Heena Sharma Blog

Fireworks explode during the New Year's celebrations at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. Fireworks light up the Atomium building, a metal structure built in the form of an iron crystal, as part of New Year celebrations in Brussels, Belgium. Believers of Afro-Brazilian religions pay tribute to Yemanja, goddess of the sea, during a traditional celebration ahead of New Year's eve on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fireworks light up the sky around the London Eye wheel to welcome the New Year in London, Britain Thais pray to celebrate the New Year 2019 at the Golden Mountain temple or Wat Saket in Bangkok, Thailand. Strings attached are ceremonial threads given by Buddhist monks Revellers enjoy during New Year celebrations in Moscow's Red Square, Russia. Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill during New Year's day celebrations in Athens, Greece. Read More Business Standard

Veteran actor-writer Kader Khan passed away due to prolonged illness at the age of 81 on December 31, his son Sarfaraz confirmed. Khan was admitted to a hospital in Canada and his son confirmed that his last rites will be conducted in the country. "My dad has left us. He passed away on December 31 at 6 pm as per Canadian time due to prolonged illness . He slipped into coma in the afternoon. He was in the hospital for 16-17 weeks. "The last rites will be performed here in Canada only. We have our entire family here and we live here so we are doing it," Khan's son Sarfaraz told PTI. "We are thankful to everyone for their blessings and prayers," he added. The news of the death of the actor-screenwriter, who was at his peak in the 1980s-90s, comes days after his son dismissed media reports of his demise. Khan had developed breathing issues and the doctors had reportedly transferred him from regular ventilator to BiPAP ventilator. Read

AI became the new buzzword in the smartphone space. Smartphone makers adopted the new technology to enhance the operating system, optimise battery life, improve imaging and reduce unnecessary resource consumption. Of many use cases, the technology made a huge impact on the imaging capabilities of the current generation smartphones. From automatic scene detection to customising settings based on frame, the AI has proved to be a valuable addition. From iPhone X-inspired wide notch to dewdrop shaped small one, 2018 would be marked as the year of notch-screen smartphones. The Asus Zenfone 5z (review), unveiled at the MWC 2018, marked the beginning of the notch-screen trend in the Android ecosystem. The trend spread like wildfire and smartphones -- budget or premium – did not shy starring the notch on their foreheads. Since its inception, the fingerprint sensor is one of the phone’s components that never really got a space of its own. It has moved from front to back, right t

India batsman Rohit Sharma will miss the fourth Test against Australia in Sydney to be with his wife, who gave birth to a baby girl in Mumbai on Sunday. Rohit has flown back from Melbourne and will rejoin the squad on January 8 ahead of the three-match ODI series beginning January 12 in Sydney. "India batsman Rohit Sharma left for Mumbai on the 30th of December to attend to his wife who has delivered a baby girl. The BCCI congratulates Rohit on the beginning of a new chapter in his life," the BCCI said in a statement. The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), however, has not named any replacement for Rohit for the final Test beginning on January 3. India lead the four-match Test series 2-1 after winning the Melbourne Test by 137 runs. Read More Business Standard

Jivi , a home-grown mobile phone brand known for budget phones, recently launched the Banana 6 at Rs 1,299. Replica of the Nokia 8110 feature phone, famous for its banana-shaped design and commonly known as the original banana phone, the Jivi Banana 6 is also a feature phone with a curved design and a slider on the front, covering the keypad. In terms of design, the phone’s bright yellow colour pops out too much and might not go down well with everyone. The slider mechanism is reminiscent of the good old Nokia days when phones with sliders and flaps were common. However, the quality of the slider does not seem to be good. It feels out of the place while sliding down and requires constant efforts to keep it intact. The slider is used for unlocking/locking the phone and receiving calls. The back of the phone has a removable cover with a battery, dual-SIM and microSD slot underneath. The phone is powered by 1,000 mAh battery. On the front, the phone has a 2.4-inch display

Snazzier phones with premium price tags are set to vie for Indian customers' wallets in 2019, but it would be entry-level and affordable smartphones driving sales volume in the world's second largest smartphone market. However, exclusive launches and deep discounts on e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon could become a thing of the past as new rules for online marketplaces with new rules coming into effect in February. According to experts, 2018 was a vibrant year for smartphone companies in India as shipments grew by an estimated 11 per cent to about 150 million units. And the growth streak is expected to get a bit better at 12 per cent in 2019. The stellar growth saw India uprooting the US as the the world's second largest mobile phone market by volume -- ranking behind China but handset prices have been skewed towards lower-end of the market. Read More Business Standard

With great power comes great responsibility. The quote made popular by the iconic comic series 'Spider-Man' sums up the challenges that social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook are facing in India. They have been accused of being a carrier of hate messages and fake news that incited mob violence. And, now they stare at the prospects of stricter government rules, greater accountability and regulatory scrutiny. These platforms, for some of whom India is the biggest consumer base outside of their home country, can see very much clear the writing on the wall -- follow the rules of engagement if you want to be in the world's fastest growing economy. The year 2018 will go down in history as the one where social networking platforms not only made country-specific changes -- be it labelling forwarded messages, limiting the number of people a user can send a message to at one go and launching public awareness campaign against fake news. They also agreed

On December 28, the Government of India okayed India’s first human spaceflight programme at a cost of Rs 9,023 crore. The programme will attempt to launch three Indian astronauts to low-Earth orbit for as many as seven days. If the mission – slated to happen in 2022 – succeeds, India will become only the fourth country in the world able to launch astronauts into space. It is not yet clear what the astronauts will do in space. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which is leading the programme, has said they will perform some science experiments on their first flight but nothing of what comes after. But there’s no doubt that there are a lot of possibilities, and that astronauts – Indian and otherwise – have lots left to do in the coming decades. They’re crucial in everything from extraterrestrial mining to Mars missions, space diplomacy to weaponisation,. In this sense, it is important for space organisations to maintain a keen awareness of their spacefarers’ f

Finding ways to hide information in text, unveiling state-sponsored trolls, a plane with no moving parts, wood as strong as titanium and even efforts to go beyond the corporeal to life beyond death... there was seemingly no end to tech innovations in 2018 . It was a year that saw technology take a quantum leap to touch virtually every aspect of our lives, and even beyond it maybe, from terrestrial to the skies above. In a first, a plane with no moving parts -- no turbines, propellers or even fans -- took flight in November. Developed by researchers at US' Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the small prototype was powered by "ionic wind" -- the flow of ions produced by the plane that generates enough thrust to push it through the air for a sustained, steady flight. This is the first-ever sustained flight of a plane with no moving parts in the propulsion system," Steven Barrett, associate professor at MIT, said in a statement. Anothe

Kicking and yelling during sleep? You may want to know the risk factors of a violent sleep disorder . According to a recent study, taking antidepressants for depression, having post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety diagnosed by a doctor are risk factors for a disruptive and sometimes violent sleep disorder called rapid eye movement ( REM ) sleep behavior disorder. The study was published in the journal of ' Neurology ', the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study also found that men are more likely to have the disorder. REM sleep is the dream state of sleep. During normal REM sleep, your brain sends signals to prevent your muscles from moving. However, for people with REM sleep behavior disorder, those signals are disrupted. A person may act out violent or action-filled dreams by yelling, flailing their arms, punching or kicking, to the point of harming themselves or a person sleeping next to them. "While much is still unkno

A monochromatic make-up look and shimmering gloss for both lips and eyes will be the trend to look out for in the year to come, say experts. Stafford Braganza, National Make-up Artist at NYX Professional Makeup, Elton J. Fernandez, Official Make-up Artist at Maybelline New York, and Iman Allana, Founder of Bollyglow, share what trends will make it big in 2019: * Shimmering gloss is making a comeback in 2019 for both lips and eyes. It has been years of matte lipstick and it's time for gloss to shine again. Gloss glistens back to the beauty landscape with lots of silky slip and sheen in a non-sticky texture. * Nudes continue to stride their way to the top alongside the emerging glosses and glitter eyes that will make a statement in the coming year * Living coral will be a major trend, adding a pop of this shade to our vanity is all we need to keep abreast the beauty trends and ace the beauty game in 2019. * Minimalism will be the mantra for an elegant look

If you love indulging in fruit drinks or soda, you might want to have a look at this. Higher collective consumption of sweetened fruit drinks, soda, and water is associated with a higher likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), a recent study suggests. As part of the study, researchers studied 3003 African-American men and women with normal kidney function. The investigators further assessed beverage intake through a food frequency questionnaire administered at the start of the study in 2000-04, and they followed participants until 2009-13. Among the 3003 participants, 185 (6%) developed CKD over a median follow-up of 8 years. After adjustment for confounding factors, consuming a beverage pattern consisting of soda, sweetened fruit drinks, and water was associated with a higher risk of developing CKD. Participants in the top tertile for consumption of this beverage pattern were 61% more likely to develop CKD than those in the bottom tertile. Read More

With evolving fashion taste one always wants to wear designer, artistic and luxurious looking outfits on any specific occasion. To find the perfect fashion connect and satisfy ones buying sentiments, one must be aware about the patterns, designs and colours that complement each other exceptionally well. Niharika Dubey, Stylist at Postfold lists a few secret tips for this New Year's Eve to give your fashion quotient an awesome kick-start. * Winter worthy dresses: Move over dresses that you need to layer up with. Coat dresses and sweater dresses are the new way to look great while partying in the winter chill. Pair with boots or your favorite kicks for an even more comfortable party statement. * Experimental sleeves: With the need to stay bundled up in this weather, it's a good idea to pick statement making silhouettes like exaggerated and dramatic sleeves. Think bell sleeves, tiered flares or even slit sleeves- bring back retro completely when you pair these

Below are some of our readers’ favorite nutrition stories from the past year, packed with information that may help you eat better in 2019. How a Low-Carb Diet Might Help You Maintain a Healthy Weight A large new study published in the journal BMJ in November found that overweight adults who cut carbohydrates from their diets and replaced them with fat sharply increased their metabolisms. After five months on the diet, they burned roughly 250 calories more per day than people who ate a high-carb, low-fat diet, suggesting that restricting carb intake could help people maintain their weight loss more easily. The new research is unlikely to end the decades-long debate over the best diet for weight loss. But it provides strong new evidence that all calories are not metabolically alike to the body. And it suggests that the popular advice on weight loss promoted by health authorities — count calories, reduce portion sizes and lower your fat intake — might be outdated. Read m

Winter has finally arrived and for most people, this means layering up in all blacks or greys and hibernating till the season is over. While there is nothing wrong with these colours, one can also experiment with different hues to add freshness to this gloomy winter. Neelanjan Sil, Head of Design at Blackberrys Casuale and Kamakshi Kaul, VP Design Head, Max Fashion brings you some amazing tips to incorporate colours in your otherwise monochrome winter wardrobe. * Statement coats and blazers in bright hues : Statement coats are one of the biggest winter trends . Opt for a statement coat in a bold colour that not only brightens your wardrobe but also keeps you warm. While traditionally blazers do fall under formal category, they look great for casual looks too. Throw a bright colour blazer over a simple outfit to give an instant boost to your outfit. * Solid knits: Solid colour knitted pullovers word under a blazer or over a shirt looks great. They are lightweight and

Post-natal depression in fathers is linked to emotional problems for their teenage daughters, a study has found. Almost one in 20 new fathers suffered depression in the weeks after their child was born, according to the study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. The study, based on a sample of over 3,000 families in Bristol, UK, also identified a link between post-natal depression in men and depression in their daughters as they reached adulthood . At 18, girls whose fathers had experienced depression after their birth were themselves at greater risk of the condition, said Professor Paul Ramchandani from the University of Cambridge in the UK. The "small but significant" increased risk applied only to daughters; sons were not affected, said Ramchandani. One reason for this "handing on" effect could be that post-natal depression in fathers is sometimes linked with an increased level of maternal depression, researchers said. Read More

It may seem a little old school, but printed photos still have a charm that digital ones just cannot match. Even so, you cannot deny that getting photos printed has its own hassles. And, that is what led to the birth of portable printers like the HP Sprocket Plus . A successor to the Sprocket, which was launched last year, the Plus edition is a tad bigger in size and can print 30 per cent larger pictures than the previous version. Aside from the capacity to print bigger photos, the Plus edition is almost identical to the Sprocket. A bigger size notwithstanding, it remains a light and portable device. The Sprocket Plus, with a no-frills design, has a removable cover on top to pack 10 zero-ink (ZINK) papers in a tray that fits 20 sheets at a time. As the name suggests, these papers do not require ink, so there is no risk of spillage. Operating the HP Sprocket Plus is easy, thanks to the feature-rich Sprocket app available for both iOS and Android devices. The app requires

Our senses are stuck in the past . There’s a flash of lightning, and then seconds pass until we hear the rumble of distant thunder. We hear the past. We are seeing into the past too . While sound travels about a kilometre every three seconds, light travels 300,000 kilometres every second. When we see a flash of lighting three kilometres away, we are seeing something that happened a hundredth of a millisecond ago. That’s not exactly the distant past. But as we look further afield, we can peer further back. We can see seconds, minutes, hours and years into the past with our own eyes. Looking through a telescope, we can look even further into the past. A second back in time If you really want to look back in time, you need to look up. The Moon is our nearest celestial neighbour - a world with valleys, mountains and craters. Read More Business Standard

Even if the foundation of your relationship has long been built on trial and error, a relationship is nothing more than small growths and achievements, marked by the occasional misstep. The Smarter Living team has culled a few tips from our archive to help you grow in that new relationship, rekindle an old flame or turn a breakup into a positive experience. Be a more patient person Relax. It’s going to be O.K. A 2012 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology identified three distinct expressions of patience: interpersonal, which is maintaining calm when dealing with someone who is upset, angry or being a pest; life hardships, or finding the silver lining after a serious setback; and daily hassles, which is suppressing annoyance at delays or anything irritating that would inspire a snarky tweet. The good news is the same study found that patience as a personality trait is modifiable. Even if you’re not a particularly patient person today, there’s still hope you can be

The trailer of ' Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga ' takes you on a beautiful and refreshing journey of love and relationships and will definitely leave you wanting for more! The flick brings the real-life father-daughter duo of Anil Kapoo r and Sonam Kapoor together on screen for the first time ever, but there's more to it! This one is not a typical Bollywood love story. Sonam took to her Twitter handle to share the trailer. "Want to know my secret? Watch the trailer of the most unexpected romance of the year - #EkLadkiKoDekhaTohAisaLaga ," she wrote along with the video. Featuring Sonam, Anil, Rajkummar Rao and Juhi Chawla, the trailer is convincing and heart-touching. It not only promises to bring back the old charm of romance but also stays relevant to the current times and shows how relationships have changed over the years. It will definitely leave a deep impact on the audience as it reminds one to stop being judgemental about other people's

Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) Thursday launched the 2019 edition of its sportsbike Hayabusa priced at Rs 13.74 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The 2019 edition of Suzuki Hayabusa , powered by a 1,340 cc engine, will feature an added pair of side reflectors for Indian conditions, the company said in a statement. The new bike will have updated graphics and will be available in two new colour schemes -- Metallic Oort Gray and Glass Sparkle Black, it added. SMIPL Managing Director Satoshi Uchida said the 2019 edition of Hayabusa in two new colour schemes will appeal to a larger fan base and enthusiasts in India. "For 20 years, Suzuki Hayabusa has been one of the most loved sportsbikes among the enthusiasts for almost two decades and has received an excellent response in India," he said. Read More Business Standard

Police arrested three people including a woman for allegedly cutting off a man's genitals here. The man had allegedly harassed the woman and made unwanted advances towards the woman. Police stated. "The man had allegedly made unwanted advances towards the woman. Thereafter she hatched the plot with two others. Case registered and probe underway." The woman called the victim to a secluded place where two of her companions beat him up, following which the woman cut off his private parts. The doctor has deemed the victim's condition critical. "We have put him on ventilator support. We are working hard to keep him alive. Private parts and the brain has been majorly injured," Dr Dyaneshwar asserted. Read More Business Standard