IIM Bangalore

IIM Bangalore is one of the most prestigious institutions for pursuing Masters in Business Administration. It lasts over six semesters spread over two years. IIMB has a remarkable faculty of 140 plus highly qualified researchers and academicians who are dedicated towards providing a fruitful learning experience for the students. The main courses provided by IIMB are Phd, MBA, PGPPM, MBA ( Business Analytics).

IIM Bangalore shortlists candidates on the basis of their CAT scores. The main criteria is divided into 4 parts- 50% weightage is given to academics, 40% weightage is given to CAT scores, 8% to work experience and 2% to gender diversity.

The selected candidates appear for Written Ability Test and Personal Interview.

A total of 483 students joined the batch of 2021-23 of two year full time program of Masters in Business Administration. A total of 45 students joined Masters of Business Administration in Business Analytics. 347 out of 483 students are from engineering background (71.83 % of total students), 32.56% of the engineers are pass outs from IIT and 31.12% of engineers are from NITs. The GMAT median score for this batch is 730. The average of age of the candidates is 23 years.

IIMB was ranked 2nd among management schools by NIRF 2020. Euniversal, Paris has ranked IIM Bangalore 1st in Central Asia. The full time MBA program has been ranked 26 globally amongst the Top 100 Master’s in management. The two year program was also ranked 44 in 2019 by Financial Times in its masters in management ranking .It is the only business school in India to be ranked in Top 50 EMBA ranking globally.

IIMB has a great record of placements. Companies like Amazon, Accenture, McKinsey&Company, Microsoft, Philips, Uber have preferred to recruit from IIMB. IIMB has 100% placements record where the batch of 2019-21 bagged 435 students bagged over 481 placements offers within first two days of the interview process.

IIMB also provides scholarship to meticuluos students. Merit Based scholarships like Aditya Birla Scholarship,OPJEMS Scholarship,Sidhartha Padama Scholarship,Yes Bank Scholarship is provided to the students who excel in their field.

IIM Bangalore Key points

IIMB has been ranked 2nd by NIRF 2020.
An alumni of IIMB has raised over 2 crore to name a classroom after a professor of marketing department.
In 2021-23 batch, 51.11% are male and 48.89% are female.
Engineering students accounts maximum percentage of the batch followed by Arts, Science and management.
The median GMAT score for this batch was 730.
An orientation program was organize from 28-30 June to inform the students and their parent about the various details of admission process.
IIMB has announced the launch of Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship in Association with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India and State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs).
IIMB students are planning to host a start-up competition where students can showcase their entrepreneurial skills.

IIM Bangalore: Courses Offered

Course	Details	Selection Criteria
MBA	Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have passed Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 50% in any discipline as per 10+2+3 norms. Candidates must also have minimum 4 year work experiance in an industry after bachelor’s degree Fees: Rs.23,00,000 (Total Fees)	Selection will be on the basis of marks scored in GMAT / GRE / CAT and Personal Interview
MBA (Weekend)	Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have passed Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 50% in any discipline as per 10+2+3 norms. Candidates must also have minimum 4 year work experiance in an industry after bachelor’s degree Fees: Rs.23,00,000 (Total Fees)	Selection will be on the basis of marks scored in GMAT / GRE / CAT and Personal Interview
Executive MBA	Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have passed Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 50% in any discipline as per 10+2+3 norms. Candidates must also have minimum 4 year work experiance in an industry after bachelor’s degree Fees: Rs.27,50,000 (Total Fees)	Selection will be on the basis of marks scored in GMAT / GRE / CAT and Personal Interview
MMS (PP)	Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have passed Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 50% in any discipline as per 10+2+3 norms. Candidates must also have minimum 4 year work experiance in an industry after bachelor’s degree Fees: Rs.23,00,000 (Total Fees)	Selection will be on the basis of marks scored in GMAT / GRE / CAT and Personal Interview
MBA (BA)	Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have passed Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 50% in any discipline as per 10+2+3 norms. Candidates must also have minimum 4 year work experiance in an industry after bachelor’s degree Fees: Rs.23,00,000 (Total Fees)	Selection will be on the basis of marks scored in GMAT / GRE / CAT and Personal Interview
Phd	Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have passed Master’s Degree with minimum 50% in any discipline as per 10+2+3 norms. OR Candidates must have a professional qualification like CA/ICWA OR A 4 year / 8 semesters Bachelor’s degree (10+2+4 pattern) with at least 6.5 CGPA or equivalent marks. Fees:There is no tuition fee for PhD students. Additionally, they will receive a stipend of Rs 35,000 per month for up to five years to cover their living expenses.	Selection will be made on the basis of marks scored in GMAT/GRE/IIMB Test/CAT/GATE/JRF(Net) and Personal Interveiw

IIM Bangalore Cutoff

Category	Section-1 VARC	Section-2 DILR	Section-3 QUANT	CAT Overall Percentage
General	80	75	75	85
NC-OBC	70	65	65	75
EWS	70	65	65	75
SC	65	60	60	70
ST	55	55	55	65
PWD	50	50	50	60

IIM Bangalore Placements

IIMB has a strong track of placements.The major recruiting companies are Amazon, Accenture,Mckinsey and company,Microsoft,Phillips,Uber etc. The major area of employment is Consultancy followed by General Management,Finance and IT, Sales and marketing.

The Average package was Rs.28.89 lakhs.
In 2020, IIM Bangalore Placement 2020 witnessed 518 offers rolled out for 429 PGP students. The average domestic CTC offered to the students was of INR. 26.18 LPA.
The EPGP department hosted over 30 recruiters who offered 61 job opportunities to 73 students from the 2021 batch.

Summer Placements 2020-22

Number of Students	525
Number of Offers Made	532
Number of Offers Accepted	517
Opted Out	08

IIM Bangalore Scholarships

IIM Bangalore provides numerous scholarships to the deserving students. Students whose annual income is less than Rs.8,00,000 per annum are eligible to apply for these scholarships. IIMB ensures that students who are in need of fnancial help but have callibre in them should be encouraged. Some Scholarships are-:

Aditiya Birla Scholarship-It is provided to the PGP students. It is provided to 25% of the batch in first year. Students who were eligible for scholarship in first year can apply for renewal. The amount of scholarship is Rs.1.75 lakhs per student.
OPJEMS Scholarship- This is a merit based scholarship provided to the second year students. The first ten toppers of the first year are eligible for this scholarship on the basis of an exam conducted by OP Jindal Group.It is provided to one student and it’s amount is Rs.1.5 lakhs
Citi Women’s Leader Award- This merit based scholarship covers the second year tution fees. 25% of the batch is eligible for this scholarship. Students are selected on the basis of statement of purpose and interviews conducted by Citi Group.
Societe Generale Global Solution Centre India Scholarship- This scholarship covers the whole tution expense in full. It is provided to the neediest of the appicants in first year and interviews conducted by Societe Generale.

IIT Delhi Department of Management Studies

IIT Delhi Department of Management Studies was established in 1993 and launched its first MBA program in 1997. It is regarded as one of the best institutes for management studies in India and is placed at the eighth position according to the NIRF rankings.

Learn More about IIT Delhi Department of Management Studies

The curriculum is designed in order to meet the changing needs of the business environment and the industry. The Institute currently offers a 2 year full time MBA program, a 3 year part time program and a 3 year Executive MBA program. The students are selected after a rigorous screening process which includes performance of the candidate in CAT, followed by a group discussion and personal interview.

Students at DMS, IIT Delhi are trained by eminent faculty who are experienced professionals from India as well as abroad. The placement record of the Department is quite impressive with the 83 offers made for the 2018-2020 batch, which achieved a 100% placement record. The highest salary package offered to the students was INR 33 LPA and the average salary package offered was INR 22.69 LPA. Top recruiters visiting the DMS, IIT Delhi campus were well- known companies like Reliance Industries Ltd., Wipro, Amway, OLA and others.

DMS, IIT Delhi Key Points

The Institute provides world class IT infrastructure with facilities like hostels, library, wi-fi campus, hi-tech classrooms and others.
The Department of Management Studies is spread across an area of 320 Acres.
The Institute has successfully managed to maintain a 100% placement record.
Admissions are done on the basis of Selection Index which is computed by taking into account 7 parameters- CATA Score, Bachelor’s degree, 12th marks, 10th marks, Work Experience, Gender diversity and graduation from IIT/NIT.

DMS, IIT Delhi Rankings

The Department of Management Studies is ranked 8th in the NIRF rankings 2020.
The India Today group and Financial Express ranked DMS, IIT Delhi 9th in 2020.
The institute has been ranked 15th by Business Today in 2020.
DMS, IIT Delhi falls in the 101-150 rank band according to the QS World University Rankings 2020 in the Business and Management Studies category.

DMS, IIT Delhi Courses & Fees

The institute specializes in management courses and offers 3 related programs in the said field. Admissions to all these courses are entrance based, with students selected on the basis of CAT performance and several other parameters.

The courses offered by DMS, IIT Delhi and their respective details are given below.

COURSES	COURSE DETAILS
MBA	Specializations – General, Telecommunication Systems Management Fees- INR 4.8 Lakhs per year Eligibility criteria-Passed graduation in any discipline or equivalent examination with minimum 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ST) + valid score in CAT + Personal Interview
Executive MBA	Specializations- Technology Management Fees- INR 3.6 Lakhs per year Eligibility criteria- Passed graduation in any branch of Engineering/ Technology/ Physical Sciences/ Statistics/ BCA/ Operation Research/ Economics/ Commerce with minimum 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ST)+ Minimum 2 years work experience + Personal Interview
Ph.D	Specializations- Management Fees- INR 63,900 per year Eligibility criteria- Passed M.Tech/ M.E./ M.D./M.Sc/ MBA/ M.A./MBBS with minimum 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ST) / Passed B.E./ B.Tech with minimum 70% aggregate marks + valid score in GATE/ CSIR/ UGC NET/ ICAR/ ICMR + Personal Interview

DMS, IIT Delhi Cut Off

DMS, IIT Delhi shortlisted eligible candidates for the Personal Interview round only if they secure more than the minimum CAT cut off set by the Institute.

Tabulated below are the cut off marks across 3 years and the cut off for different categories in different sections.

Categories	CAT 2018	CAT 2019	CAT 2020
Overall Cut Off	90	90	90
Sectional Cut Off	80	80	80

DMS, IIT Delhi Placement

Category	VARC	DILR	QUANT	Overall CAT Percentile
General	80	80	80	90
NC-OBC	72	72	72	81
SC	53.3	53.3	53.3	60
ST	53.3	53.3	53.3	60
PWD	53.3	53.3	53.3	60

DMS, IIT Delhi Placement Highlights

The Institute has a dedicated placement cell called the Campus Relations Team and has successfully managed to maintain a 100% placement record. The placement cell at DMS, IIT Delhi is constantly in touch with the reputed companies and organisations and is responsible for organising pre placement talks and visits on the campus. The resumes of the interested candidates are shared with the organisations and before the campus recruitment process begins. It ensures that the potential employers are constantly involved throughout the year through summer internships, guest lectures, Workshops and other activities.

83 offers were made for the batch of 2020, which comprised 68 students.
The highest Salary Package Offered was INR 33 LPA
The average Salary Package Offered was INR 22.69 LPA
The median Salary Package Offered was INR 20.01 LPA
Students from the IT, General Management, Operations & Supply Chain, Finance, Sales & Marketing departments bagged the maximum placement offers.

Top Recruiters

Coca Cola
OLA
Vodafone
Deloitte
Infosys
Airtel
TCS
Idea
Wipro

DMS, IIT Delhi Scholarships

DMS, IIT Delhi does not award any scholarships. However, a scheme for the award of Teaching/Research Assistantship for providing financial assistance to those students who are admitted on full-time basis are considered.

Students under this scheme are required to render 8 hours of teaching/research assistance to the Department outside their normal academic work.The maximum duration for which this can be awarded to any Ph.D. student is 4 years. Continuation of the Assistantship depends on the academic performance, a minimum of 7.50 CGPA in course work each semester and minimum prescribed attendance requirement which needs to be fulfilled.

Vivekananda College for Women

Vivekananda College for Women was established in 1961 and is affiliated with the University of Calcutta. The college offers 19 general UG, 14 honors UG and 2 PG courses in Arts, Science, Education and Commerce streams. Students can also enroll in research programs in Geography and Ph.D. under the mentorship of Ph.D. qualified guides.

Admission to UG courses is based on merit and the students passing their higher secondary examinations or its equivalent as recognized by the University of Calcutta. For PG courses, 60% of seats are earmarked for Calcutta University students (Category A) and the remaining 40% seats are open for general application with an entrance test (Category B). Existing SC/ST/PWD/OBC reservations are followed in each category. The selection of the PG courses is based on merit.

LEARN MORE

Vivekananda College for Women Key Points

The faculty of Vivekananda College for Women are experienced, supportive and are well qualified. The total number of faculty is 121 out of which 26 are Ph.D. holders.
Vivekananda College for Women has introduced a Learning Management System (E-learning) for students.
Vivekananda College for Women has a medical unit and offers in-house medical help by qualified doctors for staff and students.
Vivekananda College for Women provides facilities like spacious classrooms, modern well-equipped labs, gym, computer training centre, subsidized canteen, auditorium, library with reading rooms, games room for indoor games, spacious common room, stationary shop and a yoga centre with the appointed trainer.

Vivekananda College for Women Courses & Fees

Courses	Course Details	Selection Basis
BA (General)	Duration: 3 years Fees: INR 13,140 Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent (any stream) Specializations: Geography, Psychology, English, Bengali, Music, Education, Philosophy, History, Sociology, Sanskrit, Economics, Political Science	Based on merit
B.Sc. (General)	Duration: 3 years Fees: INR 15,630 Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/ Biology as the main subject Specializations: Anthropology, Mathematics, Zoology, Chemistry, Botany, Physics
BA (Hons)	Duration: 3 years Fees: INR 14,820 Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent Specializations: Geography, English, Bengali, Education, Philosophy, Political Science, History, Sociology, Sanskrit, Economics
B.Sc. (Hons)	Duration: 3 years Fees: INR 22,830 Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/ Biology as main subject Specializations: Zoology, Anthropology, Botany, Mathematics
B.Com.	Duration: 3 years Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent Specializations: General
MA	Duration: 2 years Fees: INR 65,800 Eligibility: Graduation Specializations: Bengali, Geography	Based on merit
Ph.D.	Duration: 3-5 Years Eligibility: Candidates having MA/M.Sc. Degree in Geography Specializations: Geography	Written test/ interview with research proposal Candidate with UGC/ CSIR/ JRF (NET)/ SET/ SLET/ GATE or DST (Inspire) Scholarship or Teacher Fellowship holders and M.Phil/ M.Tech./ MD/ ME/ M.Pharm. Degree from a recognized university is exempted from the Written Test.

Vivekananda College for Women Placements

Vivekananda College for Women has a Career and Counselling Cell approved by the UGC. The cell organizes campus interviews and offers various training courses which are aimed to be career-oriented, conducted by competent personnel and in collaboration with reputed organizations. The training programs are offered at very subsidized fees for the students. Some of the key highlights of the placement are mentioned below:

Career counselling is done in collaboration with ABP-Career Cell and Aptitude test sessions, programs in logical aptitude, basic arithmetic, general awareness, communicative skills are also conducted by the cell to better prepare the students.
Computer Training Centre offers certificate courses in Computer basics, DTP, Web Page Design, basic programming and basic internet which makes the students better employable at the time of placement.
The college has been conducting campus interviews every year with students being recruited by some of the top companies in the country like IBM Daksh, Infosys and EMCONS.
The median package offered to students at the time of placement is INR 1.43 LPA and the maximum package offered to students at the time of placement is INR 2.82 LPA.
For the academic year 2018-19, 22 students were placed with a median package of INR 2.04 LPA with reputed companies.

Vivekananda College for Women Scholarship

Vivekananda College for Women offers support to its deserving and needing students in the form of scholarship and aid funds which are mentioned below:

Central and State Government Scholarships: Scholarship is offered to SC (Top Class Education Scheme, Post Matric SC Scholarship), ST (Post Matric and National Fellowship Scholarship), OBC (Post Matric OBC Scholarship) and other minority groups (Talent Support Programme) under Central and State Government schemes.
Student Aid Fund Scholarship: Scholarship is offered to students belonging to economically weaker sections of the society depending on family income and student needs from the Student’s Aid Fund and Student’s Welfare Fund.
Free-Ship Scholarship: Free-ship scheme is offered to students coming from the unorganized labour sector.
Kanyashree Prakalpa Scholarship: The college provides scholarships under Kanyashree Prakalpa, a scheme introduced by the Government of West Bengal to improve the life and status of girls from economically backward families.

How to Pick the Best Health Insurance Plan for Parents?

Purchasing adequate health insurance plans for parents is important to ensure that they have the best medical treatment without financial burden. Currently, the insurance market of India is flooded with health insurance plans for Insurance seekers who want to buy plans for parents. Moreover, many of these plans are specifically designed for elderly parents and senior citizens above the age of 60 years.

However, with an extensive range of plans available in the market, choosing the most appropriate plan can be a bit confusing. Thus, to help our readers know how to choose the best health insurance plan for parents, here we have discussed in detail the certain parameters to consider.

Factors to Consider While Purchasing Health Insurance for Parents

The following are the factors that one can consider while purchasing health insurance for parents:

Adequate Sum Insured Amount

Since parents are more vulnerable to health-related problems considering their age factor, an individual must choose a higher sum assured. Having adequate coverage will ensure that they get the best treatment in case of any medical emergency without getting worried about finances.

Health Insurance Coverage

Before zeroing in on a plan, it is very crucial to go through the benefits and coverage offered by the policy. Look for some important features like critical illness cover, pre and post-hospitalization cost, policy tenure, in-patient hospitalization, daycare procedure, domiciliary hospitalization, Ayush treatment, etc.

Co-Payment Clause

A co-payment clause in a health insurance policy means the percentage (%) of the amount that the insured will pay on his own. The remaining expenses of the medical treatment are paid by the health insurance company. Suppose, if a policy has a co-payment clause of 20%, then for a claim of Rs.20 lakh the policyholder will need to pay Rs.2 lakh on his own and the rest Rs.8 lakhs will be paid by the insurer. So, while purchasing the policy, make sure to check the co-payment clause. You can also choose for no co-pay clause.

Pre-existing Diseases Cover

In case the policyholder’s parent suffers from any pre-existing illness, then it is only covered after the completion of the waiting period of 2-4 years. However, the policy’s waiting period may vary from insurer to insurer as per the plan opted. Thus, make sure to check the time period after which the pre-existing diseases will be covered in the health insurance plan for parents.

Tax Benefit

The premium paid towards the health insurance policy is applicable for tax deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. If an individual is paying a premium for himself and his parents, then the maximum limit on health insurance premium is Rs. 50,000. If the parents are above the age of 60 years then the maximum limit on the premium that can be claimed for tax exemption is Rs. 75,000.

Compare Different Health Insurance Plans

To choose the best health insurance plan for parents make sure to compare the quotes of various plans online and choose the one that offers maximum coverage at a lower premium rate.

Network Hospitals

An individual must go through the list of network hospitals that are in collaboration with the insurance company they are picking. Make sure that the reputed hospitals in your surrounding are mentioned in the plan so that in case of emergency it is convenient to take them to the hospital.

What is Covered in a Health Insurance Policy for Parents?

Let’s take a look at what is covered under the health insurance plan for parents-

Hospitalization Expenses- Any eventuality or illness can lead to excessive hospitalization costs. With a comprehensive health insurance plan, the financial burden of hospitalization expenses is taken care of by the insurer up to the coverage limit
Daycare Procedure- Daycare treatments like a cataract operation and varicose veins surgery that does not need hospitalization for 24 hours are also covered by the insurer. The number of daycare procedures depends on the plan opted by an individual
Pre and Post Hospitalization Cost- The health insurance policy provides coverage for the expenses that occurred pre and post-hospitalization. Generally, it is 60 days and 30 days however, it may vary from insurer to insurer
Pre-existing Illnesses- The health insurance company covers the pre-existing illness after completion of the waiting period. However, one can choose a plan that comes with a lower waiting period and provides maximum coverage for critical illnesses like diabetes, heart ailment, etc.
Major Surgeries- Most medical insurance policies offer coverage for major surgeries, which involves high medical expenses like open-heart surgery, bariatric surgery, etc. In case of any such medical emergency, the policyholder can get their parents admitted to some of the best hospitals in India and get the operation done by renowned surgeons
Ayush Benefits- Nowadays, Ayush treatments are covered by almost all health insurance companies, which include Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha, etc.
Renewability- Health insurance plan for parents generally comes with a lifetime renewal option.

Wrapping it Up!

You can consider the above-mentioned points while purchasing a health insurance plan for parents. However, make sure that you compare the benefits and features of various plans and choose the best plan as per your requirement and suitability.

Top 5 Tips to Choose Best Family Health Insurance Plans in India

Everyone wants to have a health insurance plan that offers maximum coverage to them and their family. With an extensive range of health insurance policies available in the market, choosing the right policy can be a herculean task. As a result of this, many times people end up buying the wrong health insurance plans with inadequate coverage. Further in this article, we have discussed some simple tips to choose the best family health insurance plan elaborately.

Tips to Choose Best Family Health Insurance Plan

Here we have listed 5 simple tips to choose the best family health insurance plan in India:

Look for the right policy coverage

Choose a health insurance policy that provides coverage for pre and post-hospitalization, critical illness cover, ambulance charges, cashless treatment, maternity benefits, in-patient hospitalization, daily hospital cash benefit and covers an extensive range of medical problems. While purchasing a health plan for the family, an individual should make sure that the plan caters to the needs of each insured member.

Compare various plans, check for the limitations and features of policy and then choose the plan as per your requirement. Most of the time, the policy buyers tend to miss some features like the waiting period, sub-limits, etc. Thus, it is imperative to go through the policy brochure thoroughly to ensure that at the time of claim, the family does not have to face any trouble.

Check the waiting period clause

Usually, most of the health insurance policies cover maternity expenses, pre-existing diseases and specific treatments like varicose veins, hernia, etc. after a waiting period of 2-4 years. The waiting period of a plan varies from insurer to insurer. For example, maternity expenses are normally covered after a waiting period of 2-4 years from the date of policy initiation.

Many insurance companies also offer a lower waiting period. Thus, make sure to check the tenure after which the pre-existing illness will be covered in the family health insurance plan and choose the plan which comes with the minimum waiting period.

Check for flexibility to add new family members

While buying a family health insurance plan, the policy buyer should check for options to add new family members in a simple and hassle-free way. In case any senior member of the family is not eligible anymore for coverage or passes away, then other members of the family can continue with the same plan without compromising on the benefits of the plan.

Choose a lifetime renewability plan

This is one of the most important aspects to consider while purchasing the best family health insurance plan. It is important to check the tenure of the policy; whether the plan offers lifetime renewability or limited renewability.

This is because a health insurance policy is required most during the later stage of life. So, it is always advised to choose a health insurance policy that comes with the option of lifetime renewability. This will ensure that the family has the same coverage in the years to come even after crossing the age limit. Moreover, it also saves one from the hassle of buying a new policy. For instance, if one buys a health insurance plan which offers renewability till 45 years, then after the completion of 45 years, the policyholder will need to buy a new plan with a much higher premium rate. On the other hand, if one buys a lifetime renewability plan, then he/she can continue with the same plan without getting into the hassle of policy renewal.

Check the co-payment clause

Co-payment is a health insurance policy that refers to the percentage of the amount that the policyholder agrees to pay from his/her pocket. The remaining hospitalization expenses are taken care of by the insurance company. For example, if a policyholder has a health plan with a 10% co-payment clause, then while filing a claim of Rs. 1 lakh, the policyholder will need to pay Rs.10,000 from his/her pocket and the insurance company will pay the rest Rs. 90,000 as a part of the claim. One can choose the purchase policy without a co-payment clause.

Room rent limit

In case of any medical emergency, the insured will get a shared room, semi-private room, or private room based on the type of plan chosen by the policyholder. It is always advised to choose the policy that provides a higher room rent limit so that one does not need to pay extra from his pocket.

Wrapping it Up!

In this day and age, having a health insurance plan is a necessity more than a choice. To choose the best family health insurance plan, make sure you consider the above-mentioned points and make an informed decision.

Top 7 Benefits of Health Insurance Plan

The outbreak of COVID-19 indeed has forced financial as well as medical security to the minds of individuals in an unprecedented way. In these times of uncertainty and with the skyrocketing cost of the health care sector, having a health insurance policy has become a necessity more than a choice. The health insurance policy not only takes care of the medical needs of the individual in case of any eventuality but also provides many different benefits. Read further to know the benefit of a health insurance plan.

Benefits of Health Insurance Policy

The following are some of the benefits of the health insurance plan:

Coverage against medical expenses

In case of any medical emergency, the last thing that a person would want to worry about is the cost of medical treatment. One of the major perks of having a medical insurance policy is that it offers coverage against any type of medical expenses that may/may not arise during an emergency.

Thus, a comprehensive health insurance policy covers all the medical costs like pre and post-hospitalization costs, ambulance charges, doctor’s fees, etc. are all covered. Many insurance companies offer rider options along with the base plan to enhance the coverage of the policy.

These riders offer the benefits that are not covered in the base policy like personal accident insurance, critical illness cover, maternity benefits, etc. With all these costs covered by a medical insurance policy, one does not need to worry about financial loss in case of any medical emergency.

Cashless Mediclaim Facility

In case of any medical emergency, if the insured undergoes any treatment in a hospital, then it might get difficult for the family members to immediately pay the hospital bills. To avoid such a situation, many insurers offer the facility of cashless mediclaim at network hospitals.

The cashless mediclaim facility ensures that the policyholder gets the best treatment without worrying about the finances. One just needs to fill the mediclaim form offered by the insurance company to avail of the benefit of cashless mediclaim at network hospitals.

Tax benefits

Another benefit of a health insurance policy is that it offers an opportunity to save on taxes. An individual can claim up to a maximum of Rs. 25,000 of tax exemption on the premium paid towards the policy under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. 1961. Moreover, one can also claim an additional tax exemption of Rs. 25,000 for the premium paid for parents.

Financial protection against critical Illness

Most health insurers provide coverage against critical illnesses such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, etc. The critical illness cover either comes inbuilt in a plan or is offered as an add-on cover to the health insurance policy. In case the insured person is diagnosed with any critical illness as stated in the policy documents, a lump-sum amount is paid by the insurer so that the insured can fulfill their financial obligations.

Buying a comprehensive medical insurance policy helps an individual to be prepared for the worst. Moreover, buying the best health insurance plan at a young age not only provides the advantage of lower premiums along with comprehensive coverage but also helps to contribute towards savings in the long term.

No claim bonus

A No-Claim Bonus is a special incentive given by the health insurance company for every claim-free year. If the policyholder completes a year without making any claim for medical expenses then the insurance company offers a no-claim bonus to the policyholder in the form of premium discounts.

If a person does not file a claim for a consecutive tenure of the policy then he/she can enjoy up to a 50% discount on the premium amount. Moreover, some of the insurers also offer an increase in the base amount of the policy for every claim-free year. This not only benefits the insurance holder but also adds to their savings.

Protects the long-term savings

A health insurance plan acts as a safety net and protects the individual and his family against any type of financial crisis due to any medical eventualities. In case, a policyholder requires any medical treatment or a lifesaving surgery then he/she does not need to compromise on their children’s education fund or retirement savings. With a quality, health insurance policy one can ensure the right financial protection to themselves and their family without burning a hole in the pocket.

Free health checkup

After every 4-5 claim-free years, the facility of free health checkups is offered by the insurance companies to their policyholders. The insured can avail of the facility of free health checkups at any of the network hospitals.

The Bottom Point!

So, these are some of the benefits of health insurance plans. To choose the best health insurance policy for your family and yourself, make sure you compare the plans available and make an informed choice.

How to Find the Grant for Research and Travel in Africa

Helping scholars in getting research grants and writing proposals. Finding grants for travel in Africa can involve several steps. Here’s a general guide to help you in your search:

Define Your Purpose:
- Clearly define the purpose of your travel. Are you attending a conference, conducting research, participating in a project, or volunteering? Knowing the specifics will help you narrow down potential grants. Defining your purpose involves providing a clear and detailed explanation of the reason for your travel. It requires specifying the primary objective or goals you aim to achieve during your time in Africa. Here are the key components of defining your purpose:
  1. Attending a Conference:
    - If your purpose is to attend a conference, state the name, location, and focus of the conference. Highlight how your participation contributes to your professional development, knowledge enhancement, or networking within your field.
  2. Conducting Research:
    - If your travel involves research, outline the nature of your research, its significance, and the specific areas or topics you plan to investigate. Explain how your research contributes to existing knowledge and the potential impact it may have.
  3. Participating in a Project:
    - If you are participating in a project, describe the project’s goals, objectives, and the role you will play. Clarify how your involvement contributes to the project’s success and any anticipated outcomes or benefits.
  4. Volunteering:
    - If your purpose is volunteering, specify the type of volunteer work you will be engaged in. Provide details about the organization or community you will be supporting, the tasks you will undertake, and the expected positive impact of your volunteer efforts.
  In summary, clearly defining your purpose involves articulating the specific nature of your activities, whether they are conference attendance, research endeavors, project participation, or volunteer work. This clarity is essential for identifying grants that align with your goals and ensuring that your applications accurately reflect the purpose of your travel.
Research Organizations and Foundations:
- Identify organizations and foundations that support travel-related initiatives in Africa. Look for both international and local entities that may offer grants for your specific purpose.
- Researching organizations and foundations involves identifying entities that provide financial support for travel-related initiatives in Africa. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of this step:
  1. Online Research:
    - Begin by conducting online research using search engines and relevant databases. Look for organizations and foundations that focus on travel, international collaboration, or specific areas related to your purpose (e.g., education, healthcare, community development).
  2. International Entities:
    - Identify international organizations that have a presence in Africa or fund projects on the continent. Examples include global foundations, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), and intergovernmental organizations. Check their websites for information on grant programs and eligibility criteria.
  3. Local Entities:
    - Explore local organizations based in the countries you plan to visit in Africa. These could be NGOs, community foundations, or government agencies that support initiatives aligned with your purpose. Local entities may have a deep understanding of the specific needs and opportunities in their regions.
  4. Thematic Focus:
    - Consider the thematic focus of each organization. Some may prioritize education, healthcare, environmental conservation, or other specific areas. Choose organizations whose priorities align closely with the goals of your travel.
  5. Professional Associations:
    - Look into professional associations related to your field. Many associations have foundations or funds that support international travel for research, conferences, or collaboration. Check if membership is a prerequisite for applying.
  6. Collaborative Platforms:
    - Explore collaborative platforms that connect individuals with funding opportunities. Websites like ResearchGate, Academia.edu, or professional social media platforms may have discussions or announcements related to travel grants.
  7. Government Agencies:
    - Investigate government agencies both in your home country and the destination country in Africa. Some government departments offer grants or collaborate with international partners to support travel for various purposes.
  8. Community Foundations:
    - Community foundations, especially those based in the areas you plan to visit, may offer grants for projects that benefit local communities. Research their grant programs and see if they align with your travel objectives.
  9. Review Past Recipients:
    - Check the list of past grant recipients for each organization. This can provide insights into the types of projects and individuals they typically support. It also helps you gauge the competitiveness of the grant.
  10. Contact and Inquire:
    - Reach out to the identified organizations and foundations. Contact them directly to inquire about their grant programs, application processes, and any specific requirements. Establishing communication can also help you build a relationship with the funding entities.
  By systematically researching and identifying potential organizations and foundations, you increase your chances of finding grants that align with your travel objectives in Africa.
Use Online Resources:
- Explore online databases and grant directories. Websites like GrantWatch, GrantStation, and Idealist can be helpful in finding relevant grants. You can search for grants based on location, purpose, and other criteria.
- Exploring online resources involves utilizing specialized databases and grant directories to identify potential funding opportunities for your travel in Africa. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how to use online platforms effectively:
  1. GrantWatch:
    - Visit the GrantWatch website and create an account if necessary. This platform aggregates a wide range of grants, including those related to travel and international initiatives. Use the search function to filter grants based on location (Africa), purpose (e.g., conference attendance, research), and other relevant criteria.
  2. GrantStation:
    - Access the GrantStation database and explore the available grant opportunities. This platform provides a comprehensive database of grants, allowing you to search for funding based on specific parameters. Narrow down your search by selecting filters related to your purpose and location.
  3. Idealist:
    - Visit the Idealist website, a platform that focuses on connecting individuals with opportunities for social impact, including grants. Use the search feature to find grants related to travel in Africa. Specify your purpose, and explore the results to identify relevant opportunities.
  4. Other Grant Directories:
    - Explore additional online grant directories that cater to your specific needs. Examples include Foundation Center, ProFellow, and Pivot. These platforms often allow you to customize your search based on criteria such as location, purpose, and target audience.
  5. Utilize Search Filters:
    - When using these online resources, make use of search filters to refine your results. Filter grants based on geographical location (Africa), the purpose of your travel, preferred funding amount, and any other relevant criteria. This helps you narrow down the options to those most aligned with your needs.
  6. Read Grant Descriptions:
    - Carefully read the descriptions of the grants you find. Pay attention to eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines. Ensure that the grants you are considering are a good fit for your travel purpose and align with your goals.
  7. Set Up Alerts:
    - Some platforms allow you to set up alerts based on your search criteria. This way, you can receive notifications when new grants matching your specifications are added to the database. Setting up alerts helps you stay informed about the latest opportunities.
  8. Check for Updates:
    - Regularly check the websites for updates and new grant listings. Grant opportunities may be added or modified, and staying informed ensures that you don’t miss out on potential funding sources.
  By leveraging online databases and grant directories, you can efficiently identify grants that match your travel objectives. These platforms offer a centralized and organized way to explore a wide range of funding opportunities for your specific purpose in Africa.
Government Grants:
- Check with government agencies in your country and the country you plan to visit. Some governments have travel grants or funds for individuals engaged in specific activities, such as research or cultural exchange.
- When exploring government grants, particularly from your country and the destination country in Africa, it’s crucial to follow a systematic approach. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to check for government grants:
  1. Identify Relevant Government Departments:
    - Determine which government departments or ministries in your home country and the target country are likely to be associated with your travel purpose. For example, if you are conducting research, check with departments related to education, science, or foreign affairs.
  2. Visit Government Websites:
    - Access the official websites of the identified government departments. Look for dedicated sections related to grants, funding opportunities, or international collaborations. Government websites often provide detailed information about available grants and application procedures.
  3. Check Foreign Affairs or International Relations Departments:
    - Explore the website of the foreign affairs or international relations department in both your home country and the destination country. These departments often manage grants and programs related to cultural exchange, research collaborations, and diplomatic initiatives.
  4. Research Grant Programs:
    - Investigate specific grant programs that align with your travel objectives. Some governments have programs designed to support individuals engaged in research, educational exchange, or projects that promote international cooperation. Take note of eligibility criteria, deadlines, and application processes.
  5. Contact Government Representatives:
    - Reach out to representatives or offices within the government departments responsible for grants. You can contact them via email or phone to inquire about available opportunities, specific eligibility requirements, and the application process. Government officials can provide valuable information and guidance.
  6. Explore Bilateral Agreements:
    - Investigate any existing bilateral agreements or partnerships between your home country and the destination country. Governments often allocate funds for initiatives that strengthen ties between nations. Look for grants that may be available under these agreements.
  7. Check Embassies and Consulates:
    - Visit the website of the embassy or consulate of the destination country in your home country. Embassies often provide information about grants, scholarships, and programs that support cultural exchange and collaboration. Contact them directly for detailed information.
  8. National Research Foundations:
    - In some countries, national research foundations or councils oversee research grants. Explore the websites of such organizations to identify potential funding opportunities for research-related travel.
  9. Review Previous Grant Recipients:
    - Look for lists of previous grant recipients on government websites. This can provide insights into the types of projects that have been funded and help you tailor your application accordingly.
  10. Stay Informed about Policy Changes:
    - Keep an eye on any changes in government policies related to international travel and collaboration. Governments may introduce new initiatives or modify existing programs that could affect the availability of grants.
  By thoroughly researching government grants through official channels and direct communication with relevant authorities, you can gather the necessary information to apply for funding that aligns with your travel purpose in Africa.
Professional Associations:
- If your travel is related to a specific profession or field, check with relevant professional associations. Many associations offer travel grants to support their members’ professional development or research.
- When exploring travel grants offered by professional associations, it’s essential to navigate the resources and opportunities specific to your field. Here’s a detailed guide on how to approach this:
  1. Identify Relevant Professional Associations:
    - Determine which professional associations are pertinent to your field or specific profession. These may include organizations related to your academic discipline, industry, or area of expertise.
  2. Visit Association Websites:
    - Access the official websites of the identified professional associations. Look for sections related to grants, funding, or support for professional development. Associations often provide detailed information about travel grants, eligibility criteria, and application procedures.
  3. Membership Requirements:
    - Check whether membership in the professional association is a prerequisite for applying for travel grants. Many associations reserve such opportunities for their members. If you’re not already a member, consider joining to access these benefits.
  4. Explore Professional Development Opportunities:
    - Professional associations often offer travel grants to support activities such as attending conferences, workshops, seminars, or engaging in collaborative research. Explore opportunities that align with your travel purpose.
  5. Check for Research Grants:
    - If your travel involves research, investigate whether the professional association offers specific research grants. Some associations allocate funds to support members conducting research in their respective fields.
  6. Review Grant Guidelines:
    - Carefully review the guidelines for each travel grant offered by the professional association. Pay attention to eligibility criteria, deadlines, required documentation, and any specific focus areas or themes for which grants are available.
  7. Contact Association Representatives:
    - If you have questions or need additional information, reach out to representatives or members of the professional association. They can provide insights into the application process and offer guidance on how to enhance your chances of securing a travel grant.
  8. Attend Association Events:
    - Attend events organized by the professional association, such as conferences or workshops. These gatherings may provide opportunities to network with association members and learn more about available travel grants.
  9. Collaborate with Peers:
    - Engage with peers within the professional association who have successfully obtained travel grants. Seek advice, learn from their experiences, and gather tips on preparing a compelling application.
  10. Stay Updated:
    - Regularly check the association’s website or subscribe to newsletters for updates on new grant opportunities, changes to existing programs, or additional funding initiatives. Associations may introduce new grants or modify existing ones over time.
  By actively exploring the offerings of relevant professional associations and engaging with their resources, you can identify and apply for travel grants that support your professional development or research endeavors in Africa.
Nonprofit Organizations:
- Look for nonprofit organizations working in Africa that might offer travel grants. These organizations may focus on issues such as education, healthcare, or community development.
- When seeking travel grants from nonprofit organizations in Africa, it’s important to focus on entities aligned with your purpose and field of interest. Here’s a detailed guide on how to identify and approach nonprofit organizations for potential funding:
  1. Identify Relevant Nonprofit Organizations:
    - Research and identify nonprofit organizations operating in Africa that align with your travel purpose. Focus on organizations that work in areas such as education, healthcare, community development, or other fields related to your goals.
  2. Explore Online Directories:
    - Utilize online directories, such as GuideStar or Charity Navigator, to identify and learn more about nonprofit organizations in Africa. These platforms often provide information about an organization’s mission, projects, and financial transparency.
  3. Research Organizations’ Websites:
    - Visit the websites of identified nonprofit organizations. Look for dedicated sections related to grants, funding, or support for individuals. Pay attention to their focus areas and ascertain whether they offer travel grants for purposes like research, conferences, or collaboration.
  4. Check for Specific Initiatives:
    - Investigate whether the nonprofit organizations have specific initiatives or programs that support international travel. Some organizations may have grant programs designed to facilitate knowledge exchange, partnerships, or collaborative projects.
  5. Review Grant Guidelines:
    - Carefully review the grant guidelines provided by each organization. Understand the eligibility criteria, application process, deadlines, and any specific requirements. Ensure that your travel purpose aligns with the organization’s mission and grant objectives.
  6. Contact Organizations Directly:
    - Reach out to the identified nonprofit organizations directly. Use contact information available on their websites to inquire about travel grants. Ask about the availability of grants, application procedures, and any additional information required.
  7. Network with Nonprofit Professionals:
    - Attend events, conferences, or webinars related to your field where nonprofit professionals may participate. Networking with individuals from nonprofit organizations can provide valuable insights into available travel grants and how to approach the application process.
  8. Collaborate on Shared Goals:
    - Emphasize how your travel aligns with the organization’s mission and goals. Highlight potential areas of collaboration or how your activities can contribute to the organization’s work in Africa.
  9. Check Community Foundations:
    - Explore community foundations operating in the specific regions you plan to visit. Community foundations often work closely with nonprofit organizations and may have grant programs supporting local initiatives, including those involving international collaboration.
  10. Stay Updated on Opportunities:
    - Regularly check the websites, newsletters, or social media channels of nonprofit organizations for updates on new grant opportunities, application deadlines, and changes to existing programs.
  By systematically researching and engaging with nonprofit organizations, you can identify travel grants that align with your goals and contribute to meaningful initiatives in Africa.
Universities and Research Institutions:
- If you are a student or researcher, explore grant opportunities provided by universities and research institutions. Many academic institutions have funds available for students and faculty engaged in international projects.
- When exploring grant opportunities from universities and research institutions for international projects, it’s crucial to navigate the specific offerings of academic institutions. Here’s a detailed guide on how to identify and approach universities and research institutions for potential funding:
  1. Identify Relevant Universities and Research Institutions:
    - Research and identify universities and research institutions that align with your field of study or research interest. Focus on institutions known for international collaboration and projects.
  2. Explore University and Institution Websites:
    - Visit the official websites of identified universities and research institutions. Look for sections related to research funding, grants, or international projects. Academic institutions often provide detailed information about available grants and application procedures.
  3. Check Research Office or Grants Office:
    - Explore the research office or grants office within the university or research institution. These offices typically manage research funding and can provide information on grants specifically designed for international projects.
  4. Review Funding Programs:
    - Investigate specific funding programs offered by universities and research institutions that support international projects. Look for grants that facilitate collaboration, knowledge exchange, or research in the regions you plan to visit.
  5. Consider Student-Specific Grants:
    - If you are a student, check for grants specifically designed for student researchers. Some universities have funds dedicated to supporting student travel for research, conferences, or experiential learning opportunities.
  6. Check Faculty Development Grants:
    - If you are a faculty member, explore faculty development grants that universities may offer to support international engagement, research, or collaborative projects. These grants are often designed to enhance faculty members’ professional development.
  7. Review Eligibility Criteria:
    - Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each grant program. Ensure that your project aligns with the goals of the grant and that you meet the specified requirements. Some grants may be restricted to certain disciplines or research themes.
  8. Contact Research Administrators:
    - Reach out to the research administrators or grant officers within the university or research institution. They can provide guidance on available grants, application processes, and any additional information required for a successful application.
  9. Explore Joint Initiatives:
    - Investigate whether the university or research institution has joint initiatives or partnerships with institutions in the regions you plan to visit. These collaborations may open up additional funding opportunities for international projects.
  10. Attend Research Seminars and Events:
    - Participate in research seminars, workshops, or events organized by the university or research institution. These gatherings can provide opportunities to learn about available grants, network with researchers, and gain insights into successful application strategies.
  11. Stay Informed about Deadlines:
    - Keep track of deadlines for grant applications. University and research institution grant cycles may have specific timelines, and staying informed ensures that you submit your application in a timely manner.
  By actively engaging with universities and research institutions, you can identify and apply for grants that support your international projects and contribute to the academic and research goals of these institutions.
Networking:
- Attend conferences, workshops, and events related to your field. Networking with professionals and peers can provide valuable insights into potential grant opportunities. You may also learn about grants through word of mouth.
- Networking is a crucial aspect of discovering potential grant opportunities and gaining valuable insights into your field. Here’s a detailed guide on how to effectively network to uncover grant possibilities:
  1. Identify Relevant Events:
    - Research and identify conferences, workshops, and events related to your field or area of interest. Look for gatherings that attract professionals, researchers, and experts in the specific domains that align with your travel purpose.
  2. Attend Conferences and Workshops:
    - Actively participate in conferences and workshops relevant to your field. Attend presentations, engage in discussions, and take advantage of networking sessions. Conferences often provide opportunities to connect with professionals and peers who may share information about available grants.
  3. Participate in Networking Sessions:
    - Make the most of dedicated networking sessions during conferences. Introduce yourself to fellow attendees, exchange contact information, and discuss your interests and goals. Networking can open doors to valuable information about grants and funding opportunities.
  4. Engage with Presenters and Speakers:
    - Connect with presenters, speakers, and panelists at conferences. These individuals often have valuable insights into the latest trends, research funding, and grant opportunities in your field. Attend Q&A sessions or approach them during breaks to initiate conversations.
  5. Join Professional Associations:
    - Become a member of professional associations relevant to your field. These associations often host events and provide platforms for networking. Attend association conferences, webinars, and local chapter meetings to build connections with professionals who may be aware of grant opportunities.
  6. Utilize Online Platforms:
    - Join online forums, discussion groups, and social media communities related to your field. Platforms like LinkedIn, ResearchGate, and Twitter can be valuable for connecting with professionals and staying informed about grant announcements and opportunities.
  7. Build Relationships with Peers:
    - Establish relationships with peers in your field. Networking isn’t just about connecting with established professionals; fellow students, early-career researchers, and colleagues can also share information about grants and funding opportunities.
  8. Attend Industry Events:
    - Explore industry-specific events and trade shows. These gatherings often bring together professionals, businesses, and organizations. Attendees may share information about funding initiatives, collaborative projects, and grant opportunities.
  9. Participate in Workshops and Training Programs:
    - Attend workshops and training programs that focus on skill development and professional growth. These events provide opportunities to interact with professionals who may have insights into grants and funding sources.
  10. Connect with Alumni Networks:
    - If applicable, engage with alumni networks from your academic institution. Alumni may have experiences with travel grants or be aware of funding opportunities for individuals in your field.
  11. Word of Mouth:
    - Actively engage in conversations with your professional network. Share your travel plans and research interests. Word of mouth is a powerful way to learn about grants that may not be widely advertised but are known within specific circles.
  12. Express Your Goals:
    - Clearly express your goals and intentions during networking interactions. Let others know about your travel plans, research objectives, and interest in securing funding. Professionals may offer advice or direct you to relevant grant opportunities.
  By actively participating in professional events and building a strong network within your field, you increase your chances of learning about grant opportunities that may not be readily available through traditional online searches. Networking provides a dynamic and interactive way to stay informed about the latest developments in your field and connect with individuals who can offer guidance on potential funding sources.
Local Embassies and Consulates:
- Contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit. They may have information on grants or programs that support cultural exchange, research, or educational activities.
- When reaching out to local embassies and consulates for information on grants or programs that support cultural exchange, research, or educational activities, it’s important to approach the communication strategically. Here’s a detailed guide on how to effectively contact embassies and consulates:
  1. Identify the Relevant Embassy or Consulate:
    - Determine the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit. Make sure to contact the specific diplomatic mission responsible for your destination. Embassy websites usually provide contact details and information about their areas of focus.
  2. Visit the Embassy or Consulate Website:
    - Explore the official website of the embassy or consulate. Look for sections related to cultural exchange, educational programs, or grants. Many diplomatic missions provide information about initiatives that support international collaboration.
  3. Check for Cultural and Educational Programs:
    - Specifically, look for information about cultural exchange programs, educational initiatives, or grants that the embassy or consulate may administer. There might be dedicated programs aimed at fostering relationships and supporting activities like research or academic exchanges.
  4. Find Contact Information:
    - Identify the contact details for the cultural affairs or education department of the embassy or consulate. This information is often available on the official website. If in doubt, you can also contact the general inquiries office and ask to be directed to the relevant department.
  5. Craft a Professional Email:
    - Draft a professional and concise email introducing yourself, explaining your travel purpose, and expressing your interest in any available grants or programs. Clearly articulate how your project aligns with the goals of cultural exchange, education, or research.
  6. Include Relevant Details:
    - In your email, include specific details about your travel plans, such as the purpose of your visit, the duration of your stay, and any affiliations with academic institutions or organizations. Providing this information helps the embassy or consulate understand the context of your request.
  7. Inquire About Grant Opportunities:
    - Politely inquire about any grant opportunities, scholarships, or programs that may support individuals engaged in cultural exchange, research, or educational activities. Ask if there are specific application procedures or eligibility criteria you should be aware of.
  8. Express Willingness to Provide Additional Information:
    - Convey your willingness to provide any additional information or documentation required for the embassy or consulate to evaluate your request. Offer to submit a more detailed proposal or attend an interview if necessary.
  9. Follow-Up if Necessary:
    - If you don’t receive a response within a reasonable time frame, consider sending a follow-up email. Diplomatic missions are often busy, and a polite follow-up can demonstrate your continued interest and commitment.
  10. Consider Phone Communication:
    - If appropriate, you may also consider making a phone call to the embassy or consulate to inquire about grant opportunities. Speaking directly with a representative can provide additional clarity and facilitate a more personal connection.
  Remember to adapt your communication style to be respectful and professional, and tailor your inquiries to the specific cultural and educational initiatives promoted by the embassy or consulate. Building a positive and cooperative relationship with the diplomatic mission increases the likelihood of obtaining valuable information about potential grants or programs.
Read Grant Guidelines Carefully:
- Once you find potential grants, carefully read the guidelines and eligibility criteria. Ensure that your project aligns with the grant’s objectives, and follow the application instructions closely.

Remember to start your search well in advance, as the application processes for grants can take time. Additionally, tailor your applications to the specific requirements of each grant to increase your chances of success.

Collaborative Research: Unleashing the Power of Collective Knowledge

Collaborative research is a dynamic and transformative approach to inquiry that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, uniting researchers with diverse expertise and perspectives to address complex challenges. In an era where global issues demand multifaceted solutions, collaborative research emerges as a key driver of innovation, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and fostering a culture of collective problem-solving.

Defining Collaborative Research:Collaborative research involves the concerted efforts of researchers from various disciplines, institutions, or even nations, pooling their expertise to explore and solve complex problems. This collaborative model extends beyond the confines of individual expertise, encouraging interdisciplinary engagement and fostering a rich tapestry of ideas.

Benefits of Collaborative Research:

Diverse Perspectives and Expertise:Collaborative research harnesses the power of diverse perspectives and expertise. Bringing together individuals with varied backgrounds ensures a comprehensive understanding of complex issues, enriching the research process with interdisciplinary insights.
Enhanced Innovation and Creativity:Collaboration sparks creativity and innovation. The synergy of minds working together often results in novel approaches to problem-solving, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and leading to breakthrough discoveries.
Increased Resources and Infrastructure:Collaborative efforts allow researchers to access a broader range of resources and infrastructure. This might include specialized equipment, datasets, or facilities that are not available to individual researchers or institutions, thereby elevating the quality and scope of the research.
Accelerated Research Progress:The collaborative model accelerates research progress. By distributing tasks and responsibilities among team members, researchers can work concurrently, reducing the time required to complete a project. This acceleration is particularly valuable in addressing urgent societal challenges.
Global Impact:Collaborative research transcends geographical boundaries, enabling researchers to address global challenges. International collaborations facilitate the exchange of ideas, methodologies, and cultural perspectives, leading to research outcomes that have a far-reaching impact.

Challenges and Considerations:

Communication and Coordination:Effective communication and coordination are critical for successful collaboration. Researchers must navigate differences in communication styles, time zones, and work cultures to ensure seamless information exchange and project management.
Interdisciplinary Integration:Integrating diverse disciplinary perspectives can be challenging. Researchers need to bridge language gaps and foster a shared understanding of the research goals and methodologies, promoting a cohesive and integrated approach.
Resource Allocation and Funding:Collaborative research often requires significant resources, including funding, which may pose challenges. Securing funding for interdisciplinary projects and managing resource allocation efficiently are essential for the sustainability of collaborative initiatives.
Authorship and Recognition:Determining authorship and ensuring that contributors receive due recognition can be complex in collaborative projects. Clear guidelines and transparent communication are essential to address issues related to intellectual property and authorship credits.

Success Stories:

Human Genome Project:The Human Genome Project stands as a testament to the power of collaborative research. Involving scientists from around the world, this landmark project mapped and sequenced the entire human genome, paving the way for breakthroughs in genetics and personalized medicine.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):The IPCC exemplifies successful international collaboration in addressing climate change. Bringing together scientists, policymakers, and experts from various disciplines, the IPCC produces comprehensive assessments that guide global climate policies.

Conclusion:Collaborative research represents a paradigm shift in the way we approach complex challenges. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, leveraging diverse expertise, and transcending geographical boundaries, collaborative research has the potential to drive transformative change and shape a more sustainable and equitable future. As we continue to face unprecedented global challenges, collaborative research stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing the collective power of knowledge, innovation, and shared purpose.

STEPS TAKEN TO BOOST EXPORTS OF PROCESSED FOOD

The efforts being made by Government for promoting exports of processed food products include:

(i) A comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” has been introduced to harness export potential of Indian agriculture.

(ii) Products Specific Export Promotion Forums set up by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to give impetus to the export of potential products as well as to remove the bottlenecks in the supply chain.

(iii) APEDA has also formed Export Promotion Forums (EPFs) for the products, viz., Grapes, Onions, Mango, Banana, Pomegranate, Floriculture, Rice, Dairy Products and Nutri cereals.

(iv) A Farmer Connect Portal has been set up for providing a platform for farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives to interact with exporters.

(v) Assistance provided through several other schemes to promote exports, including food products export, viz. Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme, Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP), Export Promotion schemes of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)& Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), etc.

(vi) District as Export Hubs (DEH) scheme is being implemented using ODOP(One District One Product) approach with an objective of converting each District of the country into a Manufacturing and Export Hub by identifying products with export potential in the district.

(vii) Under the Production Linked Incentives (PLI) scheme for food products, marketing and branding support is provided by Ministry of Food Processing Industries for enhancing global visibility of Indian food products.

7 Winning Content Writing Tips

Effective Content Writing

Although there is no secret formula for writing high-quality content, these are several tips that can help improve the quality and quantity of your written material:

Write a Head-Turning Headline. The headline determines whether audiences will read the rest of your work. If the headline doesn’t spark interest, stir an emotion or make the reader want to learn more about the topic, you simply won’t achieve the desired results with your content. Walker Sands’ professional copywriting services take the guesswork out of generating effective headlines by using proven techniques and traffic-driving strategies.
Create a Hook That Grabs Their Attention. You have three seconds to keep readers hooked after the headline. The first sentence also plays a role in determining whether they read the rest of your content. As a result, it should capture the reader’s attention and smoothly lead them into your first point.
Do Your Research. You must have extensive knowledge on the topic you’re writing about, especially in the B2B market. Include statistics, data and metrics to establish credibility and support your claims.
Focus on a Single Purpose. You should identify at least one key message you’d like to convey before you create your content. Keep this in mind when writing and tie your content back to the main point as much as possible.
Write in a Unique Voice. The content you publish is the voice of your company and it should be unique to your company’s personality. It’s important to align the tone of your writing to your target audience, business goals and brand persona.
Optimize Digital Content. The best digital content often consists of short paragraphs, short sentences and bulleted lists. Digital content should also be optimized for search using SEO best practices and the latest SEO content strategies.
Edit Your Work. After you have created a first draft, go back and consider how you might polish the rough edges of your writing. In most cases, writing improves as it goes through a round or two of edits—even when it has been drafted by experienced content creators.

Effective content writing is critical in turning site visitors into satisfied customers. It’s not just about getting content out there—it’s also important to produce high-quality content. Search engines crawl website content and reward websites with well-written articles by ranking them higher in search results.

What is Anxiety

Anxiety is body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what’s to come. For example, going to a job interview or giving a speech on the first day of school may cause some people to feel fearful and nervous.

But if the feelings of anxiety are extreme, last for at least 6 months, and are interfering with your life, then it may be anxiety disorder.

What are anxiety disorders?

It’s normal to feel anxious about moving to a new place, starting a new job, or taking a test. This type of anxiety is unpleasant, but it may motivate us to work harder and do a better job. Ordinary anxiety is a feeling that comes and goes but doesn’t interfere with our everyday life.

In the case of an anxiety disorder, the feeling of fear may be with us all the time. It’s intense and sometimes debilitating.

This type of anxiety may cause us to stop doing things we enjoy. For example, it may prevent us from entering an elevator, crossing the street, or even stepping out of home in extreme cases.

If left untreated, the anxiety will keep getting worse.

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder and can affect anyone. But, according to the American Psychiatric Association, women are more likely than men to receive a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder.

What are the types of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety is a vital part of several different disorders. These include:

1. panic disorder. This means you experience recurring panic attacks at unexpected times.

2. Phobia. This is an excessive fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.

3.Social anxiety disorder. This is an extreme fear of being judged by others in social situations.

4.obsessive-compulsive disorder. This means you have recurring irrational thoughts that lead you to perform specific, repeated behaviours.

5. Separation anxiety disorder. This means you have a fear of being away from home or your loved ones.

6. anxiety disorder. This is anxiety about your health (formerly called hypochondria).

In addition, a number of mental health and medical conditions may feature anxiety as a symptom. These include:

a. post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is anxiety following a traumatic event.

b. Major depressive disorders. A strong relationship exists between depression and anxiety.

c. Chronic disease. Managing conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes may result in anxiety symptoms.

d. Inflammatory conditions. Anxiety can lead to chronic inflammation and diseases such as arthritis

e. substance use disorders: many people with anxiety may try to self-medicate to help manage their symptoms.

f. Chronic pain. Anxiety is often found in those with chronic pain disorders.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety feels different depending on the person experiencing it. Feelings can range from butterflies in your stomach to a racing heart. You might feel out of control like there’s a disconnect between your mind and body.

You may have a general feeling of fear and worry, or you may fear a specific place or event. In some cases, you may experience a panic attack.

Symptoms of anxiety can include:

1. anxious thoughts or beliefs that are difficult to control

2. restlessness

3. trouble concentrating

4. difficulty falling asleep

5. fatigue

6. irritability

7. unexplained aches and pains

Your anxiety symptoms might be different from someone else’s. That’s why it’s essential to know how anxiety can present itself.

What is a panic attack?

A panic attack is a feeling of intense fear that comes on suddenly and peaks within 10 to 20 minutes. The initial trigger of the fear can be known or unknown.

The physical symptoms can mimic a heart attack. Once you’re experiencing a panic attack, the symptoms may get worse if you believe you may be having a heart attack or having a mental health emergency. Another common fear that may exacerbate a panic attack is the fear that you might be judged negatively if you’re having an attack in public.

Panic attacks can vary greatly, and symptoms may differ among individuals. In addition, the many symptoms of anxiety don’t happen to everyone, and they can change over time.

Common symptoms of a panic attack include:

chest pain

feeling of choking

fear of losing control

feeling of impending doom

sweating, chills, and hot flashes

shaking

numbness and tingling of hands, feet, or face

nausea or upset stomach

shortness of breath

fear of dying

When you experience repeated panic or anxiety attacks, you may have a panic disorder.

What causes anxiety?

1.stress

2.other medical issues such as depression or diabetes

3.first degree relatives with generalized anxiety disorder

4.environmental concerns, such as child abuse

substance use

5.situations such as surgery or occupational hazard

In addition, researchers believe that it stems from the areas of the brain responsible for controlling fear and the storing and retrieval of emotional and fear-related memories.

Who is at risk of anxiety disorders?

With each type of anxiety, there are different risk factors. But there are some general influences including:

1. Personality traits. This includes shyness and nervousness in childhood.

2. Life history. This includes being exposed to negative or stressful life events.

3. Genetics. Of those who have a diagnosis of anxiety, 25 percent have a first degree relative who also has a diagnosis of anxiety.

4. Other health conditions. Thyroid problems and other health conditions can make you prone to anxiety.

5. Stimulants. Consuming caffeine, specific substances, and medications can worsen your symptoms.

Are there tests that diagnose anxiety?

A single test can’t diagnose anxiety. Instead, an anxiety diagnosis requires a lengthy process of physical examinations, mental health tests, and psychological questionnaires.

Some doctors or healthcare professionals may conduct a physical exam, including blood or urine tests to rule out underlying medical conditions that could contribute to the symptoms one is experiencing.

Several anxiety tests and scales are also used to help a doctor assess the level of anxiety.

What are treatments for anxiety?

Treatment for anxiety falls into three categories:

Psychotherapy. Therapy can include cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure response prevention.

Complemental health techniques. Mindfulness, yoga, and self-management strategies such as stress management are ways to treat your anxiety using alternative methods.

Medication. Doctors prescribe antianxiety and antidepressant drugs.

Meeting with a therapist or psychologist can help you learn tools to use and strategies to cope with stress when it occurs.

What natural remedies are used for anxiety?

Lifestyle changes can effectively relieve some of the stress and anxiety you may cope with every day. Most natural “remedies” consist of caring for your body and participating in healthy activities while eliminating unhealthy ones.

These include:

a. getting enough sleep

b. meditating

c. staying active and exercising

d. eating a healthy diet

e. avoiding alcohol

f. avoiding caffeine

g. quitting smoking cigarettes

h. Anxiety and depression

if you have an anxiety disorder, you may also be experiencing depression. While anxiety and depression can occur separately, it’s not unusual for mental health disorders to happen together.

Anxiety can be a symptom of clinical or major depression. Likewise, worsening symptoms of depression can become triggered by an anxiety disorder.

You can manage symptoms of both conditions with many of the same treatments: psychotherapy (counselling), medications, and lifestyle changes.

Why it’s important to address your mental health

It’s important for people to address their mental health to live lives that are fulfilling. Acknowledging and treating your mental health helps create resilience. It also teaches you to better cope. Then when a similar situation occurs, you are equipped to handle it.

Stressful situations are going to happen. How you react can determine how these situations will affect you. Many resources are available regarding anxiety, depression and stress.

What is Empathy

Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position.

Empathy is, at its simplest, awareness of the feelings and emotions of other people. It is a key element of Emotional Intelligence, the link between self and others, because it is how we as individuals understand what others are experiencing as if we were feeling it ourselves.

Empathy goes far beyond sympathy, which might be considered ‘feeling for’ someone. Empathy, instead, is ‘feeling with’ that person, through the use of imagination.

On the other hand, sympathy involves understanding from your own perspective. Empathy involves putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and understanding why they may have these particular feelings. In becoming aware of the root cause of why a person feels the way they do; we can better understand and provide healthier options.

“Unsympathetic” is a word that may be used to describe a person who lacks empathy. Someone may also use the terms “insensitive or “uncompassionate” to describe people who lack empathy.

Signs of a Lack of Empathy

Being extremely critical of other people.
Blaming the victim.
Not forgiving people for making mistakes.
Feeling like other people are too sensitive.
Not listening to other people’s perspectives or opinions.
An inability to cope with emotional situations.

What causes lack of empathy?

Low emotional intelligence, burnout, and stress
Being under prolonged stress may also lead someone to be less tolerant of other people’s behavior and have lower cognitive empathy. In some cases, emotional avoidance may also be a reason why someone may not develop or practice empathy.

Elements of Empathy

Understanding Others

Developing Others

Having a Service Orientation

Leveraging Diversity

Political Awareness

1.Understanding Others: This is perhaps what most people understand by ‘empathy’ “sensing others’ feelings and perspectives, and taking an active interest in their concerns”. Those who do this:

· Tune into emotional cues. They listen well, and also pay attention to non-verbal communication, picking up subtle cues almost subconsciously. For more, see our pages on Listening Skills and Non-Verbal Communication.

· Show sensitivity, and understand others’ perspectives.

All these are skills which can be developed, but only if you wish to do so. Some people may switch off their emotional antennae to avoid being swamped by the feelings of others.

2. Developing Others: means acting on their needs and concerns, and helping them to develop to their full potential. People with skills in this area usually:

Reward and praise people for their strengths and accomplishments, and provide constructive feedback designed to focus on how to improve. See our page on Giving and Receiving Feedback for more.
Provide mentoring and coaching to help others to develop to their full potential. See our pages on Mentoring and Coaching Skills for more.
Provide stretching assignments that will help their teams to develop. See our page on Delegation Skills.

3. Having a Service Orientation: Primarily aimed at work situations, having a service orientation means putting the needs of customers first and looking for ways to improve their satisfaction and loyalty.

People who have this approach will ‘go the extra mile’ for customers. They will genuinely understand customers’ needs, and go out of their way to help meet them.

In this way, they can become a ‘trusted advisor’ to customers, developing a long-term relationship between customer and organisation. This can happen in any industry, and any situation.

4. Leveraging diversity: means being able to create and develop opportunities through different kinds of people, recognising and celebrating that we all bring something different to the table.

Leveraging diversity does not mean that you treat everyone in exactly the same way, but that you tailor the way you interact with others to fit with their needs and feelings.

5. Political Awareness: Many people view ‘political’ skills as manipulative, but in its best sense, ‘political’ means sensing and responding to a group’s emotional undercurrents and power relationships.

Political awareness can help individuals to navigate organisational relationships effectively, allowing them to achieve where others may previously have failed

Empathy, Sympathy and Compassion

There is an important distinction between empathy, sympathy and compassion.

Both compassion and sympathy are about feeling for someone: seeing their distress and realising that they are suffering. Compassion has taken on an element of action that is lacking in sympathy, but the root of the words is the same.

Empathy, by contrast, is about experiencing those feelings for yourself, as if you were that person, through the power of imagination.

Three Types of Empathy

Psychologists have identified three types of empathy: cognitive empathy, emotional empathy and compassionate empathy.

Cognitive empathy is understanding someone’s thoughts and emotions, in a very rational, rather than emotional sense.
Emotional empathy is also known as emotional contagion, and is ‘catching’ someone else’s feelings, so that you literally feel them too.
Compassionate empathy is understanding someone’s feelings, and taking appropriate action to help.

How Do We Empathize?

Experts in the field of social neuroscience have developed two theories in an attempt to gain a better understanding of empathy. The first, Simulation Theory, “proposes that empathy is possible because when we see another person experiencing an emotion, we ‘simulate’ or represent that same emotion in ourselves so we can know first-hand what it feels like,” according to Psychology Today.

There is a biological component to this theory as well. Scientists have discovered preliminary evidence of “mirror neurons” that fire when humans observe and experience emotion. There are also “parts of the brain in the medial prefrontal cortex (responsible for higher-level kinds of thought) that show overlap of activation for both self-focused and other-focused thoughts and judgments,” the same article explains.

Some experts believe the other scientific explanation of empathy is in complete opposition to Simulation Theory. It’s Theory of Mind, the ability to “understand what another person is thinking and feeling based on rules for how one should think or feel,” Psychology Today says. This theory suggests that humans can use cognitive thought processes to explain the mental state of others. By developing theories about human behaviour, individuals can predict or explain others’ actions, according to this theory.

While there is no clear consensus, it’s likely that empathy involves multiple processes that incorporate both automatic, emotional responses and learned conceptual reasoning. Depending on context and situation, one or both empathetic responses may be triggered.

Cultivating Empathy: Empathy seems to arise over time as part of human development, and it also has roots in evolution. In fact, “Elementary forms of empathy have been observed in our primate relatives, in dogs, and even in rats,” the Greater Good Science Centre says. From a developmental perspective, humans begin exhibiting signs of empathy in social interactions during the second and third years of life.

This suggests we have a natural predisposition to developing empathy. However, social and cultural factors strongly influence where, how, and to whom it is expressed. Empathy is something we develop over time and in relationship to our social environment, finally becoming “such a complex response that it is hard to recognize its origin in simpler responses, such as body mimicry and emotional contagion,” the same source says.

Psychology and Empathy: In the field of psychology, empathy is a central concept. From a mental health perspective, those who have high levels of empathy are more likely to function well in society, reporting “larger social circles and more satisfying relationships,” according to Good Therapy, an online association of mental health professionals. Empathy is vital in building successful interpersonal relationships of all types, in the family unit, workplace, and beyond. Lack of empathy, therefore, is one indication of conditions like antisocial personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. In addition, for mental health professionals such as therapists, having empathy for clients is an important part of successful treatment.

Empathy plays a crucial role in human, social, and psychological interaction during all stages of life. Consequently, the study of empathy is an ongoing area of major interest for psychologists and neuroscientists in many fields, with new research appearing regularly.

How to Develop Empathy at Work

1.Give Your Full Attention: Listen carefully to what someone is trying to tell you. Use your ears, eyes and “gut instincts” to understand the entire message that they’re communicating.

Start with listening out for the key words and phrases that they use, particularly if they use them repeatedly. Then think about how as well as what they’re saying. What’s their tone or body language telling you? Are they angry, ashamed or scared, for example?

Take this a stage further by listening empathically . Avoid asking direct questions, arguing with what is being said, or disputing facts at this stage. And be flexible – prepare for the conversation to change direction as the other person’s thoughts and feelings also change.

2.Consider Other People’s Perspective: You’re likely familiar with the saying, “Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes.” Examine your own attitude, and keep an open mind. Placing too much emphasis on your own assumptions and beliefs doesn’t leave much space for empathy!

Once you “see” why others believe what they believe, you can acknowledge it. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with it, but this is not the time for a debate. Instead, be sure to show respect and to keep listening.

When in doubt, invite the person to describe their position some more, and ask how they think they might resolve the issue. Asking the right questions is probably the simplest and most direct way to understand the other person.

3.Take Action: There’s no one “right way” to demonstrate your compassionate empathy. It will depend on the situation, the individual, and their dominant emotion at the time. Remember, empathy is not about what you want, but what the other person wants and needs, so any action you take or suggest must benefit them.

And remember that empathy is not just for crises! Seeing the world from a variety of perspectives is a great talent – and it’s one that you can use all of the time, in any situation. And random acts of kindness brighten anyone’s day.

5 Cool Recent Post Widgets For Blogger

For bloggers that pride themselves on always staying up-to-date with new content, a recent post widget for Blogger can be an invaluable tool. A recent posts widget for blogger is in many ways similar to a ‘breaking news alert’ that journalists love to use during their reports, providing the most recent and relevant posts that you have to offer.

Adding a recent post widget for Blogger helps to reduce the dependency on email marketing, because you don’t have to send out an email just to let people know you made a new post. Instead, it updates automatically for everyone to see. You can then use this information to design scheduled email newsletters, and take advantage of what’s often referred to as the ‘Twitter effect’ where audiences will regularly check back on your site for the possibility that new posts are available. Without this, you force people to do run their own search for information and content, increasing the likelihood that they’ll leave the site and hurt your bounce rate.

Once you’ve managed to attract visitors to one of your posts using the recent post widget for Blogger, it will continue to act as an accessible secondary resource to navigate around your site. That way, you can avoid having them sifting through old content that might be outdated. If you’d rather show off some of your best posts instead of your most recent posts, you can do that instead, or add that feature to the bar with just a few alterations.

Apart from looking great and taking up minimal space, there are too many benefits for you not to have a recent post widget for Blogger. The best part about these add-ons is that they come in a wide variety of designs that will fit any theme.

If you’re interested in adding a widget to your site, here are 5 cool recent post widgets that might catch your eye and fit perfectly with your Blogger template:

How to Add Recent Posts Widget on Blogger

Want to add one of the styles above? Just follow the following steps below:

Log into your Blogger dashboard and click on your blog.
Go to “Layout” and click the “Add a gadget” link on the right side.
From the pop-up window, scroll down and select the “HTML/JavaScript” gadget:
Paste the code of the chosen widget found below it.
Hit the “Save” button and you’re done!

Keep Your Blog Updated

Using a recent post widget for Blogger can truly benefit you and improve your skill as a blogger. As you can see, these designs can look great on Blogger sites, but they do act a little bit like a progress report for the author. If you start to fall behind, the dates on your recent post widget will definitely give you away.

Set a schedule and make sure that you are making regular posts on the blog. These posts will be automatically updated on your widget and readers can view this information whenever they want. Add your recent post widget for Blogger on the every page of the blog or in your template so that these posts can encourage others to continue reading, thus increasing the total time spent on your site.

Add 6 Stylish Custom Search Boxes To Blogger

There’s an unspoken rule in the world of web design that says that every website have a search box. You can, and should, design a custom search gadget to Blogger that contributes to the theme of your site while providing some key benefits to both your customers and you.

Benefits to Customers

Search boxes not only help to increase your website’s design usability, but they’re very convenient to site visitors and regulars. For those that have been to your site before, they know what they want and they want it now. These are the impatient people who don’t feel like wading through different links. If you don’t accommodate this problem you might risk losing those readers.

For newer customers who want to get a feel for your site before investing any more time, it gives them the chance to look for their interests on both eCommerce sites and blog sites.

Benefits To You

Adding a custom search gadget to Blogger perhaps best benefit eCommerce sites because it’s an industry that inherently offers a lot of very specific products. For instance, if you sold clothing apparel and someone was only look for shirts, the search would result would only bring up shirts so that person can look through everything in one place.

Bloggers might not have products to offer, but adding a custom search gadget to Blogger can help site analytics and SEO. Google Analytics offers a tool that will track all the searches performed by your search bar, so that you can use this data when improving your keyword usage and content choices. Google web crawlers and search engine bots will also test out phrases in these boxes on the rare occasion to make sure that all your content leads to somewhere creates a closed loop.

Add Your Own Custom Search Gadget To Blogger

Just because you should have a search bar doesn’t mean you you’re restricted to what time. Your site’s search bar should be easy to find and readily available whenever someone needs it, but other than that the look of the design is up to you. If you want to add a custom search gadget to Blogger, here are 6 stylish choices to pick from. Just copy the code below the search box that you want to add and follow the steps below:

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#searchbox{background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxE_mvn0mEcLYu-TUrazRbzsZOef6y5JuvPt7yw6gon0WBPPkg5lV6Y4voOt8vtBNRw_lwDBwD8QTEbYlA0yR2rbSteJgXIJNvqT3uuH6n1SfVNYtI6zKN9zG4GN2ef6k-iF5mL3T9PJqh/s1600/search-box.png) no-repeat;height:27px;width:202px}input:focus::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:transparent}input:focus:-moz-placeholder{color:transparent}input:focus::-moz-placeholder{color:transparent}#searchbox input{outline:none}#searchbox input[type=”text”]{background:transparent;margin:0 0 0 12px;padding:5px 0;border-width:0;font:italic 12px “Arial Narrow”,Arial,sans-serif;width:77%;color:#828282;display:inline-table;vertical-align:top}#button-submit{background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-MSHxBky3WU4J8CUvbwanPS5AzcN6L-MWqnUx507t5hEqwz6XIdFezeHvmP-QVrFz-tlZ7He5fDzi5kAm50Vo0b31WSQU53iwseZDcSLftLyR3wOaN0uokoBTXhieGVWdy56rwRjXxkB/s1600/search-button.png) no-repeat;border-width:0;cursor:pointer;width:30px;height:25px}#button-submit:hover{background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYDwqAf840hHhlallfD7CAB8mZD4IQ-E8YsfuKz__2_SYJYCaYTOair2FV16SocMen8h-V6MtVQWRoOYF8hq48mYzR81HRmVrwFNHNRrFMKQJvk3o-M7GsgeIW6aMv_75DSOwHdHJxCVg/s1600/search-button-hover.png) no-repeat}#button-submit::-moz-focus-inner{border:0}

#searchbox{background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bBXSM-VUctP3i7K1foC6ZE2b8ZQPhRVNzVZQ8qK7oTV6p4IzNt67peuQTUGG0-7piuGLNqYWOQRG8j2kfIy_Hn9WH0noJmBxo4KpV93iAU_lK9IHyJ_EO96qvSe-CKXqhJO0G5FhqGVM/s1600/search-box1.png) no-repeat;width:250px;height:65px}input:focus::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:transparent}input:focus:-moz-placeholder{color:transparent}input:focus::-moz-placeholder{color:transparent}#searchbox input{outline:none}#searchbox input[type=”text”]{background:transparent;padding:2px 0 2px 20px;margin:10px 15px 0 0;border-width:0;font:bold 16px “Brush Script MT”,cursive;color:#595959;width:65%;display:inline-table;vertical-align:top}#button-submit{background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaki4ULasrRyk5oCfi0CcdYqYd3mCihBmhEtsGAF7JKH6fPx8hJVmgY97r97X_pn7-HXRcLswkgsxRGnncCOu0oBmu7-Ber1bQVby0QHMD6UbQxA8wNthToLgs4cioAWrPqqDMdbMLvFpW/s1600/magnifier.png) no-repeat;border-width:0;cursor:pointer;margin-top:10px;width:19px;height:25px}#button-submit:hover{background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGdvbIRf4pGvA4Svw9RLodPgxNqBAV6oynV7BqzQWiHwNxhCvehVdcr9B79NNenoDnkblUl0FZbu8bFQZjDyeS6xiPfXRnR1TUUNL9hPbezNxMY3R9qJ5O7WVvG1YWmRywo-fqdp-455-/s1600/magnifier-hover.png) no-repeat}#button-submit:active{background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGdvbIRf4pGvA4Svw9RLodPgxNqBAV6oynV7BqzQWiHwNxhCvehVdcr9B79NNenoDnkblUl0FZbu8bFQZjDyeS6xiPfXRnR1TUUNL9hPbezNxMY3R9qJ5O7WVvG1YWmRywo-fqdp-455-/s1600/magnifier-hover.png) no-repeat;outline:none}#button-submit::-moz-focus-inner{border:0}

#searchbox{width:280px;background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aqqtSTaT-NWwvcofugxh2R_C9qbhUSezOwOhz_DRhuZc-XOgKN2Y0KoxnM2mvNeVwPoPmIQQEnCOKAQs9VvqUAa2Njp60uMcwJ0t4nEg7BIXbFTsTOAn-XOwLlhKjN1WkjWyhYf8_Q0u/s1600/search-box.png) no-repeat}#searchbox input{outline:none}input:focus::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:transparent}input:focus:-moz-placeholder{color:transparent}input:focus::-moz-placeholder{color:transparent}#searchbox input[type=”text”]{background:transparent;border:0;font:14px “Avant Garde”,Avantgarde,”Century Gothic”,CenturyGothic,”AppleGothic”,sans-serif;color:#f2f2f2!important;padding:10px 35px 10px 20px;width:220px}#searchbox input[type=”text”]:focus{color:#fff}#button-submit{background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG36NTKKWdtnvzZmgfsJ2aaKak-G02RHrTYpfJhRfZJNoQo9yXy2DlpNsbQJuwpLg-fyMRHn1poxnpmwzL2EleG12YEL03CrYMRZR2Z2wLtUQwp3m_LgrYgZig6lAoRmXHnhPdYrFSSvON/s1600/search-icon.png) no-repeat;margin-left:-40px;border-width:0;width:40px;height:50px;cursor:pointer}#button-submit:hover{background:url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAXYviI0u7w-Xwk6scHQk9yfPhRCxxyearEhAhg25k91RDQMrQNKT7ZzANMyT3UtsRHR2V366cxIzK7887a1FDIajz8SY9bJsleK3hgkvElNg21uTtwlu2inPD0yOE3YmmDFMcwuR-Bb5/s1600/search-icon-hover.png)}

Steps: How to Add a Custom Search Box to Blogger

Step 1. Log in to your Blogger account, then go to Layout > click on the ‘Add a gadget’ link on the left side.

Step 2. Choose HTML/JavaScript from the pop-up window > paste the code of the search box inside the empty box.

Step 3. Press Save.

That’s it!

There you have it, 6 stylish choices that will let you take advantage from all the great benefits of using a search box, while still helping you make your blog stand out. After adding your new search bar, your visitors will be able to navigate through your site and get to the same place using both the box and the navigation bar.

How To Add An Instagram Widget In A Blogger Blog

If you’re not familiar with Instagram, it’s a photo-sharing network that can be downloaded to your smart phone as an application. Think of it as Facebook without the status updates. By developing a simple service that does one thing, and does it well, Instagram has become one of the most prominent photo sharing apps on the market.

The great thing about using Instagram is that it’s not just for individuals. Businesses and non-profits alike can take advantage of this service to share their day and passions with their dedicated customers and fans. These fans number nearly 200 million active users a month, and approximately 7.3 million new daily posts. That’s an astonishing number of potential new customers available for you to capture.

By adding Instagram on Blogger as a widget, you can unleash a new visual aspect of that site and allow visitors to go beyond just words on a page. With the convenience to carry the application around on your smartphone wherever you go, you can snap pictures, apply filters, and upload that content to your profile. From the profile, a widget specially designed for Instagram on Blogger would translate that data and display the image on your site. Even those visitors that aren’t members of Instagram could benefit from such a service.

It doesn’t matter what you are sharing. Whether you’re the type of person that loves to share pictures of your dinner with the world, or business owner that loves showcasing their brand in everyday life, Instagram can work for you. Adding Instagram on Blogger as a widget also offers an incredibly accessible tool for stock photos to use in new posts.

This guide will explain how to add an Instagram widget to your site with step-by-step instructions. The design of your new Instagram widget is entirely customizable and will allow you to modify the background color, font, and how the widget is actually displayed on the site. When you’re finished, you’ll find that the Instagram widget will blend together effortlessly with your current theme and make your Blogger site truly stand out from the rest.

How to Add An Instagram Widget in Blogger

1. To get the Instagram widget, access the Intagme website here: http://www.intagme.com/

2. Type in your username > select Grid or Slideshow:

3. Select the Thumbnail size of your images (100px is the default) and choose if you want a border around your Photos or not

4. To change the Background Color, simply click on the empty box and pick your favorite color

5. If you want to show the Sharing buttons on your widget, select ‘Yes’, otherwise, click ‘No’.

6. Once you’re satisfied with the widget, press the “Get Code” button and copy your code.

7. Log into your Blogger account and select your blog > navigate to Layout and click on the “Add a Gadget” link on the right side:

8. In the pop-up window, scroll down and click on the “HTML/JavaScript” gadget:

9. Paste the code that you got from the Intagme website into the content section and press the ‘Save’ button to save the widget.

10. Click and drag your widget if you want to change its position and press the “Save Arrangement” button on the upper right side.

And that’s it! Now you have your very own Instagram widget on your Blogger blog to share new photos with visitors, and provide just a glimpse of your life when you’re away from the computer. To change or add any of the photos that are displayed in the widget, you’ll have to go directly through the app itself, or log on to your account via Instagram’s website.

Once you’re ready to show off your new work, let all your customers or fans know by posting a Facebook link to the site or a tweet about the changes and asking them to follow you. Just make sure that you’ve added a few photos before making the announcement, so that they have something to look at. After they access your widget, they can like your new photos and interact with you in entirely new ways.

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DMS, IIT Delhi Key Points

DMS, IIT Delhi Rankings

DMS, IIT Delhi Courses & Fees

DMS, IIT Delhi Cut Off

DMS, IIT Delhi Placement

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Factors to Consider While Purchasing Health Insurance for Parents

Adequate Sum Insured Amount

Health Insurance Coverage

Co-Payment Clause

Pre-existing Diseases Cover

Tax Benefit

Compare Different Health Insurance Plans

Network Hospitals

What is Covered in a Health Insurance Policy for Parents?

Wrapping it Up!

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Tips to Choose Best Family Health Insurance Plan

Look for the right policy coverage

Check the waiting period clause

Check for flexibility to add new family members

Choose a lifetime renewability plan

Check the co-payment clause

Room rent limit

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Benefits of Health Insurance Policy

Coverage against medical expenses

Cashless Mediclaim Facility

Tax benefits

Financial protection against critical Illness

No claim bonus

Protects the long-term savings

Free health checkup

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Why it’s important to address your mental health

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1.Understanding Others: This is perhaps what most people understand by ‘empathy’ “sensing others’ feelings and perspectives, and taking an active interest in their concerns”. Those who do this:

2. Developing Others: means acting on their needs and concerns, and helping them to develop to their full potential. People with skills in this area usually:

3. Having a Service Orientation: Primarily aimed at work situations, having a service orientation means putting the needs of customers first and looking for ways to improve their satisfaction and loyalty.

4. Leveraging diversity: means being able to create and develop opportunities through different kinds of people, recognising and celebrating that we all bring something different to the table.

5. Political Awareness: Many people view ‘political’ skills as manipulative, but in its best sense, ‘political’ means sensing and responding to a group’s emotional undercurrents and power relationships.

Three Types of Empathy

Empathy plays a crucial role in human, social, and psychological interaction during all stages of life. Consequently, the study of empathy is an ongoing area of major interest for psychologists and neuroscientists in many fields, with new research appearing regularly.

How to Develop Empathy at Work

1.Give Your Full Attention: Listen carefully to what someone is trying to tell you. Use your ears, eyes and “gut instincts” to understand the entire message that they’re communicating.

2.Consider Other People’s Perspective: You’re likely familiar with the saying, “Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes.” Examine your own attitude, and keep an open mind. Placing too much emphasis on your own assumptions and beliefs doesn’t leave much space for empathy!

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How to Add Recent Posts Widget on Blogger

Keep Your Blog Updated

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Benefits to Customers

Benefits To You

Add Your Own Custom Search Gadget To Blogger

Steps: How to Add a Custom Search Box to Blogger

That’s it!

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How to Add An Instagram Widget in Blogger