Amazon to buy startup focused on AI wearables
Bee's $50 wristband can analyze and distill what it records to make summaries, to-do lists or other tasks. Amazon confirmed the deal on Tuesday following a post on LinkedIn by Bee CEO and co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo.
The deal has not yet closed and Amazon declined to provide terms. A spokesperson said Amazon will work with Bee to give users more control over the devices, which are set to automatically transcribe audio but can be muted.
'We imagined a world where AI is truly personal, where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you,' said Zollo in her post. She did not immediately respond to a query on Tuesday.
It was not Amazon's first foray into wearables. The Seattle online retailer marketed a line of wrist health trackers called Halo but ultimately killed the project in 2023. It also has a line of smart glasses embedded with Amazon's virtual assistant, Alexa, under its Echo brand. ChatGPT parent OpenAI bought former Apple designer Jony Ive's AI device startup called io for about $6.5 billion. Other startups have made early attempts at AI wearables, with mixed results.
In her post, Zollo thanked Amazon devices executive Panos Panay, suggesting Bee would join his group when the deal closes. Much of Amazon's AI development is being conducted in its Amazon Web Services unit.
Bee was founded in 2022.
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Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
These best 2 in 1 laptops are all about work, fun and everything in between: Top 7 picks from HP, Acer and others
Tap into creativity and swipe through tasks like a pro. A 2 in1 laptop gives you a device that keeps up with your pace. It feels like a tablet but works like a laptop and that makes every swipe, tap, and scroll a breeze. Carry it to your café table or curl up with it on your couch. The best 2 in1 laptop handles both meetings and movie nights with equal ease. Built for flexibility and packed with features, these laptops bring the best of both worlds together. From smooth touchscreens to sharp displays and fast processors, they tick all the right boxes. From typing to drawing, a 2 in1 laptop blends the best of both worlds. The best laptops no longer come in boring clamshells. They flip, bend, and flex to match your style. This is where fun meets function. Get ready to explore a list of the best laptops that multitask just as smoothly as you do. Loading Suggestions... The HP Pavilion x360 is a stylish and powerful 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop designed for flexibility, performance, and convenience. Powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U processor and backed by 16GB DDR4 RAM and a fast 512GB SSD, this laptop ensures smooth multitasking and quick boot-ups. The 14-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen offers sharp visuals and intuitive interaction, while the Intel Iris Xe graphics delivers decent visual performance for creative tasks and casual gaming. It includes Windows 11 Home and Microsoft Office 2021, making it ideal for both work and personal use. Weighing just 1.51kg, it's highly portable. The HP True Vision 5MP camera with noise reduction is great for video calls, and features like Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and a backlit keyboard enhance its appeal. The inclusion of a fingerprint reader and stylus support adds convenience and security, making it a solid choice for students, professionals, and everyday users. Specifications Processor Intel Core i5-1335U (up to 4.6 GHz, 10 cores) RAM 16GB DDR4-3200 MHz Storage 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Weight 1.51 kg Reasons to buy Smooth multitasking with 16GB RAM Bright and sharp IPS touchscreen Reasons to avoid Average colour gamut Click Here to Buy HP Pavilion x360, 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U (16GB DDR4, 512GB SSD) FHD, IPS, Micro-Edge, 14/35.6cm, Touchscreen 2-in-1, Win11, Office21, Silver, 1.51kg, ek1074TU, Iris Xe, FPR, 5MP Camera Laptop What buyers are saying on Amazon? Buyers appreciate the responsive touchscreen, lightweight design, and fast performance. Many buyers praise the webcam quality and backlit keyboard for work needs. Why choose this product? Choose this laptop for its powerful specs, premium 2-in-1 design, excellent webcam, and secure features in a compact form. Loading Suggestions... The Dell Inspiron 7430 is a sleek and versatile 2-in-1 laptop powered by the 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U processor. It delivers smooth performance for daily tasks, web browsing, and office work. The 14-inch FHD+ touch display with 16:10 aspect ratio offers more vertical space, enhancing productivity and browsing. With 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and a massive 1TB SSD, storage and speed go hand in hand. Add-ons like Dolby Atmos audio, FHD webcam, AI noise cancellation, and up-firing speakers make it ideal for work and media. The backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader improve usability and security, while multiple ports including Thunderbolt 4 expand your connectivity options. 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Buyers admire the design, screen clarity, and portability. Buyers mention it's ideal for light work and travel use. Why choose this product? Choose this if you want lightweight portability, good screen space, decent performance, and flexibility at a budget-friendly price. Loading Suggestions... The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is a convertible touchscreen laptop with a 14-inch WUXGA display. Powered by Intel Core i3-N305 and supported by 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, this model suits light productivity tasks, streaming, and content browsing. The display supports stylus input with the AES Pen solution. With 512GB SSD and Windows 11, it offers fast responsiveness and a modern interface. Weighing 1.54kg and featuring a versatile design, it's convenient for hybrid work, online classes, and travel. Specifications Processor Intel Core i3-N305 RAM 8GB LPDDR5 Storage 512GB SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe Weight 1.54 kg Reasons to buy WUXGA high-resolution screen Stylus support included Reasons to avoid Processor suited only for basic use Click Here to Buy Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14, Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, WUXGA 14, Touchscreen 2-in-1, Windows 11 Home, MS Office, Obsidian Black, 1.54KG, A3SP14-31PT, AES Pen Solution Laptop What buyers are saying on Amazon? Buyers liked the screen resolution and stylus support. Buyers also mentioned it's smooth for online meetings and light work. Why choose this product? Opt for this if you're looking for stylus use, rich display, and everyday performance in a compact and budget-friendly build. Loading Suggestions... The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 brings next-level performance with its Intel Core Ultra 5 225H processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD storage. It features a vibrant 14-inch WUXGA IPS touchscreen with TÜV Low Blue Light certification. 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Pick this for its premium design, massive storage, strong processor, and touchscreen performance with stylus support. Loading Suggestions... The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is a stylish and powerful 2-in-1 laptop powered by AMD Ryzen 7 5700U. It combines 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, making it fast and efficient for multitasking. The 14-inch WUXGA IPS touchscreen has anti-glare coating and supports stylus input. Extra features like Alexa support, a fingerprint reader, and backlit keyboard make it a smart choice for professionals and students. Weighing 1.5kg, it strikes the right balance between portability and power. Specifications Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5700U RAM 16GB Storage 512GB SSD Weight 1.5 kg Reasons to buy Powerful Ryzen 7 CPU High-res anti-glare touchscreen Reasons to avoid No upgradeable RAM Click Here to Buy Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Ryzen 7 5700U 14 (35.5cm) WUXGA+ IPS 2-in-1 Laptop (16GB/512GB SSD/Win 11/Office 2021/Backlit KB/Fingerprint/FHD Camera/Alexa/3 Month Game Pass/Storm Grey/1.5Kg), 82R900HFIN What buyers are saying on Amazon? Buyers liked its speed, smooth design, and display quality. Buyers also mentioned Alexa and fingerprint reader were useful. Why choose this product? Choose this for strong Ryzen performance, flexible design, stylus compatibility, and useful smart features for work and creativity. Loading Suggestions... This Dell Inspiron 7430 variant offers similar features as the 1TB version but with 256GB SSD storage. With the 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U processor and 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, it's ideal for students, home users, and light professionals. The 14" FHD+ touchscreen with ComfortView and backlit keyboard offers good usability. Weighing 1.58kg, it's compact and portable. Pre-loaded Windows 11 and Office 2021 make it ready for work out of the box. Specifications Processor Intel Core i3-1315U RAM 8GB LPDDR5 Storage 256GB SSD Weight 1.58 kg Reasons to buy Fast and responsive for daily use Multiple connectivity ports Reasons to avoid Limited 256GB storage Click Here to Buy Dell Inspiron 7430 2in1 Touch 13th Gen Laptop, Intel Core i3-1315U Processor, 8GB, 256Gb SSD, 14.0 (35.56cm) FHD+ Display, Windows 11 + MSO21, Backlit KB + Finger Print, Silver,Thin & Light- 1.58kg What buyers are saying on Amazon? Buyers liked the touchscreen, fingerprint login, and compact design. Buyers mentioned it's suitable for basic multitasking and study. Why choose this product? Pick this if you want a compact touchscreen laptop for daily tasks, online classes, and portability at a budget. Are 2 in 1 laptops good for gaming? 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Factors to consider before buying the best 2 in 1 laptops: Touchscreen responsiveness : Ensure smooth touch and gesture support for a true tablet-like experience. : Ensure smooth touch and gesture support for a true tablet-like experience. Display quality : Look for at least Full HD resolution with good brightness and colour accuracy. : Look for at least Full HD resolution with good brightness and colour accuracy. Processor and RAM : Opt for at least an Intel Core i5 or equivalent with 8GB RAM for smooth multitasking. : Opt for at least an Intel Core i5 or equivalent with 8GB RAM for smooth multitasking. Storage : SSD storage (256GB or more) is essential for fast boot-up and app performance. : SSD storage (256GB or more) is essential for fast boot-up and app performance. Battery life : A good 2 in1 laptop should offer 7–10 hours of battery life for mobility. : A good 2 in1 laptop should offer 7–10 hours of battery life for mobility. Weight and portability : Go for a lightweight design if you plan to carry it often. : Go for a lightweight design if you plan to carry it often. Stylus support : If you're into drawing or note-taking, check if it supports an active stylus. : If you're into drawing or note-taking, check if it supports an active stylus. Keyboard comfort: Ensure the keyboard is well-spaced and backlit, as you'll use it in laptop mode too. Top 3 features of the best 2 in 1 laptops: Best 2 in 1 laptop Screen Size Processor Special Features HP Pavilion x360 17.3 inches Intel Core i5 Micro-edge, Fingerprint Reader, Backlit Keyboard, Anti Glare Coating Dell Inspiron 7430 2in1 Touch Laptop 14 inches Intel Core i3 Fingerprint Reader, Backlit Keyboard Chuwi FreeBook 13.5 Inch 2 in 1 Touchscreen Laptop 13.5 inches Intel Core i3 Expandable Upto 1 TB, Backlit Keyboard Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 14 inches Intel Core i3 Acer ComfyView LED-backlit TFT LCD Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14 inches Intel Core i5 HD Audio, Lightweight, Backlit Keyboard, Support Stylus Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 inches AMD Ryzen 7 FHD Camera, Alexa Dell Inspiron 7430 2in1 Touch 14 inches Intel Core i3 Backlit Keyboard, Finger Print reader Similar articles for you: Top 10 multitasking laptops delivering high performance for multitaskers who demand smooth operation Best laptops under ₹60000 in June 2025 with fast performance, good storage and long battery life Top 6 HP Pavilion laptops in 2025 to find balance between performance and price 10 best laptops for working professional that offers power and productivity: Top picks for doing everyday work with ease FAQs on 2 in1 laptops Can I run MS Office on a 2 in1 laptop? Absolutely. Most 2 in1 laptops come with Windows and support full Office apps like Word and Excel. Do 2 in1 laptops have a keyboard? Yes, they have a full keyboard and can be used like any standard laptop when needed. Are they heavier than tablets? Slightly, but they offer more power and functionality than regular tablets. Do 2 in 1 laptops support external monitors? Yes, most have HDMI or USB-C ports to connect with external displays. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Rs 1 lakh to Rs 20 lakh in 5 years! Force Motors shares deliver jackpot returns with zero analyst coverage
Live Events 3 Pillars of Force Motors' Success Premium OEM Partnerships Future Growth Drivers Is Force Motors Stock Too Expensive? Key Risks to Monitor Long-Term Structural Story (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel A little-known smallcap stock with no analyst coverage, barely 1% mutual fund holding, and next to no investor outreach has silently turned into a 20-bagger. Shares of Pune-based Force Motors , best known for its sturdy Travellers , rugged Gurkhas, and engine assembly lines for BMW and Mercedes-Benz , have surged a mind-bending 1,868% over five years, transforming a ₹1 lakh investment into a near-₹20 lakh company's exit from low-margin tractors and strategic thrust on original equipment manufacturing ( OEM ) for luxury marques like BMW and Mercedes-Benz mark a decisive pivot toward higher-quality earnings. In just the past year, the stock is up 117%, fueled by rising demand in shared mobility and last-mile delivery Global's Aakanksha Chopra points out that the stock's re-rating has been backed by a sharp operational turnaround, strategic realignment of its business model, and disciplined capital transformation is evident in the numbers. From FY22 to FY25, revenue surged from ₹3,240 crore to ₹8,072 crore, representing nearly 2.5x growth. "Net profit swung from losses to over ₹800 crore, driven by operating leverage, a premium product mix, and strong execution," Chopra noted. "EBITDA margins expanded to 14%, and ROCE improved to approximately 25%, highlighting a high-quality earnings profile."The momentum shows no signs of abating. In Q1 FY26 alone, Force Motors reported a 22% year-on-year rise in consolidated revenue to ₹2,297 crore, according to Kalp Jain, Research Analyst at INVasset PMS. "Operating performance was even stronger — EBITDA jumped 33% to ₹332 crore, pushing margins to 14.4%. Net profit surged 52% YoY to ₹176 crore."Sunny Agrawal, Head - Fundamental Research at SBI Securities , highlights the operational drivers: "26% volume growth in the UV segment in 1QFY26 for Force Motors. Sales/EBITDA/PAT up by 22%/32%/52% YoY to Rs 2297/323/176 cr."The strong performance stems from "strong response to the Urbania utility vehicle which has emerged as a leading choice for employee transportation and short haul tourist travel along with the Traveller," Agrawal Jonagadla, smallcase Manager and Founder of Quantace Research, identifies three key drivers behind Force Motors' 20-bagger run: "A structural step-up in profitability — Q1 FY26 net profit leapt 52% YoY to ₹176 cr on a 14.4% EBITDA margin, the fourth straight quarter above 14%."The second pillar is order visibility. "A 2,978-unit Gurkha contract for the Indian defence forces secures c. ₹1,000 cr revenue over FY26-27," Jonagadla noted. Agrawal confirms: "Company won an order from Defence Ministry for supplying 2,978 Gurkha vehicles in Mar'25."The third pillar involves "sticky, high-margin engine outsourcing for Mercedes-Benz and BMW, underscored by the 100,000-th BMW powertrain rolled out in June 2025," according to company's transformation from a traditional commercial vehicle player to a sophisticated OEM partner has been remarkable. "The company's premium engine assembly partnership with BMW and Mercedes-Benz has scaled meaningfully and now contributes a significant share of revenue with higher realizations," Chopra elaborates on this strategic shift: "Once seen as a modest player in the light commercial vehicle segment, Force Motors has reinvented itself. It now operates across multi-utility vans, niche off-roaders like the Gurkha, and most critically, supplies engines and axles to marquee global OEMs such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW through dedicated manufacturing facilities."In FY25, Force Motors clocked ₹8,128 crore in revenue and ₹800 crore in net profit, doubling its bottom line from the previous year. Its return on equity (RoE) stood at 25.6%, while return on capital employed (RoCE) hovered around 25%, both signaling a capital-efficient business built for longevity, analysts balance sheet strength is equally impressive. "A leaner balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio under 0.3x now provides ample headroom for growth investments," Chopra noted. Jain adds: "The company is net debt-free, with a strong liquidity position and prudent working capital management."Looking ahead, the company is positioning itself for emerging opportunities. "Force Motors has begun investing in next-generation EV platforms in the LCV segment, offering strategic optionality in a decarbonizing auto landscape," Chopra sees additional upside potential: "Upside may come from scaling Urbania exports, electrified last-mile vans and the Rolls-Royce JV genset opportunity—segments where consensus models still embed conservative volumes."However, the spectacular run has pushed valuations to demanding levels. "The stock trades at 31.0x FY26E P/E, which appears to be fair valued and one round rerating is completed," cautioned Agrawal from SBI echoes the valuation concern: "At ~29 × trailing earnings, the market is pricing uninterrupted double-digit margins and 25%+ ROCE continuity."Jain takes a measured view: "The company currently trades at a P/E of ~26x trailing earnings — a valuation that assumes continued momentum. Sustaining margins amid rising input costs, managing export volatility, and ensuring consistent order flow from OEMs will be critical in validating this premium."Despite the impressive trajectory, analysts identify several risks. Jonagadla warns of "lumpy defence delivery and cost overruns; OEM partners potentially in-housing engines as they electrify; fragile exports—shipments fell 78% YoY in March–April 2025 even as domestic CV sales rose; and cash-flow drag from the ambitious EV capex."Agrawal points to information constraints: "As much information is not available (due to lack of any investor deck, mgmt interaction, concall etc), going forward, the street will keenly track monthly sales volume to understand the growth trajectory of the company."Despite near-term risks, analysts remain constructive on the long-term outlook. "While the stock's sharp re-rating now embeds elevated expectations, long-term earnings visibility remains intact," Chopra said. "Consensus estimates indicate an EPS CAGR of 25 to 30 percent over FY24 to FY27."Jain concludes: "Force Motors exemplifies what a silent compounder looks like before it captures the limelight. The company has quietly stitched together a compelling narrative — one of operational transformation, financial discipline, and market trust. For long-term investors, this is no longer a forgotten name from the commercial vehicle sector — it's a blueprint for India's next-generation manufacturing success."As Force Motors continues its remarkable journey from an overlooked smallcap to a multi-bagger phenomenon, the key question remains whether the company can sustain its operational excellence while justifying the premium valuations that its success story has commanded.: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From Jan Dhan accounts to mutual fund SIPs, here is how you can empower your domestic staff financially
For 48-year-old Kakoli Chowdhury, charity literally began at home. Watching her mother help their domestic staffers and sponsor their kids' education imbibed in her an innate need to do the same. Little wonder then that Chowdhury is currently paying Rs.16,000 a month as coaching fee for her helper, Uma Maitri's son, who is in Class 12. This is only one of the many initiatives she has undertaken over the years to empower her household staffers, contributing and encouraging them to start savings and investments . Many others like Chowdhury have been stewarding a silent, overt crusade to support this economically vulnerable segment—maids, cooks, drivers, nannies—who help in the smooth running of households, but remain bereft of financial safety nets. The National Sample Survey Office (2011-12) has pegged the number of domestic workers in India at 3.9 million, with 2.6 million women, while the International Labour Organisation estimates this number to be much higher at around 20-80 million. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Project Management Artificial Intelligence Data Science Leadership CXO Degree Others Public Policy Digital Marketing MBA Product Management Cybersecurity Technology PGDM Data Science Finance Healthcare Operations Management Design Thinking Management others healthcare Data Analytics MCA Skills you'll gain: Project Planning & Governance Agile Software Development Practices Project Management Tools & Software Techniques Scrum Framework Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Programme in IT Project Management Starts on Jun 20, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management Project Planning & Risk Analysis Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection Adaptive & Agile Project Management Duration: 6 Months IIT Delhi Certificate Programme in Project Management Starts on May 30, 2024 Get Details This unorganised and marginalised sector has had few financial rights or economic security, with little or no long-term savings and funds to educate their children or retire in old age, no health insurance for medical needs or life insurance, and meagre knowledge about investing avenues. Women helpers are in a worse situation, many of them working as single mothers and sole bread winners. Best MF to invest Looking for the best mutual funds to invest? Here are our recommendations. View Details » While several government schemes, including those for life and health insurance, pension , affordable housing, etc., have been launched in the past few years to improve the financial security for this segment, not many domestic workers are aware of or know how to benefit from these (see table). 'There are thousands of welfare schemes that they don't know about. This is why, be it schemes or investing, it's important to first educate the households and employers, who can then help their domestic helpers,' says Roopa Venkatkrishnan, Director, Sapient Wealth, a Mumbai-based financial advisory and distribution firm. Venkatkrishnan has been walking the talk since 2004 by holding financial literacy sessions for both the households and domestic staffers. Going a step further is Bengaluru-based Haqdarshak ( a for-profit social enterprise, which helps low-income segments access government welfare schemes. It claims a digital database of over 7,500 state and central welfare programs—health and life insurance, disability pension, education subsidies, housing subsidies, among others—and offers a 'Yojana Card' that can tell the worker about the schemes he is eligible for. It could help your helpers if you can inform them about it. Apprising them of the government welfare schemes is not the only way you can help your domestic staffers. They need assistance on every front: identifying saving and investing options for their kids' education and medical needs, tech-enablement, budgeting advice, career guidance, and saving up for their old age. 'You don't necessarily need to become their financial adviser, but guidance in navigating the formal financial systems, hand-holding and helping them with forms or digital onboarding, explaining terms, or demonstrating digital tools can also lead to a tremendous improvement in their financial stability and well-being,' says Atul Shinghal, Founder and CEO, Scripbox. Mumbai-based Namrata Vishal Lodaya knows about hand-holding, having helped all her three maids and two cooks with financial advice on career, investment, entrepreneurship, savings and much more. 'I taught business skills to Varsha tai to help open her beauty parlour and offered Pushpa tai's daughter career guidance in fashion designing,' says the 40-year-old. Here are some areas you can also help the people who make a critical contribution in ensuring that your lives run smoothly. Savings & investments As a first step, if your helpers don't have a bank account yet, help them open one under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. There is no minimum balance to be maintained and account holders get a RuPay debit card. They also get a Rs.2 lakh accident insurance with RuPay card, an overdraft facility up to Rs.10,000, and eligibility for various government schemes with the account. Rashida, 40 Chawla pays an annual premium of Rs.12,617 for a Rs.4 lakh family floater health plan for Rashida and her two children. Shikha Chawla (right) 42, Noida Next, prompt them into investing their money instead of keeping it in bank. You could start them on simple instruments that are easy to understand, such as a recurring deposit, fixed deposit, Post Office term deposit or even the Public Provident Fund (PPF) (see table). For women, a good option is the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, and for their girl children, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, both of which offer high interest rates. While Lodaya helped her maid, Priya, 39, open a bank account and fixed deposit, Chowdhury went a step ahead. She started a recurring deposit and Sukanya Samriddhi account by contributing Rs.10,000 for each account for her maid, Ram Dulari, and her daughter, in 2012. She also took other helpers to the post office to invest in Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) and National Savings Certificates (NSC). 'I always felt they should save more by investing in instruments that offer a higher interest rate, instead of keeping the money in bank,' says the Delhibased IT professional. Investment options for your domestic helpers Venkatkrishnan even advocates mutual fund SIPs for long-term savings and high returns. 'I tell them that they can invest in mutual funds with as low a sum as Rs.100 or Rs.500 and get high returns over the long term,' she says. 'Another important thing is to tell them to keep away from chit funds and move to formal investing options like FDs. Insurance companies have also made deep inroads and sell plans pitching high returns, but they need to move to better forms of investing,' says Mrin Agarwal, Founder, Finsafe India. Agrees Venkatkrishnan: 'People lose money through Ponzi schemes, insurance plans and chit funds and should know about it.' Buying insurance Another financial pitfall for this segment is medical and hospitalisation expenses . 'Most families with limited means try to secure food, shelter and education, but forget about emergency health fund. During an illness, they are forced to look around, desperate for help from employers, friends, anyone,' says Noida-based Communication Consultant Shikha Chawla. She bought a family floater health insurance plan worth Rs.4 lakh for Rashida and her two children in 2018. She continues to pay the annual premium of Rs.12,617 even though Rashida no longer works for them. A good option is the government scheme, Ayushman Bharat or the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which offers a Rs.5 lakh cover per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. 'I also tell them and their employers to register with hospitals with their ration cards so that they can get free treatment,' says Venkatkrishnan. For life insurance, you can help them buy the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana as it can secure their children in case of the helpers' untimely death. For 18-50 age group with a bank account, it offers a life cover of Rs.2 lakh and the annual premium is `436, which is auto-debited from the bank account. The scheme is offered by the Life Insurance Corporation and other life insurers that provide it on similar terms. Financial & tech literacy One of the most important contributions you can make in your helpers' lives is by teaching them the basics of finance and making them tech-literate. 'Guide them in using UPI apps like Google Pay or PhonePe. This drastically simplifies transactions, bill payments and transfers, reducing reliance on cash,' says Shinghal. Also teach them about basic concepts like household budgeting, long-term investments, covering risk through insurance, taking loans, or even starting their own small businesses. Help them with documen-tation and online access to welfare schemes. Lodaya has mastered the art of leading by example when it comes to upskilling her helpers. 'I talk to them about how I manage my finances or use technology and then they follow suit. For instance, when I needed to raise funds for my husband's medical expenses, I used Ketto, and when Priya ben's husband fell ill later, she managed to raise Rs.55,000-60,000 by doing the same,' says Lodaya. Pension & loans While saving for retirement may seem difficult for helpers trying to survive from month to month , the government Atal Pension Yojana is a good vehicle that is open to all savings bank/post office savings bank account holders in the 18-40 age group. It offers a guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs.1,000-5,000 to the subscriber after 60 years, and after him to his spouse. When it comes to taking loans, try and desist your helpers from taking informal, unsecured loans with high interest rates. Steer them towards formal bank loans. 'I tell the employers to give their helpers salaries via cheques, so that they can show income and file their tax returns. This is because with three years of returns they can avail of home loans easily,' says Venkatkrishnan. If loans are not feasible for them, help them out with personal contributions, say, for their children's education, weddings, etc.
