Author: magarajeswari

An enthusiastic engineer passionate about writing and reading

Facebook – an overview

Facebook- A Breakthrough in Digital Media:

Communication and Networking drive the world and make it a better place to live in. Gmail was a solid platform for official communications between colleagues and clients. Friendster , Myspace were the platforms for communicating with peer networks and the outer world.  These sites were used by many people across the world. But people felt a need for a global social network with unique features and ease of accessibility. 

Facebook was launched in the year 2004 and it created a buzz amidst the people. Initially it was introduced as a platform for students to connect with their friends and share images. Then slowly the platform was made available for everyone across the globe. By the year 2008 it surpassed the number of users of Myspace. The user experience , UI and UX design were the prominent reasons for the success The launch of Facebook was undoubtedly a breakthrough in Digital Media. 

Fig 1: shows the growth in numbers of facebook users over the years

Today, the active number of monthly users in Facebook are around 2.3 Billion. India has the most number of facebook users.Every teenager and youth would most probably have an account on facebook. According to statistics, the number of people between the age 20-30 years accounts for the major percentage in the usage of Facebook. As consumers we all would have doubts regarding the way this pioneer platform works. Let’s understand the same in the upcoming paragraphs. 

Facebook – Backend Story:

The Facebook site was developed with PHP and later on they developed a compiler named Hiphop which will transfer the PHP code to C++ code.This was mainly done for improving the code efficiency. It was developed by engineers of Facebook. As expected the compiler was 5.5 times faster than the conventional PHP engines.

As the number of users increases over the years , the data to be processed increases at an enormous rate. For example if a user searches for his friend with a particular name , there would be multiple users under the name. So to reduce the efforts of the user facebook has to filter out them based on criterias like location , school, place of work etc. It is a difficult task to be processed as the amount of data involved in it is huge. Facebook uses open source software named Hadoop for processing the information. 

Initially facebook had features of users sharing images with their friends. It also had an option of tagging people while sharing pictures. This option helped users to get connected to their old friends , friends of their friends. Facebook uses Haystack to store all these images uploaded. Haystack has a separate server and storage system for storing the images uploaded. The image uploaded by the user is uploaded to the server with a separate index and stored in the storage space.

Facebook Algorithm:

The news feed of Facebook initially showed the posts , updates and stories shared by the friends or connections of the user. Due to the rapid growth in the number of users , it started to provide options for brand advertising and marketing.Gradually they started advertising for brand values which made the news feed flooded by irrelevant advertisements to the user. This led to the reduction in the number of users  substantially. Users in exasperation started to switch from facebook to other social media platforms. Emerging social media platforms like snapchat , telegram started to capture the market at an expeditious phase.

Then facebook came up with algorithms which put out the newsfeed in such a way that it is relevant to the user’s interest and likes. Users were given the chance to remove the ads which do not captivate them. Facebook Algorithms studied the behavior very closely.  It observed the user interaction according to the post content , time spent on the post , likes and shares of the post. Based on these observations , the newsfeed of each user was curated. Apart from this facebook conducted user surveys where various questions were asked to perceive the user behaviour better. Personal choices were given preference to please the users. 

Facebook algorithms run neural network models and filter the post which will not catch the individual’s attention. Then they began to give a score to every post in the filtered category. The posts were shown on the individual’s newsfeed according to its score in order of highest to the lowest. By this way the users got a feel that their time on facebook is utilised in the right course.

Facebook stellar marketing :

On the flip side , Facebook has to maintain the reach they have promised to the business pages which pay them. Hence the algorithms were designed in such a way that the user analytics is useful for both sides. Thus it will turn out to be a win-win situation. It helped brands to understand the time map of user engagement according to the geography and days of the week. When the post timings of brands aligned with the time map suggested reaches were promising.

Video contents were more promising when compared to images and articles. But video contents which are long and elaborate were not played fully as the people lose interest in the midst of the video. Hence Facebook suggested brands to do simple , attractive and short videos to attract consumers. Live videos of launching and product showcasing were recommended to small business owners. People were excited to know that they were a part of the product introduction of their favourite brands which made them feel a step closer with the brands of their choice.

Fig 2: shows the most promising techniques used by facebook for helping brands reach its customers

Freshness of the post played a vital role in the score of the post. In case a brand announces an offer for the first week of the month and the content is shown to the user in the second week due to the algorithm prioritization then it would be of no use to both sides. Hence the algorithm took the recency of the post as a crucial element for providing scores to the post. 

Facebook also had groups to promote small business. These groups recommended brands that are of good quality. A Recent online study proved that Facebook provides the best Return of Investment for the marketers. This is mainly because of the continuous changes in the Facebook algorithms , integration of Instagram promotion to Facebook, Facebook groups etc. 

References:

Startup Stories – Vahak

The logistics sector has seen a growth of about 59% during the lockdown period. Primary reasons attributing to the growth of the sector is the order of essential services online to avoid the covid spread. While we were staying safe behind the doors, the logistics sector worked relentlessly to fulfill our needs. Ever wonder what’s happening in the logistics sector? There are certain hard challenges faced by the logistics sector. There were delays in the delivery and sometimes tracking of goods seem to be even more difficult. This is because of a lack of networking with the driver communities, following the superannuated process of tracking and competitive market. 

Vahak is a startup that has developed an online community wherein a customer can easily interact with the drivers,  book a lorry or a truck and thus transport their goods from point A to B. The app can be beneficial for both sides. The customer can get his booking done in no time with minimal calls and can place bids for the same. The drivers on the other hand can get the details in prior, have regular jobs, and assured payments. Sounds like a win-win situation right? Of course, it is. To add adornment to the user experience, vahak has made the service at zero commission. Their website design seems to be simple and appealing.

VAHAK – A SNEAK PEEK

Vahak was founded in 2017 has seen steady growth in both sales and finance since then. Adoption of new technology and addressing an issue prevailing in the market over the years would be salient in attracting investors. Vahak is never an exception in such a case. They have raised their initial round of seed funding from Leo capital venture. Recently they created a buzz in the market by raising a fund of about 5 million dollars in their pre-series A funding by Luxor Capital and its existing fund venture Leo capital. 

Team members of vahak said in an interview that “ the platform has around 10,000 active loads every day”. 

They are serving 3000+cities in and around India and they are aiming to develop their platform significantly in the near future. The fund would be utilized in a way that the network expands and henceforth the business flourishes. 

https://www.vahak.in/about-us

Digital payments for charitable causes and the logistics sector grow by 575% and 217% respectively in Lockdown 2.0: PayU Insights Report

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/vahak-raises-5-million-in-funding-led-by-rtp-global/articleshow/84230447.cms

Major Challenges Faced By Logistics Companies In India

MOVIE REVIEW – JERSEY

Jersey

A Movie that connects us to the storyline and has an impact on us will always remain close to our hearts. Jersey is one such kind of movie. The movie holds multivarious emotions encountered by a person. The character described is relatable to every middle-class soul who is sacrificing their dreams to comfort and take care of their family. Scene-by-scene narration is done well and the pain we feel gradually makes us feel that we are dragged into the story. Lighting, picturization and visual effects add beauty to the eyes of the beholder.

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you” – Oprah Winfrey.

The lead is full of liveliness while he is playing cricket. He moves forward with the dream of playing for the country leaving behind all the criticisms. His passion makes him energetic, self-confident, and strong. The lead lady is in love with the fire in his eyes. She is strong, independent and clear about her choices in life. Both of them have portrayed their role in the finest way. They both support and believe each other in every phases of their life.

“A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other “ – Kate Stewart.

Marriage is not about dependence on a man or love him based on his money. It’s about loving each other by the way they are. The detailing of their love in an undetailed way is such a bliss to watch. People believe that the intimacy of a relationship starts to fade away after marriage. In spite of his downfall, pain the hero never shows his vexation towards his partner. The heroine may seem lost in the midst of managing the family. But her emotions rekindle when she sees him pursuing his passion again.

“Fathe’s Love will always remain imprinted in the heart of a son”

A Mother’s affection teaches the child to be happy with what is present. A  Father’s affection can push limits of the boundary to satisfy their wishes and pursue the kid’s dreams. The relationship between a father and child is trivialized by society. A child accepts his father for who he is. His father is a hero no matter where he works and how much he earns. These emotions are excellently captured in Jersey. There is a scene where he is not able to afford his son’s wish. The pain in his eyes has personified the emotions in a realistic way.

“Where words fail, music speaks”

Music has a major contribution in bringing out emotions in a surreal manner. The pleasure of romance and triumph of victory are sublimely expressed through the songs. The background score at the points where the hero gets a second chance to pursue his dreams and screams at a local station, makes us realize his intense pain. The lyrics blend with the music and turns into a soothing experience. The movie is undoubtedly a magnum opus for everyone who worked in it.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8948790/

Pedalling Population

“All great changes are preceded by chaos”

The pandemic situation has brought substantial changes in our day-to-day life. The changes include both sides of a coin – the raise and the fall. Let us have a  look at the optimistic changes. One noteworthy change is the switch from bikes to bicycles.  It is indeed a much-needed change for both the users and the environment. The usage of bicycles has significantly increased in the past year. The primary reasons for the growth in numbers are as follows:

  • The shutdown of gyms, recreational centers, indoor sports clubs over a prolonged period of time.
  • Stress due to the work-from-home scenario.
  • Increased fuel prices.
  • Aggravated air pollution.
  • Cycle rental services in metro and urban cities.
  • Increase in brands producing good quality cycles.
Cycling Pals in India

Constructive Competition:

People find cycling as a gateway to their emotions and thus rejuvenate their souls after a tiresome day. 

Apps like Strava, Fitbit help users track their daily rides and share them on social media. This develops constructive competition. Whenever like-minded people compete the outcome is remarkable. Hence cycling became a regular habit among groups of friends, neighbors across various parts of the country. Cycling events are getting more attraction in recent times. Recently in Telangana, a national event was organized after 10 years where 600 cyclists from various parts of the country participated in cycling. Constructive Competition has not only buzzed up the consumers but also the producers of bicycles.

Market Analysis:

According to a report by Hindu, the cycling market had negative growth of about 8% in the year 2018. It was expected to turn out worse in the following years. On contrary, the market had an aggressive growth. Omkar Singh, Chairman of Cycle Federation of India is overwhelmed by the rise in sales of cycles in India. He said that the cycle market has gained a raise of about 300-400% in the lockdown period. India is one of the leading producers and consumers of cycles in the world while China holds the leading position.

Startups like E- Motorads , Nahak Motors, Go Zero Mobility have an unbelievable outreach in the Indian Market. They are reported to have sales of more than 1000 cycles within two months of their launches. This is quite huge for a startup emerging in India. The primary reasons for the success is the quality and exquisite features offered by them.

Hero and Ti cycles hold the largest share of the pie in the Indian cycle market. KK Paul, president of TI cycles shares an interesting fact that the demand for premium cycles with a price of about 30,000 INR has increased eventually. The only question which remains a mystery is with the numbers in the future. Companies are perplexed by the sudden rise in the sales of cycles and are unable to predict the mindsets of consumers in the upcoming years, 

A change that was brought without anyone’s expectations has given considerable changes to both the consumers and producers. Let us hope for the best to happen in the forthcoming years.

https://telanganatoday.com/hyderabad-cfi-chief-omkar-singh-impressed-with-ou-velodrome

https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/bicycling-your-way-towards-future-india/2275555/

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/indian-cycles-need-policy-push/article20574264.ece1

MOVIE REVIEW – INTERN

Workplace Stress:

Weekends are the most exciting days of our lives. We feel exhausted working straight for a week and crave for the weekends. People of the age group 20-30 are more likely to face stress at their workplace. In a survey conducted in the US, it is proved that around 83% of people in the US are stressed because of their work. The same situation prevails all over the world. There are many reasons responsible for this stress. Some of the major reasons are as follows:

  • Paths are not chosen, but force-fed: People are captivated by luxury nowadays. Hence they fail to think about their strength, passion, and will while choosing a career. They identify the jobs which pay enough to satisfy their demands and run behind them. Anything which is not started with an interest will have enormous hurdles to pass through.
  • Market: The competition in the market is increasing at a tremendous rate and hence the companies have to accelerate to stay in the market. This pressure will eventually fall on the employees.
  • Success without struggles: Current generation is so obsessed with success and they forget the steps which must be followed to achieve them. They expect a huge success rate in a shorter span of time. 

Plot :

“Age is no barrier. It’s the limitation you put on your mind” – Jackie Joyner

When I saw the movie image on an OTT platform I guessed that it would be a story of a young woman who is an intern in an esteemed organization. When I watched the movie, I was quite surprised to know that the man who stood behind her was the actual Intern. This clearly proves the way we guess people according to their age. Ben, a 70-year-old man post his retirement is feeling restless staying alone at his home. He tries every possible way to keep him engaged. But all in vain. One day he comes across an advertisement in which a clothing company has launched a senior internship program. He decides to give it a try. 

Jules an young and super enthusiastic entrepreneur runs all her day to gain a balance between work and her personal life. She does multi-tasking most of the time and expects the people around her to be as energetic as her. She is unaware of the senior intern advertisement the company has posted and is shocked to know that a 70-year old man will work under her. Initially, she avoids him and tries to shift him to another department but eventually, they get to know each other and Ben guides her in all possible ways. The movie is well-detailed and brings out the layers of the leads in a beautiful manner. Watch the movie to understand how enthusiasm and experience found their ways to mend up their relationship and thus make their lives better. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intern_(2015_film)

https://www.tinypulse.com/blog/stats-stress-in-the-workplace-how-to-remedy-them

STARTUP STORIES – GOURMET GARDEN

Gourmet Garden

“ One cannot think , love , sleep well if one has not dined well”

People are leading a hectic lifestyle to make their ends meet. In the midst of all the chaos , they take no notice of their intakes and health. The unhealthy lifestyle followed is the primary cause for all the major health issues prevailing in most of us. Although we are aware of this act we cannot control the same due to the shortness in alternatives. The main reasons for poor quality food is use of pesticides and fertilizers which  eventually causes soil and water pollution. This has caused many chronic disorders and deaths all over the world. The per hectare consumption of pesticides and fertilizers are increasing day by day.

“The Discovery of Agriculture was the first big step towards a civilized life “ – Arthur Keith

Naturophonic Farming:

Naturophonic farming is a method in which plants are grown with RO water. The farming method is completely soilless and thus the by-products are completely free from contamination. The world is developing at a rapid phase and as innovations flourish in every field , it is no wonder that the agricultural field is also improving its methodologies. Starting from vertical farming to soil less farming , many companies and individuals are laborious in bringing changes to the industry. 

Gourmet Garden:

Gourmet Garden is a Bengaluru based company started in 2018 with an aim of providing high quality food products. They have a variety of products like fresh fruits , vegetables , mushrooms , herbs and spices to choose from . They are currently operating in metropolitan cities like Bangalore and Chennai and deliver their fresh produce to their customers. 

Funding:

“Chase the vision , the money will end up following you” – Tony Hseih

The company has successfully completed 60,000 orders . It’s interesting to know that most of their orders come from their initial customers. A company which understands the customer needs well and develops a good customer base has more chances of raising funds. The initial funding of the company was done by Whiteboard Capital and Incubate Fund India. They have recently raised a fund of about Twenty Five Crores (25 Cr INR) in a series A funding in a funding campaign led by Beyond Next Ventures , M Ventures capital . Gourmet Garden is set to expand its business to other parts of India with the funding raised and thus deliver fresh foods all over the country.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/gourmet-garden-gets-rs-25-crore-series-a-funding/articleshow/84041777.cms

https://www.freepressjournal.in/weekend/hydroponics-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-latest-farming-trend

https://gourmetgarden.in/pages/naturoponic%E2%84%A2-farming?campaign=campaign&keyword=&device=c&matchtype=b&adtype=&productchannel=&id=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzakBStv4x_RlahLkmjydmUYRypdnR-efhg83I6C-jTHIVp-1S8Pk9y4aAjgFEALw_wcB

Interesting products on Kickstarter-2

Hug – The Insulated Collapsible Mug

“Creativity is making marvelous out of Discarded” 

Plastic Cups Pollution:

The world uses about 500 million plastic cups every year. That’s really a massive amount. Imagine these plastic cups dumped as a pile. These piles add up every year and the number tends to increase due to the increase in population. These wastes make the environmentalists who are bent over backwards in attempts of cleaning up the wastes feel exhausted. The plastic cups are not used intentionally. They are used because of the lack of an alternative. Many people have guilt about using these plastic cups. Most of us would have thought of having a reusable, variable size and handy cup. But we are provided with either or options which is just partially beneficial.

Hug – The Mug:

“Every lock has a key. Every problem has its solution” 

Ruary Hewson has carefully observed the situation and has come up with an exquisite design. The features of the mug are listed as follows:

  • Double Walled Insulation: The Mug is double-wall insulated which makes it suitable for all environmental conditions, You can also heat it up in the microwave and have your drink piping hot. 
  • Customizable Height: The height of the cup we use varies according to the drink and time of the day. Hug has an option for every such choice. It has 9 customizable height options to choose from. 
  • Patent Pending Lock Mechanism: Hugcomes with a lock mechanism to lock at the height of your choice at a jiffy. The lock and unlock mechanism is built to last for 1000 cycles of its use.
  • Pocket-friendly and quick: Hug can easily fit into the pocket of your jeans, sweatshirts, purses and what more do we need? The speed of stretching it can be done in a blink of an eye. It can be done within 3.4 seconds. 
  • Recycled: The cups are fully made from Recycled plastic which means it recycles the past used plastics and prevents the future use of plastics. 
  • Spill-proof: The major hassle in using cups is spills caused by them on our precious assets. Hug is way cooler. It is completely spillproof and provides you with an unperturbed user experience. 
  • Cool and Colourful: Hug comes with 4 vibrant colours to choose from and thus removing the restrictions of you to be cool with your cup. 

Facts about Hug:

  • Hug is backed by 4500 backers for $ 2,04,205 which is 45 times higher than the amount targetted for. 
  • The campaign is about to end in 4 days and rock with the delivery by next year.
Fact Sheet: How Much Disposable Plastic We Use

Interesting Kickstarter Products-1

Innovative Bird Feeder

“True Innovation is coming up with a product that the customer didn’t even know they needed”Extinction of the Exclusives:Birds are the most lively and charming creatures existing on Mother Earth. They play a vital role in the food chain. Extinction of bird species is increasing at an alarming rate. Major reasons for bird extinction are as follows:Aggravated Human Population , Contamination of soil by excessive use of fertilizers,Poor Air Quality,Destruction of Forests and Natural Landscapes.Although some of us are not directly involved in such extinction , we all are involved in the same without our knowledge. Every lock has its key. What if we could rectify the situation with an innovative product? Then Kickstarter has got an offer for you.Bird Buddy:Kickstarter is evolving as a hub of innovative products. One product that has recently caught my eyes is a Novel Bird Feeder. Everyone of us would have done a bird feeder out of cardboard or waste materials and would have placed it in our homes. The joy we get while the birds are fed with the feeder is astonishing. But sometimes we would forget to refill the feeder or while we are out of town we wouldn’t be able to feed them and have a look over them. The Bird buddy will save you at those times.Unique Features of Bird Buddy:Magical Moments captured are treasures to be cherished:Bird Buddy has a camera in it and it captures every featured friend who is benefited by your benevolence. It will also recognize them and send a notification to your mobile regarding their visits. It also identifies the arrival of birds using their voice with the help of its built in microphone.Weather Resistant: In our childhood days , we would be agonized when the bird feeder crafted by us were destroyed in rainwaters.Bird Buddy is safe all day , everyday.Win Win Situation:Bird watching is an art that is underrated. Watching those little creatures enjoying their meal is an unmatched emotion. Sometimes our little lovelies are frightened by our presence and fly away in the middle of a meal. But with Bird Buddy it’s a win-win situation for both. The birds enjoy their food at peace whereas we could get a sneak peak of them at our comfort zone.Easy to use:The bird buddy is simple to operate and maintain. It has a built-in battery to power the microphone and camera. The refilling option is very easy.Cool Add-ons:Bird Buddy comes up with cool add ons like solar roof , wall and fence mounts.The product has got more than 20 backers till June 2021. Hope this might bring back joy in our lives and enhance the food chain.

Startup Stories – Nua Women

Nua women

Menstrual Hygiene:

Menstrual Hygiene is the area with the least awareness in India. It is pathetic to know that only 18% of women in India have access to better sanitary hygiene. The rest percentage of the women make use of economic alternatives to pads like cloths unaware of the side effects caused by them. This is primarily due to the fact that despite everyone knows about periods, their frequency they consider it a  disgrace when discussed in public. Pads that are primarily composed of synthetic material are constantly in contact with the skin surface causing rashes, infections, etc.

The Launch:

Nua women was launched in the year 2017 in Mumbai by Ravi Ramachandran and Swathi Kulkarni with the goal of making the menstruation cycle to be hassle-free. The market of sanitary pads in India enormous due to the population prevailed in here.  But it never remained as an untapped market.  Amidst the global competitors like Whisper, Stayfree, Nua Women was launched. Hence it was expected to make a Herculean effect to gain the attention of the audience and capture the market.

Novel Nua Women:

While certain startups were hustling to capture the market with their innovative market, Nua women choose either way. Following are the reasons for their triumph in India:

  • User experience: They understood their customers clearly at the early stage of its launch. Hence they ensured that they would provide not just a product but an experience. They came up with a plan where their users can choose pads according to their flow. Most of the women would have definitely wished for such a plan as the flow varies between day 1 to day 4. 
  • Marketing: While the primary pad brands were advertising with animations of pads, Nua women started to advertise by forming a community. In the community, women expressed thor period concerns, queries, and pains. The engagement was kept active and all their concerns were addressed. Social media played a vital role in the exposure of their product. This was one of the primary reasons for their initial funding by LIghtBox Ventures.

They also partnered with some women influencers and made promotional videos. The videos clearly explained their product and made very women connect it with their life. Their advertisement in partnership with the Youtube Sensation CheekyDNA won the Best Brand Integration Category Award at StreamCon.

  • Subscription: In the industrious world, everyone is running to balance their work and life. When the product is proven to reduce their time and efforts then it’s for sure a hit in the market. Women normally forget to refill their pads and in such cases, they use pads from their friends or from the sanitary vending machine at their workplaces. The change in brand may cause them discomfort. Hence Nua women came with a subscription plan where they can pay for a period of 3 months and pads will be automatically refilled every month.
  • Rash-free pads: Rashes are the most primary concern of women while purchasing a pad. Nua women customers are saying the rashes have considerably reduced after its usage. 
  • Stress-free Disposal: If you are the one who is irritated by the disposal of pads, Nua women has got your back. Every pad comes with a disposable cover and the way of disposal is smooth.

Funding Facts:

Initial Funding: Series A funding of 5.4 Million Dollars by LIghtBox Ventures in 2019.

Latest Funding: Pre Series B funding of 7.4 Milion Dollars by LightBox Ventures and Kae Capital in June 2021.

https://inc42.com/buzz/nua-raises-7-1-mn-in-funding-led-by-lightbox-ventures-kae-capital/

https://entrackr.com/2021/07/funding-in-indian-startups-this-week-28-june-03-july/

https://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/over-the-top-services/divo-to-now-offer-digital-content-influencer-marketing-services-201221

https://www.vims.ac.in/blog/menstrual-hygiene/

https://inc42.com/startups/lightbox-nua-sanitary-napkins-women-wellness/

Movie Review – Tribhanga

Plot Introduction:

The plot revolves around 3 generations of Women – Nayantara (a well-known writer ), her daughter Anuradha ( a ravishing, confident and courageous actress ) and her granddaughter Masha ( a kind-hearted young homemaker). All three of them are absolutely different from one another and the character of one had effects on the other. The plot unveils the effects and emotions of the three women at various parts of their lives.

Noteworthy Nayantara :

“Artists are simple people with complex minds”’

Artists, writers, actors are ingenious creatures who can take you to a new and unexplored world with their works. This is possible because of their imagination which requires a peaceful environment. But unfortunately, these 3 are the professions which are least valued by our society. People fail to understand that creative work evolved out of peace and time. Nayantara is passionate about writing and never fails to sacrifice the time she spends for it which was quite unacceptable those days. Hence she made a decision that could give her the freedom she always needed, unaware of the effects it would cause to her daughter. 

Anuradha and Attitude: 

“Don’t judge a book by its cover”

Anuradha is affected by the separation of her parents in her childhood days which eventually makes her lose confidence in marriage and relationships. Hence she chooses the wild path and lives as a daring woman. The common mistake done by most of us is to judge people based on their attitude, behaviour, reactions etc. Every person we meet in our daily life is having some or another problem and undergoing stress because of the same. Some may be good at expressing their feelings. Some struggle to express their inner self. They need their own time to recover which is neglected most of the time. 

Masha with mysteries:

“The bruises of child abuse may heal but the scars will last for a lifetime”

According to research, it has been proved that adults who have been victims of sexual abuse are more likely to be affected by mental health, guilt, depression. When a girl is sexually abused in her childhood days, it affects her internally leading to an unsuccessful marriage. Either she cannot be emotionally attached to her family due to guilt or she might be petrified so that she accepts abuse in every other form from her partner just to retain the marital status. This is more evident in India due to the standards set by society. Masha was portrayed as a living example of child abuse in this film. 

Her mother had a unique standard of living which affected Masha in various ways. One of the boyfriends of her mother abused her at childhood days which gave adverse effects on Masha. She was petrified to confess the truth to her mother. Hence she accepted every other terms and conditions proposed by her in laws.

Communication is the key:

The plot described in Tribhanga could be easily related to our lives.  Every child takes an oath inside to avoid the gap persisting between them and their parents and remain as a cool parent in the future. But somehow or other the gap seems to continue over generations. The only solution for the problem is effective communication from both sides. 

https://www.india.com/viral/child-abuse-in-india-5-shocking-facts-revealed-by-the-unicef-125712/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribhanga_(film)

Movie Review- The Perfect Date

Movie The perfect date

In olden days love was simple , yet turned out to be the most beautiful one. But as the technology developed and world became modernized day after the other , people expected same out of love. They wanted something unique and exquisite out of love. In this process they fail to understand the real version of their partners. They struggle to unleash the real version of their inner soul to their soulmates(find another word). Most people are attracted by the gifts and gestures by their partners with no clue how they feel about the same. This is the reason why we are getting a feeling that love is complicated.

Driven by Dreams:

The hero is a young high school lad who has 3 important dreams

  1. To get admission in Yale University
  2. To have the most popular girl in the city as his girlfriend
  3. To have his own luxury car
    He works after his school in a subway shop to save money for his education. Disheartened by the fact that he is not able to save enough money for his expenditure , he is desperate to find ways that will fetch him more money. Once he was offered money to take a girl called Celia to a date. That’s when an idea sparkled in his mind. With the help of his friend he built an app where girls can book him for a date with their expectations out of him so that he can match them on the date.

Realisation:

The idea worked out. Bookings started to pour down from all over the city and he was overwhelming with the success. He changed himself everyday according to the expectations of the girl he dates. He also starts to date the most popular girl in the city.But at one point of time he realises he has lost the ones who have loved him for who he was without any expectations. Things he did to bring back things normal and the ways he cherished what he had in his life unfolds thereafter.

Love is all about accepting the person for who they are at the moment . Anything that is force fed will not last longer. Also there is no time for that you must fall in love. You can take your own time to figure things out.

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/12/712246447/the-perfect-date-a-teen-romcom-by-any-other-name-is-reasonably-swee

STARTUP STORIES – YULU

Yulu

Mobility Matters:

The world is evolving at a rapid phase which makes people turn into nimble-footed. People are endeavoring to match their 24 hours between their job and their life. This could be clearly understood when stood in a signal of a busy urban road. They try their level best to spare the time spent on their daily commute. The pandemic has taught us the best lesson that it’s always better to have alternative options to public transport modes. Because at certain times public transport is unreliable, time-consuming and exhausting. There are many possible alternative solutions offered for the same. One such hassle-free solution is to rent electric bikes and pay after the rode ends. This could be a revolution in urban mobility. 

Yulu – the market changer:

Bangalore is one of the first Indian cities to adopt and explore new technologies. No wonder it’s known as the “ Silicon Valley of India. ”Many Multi-National Companies are headquartered in the city and hence the population is becoming denser day by day. Hence the commute problem is becoming crucial in the city. Yulu came as a game-changer in resolving the problems. Started in 2019 they launched with a fleet of 2000 electric scooters named Miracle. 

You can simply download the Yulu app, find the Yulu zone, unlock the bike by scanning the QR code, ride the vehicle and once you end the ride you will be charged based on the distance you have covered. People like the idea for 2 reasons : * The user interface was easy to use *The bike had a decent range of 60kms and a speed of 25km /hour. Owing to the acceptance of the people in Bangalore, Yulu expanded its fleet in 2020.  The startup operated in 4 major cities of India – Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and Bhuvaneshwar.

Reason for their success:

  • Early adopters: They addressed the mobility challenges of India with a service-based vehicle fleet at an early stage. The hassle-free commute experience with proper service and support attracted the consumers easily.
  • Consistent updates: They follow their customers so closely and understand their needs better. They improvised the charging infrastructure, added slots for carrying personal things etc. 
  • Beginner-friendly: Since it’s a vehicle with a maximum speed of 25km/hr, it does not need a license for a ride. This has made the vehicle a beginner-friendly one.
  • Analyzing Algorithms: They have algorithms in the software which analyze the areas and time zones that hold peak demand. Based on the analysis they expand their zones of operation. 
  • Alternative thinking: In the pandemic situation, the usage of YUlu bikes dropped significantly. Then they offered their bikes as service to frontline warriors, delivery executives, etc which has improvised their revenue and has also provided a better reach

The micro-mobility solution provider has been backed by a series of investors and AutomotivePioneer Bajaj. As its revenue has increased almost 2.5 times in the current year its expected to raise the next round of funding for its further expansions.

https://www.yulu.bike/products/miracle/

Battery Recycling in India

Growth of Batteries:

Electronics are indisputably ruling the world. Right from the intractable mobile phones in our hands , to the versatile appliances that cook up our sustenance in the kitchen, the influence of electronics in our day to day lives is inexorable. Initially these devices were powered directly with AC power supply . As technology improved , people expected things to be handy so that they can carry them wherever they go. This is where the batteries came as a lifesaver. Although initially the batteries were huge in size and expensive , due to exploration of various chemistries they substantially got better. 

A Bloomberg report says that battery prices have been reduced by 88% in the last decade. They have always predicted that battery prices would fall to $100 per KWh by the year 2024. This indicates that the usage of batteries will increase at a rapid phase in the upcoming years.

Batteries a boon or bane?

When there are numerous advantages involved in an invention , it will forsure have its downside. Batteries were never an exception. Although the life of batteries has increased over the years , it will degrade after a certain period of time. Have you ever wondered where these batteries end up after their degradation? They end up in land and water bodies and contaminate their natural state. As a result of this the organisms living in the land and water ecosystem are subjected to hazardous chemicals which are causing reversible and irreversible effects on their heath. The dumping of batteries in an improper manner will also lead to global warming and depletion of groundwater levels. This Proves that batteries are definitely a bane if they are not properly disposed of.

Currently there are 250,000 EVs on the road in India which clearly states the amount of batteries that will reach its end of life by the year 2027-2028. Apart from these there are tons of batteries used in day to day devices we use. Imagine the effects on our country if these batteries are not properly disposed of. 

Every problem has its solution:

Problems lead us to ways of alternative thinking. One significant way to make the situation better is to recycle the batteries. But the percentage of batteries recycled is comparatively low. Indian government is significantly planning to recycle lithium ion batteries and are also offering support to companies which involve proper recycling of batteries. Tata chemicals have initiated battery recycling process in the year july 2019 with a smaller quantity of 100 kgs and now has expanded its capability to tonnes per month. They are also planning to enlarge their factories to facilitate recycling in a battery way.

Startups which are recycling batteries in India:

Even though some of the corporate ventures are showing interest in recycling batteries , some startups are really trying their level best to recycle the lithium ion batteries. This is a daring attempt and it must be appreciated in every possible way. Some of the startups which recycle batteries in India are as follows:

  • Lohum Cleantech.
  • Ziptrax Cleantech
  • Nunam batteries.
  • Ebikego

There are many other startups working behind the curtains to recycle and reuse the Lithium Ion Batteries. As consumers we have the responsibility of supporting these firms by providing them with batteries after their degradation and promoting the usage of recycled batteries.

https://gsiwaste.com/battery-recycling-is-important-for-environmental-health/

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/12/battery-prices-have-fallen-88-percent-over-the-last-decade/

Electric Vehicle Market in India

Startups and Unicorns in EV Market.

  Ather and Ola are successful rivalries of the electric scooter market. Ola electric a unicorn company takes the smarter way by playing with the numbers. The company strongly believed that the price of electric scooters in India can be reduced only when the sales are as huge as 4000 units a year. They are strategically planning and working over the same. 

    Ather on the other hand is one of the early adopters of the Indian EV market. It had a slow and steady plan to capture the Indian market. Incubated at IITM in their early stage, they did a lot of brainstorming to achieve their design, range, and performance. As a result of this once it was introduced to the market people were awestruck with its design and came up with a question “Why not give it a try?”. Ather made sure that the try was worth the cost. Their service and support were well appreciated in the first place. Ather experience centres made a huge impact in its sales numbers. It made people realise that it’s more than just a ride.

   Patrimony Automotive players like Hero Motorcorp, Bajaj Auto, TVS Auto came up with their own strategies and features to launch in the Indian market and they are blooming in the same. Bajaj Chetak has a terrific range of 95 kilometers on a single charge, which is more than enough for a user to switch from petrol to an Electric vehicle. The e-showroom on their website is made in such a way that users can get the feel of visiting a showroom and exploring the vehicle with a smartphone in their hands.

 Apart from these startups like Ultroviolette, Ampere electric, Okinawa scooters are also trying to sustain a better place in the Indian Market. Ultraviolette bike is expected to have exceptional sales due to its breath-taking design and performance. 

Passenger Electric Vehicles:

The passenger electric vehicles sales in India have not met their expected growth in sales. But the market is predicted to change in the upcoming years. The key players in electric passenger vehicles in India are as follows:

  • Tata – Nexon EV.
  • Hyundai – Kona EV.
  • Morris Garage – ZS EV.
  • Tata – Tigor EV.

Nexon EV has a range of about 312 km on a single charge while MG ZS EV and Kona EV have a promising range of about 419kms and 452kms respectively. The offered range is promising and sufficient for trips and travels. They have pretty good acceleration and drive modes.

Tesla, a prominent player in the EV market across the world, has entered the Indian market and things are anticipated to change. Headquartered in Bangalore(the city of EV growth), the company is making plans to reduce the battery cost and production cost. The charging infrastructure would become better due to the dashing intervention of Tesla.

The growth of EVs in India is mainly dependent on the charging infrastructure across the country and experts are Forecasting it to get better in the upcoming years.

https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/volkswagen-id-3-rivalling-tesla-hatchback-due-in-2023-421249

https://www.fortuneindia.com/enterprise/the-big-electric-scooter-battle/105440

POST COVID PHASE

“Courage above all is the first quality, by a warrior” – Karl Von Clause

Kudos to you for going through the pain and struggles caused by the covid virus and completing the quarantine period. Yes, that’s a brilliant effort from your side. The virus would have lost its power and is of no harm anymore. But the effects caused by the virus in the past 2 weeks would persist in your body for quite a period. That may sound hard to believe, but it’s the ground reality. No worries, a warrior is prone to struggles and he might easily overcome them,

Common effects post covid:

  • Tiredness: Most people feel tired for two to three weeks post covid. They might feel that they do not have the same energy to do their works or might feel pain while walking even for a shorter distance.
  • Weight loss: If you are prone to diarrhea, vomit, and high fever for more than one day, you might surely suffer from this. You might have shed two to three kilograms of weight. Do not freak out by this. Think in an alternative way. You have reduced your wait without the efforts you would usually put on a gym.
  • Hairfall: Yeah you have heard it right. Hairfall is more common in the post covid phase. This will be happening for two weeks.
  • Shortness of breath:  will be the for a long time. In case if you have used oxygen support during the treatment, then it would take time for your lungs to breathe normally. It’s natural that if our body metabolism is affected by an external factor, it would have an edge off in it. 

Do’s and Dont’s post covid:

  • Although you might have been bored sitting in one place with mere physical activity in the past weeks, you must not actively involve in physical activities which involve huge efforts. Avoid lifting heavy weights, staying up late, and watching a digital screen for a long time.  
  • You might have done a regular exercise or a walk of over three kilometers of cycling for an hour daily. Do not expect the same energy at the initial phase. Try to start with a walk of half a kilometer and increase the distance day by day. 
  • Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day.
  • Practice simple breathing exercises which you could find on youtube to strengthen your lungs. It is better to practice them early in the morning. Sunlight might shower you with additional benefits.
  • Plan a diet of protein-rich foods. If you feel that you are not able to eat properly due to throat pain, eat in bits. Vegetable salads, fresh juices, mushrooms, nuts, milk, eggs would help you to regain your stamina. 
  • Avoid going out frequently for a month. Even if you have a necessity, follow all the safety precautions. 
  • Reduce talking over phones for more than an hour. You will feel shortness of breath.

All the effects will gradually fade away after a month and you start to  feel better, Have a great recovering phase ahead.