Do you enjoy indulging in pani puri? An expert warned on Tuesday that eating pani puri with artificial colours may increase your risk of several malignancies and asthma, among other health difficulties.

Following many complaints, Food Safety inspectors in Karnataka collected over 260 samples from roadside shops. Of these, 22% of pani puris performed poorly in quality tests. Around 41 samples included artificial colors and cancer-causing chemicals, while 18 were deemed stale and unsafe for human consumption.

This comes after Karnataka’s Food Safety and Standards Department issued an order in late June imposing a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh and a sentence ranging from seven years to life imprisonment for using artificial colours in chicken kebabs, fish, and vegetable meals throughout the state.

In March, Karnataka also prohibited the use of Rhodamine-B, an artificial coloring agent found in gobi manchurian and cotton candy.

“Use of an excess amount of artificial food colours and flavouring agents to make the dish look more appealing and increase palatability carries various health risks, especially in those who frequently indulge in outside food,” Edwina Raj, Head of Services – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, told IANS.

“Excessive exposure to such synthetic elements in food increases the risk of cancer, and disturbs gut health by increasing inflammation, Instead of artificial agents one can consume foods that are made with “natural colour and flavour using beetroot, turmeric, saffron strands, etc”., she added.

The specialist added that it can also cause hyperactivity in children, allergy symptoms, and asthmatic attacks. Furthermore, tainted water used in pani puri might cause foodborne infections such as typhoid.

Artificial food colorings are added to food products to improve its visual appeal and stability, which increases taste and ensures consumer pleasure. However, the use of dyes such as Sunset Yellow, Carmoisine, and Rhodamine-B in food products poses a number of health hazards.

Healthcare professionals warn people on World Brain Day that they should never sacrifice their sleep for deadlines and that it is never suitable to spend time on the Internet instead of getting a decent night’s sleep. They advised getting seven hours of sleep per night to improve brain function and cautioned against sleep deprivation as a cause of brain-related issues.

Dr S Ramesh, Consulting Neurosurgery, Kamineni Hospitals, told regarding the significance of sleep and the damaging effects that sleep deprivation can have on the brain, “Sleep is one of the most important components in the daily routine of an individual. Sleep is important for a number of brain-related functions, like the communication between neurons/nerve cells.

“People must be made aware that without proper sleep, the required pathways in the brain to create new memories and new response systems, will get adversely affected”. It is a known fact that the brain controls the human body and functions and emotions. It is important to know that sleep affects every aspect and every organ in the human body, especially the brain.

“While a good sleep will have a positive impact, irregular sleeping habits could affect almost every type of tissue and system like the brain, the heart, and even the lungs. Many people complain about mood swings, and this has a direct connection with the quality of sleep and its impact on the brain,” observed Dr. Ch Vijay, Consultant Neurologist, KIMS ICON Hospital, Vizag.

Dr. A Rampapa Rao, Chairman, Ucchvas Transitional Care, stated “I understand the biggest risk for a healthy brain is ‘Hypertension’ apart from other etiological factors and in itself is a manifestation of altered lifestyle mainly being deprivation of optimum number of daily sleep hours in young and middle years of life.

“I appeal to everyone to take measures and focus on getting at least seven hours of qualitative sleep on a daily basis irrespective of the occupation they are engaged in.

“We strongly believe that a healthy sleeping habit is the single most significant factor in maintaining healthy brain and its optimum functioning.”

The day also emphasises the importance of early detection and effective management of brain related ailments.

As women are more likely to develop osteoporosis, arthritis, or other bone-related conditions, low vitamin D levels—also referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” – remain a serious worry for bone health, scientists stated. To aid in preventing bone weakening, vitamin D is crucial. It can help shield women from arthritis and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Osteoporosis, characterised by weakened and brittle bones, often finds its roots in insufficient levels of Vitamin D. It is not uncommon for individuals to solely rely on calcium supplements to support bone health, overlooking the crucial role of vitamin D in calcium absorption.

“We are frequently seeing women who have problems with their bones that are related to low vitamin D levels. This essential nutrient is necessary for the absorption of calcium, which keeps bones strong. Sadly, a lot of women do not get enough vitamin D, which increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures,” Akhilesh Yadav, Associate Director – Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Max Hospital, Vaishali.

“Consider vitamin D supplements if you have limited sun exposure or dietary intake, and consult your doctor for the appropriate dosage. Regularly test your vitamin D levels, especially if you’re at risk for deficiency,” Yadav said.

Vitamin D is essential for bone growth, bone healing, and muscle function. A number of factors contribute to women’s vitamin D insufficiency, including age, which reduces the skin’s ability to synthesise vitamin D, and insufficient sun exposure.

“Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D is paramount for optimal bone health, yet it remains a pressing concern, particularly among women. This deficiency can lead to serious health implications, with osteoporosis emerging as a significant concern, especially among women post-menopause due to hormonal changes,” Sagar Hingrajiya, Consultant Orthopaedic, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara, told IANS.

By acting as a carrier, vitamin D helps get calcium from the stomach to the bones. Insufficient levels of vitamin D impede the absorption of calcium, making calcium supplements useless in preventing osteoporosis.

“Regular monitoring of vitamin D levels is crucial, particularly for women over 40 who are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Persistent low levels of vitamin D necessitate intervention, often in the form of prescribed supplements tailored to individual needs. However, indiscriminate supplementation without medical guidance can lead to adverse effects, underscoring the importance of seeking professional advice,” Hingrajiya said.

The experts recommended balancing sun exposure with skin protection by engaging in activities like brisk walking or gardening several times a week to guarantee enough vitamin D intake, such as 10 to 30 minutes in noon sunlight.

Hingrajiya said contrary to common belief, the best source of vitamin D is not the gentle morning or evening sunlight but “rather the midday sun between 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m”. “However, due to lifestyle factors and misconceptions, many people fail to capitalise on this prime time for vitamin D synthesis,” he noted.

Consuming vitamin D-rich foods including eggs, mushrooms, fortified dairy products, and fatty fish may also be beneficial.

A study on mice found that obesity induces chronic alterations in the brain, resulting in reduced sperm count.

To mimic human obesity, researchers at the University of California-Riverside fed mice a high-fat diet.

Their findings revealed that the mice’s brains had fewer connections between neurons and fewer receptors, which normally notify the brain that there is enough energy and that it should stop eating.

“This could explain why we don’t cut back on our calorie intake,” said Djurdjica Coss, a biomedical sciences professor at the School of Medicine and lead author of the study published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

According to Coss, the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis regulates reproductive function, and obesity disrupts it predominantly in the brain rather than the testes or pituitary.

Obesity leads to lower pituitary hormone levels, which diminish testosterone and sperm production.

In mice on a high-fat diet, the researchers discovered less synaptic connections in neurons that regulate reproduction, which is similar to human systems.

Obesity affects millions of people globally and is linked to health problems such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

A disorder known as fatty liver occurs when the liver accumulates too much fat, increasing the size of the organ. There are two kinds of fatty liver, according to Shlloka Joshii, a diet and lifestyle expert and teacher of classical Hatha yoga. Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a condition that affects those who either drink too little or not at all. It typically affects those who are obese, have diabetes, or are taking certain medications. Overindulgence in alcohol can result in alcoholic fatty liver, a condition in which the liver is unable to metabolize fat and assimilate nutrients. This further damages the liver, resulting in fibrosis or cirrhosis, a disease where the liver becomes dormant.

Signs and symptoms

“At first, usually after meals, one may feel exhausted or have pain or discomfort in the right side of the upper abdomen. Severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, weakness, weight loss, ascites (abdominal distention), pale stools, muscle atrophy, and leg edema are possible symptoms in the later stages.”

Reasons

Overindulgence in alcohol (a man who consumes 15 or more drinks a week and a woman who consumes more than 8 drinks would undoubtedly develop fatty liver, leading to liver failure after 10 to 15 years).

Being overweight
Insulin sensitivity
Diabetes type 2
Syndrome metabolic
High triglyceride levels, or cholesterol,
adverse effects of medication
Being pregnant
genetic illnesses
illnesses such as hepatitis C

Few Tips if you have fatty liver

Lemon: Every day, on an empty stomach, squeeze half a lemon into a glass of warm water. This helps to flush out toxins and enhances the health of the liver.

Papaya: Eat a bowl of papaya on an empty stomach to help minimize liver inflammation due to the enzymes in the fruit. In addition to vitamins A, C, and E, it contains minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

Pectin, which is abundant in apples, aids in the body’s cleansing process and aids in the removal of toxins from the digestive system. Fatty liver can be avoided by eating an apple every day. You may, however, consume up to three apples daily, one before each meal (breakfast, lunch, and supper), if you have Grade 2 or Grade 3 fatty liver. Alternatively, ingest 20–40 milliliters of apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach.

Beetroots: Due to their high vitamin C content, beetroots are believed to increase enzymatic activity and activate bile juice. Rich in vitamin A, carrots promote the liver’s general processes and help ward off liver disease. One medium-sized carrot or beetroot per serving before meals, in the form of a salad, would be a good suggestion.

Green veggies: Rich in essential antioxidants and chlorophyll, green veggies support the liver and remove toxins from the blood. You can eat a diet rich in nutritious greens such as lettuce, spinach, green peas, okra, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower. We advise eating 100–150 grams of boiled or steam-cooked veggies before a meal, or they can be eaten in place of the actual meal.

Yoga is a discipline you take up for yourself rather than something that is forced upon you. Yoga is a way to influence the mental patterns and inclinations. Conflict exists wherever there is a mind. It will build one from within even if there isn’t one outside. It spirals into confusion by making connections between seemingly unconnected items. This is referred to as Maya.

The mind and time are intertwined. When you’re joyful, time doesn’t exist. Additionally, every second seems incredibly weighty when you’re unhappy. Having too much to accomplish, not enough time, or not enough energy to do it all leads to stress.In numerous aspects, yoga has shown to be beneficial for humankind.

Regretfully, yoga has become synonymous with simply building more elasticity in your body. It is regarded as health-promoting gymnastics. The founder of yoga, Maharishi Patanjali, states that the goal of yoga is “Heyam dhukkha manaagatham,” or to stop suffering before it starts.

Yoga is a means to uplift our souls, heal illnesses, and find solutions to our difficulties. Yoga is essential for all of us since it keeps our minds calm and makes them more intelligent. We occasionally avoid doing yoga out of pure laziness and give reasons like running out of time. Any amount of time you can commit to this will undoubtedly help you.

You will have more energy, clarity, and personal time when you practice yoga. The term “skill in action” refers to yoga. It is the ability to live our lives, control our minds, interact with others, and experience love. It is the coming together of the lower and higher selves. Without pranayama and meditation, yoga will just turn into a workout.

The eight limbs of yoga are Asana, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Yama, Niyama, Pranayama, and Samadhi. We shall experience a profound shift in ourselves when we apply these eight limbs to our life. We can go from being weak to being strong, and from being depressed to living a joyful and healthy life. It’s not necessary for us to practice this to belong to a particular sect or religion.

Challenges force you to step beyond of your comfort zone and discover your inner abilities. Suffering results from not realizing your potential. Taking on challenges is an additional means of demonstrating your bravery, empathy, energy, and dedication to a higher purpose. This is the application of yoga. It increases your inner strength and self-assurance as you discover ways to lessen loneliness, lessen pain, and foster a sense of social connectedness.

People who experience great pain and sadness need to have more positive influences in their lives. Motivate them to practice yoga wherever you encounter negativity. Additionally, if someone is positive, urge them to practice yoga in order to keep that positive energy.

Suyanamaskar practice helps strengthen the immune system and invigorate the body.

A series of elegant yoga poses known as padmasadhana aid in the body’s suppleness. Your soul gets brighter and your mind gets lighter.

The quickest method for deeply transforming the body from the inside out is to open subtle energy channels with the sukshma yoga relaxation technique.

Ayurvedic and yoga sciences complement each other. Herbology, an age-old science, maintains our mental and bodily well-being.

It is recommended to follow a decent sattvik diet according to your constitution. Overindulging in Rajasic and Tamasic foods will hinder your progress as a yogi.

It won’t be very effective to meditate. For an excellent ayurvedic treatment, fresh fruits and vegetables, khichdi, are highly suggested.

Do you want to make more of an impression on LinkedIn and draw in valuable connections?

Establishing a robust LinkedIn following is crucial for both professionals and organizations in the current digital environment. LinkedIn offers a huge network of potential followers that can help you succeed professionally, with over 700 million users globally.

These hit and trial methods will help you attract worthwhile LinkedIn followers.:

Optimize Your Profile: Your LinkedIn profile serves as a digital business card. Make sure it accurately conveys your professional brand. Make sure your profile image is of the highest caliber, create an attention-grabbing headline, and compose a brief yet powerful synopsis that showcases your qualifications and achievements. To improve your visibility in search results, make sure your content contains pertinent keywords.

Share Interesting data: The secret to getting more LinkedIn followers is to post interesting and useful information regularly. Post informative articles, thought leadership pieces, industry insights, and advice that show off your experience and benefit your target audience. Promote interaction on your postings by posing queries, getting feedback, and starting conversations.

Use LinkedIn Groups: Participating and joining groups on LinkedIn can help you reach a wider audience and draw in followers who share your interests. Take part in thought-provoking discussions, impart knowledge, and position yourself as a significant authority in your field. Don’t be afraid to start your own LinkedIn Group to build a community centered around your area of expertise.

Connect Strategically: Choose your LinkedIn connections carefully. Concentrate on developing sincere connections with people who share your interests and career aspirations. To improve the chance of being accepted, personalize your connection requests by bringing up mutual friends or hobbies. Regularly interact with your relationships by sharing, enjoying, and commenting on their content.

Use LinkedIn Analytics: Make use of LinkedIn’s analytics features to learn more about the effectiveness of your postings and the level of interaction on your profile as a whole. Determine what your audience is interested in, spot patterns, and modify your content strategy accordingly. To keep your audience interested, try out several content formats, like videos, infographics, and surveys.

Work Together with Influencers: Getting together with influential people in your field can help you reach a wider audience and draw in followers who will respect their advice and views. To take advantage of their audience and credibility, look for chances to work together on collaborative content efforts, co-host webinars or events, or take part in influencer takeover campaigns.

Promote Your LinkedIn Profile: Don’t be afraid to use your website, email signature, and other digital channels to spread the word about your LinkedIn profile. Urge your current following to add you as a connection on LinkedIn and to forward your material to their networks.

Through the constant and genuine application of these tactics, you may effectively increase your LinkedIn following and position yourself as a reliable authority in your industry. Recall that while developing a valuable network requires time and work, the long-term benefits of meaningful connections and possibilities make the effort worthwhile.

Myopia, also known as near-sightedness and short-sightedness, occurs when light focuses in front of, rather than on, the retina. As a result, distant objects appear blurry, whereas nearby objects appear normal.

Myopia occurs when the length of the eyeball grows too long or, less commonly, the lens becomes too strong. This is a type of refractive error. Cycloplegics are used during an eye examination to make the diagnosis. Tentative evidence suggests that increasing young children’s exposure to the outdoors can reduce their risk of myopia.Myopia is the most common eye problem, affecting an estimated 1.5 billion people (22% of the global population).Rates vary significantly around the world.

A myopic person can see clearly up to a certain distance (the far point of the eye), but anything beyond that distance appears blurry.If myopia is severe enough, standard reading distances can be affected. On routine examination, the vast majority of myopic eyes appear structurally identical to nonmyopic eyes.Onset is common in school-aged children, and the condition worsens between the ages of 8 and 15.
The underlying cause is thought to be a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors include doing work that involves focusing on close objects, greater time spent indoors, urbanization, and a family history of the condition. It is also associated with a higher socioeconomic status and level of education.

Current lifestyle changes are increasing eye axial length, particularly after a pandemic. As a result, the prevalence of myopia is increasing, and many practitioners consider it an epidemic. By 2050, the prevalence of high myopia will rise to 50 to 55% worldwide, up from 33% today. Some consider myopia to be the most serious threat to eye health in the twenty-first century.

Human population studies indicate that genetic factors account for 60-90% of the variance in refraction. However, the currently identified variants account for only a small proportion of myopia cases, implying the presence of a large number of unidentified low-frequency or small-effect variants that underpin the vast majority of myopia cases. Insufficient light exposure, low physical activity, close proximity to work, and increased years of education are all environmental factors that increase the risk of myopia.

People, particularly children, who engage in more physical exercise and outdoor play have lower rates of myopia, implying that the increased magnitude and complexity of visual stimuli encountered during these activities slows myopic progression.

Myopia can be induced with minus spherical lenses, and overminus in prescription lenses can cause myopia progression. Overminus during refraction can be avoided using a variety of techniques and tests, including fogging, plus-to-blur, and the duochrome test.

Myopia is typically diagnosed by an eye care professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist. This is accomplished by refracting the eye using cycloplegics such as atropine, and then recording responses when accommodation is relaxed. Progressive myopia requires regular eye examinations using the same method.

Several methods have been used in an attempt to slow the progression of myopia, but studies have yielded mixed results.

1. Outdoor activity for at least 2 hours
2. Increase the distance from the device, at least 30 cm away.
3. Maintain proper reading posture; avoid reading while lying down.
4. Good lighting; avoid using devices in the dark or reading in poor lighting.
5. Take a Break: The 20-20-20 rule states that after every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look 20 feet away from the screen.
6. Regular eye exams for all children, especially if their parents have myopia.

Keeping children indoors, whether to promote early academic activities, because urban development decisions leave no space for children to play outside, or because people avoid sunlight because they prefer lighter skin color, causes myopia. Treatment options may include various types of lenses such as bifocals, progressives, peripheral defocus lenses, and multifocal contact lenses, orthokeratology, or myopia-controlling eye drops, depending on the individual’s needs.

A formal group decision-making process known as an election is used by the populace to select one or more candidates for public office.

Since the 17th century, elections have been the standard method used by contemporary representative democracies to conduct their business. Elections may be held to fill positions in the legislature, occasionally in the judicial system, executive branch, and local and regional government. Numerous other private and commercial organizations, including clubs, corporations, and voluntary associations, also employ this procedure.

In contrast to the practice in the democratic archetype, ancient Athens, where elections were viewed as an oligarchic institution and the majority of political offices were filled through sortition, also known as allotment, in which officeholders were chosen by lot, modern representative democracies use elections as a tool for choosing representatives on a global scale.

The process of implementing fair electoral systems in places where they are not currently in place or enhancing the efficacy or fairness of those that are is known as electoral reform. Psephology is the study of election outcomes and related statistics, particularly with the goal of forecasting future outcomes. The act of electing or being elected is called an election.
Other types of ballots are occasionally used because the word elect means “to select or make a decision”.

History & Rules

Elections were used to choose leaders like the pope and the Holy Roman Emperor as early in history as ancient Greece and Rome. They were also used during the Middle Ages. Under the mixed government of the Spartan Constitution, the Ephors of Sparta held the first known popular elections of public officials by majority vote in 754 BC. At that time, all citizens were eligible to vote and hold public office.

There are many different political, corporate, and organizational contexts for elections. Elections are held by many nations to choose members of their governments, but elections are also held by other kinds of organizations.Elections held within corporations and other organizations frequently follow the same protocols and regulations as elections held in government.

One of the main concerns during elections is who is allowed to vote. The population as a whole is typically not included in the electorate; for instance, voting is illegal for people under the majority age in many nations. Every jurisdiction has a minimum voting age. In certain nations, voting is mandated by law. Punitive actions, like fines, could be imposed on eligible voters for not casting a ballot. In Western Australia, a first-time offender facing a fine of $20.00 for not casting their ballot will be fined $50.00 if they have previously refused to cast their ballot.
A nomination process for political office must be governed by a procedure in a representative democracy. Presidency nominations are frequently mediated by organized political party preselection procedures.

Voting Procedure

The intricate voting procedures and constitutional frameworks that transform a vote into a political decision are known as electoral systems. Voters must first cast their ballots. Simple single-choice ballots or more complex ones, like multiple choice or ranked ballots, may be used. Growing electoral reform movements around the world support systems like instant runoff voting, approval voting, single transferable vote, and the Condorcet method; these are also becoming more and more popular for smaller-scale elections in some countries where larger-scale elections still use more conventional counting techniques.

It is advised that first-time voters make sure they are listed on the electoral roll. This means filling out a simple registration form and sending in the necessary identity documents. If someone is unsure of their status, they can check it online or get help from their local Election Commission offices.

It is crucial to understand one’s constituency. It is advised that first-time voters familiarize themselves with the issues, backgrounds, and agendas of the local candidates running for office. Having access to information makes it easier for voters to make educated decisions and choose candidates who share their goals and values.

The voter ID card is the entry point for the process. This important document should be sent to first-time voters right away. If it hasn’t arrived, getting in touch with Election Commission officials directly is advised. While having a valid voter ID card is preferred, other forms of identification may be accepted.
Voters are required to bring their voter ID card or other valid forms of identification on election day. This makes it easier to verify information before casting a ballot, guaranteeing a quick and easy experience at the polls.

Advice is waiting for you at the voting booth. First-time voters are advised to carefully follow the directions given by poll workers. They wait patiently in line to approach the Ballot Unit or Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and press the button that corresponds to the symbol of the candidate they have selected.

After the vote, examination is crucial. Voters are required to confirm that the chosen candidate’s symbol is displayed on the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine. By adding this verification step, the electoral process becomes more transparent and trustworthy.

Elections In India

Conducting elections is the Election Commission of India (ECI), an independent constitutional body. The Indian Constitution’s Article 324 lays out the guidelines for organizing and conducting parliamentary elections. Additionally, it grants the ECI, which will be supervised by the Supreme Court, the authority to conduct the elections. Article 324 outlines the constitutional commission’s exceptional authority to hold general elections for the Lok Sabha, state legislatures, and the prime minister, president, and speaker’s offices.

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), a current member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), is in charge of the Election Commission of India. The election commission consists of several Election Commissioners in addition to a Chief Election Commissioner. The current three election commissioners are appointed by the President, who periodically determines the number of commission members. A portion of the commission’s members are state or union representatives. On the Union Cabinet’s recommendation, the President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India as well as other election commissioners.

On April 19, India, a country with a population of over 1.4 billion, will start its massive election. The nation takes great pride in the size of its parliamentary elections, which guarantee voting rights to people living in the most remote and mountainous areas of the enormous nation. Polling booths are reachable only by boat for some people, but voting machines in such inaccessible areas are carried by horses and elephants.

Voting is divided into seven phases throughout the various states, lasting almost six weeks altogether, due to the state’s enormous geography, which prevents voting from taking place on a single day. More than a million polling places will use electronic voting machines, and the Election Commission of India will send out 15 million workers to supervise the process. The polls will close on June 1st, and the results will be tallied and announced on June 4th.

The cost of Indian elections is among the highest globally. India will have 969 million eligible voters this time around, which is more than 10% of the global population. There will be 18 million first-time voters among them, making them the largest electorate anywhere.

The slogan of the current government is ‘Ab ki baar 400 paar’. We cannot be certain which giverment will arrive. Yes, we do want a good government that can address the concerns of the people and instill a sense of pride in them for being citizens of this nation.

Thus, India, keep casting your votes!

Giving gifts is a common way for people in communities to show kindness. This ceremony is adorned with the Indian term “Shagun,” which means “good fortune.” A one-rupee coin is typically given along with this financial gift. It is regarded as a blessing and a prayer for the recipient’s wealth and happiness.

Indians add one rupee to gifts of money for the following reasons:

Draupadi’s Akshaya Patra: Just as Lord Krishna bestowed upon Draupadi a vessel that would perpetually possess surplus anna (rice) to feed everyone, the symbol ‘one-rupee’ also denotes a small amount of spare cash for the giver. The extra money starts to represent hope that these trying times will pass.

The Inauspicious Shunya: Hinduism places a strong emphasis on the cyclical tradition of life and death, in which something is said to end at “zero” (shunya) and to begin again at “one.” Beginnings are connected to optimism and ends to negativity. There are warning signs when giving money as a gift in amounts that end in zero, such as 500, 1000, and so forth. To guarantee a new beginning, an additional rupee is added.

A New Beginning: Traditions are primarily based on beliefs. Shagun is given at rice ceremonies, weddings, birthdays, and sacred thread ceremonies, among other auspicious events. The joys are consistent with the notion of fresh starts. The ‘one-rupee’ represents a fresh lease on life for the recipient, who is starting anew.

Undivided Against All Odds: In the past, marriages were typically the only social events that took place. The guests wished for the newlyweds’ unity in the face of adversity. It took the form of giving away a quantity of money that was not ‘even’ and could not be split equally. This was to make sure the couple prospered together rather than fighting over money.

The Auspicious Metallic Coin:The auspicious metallic coin known as the Shagun’s additional rupee is always considered a coin due to its metal, or Dhaatu, construction. The “eight elements,” or Ashtadhaatu, make up the human body. As a lucky charm, metals are associated with the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. Before steel and copper coins were minted, gifts of gold and silver coins were given. Consequently, giving a metallic coin as a gift heightens the holiness of the celebration.

Shagun is given with the intention that it be used for the recipient’s benefit, much like a seedling that blossoms. The extra money is meant for investments, though. It also fosters the receiver’s ability to think critically and to make a lasting difference with modest but consistent efforts, much like the well-known story of the enterprising boy who made a fortune from a paise.