Next 10 days will be crucial if 'Grexit' is to be avoided

Positions harden in Europe

Business Standard

Indian consumers top the global list for greatest number of hours spent on cooking, finds a GfK survey. The average Indian consumer who cooks spends over 13.2 hours a week on cooking, the highest across all 22 countries surveyed. However, when it comes down to actual love and passion for the activity, it is the Indonesians who ranked top across the five Asia Pacific markets surveyed and fourth internationally. The survey also found that globally, over half of people cook purely for fun once a week or more; and Italy and South Africa lead on passion for food and cooking.Around 40 per cent of Indonesians in the survey claimed to be passionate about food and cooking - the highest in the region. They are closely trailed behind by consumers in India (39 per cent), China (32 per cent), and Australia (24 per cent), with South Korea at the lowest end internationally, at 13 per cent. India and Ukraine top the chart for hours per week spent cooking.The survey also uncovered interesting gender re

Indians spend the greatest number of hours on cooking

This refers to the report "After Maggi; food regulator turns to Kellogg and Heinz" (June 5). The Maggi experience has raised question marks on several other packaged food companies, and the Indian food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, has finally woken from its deep slumber. The consequences are clear: Maggi's production has been halted; the endorsers are being grilled by government authorities and the product is facing a ban across several states of the country, causing grave damage to its image.But a new chapter has been written in this story: Kellogg and Heinz seem to be the new targets of the food regulator. This is not the first time a reputed food brand has fallen on hard times. Giants such as McDonald's, KFC, Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and others have all been in the news for the wrong reasons in the past. In the absence of a vigilant food regulator, these companies have been running successfully at the cost of the consumer's health. The need of the ho

Letters: This packet contains...

It has been reported that the Tamil Nadu government will file a case in the Supreme Court against the Karnataka government for releasing effluents into the Cauvery water that flows to Tamil Nadu. While Karnataka may have a different view, the question is whether the two state governments should battle out in court even on such issues, without attempting to discuss the problems between themselves and strive to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution.There are now so many cases between the two states on various issues that are lying in the Supreme Court for years. In most of these cases, the Supreme Court is not in a position to give a judgment, which both the states consider fair, as the issues involved are made emotive and political by the vested interests in both the states.Certainly, the problems between the states that are really man-made can be quickly sorted out by conducting discussions in a cordial atmosphere. Most of the problems such as river water disputes, releasing of effl

Letters: The state of affairs

The adverse monsoon forecast from the Indian Meteorological Department has caused considerable concern, and has led to analyses from various organisations, including ICICI Securities and CRISIL. As Table 1 shows, the IMD forecasts a monsoon that will be deficient in a geographical pattern similar to 2014's under-strength monsoon.However, as Table 2 shows, there is even more damage possible if, as in 2014, even the deficient rainfall is bunched together at the end - it can wither crops on the field if it is delayed, or even cause floods if it comes all at once. There is some comfort, however, that in spite of a poor monsoon in 2014, reservoir levels were not dangerously depleted, as Table 3 shows.The mainstay of the Indian diet, cereals, might survive a poor monsoon, thanks to the fact that major cereal-producing states - shown in Table 4 - such as Punjab and Haryana, are largely irrigated. The problem comes in fruit and vegetables, shown in Table 5, and to some extent pulses, in Table

StatsGuru: Taking stock of the impact of a deficient monsoon

Business Standard analyses one family's finances and suggests a way forward

Case study

Jairam Sridharan

President, Axis Bank, Jairam Sridharan, answers your questionsAfter I got a letter from my bank, I presented all documents for completing the KYC process for my savings bank account. The bank told me the process was complete. But within a month I got a message saying my account is dormant? Why? What should I do?If all KYC documents have been duly submitted and are complete, the account should be in an operative stage.  However, the account could become dormant if it remains inoperative (if there are no customer transactions) for two years.  To find the reason for dormancy of your account, it is best for you to visit your nearest branch.The bank where I have my salary account is offering me a free credit card. I was told there is no annual fee even after the first year. Does this mean there are no charges at all? If the bank charges after the first year, can I return the card? "Free credit cards" have a waiver on card membership fees only. Other card-related fees like interest charges,

Banking: Jairam Sridharan

Special treatment for defence PSUs has ended

A big step forward

The Congress, which had relentlessly attacked the Narendra Modi government for not appointing the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), found an unlikely sympathiser over the weekend in former Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav. Attacking the Union government's claim of a scam-free rule, he said that scandals were discovered only after an auditing cycle was over and that, too, if there was an auditor in the first place. He alleged there was no possibility of unearthing a scam in the first year of the Modi government because institutions such as the CVC and CIC did not function in full capacity.

Unlikely sympathiser

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had a word of advice for the electorate of West Bengal as he spoke to jute mill workers in Hooghly district last week. He said, "Only the Congress can release the brakes and take the vehicle of development forward in Bengal." He alleged that first the Left Front put the brakes on development in the state during its 34-year rule, and then the Trinamool Congress continued the deadlock after it was voted to power in 2011. Gandhi seemed unperturbed by the drubbing the Congress received in the recent civic elections in the state, coming at number four in vote share, behind Trinamool Congress, the Left Front and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Rahul's solution for Bengal

With the International Day of Yoga being celebrated on June 21 at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM himself is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the event is a success. A keen yoga practitioner, the PM has taken to Facebook to initiate the uninitiated. On June 1 he posted, "In the run-up to 21st June, I would also be sharing a post daily, covering various aspects of yoga." Since then he has posted video clips, step-by-step guides on standing postures, the 'tadasana', 'vrikshasana' and on Saturday advised practicing 'ardha chakrasana' to strengthen spinal nerves, neck muscles and improve breathing capacity.

PM on yoga

Shyamal Majumdar's column "The fear of success" (Human Factor, June 5) was like a breath of fresh air. He has analysed the psychological phenomenon where if a man deliberately plans to be less than he is capable of becoming, then he would be deeply unhappy for the rest of his life. He would be evading his capabilities and his own possibilities. Such people unknowingly suffer from the fear of success.Such psychological attitude is similar to the concept of "fear of freedom". In 1942, Erich Fromm wrote a book called "The Fear of Freedom", which was in the context of Fascism and authoritarianism. Fromm dealt with the idea that in a authoritarian society, a human being found himself more secure in the company of others of the same attitude, which is imposed on them. The overpowering society gave him a false sense of freedom. An individual was aware that the real freedom was outside the totalitarian society but he did not have the courage to overcome the bondage of such a society. He actual

Letters: Fear of success, freedom

Mihir Sharma's column "End the IAS" (Ticker, June 6) is one of those pieces that crop up in media every now and them, attributing the lack of the country's progress to the "generalist, unaccountable, incapable, yet powerful" Indian Administrative Service (IAS). If someone has had any real experience with public policies in any capacity, they would know that public policy is a science of sciences, the mastery of which requires good understanding of issues and ideas that cut across many disciplines. This is all the more so in the current context of governance, which goes well beyond understanding and applying neoliberal principles worshipped by self-appointed market pundits. A true generalist with deep insight into issues and ideas associated with inclusive and sustainable development is the need of the hour, not an academic/professional specialist working in isolated silos.As for accountability, it is a systemic problem that is being addressed systemically, though not at an expected pac

Letters: Understanding the IAS

This refers to Mihir Sharma's column "End the IAS" (Ticker, June 6). What we need is revamping and reforming the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the current Indian context. We have other antique legacies too, from the pre-independence days, which we carry without caring to reform or repair. The IAS needs drastic reforms, and quickly. So does the political system, the attitude and approach of business community, education, health care, food distribution, foreign policy, banking services, legal system, defence and so on. But we cannot end any of these, without ensuring a better replacement.M G Warrier  MumbaiLetters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:The Editor, Business StandardNehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar MargNew Delhi 110 002Fax: (011) 23720201E-mail: letters@bsmail.inAll letters must have a postal address and telephone number

Letters: The need for reforms

A  majority of mobile video consumers  in emerging markets prefer to view and navigate videos in their native languages on a single over-the-top mobile app that also enables them to consume international content at length, finds a study

Localised content takes centre stage in mobile videos

Toughpad

LG Watch Urbane

With users demanding access to data anytime and anywhere, mobility devices are becoming integral components of the technology landscape. In line with this, Panasonic India has launched the five-inch rugged handheld tablet Toughpad FZ-E1/X1 and the semi-rugged Toughbook CF-54.Toughpad FZ-E1 is powered by windows embedded 8.1 handheld and the toughpad fz-X1 runs on Android 4.2.2 operating system. Both are enterprise-class devices priced at Rs 1,19,000 and Rs 1,09,000 respectively.These devices are purpose-built to improve efficiency and productivity for professionals working in the field of defence, public safety, logistics, utilities, manufacturing, retail and field services. These tablets are also built for easy integration into existing IT infrastructures and for smooth deployments and ongoing support, translating into lower total costs of ownership.Toughbook CF-54, which is designed for usage in the automotive diagnostic industry and field work, is priced at Rs 1,39,000 and is the th

Upward mobility

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, 67, on Friday filed her nomination for the R K Nagar bypoll, for which she declared the details of her assets

Jaya's assets up 128% in 4 years

Sepp Blatter did make world football more inclusive

Football's own goal

Pressure to prevent Bangladesh from getting dependent on China is real

Mr Modi goes to Dhaka

Govt must control 'one-rank-one-pension' effect on spending

A fiscal nightmare

The Congress, which found itself out in the cold in Delhi after it failed to win even a single seat in the 2015 Assembly polls, is using a tried-and-tested way to stay relevant.A pre-recorded message greeted cell phone users in the capital on Thursday. Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken reminded Delhiites that it was the Congress that made the capital one of the greenest cities, bringing in CNG for public transport and low-floor buses during its regime. He added the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party government had ruined all its good work - the capital is now counted among the most polluted cities in the world. Maken then urged citizens to celebrate June 5 (World Environment Day) as 'Public Transport Day' and refrain from using personal vehicles so as not to add to the growing air pollution.

Business Standard

Business Standard

Page 436 - Business Standard