WEDNESDAY 7 October, 2020
Pages 08,Delhi (NCR) Faridabad
Gender Pay Gap:
Numbers don’t lie! Daily E-Paper m
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Women need more “flexibility” and balance. Stop using this as a cop out on why women make less money: It implies women are giving their work less dignity than their male counterpartswhich isn’t true. We need to stop using this narrative on why they are less represented in leadership since it is not only false but further results in unwitting bias.
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Asian stocks fall on concerns about fresh lockdowns, banking sector
7 October, 2020 Faridabad/Delhi NCR THEASIANCHRONICLE.COM
Nishica Choudhary
Asian shares opened weaker on Tuesday on concerns about new pandemic lockdowns in Europe and after reports about financial institutions allegedly moving illicit funds hurt global banking stocks. JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of New York Mellon Corp on Monday fell 3.1% and 4.0%, respectively, while HSBC Holdings Plc and Standard Chartered Plc hit 25-yearlows on reports that they and others moved funds despite red flags about the origins of the money. "The question is whether or not the residue of that impacts the performance of regional financials," said CommSec market analyst Tom Piotrowski in Sydney. "Certainly, HSBC shares
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will be looked at very closely as far as the Asian session is concerned." On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.84%, the S&P 500 lost 1.16%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.13%. U.S. stocks have tumbled over the past three weeks as investors dumped heavyweight technology-related stocks following a stunning rally that lifted the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to new highs. Emerging market stocks lost 1.64%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan closed 1.26% lower. In Asia, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.5% while South Korea's Kospi fell 0.9%. Japan is closed for a public holiday.Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were
IFFCO & Prasar Bharati sign MoU to broadcast and promote Agri technology and innovations
According to the agreement DD Kisan will broadcast various innovative techniques being adopted in agriculture field in easy language through 30 minutes program series for the benefit of farmers. To make the farmers Atmanirbhar (Self-dependent) it is necessary that these new agriculture techniques and their implementation should be explained to the farmers. This MoU will help in achieving this objective. IFFCO’s innovations will be shared with farmers in easy language through DD Kisan in approximate 25 episodes. Dr. U S Awasthi, Managing Director of IFFCO, said that IFFCO has prepared alternative of Urea which is Nanotechnology based and will help farmers. He said that it is a matter of joy that the innovations which can benefit farmers immensely will now be broadcasted on DD Kisan. It will also help to achieve the target of doubling the income of farmers by 2022.
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India K. Vijay Raghavan stated this initiative as a historic step for the betterment of farmers. IFFCO has innovative technology for the farmers and Doordarshan has vast network across the country. The vast network of DD will help in explaining agriculture innovations to the farmers in easy language which will help them immensely. Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati called this a matter of pride. He said that through this medium the information will be shared with the farmers in an easy language. These programs will also be broadcast through digitial medium so that the young farmers can benefit from the initiative. Doordarshan Director General Mayank Agarwal said that the agreement will help to promote the innovations of scientists done in lab and the experiment conducted by farmers in the field which will help the young farmers.
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down 0.36%. E-mini futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.10%. The dollar index rose 0.639% as the euro dipped 0.03% to $1.1766. New pandemic measures in the UK set off declines in airline, hotel and cruise companies in both European and U.S. markets, spurring fears
about further restrictions. A new round of pandemic business restrictions would threaten a nascent recovery and further pressure equity markets. The U.S. Congress has also for weeks remained deadlocked over the size and shape of another coronavirus-response bill, on top of the roughly $3 trillion al-
ready enacted into law. The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg appeared to make the passage of another stimulus package in Congress less likely before the Nov. 3 presidential election, sparking large declines in the healthcare sector. U.S. President Donald Trump said he would put forward his nominee on Friday or Saturday and called upon the Senate, controlled by his fellow Republicans, to vote on confirmation ahead of the election. Investors were also keeping a close eye on China tensions. China's ByteDance and Oracle Corp, also on Monday, issued conflicting statements on Monday over the terms of an agreement they reached with the White House over the weekend to
TAC News In a forceful counter to the Opposition charge that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to put an end to the provision of Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today cited figures and evidence to state that contrary to what is being said, the matter of fact is that over the last six years, the MSP on crops was progressively raised by the Modi government. In an interaction with farmers, Sarpanches, Panches and local activirts of Block Nagri in district Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir today, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the opposition has no facts or figures to prove their criticism and are indulging in purely political rhetoric to denigrate path breaking decision taken by Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi. He said, it is therefore incumbent on us to fight out this motivated campaign at public level and reach out to the common farmers and people in general with facts and figures which can be verified by anybody. Substantiating his point, Dr Jitendra Singh cited figures to state that for exam-
ple, the per quintal MSP rate for Paddy was Rs.1410/- in 2015-16 which was raised to Rs.1470/- in 2016-17, further raised to 1550/- in 2017-18, further raised to 1750/- in 2018-19, further raised to 1815/- in 2019-20 and further to Rs.1868/- in 2020-21. Similarly, he said, per quintal MSP on wheat was Rs. 1525 in 2015-16, 1625/in 2015-16, 1735/- in 201718, 1840 in 2018-19 and Rs.1925 in 2019-20. On peanut the per quintal MSP was Rs. 4030/- in 2015-16, 4220/- in 2016-17, 4450/in 2017-18, 4890 in 201819, 5090 in 2019-20 and
Rs.5275 in current year of 2020-21. He said, the list is long but a similar phenomenon can also be noted in case of other items like Soyabean, Gram etc. Hitting out at previous governments, Dr Jitendra Singh said, its leadership should first explain why the procurement was lesser during the UPA rule compared to the present NDA rule. Citing an instance, he said, while the wheat procurement from 2009 to 2014 during UPA rule was 1,395 Lakh Metric Ton, during the subsequent NDA-1 rule between 201419 it increased to 1,457
allow TikTok to continue to operate in the United States. As we all know, the virus doesn't live in a vacuum and what you see in one country or region will affect other places. Economically it could have an effect," said Minh Trang, senior FX trader at Silicon Valley Bank. ByteDance was racing to avoid a crackdown on its popular short-video app after the U.S. Commerce Department said on Friday it would block new downloads and updates to the app. Taiwan said on Monday its armed forces have the right to self-defence and counterattack amid "harassment and threats", in an apparent warning to China, which last week sent numerous jets across the mid-line of the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
Lakh Metric Ton. The truth is on our side, said Dr Jitendra Singh, and we must confront the opposition design with full confidence and moral strength. Among those who participated in the interaction included Sarpanch Tara Chand, PanchKulbhusan Singh, farmers including Tara Chand, Saini and Chatter Singh, youth leader Gaurav Sharma and others. The programme was conducted by Lok Sabha constituency InchargeSanjiv Sharma along with Kathua BJP President Raghunandan Singh and Executive Member JanakBharati.
MSP on crops was progressively raised by the Modi govt over the last six years: Jitendra
Gender Pay Gap:
Numbers don’t lie!
7 October, 2020 Faridabad/Delhi NCR THEASIANCHRONICLE.COM
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Ann Mary Philip
Gender Pay Gap is a relevant yet ignored topic in the current scenario. Despite decades of equal-pay laws, women still earn a lot less than men.An Act to provide for the payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers and for the prevention of discrimination, on the ground of sex, The Equal Remuneration Act, was enacted in India in 1976. Itforbids employers from discriminating against women during recruitment and also seeks to address the issue of payment of unequal wages. It makes it compulsory for employers to pay women wages equal to those paid to men for performance of the same work. But how effective is the actual enforcement of such a law? In every sector of the workforce, women are paid less for doing work of equal value. Discrimination in pay, hiring and promotions have become persistent barriers to women’s success at work and to economic growth, and is a demanding problem that has been prioritized in the UN’s SDGs. We could see a woman doing an associate role in a law firm but can’t actually envisage her being a partner. The bias comes in when we sit in front of a panel and goes back to our early notion of “what a leader looks like”. They have tradi-
tionally been seen as mothers first and breadwinners second. And the arguments the come up against this empirical fact are forms of discrimination in of themselves. They say, “Women tend to lean more towards "softer" careers, ones that tend to pay less, in order to spend more time with the family. However, if a woman did choose a "hard" career, she apparently would be held back from making more money by
her choice to have a child and a family.” Why can’t a man be the one raising a child or wanting to spend time with his family? This very concept and the practice of unequal pay is undoubtedly one of the main reasons for the inhuman social evil existing in our society, Gender Discrimination. That’s why we are still calling attention to a century’s long injustice.It’s high time to fix this. How?We need to ensure people are impelled to drive the inclusion
change that will lead to the pay gap closing. We need to challenge the baseless gender biases such as big-hearted bias:We perhaps would make an assumption not to send that woman to an area on a project that would take her away from her family. Or not to offer her a project that would mean working late into the night, to assume that she will no longer be free because she has a family. This absolutely destroy her earning capabil-
ity and thus contribute to the gender pay gap. Have second thoughts on the early approaches, we have about boys and girls:Letting children develop who they are and being careful not to provide unconscious jabs towards gender stereotypes. Our children begin to become “gendered” based on social signs and this actually has an impact on career choices and earning potential. Women need more “flexi-
bility” and balance. Stop using this as a cop out on why women make less money: It implies women are giving their work less dignity than their male counterpartswhich isn’t true. We need to stop using this narrative on why they are less represented in leadership since it is not only false but further results in unwitting bias. Women should turn up for bigger projects:They will be able to gain leadership experience and can unfold yourselves to decision-makers and it is necessary to help elevate your career and your salary. Organizations should conduct regularly salary audits:Compare female employees’ salaries against their male counterparts who are in the same job with the same or comparable responsibilities, experience and education. A good look in the mirror, and at the payroll, to see if there are any basal biases and sexism happening within organizations is the need of the hour.We need more people to study the wage gap. When was the last time you heard of someone who mastered in gender studies? Let’s free-up moms to go back to work, put an end to women being held back by their previous salary, not shy away from conversations about wages and promote women early and more often and on potential, not just performance.
Congress Silent Protest Across Country Over Hathras Case
Manikya dheeren
Delhi Congress leaders and staff led by get together president Anil Chaudhary staged a silent protest at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial Rajghat right here on Monday in search of justice for the Hathras lady who died after she was allegedly gang-raped. Chaudhary mentioned additionally they prayed that good sense prevails on UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the state police. KC Venugopal Congress To Hold Silent Protest Across Country Over Hathras Casesaid senior leaders, MPs, MLAs, office bearers, party functionaries and ordinary workers will participate in full strength in the
''satyagraha''. A day after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the family of the Hathras victim, the party announced it will stage ''satyagraha'' in the district headquarters of states across the country on Monday to demand justice for them. "The Pradesh Congress Committees will be organising silent Satyagraha sit-in, at Mahatma Gandhi/Ambedkar statues and any
other place of significance, against the brutal and arbitrary actions of the UP Government, demanding justice for the victim and her family," AICC general secretary, Organisation, KC Venugopal said in a statement.
He said senior leaders, MPs, MLAs, office bearers, party functionaries and ordinary workers will participate in full strength in the ''satyagraha''. "The brutal gang rape and murder of a Dalit girl from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh has shaken the conscience of the nation," Mr Venugopal said. He alleged that the "casual and cavalier attitude" in taking cognisance of her complaints and delay in providing her immediate medical attention "smacks of attempts at brushing under the carpet" as well as "complicity" on part of the UP administration. The 19-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly raped at a village in Hathras by four men on September
14. After her condition deteriorated, she was referred to Delhi's Safdarjung hospital where she breathed her last on Tuesday. She was cremated in the early hours of Wednesday, with her family alleging the local police forced them to conduct the last rites in the dead of the night. Local police officers, however, had said the cremation was carried out "as per the wishes of the family". The Congress leader also criticised the UP government for the events of October 1 when Rahul Gandhi and the party's UP in-charge Priyanka Gandhi along with other leaders tried to go to Hathras to meet the victim's family and the delegation was stopped at the UP border itself.
Secret for a glowing skin and a healthy body
7 October, 2020 Faridabad/Delhi NCR THEASIANCHRONICLE.COM
beauty
All of us irrespective of the age group are concerned about the health of our skin as well. Getting the best nutrition is vital for maintaining healthy skin. Indeed, though it is impossible to prevent the process of ageing skin, good nutrition can help keep an attractive complexion. Scientific studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, yoghurt, eggs, vegetable oils, whole grains, results in supple and radiant skin. Thus, diet plays a significant role in nourishing our skin cells. A better understanding of t h e
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terms 'free radicals' and 'antioxidants' is vital for the well-being of our skin cells. Free radicals & Antioxidants- Free radicals are atoms or molecules with odd (unpaired) electrons that are usually highly reactive. Free radicals are generated in our bodies during normal metabolism. Your body's immune system can also create them in its attempt to fight against viruses and bacteria. Sometimes, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also trigger the formation of free radicals. Free radicals can cause extensive DNA damage over time, causing the cells to die. Antioxidants are chemicals that protect cells by neutralizing the effects of factors such as the sun, pollution, wind, temperature, emotions, metabolism and excess oxygen. Common antioxidants are vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene. The unique function of antioxidants is to protect your cells by fighting free radicals. They engulf free radical cells, thereby counteracting their attacks and eliminating them from the body. The cellular damage caused by free radicals makes cells more susceptible to attack from bacteria and other factors that trigger the ageing process. The efficiency with which the body deals with free radicals is an essential factor in determining the longevity and health of body cells. How does the body handle free radicals? Fortunately, some nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and others nourish the skin. These nutrients can be obtained as supplements, from your diet, or can be applied directly to the skin.
Vitamin A- Vitamin A protects against photo damage, which results from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. Vitamin A promotes the growth of collagen, which keeps skin firm and wrinkle-free, and so helps fight sunburn damage. It is also responsible for the growth and regeneration of skin cells, which help form the protective layers of the skin. These protective layers guard against certain skin conditions and diseases, such as psoriasis and dry skin. Therefore, Vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Yellow fruits and leafy green vegetables are rich sources of vitamin A. Applying creams containing vitamin A to the skin can enhance healthy skin and help control acne.
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Vitamin B complex- Of all the B vitamins, biotin (vitamin B7) is the single most important found in the skin. Biotin deficiency may cause dermatitis (an itchy, scaly skin reaction). Biotin is abundant in many foods, including bananas, eggs, oatmeal and rice. Topical cream preparations containing B vitamins can help give skin an almost instant healthy glow, while hydrating cells and increasing overall tone. Niacin (vitamin B3) in particular helps skin retain moisture, so creams containing this nutrient can help your complexion look plumper and younger in a short time. g
g Minerals- Apart from vitamins, there are certain essential minerals that are required for a healthy skin.
= Selenium-A mineral antioxidant which helps to minimize damage caused by ultraviolet light. Scientific evidence suggests that selenium plays a key role in skin cancer prevention. Taken either as a supplement or used in a cream, this mineral helps protect skin from sun damage. The best dietary sources of selenium include tuna, wheat germ, sesame seeds, nuts, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, whole grain cereals, seafood, garlic and eggs.
= Copper- In the presence of vitamin C and zinc, copper helps promote elastin growth. Research shows that applying copper-rich creams can make the skin firm and help restore some elasticity. However, copper deficiency is rare, and supplemental copper could cause problems.
By Rhythima Agrawal
= Zinc- A mineral that helps maintain collagen and elastin fibres, thereby helping to prevent sagging and wrinkles. It also links together amino acids needed to form collagen. Zinc works to clear skin by taming oil production. It may be effective in controlling the formation of acne lesions, or help clear those already on your skin. Food sources of zinc include eggs, seafood, turkey, whole grains, nuts, mushrooms, oysters, lean meat and poultry.
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Joggers That Ride The WFH Style Wagon life style
7 October, 2020 Faridabad/Delhi NCR THEASIANCHRONICLE.COM
Smack bang in the middle of 2020 and the lines between casual and office wear have almost blurred beyond recognition. Still, professionalism demands a certain class, and to avoid sliding down the rabbit hole, Turms is turning out its exciting range of joggers - the perfect style culture chameleon. Smack bang in the middle of 2020 and the lines between casual and office wear have almost blurred beyond recognition. Still, professionalism demands a certain class, and to avoid sliding down the rabbit hole, Turms is turning out its exciting range of joggers - the perfect style culture chameleon. A stronger case could not be made for athleisure wear. And Turms is not talking about sweatpants here - that’s relegated to the role of gym wear, quirky celebrity style or lightly active couch potato. Joggers hit the sweet spot with loungewear that’s stylish and comfortable. Turms’ joggers seamlessly covers the wide expanse between exercise apparel and work from home style. Zoom call colleagues could catch a glimpse of the latest lowerhalf favourite and corporates wouldn’t have to double over in embarrassment. Instead, joggers are now pretty much office wear acceptable. But Turms has a few aces up its sleeve. These ain’t the run-of-the-mill joggers. Their relaxed look is enhanced with special anti-odour and easy-dry treatment. This means less washing for more wearing and cool comfort even on warm days. These trendy pants are designed for the times. Its antigerm feature keeps one protected from potentially life-disrupting microbes and smelly bacteria. Team this with Turms’ easy-cool tech that absorbs body heat on contact with moisture and it becomes a sweat-free style for every season. It is advisable to lay off the khaki in cotton and go for hues that can be paired more evenly across the board. Try charcoal, deep green, navy or grey to add just a little extra swerve to the current style. Stay snug for longer in Turms’ joggers thanks to their ultra-soft two-way stretch that promises a better fit and extra comfort. Understated details including ribs on the bottom hem, cut-and-sew work and pintucks on the knee offer a more refined impression. As a style choice, joggers lend a younger vibe, so keep away from slip-on sneakers to avoid sharing the same look with friends or relatives. Laces on shoes add an adult dimension, as do the super functional, multi-use pockets and zippers that only Turms’ joggers can give. If looking at a casual mood, style the joggers with a hoodie and clean sneakers. Dark colours go well here. Flash a bit of ankle with a pair of sneakers, and throw on a favourite t-shirt with a jacket to go through hot-and-cold weather changes with ease. And if nipping into the office for a bit or heading out with friends, tuck a casual button-up shirt into Turms’ joggers and the whole look will be high on style, low on maintenance and set for any season.
7 October, 2020 Faridabad/Delhi NCR THEASIANCHRONICLE.COM
Ang Tshering Lama & the Himalayas
Subhasish Chakraborty
The Himalayas – Abode of Snow stretches magnificently across countries like India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan and Nepal covering approximately 2,400 Kms. out of which two sovereign nations - Nepal and Bhutan, are surrounded entirely by the Himalayas. For India, the Himalayas may also be called the lifeline of the country with as much as 80% of this majestic mountain range falling in the Indian sub-continent. The Himalayas is of massive ecological significance worldwide. Apart from being the abode of the world’s highest ecosystem, some of Asia’s most revered rivers originates from the Himalayas. The Nepalese rever Mt. Everest - “Samgarmatha” which literally means “Goddess of the Universe”. With Snow & Mountain Tourism growing phenomenally worldwide, the Himalayas too has witnessed incredible growth in terms of tourism. Nothing stops today’s discerning travelers from summiting in some of the world’s highest peaks. Mounatineering apart, the Himalayas offer some of the world’s most fascinating trekking trails – the Annapurna circuit for instance! However, time has arrived to position the Himalayas in the most appropriate manner at the global tourism arena. A momentous question to ask the mandarins of the Tourism industry (India, Nepal, Bhutan) is whether the Himalayas have been projected and promoted in the right manner at the global tourism arena? Have we choosen the right ambassadors for promoting tourism in the Himalayas? SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) was formed way back in 1985 with the mission to ignite sustained co-operation among South Asian countries in areas of economy, healthcare, development and tourism. The SAARC moto was –“Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity” and tourism was identified as an important vehicle for facilitating people-to-people contact. It needs no reiteration to state that SAARC hasn’t delivered and experts believe SAARC is a failed mission. Former Vice Chancellor of Central University, Sikkim - Mahendra P Lama’s observation is of great significance here; In an interview to The Hindu newspaper, Lama is quoted as saying –“Mistrust and inhibitions among the member countries were not letting SAARC flourish. They have to borrow a few pages from organizations like ASEAN and European Union, where borders have become softer and co-operation is through projects”. Keeping in mind the importance of the Himalayas and to promote
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sustainable mountain tourism, perhaps, a good idea is to set up an exclusive Himalayan Tourism Board, with member countries India, Nepal and Bhutan. The proposed Himalayan Tourism Board could be bestowed with exclusive rights to promote the IndoNepal-Bhutan Himalayas as a composite destination in the competitive global tourism markets. The Board could also be vested with the authority to prepare and implement Tourism Action Plans with the sole
malayas will have not just Mountaineering as an activity but also very specialized and immerssive experiences like for instance – trekking, mountain biking, river rafting, kayaking, hot air balloning, skiing, mountain-spa, yoga-in-themountains, high altitude mountainhut living as well as stimultaive cultural contacts to name just a few. So how does it make sense to appoint a celluloid star as a Tourism ambassador? What a powerful message the
Tshering Lama are at the helm, the gigantic task to align the industry to create a stellar service culture that will meet customer expectations, drive visitorship and promote a stronger Himalayan brand will indeed be a reality. These guys, who are natives or Sherpas, who have achieved great heights in the annals of mountaineering, enjoy iconic status and undoubtedly will inspire their own people to raise the bar in creating distinctive and compelling Hi-
When you have people like Ang Tshering Lama at the helm as Ambassadors, you expect them to foster strong, loyal relationships between the visitors and your brand. Ambassadors should not only be passionate about and thoroughly familiar with your products / services, they should also be skilled at making profound connections with others on behalf of Brand Himalayas. It is exactly this trademark –“Profound Connections” that guys like Ang Tshering Lama will deliver, which no other celluloid star can ever be expected to offer. When people like Ang talk about the Himalayas, the world knows they’re knowledgeable experts and justifiably will seek out their opinions because they also exude confidence and positivity — traits that attract the prospective visitors and compel them to listen to guys of such rare breed. Peaks apart, the Himalayas have a unique culture and for centuries together people here have crafted a culture that weaves beautifully both nature and people together. Whether tourists are attempting to summit on top of Mt.Everest or wanting to visit ancient temples and pagodas, one thing stands out Tourism in the Himalayas need to be sustainable and branded in the most appropriate manner so that the region’s stunning beauty and sacred air can be appreciated by future generations to come. I for one feel it’s imperative that we be acquainted with and celebrate the people and experiences of the
intention of taking tourism in the Himalayas to an altogether different level where it will compete with destinations like The Alps, Dolomites....... Branding a destination is often the key to the success of any destination and the Himalayas will be no exception. In India, we have witnessed the phenomenon of Bollywood celebrities of the stature of Big B, Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan, Amir Khan etc....in recent times donning the mantle of Tourism Brand Ambassadors. As a Travel Writer, my take on this vital aspect of selling a destination is different and I oppose vehemently to the practice of appointing celluloid stars as Tourism ambassadors. More so, if it concerns the Himalayas. I would much rather prefer a native who is aware of his/her art, culture, traditions, geography etc...by the tip of his finger. A photogenic face and a great curvacious body might fetch you “Blockbuster” movies, but certainly won’t work in the Himalayan Tourism arena . One must bear in mind that global tourism is evolving and today a destination of the magnitude of the Hi-
mandarins of the tourism industry of India/Nepal/Bhutan will convey to the world community if somebody of stature of Nepal’s iconic mountaineer – Ang Tshering Lama is appointed as the Brand Ambassador of the Himalayas. Imagine the buzz he will create with images of him on top of Mt.Everest, dressed in mountain expedition gear and his beaming smile ! And mate, this chap has summitted Mt.Everest multiple times and holds to his credit the mantle of conducting the world’s highest rescue mission on Mt.Everest in the year 2017. People like Ang Tshering Lama and others of his ilk are ideally suited to don the mantle of Tourism brand ambassadors for the Himalayas as they come with a proven experience of going above and beyond the call of duty in delivering truly spectacular, high quality mountain experiences. As the Himalayas becomes a more popular mountain tourism destination, the expectations of international visitors will continue to rise. They will expect high quality products and services commensurate with their cost of travel. If people of the stature of Ang
malayan experiences. For tourism in the Himalayas to succeed we need to have the right people and processes in place. Strategies, resources, technology, and people — the latter in particular plays a crucial role in driving the whole mission forward. We need to find the right ambassadors with the right blend of skills, personality and credibility for the mission to take off successfully.
Himalayas that will drive the hospitality and tourism industries. How I wish to hear from every visitor to the Himalayas to say only great things about their Himalayan experiences! I hope with right people in the right place the Himalayan region will come up with more enriching, exhilarating and seamless tourism products for the discerning world traveller.
Revival in Real Estate is Linked to Improvisation in Buyer's Sentiment business
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As the Indian economy picks up the pieces in efforts to restart post the Corona pandemic, the challenge for some industries is survival. It is not just about recovery - consider real estate, which supports 250-plus allied industries as also is the second largest provider of jobs. In tandem with infrastructure, drives GDP growth and provides a basic need of shelter. The past few years have been challenging. The Tsunamis of reforms – economic, taxation and industry related – changed the paradigm for Indian real estate. The impact of these was at two levels: apart from the working pattern of the industry, more important was the effect on buyer sentiment. The cumulative impact was a double whammy: while sales slowed down; projects underwent the painful situation of funding challenges. While credit options reduced, the situation was made worse by the ILFS and NBFC crisis. The result of an economic slowdown-induced slow sales, combined with funding challenges, led to some projects being delayed or stalled. The credit squeeze, in some instances, saw developers also face the challenge of last mile funding just not being resolved. Negotiating these troubled scenarios, the real estate industry has worked its way through the challenged times. Representations were
7 October, 2020 Faridabad/Delhi NCR THEASIANCHRONICLE.COM
also enhance buyer sentiment. The state government has also undertaken good steps, but needs to do more. It reduced stamp duty, revised the ready reckoner rates almost unchanged; where the market reality has been one of transactions happening if the ready reckoner rate gets reduced by 20 to 30 per cent. Industry bodies have represented this and similar aspects to the authorities, hopefully, the powers-thatbe will understand the exact issues where problems need to be resolved. Not reducing premium payments for FSI, to cite an example, instead allowing staggered or delayed payments is not a solution that will work; it will at most delay the
project’s pain-point to a date in the future. Last mile funding is a challenge where some initiatives like the SWAMIH fund have happened, but the requirement is far, far huge in quantum. From an industry perspective, the K V Kamath Committee’s recommendations will hopefully result in positive steps. Reduction in stamp duty and other levies as also a onetime roll-over of debt, implemented in tandem with last mile funding for stalled and delayed projects are among measures which have the potential to create positive sentiment in real estate. Revival in real estate is linked to improved buyer sentiment, resulting in sales. For this, the focus of stimulus/ policy steps by the Government of India need to shift from ‘supporting supply’ to ‘enhancing demand’. The need is to first focus on the buyer and second, ensure positive sentiment which will encourage buying. India can ensure higher disposable surplus in the hands of the consumer, to give an example, by reducing GST rates by 50 per cent for a six month period. Home loans at even better than present rates with in-built protection in case of EMI payment defaults over the next year or so will enhance buyer confidence. Such moves, taken well in time for the upcoming festive season, should create a positive scenario, and result in recovery.
If the developer intends to focus only on co working spaces for residents, there is no major challenge other than the added maintenance costs in the long run. This can be charged as one-time cost from buyers, or on usage basis. Moreover, since this co working space is exclusively for residents, commercial growth is not a factor - rather, it is meant to enhance the appeal of the project and add to its overall desirability. If the co working space is to be retrofitted into the existing clubhouse, decisions would have to be made on how much of the available space can be used for that purpose. It is to be assumed that residents may not agree to have the entire space taken up by a co working setup. If the objective is to attract external clientele as well, the co working operator will need to factor in commercial growth. For this, the challenge is to keep up with the outside competition. The operator will need to regularly re-invest in terms of infrastructure, facilities, up gradation in internet facilities, etc. Hence,
there will be an overall cost burden which needs to be met by increasing footfalls. In either scenario, the potential demand for in-house co working spaces may be temporary and limited to the duration of the pandemic’s worst impact. Already, we are witnessing a significant part of the previously WFH workforce returning to their offices. While in some instances this is due to the insistence of the employers, it is becoming evident that many Indians miss the focus and community that their office environments provided them with. This return migration would not impact larger co working spaces meant to draw footfalls from all around - the demand for such spaces is strong and growing. However, it would be interesting to see how relevant co working spaces exclusively for residents will be when the pandemic and its disruptive impact on work location choices reduces and more people are attending office again. There are certainly no precedents to make educated guesses from.
By Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani made to authorities for measures that would support a revival. 2019 was a tad better than the previous two years, it raised expectations that 2020 would be the year of growth, of recovering from the Tsunamis – then, COVID-19 struck. The lockdowns it resulted in were as the Hon’ble Prime Minister put it, “first about saving lives; then saving livelihood”. The fight against COVID-19 induced economic crisis is on-going. On the aspect of saving livelihood, the expectation was that there would be major stimulus moves on part of the Government. For real estate, this has not entirely come true. Post the lockdowns, there has been
a slow restart across construction sites; labour shortages as also disruption in supply chains making their presence all too painfully felt. Regulatory authorities have extended deadlines and given moratoriums. In absence of ‘normal’ business, these moves at best push the timelines ahead by a few months. The danger of turning NPA is a worry across the economy; real estate included. The authorities have come up with some positive moves, but a lot more needs to be done. Measures by the Central Government and regulatory authorities have largely focused on the ‘supply’ side, the need is for moves that will
National President - NAREDCO
Developers Explore Co working Spaces in Residential Projects
Anuj Puri
Amidst several COVID-19-induced changes within Indian real estate, many developers are now mulling the viability of incorporating co working spaces in their residential projects to align with the new WFH realities. There are at least two possibilities - retrofitting co-working spaces into existing clubhouses, and incorporating such a feature at the very design stage for new projects. Retrofitting calls for key modifications, especially in structures originally intended for socializing and community activities. Offering co working spaces as an added feature in residential or mixed-use developments is definitely a timely notion. Many people are finding it difficult to work purely from home due to distractions and space/ infrastructure constraints.
In-house Captive Clientele
If the objective is to cater only to a captive clientele - residents within the project - developers can make
on-premises co working spaces a USP and market their product accordingly. Given that work-fromhome is now an accepted norm, this added feature will help attract more buyers and help developers sell their product faster. It will further enhance the overall facilities and offerings of the project, which is excellent for branding. However, to add this feature or facility, the size of the project matters a lot. For instance, a mid-segment project having more than 300 units and a sizeable clubhouse could sustain such a facility. It would be harder to incorporate in smaller projects. For high-end projects at prime locations, with the exception of boutique luxury projects built on small plots, the developer could feasibly incorporate a co working space within a project.
Attracting External Clientele
If the developer intends to attract clientele from beyond the captive zone and offer co working space for both sets of clients, success will mostly depend on the location of the project. To target both resident
and external clients, projects having dedicated co working spaces must be located close to major office and public transport hubs. If such co working spaces are within a mixeduse development, they can be easily managed by the developers themselves. In both cases, the rentals may vary depending on facilities on offer - but they are much lower than conventional commercial spaces and come with added facilities such as high-speed internet, waiting areas, flexible workstations, etc.
Challenges
7 October, 2020 Faridabad/Delhi NCR THEASIANCHRONICLE.COM
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Rahul Mittra offers gratitude as Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster turns 9
Film-maker Rahul Mittra’s ‘Saheb Biwi aur Gangster’ turns 9, making him one of the most sought after producers in the film industry known for backing great content. My first film Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster released on 30th Sep 9 years ago, marking my entry into the fiercely competitive yet bewitching Indian film industry. Looking back & seeing how far I’ve travelled leaves me with just 1 emotion-immense gratitude, Rahul Mittra tweeted. A former journalist from The Times of India, Rahul Mittra carved out a name for himself in branding & promotions before becoming a film-maker. Defying nepotism and in the absence of any godfather, Rahul Mittra emerged a big name in bollywood on his own in the last decade. Rahul Mittra made Saheb biwi aur Gangster which changed the context of Indian cinema, apart from the lives of everyone involved including director Tigmanshu Dhulia and actors Jimmy Sheirgill, Randeep Hooda & Mahie Gill. Rahul Mittra has worked closely with top actors including Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Irrfan Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Arjun Rampal, Randeep Hooda,
Jimmy Sheirgill, Rahul Dev, Raj Babbar, Gulshan Grover, Chunky Pandey, Kangana Ranaut, Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautam, Nargis Fakhri, Richa Chadha, Chitrangda Singh, Mahie Gill, Soha Ali Khan amongst others in a career spanning 10 years in Bollywood. Having produced pathbreaking films like the Saheb Biwi aur Gangster, Saheb Biwi aur Gangster Returns, Saheb Biwi aur Gangster 3, Bullett Raja, Revolver Rani, Cabaret, Sarkar 3 and having presented acclaimed films like Main aur Charles & Daddy, Rahul Mittra’s next film Torbaaz will premier on Netflix this November. Rahul has won multiple awards for his films including the Amity Leadership Award for enter-
tainment, PHD Chamber of Commerce award for contribution to film industry, Best Producer at Norway Bollywood Film Festival, Most pathbreaking producer at Vietnam Indian Film Festival, Best Producer at Poland Film Festival, Best Producer at Indian Film Festival Hungary, apart from o t h e r s . Rahul Mittra’s next film Torbaaz on suicide bomber kids starring Sanjay Dutt, Nargis Fakhri & Rahul Dev will also see him play a pivotal role as Afghan Army colonel in the first Indian film to be ever shot in Krgyzstan. As an actor, apart from Torbaaz, Rahul Mittra will also be seen essaying important roles in forthcoming films Holy Cow & Love Hackers.
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Samsung To Start Out The Local Production Of TVs In India From December 2020 Haritha Senthilkumar
Samsung will commence the production of TVs in India from December 2020. They are looking forward to getting permission from the Indian government import TVs to India to assure business continuity is not affected, especially during the country’s upcoming festive season. Samsung has entered into India in 1995, Samsung has set new benchmarks in innovation led manufacturing and consumer marketing, and established itself as a truly national brand. It has consolidated its market leadership in the country with two factories, in Noida and Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, five R&D centres and one design centre. It has emerged as a truly Indian company at heart by fulfilling its commitment to ‘Make in India’ and living its promise of ‘Make for India’ since it's launch here. The South Korean company were importing the display panels to India and assemble TVs at Chennai Plant. Unfortunately in 2018, the Indian government has imposed import duties on open-cell display panels for TVs and that led to the shut down of its Chennai TV Plant. Hence the company have started to import TVs from Vietnam through a free trade agreement at zero import duties. And to encourage local marketing, Samsung has been fallen into the restriction list of import for the first time in 20 years by India in 30th July 2020. For any brand to import TV sets to India, p granted approval from India is a crucial need. Since July 2020, Samsung and other brands imports have been in a restricted
position by the Indian government. And this had impacted the Samsung TVs customs. Over the troubles faced by the company, Samsung Electronics issued a letter to India's IT and to the Electronic Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 28th September 2020. The letter said, ''It is important to maintain current threshold volumes for setting up the domestic TV manufacturing facility. The letter also mentioned that the current import restrictions are against the ethos of doing business.'' ET has reviewed the letter and mentioned that two industry executives said the company has also written to the Prime Minister’s Office and Directorate General of Foreign Trade. An email sent to Samsung India remained unanswered till 5th October press time. Samsung said it would restart its Chennai TV plant where the line is already present, but it needs to boost the equipment and manpower. The South Korean TV giant will continue to import 75-inch and larger TVs as they make up for a minuscule part of its sales. The company said in its letter that its local TV manufacturing plant would drastically reduce the import dependency in the segment. Samsung has been manufacturing some of its TVs locally in India through a partnership with Dixon Technologies.
India Still Following Medical Laws Made by British: Acharya Manish Famous Ayurveda Proponent Acharya Manish Terms Epidemic & Magic Remedy Acts Archaic & Anti Ayurveda, Calls for Amending or Scrapping of These A renowned proponent of Ayurveda Acharya Manish, who has been propagating India's 5000year-old herb-based medicinal treatment protocol - Ayurveda since 1997, has called for amendment or scrapping of what he calls two archaic & anti-Ayurveda medical laws. The laws under his lens are the 1897 Epidemic Act and the 1954 Magic Remedy Act. It is noteworthy that Acharya Manish is the founder of the Ayurveda label 'Shuddhi,' which has its main center at Zirakpur near Chandigarh and over 150 branches across India.Acharya Manish said, "Unfortunately India is still living with a mindset that smacks of the British Colonial era. Even today, we are governed by laws like the 1897 Epidemic Act, which the British made to subjugate Ayurveda and its practitioners- the Vaids. When the plague had affected the country in the 1890s, the vaids easily treated it through their concoctions, which
the British couldn't digest as it was impacting allopathy and its spread in India. It is because of this that they imposed the epidemic act in India and started registering cases against the vaids & putting them behind bars." Acharya Manish added, "The idea was to brand Ayurveda as an unscientific and backward medical method. Under the garb of this act, the British hatched a conspiracy to
eliminate Ayurveda from India. The epidemic act still exists and only promotes the use of allopathy. This needs to change, the act should be reviewed or scrapped so that Ayurveda gets an equal footing to allopathy." Even the 1954 Magic Remedy Act has come under fire from Acharya Manish. "Despite having many effective treatments in Ayurveda that treat the root cause of
an illness, the Magic Remedy Act does not allow us to talk about these protocols. An Ayurvedic practitioner can't speak freely on any disease, while on the other hand, allopathy undertakes huge endorsements of particular treatments and allopathic hospitals promote themselves in a big way. There are many differences between systems followed under allopathy and Ayurveda. While allopathy by and large works on symptomatic treatment, Ayurveda tries to remove the disease from its source." Acharya Manish informed that while allopathy-based hospitals get patients due to the ease of passing medical bills through different insurance mechanisms, it's almost impossible to do so by Ayurveda-based hospitals and clinics. "Why is this step-motherly treatment being meted out to Ayurveda in the country where Ayurveda was born" asked Acharya Manish Acharya Manish explained that while in allopathy, there are specialists for different parts of the body, the human body is looked at holistically in Ayurveda.
Acharya Manish feels that the COVID era has brought Ayurveda back into the limelight. Now is the right time to bring in newer legislation by amending or even scrapping the archaic laws. Acharya Manish summed up, "I and my team are planning to approach the judiciary for relief in this matter. We will call for amending or scrapping of the retrograde laws, which are acting as roadblocks in the growth of Ayurveda."
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