Understanding the investment slowdown

The public sector had a secondary role to play, which, however, had increased in scope during this period. The investment rate in the country has been declining quite significantly over the last six years or so. The gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) rate had peaked at 34.3% in FY12 and then came down to 28.6% in FY18, before registering a marginal recovery to 29.3% in FY19. The story is still an enigma because in the last few years various states have held investment extravaganzas where several MoUs have been signed—for…

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Understanding your pets

Considering pets cannot verbally communicate we should ideally be more understanding and receptive to their needs, requirements and health. Over the time people have learnt that homemade food albeit fresh is not a complete and balanced meal for the pet primarily because the nutrition requirements differ from humans. In India much like the western countries the focus on pet health and care is growing rapidly. They are more often taken to veterinary doctors not just when they are unwell but for overall annual health check-ups. The other big trend that…

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World Diabetes Day 2016: Understanding the Glycaemic Index of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates present in food have a direct impact on your blood sugar levels. Every time you eat, carbohydrates are broken down to glucose molecules which pass into the blood stream from where they enter the cells and are used as fuel for different body functions. The excess glucose is converted into fat in some cells and stored for later use. Insulin, a hormone produced by our pancreas, is the key that opens the cell doors to allow glucose to enter. People who have diabetes are either completely missing this key…

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World Iodine Deficiency Day: Understanding the Importance of Iodine

Minerals and vitamins are vital for a healthy life. They play a significant role in the physical and mental development of humans from conception itself. The main micronutrient deficiencies which are creating public health problems worldwide are iodine, iron, folic acid, vitamin A and zinc. What is Iodine? Iodine is an essential dietary mineral that is stored in the thyroid gland. It is essential for the production of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T3) and triiodothyronine (T4). Thyroid hormones affect all the cells in the human body, they are important for the…

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How a Healthy Gut Could Stop Obesity: Your Guide to Understanding Gut Bacteria

Images via iStock Recent studies suggest that Americans are working out more than ever but aren’t losing weight. Brits, on the other hand, spend billions each year to get into shape. Every two in three adults in the UK are now overweight or obese and one in five children aged 10-11 is clinically obese. It is common knowledge that daily nutrition plays an important part. What we eat is much more important than our total calorie count. However, choosing what to eat to be healthy is far from easy. We…

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