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Who Is Madhulika Syal? The Inspiring Journey from Global Banking to Award-Winning Author

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Madhulika Syal’s story is not defined by a single profession or achievement. Over more than two decades, she has built an international career across banking, financial services, governance, risk and compliance. Alongside that career, she has found another voice—as an author writing about resilience, identity, healing and the courage it sometimes takes to begin again. Based in Panchkula, Haryana, Madhulika brings together two worlds that may appear very different: the structured, demanding environment of global financial services and the deeply human world of storytelling. For her, however, they are connected by something fundamental—the ability to face uncertainty, adapt and keep moving forward. Two Decades Across Global Financial Services Madhulika has more than 20 years of international experience spanning banking, financial services, FinTech and consulting. Her career has taken her through senior leadership and specialist roles across corporate banking, financial crime, risk manage...

How Psychologist Sabeena Built MindsetU to Help People Achieve Lasting Success

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Every great transformation begins with a single thought. The way we think influences the way we feel, act, and respond to life's challenges. While many people search for success in the outside world, Sabeena believes the real journey begins within. Through her work as a psychologist, counsellor, trainer, and author, she has dedicated her life to helping people unlock the power of their minds and discover the best version of themselves. Sabeena is the author of MindsetU Formula , a practical and inspiring guide that teaches readers how to transform their lives through mindset, psychology, and self-awareness. The book is based on a simple yet powerful belief: when people learn to think differently, they begin to live differently. Instead of allowing fear, self-doubt, or limiting beliefs to control their future, they can develop confidence, resilience, and purpose. With a strong academic background and years of professional experience, Sabeena has built a career around understanding h...

From Coal to Cash: Can Plastic Currency Notes Really Be Made from Coal? Here's the Science Behind It

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When we think of coal, the first image that comes to mind is usually a black rock used in power plants or industries. It has been a major source of energy for decades, but today coal is also associated with pollution and climate change. Surprisingly, scientists and engineers have found another fascinating use for coal—helping produce the plastic used to manufacture durable currency notes. It may sound unbelievable, but the plastic used in many modern banknotes can be traced back to products derived from coal and other fossil fuels. While the process is complex, the science behind it is simple enough to understand. The Rise of Plastic Currency Notes For many years, countries around the world printed currency on paper made primarily from cotton fibers. These notes served their purpose well but had several disadvantages. They wore out quickly, absorbed moisture, became dirty, and were easier to counterfeit. To solve these problems, several countries introduced polymer or plastic banknotes...

क्या पत्नी के खाते में पैसा डालकर बचा सकते हैं टैक्स? गिफ्ट के नियम नहीं जानते तो पड़ सकता है भारी, पहले समझें Income Tax के ये कानून

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नौकरीपेशा लोगों से लेकर कारोबारियों तक, कई लोग यह मानते हैं कि अगर वे अपनी पत्नी के बैंक खाते में पैसा ट्रांसफर कर दें या उनके नाम पर निवेश कर दें, तो परिवार का कुल टैक्स कम हो जाएगा। खासकर तब, जब पत्नी की कोई आय नहीं हो या वह कम टैक्स स्लैब में आती हों। लेकिन क्या वास्तव में ऐसा करने से टैक्स बच जाता है? इस सवाल का जवाब है— हर बार नहीं। आयकर कानून के अनुसार, पत्नी को पैसा गिफ्ट करना पूरी तरह वैध और टैक्स-फ्री है, लेकिन उस पैसे से होने वाली कमाई पर अलग नियम लागू होते हैं। अगर इन नियमों की जानकारी नहीं है, तो टैक्स बचाने की कोशिश उल्टा नुकसान का कारण बन सकती है। क्या पत्नी को पैसा गिफ्ट करना टैक्स-फ्री है? हाँ। आयकर कानून के तहत पति और पत्नी एक-दूसरे के 'रिश्तेदार (Relative)' माने जाते हैं। इसलिए पति अपनी पत्नी को या पत्नी अपने पति को कितनी भी राशि गिफ्ट कर सकती है। इस पर किसी तरह का टैक्स नहीं लगता। चाहे पैसा नकद दिया जाए, बैंक ट्रांसफर से, चेक के जरिए या किसी संपत्ति के रूप में, केवल गिफ्ट मिलने पर प्राप्तकर्ता को कोई टैक्स नहीं देना पड़ता। यानी ₹50,000 की सीमा, जो गैर-रिश्ते...

Don't Buy a Resale Flat Without Checking These 5 Documents: Here's Why One Homebuyer Was Asked to Pay ₹80,000 in Old Maintenance Dues

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Buying a resale flat can help you move into a ready-to-live home without waiting for construction to finish. Many buyers also find resale properties more affordable and located in well-developed neighbourhoods. However, purchasing a pre-owned apartment involves more than checking the price, location and condition of the property. One of the biggest risks in a resale property transaction is hidden financial liabilities, especially unpaid maintenance charges. If buyers fail to verify these details before completing the purchase, they could face unexpected demands from the housing society after taking possession. A recent case involving an ₹80,000 maintenance bill has once again highlighted the importance of carrying out proper legal and financial checks before buying a resale flat. The Surprise Bill After Registration Imagine completing all the formalities to buy a flat. The sale deed is registered, the keys are handed over and you believe the transaction is complete. Then, within a few ...

Filing ITR-1 This Year? Don't Miss These 5 New Disclosure Rules That Could Affect Your Income Tax Return

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If you're planning to file your Income Tax Return (ITR-1) for the Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27, there are some important changes you should know before submitting your return. The Income Tax Department has updated the ITR-1 (Sahaj) Excel utility , introducing several new disclosure requirements that aim to make tax reporting more detailed and transparent. Although ITR-1 continues to remain the simplest income tax return form for eligible taxpayers, the revised version now asks for additional information related to house property, rental income, charitable donations, and political contributions. These changes may seem small, but failing to provide the required details could lead to mistakes, delays, or even notices from the Income Tax Department. Here's everything you need to know before filing your return. Who Can File ITR-1 for AY 2026-27? ITR-1, also known as Sahaj , is meant for resident individuals whose total annual income is up to ₹50 lakh . It can be used by taxpayers wh...

क्या एथेनॉल वास्तव में वाहनों के लिए नुकसानदायक है? जानिए इंजन, माइलेज, प्रदूषण और दुनिया के कई देशों की हकीकत

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पेट्रोल और डीजल की बढ़ती कीमतों के बीच दुनिया भर के देश वैकल्पिक ईंधन की तलाश कर रहे हैं। इसी दिशा में एथेनॉल मिश्रित पेट्रोल (Ethanol Blended Petrol) का इस्तेमाल तेजी से बढ़ा है। भारत में भी सरकार ने E20 (20% एथेनॉल और 80% पेट्रोल) को बढ़ावा देना शुरू कर दिया है। इसका उद्देश्य कच्चे तेल के आयात को कम करना, किसानों की आय बढ़ाना और प्रदूषण घटाना है। लेकिन सवाल यह है कि क्या एथेनॉल वास्तव में वाहनों के लिए अच्छा है? सच्चाई यह है कि एथेनॉल के कई फायदे हैं, लेकिन इसके कुछ नुकसान भी हैं। यह कुछ परिस्थितियों में इंजन की कार्यक्षमता, माइलेज और वाहन के कुछ हिस्सों पर असर डाल सकता है। यही वजह है कि दुनिया के कई देश आज भी सीमित मात्रा में ही एथेनॉल का उपयोग करते हैं। आइए जानते हैं पूरी सच्चाई। एथेनॉल क्या है? एथेनॉल एक प्रकार का अल्कोहल है, जिसे गन्ना, मक्का, गेहूं या अन्य कृषि फसलों से तैयार किया जाता है। इसे पेट्रोल में मिलाकर ईंधन बनाया जाता है। उदाहरण के लिए— E10 = 10% एथेनॉल + 90% पेट्रोल E20 = 20% एथेनॉल + 80% पेट्रोल E85 = 85% तक एथेनॉल हर देश अपनी जरूरत और वाहनों की क्षमता के अनुसार...