We uselemon every day for any kind of consumption. Lemon is consumed in eatables and drinks. It has medicinal properties and is also used in cleaning. Each one of us like lemon in some form. Lemon has numerous benefits. It is yellow in colour and has round shape. The juice of lemon is a citric acid which has a sour taste. Lemon has a nice fragrance.
Nutritional value of lemon
Lemon is a good source of Vitamin C, which accounts for 64% in 100 g of lemon. It contains various photo chemicals. They include terpenes, polyphenols and tannins. Lemon juice has little more citric acid than lime juice. It has nearly double the amount of citric acid than grapefruit juice. Lemon juice has nearly five times the amount of citric acid than orange juice. So lemon is rich in citric acid.
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Culinary uses of lemon
The juice, rind and peel of lemon find use in various foods and drinks. Whole lemon is used to make marmalade, lemon liqueur and lemon curd. Lemon slices and lemon rind can be a garnish in food and drinks. Lemon zest is the grated outer rind of the fruit. It adds flavour to puddings, rice, baked foods and other dishes.
Juice of lemon
Lemon juice finds use in preparing lemonade, mocktails, soft drinks and cocktails. It is used in marinating veg and non-veg foods. Lemon juice also finds use as marinades for fish. The acid present in lemon neutralizes amines present in fish. It converts the amines to non-volatile ammonium salts. When lemon juice is used for marinating meat, it’s acid partially hydrolyses hard collagen fibres. This makes the meat tender. Lemon juice is added to pancakes. The juice of lemon also finds use as a preservative for some foods. It prevents those foods from oxidizing and turning brown. Lemon juice preserves fruits after slicing them. The acid of lemon denatures enzymes of fruits.
Lemon peel finds use mostly in manufacturing pectin. Pectin is a polysaccharide and has many uses. Pectin finds use as a thickening agent, gelling agent, stabilizer in food and other products. Lemons are preserved in jars of salt. The salt penetrates the peel and rind of lemon. It thereby softens and cures lemon, making them last for a long time.
Oil of lemon
Lemon oil is extracted from oil containing cells in the skin of lemon. Those cells are broken up by machine and water spray is used in flushing off the oil. The mixture of oil and water is filtered and then separated by centrifugation.
Leaves of lemon tree
The leaves of lemon tree find use in some ways. They are used in making tea, preparing seafoods and cooking meat.
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Non-Culinary uses of lemon
Industrial use
Lemon is a commercial source of citric acid. It was used before the development of fermentation-based processes.
Cleaning agent
The juice of lemon can clean substances. A lemon cut in half and dipped in salt or baking powder can be used for brightening Copper utensils. The acid present in lemon dissolves tarnish. Lemon acts as abrasive and assists in cleaning. Lemon finds various purposes in kitchen. The juice of lemon can remove grease, deodorize, disinfect and bleach stains. The oil obtained from lemon peel also has some uses. It cleans and polishes wood. The solvent property of lemon oil utilized for dissolving old wax, grime and fingerprints. Lemon oil has use as a nontoxic insecticide.
Aroma
Lemon oil has use in aromatherapy. The aroma of lemon oil relaxes human beings.
Other uses
Electrodes are attached to lemon which is used as a battery for generating electricity. Though it generates low power, still various lemon batteries can power a small digital watch. Lemon juice is an invisible ink which gets developed by heat.
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Health benefits of lemon
Lemon is rich in Vitamin C, fibre and some plant compounds. These nutrients are beneficial to health. The benefits of lemon include weight control, healthy heart and healthy digestive system.
Lemon supports health of heart
Lemon contains nearly 31 mg of Vitamin C. According to research; Vitamin C decreases the risk of heart disease and stroke. But it is not only Vitamin C which is good for heart. The fibre and plant compounds present in lemon are also beneficial. They lower some risk factors for heart disease to a great extent. Eating citrus fruit extract everyday can reduce the total blood cholesterol levels. The plant compounds present in lemon are diosmin and hesperidin. They decrease cholesterol levels. Lemon is rich in heart healthy Vitamin C and useful plant compounds that lower cholesterol.
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Lemon aids in controlling weight
Lemon is a weight loss food. The soluble pectin fibre in lemon expands in stomach. This causes a fullness feeling. Not many of us eat lemons whole. Drinking hot water with lemon can help you in losing weight. Honey added to this drink is more effective in controlling weight. The plant compounds present in lemon help in weight loss. They help in preventing weight gain in some ways.
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Lemon helps in preventing kidney stones
Kidney stones are small lumps that form in kidneys when waste products crystallize and build up. They are a common illness and occur repeatedly. Citric acid present in lemon can prevent kidney stones. It increases urine volume and urine pH. This creates an unfavourable environment for the formation of kidney. Half cup of lemon juice consumed daily can provide enough citric acid to prevent stones. You can drink more lemon juice according to your taste preference.
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Lemon gives protection against anaemia
Anaemia is an iron deficiency disease. It happens when we do not get adequate iron from the food we eat. Lemon contains some amount of iron. It prevents anaemia by improving absorption of iron from plant foods. Your gut absorbs iron from non-veg food easily but it cannot absorb from plant sources so easily. This absorption improves by having Vitamin C and citric acid. Lemon contains these in plenty. Hence lemon helps in preventing anaemia by absorbing iron as much as possible from the diet. Lemon helps you in absorbing non-heme iron from plants. This protects you from anaemia.
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Lemon helps in reducing cancer risk
A healthy diet may prevent some cancers. People eating citrus fruits have a low risk of cancer. Many compounds of lemon can kill cancer cells. Naringenin and limonene are plant compounds present in lemon. They have anticancer effects. Lemon oil contains D-limonene which has anticancer properties. Lemon also contains the plant compounds hesperidin and beta-cryptoxanthin. These compounds prevent malignant tumours to develop.
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Lemon improves digestion
Lemon contains nearly 10% of carbohydrates. It is in the form of simple sugars and soluble fibres. Pectin is the main fibre in lemon. It is a form of soluble fibre which has numerous health benefits. Soluble fibre improves gut health and slows the digestion of starches and sugars. This in turn decreases blood sugar levels. You have to eat the pulp of lemon for benefiting more.
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Lemon promotes hydration, freshens breath and improves the quality of skin. It also enhances the beauty of human beings.
Washing clothes with perfection is not an easy task. Laundry is something that we usually do every day. But do you notice whether you are doing it in the right way? What should be the measurements while washing clothes? In this blog, I will tell you 9 essential laundry tips and tricks that you need to follow. These tips make your laundry process easy. The essential laundry tips and tricks are as under:
Set the appropriate temperature of the water
Setting the appropriate temperature of the water is the key to success. You should have clarity about the kind of water that you will be used for washing. For example cold water goes better with the items that get shrink easily. On the other hand, warm water works well for clothing items like bedsheets, blankets, cotton white clothes. Moreover, hot water goes well for greasy clothes. It helps to remove those stains.
Choosing the right detergent that goes well with your clothes
What kind of detergent you are using for washing out the clothes is also important. You should keep in mind that detergent should be cloth-friendly. Many people buy those detergents which their family is buying for many years. But the main thing is don’t just go with the cheapest price. You should also consider the quality. Detergent should be able to meet the laundry needs. There are two types of detergents mainly powdered detergents and liquid detergents. However, powdered detergents are not as much costly as compared to liquid ones but it is unable to dissolve properly and leave some white residue on clothes while washing. So you should go with liquid ones. As it contains enzymes, which picks off the strains. Although, they are a bit costlier, but wash your clothes better than powdered ones.
Separate dark and light-colored clothes
There are a variety of clothes that you use daily. Avoid adding all these together. I mean some clothes are dark in color while some are the lighter ones. If you put both categories of clothes together, it will leave their color on each other. This will create a mess with your dress. While adding clothes into the machine, make sure firstly you need to add all whites and lights and then you can go with darks and blacks.
Separate heavy and light clothes
While washing, don’t add heavy bedsheets with your T-shirts. Because it will ruin your t-shirt. Lightweight clothes don’t need much exposure to make use of the dryer. So be mindful about the category of clothes during adding them into the washer.
Don’t overload the washer
Some people want to finish their tasks early, so they add so many clothes together in the washing machine. Remember, it will create a mess. The machine will not wash them properly in this case. So you should avoid this. This is one of the important tips for laundry.
Check out stains
You can as early remove the stains as you see them on your clothes. You don’t need to wait for putting your clothes into the machine. Firstly what you need to do, you have to soak your stained clothes in cold water, then you can apply the stain remover. At last, you can add it to the washing machine’s washer.
Un shrink your clothes
If some of your cloth’s fabric is shrinkable, you can simply soak the fabric in lukewarm water. After that you need to add mild shampoo in it. Simply leave the clothes for a while. At last, you need to stretch it out. You finally get your cloth to unshrink.
Avoid mixing socks with other clothes
Usually what happens is, while adding clothes into the washer, you lose one sock. You need to add socks first and then after that, you can add other clothes. On the other hand, you can add both the socks separately. This will save them from missing.
Air-dry naturally
You should dry your clothes in the open air. Mainly you can dry jeans, gym clothes, under-garments and pajamas in hot air. This is one of the main laundry tips. Open-air reduces bacteria in clothes.
Ironing and folding
You just need to iron the clothes as they get dry. It will help in reducing the wrinkles of the cloth. The other thing you can do is whenever clothes are dry out, just fold them and place them in your wardrobe. This helps in maintaining the look of the cloth. Ironing cloth is one of the major laundry tips that you must follow.
Final Thoughts
Clothes are delicate and hard depending on their types. But you need to manage your clothes properly. Some ways surely help you in managing your laundry in a better way. In this blog, I have discussed 9 essential laundry tips and tricks that you need to follow. If you are having any doubt, feel free to ask me in the comment box.
Society has been unforgiving. Despite the man being a social animal, admitting any vulnerability doesn’t seem to be acceptable within this community of people. The phenomenon of the survival of only the fittest has ingrained itself into us so profoundly that we are afraid to admit any form of weakness to anyone. Sometimes even to the people, we are the closest too. And through centuries of toxic behaviour and misunderstanding, and maybe even a degree of fear of not being able to understand the problems that plague us, mental illness has persisted and grown into a demon that plagues millions of us today.
Mental illness was never something that was supposed to develop into what it has become today. Studies show that 1 in 5 people have a mild mental illness and 1 in 25 suffer from one that is more serious, possibly chronic. Our brain, the one responsible for these emotions and these disorders, is an organ like any other. And what it needs is care. People who have a mental illness undergo shame for admitting that they need help.
It is our duty as friends, family, and humans first to stop this. We need to help them understand that it’s not a weakness to suffer from a mental illness, and that it is not wrong to seek help, and that we shall be there every step of the way. But how do you recognize the markers of mental illness in your loved ones, when they do not find the strength to tell you? Observe.
What is a Mental Illness? Do they all affect you the same way?
Mental illnesses are any conditions that affect your emotions and thinking-processing capabilities. They are common, and a lot of people undergo a mental illness at least one time in their life. While all mental illnesses are quite different from each in both their basic definition and their effect on every person, they have some similar markers. All mental diseases change a person’s brain in ways that make them unable to function the way they want to. This may involve them processing stuff utterly different from the way they did before, or them trying to mask all their emotions and not being able to function ‘normally’ anymore. But how do we detect these warning signs, that is the question?
There are more than 200 forms of mental illnesses. And with psychology being a very new science, therapy to being something that is very recently considered whole-heartedly, there is a lot to mental disorders that we don’t know. Mental illnesses generally stem from certain kinds of trauma, stress, or even from a genetic condition that exists in the family. I’ll take this moment to emphasise on the fact that mental illnesses are just like any other disease a person can catch. They have specific causations, symptoms, a diagnosis, and a probably cure. And just like it is for all conditions, prevention is better than cure.
How Do We ‘Prevent’ Mental Illnesses? How Do We Recognize the Warning Signs?
As a person close to your loved one in question, it would help to know about their life. Their ups and downs, their strengths and fears. Any past trauma that they may have gone through is also very crucial to understand. However, make sure not to disrespect their wishes or push them aggressively for information. You intend to help them, not push them deeper into their problems.
Take time to observe. While these are not sudden, a person experiencing extreme stress of going through any trauma will show behaviour that is markedly different from their general mannerisms. It may not necessarily mean that they have a mental disorder and are going through some version of it. It could just be a coping mechanism for unforeseen issues and stress in their life. Either way, it is something that we must introspect. There is no fixed guidebook for understanding when a person needs help, for everyone reacts in their way. But we have found that most humans often have a gut instinct about people when they believe something is wrong, and it would do us well to listen to it.
For other definite markers for mental illnesses, you could observe for the following symptoms. If found exhibiting them, it is best to defer them to a medical or mental health professional.
Poor grades, despite putting in their best efforts.
Changes in their sleeping habits.
Loss of appetite or diminished appetite for long periods.
Persistent nightmares.
Frequent tantrums.
Excessive anxiety to either not go to bed or not go to school.
For teenagers from the ages 13 to 18 –
Changes in sleeping habits.
Frequent outbursts of anger.
Forms of substance abuse.
Forms of vandalism, theft or bringing harm to others.
Defiance of any form of authority.
Inability to cope with daily activities.
Intense fear and anxiety.
Excessive tiredness and complaints of physical ailments.
For adults, young adults and adolescents –
Prolonged depression.
Feelings of extreme highs and lows at times.
Excessive fears and worries.
Extreme anxiety.
Changes in sleeping habits.
Delusions and paranoia.
Substance abuse.
Suicidal thoughts or behaviour.
Inability to cope with daily activity.
These primary symptoms are merely markers for an indication that a person might have a mental illness. When you do notice them, the best way to go about it is to ask them if they are alright, give them a helping hand and be supportive and non-judgemental towards them. After that, contact a medical professional or a therapist/counsellor to help your loved one out.
How do you cope with the possibility of your loved one suffering?
We often talk about the person with the mental illness and the struggles that they go through, but neglect to talk about the people noticing them. An important thing to consider while looking out for your family and your loved ones are, whatever you go through, you go through together. And the same is with a mental illness. To help your family cope better, to help you cope better, there are some ways to stay prepared.
Have an open mind and understand your feelings.
We often notice that specific behavioural marker for illnesses in our loved ones, but we choose to deny them. It can be our ability to want to have the perfect semblance of a family. Or, this could be due to a fear of seeing your loved ones in distress. Don’t fool yourself into denial. Confront these gut instincts of yours and follow them. Find out about their condition and talk to medical health professionals about it. Talk about it with others and do not stigmatize this.
Handle Anger Outbursts and Anti-Social Behavior Calmly.
Most people who have a mental illness show anti-social behaviour up to a certain degree. They may have angry outbursts, periods of remaining silent, or simply turning away from any kind of social interaction. Do not get frustrated by this. Yes, it is difficult to endure, and yet you are the only one that can get them the help they need right now. Be patient and seek out a professional’s advice to figure out how to proceed.
Take Time Out.
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There is a concept that isn’t that widely known or considered. As a caregiver, you tend to give the patient as much care as they need for as long as they need it. What you don’t seem to consider is that you need time for yourself. You can’t drain yourself out in the process of giving. Schedule some time for yourself and do things that bring you peace. Make sure you are emotionally healthy enough to take on the brunt of their trauma.
Seek Professional Help.
While you could be the closest person to your loved one, the one they confide everything in, you need to understand that you are not a professional. Therapy is essential for both the patient and the family. Mental health professionals are equipped to deal with unique cases and will learn from the patient, and help them in a way that caters specifically to them.
We hope we could help you get a perspective on helping your friend or your loved one overcome their mental illness. Or if not, we hope we could at least help you identify them.
If you know someone who’s going through a mental illness right now, please call 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357. Other Domestic helplines are –
Coronavirus pandemic has created huge disruption on the economy. India’s growth for the fiscal year 2021 has been downgraded by credit rating agencies. Coronavirus has degraded the economy throughout the world. It has deeply affected the economy at both macro and micro levels. Many employees are losing their jobs or facing salary cuts. Some businesses are deteriorating. India may have a negative growth rate for the financial year 2021. Let us look at how Coronavirus has affected various parts of the economy.
Change in FDI rules
India changed its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy on 18 April 2020. This will prevent acquisition of Indian companies due to Coronavirus pandemic. As the global share prices have decreased, China may take advantage of this situation. This can lead to hostile takeovers of Indian companies. The new FDI policy has restricted countries but not markets. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry will now scrutinize all FDI from countries which share land border with India. The Government of India is trying to allure companies which are looking for an alternative to China. So, companies have been told to make their pro-investment strategies ready.
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Effect on agriculture
Due to lockdown, people are restricted from buying vegetables and fruits. This has caused the perishable products to degrade which led to loss. Farmers all over the country are facing uncertainty. Tea estates faced logistical problems because of which they were unable to harvest. The Darjeeling tea-based industry is facing loss and tea exports may drop as a result. After the lockdown guidelines got relaxed, some agricultural businesses have reopened. They include tea, coffee, dairy and rubber plantations.
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Effect on manufacturing
Major Indian manufacturing companies have reduced their operations due to Coronavirus pandemic. They have either temporarily suspended or significantly decreased their operations. The companies include Ultra Tech Cement, Larsen and Toubro, Grasim Industries, Tata Motors, Bharat forge, Aditya Birla Group and Thermax. Companies that produce iPhone have also suspended some of their operations. Almost all two-wheeler and four-wheeler companies have halted production till further notice. Some other companies have also suspended production following lockdown orders.
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Effect on E-commerce
The business of E-commerce companies has been affected because of logistical problems due to lockdown. Amazon has stopped the sale of non-essential items in India. It is only selling the essential needs of customers. Flipkart has temporarily suspended some of its services and is selling only the essential products. Bigbasket and Grofers have restricted their services and their business has been disrupted. Delivery agents of E-commerce companies were issued curfew passes to carry on the supply chain. Swiggy and Zomato are not allowed to operate their services in this time.
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Effect on defence
The Department of Military Affairs has postponed all capital acquisitions due to Coronavirus pandemic. There will be no major deals in defence during the beginning of this financial year. The delivery of S-400 missile systems will not be affected but the delivery of Rafale fighter jets may get affected.
Effect on stock markets
Stock markets have been affected because the companies are having losses. Stock market in India had worst losses in history on 23 March. SENSEX and NSE NIFTY fell by many points. However, the situation improved in few days. SENSEX had its highest gains in 11 years on 25 March. The stock markets in India rose again on 8 April. Nifty held the 9500 mark by 29 April. The stock market has become stable after having losses.
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Effect on supply chain and logistics
Lockdown has broken down essential supply chain and logistics. Inter-state movement of raw materials is necessary for the food processing industry. That’s why the Managing Director of Britannia industries requested Government to allow inter-state movement of raw materials. Otherwise this supply chain problem could have caused shortage of food. The movement of medical goods has declined due to disruption in supply chain.
Effect on salaries
The salaries of many employees are being cut in some organisations. The Prime Minister of India urged high- and middle-income segments of society to donate some money. People are donating money to Prime Minister Relief fund. In some states where the impact of Coronavirus pandemic has been too high, donation to Chief Minister Relief fund has also been made. Government bank employees faced salary cut of one working day from their monthly salary. Prime Minister told to give the salary of domestic help. He requested companies to keep paying the employees.
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Effect on migrant workers and labour force
Daily workers have lost their work due to Coronavirus pandemic. They do not have any fixed monthly salary. Because of lockdown, they are not able to go out and work. Lockdown has halted the movement of vehicles. It includes trains, buses, taxis, autos and metros. After the imposition of lockdown, many migrant workers had to return to their homes. They ended up walking to their homes, which were large journeys. Then Central Government took measures to improve the condition of labourers. The migrant workers and labour force are being provided with food and medical essentials like masks, medicines and sanitizers.
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Effect on trade
China is the largest exporter and second-largest importer in the world. Because of Coronavirus pandemic, China’s condition will impact the industries of India. India depends on China to a great extent in imports. China has a significant share in the top twenty products that India imports from the world. India imports organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, dyes, medicinal and pharma products from China. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, import dependence on China will have considerable impact on Indian industry. China is the third largest export partner of India and accounts for nearly 5% share. India exports plastics, cotton, fish products and ores to China. Trade in terms of import and export is worsening.
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Effect on Indian companies
Many Indian companies have their offices in foreign countries also. Some companies work for foreign clients and get payment from them. Coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected multinational, global and transnational companies. It is because Coronavirus has spread throughout the world. Companies have decreased their operations since their employees in all locations are unable to work now. Organisations are having losses now and they will need time to recover from this crisis. Due to this they have stopped recruiting new employees and are deducting the salaries of existing employees.
Effect on students graduating in 2020
Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the career of students who completed their course in 2020. Some students who had got placement offers in their college recruitment process have lost their offers. Internship offers of students are getting cancelled due to Coronavirus pandemic. Students of numerous colleges are facing hardship now. This is applicable to students studying any field of education. Those companies who have not cancelled the placement offers, will delay the joining of 2020 pass out students. Because of these students and their families are suffering.
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COVID-19 crisis has led to an unknown collapse in economic activities. It is having a very high impact on business. Due to Coronavirus pandemic, businesses are having uncertainty about future. The severity of this outbreak will decrease the GDP of India.
The electrifying social inhibition is building cabin fever. The much-needed momentary respite from the slew of coronavirus related news is building up related tension thereby decreasing productivity, stirring the need for a slow reconciliation. With the extension of the lockdown period, no motivation is working.
To kill the electrification charging my brain with boredom, I am constantly relying on social media. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Quora, being one of the most visited places throughout the day. Social media being the buttress to my boredom, keeps my phone buzzing with notification sounds popping emails, live feeds, text messages, tags in posts, and news from all over the world.
There is no guilt for the surge I put into my online activity. The virtual life is constantly curated and my mind slips into the maelstrom of this digital space.
Some of us know the advantages of social distancing, are practicing it like any other guideline issued by the government. Social media harnessing has become a way of life. We are working with little to no face-to-face contact, with our partners and customers.
Financing critical relationships amid the current catastrophe embrace the use of social media tools capable of conducting business meetings linking all contacts and uniting them one. Famous research firm Nielsen has reportedly shared report of whopping 50X search between 2019 and today. All this is in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The estimated buzz in January was reportedly 0.4 million, with a sudden upturn of 20.3 million by the end of March.
The tremendous spike in social media ran parallel with the intensifying number of coronavirus cases. The upswing in the number of social media users began with Prime Minister announcing nationwide guidelines. For example, the Janata curfew and the 21 days lockdown in March spurt user graph as another surprising event.
We have also seen celebrities, politicians, and players urging people to follow the lockdown with 5-minute gratitude on the Janata curfew increasing reasons for people to be available online.
Part of the population deprived of leisure time is now reading, contributing, and influencing others on social media. Market research conducted by Nielsen has reported COVID-19 related conversations reaching to 22.3 million just by the end of March.
With the onset of online pantry and groceries expanding to 400 cities social media volume doubled thereby picking up significantly when social distancing and quarantining became the new way of life.
The sudden decline in store visits and jump in online shopping have left no choice in the hands of those suffering this lockdown. Another example of a social media spike includes the #seetendoten directive spreading like wildfire. Containment actions require some form of vitality to be harnessed, it seems both obvious and necessary.
Social Media As A Lifeline For Business
Not all business is facing the same crisis. Some are affected mild, some are adapting and hunkering down until things are stabilizing, and also businesses drawing benefits from the corona crisis. There’s nothing irrational but the general nature of the world as a jungle allows survival of the fittest.
Being adaptable and focusing on the basics allow people to survive the most random panic circumstances. The problem arises where people look for items beyond essentials. Several businesses are choosing digital media as their lifeboat. The life-altering condition we are all going through has left no choice but to switch to digital media.
Clients are now building strong customer relationships, innovating ways of communication, and staying connected. This is a gradual effect or being more captive. Everyone at home with smartphones has nothing to do but to harness what’s available online.
For businesses harnessing power during this crisis, you have already built the platform on a stabilizer. Unswerving is this opportunity is picked correctly. Your customers running in crisis are looking for orchestrated strategies to keep themselves connected and extract credible information, relevant feed, potential enough to replace boredom.
Here, in this crisis, they have the opportunity to grab life, which the digital age affords them. Keeping a half-hearted attempt, while socializing or being a part of this digital revolution only brings you crisis, more crisis.
The surge of social media presence has increased screen time. An average of 3 billion people is active at once collectively on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. The significant increase in daily screen time is also looked upon as a 40 grand for targeting people who need to be constrained from spreading otherwise reliable information.
WHO has been working with reporters and journals, updating news on the COVID-19 outbreak, by constantly posting on the websites guiding numerous platforms. Facebook has a separate COVID-19 information center tab, whereas Google Scholar, is promoting articles on COVID-19 specifically, Twitter has taken a hand in providing reliable sources for people who make coronavirus-related searches.
Of course, these measures have been successful but, in some groups, however, not capable enough to kill the buzz created by ticktock. It is still taking the lead despite such challenging measures being taken by others.
Increased Online Marking And Emergence Of “New Customer”
The purpose of open advertisement with flyers, banners, and posters seem to have no purpose at all. Now with the nationwide lockdown across several countries, it’s feasible for businesses to promote work online. Digital advertisement is the current focus.
Departments of digital advertisement have already predicted a huge increase in ad spend, as consumers are more likely to be online now. The choice of online shopping will not only be an option but treated as the primary business model. People have already established the work from home model thereby avoiding travel, building up the expectation of an increase in mobile and social opportunities.
The captivated watchful eye is now free and so they are bound against no rule of checking their phones frequently. The inflated use of social media is putting up engaging content to keep eyes busy, although tackling self-isolation can be attributed as a part of social responsibility, social media is helping to keep such binge hoppers grounded.
The new customer has a change of opinion, choice, lifestyle, and taste. Be its online presence, be it branding, exploiting, or showing off what you are gathering has already built a target audience. The emotional contacts of this customer are the prime target.
What do they want to hear, what do they want to wear and the prices that seem most feasible are available. Of course, the virus has left a mark in history, constantly updating the pages that will be written. It may seem all acceptable now but allowing a virus to get into the viability of your business in the future does not make you a survivor.
No offense but research conducted by WHO has recognized the major role of media in spreading misinformation. This has become a booming challenge. The rapid spread of misinformation being equidistant with the rise of COVID – 19 cases have led to a massive infodemic.
Infodemic is used to imply the over-abundance of information without the morality of truth or false. This makes it hard for people to find trust in the sources and reliable guidance when they need it. My parents often send me messages and screenshots of emails explaining easy tips of prevention.
For example, hot water every day thrice or eating too much of ginger whether in its raw form or the form of juice, self-check of lung function by holding your breath for as much every morning and the like. Believe me or not, spices like Saffron and turmeric do not combat the coronavirus, of course, you can use them to enhance your beauty.
These screenshots have been marked at the bottom with the name of real doctors and Harvard professors. These signatures are easy to find online. I shared it with my group of friends and family, the perk of being a blogger is to have similar friend groups and as soon as you share such news among them, you are flooded with truthful sources and points of hoaxes. Some of this information does come from reputed research and study institutions, making this era of people annoyed and ashamed.
If seen from the practical point of view, we are not much accomplished with the task. We have not been able to stop the circulation of inaccurate information or prevent the spread of news that fancy your mind. Some searches also provide information where yoga instructors welcome the virus, calling it a form of help.
Social Media Infodemic
Academic and medical journals sharing clinical information use anecdotes and write messages in the form of such conviction forcing the observant to escape the actual. A non-medical layperson is not immune to such misinformation. It’s quite obvious that the absorption of inaccurate information acting as a digital incubator of social media will leave all of us being infodemic.
The awareness about correct information helps none of us. The community believing false information to be true never accept reality. If you act as a challenger, you are either threatened or challenged back. Sufficing with correct information also does not help. The correct sources are then treated as sources of misinformation almost like the tip of the pencil moved round and round instead of completing a circle.
Redundant to the use of corrector wrongful information leave us in the dilemma of following the wrong accounts. For example, WHO has 4.6 million followers on Instagram. When you compare this number with Kylie Jenner having 168 million followers, coming up with combat ideas, no matter how many centuries you are running for, your information is either falsified or left unnoticed.
Influencers take advantage of the power and drive the idle community. Not to mention we have celebrities posting the right as well. To name a few we have Ellen DeGeneres with 86 million followers posting videos to combat isolation in the face of social distancing, Ryan Reynolds with 35 million followers has encouraged donations with wife Blake Lively. These postings are centered around the same pandemic although they are multidirectional.
Public Understanding – Leading Crisis
All of this has led to an unprecedented crisis of public understanding. Social media platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube, and Reddit along with their equivalents, WeChat are the primary targets of this crisis. At some point instead of being the mediator of understanding, these act as facilitators and multipliers of misinformation.
The current coronavirus infodemic strikingly increasing public confusion from what was previously thought to be sources of trust, leading to panic fear, and exaggerated claims thereby promoting forms of racism, scapegoating, digital vigilantism, and xenophobia.
The current crisis looks upon the ideas of digital literacy in ways that can combat the impact of social media leading to a post-truth age. The biggest rumors leading to jeopardizing the relationship with the Chinese counterparts was the act of bioweapons research in the laboratory of Wuhan. China was previously blamed, and even now, for the genetic engineering of the COVID-19 virus and then releasing it as a biological war.
This has led to the loss of working relationships between western and Chinese counterparts.
Influential Outcomes
Immediate response and the lack of properly accounted response hit as equal as the crisis and lack of understanding. The problem arises when officials answerable do not provide accurate information. A society living in a post-truth era is thought to be living with subjective opinion and unverified claims, where people do not prefer valid scientific and biomedical facts.
Instead, take public influence as a means to counter the ongoing crisis. Facts and figures are downplayed with arguments and the lack of evidence. The loss of social legitimacy over scientists and experts in the eyes of the public brings to the table nothing but counterfeit days.
Premature pronunciations have post-traumatic effects, as such a complex emergency requires crafted statements to ensure accuracy and also avoid pitfalls at the same time. Little misinterpretation and exaggeration lead to social flunk and paradoxically a careful approach contributes to the formation of an information vacuum. This information vacuum is present through rumors and falsehoods brainwashing a proficient mind.
Xenophobia
Part of misinformation is buried with racist content. Of course in a country where cow dung is treated as a remedy against coronavirus, the obvious reinforcement of pre-existing prejudice and biases are enough to create racism. Digging the past, the 2003 SARS outbreak in Toronto emerged xenophobic reactions.
These reactions are now being repeated in the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media acts as a fuelling channel with point illustration on platforms like WeChat. A recent rumor spread through WeChat targeted at Chinese restaurants in Canada purposefully employing COVID-19 affected employees.
This rumor leads to an 80% loss of its revenue. On the other hand, crowdsource acts as prejudice. Collective organizing is facilitating questionable claims, and beliefs. Not only is the WeChat rumor taking a toll, but approximately 8000 people living in the North of Toronto had also previously demanded the ban of students whose family members traveled to China.
Back in 2003, simple text messages were enough to convey an outbreak. People in China were not targeted in lieu of farse. This left out was despite the efforts of the Chinese government keeping information at bay with the World Health Organisation.
Hyperactive social surroundings finally spread information on atypical pneumonia. This form of the wide circulation of messages held control over online content and created an information vacuum. Later this incident was followed with a veiled criticism of the government.
Prominent whistleblower of COVID-19, Li Wenliang an ophthalmologist posted messages of the spread of the SARS virus. He passed on February 7th, 2020 from complications of SARS attack. This acted as a dominant mode to exploit Chinese social media. Here a billow of messages expressing grief for the person was shared. Simultaneously the Chinese government was held accountable.
Finally, the intervention of state censors removed the post from Li’s account. However, like smart device users, people broke out the news in the form of public outrage, and the demand for free speech and information transparency was constantly forced.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a quick and easy gate through this pandemic, it’s not available. Every little happiness has some sort of compromise. Given the societal importance and safety in mind, we have to make big and small compromises.
Ways to follow the 6-foot distance at grocery stores may act as the prelim towards your first safety step. We may then make good use of the time we spend on the screen and forward it to the generations to come.
Would you rather be a jack of all trades or a master of one? Well, I’d like to be a jack of all trades and master of one both. If you are a part of the crowd that likes to have it’s cake and eats it too, I’m sure you’ve been up to date with the rat race out there. Everyone is looking to diversify into different skills and hone in on their skill sets.
Especially in the environment that is out there, it important that we don’t let the cutthroat competition skewer us. And to stay ahead of the curve, you need to learn ahead of the curve. These days we have the internet, with a million sites offering both free and paid online courses to give you a feel of the subject. These courses range from personal development to technical training. Many of these courses are specifically to help you add something new to your resume and improve upon your skillset.
While Youtube has a lot of videos and podcasts specifically catering to learning new skills from numerous people, there is an authenticity about the course you’re taking. You will be learning from certified professionals, and some of these courses even provide you with a certificate for it.
10. Fundamental Marketing
Fundamental marketing is the same as what it sounds like; it teaches you the ABC’s of marketing. Customer approach and interaction, media presence, discussing prospects, organic marketing is an essential skill required in this world, where everything has to another. Your purpose as a salesperson, or a media manager, is to sell yourself and your brand image to a customer. You need to make them trust you, and in turn, trust the product that you’re selling.
Many of these courses now, even including marketing across the web, which is an essential skill now. If not, there are many other courses provided by mainstream organizations like Google itself that help you get the grip of web marketing.
An aspect of creating a website or any domain to access clientele from is to have attractive and intriguing content. For industrial products, you need content that makes people trust that you know what you are talking about or are selling. And if you are selling services, or ideas and concepts, you need to convince your customer that your thoughts are worth their time. A lot of websites hire content writers and content developers to add to their webpages. These content developers specialize in improving the look and feel of a portal. While they do have some skills of their own, many of them, like learning what kind of content to develop, are all learnt on online courses. You can choose the type of content you want to build to market and choose from numerous online courses.
Based on a lot of data, there are statistics that an average person spends up to 3 hours on social media every day. Every day. Social media has a lot of mindless and some useful information. A lot is happening there in each second, and the modern mind tries to imbibe it all. You can use this opportunity to draw the desired clientele to you on the biggest gathering of people in the contemporary world. For example, you wish to sell a particular brand of lipstick. You know that your target clientele is women from the ages 20-50. You can find most of this age group on their social media, accessing it actively.
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All that is left is to format your content appropriately, and you will watch your target clientele come like moths to a flame. And to do this, you need to know all the foundations social media works on and how every day it is changing to incorporate something new. To get with the times and harness the power that is social media, you need an online course. Social media marketing courses help you get into the nitty-gritty details of social media marketing within 24 hours. There are many online courses right now on sites like udemy and Coursera that help you with this, at a time-independent pace
7. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
Search Engine Optimization is exactly what it sounds like. Whenever you wish to look up something, like a word’s meaning, or an article on the best mobile phone under a specific price limit, you notice that there are individual sites that always seem to pop up over others. This is not because of some weird algorithm Google employs, or their choosing. It is merely because of search engine optimization. SEO details a specific set of rules, when adopted, can bump your website to the top of the list for the given keywords. These rules are succinct and short, but intricate. They need practice and time. And for that, we have online courses in Search Engine Optimization. The certificates obtained in these online courses can also help you improve the look of your resume, making you a better prospect for the internships you apply for.
The most important of all courses right now. This technical online course dramatically increases your prospects of being employed in an internship or a job with high pay and even builds upon your skillset. One of the most significant demands in the job industry right now is a coder. With everything going online, there being more and more requirements for secure sites and more complex programs, a coder would be a crucial addition to the team. While a college degree is always ideal, a person with a passion for coding could always look up online courses and diversify to their heart’s content, even getting certifications in the process. And with the job prospects being highly profitable, there are no regrets in taking up this online course.
5. Communication, Negotiation and conflict resolution
While most courses seem technical based, equipped to give you an edge over someone in this competitive job industry, some just aim to develop you as a person. Sometimes, we do as we learn and never realize the correct methods to approach and solve conflicts with people. Communication is an essential skill and tool to have in this world where man is a social being. Actively negotiating and defusing conflicts can have very positive influences on your personality and help in your growth as a human being. And there are a lot of courses, for low prices on Udemy that help you with just that.
4. Graphic Designing
A lucrative profession that is fast upcoming in this environment is graphic designing. People now more than ever need pictorial representations and amazing graphics convincing them to like something. It is fast becoming a see and impress world out there, and people who can create cutting-edge graphics and edit videos to perfection are essential in society. We see more and more youtube tutorials which depict what people are talking about through vectors than just a video of a person talking to a screen. And these vector designs are primarily credited to these graphic designers. While of course there are lucrative courses and degrees which explicitly teach this, there are also 20 to 24-hour courses on the same topic, covering the subject and art succinctly.
Currency is the currency that runs the world. And to understand the way currency works would straight up put you at the top of the food chain. There are entire sciences attached to understanding the way money works. They also cover how everything can be decided simply by words or actions. A lot of money resides in business deals, in stock market gains and crashes, and every day brings with it new highs and lows. While all of it may seem boring to a layperson, once you understand the way money works, it is addicting to enjoy the science of money. There are a lot of online courses that divide up your topics to tackle and explain each aspect of the money-making or money understanding business. You can always opt for more straightforward courses and move on to more difficult ones as you keep on understanding.
2. Content Writing
As we emphasized earlier, content development is highly essential for a lot of businesses and companies. The brand that they project may as well dictate their sale value. And for this reason, they hire content writers to come up with exciting and articulate content to adorn their sites. Along with this, they also look for content writers who have a grip on the science of SEO. So if you have done courses on both SEO and content writing, there are high chances that you might get selected for a content writing internship. While there is not much money in this industry, it is a good starting point for all your passions.
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1.Psychology
Before I’d begin, I’d like to tell you that psychological courses do not give you the certification to perform an analysis on your own. You are not a certified psychologist after a few courses; you need to get a degree for that. However, if you wish to learn about certain psychological tendencies and studies, you should go for it. Psychology is fun and informative at the same time. The primary purpose of courses like these is to give you a better tolerance and understanding about why people a certain way. Udemy and many other sites offer a plethora of courses on psychology, the science of mental health and many more which you can apply for, sometimes even free.
Those were our top ten list of online courses you can pursue right now. Utilise this time in quarantine to get ahead of the learning curve. Get the upper hand on your peers. You can learn more about other courses and sites to learn from in the video linked below.
Our society considers women as the fairer sex. We celebrate Women’s day every year on March 8. There has been the empowerment of women in various domains. In some places you will find women and men are treated equally. But does all this hold true across our society? You must be knowing that what glitters is not always gold. The same holds true with respect to the status of women in society. What appears outside is not the same inside. Let us look at what women face in different areas of their life.
Inequality in marriage –
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When a man and a woman marry, they become life partners. As partners they share their life with each other. So, they must share their responsibilities with each other. But this rarely happens in a marriage. Men expect women to carry all the burden on their shoulders. This applies very well to working women. They earn money and also do all the household chores. In spite of being equally qualified as their husband and may be earning the same salary, they do all work at home. Due to this inequality, marriage takes a toll on the health of women. Marriage even affects the health of women who are housewife. This is only because of incapable men. Men just want to relax at home and take rest. They feel that their duty is only to earn for living.
Husbands feel that their wives depend on them but even they depend on their wives. Men are unaware of what is happening at their home. Instead of understanding the difficulties that their wives go through, men rather criticize women for mishaps at home. A marriage can be successful if men think about what women do at home and appreciate them. If men can help women in household chores, then there will be a good atmosphere at home. They ought to do this as they are life partners. For a working couple, both should divide their responsibilities at home. Men should understand that even women want to succeed in career. Husbands cannot expect their wives to compromise on their career because of marital responsibility. Men with housewife must do at least few household chores in order to decrease the load on women. In this way, a marriage can be sustainable.
Women have always faced critical judgement from their in-laws. You must have noticed this in all generations. It is sad that men’s families expect too much from women. They do not see the capability of their son but expect their daughter-in -law to be good in all aspects. She has to be good in looks, education, job, family background and know cooking and household chores very well. A woman should be good in so many ways only to become the housemaid of her husband’s family. Yes, this is the true fact. It is really sad to see how some families treat their daughter-in-law. Women receive harsh treatment in spite of giving dowry. Even today dowry system prevails in our country. You must have read about so many dowry deaths and domestic violence cases.
The reality is that women’s families have to give dowry to men’s families and after that women have to sacrifice everything. Women face ill treatment in their husband’s home. What in-laws do not understand is that women had a life before their marriage. Some in-laws do not impose any restrictions on their son but they forbid their daughter-in-law from many things. This happens even when both are equally qualified and working. In-laws must understand that women have some worth. They cannot consider their daughters-in-law to be puppet whom they can operate by remote. What in-laws do not understand is the way they treat their daughter-in-law, even their daughter may face the same ill-treatment.
Underestimation by family members
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A woman knows her family members before knowing anyone else in the world. You must have seen so many measures taken by people to show that girls and boys are equal. Some families believe that girls can be equal to boys. That’s why they educate their daughters very well. But our society does not let this feeling remain forever. When a girl reaches her marriageable age, everybody starts questioning about her personal life. It is at that point of time when families think that girl is liability and boy is asset. Just like how liabilities have to be cleared on time, similarly girls have to be married off as soon as possible. This is the opinion of our society. Irrespective of a woman’s earning and qualification, she is considered as a burden on her family. A woman is a liability who should be cleared at proper age.
We cannot blame a woman’s family for this. They underestimate their daughter because of inequality in marriage and ill-treatment by in-laws. The families of men are to blame for this situation. The society instigates women’s families to take action on women. Due to this women’s families underestimate them on various grounds. Women are underestimated for their looks, education, capability and qualities. Because of these women are told to marry men who may not even deserve them. If a woman grows old by developing her career, then she is blamed as if she has wasted some years of her life doing nothing. She is then told that she has to marry any man who is available because her age has increased. Is it really a woman’s fault if her age has increased by having good educational qualification?
Partial treatment at work
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Many companies say that they treat men and women equally. But this does not hold true for all the companies. Even today many organisations want to hire men instead of women. In spite of women being equally qualified as men and from the same standard college, employers prefer men. It is sad to say that the top management of many organisations consist of few women. Recruiters do not understand that women have struggled similarly as men in their education. Some employers feel that hiring women may lead to problems later because of security issues faced by women. But they should understand that men cause issues to women in public places. Otherwise women are brave enough to pursue any activity.
Another problem that women face at work is harassment by men. You must have read about various cases where a woman was harassed by higher authority men. Many rules and regulations are prevalent in companies in order to curb the indecent acts of men. That has decreased the number of such cases to some extent.
What our society should understand
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Women have always faced hardship in life because of others. You would have noticed this in epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat. Sita and Draupadi had to face so many difficulties. It is everybody’s duty to understand the value of women. If a woman gets married late, then there is a reason behind it. The society cannot blame her for being old and delaying her marriage. Our society should appreciate the work done by women. Look at those countries with women Prime Minister and see how they have tackled Coronavirus.
Thanks to the French and their extreme pastry-making skills, the world is blessed with an assortment of desserts to choose from. From the buttery and flaky croissant to the delightful macaron, the French managed to perfect all of their classic French pastries. Now the race across the globe is to replicate these beautiful pastries and to serve them to locals in the country.
Read on to find about some of the finest French pastries that every dessert lover needs to try at least once in his or her life.
Croissants
Perhaps the most famous of all French pastries, almost everyone today has had a good croissant. This is largely because the pastry has become so popular these days that you are sure to find one in breakfast buffets and high teas across the globe. A croissant is a buttery flaky viennoiserie made with layers of dough and fat, which are folded multiple times over to create the classic internal web. Though cheaper versions of this delicate pastry are made using margarine, the original butter croissant tastes so much better and richer, of course.
Eclairs
An éclair is made up of choux pastry and is then filled with sweet flavored cream. Traditional éclairs were dipped in shiny chocolate, and this is why the French named them the ‘éclair’. The word translates to lightning in the English language. The most famous of all is the chocolate éclair, which is filled with creamy chocolate pastry cream or chocolate diplomat. You will, however, find a lot of versions of different flavors of the éclair. These include traditional flavors such as lemon, strawberry, caramel and vanilla, and newer flavors like raspberry, coffee, mixed berry, hazelnut, etc.
Macarons
Macarons are a fine French delicacy, and only talented and professional pastry chefs can replicate a good classic French macaron. Made up of meringue, almond powder, and icing sugar, a good macaron is a wonder to bite into, crisp from the outside and chewy from the inside. These two almond cookies are sandwiched together with a jam or a ganache, and there are more flavors of macarons than you can ever imagine. These include chocolate, vanilla, coffee, caramel, orange, rose, pistachio, hazelnut, salted caramel, etc. among others. Ladurée and Pierre Hermé are the best places in Paris to enjoy an authentic macaron.
Financiers originated in France in the seventeenth century, but not a lot of people liked them at that time. This is because a financier is essentially almond flavoured, and people of those times associated the taste of almond with cyanide. Hence, the soft almond flavoured cake was not well received. Over time, however, a baker who worked in Paris in the 19th century had the idea of baking these financiers in the shape of a gold bar. This was an excellent idea, and there has been no looking back ever since. The pastry is now a huge success all around the world. Flavours like pistachio and raspberry pair extremely well with financiers, so do try one if you get the chance.
Crepes
Crepes come from Brittany, a region in the west of France. Traditionally, crepes in France are made in two different ways. One is a saltier version, made with dark flour; while the other is sweeter, and is made up with white flour. Pancakes, which are thicker and fluffier versions of crepes, are now popular across the globe and are a common breakfast item. Enjoy crepes with some maple syrup and whipped cream, or go fancy with fresh fruits, chocolate, Nutella, etc.
Madeleines are little shell shaped pastries, which are a cross between a cookie and a tea cake. They are rich butter based cakes, which are often flavoured with either lemon or orange zest. The French love to have their madeleines with tea, hot chocolate or coffee; and they are a common sight at high teas.
Brioche
A French brioche is a really rich and buttery bread. Marie Antoinette frequently served brioche at her high tea gatherings. While the French now eat the bread as a snack, it can also be used as a breakfast bread, eaten with strawberry or raspberry jam.
Kouign-amann
The famous pastry chef Dominique Ansel has popularized this buttery gorgeous pastry all across the globe. Pronounced as qween-ah-mahn,the pastry is basically a much denser version of the croissant. It uses the same methods of the folding of butter and dough as a regular croissant, but it takes it a step ahead, since it is dusted with some extra sugar as well.
Mille-feuille
The word literally translates to a ‘thousand layers’. This classic French pastry uses puff pastry as its base, which is then layered with pastry cream. The same process is repeated thrice to form the dessert. The top of a mille-feuille is then dusted with some icing sugar or cocoa powder, with fresh fruits also often used for the garnish.
Paris-Brest
The classic French dessert was developed to honour a bicycle race between the two regions of Paris and Brest. Its creator, Louis Durand, created the dessert to replicate the wheel of a bicycle. A Paris Brest is a ring shaped choux pastry, which is traditionally filled with a praline flavoured cream, and is then topped off with some almond flakes.
St. Honoré
Another timeless French classic, the St. Honore holds a lot of religious and historical significance, and combines a lot of classic French pastries. The base comprises of puff pastry, which is then topped with a ring of choux pastries. These profiteroles are dipped in caramel before being assembled on the side. The base is then filled with some crème chiboust, and whipped cream is used to create the design on the top. In fact, the tip which is used to do the piping on the top is referred to as the St. Honoré piping tip.
Which ones of these French pastries have you had till date? And which of these tempted you the most? Let us know in the comment section below.
India is rightly known as the land of spices. Indian cuisine is full of a variety of spices that are used extensively to give amazing taste to the food that it is so famous for. Usually, a variety of these Indian spices are mixed together and powdered. After that, they are added to the food and are cooked over a low flame to release their aroma and flavour. This, of course, makes the food spicy and flavourful, and at the same time, it adds a lot of colour to the food as well.
Here are the top twenty spices that you will find in almost all Indian households. Read on to find where each of these is used, and how you can incorporate them into your daily cooking to make it more flavorful and delicious.
Ginger
Ginger is used to flavour a lot of things, right from sea foods to vegetarian items. It has a hot and fragrant taste to it. You can either chop up some fresh ginger, or use readymade ginger paste. Dried ginger powder is also easily available in the market.
Garlic
Garlic is known for its pungent and spicy flavour. This, however, mellows down when you cook it. And once you get used to eating food which is made with garlic, there is simply no going back at all! Garlic is basically used as a seasoning, and is the secret to making tasty food.
Turmeric
No Indian dish can ever be complete without turmeric. Known for its antibacterial and health properties, it is the most important spice to have in your kitchen. Turmeric is slightly bitter in taste. However, it is used extensively for the rich yellow color that it imparts to the gravy. Turmeric milk is also a common part of the Indian cuisine.
Asafoetida
More commonly known as hing, asafoetida is an important part of Indian cuisine. It helps to enhance the flavour of food. Additionally, it also has health benefits for those who are struggling with digestive issues. This spice helps to balance out other flavours in the dish, such as salty and spicy.
Nutmeg
Another Indian household favourite, nutmeg is a small brown coloured seed. It has a sweet and savoury taste to it, which goes well with Indian curries. Nutmeg is widely used in pickles and chutneys, as well as in meat preparations. In fact, it is also used in a lot of desserts as well, such as gajar ka halwa. Carrot cakes and banana cakes also make extensive use of nutmeg powder.
Also known as ajwain, carom seeds are a herb used to spice up food preparations. They are small and pale brown in colour, with a very slight pungent and bitter taste. The smell of carom seeds is somewhat similar to that of thyme. Carom seeds are also excellent to cure stomach indigestion and other digestive issues, so make use of it generously.
Curry leaves
Curry leaves are a fresh herb that is used extensively in cooking, especially in the South. They are characterized by their fresh and unique aroma, which adds new heights to foods. They are commonly shallow fried in the oil which is being used to cook the dish, after which the rest of the spices are added. You will find them used in curd rice, sambar, poha, upma, etc.
Mustard seeds
These small seeds are tart, and are used to thicken the gravy of the dish. They are widely used in curries. You will find them in different colours, such as brown, yellow and black. All of them have different tastes, and therefore are used differently.
Dried green mango powder
Also known as amchur powder, this is made from green mangoes which have been dried up. Naturally, the spice has an amazing fruity, sour and pungent taste to it. it varies in colour from beige to brown, which then imparts a bright colour to the dish. This spice is mainly used when you want a citrusy taste, and is used especially in meat preparations.
Poppy seeds
You will find both black and white poppy seeds in the Indian market. They can be used in a variety of forms, such as dry, baked, or when made into a paste. They help to thicken the gravy, and also add texture and flavour to it. Poppy seeds is also widely used in baking. Lemon and poppy cake, for instance, is a classic combination.
Fenugreek seeds
These amber or yellow coloured seeds add a unique dimension to all recipes in which they are used. They are used in their powdered form. The spice is often added to pickles, curries as well as meat preparations.
Coriander
Coriander is used extensively in Indian cooking, both in its fresh and powdered form. It has a really refreshing flavour to it, something like lime. Fresh coriander is also used to garnish food, such as curries and curd. It is also used in a lot of salads and chutneys.
Cumin
Cumin can be used either as it is, or after roasting and powdering it. And though cumin forms an integral part of cuisines around the world, it is an indispensable part of our Indian cooking. It also lends a brown earthy flavour and color to food. It is also often added to curd to make raita, or is used to flavour buttermilk.
Black pepper
Black pepper forms one of the most basic seasonings that Indian cuisines use. It comes from small black peppercorns, which are dried and then ground before being used. Black pepper is really spicy, and makes food a bit tart. Therefore, it is used in small amounts only.
Bay leaf
Bay leaf is always used after it has dried. It forms an integral part of the garam masala, which is a mix of spices used in cooking. However, the leaf is quite bitter in taste, and is therefore not eaten. Nevertheless, it is used for its pleasing fragrance, which it imparts to the entire dish.
Red chilli
Red chilli is a really hot spice, so make sure you use it only in moderation. A lot of people even use whole red chillis for flavoring their curries and other foods. Other than a hot flavor, it also gives a deep red colour to the dish. So now you know the secret behind the spiciness of the Indian cuisine.
Clove
A clove is basically a dried flower bud. It is known for its particular aroma and taste, though the aroma is what it is mostly used for. You will find clove used in a lot of Indian dishes like curries, meats and marinades. In fact, it is also used to add flavour to hot beverages and some fruits.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of a tree. It is used extensively in both sweet and savoury Indian dishes. You can use this spice as a whole, or use its powder to add flavour to your food. Cinnamon has a really pungent taste to it, but when added to food, it adds a hot and aromatic taste. Cinnamon is also used to make desserts, and tastes well with apples and bananas. Some people even add it to their tea to make a spiced tea.
Cardamom
Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices. Nevertheless, it adds a rich aroma and taste to your food. From starters to main course to desserts, you will find cardamom being used a lot. Cardamom seeds are also used to make spiced tea, and to flavour sugar syrups for a variety of Indian desserts.
Fennel seeds
Fennel is a brown or green coloured aromatic spice, used in a variety of dishes. In fact, fennel seeds are not just restricted to the savoury kitchen. They are used in a lot of sweet dishes and desserts as well. Sugar syrups for a number of desserts are often flavoured with some fennel seeds. Roasted fennel seeds also double up as a mouth freshener post meals.
How to use spices correctly?
Now that you know all about spices that are used in cooking, it is also important to know the correct way to use them. Correctly cooking and using these spices can take your food to an altogether different level.
As much as possible, use fresh spices and herbs. They have much stronger flavour than the ones have been processed and packed in industries. You can also make your own powdered spices by sun drying fresh ones, and then powdering them. Store them in air tight containers in a cool and dry place, and these will last you for easily six months.
The best way to bring out the aroma and flavour of your spices is to be patient. Cooking these over high flame never does the job. Make sure that you are patient and that you cook these spices over a low flame. While preparing a gravy, add a little bit of clarified butter or butter or refined oil, depending on your choice. Once the oil is hot enough, lower the flame and then add the spices one by one. Usually, spices that need to be cooked more are added first. The general order followed is garlic, ginger, onions and other vegetables, which is followed by other spices. If you are using whole spices, then add them before you add in the garlic. Once they become aromatic and release flavour, add in the remaining spices in the remaining order.
It is also a good idea to make your own spice mix at home. This comes in really handy when you are cooking in a rush, yet never fails to impart wonderful flavors. Though you will find a lot of readymade spice mixes in the market, making your own is any day a better option. Simply dry roast the spices that you want to combine. After that, blitz them together in a mixer, and store the spice mix. Make sure that you don’t blitz them too much, or else they will start to release their oils.
Here are some easy tips and hacks for you when using these lovely Indian spices.
Marinate some pineapples with red chilli powder, and then chargrill them. This will give you some amazing roasted pineapples at home for that barbeque night feel.
When using cottage cheese, frying it enhances its flavor. Marinate cottage cheese with your homemade spice mix to add even better flavour.
Add a little turmeric to your rice to enhance their colour.
Roast and pound some fennel seeds. Mix them with some granulated sugar; and your mouth freshener is ready.
Store your spices in the chiller if you live in really humid conditions. This will increase their shelf life.
Powder some cumin seeds, and use them to garnish yogurt based salads.
Though spices are really good for health, make sure that you consume them in moderation. An excess of everything is bad, and the same holds true here.
Concepts previously frowned upon are creating a buzzword today. Meeting strangers previously, was a taboo, and today if you haven’t met one, you are considered a conformist, precisely a conservative. Millennials have led the charge on transforming the dating industry, making this strange meeting concept universally accepted.
Today a large number of us admit to being in a relationship with a partner or a spouse we have met online. Trust me when I say this to the one I married, I met online (from previous family relations though).
To name a few, we have tinder, bumble, happn, and Go Gaga topping the list. Matchmaking has been thought of god’s choice, antecedent as a holy existence. The dating industry today has a momentum of its own.
The choices flourishing on these dating platforms have made humans commodities. If not one, twenty others are waiting to feel the same you want. Dating has become a game of probabilities and ratios. People have started to internalize the idea as shopping, then naming it “the one”.
The dating pool concept is old, though the idea of channeling humans as commodities is recent. Dating has the predecessor, named “checking out”. Then comes the jaunty ode to an idea of formalizing a personal touch. Seal your romantic deal, this is what you look for, isn’t it?
Principles of marriage and economic stability are running their marathon without a finish line. One of the leading reasons for divorce since the year 2000, is the online dating industry.
Industrializing The Dating Industry – What Your Adrenaline Is Gifting The Economy
One of the top research firms, IBISWorld has forecasted a 3 billion dollar business only, in 2019. The rising subscribers of this dating app are approximately 50 million, only in the US. When asked about the feasibility and the promising features in pursuit of romance, physical satisfaction was rated the topmost procurement.
Not only in the US but whenever we travel today the generation has found a promising way to connect and formalize relationships.
The current situation although has hit the industry hard, making it difficult for these dating apps to grow. Its business, however, the revenue is expected to grow by the end of 2020. The slow growth now is only building up the tension as soon, and as the shutdown is broken, the expected growth of 25% by the end of 2020 has been estimated.
The Harvard Business School has projected a no recession business model for the dating industry. The usage has tripled among those between the age of 20 and 30 years. Today, adolescence knows no boundaries, any form of adrenaline rush fetching the benefit of the untapped market of culturing the young minds, into the glamour of the dating industry is spellbinding.
This industry is consequential. Some people have reportedly set it just by meeting someone as a stranger. These dating apps have increased the millennial spending power delaying in life milestones and on the other hand resulted in broken relationships, depression, and distressed growing years.
The generation is behind productivity because long working hours do not matter anymore. Today the ubiquitous broadband and unlimited data access have led to its growing acceptance and the legitimacy of online dating.
The current matchmaking scenario of the generation only reflects what “love in the time of algorithm” explained. This industry reaching a 20 billion dollar hit shortly, does not guarantee stability. It will promise new relationships, but the birth of commitment. Apart from Tinder, Bumble, happn, we have Ok Cupid and Stillwater racing for the peak.
Death Of Commitment
These organizations have started distributing shares in the market. Each of these apps has promising features, for example, the easy swiping feature of Tinder makes it less time-consuming. They have their aggregators to keep the customer coming back to the site as often as they can.
With the death of commitment comes the dissonance of romantic ideas of love. Romanticism has taken a vacation. The approach of entrepreneurial nerves who set up the matchmaking sites have no idea what the generation is going through. Famous Wall Street Journal reporter, Slater, had racked some office cyber dating experiences. By the age of 31, all these experiences lead to the demise of a long term relationship he had.
If not a dating site, we have books coaching the plethora of single-minded people in building blockheads. It has become the mode du jour of singles to get hands-on romance, physical interaction (the *s* word), and escaping availability of choices.
Meeting a stranger is as exciting as knowing what love is for the first time, except the “love” part. The search range is clustered into the idea of something ambiguous. No more fixating on a perfect marriage partner. Generation in the US and UK has 18 years tinder players being single mothers.
A warped outlook on love has not set a booming market weaponizing “a date”, and objectifying potential partners. Do not consider generation brainless. Some try their wit, and some let the adrenaline do the talking. The dating accounts can be connected to your Spotify, Instagram, or Facebook account, automatically populating the user’s profile.
This is what you call streaming warm bodies as fast as possible. To remake the landscape of modern relationships, the concept of romance, longevity, and the need to remain constant has taken a deep drown.
Other Factors
When you know you have satisfaction getting close this easy the idea of behavioral economics and biological determinism flow pass. It’s difficult not to pass judgment on the behavior, however losing someone falls between the digital love market place. Courtship was supervised almost everywhere.
Dating takes the process out of home, out of supervision, and non-commercial spaces. For example, dance halls, bars, movie theatres. Modern-day love has spread the idea of romance within the reign of Commerce. Helping the economy gather it’s share, these applications are in the demand and supply model.
The exploding population today is at ease with its stigmatized activity. The concern about online dating is resulting from sacrifices. Dating online is meeting people online, followed by in-person dating. Effective matchmaking requires an in-person to meet just the same way our grandfathers did.
However, there is no efficiency or a systematic possibility of why meeting people to date in the first place. Human to human matches is less predictable. We are not transacting for consumer good matches.
If we stick to the logic, it is clear but upsetting. Not all online dates lead to marriages or a perfect live-in relation. Capitalism, the idea of making this market impartial. It’s not correct but neither is it wrong. The mechanism of constant supply and demand in exchange for value and guarantee solidifies online dating as fair.
Applying metaphors to human relationships only introduces the idea that if it leads to something good, it is fair, but if it does no, it is not unfair. While breaking the logic of the market, there has to be an overriding of new laws. Online space is utterly populated with heterosexual men and women charged with a crime.
A six-figure making man, who is well-spoken, hardworking and respectful, blooms once in a blue moon. Although it does act as a magnet for women (no offense, but the same goes for men, as an exponential spending pocket need no talent) however, it should not be construed as a thread to clarify online dating space as fair.
