Bills and receipts, which you thought had little value, can help you save tax

There are several ways to reduce the income tax payable, and out of these, most are unknown to us or often forgotten. Invoices and receipts of various expenses are examples of such commonplace items that can help reduce your tax liability.

Here are 8 invoice-related tax deductions in accordance with The Income Tax (IT) Act 1961, which you can claim to save more this year:

1. Children's Tuition Fee Receipt

Any tuition fee paid by you for the education of your children (maximum 2) is allowed for deduction under Section 80C. This payment can be to any recognized school, college, university or other educational institution situated within India for the purpose of full-time education of your children. It also includes payments for playschool, pre-nursery and nursery.

2. Medical Insurance Premium Receipt

Payment of medical insurance premium for yourself, your spouse and dependent children qualifies for tax deduction under Section 80D. Likewise, payment of medical or health insurance premium for your parents, whether dependent or not, qualifies as a deduction under this section.

3. Bills for Preventive Health Checkups

If you have not yet exhausted your deduction limit under Section 80D and you have a bill for a preventive health checkup, you can claim this bill and get a maximum of Rs. 5,000 as a deduction. This deduction is included within the overall limit of Rs. 25,000 of Section 80D (Rs. 30,000 in case of senior citizens) for the financial year 2014-15.

4. Meal Coupons and Hotel Bills

If your company issues meal coupons (like Sodexho) as a perquisite, you can make your meal expenses tax-free under Section 17. Meal expenses are not taxable up to Rs. 2,600 per month. If you are a business owner, you can save tax by indicating all meal expenses incurred as a part of your business – for example lunch or dinner meetings with various stakeholders of your business – as business expenses.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live. The new normal includes wearing masks, sanitisers, social distancing, restricted movement, work from home, online shopping and more. Another important aspect of this new normal is getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and get covered with good health insurance. While doctors believe that getting the covid vaccine may not be enough in avoiding infection, but it can certainly contain the severity of the condition. In India, the two most popular options for COVID-19 vaccines are—Covaxin and Covishield. Are you finding it difficult to choose one?

Covaxin

Made by Bharat Biotech, a Hyderabad-based biotechnology company, Covaxin is the first Indian vaccine against the COVID-19 causing coronavirus. It is made from an inactivated virus; the virus was killed before incorporating it into the vaccine. When introduced to a healthy human body, the inactivated virus triggers an immune response, developing antibodies to fight it. These antibodies prove useful in preventing a severe case of COVID-19 when the person is exposed to live coronavirus. The vaccine, stored between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, is taken in two doses with a gap of four to six weeks between the two shots.

The common side effects of Covaxin include fever, nausea, headache, pain and swelling at the site of injection, muscle ache and even fatigue in some cases.

Covishield

Covishield was developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and its Indian variant is manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune. While Covaxin is made using an inactivated coronavirus, Covishield is made from a viral vector obtained from a different virus usually found in Chimpanzees. The viral vector is modified to imitate the novel coronavirus. Covishield can be stored for up to six months at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. This too is taken in two doses at a gap of 6 to 8 weeks. Moreover, Covishield is claimed to develop more antibodies in the human body, thus needing a longer time gap between the two shots.

Covishield’s side effects are more or less the same as Covaxin and include pain and tenderness at the injection site, fever, nausea and weakness.

All about the COVID-19 vaccines including their price break-up

In May, the Indian government had expressed confidence in achieving 100% COVID-19 vaccination of adults by the end of 2021. While India is running a global race to achieve complete vaccination to beat the novel coronavirus, there are four types of Covid vaccine in India that are being used to contain the pandemic among the masses. It is important to get covered with good health insurance which covers corona related expenses in this pandemic. Let us take a look at these vaccine options, their similarities and differences, and cost.

Covishield

Manufactured by India’s largest vaccine maker, the Serum Institute of India, Covishield was developed by Oxford University, in collaboration with Cambridge-based pharma and biotech company AstraZeneca.

Covishield has been developed on the viral vector platform using a modified version of a common cold virus. The vaccine is taken in two doses and is found to have an efficacy of 76%, which increases up to 82% with a gap of 12 or more weeks between the two shots. Covishield has been cleared for vaccination by 117 countries so far. Many countries have opened their international borders for Covishield-vaccinated people, including 10 countries from the European Union.

In India, Covishield is being offered free of cost at government vaccination centres. However, if you get the jab in a private hospital, you may have to pay up to Rs 780 per dose—Rs 600 as the price of the dose, Rs 30 as GST and Rs 150 as the service charge.

Covaxin

Covaxin is developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Virology. Covaxin contains dead coronavirus, which prompts the immune system to develop antibodies against it. Covaxin is administered in two doses that should ideally be four weeks apart. Phase 3 trials of Covaxin showed a 77.8% efficacy. Although 13 countries have approved the use of Covaxin, the World Health Organization (WHO) is yet to give its nod to the vaccine.

In India, Covaxin is offered free of cost in government medical centres, while private hospitals can charge not more than Rs 1,410, which is inclusive of Rs 1,200 as the price of the dose, Rs 60 as GST and Rs 150 as the maximum service charge.

Know what your wall colour has to say about your personality

Heard the saying ‘if these walls can talk?’ Well, they can! Design experts say that the colour of your walls say a lot about your personality, along with affecting your mood as well. And not only just the colour, but the brightness, shade, and saturation of the colour used are also influenced by your personality.

Environmental psychologist Sally Augustin says that extroverts tend to opt for brighter and more saturated colours such as red, while introverts go for lighter hues as blues or greens. Those who pick unusual shades for their walls have a desire to stand out or a need for uniqueness.

Colours Do the Talking

If you are done painting your walls with your favourite colour, see what that colour says about you:

• Yellow – Yellow is always associated with the sun. People who pick yellow for their walls have a sunny personality. Extroverts prefer yellow because it denotes liveliness and complements their happy, outgoing personality! Paint common spaces in your home such as the living room or kitchen yellow for a warm atmosphere.


• Red – Red is the colour of energy, which makes it a favourite for go-getters and extroverts. Since it is also a colour that demands everyone’s attention, it’s appropriate for someone who wants to be the centre of attention.


• Orange – Orange indicates that the person is warm and reserved to a certain extent. It also denotes confidence, especially with regards to their style. Since it is an earthy colour, it also signifies that the person is outdoorsy.


• Green – Green signifies a deep love for nature and the great outdoors, which is why adventurers prefer this colour. This soothing colour also boosts creative thought, making it an ideal choice for your home office or studio.


• Blue – Blue stands for constancy and loyalty, both of which are valued by someone who prefers this colour. Since it is the colour of the sky and the ocean, it also brings in a calm, soothing, effect. Blue, especially lighter shades of the colour, also signifies that the person is an introvert.


• Purple – Purple stands for sophistication and indicates that the person likes to be on trend with everything. Softer purples create a meditative atmosphere and fuel creativity, while darker shades stand for someone who loves luxury.


• Brown – Earthy and warm, this colour implies that the person is friendly and social. Lighter shades of brown such as tan make spaces seem larger, while darker shades signify a bolder taste.


• Grey – Grey is the colour of sophistication, which proves that anyone with grey walls has a classy taste. Apart from that, it also indicates that the person is more reserved and enjoys having their personal space.


• White – Someone who has white walls in their home is a lover of minimalism or maybe they don’t love too much colour. On the other hand, white also acts as a backdrop to experiment with other elements of your décor.

If you are creating your own dream home, before picking your wall colour, avail a home insurance policy for yourself. All you need to do is compare home insurance plans and opt for the one best suited to your needs.

One of the largest joints in the body, the knee is often a cause of concern for most individuals. A healthy knee, which allows us to move, walk and run around with fluidity and flexibility, is now facing the brunt of modern lifestyles and habits. With increasing disposable incomes, availability of home delivery of food and everyday items, and easy transportation people have become less mobile.

Right from clothing to grocery, everything can be ordered and delivered from the comfort of your home or office, without the need for visiting the store. Moreover, the unhealthy lifestyle including reduced physical activity and poor eating habits are adding onto the burden on the knees along with causing other problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and putting the heart at risk.

Having a knee replacement surgery could be a life changing decision, irrespective of your age. However, make sure you ask yourself and your doctor these 5 questions before opting for knee replacement surgery.

1. Have you tried enough alternative options?

Usually doctors first suggest non-operative options such as physical therapy, weight loss, suitable light exercises or medications to strengthen the knee. Knee surgery is more of an “elective” procedure rather than a prescribed option. Hence, make sure you evaluate these options and try them to check if it alleviates the pain and makes life easy with natural remedies and less invasive procedures.

2. Are you doing it at the correct age?

Knee replacements are not as durable as your natural knee structure and lasts for only 15-20 years. If you are getting a knee replacement done at the age of 50 then you may want to reconsider a revision surgery at the age of 65 or 70. Moreover, considering that you will be older by the time you reach your 60s or 70s, the second surgery would be more difficult and harder to perform successfully. Hence, it is advisable to consider knee replacement surgery if you are over 50 years.

3. Which would be the ideal surgery for your knee?

Getting a total knee replacement surgery is not the solution for your knee pains. Your knee surgery depends upon a variety of factors which include your age, physical health, extent of the pain and discomfort, and other factors. Hence, it is best to take opinions for the ideal surgical procedure for your knee pain. There are various knee surgery options such as total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, knee arthroscopy, cartilage treatment as well as knee osteotomy.

4. What could be the outcome of your surgery?

Knee surgery could be a life-altering decision as it will not only affect you physically but mentally too. It is best to research and take different opinions from trusted and experienced surgeons to evaluate the possible outcomes once you undergo the surgical process. Knee replacement does not guarantee improved mobility or pain alleviation, although it may certainly help your cause. Hence, it is important to have appropriate expectations and prepare yourself mentally to undergo the treatment.

5. What could be done to increase the odds for a successful surgery?

As life swings back to the new normal after the lockdown has lifted, we are faced with newer challenges. The biggest one is stepping out of our homes to resume our work life in times when COVID-19 cases in India have not even ceased to multiply. So what could be that one thing that can guard us against the COVID-19 pandemic other than wearing a mask, using a hand sanitizer, maintaining social distancing and getting a Complete Health Insurance ? It’s our very own immune system! It is a pre-requisite to keep it strong and what could be a better way to do so naturally than through some easy yoga poses.

Yoga has proven time and again that it can help reduce our stress levels and keep us calm. Stress, on the other hand, is known to have an adverse impact on our immune system because of the chronic inflammation that it triggers. So when yoga has an anti-inflammatory effect on our body, in a way it ends up keeping our immune system intact. As a result, we are in a better position to defend our health from infections or flu.

Read more about how you can support your immunity against COVID-19

Now, yoga can’t do much for you if you only keep watching some amazing ‘How to do yoga to boost immunity’ videos all the time. Also, it won’t help to start practicing yoga and then give up in 3-4 weeks. For yoga to work for you, you need to keep practicing it with consistency. Don’t be turned off thinking you don’t have a fancy mat, activewear, belts, or bricks to get started with yoga. Yoga, in its purest form as practiced in ancient India, still proves to be equally fruitful to health. Hence, on the occasion of International Yoga Day, we have put together a yoga sequence that will help you reduce stress and boost your immune system without you having to depend upon any extra gears.

Though yoga keeps you healthy and safe physically as well as mentally, a health insurance plan keeps you safe financially, so that you grab your yoga mats and practice yoga stress-free.

Start by doing a gentle warm-up of 5-10 minutes:

• Rotate your head clockwise and anti-clockwise.
• Swing your arms in circles.
• Do some jumping jacks.
• Twist your waist, stretch towards the left side and then right.
• Move your ankles in circles.

Once you feel your heartbeat rising gradually, it’s about time to begin the yoga asanas.

1. Trikonasana (Triangle pose)

Known to strengthen your shoulders, chest, core and legs, this pose leaves you feeling relaxed.

 
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Duration:: Hold the pose for 30 seconds. Take 5 to 10 deep breaths. Repeat 3 times on every leg.

Benefits of triangle pose: Releases the tension in your shoulders, reduces stress and anxiety, improves blood circulation, concentration and balance. It is considered to be one of the best yoga poses that boost your immune system.

2. Uttanasana (Forward Fold)

This is a powerful pose where oxygen reaches your brain since it is at a lower position than your heart, leaving your cells energized..

 
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Duration: Hold the pose for 15-30 seconds and take deep breaths.

Benefits of forward fold: Eases congestion in sinuses, thereby boosting your immunity. Relieves stress, anxiety and beats insomnia. Keeps you calm.

3. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)

This pose falls under Suryanamaskar (sun salutation). It opens your lungs, strengthens your spine and increases your energy.

 
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Duration: Hold the pose for 15-30 seconds and breathe normally.

Benefits of corbra pose:Relieves stress and fatigue, elevates your mood. Also helps with asthma and breathing problems.

4. Shishuasana (Child pose)

This pose will help you relax after you have nailed the earlier three poses. Unlike the others that must be done in the morning, you can do this pose whenever you need a break in the middle of a stressful day.

 
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Duration: Hold for 1 to 3 minutes.

Benefits of child pose: Works best for getting a sound sleep, eases back pain, relaxes your entire body and boosts your immune system by stimulating the lymphatic system.

5. Matsyasana (Fish pose)

When you get into this pose, the thyroid gland is stimulated, which further helps to boost your immunity. Matsyasana also eradicates toxins from your digestive system.

 
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Duration: Hold the pose for 30-60 seconds. Breathe normally.

Benefits of fish pose: Combats anxiety and fatigue. Helps with respiratory problems, eases back pain, releases tension in your neck and shoulders.

6. Viparita Karani (Legs up the wall)

A fairly simple pose, but you can’t imagine a yoga sequence to boost your immune system without it. It relaxes your nervous system and thus helps to strengthen your immunity.

 
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Duration: Start by holding the pose for 5 minutes, then increase the duration with practice.

Benefits of legs up the wall pose: Relieves stress, headache, migraine, insomnia, anxiety and menstrual cramps. It is also known to help with fertility problems.

7. Anand Balasana (Happy baby pose)

It can help you end your yoga session on a fun note. It is a great pose to detoxify your hips and calm your mind.

 
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Duration: Hold the pose for 30-60 seconds. Breathe normally.

Benefits of happy baby pose: Releases tension from your lower back, increases vitality, reduces stress and fatigue, elevates mood and rejuvenates your mind. Thus, working wonders to boost your immunity.

5 health tips you should not miss to follow even on a busy day:

• Meditate
• Eat on time
• Get enough sleep
• Drink enough water
• Add green veggies to your diet

When travelling abroad, make sure that medical travel insurance is among the first five things on your shopping list. In fact, many countries refuse entry to visitors who do not have it. Medical travel insurance policies come with a host of benefits such as:

1. Family emergency

There might arise a situation when you have to cancel your trip due to a medical emergency or a death in your family. In this scenario, the travel insurance will compensate for the losses incurred due to trip cancellation.

2. Repatriation costs

Imagine a situation where you fall sick and need continuous medical attention while on a trip. You may want to cut short your vacation and head home to pursue treatment in your home country, which means additional costs to buy an earlier return ticket. This is where a medical travel policy comes in handy. It covers the expense of repatriation, and the insurer will make the appropriate arrangements to assist you in returning to India.

3. Replacement to regular medical insurance

Even if you have health insurance with various add-ons, it will be of no use in a foreign country. Your medical plan is valid only in India. However, this is not the case with medical travel insurance. If you fall sick abroad due to changes in climatic conditions or some other reason, the insurer will cover the treatment costs.

Medical emergencies can be stressful—not just mentally but financially as well. Whether you are single or have a family of your own, always be prepared to face a medical contingency. You may have a corporate health insurance policy or health cover from your current employer that includes your family members, but will it be adequate to meet the rising cost of quality healthcare when you least expect it. This is certainly not something you would want to learn from experience. Also, changing jobs would mean losing the cover for everybody unless the new employer, if any, promises to cover your family. 

Let’s look in detail why only corporate health insurance is not enough:

1. You lose corporate health insurance coverage if you leave the job

The most important reason to have additional health insurance coverage for yourself and your family members is that you may not stay with the same employer till retirement. Also, you cannot rule out the possibility of losing the job, in which case you will lose the cover too. If you change jobs, your new company may not offer health insurance coverage. If you leave the job to start your own business, you will have to make arrangements to get a health cover on your own. If there is a time gap between leaving your present job and joining a new organization, you will not have any corporate coverage during that period. You cannot say with certainty when you will get the next job, particularly during the recession. It can take any time, starting from a week to a few months, before you join another company. If you have personal insurance coverage, it will support you financially during a medical emergency irrespective of your employment status.

2. In most cases, corporate medical insurance is not available after retirement

You may stop working at some point in life due to old age, or after retirement. If you are planning to get the first insurance policy after you retire, it will be expensive. It may also happen that you will not get the coverage at all if the insurer thinks it to be risky to cover you. Many policies have a maximum age limit for applicants. Once you are above 50 years of age, most insurers expect you to raise a claim soon. This is because elderly people are more likely to suffer from chronic or severe health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, kidney, problems, and other pre-existing diseases. You will have to undergo a series of medical tests before you get the policy and pay a high amount of premium if an insurer decides to cover you. That is the reason why you should have a health insurance plan early in life when you are still working. It would be easy to get a policy and some insurers would offer lifetime renewal and no co-payment even when you are above 60 years of age.

Spike in medical inflation has significantly pushed up hospitalisation expenses, making health insurance an absolute must. Knowing about the list of network hospitals is among the several things you must consider while buying a health plan. There are several benefits on offer while undergoing treatment in a network hospital.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t avail of treatment in a non-network hospital. It’s essential for you, as a policyholder, to understand the difference between network hospitals and non-network hospitals so that you can make a prudent choice when the need arises. This article aims to decipher the differences between the two on different parameters. Let’s get started.

Meaning of Network Hospitals in Health Insurance

Network hospitals in health insurance refer to hospitals and clinics with which your health insurer has a collaboration, and these hospitals are on the empanelled list of your insurer. Every health insurer has a tie-up with different hospitals (in your state and outside), clinics, and treatment care centres.

These are known as network hospitals with which your health insurance company has a contract. When you get admitted to any network hospital, you are eligible to receive cashless treatment facilities, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions.

Meaning of Non-network Hospitals in Health Insurance

Non-network hospital means hospitals, clinics, and treatment centres that are not on the empanelled list of your health insurance. In other words, your insurer doesn’t have a collaboration with them. If you end up hospitalised in a non-network hospital, you can’t avail cashless treatment facility.

Though every health insurance company strives to have an extensive network of hospitals, some are left out. No health insurance company can have a tie-up with all the hospitals and medical treatment centres present in the country. However, leading hospital chains and reputed clinics are on the empanelled list of health insurance companies.

Parameters on Which Network and Non-network Hospitals Differ

1. Cashless Treatment Facility

Cashless treatment facility is one of the fundamental differences between a network and a non-network hospital.  It essentially means that you don’t have to end up paying upfront when you are hospitalised in a network hospital. Inform your insurer about hospitalisation and submit the relevant documents to the third-party administrator (TPA).

In a network hospital, your insurer directly settles hospitalisation expenses incurred. However, the case is different in the case of a non-network hospital. When you get yourself treated in a non-network hospital, you have to make payments upfront.

Once you are discharged, you need to submit the relevant bills and reports to your insurer. After due diligence, the insurer reimburses you the hospitalisation expenses incurred based on the policy purchased by you.

2. Documentation and Formalities

Documentation and formalities are a straightforward process in a network hospital. Present your health card to the TPA (third-party administrator), get in touch with your health insurer, and you are done. They take the process forward. You don’t have to undergo the cumbersome process of keeping all documents, including doctor’s reports, bills, etc to claim your insurance.

However, things are different in a non-network hospital. You have to keep all the documents carefully as misplacing them can lead to claim rejection or being reimbursed a lower claim amount. If you happen to lose any document, arranging a duplicate for the same can be challenging. This will also delay the claim settlement process.

3. Cash Arrangement

When you get treated in a network hospital, you don’t have to worry about cash arrangements. As said, everything is cashless. However, if you get treated in a non-network hospital, you may need to deposit some cash upfront for admission. Also, you need to make regular payments during the course of treatment, which can be pretty challenging.

During testing times such as these — when income is under stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic — arranging and paying cash in short intervals can be an uphill task. In such situations, you may end up borrowing money on high-interest rates that can further dent your finances.

Breakfast is important because it is the first meal after the longest period of fasting in a day. Usually, there is a gap of 10-12 hours between the previous day’s dinner and the next day’s breakfast. Whether you are a school-going kid, a gym enthusiast, a workaholic professional or a stay-at-home person, skipping breakfast can not only make you weary throughout the day but also increases your risk of developing a variety of diseases and illnesses. According to experts, integrating a healthy breakfast into your daily routine not only benefits your physical health but also enhances your mental wellbeing. However, many people are unaware of what to eat for breakfast and some even skip their morning meals. Today, in this article, we will focus on what to eat for breakfast and why.

What to eat for breakfast?

Whole grains:

Whole grains are the grains of pseudo-cereals and contain all three parts of the grain—the bran, endosperm, and germ. Some of the common whole grains breakfast foods that are healthy include: 

• Multi-grain dosa
• Oatmeal
• Barley
• Whole-wheat bread

Why are whole grains a key to a healthy breakfast?

• Whole grains provide fibre as well as a variety of essential nutrients and minerals. Some of the vital minerals in whole grains include zinc, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. 
• Whole grains contain antioxidants, fibre, and vitamin K, which helps in lowering the risk of a heart attack.
• Since whole grains are high in fibre, most health experts believe that it helps in preventing obesity and helps in weight loss.
• Replacing refined grains from your morning breakfast and replacing them with whole grains lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Whole grain wheat fibre components act as a prebiotic, aiding digestion by feeding beneficial gut bacteria.

Lean Protein:

Lean protein foods are those that are high in protein but also low in less healthy nutrients such as dietary cholesterol and saturated fat. If you are looking for healthy breakfast food options that are rich sources of lean protein, consider including the following in your meal plan: 

• Sprouts salad
• Scrambled egg or cottage cheese (paneer)
• Tofu chilla

Oats uttapam and idli

Why include lean protein foods in your breakfast?

• Lean protein keeps your body healthy by helping you lose extra weight.
• If you are a gym enthusiast, incorporating lean protein in your breakfast can help you gain muscle.
• Since lean protein contains very little amount of saturated fat, it lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• Many lean protein sources such as yoghurt and chicken have high levels of zinc that help in boosting our immune system.
• Lean proteins not only help you lose weight but also provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep your metabolism functioning smoothly.
• Lean proteins are known for lowering blood pressure levels and increasing LDL cholesterol or, say, the good cholesterol in your body.

Low-fat dairy:

When compared to full-fat milk, low-fat dairy products have fewer calories and more protein. Consuming low-fat dairy products for breakfast lowers the risk of heart diseases since they contain less saturated fat. Some of the healthy low-fat dairy products that you can add to your breakfast are:
• Skimmed milk
• Yoghurt
• Ice cream
• Cottage cheese

Why include low-fat dairy in your breakfast?

• Low-fat dairy products such as yoghurt and cottage cheese are abundant in protein and calcium that help in building your muscles and improving your bone density.

Including low-fat dairy or fat-free dairy in the diet helps in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes.

Fruits and vegetables

Including fruits and vegetables in your breakfast is also a great way to reduce your calorie intake. Since they are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables come with a host of advantages. Some of the healthy fruits that you can include in your breakfast are:

• Pineapple and cherry for anti-inflammation
• Grapefruit, strawberries, and kiwi for boosting your immune system
• Pomegranate for antioxidant
• Watermelon for body detoxification

We generally tend to lead our lives within a fixed routine. Tasks like cooking, driving, cleaning do not require us to exhibit our mental strength. Just as you take steps to ensure your body is fit and healthy, you need to do brain exercises for your mind to remain healthy.

These monotonous tasks do not provide our brain with enough stimulation, which is needed to keep our brain active and functioning well.

Here are eight ways to not only achieve brain fitness but also make your day enjoyable and exciting:

Meditation

Beginning your day with mediation is one of the great techniques for brain exercises. It helps you feel refreshed overall and energized. According to studies, mindful meditation is highly effective. It stimulates new neural pathways, thereby improving your self-observational skills and helping you increase your mental flexibility.

Besides, meditation has also been found to help improve your attention span and focus, empathy, and even build your immunity. Moreover, it has also been observed that meditation has the power to enhance your working memory's capacity, thus helping you keep your brain sharp.

Use non-dominant hand

The most effective techniques for brain exercises are those that are not necessarily easy. Using your non-dominant hand or the hand you don't usually use is one of the interesting ways to increase your brain sharpness.

For instance, if you use your right hand for most tasks like brushing your teeth or even gardening, try doing that with your left hand. Since your brain is used to your dominant hand, using your opposite hand is challenging and one of the great brain exercises and stimulators.

Try crosswords

Indulging in crosswords or Sudoku or playing games like Tetris for approximately 15 minutes is another effective technique for brain exercises and a fun way to challenge your brain. These activities can significantly help you improve your brain's speed and memory and your analytical skills since they rely on logic, word skills and maths besides also being fun.

Studies have found that crosswords improve your attention span and focus on desired tasks while enhancing your working memory, cognitive abilities, and overall functioning.

Eat healthy

Studies have found a link between green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, and olive oil in your diet and improved brain sharpness, cognitive skills, and overall mental health.

Regular intake of these foods reduces the risk of Alzheimer's by more than 50%. Eating healthy is thus extremely good for achieving brain fitness and maintaining good brain health.

Body fitness = brain fitness

Exercise helps you achieve brain sharpness and fitness and prevents your brain from ageing fast. When you do physical exercise, it is as good as your brain indulging in activities. A study found that doing physical exercise and thus indirectly doing brain exercises reduces your risk of experiencing dementia and cognitive impairment.

Doing exercise such as walking or doing push-ups has been found to increase the generation of new brain cells, thus enhancing your brain's sharpness.

Given the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, many countries are permitting only completely vaccinated travellers and tourists there. But how can officials in other countries know if you are completely vaccinated or not? Well, to make life easy for travellers and officials seeking this information, there is something known as an immunity passport, often known as a vaccine passport because it acts as proof of vaccination. Surprised? Don’t be.

If you have not linked your passport with your vaccine certificate yet and are wondering how to link a passport with a vaccine certificate, then this article is for you.

How to link vaccination certificate to passport?

Since most of the COVID vaccination slot scheduling process is done online, any certificate update or modification is straightforward. You can complete the linkage process from the comfort of your home with the only requirement of smartphone and Internet connectivity.

CoWIN registration with a passport

If you are working overseas and are currently in India, or if you need to fly to another country for urgent business, having appropriate documentation that proofs your vaccination is mandatory. To comply with international travel guidelines, while booking a slot on the CoWIN portal for a jab, use your passport as identity proof.

In case you have used another identity proof to book your vaccination slot and are wondering how to link a passport with a vaccination certificate, then here are the steps to update your passport details.

Step 1:

CoWIN website:

Visit the CoWIN portal at www.cowin.gov.in to update your passport details. Login to your account using your registered mobile number.

Step 2:

Alter your details:

Once you log in to the CoWIN portal, go to the "Account Details" section and click on the "Raise Issue" icon.

Step 3:

Add passport details:

After you click on the "Raise Issue" tab, your screen will display three options under the certificate correction category—Merge Multiple Dose, Provisional Certificate, and Add Passport Details. Click on "Add Passport Details".

Step 4:

Add beneficiary:

On the “Add Passport Details” page, enter your passport number in the "Enter Beneficiary's Passport Number" box. Input the passport number carefully because the certificate photo ID can only be altered once in this section.

Step 5

Confirm:

Once you have entered your passport information, double-check it against your original passport to ensure that everything is correct. Below the declaration statement, you will find a small check box. Tick on that checkbox and then click on the “Submit Request” icon.

Step 6

SMS confirmation

Following your submission request, you will receive a text message confirming that your passport information has been updated successfully. After you submit your request, it may take a few minutes for you to receive an SMS notification.

Step 7

Download certificate

Once you have completed all the formalities, you can now easily download your passport-linked vaccination certificate. To download the certificate, go to the 'Account Details' section and click on the 'Certificate' icon; your certificate will begin downloading when you click on this icon. If you used your passport as your photo identity when enrolling on the CoWIN portal, you will need to go directly to this step to download your certificate.

Two-wheelers are one of the most convenient and cost-efficient modes of commuting. Their ability to cut through long traffic snarls and narrow lanes means that you can reach your destination as quickly as possible. Moreover, two-wheelers are the best means to avoid the hassles of using public transport for those who can't afford a car.

However, there's no denying the fact that even though two-wheelers are cool and fuel-efficient, they are riskier than cars. According to the Insurance Information Institute, a two-wheeler accident is 30 times more likely to cause the rider's death than other vehicles. The NCRB data also shows that in 2019, around 58,747 two-wheeler occupants died in road accidents against 22,637 car occupants.

Therefore, it is imperative for two-wheeler owners to follow certain road safety tips while riding their bikes or scooters. It will not only help in avoiding an accident but also provide them with a stress-free riding experience.

What Does Nominee Mean in Car Insurance?

Well-planned insurance coverage for your car includes a well-thought decision regarding a suitable nominee. It ensures a smooth transfer of car ownership in case of the policyholder’s demise. Keeping this in mind, let us understand who a car insurance nominee is and what are his/her rights and duties.

Meaning of Nominee in Car Insurance Policies

While purchasing the car insurance policy, you need to name a nominee along with other essential personal details. A nominee in car insurance serves a similar function as that of any other insurance policy or any other asset an individual holds.

Legally, in the case of an individual’s demise, the assets and any other property owned by him/her is passed on to the legal heir. When naming a nominee, such legality is executed and brought to force, making the named individual the legal heir and effecting policy transfer in the case of the unfortunate demise of the policyholder.

Naming a nominee also eliminates any chances of legal dispute if there are multiple legal heirs to the individual. For instance, if a person has two children, X and Y, both would be the legal heirs to his property. However, if he has named X as the nominee in his car insurance policy, in the case of the policyholder’s demise, any scope for ownership dispute is eliminated.

Now, one must also understand that the policy should be active while such policyholder is deceased for this to effect. The benefits mentioned under the coverage plan would be applicable and claimable by the nominee only if the policy was active during the policyholder’s demise.

Under circumstances where the car insurance nominee hasn’t been mentioned, the ownership of such policy passes on to the legal heir without dispute.

The Indian automobile industry has witnessed some tectonic changes during the last few years. Some of these changes are increasing penetration of electric vehicles, innovative connectivity features in cars, digitalisation of

The most noteworthy change among these is the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, EV manufacturers sold 5,32,485 units in India during the last two financial years. With the Government pushing for complete electric mobility and rising fuel prices, these figures will expand by 26% between 2021 and 2023.

So, if you are planning to buy a new car soon, you should start looking at the futuristic EV options. Almost all top automobile brands in India have started offering electric cars to their customers. You can select from a range of impressive options from some world-renowned car manufacturers.

What about car insurance?

As per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, all vehicles in India must be insured with a motor insurance policy; electric cars are not exempted from this rule. It means that you have to compulsorily buy car insurance for your electric vehicle to drive it on Indian roads. However, electric car insurance policies aren’t the same as regular car insurance plans.

Since electric cars are battery-powered and consist of a different engine, coverage offered by an electric car insurance policy is more customised. Also, the cost of car insurance for electric cars is higher as compared to the usual petrol and diesel cars.

Owning a car is a dream come true for many, for others it could be a much-needed asset—whatever is your reason for loving your car, make sure you secure it with the right car insurance policy. The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 mandates third-party insurance for every car owner. However, a third-party policy offers only partial cover. While it covers third-party liabilities in case of a mishap, it will not protect you against any injury or damage to your car. Therefore, it is advised to secure your car and your finances with a comprehensive car insurance policy since it covers third-party liabilities as well as your own damage. A comprehensive car insurance policy can give you complete financial protection in the face of an unfortunate event.

What is the deductible in car insurance?

This is important. Remember, no insurance policy pays 100% of the claim amount since every plan comes with a deductible. A deductible is an amount you have to pay from your pocket as and when you make a claim. So, when an unfortunate event occurs, you pay a certain amount by yourself, and then the insurance company settles the remaining amount. For example, let’s say your car insurance policy has a fixed deductible of 5% and you make a cashless claim for Rs 50,000. In this scenario, once you make a claim, the insurer will ask you to pay the deductible, which will be Rs 2500 in this case. After you pay, the insurer will settle the remaining amount, which is Rs 47,500 directly with the garage.

In case of a reimbursement claim, you will have to pay the entire expenses to the garage from your pocket and the insurance company will reimburse the claim amount after deducting the deductible.

How are car insurance deductibles beneficial?

Car insurance deductible is beneficial to policyholders as it reduces your insurance premium amount considerably. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Therefore, many people opt for a higher deductible to reduce the car insurance premium.

Deductible is beneficial to the insurance company as it discourages the policyholder from making small claims.

The COVID-19 pandemic tossed life off gear in a matter of weeks throwing global economies in disarray. While the trail of devastation because of the deadly virus is well-documented, it also gave several critical lessons on different aspects, with health insurance being one of them.

The once-in-a-century pandemic gave essential lessons on imbibing health insurance, which can help you stay better prepared should such an event occur in the future. What are these? Let’s find out.

Health Insurance is Not a Want Anymore

While the need for health insurance plans was always there, many people took it as an unnecessary expense. There was no significant urge to buy health insurance among the majority of the people. However, the pandemic changed this outlook. Data shows that people purchasing comprehensive health insurance plans stood at approximately 32% during pre-COVID times, and it shot up to 55% after the pandemic.

Insurers witnessed a significant demand for health plans coming their way - a testament that health insurance is not a want but a modern-day need. Financial literacy advocates have always highlighted the need and importance of health insurance in one’s portfolio; it took a pandemic of this magnitude to drive home the point.

So, if you don’t want your finances to take a dip because of COVID-19, it’s paramount to buy a health insurance plan at the earliest.

Have Adequate Sum Insured

Sum insured is one of the vital aspects to look for while buying health insurance, and it is the maximum amount your insurer pays in case of hospitalisation. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the dynamics of purchasing health insurance plans and what was earlier thought to be adequate is not the case now.

Many cases have come to the fore where hospitalisation bills have run into lakhs of rupees and are significantly higher than the sum insured offered by the policy. Hence, it’s essential to opt for a plan with a high sum insured to minimise out-of-pocket expenses. If you live in a metro, where treatment costs are higher than non-metros, it’s prudent to opt for a policy with a sum insured of at least Rs. 15 to 20 lakhs.

Though it pushes up the premium, it will come to your rescue, should you need hospitalisation. Another way to ensure adequate coverage is to avail a top-up plan. A top-up plan is cheap and works on the concept of deductible. Once you have paid the deductible amount mentioned in the top-up plan through your base policy, the benefits kick in. It’s a cost-effective way to ensure you have a wider net to deal with large COVID-19 bills.

After two years since the imposition of Covid-19 restrictions in Mumbai and Maharashtra, the Maharashtra government withdrew all Covid-19 curbs on 1st April 2022. The decision was made following a sharp decline in cases during a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on 31^st March 2022.

Covid-19 in Maharashtra took a significant toll on life, as the state was one of the worst hits during the pandemic. Cases were significantly high during the first, second and third wave of the pandemic. 

However, things have changed over the past few months with concentrated efforts from the authorities and front-line workers. Hence, the Maharashtra Government decided to withdraw all the Covid-19 restrictions imposed under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

There have been various predictions about the increase in motor insurance premiums in recent years. You must have scrolled through the websites of several insurers to check the price hikes, whether it was for comprehensive insurance or third-party coverage. Much to your anticipation, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has recently proposed amendments to third party car insurance pricing. The last revisions were made in June 2019, just before the onset of the pandemic.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and IRDAI’s latest proposal calls for a significant increase in third party car insurance premium. However, the car insurance price hike is kept to a minimum for private and commercial cars.

The proposals were made after reviewing the last 10 years' insurance claims and premiums data. The new rates will be effective starting 1^st April, 2022. 

What is third-party car insurance?

Third-party car insurance is the minimum insurance cover needed to drive a car in India. The policy covers the property loss and physical injury of a third party. Simply put, it is a pact between you and your insurer where the insurer agrees to indemnify you if you are sued or are found legally accountable for the death, injuries, or property damage caused to a third party.

In India, the rate of third party insurance is decided by the IRDAI and not by the insurance companies. The insurer is responsible for fixing the rate of standalone own damage insurance and comprehensive car insurance—own damage portion plus add-ons. The rates are set following a thorough evaluation of the claims paid out by various insurers over a period.

Let's go over the benefits of the third-party cover to understand why you should get it before the car insurance price increases.

Features of third-party liability cover

• Third-party legal cover is mandatory by law. 

• It compensates the third party for property damage caused by your car.

• If a third person is injured physically, the policy will cover their medical costs.

If a third person dies or becomes permanently disabled as a result of an accident involving your car, the policy will pay a lump sum amount.