Directors and Officers Insurance Policy (D&O Insurance)

by admin | Feb 4, 2023 | Banking & Finance

Directors and Officers Insurance Policy (D&O Insurance)

This can be said if we keep in mind the announcements of some major organizations. If the year 2021 was the year of The Great Resignation, then the year 2022 was definitely the year of retrenchment. Given the changes in the economy, layoffs may be a harsh but appropriate measure for some companies. However, given the significant implications of such a move, the potential for associated risks, including legal action, cannot be ignored. Therefore, Directors & Officers Insurance Policy is becoming a necessity to protect the leadership of the company.

Subas Tiwari

What is Directors and Officers Insurance Policy?

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, also known as D&O Insurance, is basically a liability insurance policy. D&O insurance is payable to the directors and officers of a company, or to the organization(s) itself. The policy pays in the form of indemnification (reimbursement/compensation) against the losses or advancement of defence expenses in the event where an insured undergoes such a loss as a consequence of a legal action brought for alleged wrongful acts in their aptitude as directors and officers.

Directors and Officers Liability insurance is designed to provide monetary protection to the directors and officers of a company in such cases where a lawsuit is filed against them in juxtaposition with the performance of their duties as they relate to the company. This policy offers protection in the event when claims are filed against directors, officers and employees (of an organization) for alleged or actual breach of duty, neglect, errors or misstatements in their managerial capacity.

D&O insurance policy puts your organization in the safe zone against claims alleging financial loss arising out of misconduct of the company. The coverage under Directors and officers liability insurance typically extends to 3 areas:

Coverage for individual directors and officers.
Reimbursement coverage to the company for a contractual obligation to indemnify directors and officers that serves on the board.
Protection for the company itself.

Why Get a Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance Policy?

Directors and officers liability insurance has its own significance since claims from employees, stockholders, and clients can be raised out of the blue against the company or its directors. Given that the directors and officers can be held liable for wrongful acts in the discharge of their accountabilities as directors and officers of the company, most of them will want to safeguard themselves to escape such scenarios and avoid putting personal assets at stake.

Salient Features and Benefits of Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance

Directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance protects the personal assets of corporate directors and officers in such circumstances where they are personally sued by competitors, investors, employees, customers, vendors or other parties, for actual or alleged wrongful or unlawful acts in managing a company. D&O insurance certainly has a plethora of priceless benefits on offer for the directors and officers of a company, organization or firm.

Financial Backing

Directors and officers liability insurance which basically protects the company as well covers settlements, legal fees, and other costs. A financial backing is offered by the D&O policy for a standard indemnification provision, which puts officers and directors in a risk-free zone against losses because of their role in the company. This may be one of the reasons why many officers and directors would like to go for a company that provides both indemnification and D&O insurance policy.

Legal Cost Reimbursement

When a claim is filed, D&O insurance policies can provide coverage for legal cost against a variety of claims. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, in particular, can provide financial compensation to leaders of private companies following allegations of wrongful acts, negligence, errors in judgment and financial management. Provided that D&O lawsuits can occur from anywhere without an advanced notice, it’s very important for private company leaders to arm themselves with the right D&O policy.

Protection against Tax Liability, Civil Fines and Penalties

In case of the firm’s bankruptcy, if the Director is held personally legally responsible for unpaid corporate taxes, it can be covered under D&O liability insurance policy. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance can also cover the penalties and civil fines levied by a court of law of any appellate or statutory authority. These covers are available for purchase as customized add-ons with D&O policy.

Covers Directors Personal Liability

Directors & Chief Officers of a company can be held personally accountable for acts where they breach their authority as per the Companies Act 2013. In case of such scenario, the assets of the directors and officers can be impounded, or, on a higher note, they can even get arrested. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance helps protect against such claims including paying for the costs to free-up the burdens on Director’s personal assets and liberty through Bail bond expenses.

Worldwide Coverage

If the company operates in abroad locations, D&O insurance policies can provide worldwide coverage for both jurisdiction and territory. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, therefore, could offer protection against the claims arising out of shareholders, suppliers and clients based in abroad locations.

Comprehensive Cover

Directors and officers liability insurance covers an extensive area of litigation that could arise from shareholders, customers, employees, vendors and the general public. The D&O insurance also covers lawsuit arising out of the acts of another company, where the insured is serving as a nominee director.

Availability of Side A Cover

D&O insurance policy provides Side A and Side B Cover. Side A cover is specifically designed to cover Directors and Officers when the company is unable to compensate them directly. The company may not be capable of compensating its Directors when it either goes bankrupt or prohibited by law to do so. Directors and Officers, under Side A cover, can directly seek out for indemnification from the insurer without referring to the company. Side A cover, in general, has Nil Excess.

Employee Related Claims

Employees could sue a company for such acts like biased termination, sexual harassment etc. An extension named Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) and Entity EPLI is carried by the directors and officers insurance. The Entity EPLI extension widens this coverage to the company as well.

Full Defence Cost

The Director Liability Insurance policy can take care of the lawyers’ fees in order to defend a case in court. Additionally, by add-on covers it can reimburse the expenses to act in response to an investigation by authorities, regulatory notice, and cost of hiring a PR consultant to reduce losses.

Peace of Mind

Without any prior notice, D&O claims can arise out of a variety of sources, including clients, employees, contractors and government bodies. For private companies, claims from competitors and creditors are very common in general. By providing timely and effective coverage, D&O insurance policy makes sure that private company leaders are protected regardless of where claims originate.

Who Are Covered under Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance Policy?

Directors and Officers (D&O) liability insurance provide protection for personal liability of directors and officers arising from any unlawful or wrongful act done by them in their administrative capacity. D&O insurance covers the following under the policy:

Directors and Officers employed by the organization.
Directors and Officers of subsidiary companies.
Non-executive or independent directors.
Employee of the company who is acting in a managerial or supervisory capacity for the company.
Employee of the company who is the risk manager.
Company Secretaries.
Employee of the company other than a director or officer, acting as a lawyer on behalf of the company.
Any employment or security claim.
All other claims only if such claim is continuously made against a director.

What Are Typically Excluded under a D&O Policy?

Just like any other insurance policies, directors and officers liability insurance certainly has some exclusions. That means, the D&O insurance policy will not offer any coverage under certain circumstances. The general exclusions under Directors and Officers Liability Insurance policy follow:

Fraud
Personal profiting
Accounting of profits
Property damage
Bodily injury
Pending and prior litigation
Pollution
And any other illegal compensation exclusions.

However, it is to be noted that many of the areas mentioned in the exclusion are covered under a different type of insurance, like a Fiduciary or General Liability policy.

Still many private organizations and companies overlook the importance of having directors and officers’ liability insurance, they don’t believe they need D&O insurance. This can be dangerous thinking, because just one D&O claim can consume the personal assets of a company in just one shot.

Directors & Officers Liability Policy (D&O Insurance) for Listed Companies

Listed Companies are the Companies whose securities are listed with the Stock Exchange viz-a-viz, National Stock Exchange of India or Bombay Stock of India.

Such Companies are required to comply with the Act, Rules and Regulations of SEBI in addition to the Companies Act. An express requirement triggers the buying of D&O Insurance by Listed Companies.

As per the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations or SEBI (LODR) Regulations for the sake of brevity, it is mandatory for the Listed Companies to undertake Directors and Officers Insurance for its Independent Directors.

As per Regulation 25(10), the top 500 Listed entities in terms of Market Capitalization shall undertake D&O Insurance for all its Independent Directors, the quantum and the risks of which shall be decided by the Board of Directors.

Also, as per Regulation 25(12); inserted SEBI (LODR) (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2021, a ‘high value debt listed entity’ shall also undertake D&O Insurance for its Independent Directors for such sum assured and risks as may be decided by the Board.

High Value Debt Listed Entity are those entities which has listed its Non-Convertible Debt Securities and has an outstanding value of listed non-convertible debt securities of Rupees Five Hundred Crores and above. (Regulation 15(1A) of SEBI LODR).

Directors & Officers Liability Policy (D&O Insurance) for Non-Profit Organizations

People tend to be misguided about the D&O Insurance and believes that it is required and necessary only for the big organization working globally and who are engaged in high-risk industry. However, this is only a misconception.

Directors and Officers of even a midsized organization are equally exposed to personal liability due to their position.

Non-Profit Organizations are most exposed to such litigations due to their position and impact in the society. One wrong move by them, even if unintentional can entangle them in a legal battle that can prove to be not just harmful but also financially draining. It is extremely important for the Board of a Non-Profit Organization to protect the organization as well as the Directors and Officers with a D&O Insurance. Be mindful of the fact that taking up an insurance does not prevent the happening of the event but it do help in mitigation of the risks and losses that may arise of because of happening of that event.

Therefore for all Non Profit Organizations, big or small, a D&O Insurance is a must.

Information Sourced from: GIBL.IN & Taxguru.in

In the present corporate scenario, it is not difficult to understand the importance and necessity of safeguarding oneself with the Insurance of a kind as discussed above. If we as an individual are not casual about our life Insurances then why treat a D&O differently even though it’s equally essential.

Laptops: Things to consider when purchasing one

by admin | Jan 14, 2023 | laptop

Laptops: Things to consider when purchasing one

A lightweight laptop could be something you can easily carry to and from work. These are light, have batteries that can last more than 8 hours, and have more power to tackle common productivity tasks like browsing the web and editing documents. You want to figure out what you will be using it for. Will you use it for business or professional use or gaming? And how often do you plan on carrying it around? How big a screen can you get before you sacrifice portability? It’s understood that portability is the main, if not entire, point of a laptop, but the size and weight of the device will have a bearing on your decision. Then again, if portability is not the deciding factor, you may find yourself more confused – as the boundaries between categories blur, you will find new desktops that are almost as small as a laptop. If portability isn’t a concern, you may very well get a desktop, because it is very likely that you will get more performance for the same money—plus more flexibility in customizing/upgrading the machine once you buy it. Conversely, you can easily find a laptop that’s just as powerful as a typical desktop. And then there are some slightly unconventional categories, such as laptops that convert into tablets, tablets that convert into laptops and all-in-one that don’t need a separate monitor. Thankfully there is literally a whole web of information and reviews out there, but figuring out the pros and cons can leave you more confused than before. We have in this report tried to simplify the choosing task by zeroing in on the attributes that commonly matter.

Although they can be divided into more specific categories, the terms “laptop” and “notebook” are frequently used synonymously. However, they are not always incompatible; for instance, an ultraportable can also be convertible. So let’s look at the various laptop types that are available.

Notebook: It’s the general term for a full-sized laptop that strikes a balance between portability and functionality. These can vary greatly in overall size and specification in terms of processor speed, storage capacity, memory (RAM) and screen size. These can also vary greatly in price, from low-cost budget models to high-performance productivity and gaming laptops.
Ultraportable: These thin, light laptops are designed for mobility (also sometimes called a subnotebook). Maintaining a super-slim profile means they have to cut out some features such as built-in CD/DVD drive and speaker size, and reduce the number of connection ports. The smallest models weigh about a kilogram. An Ultrabook (note the capital U) is a specific type of ultraportable that meets specifications set down by Intel. Among their strong points is strong security and anti-theft protection built in at the hardware level. Although the MacBook Air is regarded as the inspiration for the Ultrabook class, it’s not actually an Ultrabook.
Netbook: These are small, inexpensive laptops that run off the low-powered Intel Atom processor. These have been largely phased out, to be replaced by tablets, Ultrabooks and ultraportables.
Chromebook: This one is a notebook or ultraportable laptop that runs Google’s operating system called Chrome. Chrome OS looks like the Chrome web browser and can only run apps downloaded from the Chrome Store.
MacBook: Apple’s laptop computers come in three families – the ultra-thin MacBook and MacBook Air models, and the high-performance MacBook Pro in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes.

Convertible: These combine the features of a laptop and a tablet. They’re also known as 2-in-1 laptops. They can quickly switch between touchscreen tablet mode and traditional keyboard mode, transforming in a variety of ways, including detaching, sliding, twisting and fold-back mechanisms. Most models now use the fold-back or detachable screen mechanisms.

Desktop computer: Many people have moved away from desktops in the past decade. However, there’s still a lot to recommend desktops for many users. Desktops typically offer more performance for the money and durability than laptops, and are less expensive to repair. They may allow for a more ergonomically correct work environment, let you work on a larger screen, and generally come with better speakers.

Which One Should You Buy?

Within each brand’s laptop are usually several similar models that vary in power, capacity and a range of other features. Picking one that suits your needs can be a bit of a pain though. Do you go for a budget unit with limited capabilities, a high-powered top-end laptop that can play the latest games without breaking a sweat, or something in-between?

That’s a question only you can answer, but first it’s a good idea to narrow down how you intend to use your laptop.

If you want a cheap laptop for basic tasks and occasional or lighter use and aren’t overly concerned about performance, weight or battery life, you can find many ‘budget’ models that will do the job.
If you travel a lot and want to take it with you, you’ll want something thin, light and easy to carry – an ultraportable (including Ultrabooks).
If you want something to give you all the power of a desktop computer while being transportable with relative ease, go for a multimedia powerhouse such as a gaming machine.

The categories of entry-level, mid-range and high-end models are not objectively set to meet specific criteria – in other words, they’re a general description or broad guideline. There is no official classification for these categories.

The High and the Not-So-High Range

Here’s a broad guide to the unofficial categories of entry-level, mid-range and high-end models:

Entry level: These low-cost laptops are relatively low-powered, but quite capable of most general computing tasks like web browsing, email and general word processing. They can handle most basic multimedia tasks – like standard-definition video streaming – and are best suited to casual users and younger students.
Mid-range: Aimed at regular computer users, families, students and business people, mid-range computers can run most software and games but may struggle a bit with high-end functions like video editing and games that require fast graphics processing.
High-end: For serious computer types that like to push their systems with intensive computing tasks like editing video and audio, 3D rendering and high-end games, these are obviously the ones to go for.

Features

It is worth discussing the main features that finally tilt the decision in favour of one laptop type against the several others. The amount of technical specifications and jargon used by laptop manufacturers and retailers is dizzying. To ensure that your pick has what you need, read on.

Storage space: Storage capacity, measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB, equal to 1,000GB), determines how many things your PC can hold. Documents, photos, music, movies, and programs – they all take up space. Bigger is usually better, although solid-state drives (SSDs) are usually more expensive for considerably less space. This is because they load much quicker and are completely silent. We’re also seeing a lot of cheaper laptops (including Chromebooks) carrying eMMC flash storage, which is slower than SSDs and gives you very little storage space.

Processors: The processor is the brain of your laptop, and this is one component that can really ramp up the price of a laptop. Generally, the more gigahertz (GHz) a processor has, the faster it will be. But they also come as dual, quad, hexa or octa-core – the more cores, the better it will be at running multiple programs at once. Because of the different elements available, it can be tricky to unpick exactly whether one laptop is faster than another. Is a 2.5 GHz dual-core processor better or worse than a 2GHz quad-core? The i7 is the fastest on the market, but the i3 and i5 will normally have plenty of power for opening multiple browser tabs at once and carrying out office tasks smoothly. (Note that a higher number means a more recent edition and better performance.) If you see the words Pentium, Celeron or Atom, these are Intel’s cheaper chips and are normally towards the bottom end of the performance register. Some laptops have AMD chips instead – the K10 series is among the newest and fastest.

Memory (RAM): Not to be confused with storage space, memory is measured in RAM (random access memory) and determines how much information your computer can store in its short-term memory. More RAM means faster load times and smoother switching between programs. The standard for RAM nowadays is 4GB or 8GB, with anything more being a bonus; 2GB of RAM will be painfully slow. High-end gaming would require more than 12-16GB.

Screen size and resolution: A laptop’s screen is one case where bigger isn’t always better. If you want a longer-lasting battery and a more portable device, then you may want to go for a 10, 12 or 13 inch display. The largest you’re likely to see is 15 or 17 inches. Most machines on the shelves now have a Full-HD 1,920×1,080-resolution display and you can pay more to get more pixels. Generally, the higher the resolution, the sharper the picture. Only cheaper machines have a lower screen resolution of 1,366×768.

Battery life: Manufacturers often make heady claims about how long their laptops’ batteries last for. But various tests show that these estimates are often rather exaggerated – the only way you can really know how long a battery will last is by reading authentic reviews. Think of it this way: how much time do you want to spend with your laptop every day? Use that as the benchmark for battery life as the longer lifespan you have, the less of a slave you are to the power cable. If you spend most of your day at a desk, then this is less important. Battery stamina on desktop-replacement models won’t be as crucial, as they’ll almost always be near a power socket. If you are buying a portable laptop that you intend to use when travelling or on your commute, then make sure the battery life is at least six hours.

Laptop ports and drives: Most modern laptops don’t come with built-in DVD drives. When it comes to ports, the more the merrier is the general rule. In any case, make sure you have at least 3 USB ports in total. If you don’t have many accessories that need plugging in, though, then you needn’t worry too much. USB 3.0 is considerably faster than USB 2.0, too, so look out for those wherever possible. More and more laptops are now fitted with USB-C connections. This is the latest standard of USB – it’s faster and smaller than the older style of port, and also uses reversible connectors for easier use. If you plan to use the laptop to connect with a projector for presentations, then you should also check with a D-sub/VGA port as most basic projectors use those.

Chromebooks: We can see why Chromebooks end up on a lot of buyers’ shortlists: they tend to be small, light and, most appealingly, cheap. Instead of Windows or MacOS, they run off Google’s dedicated chrome operating system. The main limitation is that they generally require you to be online to access your documents.
Warrantee: Most of the laptops come with 1 year–2 years company warrantee. At the time of buying, make sure that regular using softwares are installed and it should be internet and Wi-Fi ready.

Size and All

While there are always exceptions to the rule, the size of a laptop can give you a decent idea about the quality and specs they have.

Smaller (10” to 13” screen size): A 10- to 13-inch laptop is best for people frequently on the move. These laptops are typically light enough to travel with you. They may not have the absolute fastest processors around, but laptops in this size range are nowadays more than capable of handling everyday productivity tasks with ease. Battery life varies but should get you through a typical workday with no questions asked.
Medium (14” to 16”): This size range offers the ideal balance of performance, portability and price for many users. Midsized models are a good choice if you take your machine along less frequently or if you need to use it extensively for work. Such a laptop can easily be configured as a desktop replacement. This range has the largest share of sale across the world.
Large (17” to 18”): These laptops tend to use top-performing processors with standard hard drives that give you tons of storage, though not top performance. The larger screen can make it more comfortable to work on multiple windows, professional designing or large spreadsheets.

What is an operating system?

An operating system (OS) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all of the other application programs in a computer. The application programs make use of the operating system by making requests for services through a defined application program interface. In addition, users can interact directly with the operating system through a user interface, such as a command-line interface (CLI) or a graphical UI. Following are the different operating systems used in a laptop:

Windows is Microsoft’s flagship operating system, the de facto standard for home and business computers. Introduced in 1985, the GUI-based OS has been released in many versions since then. The user-friendly Windows 95 was largely responsible for the rapid development of personal computing.
Mac OS is the operating system for Apple’s Macintosh line of PCs and workstations.
Linux is a Unix-like operating system that was designed to provide PC users a free or low-cost alternative. Linux has a reputation as an efficient and fast-performing system.

SPECIFICATIONS & PRICES OF LAPTOP MODELS

Sl No.	Brand & Model	Specifications	Price, Rs.
1	Acer Aspire 3	AMD 3020e Dual core Processor (4GB DDR4 RAM / 1TB HDD / Windows 11 Home/ Black / 1.9 Kg) 14 inches (35.5 cm)	22490
2	HP 15s	AMD Athlon Silver, 8GB RAM/512GB, SSD, 15.6-inches/39.6 cm HD, Micro-Edge Display/Windows 11/AMD Radeon Graphics/Dual Speakers/MSO/Fast Charge/1.69 Kg	29900
3	Dell Vostro 3420	Intel Core i3-1115G4, 8GB DDR4 & 256GB SSD, Win 11 + MSO’21, 14.0″/ 35.56cms FHD WVA AG 250 nits, Carbon Black, 1.48Kgs	36790
4	ASUS VivoBook 15	15.6-inch HD, Dual Core Intel Celeron N4020, Thin and Light Laptop (4GB RAM/256GB SSD/Integrated Graphics/Windows 11 Home/Transparent Silver/1.8 Kg	25590
5	Lenovo IdeaPad Slim	AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, 15.6″ (39.62cm) FHD Thin & Light (8GB/512GB SSD/Windows 11/Office, Game Pass/Cloud Grey/1.6Kg	39125
6	Samsung XE350XBA-K01US	Intel Celeron Processor, 15.6 inches, Full HD, Chromebook 4 + Chrome OS, 4GB RAM ,32Gb Emmc Gigabit, Wi-Fi Notebook Computer, Silver, 1.72 kg	33494
7	HP 14s	5th Gen, AMD Ryzen 3- 8GB RAM/512GB SSD 14 inches (35cm) FHD IPS Micro-Edge Display/ Backlit Keyboard/Alexa/Windows 11/Fast Charge/Radeon Graphics/1.46Kg/Natural Silver	39990
8	Lenovo ThinkBook 15	AMD Ryzen 3 5300U 15.6″ (39.62cm) FHD 220 Nits, Antiglare Thin and Light Laptop (8GB/256GB SSD/Windows 11/MS Office/Mineral Grey/1.7 Kg	33990
9	ASUS Vivobook 14	14 inch, FHD, Intel Core i5-1035G1 10th Gen, Thin and Light Laptop (8GB/512GB SSD/Integrated Graphics/Windows 11/Office 2021/Grey/1.60 kg)	42529
10	ASUS Vivobook Ultra K14	11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7, 14″ (35.56 cm) FHD, Thin and Light Laptop (16GB/512GB SSD/Integrated Graphics/Windows 11/Backlit KB/Office 2021/Black/1.4 kg	56800
11	Acer Aspire 5 A515-57G	15.6″Display\| 12th Gen, Intel Core i5-1240P Processor\| 8GBDDR4 RAM\|512 GB SSD\|NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050\|HD Webcam\| Wi-Fi 6\| Win 11	62289
12	Acer Swift 5	SF514-55TA, Intel EVO Thin and Light Laptop, 14″(35cm) Full HD IPS, Touch Display 11th Gen, Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor, 8GB LPDDR4X 512GB SSD FPR Backlit Keyboard, Win 11	72490
13	Dell Inspiron 5518	Intel I5-11300H Laptop, 16 GB, 512 GB Ssd, Windows 11 + Ms Office’21, Nvidia Mx450 2 GB, 15.6 Inches (39.62 Cms) 250 Nits Fhd, Platinum Silver, Fpr + Backlit Kb (D560691Win9S, 1.64Kgs)	68950
14	HP 14s, 12th Gen	Intel Core i5 16GB RAM/512GB SSD 14-inch (35.6 cm) Micro-Edge, FHD Laptop/Intel Iris Xe Graphics/Alexa/Dual Speakers/Win 11/Backlit KB/MSO 2021/1.41 Kg	61999
15	Mi Notebook Pro	QHD+ IPS Anti-Glare Display Intel Core I5-11300H 11th Gen 14 Inch Thin & Light Laptop (16GB/512GB SSD/Iris Xe Graphics/Windows 11 Home/MS Office 21/Backlit Keyboard/FP Sensor/1.4 Kg)	59999
16	Dell Inspiron 3520	Intel Core i5-1235U, 8GB, 512GB SSD, 15.6″ (39.62Cms) FHD WVA AG 120Hz 250 nits, Win 11 + MSO’21, Black, 1.65Kgs	53390
17	HP Pavilion 14	11th Gen, Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM/512GB SSD, 14 inch (35.6cm) IPS Anti-Glare FHD Laptop/Intel Iris Xe Graphics/Backlit Kb/B&O Audio/FPR/Windows 11 Home/Thin & Light/1.41Kg	66099
18	Acer Aspire 5	Intel Core i5 12th gen (12-Cores) (8 GB/512 GB SSD/Windows 11 Home/4 GB Graphics/NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050) A515-57G/ Gaming Laptop (15.6 inch, Steel Gray 1.8 Kg	57420
19	HP ProBook 440 G8 Notebook	11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 14 inch (35.6cm) HD Laptop (8GB RAM/512GB SSD/Intel Irix Xe Graphics/Win 11/Pike Silver Aluminium/1.38 Kg	50990
20	Lenovo ThinkBook	15 AMD Ryzen 5 5500U 15.6″ (39.62cm) FHD 220 Nits Antiglare Thin and Light Laptop (16GB/512GB SSD/Windows 11/MS Office/Mineral Grey/1.7 Kg)	53990
21	Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3	Intel Core i5 12th Gen 15.6″ (39.62cm) FHD Thin & Light Laptop (8GB/512GB SSD/Windows 11/Office 2021/Backlit/2Yr Warranty/ Game Pass/Arctic Grey/1.63Kg	54490
22	ASUS TUF Gaming A15	15.6-inch (39.62 cms) FHD 144Hz, AMD Ryzen 5 4600H, 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, Gaming Laptop (8GB/512GB SSD/90WHrs Battery/Windows 11/Black/2.3 Kg)	56000
23	HP Envy x360	AMD Ryzen 5 4500U 13.3 inches (34cm) Convertible Touchscreen FHD Laptop (8GB/512GB SSD/Windows 11 Home/MS Office/Black/1.32kg	73750
24	MSI Gaming GF63 Thin	Intel 11th Gen. i7-11800H, 40CM FHD 60Hz Gaming Laptop (8GB/512GB NVMe SSD/Windows 10 Home/Nvidia RTX3050 4GB GDDR6/ Black/1.86Kg	64490
25	Microsoft New Surface Laptop5	13.5″ Intel evo 12 Gen i5 / 8GB / 256GB Platinum with Windows 11 Home, 365 Family 30-Day Trial & Xbox Game Pass Ultimate	107900
26	Apple MacBook Air with M2	13.6-inch, Liquid Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, 1080p FaceTime HD Camera. Works with iPhone/iPad; Silver	111500
27	Dell XPS 13	7390 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1021U 13.3 inches 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Full HD Windows 10 Laptop, 1.32kg	107400
28	Apple MacBook Pro	13.3-inch/33.78 cm, Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – Space Grey	122900
29	ASUS Zenbook S 13	13.3”, 2.8K OLED 16:10 Touch, AMD Ryzen 7 6800U, Integrated Graphics, Thin and Light Laptop (16GB/1TB SSD/Windows 11/ /1.10 kg), UM5302TA-LX702WS	128000
30	Razer Book 13	Intel Core I7-1165G7 4 Core 13.4 Inches Fhd+ Touch Gaming Laptop (Windows 10, 16 GB Ram, 256 GB Pcie M.2, Thunderbolt 4, Evo Certified, Iris Xe, Mercury White, 1.40 Kg)	184560

Note: Above given prices may vary. Please check current prices at amazon.in

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A New India

by admin | Jan 14, 2023 | Editorial

A New India

Let’s start off with some good news, shall we? According to the most recent monthly Refinitiv-Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) report, consumer sentiment among urban Indians has improved and increased by 1.1 percentage points in December 2022. Amit Adarkar, CEO of Ipsos India said, “After a decline in consumer confidence following Diwali in November, we are seeing it improve in December as forthcoming celebrations and Christmas delight consumers. It will be crucial to pay attention to the first quarter of 2023, from January to March. The effects of the macro forces on our economy and consumption will also be known, as well as whether or not consumers will continue to feel the pressure.”

Another achievement for India which every Indian would be proud of. A project that aims to improve the health of the Ganges, India’s holy river, is among 10 “ground-breaking” efforts recognised from around the globe by the United Nations for their role in restoring the natural world. They were chosen as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a worldwide initiative coordinated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

According to the statement, the government-led Namami Gange initiative, which was started in 2014 is revitalising, preserving and conserving the Ganges and its tributaries, reforesting areas of the Ganges basin, and promoting sustainable farming. Several important wildlife species, including river dolphins, softshell turtles, otters, and the hilsa shad fish, are also targets of the project. 230 organisations are involved in the effort, which has so far invested up to USD 4.25 billion, and 1,500 kilometres of river have been repaired. The UN estimates that 30,000 hectares of additional afforestation have already been completed, with a 134,000 hectare target for 2030.

In another major decision for the country, the union government has decided to provide free ration to 81.35 crore poor people under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) for one year.

Over 80 crore people in the country, or roughly two thirds of the population, will profit from the decision, the Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution said, calling it a “new year gift for the country’s underprivileged.” “The beneficiaries of the NFSA, who were receiving rice at Rs 3 per kg and wheat at Rs 2 per kg, from January onward would not have to pay a single dime to acquire food grains for the ensuing 12 months,” he said.

India is making numerous scientific and economic advancements, while also taking care of its citizens and preserving and repairing the environment. The development of a country’s citizens is inversely correlated with the expansion of its communities. Additionally, it is our responsibility to protect our country and the environment.

I hope you have loved reading the editorial and will continue to support us in bringing the best, interesting and informative articles for your perusal. In the meantime, keep reading the articles we have brought you this month. We discuss laptops, fixed deposits, ways to save tax and many more. Do share your thoughts at info@consumer-voice.org.

Until then, happy reading!

Pallabi Boruah

Editor

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Makhana: A Superfood for Sure!

by admin | Jan 14, 2023 | Guest Column

Makhana: A Superfood for Sure!

Makhana, also known as Foxnut, is a widely consumed snack during fasting in India. It is becoming a popular snack among health-conscious consumers due to its healthier nutrient. Makhana is mixed with different seasoning and flavouring substances, and a range of ready -to-eat Makhana snack packs are available in the market. In this article, we discuss the nutrient profile of foxnut, spell out its health benefits, share some recipes that are easy to prepare at home, and give some tips on how to pick a healthier version of ready-to-eat makhana snack from market.

Richa Pande

Makhana is the edible seed of the gorgon plant, a species of water lily, and thus it is also called the Lotus Seed. Traditionally, the seed is roasted or fried, and is mixed with oils and herbs and eaten during fasting observed in India during Navratri and in the month of Sawan.

Makhana has a healthy nutrient profile

Makhana has a healthy nutrient profile. 100 g of makhana provides about 347 calories of energy, contains about 9.7 g of protein, and has 14.5 g of fibre. It is also a good source of micronutrients such as- potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. These micronutrients play an important role in metabolic activities thus promoting our wellbeing. Makhana is also rich in natural antioxidants such as Gallic acid, kaempferol and chlorogenic acid that have many health benefits.

Makhana has a healthy nutrient profile

The glycaemic index score of fox nuts is under 55, and thus makhana can be classified as low GI food. Low GI foods are the food items that contain carbohydrates which are digested slowly in the body. Eating them leads to a gradual and comparatively low rise in the blood glucose and insulin levels. This also means that these foods can help you keep feeling full for a longer duration. Therefore, these food items are considered good for health, and are specifically recommended to individuals who have diabetes.

As fox nut is rich in antioxidants, it is also considered good for skin health, heart health, and could be helpful in prevention and management of chronic inflammation. It is a good snack for individuals with rheumatic arthritis. Its fibre content makes it good for your digestive health as well.

Fox nut is a great snack for individuals with wheat allergy or gluten intolerance. But some ready-to-eat makhana packs may have seasonings that might contain ingredients like wheat flour. Thus, it is very important to check labels, and avoid picking packs with such ingredients. Look for packets that have ‘Gluten-Free’ claim on them.

Makhana is high in magnesium, calcium and potassium and low in sodium. Thus, it is a good snack for people who have hypertension. Some ready-to-eat makhana packs might have added salt and thus you must go through the food labels to avoid picking such packs. As makhana is rich in calcium, it is also good for your bone and teeth health.

Makhana is also a good source of selenium which is known to be effective in prevention and management of thyroid disorders. Due to its healthier nutrient profile, it also makes an excellent snack for pregnant women, and individuals aiming for weight loss.

Preparing home-made snacks using makhana

Roast the makhana seeds in one teaspoon of ghee or oil. You can have them as it is or season them with herbs, and spices of your choice. Some common herbs and spices – pepper, rock salt, lemon, oregano, parsley, turmeric coriander, etc. You can also add cut onions and tomatoes and make ‘makhana chaat’.
Makhana kheer is a popular traditional Indian recipe. You can add sugar, and other nuts and dry fruits to it as per your choice.

Picking a relatively healthier ready-to-eat makhana snack

Check the ingredient list, and nutritive value table before choosing a snack

Prefer picking packs with low amounts of saturated fats, sodium, and sugar & prefer the ones with more amounts of protein, dietary fibre, MUFA, and PUFA.
Prefer packs with vegetable oils like sunflower oils, rice bran oil, cottonseed oil, and avoid the ones with palm oil that has more amount of saturated fats.
Avoid picking packs that have maltodextrin in their ingredient list.

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Workshop in Delhi-NCR on Food Labeling

by admin | Dec 31, 2022 | Food Labels

Workshop in Delhi-NCR on Food Labeling

An exhaustive presentation on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) was shown to the participant’s. Through this presentation students were briefed on the harmful effects of salt, sugar and fats .Our expert speaker also briefed the students that why reading labels correctly is important for them.

Unhealthy packaged foods are risking the lives of many Indians including teens and children’s as more and more people are falling prey to High BP, diabetes or obesity. Consumption of packaged foods is now almost a part and parcel of life and therefore reading labels is very crucial so that consumers can make an informed choice.

Teachers also spoke about NCDs and why we should cut down on unhealthy foods and stressed that the best way to do so is to read the labels properly.

The children were sensitized on the need to understand food labels and the same was demonstrated through examples of food labels on various packaged products. Information on proposed front of pack labelling was also shared.

The workshop was followed with a question-answer session where students asked some interesting questions like will it help them to reduce weight or will it help them to avoid some non-communicable diseases as they grow up.

We witnessed active participation and enthusiasm among all participants in the workshop. More than 80 students including students, teachers and staff members joined the workshop.

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