For easy flights

The bane of most memorable travel usually involves airports and flights. Here are some tips to make travel easier.

Nothing beats going to the airport at least three hours before your scheduled flight. The chances of having to negotiate long lines are minimized. The attendant will be in a better mood and your chances of getting away with a few kilos over the limit better.

You aren’t allowed to choose seats in economy but do put in a request. If you are among the early birds checking in then your seat of choice might just have your name on it.

Try for aisle seats especially when the flights are international and therefore intentionally long. Skipping around your neighbour’s feet in economy baffles even seasoned acrobats.

Get rid your check in luggage first. If you are taking connecting flights check your luggage in through till the end of your journey. This is possible even if you are not travelling on the same flight service. The ease of stretching minus heavy loads will be the comfort of checking out duty free without having to keep an eye out on bags.

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Obama defends health reform plan

U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday strongly defended his ambitious plan, calling it vital for recovering from the worst recession to hit the U.S. since the great depression.

“Even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis, we must rebuild it stronger than before. And health insurance reform is central to that effort,” said Mr.Obama at a prime time news conference at White House, aimed at taking his case for health reforms to the people.

Mr. Obama’s nationally televised press conference comes as he has been facing criticism from the opposition Republicans for his decision to overhaul the health care system.

“This is not just about the 47 million Americans who have no health insurance. Reform is about every American who has ever feared that they may lose their coverage if they become too sick, or lose their job, or change their job,” said Mr.Obama.

“It’s about every small business that has been forced to lay off employees or cut back on their coverage because it became too expensive. And it’s about the fact that the biggest driving force behind our federal deficit is the skyrocketing cost of Medicare and Medicaid,” he asserted. Mr. Obama warned that if the spiralling health care costs are controlled, the U.S. will not be able to control its deficit.

“If we do not reform health care, your premiums and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket. If we do not act, 14,000 Americans will continue to lose their health insurance every single day. These are the consequences of inaction. These are the stakes of the debate we’re having right now,” he said.

Criticism:

Referring to the growing criticism against him, which has also pulled down his approval rating, Mr. Obama said: “I realise that with all the charges and criticisms being thrown around in Washington, many Americans may be wondering, what’s in this for me? How does my family stand to benefit from health insurance reform?”

Responding to his critics including Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who has come out on a series of news channels in the past two days, the President said: “Tonight I want to answer those questions.”

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Long hours not a good measure for hard work

The recession is taking its toll on the best of us. With the mounting economic distress, simply having a job seems like a blessing.moreover, being able to hold on to a job during a series of cost-cutting and layoffs forums a major triumph.

In fact, this tremendous pressure on job security is pushing people to work harder with gruelling hours and crazy schedules. They have no choice but to put their career first, and work/life balance has become the principle sacrifice at the altar of recession.

What most people fail to realize is that the constant battle for survival bring its own physical and emotional toll, making them a walking recipe for disaster. Gaining at least a semblance of balance between your work and the rest of your life is more important now than ever and is the only way to manage the chaos.besides; it will enable you to do your job better.

Yet, while striking a work/life balance was never easy, today’s challenging times have made the prospect harder than ever. This is not to say that you just cannot lead a full and rewarding personal life at all. There are lots of places to start once you realize the need to maintain a balance to outride the stress and tension.

Get priorities right: there will always be various things competing for your time and attention. You need to attend a meeting. Complete a project, instruct a subordinate, reply to your emails, and negotiate with a client and so on. Similarly, on the home front, you have to attend your son’s cricket match, help him with his homework, care for a sick parent, and spend some time with your spouse and also read that new book. These numerous demands pull you in different directions and scatter your attention, making it tough to get almost anything done.

Take an honest look and figure out what you really want and what you are willing to give up. Then either postpone or entirely eliminate the extra obligations that are counterproductive and wastefully eat into your time. This will free you for the more important tasks and let you focus on making the top priorities happen.

Use technology: numerous flexible options like telecommuting and flex-time have emerged that can make your working life infinitely easier. What’s more, the recession has made employers more amenable as they can conveniently cut costs and overheads.

So, check your company policy on the flexible options offered and remember that you will not lose anything by asking for accommodations. If your boss is different, explain that job-sharing or working from home at least on some days will make you more productive while letting you meet your personal responsibilities. Even if it entails a smaller pay cheque, the extra time can often compensate for the lost money.

Draw line: experts opine that there is no direct correlation between the number of hours you work and your chances of holding on to the job.so pause and reflect a while on both the choices and sacrifices you have made. There is no gripping compulsion to work longer hours and you should draw the line when it comes to your personal time. Schedule sufficient family time and keep your blackberry, laptop and other devices. Sacrilegiously off-limits. Explain to your boss that you will mostly be unavailable during weekends or will not take work home. Also, instead of working round the clock learn to work smarter by managing your tasks over a reasonable period of time.

Life outside work: never make the mistake of devoting yourself entirely to your work. It will ultimately reduce your productivity and overall satisfaction. Build a healthy network of family and friends that will work both as an outlet as well as a support system. You can also talk to different people in your circle and discuss tips on how they are managing to maintain a balance during this downturn.therefore, a mix of discipline and smart choices will enable you to free up at least a few extra hours in your life!

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Utility of commercial banks

Commercial banking in modern times is indispensable economic progress of a country. In fact, the functions of modern commercial bankers and their utility to the community are so enormous that we simply cannot afford even to imagine, let alone experience, the inconveniences we would experience if commercial banks are closed. A short strike of even one day the employees of commercial banks disrupts the entire economic activities in the country. All economic activities some directly while others indirectly-come to a standstill. It serves the community in numerous ways.

Firstly, by accepting deposits, the banks promote the habit of thrift and savings among the people. These savings of the people later result in capital formation, which is the basis of economic progress in the country. Secondly, the banks also encourage industrial innovations and business expansion through funds provided by them to the entrepreneurs. Thirdly, the banks exercise considerable influence on the level of economic activity through their ability to create money in the economy. Fourthly, through their lending policy, the banks can influence the course and direction of economic activity within the economy. Fifthly, the various utility within the economy. Fifthly, the various utility functions performed by the banks are of great economic significance for the economy.

Such functions as cheap remittance of funds, accepting and discounting bill of exchange, agency functions, such as, collection of dividends and interest on behalf of customers are very important for the working of the modern economy. In fact, the economic development of a country is not possible without a sound system of commercial banking.

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