100 mb ut september 2016

Vol 5 Issue No.59 Sept - Oct 2016

A HOME FOR COMFORT AND SAFE LIVING Sakkeer Hussain Cholayil Managing Director, Rahna Homes

Brexit and the boost for Gold

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

BMW

7SERIES

Sept-Oct 2016

1

2

Sept-Oct 2016

Sept-Oct 2016

3

Printed by: Ajit Ravi Published by: Ajit Ravi Owned by: Ajit Ravi Printed at: S T Reddiar P.B. No: 3627, Veekshanam Road, Cochin Published at: Pegasus, L5-106 Changampuzha Nagar Kalamassery Ernakulam-682 033 e-mail: editor@uniquetimes.org uniquetimesindia@gmail.com Ph:0484 3242220, 6555533, 4025666 Mob:+91 98460 50283, 94470 50283 Editor Ajit Ravi Sub-Editor Vignesh Associate Editor Ravi Saini Editor-In-charge Jebitha Ajit Legal Advisor Adv. Sreelatha Parameswaran Correspondents Dr. Thomas Nechupadam Vivek Venugopal- Quarter Mile Bejoy George Amrutha V Kumar Marketing BAHRAIN PRESTIGE MARKETING Tel: +971 55 2000933 Email: gopal@prestigemarketing.in UAE Tamquest Entertainments LLC P.O. Box 232886, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Mr.Safi Mulankaad Clap PR and Events:++971 508414706 Email: riju@tamquestevents.com Tamil Nadu Andhrapradesh & Karnataka PEGASUS Ph: 09288800999 Kerala Sunilkumar NN Your wing Photographer Ashique Hassan Creative Design PEGASUS Cover Photograph Sakkeer Hussain Cholayil Managing Director, Rahna Homes Sept-Oct 2016 4

Editorial

Making the world a better place is something we can all do. “I don’t want to make money. I want to make a difference”- world-famous American singer Lady Gaga said lately. The story of Sakkeer Hussain Cholayil, MD Rahna homes is an interesting one. A cushy job and a globe-trotting life did not deter him from chasing his private dream, which was nothing but to give something back to his hometown, Thrissur. After making enough money as a petroleum engineer in South Africa, he ventured into real estate to provide responsible living spaces for Thrissurians.

What sets his venture, Rahna Homes, apart from most of the other avaricious real estate firms was a simple thought: “If we failed to cater a perfect home to our customers, then that entire concept is gone”. He kept his promise.

And now his Rahna Homes, interestingly that is his wife’s name also, has already garnered the trust of hundreds of Thrissurians, both NRI as well as local.

“Even after Brexit the gold is the one asset class about which there is no uncertainty”, writes Shri. V.P. Nandakumar, the Chiarman and Managing Director of Manappuram Finance in his regular column. Who says BMW is the third option after Audi and S Class? Read our special report on BMW 7 series. Don’t forget to visit Lithuania, a Baltic beauty with mesmerizing castles and astounding forests.

Actually, as you know we are not limited to these articles. Writings on Auto, stock market, gadgets, banking, movie review, book review and several other articles are waiting for your response. As always, thanks for picking us up and we hope you enjoy the read!

Sept-Oct 2016

5

CONTENTS

12

16

6

20

Brexit and the boost for gold

12

The invisible power of internships

16

Rahna homes: a home for comfort and safe living

20

Way Ahead For Sports

26

Sept-Oct 2016

42

48

50

44

56

42

Gadgets

44

Recipes

48

Keep the athlete alive: Tips for Physical Beauty

50

Lithuania a Baltic country of lakes, castles, and forest

56

BMW 7SERIES

Sept-Oct 2016

7

UNIQUE DIARY

Infosys set to cut nearly 3000 jobs

T

he Information Technology conglomerate, Infosys, is likely to cut nearly three-thousand jobs in coming months. It is said that the company was forced to take such an extreme step after it had lost an international project. The company was invited by the Royal Bank of Scotland to assist their new project. But, unfortunately, the bank gave up the plan to create a separate bank.

Anyway, it badly affected the shares of the company. It declined nearly one per cent to settle at Rs.1,051.80 on NSE. Meanwhile, on BSE, it dropped over one per cent to reach Rs 1,050.95. However, a source claims that the company would not dismiss any employees. It added that the employees would be reallocated to other projects.

Ola shuts downTaxiForSure app

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Thomas A. Edison

T

he app-based transportation conglomerate, Ola, has ceased the transportation app, TaxiForSure after acquiring it. Last year, the company purchased their biggest rival for around two-hundred million dollars. It is said that nearly seven-hundred people would loss the job. Earlier, this year, the company had launched its low-cost cab, ‘Micro’. It is learned that the transportation company is trying to expand its service across the country. Uber is the prime rival of the conglomerate. With this unexpected move, their tough battle is likely to intensify in coming months. Reports say that Uber sold off their Chinese operation and is trying to create a dominant space in the Indian market.

8

Sept-Oct 2016

Financial ministry advises departments to use e-FPB system

F

inancial ministry, headed by Arun Jaitly, has advised the government departments to create accounts in the Reserve Bank of India for all transactions above hundred crore. It decided to use ‘Electronic Focal Point Branch’ accounts to receive non-tax revenues. The same will also be used to make fund transfer for plan schemes. As per information, all government departments were reportedly asked to create e-FPB account with the RBI. As per report, over three lakh crore rupee is estimated be collected in this financial year as non-tax revenue, including dividends, grands, and interest. With this move, the government aims to seal fund leakage.

SC directs Unitech to refund to Gurgaon home’s investors

“If you don’t drive your business, you will be driven out of business.”

B. C. Forbes

T

he Supreme Court of India has directed the real estate conglomerate, Unitech, to refund around fifteen crore rupees to the Gurgaon home’s investors. The court instructed the real estate giant to pay at least five crore rupees within two weeks.

The company has been given a relaxation period of four month for the balance payment. Earlier, the consumer forum had given a similar judgement responding to a complaint filed by more than two dozen customers. The company appealed against the consumer forum’s order in the Supreme Court. However, the new order given by the top court gives strong warning to the realestate companies.

Sept-Oct 2016

9

UNIQUE DIARY

Walmart plans to invest in India’s food processing sector

T

he retail conglomerate, Walmart, is likely to invest in the India’s food processing sector. The government reportedly believes that the foreign participation would add to the growth of our country. In order to invite more foreign participate in different sectors, the country had recently liberalised Foreign Direct Investment rules. Lately, a Brazilian poultry company had shown interest in investing in the Kishore Birayani. Reports say that they aim to utilise the Future Group’s outlets to strengthen their footprints in the country. The Brazilian company is one of the largest poultry exporters of the world. However, the Future Group not yet acknowledged the news.

Alibaba Group unveils book donation drive to help underprivileged students

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”

Warren Buffett

T

he Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba Group, has unveiled a book donation drive to help the underprivileged students. The company invited people to donate educational books like textbooks, study materials, and research materials. With this unique initiative, it aims to empower the underprivileged students. The program is named as ‘Mission Million Books’ by the organisers.

The company volunteers will conduct book donation drive across the country till September 16. Its main motto is to ensure quality education to all students. It is learned that those materials, which will be collected during this program, will be distributed to over two-thousand educational institutions across the country. As per report, the company itself would donate nearly fifty thousand books to the program and would provide all the marketing and man power support to the initiative.

10

Sept-Oct 2016

Sept-Oct 2016

11

BUSINESS

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

12

Aug-Sept 2016 Sept-Oct

After Brexit, however there is no uncertainty for one asset class and that is gold. Investment in gold has long been held as the best option for risk-averse investors in uncertain times. It was proved again as gold jumped nearly 5 percent on the day of the Brexit verdict.

BREXIT AND THE BOOST FOR GOLD The uncertainty over the referendum ended with the UK voting on June 23, 2016 to leave the EU. After the referendum, opinion is divided among financial analysts and economists about the long term consequences of the event.

Those who campaigned for the exit option believe it will be negative only over the short term. In the long run the outcome will be positive for UK, with savings of GBP 8.50 billion per annum (said to be the country’s net contribution to EU) and freedom to pursue its own trade deals. They are hopeful that Britain will manage to negotiate a free trade deal with Europe on special terms, similar, for example, to EU’s Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) recently negotiated with Canada.

Opponents of exit are sceptical anticipating a negative impact on the UK and the EU economy as a whole which will lead to a global economic slowdown. Whether other EU countries would offer a generous trade deal to the UK is one of the unknowns of the debate.

While the pro-exit camp believes it would be in the interests of other European countries to re-establish free trade, their opponents suggest that the EU would want to make life hard for Britain in order to discourage further breakaways.

A study by the think-tank Open Europe, which campaigns for radical reforms in the EU, found that the worst-case "Brexit" scenario is that the UK economy loses 2.2 per cent of its total GDP by 2030

which may not be cause for alarm given that the recession of 200809 wiped out about 6 percent off its GDP. However, it says that GDP could rise by 1.6 per cent if the UK was able to negotiate a free trade deal with Europe – i.e. to maintain the current trade set-up – and pursued "very ambitious deregulation."

Notwithstanding the pros and cons of the issue, the immediate reaction by the global financial markets was one of surprise and panic. The British Pound lost significant value, sliding 8 percent against the USD on the day of the results, its biggest one-day fall since the age of free-floating exchange rates began. Stocks markets in the U.S. and Europe also fell sharply, and an unprecedented $3 trillion was erased from stock exchanges around the world in the two trading days following the results.

Since then, stock markets have rebounded after governments and central banks indicated they were ready to do “whatever it takes” to prevent slippages in their economies. The Bank of England has now cut interest rates to a historic low of 0.25 percent accompanied by a £170bn package of stimulus measures. Earlier, the Japanese government had announced a fiscal stimulus said to be worth USD 276 billion. All this in a world already awash in fiscal and monetary stimulus money, with the US alone estimated to have pumped in $7.66 trillion between 2008 and 2012.

Injection of newly minted money is likely only to extend the lull before

the next big storm. Good times, we know, don’t last forever. But, whether artificially propping up the economy with liquidity will hold back bad times forever, remains uncertain.

There is, however, one asset class about which there is no uncertainty and that is gold. Investment in gold has long been held as the best option for risk-averse investors in uncertain times. It was proved again as gold jumped nearly 5 percent (to US$ 1,315) on the day of the Brexit verdict. In fact, even before the vote, gold had already posted gains of 20 percent during the year given the continuing growth woes in the developed world and with China faltering too.

Since 1974, gold has not had a better first half of the year. Importantly, despite all the gains so far, the key takeaway today is that more appreciation is likely.

Outlook for gold price Gold price is, by and large, inversely related to interest rate being non-interest bearing. Any rise in uncertainty in the global market, and risk-averse investors pull out money from risky assets to park in safe haven investments like dollar denominated bonds and gold. Similarly, falling interest rates nudge gold price higher as the opportunity cost of holding the asset falls.

The slow pace of recovery after the 2008 meltdown has compelled central banks across the globe to maintain low, even negative, interest rates to stimulate growth or to shore up whatever little of

Sept-Oct 2016

13

A study by the think-tank Open Europe, which campaigns for radical reforms in the EU, found that the worst-case "Brexit" scenario is that the UK economy loses 2.2 per cent of its total GDP by 2030

momentum there is. This easy money stance with interest rates held artificially low increases risk appetite. A significant chunk of this money then gets diverted to emerging markets in quest of higher returns pushing up stock indices in these parts while the lack of positive returns from bonds makes gold more attractive to hold.

The latest data from the World Gold Council shows record investment in gold in the first half of 2016 with investors buying 1,064 tons during the first six months of 2016, 16 percent more than in the first half of 2009 when the financial crisis was most acute.

Investment, rather than jewellery, was the largest component of gold demand for two consecutive quarters, which has not happened before. Individual investors, recoiling from historically low interest rates on bank deposits, have also been buying up gold bars and coins.

Demand for the U.S. gold Eagle coins has jumped 84 percent this year.

Not surprisingly then, Bank of America analysts in July upped their target on gold to $1,475 noting, “the world has been walking from crisis to crisis and we see risks that this may not change." Analysts with Credit Suisse have suggested that $1,500 an ounce mark could be tested by the end of the year in view of the prolonged macroeconomic uncertainty while UBS says gold “is more compelling than ever” today because of low and negative interest rates and global geopolitical risks.

After experimenting with

14

Sept-Oct 2016

artificially low interest rates, the trend towards negative interest rates on sovereign bonds is proving to be another support for gold. The conventional argument against investing in gold is that the metal generates no income while investment in bonds and shares fetches interest and dividends which offset the risk of fall in capital values. In contrast, when you invest in gold, you are effectively betting only on favourable price movements.

However, with the trend towards negative interest rates in the advanced economies, holding on to cash and gold is now a sensible option. According to a recent reports in the international press, about US$13.4 trillion of sovereign bonds, primarily European and Japanese, are trading with negative yields. For many central banks these days, it’s become a race to the bottom and beyond. Moreover, a number of highly rated corporate bonds are also beginning to get into the negative yield business. The case for gold has become stronger.

Of course, if there is a dark cloud somewhere, it is that the most recent upsurge in gold price has been driven strongly by exchange traded funds (ETFs) getting back in to the market. The risk is that demand will fade once there is an economic recovery prompting investment to head elsewhere. And that is the potential threat to gold price going forward.

Other likely consequences Post Brexit, there can be significant, but difficult to predict, negative spill-over to the euro area in the days to come via a number

of channels, including trade and the financial markets. However, losses may not be as large as earlier feared even if Article 50 (which governs exit from EU) is triggered immediately because the UK’s trading arrangements with the rest of the EU is likely to remain unchanged for at least two years (possibly longer).

Brexit has given hope to Eurosceptic political parties across Euro-zone to pursue their own exit options. While markets have so far managed so far to ride out the impact, the real danger is that it may strengthen anti-EU voices in European countries, some of which may follow suit. With elections coming up next year in the Netherlands, France and then Germany (these economies together represent more than half the euro-zone output), the worries are real. An upsurge in anti EU sentiments leading to further pullouts from the EU would pull the EU economy into recession which will spill over to the global economy via trade and finance. A slowdown in global economy would impact US growth rate. Any uncertainty and weakness in the global economy would likely further delay the process of normalisation of interest rates by the US Federal Reserve. And that will, once again, strengthen the appetite for gold among investors

V.P. Nandakumar is MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd. and Chairman of CII, Kerala State Council.

A PAGEANT TO DISCOVER THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND TALENT FOR THE WOMEN OF ASIA & EURASIA

www.missasiaglobal.org

Sept-Oct 2016

15

BUSINESS

Rajesh Nair, Director, Ernst & Young LLP Rajesh is also the President of the Kerala Chapter of TiE Global

One of the most important tasks of professionals is to take decisions.

Management is often called ‘decision making without bias!’.

Some of these decisions are taken with deep analysis and some with the ‘gut feel’.

16

Sept-Oct 2016

The invisible power of internships

W

hen we are at the entry portals of our careers or entrepreneurial journeys, we often have ‘hope’ as a clear virtue or attribute. There is a sense of accomplishment in every endeavour and imagination soars high and expectations know no bounds.

Often, the reality of a workplace is different from the rigmarole, a young mind bargains for. Does that mean we need to teach the young to temper their aspirations? Well, a good alternative is to provide them an avenue to experience some of it themselves. Internships are a great way of doing that.

Internships have been around from the ancient days. The process

of working intensely and assisting the ‘masters’ has been the credo of many a profession and skill in the past. The modern day version of internships for professionals is a route often explored, and now made mandatory in many institutions. The process is always well meaning and hopes the student gets the best of a ‘corporate experience’. At times the corporates also don’t see the ‘light’ of having interns. We often hear the laments of interns who complain that they got was warmed-over projects, company propaganda, and lots of social events, where they were but an extra pair of hands.

The popular ‘summer jobs’ culture which has been prevalent

Sept-Oct 2016

17

in the western countries is a great example of this phenomenon. Children from secondary schools pick up the odd jobs during the summer.

The benefit is not just the ‘popcorn – movie’ that they earn from these stints, but also some lessons in working in a more structured environment, feel the intensity of doing tasks to deadlines.

We live in a world with a surfeit of data. A click of the button on a topic can churn enough information which can actively engage a human being for days and years.

The diligence of reading and thinking needs time and this is increasingly becoming a rare commodity often. Once, we leave the portals of structured education, information becomes increasingly difficult to digest and make meaning of. Yet we cling on to several strands to assimilate what media, opportunity, and attention enable us at a particular point of time. This is most

18

Sept-Oct 2016

pronounced once we are in our careers and our entrepreneurial journeys.

It is also a great way to differentiate between accomplishing tasks than just getting busy with action. We often mistake activities and movement for concrete action.

When we get busy with the quotidian and repetitive tasks, we also pile up a series of prosaic and not so important tasks that buries our calendar. The ‘Time Management’ principles are popular, and we have some very interesting frameworks including that of ‘7 Habits’ by the late Stephen Covey. But, what is useful is also a mental frame that helps you guide your work life...

Simon Sinek, in his muchwatched TED talk, reminds us that there are three frames of our action - the‘WHAT’, the ‘HOW’ and the ‘WHY’. Typically, we are guided in that sequence as well. We spend time on ‘what’ we are to do and

the mechanics of ‘how’. What we neglect is the ‘WHY’!‘Why’ is the raison d'être of our existence. It is the sole reason we are in business, and our larger purpose and our objective to spend most of the lives! It is like a calling rather than employment.

One of the most important tasks of professionals is to take decisions. Management is often called ‘decision making without bias!’.

Some of these decisions are taken with deep analysis and some with the ‘gut feel’. But even this ‘gut feel’ is actually the commutation of life experiences and the unconscious ‘decision algorithm’ we build in our minds. So these decisions that we get from our ‘feeling’ are not totally devoid of structure and not some esoteric magic cauldron, churning decisions. They are from a mental framework tessellated from deep experience.

Integrity and value systems are

important for a professional. They say that we are in an age where virtue is in very short supply. It is increasingly important to do what we think is right– always. In a world that keeps throwing nasty surprises at us, it is imperative to display professional integrity; the willingness to face facts even if they’re at odds with one’s preconceptions.

Integrity is simply elucidated as “doing the right thing when no one else is looking!”

A few measures on the side of the intern and the institution can easily make this process rewarding for both entities.

A clear plan for internship: Look at each project from the lens of a clear step by step roadmap with clear milestones and deliverables. A lot of ‘action and movement’ does not necessarily mean ‘work’. Interns should think through some of the activities with

a quizzical mind, and not be afraid of questioning what is happening around.

Bridge to the organisation: This is a great opportunity for the intern to evaluate the organisation and understand the inherent culture – ‘the informal way of – how things work here’. For the organisation, there is no better time to check the cultural fit of the individual to the company ethos. In most cases, it is not the technical knowledge that is lacking, but the sheer fit of the person in the organisation.

Internship as a ‘prototype’: This is also an opportunity to put your skills to test. Use some of the frameworks, used in the cases studies and experiments in college work?It is a lot better to put the frameworks to use on paper than reading about them in textbooks and literature.

Internship as a ‘finishing

we need to teach the young to temper their aspirations?

Well, a good alternative is to provide them an avenue to experience some of it themselves. Internships are a great way of doing that.

school’: We often hear about how some of the fresh graduates and post graduates are ‘unemployable’. It is often a combination of our teaching methods, the dearth of faculty who have the empirical knowledge to embellish theory with practical examples and the lack of motivation for the students to apply their minds rather than pick theory by rote. Internships give you the opportunity to observe a working entity, the ‘invisibles’ of people at work, and the deadlines and timelines.

Internship– a platform for skill building: Internships arethe best platform for skill development. A robust internship network can do leaps and bounds for building skills than most skilling schemes.The recent spate of policies like DDUKVY – DeenDayalUpadhayaKaushaVikasYojana- and the PMKVY – Prime Minister’s KaushaVikasYojana-, are evidence that the government realises this aspect and have made interesting provision for not just skilling but employment.

At the end of the day, internships and an ecosystem that promotes internships will positively improve not just employability but also give the right fillip for employment!

Sept-Oct 2016

19

Rahna homes: a home for comfort and safe living

Sakkeer Hussain Cholayil, Managing Director, Rahna Homes

W

e, Keralites are always family oriented persons. We give extreme importance to our living space or home more than anything else. So, since our first salary day, we bring in dreams about a private home space or an exclusive living space.

It may not always be an easy job for a builder to satisfy his customer.

Here, Rahna homes, one of the youngest builders of our little state, has successfully earned the trust of hundreds of family through their quality, transparency, dedication and commitment.

Rahna homes and

20

Sept-Oct 2016

developers PVT ltd is established in 2007. Over these years, it evolved as a trustworthy builder. Its first venture in Kerala, ‘Hill View Dale’, was completed in 2009 at Thrissur. Its vision is to provide consistent growth through perfection in quality, and excellence in innovation.

The company develops aesthetically and internationally designed eco-friendly residential complexes and minitownships.

Sakkeer Hussain Cholayil, MD Rahna homes, is the man behind the successful journey of the youngest builder

conglomerate.

Unique Times got an opportunity to meet this successful business personality and to shoot some valuable questions at him.

We hope he will be an inspiration to all those aspiring entrepreneurs. His life is no different from a normal individual. Like all successful persons, he also faced several constraints throughout his journey. As we all know, a success story is all about how a person overcomes the constraints.

Interestingly, you started your business career in South

Sept-Oct 2016

21

It is my hometown. I always love this place. Moreover, it is the cultural capital. When we do a project in our hometown, it will tremendously increase your confidence level.

Africa, Why did you choose an African country to test your fortune?

Basically, I am a petroleum engineer. I worked in South Africa as a normal employee for nearly two or three years. Afterwards, there I got a golden opportunity to start a business.

Say few words about that project Actually, that country was in fact in a rebuilding stage when I was there.

We did the project for the oil companies. Those projects were well-planned and demand oriented. They needed European standard villas. That was a good experience.

Why did you choose Thrissur for your second construction project?

It is my hometown. I always love this place. Moreover, it is the cultural capital. When we do a project in our hometown, it will tremendously increase your confidence level.

You left your engineering profession and ended up in the construction sector. Why so?

I got an opportunity to travel nearly 140 countries. As we all know, our district’s infrastructure is not that developed. After seeing these extremely

22

Sept-Oct 2016

developed regions, I felt a strong urge to bringing contemporary infrastructure to our hometown.

Why did you adopt the western style of infrastructure over the traditional style in your projects?

The new generation is not interested in the traditional style of infrastructure. I know tens of thousands of people who share the same opinion. Once we achieve success, we will always try to improve the standard of living. Actually, the contemporary style is very good. It will give a class and stylish look to your living space.

Traditionally, Thrissur is a cultural city. How did they respond to the western style concept?

We got a huge positive response. We tried to merge contemporary western style with innovative ideas. That pattern of style is potential enough to gain positive response not only from Thrissur but also from the entire state.

‘Rahna homes’ prefers ecofriendly style. Why is that so?

The motive was how we could bring in nature’s beauty into our homes. We have consciously included several cross ventilation lines and deliberately preserved greenery to uphold natural beauty.

Say few words about the facility management system offered

by Rahna homes.

Even after delivering the villas, our team will offer maintenance, washing, cleaning, and even pest control services.

Why should we buy a ‘Rahna home’?

Quality is the prime thing that we offer. In addition to that, we assure International standard infrastructure, hospitality, customer care, and service.

Normally, it is not that easy for a builder to pursue their customer to buy a ready-tooccupy villa. How do customers respond to Rahnas homes ready-to-occupy projects?

If you fail, then you are gone. If we failed to cater a perfect home to our customers, then that entire

concept is gone. When we bring our customers, we must be able to astound them. It is very risky. But, we have made it.

What is the motto of ‘Rahna homes’?

We want to become the top builder of the world. we want to try all kind of construction projects.

What is the inspiration behind selecting this name, ‘Rahna homes’, to a young construction company?

There are two reasons. Firstly, “Rahna” means a ‘place to leave’.

Secondly, it is my wife’s name.

Say few words about the company’s goal.

Our goal is not less than becoming a global company trusted by millions of peoples.

Say few words about the company’s completed projects We started our construction business in South Africa so our first project was done there. So far, we have completed nearly five projects, including ‘Hill View Dale’,

Sept-Oct 2016

23

24

Sept-Oct 2016

Customer satisfaction is one of the biggest awards that we clinched so far.

We have over one hundred clients. We are still getting a friendly response from our customers. For a builder, it is the biggest achievement.

‘the Greens’, and ‘Heaven on Earth’. Of these five projects, the ‘Heaven on Earth ‘project situated in Palakkad gains greater importance, because it is a vacation home.

What are the upcoming projects of Rahna homes?

We are planning to develop a township. In our new project, we will appreciate client’s suggestions and incorporate their requirements effectively.

What are the achievements earned by the company?

Customer satisfaction is one of the biggest awards that we clinched so far. We have over one hundred clients. We are still getting a friendly response from our customers. For a builder, it is the biggest achievement.

Are you blessed with a supportive family?

Undoubtedly, for a business man, his family’s support is an essential thing. My wife is working as an executive director of this company. I am blessed with an extremely supportive wife and family.

Say about your family?

I have a wife, Rahna, and three children,Parveen, Abhiya, and Aiyra.

Are you a car freak?

My car is always my second home. I often think how I can get more fun while I drive. I have almost bought all brands of cars. Recently, I bought an I8.

For me, it is not a car but it’s a dream

Sept-Oct 2016

25

FEATURE

There is no paucity of talents in India but in the absence of proper training facilities, a large majority of our talents are either not noticed or their talents diminish and dies its natural death.

Ravi Saini

Way Ahead

For Sports W

hy don't India sets up a ‘Sports Fund’ and create a‘Multidisciplinary Academy’ with initial USD 10 Million(Rs. 65 Crore only) by the Centre and USD 250 Million by the ‘Private Hedge Fund’?

The lone individual Olympic gold medallist,AbhinavBindra,should be made the chairman of the academy, which should have its office bearers coming from different fields and must have been at least a national level players.

The choice of picking up the office bearers shall rest with the ‘Promoters of the Hedge Fund’ and the government.

Did anyone in India ever figure out how much pain, personal resources, and happiness could have been sacrificed by AbhinavBindra's family to earn India it's only individual ‘Olympic Gold’? Of the job bestowed on those authorities, who have the infrastructure and are still not performing their duties to a good effect, shall be dissolved. Why can’t we give the people's power back to them?

In the end, we, citizens, have to think about our well-being. Then, why we have these highly paid officers and support staff in the first phase.

Making comments on not winning medals is

26

Sept-Oct 2016

very easy, and it adds agony to the wounds of players whose frustration shows up on the faces after the performances after not making it, but you must appreciate the other nation's efforts and providing needed infrastructure to produce winners out of training sessions. At least to say, India needs a department of commonsense to provide a sports infrastructure.

Speaking about Dipa Karmakar, who came fourth, Abhinav Bindra explains how it’s impressive that Karmakar came fourth or the Indian athletes even qualify for a gymnastic event.

First, Dipa Karmakar’s physiotherapist was not able to travel with her. And was only rushed to Rio after she made the finals, contrary to what has been claimed publicly.

Second, India’s chief medical officer at the Olympics was a radiologist called Pawandeep Tony Singh. He knows nothing about sports medicine. When athletes went to him, his solution for all pains was Combiflam. That, he, as per reports, was having a gala time at the Games. Tony Singh is the son of Tarlochan Singh, who is the Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association.

Third, the IOA has taken a huge delegation of state Olympic office bearers to get votes in future.

They were all flown business class, while the athletes were flown in economy. Despite accreditation being limited, it is being given to officials rather than the support staff of the athletes.

Four, the IOA president,

Narayana Ramachandran, has not met the athletes, till the time it was persuaded.

The lead-up to the Games was a shambles with the appointment of Sachin Tendulkar, Salman Khan, A R Rahman, and Abhinav Bindra as ambassadors. Except for the last, the other choices were puzzling.

Why should we appoint a cricketer as a brand ambassador for the Olympics?

Interestingly, the United States of America, which has led the medals tally for years, has no minister for the sports department. Why not abolish the post and the apparatus which goes along with it. It may well lead us to surprise ourselves in Tokyo.

Pullela Gopichand, the coach of shuttle player PV Sindhu, the ‘Sil-

Sept-Oct 2016

27

India’s chief medical officer at the Olympics was a radiologist called Pawandeep Tony Singh. He knows nothing about sports medicine. When athletes went to him, his solution for all pains was Combiflam.

ver Medalist’ at Rio Olympics 2016, was given a two acres of land by the government and look at what he created- 4 international medallists.

Hence, each state can give free land for private sports academies.

This will create wonders. All our stadiums are politically controlled.

He got five acres of land from the state government after his ‘AllEngland’ win, but in order to turn his dream of building a world-class academy into a reality he even had to put his house on mortgage. His twin residential academies -both in Gachibowli area- have attracted talents from all over the country because these are professionallyrun institutions and Gopi takes personal interest in all trainees, not just the blue chip ones.

28

Sept-Oct 2016

Gopi has a remarkable ability to focus on the macro and micro at the same time. He keeps a keen out for the trainees, training with them, fixing routines and yet there is enough fuel left in the tank to closely monitor the progress of his elite players.

Why don't India sets up a ‘Sports Fund’ and create a ‘Multidisciplinary Academy’ with initial USD 10 Million (Rs. 65 Crore only) by the centre and USD 250 Million by the ‘Private Hedge Fund’?

The proposed ‘Sports Academy’ should have its office bearers coming from different fields and must have been at least national level players. The choice of picking up of the office bearers shall rest with the ‘Promoters of the Hedge Fund’

and the government.

I feel that Abhinav Bindra should be made to lead the sporting reforms much ahead of next Olympics, which is scheduled to happen at Tokyo, so that our athletes stands a better chance to compete and bring laurels for the country. Taking a cue from the success story of Pullela Gopichand, each state should come forward to provide at least 25 acres for the sports academies.

Trust me, there is no paucity of talents in India but in the absence of proper training facilities, a large majority of our talents are either not noticed or their talents diminish and dies its natural death. The Haryana government could take a lead for this new initiative and motivate others to follow.

Once the academy is formed and action started, the contingent for the ‘Tokyo Olympics’ should be sent well ahead to Tokyo for acclimatising with the local weather conditions and all the costs shall be borne by the Academy without putting in any additional financial burdens on the Sports Ministry.

The academy shall arrange for the sponsorships and other financial resources

Imported and Marketed by

CLASSIC ASSOCIATES O.S. 58, G.C.D.A. Shopping Complex 4th floor Marine Drive, Kochi- 682031, Kerala, India Call us: 0484 - 3043133 Email: nishijith.john@gmail.com Sept-Oct 2016

29

Market cycles and phases

L

ike in our life, where we pass through different phases and cycles; so do the stock markets move in different phases and cycles. Today let us discuss the different phases and cycles of a stock market and how to encash from it. Understanding the phases and cycles of a market is quiet important as one

The data shows, since 1991 till date the Indian markets (Sensex) has provided a CAGR of 16 percent. This clearly indicates that expecting extraordinary returns from the equity markets will make it a gambler’s den.

30

Sept-Oct 2016

knows when to enter and more importantly get out of the market before a big crash.

Despite many theories and many well written publications are available regarding this subject, we often find people getting caught in a downward market phase.

The Four Phases The four phases of stock market cycle are similar to

that of a business cycle or to that of our lives. We start off with a slow approach, accelerate peak and then finally diminish ourselves. Most importantly, we can witness this same set of phases getting repetitive, especially in stock market; and thus technical analysts believe in fractal way of understanding the markets. These cycles do repeat at shorter time frame, intermediate time frame as well as on the larger time frame thus making it a fractal.

Thus all markets are cyclical.

They go up, peak, go down and then bottom out. When one cycle is finished, the next begins. In summation, we can call these four phases as accumulation phase, growth phase, distribution phase and decline phase.

Most investors and traders either fail to recognize these phases and get struck. When they fail to identify the phase of the cycle they are risking their hard earned money.

Two common mistake people make are: a. they get into a stock at the distribution phase or b. they sell off their investments when stocks move from accumulation stage to that of growth phase.

These are the two widely seen mistakes among investor’s fraternity.

1. Accumulation Phase After a prolonged phase of decline, some light at end of the tunnel comes in. Here stocks are getting battered to their base price, and we see smart investors getting into the stocks while many retail investors are still thrown in the towel. The reason is the news flow will still be very bearish and people believe that there is no end to the bad flow of news. It is at this juncture professional fund managers and people with insightful wisdom of investing get into the stock. They buy heavy and wait for business performance to pick up. Usually, we see all stock holdings moving from weak hands to strong hands by end of this phase. In terms of price action in this phase, we hardly find any movement in prices of the share; in some instances we can also see some further discounting happening in prices. However, by the end of this phase, all negative inflows (news) would be completely absorbed.

2. Growth Phase Here, prices start to move up. As per the technical analysis, we start to see higher highs and higher lows getting formed. The sentiment changes rapidly, the news flow is getting better and better day by day.

Now, people start recognising the price action and getting involved into the price moves. This growth phase is usually the longest and it is during this phase business is actually delivering its value. The fundamentals start picking up and intrinsic value of the stock rises.

How do you identify the peak of such strong phase? There are two identifications, firstly, as per technical analysis, there will be a parabolic move towards the end of such growth phases usually not justified by real business growth

but due to madness of people who want to get into the stock; secondly, smart investors exit their positions with huge volumes (it is here the bulk deal and action from institutional houses) is to be looked into.

It is hard for a retail investor to get out during this phase as the news flow would be quiet positive.

3. Distribution Phase In short it is during this phase valuations becomes unjustifiable.

People find it hard to accept the valuations because they see stagnation in the business performance.

However, not all companies behave similar during this phase, smart business management usually try innovations, push the business performance and try to match up valuations. It is thus during this phase, we see some companies falling back into the growth phase rather than a decline phase. If the management is not capable enough of managing a stagnation situation, during this phase we see exchange of shares from the strong hands to that of weak hands. This clearly gives us an idea that the company management could not perform as expected and the stock prices are ready for a roll down.

4. Decline Phase This is the final phase, where we actually see prices moving down fast and heavily. We usually see prices drop from 35% to that off 90% depending on how fast and how tall the prices have risen for the company. Usually, we see prices going below the valuations too making it available at a discount.

Generally, as prices starts to move south, we could start hearing to bad flow of news kicking in. It is at this phase, usually retail investors lose their hard earned money. The identification of distribution phase thus becomes crucial for them to get out of the market.

Conclusion Timing of market is rarely possible; however riding the cycles and phases within it is possible by mere identification. Thus, identification of phases becomes crucial for one’s long term wealth creation ď Ź

Sept-Oct 2016

31

FEATURE

Can taking 'selfies' on your cell phone camera qualify as a therapy? May be to those introverted people who seek a window and door to express themselves, 'selfies' may be good therapy.

Vinod Kumar

Therapy E

verybody needs healing.

There are some bizarre therapies. Can shopping be categorized as a therapy? Well, for some people it is almost meditative to do shopping in the mall. Window shopping can also be a therapy. But, I would call these things as pass times. But, some experts claim that boredom and loneliness can be cured when people walk through the mall, keep in touch with other people or even when they socialise. These findings may not be supported by scientific data, but then in matters of results, these are testimonies.

There are several therapies like smell therapy, walk therapy, flower therapy.In some stage cases,the food itself is considered as therapy. Counsellors may claim that every food that people consume can have therapeutic value.

Moreover, even simply opening your mouth and talking out loud is considered therapy for some emotional imbalances. When you decide to go to professional huggers for the hug therapy,they will hug you for a specific duration for against a cost. Yes. All therapies are linked to a cost.

Among all these therapies, the switch therapy is a bizarre therapy. Couples who are con-

32

Sept-Oct 2016

sidering divorce as the only way out of misery get another last chance through this therapy.

They articulate their aspirational qualities in their spouses. The marriage counselors and psychology experts have a list of few married couples who has these aspirational qualities. Then,the troubled couples are paired with strangers for two weeks. The strangers have these traits of aspirational qualities. They live together as if husband and wife.

Yes, total strangers but having matched the corresponding aspirational behaviour and qualities are coupled for two weeks. This is switch therapy.

Do these bizarre healing or behaviours qualify to be called therapies? You are licensed to a research on the authenticity of these behaviour modulations.

Music therapy and other games and exposures are common. But water, sand, mud and shout are also used as therapies to bring confidence and other healing. You can predict the future trend of bizarre therapies. Can taking 'selfies' on your cell phone camera qualify as a therapy? May be to those introverted people who seek a window and door to express themselves, 'selfies' may be good therapy.

Romance therapy may be a bizarre trend of the future.

Has romance already outlived its therapeutic value in sixties, seventies, eighties or nineties?

We have not yet heard of technology therapy. May be technology therapy is the bizarre trend for the future.Dance therapy and other physically exhaustive technique have some base in the art of healing. But, in days and years to come, it is normal to look forward to suchbizarre therapies.

Beach walk, terrace stroll, park benches or even camping and trekking may be listed on the menu of therapies to choose.

So, normal, alternative, mainstream, parallel or even bizarre, there is no end to therapy. Living well itself has much therapeutic value. The merit can be discovered only if we probe to find correctness in our living. The worth of the self-esteem, confidence, and several other personality traits will decide the quality of your living. Skills, talents and domain expertise will bring the needed resource and livelihood.

But then, when everything is as expected and predicted, the therapy may have no place to exist. Developing a personality of progressive ideas, initiatives and innovations are outside the ambit

of healing and therapies. That will enable the needy to work intellectually.

Giving away gifts is a welcome therapy. Does training other people, qualify to be called a method of healing to the trainer?Another bizarre therapy is ice bucket or dancing in the rain? It is a great relief that prayers,meditations, yoga, and breathing techniques are not therapies. They are called a growth exercises. Whatever be the case, it is important to have a scientific understanding.

The regulators and government must find methods to license and certify the therapy practitioners.

The seekers of the therapies must become informed about the risks and benefits of the bizarre therapies.

Why are there no rules and regulation for the burgeoning therapy industry? These conducts of therapy initiators must follow a standard and get a certification from the government, ensuring these methods are not irreparably intrusive or irreversibly invasive.

There can be amusement if in case a touch therapy is invented where people would simply sit a touch each other's body in the

guise of a therapy. Well, in imagination, if drinking coffee and cafe sittings are a therapy, then I can offer as the master therapist of the cafe circuit, considering the enjoyment I derive from leisure and lounging.

Social support and encouragements from the family system are on the low.When people become too distanced from family and friends, then issues and imbalances in the mind become evident.

Mental health also needs exposure to therapies. Good amount of yoga, breathing techniques and meditations must be administered only by trained and certified practitioners.

Much of these therapies may look shallow and empty,even if they are not supported by scientific research and evidence. The research must be done at the molecular and atomic level and not limited to the superficial and general theories.

Have you heard of the gold fish swallow therapy? There is a claim that some breathing troubles are healed by fish swallowing. I am sure all of these must display a disclaimer to consumers to protect the therapist from liabilities. Well, the popular line, 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating', seems to validate these therapists. We can

simply wonder how much longer will it all last.

In the meantime, due diligence on the part of the purchaser of the therapy must be recommended.

Do some spot jogging. Five minutes of jogging in on spot inside your home. Drink up to one litre of water everyday. Twice a week, spend fifteen minutes for stretching your body and bend your joints.

Eat fresh vegetarian foods. These may be your own contributions to keep your body healthy. Many doctors, clinical specialist and physicians are very poor in communication skills. The authoritative tone and lack of verbal skills in doctors may be difficult for patients to go to modern medicine. These rebutted patients also queue up to the therapist who exhibit an additional skill of good conversation and communication with their patients.

I recommend that a reflective and introspective practice, into their mind, is essential. Do the necessary talents, transact and encourage a social hobby?

Be healthy and happy and ensure that you keep the big smile as your signature-expression ď Ź

Sept-Oct 2016

33

SME platform Adv Sherry Samuel Oommen is a practising lawyer at High Court of Kerala who specialises in tax and Corporate Laws. Presently he heads the tax practice of Nash Capital Partners. Prior to Nash, he single-handedly led the entire Tax vertical of KPMG in Kerala.

Apart from being a qualified lawyer, he is also a chartered accountant, cost accountant and a company secretary. He is available at sherryoommen@nashcp.com

Listing an SME on the platform has tax benefits, as Shareholders are eligible to claim complete exemption on long term capital gain and 15 % on Short term Capital Gains Tax.

34

Sept-Oct 2016

the way forward Introduction It is established that Small and Medium Enterprises play a vital role for the growth of the Indian economy. The sector contributes 45% of the country’s industrial output, 40% of the nation’s exports, 42 million in employment. In addition, the sector creates one million jobs every year and produces more than 8000 quality products for the Indian and international markets. As a result, Small and Medium Enterprises (“SMEs”) are today exposed to greater opportunities for expansion and diversification across the sectors.

To promote, develop and enhance the vision and objectives of SMEs, the Indian Government has introduced various fiscal and regulatory policies for enhancing competitiveness of Indian SMEs in the global market. One of the key initiatives in this regard has been the introduction of Institutional Trading Platform (“ITP”) through SME platform.

The SME platform is a Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI) approved platform for SMEs to list their specified securities on the ITP of a recognised stock exchange without an Initial Public Offering. The main objective of this move is to widen the scope of fund raising methods meanwhile reducing the paperwork, increasing tax benefits and to provide easier exit options for informed investors like angel investors, VCFs, etc.

Legal Framework of the ITP Regulatory framework for ITPs are provided in the Chapter XB of the SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) named SEBI (Listing of Specified Securities on Institutional Trading Platform) Regulations 2013. The framework prescribes the criteria for an SME to be complied for it to be listed on the SME platform and the Exit procedure so as to ensure the smooth flow of transactions and to minimise the disputes. Notably, a company with a net worth of at least INR 5 crores, with an otherwise clean track record, would be typically be qualified to list on the SME platform.

Benefits of listing a SME on the ITP 1) Listing of specified securities without an IPO The benefit of this is twofold, one of the benefit is lesser regulatory compliance, as listing of securities on a stock exchange can be done without having complying with the Rule 19 of the Securities Contract (Regulation) Rules, 1957, as the said rule is notorious for its lengthy paperwork and procedure.

The second benefit being the expense and time associated with issuing an IPO can be forgone. On an average, the expense associated with issuing an IPO is between 7 to 12 percent of the issue proceeds, which can be restricted to not exceeding 2-3 percent of the issue proceeds.

2) Visibility Through listing the Company on stock exchange, the company is exposed to numerous interested investors and can use the exposure to raise capital for expansion. Equity financing reduces the Debt burden and results in healthier financials.

3) Cost effective and wider option for raising capital The SME listed on ITP may raise capital through private placement, preferential allotment or rights issue of shares without an option for renunciation of rights.

This provides a cost effective option for raising capital.

4) Tax Benefits Listing an SME on the platform

has tax benefits, as Shareholders are eligible to claim complete exemption on long term capital gain and 15 % on Short term Capital Gains Tax. For unlisted shares, the taxes are 20% and 30 % for Long Term Capital Gains and Short Term Capital Gains respectively.

Further, it is also pertinent to note that for the purpose of determining whether an equity share qualifies as a “long term capital asset” or otherwise, the period of holding would need to be considered. Notably, in the case of listed company, an equity share is considered as a “long term capital asset” if it is held for a period of more than twelve months. However, in

the case of an unlisted share, the period of holding stands increased to twenty four months. Hence, listing does proffer significant gains to even the stakeholders as well.

5) Credibility of the Company is increased Listing on the Stock exchange increases the credibility of the Company, thus resulting in higher valuation, increase in the value of the share, opportunities for expansion in the form of Mergers and Acquisition.

6) Increased Venture Capital participation As the visibility of the company increases and with easy exit option, the venture capitals are attracted to invest in a listed SME than in an unlisted SME. Needless to say Equity financing will lower the Debt burden leading to a lower financing cost and healthier balance sheet will be an incentive for Venture capitalists to invest.

7) Migration from SME Platform to Main Board SMEs listed on the SME platform can be migrated to the main stock exchange on satisfying certain documentary and procedural requirements. Listing on the ITP ensures smoother conversion to the Main Exchanges Boards in India.

Conclusion: Through listing on a SME platform, the Company is exposed to variety of facets necessary for the growth. The platform shall act as a stimulus to aid SMEs in getting access to capital as well as wider visibility. The relative simpler method for listing, exiting from the platform acts as incentive to large number of angel investors and venture capitalists to explore the venue. This platform is a way forward for every SME looking for an expansion due to certain encouraging aspects such as no restriction from raising further capital by private placement or rights issue, non-applicability of Takeover Code and Delisting Regulations to the SME whose specified securities are listed on ITP 

Sept-Oct 2016

35

Jomon PanangaTT RAhna Homes Design Secret Decoded

Unique Time got an opportunity to interview Jomon Panangatt architect and interior designer of Rehna Homes. He is one of the busiest architects of Kerala. With his quintessential designs, he has earned good reputation and trust.

More often, his designs have been showered with appreciation by his clients.

36

Sept-Oct 2016

W

e all know, Rahna homes often prefer contemporary designs than traditional designs.

What is the inspiration behind taking such a style statement?

Rahna homes’s MD always prefers contemporary designs. He wants to bring in some kind of variety in each and every project. Through our new project, sky suites, we are trying to unveil an entirely new concept. In this dream project, we will

contribute an entire floor for a villa. It is a 15 storage building. There will be fifteen individual villas each with several luxurious facilities including individual corridor, four huge bedrooms, kitchen, additional work area, servant’s room, and even individual elevator.

It is learned that you always come up with surprising designs for your customers. Say few words about your work pattern In the first meeting itself, we grasp the requirements

We are getting huge positive repose from our customers.

Our organisation is growing. We have been referred by our clients very often.

and ideas of our customers. We even give a rough sketch showcasing what have we learned so far from the discussion. We give suggestions. One or two sitting is enough for bringing out an excellent sketch. We make changes on our sketch if suggested.

An average Malayali’s basic concept about his home is rapidly changing. How you identify these changing concepts and expectations?

Basically, there are nearly seven or eight factors, including culture, geography, geology, which determine the construction features.

We must consider all these aspects before adopting a contemporary architecture. We cannot simply copy a western style. We must make adequate changes on the

contemporary style considering basic factors.

Why do you prefer eco-friendly sketches?

Our house should give happiness and comfort to us. In our designs, we always highlight nature.

We include all relevant feature of nature that could give happiness to a normal human.

What are the changing trends that you have seen in the Kerala construction sector?

Earlier, the availability of raw material was very limited. It was extremely difficult for a builder to make it available all necessary raw materials for the contemporary construction. Now, we have no such difficulties. So, we can easily construct western style building

with the same quality raw materials. Now, we have numerous options.

Are you getting positive feedbacks?

We are getting huge positive response from our customers. Our organisation is growing. We have been referred by our clients very often. We had started an office in Dubai around two years before in addition to our Kochi office.

How long have you been working in this field?

I have been working in this field for nearly fifteen years. I am hailing from Alappuzha. Initially, I started an office in Kochi. Around two years before, I had unveiled our second office in Dubai. I may start an office in Bangalore very soon ď Ź

Sept-Oct 2016

37

Central KYCRegistry

for a better customer on boarding experience with Banks

A

Jiz Paul Special General Manager Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd

“You bankers do all the KYC for ordinary salary class people like us, but then permit fraudsters to do all types of transactions using the banking channel.

Bankers are penny wise and pound foolish”- His outburst continued for another 5 minutes.

38

Sept-Oct 2016

friend of mine working in a software company recently got transferred from Bangalore to Cochin. As Cochin was a new city for him and I was settled in Cochin for some time he wanted my help in finding a house near to his workplace, near to kids school and daycare, with a lot of open play area, good road connectivity etc. Regarding the interior of the house, there were more specifications from his wife starting from a small but modern kitchen and ending with at least two balconies. This was not too big a challenge and we could easily identify an apartment with all his specifications in just one day.

One or two days after he moved in,I was helping him with settling down and we had gone to the local market for purchasing some small household items. While returning home, he asked me to stop near a studio, walked in and asked for a passport size photograph. When the girl sitting at the counter asked him “Sir How many copies”? He said; “Make it 20”. I was quite surprised!!But I didn’t want to interfere in his private matters and so did not ask him why he wanted 20 copies. From there he straight away walked to a photocopy shop and, there again, to my surprise, he took more than 10 photocopies of his Aadhaar card, lease agreement, PAN card, Driving license, Voters ID and various other documents.

This time, I became too curious and could not stop from asking him why he required so many copies of passport size photograph and all these documents. With a slight

discontentment in his voice, he said; “You bankers with all the KYC formalities have made our life very troublesome. If you want to open a bank account now,you have to give multiple documents multiple times and that too sometimes even to the same bank. I want to open a few bank accounts in the coming days.

All these copies are for you people to chew”. As in the past,similar opinions had been expressed by many of my friends regarding completing KYC formalities for opening bank accounts and availing various other financial services, I could fully empathize with him. I told him even my wife had a bitter experience while she tried to open the account for her business enterprise. At this point, my friend lost all control and yelled at me “You bankers didn’t permit even an exRBI governor to open an account at Hyderabad and that too immediately after his retirement as RBI Governor. How can your wife be greater than ex-RBI Governor?You bankers do all the KYC for ordinary salary class people like us, but then permit fraudsters to do all types of transactions using the banking channel. Bankers are penny wise and pound foolish”. His outburst continued for another 5 minutes and for the first time I felt sorry for helping him to settle down.

That night back home I tried to divert my thoughts but his words still kept resonating in my ears.

Are we denying an individual of his genuine banking needs by over emphasizing on KYC? Are individuals at the mercy of banks to get their accounts opened? Is there a way

by which KYC procedures can be simplified, and as the documents are mostly common why one single documentation not be used by multiple entities? Don’t know when, but I fell asleep and was woken up by the mobile alarm. It was a Monday morning and I was back to the office. The first thing that came to my table was a request for sanctioning expenses for sending registered notices to our KYC noncompliant customers requesting them to update their records and if they fail to do so the bank will be, as per RBI guidelines constrained to freeze operation in their accounts. Without even a blink of the

eye, I sanctioned it. After all, we have to wear multiple hats!!!

The changing scenario During the recent weeks, there have been certain developments which can significantly change the landscape regarding submission and verification of KYC documents to banks and other financial institutions. Some of you might have guessed it right. I am referring to the operationalization of a Central KYC registry(CKYC) for banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and other entities in the financial sector. Central KYC Registry is a centralized repository of KYC records of customers in

the financial sector with uniform KYC norms and inter-usability of the KYC records across the sector. This means that a single KYC will suffice to invest in all financial products, including banking, insurance, mutual funds and pension products. Though this was originally announced in the Union Budget 2012-13, it has been made operational only now. The Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India (CERSAI) was entrusted with the task of setting up the Central KYC Registry. CERSAI has appointed DotEx International Limited, a NSE group company, as

Sept-Oct 2016

39

its managed service provider for the Central KYC Registry.

Objectives and benefits The main objective is to reduce the burdenof producing KYC documents and getting those verified every time when the customer creates a new relationship with a financial entity.This initiative could result in avoiding the hassle of submission of same or multiple documents to different agencies for KYC compliance for entering into various financial transactions.It will help in expediting the KYC process and provide convenience to both, the financial institutions as well as the customers. As an end result, this would eventually helpin reducing turnaround time to onboard a new client. This process couldalso result in substantial cost reduction by avoiding multiplicity of registration and data upkeep, and ensure real-time notification to institutions on updation in KYC details As it is mandatory for all reporting entities to update the details of the new clients on-boarded and on account of the de-dupe process undertaken at Central KYC, the move could also aid the government in its fight against corruption and money laundering activities. Infact, theSpecial Investigation Team on black money appointed by Supreme Court had recommended the setup of a CKYC registry agency, which will help all financial institutions -like banks, fund houses, and insurance companies- perform KYC through a single window.Apart from facilitating the roll out, the digital India program, integration of Aadhaar linked E-KYC initiate of UIDAI with CKYC will also provide easy access to the common man to an array of financial services including banking, insurance, remittances, pension, mutual fund investment etc. In future, the scope can be widened even to various other areas like equity trading, travel and stay arrangements, land registrations etc. Standard data captured by all entities could also ease the reporting requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and Common Reporting Standards (CRS).

40

Sept-Oct 2016

Operational process As per Prevention of Moneylaundering (Maintenance of Records) Amendment Rules, 2015, Rule 9 (I) (1A), every reporting entity have to submit the data required as per the common KYC template along with the scanned copy of the certified supporting documents (PoI/PoA), cropped signature and photograph to the central KYC registry within 3 days of onboarding. There aredifferent types of templates for individuals, legal entities etc. CKYCR, in turn, would process the KYC records thus received, for duplication, and issue a 14 digit unique KYC Identifier for each customer to the reporting entity, which will then communicate the KYC Identifier, in writing, to the customer For individuals, there are three types of accounts - ‘Small’, ‘Simplified’ and ‘Normal’. For ‘Small Account’ types, only personal details and photograph duly certified by the customer are required to be submitted. The KYC identifier for ‘Small Account’ will have a prefix “S”. For Simplified Measures Account, there are additional OVDs that are allowed as per RBI circular 42/2015-16 dated 01stJuly, 2015.

The KYC identifier for ‘Simplified Measures Account’ will have a prefix “L”. For ‘Normal Account’, any of six officially valid documents (PAN, AADHAAR, Voter ID, Passport, Driving license, NREGA Job Card) can be submitted for the ID of the customer. The account type can be gauged from the nomenclature of CKYC identifier issued to the customer.

Central KYC information and client details can be accessed by authorized institutions or other notified institutions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act or rules framed by the Government of India or any Regulator like RBI, SEBI, IRDA, and PFRDA etc. When a customer submits the 14 digit unique KYC Identifier to another reporting entity for the purpose of KYC, then the reporting entity is required to retrieve the KYC records from the CKYCR online, using the KYC Identifier

associated with the customer. The customer will not need to submit the same KYC details or any additional identification documents or details, unless, the existing information in the records of the Central KYC Records Registry has undergone a change or the current address of the customer needs to be verified or the reporting entity considers it necessary to verify the identity or address of the customer, or to perform enhanced due diligence or to build an appropriate risk profile of the customer.If any of the above conditions are met, then the reporting entity, after obtaining additional or updated information from the customer, will furnish the updated information to the CKYCR, as soon as possible, thus updating the existing KYC records of the customer.If there is a change in the KYC particulars a customer also canapproach any of the reporting entities with whom he has been dealing and ask for a KYC updating the records with the central registry.On update of a customer record being processed at the Central KYC Registry, all linked financial institutions (institutions that have either uploaded or downloaded the KYC record for that customer), will receive an electronic update notification of KYC record. The financial institutions need to download the last updated record of the customer.

Central KYC Registry will enable linkage of multiple communication addresses. An individual wanting to maintain different addresses, office or residential, for different types of relationships, can fill Annexure-A1 and submit the details to the financial institution which in turn will initiate the update request on the Central KYC application. In case of legal entities, where there may be a requirement to maintain different accounts for branches with different communication address, the entities shall submit the correspondence address details in Annexure-A2.

Shortcomings/Challenges Initial teething troubles will definitely surface and more so as regulators had issued a short deadline

for roll out. Thus, the process of data capturing and system modifications required are yet to be done by most of the entities. But, with the ball already set rolling, these issues could be sorted out very soon.

Currently, CKYC has been initiated only for individual entities. Challenges would be manifold when it is rolled out for corporate entities as well. For eg; provision for capturing multiple authorized signatories for various branches, frequent changes of authorized signatoriesetc. could create operational issues. As this initiative have started only from the month of July2016, what is the process for Re-KYC in older accounts?

These questions will have to be answered. There could also be issues with regards to UCIC, updating KYC of apex and child client ids.

Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has advised banks to use a common template for uploadingdetails on the CERSAI database. But, some banks would be collecting additional data as part of their

customer due diligence and risk management. Thus, adopting a common template for capturing data of customers would be difficult as it would result in dilution of the bank’s customer risk profiling criteria.

Banks will have to ensurea higher level ofend-to-end automation of the onboarding process, so as to ease the burden of manual entry, saving both time and cost.

Further, as the entitysubmitting the data to CKYCR is responsible for the KYC check of the customer(which will be used by multiple entities) any lapse by any entity can lead to the serious repercussions. So,there could be more severe KYC verification done by reporting entities, thereby making the first time onboarding process more painful.

Conclusion Currently, banks and other financial institutions are spending a lot of time and money for KYC verification by way of spot visits,

telephonic/postal confirmations etc. Customers also spend a lot of time for providing the same documents to multiple entities. With CKYC, these requirements will no longer be there. Thus, banks will have more time and resources for pursuing new business.On-boarding customers for new products would be much easier for banks and this could pay the path for faster product innovations. Customers would find the onboarding process more hassle free and thus could opt for newer relationships and newer products. The benefits would be even higher for industries like insurance and mutual funds where the penetration level are lower. They can now ride on the efforts already put in by banks.

With the multiple benefits CKYC is offering, it isdefinitely going to be a game changer for the customers and service providers of financial products ď Ź

Sept-Oct 2016

41

GADGETS

Huawei P9

MRP: `39,999 (approximately)

       

Android OS 12 MP Primary Camera 8 MP Secondary Camera 5.2 inch Display 4 GB RAM 64 GB Internal Memory 128 GB Expandable Memory 2.5 GHz Processor

Meizu M3E

MRP: 6,499 (approximately)

       

42

Sept-Oct 2016

Android OS 13 MP Primary Camera 5 MP Secondary Camera 5.5 inch Display’ 3GB RAM 32 GB Internal Memory 128 GB Expandable Memory 1 GHz Processor

Coolpad Mega 2.5D

MRP: ` 6,999 (approximately)

       

Android OS 8 MP Primary Camera 8 MP Secondary Camera 5 inch Display 3 GB RAM 16 GB Internal Memory 128 GB Expandable Memory 2500 mAh Battery Capacity

Huawei Note 8

MRP: ` 22,999 (approximately)         

Android OS 13 MP Primary Camera 8 MP Secondary Camera 6.6 inch Display 4 GB RAM 32 GB Internal Memory 128 GB Expandable Memory 1.8 GHz Processor 4500 mAh Battery Capacity

Sept-Oct 2016

43

COOKERY

Onam Recipe Toshma Biju

SAMBAR Ingredients

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Vegetables..................... 3-4 cups(cut into pieces) TuvaraParippu.............. 1/2 cup Onion........................... 1 (Sliced) Green chillies............... 3 Garlic Cloves................ 4 Turmeric powder.......... 1/2 teaspoon Tamarind...................... 1 teaspoon Red Chilli powder......... 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder......... 2 teaspoon Sambar Powder............ 3 teaspoon Mustard Seeds.............. 1/2 teaspoon Red Chillies.................. 3 Curry Leaves................ a sprig Coriander leaves........... 2 teaspoon(Chopped) Shallots......................... 1/4 cup ‘Kayam’......................... a pinch Oil................................. 3 tablespoon Salt............................... as needed

Method Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup of warm water for a while, then squeeze and take the extract from it. Keep it aside.

Heat oil in a pressure cooker and saute the sliced onions, garlic and green chillies. Add the vegetables and dal along with salt and turmeric powder and cover it and pressure cook up to 2 whistles.Remove the lid of the pressure cooker and add in the tamarind juice. Stir and simmer on low flame for some more time and add more salt if needed.

Add chopped coriander leaves and sprinkle asafoetida powder, and simmer it for around 2 more minutes. Remove it from flame and keep it aside.

Heat oil in a pan and allow mustard seeds to splutter.Add shallots, red chillies and curry leaves and fry for a minute. Mix in the sambar powder, coriander powder and chilli powder, and fry for at least 2 minutes on low flame. Now, pour the sambar to the wok and mix well for a few minutes.

44

Sept-Oct 2016

PULISERI Ingredients

• • • • • • • • •

‘EthaPazham’............... 1 big (chopped into medium sized pieces) Turmeric...................... 1/4 teaspoon Red Chillipowder.......... 1/2 teaspoon Yogurt........................... 2 cups Salt............................... as needed Grinded Coconut.......... 1 cup Green Chillies............... 3 Turmeric powder.......... a pinch Cumin.......................... 1/4 teaspoon

Method Add coconut, green chillies, cumin and turmeric along with water to form a fine paste, and keep it aside.

Blend yogurt along with 1/2 cup water and salt until smooth. Keep it aside.

For Seasoning

• • • • • • •

Oil................................. 1 tablespoon Mustard........................ 1/2 teaspoon Shallots......................... 5 or 6 (sliced) Dry Red Chillies........... 3 or 4 Curry Leaves................ a few ‘Uluva Powder’............. 1/4 teaspoon Red chilli powder.......... 1/4 teaspoon

Cook the plantain pieces in little water along with salt, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder and 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder until soft.Add the coconut paste to the cooked plantain and mix it gently. Allow it to cook for 4-5 minutes.Reduce flame and add beaten curd. Heat it for a few minutes. Be careful not to boil the curry after adding curd.Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. Saute shallots, dry red chillies and curry leaves for a few minutes.Add 1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder and 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek powder and sauteit for a minute.Pour the seasoning over the curry and mix it gently.

OLAN Ingredients

• • • • • • • •

Vanpayar....................... 1/2 cups Raw pumpkin............... 1 1/4cup (cut into cubes) Green chillies............... 4 (sliced length wise), Coconut........................ 1 half (grated) Coconut oil................... 1 ½ tablespoon Mustard seeds.............. 1/2 teaspoon Curry leaves................. a few Salt............................... as needed

Method Soak the Vanpayar for a long time in water.

Collect the first extract of the coconut milk by squeezing the grated coconut with around half a litre of water.

Collect the second extract also by pouring one litre of water once again into the grated coconut and squeezing it well.

Add the green chillies,salt and the soaked ‘vanpayar’ to pumpkin.Cook it well and drain it. Add the 2nd extract of coconut milk to the cooked and drained vegetables.

Allow it to boil.When it boils, switch off the flame and add the 1st extract of coconut milk.

Heat oil in a pan, add the mustard seeds and curry leaves. When the seeds start crackling, turn off the flame and add it to the dish. Mix well.

Sept-Oct 2016

45

CHERUPAYAR PAYASAM Ingredients

• • • • • • • •

‘Cherupayaru’.................. 1 cup Jaggery............................. 3 medium blocks (grated) Coconut Milk................... 2 cups Thick Coconut Milk......... 1/2 cup Cardamom....................... 1/2 teaspoon (powdered) Ghee................................ 2 teaspoon Grated Coconut............... 3 tablespoon Cashewnuts..................... 2 tablespoon

Method Wash the ‘Cherupayar’and pressure cook it with 2 cups of water for 3 whistles on medium-high heat.

Boil the jaggery in 1 cup of water so that it melts completely.Filter to catch any residue and keep the jaggery syrup aside.

Heat a large pan and transfer the cooked ‘cherupayaru’ to the pan.Pour in the jaggery syrup gently into it.Add a pinch of salt and cardamom powder. Let the mixture cook on medium-low heat for around 5 minutes. Keep on stirring the mixture as it thickens.Now, pour in the thin coconut milk and allow everything to come to a slow boil.Reduce heat and add thick coconut milk. Mix well and remove from heat after a minute or two. Heat 1 teaspoonof ghee in another pan and roast the grated coconut and Cashewnuts on medium heat until it becomes a deep brown colour.

Add the roasted coconut to the payasam for added taste.

PULI INGI Ingredients

• • • • • • • • • • •

Tamarind......................... 1 cup Green Chillies.................. 8 (finely chopped) Ginger.............................. a medium size piece (finely chopped and mashed) Jaggery............................. 3 pieces Turmericpowder.............. 1/2 teaspoon Oil.................................... 1 tablespoon Curryleaves..................... a few Mustardseeds.................. 1 teaspoon Salt.................................. as required ‘Uluva’............................. 1/4 spoon ‘Kayam’............................ 1/4 spoon

Method Dissolve the tamarind in 1 cup of water and extract the juice.

Heat 1 cup of water in a deep pan and add the jaggery pieces. Stir continuously till it melts.Filter the jaggery syrup for any particles and keep it aside.Add the tamarind juice to the filtered jaggery syrup and bring to a slow boil.

Adjust the sweetness and sourness of the sauce by adding more jaggery or tamarind juice as required. Continue to simmer the sauce, stirring

46

Sept-Oct 2016

occasionally.

Heat oil in a non stick pan and fry the minced ginger for a few minutes until the raw smell disappears. Add the green chillies and continue frying till the ginger gets a golden brown colour.Reduce heat and add turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Saute for a minute and pour everything to the simmering jaggery and tamarind sauce. Sprinkle fenugreek powder. Stir the sauce and allow it to come to a boil.Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in the same pan and splutter mustard seeds. Throw in the dried red chillies and curry leaves. Saute for a minute.Pour the seasoning over the sauce and mix well.

Let the sauce simmer on medium-low heat until desired consistency is attained.

SHARKARA VARATTI

Ingredients

• • • • • • • • •

Bananas........................... 4(peel the outer skin of the bananas) Turmeric......................... 1 teaspoon Salt.................................. a pinch Jaggery............................. 1 1/2 cup Dried Ginger Powder....... 2tablespoon Cardamom Powder.......... 1 1/2 teaspoon Cumin Powder................. 1 1/2teaspoon Coconut Oil..................... 2 cups Sugar............................... 1 1/2 tablespoon

Method In a large pan, add water and turmeric powder and keep it aside.

Immerse banana in the turmeric water for 20 minutes.

Remove them from the turmeric water and pat it dry. Slice the banana midways along the length. Slice them into slightly thicker chunks.Heat the oil in a deep frying pan on medium heat. When the oil is really hot, reduce the flame to medium-low and slide the sliced bananas into hot oil without overcrowding them and occasionally give stir to flip them and keep them from sticking together. When it is half done, put the flame to its lowest and sprinkle the saline solution and close the pot with a lid. Remove the lid after a couple of minutes.

When the bubbling diminishes completely, turn over the flame to medium and gently toss them on every side till chips are reddish and golden.When the chips are reddish and golden and make a crisp, rasping sound

when stirred, scoop these into a colander with a plate underneath to catch any oil drippings. Spread them on kitchen tissue to cool. Let them cool completely.

In a thick bottomed pan, heat jaggery and water till jaggery melts. Strain this to removes any impurities.

Now, reheat the strained syrup on a low to medium heat, stirring frequently till it reaches a thick consistency-i.e. the syrup will be like oil, whichmeans it be neither watery nor so thick. You can see thin threads of jaggery syrup when you stir it 2-3 thread consistency ’noolparuvam’. Reduce the heat to low and add the fried banana pieces and mix well and stir continuously.It will be really difficult to stir them. Now add the ginger powder, cardamom powder and cumin powder to this and stir constantly, so that all the slices are coated with the jaggery. Remove from the fire and let this cool for some time; then add powdered sugar and mix well. This gives a nice appearance to the ‘sharkaraupperi’ and the slices do not stick to one another. Add more sugar if required.

Sept-Oct 2016

47

BEAUTY

Keep the athlete alive: Tips for Physical Beauty

T

he Olympics is over and we have to wait another 4 years to see what our athletes have prepared. Rio Olympics 2016 was a tough time for Indians as the medal count was zero. Things were rough and the nation was facing a third complete washout. But then, the games took a very sharp turn as our women stepped in to make 1.5 billion people happy with their achievements.

Dipa Karmakar made the country proud with her exemplary performance in her Produnova vault. Her grace and flexibility earned 4th spot in the world ranking. Sakshi Malik won the first medal for India in the wrestling category at Rio games, wrestling is a sport that was initially considered as the “man’s sport”, and women were discouraged during the early days. P.V Sindhu added the sparks as she won the silver medal for badminton. Our ladies shined and a new hope was dawned in terms of women empowerment in sports, something that took years to form.

We have great role models in sports, from Mithali Raj in cricket, Sania Mirza in tennis, Saina Nehwal and P.V Sindhu in badminton, Sakshi Malik in wrestling, Deepika Kumari in archery, Dipa Karmakar in gymnastics, Mary Kom in boxing etc. All these ladies had to undergo

48

Sept-Oct 2016

intense physical workout to gain the perfect stamina and power. One of the major reasons why women are discouraged from sports is due to the belief that excess of testosterone-filled workouts will affect bodily femininity and natural beauty. We all know that it is a myth. All of these ladies have maintained their physique and it is one of the reasons why athletes live a long and healthy life.

So ladies, if you are an athlete, here are some tips with which you can maintain your beauty and physique: To reduce the “tanning” process: Tanning happens a lot to women who step out for a couple of minutes under the sun. Both men and women are equally concerned about this. Playing intense games under the scorching heat will lead to tanning and the sweating process will intensify it. So, during the games/ workout, keep a towel with you. Occasionally, wash your face in cold water and make sure that you wipe your face, nape of your neck and armpits with a clean cloth. Use separate towels for face and body. Apply sunscreen in two layers before going out.

Consult a doctor if you have any allergic reactions. If you feel the heat in any part of your face or neck then damp it as soon as you could. You may not get time in between the workout but when you do, don’t delay the treatments. Reapplying of the sunscreen is necessary. If you have any other skin allergies then consult the doctors immediately.

Hydration: Do you know when water tastes the best for you? When you drink a mouthful

of water immediately after intense workouts. That being said, do not let your body dehydrate.

Gulp down a mouthful of water before every major exercise and whenever you feel the itching feel in your throat. In fact, don’t wait till your throat is dry. Do not drink excess water as you might throw up in between the exercises, just have a mouthful.

While resting, wait for a couple of seconds for your heartbeat slow down. Then drink as much as you need. Do not drink ice water, it might look tempting but it might affect the BMR. Hydration process will prevent the drying of the skin.

Diet Since you are exerting a lot of energy during your daily or occasional practices, proper diet is essential. Eat protein rich

food like eggs, fish, pulses and chicken. Avoid high fat items like ghee, fried items, beef and refined carbohydrates. Better to drink coffee without or less sugar. Drink a glass of milk after every exercise as the proteins will help in body building process. Do not limit your diet to fruits and vegetables alone.

Vegetarians should ensure that enough carbohydrates and proteins are fed into your systems.

You may include butter in your diet but avoid ghee.

Moisturiser and body lotion Drying of the skin happens a lot due to the intense workouts. After every exercise, use enough moisturiser on your face. Apply body lotion on your body parts to prevent scaling.

Make sure that you are not allergic to the products you are

using. Natural products like honey, turmeric powder, or milk fat can be used. Rub your lips with lemon extract to prevent drying of the lips.

Shampoo thrice a week.

Your hair will be spoiled due to excess drying during your days in the field. Ensure that you shampoo your hair thrice every week. Apply hair moisturiser for smoothness. Trim your hair occasionally to prevent the development of splits on your hair. Do not wash your hair before going for your workouts or activities. Wet hair can give you headaches and it will contribute in your hair loss.

So ladies, give enough time to let your heart beat towards your goals. Have a nice time!ď Ź

Sept-Oct 2016

49

‘Hill of Cross’ situated in Siauliai is a manmade monument. Crosses, placed in the mountain over these years by the pilgrims, speak numerous stories. You can see crosses from tiny to giant; from short to large; from old to new...

50

Sept-Oct 2016

Lithuania a Baltic country of lakes, castles, and forest

Sept-Oct 2016

51

O

ne of the three Baltic countries, Lithuania is located on the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It is the neighbour of Latvia, Denmark, Belarus, Sweden, and Poland. Basically, this Baltic nation is the land of beautiful lakes, mesmerising castles, and astounding forests.

As per survey details, the country has a population of around 2.9 million people –they are mostly ethnic Balkans. The country was previously occupied by the Soviet Union. In early 1990, the Lithuanians themselves declared independence from the USSR. Lithuania became the first Soviet State to declare independence itself. Now, it is a member of the European Union and NATO. It is the nineteenth member of the Eurozone and accepted Euro as their official currency. The country’s human development index is far above than the average, which indicates that the country is rapidly growing. Latvia and Lithuanian are common languages in the country.

The largest, most developed city of the country, Vilnius is the capital city. It looks as if it was built at least three centuries before. Quiet courtyards, peaceful churches, and vibrant streets are

52

Sept-Oct 2016

the main attraction of this city.

You can find some of the most romantic European restaurantshere. If you are an art enthusiast, you can spend some meaningful time in some of the classy art galleries of Vilnius. The city possesses some extremely valuable, ‘hidden gems’. It is always better to make an unplanned visit. You can simply roam around the city- even without a proper guide, and explore it yourself.

‘Hill of Cross’ situated in Siauliai is amanmade monument.

Actually, those crosses, placed in the mountain over these years by the pilgrims, speak numerous stories. The hill contains all rage of crosses from tiny to giant; from short to large; from old to new. There is a custom prevailing in the country that the newly married couples should place the cross on the hill as the symbol of their everlasting love.

As usual, the Baltic coastlines are a narrow sandbar. In Lithuania, it is situated in the southern stretch of the country. In winter, the coastlines are lonely lands.

We can even make an hours-long walk without meeting a person.

You can explore sand dunes, tiny ethnic villages and lonely beaches along the coastlines. In sum-

mer, you can find lively coastlines instead of lonely coastlines. It is said that some acclaimed writers have private cottages in this lonely beaches. In their words: ‘these beaches have the power to rejuvenate soul and strengthen the creativity and thoughts.’

Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania was built at least three centuries before. Quiet courtyards, peaceful churches, and vibrant streets are the main attraction of this city.

A short train journey to the ‘Trakai Historical National Park’ is the most popular day trip from the capital. On the way, you can explore the beauty of several interconnected lakes. The most exciting part of the journey is crossing a footbridge to reach the ‘Gothic Island Castle’. The ‘Trakai History Museum’ is the ideal place to learn Lithuanian history. If you choose to explore a river using a pedal boat, that must be very interesting.

Paneriai, situated around ten Kilometre southwest of the Lithuanian capital, was once the Jewish land. During the Second World War, the Nazi soldiers had brutally

Sept-Oct 2016

53

Several prestigious national parks including Curonian Spit National Park are situated in the country. Because of their eco-friendly, geographical position, it became a friendly land for birds, reptiles and other animals.

killed tens of thousands of Jewish people. Panerai forest still speaks painful stories of helpless Jews through several memorial monuments. You can visit some of these historical monuments. It is easily reachable from the capital city.

Until late fourteenth century, Lithuanians were pagan. So, when we go through the country’s mythology, we will come across a huge chapter of devil worship and devil myths. The ‘Museum of Devils’, located in Kaunas, showcases the

54

Sept-Oct 2016

rich heritage of devil worship.

You can find thousands of devil figurines, devil masks, and several ancient scripts in the museum.

No visit to the country would be complete without tasting the native Lithuanian dish, ‘Cepelinai’.

The dish is similar to the Swedish Kroppkaka. It is made using potato, meat, and curd. It is often served along with a sour cream.

Apart from this, there are several other special dishes available in the country.

Several prestigious national parks including Curonian Spit National Park are situated in the country. Because of their ecofriendly, geographical position, it became a friendly land for birds, reptiles and other animals.

The country deserves to enter into your travel bucket lists. There are a lot of surprises in this land.

They are eagerly waiting for u. Do visit this heaven!

Sept-Oct 2016

55

AUTO REVIEW

VIVEK VENUGOPAL

The latest sixth generation is called the G12 and is a perfect blend of sleekness and luxury. The car appears longer and wider, giving it beautiful proportions like that of a sports saloon.

56

Sept-Oct 2016

BMW 7 SERIES

Sept-Oct 2016

57

T

he BMW 7 Series has always been a confusing proposition. It transformed itself from an executive car for wealthy bankers and businessmen in the 90s to overtly complicated, exceedingly over-styled luxo-modern limousines for the more fashion conscious people, over the last two decades.

It was the third way to have your German luxury exec, if you think the timeless elegance of the S class and the understated brilliance of the Audi A8 don’t quite work for

Datsun, Nissan, VW, Porsche etc in their portfolio, but also they have a massive service facility to cater to the owners. So, buying a BMW no longer comes with the usual woes that you have experienced or heard your friends complaining.

you. But, there was a big problem with buying one here. Strangely, it was never the car’s fault.

of a sports saloon. The headlamps are a bit too long and there is a bit of a mismatch around the place where they meet the grilles, but the bonnet and fenders do take your eyes off this. The rear is ever more futuristic looking with elongated LED tail lamps and lashing of chrome everywhere. The version that was tested by us was the long wheelbase 730Ld M Sport, and it certainly appeals to the young, with its angry front bumpers, massive air dams, and 19-inch twin five spoke wheels. The M Sport kit costs approximately Rs.8 lakhs more than the standard car, but it combines sportiness and luxury like never before.

It had something to do with the poor service quality of the BMW brand in Kerala. Early, Support services after the delivery weren’t quite up to the mark and there has been a myriad of complaints from owners, often forcing them to get their cars serviced outside or to shift to other brands reluctantly.

Simply put, the cars were good, but the service never was. Now, this became a thing of the past, as a new dealer, EVM Autokraft, has sprung up in Kalamassery, Kochi. Not only do they bring years of experience with a wide range of products from

58

Sept-Oct 2016 Aug-Sept

So, with that out of the way, let’s see what the new 7 series is all about. The latest sixth generation is called the G12 and is a perfect blend of sleekness and luxury. The car appears longer and wider, giving it beautiful proportions like that

The new 7 series comes

loaded with so much technology.

The space that was allotted to write about the car, is simply not long enough to elucidate all that features. The headlines are the arrival of a carbon fibre reinforced polymer shell, like you get in supercars and laser headlamps – both of which you will see in future cars. The carbon fibre shell helps this generation shave off as much as 130kgs off the old car. Laser lights have a beam throw up to 600meters which is almost double that of most LED lights and yet

control their beam spread so as not to blind oncoming traffic. The car features a 10.25-inch screen for the iDrive and another one for the virtual dials in the instrument cluster. It also comes with gesture control which has a camera in the headlining that detects the various gestures and lets you do a selection of functions. For example, simply rotate your index finger clockwise in front of the centre console to increase the music volume; although this system needs further refining.

There is 360-degree surround view camera to help you with parking, two 10 inch screens at the rear for entertainment and a 7inch Samsung tablet that controls everything from the blinds to the ambient

lighting. You can even select from two different scents within the airconditioning controls. The 7 series also comes with an additional key, which resembles a small mobile phone and lets you control multiple features on the display before you even get into the car.

The front seats in the 7 series offer good support and a plethora of adjustments. There is four zone climate control, panoramic glass roof, and everything you could possibly expect in here. The combination of rich Nappa leather, polished aluminium and lacquered wood makes the cabin feel special. Quality is up with the best, and the cabin is as silent as a nuclear bunker.

The rear seats make you feel par-

ticularly comfortable, the moment you sit, recline and choose from one of 8 massage programs- each with three intensity levels. There is no shortage of space in this long wheelbase version, but you do not get fold away tray tables or a foot rest behind the front seat as in the previous generation car. Comparisons with the Mercedes S class are inevitable here, and unless you try them side by side, you won’t notice that the seat in the S class has slightly better judged cushioning and support. That said, the 7 series has the better screens and more toys. The displays all around look to be of better resolution. The iDrive interface is way better than the Command system in the Merc, Where it completely demolishes

the Mercedes S class is the way it drives. The 3.0 litre straight six is identical in capacity to the 3.0L V6 in the Merc, and produces nearly the same 265bhp -Merc has 258bhp- and an exactly identical 620Nm of torque. The car touches the speed of 0-100kmph in a rather quick 6.21 seconds compared to the 8.13 seconds that we got in the S class when we tested it. It is even faster than the Jaguar XJ with 300bhp and 700Nm, and that is mostly due to the way the 8 speed ZF gearbox delivers its power. The rush of power is so insane, and the gear shifts are so seamless.

The previous generation 7 series had air suspension only at the rear, but this one has it on all four

Sept-Oct 2016

59

The new 7 series comes loaded with so much technology. The headlines are the arrival of a carbon fibre reinforced polymer shell, like you get in supercars and laser headlamps . The carbon fibre shell helps this generation shave off as much as 130kgs off the old car.

corners much like its rivals. There are a couple of different driving modes to choose from and unlike most cars, you can certainly tell the difference here. The comfort plus mode makes it all smooth, silky and slightly wallowy, gliding over potholes, unlike any BMW I have driven before. And, remember, this is a car running stiff run flat tyres on 19-inch rims and the ride would be exemplary in the non M Sport version. The sports mode stiffens it up, and increases the throttle responses and gets the moves the gear-changes higher up in the rev range. The car has very little body roll and changes direction like its

60

Sept-Oct 2016

size wouldn’t have you believe, in this mode. In fact, this is even better to drive than our previous driver’s favourite -the XJ- and way better than the S class and the A8.

Only a dedicated four-seater sports car like the Porsche Panamera would ever pose this any challenge in the thrills department. The brakes are fantastic with good bite, ample feedback from the pedal and resists fade for long. The car also has brake energy recuperation and rewards you with excellent fuel efficiency in economy mode.

Throughout its life, the 7 series always had to play second fiddle to

the S class in the title to the best car in the world contests. This latest generation, however, packs the biggest punch ever. Even in this basic 3.0litre diesel engine version, it can comfortably mark itself as the performance alternative to its main rival. And, it has some of the most advanced equipments, the best dynamics and excellent ride quality.

Unlike the V8 powered 750Li, the 730Ld is locally assembled in India and comes with an ex. showroom price of Rs.1.23 crores. If you can afford it, right now, there is nothing quite like the new 7 series out thereď Ź

AN APPEAL TO SUPPORT “MISSION COMPASSION”

Aug-Sept 2016 Sept-Oct

61

MOVIE REVIEW

MohenjoDaro

T

he historic film, directed by star director AshutoshGowariker, takes us to the Bronze Age Indus Valley society. In this movie, Hrithik Roshan acts as a poor farmer, who travels to a city and saves a young woman. Rahman’s music gives the film an extra mileage in the market. The director extensively used his advantages to describe the story accurately and justifiably. There are several mind-blowing action sequences in the movie. Apart from Hrithik, Pooja Hegde, KabirBedi, Arunoday Singh, and SuhasiniMulay appear in some of the key roles. It is completely a hero oriented tale, rather a historic tale.

Rustom

I

t is a crime thriller directed by Tinu Suresh Desai. The film is inspired by the sensational K M Nanavati vs State of Maharashtra case. In this movie, Akshay Kumar acts as a naval officer, Rustom, who goes on trial for the murder of his wife’s paramour. The story discusses public opinion, jury trial and human morals. The Nanavathi- Prem Ahuja story was one of the most-discussed news in Mumbai during 1959s. Several books had been published related to the case. The director has shown extreme consciousness in protecting the story’s soul. Apart from Akshay, Ileana D’Cruz, Esha Gupta, ArjanBajwa, and IndraneelBattachariya appear in prominent roles.

62

Sept-Oct 2016

Ben-Hur

I

t is an epic action drama directed by TimurBekmambetov. The movie is the fifth film adaptation of the renowned novel ‘Ben-Hur: a Tale of the Christ’ written by Lew Wallace on 1880s. It was once the best-selling American novel.

The film is said to be the new interpretation of the old novel. Jack Huston, Morgan Freeman, Rodrigo Santoro, Toby Kebbell and NazaninBoniadi feature lead roles in the historic drama. It tells a painful story about vengeance, slavery, and betrayal. In the movie, the lead character was falsely accused of betrayal by his step-brother. The main character, effortlessly portrayed by Jack, endures years of slavery to avenge the betrayal.

Pete’s Dragon

I

t is a fantasy drama directed by renowned filmmaker David Lowery.

It tells us the story of a ten-year-old orphan and his friend, a giant dragon.

Oakes Fegley, who acts as Pete, shows complete justice to his character. He deserves a standing ovation for his acting skills. Apart from Oakes, Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Wes Bentley, and Oona Laurence appear in lead characters. The producers invested nearly 65 million USD in bringing out this visual treat. The story of the film is written by Senton I Miller. Toby Halbrooks’s screenplay is also worth appreciable. It is a perfect family entertainment.

Sept-Oct 2016

63

BOOK REVIEW

American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst Author : Jeffrey Toobin Price : `1,473.00

I

t is the story of Patty Hearst –from the kidnapping to the sensational trial. In his research work, the author includes several research documents, interviews, confidential records and case details. Patty was the granddaughter of a media tycoon. She was kidnapped by the radical left-wing militants in early 70s. She had allegedly joined the group and involved in several crimes. Through her wild saga, the writer elucidates the altogether picture of a turbulent decade. He tries to state that the decade of 70s was one of the most disturbing decades of the American history. The book is the consolidation of his research and assumptions.

City of Sedition: The History of New York City during the Civil War Author : John Strausbaugh Price : `1,352.94

T

he book is the story of New York City, precisely the role played by the city in the American Civil War. The writer points out the relevance of the city in the American political history. He opined that no American city raised more men, money, and material for the war. The writer claims that the city hosted several anti-war activists, rebellions, and pro-government activists. Through his book, it tries to eliminate some of the misconceptions related to the Civil War. We can see a ground level report rather than an elite confession in this book. The writer defends his argument with some concrete facts and findings.

64

Sept-Oct 2016



for the eternal beauty in you...

KERALA - VALAPAD PH: 9388217030 I IRINJALAKUDA PH: 9388216525 I MALA PH: 9349620353 I CHALAKUDY PH: 9388216522 I THRISSUR PH: 0487 3219903. KARNATAKA - RAJAJINAGAR PH: 9341899816 I GANGANAGAR PH: 9341899834 I KAMMANAHALLI PH: 9341899934 I KOLAR PH: 9341705373 I TUMKUR PH: 9341705345. ANDHRA PRADESH - ANANTAPUR - PH: 9346178922 I PRODDATUR PH: 9393529555 I NANDYAL PH: 9393695920. TELANGANA MAHABUBNAGAR PH: 9393432713

Sept-Oct 2016

65

BOOK REVIEW

I’m Supposed to Protect You from All This: A Memoir Author : Nadja Spiegelman Price : `1,079.90

T

he book explains us about the relevance of family relationships.

It is a heartbreaking story of a daughter, Nadja, who tries to investigate the love existing between the mothers and daughters.

The writer successfully bought in the love that spans generations into the book. This non-fiction work is mostly a kind of writer’s memoir. At the same time, it is definitely a work of art. The theme of the story, itself, is an individual can be an author of their own life. The writer’s mother is the central character of the story- a connection link between generations-, but she is not the narrator.

The author’s writing skill and creative skill is evident in most of the sections.

Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik Author : Devdutt Pattanaik Price : `119.00

T

he writer takes us to the fascinating world of Hindu mythology.

He answers several disturbing questions, which often arrives when we come across some Hindu mythological stories. The book is based on the first series of the popular TV show telecasted in the same title. In the short period of time, the television series have attracted a large number of audiences. This work gives its readers a convincing answer to several controversial questions, like how are an ‘asura’, ‘rakshasa’ and ‘pishacha’ different from each other, and why are most temples across the country dedicated to ‘Lord Vishnu’ and ‘Lord Siva’, but not to ‘Lord Brahma’. It is definitely a modernised interpretation of the Hindu mythology.

66

Sept-Oct 2016

Sept-Oct 2016

67

Printed On 01/ 09/ 2016

68

RNI Reg No. KERENG/2011/42633

Sept-Oct 2016