When selling costs you trust

Aggressive product peddling by financial entities doesn’t help in building investor confidence


Many find investing complex. There is too much jargon or a fear of lack of control or often genuine concerns are brushed aside as problems of financial literacy. As a professional who teaches finance, I feel the real problem is lack of trust, that needs to be addressed.

Many of us have been driving a car knowing nothing beyond the brake, accelerator and steering. This confidence in driving arises out of the fine predictability of superb engineering. With the exceptions of two situations—insurance claims and the used car market. As they call for are sharp practices that can fool us. In both situations, the problem is aggravated by the unbridled eagerness to sell. A good salesman will convince you to buy and his incentives depend on how much he sells.


When banks began to offer deposits to the public, they did not say that these are borrowings of the bank. Instead they told the public that money kept in the bank would be safe, and can be accessed at any time. Depositors looked up to the bank as a custodian, felt trust when they accessed money and confident with the transparency of statements and interest payments.

That is the power of trust built by consistent and predictable outcomes. When banks overdo the selling and extend it to loans, cards, etc, they chip away at that trust. There are also cultural underpinnings to how trust is built. In India, historical dependence on the benevolence of the king and a post-independence preference for a socialistic model, have meant that people trust the name, or the ownership. This orientation has sometimes led to outcomes that are harmful to investors.

Consider the contrast between the insurance and the mutual fund industries. The former uses an army of agents to sell products that have come under fire for being misrepresented and mis-sold. But the common investor is fed sales pitches. The incentive schemes in the insurance business lure a million agents. At the apex of the insurance industry is a government-owned behemoth. Every sale of failing businesses by the government to its investment account raises concerns. But life goes on. New products are launched and in the 25 years of opening up the business to the private sector, the benefits have been mutual. The sales pitch of the private sector has enhanced the product penetration for the government entity; and the trust invoked by the government entity has helped in breaking barriers. Presence of the big brother means sharp selling practices don’t receive the regulatory rap.

That stricturing is reserved for mutual funds. Here is an industry with a useful product, high efficiency and low costs. But it has struggled to gain trust and respect. Three things work against it: One, it is dominated by the private sector; two, it has no big brother with a Delhi connection; three, it practices exploitative selling at every given opportunity. Building trust has only gotten tougher.

Selling is rampant across businesses. However, there is huge conflict between selling compulsions of a business and the trust-inducing conduct investors seek. We cannot just assume investors are financially illiterate or that investing is unduly complex. Sales pitching as an identity of financial services sector must end. What use is growth if it does not foster ethical conduct? Of what good is a brand if it does not invoke trust?

Arguments over money can prove toxic in a relationship

Do you have money fights?
Arguments over money can prove toxic in a relationship. Find out how to resolve issues

Well-paying jobs, a beautiful new house, a lovely child… it seems Ashmit and Sonali Seth have it all. But beneath this veneer of a happy existence lurks an uncomfortable reality. Ashmit lost a lot of money in stocks last year, and Sonali is worried that he is trying to make up by taking bigger and riskier bets. “My husband lost almost ₹10 lakh in stocks. He doesn’t share details with me anymore but I fear he still invests in shares,” she wrote to ET Wealth last year.

The Seths are not alone. A lot of families have disagreements over financial matters. Almost 55% of the 550 respondents to an online survey conducted by ET Wealth in January said they have frequent fights over money with their life partners. We look at the five reasons why couples argue about money and how to resolve or avoid them.


Overspending, the biggest villain

Our survey shows that overspending habit of their partners is the biggest cause of discord among couples. However, in most cases, it had little or no impact on family’s savings (see graphic). Experts say spending is not a problem if you save and invest for your goals. “Overspending will not affect savings if you invest at the very beginning of the month. This reduces liquidity and prevents unnecessary spending,” says Renu Maheshwari, CEO and principal adviser, Finscholarz Wealth Managers. If the partner uses a credit card for splurging, couples can establish accountability by checking each other’s card and bank statements regularly.

If partner is tightfisted

The flipside of overspending is another reason for conflict. If one spouse is frugal to the point of being miserly, the habit can be as frustrating. Experts feel that it is important to understand the reason that drives this behaviour. “Usually, if the money situation was tight during the growing up years, people get conscious about spending. Fear of going broke drives them to save every penny,” says Suresh Sadagopan, Founder, Ladder7 Advisories. Or it could be that the person is trying to be an antidote to the partner’s overspending. Instead of just saving compulsively, you should link your investments to specific goals to determine how much you should be saving.

To lend or not to lend

Lending to relatives and friends is the third major cause of money arguments. About 33% respondents said that financial support to relatives was frustrating. But supporting the family or a friend in need is alright as long as it doesn’t affect your own financial plan. Rohit Shah, Founder, Getting You Rich warns against being the go-to lender in your social circle even if you have all your goals well planned for. A good alternative is to provide help in non-financial ways. “Defer the response a few times, then offer alternate help to money, such as guidance for money management. You will tactfully end any future requests and also help your friend from getting in a habit of asking,” he says. And whatever the case, do not lie to your spouse about lending.

Dealing with lies

The foundation of marriage is trust and understanding. But our survey shows that only three out of 10 people can trust their partners on money matters. Also, one out of four respondents argue with their partners for being secretive about money. Hiding purchases is the most common money lie among couples. This is mostly due to fear of disapproval of the spouse. Another reason is when money power is concentrated with one partner. This is common in the case of homemakers who feel the need to lie when they are accountable for every penny they spend, especially on personal expenses. To tackle this, couples should jointly decide household expenses and investments. The balance can be used for discretionary expenses, which each partner can spend without feeling guilty.

What couples don’t discuss

The survey shows that compared to overspending, partners don’t clash as much over the ways they invest. This indicates that couples fail to comprehend the long-term outcomes of their investments.

Overspending is a bigger villain because it is visible in the pile of unnecessary stuff lying around. However, it can be easily tackled by budgeting. Whereas if you don’t question hidden losses from your partner’s wrong choice of investments, it can damage your finances adversely. For instance, an ultra-safe but low yield portfolio of insurance, fixed deposits and gold may lead to suboptimal returns. Or like the Seths, if your partner recklessly invests in stocks and equity for the short-term, the household kitty may end up losing money.

Experts say lack of financial knowledge is the key reason why couples don’t discuss investment choices. Many also ignore this issue because they don’t realise the urgency of goals far in the future.

Heptathlete Swapna Barman

‘I’ll be happy if my biopic can inspire youngsters’
Heptathlete Swapna Barman, who bagged a gold at the prestigious 2018 Asian Games, talks about her dreams

Last year, heptathlete Swapna Barman made the country proud when she bagged a gold at the prestigious 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. It wasn’t easy for the 22-year-old as she had to overcome a series of odds to achieve the feat. Swapna, who is from Kolkata, comes from a humble background. While her mother works as a tea plantation worker, her father has been bed-ridden after a stroke in 2011 following which Swapna was left to fend for herself and also train to realise her dream of making it big in the international level. She also had physical hurdles to overcome. With six fingers on each feet, she had to accumulate enough money to buy extra wide shoes.

But today, the athlete’s life is set to inspire many like her as director Srijit Mukherji is planning a biopic on her. Set to go on floors in 2020, actor Sohini Sarkar will essay the role of the star athlete. In a candid chat with us, Swapna talks about hardships, her Olympic dreams, love for biryani and more. Excerpts:


What’s your reaction to the news of your biopic?

The news makes me happy. But I don’t want to talk about the film at all. My focus is on my preparation. If I can’t perform well in my forthcoming Asian Championship in April, nobody will bother to take note of me. I stay at SAI and practice daily. I practice for four-and-a-half hours during the morning. Late afternoon, I am again back to my practice grounds for two hours.

There is an apprehension that the news of a biopic might shift your focus from the sports to the glamour world. Do you believe it?

No, I don’t think so. I am not talking about the film. I am busy with my practice. It will be good if some get inspired after watching the story of my life on the big screen. I will be happy if my film can inspire youngsters.

How has life changed after you clenched the gold medal at the Asian Games?

Earlier on, when I used to run or take part in any event, not too many would take note of me. These days, whenever I go out, there are so many requests for selfies. I have seen times when people were apprehensive about having faith in my abilities. Now, they are more forthcoming. They believe that I can make India proud and bring home medals.

Is this faith only because of your win at the Asian Games?

My medal at the Asian Games changed the mindset. Before a person goes on to win something, nobody really wants to talk much about his or her talent. The medal creates the difference. Now, I find myself in a space, where people are talking about me. Earlier on too, I had won the Asian Championship. Unfortunately, there was hardly any adulation for me after I returned home following my win there.

At 22, you have achieved so much. What else do you think needs to be done for other Swapna Barmans to come up?

It is very tough to reach where I find myself now. I had sought help from so many people then. Few came forward. Many didn’t. I would want budding sports personalities to be helped.

If the prize money is increased, it will inspire many more Swapna Barmans to come up. From the kind of background that I belong to, it is important to get a job. If someone says that an Asian Games medal-winner will get a big amount of money, it will inspire many to come and play the sport. I wish aspirants from Bengal too are supported just like their counterparts in other states are. They get prize money worth crores.

You had wanted customised shoes for yourself. Has that been taken care of?

Yes. I have got a pair for 100m hurdles. I’ll have to see how it works in the forthcoming competition.

What are your dreams now made of? Do you have the great Olympics dream?

Every athlete dreams of participating in the Olympics. I don’t know if I will bring home a medal but I certainly want to see myself among the best 10 or 12. Besides, I want to build an academy where I can train youngsters. Many have helped me and I want to give my support to those who are coming up.

When you look back, what do you see as your toughest phase?

It was very difficult to overcome the multiple injuries that I have suffered in my career. I already had injuries in my hip and knee. But at the Asian Games, I had a teeth infection. My cheek was swollen. Overcoming that injury and then competing in the games is a part and parcel of a sportsman’s life.

Your father had suffered a stroke. Did that affect your games?

It was tough. But my family members didn’t want me to worry about that though I couldn’t completely avoid being tense. Whenever I called back home, Baba would say: “Puchu (my pet name), you work towards reaching your dream. Practice well. I am fine. Your mother is there to look after me…) However, what really unsettled me was the lack of faith that some seniors showed in my skill. After my injuries, I’ve heard comments like: ‘Oh, she is finished. She won’t be able to go any further’. Some had even set targets and said I wouldn’t be able to go beyond 5,400 points. Even important athletes have passed such remarks. Today, I wouldn’t want to take their names. Dealing with such negativity was very challenging. I used to feel that it is really unfair to pass such remarks without knowing my capability.

There is a buzz doing the rounds that Swapna has fallen for someone…

(Laughs) I have many friends. My coach (Subhash Sarkar) is very good. He has asked me to avoid matters of the heart as long as I am playing. He has told me not to have anyone special in my life as of now.

What do you have to say about sprint sensation Hima Das?

I am glad that she is performing so well at such a young age.

I-T begins fresh crackdown against Kashmir separatists

New Delhi:

The income tax department on Wednesday began a fresh crackdown against radical outfits in Jammu & Kashmir with the head of a prominent organisation, allegedly indulging in anti-national activities along with his associates, covered in a search action by tax authorities.


“Search action has been conducted at four premises in the Valley and three in the national capital. The search action has yielded credible evidence of large-scale undisclosed financial transactions carried out in the business of quarrying, hotels etc,” the Central Board of Direct Taxes said in a statement.

The CBDT said the department had come across “clinching evidence” of huge unaccounted expenditure having been incurred in cash on the reconstruction and remodelling of the residential premises currently being used by the tax evader’s family. “Despite carrying out large-scale financial transactions, neither the main protagonist nor any member of his family has ever filed any income tax return,” it said.

The Valley observed a complete shutdown on Wednesday to protest the mass arrests, NIA raids on separatists’ residences and talk of amendments to state laws. The shutdown call was given by ‘joint resistance leadership’ comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik on Tuesday. Shops, businesses and other establishments remained shuttered and traffic stayed off the roads.

A day after the NIA raids on separatist brass including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Mirwaiz was prevented from addressing a press conference at his residence in Nigeen. He released a statement that said: “People of Kashmir greatly urge India and Pakistan not to escalate the situation and desist from warmongering... a disaster for the... region. We ask both governments that as in the past escalation and war can never resolve issues between them and only talking to one another is way forward. All Parties Hurriyat Conference reiterates the call for dialogue.”

The income tax action come hours after the NIA carried out searches at seven locations in J&K.

Ace Gymnast Dipa Feels Changed Rules Complicate Process

‘Making Olympic cut will be difficult’

Mumbai:

Dipa Karmakar caught the nation’s imagination at the Rio Olympics in 2016, finishing fourth in the vault event. However, post that magnificent feat, the gymnast from Tripura has spent a significant amount of time nursing injuries that resulted in her pulling out of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast and also not being able to compete in the final of the Jakarta Asiad last year.


However, she was back in form towards the close of 2018, winning bronze at the World Cup in Cottbus, Germany. The 25-year-old is now aiming to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the first available opportunity and also do well at the World Championships scheduled to take place in Stuttgart, Germany, in October.

Dipa spent the first three weeks of the new year, training at a brand new gymnasium near Kalyan on the outskirts of Mumbai and is happy with the sessions she had there in the company of her coach Bishweshwar Nandi. “The Aakar gym in Bapgaon has world-class Spieth equipment. It is among the top training centres in the country today so I opted to train there,” Dipa told TOI, ahead of launching her biography, Dipa Karmakar, The Small Wonder, at a city hotel on Tuesday. “Equipment of the same make will be used at the World Championships, so I am happy I could get a feel of it,” she added.

Elaborating on the Olympic qualification process, Dipa said it was going to be extremely challenging. “There have been several rule changes when it comes to Olympic qualifications and it has become extremely difficult. There has been a reduction in quota places. On the other hand, this will benefit the traditional gymnastics powerhouses like USA and Russia. For those like us who struggle to make the cut, it’s going to be even tougher.

“For example, only the winner of every apparatus at the eight World Cups is guaranteed a place at the Olympics. Apart from that, there are a host of other rules in place,” she explained.

Dipa may have become the face of gymnastics in India after her exploits in Rio, but the health of the sport here is not very encouraging. And Dipa feels members in the gymnastics federation should only think about the wellbeing of the sport.

“First of all, the gymnastics Nationals should be held urgently because it’s difficult for gymnasts to progress if they are not competing. Not everyone can reach international levels if they don’t get exposure. Also, camps should be held regularly. And whatever problems are there in the federation should be resolved for the betterment of gymnastics,” she said.

Flora Fountain

FOUNTAIN FLOWS AGAIN

In preparation for the inauguration of the restored Flora Fountain on Thursday, the BMC tested its water valves on Tuesday. The valves around the iconic fountain were adjusted and so was the pressure at which the water flows down. The BMC said around 50,000 to 60,000 litres of water needed for the fountain would be supplied through a tanker and it would be recycled and used. The BMC is yet to decide on the fountain timings.

IIT-Kharagpur digs up signs of life in India from 2.5bn years ago

IIT-Kharagpur digs up signs of life in India from 2.5bn years ago

IIT researchers test rocks for signs of microbes

A team of researchers from IIT Kharagpur has found evidence of life in India dating back at least 2.5 billion years — to the beginning of a time known to scientists as the Great Oxidation Event, which marked the entry of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere.


The first signs of life have been found in the form of microbial cells in the Deccan. It took the team four years of arduous work before the microbes were found at a depth of three kilometres. The findings have been published in the December edition of “Scientific Reports: Nature”, an online, open-access journal from the publishers of the prestigious scientific journal “Nature”.

The news has stunned the ministry of earth sciences, which had asked the IIT team — led by Pinaki Sar of the faculty of biotechnology — to probe the beginning of life in India. An official announcement is expected shortly. Sar said these microorganisms, mostly bacteria, date back to a time when Earth’s crust was still unstable and earthquakes, punctuated with volcanic eruptions, were routine. Between 2.5 billion years and 65 million years ago, the crust would intermittently cool.

These cool interludes were the time when the first life forms, in the form of microbes, started making their appearances. The Deccan Traps, where the country’s oldest rocks (granites and basalt), are located, were home to these first life forms.

The search started in 2014, when the ministry asked the IIT biotechnologists to join a team of geologists at Koyna in Maharashtra, where a devastating earthquake had occurred in 1964. Sar said the next phase will focus on whether the organisms are alive. “We cannot immediately confirm that,” he said, calling the microbes “extremophiles” as they survived extreme conditions.

Over 65 or under 15? Indians can use Aadhaar to visit Nepal, Bhutan

New Delhi:

Aadhaar cards are now valid travel documents for Indians under 15 and over 65 travelling to Nepal and Bhutan, according to a home ministry communique.


Indian citizens going to Nepal and Bhutan don’t need a visa if they have a valid passport, a photo ID card issued by the government of India or an election ID card issued by the Election Commission, it said. But now, those in the two age brackets can use Aadhaar card too.

Earlier, persons over 65 and under 15 could show their PAN card, driving licence, Central Government Health Service (CGHS) card or ration card to prove their identity and visit the two countries. “Now, persons in the age group of over 65 years and below 15 years have been allowed to use Aadhaar as a valid travel document,” the official told PTI.

Giving details, the official said a certificate of registration issued by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, to Indian nationals is not an acceptable travel document for travelling between India and Nepal. “However, the emergency certificate and identity certificate issued by the Indian Embassy in Nepal will be valid for single journey for travelling back to India,” he said.

Teens between 15 to 18 years will be allowed to travel between India and Nepal on the basis of an identity certificate issued by the principal of their school in a prescribed form, the officer said.

In case of a family travelling together, all persons will not be required to carry relevant documents if one of the adult members has valid travel papers, he said. However, the other family members must have some proof of their identity with a photograph and their relationship as a family, such as a CGHS card, ration card, a driving licence or an ID card issued by school/college, the official explained.

Indian nationals travelling to Bhutan need to have either an Indian passport with minimum validity of six months or a voter identity card issued by the Election Commission of India. AGENCIES

Thailand extends visa-on-arrival fee waiver for Indian tourists till April 30
Thailand has extended the waiver of visa-on-arrival (VoA) for residents of 20 nations, including Indians, up to April 30, 2019. The country had initially waived the VoA fees from November 15 to January 13. On Thursday (Jan 17), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said the Thai government “has approved the extension of VoA fee waiver for citizens of 20 countries until April 30, 2019. Citizens of … India.. will be exempted from the 2,000 Baht (about Rs 4,500) VoA fee for the purpose of touring in Thailand for not more than 15 days.” TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said this extension comes at a “perfect time as Thailand is set to celebrate Chinese new year in February and the Thai new year (Songkran) in April.” TNN

KALARIPAYATTU

MAGIC OF KALARIPAYATTU: Special performance by the army at Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa Area Trophy event at RWITC, Mumbai Race Course

Unique Headgear

The dark, sharp business suit and the celebratory saffron pheta, the traditional turban, might belong to two distinctly different sartorial worlds. On a winter evening this past week, though, pinstripes were accessorized with saffron to make a rather curious ensemble. What added to the curiosity was the fact that it was sported by several foreigners. The event was a cultural programme and dinner hosted by the state government for participants of a global aviation summit. While Indian classical and folk music and dance forms did generate some interest, what garnered the most attention was the traditional Maharashtrian welcome accorded to the dignitaries, who had flown in from around 80 countries. They were offered phetas to wear and many were sporting enough to take up the offer. The two experts the host had brought in to tie the phetas had their hands full throughout the evening. At one point, the CEOs, business chiefs and engineering heads of the global aviation world—both men and women—queued up to get decked in the headgear. By the time the evening wound up, a number of Americans, Europeans and South-East Asians were walking around with their colourful phetas.


Thackeray & Pu La

This month marks the release of two Marathi biopics chronicling the life and times of Balasaheb Thackeray and celebrated litterateur P L or Pu La, as he was known to his countless admirers. Both Deshpande and Thackeray dealt with humour. Thackeray, the cartoonist, lampooned politicians with his deft sabre brush strokes before he became one. On the other hand, Deshpande endeared himself to the fast-rising Maharashtrian middle-class by pouring ridicule on its foibles and fads while offering them solace in his dew-fresh humour and plays. Deshpande was the first recipient of the state government’s prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan award way back in 1997. In his acceptance speech, Deshpande took the Sena-BJP government to task. A miffed Thackeray slammed Deshpande for being ungrateful to the government. Soon, the Sena patriarch found himself in the eye of a storm as Deshpande’s countless admirers stood firmly by him and penned angry letters to newspapers. Thackeray rushed to Deshpande’s Pune residence to offer his regrets. Incidentally, both Deshpande and his wife Sunita were Thackeray’s teachers at the Oriental High School in Mahim. Needless to add, the teachers forgave their pupil.

Felicitating Grit

A philanthropist has reached out to young citizens who have overcome adversities to emerge victorious and felicitated them. One is Roshanara Shaikh, a double amputee from a train accident who has now completed her MBBS and is currently studying for her post-graduation in medicine. The other is cyclist Mayur Dhumasia who flagged off his journey for Mumbai from India Gate on January 11. Dhumasia, who lost his right arm in an accident, will peddle 100km daily to cover the Delhi-Mumbai distance of 1,600km and will get a rousing reception at Marine Drive on January 26. “On his way to Mumbai, Dhumasia will spread social messages at meetings organized by our volunteers,” said Aneel Murarka, the philanthropist. Among the messages Dhumasia is expected to spread is cleanliness. When he visits schools, colleges and community halls, he will request students to wash their hands frequently to keep diseases at bay.

Dravita Singh (24) reached the finishing line with her doctor, Shailesh Ranade

Girl who lost part of foot in train attack beats all odds
Yogita.Rao@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:

Twenty-four-year-old Dravita Singh lost part of her right foot after falling off a local train last year, but did not lose out on her confidence. Beating all odds, Singh, who was attacked by a robber from the ‘fatka’ gang, ran the marathon on Sunday. She walked and jogged through the track for 45 minutes to reach the finishing line with her doctor, Shailesh Ranade.

Dravita Singh (24) reached the finishing line with her doctor, Shailesh Ranade

“It was a great experience. I never ran a marathon before this,” said Singh, who has been practicing for it for over three weeks. “I had practiced for a few days and I am happy I could do it. There was no fear about exerting pressure on the foot as my doctor ran the Dream Run with me. I managed it,” said an exuberant Singh. “I plan to participate in the marathon regularly from now on. Since this time I could not put a lot of pressure on my foot, I did not manage to practice a lot. But in future, I will start running months in advance,” she said.

Last Sunday, she rehearsed for the marathon and covered the same distance on the actual marathon route in south Mumbai. “She had managed it quite well,” said her proud father, Hemant Singh. She was awarded a heroes’ trophy from one of the sponsors after completing the 5.9km Dream Run. Several people cheered her during the race too.

Singh, a Kalyan resident, was traveling in the train when she was hit by a robber perched on a railway pole. She fell on the tracks, when a train coming from the opposite track ran over her arm and foot. Multiple surgeries were done to save her foot from amputation.

“Since she was very depressed after the incident, we had to boost her morale by asking her to take the same train one day. After few months, I told her to participate in the marathon. Initially, she thought it was a joke, but when I insisted, she took the challenge,” said Dr Ranade, a plastic surgeon. “The biggest test for a person with a reconstructed foot is to run a marathon, and she passed that test today. Her feat is a moral victory for me too,” he added.

Runner Vishwas Mote gives self a treat, runs 42km as 42nd birthday gift!

Vishwas Mote

As Vishwas Mote, a civic ward officer sprinted to the finish line on Sunday morning, the number ‘42’ kept bobbing in his mind! As he put his best foot forward to complete the 42.1km full marathon, Mote couldn’t but help think of his 42nd birthday that he will celebrate next month.


“Yes, this is a birthday gift to myself as I turn 42,” Mote told TOI, beaming with pride at the finish point. Clad in a fluorescent green T-shirt and shorts, with beads of perspiration trickling across his face, Mote said his hard work to race to the finish had paid off.

Mote is the assistant municipal commissioner of ‘D’ ward in south Mumbai which covers tony areas from Malabar Hill to Walkeshwar. “I’ve been preparing for this run for long... But I did it very gradually,” he said.

Mote first took part in a marathon in 2017 when he did the 6km Dream Run at Mumbai Marathon, graduated to the Half Marathon and this year took the next logical step. In the interim, he also took part in the Satara Hill Half Marathon.

“I started running to give myself something more to look forward to apart from the daily routine,” said Mote who trained at Mahalaxmi racecourse.

So, when Mote cuts the 42nd birthday cake on February 17, this year will be a memorable one for him. “Of course, this year’s birthday and the cake too will be special,” he beams. Well, his success at the marathon will be the icing on the cake!

Californian Fran Macavinta who ran her 206th marathon loves Mumbai crowds

A 53-year old runner from California, Fran Macavinta, completed her 206th marathon on Sunday. A running enthusiast, Macavinta and her husband planned a vacation in India to participate in this year’s marathon.

“I got to know about this marathon through a friend in Mumbai and planned our vacation accordingly,” said Macavinta, a manager at pharmaceutical firm Genentech. Stating that participating in the race in Mumbai was a “totally different experience”, she said she loved the crowds. “People here are supportive, and I loved all the attention.”


But the humid weather made her nauseous. “The weather is hot for me,” she said.

Macavinta claimed that she is a slow runner as compared to her husband, but has participated in more races than him. She completed the Full Marathon (42km) in 5 hours, 45 minutes on Sunday. 

Low Vitamin D intake found in asthma patients

The recent research has found a reduced Vitamin D intake in occupational asthma patients.

Previously, Vitamin D intake was rarely evaluated in cases of occupational asthma regardless of it being an important part of nutrition.


The main objective of this study was to assess the Vitamin D intake in occupational asthma patients and its relation with body mass index, co-morbidities related to Vitamin D deficit, lung function and quality of life.

The researchers found a reduced Vitamin D intake in both obese and nonobese asthma patients. The study was published in an American review medical journal.

Lower intake was found in mild asthma group compared to severe asthma group. Regression analysis revealed a different pattern in the asthma groups. The Impact score in irritant asthma indicated a stronger relationship with BMI while the symptom score in allergic asthma group was closely associated with the Vitamin D intake.

The researchers concluded that the relation between obesity and Vitamin D on clinical cores and lung function depended on the asthma phenotype.

It was recommended that the nutritional interventions in all occupational asthma phenotypes should be an important aspect in future treatments, especially targeting body fat reduction and achievement of daily recommended intake of Vitamin D.

Driver installs bolts and padlocks on his car door

Some people will do anything to avoid taking their car to the garage for a repair. An unnamed driver in London took some inspiration from Mr Bean and fitted bolts and padlocks to the outside instead of getting it fixed. Thomas Godfrey, a native, who spotted the handy work while he was driving by, said, “I don’t know why anyone would do that. You have to get it fixed properly instead of using such bizarre methids. The thing that got me is that the owner had put duct tape over the lock so that no water gets in. One lock would have been fine — a padlock would have done it rather than the gate lock that he installed as well. The guy gave me a funny look as I was peering at him because I just couldn’t believe my eyes.”

Are you suffering from selfie wrist?

Your next selfie could be your most painful one, research suggests. People are being warned about ‘selfie wrist’ caused by using the phone’s camera to take a photo of themselves. Selfie wrist is a form of carpal tunnel syndrome. People who experience selfie wrist may feel a tingling or sharp pain, which comes from flexing your wrist inward or holding your phone too long without moving.

Among the doctors seeing this drawback more and more is Dr Levi Harrison, who says that he has been seeing a lot of patients with the condition, within which the nerves become inflamed and a patient experiences numbness, tingling or sharp pains in their hand, wrist or arms. According to him, this condition could be a variety of carpal tunnel syndrome, which happens once the median nerve becomes squeezed or ironed at the wrist. Factors like injuries to the wrist joint, an overactive pituitary gland, an inactive ductless gland, autoimmune disorder, and work stress to the wrist joint are common causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. As such, the ‘overworking’ of the wrist joint to take the selfies is also another explanation for this condition. In fact, data shows that a minimum of 62 per cent of people have taken a minimum of one selfie of themselves.


According to research, there have been several popular incidents in recent years in which doctors have diagnosed selfie wrist. The incidents included a selfie-taker jumping on a trampoline, walking on rocks or just not paying attention and ending up breaking their wrist from falling or colliding with other objects. A 2018 study discovered that between October 2011 and November 2017, there had been 259 deaths associated with taking a selfie, with the most concentrated deaths coming from India, Russia, USA and Pakistan.

As such, researchers believe that it’s necessary to teach the general public on the hidden hazards that this widespread problem. “It is very important to teach society concerning the risks related to taking numerous selfies so as to reduce both major and minor trauma related to the new trend,” researchers wrote.

From acting to dancing, students put their best foot forward

The auditions of Livon Bombay Times Fresh Face Season 11 had students upping their creative game


When actor Sidharth Shukla entered the auditorium of IIT Bombay, he knew that he was in for a tough time as the celebrity judge of Livon Bombay Times Fresh Face Season 11 audition round. The event was conducted at IIT Bombay in association with Mood Indigo, one of Asia’s largest college cultural fests.

“I am happy to be here. This is going to be amazing,” he was overheard saying, while judging a contestant’s soulful poem on life and love. If the lyrical poems and delightful dance performances weren’t enough, winner Markand Soni rendered a mash-up of iconic songs from the 70s and 80s, and the female winner, Ayesha Modak gave an energetic performance. Incidentally, Markand and Ayesha were also crowned Mr and Miss Mood Indigo 2018 respectively. 1st Runner-Up Sumit Rawal, an aspiring actor, was just as mesmerising with his acting piece and so was his fellow title holder Prachi Shah, who proved that she’s got killer moves.


For 2nd Runner-Up Gaurav Chawla, it was dance all the way. His female counterpart Shruti Tripathi was just his mirror image when it came to dancing — fiercely confident on stage. Suhana Biswas’s hair sure made a statement on stage and that is exactly why she took home the title of ‘Livon Miss Fab Hair’.

While leaving the campus, as Sidharth Shukla posed for selfies with students, he told them how his parents always wanted him to be a part of IIT. “Unfortunately I couldn’t make it here as a student, but I’m glad I came here as a judge,” he signed off.

4 Smart tips to help you stick to your fitness resolutions

If you have been serious about getting in shape and have not done anything yet, there is a good chance that you will make a New Year’s resolution to get fit. Most likely, you are not new to this. You are a re-resolutioner. It has worked like this in the past: You made a New Year’s resolution.

You bought a gym membership.


You kept an alarm for 6 am in the morning.

You exercised at the gym religiously for a couple of weeks. The ‘no days off ’ crew.

Your resolution is over.

Fitness resolution? What’s that? Why does this happen? It happens because you tend to take things to the extreme and burn out quick. So, here is how you can stick to your resolution in 2019 and get in shape...

1. SET SMALLER GOALS

Say you have 30 kilos to lose. And you start with that goal. You will feel disheartened at every step of the journey as you will check your weight every time and you won’t be 30 kilos lighter. It is because you compare your progress to your goals too often. So, set a goal of one kilo per time. Achieve it, move to the next one kilo. The eventual result can be of 30 kilos. But it should not be your goal right away.

2. ONE STEP AT A TIME WITH THE GYM

Got a gym membership and you are a player of the team ‘No Days Off’ already? The funny part is that you have not even been to the gym seven times in the past month and now, all of a sudden, you want to be in the gym seven days a week?

You will be sore. You will be tired. You will be exhausted. And you will give up. Start with two to three sessions per week. After a couple of weeks, move it to four sessions per week. If your goal is to get lean and get in good shape, four to five sessions per week are more than enough.

3. DIET SMART

Clean eating is a major fail. You were gulping alcohol and hogging cake all through December. All of a sudden, you are #eatclean? Stop taking your diet to the extremes. What matters for weight loss is you being in a caloric deficit. Adequate protein intake and weight training are important if you would like to look muscular and lean. Focus on total calorie intake for the day and adequate protein. We are not saying food quality does not matter. It does. Eat majorly unprocessed foods and pick nutrient-dense options. Eat the things you like at times. Do not make it an on diet or off diet affair.

4. WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL

If you wanted to be a professional cricketer, would you keep playing gully cricket or go to an academy and work with a coach? We are pretty sure you are smart enough to choose the latter.

Do the same with your fitness goals. Instead of just doing trial and error all the time, work with a coach! Someone who has a track record of providing results and they talk sense. Some examples of things you must not listen to include: You need drugs or certain fat loss pills; you need to go on liquid or detox diets; you should not eat carbs after 6 pm; you need to confuse your muscles; you need special supplements or BCAAs; you need to do light weight more reps for fat loss and heavyweight fewer reps for muscle building. If they say any of the above, save your money.

Not FOMO, but JOMO in 2019!

From enjoying the ‘joy of missing out’ to having more intimate time and taking off on breaks often, experts present key points to enrich your relationship in the coming year...
Planning to get fitter, work smarter and maybe travel more, this year? How about adding a personal goal to that list of resolutions? Save your relationships. For, if you have that special someone in your life, you will know that it’s never a smooth ride. Several reasons play culprit — from long work hours, to taking things for granted, the usual insecurities and more. So, as you step into 2019, we got experts to outline these red flags, so that you don’t see the ghosts of 2018’s past, in your relationship in the new year. Here’s their advice...

NOT FOMO, BUT JOMO


In today’s times, most people go through the fear of missing out (FOMO). It can create a frenzy where they are left thinking, ‘Why didn’t we go here or do this?’ But experts advise against wasting time comparing lives and instead, counting their own blessings. Says psychiatrist Dr Varkha Chulani, “I say, forget about forget about FOMO and inculcate JOMO or the ‘Joy of missing out’! Remember, when you miss going to something, you get more time with your better half. Couples today chase too many goals and there are numerous distractions that take away from spending time with each other. Instead, pursue the whole purpose of being together.”

FIND A COMMON PATH

True, everyone has different character traits, but remind yourself of what you have in common with your better half, reminds Dr Chulani. “Couples need to find a common goal of what they want to accomplish, relationship-wise, family wise, etc. It’s crucial to build a path towards which they both want to go, it could mean taking up an exercise class together or learning a language together. This leads to a sense of contentment.

They must aspire for this state of peace, and satisfaction.”

AVOID UNNECESSARY CONFLICT

Psychologist Arti Shroff warns, “The four emotions — showing contempt, discontent, anger and rage — can all affect adversely relationships. It’s okay to express annoyance or disappointment in contrast to rage and hostility as the latter create conflicts, leads to self-doubt and resentful feelings. It can ultimately destroy relationships. So, I think the important lesson this year is for couples to learn how to cope and manage with negative emotions in a better manner.”

MAKE FOR TIME FOR PHYSICAL INTIMACY

Studies continue to point out how intimacy helps sustain relationship happiness. Adds Arti, “We have been seeing that couples are not as intimate as they used to be owing to various reasons — high-pressure jobs, trying to achieve double incomes, a busy metro life, and more. But physical touch and bonding is important for relationships. It makes partners feel connected to one another as it helps secrete hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins. These help you stay bonded and increase a sense of security and comfort. Small things like hugging and touching can also facilitate bonding. So, couples must make adequate time for intimacy.”

GO ON A BREAK TOGETHER

Psychiatrist and counsellor, Dr Pavan Sonar, says, “Take vacations together, couple of times a year or even small breaks on weekends. Stress levels in metros are at an all-tine high, so couples don’t have the inclination to spend quality time with each other. This is affecting relationships. Going away together is not just a stress-buster, but also gives you time to learn something new about your partner.”

STOP BEING ‘CELL-FISH’, PUT AWAY THE GADGETS

While gadgets have their functional use and aid in longdistance relationships, studies warn about how they can corrupt interpersonal communication. They can lead to feelings of discomfort, anger and finally abandonment, and an expert has even come up with the term ‘cell-fishness’, to explain this. Texting also allows one to mask one’s emotions. Warns Dr Chulani, “I think one of the biggest things that has been going wrong is that real communication between couples has taken a beating. Gadgets

have overtaken face-to-face talk and there is little engagement and interaction. So, one of the biggest lessons that I would want couples to learn is to take technology breaks and engage with each other.”

MAKE CONSCIOUS EFFORTS

Maintaining that spark takes real effort. Says psychologist Dr Pradnya Ajinkya, “There’s no single mantra to have a happy relationship, but what is crucial is to make a conscious effort towards it. Most times, we see people in a relationship for so long, but they let things slide and take things for granted. Then when things go wrong, the first choice seems to be to move on. Instead, couples need to show a full presence in the relationship and keep the effort ongoing between them. The key is transformation instead of separation.”

APPRECIATE MORE

Last, but not the least — count your blessings every day. Thank your significant other for being in your life. Kindness and gratitude are positive emotions and help rewire the brain by replacing negative thoughts. They also bring about a sense of value.

POGBA FINDS HIS MOJO

United Thrash Bournemouth, Solskjaer Praises Frenchman
Manchester:

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer encouraged Paul Pogba to cut showboating from his game to recreate the “efficient” display that saw the Frenchman score twice for the second straight game in a 4-1 thrashing of Bournemouth at Old Trafford.


A third consecutive victory since Solskjaer took caretaker charge until the end of the season keeps United eight points adrift of Chelsea in the fight for a top-four finish.

Pogba has been key to all three wins, but this was arguably his best display as he also teed up Romelu Lukaku’s fourth goal and struck the post late on to just miss out on a first career hat-trick.

“That is a top, top performance for a midfield player because it’s all-round: work rate, dangerous in the box, no showboating. It’s touch, pass, move,” said Solskjaer.

“It’s an efficient game and Paul knows he’s at his best when it’s an efficient game.”

The change in mood around United in the 12 days since Jose Mourinho was sacked is palpable, no more so in the performances of Pogba, who was discarded from the Portuguese’s starting line-up for his final three league games in charge. “We are Manchester United and we need to be at the top of the league. It is just a reaction of all of the players and everyone is enjoying themselves,” said Pogba.

“It is different, we still won games with the old manager but it is just a different style of playing, we are more offensive and we are creating more chances and that is how we want to play.”

United have now scored 12 times in three games under the Norwegian, but Solskjaer insisted he has just tried to instill what he learned under Alex Ferguson during 11 seasons as a player at Old Trafford. “This is how it was. I’ve just gone about the job as I experienced it as a player, and a coach,” added Solskjaer.

“We want to go attacking. We’ve been at home two games and we have to entertain the fans. I love working with good players and good people.”

Pogba played a part in four of United’s five goals at Cardiff last weekend to get Solskjaer off to a flying start before scoring twice against Huddersfield on Boxing Day.

Solskjaer has spoken of his desire to see Pogba break into the box more regularly and he had the simplest of tasks to prod the ball into an empty net after Marcus Rashford had bewildered the Bournemouth defence.

Nathan Ake and Diego Rico were left beaten by Rashford’s combination of fleet-footed dribbling and pace before his cross perfectly picked out Pogba’s run. Pogba then made it 2-0 with a bullet header from Ander Herrera’s cross. Unlike Pogba, Nemanja Matic was one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants but the Serbian has also epitomised the change in tack orchestrated by Solskjaer with the former Chelsea midfielder much more willing to look for a forward rather than sideways pass. AFP


HEADY STUFF: Paul Pogba beats goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for United’s second goal on Sunday