A sample Rs 1000 meal

The VAT + Service Tax (Including Swachch Bharat Cess) would be Rs 195.5. (Govt earning 195.5)

Now to take home that Rs 1000, I had to earn Rs 1333.33 rupees (25% approx Income Tax on salary). (Govt. earning Rs 333.33)

I had to use my bike for the 20km trip to and for home. Fuel Expenses -  Rs 45 (Govt earns Rs 23 on that. Including latest excise hike of 1.50

So when i went out for a meal for Rs 1000, the Govt. earned 195.5+333.33+23= 551 Rupees.
In total I have to earn Rs 1551 to have Rs 1000 meal outside home

This is today's scenario on direct and indirect taxation.

He Fries Pakoras With His Bare Hands

Ram Babu sells over a hundred kilograms of fries each day and makes around Rs. 2000.

A street chef in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh has been dubbed super hands - thanks to his ability to dip his hands into boiling hot oil unscathed.

Ram Babu regularly attracts hordes of spectators, who come to see his astonishing ability. The 60-year-old snack seller can bury his bare hands into searing cooking oil heated up to 200C for frying fritters.

"People from far away come to see me frying pakoras without burning my hands. I have been doing this for more than forty years but have never suffered blisters or any burn injury," he says.

When Babu - who fries potato and eggplant wedges at his roadside stall - started selling the deep-fried snacks to make ends meet at the age of just 20, he never thought his small stall would see such a large turnout. But as the demand grew, Babu stopped using any apparatus to save time - opting to spoon them out with his hands.

"Using the heavy spatula was time consuming. One day, there was a throng of customers at the shop and I had no helping hand. In panic, I mistakenly put my bare hands to take out fries. Before I could realise, my hands were deep into the pan of bubbling oil. I immediately took my hands out expecting blisters covering my hand but surprisingly there was nothing," he recalls.

"Ever since that day I decided to not use spatula. I have never been hurt, it feels as if I am putting my hands in water," he adds.

Babu sells over a hundred kilograms of fries each day and makes around Rs. 2000. "People go bonkers seeing me doing this, they keep asking if I have done some magic - but I simply smile and say this is all God's magic," he says.

Over the years, Babu has earned a bevy of customers and a huge fan following over the years, who travel from across the capital region to sample his crispy fries.

Amit Singh who is a frequent customer at Babu's stall says: "It really surprises me when I see him pulling out the fritters straight out of the pan. One has to see to believe him doing this.

"I can never think of even touching that boiling oil but he astonishingly takes out crispy pakoras as if they have been fried in cold water. And the fritters taste really good."

And just like his customers, Babu's unique ability has also left doctors baffled. He says: "As my popularity grew, several doctors approached me for research. Many took the sample of my skin, but none found anything unusual. I do not know why I am like this but as long as I am unhurt and my ability helps me make money, I will happily fry fritters with my hands."

Story First Published: November 17, 2015 15:51 IST

15 Amazing Guava Benefits: Heart Healthy, Weight Loss Friendly and More

Winter has set in and tis’ the season for some delicious guavas.

We’ve all enjoyed a plateful of guavas sprinkled with chaat masala and also savoured it in luscious jams, jellies and murabbas, so it’s time we find out why our grandmothers have always spoken so highly about this seasonal treat. Guava, popularly known as amrood in Hindi, packs an intoxicating strong-sweet fragrance and a distinct taste. Loaded with tiny hard seeds at the center, this tropical fruit is believed to have its origin in Central America where it is also known as “sand plum”. It is round or oval in shape with light green or light yellow skin, and the colour of its flesh varies from white or pink to dark red and has edible seeds.

Besides its unique flavour and fragrance, guava has been hailed as one of the super fruits due to the numerous health benefits it offers. It indeed is a powerhouse of nutrients. “This humble fruit is extraordinarily rich in vitamin C, lycopene and antioxidants that are beneficial for skin. Guavas are also rich in manganese which helps the body to absorb other key nutrients from the food that we eat. Guavas contain folate, a mineral which helps promote fertility. The potassium in guavas helps normalise blood pressure levels as well. In fact, a banana and a guava contain almost the same amount of potassium. Since it contains about 80% of water it helps keep your skin hydrated”, says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Sukhda Hospital. Here are 15 mind-blowing guava benefits for health and skin you need to know.
 

Guava for Health

1. Immunity Booster
Did you know: Guavas are one of the richest sources of vitamin C? It’s true. Guavas contain 4 times the vitamin C content present in oranges. Vitamin C helps improve immunity and protects you against common infections and pathogens.

2. Lowers Risk of Cancer
“Lycopene, quercetin, vitamin C and other polyphenols act as potent antioxidants which neutralise free radicals generated in the body, preventing the growth of cancer cells. Guavas have shown to be widely successful in reducing prostate cancer risk and also inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells since it is rich in lycopene”, says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja.

3. Diabetes-Friendly
Due to the rich fibre content and low glycaemic index, guavas prevent the development of diabetes. While the low glycemic index inhibits a sudden spike in sugar levels, the fibre content ensures the sugar levels are well regulated.

4. Heart Healthy
Guavas improve the sodium and potassium balance of the body, thereby regulating blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Guavas also help lower the levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL), which contribute to the development of heart disease. This magical fruit improves levels of the good cholesterol (HDL).

5. Treats Constipation
Itis one of the richest sources of dietary fiber in comparison to other fruits and just 1 guava fulfills about 12% of your daily recommended intake of fibre, which makes it extremely beneficial for your digestive health. Guava seeds, if ingested whole or chewed, serve as excellent laxatives too, helping the formation of healthy bowel movements.

6. Improves Eyesight
Due to the presence of Vitamin A, guava is well known as a booster for vision health. It can not only prevent degradation of eyesight, but even improve eyesight. It can help slow down the appearance of cataracts and macular degeneration. Even though, guavas are not as rich in Vitamin A as carrots, they are still a very good source of the nutrient.

7. Guava During Pregnancy
Guavas contain folic acid, or vitamin B-9, which is recommended for pregnant women since it can help in developing the baby’s nervous system and protect the newborn from neurological disorders.

8. Beats Toothache
Guava leaves have a potent anti-inflammatory action and a powerful antibacterial ability which fights infection and kills germs. Thus, consuming guava leaves works as a fantastic home remedy for toothache. The juice of guava leaves has also been known to cure toothaches, swollen gums and oral ulcers.

9. Stress-Buster
The magnesium present in guavas helps to relax the muscles and nerves of the body. So after a hard workout or a long day at the office, a guava is certainly what you need to relax your muscles, combat stress and give your system a good energy boost.

10. Good for Your Brain
“Guavas contain vitamin B3 and vitamin B6, also known as niacin and pyridoxine respectively, which help in improving blood circulation to the brain, stimulating cognitive function and relaxing the nerves”, remarks Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja.

11. Weight Loss
Want to shed a few pounds? Guava is just the ticket. Without comprising your intake of proteins, vitamins and fiber, guava helps you lose weight by regulating your metabolism. It’s a win-win! Guava makes for a very filling snack and satisfies the appetite very easily. Guava, especially raw guava, also has far less sugar as compared to apples, oranges, grapes, and other fruits.

12. Cough and Cold
Guava has one of the highest quantities of vitamin-C and iron among fruits, and both are proven to be preventive against cold and viral infections. The juice of raw and immature guavas or a decoction of guava-leaves is very helpful in relieving cough and cold since it helps get rid of mucus and disinfects the respiratory tract, throat and lungs.
 

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Guava for Skin

13. Anti-Ageing Properties
Guavas are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and antioxidants like carotene and lycopene which help protect the skin from wrinkles. A guava a day, keeps fine lines away!

14. Improves Complexion
Guava helps regain the skin’s radiance and freshness. Reap the benefits by preparing a DIY scrub at home: All you have to do is mash some guava flesh with an egg yolk and apply it on your face. Rinse off after 20 minutes with warm water. When used once or twice a week, this scrub will remove dead cells from your skin and lighten your complexion. Guavas are also a great source of Vitamin K, which helps get rid of skin discoloration, dark circles, redness and acne irritation.

15. Improves Texture
Guavas rank high in astringent properties, guava leaves and unripe guavas even higher. Guava helps tone up and tighten the facial muscles, so apply a decoction of the leaves and fruit on your skin and voila!

Wholesale Inflation Falls to 5-Year Low of 2.38% in September

India's wholesale price inflation eased to a near five-year low in September, helped by a moderation in food and fuel prices, but the risk of price shocks is expected to prevent the central bank from cutting interest rates soon.

The wholesale price index (WPI) rose an annual 2.38 per cent last month, its slowest pace since October 2009, compared with a 3.3 per cent jump forecast by economists in a Reuters poll. In August, wholesale prices rose 3.74 per cent.

The reading for July WPI inflation was revised to 5.41 per cent from 5.19 per cent earlier.

"The sharp moderation in inflation has been a culmination of a favourable base effect, moderation in food prices, softening crude oil prices and weak growth," said Upasna Bhardwaj, an economist at ING Vysya Bank.

Data released on Monday showed consumer price inflation, which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tracks to set policy lending rates, dropped sharply to 6.46 per cent in September, the lowest since the latest data series started in January 2012.

The moderation in price pressures was driven by cheaper food and fuel. Wholesale food inflation dropped in September to 3.52 per cent on lower vegetable prices from 5.15 per cent a month ago.

Falling global crude oil prices, meanwhile, drove fuel inflation down to 1.33 per cent last month from 4.54 per cent in August.

Notwithstanding the deceleration in inflation, the RBI is concerned that poor monsoon rains and geopolitical tensions that affect oil could drive up prices, making it tougher to reduce retail inflation to 6 per cent by 2016.

As a result, analysts widely expect it to keep interest rates on hold until the April-June quarter.

"Going into next year, we expect RBI to assess the diminishing upside risks to its 6 per cent target closely and press the trigger only when it is convinced of a meaningful correction in prices," said Bhardwaj.

The RBI sent a strong signal last month that it would hold off cutting rates until it was confident that consumer inflation could be reduced to a target of 6 per cent by January 2016.
Copyright: Thomson Reuters 2014

McDonald's Explains Why Its Burgers May Not Rot

The world's biggest hamburger chain is confronting unappetizing questions as part of a United States campaign to beat back perceptions that it serves Frankenfood. The company has run similar campaigns in Canada and Australia and said it's bringing the effort to its flagship market.

The push comes as McDonald's fights to boost its performance in the United States, where sales slid 1.5 percent at established locations in the most recent quarter, following a 0.2 percent dip for last year. In addition to increased competition, McDonald's is trying to keep up with changing tastes, with places such as Chipotle marketing their food as more wholesome alternatives.

To improve the image of its food, McDonald's recently rolled out chicken wraps with sliced cucumbers and the option to substitute egg whites in breakfast sandwiches. It also plans to eventually let people swap out the french fries in value meals with options like salad or vegetables.

For its latest campaign, among the first issues McDonald's addresses are widely circulated online images and videos that show its burgers staying in tact after several weeks or even years. On its webpage, McDonald's says that's likely because the food has dehydrated, and that food needs moisture to form mold.

The company's responses to other questions such as "Does McDonald's beef contain worms?" are more direct: "No. Gross! End of story."

A video posted on the company's home page also showed Grant Imahara, a former host of the TV show "Mythbusters," touring a Cargill beef plant where McDonald's patties are made. "Are there lips and eyeballs in there, Jimmy?" Imahara asks a plant supervisor, who explains that the patties only have beef trimmings. Another guide says the patties do not contain lean finely textured beef, an ingredient widely referred to as "pink slime" that became the subject of controversy a few years ago. McDonald's stopped using the ingredient about three years ago.

Ben Stringfellow, vice president of communications for McDonald's USA, said in a phone interview that the campaign is a new way of engaging with customers more directly. He noted people are demanding for more information about products across the board, not just from McDonald's. "In many ways, it's the way the world is going," he said.

National TV ads will air soon will let people know about the push. McDonald's says people can submit questions via social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. The company plans to respond to the most common questions with videos or other posts, as well as responding one-on-one to questions, Stringfellow said.

Now, a veggie burger that tastes like actual meat cheeseburger

London: Scientists have now created a veggie burger that has the taste of the actual cheeseburger.

Stanford professor, Patrick Brown has crafted The Impossible Cheeseburger, which is made by using "plant blood" that holds the secret the replicate the taste of meat, the Independent reported.

The sanguine liquid has the same consistency and metallic taste of blood and comes from the same molecule found in haemoglobin, which plays a big part in steak's distinctive taste.

The Wall Street Journal said after a taste test that it has the consistency of animal tissue and isn't overly spongy like tofu.

Brown said that the system that is used for the production of meat and cheese was totally "unsustainable" and had awfully harsh environmental consequences.