Women's Kabaddi Still Fighting Its Place In Man's World

By SHAZIA JAMEEL | INNLIVE

#WomenKabaddi: It has been three weeks since U Mumba beat Bengaluru Bulls to win the second edition of the Pro Kabaddi League.

It brought to an end a surprisingly successful campaign for the Star Sports and Mashal Sports-run league. It actually saw an increase in viewership - something only the Indian Premier League cricket tournament had managed so far.

Weekend Special: What 'Being Left-Handed' Makes Your 'Personality' More Impressive Or Shabby?

By SARAH WILLIAMS | INNLIVE

There’s no denying it. Left-handers are the odd ones out. Sure, lefties make up about 10 percent of the population -- but, frankly, it seems like society has forgotten about them. Just consider all of the right-handed gadgets, awkwardly designed desks, and cooking tools that fit comfortably only in your right hand.

What causes someone to become a southpaw? Scientists aren’t exactly sure, but research points to a complex collaboration between genes and environment.

How Much In Web Traffic Changing The News You Read?

If you’ve ever thought that the quest for more clicks is affecting the sorts of articles that get published in the media, a renowned marketing professor Pinar Yildirim wants you to know that you’re right. But it’s not quite the overarching impact that you might expect.

In this interview with INNLIVE, she talks about a new paper, “Clicks and Editorial Decisions: How Does Popularity Shape Online News Coverage?” The paper, which was co-authored by Ananya Sen, a doctoral candidate in economics at the Toulouse School of Economics in France, teases out the differences in how high-traffic stories get treated in terms of longer-term coverage.

Higher Education Scenario: On Offer At Private Varsities Are Heated Pools, Gyms, Stadia, Salons And Malls

The contrast with state institutions is particularly glaring during admission season, even though many of them have a much better academic reputation.

Like many government-run entities, public universities in India often get criticised by students and their parents for their poor infrastructure, ranging from overcrowded hostels to stinking toilets. Some campuses are located several kilometers away from a town, making the commute for students both tiring and unsafe. This, however, does not seem to deter students who flock from across the country to take admission in premier institutions, such as Delhi University, whose students have protested against the inadequate living conditions.

Sports Spotlight: Why Does Cricketer Suresh Raina's Name Crop Up In Every Other Controversy?

By Fahad Shah in Mumbai

Time and again, INNLIVE has brought to the notice of its readers the Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee's findings on the IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal.

It's going to be a tough Monday for the senior national selection committee. The five selectors will meet in the Capital to pick the Indian team for the tour of Zimbabwe. Sandeep Patil & Co. were reportedly looking to rest some of the key players for this low-key comprising three ODIs and two Twenty20 games.

But things have dramatically changed over the last 48 hours after former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi tweeted on Saturday that Chennai Super Kings players Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo were in "close contact" with a real estate tycoon known to be a "big punter and also a bookmaker".

Existential Crisis: 'I Sacrificed Everything - Health, Wealth And Teenage To Study At IITs - But Why It's Not Worthy?'

By Ananya Rathi in Mumbai

In eighth standard, I volunteered to revise one of the Anglo-Indian battles for the class. Using the blackboard, I described the various players and events of the battle in great detail, making up for my faltering English with infectious enthusiasm.

Impressed, my class teacher asked me, “So what have you finally decided? Who do you want to be: a cardiologist, a historian or a scientist?” Those days I used to proudly proclaim that I wished to be a cardiologist, primarily because my doctor parents used to tell me that it was the hottest specialisation in medicine. Excited by my teacher’s praise, I went to my father and told him about it. It brought a proud smile on his face and he said, “Tell her you want to become an IITian.”

OpEd: Tomorrow's World - Inside The Minds Of Arab Youth

By Mohd Ahsanuddin Haseeb
Principal Gulf Editor in Jeddah, KSA

With the legacy of the Arab Spring waning, Arab youth are uncertain whether democracy could ever work in the Middle East.

Confidence among Arab youth that the Arab Spring would bring positive change across the region is declining. In 2015, just 38 percent agree that the Arab world is better off following the Arab Spring, compared to 54 percent in 2014, 70 percent in 2013, and 72 percent in 2012. Similarly, fewer than half (41 percent) agree they will be better off in five years following the uprisings, down from 58 percent in 2014, 74 percent in 2013, and 71 percent in 2012.

The continued regional turmoil appears to weigh heavily on Arab youth outside the GCC region. When asked to think about the Arab world following the uprisings, 35 percent in North Africa and 25 percent in the Levant think it is better off, while looking ahead at the next five years, just 39 percent in North Africa and 26 percent in the Levant feel they will be better off.

Why 'Celebrity Endorsement' Is A Double-Edged Sword?

We all know the value of brand equity and the significant role it plays in the marketing strategy of every business. Increasing market share and customer acquisition (as well as retention) through the use of celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan or Priyanka Chopra and so on has been a consistent practice of brands for years now. And why not? These celebrities are strong brands in themselves and attract instant attention with their presence both on and off the screen.

Almost everyone is in on the act, ranging from cola giants to soaps to even sports leagues such as IPL, services like Tata Sky and news channels, including NDTV Prime. It is a recipe for success after all, since consumers are likely to be inspired to mimic the projected consumption habits of their idols.

Tata Motors Launches 'GenX Nano' At 2 Lakh Starting Price

Tata Motors Ltd rolled out a new 'GenX Nano', the next generation of the car equipped an automated manual transmission, more luggage space and safety features, in a bid to give a boost to the brand.

The new GenX Nano will cost Rs. 2.10 lakh to Rs. 2.59 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai) for the manual transmission and Rs. 2.80 lakh to Rs. 2.99 lakh for the AMT model.

In Delhi,  the manual transmission Nano will be available in the range of Rs. 1.99-2.49 lakh and the AMT model will cost between Rs. 2.69-2.89 lakh ex-showroom. 

Is Indian Packaged 'Fruit Juice' Just Another Sugary Drink?

Has the sugar debate damaged fruit juice's wholesome image? Some say sugar — including natural sugar found in 100-percent fruit juice — is behind the obesity epidemic, responsible for heart disease and causes cancer. Are concerns about sugar overshadowing fruit juice's positive contributions to a healthful diet? Or is 100-percent fruit juice just another sugary drink?

An Open Letter To Owaisi Brothers And Majlis Party: Indian Muslims Needs 'Real Service' Not 'Political Stunts'

A common writer 'Kapil Sharma' who regularly follows AIMIM and Owaisi brothers and party activities and closely observes all group comments with brick and brats. Recently throws an open letter to AIMIM and Owaisi brothers mentioning his observations. Read on.

In politics Communal issues are never buried, they are kept alive, for the bread and butter of politicians. Ever since the partition and even before partition politicians have been milking the benefits of people’s communal mentality; every now and then we get a new statement from BJP, AIMIM and other political 'Big Mouths'.

Disclaimer: Opinion expressed in this 'Open Letter' is solely from the writer only.

Too Early: General Motors’ Big Plans For India Expansion

After almost two decades of trying and failing, the Indian arm of General Motors (GM)—the world’s third largest automobile company by sales—has another plan to grab a bigger piece of India’s booming car market.

But the Detroit-headquartered firm has now set such a massive target for its Indian subsidiary for the next ten years that it almost seems a tad too ambitious.

Spotlight: Super-Luxury Cars Vroom Emerging India Cities

 Cash-rich customers increasingly lapping up the Rs one crore-plus high-end offerings from global giants.

Move over Mumbai and Delhi, new Indian markets in smaller cities have now caught super-luxury car makers by surprise. Cash-rich customers from cities such as Ahmedabad, Bhubaneshwar, Pune, Kochi, Coimbatore, Chandigarh and Ludhiana are no longer ogling at Lamborghini, Jaguar-Land Rover, Mercedez and Audi. They are increasingly lapping up the Rs one crore-plus offerings from these global giants.

Special Report: Global Brands Drive More Than 6,000 Crore In India’s Active Sportswear Market

If there is one market segment that is clearly marked by the dominion of global brands in India – it’s active sportswear. 

From a segment driven by a collection of largely unorganized and homegrown SMEs two decades ago, today these international icons have not just made the market much more organised but have bolstered its overall size to over Rs. 6,000 crores. Many pure-play brands today are also into sports accessories, gear & equipment, while others have expanded their offerings to include sports-inspired product lines.

Travel: Seychelles Treasured Islands With Comfort, Ease

Close your eyes. And just imagine. You're lazing on a talcum-powder beach lapped by topaz waters and backed by lush hills and big glacis boulders.

Yes, it just routine in the Seychelles lifestyle embedded in nature's beauty. With such a dreamlike setting, the Seychelles is unsurprisingly a choice place for newlyweds. 

But for those looking for more than a suntan or romance, this archipelago offers a number of high-energy distractions. There are jungle and coastal walks, boat excursions, and diving and snorkelling to keep you buzzing.

Tribute: Mountaineer Mastan Babu, A Real Hero Of India

It is a pity that in a country where popular cricket and film stars are deified, the tragic death of Malli Mastan Babu in the Andes in South America, while climbing the mountain between Chile and Argentina and bring yet another laurel to India, has gone almost unnoticed. The cragsman, who was a star in his own right, has not been given his due. 

The news of Mastan Babu missing since March 24 in the Andes, the longest and among the world's highest mountain ranges, was first announced on a Facebook page, "Rescue Malli Mastan Babu", created by his fans and well-wishers, to provide information about rescue and search operations. 

'Ashapura Intimates Fashion' Gains On New Investments

FEATURE PROFILE: Harshad Thakkar, 38, chairman and managing director of Ashapura Intimates Fashion, started his journey in the lingerie industry at the age of 15 as a sales manager in a store.

"I started my career with it (the lingerie business). At a very young age of 15 years as a sales manager I started this work. I was the sales manager in India's first lingerie store," Thakkar told INNLIVE.

With a capital of Rs 4 lakh, Thakkar started Ashapura Intimates in 1999. The company's market value now stands at nearly Rs 500 crore. In 2013-14, the company posted a net profit of Rs 5.41 crore over revenues of Rs 166.50 crore.

What Holiday Planning Teaches About Saving & Investing?

While everyone is interested in making investments with huge returns and saving on big cash, many do not have a clue as to how they must use this money. 

Looking forward to shortcuts, tips and easy ways of minting money have become commonplace and as there are varied options for this, the process of taking saving and investment-related decisions has complicated. From fixed deposits to post office schemes, insurance plans, mutual funds, gold to even investing in real-estate, these choices that further come with multiple options and schemes have aroused confusion and complexity in people’s minds.

Focus: What More Baba Ramdev Get In Addition To Cabinet Status And Y-Category Security In Haryana?

The Bharatiya Janata Party government in Haryana announced its decision to bestow Ramdev with the status of a cabinet minister. 

Ramdev, who rose to fame over the last decade through television broadcasts of his yoga instructional camps, had expressed support for the BJP’s 2014 election campaign. In January, two months after the BJP came to power in Haryana, the state government appointed him the state's brand ambassador to promote ayurveda and yoga. 

IMPACT: Minister Asks Sports Authority To Save Haryana's Gold Medallist Boxer 'Rishu Mittal' From Poverty

INNLIVE published the news story in these columns, recently. As an impact and moved by the plight of a state level gold-medallist boxer who is working as a domestic help, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has asked the Sports Authority of India and Boxing India to look into the matter and provide all help to her.

"I have asked SAI and Boxing India to look into the matter and offer all necessary help to the boxer," he told INNLIVE over phone today.

Sonowal also asked the Haryana government to offer all possible assistance to the state-level gold-medallist boxer, Rishu Mittal, who hails from the state.