Indian designs on the international red

Sarah Niles in Gaurav Gupta Couture for the 74th Emmys

From internationally celebrated singer Cardi B to reality TV star Chrishell Stause amnd Megan

Thee Stallion, Indian couturier and designer Gaurav Gupta has dressed some of the biggest international celebrities. Over the last seventeen years he has shaped a revolutionary brand of couture and experiential space design.

During this season’s Hollywood red carpet, including the Emmys,

Cannes and Golden Globes he has dressed eminent artists in music, cinema, fashion and art. Let’s take a look:

Emmys Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Ted Lasso, Nominee Sarah Niles choose a Gaurav Gupta Couture at the Emmys 2022 Red Carpet. She wore a three-dimensional wearable art sculpture envisioned in glitzing gold sequin fabric that is artfully moulded in endless swirls.

Carmella Rose in Gaurav Gupta Couture

Model & Actress Carmella Rose at the Daily Front Row Fashion Media Awards wore Gupta’s Black gown.

Jeremy Pope in Gaurav Gupta Couture at TIFF 2022 The names behind your favourite celebrity fashion icon

Being a Bollywood star means you can’t even step on to your balcony without getting their buddies, celebrities need to keep their fashion-game strong. But not all celebrities have an innate spotted or snapped by the paparazzi. From movie promotions, brand endorsements, travel duties, gym runs to even just hanging out with sense of style, the smarter ones recognise this and hire themselves a stylist. A stylist who they can blindly trust to carry them through all their

Aastha Sharma

public appearances, red carpet events and keep connected to the youth and stay relevant. Today we shift the spotlight on these stylists who work behind the scenes to make your favourite star look fabulous. Follow them on social media to keep staying stylish.

(L-R) Stylist Aastha Sharma, Actresses Aishwarya Rai Bachchan & Disha Patani

Aastha Sharma makes styling Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, look effortless. Recall Ash from Cannes? All of that was Aastha. In addition, she is responsible for hot favourites like Disha Patani and Nora Fatehi, as well as Esha Gupta. Once you start following her, we’re confident you won’t be able to stop.

Rhea Kapoor

(L-R) Rhea Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor

Amongst Rhea Kapoor’s many talents is being a stylist. She can be given sole credit for making her sister, Sonam, the fashion icon that she is. Unafraid to experiment, try new trends and take the road not oft taken, Rhea is the person you need to be following if you’re looking for some mind-blowing fashion inspiration.

Tanya Ghavri

(L-R) Stylist Tanya Ghavri, actresses Ananya Panday & Katrina Kaif

Tanya Ghavri is stylist to the likes of Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday and the list is endless! She is a red carpet favourite and go-to name for even a casual coffee date. She recently styled Ananya Panday for her film, “Liger.”

Sanjana Batra

This season, it’s all about soft waves and air-bangs for a natural-looking style that will leave you turning heads. Heralded by Vogue as “one of Korea’s top hairstylists”, Sunwoo Kim is the co-founder/owner of Cheongdambased salon, Woosun, and hairstylist to some of Korea’s biggest names, such as Blackpink, Irene Kim, Goeun Kim, Min-young Park, Ye-Ji Seo Sunwoo Kim, Dyson Ambassador walks us through the six simple steps to effortlessly create this look at home, using the next-generation Dyson Airwrap Multi-styler.

Achieve this look:

• Start with towel-dried hair. Apply your favorite styling product and comb your hair with a Detangling comb. • Blow dry hair using the multi-styler and the Coanda Smoothing Dryer attachment. Select the drying mode, by simply turning the switch on the attachment in the direction of the arrow. Choose low heat and high airflow settings, and to pre-dry hair until it is about 80% dry. • Add voluminous curls and waves by switching the attachment to the 40mm Airwrap barrel. Using high heat and high airflow setting, hold the middle of a hair tress and let the enhanced Coanda airflow automatically attract and wrap hair on the barrel. Hold in place until dry. Set the style with a cold shot for 5 to 10 seconds, before slowly releasing the curl. • Twist the cool tip on the barrel to change the direction of the airflow and repeat on the next hair tress, to create a more natural look. Repeat around the head, alternating the airflow direction each time. • To create the air bangs, switch to the Airwrap Soft Smoothing Brush to create volume from the roots of the hair. Choose a high heat and high airflow setting and place the brush under the fringe to lift the hair. The higher the lift, the rounder, and the more natural the shape of the fringe will be. Use the 30mm barrel to create the air bangs and comb through them again with the Soft

Smoothing Brush. • Lastly, use the smoothing mode of the Coanda Smoothing Dryer on medium speed and low heat to hide flyaways and finish off the look. Start at the front left of the parting and smooth over the top section, leaving out the ends

Pro-tips:

• When styling, the first stage of styling is to break the ‘temporary’ bonds in the hair so that it can be reshaped. This can typically be achieved by either wetting the hair or by heat. • For frizz-prone hair, try the Firm Smoothing Brush to achieve your voluminous air bangs.

Should you apply moisturizer or sunscreen first?

Skincare is always dynamic and experimental

Chaitanya Nallan, Co-Founder & CEO, SkinKraft Laboratories will clear your doubts regarding what you should apply first, either moisturizer or sunscreen!

Sunscreen needs to be applied not just in summers but throughout the year, yes, even in winters. However, it might be confusing when you are layering your skincare products.

To keep things simple, there are 2 types of sunscreens, physical sunscreen and a chemical sunscreen.

You must apply your moisturizer first if you are using a physical sunscreen and for a chemical sunscreen apply the sunscreen and then over it you can apply your moisturizer.

With changing formulations and innovation, the steps and method of doing skincare also keeps changing. There has been an addition to the old CTM routine; Sunscreen. Any skincare is not 100% effective if you do not seal it with sun protection.

The thumb rule always goes from treatment to protection. So, one should always start with a serum, then a moisturiser and finish it off with a high protection sunscreen.

But with the changing game of skincare, now even we have moved away from traditional straight forward sunscreens. There are sunscreens which are infused with moisturising agents like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E. In such cases, one can skip moisturiser and directly go for sunscreen. But sunscreen always has to be the last step in your skincare routine. Let us throw some light on the most used products in any skin care routine, Moisturizer and Sunscreen. What is the order of preference? The answer isn’t exactly cut and dry, but my choice is justified by some scientific reasons based on their properties. Application of the moisturizer first will bridge any gaps in the stratum corneum and make the skin soft and supple. Also, moisturizers are typically reapplied every 10–12 hours. Sunscreens on the other hand, if applied directly over a dry skin would increase the dryness further leading to irritation of the skin. Additionally, sunscreens should form the outer layer as they can directly scatter/reflect/absorb the UV rays depending on their physical properties. And sunscreens should be reapplied every 2-3 hours for maximum efficacy, especially in tropical countries such as India where increased sweating is characteristic. At present, there are moisturizers available with SPF and vice versa in the market. Nonetheless, as a rule I prefer to layer moisturizer and sunscreen separately, each catering to its own purpose,” adds Dr. Gagana B Gopal, Consultant Dermatologist, KAYA.

Hydrate your skin with the holy grail of skin renewal, healing, and hydration By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Wished you had bouncy, beautiful, clean skin, that is plumped up with hydration like South Koreans? “Hydration is essential for healthy, bright skin. Our skin is made up of three layers. When the skin’s outer layer lacks moisture, it loses suppleness and appears harsh and aged. Hydrated skin appears more youthful, fresh, and radiant. It appears to be smooth and silky. So, when it comes to skincare, the most vital function to look for in a product is moisture. Pink Aloe Vera, a new Korean Beauty Secret, is the new synonym for Hydration! Pink Aloe Vera is high

Best of pink aloe vera:

in moisture, antioxidants, vitamins, and other skin-beneficial elements,” said the spokesperson of Faces Canada. Green Aloe Vera is extracted and oxidized at controlled temperatures before being freeze-dried. This method turns green Aloe pink and considerably increases its potency by increasing emodin content and antioxidant levels. Aloe-Emodin, found in Aloe Vera, has potent anti-inflammatory qualities, and its concentration in Pink Aloe is substantially higher. It calms the skin and serves as an astringent, leaving it looking revitalized, moisturized, and bouncy.

• The gel contains a lot of water, which the skin needs to repair. It’s an effective astringent, moisturizer, humidifier, and cleanser. It softens and soothes the skin, reduces wrinkles, treats acne and skin irritation, and protects the skin from pollution. It is suitable for both oily and dry skin types. It is quickly absorbed by (oily) skin and moisturizes (dry) skin. • It is the latest hydration hero. It is far more effective than Green Aloe Vera at hydrating the skin. It penetrates the skin deeply to nourish the regenerative cells, promoting age-reversal and healthy, radiant, and moisturized skin. It is the go-to component for skin hydration. • Pink Aloe Vera is the holy grail of skin renewal, healing, and hydration. It is best used in skin care products such as moisturizers, serums, toners, day gels, and face cleansers. Pink Aloe Vera in Eye Serums helps to reduce puffiness and small wrinkles beneath the eyes for youthful, nourished skin. When used as a Day Gel, it instantly gives the skin a youthful glow and provides intensive oil-free hydration. When used in a Face Serum, it begins a wonderful anti-aging journey by increasing skin suppleness. It softly cleanses the skin and provides incredible calming when used in a cleanser, removing it from any irritation produced by the environment or dietary habits. A night gel replenishes the skin’s lost water overnight and makes it appear glassy and supple during the day. • Furthermore, when Pink Aloe Vera is utilized in skincare, the products feel exceptionally lightweight, non-oily, and non-sticky. This hero component allows the user to carry it all day without having to worry about cleaning the face many times, which could result in significant skin hydration loss. It is suitable for all skin types and is an excellent skin care provider.

Adding mineral & crystal-infused skincare products to your beauty routine

Ingredients such as diamond dust, gold and silver leaf, rose quartz, and amethyst, are being hailed as ‘game changers’

In recent months, what we have been witnessing is a great shift in the beauty industry. Skincare consciousness towards the wellness space, taking care of mind, body, and soul. Aromatherapy and wellness products are now front and center, shadowing the pre-pandemic focus on makeup and beauty. Going through a pandemic has turned the collective and crystal-based healing are just two ways in which people have sought nourishment of their bodily senses.

What Are the Benefits of Minerals and Crystals in Skincare?

This wellness trend has also made its way into the skincare industry. Although mineral and crystal-infused skincare has been around since the ancient Egyptians, today these compounds are being added to everything from serums to moisturizers and face massage tools. Fascinating ingredients such as diamond dust, gold and silver leaf, rose quartz, and amethyst, are being hailed as ‘game changers’ in the skincare industry for their skin and spiritual benefits. The energetic healing frequency of these crystals and minerals can calm, soothe, uplift, and revitalize skin. Minerals are also crucial for overall health and well-being, they are nutrients that the body cannot do without. Minerals themselves are inorganic solids that exist naturally, through geological processes, and have a specific and predetermined chemical composition. Some vital minerals your skin needs are magnesium, potassium, silica, calcium, and zinc. Queenie Singh Sethia, Founder of Beauty By Bie shares trending minerals and crystals to look for in your skincare products:

Diamond dust

complexion. Their highly absorbent nature gives them skin-lightening properties. Diamond dust is known to remove blemishes and fade acne and dark spots. Other benefits include: exfoliating dead skin cells, preventing skin aging, and hydrating the skin.

Pearl protein

The richness of this ingredient helps regenerate collagen, making wrinkles appear less prominent. It also promotes cellular repair, protects the skin from pollution, and gives a luminous sheen to the skin.

Gold and silver leaf

These luxurious, ancient beauty ingredients act as antioxidants and strengthen the skin barrier. They also aid in boosting circulation, improving skin elasticity, and protecting against environmental stressors.

Titanium Dioxide

Works as a UV filter in skincare products especially in physical sunscreens. It is also commonly used as a lightening, thickening, and

lubricating ingredient.

Iron Oxide:

Mostly added in cosmetics to increase pigment. . This mineral is clean, hypoallergenic, and helps increase the SPF protection offered by sunscreens. Its ability to protect skin from UV and blue light makes it a must-have ingredient for people experiencing melasma.

Rose quartz

of unconditional love, and is said to boost feelings of self-love as well. It has remarkable benefits in skincare like the ability to stimulate blood flow to supply more oxygen to the skin, resulting in a flushed, natural glow. It also helps to relax facial muscles and ease stress.

Amethyst

This crystal represents purification and connection to spiritual and divine beings. Amethysts help to cleanse and detoxify the body, mind, and soul. Their skin benefits include: boosting collagen, curbing inflammation, and increasing circulation.

Malachite

This crystal is said to absorb negative energies, and heal the body from multiple ailments. Also known as the botox of the crystal world, malachite helps to gently cleanse clogged pores and visibly firm and lift skin. Additionally, it supports the skin’s natural defenses against free radicals.

Online art galleries: The recent innovation for the artists community

Online art galleries have significantly impacted the artist community and brought benefits to both the audience and the creator

The world of artists has always included art galleries in it. People used to travel far to see actual exhibitions in galleries.

In contrast, virtual exhibitions have become the new standard as a result of the global pandemic. Online art galleries were created as a result of art galleries following suit.

With the advent of both physical and online galleries, art enthusiasts can now experience the complexity of creativity. Virtual art galleries are advantageous in this situation in a number of ways according to Manya

Roongta and KrishNawal, Founders of Childrens Art Museum of India.

An innovative way for artists to showcase their work

Amidst the pandemic-induced lockdown and social distancing norms, museums and galleries had to hit the pause button. The artists had to come up with innovative ways to showcase their work. During this time, digitization came as a blessing in disguise. The artist community suffered a setback but was able to revive it with the assistance of online art galleries. It is due to them that people have been able to pursue their love for art despite the restrictions. Enhanced customer engagement

Of course, by physically visiting the galleries, the audience can have a closer and deeper look at the masterpiece. However, online galleries are not far behind. They enable audiences to cherish the aesthetics from different angles. Leveraging the power of technology, online art galleries allow 360-degree view and 3D realistic models of the artwork via virtual tours. Audiences can zoom, rotate, see animated add-ons, and much more with the online setup. Virtual galleries do not require a physical location. For the artists, they allow flexibility and are a cost-efficient way of renting a physical space to display art at zero cost. In fact, you can also have a global presence and share your creativity with the world. You won’t be restricted to a particular area and can reach a larger audience, eventually boosting sales. Virtual art galleries have not only helped the artist community to thrive during these testing times but have also helped in bridging the physical-digital gap. Embracing their love for art from their homes’ comfort zones, the audience can engage better with the aesthetically crafted pieces at their convenience with the help of technology and virtual tours. Online art galleries have proven to be a boon as they are relieved from the additional costs and the hassle of on-ground management. Even though they are a new trend, online art galleries have significantly impacted the artist community and brought many benefits to the table for both the audience and the creator.

Meet the growing demand Surpass geographical barriers

In today’s modern world, not only mature art enthusiasts but even millennials are inclined to pursue their love for art. Whether it is revamping their homes or decorating their workspaces, they prefer to go for creative pieces. Due to this, the demand for art is growing further, and virtual art galleries are helping fulfill the same.

Foster a hybrid culture

As normalcy gradually returned, art galleries started opening up while adhering to the COVID-19 protocols. However, virtual galleries did not lose their charm. Neither have they nor will they replace the physical galleries. However, they have been growing more than ever before and have fostered a hybrid culture where both physical and online galleries coexist. Admiring art is a personal experience. Today, audiences can witness creativity not only physically but also virtually if they wish to.

Justin Bieber cancels India Tour

Owing to the singer’s health concerns

Bieber fans will be extremely disappointed to learn that the ‘Justin Bieber Justice World Tour – India’ scheduled for October 18th, 2022 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi has been cancelled owing to the singer’s health concerns. Along with New Delhi in India, the artist has also cancelled other stops in the tour’s run-up to the India show including Chile, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Bahrain, UAE and Israel. “While we are deeply disappointed that we will not be able to welcome Justin Bieber to India this year on account of his health concerns, we wish him well and hope he recovers at the earliest to be back for millions of his fans in India soon. While the cancellation of the ‘Justin Bieber Justice World Tour – India’ has been dependent on factors outside of our control,” said BookMyShow. The platform has already initiated a full and complete refund of the ticket amount for all consumers who had purchased tickets for the show. The complete refund will be reflected within 10 working days in the customer’s source account of the original transaction. After more than two years of silence in the fields and cities of the best-loved art events, festivals are back with a bang. Held at beautiful destinations across India, these festivals offer unique opportunities for art enthusiasts. People passionate about art forms such as music, films or photography can amalgamate their love for art with travel for an enriching break. And with organizers clearly determined to remind festival-goers what they have been missing, some of the country’s fine artists will grace art festivals across destinations for the rest of the year. Now that the world is finally opening up again, Booking.com has curated a list of domestic destinations with the most anticipated art festivals of 2022 for travellers to get into the vibe. From Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh to Alsisar in Rajasthan, plan ahead for exciting upcoming art festivals where each festival offers something completely unique.

Jodhpur RIFF in Mehrangarh Fort - Jodhpur, Rajasthan (6th October - 10th October 2022)

The Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthani International Folk Festival) is a five-day musical gateway that embraces Rajasthan’s rich musical legacy. The festival is hosted at the spectacular Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, the quintessential Blue City, described by Rudyard Kipling as “the work of angels, fairies, and giants.” When more than 250 performers from all over the world play against the majestic backdrop of Mehrangarh Fort, the audience is captivated by the sheer beauty and grandeur of the music. Jodhpur, also popularly known as the “Sun City,” encapsulates all that the state is known for—from golden deserts and crumbling forts to sumptuous palaces and luxurious accommodations. So, this October, get ready to visit opulent palaces, indulge in local flavours, partake in adventure activities, experience the cultural extravaganza, and enrich your journey with memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Known as one of the most stunning music festivals spanning three days in the magnificent Mahal of Alsisar in Rajasthan, Magnetic Fields is nothing less than a visual dream. It is a unique marriage of contemporary culture with Rajasthani customs and hospitality. The musical carnival features some of the world’s biggest underground stars as well as some of the country’s best and most forward-thinking music. Apart from the wonderful music, attendees can enjoy an adventurous jungle safari to the popular Ranthambore national park, high tea sips at a garden picnic, relax at majestic pool parties, and

Magnetic Fields Festival in Alsisar Mahal - Alsisar, Rajasthan (9th December - 11th December 2022 )

indulge in gourmet treats at The Chef’s table. Magnetic is more than simply a festival; it’s a whole experience that you must have.

The Orange Festival - Dambuk, Arunachal Pradesh ( 15th December - 18th December 2022)

Nestled deep inside Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley, Dambuk is acclaimed for its oranges. Nature reigns in all her purity here, away from all the clamour of the city, retaining the state’s distinct rustiness. Hundreds of acres of orange orchards on the mountain slopes add to the region’s charm during the harvesting season. This sparked the idea of an orange-themed music and adventure event. The Orange Festival of Adventure & Music attracts visitors from all over the world who want to discover Arunachal Pradesh’s untamed natural beauty and learn about the native way of life. The event is a perfect combination of traditional and modern elements, including music, speed, and thrills. The Orange Festival of Adventure & Music is not just another music festival but a confluence of music, oranges, and adventure put together in the scenic setting of the stunning Dambuk!

Dharamshala International Film Festival - McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh (3rd - 6th November 2022)

Held in the serene dreaming town of McLeod Ganj, artists and film enthusiasts consider it one of India’s greatest independent film festivals. The Dharamshala International Film Festival is also known for its exciting and unusual selection of documentaries, shorts and feature films. The festival also serves as a platform for filmmakers across the globe to showcase their talents. McLeod Ganj, often known as Little Lhasa, is a fascinating blend of Tibetan and British culture. Home to the spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, this town is famous for its breathtaking trekking trails, relaxing weather, magnificent scenery, and dynamic culture.

Indian Photo Festival - Hyderabad, Telangana (18th November - 19th December 2022)

The Indian Photo Festival (IPF) is organized by Light Craft Foundation in partnership with the department of tourism, the government of Telangana, and the State Gallery of Art. IPF, India’s longest-running international photography festival, celebrates the world behind the lens with talks, workshops, screenings, and print and digital exhibitions by photographers from around the world. The festival aims to promote the art of photography while also addressing social concerns. The festival is hosted at several locations around Hyderabad, which offers a range of tourist attractions such as age-old heritage monuments, gardens and resorts, lakes, parks, museums, scrumptious dishes, and an amazing shopping environment. Hyderabad, endearingly named the Pearl City, is a stunning panorama of the past and is a blend of rich

Reading books that you enjoy can help you relax and relieves stress

Developing good habits at a young age can help pave the way for a prosperous future.

Reading is a habit that we should all cultivate because it not only broadens our knowledge and enlightens our minds, but it also aids in the development of our language skills and vocabulary.

UNPARENTING: Sharing awkward truths with curious kids (Reema Ahmad)

Unparenting is a vibrant, whacky testimony to a parent-child relationship where the child leads and the parent follows. Written in the form of deeply personal, engaging and often humorous essays, the book is a powerful reminder of what it feels like to be lost and misunderstood as a child, and how important it is to challenge what we think we know as parents. Through her own awkward journey as a single parent, Reema Ahmad explores what it means to explore newer ways of bringing up children-ways that nurture their sense of innocence and curiosity while giving freedom to choose their own truths. Reema invites you to hop along as she and her son, Imaad, learn to laugh and make up stories about why penises shape-shift, the mysteries of pubic hair, the magic of adolescent crushes and the maze of dating and sex. Join them as they explore these mysteries and other serious topics like abuse, adult relationships, divorce and dying-issues that adults often forget to wonder at and seldom question.

AFTERNESS (Ashok S. Ganguly)

The author invites readers to journey with him as he looks back fondly on his extraordinary life – from his childhood to his upbringing in the metropolitan Bombay of the 1930s, to his PhD in Illinois and his eventual return to India. After joining Hindustan Unilever’s R&D department, Ganguly quickly rose up the ranks as a talented young professional, eager to discover and learn new things. Afterness spans across eighty years of his life, its edges tinged by the tumultuous events in India in the twentieth century, and interspersed with fascinating people, from the mysterious Kishen Khanna, who accurately predicted events in Ganguly’s life, to encounters and friendships with well-known historical figures such as Mother Teresa and Rajiv Gandhi. Dr. Ashok S. Ganguly’s journey was interspersed with failures, but he doesn’t shy away from talking about these and the sacrifices that went on to define his life. He covers three important aspects in the book - importance of family and upbringing, impact of corporate environment and influence of society and outward perspective. Honest, reflective, personal and revelatory, Afterness provides valuable insight into his thinking process and decision-making skills that enabled Ganguly’s meteoric rise and sustained his legendary career.

SOJOURN (Amit Chaudhuri)

An unnamed man arrives in Berlin as a visiting professor. It is a place fused with Western history and cultural fracture lines. He moves along its streets and pavements; through its department stores, museums and restaurants. He befriends Faqrul, an enigmatic exiled poet, and Birgit, a woman with whom he shares the vagaries of attraction. He tries to understand his white-haired cleaner. Berlin is a riddle-he becomes lost not only in the city but in its legacy. Sealed off in his own solitude, and as his visiting professorship passes, the narrator awaits transformation and meaning. Ultimately, he starts to understand that the less sure he becomes of his place in the moment, the more he knows his way.

THE HIDDEN HINDU 2 (Akshat Gupta)

The Hidden Hindu 2 takes the storyline from the cliffhanger to bring to the readers a myriad of revelations and twists. It narrates a captivating journey of what seemed to be the end of wars to only be another beginning. Enthralling, exciting and entrancing, the book explores the past with secrets that hold the power to shake ancient beliefs of the present, resulting in an alteration of the future. Expressing his thoughts, national best-selling author, Akshat Gupta, said, “If you have liked the first part, then you are going to absolutely love The Hidden Hindu 2. It has unexpected twists and breathtaking revelations which will keep the readers on the edge. I am grateful for the love that has been showered for the first part and hope that they continue to show the same excitement and enthusiasm.” While the first battle is lost, the protagonist, Om, is yet to learn about his past. The Hidden Hindu 2 explores the hidden agendas behind allies and the identities of LSD, Parimal, and eventually, Om. Akshat Gupta takes the readers on an adventure as they traverse to gather knowledge if the book of Mritsanjeevani holds a bigger purpose than even immortality for Divinities and Demons.

THE MANY LIVES OF MANGALAMPALLI BALAMURALIKRISHNA (Veejay Sai)

Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, an internationally renowned Carnatic musician from the illustrious musical lineage of composer Saint Tyagaraja, wore many hats in his lifetime. Having made a stage debut at the age of seven, he was hailed as a child prodigy. From then till the time he passed away, at age eighty-six in 2016, he continued to be in the spotlight, not just for his extraordinary talent and versatility as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, but as a composer, playback singer and even, briefly, as a character actor. He was a primary school dropout, a teenage poet and composer, a restless mind, a polyglot, a legacy upholder, a wordsmith, an ice cream lover and a pathbreaker. This is a story of the many lives of Dr Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna. Veejay Sai’s in-depth research into his life and work led him deep into unseen archival material and across the Carnatic musical landscape of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Fortified by interviews with his family members, disciples and peers, The Many Lives of Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, a definitive biography of the musical genius, is not only a revealing account of the personal traits and facets of an unparallelled genius, but is also a portrait of India’s classical music world, a place as much of beauty as of untrammelled egos.

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Former President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday released a book titled “Ambedkar and

Modi: Reformer’s Ideas, Performer’s

Implementation” here in presence of

Union Minister I&B Anurag Thakur,

MoS Dr L. Murugan and former

Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan.

While speaking at the launch of the book, the former President said that this book is a collection of Baba

Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s multidimensional ideologies and their works for the nation. Whether this is industrial development, labours’ rights, self-reliance, electricity and water resources’ development, planning wise development of cities, education or gender equality, this book gives ideological foundation and solid information on these important issues, said Kovind.

The book has been compiled by Bluekraft Digital Foundation and has a foreword by music composer and

Rajya Sabha member Ilaiyaraaja. In 12 chapters dealing with domains as varied as infrastructure, education, socio-economic mobility, gender equality, self-reliance and many more -- the book not only presents

Ambedkar’s vision of India, but also takes into account several achievements of Modi and his government.

“Along with the maker of our constitution, Baba Saheb contributed immensely for the banking, electrification, labour management, revenue sharing system and education system of the country”, the former

President said while launching the book.

“This book contains 25 pictures which give Prime Minister Narendra

Modi’s unconditional love and respect to Baba Saheb. PM is perhaps the only leader in the country who organised Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra during the ‘Heerak Janti varsh’ which was held for the first time after the implementation of the constitution. It is the episode of 2010 when he was the chief minister of Gujarat ‘’, he said. Baba Saheb had always special emphasis on the development of the cities as he always used to say that the pressure of rising population should be minimised on the agricultural land and modern transformation be carried out in the cities to change the lifestyle. He also used to say the waterways as the pathway for the development which is being characterised by the Narendra Modi government. The Modi government has implemented the vision of Baba Saheb”, Kovind added. With utmost importance to the Jal Jeevan Mission, PM has forwarded the vision of Baba Saheb. It is an example in itself of how the Modi government has linked the vision of Baba Saheb to the common masses, he further added. “I would like to say that this book is a testimony that PM Modi is a true disciple of Baba Ambedkar”, the former President concluded. “Many people did the work of collecting votes and making statues in the name of Dr Ambedkar. But his vision was for the upliftment of the deprived class, if someone is implementing it step by step on the ground that is Prime Minister Narendra Modi”, said union Minister Anurag Thakur while speaking about the book. The Union minister added further that Dr Ambedkar always believed that industrial development would prove to be a liberator for the underprivileged society. And today be it Make in India or self-reliant India, or PIL schemes, all this work is being done in that direction under the PM Modi government. “Today we can proudly say that India of Baba Saheb’s dreams is today marching with full confidence with the superpowers of the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”, he said on the occasion.

Talking through difficult conversations

Talking about subjects including racism, grief, loss, sex, divorce, and other struggles

N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Every parent or guardian must have a dialogue with their children at some point in their lives to address their complex problems. Talks about subjects including racism, grief, loss, sex, divorce, and other struggles for which we occasionally lack the necessary solutions.

If you’ve ever felt numb or blank when dealing with your children’s inquisitive minds, IANSlife chatted with Sudarshan Vig, Co-founder & CEO, Merlinwand, to assist you navigate this situation with ease.

What inspired you to start online publishing personalized books for kids?

SV: I, along with my co-founders, happen to be parents of growing kids. We realized that over the last few years, the dependence of kids on devices has greatly increased and that only exploded during the pandemic.

This led to a decline in reading habits, which is foundational in the development of skills like free-wheeling imagination, creativity, and attention span. In order to bring back the reading habits in kids, we started Merlinwand. The idea is multi-pronged: To make sure they go back to reading in spite of competing content like videos, video games, etc, we made sure the books are personalized where the hero character and one’s friends can be personalized in our books. This way the kids can be part of the story and thereby enjoy it more.

We also chose to create our own content, very imaginative standalone stories which speak about contemporary topics and issues in a fun and relatable way. Our mission is to turn every kid into their own hero in stories which are dealing with contemporary and sometimes, serious issues. Good touch and Bad touch: How to make children understand the difference between the two? SV: One good thing which has happened recently in our curricula is that even schools teach about good-touch and bad-touch. We should continue this practice and we should bring more and more schools into this approach. This should ideally be part of the education policy. Other than that, we also need to maintain such a relationship with our kids that they do not fear opening up to you about anything that happens in their lives, whether good or bad. We need to be empathetic to them and accept their vulnerabilities. We should always create an atmosphere where they can voice their discomfort freely and openly, so any issue like good touch and bad touch can be discussed in the same environment.

Talk to your Kids about racism: Start the important conversation during the early years

SV: This is a tricky topic to deal with considering that a significant number of folks do practice some kind of divisive “ism”, whether it’s racism or communalism or classism or casteism or ageism, or any other. Many times, we do practice the same without even realizing it. Again, the onus is always to educate and practice equality and freedom as far as possible. Also, give the freedom to kids to ask questions, to raise any question against something we did which goes against what we preach. Believe me, that works wonders for us to know ourselves. Another factor is that even if we talk and speak to our kids about these divisive practices, they will definitely witness the rampant usage of such evils around them. Encourage them to have discussions with kids their age practicing such evils. Also highly emphasize the value of debate and discussion over aggression. One possibility is that the kid may be at the receiving end of such divisions. We need to make sure they have high self-esteem and the onus is on us, as parents, to resolve the issues in the right forum.

Tips for Talking to Your Kids About Divorce

SV: One of the biggest thoughts most parents have are, how will kids react to the news of something like a divorce? Now, to be honest, kids are way more mature today than ever before and they are way smarter than we give them credit for. Unless we are talking about toddlers, most kids already would be aware of conditions at home that may possibly lead to divorce. If the divorce and conditions around it are mutually agreed upon, it’s easier to have the kid sit down and ask if one has questions and if the kid needs something, in particular, to be decided or talked about. In fact, the conditions surrounding a divorce should be taken by taking a kid into confidence and both parties need to give due respect to the kid’s opinions as well. If it is an acrimonious divorce, the best bet is to try as much as possible to have a third party assess the situation and possibly a therapist who can help the kid deal with it. Taking help from professionals is part of our evolution of ours as well as our kids’ well-being.

How should parents make kids aware of child abuse?

SV: Despite strict laws against child abuse in India, many are still victims of the crime. Child abuse can be mental or physical abuse. Psychologists state that if your child is not eating properly, has problems sleeping, and gets irritated or panics easily, these are signs that your child is facing mental or physical abuse. Sometimes parents tend to blame their kids when they share incidents like these. It’s not at all healthy and steps like these can have a serious effect on a kid’s mental health. When children are taught they are special and have the right to be safe, they are less likely to think abuse is their fault, and more likely to report an offender.

How to talk to your children about conflict or war

SV: War is a difficult topic to talk about. The conditions leading to war are so complex geographically and politically that it is always difficult to justify the mass killing on either side to impressionable kids. However, we can always talk about certain topics. While it is great to celebrate victories in wars, we should never glorify it to a huge extent. In spite of ourselves, we should maintain a pacifist narrative and talk more about the reasons behind any war in the past, than the war itself. If we do talk about war, it makes sense to bring out the violence of it all and how everything needs to be done to avoid violence at any cost. A good way is to personalize stories and talk about how it would affect them personally if we were part of a war.

Majestic train journeys to witness the beauty of Southern India

Renowned train services include, Golden Chariot, Southern Splendour, Maharajas’ Express Southern Jewels Maharajas’ Express Southern Sojourn & Deccan Odyssey Jewels of Deccan.

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Atrain journey is perfect for anyone looking for a fascinating way to experience southern India. Such trips make a wonderful way to get closer to the rich culture and heritage. Although trains are usually associated with cities, Sripad Vaidya, Co-founder & COO, Confirmtkt handpicked five destinations with wide-reaching scenic beauty that one can marvel at when travelling by train.

Ooty to Coonoor

People who want to enjoy train travelling near the hilly areas of the south must not miss Ooty to Coonoor train journey. Both of these destinations are popular among visitors for their picture-perfect scenic beauty. These two hill stations are located in Tamil Nadu and are connected via a special toy train. The tracks connecting Ooty to Coonoor are part of Nilgiri Mountain railways, which have been honoured by UNESCO due to their impeccable uniqueness and raw beauty. The best part of the train journey is it takes passengers through the tea plantations of Ooty and mountains covered with greenery.

Chennai to Rameshwaram

This train journey is one-of-a-kind in its own way. Aside from giving a nature trip, it also takes people through a mythological journey. The railway connecting Chennai to Rameshwaram runs over Pamban Bridge, famous as India’s first bridge. Natives believe that Pamban Bridge was built by Lord Rama while searching for Goddess Sita, who Ravana abducted. The bridge links the Mandapam region in India with Rameswaram and Pamban Island. Though the rail ride is only 2.2 Km long, its surroundings and religious background make it one of the best life experiences.

Kanyakumari to Trivandrum

The train ride between these two destinations in south India is like a slideshow of the rich plantation practices of the country. In this two-hour-long train journey, travellers pass through many luxuriant plantations of green tea, coconut groves and farms of a variety of spices. Take the train ride via Island Express; it covers the natural splendours of the path and gives the opportunity to experience the local life of the south up close.

Kollam – Sengottai

The train journey from Kollam to Sengottai will be a fulfilling experience for travellers who like to explore offbeat places. The railway line connects the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu through these two junction points. Passengers witness several lush green forests, clean & swiftly flowing rivers, and hills throughout the ride. Along the way, they pass a heritage bridge and a national highway built above and below the tracks. Train journey ensures travellers get to see Kerala’s natural beauty, making it the most picturesque trip ever.

Now buy train tickets in select countries on Google Search

buy train tickets in Search in select countries, which will be available in more countries soon. The users in Germany, Spain, Italy and Japan can now shop for train tickets directly on Google Search, for travel in and around select countries. Google said it has embedded sustainability into its travel tools. “For some trips, taking a train might be the more sustainable option, but finding the prices and schedules to get from A to B can take a few separate searches,” said Richard Holden, VP of Travel Products at Google. “Starting today, you can now shop for train tickets directly on Google Search, for travel in and around select countries - including Germany, Spain, Italy and Japan,” he mentioned in a blog post late on Tuesday. Just query something like “Berlin to Vienna trains” and you’ll see a new module in the search results that lets you choose your departure date and compare the available options. Once you select the train that works best, there’s a direct link to complete your booking on the partner’s website. “This feature will expand to more locations as we work with other rail providers. We also plan to begin testing a similar feature for bus tickets in the near future to broaden your choices for intercity travel,” said Holden. Moreover, with new filters for both flights and hotels, it’s easier to find more sustainable options on Google Search, he added.

Making start-up boutique hotels Insta-worthy destinations

It is important to build a unique selling point

In a crowded hospitality sector with big chains offering luxury and aspiration, starting an independent boutique hotel is a brave step and a risky one. But, if done right it is a huge opportunity.

In the current scenario, travellers look increasingly for ‘experience’ but choose on the basis of photos and videos online while choosing an accommodation. Instagram has become one of the major platforms for this splash.

Boutique properties are a way to create something so beautiful and define success in your own unique style. Keeping in line with the way travellers consume, the class and the exquisite experience that is exclusive needs to be communicated through Instagram more than other social media platforms. Here are things that boutique hotels can do to make their hotels shine on Instagram and gain an edge, says Roop Pratap Choudhary, Executive Director, Noor Mahal and Founder Colonel Saab, London (UK)

Establish your brand

A brand is beyond comfort, luxury, logo and colours. It is the personality and identity that differentiates the boutique hotel from competitors. It is important to not just attract potential guests but also strive to create aspirations. It is important to build a unique selling point. The whole packaging needs to be such that the boutique hotel becomes a fascinating option that guests feel they should not miss.

Know your guests

It is important to understand your guests and curate the most customised experience as per their preferences. Syncing the hotel’s offering to best suit the taste and expectations of the guests guest a long way in making them feel welcomed. Understand what they prioritise, what they expect and what they desire. Translate the same things through your Instagram to stay connected with them.

Highlight themed spaces

capture beautifully the themed spaces that you have created and share them on Instagram. Highlight not just the space but also encourage guests to share their happy moments enjoying the novelty.

Inspire with food

Food should be delicious but the presentation should be inspiring. Build plates that not only invite appetite but also are photographic delights. Food images are a great share for Instagram, beautiful and interesting plates encourage guests and dinners to also post on Instagram and share their moments with their connections.

Lighting for effect

A very basic yet underrated idea to enhance Instaworthyness is to focus on lighting at the hotel. A professional photoshoot can amplify décor elements by adjusting light and even using extra lights. But, for the photos that guests take need the assistance of good lighting that would give good results. The lighting used to enhance the look of the hotel may not necessarily translate into good lighting for photographs. So make changes to support that requirement.

New York, Sep 26 (IANS) A team of US engineers has developed a battery-free, wireless underwater camera, powered by sound, that is about 100,000 times more energy-efficient than other undersea cameras. The device takes colour photos, even in dark underwater environments, and transmits image data wirelessly through the water. The autonomous camera converts mechanical energy from sound waves traveling through water into electrical energy that powers its imaging and communications equipment. After capturing and encoding image data, the camera also uses sound waves to transmit data to a receiver that reconstructs the image. Since it doesn’t need a power source, the camera could run for weeks on end before retrieval, enabling scientists to search remote parts of the ocean for new species, said the team from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US in a paper published in the journal Nature Communications. It could also be used to capture images of ocean pollution or monitor the health and growth of fish raised in aquaculture farms. “We are building climate models, but we are missing data from over 95 per cent of the ocean. This technology could help us build more accurate climate models and better understand how climate change impacts the underwater world,” said Fadel Adib, associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and senior author of the paper. The camera acquires energy using “transducers made from piezoelectric materials” that are placed around its exterior. “Piezoelectric” materials produce an electric signal when a mechanical force is applied to them. When a sound wave travelling through the water hits the transducers, they vibrate and convert that mechanical energy into electrical energy. “Those sound waves could come from any source, like a passing ship or marine life. The camera stores harvested energy until it has built up enough to power the electronics that take photos and communicate data,” said the study. Once image data is captured, they are encoded as bits (1s and 0s) and sent to a receiver one bit at a time using a process called “underwater backscatter”. The receiver transmits sound waves through the water to the camera, which acts as a mirror to reflect those waves. The camera either reflects a wave back to the receiver or changes its mirror to an absorber so that it does not reflect back. Even though the image looks black and white, the red, green and blue coloured light is reflected in the white part of each photo. When the image data is combined in post-processing, the colour image can be reconstructed. The researchers tested the camera in several underwater environments. In one, they captured color images of plastic bottles floating in a New Hampshire pond. They now plan to enhance the device so it is practical for deployment in real-world settings. San Francisco, Sep 26 (IANS) The Apple Watch Ultra has been tested by a YouTuber who dropped it, subjected it to a jar of nails, and repeatedly smashed it with a hammer to see how durable the sapphire crystal protecting the display is. The Apple Watch Ultra was left mostly unscuffed, aside from minor dents along the titanium casing. Next, the Apple Watch Ultra was mixed around in a jar of nails and was once again left with no visible marks. TechRax also tested the durability of the Apple Watch Ultra’s sapphire crystal display cover by repeatedly hitting it with a hammer. In the test, the watch withstood repeated hits with the hammer until it finally cracked, and only after the table took some damage first. While the Apple Watch Ultra’s display did not initially take damage, the watch did fail to turn on after repeated hits. The failure to power on could indicate that while the sapphire may not have broken at first, some internal components may have suffered damage. Apple claims the Apple Watch Ultra is its most rugged, durable, and extreme Apple Watch yet, aiming to compete directly with Garmin.

Meta, Google put employees on ‘notice periods’ to find new role or leave

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS)

Facebook’s parent company Meta and Google are reducing staff to cut costs amid the economic downturn, apparently putting some of them on traditional 30 to 60 days “lists” to find a new role within the company or leave. Meta plans to cut costs by at least 10 per cent in the coming months and has put out more and more workers whose jobs are being eliminated on its traditional “30-day list,” reports Wall Street Journal. On the other hand, Google’s parent Alphabet has reportedly deployed a similar approach, typically giving workers 60 days in which to apply for a new role if their jobs are set to be cut. “Facebook parent is looking to reduce costs by at least 10 per cent, people familiar with the plans said, while Google has required some employees to apply for new jobs,” the report mentioned. Meta has a “long practice” where employees whose roles are eliminated are subject to termination if they can’t find a new job internally within a month. The Mark Zuckerberg-run company had 83,553 employees at the end of the second quarter this year. “Google typically gives employees 60 days to apply for other roles in the company if their jobs have been cut,” the report mentioned. Last month, Google fired more than 50 workers at its incubator Area 120 and gave them extra 30 days to find another job at the company. A Google spokesman was quoted as saying that nearly 95 per cent of employees found new roles within the notice period. Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai aims to make the company 20 per cent more efficient hinting at job cuts, as the tech giant recently cancelled the projects at its in-house research and development (R&D) division called Area 120. Addressing the gathering at the Code Conference in the US this month, Pichai said that the more the company tries to understand the macroeconomic conditions, it feels very uncertain about it. “The macroeconomic performance is correlated to ad spend, consumer spend and so on,” he told the audience. Google has suspended hiring new employees and reportedly told some existing employees to “shape up or ship out” if expectations are not met. In a company message viewed by Insider, Google Cloud sales leadership has threatened employees with an “overall examination of sales productivity and productivity in general” and that if next quarter results “don’t look up, there will be blood on the streets”. As Big Tech companies lay off employees and freeze new hirings, Zuckerberg said in July that the company’s plan is to steadily reduce headcount growth over the next year. Admitting that the social network has entered an economic downturn that will have a broad impact on the digital advertising business, Zuckerberg said that many “teams are going to shrink so we can shift energy to other areas inside the company”.

James Webb Space telescope captures striking view of Neptune’s rings

New York, Sep 22 (IANS) US-based space agency NASA has announced that its James Webb Space Telescope has captured the clearest view of Neptune’s rings in more than 30 years. Most striking in Webb’s new image is the crisp view of the planet’s rings -- some of which have not been detected since NASA’s Voyager 2 became the first spacecraft to observe Neptune during its flyby in 1989. In addition to several bright, narrow rings, the Webb image clearly shows Neptune’s fainter dust bands. “It has been three decades since we last saw these faint, dusty rings, and this is the first time we’ve seen them in the infrared,” Heidi Hammel, a Neptune system expert and interdisciplinary scientist for Webb, said in a statement. According to NASA, Webb’s extremely stable and precise image quality permits these very faint rings to be detected so close to Neptune. Webb also captured seven of Neptune’s 14 known moons. Dominating this Webb portrait of Neptune is a very bright point of light sporting the signature diffraction spikes seen in many of Webb’s images, but this is not a star. Rather, this is Neptune’s large and unusual moon, Triton. Covered in a frozen sheen of condensed nitrogen, Triton reflects an average of 70 per cent of the sunlight that hits it. It far outshines Neptune in this image because the planet’s atmosphere is darkened by methane absorption at these near-infrared wavelengths Neptune has fascinated researchers since its discovery in 1846. It is 30 times farther from the Sun than Earth, and it orbits in the remote, dark region of the outer solar system. This planet is characterised as an ice giant due to the chemical make-up of its interior.

Android users can now enjoy Dynamic Island-like features

San Francisco, Sep 23 (IANS) After Apple introduced the Dynamic Island feature on iPhone Pro models, app developer Jawomo launched “DynamicSpot” for Android users, which gives users their version of the new iPhone feature. The app can be used in conjunction with almost any Android app, including messaging, music and timer apps. Users can also customise the app by changing interaction settings and selecting when to show or hide the DynamicSpot popup, reports CNET. “DynamicSpot gives you (a) Dynamic Island mini multitasking feature, making it easier to access recent notifications or phone status changes,” Jawomo was quoted as saying. “Just tap on the little black popup to open the displayed app, long-press the popup to expand it and view more details.” According to the report, users can download the basic DynamicSpot app for free from the Google Play Store. Meanwhile, the Dynamic Island feature on 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max features a design that blends the line between hardware and software, adapting in real-time to show important alerts, notifications and activities. Ongoing background activities like Maps, Music, or a timer remain visible and interactive, and third-party apps in iOS 16 that provide information like sports scores and ride-sharing with Live Activities can take advantage of Dynamic Island.

Govt investing $30 bn in creating 4G, 5G infra in rural India: IT Minister

Mumbai, Sep 22 (IANS) IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said the government is investing nearly $30 billion to ensure last-mile network accessibility for 4G and 5G in every village across the country and build a robust digital infrastructure in the rural areas. Speaking at the ‘Global Fintech Fest 2022’, Vaishnaw said the government has reached out to over 1.5 lakh gram panchayats to date. “We are now creating a whole ecosystem of village entrepreneurs, channelising the energies of youngsters to take good quality, highspeed data connectivity to every village in the country while making them a part of the growth journey,” the minister emphasised. “We have tested this model and approximately 80,000 new connections are now being facilitated every month,” he added. Vaishnaw said there are three key areas in fintech for the government - building a robust digital infrastructure and a digital regulatory framework, along with social inclusion and the societal imperatives around it. Sharing his views on the digital regulatory framework, the minister said that telecom is the very foundation of Digital India. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given us a clear mandate to overhaul our digital regulatory framework such that it is globally benchmarked and endorses global competitiveness,” said Vaishnaw. Talking about the integration of payment systems across the transportation sectors, he said that while a project was taken up on common mobility, “the way technology has evolved over the last 5-10 years, I think instead of a card, probably the mobile phone itself will become the common integrating factor”.

by the end of the year and ramp up production to eventually 15,000 units per month. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model 3 was the best-selling electric car in Europe in 2021.

Chinese automaker launches Teslainspired electric car at just $26,000

Beijing, Sep 22 (IANS) Chinese automaker Changan Automobile has unveiled a new electric vehicle that resembles the Tesla Model 3. With a starting price of $26,000, the newly launched Shenlan SL03 is a small electric sedan, reports auto-tech website Electrek. The front end of the vehicle, where the bonnet meets the fascia, and its dimensions look very similar to the Tesla Model 3, which is priced at nearly $40,000. In terms of specs, the base version comes with a range of 515 km based on the Chinese standard. A bigger battery pack is also available with a longer 705 km range. The company took over 15,000 reservations for the new electric car only hours after launching it. The report mentioned that it plans to deliver the first units to customers

Garmin launches wearable smart BP monitor for $150

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Leading wearable brand Garmin has launched a smart blood pressure monitor for $150 that allows users to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure at home and on the go. Called ‘Index BPM’, the compact and FDA-cleared upper arm blood pressure monitor features an integrated display so readings can be viewed immediately after they’re taken. Featuring an adjustable cuff, the Index BPM is made to fit a wide range of arm sizes - from 9-17 inches (22-42 cm) in circumference. According to Garmin, up to 16 users can keep track of their individual readings from the Index BPM and sync the data to their own Garmin

order to understand visual processing in the brain,” said researcher James Elder from York University in Toronto. “These deep models tend to take ‘shortcuts’ when solving complex recognition tasks. While these shortcuts may work in many cases, they can be dangerous in some of the real-world AI applications we are currently working on with our industry and government partners,” Elder added. For the study, published in the

The study, to be presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeting in Sweden next week, scanned 19 cohort studies. While it’s long been known that regularly drinking tea may be beneficial for health because of the various antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic compounds tea contains, less clear has been the relationship between tea drinking and the risk of diabetes. Overall, the new meta-analysis found a linear association between tea drinking and diabetes risk, with each cup of tea consumed per day reducing the risk of developing diabetes by around 1 per cent, said the study published in peer-reviewed Connect app. “Garmin is a trusted name in the health and fitness industry, and we are excited to introduce the FDAcleared Index BPM as another tool to stay on top of your health,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “When using the Index BPM as part of the larger Garmin ecosystem, all of your health and fitness data can be viewed right in Garmin Connect, helping to give you a more complete look at your overall health in one app,” he said in a statement. Through the Garmin Connect app, users can also view their measurement history and trends alongside other health stats, set up reminders to take their blood pressure and view those readings in 7-day, 4-week and 1-year reports. The reports can even be exported as a PDF to be shared with a doctor. The Index BPM has a battery life of up to 9 months and comes with four AAA batteries that can easily be replaced when necessary, said the company.

Even smartest AI models don’t match human visual processing: Study

Toronto, Sep 18 (IANS) Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) do not see objects the way humans do -- using configural shape perception -- and that could be dangerous in real-world artificial intelligence (Al) applications, say researchers. DCNNs are the type most commonly used to identify patterns in images and video. “Our results explain why deep AI models fail under certain conditions and point to the need to consider tasks beyond object recognition in journal iScience, the team employed novel visual stimuli called “Frankensteins” to explore how the human brain and DCNNs process holistic, configural object properties. “Frankensteins are simply objects that have been taken apart and put back together the wrong way around. As a result, they have all the right local features, but in the wrong places,” Elder said. The investigators found that while the human visual system is confused by Frankensteins, DCNNs are not -- revealing an insensitivity to configural object properties. According to the researchers, modifications to training and architecture aimed at making networks more brain-like did not lead to configural processing, and none of the networks were able to predict trial-by-trial human object judgements accurately. “We speculate that to match human configural sensitivity, networks must be trained to solve a broader range of object tasks beyond category recognition,” Elder noted.

Four cups of black or green tea daily can cut diabetes risk by 17%

New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) A moderate consumption of black, green or Oolong (traditional Chinese drink) tea is linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a study involving over a million adults from eight countries has revealed. The findings suggest that drinking at least four cups of tea a day is associated with a 17 per cent lower risk of diabetes over an average period of 10 years. “Our results are exciting because they suggest that people can do something as simple as drinking four cups of tea a day to potentially lessen their risk of developing type 2 diabetes”, said lead author Xiaying Li from Wuhan University of Science and Technology in China. journal Diabetologia. When compared with adults who didn’t drink tea, those who drank 1-3 cups daily lowered their risk of diabetes by 4 per cent, while those who consumed at least 4 cups every day reduced their risk by 17 per cent. The associations were observed regardless of the type of tea participants drank, whether they were male or female, or where they lived, suggesting that it may be the amount of tea consumed, rather than any other factor, that plays a major role. “While more research needs to be done to determine the exact dosage and mechanisms behind these observations, our findings suggest that drinking tea is beneficial in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, but only at high doses (at least 4 cups a day)”, said Li. It is possible that particular components in tea, such as polyphenols, may reduce blood glucose levels, but a sufficient amount of these bioactive compounds may be needed to be effective. Despite the important findings, the authors noted that the study is observational and cannot prove that drinking tea reduces the risk of diabetes, but suggests that it is likely to contribute.

‘Night owls’ may have greater risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease

New York, Sep 20 (IANS) People who are ‘night owls’ could have a greater risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease than those who are ‘early birds’ as a new study has found that our wake/sleep cycles cause metabolic differences and alter our body’s preference for energy sources. The researchers found that those who stay up late have a reduced ability to use fat for energy, meaning fats may build up in the body and increase the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. “The differences in fat metabolism between ‘early birds’ and ‘night owls’ shows that our body’s circadian rhythm (wake/sleep cycle) could affect how our bodies use insulin,” said researcher Steven Malin from Rutgers University in the US. For the study, published in the journal Experimental Physiology, the team classified participants into two groups (early and late) based on their ‘chronotype’ -- our natural propensity to seek activity and sleep at different times. They used advanced imaging to assess body mass and body composition, insulin sensitivity and breath samples to measure fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Participants were monitored for a week to assess their daily activity patterns. They ate a calorie and nutrition-controlled diet and had to fast overnight to minimise the dietary impact on the results. To study fuel preference, they were tested while at rest before completing two 15-minute bouts of exercise: one moderate and one high-intensity session on a treadmill. Aerobic fitness levels were tested through an incline challenge where the incline was raised 2.5 per cent every two minutes until the participant reached a point of exhaustion. Researchers found that early birds use more fat for energy at both rest and during exercise than night owls. Early birds were also more insulin sensitive. Night owls, on the other hand, are insulin resistant, meaning their bodies require more insulin to lower blood glucose levels, and their bodies favoured carbohydrates as an energy source over fats.

Biden claims ‘pandemic is over’ as WHO advises vigilance

Washington, Sep 19 (IANS) US President Joe Biden has claimed that the Covid-19 pandemic is over, as millions suffer from long Covid and several countries still bear the brunt of the global health crisis. On the CBS ‘60 Minutes’ TV show on Sunday, Biden said: “The pandemic is over. We still have a problem with Covid. We’re still doing a lot of work on it. It’s, but the pandemic is over”. “If you notice, no one’s wearing masks,” Biden said while gesturing at the gathering. “Everybody seems to be in pretty good shape. And so I think it’s changing.” However, the US government still designates Covid-19 as a Public Health Emergency and the World Health Organization (WHO) says it remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, reports CNN. Last week, the WHO said that future coronavirus waves are expected and that governments across the world need to remain vigilant and ready to respond to any threat that may emerge. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that this virus will not just fade away. “The global decline in reported cases and deaths is continuing. This is very encouraging. But there is no guarantee these trends will persist. The most dangerous thing is to assume they will,” he said in his latest remarks. “The number of weekly reported deaths may have dropped by more than 80 per cent since February, but even so, last week one person died with Covid-19 every 44 seconds,” Ghebreyesus emphasised. However, he said that “ee have never been in a better position to end the pandemic”. According to the WHO, during the week of September 5-11, the number of new weekly cases worldwide decreased by 28 per cent over the previous week to more than 3.1 million. The number of new weekly deaths was down 22 per cent to just under 11,000. Tedros likened the pandemic response to a marathon race. “Now is the time to run harder and make sure we cross the line and reap the rewards of all our hard work.” Even as the pandemic wanes, people should maintain high levels of vigilance, said Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme. The world is fighting “a highly mutable evolving virus that has shown us, time and time again in two-and-a-half years, how it can adapt and how it can change”, Ryan added. “Most of those deaths are avoidable. You might be tired of hearing me say the pandemic is not over. But I will keep saying it until it is. This virus will not just fade away,” he added.

Eating walnuts everyday may lower your BMI, control BP

New York, Sep 23 (IANS) A daily serving of walnuts may help in controlling blood pressure, prevent weight gain, and minimise your chance of developing diabetes and heart disease, according to a new study. The finding, published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, showed that those in the walnut-eating group had lower blood pressure than those that did not eat the nuts, reports the Daily Mail. According to the researchers, from the University of Minnesota, walnuts are the only nuts that contain Omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The fatty acid has previously been linked to improved heart health. However, the researchers say more studies are needed to confirm the findings. Previous research has linked walnuts to lower blood pressure, and suggested they prevent diabetes and heart disease. However, these results are yet to be backed up by a rigorous clinical trial. For the study, the team analysed data from 3,341 US people who were about 45 years old. Participants had taken part in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study run by the University of Alabama between 1985 and 2015. They were initially interviewed about their diets, and followed up with at years seven, 20 and 25 of the study. Of those involved, the 340 who ate walnuts consumed about 0.6 ounces (19 grams) a day on average - the equivalent of seven walnut kernels. At year 20, they were invited back for a health check-up where their BMI was measured, alongside their activity levels and blood pressure. The scientists also suggested that walnuts led to lower weight gain and a higher quality diet.