Vol 7 Issue No.83 Sept-Oct 2018
KOCHUNNI
OF KAYAMKULAM,
MAY YOU LIVE LONG Trump’s trade war with Chinanot as illogical as it seems Shri V.P. Nandakumar, MD & CEO Manappuram Finance Ltd.
A ‘Somalian’ story: silently listening to the heartbeat of an embattled african country
Kochi: 1st Floor, Bay Pride Towers and Mall, Marine Drive, Kochi 682031 Tel: +91 484 4052213, 2365440 E-mail: cochin@cera-india.com Thiruvananthapuram: 2 nd Floor, CPS Plaza, TC 79/342/5/6, Opp. Nissan Showroom, NH Bypass, Venpalavattom, Anayara P.O. , Thiruvananthapuram 695029 Tel: +91 471 4064101 E-mail: trivandrum@cera-india.com
Printed by: Ajit Ravi Published by: Ajit Ravi Owned by: Ajit Ravi Printed at: St. Reddiar & Sons 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 2532040, 2532080 Mob:+91 98460 50283, 94470 50283 Editor Ajit Ravi Sub-Editor Vignesh S.G Associate Editor Ravi Saini Editor-In-charge Jebitha Ajit Legal Advisor Latha Anand B.S.Krishnan Associates bskrishnanassociates@gmail.com Correspondents Dr. Thomas Nechupadam Vivek Venugopal- Quarter Mile Amrutha V Kumar Karthika S Nair Marketing UAE Phygicart.com P.O. Box: 92546, Al Karama Dubai Mr. Anish K Joy Mob: +971528946999 info@phygicart.com Plot No 19A, 9th Floor, Green Building, Film City, Sector - 16A, Noida - 201301 Tamil Nadu Vice president Uma Riyas Khan chennai, Mob: 9841072955 Unique Times, No.6/31, Arunachalam main road, Saligramam, Chennai – 600093 Andhrapradesh & Karnataka PEGASUS Ph: 09288800999 Sunilkumar NN, Saneesh Ashok Your wing Dr. Susan S Sunny Director Shwetha Menon Photographer Ashique Hassan Creative Design PEGASUS Cover Photograph Mohanlal & Nivin Pauly
Editorial A
man of steely will, Winston Churchill, who was the Prime Minister of UK, once said: “Pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” Our cover story is about a bunch of optimists from Malayalam film industry who made it possible to realize a successful big budget movie out of a simple folktale of Kerala despite passing through many roadblocks. Roshan Andrews, the maverick director, is the brain behind “Kayamkulam Kochunni”, a Hollywoodlike Malayalam movie to bring alive on screen, which is going to hit theatres in October across the world. When two young and one-of-itskind script writers Bobby and Sanjay, and producer Gokulam Gopalan join hands together, ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni, a movie believed to set free Malayalam cinema from its limitations as an art form and industry, turned into a reality. Regular column of Chairman and Managing Director of Manappuram Finance V.P. Nandakumar, tries to find out the real Donald Trump. Stories on travel, auto, stock market, gadgets, banking, movie review, and book review are waiting for a good reading experience. Inform your feedback so that I can reinvent myself to churn out a better issue tomorrow. I sincerely hope you will enjoy this issue.
Dr. Ajit Ravi
22
CONTENTS
12
16
Trump’s trade war with Chinanot as illogical as it seems
12
Management through an ownership mind-set
16
Kochunni of Kayamkulam, may you live long
22
Way forward to Industrial Revolution
28
Goods and Services Tax- A law mired in litigation and constitutional challenges
36
44
46
50
52
56
44
Gadgets
46
Recipes
50
How dark chocolate helps in enhancing your beauty
52
a ‘somalian’ story: silently listening to the heartbeat of an embattled african country
56
Mercedes Benz C43 AMG
UNIQUE DIARY
States directed to start the auction of mining leases
I
n a bid to avoid the possibility of the formation of a shortage in the supply of minerals and to ensure the smooth transition of a mine field from the hands of the existing owner to the person who is going to bid a maximum amount of money for the mining lease in the auction, the central government has directed all state governments to start the auction of the minimum leases, which are likely to expire in the year 2020, by as early as July 2019. The crucial directive has been delivered to all mineral-rich states in the Coordination-cum-Empowerment Committee meeting of 21 mineral-rich states.
India to boost its trade relations with Kenya
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Peter Drucker
8
Sept-Oct-2018
A
s a part of an effort to find new potential markets in the African continent, the South Asian country of India is set to boost its trade relations with the East African country of Kenya. As per a preliminary assumption, India aims to increase its export of cars, motorcycles, mobile phones and petroleum products to the rapidly growing African country. Recently, a trade meeting between the business leaders and decision makers of the Asian country and African country –the India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee Meeting- has successfully held in Nairobi, the capital city of the powerful African country. As per a trustable statistics report, India is the second largest investor in Kenya. The eighth crucial trade meeting between the two highly ambitious countries is expected to give a new impetus to their trade relation.
Indian employees expect many perks in next 12 months: Survey Report
A
survey report released by the Michael Page’s Job Confidence Index Q2 2018 says that the Indian employees expect many perks such as promotions, salary hikes and compliments in the next twelve months. The report also informs us that the employees are very optimistic about the future of the Indian economy and job market. As per the report, the majority of the employees believe that they would not find it difficult to find a new opportunity even within a short span of three months. The report highlights skills development, better salaries, and work-life balance as the three top reasons that lead to the process of the switching of jobs.
Infinix to try its luck in 5G and content services segments
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do” Steve Jobs
I
nfinix Mobiles –the popular online Smartphone brand- is likely to try its luck in the challenging business segments of 5G and content services. The Managing Director of the rapidly growing conglomerate, Benjamin Jiang, said that his company would enter the highly potential business segments of 5G and content services once it attains an undeniable space among the top players of the Smartphone sector in India. As per a latest study, the company’s parent company Transsion is the fifth largest player in the Indian Smartphone industry segment. The study also says that it is one of the few conglomerates which have huge potential to achieve a significant space in the country’s Smartphone market. The three famous brands of the conglomerate are Itel, Tecno and Infinix.
Sept-Oct-2018
9
UNIQUE DIARY
Centre to launch National Logistic Portal
T
he central government is set to launch a portal as a part of its effort to reduce the total logistics cost. At present, the total logistics cost is nearly fourteen per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. The centre aims to reduce the logistics cost to ten per cent of the GDP by the year 2022. The concerned authorities believe that the new policy would increase the ease of trading in the International and domestic markets. The new initiative is set to bring all the stakeholders of export-import, domestic trade and all trade activities in a single platform. The move is expected to transform the country into a strong logistics hub, generate more jobs, and increase trade competitiveness in the segment.
Kerala Flood: Centre to give more funds to the flood affected state
“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney
10
Sept-Oct-2018
A
t the time the big question whether the central government allow the Kerala state government to accept the UAE government’ financial assistance of seven hundred crore Indian rupees to overcome the huge financial burdens inflicted by the rainfallrelated disasters such as floods and landslides has triggered huge discussions across the state as well as across the nation, the central government has clarified their stand in the issue by emphasising that the financial support of six hundred crore Indian rupees the centre has offered to the flood affected Kerala as an immediate relief fund was just a token amount and the centre would release more funds to the state to overcome the crisis once an inter-ministerial committee designated by the centre to evaluate the damages inflicted by the unprecedented flood in the state submits its report before the centre.
BUSINESS
Shri V.P.Nandakumar MD & CEO Manappuram Finance Ltd.
While the rest of the world looks on Trump’s actions as motivated by narrow selfish interests, it is important to acknowledge that persistent and prolonged trade imbalances of the kind that the US is facing (with China and the EU) is actually a fault line in the global economy, that can potentially tip the world over into another financial crisis.
Trump’s trade war with Chinanot as illogical as it seems
I
t is fair to say that the US president, Donald Trump, does not enjoy a good reputation with the national and international media. If you go by the sheer volume of news reports and articles critical of Trump’s policies and pronouncements, it may even seem as if he is incapable of doing anything right. A large part of this distrust has to do with Trump’s penchant to say things that many would consider politically incorrect, or which strike at the very roots of the established world order. This gives rise to an impression about him of recklessness in both words and deeds. When Donald Trump was
12
Sept-Oct-2018
campaigning for the presidency, he had said he would unilaterally impose higher tariffs on imports from important trading partners like China, the European Union, Mexico and Canada, should these countries refuse to lower tariff barriers on their imports from the US or dismantle other unfair trade practices. His declared objective was to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US that, over the years, had been lost to China and other countries. It was his belief that the loss had come about only due to unfair trade practices adopted by these countries. As for the Chinese, he also faults them for not doing enough to enforce intellec-
tual property rights of American companies. When Trump became president, he kept his campaign promises and abandoned the Trans Pacific Partnership and also announced the renegotiation of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the trilateral trade bloc with Mexico and Canada. The United States has long championed free trade and Trump’s unabashed endorsement of protectionism did not go down well with the rest of the world and further cemented Trump’s reputation as a maverick and loose cannon.
Trade statistics that matter Before considering whether
Trump is right or wrong, we need to look at US-China trade statistics over the years to get a sense of what Trump is talking about. Take a look at the table below: US Trade with China (in billion US$) Year
Export
Import
Trade deficit
2017
130
505
375
2016
115
462
347
2015
116
483
367
2014
124
468
345
2012
111
426
315
2010
92
365
273
2005
41
243
202
2000
16
100
84
1995
12
45
34
1990
4.80
15.23
10.43
1985
3.85
3.86
0.006
In 1985, US-China was evenly balanced but by 2002, the Chinese had begun running up annual surpluses of US$ 100 billion. Within the next three years, i.e. by 2005, China’s trade surplus with the US had crossed US$ 200 billion and by 2012, it had exceeded US$ 300 billion. By the end of 2017, the US posted a combined trade deficit with all its trading partners of $810 billion, with China alone contributing US $ 375 billion, while the EU accounted for $151 billion, Mexico $70 billion, and Canada $17 billion. President Trump was now ready to act on his words. His goal is to revive manufacturing in America in order to reward the white working
class demographic that was his support base during the 2016 elections. On June 15, he fired the opening salvo by announcing 25 percent tariff on $34 billion of Chinese imports. China responded in kind, imposing 25 percent tariff on $34 billion worth of imports from the US. The US has threatened China with tariffs on more imports to which the Chinese have said they would respond giving rise to concerns about a fullfledged “Trade War” between the US and China. “These tariffs are essential to preventing further unfair transfers of American technology and intellectual property to China, which will protect American jobs,”
Sept-Oct-2018
13
BUSINESS Trump was quoted as having said. Trump believes that China has long used unfair tactics to overcome America's technological superiority such as outright cyber-theft and compelling American companies to give away technology in exchange for access to China's market. The tariffs are meant to force China to mend its ways. With higher prices of imported Chinese goods, the competitiveness of Chinese firms would fall. With lower trade surpluses, the Chinese economy would weaken and their government would eventually be forced to implement policies to create a more favorable environment for US firms operating or selling in China.
The global macro imbalances angle While the rest of the world looks on Trump’s actions as motivated by narrow selfish interests, it is important to acknowledge that persistent and prolonged trade imbalances of the kind that the US is facing (with China and the EU) is actually a fault line in the global economy, that can potentially tip the world over into another financial crisis. It is worth recalling that the starting point of the US sub-prime crisis of 2008 lay in the large sums of money invested in US treasuries by China. This was money that China had earned by running up huge trade surpluses with the US over the years. An important consequence of this inflow into the US was that US banks were flush with funds and it held down interest rates artificially for an extended period of time, despite the huge deficits run up by the US government as it prosecuted the Iraq war. It led to people borrowing more at cheap rates to buy houses they could not have afforded otherwise and this became problematic when interest rates began to rise. Hence, if Trump succeeds in getting China and other export driven economies like Germany and Japan to cut down on their trade surpluses, he would have removed a potential source of global macro instability.
How is the US economy holding out? With all the negative reporting about Trump, one would imagine that he has caused serious harm to the US economy. But then, the facts don’t bear this out. On the contrary, growth is up and unemployment down. The economy is doing well with the lowest unemployment rate in decades
14
Sept-Oct-2018
and also the lowest Black and Hispanic unemployment rates in history, indicating that growth is benefiting even the poorest sections. What is more, Trump's battle for more balanced trade could end up helping the economy. The trade deficit appears to be on the decline, falling to a seven-month low in April, according to the Commerce Department. The trade gap dropped 2.1 percent to $46.2 billion, the smallest since September. If the trend continues, trade could contribute to gross domestic product in the second quarter, buoyed by strength in the manufacturing sector and consumer spending. The Chinese currency Yuan is down 8 percent against the dollar since April, and near its weakest in more than a year. More broadly, China’s growth is slowing at a time when America’s economy is expanding at its fastest pace since 2014. U.S. GDP growth hit an annual 4.1 percent in the second quarter, the fastest growth in four years. The US unemployment rate fell to 3.9 percent in July 2018 from 4.0 percent in June, matching market expectations. The jobless rate touched an 18-year low of 3.8 percent in May. The S&P 500 stock index is up almost 14 percent in the last year, while the U.S. Dollar is booming against other major currencies. The Standard & Poor's 500, a stock index consisting of America's largest companies that get more than 43 percent of their revenues from overseas sales, is up 6.1 percent this year. China's Shanghai composite is down nearly 13 percent over the same period. The Japanese Nikkei index is down a little less than 1 percent and European shares are up just 0.3 percent.
What are the risks? Trump’s aggression is not without its risks. A full-blown trade war would pull down global economic growth from the dimin-
ished trade, disruptions in the supply chain, and the all round loss of confidence. J.P. Morgan says that a worst-case scenario over trade could reduce global growth by a significant 1.4 percent over two years. While the worst case scenario may not come about, J.P. Morgan researchers believe that global growth could slow by about 0.4 percent if countries targeted by Trump respond with tit-for-tat measures against the US. Import tariffs raise the cost of raw materials for domestic manufacturers, in turn making it more expensive to produce goods for export. U.S. exports will become
So far, the trade war appears to have hit China's economy and financial markets harder than the United States, which has given the Trump administration confidence that it is escalating from a position of strength. less competitive on the world market. The result is likely to be lower imports and lower exports, with little improvement in trade deficit. By lowering its own tariffs on imported inputs, China has reduced its production costs enabling Chinese exports to compete more effectively. Even if U.S. exporters switch to domestically produced inputs, their costs will still rise, because competing domestic suppliers will be able to increase their margins in industries that get protected by higher tariff.
Conclusion: Is it all a negotiating ploy by Trump that uses brinkmanship to
extract concessions out of the Chinese they would not entertain in normal negotiations? Considering how negotiations with North Korea appear to have made progress after a rocky start peppered with lots of threats and intemperate language, it is possible that Trump can win a deal that is good for America. Trump may well be adopting an "escalate to negotiate" strategy, threatening a dramatic hike in tariffs in a bid to force a resumption of trade talks while the US economy remains strong. Thirty years ago, Trump had written a best seller, "The Art of the Deal" which provides a clue to his negotiating style. "If you're going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big" is an oft-quoted line from the book that sums up his strategy. Start with a big argument that shocks and confuses everyone, and then offer a compromise which comes as such a relief that no one will realize how much ground they have conceded. By this logic initiating a trade war is simply the ultimate negotiating argument. So far, the trade war appears to have hit China's economy and financial markets harder than the United States, which has given the Trump administration confidence that it is escalating from a position of strength. The US economy expanded at an annualized rate of 4.1 percent in the second quarter, and US manufacturers have reported broad-based growth in business activity in recent months, while consumer confidence is close to multi-decade highs. For the moment then, it is advantage Trump. For the final word, however, we may have to wait much longer
V.P. Nandakumar is MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd. Views are personal.
Sept-Oct-2018
15
BUSINESS
Rajesh Nair Asociate partner-markets, Ernst & Young LLP Rajesh is also the President of the Kerala Chapter of TiE Global
M
A senior professional is not just about signing cheques and delivering high quality or dotting every ’I’ and crossing every ‘T’. It is about solving their problems, helping them achieve their vision and reaching and surpassing their goals.
ost of management is about managing your personal resources -time, skill sets and competencies. In the common lingo of daily management language we call the ‘owner’ -an entrepreneur, promoter etc. The employee is categorised as ‘professional’. The promoter or the entrepreneur infuses the capital and takes the risks while the professionals work a set of instructions or a roster of activities to fulfil some of the tasks to run the enterprise. This mental divide has ceased to exist in the last few decades. The increase of stock options and variable compensation of professionals have ensured that the professional of today has more invested in the firm and ‘skin in the game’. ‘Entrepreneurship’ or an ‘entrepreneurial mind-set’ is seen as an essential trait in successful managers. So, what does this mean to the budding professional? A job today is beyond the call of a ‘job description’ or role-sheet, which HR of the past would dole out you. While metrics and key performance indicators will guide the time management principles and help you focus and prioritise on the activities in hand, the outlook towards work needs to be a lot more outcome oriented. The change in perspective of being outcome oriented is also to the need to align all activities to key outcome. All movement and action are not productive and a great guide to choose between options and actions is to see whether they are helping you reach your desired outcomes. Thinking of ownership and changes the mind- set to that of ownership –the feeling of complete undiluted ownership of whatever we do. Performance has always been a management moot point for many years and most of management literatures have also its genesis in
16
Sept-Oct-2018
Management through an ownership mind-set
Sept-Oct-2018
17
BUSINESS
The fifth theme is your learnability! Most leadership gurus consider it as the mother competency or capacity.
18
Sept-Oct-2018
performance discussions. Is there a magic framework, a cure which can help everyone provide results? The answer of course is a plain ‘No’! But, a lot of conversations inside the boardrooms, walking the corridor and serenading the water cooler, gather a few common themes which are applicable in every walk of life. The first theme is direction or vision. Wherever we work and whatever we do, there needs to be an individual direction. This may be completely your personal goal or that of the organisation that you are working in. There is a difference between drifting as deadwood in the rough waves and try to surf through the contours. There are the experts who say that one must be flexible and malleable –since change is the order of the day. But, change can only dictate tactical curves and roadblocks –it is up to
you to navigate these to move in your direction. The next key theme is alignment. If there is a mismatch between what you are trying to achieve and that of the organisation you are working in –it is an indicator of misalignment. If your actions don’t add up and are guiding you from your overall direction, then you are wiling away time and moving away for your priorities. Alignment is also a big booster. It clarifies and helps you to manage your thoughts and actions, and also helps you weed out the chaff and bring in deep focus into whatever you do and are trying to achieve. Alignment also does not come naturally –you have to personally take ownership to align yourself to your respective direction. No one can do this for you. The third theme is improvement. Have you been able to do
something better today? Have been able to introduce efficiency into something you do regulary? Even asking yourself a question –what did I improve today- is a great start. This theme is also not separate from the other two. It is direction and alignment that help you to focus on what to improve and whether an improvement is actually bringing in the necessary. Improvements will also help you get into details of actions, identify excesses, look at processes and build agility. The fourth theme is choosing the right action. We often mistake activities and movement for concrete action. When we get busy with quotidian, repetitive tasks, we also pile up a series of prosaic and not so important tasks that buries our calendar. Time Management principles are popular and we have some very interesting frameworks
Sept-Oct-2018
19
including that of ‘7 Habits’ by the late Stephen Covey. But, what is useful is also a mental frame derived from the earlier three themes which help you guide your work life. The fifth theme is your learnability! Most leadership gurus consider it as the mother competency or capacity. An open mind, which questions and porous to new information, soaks in more, adjusts and adapts to any variation around him. One has to take ownership for learning every new aspect at work and in life. The subject of management has evolved through the years to be one of the most sought after as well as craved for academic area. The science or art debate has been one of the prolific debates that provide the fecundity and normative logic characteristic only to the subject. The root of the foundation may not be as fertile a topic as its diverse branching. The interpretations of the subject have itself been the prerogative of the individual himself. Cultural vagrancy, ethical structure, flora and fauna have all its impact on the way the subject is manifested. As they cliché goes “It is never Black and White but a shady Grey”. A senior professional is not just about signing cheques and delivering high quality or dotting every ’I’ and crossing every ‘T’. It is about solving their problems, helping them achieve their vision and reaching and surpassing their goals. Anything that is helping them do this is –NOISE. It is no use thinking that you have delivered the final presentation or product when the customer still has the ‘problem’ on this table. This philosophy guides your activities, your time and your actions. It is easy to get ‘lost in motion’. At times some of our lawmakers and politicians are lost in this quagmire of ‘activities’ ... Speeding cars, aircraft being held up for their arrival or even a wide audience waiting for them to turn up, ‘Where are they going and what are they doing, we wonder !’ It would be interesting, if they sit back, think and figure out the best use of their time. It may perhaps also help them think differently and, more importantly, act differently!
20
Sept-Oct-2018
W
hen scriptwriters Bobby and Sanjay first talked to me about Kayamkulam Kochunni, I was taken back to my childhood. It is practically impossible for any Malayali boy or girl to have had a childhood devoid of Kochunni. My kids know about him too. Like the writers, I too wanted to make a movie on the thief whose story has been passed down through generations and continues to hold sway even now. That was the beginning, says Rosshan Andrrews as he launches into his tale. “The very idea of a movie based on Kayamkulam Kochunni was fascinating. When I heard the director’s vision about the movie, I was convinced it would turn out to be one of the greatest ever movies made in Malayalam. The total cost of the movie amounted to Rs. 45 crores. I told Rosshan to go ahead with absolutely no compromise on anything. And, Rosshan presented the Gokulam group with a movie that far exceeded my expecta-
22
Sept-Oct-2018
tions,” says Gokulam Gopalan, who heads Gokulam Movies, that has produced the film. Yes, the costliest movie ever made in Malayalam, Kayamkulam Kochunni, is set to be released in October. The Malayali’s favourite thief, popularised through the Aithihyamala (or the Book of Legends) is brought alive on screen by Nivin Pauly. Kochunni would undoubtedly be the most challenging character ever in Nivin’s career. Nivin trained in Kalari as well as horse riding in preparation for the role. “Kochunni was not just a thief. He was also a man who cherished his romance and friendships. He was a man with a lot of emotional upheavals, reflected even in his looks, body language and dialogue delivery. This was a movie that I did with a lot of enjoyment as well as a lot of hard work,” Nivin says. This movie had two years of preparation behind it. The team scoured Kayamkulam in search of locations but found that nothing remained of its 19th-
KOCHUNNI
OF KAYAMKULAM,
MAY YOU LIVE LONG century existence. The villages of those days and even the streets, the temple and houses -all figured prominently in the screenplay. The shooting was on expansive sets and buildings that bore resemblance to the ones in those days. The director, along with art director Sunil Babu, zeroed in on locations in Goa, Mangalore and Sri Lanka for the purpose. The script was also a long time in the making. “Kayamkulam Kochunni was one of our childhood heroes. We had long wanted to write a movie based on the Robinhood of Kerala. Although our primary reference was the Aithihyamala, we were fascinated by what lay hidden between the lines. Before starting the script we read almost everything that was available about Kayamkulam Kochunni. We also delved into the social structure of 19th century Kerala. For the dialogues, we researched the language that was used in those days. Kalari, folklore
Sept-Oct-2018
23
-all these were areas of study for us,” say script writers Bobby and Sanjay. It was no easy task to find a producer for this movie. To make a movie on such a large canvas, it would take not only money but also courage. The Executive Producer of Gokulam Movies, Praveen was a friend of Rosshan as well as Bobby and Sanjay. They had long been desirous of their friendship culminating in a movie. Kayamkulam Kochunni was an idea that got Praveen all fired up. “This is the movie we should do,” he said determinedly. Once Gokulam Gopalan gave the go ahead, things moved fast. And, there was a reason for his quick approval. “Rosshan’s ‘Udayananu Tharam’ and ‘How Old Are You’ are two of my favourite movies. I was sure Kochunni was in safe hands with him.”But, the shooting itself was not easy. Huge sets, thousands of junior artists, hordes of animals including elephants and horses –all these were required in most of the scenes. Stunt directors – including foreigners– filmed high-risk action sequences which resulted in injuries to many despite the best of safety precautions. Nivin himself
To essay the role of Ithikkara Pakki-a crucial character in the filmthe director as well as script writers could only think of one person: the one and only complete actor of Malayalam film industry Mohanlal.
24
Sept-Oct-2018
Sept-Oct-2018
25
“Rosshan’s ‘Udayananu Tharam’ and ‘How Old Are You’ are two of my favourite movies. I was sure Kochunni was in safe hands with him.” But, the shooting itself was not easy.
had an accident at one point and the shooting had to be stalled while he recovered. The technicians were almost all well-known experts in their field. Binod Pradhan, who cranked the camera for movies like 1942: A Love Story, Parinda and Devdas, was the cameraman. Sunil Babu, who has worked in movies in almost all Indian languages -including Ghajini - was the art director. And, there was also a three-member research team that went into all details including the clothes, food habits and everyday items of those days. “The word that best defined my vision for the movie was ‘largescale.’ And, I wanted to impart the same feeling to my technicians as well. After the completion of the script, two months before we started filming, I had a meeting with the producer and my techni-
26
Sept-Oct-2018
cians. I explained in detail how I planned to visualise each scene. We also used a technology, called pre-visualisation. We made animation videos of what the action sequences should look like. When we showed those to the action directors, they quickly got the idea,” Rosshan adds. To essay the role of Ithikkara Pakki –a crucial character in the film– the director as well as script writers could only think of one person: the one and only complete actor of Malayalam film industry Mohanlal. Ithikkara Pakki was a contemporary of Kayamkulam Kochunni. One might even call him a precursor to Kochunni. The role demanded the presence of Mohanlal. But, it did not look possible with his busy schedule. Even after the start of shooting, the team was unable to find a replacement for him. Everyone was getting
tense. The scriptwriters remember the call Rosshan made to them from the sets –“What do you think of Lalettan as Pakki? – he asked. “Why talk about that again when we have discussed it so many times and we know it is not going to happen,” we asked. Rosshan replied: “Lalettan himself will play Ithikkara Pakki. I have spoken to him and he has agreed.” It was a big moment for us. It must surely have been Mohanlal’s faith in Rosshan as a director that led to the decision. Rosshan also remembers with gratitude the support extended by Antony Perumbavoor who ensured that everything went smooth. “Each of my movies is a dream come true for me. And, Kayamkulam Kochunni is my greatest dream. We really limit the scope of our movies by saying only small scale movies work in Malayalam. We need big movies to be made in our land too. And, I wish and pray Kayamkulam Kochunni sets the ball rolling for that.” May Rosshan’s words come true! That would truly free Malayalam cinema from its present limitations –both as an art form and as an industry. The best wish we can pen for the movie is this line from a song in the movie – Kochunni of Kayamkulam, May you Live Long!
Ravi Saini
G
lobal Market trends play vital roles in determining economy and prices, but do we lack quality economists or think-tanks who should know how to convert adversities into valuable opportunities for growth? Instead of wasting precious time and vital resources, like tax payers money, on accusing its predecessors in office, the present leadership must work progressively and put its acts together to push for Industrial Revolution by immediately taking positive and confidence building measures some of which can be started from the preliminary stage of starting a company for proposed business based upon individual ideas; like amending company act to help and encourage entrepreneurships, non-filing of returns on ROC should not be a criminal offence, eliminate late filing fines for all such companies that are yet to become profitable and come in the taxable brackets and allow or encourage them to submit a sworn affidavits or selfcertified affidavits endorsed by its company secretaries to this effect. To start with, Mega Infrastructure boost, in the form of Integrated Industrial Townships, easily accessible and equipped with multi-mode transport system (Preferable Renewable), can transform and empower India to rapidly grow
28
Sept-Oct-2018
Nowadays, every Indian wants to know as to why only lawabiding citizens of general public are subjected to bear the brunt and held accountable for the non-conducive and nontransparent systems which are implemented half cooked without knowing the consequences.
into the super power arena. On financial front, Public Sector Banks should function like any other corporate function with full responsibility, accountability and delivery of results, to protect its shareholders –it is important to remember that the real stake holders of the PSBs are the Tax payers. These Public Sector Banks, along with private banks, should compulsorily create a corpus of funds with minimum 5% of their deposits, to support start-up companies or entrepreneurs with attractive loans and up to 100% funding with maximum limit of INR 5.0 Cr. per entity and, in exchange, the lending banks should take 10% (or more as the situation demands) equity stake in such start-ups with offer of buy back of equity, up to the time the entity becomes profitable beyond taxable limits. This type of hand holding by banks could easily transform the country and bring about the much-needed Industrial Revolution 4 based economy surge to make it a “Super Power”. Imagine the number of NPAs and the quantum of Money blocked in such ventures. Even if a 5% share of this was designed to be allocated to New Business or Entrepreneurs with hand holdings, it would have been a completely different and happy story. As they say never put all your eggs in one basket, so the Economists & Think
Tanks, sitting in decision making corridors, should realise it as fast as possible and take sought after actions without much of bureaucratic hurdles and spin offs. Most importantly, they should not shy away or obstruct private financial world -in fact, should push with conducive ecosystem for them to step in and do such hand holdings on their behalf. Nowadays, every Indian wants to know as to why only law-abiding citizens of general public are subjected to bear the brunt and held accountable for the nonconducive and non-transparent systems which are implemented half cooked without knowing the consequences. General Public simply don’t have any protection from government and are left to defend themselves at their own costs and risks. Whereas these, so-called, public servants and policy makers, who bring such actions harming general public interest, hardly get reprimanded or subjected to consequential legal action. Since they know the laws, regulations, constitutional provisions and rights of the public, yet they (public servants or policy makers) always have a good life in their comfort zones and hardly think twice before they blow tax payers money without being fully accountable. Is the general public meant only for exploitations and accountability and/or for vote
Way forward to Industrial Revolution
bank politics? Government policies, public servants and policy makers should be subjected to half yearly appraisal system like in corporates and their reports should be made public -wherein general public must be able to witness their report cards periodically and take conscious call in jurisdiction of their rights to know. The Government institutions like RBI, PMO and even MOD (barring sensitive topics) should be brought into this transparency and reporting domain immediately. For all sensitive and confidential
aspects like national security etc., there should be a comprehensive approach which can protect it well. In today’s digital world, every ministry and department has its own websites, so the task of displaying the ‘progress vs promises made’ data could easily be done online to prevent misuse of public money during elections for marketing Govts performance. Digitisation means simplifying the processes with direct access to the user. As they say, Penny saved is Penny earned, so public rallies could be easily addressed through credible
Social Media Channels like Facebook Live, You Tube channels and spreading links through Ministry’s websites or apps created as these days, majority of people (at least one in a family) is having access to the smart phones. There may be an argument that there are many villages that don’t have access to Digital Networks. Then, this must be put on the priority list of the Government to handle it, so that every Indian is well connected to give and receive feedbacks to make India a truly empowered nation. Further, why don’t we ask PMO
Sept-Oct-2018
29
and State Governments to create investment friendly atmosphere that is so vital for getting private investments to create Integrated Industrial Parks for 100% Export Oriented Units. This could easily be achieved by offering 100% tax exemptions for 10 years for all foreign entities that could bring Non Repatriable FDI and/or technology transfers. The areas should be the border States of Punjab, J&K, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal and the industries that needs to be pushed for are: • Food Processing, Dairy Farming, Animal husbandry • Renewable Energy- Advanced Biofuels, Bio Jet Fuel, Solar power etc. • New Sustainability driven Agriculture • Waste to Energy plants on latest technology • Smart Mobility – Cable car systems, Electric and Biofuel operated Transport. • Innovation –Proactive Health care, Fuel Cells, Energy storage, CO2 power plants. • Robotics -Robotic mounted guns, Smart anti pallet Drones, Bomb disposal units etc. • Laboratory materials for schools • General small to medium scale units -Readymade Garments, Books and Stationary, Bicycles,
30
Sept-Oct-2018
Watches, Footwear etc. • Skill training centres Incentivising investors with suitable ecosystem will encourage them to not only establish manufacturing bases in India under Make In India initiative, will also prompt them to do technology transfers if Tax Exemptions are provided for 10 years from the start of the businesses. Trust me, low rupee vs USD could become a blessing in disguise and it will start strengthening India’s prospects economically, socially and sustainably. Insurance sector investors can be incentivised or prompted or attracted to come up with 100% Health Insurance Coverto the value of 15 times of the Taxes Paid by Tax Payers and their families, vide new Health Security scheme. This will encourage more and more people to happily pay taxes instead of looking for risky alternatives of saving taxes. After all, these risky savings are generally to provide extra cushioning for the family and personal welfares. An appeal to Hon’ble Prime Minister –kindly instructs, advise and ask the Ministers or Public servants or Stake holders in related ministries like Ministries of Finance, Planning and Renewable Energy, to present investment
friendly protection plans first, prepare Information Memorandums and then do the road shows to attract FDI, Private Investments etc. Fundamentals of investment banking are for them to secure their investments by formulating suitable procedures and Government needs to support and act as a facilitating agency within the laws of the land. Any Government in office must ensure that the Minsters, Economists & Policy makers holding all the key positions, must deliver desired results and are held accountable, liable and responsible. After all, Govt. is chosen by the people and has to work for the people. For this to really happen, we the people need to enlighten ourselves with our rights to know the progress of our country and push these Govt. stake holders hard for on time DELIVERANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESULTS and TRANSPARECY (DART). Initialising through our own small group -youtube channels and social media, we can help bring this enlightenment to transform India into a Fully Empowered Nation. Let’s urge the Government to try for a Progressive & Positive Change, where DART is unilaterally applicable for Citizens as well as Public Servants
Vinod Kumar
Your intentions and plans are the host thoughts. But then, one third portion of your mind has a store house. It has many and much stagnating thoughts. These are contra and countering your forward progress.
CONTRAST CHAMBER D etermination and perseverance can bring you closer to your goals. Resilience in your emotions are essentials. Intellectual repair will get to you, your ability to analyse and process and to assess the data. The information that you collect, need to be sieved and filtered. The estimates must be specific, accurate and precise. Now, you can move closer to accomplishment. But there are deterrents to get you near to your achievements. If in case, you are at a group function or a picnic or a party, and then the next day, your friend send to you few group photographs. Pictures in which, about ten members of the picnic are featuring. In the first glimpse and glance, why is your eyes searching to locate your own face among the group, so that your eyesore fixed on your own face and photo among others. Have you noticed that you almost avoid looking at the other people in detail? Why this bias that you want to discover only your photo and disinterested in the way that others are looking? And then you may start to make comparison among four or five of others, between those people. Is it a matter of your
32
Sept-Oct-2018
selfishness? So what are the consequences? All people are desperately seeking resources. Are you not wanting to access more resources? Now, let me illustrate two situations. In one case, you have severe dislike about few other people. You have decided not to transact with them because these people, did let you down sometime in the past. You may even be nurturing some hatred towards them. So, absolutely deleted all communications with these people. But the consequences are there. These people have most of the resources that you need. You can see that the wealth and business that you want, are with those people whom you dislike. So if you are fixed on the idea that you will indulge, only with those whom you like, then in effect you are not accessing the resources. There is another case, we can call it as the case two. There are places and people who accept you with all your weaknesses and errors. But there are many houses, companies and people who has potential to reject you. Being exposed to an experience that you are rejected, is painful to some people. So to avoid that pain, you sim-
ply decide not to knock on those doors. But then, those people who you perceive as they may reject you, such people also has all the resources that you want. Then, by what method can you establish a pipeline or a funnel for resources to flow to you from the other side? How to make the bridge to minimize the gaps and divisions? So here is a solution. You have to disrupt your fixation on your likes and attachments to favorable situations. Other people are assessing you too. But do not worry about
the way, that others are rating and grading you. Your ranking about you, in their minds and eyes can be distorted. That what they think about you, can change at any time. They will generate, must suggestions and advices that are contrary to your beliefs. But if you are principled on your flexibility and you will respect resources, then you will extend to transact with the other side. You have to work to expand your mind set so as to delete adversaries and hostilities. Then is the evidence of your friendliness
and leadership. You will generate harmony in your transaction. You will then get tranquility, while you broadbase your reach and influence. Abundance comes to you only when you work to bring people together. Get the skill to gather many strangers. Organise them and do reach out programs. This exercise to overcome the fear of other’s opinion about you, need stamina. You get that strength when you are committed to do the reach out. Enroll resourceful people into working with you for your cause.
Sept-Oct-2018
33
So identify your fixations on your personal selfishness, individual goals and private concerns. Graduate out of these immaturity and arrive at the possibilities, for social care. Collective benefits to more number of people in your society will get you gifts and resources. These are possibilities of social rewards. Make a list of your ambitions. Make another list of your aspirations. These are two distinct methods of pursuits. Generate a third list of hostilities and obstacles that can obstruct your journey. It is important to articulate your aspirations correctly. To be able to focus on your goals, then you must neutralize and eliminate the distractions and deterrents. So, here the skill is to identify these diversions. Everytime that you are darting to your destinations, then some troubles and problems will arrive. These disturbances and disruptions has an objective to derail and demolish your success. Then you have to learn to dodge these attack on you in the thought level. It is in your mind that these parasite thoughts will pop up. Your intentions and plans are the host thoughts. But then, one third portion of
34
Sept-Oct-2018
your mind has a store house. It has many and much stagnating thoughts. These are contra and countering your forward progress. These thoughts are in contrast and against your original ideas. I call your original ideas as the host thoughts. The thoughts that work to defeat you, are the parasite thoughts. These parasite thoughts are also incubated inside a chamber in your mind. And you may call this as the Contrast Chamber. Every time that you get an actionable bright idea, and that you want to execute, but a parasite thought will pop out. These parasite thoughts inside the contrast chambers are also nourished by your host ideas. Now your effort and exertion is needed, to be able to recycle these parasites thoughts. In the process of recycling, you retrieve and reclaim your energies. And then absorb the recycled and resultant thought energy, back to the host thoughts. Then you have a powerful and laser sharp progress towards achieving your plans. A one pointed focus with no other leak of energy gives you total visibility of the target that you want to procure. There is the pos-
sibility that you can accumulate as much resources that you want and need, by these four methods. One was, that you dilute your fixations on doing only what you like to do. Second, is that you begin to knock on those doors that may even reject you. Third is when you are not afraid of other people, allotting marking for your performance. That you are not confined by other people examining your outputs. And the fourth is, when your ideas, imagination and actions are totally devoid of parasite thoughts. That you are free to channel all your energies with much vigor and vitality. One pointed focus alone will work, to ensure that you have achievements and accomplishments. If you are fragile, then you cannot tear into the walls and obstructions. Some breathing techniques and specific meditations, can get you the endurance. Your durability in transacting with people of all diversity and variety is an enriching experience. Learn to generate resources and construct the good future. Start your act and practicality, at the earliest. This is the correct time to actualize your aspirations
FINANCE
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 and corporate law practice of Nash Capital Partners. Apart from being a qualified lawyer, he is also a chartered accountant, cost accountant and a company secretary. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree and is reachable at sherryoommen@nashcp.com.
G
oods and Services Tax (GST) is undoubtedly the most dramatic taxation reform in the indirect tax system in the country. Ever since its introduction in July 2017, numerous issues have been raised before various High Courts including the High Court of Kerala. For instance, the Kerala High Court in the case of Eten Craft Holdings Private Limited (WPC 28801 of 2017) had directed the Government of Kerala to constitute the Authority of Advance Ruling having regard to the Section 96 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. In this article, I intend to capture some of the recent litigation that has come before the High Court of Kerala.
TRANSITIONAL CREDIT Taxpayers who had issues with respect to filing the related forms for carry forward of transitional
36
Sept-Oct-2018
An interesting ground that has also been raised is that any amount paid towards VAT or Luxury Tax post 01.07.2017 would also need to be refunded to the concerned assessee, as there is no law that validates the collection of tax and hence any amount collected by the State would be confiscatory or ‘extortionary’ in nature and, thus, unconstitutional.
credit (that is, in Form GST TRAN 1) or were unable to file the same owing to a systemic error, have approached various High Court. For instance, the Kerala High Court in the cases of Cee Pee Marbles & Granites[2018] 96 Taxmann.com 463 and Lamit Tubes and Holdings LLP(2018-TIOL-100-HCKERALA-GST) has directed the concerned assesses to approach the Nodal Officer and directed the latter to evaluate the claim of transitional credit and provide appropriate reliefs.
E-WAY BILLS The Kerala High Court in the case of Messrs Indus Towers Limited (2018-TIOL-67-HC-KERALA-GST) has held that in the event of failure to comply with the provisions governing E-way bills, the related penal provisions would stand automatically attracted. Notably, the High Court held that such penalty would also be applicable in the case of a non-taxable supply. It may be noted that under Section 129 (that is, the provisions governing E-way bills), in the event of detention of goods, the related goods shall be released as follows: a) On payment of the applicable tax and penalty equal to one hundred per cent of the tax payable on such goods and, in case of exempted goods, on payment of an
amount equal to two per cent of the value of goods or INR 25,000, whichever is less, where the owner of the goods comes forward for payment of such tax and penalty; b) On payment of the applicable tax and penalty equal to the fifty per cent of the value of the goods reduced by the tax amount paid thereon and, in case of exempted goods, on payment of an amount equal to five per cent of the value of goods or INR 25,000, whichever is less, where the owner of the goods does not come forward for payment of such tax and penalty; c) Upon furnishing of necessary security (for instance, bank guarantee) equivalent to the amount payable, as per (a) or (b) above.
A CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE – AN EMERGING LITIGATION In a recent issue, now before the High Court of Kerala, various assesses have been filed writ petitions challenging the constitutionality of the section 174 of the Kerala Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (KGST Act) which grants saving to the Kerala Value Added Tax Act, 2003 or The Kerala Tax on Luxuries Act, 1976, etc. The challenge is inter-alia based on the fact that the Section 19 of the Constitution (One Hun-
Goods and Services TaxA law mired in litigation and constitutional challenges
dred and First Amendment) Act, 2016 (“Amendment Act”) provides a lifeline of an outer limit of one year from the date of commencement of the Amendment Act (that is, one year from 16.09.2016) in respect of the various laws enacted on the basis of entries deleted by the said Act. For ease of reference, the provisions of the Section 19 of the Amendment Act are provided below:
“Notwithstanding anything in this Act, any provision of any law relating to tax on goods or services or on both in force in any State immediately before the commencement of this Act, which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution as amended by this Act shall continue to be in force until amended or repealed by a competent Legislature or other competent authority or until
expiration of one year from such commencement, whichever is earlier.” [Emphasis supplied] To illustrate, the entry relating to the levy of Luxury Tax (that is, the Entry 62 of the Constitution of India forming part of the State List) or relating to Value Added Taxes, (that is, that Entry 54 of the Constitution of India) has either been deleted or substituted in entirety. Accordingly, with ef-
Sept-Oct-2018
37
fect from 15.09.2017 (that is, one year from 16.09.2016), at worst, the State would not have power to recover VAT or Luxury Tax, whether disputed or undisputed, as their powers have been denuded by the Amendment Act. Hence, the saving provisions of the Section 174 of the KGST Act are ultra-vires the Amendment Act. In this regard, it may also be noted that the Article 265 of the Constitution of India provides that “No tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law.” The Honorable Supreme Court of India in various cases including in the case of Somaiya Organics (2002-TIOL-651-SC-STATE-CXCB), which as by a Constitutional Bench, has held that the terms “levy” and “collection” as found in the Article 265 of the Constitution of India are not synonymous terms. Hence, there should be an authority of law or lawful enactment, which authorizes the related actions of the State both at the time of “levy” AND at the time of “collection” of tax. In the present case, while the levy may have been with the authority of law, the Petitioners have contended that there is no authority whatsoever for the collection of VAT or Luxury Tax post 01.07.2017 considering the Amendment Act. The Petitioners have also argued that the right to issue a show
38
Sept-Oct-2018
cause notice, being an inchoate in nature, cannot be construed as a “right” which would fall within the purview of the section 174 of the KGST Act. With respect to the contention of the section 19 of the Amendment Act, the State of Kerala has contended that the Section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (read in conjunction with the Article 367 of the Constitution of India) would apply, thereby conferring the Department, the right to proceed even after the limitation prescribed under the Amendment Act. An interesting ground that has also been raised is that any amount paid towards VAT or Luxury Tax post 01.07.2017 would also need to be refunded to the concerned assessee, as there is no law that validates the collection of tax and hence any amount collected by the State would be confiscatory or ‘extortionary’ in nature and, thus, unconstitutional. Currently, the High Court has granted a stay in respect of notices issued by the VAT and the Luxury Tax Department on or after 01.07.2017. One may peruse the orders of the Honorable High Court of Kerala in WPC 11335 in the case of Messrs Sheen Golden Jewels (India) Private Limited and in WPC 15851 of 2018 in the case of Messrs Leisure Stays. The matter is now being argued in detailed before the High Court.
On a similar matter, the constitutional validity of the section 174 of the KGST Act was challenged before the Honorable High Court of Kerala in Earthline Services Private Limited reported in TS-377-HC-2018(KER)-NT. The Honorable High Court on the doctrine of constitutional avoidance allowed the writ petition on the ground of limitation. The days ahead are, indeed, interesting with the new law being subjected to challenges on various grounds. It would, indeed, take a while for the dust to settle, thereby throwing open myriad challenges for businesses at large. For instance, post the recent floods in Kerala, the taxpayers in Kerala have faced another blow where the Deputy Commissioner, State Goods and Services Tax, Mattancherry Kerala in a communication dated 21 August 2018 has directed reversal of input tax credit in respect of goods destroyed in the floods. This would, now, prove to be a double whammy for the suppliers who are doing business in the flood affected areas. If the Government intends to provide the relief to the supplier, it can, indeed, relax this provision for the suppliers operating in the flood affected areas of Kerala. One would hope that the Government would be sensitive before issuance of such communications
MOTIVATION
Dolly Neena Dolly Neena is founder of Your Wing, a training company born out of a noble cause and spirit. She holds a decade long experience being a passionate mentor and entrepreneur.
A positive attitude is pro-active, not reactive. It is often a choice. Most of the times, we look outside for happiness and positivity. Seldom have we realised that we are the creators of our own happiness. Happiness is within you and you need to practice to be happy.
LET YOUR ATTITUDE BE YOUR ALTITUDE! “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions!”
A
ttitude is everything. This is something that we know or hear in day to day life. There are days when the seemingly bad things just don’t appear to go away. Easy said than done. Due to the piled up experiences and mind conditioning , most of the time we tend to be resilient to those comfortable cocoons that we have always been in, no matter how much it has not helped us ever. Yes, we all know and understand that how successful people have been persistently chasing their passion, despite of pitfalls, challenges and failures. We see some amazing people in life who, in spite of their hard-hitting days, tend to smile at the world all
40
Sept-Oct-2018
the time. So often an individual thinks – “my problem is greater than his.” He also believes “I can’t smile at this juncture.” He also questions himself “how can I be kind to another human being when I am going through this tough turmoil.” So, is that only we have issues, and others don’t? And, is it really true that our problems are always humongous than our neighbours? Or, have you ever thought that there are chances that the other person who looks bit more pleasant has been habitually trying to overcome his trouble being more composed? Yes. Can’t we also try to inculcate that habit of being under control when we face mayhem in life? A positive attitude is proactive, not reactive. It is often a choice. Most of the times, we look outside for happiness and positiv-
ity. Seldom have we realised that we are the creators of our own happiness. Happiness is within you and you need to practice to be happy. Whenever life throws a circumstance at you, it always gives you the power to choose how you should react to it. Each one of us has a mental framework we have consciously or unconsciously chosen over a period of time. There are people who look at all the facts to assess the most plausible explanations and reasonable predictions. There are still another set who challenge non-facts; they refuse to be misled by bogus assertions. There are people who make sense of life of the way it bring them joy and comfort. Some people do not let any new facts enter their knowledge base on a fear that it will affect the ‘equilibrium’ they have now. In fact, we as human
Sept-Oct-2018
41
beings understand that none of the perceptions is right or wrong. It is simply is a state of being. This world throws at us unlimited opportunity. It gives us the choice to be happy or not, to understand another person or not, to make peace with another individual or not. It all depends upon our own decision what we have stored in for ourselves in future. As they say, the only disability in life is a bad attitude. It helps you to go high or low. No human being can have absolute control over what
42
Sept-Oct-2018
occurs in their lives. So, it is even more important to decipher and uphold an attitude even before you face a problem. To indulge in what you do, and to have commitment and dedication, it all requires a properly built up attitude. If you are not sincere to what you do, you will end up in fooling yourself and eventually fall apart in life. Here, we need to open up our minds to learning and unlearning attitudes. It is all the more important to recognise what hinders your growth and smoothness of your
life. It is scientifically proven that ‘positive affirmations’ help us to stay calm with a right attitude. Your conscious mind should be able to feed in the right mental information to your subconscious mind. The nervous system is your body’s decision maker and communication centre. It is what you feed regularly to your system that you eventually become. What you think is what you are. Your body then is constantly listening to your mind. It makes necessary changes and gets so habitual over time that if you
ing incessantly is in vain. When we confront an issue, we should find alternate ways of looking at it: the cause that created that issue; and how we can rise above it to find different solutions that can end the problem. Everything has an end. An end itself has an end. Unless you try, things will remain the same. At times, we might have noticed how lazy we are to try change things andhow difficult we feel it to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. Yes, having said that there are times, we need to accept that there are things we cannot change too. What if an asteroid is going to hit our town? Is there anything else you can do other than to hope it won’t make a larger calamity? So, there are things under your control and things those are not. We need to be wise enough to find the distinction between those. A right attitude can then help you deal with the things that you cannot change. Moving on to a better option can always make you happier. Slowly work on yourself, know your feelings like anger, depression etc, and touch them with wisdom and compassion. Physically and mentally try release the hurt. Life always does not have to be perfect. It is our attitude and
viewpoint towards it that makes it wonderful. A smallest change in perspective can transform lives. Napolean Hill in his book “You can work your own miracles” talks about this real time story about a boy who was born with no ears. However, his father didn’t want to give up and went on to treat his son anyway; he never let his son feel that he is deaf. Miraculously, at the age of ten, the boy started hearing. When he was taken for a doctor’s visit the doctor said that the nerves have somehow made their way to be in a form that supports hearing. This story shows us the power of positive thinking. We see such miracles happening around us daily. This is the explanation behind Placebo effect too. When you believe that this pill will cure you, even if it is not a medicinal drug, you will be healed. Always be ready for good things to happen to you. If you believe it will, it will. If you believe it won’t, it won’t. It is as simple as that. It is all about how you look at things. Your perception is everything! People don’t hear your words. They see your attitude. They might not know you, but they can definitely feel your vibe. Emanate your best. It is your choice!
are not consciously endeavouring, it will become difficult to change a habitual action or thought. This is the reason why we your fingers are able to mechanically dial a number on your phone even when your conscious mind can’t get remember it quite right. Everyone has troubles. At times, you feel too wretched to function properly. However, there is always a choice to keep the right attitude if you learn how to. The only people who do not have trouble are the dead ones. Worry-
Sept-Oct-2018
43
GADGETS
Vivo Z1
MRP: `18,990 (approximately) Android v8.1 (Oreo) 6.25 inches Display 13 MP + 2 MP Primary Camera 12 MP Secondary Camera 4 GB RAM 64 GB Internal Memory 256 GB Expandable Memory 3260 mAh Battery Capacity
Lenovo K5 Play
MRP: `7,190 (approximately) Android v8.0 (Oreo) 5.7 inches Display 13 MP + 2 MP Primary Camera 8 MP Secondary Camera 2 GB RAM 16 GB Internal Memory 128 GB Expandable Memory 3000 mAh Battery Capacity
44
Sept-Oct-2018
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A
MRP: `6,990 (approximately) Android v7.1.1 (Nougat) 5.5 inches Display 13 MP Primary Camera 5 MP Secondary Camera 2 GB RAM 16 GB Internal Memory 128 GB Expandable Memory 3080 mAh Battery Capacity
Honor Play 7
MRP: `6,490 (approximately) Android v8.1 (Oreo) 5.4 inches Display 13 MP Primary Camera 5 MP Secondary Camera 2 GB RAM 16 GB Internal Memory 256 GB Expandable Memory 3020 mAh Battery Capacity
Sept-Oct-2018
45
COOKERY
Toshma Biju
Vendakka Kichadi Ingredients
•
• • •
Lady's finger (Vendakka)...................... ....... 250 gm (cut into small roundels) Grated coconut....................... 1/4 cup Green chillies....................................... .........6 nos (4 chillies finely chopped) Cumin seeds................... 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds................ 1/2 teaspoon Curd...................................1 1/2 cups
• • • •
Coconut oil....................3 tablespoons Mustard seeds................... 1 teaspoon Curry leaves...............................A few Dry red chillies....................1 or 2 nos
• •
For seasoning
Method Beat the curd well. Grind together coconut, 2 green chillies and cumin seeds into a fine paste. Add crushed mustard seeds into the above coconut paste. Mix together the beaten curd, ground paste and salt. Heat some oil in a pan or a kadai. Splutter mustard seeds and saute red chillies and curry leaves. Add the remaining chopped green chillies and lady`s finger. Fry them till they turn golden brown. Add the curd mixture and heat it through. Remove from the flame.
46
Sept-Oct-2018
Gothambu Payasam
Ingredients
• • • • • • • • •
Method Heat a cup of water in a small vessel. Add the jaggery cubes and melt them and set it aside. Cook the cracked wheat and water in a pressure cooker for 2 whistles or until soft. Strain the jaggery syrup and add to the cooked cracked wheat. Mix well and cook at medium heat. Stir continuously for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the jaggery is well-coated to the cracked wheat. Now, add the medium-thick coconut milk. Bring to a boil. Cook for a few minutes. Adjust the consistency ac-
Broken wheat.................................................................... 3/4 cup Jaggery.....................................250 gm (as much as your needed) Medium thick coconut milk................................................. 1 cup Thick coconut milk........................................................... 1/2 cup Cardamom powder....................................................1/4 teaspoon Cumin powder...........................................................1/4 teaspoon Chukku podi..............................................................1/4 teaspoon Ghee.......................................................................... 3 tablespoon Raisins, cashews and coconut slices.................3 tablespoon each
cording to your preference. Add the thick coconut milk. Cook for a minute at low heat. Add the cardamom powder, cumin powder and dry ginger powder. Mix well and switch off. Heat some ghee in a small pan. Fry the ‘thenga kothu’ (coconut peaces) until brown. Fry cashews and raisins. Add them to the prepared ‘payasam’. Serve warm. This tastes best the same day that it is prepared. This ‘payasam’ tends to thicken over time. If the prepared ‘gothambu payasam’ is very thick, add hot milk to dilute.
Sept-Oct-2018
47
Condensed milk Semiya Payasam Ingredients
• • • • • • •
Roasted Vermicelli....................................................1/4 cup Milk........................................................................... 4 cups Condensed milk...................................................150 grams Cashew nuts............................................................... 10nos Raisins........................................................................ 10nos Ghee................................................................... 1 teaspoon Cardamom powder............................................. 1 teaspoon
Method Heat a teaspoon of ghee, and saute the cashew nuts and raisins in the ghee until it turns golden brown. Boil milk in a pan, add the roasted vermicelli into the pan and cook it stirring until it becomes soft and tender. Once the vermicelli is cooked, add the condensed milk, and cook for around five minutes. Add cashew nuts, raisins, and cardamom powder. Serve it hot or cold.
48
Sept-Oct-2018
BE PAMPERED IN LUXURY
Indulge in luxurious stay, exquisite dining, relaxation and rejuvenation while in God’s Own Country, at the contemporary and chic Crowne Plaza Kochi. Ease of access from the International airport and central location amidst city centre make Crowne Plaza Kochi a preferred destination. The premium facilities and attractions of the hotel, make way for a comfortable and elegant stay in Kochi. Picturesque backwaters | Ayurvedic Spa therapies | Yacht cruise | Health club | Jacuzzi & Sauna Swimming pool | Authentic culinary outlets | Leisure activities | Shopping experience FOOD AND BEVERAGE OUTLETS
A unit of
XI 641A Kundanoor Junction, NH Bypass, Maradu, Ernakulam, Kerala, India - 682304 T : +91 484 2865 000 | F : +91 484 2865 111 | www.crowneplaza.com
BEAUTY
HOW DARK
CHOCOLATE HELPS IN ENHANCING YOUR
BEAUTY Do you like dark chocolate? Do you eat it for pleasure? Then, voila! You have two birds with one stone; pleasure and beauty in one wrapper. Chocolates are made of cocoa. Cocoa contains anti-oxidants like flavonoids. What even better is that dark chocolates have more antioxidants than red wine or green tea. So, here are some of the benefits of eating dark chocolate.
Skin People who eat dark chocolate have smoother skin, less redness and will remain hydrated for a very long time.
Aging prevention
Flavonoids keep the wrinkles away by ensuring elasticity. Added to that, it helps in the prevention of sun's influence. More bitter the chocolate, more flavonoids it contains.
Stress prevention Dark chocolate will help in reducing stress by controlling the hormones and ensures less collagen breakdown.
Detoxification The caffeine in the dark chocolate detoxifies your body by helping the skin pores breathe free. You can opt for a chocolate based treatment. The Monosaturated fatty acids revive body metabolism help in fat burning. You can
Dr. Elizabath Chacko, MD-Kalpana's International
Mob: 9388618112
50
Sept-Oct-2018
have chocolates to reduce body weight.
Eyesight and hair growth Some ingredients in dark chocolate help increase hair volume. Flavonoids also help in enhancing eyesight by ensuring smoother blood flow from the heart to the brain. So don't feel bad if you crave dark chocolates. It adds pleasure to the business. Stay healthy.
Sept-Oct-2018
51
TRAVELOGUE
A ‘Somalian’ Story: SILENTLY LISTENING TO THE HEARTBEAT OF AN EMBATTLED AFRICAN COUNTRY The history of loss of Somalia is not different from the history of loss of many other countries across the world, which lost their prosperity and freedom to the colonial powers.
52
Sept-Oct-2018
W
hen we think about Somalia, the first thing that comes into our mind is ‘poverty’. Why is that so? Actually, no answer is needed to that question. Like most African countries, Somalia is also an economically weak country –it still completely depends on the informal sector for their economic needs. For a change, in this edition, we love to take you to the land, which may witness an immense progress in all fronts including economical, political and social if the highly potential economic sector of tourism blesses it. Somalia, which is located in the horn of Africa, was once a very prosperous land –it was even regarded as a prime commercial centre of the continent. What happened to them? How they fell into the pit of poverty and miseries?
The history of loss of Somalia is not different from the history of loss of many other countries across the world, which lost their prosperity and freedom to the colonial powers. It was a huge mistake committed by the medieval rulers of Somalia that gifted a series of misfortunes to the people of this land. That mistake was an agreement with the Italian and British colonial powers. The colonial powers, which had initially established a trade relation, later established two independent territories inside the country. They had no mood to stop their activities with that. They continued their wicked political and military activities across the country, until almost all of the people of the land surrender their wealth and freedom before them. All those who obstructed their plans were brutally silenced during this pro-
cess –the former Dervish state’s Mohammed Abdullah Hassan had managed to project a serious threat to the colonial powers until he was completely defeated in the year 1920. After the fall of the last powerful regional leader or king or emperor, the complete control of the land reached on the hands of the Italian and British colonial powers. The western powers ruled the land independently nearly forty years. It was in the year 1960 that the country secured complete freedom. The Italian colonials were the first to leave the country in the year 1941. Followed by that, the British colonials left. Unfortunately, the state of being independent failed to bring peace and happiness into this territory, because then the country was under serious economic crisis –the colonel powers looted as much as wealth they could before
Sept-Oct-2018
53
they left the land they had been enjoying independently for several years. Undoubtedly, the poverty, unhappiness and dissatisfaction created in the Somalia society due to the land of basic financial security was the prime reason why the nation fell into the clutches of a brutal civil war in 1990s. It is not a story of loss, but is a story of gain-actually, regain. Now, this nation is in the path of true growth. The stains of the bad war and political uncertainty have almost vanished. Now, the land dreams a new future. It has long way to go. Let’s hope that the highly lucrative sector of tourism which has gifted a powerful impetus to many economies across the world will bless this country too. This African heaven has try suffered in the recent past. everything necessary to be called The city is also popular for its as an ideal tourist location. It has beaches –most of these beaches beautiful hills, attractive beaches, are ideal for spending a memoramagnifible time as they cent forests, are often less captivating crowded and war ruins, are filled with lovely people, tasty cuisine, and perfect Those who wish to get climate. a deep insight about the The city rich culture, art and heritage of Mogadishu, of primitive Somalia usually the cave art visits the mysterious of Laas Geel, city of Hargeisa. the city of Hargeisa, Berbera beaches and Kismayo national park are the five prime attractions of the African country of Somalia, which is one of the less explored countries in the region. The Somalia city of Mogadishu reflects how prosperous the country was during the medieval period. There are several medieval Islamic structures, such as mosques and tombs, in this city. It is very interesting to note that most of these structures sustained the bloody conflicts the coun-
54
Sept-Oct-2018
almost everything necessary for a traveller to feel happy, relaxed and rejuvenated. No person who visits the city forgets to get a glimpse of precious collections stored in the National Museum of Somalia, which is widely regarded as the soul of this city.
Do you know that there were inhabitants in this part of the world nearly 9000 years before the year that Jesus Christ born in the earth? The cave art of Laas Geel is the perfect proof of this fact. The pictures of animals and human beings drawn in the caves are said to have created there several thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ. No curious minds miss the chance to see this magical pictures portrayed by the primitive Somalia people. Those who wish to get a deep insight about the rich culture, art and heritage of primitive Somalia usually visits the mysterious city of Hargeisa. The Hargeisa Provisional Museum, which was founded in the year 1972, is the most popular tourist location in the city. It has a huge collection of primitive pictures, crafts and coins, and many other primitive objects. The city of Hargeisa also helps to understand how disastrous the
civil war was. There is no doubt that no other city in this part of the country suffered the kind of damage this city suffered during the civil war period. For that reason, there are several civil war ruins in the city. Lately, these ruins have helped to draw in many travellers towards the city. Most travellers love to spend a considerable time in beaches. There is no specific reason for this behavioural pattern. There is no dispute in the fact that beaches have the potential to attract all kinds of travellers –kids and adults alike. In that front also, the African country of Somalia does not fail its guests. It is one of the very few African countries which have the blessing of sea goddess –fortunately, the country has a large coastline. Interestingly, these coastlines are blessed with the abundance of coral reefs. So, the beaches of Somalia are a perfect choice for scuba diving and other
similar adventures. The Berbera beaches are the most popular beaches in the country. These beaches are less crowded, highly beautiful and extremely peaceful. Apart from all these, Somalia is also known for its wildlife. There are several reserve forests and wildlife parks in the country. These attractive locations attract numerous travellers yearly. The Kismayo National Park is one of the most popular national parks among those parks which are open for the public. Somalia is growing. At this juncture, the gifts that the nature has showered over them are nourishing its growth. Let’s support them by planning a trip to this country. It is advised that travellers seek the advice of experts before venturing into a trip to this African less explored country as there are several safety precautions they need to take before doing so
Sept-Oct-2018
55
AUTO REVIEW
VIVEK VENUGOPAL
W
hen it comes to performance, the Mercedes C43 AMG is the accepted middle ground, fitting perfectly between the standard every-day C200 petrol and the nutter spec C63 AMG. In fact, it fits rather too perfectly if you check the numbers. The standard car gets a 2.0 litre engine and the C 63 gets a 4.0 litre one; the C 43 gets a 3.0 litre engine -right in the middle. While the standard car has an inline 4 cylinder and the C 63 has a V8, the C 43 has a V6. Even the pricing is right in the middle. While the C class starts around Rs.50 lakhs and the C 63 is a whopping 150 lakhs, this is around 1 crore on road. Is that a coincidence? I don’t think so. You see, the 43 series is aimed to
56
Sept-Oct-2018
Mercedes Benz C43 AMG The C 43 also packs three stage adaptive variable damping, with new steering knuckles and load-bearing joints on the spring link at the front resulting in negative camber, and pretty much exactly the C 63's settings at the rear.
Sept-Oct-2018
57
make the AMG badge more accessible to Merc customers and appeal to a new set of buyers. This sub brand to the 63 range, is for the enthusiast who wants an exciting car with accessible performance and everyday practicality. It is what an Audi S5 is to a full on RS5. From the outside, it looks like a standard C class except for a bit more flared bumpers. The diamond studded grille has a small AMG badge and a single slat in place of the twin slat one you get in the C 63. The five spoke 18 inch wheels show big brake rotors behind them, the rear has a small boot lip spoiler and quad exhausts along with two extra vents on the bumper, but that’s it. This can almost pass off as a regular C class that has been tastefully specced. Inside, you do get more comfortable multi-way adjustable seats, contrasting red seat belts and sportier trim but the cabin is not far removed from that of a regular C class. That is a good thing,
58
Sept-Oct-2018
because this particular W205 generation of C class really raised the benchmark for cabin quality, when it came out. The design is fantastic, the quality of materials is top notch and it all feels well put together. Keen enthusiasts will notice that the C 63 gets so much sportier seats, a few more AMG badges and a 7000rpm redline instead of the 6500rpm this has. Some might say, the C 43’s engine is not handbuilt at the AMG Factory in Affalterbach, but it does get AMG specific turbos, exhaust and tuning. The 3.0 litre twin turbo V6 develops 367bhp and 520 Nm torque. It does 0-100kmph in 4.6 seconds and the performance will certainly leave you impressed. If you haven’t driven a C63, that is. Acceleration is still mega, and it doesn’t waste any of it with wheel spin. There is a constant surge and it pulls well to 6000rpm instantly. Use the paddles and you would be surprised how quickly it revs and one can only wish it had a higher
rev limit. The 9 speed automatic does a decent job, although it could have been a bit faster with the downshifts. The C 43 also sounds good although not as vocal as the 63. For most part it is calm and comfortable, but it does get rorty when you floor it, more so in the Sport Mode. The C 43 also packs three stage adaptive variable damping, with new steering knuckles and loadbearing joints on the spring link at the front resulting in negative camber, and pretty much exactly the C 63's settings at the rear. The brakes are monstrous internally ventilated compound discs with a diameter of 360mm and 320mm. The big difference is how it drives compared to a C 63 AMG. While the C 63 is a tyre shredding
Sept-Oct-2018
59
hooligan with all its power sent to the rear wheels, the C 43 has all wheel drive. And, in those days when I had it, it was pouring out there and the grip from the all wheel drive system was quite handy. You can confidently floor the accelerator midway through a corner and put all the power down without the ESP having to overwork. On a wet track, I reckon it will be even faster than the C 63. It is quite a rear biased all wheel drive system with 31:69 torque split front and rear. That said, it could be more of a playful car in the corners and save some weight by being just rear wheel drive. The steering feels pretty
60
Sept-Oct-2018
accurate although not as feelsome as some of its competition. The brakes are fantastic and stop the car from speeds without any fade whatsoever. The ride quality is slightly on the stiffer side and the suspension can send a bit of thud when you hit a broken patch unexpectedly. The tyres are also low profile, 225/45 R18 at the front and 245/40 R18 at the rear. It also sits lower than the standard car and you have to be mindful of it on big speed breakers. Despite all this, you can live with it every day. If there is a car for the proverbial, ‘you can have your cake and eat it too’, the C 43 is it
MOVIE REVIEW
Paltan
I
t is an action-packed war drama directed by J P Dutta, who is best known for making patriotic war films. The film exposes the hidden realties of Indo-China relations. It tells us why our communist neighbour is not a trust worthy partner. The film portrays a less known border conflict between India and China to explain what it wants to convey to its audience. Arjun Rampal is the central actor of the movie. Apart from Mr Rampal, Esha Gupta, Jackie Shroff, Sonal Chauhan and Harshvardhan Rane are the other popular actors who appear in the lead roles in the movie. It is evident that Mr Dutta, who is also the writer of this movie, has done an extensive research about the subject.
Manmarziyaan
I
t is a romantic drama directed by popular filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. There is no doubt that the film will be best known in future for its brilliant comedy sequences. The director assures that the movie would be an excellent entertainer. There are three prime characters in the movie: a lover, a would-be, and a girl, whose life is in between the first two. Taapsee Pannu, the actress who is popular for her brilliant acting in the highly appreciated judicial thriller Pink, is the one who performs as the central character of this movie. Apart from Ms Pannu, Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal appear in the movie as other two prime characters.
62
Sept-Oct-2018
The Predator
I
t is a science fiction movie directed by renowned filmmaker Shane Black. It is the latest movie of a popular movie series, predator. This latest one is extremely different from other movies that come under the brand of this series. A crew of ex-soldiers, which is determinant to save the world from the attack of predators, is the central character of the movie. Will they find success in their mission? It is what the film invites you to see. There are several mind-blowing action sequences in the movie. Olivia Munn, Boyd Holbrook, Sterling K Brown and Thomas Jane are the main actors who appear in the lead roles in the movie.
The Nun
I
t is a horror movie directed by talented filmmaker Corin Hardy. It is one of the most anticipated horror movies of the year 2018. The film is about a nun, who is suspected to have been murdered, and a priest, whom the Vatican bestows the duty to unveil the mystery surrounds the mysterious murder of the nun. There are several breathtaking horror sequences in the movie. The backbone of this movie is its story; it is written by two brilliant writers James Wan and Gary Dauberman. Taissa Farmiga, Bonnie Aarons, Demian Bichir, Charlotte Hope and Jonas Bloquet are the lead actors of this exceptional movie.
Sept-Oct-2018
63
BOOK REVIEW
The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for The Thoughtful Investor Author Price
: Howard Marks : Rs. 248 (Paperback)
T
he author of the book Howard Marks is a big name in the financial management sector. He is a legendary investor. The Chairman and Co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management, Mr Marks manages nearly $100 billion worth investment at present. He is a highly respected figure in the sector. This book is a perfect guide to all investors. It clearly narrates whatever things that the veteran investor has gone through in his professional life. Though it has the character of an academic piece of work, there is a significant amount of human element in it, as the writer brilliantly portrays his personal experiences along with the academic elements to give more taste to his product.
Stories At Work: Unlock the Secret to Business Storytelling Author Price
T
: Indranil Chakraborty : Rs. 319 (Hardcover)
he book unveils the art of business storytelling. The business storytelling is totally different from the common storytelling. When we tell a story to our friends, we generally do not make sure that the story lasts in his mind forever. But, when we share a story with our subordinates, colleagues, business partners, bosses or clients as a part of our effort to motivate them or give an impetus to the business, we are supposed to makes sure that the story lasts in their minds forever. The book imparts those skills necessary to articulate such stories. The books will definitely help many business leaders.
64
Sept-Oct-2018
BOOK REVIEW
The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India Author Price
: Nikhila Henry : 539 (Hardcover)
I
n the last few months, the country has witnessed several youth protests. It is the students of top Indian universities which have organised or triggered the majority of the youth protests that has jolted the country in the recent past. Isn’t it necessary to perform a detailed research about the feeling of unhappiness prevailing among a section of educated youngsters in India? The book discusses those things which might have gone into the mind of young protesters when they organised a national wide protest against those responsible for the death of Dalit PhD student Rohith Vemula, against those who branded a JNU student leader as an anti-national, and against those who hate those educated youths who dare to point out the wrongs of those in power.
Leadership: In Turbulent Times Author Price
H
: Doris Kearns Goodwin : Rs. 599 (Paperback)
ow a leader emerges? Is there any common pattern for this? Every aspiring leader loves to unveil the secret behind the emergence of leaders. The aforementioned questions are the gate way to that secret. In this book, the writer analyses the political life of four legendary leaders –Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D Roosevelt and Lyndon B Johnson- to answer several important questions surrounds the subject of leadership. It is a clear academic piece of work. The writer, who is a popular political commentator, deserves a special appreciation for the dedication she has shown to thoroughly study the four powerful leaders.
66
Sept-Oct-2018
Printed On 01/ 09/ 2018
RNI Reg No. KERENG/2011/42633