United States deaths from the novel coronavirus rose by more than 1150 for a second day on Wednesday 22nd July, including a record one-day rise in fatalities in Alabama, California and Nevada, according to a Worldometer.
The United States has not seen back to back days with over 1150 deaths since May end. Weeks after cases began to surge, more than 20 states are now seeing fatalities also rise.
Positivity rates are at alarming levels in numerous states, hospitalizations are soaring, and more than 1205 Deaths rose by on Wednesday to a total of over 146,183 after climbing 1165 on Tuesday. Total cases are nearing 4.1 million.
One hard hit New Jersey, Florida and Texas county is storing bodies in refrigerated trucks after Covid-19 deaths doubled in the span of a week.
As Corona virus keeps on getting bigger and spreads so is the technology and innovation. It is making peoples life easier in the lockdown by keeping us all virtually connected. Technology is helping the authorities fight this virus.
The Drones in the Skies-
These flying camera birds are helping in patrolling and making sure evrybody is maintaining social distancing. They help the officials check on things and also maintain social distancing at the same time. In remote areas agricultural drones were used for spraying disinfectants. In some parts of the country theyare being used to deliver crucial medical supplies.
Online Clinics and Counseling-
Due to this one illness other diseases have lost its importance. People suffering from issues like hypertension and arthiritis are being provided with online medical assistance. Many institutes are also offering online psychological counseling service.
Robot nurses and Artificial Intelligence scans
Robots are also used in many Chinese hospitals to deliver food, medicine and other supplies to patients; to disinfect hospitals and other public areas; to check patients temperatures; and to answer common questions. Coronavirus is being diagnosed using AI, which can read thousands of CT scans in 20 seconds with an accuracy rate of 96%.
Virtual Classrooms
After weeks of schools being closed, possibly the biggest challenge for parents is keeping children occupied and continuing their schoolwork. To enable this, many schools have rolled out online learning platforms, where students take courses and teachers give lectures from home, via live-streaming platforms.
Research and Development
Within the first few weeks of the virus, China had sequenced the genome. By posting that sequencing online, it trigged a ripple effect in research labs across the world, with a surge in orders for synthetic samples of the virus to build copies of it from scratch. This allowed new treatments to be trialed – even experiments that failed offered vital clues in guiding researchers on where they should focus.
Smartphones and Internet
Smartphones are playing a critical role in reducing exposure. Delivery apps offer contact-less delivery, whereby drivers drop food off at a specific point – including a card stating the temperature of everyone involved in cooking and delivering the food. Another offers users maps marking residential communities with confirmed cases and their proximity to them. Meanwhile, mobile payment apps are reducing transmission along paper money, which can carry viruses for up to 17 days. With the world’s highest penetration of e-wallets and two of the world’s largest mobile pay, Chinese fin-tech is helping to slow the coronavirus spread.
Work From Home
A major challenge during the virus is being able to work. Several tech companies are offering free online collaborative tools. Other businesses have quickly adopted work-from-home policies, using online meeting software, collaborations platforms and LBS technology to clock in and ensure employees stay home. At UNDP, the use of Zoom teleconferencing and ERP Platforms have allowed us to keep working.
Virtually Connected
Compulsory quarantine has disrupted daily life and curtailed social interaction for nearly one fifth of the global population. This is leading millions to meet online instead. Families dine together with relatives in distant cities, raising a glass to each other on camera. Even weddings have been held in Virtual Reality.
While the use of technology can at times present its own challenges, and fuel debates about privacy and public good; in the fight against the coronavirus, it is playing a critical role in offering treatment, information, support, food, schooling and greater safety for many.
Osian village in Jodhpur district in Rajasthan is a delight for those who love historical architecture and the fact that you get to see all of it in an oasis in the Thar Desert makes it a double whammy. The 8th to 11th century temples there make this village a must-visit destination.
Tarkarli, Maharashtra
Frankly, almost any beach on the Konkan coast could have qualified for this spot. Tarkarli, in Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra, with its pristine waters, long and narrow beaches with Shuru trees in the background, managed to earn some extra points. It’s one of the most peaceful and non-commercialized beaches in India.
Gavi, Kerala
We usually associate trekking with mountains and hills. But this is one wildlife trek you wouldn’t want to miss. Located in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, on the highway connecting Kollam and Madurai, Gavi is part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is said that the only two gopher trees in India can be found in Gavi.
Kasar Devi/Crank’s Ridge, Uttarakhand
If you’re interested in the hippie-way of life but are tired of the huge number of tourists in Himachal Pradesh, you need to make it a point to visit Kasar Devi village near Almora in Uttarakhand. Crank’s Ridge, or Hippie Hill as the locals call it, on the way to Kasar Devi temple is also a historical place for hippies. Legends like Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens are some of the few people who visited this place during the peak of the Hippie movement in the sixties.
Lonar Crater, Maharashtra
Located in Buldana district in Maharashtra, the Lonar Crater Lake was formed around 570,000 years ago due to a meteor impact. Owing to its high concentration of carbonate salts it’s categorized as a saline soda lake. So, it’s a soda lake formed by a crater.
Krem Mawmluh & Krem Ri Blai, Meghalaya
Cave exploration hasn’t taken off in a big way in India, which is really surprising considering there are so many options to do so in this country. Krem Mawmluh and Krem Ri Blai, in Mehgalaya, are natural horizontal and vertical caves respectively. Make it a point to visit them at least once in your life.
Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro is a town in the Lower Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh and it has been hosting the Ziro Festival of Music for the past three years. But here’s the thing – the quaint little town is so attractive, that even without a crowd pulling event, it would find a spot on this list.
Wayanad, Kerala
This piece of trivia goes out especially to those trying to escape the city life for a while – Wayanad district is only 3.79% urbanized. Yep, lots of greenery here. Ancient history geeks can also trip out on the Edakkal caves where they can see actual pictorial writings from the Neolithic period.
Unakoti, Tripura
The stone carvings in Unakoti in Tripura are one of the most detailed ones in India and yet, this place is rarely visited. As per Hindu mythology, when Lord Shiva was going to Kashi along with one crore gods and goddesses, he made a night halt at this location. He asked all of them to wake up before sun rise. It is said that in the morning, except Shiva himself, no one else woke up on time. So Shiva set out for Kashi on his own cursing the others to become stone images. Perfect for both spirituality and history enthusiasts, this is truly one of the most underrated places in the country.
Finding the highest paid jobs in India for freshers might seem a little difficult. But once you’ve found them, your task will get a lot easier. You’ll then know what you should focus on. And to help you in that regard, we have prepared the following list of the top jobs in India.
Well you need skills and alot of hard work too, to earn the highest pay that any field is offering. These options can however be one of the motivating factor for you. If you dont find the field of your interest then remember that –
“Earning money is possible in any job if one is passionate about the kind of work and hence hustles hard enough to reach the top of their game.”
The List to top highest paid jobs in India are as follows:
Blockchain developer
Much like how a normal web developer uses the protocols and design structure set up by a core web architect to build web apps, blockchain software developers build decentralized applications or Dapps using blockchain technology. Their roles include: Development of Smart Contracts
There’s a wide base of knowledge to help you become a blockchain developer. If you’re interested in joining the field, it’s an opportunity for you to make a difference by pioneering the next wave of tech innovations. It pays very well and is in high demand.
The banking sector, the insurance industry, governments, and retail industries are some of the sectors where blockchain developers can work. If you’re willing to work for it, being a blockchain developer is an excellent career choice.
Cybersecurity specialist
Cyber Security Specialist is responsible for providing security during the development stages of software systems, networks and data centers. The professionals have to search for vulnerabilities and risks in hardware and software. They manage and monitor any attacks and intrusions
Security analysts spend their days studying the devices in use, analyzing network structure, and testing security measures like firewalls and software permissions. They look for weak points and aim to shore up defenses. They also report regularly to upper administration and may have to present findings and recommendations before management. Security analysts sometimes work with other departments to ensure their colleagues understand the organization’s best practices for information security.
Digital marketing specialist
A digital marketing analyst is responsible for analyzing statistics and looking for ways that the company can improve its online marketing efforts. These efforts include things like social media ads, website banner ads, and online branding. Many businesses know that digital marketing is essential to their success.
Customer success specialist
Customer Success is an integration of functions and activities of Marketing, Sales, Professional Services, Training and Support into a new profession. There are three necessary building blocks for this emerging profession: an in-depth knowledge of the customers, effective expertise in the product being sold, and extensive domain expertise.
Growth manager
he Growth Manager function typically lives at the intersection of marketing and product development, and is focused on customer and user acquisition, activation, retention, and upsell. The Growth Manager usually reports either to the CEO, the vice president of Product Management, or the vice president of Marketing.
Artificial intelligence specialist
Artificial intelligence (AI) specialists program computers to “think.” Some AI specialists work in cognitive simulation, in which computers are used to test hypotheses about how the human mind works. For example, the AI specialist might develop a computer program to simulate the way the human brain might recognize a face. The computer’s ability to recognize a face would then be compared to a human’s ability.
Data Analysts
A good number of companies are leveraging Big Data in order to pull out the most vital and beneficial data. This practice has paved the way for augmented productivity not only for the companies but also for their employees.
So, what do Data analysts do? Well, they translate trajectories, trends, and numbers into digestible chunks of information. Businesses gather data such as inventories, profit margins, transportation costs, logistics, and sales figures, etc.
Data analysts collect that data and help the companies to go with workable business decisions. The primary job of a data analyst is to resolve the issues that increase the company’s costs and to make better decisions for the expansion of the business.
Robotics engineer
India might be a little slow when it comes to technology advancements, nut we have some of the most brilliant minds in this country. Machines have started to replace people in dangerous jobs such as defense, space, nuclear power plants, etc.
A career in robotics is a career of the future and is a high paying career to adapt for.
Robotics Engineer deals with the design, building structure, and the applications of robots and computer and their manipulation and processing. Robotic science has a tremendous scope as a career option as robots play an important role in the industrial sector.
Keep all future jobs in your mind now and start developing your skills in the one that excites you. Start finding your passion also starts working on it today. It really does not matter what career option you choose, but the key factor of getting the desired position lies in your resume writing skills. ensure that you have a professionally written resume along with sharpening your career, that 10x your chances to land your DREAM JOB.
Today 22nd july, the death anniversary of Dr Muthulakshmi reddy. A surgeon, an educator, a social reformer and much more, Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy was a multitalented human and a campaigner of women’s rights. Google Doodle honoured Dr Muthulakshmi, India’s first woman legislator and one of the first women doctors in India on her 133rd birth anniversary.
EARLY LIFE
Dr Muthulakshmi was born on July 30, 1886. She was the daughter of a Devadasi Chandrammal who was married to Narayanaswamy, the principal of Maharaja’s College in Pudukkottai. She was born in an age where the phrase ‘women must be seen and not heard’, was often bandied about and used as an excuse to subvert the true potential of women. Muthulakshmi was intimate with Devadasi culture and norms. Right from a young age, her keen mind and quick ability to grasp things made her a roaring success at school. Upon reaching maturity, she continued her education through home-schooling.
STRUGGLE TOWARDS HER DETERMINATION
Later, she defied her parent’s decision to get her married, choosing education instead. But being a woman, her dream to pursue education invited the silent outrage of the conservative society. Because of the strong social pressures, the Maharaja college refused to admit her despite the excellent academic record. It was only whenMartanda Bhairava Thondaman, the forward-thinking Raja of Pudukkottai stepped in and ordered them to take-in Muthulakshmi, that the college grudgingly accepted her application. Thus, breaking all the stereotypes of that time, Muthulakshmi became the first woman ever to get admission to Maharajah College which was a men’s college in Pudukottai. But it was just a beginning. After completing her under-graduation, she sought admission to the Madras Medical College. She was also the first and only woman candidate in the Medical College in 1907. It was during her college years that Muthulakshmi formed a deep friendship with Sarojini Naidu and Annie Besant, two individuals whose personal philosophies would go on to influence many of her future endeavours. She became the first woman House Surgeon in the Government Maternity and Ophthalmic Hospital, Madras.
Later, she went to London to pursue Higher Education. Muthulakshmi came back to India upon a request from the Women’s Indian Association – an organisation she helped establish in 1918, to enter the Madras Legislative Council in 1927. She was elected to the post of Vice-President, making her the first Indian woman member of a Legislative Council. This event also marked her entry into politics and legislation after which, she made efforts to improve the lives of all women everywhere. In her capacity as a legislator, Muthulakshmi helped raise the minimum age for marriage for girls. Concerned about human trafficking, she pushed the Council to pass the crucial Immoral Traffic Control Act.
She was aware that even after the devadasi system was abolished, the deeply-ingrained prejudices against women still existed. In 1930, three devadasi girls knocked at her door seeking shelter and that’s when she realized that she needed to create a haven for countless young girls like them so she built Avvai Home. Today, Avvai Home has grown to include an educational complex that houses a primary school, a secondary school, a higher secondary school as well as a teacher’s training Institution. The home was primarily started for devadasis but now, its doors are open to all women who need assistance. Having witnessed her sister’s untimely death due to cancer, she decided to open up a specialized cancer hospital. She dreamed of a place where anyone suffering from cancer would receive treatment, irrespective of social and economic status. In 1954, after overcoming several hurdles, Muthulakshmi’s dream came to life with the Cancer Institute. It was the second specialised cancer centre in India and the first in South India at the time. Today, Adyar Cancer Institute has 450 hospital beds, a full-fledged research division, a preventive Oncology department, and the Dr Muthulakshmi College of Oncologic Sciences. A countless number of cancer patients have been treated here and the numbers continue to grow.
For her countless contributions to society, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956. Muthulakshmi passed away in 1968 at the age of 81.
“Constantly breaking barriers throughout her life, Reddy was a trailblazer, who devoted herself to public health and the battle against gender inequality, transforming the lives of countless people, especially young girls”, Google said in its description on the occasion of her birth anniversary.
The Tamil Nadu government announced ‘Hospital Day’ celebrations to be held every year on July 30, the birth anniversary of one of the country’s prominent successful woman doctors in the early 20th century and the State’s first woman.
Though she is no longer with us, her legacy still lives on in every strong woman who fights for education and equality. Let us salute the woman whose vision and values have inspired and changed many lives for good!
Youth is the biggest resource of the Nation. Today’s generation is not only smarter but also ahead in innovation and dare to build their own empire at the prime of their youth. Though it takes a lot of efforts, a right amount of motivation and guidance can help the young budding entrepreneurs go a long way. Well who learn from than the experienced businessmen who started out at your age and now are known as the Young minds who made it to Big Shots.
Here are 17 essential tips for young entrepreneurs inspired by 17 people who made it under 17 years of age:
Dare to Dream:
Dr.A.P. J Abdul Kalam once rightfully said, ‘Dream is not what you see while sleeping, it is something that doesn’t let you sleep.’ Your dreams don’t have to look like anyone else’s. You get to define what success looks like in your life. Dare to dream your own unique dream of what living well looks like.
Have a Vision:
The founder and CEO of Tumblr, David Karp, notes that an entrepreneur is someone who has a vision for something and a desire to create it. Keep your vision clear at all times. Having a vision means we have a clear sense of purpose.
It means we have a much larger picture of our business, than simply setting and reaching short term goals and tackling problems as they come along. In business, having a clear vision is absolutely critical. It is an extremely powerful tool to achieve the results you want.
Do what you are Passionate about:
Where you care about DOING that thing, rather than what you get at the END of doing that thing. The dictionary definition of passion is “a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something” The spark of passion when gets action it fires up and lights the way ahead.
Take Action:
The world is full of great ideas, but success only comes through action. Walt Disney once said that the easiest way to get started is to quit talking and start doing. That’s true for your success as well. Work in silence, let your success make the sound.
Face your Fears:
Overcoming fear isn’t easy, but it must be done. Arianna Huffington once said that she found fearlessness was like a muscle — the more she exercised it, the stronger it became.
Take the Risk:
We never know the outcome of our efforts unless we actually do it. Jeff Bezos said it helped to know that he wouldn’t regret failure, but he would regret not trying.
Believe in Yourself:
As Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” Believe that you can succeed, and you’ll find ways through different obstacles. If you don’t, you’ll just find excuses.
Rome was not built in a day:
No one succeeds immediately, and everyone was once a beginner. As Steve Jobs wisely noted, “if you look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” Don’t be afraid to invest time in your company.
Plan for raising funds & capital:
Richard Harroch, a venture capitalist, has this advice for upcoming entrepreneurs: “It’s almost always harder to raise capital than you thought it would be, and it always takes longer. So plan for that.”
Set goals and targets:
Ryan Allis, co-founder of iContact, pointed out that having the end in mind every day ensures you’re working toward it. Set goals and remind yourself of them each day.
Learn from your mistakes:
Many entrepreneurs point to mistakes as being their best teacher. When you learn from your mistakes, you move closer to success, since learning from failure is the first step towards succeeding.
Adapt to the market:
Bill Gates once said that your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. Let unhappy customers teach you where the holes in your service are.
Put customer needs at the top:
“Customer is the king,” is the first rule of any market and business organizations.
Manage Energy, not Time:
Your energy limits what you can do with your time, so manage it wisely. Plan a proper schedule keeping your physical and mental potential as priority.
Invest your money wisely:
Investing your money can allow you to grow it. Most investment vehicles, such as stocks, certificates of deposit, or bonds, offer returns on your money over the long term. This return allows your money to build, creating wealth over time.
Be Consistent and determined:
Consistency in your business is far more important that you can imagine. Being consistent allows you to establish awareness, build trust and deliver your services efficiently and profitably.
Whether you are establishing your brand or determining the course of your sales and marketing strategy, you have to recognise the power of consistency. Give yourself an advantage over fickle competitors by becoming consistent in how you operate your business, and what you present and offer to your customers.
Deliver more than expected:
Google’s Larry Page encourages entrepreneurs to deliver more than customers expect. It’s a great way to get noticed in your industry and build a loyal following of advocates.
Being a successful entrepreneur takes a lot of work, a lot of vision and a lot of perseverance. These 17 tips, from entrepreneurs who have already found success, will help you navigate the path much more easily.
Everybody desires to find their one true love with whom we can live our fairy tale of falling in love and living happily forever and ever. Welcome to reality my friends because these fairy tales exist only in movies and fiction stories.
Love is no fairy tale, so you can stop looking for a perfect “10” who fulfills all the qualifications on your wish list. It is possible, however, to find someone to stand by your side, brave the messiness of the world, and help you experience life to its fullest potential.
How do you work towards finding this ” someone ” ? Here are the 5 tried and tested secrets to finding your companian:
BE REAL
To find real love, you must first emphasize your true self. If you want someone to love you through your moments of imperfection, you must first be willing to do that for someone else. Be real with yourself, so you are ready for someone else’s true self.
If you shift your personality, passions, or purpose to impress another person, you are not being your true self. People are attracted to genuine souls. Get to know yourself, love yourself, and learn to act and speak authentically.
2. BE CONFIDENT
Be confident in yourself, your decisions, and your ability to attract love into your life. If you are being your authentic, best self, this CONFIDENCE will radiate from you in a glow of SELF-WORTH. You will attract someone who recognizes, appreciates, and loves who you are.
Foster this confidence by knowing that you are whole and complete just by being you. Understand that a soul mate is nice to have, but not a must-have. You, alone, are enough.
3. BE OPEN
If your desire is to meet someone new, then you must be willing to connect and open up with the people around you. If someone next to you in the coffee line strikes up a conversation, be willing to engage. Even if that person is not to be the love of your life, practice BEING HONEST anyway. Developing this energy of openness will help you facilitate iterations that may lead to lasting relationships.
4. BE HAPPY
Perhaps the most important secret of this list is to behappy. Everyone wants to be around happy people; HAPPINESSS is magnetic. So focus your energy on thinking about and doing the things that make you happy. This energy of yours will also attract a similar kind of person which wiill only further amplify your life.
Will Smith said, “her happiness is not my responsibility. She should be happy and I should be happy individually. Then we come together and share our happiness. Giving someone a responsibility to make you happy when you can’t do it for yourself is selfish” let that sink in.
5. BE IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF
Loving yourself allows you to make healthier choices.When you put yourself first, you make choices that will only improve your quality of life. You eat better and sleep and exercise more because you realize that taking care of your mental and physical well-being are essential to your success.
By not loving yourself, you‘ll create extra work for your partner because they‘ll have to pick up that slack and carry your weight. When you struggle with self-doubt and low self-esteem, your partner will have to work extra hard to make you happy.
The next time you enter a relationship, see to it that it will be with your true love already. This would save you from heartaches due to being with the wrong person.
Let love find you. These tips can only help you increase the chance of finding the right person for you. However, there is no formula that can create true love. It just happens beyond conscious effort, and if handled well, it will surely last.
Do not try too hard on finding your true love. Let love find you, instead. And while waiting for it to arrive, focus on loving yourself.
Due to the Corona Virus Global Pandemic 2020, our economy has faced unprecedented challenges. With businesses shutting down and stocks facing a fall, INVESTORS are looking for stability in their returns by opting for low-risk investment options. Low-risk investments earn only modest or meager returns; and inflation can erode the purchasing power of money stashed in low-risk investments. But it all depends on what your economic requirement is and how much risk you are willing to accept.
Lets dive into the top low-risk Investments in the year 2020.
High YEILD Savings Accounts.
Savings accounts offer a modest return on your money. A savings account is completely safe in the sense that you’ll never lose money. Most accounts are Government insured up to certain limits, so you’ll be compensated even if the financial institution fails.
Saving Bonds
Scrictly speaking rather than investments these bonds are more like saving instruments. Bond is a good choice for protection against inflation because you get a fixed rate and an inflation rate added to that every six months.
Certificate of Deposits
With a CD, the bank promises to pay you a set rate of interest over a specified term if you leave the Certificate of deposits intact until the term ends. Some savings accounts pay higher rates of interest than some CDs, but those so-called high-yield accounts may require a large deposit.
Money Market Funds
Unlike a CD, a Money market fund is liquid, which means you typically can take out your funds at any time without being penalized. Money market funds usually are pretty safe. The bank tells you what rate you’ll get, and its goal is that the value per share won’t be less than $1.
Corporate Bonds
Companies also issue bonds, which can come in relatively low-risk varieties (issued by large profitable companies) down to very risky ones. The lowest of the low are known as “junk bonds.” When you buy a corporate bond, you’re loaning money to the company. In return, you receive periodic interest payments until the bond matures and your principal investment is returned.
Dividend paying stocks
A dividend is a portion of a company’s profits paid out to the company’s shareholders. When a company makes a profit, it can choose to reinvest that profit back into the business, but sometimes it pays a percentage of it back out to shareholders. Not every company pays dividends, but those that do often have slow, reliable growth.
Preferred Stocks
Preferred stock is more like a lower-grade bond than it is a stock. Still, it may fluctuate substantially if the market falls. Like a bond, preferred stock makes a regular cash payout. But, unusually, preferred stock may be able to suspend this dividend in some circumstances, though often it has to make up any missed payments.
Building an investment portfolio that has at least some less-risky assets can be useful in helping you ride out the volatility in the market, and there’s been no shortage of that this year.
Technology has always aimed in making our lives better – be it the automatic machines or smart devices- appliances have long brought convenience to our lives.
But in the World of Climate Change and Environment preservation, we need technology to focus on Sustainability in order to save resources for the future generations.
CLEAN WASHING, LESS WATER
Washing Machines and Dish Washers have gained popularity across various parts the country due to their efficiency and convenience. But are they also water efficient?
The advertisements for various washing machines now have started to show how one can save more than two buckets of water when the clothes are washed in the machine as compared to when they are washed by hand. Dishwashers nowadays use ultrasonic technology to reduce consumption of water while making sure there is no reduction in the efficiency of cleaning. Due to technology we have been able to invent appliances that help in deeper cleaning and use less water.
DAILY ROUTINE, WATER WASTAGE
Right from brushing our teeth to taking a shower we use water that very conveniently reaches our house in pipes and showerheads
But not to worry about saving water anymore as the latest achievement in the field of technology is OPTIMIZED showerheads designed to maintain the flow pressure while drastically reducing the water consumption. One can research and purchase the one which best suits your showering needs and also saves water.
FLUSHING ACTION, SMART SOLUTION
Technologists have been continuously working towards designing a flush system to produce an alternative which is more hygienic and water-efficient in its operation.
Apart from standard improvements, there are new water treatment systems being developed which could help recycle sink water to flush toilets in Indian homes in the near future. Such a system would save gallons of water, while making the required amount available for comprehensive and hygienic flushing action.
SUSTAINABILITY BEGINS AT HOME
The simplest method for conserving water is to turn off the tap whenever possible.
Running the water when you’re brushing your teeth, for example, wastes at least a quart of water. That may not seem like much, but it can really add up over time: a family of four could save at least 60 gallons of water a month by simply turning off the faucet.
FLOWING FAUCETS
New faucets utilize several different kinds of aerators, but all conserve water without sacrificing pressure. Older faucets use three to seven gallons of water per minute, while newer ones can cut that to around two gallons per minute, or even less.
WASTING WATER FOR WASHING WASTE
New low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush. They work as well as the older types but use considerably less water. Homeowners can also consider using dual-flush toilets, which offer two settings, depending on the type of waste in the bowl.
WATER HEATER, PRESERVE DROPS
A small pump that runs on minimal electricity can be attached to your hot water system and can help keep hot water circulating when it’s not in use. This prevents waste of up to 10 gallons of water while waiting for the shower to heat up. Tank less water heaters offer the same convenience, but cost more; a recirculation system can be sometimes be installed for as little as $300.
FIX LEAKS, SAVE GALLONS
Have water leaks in your home fixed right away. Even a tiny leak can quickly add up to a huge amount of wasted water. A faucet leak of just one drip per second can waste more than 2,000 gallons of water in a year, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
These are some of the latest technologies that have brought the twin objectives of more hygienic homes and water conservations to the fore. As more manufacturers innovate, such technologies are projected to become standard in all Indian homes. Helping create cleaner homes at the cost of less water is also a mission of MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, a movement dedicated to creating a more sustainable future for our water resources. You can also support such initiatives they’ve undertaken and join in to help conserve water for a healthier tomorrow.
Internet has become the most essential virtual commodity due to the Global Pandemic2020. Its demand has reached a peak now more than ever. It has been declared as the basic necessity along with Food, Clothing, Shelter and Education.
In most Countries, schools and colleges are functioning through digitalized classrooms which require high speed data. 75% of office goers are working from home and the servers that connects the employers to the employees is kept alive on internet connections.
How can everybody afford the Internet? A recent report by Visual Capitalist reveals how much 1GB of mobile data costs in every country. Let’s have a look at what it costs to stay virtually connected in many Countries of the World:
1) India:
The Visual Capitalist report states that India has the most-affordable mobile data plans worldwide. India offers 1GB mobile data for just under Rs. 7, which is the cheapest in the world.
Why is data so cheap in India? A significant factor is the country’s intense market competition, driven by Reliance Jio—a telecom company owned by Reliance Industries, one of the largest conglomerates in India. Reliance Jio launched in 2016, offering customers free trial periods and plans for less than a $1 a month. This forced other providers to drop their pricing, driving down the overall cost of data in the region.
2) Sri Lanka:
Mobile internet in India’s southern neighbouring country, Sri Lanka, costs roughly Rs 38 per 1GB data. Some of the biggest Telcos in the country are Dialog, Airtel Lanka, SLT Mobitel, etc.
3) Russian Federation:
1GB of mobile data plan in Russia costs roughly Rs 39. This makes Russia the ninth most-affordable country for cheap mobile data plans. Some of the biggest telecoms in the country, which is the fourth biggest smartphone market, are Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), Beeline, MegaFon, etc.
4) Vietnam:
Mobile Internet in Vietnam costs roughly Rs 43, which according to the latest data, ranks 10th in the list of countries that offer the most affordable 1GB data plan. The biggest telecom operators in the Asian country are Viettel, MobiFone, Vinaphone.
5) Italy:
Italy ranks fourth in the list of countries that offer the most affordable data plans worldwide. In Italy, 1GB of mobile data Rs.32.
6) Israel:
1GB of mobile data in Israel costs roughly Rs 8, making it the second most-affordable nation for internet usage.
7) Ukraine:
Ukraine shares a similar per GB mobile data tariff cost as Kazakhstan, where 1GB mobile data costs Rs 34.
8) Somalia:
1GB mobile data in Somalia costs roughly Rs 38, slightly cheaper than Sri Lanka’s per GB cost. The biggest telecom operators in the African country are Hormuud, Telecom Somalia, etc.
There has been a significant surge in the number of internet users over the last few years, which has led to telecom service providers competing against each other and lure consumers with the most value-for-money packs. the internet in India is quite affordable if you compare it with the rest of the world.
One of China’s biggest tech firms has chosen to stay home for its blockbuster IPO, shunning Wall Street where Chinese companies are facing heightened Scrutiny because of rising geopolitical tensions.
Ant Group announced on Monday that it is planning “a concurrent initial public offering” in Hong Kong and on Shanghai’s Star Market, China’s answer to the Nasdaq extending a series of mega tech listings amid the fallout in US-China trade relations.
Ant Group, previously known as Ant Financial, is an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, the owner of the South China Morning Post.
Ant is affiliated with E-commerce giant Alibaba, which raised a record $25 billion when it debuted on Wall Street in 2014 still the world’s second largest IPO to date. Ant owns Alipay, one of the most popular payment apps in China, and also offers online financial services such as loans, investments and credit scoring systems.
While the provider of the Alipay service is still discussing the size and timing of the share sale, the outcome is likely to be one of the largest initial public offerings in years. Stock analysts are valuing Ant at more than US$200 billion, higher than state-owned China Construction Bank and just shy of Bank of America’s market capitalisation.
Alibaba received a 33 per cent equity interest in Ant Financial in September last year under a restructuring that also ended a profit-sharing arrangement between them, according to its prospectus in November. While Alibaba does not control Ant Group, its co-founder and China’s richest man Jack Ma effectively controls about 50 per cent of the voting interest in Ant Group, according to its annual report.
The public listing will enable Ant, which operates the Alipay wallet used across Alibaba’s e-commerce networks, to work toward several goals: digitize China’s service industry, such as getting mom and pop shops in far-flung regions to use its payments service; drive domestic demands, such as being a conduit of government-issued coupons for consumers amid coronavirus pandemic; expand globally through its e-wallet partners in nine countries; and finally, invest in new technologies.
Bankers are valuing Ant at a staggering $200 billion, according to sources from Reuters. The company declined to comment on its valuation. If Ant sells 10% of the company in the IPO, it would generate $20 billion in proceeds, which would place it third in terms of the largest IPO deals ever, just behind Alibaba’s $22 billion IPO and Saudi Aramco’s $25 billion IPO.
Some people are born understanding their passions, but others have to work to find them— and it is overwhelming to consider how to begin. The first step is to start. Below are five tips to help you on your journey to finding work and hobbies you are truly passionate about:
1. WHAT DO YOU DO WELL?
This question helps you uncover that unique talent that sets you apart from others. Perhaps you’re good at public speaking or motivating others. Or maybe you’re good at finding computer bugs or supporting your friends through tough times. Whether you have a hard or soft skill, knowing what you do well will put you on your way to using your talent in your purpose.
2. WHAT DO THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU SAY ABOUT YOUR SKILLS?
Unfortunately, it can be hard to recognize your own talent. When something comes naturally, it doesn’t always seem special. To get some help, ask your family or friends what they think you’re good at doing. This question gets to the heart of recognition “Most of us are not self-aware,” says Maxwell. “We all have blind spots, but you can ask others to help you identify your talents. “Ask several people, suggests Maxwell. When you start to hear certain talents over again, you’ve identified an area of strength.
3. IF YOU COULD DO OR BE ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD YOU DO OR BE?
This question taps into your internal desires, and can help you identify your purpose. A good way to answer this question is to consider those things you like to do in your free time or the projects at work you volunteer for or seek out. You can also think about the spots in the day when time seems to fly—what are you doing when you get lost or immersed in a project?
These things should also align with your talent, and it’s important to not confuse purpose with passion, says Maxwell. “Sometimes your passion is something you’re not any good at,” he says. “If you’re passionate about something you’re not good at, you can make it a hobby, not a career.”
4. WHAT GIVES YOU RESULTS WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING?
Your purpose will give you a return, and this question helps you identify the things you do that generate results. For example, if your talent is sales, you likely hit your goals every month. Or if you are good at innovative thinking, you might share ideas at work that prompt new projects. Pay attention to the tasks you do that get you accolades and awards.
Strengths and purpose are more than knowledge, says Maxwell. “Knowledge is overrated,” he says. “I can ask Siri, and she’ll tell me what I need to know. But what value is something if you know it but don’t use it? The result of knowing or learning is action application.”
5. HOW CAN YOU GET BETTER?
Once you identify your uniqueness, you need to fine-tune and work harder at it to set yourself apart. While having talent helps make you special, developing it further can make you strong. “Your growth potential is connected to your strengths,” says Maxwell. “In your weak areas, your growth potential is low, but when you’re working to improve your strength, you have a higher capacity.”
Mark Twain once said the two greatest days in a person’s life are the day they’re born and the day they discover why. Deep? Definitely. But let’s be honest: the first day is a somewhat passive experience. The second day, however, can feel like a lot of pressure. While some of us can quickly identify our purpose (in our careers, or otherwise), others may struggle to answer the question “Why am I here?”
No one has ever been successful doing something that they didn’t like, and no one has ever been successful doing something they can’t do well, says Maxwell. “I see millions of people every day doing something they don’t like doing and wondering why they’re not a success,” he says. “Success is knowing your purpose in life and having a growth plan to help you reach your maximum potential.”
The Consumers can now cheer as the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 has recently replaced the three decade old Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 which came into effect on Monday (July 20) has replaced the earlier Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
The new Act as per the Experts say that “it gives more power to the consumers”. It seeks to revamp the process of administration and settlement of consumer disputes, with strict penalties, including jail term for adulteration and misleading ads by firms.
On July 20, 2020 certain provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 came into force as notified by the Central Government. Following the the key features of the relevant provisions:-
Key features of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 which came into effect on July 20, 2020:-
1) Consumers can now institute a complaint from where they reside or work for gain.
2) The original pecuniary jurisdiction of the District Commissions has increased upto ₹1 crore from ₹20 lakh earlier.
3) The Pecuniary jurisdiction of State Commissions has been increased from ₹1 crore to Rs. 10 crore.
4) The National Commission can hear cases above ₹10 crore when compared to above ₹1 crore earlier.
5) While the provisions relating to e-commerce are not yet notified, a section relating to electronic service provider (covering software services, electronic payments) is notified.
6) The opposite party needs to deposit 50% of the amount ordered by the District Commission before filing an appeal before the State Commission. Earlier, the ceiling was a maximum of ₹25,000, which has been removed.
7) The limitation period for filing of appeals to the State Commission has been increased from 30 days to 45 days.
8) The Parties can be allowed to settle the disputes through mediation.
Following are the Sections which came into force:
Above mentioned provisions pertain to the Consumer Protection Councils, Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Mediation, Product Liability, punishment for manufacturing, selling, distributing etc spurious good or products which contain adulterant.
As per the rules, the e-commerce players will have to display the total ‘price’ of goods and services offered for sale along with break-up of other charges. Only a few certain miscellaneous provisions with regards and respect to the powers of the Central and State Government to make the rules and regulations have also been enforced.
On misleading advertisements there is provision for jail term and fine for manufacturers. There is no provision for jail for celebrities but they could be banned for endorsing products if it is found to be misleading.
For the first time there will be an exclusive law dealing with Product Liability. A manufacturer or product service provider or product seller will now be responsible to compensate for an injury or damage caused by the defective product or deficiency in services.
The Act has also defined an “e-commerce” as the buying or selling of goods or services including the digital products over digital or electronic networks. The existing definition of e-commerce has been adopted from India’s FDI Guidelines on e-commerce.
The definition of ‘e-commerce Entity’ as provided under the FDI Guidelines includes inventory and market place models.
There is also a provision for class action law suit for ensuring that rights of consumers are not infringed upon. The authority will have power to impose a penalty on a manufacturer or an endorser of up to 10 lakh rupees and imprisonment for up to two years for a false or misleading advertisement.
“We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.”
James Baldwin
What are Human Rights?
We learn social and moral cues from our environment. No one teaches us norms, things that come “naturally” to us. However, the basic freedom that everyone needs can’t be left up to the general public. They need to be written down and strictly monitored.
Human Rights are basic rights each person deserves and gets, to live, express, study freely, and more.
There are 30 Rights given to each individual and they are entitled to them regardless of their sex, age, orientation, colour, or any other differential characteristic.
Why is Human Rights important?
Every person is unique and so is every culture, religion, and nationality. These differences and the human urge to control and dominate makes it hard to maintain human rights for everyone. So a list was of articles were made to ensure:
Everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities
Protects those vulnerable from exploitation
Give citizens the opportunity and support to stand against societal corruption and inequality
Encourage freedom of speech and expression
Provide an opportunity for education
Allows everyone to practice their religion or any other practice
Allow people to love, marry, and start a family with whomever.
Encourages equal work opportunities
Protects the environment
To protect the world from having another war.
Who governs the Human Rights? How to Protect Human Rights?
The UN has set up a lot of committees that govern Human Rights.
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
The OHCHR is most responsible for promoting and protecting human rights.
The High Commissioner of Human Rights regularly comments on Human Rights situations in the world and has the authority to investigate situations and issue reports on them.
Human Rights Council
Established in 2006, is the key independent UN intergovernmental body responsible for human rights.
Human Rights Treaty Bodies
Is the committee of independent experts that monitor implementation of the core International Human Rights Treaties.
Special Procedures
Experts working voluntarily, who examine, monitor and publicly report and advice on Human Rights
UNDG-HRM
UN Development Group’s Human Rights Mainstreaming Mechanism pushes the mainstreaming efforts within the UN.
Enforcing International Human Rights:
The International Bill of Human Rights
The first legal document protecting universal rights
Democracy
Democracy is the ultimate means of achieving the 3 pillars of the UN Charter, international peace and security, economic and social progress, and development.
Security Council
Main duties involve dealing with grave human rights violations.
Third Committee of the General Assembly
Examines a range of issues including human rights questions.
Other Bodies
Secretary-General, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, Member States, The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues are a few other committees that work to maintain the UDHR’s promise of providing each individual all the Human Rights.
Retribution for Violations:
Violating Human Rights not only weakens a country’s strength, but also affects an individual socially, emotionally, and economically. Human Rights are set in place to protest people, breaking them causes deep psychological trauma for years to come. African-Americans freed from slavery centuries ago, still are restricted and living lives fighting systematic racism each day.
In 1996, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was created to prosecute any human rights violator. “The ICC is authorized to try crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes, slavery, mass rape, torture, and racism.”
The ICC can prosecute any individual, group, or government out of power and sentence them to prison (in their state) or death.
Why hasn’t Human Rights bettered the World?
Countries that are Violating Human Rights:
Almost every country is violating at least 3 human rights. Below is a list of violations from a few countries.
Australia
Denying basic rights to Asylum seekers and Refugees
Exploiting Indigenous people
Unreliable cyber surveillance
Lacking support and rights for Disabled citizens
Forced labor in the form of the recent Modern Slavery Bill
Brazil
Horrifying Prison Conditions
Prisoners face torture, assault, and unfair punishments
High rates of Juvenile Detainees
Reporters being made political prisoners
Denying basic rights to Asylum seekers and Refugees
Cuba
Illegal detaining
Denied freedom of speech and expression
An increasing number of political prisoners
Horrifying prison conditions
Exploiting workers
Democratic Republic of Congo
Denied freedom of speech and expression
Frequent attacks on civilians
Corrupted justice system
Women being denied basic rights
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
Disabled people being denied rights
El Salvador
Police Brutality
Horrifying Prison Conditions
Degrading prisoners and abusing them
Increasing gang violence
Women being denied basic rights and reproductive rights
Attacks on media
France
Flawed Asylum and Immigration Laws
Denying basic rights to Asylum seekers and Refugees
Flawed Child Protection services
Increased Sexual Assault and Rapes
Germany
Flawed Asylum and Immigration Laws
Denying basic rights to Asylum seekers and Refugees
Xenophobic culture
Illegal detaining
Corrupted Criminal Justice System
Haiti
Corrupted Criminal Justice System
Illiteracy
Women being denied basic rights
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
Disabled people being denied rights
Child Labor
Illegal detaining
Exploiting workers
India
Increased violence against Dalits, Tribals, Muslims and other marginalized communities
Denied freedom of expression
Police brutality
Women being denied basic rights
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
Disabled people being denied rights
Targeting political oppositions
Denied freedom of speech
High rates of Human trafficking
Corrupted Criminal Justice System
Child Labor
Illiteracy
Forced Prostitution and Begging
Increased Violence against women, LGBTQ and marginalized communities
Honour Killings
Denying Inter-Caste Marriages
Female Foeticide
Conservative Abortion Laws
Exploiting workers
Racist courts, hospitals, educational institutions, work places
Corruption
Poverty
Alarming rise in Sexual Assault and Rapes
Broken Healthcare System
Pollution
inconsistent access to food
Inconsistent access to sanitation
Regionalism, Casteism
Increasing addiction amongst the youth
domestic violence
Double Burden of Malnutrition
Japan
High rates of Death Penalty
Denied freedom of speech
Women being denied basic rights
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
Disabled people being denied rights
Kenya
Government controlled Media
Open threats to oppositions
Lack of accountability for rape and sexual violence
Women being denied basic rights
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
Libya
Armed Conflicts and War Crimes
Illegal Detaining
High rates of Death Penalty
Denied freedom of speech
Denied freedom to practice one’s religion
Maldives
Targeting political oppositions
Denied freedom of expression
Women being denied basic rights
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
High rates of Human trafficking
Nepal
Changing Criminal Codes
Exploiting migrant workers
Women being denied basic rights
Disabled people being denied rights
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
Oman
Denied freedom of expression
Women being denied basic rights
Disabled people being denied rights
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
Exploiting migrant workers
Peru
Police brutality
Denied freedom of expression
Women being denied basic rights
Disabled people being denied rights
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
Qatar
Women being denied basic rights
Exploiting migrant workers
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
Refugees being treated horribly
Russia
Opposing citizens are openly tortured to death
Denied freedom of speech
Denied freedom of web use
LGBTQ people denied basic rights
A high number of domestic violence cases
South Korea
Denied freedom of expression
Exploiting workers
Women being denied basic rights
LGBTQ people being denied basic rights
Tunisia
Inoperative Constitution and parliament
Denying freedom of expression
Women are denied basic rights
LGBTQ people are denied basic rights
United States of America
Unfair and Harsh Criminal Sentencing of marginalized communities
Police Brutality often leading to deaths
Increasing Hate Crimes
No Health Insurance
Many are denied education/employment-based on discriminatory grounds
Venezuela
Prosecuting political opponents and those who speak against the government
Dictator as the Country Head
Preventing peaceful protests
Humanitarian Crisis
Zimbabwe
Media is controlled by the government
Non-heterosexual relationships are a criminal offense
Right to health has been violated multiple times
What happens when a Country Violates Human Rights?
Enforcing Human Rights on an international level is difficult and often problematic. Many countries might be unwilling to cooperate. The Human Rights Council was set up in 2006 to promote and protect human rights and is the main committee that overlooks the workings. The UN has a screening process in place to filter out any breach ton human rights violations.
When the UN receives a complaint, it launches an investigation. The International Criminal Court carries out the criminal proceedings of human rights abuse.
Why isn’t the UN and the ICC able to control Human Right Violations?
The UN has the right to intervene and fix any violations of Human Rights. The problem arises when the country in question refuses to let the UN intervene. The UN cannot carry out an investigation when the country denies consent. A debate may be held on the country’s human rights abuses. If neither the investigation, not the debate allows the UN to intervene, all the UN can do is pass a resolution condemning the country’s human rights abuse.
Unlike the UN, this court is authorized to extend legal opinions without consent from the offending country.
The ICC may hold the authority to prosecute the North Korean Dictator. Where it lacks is the manpower force. Without support from the North Korean Police, the ICC cannot arrest the dictator.
While International Law and Human Rights seem strong on paper, they continue to prove weak and unorganized in practice. Without complete support from a state, none of the rulings of the ICC nor the presence of the UN are of any use.
The International Criminal Court works independently from the UN and hols the authority to prosecute individuals or groups for crimes violating human rights. If the UN violates Human Rights, then the ICC, which operates separately from the UN and holds the right to call out the UN on their wrongdoings. However, without the support of manpower, the pronouncement has no merit.
We all work right from graduating till retirement for five days a week -sometimes six days – only to spend what we have earned. In the midst of this daily hustle, how much time do we actually devote to plan for financial independence? Hardly any! Is financial independence a plan only for retirement? The answer is NO.
The first step towards financial independence is to not procrastinate it. A single drop of penny today will contribute to an ocean of financial resource. Then comes the below mentioned road map to a start of a great solo journey of life.
Financial planning – First, define clear and realistic financial goals like child’s education or a comfortable retired life. It is critical to factor in inflation while drawing up your financial plan. If you are planning your child’s education, you should be aware that a professional degree that costs Rs.4 lakhs today, is likely to cost around Rs.20 lakhs, 10 years from now.
Personal research – While a qualified financial planner can give you investment advice, the importance of doing your own research cannot be undermined. You can rely on credible websites to understand the pros and cons of each financial instrument.
Personalized financial plan – A common mistake is to opt for a particular plan simply because others are doing so. An investment plan must be customized according to personal factors such as your risk appetite, financial goals and life-stage needs.
Adequate time horizon – It is necessary to align the investment plan and the expected time frame for getting returns out of it. It is irrational to expect immediate returns from long term products like insurance, PPF etc.
Risk diversification – A smart investor would always ensure that the risk is distributed over a variety of instruments. A high risk instrument such as, an equity should ideally be balanced with a stable one such as bonds. Your investment portfolio should be a judicious mix of equity, debt, life insurance, real estate etc.
Planning for unforeseen events – Along with the current assessment of your future needs, risk of unexpected events must also be factored in. As a woman, it is crucial to be financially prepared to deal with unfortunate events like death, divorce etc.
Regularly track your investment – It is common to become complacent and expect the returns to flow in, once the investments are done. However, it is every investor`s responsibility to keep a tab on the performance of their portfolio.
Proper paperwork – There have been several instances where an investor is unable to claim returns from a bona fide investment simply because of misplaced or wrongly-filled documents. Proper documentation is a must to safeguard your investments. Also, ensure that someone other than yourself is fully aware of all your investments.
Securing your future: As a working member of the family, it is crucial for you to have adequate insurance to ensure that in your absence, your family does not go through any financial stress. Investing in a simple term insurance plan will ensure financial continuity.
Plan and execute – Last, but most important is to begin planning for all your financial needs from an early stage. The cost of postponement will weigh heavily on you in the later years when investing will become a compulsion rather than a choice.
In this world of instant gratification, have patience and watch as your pot fills with money one sweat and hard work at a time. Kudos to being financially independent!
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