New Delhi [India], July 21 (ANI): As the Union <keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword>, <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword>, is set to present her seventh <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword>, the <keyword id="21660910" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Monsoon-Session" source="keywords">Monsoon Session</keyword> of Parliament will commence on July 22. With the presentation of this year's budget, Sitharaman will establish herself as the first Finance Minister to present seven consecutive budgets, breaking the record of Morarji Desai's six budget presentations. Desai, who was the country's Finance Minister from 1959 to 1964, presented a record six budgets for the country, of which five were full budgets and one was an interim budget. Like the previous few full Union Budgets, <keyword id="15478236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-2024" source="Orion">Budget 2024</keyword> will also be delivered in paperless form. An Interim Union Budget 2024 was presented on February 1, as the country was due for general elections. As part of the <keyword id="20321465" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-preparation" source="keywords">budget preparation</keyword>, the Finance Ministry has completed several rounds of deliberations with different stakeholders of the economy. These meetings started on June 20, during which Sitharaman met representatives from trade unions, the education and health sectors, employment and skilling, MSMEs, trade and services, industry, economists, the financial sector and capital markets, as well as representatives from the infrastructure, energy, and urban sectors. During the meetings, economists discussed several critical issues, such as boosting capital expenditure and reducing the fiscal deficit. The group of economists suggested to the ministry that the focus should be on reducing the fiscal deficit in the upcoming budget, along with the need to generate employment growth. The industry body, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), suggested that the government increase capital expenditure in the upcoming budget. The economists also emphasised the need to enhance capital expenditure. Farmer associations urged the Finance Minister to enhance the budgetary allocation for the agriculture sector. Representatives from the skilling and employment sectors suggested ways to skill the youth for better utilization of the workforce. This year's Monsoon Session will have 19 sittings until August 12. The Modi government is expected to present six bills, among which the Aircraft Act and Parliament's nod for the budget of Jammu and Kashmir are prominent. The government will also present the Finance Bill after the announcement of the budget on July 23. Among the other bills, the disaster management law, the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024, the Boilers Bill, the Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill, and the Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill will be tabled in this year's Monsoon Session. The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 will replace the Aircraft Act of 1934 and streamline regulations in the civil aviation sector, aiding industry players in the sector. The interim budget, tabled on February 1, addressed the financial needs of the intervening period until a government was formed after the Lok Sabha polls, after which a full budget was supposed to be presented by the new government in July. The Union Budget documents will be available on the "Union Budget Mobile App" for hassle-free access to budget documents by Members of Parliament (MPs) and the public. The app is bilingual (English and Hindi) and is available on both Android and iOS platforms. The app can also be downloaded from the Union Budget Web Portal (www.indiabudget.gov.in).

FM Sitharaman to present historic seventh consecutive Union Budget in paperless format

<ul><li>Unique ID to help identify passengers and make boarding process for domestic flights simpler. </li><li>The unique ID will be biometric-based. </li><li>Vijayawada and Varanasi among the three airports where <keyword id="6549368" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="paperless-boarding">paperless boarding</keyword> will be tested. </li></ul>With the Indian Railways increasing the fare for air-conditioned coaches, many people who preferred trains to flights have now started travelling by air. Thanks to the competition between different airlines, flight ticket prices have become affordable and in many cases, even cheaper than what train journeys would cost. Why waste hours on a train when you can pay lesser and get to your destination sooner? The process of boarding and deboarding a plane, however, remains tiresome. With many ditching trains for flights now, airports have become as crowded as railway stations. Naturally, the queues for boarding passes and for security checks have become longer. But there’s some good news! The government might soon implement a new feature -- a biometric-based unique ID -- that will make the boarding process for domestic flyers smooth. A unique identification number, similar to the Aadhaar, will soon let commuters dodge the boarding processes for domestic flights. A technical team from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) along with four private metro airports where the new scheme is set to be tested, finalized a completely paperless boarding process for domestic flyers. The team has also finalized and proposed the format for biometric-based identification called “Digi-Yatra” (DY). Under the new process, each commuter will be allocated a unique ID from the aviation ministry portal. This unique ID issued will also be linked to the person’s biometrics. Passengers wishing to use the new service will then have to provide the booking site with this ID. Getting the new ID will be optional for passengers. The existing process will continue to remain in place. How do you register for <keyword id="6549964" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="digi-yatra">digi-yatra</keyword> ID? A Digi-Yatra link will be made available on the Air Sewa-II portal soon. Passengers can register there. The verification of the individuals will be done using government-issued ID proof like Aadhaar, driving licence etc.. After registration, whenever the registered person visits the airport the next time, he/she needs to carry the given ID proof and a photograph with them. Iris scans and the details will be captured at the airport. Once that’s done, you can say bye to the long queues for boarding passes. After biometric authentication of the traveller, the E-gate will open. The passenger will be able to avail all the services like check-in, security check and boarding using QR codes and biometrics. Airport websites will also be updated to accommodate the new feature after the proposal is approved by the ministry. The government has selected three airports to test the new scheme. “We have selected three airports, including Varanasi and Vijayawada, for rolling out DY,” <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/unique-id-to-enable-paperless-boarding-for-domestic-flyers/articleshow/64264988.cms">the AAI chief said.</a>

The Indian government is trying to make airline boarding passes obsolete

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/54604624.cms" />Since 1970’s technology Gurus and visionaries predicted an “office of the future” – a <keyword id="670346" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paperless-office">paperless office</keyword>, however, despite the slew of technology advancements in the field of electronic communication and record keeping, the business world still heavily relies on the generation and exchange of paper to consummate business transactions and to run the day-to-day business operations. Our Government is now driving “Digital India” with a great vision and vigor, and the key question is: When will the paperless office become a reality for you and me? 
 Our offices are still stacked with papers, research estimates that in large enterprises on an average <keyword id="195748" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="office-worker">office worker</keyword> uses over 10,000 sheets of copy paper each year (which is around a tree per worker). This means a lot of important information about the business is documented on paper, this poses information security risks besides siphoning off employee and business productivity. . Although reliance on paper contracting is significant, it is obvious to most astute business observers that digitizing business processes enhances the ability of an organization to achieve business goals. Information is the life source of business and finding ways to cut down on wasted time filing and searching for documents will ultimately increase collaboration and workplace productivity. Also, one of the crucial objectives of transforming into an e-office or paperless office is to clear the files without delay increasing speed to market and reducing the time taken for documenting the work. By exchanging information electronically with vendors and customers, a business can make information quickly accessible -- and conversely more private and secure through the use of encryption, passwords and other security measures. At the same time, a company can create more room and reduce off-site storage costs. 
 
Then why aren’t the businesses taking any steps to paperless office? It is obvious that there exist barriers between digital and print. There are instances in which paper is genuinely difficult to replicate digitally, or it may be the preferred method from a client or vendor perspective. Though it is difficult to completely eliminate the use of paper, but there can be ways to print less and become a paper-light office which will help is boosting productivity as a result. 
 
If you look at enterprises today, each year improper document management costs them millions of dollars in liability, reduced efficiency and lost productivity. These costs will only increase in future with expansion in business operations. Thankfully, workflow automation and document management can play a critical role. The disruptive force of new technologies within this space are opening up opportunities to change behavior in today’s workplace, allowing businesses to strive for a more efficient, productive, collaborative and sustainable world of work. 
 
How we get work done is changing just as rapidly, driven by cloud access, mobility, social media, virtual collaboration and other digital technologies. 
 
According to a recent Quocirca study, 72 percent of organizations indicated that they are planning to increase their digitization efforts. New innovations have significantly changed the ways of the past. With faster, more sophisticated technology and a mobile-centric workforce, businesses can readily welcome the transformation of paper-based documents to electronic files. 
 
The next wave of technology advancement in the sphere of Document Management focuses on Digitization. Digital Transformation is NOT JUST replacing analog processes with digital processes through the use of digital technology (e.g., digitizing paperwork in an existing process). 
 
Here are three ways document management technology will assist you in this evolution: 
 
Analyze document workflows: When embarking on a transformational journey, the first step is to take stock of the current situation and understand how current work environment operates. Assessment of current state can spread wide and go deep, covering your office print infrastructure, understanding a documents journey through a business process, understanding the workers pain areas in executing such workflows and managing documents etc. Once the current state is available, an organization -- while keeping cognizance of their strategy and business environment -- can know exactly which workflows or printing services could be the transformation targets. 
 
A lot of paper is generated by printing from digital sources and from incoming communications. Let’s consider analyzing workplace hardware, including print and document workflow, for insight into how assets are used throughout the office, for a complete assessment we also need to understand the processes and users expectations. By analyzing how and why devices are used by employees within an office, companies can revamp and optimize processes to help increase efficiencies. It’s also essential for employees to look at their own work behaviors and fine-tune old habits in order to drive the necessary change from the ground up. 
 It may not be easy to understand one’s own (print) behavior and even more difficult to change it. Being a though leader, <keyword id="6490330" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Xerox">Xerox</keyword> understands such nuances and has come up with some innovative means to assist such changes. Xerox uses gamification to motivate workers for printing more efficiently, Xerox’s Print Awareness Tool monitors and analyzes print history and wasteful habits. Using gamification technology, employees can voluntarily track how their efforts support company-wide print reduction and print smarter goals. 
 
Automate business processes: As output of the assessment, we now know which process needs to be transformed. Paper-based business processes are complicated and expensive. When a company can cut down on paper-based documents for core business processes, savings can be dramatic -- not only in terms of cost, but also productivity and security of enterprise information. 
 
Xerox researchers wanted to understand what are the core reasons driving Print or use of paper in workflows, and found that people print/use paper at work to read, annotate, share, sign/authorize or save. In pursuit of a paper light office, one can look at solutions that enable workers to perform these tasks while removing the physical paper from the process. 
 
Xerox’s Digital Alternatives is a simple desktop and mobile assistant technology that automates paper-based workflows that exist within any large organization. Users can easily sign, annotate, share, save and read documents from one interface, eliminating the need to print documents, convert files or toggle between different programs and digital versions — a time-saving and efficiency gain. Digital Alternatives can also integrate with document management systems like DocuShare and electronic signature applications like DocuSign. 
 
Intelligent Capture: Journey to a paper light office has multiple facets, with the above two approaches we understood how we can look at moving from paper to digital within the office, however, organizations today send and receive a lot of information in form of paper based documents (remember besides printing inside office, a lot of inbound documents are in form of paper?). So while we are preparing internal processes for a digital transformation, how do we enable digital inputs to these processes? Intelligent Capture is the answer. 
 
Getting legacy content into enterprise systems and processes is one of the biggest obstacles to digital transformation. Intelligent Capture Services provides a scalable and flexible platform for accomplishing this. From basic walk-up MFP scanning, to process-governed intelligent capture, to mobile capture and fax scanning, Intelligent Capture Services reduces paper use in general office applications, helping remove cost from all areas of operations. It also provides easier access to digital technology and automates processes for greater organizational agility and provides multi-format and consistent capture and access to digital material. 
 
Intelligent Capture leverages Xerox Managed Print Services (MPS) capabilities and the distributed scanning capacity of MFPs to deliver a fully integrated solution. It includes advanced capabilities like intake normalization, OCR and document conversion, data extraction and validation, metadata addition, and integration with repositories and business process applications. 
 
With change comes risks and unknowns that can be disruptive; but businesses that take on the challenge have much to gain and move one step closer to a more digital, paper-less work environment envisioned decades ago. 
 
Printing less isn’t just about using less paper – it’s about working smarter, improving productivity, connecting with clients faster and using data to bolster business. 
 
(Image Credits: Thinkstock) 
 
(About the Author: This article has been contributed by Abhishek Sarda, GM Marketing - Global Document Outsourcing at <keyword id="183354" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Xerox-India">Xerox India</keyword>.)

Road to Paper Light Office

The Centre will unveil a new simplified <keyword id="22964058" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="pension-application-form" source="keywords">pension application form</keyword> for its <keyword id="22964059" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retiring-employees" source="keywords">retiring employees</keyword> on Friday, according to an official statement. The <keyword id="22964063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Department-of-Pension-Pensioners-Welfare" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Department of Pension &amp; Pensioners' Welfare" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Department of Pension &amp; Pensioners' Welfare">Department of Pension &amp; Pensioners' Welfare</keyword> (DoPPW) had vide its notification dated July 16, 2024 released the simplified pension application "<keyword id="22964062" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Form-6-A" source="keywords">Form 6-A</keyword>", it said. "This form will be available in Bhavishya/e-HRMS (online modules) to all the central <keyword id="19933272" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-employees" source="keywords">government employees</keyword> who are going to retire in December 2024 and onwards. The retiring officials, who are on <keyword id="22964061" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-HRMS" source="keywords">e-HRMS</keyword>, will fill Form 6-A through e-HRMS (only superannuation cases) and the retiring officials, who are not on e-HRMS, will fill Form 6-A in <keyword id="22964060" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhavishya" source="keywords">Bhavishya</keyword>," the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry on Thursday said. According to the statement, this new form and its integration with Bhavishya/e-HRMS will be launched on August 30, 2024 by Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions <keyword id="19904562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jitendra-singh" source="keywords">Jitendra Singh</keyword>. Form simplification has been an important initiative of the Centre's "maximum governance-minimum government" policy, it said. In this new form, a total of 9 forms/formats have been merged, the statement said. This new form and related changes in the business process of Bhavishya will be a game changer as on the one hand it simplifies the pension form submission for the employee through "a single sign only" and on the other hand achieves the end-to-end <keyword id="20181892" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digitisation" source="keywords">digitisation</keyword> of the entire process of pension processing till the start of pension payment after <keyword id="19908343" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retirement" source="keywords">retirement</keyword>, it added. "This paves the path towards paperless working in the whole process of pension," the statement said. It added that with a pensioner-friendly user interface, pensioners no longer need to worry about the forms they have filled out or might have missed.

Centre to unveil new simplified pension application form for retiring employees

<ul><li>The <keyword id="143984" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="policyholder" source="Orion">policyholder</keyword> will have their eBima accounts on the <keyword id="6401917" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="portal" source="Orion">portal</keyword> with all the details of their purchased <keyword id="35450" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="insurance" source="Orion">insurance</keyword> policies in one place </li><li><keyword id="14868119" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bima-sugam" source="Orion">Bima Sugam</keyword> further will help policyholders to make premium payments, change contact details, nominee details, and more </li><li>With an online platform reducing distributor margins and eliminating intermediaries, policyholders can also benefit from <keyword id="21089316" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cheaper-premiums" source="Orion">cheaper premiums</keyword> </li></ul>The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) approved the setting up of the Bima Sugam platform last week. Bima Sugam is an online insurance marketplace which will be used for buying and selling insurance policies, as well as servicing them and settling <keyword id="6387025" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="claims" source="Orion">claims</keyword>. In other words, it will be a one-stop shop for all your insurance needs. The initiative aims to establish a Digital Public Infrastructure towards universalisation and democratisation of insurance as well as empowering and safeguarding policyholders' interests and achieve the vision of "Insurance for all by 2047”, said IRDAI in a recent press note. This marketplace can serve as a one-stop solution for all insurance stakeholders, promoting transparency, efficiency, and collaboration across the entire insurance value chain. What it will mean for customers The Bima Sugam platform, once operative, will offer several benefits to customers. “IRDAI’s approval will serve as a regulatory endorsement for consumers, confirming that Bima Sugam operates as a licensed marketplace for insurance products in the country. It will boost their trust in the platform and allow them to benefit from its services without harbouring doubts,” says Shilpa Arora, Co-Founder &amp; COO of Insurance Samadhan, an online platform that helps deal with insurance grievances. All insurance policies in digital form in one place: The policyholder will have their eBima accounts on the portal with all the details of their purchased insurance policies under one portal. “This will give the insurance holders ease of access and the hassle of keeping the hardcopy of documents will be eradicated,” says Naval Goel, Founder and CEO, PolicyX, an insurance portal. Bima Sugam further will help policyholders to make premium payments, change contact details, nominee details, and more. “The conversion of policies from physical paper format to e-format will benefit policyholders and reduce the risk of theft and loss of the respective policy,” says Goel. Lower costs: With an online platform reducing distributor margins and eliminating intermediaries, policyholders will benefit from cheaper premiums. Additionally, IRDAI may also provide discounts for the policies purchased via the platform. Easier settlement of claims: The platform is designed to help individuals settle their claims in a paperless process based on just their policy numbers. “Since all insurance plans will be linked and stored under one platform, the insurance company can access the required details immediately. It will simplify the documentation process, making the claim settlement process quick and hassle-free. Needless to say, such a move could streamline the settlement process for policy nominees, especially in the face of an emergency,” says Arora. Bima Sugam is scheduled to be launched in June 2024. It will most likely enhance the user experience with insurance and may boost the wider adoption of insurance policies.

Bima Sugam: How IRDAI’s online insurance marketplace can benefit customers

New Delhi, Jun 13 () The Delhi High Court Saturday decided to restrict its functioning as well as that of the district courts to urgent matters only till June 30, in view of the prevalent situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Administrative and General Supervision Committee of the High Court, headed by Chief Justice D N Patel, decided that the restriction would be in place till June 30 and the urgent matters would continue to be heard by video conferencing. "...the functioning of the High Court of Delhi shall continue to remain suspended till June 30," the administrative order said. The order said presently, on account of suspended functioning of the court, urgent matters of all kinds are being taken up through video conferencing by all the benches of the High Court as per the Roster. "However, subject to the contingency of the work, any matter can be assigned to any bench by the order of the Chief Justice notwithstanding the roster assigned to such a bench," it added. The mentioning of urgent matters is being done through the web link which is available from 9 AM to 10.30 AM on all working days. The order said it has been resolved that all the benches shall also endeavour to take up 20 oldest 'regular/final category matters' pending on their respective boards through video conferencing mode. It said all the cases listed in the high court, including before the registrars and joint registrars, from June 15 to June 30 have been adjourned to corresponding dates between August 6 to 25 respectively. The matters listed in the district courts during this period will also be adjourned and the information will be uploaded on their website, the order said. "It has further been resolved that with effect from June 16, all the subordinate courts, shall take up urgent cases (except where evidence is to be recorded) of their respective courts through video conferencing mode," it said. Earlier, less benches were set up to hear the urgent matters through video conferencing. To ensure that more urgent matters are taken up, it was decided that from May 22 all the judges of the high court would sit every day to take up important cases via videoconferencing. There are presently seven division benches and 18 single-judge benches in the high court. Earlier, the High Court had on March 25 restricted its function as well as that of the district courts till April 14. It was subsequently extended to May 3, May 17, May 23, May 31 and June 14. Delhi High Court Chief Justice D N Patel at an event on Saturday also said the restricted functioning of the courts, due to COVID-19 pandemic, would be extended "for some time more". "During this COVID pandemic, of course we are not opening the court and this decision we are taking unanimously. We are extending (present form of functioning) for some time more and we are hopeful that physical opening of court will be done after installing some more facilities at our court," Justice Patel said while inaugurating the Delhi High Court's online e-filing system. "Tentatively, I am saying that, for 15 days this system (of functioning) will continue from home, but subject to certain changes to be done," he said. Explaining the advantages of the new filing system, he said it would help litigants and lawyers to file their cases and/or related documents from the comfort of their homes and offices or any corner of the world without having to come to the court premises. Speaking at a webinar organised by the high court for inaugurating the new system, Justice Patel said that after switching to the paperless format of working, "I am now thinking how I was working on paper when everything is available on a screen before me". "There are so many advantages (of paperless format), that now I do not want to switch over to the (older) paper format," he said. Justice Rajiv Shakdher, head of the high court's IT committee which worked to put in place this new system, said the new e-filing mechanism was cost effective, environment friendly (being paperless) and convenient. Justice Shakdher, in his keynote address, referred to the high court's journey from "the rudimentary stage" of using bulky paper files in 2008 to the start of e-court endeavour in 2009 and the rapid transformation that took place between 2013 to 2015 when three jurisdictions -- company law, taxation and arbitration -- became completely paperless. He also laid out the other advantages of the new filing system, like not having to meet the 12.00 pm and 4.00 pm deadlines to file a case, and said that the new facility would be accessible all 24 hours of every day of the week. "Because of COVID, we were challenged in terms of our capacity to hear matters and our IT team has stood up to the challenge and upscaled our IT capacity so much so that all judges of the high court are conducting matters via video conferencing," he said. Justice Shakdher further said,"The whole purpose of the project at the end of the day is to increase access and not diminish it". For those who do not have the infrastructure for online e-filing, e-sewa kendras (desks) have been set up in various districts to help lawyers and litigants to e-file their case and/or related documents, Justice Shakdher said. SKV HMP RDM RDM

COVID-19: Delhi HC, district courts' functioning restricted till June 30

New Delhi, Nov 26 () Chinese smartphone maker OPPO on Tuesday said it has integrated 'Digilocker' service into the latest version of its ColorOS operating system as part of its efforts to ensure safety and security of user data.
 The new operating system, which will start rolling out across OPPO's portfolio of devices later this month, also includes a personal information protection option that lets users protect their personal information from third-party apps.
 "The launch of ColorOS 7 with a revamped interface and enhanced features is a testament to OPPO's continued focus on elevating consumer experience. We are constantly listening to our customers and wanted to empower them to experience the ease and convenience of paperless governance," OPPO India Vice President R&amp;D Tasleem Arif said.
 In line with this endeavour, OPPO has become the first smartphone brand to integrate Digilocker service into ColorOS 7 and has come up with a localised feature called 'DocVault', he added.
 A part of the Indian government's Digital India initiative, Digital Locker allows users to store documents like driving licence and Aadhaar card digitally, instead of having to carry these in physical format.
 "We place utmost importance on privacy protection and securing user data. To this end, we have ensured that the user information will be stored and fetched directly from the government server," he noted.
 ColorOS 7 also has a feature where users can say no to an app that seeks access to contacts. In such a scenario, blank contact information is sent to the third-party app and this does not affect the normal operation of the app.
 Arif said another feature that is aimed at enhancing security is the 'private safe' feature in ColorOS 7 that allows users to transfer photos, videos, audio, and other documents to a "secure zone" on the device that is not accessible by any other app.
 OPPO ColorOS Senior Principal Engineer Manoj Kumar said that the team at OPPO headquarters and the India R&amp;D team worked closely for one year to conceptualise and globally implement ColorOS 7.
 The ColorOS 7 update will be rolled out to over 20 phone models in a phased manner from later this month, covering Reno, Find, F, K, and A series.
 Launched in September 2013, ColorOS has over 300 million users globally. SR RVK

OPPO integrates Digilocker service into ColorOS 7

<ul><li>In a year where the country hopes to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the onus will be on Nirmala Sitharaman to bring much needed relief for sectors, while also ensuring that the economy bounces back. </li><li>From bringing back jobs in the market to tax deductions, there are a lot of expectations from <keyword id="8420431" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-2021">Budget 2021</keyword>.</li><li>According to reports, India's Defence Budget could also see a hike to hit total allocations of ₹6 lakh crore.</li><li>Here are the major changes that could come with the <keyword id="10270141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2021">Union Budget 2021</keyword>.</li></ul>India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to announce the annual budget on February 1, 2021 – paperless for the first time in the history of India. And in a year where the country hopes to recover from the coronavirus pandemic that ravaged almost every other sector, the onus will be on Sitharaman to bring much needed relief for people as well as sectors that need budgetary support to recover. Ahead of the Budget session of the Parliament, mandatory RT-PCR tests will be done on all the members and the question hour too is set to make a comeback. The Budget session is set to start on January 29, 2021. And here are the major changes that could reportedly come up with the <keyword id="6360189" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget">Union Budget</keyword> 2021. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Income tax deductions" comment="subhead" text="Income tax deductions">Income tax deductions</cmsannotation> With thousands having lost their jobs, and many more having had to undergo a salary cut across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sitharaman might be looking at possible ways to put more disposable income in the hands of the people. According to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/middle-class-set-to-gain-from-higher-tax-deductions-likely-in-budget-2021/articleshow/80264633.cms">reports,</a> Budget 2021 might take forward the relief announced with the Atma Nirbhar package with the basic tax exemption limit for an individual being raised to ₹5 lakh from the current ₹2.5 lakh. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup></colgroup><colgroup></colgroup><colgroup></colgroup><colgroup></colgroup><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Income Tax Slab </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tax rates - new regime </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tax rates - old regime </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹0 - ₹2,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Nil </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Nil </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,50,001 - ₹ 5,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹5,00,001 - ₹7,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹12500 + 10% of total income exceeding ₹5,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹12500 + 20% of total income exceeding ₹5,00,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹7,50,001 - ₹10,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹37500 + 15% of total income exceeding ₹7,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹62500 + 20% of total income exceeding ₹7,50,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹10,00,001 - ₹12,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹75000 + 20% of total income exceeding ₹10,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹112500 + 30% of total income exceeding ₹10,00,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹12,50,001 - ₹15,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹125000 + 25% of total income exceeding ₹12,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹187500 + 30% of total income exceeding ₹12,50,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Above ₹ 15,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹187500 + 30% of total income exceeding ₹15,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹262500 + 30% of total income exceeding ₹15,00,000 </td></tr></tbody></table> Until now, while the Modi government has pushed for a rebate on all payable taxes, the basic tax exemption limit has remained the same. The report also said that a higher standard deduction (salary that is not subject to income tax) could also be on the way – from the current ₹50,000 to ₹75,000-₹1,00,000. The government could also be planning a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/india-may-be-considering-a-covid-cess-on-high-income-earners-aside-from-more-levy-on-fuel/articleshow/80208520.cms">COVID cess </a>on high income earners. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Defence Budget to get a massive hike" comment="subhead" text="Defence Budget to get a massive hike">Defence Budget to get a massive hike</cmsannotation> Amidst the long standoff between India and China, according to <a href="https://english.jagran.com/business/budget/union-budget-2021-centre-likely-to-hike-defence-budget-unprecedently-make-in-india-to-be-in-focus-report-10022520">reports,</a> India’s defence budget could see an ‘unprecedented hike’ to meet the urgent requirements of the Indian Army. In Budget 2020, the government had allocated a total of ₹4.71 lakh crore (including defence pensions). Reports now say that with Budget 2021, the total allocation could hit ₹6 lakh crore. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Farmers to get special attention" comment="subhead" text="Farmers to get special attention">Farmers to get special attention</cmsannotation> With the farmers’ protest going on for several months now, and the Republic Day farmers tractor rally also resulting in clashes in the national capital, Budget 2021 could take measures to soothe the pain of farmers. According to <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/business/union-budget-2021-centre-likely-to-hike-farm-credit-target-to-about-rs-19-lakh-crore-9240521.html">reports</a>, the farm credit target could be raised to ₹19 lakh crore with an aim to double farmers’ income. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Massive boost for construction and affordable housing on its way" comment="subhead" text="Massive boost for construction and affordable housing on its way">Massive boost for construction and affordable housing on its way</cmsannotation> The government may make way for a massive boost for the construction and affordable housing sector. An Indian Express report claimed that the government is likely to liberalise Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules in construction and to give a boost to home buyers, an allocation will be made for a credit-linked subsidy in the Budget 2021. In Budget 2020, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had proposed to extend the benefit of additional deduction of ₹1.5 lakh on interest paid on affordable housing loans by a year to March 2021. Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Fund, who is also a part of the Prime Minister's economic advisory council too said the focus could be on construction and infrastructure with this budget. "My first priority would be to support the needy sector of the economy – tourism, retailing, construction, bottom of the pyramid people MSME who have been hit hard. We must support them so that there’s better financial inclusion and they are also able to participate in growth. This can be done in various formats – you can give concessions, grants, you can create mechanism through which they can grow on their own," he said during a recent conversation with Business Insider. <div type="twitter" handle="BiIndia" handlename="Business Insider India🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1232926719016718336/sfffJHNV_normal.jpg" favoritecount="9" retweetcount="2" status="#BudgetInsider: @Iyer_Sriram in conversation with @KotakMF's @NileshShah68 ahead of #Budget2021, cuz the budget tra… https://t.co/k2YwAuyRPw" createdat="1610955127000" id="1351069844918194180"></div> According to<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/union-budget-development-finance-institution-likely-to-be-announced-101611026367782.html"> reports</a>,a Development Finance Institution (DFI) could also be announced with the budget. This new institution would look into infrastructure projects, whether new, stalled or currently in progress, worth ₹100 lakh crore. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bringing back jobs in the market" comment="subhead" text="Bringing back jobs in the market">Bringing back jobs in the market</cmsannotation> Another top priority for the Modi government would be to bring back jobs in the market, after a year where thousands lost jobs across the country as companies tried to cut down costs. The boost in infrastructure and construction could also lead to the growth in jobs. “The Union Budget 2021- 2022 would likely focus on investments that create jobs and therefore infrastructure, construction and significant incentives for high employment-generating sectors (like textiles, affordable housing, MSME, etc) are key areas, which may get priority focus from the government end,” said a report by Sharekhan. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Smartphones, electronic items could get costlier" comment="subhead" text="Smartphones, electronic items could get costlier">Smartphones, electronic items could get costlier</cmsannotation> Indian government is set to hike import duties on over 50 items including the likes of smartphones, electronic items and others. According to a<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-budget-tax-exclusive/exclusive-indias-budget-seen-raising-import-duties-by-5-10-on-dozens-of-items-sources-say-idUSKBN29N14M"> Reuters report</a>, the hike could be as much as 5-10%. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Duty on finished goods could be raised" text="Duty on finished goods could be raised">Duty on finished goods could be raised</cmsannotation> Finished goods made rubber, plastic and leather could see a hike in import levies. Meanwhile, according to an ET report, “inputs used in producing chemicals such as methyl alcohol, acetic acid and PVC could see a reduction in tariffs.” <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Healthcare could be on the top priority list" comment="subhead" text="Healthcare could be on the top priority list">Healthcare could be on the top priority list</cmsannotation> With the COVID-19 pandemic having shown the need for better healthcare infrastructure and facilities in the country, it is likely that the sector will see renewed focus from Sitharaman. “Combined with the start of the 15th Finance Commission period, we may see a jump in healthcare spending,” said the Credit Suisse report. According to analysts at Sharekhan, within the healthcare stimulus we could also see the extension of tax benefits under Section 35AD. Analysts also expect that there could be an increase in deduction under section 80D of mediclaim premium to be increased to ₹50,000 (for self and spouse) and will remain at ₹50,000 (for dependant parents). <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Raise the divestment target" comment="subhead" text="Raise the divestment target">Raise the divestment target </cmsannotation> As the Modi government looks to recover the economy, it may also increase divestment targets for the year. A news report said that the government is likely to raise its divestment target to ₹2.5-3 lakh crore. The government plans to achieve the same with the long-pending privatization of government-owned entities like Air India, BPCL, Concor and Shipping Corp. The government could also plan to <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/budget/article/budget-2021-govt-may-announce-plans-to-privatise-some-psu-banks/711735">privatize</a> PSU banks. In Budget 2020, the government had set a target of ₹2.1 lakh crore, however it has managed a <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/lower-divestment-spectrum-auction-receipts-hit-non-tax-collection-target-7145297/">meagre amount </a>of it – ₹13,844.49 crore. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heres-what-analysts-have-to-say-about-the-4634-crore-indian-railway-finance-corporation-irfc-ipo/articleshow/80323479.cms">The ₹4,600 crore IPO from IRFC is ‘attractive,’ and the best thing about the borrowing arm for Indian Railways is the assured margin</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-backed-nazara-technologies-is-preparing-for-its-big-ipo-debut/articleshow/80321946.cms">The startup behind Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu and Shikari Shambhu is back with an IPO plan ⁠⁠— after a series of acquisitions and fundraisings</a>

Budget 2021: From Income Tax deductions to creating jobs and boosting healthcare – Here’s all that could be in Nirmala Sitharaman’s fiscal plans

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Despite restrictions on in-person gatherings, people are finding ways to gather for life events — whether virtually or from a safe distance.</li><li>People have hosted drive-through baby showers and <keyword id="6356124" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="birthday">birthday</keyword> parades, and event planners are sending pop-up party kits to help people celebrate at home.</li><li>Insider spoke to professional event planners about ideas and resources to help people hold meaningful long-distance or at-home celebrations.</li></ul>If the pandemic has proven one thing, it's that even in turbulent times, people are still finding ways to celebrate."People are not letting their loved ones miss out on these life events. They're just getting creative," said Seri Kertzner, who runs New York-based party planning service <a href="https://www.littlemisspartyplanner.com/">Little Miss Party</a>. "You're forced into a whole new way of doing things, but I'm finding so many innovative things are happening."Traditional parties might be on hold, but here's how people can make <keyword id="123558" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="birthdays">birthdays</keyword>, baby showers, <keyword id="55012" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Anniversaries">anniversaries</keyword>, and other life events memorable, according to professional event planners.<h2>Baby and bridal showers can include games, a schedule, and festive favors</h2>As many people collectively experience <a href="https://www.insider.com/virtual-hangouts-why-ok-to-decline-protect-mental-health-2020-4">video-call fatigue</a>, curating a structured activity or game to play with long-distance family and friends during a virtual <keyword id="417295" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="baby-shower">baby shower</keyword> can give the event a purpose and help it run smoothly, Kertzner said."Zoom events can be kind of hectic, and people are getting tired of them," Kertzner said. "But when there's an activity that people can enjoy over the call, it makes the event special."Kertzner has helped her clients by offering <a href="http://www.littlemisspartyinabox.com/little-miss-party-in-a-box/the-future-mrs">bridal</a> and <a href="http://www.littlemisspartyinabox.com/little-miss-party-in-a-box/best-mama-ever-party-jzcf2">baby shower kits</a> (among other themed boxes under her collection called <a href="http://www.littlemisspartyinabox.com/">Little Miss Party In A Box</a>) equipped with essentials like a photo backdrop, balloons, noisemakers, and festive tableware. The bridal and baby shower kits also come with shareable PDFs of fill-in-the-blank, "Mad Libs"-style activities.<div type="image" title="Little miss party in a box event ideas baby shower box" height="1420" width="934" msid="76045303" hostid="261"></div>"People are sending their niece, a cousin, a friend a baby shower-themed box that the mom-to-be can then use to decorate, and that will be the background for a family Zoom call," Kertzner said.Family and friends can participate in the fill-in-the-blank games ahead of the event, then share their responses during the shower's video call.Shower hosts can also help make their virtual event run smoothly by creating and sharing a timeline — allotting time in the video call to open gifts, play games, and for friends to make speeches, Kertzner said.Now more than ever, Kertzner added, it may also feel especially heartfelt to send and receive an invitation for the event, handwritten "thank you" notes, and congratulatory cards, whether it's a printed version, or electronically through services like <a href="https://www.paperlesspost.com/">Paperless Post</a> or <a href="https://www.evite.com/">Evite</a>. Aside from throwing a virtual event with the help of decoration kits and planned-out activities, some hosts and planners have pulled off outdoor or drive-through baby and bridal showers by setting up displays in a yard.<div type="image" title="baby showers drive through event" height="800" width="1500" msid="76045307" hostid="261"></div>Brett Gnadt, the founder of <a href="https://www.thepartypretzel.com/">The Party Pretzel</a> <keyword id="2130146" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="event-planning">event planning</keyword> company in Denver, hosted a recent drive-through baby shower that included the miniature succulents pictured above as party favors. "This event wasn't really a thing just a short 10 weeks ago," Gnadt said. "The weather was perfect, we socially distanced, and it felt so good to wave at friends, enjoy the sunshine, and celebrate a new addition to our crew."Iris Hinzo, the lead planner at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bizziebeecreations/?hl=en">Bizzie Bee Creations</a> in Torrance, California, has planned two recent baby showers. One shower — pictured above — took place in a client's front yard, complete with a floral arrangement that made for a special photo backdrop. Friends and family were able to spend time with the mom-to-be from their cars and take pictures in front of the display, Hinzo said."It ended up being a great way to celebrate together in a way that was comfortable and safe," Hinzo said. <h2>Anniversaries or date nights at home can be made special with changes of scenery</h2>Surprising a loved one with a home-cooked meal or dinner from a beloved local restaurant is a foolproof expression of love — but there are other ways to get creative with a <keyword id="132903" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Date-Night">date night</keyword> or anniversary at home.Some people have had clever <a href="https://www.insider.com/date-ideas-at-home-coronavirus-social-distancing-quarantine-2020-3">at-home picnics</a> or turned rooms of their house into restaurant-like settings. For example, a TikTok by blogger and designer Kiel James Patrick shows how he <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kjp/video/6819732300822072581?u_code=da0580fme5df47&amp;preview_pb=0&amp;language=en&amp;_d=da0587c5dkimm7&amp;timestamp=1590514500&amp;utm_campaign=client_share&amp;app=musically&amp;utm_medium=ios&amp;user_id=6771840545692484613&amp;tt_from=copy&amp;utm_source=copy&amp;source=h5_mrom=copy&amp;utm_source=copy&amp;source=h5_m">transformed an attic into a fancy restaurant</a> for his wife, Sarah Patrick.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@kjp/video/6819732300822072581" data-video-id="6819732300822072581" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@kjp" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kjp">@kjp</a> 18th anniversary surprise quarantine date! <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp">##fyp</a> <a title="quarantine" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/quarantine">##quarantine</a> <a title="cute" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cute">##cute</a> <a title="date" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/date">##date</a> <a title="home" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/home">##home</a> <a title="datenight" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/datenight">##datenight</a> <a title="dateidea" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dateidea">##dateidea</a> <a title="date" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/date">##date</a> <a title="anniversary" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/anniversary">##anniversary</a> <a title="love" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/love">##love</a> <a title="attic" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/attic">##attic</a> <a title="athome" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/athome">##athome</a> <a title="home" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/home">##home</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - kjp" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6819732271969454853">♬ original sound - kjp</a> </section> </blockquote> Depending on the size of one's home or apartment, though, it's not always possible to give a space a full-on makeover for a celebration. One company that's helping people have elevated dining experiences at home is <a href="https://social-studies.com/">Social Studies</a>, which rents out expertly curated party decoration kits.Hosts who order from Social Studies start by entering their party date and headcount, then can choose from a selection of<a href="https://social-studies.com/collections/party-looks"> themed sets of glassware, plates, and table decor</a>, which range from $30 to $50 per guest. The boxes also include conversation cards, and there are other options to customize a kit with balloons or accessories.Social Studies' co-founder, Jessica Latham, who previously spent years as a corporate event planner, said the idea behind the brand is to help people host intimate gatherings that look professional but don't require a planner (or leaving the house, for that matter)."It lets people celebrate in a way that is elevated and convenient, and they can send everything back — so they're not having to buy a bunch of stuff they don't necessarily need in the long term," Latham said.<div type="image" title="social studies party planning kits" height="1126" width="2436" msid="76045309" hostid="261"></div>Each kit ships in time to arrive one to two days before the occasions, Latham said, and the company's packaging is designed to make all the supplies easy to re-pack."Once you're done, we just ask that you give the dishes a quick rinse, then place them back in the kit, stick on the pre-printed return label, and let us know it's ready to be picked up," Latham said.The difference between Social Studies and traditional rental companies, Latham said, is that Social Studies is designed for people hosting small functions at home, which she predicts will be the future of how people celebrate a variety of occasions.<h2>Birthdays can be celebrated in the form of care packages, DIY cocktail kits, and acts of kindness</h2>From <a href="https://www.insider.com/creative-ways-people-have-celebrated-birthdays-in-coronavirus-self-isolation-2020-3">families who have organized drive-by parades</a> to <a href="https://www.insider.com/coronavirus-birthdays-creative-ideas-tiktok-2020-3">people who transformed their homes into clubs</a>, people have been endlessly innovative when celebrating quarantine-style birthdays.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@emilytorchia/video/6807069531165494534" data-video-id="6807069531165494534" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@emilytorchia" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@emilytorchia">@emilytorchia</a> It was a good time <a title="butterglosspop" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/butterglosspop">##ButterGlossPop</a> <a title="gamingszn" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/gamingszn">##gamingszn</a> <a title="selfquarantine" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/selfquarantine">##selfquarantine</a> <a title="coronavirus" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/coronavirus">##coronavirus</a> <a title="moodboost" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/moodboost">##MoodBoost</a> <a title="21" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/21">##21</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - emilytorchia" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6807068262095014662">♬ original sound - emilytorchia</a> </section> </blockquote> When it comes to making long-distance relatives and friends feel special, however, Kertzner said it might be more about gifting someone the supplies they would need for an experience or activity."I think people are valuing the act of doing something different — or doing anything — on their birthday," Kertzner said. "Sending a friend something like a movie night care package with candies, popcorn, and everything they would need to re-create a 'night at the theater' at home can be really special."Kertzner also said not to underestimate how memorable simple acts can be for people of all ages, such as eating a meal outside or decorating with balloons in the birthday person's favorite colors."Sending a meal to someone if they can't celebrate together so they don't have to cook or clean up on their birthday takes on a new meaning now," Kertzner said.<div type="image" title="drive by bridal shower" height="1182" width="1172" msid="76045314" hostid="261"></div>Another way to make an adult birthday special is to gift a cocktail-making kit — such as a box from <a href="https://www.cocktailcourier.com/">Cocktail Courier</a>, which Latham suggested.Cocktail Courier kits contain ingredients that can make between four and 12 drinks, whether it's a <a href="https://www.cocktailcourier.com/cocktail/patron-tequila-watermelon-basil-margarita/">watermelon basil margarita</a> or a <a href="https://www.cocktailcourier.com/cocktail/birthday-cocktail/">birthday cake cocktail</a>, complete with candles and confetti.<div type="image" title="birthday cocktail courier" height="1200" width="800" msid="76045317" hostid="261"></div>The same kits can also be sent to multiple addresses, so long-distance friends and family can virtually toast together with the same beverage, which could make for a festive birthday video call."Going to a bar or restaurant for a birthday is something a lot of people can't do right now, but you can re-create that experience at home," Latham said. <h2>This year, special events might look different than planned — but that can make them automatically more memorable </h2>While the challenges of the moment are temporary, what's been proven is that gathering and quality time prevail as some of the most valued parts of life. "Spending time outside on a nice day, enjoying food from one of your favorite restaurants, talking with your family — those are things that mean so much right now, so if that's what you plan for your special day, it really can be everything," Kertzner said. In addition, experts said that now is the time to embrace the benefits of having gatherings with small groups, because that's what events could look like as people slowly re-incorporate interactions with trusted, tight-knit groups of family and friends. "Sometimes, more intimate celebrations offer the opportunity for real human connection in a way that large-format celebrations sometimes don't," Latham said. "This may not be what you had originally planned or anticipated," Latham said. "But in some ways, these celebrations are going to be more unique."<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-celebrate-original-wedding-date-if-had-to-postpone-2020-4">14 ways to celebrate your original date if you had to postpone your wedding</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/utah-drive-in-wedding-social-distance-2020-4">A couple had a drive-in wedding with 30 cars full of their family and friends watching from a safe distance and the photos are stunning</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/mom-devised-funny-quarantine-theme-photoshoot-babys-1st-birthday-2020-4">A mom came up with a quarantine-themed birthday photo shoot, complete with a sign that said 'None of you are invited'</a></li></ul>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-celebrate-plan-events-ideas-virtually-social-distancing-2020-5">Insider</a>

Event planners share how to make birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, and other occasions memorable if you can't have a traditional celebration

Here’s how the advertising and marketing industry reacted to Union Budget 2021

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52324f63eab8ea727596670a-800-600/resume-17.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="resume" width="480" /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daquellamanera/2107651472/">Daniel Lobo via flickr</a></div></div>Is the paper <keyword id="93698" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="resume">resume</keyword> dead? This is the current debate going on in career and strategy circles.
Career expert Richard Bolles says in his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2013/dp/1607741474">"What Color Is Your Parachute"</a> that the traditional format is out, and Google is now your new resume. In fact, here at Business Insider, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bi-is-hiring-a-strategy-careers-editor-2013-7" target="_blank">a LinkedIn profile is sometimes requested in lieu of the conventional CV.</a>
On the other hand, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203750404577173011519129748.html">Rachel Louise Ensign over at The Wall Street Journal</a> argues that most hiring managers still prefer paper resumes from candidates.
"Although applicants rarely mail in resumes these days, the job search isn't going paperless," she writes. "In fact, experts say, a paper resume can make or break a bid for a job."
Meanwhile, career expert <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/career-transitions/201204/the-resume-is-dead-long-live-the-resume">Katharine Brooks writes in Psychology Today</a> that the resume is merely evolving, not dead. To make it in today's workforce, "it's important to make sure your resume reflects the field in which you plan to work and that you have created a social media support system to present your story to potential employers," she writes.
Below we've listed a few reasons why the paper resume is not going away any time soon:
<h2>1. Resume filtering software is still the norm.</h2>
When you apply for a job at a larger firm, there's a high chance that your resume will be <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/keywords-to-use-on-your-resume-2012-12">scanned by a filtering software</a> program that searches for keywords. These ATS tracking services aren't going anywhere anytime soon. <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303506404577448641680079100.html">Lauren Weber at The Wall Street Journal</a> reports that companies spent an estimated $6 billion on online recruitment tools last year because there are just too many resumes for hiring managers to sift through themselves.
And the filtering software won't work with online profiles. A traditional resume is needed for it to work. 
<h2>2. Hiring managers - typically Gen X-ers and Boomers - tend to prefer hard-copy resumes.</h2>
"A resume on nice stock paper shows you have a sense of decorum, especially since the Millennials are being interviewed by Gen X-ers or Boomers," Jaime Klein, founder of Inspire Human Resources, an outsource HR department for other companies, tells <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203750404577173011519129748.html">Ensign</a>.
If there is some way that you can get a hard copy of your resume to the hiring manager, your chances of getting hired increase significantly, Terry Pile, <a href="http://www.careeradvisorsonline.com/home/whoweare.html">principal/consultant of Career Advisors</a>, tells Business Insider.
"I always tell my clients to apply online, but then find someone in the company you can fax, hand deliver or snail mail [your resume] to," says Pile. "If you are depending on electronic resumes alone, no one may ever see it. If you fax it, someone will have to touch it and do something with it. Generally that person will route the resume to the hiring manager or HR."
"If the resume is sitting on someones desk, they'll pick it up," Pile says.
<h2>3. Resumes are easier to "manipulate" than online profiles.</h2>
An online profile may make you a lot more vulnerable to hiring discrimination, says Pile. For example, hiring managers will be able to critique your appearance based on your profile picture. You risk turning off potential employers if you're considered too young, too old, or overweight.
On the other hand, it's much easier to "manipulate" a resume by omitting specific dates that can reveal your age or playing up certain positions depending on the job you're applying for, according to Pile.
Whatever your view of the paper resume, it's important to consider the benefits of combining the traditional format with online professional profiles.
"It's not that one is dead and the other is replacing it," Julie Inouye, corporate communications director at LinkedIn, tells Business Insider. Job seekers today should stop thinking that they have to choose one or the other, but utilize both for the benefits of each.
Pile says: "I always tell my candidates to focus on three things when looking for a job: Update your LinkedIn profile, get your resume up-to-date with keywords, and get the physical resume into the hands of hiring managers."

3 Reasons Why The Paper Resume Isn't Dead

<div class="image-container float_right"><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52324f63eab8ea727596670a-800-600/resume-17.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="resume" width="480" /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daquellamanera/2107651472/">Daniel Lobo via flickr</a></div></div>Is the paper <keyword id="93698" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="resume">resume</keyword> dead? This is the current debate going on in career and strategy circles.
Career expert Richard Bolles says in his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2013/dp/1607741474">"What Color Is Your Parachute"</a> that the traditional format is out, and Google is now your new resume. In fact, here at Business Insider, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bi-is-hiring-a-strategy-careers-editor-2013-7" target="_blank">a LinkedIn profile is sometimes requested in lieu of the conventional CV.</a>
On the other hand, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203750404577173011519129748.html">Rachel Louise Ensign over at The Wall Street Journal</a> argues that most hiring managers still prefer paper resumes from candidates.
"Although applicants rarely mail in resumes these days, the job search isn't going paperless," she writes. "In fact, experts say, a paper resume can make or break a bid for a job."
Meanwhile, career expert <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/career-transitions/201204/the-resume-is-dead-long-live-the-resume">Katharine Brooks writes in Psychology Today</a> that the resume is merely evolving, not dead. To make it in today's workforce, "it's important to make sure your resume reflects the field in which you plan to work and that you have created a social media support system to present your story to potential employers," she writes.
Below we've listed a few reasons why the paper resume is not going away any time soon:
<h2>1. Resume filtering software is still the norm.</h2>
When you apply for a job at a larger firm, there's a high chance that your resume will be <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/keywords-to-use-on-your-resume-2012-12">scanned by a filtering software</a> program that searches for keywords. These ATS tracking services aren't going anywhere anytime soon. <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303506404577448641680079100.html">Lauren Weber at The Wall Street Journal</a> reports that companies spent an estimated $6 billion on online recruitment tools last year because there are just too many resumes for hiring managers to sift through themselves.
And the filtering software won't work with online profiles. A traditional resume is needed for it to work. 
<h2>2. Hiring managers - typically Gen X-ers and Boomers - tend to prefer hard-copy resumes.</h2>
"A resume on nice stock paper shows you have a sense of decorum, especially since the Millennials are being interviewed by Gen X-ers or Boomers," Jaime Klein, founder of Inspire Human Resources, an outsource HR department for other companies, tells <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203750404577173011519129748.html">Ensign</a>.
If there is some way that you can get a hard copy of your resume to the hiring manager, your chances of getting hired increase significantly, Terry Pile, <a href="http://www.careeradvisorsonline.com/home/whoweare.html">principal/consultant of Career Advisors</a>, tells Business Insider.
"I always tell my clients to apply online, but then find someone in the company you can fax, hand deliver or snail mail [your resume] to," says Pile. "If you are depending on electronic resumes alone, no one may ever see it. If you fax it, someone will have to touch it and do something with it. Generally that person will route the resume to the hiring manager or HR."
"If the resume is sitting on someones desk, they'll pick it up," Pile says.
<h2>3. Resumes are easier to "manipulate" than online profiles.</h2>
An online profile may make you a lot more vulnerable to hiring discrimination, says Pile. For example, hiring managers will be able to critique your appearance based on your profile picture. You risk turning off potential employers if you're considered too young, too old, or overweight.
On the other hand, it's much easier to "manipulate" a resume by omitting specific dates that can reveal your age or playing up certain positions depending on the job you're applying for, according to Pile.
Whatever your view of the paper resume, it's important to consider the benefits of combining the traditional format with online professional profiles.
"It's not that one is dead and the other is replacing it," Julie Inouye, corporate communications director at LinkedIn, tells Business Insider. Job seekers today should stop thinking that they have to choose one or the other, but utilize both for the benefits of each.
Pile says: "I always tell my candidates to focus on three things when looking for a job: Update your LinkedIn profile, get your resume up-to-date with keywords, and get the physical resume into the hands of hiring managers."

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