Day: October 3, 2022

Experts sees a strong consumer spending this festive season.

Coming out of the pandemic, consumers in India have expressed a strong desire to buy more discretionary products during the festive season, according to Deloitte’s Global State of Consumer Tracker.

Deloitte’s latest analysis indicates that consumers are willing to increase spend on both travel and hotel stays. They also intend to buy either a new or used vehicle within the next six months.

Consumers’ intent to purchase clothing, electronic and home furnishing, and recreation, entertainment and leisure, indicates a positive spending pattern triggered by the upcoming festive season.

“The survey findings clearly indicate that consumers plan to increase their discretionary spend by 30 per cent (on items such as recreation and entertainment, restaurants, and leisure travel) in August 2022, compared with April 2022,” it said.

The current wave indicates consumers surveyed were willing to travel to domestic and international destinations. With ‘mask-lift’ announcements and easing out of other COVID-related restrictions in some countries, about 88 per cent Indian consumers plan to spend on leisure travel in the next four weeks.

Clearly online purchases remain strong, albeit to a lesser extent than during the peak of the pandemic. Relevant sectors, such as consumer products and retail, automotive, and travel and hospitality, look to benefit from the buoyant mind set of the consumers covered in the survey.

Experts sees a strong consumer spending this festive season.

Coming out of the pandemic, consumers in India have expressed a strong desire to buy more discretionary products during the festive season, according to Deloitte’s Global State of Consumer Tracker.

Deloitte’s latest analysis indicates that consumers are willing to increase spend on both travel and hotel stays. They also intend to buy either a new or used vehicle within the next six months.

Consumers’ intent to purchase clothing, electronic and home furnishing, and recreation, entertainment and leisure, indicates a positive spending pattern triggered by the upcoming festive season.

“The survey findings clearly indicate that consumers plan to increase their discretionary spend by 30 per cent (on items such as recreation and entertainment, restaurants, and leisure travel) in August 2022, compared with April 2022,” it said.

The current wave indicates consumers surveyed were willing to travel to domestic and international destinations. With ‘mask-lift’ announcements and easing out of other COVID-related restrictions in some countries, about 88 per cent Indian consumers plan to spend on leisure travel in the next four weeks.

Clearly online purchases remain strong, albeit to a lesser extent than during the peak of the pandemic. Relevant sectors, such as consumer products and retail, automotive, and travel and hospitality, look to benefit from the buoyant mind set of the consumers covered in the survey.

‘Matdata Junction’ in collaboration with All India Radio for voter awareness

 Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioner Shri Anup Chandra Pandey today launched a yearlong Voter Awareness Program – ‘Matdata Junction’ during an event organised at Akashvani Rang Bhavan, New Delhi. The ‘Matdata Junction’ is a 52 episode radio series produced by the Election Commission of India, in collaboration with All India Radio. Senior ECI officials, CEO Prasar Bharati, DG AIR News and ECI Icon & Actor Shri Pankaj Tripathi were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar said that the program Matdata Junction, produced in collaboration with All India Radio, will be a strong platform to connect with the voters across the country. The program as a combination of information and entertainment, would specifically help address urban apathy and inform the audience about the election processes in the conduct of free, fair, transparent, inducement free, accessible and inclusive elections in an interactive communication format.

While complimenting Shri Pankaj Tripathi, Actor and ECI state icon for his association with ECI in creating awareness amongst voters, CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar announced Shri Pankaj Tripathi, would henceforth be the National Icon for Election Commission of India, keeping in view his commitment to the cause and wide appeal across the country.

EC Shri Anup Chandra Pandey during the launch event recalled that since time immemorial, All India Radio has been enthusing masses as a legendary storyteller with its voice appeal and strengthening the democratic spirit. Since the very first general elections, AIR with its extensive coverage and reach to diverse audiences, has been a primary medium of communication with citizens across the country. 

Addressing the audience, Shri Pankaj Tripathi, recollected his memories of becoming a first time voter and how that process gave him not only the right of Matdan but also Samman as a contributory voice in democracy. While appreciating the efforts made by ECI for reaching out to the voters, he urged all young voters to pro-actively participate in the elections to reflect their democratic choices and make their voices heard.

In her welcome address, Director General (Media) Ms. Sheyphali Sharan gave a detailed overview about the Programme – ‘Matdata Junction: Har voter ka apna station’. She pointed out that ECI & AIR, the two iconic institutions, known for their credibility and grassroot connect, have got into an apt collaboration to ensure extensive outreach.

The 15 minutes program will be broadcast every Friday during 7- 9 PM slot on All India Radio network covering 25 FM stations, 4 FM Gold stations, 42 Vividh Bharati stations, and 159 primary channels/local radio stations in 23 languages, i.e., Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri.  

The 52 episode series will cover various aspects of election and related processes from voters’ perspective. It will have thematic episodes on voter registration, Informed & Ethical Voting,  Value of Vote, Inclusive & Accessible Elections,  Model Code of Conduct, IT Applications, EVMs, stories of election officials, BLOs, etc. All episodes include interactive messaging aimed at encouraging eligible citizens and especially the young and first time voters to vote and make an informed decision during the elections. The series will be in the genre of infotainment program having a kaleidoscope of drama, storytelling, Quiz, Experts’ interview, and  Songs produced by the SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) division of the Election Commission of India in every episode. The program includes a Citizen’s Corner where any citizen can ask a query or also provide suggestions for making elections inclusive and participative.

The first episode of the program on the theme – ‘Voter Registration’ will be broadcast on 7th October, 2022 Friday at 7:25 PM. Citizens can also listen to the Program on ‘Twitter on @airnewsalerts and @ECISVEEP, News On AIR’ App and YouTube channels of ECI & All India Radio. Tune in and be a part of India’s vibrant democracy.

****

Top 5 exercises to do at home for a healthy body

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When life gets busy, fitness always seems to be the first item dropped from our to-do list. But, if you are serious about your health and want to make fitness a part of your life, you need strategies that can help you fit exercise into your schedule no matter how busy life gets. Many people don’t have enough time and energy to go to the gym after their work, however, they can perform some exercises at home to remain healthy and fit.

1.Pushups

Pushups are one of the most basic yet effective bodyweight exercise one can perform because of the number of muscles that are recruited to perform them. It involves chest, triceps and shoulders. When done with proper form, It can build an impressive upper body strength. If you can’t perform with a good form, you can also perform pushups with drop down to a modified stance on your knees bend.

2. Squats

Squats increases lower body and core strength, as well as improves flexibility in your lower back and hips. It involves Quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings. Because, they engage some of the largest muscles in the body, they also play a major role in terms of burning calories.

3.Planks

Planks are an effective way to target your abdominal muscle and your whole body because your core works in every exercise. Planking stabilizes your core without straining your back the way sit-ups and crunches might. A healthy body requires a strong core as its foundation, so don’t neglect core specific exercises.

4. Burpees

Burpees are one of the most essential exercises for the whole body. This is an exercise everyone hates because of the whole body movement but, it is super effective. It involves almost most of the parts of the body which provides a great bang for your buck for cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. Burpees may helps you to burn belly fat faster than any other exercise or diet if, perform regularly.

5. Lunges

Challenging your balance is an essential part of a well-rounded exercise routine. Lunges do just that. Lunges are a popular strength training exercise among people wanting to strengthen and tone their bodies. This resistance exercise improves overall strength in your legs, hips and back, while improving mobility and stability.

Top 5 exercises to do at home for a healthy body

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When life gets busy, fitness always seems to be the first item dropped from our to-do list. But, if you are serious about your health and want to make fitness a part of your life, you need strategies that can help you fit exercise into your schedule no matter how busy life gets. Many people don’t have enough time and energy to go to the gym after their work, however, they can perform some exercises at home to remain healthy and fit.

1.Pushups

Pushups are one of the most basic yet effective bodyweight exercise one can perform because of the number of muscles that are recruited to perform them. It involves chest, triceps and shoulders. When done with proper form, It can build an impressive upper body strength. If you can’t perform with a good form, you can also perform pushups with drop down to a modified stance on your knees bend.

2. Squats

Squats increases lower body and core strength, as well as improves flexibility in your lower back and hips. It involves Quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings. Because, they engage some of the largest muscles in the body, they also play a major role in terms of burning calories.

3.Planks

Planks are an effective way to target your abdominal muscle and your whole body because your core works in every exercise. Planking stabilizes your core without straining your back the way sit-ups and crunches might. A healthy body requires a strong core as its foundation, so don’t neglect core specific exercises.

4. Burpees

Burpees are one of the most essential exercises for the whole body. This is an exercise everyone hates because of the whole body movement but, it is super effective. It involves almost most of the parts of the body which provides a great bang for your buck for cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. Burpees may helps you to burn belly fat faster than any other exercise or diet if, perform regularly.

5. Lunges

Challenging your balance is an essential part of a well-rounded exercise routine. Lunges do just that. Lunges are a popular strength training exercise among people wanting to strengthen and tone their bodies. This resistance exercise improves overall strength in your legs, hips and back, while improving mobility and stability.