The pity is that this initiative is seen as fulfilling a social objective. Air India, a full-service airline unlike some private carriers with hidden costs for baggage, seat allocation and food, should be encouraged to go further and explore all commercial options for expanding the air travel pie.Less than one per cent (60 million) of inter-city travellers choose to fly.The writer is adviser, Observer Research Foundation. More important, the fact that its bottomline is attracting leadership-level eyeballs is welcome for a state-owned company that got budgetary support of Rs 19,900 crores in the 2012-16 period. Pulling away rail travellers willing to pay AC fares to fly is a good one. The good news is that such mindsets are changing. Faster and better passenger trains are an option too. Seen through the binary vision of poor versus non-poor, air travel is a luxury used mostly by the rich. If it induces rail travellers to fly instead, it will be a win-win. Imposing penal taxes on air travel is a natural corollary.The Centre has launched a parallel scheme to improve air connectivity by creating a special fund to finance the gap in financial viability for linking Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities by air. But he admits that beyond 1,500 km, air travel would still be cheaper.Air India recently made the headlines by offering last-minute unsold seats at the price of AC rail tickets. But this disruptive innovation in transportation is yet to be piloted and tested. High-speed trains of the type envisaged between Mumbai and Ahmedabad and later between New Delhi and Varanasi can be viable only on high-density routes.This new initiative could bomb. The need for better regional connectivity is obvious in a country of India’s size, that is also saddled with our dodgy surface transport infrastructure.Disruptive price innovation in passenger travel as a whole is a welcome move to squeeze out hidden value.In lightly-policed countries like ours, the security and safety of ultra high-speed inter-city passenger trains is a matter of some concern. There are around 50 of these. But now several states most affected by poor connectivity wisely responded to the Centre’s efforts to de-demonise air travel. Musk estimates the capital cost at $6 billion, just a fraction of the $68 billion planned to be spent on the high-speed rail link between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Around 50 per cent of air traffic today and the crane cooling unit bulk of profits are from flights linking the seven large metros. This is an effective way to kill the long-term sustainability of air operations on these routes. But for significant numbers easy connectivity is also an issue. What is more significant is that it signals the Maharaja’s changed can-do business-oriented approach. It is suitable for connecting urban growth hubs at distances beyond 500 km under the "enclaved pattern" of development. But if it makes regular air travellers who are time flexible wait till the last minute to book tickets, it could squeeze revenues further. State governments earlier saw air travel as a cash cow and levied VAT at penal rates of upto 30 per cent. So deep is the association of private enterprise and markets with the rich that even this government, with its massive mandate, has to battle populist urges to stay on course with its reform agenda. It makes a lot of business sense for the national carrier: every marginal rupee it earns adds to its bottomline. Globally, every job created directly in civil aviation leads to an additional six jobs indirectly. The fuel cost is 50 per cent of an airline’s total costs. Only a link with growth will induce serious air operators to see the proposed subsidy as an initial sweetener rather than a perpetual crutch. Our fastest passenger trains run at an average speed of only 80 km/hour. Travelling from Kanyakumari, on the Indian Ocean, to Jammu, just below the Himalayas, or from Dwarka, on the Arabian Sea,K to Dibrugarh in Assam takes at least three days by train and even longer by road. But it will take at least two decades to build upgraded rail tracks and the appropriate rolling stock. The intrepid Elon Musk of the SpaceX rocket venture; Tesla Wall and automated electric car, has envisaged of travel by Hyperloop — an elevated tube mounted on pylons with passenger pods pushed through at hyper-speeds. Civil aviation is the neglected child of the ersatz socialism we have long practised. Air travel is more difficult to disrupt and offers higher security levels as it is off the ground. As the e-commerce market has found, funding losses to push out the competition quickly reaches the endpoint.Regional connectivity shouldn’t be branded as a populist goody. Even CPI(M)-ruled Tripura was persuaded to reduce VAT to 18 per cent. For most, the higher cost is the barrier. Air connectivity drives and contributes to growth and decent jobs. But this is a calculated risk that must be tested. The Union government has worked quietly but effectively since 2014 to convince state governments not to levy penal taxes on air turbine fuel, which cripple expansion of this sector.Till just two years back, the thought of air travel competing with trains was a fantasy. This should be distinguished from the price war unleashed by private low-cost airlines a decade ago, and again in 2014, to gain marketshare in aviation. Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal slashed VAT to nominal levels in late 2014

The airline is projected to increase its operating profit to Rs 531 crore (BE projected) for 2017-18 from a provisional operating profit of Rs 215 crore for 2016-17, as per latest figures tabled in Parliament."In its revised draft report on the airlines proposed disinvestment, the panel noted that the TAP and financial restructuring plan (FRP) was for a period of 10 years from 2012 to 2022 and Air India has shown "an overall improvement in various parameters and every indication is that it is coming out of the red". The airline is expected to report a net loss of Rs 3,579 crore for 2017-18, as per budget estimates projected for 2017-18 from a provisional net loss of Rs 3,643 crore for 2016-17."Air India has a total debt of about Rs 48,877 crore at the end of March 2017, of which about Rs 17,360 crore were aircraft loans and Rs 31,517 crore were working capital loans."Strongly recommending that the airlines debt "should be written off by the government", the revised draft report said, "Air India should be given a chance for at least five years to revive themselves"."The Committee also expressed apprehension that Air Indias strategic disinvestment "would result in job loss of many people" and asked the government to "make an assessment" of the job loss before deciding on stake sale.The parliamentary committee, after hearing the views of all stakeholders, "strongly feels that it will not be appropriate at this stage to disinvest when Air India has started earning profit from its operations."If the disinvestment of Air India and its subsidiaries is inevitable, the Committee emphatically recommends that the interests of employees should be protected," the revised draft report said.The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture concluded that the government should review its decision to privatise or disinvest Air India and explore the possibility of "an alternative to disinvestment of our national carrier which is our national pride".It said the airlines debt was "due to policy directions of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. "At the end of TAP period, government may evaluate the financial and performance status of Air India and take a decision accordingly," the panel said.The panel is also understood to have concluded that the equity infusion in the national carrier, as part of the turnaround plan (TAP), was made on a "piece meal basis", adversely affecting its financial and operational performance and "forcing" the airline to take loans "at a higher interest rate to meet the shortfall".New Delhi: This is not an appropriate time to divest government stake in Air India, which should be given at least five years to revive and its debt written off, a parliamentary panel has said in its draft report.It asked the Ministries of Finance and Civil Aviation to "develop a strategic package to protect the rights and interests of officers and staff of Air India and its subsidiaries in respect of their pension, gratuity marine cooling equipment Manufacturers and VRS and also the wages of contractual workers engaged by government from time to time in case the disinvestment of Air India is inevitable. Air India may be permitted to function as a government PSU with less government control.."It also said that as some of its subsidiaries Air India Air Transport Services Limited, Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited, Alliance Air and Air India Express were making profits, these units should "not be disinvested."The panel found merit in the views of some of its members that if Air India is withdrawn from the aviation scene, "private airlines would indulge in gouging and that (will not be) in the interest of the consumers.The tenure of five years indicates the end of the TAP and FRP period in 2022.Observing that Air India has always "risen to the occasion" at times of need like calamities, social or political unrest in India or abroad, the Committee said "it would be lopsided to assess and evaluate the functioning of Air India solely from business point of view, as has been done by the NITI Aayog

For typical respiratory issues, the purifier must filter out PM 2. These masks usually come with N99 & Carbon filters and are priced between Rs 200 to 2000. When choosing an Air Purifier, Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) needs to be considered as the higher the CADR, the more air gets purified.  Air Quality Index crossing 500, concerns for respiratory well-being are on the rise again.e.Besides these, innovative technologies that are gaining popularity lately are Plasma cluster ion and Nano G filters.(source). Whereas, the ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air) filter can trap particles up to 0. Prolonged exposure to air pollution for people working in the outdoors or due to daily travelling or even health activities like walking, cycling and running may increase the possibility of becoming more prone to health issues.5) can enter the bloodstream and settle in the lungs, which can lead to cancer of larynx, nasopharynx, lung, and leukaemia, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses like acute respiratory tract infection and COPD.5 and if exposed for a longer duration may inflict serious health hazards.Air Purifiers with technology innovation from Air sterilizers to ionizers and Plasmacluster ion technology may help get immediate relief against Air Pollutants allowing a breather from continued chocking and difficulty in breathing. Electro Static Precipitator (ESP) is another filter that consists of charged wires which trap coarse particles.Some purifiers use Active Charcoal as well, which has a layer of carbon particles that can absorb certain gases but the efficiency of this filter depends on the volume of air drawn.For outdoor activity use of breathing mask is suggested as they have the capability to trap dust, pollen, toxic gases, PM10 and PM 2.5 particles. Once the Plasmacluster block comes in contact with other non-conducive surfaces, they can remove static charge.12 microns like mould, virus and fungus, which once trapped can multiply inside the filters thus challenging hygiene.5. Prime pollutants responsible for degradation of indoor air include PM (particulate matter) 10 – like dust, soot pollen and PM 2. Ozonizers work much like an ionizing purifier, but it is designed to alter molecules of oxygen and turn them into ozone that breaks down airborne particles. Measuring less than 2. Negative Ionizers generate negative ions that magnetically attract airborne particles such as pollen and dust until the newly-formed particle is too heavy to remain in the air. Although if the exposure is prolonged for a longer period it may lead towards irreparable damage to lungs, eyes and even irreversible changes at formation level in growing foetus as well. As per a 2016 report by WHO, 4 out of 5 most polluted cities of the world are in India, with Delhi being in the 9th position. Air purifiers using UV Light & PCO technology uses UV light to destroy microorganisms. The number describes the purifier’s ability to remove all pollutants from a specific amount of air.The myth that capturing ourselves indoor during the high level of pollution also needs readdressal as indoor air is usually dirtier than the air outdoors, due to trapping of air contaminants inside. Air purifiers may further help reduce dust, pollen, allergens, particulate matter and odour from the air making it cleaner and more breathable.Other Air Purification technologies include Negative Ionizers, Ozonizers, UV Light and PCO (Photo Catalytic Oxidation). Plasma discharge generates and emits the same positive and negative ions that occur in nature.  It sanitizes the air by deactivating mould, viruses, dust mite and bacteria and neutralizing VOCs dx cooling unit Manufacturers and toxic gases (breaks ammonia, formaldehyde & carbon monoxide). Depending upon usage requirement, brand, quality and technology these devices are priced between Rs 5,000 to Rs 90,000.Predominantly all brand air purifiers come with HEPA filters (an international standard air filter that can trap particulate matter) and four filtration layers, but there are some budget options as well wherein Air Purifier with three filtration layers are available.With deteriorating Air Quality and pollution levels touching alarming levels i.Consumers are still not aware and informed about the various air purification technologies and their benefits. Verification of claims through third-party labs or demonstrations should also be a deciding factor. Shuvendu Mazumdar, National Manager, SHARP Air Purifier Business believes that exposure is higher among women and young children as they are most likely to stay indoors for longer durations.5 microns, fine particulate matter (PM 2. Various activities aggravating release of heavy metals, gases, dust and other harmful particles start developing an array of symptoms which may trigger respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis etc

Over the last two years, Sindhu’s energy levels, spontaneity, reflexes, explosiveness, smash speed and body recovery levels have improved significantly. I’m exhausted just watching this. "Although she is ready to give 100 per cent, it is imperative that both of us are on the same page," he shares, adding, "Her daily regimen includes spending two hours on training and ano- ther one hour for recovery. Interes- tingly, ever since Sindhu started the arduous conditioning regimen, she was never injured.V.Supershuttler P."Billionaire businessman Anand Mahindra, after seeing a video of Sindhu’s workout, tweeted, "Brutal. This win is a result of years of hard work and she has meticulously implemented all the conditioning programmes," he beams.Knee tuck hurdle jumpsDescribing the shuttler’s optimistic attitude towards conditioning as commendable, Srikanth states that she has transformed into an agile athlete..Srikanth reveals that his general advice to Sindhu was to never relax, always stay focused and avoid social media. Sindhu too never complained about body aches or pain."Srikanth Varma Madapalli, who works as strength and conditioning coach at Suchitra Badminton Academy, was instrumental in preparing Sindhu to be in the best possible shape for the tournament. "I have never seen a player who is game to give everything for the sport. "My programme kicks in after she has played badminton extensively, and that can sometimes lead to fatigue."Stability ball weighted crunchesThe results of the gruelling training are there for everyone to see.His first words to Sindhu after she won the World Championship?"Get ready for the next conditioning programme!"Resistance band drillsPushing the limits"The conditioning programme was formulated based upon Sindhu’s endurance and body metabolism."Mini hurdle drillsOn his part, Srikanth ensured that he altered the programme according to Sindhu’s energy levels. I have to ensure that her endurance and mental ability is kept in balance," explains Srikanth. Since being introduced to her in 2017, he had meticulously designed an integrated programme to augment her endurance.. She was always forthcoming and ready to push the game to any extent. He never wanted anyone to disturb her during her training too. But now there’s no mystery about why she’s the World Champ. A whole generation of budding Indian sportspersons will follow her lead & not shrink from the commitment required to get to the top.. Sindhu may appear to have conquered the BWF World Championships at Basel effortlessly, China special cooling unit Manufacturers but her daily fitness routine tells us why she’s "extraordinary. And Srikanth says that training a world class player like Sindhu is challenging."He further explains, "Sindhu’s father, Ramana garu gave me compete freedom and without his support, the conditioning wouldn’t have been possible. I was able to train her at the Suchitra Badminton Academy, thanks to the owners, Praveen Raju and Pradeep Raju, who have world-class infrastructure