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K COMPANY OFFERS PAID LEAVE TO WOMEN COPING WITH MENOPAUSE

Reference: TOI Article, 21 Oct’19 Date: 21 Oct’19

Today, when the entire corporate world is looking forward to granting maternity leave to
working women, here we have a great example of a company showing consideration and
respect towards the health problems faced by women.

Channel 4, a British national T.V station, has announced to offer flexible working arrangements
or even paid leave to the women in their workforce if they experience menopause symptoms.
They have also made some changes in their infrastructure to make a woman undergoing her
monthly cycle more comfortable in their office premises. It is a legendary step towards
supporting women in the workplace. Today, when even talking about the female menstrual
cycle is considered to be a taboo by many people, the Channel has taken a bold step by
supporting women at the time their health needs utmost care. The menstrual cycle of women is
not at all easy to deal with. It comes with a lot of physical as well as mental discomfort due to
hormonal changes.

I am thrilled to see the change in people’s attitudes towards women-health issues. Many
companies have started coming up with lactation rooms for feeding mothers, some have even
started giving paid maternity leave to a woman during the last few months of her pregnancy,
and talks are also going to grant paternity leave. Such steps invoke a feeling of inclusion in a
woman. The issues about which she is not able to speak up, fearing embarrassment and
criticism, are now being talked about by “the other” gender.

I am looking forward to companies granting monthly menstrual leave of two days to a woman
undergoing her period cycle. I agree that we are paid for the work we do, and so we cannot be
granted holidays in such a random manner. But we can consider switching our weekend
holidays with the menstrual leave because during that time of the month, our health does not
support us so well, and it needs attention too.
POCKET MONEY IS BECOMING A MENACE FOR PARENTS THESE DAYS
Reference: TOI Article, 22 Oct’19, Pg 2 Date: 22 Oct’19
By Ragini Bharadwaj

The concept of Pocket Money was introduced to keep track of the amount of money spent by
children. But these days it has become more of a show-off thing, ultimately losing its purpose of
teaching the value of money and money management to kids. The more affluent school you
choose for your ward, the more heat you are going to feel in your pocket.

I was shocked to read about a school going boy spending Rs 1.5 lakh just within one month
from his father’s credit card. I wonder if these kids have any idea of the worth of Rs 1.5 lakh,
and the efforts needed to earn this much money. This scenario is not just with boys, but it is the
same with girls as well. Most of the amount these school students spend goes into impressing
their friends and peers. These spendings include throwing parties, shopping online, buying gifts
for friends, buying the latest gadgets randomly, etc.

Even though the parents are facing troubles with such a high amount of money spent by their
wards, still many of them are not taking strict actions. Some do so to avoid having conflict and
argument with their child. But think for a moment that who else will teach right and wrong to
your child. Some are so blind in their love for their kid that they are ready to provide him with
everything he asks for from them. I believe that rather than directly fulfilling their demands,
train them to be capable enough to sustain their needs by themselves. At least, teach them the
value of money and how much hard work and struggles it takes to earn money.
WORLD’S TALLEST STATUE GENERATES NEARLY 70 CRORES
Reference: TOI Article, 23 Oct’19, Pg 3 Date: 23 Oct’19
By: Kapil Dave

The day since the budget was announced for the “Statue of Unity,” numerous debates have
been going on about whether India needs such a marvelous structure or not. Many questions
have been raised regarding the purpose, utility, and need of such an iconic structure. The
opposition raised queries regarding the rehabilitation of people living there, disturbance to
wildlife, as well as the possible environmental issues due to the statue being built. It did not
even fail to point out the numerous alternative schemes, where the money spent on the
construction of this statue could be diverted.

But, going against all the odds, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central Government, finally
unveiled the world's tallest statue on 31st October 2018, on the occasion of the 143rd Birth
Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India. The Statue
of Unity, being the world’s tallest statue today, is187 meters tall, which is twice the height of
the “Statue of Liberty” in New York.

Now, after 11 months to its inauguration, the statue has attracted 26 lakh visitors and has
generated 71.66 crore Rupees through the sale of tickets to visitors. This data is a direct and
clear answer to all those claiming that the construction of this statue will turn out to be a non-
paying, loss-making scheme rather than a revenue-generating scheme. The officials associated
with the project said that there are planning to start more fun-related activities like river
rafting, jungle safari, trekking camps, etc. near the site of the statue to attract more tourists.

I believe that the statue, apart from being a tribute to the first Home Minister of our country,
has also brought us recognition for being the tallest statue in the world. But at the same time, I
do not the Indian states to compete with each other to set such records, because talks are
going on that the Maharashtra Government is planning to spend Rs 3800 crores to build
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial, which will have the world’s tallest statue of height 212
meters.