Category: Editorial

Find an expert analysis news report from our top editorial and columnist based on Industry, market research, economical research, social ..

THE VOLKSWAGEN NOBODY KNOWS!

You must have heard of the fact that companies are contributing to environmental degradation , though they don’t want to do that but no one can deny to the fact that they are indirectly into it. But their are many greedy companies who , without even taking concern of the environment are contributing to degradation of it . Volkswagen is one among such companies , let’s see what they have done .

VOLKSWAGEN AG , known internationally as the Volkswagen group is a German multinational automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Wolfsburg , Germany . In the early 1930s, cars were a luxury – most Germans could afford nothing more elaborate than a motorcycle and only one German out of 50 owned a car. Seeking a potential new market, some car makers began independent “people’s car” projects – the Mercedes 170H, BMW 3/15, Adler AutoBahn, Steyr 55, and Hanomag 1.3L, among others. The Volkswagen emission scandal began in September 2015 when the US Environment Protection Agency issued a notice of violation of clean air act to Volkswagen group . According to the agency Volkswagen intentionally developed a software named TURBOCHARGED DIRECT INJECTION (TDS ) diesel engines , to active their emission control only at the time of testing in the labs which causes vehicles Nitrogen output to met US standards , BUT in reality emits 40 times more nitrogen in air in the real world .

They developed this software in 11 million cars of which 500,000 were in US only . Research were done & a group of scientists detected that there is additional emission in road test . Within the first day of investigation the stock price of VOLKSWAGEN fell in value by one by one third . Its CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned from his post & many officials were suspended .

In April 2016 , Volkswagen announced to spend $18.32 billion to rectify the emission issue & in January 2017 , Volkswagen pleaded guilty to criminal charges & after investigation process , in April 2017 , US government ordered the company to pay $2.8 billion as criminal fine for breaking rules of nitrogen emission . The total cost of the scandal costed $33.3 billion in fines , penalties , & financial settlements & buyback cost of VOLKSWAGEN .

This proves that the greediness of one company can bring harm to whole ecosystem . As business is a part of society , business should perform function to bring peace in the environment by not polluting it . It should serve the mankind & society as well. Volkswagen by realizing their mistake pleaded themselves guilty shows that one the mistake is done you should work to rectify it instead of hiding it .

Generation Gap

Maya Angelou quoted, “I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. ” It is indeed the truth. Lately I have been thinking a lot about relationship between parents and child nowadays.

Though we love our parents more than anything in this world and so they do. It is of no question that our parents took care of us and will always do, no matter how old we become. But, don’t you think that these days parents-child conflict are increasing way too much? What could be the reason behind that?

The first thing that comes in our mind is obviously generation gap and it’s true. Why generation gap? It is basically age gap between parents and children. However, the major issue arrives due to the mental gap in terms of thinking and current trends. These days, children, mostly teenagers believe that they are grown-ups and it’s high time for them to be independent. This helps them to gain more self-esteem. On the whole, both parents and children do not see things from the standpoint of each other and thus leads to conflict.

Some teenagers feel that their parents should trust them and give them freedom but they also know that parents are more concerned about their safety, which sometimes make children irritated.

Technology also affects the relationship between them. Technological ability is also important. Parents might not learn technology as quick as teenagers and when they try to learn from them, they get impatient. Our world keeps changing and developing, things rarely stay the same, causing generation gaps between the parents and their children.

Below are some of the significant points which need to be understood.

• Parents often do not tolerate mistakes and tend to tell their children off. They need to understand that this is their learning phase and making mistakes will make them grow in life, but if they only get punished for it, it widens the gap and creates a lack of proper communication.

• Children are expected to be replicas of parents often have dreams for their kids. They should not impose their wish on them without knowing what they want.

• Comparing children to each other or telling them how you were as a child also widens the gap. Due to this, they lose confidence and enthusiasm they may previously had.

• Lack of understanding is also the major cause. Listening and understanding what a children is trying to convey could be a good step. But, it is lacking these days. Parents often feel like because they have already been the age their child is currently, that they understand how their child thinks. They should understand things have changed from then to now.

Now, how to solve these problems? Here are some ways :

  1. Keep an open mind – The way that kid think is different from how parents do. Keeping an open mind and not assuming that they are same as you were at their age is very important. You must also understand that there are some things that are acceptable in society and therefore acceptable to your child that may not have been acceptable when you were the same age.
  2. Communicate – Taking out time to communicate with your kids will be very helpful. Your child must feel comfortable to talk to you about anything. The children must be assured that they can approach their parents with anything and can speak freely without any fear. And this way parents need not to worry about their children hiding thing from them.
  3. Listen – Parents need to allow their kids time to talk without interruption and listen to what they have to say. Learning your child’s thoughts and opinions makes them feel like what they want or feel matters to you, which in turn makes them feel much closer to you than before. Having a parent who listens as well instead of only talks and lectures will give your child more encouragement to listen to you in return.
  4. Understand – With listening comes understanding and this means that you have to learn to put yourself in your child’s shoes and trying to understand how they feel and what they want from what they tell you. If you are able to understand where your child is coming from, you will be able to close that generation gap to some extent.
  5. Unconditional Love – Love has a way of crossing boundaries and bringing people together if acted upon. So show your children how much you love them. This unconditional love and support that they get from you is very encouraging and makes children more inclined to show that same love and understanding back.

In the end, I would like to mention that children should also treat parents with love and affection because they did and are doing a lot for you everyday that is unnoticed. Your one word of affection can make their day. No matter how miserable you feel while they’re scolding you, never stop respecting them.

Anxiety and movement

Anxiety is the brain’s way to inform that you are stressed. Stressed not about particularly something big and important, but maybe just about tomorrow. Sometimes it is a reaction to a past experience, sometimes it is because you are going to experience something for the first time and sometimes it is just hormonal. And the hormonal one is pretty common in adolescents. Another reason for anxiety might be that it is simply genetic. Genetic depression and anxiety have long been subject to clinical research.

Whatever the reason behind this unwanted fear and apprehension be, it is often paralysing. It takes away the brain’s capacity to deduce the right action at that point in time. And that is the most hated part about it. Because anxiety is probably one of the most natural of brain’s reactions and yet is one of the most decapacitating ones.

But the trouble is – we, as people must complete what we have to despite the anxiety we possess. And more importantly, we as people must let our mind stay healthy and hence not push that anxiety away by simply asking it to go away because we are too ‘privileged’ to have it.

So, what is the better way out? Well, perhaps, a constructive overwork on it – communication. Writing down a journal, drawing, music, watching a movie, reading a book etc. or simply speaking to someone. Communication is the better way to reduce anxiety.

Suppressing anxiety may lead to depression, over stressing and a sharp fall in productivity – maybe even some constructive thoughts might become seldom.

How to Cope With Anxiety and Depression | Everyday Health

So, as a note, accept your emotions and communicate. That is the better way through.

2020-21: Fires, Heat and Rains

2020 started with forest fires in Canada, Brazil and bush fires across Australian coast, causing the death of at least two billion animals.

Tourism Australia Bites Back On 'Viral Bushfire Misinformation'
The Australian Bush fires

Come 2021, Greek, Turkish and Italian people experienced one of the hottest summers in history in 2021. In the Hellenic Republic of Greece, the temperatures reached 45 degree Celsius on 4th August. While this might be a pretty regularly recorded temperature in the tropic, the Balkans and the Anatolian peninsula recording such temperatures is worrisome. The temperatures led to a spontaneous spread of forest fires in and across Europe, Canada and Turkey – and people across the globe shared the plight of Turkey on social media since Turkey is not habitual with these fires and hence lacks the number of helicopters and jets to control these fires.

Sicily wildfires, August 2021
Turkey battles wildfires for 6th day, EU to send planes
Turkish Wildfires have been unprecedented for the country

China recorded floods it had never seen in the last 50 years of its history in 2021. A very worst form of excessive rainfalls was recorded in central and western Europe in July 2021 with countries like Germany completely overwhelmed by floods. This is in addition to the already burning Amazons and even Asian countries recording instances of Forest fires in a time not traditionally identified with the same. Russia and Finland and US are also heading towards a quite imminent diplomatic crisis given that the Arctic has already lost more than 50% of its ice opening up the once frozen Tundra and permafrost to petroleum and uranium explorations with the obvious geopolitical control over the area being a chief topic of contention.

Arctic cold war: climate change has ignited a new polar power struggle
Climate change has ignited a new proxy struggle for the domination of the ocean.
Climate change: Polar bears could be lost by 2100 - BBC News
These might be one of the last generation of the polar bears.

China and India claim to have planted at least a billion trees in the last 5 years with China keen on developing technologies that are associated with building forest towns – a human enclosure built within an artificial forest as the future of dwelling. France announced a closing of all its coal plants 2 years ahead of schedule. But is that all? Global statistics show a massive increase in demand for coal in 2020 and ’21.

Liuzhou Forest City | Stefano Boeri Architetti
The Liuzhou city might be the first forest city on the planet.

The images of environment recovering due to COVID might be fairly short lived.

Fascinating phenomena

  • Scientists say the higher your I.Q. the more you dream. While this may be true, don’t take it as a sign you are mentally lacking if you can’t recall your dreams. Most of us don’t remember many of our dreams, is only 2-3 seconds- barely long enough to register.
  • Neurons continue to grow throughout human life.
  • Information travels at different speed within different types of neurons. Not all neurons are the same. There are a few different kinds can be as slow as 0.5m/sec or as fast as 120m/sec.
  • The brain operates on the same amount of power as 10-watt light bulb over your head when a great thought occurs isn’t too far off the mark. It generates as much energy as a small light bulb even when sleeping.
  • After eating too much, your hearing is less sharp. If you are heading to a concert or a musical after a big meal you may be doing yourself a disservice.
  • Women are born better smellers than men and remain better smellers over life. Studies have shown that women are more able to correctly pinpoint just what a smell is.
  • Even small noises cause the pupils of the eyes to dilate. The sound causes their pupils to change focus and blur their vision, making it harder to do their job well.
  • Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents. Humans can identify a wide variety of scents and many are strongly tied to memories.
  • Nails and hair do not continue to grow after we die. They do appear longer when we die, however as the skin dehydrates and pulls back from the nail beds and scalp.
  • By the age of 60, most people will have lost about half their taste buds. Older individuals tend to lose their ability to taste.
  • Your eyes are always the same size form birth but your nose and ears never stop growing.
  • By 60 years of age, 60 percent of men and 40% percent of women will snore. Normal snores average around 60 decibels and can reach more than 80 decibels.
  • A baby’s head is one quarter of its total length, but by age 25 will only be one-eighth of its total length
  • Laughter protects the heart. It improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow.
  • It helps in releasing endorphins which can bring positive changes to the mindset of a person.
  • A child of the age of six years, laughs about three times more than an adult.
  • Your brain can detect fake laughter. Your brain automatically goes to work deciphering why someone is deliberately laughing.
  • Psychology says if you are meeting someone for the first time you only have about 7 seconds to make a powerful first impression.
  • Math anxiety is a psychological disorder which causes stress and anxiety when doing math problems.
  • Singing has positive psychological effects. Singing releases endorphins making you feel better almost instantly.
  • Learning new things produces physical changes in your brain structure.
  • On an average it takes us 66 days to form any particular habit, be it good or bad. So don’t give up while building good habits.
  • Sit up straight to recall memories more easily.
  • When people close their eyes, they are able to answer 23% more questions correctly about a movie they had just watched.
  • Crying males you feel better, reduces stress and may help to keep your body healthy.
  • We are more creative at night and least creative in the afternoon.
  • If you drink enough water in the morning you will feel happier, sharper, more energetic throughout the day.
  • Farting is good for health. It helps in reducing high blood pressure.
  • The human body needs iron to help perform a number of important functions. Iron helps carry oxygen to parts of your body in the form of haemoglobin.
  • Better to move around than sitting, as sitting more than 3 hours can reduce 2 years of your life.
  • Those who sit upright are much happier than those who slouch.

Well, It’s geographically strange…

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

Hey you all there!!

Here are some facts, I heard or read somewhere and it stuck my mind as strange or unique or interesting and I thought that why not share them with you all. And so here we go-

  1. If most of the sunlight falls on the equator then naturally the oceans in this region should have the highest temperature. But, it turns out that the temperate region’s oceans waters have the highest temperature. And here’s why. The temperature at the equator is high but so is the average yearly rainfall. The higher rainfall sort of counter balances the high temperature. But the rainfall at the temperate regions isn’t that high and so the overall temperature there is higher.
  2. The Norwegian sea lies near the Arctic ocean and its neighbouring countries include Iceland, Greenland and Russia. But, even after being in such a low temperature zone, the water of Norwegian sea doesn’t freeze in winters and the ships are still able to pass while those travelling through Russia aren’t. Well, it is due to a warm oceanic current that goes by the name of Norwegian current that keeps the water way above the freezing point.
  3. The northern part of the Indian ocean experiences both clockwise and anti-clockwise direction of ocean current and it is a feature of the country’s seasons. It was a reason of flourishing trade as well as inter-mixing of the Arabian and the Indian people as the ships travelling had to wait for the seasons to change so that the currents could effectively be used to travel.
  4. Japan has a very high land area as mountainous and a very small area of land. Combine this with the steep continental shelf of the nearby Pacific ocean and the meeting of warm and cold oceanic current, it provides for a very good fishing ground. It is why the Japanese people have a staple diet of fish (in addition to some cultural reasons).
  5. Most of the world’s active volcanoes are concentrated in the Pacific ocean in the ring of fire that is a junction point of several tectonic plates, followed by the Mediterranean sea.
  6. The South pole has a lower temperature as compared to that of the North pole. It is because south pole is a land region surrounded with water and the land region has high altitude mountains that help in lowering the temperature. Most of the ozone holes occur in this region.
  7. The Pacific ocean is sinking and after some million years, it won’t be the largest ocean of the world. Oh! And the Atlantic ocean is expanding, all a result of tectonic plate interaction. This is also why the Himalayas in our country is growing(at the rate of 1 cm/year, though the rate might be soon slowing down as the collision between the Eurasian and Indian plate is slowing down.).
  8. 31 December in Alaska is 1 January in Russia. Now, you know what to do if you happen to stumble upon in Russia during the new year’s eve.

Well, this is all in ‘geographically strange’. If you all like it, I will do a part 2 . Next in this series is ‘biologically strange’. So, stay tuned..

Expanding fast food industries

Fast foods which are lurking right outside our door steps with a rise in the number of restaurants and hotels is expected to boost and accelerate the growth of the fast food market due to rapid prohibition and globalization. The global fast food market size was calculated to be the USD 647.7 billion in 2021 and it is envisioned to reach USD 931.7 billion by the end of 2026 at a CAGR of 4.6% over the period. It is the food that is prepared and served at quick service restaurants or through street vendors. It has also found itself as an alternative to home made food. It was created on the note of a commercial strategy to entice large numbers of busy commuters, travelers and wage workers who barely find time to sit down and wait for their meal.

They consist of pre cooked meals kept in readiness for a customers arrival and hence the name. We may think that a wide variety of food can be cooked at a faster rate even in our home but the fast food is a commercial term limited to food sold in a restaurant or store with frozen, preheated or cooked that are served to the consumers in a well packed form for take away. All these can attribute to the growth of fast food industries. The global fast food market has resisted growth due to the rise in the consumer foodservice sector even during the recession. It dates back from the first fish and chip shops in Britain in the 1860s. Drive through restaurants were first popularized in the 1950s in the United states.

Even though there is an increase in health awareness among consumers and an increase in demand for healthy food as studies have shown that eating more fast food causes overnight, obesity, and other medical problems, the fast food market is greatly increased by the increase in the speed of life of the urban population and the need for faster and cheaper options for the food. The fast food market is also driven by a languid population that expects meals to be delivered at home. Additionally the widespread of many food based app companies comping up with enticing offers and the flourishing trend of online orders may open more opportunities aiding the growth of fast food industries during the forecast period.

Before we actually start eating the food the advertisements start eating our mind with the eye catching and delicious fast foods, in addition the readily available healthy fast food can provide healthy food audiences with options that promote the development of the fast food market, because fast food industries come up with captivating ads that the fast foods available today are healthy with the right mix and proportions of healthy vegetables, fruits and organic ingredients. The new product launches in the fast food markets has also risen the hype and urge for the fast foods. The increase in disposable income has in turn increased the frequency of dining out. The industry also make it possible for the small players to be advantaged of the global market shares fast food by satisfying the needs of the consumers and constantly maintaining the competitive prices. In the contemporary world as both women and men work with parity and women are hired more significantly it becomes quite difficult for them to cook timely and leads to the choice of fast foods. The fast food industries are also fueled by the overall increment in the number of quick service restaurants, hotels and online services.

When there are also many restraints and health risks that comes along with the fast foods, according to a study there has been an increase in levels of calcium and iron especially in the desserts provided. The above mentioned factors and reasons greatly accounts for the rapid growth of the fast food markets. In the present world where everybody are running through a hectic lifestyle the fast food industry has strongly found its place where consumers are looking for convenience, speed, affordability and predictability rather than a memorable dining experience.

Child obesity

Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child’s health or well-being. As methods to determine body fat directly are difficult, the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI. Due to the rising prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents its many adverse health effects it is being recognized as a serious public health concern. One of the best ways to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the eating and exercise habits of your entire family. Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect your child’s health now and in the future.

Symptoms

Not all children carrying extra pounds are overweight. Some children have larger than the average body so they may carry weight according to their body. And children normally carry different amounts of body fat at the various stages of development. So you might not know by how your child looks if weight is a health concern.

The body mass index (BMI), which provides a guideline of weight in relation to height, is the accepted measure of overweight and obesity. Your child’s doctor can use growth charts, the BMI and, if necessary, other tests to help you figure out if your child’s weight could pose health problems.

Causes

Lifestyle issues like too little activity and too many calories from food and drinks are the main contributors to childhood obesity. But genetic and hormonal factors might play a role as well.

Risk Factors

  • Certain medications- Some prescription drugs can increase the risk of developing obesity. So, you should always be in touch with your family doctor while your child is in medication.
  • Socioeconomic factors- People in some communities have limited resources and limited access to supermarkets. As a result, they might buy convenience foods that don’t spoil quickly, such as frozen meals, crackers and cookies. Also, people who live in lower income neighbourhoods might not have access to a safe place to exercise.
  • Lack of exercise- Children who don’t exercise much are more likely to gain weight because they don’t burn as many calories as they should.
  • Diet- Eating high-calorie foods, such as fast foods, baked goods and vending machine snacks, on a regular basis can led your child in a risk of Child Obesity.
  • Family factors- If your child comes from a family of overweight people, he or she may be more likely to put on weight. This can even be possible if the environment is where food with high calorie are always available.
  • Psychological factors- Personal, parental, and family stress can increase a child’s risk of obesity.

Complications

Child obesity can cause various life-threatening complications that can affect their physical, social and emotional well-being.

Prevention

  • Make sure that your child gets enough sleep
  • Include green vegetables and protein enriched food in his/her diet
  • Exercise is must to keep your chil’s health healthy

Bailment

Section 148 defines the terms ‘bailment’, ‘bailor’ and ‘bailee’.

A bailment is the delivery of goods by one person to another for some purpose upon a contract that they shall when the purpose is accomplished be returned or otherwise disposed of according to directions of the person delivering them. The person delivering the goods is called the bailor and the person to whom the goods are delivered is called the bailee.

Essentials of Bailment

1.Delivery of the goods for some purpose

2.Return of the goods after the purpose is achieved, or their disposal according to the bailor’s directions.

Kinds of Bailment

  1. Gratuitous Bailment: In gratuitous bailment it is without any consideration for benefit of bailor or bailee.
  2. Non-Gratuitous Bailment: Benefit for both bailor and bailee. Also known as bailment for reward.
  3. Bailment for benefit of bailor: Bailor delivers his goods to bailee for safe custody without any benefit or reward.
  4. Bailment for benefit of bailee: Bailor delivers his goods to a bailee without any benefit for his own use.
  5. Bailment for benefit of bailor and bailee: It is beneficial for both i.e. bailor and bailee.

Duty of Bailor

Section 150 mentions the following duty of bailor in respect of the goods bailed by him:

  1. The bailor is bound to disclose the faults to the bailee in the goods bailed, of which the bailor is aware and materially interfere with the use of them, or expose the bailee to extraordinary risks; and if he does not make such disclosure, he is responsible for the damage arising to bailee directly from such faults.
  2. If the goods are bailed for hire, the bailor is responsible for such damage, whether he was or was not aware of the existence of such fault in the goods bailed.

Duties of Bailee

  1. Duty to take reasonable care of the goods bailed (Section 151 and 152).
  2. Duty not to make unauthorised use of the goods bailed (Section 153 and 154).
  3. Duty not to mix the bailor’s goods with his own goods ( Section 155,156,157).
  4. Duty to return the goods on fulfillment of the purpose (Section 160,161 and 165,166,167).
  5. Duty to deliver to the bailor increase or profit on the goods bailed (Section 163).

How Covid-19 pandemic has hit the fashion industry hard?

The coronavirus outbreak has negatively impacted the fashion industry on every imaginable level; production has ceased, retailers have closed, and demand has plummeted.

As we all know that fashion is an industry that runs on change with new trends, styles, and whole new ranges offered up every season. To meet those demands, it must keep the supply chain working at full steam to stitch up and ship out new fashions at breakneck speed.

According to reports the Global Fashion Agenda in its Pulse of the Fashion Industry 2019 study “Fashion companies are not implementing sustainable solutions fast enough to counterbalance negative environmental and social impacts of the rapidly growing fashion industry”.

Now the global coronavirus pandemic has brought sustainability to the forefront. As an immediate threat to everyone’s health, it demonstrates how fragile we are as human beings and how our future health and happiness depend on the healthy environment that we have around us.

The coronavirus crisis has crumpled the social fabric of our lives and the fashion industry as well. Be it the way we address our financial goals or the way we dress are in our hands which has been automatically crushed after the attack of this deadly virus.

Even as fashion titans like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci and some Indian designers are casting their bread upon the waters to create safe and sustainable clothing (including PPE kits), the most that we can do is wait. and watch!

Fashion historians believe that people changed their dressing style after the 1918 Flu Pandemic, the Great Depression and World War II. The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic is no exception.

But after all this, fashion has not been put down but has found new ways. The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted all spheres but be its online retail, or traffic on e-commerce sites like Amazon.com, E-commerce sales grew during the initial six months of 2020 as everything became online. The online market of second-hand and recycled clothes, shoes and accessories has also seen a spike during this period. Many retailers from the fashion industry in the U.S. and other countries went all out to find a different way to send products into the hands of the shoppers and started shipping as it can be time-consuming but profitable. Added to that, many consumers simply aren’t interested in buying clothes right now. There’s so much focus on purchasing essential items to survive during the lockdown and I think everyone’s minds have naturally been focused on that. So fashion just becomes an after-thought or no thought.

You may nod and naff in equal measure, but it looks like Back to Basics. Now fashion trends are varying as the world slowly emerges from the global quarantine. With weddings now becoming more intimate, smaller in size, the fusion trends will find favour with both brides and bridesmaids. Mirror lehengas, organza skirts, pre-stitched sarees, necklet gowns, dhoti-crop tops in handwoven fabrics and hand-done embroideries with traditional textile techniques will trend. It will also help support the rural artisans and handloom communities.

Come, Join me!!

Photo by JAMES WESTMAN on Pexels.com

Come, join me on the path of this river as it begins its journey from the mountain top, travels through the various stages and merges with the sea meeting its end, or is it the beginning of its new life in a new form? Well, it is debatable and a lot about perspective but what stands true is the fact that it goes through various stages, experiences several changes- in itself, in its surroundings and is itself the cause of soo many.

So, come let us join the river in its life course.

The river originates from the mountain top, from the glaciers. This river then travels down the slope, young and full of energy, erosion being its prime activity(vertical corrasion). It, thus, cuts deep through the valley forming gorges and canyons. It is young and naive and arrogant, believes it can do anything. On the way, it meets some hard rocks. They are strong and experienced and do not budge. But the river is adamant and so travels above them, forming rapids and cataracts. It, now, reaches the end of the mountain and has to plunge through a great height. The height could have been the result of the relatives of the above hard rock, who were persistent even when everything else surrounding them was destroyed or it could have been due to the cracks formed between the two plates of the earth, who had seen a lot together but knew it was time to let go or it might have very well been the end of the plateau the river was traversing: maybe, it was time for a new beginning. The river, hence, formed a waterfall, diving towards its new life.

The river has now reached the middle course. It has now lost a lot of its energy, but fairly traded it for wisdom. It again meets the same hard rocks. But now the river knows engaging with them is aa wastage of its energy. And so, it changes its path, curving every time it encounters one. Here, it forms a meander. During the formation of a meander, according to its requirements, it erodes the mud of the outer bank to make space for the water, forming a steep river cliff. It also ends up depositing the mud in its inner bank and mid stream when its needs for space are met. Though, on its path it meets several one of its relatives and some new additions to its family(the tributaries) and has to make space for them(horizontal corrasion). The life here is good. But the river cannot go on this way forever. It has entered the plains and its energy is draining. It has to meet the ocean.

And so , the river now enters its lower course. It, in the beginning, leaves behind the most accommodating waters (forming the ox-bow lake). After all, the world, today, is not a place for the easily bending ones. The river now bears the burden accumulated throughout its life, it sediments. It cannot travel any further carrying the burden. Thus, the river, starts renouncing the burden on its final path. The more silt it deposits, the lighter it feels an the easier it gets to travel. The friends and companions it had accumulated throughout its life, all one-by-one leave it. They will meet again in the sea, but for now each of them has their own journey to make (here, they form a delta).

And this marks the end of life of the river. But, its water is now part of the sea. There, it experiences new challenges in a new place and in a new form.

Evolutions in the medical domain

  • Small pox was a deadly and contagious disease that nearly killed 35% of its victims, while leaving the rest blind or scarred. The last natural case of small pox according to WHO was in 1977 and it was completely eradicated in 1980 with no such cases now in India.
  • Polio While the WHO continues with its efforts to eradicate the disease, it has been eliminated in India. India certified polio free in March 2014 from over 50000 cases in 1995 when it launched the campaign against polio.
  • Yaws is a kind of chronic bacterial disease which mostly affects tribal population that inhabits remote, hilly and forest areas. It targets skin, bones and joints and was eliminated from India in 2006.
  • Rinderpest caused the death of millions of cattle, buffalo, yak and wild animals leading to famine and starvation. It was declared eradicated in 2011 making it the first animal disease to be eliminated in the history of mankind.

With all the advancements in medicine and science the human race have managed to battle and have won against some of the deadliest diseases mentioned above with the evolution of vaccines and medications and there are also many emerging medical advancements which is very vital for the mankind and for the progression of the society and economy. The broader availability of technologies, digital platforms and aging global population are driving change in the health care industry faster than ever before. The technology over medicines is been growing seamlessly which we might have failed to perceive because of its abundance. Let us have a look at some of the tremendous advancements in the medical field.

Drug development – The development of covid 19 vaccines in less than a year is also one of the greater scientific accomplishments in human history. It is the process of bringing a new pharmaceutical drug to the market once a lead compound has been identified through the process of drug discovery. There has been a constant development in drugs against various diseases. The most important drugs are penicillin for the treatment of microbial diseases, insulin, morphine, aspirin, steroids etc.

Nano medicine– is the medical application of nanotechnology that uses the knowledge and tools of nanotechnology to the prevention and treatment of diseases. It has its applications in imaging, sensing, diagnosis, and delivery through medical devices. It has demonstrated great potential for enabling improved diagnosis and monitoring of many serious illness including cancer, cardiovascular and neurological disorders, HIV/AIDS.

AI & Machine learning are at their best when supplied with vast amounts of raw data, much as one would find flowing in and out of a medical facility. AI is increasingly being used in remote monitoring and telehealth applications. It makes it possible to analyze millions of CAT scans and from that detected patterns could be used to treat, prevent, or predict diseases.

Cancer immunotherapy– Immunotherapy is changing definitions in the medical world, primarily by curing previously un-curable diseases. The premise of immunotherapy is to genetically alter a patient’s cells to work in tandem with the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, immunotherapy detects and destroys more cancerous cells and reduce tumor growth.

Robotic surgery– Robotics has been making an impact on medical care since the 1980’s, but as the technology behind it has improved, the applications have increased exponentially. Nanobots in the bloodstream can diagnose and prevent disease. Image guided robots can now investigate lesions on the brain without damaging any if the surrounding tissue. Robotic surgery is minimally invasive, more precise, less prone to infection and quicker to heal.

Quantum computing – We still have our place in the initial stages of quantum computing, but this technology has already been used in combination with machine learning to quickly recognize medical tools and annotations during cataract surgery. It could enable a range of disruptive use cases for providers and health plans by accelerating diagnoses, personalizing medicine and optimizing pricing.

Vacuum-induced uterine tamponade device Childbirth should a joyous experience, but between 1% and 5% of women experience postpartum hemorrhage, which is a tragic complication. Vacuum induced uterine tamponade changed all that by creating negative pressure in the uterus to collapse the bleeding cavity and shut off leaking blood vessels. This low cost noninvasive procedure may prove useful with limited access to other treatment options.

Wireless brain sensors This medical device will aid doctors in measuring the temperature and pressure within the brain. Since the sensors are able to dissolve, they reduce the need for additional surgeries.

3-D Printing has quickly become one of the hottest technologies in the market. They can be used to create implants and even joints to be used during surgery. The use of printers can create both long lasting and soluble items. 3-D printing can be used to print pills that contain multiple drugs, which will help patients with the organization , timing and monitoring of multiple medications.

There are plentiful advancements that are flooding the medical industries. And these are the best examples on how technology and medicine go together and all these make it more accurate and more efficient diagnoses and treatments and could win the battle against many dreadful diseases like cancer etc.

Duties Of An Agent

Agent and Principal

An “agent” is a person employed to do any act for another, or to represent another in dealing with third person. The person for whom such an act is done, or who is so represented, is called the “principal”. The contract between Principal and Agent is called ‘Contract of Agency’. Section 182 of the act defines the terms “Agent” and “Principal”.

Types of an Agent

  1. Brokers
  2. Factors
  3. Del Ceredere Agents
  4. Auctioneers

Duties Of An Agent

  1. Agent’s duty in conducting principal’s business (Section 211): An agent is bound to conduct the business of his principal according to the directions given by the principal, or, in the absence of any such directions, according to the custom which prevails in doing business of the same kind at the place where the agent conducts such business. When the agent acts otherwise, if any loss be sustained, he must make it good to his principal, and, if any profit accrues, he must account for it. Illustration: B, a broker in whose business it is not the custom to sell on credit, sells goods of A on credit to C, whose credit at the time was very high. C, before payment, becomes insolvent. B must make goods the loss to A.
  2. Skill and diligence required from an agent (Section 212): An agent is bound to conduct the business of the agency with as much skill as is generally possessed by persons engaged in similar business, unless the principal has notice of his want of skill. The agent is always bound to act with reasonable diligence, and to use such skill as he possesses; and to make compensation to his principal in respect of the direct consequences of his own neglect, want of skill or misconduct, but not in respect of loss or damage which are indirectly or remotely caused by such neglect, want of skill or misconduct.
  3. Duty to render proper accounts (Section 213): According to Section 213 of the Indian Contract Act 1872, an agent is bound to render proper accounts to his principal on demand.
  4. Duty to communicate with principal (Section 214): It is the duty of an agent, in cases of difficulty, to use all reasonable diligence in communicating with his principal, and in seeking to obtain his instructions.
  5. Not to deal on his own account: Section 215 of the Indian Contract Act 1872 deals with rights of principal when the agent deals, on his own account, in the business of agency without principal’s consent. Section 215 runs as follows- If an agent deals on his own account in the business of the agency, without first obtaining the consent of his principal and acquainting him with all material circumstances which have come to his own knowledge on the subject, the principal may repudiate the transaction, if the case shows either that any material fact has been dishonestly concealed from him by the agent, or that the dealings of the agent have been disadvantageous to him.
  6. Not to make Secret Profits: Section 216 of the Indian Contract Act, deals with Principal’s right to benefit gained by the agent dealing on his own account in the business of agency. An agent, without the knowledge of his principal, should not deal in the business of agency on his own to make secret profit. Illustrations: A directs B, his agent, to buy a certain house for him. B tells A it cannot be bought, and buys the house for himself. A may, on discovering that B has bought the house, compel him to sell it to A at the price he gave for it.
  7. Duty to pay sums received for principal: According to Section 218 of the said act, an agent is bound to pay to his principal all sums received on his account. It is the duty of an agent to maintain secrecy of the business of agency and should not reveal the confidential matters.
  8. Duty not to delegate his duties (Section 190): When an agent has undertaken to perform certain duties personally, he is not allowed to delegate his duties to another person.

Paleo dieting

The rise of health issues like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure continues to proliferate with a demand for dieting to lose weight for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. With the tempting delicious food in the restaurants, and the fast foods available right at our doorsteps it may be quite difficult to achieve and maintain a much wanted healthy lifestyle. Everyone who wish to lose weight seem to have ample of options to diet. Each diet has a particular lifestyle and to obtain the best results one has to strongly stick as religiously as possible. Paleo diet was the Google’s most searched for weight loss method in the recent years. It is one of the most popular diets of today and people who have undertaken such a diet find it to be really effective.

As compared to all other fad diets, the Paleo diet is one that holds a unique place as it is principled and based on ancient history. The paleo diet also known as the caveman diet is based around eating plants and wild animals. The diet is based on the foods that would have been hunted, fished and gathered during the stone age era and hence the name caveman diet. A paleo diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, and nuts-all elements of a healthy diet. Foods such as meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, tree nuts, vegetables, roots, fruits and berries are often associated with the diet. It includes meat though preferably unprocessed meet, the wilder the better. Some get to sound this strange and weird because many have a basic idea that diets are often linked with easting less food and which are completely devoid of meat.

It is not a form of diet that promotes starvation or crash dieting rather it educates how to basically enhance the food choices for a healthy result. The aim of a paleo diet is to return to a way of eating that’s more like what early humans ate. Some of the food that should be avoided in a paleo diet are grains like wheat, oats, barley, legumes, potatoes, dairy products, salt and refined sugar. The diet also emphasizes drinking lot of water and being physically active everyday. Over the clinical trials by comparing the paleo diet to other eating diet plans, paleo diet may provide some benefits when compared with diets with fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, legumes and low fat dairy products.

Risks invloved

  • Paleo dieting deals with cutting out grains, starches and processed foods which means you will be cutting out a lot of sugar. If your body is used to consuming sugar daily, you might initially lose some of its short term energy and boosting properties.
  • Some experts caution against the paleo dieting because eliminating dairy can leave you with lower levels of calcium and vitamin D so this could put you at risk of developing osteoporosis, bone fractures or rickets and other critical bone diseases.
  • If you are not careful about the types of proteins you intake, the diet can put at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease for instance, red meat is high in saturated fats, which can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.
  • Consuming the paleo diet-recommended amount of saturated fats can increase the risk of kidney and heart diseases.

Perks

  • Promotes healthy blood glucose level.
  • Better blood pressure control
  • More weight loss
  • Better appetite management
  • Improved satiety
  • Improved cholesterol balance

The food which the paleo diet comprises find their importance in gastrointestinal health and over all inflammation levels. Many anecdotal stories of people’s improved health and well being on the Paleo diet have had positive results regarding blood glucose and cholesterol levels. For significant dietary change, it is best to consult a doctor before diving into the Paleo diet. It is always prominent to work with your doctor and pay keen attention to how your body responds because paleo dieting doesn’t work the same way for everyone.