2020’s Top 6 Indian Companies

With an ease of economic crisis over the past few years, startups and new businesses seems to be flourishing with time. We have heard about several startups dying without an utterance. But these 2020’s startups has put their best foot forward to help people across the nation.

WOW

Wow! Momo, founded in 2008 is a popular food chain that has evolved so much that it has taken over several other food chains catering momos. Wow! provides their speciality in burgers and unique Tibetan food. It’s total funding rounds to $470 Million.

Zomato

Zomato just like other successful startups has become a synonym for food in general.  It’s overall funding rounds to $755.6 Million.

The Minimalist

If you want to look forward to meeting a top design and consulting agency, then Minimalist is the one to run to. It is one of the most sought-after agencies that help brands accelerate their growth strategy, design, and communication. Founded very recent, Minimalist has carved a niche in creative inventions. 

Ola Cabs

Ola Cabs has taken over the roads with turns of swiftness. We cannot imagine travelling without ola cabs. Its total funding is around $3.8 Billion. 

Nykaa

Nykaa is the perfect destination for women whose beauty needs stop right here. 

POPxo

POPxo is a widely known digital media venture. They deal with everything from fashion to lifestyle for women. They have outgrown themselves and are constantly on the radar to boost women’s confidence and their overall facade.

‘ DARK ‘ Season-3 Theories

Season 3 of Netflix’s Dark is releasing on 27th June, and the anticipation is rising. The time-bending series dropped an explosive cliffhanger at the end of season 2, which left us with a whole lot of questions. Considering how confusing the show is anyway, adding an alternate dimension was just icing on the cake. There are some theories which will leave us with  more questions than answers floating around about what happens in the final season  – check it out.

1. Winden will be removed from the timeline entirely.

Considering this is the final cycle, and the intangible knot of timelines has gotten far beyond anyone’s control, something drastic is required. Some people have posited that the town of Winden, which is at the centre of this unholy mess, will be obliterated entirely.

2.The world that alternate Martha comes from is the ‘world without time’ that Adam has been trying to create.

We don’t exactly know everything that Adam has been up to during his timeline, only the bits and pieces that we get during other people’s interactions with him. Mainly, we know he wants to create a world without time . If Adam succeeds in a part of his timeline we haven’t seen yet, then this other world would already exist, because it exists outside of time. This might be where alternate Martha comes from.

3. Helge Doppler has an injured eye in the new trailer, meaning it’s probably him from the alternate dimension.

In the dimension we’re familiar with, Helge has a ear injury (due to Ulrich, If I remember correctly). However, in the new trailer, there’s a shot of Helge with an injured eye , meaning it’s definitely alt-Helge, from the new Martha’s world.

4. Martha is Jonas’ replacement in the other world, as he does not even exist there. There’s even a shot of her wearing Jonas’ yellow coat.

According to Old Claudia, she’s seen the world without Jonas, which means he was probably never born in the alternate world. In that world, Martha lives Jonas’ life.

5. The shot of Stranger/Jonas working on a God Particle in the past could mean he’s accepted his role in founding Sic Mundus and ultimately becoming Adam.

The Stranger, from the post-apocalypse version is shown in the trailer working on a God Particle machine in the distant past under the church.

This could mean he’s decided to follow the path to becoming Adam.

6. The pendant Jonas found near the lake in 2019 belonged to Hannah , who was drowned there by someone while stuck in the 1950s.

In a photo of the filming of 3 season, Hannah has a pendant around her neck, which Jonas found on the lake in 2019. Bartoz spoke of the legend of a dead woman on the lake that grabs people by the legs. It is possible that Katharina, wanting revenge, murdered Hannah while they were both in the 50s.

7. It is theorised that the new trio seen in the trailer is made up of the real Aleksander Tiedemann, or an alt-world Mads Nielsen.

The kid who plays Mads and the child seen in the trailer, burning shit up like a pro, bear a striking resemblance. Similarly, the resemblance between Aleksander and the character seen is also quite notable. Considering his strange and unexplained history in the show, it’s a possibility.

8. Time moves backwards in the alternate world, and everything there goes in reverse.

There are 2 examples of this in the trailer – one is where Jonas is running backwards, and another is of Martha crying and tears going up her eyes. However, that is quite an impractical scenario, so let’s see.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned though, it’s that this show is always ready to surprise you, no matter how many theories you read online. So let’s wait and watch!

Source: YouTube.

WET MARKETS: The ugly truth

These markets have caused mayhem and a word of caution has been spread across the whole world in relation to them, they have been in the picture for a long time and also have become a host to the world’s deadliest pandemic.But their eradication can lead to a cultural and an economic crisis as well.

Wet market is a type of market which sells putrescible goods which includes a diversity of meats from sea food to poultry, the price ranges are overwhelming, one can find the rarest of meats and it’s definitely a jaw dropping sight to behold.

As we spread our raging voices over social media, through protests and education over animal rights and preserving and protecting endangered species and animal conservation, there will always be a component which we will be unable to change, and in this case it’s the wet markets.

It’s a million dollar business, the merchants, dealers and middle men earn thousands in a day under this trivial and disturbing business. It contributes greatly to any economy and is one of the important factors when it comes to the export and import in case of businesses as it can escalates both imports and exports and lead to an extraordinary rise in the market economy. The existence of wet markets is not a new trend but rather a very old one and they have been a part of the society from ages and continue to expand.

Most of Southeast Asia has wet markets all over the counties be it China, Malaysia, Indonesia or Japan etc. and even in certain parts of India .These wet markets are host to selling meat from all kinds of animals be it wild or even endangered animals such as bears, pangolin, bats, dogs, snakes, exotic bird species, diverse sea animals and even monkeys.

                     

These wet markets which are lurking with unique meats and other items can be eye opening  for many of us who  have heard or seen them for the first time and can also come as a shock when we hear about the items being sold inside the market, but for many southeast Asians these are a common sight, these markets have consumers coming on a regular basis to buy fresh produce, besides meat they also do sell unusual herbs as well. And one can actually find fresh produce at whole sale prices most of the times.

People who buy from the wet markets generally buy products in bulk and hence majority of the consumer who are regular visitors completely depend on these markets. As most of the people living in towns and tiny villages and cities are everyday visitors of these markets, they are part of the community and hold a strong connection with the people.

Most of the restaurant and hotel owners buy their fresh ingredients for some of their extravagant delicacies from wet markets, hence the value which wet markets hold is quite high and eradicating them completely from the picture would put millions of lives at stake as not only will the regular consumers be effected but even the merchants along with the economy will also be affected.

It’s the wet markets which have been blamed for the spread of the current pandemic which has engulfed the world with chaos and has been blamed for the life changing calamity, these markets are not well kept they are crowded and there is hardly any space to walk around in the compact area of these markets, when it comes to hygiene maintenance its very low and the meat being sold has a very low shelf life hence have to be displayed in certain manner, which makes them a host to numerous faults and they have the capacity to start many epidemics. These markets don’t even meet the demands which a regulated and inspected market should have. But China along with many other countries is not ready to put a permanent lock on this business as it will disrupt the financial system of their countries.

Many have signed petitions to put an end to these markets forever but looking at the consequences which affect the population and economy people are not willing to wipe them completely from the picture.

Abdhi Upadhyay

What is Emotional Intelligence?

According to help guide, emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive and healthy ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. Emotional intelligence helps you into building stronger relationships, succeed at school and work, and achieve your career and personal goals. 

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is commonly defined by four characteristics: 

  1. Self-Awareness – Self-awareness is being aware of your emotional feelings and how they affect your mood and behaviour. Also, being aware of your strengths and weaknesses. 
  2. Self-Management – Managing and balancing your feelings, emotions and behaviours in healthy ways is known as self-management
  3. Social Awareness – Social awareness is having empathy towards others and understanding their emotions and needs. 
  4. Relationship Management – Maintaining good relationships with people around you by minimising conflict, communicating clearly and inspiring others to work well is called relationship management. 

“Well, if I talk about the scenario related to emotional intelligence I would like to share how a friend of mine became my personal diary when I was suffering from personal family issues. I was in grade 7th and the situation of the family was not really good as we were having a major financial crisis. My dad was the sole earner for the whole family and it was pretty difficult for us to survive as the business faced a huge loss that year. I was not able to be vocal about this to anyone. I had been feeling anxious and low all time which was pretty visible over my face and my activities. I couldn’t focus on my studies and other stuff. Also, my mental peace was unhealthy at that time and I used to feel broken from inside as we were helpless. My family asked help from people but no one came forward. However, I had a friend in my class who was really kind and generous. She actually talked to me about it and gave me a safe space where I could put my thoughts forward. So, I was literally comfortable with her and told her about everything that me and my family had been facing. So, she tried to console me and helped me to get out of the trauma that I was living in. So, here she helped me to get aware of my own self and helped me with every possible thing she could at that time. This was one of the best experiences where I could find the emotional intelligence of an individual. Also, I think this was both a positive and a negative experience for me. As, I faced both the sides of the coin. However, the result was pretty cool and we managed to get out of the trauma and issues that we were facing.”

This was the story of a friend of mine who had shared his experience with me. I am sure there must be people around you who don’t have anyone to share their thoughts or problems. Try talking to someone who might seem a little upset. Even if you don’t solve their issue, listening to them might just make a change. If these thoughts are left inside to build up, they might cause mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, bipolar etc. It’s a tough world out there, so the least we all can do is be there for each other and try to make a change. Mental health is just as important, if not more important than physical well being. 

 

Jogi Ji- The first CM of Chhattisgarh.

Ajit Promod Kumar Jogi (April 29, 1947- May 29, 2020) was the first Chief Minister of the state of Chhattisgarh India, soon after the new state of Chhattisgarh was carved out( 1 Nov 2000) from Madhya Pradesh. As a CM he served from 1 November 2000 to 7 December 2003, a total duration of 3 years and 34 days. He has been a part of the Indian National Congress till 6 June 2016. He gave a boosting start as a CM of the state. He was known as one of the most intellectual politicians due to his education as well as amazing communication skills in Hindi, English, Chhattisgarhi.


From a graduate to a political leader.

https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/magazine/states/story/20170717-chattisgarh-government-ajit-jogi
-tribal-st-certificate-caste-politics-1023027-2017-07-08


In 1968 he achieved a gold medal in Mechanical Engineering from Maulana Azad College of Technology, Bhopal. (NIT Bhopal ). Simultaneously, he worked as a lecturer for one year (1967-68) at Government Engineering College Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He later got a degree of law from Delhi University and cleared Civil Services and became an IPS. He didn’t stop till then, after a span of one and a half years he was chosen as an IAS officer. Jogi administered and set a record of the longest-serving Collector/District Magistrate for over 12 years at Sidhi, Shahdol, Raipur and Indore districts of Madhya Pradesh from 1974 to 1986. While serving as a DM of Indore, he got a call from the Prime Minister of that time ie Rajiv Gandhi, and offered him to join politics(not confirmed, some reports also say it was Arjun Singh’s proposal to join politics ) and then his journey as a political leader began.

Political career.
1986-Jogi started up his political career in 1986 when he came to be a member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on the interest of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
1987-He was elected as General Secretary, Pradesh Congress Committee, Madhya Pradesh.
1998-Elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) to the 12th Lok Sabha for the Raigarh community in Chhattisgarh.
1998–2000-Spokesman, AICC, Whip, Congress Parliamentary Party, Working President, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee.
2000–2003-Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. After 2003 congress was defeated by the BJP and led to the end of his journey as a CM.
2004-He was elected as MP in the 14th Lok Sabha for Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh.
2008-Elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Chhattisgarh, symbolizing the Marwahi constituency.
2009-Jogi confirmed as a Lok Sabha member Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund constituency after getting chosen in 2009 Lok Sabha Elections. Jogi, however, failed to retain his seat in the 2014 LS polls and lost to BJP’s Chandu Lal Sahu by 133 votes.
https://www.oneindia.com/politicians/ajit-jogi-58161.html
2016- He established a new political outfit Chhattisgarh Janata Congress.
What led to the formation of a new party in 2016? In 2016, Ajit Jogi and his son Amit Jogi were expelled from Indian National Congress for anti-party activities and destroying by-polls in Antagarh, Chhattisgarh. His son Amit was eliminated from the Congress party for 6 years. This is considered as the main reason for shifting his assistance to a newly formed party.

Health and death. In 2004, a year after his defeat from BJP, he met with a terrible accident which resulted in leaving him partially disabled, though he never gave up! On May 9, 2020, he suffered a cardiac arrest and hurried to Sri Narayana Hospital in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He was in a coma and put on a ventilator. After battling for 20 days, he expired to multiple heart attacks and breathed his last on 29 May 2020.

He is truly an inspiration from achieving a gold medal then serving as an IAS, and thereafter
performing his duties as the first Chief Minister of Chattisgarh!

INDIA MOVING TOWARDS SELF RELIANCE

Progress of India towards self-reliance is governed by certain pressing issues and their timely solution to achieve self-reliance. India has succeeded in keeping the rate of spread of Coronavirus which has caused a lot of injury to the social and emotional status of the society and created obstacles for India in achieving the aim of becoming self-reliant and seek self-sustenance.

If we look back to the days when economic reforms were introduced in the 1990s that gradually brought improved result in bringing the economy on the right track and resulted in improvement in the living standards of the people. However, we could have put in more thrust on technological and related advancements. This lacuna surfaced because of the trade policy on import and export of the goods.

The Central Government is now focusing more on development of infrastructure, usage of technology to optimum, upliftment of human resources. This is the right time when India can revive the economy by bringing about some major changes in the usage of available resources with the help of penning down new methodologies.

Issues that have caused hindrance for India’s progress towards self-reliance are; keeping away from full open markets that aligned with globalization, rate of production and manufacture, China playing an indispensable role in the Indian economy, Centre-State face off in concurrent sectors particularly agriculture.

If we shift our focus towards the solutions available to us viz. the availability of trained and skilled workforce for self-sustenance, shifting the dependence of manufacturing from China to India. India has a considerable young population strength that can be trained to attract new investments from global manufacturing giants. Optimum utilization of Indian human resource can set a new trend in the global economy. India is a ground for development and also a market with a huge potential for finished goods.

India possesses relevant aspects for generating the demand and consumption of the supply which can boost Indian self-sustenance. At the same time, while striking the balance between opening more areas for investment, India needs to seek healthy competition among the local and regional level. An opportunity to recognize the scattered local expertise of the Indian people in creating hand made useful things.

Policies can be framed to give more inclination towards local innovative crafts and skills so that they survive capitalism. Increasing control over agricultural products, defence sector, public health system and developing an indigenous chain of supply will enhance the self-sustenance. Increasing transparency in government purchase system adopting global procurement standards can enhance the rate of provision of material for expecting real-time growth.

India can focus on areas where it can shoulder the leadership and invite the investors. Usage of technology for the growth of Indian subcontinent is still underexplored. The world has turned virtual and advancement towards artificial intelligence and automation is the need of the hour. Hence, it can be summed up that framing real-time policies that focus more on meeting the results and adequate pumping of resources for proper development of education sector, health sector and catering for training the human resources will take India a step closer to achieve self-reliance.

Live and Let Live : Heartbreaking Kerala Elephant News Exclusive >>>>>

Is really humanity is left is this world? This is the question that is there in mind because seeing around the world it seems like now humanity is left just in words. When we hear a news like an incident in Kerala it just seems like where we are today are we in our dreams where we are not got effected by our pain , just running in this world  behind the frame, pride and especially money.

Are we really lost in this world? Are we really getting caught in this world’s rattrap? Where everybody just competing for its place in this world but just tell me one thing. Are we humans alone in this planet? Are we only responsible to take forward the earth or we needs other creatures to maintain and to balance this ecosystem? I think we all know the answer of all these questions.

If a person needs both oxygen and water as crucial things to survive in this beautiful world likewise our mother nature also requires humans as well as animals and trees to maintain an ecosystem balance. Like the incident happened in Kerala with the pregnant mother elephant there are many incident taking place all around the world with the innocent animals and we humans are only responsible for it.

Credit: Third Party Reference

Just imagine a condition that a human mother is pregnant and if by the case the animals attack that lady so what we call that animal, what we will do with that animal and the sure answer is that almost 90 percent people will kill that animal calling her demon. Now you only think that are we people should not be called as demon and instead of killing that human or harming the human community that innocent lady elephant went to the water and taken its last breath in silence.

If any human were in her place he/ she should have taken the world in its head. See the difference between a humans and a animal, Remember it the same community which you all enjoy eating, remember that fish , she belongs to the same community she is the one who you catch first from the water bodies then fry her and then enjoy in your plate, remember that hen, remember the other creatures you all have enjoyed eating.

Are they not innocent? What was their crime, this that they are the small creatures and you are the humans, who always takes everything in granted, what was their crime? This that they are weak and you are strong. This was their crime? The right answer is that you all are just blank, completely blank hearing these questions. Are we have not got enough things to eat or is our mother nature is not able to fulfil the requirements of these greedy humans because these humans can kill the innocent animals just for their fun.

Credit: Third Party Reference

After that incident I have seen and heard many people’s just shouting for the justice of that innocent lady elephant, writing articles, putting stories for the justice without realising their own activities. Out of all who want to give justice to that innocent lady elephant, 90 percent are non-vegetarian; they enjoyed having those innocent animals in their plate. Are they not the criminals of all those innocent animals which they have enjoyed eating in their plates? Who have given them right to shout for other persons punishment.

I say that the person who has committed the Kerala’s incident should get the strict punishment but the other peoples should also realise that where they are today? There where they want innocent animals to survive, they kill other innocent animals so that they can live happily and can enjoy non-vegan meals. It’s the not the topic to debate it’s the topic to think from your inner self that are you not the criminals of many of those innocent animals? Sit in silence and think and the right answer will come from your inner self. Just sit and think and if your answer is not “Live and Let Live”. So I don’t know where you are? And who you are? Human or……..     

SDG 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

Ideas, commerce, science, culture, productivity thrive at cities. More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. By 2020 two thirds of the world’s population (6.5 billion) will be urban. The increasing shift of rural to urban population because of various factors like job opportunities is called as urbanization.[1] However the development of cities comes with its own share of challenges. Cities which occupy only 2-3 % of earths land accounts for earths land account for around 60 -80 percent of energy consumption. The increasing number of slums has become a significant feature of urbanization. Over 1 billion people currently live in slums, with the number of slum dwellers only expected to grow in the coming decades. The less developed countries or developing which have grater rates of urbanization are host to majority of the slums.[2] The growth rate of urban areas in the developing countries are 2 % while it is 0.5 % in the developing countries.[3] Most of these countries however has failed to develop adequate infrastructure for these growing urban population. The number of slum dwellers is projected to increase to 2 billion by 2030 and to 3 billion by 2050 if current trends persist (UN-Habitat, 2010).[4] The presence of slums has regional and global implications, impacting areas such as education, health and child mortality, and political and social exclusion, among many other things.[5] This necessitates efficient urban planning and management and culturally inspiring cities and inclusive green cities for future. There is a need for a rapid shift to a sustainable way in the process of creation of our urban spaces. Jobs and opportunities should be created without burdening available land and resources.

The UN explains:” The challenges cities face can be overcome in ways that allow them to continue to thrive and grow, while improving resource use and reducing pollution and poverty. The future we want includes cities of opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.”

SDG 11 in Indian Context

India, which will be third largest economy just behind china and U.S.A by 2025 is one of the fastest growing economies of the world.[6] India has witnessed a very high increase in its urban population. According to 2011 census, the urban population in India is around 31 % while it was at 11% according to 1911 census. Various statistics points to the fact Indians urban population has increased by 91 million between 2001 and 2011. Most of the Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai faces the problem of congestion.  Also this goals holds great importance in Indian context as Mumbai is home to one the world’s largest slum, Dharavi which expands over an area of 2.1 square kilometers and has a population of about 700,000. 17% percent of urban population in India lives in slums, Delhi being the most polluted capital of the world again this year again and more alarmingly India is home to 21 of the of the 30 cities in the world, there are repeated instances of floods in Chennai .Further there are numerous cases of repeated prosecution of Bangladeshi immigrants in Kolkata.

Migrants who come to cities from villages looking for better jobs and opportunities end up homeless due to various reasons like financial problems, unemployment, natural calamities etc. They end up living in small huts made of straws, plastic, polythene etc. Majority of them live in very deplorable conditions without even basic necessities like toilet food and clothes.[7] 13 %   percent of the urban households doesn’t even have basic sanitary toilets.[8]

Efficient management of slums is essential towards this SDG as growth of slums has harmful ramifications on both humans and environment which are interlinked and not severable. Slum dwellers are vulnerable to threats like natural calamities and manmade disaster and these have direct impact on them[9].Their weak economic status makes it nearly impossible or extremely difficult for them to recover from the natural calamities. On the other hand, slum residents themselves can impact their environment due to lack of basic services, which results in contaminated soil and polluted air and waterways. This results in a perpetuated cycle of decline for both slum dwellers and the environment.[10]

This can be ascribed to the fact that the capacity of slum dwellers to recover from disasters are very low compared to formal communities.[11] Hence, increase in number of slums can be a serious challenge to sustainable development and we need efficient urban governance to combat this.

Conclusion

The challenge and responsibilities of achieving the Sustainable  Development Goal 11 are domineering in India. Urbanization must usher in a process of inclusive economic growth and counter the trends in inter and intra-urban inequalities that have grown at an alarming rate. It is expected that the Goal will be achieved through an urban development strategy, which allows all stakeholders, especially the currently marginalized and excluded sections to participate actively in social and economic life. Govt’s policies, programmes and schemes need to ensure that there is universal access to safe and affordable housing, basic amenities and open green spaces. The strategy must include components aimed at upgradation of slums, improvements in urban planning and management practices to make them participatory and inclusive, safeguarding the heritage and protecting the citizenry against natural disasters.

Despite the fact that India has done well on many sustainable development goals and climate goals, much is yet desired to achieve sustainable development in the real sense. First and foremost is the need for a clear road map to implement the policies to achieve with identified roles for the state governments, and a monitoring mechanism to measure progress. It also needs to draw up a quick plan to overcome the want for quality data. Public education and awareness are second to none in terms invoking agency of people in achievement of sustainable cities and communities. The goal is more complex than to be achieved by the policies and government programmes alone. We thus need to harness energy, understand and  involve participation of all stakeholders including the NGOs to make sustainable development a reality.

SDG Naga

[1]Pti, “India Poised to Become Third-Largest Consumer Market: WEF” (The Economic TimesJanuary 9, 2019) <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/india-poised-to-become-third-largest-consumer-market-wef/articleshow/67450935.cms?from=md&gt; accessed April 30, 2020

[2]Admin, “Invisible Urban Poor: The Pavement Dwellers of India” (Counterview.OrgDecember 7, 2019) <https://counterview.org/2019/12/07/invisible-urban-poor-pavement-dwellers-of-india/#_ftnref1&gt; accessed April 30, 2020

[3] IndiaSpend, “Every Indian To Have Toilet In Next 365 Days: Official Data. Under The Surface, A Crisis” (BloombergQuintOctober 2, 2018) <https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/every-indian-to-have-toilet-in-next-365-days-official-data-under-the-surface-a-crisis&gt; accessed April 30, 2020

[4] “Informal Settlement Integration, the Environment and Sustainable Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa” <http://www.grif.umontreal.ca/pages/irec% 20papers/napier.pdf.>

[5] Ali, M. H., & Sulaiman, M. S. (2006). The causes and consequences of the informal settlements in Zanzibar.

XXIII Congress of the International Federation of Surveyors, Munich, Germany, Retrieved from https://

http://www.fig.net/resources/proceedings/fig_proceedings/fig2006/papers/ts35/ts35_01_ali_sulaiman_0320.pdf.

[6] Ajibade, I., & McBean, G. (2014). Climate extremes and housing rights: A political ecology of impacts, early

warning and adaptation constraints in Lagos slum communities. Geoforum, 55, 76–86. doi:10.1016/j.

geoforum.2014.05.005

[7] “Cities – United Nations Sustainable Development Action 2015” (United Nations) <https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/&gt; accessed April 30, 2020

[8] McGranahan, Gordon, and David Satterthwaite. Urbanisation Concepts and Trends. International Institute for Environment and Development, 2014, http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep01297. Accessed 7 Apr. 2020.

[9] Ibid.

[10] “Millennium Development Goals Report 2015 | Latest Major Publications – United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs” (United Nations) <https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/publications/mdg-report-2015.html&gt; accessed April 30, 2020

[11] Authors UN-HABITAT, “State of the World’s Cities 2010/2011- Cities for All: Bridging the Urban Divide: UN-Habitat” (UN) <https://unhabitat.org/state-of-the-worlds-cities-20102011-cities-for-all-bridging-the-urban-divide&gt; accessed April 30, 2020

Cotton College to Cotton University, Prestigious Institution in Guwahati: Journey Completed more than a Century

This message is from Sri M.P. Bezbaruah, IAS (R) , 1964 batch alumnus of Cotton College, who was in very important positions in India and abroad.

Dear Shri Chatterjee,
Thank you for introducing Cotton College, my alma mater with history and facts. Cotton College brings back sweet memories of times so long ago!
And how time flies. Only the other day I had attended the Centenary celebration of the college. Everything about Cotton College –the Sudmerson Hall, the Principal’s
Residence, the now demolished Administrative Block— has illustrious history. When Harvard University, also my Alma Mater, celebrated its 350 years in 1986
it had fireworks emblazoning its logo in the sky. Time magazine wrote -Harvard can afford to do that because it rightly belongs there.
I had written that Cotton College also can write its glorious history in the educational sky of India.
regards,
Bezbaruah

Does CONNECTIVITY really means DISCONNECTION ?

I FEAR THE DAY WHEN TECHNOLOGY WILL SURPASS OUR HUMAN INTERACTION. THE WORLD WILL HAVE A GENERATION OF IDIOTS

~ALBERT EINSTEIN

Our era has come to see the vital importance of digital technology in our daily lives. It allows us to unlock a huge collection of information and communication data. Each kind of task, be it a regular task or a job specific task requires digital proficiency or literacy. Digital literacy can be defined as “the ability to use digital technology, communications tools, and or networks to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information in order to function in a knowledge society.

The utilization of digital devices such as computers, TV, mobile phones and video game has escalated substantially over the past few years globally. Technology has helped humanity get things done faster and there is no doubt or shortage of recognition of these increased benefits to mankind.

How far both Digital media and social media have become integrated in the lives of most of the global population is shown here as at 31st March 2011, with the exception of some third world countries such as Liberia and Ethiopia. At the other end of the scale Asia has the largest percentage of internet user at 44% of all users globally from its population of 3.8 billion, a penetration of 24%. China is by far the highest population of users at 485 million and India at 100 million.

We live in a digital environment ; just short of being pixelated or virtual ourselves, the things around us continue to get smarter, faster, more accurate and the connection becoming increasingly more digital. Customer relationships are digital; Business channels are digital; Our conversations are digital, and our social interactions are slowly being affected by this digital world. With the existing of new and emerging technologies through the past decade, it is an undeniable fact that digital technologies have made a significant  contribution to improvements in our lives. It has made our lives effortless, placing more of our daily activities to the online web and being able to communicate across long distances. For example, currently being on exchange has allowed me to connect with my family back home via FaceTime an online video application.

Computer systems and the Internet have altered human interactions arguably in the most critical ways when compared to non-computer technological systems that have been developed in the last few centuries. The alterations in how humans communicate with each other in the modern day – which is largely via smart apps, through the Internet/WiFi – has both good and bad consequences. The wide availability of Internet-capable smart devices means that it is now possible for loved-ones to be in close contact wherever they are on earth 

While technology-

  • has helped bridging a global gap by connecting people via the digital world, This bridge has allowed multitudes to learn about the world, and connect with others, in ways that were previously impossible
  • The Internet has also provided endless source of resources, educational materials, and learning systems for people to learn or work from their own home, without interacting with anyone
  • Additionally, for social interactions, people often meet friends or dates using apps, from the convenience and comfort of their own home. This is contrasted with a previous age of meeting friends and dates via day-to-day mingling outside of one’s own home.

As technology are becoming more prevalent in everyday life, the assessment of technology’s presence in relationships and its impact on how humans interact with one another is an emerging area of study. There are diff outlooks on the relationship between technology and human interactions and relationships. It is purported that the integration of technologies in everyday life can have intense effects on human relationships.

Nevertheless, the downsides of technologies cannot be ignored; which is why I will be discussing the negative implications that the digital technology can bring into the social face-to-face interactions of our relationships today.

Humans are made to form relationships since we have an innate longing to share our lives with family, friends and partners. This social interaction is important but often intricate as people take in face to face communication in different ways. The nature of social interaction has changed as technological advances have provided new methods of contact. Consider the evolution from in-person contact and letter writing to the telegraph and telephone and, most recently, to ever more individualized and electronic forms of contact such as cell phones, video calls and social media (e.g., Facebook). We know very little about how different forms of communication influence social relations, health, and well-being. However today, instead of spending time in person with friends, we are consistently choosing to communicate via online mechanisms such as applications like Facebook, IMessage, Snapchat and Instagram. These four are only some of the new ways that offer ways of interaction and engagement allowing us to be as physically close to one another as possible in a virtual world

Technology has both eliminated a gap and created one. Virtual distance is the phenomenon where people are physically together but detached from each other due to being completely absorbed with their technological device. This is called Virtual Distance. Additionally, modern Technology is often linked to an over exposure to EMFs, and is linked to excessive blue light exposure, while developing children not only face possible cognitive changes due to constant exposure to the above factors, but often grow up in a possibly more isolated manner due to constantly being “wired” to their smart devices instead of physically spending time with friends.

 However, the biggest difference: conversations that happen over technology lack content. You never really know when someone is being sarcastic, funny, or serious. Misunderstandings, miscommunication and assumptions impact how we view others, and happen very often when there is no face-to-face communication. Online contact still falls short and fails to deliver personal touch despite all these advances

Conversations that now happen through social media and have taken the place of traditional interactions is causing people to leave their houses less and less since they do not need to leave to communicate with others. This can lead to social isolation.

  • High level of usage of Digital Technologies are associated with decline in communication within family members.
  • Domestication of Digital Technologies in household & technologisation of childhood has led to a bedroom culture & digital divide in a negative way
  • There is an individualism & privatization within a household regarding digital technologies

It is not uncommon for people to prefer texting instead of actually meeting, or at the very least, calling and thus hearing another human voice. It is also not uncommon for people to walk around, or even sit with others, head bowed to their digital device without saying a word or even noticing anything about anyone else. Human interactions and relationships have thus largely decreased, while intimacy and human-to-human interactions have been replaced with human-to-machine interactions. Technology has helped to modify human behavior by creating a gap between people and reducing intimacy. In an age where robots and AI are slowly replacing humans within the workplace, this interaction between humans and machines is only set to increase.

One of the main areas of interaction that has been impacted by Virtual Distance and technology besides parenting is dating. With the advent of popular dating apps like Tinder, people do not utilize social skills to meet potential mates, but simply swipe through a “catalog” of people. Additionally, ghosting (simply disappearing from the digital world when one is no longer interested) is often very prevalent, which results from a lack of social skills – or courage – to end a relationship in the old fashioned way. Thus, virtual distance directly results in the reduction of refined social skills that was previously universal.

CONNECTIVITY REALLY MEANS DISCONNECTION

Though technology has helped to bridge global gaps, devices and social media/messaging apps, for instance, have largely helped to create a larger disconnect between people. Increased isolation, decrease in social interaction and social skills, and increased human-to-machine interactions are all a result of an excessive use of technology, which has created a wall between many people globally

Giving Back – Orlando Supports Local Ronald McDonald House

Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life.  It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient.  It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.” – Dorothy Height
Giving back to the community is not a special event, but rather a part of who we are here at Herzing University.
Last month, the Caring and Community Committee from Herzing’s Orlando Campus volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida (RMHCCF). This amazing organization provides a home away from home for families receiving medical care in the local area.
We were inspired by the fact that 60% of this charity’s recipients are central Florida residents. We share their sense of responsibility to be an active, rather than reactive, member of this great community!
The Caring & Community Committee, made up of faculty and staff, purchased groceries and prepared a delicious home-cooked meal consisting of baked ziti, salad and breadsticks. It was an amazing experience to see families with such strength of character in the face of serious illnesses.
At Herzing University, community service isn’t just part of who we are, it’s how we learn and grow. So, we encourage you to find a cause that you believe in and give back.
About the Author: Heatherann Antonacci, MBA, has dedicated the past seven years living out the mission of Herzing University as Campus President of Herzing – Orlando. As a single mother of two, Heatherann went to college as an adult learner. She knows firsthand the benefits of higher education. An advocate for building self-confidence and physical strength in young girls, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Orlando Chapter of Girls on the Run, among other leadership and advocacy roles in the Orlando area.  

Stop the Nonsense – The MBA Market Is Not Flooded!

It’s hard to imagine that anyone would suggest that pursuing a better future through education is a bad thing.
Yet, there are some critics – in the media, government and even in academia – who would want people to believe that there are too many people pursuing a master’s degree in business, often referred to as an MBA.
As Dean of Graduate Programs at Herzing University, I have tracked articles written by alarmists who are questioning the continued value of obtaining an MBA degree. These articles try to scare readers into believing that the job market is saturated with MBA holders.
I acknowledge that during the “Great Recession” of 2008-2009 many people with advanced degrees became unemployed and had struggled to find that corner office job again. But it’s important to recognize that many more individuals with undergraduate degrees or no degree at all lost their jobs and are competing for jobs against those with MBAs.
The evidence today supports the value of the MBA degree across all regions of the United States, including the job demand for well educated, critical-thinking, problem-solving leaders.
In Akane Otani’s January 7, 2015, article in Bloomberg Business, “Salaries for Business School Graduates Will Go Up in 2015,” Otani reported that more-than-half of the 169 employers who responded to a survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council said that they will raise beginning salaries for newly hired MBAs to match inflation. Otani’s article also identified that almost 20 percent of the employers indicated that they would increase salaries to exceed inflation. In addition, 72 percent of the companies expect to hire MBAs in 2015, as compared with 69 percent in 2014. I may be wrong, but rising entry-level salaries and increased hiring across almost three-quarters of the economy are not on the list of supply glut indicators.
A more recent article by Andrew Eder on March 2, 2015, published by BBC about a Wisconsin business college, shared that it had seen job postings for MBA graduates increase 36 percent in 2015. One business dean quoted in that article stated, “It’s going to be a (graduating) students’ market for the next 15-plus years.” In support of Eder, during the May 2015 “Association for Talent Development (ATD) Conference” in Orlando, Fla., the sentiment about the future prospects for MBA graduates from over a dozen attending college and university representatives was optimistic.
In Eder’s article, Barbara Hewitt, Senior Associate Director of Career Services at the Wharton School, stated that its MBA graduates only had a 4.2 percent unemployment rate six months following graduation – almost the exact findings reported by Herzing University. Strong employability prospects are probably the best reason to earn an MBA.
My advice is that the next time you see an article headline questioning the value of the MBA in today’s market, don’t waste your time with alarmist rhetoric. The evidence is clear. The evidence is convincing. The opportunities for the prepared MBA graduate are here today. The economy is growing, businesses are hiring, and competition from undergraduates will increase. It is your time… your money…your career… it is time to further your career with an MBA.
Dr. Ron Kern is the Dean of Graduate Programs at Herzing University. He previously served as Dean of Graduate Programs at Kaplan University and Dean of Academic Affairs at the Fischler School of Education and Human Services at Nova Southeastern University. He is a frequent speaker in the areas of graduate business, nursing and education degrees; doctoral dissertation completion; and Hispanic attainment and success in higher education.

BASICS OF A MICROBIOLOGY LAB

Microbiology is the study of microbes i.e. the organisms which we can’t see with the naked eyes. Although many microorganisms are beneficial for the human use, some are pathogenic also which causes diseases. Clinical Microbiological Laboratory is concerned with finding of those infectious, pathogenic microbes.

MATERIALS USED IN MICROBIOLOGY LAB
Laminar flow hood, Incubator, Autoclave, Refrigerator, Bunsen Burner, Wire loop, Petri plates, Glass slides, Weighing balance, Media plates, Sensitivity disks, Staining rack, Microscope, Bio safety Cabinet, Centrifuge etc.

INTRODUCTION TO DIFFERENT MEDIA
Some of the media used in the microbiology lab are :

  1. MacCONKEY AGAR : It is the selective and differential media used for the isolation of Gram-negative Bacteria. This media can be used for differentiating Lactose fermenting and Non-lactose fermenting bacteria.
  2. BLOOD AGAR : It is the enriched media for the growth of bacteria such as streptococci.
  3. CHOCOLATE AGAR : It is the lysed Blood Agar. The only difference in blood agar and chocolate agar is that in blood agar RBCs are lysed. This enriched media is suitable for the growth of bacteria that are unable to grow on Blood Agar.
  4. THIOSULFATE CITRATE BILE SALT AGAR (TCBS) : It is the selective as well as differential media for the growth of vibrio cholerae , a causative organism for cholera.

GRAM STAINING
Gram staining is the process for differentiating Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. When the whole procedure of gram stain is followed and the slide is observed under the microscope, Gram positive bacteria appear Violet in color and Gram negative bacteria appear Pink in color.
For the gram staining we need Glass slide, Normal Saline, Inoculating loop, Bunsen burner, Crystal Violet, Gram’s Iodine, Acetone, Safranine.

PROCESS :

  1. The isolated colony of the microorganism is taken and in the drop of normal saline on the glass slide the colony is mixed with the help of inoculating loop to make a smear. The prepared smear is heat fixed.
  2. A staining rack is taken and on the smear, Crystal Violet is added. After 1 minute, the stain was removed by washing the slide in running water.
  3. After that, Gram’s Iodine is added on the smear as a decolorizing agent which is again washed after 1 minute under the running tap water.
  4. The next step is to add Acetone on the smear which is added in the hand to hand process.
  5. After the decolorisation is done, Safranine is added on the smear which is also washed after 1 minute.
  6. The glass slide is then air dried and observed under the microscope.

RESULTS :
It was observed under the microscope that the Gram positive bacteria appear Violet in color due to Crystal Violet stain whereas Gram negative bacteria appear Pink in color due to safranine.

TESTS ANALYZED
The tests analyzed in the microbiology section of the laboratory are basically the culture and sensitivities tests of urine, stool, sputum, pus swab etc.
The basic procedure of performing all the tests are :

  1. First of all, all the tests are performed inside the laminar flow hood.
  2. The samples collected from the patients and the media plates are kept inside the laminar flow.
  3. The inoculating wire loop is heat sterilized and with the help of it, the samples are cultured or streaked on the media plates.
  4. After inoculation, the cultured media plates are incubated for 24 hours (48 hours if necessary) for allowing the growth of bacteria.
  5. After the growth, staining is done or sensitivities are checked according to the requirement by the doctor.
  6. The report is prepared for the patient.

INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

Although we are developing in the other sectors but our education system is still not developing. And if we talk about the future of education system, it totally depends on how we are developing our education system at present. If we see our way of teaching and our institution both are lacking in fulfilling student’s needs.

As we know and many psychologists had also proven that good learning depends on how much the child is satisfied with their basic needs and their surrounding environment. But if we look at the facilities present in government and public school, the facility is very poor. Schools don’t have proper drinking water, toilets which lead to droupout of many students especially girls when they start menstruating. Some schools even don’t have proper desks and fans in school. We can sit for even an hour without fan, cooler or AC so, how can we expect these children to study in these conditions.

Apart from that if we talk about the teaching style and the curriculum, there are many things which are lacking in these. In our schools, education means making our children learn or we can se memorize theories and facts so that they can clear exams. Teacher teach them by giving stimulus and the children only have to respond. They condition students to behave in a certain way, where there is no use of mind. So in our schools, children (humans) are taught to memorize and write exams and taught in the same way as animals are taught to do stunts in circus i.e., they just have to imitate. In our schools, the whole focus is on result, teacher don’t even thought about what the child learned and how much he/she improved. There are no spaces where the child can explore, think in his/her own way of responding, doing experimentation, finding reasons and so on.

There is no inclusion in our education system and curriculum. Our education system is very much class or society centred i.e., working for a particular class or society. The languages we use in our classes i.e., Hindi and English are the standardized language which is very difficult for children coming from other background. There is no space for mother tongues in schools. The homework in small classes are usually those in which children need parent’s help or sometime the major or full work is done by parents only. So it creates a lot of difficulty for first generation learner.

Our education system is just like the race in which you have to complete this in a given period of time and there is no space for mistakes.

In this kind of education system, the children who can afford other facilities such as tutors, you tube videos, and whose parents are educated doesn’t find any problem but what about the child who is the first generation learner, who can’t afford other ways of learning, who can’t get exposure to our so called standard language i.e., English or Hindi, since childhood. These differences present in the school lead to droupout of these children from school.

So if our present education system continue to be like this, we never able to ‘educate’ our children. We will only able to make machines who can receive stimulus and give response. These are also only some children, because other children do not even included in our education system.

If we really want to educate our students and make our education system better in future we should try to improve our education i.e.,both our education institutions and our way to teaching. It is necessary that education should be provided in the sake of building a knowledgeable and better future leaders, not in the sake of making money. The real focus should be on what the students are learning not on the results. It is necessary to critically and honestly think about our education system and the problems present. Essential steps should be taken to improve our technique and infrastructure so that we are able to make our education system better in future, otherwise without a good education we are not able to develop in any sector.

Passionate And Ambitious People

An ambitious person you ask; the word is associated mostly with an extreme desire to succeed. That being said, the person would go any length any height for the sake of his goal. He couldn’t care less about anything other than the goal. Social life, relationships, people, money are either mere steps or obstacles for an ambitious person. The Goal is the keyword here.

Passion is more of an emotional term. You might not be talented for some art but your passion can turn you into a master. The aura of something so strong that you can’t help but zone out into your own world. A passionate person cares more about personal emotional fulfillment rather than the outcome. Inner happiness/Emotional fulfillment is the keyword here.

There’s something deeper than ‘being good at what you do’ that’s so magnetising — it’s being passionate about what you do.

And I’m not talking about people who scribble ‘self-motivated’ or ‘driven’ on their CVs in the self-proclaimed Skills section. Neither am I referring to the ideology behind the quote I once had the misfortune of seeing an Instagram celebrity post: “I don’t love rich men; I love ambitious men and ambitious men are never poor.” I mean, seriously. Lastly, this kinda passion doesn’t manifest itself in inefficient workaholism. In fact, I’d proffer that passionate people work smart, not hard. Which brings me to my point:

Being passionate makes you good at what you do. Passion for something drives you to delve deeper into its inner workings, and to build on the work of past pioneers for the advancement of that field. It’s a rabid hunger that growls ‘how?’ ‘why?’ and ‘why not?’ until one day that teacher, tiler or tradesman, through passion, perfection and sheer persistence, finds themselves at the top of their game.

…and getting better makes you more confident, which is the bee’s knees in attractive forces. Not to be confused with arrogance; this confidence stems from knowing that there’s a conference room, operating theatre, or some specific context where no one can pull the wool over your eyes. And that bubbles over into other areas of your life — you start speaking with authority, standing straight and all those other superhero characteristics.

As we learn more about our passions, we learn more about ourselves and life, and what could be more beautiful?

Passionate people are rarely bored, or boring. Opening your mind to new knowledge is all-consuming. You’re always discovering something or solving mysteries. The best foundation blocks for conversation and consequently relationships are people with something new and interesting to say. And when they speak, the passion ignites a fire so powerful that it draws you in and warms you from the inside out.

Passionate people challenge you to be more and to do more. It’s invigorating spending time with people who are unapologetically pursuing their passions. When you’re around them, your hangups dissolve and you think, even if just for a moment, that you too can be anything you want to be. This kinda passion is infectious.

Find your passion.
Feed it.
Flourish.

A LETTER TO THE PASSIONATE ONES!

You have spent countless nights awake , being stronger than your excuses. You believed you could, so you did. There were things you wouldn’t get over. Some things that stung you so hard ,they had set you back where you started, and you got hurt, and hurt and hurt, but you also rose from it. Its never an easy decision to make, and its never easy to accept that you might be walking down a path that will involve risks and new unknowns, but you continued. You Glow!!

Life dragged you, but you knew, it’s going to launch you into something great, and you never gave up. Just like every hard thing in you life,  you’ve made it through this too. You decided to choose guts over fear. You handled yourself at your worst. Now, here you are! Independent, compassionate. You got this!

Its mesmerizing to think about you struggling, being restless and afraid, still buckling up the next day to face the hurdles. You threw yourself into work. You got through all the problems getting up each day and putting one foot in front of the other. You adapted and survived no matter how hard it got. You shaped your own reality. You are incredible!