Meniere’s Disease In India: Audiologists Hearing The Call

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Meniere’s disease (Idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops) is an inner ear disorder characterized by recurrent vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus or ringing in the ear and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. Fluid build-up in the inner ear creates pressure and causes damage to organs responsible for balance and hearing. This disease is named after the French physician Prosper Meniere who first described the condition in 1861. It is usually seen in young and middle aged adults. 75% of cases occur in 30-60 year olds but it can occur in anyone, even children. The disease is diagnosed by an audiologist through clinical examination and audiometry test.  The relapsing nature of the disease may affect balance, hearing and the patient’s quality of life.

The exact cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown, but it is believed that build-up of excess fluid in the inner ear and the body’s inability to reabsorb the fluid plays an important role in creating the symptoms. Meniere’s disease affects 2 out of 1,000 people in the world. Approximately 100,000 people develop this disease every year. People who are at greater risk include those who had middle or inner ear infection, respiratory infection, head injury, those with a history of allergies, smoking, alcohol use and taking certain medicines like aspirin.

The primary signs and symptoms of Meniere’s disease can be a combination of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, sensitivity to loudness, impaired vision and feeling of fullness in the ear. A typical attack might start with a feeling of fullness in the ear, increasing tinnitus and hearing loss followed by severe vertigo which is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. An attack might last for 20 minutes to four hours or even longer, after which signs and symptoms improve. Attacks often occur in cluster, for example you could have severe vertigo and only mild tinnitus or you could have mild vertigo, severe hearing loss and frequent tinnitus. Episodes could be frequent or there may be periods of remissions in between for weeks or months. The frequency, duration and severity of each episode vary, especially early in the disease. Although Meniere’s disease is considered a chronic condition, various treatment strategies can help relieve symptoms and minimize its long-term impact on patient’s life. An MRI is often suggested to rule out tumour of 8th cranial nerve.

The prevalence of hearing loss in India was estimated to be around 5.9 to 16.56 per cent. More than 5 million Indians suffer from hearing impairment. According to the WHO, India is among the countries that have the highest prevalence of hearing loss. It is estimated that there are more than 500,000 people affected by Meniere’s disease in India. The increasing number of cases is attributed to the increasing risk of air pollution, noise pollution and chemical toxicity.

The treatment of ear disorder in India dates back to the early fourth century through the use of Ayurvedic Medicine.  However, Audiology is relatively new only half a century ago. Audiologists are specialists that help in diagnosing and treating patients of Meniere’s disease and other hearing related damage. Audiology has grown exponentially during this short period of time and made significant progress in the treatment of hearing loss. A large proportion of audiologists in India are performing test, post-surgical rehabilitation for cochlear implants and hearing aid fitting in children as well as adults. However, the number of audiologist is not enough to help the growing number of people with hearing disability. There is a severe shortage of audiologist in the country. No matter how audiologists want to be part of the solution, the ratio between audiologist means each specialist should handle 20,000 patients a day which is impossible. Due to this shortage, many people with hearing disability go untreated. This is situation is impending the government’s hope of eradicating hearing impairment in the next 20 years.

Emotional instability, stress and improper diet are the common trigger factors for Meniere’s disease.  There are many ways from many cultures to treat Meniere’s disease. In Ayurveda in India the disease is believed to happen because of Vata and Pitta disorder. Excess heat (Pitta) can produce symptoms like vertigo, headaches and migraine while Vata can cause tinnitus or ringing in the ear. Ayurvedic treatments are very successful in treating Meniere’s disease and its accompanying symptoms since it produces balance from the root cause. Patients just need to follow certain diet, take Ayurvedic herbs and implement lifestyle changes.

In traditional Chinese medicine the ideas about the cause of Meniere’s disease has a direct link with the kidney (shen) and the endocrine system. Kidney qi weakens with age and hearing difficulty as well as failure in vision arises as a result. Chinese medicine treatment of Meniere’s disease is based on dealing with symptoms, eliminating condition of excess and tonifying the body in case of deficiency. The treatment aims to nourish yin, detoxify the kidneys and replenish the body. Taking special Chinese herbs, patent Chinese medicine such as Qiju Dihuang bolus, Guipi bolus, Fugui Bawei , Longdan Xiegan is recommended. Acupuncture and moxibustion are also helpful for alleviating the symptoms of tinnitus and vertigo.

In Western medicine treatment comprises of symptom management, medication, chemical ablation and surgery is considered. Medical treatments are aimed to reduce symptoms, prevent hearing loss and reduce the severity of attacks. Doctors recommend low sodium diets to help control water retention and reduce inner-ear fluid pressure. Doctors may prescribe medication to reduce vertigo and nausea to lessen the severity of the attack. To reduce fluid retention (diuretic) medications can also be prescribed. Noninvasive therapies and procedures, such as vestibular rehabilitation therapy, hearing aid and Meniett device can benefit people with Meniere’s disease. Surgery is needed if the symptoms are severe and the patient does not respond to other treatments. Surgical procedures may include endolymphatic sac procedures, vestibular nerve section or labyrinthectomy. People experiencing symptoms of Meniere’s disease should consider all options and seek medical advice to find out what particular treatment is right for them.

 

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A Rich History of Furniture in India

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Furniture manufactured in India has garnered appreciation all over the world, but not many people are aware of the tradition and history of Indian furniture. India has a long and rich history as far as wooden furniture is concerned. Furniture making in India is heavily influenced by the country’s art and literature. Furniture making has been practiced in India since 1336 AD during the Vijayanagar Empire. The empires and the kings from southern India are the primary patrons. Furniture making was considered more of an art and trade. Craftsmen were held in high esteem by the royalty because they were able to preserve legends and folklore in wood. The conventional and standard furniture items can be found in ancient temples and modern buildings.

Most people sat, eat and slept on the floor because of the extreme climate of Rajasthan. In the early days only utilitarian furniture like low chairs and charpoys are used in palaces, temples or public houses. The conventional furniture we know today was developed from foreign influence. The Portuguese were the first European that came to India, they influence the domestic furniture making in the country. Indian carpenters were commissioned to produce copies of the furniture Portuguese used to at home. Indian furniture makers are precocious in adapting their foreign designs but they created a combination of eastern and western styles. Indians used the vast number of local tree species in manufacturing Portuguese designed furniture

Foreign culture continues to influence Indian furniture making as the British, French and Dutch commissioned the Indians to manufacture their own furniture designs. The amalgamation of European sensibilities and Indian craftsmanship was known as Anglo-Indian furniture. The foreign influences paved the way to Mughal style, Goanese, Indo-Dutch style and the use of ebony and ivory like the Chippendale and Sheraton. The English predominance in the 18th century resulted in English furniture styling and give teak the popularity in quality furniture. The ornamentation assumed primacy in the 19th century.

In the 20th century utility and simplicity gained primacy over art and ornamentation. Price consideration drove the ornamentation to the minimum as cheaper wood varieties were used to cater to the low cost demand. Antique and ornamental furniture were manufactured and exported to Western customers. Indian furniture makers still continue to be renowned to convert wood into great pieces of furniture. Locally found wood such as teak, sandal, mango and coconut are widely used in the manufacture of tables, chairs, entertainment units, bed, armoire and other decorative pieces.

The majority of modern Indian furniture today is made from Himalayan teak, acacia, rosewood and mango. Some furniture is recycled from old discarded furniture and crumbling traditional Indian mansions and palaces in the villages. The recovered pieces like old doors and panels are crafted to make new furniture. The luxury lifestyle furniture such as charpais (string beds) almaris (cupboards) jhulas (swings) ornamented master beds and old fashioned round tables with bloated legs are making a comeback in furniture stores lately.

Indian maintains its traditional way of using simple tools in the manufacturing process. Despite the rapid developments in information and technology, Indian furniture is still carved from traditional tools. Because of this the wooden furniture pieces retains its ethnicity. The traditional furniture making process made Indian furniture the symbol of durability and elegance.

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12 Organisations Helping Indian Students Around The Globe

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Studying abroad is an exciting prospect for many Indian students. Better educational quality, travel opportunity and other factors may compel them to leave the country and gain qualification in overseas schools. Venturing to a new country with different culture is not easy; students will surely face problems and obstacles. But there are organisations, government, cultural and even private companies, who can provide a listening ear to Indian students who get into difficulty and help make their student experience easier. Here’s a list of 12 organisations helping Indian students around the globe.

1. Indian Students Association
ISA is a non-profit student organisation in different colleges and universities abroad that strives to unify all Indian students. It was formed to create cultural awareness, promote Indian tradition and unite Indian students with different ethnic backgrounds. It aims to spread Indian culture and provide students with a community. It’s like a family away from home.

2. AIESEC
AIESEC is an international non-governmental not-for-profit organisation run by students and recent graduates of institutions of higher education that develops leadership to young people through experiential learning, volunteer experiences and professional internships. It enables employers and students across India to connect with global network of talent.

3. Indian Graduate Students Organisation (IGSO)
IGSO is a non-profit organisation which supports every cause of the Indian student community in the triple cities area. They have programs to help Indians who want to pursue their educational aspirations. They organise different cultural activities and regular events including sport tournaments, movie shows, spiritual lectures and coffee hours to give students a break from strenuous academics at Binghamton University. They ensure that each student is nestled in a family like environment.

4. International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE)
ICYE is an international non-profit youth exchange organisation that started in India in 1983 promoting youth mobility, intercultural learning and international voluntary service, in more than 40 countries around the world. ICYE is a leader in international youth exchange programmes that enhances student’s intercultural understanding and commitment to peace and justice.

5. ACM Group
ACM Group is a community of Asian people in Sydney which provide moral support to Indian students and new arrivals to Australia in the form of advice and communications. ACM Group help foster positive interaction between Australians, Asians and Asian Australians through art, music, culture, social events and other interactive cultural activities.

6. ASHANET
Asha for Education is an organisation dedicated to change in India by focusing on basic education because they believe education is a critical requisite for socio-economic change. They are involved with support projects that are education related. Asha helps students get better access to education, nutrition and health care.

7. Foundation for Excellence (FFE)
FFE is a non-profit organisation based in California which provides the largest scholarship programs in India. They help exceptionally talented but poor students in India become doctors, engineers, and computer scientists. They award scholarships to high school students and help them secure admissions to quality engineering and medical colleges.

8. Federation of Indian Student Associations in Australia (FISA)
FISA aims to unify Indian students in Australia and integrate them with the Australian community. It provides a long lasting communication network from university unions and organisations and other associations. FISA helps increase the spiritual, political, social and economic strength of Indian students in Australia.

9. Bradman Foundation
The Bradman Foundation with partnership from University of Wollongong offers undergraduate scholarship to Indian students. The scholarship grant has been established with the blessing of Sir Donald Bradman to provide Indian students with opportunity for educational advancement and to promote cricket as a cultural and sporting force.

10. The United States – India Educational Foundation (USIEF)
USIEF enable the most outstanding students, academics and professionals in India to study, research and engage in work experiences in the US. Selected scholars receive a high level of support ranging from visa processing and health insurance to a comprehensive pre-departure orientation.

11. UPAKAR – Indian-American Scholarship Foundation
UPAKAR’s goal is to address the needs of Indian American community by supporting students in their academic pursuits. They help educate high school counsellors who are middle and low income to realize their educational goals by providing annual scholarship and financial aid. They host benefit concerts and art shows that feature local south Asian artist to help raise awareness for their cause.

12. National Indian Students Union – UK
NISU is an organisation that represent Indian and Asian students in the UK from India and home-grown. NISU is not just an organisation but a movement. This youth led movement unifies the voice of Indians in the UK, through their students and alumni to bring about change in society. It aims to make Indian students life comfortable and enriching.

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Women’s Health in India: A Business Opportunity Also?

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India is the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.29 billion people. 48.4% of the total population is female. Despite the two decades of rapid economic growth in India, women’s health is generally worse than other countries. Indian women usually suffer from different health concerns due to poor nutrition, reproductive issues, medical problems, mental problems, low social status, poverty and violence. The health of Indian women has a direct link to their status in the society. Because of discrimination, women’s health lags behind those of males.

Women in India face issues like lack of maternal health, malnutrition, suicide, domestic violence, breast cancer and diseases like AIDS. More than 70% of women in India have some kind of health problem due to inadequate knowledge. Lack of maternal health decreases women’s ability to work and participate in economic activities and it adversely affect their child’s health. Maternal mortality in India contributes to nearly 20% of maternal deaths worldwide. High levels of maternal mortality can be attributed to limited access to care and disparities of economic conditions. Urban areas with adequate medical resources have lower maternal mortality compared to rural areas. States with higher literacy rates tend to have greater maternal health and lower infant mortality.

India has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in women among developing countries. Maternal malnutrition is associated with child birth defects and increased risk of maternal mortality. The government needs to address the issues on malnutrition to have a beneficial outcome to women and children. Suicide is a major problem in India, suicide rate was found higher in women compared to men in India. The most common reasons for women’s suicide are depression, gender discrimination, domestic violence and anxiety. Female sex workers who face different forms of discrimination has higher suicide rate.

Domestic violence in physical, psychological and sexual form is a major issue in India. Domestic violence is currently viewed as a hidden epidemic by the World Health Organisation. 31% of women in India reported to having been the victim of domestic violence but the actual number could be much higher. A study found that more poor women fall victim to domestic violence compared to middle and high-income women. One of the biggest factors associated with domestic violence against women in India was the prevalence of alcohol use by men within the households. Physiotherapy and Psychotherapy plays a major role in rehabilitating victims of domestic violence.

There is a growing cancer epidemic in India, with a large increase in the number of Indian women with cancer particularly breast and cervical cancer. Middle aged women between 40 and 55 years especially those from the lower economic status who fail to carry out regular health check-ups due to financial constraints are mostly affected by cancer. Early detection through regular screening such as mammography and colposcopy can aid in significantly controlling the prevalence of cancer in the country.

HIV and AIDS epidemic in India is spreading rapidly affecting women’s health. Women represent approximately 40% of HIV cases in India. Despite the alarming growth of the disease, most women in India have little knowledge of AIDS. A study found that a large majority of Indian women had never heard of it. The rise in infections can primarily be attributed to lack of education and lack of access to contraceptives like condoms. The government public health system should provide education and adequate measures such as free HIV testing to combat the growing epidemic.

More than forty-eight per cent of Indian population are female. Women’s health in India presents a big business opportunity for enterprising companies. The opportunities for companies to cater to women are enormous. They could find a whole new range of commercial opportunities in women’s health concerns. The growing population and rising health needs of women may create new opportunities for companies to meet these challenges. Healthcare is one of India’s largest sectors in terms of revenue and employment. The healthcare is comprised of hospitals, medical tourism, clinical trials, health insurance, medical equipment, telemedicine and outsourcing. The healthcare sector in India is growing at a rapid pace and any company will be wise to target this growing sector.

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Pests Threatening Indian Agriculture Require Vigilance

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Agriculture is the keystone of the Indian economy and the largest contributor to the country’s GDP. Over 58% of the rural households rely on agriculture as their primary means of livelihood. Ensuring food security for more than 1.3 billion population is an arduous task considering the diminishing cultivable land resource because of urbanization. Agricultural pest contribute to a great degree in agricultural loss. It has caused losses virtually on enumerable number of crops.

India may face an increase crop losses and growing insecurity as agricultural pests, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects and weeds are spreading. Pests belong to a broad spectrum of organism which causes annoyance, harm or damage to people, animals, crops or possessions. They harm the ecology by preying directly on native fauna, decreasing their number and the balance on ecology. Pests harm agriculture by feeding on crops or parasitizing livestock. Plants need to be protected from variety of different pests that presents threat to the crops.

Farm pest in India destroy about 15 – 25% of potential food production each year amounting to Rs 0.9-1.4 lakh crore. The threat posed to crop production by agricultural pest can threaten food security in India in the coming years. This loss happens despite the application of pest control. The causes of pest outbreaks and crop losses are due to different factors creating changes in the agricultural ecosystem. Outbreaks can impair fertilization rates or seed recovery. The use of pesticide destroys beneficial natural enemies, damage crops and alters physiology of crops making them susceptible to pest attack.

Pests attack a crop, that’s why farmers must be diligent in looking for solution. Some pests appear due to certain weather patterns, too much or too little rain can trigger pest outbreak. Sudden pest outbreak could ruin a whole season’s worth of planting and cultivation, leading to financial loss. The most direct economic impact of agricultural pest is the reduced efficiency of agricultural production may it be crops or animals, which reduces farmers’ income.

Pest threatening Indian agriculture requires vigilance. There are plenty of issues for farmers need to watch for in their fields because it will significantly affect the yield of their crop. The threat post by agricultural pest is not only ecological but social as well because Indian farmers are tied to traders by debt and dependent on traders for technical advice. Some farmers resorted to illegal activities like teak smuggling to pay their debts. Suicide through ingestion of insecticide becomes prevalent due to insecticide-induced depression over debts.

Many of the known pest control methods and technologies provide economic benefits when used in a satisfactory manner. Crop protection products such as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides are chemical method of pest control management. By their nature, crop protection can be toxic against the targets they are aimed at but sometimes have a negative impact on agriculture. Some people and ecological institutions are calling for the non-use of chemical pesticides because they present serious effect on public health.

Part of the vigilance in pest management in India is raising awareness of the vast range of pest that threaten agricultural crops. The use of low external inputs and traditional techniques by using non-chemical alternatives is widely advocated. The efforts are broadly classified as integrated pest management, low external input sustainable agriculture and organic agriculture. Other sustainable agricultural initiatives based on these principles proved to be successful. Among the three IPM is the most commonly recommended and widely adopted. These technology options could help create sustainable ways and decrease the needs for expensive and undesirable effects of chemical pesticides and promote greater production.

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The ABC of Telecommunications in India: Advancements Beyond Culture

The-ABC-of-Telecommunications-in-India-Advancements-Beyond-CultureTelecommunication has been an important tool for socio-economic development of a nation. Telecommunication industry is considered the backbone of industrial and economic development of the nation. Telecom is needed for rapid growth and modernization of the different sectors of the economy. Telecommunication in India is the fastest growing market in the world. India is currently the second-largest telecommunications market in the world. The rapid growth is substantially contributing to India’s gross domestic product. As per Mobile Economy 2015 report, the industry has been a major contributor to India’s growth accounting to 6.1 per cent of India’s GDP in 2014.

The telecommunications in India have seen great advancement beyond culture through significant policy reforms with the announcement of the New Telecom Policy 1994 and carried forward under NTP 1999. The policy initiatives drove the phenomenal growth in telecommunication in the last two decades. Telecom in India is a spectacular success after deregulation and liberalization. The degree of achievements stand out compared to other infrastructure sectors such as coals, roads and electricity. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the government  played a strong role for this unqualified success.

The advancements in telecommunication in India can be attributed to regulatory liberalization, structural reforms and competition. The telecom growth can be seen in the unprecedented grown in mobile telephony, the number of mobile subscribers grew from 5,000,000 in the year 2000 to 280,742,532 in June 2015. The figures only validate the importance of access to communication particularly the internet. Internet access opens opportunities for all people connected. It’s a way to get access to information particularly on the issues of health, education, banking, market information and government services.

The only downside to the increasing internet access is the growing use of telecom to commercial sex industry. In India, commercial sex is a multibillion dollar industry which includes adult phone sex services, strip clubs, massage brothels and escort prostitution. Although adult lines are forbidden in India explicit materials and advertisements like the Star Wars Phone Sex Hotline continue to proliferate with the video sharing sites like YouTube. The government required internet service providers to block 857 objectionable websites and the list is growing. Telecom officials said the censorship is meant to control easy access to sexually explicit materials to promote moral decency and protect children. But the ban maybe revised to apply only to sites containing child pornography or depicting dangerous sexual scenarios. This moved was done after India’s internet user’s fire up on social media with angry rants, accusing the government of infringing personal freedom and moral policing.

Telecommunications in India has been instrumental in creating jobs for talented and knowledgeable IT professionals. India became an important outsourcing destination for the world transforming the economic dynamics. Another sector benefited by the advancement in telecom is the financial services. The growth and progress in the financial industry has been the key factor that drives the real economy. The telecommunication industry in India will continue its growth because of the immense market potential. It still continues to be the lowest penetrated market with 28.3% population penetration. The increasing government thrust on rural telecom coverage, liberalization, positive reforms and favourable investment climate will help insure that India will realize the high potential in the years to come.

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Children’s Health In India: The Ultimate Frontier

Our children are our future. But what are some of the gravest challenges to children’s health in India? Lack of sanitation … water issues, food, environmental problems?

India even with their leap and advancements in the tech industry are still struggling in managing health especially with regards to their children. One of the reasons behind this is that in India, 84% of all health care expenditure is out of the pocket. High health expenses places huge number of families at risk of falling into poverty. As such, malnourishment becomes something that millions of children in India are at risk with. Furthermore, children with mental issues are not given the necessary attention especially since there are little to no services of programmes that revolve around them. In addition, children with disabilities and mental disorders are stigmatized and hence have little access to health facilities. Something like auditory processing can be a struggle that a lot of parents in India face.

Another thing to note is that when compared to the world, India actually ranks as one with the poorest health records along with the highest TB prevalence. Polio eradication is actually backsliding and every three out of four children have anaemia. Health indicators differ greatly across the country with varying social sector budget. Its mental health budget stays at 1% of the total health budget.

Two million children die every year from diseases that could have been prevented according to UNICEF India. Even though prospects for India’s children seem to be improving, there is still a lot more that needs to be done as it still lags behind the world.  During infancy, less than 50% of children receive full immunization and this number has been dropping over the years.

One of the main problems with regards to children’s health in India can be attributed poor sanitation. Despite longstanding efforts by the various levels of education government and communities at improving coverage, drinking water supply and sanitation in India continues to be insufficient. As such, the lack of adequate sanitation and clean water result to significant negative health impacts that affected both children and adults alike. In fact, diarrhea is experienced by about 10 million visitors annually.

Despite the efforts of the government behind its mass toilet-building programme, there are millions of Indians who continue to defecate in the open despite having a household toilet. This is mostly found in the rural areas of India where people find going outdoors to be much more comfortable and this resulted to the rejection of new latrines making them mostly unused. This in turn lead to children becoming highly exposed to a bacterial brew which makes them sick resulting to them unable to attain a healthy body weight no matter how much food they eat.

Children’s health in India is indeed something that needs to be addressed. There is more that needs to be done and the government will not be able to fix the problem on their own and they need to work hand in hand with the community and share with the efforts in providing a safe and clean environment that benefit everyone and mostly the children. It is also important to help them realize how their old ways and practices are affecting and holding their growth and development.

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Indian Technology Companies: Matching The World For Innovation

In the past, one would not have imagined India to be amongst the leaders with regards to technological innovation. With that being said, India has been steadily keeping up with the pace and is now able to match the world for innovation, particularly with the products and services that they provide to their clients on a regular day to day basis. Indian technology companies are matching the world for innovation in the 21C.

A huge part of India’s success can be attributed to the huge increase rise of smartphone users. Since 2013, the number of smartphone users in India has ballooned significantly and will reach 168 million this year, the research firm eMarketer predicts, with 277 million Internet users in India expected over all which a very impressive figure. It is no surprise that a number of individuals find India Replacing China as Next Big Frontier for U.S. Tech Companies. In fact, India already conducts more mobile searches on Google than any country besides the United States.

A testament to their huge success can be seen with Bangalore which has now become widely known as India’s Silicon Valley. Previously, it was once known for its lush farmlands however today it is now home to some of the best international and domestic technology companies which are creating millions of jobs for young Indian engineers from all across the country. It should be noted that the nickname, Silicon Valley of India signifies Bangalore’s status as a hub for IT companies in India and is a comparative reference to the original Silicon Valley, Santa Clara Valley, California, a major hub for IT companies in the United States.

You will find the Top 10 Information Technology Companies in India 2015 which includes giants like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, HCL. The other prominent companies in the top 10 are Rolta, Cyient, Oracle Financial Services, Mphasis & Mindtree. As such, you will not be finding any shortage of information technologies in India that is able to compete and ready to take on the world.

This is the reason why several companies outside India have taken an interest in what they have to offer the world. For instance, Google and Microsoft have a plan to get all of India onto the internet. This is quite apparent especially with the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi meeting with the biggest tech companies in Silicon Valley. Among those jostling for the Asian premier’s attention include the likes of Google, Facebook, and Tesla. This is the reason why many feel that India’s future with regards to world innovation is becoming even more promising than ever before.

A number of people want to learn the secret of India’s success. As such, there are Investors to Scrutinize India’s Information Technology Company Earnings. Analysts expect Infosys Ltd. and Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., India’s two largest outsourcers by sales, to show healthy growth when they report their earnings.

Moving forward requires companies to take some risk, if they are to make use of the latest innovations, and to be able keep themselves relevant in their industry. Sharepoint is able to provide their clients with the ability to  integrate such technologies to their respective companies. It eases the way information is stored, organised and shared, making it possible to access them from almost any device. This is what several Indian technology companies have been using to make it possible for them to keep connected at any given time.

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Commercial Security: Will Your Business Investments Be Safe In India?

Commercial-Security-Will-Your-Business-Investments-Be-Safe-In-IndiaIndia is the seventh largest country in the world and the second most populated country in the world. India has a high rate of economic growth with huge potential. With high human capital, India is a main workforce venue for foreign companies to hire because of inexpensive work force. But the high rate of corruption and many business scammers pose a main problem for investors to start and develop their businesses in the country. India offers a variety of investment opportunities. But will your business investments be safe in India? With lower fiscal deficit and current account deficit, high growth, stable currency and moderate inflation, India’s Finance Minister assured foreign investors that India is a safe place to invest. On top of that Indian economy is more liberal and free from government regulation.

India’s middle class is estimated to be 267 million people. For these reason, many international companies in different fields from clothing to cars have arrived, manufacture and market their goods in India. More and more companies are entering and establishing their business in India. The critical aspect of doing business in India is keeping inventory and people safe at the business location to prevent loss and protect assets. There is a continuous security problem due to terrorism, left wing extremism and local crime. Security becomes the key concern for businesses, individuals and the government. Matters of security should be taken seriously no matter your business size or industry. Small businesses can protect themselves and their customers by staying informed about commercial security.

According to a study, India’s security market is highly fragmented and unorganized. That is why it is important for business owners to keep their premises safe. Commercial security is the method by which a business protects against fire, theft, damage or destruction. Common security techniques include installation of lock, key, fire and alarm systems to ensure the safety of the premises because commercial buildings are a prime target of criminal mischief. Traditionally, large companies tend to invest in manned security systems, with private security agencies on the payroll whose job simply involves protecting the premises.

In the age of digital technology, it is more effective and affordable to replace manned security with integrated business alarm system with remote monitoring solution. This can be done without compromising the level of security using modern technology. Custom security solution can be fitted and installed on your premises to ensure safety and security. Business premises will be safe for employees, clients and customers with the use of intelligent electronic systems. Along with physical security devices such as locks, bar, grill and alarm; having an easy to see commercial security system will deter criminals from doing harm to your business. Your video system that record the activities in your business can be used in court to prove a crime and helpful to catch thieves and accidents.

India is the fifth largest economy in the world. It offers variety of investment opportunities in different sectors from financial service, energy, banking, agriculture, mining, textile and retail. You’ll find that India is a good lucrative market for business. With variety of safety and security techniques available, it is up for you how you are going to keep your business and investments safe.

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Linen Sheets From India Are Status Symbols

The Indian sub-continent (generally core lands of India Pakistan Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan Sri Lanka and the Maldives, more recently referred to as South Asia) has had a long history of involvement in textiles manufacture and production.

Traditionally the textiles industry in India generated huge employment, second only to agriculture and contributes a significant proportion of India’s total exports.

Thousands of fabric weaving factories and textile finishing factories exist across India. Fabrics produced include jute, silk, cotton and wool. Less known but highly valued is linen, used for home textiles in addition to garments.

Production ranges from hand looms to mass manufacturing. Flax fields in northern France supply 60% of the raw materials for the world’s linen, a significant proportion of which is exported to India where it is processed into finished production of items including linen sheets, other home textiles and linen shirts.

According to Bloomberg Business a linen shirt is a status symbol, this is underpinned by the Indian prime Minister’s love of linen kurtas, although the US and Europe remain the biggest markets for linen.

On websites around the planet, and in quality bedding shops in the finest suburban areas in the world’s wealthiest cities, customers can purchase fine French flax woven to specific needs (especially wide, fine and durable) resulting in finished pieces including a range of luxurious linen sheets and table linen, featuring hand-worked drawn thread work and hand-embroidered monograms.

An article in Vogue magazine India www.vogue.in earlier this year reviewed an ongoing exhibition at the Devi Art Foundation entitled ‘Fractured’ where 20 textile artists from varying disciplines reinvent Indian textiles in a modern context and the innovations are something our entire global Indian community can be very proud of.

The Fractured exhibition features form and colour collaborations from diverse artists in various textiles media, and for lovers of lifestyle inspiration, the results are so luxurious as to take our breath away.

One thing is for sure, we Indians can sleep easy when we know our linen sheets have been lovingly crafted by our wonderful artisans – and that the quality is so sound that the sheets and table linen may even last for generations.

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Will The Law Protect Foreign Business Investors In India?

India has had a bad reputation in the international business world for companies that come over here to do business. They have had to pay kick backs, baksheesh, to get things done and the black market in India is a huge source of illegal and pirated goods. Things are changing, however, as the modernisation of India continues and the growing middle class demands a fully functioning economy. The government is being forced to balance its protectionist stance with new laws to open up India to greater levels of foreign investment.

In 2006, foreign companies were given, for the first time, legal permission to own one hundred percent of wholesale cash and carry businesses in India. To prevent these foreign entities from operating within the retail sector the government introduced a raft of restrictions relating to group company sales. Some foreign corporations searched for loopholes in the legislation and formed partnerships with Indian retailers to allow them to reap their supply chain economic advantages. The government determined later that these company structures violated the intentions of the regulations and many foreign partners were forced to get out of these joint ventures. Compensation lawyers were consulted in some of these cases.

In 2011, the Indian government allowed foreign companies to own one hundred percent of single-brand retail operations, and at the same time to own fifty one percent of multi-brand retail operations. There was much local opposition to this opening up of the market and the multi-brand opportunity was revoked, before being reintroduced in 2012 with a host of new onerous regulations. Foreign ownership was only allowed in towns with populations greater than one million, and state bodies were given discretionary powers to ban them anyway if they so desired. Foreign businesses were required to invest at least $100 million and fifty percent of that amount had to be put into back-end infrastructure within the first three years. In addition, thirty percent of the products sold by these multi-brand, foreign controlled, retail operations had to be sourced locally from India. The result is that very few major brands have opened stores in India.

Indian companies can only borrow in foreign currency under extremely restrictive conditions imposed by the reserve Bank of India (RBI). In 2007, the RBI changed the way they viewed equity investments in the form of debt or preferred securities, treating them as illegal ways to circumvent their rules on foreign currency loans. The RBI went on to prohibit put options on equity shares to Indian investors and other such structures that foreign investors were utilising to reduce their risk in the Indian market.

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16 Ways To Promote Your Business In India

16-Ways-To-Promote-Your-Business-In-IndiaPromoting your business using traditional and digital media increases awareness of your brand, reaches new buyers and extends buying choices for your existing customers. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years, promoting your business is an ongoing challenge. Whether your business is small, medium or big you can start planning your promotional campaign now. Let us give you some ideas; here are 16 ways to promote your business in India:

1. If your business focuses on a particular area, distributing flyers is a great way to promote your business. Have someone help you design the flyer and have the flyer printed in-house or look for an inexpensive printer. Let your staff distribute the flyers in traffic areas or have them put it on parked cars or house entry doors.
2. If you’re just starting out, having a business card and business stationery show prospective customers that you take your business seriously. Don’t forget to put your web address on your business card and letterhead. Get your cards into the hand of your family, friends or anyone who can help you in your search for new customers.
3. People normally research online before purchasing offline. You’ll have an online presence and stop being invisible to people trying to find you online if you have a website. Design your website to inform, engage and convert visitors to paying customers. Your website will serve as your internet shop where customers can come and get information about your company and you can address your customers’ concerns.
4. Having a website is not enough; search engine optimisation will help your company website be found by people easily online. SEO is an important strategy to get your website showing on the top of search engines like Google when people search for products or services related to your business. Look for how-to-guide on SEO online or look for professionals who can help your site rank higher for your preferred keywords.
5. Social media greatly increases awareness about your business. Add social media to your marketing mix by setting your business page up on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or any social networking sites your customers are most likely be hanging out. Social media isn’t just a tool to gain exposure but it can help generate engagement with your business and get more customers in your door.
6. Submit your website to local listing services and directories. Register your business with Google Places so that your website will be found more easily on Google searches and it will show up on Google Maps. Yahoo also has a large database of business called Yahoo Local which is free and it only takes a few minutes to sign up. Find trade organization sites and specialised directories, register your business, then verify and claim your information on these sites.
7. Join online community and participate in online forums related to your business. Join a community but avoid spamming or talking incessantly about your business. Don’t pitch just listen, comment, offer helpful advice and insights. Build rapport with community by actively contributing for the good of others. Passively promote your business by mentioning it once in a while when the context is appropriate.
8. Start a blog on your business website, Offer excellent content and update it regularly. People will comment and link to it, this increases your page ranking. Your blog will help your company to get its name to followers and connect with your consumers directly.
9. Put up video on video sharing sites like YouTube and Vimeo. Video is an easy way to distribute information about your business in a short time. Create creative content relevant to your business that people want to view. Videos that link to your site will help your site rank higher. Top ranking informative videos on YouTube that mention your site will drive traffic to your business site.
10. Promotional products provide the opportunity for your business to get your marketing message to targeted customers. Many people are willing to switch their brand just to receive a free promotional gift item. Use logo branded promotional products that your customers will actually use to brand your business. A study shows that 94% of people who received promotional products could remember who gave it two years later.
11. Promote your business using traditional media. Continue using print advertising that you found effective in the past. Be sure to include your web address in any display or classified advertisements you purchase in newspapers, yellow pages or magazines. Use the ad to capture readers’ attention then refer them to your business site to obtain more information. Use your website as supplement to these ads. You can also use other traditional media like direct mail, post cards and classifieds to drive people to your site.
12. Send offers to your customers and visitors. Send special offers, referral program, coupon specials and product updates to your customers and site visitors who provided their contact information. Special offers often initiate another visit to your site, if you have newsletter you can also include it to your regular emailing list.
13. People love getting something free. Run a contest and make the prize desirable and related to your business. Prizes can be free gift basket of your products or free services. Utilise social media to announce your contest. Prizes will attract people and generate more traffic to your site.
14. Social media ads prove to be cost effective compared to other digital advertisements. Learn how to play the game of Facebook or Twitter ads target specific demographics that have similar interest to your product. Even if people don’t make a purchase immediately because of the ad, many of them will end up liking your business page.
15. Find social media influencers like bloggers or important people in your community with many followers and ask them to review your product or service. Many will be happy to oblige if you give them free products that they can use. There is no better endorsement than a satisfied customer. And if you can’t find a blogger that will write a review about your product or services for free, the internet provides plenty of bloggers who will give a review for a fee. Endorsements are typically more effective but less expensive compared to advertisements.
16. If you use a car or company service for your business have your business name, contact information and URL professionally painted on the side. That way your vehicle becomes transit advertising for your business. If you don’t want your vehicle to be painted, consider getting a magnetic sign made for your vehicle. For one time cost, your business name and contact information will be on display everywhere you go.

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Waste Management in India: Opportunities in Rubbish

It is quite apparent that India has mountains of garbage, and the cities are drowning in sewage. Is there any hope?

It’s not like the government has not been taking actions to handle India’s waste crisis. However, there is more that can be definitely done. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) was a massive city-modernisation scheme launched by the Government of India under Ministry of Urban Development. It aims to create ‘economically productive, efficient, equitable and responsive Cities’ by a strategy of upgrading the social and economic infrastructure in cities. However, aside from that, there has been no national level effort found to address the problem.

This basically means that municipal corporations got their hands full and will not be able to deliver solutions right away. It should be noted that for about eight years, officials of Hyderabad’s municipal corporation have been conducting interviews with locals and were quite unsuccessful with their efforts. This can be attributed to the track record of dumpsite operations and maintenance in India making the task of finding new landfills in and around cities is nearly impossible along with the Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon. What corporations can do however is to take measures in their own hands by reducing landfill fires and open burning, and control pollution which is the result of leachate and odor and vector nuisance. This in turn, provides the needed relief to adjacent communities and allows corporations some time to plan better. Working closely with the community is also of utmost importance as they navigate through this sensitive issue. This is made possible by increasing clarity and transparency over such issue.

Indeed, waste management is a shared effort and should not be handled by the government and corporations by themselves. The community needs to join with the cause by practicing proper waste management procedures in an effort to reduce waste. Of course, waste will not go away overnight but such activities will make sure that this lessens over time.

Waste management goes under different category that needs to be separated from each other. This in turn makes recycling much easier and more efficient than before.  For instance, BMW of Bio-medical Waste means any waste generated in health care processes like diagnosis, treatment or immunisation of human beings or animals. BWM needs to be handled in a timely manner not it causing any adverse effect to human health and environment. It also needs to be segregated in containers at point of generation and handled and disposed off in accordance with prescribed standards.

Another popular waste product that is used on a regular basis is the batteries. It should be noted that batteries that are not disposed properly can end up to leak with used lead acid batteries and their components which can be very dangerous. As such, the community is advised to deposit used batteries with dealer, manufacturer, importer, assembler, recycler, re-conditioner or designated collection centres instead of throwing them away. Cleaners services of plastic waste also needs to be handled effectively especially since plastic takes a very long time for them to decompose compared to other types of waste. Finding the nearest recycling center is able to make waste management activity much easier to handle. We can only hope for the best with India’s waste management problem.

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Business Loans: The Risks & The Opportunities

Loans have helped a huge number of business owners start and manage their business. Companies can end up running out of resources which in turn require them to seek the aid of business loans or else they risk running out of business. Business loans have been in the industry for quite some having their fair share of risk & opportunities.

Business owners are required to pay a regular monthly payment for a set period of time with a standard small business loan. It should also be noted that unless it’s a variable rate loan, the payment amount and terms don’t adjust with time. Similar to money given to homeowners for home improvements and various expenses, some banks will extend you a line of credit to help fund your small business which is a very much welcomed addition. As such, businesses are able to find the much needed funding that they need to manage their company.

Business loans do play a very important role in helping provide companies backup funding that they need until they are able to reach a breakeven. There have been a number of loan officers that provide their services for small businesses. They step in where a traditional bank might not lend to a small business. They exist online, where a nice suit and an open face won’t impress them. As a result, their techniques are sometimes unorthodox.

With opportunities, also comes risk and business loans have the consequences of default. This is where lenders may seize your assets and collateral if one is unable to pay for their loan. With small business loans there is a risk that the bank may require borrowers to sign up for a business bank account to make automatic withdrawals to pay the obligation which is quite problematic if one is running out of resources. Bad loans often become a problem and the Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Indian Overseas Bank, SBI and Punjab National Bank are banks with a major share in bad loans. In fact, bad loans by public sector banks soar 27 pc in a year which is quite an alarming number.

Online Lenders does indeed offer a faster lifeline for small businesses and this is especially true today where obtaining a bank loan or credit line has always been painful. The paperwork takes days to prepare, approval decisions can drag on for weeks or months and this involves a tiresome and gruesome process. There is also a chance where your loan will not get granted wasting you a considerable amount of time as a result.

With that being said, RBS to suggest peer-to-peer lending to rejected business loan applicants. It should be noted that the RBS, provides a third of all lending to small and medium-sized enterprises in Britain, and they are expecting to advise thousands of businesses to contact peer-to-peer lenders Funding Circle and Assetz Capital.

It is important to be wary about business loans that can be approved with little to no effort. There have been cases in which a man attempted suicide as he was harassed by loan sharks. As such, when seeking a high-risk small business loan, you must expect to pay a very high interest rate. You don’t want to end up with an over increasing business loan so plan your actions carefully.

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Horse Racing Opportunities In India

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Horse racing in India  started more than a century ago, it was first introduced by the British. The first Indian racecourse was set up in Madras in 1777. The British aristocrats and other racing patrons were part of an elite social circle. Today, Royal families still own horses together with a new generation of sporting people including businessmen, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and professionals who are interested in the game. India today has a very well established racing industry with five Turf Authorities that conduct horse racing events at nine racetracks located around the country.

British in India viewed horse racing as a sport and past-time, betting and wagering on horses was exempted to the criminal sanctions imposed on gambling. The Supreme Court legitimized this activity in 1992 with a ruling that wagering on horse races is a game of skill and not just luck, that’s why it doesn’t constitute an illegal form of gambling. This ruling made the horse racing popularity reach an unprecedented level. Lotteries and betting on horses Win-at-Horse-Racing with a licensed bookmaker is exempted from the gambling ban. There are plenty of opportunities for Indian residents to bet on horse racing via the internet. There are no laws prohibiting people from placing bet and free bets  even with online bookmakers based abroad.

Horse racing opportunities in India is vast for people who want to make money in this sport. Horse racing is a profitable business; there are lots of ways a horse owner can make money. There are purses that can be won and money that can be made from using a winning horse as a stud. There’s also money in betting on horses to win. Even retired horses make money from renting his services to broodmares. Professional horse owners who want to make money employ the best trainers, jockey and staff to help ensure their horses win.

Racing also provides numerous opportunities for those who love riding and seeking to make a career in this sport. Horse racing offers a huge economic activity with multiple career options. Some jobs  require an intensive education and experience while others only require experience and high school education. At the administrative level, there are talented people who can work as racing officials, veterinary doctors and race day officials. Horse racing also gives a wide scope of employment opportunities through the club and several license holders.

Horse racing jobs include racetrack operation as well as those which require direct interaction with horses. There are many career options if you have the passion for this sport. Here are some possibilities for those seeking a career with horses:

Horse Jockey
A jockey rides racehorses in competition and delivers commands to encourage the horse to win. They participate in horse training and exercise regimen with horse trainer supervision.

Racehorse Trainer
Trainers oversee the total care of the horse and prepare horses for racing events. They work with jockeys, veterinarians, exercise rider and farriers to provide comprehensive care and maximise each horse’s performance.

Equine Veterinarian
Veterinarians give preventive health care and treat horse injuries. Track veterinarians perform pre-race inspections to determine of horses are fit to compete. They also care for injured horses on the racetrack premises. They take post-race samples for testing of banned and illegal medication. They also perform different exams at the request of horse owners and trainers.

Equine Veterinary Technician
Technicians provide assistance to veterinarians when they perform complete exams and surgical procedures. They must have a two year degree and pass licensure examination in this field.

Equine Dental Technician
Dental technicians are involve in horse dental care and ensures that the horse is eating and performing properly. They perform “floating” or removing sharp points from a horse’s teeth.

Horse Breeder
Breeders are in-charge for caring and raising horses and also sell offspring or charge for access to prized studs. They keep genealogies and detailed records of weight, diet and horse characteristics.

Riding Instructor
Instructors must be specialized in different riding disciplines such as saddle seat, hunt seat, dressage, reining and show jumping. They supervise students and direct them in training sessions and riding lessons.

Exercise Riders
Riders ride horses during morning workouts. Their work begins before down and normally ends before noon. They usually ride 6 to 8 horses each morning. Riders are licensed to be able to ride the racetrack.

Farrier
Farrier’s job is concerned with maintaining equine hooves. They perform routine trims, shape and apply horse shoes. On the average they attend each equine client about 7 times a year.

Groom
Grooms provide daily care for the horses and noting changes on the horse’s behaviour or body that might need veterinary care.

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Driving India Towards More Ethical Business Practices

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Traditional Indian business culture puts a premium on favours, clanship and friendship. Friendship is regarded with high value, whether based on personal friendship, family friendship or school friendship. Conflict of interest does not blend well with the Indian value of group loyalty. Businesses breaking the law in India are rampant. Tax evasion and corrupt practices are commonly seen from individual citizens to businesses of all kinds and scale.

Almost all of the unethical business behaviour in India can be seen in the areas which are government administration related whether national, state, city and village. This business culture even extends to million dollar businesses out of the country. Indian billionaire businessman Gautum Adani makes special request to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to introduce a law that prohibits environmental activist groups from seeking judicial review of environmental approvals for major projects like his coal mine, rail and port project in Queensland.

There are number of impractical or restrictive laws causing more corruption in public services and the citizen. Businessmen and common men are subjected to many conditions making them resort to corrupt practices. Corruptions happen in different ways such as speed money, nepotism, underhand commission, nuisance value, avoiding legal punishment by breaking the law. A study showed that the most corrupt areas in India are the legal system and the police. Many Indian business people now even have their own police escorts driving them not just around Indian cities, but all over the world.

21st century businesses are finding ways not to succumb to corrupt practices by the government. Transparency International analysis showed that businesses can manage to get their rights without going the routes of corruption. A firm resolve by company executives can make it possible for businesses to behave ethnically in its relationship with the government and private sectors. Adhering to ethical standard makes good business sense. There are good examples of successful and ethical businesses in India worth emulating. Three Indian companies made it to the 2015 World’s Most Ethical Companies including The Tata Power Company Limited, Wipro Limited, Tata Steel Limited.

The World’s Most Ethical Companies are leaders in their industries measured by key ethical criteria such as corporate social responsibility, employee well-being, environmental compliance and company track record. The three companies are shining example of how ethics can be the foundation of how companies function. Globalisation is driving India towards more ethical business practices. Today nsw compensation lawyers in India are increasingly integrated with businesses from highly industrialized countries that adhere to ethical business behaviour. Younger generation of Indian entrepreneurs are willing to adhere to ethical business standards. Most of their companies are now creating Chief Ethics Officer position for their business.

Digital technology helps to bring great transparency and sustainability in the system. Business organisations have discovered that working together with non-profit and government organisations not only solve social problems but can give them new insights and approaches to creating business opportunities. Helping to solve community needs creates opportunities and develops ideas and demonstrates business technologies, to widen the market, and solve longstanding business problems. In today’s global economy ethical business practices increase competitiveness in the industry while helping to further sustainable excellence.

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