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From Emma Kress to Chandra Prasad — Here are the top 10 global book releases in August as per Goodreads

<ul><li>While the effort and intent are laudable, the question remains are you really contributing to your or the earth's health by embracing veganism?</li><li>A poorly planned vegan diet can be quite harmful and can lead to various health risks, including a heightened risk of heart disease.</li><li>If it is the environment you are concerned about, then perhaps it is time to consider that splurging on imported avocados and almond milk is hardly sustainable. </li></ul> “I ate a lot of meat — I ate my 10, 15 eggs a day. I had my 250 grams of protein in a day because I weighed 250 pounds… As I got older and I started reading up on it, I recognised the fact that you really don’t have to get your protein from meat — or from animals,” Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hollywood star and former California Governor says in the popular Netflix documentary, The Game Changers. That alone moved many meat lovers in India to go vegan, overnight. However, there ought to be more thought behind a life-changing decision like stopping the food you have been consuming forever. The documentary itself faced its share of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/game-changers-review#limitations">criticism</a> for scientific inaccuracies and promoting misinformation. Whether it is to live a healthier lifestyle — to lose weight, counter diabetes, dairy intolerance, improve sexual health — or save the planet, several Indians are embracing veganism. Also, there is the added bonus that following a vegan diet is not too much of a segue for Indian vegetarians, barring giving up on milk, curd, or paneer. However, while the effort and intent are laudable, the question remains are you really contributing to your or the earth's health by embracing veganism? Is the diet even sustainable in the long-run, particularly if you live in India? A poorly planned vegan diet can be quite harmful and can lead to various health risks, including a heightened <a target="_blank" href="https://theconversation.com/vegan-diets-are-adding-to-malnutrition-in-wealthy-countries-107555" class="editor-rtfLink">risk</a> of heart disease. So, before you pat yourself on your back for giving up on cow milk while sipping on almond milk, it may be crucial to consider all the factors below before embracing the new lifestyle. <div type="image" title="Representative image." msid="81601105" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Representative image.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Affordability Often considered a diet for the rich, the first thing to consider here is will you be able to splurge thousands of rupees per week on items like plant-based milk, vitamin supplements or expensive vegetables and nuts required to provide the nutritional balance you need. Then, there is the added consideration that even if you are lucky enough to afford it, are the items you are buying genuine or, for that matter, fresh? For example, a litre of almond milk can set you back 200-300 rupees, and avocados can cost anywhere from 200 to 300 bucks for one piece, and that too the quality is suspect. However, nutrition expert and author of Everyday Superfoods, Dr Nandita Iyer tells Business Insider that "apart from almond milk, substitutes like soy milk or oat milk can be easily be made at home or even bought at reasonably cheaper rates, but of course the flavour might be slightly different and takes getting used to." She also points out that if you are looking to give up on dairy from an environmental perspective, then almond milk is "definitely not an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2018/sep/05/ditch-the-almond-milk-why-everything-you-know-about-sustainable-eating-is-probably-wrong" class="editor-rtfLink">environmentally friendly option</a>". But given the rising popularity, many Indian brands, like Bengaluru-based Good Milk, are producing vegan plant-based dairy products like milk, butter, yoghurt at relatively reasonable prices. Age The common consensus is that a vegan diet is less than ideal for both children and the elderly. Children - Providing a child nutritious diet is tricky even under normal circumstances, where there is no dietary restriction. During their formative growing years, depriving children of essential nutrients derived from milk products and meat may lead to various health issues in kids. While during the first six months, babies primarily rely on breast milk or infant formula, post that what they eat will essentially lay the foundation of their future health. Within one year, a baby is meant to triple its birth weight. And while plants can provide sufficient proteins, the issue is substituting essential vitamins (B-12 and D) and minerals (iodine, zinc, iron and calcium) that can only be substituted via fortified foods and supplements. A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/15027383_Macrobiotic_nutrition_and_child_health_results_of_a_population-based_mixed-longitudinal_cohort_study_in_The_Netherlands" class="editor-rtfLink">study</a> conducted in the The Netherlands on children between 0-10 years who are on a macrobiotic diet — a diet based mainly on whole-grain cereals, pulses, and vegetables — noted that "ubiquitous deficiencies of energy, protein, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium, and riboflavin were detected in macrobiotic infants, leading to retarded growth, fat and muscle wasting, and slower psychomotor development." It further adds that the breast milk of mothers who are on a vegan diet contained less vitamin B-12, calcium and magnesium. Seniors - While there are some health benefits of going vegan, it is essential that older adults get enough calories as well as nutrients to avoid the pitfalls of a vegan diet. Once again, planning meals is key because seniors need more protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin B-12. For <a target="_blank" href="https://theconversation.com/vegetarian-and-vegan-diet-five-things-for-over-65s-to-consider-when-switching-to-a-plant-based-diet-144088" class="editor-rtfLink">example</a>, while an average adult would need a daily dose of 700mg of calcium, men over 55 and postmenopausal women need 1200mg of calcium daily. It is essential to consult with a certified dietician before senior adults decide to give up on meat and dairy. <div type="image" title="Representative image." msid="81601190" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Representative image.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Actual dietary requirements Compared to a diet that includes meat and vegetables, a vegan diet is believed to be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24667136/" class="editor-rtfLink">higher in fibre but lower in </a>protein, fatty acids, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and vitamins D and B-12. It is crucial to figure precisely what quantity of vegan alternatives you have to consume to make up for the switch. You may have to go heavy on the alternatives. For example, both fish and flaxseeds <a target="_blank" href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/is-a-vegetarian-or-vegan-diet-for-you" class="editor-rtfLink">contain</a> omega-3 fatty acids, but the human body doesn't absorb omega-3s from flaxseed as easily as it would from seafood. And while the other dietary requirements may have vegan alternatives, vitamin B-12 is an essential nutritional requirement that is absent in fruit or vegetables and present in meat, fish, eggs and dairy. Vitamin B-12 helps prevent nerve damage, and adults should consume 1.5 micrograms of the vitamin per day. According to a British Medical Journal <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l4897" class="editor-rtfLink">study</a>, while fish eaters and vegetarians had lower rates of heart disease compared to non-vegetarians, vegetarians and vegans are believed to be more prone to strokes, possibly because of the B12 deficiency. While the quantity requirement is minuscule, B12 is only available via nutritional yeast (though the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200122-are-there-health-benefits-to-going-vegan" class="editor-rtfLink">claim</a> that this doesn't provide sufficient B-12) or fortified food, such as plant-based milk or vitamin supplements in a vegan diet. Where it comes from If it is the environment you are concerned about, then perhaps it is time to consider that splurging on imported avocados and almond milk is hardly sustainable. In addition to the air miles it consumes, which is definitely not good for the climate, there is an added burden on land and water resources, and increasingly, farmers are choosing to give up on sustainable farming practices and burdening the land by overgrowing these trendy products. For example, in Chile, which is one of the largest producers of avocados, the focus on growing water-guzzling avocados for profit has caused an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05oMsK0-jjA&amp;t=98s" class="editor-rtfLink">acute water shortage</a> in the country — for context, to grow around a kilogram (3-4 pieces), 1000 litres of water is needed. So, whether a vegan diet is actually contributing towards mitigating climate change or helping your health is a contentious issue, but it can, without doubt, be sustained here in India. Most of the supplements are easily available on places like Amazon, but yes, it will be on the steeper side. However, as and when this trend blossoms, it will lead Indian manufacturers to expand into this territory, and that will bring the costs down. Already there is a whole range of mock meat manufacturers making waves in the market. Dr Iyer tells us, "we have a huge bank of innately vegan recipes in Indian cuisine. For example, a lot of recipes from Kerala rely heavily on coconut milk and not regular cow milk. Even an entire sadhya meal that consists of 25-26 dishes can be entirely vegan and that is the beauty of Indian cuisine — I think it is the most vegan-friendly diet." SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-is-fourth-least-happy-country-in-the-world-checkout-list-of-10-unhappiest-countries-in-the-world/slidelist/81588422.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India is the fourth least happy country in a year of lockdowns, deaths and work from home</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/tcs-to-dole-out-a-second-salary-hike-within-a-span-six-months-this-time-in-double-digits/articleshow/81589561.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">TCS to dole out a second salary hike within a span six months</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Is a vegan diet practical or sustainable for those living in India

New Delhi, Oct 28 () The Delhi Pollution Control Committee on Monday said less fireworks, rigorous night patrolling and enforcement measures to curb instigators reduced the PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 30 per cent on Diwali night this year when compared to 2018. The decline in emissions of dangerous PM10 and PM2.5 particles across Delhi ranged from 20 to 50 percent, indicating the air quality was better than previous years, DPCC said in a statement. Delhi Environment Minister Kailash Gahlot said the air quality post Diwali this year seems much better than what it was after the festival in 2018. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event here, Gahlot said people also say less crackers were used this year. The autonomous regulatory body said the peak level of PM2.5 - tiny particulate matter equal to or less than 2.5 microns in diameter that can enter deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream - was 1,070 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m3) at midnight. Last year, it was 1,560 g/m3 - a reduction of around 30 percent. "The peak level of PM10, which was 1,859 g/m3 on Diwali night last year, came down to 1,391 g/m3 - again a drop of 30 percent," the DPCC said in a statement. The concentration of sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide was also within the acceptable levels at all stations this Diwali. "As against the acceptable level of 80 g/m3, the SO2 concentration remained between 1.76 (at Mandir Marg) and 41.48 (at Jahangirpuri) - much below the unsafe limit," it said. "The significant drop of about 30 percent in PM2.5, SO2 and CO shows that people have burnt much less firecrackers this year and have contributed to the overall improvement," DPCC said. GVS ABH ABH<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Delhi's air get clearer and emissions lower as crackers stay off streets

<ul><li>Diwali is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains across the country. </li><li>In fact, the various reasons to celebrate Diwali don’t just vary from religion to religion, but also from region to region. </li><li>However, the most popular reason is the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. </li><li>From goddess Lakshmi’s birthday to laying down the foundation of the Golden Temple, people have many reasons to celebrate Diwali. </li></ul>Diwali or the festival of lights is the most significant festival in India celebrated by millions of Indians. Diwali is considered a Hindu festival but also celebrated by Jains and Sikhs too. There are many historical and mythological reasons behind this great Indian festival. Here are lesser known reasons why different parts of India celebrate the festival of lights - North India celebrates Diwali as the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. After 14 years of exile, Rama along his wife Sita and brother Laxman returned home.Since it was a new moon day and was dark, his subjects lit diyas across the kingdom that day.This tradition is still followed to this day. In South India, celebration of Diwali varies even among the states. Kerala generally does not celebrate Diwali. Many speculate that this may be because King Bali a virtuous demon king was killed this day. The other three states celebrates the occasion in honor of Lord Krishna's consort Satyabhama killing the demon king — Narakasura and freeing thousands of girls in his captivity. It is celebrated a day before Diwali, and the occasion is called Naraka Chaturdashi. In West India, Diwali is considered as the start of a new year and is predominantly about worshipping the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. It’s the festival of light and wealth, especially in Gujarat Many events related to prosperity like it opening new offices, sealing marriages or buying a vehicles is scheduled for Diwali. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi comes to their home and blesses them with wealth and prosperity for the coming year. In East India, Diwali is celebrated under the alias Kali Puja in honour of Goddess Durga’s fierce avatar: Kali. Along with Durga Puja, Kali Puja is a big event in Bengal and Assam. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Here are different reasons why India celebrates Diwali

The festival of Diwali brings to our minds several positive ideas like light, prosperity, wealth, abundance, growth, development, triumph and happiness. Diwali holds a lot of significance for businesses since the essence of Diwali is to honor Goddess Lakshmi, the fountain head of prosperity and seek her blessings to move the business towards success. Here is how your business can celebrate Diwali. Clean your premises Cleaning is the most important activity preceding Diwali celebrations. Start well in advance and clean your entire premises and bring in a new look to your business place. Sprinkle the holy waters of Ganga as a symbolic mark of purification. Set up the puja altar Choose a prime place for performing the Diwali puja in your office, shop or workshop. The most common practice is to spread a red color cotton cloth on a table or platform and place a handful of grains at the center. Install the Kalash Set up a Kalash (holy pot), which is a sacred symbol of auspiciousness and prosperity in Indian culture. Preferably, choose a silver or bronze pot, clean it and place it on the grains in the puja altar you have set up. Fill three fourths of the pot with clean water and drop a betel nut, coin, raisins, clove, and a flower inside the pot. Place a bunch of mango leaves on the mouth of the pot in a circular fashion and place a coconut over it. Invite Ganesh and Lakshmi for the puja To the south-west of the Kalash, place the idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh. In front of the whole set up, place a good looking plate, spread rice gains over it and draw some floral designs in it in turmeric powder. Place some coins on the rice. Arrange your account books and office materials Place the accounting books of your business and the other items related to wealth in front of the puja altar. Wear tilak on your foreheads and light lamps. Apply tilak to the images of Lakshmi and Ganesh and the kalash also. Give a holy bath to the idols Give a holy bath to the Lakshmi and Ganesh idols with pure water, panchamrit, rose water, sandal water, Ganga water and other perfumed waters. Finish the holy bath with pure water. Offer flowers and mantras Decorate the idols and kalash with flowers and tilak. Chant the names of Ganesh and Lakshmi and offer flowers at the altar. Say some mantras of Lakshmi and Ganesh and perform the puja with devotion. Make the other offerings The different offerings with which you treat Lakshmi and Ganesh include sweets, some special dishes you prepared in your kitchen, coconut, betel leaves and nuts, fruits and others. Say the prayers When the deities are pleased with your prayers, it is the time now to say your prayers. Sit in meditation in front of the altar and say your prayers for the good of your business and household. Never forget to pray for the welfare of the whole world. Conclude the puja with arati Light camphor and wave it in front of the idols and kalash. Also wave it in front of the accounting books and other materials placed in front of the kalash. Offer your respect to the deities and conclude the puja by distributing sweets and gifts to the invitees and employees. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Diwali puja procedure for your business

Chess legend Viswanathan Anand has authored an inspirational book where he looks back on his experience to share lessons on how to navigate life. In "Mind Master: Winning Lessons from a Champion's Life" (as told to journalist Susan Ninan), Anand revisits his greatest games and worst losses, his unique experiences of playing against the best minds, and the methods he employs to prepare for wins, cope with disappointments and, simply, stay in the game. The book, published by Hachette India, is releasing on December 11. Currently playing in the Isle of Man International Chess Tournament, India's first grandmaster and five-time world champion said this book has been an interesting journey. "I have memories of the major events in my career and life, but when you put them down on paper, you suddenly have to organise your thoughts and are forced to think through them in detail. It allowed me to rediscover many interesting stories and incidents," he said. "Above all, it made me realise that during my greatest accomplishments failure was never far away, and in the lowest moments there were always things that lifted me up. Rather than just making this about my story, I've tried to distil in this book some of the lessons I learnt, the strategies that helped me perform better and tackle life as it happened," he added. Poulomi Chatterjee, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Hachette India, said Anand has a unique voice and this book is truly a brilliant and motivating read. "His achievements and career have been hugely inspirational for so many people, and now not only do we have a first-hand view of his experiences - much that even chess enthusiasts and his followers would find they did not know about - but also a masterclass in navigating life from the mind master himself," she said. From the time he learnt to move pieces on a chess board as a six-year-old, Vishy - as Anand is fondly called - has racked up innumerable accolades. The first World Chess Champion from Asia, he emerged on to the global stage when chess was largely a Soviet preserve, climbed the ranks to become world number one and won tournaments across all formats of the game. In "Mind Master", Anand looks back at a lifetime of games played, opponents tackled and circumstances overcome and draws from its depths significant tools that will help every reader to navigate life's challenges, the publishers said. There are many nuggets that Anand touches upon with characteristic wit, easy wisdom and disarming candour in the book. ZMN RB RB<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Viswanathan Anand revisits his best games and losses in a new book Mind Master

Widespread excitement is mounting up high in the air as the informal meeting between the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping, the Chinese President is scheduled in Mamallapuram between October 11 and 13, 2019. Mamallapuram is decking itself in an adorable manner to invite the two stalwarts in the international politics. By organizing the meeting in Mamallapuram a historic town in Tamil Nadu, the Central Government of India has confirmed its commitment to host such crucially important meetings outside Delhi. Now the world is getting curious to know the links that the ancient seaport town of Tamil Nadu enjoys with China. Here we study some shades of this topic. UNESCO world heritage site Mamallapuram is an ancient seaport town in Tamil Nadu. Also known as Mahabalipuram, this is a very interesting town located about 60 kilometers from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. Some of the top attractions of this place include some cultural monuments, temples and stone carvings. Due to the immense importance of this town from the ancient monumental, historic and cultural point of view, Mamallapuram has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History dating back to the Pallavas Mamallapuram, literally translated as the city of Mamalla got its name after the famed Pallava King Narasimhavarman-I. With Kancheepuram as their capital, the ancient Pallavas had some strategic trade connections with some South East Asian countries, especially China. We learn from historical evidence dating back to the 6th century that this town had been a very important sea port under the rule of the Pallavas. Connections with China <ul><li>During 6th and 7th centuries, Chinese pilgrims had been coming to Kancheepuram. One of the notable personalities who visited the Pallava Kingdom include Hiuen Chiang, the world traveler. </li><li>A disputed account says the much disputed legend of Bodhi Dharma who went to China around 527 AD and resided there for a long time was in fact a Pallava king. Bodhi Dharma is said to be the origin of martial arts. Eventually he embraced Buddhism and became the 28th patriarch of Buddhism following Prajnatara. </li><li>Some historical accounts say Pallavas had also sent their envoys to China. Vayalur inscriptions found near Mamallapuram make a mention about this. </li><li>A renowned archaeologist says, “Celadon ware (pottery) of the first and second Century recovered on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu gives us a clue to Chinese maritime activities.” He says that such evidence shows us that the coastal areas of Mamallapuram had direct connections with China. Trade links of Mamallapuram with China are further attested by the fact that Chinese coins dating back to 2000 years ago were found in Tamil Nadu. </li><li>“Pattinapalai,” an ancient Tamil work attributed to the post Sangam period talks that a Chinese ship had been anchored on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. </li><li>History says Emperor Wei (circa 185-149 BCE) made a mention of refers to Kancheepuram as “Huang-Che”. Chinese kings had sent presents to the then ruler of Kancheepuram. </li></ul>Mamallapuram Tourism As on date, Mamallapuram does not attract many Chinese tourists. However, historians and academicians strongly believe the scene will change dramatically following the meeting between the two nation’s heads. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

What Is The Mamallapuram - China Connection?

Mamallapuram also known as Mahabalipuram is gearing up to host the informal summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese President Xi Jinping between October 11 and 13, 2019. A world renowned UNESCO heritage site known for its exquisite stone carvings and stone temples, Mamallapuram is a historical port town located about 60 kilometers from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state in India. By turning into the hosting ground of a historic summit between the heads of two nations, Mamallapuram has evoked an interest in the minds of people. Here are a few unknown facts about Mamallapuram that will let you admire this awesome tourist destination. Historical importance of Mamallapuram The monuments you see today in Mamallapuram were built by the Pallava Kings who ruled this region between the 5th and 8th centuries. Hence Mamallapuram monuments are the oldest structural monuments of India built before 1700 years. Originally, Mamallapuram complex had more than 400 monuments. Only about 50 of them have survived till date. These monuments bear testimony to the incredible talents of the rulers and artisans who made them. The UNESCO has declared Mamallapuram a cultural heritage place especially highlighting the three monuments namely Descent of the Ganges, Pancha Rathas and Shore Temple. The Shore Temple that survived Tsunami The most famous shore temple of Mahabalipuram was the worst hit during the 2004 tsunami. However, the strong structure survived the catastrophe with the least damage to its structure and beauty. The mighty tsunami waves heaped the sea sand on the temple. Later when the sand was uncovered a few more sculptures that were hidden in the sand before the tsunami were discovered. Arjuna’s penance and Ganga’s descent Arjuna’s Penance or Descent of Ganga is the name of a monument in Mamallapuram. The sculptures on this huge rock narrate two mythological episodes. Arjuna’s penance depicts the tough austerity undertaken by Arjuna in pursuit of getting divine powers from gods to support him in the war. Ganga’s descent presents the picturesque incident of Bahirata bringing the Holy Ganges from heaven and the holy Ganges descending on to the earth. This sculptural collage consists of around 150 sculptures depicting some animals and birds, natural phenomenon, planets and dragon. Pancha Rathas Translating as the five chariots, the Pancha Rathas are rock cut temples each of them carved out from a single rock. These five temples are dedicated to the Five Pandava brothers and their consort Draupati (Panchali). The deer pair One of the most favorite spots of all tourist guides, the pair of deer is seen at the bottom of Arjuna's penance monument. This deer pair can be noticed on the Rs.10 currency note of India. In 1980, Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India visited this place while opening a nuclear plant. Developing a strong liking for these pair of deer sculpture, she ordered that they are incorporated within the design of Rs. 10 currency note. Krishna’s butter ball Krishna’s butter ball is a natural rock that looks stunning. This huge rock is found on a hilltop surface. How this rock stands there with the most minimal contact with the ground below is a matter of wonder. The old lighthouse The old lighthouse that was used to guide the vessels and ships to the port of Mamallapuram sports an unconventional design. Built on a huge rock, this light house has some narrative sculptures carved on its stone walls. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

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