All Posts by Himanshu Sheth

|In: General|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

Technology is changing at a rapid pace and so is our lifestyle. Many of us are just leading a sedentary lifestyle, without giving any conscious thought to fitness & lifestyle. We are getting entangled in a fast-paced life-style and are getting more & more addicted to junk or less healthy food options like pizza, burgers, soft drinks, etc. Consumption of such kind of food & drinks results in lack of overall nutrients in the body, which might result in side-effects like obesity, malnourishment, etc. Hence, instead of just focusing on mental health and well-being, it is important that we also focus on our all-round well-being. ?Less protein intake affects health which can result in hair fall at a young age, muscle deterioration, etc.

Image Source – Protein Supplements

This is where protein supplements can play an important role in shaping up your body and also increase the overall muscle mass. Many men prefer to buy whey protein or occasionally check other supplements like endura mass by checking endura mass powder price on health related websites like Wellness Forever. All these supplements come in different flavors, so choose the one that suits your taste buds 🙂

Let’s look into some important aspects about whey protein powder*

  1. Whey powder has all the nine amino acids that are important for protein synthesis.
  2. It can be used by both men as well as women, but it should be used as per their existing body capacity and after consultation with a nutritionist.
  3. It is fast digesting and is an ideal protein supplement for fat loss, as well as muscle building.
  4. They have anti-cancer properties, lower cholesterol and some studies also mentioned that it reduced blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

Whey protein powder is available from various brands and hence it is of utmost importance that you look into its ingredients before buying them. Another protein supplement that is in demand is the ‘b protein powder’ and the b protein powder price in India is also in the same range as other protein supplements. Though these supplements are good for overall muscle and personality development, you can get best results when you exercise regularly. Consuming high dose of any protein supplement can result in significant side effects namely – stomach pains, acne, fatigue, reduced appetite, nausea, headache, etc. hence do not take more amounts to expect fast results.

So far, we have touched upon on how consuming protein powder can have a significant impact on the body mass, but there are many other advantages. Dietary supplements improve the diet and since you are in the process of transformation, you would always prefer eating healthy food, rather than junk food. This means that it brings your diet also on track and even if you leave consumption of these supplements, you can lead a healthy life by using the lethal combination of ‘healthy diet + regular workout + meditation‘.

For buying the protein supplements, you can either go to the nearby chemist in your locality who might charge you on MRP or you can order them from the convenience of your home from pharmacies like Wellness Forever that follow a hybrid online-offline approach. They also have 24*7 home deliveries and their team has a significant amount of expertise in the domain.

We would like to hear your stories on how protein supplements shaped your life/career and some tips on how it boosted your confidence, do leave them in the comments section. 

References* – Medical News Today

|In: Finance|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

The oil & gas industry in India sector has been action-packed in a last couple of years. There have been many changes and new declarations by not only the organizations but also by the government. The results were both motivating and disappointing for different companies. Some gained big time while the others went into losses. Many factors were found responsible for creating the volatile market for example exchange rate fluctuations, sanctions on Iran, Euro Zone debt crisis, crude price movements, and many others.

Image Source – Stock Market

As per the market news, the main factors that is going to create a massive effect on the performance of the oil and gas industry in India in the medium term are the following:

  • There have been several Gas supply concerns which were highlighted in the medium term
  • Increased gap in the demand-supply in the domestic gas market
  • Volatility in the crude prices
  • The Depreciating value of the rupee
  • Muted outlook for gross refining margins
  • Diesel, kerosene and LPG prices is still under government control
  • Uncertainty over regulations
  • Subsidy sharing pattern continue to be volatile
  • Controlled gas prices
  • Sustained strong demand for petroleum products in domestic market

These factors have influenced some of the companies. Here we talk about these companies along with our investment take. This will give you a peep into the share prices of some of the companies like Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd share price.

Beginning with Cairn India, it is the best proxy on the crude prices with a cheap valuation. Another one that deserves a highlight is the Oil India. Oil India seems to have a robust production growth which plays on reforms and also has a huge cash balance. Next in line is the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation that has an under valuation to international peers relatively that plays on reforms too. Talking about the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, it has a big upstream value and is less sensitive to the vagaries of subsidy sharing. The Petronet LNG whereas has the increasing domestic gas demand with the expectations of weak LNG prices. Also, briefing about the Gujarat State Petronet Limited, it supposedly has long term growth in gas supplies with an attractive valuation.

Coming over to the Reliance Industries, it enjoys our Market Performer rating. Detailing more on the Reliance Industries, it has a basic business of refining & petrochemicals which is still found being in the stress and also its KG-D6 volumes are having a sustained fall. Now comes the GAIL [Gas Authority of India Limited], it has the risk to earnings from the regulations and also has a reduction in the petrochemical lucratively if the gas prices are increased. Talking about the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, it has an increased risk to earnings from the subsidy sharing mechanism with a high leverage. Lastly, we will talk about the Indian Oil Corporation, it has a limited upside potential. Hope we have given you some insight on the Best oil and gas stocks to buy this year.

|In: Finance|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

Maintaining a physical record of every important piece of paper is exhausting. You have to store them for an infinite period of time, not knowing when you might need to use or refer to them. There is also the constant fear of files getting lost, misplaced, destroyed, or stolen. What’s more, keeping paper records is more time-consuming than simply using a computer. All these cons are amplified even further when the documents in question are as valuable and irreplaceable as shares and securities.

Image Source – Demat Account

In order to sidestep the complication that arises from taking physical possession of certificates, shareholders in India use demat accounts. A demat account allows investors to hold their shares in an electronic format that is achieved through the process of de-materialization. Its functions are similar to those of a savings account – securities are debited or credited as per transactions made and you can check the value of your holdings. An individual can deposit different kinds of investments, including government securities, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds.

Importance of Demat Account

For investors, this form of paperless trading has become a necessity. This is because a Demat account provides the opportunity to invest in a variety of assets ranging from gold ETFs to commodity futures. And that’s not all. Having a demat account is also important for the following reasons:

1. Safe Repository of Shares

As mentioned earlier, the storage of stocks in their physical form is often difficult. Demat accounts help you maintain a safe and systematic record of all your transactions while eliminating the risk of loss or misplacement. Additionally, they keep you protected from threats like incomplete paperwork, bad deliveries, and fake securities. The numerous layers of protection and regulations attached to a Demat account unquestionably beat paper records.

2. Indispensable for Trading

The biggest disadvantage of not having a demat account is that you can’t trade in the stock market without it. Since stock trading is undertaken electronically, a demat account is indispensable for the purpose of buying and selling shares of companies that are publicly listed. At present, it is mandatory to settle trades made on any stock exchange in demat form.

3. Holds Multiple Securities at Once

It can get confusing for traders to properly organise different kinds of financial products like bonds and mutual funds. A Demat account solves this problem by preserving multiple securities in one place, which makes it easier for you to keep track of everything important. It’s one of the few instances when keeping all your eggs in one basket is actually a good idea.

4. Quick and Convenient

Dealing with physical securities can be a long and tedious process. It would entail you visiting your broker every time you have to make a trade. The delivery time of trading electronically is a fraction of what it would be otherwise, and you also receive your credit much faster after each transaction. Furthermore, you don’t have to be confined to your home or office while trading. You can trade on-the-go on your phone anytime. A demat account makes all of this possible.

When it comes to share market trading, the importance of a demat account cannot be emphasised enough. If you want to experience trading at its simplest and most seamless, then having a demat account should be on your list of priorities. The best part is that the procedure of opening the account is quite fast and straightforward!

|In: Technology|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

There is a common saying ‘Only thing that is Constant in life is Change‘ and in order to witness change, you need to just look around you. Every day you would have witnessed changes in your vicinity, though some might be good and some might be ‘not so good’. There is an increasing amount of urbanization in every city/town and though it helps in improving infrastructure, planning for the long-term, providing jobs, etc. it has its own share of disadvantages associated with it. The major drawback being the deterioration of air quality due to a rapid increase in the number of vehicles, thereby leading to jammed roads and air-pollution. We can definitely do our bit to contribute towards a sustainable environment, but when you are indoors you can improve the air-quality by using an air purifier.

Image Source – Air Purifier

Many Indian cities lead in the list of most-polluted cities/cities with bad Air Quality Index. Who can forget the negative media coverage of the Air Quality Index in New Delhi where the air was considered as ‘highly unsafe for breathing’. When we breathe polluted air that is filled with harmful gases like CO, Ozone, NO2; we are prone to catch air-borne diseases like allergic cold, asthma, etc. Such kind of air will affect kids and infants more since their immune system is weak and immunity is under development. You either have the option to shift to a less populated and less polluted city or take the necessary precautions outside. When you are indoors, you & your loved ones can breathe clean & purified air when you opt for the best air purifier.

As the name suggests, Air Purifiers are high-tech devices that clean the indoor air by removing the harmful particles that could cause deterioration to human health. Many middle-class homes are also opting for air purifiers due to which air purifiers India market is rapidly expanding at a CAGR of 15~18% and this is where renowned brands like Livpure are trying to create a dent in the industry. Growing affordability, rising hygiene concerns, the aspiration to lead a healthy lifestyle, and a rapid decline in prices of air purifiers will further boost the growth of the market*.

Majority of the air purifiers use the HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration technology that is designed to arrest very fine particles effectively, but they do not filter out gasses and odor molecules*. Livpure has a range of products in the air purifier category, namely ‘Livpure Smart O2 450’ air purifier that has a 5-stage filtration technology and is suitable for 750 square feet area. Since the world is becoming more connected with the advent of IoT, Livpure has also released the ‘Livpure Smart O2 580’ air purifier which is India’s first air purifier with built-in Wi-Fi technology. Consumers who want clean air on a tighter budget can opt for ‘Livpure Fresh O2 130’ air purifier which has a 4 stage filtration technology and is suitable for 200 square feet area.

Though phones have become an indispensable part of our lives, it is high time we also take health and air-quality more seriously and make air purifiers an integral part of our homes 🙂 In case you own an air purifier, do leave your experience in the comments section…

References* – 1, 2

|In: AI|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

Netcore, a global Marketing Technology Company that offers solutions for enterprises that redefine Digital Marketing, organized a corporate training programme on Artificial Intelligence [AI] and Machine Learning [ML] for Marketers to get an edge in this new age of technology. Aimed at educating markets about the benefits of deploying these technologies, the initiative covered the essentials on 1. How AI-enabled Marketing can enhance customer Experience and 2. The 4 W’s of AI and beginning the AI journey to increase ROI on your campaigns.

Image Source – NetCore

Marketers today have moved from a ‘batch & blast’ approach to a behavior – based approach in their marketing automation strategy. By deploying analytics tools, marketers are able to set smart triggers based on various criteria such as RFM [Recency, Frequency, & Monetary analysis] combined with demographic & category affinity.

With the advent of Artificial Intelligence, these professionals can derive greater value from their strategies with hyper-personalize campaigns aimed at creating 1:1 customer experiences. These technologies also enable a multi-fold increase in the Customer Life Cycle as AI allows one to harness data, and analyze it to generate insights in response to unpredictable situations, and that too in real time.

Commenting on the benefits of deploying AI and ML to marketing campaign, Netcore spokesperson said

Successful brands today have good offerings for the customer backed with a strong technologies and solutions including cloud services. However, a unified view of the customer is possible with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning who are key differentiators in a highly competitive market scenario where brands must continuously and innovatively engage with the customer. The workshop for marketers aimed to demystify several benefits and deployment of new age technologies like AI, ML and deep learning for their marketing campaigns.

The training program provided a framework to evaluate the maturity of an organisation in their Analytics journey and provided fundamentals for Machine Learning techniques and core algorithms. Conducted by experts from the field, the programme included

  • Learning supervised and unsupervised ML techniques and knowing the right algorithm to choose for a given problem like fraud detection, HR attrition, Churn prediction, Segmentation, Email send time optimization
  • Showcased case studies from various sectors i.e. Banking to Aviation, to address several challenges and understand how to apply the right algorithm for a given problem like fraud detection, HR attrition, Churn prediction, Segmentation, Email send time optimization
  • Group activities where participants brainstormed and presented 360 degree view of customer across various industries like e-commerce, Travel, Banking and Automotive
  • Quiz and open discussions around ML algorithms, techniques and applications in different scenarios for an organisation

About NetCore Solutions

Netcore, a global Marketing Technology Company that offers solutions for enterprises that redefine Digital Marketing. The first and leading Marketing Automation, Analytics and AI/ ML solutions provider in India, Netcore was established in 1997 by Rajesh Jain, an Internet pioneer. Netcore’s Digital Marketing suite also includes Promotional and Transactional Email Marketing and Mobile Marketing. For more information, please visit Netcore

|In: Technology|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

As part of Microsoft India’s continued efforts in building awareness around cloud technologies, data privacy and security subject areas, the company today announced the availability of online courses on cloud computing, with a focus on data protection regulations, security and compliance. Launched in association with learning partner myLaw, the free-of-cost online course enables students, business and legal professionals, and overall legal and compliance communities to understand data protection, the basics of GDPR, security and best practices around cloud better.

Image Source – MyLaw

Titled Cloud Computing: Data Protection Regulation, the first phase of the course covers questions that arise in the context of privacy and data protection, including the transfer of data across transnational cloud computing networks, data protection and data security.  This course will also cover how regulations such as the GDPR and Indian data security laws are seeking to address issues in these areas.

The second phase of the course, Cloud Computing: Data Protection Compliance, to be launched in September 2018, will provide the legal fraternity with tools and practical insights required to meet the heightened privacy and security standards set out under the General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR], Indian IT Act [2000] and other regulatory frameworks that are imperative to the modern data economy.

Keshav Dhakad, Director & Assistant General Counsel, Corporate, External & Legal Affairs [CELA], Microsoft India, said

Microsoft has been at the forefront of building awareness around the benefits of cloud services and the importance of privacy & security. As India’s digital transformation accelerates, it is clear to us that equipping and empowering the right person with the right knowledge & skills is crucial to sustain the digital economy.

We are excited to partner with myLaw to provide the legal and business fraternities with a platform that will help equip them with knowledge of cloud computing, data protection and key regulations, more so with the evolutionary changes in global laws on privacy through the GDPR and with India being at the cusp of a new privacy regime.

Speaking of the partnership Nikhil Chandra, Founder & CEO of myLaw, said

We are proud to partner with Microsoft as the next step in our vision to make professional learning available to all. As a platform focused on professional learning and skills, we want to provide students and professionals access to high quality learning on the most industry relevant areas of law and regulation.

With heightened awareness about the privacy of personal information and the General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR] coming into force recently, this short-duration free course, featuring easy-to-understand videos and application-based questions for self-assessment, will be invaluable for professionals across the board.

Short and easily accessible through MyLaw and the myLaw app, the course is focused on up-skilling professionals on the go with a flexible time schedule in a mobile first, cloud first environment. Microsoft India and myLaw have co-curated the coursework for the program, which has a short run time of 2 -3 hours. The audio-visual course also provides additional downloadable supplementary content and reference materials for learners.

The platform will also feature the latest news-feed and updates on Data Protection Regulation on a monthly basis. The coursework is open for pre-launch registrations here.

|In: Fintech|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

According to recent industry reports, 156 million of Indians who comprise the ‘urban mass’ and ‘urban middle’ section representing an annual income of USD 3000 and above have the potential of mass adoption of consumer credit. Of this the ‘urban mass’ constituting approximately 129 million have been mostly deprived of credit due to lack of credit history.

Addressing this major concern, CASHe, India’s leading digital lending company, promoted by serial entrepreneur and private equity investor V. Raman Kumar, announced the launch of India’s first alternate credit rating system – The Social Loan Quotient [SLQ].

India’s first social behaviour-based credit-rating system, SLQ is a fast, unique and a path-breaking real time platform which leverages big data analytics, artificial intelligence and predictive tools. The innovative platform will help score millions of Indians, who otherwise have been left in the lurch for lack of consumer credit in the absence of credit history.

Considering the young urban mass prefer to avail small ticket loans for short term, the existing traditional lending platforms such as banks and NBFCs’ find it unviable to serve the segment. In addition, the lack of credit history further dampens the situation. Here SLQ will play a pivotal role in helping this large untapped population to avail credit on the basis of the score generated by the system. Soon, the platform will also be set open to other institutions [banks, NBFCs’ and credit bureaus] to integrate and avail the system thereby helping them reach out to the masses.

Unlike conventional lending agencies who rely only on an applicant’s past financial transactions, CASHe’s revolutionary approach links multiple online and offline data points like his mobile, social and media footprint, education, remuneration, career and financial history to calculate the borrower’s credit score.

Speaking on the launch of this new credit scoring innovation, the CEO of CASHe, Ketan Patel, said:

Credit is critical for the growth of an economy. It incorporates the element of aspiration and infuses growth to keep the economy up and running. However, the lack of alternative credit models, challenging capital eco-system and an unviable cost structure have kept mass India deprived of quick and reliable credit.

Through SLQ, we are focused on those who may have little or no credit history with traditional lending institutions. We hope this will revolutionize the digital lending space in the country and encourage other credit institutes and agencies to avail ‘SLQ’ as the go-to platform to assess credit worthiness of mass India.

There are millions across the country who have never obtained a bank loan, however, they are internet users who shop on line, have a good social media presence, have a stable residential status and also have been using their mobile phones actively. SLQ will now use these factors or data points into consideration when assessing a customer’s creditworthiness.

The platform will analyze unstructured data from various sources – social media profiles, mobile data, KYC documents – to provide the users with a system that will instantaneously and continuously update a borrower’s credit worthiness and insure sound underwriting.

The scores are generated in Real Time and will enable the customer to know, within a few seconds, if he qualifies for a loan with CASHe or not. Subsequently, on completion of the loan application process, every customer’s personal SLQ score will now be displayed to him. This will provide the user with a reliable tool for accessing his/her creditworthiness.

Srinivas Nidumolu, Chief Technology Officer – CASHe, added

This is a service that is sorely needed by many Indians. SLQ is developed using proprietary deep learning and artificial intelligence technologies that will analyze a wealth of data to find recurring patterns of credit behavior that will indicate an individual’s willingness and ability to pay his financial obligations.

CASHe, over the past two years have built a very large data set of customer information based on their digital footprint and mobile data to spur the financial inclusion of many deserving credit worthy Indians who do not have access to financial services. This allows us to build credit scores even for individuals with little or no formal credit information but who may actually be good candidates to obtain credit.

With more than 2 million downloads, 180,000 customers, 480 crore loan disbursals, 30,000 loans processed in a month, over 1000 loan applications in a day and 75% repeat customers CASHe has amassed a huge wealth of data encompassing rich customer information which can be potentially analyzed for credit behaviour.

About CASHe

CASHe is India’s most preferred digital lending company for young salaried millennials. CASHe provides immediate short-term personal loans to young professionals based on their social profile, merit and earning potential using its proprietary algorithm based machine learning platform. In April 2016, Aeries Financial Technologies Pvt. Ltd, launched its innovative technology-driven lending platform for the young, urban millennials. CASHe provides almost instantaneous loans on-demand. Its user-friendly digital interface enables faster loan application process and quicker loan disbursal’s. CASHe provides hassle-free loans with its app enabled documentation and loan disbursal/repayment process. For more information, please visit CASHe

|In: Finance|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

What Is an Aadhaar Card?

An Aadhaar card is a biometric document containing 12-digit unique number. It is issued to every Indian citizen including NRIs or foreigners living in the country for more than 12 months. The document contains individual’s personal information stored in the government’s database, further utilized to curb corruption and fake identification issues.

Image Source – Aadhar

Aadhaar card serves as a versatile document that can be used as a proof of identity, proof of address and age, when applying or registering for any government related facilities and services.

Once you apply for an Aadhaar card, you will receive an acknowledgement slip on your registered mobile number and email address. This will contain an enrollment number that will allow you to track its status both online and offline.

How to Check Aadhaar Card Online

If you have already applied for an Aadhaar card but still not received any message from the UIDAI about the proceedings, you can check its status online in 5 simple steps:

Step 1 – Visit the UIDAI official site and go to the ‘Enroll and Get Aadhar’ section. Next click on the ‘Check Aadhaar Status’ option.
Step 2 – Once you are directed to this page, enter your details and the ‘Security Code’.
Step 3 – Next, click on the ‘Check Status’ button.
Step 4 – If your Aadhaar card has been generated, you will receive a congratulatory message.
Step 5 – You can now download an e-Aadhaar card or choose to receive it on your registered mobile number.

With the introduction of online services, the government of India has made it convenient for people to check the status of their card online. This avoids hassle and miscommunication. However, if you would like to use other services, you can either use the SMS option or visit an Aadhaar Centre.

How to Check Aadhaar card Number Offline

To check your Aadhar card status via phone, you can send an SMS set by the UIDAI. If your Aadhaar card has been generated you will receive the card number on your registered number. If not, you will receive the current status.

Over a billion Indian citizens have received their Aadhaar card that permits them to avail government subsidies, services and facilities. An Aadhar card also allows holders to link their bank accounts, LPG connection, and receive the related subsidies directly into their bank accounts. This system negates funds from being misappropriated and also curbs fraudulent claims. This government-issued document is accepted everywhere. It also makes it easier for people to have one document containing all their information required for any legal verification.

Besides this, individuals holding an Aadhaar card can avail many other added benefits including faster acquisition of passport, digital life certificate and opening bank accounts. So, if you haven’t applied for an Aadhaar card yet, it is about time you do!