I love riding bikes, maybe because I never feel bored or tired while riding. I started my bike riding journey in 2009 with a Hero Honda Super Splendor which has now given way to a Avenger 220 Cruise. An average speed of 80-90 kilometres and the required safety gear are my riding benchmarks.

Some time back, I chanced upon a meetup of riders to Bisle Ghat in Sakleshpur. I was in a dilemma as to join this ride or not because I was more comfortable as a solo rider. Finally I decided to go ahead and called Laxmi Narayan alias LN, who was the organizer and founder, and got all the details.

The meeting point was the Nelamangala-Hassan road junction next day. After a briefing about the timings and rules we were expected to follow, 14 of us set of for our first destination at 5.30 am - Manjarabad Fort.

We had breakfast near Hassan and we reached Manjarabad Fort by 11 am. The fort is located on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru highway, 10 km from Sakaleshpura and 37 km from Hassan. It will be opened on all days from 8 am till 5 pm. Built by Tipu Sultan in 1792, it is a star-shaped fort and is unlike other forts in Karnataka as it has an octagonal layout with eight walls.

The fort was inspected by Tipu Sultan after completion who, when he found it enveloped in fog, named it as Manjarabad. The word Manjara is a corrupted version of manju meaning fog or mist in Kannada. According to history, a tunnel links the fort with the Srirangapatna Fort.

After a short break, we started towards the Bisle Ghat view point. We reached Bisle Ghat by 2 pm. It is located in the Kukke Subramanya forest range and is at a distance of around 48 km from Manjarabad Fort.

Bisle is a mountain pass connecting Kukke Subramanya with Coorg. The area has thick evergreen forests and the scenery round about the Ghat is enchanting.

The Bisle View Point, located near the Ghat and situated at a distance of around 5 Km from Bisle village, offers you the magnificent view of the three mountain ranges â€" Yenikallu Betta (Hassan district), Doddabetta and Pushpagiri (Kodagu district) and Kumaraparvatha (Dakshina Kannada district).

It was my first ride in a forest and the waterfalls, the exhilarating air of the hills and the variegated mountain scenery made for a thrilling experience. The highlight of this point is that the view of the valley, with the river Giri separating the point and mountain ranges. The forest department has erected a shelter here to sit and enjoy the view.

There are two routes to reach Bisle Ghat. One is by taking a diversion from Manjarabad Fort. The other is via Gundya and Kukke Subramanya.

After enjoying the view and clicking some pictures, we left for Kukke Subramanya for lunch. We had lunch at a hotel located just in front of Kukke Subramanya Temple.

At around 6.30 pm, we stopped for fuel and tea near Gundya. We started back to Bengaluru by 7.15 pm. We reached Hassan by 9 pm, stopped for dinner and again started our return journey by 10 pm and reached Bengaluru late at night, tired but happy. What started off as a plain ride to see some new places had become the first of many rides with my new biking family. No wonder they say No road is too long when you have good company.

(The author can be contacted at babuthekkaraj@gmail.com)

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an All India Entrance Examination for admissions to postgraduate courses like MTech and ME at IITs, NITs, and many other universities and institutes across the country. Over 50 Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) including DRDO, BHEL and SAIL will also be recruiting employees through this test.

GATE 2018 will be conducted by IIT Guwahati. This year, the GATE exam for 23 papers will be conducted on February 3, 4, 10 and 11 in eight sessions. The mode of paper is expected to remain the same as GATE 2017. It will be a computer-based exam and will be of three-hour duration. Virtual calculator will be provided during the online exam. There will be 65 questions, containing multiple choice questions and numerical answer type questions, for 100 marks.

Good knowledge of subjects

To get a good GATE score, one should have a very good command on technical subjects as the exam tests your knowledge in all technical areas. It is also important to have a good knowledge in the subject as many PSUs have an interview stage as a part of their recruitment process. So, to help you gain a good score in the GATE exam, here are some tips:

Proper revision: This is not the time to start reading again from scratch as GATE is around the corner. You need to go ahead with short notes you may have written and revise whatever practice questions and answers you have read before.

Start with the easy subjects first: Start studying the subjects which you feel are easier to you and prioritise them accordingly. The more you solve, the more you answer correctly, and the more confidence you will get to attempt difficult questions.

Use short notes: Try and make short notes from tutorials or common discussion forms or from any other study material. This will help you speed up your preparation, as the notes cover the essential concepts needed for the exam and help save time. It will also enable you to jot down just the basic points you need to make a further revision on as the exam time nears. Importantly, stick to one set of notes that you are comfortable with as studying from different perspectives will only make you more confused.

Solve past question papers: Try to solve as many question papers as you can. If you are not able to solve or get correct answers, go back to notes or explanations, and understand the concept properly before moving on. Dont stick to those books that have vast explanation of topics.

Avoid reading from soft copies: It is very common for students to surf the net and look for soft copies of books and notes. While these soft copies can be easily found, you can be easily distracted to do other things online. Hence, it is always beneficial to make a hard copy of the important pages and avoid reading on the computer to concentrate well on the desired subject. You can also write down important points if you dont want to take a print. The idea is to avoid all kinds of distraction during GATE preparation.

Dont think too much, start working: Do not take too much time on thinking what would happen next. Just keep your focus and remain calm while you study. If you think about all subjects you need to finish, you will feel burdened. So, plan what you want to study each day, and stick to the study plan. Just keep your focus, remain calm and go on with a steady flow.

Finally, do not take too much stress or study late at night. Dont forget to take necessary breaks, and eat and sleep on time. This would give you the much needed energy and stamina to put in your best on the day of the exam. Importantly, keep calm on the day of the exam to give your best.

With a good study plan, acing the GATE exam will not be difficult. So, good luck!

(The author is with T.I.M.E., Hyderabad)

ICSE scholarship

Trio World School has announced the ICSE scholarship programme for the academic year 2018-2019. The test will be held on January 20. For more details, call 080 4061 1222.

MSc course

UKs University of Southampton invites applications for its MSc in Business Strategy and Innovation Management programme. Though the last date to apply is June 30, early applications by January 31 are advisable. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2DpYNxC.

Photography contest

FCDI invites professionals, amateurs and students with the love for photography and architecture to participate in a contest that captures the spirit of India with the built environment through the lens. The last date to submit is January 25. For more details, email anika.dhawan@fcdi.co.in or call 9899437755.

Astronomy course

A specialised course in Astrobiology and Astrochemistry will be conducted at M P Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru on Sundays between February 4 and March 4. For more details, call 080-2238 5956, 080- 6595 9780 or email info@mpbifr-blr.in.

SEO internship

Sportskeeda is hiring interns for the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) profile in Bengaluru. Students with proficiency in English (written) and knowledge of MS Office can apply by January 26. The stipend is Rs 5,000 to 6,000 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-203.

Programming internship

Directi is hiring interns for Software Development profile in Bengaluru. Students can apply by January 26. The stipend is Rs 40,000 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-204.

IIT Genius scholarships

FIITJEE is conducting the IIT Genius test across India on February 4, 2018. Through this test, 10 Students from each class (Classes 8 to 12) will be bestowed with the IIT Genius title. The last date to register for the test is February 1, 2018. Students aspiring to appear in the test can get their registrations done either offline, or online at www.fiitjeelogin.com. For more details, visit www.iitgenius.com.

Cultural talent scholarship

The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) invites applications for Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme 2018-2019 from students of age group 10 to 14 years. The last date to apply is January 31. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/1m7uDBS.

Business scholarship

The Business School of Imperial College London, UK has announced the Entrepreneurship Scholarship for full-time MBA candidates. The last date to apply is March 16. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2DgAxLZ.

PhD admissions

IIHMR University is inviting application for the three-year PhD programme. The programme has a total intake of 15 students, part-time and full-time. Candidates aspiring for admission to the PhD programme may apply online or download the application form from www.iihmr.edu.in. The last date to apply is January 26.

Space fellowship

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Government of Japan in cooperation with the Kyushu Institute of Technology invites applications for United Nations-Japan Long-term Fellowship programme 2018 from graduate and postgraduate students. The last date to apply is January 28. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/1MOI8lX.

AOEC test

Academy of Engineering Competence invites applications for AOEC Talent Test - 2018 from students who have passed from ITI, Diploma and BTech courses for a classroom training programme for Government or PSU jobs. The last date to apply is January 27. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2DGKLFI.

MBA scholarship

TU Wien invites applications for the Scholarship for Women: Professional MBA Facility Management 2018-2020 from female candidates who want to pursue the postgraduate course. The last date to apply is January 31. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2B8aP9I.

Commonwealth scholarship

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore is providing scholarships to outstanding international students from Commonwealth countries who are willing to pursue full-time PhD programme. The last date to apply is January 31.For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2jlyNv5.

Hailing from a family that gave Indian cinema its share of actors, Raima Sen made her debut in the film Godmother, which was critically acclaimed.

Climbing the ladder, Raima was next seen in Daman playing Raveena Tandons daughter. Her role in the film was much appreciated by audience. Her performance in the Bengali film Chokher Bali directed by Rituparno Ghosh rose the bar of her career. Parineeta, Antar Mahal and Manorama Six Feet Under are some of her most notable films.

Raima will be next seen in Vodka Diaries, also starring Kay Kay Menon and Mandira Bedi.

Inspiration
Moon Moon Sen
"My mother Moon Moon Sen has been an inspiration to me. I also look up to my father Bharat Dev Barma. He is a living encyclopedia. Ask him about anything and he will know it all. Both of them are headstrong, liberal and there is so much to learn from them. I have also admired my grandmother all my life. She was determined to achieve what she dreamt of."

Actor
Shah Rukh Khan
"He is one of the most romantic actors in the industry today. No one else seems to be as romantic an actor as he is. When he acts, it looks like he is truly in love. His great chemistry with his co-actors is something I admire the most. I also liked Ranbir Kapoor in Barfi a lot.
Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan are other two actors, whose work I appreciate."

Travel
Prague
"I love to travel. Visiting a place I have never been to is what travelling means to me. I am a beach and water person. I have recently been to Prague and I absolutely loved it. It was like a fairytale. Barcelona is another place, I would love to go back to. These two places are so picturesque and pleasing. My dream destination is Cuba and Istanbul. Every place has its own
signature. Travelling teaches one so much. I actually regret that I started travelling only when I was 21 years old."

Author
Ayn Rand
"I love reading autobiographies especially that of actors. Knowing about the world behind a colourful personality interests me a lot. Charlie Chaplins My Autobiography is a delightful read.
Non-fictional novels is another genre that catches my attention a lot. Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I also like reading novels written by Jhumpa Lahiri."

Food
Sheddho bhaat
"Sheddho bhaat - boiled papaya, rice, potato and egg. I put lots of ghee in it or a few drops of mustard oil. That is my comfort food and a habit that I developed, thanks to my grandmother. I usually have it with pickle and a lot of green chillies."

Movie
Masoom
"My all-time favourite movie has to be Masoom. I grew up watching this movie and I still cry when I watch it today. I have always been a fan of Shabana Azmi. Everything about this movie is so perfectly portrayed, be it the songs or the acting. I have a soft corner for content-based and real-life inspired movies. Aandhi and Dangal are two other movies I like."

Nowadays, professionals are not only listing out activities that are directly related to their jobs but also sports and other activities that showcase their creativity, personality and enthusiasm. In particular, sportspeople tend to stand out for various qualities like leadership, and recruiters tend to keep a look out for them. As a sportsperson, you may stand out for some of the following qualities:

Accountable: Youre accountable to yourself and your goals. You are equally good and dynamic as a team.

Managing skills: You can balance academics and sports, and youre used to managing your time.

Strong work ethics: You have a strong work ethic and are dedicated to your goals.

Adaptive: Youre used to the public spotlight, and the pressure and scrutiny that come with it.

Leadership skills: You have good mentoring and leadership skills, especially as a team leader.

Hence, participation in various activities and sports that show your technical skills, community involvement or team playing capabilities may enhance your candidature for a college or company.

Skilled employees

The workplace favours athletes, so do your best to be one. Companies seek employees who can stand out in high pressure situations, demonstrate leadership and react positively to the instruction of superiors. Here are some reasons why athletes make the best hires:

They have grit: Working, especially for start-ups, is about putting in the hours towards a goal such as a quarterly sales number. True momentous victories in the office are rare. As a manager, you want people who arent working for the win, but for the pure love of the effort.

They can prioritise: Athletes are goal-oriented by nature, which means theyre constantly assessing where they stand in their relationship to their objective and fine-tune their tactics to reach where they need to reach. Like a midfielder in a football game, reading the defence line to decide whether to shoot or pass, the best workers constantly re-prioritise to focus on the goal that matter the most to their team.

They know what team means: If you want a business with collaborative ethos, adding athletes to the mix is essential. Great teamwork is about subsuming individual egos and agendas under the goals of the group. Athletes understand that teamwork is about more than just sharing the workload, supporting your teammates or jumping in to lead when needed. Great teamwork requires people who understand group dynamics and know how to adjust their behaviour and role to fit the organisational needs.

In todays workplace, resumes with sports mentioned in it stand out because companies value emotional intelligence a lot over academic intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the soft skills that enable smooth running of interpersonal relationships at work - such as the ability to read peoples non-verbal cues and the ability to manage oneself within a team. This can be easily developed when one is a sportsperson. It is not just this that sportspeople develop - they get to learn skills such as time management, decision-making under pressure, focus and mental toughness.

Its smart to use extracurricular activities to your advantage by including information that will highlight the important skills you have learnt and applied. So, before you hit send and email your resume to recruiters, make sure you have included your time spent on the court or playing field. And it is better to weave in the skills that sports has taught you and it will surely be noticed by a recruiter.

(The author is with Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, Faridabad)

Any unexpected or drastic change always brings with it some amount of uncertainty, fear and anxiety. Since the government switched over from state-wise entrance exams for medical courses to the common National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in 2013, there has some confusion and apprehension among students. However, it may not be the case this year with many aware of its pattern.

Conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), NEET will be an offline test where students will compete for around 55,000 seats in various medical and dental colleges all over the country, barring a few like All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), who have been given permission by the government to hold their own entrance tests. This test is exclusively for MBBS and BDS. Those seeking
entrance to Indian systems of medicine like Homeopathy and Ayurveda will need to go through their respective state exams.

Applications will be available from the last week of January and will have to be submitted by March. This year, the exam will be held on May 10. The results are expected to be released by the first week of June, and a week later the counselling for allotment of seats will begin. Unlike last year, it is expected that the students will know fairly early about their chances of getting a seat, and hence can plan if they wish to explore other alternative professional courses. It is better that students do not rely on external agencies for any information regarding NEET. Instead, visit their official website, www.neet2018nic.co.in, for any details.

NEET is a three-hour test comprising 180 multiple choice objective type questions, covering the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology. Each section carries a score of 180 marks, bringing the overall total to 720. Each correct answer will get four marks and each wrong answer will reduce the score by one mark. Hence, it is better not to make wild guesses while answering.

Scoring well

NEET has come as a blessing for candidates who prepare well and are serious about making a career in medicine. Since most Class 12 exams are being held a little early this year, there is approximately one month to prepare exclusively for NEET. If you are passionate about being in the health sector, it is better to focus on NEET.

Though good coaching for NEET is obviously helpful, there are many candidates who study on their own and get a good rank. The trick lies in systematic preparation, giving balanced importance to each subject, and doing periodic revision of chapters you have already studied.

Whether you have been taking coaching, or choose to enrol for crash coaching after Board exams, what is important is to repeatedly sit and write mock exams. While doing so, you can develop essential skills like time management, selection of which questions to answer, and how to stop at times and recollect your thoughts.

Stress also plays an important role in competitive exams, because often there is pressure to complete all the questions within the limited duration. Just slow down just before the exam, have a full nights sleep, eat properly, drink plenty of water and do deep breathing. Cramming at the last moment rarely helps.

On the day of the exam, ensure that you are adhering to the dress code that is available on the website. On this day, it is better to focus on ensuring writing material, entry cards, etc. After coming out of each subject test, do not discuss with friends what the correct answers were, or what is likely to come in the next paper. This only increases the tension. Ensure that you take a break, stretch out, eat well, and casually browse through for the next test.

Whatever happens, do not put all your eggs in one basket by making NEET your one and only goal. Given the statistics of less than 5% of candidates being selected, have a Plan B ready. This should not be a problem as now there are many allied fields in life sciences that are also lucrative, rewarding and interesting.

Engineering has been one of the most sought-after professions for more than half a century in our country. Not only those wishing to make a career in technology, but also those aspiring for professions like management, civil services, entrepreneurship, banking, Human Resources, international trade, have all considered a good engineering degree as the best foundation to move towards their goals. Earlier, streams such as mechanical, chemical, civil and electrical were most in demand, but for the past two decades they have been overtaken by Electronics and Computer science.

JEE Mains & Advanced

More than 50 years ago, the government had the foresight to develop national-level engineering colleges called Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Now, there are 19 IITs all over the country. Similarly, we now have 40 National Institutes of Technology (NITs). We also have many Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) which offer exclusive education in the IT field.

Entrance exams for these institutes are held in two stages via Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Mains and JEE Advanced. All candidates have to appear for the JEE Mains, and 2,20,000 toppers from this exam will be allowed to appear for JEE Advanced, which is primarily for entrance to IITs and a few other selected institutions. Admission to NITs, IIITs and many other institutions is based on the JEE Mains rank.

The dates for these exams have already been announced. While the pen-and-paper-based JEE Mains will take place on April 8, the computer-based test of the same will take place on April 15 and 16. Applications are accepted only online. There is also a Paper 2 exclusively for those wanting admission in BArch or BPlanning programmes.

Those who have completed Class 12 with Maths, Physics, Chemistry, English and one more subject in the years 2016, 2017 or 2018 are eligible, if their age (for open category) is less than 24 years. The result of the JEE Mains is expected to be released by April 30. Right now, it is important to focus only on clearing the JEE Mains with a good rank, as you will have sufficient time to prepare for the Advanced exam if you become eligible.

There is no weightage for the Class 12 exam marks. However, you will be eligible for IITs, NITs and IIITs only if you have scored at least 75% in the Board exam. Hence, those who go all out to prepare for the JEE exams and do not pay attention to their regular academics may lose out if their final percentage is low.

COMED-K & K-CET

There are over 200 engineering colleges in Karnataka and admission is not as difficult as it used to be a few years ago. Those who wish to study in the State have to appear for exams known as K-CET and COMED-K. Both are exams for admission to Engineering and other professional courses including agriculture, veterinary, pharmacy and Indian systems of medicine.

CET, conducted by the Government of Karnataka, covers all the seats in government colleges and certain percentage of seats in private colleges. On the other hand, COMED-K, which is
conducted by the association of private colleges, covers the seats that can be filled up by those colleges directly.

CET exam is scheduled for April 18 and 19 and COMED-K on May 13. Since PUC exams will end on March 17, it gives enough time to prepare for both the entrance exams. CBSE students will get lesser time to prepare after their Board exams, and they should ensure that they browse through the PUC textbooks, since both these tests are based on the State syllabus.

As with NEET, preparing and planning out your study plan for JEE and other competitive exams for engineering are crucial. It also helps if you can start exploring and identifying which branches of engineering you would opt for in order of preference, so that you are not stumped at the last moment when you have to make a choice based on your ranking. It is always better to give more importance to the institution than to the branch of engineering, as many engineering graduates eventually branch off into diverse careers as mentioned above. Focused studies spread over all subjects, constant revision, stress relief, and a positive mental attitude go a long way towards ensuring success.

(The author is founder, Banjara
Academy, Bengaluru)

Dear Madam,

I am a third year Electronics and Communication engineering student. I plan to pursue a Masters course in Engineering Management in countries like New Zealand and UK. Could you suggest some universities? What is the process to apply for the programme starting from September 2019? Do I have to write GRE if I am writing IELTS?

A Student

Dear Student,

Universities for Engineering Management in New Zealand are University of Canterbury and University of Auckland. In UK, Nottingham Trent University, Brunel University, Middlesex University, University of Birmingham and the University of Manchester. You dont have to write the GRE exam for both of these countries. Your IELTS scores are sufficient.

Dear Madam,

I am a fourth year BE Computer Science student. I have come to realise I have little or no interest in the discipline that I am currently studying, and would like to switch to Travel and Tourism. Seeing how Tourism courses are not the most sought after courses in India and the lack of reputed institutions that offer such courses here, I have decided to pursue this course abroad. Can you please suggest a few universities abroad that offer Tourism, their eligibility criteria, and other norms?

A Student

Dear Student,

You can certainly switch to a subject like Travel and Tourism after you complete your BE. The eligibility criteria for these programmes in UK, Australia and New Zealand would be your Bachelors degree and an English exam like the IELTS. For US, Canada and Europe, you need to also write the GRE.

Some of the best universities for Travel and Tourism courses in the world are University of Westminster, London and Middlesex University in UK, University of Queensland, Monash University and Griffith University in Australia, University of Otago and Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, Virginia Tech, University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Purdue University in the US, University of Waterloo in Canada and University of Southern Denmark and the Arctic University of Norway in Europe.

Dear Madam,

I have completed my BE in Electrical and Electronics engineering and I am working in a reputed IT firm for the past 2 years. I wish to study further to enhance my expertise. I believe management is the field of my choice for various reasons. But I am a bit in dilemma, whether to do an MBA in India or abroad. Please suggest.

Shashank

Dear Shashank,

In India, you generally progress to an MBA directly after your Bachelors. For most other countries, you need to have minimum two to three years of work experience before you enrol for an MBA programme.

Since you have two years of work experience, I would recommend you apply to universities abroad or to one of the IIMs in India. Take the GMAT exam and IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. You could also consider Engineering Management as an option.

Dear Madam,

I am doing my BE (E&E) and I am in my seventh semester. Currently, my aggregate is 74%. I want to do MS in USA. My GRE score is 295 & I am also appearing for TOEFL. Kindly suggest what course I could opt for my MS.

Prakash

Dear Prakash,

I would like you to retake the GRE and aim for a 327 to be able to get into a good US university. You could specialise in areas such as nano-electronics and photonics, artificial intelligence, robotics, microprocessors, digital signal and image processing, optical devices and systems, nanotechnology, materials & devices, telecommunications and information systems, embedded design, data mining, electromagnetic fields and applications, digital signal processing, system and controls.

Dear Madam,

My son is studying in third year Chemical engineering in BITS Pilani, Goa. He is planning to do his MS abroad (US or UK). Which are the courses he can take up? What are the various entrance tests he has to prepare? He also wishes to do his MBA, but is not sure whether to go for an MS or an MBA. Kindly advise.

Mamatha

Dear Mamatha,

If your son wants to study in the UK, he has to only write the IELTS. If he wishes to pursue his Masters in the US, he needs to write the GRE and TOEFL iBT or IELTS. Specialisations include colloids, polymers and surfaces, energy economics and engineering, medical and industrial biotechnology, computer informatics, product design, food science, biorefinery and fiber technology, environmental engineering and reactor technology. If he is interested in an MBA, he should work for a couple of years and take the GMAT exam. An MBA or MSc in UK would be for a duration of one year while an MBA or MS in the US is a two-year programme.

Dear Madam,

I am a third year BPharm student. I am looking to do a Masters degree abroad and Im an average student, with a CGPA of around six. Im interested in Pharmaceutical Analysis or Biotechnology. Please suggest a few scholarships that I can apply for and what exams I would have to write.

Rishav

Dear Rishav,

You could study Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry or Biotechnology. These courses are offered in many universities across the world. Scholarships are based purely on merit. Masters programmes in UK, New Zealand and Australia will be for a duration of one year while it is for two years in other countries. So, when you pick a university with a one-year programme, you save on living expenses for an entire year. The exam you need to take is only the IELTS for these countries. GRE is required if you want to study in the US, Canada, Singapore and Europe. For more details on universities and scholarships, please visit www.umaaswani.com.

Dear Madam,

My brother has completed his Mechanical engineering course last year. He wants to take up a job abroad. What are the exams he must write? Which country will be well-suited?

S

Dear S,

The only exam your brother needs to take to qualify in the job market of any country is take an English test like IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. If he plans to look for a job in a country like Germany, learning the local language will be helpful. One way of landing a good job is by pursuing his Masters in a university that offers campus placements, a country which gives him long-stay visa and work permit.

Every year, this season, lakhs of medical and engineering aspirants all over the country are on their toes bracing themselves up for their forthcoming exams. The last stage of preparation is the vital juncture which can enhance your performance. Hence, this stage undoubtedly demands a smart preparation.

The prospect of having to deal with the vast syllabi can make one unnerved and confused. But, with proper planning, a carefully crafted strategy and efficient time management, you can overcome these hurdles. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

Be careful while choosing reference material: The market is flooded with various preparatory aids for competitive exams. While selecting, give preference to books published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Ensure that your preparation for all the topics is complete by solving a variety of problems. Only then seek recommendation from your professors or seniors for books to be used as reference material. Also, dont lay your hands on too many books as it can lead to losing productive time and result in confusion. Instead, depend more on practical know-hows.

Take mock tests: One of the most useful ways to prepare yourself for competitive exams is by solving previous years question papers. So, take as many mock tests as possible so that you can identify areas that you may need to work upon.

Enhance your accuracy and speed: Since there is negative marking in some exams, accuracy and speed are essential factors to fare well in the exams. Therefore, it is advisable to keep track of the time taken while solving mock tests as this would help you know how much time you would need for each section. Doing this can help boost your accuracy and speed.

Chalk out a realistic study plan: Draw a realistic schedule and never take on more than what you can take on your plate. Analyse minutely on the approach to solving the problems so that you are comfortable to crack similar questions in the test.

Make notes: Making notes of important points, formulae, equations and problems would simplify your revision process. Selective revision might be risky as questions may be from any corner of the topic. In the initial stages, one should focus on the weaker areas and towards the end must work towards consolidation.

Be your own judge: At every stage, it is essential to analyse your level of preparation. In order to enhance your performance, it is necessary to identify your strengths and weaknesses and then devise your own strategies to work on them. Update your progress keeping a positive attitude. An optimistic and calm state of mind devoid of stress is a must.

Be organised yet flexible: Its never too late to be structured. Breakdown your goals as daily, weekly and monthly. Try learning to adjust your schedule as per your priority and convenience.

Talk it through: Sometimes, it may be difficult to grasp a certain concept on your own. Never hesitate to initiate a discussion about such concepts with your peers and teachers. A weekly study session with friends may be a good idea to enhance each others knowledge on the subject.

Take breaks: Short study breaks build your retention power rather than cramming things up till the point of frustration. Taking regular but short breaks can also help you concentrate better.

With the various competitive exams around the corner, it is essential to make the most of the time available now. All the best!

(The author is chief executive officer, BASE, Bengaluru)

Picture this - you are cycling your way through leafy paths, there is hardly anyone else on the road except the solitary jogger, the wind is in your hair and you are smiling from ear to ear.

Did that make you happy? You are welcome but lets bring you back to reality now. Leafy paths are rare to find, isolated roads even more so and you are most likely to have smoke and dust in your hair if you go for a ride in the city. However, this is set to change with the latest initiative by the tourism department and Namma Nimma Cycle Foundation that will let you rent bicycles in the citys largest green pocket.

Visitors will get a chance to explore the heritage spots in and around Cubbon Park on GPS-enabled cycles. The initiative, aimed at promoting tourism and cycling, has been christened Cubbon Trails and will see cycle stations coming up on January 26 near the park gates on MG Road, Kasturba Road, Hudson Circle and Ambedkar Veedhi.

"I think it is a fantastic initiative," says Aditya Mendonca of South Fire Cycling. "More cycles on the road will hopefully make more people want to rent them and it will be great to add more cyclists to the existing community. The proposed area is quite suitable for cycling too."

Iconic spots like the Venkatappa Art Gallery and Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall are some of the many spots that will be easily accessible to people under this scheme. Tandem cycles or cycles that can be ridden by more than one person will also be available on rent for the first time in the country, though Aditya feels "it will be fun watching people ride tandem cycles in traffic."

However he is glad that the culture of cycling is on a firm footing in the city. "There are many organisations in this field now, like Yulu and Zoomcars PEDL. Even Uber and Ola are getting into it. If it becomes as easy as pulling out your phone and simply paying through online wallets to get a bike, then why not?"

Friederike Fokuhl is also upbeat about this idea. The German national, who is a true-blue Bengalurean now, says, "This sounds like a fun idea. It will be especially helpful for visitors and tourists who come to the city because, unlike the locals, they do not have their own cycles. My friends have experienced this problem themselves."

Sunil K G, civil engineer and ardent cyclist, too agrees with the notion that this move will help outsiders to understand the history of the place. "There is a Bengaluru tour package that is organised by KSTDC.
The government can look at integrating Cubbon Trails with that by including it in the tour package," he notes.

He also adds,"There can be multiple targets though. It can be aimed at the localites who would like to know their city better. It can even be promoted among school students and senior citizens. The city has quite a sizeable population of senior citizens but cycling, or any activity, for them is not being promoted. But all said and done, this seems to be a good step."

The ongoing Indian International Coffee Festival 2018 offers coffee lovers an insight into the art of making that perfect cup. The series of workshops, seminars and demonstrations by people from across the globe throws light on the different facets of growing, producing and brewing the perfect bean.

Simon Green, technical manager, UK, Europe SCA AST Coffee Trainer EMEA, M/s Bunn-O-Matic, threw light on the topic of Brewing on different types of Bunn Equipment using Indian and International coffee. He spoke at length about the advantage of using technology when brewing coffee.

He said that technology enabled one to control and set the taste and profile of each individual coffee, whether Indian or international. "Technology enables one to take in all the flavours, make notes and offer the best coffee experience to the consumer. It doesnt matter where the coffee is from people can always use their individual skills with the help of technology to produce the best cup of coffee," said Simon. He also threw light on how taste is directly connected to how the coffee bean is sourced and produced. "How the coffee bean is grown, produced, processed and roasted play an important role in determining the quality of the product," he added. He said that his mission is to the educate, enlighten and equip people with skill sets required to make the best coffee.

Simon took the audience through the importance of 3Ts when making coffee which is time, temperature and turbulence. He said that temperature played an important role in determining the quality of coffee.

"The time taken to brew coffee is important. The longer you brew it, the stronger it gets and the shorter the time, the weaker the coffee. Temperature is critical for your coffee and the temperature changes according to the type of coffee, and the third is turbulence which depends on how the coffee is stirred. The more uniformly it is stirred, the more balanced an extract you will get," informed Simon. He also felt that Indian coffee had stronger characteristics when compared to its international counterpart.

Michalis Dimitrakopoulos is from Greece, a barista and barista trainer at the "the Underdog". Michalis spoke on the topic of Brewing- "Extracting a perfect cup of expresso, using water pressure, temperature, timing and pre-infusion to enhance the sensorial profile from single origins/ blends."

He began the session by sharing that coffee making was his life and that he couldnt imagine his life without coffee. He reiterated the importance of keeping ones sense of smell, taste and also ones mind clear. "These three senses are important for one to focus on making the right blend of coffee. You have to understand what goes into a cup of coffee. Even a slight mess up in the timing, temperature and pressure can ruin a cup of coffee," said Michalis.

He also pointed out that ones definition of "a perfect cup of coffee" is directly related to ones culture and food preferences. "Someone whose preference leans more towards fruit-based dishes will be different from those who like spicy food. Ones culture plays an important role when making a cup of coffee," he added. He also felt that Indians have a huge potential when it comes to developing a coffee culture because of the large presence of coffee estates in the country.

"I am really impressed that Indians have the opportunity to have coffee farms because then you get to make good quality coffee and develop it here," he added. He also threw light on how the taste for coffee differs from one country to another. "People from China and Korea are eager to drink coffee and curious about coffee and what experience it offers because they are largely tea drinkers. The people there are always excited about coffee," he added.

Sharing his own experience , Michalis, said that he drinks at least 20 cups of coffee a day. "I am always trying different kinds expresso to caliberate the flavour. I sometimes also do a tour of the coffee shops in the cities that I am visiting, just to try out different expresso," he said.

Bollywood actor Kalki Koechlin has always spoken strongly about sexual harassment against women. In an interview with a TV channel recently, she spoke about how such incidents exist in Bollywood too and how actors dont talk about it as "its their career on the line". She added that while some fear that their future projects would be at stake, others are numb to such incidents and choose to go on with their daily battles.

People from other industries, be it in Sandalwood or working in other work fields echo her feelings and talk about how they have handled such situations in their own way. Actor Ragini Dwivedi says that her unabashed attitude has helped her a lot. "Harassment exists in Sandalwood and every other industry. From day one, I have made it clear that I am a no-nonsense person," she says. She adds, "Male chauvinism exists strongly in the industry where female actors are expected to behave in a particular way. You have to stand up for your own rights for others to respect you."

Offensive messages to intimidating meetings are a part and parcel of "real life and reel life", says actor Bhavanaa Raao. "This is not limited to just Sandalwood. I strongly believe that parents should train their daughters to fight for their own rights. The sad part is that men are never questioned for their actions. This mentality has to change," she says.

Actor Radhika Chetan is not able to point out "if it is luck or fame" from her projects that have saved her from harassment. "I have heard about incidents where lewd advances were made at artistes and how they dealt with it. I have been asked by actors about how I handle such situations but thankfully everyone has been kind to me. This could be because I stick to my own circle of friends," she says.

The actor expresses her concern for all artistes who have experienced such situations. She points out that gender discrimination is a concern on any set. "In any film, the male actor is always given more preference. This is a universal plight," she adds.

Such bold posts trigger conversations and make many in ones own circle deter from making sexual advances, points out Manjula V, a client coordinator with an e-commerce firm and a theatre artiste. "Though I have not experienced sexual harassment at work, I have received private messages on social media which is irritating. I have also faced distasteful comments after my theatre performances and have retorted accordingly," she says.

Manjula adds, "When you know that someone as popular as Kalki has faced harassment and still stands strong, it boosts ones confidence and gives one the power to come out of such situations stronger." She adds that such viral online posts keep "such sensitive topic alive which is the need of the hour".

Digital designer Gayathri says that she is sure that such incidents occur in the entertainment industry. "My sister works in the film industry and she has told me about young female artistes being discriminated on the sets," she says.

Gayathri hasnt faced such situations at work but adds that she has to battle sexual advances when travelling in the city. "Such incidents are rare in corporate companies as they have a complaint cell. This doesnt help one against the harassment outside though," she says.

This photo was taken in 1991 in Lalbagh when I was four years old. My uncle Chandrashekar and my cousins Rekha and Neil, who were living in the US, were visiting India after a long time and this was a family picnic for us. We were young and mischievous then and had a great time partaking the Vanabhojana below a huge tree.

Family get-togethers were very common then. My uncle Shivashankar, who has remained a bachelor, used to take us for circuses on Palace Grounds. During summer vacations, he used to organise a summer camp for all the kids in the family. Every morning, we used to travel by his Omni to lakes and temples in different parts of the city, eat in hotels and relax in some park in the evening before returning home.

On the last day of our vacation, we would go to places like Savandurga, Antharagange, Devarayanadurga etc. He was very particular that we learnt swimming. He made us accompany him early in the morning to Mahalakshmi Layout pool. He also encouraged us to participate in extracurricular activities. He has a PhD in Mathematics and worked as professor of Mathematics in MSRIT from 1962-98.

He is now enjoying his retired life. He also played basketball for over 25 years and was a referee, a selector of the state and university basketball teams. He was also a NCC officer. An outing with him invariably included the calls Last five minutes, Time over and at the end Vanish! An avid traveller, he has seen the entire country and has visited more than 60 foreign countries.

I cannot forget the early years when he used to spin out stories of ghosts and demons to keep me spellbound and frightened. We are grateful to him for making our young lives eventful, filled with joy and adventure. Srikrishna, my cousin, secured good scores for his PUC and went to BITS Pilani for his graduation. He later obtained MBA from INSEAD and is self-employed now.
Neil graduated from Harvard University and later obtained a medical degree. He is now based in Atlanta.

Srikrishna has directed and acted in several English dramas with his troupe. Neil is a regular participant in many cultural programmes of Kannada Sangha in the US.

I have participated in dance programmes in college and at work. Now I am a regular performer with Bhaavasagara, a music and dance school founded and developed by my father. Naresh and Vivek, both engineers, are working in different corporate offices here. I am also an engineer and worked in an IT company for a number of years but now I am a music teacher at National Public School, Kengeri.

Sandhya and Meera are graduates in Commerce. Sandhya is with ANZ Bank and Meera is a teacher. We are all married now and some have kids too. Looking back, we now feel proud of ourselves and whenever we come together, feel happy about the early years that we spent together.

(The author can be contacted at 9620111194)

A new year is essentially a new beginning. As people, we hope to build productive lives and quality homes. A good house is one which is comfortable, aesthetically appealing and falls within a feasible budget. It is not an impossible task to acquire the same, rather all it requires is planning and organising. Read on to get some ideas on building an ideal house.

For right reasons

When youre planning to construct a new house, it is important to keep in mind the reasons and expectations. Recognising your reasons for moving forward with a new build and identifying your future plans helps you develop a design brief that your designer, architect or builder can turn into a workable plan. If you are unclear about your requirements, or are trying to accommodate conflicting needs, then you may be disappointed with the outcome.

In order to get it right, decide between an owner-occupier building or an investment. While this sounds simple, it is an important step with major ramifications. If you plan to live in the building, you will have certain needs and expectations, and these may be different from constructing a building for rent. Designing for your needs means different choices and spending more money as compared to building it as a rental or property for sale.

Expert advice

Before you start, its always good to get some advice from your architect and builder. An architect will advise clients where best to invest in their homes and will try to recommend ways to save money and keep the job within the budget. You could also consult a contractor to get a model price on what you are planning to do.

Clarity in budget

There is a misconception that telling an architect or builder how much you plan to spend is a bad idea. It is impossible for them to advice or chalk out a good plan without knowing your budget. Having clarity about the amount youre willing to spend will allow your architect to prioritise and steer you in the right direction in terms of where your money would be best spent and what compromises need to be made.

At what price?

Be clear about the services offered and their costs, because the contractors price covers only the construction, electrical and plumbing work, including internal doors. But, it does not include the purchase of windows, kitchens, bathroom fittings or finishing.

Do your research

It is a good idea to get quotes from different suppliers for the items that are not covered in the contractors price. Make sure that the companies are working on a similar brief. Subtle differences also have a huge impact on the total cost. Weigh your options and compare the quotes and choose the one that offers you the best deal.

The professionals fee

If you are planning to work with an architect, speak to him or her about how their fee structure works; is it percentage-based or a fixed fee? A percentage-based fee will mean that as the budget increases, the fee would also increase. So, this is a very important to factor into your cost plan. Besides the architects fees, you will also need to include fees for other consultants, such as structural engineers and a quantity surveyor.

Get samples

Source samples of timber, architraves, floors, tiles, etc, to include on your mood board. While a lot of this can be considered interior design, your choices here will help convey the right feel you want for your home to your designer.

Other costs

If you need planning permission for the work you are proposing, there will be contributions to the council. These will vary depending on the work you are planning. If you need to move out while the work is going on, for example, will you need to rent? Or will you need to pay for storage costs?

Set aside contingency

Once you have a substantial idea of what your budget is, you will need to set aside at least 10% as a contingency for any unexpected extra costs. Building projects can often run up against problems that are unpredictable from the outset.

Changes can be costly

Finally, once your project is underway, be careful about making big changes or last-minute additions. These will be things that the builder had not priced before and will add up quickly, and can lead to an add-on to the existing budget.

Add value

Consider the resale value of your new house and how you can add value to the house plans for your future. Even though you are far from having it built, thinking ahead not only improves your current lifestyle but can also result in realised gains later.

Finally, a very important aspect, the amount of light that enters the house depends on its orientation, design and placement of windows. Consider the views as well. If you are fortunate enough to have a beautiful view, then take advantage of this and plan for windows or French doors in a spot that allows you to appreciate this and provide added value.

(The author is city head - Bengaluru, SILA)

The fifth wall

When we redo our home interiors, we often forget about the ceiling. A well-styled ceiling can make an impressive statement. What better way to welcome the year by sprucing up your ceiling. Designer ceilings are in trend and are one of the simplest and aesthetic forms of renovation, while gypsum-based ceilings are easy to experiment with by adding the shape and colour of your choice. Whether you use paint or wallpaper, gypsum-based designer ceilings last as long as the building and give a smooth, seamless finish. Whether its your bedroom or living room, designer ceilings also provide a wide variety of lighting options while concealing all the electrical wiring.

Wall art

Photo frames hung on the wall are long gone and are a trend of the past. Wall designs, paintings and decals are the new kind of wall art becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. However, if youre still looking to hang some of your favourite paintings or showpieces, and dont feel your wall is strong enough to sustain the weight, a new range of plasterboard is available which helps you fix heavy and difficult items such as TVs, shelves, large paintings, etc. As part of a new range of gypsum-based plasterboards, this new wall is strong and durable and does not require any special drills or fixings to be installed.

Cosy up

Your living room is one of the most important spaces in your home. Whether you are entertaining guests or relaxing by cosying up in a corner, walls with good thermal and acoustic insulation are always a plus.

Why not welcome the New Year with a simple change of partition walls? Partition walls create spaces for hosting guests, a play area for children, a TV room to relax over weekend and more. Gypsum-based partitions are time efficient and can be installed three to five times faster than masonry construction. Gypsum panels are also relatively large compared to other materials and therefore, they easily cover large wall and ceiling spaces. They require a few tools for construction and can be fixed within a few hours. While their light weight makes them easy to carry, their durability allows you a lifetime of strong, high-quality walls. Highly versatile, gypsum boards can adapt to any form of decoration and also help reduce energy consumption caused by the air conditioning in your home.

Gypsum walls, or drywall as they are called, also prevent unwanted sound to adjoining areas. You can easily host your guests in your living room without the sound travelling to other areas of the home. They are readymade and provide a long-term affordable investment for your home.

Splash of colour

Colour never goes out of style. When unsure of what to choose between a wide range of vibrant and diverse shades, it is always best to go with a minimalist look. One or two simple, low-tone shades and soft-washed pastels like a dusty rose can work wonders for your ceilings or walls.

Create space

Nowadays, its all about creating space. If you have a couple of weeks to spare, redoing your ceiling can make your room look taller. Gypsum-based designer ceilings take about one or two weeks, as per the customisation. However, if you are looking for quick and hassle-free design solutions, glass is the answer. Adding glass-based windows or doors makes the ceiling looks higher than usual and makes the room look larger. If you want to go an extra mile, try placing tall mirrors and curtains of lighter material and softer shades to make the room look elongated.

Sudeep Kolte
(VP sales & marketing, Saint Gobain India Pvt Ltd â€" Gyproc Business)

Satinder Chawla, managing director, Span Floors

With people being more and more sensitive about the impact of chemicals on health, there has been a move towards natural as well as benign materials which do not contain harmful chemicals. The luxury market prefers natural materials such as real wood over imitations, stone over tiles, real leather over faux leather, etc. In terms of colour trends, there is a clear shift towards pastel, lighter tones and greys in the wood flooring segment.

Emanuela Tavolini, director of Sales Europe, GRAFF

For 2018 we expect a great attention towards new finishes and new materials both for the faucets and the furniture elements inside the bathroom. The trend of luxury is to create products that can make the customers life easier and more comfortable: Hence, products have to be attractive but, at the same time functional, resistant and easy to maintain.

Sukriti Sharma, director, PLÃœSCH

Across Europe, and subsequently India, the past year has seen many design trends that define synchronous kitchen design. Like, a matt glass surface for wall units is an interesting element that is becoming increasingly popular and will continue in 2018. This gives a high-end touch to the kitchen design, but at a significant cost. Glass is one of the most expensive finishes for kitchens in any case, and matt glass doors are toughened and often treated with scratch-resistant materials, which further add to the cost. The kitchen is an essential part of every house where a lot of time is spent and hence, should be designed ergonomically while keeping in mind aesthetics. Kitchen design is constantly evolving in response to consumer trends and preferences.

Namit Ajmani, MD, IOTA

Regarding luxury furniture, the trend will witness the technologically advanced furniture, or you can say futuristic furniture. The furniture like beds and sofas having a music system, LED, charging spots will be in demand amongst the luxury homeowners. Such furniture will incorporate all the comfort youll need along with a few gadgets to help you with entertainment. This kind of furniture is trending in European countries. Other than that, unusual home accents will be praised. The more of the rustic and traditional form of accessories will be appreciated, and they will gel comfortably with the contemporary look of your space. As Pantone colour of the year is already announced, then significant transformation in the home decor segment will take place; regarding introducing accent chairs in ultraviolet-blue colour and home furnishing textile in a similar hue. By incorporating such colours, you can be a part of the trend. Geometrical shapes in lights will take place in your abode and it will be a year of praising metal inspired wall art as well.

If your resolution this year is to give your home a new look, then windows and doors may be one of the first places to begin with. Some important trends are:

Transitional Living More commonly known as the indoor or outdoor living trend, transitional Living is something where interior and exterior spaces flow together seamlessly. Today, transitional living is redefining home designs. The trend has consistently dominated design demands for the consumers who are looking for open floor plans and outdoor entertainment spaces. The blending of the natural environment with the home has spurred the development of sliding glass windows and doors.

Creative Window Frames - Homeowners are gradually gaining interest in window frame options and colours beyond the typical white colour. They look forward to creative wooden frames, classy bronze or muted neutral colours on window frames.

Upgraded Glass Stronger and better glass options are trendsetters in the market. You can also expect to see a rise in insulated and fibreglass-reinforced window glasses in the upcoming months. Strong glass means a lower likelihood of your windows succumbing to damage. It also holds a higher level of energy efficiency and longer durability than the other traditional glass options. When it comes to increasing the value of a home, owners generally prefer guaranteed investments. Thus, these glass options remain as a steady feature in the trending window qualities of 2018. In short, you can expect a higher level of aesthetic features, efficiency and durability in the trends of 2018.

Smart Windows - Everything in homes and offices is going wireless. With this in mind, various manufacturers have started to produce digital windows that perform neat functions. For instance, some of them are equipped with sensor glasses which use environmental triggers to adjust the window tint allowing less or more heat or light to enter your homes. In fact, many window experts have predicted that future windows will be equipped with connective glass with the ability to connect with Smartphones.

Shutters - In 2018, buyers are going for shutters that provide superior light control and privacy with exceptional craftsmanship, long-lasting finishes, and classic styling. These are also versatile products that are easy to care and safe for families with young children. They are the perfect choice for your home as they will also enhance the existing design and architecture of your home.

Bolder is Better - Doors and windows are getting bigger. Larger door sizes wider than three feet, higher than seven feet make a bold statement. For colour, your front door doesnt need to stick to the traditional red, black, or white. One of the most recent design trends in windows and doors is using found objects and reclaimed wood for entryways and window casings to give a unique, rich look. Choose floor to ceiling windows to let in maximum light and give your home an open, welcoming feel. Consider replacing an entire wall with glass, or update older windows with stained glass. If you choose a colour palette rather than natural colours. Liven up your space with jewel tones, metallic fabrics, and geometric patterns. Adorn simple window treatments with a texture, like beads, metal accents and eye-catching tie-backs. Be sure to layer your draperies with sheer and opaque fabrics to allow for both light and privacy.

Insulation and Heat Values - Insulated windows are used in an attempt to maintain interior temperatures as cost-effectively as possible… you dont want to run the air conditioner all day in the summer, and you dont want to blast the heater for long periods in the winter. Its estimated that you can lose 20 to 30 percent or more of heat or cooling in your house through poorly insulated windows. Replacing windows can make good economic sense and add to your comfort level while indoors.

The hottest trend in window and doors is energy efficiency. After all, windows and doors play a huge role in sustainability efforts and saving money on energy bills. And old window or door can let air out of the home, resulting in higher bills for homeowners. This has led to more window and door replacements in older homes. Upgrading them to newer and more efficient models.

Monumental Doors - As the next evolutionary step in connecting a house with its surroundings, grand-scale doors add flexibility and enhances the quality of home life. In those parts of the country where weather conditions are more consistent, monumental doors will become a much more common order for new homes and remodels.

Smart Homes - Homes are getting smarter with the technical features that help an owner to stay connected with his home even while theyre away.

Just because youve moved into an urban apartment doesnt mean that your tryst with Mother Nature must come to an end. The ability to imbue elements from nature into modern homes has been something that homeowners have strived to do for several decades now.

In recent times, there has been a growing awareness surrounding the depleting natural resources of our planet. At the same time, blending (or contrasting) modern balcony decor with organic elements create a visual spectacle that makes you feel peaceful, serene and most importantly, welcomed, transforming your abode into a sanctuary. With these creative decor tips, you can make your very own balcony or terrace garden in your little humble apartment.

Location matters

Far too often, even the most brilliant ideas dont quite translate into reality due to the selection of a less-than-ideal spot. Begin by asking yourself what is that you love about nature, gardens and being outdoors in general.
More than likely, it would have something to do with feelings of adventure, freedom and a connection with nature. Connecting your apartment decor with these sensations will make it that much easier for you to make your apartment into a green sanctuary. Then, ask yourself the following questions: where do I want my garden to be? How much sunlight will my garden space get? What kind of pot will the plants or herbs or vegetables grow in?

More often than not, youre likely to zero in on your balcony or terrace as the ideal space to place your garden.

Herbal delight

You can grow any herb you want as long your balcony or kitchen garden has access to sunlight, adequate space and regular water supply. Thankfully, most garden experts and enthusiasts would readily concur that working with herbs is also the easiest way to get started. Also, most well-known plants are ideally suited for the balcony. Parsley, basil, fennel, chive, cilantro or thyme or rosemary make for good ideas. Perennials like lavender, sage and mint are ideal for balcony gardens.

Keep a diary or jot down your observations in an email draft and understand what kinds of herbs or plants resonate strongly with your food culture. Once you have the answers, you can begin to buy the herbs or the seeds.

Incorporate natural materials

You can literally bring the outdoors inside by using organic materials within your furnishing. For furniture, opt for rattan, bamboo, wicker and rustic wood surfaces, and ensure that the natural hue of the wood shines through. For upholstery, rugs, pillows and curtains, your best bet is to choose natural fibres such as jute, linen, muslin and wool. The great thing about these natural materials is that theyll give a rustic and a homely look, while adding to the tactile feel of the chosen space, regardless of how small it is.

Pot it right

Pots for small-apartment gardens should ideally be in accordance with the amount of available space. Its a good idea to go for large chests, wooden planters and crates, which are affordable and can accommodate a wide range of plants and herbs - thus simplifying your post gardening maintenance.
Thankfully, these herbs can be grown in small pots as well. If you dont wish to deviate from your ambition of going all natural, look no further than clay pots - theyre as natural as can be. Plastic pots arent a bad idea either, given their lightness and flexibility. You can hang them anywhere you want. Similarly, ceramic planters look stunning as well.

Then, there are various kinds of single-pot container gardens that you can put on a patio or small balcony. You simply need a galvanised steel tub with holes in the bottom for the purpose of drainage. Add some soil, seedlings, water, and sunshine, and youre good to go.

Use window-boxes

Window-boxes can be adjusted to your patio railings, balconies or from the windowsill. You wont find anything better if youre looking to grow edibles at your arms reach (literally), adding tons of beauty along the way. And the best part: youll get to see greenery every time you open your window and look outside, even if its amidst a claustrophobic downtown. Window-boxes are ideal for growing flowers as well. Lavender, cilantro, mint, oregano and other varieties can brighten your space exponentially, particularly indoors.

Go vertical

It makes a lot of sense to go vertical if youre looking to maximise your space and increase the aesthetic quotient. For hanging your planters, the choices are plenty - railings, walls and even the ceiling. If you put some thought into it, youll realise that you can actually enhance your space by up to four to five times.
Else, hang shelves where you can conveniently fit these tiny-sized pots. Alternately, you can also explore the possibility of using a pallet shelve or even a shoe rack. An elevated garden offers some attractive benefits. It stops grass from growing in your garden, which isnt necessarily something youll be excited to see in an indoor garden. In addition to gaining easier access to the plants the space is used well.

Blend light & sound

One of the best ways to invite nature into your small apartment is to allow the light to illuminate it. You may want to opt for airy window treatments that accommodate plenty of natural light. As often as you can, open these windows to let fresh air in as well as any calming outdoor sounds like flowing water or the chirping of birds. Also, try a tabletop fountain to mimic those glorious, succour-inducing sounds.

Cosy seating arrangement

Its now time to look for furniture designs for balconies: perhaps a centre table, a reading sofa and a couple of chairs. While youre at it, ensure that your outdoor furniture is comfortable enough for you to sit on for at least a few hours at a go.

If budget is an issue, simply turn a few wooden crates into seating and table arrangements. All you need to do is to turn them upside down, paint them in a colour of your choice, have them dry out, and decorate them any way you want. If a formal balcony seating arrangement doesnt do it for you, get a hammock instead. With these tips, you are good to go. You can create your own green space for healthy living.

India has the highest percentage of users surfing the internet with mobile phones accounting for 70%. Technology and internet have touched almost all aspects of our life. However, one area that had remained isolated for a long time was the real estate industry. With the advent of smart home automation, this segment too is witnessing radical changes. Smart home automation is a set of digitally connected and controllable devices within the home that can be operated and controlled remotely through internet, using any piece of hardware like a remote control unit, tablet or a smartphone.

Not too long ago, a home was considered smart if it included a few high-end security features. However, with advancement in technology and drop in costs, smart homes today include a far greater array of products. Some of the new offerings today focus on control, connectivity, comfort and lighting; security, entertainment, energy management and smart appliances.

The security segment of home automation is sought after and includes surveillance cameras (for exteriors), video cameras, video door phones connect with the security in the reception area in the building. These cameras can be controlled and monitored from a smartphone from anywhere.

Most lifestyle homes from large developers are offering home automation such as video door phones, digital door locks, remote-controlled lighting systems, air conditioning, enhanced safety through fire detection systems, gas leakage detection alarms, conveniences like occupancy sensors for toilets, energy efficiency monitoring apps, entertainment control systems and the like.

A smart home enables you to control devices from anywhere making it immensely convenient. Think about coming home to a pre-cooled living room after a hard day at work, walking in by waving your phone to unlock the door or even playing your favourite music in any room with just a click.

Most builders are leaving no stone unturned to provide their buyers with state-of-the-art smart home features. Smart home automation is fast becoming a way of creating product differentiation and aspiration among discerning customers. So, get on this automation trend and live an easier life.

(The author is CEO, Ozone Group)

The Indian home rental market over the past few years has grown by leaps and bounds in major cities. Online home rental space in India has expanded in the recent years as rental provides a practical solution to customer needs.

The seeds of the online rental market were sown by the advent of e-commerce in India almost a decade back, which made everything just a click away. Millennials, who are the first digital natives and have to struggle with finances, were on the forefront in catching up on this new trend.

While electronics and apparel were available online since the inception of e-commerce in India, finding houses on the digital platform, which is a relatively newer phenomenon, turned out to be a major boon for the customers as it drastically reduced the time required for searching houses.

Multiple platforms

This concept has made it easy for consumers to search their flats according to their affordability, locality and preferences. Currently, consumers have started to take notice of the online platforms. Hence, it has become the most preferred way of searching houses for rent.

Online house rental start-ups gauged this need of the millennials, who have been the major demand driver for rental homes, and created a platform of a pool of houses available for rent in every micro-market across the country. Online home rental solutions platforms are the only point of contact for customers rather than landlords, thereby maintaining a professional relationship with the tenant. With such a hassle-free way to search homes with a transparent litigation process, millennials find it easier now to look for homes from a place as opposed to searching physically.

The start-ups ensured a reasonable rent and advances for the property, thereby attracting more. The so-called renter previously had to shell out on an average 10 months of rent as the advance for renting the property and unreasonable rents, which were out of bounds for the youngsters. These start-ups allowed only two-three months of rents in advance and a reasonable rent for the properties listed on their portal.

Also, with the ever-increasing property rental rates, millennials are seeing the rise of sharing and shared economy that provide access to products and services without the burdens of ownership. Ranging from the availability of houses for rent on individual-bed basis to household products, everything is being bought on rent and being commonly shared among the tenants.

Some of the home rental start-ups are even offering fully furnished houses, making it convenient for the city hoppers who dont prefer to stay at hotels for longer durations or prefer a homely environment. However, discrimination on the basis of cultural differences, eating habits and preferring families over bachelors were the major lacunae plaguing the online rental industry. This has been resolved by the online players as the requirements for tenants are clearly given, enabling the renter to make informed decisions

Apart from that, there has been a marked shift in the nature of current crop of consumers, mainly millennials, who prefer renting rather than buying as they dont prefer to stay in one city for long, and also because the real estate costs involved are very high and the returns on investment has been very subdued. Young immigrants and duos in junior positions in a job like to explore different cities and consider rented homes as a viable option. They want to lead a lavish life with all the luxury amenities. Besides, they prefer to stay at a place with less number of barriers which doesnt hinder their lifestyle. These issues have been addressed with home renting now being online and providing transparency.

According to experts, while the set of consumers are entirely domestic, the supply side is being driven by NRIs. India has many homes which are locked away by NRIs as they fear their homes getting misused by real estate brokers. However, with start-ups giving them assurance of legal use of their property, more supply is coming into this market and expanding the coverage area. Also, it guarantees the landlord of an assured return on the property through rentals. Statistics show that nearly 70% of the houses under the network of home aggregators now belong to NRIs.

Ground reality

Historically, the home rental market has seen a rental yield of 1-2% discouraging the houseowners to open their properties for tenancy. However, the ever-growing demand and supply deficit situation and the nature of the market shifting to a more organised manner has helped increase the rental yield for the house owners, thereby attracting more. The home aggregator and management start-ups said they were well aware of the key concerns of the NRIs on maintenance of their properties.

As home rental start-ups generally deliver 20-50% higher returns compared to returns they were receiving from the conventional brokers in the market, homeowners find them attractive. Also, given their strong customer base and high occupancy ratios, they assure uninterrupted rent payments to property owners even when some of those properties were vacant for short periods.

Also, a majority of brokers rent out the properties to families and avoid renting them to several individuals in a model similar to the paying guest model, owing to handling issues. However, start-ups have been renting out the properties under their control on individual bed basis, fetching higher returns on each property. Such a setup has become a win-win situation for both houseowners and tenants and is leading to an ever growing home rental market in India.

Migration has been a major factor in the growth of this segment. The Economic Survey 2016-17 says that migration has almost doubled, to 9 million between 2011-16 from 5.5-6 million between 2001-11. Though the survey shows the highest migration to Delhi, there were well over 90 cities in India with annual population growth rates of 3% or more. According to the survey, the urban housing shortage in India in 2012 was estimated to be almost 19 million homes, with the vast majority required for lower-income households.

Addressing the rental housing market in a broader manner will require multiple reforms and the repeal of Rent Control Act will create confidence in the sector. Today, 377 million urban residents live in over 7,900 urban settlements and every year, millions move to towns and cities, or dense linear settlements along national and state highways. It is essential that as the country urbanises further, viable solutions to the housing conundrum are addressed. The potential of rental housing to meet these challenges should not be ignored.

(The author is co-founder, NestAway Technologies Pvt Ltd)