Drinks to help control cholesterol levels

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is used by the body to make cells and hormones. There are two kinds of cholesterols, high-density lipoprotein(HDL) and low-density lipoprotein(LDL). When cholesterol levels are unbalanced it increases the risk of serious health issues like stroke or heart attacks.

There are some drinks that can help lower or control cholesterol to safe levels. These include:-

1. Green Tea—Green tea has catechins and other antioxidant compounds that help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. In a research conducted on rats they were given water infused with catechins and epigallocatechin gallate another beneficial antioxidant in green tea. It was noticed after 56 days that cholesterol and bad LDL levels had reduced by around 14.4% and 30.4% in the two groups of rats on high-cholesterol diets.

Black tea can also have a positive impact on reducing cholesterol but to a lesser extent than it’s green variant. It is mainly because there are different amounts of catechins in the teas which means that the body absorbs liquid differently. Caffeine can also help raise the HDL levels.

2.Soy milk—Soy is low in saturated fat. By replacing cream or high milk products with soy milk or creamers can also help reduce and manage cholesterol levels.

743704155

The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) recommends the consumption of 25 grams per day of soy protein as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Some others recommend consuming 2-3 servings of soy-based foods or drinks daily with a single serving representing 250 ml of soy milk.

3. Oat drinks-–Oats contain beta-glucans, which make a gel-like substance in the gut and interact with bile salts reducing cholesterol absorption. In a review done in 2018 it was found that oat drinks like oat milk provide a better and consistent reduction in cholesterol than semi-solid or solid oat products. A consumption of 3 gms per day of beta-glucans which can lead to a 7% reduction in LDL. One cup of oat milk can give up to 1.3 gms of beta-glucans.

One should make sure to check for labels containing beta-glucans.

4.Tomato juice-–Tomatoes are rich in a compound called lycopene which may improve lipid levels and reduce ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. It has also been seen that processing tomatoes into juice increases their lycopene content. Tomato juice is also rich in cholesterol-reducing fiber and niacin. According to a 2015 study 25 women who drank 280 ml of tomato juice daily for 2 months experienced a reduction in blood cholesterol levels.

5.Berry smoothies—Many berries are rich in antioxidants and fibers, both of which may help to reduce cholesterol levels. Berries have a powerful antioxidant agent in berries which can help improve cholesterol levels. Berries are also low in calories and fat. Some of the healthy berries are:-

1. Strawberries 2. Blueberries 3. Blackberries 4. Raspberries

6. Drinks having sterols and stanols—Sterols and stanols are plant chemicals similar in shape and size to cholesterol that block the absorption of cholesterol. Vegetables and nuts have low levels of sterols and stanols that cannot lower cholesterol. Some companies are adding these chemicals to foods and drinks including fortified yoghurt drinks, milk and fruit juices. According to the FDA people should try to consume 1.3 gm or more of sterols and 3.4 gms of stanols per day. One should try to consume the sterols and stenols with a meal.

7.Cocoa drinks—Cocoa is the main ingredient in dark chocolate. It contains antioxidants called flavonols which improve cholesterol levels. According to a 2015 study consuming a 450 mg drink having cocoa flavonols twice daily for one month lowered ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels while increasing ‘good’ HDL cholesterol levels.

Cocoa contains high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids which can also help to improve cholesterol levels. Cocoa has high level of monounsaturated fatty acids. But drinks containing processed chocolate have high levels of saturated fats.

8. Plant milk smoothies— Many types of plant-based milk smoothies contain ingredients that may help lower cholesterol levels. A person can make a suitable smoothie base using soy or oat milk.

9.Alcohol—It has been found that low to moderate alcohol consumption can be very beneficial in terms of heart health than not drinking at all. The consumption of alcohol in moderate levels seems to increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol levels. It means it is good for females to drink up to 1 alcoholic drink per day and up to 2 drinks for males.

DRINKS TO AVOID

Some of the drinks to avoid which have high saturated fats, which can be harmful and which will increase cholesterol levels are:-

1.Coffees or teas with added cream, whipped cream, high fat milk or creamer.

2.Drinks or smoothies containing coconut or palm oils.

3.Pressed coconut drinks

4.Ice cream-based drinks

5.High fat milk products

Drinking more than 12 ounces of sugary drinks per day may also reduce HDL levels and increase triglyceride levels or levels of fats in the bloodstream. Some examples of sugary drinks include:-

Fruit juices

Sports drinks

Energy drinks

Soda or pop

Sweetened coffees or teas

Hot chocolate

Prepackaged smoothies

Chocolate or sweetened milk products

More ways to lower cholesterol

Several behavioral changes or habits can help lower cholesterol levels like,

1.Keeping a balance when eating foods high in saturated fats such as:-

Animal products

Tropical oils

Baked goods

Fried foods

Processed foods

2.Balancing out when eating foods high in sugars:-

3.Doing at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-to-intense exercise every week.

4.Eating a mix of healthy foods including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and nuts in moderation, pulses, vegetable oils, fat-free dairy products.

5.Increasing the intake of fibers.

6.Trying to quit smoking.

7.Managing and treating type 2 diabetes.

8.Maintaining a moderate body weight.

9.Staying hydrated.

Some prescribed medications like statins can also help lower cholesterol levels.

Sarawutnam/Getty Images

About cholesterol

High levels of circulating cholesterol can lead to complicated health risks.

LDL is considered a bad type of cholesterol because it can accumulate on the inner lining of blood vessels and form plaque. And with time plaque can narrow blood vessels reducing the amount of blood that vessels can carry. Plaque buildup is especially dangerous when it forms in arteries which supply blood to vital organs like brain or heart. The narrowed arteries also increase the risk of a blood clot or other substances getting stuck in them. This can increase the risk of a heart attack or a stroke.

HDL is considered a good type of cholesterol. It absorbs the circulating, unwanted cholesterol returning it to the liver for excretion. For a healthy body it is required to limit or reduce the level of LDL and increase that of HDL. The foods rich in unsaturated fat can help the body to absorb HDL and those rich in saturated and trans fat increase LDL levels in blood. The adults over 20 years should get a cholesterol check-up done every 5 years.

The optimal levels of cholesterol to be present in a healthy human body are—

1.Less than 200 mgs per deciliter(mg/dl) for total cholesterol.

2.Less than 100 mgs per deciliter(mg/dl) for LDL cholesterol.

3. More than 40 mgs per deciliter(mg/dl) for HDL cholesterol.

It’s open space please!!!

1. What are wave snakes?

Wave snakes are long, red tubes that help convert the motion of waves into electricity and from part of a commercial wave power station. It was developed by a British company and took ten years to create. Currently the pilot wave power project has been launched off the coast of a Portuguese town called Agucadoura and aims to power 1,000 families homes in it’s initial phase.

2.What is summer ploughing?

Ploughing one month in advance i.e, the month of May for Kharif crops is know as summer ploughing. There are the three usual harvests known as the kharif or autumn(June-September),the rabi or spring(October-March) and zaid or extra harvest(March-June). Summer ploughing of groundnut is always advantageous.

3.What is the God particle?

God particle is the nick name given to Higgo boson particle so far a hypothetical subatomic particle believed to impart mass to the atom and eventually to all matter in the universe. The particle has come to the limelight in the wake of the ongoing Big Bang experiment in the Large Haddon Collider at Geneva which expects to verify the very existence of the particle for the first time.

4. What is Munchausen Syndrome?

Munchausen Syndrome also known as hospital addiction,factetuous illness,afflicting those referred to as professional patients is a repeated fabrication of clinically convincing simulations of disease for the purpose of gaining medical attention. It refers to patients who wander from hospital to hospital feigning acute medical or surgical illness and giving false and fanciful information about their medical and social background for no apparent reason other than to gain attention. The cause is unclear,prognosis poor and treatment often unsuccessful in these psychiatric patients.

5. What is Einstein’s Rule of 72?

The Rule of 72 is a rule of thumb credited to Albert Einstein that investors use to approximate the time it takes for money to double at a given rate of return. It states that if you divide the number 72 by any given rate of return the answer you get is the time it takes for money to double at that given interest rate, assuming you can get the same rate each year and it is compounded annually. For eg if you earn 10% on your money it would double in 7.2 years(72 divided by 10=7.2)The value 72 is a convenient choice of numerator since it has many small divisors:1,2,3,4,6,8,9,12.It provides a good approximation for annual compounding and for compounding at typical rates(from 6% to 10%).The approximations are less accurate at higher interest rates.

6. What does Acropolis mean?

Acropolis is a Greek term and refers generally to an elevated area in the center of a city, acting as it’s focal point of a cultural, religious and civil activities. In particular the term refers to the rocky hill at the center of Athens, Greece on which are located several ancient monuments including the famous Parthenon, the temple for the Goddess Athena constructed around 5th century B.C. In Greek, Acro means high and polis means city. All ancient cities were supposed to have been first set up on elevated areas primarily for defense. Even after a city grew around the initial elevated area, the elevated area continued to act as a nucleus for the city’s growth and culture. By generalization the term Acropolis is now used to refer to a central complex of structure in some cities.

7. What is creative capitalism?

Creative capitalism is an approach where governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations work together to stretch the reach of market forces so that more people can make a profit or gain recognition and do work that eases the world’s inequities. Bill Gates in a much admired and debated speech given at the World Economic Forum in Davos said that many of the world’s biggest problems cannot be fixed by philanthropy but require free-market capitalism or creative capitalism to solve.

8. What is the Kit-Cat Club?

The Kit-Cat Club was an early 18th century English club in London with strong political and literary associations. Members of the club were called Whigs. They were painters, politicians etc. The club’s members included the writers Richard Steele, Joseph Addison, John Vanbrugh, Godfrey Kneller, William Congreve and political figures like Robert Walpole and the duke of Marlborough who flourished in London between 1703 and 1720.

9.What is the Captcha Project?

The term CAPTCHA was coined over fifteen years ago. They have been through many changes over these years. It is an acronym for ‘Completely Automated Public Turing Test To Tell Computers And Humans Apart.’ It is also known to be a particular type of challenge-response test and other than trying to tell humans and computers apart it is a web-based protection mechanism. It was introduced in the year 2000 by Luis von Ahn, Manuel Blum, Nicolas J. Hopper and John Langford. The main uses of CAPTCHA are to prevent comment spam in blogs, protect website registration, protecting email accounts from scrapers, online polls and prevent dictionary attacks. Most of us must be familiar with programs that submit bogus comments in the hope of raising search engine ranks of a certain website. By using CAPTCHA only humans would be able to make a post on the comment section of the blog.

10. What is a false vacuum?

In quantum field theory, a false vacuum is a hypothetical vacuum that is not actively decaying but somewhat yet not totally stable. It may last for a very long time in that state, a property that is known as metastability and might eventually move to a more stable state an event known as Vacuum decay. A false vacuum exists at a local minimum of energy and so is not stable in contrast to a true vacuum which exists at a global minimum and is stable.

11.What is the dissociative identity disorder?

Dissociative Identity disorder(DID) previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder(MPD) is a mental disorder characterized by the maintenance of at least two distinct and relatively enduring personality states. The disorder is accompanied by memory gaps beyond what would be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. Some other conditions that often occur in people with DID include post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, depression, substance use disorders, conversion disorder, somatic symptom disorder, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and sleep disorders.

12. Why does the moon appear upside down in the southern hemisphere?

The moon does appear ‘upside down’ in the southern hemisphere as compared to the northern hemisphere but it is simply a matter of orientation. If we imagine the moon orbiting in the same plane as the equator and if we were in the northern hemisphere the moon would always appear in the southern sky as that is the direction of the equator. The reverse is true in the southern hemisphere, the moon would appear in the northern sky.

So the two observers are looking at the same object from opposite directions and naturally it means one sees the object flipped compared to the other. It means that the ‘man in the moon’ is upside down in the southern hemisphere and can actually look more like a rabbit.

Know it better

Some informatory crunch for all of us, know it better and brighter. Let there be light. Of knowledge everywhere.

1. Tell me how do deep-sea fish live?

Ans-Deep sea fish live completely in the dark where green plants can not grow. They have to withstand a strong water pressure and intense cold. For this reason, many have luminous parts in their bodies. Others have eyes trained to pick up the tiniest glow or speck of light. Others are blind, relying on their powers of touch and many have very thick skins. All feed on remains floating on the surface and on other marine life.

2. Tell me, how many oceans are there?

Ans-The oceans are huge masses of water, between continents but all lived together to form one mass. There are three, the most easterly is the Pacific Ocean covering about 100,000 sq km, then comes the Atlantic with around 106,000,000sq km and the Indian Ocean around 75,000,000 plus their glaciers seas of the Arctic and Antarctica cover 70 of earth’s surface altogether. 

3. Tell me are there any sea monsters?

Ans-100s of sea monsters have been reported of every size and description. But not a single one has ever been captured. We have to remember that when sailors spend months at sea, with time to look out on the expanse of the oceans, imagination can play strange tricks. And when science or technology cannot give an explanation, out of the ordinary sightings often lead to legends of sea monsters.

4. Tell me, how can we avoid sea sickness?

Ans-Sickness, giddiness and sweating and headache are all symptoms of seasickness. It is caused by the rolling of the boat and the longitudinal axis, from one broadside to the other or part to starboard and around the horizontal axis, from bow to stern. To avoid seasickness eat only solid, spicy food and keep to the center of the boat in the open air, eyes closed to avoid looking at anything which is moving.

5. Tell me what color is the sea?

Ans-Sea Waters are clear, but the surface color depends on the reflection of the sky. So with a grey sky, the sea will be grey and in bad weather, the sea would be grey. But the deeper the water, the deeper the color, becoming blue, then gradually darkening into violet. This is because the light from the rays of the sun are made up all of the gradual changes or graduations are lost one by one as the light cuts through the water.

6. Tell me how deep is the sea?

Ans-The Pacific Ocean is the deepest, with a minimum depth of 4,050 mts, max 11,030 mts.Next is the Indian Ocean with 3,900 mts,max 9,200 and the Atlantic,min,3,300,max depth 9,200 mts.The max depth of the Arctic Ocean is 5,500 mts, then the Mediterranean Sea with a max depth of 6,120 mts, min,1000. Bottom of the deep sea league is the Baltic, min depth,460 mts and the North Sea,90-100 mts.

7. Tell me, why is the sea salty?

Ans-All water contains salt. The taste depends on the quantity and the water in which it is dissolved. In the sea, the saltiness depends on the temperature and the rivers flowing into it and the currents. With high temperatures, water evaporates and the salt gets very concentrated. Rivers being clear water, so a sea which has a lot of river water has less salt than one where few rivers flow. The currents mix the waters and so dilutes the quantity of salt.

Let the child rule first: Autonomy based parenting is really good during the pandemic times

The parenting based on autonomy promotes the overall wellbeing of children and parents in the difficult phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To parent school-going children remotely is a challenge. Some parents have to do their jobs from home and also keep an eye on their children because they lack normal child support services like daycare during the time of the pandemic. According to a new study allowing children some more freedom and self time maybe the most effective strategy for adults and children alike.

Research has tried to explore whether or not autonomy-supportive parental behavior can facilitate adaptation and better child well-being. It has also been explored whether such parenting behavior helps to create a positive emotional climate that can be beneficial to both parents and children. The study could find that autonomy-supportive parenting behavior is positively connected with better child well-being and higher parental need fulfillment. And as an additional benefit it was also found that though this parenting style needed a ton of care and energy to maintain but it also provided a recharging effect for them.

About autonomy based parenting

Autonomy based parenting means allowing a child to operate in independence within a structured setup and reasonable boundaries. In this parental technique an adult communicates in a non-judgmental way to the child that allows them to explore their own strategies and solutions without fear of reprisal. This way the child gains the opportunity to own their actions and consequences. By excluding parental micromanagement, autonomy-based parenting helps to promote a child’s feeling of competence.

Considering the context of the current pandemic autonomy-based parenting means that a child takes up more responsibility for the quality of their schoolwork just like they would have done if they were in a pre-pandemic normal classroom. And this method also returns some much needed time to the working and ultra busy parents to give them a sigh of relief and a moment to breathe.

The study methods

Through the use of parent questionnaires the researchers tracked the prevalence and effect of autonomy-based parenting over 3 consecutive weeks during the pandemic. The findings from the daily questionnaires suggested that autonomy-supportive parenting is beneficial for the well being of both children and parents. The study also found out that autonomy-based parenting improved family cohesion with parents experiencing enhanced vitality and a reduction in stress.

Autonomy-supportive behavior can have positive downstream effects not only on the receiving child but also on the social system and the provider of support.

So don’t boss over your kid. Let him take the lead and initiative to do things, right or wrong, but his way so that the corona pandemic becomes a learning period and a fun one too for your prince and princess. All good, and all happy!!!

A new approach to hotel housekeeping: Green Cleaning

We all know the importance of ‘green’ as it is the most wanted buzzword for today. As the world is tormented by massive environmental issues like global warming,ozone depletion,pollution,exploitation and depletion of natural resources,increasing amounts of solid wastes.Over the years there has been a considerable amount of understanding of environment preservation and sustainable practices amongst various sectors and masses of India.So the terms like green housekeeping,eco-friendly practices,biodegradable wastes and indoor air quality(IAQ) are not baseless and have a big role to play in the effort towards sustainability.The 3 R’s of Sustainability-Reduce,reuse and recycle are some concepts on which the hotel industry is forming guidelines to reduce impurities and strive for sustainable development.

What is Green Housekeeping?

Green Housekeeping is an important aspect of sustainable practices,and is an evolving trend of today.All the housekeepers around the world are making efforts to switch over to ‘green cleaning’.It is a comparatively new concept which means using cleaning products and methods which are environment-friendly and which have ingredients and processes that will help to preserve human health and the quality of the surroundings.

It is now a norm to have a ‘green cleaning policy for all the hotels.It also requires many aspects like a re-evaluation of cleaning products and practices to improve the indoor air quality and to be sensitive to the environment. In the US an organisation called LEED(Leadership in energy and environmental design)has made such a policy mandatory for certification of the environment of hotels. 

Need for Green Housekeeping 

We firstly need to know why we need to get rid of the traditional cleaning methods and what are the problems associated with them.There is a big notion that effective cleaning is possible with products which have chemicals in them.But research has proved that these cleaning products and methods cause a lot of health problems.

• The strong chemicals used in housekeeping are related to serious health issues like eye-throat irritation,headache,nausea,damage to organs like liver and kidney and also cancer.So to remove these negative effects of chemicals in cleaning products the hotels are switching over to green certified cleaning products and equipment.
• These products have some resilient qualities like low toxicity,they are not carcinogenic,have no harmful chemicals,are milder and don’t emit fumes and gases as against other products.
• The housekeeping supplies like toilet rolls and tissue papers are also made eco-friendly as they are unbleached and made from recycled materials.Following certain housekeeping practices like use of certified equipment,microfiber cleaning,entryway matting and water saving devices also augment the green cleaning movement.
• These environment friendly cleaning equipments work on the principle of using less harmful chemicals and concentrate more on their mechanical action,time spent on cleaning and the temperature of water used. 
• The vacuum cleaners working on this principle make less noise and are 99% more effective in cleaning.

How to test green cleaning products

Before deciding to choose the required product it has to be made sure that it is effective, efficient and equally economical to use in the long run. The certifying agencies in US like Green Seal test these products for human health and environment friendliness and more such cleaning aspects on a very stringent basis. The chemicals used in these products are biodegradable, have low VOC(volatile organic compounds)content, low impact on IAQ, are non-irritant to users and guests, are concentrated and can be used for multi purposes. The MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheet) of the given cleaning products must be thoroughly evaluated. And it has to be ensured that the products and equipment are certified by authorized and well-known agencies. The products of Diversey have been certified by Green Seal, Environmental Choice, Green guard etc. These green chemicals are cost-effective too as they have a very low dilution ratio and more productivity compared to their traditional counterparts.

The concept of ‘Green Cleaning’ has been very impactful in the indian hotel industry and is going to stay.The FHRAI(Federation of hotel and restaurant association of India)has plans to establish an accreditation committee to certify hotels to implement eco-friendly practices.Many top Indian hotels follow US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED)Certification to volunteer their commitment to the green movement.

Steps to be taken by hotels to make housekeeping eco-friendly are—

1.Stay away from chemicals

In the hotel industry there is a great usage of chemicals than in offices and households.When purchasing cleaning products hotels must select ones which are least harmful to health and surroundings together.The water run-off from hotels can pollute water resources if toxic cleaning solutions are used.The use of fertilizers and pesticides in the hotel premises must be in a safe and minimum manner.Room fresheners are another source of many toxins like formaldehyde,benzene,styrene,phthalates.So such products must be used which are natural,pure and less toxic.

2.Safe chemicals must be used

The chemicals which are used must be handled vigilantly and with care because exposure to such harmful chemicals will have a negative impact on housekeeping staff.The safety of the staff must be a priority job and they must be provided with adequate equipments and tools like safety goggles and gloves when working with dangerous chemicals.The cleaning products must be appropriately diluted.The strong chemicals must be stored in strong containers to avoid their leakage.

3.Green Cleaning

The standard of cleaning service of the hotel must be good.The most effective cleaning options must be used to keep the surfaces,floors and everything else spic and span,spotless.There are many products being used in daily chores which can have a massive impact on the people and environment around them.For eg,chemical-based fungicides can have a negative impact on local insect populations including bees and some cleaning liquids can release toxic fumes or harm if malhandled.

4.Investment in green equipment

The hotels must invest in green equipment to use the resources minimally.Sustainable products must be used for floor and carpet care.For eg,Green Seal gives environmental certification in the US and it recommends vacuum cleaners that comply with Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Program requirements and work.Energy efficient air conditioners must be used in the hotel including guest rooms.

5.Presence of Pest Management Plan

The pesticides and pest management methods used in a hotel must adhere to the condition of being sensitive to the environment.Every hotel must have a good indoor Integrated Pest Management Plan(IPM) that directs how pests will be managed in the hotel in a harmless manner being non-toxic and natural.The situation of their use too must be defined in the plan.According to LEED guidelines,guests must be told about the use of pesticides before and after their use in the hotel.

6.An educated and trained staff

The use of required products and processes may not just be the ultimate solution if there is the lack of aware and trained staff to carry on their works flawlessly.So the staff must be given required training and other needed courses to update them totally.This step will help conserve water which may be otherwise wasted due to unnecessary flushing of toilets or the use of certain cleaning methods.In this way the staff can learn about various aspects of keeping the hotel in a proper way including rationalization,water management,energy efficiency,water recycling etc.

Benefits of Green Cleaning

The ultimate aim to use the green cleaning method is to use the techniques and ingredients in a safe and healthy way. Some benefits of going green are—

1.Environment friendly

2.Better knowledge of the ingredients of the chemicals

3.Safer to use

4.Does not pollute water areas

5.Clean and fresh quality

Conclusion

The green cleaning revolution is at it’s full swing in India. Now it has become mandatory for most of the hotels to support and incorporate this method of cleaning and housekeeping. It’s safer, easier and totally compatible with human health and other aspects. So the hotel industry must include it in their policy and reap out benefits from it, they being massive.

5 best choices for doing internship in hotel management

A proper term of internship done in a hospitality course is very important. These internships are given a good amount of weightage in the final semester exams of the hospitality courses. It is done because of the type of work in which a student will have to establish him/herself after doing a course in hospitality management. The work of the students when they become professionals has to be perfect in all possible ways. In this case, the professionals have to work well and live upto the expectations of the customers or guests and see that they are fully satisfied with the services. So most of the hotel management institutions as part of their course curriculum make it purely essential for students to pursue a 6-week internship referred to as ‘industrial training’ by them. 

Some of the best choices for doing an internship in hotel management are:-

1.Marriott Hotel—The students can pursue an internship at Marriot Hotel for six months. According to the internship, the students are required to work in different departments such as the front office, housekeeping, food and beverage service, and kitchen for different time periods. Marriott is one of the hotels which allows the students to train actively as an intern at the hotel’s front office giving them direct exposure to the world and real business dealings.

Process to apply

The colleges may contact Marriott and send the resume of their students to the hotel. After this, the hotel calls students for an interview and selects them for an internship. Students can also call the hotel on their own behalf and contact the training department to know if they have a vacancy for an internship.

Duration

The internship at Marriott is generally offered for a duration of six months. The candidates can apply for internships in two batches:-

Summer Batch—Starts from June-July every year.

Winter Batch-–Starts from December-January each year.

Stipend

The candidates are offered Rs.1000 per month at Marriott Hotel.

2.Oberoi Hotel

Students can apply for a free internship at Oberoi Hotel as a part of their industrial training. This internship is for a duration of six months wherein they work for many departments for different lengths of time. It also gives a shorter duration of internship of 17 weeks at a single department or longer duration ones for a year. The hotel offers internships to around 40 students in a single batch.

Process to apply

The colleges send the resumes of their students but individual students can also contact the hotel asking for details of the internship.

Duration

The Oberoi Hotel gives internship opportunities in two batches.

 Summer Batch––This internship batch starts in May and continues for six months. Interviews are conducted to shortlist candidates in the month of February each year.

Winter Batch—This internship batch starts in the month of November. The interviews are conducted for this batch in the month of September each year.

Stipend

The Oberoi Hotel offers Rs.800 per month as a stipend to it’s interns.

3.The Leela Hotel

Another of the best hotels for an internship is the Leela Hotel. This hotel offers an internship of 17 weeks to students pursuing the hotel management course. But this hotel prefers to give internships to those candidates who are recommended by the respective colleges. The hotel offers students a chance to intern under various departments of the hotel like operations, front office, food and beverage services, housekeeping, and kitchen.

Process to apply

The best way to get an internship position at this hotel is by contacting college authorities or the student can even contact the hotel individually for the position.

Duration

The Leela hotel offers internships in two batches to students.

Summer Batch–-The hotel conducts interviews in March to fill up internship places for the batch starting in June/July every year. The strength of each batch is 10.

Winter Batch-–The hotel conducts interviews in the month of August for the batch starting in September/October each year. The number of students of this batch is 15.

Stipend

The hotel provides Rs.1000 as a stipend to students for the six-month internship here.

4.Westin Hotel and Resorts

This hotel too is a popular choice for aspiring candidates wanting to enter this field. This hotel offers internship opportunities to candidates at all it’s four main departments which include housekeeping and kitchen, food and beverage services, front office, and operations.

Process to apply

The Westin hotel offers internship positions on the recommendation of the respective colleges and does not give priority to the personal internship requests of students. It is because the college will favor those students who have better grades, attendance, and behavior profiles than their non-serious counterparts.

Duration

The Westin college gives internships in two batches.

Summer Batch-–This internship batch starts in June/July. The hotel’s Gurgaon batch gives internships to 40 students and the Sona outlet of the hotel gives internships to 20 students in this summer batch.

Winter Batch-–This internship batch starts from September/October onwards. The Westin Hotel’s Gurgaon branch gives internships to 50 students and the Sona outlet gives internships to 30 students in the winter batch.

Stipend

Westin Hotel gives Rs.1500 per month as a stipend to students during internship.

5.Taj Mahal Hotel

The students in this hotel can intern at all departments of the Taj Group of hotels. The hotel gives a four and a half to six-month industrial training to students at all hotel management related departments. If the authorities feel that a student has an inclination to intern at other departments then such students are allowed to work with the hotel staff in the HR and sales departments.

Process to apply

The students can apply for an internship at Taj by first making a call to the hotel’S HR. Then they need to send their CV and appear for interviews before a panel. On clearing the interview they are recruited for an internship.

Duration

Students intern at Taj in two batches.

Summer Batch—This batch starts in May and candidates are shortlisted on the basis of interviews conducted in January and February. At the end of February, all internships are closed for the summer batch.

Winter Batch-–This batch starts in November/December and candidates are shortlisted based on interviews done in June/July. By July end all vacancies are closed for the winter batch.

Stipend

Students selected for an internship at Taj are given a stipend of Rs.1200 per month.

Conclusion

There are many hotels in India and abroad also for doing internships where candidates get trained with the best faculty, experience, and fun learning to succeed. All that the student needs to do to land an internship position in these five-star hotels is maintain good scores, be serious in outlook with a hard-working attitude and a keen interest to learn tricks of the trade and be the best professional by his/her efforts and positivity. And then the sky too will be yours.

Diploma and Certificate Courses in Hotel Management and course curriculum for UG and PG courses

The students interested in hotel management have plenty of options when it comes to courses. Hotel management courses are available at the undergraduate and postgraduate level along with diploma and certificate courses. To choose a hotel management course students should meet the eligibility criteria for that particular course and should be aware of the course curriculum and their purpose of pursuing it. Some of the diploma and certificate courses in hotel management are:-

DIPLOMA IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Specializations

Aviation

Food Production

Bakery and Confectionery

Front Office Operation

Food and Beverage Service

Housekeeping Operation

Ground Staff and Cabin Crew 

Training

Subjects

Communication Skills

Management Skills

Food Production

Marketing Management

Top Colleges

VELS University, Chennai

Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur

Indian Hotel Academy, Delhi

CERTIFICATION IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Specialization

Food Production

Food and Beverage Service

Catering Management

Culinary Arts

Housekeeping

Aviation 

Subjects

Largely depends on the certificate course selected by the college. 

Some of the subjects in the course are—

Food and Beverage Control Management

Bar and Beverage Management

Housekeeping Operations

Resort Management

Top Colleges

Westin College of Hotel Management, Vijayawada

Vainavi Educational Institutions, Hyderabad

BVCHTMS,Mumbai

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Specializations

Accommodation, Operation, and Management

Dietetics and Hospital Food Service

Hospitality Management

Subjects

Front Office Management

Financial Management

Food Production

Beverage Operations

Human Resource Management

Top Colleges

Heritage Institute of Hotel and Tourism, Shimla

People’s University, Bhopal

Swarnim Startup and education University, Gandhinagar

Course curriculum for hotel management UG Courses

Course                                                     ——–      Hotel Management Subjects

1.Bsc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration—Introduction to cookery, culinary history, culinary terms, aims and objects of cooking food, basic principles of food production-1, methods of cooking food. 

2.Bachelor of Hotel Management(BHM)—Food and beverage service, kitchen operations management, wines fundamentals, fundamentals of management, marketing, and human resource management.

3.Bachelor in Hotel Management and catering technology(BHMCT)—Food and beverages services, food production and patisserie, front office management, hospitality accounts, hospitality sales, and marketing and public relations, management of ticketing and fare, housekeeping management and room maintenance, etc.

 4.BA in Hotel Management—General operations, sales and marketing, front office, food and beverage, service keeping, and catering.

5.BA(hons) in hotel management-–Tourism and hospitality management foundation, food and beverage operations, food production operations, property management systems, accommodation management, personal development planning(PDP), hotel interface/hotel exposure, management of hospitality organizations, business finance, marketing management, human resource management, meetings-incentives-conferences-exhibition management(open),facilities management(open),strategic management, hotel operations management, corporate governance, managing innovation and change(open),digital and marketing communication(open). 

6.BBA in hospitality, travel, and tourism— Business organization, fundamentals of travel and tourism, business mathematics, business accounting, business communication-1, business computing, marketing management, business communication-2, research methodology, and report writing, business law, marketing communication, financial management, consumer behavior, and market research, business economics-2, travel agency, and tour operations, human resource management, essentials of strategy management, entrepreneurship, and venture management, food, and beverage management.

7.BA(Hons) in Culinary Arts––Culinary management foundation, food and beverage operations, food production operations, property management systems, nutrition-health and safety management, personal development planning(PDP),hotel interface/hotel exposure, management of hospitality organizations, business finance, marketing management, human resource management, meetings-incentives-conferences and exhibition management(open),contemporary gastronomy(open),facilities management(open),strategic management, culinary operations management, global cuisine management, digital and marketing communication(open),culinary innovation management(open),global events and festivals(open),corporate governance(open). 

      Course curriculum for hotel management PG courses   

Course                                              ——            Hotel Management Subjects

1.Master of Hotel Management(MHM)–— Principles and practices of management, organizational behavior, accommodation management, food and beverage management, food science, French language, nutrition and dietetics management, communication and soft skills, human resource management, marketing management, applied operations research, financial management facilities, design and management, hospitality management, food and beverage management, accommodation management, marketing and sales, fundamentals of tourism and tourism products, strategic management, management institute system(MIS) 

2. Master in Tourism and Hotel Management(MTHM)-–Service Management for Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hospitality Operations and Management, tourism management, quantitative methods for business, sales management, marketing in tourism and hospitality industry, financial management in tourism and hospitality, strategic and sustainable management in tourism and hospitality, gaming and Casio management, revenue management and hotel analytics, strategic brand management  

3.Msc in tourism and hospitality management–— Quality service and operations management, food and beverage management, tourism management, tourism entrepreneurship, and innovation management, international hospitality business, research and quantitative methods, human resource management and industrial relations, financial and management accounting, tourism and hospitality marketing, sociology of tourism, property management, strategy planning, and management in tourism and hospitality business, infrastructure management, decision making under uncertainty, event planning, and management, sustainable tourism development.

4. MBA Hospitality Management—Organizational theory and management, hospitality and tourism management, food and beverage management and control, principles of operation management, financial management, marketing management, customer relationship management, quantitative applications in management, marketing research and report preparation, economic analysis, business environment, and law, accounting for management, food science and dietetics management, computer applications, business communication, behavioural science, strategic management, management in action-social, economic and ethical issues, facility planning, design and management, total quality management, accommodation management, marketing of services, front office management, public relations and corporate images, event and conference management, recruitment, selection, training and development, hospitality law, advertising and sales promotions, brand management, service operation management, foreign language: French German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese.

5.MBA Hotel Management-–-Principles of tourism and hotel management, financial accounting for tourism and hotel business, managerial communication, tourism products of India, front office management theory, food production and beverage service, bakery and confectionery theory, central reservation system procedure, travel management, human resource management, entrepreneurship development, tourism hospitality, and marketing management, tourism planning, food safety and nutrition, cargo management, IT for tourism and hotel, research methodology, customer relationship and service management, the legal framework for tourism and hotel, hotel facility management.

Conclusion

The hospitality industry is on a booming high in today’s times and it is really offering a plethora of opportunities and roles to learn and enjoy. The diploma and certificate courses and UG and PG courses are the required qualifications to get a job in this sector and be on a ride of life to beautiful destinations and wonderful learning experiences. The field is a great booster for people charged with zeal, energy, a curiosity to learn, and the dedication to do and achieve. So aspirants should not feel low about the field as it is second to none and they should be motivated in it to color the sky blue, pink, or purple with their hard work and versatile talents.

Hotel Management courses after class Xll

Hotel Management has become a sought-after degree for students planning to study a professional course immediately after class 12th. This is the most sought-after course because of the wide array of opportunities available in the hospitality industry both in India and abroad. It is one of the few professional courses that can be pursued from any stream(Arts, Science, Commerce). But the field has become quite complicated. Hotel Management course is a program intended to train students for the hospitality service sector comprising jobs in top multinational companies catering to the food and beverage sector. Hotels, hospitals, airlines, and cruise lines are some more promising areas for a hotel management graduate.

Courses in Hotel Management

After completing class XII an aspirant can apply for undergraduate courses in hospitality management. The choice ranges from degree to diploma and certificate courses.

The undergraduate courses in hotel management are:-

1.Bachelor of hotel management(BHM)

2.BBA in hospitality, travel, and tourism

3.BSc.in hospitality and administration

4.Bahelor in hotel management and catering technology(BHMCT)

After completing undergraduate level studies one can opt for further studies and pursue MBA in Hotel Management. Apart from the normal syllabus, the faculty takes care to develop the communication and interpersonal skills of a student.

Eligibility Criteria for Hotel Management Courses

The minimum qualification needed to study Hotel Management course is class XII. The selection of a candidate to government-approved hotel management colleges and institutes is done by entrance tests at the national level. They need to sit for the National Council for Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination(NCHM JEE)in the month of April. The test is made of multiple-choice questions in English, Reasoning Capability, General Science, and General Knowledge. Candidates who successfully clear the entrance examination are called for personal interview and group discussion rounds to judge the personal aptitude and personality of the candidate.

Hotel Management Course Duration and Fees

The course duration of a degree course in hotel management is 3 years while diploma courses take 2 academic years to complete. The certificate courses in hotel management can vary between 6 months and 1 year.

Institutes offering B.Sc Degree(Hotel Management)

Institute of Hotel Management, Catering, and Nutrition, Pusa, New Delhi(IHM Delhi)

Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration(WGSHA)

Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Chennai(IHM Chennai)

Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Hyderabad(IHM Hyderabad)

Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied  Nutrition, Mumbai(IHM Mumbai)

Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Bhopal(IHM Bhopal)

Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Kolkata(IHM Kolkata)

Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology(AIHMCT)

Hotel Management Syllabus

In the UG level studies, the 4 core subjects of hospitality management are:-

1.Food production

2.Food and beverage

3.Housekeeping services

4.Front office management

Career and scope in hotel management

India is experiencing a lot of growth in the hospitality management sector because India has become one of the favorite international destinations and also because the hospitality industries have given a positive contribution to the Indian economy thus creating great career opportunities in this field. The high influx combined with sporting events and international film festivals are demanding the need to create more tourism and accommodation facilities. After completing a degree, diploma, certificate course one can find good jobs in many hotels and restaurants.

These are some of the best career choices in the sectors of-—

Resorts and Guest Houses

Forest Lodges

Cruise Ships/Shipping Companies

Airline Catering

Hospital Administration and Catering

Tourism Development Corporation/Agencies

Hospitality Department in Indian navy/Armed Forces

Catering Department in Indian Railways

Hospitality Department in Corporate Houses

Kitchen Management in School/Colleges/Factories

Self-Business in the role of an entrepreneur

Roles and salaries offered to Hotel Management Graduates

The sector of hospitality management is booming and the industry is paying quite handsomely to it’s professionals. The entry-level salary of a promising grad is Rs.30,000 to Rs.50,000.This career is fun, glamorous, and interesting with a lot of industry perks and an opportunity to travel the whole world. One can also try to be an entrepreneur with a degree in hotel management.

The various job roles of a hotel management aspirant are:-

Chef

Catering Manager

Fast Food restaurant manager

Hotel/Public House manager

Restaurant manager

Conference center manager

Event manager

Roles of a degree/diploma holder in hospitality management as accepted by top recruiting companies/organizations are:-

Customer Service Executive/Manager in banks and MNCs

Air Cabin Crew in national/international airlines

Catering officers in cruise/shipping companies

Retail store executive/Manager in back-office, cineplex, shopping malls

Human resources officer/manager

Business development executive

Marketing executive

Officer/Manager/Supervisors in tourism development companies

Fire risk assessor

Faculty in hotel management institute/food craft industries

Independent Business Ventures

Chef and Food and Beverages Manager: Awesome twosome

 Career Comparison: Roles, Educational Requirements, Salary and more  

The hospitality industry requires professionals for many positions and departments.One of them is that of a chef and the other is that of the food and beverage manager. 

The chef is a culinary worker who cooks meals and dishes for the hotel’s restaurant.The chef may also assist in some administrative and managerial tasks to aid in the smooth functioning of the hotel.

A food and beverage manager plans,organises,directs,controls and assesses all the operations of bars,restaurants,cafeterias and jobs that include serving of food and beverage at a hotel.Many people being a part of the hotel industry say that a chef is the most important position and cooking the most important department of a hotel.But it is not so because every department and position has it’s own role to play in making a particular hotel get it’s ratings. 

Shot of two young cooks preparing food in the kitchen

Personality traits of a chef  

1.A chef has a passion for making food.

2.He has a developed, keen sense of taste and smell.

3.A good chef is usually a perfectionist.

4.He shows a strong instinct for experimenting with cuisines.

5.He is creative and has a strong sense to innovate.

6.He is determined and has lot of energy to put in to work

7.He is willing to work long hours in a stretch.

8.He has a good memory and command over his creations.

9.He has good organisational skills.

10.He is spirited and willing to learn every minute.

Personality traits of a food and beverages manager

1.He has proper leadership skills.

2.He has good communication skills.

3.He shows flexibility and adaptability.

4.He has a problem solving ability and knack.

5.He is proactive.

6.He masters in inventory management.

7.He has a command in conflict resolution.

8.He has the ability to work consistently under pressure.

9.He can multi-task effortlessly.

10.He showcases organisational skills.

To opt for a career as a chef a candidate has to pursue any of the mentioned programs:–

BSc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration

BA in Hotel Management

BA (Hons)in Hotel Management

BA (Hons)in culinary art

Bachelor of hotel management

BBA in hospitality

Bachelor in Hotel Management and catering technology

Craft course certificate in food production and patisserie

Diploma in chef’s management

Bachelor of catering technology and culinary arts

Costa crociere cruise chef course

Bachelor of science(BSc)in culinary arts

Top colleges providing culinary courses 

Food is one thing we cannot do away with ever.We need food to survive.And it is prepared all over the world in different ways to be consumed by people of different caste,color,culture and countries.The food industry has always been there but it has seen a boost in the recent times making it a very feasible and lucrative field to opt for.The Indian food and grocery market is the sixth largest in the world. There is a lot of demand and need for trained professionals in this sector.

Some of the best colleges offering culinary courses in India are:-

1.Culinary Academy of India—Hyderabad

2.Institute of Hotel Management Pusa—New Delhi

3.Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development—New Delhi

4.International Institute of Culinary Arts—New Delhi

5.Institute of Hotel Management,Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition—Goa.

6.Institute of Hotel Management—Aurangabad

7.WelcomGroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration—Manipal

The courses to opt for Food and Beverage Manager position are:-

Bachelor of Hotel Management(BHM)

Systematic Training and Education Program(STEP)

BSc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration 

BA in Hotel Management

BA(Hons)in Hotel Management

Bachelor of Hotel Management

BBA in Hospitality

Bachelor in Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Job Profile: Chef

A chef primarily is responsible for preparing new recipes for meals per day.They also need to add their creative touch to recipes and give them a new twist thereby adding some fun element to the whole process.The chef needs to maintain a record of the inventory and make sure that new recipes are put-up on a regular basis on the menu card.Apart from that the chef needs to possess the know-how of how to use different kitchen gadgets and train the cooking staff.

Chefs can have a hectic schedule which will include long working hours.They are usually the first ones to arrive and the last to sign out.The chef needs to strictly possess the ability to multitask. After gaining a good amount of experience chefs step up and graduate to directing and helping on how to manage the kitchen and plan what meals should be served on a given day. The work profile of a chef can vary depending on his position.An executive chef oversees the complete culinary work of the hotel or food service establishment. 

They are also responsible for the creation of the food menu card and the theme of the occasion.The Sous Chef is the administrative assistant and makes sure that the tasks listed by the head chef are completed on time and in an efficient manner.A Sous Chef is also in-charge of hiring/firing lower chefs along with maintaining a proper work schedules.The Line Chefs are often given special duties which include baking,preparing food ingredients and many such related jobs.All of these lower chefs have to report to the executive chef or sous chef.

Job Profile: Food and beverages manager

A food and beverage manager is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the operational aspects of a restaurant.The Food and Beverage manager is responsible for hiring and training the staff members. Their profile also involves ordering supplies and assisting,advising on budgeting,knowing the cost of dishes on the menu card and producing financial reports. 

Salary

Chef

The pay of chefs depends on their positions and the hotel or establishment where they work.A Sous chef can earn a salary ranging between Rs.242,531 to Rs.916,777 while an Executive Chef can get between Rs.238,315 to Rs.3,504,683.

Food and beverage manager

The average salary of a F&S manager is Rs.772,267 per year.It ranges between Rs.304,556 and Rs.1813,529.

Some 5-star restaurants like Marriott International and the Taj Group of Hotels offer freshers with 1-4 years of experience, a salary package of Rs.373,689 and Rs.254,500 respectively.

Conclusion

The hospitality industry needs hard working, dedicated, high-spirited professionals who have a passion in this field. This field offers wonderful career choices not only restricted to chefs. All the departments work together and can excel if they understand their work well and have a helping and cooperative attitude. We all know that food is the most important necessity of all and so this industry can never be understated. It’s good, real and it’s here to stay.

The suicidal spirit: Mental issue like suicide, it’s symptoms and possible cure

Mental issues are a common phenomenon now the world over. With the advancement in the quality and living standards and fast track pace of life, things have become very unnatural. People are caught in a frenzy and frolic of life together. Many people are winners as they manage any kind of situation well enough while most of the people are not able to handle the pressures and perils that this life offers and easily succumb to a mental breakdown. Individuals experience a medley of emotions and feelings during this lowdown phase and thinking about death and dying is a natural phenomenon that is equally scary. For many people suicide is a permanent solution to a common problem. People may under the control of depression and mental crisis periods feel too hopeless and miserable to carry on their lives and feel like they don’t belong to this world. And this might trigger the thought of suicide very easily.

Know the signs of suicide

Prevention of this condition(suicide) will firstly need identification of the warning signs of suicide which can be:-1. Talking frequently about death and suicide.

2.Feelings of hopelessness.

3.Saying that one is a burden.

4.Withdrawals from friends and family.

5.Losing interest in activities.

6.Extreme mood swings.

7.Giving away personal possessions.

8.Being a loner and saying goodbye to family and friends.

Suicide is a serious problem and any suicide threat or attempt should not be ignored and sidelined. To stop and help patients from this situation these points should be taken into consideration:-

1.Don’t ignore the patient’s feelings–The thoughts that people share about suicide or death should not be taken for granted and ignored. They must be taken for it’s seriousness and dire consequences. One should listen to the problems of the patients without offering judgments and not dismiss their experiences as being bluff or unimportant.

2.Understand the cry for help–When a person attempts suicide, it isn’t a sign that they want to die but is an indicator that they are in great emotional pain but don’t know how to deal with it. Suicide for them appears to be their only option to escape from a situation they don’t know how to handle. If they are still alive they are seeking an alternative to death desperately and attempting suicide may be their way of reaching out for help.

3.Be a good listener-If one is able to talk with a caring friend and unburden self from mounting troubles it can go a long way to relieve the unbearable build-up of pressure which leads finally to a suicide attempt. It does not require any special skill to be a good listener. One should just be patient and accepting and try to avoid getting into an argument and offer simplistic solutions. One should just show that they care instead of providing quick-fix solutions that seem insensitive and which try to make the episode sound trivial.

4.Be encouraging to people with depression-Excepting some incidents which are a surprise mostly suicide cases stem from people having depression for a long period of time. So one should work to take away the stigma around depression and encourage people who are hurting to get the help that they need immediately to save lives because the problem is dealt with before it worsens.

5.Don’t leave the patient alone–If a person seems to be in danger of hurting themselves people should not leave them alone.

6.Encourage the patient to see a mental health professional–The patient should be encouraged to see a mental health professional which may take some patience and persistence.

If the thought of killing oneself is scary for you,  it is actually a good sign. Because the part of you that is scared is the one who wants to live. The emotion of fear is not anything funny but it at times can be a positive thing that motivates you to ask for help. So it is a fact that thinking about suicide does not mean you want to die at all. One may be having intrusive thoughts about death which may seem to come from nowhere. Everyone has them from time to time. Many people are able to take it in their strides but some get caught in it.

Conclusion

One should try to know about what is mental illness to feel a sense of control which can empower to help live a fruitful life. You should know that during the phase of mental crisis you are not alone. One should look out for support groups where people talk about their personal experiences and give empathy and needed counseling.