, Google purchased “Motorola Mobility” in 2012 as a dedicated Android partner which enabled Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem for enhancing competition in mobile computing. The deal didn’t end here. In 2014m Chinese firm Lenovo acquired the Motorola Mobility smartphone business from Google for $2.91 billion in a cash-and-stock deal. The acquisition would strengthen Lenovo’s position in the smartphone market and grow its presence in the USA. A company that undergoes vertical integration acquires a company that operates in the production process of the same industry. Some of the reasons why companies choose to integrate vertically include strengthening their supply chain, reducing production costs, capturing upstream or downstream profits, or accessing new distribution channels. To do this, one company acquires another that is either ahead or behind it in the supply chain process. Vertical Integration strategy is important for many companies for several more reasons. Not only does it increase profits from the newly acquired operations by selling its products directly to consumers, it also guarantees efficiencies in the production process, and cuts down on delays in delivery and transportation. For example, Ikea furniture to gain control over its raw materials for its flat pack furniture, purchased woodland in Romania and the Baltics to coordinate its own forestry management and wood production. The Swedish company’s investment will allow the retailer to stabilize its timber costs, at a time when prices are on the rise. Companies can integrate vertically in two ways: backward or forward. Backward Integration occurs when a company decides to buy another company that makes an input product for the acquiring company’s product. For example, Apple retails most of its apps online through Apple Store. Forward Integration occurs when a company decides to take control of the post-production process. For example Amazon.com Inc’s acquisition of grocery store chain ‘Whole Foods Market’ for $13.7 billion will help them dominate grocery sales both offline and online. However, so far the deal markedly expanded Amazon’s reach offline. Advantages of Vertical Integration: Helps in avoiding supply disruption: The first benefit is that the company can avoid supply disruption. By controlling its own supply, it can avoid the problems of sluggish suppliers. It also in neglecting the frequent strikes and labor disputes from companies those are in socialist countries such as China, Vietnam. Avoid monopoly suppliers: Second, a company benefits by avoiding suppliers with a lot of market power and their dictations. It gets all the more critical if the supplier has monopoly in market. If the company can go around these providers, it reaps many benefits. It can lower internal costs and have better delivery of needed items. It’s less likely to be short of critical elements. Economies of scale: Third, vertical integration gives a company better economies of scale. That’s when the size of the business allows it to cut costs. For example, it can lower the per-unit cost by buying in bulk. Another way is to make the manufacturing process itself more efficient. Vertically integrated companies eliminate overhead by consolidating management. Imitation becomes easier: A retailer with vertical integration knows what is selling well. It can easily “knock off” the most popular brand-name products; because it copies the ingredients or manufacturing process. It creates similar, store-branded products with similar marketing messages and packaging. Only powerful retailers can do this. The manufacturers of those brands cannot afford to sue for copyright violation. They are unwilling to risk losing distribution through a major retailer. Lower the cost: The fifth advantage is the one that is most obvious to consumers. That’s low prices. A company that is vertically integrated can lower costs. It can transfer those savings to the consumer as lower prices. The best example is of Wal-Mart. The store keeps costs low by using a sophisticated and largely automated supply-chain management system, Wal-Mart has huge bargaining power when it comes to its suppliers. Many brands depend on Wal-Mart sales to stay in business, while even larger, established companies can little afford to be removed from Wal-Mart’s passageway or WebPages. Disadvantages: The biggest disadvantage of vertical integration is the expense. Companies must invest a great deal of capital to set up or buy factories. They must then keep the plant running to maintain efficiency and profit margins. Secondly, it reduces flexibility. Vertically integrated companies get entangled in the profitability of its operations. Retailers can’t follow consumer trends that take them away from their factories. They also can’t change factories to countries with lower exchange rates. Also, vertically integrated suppliers must manage inventory by keeping sufficient stock products in their stores. A third problem is a loss of focus. Running a successful vertically integrated business requires a different set of skills; it’s difficult to find capable staff.

[akshada11chavan]

How to select the right PhD topic

This article is aimed at research scholars in the area of humanity studies. Often, when students of PhD choose fuzzy topics which they lack clarity about, it only leads getting frustrated. Therefore, keep your topic to the point. Most PhD students emerge to start their PhDs with over-ambitious projects which runs into many disciplines (subject areas). The key to ensure success in research is to check whether your big topic can be fit into one central research question. The problem statement (research question) of your study is the most important because it guides you and others involved in the research towards significance of the study. It helps in setting objectives of the research, writing the hypothesis and framing the questionnaire for data collection. The entire research revolves around the problem statement. It helps you to narrow down your focus. It is therefore important to place the topic into a particular context that defines the parameters of what you are going to investigate. Choosing the right research topic is quite often a tricky and complicated task, especially for new PhD students. I have observed so far that students with five to ten years experience in the either industry or academics are comfortable with the initial process. The PhD supervisor/guide must offer help to decide on a suitable PhD topic in the initial stage. Also, please remember that the research topic must have social relevance. It must be able to satisfy some social problems. Topic selection is the beginning of your research journey. Each researcher has unique capabilities: Each researcher has a capability of his own; each one traces the research problem from different angles. For instance, some may concentrate on the groundwork; some may concentrate on the cause of the situation; some on the behavioural factors; and some on the historical and current consequences. For example, let’s consider the topic is “Importance of mentoring in workplace.” Somebody might only concentrate on various issues at workplace, somebody may concentrate on different needs and practices according to organizational structures, somebody might give case examples (good and futile) in the workplace, and somebody may concentrate on comparative study between two-three organizations of different nations. Review accessible literature to choose the right topic: The fact is that there is vast data available on Internet on any given topic; disregarding that data often leads to negative results. The biggest job in research is scientifically reviewing the literature, picking only some information from Internet will skew your research findings. Also please remember that somebody somewhere is also working on your chosen topic and might be working on profound consequences. I see that sooner or later all theses will be uploaded on the Internet; the world will be viewing your work. Therefore, maintaining quality from beginning till end will be essential. Please be aware of that in India, University Grants Commission (UGC) wants scholars to upload their thesis on their online Union Catalogue of Indian Universities called IndCat. UGC also has ShodhGanga – Reservoir of Indian Theses. ShodhGanga is a repository platform available for research students to deposit their Ph.D. theses for making it available to the entire scholarly community in open access. If only Universities and UGC get serious about the process, I am sure we will get a lot of serious research work to view. It’s advisable to choose a research topic related to your career: When you work on a topic related to you interest area and work area, identifying minute facts, collecting primary data, finding existing research gaps and devising strategies for addressing them becomes easier. A research gap is defined as a topic or area for which insufficient information is available and this creates limitations for devising a questionnaire or schedule for the researcher. When you work sincerely on your topic, basically when you start reviewing literature from all sources such as Internet, news papers, journals, previous research work from University libraries, books and periodicals etc, addressing the research problem by devising strategies becomes easier. And, you can identify the research gaps also easily. You need to read up a lot because only the depth of information that you collect helps in designing your research work. It therefore becomes imperative to choose a meaningful research topic and a well-chosen research question can lead to a persuasive research work. Researchers who publish a lot during after their PhD work are well-cited and can easily find satisfying jobs in academia or industry. Choosing the right research topic, thus, can open doors to getting desirable opportunities worldwide. Check these strictures: Is your topic stimulating you to pursue it? And, will it sustain your interest in it till end? Is your research problem solvable? Is your topic contemporary in nature? Will it solve some social issues? Can you manage the vastness of the topic? Can you design research problem easily in spite of its vastness? Is your topic making a novel contribution to the literature in the field? Will your research help you progress in your career? Please ponder on these points before topic selection. Regular contact with your guide: After your topic selection, it is advisable to brainstorm thoroughly with your guide, established researchers, agencies and industry experts. Attend seminars, workshops to strengthen your network with the right people. Also, discuss with established researchers to get further insights. I advise taking up the relevant coursework (especially for interdisciplinary research areas) to simplify the process of research topic selection. Conclusion: Choosing the right research question helps researchers stay focused and motivated throughout their career. Meaningful research questions eventually lead to meaningful discoveries and inventions, which is need of this hour.

[akshada11chavan]

Blood Sugar

Blood sugar or blood glucose indicates the level of glucose present in the blood of human beings. Glucose is the primary source of energy for body cells and tissues, and it comes from carbohydrate foods. Blood transports glucose from the intestine to body cells. The hormone insulin helps body cells to use glucose which itself is produced in the pancreas. For normal working of the body, blood sugar should remain between 3.6 and 5.8 mM. In case the blood sugar extends above the range, it is termed as hyperglycemia, which is an indicator of a medical condition called Diabetes mellitus. Hypoglycemia is a medical term given to low blood sugar.Blood sugar should be checked regularly to control your diabetes. Keeping a record of your blood sugar is the only way that can make the treatment successful. Low blood sugar indicates that you may have developed a tumor called the insulinoma, which results in abnormal production of the hormone insulin. Low blood sugar results due to one of the following reasons: Hypothyroidism(decreased levels of thyroid hormone) Tumor in the pituitary gland Addison`s disease Kidney disease Intake of certain medicines Eating disorders Liver disease In either case, whether the blood sugar is low or high, your health is affected badly. Long term hyperglycemia results in various health problems related to diabetes such as heart problems, kidney diseases, eye and nerve damage, etc. Hypoglycemia is more severe than hyperglycemia as it may even lead to brain damage. Blood sugar test is helpful if you are: Diabetic Pregnant Taking diabetes medicines or insulin Suffering from abnormal blood sugar levels On intensive insulin therapy Blood sugar is maintained by an efficient regulatory mechanism. The organs involved in regulating blood sugar are liver, endocrine glands, and autonomic nervous system. Liver stores the blood sugar and is the major organ in the entire process of blood sugar regulation. Whatever we eat is broken down into certain chemicals that are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tracts which are then carried to the liver where it is composed into a complex compound known as glycogen. The autonomic nervous system controls the process indirectly by regulating functions such as digestion, intestinal movements, heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature, etc. Pancreas and adrenal endocrine glands help in regulation by breaking the liver glycogen with elevation in blood sugar.

[akshada11chavan]

What makes a woman really beautiful?

The Unilever’s brand Dove has been around for 12 years, in its iconic marketing effort, in its recent campaign called “Dove Campaign for Real Beauty” which is in true sense another feel-good campaign, featuring women of different shapes and vocations talking about their looks and why the only perception of ‘their looking beautiful’ matters to the world and how it affects them. According to the 2016 Dove Global Beauty and Confidence Report, which included interviews with 10,500 women across 13 countries, 54% of women said they have low body confidence, not being assertive, indecisiveness, due to low confidence in their appearance skipping job interviews, not claiming good ideas at work, or actively choosing not to pursue career promotion etc. This ad is breaking barriers and is challenging stereotypes about looks of women. The society gives such a lot of importance to look of people, and it is time for society to start acknowledging accomplishments of women and goodness of women. Through the concept #MyBeautyMySay Dove inspires women everywhere to take a stand against judgments that belittles their accomplishments giving way to their ‘looks’. This beautiful campaign from Edelman, Havas, Ogilvy and PHD, is for women to define their own standards of beauty. The ad had a reach to about 19.4 million girls till date with self-esteem education, Dove has always been at the forefront of helping women and girls develop a positive relationship with beauty Women can multitask, they can bring order in disarrayed things at home, and that’s why they are called home makers. The world likes good lookers and more so the tag of ‘beauty’ bothers the women at all stages of their lives. Most women believe that they are judged on their appearance. They therefore, spend a lot of their time, efforts and money on beauty products because that becomes their key to stand out in crowd. Friends, beauty business is a big industry. The truth is, being beautiful does not come from a lipstick tube, mascara wand, or blush brush or the foundation cream, but it comes from within. Some of the elements which make women most beautiful are: Passion: A woman who has passion can never look dull. The biggest mistake women do, is when they neglect their passion; when they neglect that part of themselves. A hobby, an interest ignites life, keeps a person going. A woman who takes the time to follow her passions, whatever they may be, understands that life is too precious. Focusing on a hobby is a way to clear the mental palate. A woman who follows her passion simultaneously, is certainly is admirable. It is nice to watch someone pursue her dreams; it is in fact the most beautiful experience human beings can have. Compassion: However beautifully a woman is decked up, if she is cold-hearted, and only loves herself, she is the ugliest woman. If a woman is inept and does not feel for others, is not compassionate, all her physical beauty is waste. We see those self-absorbed attractive celebrities on the front covers of the magazines, people forget them after few years. Beauty is skin deep. A woman who understands how to give and receive love is much more desirable than a woman who has none to spare. Has a mind of her own: A woman who uses her mind stands out. When a woman for the sake of her family neglects her intellect, it’s sad. I think neglecting one’s intellect is the worst crime against self. The pursuit of knowledge and truth is not only attractive, but essential to our existence. Knowledge is empowerment. Dr. Kadambini Ganguly and Dr. Anandi Gopal Joshi were the first Indian female physicians, trained in Western Medicine. They looked very charming because of their accomplishments. Their ability to rise above circumstances and to realize their potentials made them look splendid. Joyful spirit: Women should never lose their joyful spirit. A laughing, joyful woman is welcome everywhere. No one likes to sit in company of sulking person. Disappointments are part and parcel of life. But there is so much more which need not be overlooked. The point is, a sense of adventure and appreciation for all that life has to offer is more attractive. Spontaneity adds to the facevalue; taking the child for a walk, or singing a favorite song loudly, watching a comedy serial or cooking a favorite dish – so much can be done to add the extra tinge to life. A joyful spirit is a woman's spirit.Resilience: A woman with resilience is loved by all. The world admires fighters. I think nothing is more beautiful than a woman who refuses to give up. Tenacity, whether in one’s career, marriage, or physical health, is highly inspiring. Resilience is about believing that life can never defeat unless one allows herself to become defeated. Accepting the worst or the best in equal stride is so uplifting. The movie ‘Dangal’ gives the hair raising experience in the movie halls to the viewers for the resilience shown by Geeta and Babita (the Phogat sisters). The film makes the audience aware of the struggles and achievements of the Phogat sisters. Its inspiring story for all women. Confidence: There is thin line between bragging and confidence. The face tells it all. Confident woman stand out in crowd. Confidence is about a woman looking poised for her own assurance about her knowledge, her strategies, and her style of execution, her looks, and the way she speaks, stands and talks. A confident woman doesn’t need other people’s support to help her feel the pride in herself. Confident women are more appealing than a women who continually seeks others’ approval. Liveliness: I think energetic women look most beautiful, Liveliness sets them apart from others. An energetic woman has a matchless vitality for life is and she should be idolized for it. When a woman follows her passion, shows compassion, pursues her intellect, keeps a sense of adventure, refuses to give up, and believes herself to be worthy, she is admired and followed ubiquitously. As women, our sense of confidence derives typically from our beliefs and attitudes about ourselves and our life experiences. When we look in the mirror, our inner beliefs color how we view our outer look. The more authentically confident we feel inside, the more favorably we see ourselves outside. Beauty lies within.

[akshada11chavan]

Instagram, spamming and oversharing

Instagram, spamming and oversharing Is it really a form of Self-expression? Posting on Instagram, or as I like to call it ‘Constructing a fake persona online’ has changed the way we look at ourselves and the world. You could say that this app is a form of self-expression but is it really a platform to express? or to show off? Yes, of course people have the right to post whatever they desire, but is that really self-expression that is bursting out in the form of sharing on social media or is it just another way to show that we are at constant competition with the world and sharing on social networks is one of the ways that we can show that ‘My life is still happening’. The point is, sharing things on Instagram is not wrong, but I guess, some of us or most of us, may be using the app for a wrong reason. Let us take an example of people posting for their friends’ birthday. It is really nice to see a birthday post and the person is probably very touched that they got an Instagram post/story dedicated to her/him. Person A could have wished Person B separately via message if A really wanted to genuinely wish B, but no, an Instagram post is mandatory if you are close friends. Here come the haters – who say “BUT, instagram is meant for self expression!!”. Of course, it is, and Instagram posts are not completely devoid of emotion, but that has become equivalent to getting gifts on your birthday. To show that you really care, do you have to post a story/post about someone? Maybe your first priority is to express yourself which is all good, but the fact that your followers need to know that you adore someone on their special day- I think that thought always stays with us when we need to share something online.’ People want to express, for the wrong reason. Everything has become so public. Relationships, outings, places, people, travel spots, vacations, the movies you watch, the books you read, the posts you relate to – people nowadays feel the need to make these things about them public. And that is not a bad thing, and I guess I’m neutral towards this behavior pattern, because that has become ingrained in our personality. Sharing things we like, is putting ourselves out there, so others know what kind of people we are. And that has become natural. But there is oversharing after a point. Yes, you went to this show, and if you tell me you went I will believe you. We have reached a point where if you do not post what happened in your life on social media, did that interesting thing that happened to you, really happen? This reminds of the time I went for a stand up comedy show. Kanan Gill – a popular personality in this circle, was performing. When he got onto stage he immediately saw a sea of mobile phones cover the faces of all the people. He got a little annoyed and said that “You’re friends are going to believe you even if you do not post it on social media. If they do not believe you, I must say they are pretty bad friends!”. Yes, social media is meant to share. Why do we want to share? Maybe we are good at something like photography or music or art and Instagram is a rising, excellent platform to showcase our skills. It’s also fun. The validation, the likes, the comments – it’s easy and fun to get caught up in such superficiality, but when you do not get the likes or the validation, you sort of spiral downwards. It’s alright to want those things, but to what extent and at what cost? The fact that we openly admit that ‘this won’t get a lot of likes’, shows what we really think of ourselves and people around us and how much we are in dearth of validation. Showing others what we are doing, not in a way to inform, but to sort of rub it in their face – just to make them jealous – this attitude has become increasingly popular. If someone hates on another person, he or she will not express her feelings in person, rather, he or she will put a story on their account, and express their emotions on this platform. I understand if this is about an important issue, that we need to be aware of, but petty fights take place on this medium, and Instagram has become an ugly place, where we have collectively decided to put others down. In a study conducted, it was found that Youtube, out of all the social media, had the most positive effect on the viewers and Instagram had the most negative effect. Because you constantly compare other people’s lives to yours, this leads to major FOMO – or fear of missing out, and Instagram was also related to concerns about body image and sleep loss. Also, the ever- growing segment of population who act as guerrilla marketing figures and are considered conventionally very attractive has led to internalization of unrealistic body standards and body comparison. It is not the fault of the influencer, but the fault of the public here, we put these people on a pedestal, and treat them like they are Gods. This makes us think that these influencers are correct in what they do and this leads to Idealisation of certain body types and obsessive body as well as attitude surveillance. The issue with discussing such topics is that, we are all guilty of this oversharing behavior. We are all hypocrites, and that makes us a part of this mainstream, millennial crowd, which I’m not sure is a good thing or a bad thing. The tendency has spread like a parasite and we all deal with the problems of this trend in some form or the other. What we do have to remember is that even though Instagram has had a history of bringing about negative vibes, it all falls down to how we want to use the apps and how genuine we really want to be. Maybe we can focus on positive exploration, rather than things that we know will bring us down. Use this form of media to inspire, create and ignite your curiosity, rather than using it to show off, make others jealous or hurt others. I hope this made sense to you, thank you for reading!

[akshada11chavan]

5 ways to get rid of acne

Acne at any stage of your lives is unbearable. I dont know which is worse, adult acne or the kind of acne that appears during the teenage years. A pimple on the other hand, one here and there is a different story. Hopefully it will disappear. But what about those bunch of pimples that grows just millimetres apart and it’s even painful to look at. It can come on your cheeks, forehead or other body areas like on the shoulders and arms. No matter what you do, they kind of look determined to be one of a kind life form of its own. I have been there and it’s really a pain to live with. There were times when I couldn’t sleep on the left side of my check due to the group of pimples living there. These are the kind of pimples that decided to get under your skin and mind. Hence we need to find ways to control them and reduce the painful inflammation that comes with it. Our dignity and skin is at risk here. Always patch test your skin before you use any new product as skin is unpredictable due to our age, climate and health. Through my research, I have found some ways to take care of them or rather get rid of them, let’s scroll down, Witch hazel It’s the oldest form of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory herb used in ancient history. It is produced from the bark and leaves of the plant called Hamamelis Virginana. This is a natural toner and soothes the acne prone skin by shrinking the pores and removing oily residue on the face. The trick is to use witch hazel on cotton pads and sweep it across the acne prone area. Witch hazel in the form of a toner or lotion is generally available online at Amazon.com. Use it three times a week as daily use may make the skin a bit dry. It is said that witch hazel resets the complexion as it also helps in reducing blemishes on skin. So go for products that contain this life saving plant and see the relief it brings to acne. Check the above product.It is available on amazon.in. Tea Tree oil Tea tree oil is an oil that will clog the pores and is safe to use on acne. The oil is taken from the leaves of a tree called tea tree and so the name. This has nothing to do with the tea that we drink or green tea, as some people tend to confuse them with the former. It is anti- fungal and antiseptic. This oil soothes itchiness associated with acne. Tea tree oil removes bacteria and helps to reduce reactions on the skin. This is as effective as benzoyl peroxide ,but takes time to do its magic. Using it in the form gel with a five percent concentration everyday will be helpful for those suffering from severe acne symptoms. I personally depended on tea tree oil in the form of sleeping tea tree mask from the body shop brand and it saved my skin in a big way.Check out the above product too,they are from body shop and is available in outlets anywhere in India. Avoid Pore clogging Products What do pore clogging products do to your skin? It suffocates the pores and clogs it with more sebum and bacteria, thus making the skin prone to more pimples. You may have noticed your skin breaking out when that new creamy face cream is used. It may be a well- known brand and used by many ,but just won’t work on an acne prone skin. Such skin creams sit on top of your skin ,leaving a residue and is not transparent in consistency. Better to stay away from such creams. The same goes with face serums that claim to make your skin young and rested. Oils like Argan oil (some say they don’t clog but it does from my personal experience) castor oil, coconut oil, wheat germ oil are comedogenic. This means they will clog the pores at some level and make it a breeding ground for bacteria. Further to this condition, it produces whiteheads and blackheads. Clean scalp and face Some suffer from dandruff prone scalp and this can cause pimples on the forehead. Did you know if not treated properly dandruff can make scalp oily too ,and the bacteria can cause acne on face? Do not use creamy shampoos if you have an oily scalp, especially if it’s accompanied by dandruff. A clear shampoo that’s anti-dandruff in nature can keep the scalp clean and oil free. Look for shampoos that have salicylic acid, which is good for dandruff. Washing the face two times a day is enough for the skin .According to dermatologists, washing three times a day can strip the face of the needed moisture, making the face sensitive and prone to irritation. Face needs ingredients that can keep the acne inflammation away. Hence look for tea tree oil, salicylic and witch hazel in face wash. Scrubbing makes acne worse, so keep those exfoliating types of scrubs away from your face till it clears out. Use of topical antibiotics and diagnosis Above all, it’s important to get prescription antibiotics from a dermatologist to treat the acne flare up initially. This step is important to rule out any kind of infection that is keeping the acne from healing. Topical antibiotics with benzoyl peroxide is effective for removing the bacteria .Some doctors may prescribe antibiotic tablets too, but be aware of prolonged use .It may cause bacteria resistance and side-effects too. Always limit antibiotics to a specific time as per the doctor’s instructions. Keep in mind to check if the hormones are within the normal range to check for any imbalance and whether you need to take treatment for it. Acne causes low self-esteem for some and creates social issues for people suffering from them. There are people battling with acne since their childhood and even though it may seem a harmless skin problem to others, people having them may tell another story. I think we all could be a bit empathetic when we see people with skin issues and not make them uncomfortable by pointing out or asking them about it. As each health issue no matter big or small has its own suffering to

[akshada11chavan]

How NRIs can contribute to India’s development?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government has decided to liberalize foreign direct investment norms for NRIs and overseas citizens of India (OCI) as it aims to increase capital flows into the country. The Indian Prime Minister also reached out to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with several incentives, including lifetime visas and he has done away with the NRI’s weekly attendance in police station which was mandatory. In short, the NRIs are welcomed with open arms by the BJP Government and some NRIs do feel the positive changes. Perhaps all this has to do with the Indian Government’s recently announced dual citizenship law and the effusive honor accorded to the NRIs at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. It seems the NRI is finally getting the recognition he deserves from the mother country. The NRIs can do so much for India. For instance, some 200,000 prosperous NRI retirees in Canada and the U.S., who are considered a new brand of tourists, who wish to visit India routinely to escape the cold weather of the West. They will pour millions of dollars yearly into Indian economy, creating a ripple effect for the hospitality, healthcare, clothing and tourism sectors. In return, they want India to provide long-distance bus service at the major Indian airports, more frequent air links to more cities and build some safe 3-star and 4-star motel chains and more of bed and breakfast motels. Yet again, a large number of foreign-educated NRIs about 25,000 of them such as doctors, engineers, teachers, economists, MBAs and the like, who are now superannuated from service and earning fabulous pensions, desire to serve India. These NRIs, the professional elites of the affluent First World, can certainly accept volunteer assignments in the nation’s schools, laboratories and institutions of higher learning. Till date we have not thought of tapping this resource. Perhaps the privately-run Indian colleges can set the ball rolling and break the mould to herald an era of innovative teaching and learning process. After all, in North American universities, summer courses are widely taught by the guest teachers. The Indian government institutions, caught as they are in inertia and red-tapism, will tend to resist. But once the barriers are removed India will create new intellectual trends to modernize learning and help accelerate its development. Next, NRIs with the dual citizenship would be well inclined to invest in the real estate of India. India needs some 150 million new homes/apartments. NRIs have the money and experience of living in modern and safe apartments abroad. They would like to duplicate the experience in India!! But there is one serious hurdle. While in the West, buying and selling property is a simple affair it is not so in India. For example, many an NRI, especially from Punjab, who had migrated to Canada decades ago, have in due course become the legal heirs to their ancestral properties in the State. But this ownership is more imaginary than real. The NRIs’ relatives, in collusion with the local officials, are often successful in nerve-racking and depriving them of their property. A similar situation exists in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Perhaps in the new government Ministry of NRI Affairs will help unravel the mess to attract foreign investment in a big way. I think some 80 years ago, two NRIs, M.K. Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, on returning home, could help throw off the mighty British Empire out, surely then the modern NRI can at least lend a helping hand to enhance prosperity in mother land. If given a chance, the NRI will become a symbol for change. We need to look at various avenues to engage their services. NRIs bring with them broader perspectives, new ideas and different ways of doing things. The combination of local knowledge and cross-border processes often leads to valuable innovation. Indeed, many of the innovations for large social issues in India are the brainchild of returned NRIs. A citizen residing abroad, especially a first generation immigrant, almost inevitably feels the “pull” of home, and the prospect of return always remains a very real possibility. The sense of belonging is one of the challenges of a traveler’s life. Ambassadors, however, are always of the place they came from. Their fortunes remain intertwined with their origins, and the divide between the resident and the non-resident is simulated. When things go well for India—it reflects well on all of us. When things go wrong—we all stand together to criticize and defend what is ours. Good work done by each group supports the other both economically and socially. Creating artificial internal divisions diminishes us as a country, especially when we need to invest effort in finding synergies to build a strong country worthy of being called a great power. Many NRIs help raise value of brand India. The individual NRIs out there who are in very significant positions are brand ambassadors of India. The dignity with which they present themselves, the quality of their contributions, the ability they hold in unfamiliar circumstances, all add to the respect of the home country. This is how NRIs uphold a positive brand image of India in foreign lands. They are the ones who suffer first if the national prestige of India suffers. Part of the daily negotiation for an NRI is to fit in with the rules and norms of the other place, and to be seen as trustworthy. This is great opportunity to counter some of the negative stereotypes persistent about India. We have to work hard to remove stigmas such as red-tapism, corruption, law and order issues and immoral activities right away. NRIs can contribute to the development of India in transferring knowledge, funding to set up start-ups and provide more employment, setup or fund NGO’s to eradicate social issues, and they are the ones who can pressurize governments to take positive actions in research & development.

[akshada11chavan]

Sushma Swaraj

On 6 August 2019 India lost one of its favorite daughter, Sushma Swaraj. The Indian media and social media was abuzz with all sorts of stories on her. Right from the time she entered the politics as a young member of parliament, she will always be remembered for her dedication and commitment towards work and her excellent oratory skills. But I am not writing this post to talk about her political career. We all have seen and experienced enough of it. I am also not writing to illustrate what an excellent speaker she was. We have heard enough of her speeches to witness it. What really caught my attention among all these stories is the one which I think was the most important to her as well. This post is not about Sushma, its about her Swaraj. It was only quite recently that I read about Swaraj Kaushal. What is noteworthy is that in a predominantly patriarchial society this man was the pillar of strength that every woman dreams of. Despite the fact that his own career was no less either. At the mere age of 34 he was the youngest ever Senior Advocate designated by the Supreme Court of India. Not many are aware that he fought for the Mizoram Peace Accord and his work in the northeast region is noteworthy. He has the honour of being India’s youngest ever Governor of a state at the age of 37. While his wife, Sushma was the youngest Cabinet minister at the age of 25 in 1977. Both of them had an illustrious professional life. From what I read in a few articles that I could find on their marriage, their camraderie and companionship was outstanding too. Two very successful people to have a successful marriage with the wife running in forefront in public eye is something that is rarely seen in our country. It really speaks volume on the strength of the character that Mr Swaraj must be. The couple also defied many other social norms. Sushma was 5 months older than her husband. But in a relationship thats so solid and secure, these facts hardly matter. What is even more surprising is that both came from different political views. While Sushma hailed from a family with strong RSS connection, Swaraj had more socialist views. Two individuals with differing professional views and yet to have a successful marriage is something that the generation of today should learn from. Sushma was survived by her husband and only daughter Bansuri. Here again, the couple taught us the value of girl child. Its 2019 and India still grapples with issues like female foeticide and rape. How many Sushma’s do we really need to prove that a girl child can bring just as much honour and pride to the family. Not just the family but the entire country. The couple again defied the societal norms when their daughter performed the last rites. Earlier we also saw daughter of former Prime Minister Atalji performing the last rites of her father. Not just Bansuri, Sushma herself performed the last rites of her father-in-law as per his wishes. We need more such strong women to come forward and broaden our horizons. But strong women are not enough to change the perceptions of society. We need even stronger men to back their strong woman. There are many women in this country who have tried to defy societal norms but more often than not end up having broken homes or failed relationships. Because their first level of support which should be their own family fail to understand them. We have enough Sushmas. What we really need is more Swarajs to give their wife/daughter/mother/sister the space and the environment to be able to fully grow and blossom. If only every Sushma had her Swaraj… PC: TimesNowNews

[akshada11chavan]

Your childhood decides your success in adulthood

Most of us don’t remember our first two or three years of life; but the fact is our earliest experiences may remain in our memory with us for years and continue to influence us well into adulthood. Our personalities shape on how we were treated in childhood, the order in which we are born in the family, our teachers, our childhood friends and our hobbies. From the biological angel, a lot of or behavior patterns depend on how we are nurtured, a lot of what goes on during childhood, influences how we turn out as adults. And, there isn’t a set right and wrong formula for ensuring achievement and happiness in adulthood. A lot of research has been conducted by world famous Universities and research institutes on childhood psychology and it is found that the type of emotional support that a child receives during the first three and a half years has an effect on education, social life and romantic relationships almost 20 or 30 years later. Babies and toddlers raised in supportive and caring home environments tend to do better on standardized tests and later on, they are found more likely to attain higher degrees as adults. They are also more likely to get along with their peers and feel contented in their romantic relationships. Although, parental behavior in the early years is just one of many influences, but it is not the only factor causing the benefits; researchers have accounted for socioeconomic status and the environment in which children grow up as an important parameters in an individual’s development in life. A specific study was conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland on 165 babies; when separated from their parents, some got upset but quickly recovered when they were reunited. Other babies had a harder time trusting their parents after a brief separation, and they weren’t able to calm down after being reunited. This speaks a lot. Some children are extra-sensitive and when they face some trauma in their childhood, they feel anxious in socializing as teenagers. If as a child your parents didn’t let you make decisions, you might be a dependent adult. If you had controlling parents, you might be a stubborn adult. If you watched too much TV as a baby, you may have suppressed communication skills. If you watched too much of violent programs on TV, you are more likely to be an aggressive grown-up. If you mimic your parents, you’ll be more open-minded as an adult. Here comes some more focus on what kind of individual you are: if you are the eldest among your siblings, you are responsible, confident and conscientious. You are more likely to mirror your parents’ beliefs and attitudes. You are likely to be comfortable with adults. It is said that oldest children are often natural leaders, and this might reflect at their work place. This is because they are more likely to have power over their younger siblings. Obviously, their siblings must be looking up to them for taking decisions, quite likely these (eldest in family) individuals are dominant and want things to be done in particular manner. Oldest children in later years tend to be perfectionists. If someone is the middle one among his/her siblings, the person possibly is adaptable, diplomatic and good at people skills. The person must be amicable and might be good at people skills. He/she might like to bring people together. Middle children are often popular and easy-going. However, because their role in the family changes from youngest to middle, it is seen that they often struggle to establish a clear role for themselves, and many go through a period of upheaval. They often face identity crisis. Often it is seen that middle children are competitive by nature. This is because they do not have the time on their own with their parents that oldest and youngest children enjoy, and their role as the baby of the family is supplanted, so they have to find other ways of getting their parent’s attention. Their success in life helps them get the required attention. If a person is the youngest child in the family, he/she must be a charming individual. Possible also impulsive and good at getting their own way. The youngest child is pampered among all children. The youngest child is treated as baby of the family, this means that he or she is likely to be spoilt. They tend to take on fewer responsibilities and more opportunities for fun compared to older siblings. But, another fact is also that the youngest child often finds that he/she is not taken as seriously or is not given the independence by the family members. You will often see that the youngest ones in the family crave for independence. Youngest children often rebel as a way of distinguishing themselves from older brothers and sisters; they tend to search uniqueness. They are more likely to take on risks, and often choose a career that differentiates them from other members of their family. Finally, we find that individuals who are raised as the only child, probably have enjoyed all attention from parents and others in the family. Because of all attention, they are more confident, meticulous and socially mature. This happens due to the amount of time they spend in a largely adult world. The only child assumes that others know his/her feeling, they also think that others think the same way as they do. It is quite possible, they may be dependent on their parents for longer time than other children, spending more time at home and delaying decisions about their future. They depend on others in decisions making cause in their childhood, their parents make most of the decision for them. Our childhood experiences include the way we have been raised by our parents, this combined with our own personalities. Our reaction to siblings and peers and the context of our lives prepares a particular set of beliefs and patterns that have a huge impact on our future relationships. People generally can’t change who they are but they can change how they behave and how they are. Our personalities, tendencies, gifts, and vulnerabilities remain the same throughout life but how we use them can, with effort, change substantially. If in our childhood it required that we give up, or more accurately, hide our innate sensitivity, openness, joy, or talents because they were not welcomed and understood by our caregivers. But, we can re-discover them and develop the things that have been suppressed or denied in our adulthood. This shift not only feels better but begins to change our relationship patterns on a deeper level.