High Fructose Levels Can Damage Immune System; Know the Foods You Should Avoid - Today News...

 Sugar-rich foods can harm our bodies in many ways. A prolonged diet of sugary foods can elevate the risk of heart diseases and cause weight gain. Poor nutritional value in foods rich in sugar is also one of the reasons why people should avoid them. Now, a latest research has added another point to the plethora of disadvantages of sugar rich foods. The new study proves that the diets having high levels of fructose can have an adverse effect on our immune system. Also known as fruit sugar, fructose is found in juices and honey. It is also found in artificially manufactured high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which is used in the preparation of sodas, candies and boxed food packs.

© Provided by News18 High Fructose Levels Can Damage Immune System; Know the Foods You Should Avoid

As reported by Eat This, Not That!, the research published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications has been conducted by scientists from University of Bristol, Francis Clark Institute in London and the medical school of Swansea University, Wales.

These foods can cause inflammation of the immune system, making it produce more molecules that can further cause more inflammation in the body.

Experts suggest that it is necessary that people should reduce intake of processed foods that are high in HFCS and can cause inflammation. Quoting dietitian nutritionist Sydney Greene, the report mentions that higher inflammation can burden our immune system and eventually leave us prone to diseases. Cutting back on fructose can become an important step in preserving the immune system. Cooking our food instead of using boxed packages can be a step ahead in reducing fructose intake.

This is not the first time that sugary foods have been found to cause inflammation in the body. Previously, it was discovered that excess sugar in the body can lead to inflammation in the arteries, making them thicker and can cause stiffness. Excess sugar in the body can cause several heart issues that can be fatal, for instance, heart attack, stroke or heart failure.

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Travelling without check-in baggage on domestic flights? Here's how your journey will now get cheaper - Today News

Smriti Irani leads Parivartan Yatra riding a two-wheeler

It is 'pawri ho rahi hai' on Bhumi Pednekar and Rajkummar Rao's 'Badhaai…

New Delhi | Jagran Business Desk: Travelling on domestic flights have become expensive ever since airlines increased fares to recover the loses suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, travelling within India without any check-in bags will soon become cheaper as per the new rules by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

a plane flying in the air© Provided by Jagran English

According to a report by The Times of India, the DGCA has removed the restriction imposed over airlines on check-in bags which could make flight journeys cheaper by Rs 200. The report, however, claimed that the changes will come into effect once fare bands for domestic flights are removed.

The Times of India report said that airlines as per a DGCA order issued on Thursday have been asked to charge a "reasonable" price on passengers "who buy light fares and turn up with airport with check-in bags". The order read that airlines will also be allowed to offer free baggage allowance as well as 'zero baggage or check-in baggage'.

"This will be subject to the condition that the passenger booking ticket under such fare scheme is made aware of the charges that shall be applicable if he passengers turn up with the baggage for check-in at the airline counter. These applicable charges shall be reasonable; prominently displayed to the passenger at the time of booking of the ticket and also to be printed on the ticket," the DGCA order read, as reported by The Times of India.

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Surprising Side Effects of Eating Chickpeas, According to Science - Today News....

Surprising Side Effects of Eating Chickpeas, According to Science

If you're a vegetarian or try to eat plant-based most of the time, you're likely familiar with chickpeas. This high-protein legume is part of the 'bean' family and is a tasty component of many recipes. In just one cup, eating chickpeas offers your body 10 to 15 grams of protein, 9 to 12 grams of fiber, 4 grams of fat, and 34 to 45 grams of carbohydrates. In short: they're a powerhouse of nutrients.

They can be served soft or crunchy, salty or slightly sweet, and they still offer lots of vitamins and minerals. When you include chickpeas in your meal planning, you'll give your body a wellness boost. Pay attention to how you feel after eating chickpeas. If you start to have any sort of stomach issues or other symptoms, consult your doctor. Though most people enjoy the taste and benefits of these bite-sized legumes, some may not digest them well.

From what creates addicting hummus to the perfect addition on top of a salad or warm bowl, chickpeas are a mostly healthy addition to your balanced diet. Here, we explore the side effects of eating chickpeas, including the good and the not-so-good. And for even more tips, be sure to check out our list of the 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet.

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Explained: Delhi University’s proposed new method of admission - Today News....

 Delhi University is considering an admission process based on the Central University Common Entrance Test (CUCET) and board results. A proposal in this regard has been sent to the UGC. If passed, it will be the most significant change in the admission process for one of the most sought after universities in the country.

© Provided by The Indian Express

What is the proposed new method of admission?

DU has proposed that admissions to the university be done on the basis of both the Class 12 marks and the CUCET. "The Centre is coming out with the CUCET, for which several committee meetings have been held and it will be finalised shortly. Once that is done, we will be having weightage for both CUCET and board examinations with 50% for each," said Acting Vice-Chancellor P C Joshi, who is part of the committee set up by the Centre to consider a common entrance test for universities. He said in case of Class 12 marks, percentile would be considered as opposed to percentage to establish a more level playing field.

How does DU conduct admissions until now?

Undergraduate admissions for most courses in DU take place on the basis of Class 12 marks. Colleges release cut-offs based primarily on the Class 12 board performance of students, but also keeping in mind the number of applications received and the demand for certain courses. Applicants calculate their percentage based on their best four scoring subjects and can seek admission if they clear the cut-off. No student who clears the cut-off can be denied admission by any college as long as they do it within the stipulated time frame.

What was the issue with the old system and why has DU proposed to change it?

As marks scored by Class 12 students balloon each year, DU's cut-offs have also touched unimaginable heights. In 2020, a new record was set when the Lady Shri Ram College declared a cut-off of 100% for three courses, and 30 courses across colleges had a cut-off of over 99%.

The CBSE and some state boards like Tamil Nadu have been accused by teachers and university officials of inflating marks, skewing the admission in favour of students who appear from this board. Given all this, there has been a long standing demand to shift to an entrance based system.

How has the new system been received by the university community? Are there any apprehensions?

DU is still to officially put out any notification or circular in the public domain stating that such a proposal had been sent to the UGC. However, the response to the move till now has been largely positive with some apprehensions. Shobha Bagai, who was Dean Admission last year, was of the view that Class 12 marks should be done away with as a criterion all together and only entrance be followed.

"The entrance test would have taken care of all the variation in marks between different boards… Why have two ways of testing students and put pressure on them?" she said.

Several others including principals have, however, stressed that Class 12 marks should be considered to keep the importance of the Board exams alive. "However, more weightage should be given to the entrance," said Hindu College Principal Anju Srivastava.

There is also the question of calculating percentile from Class 12 marks. While most believe it is a better system compared to percentage, former Deputy Dean (DSW) Gurpreet Tuteja said calculating percentile for each student would be very difficult for the university.

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Updated Maruti Suzuki Swift 2021 Launched in India at Rs 5.73 Lakh, Now Gets Dual Tone Exterior Today News.

Found naked along UP highway, college student says set on fire for…

Kapil Sharma shares video of newborn Anayra in late Sardool Sikander's arms…

Maruti Suzuki has launched the updated Swift 2021, with a powertrain, dual tone exterior and new features. The 2021 Maruti Suzuki Swift prices in India starts at Rs 5.73 Lakh (ex-showroom) for the base LXI manual version and goes upto Rs 8.41 Lakh (ex-showroom) for the top spec ZXI+ Dual Tone AGS version. There are a total of 9 variants to choose from. Here's the variant wise pricing of the new Maruti Suzuki Swift:

a close up of a car with Holden Arboretum in the background: Updated Maruti Suzuki Swift 2021 Launched in India at Rs 5.73 Lakh, Now Gets Dual Tone Exterior© Provided by News18 Updated Maruti Suzuki Swift 2021 Launched in India at Rs 5.73 Lakh, Now Gets Dual Tone Exterior

Introducing the new Swift, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Since its launch in 2005, Swift has revolutionised the premium hatchback segment in India. Swift with its sporty performance, upright stance and unmistakable road presence emphasizes individuality that stands out from the crowd. This ‘coming of the age’ car was designed keeping in mind the evolved preferences of the modern day customer. Over the years, Swift has earned the warmth of nearly 2.4 million customers. The new Swift takes this legacy a notch higher with a new powerful K-series engine, sportier dual tone exterior, best-in-class fuel efficiency and enhanced safety features. We thank our customers for their unwavering support throughout and are confident that the new Swift will also win the appreciation of our customers.”

Also watch: Renault Kiger 2021's first drive review (Video by Hindustan Times)

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Renault Kiger 2021: First drive review

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The new Swift is equipped with ‘Next Gen K-Series Dual Jet Dual VVT engine with Idle Start Stop (ISS) technology for a thrilling experience. The Dual Jet technology (2 injectors per cylinder), coupled with Dual VVT (variable valve timing for both Intake and Exhaust valves) and cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system result in higher fuel efficiency with lower emissions. This leads to best-in-class fuel efficiency of 23.20 km/l in MT and 23.76 km/l in AGS variants for an unmatched drive. Available in both Manual and Automatic Gear Shift (AGS) variants, the new Kseries engine also offers an increased power output of 66KW@6000rpm to further exhilarate the drive experience.

The refreshed premium silver interior ornamentation and introduction of dual tone exteriors further enhance Swift’s stylish character. The new sporty cross mesh grille with bold chrome accent lends a distinctive fascia to the new Swift, enhancing the dynamic personality of the modern customers.

The new Swift with contemporary features like cruise control, idle start and stop and key synchronized auto foldable ORVMs enhances the driving experience. On the interior, the new Swift comes with a twin-pod meter cluster and a new 10.67cm multi-information coloured TFT display giving a vibrant visual appeal. The 17.78 cm Smartplay Studio infotainment system combines smartphone, vehicle, and cloud-based services to offer a delightful experience.

Powered with up-to-date features such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with hill-hold in AGS variants, steering with enhanced return ability mechanism, new bigger sized front and rear brakes further enhance the driving experience of the new Swift. The electronic stability program and the hillhold function in the AGS variants of the new Swift 2021 detect vehicle skid movement and restrain the same. It does not allow the vehicle to roll-back on inclined slopes in stop-start traffic condition, ensuring complete control and peace of mind. The new Swift also comes equipped with a host of safety features such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Pre-tensioner and force limiter seat belts, driver and co-driver seat belt reminder, ISOFIX, reverse parking sensors with a rear view camera, making it ideal for driving enthusiasts.

The all-new Swift is available in an array of colours. Adding more peppiness to the brand are three dual tone options-

Pearl Arctic White with Pearl Midnight Black Roof

Solid Fire Red with Pearl Midnight Black Roof

Pearl Metallic Midnight Blue with Pearl Arctic White Roof

PRICE OF ALL-NEW SWIFT 2021: (Ex-showroom Delhi; in Rs lakhs) Variant Price (Manual) Price (AGS) LXI 5.73 - VXI 6.36 6.86 ZXI 6.99 7.49 ZXI+ 7.77 8.27 ZXI+ Dual Tone 7.91 8.41

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Salary hikes this year may not lead to higher in-hand income. Here’s why Today News.

Salary hikes that companies are planning to give employees this year may not lead to higher in-hand income in view of the new definition of wages proposed by the government, according to a new annual salary increase survey.

If organisations are required to pay more towards employees' provident fund under the proposed labour code rules later this year, the in-hand salary may not rise despite better increments.

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Aon Salary Increase Survey

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The latest salary increase survey conducted by global professional services firm AON indicated that 88 per cent of the companies were willing to increase the pay of employees in 2021. The survey predicts an average salary hike of 7.7 per cent for employees in India, higher than the 6.1 per cent in 2020. As part of the survey, AON gathered responses from 1,200 organisations across 38 industries.

"There is a much higher percentage of companies projecting increments in the 5-10 per cent range as compared to 2020," the survey said.

Roopank Chaudhury, a partner in Aon's human capital business in India, said the highest-paying sectors in 2021 will remain the same as 2020 — Information Technology, ITes, life sciences, e-commerce and FMCG.

Those working in e-commerce, VC-backed companies are likely to get the highest increment at over 10 per cent, followed by IT companies at 9.70 per cent. ITes companies are likely to give an average increment of 8.8 per cent, followed by the gaming or entertainment industry at 8.10 per cent. Those working in the chemicals industry are also like to get an increment of 8 per cent.

Higher increment, but

But there is a catch. While the projected increments seem higher in comparison to 2020, Chaudhury highlighted that it is possible that salary increments may not translate into higher in-hand income for employees.

In case companies choose to pay higher provident fund contributions under the new definition of wages, salary hikes may not lead to an increase in in-hand salary for employees.

Companies are expected to review their compensation budgets in the second half of the year after the financial impact of the labour codes is known, according to Nitin Sethi, partner and CEO of Aon's performance and rewards business in India.

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Curfews reimposed, travel curbs put in place as India records biggest jump in COVID cases since November today News

 In alarming news, several states have issued new travel advisories, imposed night curfews and started screening people coming from high-risk places, as a surge in new COVID-19 cases in some states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Kerala have been reported from past few days.

© Provided by Jagran English

According to the Union Health Ministry, the surge in active cases is due to Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh reporting a spike in the daily infections.

India, during the last 24 hours, reported 10,584 new cases of COVID-19 taking the total caseload to 1,10,16,434, while the death toll rose to 1,56,463.

The active caseload in the country, however, witnessed a drop after rising for 5 consecutive days and reaching above the 1.50-lakh mark on Monday. As per today's data, the active cases in the country stood at 1,47,306. 

In Karnataka, Health Minister K Sudhakar cautioned people against negligence towards observing COVID protocols, and of stricter steps if the number of cases increases. He said marshals would be deployed to monitor weddings as they were taking place without any norms or guidelines being followed.

He also clarified that the state government had not imposed any trictions on interstate travel, but has mandated RT-PCR certificates not older than 72 hours for those arriving in the state from neighbouring Kerala and Maharashtra.

People in the neighbouring district of Kasargod in Kerala bound for Mangaluru and other parts of Dakshina Kannada for various purposes including medical needs and studies had a tough time. Long queues of vehicles could be seen at the border areas since morning.

In the national capital, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal directed authorities to take all necessary steps to prevent any rise in COVID-19 cases in view of the surge in some states. Public buses and metro trains will run at their current limited capacities for at least two more weeks with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority deciding to maintain the status quo on the number of passengers.

Amid a spike in coronavirus infection in parts of Maharashtra, Mumbai has witnessed a 36.38 per cent rise in the active COVID-19 cases since February 8, as per the city civic body. Careless attitude of citizens, allowing the general public to travel in local trains and opening of various other commercial activities were among the reasons behind the current surge in COVID-19 cases.  

In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan issued several directives while reviewing the coronavirus situation in the state at a meeting in Bhopal. One of the directives asked district collectors to ensure temperature-based screening of people coming from Maharashtra. Thermal screening involves checking the body temperature of a person for symptoms of viral infections.

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Bengal elections: How Mamata Banerjee makes it tough for BJP, Cong-Left in polls Today News...

Going by the alliance combinations announced till date for West Bengal and election issues raised by ruling and rival parties, the upcoming assembly election looks similar to 2016 polls.

© AP

Back then, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress was challenged by an 'unnatural' alliance of the Congress and the Left Front. The BJP was high on confidence following the 2014 Lok Sabha election win with a strong Hindutva poll plank. Mamata Banerjee decimated her rivals in the election with an appease-all strategy.

This time around, Mamata Banerjee is facing the same issues of "Narada and Saradha" corruption charges, a Congress-Left uneasy jote (tie-up) and a boasting BJP. Mamata Banerjee still has her appease-all politics alive.

Also watch: CBI turns its heat on Mamata Banerjee's kin (Video by News18)

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The difference is the seemingly rising electoral prowess of the BJP in Bengal and a possible inroad into Mamata Banerjee's Muslim vote bank by outfits led by influential Furfura Sharif cleric Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. However, Mamata Banerjee seems to be covering all angles as she aims for a third term in Bengal.

MAMATA'S TRIED AND TESTED FORMULA

Mamata Banerjee went into the 2016 elections in the face of the Opposition's relentless attacks over the Narada sting operation, which showed TMC leaders accepting money, and the Saradha chit fund scam that hit several leaders close to the chief minister. To make matters worse for Mamata Banerjee, a newly constructed flyover in Kolkata had crashed, killing 24 people.

Political analysts had predicted the fall of bridge symbolic to the defeat of Mamata Banerjee in the Bengal election. But Mamata Banerjee launched a counter attack and unleashed a frenetic campaign for her populist policies.

During her first tenure, Mamata Banerjee had focused on improvement on the condition of roads, water supply and electricity coverage of the BPL families in particular.

By January, the BPL households in Bengal had an electricity coverage of over 90 per cent from about 18 per cent in 2011, when Mamata Banerjee took over from the Left. For the non-BPL or APL households, the coverage improved from 52 per cent to almost 98 per cent.

MAMATA'S FREEBIES

But more than that, it was Mamata Banerjee's freebie politics, a leaf taken out from the electoral politics of South Indian states that helped her trump her rivals in the election.

Reports say that before 2016 Bengal elections, about eight crore of the nine crore population of the state were getting rice at Rs 2 per kg. It was 'bad' economics for many as the subsidy on foodgrains during Mamata Banerjee's first tenure had increased nearly a dozen times to Rs 6,000 crore. But it was good politics.

Some 97 per cent of Muslim population was registered under the OBC category, making them entitled to quota benefits for jobs and education. More than 1 crore students from the minority community had been given scholarships.

Over 30 lakh girls from the economically weak community were given financial assistance under the Kanyashree scheme. Similarly, under Yuvashree scheme, about 40 lakh boys and girls were given bicycles and around 1 lakh unemployed were given assistance of Rs 1,500 per month.

The appease-all politics saw TMC winning 211 of 294 seats. The TMC polled 47 per cent votes against the combined TMC-Congress share of 48.5 per cent in 2011. Five years ago, the TMC's vote share was 39 per cent.

MAMATA'S FALLBACK PLAN FOR POLLS

Mamata Banerjee has strengthened most of the freebie policies and added a couple more to the list. Earlier in February, Mamata Banerjee announced Maa kitchen for the poor, providing quality meals at Rs 5 a plate.

In January, Mamata Banerjee announced "eye health for all" scheme for underprivileged people. Mamata Banerjee said over eight lakh people will be given spectacles after vision testing before the first phase of Bengal election.

This came close to her announcement of distributing 25 lakh new bicycles to students of Class XI and XII. The bicycles have to be distributed before the first phase of Bengal polls.

In December 2020, Mamata Banerjee announced transfer of Rs 10,000 to the bank accounts of 9.5 lakh Class XII students studying in the government schools — political target is BPL community — and madrassas — another attempt to woo Muslim voters.

The money transfer was announced to replace tablet distribution scheme. The Mamata government said the students could use this money to buy tablets or smartphones as per their suitability for "seamless online education".

In December, Banerjee announced a three per cent hike in the dearness allowance for the state government employees effective from January 2021. There are around 10 lakh employees in the West Bengal government.

Between October and December 2020, the Mamata government reduced the cost of RT-PCR test for Covid-19 to less than half as the coronavirus pandemic eased in the state. It was first reduced from Rs 2,250 to 1,250 and then to Rs 950.

On an express mission is another poll scheme of Mamata Banerjee — health insurance for all. She announced 'Mamata care' scheme for all Bengali people living in the state irrespective of their financial status.

Mamata Banerjee has asked the officials to cover 10 crore people under the health insurance for all scheme. Reports say special camps are being organised in panchayats and municipal wards to distribute health insurance cards. The scheme is aimed at neutralising the BJP's pitch for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which Mamata Banerjee has not allowed in Bengal.

Earlier, the Mamata government distributed raincoats, shoes and school bags to students across Bengal as she aimed at creating a positive vibe for the TMC in assembly election.

The freebies provided by Mamata Banerjee-led government may prove to be the real trump card for the TMC in the Bengal polls and the ultimate challenge for the BJP and the Congress-Left jote (alliance) this time around just like 2016 election.

Going by the alliance combinations announced till date for West Bengal and election issues raised by ruling and rival parties, the upcoming assembly election looks similar to 2016 polls.

© AP

Back then, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress was challenged by an 'unnatural' alliance of the Congress and the Left Front. The BJP was high on confidence following the 2014 Lok Sabha election win with a strong Hindutva poll plank. Mamata Banerjee decimated her rivals in the election with an appease-all strategy.

This time around, Mamata Banerjee is facing the same issues of "Narada and Saradha" corruption charges, a Congress-Left uneasy jote (tie-up) and a boasting BJP. Mamata Banerjee still has her appease-all politics alive.

Also watch: CBI turns its heat on Mamata Banerjee's kin (Video by News18)

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The difference is the seemingly rising electoral prowess of the BJP in Bengal and a possible inroad into Mamata Banerjee's Muslim vote bank by outfits led by influential Furfura Sharif cleric Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. However, Mamata Banerjee seems to be covering all angles as she aims for a third term in Bengal.

MAMATA'S TRIED AND TESTED FORMULA

Mamata Banerjee went into the 2016 elections in the face of the Opposition's relentless attacks over the Narada sting operation, which showed TMC leaders accepting money, and the Saradha chit fund scam that hit several leaders close to the chief minister. To make matters worse for Mamata Banerjee, a newly constructed flyover in Kolkata had crashed, killing 24 people.

Political analysts had predicted the fall of bridge symbolic to the defeat of Mamata Banerjee in the Bengal election. But Mamata Banerjee launched a counter attack and unleashed a frenetic campaign for her populist policies.

During her first tenure, Mamata Banerjee had focused on improvement on the condition of roads, water supply and electricity coverage of the BPL families in particular.

By January, the BPL households in Bengal had an electricity coverage of over 90 per cent from about 18 per cent in 2011, when Mamata Banerjee took over from the Left. For the non-BPL or APL households, the coverage improved from 52 per cent to almost 98 per cent.

MAMATA'S FREEBIES

But more than that, it was Mamata Banerjee's freebie politics, a leaf taken out from the electoral politics of South Indian states that helped her trump her rivals in the election.

Reports say that before 2016 Bengal elections, about eight crore of the nine crore population of the state were getting rice at Rs 2 per kg. It was 'bad' economics for many as the subsidy on foodgrains during Mamata Banerjee's first tenure had increased nearly a dozen times to Rs 6,000 crore. But it was good politics.

Some 97 per cent of Muslim population was registered under the OBC category, making them entitled to quota benefits for jobs and education. More than 1 crore students from the minority community had been given scholarships.

Over 30 lakh girls from the economically weak community were given financial assistance under the Kanyashree scheme. Similarly, under Yuvashree scheme, about 40 lakh boys and girls were given bicycles and around 1 lakh unemployed were given assistance of Rs 1,500 per month.

The appease-all politics saw TMC winning 211 of 294 seats. The TMC polled 47 per cent votes against the combined TMC-Congress share of 48.5 per cent in 2011. Five years ago, the TMC's vote share was 39 per cent.

MAMATA'S FALLBACK PLAN FOR POLLS

Mamata Banerjee has strengthened most of the freebie policies and added a couple more to the list. Earlier in February, Mamata Banerjee announced Maa kitchen for the poor, providing quality meals at Rs 5 a plate.

In January, Mamata Banerjee announced "eye health for all" scheme for underprivileged people. Mamata Banerjee said over eight lakh people will be given spectacles after vision testing before the first phase of Bengal election.

This came close to her announcement of distributing 25 lakh new bicycles to students of Class XI and XII. The bicycles have to be distributed before the first phase of Bengal polls.

In December 2020, Mamata Banerjee announced transfer of Rs 10,000 to the bank accounts of 9.5 lakh Class XII students studying in the government schools — political target is BPL community — and madrassas — another attempt to woo Muslim voters.

The money transfer was announced to replace tablet distribution scheme. The Mamata government said the students could use this money to buy tablets or smartphones as per their suitability for "seamless online education".

In December, Banerjee announced a three per cent hike in the dearness allowance for the state government employees effective from January 2021. There are around 10 lakh employees in the West Bengal government.

Between October and December 2020, the Mamata government reduced the cost of RT-PCR test for Covid-19 to less than half as the coronavirus pandemic eased in the state. It was first reduced from Rs 2,250 to 1,250 and then to Rs 950.

On an express mission is another poll scheme of Mamata Banerjee — health insurance for all. She announced 'Mamata care' scheme for all Bengali people living in the state irrespective of their financial status.

Mamata Banerjee has asked the officials to cover 10 crore people under the health insurance for all scheme. Reports say special camps are being organised in panchayats and municipal wards to distribute health insurance cards. The scheme is aimed at neutralising the BJP's pitch for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which Mamata Banerjee has not allowed in Bengal.

Earlier, the Mamata government distributed raincoats, shoes and school bags to students across Bengal as she aimed at creating a positive vibe for the TMC in assembly election.

The freebies provided by Mamata Banerjee-led government may prove to be the real trump card for the TMC in the Bengal polls and the ultimate challenge for the BJP and the Congress-Left jote (alliance) this time around just like 2016 election.

Going by the alliance combinations announced till date for West Bengal and election issues raised by ruling and rival parties, the upcoming assembly election looks similar to 2016 polls.

© AP

Back then, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress was challenged by an 'unnatural' alliance of the Congress and the Left Front. The BJP was high on confidence following the 2014 Lok Sabha election win with a strong Hindutva poll plank. Mamata Banerjee decimated her rivals in the election with an appease-all strategy.

This time around, Mamata Banerjee is facing the same issues of "Narada and Saradha" corruption charges, a Congress-Left uneasy jote (tie-up) and a boasting BJP. Mamata Banerjee still has her appease-all politics alive.

Also watch: CBI turns its heat on Mamata Banerjee's kin (Video by News18)

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The difference is the seemingly rising electoral prowess of the BJP in Bengal and a possible inroad into Mamata Banerjee's Muslim vote bank by outfits led by influential Furfura Sharif cleric Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. However, Mamata Banerjee seems to be covering all angles as she aims for a third term in Bengal.

MAMATA'S TRIED AND TESTED FORMULA

Mamata Banerjee went into the 2016 elections in the face of the Opposition's relentless attacks over the Narada sting operation, which showed TMC leaders accepting money, and the Saradha chit fund scam that hit several leaders close to the chief minister. To make matters worse for Mamata Banerjee, a newly constructed flyover in Kolkata had crashed, killing 24 people.

Political analysts had predicted the fall of bridge symbolic to the defeat of Mamata Banerjee in the Bengal election. But Mamata Banerjee launched a counter attack and unleashed a frenetic campaign for her populist policies.

During her first tenure, Mamata Banerjee had focused on improvement on the condition of roads, water supply and electricity coverage of the BPL families in particular.

By January, the BPL households in Bengal had an electricity coverage of over 90 per cent from about 18 per cent in 2011, when Mamata Banerjee took over from the Left. For the non-BPL or APL households, the coverage improved from 52 per cent to almost 98 per cent.

MAMATA'S FREEBIES

But more than that, it was Mamata Banerjee's freebie politics, a leaf taken out from the electoral politics of South Indian states that helped her trump her rivals in the election.

Reports say that before 2016 Bengal elections, about eight crore of the nine crore population of the state were getting rice at Rs 2 per kg. It was 'bad' economics for many as the subsidy on foodgrains during Mamata Banerjee's first tenure had increased nearly a dozen times to Rs 6,000 crore. But it was good politics.

Some 97 per cent of Muslim population was registered under the OBC category, making them entitled to quota benefits for jobs and education. More than 1 crore students from the minority community had been given scholarships.

Over 30 lakh girls from the economically weak community were given financial assistance under the Kanyashree scheme. Similarly, under Yuvashree scheme, about 40 lakh boys and girls were given bicycles and around 1 lakh unemployed were given assistance of Rs 1,500 per month.

The appease-all politics saw TMC winning 211 of 294 seats. The TMC polled 47 per cent votes against the combined TMC-Congress share of 48.5 per cent in 2011. Five years ago, the TMC's vote share was 39 per cent.

MAMATA'S FALLBACK PLAN FOR POLLS

Mamata Banerjee has strengthened most of the freebie policies and added a couple more to the list. Earlier in February, Mamata Banerjee announced Maa kitchen for the poor, providing quality meals at Rs 5 a plate.

In January, Mamata Banerjee announced "eye health for all" scheme for underprivileged people. Mamata Banerjee said over eight lakh people will be given spectacles after vision testing before the first phase of Bengal election.

This came close to her announcement of distributing 25 lakh new bicycles to students of Class XI and XII. The bicycles have to be distributed before the first phase of Bengal polls.

In December 2020, Mamata Banerjee announced transfer of Rs 10,000 to the bank accounts of 9.5 lakh Class XII students studying in the government schools — political target is BPL community — and madrassas — another attempt to woo Muslim voters.

The money transfer was announced to replace tablet distribution scheme. The Mamata government said the students could use this money to buy tablets or smartphones as per their suitability for "seamless online education".

In December, Banerjee announced a three per cent hike in the dearness allowance for the state government employees effective from January 2021. There are around 10 lakh employees in the West Bengal government.

Between October and December 2020, the Mamata government reduced the cost of RT-PCR test for Covid-19 to less than half as the coronavirus pandemic eased in the state. It was first reduced from Rs 2,250 to 1,250 and then to Rs 950.

On an express mission is another poll scheme of Mamata Banerjee — health insurance for all. She announced 'Mamata care' scheme for all Bengali people living in the state irrespective of their financial status.

Mamata Banerjee has asked the officials to cover 10 crore people under the health insurance for all scheme. Reports say special camps are being organised in panchayats and municipal wards to distribute health insurance cards. The scheme is aimed at neutralising the BJP's pitch for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which Mamata Banerjee has not allowed in Bengal.

Earlier, the Mamata government distributed raincoats, shoes and school bags to students across Bengal as she aimed at creating a positive vibe for the TMC in assembly election.

The freebies provided by Mamata Banerjee-led government may prove to be the real trump card for the TMC in the Bengal polls and the ultimate challenge for the BJP and the Congress-Left jote (alliance) this time around just like 2016 election.

Going by the alliance combinations announced till date for West Bengal and election issues raised by ruling and rival parties, the upcoming assembly election looks similar to 2016 polls.

© AP

Back then, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress was challenged by an 'unnatural' alliance of the Congress and the Left Front. The BJP was high on confidence following the 2014 Lok Sabha election win with a strong Hindutva poll plank. Mamata Banerjee decimated her rivals in the election with an appease-all strategy.

This time around, Mamata Banerjee is facing the same issues of "Narada and Saradha" corruption charges, a Congress-Left uneasy jote (tie-up) and a boasting BJP. Mamata Banerjee still has her appease-all politics alive.

Also watch: CBI turns its heat on Mamata Banerjee's kin (Video by News18)

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The difference is the seemingly rising electoral prowess of the BJP in Bengal and a possible inroad into Mamata Banerjee's Muslim vote bank by outfits led by influential Furfura Sharif cleric Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. However, Mamata Banerjee seems to be covering all angles as she aims for a third term in Bengal.

MAMATA'S TRIED AND TESTED FORMULA

Mamata Banerjee went into the 2016 elections in the face of the Opposition's relentless attacks over the Narada sting operation, which showed TMC leaders accepting money, and the Saradha chit fund scam that hit several leaders close to the chief minister. To make matters worse for Mamata Banerjee, a newly constructed flyover in Kolkata had crashed, killing 24 people.

Political analysts had predicted the fall of bridge symbolic to the defeat of Mamata Banerjee in the Bengal election. But Mamata Banerjee launched a counter attack and unleashed a frenetic campaign for her populist policies.

During her first tenure, Mamata Banerjee had focused on improvement on the condition of roads, water supply and electricity coverage of the BPL families in particular.

By January, the BPL households in Bengal had an electricity coverage of over 90 per cent from about 18 per cent in 2011, when Mamata Banerjee took over from the Left. For the non-BPL or APL households, the coverage improved from 52 per cent to almost 98 per cent.

MAMATA'S FREEBIES

But more than that, it was Mamata Banerjee's freebie politics, a leaf taken out from the electoral politics of South Indian states that helped her trump her rivals in the election.

Reports say that before 2016 Bengal elections, about eight crore of the nine crore population of the state were getting rice at Rs 2 per kg. It was 'bad' economics for many as the subsidy on foodgrains during Mamata Banerjee's first tenure had increased nearly a dozen times to Rs 6,000 crore. But it was good politics.

Some 97 per cent of Muslim population was registered under the OBC category, making them entitled to quota benefits for jobs and education. More than 1 crore students from the minority community had been given scholarships.

Over 30 lakh girls from the economically weak community were given financial assistance under the Kanyashree scheme. Similarly, under Yuvashree scheme, about 40 lakh boys and girls were given bicycles and around 1 lakh unemployed were given assistance of Rs 1,500 per month.

The appease-all politics saw TMC winning 211 of 294 seats. The TMC polled 47 per cent votes against the combined TMC-Congress share of 48.5 per cent in 2011. Five years ago, the TMC's vote share was 39 per cent.

MAMATA'S FALLBACK PLAN FOR POLLS

Mamata Banerjee has strengthened most of the freebie policies and added a couple more to the list. Earlier in February, Mamata Banerjee announced Maa kitchen for the poor, providing quality meals at Rs 5 a plate.

In January, Mamata Banerjee announced "eye health for all" scheme for underprivileged people. Mamata Banerjee said over eight lakh people will be given spectacles after vision testing before the first phase of Bengal election.

This came close to her announcement of distributing 25 lakh new bicycles to students of Class XI and XII. The bicycles have to be distributed before the first phase of Bengal polls.

In December 2020, Mamata Banerjee announced transfer of Rs 10,000 to the bank accounts of 9.5 lakh Class XII students studying in the government schools — political target is BPL community — and madrassas — another attempt to woo Muslim voters.

The money transfer was announced to replace tablet distribution scheme. The Mamata government said the students could use this money to buy tablets or smartphones as per their suitability for "seamless online education".

In December, Banerjee announced a three per cent hike in the dearness allowance for the state government employees effective from January 2021. There are around 10 lakh employees in the West Bengal government.

Between October and December 2020, the Mamata government reduced the cost of RT-PCR test for Covid-19 to less than half as the coronavirus pandemic eased in the state. It was first reduced from Rs 2,250 to 1,250 and then to Rs 950.

On an express mission is another poll scheme of Mamata Banerjee — health insurance for all. She announced 'Mamata care' scheme for all Bengali people living in the state irrespective of their financial status.

Mamata Banerjee has asked the officials to cover 10 crore people under the health insurance for all scheme. Reports say special camps are being organised in panchayats and municipal wards to distribute health insurance cards. The scheme is aimed at neutralising the BJP's pitch for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which Mamata Banerjee has not allowed in Bengal.

Earlier, the Mamata government distributed raincoats, shoes and school bags to students across Bengal as she aimed at creating a positive vibe for the TMC in assembly election.

The freebies provided by Mamata Banerjee-led government may prove to be the real trump card for the TMC in the Bengal polls and the ultimate challenge for the BJP and the Congress-Left jote (alliance) this time around just like 2016 election.

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What does Vivo coming back as IPL's title sponsor mean for BCCI and the brand? Today News........

Before the beginning of Indian Premier League season 13 last year, there was a storm of anger on social media as a reaction to the Indo-China border dispute. People were calling a ban on all Chinese products and uninstalling Chinese or China-funded apps.

What does Vivo coming back as IPL's title sponsor mean for BCCI and the brand?© BCCI What does Vivo coming back as IPL's title sponsor mean for BCCI and the brand?

This anger was also projected on IPL over the tournament’s association with Vivo India. The Chinese smartphone and technology brand also bore the brunt as it was suspended from the title in 2020, despite signing a five-year deal with BCCI in 2018 for Rs 2,199 crore. It was replaced by Dream11, which bagged the rights for Rs 222 crore (approximately $29.7 million at that time).

Now that the public resentment towards Chinese products has faded and after maintaining a low profile last year to cushion the blow, Vivo is back as the title sponsor for IPL 2021.

In the last few months, as people have had more time to kill in India, many brands, actors and celebrities have been boycotted online. As a result, it has become increasingly tough for a brand to navigate through these volatile climes and launch even a slightly ‘controversial’ campaign or enter into a collaboration that could invite the infamous online trolls.

So, after dealing with a public outcry last year, can the renewed association between IPL and Vivo India backfire at the parties involved? And can the partnership help Vivo build back its image?

Harish Bijoor, Brand Guru & Founder, Harish Bijoor Consults inc, said, “Things come a full circle, as even this has! Vivo is back as title sponsor! This just means that it is business as usual as far as Chinese brands of every avatar is concerned. The common man never really bothered to check nationality of the brand in use. As the brouhaha settles, this means Vivo is back in the driver's seat as far as IPL eyeballs are concerned.”

Last year, Dream11 IPL had set a viewership record with an overall consumption increase of 23% versus 2019 on Star Sports. Its television viewership reached an outstanding 31.57 million.

Disney+Hotstar, on the other hand, had signed around 300 advertisers and had earned ad revenues in excess of Rs 300 crore despite the tournament being put behind the paywall. IPL 2020 had clearly showcased that it is pandemic-proof with the number of brands coming on board for sponsorship. So, with consumer sentiment picking up and advertisers opening their purse strings, IPL 2021 could be the biggest tournament we have seen so far, which can act as an image booster for title sponsor Vivo.

Lloyd Mathias, Angel Investor and Business Strategist, said, “Vivo moved out as the IPL title sponsor in 2020 given the pressure on Chinese brands due to the Indo-China border conflict. Now with the situation getting better and the pandemic flattening out, it makes sense for them to make a comeback and up their marketing to full throttle. The 2021 IPL back in India, will mean big awareness and impact – just what they need to get back their salience.”

With the geopolitical issues around the conflict in Ladakh moving in a positive direction, Ronita Mitra, Founder and Chief Strategist, Brand Eagle Consulting said that the sentiments towards the Chinese brands should also improve.

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Mitra said, "At a functional level, the Chinese brands including Vivo are valued for money brands making smartphones affordable for a large segment of the population. While patriotic sentiments had overtaken commercial and brand preferences and rightly so, consumers may be more open towards brands that are within their reach despite their Chinese origin. The visibility offered by IPL would certainly give Vivo a big boost in pulling up brand metrics as well as sales. Given that the country-level issues between India and China are settled to a significant extent, consumers will focus once again on the game and possibly not hold onto the negative sentiments against the Chinese brands including Vivo.

Vivo coming back as the title sponsor may just be a win-win for both the brand and IPL. For IPL, the commercial gains will be huge as few brands can match the outlays that Vivo is bringing in."

However, the social media world today can be rather unpredictable. Karthik Srinivasan, Social Media Expert and Communications Consultant advised the brand and tournament to act smartly and stay prepared.

He said, “As long as the brand produces useful products (in this case, impressive phones, at good prices), I really doubt any other factor could affect its potential in the long run. The brand's primary function is to be useful to its target buyers. What's happening around the animosity between the two countries is beyond one brand's control. Unless the Indian Government completely bans Chinese-owned products (or services, like the way it did in the case of TikTok), I doubt there would be any material impact on the image of brands like Vivo. But, as we have seen that 'toolkits' are more widespread across the spectrum, there could be online campaigns mounted against the brand before or during the next IPL. But they would not matter to the larger world beyond social media.”

Can the partnership backfire?

Now that the border dispute between China-India has cooled off and the common people of India have moved on with their lives, experts think that the partnership can only backfire if the tension escalates.

On whether BCCI can get into trouble again, Srinivasan answered, “I do not think so. Unless the Government finds that a well-known body like BCCI working with a Chinese-owned brand is negatively impacting their response to the border crisis and intervenes by asking BCCI not to go ahead with the sponsorship, I don't think it should matter much to Vivo. There could be some online backlash (which could be engineered, of course) against players who endorse the brand as part of the overall deal, but these should not affect the brand's actual standing.”

Bijoor, on the other hand, predicts that ‘there’s a chance of this backfiring.’ He said, “It is all dependent on the strident voices on China and chinese brands. If tensions deepen, if at all, there is bound to be a reaction once again. And the sponsor shall pay, as shall IPL itself I guess.”

Mathias said, “Geopolitics can have a serious impact on business. However, it is difficult to predict as for now the border tensions have cooled off. Should there be any escalation of tensions, this may become an issue but that’s the chance the BCCI is taking, knowing fully well that they will be able to pull in a last minute sponsor – as they did in 2020.”

Despite the slowdown, IPL continued to attract strong consideration from advertisers in 2020. After observing silence for around a year, coming back as IPL’s title sponsor can add to Vivo’s growth and bring back consumer trust.

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Ishant Sharma - from unlucky workhorse to master quick Today News........

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In a Test match where 40 wickets fell in the space of 1775 legal deliveries, it's a bit of a conceit to term a non-wicket-taking ball, one that the batsman played with relative comfort off the middle of his bat, the ball of the match, but let's do it anyway.

Day four, second Test, Chepauk. Ishant Sharma to Joe Root, the 35th over of England's second innings. This is the first over of a new spell for Ishant, and he's immediately got the ball to reverse. For the first five balls, it's all inswing. It isn't big, booming, boomeranging inswing, but it's accurate: on a good length, attacking the stumps, with a strong leg-side field to enable that line. Root's defensive technique has to be on point against all five balls, and it is.

The sixth ball is our candidate for ball of the match. Again, Ishant hits the perfect length - it may have drawn other batsmen forward but Root trusts his back-foot game more than most - and this time it reverses the other way. A slow-motion replay reveals all the detail: the shiny side faces outwards, and the seam is canted towards fine leg, like it would be for a conventional inswinger, except it's reversing now and it leaves the right-hand batsman. The ball swings late, starting just before it hits the pitch, and straightens towards the top of off stump.

Root's response confirms what we know already. He is one of the world's top four or five batsmen. He picks the length early, and probably picks the direction of swing early too, noting which way the shiny side is oriented as soon as the ball leaves the bowler's hand. He plays it late, getting right behind what's known in the business as the "second line", and defends towards short extra cover.

No wickets, no runs, and ESPNcricinfo's scorers record the batsman as having been in control. It's a brilliant delivery, but it's an in-between sort of delivery, the sort that doesn't make the highlights packages, not even the longer ones that include plays-and-misses.

Six in-between balls, adding up to one in-between over. These are the bits that go into making a fast bowler world-class. The Ishant Sharma of February 2021, 32 years old and about to play his 100th Test match, is a master of the in-between ball and the in-between over.

a group of baseball players standing on top of a grass covered field: Ishant Sharma has learned to test batsmen every single ball Ryan Pierse / © Getty Images© Ryan Pierse / © Getty Images Ishant Sharma has learned to test batsmen every single ball Ryan Pierse / © Getty Images

A master? Well, you'd have to be that to average 22.91 since the start of 2016. Or 19.34 since the start of 2018 - better than Pat Cummins, better than James Anderson, better than pretty much anyone you can name other than Jason Holder.

For much of his career, of course, Ishant wasn't a master of anything, least of all his own fate. For the longest time, he was, to both his defenders and his detractors, unlucky Ishant. Tall, gangly, with unruly hair, a prominent Adam's apple, an odd, endearing stutter at the finish of his action, and no luck at all. Unlucky Ishant, always bowling good balls and making batsmen look uncomfortable, but seldom actually getting them out.

Split Ishant's 99-Test career into thirds, and you kind of see why he gave this impression. In each 33-Test chunk, batsmen have managed virtually the same control percentage against him, a few decimal points either side of 80. And yet, look at those averages - from Test 34 (Dominica, 2011) to Test 66 (Bengaluru, 2015), he averaged 41.34. Since then, he's averaged 23.42, with barely any change in how often he's drawn uncontrolled responses from batsmen.

So what's changed? Well, two things.

First, Ishant stopped bowling bad balls, and for a time he became India's workhorse: a tireless deliverer of thankless overs, able to control the flow of runs without necessarily looking like he'd run through teams. He did a job for his captains, a job for which he was valued, and through which he became the one unchanging cog in an imperfect attack, the most experienced member of a fast-bowling group that was still finding its way in Test cricket.

On back-to-back tours of South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia from December 2013 to January 2015, Ishant took 43 wickets in ten Tests at 35.00. Not particularly impressive, you'd think, but only one India bowler managed a better average in that period, and no one had a better strike rate than his 60.8. He also took more five-fors (three) than anyone else.

The second transformation was in the nature of his good balls: they became more potent. He began going wider of the crease to make batsmen play more often, and in doing so rediscovered - according to Bharat Arun, India's bowling coach - the wrist position that allowed him to swing the ball again. He also found a way, with the help of Jason Gillespie at Sussex, to bowl fuller while still hitting the pitch hard.

And he kept getting fitter and stronger, in better shape to maintain his hostility over multiple spells. His action grew smoother, and his body more balanced and stable at the crease, allowing him to bowl with just as much venom from all sorts of angles, turning him into a terror to left-hand batsmen from around the wicket. Just look at him square up Dawid Malan and Ben Stokes here.

a group of baseball players playing a football game: Left-handers beware: Ishant Sharma has nailed the art of picking up their edges Mark Brake / © Cricket Australia/Getty Images© Mark Brake / © Cricket Australia/Getty Images Left-handers beware: Ishant Sharma has nailed the art of picking up their edges Mark Brake / © Cricket Australia/Getty Images

In doing all this, Ishant began making his own luck. The good balls did more in the air and off the pitch, but they were also fuller and closer to off stump, just as likely to draw an edge as a play-and-miss. And there were fewer bad balls - from his end and, in a well-deserved turn of luck, the opposite one too - so there were more catchers in place to gobble up the edges. In between came all the pleasing, in-between passages, like the over to Root, where he kept asking difficult questions to good batsmen offering solid responses.

What does it take for a fast bowler to play 100 Test matches? Only ten players have ever done this - 11 if you include Jacques Kallis, who never had to bear a specialist fast bowler's workload - and it's quite a list: Anderson, Glenn McGrath, Courtney Walsh, Stuart Broad, Kapil Dev, Shaun Pollock, Wasim Akram, Makhaya Ntini, Ian Botham, Chaminda Vaas.

That Ishant is about to join those names is a testament to his skill and durability, but it's also vindication for all the selectors, captains and coaches who believed in his ability through his leanest periods. I mean, look at this for a stat:

Of all the players of his age, Ishant makes the best case - Rohit Sharma might be the batting equivalent - for selectors to pick players on potential and back them through thick and thin. In Ishant's case, it helped that India weren't always blessed with a plethora of alternatives in his early years, especially when it came to his particular blend of height, pace, movement and bounce. It also helped that he was prepared to bowl all day, in all sorts of conditions, and to learn and better himself.

In the process, he's overturned the narrative about his career. For a long time, it felt like he was struggling to meet the expectations that had been thrust onto him when he bowled that memorable spell to Ricky Ponting at the WACA as a 19-year-old. You could now say he's exceeded them comfortably.

In a way, Perth 2008 encapsulated everything that made the old Ishant so fascinating and frustrating: he kept beating the bat and kept making a top-class batsman look ungainly, but he wouldn't have gotten Ponting out if he hadn't extended his spell into a ninth over. And that, eventually, was his only wicket of the innings.

Thirteen years on, Ishant is no longer just a towering, back-of-a-length bruiser. In his current avatar, he's close to being the complete fast bowler, streamlined, skillful, and still young enough to make up for all the lean years and end up with a record that truly reflects how much he's grown.

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Bigg Boss 14: Eijaz Khan 'disappointed' on not being asked to re-enter show Today News....

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Former Bigg Boss 14 housemate Eijaz Khan is disappointed on not being invited to re-enter the reality show. Eijaz had to opt out of the show midway owing to prior shooting commitments.

"‘Bigg Boss' was a part of my life, but my entire life doesn't revolve around it. Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to enter the house again. I finished my work on February 6 and after that, if I had to enter the house once again, I would have to go through a mandatory quarantine period and then I would have stayed in the house for a very less period," said Eijaz.

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Bitcoin vs. Gold: 10 experts told us which asset they'd rather hold for the next 10 years, and why Today News....

 As bitcoin continues its meteoric run, more investors are now reviewing the longstanding comparison between the famous cryptocurrency and gold.

Bitcoin crossed the $1 trillion market capitalization mark on Friday, while gold touched $1784.

Insider surveyed 10 experts to see which asset they'd rather hold for the next ten years—and why.

As bitcoin continues its meteoric rise, breaching new records and crossing the $1 trillion market capitalization mark in just the last week, more investors are assessing the longstanding comparison between the famous cryptocurrency and an equally well-known asset class: gold.

Both assets, experts say, are often seen as ways to diversify a portfolio or as a hedge against fiat currency inflation brought about by what some observers see as unsustainable fiscal and monetary policies.

Yet, until recently, it was rare to see Wall Street analysts, chief executives, or established investors seriously compare the two assets. Bitcoin, commonly referred to as digital gold, has historically been seen as a risky speculative investment for those looking to profit in the short term. Gold, meanwhile, has always been considered a safe-haven asset.

Now, bitcoin's rapid ascent to over $57,000 per coin, backed by new investments from Tesla and other institutional names, has led some to question whether old assumptions about these assets are correct.

Given digital currencies' dizzying climb, Insider surveyed 10 experts to see if they'd rather hold bitcoin or gold for the next 10 years, and why. We asked bitcoin bulls, gold lovers, analysts, executives, and more.

Here's what they had to say:

Holding Gold

"My vote would be for gold because it has thousands of years of a historical record as a store of value, has one-fifth the volatility of bitcoin, and doesn't face the same competition risk. The day that Queen Elizabeth trades in the five pounds of gold in her crown for crypto is the day I'll shift course." - David Rosenberg of Rosenberg Research, former Chief Economist and Strategist for Merrill Lynch Canada and Merrill Lynch in New York

"Gold and silver have been stores of value and mediums of exchange for at least 4 millennia in every civilization in every corner of the world. It has unmatched accessibility to people of all economic standing and technological knowledge. And gold is the ultimate currency of central banks, silver of the people. There is room for cryptocurrencies too since their digital nature is a fundamental difference from gold and silver. But that characteristic also ensures that cryptocurrencies will never replace gold and silver and will ultimately improve the metal's value." - Phil Baker, President and CEO, Hecla Mining Company

"Gold has long been considered to be the safe-haven asset of choice, and, while bitcoin is 'the new kid on the block,' it's debatable that it will eat into gold's market share for a number of reasons. Bitcoin and gold both have significant advantages over fiat currencies because neither can be diluted or debased. There is a possibility that bitcoin could one day cease to exist through hostile legislation. Some bitcoin derivatives have already been banned. Companies such as Facebook who have attempted to start crypto have been prevented from doing so. So, while bitcoin is a more recent form of investment that is certainly receiving a lot of hype, gold has retained its value through centuries. Whether bitcoin will offer the same level of longevity is highly questionable." - Sylvia Carrasco, CEO and founder of the gold exchange platform Goldex.

"One of the assumptions underlying bitcoin's bull case is its limited supply, but the supply of cryptocurrencies, on the whole, is theoretically unlimited. Some extol bitcoin as a portfolio diversifier, but it has so far exhibited higher correlations to equities than gold, particularly during periods of equity market stress when diversification tends to add the most value. The demand for bitcoin may be over its skis relative to its likelihood to carve out a significant economic or financial use case." - Michael Reynolds, Investment Strategy Officer at Glenmede.

"Both crypto and gold have passionate investor bases… However, there are very clear differences. Gold's history as a basic building block of global money is 5,000 years old and time-tested; Bitcoin is 10 years old and has existed in only one monetary regime. The standard deviation of bitcoin's price is 75%, making it a horrible store of value. Recent price history shows a large bias toward speculative interest, so much so that companies are tempted to include bitcoin on corporate balance sheets to help grow assets in excess of corporate performance. Crypto is a poor monetary substitute. In the US, filing your taxes requires a voluntary disclosure of your cryptocurrency profits. If a crypto trade automatically generated a statement to the IRS as a brokerage transaction does, the speculative outlook could dim."- Robert Minter, Director of Investment Strategy, Aberdeen Standard Investments

Bitcoin Bulls

"Bitcoin is a 100x improvement over gold as a store of value. The world is realizing this and beginning to reprice digital currency in real-time. Although bitcoin has increased hundreds of percent in the last few months, it is likely to continue appreciating in US dollar terms over the coming years. I suspect that bitcoin's market cap will surpass gold's market cap by 2030. For this reason, I own no gold and have a material percent of my net worth invested in bitcoin." - Anthony Pompliano of Pomp Investments and Morgan Creek Digital Assets

"The crypto bull run has seized the attention of millions of people who previously had never considered digital currencies like Bitcoin to be an alternative asset. While gold and bitcoin are both sometimes used as a means to diversify and hold a range of valuable assets, in many ways they are quite different. Bitcoin and other digital currencies can be easily traded on platforms. We have seen progressive global firms offering to receive payment in bitcoin and advocates such as Tesla taking an active role in promoting it. This liquidity, ease of exchange, and wider use in the modern economy are some of the major differentiators. Gold has a relatively defensive purpose- to hold value, whereas Bitcoin and other currencies are intended to have several uses, not least ease of exchange, purchase, and liquidity." - Pavel Matveev, CEO, Wirex.

"Based on the trajectory of this digital gold path and use cases globally, we believe bitcoin will be a mainstream asset class in the future. While gold has clear value and safety, the upside in bitcoin is eye-popping if it stays on its current course over the next decade." - Daniel Ives Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Wedbush Securities

"Gold is, no pun intended, the standard if you want to measure purchasing power over millennia. The liquidity of gold has been consistent over time. Gold is what defines the X-axis of purchasing power over time. Bitcoin, while it shares defensive qualities with gold, has the additional attribute of being aspirational. What bitcoin would seem to possess is the potential to go up to multiples of a moonshot. No one thinks gold will moonshot. Bitcoin is also finite, unlike gold. No increase in demand can change that. There is zero elasticity." - JP Thierot, CEO of Uphold, a digital money platform

"I would probably pick bitcoin but why not both? Gold and bitcoin have a very similar aspect to the portfolio. I would add gold as a diversifier. I would add bitcoin as a diversifier. The hedge is diversification. Bitcoin is a tool to get there. Bitcoin is a hedge to losing money to something stable." - Mike Venuto, co-portfolio manager of the Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF, a $1 billion ETF.

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Vi Rs 148 prepaid plan now available on pan-India basis, here is what it offers

 

Vodafone Idea, now Vi has expanded the availability of its Rs 148 prepaid plan on a pan India basis. The plan is available in all circles of India including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chennai, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra & Goa, Mumbai, North East, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu (excluding Chennai), UP East, UP West, and West Bengal.

The plan offers 1GB daily data for a validity of 28 days. It also offers unlimited calling and access to Vi Movies and TV and 100 SMS. the development was first noted by Only Tech. Coming to other telcos, Jio also offers a prepaid plan at Rs 149 that gives 1GB daily data for a validity of 24 days with unlimited calls and 100SMS.

Airtel gives 2GB data with its Rs 149 prepaid plan. The plan has a validity of 28 days and offers 100SMS. It also gives access to Prime Video Mobile Edition, Wynk Music, Free HelloTunes, and Airtel XStream.

Vi lost 5.7 million subscribers during December 2020, according to TRAI, and lost a total of 34.9 million customers during April-December. However, Vi was named the telco which gave the highest internet speed in the last quarter of 2020, according to Ookla.

The telco recently announced free high-speed nighttime internet that will give users high-speed internet from 12 AM till 6 AM every day. Vi noted that it has rolled out the offer to increase the stickiness of existing users and to attract more new users. The plan applies to all prepaid plans priced at Rs 249.

Aside from the new night-time offer the telco is also offering weekend data rollover data benefits to its unlimited users. "Vi customers also enjoy Weekend Data Rollover benefits on all existing Unlimited daily data quota packs of Rs 249 and above, allowing users to not only enjoy late-night binging on the net but also carry forward their un-utilized data from the daily quota during the week and use it during the weekend," the telco in a release had noted.

Vi is also the only telco to offer double data on prepaid plans priced at Rs 299, Rs 499 and Rs 699. The plans give 4GB daily data for a validity of 28 days, 56 days and 84 days respectively. It is the only telco to give 4GB daily data plans with unlimited calls and SMS.

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