https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-pollster-who-thinks-trump-will-win-11604011863
Friday, October 30, 2020
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Transfer of power
- https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/02/what-if-he-wont-go/606259/
- https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article245978560.html
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-impeachment-refuse-leave-office-nixon-cohen-white-house-a8814991.html Jul 2019: Michael Cohen predicted it
Saturday, October 10, 2020
Old Age Home Cost
Senior Citizen's home
- http://www.subramoney.com/2012/01/old-age-home-expenses-in-india/#:~:text=50k%20per%20couple%20to%20Rs,including%20laundry%2C%20food%2C%20electricity%E2%80%A6
- https://www.livemint.com/Money/dvN4ue8SccGtAB0vRXLthI/Whats-the-real-cost-of-retirement-homes.html
- https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/culture/story/cost-old-age-home-delhi-ncr-the-golden-estate-lifest-1032213-2017-08-27
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Monday, October 5, 2020
Byju's And Advanced Learning
An interesting fwd I received, worth a read👇🏻
Many years ago - there was a Gentleman called Arindam Chaudhari. He wore a pony tail, ranted a lot of nonsense, valued businesses worth Rs. 10 Lakhs for Rs. 100 Crore and mocked at India for being old fashioned.
He started an Institute - promising this and that and this and that. He charged exorbitant fees and in return gave a Laptop and some highly dubious course material and promised you - you would be in Wall Street in 3 years time.
Today - 22000 Students at least have filed over 1700 Petitions, Complaints against him in wild fury and anger - all over India especially in Bangalore. I am one of the 219 Lawyers who have filed petitions in both Karnataka (Through Associate Counsel) and Madras High Courts. He has been accused of a variety of charges from fraud to tax evasion.
Every generation has its own Arindam Chaudhari.
They target the Average and Below Average students - and promise them the sun and the moon. These poor kids - get baited hook line and sinker. Aware of their shortcomings and realizing that they will never get into IIMs or get a perfect GRE Score or an attractive engineering college - they are convinced that their life will change.
In my opinion:-
Byjus is the Arindam Chaudhari 2.0
The Same Arindam Chaudhari brand of baiting the Average and Below Average by promising them the sun, the moon and the stars.
First off are the exhorbitant charges. Like Chaudhari - they too give you a Laptop and charge you almost Rs. 1.5 Lakhs for Classes I - Class III. Thats 50,000/- for a year but like a Vegetable Market if you choose the three year package - you get it for Rs. 90,000/-.
Likewise as you go to a higher class- you pay a higher sum. For taking their package upto Class X - you pay Rs. 2 Lakhs flat. (From 4th to 10th).
And you have different combinations for 11th and 12th - beginning from Rs. 70,000/- to Rs. 1,80,000/- plus horrendous fees for English and Hindi alone (Around 80,000/-)
Plus Rs. 5000/- for a Test Series
Plus Rs. 45,000/- for Crash Courses.
So the charges are huge. Almost equivalent to school fees and in many cases higher than what schools charge - at least in Tamilnadu.
Now are there any serious benefits?
Unless Byjus has a direct line to the Goddess Kaali and can give divine blessings to the students - the answer is NO
Average Students will continue to be Average. Below Average students will continue to be below Average.
Most of the IIT Toppers are Toppers for two reasons - One reason of course if that they work hard but the other reason is THEY ARE INTELLIGENT.
You cannot bring an Average guy and make him an IIT Topper just by offering a glitzy course with glossy pamphlets.
I speak with examples of course.
A Neighbor of mine - enrolled her kid who scored 63% marks in Class X to the 11th and 12th plan of Byjus. Apparently the woman assured her that the Kid was intelligent and should go to the Science group and that their system would take care of any chinks. She spoke so well that this woman literally handed over her child to Byjus like you did in the old days - handing your child to a guru in a gurukul.
The Kids marks did not improve. He worked hard but to no avail. Supposedly there was a counsellor but he was a half baked fellow himself - who kept telling the kid to mutter this shloka and that.
The Woman shelled out Rs. 1.90 Lakhs to Byjus (Her SBI Credit or Debit Card was used every time) and each time she came to pay the money - there would be promises -
‘He just has to overcome his tension’ ; ‘He just has to concentrate’;’He is a very bright student but…’
Meanwhile the Kids Maths Teacher literally told the mother “Your son is very average. He simply cannot study in the Science Group. Please place him somewhere - where he can relax and do well”
Eventually the Kid secured 68% in Class XII with 59 marks in Mathematics. The Mother was distraught and requested my wife to ask me to come with her to Byjus. Apparently Byjus had promised the mother that if the Kid did not get less than 75% , they would give him 12th coaching again free of cost or would refund some money or a lot of money (Not sure how much).
So we went and immediately the woman got some other schmuck wearing a shirt and tie who gave a card to us - and began his slick lies. He brought up some report card and said the kid was this and that (Which the mother had never heard of before that day) and reluctantly refused to repeat the 12th Coaching again or give a refund.
The mother was in tears - and I realized there was nothing in writing. Just as we left - the Schmuck - came to us and told us “Sir! I can help you out. I can get the Kid a second chance at 40% discount and i can give you a one on one coaching”
Slowly more and more mothers - more and more of the same story.
They target the Average and Below Average Students
They charge exorbitant fees
Their teachers are selected from Schools and they get huge cuts and commissions for referrals. So a Teacher intentionally gives lower and lower marks to the student and “advises” the mother to send the child to a Tuition like Byjus
They promise the sun, the moon and the stars
Eventually unless you leak the paper - the Average Student and Below Average Student will continue to remain average and below average or if they do we'll, it would be their own hard work not Byjus
When you go back angry - they will make excuses and send you home
Then i heard they are now valued at 88000 Crores !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am Ashamed.
Why am i Ashamed?
Because our Country is a target for these so called “Educational Institutions” - to come and offer the world to the mediocre and suck their money and leave them dry and reeling.
In China - the Average is told he is average and is given an Average Job. He is happy.
In Singapore - the Average also gets an Average Job and is happy
In USA and India - the Average is promised that he is extraordinary and offered a course for huge fees promising the sun, the moon and the stars and after everything is finished - he gets ZILCH except a big loss of money or worse - a Loan from a private lender.
It is one of the Biggest Cons in the HIstory of Indian Education
You want to do well :-
Assess your Intelligence
Find out your Range
Do the best that you can for your Range
However work as hard as possible to achieve the best in your range
Remember the homily of Senathypathy in Indian “If you can get a job with your own talent and education - good - otherwise settle down and do any honorable job you can do your best at”
P.S:- The NEET and IIT courses of Byjus are not included. I dont have enough data to conclude if they are dubious or not.
So Byjus is not a slap on Indias Education System but a Slap on India and every Average Indian out there.
Sunday, October 4, 2020
RV Medicines
Celong:
Composition of Celong Tablet:
VITAMIN C + VITAMIN D3 + CURCUMIN + ZINC
Nicerbium
Nicerbium Tablet may be taken with or without food. However, take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. You should finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. In case you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. You should continue to take this medicine for as long as the doctor advises and do not stop taking it suddenly as it may result in worsening of headaches.
Side effects associated with the use of this medicine include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, taste changes, agitation, muscle pain, and restlessness. However, these are usually temporary and usually resolve on their own. Please consult your doctor if these do not subside or worry you. It may also cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
Macalvit syrup
Macalvit syrup is a combination of Calcium carbonate and Vitamin D3(cholecalciferol) which is used as bone joint supplement. Calcium carbonate is a mineral that is required for the formation of bones and maintaining them. Calcium carbonate is required to prevent breakage of bones, Calcium is used to prevent or treat low blood calcium levels in people who do not get enough calcium from their diets.
Vitamin D3(cholecalciferol) that is used in the absorption of calcium in the blood. Vitamin D3 helps in processing of essential minerals in the body like Calcium and Phosphorus. Lack of Vitamin D3 results in bone weakening, bone pain, and skin diseases.
Mentat
The natural ingredients in Mentat improve mental quotient, memory span and concentration ability. Mentat reduces the level of tribulin, an endogenous monoamine oxidase inhibitor that is elevated during anxiety. The calming effects of Mentat are beneficial in treating insomnia and convulsions.
COQ
Coenzyme Q10 has been used for heart problems (e.g., heart failure, angina), high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease, gum disease, and certain diseases passed down through families (Huntington's disease, muscular dystrophy). It has also been used for reducing the number of migraine headaches and for reducing cell damage that may occur after surgery or treatment with certain anti-cancer drugs.
Clonil
Clonil 10 MG Tablet is a tricyclic antidepressant medicine, used for the treatment of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobia. It is also used in the treatment of muscle weakness associated with the sleep disorder called narcolepsy. Take this medicine at the same time regularly. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without informing your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Clonil 10 MG Tablet
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Nausea or Vomiting
Swelling of face and feet
Acid or sour stomach
Constipation
Shaking of hands or feet
Mouth ulcers
Irregular menstrual periods
Synaptol
Uses of Synaptol 150 mg Tablet
What is it prescribed for?
This medicine is used in the treatment of muscle spasm/spasticity, a condition where certain muscles are contracted constantly, associated with various muscular, neurological, or vascular disorders.
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Synaptol 150 mg Tablet
Excessive sweating
Itching and skin rash
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Diarrhea
Dryness of mouth
Headache
Constipation
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Flatulence (Passing of gas)
Syndopa
Syndopa 110 Tablet is a combination of two medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It is one of the most effective medications to relives symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as tremor, muscle stiffness and difficulty moving.
Syndopa 110 Tablet can be taken without food but it is better to avoid high protein diet and dairy products while taking this medicine. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration advised by your doctor and if you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. You should never skip any doses and try to finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Do not stop taking medicine until told by your doctor as it can cause harmful effects.
This medicine may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, dryness in mouth, constipation, and headache. Initially, this medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when you change positions, so it's better to rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. It causes a sudden onset of dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
Take caution while taking medicine if you are suffering from liver or kidney disease. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Pacitane
Pacitane Tablet is used with other medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease. It’s also used to treat severe movement side effects caused by certain drugs (drug-induced movemnet disorder).
Pacitane Tablet should be taken empty stomach as it reduces the side effects of this medicine. It should be taken at the same time each day, this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor and if you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to the doctor as it may result in a worsening of symptoms.
Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and blurred vision. It even causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Dry mouth may occur commonly while using this medicine so, try to do frequent mouth rinses, maintain good oral hygiene, and increase water intake. Avoid wearing contact lenses as it may cause dry eyes as well. It is important to inform your doctor if you suffer from glaucoma or have trouble in passing urine.
Before using Pacitane Tablet, you should tell your doctor if you've ever had heart problems, problems with passing urine, liver or kidney disease. It may also affect, or be affected by, some other drugs you are using so let your doctor know what these are to be safe. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before starting treatment with this medicine.
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