Technology succeeds where a law failed.

Where laws failed, here comes technology with the potential to root out one of the most dehumanising jobs in Indian society.In Indian society, traditionally, it has been Valmiki Dalits who the caste system entrusted the task of manual scavenging. With modern sewage systems, the job of descending into the drains to unclog them also fell on the Valmikis.

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, banned all local authorities, agencies and individuals from hiring any “person for hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank” after one year of commencement of the Act.Yet the newspapers regularly tell us of those who descended into manholes, choked on poisonous gases, and failed to come out alive. Often, those who go in to rescue the trapped men also fail to come out alive. 

If anybody deserves to operate the Bandicoot wherever it is deployed it is those who entered sewer and septic tanks all these year. The 2013 Act also promises to rehabilitate them. Having failed in prohibition the least the government can do is to adopt technology and offer the newly created jobs to those who lose them because of Bandicoot. The young men who developed Bandicoot also deserve our unstinted praise. They reaffirm that AI and Robotics can be a force for good and there is scope for much innovation in many walks of human life. The Kerala government has done well to give these young men at Gen Robotics their first break. 

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PNB fraud may put 10,000 jobs on the line, spike jewellery NPAs to 30%

Care Ratings highlighted adverse impact of scam on developments in international trade and domestic revenue.

The Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam could negatively impact around 10,000 people working in the gems and jewellery sector as business woes of Gitanjali Group and Nirav Modi firms continue.

In addition, the banking sector’s non-performing assets (NPAs) in the gems and jewellery sector may surge to 30 percent from the current 11 percent of loans disbursed in the troubled segment, said a Care Ratings report.

Following the disclosure of the PNB scam worth Rs 12,700 crore by the Delhi-based bank on February 14, the two group companies involved in the scam – three of Nirav Modi’s firms and his uncle Mehul Chokshi’s Gitanjali Group – have written letters to their employees asking them to look for other jobs as they would not be able to pay them their salaries.

The shutdown of Gitanjali Group and Nirav Modi firms could lead to:

• Foreign trade in jewellery could decline by 5-6 percent in 2018-19.Overall sale of jewellery could be impacted by as much as 16 percent. 3,000 permanent staff of the two companies could lose jobs, which could further impact around 7,000-8,000 non-permanent staff directly or indirectly.A simulation analysis shows that NPA ratio for this sector could climb to 30 percent.
• 
  
• Gitanjali Gems is among the largest jewellery retailers in the country, where the market is estimated at Rs 3,90,000 crore, that consists of 30 percent formal retailers. The two companies - Gitanjali and Nirav Modi - employed 648 and 2,200 employees respectively, as per a March 2017 filing.
• 
  

Impact of NPAs on banks.
Amid large loans totalling over Rs 21,000 crore including direct loans given to the two groups, the Indian gems and jewellery sector may see a substantial increase in bad loans. According to the ratings agency, stressed assets ratio for the banking system as of September 2017 was 12.2 percent, while the gems and jewellery sector reported 11.7 percent stressed advances ratio, which was lower than the sample average.

"With these two companies having reported borrowings of around Rs 16,000-17,000 crore (as per annual report and other sources and assuming there are no other loans from other banks than is reported), overall gross NPA ratio for this sector based on outstanding as of December 2017 (including the contingent liability falling due) and stressed assets as per RBI data for September 2017 would work out to around 30 percent,” it said.

• .
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MARATHI BHASHA DIN

Today the 27th February is birth day of great Jnanpeeth award winning Marathi poet.

This day is dedicated to his memory by observing it as Marathi Bhasha Din.

Nothing wrong in being proud of your mother tongue. That does not belittle importance of other languages. Kaka Kalelkar, Prabhakar Machve, Vinoba Bhave were equally competent in multi languages. Yesteryear Saints like Jnaneshwar or Tulsidas have begun their works with a prayer in Sanskrit before launching on vernacular. In fact some ancient Sanskrit Drama will have King's dialogue in Sanskrit. Queen's in Pali or magadhi and joker speaking is Pishachi. All in one play. Such co-existence is essence of Indian culture. Or it was till politicians inspired from Britishers sought to divide the nation on linguistic basis.

All Indian languages are suffering from encroachment of other languages. National Hindi and international English. An article was written by a Telugu Police officer against backdrop of Telangana unrest in which he blamed Telugu's neglecting their own language and adapting to Hindi and English. That need not be the case. One of the enriching factor for the vocabulary of any language is borrowing words from other languages. Rulers contributing more than neighbours. The victors have been vanquished through out the history by local cultural influence and the language being main contributor. Sanskrit, Urdu, English all have contributed in adding to the wealth of all Indian languages.

One of the parameters to judge the health of any language is the kind of literature produced in that language. How many books are printed in Marathi ? Thousands every year of large variety. Go to any SAMMELAN and you will find a bee line of poets carrying their manuscripts to be red before not so poor audience. Every District place in the State has its own news paper in Marathi. 

The worry is seen among Metropolitan elite. They any way have route from nowhere. Trumpet global belonging to overlook and neglect their forefathers. Let them be happy in their ivory tower ! Aam Aadmi is different. If Marathi or any other Indian language is going to continue to flourish, it is because of them. They don't mind speaking in Gujrathi to baniya and Hindi to Bhaiya freely interchanging words from one language to other . The communication is not hampered. Isn't that primary purpose of language ?


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How To Stay Fit over 50 and Still Enjoy Eating.

As we get older our body composition changes. This is often a result of becoming less active, which leads to a decrease in our basal metabolic rate (BMR).

With less muscle to burn calories, we may find that we can’t eat as much as we used to without gaining weight. Other changes in hormones, tastes, energy levels, and nutrient absorption can also impact our fitness levels and health.

However, staying fit over 50 doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy eating. Learn how to get the balance right with these great tips.

Stay Active.

Many people think that our metabolism decreases as we get older, but this isn’t true.What actually happens is that our activity levels decrease and we lose muscle mass as a result. With less muscle the body needs less energy, so food is stored as fat rather than burned off. Our basal metabolic rate (BMR) then slows down as the composition of our bodies change.Walking is a good, fairly low-impact exercise that will help to burn calories and maintain muscle mass. Walking is also great for the heart and helps to boost your mood.

Cut Calories, Not Taste.

With small changes to the meals you love you can save a lot of calories and still enjoy eating.

Many people find that reducing their intake of carbohydrates helps them to stay in shape. Why not try spaghetti squash as an alternative to pasta? And even if you’re not much of a baker, this low card bread recipe is delicious and simple to make.

Drink Water.

Our sense of thirst also reduces as we get older, so it might not be so easy to tell when we’re dehydrated.

Drinking water can help reduce hunger, boosts energy and facilitates digestion.

And not drinking enough water can cause urinary tract infections and lead to memory problems, so getting enough water is beneficial for our physical and mental health.

Keep small bottles of water in your fridge and drink from them regularly, even if you don’t feel particularly thirsty. You should aim for around eight cups per day for good health.

Sleep Well.

Staying fit at any age is all about balance. As well as your diet and activity level, getting enough sleep is an important part of that.

As well as giving you the chance to rest your mind and body, sleep helps to regulate the hormones that control hunger signals. Not sleeping well can disrupt these signals and fool your brain into thinking you’re hungry when you’re not.

As we get older it can be harder to enjoy a good night’s sleep, possibly because of hormonal factors, physical discomfort or changes to our oxygen intake.

If you’re finding it hard to sleep at night then these simple solutions to help you sleep better should help.

Consider Supplements.

Our bodies become less efficient at absorbing some nutrients as we get older, so it’s important to make the calories we consume as nutrient-dense as possible to stay healthy.

Without key vitamins, it can be hard for your body to process food correctly into energy, meaning that you may feel tired and sluggish. You may also put yourself at risk of infections and more serious illnesses.

Some of the nutrients you may be lacking include Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Vitamin D, Fiber, and Omega-3 Fats.

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Mind over body

I come across so many cases where a not-so-slim man or woman has the perfect blood sugar levels and lipid profiles while the blood readings, health parameters and hormones of a really fit and toned person are all over the place. The difference I believe is in the mind. People in the former group are just happy, playful, fun-loving with not a care in the world, while the latter could be just the opposite - fearful of every bite, indulging in negative self talk, chasing their goals and jealous. Such is the power of the human mind and thoughts on our body.

                                         

It is proven beyond doubt that there is a constant communication between the mind and body.Every thought that crosses our mind or every word that we utter, signals the body accordingly and the body responds by manifesting those thoughts. This is exactly why positive affirmations mantras work like magic. By constantly focusing on the positive aspects of life or expressing gratitude towards little things, we automatically train our brain to think positive.

Even when it comes to health, one cannot take the "mind" out of the equation of prevention and healing. Most diseases these days, including the struggle and inability to lose weight, may be connected to a malfunction in the body's spirit and mind. It's all 'psychosomatic', meaning it stems from the mind, and then by constantly thinking about it, we create a perfect environment for the disease to actually breed. So if you picture a disease for yourself - you are likely to invite it. Instead, picture yourself as a healthy and happy person and you are likely to be so. It is that simple yet so very profound.

Hence, it is of utmost important to not only exercise our body, but also exercise and detoxify our mind. Practices like meditation, pranayama, deep breathing, positive affirmations, maintaining a gratitude journal, is very powerful because it helps us find inner balance and peace and handle the stressors of everyday life in a more positive and less damaging way. It promotes mind-body healing.

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Sridevi, who ruled the silver screen in the 1980s, no more...

Sridevi, whose irresistible cocktail of indigenous oomph and gift for connecting with the audience filled up cavernous single-screens and took her to the pinnacle of popularity in the Hindi, Telugu and Tamil film industries, died in Dubai on Saturday night.

Pure gold at the box office, Sridevi could also turn out sensitive performances – Moondrum Pirai (Sadma in Hindi), Lamhe and, more lately, English Vinglish to name just three – with equal felicity and feel.

During her pomp in the 1980s, Sridevi was often the film’s real hero. At a time when action was king and brawny men lorded over the box-office, scripts revolved around her. Chaalbaaz (1989), a Seeta aur Geeta reprise, had both biggies Sunny Deol and Rajinikanth playing second fiddle to her. Mr India (1987) might as well have been titled Miss India. And over 30 years since its release her snake dance in the blockbuster Nagina (1986) continues to be imitated by drunken men at weddings.

The Sridevi phenomenon in Hindi films started with Himmatwala in 1983. But the Sivakasi-born’s career had begun over a decade and half earlier. She worked as a child artiste with thespians such as Sivaji Ganesan (Kandan Karunai, 1967) and MGR (Nam Naadu) in Tamil films. Her lead debut feature in Hindi, Solva Savan was a remake of her Tamil hit, 16 Vayathinile (At 16), a rare film also starring fellow legends Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Director Bharathi Rajaa’s venture vanished like smoke in wind, setting her Bollywood career back. And that’s despite a much-discussed scene where the teenage heroine is baited unsuccessfully to wade through water without getting her dress wet.

Then Himmatwala, with Jeetendra in the male lead, happened. An essay in imbecility that has since acquired iconic status, director K Raghavendra Rao’s starrer hit the bull’s eye. So did Sridevi. Her rise and shine was part of a great Southern wave that hit Bollywood in the late-1970s and early 1980s. Jaya Prada (Sargam, 1979), Kamal Haasan (Ek Duje Ke Liye, 1981) and Rajinikanth (Andha Kanoon, 1983) all found fertile fresh ground but none reached the skyscraper heights like Sridevi in Bombay.

Directors such as K Raghavendra Rao (Himmatwala, Tohfa) and K Bapaiah (Mawali, Maqsad) played key roles at this juncture of her career. These movies were aimed to please the frontbenchers at a time when the gentry was being lured away from the theatres by the new techno-toy: the video cassette player. The thoughtful Sadma, released the same year, sank without a trace.

But with the passage of time and growth of her own box-office clout, Sridevi started demanding and getting stronger roles – Chaalbaaz and Nagina – to name two. Later she is even said to have refused an inadequate part in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park.

When Bollywood A listers Shekhar Kapur (Mr India) and Yash Chopra (Chandni and Lamhe) cast her, it meant her conquest of Bollywood was complete. Sridevi became the chiffon in Chopra’s Switzerland. In both Chandni and Lamhe, Sridevi displayed a more expressive and less flamboyant side to her film persona as evident in some of her Tamil and Telugu movies such as the award-winning Meendum Kokila (1982).

Few heroines could transmit the joy and abandon of dancing like her. Be it the desi Gori tere ang ang mein (Tohfa) or the western Hawa hawai (Mr India), Sridevi brought a bounce and spontaneity to her showstopper moves. That Gori tere ang ang mein, a song where Jeetendra and Sridevi run around a thousand copper vessels has 40 million YouTube views, only shows her brand of sensuality continues to enamor in the size-zero age.

After her marriage in 1996 to Boney Kapoor, who had produced her super hit Mr India as well as the super flop Roop Ki Rani, Choron ka Raja (1993), she exited the film scene only to return after a hiatus. English Vinglish (2012), which also became a hit in Hong Kong and England, showed her further ripening as an artiste.

Her sudden death has come as a shock to all, especially family and colleagues. But those who paid hard-earned money for a date with her in sweaty theatres will always remember her as a star who always delivered on the promise of a paisa vasool trip to the world of their dreams and fantasies.

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These 5 Healthy Snacks Will Not Add Inches To Your Waist.

           "Diets, like clothes, should be tailored to you."- Joan Rivers

Who doesn't want to be fit and in good shape? While some slog endless hours in the gym simply others continue working out by doing some or the other form of yoga. In all this, you also have some who many tend to diet all in hope to get in shape.

The word 'dieting' has more often than not been considered taboo. People tend to judge you if you tell them that you are working hard and keeping a check on what you eat simply by dieting. Every now and then, various types of diets become famous. However, what they forget is a simple fact that learning the art of eating right is winning more than half the battle.

What most people tend to forget is the fact that dieting is more to do with eating right and at the correct time. What most people get wrong is giving up on every form of food that you eat usually will end up leaving you with a lot of cravings.

1. Having a handful of peanuts and chana is a good way to curb the untiming hunger pangs. Being a good source of vitamin E, niacin, folate, protein and manganese, peanuts and chana keep you satiated for a longer duration.

2. Makhanas are a popular fasting food. They are a good source of protein, carbohydrates, phosphorus, iron, fibre, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Being high in fibre and low in calories, it enables weight loss.

3. Eating fresh seasonal food every day, as a snack is great for your health. Every fruit has health benefits and its existence in a specific season has a reason.

4. Chikki contains jaggery and it has many health benefits. From purifying blood, jaggery has natural cleansing properties which aids digestion.

5. Having homemade chakli is also another great option to pick from. Though it is a fried snack but making it in ghee is healthy for you. As it is prepared from rice flour, gram flour, wheat flour and a mixture of lentil flours, eating it in moderation as a snack is not a bad option.

Just remember, being fit and staying healthy is more important for your overall well-being. 

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Ayushman Bharat Yojana to bring ‘paradigm shift’ in health sector: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing a public rally at the Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar 

after laying the foundation stone of the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical science

Itanagar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Centre is taking up the Ayushman Bharat Yojana on mission mode to provide quality and affordable health care to nearly 50 crore people across the country.

He said the scheme, billed as the world’s largest government-funded health care programme, is a path-breaking initiative and would bring a “paradigm shift” in the health sector.

Modi was addressing a public rally at the Indira Gandhi Park in the Arunachal Pradesh capital after laying the foundation stone of the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Science.

“The scale of this scheme is un-parallelled and it will bring a paradigm shift in our health sector. It is time to give India a health care system that makes quality treatment affordable within a limit of Rs 5 lakh per family,” he said.

Modi asked the state government to frame a new health policy and work to attract private investments in the sector. The health care programme was announced by finance minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget for 2018-19.

Clad in traditional tribal attire, Modi also announced that the New Delhi-Naharlagun Express would now be called “Arunachal Express”. The frequency of the train, connecting the national capital to the state, would also be increased from one to two days a week. The train, he said, will connect the “people of the state with mainland India”.

Referring to the BJP-led NDA government’s crusade against corruption, Modi said the government has been able to curb corruption through the direct bank transfer (DBT) scheme.

“The Centre has saved Rs54,000 crore through Aadhaar-enabled direct benefit transfer of about 400 government schemes,” he added.

The prime minister also dedicated the state civil secretariat to the people of the state and unveiled the plaque of the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Centre before leaving for poll-bound Tripura, where he will address campaign rallies.

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The moment I realised my mother is my best friend.

                                         

                                  why my mother is my best friend…

                                            

Undoubtedly, there can be nobody like a mother! She is our first friend, first teacher and first caregiver. No matter what happens, she stands next to her children in every situation. Whether it is giving relationship advice, supporting us in our hard times or going the extra mile for our happiness, we all have witnessed some instances in life when she has stepped out of the shoes of a mother and has become a friend to comfort us. We asked people to share the incident when they realised their mother is their best friend and here’s what they had to say…

                                               

                                                ​When I broke up  

                                     

“I had a terrible break-up after dating someone for four years during my college days. My world had come crashing down but I always bore a fake smile at home and pretended to be normal. But she somehow sensed everything and asked me if something was troubling me. I could not stop myself from confessing everything, and she was all ears throughout the conversation. Rather than raising eyebrows and scolding me, she comforted me with her warm smile. Surprisingly, she gave me a few useful relationship-related piece of advice and helped deal with the break-up. We have been best friends since then.”

                              When she asked me to speak up at office 

                                      

“It happened two years ago. I had a very unprofessional manager at the office, and the person had made my life miserable. Hence, I used to behave grumpy at home and told my mother about it. She advised me to be fearless and raise my concern to our seniors. I was scared thinking I would lose my job and harm my reputation. But I clearly remember what she advised me that night, “I am there for you, don’t worry! Don’t let anyone treat you like a doormat.” Her words gave me all the confidence I needed and I spoke up at my workplace. Fortunately, the matter was solved and I bounced back to my normal, chirpy self.”

                               ​When I had problems in my married life

                                    

“I was going through a rough phase in my marriage and did not know with whom I should share my troubles. Finally, I decided to pour my heart out in front of my mother. To my surprise, she comforted me like a friend. Rather than getting anxious about my married life and asking me a barrage of questions, she maintained her calm. She was unbiased in her approach and gave me pragmatic solutions for all the issues I was facing. That day, I added a new best friend to my list! ”

                                            ​The day I got my first job  

                                     

“I had a campus placement and was offered a job with the highest package in my entire batch. It was my first job offer and my happiness knew no bounds. Unfortunately, none of my friends were happy for me and in fact, they all secretly envied me. I was really bogged down (and heartbroken) to see such cold response from my closest buddies. Later, I called to share the news with my mother and her reaction made my day! I could sense pride and excitement in her voice, and we chatted for an hour. That day I realised I had a best friend at home .”

                                          During my board exams  

                                  

“I was really stressed during my 12th standard pre-board exams. I was not performing well, and there was always a pressure to get admission in a good college. My mother became my best friend during those days. She always inspired me to think positive and told me that everything would fall into place if I give my best shot. She confessed how she struggled during her board exams and managed to score enough marks in Mathematics to pass the exam! Thanks to her motivation, I scored a whopping 89 

per cent in Commerce, a subject that was no less than a nightmare for me.”

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