ranjan

Vitamin 'D' is commonly known as 'Sunshine Vitamin'. It is due to that skin makes Vitamin 'D' when it is exposed to sunlight. Getting enough vitamin D is important for optimal health. It helps maintain strong and healthy bones, immune system and help in many harmful conditions. Vitamin D belongs to the family of fat soluble vitamins, which include Vitamin A,D,E and K. These vitamins are absorbed well with fat and are stored in Liver and fatty tissues.  There are two forms of Vitamin D in the diet.  1) Vitamin D2 - Found in Plant foods like mushrooms.  2) Vitamin D3 - Found in Animal foods like salmon, cod and egg yolks. However, Sunlight is the best natural source of Vitamin D. The UV (Ultra Violet Rays) from sunlight convert Cholesterol in the skin into Vitamin D3. Before body can use dietary vitamin D, it must be activated through a series of steps. First, lever converts Vitamin D into the storage form of Vitamin D. This is the form that is measured to...

The muscle in legs are made up of bundles of fibers that alternately contract and expend to effect movement. A cramp is a sudden, involuntary contraction (tightening) of one of these muscles, typically in calf. It can last anytime from a few seconds to several minutes. They can be mild, or intense enough to wake you out of a sound sleep. A sudden, painful muscle spasm in the leg is called a "Charley Horse", which legend has it is named after Baseball player Charlie ' Hoss' Radbourn, who suffered from frequent cramps back in 1880s. There is no certain cause for a cramp. Exercise is a common trigger, especially after you have exercised for a long period or in the heat. Muscles that are tired or dehydrated become irritated and are more likely to cramp up. A deficiency of electrolytes such as Magnesium or Potassium in the diet can lead to more frequent cramping, by preventing muscles from fully relaxation. The risk of a cramp increases during pregnancy, possibly due to...

Congestion and Traffic related pollution are the largest contributors to Air pollution in cities. Rapid urbanization in developing countries has caused a large scale proliferation in Motor Vehicle use making cities increasingly congested and subsequently polluted in developing economies. Rapid convergence of people on cities supplies human resources which contribute to potential economic growth but also intensifies the strain on resources such as Land, Water, Housing and other infrastructure like Transport. The impact of Motorized  transport can be seen in congestion, accidents, community severance and pollution since it grows more rapidly than the available road space. Severe traffic congestion, especially during extended peak hours contributes local air pollution and leads to significant economic losses in time and fuel.The need to offset transport effects in urban areas is clearly recognized. In the case of Delhi, following are few suggestions which, if adopted, can b...

Gold has been considered valuable asset for us as long as human civilization has existed. It is a timeless currency and considered the ultimate safe-haven asset. The price of the metal soar in times of  economic difficulty or Geopolitical instability, when demand increases as Investors lose confidence in banks and higher risk investments. On the other hand, price often decrease in more stable times, when Investors' confidence and appetite for risk is much higher. Gold is used as a standard of value for currencies all over the world. The price of gold gets stated as a currency value, often in U.S. dollars and the price of Gold can fluctuate with market conditions. The Global Economic crash of 2008 is an excellent example of this. In the three years following Lehman Brothers. bankruptcy in September 2008, the price of Gold increased by 157% as the impact of bank's collapse was felt across the world. Looking at the historical movements of Gold price, taking into account the s...

Many entrepreneurs fall prey to some common marketing mistakes that can have terrifying results for their business. Marketing is a scary concept for many businesses but it does not have to be frightening. Correct the following seven mistakes and make your marketing work for your business.    These are - 1) Marketing without setting a Goal - In Digital marketing, Print marketing or Word-of-mouth,     first thing to be established is a Goal. Start by setting specific, measurable goals for each     marketing on "selling"campaign. Keeping this in mind, one will be better able to design     successful marketing campaigns. 2) Neglecting your current customers - Many businesses focus on marketing Dollars on attracting     new customers.While new customers are important, Returning customers can be even more     valuable. Create a marketing plan to stay in touch with existing customers. Work to enhance     their ...

Setting Sales targets has always been an inexact science, with serious consequences if done poorly. Using AI based advanced analytics might be the answer. Setting the right sale targets for employees is a difficult balancing act, with long term consequences on morale and growth. Setting a target too low, making it easily achievable might cause an employee to not put in the effort. Setting a target too high can be equally problematic, since there is no chance of meeting it. The Salesperson will be discouraged, and just as unlikely to work to their full potential. In fact. organisations, often lose top Sales talent because of target setting that penalizes success. One common misstep is using past performance as a yardstick. If a top performer overshoots annual target say by 20%, the next year's target is set at 120% of the current year. While next year's target for a Rep who just achieves 90% of this year's target remains unchanged. Not surprisingly, Top performer find unf...

Economic reforms are often painful in the short term and hence unpopular, but does not mean that Reform - minded leaders always pay a price at the ballot box. The question is timely, because Economic Policy Agenda in both advanced and developing economies is increasingly focused on structural reforms, amid weak medium-term growth and limited fiscal space. Policies that change the way Governments work range from reducing regulatory barriers to competition and opening to trade and financial flows to increasing labour market flexibility. They are motivated by objectives which include Investment, Raising productivity and employment thereby making economy more resilient to shocks. While there has been broad agreement on economic benefits of structural reforms, the Political impact is less settled. This is due to reforms may generate gains for society as a whole only in longer term while effecting short-term pain on some sectors. Those affected may be highly vocal and organised. In suc...

Protein is one of the complex group of Molecules that do all kinds of jobs in your body. They make up your hair, bones, nails and muscles. Protein gives tissues and organs their shape and helps them work the way they should. Protein is not body's first or even second choice for getting energy. That role is for carbohydrates and fats. But when you are running low on calories, or if you are a serious athlete, thank protein for keeping you going past the point of normal energy stores. You need protein to keep up the size and shape of your muscles. As you lose weight, protein prevents you from losing muscle at the same time. If you lift weight for strength, protein is the key to building more muscle. Getting the right amount of protein in your diet improves Bone health and lower chance of Bone loss ( Osteoporosis) by helping you hold on to your Bone density, prevents breaks as you age too. Proteins are made of Amino acids. These compounds help turn key players in your Immune system...

Much has been written and said about the ongoing Economic slowdown in Indian Economy. It was being indirectly said about various economic indicators warning signals for the last year or so, which has triggered into the present criticism of GDP coming down which has suddenly brought the issue into a full public glare. In fact, India was as the fastest growing developing country for the last two years, slowdown has also caught many of those making such claims by surprise. The reasons attributed to this fall can be viewed as under- 1. Fall in private consumption and Investment freeze leading to double event with a powerful     and unpleasant effect. Private consumption has taken a beating due to Demonetisation as     consumers suddenly prefer to hoard cash or in Banks instead of spending on consumer goods.     This led to withholding  of Investment by SMEs since they too operate on cash basis and the     cash crunch left them dry. Fa...

When it comes to deciding the type of Franchise business you want to own, there are several factors to consider. The business location, how many people you will employ and more. And once you have decided for a franchise business you think you would like to own and operate, you will have to weigh the Positive sand Negatives. If you have decided on a Food Franchise, here are some pros for owning a food franchise business. 1. New Food Service establishments create a lot of buzz. Most people know when a new     restaurant opens in town, especially if the Grand Opening is a memorable one. When you     buy a franchise, Marketing Assistance is included in the upfront and ongoing fees. Good     franchisors know how to put on a strong Grand opening, and if goes well, you need not have     to wait for customers to line up    to try and purchase your food. As long as have a steady     stream of customers patronizing your food ...

Starting a independent Consulting practice is one of the best ways to turn your depth of knowledge and years of experience into a business. A consultant is an expert who advises others in a specific field or to fix specific problems. Many people confuse Consultant with Freelancers. It's not unusual to interchange the terms "Consulting" and "Freelancers" when describing the services you perform as a contract worker. However, each word has a different connotation when describing the type of relationship you plan to have with customer and the services you offer. Understanding these differences is an important part of positioning your business for future success. Consulting differs from Coaching which is another way to help others with your expertise. Consulting is focused on business or groups as a client, although individuals sometimes seek consultants. Consultants assess an issue and prepare a solution with a focus on processes. In most cases, after an expla...

The World Bank is an international organisation that helps emerging market countries to reduce poverty. Its first goal is to end extreme poverty. It wants no more than 3% of people to live on $1.90 a day or less by 2030. Its second goal is to promote shared prosperity. It wants to improve the incomes of the bottom 40% of the population of each country. Since 1947, the World Bank has funded more than 12,000 projects. It is not a bank in the conventional sense of the word. Instead, it consists of two development institutions. One is International Bank of Reconstruction and Development which provides Loans, Credits and Grants. The second is International Development Association which provides loans to low or No- interest to low income countries. The Bank works closely with three other organisations in the World Bank Group. These are - 1) International Finance Corporation (IFC) provides Advice, Investment and Asset Management to     companies and Governments. 2) Multilatera...

They are the people whom you see everyday mowing in the lawns, standing in the line behind you at the malls and riding up in the elevator with you at work. They are the people who live modestly and without pretense. The invisible rich are who live well within their means despite big numbers in their Bank accounts. While there are several key secrets of invisible rich and millionaires next door, below are a few of the most common secrets which we can all incorporate in our own lives. 1. They do not spend beyond their means. It means what you spend each month is less than or at     least equal to the amount you bring in every month. For many people, it is a lot easier than done.     Credit cards, Loans, Savings and even Emergency funds allows you to buy more than your income.     Unfortunately, that type of lifestyle is not sustainable and at some of time of time, your reckless     spending will catch up to you. Invisible rich do not stretch ...

Varicose veins and Spider veins are practically a rite of passage. As we age, many of us find jagged Purple lines or swollen Bluish cords across our thighs and calves. These warped blood vessels occur in up to 60% of adults. Spider veins are small, twisted blood vessels visible through the skin. They may be Red, Purple or Blue and mostly appear on legs and face. Their name is taken from their striking Spiderweb pattern.    Varicose veins are larger blood vessels that have become swollen and twisted. They appear Dark Blue and stick out from the skin like raised tunnels. These veins can develop anywhere in the body, usually spread on legs and ankles. Healthy veins carry blood to the Heart through valves and arteries. When these valves are damaged, Blood starts pooling in the legs causing swelling of legs, heaviness, Aching pain, fatigue, skin discoloration, itching varicosities (Prominent vein). Comfortable and sedentary life-style, modern fashion, special postures adopted whi...

Artificial technologies promise to speed up the process of Drug discovery and development and make it cost effective. New drugs are approved through human clinical trials - year long rigorous procedures starting in animal trials and gradually moving to patients. They cost billions and take many years to complete. Also, patients in trials are exposed to side effects that cannot be predicted. And, if the trial is successful, it has to go through a regulatory approval - it may or may not receive nod from the Regulatory agency. While looking at all technologies, Artificial Intelligence is the most advanced and multifaceted. The technology helps companies aggregate and synthesize information needed for clinical trials, shortening the Drug Development Process. It also helps to understand the mechanisms of disease, establish Biomarkers, Design or Redesign drugs, generate data, models or novel drug candidates, run preclinical experiments, run clinical trials and even analyse the real world e...

No country is immune to corruption. Tax payers' money is lost in different ways, siphoned off from Schools, Hospitals, Roads etc. to line the pockets of people up to no good. Equally damaging is the way it corrodes the Govt's ability to help grow the economy in the manner it benefits all citizens. A few countries' reforms generated more revenues. For example, Georgia and Rwanda reforms to fight corruption since mid-1990s bore fruit and tax revenues increased by 6 percentage points of their GDP. These examples demonstrate the Political will to build strong and transparent institutions which can turn the tide against corruption. Corrupt countries collect fewer taxes as people pay bribes to avoid them. It is generally said that where there is Political will, there is a way. Fighting corruption requires political will to create strong fiscal institutions that promote accountability and integrity throughout the public sector. Here are some issues for the countries to help the...

A Carbon tax can discourage the use of fossil fuels and encourage a shift to less- polluting fuels, thereby limiting the Carbon Dioxide emission that are by far the most prevalent Green house gas Deterring the burning of fossil fuels is crucial to reducing the accumulation of heat-trapping green house gases in the earth's atmosphere. Carbon taxes, levied on Coal, Oil products and Natural gas in proportion to their carbon content, can be collected from fuel suppliers. They in turn will pass on the tax in the form of higher prices for electricity, gasoline, heating oil and so on,as well for the products and services that depend on them. This provides incentives to Producers and Customers alike to reduce energy use and shift to lower-Carbon fuels or Renewable energy sources through Investment and Behavior. While addressing climate change by reducing Greenhouse gases, Carbon Taxes can also generate more immediate Health and Environmental benefits, particularly reducing deaths tha...

Good Boss, Incompetent leader. There is a lot that comes to mind when we picture these two. Bosses are guided by Leader. The difference between a Leader and Boss is that Leader leads and the Boss drives. Successful workers attribute their success to Boss who mentored and groomed them. At times, it is observed that people are asked to leave because of the incompetent Leader and not the Institution for which they have given their heart and soul to develop. The first step to becoming a good boss is being self aware of own strength and gaps, being open to receiving feedback and acting on it. The key words are being genuine, authentic and treating others with respect. In fact the delta between incompetent leader and good boss effects the productivity, retention, quality and employee engagement has a direct co-relation with these two types. Dark side behaviors helps leaders emerge, but degrade creditbility with subordinates . Their ratings about how much they trust their managers are a...

Emerging market economies have enjoyed good growth in recent decades but are still far from closing gaps in living standards with advanced economies. Emerging markets also need growth to be shared by everyone, particularly by providing their growing population with good jobs and social protection. The design of labor market policies in emerging markets differs significantly from that in advanced economies. The few main features are : 1. Only half of the emerging markets have unemployment insurance systems in place, while they     nearly exist in all advanced economies.This means that workers in emerging markets have less     to fall back on in the event that they lose their jobs. 2. In contrast, emerging markets out - rank advanced economies - at least in Law- on one part of     such legislation, Severance pay (what companies must pay if they dismiss them). 3. Collective bargaining agreements cover only 20% of workers in emerging economies an...

Rising economic growth has reduced inequality in low-income and emerging market countries over the years. In good economic times, young people working helps reduce inequality in both groups of countries. But when growth slows down and jobs are lost, more young people out of work in low-income countries leads to a rise in inequality. In emerging markets, the story is a bit different. In good times, reduced unemployment explains about 41% of reduction in inequality in low-income and emerging market economies. Young people working more explains about over one-third of this reduction. In bad times,  28% of increase in inequality is due to an increase in unemployment. Thus, the increase in unemployment among young people is the main contributor to the rise in inequality. This difference could be due to even higher levels of self-employment and informality in low-income countries. Two policy implications comes out of the above which are as - 1) The quality of jobs created and polici...