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The year 2014 is just two days old, marking the beginning of yet another <keyword id="89477" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gregorian-calendar">Gregorian calendar</keyword> year. But revellers who painted the town red and want more party time need not lose heart. Officially, the year has taken off on January 1, but the regional variants of the New Year’s Day still prevail in a country like India – home to a colourful mélange of cultures and traditions. So we are yet to experience a spate of <keyword id="471694" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="New-Year-festivities">New Year festivities</keyword>, celebrated from <keyword id="6354495" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="kashmir">Kashmir</keyword> to Kanyakumari, from the <keyword id="53478" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="North-East">north-east</keyword> to the western coast. 
 Interestingly, both the Gregorian calendar (introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) and the previous <keyword id="89476" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Julian-calendar">Julian calendar</keyword> (first implemented by Julius Caesar in 46 BC) kick off on the same day – January 1. The Romans originally dedicated the first day of the year to Janus, the god of gates, doors and beginnings, and January, the first month of the year, was named after him. Later on, most nations in Western Europe officially started the New Year from January 1. The UK was a late adopter, though, and observed New Year’s Day on <keyword id="47282" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="march">March</keyword> 25, popularly known as Lady Day since it celebrated Virgin Mary and the Feast of the Annunciation. This practice stayed in England up to 1752. 
 Closer home, we have many time-reckoning systems but the most significant among them is the <keyword id="1998432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sakabda">Sakabda</keyword> or the <keyword id="1998433" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saka-calendar">Saka calendar</keyword>. It was introduced in 78 AD, most probably by the Kushan ruler Kanishka, and was even used in other countries such as Kampuchea and Indonesia. Another one is the popular <keyword id="1998435" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bangabda">Bangabda</keyword> or the <keyword id="1282409" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bengali-calendar">Bengali Calendar</keyword>, a <keyword id="1998436" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Solar-calendar">solar calendar</keyword> started by Mughal emperor <keyword id="6363995" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Akbar">Akbar</keyword> in 1584 AD. Then there is the <keyword id="1998437" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hijri-New-Year">Hijri New Year</keyword>, also known as the <keyword id="1926173" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Islamic-new-year">Islamic New Year</keyword>, which started in 610 AD when <keyword id="6358086" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prophet-Muhammad">Prophet Muhammad</keyword> migrated from Mecca to <keyword id="89362" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Medina">Medina</keyword>. 
 With so many calendars around and so many regional New Year’s Days to celebrate, it’s time to soak in the traditional rituals once more, mostly observed during the months of <keyword id="368788" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chaitra">Chaitra</keyword> and <keyword id="1998439" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Baishakh">Baishakh</keyword> (March-April). Here’s a quick look at the key events. 
 
 
 
<keyword id="4349969" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navreh">Navreh</keyword> – Kashmir: Let us start with Navreh, the New Year’s Day in the <keyword id="911185" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lunar-calendar">lunar calendar</keyword> and observed on the <keyword id="1998440" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shukla-Pratipada">Shukla Pratipada</keyword> (first day of the waxing moon) in the month of Chaitra (March-April). It is the <keyword id="1998441" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Oldest-New-Year-celebration">oldest New Year celebration</keyword>, and finds mention in historical works such as Nilamat Purana, <keyword id="1998443" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kalhana">Kalhana</keyword>’s <keyword id="1998442" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajtarangini">Rajtarangini</keyword> and Persian scholar <keyword id="1792427" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Al-Biruni">Al-Biruni</keyword>’s writing. Each household prepares the ‘<keyword id="1998444" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holi-thali">holi thali</keyword>’ with great care, containing food, flower and other essentials, and it is viewed at the dawn of Navreh while family members pray for <keyword id="6383453" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Wealth">wealth</keyword>, knowledge and <keyword id="23119" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="good-luck">good luck</keyword>. From this day, <keyword id="1998445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nav-Durga-Puja">Nav Durga Puja</keyword> or <keyword id="31525" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navratra">Navratra</keyword> also begins in Kashmir and continues for 9 days. 
 
<keyword id="1296432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chaitti">Chaitti</keyword> – <keyword id="6358126" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh">Himachal Pradesh</keyword>: In this hill state, the New Year’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra according to the <keyword id="1998446" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vikrami-calendar">Vikrami calendar</keyword> and festivals such as <keyword id="48284" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="navratri">Navratri</keyword> and <keyword id="1998448" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ralli-Puja">Ralli Puja</keyword> are held throughout the month in honour of Goddess Durga/Bhagwati. The month-long Ralli Puja ends in the marriage of Lord Shiva and the goddess as spinsters seek blessings of the divine duo for a spouse like Lord Shiva. 
 
<keyword id="42862" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ugadi">Ugadi</keyword> – <keyword id="37102" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="6354780" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword>: It is celebrated on the same day as Navreh, in the month of Chaitra, and marks the beginning of the South Indian lunar year. People of these southern states believe that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this auspicious day. Houses are decorated with mango leaves and <keyword id="202308" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rangoli">rangoli</keyword> designs; Panchanga or the <keyword id="1998452" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Religious-almanac">religious almanac</keyword> is recited and puja offerings are made for a prosperous New Year. Ugadi <keyword id="758269" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="pachadi">pachadi</keyword>, the traditional dish of six flavours made of <keyword id="6441002" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="neem">neem</keyword>, <keyword id="137842" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="jaggery">jaggery</keyword> &amp; banana, salt, green chilli/pepper, tamarind juice and unripe mango, is also relished on this occasion to acknowledge six different aspects of life. 
 
<keyword id="608876" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gudhi-Padva">Gudhi Padva</keyword> – <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="826" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goa">Goa</keyword>: Observed on the same day as Navreh and Ugadi (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), the New Year festivities in these states celebrate the bounty of Nature. Houses are decked up with rangoli and colourful gudhi – a bright-hued, embellished silk banner tied to a decorated <keyword id="1808323" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="bamboo-pole">bamboo pole</keyword> and an upside down brass/silver pot fitted on the top. A day after Gudhi Padva, <keyword id="127745" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cheti-Chand">Cheti Chand</keyword> or the <keyword id="610532" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sindhi-New-Year">Sindhi New Year</keyword> is observed to celebrate the birth anniversary of <keyword id="1998458" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ishtadeva-Uderolal">Ishtadeva Uderolal</keyword> or <keyword id="987886" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jhulelal">Jhulelal</keyword>, the patron saint of the Sindhis. Lord Varuna, the water god, is also worshipped on this day, followed by <keyword id="6771793" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="feasting">feasting</keyword> and <keyword id="240265" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="devotional-music">devotional music</keyword>. 
 
Varuda Pirappu/Puthandu – <keyword id="20154" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword>: Held in mid-April, the <keyword id="6407830" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamil-New-Year">Tamil New Year</keyword>’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chithirai, which is the first month of the traditional <keyword id="525554" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamil-calendar">Tamil calendar</keyword>. Just like Navreh, the day begins with <keyword id="1998464" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Auspicious-sighting">auspicious sighting</keyword> or <keyword id="1009356" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="kanni">Kanni</keyword>, as people <keyword id="1873" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Worship">worship</keyword> <keyword id="13726" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="rice">rice</keyword> &amp; farm products, <keyword id="119992" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="precious-metals">precious metals</keyword> and <keyword id="1246513" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="new-clothes">new clothes</keyword>. Ritualistic patterns called kolams are drawn; traditional lamps or kuthu vilakkus are lighted and placed in the centre, and brass bowls known as niraikudums are filled with water to usher in <keyword id="73094" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="prosperity">prosperity</keyword> and <keyword id="800742" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="fulfillment">fulfillment</keyword>. It is followed by the <keyword id="1998469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Almanac-worship">almanac worship</keyword> called <keyword id="1998471" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Panchanga-Puja">Panchanga Puja</keyword>. And the festive meal features pachadi, fruits and payasam or dessert. 
 
<keyword id="345699" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vishu">Vishu</keyword> – <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword>: Vishu is the <keyword id="1010370" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Malayalam-New-Year">Malayalam New Year</keyword>’s Day, observed in Kerala on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam. As in other South Indian states, auspicious sighting and other rituals are observed as part of the celebration; <keyword id="51941" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="firecrackers">firecrackers</keyword> are burst and an elaborate <keyword id="1998461" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Festive-lunch">festive lunch</keyword> called <keyword id="1998473" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sadya">sadya</keyword> is served. 
 
 
 
<keyword id="1334751" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Poila-Baishakh">Poila Baishakh</keyword> – <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>: The Bengali New Year’s Day is celebrated in the month of Baishakh (mostly on <keyword id="6364510" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="april">April</keyword> 14). Also known as <keyword id="989326" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Naba-Barsha">Naba Barsha</keyword>, <keyword id="27928" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lord-Ganesha">Lord Ganesha</keyword> and <keyword id="462664" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goddess-Lakshmi">Goddess Lakshmi</keyword>, deities of wealth, are worshipped on this day while businesses open fresh ledgers known as <keyword id="1998474" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Haal-Khata">Haal Khata</keyword>. Feasting, festivities and <keyword id="6409104" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="cultural-programmes">cultural programmes</keyword> are the main attractions here. <keyword id="1998475" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maithili-New-Year">Maithili New Year</keyword> <keyword id="1998426" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Juri-Sheetal">Juri Sheetal</keyword> is also celebrated on this day. 
 
<keyword id="1998425" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maha-Vishuva-Sankranti">Maha Vishuva Sankranti</keyword> – <keyword id="6357961" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Odisha">Odisha</keyword>: In neighbouring Odisha, the New Year’s Day is also known as <keyword id="1998476" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pana-Sankranit">Pana Sankranit</keyword> or <keyword id="1998424" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jala-Sankranti">Jala Sankranti</keyword> or <keyword id="1998427" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mesha-Sankranti">Mesha Sankranti</keyword> that marks the beginning of a year in the solar calendar. Traditionally held on the first day of Baishakh (mid-April), a sweet drink called <keyword id="1998477" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pana">Pana</keyword> is made using fruits, card, milk, water and sugar/jaggery and bestowed as <keyword id="1998478" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Puja-offering">puja offering</keyword>. People also drink Pana and water is offered to all, even to birds and animals, for a month. Throughout this period, <keyword id="1998479" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goddess-Hingula">Goddess Hingula</keyword> is worshipped for driving the evil away. Devotees often keep fast and perform penances as part of the rituals. 
 
Rongali/Bohag Bihu – <keyword id="6354915" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Assam">Assam</keyword>: Held in the month of Baishakh (mid-April), this weeklong colourful and vibrant festival not only marks the beginning of a year in the solar calendar, but also heralds the new agricultural season. As in all other states, pujas are offered to ensure a prosperous year ahead; <keyword id="974604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="festive-food">festive food</keyword> such as pitha and laru is made and shared, and young people get together to choose their life partners. Fairs are held; games are played, and the traditional <keyword id="1998481" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bihu-songs">Bihu songs</keyword> &amp; dances make it the perfect season for jollity and merriment. 
 
<keyword id="1998480" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cheiraoba">Cheiraoba</keyword> – <keyword id="6359754" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manipur">Manipur</keyword>: Moving further north-east, one gets to celebrate the Manipuri New Year Sajibu Cheiraoba in the month of April. Puja offerings, delicious food and festivities mark this occasion as well. In addition, locals climb the nearest hill tops, thus aspiring to rise to great heights in real life. 
 
Baisakhi/Vaisakhi – <keyword id="6354953" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjab">Punjab</keyword>: Traditionally a <keyword id="404010" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="harvest-festival">harvest festival</keyword>, the <keyword id="1011009" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjabi-New-Year">Punjabi New Year</keyword>’s Day is held on April 13/14 (the first day of the second month of the year, according to the Nanakshahi Calendar). It is a significant day for the <keyword id="81001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sikh-community">Sikh community</keyword> as well since they celebrate the day in honor of the 10th guru, <keyword id="138545" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Guru-Gobind-Singh">Guru Gobind Singh</keyword>, who did away with the <keyword id="6434481" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Caste-System">caste system</keyword>. Otherwise, fun, food and <keyword id="1998485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Country-dances">country dances</keyword> like <keyword id="6920" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhangra">Bhangra</keyword> and <keyword id="465865" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="giddha">Giddha</keyword>, keeping time with the beats of dhols and drums, mark this occasion. 
 
<keyword id="585610" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bestu-Varas">Bestu Varas</keyword> – <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>: In certain parts of northern and western India, Diwali heralds the New Year and Gujarat is one of them. Bestu Varas is held a day after the Festival of Lights, in the month of <keyword id="6376330" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kartik">Kartik</keyword> (October-November) and houses are splendidly decked up with <keyword id="5823" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Flowers">flowers</keyword>, rangoli and torans (door hangings). Pujas are offered; New Year <keyword id="54214" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fireworks">fireworks</keyword> are everywhere and gifts are generously exchanged. And one must not forget the festive food either, especially the delectable and traditional snacks of Gujarat such as <keyword id="107294" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="farsan">farsan</keyword>. 
 
Images: Wikipedia

New Year Festivities
Not Over Yet; Here Is How India
Celebrates

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Kanny is a startup that uses character assessments to improve the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/multiple-job-interviews-a-pain-but-also-benefit-workers-2024-8">hiring processes</a> for employers.</li><li>Character is more crucial than skills, but it's often hard to evaluate, Kanny's CEO told BI.</li></ul>One area of my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/finding-job-awful-right-now-drop-in-openings-tough-search-2024-9">work</a> where I appear to be better than others is remaining humble.That's according to a survey of some colleagues who rated me on six traits.My coworkers — geniuses, all — made the evaluation using a tool from the startup <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.kanny.com/">Kanny</a>, which aims to improve hiring by assessing what it calls a job candidate's work character."The most important thing when hiring is not hard or soft skills or even expertise. It is character," Kanny CEO and cofounder Sean Vassilaros told me. "It's also the most important or most difficult thing to ascertain."He said Kanny is trying to return some power to the employer — though that may seem counterintuitive to many job seekers, for whom it can feel like bosses hold all of the proverbial cards. Bosses can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-hard-to-find-job-us-though-unemployment-low-2024-2">ghost candidates</a> — or sometimes list <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fake-job-listings-rampant-labor-market-employment-hiring-process-difficult-2024-5">fake jobs</a> — and they can put people through round after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/people-looking-for-jobs-enduring-many-rounds-of-interviews-2024-7">round of interviews</a>.Yet the control that job seekers have, Vassilaros said, is in shaping the narrative of who they are."How many times have you heard the story of, 'Hey, I hired this person. They knocked my socks off in the interview,'" he said. And then "'they turned out to be an absolute disaster.'"Vassilaros said that because workers control their résumé, references, social media presence, and LinkedIn profile, it can be difficult for would-be employers to suss out a sus applicant."The entire hiring process is curated by the candidate," he said. "It's all packaged up in this sales job to hand to you."It's of course reasonable that job seekers would seek to present themselves in the best light, Vassilaros said. The trouble is that when that happens, it often leaves those conducting an interview without a way to get "really good, keen insights.""I, for sure, can't ask your references," he said. "These are your champions, as they should be."<h2 id="d3ff94a0-902b-4c70-a34c-0b99b67ffc75">The reviews are in</h2>I signed up for Kanny, albeit with some trepidation, using my LinkedIn login. That's how Kanny knew who I was and found coworkers. They could have been former colleagues or people I work with now. Someone requesting a review can also limit the ask to former coworkers.Within a day or two of completing my sign-up, I received a few texts and emails from people, leery of a scam, asking whether I actually wanted their feedback on my character. I assured them it was legit and that I would Venmo them in exchange for a favorable review (kidding).Vassilaros said worries about whether the request is valid is one reason the company encourages people to let current and former colleagues know the request is legitimate. Kanny offers templates for email, text, and LinkedIn messages. Users must opt in to see whether and how others have reviewed them.Reviewers rate someone on six criteria: integrity, accountability, respect, humility (ahem), confidence, and grit.A former boss told me it only took a minute or so to complete. That's partly because reviewers move a slider to the left or right. There isn't a field for a reviewer to enter open text.That's by design, Vassilaros said. The idea is to have everyone marked on the same scale. It's a way of making subjective data more objective, he said, and less reliant on sentiment."They can't be like, 'This guy stole my lunch,'" he said. "We don't want that information."The algorithm considers what Vassilaros calls "work relationship" information, including how closely, how long — and how long ago — you worked with someone. Scoring is also set so that if certain reviewers are too negative or too positive, their impact is blunted."This is not meant to tank or to hurt anyone. This is meant, literally, to reward but also give you information on how to develop and get better," he said.Reviewers are anonymous — and responses are only shown in aggregate though it takes at least five reviews before Kanny will generate a report.I only heard from a handful of people, and I'm not sure how many colleagues actually evaluated my character traits. Given my above-average score in some areas, I'd imagine it was only a handful of true believers.Once I logged in to Kanny's website, I could see my ratings on a dashboard and how I compared with other Kanny users —hence my not-so-humble-bragging about my humility. And if I'm honest, my results in that category were only a tiny bit above the average.It was fun to see my scores from mystery colleagues. Yet more important, it struck me that anytime you can offer employers better insights into how a job seekers' colleagues regard them, it could be a notable step toward making the hiring process feel more humane.Users like me can ask others to review them; by the end of the year, Vassilaros said, Kanny plans to open up the tool to corporate customers. That way, an employer could request that an applicant go through the Kanny process and get ratings.He said he plans to integrate Kanny into the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-your-resume-gets-rejected-job-search-bots-people-ats-2024-5">applicant-tracking systems</a> most large employers use to help manage their hiring process.Vassilaros said a recruiter needing to sort through 1,000 applicants for a role might instantly whittle it down to 20 by ranking according to these character snapshots.From there, a recruiter could dig into a person's report to learn about an applicant's strengths and weaknesses.Yet, Vassilaros said, a low score in a particular category might not be a dealbreaker.He offered the example of a software developer who got high marks for accountability and integrity but came in lower on respect. That suggests he might not work well with others, Vassilaros said. "That may be acceptable for that role," he said.<h2 id="8e895964-3bc8-4993-8695-9a4e94228f26">Looking at character in other ways</h2>Kyle Samuels, founder and CEO of the executive search firm Creative Talent Endeavors, told me that understanding an organization's character is crucial when hiring. A company like REI or Patagonia, he said, might focus on helping employees shine, whereas an investment bank might value a more competitive, self-driven worker.Samuels said that an applicant's character can be revealed throughout the hiring process. What is a person's demeanor? Does the candidate show up on time? Is the job seeker rude to his assistant?"Those are things sometimes that have stopped me from even having an interview with a candidate," he said.Samuels has also seen job seekers pass along proprietary information from their current employer to try to impress a prospective boss. That can be a red flag, Samuels said."There are certain companies who will clutch their pearls at that. And there are other companies saying, 'So, you're bringing over your client list, right?'" he said.In some industries, killing it at work might allow individuals with less favorable character traits to thrive, he said. You might be a jerk, Samuels said, but if you brought in $4 million in sales this quarter, an employer might be willing to overlook gaps in character.Samuels said a tool that gets at a candidate's character might be most helpful for lower-level roles, where the interview process is often less extensive than for a senior position.<h2 id="e35ebf96-a7dc-4a90-a51d-86d4132b41d0">Defining character can be messy</h2>Rebecca Arnold, founder of Root Coaching &amp; Consulting, told me that she's not sure that character assessments based on someone's LinkedIn connections would eliminate the type of bias that is often part of a job seeker's references."You probably don't have thousands of enemies in your LinkedIn network," she quipped.Arnold also said that broad terms like respect and integrity can be open to interpretation.Getting it right is important but often difficult for employers, she said."They often only find whether someone is really strong in these characteristics or weak after they've been hired," Arnold said, adding that bringing in people who fall short around character can hurt an organization's culture.Vassilaros, from Kanny, said that the company has technology that can find people you've worked with who might not be connections on LinkedIn. He also said the company tries to define the attributes reviewers use so that the terms are specific to work.Vassilaros added that his experience running other companies made it clear to him how hard it is to determine a candidate's character before making a hire."I was probably batting about a 60% success rate," he said.Vassilaros said his goal is to make character in the workplace a bigger focus."That should drive the conversation," he said.Do you have something to share about what you're seeing in the workplace or in your job search? Business Insider would like to hear from you. Email our workplace team from a nonwork device at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:thegrind@businessinsider.com">thegrind@businessinsider.com</a> with your story, or ask for one of our reporter's Signal numbers.

I tried a tool that lets your coworkers rate your character. The startup behind it wants employers to use it for hiring. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A TikToker said she'd decided to work in a bakery after completing a master's degree in economics.</li><li>Comments poured in as people said they could relate to abandoning their subject after graduating.</li></ul>Some TikTokers are sharing that they feel pressure to go to college, even though their desired jobs don't require college degrees.On June 2, TikToker <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kannymorgan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kanny Morgan</a> posted <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kannymorgan/video/7240022418151165211" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a video</a> that showed her posing in an apron while eating a cookie, alongside a lengthy on-screen caption that read she had "done a whole masters degree" but decided after ticking off "all the societally accepted things" expected of her she could do now whatever she wanted. She chose working in a bakery. The clip blew up, and comments poured in from graduates who said they'd also rejected their intended professions in pursuit of something more meaningful.Viewers shared how they'd pursued everything from medicine to marine science and criminal justice, but had since ditched these specialized topics to work at a theme park, become a coffee shop barista, or become a self-employed seamstress instead.Others said they hadn't even finished their studies yet but were already counting down the days until they could graduate and leave the profession behind."I will finish my master's degree in a month and then I will work as a nanny and travel the world. Can't wait for being at peace," one viewer wrote in a top comment that received over 1,000 likes. Morgan and her followers are hardly alone. A December 2021 analysis conducted by the <a href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market/index#/underemployment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Federal Reserve Bank of New York</a> of Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data found that 41% of US college graduates between the ages of 22 and 27 were underemployed, which meant they were working in roles that didn't require a college degree.Some viewers commented beneath the TikTok to say they envied those who had made this decision, but felt compelled to pursue a career in the field they had already committed so much time and money to studying, or that they had tried the entry-level job route after college but felt pressure from others to aim bigger."I would honestly be happy in my little starbucks job if i didn't constantly hear how i'm supposed to be doing something better," one viewer wrote.Others also pointed out it was a privilege to take on a potentially lesser-paying role right out of college and not something everyone could do, even if they wanted to. Studying for a degree to then pursue an unrelated dream can come with a hefty price tag. According to the <a href="https://educationdata.org/average-student-loan-debt#:~:text=The%20average%20federal%20student%20loan,to%20pursue%20a%20bachelor's%20degree.">Education Data Initiative</a>, the average federal student loan debt is $37,338 per borrower, while the average private student loan debt is $54,921 per borrower. In <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kannymorgan/video/7242017724119993626" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a follow-up video</a> posted on June 7, Morgan offered a bit more little more context to her original post. She said she'd studied economics as an undergraduate and graduate student and had tried working in local government and at a non-profit, but felt she was always trying to prove herself. She said she felt "insecure" about her abilities, and "wanted to try something new." Her job in the bakery was a part-time, freelance role that lasted just one week, she said, and she still wasn't sure what she wanted to do overall, but liked the idea of working in a bookshop, becoming a writer, or traveling and becoming an au pair. "It's not always easy, sometimes it's really really hard, especially when it might just be easier to get a corporate job, and that's what all your friends are doing, and that's kind of the norm," she said. "But it does feel like I'm betting on me, and I'm willing to make that bet."<a href="https://www.insider.com/culture">For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.</a>

TikTokers say they are going to college just to be 'societally accepted' but are planning careers that don't require degrees anyway

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11892774" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="afghanistan" source="Orion">Afghanistan</keyword> is expected to reach "universal <keyword id="11964087" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="poverty" source="Orion">poverty</keyword>" quickly, Kanni Wignaraja of the <keyword id="11896449" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="united-nations" source="Orion">United Nations</keyword> Development Program said.</li><li>Within a year, the poverty rate in Afghanistan will hover at a whopping 97% or 98%, Wignaraja said.</li><li>The <keyword id="11892778" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban" source="Orion">Taliban</keyword> swiftly took over Afghanistan as the US withdrew all troops from the region.</li></ul>The United Nations' development agency on Thursday said Afghanistan is heading toward "universal poverty" following the Taliban's swift takeover of the country. Within a year, the poverty rate in Afghanistan will hover at a whopping 97% or 98%, said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP's Asia-Pacific Director, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-pakistan-afghanistan-islamabad-qatar-d35bb246ad1db460b2a2e8d24c77f99d">Associated Press</a>. "Afghanistan pretty much faces universal poverty by the middle of next year," Wignaraja said. "That's where we're heading - it's 97-98% no matter how you work these projections."The Taliban took over Afghanistan following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from the region. In its takeover, the Taliban <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-declares-islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-2021-8">renamed the country</a> to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reverting back to the same name used during the last time the regime took power, in 1996. The regime remained in power until 2001, after the US invaded Afghanistan. After the US ousted the Taliban from power in 2001, Afghanistan made several developmental gains including the doubling of per capita income and an increase in the average number of years of education, Wignaraja said.In the two decades since the Taliban has not been in power, Afghanistan made significant economic gains that are now in danger of collapsing because of political instability. Afghanistan now faces "a crush on local banking" because of the <keyword id="11657939" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban-takeover" source="Orion">Taliban takeover</keyword>, Wignaraja said. That instability is only worsened by the pandemic. The situation is "a humanitarian and development disaster," Wignaraja said.The poverty rate in Afghanistan is hovering at <a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/nation-world/report-afghanistan-brink-of-universal-poverty/507-da3d5223-9403-4318-8af6-cf974252e5af">72%</a>. But without crucial humanitarian and financial aid, Afghanistan will sink deeply into poverty by the middle of next year, the AP reported.The Biden administration, in an effort to limit the Taliban's resources, froze nearly $10 billion in reserves in the country's central bank - most of which is reportedly held by the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-the-federal-reserve">Federal Reserve</a> Bank in New York. The move has been criticized as misdirected and will ultimately hurt Afghans more than the Taliban, Shah Mehrabi, a senior board member of Da Afghanistan Bank, told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-08/biden-hurting-poor-by-blocking-afghan-reserves-official-says">Bloomberg</a>. "President Biden is not hurting the Taliban or the current regime," Mehrabi said. "This is really hurting everyday Afghans and they will push them into further poverty."The Taliban has been blocked by US officials <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/federal-reserve-bank-of-new-york-holds-billions-from-afghanistan-2021-8">from accessing the reserves</a>, Insider's Natalie Musumeci reported. And there's "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-has-almost-no-chance-getting-afghan-banks-reserves-2021-9">almost no chance</a>" that the Taliban will be able to bypass this restriction, a legal and financial expert told Insider.

The UN warns that Afghanistan will enter 'universal poverty' within a year following the Taliban's takeover

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some Afghan families are being forced to trade their kids to settle debts, the Wall Street Journal reported.</li><li>Saleha, for example, is a house cleaner who gave up her 3-year-old girl instead of paying a $550 debt.</li></ul>Some desperate Afghan parents are forced to sell their <keyword id="6354493" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="children" source="Orion">children</keyword> to deal with <keyword id="11964087" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="poverty" source="Orion">poverty</keyword>, the Wall Street Journal reported. A house cleaner in western <keyword id="11892774" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="afghanistan" source="Orion">Afghanistan</keyword> named Saleha, for example, sold her 3-year-old daughter to a man to whom she owed a $550 debt. Saleha, 40, receives 70 cents a day from her job, and her husband doesn't work, the Journal said."If life continues to be this awful, I will kill my children and myself," Saleha told the Journal. "I don't even know what we will eat tonight.""I will try to find money to save my daughter's life," husband Abdul Wahab said.Khalid Ahmad, the lender, told the Journal he had to accept the 3-year-old girl to settle the debt."I also don't have money. They haven't paid me back," he said. "So there is no option but taking the daughter."Last month, the United Nations' development agency said Afghanistan is heading toward "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/un-warns-afghanistan-will-enter-universal-poverty-within-a-year-2021-9">universal poverty</a>" following the <keyword id="11892778" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban" source="Orion">Taliban</keyword>'s swift takeover of the country. Within a year, the poverty rate in Afghanistan will hover at a whopping 97% or 98%, said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP's Asia-Pacific Director."Afghanistan pretty much faces universal poverty by the middle of next year," Wignaraja said. "That's where we're heading - it's 97-98% no matter how you work these projections."<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-helping-us-evacuations-because-want-americans-out-activist-says-2021-10">The Taliban took over Afghanistan</a> following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from the region after two decades spent trying to rid the country of extremists. In its takeover, the Taliban <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-declares-islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-2021-8">renamed the country</a> the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reverting back to the same name used during the last time the regime held power, in 1996. The regime remained in power until 2001, after the US invaded Afghanistan. After the US ousted the Taliban from power in 2001, Afghanistan made several developmental gains including the doubling of per capita income and an increase in the average number of years of education, Wignaraja said.Over the past two decades, Afghanistan made significant economic gains that are now in danger of collapsing because of political instability. Afghanistan faces "a crush on local banking" because of the <keyword id="11657939" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban-takeover" source="Orion">Taliban takeover</keyword>, Wignaraja said. That instability is only worsened by the pandemic. The Biden administration, in an effort to limit the Taliban's resources, froze nearly $10 billion in reserves in the country's central bank - most of which is reportedly held by the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-the-federal-reserve">Federal Reserve</a> Bank in New York. The move has been criticized as misdirected and will ultimately hurt Afghans more than the Taliban, Shah Mehrabi, a senior board member of Da Afghanistan Bank, told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-08/biden-hurting-poor-by-blocking-afghan-reserves-official-says">Bloomberg</a>.

Desperate Afghan parents are selling their kids to pay off debt as poverty levels deepen following Taliban takeover: report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An Afghan father trying to provide food for his family sold his kid daughter to a 55-year-old man.</li><li>Parwana Malik was sold for $2,200, according to CNN.</li></ul>An Afghan father said he sold his 9-year-old daughter, Parwana Malik, to a man for $2,200 to be able to afford food for his wife and other kids, CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/01/asia/afghanistan-child-marriage-crisis-taliban-intl-hnk-dst/index.html">reported</a>.The family has lived in a northwest province of <keyword id="11892774" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="afghanistan" source="Orion">Afghanistan</keyword> for years, struggling to pay for basic needs like food. Together, they earn just a few dollars a day, according to CNN. A few months ago, Parwana's father sold her 12-year-old sister to make ends meet.The family was forced this time around to sell another child, once again to put food on the table. Parwana's parents sold her to a 55-year-old for $2,200, according to CNN. Parwana's father, Abdul, is "broken," CNN reported. He and his wife tried to borrow money from relatives and beg on the streets but could not come up with enough. "We are eight family members," he told CNN. "I have to sell to keep other family members alive."Last month, a woman named Saleha said she <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/afghan-parents-sell-their-kids-to-pay-debt-poverty-levels-2021-10">sold her 3-year-old daughter for $550</a> because, like the Maliks, she didn't have enough money to sustain herself. When Insider readers heard of Saleha's story, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-shocked-afghan-parents-550-debt-sold-child-2021-10">dozens offered to pay off her debt</a>.Afghanistan is heading toward "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/un-warns-afghanistan-will-enter-universal-poverty-within-a-year-2021-9">universal poverty</a>" following the <keyword id="11892778" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban" source="Orion">Taliban</keyword>'s swift takeover of the country, according to a projection from a United Nations' development agency. Within a year, the <keyword id="11964087" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="poverty" source="Orion">poverty</keyword> rate in Afghanistan will hover at a whopping 97% or 98%, said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP's Asia-Pacific Director."Afghanistan pretty much faces universal poverty by the middle of next year," Wignaraja said. "That's where we're heading - it's 97-98% no matter how you work these projections."<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-helping-us-evacuations-because-want-americans-out-activist-says-2021-10">The Taliban took over Afghanistan</a> following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from the region after two decades spent trying to rid the country of extremists. In its takeover, the Taliban <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-declares-islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-2021-8">renamed the country</a> the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reverting back to the same name used during the last time the regime held power, in 1996. The regime remained in power until 2001, after the US invaded Afghanistan. After the US ousted the Taliban from power in 2001, Afghanistan made several developmental gains including the doubling of per capita income and an increase in the average number of years of education, Wignaraja said.Over the past two decades, Afghanistan made significant economic gains that are now in danger of collapsing because of political instability. Afghanistan faces "a crush on local banking" because of the <keyword id="11657939" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban-takeover" source="Orion">Taliban takeover</keyword>, Wignaraja said. That instability is only worsened by the pandemic. The Biden administration, in an effort to limit the Taliban's resources, froze nearly $10 billion in reserves in the country's central bank - most of which is reportedly held by the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-the-federal-reserve">Federal Reserve</a> Bank in New York. The move has been criticized as misdirected and will ultimately hurt Afghans more than the Taliban, Shah Mehrabi, a senior board member of Da Afghanistan Bank, told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-08/biden-hurting-poor-by-blocking-afghan-reserves-official-says">Bloomberg</a>.

A desperate Afghan father said he sold his 9-year-old daughter for $2,200 to buy food for his other kids: report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Desperate Afghan parents are selling their kids in exchange for cash to feed the rest of their family or get out of debt. </li><li>Benazir, for example, is an 8-year-old girl sold for $2,000, an amount that will go toward feeding a 10-person family.</li></ul>Since the <keyword id="11892778" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban" source="Orion">Taliban</keyword> took over <keyword id="11892774" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="afghanistan" source="Orion">Afghanistan</keyword>, some desperate families have resorted to selling their kids into marriage to make ends meet. Benazir, for example, is an 8-year-old girl from Afghanistan whose family sold her for $2,000. The money will go toward keeping the rest of the family, including eight kids, alive, Benzari's father told <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/afghan-families-sell-daughters-marriage-economy-collapses-rcna5829">NBC News</a>. "We are 10 people in the family. I'm trying to keep 10 alive by sacrificing one," Muraad Khan, 55, told NBC <keyword id="11893589" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="news" source="Orion">News</keyword>. Khan hasn't worked in months, which has made it hard to feed his large family. Benazir will be married to a boy from a family in Iran, Khan told NBC News. The man who bought her will "just take her hand and take her away from me," he said. "He will take her away and say, 'She's ours now.'"Her best friend Saliha, 7, has also been sold into marriage for $2,000, according to NBC News. Saliha's father said he needed to sell her to pay off debt. Benazir and Saliha are just the latest examples of children given away by their families in Afghanistan in exchange for desperately needed cash.Earlier this month, a report came out of an Afghan father saying he sold his 9-year-old daughter, Parwana Malik, to a man <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/desperate-afghan-dad-sold-daughter-for-2200-to-buy-food-2021-11">for $2,200 to be able to afford food for his wife and other kids</a>. The family has lived in a northwest province of Afghanistan for years, struggling to pay for basic needs like food. Together, they earn just a few dollars a day.Last month, a woman named Saleha said she <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/afghan-parents-sell-their-kids-to-pay-debt-poverty-levels-2021-10">sold her 3-year-old daughter for $550</a> because, like the Maliks, she didn't have enough money to sustain herself. When Insider readers heard of Saleha's story, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-shocked-afghan-parents-550-debt-sold-child-2021-10">dozens offered to pay off her debt</a>.<h2>Afghanistan is on the brink of economic collapse</h2>Afghanistan is heading toward "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/un-warns-afghanistan-will-enter-universal-poverty-within-a-year-2021-9">universal poverty</a>" following the Taliban's swift takeover of the country, according to a projection from a United Nations' development agency. Within a year, the poverty rate in Afghanistan will hover at a whopping 97% or 98%, said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP's Asia-Pacific Director."Afghanistan pretty much faces universal poverty by the middle of next year," Wignaraja said. "That's where we're heading — it's 97-98% no matter how you work these projections."<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-helping-us-evacuations-because-want-americans-out-activist-says-2021-10">The Taliban took over Afghanistan</a> following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from the region after two decades spent trying to rid the country of extremists. In its takeover, the Taliban <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-declares-islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-2021-8">renamed the country</a> the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reverting back to the same name used during the last time the regime held power, in 1996. The regime remained in power until 2001, after the US invaded Afghanistan. After the US ousted the Taliban from power in 2001, Afghanistan made several developmental gains including the doubling of per capita income and an increase in the average number of years of education, Wignaraja said.Over the past two decades, Afghanistan made significant economic gains that are now in danger of collapsing because of political instability. Afghanistan faces "a crush on local banking" because of the <keyword id="11657939" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban-takeover" source="Orion">Taliban takeover</keyword>, Wignaraja said. That instability is only worsened by the pandemic. The Biden administration, in an effort to limit the Taliban's resources, froze nearly $10 billion in reserves in the country's central bank — most of which is reportedly held by the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-the-federal-reserve">Federal Reserve</a> Bank in New York. The move has been criticized as misdirected and will ultimately hurt Afghans more than the Taliban, Shah Mehrabi, a senior board member of Da Afghanistan Bank, told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-08/biden-hurting-poor-by-blocking-afghan-reserves-official-says">Bloomberg</a>.

Desperate Afghans are promising their daughters as young as 7 for marriage in exchange for cash: report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some Americans are eager to help an Afghan woman who sold her 3-year-old kid to pay off a $550 debt.</li><li>Nearly two dozen people emailed Insider offering to pay the $550 so Saleha could get her child back.</li></ul>Americans are outraged that a 3-year-old Afghan girl was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/afghan-parents-sell-their-kids-to-pay-debt-poverty-levels-2021-10">traded to a man</a> because her mom couldn't afford a $550 debt.After Insider wrote about Saleha, an Afghan woman who makes 70 cents a day in her job as a house cleaner, Americans emailed in to offer aid. Nearly two dozen people asked how they could help, with several offering to pay off the full $550 debt to reunite Saleha with her daughter."I can feel Saleha's pain. I cry when I think of her 3-year-old with a strange man away from her mother," said Julianne McGee, a medical biller from Hawaii. "It is trauma that this mother and child do not need to experience."Saleha didn't have the money to pay off the debt, and neither did her husband, who doesn't work. The two had to sell their daughter to settle the debt."If life continues to be this awful, I will kill my <keyword id="6354493" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="children" source="Orion">children</keyword> and myself," Saleha said. "I don't even know what we will eat tonight."Several parents wrote in to Insider, asking whether there are nonprofits they can donate to in support of Saleha or to help other Afghans who can't afford to pay off their debts.One woman, Jessica Cyrus from Ohio, told Insider she started a GoFundMe for Saleha. But the crowdfunder was quickly removed because GoFundMe was "unable to verify [her] connection to the intended recipient of [her] fundraiser's donations," the platform said in an email to Cyrus viewed by Insider."If I can give this family their daughter back, the money is nothing," said Cyrus, a mother to four kids, including one 3-year-old.The story also resonated with people from outside the US, with some Canadians, for example, offering to help as well.<h2><keyword id="11892774" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="afghanistan" source="Orion">Afghanistan</keyword> is approaching extreme <keyword id="11964087" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="poverty" source="Orion">poverty</keyword></h2>Last month, the United Nations' development agency said Afghanistan is heading toward "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/un-warns-afghanistan-will-enter-universal-poverty-within-a-year-2021-9">universal poverty</a>" following the <keyword id="11892778" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban" source="Orion">Taliban</keyword>'s swift takeover of the country. Within a year, the poverty rate in Afghanistan will hover at a whopping 97% or 98%, said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP's Asia-Pacific Director.And just on Tuesday, the <keyword id="6356001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="international" source="Orion">International</keyword> Monetary Fund released a <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/REO/MECA/Issues/2021/10/14/regional-economic-outlook-october">report</a> showing Afghanistan's economy might shrink by 30% because of "multiple shocks in the aftermath of the Taliban's return to power."These shocks include the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, cash shortages, and frozen foreign assets."The resulting drop in living standards threatens to push millions into poverty and could lead to a humanitarian crisis," the report says.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-helping-us-evacuations-because-want-americans-out-activist-says-2021-10">The Taliban took over Afghanistan</a> following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from the region after two decades spent trying to rid the country of extremists. In its takeover, the Taliban <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-declares-islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-2021-8">renamed the country</a> the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reverting back to the same name used during the last time the regime held power, in 1996. The regime remained in power until 2001, after the US invaded Afghanistan. After the US ousted the Taliban from power in 2001, Afghanistan made several developmental gains including the doubling of per capita income and an increase in the average number of years of education, Wignaraja said.Over the past two decades, Afghanistan made significant economic gains that are now in danger of collapsing because of political instability. Afghanistan faces "a crush on local banking" because of the <keyword id="11657939" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban-takeover" source="Orion">Taliban takeover</keyword>, Wignaraja said. That instability is only worsened by the pandemic. The Biden administration, in an effort to limit the Taliban's resources, froze nearly $10 billion in reserves in the country's central bank - most of which is reportedly held by the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-the-federal-reserve">Federal Reserve</a> Bank in New York. The move has been criticized as misdirected and will ultimately hurt Afghans more than the Taliban, Shah Mehrabi, a senior board member of Da Afghanistan Bank, told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-08/biden-hurting-poor-by-blocking-afghan-reserves-official-says">Bloomberg</a>.

Americans are offering to pay a lender who took an Afghan woman's 3-year-old daughter in exchange for a $550 debt she couldn't pay

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11892774" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="afghanistan" source="Orion">Afghanistan</keyword> is facing rising poverty, food shortages, and an economy on the brink of collapse.</li><li>Desperate Afghan families are turning to sell their children to make enough money to survive.</li></ul>Ayesha, 15, lives in the Balkh province in Afghanistan. She has wide brown eyes and an untroubled smile and loves going to school and playing with her sisters.She is unaware that her father, Hamid,* made plans to sell her into marriage to a much older man.Hamid*, 36, used to provide security for the <keyword id="11896449" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="united-nations" source="Orion">United Nations</keyword> in Afghanistan but had to stop working for them when the <keyword id="11892778" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban" source="Orion">Taliban</keyword> took over the country in a sweeping offensive in August.Now, without any income to provide for his family, Hamid told Insider that he agreed to sell his eldest daughter into marriage to a 45-year-old man."I have seven children and a wife. That's eight people to feed. The only way I can afford to feed them is to give one of my daughters away," Hamid said.A man from their village offered to marry Ayesha and pay Hamid a dowry that equates to $1,200—which would have been four months of his previous salary. The payment would be a one-off, and once the money ran out, Hamid said he would have to consider selling his 14-year-old daughter, into marriage as well."Of course, I don't want any of my children to be separated from me," Hamid said, exasperated. "In my heart, I don't want to let go of any of them. But if I don't give away one of them, then all of them would starve."In recent weeks, reports have emerged of desperate Afghan families selling their underage daughters into marriage and even <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-59034650">selling their babies</a> to be able to eat.Millions of Afghans face dire circumstances because of rampant unemployment, widespread food insecurity, and an economy on the brink of collapse.<keyword id="12621480" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="child-marriage" source="Orion">Child marriage</keyword> is not uncommon in the country. The legal age for girls to be married in Afghanistan is 16, or 15 with the permission of the girl's father—well below the internationally recommended standard of 18, according to the <a href="https://afghanistan.unfpa.org/en/node/15233">United Nations Population Fund.</a>In spite of this limit, girls much younger than that are often married to older men. Experts fear that the number of children sold into marriage are rising as Afghan families face desperate circumstances. "Day by day, the numbers are increasing of families selling their children," Mohammad Naiem Nazem, a human rights activist in Badghis, told <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/01/asia/afghanistan-child-marriage-crisis-taliban-intl-hnk-dst/index.html">CNN</a>. "Lack of food, lack of work, the families feel they have to do this."After the Taliban took control of the country, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/federal-reserve-bank-of-new-york-holds-billions-from-afghanistan-2021-8?r=US&amp;IR=T">US froze roughly $9.5 billion</a> in the Afghan central bank assets.The short supply of cash means that many workers have not been paid and unemployment has risen.Up to 97% of the population could sink below the poverty line, according to the <a href="https://www.undp.org/press-releases/97-percent-afghans-could-plunge-poverty-mid-2022-says-undp?utm_source=EN&amp;utm_medium=GSR&amp;utm_content=US_UNDP_PaidSearch_Brand_English&amp;utm_campaign=CENTRAL&amp;c_src=CENTRAL&amp;c_src2=GSR&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwiY6MBhBqEiwARFSCPgRnVYrhiI_hYbGca21rWPnQjtRbkTlXETjRiWfp6DpHumYj-IXnBBoCB2kQAvD_BwE">United Nations development agency (UNDP).</a>The economic crisis, rising food prices, and widespread drought have led experts to warn of worsening food shortages that could lead to a hunger crisis over the winter.More than half of the country's population are facing acute food insecurity and are "marching to starvation," according to <a href="http://www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ipcinfo/docs/IPC_Afghanistan_AcuteFoodInsec_2021Oct2022Mar_report.pdf">the UN's world food program.</a>"We are facing a full-on development collapse on top of humanitarian and economic crises," said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP's Asia-Pacific Director said."This analysis suggests that we are on course for rapid, catastrophic deterioration in the lives of Afghanistan's most vulnerable people."Over the past month, <a href="https://www.savethechildren.net/news/afghanistan-price-hikes-push-food-out-reach-millions-children">Save the Children</a> staff reported price hikes of up to 63% in some Afghan cities on flour, oil, and beans. Prices are expected to rise further due to border closures and increasing <keyword id="6356001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="international" source="Orion">international</keyword> isolation.Hamid said he could not afford bread to feed his hungry children and was wracked with guilt that he couldn't provide for them.Along with the dire humanitarian crisis, many like Hamid, who previously worked with international organizations, live in fear of retribution from the Taliban."Since the Taliban took over, we have been under surveillance. They come knocking on doors looking for us. People are disappearing," he said.Hamid said he does not leave his house for more than a few minutes at a time because he is afraid the Taliban will kill him. But even if he was able to go out, he says there is no work available for him to do.An Afghan refugee who was evacuated to Greece last month heard about Hamid's family circumstances and fundraised enough money to feed his family for a short while.For now, Ayesha will not have to be married off. But this is only a temporary fix."When the money runs out, what will I do then?" Hamid said.The 36-year-old father of seven said that he feels that he has been failed by the international community, particularly the organizations he previously worked for.He said he had begged to be evacuated. "I wish we could leave this country. I'm worried about my safety. I'm worried about my children," Hamid said."This is the wish of my children: to study, have a good and quiet life."(*Names have been changed to protect their identity.)

A former UN worker in Afghanistan faces the heartbreaking choice to sell his young daughter into marriage for $1,200, so his other children won't starve

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