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COVID-19 and Online Educational System

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

The global pandemic of COVID-19 is a health catastrophe. The coronavirus began as a life-threatening epidemic, but this outbreak will create lasting changes in the way we live and work. Unimportant businesses were shut down and government officials – at state and federal levels – told citizens to stay home.

Schools were closed, forcing college students to stay indoors. For almost everyone who works and studies at home, online video calls have become a way to go and interact with colleagues and friends.

Policymakers claim that: “With the schools closed, we make the biggest test of online teaching and homework. As soon as glitches have been worked out, online education will have proved to be an effective form of education. While there, usage will jump up. It will be used in conjunction with traditional human learning. The cost of college can be greatly reduced as more students will love online courses.”

Every country that is suffering from COVID-19 has made legitimate and immediate decisions to shut down academic institutions like schools, colleges, and universities. This health calamity has given rise to the conundrum which is being majorly faced by policymakers of every country.

At the start, the policymakers were in confusion about whether to keep academic institutions shut down or re-open them. This disruption also has posed many problems to the parents of students as it gave a wave of disruption to their productivity along with disrupting student’s social life as well as academic life. The education system has been transferred to the online platform.

School assessments also have been transferred to the online but they have chances of trial, error, and uncertainty. Many examinations also have been canceled due to this issue and these cancellations are not done for the short term, they have long term consequences that are faced by students and faculty members.

Going to schools, colleges and universities have always been the best public policy for improving the skills of students. Even if the school is missed for a shorter period of time, it leaves a long-term consequence on student’s lives.

During the crisis situation, most of the educational opportunities have been missed by the students. To overcome this type of crisis and not letting this pandemic result in the loss of education systems, the policymakers have introduced online platforms where classes can be conducted. School closures not only impacts students, teachers, and families but far-reaching economic and social consequences.

School closure in response to COVID-19 has enlightened us on a variety of social and economic issues, including student debt, digital literacy, nutrition, homes, and access to child care, health care, housing, internet, and services.

Closure of schools, colleges, and universities have resulted in postponing and cancellation of examinations and assessments. Child’s progress can’t be reported to teachers and parents as it was reported before the pandemic. This pandemic has caused the lockdown of academic institutions which has disadvantages on the front line but is also good for some people.

It also has some benefits. For instance, in Norway, it has been decided that all 10th-grade students are going to get their high school degree. It is a mistake to believe that online reading can work by posting tutor notes online or video recording while in conversation.

However, this is what is happening the most right now.

Unplanned internet delivery will have an impact on the quality of programs. This is unfortunate at a time when great achievements have been made in improving the quality of teaching and learning in tertiary institutions.

Experience has shown that online learning quality requires instructional materials to be prepared by a trained instructional designer. The instructor should be trained to administer the program and that students are equally open to online learning.

In the section of higher education like universities and colleges, they have not canceled the exams. They have replaced traditional examination systems with the online educational system.

But majorly, graduate’s careers have been severely interrupted by this lockdown. In their final part of the studies, they have faced many interruptions. Most likely, they are going to get their graduation degree when the global recession will be initiated.

Need of the Hour

Now the solutions to overcome problems caused by academic institutions are being designed by policymakers. Schools, universities, and colleges must be provided with resources to rebuild their course’s loss once they are opened again.

The uncertain situation should be released at once to overcome the mental barriers of students. It will help escalate the confusion of the minds of students.

6 Benefits of Recurring Deposits in India

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

From the times where our grandmothers used to set aside an amount from their daily expenses to recently where individuals are opting for several investment schemes, savings have remained an integral part of our financial planning.

There are multiple investment options available in the market today, each offering attractive benefits to potential customers. One of these instruments is Recurring deposit. RDs aid in the savings plans of the individuals by allowing them to save bit by bit and earn guaranteed returns on the outstanding amount.

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The Recurring Deposit Calculator

Many banks provide the feature of an online recurring deposit calculator. This calculator helps you in computing the interest and the maturity amount the depositor would earn from his recurring deposit account. One must remember that the returns from a recurring deposit are taxable and a majority of the banks levy around 2% on the premature withdrawal of a recurring deposit account.

This, in turn, results in most of the depositors making around 3.5% to 5% as returns on their deposits. Given these conditions about an RD, it becomes imperative for the depositors to use the recurring deposit calculator to determine the interest and amount they would earn out of their savings.

How to use the recurring deposit calculator

Using an online calculator is not only very easy but also saves a lot of the time of the investors. The output from this calculator is accurate which gives the investors clarity on their funds and in turn, helps in financial management. Using a calculator also helps in comparing several RDs from different banks and financial institutions.

Here is a quick guide on how to use the RD calculator:

Enter the amount that will be deposited in your RD account each month
Enter the tenure of the investment
Enter the rate of interest on the deposit using the slider available

The calculator gives the initial deposit, maturity amount, and wealth gained.

How is the recurring deposit calculator helpful

Since recurring deposits are continuing investments, the investors might find it complicated to calculate the returns on these deposits. There are numerous variables involved in the computation which makes it even more complex.

The Recurring deposit calculator makes this computation hassle-free and provides the investor with the exact value that their savings will accumulate after the tenure. All the investor needs to do is compute the TDS as it varies from institution to institution.

Here are a few advantages of a recurring deposit calculator:

It enables investors in their financial planning with exact amounts of interest and maturity value
Since the computation involves several variables, using a calculator for the purpose saves time of the investor
It provides accurate figures which help in prudent planning

Factors affecting the rates of interest

The computation of interest rates on recurring deposits is done quarterly and these rates vary depending on numerous factors. The rate of fo interest is slightly higher for senior citizens than the regular RDs. Apart from that, here is a list of factors that affect the rate of interest of a recurring deposit account:

RBI policies
Recession
Inflation
State of the economy
Tenure
Applicant’s age
Issuer’s rating

Features of a Recurring Deposit Account

Here are some fundamental features of a Recurring Deposit Account which make it a rather safe and convenient investment option in India:

It inculcates a habit of savings
The minimum amount to start an RD varies from bank to bank with the minimum amount being Rs. 10
The tenure of an RD account ranges from t6 months to 10 years
The interest rate offered by RDs is higher than that offered by savings bank accounts
Generally, banks do not allow premature withdrawal. In case, they do allow premature withdrawal, they charge a fee
RDs can be used as collaterals to get a loan equal to 80 to 90% of the deposit
It can be regulated by directing the banks to credit amount from the saving account to the recurring deposit account

6 Advantages of Recurring Deposits in India

Here are a few benefits of investing in a recurring deposit account:

Guaranteed deposits: Recurring deposits are one of the most preferred options among investors who are risk average and want to invest in an instrument that provides guaranteed returns
Easy to understand: Recurring deposits are simple to understand and thus are a favorite among new investors. This type of savings instrument helps in inculcating a habit of regular savings
The flexibility of tenure: RDs have several options such as short-term, medium-term, and long-term with respect to tenure. Starting from 6 months, this tenure can be as much as 10 years
Low minimum amount: The minimum deposit required by banks for an RD ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1000. This feature makes it a convenient savings measure
High liquidity: RDs are highly liquid investments that can be withdrawn whenever required. However, banks levy a small premature withdrawal penalty for the same
Collaterals for loans: RD holders can avail a loan up to 80 to 90% of their deposit by keeping their RDs as collaterals

8 Reasons your Business needs a CCTV Monitoring Service

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

Security comes first. This is applicable for both the scenarios of physical security and virtual data security. While businesses are equipped with an array of advanced technological tools and techniques to ensure optimum security of their brand-sensitive data, the physical security of business premises is also highly critical.

Whether we are talking about a commercial space or a massive SEZ, making it secure should be the top-most priority of the business owners. A safe and secure place is highly essential for employees to engage more comfortably with one another and be more productive in all their endeavors. CCTV monitoring emerges as one of the unarguably robust and efficient technologies to ensure the physical security of business premises, both internal and external.

CCTV offsite monitoring offers business owners a holistic and clear view of their ingoing and outgoing crowd. It also offers greater insights into the internal daily functioning of a firm. Business owners can keep an eye on their employees’ functional aspects without actually being near to them.

Despite the wide-scale adoption and popularity of remote video monitoring services, several businesses are still apprehensive about its adoption. Many small and medium scale enterprises may consider it an extravagant expense.

Do you share the same thought? If yes, it’s time that you change your perception. Leveraging CCTV surveillance solution is indeed a necessary investment in the current times where businesses are exposed to unwarranted contingencies every day.

While some business owners may have some reservations in investing in surveillance monitoring, this article succinctly lists out some of the key reasons for the adoption of remote monitoring.

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1. Prevention is Better Than a Break-in

CCTV surveillance is considered as one of the most effective ways of avoiding break-ins. Strategically placed CCTV cameras play a vital role in discouraging potential troublemakers with malicious intent. Thus, it helps business owners in eliminating the loss of property or time in chasing any troublemakers.

2. It Comforts the Staff

The workplace where employees have a sense of security yet freedom is indeed a great place to work. While ensuring employee security must be the top-notch priorities for the business owners, they must make sure that their employees are comfortable too.

As decision-makers, business owners are entrusted with the responsibility to chase away irrational fears among their workforce by implementing premise surveillance systems.

With fears at bay, employees tend to be more comfortable in their work environment and stand a chance to go above and beyond their set KRAs. Employees working in the night shifts will be more comfortable knowing their security has been taken care of by the organization. IT indeed boosts their work ethic and loyalty.

3. It Reinforces the Trust Your Customer has

In today’s disruptive digital environment, trust is considered as the marketing currency. Business owners strive to capitalize on this marketing currency and employing CCTV surveillance systems on the premise is a good first step. Some might wonder how CCTV and customer trust are interlined.

Well, customers, both existing and potential ones tend to trust an organization that has requisite security measures in place. This is even more critical for a large organization with high-profile clientele as they don’t have to be worried about the security breach, loss of sensitive information, etc. Surveillance systems can also be a deciding factor on whether or not they should be working with an organization at all in the first place.

4. It Facilitates Evidence Collection in Disputes

The business ecosystem is not essentially devoid of any conflicts. And, identifying the perpetrator in case of any suspicious activity and conflicting testimonies often turns out to be a nightmare. However, a CCTV system can come to the rescue of business owners during such scenarios. A CCTV system will essentially offer the necessary evidence of any suspicious activities or any changes in any pattern that is different than usual. Besides, it can help in resolving disputes with clarity.

5. It Gelps in Cases of Emergency

In case of any emergency such as fire, a CCTV system can speed up the identification of high-risk areas, and help the staff and customers exit the premises in a safe and orderly fashion.

6. It Minimizes False Alarms

A false alarm can be a nightmare of its own. It creates unnecessary panic among the employees and individuals in office premises and disrupts the workflow. However, with a CCTV security system, it becomes easy to check if any alarms were raised truthfully or by mistake. Requisite measures can be implemented based on the outcome. In the case of alarming situations, on-premise individually can take the safety exit root.

7. It Lowers Insurance Expenses

Insurers are assured of the security of the office premises and lower incident rates when they see a surveillance monitoring service in place. This aids their decision in setting a lower premium rate for a business. In case of any unfortunate casualties, a CCTV system assists insurance investigators in realizing the validity of an insurance claim and taking the apt decision.

8. It Eliminates Operational Inefficiencies

With a CCTV system in place, business owners can also supervise any areas with gaps in the workflow. Besides, it can help business owners make decisions in identifying and reducing these operational inefficiencies.

Choosing the Right CCTV Monitoring Service

Considering the ever-increasing demand for security surveillance systems, an ambitious array of solutions are available in the market. And, the security requirement may vary from business to business. Thus, finding the right CCTV solution or the service provider is easier said than done.

Before weighing the CCTV service providers, business owners must understand the extent of monitoring and personnel needed to keep their business space secure and comfortable.

Camera resolution, alarm technology, the life of recordings, systems compatibility, and response time are some of the key factors that must be considered while opting for a surveillance monitoring service.

The team at Expert Callers focuses on quality assurance by bringing together the latest technologies and industry veterans, that provide the required level of live intelligence from CCTV monitoring to business owners.

For further queries, do reach out to the experts today!

10 Amazing Tips to Save Money

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

Considerably money is the supreme power to make our life better and empower companies to expand their business. We all are well aware of the importance of money for necessities to major financial issues, and money has a significant role.

Habits of saving money or try to go for more profitable sides are not a drawback but a practice that needs to be appreciated. It simply means that value means and understand the budget policy to make wise use of it. Precisely saving money habits comes with long-term strategies and consistency when in urgent need.

Overnight and overhaul spending of money with no necessity can later impact your financial conditions and even can disbalance your budget. To know more about financial savvy and struggles, then successful blogs like HuffPost, Forbes, Economist, Financial Times, etc. are available online. Make wise use of the internet and understand how to spend, save, and manage money.

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The Amazing Hacks and Tips to Save Money:

Create a Budget

If you really want to save a massive amount of money and your unnecessary expenses, then the best is to create a budget. It will help you to assess only the money that is needed for essentials. Make a worth division of your expenses and income with categories like rent, food, travel, personal, and others.

Fetch and Save Automatically

If you know, you got cashback, or paycheck then immediately transfer it to your saving section and saving accounts. It will help you to make a habit to save and contribute some money for a future perspective.

Corner Some Funds or Money as For Emergency

Emergencies never come with an invitation. Thus make a wise plan to keep some amount out from expenses for emergencies and urgencies to manage. You can use it when needed in medical needs, financial crises, and other accidental requirements.

Track Your Spending

Keeping an eye on your own expenses is not a trait that negatively affects your personality. You need to hold and track your spending to understand the value of money and investment. This will impact your shopping and purchase to think twice before you add to the wishlist.

Avoid Carrying Your Cards to Stores

To save money, just carry money that is worth sufficient over the shopping scenario. However, leaving credits and debits at home is not ideal, but if you lose your money promises, then what. Cards in the pocket allow for unexpected and unnecessary expenses while shopping.

Fix You Shopping Deeds over a Plan

Shopping is not a mission that needs to be accomplished every time. To manage your budget, expenses, and money, you need to plan wisely. Take manageable steps that help you in little saving yet ensure long-term goals.

Purchase in Bulk Is Profitable

Use a shopping strategy to buy things in large. Just list all your required essentials with quantity, and then shop. It will help you to manage the cost of one-time shopping in the bulk of all items. If you feel items added to your list are really necessary, then just mark them and buy.

Planning Big and For Long Term, Ask the Financial Advisor

If you want to buy a car, book a home on loan, then start planning for it. Your everyday, expenses will also affect your bank balance and saving. To achieve such long-term and permanent mortgage goals, take advice from your financial advisor to suggest you best.

Create and Achieve Your Visionary Goals for Retirement

Financial experts always suggest that one should save at least 15% of the income each year into a retirement plan. This will help you to determine your saving in older ages. To get such visionary goals, you need to think today so, make it a habit to save and relax in the future.

Keep Your Daily Utility Things Maintained

People often never take care of their homes, cars, and other valuable items like air conditioners, refrigerators, etc. A sudden fall, crash, and breakdown of such things can take massive money once. To avoid such accidental happenings and failures, keep them maintained. Timely checks and regular maintenance will protect them from failures and value your money. Self-help with easy hacks and maintenance tips also save money.

Corona Virus Pandemic; Gateway to a New World?

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

It has been around four months since the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic spread all over the World like a jungle fire. Bringing everything to still, this minute yet sturdy particle did discriminate between the rich and the poor or the mighty and the feeble.

With around five million cases all over the World, the coronavirus pandemic has gravely tested Mankind. Although we still seem somewhat clueless as to how it originated, this kind of viral onslaught is not unprecedented.

We have endured the havocs of Black Death in the 14^th century that took the lives of nearly half of the population of Europe. The calamitous demeanor of smallpox during the Yester-century is not over our minds yet too.

It is now for us to comprehend what is to come next. What is there at the end of the tunnel? How will the World shape up once the pandemic is over? Would it ever end, or do we just have to learn to live with it like HIV? These are some of the questions that boggle our minds nowadays.

The blatant truth is that the previous World is gone. Covid-19 pandemic has changed the course of things altogether, and here’s what to expect next.

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The Era of Remote Jobs

One thing that the prevalent virus has made clear is that being confined in a room on the 14^th floor of a sky-kissing building is not the only way to run a business or an office. You can carry out dealings, look after your job at home too.

We might have known the comforts of remote work pre-pandemic, but we were too reluctant to adopt it. By the time virus is vanished, many businesses would have gone virtual.

The virtual businesses would not only benefit the businessmen but also free up building spaces that would, as a result, reduce the pressure of housing demands.

With many people losing their jobs, the freelance market is expected to flourish.

According to the International Labor Organization (IL0), around 148 million full-time jobs are feared to suffer amidst the pandemic.

This severe condition would shift the trend toward online work.

Social-Distanced Eating

In the countries where the lockdown is eased off or lifted altogether; the layout of restaurants and eating places is not the same as before.

Most of the food chains like McDonald’s are as of now just entertaining takeaways/drive-throughs with their dine-in services still under lockdown.

The restaurants which have started functioning, their tables are observing social distancing too. The setting of tables at a maintainable distance means no more crowding over of restaurants. Fewer people would now be able to savor food inside the restaurant at a time.

You can wait in the queue for your turn to enter a food place or you can order at home. This will make online food ordering luxury a necessity.

The culture of having coffee on a roadside café might vanish away. Online businesses will flourish nonetheless.

Virtual Education

Oxford University has recently announced to go online until the summer of 2021.

The recent pandemic has, in a way, revolutionized the education systems all over the World. We will see an increased fashion of virtual education after everything is back to its standard.

Students are experiencing some problems due to not being accustomed to online learning. However, this hesitant and hasty measure would turn out to be a wise decision in the longer run.

For the time being, almost every school, college, and university took advantage of technology and has started online classes. The online lectures are not just confined to degree programs, but at the highest most level, too, it is being called to help.

Virtual education is being applied with the full flow; nonetheless, the real question here is that whether the system of online courses will sustain after the virus has gone, or conventional structure will be resuscitated?

Focus on Healthcare

Covid-19 pandemic has taken the World by the storm, undeniably. No one anticipated it coming.

Nonetheless, it has made nations realize how intrinsic it is to invest more in the health sector. If your health system collapses, your country will collapse.

There is no denying the fact that we are in a “war-zone” presently. A soldier must be fully equipped with ammunition to fight.

But in the war at hand, our frontline soldiers (doctors, nurses) lack Proper gear. There is an acute shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in most countries.

Anyhow, this global crisis has made us realize the importance of a robust healthcare system. What we expect post-pandemic is that countries making improvisations in health institutions their foremost priority. The current disaster is a lesson to learn.

End of Globalization?

The pandemic has unfolded ahead of us that we take things for granted most of the time. Pre–pandemic, we thronged almost every place with absolute freedom and no fear. This has changed entirely since the current viral outbreak.

As the people would now be more confined in their relations and dealings with other people, countries in the international arena would exercise the same.

Voices are already attaining pace that the pandemic is in itself an outcome of globalization. World trade has almost come to a still. Foreign investment is nowhere to be seen.

Despite all this, many people are optimistic that the world would be back to its standard co-operating procedures once we are over this crisis.

Bottom Line

Every storm passes, no matter how mighty it is. Likewise, this pandemic shall also be over sooner or a bit later. But how would we line up our preferences post-virus will determine the future.

We need to implement policies that would be most robust not only in fighting the virus but push us in the right direction once the suffering is over.

“This storm will pass. But the choice we make now could change our lives for the years to come.”
Yuval Noah Harari

What to know before hiring someone on Freelance Platforms

Last Updated: May 30, 2020

Businesses around the world have come to a halt, and working remotely is now the new thing in the market in the new COVID19 world. On the other hand, many people have lost their jobs. As a result, freelancers are produced by the minute.

With vast options of freelancers out in the market, what are some things you should look for before hiring a freelancer? How to make the experience successful with a freelancer?

Finding the right freelancer should be done in a proper format. Not all freelancers out there will satisfy you. Some will take the payment and won’t respond or will give you a low-quality service. Others will give you a high-quality product that you have been hoping for.

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Where to locate Freelancers?

There are many options to find a freelancer. They can be found on platforms such as Freelancer, Upwork, Fiverr, Guru, PeoplePerHour to name a few.

These platforms provide numerous numbers of freelancers specializing in many fields like voice-overs, graphic designing, content writing, and many more.

They are easily accessible for all employers and free to use. These platforms are properly designed to reduce the number of frauds in the freelancing world as it provides the facility of Escrow.

Moreover, communication between the employer and the freelancer is convenient. To conclude, these platforms are handy to get the job done.

Payment

It can be quite confusing when it comes to choosing a freelancer when it comes to cost. Freelancers can cost from as minimum as $5 to $5000 and beyond. Although tempting, going for the lowest cost is not always a good idea.

In freelancing, good pay results in good quality. Likewise, low pay can lead you to not so experienced freelancers. But, however, this is not always the case. There are unexperienced fresh freelancers that can give outstanding results with minimal payment to get the experience they need.

How to decide which one?

With so many freelancers in a particular field, it is difficult to pick out which one. It can somewhat help to interview the freelancer on skype. In addition, asking for previous work samples or a portfolio can help determine exactly what the freelancer is capable of.

Furthermore, asking a freelancer to write a paragraph or two related to the niche you are looking for can give you an insight. Likewise, if a business employer is looking for some type of graphic design, he or she can ask the freelancer for a mockup.

Communication

Communication between the employer and the freelancer is essential. The nature of the work and the exact outcome should be discussed before assigning the task. Communication doesn’t end here. The client and the freelancer should be in touch with one another throughout the project.

There are many ways for a freelancer and the client to interact. Communication can take place through emails, chat, video call, or even a conference call if there are more than one employer involved. Apps like Skype, WhatsApp, Outlook, zoom can be used to communicate in detail.

Setting Milestones and getting updates

When an employer has a lengthy project at hand with a freelancer, then it is crucial to set milestones. No employer wants to wait for weeks only to find out that the project is at its initial stage!

A proper milestone schedule with payment details should be finalized with the freelancer before starting the project. Another benefit of milestones is that it gives the freelancer encouragement and the trust to give excellent performance.

Feedback / Reviews

Moreover, feedbacks and updates of the project should go back and forth among the client and freelancer. The greater the number of feedbacks, the better the result.

Summing up: In conclusion, hiring freelancers is not as straight forward as you may think, but it does get the job done.

Standard Chartered digismart Credit Card Review

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

Standard Chartered’s DigiSmart credit card comes with a host features and perks on several popular brands that you can avail on while shopping online. This credit card lets the cardholders save some money and earn big on online shopping.

If you are looking for amazing discounts on big brands but don’t have this credit card specially tailored by Standard Chartered bank yet, you should consider applying for it. The detailed review of this credit card below will help you understand why!

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Fee & Charges of DigiSmart Credit Card?

The first question that can pop up in our head is- what is the annual fee for this credit card? The unique feature of the DigiSmart card is that instead of a yearly fee, it charges a monthly fee of INR 49 only, which is waived off on spends of INR 5000 and above in the previous month. If you are plan to apply for a supplementary card along with this, same terms apply to this card as well.

Fee Types	Amount
Annual Fee (Primary & Supplementary cards)	INR 49 per month, for each, waived off on spending INR 5,000 and above in the previous calendar month
Cash Advance Fee	3% of the cash withdrawal amount subjected to a minimum amount of INR 300
Cash Replacement Fee	Nil
Cheque Bounce Fee	INR 500
Late Fee Charges	INR 100

Features and Offers on Standard Chartered DigiSmart Credit Card

Myntra:
- 20% of instant discount on the Myntra app or website
- Discount is applicable on only for one transaction every month
- Maximum discount capped at INR 700 for each transaction
- No minimum transaction criteria are applicable
Grofers:
- 10% of instant discount on Grofers app
- Use the promo code DIGISMART while checking out
- Applicable for five transactions every month
- Maximum discount of INR 1000 every month
- No Minimum transaction criteria are applicable
Zomato:
- 10% of instant discount per transaction on Zomato app or website
- Discount is applicable only on five transactions every month month
- Use the promo code DIGISMART to complete a purchase using Standard Chartered DigiSmart Credit Card
- There isn’t a minimum transaction limit
- Maximum discount of INR 150 can be availed per transaction
INOX:
- BOGO (Buy 1 Get 1) offer on movie tickets bought from the INOX box office, mobile app or website
- Applicable to movie shows on Saturdays and Sundays
- This benefit can be availed twice, per card, every month
- Maximum discount of INR 200 per transaction, twice per month
- No Minimum Transaction limit is applicable
Yatra:

International Flight Booking

10% of instant discount on International flight bookings
- Transaction size of minimum INR 20,000
- Maximum discount limit is up to INR 10,000
- Applicable on one transaction every three months
- Use promo code DIGISMART while completing the purchase using SC to avail the discount

Domestic Flights Bookings

20% off on domestic flight bookings
- Use promo code DIGISMART while completing the purchase using SC to avail the discount
- No minimum transaction limit
- Maximum discount that can be availed is capped at INR 750
- Applicable on one transaction every three months

Domestic Hotel Bookings

25% off on instant discount on domestic hotel bookings with Yatra
- Use promo code DIGISMART while completing the purchase using SC to avail
- No minimum transaction limit
- Maximum discount that can be availed is capped at INR 4000
- Applicable on one transaction every quarter
OLA:
- 15% cashback on paying with DigiSmart credit card for cab rides using the Ola app
- Maximum cashback of up to INR 600 per month
- Not applicable on Ola auto, bikes or pool rides

Additional Features of the DigiSmart Credit Card by Standard Chartered

Balance Transfer Feasibility

You can transfer your credit card balance of an amount up to INR 5,00,000 from any other bank’s credit card to Standard Chartered’s card at attractive interest rates

Contactless Transactions

With the contactless feature, you can ensure faster checkouts along with secure, instant payments. You can still relish all the benefits of this card that can be swiped and used for standard transactions like your regular credit card for daily use

Kuch Bhi on EMI

This is an exclusive feature of the DigiSmart credit card where your credit card purchases can be easily converted into easy EMIs at any retail outlets or even at any eCommerce shopping site. You can make use of this feature through online booking, phone booking, or SMS

Loan on Credit Card

Eligible cardholders can get a chance to avail for a loan on this credit card for an amount up to INR 5,00,000 with a flexible tenure period between 12-60 months

Did you Know?

Anushka Sharma was the brand ambassador for the DigiSmart credit card campaign.

DigiSmart Credit Card: Why You Should Apply for it?

DigiSmart credit card by Standard Chartered Bank is a beginner level credit card that having a monthly fee of INR 49. Cardholders not having an existing account with Standard Chartered Bank can also apply for this credit card. Other than that, you can also apply when-

looking for attractive discounts on online platforms for shopping, groceries, movies, cab rides
looking for a credit card that has a low annual fee with the requisite perks

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, the DigiSmart credit card comes with several attractive offers on online shopping, fine dining, travel, perfectly curated for the expedient lifestyle of the Millenials. The bare minimum monthly fee of this card also makes it exciting.

For people looking out for a standard credit card having exclusive discounts on various renowned brands, the Digismart credit card can be a good option. With its basic monthly fee with stellar discounts, it does stand out from the other credit cards.

This is an excellent option to explore, especially for millennials who prefer everything online be it shopping, travel perks, movie tickets, or ordering delicious food.

Why You Need a SEBI Registered Investment Advisor

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

With the country undergoing its fourth stage of lockdown during the COVID-19 crisis, people are growing to become more resilient to the impact of the ongoing pandemic. And that is extremely important for any country’s economic growth, for resilience and adaptability are the two pillars of getting the economic slowdown on track.

In India, we are ready to pay fees to lawyers, doctors, etc. for their advice. Still, we are somehow not used to paying Investment Advisors, let alone SEBI Registered Investment Advisors, for their expert advice on how we can manage our money efficiently.

It’s because people aren’t aware of the indirect fee structure (thought to be a free service), for they are happy with the tips/advice given by friends and family in most cases.

Resilience is what we need to survive and lead a life at a time when regular income has become highly uncertain. Because of that, people have gained a whole new outlook on their money management techniques.

In fact, people have been getting interested in obtaining an analysis of their current financial situation, identification of business goals, developing and recommending financial strategies to realize such goals through a sound portfolio advisor.

However, hiring an investment advisor out of the blue is not something that a wise man would do. To make sure your money goes to the best hands, it’s crucial for you, as the consumer, to understand what your portfolio advisor recommends and why. Make sure you keep a close eye on the fees you are paying, both to your advisor and for any funds bought for you.

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When do you need an investment advisor?

There is no particular age or time frame that is required to seek the services of a financial investment advisor. You don’t need a sky-high net worth, but just find a SEBI Registered Investment Advisor to suit your particular needs.

That means you need to find an individual or financial planning institution to help them with all and any decisions related to investing, purchasing, selling. You may also need their help in dealing with securities or investment products and advice on investment portfolios containing securities or investment products.

Here, we will discuss some of the general reasons why anyone might need an investment advisor’s professional help to manage your financial decisions:

You don’t know how to handle investments wisely.

While surviving our everyday lives in inflation, any money that people keep in the form of cash, or even in a low-interest account undergoes a decline in value each year. Investing the money in a good, revenue-generating scheme is the best way out unless you have an exceptionally high income. This is the last resort if a person wants to have a steady influx of money after retirement.

You have substantial investments, but you still lose money.

Regardless of what investment scheme you choose to finance, even the best investors tend to lose money. It can be either because the market is down, or when people’s decisions don’t turn out the way they had thought it would.

However, this should not deter you from investing because fruitful investments are the only way to increase your net worth considerably.

Hiring a SEBI Registered Investment Advisor can help you find out what you’re doing wrong with your investments and correct your course before it’s too late.

You do not have any estate plans at present.

Having an investment advisor can help people put together an estate plan. This gives people assurance that their assets will be handled according to their wishes, even after their death. And in case a person doesn’t have a beneficial insurance plan, having a SEBI Registered Investment Advisor can help you with the same. But remember, its usually a fee-only financial advisor who will be able to offer a less biased opinion than an insurance agent.

But why should you work with a SEBI registered Investment Advisor?

People without a strong financial background should understand why its important to go for the best SEBI Registered Investment Advisor if you are looking for investment opportunities in India.

After all, most investment advisory services are regulated by SEBI – Securities and Exchange Board of India, through its Investment Advisor Regulations 2013. And all registered portfolio advisors come with the qualification, certification, and experience required by the regulation to ensure that the customers get quality advice.

The right portfolio advisor will also check the suitability of the investment advice and carry a risk profile of the client as per the guidelines. They are obliged to act in a fiduciary capacity towards their clients and disclose all conflicts of interest and when they arise.

The job of an investment advisor requires a lot of precision and attention to detail, like the execution and investment advisory services that have to be segregated to reduce conflict of interest if any. All these measures, which are mostly client-centric, bring transparency in the process of investment advice. Therefore, seeking the services of a SEBI registered Investment Advisor for such complex operations is always advisable.

Where do you find a reliable SEBI Registered Investment Advisor?

Although people can find a complete list of all the authentic and registered investment advisers on the SEBI website, there are various other players in the market as well. As a matter of fact, many registered investment advisory service providers have their own sites where you can check out financial information.

A lot of registered investment advisory service providers even allow their customers to sign up for their promotional newsletters for sound financial planning and investment advice.

Bottom Line

Not all financial advisors have the same level of training or expertise when you seek their services. Therefore, make sure to do your own due diligence when looking for a sound financial portfolio advisor and see that they meet your financial planning needs.

Keep in mind that finding an advisor who is the right fit for your financial requirements is the key to developing a successful long-term relationship. An investment advisor can have all the experience, credentials, and success stories in the world. Still, if you don’t like them, you won’t enjoy working with them, which will eventually affect your financial plan.

10 Companies Innovating with amazing examples of sustainable packaging

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

Brands that are leading the way in adopting eco-friendly packaging are giving themselves an edge that is attractive to customers. It’s confronting to see images of turtles deformed by ocean waste, and the constant media focus on the crisis means that the marketplace has to transform its practices in response. It’s estimated that more than a million tons of waste comes from paper packaging, and more than 13 million tons of waste is a result of plastic packaging.

Shaun Bryce from Melbourne Packaging Supplies shares with us a number of companies that are exploring sustainable packaging design – and they’re getting it right.

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The eco-friendly carrier – PUMA

Shoeboxes aren’t usually associated with waste, but they actually lead to millions of tons of waste annually. PUMA has been exploring more sustainable packaging for over a decade already. In 2010 they teamed up with Fuseproject to design packaging that cuts cardboard use by two thirds and carbon emissions by thousands of tons each year. The ‘Clever Little Bag’ doesn’t contain any plastic and is both recyclable and can be reused. The savings per year?

8,500 tons of paper
20 million megajoules of electricity
1 million liters of fuel oil
1 million liters of water.

The dog waste carriers – Poop Bags by Olive

Every time a pet owner takes their dog for a walk and allows them to leave behind their waste, they are adding to waterway pollution. It’s estimated that a third of waterway pollution comes from man’s best friend. Well trained owners will pick up the poop with a bag, but by doing so, introduce plastic waste into the environment issue. The 100% biodegradable poop bags from Olive are the ultimate solution. They are made from corn starch and vegetable oil and compost naturally within 40 days.

The sushi trays – Fune

Takeaway sushi is a real treat, but as the taste for this delicacy increases, restaurants have been faced with the need to use a lot of takeaway packaging. Fune (which means ship) is the answer. The packaging is made from biodegradable and recyclable cardboard that is PET coated. The chopsticks secure the box, so there’s no need for glue or plastic tape.

The shower friendly paper bottle – Ecologic and Seed Phytonutrients

The shower-friendly paper bottle is made from recyclable and compostable material using post-consumer recycled paper. Interlocking grooves hold it together so there’s no need for glue. An inner plastic lining makes it water-resistant, but again only food-grade recycled plastic is used. It’s economical for users too because the packaging collapses, meaning that every last drop of the product inside can be used.

The reusable bag – 60BAGs

This reusable bag is made from flax-viscose fabric. It decomposes two months after it is thrown away. The fiber is made from industrial waste and uses minimal energy during production. The biodegradable carrier bag can also be branded and used by a range of brands and industries.

The biodegradable champagne box – Veuve Clicquot

A sparkling example of innovation in sustainable packaging (using potato starch) was used for an eco-friendly packaging solution for Naturally Clicquot 2. The champagnes are packaged in biodegradable and recyclable containers. Most interesting is that are held together by Velcro. The packaging can, therefore, be used for other drinks.

The disposable tableware – Hampi Natural Tableware

This exciting solution is ideal for restaurants and food delivery businesses. It is made from fallen palm leaves. The single-use tableware and takeout containers are both biodegradable and compostable.

The plantable packaging – Pangea Organics

These plant-based beauty products came up with a great idea to turn their packaging into trees. By incorporating organic seeds, such as basil and amaranth, into the boxes, they created a solution to give the packaging a second life. Post-use the box can be soaked in water and then planted.

The newspaper egg carton – Marian Obando

This designer came up with an idea to make a basic egg carton from a sheet of old newspaper. The design is based on origami and creates a square basket with a piece acting as protective cushioning under the eggs. A strip of card is wrapped around it. This keeps it secure and provides place for details of the branding.

The light bulb packaging – GE Energy Efficient bulb

An energy-efficient lightbulb needs packaging that adheres to the same sustainable values as the product. Bulbs are known for their excessive use of plastic in their packaging, as they are so fragile. This design by Esther Li offered a simple but very effective solution using only a strip of recyclable cardboard. The k-shaped structure has a hole in the middle that creates a space for the bulb to rest. It is fully secure and doesn’t require any plastic to protect the eco bulb any further. It is also stackable and displays the bulb effectively. The branding is simply printed on the cardboard.

Things You Must Know About Air Cargo Loading System

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

Did you know the first official cargo flight took place on November 7th, 1920 in the USA? It carried 200 pounds of silk for the store opening purpose in Columbus. Air cargo has made freight movement well-structured at regional, national, and international levels.

Air Cargo is one of the most used logistics modes and Most people don’t know how the air cargo loading system operates. An air cargo loading system means the movement of goods by air to any part of the world. Air cargo works in a way to load products from shipping countries and unload them to buying countries. It may be in different shapes or sizes.

An effective loading procedure comprises reliable cargo handling, safe loading & unloading, aid production growth, and timely delivery of goods. In the international air cargo safe delivery of the product without any damage matters the most. Through air consignment transferring of lightest to heaviest products is possible without any harm.

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Role of Air Cargo in the Global Trade

In recent years growth in the import, export, and e-commerce business has recently boosted the capacity of parcel deliveries. Amazingly airlines transport more than 52 million metric tons of air cargo per year.

The air cargo supply chain system is playing a vital role in the global business and economy. By value, 35% of global trade is represented by air cargo, and by volume, it represents less than 1% of world trade. That shows air cargo transports USD 6 trillion in value of goods that is approximately $18.6 billion worth of goods on a regular basis.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a coherent trade involves a concrete partnership between governments and industry. Countries that have a 1% better air cargo connection tend to capture 6% more trade.

What an Air Cargo Loading System Could Transfer?

Unit Load Device (ULD’s)
Cargo Pallets
Perishable Goods
Parcel
Package
Multiple Items

Several air cargo companies working in the world 24/7 to supply the articles like DHL Aviation, FedEx Express, SNCF, Blue Dart, CH Robinson, Emirates, Korean Air Cargo, Lufthansa, British Airways, Quehenberger Logistics, and many more.

Choosing of Air Cargo Loading System

To supply business packages or parcels, the best thing you should do is to look for a brand name that is well-reputed in designing, manufacturing, and engineering loading solutions for numerous transport and logistics. Always check the strengths, features, and functionalities of air cargo loading systems that match your business delivery requirements and demands.

Every industry spends huge time and money in the selection process of competent air cargo loading equipment. On World Wide, there are many automatic and manual loading systems available. Business entities should choose supply loading equipment by using well-designed options like Pneumatic rollerbed, trallerloda, powerd cargo loader, and Vanloda.

Aviation cargo systems offer a unique world-class solution to the factory and industry clients. They carry tons of weight in a well-organized manner. Efficient cargo equipment makes the loading & unloading system a convenient and speedy process.

Air cargo rollers help in loading the refrigerated trailer, conveyor system, and palletized goods. These rollers make the shipment loading process complete in a few minutes without entering into the vehicle. In the end, goods are loaded on the air cargo system for shipping to the final destination.

Mandatory Factors to Air Cargo Loading System

Easy Installation of the system
Bespoke modifications
Turn-key services
Material handling solution
Integrated operating control
Quality insurance system
Speedy loading & unloading process
High-quality cargo loading equipment
Uncertainty and risk management control
Repair and maintenance technical support
Quick Customer Service for emergency breakdown

Summing Up: Air cargo loading systems make a comfortable and fast items loading process for the industry sector. A selection of the best air cargo loading system becomes a great solution to all product loading and unloading problems