logo
Make Sleep Great -And Okay-Again

Make Sleep Great -And Okay-Again

Economic Times25-05-2025

Once upon a time, sleep was a sacred ritual observed by all, rich and not-so-well-off, workaholics and underemployed. But among today's self-styled wakeness-wokes, it has been rebranded as a lazy indulgence, a vice best kept hidden. Sleep, dear reader, is the new taboo. Consider this: admitting to a full 8 hours is now akin to confessing treason. 'You sleep early?' 'You wake up at 9?' they gasp, clutching their triple-shot espresso in horror. 'How do you find the time?' Those who dare to prioritise rest are met with scepticism, side-eyeing and whispered accusations of complacency. A well-rested individual, in today's self-righteous eyes, is either unemployed, unserious, or, worse, a disgrace to the hustle-industrial complex.
Gone are the days of glorifying slumber. Legends once spun around naps-think Archimedes dreaming of displacement, Newton nodding off under an apple tree, siestas building empires. But today's titans of industry boast about surviving on a mere 3 hours, as if sleep deprivation were a badge of honour rather than a medical concern or a childish brag. Corporations have joined the crusade, shoving 'rise and grind' propaganda down our throats like some sleep-deprived cult. There are apps to track productivity, but none to remind you to lie down like a sane human. Sleep shouldn't be a guilty pleasure-it's a pleasure. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. How this century-old Tata company is getting ready for the next 100
What pizzas are Indians eating? The clue lies with India's largest QSR.
Explainer: Why Jensen Huang's latest Nvidia play will reverberate across AI
How NCLT became tribunal of hope reviving assets worth billions despite resource crunch
Mid-cap companies have posted robust results. But experts don't want you to invest in them.
How does IndusInd's 'fraud' tag affect its future?
Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and return potential of more than 27% in 1 year
For risk-takers with medium-term perspective: 6 mid-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of over 35%
Is tariff threat over? In Trump era, you have to read between the lines: 8 pharma stocks with upside potential of over 35%

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

We're not erratic or volatile, Germany reliable partner for Indian students: Ambassador Ackermann
We're not erratic or volatile, Germany reliable partner for Indian students: Ambassador Ackermann

Hindustan Times

time27 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

We're not erratic or volatile, Germany reliable partner for Indian students: Ambassador Ackermann

New Delhi, Germany has been a reliable partner for Indian students for a long time, and it is not "erratic" or "volatile" but very steady, Ambassador Philipp Ackermann said here on Tuesday, while asserting that his country wants the "smartest and the brightest" from India. His comments come in the backdrop of difficulties faced by international students, including from India, on matters related to academic admissions for higher studies in some countries, and student visa procedures. Interacting with reporters at his residence here, Ackermann said over 50,000 Indian students are currently in Germany pursuing higher studies, and "our experience is that number will rise". Without naming any country, the German envoy to India also indicated that more Indian students were likely to choose Germany as an academic destination, in view of the issues faced by them currently in the context of other countries. "In the light of... with student admissions and student visa procedures in some countries, it is maybe a good time to state that Germany is eager and happy to receive Indian students," he said in his opening remarks. He mentioned multiple times that his country has been a "reliable partner" for Indian students, and even added that "we don't check social media before you come". "We feel that Germany has been a reliable partner for Indian students for a long, long time. And, will remain so. We are interested in Indian talent, we are interested in Indian brains. We are interested in those Indians who really want to achieve something, and Germany will always be a partner for such people. So, we are not erratic, we are not volatile, we are very, very steady," Ackermann said. He also underlined that Germany offers first-class education, and those are willing to study hard to achieve it, are "welcome" and can "count on us". "And, we are eager on having talented young Indians coming to Germany," the envoy added. German universities and German research institutions have made "extremely good experiences" with students, and it has been seen that the number of Indian students is increasing every year in universities, and universities of applied sciences have also accepted a growing number of Indian students, the ambassador said. "We are talking about 50,000 plus Indian students in Germany, and our experience is that number will rise. We already now feel that more Indian students.. and that is certainly in the context of difficulty they face in other countries, and that more Indian students are interested to join German universities and German research institutions," the envoy said. Representatives of various top German universities such as Cologne University, University of Gottingen, Freie Universitaet Berlin, and research institute like the Max Planck Society and Fraunhofer were also present on the occasion. Later in an interaction with PTI Videos, the envoy said academic cooperation is a key pillar in the India-German bilateral ties. "We are searching Indian talent, and this is a time where many Indian students who had ideas to go elsewhere, now have second thoughts, and don't get where they really... wanted to go. So, what I am saying is, look at Germany, if you want a first class education, in many, many areas, above all in STEM area, German universities offer a broad range of possibilities, English-taught possibilities, with the clear perspective to join labour market in Germany after that," he said. "So, we have been a reliable partner for India in the last couple of decades... but what is important for me is to say that we want the smartest, the brightest from India," Ackermann told PTI. The envoy said the "offer is on the table", there is a clear growing interest. "Also, we want to encourage every student to individually search for universities, avoiding agents who will offer you a complete package, which sometimes is not a satisfaction," he said. Katja Lasch, Director, DAAD Regional Office, New Delhi, also interacted with the reporters. DAAD German Academic Exchange Service is marking its centenary this year, while its India office was set up 65 years ago. She said "applications to universities" have increased by over 30 per cent in the last couple of months, compared to the last academic year, citing data from DAAD. Lasch said there are about 425 universities, out of which there are 305 public universities. Germany has about 400,000 international students and it offers 2,300 study programmes in English language, she added. And, the country is among the top five destinations for Indian students along with the US, Canada, the UK, Australia. Ackermann said German education system is "widely a public good", which means most universities don't charge for studies and if they charge, the state-run universities, it's a small fee, compared to fees charged by universities in Anglo-Saxon countries. "So, its merit-based not money-based approach," he added. On a query on German visa issues, the envoy said, "There is no backlog anymore . Two years ago, we had a huge backlog.. we changed our system." Asked about the new citizenship rules by the German government, the ambassador clarified that "the government has not make a U-turn on citizenship, there was a very short way to citizenship within three years, this has been blocked now. Now, it is five years".

BigBasket to launch 10-minute food delivery across India by March 2026, executive says
BigBasket to launch 10-minute food delivery across India by March 2026, executive says

Economic Times

time33 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

BigBasket to launch 10-minute food delivery across India by March 2026, executive says

India's BigBasket plans to roll out 10-minute food delivery services nationwide by the end of fiscal 2026 as competition intensifies in the $7.1 billion quick-commerce space, its executive told Reuters on Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT The Tata-backed grocery giant will take on established players such as Swiggy's Snacc, Blinkit's Bistro and Zepto Cafe, which already deliver coffee and ready-to-eat snacks in less than 15 minutes. BigBasket is targeting customers of the existing food delivery firms such as Zomato and Swiggy while also unlocking a new pool of customers, co-founder Vipul Parekh told Reuters. It plans to use dark stores to fuel the service, Parekh added, extending its foothold in India's booming quick-commerce market, which Blume Venture's Indus Valley report calls the "fastest-growing industry segment ever." Dark stores are small warehouses in densely populated neighbourhood buildings, where delivery partners, typically two-wheeler riders, pick up groceries or food for delivery. BigBasket, which brought online grocery delivery service to India in 2011, aims to increase its dark store count from about 700 currently to 1,000-1,200 by the end of 2025. ADVERTISEMENT Following a pilot run that began a month ago in the southern city of Bengaluru, the food delivery service will now be expanded to 40 dark stores by July-end, Parekh said. Currently, about 5%-10% of BigBasket's customers who are offered the service are clubbing quick-food items with their normal online orders, but this is expected to grow further, he added. ADVERTISEMENT The menu will comprise items from coffee chain Starbucks and Indian Hotels' food arm Qmin, both part of the Tata group in India. No external restaurants will be partnered with, the firm said. Meanwhile, Parekh dismissed media reports of BigBasket seeking external investors for fundraising and reiterated the company's plan to go public within the next 18-24 months. ADVERTISEMENT "One of the advantages we have is, being a part of Tata Group, you have enough internal capital available."

How an NRI Account Makes It Easier to Support Family from Abroad
How an NRI Account Makes It Easier to Support Family from Abroad

Hindustan Times

timean hour ago

  • Hindustan Times

How an NRI Account Makes It Easier to Support Family from Abroad

Most Non-Resident Indians working abroad feel the need to have a convenient way to manage their finances and send money to their family in the home country. This is when NRI accounts prove to be useful. In this article, we'll cover in depth about NRI account types, features to look out for and how you can apply for one. Broadly, there are three NRI accounts you can choose from basis your needs. Here is a brief overview of different types of NRI accounts. As an NRI, you can opt for all three types of account while residing abroad, this will not only help in managing your personal finances but also any investments you plan to do. Here are a few use cases where an NRI account becomes essential for both NRI and their families back home: 1. Daily Expenses Sending money to home country is one of the most common uses of NRI accounts. This helps in covering groceries, utilities, any bills that are due and other household needs. Family members living in the home country can also withdraw cash for any purchases. NRIs can also send their best wishes through gifting money for birthdays, weddings or festivals. The money gifted is exempt from tax if it is sent to defined relatives through international bank transfers or from their NRI accounts. For any unforeseen circumstances, NRIs often require sending money quickly, where an NRI account that offers same-day transfers can be really helpful. This is also essential for them to cover urgent or uncertain medical expenses for family members. 4. Investments: NRIs looking to invest in financial assets such as property, mutual funds or other assets in their home country can invest through NRI accounts, making it easy to manage wealth while staying abroad. When living abroad, checking digital features of an NRI savings account adds convenience and reduces everyday challenges. Here are some significant features you should look for: Before opening an NRI account, make sure you have the documents needed to complete the bank's Know Your Customer (KYC) process smoothly. Here's a quick checklist: Some banks might also require documents such as FATCA/CRS declaration for tax compliance, income proof or tax return and cancelled cheque of your bank account. When it comes to taxes on NRI accounts, it is important to know that it is only applied for income earned in India. While the NRO interest is taxable, the NRE/FCNR interest is not. The income tax exemption for non-resident Indians (NRIs) under the new income tax regime in 2025 is INR 3 lakhs. The following are subject to NRI income tax: When you're living abroad, an NRI savings account such as an NRO or NRE account helps you support your family in India. Choosing the right one makes remittances simple and efficient. It also ensures your earnings are managed in a compliant and convenient way. Most accounts offer digital banking features that make personal finance management seamless for NRIs. Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store