Category: Smart Living

BOOK REVIEW: The Ten Commandments of Business Failure

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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This book immediately jumps into the best books on business in my list and simply put not many books are worthy of a foreword by Warren buffet (Halo effect).  While, there are many books that talk about reasons for business success and as we have seen it those studies suffer terribly from the “Halo effect”, this book does the opposite of citing references of acts that are bound to lead to business failure.  This book is a must-read for managers and analysts of business and gives a good checklist to evaluate if the company is on the path to failure

Donald Keough has worked for the Coca-Cola Company for 43 years and rose through the ranks to become  President and COO. After retirement in 1993, he served on the boards of Coca-Cola, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, etc. This book is a product of a nudge by Warren buffet to Keough to convert his wisdom delivered into talks into a book.

The 10 Commandments of business failure listed:

1. QUIT TAKING RISKS:  Xerox is a prime example of a company that developed the personal computer interface which was stolen by Apple / Microsoft.  While, Jeff Bezos on the failure of Fire phone said “If you think that’s a big failure, we’re working on much bigger failures right now — and I am not kidding,”. “Some of them are going to make the Fire Phone look like a tiny little blip.”
2. BE INFLEXIBLE:  “A man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and it breeds reptiles of the mind.”- William Blake
3. ISOLATE YOURSELF (I.E., BE OUT OF TOUCH): The book says one way to isolate bosses is to hire a good personal caterer and follow the strict isolationist diet.   Saw this at work in a different way in my career. I had visited Havells plants and offices multiple times and every time the lunch was at the office canteen which was common for all be it top mgmt. or factory staff. At the same time, in ICICI securities (I worked 2007-2019) for a very small office at Churchgate, there is a hierarchy in the canteen.  And most top mgmt prefers to dine in inside their own cabins.  When I joined ICICI sec in 2007, our floor had 3 different conference rooms for meetings and no individual cabin and analysts were required to bounce off ideas with each other in brainstorming sessions. Thematic reports and sector initiation reports were always brainstormed. When I left in 2019, there was not a single conference room on the floor.
4. ASSUME INFALLIBILITY
5. PLAY THE GAME CLOSE TO THE FOUL LINE:  Essel Group/ Zee groups Subash Chandra has made his empire but I can say played close to the foul line. While most of the time he emerged victorious and therefore did not see the downside risks of the leverage or financial creativity, things did change in 2019.
6. DON’T TAKE TIME TO THINK
7. PUT ALL YOUR FAITH IN EXPERTS AND OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS: One company that exhibits almost all of the commandments of business failure is HT Media and I think one can fill volumes about “how not to run a business”.  While, I tried to be objective about reaching the valuation targets of all companies, my valuation target for HT Media was decided by the current market price less 15-40%.   The company was notorious for hiring consultants to streamline their business, this is despite in every quarterly conference call, I offering them free advice.
8. LOVE YOUR BUREAUCRACY: MTNL is an awesome example of bureaucracy at work at its best.  The company’s business model from fixed-line was challenged by mobile, making many employees redundant.  the company initiated a voluntary retirement scheme but without enough takers. So to absorb the excess staff, they had to create roles for the excess staff.  The CFO office which I visited had 3 secretaries working behind a single computer.
9. SEND MIXED MESSAGES
10. BE AFRAID OF THE FUTURE
11. LOSE YOUR PASSION FOR WORK-FOR LIFE: The bonus commandment and the most important as per me.  Passion for work to me is the single most important driver for success and vice versa.

 Quotes from the Book:

• Having things too good is also not too good.
• Here lies a company that died risk-free.
• Einstein said that he needed at his new office … a very large wastebasket “for all the mistakes I will make”.
• Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who will argue with you.
• I never met a successful person who did not express love for what he did and care about it passionately.

— Excerpted with permission from ‘The Ten Commandments of Business Failure’ by Donald Keough.

Author’s note: Vikash Mantri is an equity analyst tracking the media sector, is a poker player and a movie buff.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Bio-aesthetic points: A new approach to fight off ageing

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Ageing of skin comprises of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The intrinsic factors are genetic. The extrinsic factors include sun exposure, pollution, unhealthy diet, inadequate sleep, stress, lack of exercise, poor lifestyle, pollution and imbalance of hormones. Skin loses its firmness and elasticity due to these factors.

Cosmetic Dermatologists adopt various techniques to turn back the clock and make one look youthful. While a popular approach employs the technique of relaxing wrinkle-causing muscles, other procedures work to lend more hydration to thinning skin or volume to sunken areas on the face. Effectively, they serve to address the overt signs of ageing. However, researchers and experts have continued to explore ways that can address more than just the symptoms of ageing and boost skin’s regeneration ability at the root.

The Bio Aesthetic Points (BAP) technique, pioneered by dermo-aesthetic major IBSA Derma, is one the latest advancements in this direction, says Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad. Dr Sharad is the only Indian to be Board of Director of the International Society of Dermatologic Surgery and aesthetic dermatology.

However, before coming to this technique we need to understand the key role Hyaluronic acid plays in keeping skin youthful and how delivering it at strategic points into the multiple layers of the dermis achieves remarkable anti-ageing effects.

Hyaluronic acid: the potent anti-ageing weapon

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a substance found naturally in the skin. With its ability to retain water and its elasticity, HA plays a crucial role in maintaining hydration and volume of skin tissues and ensure healthy existence of other structural proteins such as collagen and elastin. Age-related depletion or degradation of skin’s natural HA reserves are a major reason for the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin, Dr Sharad, who has been practising in Mumbai for the past 20 years, points out.

“With ageing, the ratio between different collagen types changes. Along with it, the skin’s turnover rate also diminishes, resulting in lacklustre appearance and signs of ageing. The depletion of HA also results in physiological alterations of keratinocytes and fibroblasts — two crucial cell types that play a pivotal role on skin regeneration. A healthy interplay between fibroblasts and keratinocytes enables the process of healing and regeneration of the epidermal barrier layer of the skin.”

Hyaluronic acid, therefore, plays a central role in ensuring a healthy composition of skin components as well as a healthy skin regeneration response. This knowledge has led to HA becoming a key element of skincare and anti-ageing regimes in recent years. From serums to topical skin creams to fillers and injectables, HA is today used in a multitude of skincare products. Its ability to induce lubrication and healthy inflammatory response also makes HA useful for wound healing and maintaining joint health.

BAP technique for skin bio-remodelling

Dr Sharad, who authored the book ‘Bestseller Skin Rules’, says: “The technique called Bio Aesthetic Points (BAP) is specifically designed for Profhilo at the IBSA laboratories by a team of experts. While most HA-based dermal fillers use the Hyaluronic Acid to give hydration, volume to the skin and fill up lines and folds, IBSA Derma has taken its use a step ahead with its brand Profhilo that uses a skin bio-remodelling approach through the BAP technique.”

The Bio Aesthetic Points (BAP) technique identifies 5 strategic points on facial skin to deliver intradermal injections of HA for best anti-ageing results. These 5 injection points are anatomically receptive areas of the face with an absence of large vessels and nerve branches, therefore, minimizing the risks of any adverse effect and maximizing the diffusion of the product in the cheeks, she points out. “Profhilo can also be injected in the neck strategically to tighten the skin in the neck region. The BAP protocol includes two treatments one month apart.”

Traditional biostimulation shows several limitations including the need for many injections, greater patient discomfort, increased possibility of the bruising, protocol requiring many treatment sessions, and greater time commitment for the patient. However, compared to this, the new BAP technique using new-generation hyaluronic acid complexes achieves several advantages: only 5 injection sites per side of the face, reduced pain (slow injection), less chance of bruising and hematoma, fewer treatment sessions and better patient compliance, Dr Sharad says.

The skin bio-remodelling procedure uses a highly pure hyaluronic acid without any cross-linking, making it closest to the substance found in nature. The result is also more natural and effective with anti-ageing action unleashed at the source of ageing, rather than just on the surface, she adds.

Can it be done in people with hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver disorders etc? Yes, answers the expert. “It is not harmful and the only side effect may be an occasional bruise in those on blood thinners and the bruise lasts for about a week.”

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Here’s what Indian’s googled this year: Top trending search queries in 2020

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Looking back at the moments that captured India’s attention in 2020, Google India announced the ‘Year in Search’ results today. From the global pandemic to the history-making US elections, the year in search continues to recapitulate the top search trends, offering a unique perspective to the questions internet users have asked on Google Search.

Trending search terms this year were dominated by the obvious concern around the global pandemic, with a surge in questions about coronavirus. While the excitement around the Indian Premier League made it the top trending query, the US elections triggered significant search activity along with Bihar elections and Delhi elections. US President-elect Joe Biden emerged as one of the top trending personalities, along with TV journalist Arnab Goswami. Interestingly, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan Scheme) that provides monetary support to farmers made it to the top trending chart, as netizens looked for the latest news, information, and updates.

Following Joe Biden and Arnab Goswami, was Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, who made it to the most searched personalities this year. Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bacchan, actress Kangana Ranaut, Rhea Chakraborty, and Ankita Lokhande also featured in the trending personalities. Other international personalities that made it to the list include North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un, Afghan cricketing sensation Rashid Khan and the India-origin US Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris.

Dil Bechara emerged as the top trending movie of 2020, followed by Tamil action-drama Soorarai Pottru. Bollywood biopics like Tanhaji, Shakuntala Devi, and Gunjan Saxena captured the top five spots. While Bollywood movies Laxmii, Baaghi 3, Gulabo Sitabo dominated the list, the only Hollywood movie to make it to the list was Extraction. Due in large part to the intermittent lockdowns, queries on web series surged this year with Money Heist topping the list, followed by Indian entries like Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, Bigg Boss 14 and Mirzapur 2.

Among the major news events, the Indian Premier League, Coronavirus and US elections triggered noteworthy search activity, as users looked for latest updates and election results. Other important news events included the frequent ‘Lockdowns’ and the ‘Locust swarm attack’. International news events like the Beirut explosion and Bushfires in Australia also made it to the list.

The most interesting search terms were centred around ‘How to’ and ‘What is’ lists, reflecting society’s move to work from home and dealing with the pandemic. ‘How to make paneer?’ and ‘How to increase immunity?’ topped the list, followed by the distinctive ‘How to make dalgona coffee.’ ‘What is’ queries included the baffling ‘What is binod?’, followed by many virus-related queries such as ‘What is plasma therapy?’ and ‘What is hantavirus?’.

With the unprecedented lockdown, local searches surged with ‘Near me’ queries, which was dominated by ‘Food shelters near me’ followed by ‘COVID test near me.’ With the majority of the population remotely working, searches for ‘Broadband connection near me’ and ‘Laptop shop near me’ figured prominently this year.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Six hacks to eat smart and cut down food waste

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Few days to the year-end festivities and we’d all be drowned in festive cheer and great food! The celebrations however are usually accompanied by a lot of wastage. We can be more mindful about our relationship with food by incorporating these small changes into our daily life to reduce food wastage:

Buy Smart: Stick to your list of needs and avoid impulse buying. Don’t buy in bulk, but make frequent trips to the grocery store instead and coincide it with your jogging schedule or biking time so the trips become fun! This’ll ensure you only buy what you really need.

Store Smart: Proper storage of foods will help keep them at their peak for longer. Not all foods need refrigeration – Potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, cucumbers and onions should be stored at room temperature. Some fruits and vegetables produce ethylene gas that causes early ripening (or rotting) of foods that are sensitive to ethylene. These should always be stored separately. Foods that produce ethylene gas include bananas, avocados, tomatoes, cantaloupes, peaches, pears, green onions. Store them in separate bags and away from ethylene-sensitive foods like potatoes, apples, leafy greens, berries and peppers to avoid premature spoilage.

Refrigerate Smart: Stock your fridge using the FIFO method (First in, first-out). Place newly bought foods behind older ones. For example, when you buy a new carton of berries, place the newer package behind the old one. This helps ensure that older food gets used, not wasted. Also when you’ve kept leftovers in the fridge, keep them in glass containers so you don’t forget about them.

Smoothie Smart: While the stems, ends and peels of many items may not be appetizing in their whole form, adding them to a smoothie is a way to reap their nutritional benefits. Spinach leaves and stems that turn soggy after just a day or two in the kitchen can be stored in the freezer and be used to make a super healthy smoothie.

Upcycle Smart: Get innovative with leftovers and turn them into delicious sandwiches and rolls. Leftover white rice can be turned into delicious tomato rice the next day, or even a fried-rice, and leftover sabzis can be used to make healthy parathas and sandwiches!

Order Smart: Be mindful of the quantity of food you order at restaurants. When you’re unable to finish, always ask for it to be packed to bring back home. Today there are multiple restaurants that have a special small-plate menu: an initiative that has effectively proven to reduce leftovers.

by- N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Five luxury watches to invest in 2021

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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When it comes to investment, there are a plethora of avenues available for high returns. Real estate, gold, diamonds, equities are some of the conventional methods known in the broader market. They are perhaps overshadowing watches as an investment opportunity.

The concept of ‘Haute Horlogerie’ has evolved significantly over time. It represents more than just telling the time. It’s a tool, a form of expression and taste, and in many cases, a status symbol. Watches are unique in the world of hedonistic investments. Hence, before perceiving watches as an investment, it is essential to start appreciating watches; as a piece of technical excellence and a mesmerizing form of art.

Years of research and development are dedicated to the creation of some of the finest wristwatches. This contributes to what makes a timepiece a good investment, but only tells part of the story.

When looking to invest in watches, it’s important to start at the 2 Cs: Condition and Completeness; a good watch should be in a relatively clean condition, without any bug scratches or dents, and should be complete with box and papers.

A watch with a story or provenance behind it can add substantial value in the long-term. For instance, investing in a piece that was originally owned by a famous individual or dignitary can warrant a significant premium in auctions.

For new watch collectors, it is advisable to go for the “low risk” options. Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe will always have a market. All three brands are incredibly careful about protecting its brand identity and heritage. One can also look at some vintage steel models, such as Rolex’s GMTs or Submariners, early AP Royal Oaks, and Patek Phillipe Nautilus, and Aquanaut. These watches have been doing incredibly well over the past few years.

Listed below are some of the best watches that one can invest in as the values of these watches are increasing:

Rolex Submariner 16610LV “Kermit”: The Submariner is perhaps Rolex’s most famous watch. Back in 2003, a special variation was produced to commemorate Rolex’s 50^th anniversary of the model. The watch was launched with a bright, striking green bezel, and thus quickly nicknamed as the “Kermit”. Whilst only being produced for a few years, the watch quickly gained a cult following. A successor of the watch made an appearance with both a green dial and green bezel. This year, a new version has been released- the 126610LV with all the craze it continues to drive up the value of the original. You may still be able to find an early Kermit at a reasonable price, with a good chance that the value will continue to increase long term.

Value when the watch was launched –$5,000

Market Value: $16,000 

Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Blue: Considered to be the little brother of Rolex, in the last few years alone Tudor watches have been consistently expanding their portfolio. With an all-new in house movement, a slimmer and slightly smaller at 39mm, Tudor has created a much more wearable piece, and thus the Black Bay Fifty-Eight sales have seen phenomenal traction. The Black Bay Fifty-Eight blue with its perfect proportions and vibrant blue dial is amongst the most famous Tudor watches today. The watch has recently won a GPGH award, this coupled with a limited production, has led to a positive effect on its overall financial performance. The value of the watch has increased by 12 percent in the past year alone.

Value when the watch was launched – €3,400

Market Value: €3,800

 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 14700ST: The 14700ST a relatively rare model in the Royal Oak lineup, considered to be a “Transitional Model”. Audemars Piguet is said to have tested and experimented with this watch in order to bring a small case size to the market.

The 14700ST with an adapted version of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s movement, integrated bracelet and highly recognisable Petite Tapisserie dial is said to have only been produced for less than a year, with less than 500 examples in stainless steel, which was then succeeded by the 14790ST.

If you can find one in good condition, along with the box and documentation, be sure to grab the opportunity.

Value when the watch was launched – 7,000 CHF (Swiss franc)

Current Market Value – 32,000 CHF

Image: @ACollectedMan

Patek Philippe Nautilus 3710: This classic timepiece is not a typical nautilus you would expect to find. The 42mm diameter watch ended its life in the Patek Philippe line up back in 2005. However, it isn’t until relatively recently the ‘hype’ of this mono-block designed nautilus with a power reserved has become incredibly sought after. The 3710 has increased in value over 100 percent in the past three years alone! Expect to increase your investment on some high-quality examples over the next years.

Value when the watch was launched – $15,990 

Current Market Value – $68,000 

 De Bethune DB27: De Bethune might be a brand you’ve never heard of before, but you should make yourself acquainted quickly. Known for their superior technical innovation, exceptional finishing, and futuristic yet timeless design language. The manufacture is based in the Jura mountains of Switzerland and are producing some of the most exciting timepieces of our lifetime. The DB27, for instance, with it’s floating lugs and highly intricate dial is an incredibly striking piece and a conversation starter. With the brand only making 200 pieces per year, scarcity value has kicked in; the watches are now appreciating year on year.

Value when the watch was launched – 37,000 CHF

Current Market Value – 43,000 CHF

Overall, watches have a relatively low entry point and maintenance costs when compared to other substitute alternative forms of investments such as art, cars, and even wine. But perhaps none can bring as much joy as watches.

Watches are incredibly unique, whilst one can enjoy a Picasso on the living room wall, they won’t be able to take it along on holiday or wear it to a daughter’s graduation. Investing in luxury watches aren’t only measured by numbers, but it can also measure of an individual’s passion, tastes, personality and interests.

– by Dillon Bhatt, Head of International Business Development, Millwood Kane International.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Reinventing Diwali with seed crackers

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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When the skies turn hazy with pollutants and millions gasp for breath, it’s time for a Diwali rethink on how to combine celebration with caution. And some innovators are ready with at least one answer seed crackers’ that burst not with sound and light but flowers, fruits and vegetables.

So imagine, not crackers exploding into a thousand ephemeral stars in the night sky or bursting on the ground with a deafening boom but rockets’ blooming into marigolds, anaars’ sprouting into amaltas or a charkha’ releasing an onion sapling. It’s a paradigm shift from the de-rigeur firecrackers but seed crackers’ are the perfect solution, particularly in a pandemic year when the high levels of pollutants pose a severe threat to coronavirus patients, entrepreneurs said as the National Green Tribunal on Monday imposed a total ban on firecrackers across the Delhi-NCR region till November 30.

Roshan Ray, founder of Seed Paper India, is among those experimenting with seed crackers, eco-friendly if a little pricey. After reading about continuously spiking air pollution post-Diwali year after year and the respiratory problems caused by it, Ray decided that a change of mindset was required and went back to the drawing board to reinvent Diwali.

When people think of firecrackers they associate it with burning and smoke and sound. So we need to change people’s mindset that crackers don’t need to be burst but they can be grown into different plants. We need to understand that we can celebrate without harming the environment, the Bangalore-based Ray told PTI. Ray’s rockets’ turn into marigold flowers, bijli bombs’ into medicinal tulsi plants and hydrogen bombs’ into juicy tomatoes.

They are shaped like the usual firecrackers including ’sutli bomb’, ’hydrogen bomb’, and ’anaar’ for the sake of a nostalgic feel, but the seed crackers don’t burst. They grow into various vegetable plants, the 36-year-old green entrepreneur said. It’s a nascent business but growing, slowly and steadily.

From a barely countable number in 2018 to an odd 500 the next year, Ray has managed to sell over 7,000 boxes so far this year. Each box contains seven different types of seed crackers. It feels good that people are taking interest in the concept. I know we cannot replace a habit with another just like that. It takes time. I am happy about the progress, he added.

Also Read: BMC imposes ban on bursting of firecrackers at public places ahead of Diwali

The seed crackers are made by using plantable seed paper or containing a seed ball inside the cracker, which is usually made by recycled paper. A seed ball, made with paper pulp or soil, provides protection against predators and adverse weather. While Ray has tried to maintain a visual resemblance to the real firecrackers, Tanmay Joshi from Gram Art Project decided to go beyond the nostalgic value and send a message through his seed crackers. His Diwali rocket can turn into a climber laden with cucumbers instead of bursting into a cloud of poisonous smoke for momentary joy. And a zameen chakkar rises from its ashes to become a red onion.

People were unable to find fun in seed crackers. They were unable to connect. So we decided to make the design meaningful in one way or another, Joshi, who operates from Paradsinga village in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, said. Buried upside down, the rocket’s leg’ gives the initial support to a climber like cucumber to grow.

It is symbolic in the sense that a rocket bursts in the air and gives joy to people for a few seconds, but this cucumber rocket will feed a family for a few months, he added. The knowledge of Indian traditional farming gave Joshi the idea to add an action relatable in the context of Diwali. — a Phoenix chakkar’ that contains an onion seed ball.

You have to burn this ’Phoenix chakkar’ to get ash, which is traditionally used as a potassium supplement in onion cultivation, and cover the burnt residue with soil, water regularly. Then see this chakkar’ rise from the ashes, just like a Phoenix, to transform into an onion sapling, Joshi said. His company has also come up with an eco-friendly alternative of an anaar’ that sprouts into the beautiful amaltas. While the traditional anaar’ creates a cascade of sparks with toxic smoke for a few seconds, the amaltas tree stands shrouded in a flowing sheet of yellow flowers every summer for years to come.

Among the many takers for the idea is Delhi-based photographer Ankit Gautam. I have loved firecrackers since childhood, and the air wasn’t so bad till a few years ago. But with the air pollution, I stopped buying or bursting firecrackers. Now, I am going to try the seed crackers for sure, said the 26-year-old, who has grown a green thumb during the lockdown period.

However, the price is a deterrent. Ankita Verma Mehta, a Gurgaon-based HR manager, for instance, said the idea is noble but the cost made him think twice before eventually deciding against it. It’s a low-cost seed sold at commercially higher prices. It is like seed rakhis I bought for kids at home. These were basic rakhis with two-three seeds and that cost me not less than Rs 300-400, Mehta said.

A box containing two coir pots and seven seed crackers anaar’, chakri’, tikli’, lakshmi bomb’, rocket’, sutli bomb’, and naagin ladi’ — costs Rs 749 at Jaipur-based startup 21Fools.com, which collaborates with Gram Art Project. The pricing, according to Divyanshu Asopa, founder of 21Fools, will come down after more people start taking interest.

”We make sustainable handcrafted products which are unique because each and every product is manually made, printed and fabricated by our local craftspersons community. ”The cost can only go down when we hit huge numbers and are able to sell products across different sales channels which we are planning to do by next summer,” Asopa explained.

But the trend could well have begun. For the first time, the makers and sellers of seed crackers like Gram Art Project and 21Fools said, the response has been good as the stock has flown off the shelf. ”We have sold all 1500 packets a week before diwali,” said a beaming Asopa.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Petroleum Ministry identifies tourism sites can be turned into green zones with use of only bio fuels

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Union cabinet minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday recommended a proposal under which identified tourist sites or iconic spots will be turned into green zones where vehicles using only eco-friendly fuel will be allowed to ply.

He said the proposed project will be the joint effort of the ministry of tourism and the ministry of petroleum and natural gas. Speaking at a virtual event organised by the tourism ministry on the occasion of World Tourism Day 2020′, Pradhan, Minister of petroleum and natural gas, and steel, said the project’s aim will be to turn such sites of tourist importance into completely green energy driven areas.

The secretaries of the two ministries can jointly work on this. They can pick the iconic sites already identified by the ministry of tourism or 100 sites of tourist importance and turn them into completely green energy driven regions,” he said.

This should be done taking the state governments on board. We have to look towards modern technology to create sustainable fuel and ensure that we use battery operated vehicles, LNG, PNG, LPG in their vicinity rather than diesel and petrol vehicles, the minister said.

Pradhan also launched another initiative called SAATHI — System for Assessment, Awareness, and Training for the hospitality industry — to assist the sector in their preparedness to continue operations safely and mitigate risks arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hailing the initiative, Pradhan said people have spent months cooped up in their homes and might want to venture out. But there is apprehension about the pandemic and the hospitality industry must follow protocols to provide safety to tourists, he said.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Multiplexes ready for digital way of life’ as they wait for theatres to open

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Paperless tickets, seat distancing, staggered intervals and scrupulous sanitising are part of the safety protocol multiplexes will introduce if the government allows screenings in Unlock 3′ next month, say the CEOs of leading multiplex chains.

A set of SOPs drawn up by the Multiplex Association of India in collaboration with its members was submitted to various Central ministries as well as Prime Minister’s Office and Niti Aayog earlier this month, said industry leaders INOX, PVR Pictures and Cinepolis India.

Algorithms for automatic seat distancing, regular cleaning and disinfecting of the cinemas, lobby area and touch points like railings and doors as well as basics like temperature scans also form part of the SOPs that conform to global standards.

If you go back to the Unlock 1′ notification that came from the government, it has clearly mentioned that cinemas would open in Unlock 3′, which is likely to happen in August. So, in that context, we are very hopeful and keeping our fingers crossed, PVR Pictures CEO Kamal Gianchandani told PTI.

Theatres have been closed since mid-March when COVID-19 began to spread in India. After an extended nationwide lockdown, which began on March 25, the government gave the go ahead for businesses and other services to restart in a phased manner.

Cinemas account for the biggest chunk of earnings for movies and have taken a substantial hit during the pandemic and multiplexes are pulling out the stops to ensure audiences return after theatres open.

No two screens in a multiplex will start shows at the same time. Also, we will schedule intervals in a manner that they don’t clash with each other and there is a gap of at least 15 minutes to half-an-hour. There will be more gaps between shows, giving us enough time to clean and disinfect without hampering with the cinema viewing experience, Gianchandani said.

PVR operates a cinema circuit comprising 841 screens at 176 properties in 71 cities in India and Sri Lanka. Masks and temperature check at the entrances will be mandatory for everyone entering the cinema complexes.

We have already given our SOPs to various ministries and officers. We are waiting for their reply. The SOPs we have made are in line with global standards. And when we implement these SOPs, it will ensure the safety of all our customers. We have worked on creating a very safe and hygienic environment to gain their confidence, said INOX CEO Alok Tandon.

INOX has 626 screens across 147 properties in 68 cities. The focus, he told PTI, will be on a digital way of life.

The theatre chain, Tandon said, has developed a fully-loaded, all-in-one SMS system that will help customers scan their QR code at the entrance, find their seat location and their food and beverages menu to place an order.

We have also developed an algorithm where there is an automatic distance between two different bookings. We have put up touch screen sanitiser machines installed all over the cinema halls besides doing extensive sanitization drive at different times of the day, he added.

The dependence on manpower will be limited to avoid unnecessary human touch, added Cinepolis India CEO Devang Sampat. Cinepolis India has collaborated with Vista software to ensure that adjacent seats stay unavailable at the time of booking tickets.

Cinepolis, which operates 390 screens in India, has theatres in 18 countries and halls have reopened in many places. The same model will be introduced in India.

In terms of global learnings, the two best practices are paperless ticketing and how do we work more with technology and software in place instead of depending on people on-ground, Sampat told PTI.

In India, 80 per cent of the tickets are getting booked online in metros. In non-metros, it is still about 40-50 per cent. On an average, 50 per cent of people in India come to the box office to book tickets, he added.

Elaborating, he said the box office will now be completely paperless. Audiences will be given a barcode scanner link on their mobile phones and will just need to scan it and walk into the hall.

Introducing these security measures will necessarily lead to an increase in operational budgets but the multiplex honchos are hoping they will also encourage people to get back to the halls.

Gianchandani said they have taken several cost reduction steps in their day-to-day operations. But it will take some time for people to be confident enough to be back and a lot of it depends on how soon brand new films start hitting the screens.

“Without doubt, location based entertainment will take some time to go back to pre-COVID levels. We have taken a lot of cost-reduction initiatives to ensure that even with reduced demands, we are able to protect our margins. Once brand new local films in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu start releasing, we believe people will be back, Gianchandani said.

Tandon is also pinning hopes on big, massy movies like Sooryavanshi , Radhe and 83 .

In our business, we say we are just a blockbuster away to see people inside theatres. There are some movies that have gone to OTT, but that’s an aberration These are tough times for everybody. I feel these five, six months will pass and people will storm back to cinema halls. Watching movies in theatres is in our DNA. It is a social experience, he said.

Quoting industry estimates, Tandon said the cinema theatre business earns about Rs 12,000 crore per year. About Rs 1,000 crore is lost every month the theatres are shut, he added.

Exhibition is the main cog in the movie industry. If a movie is not exhibited, everything comes to a standstill, Tandon added. Describing the pandemic as an unprecedented crisis, Sampat said it would be hard to recover the money already lost but they now want to get back on track.

In our business, it’s said every time a seat goes empty, it is a perishable good. We have lost the opportunity of earning revenue out of it. It’s impossible to recover what we have lost. The idea is to now streamline business and get it back on track. Once we get the permission, 80 per cent of our screens will be operational, he said.

The SOPs by the Multiplex Association of India were shared with the Union ministries of Home Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, Health and Family Welfare and the Niti Aayog on July 9. The next day, the document was shared with the PMO and the ministries of Finance and Information and Technology.  Industry insiders said they are waiting for a response.

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Swiggy integrates Scootsy to deliver premium culinary offerings in Mumbai

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Food ordering and delivery platform Swiggy on Monday said the company has integrated premium on-demand delivery platform, Scootsy, and its restaurant partners with the Swiggy platform.

Through the curated selection on the company’s homepage, users in Mumbai can now access premium gourmet experiences delivered by its premium fleet of independent pick-up and delivery partners, Swiggy said in a statement.

Swiggy acquired Scootsy in 2018 for around Rs 50 crore and had said at that time that the Mumbai-based firm will continue to operate as an independent app after the acquisition.

This integration allows Swiggy to build on Scootsy’s premium value proposition, its understanding of the niche consumer segment and existing capabilities in curating and delivering premium service offerings, the statement said.

“Since the acquisition of Scootsy in 2018, we have been closely observing the premium category and grasping the underpinnings of creating delightful experiences for discerning customers. This, clubbed with the upshift in consumer interest in premium offerings, made for the perfect timing to integrate Scootsy with Swiggy,” Swiggy Chief Operating Officer Vivek Sunder said.

By leveraging synergies of both platforms, “we are able to home-deliver premium services to a much wider customer base in Mumbai,” he added.

The company’s recent partnerships with luxury hotels across the country such as ITC Hotels, Marriott, Hyatt and the Hilton will further elevate the premium experience for its users, Swiggy said.

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