Bohemian styling is for a person who is socially unconventional, especially someone who is involved and inclined towards in the arts, music, craft, theatre and other creative fields. Someone who makes his or her own rules, who lives for freedom and finds the beauty in everything he or she does, everyday in life. It is about adding vibrant colours and exotic patterns to the look and dressing according to your mood. Silhouettes are relaxed and styles made comfortable and casual for the wearer, patterns and colours are bold and expressive. Natural fabrics add to the comfort and ease. Details carry a vintage charm and accessories are artisanal and aplenty.

Untucking your shirt, letting a scarf drape loosely around your shoulders, wearing relaxed fits, going sockless, or even not shaving for couple of days will help you develop that look. Also the most important aspect of this style is ensuring you dont look too coordinated or put-together.

Must-haves

This autumn-winter, try investing in a classic pair of light-wash jeans in shades from midnight-blue to faded blue. In addition to this, pick another pair of ripped denims with distressed detailing that gives you a relaxed, devil-may-care attitude.

To pull off the bohemian look, ensure that your jeans are the appropriate off-duty style. Forego the sharp, dark denim you wear to work and opt for a rugged ripped, faded and distressed, light or mid-blue jeans instead. A slim silhouette is the best, try getting into a Rico or Kano fit of denims.

Hand-painted details, badges, inscriptions, messages and graphics whether literal or abstract, all have a place in bohemian style.

A pair of shorts is must to create the perfect lounge and laid-back bohemian effect. Shorts are comfortable and practical, plus they look less formal. For bohemian style, big floral printed shorts are just perfect. They can be worn with floral shirt or monotone T-shirt. If you are not ready for dramatic makeover, try out darker colours of shorts with shirts. The mixture of classy and bohemian styles also looks cool.

Floral fantasy

Nothing says free-spirited like a floral prints or conversational printed shirt. Team up the floral printed shirt with chinos, jeans or khakis. Keep it relaxed and mellow when it comes to styling.

A suede jacket, particularly one in shades from tan to dark brown, is the must have in your wardrobe this winter, and it makes a perfect layering for the Bohemian look. Theyre not suitable for late winters, but are perfect choice for the autumn. It takes a good bit of confidence to team them with jeans, but if you manage this one, then you will nail that perfect bohemian look.

When it comes to footwear, the look is incomplete without sandals, especially the leather ones. Leather sandals team up pretty well with the denims and khakis.

Accessories are crucial to the bohemian style. Leather, beaded bracelets and other kinds of jewellery add to the relaxed appeal. A slouchy leather or canvas bag, loafers and printed scarves will complete the look.

To summarise the styling tips for perfect bohemian look:

* Aim for a look thats relaxed and expressive with vintage and artisanal details.

* Keep the fitting loose, lightweight and unstructured that will give you freedom of movement and exude that "I dont care" attitude.

* Always add some pattern, whether geometric or floral to the clothing or accessories.

* Keep your grooming to a minimal with stylishly messy hair and an unshaven face.

* The best part about going bohemian is that your clothes need not be perfectly ironed. Crinkles and creases are your cool new best friends.

Style like you dont care about the way you look. The bohemian style of dressing gives you the freedom to just be yourself. Crumpled or unironed clothes that are slightly wrinkled work well, and it is every bachelors dream come true. The out-of-bed hair, unshaven face works too. So this winter, go for uncoordinated pieces, or loosely coordinated pieces of clothing, untucked or partially tucked shirts, loose dresses, funky, mismatched socks or even go sockless.

(The author is design head, Spykar Lifestyle)

Its 2 pm on a sultry Friday afternoon when I am ushered into the spacious reception of Shine Spa, located on the fourth floor of Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway. Migmar, the spa manager, tells me I am booked for the spas signature massage: the shine massage. "This 60-minute massage is designed to tackle tension and uses the fragrant lavender oil to nourish your skin and make it shine," she says.

I am then greeted by my spa therapist, Cracy, who leads me down a spiral staircase to the floor with all the treatment rooms. As I descend the steps, the noise of the world outside is replaced with soothing Tibetan music. My soft-spoken therapist leads me into a room, where muted lights set the tone for relaxation instantly. After I change into a comfortable robe, my shine therapy begins.

Cracy begins the treatment with a foot ritual, which is designed to familiarise the masseuse with the customer and their preferences. Cracy washes my feet with some sweet-smelling soapy water and then washes them off with warm water. She wants to know if I have any problem areas that she could focus on during the massage.

My back and my legs, I tell her, and nodding her head, she leads me to the massage table. "Would you like the oil to be applied to your face too?" she asks. When I hesitate, she asks me if my skin is generally oily. When I nod yes, she tells me I could opt out of that particular process then. Migmar tells me that pretty soon they are going to be making this particular foot ritual a little more luxurious by adding Himalayan salts and some fragrant essential oils. But for now, I had to make do with the soapy water.

Lavish lavender

Keeping my preferences in mind, Cracy begins the massage by pouring warm lavender oil on my body. Why lavender oil, I wonder, and Cracy explains, "Lavender oil relieves pain thus helping the body to relax. It is also a great detox oil. It hydrates your skin, leaving it glowing from within." Succinctly put, lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that work wonders in treating acne, body stress and insomnia.

Surprisingly, the oils fragrance isnt as strong as I expected it to be. Cracy gradually increases the pressure of her strokes and keeps checking with me if the pressure is alright.

Soon, I can feel the warm oil and the gentle and hard strokes loosen my body, one muscle at a time. Her strokes go from gentle to intense and then gentle again, ensuring that I dont feel discomforted at any point in time. With more focus on my back and my legs, Cracy ensures that my problem areas are treated with care.

In many ways, the shine massage reminds me of the good old tel maalish from my childhood, when my grandma used to massage my body with hot oil right before my bath. With no other extravagant elements or procedures, this treatment, I believe, focuses on the core principle of massage: to de-stress the body.

My 60 minutes of relaxation are coming to an end, but not before Cracy gives me one more round of oiling and massaging. I am then directed towards a hot shower to help get rid of all the oil. If the intensive massage had missed out on de-stressing any part of my body, the hot shower covered it all. Once out of the shower, my body is a little worked up from all the heavy-duty action, but also much less stressed out than before.

If you expect a little more indulgence from your spa treatment, you could go in for the 90-minute version of this massage that involves a 20-minute jacuzzi ritual. A cup of hot green tea brings down the curtain on my shine massage.

While this particular treatment may not seem luxurious on the outset, it quietly does the deed.

After a good nights sleep, I could notice the difference in my body: my muscles werent tight anymore and my problem areas felt like they had been through a good workout. And as Migmar said, my skin did glow from within.

In all, I would recommend this quick and simple massage to those who are high on stress, but short on time.
Shine massage might just be the solution for that throbbing back ache or sore neck or that irritating pain in your legs that never seems to go. As an added benefit, shine massage might also leave you feeling weirdly nostalgic!

I have no argument with people who adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet for health, religious, environmental or ethical reasons. But I object to proselytisers who distort science or the support for dietary advice offered to the more than 90% of us who choose to consume animal foods, including poultry and red meat, in reasonable amounts.

Such is the case with a recently released Netflix documentary called What the Health that several well-meaning, health-conscious friends urged me to watch. And I did try, until I became so infuriated by misstatements - like eating an egg a day is as bad as smoking five cigarettes, or a daily serving of processed meat raises the risk of diabetes 51% - that I had to quit for the sake of my health.

The argument

Please understand: I do not endorse inhumane treatment of farm animals or wanton pollution of the environment with animal wastes and misused antibiotics and pesticides. Agricultural research has long shown better ways to assure an adequate food supply if only regulators would force commercial operations to adopt them.

Nor do I endorse careless adoption of vegetarian or vegan diets for their names sake. A vegan who consumes no animal products can be just as unhealthy living on inappropriately selected plant foods as an omnivore who dines heavily on burgers and chicken nuggets. A vegan diet laden with refined grains like white rice and bread; juices and sweetened drinks; cookies, chips and crackers; and dairy-free ice cream is hardly a healthful way to eat.

Current dietary guidelines from responsible, well-informed sources already recommend that we should all adopt a plant-based diet rich in foods that originate in the ground, "fleshed out" with low-fat protein sources from animals or combinations of beans and grains. However, here too careless food and beverage selections can result in an unhealthful plant-based diet.

A large study recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology examined the relationship between plant-based diets of varying quality and the risk of developing coronary heart disease among more than 200,000 health professionals. The participants, who started the study free of chronic disease, were followed for more than two decades, submitting their dietary patterns to the researchers every two years.

Based on their responses on food-frequency questionnaires, the participants diets were characterised by the team as an overall plant-based diet that emphasised plant foods over animal foods; a healthful plant-based diet emphasising healthful plant foods; or an unhealthful plant-based diet. Any of the diets could have included various amounts of animal products.

Healthful plant foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, as well as vegetable oils, coffee and tea, received a positive score; less-healthful plant foods like juices, sweetened beverages, refined grains, fries and sweets, along with animal foods, received a negative rating.

A logical conclusion

The more closely the participants adhered to a healthful plant-based diet, the less likely they were to develop heart disease in the course of the study. Those with the least healthful plant-based diet were, on average, 32% more likely to be given diagnoses of heart disease. In a prior study, the researchers found a similar reduction in the risk of Type 2 diabetes. The team, led by Ambika Satija of Harvards Department of Nutrition, concluded that "not all plant foods are necessarily beneficial for health."

In other words, you dont have to become a strict vegetarian to protect your heart. Simply reducing your dependence on animal foods, and especially avoiding those high in fat, is helpful. In fact, "a diet that emphasised both healthy plant and healthy animal foods" was associated with a coronary risk only slightly higher than a diet based almost entirely on healthy plant foods, the researchers found.

On the other hand, overdoing "less healthy plant foods" and less healthy animal foods like red and processed meats, the study showed, significantly increased the risk of developing heart disease.

The more plants and the fewer animal products you eat, the lower your carbon footprint. But to be truly beneficial, the plants you choose must be nutrient rich.

Short of becoming a vegan, you can improve your diet, protect your health and add variety to your meals with a few dietary adjustments.

Making veganism easier

For most, veganism as a concept, comes from a sense of responsibility: towards animals or animal products and towards the need for a healthier lifestyle. While many have considered turning vegan at some point, the most predominant reason why people dont go through with it, is because they consider it difficult to maintain a vegan diet. However, being conscious and keeping these few things in mind can help you become a vegan:

* Dont forget your proteins: Once you give up the meats, eggs and milk products, you may end up depriving your body of protein. While plant-based foods can provide you the required amount, remember to include adequate amounts in your daily
diet.

* Dont limit your food choices: Most of us assume that becoming vegan limits our food options. This, however, is a myth. There are alternatives for almost everything. For instance, milk can be replaced with soya or almond milk. Eggs and paneer can be swapped with tofu, and meats can be replaced with soya chunks or nuggets.

* Avoid processed snacks: It is easy to fall prey to the processed food available off the shelves, for mid-meal snacking. However, processed foods are usually high in sodium or sugars, which make them unhealthy. Vegan foods like sunflower/flax seeds and almonds are fuss free, convenient snacks that can be eaten anywhere and anytime.

* Drinking water is not passé: While veganism does increase your consumption of fruits, including those with a high water content, you must still strive to consume at least two litres of water every day. If you get bored or tired of drinking plain water, you can mix it up by adding slices of citrus fruits or add mashed fruits like strawberries, cranberries, or slices of cucumber.

* Start small: Going vegan can be a big adjustment for your body and can make you uncomfortable. Try starting your transition by being a part-time vegan - keep one meal/snack time in a day wherein you will consume moderate servings of non-vegan foods that you have been used to. Gradually decrease your cheat days from once a day to once a week and so on.

Madhuri Ruia
(The author is a nutritionist)

Soon after World Bank, one more global agency came in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led governments economic reforms and gave a big applause to demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), calling the move remarkable. This time, it was a credit rating agency whose recognition is much sought after by governments, corporates and investors as it enhances their creditworthiness and makes borrowing money from abroad a lot more easier.

Moodys Investors Service, one of the three major global ratings agencies, upgraded Indias sovereign credit rating notch higher than investment grade. It put India in the Baa2 investment grade from the earlier Baa3, which is the last category of investment grade rating. The outlook on the rating was also changed to stable from positive. This is Indias highest credit rating by Moodys post liberalisation.

Moodys said it believed that the reforms implemented to date by the Modi government would advance the governments objective of improving the business climate, enhancing productivity, stimulating foreign and domestic investment, and ultimately fostering strong and sustainable growth.

A Rating upgrade, which came after a gap of 13 years, elicited quick response from the government with ministers and senior government officials taking to Twitter aggressively. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley called a media conference within hours of the news break. Among other thing,s he sent across the message to the Opposition, which has been criticising the government for disruptions in the economy due to note ban and GST implementation, to seriously introspect on their thinking.

In fact, it rained upgrade from Moodys for banks, other financial institutions and the government-owned oil and gas companies. Moodys also changed its rating outlook to stable from positive as risks to Indias credit profile ebbed. Jaitley said it was extremely encouraging that there was international recognition of the government reforms, which followed a roadmap.

"The revision in ratings by Moodys is a positive development and is a great enabling factor for Indian financial markets. Simultaneously, the rating upgrade of SBI amongst others indicates that Indian Financial system remains resilient and robust and poised to support growth," Rajnish Kumar, Chairman, SBI said.

Over time, this will reduce borrowing costs of the government and financial institutions, and result in increased investor confidence in the India growth and reform story, he said.

It was around the same time last year that the government had criticised Moodys methodology to rate countries, when the US-based rating agency did not upgrade India despite the Prime Minister unleashing a wave of reforms since taking over in 2014. But it is inconsequential to discuss the past, when Moodys has lifted Indias mood this year. The upgrade is significant as it came at a time when Moodys had downgraded neighbouring China expressing concerns that the countrys financial strength would erode in the coming year. Another global rating agency S&P too downgraded the dragon.

Bigger issues

But the bigger issue here is whether or not this upgrade would prompt India to go for bolder reforms, whether further rating upgrades by Moodys would come easily to Indias kitty and fast, whether other two prominent rating agencies â€" Fitch and S&P â€" too would follow suit or whether rising crude oil prices globally and fledgling exports, soaring inflation and a bigger fiscal deficit will spoil the party midway.

Global crude oil prices have been moving into an uncharted territory. Any upward move from $75 a barrel could exert pressure on the governments finances. Simmering tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia could spike oil prices to a much higher limit and could send markets into chaos. India, which imports 80% of its consumption, may be worst hit with larger economic ramifications.

Another key indicator, which the rating agencies watch closely is the fiscal deficit of a country as they think a higher deficit exposes the country to various kinds of shocks. Indias fiscal deficit, according to an earlier roadmap, needed to go down to 3% in 2018-19 that is the next financial year from 3.2% now. But the finance minister on his most recent trip to Singapore last week hinted at relaxing the fiscal consolidation roadmap, implying the target date to meet 3% could be delayed by a year or two in the wake of two big bang reforms â€" GST and demonetisation â€" slowing the economic growth.

Now, this could have been the most disturbing news for Moodys, whose upgrade decision came much before Jaitley spoke his mind in Singapore. This is one indication, which may delay further upgrade by Moodys and hold back S&P and Fitch from doing so. Fitch and S&P, both rate India a notch below Moodys, and S&P had only last month said that for an upgrade, India would have to address its weak fiscal balance sheet and weak fiscal performance. Any decision on fiscal deficit roadmap revision in India is expected to come as a part of the Union Budget on February 1, 2018. Till then fingers crossed.

For now, India has joined countries such as Italy, Philippines, Spain, Bulgaria, Columbia and Uruguay after the Baa2 upgrade. It must now strive to save its position and consolidate. In the past, India has been downgraded from A2, a rating assigned to countries with low credit risk to Baa3 which is just above the junk grade.

Of various categories of investment grade, Aaa is ranked the highest with a little risk. Aa1, Aa2 and Aa3 have "very low" credit risk and A1, A2 and A3 grade countries have "low" risk. The Baa1, Baa2 and Baa3 countries have "moderate" credit risk and below that is "junk".

DH News Service

Management courses

International Management Institute, New Delhi is inviting admission application for the Postgraduate Diploma in Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Banking and Financial Services and Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Management. The last date to apply is December 4, 2017. Applications are available at www.admission.imi.edu.

Sports course

Pyramid Sports presents the Sports Business Management Course in Bengaluru. The intensive one-week programme will be held in RBANMs First Grade Degree College between December 7 and 13. To register, call 7026855252, 7506457557, or email info@pyramidsportsindia.com.

Montessori course

In association with SchoolScape, Indian Montessori Training Courses announces a one-year Montessori Elementary programme to be professionally qualified to work with children in the age group of six to 12 years.For further details, contact 9901228442.

UG courses

Azim Premji University announces admissions to its undergraduate programmes, BSc and BA. Early applications for these courses close on December 5, 2017. For more details, visit www.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/ug.

Distance learning

Directorate of Distance Education, Bangalore University invites applications for various UG and PG courses for the academic year 2017-2018. The last date to apply is November 30, 2017. For more details, visit www.dccbub.in or call 080-22961261.

Proofreading internship

Pearson India Education is hiring interns for Proofreading profile in Bengaluru. Students can apply by November 30. The stipend is Rs. 20,000 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-187.

Trustee scholarship

Boston University, USA has announced Trustee scholarships for 20 outstanding students under the Trustee Scholars Program. The scholarship will cover full tuition fees for four years. The last date to apply December 1.

Aptitude tests

Manasa Consultants will hold aptitude tests for students from Class 10 to 12 and PUC (I & II) between November 24 and 30. This will be held at #399, 11th cross, 17th main, II phase, J P Nagar. This test will scientifically assess and guide them to courses suitable to them. For further details, call 9845058349 or email manasaconsultants@gmail.com.

MSc course

UK-based University of Southamptons Centre for Environmental Studies (CES) has opened applications for the MSc in Environmental Pollution Control degree. The course will begin in September 2018. The last date to apply is January 31, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2B8NLZG.

University Prize Scholarships

The University of Sheffield , UK is offering the University Prize Scholarships for the best PhD applicants in any subject. The closing date is January 24, 2018. For more details, email pgr-scholarships@sheffield.ac.uk.

Art competition

Star Creative Art invites applications from students for the International Child Art Competition 2017. The students can participate individually or through their institutes under the categories of drawing, cartoon, canvas painting and greeting. The last date to apply is November 30. For more details, visit www.starcreativeart.org.

Talent search

The Department of Education is inviting entries from interested, creative, tech-savvy candidates with expertise in Maths and Science for Talent Search 2017 organised by Khan Academy India. The last date to apply is December 17, 2017. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2iClmUa.

AFIRC Research Fellowship

AFI Research Collection (AFIRC) invites applications for AFIRC Research Fellowship 2018 for students who wish to undertake research. The last date to apply is November 24. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2yBuNcx.

National essay writing contest

LexQuest Invites applications for the fourth national essay writing competition. Students pursuing graduate or postgraduate studies can apply. The theme of the competition is Filling up the voids in the Indian Legal System: Shortcomings and Probable Solutions. The last date to submit is November 30. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2hR99hx.

Leadership programme

India Fellow is an experiential social leadership programme for young Indians that includes working full time for 13 months with a field partner organisation on a specific project or issue together. The last date to apply is November 30. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2yZFJVQ.

Web design internship

Credy is hiring interns for Web Development profile in Bengaluru. Students with knowledge of Python, Django, PostgreSQL and Database Management System can apply by December 2. The stipend is Rs 20,000 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-188.

Aakash Talent Quest

Aakash Institute has launched Aakash Talent Quest (ATQ) for Class 12 students. They will be awarded 100% scholarships for Engineering and Medicine. The exam will be held on December 24. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2AYpHrK.

Science films

Vigyan Prasar, under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India invites entries for the eighth National Science Film Festival of India 2018 from students, independent filmmakers, production houses and government organisations. The last date to apply is November 30. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2zVZkG9.

Publishing internship

Oxford University Press India invites applications for the Global Academic Publishing Internship Programme 2018 from graduate students. It is a paid internship programme of eight-week period. The last date to apply is November 30. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2mO8eQs.

Handwriting contest

ASK India Society has announced National handwriting competition 2017, for the students of Class 1 to 12. The last date to apply is November 30. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2zYlmVX.

Research fellowships

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in association with Department of Science and Technology invites applications from students in Engineering and Science for Summer Research Fellowships 2018. The last date to apply is November 30. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2hJaH9C.

Young artistes scholarship

Ministry of Culture, Government of India invites applications for the Young Artistes Scholarship 2017-2018 in different cultural fields.
The last date to apply is November 30. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2zlB8xb.

Postgraduate fellowship

EASL - The Home of Hepatology has announced Sheila Sherlock Post Graduate Fellowship Programme 2018 for newly qualified postgraduate researchers who wish to expand research fields and start developing their independent research careers. The last date to apply is November 30. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2zFGnXx.

It is going to be an eventful day for the seven-year-old Preet, who is packing his fun bag. His teacher had asked the class to bring a few toys to school today, and they would be allowed to just play with them - an annual activity. Last year, Preet had taken his favourite toy train. This year, he is packing his puzzle board and the windmill he built with his fathers help. He cant just wait to show it to his friends!

As he enters school, the same rows of wooden benches and desks greet him. He can still see the timetable and hopes that the class will not follow this today. He glances through the colourful charts of fruits and vegetables, like he does everyday, before making his way to his allotted seat. Like all his other classmates, his teacher asks him what his fun bag contains. And off he goes explaining how a windmill works!

The teacher looks pleased to see his creation, and instead of asking questions like where does the Sun rise, she surprises him by asking if he had fun learning about windmills. This is a forgotten question for so long - are kids having fun when they learn? "If it is not fun, it is not learning. Play is very serious business," opines Arvind Gupta, a well-known toy inventor and populariser of science, who is famous for his science education initiative called Arvind Gupta Toys that turns trash into toys for kids to understand science better. "In schools children are taught, but do they really learn? That is the question we need to ask," he says.

Not much experimentation

Our education system has relied on rote learning for a long time now. Lessons in textbooks are merely about learning facts rather than understanding the rationale behind them. There are still Physics classes popping out definitions, Mathematics classes churning out equations and Chemistry classes spelling out the hymns of chemical reactions. But is it making real sense? Can children understand the Science behind them? For many, it is a no, and this system of rote learning is not making them any smarter.

By and large, schools stick to the old and safe ways of mug and spit, without much experimenting with different ways of teaching. On the contrary, studies have shown that a learning environment with a lot of hands-on exploration is conducive for children to learn new things. We are born to touch and feel anything we come across to absorb and understand it better. And science lessons are no different! Hence, engaging the children in activities can enable them to relate science with the real world and their immediate surroundings more easily.

And learning is never confined to the walls of the classroom. Children have the ability to learn from everywhere. They learn from parents, siblings, books and nature. A childs mind is inquisitive and her ears and eyes are always on the lookout for anything interesting and fun! Children spend only a few hours in school, so life outside school is perhaps more important.

As evidence to this, a recent study by researchers at Plymouth University, UK has observed that when incorporated in the curriculum, outdoor learning can have a positive impact on childrens development. Busy family lives and the pressure to be successful academically provide very few opportunities for todays children to explore their surrounding natural environment. Needless to say, this has hampered not only their ability to learn, but also their social skills, emotional development and well-being as well. Unfortunately, once they start going to school, the same inquisitive minds are promptly moulded to start mugging, and preparing for tests and exams.

The good news is that some schools today support learning outside the classroom, like that of Preets. There are days when students are taken out for a walk in the parks, or to a museum. But that is a rare find. There is also a cost associated with making science-learning fun. The numerous schools that advertise fancy labs and teaching equipment to give a hands-on experience to the kids often tend to be unaffordable for the majority.

Does learning right have to be so expensive? May be we must move beyond the idea of a stereotypical science lab - with fancy test tubes and pipettes locked up in the glass cupboard with a grime of dust, meant for the school inspector! So how about replacing an expensive electroscope to explain to a Class 7 student about detecting the presence of electric charge, with a self-constructed simple instrument using some wool, paper, cardboard pieces, plastic pipes and copper wires that cost close to nothing? That is what the toys made by Arvind Gupta are all about!

Simple and better

There are many such activities that children can learn from. The concept of educational kits made from simple, everyday things are now increasingly available in the market. There are experimental methods of teaching that a few teachers and schools are willing to try. In the age of Internet, making things fun is even easier. Consider Arvinds website www.arvindguptatoys.com. It has documented over 1,500 Science projects, activities, toys, photographs and books.

The good news is that some enlightened teachers are searching for better ways of learning, and seeking out people like Arvind. Parents also have a very big role in making learning fun. In the age where spending quality time with children is the best gift they can provide, making it fun and educational would be the icing on the cake. Outdoor activities that stimulate the mind and body bring kids closer to nature and provide a fun platform to learn.

Is there hope that this would all change one day and children start learning science like they should, with loads of interest and fun? Arvind is hopeful. "The great hope is not with teachers but with children," he says. As the late Professor Randy Pausch put it, "Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun." A key message for all our teachers and parents, perhaps!

(The author is with Gubbi Labs, Bengaluru)

As educated and ambitious youth look for greener pastures all over the world, globe-trotting has become a way of life today. Boundaries between the countries have turned out to be nothing but notional for the ones who are on a perpetual move. Knowing the language of the country you are working or studying can prove to be beneficial. Furthermore, learning a new language enriches your life in personal, social and professional fronts. Here are some of the benefits:

USP on the CV: A direct communication with the client in his own language ensures a better deal. Hence, today, most of the employers look for people who have knowledge in a few foreign languages, in addition to the professional qualification.

Better communication: Gone are the days when English was a lingua franca. Though English is considered as an international language, many countries still are not well-versed with the language. Interpreters are there to help you, but the gist is lost in the grind of translation. If you know the countrys language well, you can articulate and assert yourself better.

Study in foreign varsities: Knowledge of a foreign language comes handy for those who aspire to study abroad. In fact, such knowledge is a criterion for selection in some universities.

Better appreciation: Learning another language not only enables us to appreciate another culture but also provides a deeper insight into our own language and culture.

Mental agility: Cocooning yourself with a set of known languages is depriving yourself of the challenges of learning a new language. Studies have shown that learning new languages enhances the agility of the mind.

Identity: Your knowledge of a foreign language earns you recognition in society. This new-found identity would automatically boost your self confidence. Learning a foreign tongue has become all the more important for the global villagers considering the manifold advantages it offers.

Opening new avenues

Knowing a foreign language can come in handy in several sectors. Here are some such sectors:

Aviation sector: This is one of the sectors where in you are dealing with travellers of different nationalities. The task of a cabin crew is made easy if she or he knows the language of the traveller. If you are working for international airlines you are required to fly to foreign countries frequently. Your brief stays can be made pleasant only if you know the language of the land.

Hospitality industry: The knowledge of foreign languages is helpful while communicating with non-English speaking guests and also while working in a non-English speaking country. It is a must for those who deal directly with the foreign guest.

Tourism sector: India attracts hordes of tourists throughout the year. An escort or guide who knows the native tongue of the tourist is always preferred and can help one connect with the tourist better.

Teaching: As more schools and universities teach foreign languages in their curricula, there is a demand for foreign language teachers like Spanish and French.

Translation: As a translator, one can get many lucrative offers. In fact, many have made full-fledged careers as interpreters or translators in embassies, consulates and multinational companies.

Learning the language

Some of the universities in Karnataka, such as Bangalore University, Mysore University and Karnatak University, Dharwad, offer certificate and diploma courses in various foreign languages on their campuses. There are also various other institutes that offer regular classroom tutoring, online teaching and corporate training. While some limit themselves to teaching a single language, some institutes teach multiple languages such as French, Japanese, Spanish and Arabic.

The courses offered by the institutes are tailor-made so as to accommodate the needs of every learner. Evening and weekend sessions are offered for the benefit of students and corporate employees. If you have the will, various institutes show you the way.

Dear Madam,

I am a Class 8 student. Although I study well, I feel disappointed as my friends always betray me. I have also contemplated suicide. As a result, I find it difficult to make friends. Could you suggest as to how I can overcome this?

Prasanna

Dear Prasanna,

I feel concerned when you say that you have contemplated suicide because some friends betray you. Why do you want the actions of others to control and determine the path of your life? There will always be people and circumstances in the world that we dont like or dont feel comfortable with. We cannot control those, and to expect that we should be able to control them may be unrealistic. The only person we can control is ourselves â€" our behaviours, thoughts and responses to a particular situation. You are in control of your life and what you make of it.

Dont give up that control to anyone. They dont deserve it. I sincerely urge you to take the help of a counsellor who will help you feel better about yourself and your circumstances. You will be able to gain a new perspective and understanding of the world.

You will be able to go full-steam ahead, whether you study well or not. You are worthy and you deserve to be able to carve a life for yourself that you like and want.

Dont let anyone elses behaviour abort that for you. It is best if you see a counsellor face to face, but if for some reason that is not possible or practical, you can in the meantime call the Parivarthan Counselling Helpline at +91 7676602602.

Dear Madam,

Earlier, my son used to show interest in many outdoor activities and used to attend cultural programmes as well. Of late, he has developed interest in online projects and does short videos. I am a bit worried that there is no balance between outdoor and indoor time as except for school time, he spends very little time outside. But he is well-informed. Teachers too appreciate him for his active participation in the class. Please guide.

Aditi

Dear Aditi,

It is normal for parents to feel anxious about their children. We want them to be perfect people in a perfect world. We also want to do whatever we can to help them become perfect people, and make the world as perfect for them as possible. So the fact that you are feeling anxious about a certain aspect of his life getting neglected by other aspects is normal.

Please understand that as children grow and develop, their interests also change and develop along different dimensions. From everything you have said, it does not seem that your child is using technology in a negative way.

I agree with you that it is nice to have actual face to face interactions with people and spend time in the outdoors. Unfortunately, in this generation, technology seems to have replaced the playground and that is a problem not only for your son but for a large part of his generation. Do you know who his peer group is and what they are doing? If his friends are indoors, then it is harder for him to be outdoors.

Is the technology interfering with his friendships? Does he have friends, or is he using technology to hide and get away from social interactions? Is he able to interact socially in a so called normal way, carry on meaningful conversations, maintain eye contact while talking, etc? Is he using the technology as an escape from something? These are some questions you may want to answer for yourself and discuss with him.

I guess you could impress upon him the need for exercise, and then let him decide what form of exercise he likes. The thing to remember is that if you become too repetitive about something he will push back because this is also his age to create his own identity, create space between him and his parents, rebel and become his own person. So have conversations around this once in a while, but remember to be non-judgemental and accepting, giving him choices that you could facilitate, if he likes. And no matter what your anxieties are, deal
with them outside of the parent-child relationship.

Dear Madam,

I often find it difficult to stand my ground and defend myself when needed, whether it is among my friends or my family. Although I do try to defend myself, it often fails as I am not heard. As a result, I am often seen as someone who is weak. How can I speak up for myself in a more assertive manner? Please guide.

Priyanka

Dear Priyanka,

The world often reflects to us what we think of ourselves. If we think of ourselves as weak, powerless and under attack, then those are the messages we pick from the world. That is what we think the world is telling us. The reality is that those are the only messages from the world that we pay attention to! You see you are unable to defend yourself. Why do you feel the need to defend yourself all the time? Why are you feeling like a victim? You do not need to keep proving yourself and justifying what you say and do to anyone, other than yourself. You are a valid and worthy person entitled to your own opinions and points of view and capable of taking your own actions and taking care of yourself.

You dont need to keep justifying yourself to anyone or proving yourself to anyone. You may find the two links below helpful in understanding this concept further: www.bit.ly/2B3YzZb and www.bit.ly/2zV2ysG. Also, please see if you can access a counsellor in your college, or elsewhere, to get some help work through this for yourself. It can be a life-changing experience for you. All the best.

Dear Madam,

Though I have many friends and like spending time with them, I often find myself to be lonely. I have discussed this with my friends and family, but they have dismissed it and say that it is a phase and it will get over. While it may be true, I think otherwise. How can I work towards eliminating this feeling of loneliness?

Meena

Dear Meena,

You are blessed to have friends and family with whom you have been able to discuss your feelings. If you have a continuous feeling of being lonely, it may be because of how you are processing your thoughts and relationships.

I think it will be very helpful for you to seek out a counsellor and discuss your thoughts and feelings in the security of a confidential relationship. Without speaking to you, it would be difficult for me to give you more insight other than discuss this in more detail and explore further what is going on for you. All the best!

Since I was a child, I was fascinated by the stars and moon in the night sky. I dreamt of what it would be like out in the space, how the astronauts who stepped on the moon felt. But almost half a century has passed since man last went to the moon. Where are we going today? The next big and most obvious step is to go to Mars. This is what drives me in my research.

At Purdue University, in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, we work on solving some of the problems that are in the way of sending people to Mars. It is one of the major research areas that the Advanced Astrodynamics Concepts group is working on. I am working with Professor Sarag Saikia on one such problem.

The application process

While looking out for universities to apply to for doctoral degree, my primary focus was on the research going on at different universities in the area of astrodynamics. I chose to apply to universities in the United States as it has some of the best research going on in this area. I applied to about eight universities, including Purdue University. Purdue was my first choice as it is one of the best places right now to do research in aerospace.

I was already familiar with Professor Saikias work and was interested in joining his group. Apart from the excellent astrodynamics research, Purdue has a very rich history and is the alma mater of 23 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong.

So it is no surprise that I was ecstatic when I got my offer letter from Purdue. But there was no financial support with the admission. So, I started looking for funding. Professor Saikia told me about the Amba-Rao fellowship. It was a great opportunity but very competitive as it was awarded to one student per year. After an interview and some nervous waiting, I got the offer.

Planning missions

My research involves studying the human missions to Mars, more importantly the surface mission. Human travel to Mars is a long-term mission and a complicated systems engineering problem. With the current rocket technology, it takes at least six months to travel to Mars. And the favourable conditions for launch are only once in about every two years. So even if we reach Mars after spending six months in deep space, we have to stay there for about 18 months to wait for the next launch opportunity and then return journey will take another six months. Sustaining astronauts for such a long period is one of the major challenges that we face. Because if something fails, the mission cannot be aborted immediately and help cannot be sent to Mars in a matter of hours or even days.

You are on your own when you are on another planet. Everything has to be planned, all the possible scenarios must be thought of and prepared for. One such challenge is providing the astronauts the means to survive like food, water, air and sanitation.

Water is required not just for drinking, but for hygiene maintenance, propellant production for returning from Mars surface to orbit, cooling systems and agriculture if we have to build a sustained base on Mars. Water is said to be the oil of space exploration. My work specifically deals with projecting these water needs for various cases.

How much water?

We know that there is water on Mars in various forms. It may not be liquid surface water as on Earth but as water ice beneath the surface. We need to dig on Mars to extract water and process it to make it suitable for our use. But this requires heavy machinery and the right landing site where we know that water is available in the amount we need.

This is another part of my research. Based on the water demand, we have to figure out where to land on Mars, how to extract water and how to use it. Choosing a particular landing site has tremendous implications on other sub-systems as well. It has to be a well-calculated decision. This whole mission requires the combined effort of all the space organisations across the globe.

Along with the Mars mission, I am also working on a project about exploring the Ocean worlds of our Solar System, namely Europa and Enceladus. It has been discovered that beneath the icy surface of these moons, there are liquid water oceans. These have favourable conditions for existence of life. This is what makes these icy moons
hotspots for search of life beyond Earth. Our research group is working on designing a mobility system of rovers that can travel on the surface of Europa and Enceladus. We are doing a detailed study of the surface of the moons as they are very hostile.

Apart from these projects, my group also works on interplanetary trajectories, mission design, entry descent landing on other solar system objects and more. We continuously learn from each other and thrive to do the best to take the human race closer to the next big leap into deep space. We are all driven by curiosity. As Buzz Aldrin said, "Exploration is wired into our brains. If we can see the horizon, we want to know whats beyond".

(The author is pursuing PhD in Aerospace engineering at Purdue University, USA)

Is there much to understanding writing for children? Is it worth discussing? There is, in fact, more to understanding writing for children than might initially meet the eye.

The fact is, good writing for children shares many qualities with good writing for adults. For instance, good books have worthwhile themes, sparkling language and unforgettable characters. They are also worthy of re-reading, are a source of insights and confusions that lead readers into observing and understanding life, and themselves better. If it is a book of non-fiction, we would expect it to not just be accurate in facts, but imaginative, appealing and appropriate in presentation of content.

Exploring different issues

But, you might argue, tastes differ. In the field of childrens literature, this is a very significant issue. We are not talking just about differences in taste but about differences in tastes between adults and children as well! Can adults be valid judges of quality in childrens books? Childrens books are usually written by adults for children. The adults then have the power to determine good writing for children by giving out awards. You might think that the answer is simple - ask children what kinds of books they like, and give the awards to those books.

But consider this - most children may prefer noodles for dinner, but many adults will serve more nutritious meals despite childrens preferences. Would this analogy apply to making judgments about good writing for children? Should we select and serve nutritious writing, despite our childrens urge for books without much intrinsic literary value? Should we try to shape our childrens tastes about good writing and good books?

But if we try to shape our childrens tastes about books, are we looking for writing that educates our children about some worthy social cause? For example, should publishers flood the market with worthy efforts to help our children understand issues such as gender equality? Would writing for children be considered to be good if it is politically correct? Clearly, this is not true. Various juries often discard books that were very correct and worthy, but lacked the spark of good writing.

We are fairly united in our idea that good writing for children needs to be historically and socially sensitive. Children, we conclude, cannot be permitted to grow up on casual indoctrination through books, but must be given opportunities to examine social issues with sensitivity.

What about dark issues like violence, loss, grief? Do these have a place in writing for children, or should we shield and protect children from all darkness? The answer lies in the grey zone, and the greyness varies depending on the age of the children the book is intended for.
But, there is definitely space for some darkness in childrens books, if books are indeed a reflection and extension of life! After all, many of us have grown up on stories from Hindu mythology which contain elements of violence, loss, grief and even sexuality.

Make reading interactive

In my work as a teacher educator, I am routinely asked - how can schools, teachers and parents facilitate childrens engagement with books? There is one cardinal rule that applies here - children learn by observation, not by what you tell them to do. They observe us more closely than we realise and learn from what we do, not what we say. Are you a reader? Does your childs school value the habit of reading? Do the adults that the children regularly interact with, share and discuss books in a knowledgeable manner with them? If not, my recommendation is to start there. For instance, you could definitely stock your library with a wide variety of interesting books across different genres.

But, stocking your library well is not enough. You need to engage children in reading these books through a variety of ways. Perhaps you could have book talks as a regular part of the school day. For instance, one period can be dedicated to allow children briefly share a little about the books they have recently read with each other. Encourage the children to look closely. Dont look for right answers but encourage children to express their genuine thoughts about the book.

These could happen in informal ways at home too where parents and children discuss books that they have read together. As a mother, I tell my children about books I am currently reading, why I enjoy them, or not. They are encouraged to see reading as a valuable life habit, and not just as something that is good for them or has educational value. This, in short, is the answer to engaging children successfully with books.

(The author is with Azim Premji University, Bengaluru)

The way we travel has changed, and the way we live too. Millennials today are lost in their busy lifestyles, stressed at work and overwhelmed with the mundanity of everyday life. They are seeking more personalisation and privacy while demanding nothing less than the best in luxury. While five-star resorts can offer you the frills of fancy, having a holiday home that you can call your own is quite another form of luxury. In fact, it takes luxury to the next level.

Its a lifestyle thing

Typically, holiday homes have now become a lifestyle purchase. People look to buy a holiday home because they want to be able to visit a location whenever they want while being in the comfort of their own home. Besides, holiday homes also offer great financial returns to their owners.

Today, we see significant annual short-term rental yields (five to seven per cent gross yield on the property value) from renting out homes even after the homeowners visit for a few weekends in the year (at their convenience). The first key factor that contributes to this is the aesthetics or the finishing of the home. Holiday homes attract guests from all over the world because of their aesthetics. Different people like different styles of architecture and aesthetics. When they envision that in their holiday home and get exactly that, it becomes a reason to invest.

Second, if the homes are located in popular areas and have the right kind of social infrastructure in close proximity, it attracts investors and buyers. Finally, the amount of ease and transparency a company can offer is what builds trust in prospective investors. They look to invest in the convenience offered to them so that the homeowners can sit back and enjoy the returns on their investment. The art of travel and living in that sense has transformed, and with the advent of the second home, it is only going to soar.

Whether for business or pleasure, owning a second home has become synonymous with success, luxury and a jet-set lifestyle. It offers a discerning convenience, seclusion and the chance to escape. Identifying this surging desire, various companies have now come to the fore, not only to try and satiate this desire with a collection of second homes that are unique in design, location, style and luxury but to give each homeowner an experience that lingers and makes them feel special.

Owning a hideaway from the world thats completely private and entirely your own and is in accordance with your discerning taste has become a prospect thats hard to resist. The idea of being able to whisk away on a whim and have complete control over the details of where and how you will stay is something that is becoming appealing to more and more people. A party pad, beachside villa, mountainside property, its about being able to indulge in any or every extravagance defined by you.

Furthermore, a second home can also become a great source of income with the opportunity to rent out the property to other people on holiday, when its not being used. And its not so much about luring investors in with amenities and features alone, its more about providing inimitable options that would pique ones interest - like telling a story through each home, and promoting a piece of lifestyle. That is something the companies are trying to do: tell a story; create a sense of adventure and mystique; provide a lifestyle quite unlike any other experienced before; and build a family, one beautiful home at a time.

A home away from home

The holiday home market has players that have now understood the art of luxury. Be it hand-picking the best pockets of privacy or artfully selecting desirable locations - not too far from a popular beach or a recommended restaurant, but at a comfortable distance from the hustle bustle of tourist-busy areas.

It is crucial to provide that warmth of a home, yet while being completely and utterly immersed in luxury that you dont usually find at home. This can be accented by making the most breathtaking views available from every window, providing interiors with stunning furniture curated from palaces and heritage sites around the country and setting up each home with the latest amenities and luxuries; getting an aesthetic that exudes something which will impress all tastes for its timeless appeal. Designs that are made with the intent to create that urge to show it off to everyone you know; creating a space that keeps pulling you back, that you can never tire of and that stays with you long after you leave.

If a company can offer an enviable collection of homes in various destinations to suit a melange of budgets, tastes and preferences, that is something that anyone would want. To be able to have a home at an exotic locale, to simply escape into a whole new world.

(The author is CEO & founder, Isprava)

The year-end holiday season is fast approaching and youre running out of novel ideas to redo your interiors. You want to try something new. Ever glanced up at your ceiling? Thats one area which is grossly neglected in the process of interior designing. Usually, ceilings are flat and white. How about deviating from this norm? Here are some ideas.

Firstly, it is important to keep in mind that the chosen ceiling design must be in consonance with the rest of the decor of your living space. Then there are other decisions to make: Will you do up all the ceilings in your home? Or will you restrict it to one or two, spaces like the living room or the kitchen? Since the living room is the most frequently visited and sighted space in your house, its almost mandatory to spice up the ceiling here.

New ideas

Choose the right material, depending on the overall design theme or the room where the target ceiling is located. For a living room with an ethnic feel, wooden panels or tiles on the ceiling will enhance the beauty of your artefacts. Huge wooden pillars and a wooden swing in your living room with traditional paintings and terracotta artefacts will look even better with this kind of a ceiling. Symmetrical wooden strips all over the ceiling and running down across a portion of a wall up to the floor will look excellent. This is especially suitable for the kitchen. For a minimalist and modern look, use fabric or metal. For a funky look, get the ceiling tiles haphazardly arranged. As for ceiling design, false ceilings can always be created with ceiling tiles of different hues and textures to suit every decor.

Coved ceilings can elicit a second glance. A rounded, curved, framing detail at the spot where the wall meets the ceiling forming a cove, gives the ceiling an aesthetic look. Here, avoid garish colours, for the design itself is a subtle one. A coved ceiling with moulding looks pretty if the ceiling is very high. A strip of contoured wood or other material placed at the junction of the wall and the ceiling can remarkably alter the rooms appearance. A faux fireplace will ally admirably with this ceiling design.

Go classic

False beams with out-of-the-box designs form another interesting addition to your rooms decor. Wood or metal finishes find their place here. Adding lights will also draw attention to your specially designed or decorated ceiling. The light will also be reflected down to lend an ethereal look to your room.

As for other lighting ideas, you can create a niche where the ceiling meets the wall and fix a few light bulbs out of sight. If youre interested in a cathedral or vaulted ceilings, then the common feature of the two is that they arent flat and they rise high up. But vaulted ceilings may have only one sloping side or two sloping sides that arent mirror images of each other. They may have a curved finish or an arch. Cathedral ceilings, as the name indicates, have a central point to where the ceiling rises up from the walls.

These ceilings can make a room appear magnificent. Since they rise high, the room is bright and airy. Use timber for a rustic look. To introduce a homely feel in rooms with such ceilings, use decor tricks like low-hanging pendant lights. Avoid using huge mirrors. Cover the French windows with lovely floral window treatments. Use long wall hangings to nullify the feeling of awe and create a warm ambience instead.

Though both cathedral and vaulted ceilings can create an illusion of spaciousness, difficulties in their maintenance prevail. Since they are too high up, cleaning, changing bulbs or repairing fans may prove to be difficult. That apart, these ceilings cannot be used for bedrooms, where cosiness and privacy is the priority. These ceilings may seem distasteful to some people.

Add textures

If a smooth ceiling looks mundane, texture it, but in tandem with the rooms overall decor theme. Pre-textured paint is available in the market, simply paint it on the ceiling. Else, mix either oil-based or latex paint with special sand or other materials and in the proportions that your decorator advises to create your own texture paint. Popcorn ceiling texture is a popular spray-on ceiling texture, orange peel, sunburst and starburst are other common ceiling textures.

Faux painting your ceiling wall will work wonders for an aesthetic appearance. But do not to overdo this, use a simple pattern. Else, the result will be garish. If youve already faux-painted the walls of your living room, avoid replicating it on the ceiling. If youre using copper, be sure to co-ordinate or contrast the red-brown hue with the rest of the living room items appropriately. If your rooms decor is minimalistic, you can opt for broad stripes on the ceiling. If all this appears too challenging, then simply paint your ceiling in a bright colour. Bear in mind that it should either blend or stand out in contrast with the rest of the room decor.

A home is an investment and one would like to buy furniture that lasts a long time. Therefore, it becomes important to pick and choose our decor with care. A house needs furniture, but some pieces set the tone of the ambience that we aim to create. With the right kind of knowledge, one can build exceptional pieces in wood. Wood can be cut, joined, bent, moulded, chiselled or carved; its versatility is unmatched.

While picking pieces for the home, one needs to pay attention to a few aspects. The base materials used in the building, the climatic conditions, and the materials of the furniture need to match and blend. Local wood and material generally adapt better to the prevailing climatic conditions. Having said that, well-treated and finished materials do well in most conditions. It becomes important to understand our climatic and habitual needs. For instance, people with back issues should not buy low sofas or beds. While pinewood does beautifully in the mountains, if not treated well, it will not agree with the coastal air.

Customisation is key

Built on given specifications to last a lifetime, quality handmade furniture gives your home a deep sense of authenticity, warmth and character. People are turning to custom furniture to meet their needs and escape the run of the mill products in every store. There is a growing trend to get back to basics, reviving a thriving market for artisans who have dedicated themselves to perfecting centuries-old craftsmanship.

There is something wonderful about a piece of furniture crafted in wood and finished to perfection. Whether it is the feel of a texture or a weave, the smell or the shape, the grain or the colour, handmade objects speak to us on an inexplicable level, moving us in ways that are profound.

Customised furniture pays attention to detail and an understanding of the clients needs that large-scale manufacturing cannot match. Bespoke furniture is a personalised expression of a clients needs and a craftspersons skill. The design depends on the choice of material. While there are unlimited choices available in the market, hardwood has a charm of its own.

Cleaning & maintenance

Wood, as a material, has a mind of its own. It changes shape, colour and size, and it challenges you at every step. Most furniture is built to strict specifications to ensure several years of use. It requires care and maintenance in order to retain its uniqueness and beauty. Another characteristic of wood is that it is porous. It loses moisture and shrinks when exposed to extremely dry conditions and it absorbs moistures and expands when exposed to humid conditions. Such changes are natural and in no way affect the overall strength and quality of the furniture.

Wood that is untreated is sensitive and requires periodic cleaning. Scrub with water and mild soap, if needed. It is advisable to scrub in the woods longitudinal direction. Avoid putting objects until the surface is completely dry. While cleaning furniture with lacquered or painted wood surfaces, avoid using solvents or any harsh cleaners. Use a damp cloth to wipe as the surface is usually strong, smooth and to an extent water repellent. The surface of oiled wooden furniture is fatter and more prone to dirt and liquids than other treated surfaces. Periodically, apply a coat or two of the oil provided to you along with your furniture. This will help condition the wood, keeping it looking natural with a matte finish while enhancing and protecting the wood grain.

(The author is principal designer, Knock on Wood)

The nip in the air is a clear indication that a new season is upon us. Even though winter is all about dull weather and surroundings, your home can be a bright spot in your life. Make way for a winter makeover. Wondering how and where to begin? Here are some ideas.

For some warmth

Winters are all about adding some warmth to your home and carpets do that beautifully. Also, using lighting intelligently is a great way to do up your home. "The right ceiling light can do the trick to warm up a room. If a ceiling fixture is not an option, floor lamps and fairy lights are great alternatives. Deck up the table or the dresser with some fairy lights to give your home a magical touch," says Ritika Dhingra, design manager, Urban Ladder.

Keep it minimal, less is always more. This winter, declutter your home and do away with decorative items. Furniture, linen and clothes that do not reflect who you are or that you dont need can be discarded. "Add more plants to your home.Plants like money plant and spider plant give out oxygen during the day, while mother-in-laws tongue plant gives out oxygen at night. So, it is best to keep it in the bedroom," says Miniya Chatterji, founder & CEO, Sustain Labs Paris.

Ensuring that you place the furniture right is another way in which you can change the look of your home. Nibhrant Shah, CEO and founder, ISPRAVA, explains, "How warm one feels in a room depends on where you are, even though the air temperature is the same throughout. You will feel warmer if you position yourself closer to the inside of the house because the cold external walls are further away. So, try and place your furniture next to an internal wall."

Hues to choose

In this chilly season, give your home a warm and cosy look. This can be done by adding warm accents and using a darker palette. "Take advantage of colours like deep blue, which can be a good choice for your walls. One can also go for warm colours like yellow, burgundy and orange to spruce up their home with cheerful vibes. One can make good use of silk bed covers to add that dash of lavishness with comfort. Complete the bedroom look with removable light drapes over the bed. This will help you give the feel of being nestled," says Purvi Parikh, owner, Tranceforme.

A change of fabric helps you give your home a quick makeover. Knitted fabric has always been associated with winter. Use chunky knitted pillow covers and throws in red and grey to bring in colour and warmth in your decor. Reuse old sweaters by converting them into pillow covers. One way to approach home decor in winter is to imitate the landscape outside, mostly with lighter neutrals.

"Add pastel accents to this palette and you would have yourself a trendy look that is in line with the global zeitgeist. But, if you are someone with a case of winter blues, opt for a rich, jewel-toned palette with hues such as amber, ruby, emerald," advises Anuj Srivastava, CEO and co-founder, Livspace.

The case of fabric

Fabrics such as wool, cashmere or faux-fur with simple tones will help deflect light and make your home look bright. "You can also give a makeover by blending the contemporary and traditional look by bringing home some traditional furniture but with a contemporary raw and unfurnished look.

Also, you can play with colours of the curtains. These days, reversible curtains are easily available. So, a reversible curtain can help you give a completely new look to your home. You can use a quilt or blanket as a throw on your sofa or armchair, or you can also spread one on the floor in your living room to ensure the cosiness that winter demands," says Sandesh Dhanraj, founder, Noah Interiors.

Cushion covers are an ideal way of giving your room a wintry makeover. "The ones that are made up of thick fabrics like jacquard and ikat are a must-have. While woollen pom-pom embellishments will make your space more cosy and welcoming, you can also pick cushion covers with sequins and embellishments to add an exciting element of pop in the gloomy weather. One can also go for vibrant wall art that will instantly uplift the mood of the room," says Shreyasi Pathak, stylist, Vajor.

There is no better way to begin the winter excitement at home than doing a bedroom makeover. "The bed covers can be laid simple. One can define their choice by choosing a fine-quality fabric and adding colour vibrancy to making it appear full and decorative. Another way to enhance the winter bedroom decor can be adding an extra layer of dohars," says Sonam Gupta, design head, Tangerine.

Arshi Mukri, interior design expert, Pepperfry, adds, "Infuse warm lighting and rainbow fabrics to offset the gloomy weather. Also, if you will be entertaining visitors, invest in fine dinnerware. They are great as accent pieces. Go for copper decor pieces that are trending this season. They make for a picturesque home."

Neat & tidy

During winter, a host of airborne pollen and household allergens find their way indoors causing infection and diseases. In addition to pollen, unventilated homes can breed dust mites, mould and other allergens.

"Vacuum your home regularly and get it tested by an air quality expert to determine the presence of indoor pollutants. Get rid of dust, allergens and odour - we often ignore the air we breathe indoors. Choose an air purifier that is patented with duotron technology that actively reduces the growth of viruses and bacteria in the air," says Shashank Sinha, AVP marketing, Eureka Forbes Limited.

So, this winter let your home embrace the season in all its hues.

So, here it is, Tom Hankss literary debut. But then Hanks has had stints with the written word before, having written screenplays for the HBO docudrama From the Earth to the Moon. He is an intelligent and articulate man as has been clear to those who have followed his career trajectory and heard him speak.

So lets treat this as a debut collection by a writer named Thomas (Jeffrey) Hanks. There are 17 short stories in the book, and one set of characters stroll into a couple of other stories. Then theres a cranky journalist named Hank Fiset whose reports feature at least four times in the book.

Before you ask, these are slice-of-life stories, slice of American-life stories, almost insularly so. There are people like the Patels who pass through in a tale, but since it is an Irrfan Patel married to a Priyanka, you wonder if Hanks is making a passing reference to an interfaith marriage or just being lazy… hes a friend of Irrfan Khan, remember? And hes probably met our Quantico girl Priyanka Chopra.

The tone is direct, the style is gently humorous; the stories do not wrap themselves in any kind of clever wordplay, though there is a palpable vein of irony that informs all the stories.

Varied characters inhabit the book, but all through, its Hankss voice we hear, and that is a serious shortcoming. Oh, and footwear appears as footware in one story. I searched hard for any hint of irony in there and didnt find it, so I guess its just a typo.

What do the stories delve into, deal with, reveal? Well, theres vigorous Anna who takes the smitten narrator into the maws of a hectic three-week affair. Anna is always on the lookout for things to do, the narrator is a laid-back kind of guy, and the twain, of course, can never meet, or at least, not permanently.

But as breakups go, this one is the most amicable of them all. Theres a WW vet dealing with his less-than-savoury memories of a Christmas Eve back on the battlefield even as he sits surrounded by his loving family many years later, on another Christmas Eve.

Theres this mildly funny account of a leading man in a female-dominated franchise who is shown his place very quickly as the film does a promotional tour of Paris.

Theres a young boy living his own idyllic summer… only until he stumbles upon his fathers extramarital affair. Theres this youngish divorcee who moves house with her kids and tries to look at her new locality with an unjaundiced eye.

Alan Bean Plus Four is my pick of this lot. Its Anna and company from the first story, all set to travel to the moon and back, in a homemade craft named Alan Bean. Who Alan Bean is and why they have named their spaceship after him is quite the quirkiest quirk in this book.

Elsewhere, people struggle to make their mark in life, live in a strange city, to find a job as an immigrant, look to buy typewriters that catch their fancy, time-travel, and fall in love.

And every few stories, a clunky ancient typewriter makes its appearance. It is a contrivance of course, but segues in well with the flow of the stories, and after a while, the reader starts to look out for the typewriter. Why the typewriter motif? Well, Hanks is a collector of manual typewriters, uses them, and in 2014, released Hanx Writer, an iOS app meant to emulate the experience of using a typewriter.

In Whos Who?, the heroine has a struggle with her umbrella, which is captured rather neatly.

"Two blocks from the Eighty-Sixth Street subway station, the rain started. Sue halted, reached for her umbrella, pushed the button on the telescoping handle, but the handle did not telescope. She pulled on the fabric of the thing, forcing it open, but in doing so, bent some of the spokes. When she tried to slide the plastic knob up the shaft, the umbrella bent like the leg of a card table. She shook the umbrella and tried forcing the knob, but only half of the cover deployed. With the rain getting heavy, she re-cocked and again tried to get the umbrella open, but it inverted into a scoop and more of the spokes disconnected like severed ribs. Giving up, she tried to jam the worthless skeleton into an overflowing trash bin at Broadway and Eighty-Eighth, but the umbrella seemed to fight back, refusing to go in with the other garbage. It took her four tries before it stayed put."

Now I ask you, which Indian wouldnt identify with Sues struggle?!

The book is mildly entertaining, but Tom Hanks had better keep his day job.

Not long before she vanquished her nerves and finally won the Wimbledon singles title she richly deserved, I asked Jana Novotna if she felt she had ever choked in a tennis match.

Novotna turned her penetrating gaze on me for a moment or two. She was very far from a fool and just as far from a poker face.

"Well, I must tell you that I hate that word," she said.

It is an ugly word, I conceded.

"A very, very ugly word," she said.

So what word would she prefer?

"I think you could say, She got a little tight, Novotna said, having begun to laugh. "I like it much better than choke."

But had she, in her own estimation and for lack of a gentler term, choked?

"I think of course I have, and I think we all have choked in our matches," she said. "I think its a very natural thing to do. Thats what sometimes happens because we are humans. We are not robots."

It was the essence of Novotnas appeal that she was no tennis automaton. She was beautiful to watch in action. She had a smoothly sliced backhand, arched her back deeply before striking a serve, and made frequent forays to her happiest hunting ground at the net.

Some played. Novotna flowed.

But she also was, like many of tennis most compelling protagonists, a perfectionist in a sport where perfection is unfortunately not an option.

This inevitably created doubt and angst as she glided across the courts of the world. The fallout was often etched on her face: so different from the more inscrutable countenance of her contemporary Steffi Graf, the all-but-irresistible force of the era.

Novotna came off as much more vulnerable, much more relatable, which was why her Wimbledon victory struck such a chord. She accepted the champions trophy, the Venus Rosewater Dish, from the Duchess of Kent, the same empathetic, publicity-shy British aristocrat who had offered Novotna a shoulder to cry on five years earlier when Novotna had blown a third-set lead against Graf in the 1993 final.

It was a defining, affirming story arc at the All England Club, and now only the duchess, 84, is still with us. Novotna died far too young on Sunday, at age 49, succumbing to cancer in her native country, the Czech Republic.

"Not sure I can talk; I dont want to keep crying," Martina Navratilova, the greatest Czech-born tennis champion, said.

We communicated by email instead. Navratilova, who defected and became a U.S. citizen, had her political differences with Novotna, but they grew very close later in life. Novotna offered support when Navratilova was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

"Jana was simply amazing to me when I was going through the radiation treatments in Paris and since we lived so close to each other then, we spent a lot of time together," Navratilova said. "Her support to me was unwavering."

Like many in the tennis world, Navratilova was surprised by how quickly Novotnas own condition deteriorated this year.

"I did see Jana before Wimbledon, and she looked really good," Navratilova said.

What is to be learned from Novotnas life and Wimbledon journey?

"That the most important thing is for you to believe in yourself even if the whole world doubts you," Navratilova said. "After the tennis collapse in the 93 Wimbledon final and the emotional collapse after the match, to be able to pull yourself out of that speaks volumes."

It was actually not her most dramatic implosion. That came in the third round of the French Open two years later, against the 19-year-old American Chanda Rubin, when Novotna let slip a 5-0, 40-0 lead with Rubin serving in the third set, squandering nine match points in all.

Novotna fielded the inevitable queries, put up with more references to that very, very ugly word, and set about molding herself into a steelier, more decisive competitor. She had long been a winner on the doubles court, taking 16 Grand Slam titles with various partners during her career and winning all four majors at least twice.

"Jana had all the shots, but most of all she knew where to be and where to hit those shots," Navratilova said. "Her tennis instinct was fantastic."

Greater challenge

But handling the most intense heat on her own was her greater challenge, one she eventually surmounted with the help of her coach and confidante, Hana Mandlikova, an elegant Czech champion and shotmaker with a vulnerable side of her own. Mandlikova had won three of the four majors in the 1980s but could never win Wimbledon.

"They all thought it came very easy to Hana because she was so gifted and was playing such a beautiful, smooth tennis," Novotna once told me, sounding like she could have been talking about herself. "Nobody really knew that she was even working or even training. She always gave that impression, but I think that was so wrong. I think its something people totally misunderstood about Hana. I know quite a lot of players, and I think she was one of the hardest working players on the tour."

Novotna dated her rise to her decision at age 21 to ask Mandlikova to be her coach and to leave what was then Czechoslovakia in order to train abroad from bases in Belgium and Florida.

She won Wimbledon on her 13th appearance, and though she had faced all-time-great opposition in her first three major singles finals - Monica Seles, Graf and Martina Hingis - she had the opportunity in that 1998 Wimbledon final to face Nathalie Tauziat, a veteran Frenchwoman who was playing in what would be her only Grand Slam singles final.

It was a different brand of pressure, but Novotna seized the moment, closing out her 6-4, 7-6(2) victory with a forehand return winner and then sinking to her knees and covering her face with both hands as she trembled.

She had been made to wait until she was nearly 30 years old, but the perfectionist had her perfect ending. It was a poignant summer moment, one that seems all the more poignant today with winter approaching and with the realisation that Novotna - she of the very human touch - did not have nearly as long as she should have to bask in its afterglow.

Violins, cameras, school desks, computer mouses, can openers - these are just a few items that demonstrate how routinely disadvantaged left-handers are in this world.

One notable exception may be sports. Whether it is Lou Gehrig in baseball, Wayne Gretzky in ice hockey, Martina Navratilova in tennis or Oscar De La Hoya in boxing, some of the best athletes in history have been portsiders.

But even in this realm, the southpaw advantage may vary, being more pronounced in sports where a player has less time to react to an opponent, like table tennis, according to Florian Loffing, a sports scientist at the University of Oldenburg in Germany and author of a study published recently in Biology Letters. In such games, he found a higher proportion of lefties than in those with longer intervals between players actions.

Including an analysis of the pressures of time shows "that there is an additional effect" in left-sider sports dynamics, said Kirsten Legerlotz, a professor of sport sciences at the Humboldt University of Berlin who was not involved in the research. Loffings "conclusion appears convincing," she added, although it would need to be examined in other sports and verified with lab experiments.

Loffing chose to analyse baseball, cricket, table tennis, badminton, tennis and squash, because they lent themselves to a standardized measure of time pressure, he said. For baseball and cricket, this involved the average time that elapsed between ball release and bat-ball contact in professional games. For the racquet sports, he considered the intervals between racquet-ball contact made by players in professional matches. He then tallied the number of lefties among each sports top 100 players, or pitchers and bowlers in the case of baseball and cricket, from 2009 to 2014.

Comparing all six sports against one another, he found the proportion of southpaws increased as the time available for players to act decreased. Nine percent of the top players were left-dominant in the slowest contest, squash, while 30 percent of the best pitchers were lefties in the fastest, baseball. Overall, left-handedness was 2.6 times more likely in the sports with higher time constraints (baseball, cricket and table tennis) than in ones with lower time pressure (badminton, tennis and squash).

His results are couched in a broader "nature" versus "nurture" discussion of why left-dominance may be an asset in sports.

The "nature" hypothesis posits that left-handers may innately be better athletes, perhaps benefiting, for instance, from the fact that the right brain hemisphere is in charge of both their dominant hand and visual-spatial awareness.

The "nurture" explanation suggests that left-handers relative rarity gives them a competitive edge because opponents are worse at anticipating their movements or are even used to employing strategies that play directly to lefties strengths (hitting balls toward the right in racquet sports, for instance).

This "nurture" idea is supported by studies that have found a higher incidence of left-handers in professional interactive sports compared with the general population, but not in noninteractive ones like darts, bowling or golf. Beyond sports, this explanation could account for why lefties have made up just 10 percent or so of the human population for thousands of years.

"From a Darwinian perspective, there seems to be something wrong with being left-handed," Loffing said. "But the question is, why doesnt it wash out? Why isnt the world only right-handed?"

In 1996, a team of French researchers proposed that lefties have a fitness advantage in duellike situations. The same group showed that more violent and warlike traditional societies have a much higher incidence of left-handers than more pacifist societies.

Loffing believes most of the lefties-in-sports trend can be explained by this so-called fighting hypothesis. His latest research suggests that the benefits portsiders derive from the element of unfamiliarity become greater when their opponents have less time to calculate. "We know that things like anticipation and decision-making are more difficult under time pressure," he said.

In previous studies, Loffing and collaborators have shown that athletes can counter or even neutralise the left-sider advantage through training. Next, it would be interesting to combine these two findings and see if there is some time pressure threshold beyond which it would be exceedingly difficult for players to train against the southpaw edge - some threshold "beyond which being rare really pays off," he said.

If you YouTube Sadanand Vishwanath, the first search result most likely would be his magical performance against England in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia.

On a fine night at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, wicket-keeper Vishwanath, showing lightning quick reflexes, effected five dismissals. Talked about even today, that remains, perhaps, the happiest moment in Vishwanaths life. Much of his journey, before and after that, has been about setbacks and trying hard to overcome it.

Set to turn 55 on November 29, Vishwanaths birthday gift from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is something that he is accepting with reluctance. Having taken up an umpires job 22 years ago as a way of reconnecting with cricket after going adrift, Vishwanath will no more be officiating in a game as he crosses the age limit.

"Well, its very sad that I cant be officiating a game anymore," rued Vishwanath in a conversation with DH. "I feel Im still good enough to officiate in a game. Two decades of experience has only made me richer. But since Im not part of the elite panel nor do I have any international experience, I have to step down. If you have officiated an international game or been part of the elite panel, you can continue till 60. Since I have neither of these two, I have to accept retirement reluctantly.

"Until recently, even if you cross the age limit during the season, you could complete it. But now rules have changed. Your term expires the moment you cross the age limit. The BCCI, which has been very helpful to me, has promised to look into the matter and grant extension to umpires like me. Im just hoping for some positive news."

Vishwanath, who played three Tests and 22 ODIs in a career that promised plenty but ended up with very little owing to many factors, chose umpiring in a bid to put his life back in order and help rekindle his love affair with the sport. He had just returned from a high paying job in the Middle-East in 1991 in the hope of getting married to his girlfriend only to find out she had migrated to Australia along with her family. He then took up a job in a bank to keep himself afloat before quitting it three years later after being transferred. Meandering along in life, Vishwanath, whose glovework had earned praise from all quarters including the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, then saw a BCCIs invite in 1995 calling former Test players to apply for umpires job.

He promptly applied for it and came through the tests to begin a new journey. Most of his assignments in a two-decade long career involved lower tier matches with just a handful of Ranji Trophy games.

He also officiated a womens World Cup match in 1997-98 and an India A vs Australia A game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2008. But Vishwanath couldnt make it to the elite panel.

"Thats my biggest regret, not officiating an international game. I admired S Venkataraghavan and hoped to emulate him. I tried but I couldnt. Making it to the elite level is not easy. So many factors come into the picture if you have to make the cut to the elite. You need solid backing. Maybe I didnt have it. However, Ive had a memorable journey.

"During the early days, we had to travel by train and sometimes the journey would last 2-3 days. I made some very good friends along the way. Also, Ive had the privilege of seeing some of Indias current superstars first hand. Be it (Virat) Kohli, (MS) Dhoni or Yuvraj (Singh), Ive had the joy of officiating their games even before they could make it big. Umpiring has acted as a balm to a lot of pain that Ive had to undergo very young in my life," said Vishwanath.

Among the first setbacks that Vishwanath suffered was seeing his parents separate in the early 1980s. He then lost his father in 1984. Amidst that agony came the ultimate gift for a budding cricketer - an India call-up - a year later. He grabbed that with both hands and announced himself in style with eye-catching performances at the World Championship of Cricket but the demise of his mother soon after jolted his career. Unable to handle the grief and the coinciding rise as a cricketer, Vishwanath faded away.

"I was too young to handle all of it. Losing both my parents in a short span of time really set me back. I couldnt recover. My siblings, who are doing well now, coped with it better than me. Looking back, I should have. Years later, I couldnt marry the love of my life to whom I returned home. Life has taught me numerous lessons. But Im happy that Ive been able to fight through all this. Yes, I could have achieved a lot with the talent I had, but thats the way its made out for me. No point blaming others as part of the mistake lies with me. No regrets," said Vishwanath.

Having fought his way through many tough situations, Vishwanath is looking forward to two things with great hope. "Hopefully, theres an extension as an umpire. Secondly, all of us need companions. Ive lived a life of solitude mostly which isnt all that great. I hope to find a partner. Never give up!"

Uber Technologies Inc plans to move ahead with a deal to bring in Japanese technology company SoftBank Group Corp as a major investor by disclosing the pricing early this week in formal tender offers to the ride-hailing services investors, two people familiar with the plans said.

The start of the tender follows Ubers disclosure last week that it covered up a 2016 data breach which compromised data of some 57 million customers and drivers. That revelation prompted governments around the world to launch probes into the breach and Ubers handling of the matter. The people familiar with the plans did not say how much investors would be offered for the shares, or say if the price had been cut due to the breach or governments response to the disclosure.

Investors will have 20 business days, or about a month, to respond to emails and letters to be sent early this week, said one of the sources, who declined to be named because they were not authorised to discuss terms before they are public.

SoftBank and Dragoneer Investment Group agreed on November 12 to lead a group that would invest as much as $10 billion in Uber, people familiar with the deal previously told Reuters. They plan to directly invest $1 billion to $1.25 billion in Uber, then buy as much as 17% of shares held by existing investors and employees.

Selling shareholders must be accredited investors as defined by US regulations and hold at least 10,000 shares of the firm, Uber said in ads published last week in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Uber is valued at $69 billion, the highest of any venture backed company.

SoftBanks $1 billion direct investment in Uber is expected to be at the same valuation. Employees and existing investors will be paid a lower price for their shares in a tender that will likely take weeks to complete, people familiar with the November 12 agreement said.Purchasers of startup shares through secondary deals service provider SharesPost discount a companys valuation by as much as 25% depending on liquidity options and scarcity, said Rohit Kulkarni, the companys managing director for private investment research. That would value Uber at about $52 billion.

Kulkarni said he expected SoftBank to apply an "incremental discount" because of the data breach. Verizon, he noted, cut its $4.8 billion Yahoo Inc takeover offer 7% following disclosure at the time of breaches affecting 1 billion accounts.

Nissan Motor Co, an early mover in the electric vehicle market, will use the Los Angeles auto show this week to send a message about gasoline-fueled engines: Theyre not dead yet.

Shinichi Kiga, head of Nissans gasoline engine project group, told Reuters the Japanese automaker is resolved to keep improving internal combustion technology to prolong its usefulness for decades to come. A new Infiniti QX50 sport utility vehicle to be unveiled at a media event in Los Angeles on November 28 will highlight one technology Kiga plans to use.

The QX50 will be the industrys first use of a variable compression ratio system. The engine has a maximum thermal efficiency of around 40%, as much as twice the level of current gasoline engines in the industry, which average around 20 to 30%. Thermal efficiency refers to the power an engine generates from a unit of fuel.

The Nissan/Infiniti VC Turbo illustrates a challenge for policy makers eager to see the end of the internal combustion engines dominance of transportation.

While battery costs for electric vehicles are coming down, improvements in internal combustion engine efficiency could push the moment when electric vehicles achieve cost parity without government subsidies further into the future.

Optimal compression ratio

Advancing the internal combustion engine technology is "one of the most overlooked trends in the industry," James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief of consultancy IHS Markit Automotive, said. "These advances beg the question. Are EVs the best solution to the issue of vehicle greenhouse emissions?"

The newfangled engine, dubbed VC-Turbo for marketing purposes, uses new electronics and software to continually choose an optimal compression ratio for combustion â€" until now a key factor in the trade-off between power and efficiency in a gasoline-fueled engine.

The turbo-charged, 2-liter, four-cylinder VC-Turbo engine averages 30 to 35% better fuel economy than the much bigger 3.5-liter V6 engine it replaces, with comparable power and torque.

Nissan says the new engine matches a diesel engine in torque â€" the amount of thrust that helps determine the cars acceleration. It is a level of performance and efficiency the conventional gasoline engine has so far struggled to achieve.

Kiga said the VC Turbo system costs thousands of dollars less than a comparable gasoline-electric hybrid car, although a VC Turbo hybrid could be in the offing.

Kiga said his eventual aim is to develop engines for Infiniti and Nissan vehicles that achieve a thermal efficiency of 50%.

Thermal efficiency

In a race to make gasoline engines more efficient, Toyota has come up with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine â€" the one that is equipped in the latest Camry car â€" which the company claims has a maximum thermal efficiency of 40%.

Thats an industry-leading level Toyota says it has achieved without relying on technologies such as variable compression but through incrementally improving existing technologies.

Forecasts for the use of internal combustion engines over the next 10 to 15 years vary widely, but few industry officials or consultants are forecasting the end of the technology by 2030, as some government regulators have suggested.

Boston Consulting Group, for example, forecast the share of fully electric vehicles at 14% by 2030.

Consulting firm IHS Markit forecasts that by 2025 installation of gasoline engines will increase to about 73% of light vehicles. Diesels share is forecast to drop to about 17 %.