Technical education and research, the backbone of Indian economy, is provided by institutions identified under tier I, tier II and tier III categories. Although, tier I and tier II institutions are known for high quality education, they account for a tiny proportion of technical manpower supply to Indian economy. It is the Tier III institutes, which are mostly university-affiliated institutes, that supply more than 90% of the human resource. Thus, they determine the quality of technical core of our economy. However, some of these institutes are blamed for producing graduates who may not have the necessary knowledge and skills. Why is it so?

National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has remarked that only about 15% of the graduates, certified by universities as employable, have the necessary skills to thrive in a workplace. Then, why do universities certify others? If we dont think and act on this with all seriousness, it could be fatal to the economy. Colleges often blame it on the quality of students getting admitted.

How correct is it? For instance, in Karnataka, about 75% of the students are admitted to engineering courses based on their performance in competitive exams conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority and the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK).

Well-rounded development

Hence, we can say that many students have the interest and potential to do well in engineering provided they are properly trained. Then, where are the pain points? What can be done to ensure that the graduating engineers are of acceptable quality? Lets take a look.

Peer and parental pressure: Some of the students enter the field of engineering either on the insistence of parents or due to peer pressure. When the course is not their preferred choice, they either drop out of the course or finish it with substandard technical competencies. As a result, they either settle for a non-engineering job or would be professionally less productive.

Quality teaching: A majority of faculty members in the engineering colleges are occupied significantly in the completion of university curriculum. They hardly have any time for creative and innovative work. Many enter and continue in the profession without any industry exposure or pedagogical training. They solely bank upon learning by experience.

Added to this, they are bombarded with various tasks that are in no way related to their profession. Further, some institutions find it hard to pay the prescribed salary to teachers. This has resulted in shorter tenures of teachers and has affected quality and continuity of teaching.

Industry partnership: As engineering is a practice-intensive profession, institutions which embed industry experience in their teaching-learning process would do much better than others. A joint survey of engineering colleges in the country in 2016 by AICTE and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) revealed that more than 90% of the colleges failed to secure even 35% marks with regard to their engagement with industry to make student employable.

Additionally, 73% of them did not conduct even two industrial visits in a year. Hence, AICTE should find ways to rope in professionals for strategic partnerships with institutions. However, the participation of professionals in the development of the curriculum and enabling the institutions to ensure industry readiness among graduates is low. If professionals can contribute more proactively in this process, the quality of learning for engineering students can be continuously monitored to meet the industry requirements.

Government policies: The quality of education in some engineering institutions is not great. Inability to check illegitimate practices and failure to make engineering colleges subscribe to the grand vision of national development are all responsible for the present scenario.

Accreditation for quality education: AICTEs move to make it mandatory for all engineering programmes to earn the accreditation by National Board of Accreditation (NBA) is a welcome move. NBA, being a signatory to Washington Accord (an international agreement between bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes), accredits only engineering programmes that ensure adequate learning outcomes in terms of engineering knowledge, skills and attitude in its students.

However, getting an NBA accreditation is not an easy task for engineering colleges as there are several parameters that are looked into. Hence, policy makers and administrators at the national, state and institutional levels should seriously focus on creating and sustaining a conducive ecosystem to empower institutes to earn the accreditation.

Passionate engineering colleges in a high quality ecosystem can make a huge difference to the nation in terms of employability, entrepreneurship and research.

Hence, it becomes important for institutions to extend their support to students and enable them to reach their full potential and contribute to the society in a meaningful manner.

(The author is principal, BMS Institute of Technology & Management, Bengaluru)

Using a case from the present industrial scenario would be of immense relevance and importance in the context of functioning as a standpoint for envisaging different situations and learning by practicing. While the recommended course material assist the student in gaining more knowledge, case studies facilitate in developing business wit and wisdom. Cases provide an ample of scope for application of information. Business cases direct the minds of the students in a particular situation and enable them to nurture the art of making astute decisions.

Learning from real-life scenarios

Case studies present realistic, complex, and contextually rich situations and often involve a dilemma, conflict, or problem that one or more of the characters in the case must negotiate. Discussing cases in classrooms facilitate exchange of views among students and relate theory to practice. Case discussions facilitate a vehicle for reconsidering the lessons learnt, sharing them with others and gaining valuable knowledge by doing so.

How can you learn from a case study? Here are a few ways that can help:

*As you read the case study, ask yourself, What is the case study about? What do I need to analyse?

*Go through the case very carefully and highlight the cases crucial facts as you read.

*Empathise with the manager who is being discussed in the case and to develop a sense of involvement in his or her problem.

*Identify the relevant areas for analysing, noting each one on a separate sheet of paper.

*Focus on the cases facts you have highlighted and go over the qualitative and quantitative evidence carefully. Note down your conclusions.

*Review your conclusions, and then verbalise a set of recommendations directed at the issues you have identified.

During this process, the role of the instructor is valuable. In class, an instructor usually allows students to take the case where they wish. He or she then stimulates the students to make their own observations based on the ideas they have developed and leads the students to consider areas they may have missed. Once a case has been studied thoroughly, it is the instructors accountability to encapsulate the discussion and draw out the useful learning and observations that have been drawn out.

The actual use of a case as a means of learning depends deeply on class participation. Through exchange and constructive discussion, students will be able to build analytical skills and gain conceptual understanding. It also encourages rigorous thinking and helps students improve their communication skills. Contributing ones own views - expressing and defending - becomes one of the best learning outcomes.

The downsides

The case study method demands thoughtful participation both from the instructor as well as students. Unless this is taken intently, the purpose of a case study will never be served and instead, be counter-productive. While case studies can help students arrive at solutions, here are some things that need to be remembered while discussing them:

*While every case is unique, the solutions for it are even more so. Hence, it is impossible to generalise the outcomes and apply them universally.

*Solutions are always contingent on resources available at that point of time. Decisions may need to be altered at a future date because there might be some change that occurs in the availability of resources.

It is a known fact that it is always easier said than done. It is very easy to recommend on actions which do not disturb us directly. But is considerably difficult to conclude on even simple issues when we are jittery. Having more pressure on our mind may not work at times of actual crises.

So, it is of no wonder that case studies are often used in classrooms to show how employees work together to arrive at solution. However, it is important to use it effectively and help students make the best use of it.

(The authors are with Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumakuru)

Educational technology (edtech) is a burgeoning industry now, attracting investments because of its promising potential to change the way students can learn and grow. Innovations through technology in skill development appears to be taking a significant stage in the Indian edtech sector.

Gone are the times when a college degree was the only stepping stone to relevant job opportunities. Education systems across the world have been trying to catch up with the changing times with the help of technology. But this remains to be a difficult task with the breakneck speed with which technology is evolving.

Cashing on this opportunity and attempting to fill this gap are enterprising edtech entrepreneurs. The online education industry in India will witness around eight times the growth in the next five years, according to a recent report. This will have a significant impact on the edtech market.

Now that the thinking is evolving, entrepreneurs in the edtech sector are required to go beyond the ordinary and be inventive in offering customised solutions pertaining to specific demand. Here are five ways on how to make a mark in the edtech industry:

Research is key

Doing market research is a fundamental aspect of entrepreneurship, and the edtech industry is no different. Creating a product without having an idea of its practical use, classroom implementation or students needs will fail. Entrepreneurs also need to be aware that their ideas around education may be outdated and the concerns already addressed. So, talk to students and teachers to know what their needs are.

Be focused

Not all edtech entrepreneurs have worked in the field of education. It is, therefore, important that the product be defined. Edtech entrepreneurs should never aim to replace educators but aid students and teachers to improve their efficiency. Having a defined purpose is also vital when approaching investors.

Dont follow the pack

Disruption of the sector

Edtech is an interesting and growing space in India, and investors want to back those start-ups that are bringing change in the sector with the help of technology. A serious investor is looking for disruption in the learning and teaching space, disruption in leveraging technology to scale and disrupting learning itself.

Employ creative minds

Start off with discussing your idea with mentors and seek their feedback. Then, employ or co-create with individuals who share the same vision as you and develop a product that can compete in the market. Sourcing freelance web designers and content writers are an excellent way to start. An edupreneur needs to build a strong team by putting them together and by filling all the gaps between them.

(The author is co-founder, Emeritus Institute of Management, Mumbai)

Dear Madam,

After completing my BE in Telecommunication Engineering, I started working. Now, I want to do my Masters in the field of management. I am in a dilemma as to whether to take up MS in Engineering management or MBA. Could you let me know as to which has a better scope and which is the better country to pursue the course? Also, do let me know more about the early career MBA offered by San Jose State University.

Kishore

Dear Kishore,

You need to have three years work experience to get into a good MBA programme. The early career MBA offered by San Jose State University is for students who have less than five years work experience. They offer an accelerated one-year full time programme and a two-year regular programme.

MS Engineering Management does not require work experience. This is a new and sought after course which combines both management and engineering subjects. This course is ideally suited for engineers who wish to gain some management skills. This has been the new choice of many engineering students looking to pursue an MBA.

Dear Madam,

I am looking to go overseas for my undergraduation. I am a below average student and have not participated in any extracurricular activities. I scored 1240 in the new format of SAT. Additionally, I also find the admission process quite daunting. Would it be difficult for me to get admission into a university abroad?

A Student

Dear Student,

Dont be so hard on yourself. You can certainly get admission in many universities across the world. The admission process to study abroad is not all that daunting, provided you have the right person advising you.

The good news is that you have vast choice of universities to pick from. Universities in USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia offer flexibility in their courses. A score of 1240 in SAT is acceptable by many US universities. For detailed information on application process, entry requirements and study options, please visit www.umaaswani.com.

Dear Madam,

I recently completed BE in Computer Science. As I want to study MS in the UK, can you please suggest some good specialisations that I can take and universities where I can study?

A Student

Dear Student,

Generally, universities offer MS in Computer Science, MS in Computer engineering or MS in Electrical engineering. Specialisations are offered in areas such as Bioengineering, Computer systems and software, Digital Signal Processing, Electrical energy, Electronic Design and applications, Optics & Photonics, Telecommunications and Robotics.

To give you an idea, some of the courses offered by UK universities are Computer Networks and Security at Westminster University, Data Science at City, University of London, Artificial Intelligence at University of Edinburgh, Big Data at Kent University, Communication engineering at Manchester university, Telecommunications and Wireless systems management at Queen Mary University of London, Machine learning and Data mining at University of Bristol, Cybernetics and Communications at Nottingham Trent University, and Data Science at Kings College London.

Dear Madam,

Shaji

Dear Shaji,

To study in the UK, you need to write the IELTS exam which is a very simple English language test. To be able to practice medicine in the UK, you have to write the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam.

While most universities accept an MBBS for an MRes, MPhil or MSc in an area of specialisation, some universities ask for two years clinical experience. Some of the best UK universities for Masters in Medicine are Oxford University, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Kings College London, University of Liverpool, University of Glasgow, Newcastle University, Anglia Ruskin University, Queen Mary University of London and the University of Edinburgh.

Dear Madam,

I am a final year Civil engineering student. I plan to do MS in the UK. Which are the courses I can take up for MS?

Amit

Dear Amit,

You could pursue your MEng in Civil engineering, Design and Construction, MSc in Structural engineering with Materials, MSc in Construction Management or Project Management, Interior Architecture and Design, Building Information Management etc.

Dear Madam,

Im a BSc Mathematics graduate. I have over seven years of experience in the IT industry. Now, I am trying to go abroad with a good job or for higher education. Please suggest a few programmes which offer job placement and which can help me pursue a worthy career.

Priya

Dear Priya,

Universities in UK and Canada offer courses with placement years. You could do an MSc sandwich course in Mathematics or an IT-related subject in UK which will be a two-year programme including placement or you could do a co-op programme in Canada which will again increase your duration in the country by one year.

If it is a two-year programme, with placement it will come to three years. Alternately, I would recommend a one-year masters programme in a country like New Zealand which offers long stay visas and work permits to international students.

Dear Madam,

I am a Class 12 student. I would like to go to Canada to do my undergraduation but I am confused on whether to do a diploma course or degree course. I am interested in computers but I am not sure as to what area to specialise in. Please guide.

Sam

Dear Sam,

If you want to go to Canada, I would recommend a four-year degree. A diploma is never sufficient by itself in the job market. Only if your grades are not good for a direct admission to a four-year programme, I would recommend a two-year diploma that leads to entry into year 3 of the Bachelors degree.

Some of the universities I would recommend in Canada are Waterloo, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and York University.

The courses these universities offer are Computer Science, Computer engineering, Software engineering, Interactive systems design, Information Technology, Computer engineering management, Computer Systems (Wireless and Mobile Application development), Game Art and Design, and Creative Technologies.

Other similarly large planets, such as Saturn, do not produce any detectable X-ray aurora, which makes the findings at Jupiter particularly puzzling. The team hopes to keep tracking the activity of Jupiters poles over the next two years using X-ray observing campaigns in conjunction with Juno to see if this previously unreported behaviour is commonplace.

FILM-BASED STUDY

Reacting to moral issues

Are we more prone to help the person who resembles us the most? Social neuroscientists have studied the effects of similarity by showing a re-edited version of the film My Sisters Keeper to a group of subjects and by giving them a moral dilemma to consider while measuring their brain function by fMRI. The subjects were asked to observe the film in the light of different questions. The study focused particularly on how the subjects felt about one sister refusing to donate an organ to another sister diagnosed with cancer. The study discloses a major conflict between what the subjects told they felt about the moral issue presented to them and what actually happened inside their brains.

UNNOTICED STRUCTURES

Mysterious stone gates

Archaeologists have uncovered nearly 400 previously undocumented stone structures they call gates in the Arabian desert. They
believe that these may have been built by nomadic tribes thousands of years ago.

David Kennedy, an archaeologist at the University of Western Australia and author of a paper set to appear in the journal Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, said when he first saw the Google Earth satellite images, he was confronted with structures quite different from anything he had ever seen before. He called them gates because when looked at horizontally, they resemble a simple fence with two thick upright posts on the sides connected by one or more long bars.

Stephan Kempe, a retired professor of physical geology at Technische Universitat Darmstadt in Germany, who was not involved in the paper, said that the new study was one of a series of papers describing previously unnoticed structures in the Saudi Arabian lava fields. "There are many other features that have only recently been understood
as forming classes of prehistoric geoglyphs that were widespread in an area thought to be very barren and devoid of human impact," he said.

NO WAY OUT

Impossible to beat ageing

Ageing is a natural part of life, but that hasnt stopped people from embarking on efforts to stop the process. Unfortunately, perhaps, those attempts are futile, according to University of Arizona researchers who have proved that its mathematically impossible to halt ageing in multicellular organisms like humans."Ageing is mathematically inevitable - like, seriously inevitable. Theres logically, theoretically, mathematically no way out," said Joanna Masel, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and at University of Arizona. Joanna and University of Arizona postdoctoral researcher Paul Nelson outline their findings on math and ageing in a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

DOCUMENTARY

Day of the Asteroid

Hollywood movies have long thrilled in showing us the catastrophic aftermath of an asteroid making direct impact with our planet. As explored in the compelling documentary Day of the Asteroid, this possibility is far from manufactured fantasy. Our planet has played host to asteroid collisions throughout its history, and it seems inevitable that it will happen again. Is there anything we can do to protect ourselves?

The galaxy is a vast battlefield populated and shaped by a countless series of violent impacts and explosions. When these events involve our planet, the results are profound. Day of the Asteroid looks into the impacts they leave behind and shows the real work being done to thwart another planetary doomsday scenario. To watch the documentary, visit www.bit.ly/2A9cVXB.

Whenever theres a big science discovery, its always nice to get a historical perspective. And so here goes with the remarkable observation of gravitational waves emanating from the merger of two dead stars, or neutron stars, some 130 million light-years from Earth.

Its 50 years since the existence of these stellar remnants was confirmed (July 1967) by the mighty Northern Irish astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Its more than 40 years since we realised neutron stars might occur in pairs, or binaries, as we call them. "And from that time, its been clear that occasionally they would approach closer together and have a spectacular splat of some kind," says English Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees.

Workings of neutron stars

Well, on August 17 this year, at precisely 12:41:04 UTC, a pair was duly observed to do just that. To have a big splat. The big fuss is that the event was recorded first from its gravitational wave signature, the way it warped space-time (a major breakthrough); and then through its light emissions at many different wavelengths - from gamma rays all the way through to radio waves - over subsequent days.

This combination of observations has never been possible before and it provides significant new insights into the workings of neutron stars where the density of matter is theorised to be perhaps a few hundred thousand to a few hundred million tonnes per cubic centimetre. Weird stuff. "The neutron star is a laboratory for extreme physics; its exotic material, very neutron-rich; and when its torn apart you get exotic radiation and very rapid neutron-capture processes that produce elements like gold. So, its very exciting," enthuses Sir Martin.

The detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO labs in the US and the VIRGO facility in Italy really is opening up a new era in astronomy. One very smart calculation from the August 17 event is the determination of the Hubble Constant, which describes the expansion rate of the Universe. The further away you look, the faster galaxies are receding from us. Ever since the American Edwin Hubble first detailed this relationship in 1929, astronomers have meticulously tried to put a value on it because it helps us gauge the size and age of the universe.

Its been done by measuring the distance and velocities of a large number of stars in a good sample of galaxies. The stars have all been so-called standard candles - objects that shine with a known power output. If you understand this absolute quantity and compare it with the stars apparent brightness on the sky, you can figure out their distance from Earth using the inverse square law.

But its not easy because no one standard candle will do the job; you must use one type to calibrate the next in a series of steps. "Its like taping a large number of rulers together. Every time you do it, theres a chance for a little bit of wobble, and a little bit of extra uncertainty creeps in," explains Will Farr from the University of Birmingham, UK. "[But] because gravitational waves can directly measure distances, we dont need to tape rulers
together."

Calculating the distance

Simply put, they neatly package the distance information for us. "The absolute intensity of an event is encoded in the signal shape, and the apparent intensity is what you measure with your gravitational wave detector - and from one over r squared, you can then tell how far away it was," says Karsten Danzmann from the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, Germany. You still need a velocity measurement to go with the distance, and that is obtained from analysing the light associated with the event that generated the gravitational waves. Hence, the thrill weve seen this week from astronomers in being able to sense gravitational waves and light from the same source at the same time.

Bernie Schutz from Cardiff University, UK first proposed working out the Hubble Constant in this way some 30 years ago. "Its amazing to have done it after all this time," he said. "From this event, we get a value of 70 kilometres per second per megaparsec." What does that mean? Well, a megaparsec is 3.26 million light-years, so it follows that cosmic expansion increases by 70km/second for every 3.26 million light-years we look further out into space. Now, this is just one data point with a fair bit of uncertainty associated with it (the range goes from 62 to 82), so no one is yet yelling from the rooftops.

But there is good confidence that as more and more gravitational wave observations are made, the error bars will narrow significantly. The speculation is that within 10 years or so, sufficient observations could have been acquired to provide an independent check on the conventional technique.

The American Nobel laureate Adam Riess said, "This feels like Christmas. Gravitational waves are giving us so many presents; there is even something under the tree for cosmologists! I think this is a very promising technique, especially for the near future after LIGO collects a few tens of these and we can begin reaping the dividends of averaging."

Gravitational waves: an overview

*Gravitational waves are a prediction of the Theory of General Relativity

*It took decades to develop the technology to directly detect them

*They are ripples in the fabric of space-time generated by violent events

*Accelerating masses will produce waves that propagate at the speed of light

*Detectable sources ought to include merging black holes and neutron stars

*LIGO/VIRGO fire lasers into long L-shaped tunnels; the waves disturb the light

*Detecting the waves opens up the universe to completely new investigations

The New York Times

September 7, 2017 was unlike any other. The skies over some parts of the northern hemisphere were lit up with auroras. Radio communication devices snapped briefly and there was a widespread blackout in the parts that faced the Sun.

The culprit? Solar flares - an immense outburst of energy on the solar surface that sends out a deluge of high-energy particles out into space. Classified as a class X - the highest classification - this flare was the most powerful flare seen in over a decade, pouring out as much energy as would billions of hydrogen bombs.

"On the Sun, explosions happen when different magnetic field lines entangle and snap because of the constant motions happening in the atmosphere of the Sun. The snapping of the magnetic field lines releases a large amount of energy in a short interval of time. This phenomenon is called a solar flare, which in turn, sends shockwaves travelling on the surface of the Sun," explains Vaibhav Pant, a PhD student at Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru.

Although Earth is protected from the adverse effects of a flare by the magnetic field of the Earth, the charged particles released during flares can pose a danger to our satellites and electronic equipment, lying outside the Earths magnetic field. Moreover, studying the jets of high energy particles and radiations released during a flare can also reveal information about the Sun, like the nature of the plasma on the solar surface and properties of its corona, making scientists take special interests in these solar flares.

Powerful flare

In a recent study, Vaibhav and a group of researchers from Northumbria University, UK and Harbin Institute of Technology, China, observed a never-before-seen phenomenon on the solar surface on March 6, 2012, which was triggered by another class X solar flare. For the first time, they had observed a standing wave in the coronal structures of the Sun. In a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal, the researchers have proposed a mechanism for the origin of the standing wave and have probed its properties.

There is much action in the corona. Influenced by the magnetic field of the Sun, many coronal structures are formed when the hot plasma follows the magnetic field lines, much like iron fillings forming patterns around a magnet. A coronal fan loop is one such coronal structure that spreads outwards and is narrow and dense at the surface of the Sun. It is a loop formed by plasma shaped by the immense magnetic field of the Sun, with the two ends tied to the surface of the star. Just like a string attached to a ball.

Reflection of energy

The events on March 6, 2012 unfolded when a powerful flare was triggered in a region of high activity - a region where sunspots and solar flares regularly occur - named AR 11429. When the shock waves from this flare reached a coronal fan loop in another active region named AR 11428, it set off oscillations in the coronal structure, which led to the formation of a standing wave in the coronal fan loop. "A wave is called standing wave, if the energy of the wave does not travel from one location to another. To make this happen, there should be a reflection of energy from somewhere," remarks Vaibhav.

The standing waves observed is a treasure trove of information, say scientists. "A wave carries the information of the
medium in which they travel. For example, the speed of a sound wave depends on the pressure and density of the medium in which the sound wave propagates. Similarly, the study of these compressive waves helps us understand different properties of the medium through which they travel, which is plasma in this case. Since the observed standing waves were seen in coronal loops, they carry information about plasma confined in the coronal loops," explains Vaibhav.

The study also revealed that the standing wave reflected much before the location from where the fan loop is tied to the solar surface. This phenomenon is unlike a wave on the guitar string where it is reflected at the point where the string is tied. The scientists theorise that this may be a result of the sharp change in density of plasma along the fan loop, which causes the wave to turn back before it reaches close to the solar surface.

(The author is with Gubbi Labs, a research collective based in Bengaluru)

In the coastal parts of Karnataka, we now have a new species of Mopane paddle pod plant. A woody climber with looping branchlets and tiny green flowers, the Mopane paddle pod plant is found in parts of Africa and south-east Asia. This species was discovered by a team of researchers from the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The new species is considered to be a sister species of Mopane paddle pod (Reissantia indica), and is classified under the genus Reissantia. The species, unlike other species in Reissantia, has flowers without any stalk. Hence, it has been named Reissantia sessiliflora.

This species is known to be found only in the sea-facing lateritic scrubs of Uttara Kannada district with an estimated extent of occurrence to be less than 100 sq km. Most of the areas where this plant was found was destroyed by human disturbances, which has forced the species to be classified as critically endangered. "If immediate steps are not taken to protect and restore the last remaining patches, we have little chance in protecting it," says G Ramachandra Rao, who was a part of the team that discovered the new species.

CONSERVING ENERGY IN WINTER

Shrews shrink their skulls and brains

Bad news, bears. Hibernation is no longer the coolest thing animals do to survive the winter. As cold weather approaches, tiny mole-like creatures known as red-toothed shrews (found mostly in North America, northern South America, Europe and northern Asia) will shrink their own heads, reducing their skull and brain mass by as much as 20%, according to new research published in Current Biology. When warm weather returns, they will regrow the region nearly to its original size. Though it is not yet clear why the shrews go down a few sizes for the winter, the authors of the study speculate that the reduced head and brain size helps them conserve energy when resources are scarce.

"These tiny mammals cannot migrate long distances to avoid winter, nor can they enter any kind of energy-saving state like hibernation," said Javier Lazaro, a doctoral student at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Germany, and an author of the study. The shrews reduction in size does not only affect the head. Several major organs lose mass in winter, and the spine shortens, as well. Overall, the shrews in the study reduced their body mass by about 18% from July to February.

INDICATOR OF DISTRESS

Oysters can hear noise pollution

Like anyone with rowdy neighbours, oysters may be feeling stressed thanks to the growing problem of underwater noise pollution, and are trying to filter out the racket. New research published in PLoS One reveals that oysters will close their shells when exposed to noises along a range of frequencies that includes the sounds emitted by known noise polluters like cargo ships and underwater oil exploration. In oysters, closed shells are an indicator of distress. Under optimal conditions, bivalve molluscs will keep their shells open, and they are thought to shut them only when feeling stressed or threatened. Clamping their shells to screen out noise pollution or other artificial irritants could prevent oysters from perceiving important biological cues, said the authors of the study. Oysters "must be able to hear breaking waves and water currents," which could trigger their biological rhythms, said Jean-Charles Massabuau, an author of the study. Not being able to detect other natural events, like rainfall or thunderstorms, could also prevent them from knowing when it is time to spawn, Jean-Charles said.

DOCUMENTARY

An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth presents an illustrated talk on climate by Al Gore, the former Vice President of United States, aimed at alerting the public to an increasing planetary emergency due to global warming. It weaves the science of global warming with Al Gores personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change. An Inconvenient Truth makes the compelling case that global warming is real, man-made, and its effects will be cataclysmic if we dont act now. The documentary has been credited for raising international public awareness on global warming and re-energising the environmental movement. To watch the documentary, visit www.nflx.it/2h4uaVs.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Jane Goodall started attributing personalities to the chimpanzees she followed in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. In her descriptions, some were more playful or aggressive, affectionate or nurturing. Many scientists at the time were horrified, she recalled. Considered an amateur - she didnt yet have her PhD - they contended she was inventing personality traits for animals. Jane, now 83, said in a phone interview from her home in England that scientists thought "I was guilty of the worst kind of anthropomorphism."

But time has borne out her insights. Chimpanzees in the wild have personalities similar to those in captivity, and both strongly overlap with traits that are familiar in humans, a new study published in Scientific Data confirms.

The new examination of chimpanzees at Gombe updates personality research conducted on 24 animals in 1973 to include more than 100 additional chimps that were evaluated a few years ago. The animals were individually assessed by graduate students in the earlier study, and in the latest by Tanzanian field assistants, on personality traits like agreeableness, extroversion, depression, aggression and self-control.

Vivid personalities

Researchers used different questionnaires to assess the chimps traits in the two studies, but most of the personality types were consistent across the two studies. These traits seen among wild chimps matched ones seen among captive animals, the study found, and are similar to those described in people.

Jane, who is promoting a new documentary, Jane, about those early days of her research, said shes not surprised. She knew from childhood experiences with guinea pigs, tortoises and her favourite dog, Rusty, that animals have personalities that are quite familiar. "I honestly dont think you can be close to any animals and not realise their very vivid personalities," she said.

Clive Wynne, a professor and director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University, USA, who was not involved in the research, said the new study offered a "really rich picture" of the overlap among species. "Its backing up and reinforcing a number of things that we assume about animal personality that are seldom established with this degree of security in substantial wild-living populations," said Clive, who concurs that dogs, his area of specialty, also have similar personality traits.

Robert Latzman, an associate professor at Georgia State University, USA, who was not involved in the study, said his research with chimpanzees in zoos has always left open the question of whether animals in the wild are somehow different. "Whats exciting about these data is theres some suggestion that wild apes look very similar to what we would expect in terms of basic dispositional traits and continuity of those traits - and I dont mean just to captive chimpanzees, but to humans," he said. "The work in the wild underscores how similar these animals truly are to humans."

Alexander Weiss, who led the new study, said he was particularly interested in examining the personality traits of animals in the wild. His findings were in line with previous research hes done on chimpanzees in captivity. "The fact that were showing this consistency in the wild is nice, because it allows us to draw more general conclusions," said Alexander, a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, UK. "Its not just being in a zoo thats causing these individual traits to be stable." The studys underlying data will be made publicly available so other scientists can use them in their own research, he said.

Consistent over time

Although most of the animals tested in 1973 had died by the time the recent analysis was conducted, the study also concluded that an animals personality traits were generally consistent over time. Jane said that fits what shes seen, too. She visits Gombe only twice a year now, and only two animals are still alive from the days when she knew them as individuals. One, a mother of twins named Gremlin, has changed a bit, Jane said. "I think the main difference in her personality is shes become more confident as she gets older, just like people do," she said.

Jane added that shes pleased that researchers are still finding so much of interest at Gombe, and tapping into the expertise of Tanzanian field workers. And, of course, shes happy that the academic perspective has shifted from the time when she was told only humans had personalities, minds and emotions. "Today you can get your PhD studying animal personality. I think weve come around full-cycle," she said. "It absolutely vindicates all that Ive ever believed."

The New York Times

This years infernos played a havoc in our tiger reserves, especially in Bandipur. Hundreds of hectares of forest area was burnt. Some animals and birds were also caught in the fire. Various reasons have been put forth as to why the fire happened. For instance, some say that the non-removal of the dead and fallen trees is responsible for this.

It is but natural to find some dead, dying or fallen trees in all our forests. In the non-protected areas of forests, these are removed by the Forest Department and transported to depots for sale. Tiger
Reserves also have dead and fallen trees. But the Project Tiger, a tiger conservation programme launched in 1973 by the Government of India, does not allow the removal of standing snags and fallen trees from the reserves.

Bandipur National Park, which is under Project Tiger, is under strict protection for the last 44 years. In these forests, some dead and dying trees are present. Some are damaged by wild fires and some by wild elephants. Added to this the giant Dowga bamboo flowered and died (which has a flowering cycle of 75 years). All the dead trees are lying in situ, without being extracted. Some Forest Department officials feel that these dead trees, their debris and the bamboos were responsible for the recent infernos. So, some say that they need to be extracted periodically. But many wildlife experts are opposed to this. They say that the Forest Department should ensure effective protection.

Usually, fires enter the forest through an external source. The funds allotted for fire protection are to be utilised for fire tracing (a tool which helps in reducing the risk of large fires breaking out) and clearing the wild growth in forest boundaries. In addition, fire watchers are temporarily employed to assist regular staff in protecting the forests. Then why the fires are not effectively controlled? Earlier, forests were protected by clearing forest boundaries and other areas. In the winter months, by taking up early burning, one can ensure that the forest fire does not spread. Additionally, Forest Department staff are trained to protect the forests from accidental fires.

Nowadays, this is not being done in winter, and the staff is not well trained in controlling fires. In fact, many boundaries are now overgrown with weeds and are not cleared properly. These shortfalls could cause fire hazards.

Instead of overcoming the above in-built irregularities, some argue in favour of removing dead and fallen trees, which involves tremendous disturbance to the environment. The disturbances include causing damage to the forests and animals due to reasons such as cutting dead trees, making roads and vehicle movements.

In fact, research indicates that retaining snags and dead trees in forests have various advantages. For instance, dead and living trees with internal pockets of decay or broken tops can serve as wildlife habitats for a variety of plants and animals. Apart from these, fallen branches and trees are also able to enrich the soil by adding organic matter. They also help retain the soils moisture during dry periods, provide a seed bed for regenerating trees, and provide a site for nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Some also argue that taking up canopy or habitat manipulation in these forests by removing some trees can help in removing the congestion. They feel that by doing so, one can enable sufficient sunlight to reach the forest floor and facilitate the growth of grass. On the contrary, what will happen is that invasive weeds like lantana and eupatorium will be the first occupants of the forest floor, not the grass.

Perhaps, by implementing some of these preventive measures, forest fires can be averted or minimised in the future so as to provide all wildlife a better home.

It was just five weeks remaining before we started on our Tour of Nilgiris 10th Edition on our bicycles. This is a 900-km-ride through some of the best scenic spots in South India.

My friend Ram and I were running behind in our training with work commitment during the week and unbearable traffic on Nandi Hills during the weekend, so we needed to get some long climb training done in peace. We decided to climb Yercaud nonstop on our bicycles.

We left after work on Friday and stayed overnight at my place near Hosur, We rode about 50 km in the morning through some pristine villages around Shoolagiri that morning.

After lunch, we loaded the bikes in the car, and drove to Salem, the town at the base of Yercaud. We prepped our bikes for the ride next morning, discussed the plan over drinks and dinner and hit the bed.

There are two roads to Yercaud, one is the usual route from Salem, which I have never done before, the other is via Kuppanur forest. It was decided that we will do the usual route and back. We woke up early, and got out riding since it was too early for the hotel to start serving breakfast. We stopped for tea and had some good boiler tea, which is popular in Tamil Nadu.

We rode along and stopped at the base of the hill to have some steaming hot idlis for breakfast. We filled our water bottles, then started climbing the 20-km-long steady ghat road to Yercaud.

We took plenty of breaks coming down the hill to take some pictures and had some organic soup at the base of the mountain. This is a must-try place that is about 100 m before the point where the climb starts. We rode on and completed the ride in Salem, had some lovely South Indian lunch, and drove back to Bengaluru.

If 2017 was all about vitality, relaxation and the great outdoors, then 2018 will signify felicity, mystique and charisma. This tenderness can be incorporated in your home decor with the use of muted greys through a variety of hues: Nile green, a grey and pistachio-green blend that makes it one soothing pastel shade; ash rose, which is a comforting whisk of grey and red; pink lavender, a popping cololur just like the fanciest bubble-gum; meadowlark, a blissful fusion of honey and marigold; ultraviolet, an electric shade of indigo. There are a lot of new colours to look forward to!

If you adore articulation furniture, famous masterpieces, or creative wall paintings, then this colour awakening trend is just perfect for you. A sequel of this rage is the rising pursuit of laminates since they can inconspicuously raise the magnificence of the walls in the form of facades, clads, tabletops, closets and other surfaces.

Also, the year 2018 is supposed to be the year of the dog in the Chinese calendar. It is the sign of the male earth dog. It can be celebrated in mountain colours such as greens, browns and pastels. Enliven this spell of prestige and manoeuvre with a mischievously curated Pantone palette. An allegory of luck, romance and personality, the greyish-pistachio, blush pink and fanatic indigo not only indicate the prospect of luck and ardour, but also project the steadfast desire to be a strong personality, whilst maintaining a sense of expression and intimacy within the home.

Lady luck

For those who love playing with colours, ash rose (auburn greyish red), lime punch (bright green giving a green bamboo feel), a muted pink pastel with a grounded hue, or a basic white combined with a secondary complementing colour might just do the trick. Combining these bright shades with lighter ones results in a by-product that is highly versatile.

Throw in some furniture in ash grey smoked wood and a blonde wooden floor. Perhaps a super-glossy or pearlescent finish tabletops for a classy yet chic look. Possibly, a vintage look could be played around with. Think teak cabinets, airy windows with sheer curtains, wood pattern laminate furniture and a royal chandelier: they all bring opulence and radiance to your dwelling.

Spice it up

Cherry tomato, a deeply strong and heated dynamic colour, that has an orange undertone is described as the top Pantone colour for 2018. Interestingly, yellow and red are next-door neighbours on the colour wheel that essentially say the same thing: attention! Theyre more than warm, theyre hot. Many designers today are experimenting with the orange undertone of cherry tomato, which adds fierceness to any space with its natural aura. Place an understated bed in teak and contrasting-complementing cushions or table pieces in cherry tomato and blend it with complementing coloured laminates with a matte or glossy finish as per liking and utility. Complete the look with some fresh flowers, bookshelves for the reader in you, a patterned rug embracing the beauty of real wood flooring, and indulge in the differentiated experience.

Hues and contrasts

A little change goes a long way and a little colour goes even further. From the mainline colours, the other important focal point for the interior decor would be meadowlark hue, which depicts a dream escapade. It extends as an anchoring colour with fantastic meditative abilities. This honey-marigold combination is adopted from the world of paints and is creating ripples for its ability to reflect light in remarkable ways, and is mostly acceptable outdoors. Discover a whole new world of scullery by playing with the meadowlark-white contrast, which is a playful combination. While hitting this stark contrast, let the yellow stand out in the form of glossy cabinets neutralised by stainless grabbers, stuccoed textures or panelled walls. Embrace the beauty of the kitchen with glass lamp lights or other wall hangings to strike the perfect blend between art and nature. Indulge in these colours this season and celebrate a new life with luck, romance and vibrant colours in your home.

(The author is director, Greenlam Industries Pvt. Ltd.)

The launch of the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act ushered in changes in the sector of real estate after it was brought to life on May 1, 2016. There are about 2,000 small to large builders in Bengaluru alone. As this ground-breaking Act is making waves throughout the real estate sector, Commonfloor gauged the sentiment of the builder community in Bengaluru and the expectations of the developers with an in-depth survey. With the opinions of 100 builders of different tiers in Bengaluru, this survey gives an understanding of the Acts impact on the builder community.

From the sample segment of builders, 20% of the builders ran a small company consisting of 10 or fewer members. At the same time, 35% owned medium-sized firms with a strength of 10 to 40 employees. The remaining 45% belonged to the large entities, having an employee strength of more than 40 members.

Understanding the target audience highlighted that mid-premium housing is the major target for the builders. For 22% of the builders, the target audience consists of home-buyers looking for affordable housing, whereas luxury housing took up the interest of 25% builders. However, 53% of the builders opted to cater to the mid-premium housing tier.

The survey addresses the registration aspects of the RERA on builders or developers and other major effects of the act on the real estate market.

Here are some pointers...

Ease of RERA registration

With the introduction of RERA, developers are not permitted to market the project without registering it with the regulatory authority, and the registration can be revoked in case of violations. When enquired about the ease of registration under the RERA Act, 55% of the builders responded that they found it easy, whereas 32% found it difficult to do. However, 13% of the builders could not understand the procedure.

The sampled developer audience, when posed with the question of having registered with RERA Act, responded in affirmation. The majority 80% of the builders have already registered with the Act. However, 20% have not registered yet.

Empanelment of brokers

With the requirement for brokers and real estate agents to register as well, the empanelment could seem as a worry for the builders. On being enquired about validating this query, the builders gave mixed responses. Where 45% of the builders did not think that this would be a cause of worry, 27% expressed their concern. However, another 28% were not sure about how it would play out.

A shift in focus

With the implications of RERA legislations, it is mandatory that the builders disclose every detail of the project on the website of the authority. This begs the question of what would attract more focus - new project launches or ready-to-move sales? Where 52% of the builders agreed to shift their focus to ready-to-move sales, 20% stuck to their focus on new project launches. At the same time, 28% were not sure as it might be too early to jump ship.

Will investors sentiment return?

The implementation of RERA casts a wide shadow on the investment arc of the real estate market. When enquired about whether investors sentiment would return after the Acts implementation, 60% of the builders were affirmative about it. While 33% were unsure about the follow-through, 7% denied that the sentiment would make a return

The real impact

About 77% of the developers believe that RERA would help the real estate market, while a 5% disagree. 18% of the builders were unsure as to what kind of an impact the Act will have. One thing can be understood with surety, that the market would not remain the same.

Amidst the utter confusion as to how the real estate market would progress when faced with implications, legislation and restrictions of the RERA Act, the sample audience opinions varied.

While 43% builders favoured an exponential growth, another 35% predicted that it would remain the same. However, 22% suggested that the market would see a decline.

With the market looking at legislations regarding registration of ongoing projects to penalties for noncompliance, the Act ensures more liability of the builders and developers towards the buyers.

(Courtesy: Commonfloor.com)

A kitchen is often the heart of the home. Traditionally, kitchens have been an elemental part of Indian homes. When we think about kitchens, cooking is the first thing that strikes our mind. What most of us often forget is that the kitchen is actually the centre of attention of your home. A kitchen combines aesthetics and functionality and is a social space for casual interaction with family and friends. There are a lot of factors that have to be taken into account while designing a new kitchen or remodelling an existing one. Modularity, minimal aesthetics and top-notch functionality are what modern kitchens are all about. Even though kitchens have evolved greatly on aesthetics, todays hectic and diverse lifestyle demands equal functionality.

The essentials

Kitchen cabinets can be made with a variety of materials. Many cabinets are built with a combination of wooden products such as plywood, particle board among others. Kitchens lend themselves to a variety of wood-based products, countertops, flooring, stainless steel appliances, glass cabinets and accessories as well. The finishing is always strong, but sometimes there can be problems with the materials. In order to get the most out of your cabinets, they must be properly installed and maintained regularly.

One of the components which makes the kitchen complete is the countertop, also called worktop. A countertop is a horizontal work surface generally constructed in kitchens and bathrooms. It is usually installed on the cabinet for support. A few of the counter tops are pre-cut and are standard in size. We can choose the material and design based on the appliances and sinks that are installed. Natural stone and quartz are one of the most commonly used materials.

Countertops are made appealing by chiselling them in the front. These edges are more than just decorative features as the rounded edges prevent injuries. While working in the kitchen, we use water and other liquids often, and they spill. This tends to spill onto the cabinets beneath. As most of the materials used in the cabinets are wood-based products and metals, exposure to water or moisture is not desirable. This will affect the durability of the kitchen. The best and easiest solution to prevent this is by introducing water grooves in the countertop. This serves as the protection between countertop spills and the cabinets.

The details

Water grooves are linear channels that run on the surface of the countertop. The grooves are usually located half an inch to an inch above the cabinets, just below the countertops. The water spilt on the countertop normally tends to flow down. By preventing the drips from reaching the cabinets, the water grooves help prevent damage from decay.

The market has varieties of built-in groove countertops available. They can also be added with the help of the rotary tool. And not just in the kitchen cabinets - this can be done in vanity units or any other units where the countertops are exposed to water spills. This small aspect will help save the cabinets from water damage and helps increase the durability of the kitchen.

Water grooves are little known but play a significant role in the durability of a kitchen. It is substantive yet unrecognised. We call it the unsung hero. It is important to invest in a quality kitchen and ensure features like water grooves are part of the upgrades. After all, the kitchen is the most valuable and useful space when it comes to the resale value of a house.

If youre an avid reader, then reading books is an integral part of your life. You will always have a book handy by your bedside table, in the living room, in your handbag, and just about anywhere that you may get a chance to read. Imagine being able to have a customised library incorporated into the decor of your home - wouldnt that make you as ecstatic as Belle when Beast gifted her his library?

Starting small

When it comes to the creation of a home library, just like any other big-ticket inclusion in your decor, some thought needs to go into it. "Natural light is one of those aspects," says Vinithra Amarnathan, founder, Weespaces. She adds, "There is no substitute for a naturally well-lit library. It makes for a great reading experience and is crucial to the design of a good library. If you dont have a suitable spot with good natural light in your home, consider opting for a room with a large window and add additional light throughout the room."

Jidesh Haridas, COO, Capricoast, spells out four aspects that need to be taken into consideration - "Accessibility, storage, ease of maintenance and space consumption are four primary factors that one should bear in mind while considering a home library. Once you determine how much space you can dedicate to your library, the rest falls into place."

A home library can be created in just about any space you have. Tony Bopaiah, head, brand & product, Homestudio.com, says that if space is not a constraint, you can even think of dedicating a whole room with both open and closed shelving units with integrated TV, study desk and storage units - both floor and wall-mounted units, thereby giving you a library-cum-home office. "If the bookshelf or the library is a new addition," he adds, "the first thing should be to ensure if it can match the look of the other pieces in the house in terms of colour and finish. If you have a library in the living room, it can be used as a room divider."

The other important element to consider is the relative peace and quiet you can expect from the room or space that you choose. Should that not be a possibility, consider using soundproof walls or glass. You also need to keep in mind the structural limitations, especially while making space to hold large numbers of books and their weight. Once you are sure of where your library, large or small, needs to go, you can begin to explore various options you have in terms of bringing your library to life.

Unlimited options

It stands to reason that a home library can be designed in different styles depending on your preferences. "A more traditional library has rich colours, plush comfortable seating, heavy drapes and built-in bookcases," says Vinithra. "Bookcases are typically open for easy access. However, glass doors can be a good option in the Indian context due to dust and pollution. A modern library has a more casual feel with calmer neutral colours, comfortable organic and upholstered seats and a generally lighter vibe," she adds. In such cases, open floating shelves, stand-alone shelving units and even vintage free-standing cabinets are great options to store books. These make for a more collected and charming setup than the traditional library.

"Floating, stand-alone and closed-shelved libraries are usually opted for when there are space constraints in the assigned built-up area of the house," says Jidesh. "The advantages of floating, stand-alone and closed-shelved libraries are that they can easily be a part of chic designs as well as vintage or Victorian designs. These libraries are easy to maintain while adding an extra edge to your book collection," he adds.

Tony, on the other hand, breaks down the options for you based on the rooms you may want to have your library in. "If using in the living room, opt for something that has both open and closed shelving. This helps to display decor elements along with the books breaking the monotony," he says. "If using the library in the bedroom, integrate it with the wardrobe. It will still look the part. It is best not to pile books as your favourite titles get lost in the clutter. Racks are great but make sure you do not have plants which need to be watered, and be aware that open shelves mean dusting every day. With the concept of open living room-kitchen space, it will help you to demarcate the areas. Team it with a lounge chair or an easy chair and give it a chic makeover."

As far as materials concerned, Vinithra says that if you want your library to be warm, cosy and inviting to sit down and read a book, wooden floors work best for bringing in that warmth and are also easy to maintain. Alternately, layering rugs on stone or marble floors brings in that much-needed warmth. "Seating is a crucial element in a library," she adds. "And large fabric or leather upholstered chairs or couches make for the best choices. Warm wood tables and shelves are both low-maintenance and also add to the charm of the space."

Personal touch

There are also several elements you can bring in to personalise your home library. Some artwork that is reflective of the kind of literature you read is a good start. The way you organise your books, the bookends that you have, the memorabilia you want to surround yourself with, all make a difference. Even in your choice of seating, you can choose to go eclectic with colourful seating options, low profile seating, etc.

The most important issue is preserving your books from damage through moisture, mould and pests. Keep the room dry and well-ventilated and clean your books at regular intervals to keep them from accumulating dust. A soft microfibre cloth works best for cleaning.

Books always have a place of pride in any household. Having a room or even a little corner dedicated to your book collection is a great way to get the next generation interested in reading. Ideally, going in for modular designs ensures that you have some great solutions irrespective of the space that you have to dedicate to your library.

As a child, designer Kamaldeep Kaur was extremely interested in drawing. She also used to experiment with different textiles -- unaware of the fact that this is going to be her profession. In fact, she wanted to be a doctor.

Her decision to pursue fashion designing was an overnight decision, which she is proud of now. With an aim to develop the market for handmade products, Kamaldeep with her label Neelgar has been doing their bit.

In a chat with Surupasree Sarmmah, Kamaldeep talks about her journey as a fashion designer and what makes her designs unique.

What makes your creation unique in this industry?

Well, my main focus has constantly been on specialised tie-and-dye techniques practised in different parts of the world like Africa, Japan and Indonesia. These techniques were then not known in India for a long time and slowly people have started using them too.

It has been 17 years in the industry, how has your experience of fashion changed over these years?

In the last 15 years of my career as a designer, I have completely focussed on the international market. In the last three years, as I have started focussing on the Indian market, I have seen that peoples awareness or affinity towards high-quality fine craftsmanship has grown. They have now started understanding the value of handcrafted products.

Describe Kamaldeep as a designer in three words...

Creative, ahead of time and human-friendly.

You have also authored a book, tell us a little about that experience!

It is a book on the technical part of block printing. So, a person wants to start their own block-printing unit, this book can guide them. I feel that in India, there arent enough documentation of this craftsmanship. Most of the books about Indian textiles are actually written by foreigners and not Indians.

Your favourite part of being a fashion designer?

What I find most fascinating is that, on one hand, I have spent so much time in the villages with the craftsmen but on the other, I also spend a lot of time on the streets of Frankfurt and Paris. It sometimes feels that I am living in two different time zones.

Your role model...

Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake.

Other interests apart from designing...

Cooking, it is as creative as designing. I like to travel and meet new people. Having conversations with interesting people is an absolute pleasure.

A fashion tip you would like to give...

Love your tradition and try to look at alternative ways to wear it, so that it can stay in fashion.

Its been a while since I got a weekend to myself. But whenever I do, it is all about spending time at home and with friends. This always brings a relaxed smile on my face. I used to spend a lot of time with my friends earlier but now it is rare, so I enjoy every bit of it when I can.

Be it a Monday or a Saturday, I always wake up early in the morning. My weekend does have a more relaxed schedule compared to a normal day though. The mornings are about spending time with my mother Rama.

The best part is breakfast time because my mother makes the best poha and dosa. We chit-chat over breakfast and I tell her about my shoots. She listens patiently and keeps reminding me that there is a lot more to be done. My mother is my best critic and she keeps me grounded.

As a mother-son duo, we click well. She doesnt like me to be in the kitchen. I love cooking though and I learnt it by observing my mother. Cooking is a great stressbuster and it is a very innovative process. I love preparing Bisi bele bath, Veg biryani and Sambhar.

When I am at home, I love playing carrom. My mother is really good at it and I have never been able to defeat her. Each game leads to a lot of fun and memorable moments.

When I am not spending time with my mother, I spend time with my friends in the industry and outside. In my film fraternity circle, I am close to Rakshit Shetty, Aravind Iyer, Chaitra, Ashika, Shankar Murthy and Koushik and we talk about movies a lot. We pull each others legs whenever we can.

I have a close circle of friends who have been there from my childhood like Nandish Rao, Navin KM, Nishanth Honna and Santhosh Sid. Though they have nothing to do with the industry, I still flood them with film news and ask for their inputs on movies. Sometimes they bring up other topics to discuss but we end up discussing movies again. We sometimes plan trips together and they warn me about not talking about films but it happens all the time.

When I am not in Bengaluru and want to take a quick break from the city, my friends and I rush out to hill stations. It all depends on our schedules though. Some of our favourite spots are Kudremukh, Mullayanagiri and Wayanad. I especially love heading to hill stations as its a great concoction of greenery, pleasant weather and serenity.

I have a lot of friends in Mangaluru as my primary education was done there. I love the place for its beaches. Watching the waves hit the shores can create a soothing effect for anyone.

As an animal lover, I love spending time with dogs. When I am in the city, I head to my friend Sandeeps place to spend time with his pets, Dolly and Shyro. I was afraid of dogs initially but once I started playing with them, I realised that furry friends can bring so much warmth.

Spending time with my dear ones is my idea of a perfect weekend."

Writer, performer, mentor, facilitator - there are many designations one can ascribe to Miles Merrill. Credited with introducing poetry slam to Australia, Miles is known for combining poetry with theatre, experimental audio, hiphop beats, standup and occasionally, political confrontation.

As part of his India tour, where he will be participating in the Bookaroo childrens literature festival and school outreach programmes, Miles made a pitstop in Bengaluru recently, where he had a brief chat with Rajitha Menon.

How did you enter this field?

I used to write poems in my notebook when I was young. One night, I decided to get up and perform them at an open mic. After the performance, someone asked me if I could perform the same poetry at their pub for $50. This was in 1996. And I started performing in pubs, then got together with a band, put out an album and toured around the world. Now, I have set up a not-for-profit organisation that runs poetry slams in Australia, China, Indonesia and New Zealand.

How would you describe this art?

Its immediate and accessible. You can share it with friends or large audiences. So I could tell you a poem right now and you would have experienced the art form.

Oh, could you tell me one then?

Sure. If tonight had a nose, of course it would be running from the bridge on down. Tonights sick cabs would cha-cha-cha holes in your dance floor. Its hair is black fire, under control but still dangerous.

Did you just make it up?

No, I wrote it earlier, memorised it and rehearsed it. There are people who do freestyle though.

Why do you think it resonates with youngsters so much?

Thats because of the immediacy and the accessibility, so they can do it themselves. They dont need to wait for permission, they dont need to be cast in the perfect role.

What makes for a good work in a poetry slam?

There are a number of things. One is literary quality. The performers dont just talk about their emotions, they take the audience through those situations so they can get to feel what the poet felt. We also want vulnerability; we want to know that the person on stage is just like us. Someone who is expressing something that maybe most of us will be afraid to express.

Favourite topics to include in your performances?

I like observing the world around me. Today I was in a car and I saw a beautiful woman in a dress on a motorbike. I could only see her reflection in the rear view mirror of the bike. I felt like seeing her face and when I did, I saw that she had her finger very deeply in her nose. To me, that simple observation is worth a poem.

Thoughts about India...

What did you do here?

I walked from The Lalit Ashok Bangalore, where I am staying, to Chickpet. I roamed through the markets and had food from the vendors on the street. It was amazing and I was surprised at how cheap the food was there.

What should be done to promote poetry slams?

Young people can record videos of their performances and put it on their social media platforms and spread the word about the art.

I am craving to do stronger roles

What is your role in the movie?

I play the character of a budding film director. I can say that my role provides comic relief to an otherwise heavy script.

What did you like about your role?

I portray the role of a small-town girl who aspires to get noticed through her work. Shes egoistic and expects everybody to toe her line. I found the confidence and boldness of the character pretty interesting.

You have a few comedy scenes with Chikkanna and Sadhu Kokila? How was that experience?

I have acted with Chikkanna earlier in Masterpiece. I find him to be a very spontaneous actor. Sadhu sir is no less and has the perfect timing when it comes to comedy. I am always in awe of Chikkanna and Sadhu because they carry out a lot of improvisations when it comes to comedy. I am fascinated with the way they perform their respective roles.

On working with SriiMurali...

I play the love interest of SriiMurali. The concept of love and romance has been dealt with in a different way. It is clean and I am sure people will like the way the two of us have been portrayed together.

How do you cope with pressure?

Whats in the pipeline?

My next project is called Avane Srimannarayana where I will be seen with Rakshit Shetty. It is a beautiful script. I know that I can blindly trust the script which has Rakshit in it because he intelligently chooses his projects.

Bengalureans who reached private hospitals on Thursday were greeted by long queues, closed gates and barricades at the entrances.

With doctors in private hospitals shutting down Out Patient Departments in protest against the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Amendment Bill, which provides for capping of hospital fees, imprisonment of doctors in case of negligence, and grievance redressal committees, those in need of medical care are left in the lurch.

People say that while they understand the doctors point of view and their cause of concern, they feel that doctors must not forget their basic responsibility towards those who need medical care. Mohammed Ruman, an employee of Tesco, is undergoing treatment for a shoulder injury and was scheduled to undergo surgery on Thursday but the operation was postponed due to the ongoing strike. "I underwent all the tests required before the surgery but the doctor suddenly said that it had to postponed because of the strike. I am in pain and I was in a state of shock when the doctor told me that the surgery couldnt be performed," rues Mohammed Ruman.

The indefinite strike has upset a lot of Bengalureans like Sushma Srinivas, a homemaker. She feels the ongoing scuffle between the doctors and the government officials are affecting the public. "The strike is causing a lot trouble to the public. Not everybody can go to the emergency to address their medical issue. The services at government hospitals arent up to the required standards," says Sushma.

The strike is a cause of concern for those who have aged parents. Sharing her experience, Pavithra Vijayaraghavan, a business consultant, who had taken her ailing mother to the hospital, says that she was one among the few lucky ones who managed to meet the doctor. "I was apprehensive if my mother would be able to consult the doctor. Shes over 70 years old and people who have aged parents cannot wait. The doctors and the government must find a more proactive way of sorting out the present crisis rather than inconveniencing the public," reasons Pavithra.

The doctors on their part are miffed with what they call draconian provisions in the bill and demand that the government understand the problems faced by them. Dr Naresh Bhat, Chief of Medical Services, Aster CMI, points out that good quality healthcare cannot be subsidised to incur a loss. "Why should the government single out only medical practitioners when it comes to charging a fee? The same law must be applied to people from all professions. How can a doctor with three months experience and another with 30 years experience be equated when it comes to the professional fee," wonders Dr Naresh. He states that private hospitals cannot subsidise bills or waive off charges because nothing comes free for them from the government.