Month: July 2015

Categories
Big story

Yakub Memon is hanged, 7 hours after turning 53

After over a week of hectic developments in his case, 1993 Bombay blasts convict Yakub Memon was hanged this morning.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Just 7 hours after he turned 53, Yakub Memon, convicted for his role in the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Bombay, was hanged to death in Nagpur Central Jail, Maharashtra.

This is the only execution in the case thus far. Yakub was convicted for financing the blasts. His brother and chief planner of the attacks, Tiger Memon, and mastermind Dawood Ibrahim, are still ‘missing’ in connection with the case.

In an unprecedented development late last night, a special bench heard an emergency mercy petition filed by Yakub’s brother, inside the Supreme Court premises till 2 am. However, the decision to execute Yakub Memon was upheld. Accordingly, Yakub was hanged at 7 am at Nagpur Central Jail, where he had been lodged for several years.

Read more about how the decision to hang Yakub was taken here and here.

(Picture courtesy www.sify.com)

Categories
Do

5 ways to increase storage space

We are always running short of storage space in our homes. Use the available space creatively to create more storage area.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

For congested cities like Mumbai, where the sizes of houses are tiny and the living conditions cramped, storage space is a luxury very few can afford. Architects and interior designers too, do not give much thought to the concept of using every square inch of space for storage purposes, even in very small homes. The result? Though we try our best to keep our homes looking neat and tidy, our houses still look overcrowded and dowdy because of all the extra stuff we have lying around.

However, you can get creative and make space for storage inside your home. You might get hardly any space, or you may get a lot, depending on the area and layout of your house, but making the effort is certain to free up some space which you can gladly use to stow away your extra belongings.

Here’s how you start doing this:

Storage space under the bed1. Use the space under the beds. This one’s a no-brainer, yet most people don’t put this space to use. It is tacky to have exposed under-bed space where you will inadvertently store old newspapers or extra suitcases, etc. Invest in a sofa-cum-bed in the living room that will give you extra storage space. In the bedroom, get a box bed made so that you can store all the extras in the house under the bed, out of view. This is normally ‘dead’ storage, so you can store all the things you don’t need regularly.

2. Install overhead cabinets wherever possible. As the years pass, every home accumulates a lot of stuff in every room of the house. While a periodic cleaning will get rid of broken, unusable items, you will find that you still have a lot of stuff left over and not enough space to put it in. At such times, overhead cabinets in the bedrooms and living room come in handy. All your large cardboard boxes, box files, etc can be easily accommodated in these cabinets. However, make sure that you create the cabinets at a height just slightly over eye level, so that they are easy to reach.

3. Make vegetable racks in the kitchen. You will need to store extra onions, potatoes, rice grains, packets of wheat, oil etc in the kitchen, and only a cabinet or two will not do the job. Invest in stand-alone vegetable racks that you can place on one side of the kitchen counter. Board up the tops of the kitchen cabinets on one side to create an extra storage space at the top – this is where you can store onions, which require to be kept in the open air to prevent them getting spoilt. Also, place hooks on the inside of the cabinet shutters where you can vertically store big spoons and ladles.

4. Use odd columns to install shelves. Some of our homes have oddly-placed columns in the room. You can’t remove these columns because they are vitalColumn shelves structural elements that hold up the ceiling beams. A good way to get around the wastage of space around such a column is to knock a series of shelves on it – this way the column doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb, but becomes a quirky part of the décor. If you want to hang photographs or a really sensational wall piece, you can use this column for the same purpose. Or if the column is located in a quiet corner of the room, you can nail a pull-down table to it and include two little chairs to create an intimate eating corner for two.

5. Niches make for great cupboard space. Some homes have unexplained niches, which most people fill over with masonry to even out the wall. Instead, extend the niche from floor to ceiling and put in shelves, or use the space created to make a ceiling-height cupboard. This could be a showpiece cupboard in the hall, or a private library in the bedroom. Install glass shutters on this cupboard to show off its contents to maximum effect, but be sure to put only pretty things inside and to clean it regularly.

(Pictures courtesy www.hgtv.com, plomet.com, www.decoratingyoursmallspace.com. Images used for representation purpose only)

Categories
Learn

Turtles on silk: Original Jatin Das serigraphs unsold

The noted artist donated his depiction of Olive Ridley turtles as Vishnu’s ‘Kurma’ avatar in 2010, many serigraphs unsold yet.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Every year, Olive Ridley turtles turn up at Odisha for mass nesting. This is a sight too wonderful for words, and it always invites artistes and photographers to capture the image for eternity.

In 2010, however, noted artist Jatin Das made a visit to Rushikulya in Odisha during the mass nesting season, and inspired by the sight, made a special serigraph (art on a silk screen) depicting the Olive Ridley turtle as Vishnu in his ‘Kurma’ avatar. The serigraph was given as a donation to the Dakshin Foundation in a series of 500. Numbered and signed serigraphs are normally quite expensive, but this special edition sells at Rs 10,000 each to forward the cause of marine conservation. The unsigned serigraphs are sold at Rs 1,000 each. However, several of the serigraphs are still unsold.

In an email interview with The Metrognome, the Dakshin Foundation’s Dr Karthik Shanker and Murali M explained the concept of the serigraphs and why the artwork is important. Excerpts:

How was this project conceived?

Dakshin Foundation and the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS) approached Jatin Das with the prospect of making an artwork for the occasion of the 30th annual Sea Turtle Symposium in Goa in 2010. This was in keeping with the tradition of creating a special memento for the Symposium which is held at a different location each year. The 30th Symposium was held in Asia for the first time and was co-hosted by Dakshin Foundation and the ISTS.

How did you get artist Jatin Das on board?

Turtle_Kachua Serigraph by Jatin Das(Unsigned)Jatin Das was contacted with the proposal and invited to Dakshin Foundation’s field station in Odisha to witness the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles, a grand phenomenon also known as an arribada (Spanish for ‘arrival’). Of the seven surviving species of sea turtles, only two species of Ridleys (Olive and Kemp’s) nest simultaneously in large numbers on specific beaches. Jatin Das himself was born in Odisha. On witnessing this unique event in 2010, he created the serigraph depicting the Olive Ridley as the ‘Kurma’ avatar of Vishnu.

Are there many artists working with serigraphs today?

As per our information, not many artists work on serigraphs. However, some very prominent artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, MF Husain, FN Souza and SH Raza have brought out serigraphs. Serigraphy is a versatile, elaborate and intricate technique. As the Saffronart blog puts it, ‘serigraphs are a great way for art lovers and art investors to start collecting, because they cost a fraction of the price of the paintings or other works of renowned artists’. Also, limited edition and signed serigraphs are a good investment as their value increases over time.

What is the current status of the project?
The project was completed in 2010 itself, albeit a couple of days after the Symposium ended. Hence, the serigraphs were not sold out.

How many serigraphs have been sold yet?
Not many serigraphs have been sold. We are still in possession of 500 signed serigraphs and 60 unsigned ones.

What are you doing to spread awareness about the project, and about Olive Ridley turtles in general?
We have a dedicated outreach and awareness programme as part of the Sea Turtle project. Direct efforts include publication and distribution of various posters, books and manuals to schoolchildren, forest departments and a network of NGO partners working on sea turtles and coastal conservation (Turtle Action Group).

To buy the special edition Jatin Das serigraphs depicting Olive Ridley turtles, contact Dr Shanker at kshanker@ces.iisc.ernet.in or call Dakshin Foundation at +91 80 42113509.

(Featured image courtesy www.greenpeace.org. Serigraph image courtesy Dakshin Foundation)
Categories
Deal with it

5 types of employees you should be hiring

Start up companies often grapple with hiring and retaining the right talent. Knowing certain personality types can ease the process.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

The best thing about being a boss at your own company is that nobody can fire you. The worst thing is that you are solely accountable for your mistakes. These mistakes can range from not being a proactive leader to not securing adequate funding, but by far the biggest mistake than can affect you on a daily basis will be hiring the wrong people to work for you.

1. The punctual one. Some people are extremely punctual, arriving in time for the start of a new working day with a few minutes to spare. They are meticulous about managing their own schedules, because they respect time. “Businesses must encourage others to emulate their example,” says Viral Shah, who runs an online trading firm with 10 employees. “Encourage punctual people to take up managerial roles, because they are more organised and their finicky attitude about time ensures that projects are completed within schedule.” If your team has a person who always arrives on time and is profusely apologetic about being late, groom that person to handle project deadlines, to begin with.

2. The first in, last one out. These people can be a pain to others, because they are always in office –they are the first to arrive and the last to leave. This behaviour is a clear indication of commitment. Such personality types often stay committed as a matter of habit, even when they are not enjoying their work. These persons can be roped in to handle last-minute jobs or assist teams which are working against deadlines. Since they normally show up to work even before others have arrived, they can be entrusted with drawing up daily schedules, following up on the previous day’s backlog and setting appointments for the day. Companies might consider making these persons assistants to the bosses.

Building your team3. The team player. This person can always be relied on to pitch in with assistance, moral support or just a sense of humour when the going gets tough. “Such people are born leaders and their commitment to the company is very high,” explains Sara Chhajed, an HR professional. “They will even help out in projects that are not theirs, simply to get the work done faster with lesser hassle. They will actually ask for more work if they see that the rest of the team is struggling, and they do not try to hog the credit.” People displaying these qualities can be focussed, easy going, friendly and compassionate. “Bosses should groom them in a team-building capacity, because they often display team spirit,” Sara says. “They are valuable employees, even if they are not the most talented.”

4. The experienced mentor. Every team needs a senior to guide the office with his or her experience. Such a person is a key asset in a young, inexperienced team that may flounder without an experienced mentor. “I have helped set up at least 20 start-ups in the last year alone, and I always advise the management to hire one senior person as a manager,” says Ankit Mishra, who works exclusively with start-ups. “These persons are capable of taking a neutral look at a project and suggest corrective ways that can save the company a lot of valuable time and effort. However, they should be encouraged to engage with the team on a regular basis, instead of waiting to be asked for help,” Ankit adds.

5. The genial, all-skills-included one. This is the best type of person to hire, after the team player, because this person keeps the office environment light and friendly. This sort of personality is needed in a high-stress, high-work start-up environment, because they can plug in the gaps in the system whenever required; thus companies save resources which they would have spent on outsourcing external agencies to get the same work done. “One of my employees started working with us as an office boy, but I soon realised that he had a fair knowledge of computers,” recalls Viral. “Later, he learnt how to read balance sheets, and make and receive payments. Now he is my personal assistant.”

This type of person should also be enlisted to plan office outings and team bonding sessions, where their enthusiasm comes in handy.

(Pictures courtesy www.gomindmerge.com, theloyaltygroup.com. Images are used for representational purpose only)

Categories
Uncategorized

Who is buying flats in Mumbai?

Despite developers’ many claims of ‘sold out’ projects, Mumbai’s real estate market is still in a continuing state of stagnancy.
by Reyna Mathur

Any major newspaper in Mumbai these days normally carries a full front page advertisement for yet another ‘dream housing project’ in the city limits or on its outskirts. Big or small, most real estate developers are advertising for their upcoming projects like no tomorrow, spawning theories that the city’s real estate sector is finally out of trouble.

However, experts are divided on the issue, and on-ground realities say otherwise. Despite aggressive advertising and appearances at property fairs, developers are finding it difficult to sell already built housing units, or get customer interest in new proposed projects. Each year, property prices are continuing to rise, making it virtually impossible for first-time buyers to even consider purchasing a property without the burden of large home loans.

Add to this the fact that several pockets of Mumbai – which were earlier considered a solid investment – are now simply saturated, having hit the boundary for growth. People then started considering the northern suburbs beyond Borivali, but with an overall slowdown in the industry, even these houses are not yielding the kind of returns they normally would.

A departure from earlier investment patterns

A common-sense approach to investing in houses is to select a site that promises future growth, and hence a doubling of the initial investment. Another way is to invest in under-construction houses so that payment instalments are easier on the buyer. However, cases of developers abandoning projects mid-way in the recent past have scared off potential buyers.

Another problem plaguing the real estate sector in Mumbai is the lack of implementation of planning and building norms. These cause huge hassles at a later stage, when builders seek OCs (Occupation Certificates) and CCs (Completion Certificates) which the BMC does not furnish on finding that several norms have been flouted in the construction process.

A lean period like never before

The first signs of a crash in the city’s real estate market came with the worldwide economic recession of 2008-2009, when prices crashed dramatically. However, a year later, the sector consolidated and made good on its losses, but elsewhere, inflation and rising prices made buyers and investors think twice before taking the plunge. Interest rates on home loans also started climbing post 2010, and have continued to climb since.

All of this resulted in a curious ‘more supply, less demand’ scenario for housing in Mumbai. What was expected to be a ‘drought’ period of about three years has now extended to seven years.

Even the big developers are hit

Only major names in the real estate space in Mumbai, and indeed the country, are doing somewhat good business currently. With their strong market presence, they are able to not just generate more projects but complete the ones in hand. Yet, experts say that it is becoming a tough task even for these moneyed developers to sign up for new townships – there are no huge tracts of land now available in Mumbai, and the lands that are available are caught in a maze of reservations, permissions and modified Government policies.

The major projects currently underway in Mumbai, however, seem to cater only to the wealthiest sections of society, with each square foot of built space being sold upwards of Rs 50,000 or more (depending on the area of Mumbai).

The most badly hit are the middle-level developers, who mainly rely on small redevelopment projects or single-tower projects for business, and which are currently not forthcoming. With them are hit the middle classes, who are actually in need of housing but are forced to either move out of Mumbai or spend money every year on rental accommodation – even as their eternal quest for a house in Mumbai continues!

Categories
Beauty

5 essential beauty foods

Add these super foods to your diet to slow down ageing, prevent wrinkles and give your complexion a youthful glow.
by Beverley Lewis

Wondering what to eat for beautiful skin, better heart health and improved immunity? Read on.

Pomegranates contain the antioxidants polyphenol and ellagic acid, which protect the skin from sun damage and protect the cells from free radical damage. Studies show that regular consumption of pomegranates also boosts heart health and prevents premature ageing.

CarrotsCarrots and sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene, which are associated with decreased risk of cardio-vascular disease and some cancers. They are also good for keeping wrinkles away and giving one a clear, glowing complexion.

Oily fish have essential fatty acids, which can help calm inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. Omega-3s also keep the skin supple and prevent wrinkles. Studies show that EFA’s increase the moisture content of the skin and improve the body’s muscle tone. If you don’t like oily fish, you can add fish capsules to your diet.

Brown rice and whole grains are packed with selenium, a powerful antioxidant, which is important for Brown ricemaintaining the skin’s firmness and elasticity. Research shows that selenium also prevents acne and skin cancer. It also promotes the absorption of vitamin E and enhances the antioxidant function of vitamin E, which is stored in the skin. This results in glowing skin and prevents deterioration of the skin’s collagen.

Poultry, legumes and mushrooms are full of zinc, which is an important trace mineral that helps the body to repair damaged tissue and heals wounds. Foods rich in zinc can also protect the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and prevent acne and regulate the production of oil in the skin.

So, if you want healthy, younger looking skin, make sure you add these foods to your diet.

(Pictures courtesy megagriculture.gov.in, www.chow.com, www.mushrooms.ca)

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