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  • Using GeeksforGeeks for Practice and Learning Coding- A Guide

    GeeksforGeeks is the best platform for people who are searching for useful articles dedicated to programming languages. This website includes well explained, well thought-out, and well written computer science and programming articles. This platform can help people have a good understanding of various programming languages, data structures, and algorithms.

    GeeksforGeeks was developed by Sandeep Jain in 2009. He is an IIT Roorkee alumnus. Sandeep commenced it as a blog-based site with articles on programming questions. Later, he expanded it to courses. Currently, it is a portal including interview experiences, programming questions, and a coding platform. Let us discuss how to use GeeksforGeeks for practicing coding.

    The platform provides you access to all types of training materials, from programming problems to practice for entrance exams, from basic to premium courses, etc. GeeksforGeeks shows an inclusive approach to all technical concepts and several ways to resolve programming problems that enable you to choose the appropriate solution.

    How to Learn Programming
    How to Use GeeksforGeeks for Practicing Coding
    Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

    Codevidhya Success Story – Founder | Funding | Business Model | Revenue
    In India, there has been a growing gap between the industry needs and the skillsof the students. A study by employability assessment company ‘Aspiring Minds’,carried out in 2017, shockingly revealed that 95% engineers in India are not fitfor software development jobs. Codevidhya is an Ed-Tech co…
    StartupTalkyRishabh Rathi

    How to Learn Programming

    The contents on GeeksforGeeks are divided into different categories for easy access by users. If you are interested in learning algorithms or data structures or a programming language, you can use this source. If you are searching for interview preparation material, GeeksforGeeks includes a bunch of company-wise interview experiences. Also, it acts as a great platform for users to share their knowledge through the contribution option.

    Let us talk about the steps to learn programming and some ways for developing our problem-solving skills.

    Sandeep Jain – Founder of GeeksforGeeks

    1. Select a Language and Understand the Basic Concepts

    Many beginners skip the basics and jump directly into technology and shiny tools. It won’t work in interviews or building a project of any kind. If your basics are not clear, you will become more distracted and confused. Therefore, firstly select the programming language that you are comfortable working on C++, Python, Java, etc.

    After that, learn the syntax and basic concepts (conditionals, variables, loops, operators, etc.). Create programs using the language and make a basic foundation. Some useful tips to pursue when you start with fundamentals are given below. It will also help to increase your problem-solving skills.

    • Most courses start with educating a programming language, which is good, but learn how to use the programming language to solve problems.
    • Stand firm in a language. Most beginners continue to jump from one language to another. It is a waste of time. In the beginning, it is better to stick with one language.
    • Try to build programs every day without making a gap. Firstly, try to build small programs. Later, move to more complicated ones, but keep consistency.
    • Adopt a good learning strategy. For example, Programs follow a 2: 1 ratio between conceptual learning and active learning instead of using all theories first.
    • Build a project or small application based on the basics you have learned. Also, understand how to google when you get stuck somewhere because of doubts.

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    StartupTalkyRishabh Rathi

    2. Learn Algorithms and Data Structure

    Algorithms and data structure are the main part of programming.  Once you learnt any of the languages ​​and have created some basic programs, the next step is to learn the algorithms and data structures. Note that, we can’t use some data structures everywhere. So, for any type of problem, you first need to implement an algorithm. After that, you need to select a suitable data structure to solve the problem. Some useful tips to follow while learning data structure and algorithms are given below.

    • Never try to consume all the concepts of algorithms and data structures at once. You can select a specific learning strategy that suits you.
    • If you are trying to solve a complex problem, break down those problems into smaller parts. After that, solve these parts to get the final solution.
    • Practicing is very important. Try to take part in competitive programming on various websites.  You will gain confidence through this.
    • Understand how to use these algorithms and data structures in projects. Web applications are an example. You can learn plenty of use of array and string.
    • Make an application based on what you have understood. Also, you can use these ideas to implement a feature in your previous project.

    CodeChef Will Be a Part Of Unacademy Group
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    StartupTalkySweta

    3. Build Projects

    Try to make a static website or a small project first. It can be a web application, your own portfolio, any kind of game, or an Android application. For example, if you want to build an e-commerce site, begin with making small features. You can begin from the login form. After that, you can go to the next feature like the navigation bar. So, analyze the whole project and break it down into smaller parts instead of doing everything at once. Some useful tips that you should follow when building a project are given below.

    • Learn to utilize some good tools, debuggers, or editors on your project. Understand how to use templates, developer tools (for web applications), library, and package where needed.
    • Don’t avoid error messages. You can google the errors or problems that you are facing while building the project. In most cases, you can discover the answer in Stackoverflow, a community for developers.
    • Try to avoid making too much perfection in the project. Otherwise, it will be a reason for slow progress and procrastination of the project.

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    StartupTalkyHimaya Presthitha

    4. Explore

    Do more exploration after your project is completed. Explore the computer science field as much as you can. You can explore various fields such as cloud computing, machine learning, mobile app development, systems programming, web development, virtual reality, blockchain, etc. There are so many projects on GitHub. Also, so many resources are available on the Internet.

    Check out the various methods and approaches from other developers. Try to make a habit to read the code on StackOverflow or GitHub. You can discover multiple ways to solve a single problem. Try to join in online tech communities, and participate in some competitions or make a contribution to open source projects.

    How to Use GeeksforGeeks for Practicing Coding

    GeeksforGeeks understands the importance of programming training in climbing the ladder of success in the field of computer science. Therefore, it provides an option for practicing programming problems. This big database of problems was made by programming experts. GeeksforGeeks’ active team makes the learning method fun and interesting.

    You are able to practice as many problems as you need without creating a login. But if you want to track the progress and your rank among other programmers, you need to register or login. You need to confirm your email address for completing the registration process. Start with solving basic problems like strings, arrays, and then move on to the easy, medium, and hard levels.

    GeeksforGeeks for practicing programming problems
    GeeksforGeeks for practicing programming problems

    If you are not able to solve them, take a look at the available editorials. If you click on the editorial section, you will be redirected to the solution and detailed explanation of the given problem. Only click on the editorial if you can’t resolve the problem yourself. Or you can start learning concepts first. Refer to basic tutorials such as data structures, C programming language, and algorithms for learning concepts.

    After that, you can start practicing coding problems. If you don’t wish to track your progress now, you can use IDE. It is different from the practice platform. Also, you can use IDE for any problem that you want to solve by using an online compiler. But, the practice platform provides company wise problems and well-designed topic. Once you have completed the basic Problems, move on to the easy level as a next step.

    If you feel that you can’t resolve problems, you can check the editorials. There is a maximum allowable time for each problem. It is called as time limit for the problem. Checking your code for multiple test cases will help to identify problems with your code. Some links are provided above the editor for different languages. You are able to click on a language to see the code with which your code is integrated.

    Find the Best Courses Online with Coursesity
    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified informationon different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by the organization it is based on. All of us at different times have gone through the struggle of finding the rightcourses online. …
    StartupTalkyVidhi Punamiya

    This was a small guide on how to practice coding in geeksforgeeks. They have had significant growth over the last few years. The Android app got more than 500000 downloads. Also, it is one of the most visited websites in the world. The content of GeeksforGeeks is concise, highly reliable, and holds great quality. So, it is a perfect place for tech lovers and coders to interact and discuss their knowledge and ideas.

    Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

    What is GeeksforGeeks?

    GeeksforGeeks is a platform for people who are searching for useful articles dedicated to programming languages. This website includes well-explained, well-thought-out, and well-written computer science and programming articles. The platform provides you access to all types of training materials, from programming problems to practice for entrance exams, from basic to premium courses.

    Who created GeeksforGeeks?

    Sandeep Jain created GeekforGeeks. Sandeep started a blog page that turned into Geeksforgeeks.

    Is GeeksforGeeks free?

    Yes, GeekforGeeks is a free platform.

    Is GeeksforGeeks Indian?

    Yes, GeekforGeeks is a computer portal based in India.

  • Who are “Silicon Six” and how they Evaded 100 Billion in Tax?

    The Silicon Six tech giants have been accused by the fair tax foundation for inflating the tax payments by almost USD 100 billion. It was found that during the year 2011 to 2020 the firms have paid less in tax than the national figures mentioned on their annual reports. In this article let’s look at What is “Silicon Six” and how they Evaded 100 Billion in tax?

    Silicon Six – Latest News
    The claim on Silicon Six by Fair Tax Foundation
    Total Tax paid by the Silicon Six
    Did Amazon Evade Taxes?
    Amazon’s Reply to the claim
    Did Facebook Evade Taxes?
    Facebook’s Reply to the claim
    What is a Tech Tax Deal?
    FAQ

    Silicon Six – Latest News

    Silicon Six is the US based tech giants which include Amazon, Facebook, Google’s parent company Alphabet, Netflix Apple and Microsoft. They include the largest companies in the Silicon Valley. These companies have been accused of inflating the tax payments of almost USD 100 billion for the past decade.

    The claim on Silicon Six by Fair Tax Foundation

    A report by the campaign group Fair Tax Foundation ahead of the G7 Summit in the UK where chancellor Rishi Sunak has called on the world leaders to back a new tech tax before the G7 Summit have found that the tech companies which include Amazon, Facebook, Google’s parent company Alphabet, Netflix, Apple and Microsoft have paid USD 96 billion less in tax for the year 2011 to 2020.

    It is claimed that the companies have paid less amount of tax when compared to the national taxation figures they have shown in their financial annual reports.

    Total Tax paid by the Silicon Six

    Fair Tax Foundation has conveyed that the six tech firms have paid USD 149 billion less to global tax authorities than which they should have paid if the headline rates where they operate have been taken into consideration.

    It is found that overall, the companies have paid a tax of USD 219 billion in income tax over the past decade. That is 3.6% of their total revenue which was more than USD 6 trillion. Income tax is paid on the basis of profits earned by the company, but the researchers have conveyed that the silicon six companies have deliberately shifted their income to low-tax jurisdiction places in order to pay less amount of tax.

    Did Amazon Evade Taxes?

    The report based on the regulatory filings of the company has found that Amazon has collected a revenue of around USD 1.6 trillion and reported a profit of around USD 60.5 billion and has only paid a tax amount of USD 5.9 billion for the year 2011 to 2020.

    According to international tax rates, Amazon is supposed to pay an amount of USD 10.7 billion in taxes. The tax paid by Amazon over the past decade from 2011 to 2020 is the lowest of all the silicon six companies that are 9.8%.

    Annual net revenue of Amazon from 2010 to 2020
    Annual net revenue of Amazon from 2010 to 2020

    What is Ultra Millionaire Tax and Who is going to Pay it?
    Ultra-Millionaire Tax is a wealth tax that is introduced for the richest peoplein the U.S.A. It is a new bill that is introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren ofMassachusetts. She has been proposing to introduce this for a long time. Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced the Ultra-Millionaire tax wit…
    StartupTalkyAlan Joseph

    Amazon’s Reply to the claim

    A spokesperson of Amazon had commented on the claims conveying that the calculations are extremely misleading. He added that Amazon is primarily a retail company whose profit margins are low and comparing to other tech companies who have an operating profit of more than 50% is completely irrational.

    The company has conveyed that the government writes the tax laws and Amazon has always tried to pay all the tax dues and always encourages the company to file the tax dues. They also mentioned that they have invested billions in creating jobs and infrastructure and said that these investments coupled with low margins would naturally result in a lower tax rate.

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    Did Facebook Evade Taxes?

    Facebook the social media platform that is run by Mark Zuckerberg has just paid USD 16.8 billion in income tax during the years 2011 to 2020. The company has reported a profit of USD 133 billion and a revenue of USD 328 billion. The tax paid as a percentage of profit was just 12.7% which is the second lowest among the silicon six companies after Amazon.

    Annual net revenue of facebook from 2010 to 2020
    Annual net revenue of Facebook from 2010 to 2020

    What is Pink Tax? A Case Study on the Unbelievable Economy
    In a world where we want to believe we are marching towards gender equality, wemany times have come across several disparities and unfair impediments that onegender encounters. Uh, no, that gender is certainly not the men. It has beenimplied that women, being inflicted with slangs of a weaker gen…
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    Facebook’s Reply to the claim

    A Facebook spokesperson has mentioned that all companies pay taxes on their profits and not their revenues. He added that the previous year, the company has paid USD 4.23 billion in corporate income taxes globally and added that the company had paid an average tax rate of 20.71 % over the last 10 years. This is considered to be roughly in line with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average.

    What is a Tech Tax Deal?

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak has conveyed that he would want the President Joe Biden’s administration to sign up for a tech tax deal and added that the tech companies are not paying the right tax amount at the right places which is not fair and which he wants to fix.

    The US government’s proposals to reform the global tax systems by imposing a minimum of 15% corporate tax would end the profit sharing to tax havens of the big tech companies. Global agreements on tax would have a really big impact on the tech giants with them having to pay billions of additional taxes across the world.

    Conclusion

    However, the rest companies of Silicon six which include Alphabet, Apple, Netflix and Microsoft have not responded to the request on the feedback and have declined to comment on the situation.

    FAQ

    Which companies come under the Silicon Six?

    Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix Microsoft, and Google are known as the Silicon Six.

    Do Big companies pay tax?

    Large multinational companies save billions of dollars by using foreign subsidiaries and tax havens and avoid taxes.

    What big companies pay no taxes?

    In a report it was found that FedEx and Nike are among those who avoided U.S. tax liability for three straight years and atleast 55 large companies paid no taxes in America.

  • 8 Ways To Fund Your Startup

    Funding is an important stepping stone for any startup. And the lack of funding is the second highest reason behind the failure of startups. Capital is the backbone to keep any startup running. Hence pops the question – How do I fund my startup and what are the ways to go about it.

    Here are some Promising Ways To Fund a Startup:

    Bootstrapping a.k.a Self Funding
    Loans From The Bank
    Government Programs
    Crowdfunding
    Angel Investment
    Venture Capital
    Funding From Incubators And Accelerators
    Winning Contests
    FAQs

    Bootstrapping a.k.a Self Funding

    This is one of the easiest ways to obtain funding, well because, you are funding yourself or borrowing money from friends and family with or without interest. This removes the hassle of having to explain your whole plan to prospective investors and hoping that they will believe in your idea as much as you do to invest in it. This is ideal for first-timers because you have no track record of success or experience, two things that are important to investors.

    So, if it is your first time, it is better to save some amount first before jumping into the startup pool full time. Startups will definitely not pay the salary you are used to at the start. Rather, you have to pay to keep it afloat.
    Also, self-funding is advantageous in the fact that you have full control and ownership of your startup. You need not sell equity in exchange for money in case of other funding methods.

    Loans From The Bank

    We generally think of banks when we need money. Banks can give you a suitable loan necessary to either keep your startup afloat or scale-up. But banks usually have a certain strict criterion they need you to meet before deeming you eligible for the loan. And their rates of interest are also not very borrower-friendly, especially for large amounts.

    8 Ways To Fund Your Startup
    Loans from the banks

    On the bright side, you will have full ownership of your startup. You don’t have to explain your plan to the bank and make them believe in the idea. All you need to do is put up collateral and see if you meet the criteria for eligibility. Only go for this method of funding if you are confident you can pay the money back with interest.

    Government Programs

    The government has several schemes in place for startup funding, especially if it is for a social cause, like rural healthcare, fighting crimes against women, dealing with water crises, etc.

    The Micro, Small and Medium enterprise act of 2006 “facilitates the promotion, development and also enhances the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto”
    Registering under the MSME act will make your startup eligible to benefits depending on whether it is a product or service and startup costs involved.

    There are multiple schemes in place for different kinds of products and do your research to find the one most suited for you. The government has long since recognized the power of the startup ecosystem in a budding economy and is eager to help it flourish.

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    Crowdfunding

    This is a recently popular method to get funding for your startup. Here, you don’t have just one, but multiple investors for your startup. All you have to do is choose a crowdfunding platform, and explain your business to the audience. You don’t have to explain the technical know-how of the product/service, just what the product/service is for, how it works, and why you need the money.

    You also have to offer something in return. That can be anything- from exclusive product launch invites to limited edition version of the products or if necessary, equity. That is completely up to you and it should also satisfy your investor.

    8 Ways To Fund Your Startup
    Crowdfunding

    Getting crowdfunding for startups is also a great way to get a reality check. It will tell you whether your product has an audience. You will also get customer feedback. This is a chance for you to get in touch with your audience and slowly generate a customer base by keeping them engaged and making them feel as if they are a part of your journey. It is a great way to get loyal customers.

    Angel Investment

    Angel investors are people or a group with surplus cash and looking to invest funds in startups. They are also quite willing to take risks if they feel your startup is worth it.
    They expect the equity in return. So, think twice before seeking angel investors because they might want to assume more of a management role than you might be comfortable with.
    Angel investors offer valuable mentorship because they have invested money in you and would like to see you succeed. Look for investors who have experience in the same domain your startup comes under. Network well and have a few options in hand before you seek out an investor or angel investing group. Be prepared to face rejection along the way.

    Venture Capital

    This is the go-to method for people experienced in the startup domain. Venture capitals are like the benevolent godmothers for any startup. Venture capitalists provide you guidance, constantly evaluate your startup in terms of scalability and profitability to guide you on how to proceed so that they can get maximum returns because they hold equity.

    8 Ways To Fund Your Startup
    Venture Capital

    Which brings us to the same question with angel investors – how much control are you ready to relinquish? Because here the stakes are higher. And the investors will be on the lookout for returns as soon as possible. That rules out expecting any loyalty towards you. The startup ecosystem is as exciting as it is cutthroat. And the investors’ only aim is to get returns for their investment.

    Landing venture capital in the first place is no easy task. You should exhibit a good business plan already in the works, backed by an excellent team. You must prove your worth to invoke their interest.

    Funding From Incubators And Accelerators

    Incubators and accelerators are platforms that help startups to kick-off.
    Incubator programs are available in almost all major cities. Startup incubator provide much-needed guidance, network, and contacts. Even office space, if necessary. Simply put, they take you under their wing until you develop your own. They are run like a camp and take from anywhere close to four to eight months. Patience is key.

    Accelerators on the other hand jumpstart your vehicle. The difference between incubators and accelerators is the time frame. The former is a drawn-out process, while the latter can comparatively take a very short time.
    AngelPrime, Seedfarm, Khosla labs are few examples of incubators.

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    Winning Contests

    There are numerous contests with large amounts of reward money for the explicit purpose of helping the startup culture flourish. These contests typically require a presentation of your business plan or a working prototype and that depends on the competition.
    These contests provide a platform for you to convince the audience of your idea. Since they also involve a certain amount of prize money and fame, they are great motivators to make you want to do your best.
    Microsoft BizSparks, Let’s Ignite and NextBigIdea are a few of the popular contests conducted.

    Conclusion

    Funding is for sure a painstaking task, that you have to achieve no matter what because your startup relies on it. No pressure. If your idea is good and you have the brains or you have hired the brains to make it work, somebody will surely be ready to invest in it. Research and prepare well before you start the process, and don’t expect immediate results. Every rejection is a lesson on what not to do for the next time. Best of Luck!

    FAQs

    How do you fund startups?

    You can use the following ways to fund your startup:

    Bootstrapping a.k.a Self Funding
    Loans From The Bank
    Government Programs
    Crowdfunding
    Angel Investment
    Venture Capital
    Funding From Incubators And Accelerators
    Winning Contests

    What is the easiest business to start?

    The easiest business to start any kind of business where you sell services. In other words, you sell your skill, labor or expertise — instead of products or goods.

  • Is DubaiCoin worth Investing in? What are experts saying about it?

    A new cryptocurrency named DubaiCoin had been in the market limelight after Dogecoin and Shiba Inu Coins. The digital coin saw a surge of more than 1,000 % in the time span of 24 hours. Let’s look at the further information about this new digital coin.

    DubaiCoin – Latest News
    Dubai Government’s response to DubaiCoin
    Arabianchain Technology
    How to Invest in Dubai Coin from India
    FAQ

    DubaiCoin – Latest News

    The new digital coin named DubaiCoin had seen a surge of over 1,000 % in a time span of 24 hours. This was because numerous media had reported the digital coin to be the official digital coin of Dubai. The value had shot up after a press release claiming it to be the official cryptocurrency of the country.

    The digital coin was made by the cryptocurrency startup Arabianchain technology and had claimed that it was the official cryptocurrency of the West Asian city. This led to the major rally in the increase of the price of the coin.

    Dubai Government’s response to DubaiCoin

    The Dubai Government had responded conveying that it was not an official digital coin or cryptocurrency of the country and warned the investors claiming it to be a phishing scam. The government had denied it to be the official cryptocurrency and also added that the cryptocurrency was not approved by any official authority.

    The government also warned that the website that was promoting the campaign was a phishing site which is designed to steal the information of the users accessing the website. The surge of the coin had brought it to the notice of the Dubai Electronic Security Centre after which it issued the statement.

    The cryptocurrency which was trading at USD 0.17 had seen a surge to USD 1.13 as of 27 May 2021.

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    How Common is Crypto around the Globe
    How Common is Crypto around the Globe

    Arabianchain Technology

    The Arabianchain Technology that founded the DubaiCoin claims that it provides the first public, decentralized and blockchain driven on an agreement in the MENA region. The company has denied making any claims such as the digital coin being the official cryptocurrency of Dubai and also added that the website was fake.

    The company has conveyed that they haven’t made any claims and mentioned the website URL and said that it was fake and a scam. They also added that the press release was published on the Dub-pay site.

    How to Invest in DubaiCoin from India

    Since there was a surge of 1000 % in the value of DubaiCoin it is obvious that everyone would want to invest into it. However it should be noted that the cryptocurrency hasn’t officially been made the digital coin of Dubai and the Dubai government has also rejected the claim.

    However, the digital coin is not available on any cryptocurrency exchange platforms but DubaiCoin is available for exchange at HitBTC and Cryptopia. If you are interested in the digital coin then you will be able to get it by exchanging your Bitcoin or Binance coin at exchanges where there is availability of DubaiCoin.

    What do Experts say about Shiba Inu Coin? Should you Invest in it?
    Buy Shiba Inu Coin using WazirX [https://wazirx.com/invite/nvhzcbzt]
    StartupTalkyAlan Joseph

    Conclusion

    The press release mentioned that DubaiCoin will soon be used for the purchase of goods and services both online and offline and the cryptocurrency is expected to replace the traditional fiat currency of the country.

    FAQ

    Can you invest in DubaiCoin in India?

    As of now DubaiCoin is unavailable on any major exchange but traders can exchange bitcoin or Binance coin with DubaiCoin at exchanges where DubaiCoin is available.

    Is Bitcoin allowed in Dubai?

    Yes trading in bitcoin is allowed in Dubai.

    Is Dubai coin fake?

    According to Dubai Media Office, DubaiCoin cryptocurrency was never approved by any official authority. The website promoting the coin is an elaborate phishing campaign that is designed to steal personal information from its visitors.

  • Mehul Choksi – How he lost the sparkle? [Case Study]

    The 63 year old diamond trader is wanted by the Indian legislative authorities for the charges of money laundering, criminal conspiracy, corruption, cheating  and dishonesty. He is also accused in the PNB scam case. He is an Indian born citizen who later took citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda in 2017. He owns the Gitanjali Group, which is a retail jewellery group with an extensive network of showrooms across India.

    It was in 1985 that he took over Gitanjali Gems from his father which was the beginning of all the frauds to unfold. From various credible sources, it can be learnt that he is admitted in the Dominica China Friendship hospital in Roseau as of 30th May 2021.

    On 26th May, after lots of efforts from law enforcement authorities, the scammer cum trader was arrested in the island country of Dominica.

    Mehul Choksi – Latest News
    The Beginning of the End for Mehul Choksi
    The Final Escape of Mehul Choksi
    The Story Now of Mehul Choksi
    Mehul Choksi Timeline
    FAQ

    Mehul Choksi – Latest News

    31 May 2021

    Mehul Choksi was admitted to the hospital after he tests negative for Covid -19.

    29 May 2021

    Mehul Choksi was seen in custody with his left hand and eyes bruised.

    27 May 2021

    Mehul Choksi’s lawyer clarifies that he can only be deported to Antigua and not to India according to Immigration and Passport Act Section 17 and 23 since he is an antiguan citizen.

    27 May 2021

    The Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne has requested Dominica to deport Choksi directly to India. If he is deported to Antigua, then he will be able to enjoy the protections given for a citizen.

    23 May 2021

    Mehul Choski goes missing from Antigua and Barbada. His lawyer and himself says that he was abducted.

    The Beginning of the End for Mehul Choksi

    The history of a long drawn out bank fraud came into light as PMLA issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi and Neeshal Deepak Modi. They have been involved in a $1.8 billion scam in the second largest public sector bank, Punjab National Bank. The bank claims that Choksi along with Nirav Modi colluded with the employees to illegally obtain money from the bank.

    Although he claims to be innocent even in an open letter, it does not go along with the fact that he left to the Carribean nation Antigua and Barbada just before the scam was disclosed.

    His oath taking as a citizen of the same country a few days the after disclosure further adds oil to the fire. Later, the PMLA authorities responsible for the investigation found out that 41 properties that were held by the Enforcement Directorate in the name of Mehul Choksi were money laundering assets.

    They ordered for the attachment of these properties worth 1210 crore. Following the order, a mall in Kolkata, 15 flats and 17 office premises in Mumbai, a four-acre farm house in Alibaug and 231 acres of land at locations like Nashik, Nagpur, Panvel in Maharashtra and Villupuram in Tamil Nadu were attached by the ED in keeping up with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

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    The Final Escape of Mehul Choksi

    There was confirmed information that Mehul Choksi was there in Antigua and Barbuda. However, he went missing on May 23,2021. His car was later discovered in the Jolly Harbour area which strengthened the assumptions that  he escaped to Cuba. However, the truth was revealed as he was confirmed to be in the Carribean country of Dominica.

    Since he was trying to flee to Cuba, this attempt can be used by the CBI to strengthen their claims for extradition. Another twist to the plot came when Choksi’s advocate alleged that he was kidnapped by someone who Choksi believes to be an Indian and Antiguan police into Dominica in a boat.

    The Story Now of Mehul Choksi

    The High Court of Justice Commonwealth of Dominica has stayed the extradition order of the scammer. The pictures of his swollen eyes and injured left hand are flooding the social media.

    The efforts of Indian agencies have not ceased. They continued to call the Antiguan government to extradite him by claiming that he is in fact an Indian citizen and has an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued in his name. Another group of people says that the Red Corner Notice cannot be used in this case since the task of locating the criminal is already done.

    At the same time, the Antiguan opposition party is clearly making use of this opportunity to support Choksi against the extradition claims of India. It is widely perceived as their attempts to later procure campaign funding from Choksi as a return gift.

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    Mehul Choksi Timeline

    January 2018

    • Mehul Choksi leaves India for the USA. He fled through Mumbai International Airport
    • Punjab National Bank files complaint against Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi for defrauding the bank by colluding with the bank employees
    • CBI files probe against the scammers (Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi, Nishal Modi). Raids and searches were also done.

    February 2018

    • The amount involved in the fraud was disclosed to be $1.7 billion.
    • CBI files case against the Gitanjali group.
    • PNB CEO announces that the losses are hoped to be compensated in 6 months.
    • Union Bank of India announces its exposure of $300 million in association with the PNB scam while of State Bank of India, it was $212 million.
    • Choksi claims to be innocent.

    July 2018

    • Interpol at the request of CBI issues Red Corner Notice against Mehul Choksi.
    • Choksi reaches Antigua after taking oath of citizenship earlier in 2018.

    March 2019

    • The UK Home Secretary accepts the extradition request of CBI and the files were to Westminster court.

    May 2021

    • Mehul Choksi goes missing.
    • Later he gets caught in Dominica.
    • CBI is waiting for the clearance of extradition.

    FAQ

    What did Mehul Choksi do?

    Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are the key accused in the 2018-Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam which was estimated to be around ₹13,500 crores.

    When did Mehul Choksi leave India?

    Mehul Choksi left India on 7 January, 2018 and few days later, the PNB scam was disclosed.

    Where is Mehul Choksi right now?

    Mehul Choksi had been staying in Antigua and Barbuda since January 2018.

  • What happens to Social media account of Individual who lost live due to Covid?

    Over the past few months, the second wave of Covid has been increasing in India and most of us have lost our dear ones. The pandemic has increased the death rate and the second wave has become very fatal. But, have you ever wondered what would happen to the social media accounts of the ones who lose their life during the Covid battle or any other cause? In this article let’s look at what happens to the social media accounts of the users who lost their life due to Covid or any other cause.

    Study by University of Oxford on Social Media accounts
    Procedures that can be followed to the social media account after death of an individual
    Steps taken by Facebook and Instagram to the account after death of an individual
    Steps taken by Twitter to the account after death of an individual
    Steps taken by Google and WhatsApp to the account after death of an individual
    FAQ

    Study by University of Oxford on Social Media accounts

    According to a study by the Oxford Internet Institute of the University of Oxford based on the social media user levels as of 2018, it was found that around 1.4 billion users will die before 2100 which would be more than the social media users living on Facebook during 2070.

    This is a serious issue that nobody has thought about and like any other account such as a bank account, the social media companies will have to find a nominee who would be able to close the account or take care of the account after the death of the individual. Currently, there are three different procedures towards the social media account of a person who lost his life.

    Procedures that can be followed to the social media account after death of an individual

    There are 3 different procedures that can be followed to the social media account after the death of an individual. The first step would be to just leave the account untouched. There won’t be any changes made to the account and it would remain intact after the death of an individual.

    The second step would be informing the related company and closing down of the account. It would be any social media company such as Twitter, Facebook or Instagram which can be done by submitting the death certificate of the individual and the last step would be to give access to a nominee and make it a memorial account.

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    Steps taken by Facebook and Instagram to the account after death of an individual

    Facebook Memorial Page
    Facebook Memorial Page

    Facebook provides this feature to hand over the account and to make it a memorial one. The legacy contacts will not get the same features towards the account, he will only be able to change the profile picture, respond to friend requests or write a tribute post on the account.

    The account can be identified as a word Remembering will be shown next to the account. These accounts will not be visible on the friend’s suggestions or won’t show any birthday alerts towards other users. Instagram also provides the same option regarding the social media account.

    Steps taken by Twitter to the account after death of an individual

    Twitter does not provide access to the legacy account holder towards the account. The individual’s account will have to be deactivated. The immediate family member will have to request on deactivating the account by providing their id, death certificate and other documents required by the company.

    However, if an immediate family member or a closed one has access to the deceased individual’s account then the account can be kept active and the user can update the posts according to their choice.

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    Steps taken by Google and WhatsApp to the account after death of an individual

    Google has not provided any information regarding the account after the death of an individual. However, a close family member or a person can apply by providing the required documents and close the google account of the individual.

    Google also asks an individual while creating an account on the closure of account during inactivity and if the individual select an option of 3 months, then an inactivity of the account for 3 months would automatically delete the google account.

    In the case of WhatsApp, there is no such procedure for closure or deleting the account. Whoever has access to the deceased person’s mobile phone will have access towards WhatsApp and the account will have to be manually deleted from the phone.

    Conclusion

    However, except for a few social media companies, there is no much procedure to close down or to bring changes to a deceased person’s account. There are arguments that the government should mandate a certain procedure for the social media accounts of the individuals who lose their life.

    FAQ

    What happens to your WhatsApp when you die?

    WhatsApp has no way of knowing if users are dead or not. If an individual does die, their account will most likely continue to exist, and people will still be able to send them messages.

    Can you delete a dead person Facebook?

    Facebook has two options: You can request to either memorialize a Facebook page or delete it all together.

    What happens to your Instagram when you die?

    According to Instagram’s policy, the account of a deceased person can either be reported, or an immediate family member can request that the account be deleted.

  • Why RBI has stopped fresh stock of Rs 2000 notes and pulled out 57 crore worth notes in FY21?

    The Reserve Bank of India has been reducing the circulation of 2000 rupee notes in the country. The country has seen a drop of 27% of its 2000 notes from circulation. Let’s look at why the RBI has stopped the fresh stock of 2000 notes and pulled out notes worth 57 crores in the FY21.

    INR 2000 Notes in the Market
    Why has RBI stopped Fresh supply of INR 2000 notes?
    Increase in the number of other notes
    Market share of INR 500 and INR 10 notes
    FAQ

    INR 2000 Notes in the Market

    The number of Rs 2000 notes in the Indian economy has been reduced in the year 2021 from its peak in 2017-18. In the year 2017-18 the number of notes circulated in the Indian economy was around 33,630 lakh and in March 2021 it has reduced to 24,510 lakhs.

    In the peak, the value of Rs 2000 notes is expected to be around INR 6.72 lakhs which has dropped to 4.90 lakhs in March 2021. The number of 2000 notes that are removed from the market is around 9,120 lakhs and has a value of around INR 1.82 lakh crore.

    Why has RBI stopped Fresh supply of INR 2000 notes?

    The latest annual report which was published by the RBI doesn’t convey any news about the missing notes. However, it is to be noted that the RBI has stopped producing the Rs 2000 notes as the notes are not coming back to the banks.

    These high value notes are not available for people in the ATMs as well. It is estimated that the Rs 2000 notes are majorly hoarded in the form of black money as they have high value and require lesser space compared to a bundle of Rs 500 notes.

    The estimated amount of black money which experts had predicted not to come back to the system during demonetization was around 4-5 lakh crores.

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    Increase in the number of other notes

    There is a growth of 10-12% for the money which is being circulated in the country from the past few years. The RBI has increased the circulation of other low valued denomination notes such as Rs 500 and Rs 200 in the market.

    The annual report of the RBI has conveyed that the circulation of notes in the country has seen an increase of around 16.8 % and 7.2 % in the year 2020-21 when compared to the increase of around 14.7 % and 6.6 % in the year 2019-20.

    In terms of value, the share of Rs 500 and Rs 200 notes in the country during the year 31 March 2020 was around 83.4 % and has increased to around 85.7 % in the total market value of bank notes in circulation for the year 31 March 2021.

    Value of Banknotes in circulation across India
    Value of Banknotes in circulation across India

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    Market share of INR 500 and INR 10 notes

    The Rs 500 notes had a total volume has seen an of around 31.1 % as of 31 March 2021, when compared to the previous year of 25.4 %. The INR 10 denomination bank notes have seen a downfall in their total value which had a share of 23.6 % as of 31 March 2021 when compared to the previous year’s value of 26.2 %.

    However, it is to be noted that the RBI has increased the production of INR 500 denomination notes and is trying to replace them with INR 2000 notes. In terms of the volume, Rs 500 recorded the highest volume which was followed by INR 10 notes for the year 2021.

    Conclusion

    The Rs 2000 notes’ main purpose was to ease the shortage of money supply during the demonetization and now the supply has reached a position where the central bank has become uncomfortable as the higher value note will be easier to hoard.

    FAQ

    Are 2000 rupee notes going to be banned?

    No, RBI has announced that they will not issue a fresh supply of 2000 notes but there is no official notice by RBI of it getting banned.

    Why 2000 Rs note is not issued by RBI?

    As per the reports it is estimated that the Rs 2000 notes are majorly hoarded in the form of black money as they have high value and require lesser space compared to a bundle of Rs 500 notes.

    Which note is going to ban?

    Recently, a report claimed that the central bank was planning to ban ₹5, ₹10, and ₹100 notes.

  • What Iran is doing with the bitcoin?

    Iran which is also widely known as Persia is a country in the Western Asia. It is the second largest country in the Middle East. The country has updated its rules on the officially mined cryptocurrencies in the country. Let’s look at what the country is planning to do with the mined cryptocurrencies in the country.

    Iran new Bitcoin policy – Latest News
    Central Bank of Iran
    Iran legalizing cryptocurrency
    Bitcoin Miners in Iran
    FAQ

    Iran new Bitcoin policy – Latest News

    The Iran authorities have announced a new policy where they officially mined cryptocurrencies of the country for the payment of imports. They had updated its rules on the officially mined cryptocurrencies of the country in order to widely use it for the payments of imports.

    According to a report from Financial Tribune, the Central Bank of Iran has announced that the licensed banks and the financial payment companies can use the cryptocurrencies that are mined by the licensed miners to use it for the payment of imports.

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    Central Bank of Iran

    Iran had been hit hard by the sanctions internationally to see the use of cryptocurrency to operate outside the financial controls that follow a traditional way. In the year 2020, the Central Bank of Iran had amended its regulations on the cryptocurrencies so that the miners could mine bitcoins and other digital coins under the control of the government officially.

    The miners who could mine under the government will get access to subsidized energy and they will have to provide their mined cryptocurrency to the government for the import payments. Now, the government has taken the further step to extend the legal use of cryptocurrency to the additional groups within the country.

    The Central Bank of Iran has not given any further details about the new framework that was announced, they have conveyed that lenders and moneychangers have been notified about it regarding the crypto payment.

    Iran's Share of Bitcoin Mining
    Iran’s Share of Bitcoin Mining

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    Iran legalizing cryptocurrency

    In the year 2019, Iran had legalized cryptocurrency in the country by implementing a lot of strict rules and regulations in order to control it. Accepting the cryptocurrency mining in a way to sanction the resistant fund, some thought that Iran was moving towards becoming a bitcoin nation.

    The miners in the country were doubtful about the idea that Iran would directly deal or create a large group to deal with bitcoins, But the latest update indicated that it would like individual businesses to leverage the digital coins within the country.

    Bitcoin Miners in Iran

    A bitcoin miner who is based in Tehran has conveyed that she doesn’t believe that the Central Bank of Iran would touch bitcoin in any way and added that the system would provide just rates and the other details and the digital coin will have to transfer the coins from the sender to receiver directly.

    They also noted that the regulations the central bank has laid on cryptocurrencies on how to use them will only motivate or promote the miners to conduct the cryptocurrency mining illegally.

    FAQ

    Is Iran using Bitcoin?

    Around 4.5% of all bitcoin mining takes place in Iran, allowing the country to earn hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrencies

    Is there a Bitcoin ATM in Iran?

    No, there is no Bitcoin ATM in Iran.

    In 2018, Iran legalized cryptocurrency mining in order to monitor and regulate the mining farms.

    Conclusion

    It is considered that no miner in the country is interested to provide their bitcoins to the government as there is a really high charge for the use of electricity and gas in the country and the law would just result in reducing the cryptocurrency mining in Iran.

  • 7 mistakes people make while writing an Email

    Electronic mails have transcended from being a mere medium of communication to an official platform where vital decisions are made in a short span of time. It has become an  unavoidable conduit in the internet era and became especially relevant in the current times when  most of the official businesses are done online.

    The importance of drafting an excellent email is now  more than ever. Let’s look at a few mistakes that we generally make while writing an Email and see the  probable solution.

    Inappropriate / Absent subject line
    Salutation
    Not Explaining attachments
    Improper/absent closing lines and signing off
    Language
    Tone
    Structure
    Final Monitoring
    FAQ

    Inappropriate / Absent subject line

    The subject is one of the most important and yet the most overlooked element of an e-mail. People tend to write long, vague subject lines. An absent subject line is a big no and is considered off-limits as per the email writing etiquette.

    A proper, indicative subject line should convey the content of your e-mail in three or four words. This will not only increase the chances of your mail being read but also helps the reader to have a better understanding of the content. Unchanged subject line

    While writing an email, it is important to change the subject line every time you start a new discussion. As mentioned earlier, this will make the reader more aware, and on top of that, it will be easier to locate the mail in future. Many people make this mistake of tailing over the same thread every time they send an e-mail. It should be avoided by paying attention to the details before sending  them.

    Salutation

    Long gone are days when you have to address each other with a “Respected Sir/Madam”. Working space has become more congenial and friendly; all forms of communications should  reflect that. While it is acceptable to begin with, “Dear Sir/Madam”, you can use their name or simply “Sir/Madam”.

    It is highly recommended to be gender-neutral when you are not sure who will read your mail. In such cases, beginning by addressing the designation will be safer and acceptable. You can begin by saying “Dear Editor/CEO”. While you try to retract from being formal, do not be too informal.

    Not Explaining attachments

    Most of the e-mails will contain at least one attachment, and we tend to limit ourselves by making a statement that a document has been attached. This is a mistake that will leave the reader  confused and waste their time. Instead, make it a point to mention what is it in the attachments. Again, this should be kept crisp and should not be long.

    Improper/absent closing lines and signing off

    Our overconfidence in the typing speed of our names or getting carried away with the content of the e-mail can be detrimental. An incorrect, inappropriate or absent closing statement can  give a very bad impression to the reader.

    It can make the whole point that you were trying to go vain. Before you sign off, it is important to reiterate the request or content you have put forth. And never forget to write your name while signing off.

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    Number of Email users Worldwide
    Number of Email users Worldwide

    Language

    Language is a very powerful tool, and we should never underestimate it. E-mails are generally meant for and not limited to formal communications like requests and confirmations. However, people tend to be more informal to look more friendly and cool.

    One should completely avoid using any informal language. This includes short forms, emojis, and abbreviations like can’t, shouldn’t etc. Make sure to be formal when it comes to addressing the person as well as the content. Today, being formal is more about striking a perfect balance between being formal and informal.  

    Tone

    The tone of the mail means the way in which the receiver reads the mail. Getting the wrong tone is one mistake that people tend to make while concentrating on being formal. The right  choice of words can control this.

    It should be ensured that while being formal, the tone does not get  authoritative or aggressive. Be careful to include words that make your content sound confident and polite.

    Structure

    Many people write long emails that narrate their whole background, context and whatnot. Writing long emails are both ineffective and unattractive. Mails should be used as a way to put across your requirements in a crisp and concise manner.

    The reader should be able to understand the core of your mail in the first read itself. Ideally, the structure should flow as self-introduction, content and conclusion. Make it a point to conclude the mail in less than 200 words. Spelling and grammatical mistake

    There can be nothing as bad as making a silly yet evident mistake in your grammar or spelling in any mail. This happens when your thought processes and typing speed does not align.

    It is advisable to use software like Grammarly or any other inbuilt or external aids while you type the  mail. Make it a point to not blindly follow them. Giving it to someone for proofreading is also helpful when the mail is not an emergency.

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    Final monitoring

    Summing up the whole mail, we tend to ignore an important step – overview. Before you hit the send button, ensure that all details are presented correctly, and the mail is being sent to the right person.

    All the steps mentioned above have to be cross-checked at least once before confirming on sending it. An Email is too important to be messed up at the last moment. And never reply to all recipients in the group if the message is meant for only one.

    Conclusion

    There is no doubt in the fact that the significance of mails are increasing day by day. It is a very effective way to put yourself as a person. When you can portray yourselves in the best way  possible through an email, make sure you put your best foot forward.

    FAQ

    What are common email blunders you don’t want to make?

    Choosing a vague subject line, Adding the wrong people in cc and Forgetting to proofread are some of the common email blunders you should avoid.

    What are some email etiquette rules?

    Watch your grammar, spelling and punctuation, Choose your subject wisely and Reply to emails promptly these are some email etiquettes you should consider while writing an email.

    What are the most common errors while writing an email?

    Not Writing Proper Subject Lines, Using the Wrong Tone of Voice and Using Abbreviations and Emojis are some of the most common mistakes people make while writing an email.

  • Why was Google Project Ara Cancelled? [Case Study]

    Did you just break your cellphone’s camera? How about you just swap it out for a new one by yourself? That’s not possible, right? Well, what if I say there was a time when the future of mobile phones was on this path? Yes, that’s true! On September 10, 2013,  Dave Hakkens, a Design Academy Eindhoven graduate, uploaded his a video on YouTube. Called ‘Phonebloks’, the video revolved around the idea of replacing old and broken phone parts. This was Project Ara.

    What was Project Ara all about?
    Why did Project Ara Seem like a Great Plan?
    What Happened to Project Ara?
    Reasons Why Project Ara Failed
    FAQ

    What was Project Ara all about?

    Headed initially by the Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) team within Motorola Mobility LLC while it was a subsidiary of Google, Project Ara focused on creating a modular smartphone device that allowed users to swap out outdated and damaged hardware components of a cellphone with new ones.

    The original plan, consisted of different hardware modules that could be combined with the metal endoskeleton to create a usable smartphone. The process started by finalizing the endoskeleton and then adding the various parts to it. The different parts included battery, processor, display screens, cameras, storage components, speakers and everything else.

    Why did Project Ara Seem like a Great Plan?

    Project Ara was developed to revolutionize the functioning of the cellphone industry. It eradicated the need to stand in line for a new cellphone when customers could effortless upgrade the ones they were using. Apart from this, it also had a number of other perks. Let’s take a look at some of them:

    1. It would have resulted in a substantial reduction in electronic waste.
    2. It was as simple as switching the sim in a GSM phone to another phone.
    3. All modules of Project Ara worked seamlessly across all geographical locations as it was based on the frame of the phone.
    4. It would allow users to experiment with specialized components like laser pointers, night vision sensors, Pico projectors, gaming controllers, medical devices and a lot more.
    5. It was supposed to have a specialized Wi-Fi module  that would ensure a stronger signal no matter which ISP was being used.
    6. It was intended to be sold at very nominal prices as compared to present cellphones. For example, a starter kit, with the endoskeleton, CPU, battery, display and Wi-Fi was quoted to be sold at just $50.
    7. Users would also be able to choose between two frame size variants – the mini and the medium size frame. There were also talks of a large sized frame somewhere down the line.

    However, even after these many perks, Project Ara is nowhere in the market for the last 7 years. So, what happened to it? Did it succeed or fail? What really happened to this revolutionary plan? Let’s find out.

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    What Happened to Project Ara?

    Motorola Mobility LLC announced on 29th October, 2013 that they were working in collaboration with Phonebloks to develop a prototype of the project. The first prototype, called Spiral 1, was introduced in June of 2014. However, it seemed very different than the original Phonebloks plan with a lot of issues.

    A second prototype, Spiral 2, having better customizations and design modules, was released in the year 2015. The plan was to release the module in Puerto Rico, since the U.S. territory had a large mobile phone market, but, in August of 2015, Google announced that the release was delayed indefinitely and would be made available in few other cities of the U.S. in 2016.

    When 2016 came, the team unveiled a ‘developer’s edition’, that was somewhat different from Spiral 2. The design came with antenna, display, integrated circuit system-on-chip, and sensor attached to the endoskeleton, instead of allowing users to connect parts such as battery, CPU or camera. However, they could still change features like microphones, speakers, batteries and cameras.

    By this time Project Ara had come a long way since starting in 2014 with people working in Google using these phones as their main device. But, on September 2nd, 2016, the company announced that they were shelving this project to focus on on others. No other details were divulged and there have been no talks of a relaunch as well.

    So, what could possibly have gone wrong? Although it seemed like a brilliant leap towards a better future of smartphones, a lot of things didn’t quite work out in favor of the project.

    Google Project Ara Showcase
    Google Project Ara Showcase

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    Reasons Why Project Ara Failed

    Lack of Proper Support

    As is the case with most out-of-the-box ideas that have the potential to change the industry, the project faced a lot of opposition. Most big mobile companies did not support the idea and did everything in their power to restrict Project Ara from being released.

    Dearth of Relevant Technology

    Although the idea of the project was revolutionary, it seems that it was too ahead of its time. The technology was not advanced enough, at that time, to facilitate the development of this magnanimous and ambitious plan.

    Not Easy to Use

    Although tech geeks love the idea of swapping out unusable parts of their phone with new ones, normal customers usually buy mobile phones that allows them to stay connected through calls, text messages and use social media. They wouldn’t want to spend time thinking about which processor, RAM or storage is needed for them to perform these tasks.

    The Need of Constant Upgrading

    As time moved ahead most hardware components like, graphic cards, CPU, RAM and storage cards, become more advanced. Hence, there is a constant need to keep upgrading the software to allow them to support all the new and fast hardware technologies. Thus, all modules of the phone would need to be upgraded eventually, making the phone useless for long-term use.

    FAQ

    When did project Ara start?

    The concept of Project Ara began in 2012 and work started on April 1, 2013. Motorola publicly announced Project Ara on October 29, 2013.

    Why was Project Ara Cancelled?

    One of the reasons Project Ara was cancelled could be it was too early for the introduction of such modular phones in the mass market.

    Why did modular phones fail?

    Modular phones failed because of Lack of demand in the smartphone market.

    Conclusion

    This does not mean the Project Ara is over. The immense potential of the project is too good to be wasted, so, you never know, there could be a more refined version for our perusal in the future.